Persona

 I just watched the Korean mini dreams series, Persona. I was pleasantly surprised with the four stories they depicted. It is an easy watch with four short stories with a different theme in each.

It is a new Netflix Original produced by Mystic Entertainment with IU as its lead actress. I had heard a lot about IU and this made me curious enough to watch this series. It did not disappoint me at all. IU is talented and charming and played all her characters well.

Each story has its own title the first story is Love Set which revolves around the tennis player. The stakes are high for both of them. The other story’s name is Collector which revolves around the woman who loves to seduce men and can go to any extend. The third story name is kiss burn revolves around the life of two school girl who wants to take revenge for the unreasonable father. The last story’s name is Walking at night which revolves around the life of a former couple who lives a life they want to live in a dream.

Four Korean directors — Im Pil Sung, Lee Kyung Mi, Kim Jong Kwan, and Jeon Go Woom, each created a short film with various themes and concepts to tell the main character’s story in a different way.All the stories are interesting enough to keep you watching till the end. A different approach to story narration in all the stories. A good watch if you are not interested in watching long drawn series. I enjoyed it.

Love Ft Marriage and Divorce

 A good watch with a look at how different relations can make or break families. It's all about love, deceit and longing. This series is in two seasons and it takes a look at families where there are extra marital affairs. How the affairs affect the family is depicted. The story line is interesting and the characters are well defined. It's not all black and white, there are so many shades of grey too.

There are some answering acting skills on display here. I am really impressed with the way they show emotions in this series. The dialogues are apt for the story. Nothing melodramatic but it makes you understand what the characters are going through. We can emphasize with the victims of betrayal. This series, like most other Korean dramas I have watched, is addictive.

Do watch this one. As the title suggests, it's about love, marriage and divorce. The cast is really attractive and we can see some great locations and amazing eye-candy. This series actually grows on you and we are curious to know what happens next. It is in two seasons and the end is kept open ended for the audience. Good, engaging watch.

It's streaming on Netflix .

Hometown Cha Cha Cha

 Such an entertaining watch! A sweet and simplistic look at country life. The locations are beautiful as always and the storyline is engaging and endearing in its simplicity .The lead pair are a good match for each other and it is nice to see the different situations that they have to face when they meet.

It's nice to watch these Korean dramas where they bring out the way of life of the people in these little country side places. The lead pair is adorable and have many good moments together that carries the story forward.

It is a slow paced similar to life in a small countryside. It is not overly melodramatic and so far no skin show or any hint of sex. The series kind of grows on you and you feel at ease being in the village by the shore. This is a welcome change from the city life depicted in many of the dramas. It reminds us of our native villages and the slow moving life there. What can I say about the location? It's surreal and I really feel like packing my bags and going there. The hamlet, the sea front, the waves and the small eateries and shops, the local vendors - everything is so charming and has a different vibe to it.

The way of life in the village, the bonds they share, their food and festivals, customs and traditions all are well- depicted throughout the series. There is so much of heart in this series that one cannot help getting involved and touched by the episodes. There is also a beautiful love story blooming and the lead couple is adorable yet so unconventional.

There are some beautiful moments too, where the lead pair vibes with each other and the others around them act as catalyst to their bond. Some life lessons about life are also planted in between the episodes in a non-preachy manner.

A good watch streaming on Netflix.

Korean Dramas

 Korean dramas are emotional and realistic. The story narration is wonderful and fast-paced.

They bring a slice of life and engage us with the simplistic stories that are heartfelt. They have some beautiful melodies and the locations are just apt. The character sketches in every drama is thoughtful and the actors are exceptionally good at how they portray themselves. 

The two back to back Korean drama series I watched were One Spring Night and Something in the Rain. Both these series were outstanding and the songs were absolutely soulful. What can I say about the lead pair of both these series! The oppas are simply breath-taking and we just cannot take our eyes off them! The female leads are also a great match for the leading men. 

I am so glad I got hooked to these Korean drama series lately. It is not something new for me. Many years ago , I was hooked to the series on KBS and then too I was amazed by the heartfelt stories. These series are not overly melodramatic. There is no excess of sex, nudity or foul language at all. There is depiction of beautiful bonds between family and friends. The love stories are adorable and they have such beautifully tender moments shown that we cant help but swoon.

Annayum Rasoolam

 Watching Annayum Rasoolam a love story about two star-crossed lovers who live in the hope that there will be a happily ever after life for them as a couple.

The story is as realistic as it can get and we can't help being blown over by the sheer intensity of their love. There is so much conveyed through the glances and the short moments that they share with each other. It makes it clear that love makes you a changed person.

The lead pair of Fahaadh and Andrea share great chemistry and do an amazing job as a couple that lives in hope in spite of knowing that they are doomed right from the word go.

The locations, some and music make the scenes memorable. The story remains with us even after the movie and our heart aches for the lovers. The movie is a bit slow paced but it created waves when it was released. An excellent movie that cannot be missed. It is a must watch for all Fahaadh Faasil fans. Great acting by the lead pair.

Earlier they did not have English subtitles for this movie but now you can watch it with subtitles.

It's streaming on Amazon Prime.

Cinderella

 "You're a shining star, no matter who you are!"

That's an important takeaway from the movie Cinderella. How can you not like a movie like this! Watching this iconic childhood fairytale in a movie once again! These are the kind of fairytales kids should be watching. This story is inspirational and the songs are really catchy.

There are so many versions of this childhood favourite Fairy tale but I really loved this one!

There is a lot of singing and dancing and an adorable lead pair. The location and the characters are wonderful. We all know the story yet we are kept engaged throughout the story.

I am a huge fan of musicals like these so I am glad I watched this movie on a whim. The songs are all simply beautiful.

This is an entertaining and relaxing watch. Movies like these are a welcome change from the realistic and hard hitting movies. A fantasy like this is a much needed break from the mundane. Dance, melodrama, costumes, locations and of course, the much loved story, makes for a must watch for all. Also watch out for the fantabulous fairy godmother, she just blew me away! Even the glass slippers took my breath away.

I must say this movie has it's own twist in it. There are some important issues this movie deals with in a matter of fact and non-preachy manner. It leads us to another aspect of the fantasy that we would never have thought of before. I admire the creativity and novelty with which an age- old story is retold.

Do watch this one. It will not disappoint you.

Expect the unexpected.

Do let me know how it was.

Record of Youth

 The Korean drama Record of Youth is an inspiring series about belief in oneself. The characters are realistic and do an amazing job with their acting. Park Bo Gum, my new KDrama crush, plays Sa Hye Jun, a model in the cutthroat fashion world who dreams of becoming an actor.

"I like the stories of BTS songs,” Sa Hye Jun says in one scene in episode one. “When I listen to their songs, it makes me want to live a good life.” These are words that many BTS fans like me can relate to. Lead actress Park So-dam ,famous for playing Jessica the pseudo art tutor in Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar hit Parasite, stars opposite my dreamy leading man Park Bo-gum. She is amazing as a make up artist who is a fan of Sa Hye Jun ,the model.

You just cannot take your eyes off Park Bo Gum, he is like a dream. He gets to flaunt himself as a model and he takes your breath away in that role. The episodes are heartfelt and are a slice of life. Such beautiful depiction of family and friendship, life, love and work. As usual the locations are apt and the storyline is engaging. This is a series about individual growth. It is inspiring in so many ways.

Another must watch series. They convey all the emotions so beautifully that we can't help being touched by them. A must watch series. I am completely addicted to this!