Once Upon a Time Movie Review/ 三生三世十里桃花

Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms is my 2017s can't let it go. I’ve read the book, watched the drama, and finally seen the movie. There was something about the story that was able to hit all my needs. I cried, I laughed, and I was angry. There have been some great dramas this year, but Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms has destroyed me for all the other dramas.

My local theatre was lucky enough to get Once Upon a Time. I’ve been excited for weeks knowing I was going to get to see this on the big screen. I had worried my expectation would ruin my movie experience, but I don’t think it did in the end.

The movie is 1 hour and 48 minutes which had to condense a lot of the characters and plot points of the original. The movie is set up much like the book with a few minor details changed. The book is all told from Bai Qian/Su Su’s point of view and the movie for the most part follows her. There are a few scenes where the audience is giving glimpses into the villains or Ye Hua’s conflicted emotions, but in the end, we the viewer are learning about the mystery past of Su Su through Bai Qian.

I don’t think the movie did a bad job adapting the main source material. There were a lot of adapting choices to make on how to compress the original story down. I can understand people feeling rushed by the story as we the viewer are moved to scene to scene. It can be a bit jarring and at times scenes can feel hurried to get to the next plot point. I did enjoy being able to learn about Bai Qian’s past as Su Su through the other characters. I can see Ye Hua’s love for Su Su when he’s accounting his first meeting and their marriage together. You can also see Su Jin’s hate and her manipulation when explaining Su Su’s life in the palace and her death.

The film has only 7 main characters compared to the original story - Bai Qian, Ye Hua, Zhe Yan, Su Jin, A Li, Xuan Nu, and Qing Cang. The film did keep Si Yin and Mo Yuan’s background story with a minor change. It appears that Ye Hua and Mo Yuan aren’t twins, but the same person. I could nitpick this minor detail, but if I did it would make me hate the ending more. I’m a bit annoyed by the choice, but it’s not the worst adapting choice the movie could have made.

Su Jin in the film version is the main villain and will do anything to claim Ye Hua for herself. She’s a monster who works with Xuan Nu to kidnap A Li and Mo Yuan. She’s not just a lady who plays palace politics, but is willing to kill Bai Qian knowing she is royalty and the ramifications of her actions could mean for her in doing so.  Heck, she’s the one who opened the bell and release Qing Cang to bring about destruction to the Heavens. A Li never liked Su Jin and to allow her to hug him was ridiculous. It was by far the weakest plot point in the movie.

Ye Hua is much like his book counterpart and it’s hard to read his emotion or motivations. He’s playful, but also fierce towards Bai Qian. He is conflicted about Bai Qian learning her past as Su Su, but he does the right thing by giving her memories back. Once the truth of Su Su’s past comes out, it takes Nai Nai to explain to Bai Qian the sacrifice and protection Ye Hua made on her behalf. It’s a quick hail mary but it does work.

Bai Qian is a frustrating character in all versions. She may be 140,000 years of age, but there’s a childlike quality in her and the film gets that. Yet, she’s able to take care of herself in any battle. I like the scene when Su Jin’s spirit animal tries to push Bai Qian off the platform and she just dodges it. It’s a nice moment to show Su Jin, she’s a powerful immortal who won’t be beaten by cheap tricks. I was irritated with Bai Qian being stuck in the pity party stage of grief for most of the remainder of the movie. A bad adapting choice on the movie’s part by not having Bai Qian get her revenge on Su Jin by taking her eyes back. It’s my favorite part of the book to see Bai Qian just be pissed at the world for her love calamity always ending in tragedy.

Unlike the book and the drama, I wasn’t given the heighten emotions. The punishment scene for Su Su’s eye always makes me cry, but the movie failed to give me the tear jerking emotions. I blame the director on the scene not living up to the original source material. Point goes to the drama for executing the scene just right.  

Point goes to the film for seeing Bai Qian and Ye Hua bonding/fighting together. I’m actually a fan of this change from the original source material. I like that Ye Hua isn’t facing this battle alone, but with the love of his life. He’s willing to lose his life and possible Bai Qian by gaining the plant. Bai Qian choses Ye Hua over her Teacher coming back in the end is a powerful moment. It’s a big change from the original material, but I find it plays well for moving these lovers togethers.

