The Eternal Love: The Fun One

Not to be confused with Eternal Love/Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms, this one is a fun webdrama that follows more of a Princess Go Princess style. Like PGP, Eternal Love uses the storyline of a time traveling woman (I thought time traveling dramas were banned….) who lands in the period time of Dongyue Empire. Xiao Tan inhabits the body of Qu Tan Er, a composed and reserved daughter of a high official and a concubine. Qu Tan Er, the original owner of the body is in love with Mo Yi Huai, the eventual crown prince of the empire. However, their love is not meant to be and the prince ends up marrying her older sister in order to fulfill in his ambitions. Sheis forced to marry the prince’s 8th brother, Mo Liang Chen by her family. She ends up trying to commit suicide, but Xiao Tan lands in her body instead. Xiao Tan is rash, loud, and tomboyish. Thus, when they switch back and forth in the same body, it confuses everyone else around her who they think she is going crazy. Furthermore, every time they switch, they cannot remember how they got to their current location or what has happened before their switches. Mo Liang Chen is a clever prince and is distrustful of Tan Er because he knows she is Mo Yi Hua’s woman. However, as Xiao Tan inhabits the body, he slowly begins to have affection and trust for her. Xiao Tan also begins to fall in love with Mo Liang Chen who saves her again and again which causes emotional turmoil for the two women in one body who love two different men!

Not all period dramas have to be serious angst-fests. I love this breezy and fluffy fusion piece. Liang Jie is amazing at portraying two completely different personalities. It is funny to watch Xiao Tan take revenge for Qu Tan Er whenever they are bullied. She is not afraid to fight back and be extra sassy. I love how she also pulls on her modern knowledge to add into the confusion! It also extremely steamy between her and Mo Liang Chen. He is quite good as a leading man, especially when I have only seen him in a small side role as Princess Agent’s bodyguard. I am glad to see him come into his own in this piece and be extra charming to matching Xiao Tan’s sassiness. As for the rest of the characters I could really care less. This story is about the candy sweetness, or actually the spiciness between our two lovers!

Forest of Secrets: Forest of Lies

Tis’ the year for corrupt prosecutors and law enforcement! But wait, tis the year for whistleblowers as well! Hwang Shi Mok, a stoic prosecutor who literally cannot express emotions due to a surgery he had when he was younger is the only one who is one of the only non-corrupt officials in his organization. After meeting Lieutenant Han at a murder scene, he is caught up in a complicated scandal that implicates several of the higher up law enforcement officers. Because of his personality, people find it hard to work with him. However, Shi Mok doesn’t mind and marches to the beat of his own drum. Because of this personality, he is dogged in his desire to expose all the corruptness of his higher ups even if it costs him his job. Lieutenant Han is the heart of this team and slowly Shi Mok absorbs her compassion as well. Through their investigations, they are thrown many red herrings and everyone is constantly switching sides! However, their doggedness will certainly pay off!

tvN is always a trustworthy network that always gives me something interesting to watch. The actors are the core of the story. I enjoyed Cho Seung Woo’s stoic performance and those rare bursts of emotion. You never quite know what he is thinking, but that just adds to the mystery of the drama. As for Bae Doona, she is amazing as the down to earth cop. She is not necessarily using her visuals(thought I think she is gorgeous), but is rather dressing down to match her character. It just comes off so natural. I also thoroughly enjoyed Lee Joon Hyuk as the intense brown-noser who doesn’t hesitate to ingratiate himself with power no matter the humiliation he must endure. He struggles so hard to survive in a cut throat organization even if he has to beg on his knees. In the beginning I was hoping for a grand redemption, but I prefer him this way because he is more realistic! The most unfortunate loss was Shin Hye Sun. She was such an underrated character and I wished she could have made it through the end! The plot was very intricate and well written. I was guessing until the very end where everyone’s true loyalties lay! I like how it wasn’t just focused on action, but rather how clever thinking and manipulation solves the case! These shorter stories keep my watching until the end, so that the first impressions are more like general impressions (without hopefully giving too much away). However, this is definitely a must watch of the summer!

Week of August 7th – Sorry by The Rose