428. Stranger (Secret Forest) 2 비밀의 숲 2 (2020) Korean

Cho Seung Woo, Bae Doo Na, Choi Moo Sung, Jeon Hye Jin, Kim Young Jae, Lee Joon Hyuk, Park Sung Geun

Drama Rating: 9/10     Neck Score: A

Stranger, or Secret Forest, is one of the best dramas I have ever watched. So there was no way I wasn't going to watch the second season, albeit with some trepidation that it wouldn't live up to the first season. And while I didn't like it as much as the first season, it was still really good and of a similar quality. The biggest difference between the two shows was the focus, which actually flavored this season a lot. The overarching situation in this season was the battle between the police and prosecution for investigation rights. So it was even more political than normal, and it also made it so my two best friends didn't get to spend as much time being the power partners, since they were representing two different sides of a fight. This tainted the flavor of the show for me, because my favorite part of the show has always been the incredible and respectful partnership of Si Mok and Yeo Jin. I just wanted more of them teaming up and less of them being awkward around each other because they couldn't be on the same side. However, there was still enough of that to make me happy, and confident that they still had that partnership/friendship chemistry.

426. Into the Ring 출사표 (2020) Korean

Nana, Park Sung Hoon, Ahn Nae Sang, Yoo Da In, Han Joon Woo

Drama Rating: 7/10     Neck Score: A

I had to watch this one because I needed to see my psychopath being a male lead. He did a good job. I loved his chemistry with Nana. They had the friends thing down so great, especially when they were like opposites attract and complement, but they also transitioned to lovers well. Yeah, this is a romantic comedy. It's a political one too. Warning to all who don't like that type of drama. This is a story about a girl who goes from being a chronic civic complainer (you know the type that notify city all about all the lights out in town and potential hazards, etc) to running for city council to make both money and a difference. It's about smaller town politics (it still happens in the Seoul Metropolis, I believe, but in a suburb district) and the pettiness of politicians. Seriously, they acted like they were all in some high school clicks.

424. It's Okay to Not Be Okay 사이코지만 괜찮아 (2020) Korean

Kim Soo Hyun, Seo Ye Ji, Oh Jung Se

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A

It took me a while to get into this one, mostly because it needed a bit to fully set up the situation and characters, and then once it did, it was quite delightful. If you only give it maybe longer than you normally would, it picks up quite nicely. What I liked about it was that found family aspect, and opening yourself up to be okay with not being okay. None of the characters in this show is okay, even the ones who would not typically be accepted into a mental hospital, but that doesn't mean they are okay. Everyone has their struggles and needs to open up about what they are feeling and thinking.

421. Love Designer 爱情高级定制 (2020) Chinese

Dilraba Dilmurat, Huang Jingyu, Zhang Xinyu, Yi Da Qian, Hu Bing, Zheng Shui Jing

Drama Rating: 6/10     Neck Score: A+

Love Designer was an interesting show in the fact that I never loved it, but I never hated it enough to drop it. It was kind of meh, to be honest. I liked how it was about a bunch of adults who communicated pretty well and generally worked things out maturely, and were looking out for each other, putting their partner's needs before their own, not getting in the way of each other's careers, etc. But at the same time they also got caught up in really weird things, which cause random drama. But for the most part, since they were so mature and cool, it came off as really blasé some times, like they had to really did for ideas to make it dramatic and that they would then act out of character to make those situations work.

Korean Movie Night: Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days 신과함께-인과 연 (2018) Korean

Ha Jung Woo, Ju Ji Hoon, Kim Hyang Gi, Ma Dong Seok, Kim Dong Wook

Movie rating: 8/10     Neck score: A

Once upon a time, back in August, I actually got to see my friends in person and we had a Korean Movie Night, complete with Korean take-out, and finally watched the 2nd installment in the Along with the Gods series. Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days picks up right where the first left off, focusing on the little brother. It also focuses on the backstories of who our three reapers were back when they were alive and why they were put on a team together. We also have the addition of Ma Dong Seok to the cast, which is always a win. He's the best.