The look of the movie is very fantasy like and very pretty. Clearly this isn’t out world but the world of immortals and gods. The CGI was appealing and well done. The 3D was actually nicely done too and I’m one who hates 3D. The costumes were either hits or misses in my book. The Heavenly Palace look was silly and at times bizarre. As for the soundtrack, here’s my money so give it to me now. The main theme song is beautiful but the score I would love to listen to it.

My evaluation of Once Upon a Time: It was Good.

The book, the drama, and the movie all did things better than the other, but they all got the point of the story about love. It’s a sad story of love and sacrifices. My friend tagged along with me to my second viewing and was impressed with the film. As someone who didn’t know anything about the plot, I was surprised by their reaction and review of the movie. Books are hard to adapt to begin with as there isn’t restrictions on what you can and cannot do. But if you want a deeper look at the story, stick to the drama. If you want to see a fantasy world that gets to the heart of the story, the film is for you. In the end, I have many different ways to relieve this story.

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.

Dear Answer Me 1988

I’ve started this letter multiple times. I just wasn’t sure on how I should start this letter and I’m still unsure so bare with me here.

First, I want to thank you for doing something new with family and neighborhood love. The neighborhood was a core center for this drama. I loved every minute I spend with each family. It’s a different time when a community of neighborhoods cooks, lived, and loved like this one did. I’ve said this over and over the course of 20 episodes how I wanted to be apart of this neighborhood and the feeling still hasn’t changed.

The trio of ahjumma Mom’s we’re a delight to watch every week. I love the friendship of these women. It isn’t often women in dramaland are not vindictive towards one another. These women displayed what true friendship is all about. I could watch a drama with just these three. Make no mistake the ahjussi Dad’s we’re just as terrific as their counterparts. These men shared their tears and worries about their family, jobs, and life. Great Dad’s are able to ask for help and to let others see their fears. 

In 1997 & 1994, most of the families had tragedies with death of their child/sibling and parents. A death of a parent is still a main focus on two of our characters, but the story takes a break from replaying the dead child/sibling card. Instead, family love is a main focus for our core cast of characters which I admire this attention. 

 I see myself in the relationships with many of these characters with their family. However, it’s the love and adoration Jung Hwan as towards his mom and brother which tugged on my heartstrings. He’s such a romantic at heart despite what his friends may say. His dreams are his brothers. All his life he’s wanted to allow his sick brother to live through him from being a soccer player to a fighter pilot. It’s a beautiful look at brotherly love and I’m thankful to you, drama, for this relationship.

He such a quite and brooding character, but he sees more than people realize. He’s able to figure out how to put a smile on his mom’s face. The moment Jung Hwan wrote his mom’s name on her passport or giving her a wedding she never had, just endears me to him. This relationship at first seems like a rocky one, but I find him more charming and devoted than Sun Woo is to his mom.

This part of the letter will not be as nice and praising as the first part. Make no mistake; I really enjoyed watching Answer Me 1988. However, I have a tad problem with some areas of the drama. I’m trying really hard not to rant at you, but I’m afraid it’s probably going to happen anyway. 

                  

The hour and forty minutes average for these episodes are super long. I understand you have a huge cast compare to 1997, yet you stuff flat jokes and unnecessary set up. Long doesn’t mean the drama will be better. Good directing and editing is the key to keeping focus on the narration. Oh and lose the goat. You’ve lost the touch of the humorist goat sound. 

I was pleasantly surprised with the older actors portraying the younger kids. Those jokes work by the way. Yet in your quest to keep the husband a mystery you failed to develop Deok Sun as a whole character. There is something flat and missing from the character. Parts of her, I can relate to being a middle child myself and the child who’ll drop everything to take care of my family, but her friendship with the boys seemed to have missed something. I can’t say if it’s the acting or part of not being able to live inside her head. I just feel this group was never as close as 1997 nor 1994. 

I don’t understand her emotions in most of the series. She starts with a crush on Sun Woo to be rejected. She comes to learn Jung Hwan may have a crush on her and get’s proof when he tells her not to go on the blind date. However, this girl who reads romance novels and likes the idea of being in love won’t throw caution to the wind and put herself out there and confess first? She tries for a brief moment getting up early to go meet Jung Hwan on the bus. It could’ve been the shirt and the misunderstanding, but I just don’t understand. When Deok Sun is passionate about something, she’s loud. Yet, I feel like I missed out on her figuring out was it Taek or Jung Hwan she had learned to love. 

