First Look: Warrior Baek Dong Soo

Warrior Baek Dong Soo may seem like your typical historical drama but throw a killer star, a warrior camp and an assassin group into the mix and it becomes an action-packed affair for the martial arts enthusiast.

Episode 1 begins with a narration of events, starting with Crown Prince Sado’s (Oh Man Suk) valiant display of defiance against his enemies. The act though emboldened led to grave repercussions such that Sado’s subordinate, Baek Sa King faces the death penalty along with three generations of his family.

On an open field somewhere in the distance, Sword Saint Kim Gwang Taek (Jun Gwang Ryul) is intercepted by a grungy swordsman named Chun (Choi Min Soo). The two exchange banter like old friends until they engage in combat with a mastery of skill that definitely counts as badass. The fight ends in a standoff but not before Chun declares that this time around, he wins.

As it turns out, it was because Gwang Taek was rushing to save Baek Sa King. However, Noron leader Hong Dae Joo warns that doing so will place a target on Sado’s back instead because either way, they will have blood. 

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Baek chooses to sacrifice himself and leaves his wife and unborn child under the care of Kim Gwang Taek but alas, it seems as though the odds are against them.

First Impressions: I came here because of Jackpot and it is proving to be well worth the effort. Although Warrior Baek Dong Soo has a flair for tragedy and gore, the story is fleshed out in a manner that is thoroughly engaging. 

Within the first episode alone, I wanted more. I yearned to see the unborn child turn into the man who will right all the wrongs and I wanted the underdogs to win.

As an avid wuxia fan, I appreciated the k-style sword fighting and relished the cheesiness of it all, from Sky Lord and Earth Lord to the quintessential background music that completes the mood.

It is a heroic journey in the making and no matter how dire the circumstance or how unfair the injustice, Gwang Taek and his band of friends stand strong. I wouldn’t mind more of that especially if it means more of his swaggering nemesis Choi Min Soo and his own band of assassins. 

Last but not the least, episode 2 introduces a teenage Baek Dong Soo (Yeo Jin Goo) and Yeo Un (Park Gun Tae) to kickstart the coming-of-age story of Warrior Baek Dong Soo.

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see popular historical kdramas.

First Look: Remember - War of the Son

Remember - War of the Son is about a son's unwavering resolve to save his father and it doesn't get any more personal than that. 

Episode 1 begins with a man helplessly dragged to his own execution, which turns out to be just a nightmare but one that suggests an impending reality. 

Seo Jin Woo (Yoo Seung Ho) represents the man on death row and their exchange of words indicate that it is not their first meeting. Seo Jae Hyuk (Jun Kwang Ryul) is incarcerated for murder in cold blood, yet he does not have the slightest recollection of committing the act nor does he recognize the man standing before his very eyes. Flashback to events leading up to the present and we have the makings of an epic drama.

First Impressions: The story is compelling and the stakes are high. I was pounding my fists at the injustice because to exploit a man's already fragile memories is beyond low. This could have been an emotional rollercoaster by delving into dementia alone, but no, that's not depressing enough.

Clearly, the baddies lack a moral compass, yet at the helm is a psychopathic brat who has nothing going for him other than the fact that he is born to the right family. Yes Nam Goong Min can act, embodying a truly despicable human being with a warped sense of entitlement.

The first few episodes are gut-wrenching as Jin Woo's world crumbles. His desperate attempts at fighting back are crushed by men that have too much power with the only consolation being the overused trope of possessing genius abilities to tip the scales every so lightly.

I never understood the hype around Yoo Seung Ho and twisted as it may be, I only watched Son's War to justify crying foul over its towering ratings compared to my current fave, One More Happy Ending.

Needless to say, I was wrong because it is well-made, well-acted and if it follows through, it could certainly be something great.

Park Sung Woong deserves special mention as well after being a veteran supporting cast all too often. I am seeing him in a new light as Park Dong Ho, a character that has many layers, rough on the edges but oozing with charisma, and those suits are a winner!

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 kdrama listing.