Review: Uncontrollably Fond

Okay, unfortunately... this wasn't a drama I could finish watching. So this review is going to go over exactly why I couldn't finish, and what I got from the few episodes I did watch. After all, with the length of dramas, not every drama is worth watching, even if it is a tearjerker.

To be perfectly honest - this drama should be renamed Uncomfortably Fond. The story started off in a somewhat refreshing way (though, really, is any archetype that refreshing these days? We find out, episode 1, that Kim Woo Bin's character Shin Joon Young, is diagnosed with cancer and won't live for very long. Very heartbreaking, especially when you toss in his relationship with his mother, whom he doesn't tell about the illness (he was so frustrating and pitiful... Woo Bin did such a good job with this. If only it wasn't poorly written). 

Suzy... now she's a renowned actress, and I did enjoy her portrayal of her character, No Eul- sassy, bold. But since this is the only work I've seen her in, I'm not so impressed. 😓 The real problem, then, might have been her character. Erratic and ridiculous at time, she was a representation of a broken human who hides her feelings with a "lol I'm a bad person" persona. Did it make sense? Not really, no. (At least not till she develops and becomes her true self, which does not come in for a while- and for me, was not worth the wait). Did I like it? Not really, no. 

The other principle characters were also a little ridiculous and shocking, and nobody in the show was a stereotypical "good-guy", which I enjoyed. Everybody was forced to face the consequences of their actions, which is not necessarily how real life works. But this is a drama, so to balance the story, of course that's how it works (thank goodness). 

She's so pretty though... wow

The story, long-winded and a little sudden, does not really pull the audience in enough in the beginning for us to watch it all, and the conflict seems stale. Regardless, it weaves in a plethora of pitiful characters with flaws and grudges (though we aren't sure how they all tie in for a bit). And when we are aware of how these grudges tie in, and how people have wronged each other, we're... bored. But also it all just seems like such an unresolved mess that I just didn't have the heart to watch it all play out, not to mention the multitude of factors that complicated and confused the story a little. Simplicity might have done the story some good. 

Character development does indeed take place, especially Woo Bin and his, um, kin. But the stereotypical conflicts still exist in the sphere - and the relationships between family members are as complicated as they are expected. Not much of an element of surprise in the show, mainly because of its slow pace. But I am glad that the characters weren't completely fake and unbelievably good or bad. It set the tone for the drama rather well, since it does deal with a more serious atmosphere that doesn't have a traditional love story and magical happenings. 

If there's another element that's so often used in a way I don't like (except Secret Garden. They did phenomenal), it would be the god damn ties to the past. The show trailers advertised a pair of classmates who meet after growing up. Great. But their past love story was just a little forced. I think the way they did finally get separated, and the way they meet again was super fresh. I really liked it. But, their sudden reawakening of love, and this undying love that has been festering for years? So random. There are flashbacks to the past in other parts of the drama that I think were well executed, as well as our main character's regression in memory (spoiler? But well done). 

The point of the story? Of course, since it's got the terminal illness trope, it's got to do with appreciating life. Our main character decides to set into motion his "bucket list" before he dies so that he can do what he always wanted to do (confess to his old love, make up with his mother, etc.). But at the end he appreciates what he had done in his life, and ended on a peaceful and happy note. It's kind of heartbreaking. But the story does delve into much more than that - which redeems to the extent that at least our characters and their connections were thought out. The drama explores how different characters deal with consequences to their actions, and whether or not people can be truly good or bad. We see themes of family develop, and how small actions can ruin everything. There is a call to a moral being inside us all to do what is right. 

So why didn't I like it? Well... it was boring and slow. Not to mention, the plot seemed all over the place, and while the ideas that were brought out in the drama were deep and fresh, their execution was poor. I could not form a bond with No Eul despite her sad backstory, mainly because of how strangely she was portrayed. Perhaps it was on purpose, to show her as a broken creature. But how this love story persisted despite all that? That's what made me stop. If you can overlook the improbability of their feelings and actions in any situation in the drama, you probably won't dislike the show as much as I did. 

