2011 Editors’ Picks [Year in Review, Part 5]
by javabeans
Part 5 is here!
As in past years, we here at Dramabeans owe huge thanks to guest bloggers — thank you, kaedejun and Dahee Fanel! — for participating in the review series, as well as HeadsNo2 for contributing to our Picks. You guys are awesome and make this time of year extra-special, providing lots of good stuff to read, think on, and, yes, sometimes disagree with. It wouldn’t be as invigorating without a little friendly debate, would it? We’d also like to extend our gratitude to thundie, who was a key part of our selection crew in voting for our Picks below. Much love to all of the reviewers, as well as everyone reading.
On to the Picks!
SONG OF THE DAY
Dear Cloud – “반짝이는 밤, 메리 크리스마” (Twinkling Night, Merry Christmas)
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2011 Editors’ Picks
BEST DRAMA
City Hunter
girlfriday: There’s just something about a superhero story done right — a rich world filled with larger-than-life characters, a morally-guided code of honor, and a dash of dry humor to undercut the life-and-death stakes. It was as fun as comic books are meant to be, and as gripping and addictive as k-dramas know how to be. Certainly not flawless, but City Hunter broke new ground in k-drama badass hero fiction, and swept us up in the heart-pounding action. It took us to a world where we could indulge that childlike belief in heroes righting wrongs, and driving off into the sunset to fight another day.
Honorable Mentions: The Princess’s Man, Tree With Deep Roots, Can You Hear My Heart, Sign
BEST ACTOR
Han Seok-kyu, Tree With Deep Roots
Dahee Fanel: I personally am not a fan of Tree With Deep Roots. But I don’t think anyone can deny Han Seok-kyu’s acting prowess in this show. He steals every scene he’s in, with humour, charisma, intelligence, and best of all, complete and utter ease. You never feel worried that he’ll mess up — we are in the hands of a professional. You get the sense that he could do all of this in his sleep and still feel natural. He’s the main highlight of the show, no doubt about it. It also helps that he’s sexy as hell. I want to stroke his beard. (Must…resist…the power…of…the…ahjusshi…)
and
Cha Seung-won
girlfriday: Cha Seung-won has been a lot of things — badass, slick, eeeevil — but he showed that he could erase all that in our collective memories with one outburst of manchild ridiculousness. At times his alter-ego Dokko Jin seemed legitimately crazy, like he’d gotten a few screws loose from shooting one too many action flicks. But Cha Seung-won always found a way to bring him back down to earth with one look of heartbreaaaaaaaaak. An actor who can make you cry is good, but an actor who can make you cry from laughter is the winner in my book.
Honorable Mentions: Lee Min-ho (City Hunter), Jung Il-woo (Flower Boy Ramyun Shop)
BEST ACTRESS
Su Ae, Thousand Day Promise
kaedejun: She is a tour de force as a young woman who grapples with her accelerating dementia by controlling it, and then falling apart. Pensive at times, cheerful the next, and then breaking down into a frenzy — in one frickin’ episode. You can’t help but watch her because she sucks up all the energy on the screen, and from Kim Rae-won. She can pull all these emotions from you and render you powerless. Now that is something.
Honorable Mentions: Ha Hee-ra (President), Yeom Jung-ah (Royal Family)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Kim Young-chul, The Princess’s Man
HeadsNo2: Kim Young-chul dominated the screen as the ambitious Prince Suyang on a journey to usurp the throne from his own nephew. As the main antagonist serving up the crux of the political turmoil which swept up the rest of our cast, he delivered a multi-dimensional political mastermind of a character that became a true force of nature. Terrible yet awe-inspiring, we couldn’t help but applaud him even as we scorned his vicious misdeeds. Not without his weaknesses, he delivered his own brand of wicked cleverness that remained just as wholly believable as his lesser-seen sympathetic side (just squint hard enough, you’ll see it). Played in a lesser actor’s hands, this role could have leaned more toward mustache-twirling and maniacal laughter, but in the capable hands of Kim Young-chul, it became one for the record books.
and
Eom Ki-joon, Scent of a Woman
Dahee Fanel: For years now Eom Ki-joon has been criminally underrated, cast aside in supporting roles, his immense talent ignored. So it was nice to see the surge of new fans that his role in Scent of a Woman created — a boost in popularity that was well-deserved. He gave a character that was a little flat on paper a very natural depth and realism, effortlessly portraying his awkward bumbling moments, his flashes of cold anger, and his pent-up sorrow. And on a shallow note, he wore glasses. I have a weakness for talented men with glasses. So, you know, in case anyone had any doubt: He’s MINE. Just sayin’.