Because it's an immediate continuation, they didn't spend as much time building the world and showing the judgements, they focused a lot more on the in between moments. This time with Gang Rim guiding the little brother while the other two tried to get the House God (Ma Dong Seok) to allow them to ascend the old grandpa. He also happens to know who they were since he was their reaper, so they are also focused on learning about their past, since Gang Rim still has their memories. Once again, Ju Ji Hoon was hilarious, especially when we saw him learning about who he was in life. I loved how the past reveal fleshed out their characters, but also built their relationships more.

I really loved Kim Dong Wook as the brother. He was such an interesting character because he was so chill and calm, but then also had the potential to become a vengeful spirit, since he had already gone that far in the first movie. But he was logical and trusting that he turned into more of a councilor to Gang Rim, especially as he was observant enough to see that this wasn't so much about him, but about what had brought the three reapers to this point. Another good bonus was more of Lee Jung Jae as Yeomra, he pulls off that look so well.

So the third installment is scheduled for 2021, so perhaps a review for that will be out sometime after then. I hope so, I'm down for it.

427. My Unfamiliar Family (아는 건 별로 없지만) 가족입니다 (2020) Korean

Jung Jin Young, Won Mi Kyung, Choo Ja Hyun, Han Ye Ri, Shin Jae Ha, Kim Ji Suk

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A+

This drama felt like one of those 50 episode weekend family dramas that are full to the max with drama and follow multiple different story lines and couples. It had all that, except it was only 16 episodes long. Which was awesome, actually, since that meant that it stuck to only the important drama and left out the filler drama. It still focused on the whole family and their different problems, as well as their problems together. The whole premise is that even though they are family, they don't know everything about each other. In fact, they are the poster family for miscommunication and even no communication. The whole show is a lesson on how not communicating with your family and loved ones will lead to miscommunication, with is a poison that can ruin even the closest families. The beautiful thing is that it also shows the power of communication and how that builds relationships, and even creates families.

Korean Movie Night: Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds 신과함께-죄와 벌 (2017) Korean

Ha Jung Woo, Cha Tae Hyun, Ju Ji Hoon, Kim Hyang Gi, Kim Dong Wook, Lee Jung Jae

Movie rating: 8/10     Neck score: A

Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds is the first installment in a series of movies that all have to do with a team of reapers helping souls through their judgement in the different hells in their first 49 days of being dead. The reapers have a further stake in this because if they help enough paragons they will earn a chance to also pass judgement and be reincarnated as well. The Two Worlds follows the path of Kim Ja Hong (Cha Tae Hyun) who was a fire fighter and predicted to be a paragon. I really liked how it brought up how complicated a human's life is, even when they seem to be a paragon of virtue, constantly saving lives and acting selflessly. I also really loved how they portrayed the different trials and hells, especially since each god of hell was a fabulous cameo with an equally fabulous costume. It was fun to recognize each god and get excited to see who was next. They were all awesome. Also, the prosecutors were hilarious. The dynamic between the three reapers was super fun too. The mysterious and cool reaper, Gang Rim (Ha Jung Woo), who actually remembers his past (I'm sure we're going to learn even more in the next movie) is like the dad (or hyung/oppa) of the group. Hae Won Maek (Ju Ji Hoon) is the punk uncle/younger brother, who likes to argue and complain, but they all will protect the donsaeng Duk Choon (Kim Hyang Gi) at all costs. It was a funny action packed trip, as they tried to unravel the knots of what was happening and what had happened, so they could defend their paragon to his reincarnation. It had great effects, action, and of course made us cry with all the feels. All the FEELS! Why are they also making me laugh while I'm crying, dang it! It was good.

I am really excited for when we watch the next installment, The Last 49 Days. I also expect I won't want to wait for the expected 3rd installment, which is supposed to happen next year. Let's hope it still does.