Even when you first read the title of the show, J-drama Yakuza Lover (also known by its original Japanese name 恋と弾丸 Koi to Dangan /Romance and Bullets) might sound suspiciously low budget. Or maybe like an old forgotten porno. Both comparisons are strangely somewhat accurate. But only by watching the first episode will you truly comprehend what Yakuza Lover really is: a cringe-inducing, cover-your-eyes hot mess that is easily one of the most entertaining shows of 2022.…
The deluge of adapted material currently being made into awful films and lackluster television series might induce more eye rolls than applause a lot of the time, but sometimes it proves beneficial as it opens a door to even further enjoyment in the form of the glimmering source material. While some adaptations have done good service by their original inspiration, plenty of attempts have generated vitriol and outrage from fans (Rings of Power, anyone?)…
After spending more than 300 hours in the 8-bit cottagecore bliss that Stardew Valley has so diligently provided in PC/console game format, it was time for me to travel to a new version of the valley. The board game version, that is! A birthday gift from my husband in November 2022, this tabletop version of ConcernedApe’s popular farming/social sim game proved to be a delightful new experience for a veteran Stardew player like myself, but also highly enjoyable to board game lovers who have never played Stardew at all!…
Crime – whether it’s committing it, solving it, or doing both all at once – has been a favourite subject for Korean TV/cinema productions in recent years and a quick skim at the synopses of many of the K-dramas released in 2022 will confirm the notion that Koreans and audiences abroad still crave a good crime show with unique Korean flair.…