Shinui

A plastic surgeon from modern Korea Yoo Eun-soo played by Kim Hee-Seon is kidnapped by Choi Young played by Lee Min-Ho and taken back 700 years through a time portal. Min-Ho is a fearless general and the reason he kidnaps her is to save the queens life as she has been injured by a sword blade. She then ends up being pressured into staying in that time period and many factions within the royal court try to get her to side with them as she is thought to come from heaven and given the name heavens doctor. It is a well acted series with a good premise and there is plenty of action and romance. It has probably a bit too much history and could have definitely been shorter but my main frustration with the show were the Villains. They all had special powers but they could also murder at will with no consequences until the final few episodes.

This is a good series. I wanted most of episodes 1 -12 diligently then skipped to episode 18 or 19 and even then began following the plot but skipping along. Instead of providing high analysis I will just say, I wish the main characters embraced at the very end. To be correct I would have given it an 8.9 out of 10. Will definitely find other Korean movies to watch in future. Did not have the heart or time to thoroughly watch episodes 13-17 as it was more of the back and forth plotting and endangerment stuff. Definitely opened my eyes to some of Korean culture and historical drama. There are no outright make-out scenes, but some of the replay views of the past help to continually reinforce the bond the main characters have built up. I also wish more US/Western or UK stories were told from this perspective- not exclusively first person, always sticking the audience hearing in first person what the main character or characters are feeling.

This is a drama in which the writer has deftly used the history, mythology, and Korean legends along with a bit of fantasy to weave a beautiful and powerful story.

A Tale of Love across Time: The love story of Choi Young and Eun Soo is sure to tug the viewers' heartstrings. This love across centuries, love defying time, will be a hit among romantics. From making her learn the way of their world to protecting her from innumerable death traps, Choi Young is falling for Eun Soo, even though he knows he has to keep his promise to her, to help her return to her world. And Eun Soo changes her perspective from seeing him as her kidnapper to the only one she can trust in the unknown world of past, and to be with him becomes a habit she's reluctant to change. The gradual falling in love is beautifully portrayed in this period drama, while the question 'will she return?' refuses to cease anyone's mind.

Faith is a series that makes you think. Many different, interesting characters. They are looking for their Faith. Someone finds, like the General and the Heavenly Doctor, someone loses - like the brother of the empress. Many wise thoughts, beautiful fight scenes. Talented cast.

Great idea, mediocre execution - five stars

If you're going to write a fantasy, especially if it's a drama, the parts that aren't magical have to be really believable. Otherwise you lose your audience. This writers make one big mistake along these lines right at the beginning.

Is it possible that someone could be pierced by a sword and live to tell the tale? It's probably happened-but not likely in a situation where antibiotics are unknown and no one understands the basics of hygiene. And, never, I'm guessing, when the patient gets up, resumes his daily activities, and even rides a horse for hours on end.

At least for the first five episodes, the FL comes off as an annoying twit-but she improves after that. This woman is supposed to be cute, appealing, and funny. She's also supposed to be a respected and knowledgeable medical professional. Unfortunately she doesn't know how to be all those things at once. But, to be fair, I'm not sure anyone could do it. They made her a more serious person in the later half of the drama, and that helped a lot. Also the humor worked better as the series proceeded.

Unfortunately, the lighting on the set is not the FL's friend-at least in the beginning. In almost every scene of the first five episodes she looks older than she is (she was 35 when this series was filmed). Again, they fixed that problem in later episodes, and she starts looking more age appropriate in her scenes with the (10 years younger) ML. Another improvement was the ludicrous wig the pipe-playing white haired guy was forced to wear. The finally got that one under control after a few episodes.

There's a lot of telling and talking, explaining and pondering and politiking in this serires. Both the King and his nemesis, Ki Cheol are waay too philosophical and self-absorbed. The King talks endlessly about his self-doubts and feelings of inferiority, while Ki Cheol is always plotting and carrying on about the future and who should be next on his murder list. I think these two should be forced to live together, where they would undoubtedly drive each other crazy-instead of the audience.

At times the English translation is stiff and barely intelligible. Example:

SCHOLAR: "I had thought this, since a new king is coming, that if nothing should happen, there is no hope. If change were to occur, a bloody storm will blow."

CHOI YOUNG, ML:"The place I will be escorting you to was put together in haste, hence it will not be too pleasant."

SCHOLAR: "In an era like this, a warrior as you is pitiful as you have to continue to slay before you are slayed."

Having listed all the negatives, this series actually isn't that bad. For the most part, it held my interest. Seven stars.