Old So What

 Is an epic Chinese fantasy drama that is larger that the three realms it inhabits. Friendship, betrayal, family, love; this drama has it all. The female lead is dealt a seemingly insurmountable fate, while the dreamy male lead tries to protect her from all dangers, even from herself. There is humor along the way and even quests. Paired with beautiful backgrounds and fantasy animals, demons and deities, it is like a video game come to life.  Highly recommend for anyone who loves fantasy. Just be prepared for a long emotional journey. I watched this on Amazon prime.

Many, that’s the word for this program:   This is many episodes of many shows, which occur in many languages, and many countries at this point. And, yes, this series has been on for many years. The plot is couples getting to know each other sight unseen, through conversations only, which occur in small isolated rooms known as “pods.” Don’t get your hopes up because the success rate for these couples is very low.   Usually just one couple (out of 5 to 7) makes it to the altar and then beyond, staying together. The reasons are easy to spot:   The couples are often made up of emotionally wounded people, waiting for something else bad to happen to them.   Plus, these are people who don’t know each other well. They are really almost complete strangers, so each stone in the road of their relationship becomes an insurmountable boulder. With little knowledge, with little trust, with no firm foundation to build on, and just the beginning feelings of love and commitmen...

  I can’t say enough in praise of the new Netflix program, “Captivating the King.” An historical drama, set in Joseon times, that is simply incredible.   And it gets even more incredible as it goes on, especially when the love story begins. It may well be one of the best features to appear on any television anywhere…anytime. (Coming from someone who has watched TV since 1950). The cast is impeccable with Jo Jung-suk and Shin Se-kyung taking the two top leads.   But the cast and director have played this story so well, with ALL leads.   There are very few minor roles.   Everyone is at the top of their game. Bravo to writers, directors, producers, actors, musicians, set designers, and anyone else, happily for us, to be participating in this production! This lovely series captures your heart.   It truly does.

  If you read my book, A Quick Read: Short-Short Stories , then you have at least an idea. These dramas are addictive!  Really, maybe I should get a life, but I look forward to the story line, the actors, the sets, the costumes, the smallest details which have all been included just for me! And everything is more than well done, it’s almost, yes, almost, perfect.   All of which show: care, expense-not-spared, sensitivity to the viewers, extraordinary imagination, above- and-beyond writing, acting and directing. It's nice to think that there are still creative, bodies of pure talent in this world, at least in Korea. These dramas end with a “Thank you” to “our” audience. I rest my case. P.S. The one flaw and the only reason for the almost perfect score instead of perfect, is that in order to grant the viewers’ wish for a happy ending, sometimes the endings don’t really make sense, as when the heroine swallows poison, gushes up blood, but ends up just fine! How...

  A documentary produced by Netflix about the 2015 series of tragic events… Looking for something substantive to satiate your brain? Well, look no further, Net flix has done all the work for you! Here is all the pathos and drama of true stories that will grab your attention and not let go!   Compelling television at its best that documents the earthquake which left 3.5 million people homeless, and 9,000 people dead. N ot just individual stories but unexpected events such as the outbreak of violence that happened with the perceived favoritism of just who would be rescued by local government first, from the small village of Langtang (in the earthquake zone). The final outcome had the dramatic heroism of the Israeli military, who helicoptered in and proclaimed that everyone (not just its citizens who had called for help) had a ticket out!