Regardless of whether or not the show pained you (I mean mentally and emotionally - this was one sad show), the soundtrack is worth listening to. If there's one song I fell in love with, it would be A Little Braver by New Empire. Sweet, and well-timed within the drama. Would recommend it.

So in conclusion, watch it if you're desperate for a slow story and a good cry with little catharsis. Or, don't watch it. Appreciate your life and love freely regardless. Be grateful and show it to those around you, and oh, always do what you believe in your heart to be right. Be happy. Haha 😊

Review: Dunkirk

War movies... never get old? 

Well, I can't account for that; however, at least this movie had a fresh take and did not aim for total emotional breakdown of the audience. In fact, very little was explored regarding the principle characters' backstories. It was war. Everybody had someone to get back to. We know that. 

In that sense, it was very in-the-moment and edge-of-the-seat. 

Christopher Nolan of course had a great soundtrack to go with that had the audience excited, and we got close enough to the characters to care a little, despite the low dialogue and little we knew of the characters besides what their actions spoke.

The cast performed well, and all consist of British actors you've probably seen before, and confirmed the theory that there are only around 30 British actors in the world. I was completely not expecting to see friendly neighborhood Harry Styles, and it caught me completely off guard, which perhaps raises the theory that there are only about 50 British people in the world total? Perhaps? Tom Hardy, though - I didn't even know he was British. Honestly my favorite guy in the movie. 

A little bit of Google-ing finds that there was a previous Dunkirk from 1958, which I have not and probably will not watch. Also a 2004 BBC TV series (gotta love BBC), which I also will not watch. So much for a comparison. The movie made reference to Churchill's "We shall fight on the beaches" speech, and brings up the point that this movie had a lot of British patriotism (shocking) which also means that it probably cannot be as fully appreciated unless you feel a connection to World War II from a British perspective. But this also means the rosy view of the events that actually happened, be it the surrender of the french soldiers or the Ken doll rescuing soldiers in a red sweater on a boat (who are you and how single are you).

The movie, in a word, was artsy. Not everybody's cup of tea, but I definitely like it and think it's worth a watch. I did not watch it in IMAX 3D but the camerawork was great, and it was exciting, well-made. An iconic scene that represents what I mean is this somewhat long but nerve-wracking sequence a little after the movie starts as two principle characters attempt to catch a boat to cross the channel and leave Dunkirk (spoiler: it doesn't really work right off the bat. Kind of the point of the movie). There are several principle characters, and the plot shifts between timelines and points of view that all culminate to the climax of the film and paint a fuller picture of our Allied soldiers' story and the evacuation of Dunkirk. 

While the majority of the film is just one hurdle after the other, and paints a grim picture following any glint of hope that appears, the movie ends clearly and definitely on a hopeful note. Sure (spoiler), a certain character probably got captured and killed as a POW despite doing such a great job saving the others - damn did I root for him, but his scene on the beach was heartwarming and full of hope. What an actor. 

I don't want to say that World War movies are overdone, because it honestly wasn't that long ago, even if most of us are detached from it. But the emotion was still there. 

Now, for what I didn't like. The characters. Perhaps Nolan got caught up in great cinematic effects (never a bad thing), and neglected the connection the audience felt to the characters. I cared enough that the characters' actions and fates had me rooting for them, but the deaths (not a spoiler, it's a war movie) and getaways did not elicit more of a reaction than the occasional "lucky bastard" at Tommy. The movie, while it was a great one-time watch, did not draw a deep enough connection, enough for me to call it... well, forgettable. 

I wouldn't watch it again if I didn't have to. Mainly because there wasn't enough that I felt for it. And the attempts that were made to build our connections with characters sometimes felt forced, and involved more dialogue than perhaps necessary (nobody talked for most of the time; I think Harry Styles honestly had the most lines - for no real reason), and the sweetest moments involved us understanding and inferring their character through their actions.