Jung Hwan’s crush had more visual meat verse what we’ve seen from Taek. He saves her on the bus, he saves her in the rain, and he got her the pink mittens she wanted for Christmas. It’s so wonderful to see the goofy grin on his face when she walks in. Yes, Taek and Jung Hwan, both knew the other liked her, and I get he stepped to the side for his friendship. It just pains me to see him confess years later, and you drama, just treats it like it doesn’t mean anything. It’s not just the joke confession, but the fact five years late he’s still in love and his lets it go without trying. I get it makes for good drama, but it doesn’t feel like its playing fair to the audience nor the character. If he’s giving up his one-sided love for his friendship, don’t throw his crush away like trash. He deserves to be treated better as a character for his sacrifice. 

Would I been on the moon to see Jung Hwan with Deok Sun. Yes, but not because I think Deok Sun should pick him. I just want to see Jung Hwan have something which is truly his and to see the more romantic and goofy side of him. However, Taek is the husband and that’s that. I’m not going to debate the clues or the facts why Jung Hwan should have ended up the husband.

The one thing about 1997 and 1994, the adult scenes had a purpose. It was a reunion for the group to go down memory lane. You failed to deliver on these adult scenes. I liked the idea of it being an interview, but I wish there was more to those sit downs to talk about the present day and the group. How are all the parents? What is everyone up too? Did Deok Sun ever find a dream? 

Maybe the real reason I’m super annoyed with you is the lack of closure. Deok Sun/Taek and Bo Ro/Sun Woo got their happily ever after, but what about Dong Ryong or Jung Hwan?  With all the other “could be husbands” or crushes in the Answer Me series, there was a special someone out there they ended up with. Once again, Jung Hwan get throw away for such a beloved character. 

You Drama are not my beloved 1997 with the lightening caught in a bottle. There was something magical about 1997. You Drama feel more like 1994, but a much better flesh out in the theme. I did enjoy you despite the long narration sand your lack of closure to the ending. I think what I’m getting at is I don’t want to go on another husband mystery ever again when you because you just don’t play fair to the losing party anymore. 

I guess with I’m saying is, we’re over. This relationship we have is an abusive one. I trusted you, but now your words mean nothing to me, because your actions spoke the truth. Just because Drama you can’t see my scars doesn’t mean I don’t have any. I’m standing up and taking back my life. 

Tiara

KDrama endings: Marry Him If You Dare

In fair tales the concept of a good ending is when good triumphs over evil and the rest “lived happily ever after”.  As viewers, we always want our dramas to end with the hero saving the day, the villain punished, and the romantic leads riding off into the sunset. Not all dramas end up the way we fans would’ve wanted. 

This is a new series to talk about the ending of a drama either good or bad. I warn you all of spoilers. If you want to watch the drama, stop reading now. If you want to know if the drama is worth your time, continue on. If you've watch the drama, I'm sorry or yay!!!

The first drama I'm going to talk about is Marry Him If You Dare (aka Mi Rae's Choice).

 

The drama ends with the characters 3 years later. Mi Rae is a bestselling author, Yoo Kyung headlines her own show as MC, Shin is still battling NTN, but has his own radio journalism show, Se Joo arrives back in Korea possibly to take over the family business, and Oppa got married with his second kid on the way. 

 

The ending has Mi Rae leaves the bookstore when she suddenly stops, turns, and smiles. Epilogue shows Ahjumma Mi Rae digging up a chest full of pictures of a handsome young man to a younger Mi Rae and toddler. A male’s hand clasps over Ahjumma’s hand holding the old picture. 

The question the drama never explains is whom did Mi Rae pick, Shin or Se Joo? Ahjumma Mi Rae broke the rules and escape to the past in hopes of changing the future. However, the jump to the past never changed her present future. The time line split off Ahjumma’s future to an unknown future choice. The close up ending with Mi Rae smiling isn’t enough closure as the drama can be translated to Mi Rae’s Choice and no choice was ever made. It isn’t surprising viewers were confused and irritated by this choice of ending. 

 It's still a drama today I'm the most annoyed with. Going back and forth with the two males was fun at first, but the drama itself couldn't pick which one it wanted to be with. Not to mention the whole point of the drama was to see Mi Rae make a choice about her future husband. An open ending isn't a bad thing if the drama calls upon one but this drama was not one to leave it open for fans to put the pieces together. 