Honorable Mentions: Choi Min-soo (Warrior Baek Dong-soo), Jung Bo-seok (Can You Hear My Heart), Park Ki-woong (The Musical)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Hong Soo-hyun, The Princess’s Man
Dahee Fanel: Finally, Hong Soo-hyun has found the role of her career. This is the turning point for her. She fit into the role of Princess Gyeonghye like a glove, and the two melded together so well that I often forgot that she was an actress who was portraying a character. And by finding that perfect outfit for herself, so to speak, she managed to tap into a special well of emotion, from which she drew out passion and tears and conviction. She hasn’t exactly had the most successful career, or the best acting history, but this role has changed the cards for her. And seeing how she’s chosen another promising drama for her next project (History of the Salaryman), it seems that she’s eager to continue to hone her newfound skills. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.
Honorable Mentions: Choi Myung-gil (Miss Ripley, Man of Honor), Lee Mi-sook (Thousand Day Promise)
BEST DIRECTING
City Hunter
HeadsNo2: With equal parts action, romance, comedy, revenge thriller, and family drama, the potential for a schizophrenic screen experience was high. Like the City Hunter who juggled his various personas and disguises, the deft directing hand elevated all the myriad genres at play into a cohesive whole, making what could have just been a comic book world into a heightened reality that drew us in and never let go. The streets of Seoul came alive before our eyes, beautifully lit and orchestrated with a loving hand that kept the action centered on a moving story that brought out the idealist in all of us — the hope that heroes exist, and that good will always prevail.
Honorable Mentions: The Princess’s Man, Vampire Prosecutor, Thousand Day Promise
BEST WRITING
City Hunter
javabeans: Reinventing a famous comic franchise is a tricky prospect, but City Hunter did so with style, giving us a new contemporary hero confronting modern evils. The drama boasted a directorial flair, invested acting performances, and a moody ambiance, but none of these would mean anything in the absence of a tight plot that kept us guessing, throwing in smaller arcs that tied into the big one for a smartly paced ride that delivered constant conflict and payoff. What resulted was a hero’s journey that was intellectually satisfying and retained thematic integrity, tied together with an emotional throughline that was at times feel-good, other times heart-tugging. Best of all? Season 1 was a total package that also gave us the perfect launchpad for a potential Season 2. *Ahem.* (I’ll never let go, Jack. I’ll never let go.)
Honorable Mentions: Tree With Deep Roots, Best Love, The Duo, Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, Can You Hear My Heart
BEST COMEDY
Best Love
HeadsNo2: Best Love delivered some of the most memorable characters of the year, with metaphors, puns, and meta commentary shooting from the script as fast as the whiplash of public opinion. In the cutthroat world of show business where she’s in constant danger of becoming irrelevant, Gu Ae-jung played the straight man to the zany man-child Dokko Jin, who’s perfectly happy to enjoy his lofty pedestal of fame while remaining in his ‘safety zone’. That is, until he experiences a little thing called first love — and it’s not long before he’s yelling “PANTIES!”, growing potato flowers, trusting Pororo to discern his feelings, and even threatening Lee Seung-gi. The humor laced itself into the witty dialogue as much as it did into the slapstick, assigning inanimate things like sneakers and pens with such meaning to the characters that it inevitably spilled over to us as the audience hook, line, and sinker. Ding Dong!
and
Flower Boy Ramyun Shop
kaedejun: Here’s my definition of “comedy”: a drama of amusing circumstances occurring to a character or characters, while tapping into an emotional center. Happy ending required. Flower Boy Ramyun Shop has had its share of ludicrousness and hot kissing scenes. However it maintains an emotional center: you cannot control whom you love — you just do. Seeing all the boys rise to the occasion and show their love for Eun-bi, and for each other, in their own way is kind of sweet. Most importantly, it never fails to bring a smile to your face when you see these young ‘uns hopping around, not knowing a thing about love but insisting they do.