Regardless, I enjoyed it. I think the movie is worth watching, especially if impressive camerawork excites you. Sure, this is no Interstellar, but I recommend it for at least one watch, even if only for the hype. If you adjust your expectations a little, it won't disappoint you (isn't that true for everything? Haha). 

- Ritika RC - 

Featured Poem: Birches

 Introduction 

Robert Frost, oh my gosh. Love his poems. They're very "my style"... I don't quite know how to describe the feeling, but it has to do with feeling a oneness with nature that manifests when just serenely pondering the wonderings in my head. I sound like a juvenile critic, partially because (of course) I am, and I've loved his poetry since I was a child. If I ever do decide to post my poetry on here, you'd see the influence of nature that transcends yet reflects society. A form of art that Frost had skillfully mastered. Without further rambling, here is this poem, roughly about growing up, and sweet within my memory, Birches: 

 Birches 

 BY ROBERT FROST 

When I see birches bend to left and right 

Across the lines of straighter darker trees, 

I like to think some boy's been swinging them. 

But swinging doesn't bend them down to stay 

As ice-storms do. Often you must have seen them 

Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning 

After a rain. They click upon themselves 

As the breeze rises, and turn many-colored 

As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel. 

Soon the sun's warmth makes them shed crystal shells 

Shattering and avalanching on the snow-crust— 

Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away 

You'd think the inner dome of heaven had fallen. 

They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load, 

And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed 

So low for long, they never right themselves: 

You may see their trunks arching in the woods 

Years afterwards, trailing their leaves on the ground 

Like girls on hands and knees that throw their hair 

Before them over their heads to dry in the sun. 

But I was going to say when Truth broke in 

With all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm 

I should prefer to have some boy bend them 

As he went out and in to fetch the cows— 

Some boy too far from town to learn baseball, 

Whose only play was what he found himself, 

Summer or winter, and could play alone. 

One by one he subdued his father's trees 

By riding them down over and over again 

Until he took the stiffness out of them, 

And not one but hung limp, not one was left 

For him to conquer. He learned all there was 

To learn about not launching out too soon 

And so not carrying the tree away 

Clear to the ground. He always kept his poise 

To the top branches, climbing carefully 

With the same pains you use to fill a cup 

Up to the brim, and even above the brim. 

Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish, 

Kicking his way down through the air to the ground. 

So was I once myself a swinger of birches. 

And so I dream of going back to be. 

It's when I'm weary of considerations, 

And life is too much like a pathless wood 

Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs 

Broken across it, and one eye is weeping 

From a twig's having lashed across it open. 

I'd like to get away from earth awhile 

And then come back to it and begin over. 

May no fate willfully misunderstand me 

And half grant what I wish and snatch me away 

Not to return. Earth's the right place for love: 

I don't know where it's likely to go better. 

I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree, 

And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk 

Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more, 

But dipped its top and set me down again. 

That would be good both going and coming back. 

One could do worse than be a swinger of birches. 

Featured Music: heyahe, Gettin' By - ONE

Hey friends, 

With all the anticipation surrounding YG's newest solo male artist, ONE, I feel like binge-watching SMTM 6. All I gotta say is, he did well this debut 😊 - looking forward to future songs.

Anyway, I listened to heyahe and Gettin' By, and they're super groovy and worth listening to. Both are stuck in my head right now. 

Pretty sure Cha Cha worked on Gettin' By ("I need a ChaCha beat, boy"), so that's something to anticipate too!

Here's links: 

heyahe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rxYdCfjROI&spfreload=1

Gettin' By

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0DlHmnGeIo

Featured Music: love - DEAN

Hey nation of nations, 

I just listened to the COLORS version of the song (and DEAN why do you always impress so much? Damn boi.)

Here's a link to them:

COLORS: 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkNB5AsgZOc

Original MV (making only, apparently the MV got blocked on Youtube... Don't you love it when you infringe your own copyright?) :

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7F7tiAdle4 

If y'all don't know DΞΔN, y'all missing out! His music is super groovy and MVs always aesthetic. He's great. 

