tvN's Criminal Minds - First Thoughts

Joseph Conrad said, “The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary.  Men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.” 

This was a quote Gideon in the original Criminal Minds series quoted and pretty much is good way to describe what to expect from this drama. A group of profilers will be profiling unsub (Unknown Subject) to solve or in some cases save their victims. 

tvN’s Criminal Minds is an adaptation of the US version. If you’re a fan of the original series you can see a lot of similarities between the two from characters and plot. Unlike the American version, the Korean has decided to add more background character stories and tension between characters right off the bat. There’s an underlying story we haven’t gotten to which is more of a dramaland thing than a crime procedural drama. 

Dramaland Seasons

It's not common place for dramaland to have second seasons, but they tend to happen to procedural dramas, such as Ten and Vampire Prosecutor. I'm still hoping for 3rd seasons of both of those mention. Considering things were left opened for both series and the connect Vampire Detective had to it's brother Prosecutor.

With the news of a second season from Voice and Mystery Queen, it got me thinking what I would like to see a second season. I've got two I would love to see a second season.

I Will Remember You was such a good drama that completely went under the radar of everyone when it was airing. The romance was sweet and the bromance was just heartbreaking. The day to day cases were interesting as it felt like a reflection on our characters. The ending was left opened as the criminals are still roaming asking the OTP to caught them. I want to see another season where the heroes are tracking down the criminals. Do the heroes need to think like them to find them?

Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is another I would love to see a second season. I'm still salty about the ending of the drama not having present day So meeting up with Ha Jin (present day Soo). There were things about the drama I was disappointed with, but I enjoyed some of the adaptations choices. This version's ending just breaks my heart. When the dramas always make comments about a second life and being better in the next one, I wished the drama would have given us that chance with Soo and So. It makes me wonder what was the point of going back in time? Maybe it was to learn from her mistakes from the past, however we'll never know as the scene was cut.

Zombies to Busan, all a board

This meme came true. Gong Yoo's reaction in Goblin watching his own movie Train to Busan was pretty much me the whole film. I have a friend who can back me up on this one. I'm not a horror fan and most of the Korean horror or thriller films scare the crap out of me. I'm considered a jumper who will jump at the smallest noise.

I've had this on my list since I saw the trailer because it looked good despite my fear of horror. However, I finally got down to watching the film.

The film has a interesting take on the zombie set up. These zombies are trying to feed but it looks like just to infect as many people as possible. They don't seem to die easy either. I liked the twist of blindness or if they can't see you, they won't come after you. Why did no one thought to take out their eyes or heck put something over their heads? I mean it would be worth a shot.

I have questions. Why was no one on the train trying to get the zombies off the train? Heck, why didn't they just open those doors in the sections of zombies to allow them to be dumb and walk out of the train? Maybe I've just thought about what I would do in case of a zombie attack.

The cast is pretty great. Seok Woo (Goog Yoo) is workaholic fund manager who's a pretty terrible father. Gong Yoo is not playing a funny charming character we've seen in Dramaland. He's a selfish man who only thinks about himself. This is clear as he gives his daughter another Wii for her birthday. Soo An is a sweet and caring child. She just wants to see her mom for her birthday. The young actress Kim Su An is adorable in the role.

Seong Kyeong (Jung Yu Mi) and Sang Hwa (Ma Dong Seok) play a married couple who have a child on the way. I love how caring these two are towards people. The interaction between them and Soo An about their unborn child is a sweet moment before chaos happens. Sang Hwa is my favorite character in the film. He is the true hero in this film for sure.

Yong Guk (Choi Woo Shik) as the young baseball player and his friend Jin Hee (Ahn So Hee) were also great. When Yong Guk had to fight his way through the section with his zombie friend, I about choked up with tears. The section holding Ji Hee while her best friend was at the door again just pulled at my heartstrings.

Kim Eui Sung known as the artist and Dad in W plays a terrible rich CEO who is just terrible. I hated him so much when he wouldn't allow the other characters to safety get in the train section. It's understandable about his fears for staying alive, but if those in the train allowed them in the other Granny wouldn't have opened the door to kill them all.

Between yelling at the TV to open doors and allow the zombies to jump off and the hiding behind a pillow or my phone, there was a lot of heart in this film. The film knew how to pull on my heartstrings and it did so often. Like when Sang Hwa holding the door or Seok Woo saying goodbye to his daughter and knowing the day she was born was the happiest of his memories. The part he fell off the train to save Soo An and Seong Kyeong just broke my heart.

I was surprised the film didn't have the sniper killing them at the end. I really thought the film would end with not a little bit of hope. The moment Soo An got to sing the song she wanted to sing for her dad is the best ending you could have hoped for when the world went to hell.

 Evaluation: Love it
I probably won't watch it again because my heart won't take it, but I did enjoy it a lot.

Princess Agents

 

It seems this year has produced a lot of interesting Chinese Dramas. It all started with Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms. Fingers crossed a local theatre  near me will show Once Upon a Time (the movie version) next month. It would be pretty sweet if it was in IMAX, but I'll just be happy with it in theatres. 

I had someone on my Tumblr page asked me to do some Princess Agents meme and thought why not. I don't think my memes will explain my frustration with this drama and thought why not write a bit about it. The drama is currently still airing and has about another week of episodes. 

Princess Agents is currently making waves, but it's not living up to the hype. The story is based off a book called 11 Chu Te Gong Huang Fei by Xiao Xiang Dong Er. From my understanding, the book had elements which are banned for dramas. A lot of work had to go into the time travel change. I've heard the book is pretty good, but the rework of this drama makes me wonder the elements take out of the book is the reason why this drama is turning into a chaotic mess.

I warn you of spoilers ... Don't read more if you don't want to know.