Slow and Steady

The Monumental Work that Built the Netflix Empire While Netflix is now a ubiquitous platform familiar to everyone worldwide, Stranger Things was the catalyst that propelled its growth before it reached its current overwhelming status. Competing for the top spot in all-time viewing hours among Netflix Originals, it has established itself not merely as a popular drama, but as a cultural phenomenon. The shock and freshness delivered when Season 1 was first released captivated viewers around the globe instantly. Since then, leading up to Season 5, every new season release has triggered explosive reactions, often to the point of crashing servers. It is no exaggeration to say that this series is the history of Netflix, and now, it leaves only its spectacular finale remaining. The Perfect Harmony of an Eerie Title and 80s Nostalgia When audiences first encountered the English title "Stranger Things" or its translated equivalents, it was difficult to gauge exactly what genre this wor...

1. A New Discovery in the OTT Era: ABEMA and the State of Japanese Drama With the sheer volume of content being released recently through platforms like Netflix, viewers now have more opportunities to encounter works that differ significantly from traditional broadcast dramas. One such standout piece is Scandal Eve. Usually, when one thinks of Japanese dramas, productions from major terrestrial broadcasters like Fuji TV or TBS come to mind, or perhaps large-capital Netflix Originals like Alice in Borderland. However, this work piqued my curiosity as it was produced by "ABEMA," a Japanese internet television platform. Due to the nature of the platform, it is less constrained by subject matter than public broadcasters, and one can sense an attempt to break the mold in terms of expression and direction. Having consumed numerous Japanese dramas, encountering an original series from such an unfamiliar platform felt like discovering a hidden gem. 2. The Reality and Distance Created...

1. Magic: The High Art of Blurring Reality and Fantasy The "magic" we commonly speak of is distinctly different from "sorcery" borrowed from supernatural forces. However, the performances unfolded by skilled magicians are wondrous enough to make audiences forget that boundary. Illusions and staging that seem to defy the physical laws of the real world do more than just deceive the human eye; they force the brain to reconstruct its perception of reality. Cinema, in particular, is the most suitable medium to maximize these characteristics of magic. Screen magic, enhanced by editing, CGI, and sophisticated direction, offers a far more exaggerated and fantastical experience than actual stage magic. It provides a different texture of amazement compared to seeing a trick right before your eyes—a visualization of "plausible impossibility" that delivers a thrilling catharsis to the audience. Now You See Me 3 once again fully utilizes the aesthetics of cinematic ma...

A Hidden Gem of Drama, Another Delightful Rebellion Presented by ENA For drama fans, the ENA channel is like a hidden gourmet restaurant tucked away in an alley that you want to keep all to yourself. Although public awareness might be slightly lower compared to major terrestrial broadcasters or giant OTT platforms, the "batting average" (success rate) of works aired here is surprisingly high. The Monday-Tuesday drama slot is a fierce battlefield, but ENA is showing potential that doesn't lag behind in terms of buzz. Their strategy of competing with solid stories and great performances by actors, rather than provocative subjects that merely catch the eye instantly, has worked again this time. The newly started <UDT Our Neighborhood Special Forces> also satisfies viewers' expectations by delivering unusual fun and immersion from the very first broadcast, proving the nickname "Trustworthy ENA." ** The Return of Yoon Kye-sang and a Brilliant Ensemble of Tr...