 

Featured Poem: The Tyger by William Blake

 The Tyger 

 William Blake 

Tyger Tyger, burning bright, 

In the forests of the night; 

What immortal hand or eye, 

Could frame thy fearful symmetry? 

In what distant deeps or skies. 

Burnt the fire of thine eyes? 

On what wings dare he aspire? 

What the hand, dare seize the fire? 

And what shoulder, & what art, 

Could twist the sinews of thy heart? 

And when thy heart began to beat, 

What dread hand? & what dread feet? 

What the hammer? what the chain, 

In what furnace was thy brain? 

What the anvil? what dread grasp, 

Dare its deadly terrors clasp! 

When the stars threw down their spears 

And water'd heaven with their tears: 

Did he smile his work to see? 

Did he who made the Lamb make thee? 

Tyger Tyger burning bright, 

In the forests of the night: 

What immortal hand or eye, 

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

Review: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

"By any chance... Do you like Messi?"

  This line managed to capture hearts and smiles across the world as the saga of Kim Bok Joo and Jeong Joon Hyung ended in January this year (I know, I know, I'm late). 

Two Straws One Cup (I'm bad sorry)

And we learned last month that their onscreen chemistry materialized into something more off-screen as well (congrats my lovelies), which is partially what led me to finish this series and realize that yes, their chemistry and relationship was so natural and enviable that this show was bound to be a hit - and not to mention but the portrayal of friendships and families painted Bok Joo's life with vibrancy without neglecting our male lead.

My favorite 13th Prince
and Seohyun as his lover

An antagonist from Doctors

From the start, I was incredibly surprised when I learned that Lee Sung Kyung would be playing such a bubbly character considering her previous roles, and similarly that Nam Joo Hyuk, a previously silent, strong, hot guy would be playing an equally bubbly immature guy role, but I was excited, and not disappointed. If you've watched them in other dramas (Doctors and Scarlet Heart: Ryeo for me), throw any ideas you might have of typecasting away, because these two are convincing and good, fresh upcoming actors. 

First things first, Bok Joo is a 21 year old (in Korean age) weightlifting ace whose main goal in life is to consume chicken, hang out with her friends, and do well at the sports university she attends. Her life gets a little more than a little twisted up when she meets an old classmate at the university, swimmer Jeong Joon Hyung. The pair do not quite get along, as his favorite way to pass time is teasing her publicly (this character coined the nickname Chubs - or Fatty in the Viki translation, amusingly enough). The characters were well-developed, as we watch Bok Joo grow up and see herself as a woman who believes she can and deserves love, as she hilariously falls for someone she can't be with. Her eventual shift in romance is both a little gloomy and pitiful yet also anticipated and supremely cute. On the flip side of this coin, we see Bok Joo's eventual love interest (come on, that's not a spoiler; it's obvious) developed as a childish and immature character who hides part of his truth behind his always happy facade. With Joon Hyung, we begin to see a theme of mental health emerge as well, which I believe was aptly handled by the show's writers. But, more on that later. 

 The friendships between the characters was portrayed very purely and aroused a sense of nostalgia, mainly because of how trusting and loyal they were to each other. Jo Hye Jung stole the show as Nan Hee, in my opinion, as she stood out as the most animated and with the most screen-time among minor characters. Joon Hyung's loyal friend and comic relief, Tae Kwon, did a good job as well despite his low screen time, even though I found his hinted romantic interest a little questionable... (who? You'll find out, but it's not very stressed). That might be another one of my qualms in this drama. The relationships between the main characters' friends felt a little forced and thrown away when the drama went into its second half, which made me a little sad, considering that they played quite a role in the two main characters' development. The development of these minor characters was explored, but perhaps not as deep as it could have been, but there was no sense of incompleteness in their story lines (except perhaps Nan Hee's aspirations), which was a merit in this show that is not often reflected in many dramas.

