First Look: Shine or Go Crazy

Anyone who has seen their fair share of Korean historical dramas would know that these dramas usually revolve around a cursed prince or princess or twins who will be cast away to live in exile until their eventual return as an adult.

Shine or Go Crazy is one such k-drama where Prince Wang So (Jang Hyuk) is born during the night when the Star of War was at its brightest. His birth precludes him from having the privileged life that all royalties are accustomed to and for fear that he will bring forth more chaos and destruction to the palace, Wang So is sent to the mountains to fend for himself.

Years later, the King sends for Wang So reaching out for his help in making a great Goryeo empire that is free from the control of the nobles. The King has found a way to change Wang So's fate via an arranged marriage with a lady born of the North Star. Wang So adamantly refuses and his pain from being abandoned all those years come pouring out in a wave of resentment directed at his father. 

Their meeting is disrupted by a group of assassins and despite everything that has been said, Wang So readily comes to his father's defense. The King narrowly escapes with just a scratch, yet Wang So earns a slap from his mother, the Queen who wants him immediately out of her sight. Determined to track down the perpetrators, Wang So leaves peacefully. 

Wang So and the King's faithful guard follow the group of assassins all the way to China where through an unexpected chain of events, Wang So finds himself in a contract marriage with Shin Yool, a Korean merchant living in China who was desperate to fake a marriage in order to escape an aging general's marriage proposal.

First Impressions: I'm beginning to understand the dynamics within the royal family. The benevolent father king is actually good despite having sent his son away and the mother queen is irrationally misguided for pushing all the blame towards her younger son Wang So.

I almost gave up watching halfway through the episode. The fight scenes were subpar and the plot a repeat of every other period drama out there and don't get me started on Oh Yeon Seo's atrocious wig. As for the acting, I notice historical dramas tend to be different in the sense that it requires actors to over-enunciate their lines but Jang Hyuk was emoting on a whole other level that was way too exaggerated for my taste, which is weird given that I absolutely loved him in Volcano High and many other dramas.

Nevertheless, I powered through and I'm so glad I did. The latter half of the episode was devoid of drama and it showed me what this k-drama can be, which I think is better off focusing on the romance between Shin Yool and Wang So. Their meeting was quick - he was put in a bag and voila, their married. 

Oh Yeon Seo's character as Shin Yool is quick-witted, capable and looks like she's pretty lucky herself, which is just the perfect balance needed to pair up with Wang So's unlucky streak and his uncouth, foul-tempered ways. And Wang So's infectious laughter, it bothered me so much but now it's beginning to grow on me.

For synopsis, cast and other info, see 2013-2015 k-drama recommendations.

Movie Review: Volcano High

Volcano High is a reboot of the classic coming-of-age story of a martial arts prodigy coupled with the intricacies of Korea's stringent educational system. The film has become somewhat of a cult classic that has heralded a new breed of martial arts school dramas. 

There are quite a number of works in this underrated sub-genre, of which recent k-drama Moorim School serves as the latest addition. I see plenty of similarities in both from the main guy's bleached blond hair to the foreshadowing of an immense power, which enticed me to re-watch Volcano High more than a decade later.

Volcano High was released in 2001 starring top Korean actors of today such as Jang Hyuk, Shin Min Ah, Kwon Sang Woo and Gong Hyo Jin who were likely to be only in their teens or early twenties when the movie first came out.

Plot Summary: Volcano High / Hwasango / 火山高校 / 화산고 is in essence a school for the gifted. It is set during a time when the schools are in a constant state of chaos. Teachers and students alike participate in a never ending fight for supremacy and it is said that whoever acquires the Secret Manuscript can put a stop to the discord.

The story revolves around Kim Kyung Soo, a problem student who has been expelled from over 8 schools and sent to Volcano High as a last resort. Contrary to common perception, Kim Kyung Soo is actually a kind-hearted kid who is non-confrontational in every way if not for a freak accident that changed his life . As a newcomer, he attracts the unwanted attention of the school's most powerful clans where he must learn to survive. 

Comments: If you like anime, wuxia or just action movies in general, then I highly recommend Volcano High.

Jang Hyuk's character as Kim Kyung Soo borders on comical from his every gesture to his exaggerated expressions, which he manages to pull off with style. I really enjoyed his acting, over-the-top yet not overdone. 

As the protagonist, his journey is the most intriguing as he overcomes innate insecurities to become the hero that he was meant to be. The rest of the cast does an equally amazing job bringing their respective characters to life. I will never forget Icy Jade Chae-yi, hot-headed Jang Ryang and the epitome of cool Song Hak Rim. Not to be left in the cold are the band of evil teachers because I loathe them (and that's a good thing).

Overall, I liked the darker tone used throughout the entire film and thought that the dimly-lit scenes fit well with film's the doom and gloom vibe. After all, despite its ability to not take itself too seriously, it is still a martial arts movie where the stakes are always high. This is a film that is one for the ages, executed with flair and simply cool. 

My Ratings: Must-watch (5/5)

For more movie recommendations, click here. Because I couldn't resist, a movie recap is in the works.