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We Are All Trying Here

This is a such deeply layered and beautifully written melodrama, that follows a group of filmmaker friends who met in college, known as “The Eight Club” and have since all built successful careers — except for Hwang Dong-man (Koo Kyo-hwan), an aspiring director who hasn’t debuted in twenty years, and overcompensates by dominating conversations and wearing people down. The satire perfectly balances the emotionally charged dialogue, as we watch these individuals navigate burnout, jealousy, and feelings of worthlessness, in order to find their own peace. There was just one scene that wasn’t executed well for me, but I would still highly recommend this watch. I’ve also added My Mister and Liberation Notes to my watchlist – works also written by Park Hae-young.

My Royal Nemesis

A new k-drama that FINALLY delivers on both the romance and comedy, with it’s peak writing and top tier acting — especially from main our leads. The fact that they’re both known for their villain roles in their previous projects, makes this even more perfect. The series follows the legendary Joseon villainess Kang Dan-shim (Lim Ji-yeon), whose soul transmigrates into the body of a struggling actress in modern-day Seoul, and crosses paths with an infamous third-generation chaebol heir, igniting an intense enemies-to-lovers romance. It needed at least 16 episodes instead of 14, as some of the plot points in the parallel timelines (specifically the Joseon era) left me a bit confused, and needed to be fleshed out more. Nonetheless, a time was had, and I don’t think we’ll get another fantastic rom-com from start to finish like this again for a long time.

The Devil Wears Prada 2

This was a fantastic sequel to the beloved cult classic from a decade ago. It’s one that perfectly reflects our times of today, highlighting the transition of print to digital media, the increased pages of advertisement and the slow death of journalism. Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) still commanded the screen with such poise and wittiness. However, i’d be lying if I said that there were any memorable /quotable lines just like the ones we’ve loved in the 2006 film.

It was inevitable as times were different back then. The industry and work culture were both inhumane and cutthroat. Still, it was lovely to see the characters who we’ve all loved aged beautifully, as well as seeing new talents like Amari (Simone Ashely), bring in their own charm for the newer generation. The love and praise she’s received for her role, especially her looks, is absolutely warranted.

The Drama

This is my favourite film of the year so far! I managed to watch it the last week it was screening, and it exceeded my expectations. What I thought would be a typical romantic-comedy of the happily engaged couple, slowly spiralled into a very chaotic, psychological thriller. The perfectly titled drama was brilliantly written, with beautiful cinematography and aesthetic. If Emma (Zendaya) was played by any other actress, I don’t think we would’ve sympathised with her. The amount of empathy she was able to evoke toward the people around her, yet wasn’t awarded the same grace — especially by her fiancé, Charlie (Robert Pattinson) — was quite heartbreaking. Still, i’m glad that the general consensus on what Rachel (Alana Haim) did was way worse than Emma’s revelation.

Hirayasumi [vol. 1-3]

I adored this manga so much! A slice-of-life that follows Hiroto Ikuta, 29 year old man who doesn’t have too much going for him, but inherits the house of an elderly woman in Tokyo who he befriended by chance. Later, his 18 year old cousin, Natsumi, moves in with him while she attends an art university. It’s a comforting read, that’s full of charm and has beautiful art. One that’s caught me at a coincidental time of my life, and will be actively collecting.

Kagurabachi [vol. 1-2]

Let it be known that I had invested in my Kagurabachi stocks long before the anime announcement! This action-packed manga follows Chihiro Rokuhira, the son of a legendary swordsmith who’s crafted seven mystical “Enchanted Blades” that ended a great war. However, after the murder of his father, Chihiro sets out to not only avenge his death, but to also retrieve the other six blades that was stolen as well. It did start of strong, in fact vol. 1 had be laughing out loud, and the world-building is great. However, the art and the panelling of the action sequences made it hard for me to enjoy the story altogether. So, I plan on waiting for the anime release in April 2027, instead of continuing with the manga chapters.

Phantom Busters [vol. 1-2]

I had a great time with this series. I love me a supernatural story, and this follows four high school students who form an exorcist club in the spiritually rich town of Kamakura. Apart from the honors student Eugene Korekishi, the other three members of the club each possess a supernatural gift. We watch them balance their high school life with the duty of exorcising ghosts, and it doesn’t shy away from very heavy themes. It’s a coming-of-age story that highlights youth, grief, hope, and friendship.

Life in Smokey Blue [up to date]

Another one I need an English license of ASAP. Times like this I wish I was fluent in French, because they’re always ahead when it comes to licensing good work. Still, this is such a well-written, romance that follows Sakutaro Azuma, a burnt-out 38-year-old who eight years later, reunite with Shizuka Kuji, his former workplace rival. We then watch them help each other navigate career transitions, grief, throughout their relationship.

Naomi Scott – F.I.G

Funnily enough, it was her song Gracie that came onto my algorithm, and made me to dive into this beautiful body of work. I was already familiar with her from the movie Lemonade Mouth (one of the best DCOMs), so I’m well aware that her vocals are no joke. But the vocal production on this is absolutely sensational. I love the nostalgic 80s/90s vibe to it, as it draws influences from legends like Janet Jackson and Prince. My only critique is that it’s just way too short! Still, I would love to either experience this album live or be gifted the vinyl. My top tracks are: Hellbent, Sweet Nausea, Bliss, and Gracie.