ONEWE(원위) - Planet Nine: ISOTROPY Album Thoughts(K-indie rock)

 

   

    

    Onewe is a South Korean all boyband that has garnered a good sized fandom over the past few years. They may not be as big as other Korean bands from larger music agencies, however these guys continue to come into their own with their Planet Nine compilation series. Isotropy is their newest entry to the series. 

   I'm going to keep my thoughts completely honest; I've never been super into Onewe's releases. Or, I could say that I would find their music cool for a few days then move on to some other artist. It was never that these guys weren't good. There just so happen to be other boy bands in South Korean that were overpowering them such as the likes of Day6, Xdinary Heroes, The Rose, etc. Also, somehow an overwhelming need for OneWe to be a ballad band was interrupting what could have been something more outstanding. Isotropy still experiments with the idea of being what the South Korean public loves in their roots, while becoming a more bolder version of theirselves in tracks like Shout Out. A stronger edge is in their popper side of the music as well. I'm not mad at their third track titled Meteor Shower as the track slick keyboard interludes glaze a need for sweet pop satisfaction. Now these guys have made a mark that can not be ignored. 

    The vocal layers in productions are so beautiful on this effort. You as new listeners and fans will be able to tell that Onewe is more confident.  I've been playing Meteor Shower to death. 

Dr. Cheon and The Lost Talisman(천박사 퇴마 연구소: 설경의 비밀) Korean Film Thoughts

 

   Directed by Kim Seong Sik, Dr, Cheon was a huge hit at the South Korean box office during the holidays last year, The film was based on the popular webtoon of the same name. Superstar actor, Gang Dong Won comes back infront of audiences as the leading man once again with a raising star cast. 

     Con artists play the role of shamans to trick wealthy families into giving them money. Everything is going well until they meet a girl who can actually see spirit possession, causing the underworld to come after her. These events also connect to the past as things always happen for a reason.....

    Dr. Cheon is a fun film with a plot just solid enough to not be on the edge of a mindless viewing experience. Most of the comedic timing hits right and the action comes as a good way to balance out the mystery. There aren't too many other South Korean films that handle spirit possession like this film since you see multiple possessions as once. Also, The supernatural elements tie into the cultures folklore dealing in swords, items, etc. Nothing here is a hard watch. You can just chill out and let the film take you along for the ride. All the plot points are concluded well and enough room is left for a sequel.

    The acting was popcorn flick level mostly. Some moments in the film are serious, however, not serious enough to give an award winning performance. The goofiness wasn't over the top. Thats all I can ask for.

     Dr. Cheon and The Lost Talisman is a film that can be enjoyed for people who don't want to think too hard about the story. You can relax with the family and enjoy some fun Korean folklore for an hour or so.     

The Moon(더문) Korean Film Thoughts(2023)

 

 

      The Moon is a 2023 South Korean film that was directed by Kim Yong-hwa(Along With The Gods, 200 Pound Beauty). Doh Kyung Soo(D.O.) and Sol Kyung Gu star in the survival drama. Ticket sales indicate that this film was a success at the Korean Box office. D.O.'s fame from his music career also caused international interest. He won awards for his performance. 

  Three friends train as astronauts missioned to travel to the moon. Most nations want to race to the moon's surface before anyone else. Disaster hits the crew during orbit and people on earth more come together to rescue the one lone survivor.     

    The Moon's reviews are not positive for the most part. I can kind of understand why, however, I don't agree with everything that others have to say. Here we have the simple idea that less is more. Yong Hwa overcomplicates the script when he didn't need all the extra layers. The main character being trapped on the moon is the most compelling storytelling of the whole film. When we as the audience get sucked into the story of this one man's survival in terror, we click over to family drama on earth. These scenes aren't interesting in the least but, they do tie the story together well for the conclusion. Some of the deaths happen too quickly and stereotypically. Sometimes Koreans will try to add emotional drama to every story that they create. When they do this for some scripts, it can be overkill. The Moon didn't need all the extra drama that was happening on earth. All we needed was what we came for, which was cool scenes on the moon in space. We get this during the final half and hour or so. The drama only flows during these scenes  because it's needed for character progression. Everything ties in nicely with the main characters getting the closure they needed. Some people might say it's a bit Korean drama-esc. 

     D.O. gives a wonderful performance in his solo scenes. He shines the most in this film as the center of the action as well as the emotional drive for all characters. He also adds a prompt of terror for the audience through his facial expressions. The english language scenes were a bit awkward on the foreigners and Koreans side of things. I'm not a fan of how stiff white characters tend to act in Korean films/shows. Even the way they speak never feels natural. Koreans speaking english who you know don't speak english in real life, sound like that when they speak english lines in movies. Enough said. 

    The scenes in space look great. I just wish we had gotten more of this. A more immersive view into space would have made this film a masterpiece. 

     With all of my thoughts out on the table, I still enjoyed watching The Moon. I've been a fan of Castaway for years and The Moon would have done well to have followed the same formula. Still, happy watching everyone.