A happily ever after isn't what I was after as dramaland has told me being married is just the beginning to a long life of loving and fighting. I just would've like to know who the darn man Mi Rae ended up loving and fighting with for the next 50+ years. Not to much to ask for ....

 

Hyde, Jekyll, and I .... thoughts

I’ve been putting off on my commenting on Hyde, Jekyll, and I for weeks. I have a bias for Hyun Bin. Hearing the news about his first drama back, I was sold. The plot of the drama seemed interesting with the idea of DID and a mix between the story of Hyde/Jekyll.  Since the drama is at its halfway point, I guess I can’t hold off on my thoughts. Here goes … 

Goo Seo Jin played by Hyun Bin is our main lead with DID. The problem I have with Seo Jin as a character is how violent his character comes across towards  Jang Ha Na (Han Ji Min). I’m not sure who’s idea it was to have the character be abusive to show the difference between Seo Jin and his DID counterpart, Robin. It was unnecessary to make him be physically violent as away to make a point about Seo Jin being a cold-hearted bastard who thinks only of himself. Which is why I’ve been turned off by his character. It’s hard to root for him when he physically pushes Ha Na or any female.

As the story has gotten into the meat of things, it’s explained why Robin saves people and Seo Jin pushes people away. As a little boy, Seo Jin and his friend, Soo Hyun (Sung Joon) were kidnapped from Wonderland over 20 years ago. Only one of the boys were able to get away and the other was left. Seo Jin forced his friend to let go of his hand, which later caused him to create Robin. He is the one with the personality who saves lives. This helps me understand Seo Jin a bit better as a character towards his physical behavior at the beginning of the drama. However, I’m still a little salty over how Seo Jin was first portrayed. 

Which leads me to Robin and Ha Na or Seo Jin and Ha Na … Does the drama know which I’m suppose to ship? I know Robin and Seo Jin are the same person, but broken to protect himself from the pain of his past. Seo Jin understands this, but neither Robin nor Ha Na are on the same wave link. I’m actually feeling a little sorry for Seo Jin as the odd man out as he’s the original identity. Has Ha Na made her choice between the two? She clearly has fallen for Robin, but she cares for Seo Jin. It’s understandable for her to be confused and conflicted. I know I am. 

Speaking of Ha Na, I’m still on the fence. Her character started off with some strength, but that strength seems to have been sucked out along with the slowness of the plot (more on that later). She faced off with a gorilla, but can’t side step Seo Jin’s physical force? She doesn’t have to be Wonder Woman, but I’ve would’ve liked her to call him on his behavior. Enforcing his violent behavior by not telling him is not helping Seo Jin own up to his problems.

Yoon Tae Joo or Soo Hyun (Sung Joon) being the villain was a nice twist. I can’t say I’m surprised by the turn of events, but I’m very happy at the turn of them. I’d wonder if Sung Joon was going to be put off nicely to the side of the good Doctor trying to help Seo Jin and the police find Doctor Kang. Good to see the second lead not wasted as the lackey who doesn’t get the girl. He’s angry at Seo Jin for leaving him behind. Sure, it’s horrible Seo Jin forced his friend away to escape, but these were young boys in a terrible situation. Tae Joon clearly needs help, but won’t get it as he thinks he knows all. With his skill to put the characters under hypnosis, makes me nervous. I just hope Seo Jin can figure out the good Doctor is not so good to do battle against him. This time he will be able to save not only himself, Robin, and Ha Na, but Soo Hyun. 

These episodes the past two weeks have finally made me look forward to the next episode. Sadly, the drama has not lived up to my expectations. First, the pacing of the beginning half dragged way longer than it should’ve.  The set up of the characters didn’t make me like nor care for any of them. I also feel the drama much like Seo Jin, it takes itself way too seriously. I want a little humor, cuteness, and most of all heart. I’m starting to see the heart, but the drama has taken way too long to get to it. I’m not sure if it’s too late. The Hyde and Jekyll have yet to be played with as a plot line, but it’s only the first half done. There’s more story to be told about Seo Jin’s DID and to connect the dots on the Hyde and Jekyll. 

I probably shouldn’t hold my breathe, but I’m holding out hope. I want another drama to add to my list of being able to take a piece of my heart with it when it ends. Fingers are crossed the second half can bring a grin to my face and make my heart beat fast. Until next time, watch more dramas.