Bok Chicken: The best hangout

Two other characters that played large roles as supporting and secondary characters, perhaps antagonistic to the plot at times as well, are Joon Hyung's ex-girlfriend, Song Si Ho, played by Kyung Soo-Jin, and Joon Hyung's older brother, Jae Yi, played by Lee Jae-Yoon. Si Ho is a rhythmic gymnast, who was introduced at the height of the comical conflict between the burly and strong weightlifting girls and the delicate and popular rhythmic gymnasts. She is introduced as an antagonist, but is revealed to be suffering from her own problems, once again bringing in the ongoing themes of mental health as well as family and support from one's family. The audience is not meant to hate Si Ho, and honestly, I didn't. Sure she thwarted Bok Joo out of petty jealousy, but was also portrayed as a maturing strong woman who eventually found what she wanted in life. 

Song Si Ho

Jeong Jae Yi

With Jae Yi, I'll discuss the themes of family in the show. Jae Yi represented not only a desire to grow up and be loved by Bok Joo, but also the bond that Joon Hyung held with his family (no spoilers, good luck folks 😜). Joon Hyung has a seemingly sweet relationship with his family, who support him through his hidden traumas that hinder his success. Similarly, Bok Joo overcomes her trials through support from her father and uncle, who hilariously adore her while constantly berating her. On the other hand, the characters with less support from their family, such as Si Ho and Soon Ok (Bok Joo's other friend), have a tougher time finding what they want, and Si Ho serves as Bok Joo's foil as someone who is living their parent's dreams. Except in Bok Joo's case, when it comes down to it, her father is willing to support her in her dreams, rather than viciously living through her vicariously while sacrificing her happiness and health. That is why Si Ho's cathartic moment of self-realization is so impressive in her character development. 

This perhaps leads to a different problem: one of the actual plot and antagonist. Sure, there was no person that served as the conflict during the last few episodes of the show, but to be honest, there was very little. I am sure that only die hard fans interested in seeing more of the two main characters' relationships watched all 16 episodes without skipping the last few, because of how lacking they were in any action: in a word, they were rather boring. With its plot, I believe the show could have been 12 episodes instead of a full 16, but at least fans of the relationship got to see uninterrupted fluff in the last few episodes. 

Now, to the last point I'm going to make: the importance of mental health, and finding yourself. Of course, as an art piece about growing up, our characters are faced with dilemmas that force them to decide who they want to be and what they want to do in life, which sometimes end positively, and other times completely contradictory to others' expectations, but never without hope. In this journey, our characters are met with obstacles that mark the psyche of so many in the real world that ask themselves these questions, such as signs of trauma, depression, and other disorders that are behind the veneer of comedy that Weightlifting Fairy is. The story is one of growing up and struggling in the process to find out what you truly want in life. Bok Joo, Joon Hyung, Si Ho, Jae Yi, and a couple of their friends find out this truth by the end of the show, without any loose ends or neglected characters. This may be a bit of a stylistic choice that I disagree with, since I do believe that the audience ought to stay guessing in some situations. I also perhaps disagree with the execution that ends the show on a note that is so full of sunshine and happiness, that it overshadows (hah, oxymoronic) certain themes developed in the show. 

Cuties <3

Yet, stylistic choices apart, this show was truly funny, and the very definition of feel-good, due to its light treatment of many issues, and the quick resolution of conflicts. The show had me thinking and sighing (with adoration) and nostalgic, and was well-executed. Not to mention, the cameos pleasantly surprised us all and were very anticipated as well (Seohyun, Jisoo, Lee Jong Suk) and are placed very comically. I would rate this show an 8.5/10, and recommend it if you're in the mood for some enviable romance and a belly full of laughs to go with it. 

I look forward to watching Lee Sung Kyung's next drama, as she was proven herself a versatile actress (perhaps in a very different role, to see her shine in a multitude of variety in roles), and am so excited to see Bride of the Water God (a manhwa I did not unfortunately like) with Nam Joo Hyuk in a seemingly much more silent, hot guy role (back to that, eh?). I applaud the show for being so sweet and cute, and recommend it if you're up for some light-hearted romance! Good job, Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk. You've solidified on my list of most liked and anticipated young actors. 

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Any comments? Questions? Concerns? Comment and let us know!

This has been and continues to be,

Ritz 💕