Honorable Mention: Ojakkyo Brothers
BEST HISTORICAL DRAMA
The Princess’s Man
javabeans: Purists may balk at the fusion-ification of the sageuk genre (hi, Dad), but The Princess’s Man made the best use of the trend: by establishing the cornerstones of fact, then using it as a basis for a kickass story. It used historical record to establish its framework, but relied on its own well of creativity to supply its conflicts, thereby using history as a tool, but not a crutch. The story never lost sight of the grand-scale Big Picture — a kingdom, a country’s future at stake — but remained true to the human truths at its core: A father-daughter relationship torn apart by greed, lovers fighting tooth and nail to honor their love without dishonoring their families and senses of self. Epic stuff.
Honorable Mention: Tree With Deep Roots
BEST ACTION/THRILLER DRAMA
City Hunter
HeadsNo2: Not only were the action scenes impressively shot and captured, but their creativity is what made City Hunter the true action standout of the year. As a vigilante hero raised for the sole purpose of revenge, Yoon-sung relied on his intelligence and resourcefulness in order to use his surroundings to his own advantage, literally imbibing the show with a brand of action specific to his character. We won’t soon forget the spoon fight, the baseball cap fight, the walkie-talkie fight, the water bottle fight, the money-bag fight, the junkyard fight, or the final fight. More than revenge, Yoon-sung’s desire to free Jin-pyo from the shackles of his dark past is what drove the narrative forward so that the action and thrills carried weight, leaving us on the edge of our seat at every tense moment and every slow motion hero walk.
Honorable Mentions: Warrior Baek Dong-soo, Vampire Prosecutor, Girl K
BEST MUSIC
The Princess’s Man
Dahee Fanel: Music, when used wisely, can stir up the greatest emotions, and make a drama even better than it is. The music in The Princess’s Man did just that. Lee Ji-yong has been around for years, and you can tell right away that the music for this show is in the hands of a master. It is at times stirring, at times sweet, and often makes your heart beat faster and the blood rush to your head as you bite your nails in consternation over the fates of the characters. It’s never intrusive, and always elevated the scenes it was in. If there’s any OST this year that I want to buy, it’s this one. And that’s saying a lot.
Honorable Mention: City Hunter
BEST ENSEMBLE
Flower Boy Ramyun Shop
HeadsNo2: Individually, the cast was quirky and adorable. But tucked into a cozy ramyun shop, they transformed into something magical — a true family. Never will I forget Hyun-woo with his matching pajama sets, face creams, and knitting needles. Or Crazy Chicken Ba-wool and his adorably protective noona-love. Or Kang-hyuk, with nothing but a good heart and a desire to protect and nurture his adopted kids. Or Chi-soo, who learned the meaning of love and loyalty. Or Eun-bi, who had the joy of having her adopted brothers always on-hand with medicine for her intestinal woes. The best ensemble casts are the ones that make you believe that the characters weren’t frozen in time before the camera turned on — and that they’ll still be talking, laughing, making ramyun, and decorating Christmas trees long after the camera has turned off.
Honorable Mentions: I Need Romance, The Duo, City Hunter, Can You Hear My Heart
BEST VILLAIN
Kim Sang-joong as Jin-pyo, City Hunter
kaedejun: He’s the one who raised our hero, and he’s the one who heartlessly threatens and hurts Yoon-sung’s closest friends. I mean, what if your father went and ran his car into your best friend? And then said it was good for you?! What makes him an awesome villain is that he abuses but cares for his son. Jin-pyo may have have a bloody thirst for revenge, but some of his enemies are so sickeningly corrupt that you feel the law won’t be good enough. You hate him, but you can also understand his reasoning and therefore can’t completely hate him. That complexity is a turn-on.
Honorable Mention: Kim Young-chul as Suyang (The Princess’s Man)
BEST COUPLE
Park Shi-hoo & Moon Chae-won, The Princess’s Man
javabeans: A well-written romance has me mentally cheering for the hero and heroine to get their happy ever after, but it takes a special one to make me feel their connection in the heart. A combination of strong writing, impassioned performances, and intense chemistry worked to make Se-ryung and Seung-yoo’s star-crossed romance one of my favorite drama pairings ever. Matched in every way — intellect, attraction, morals, worldviews — they truly did seem like two sides of one coin, though you feared that like that coin, Fate would keep them forever separated from sharing the same space, face to face. But they fought and rallied and earned their reunion a thousand times over. They may not have been Romeo and Juliet, but their marriage of true minds was worthy of Shakespeare.
and
Lee Min-ho & Park Min-young, City Hunter
kaedejun: Equally matched in skills and talents, both stubborn as heck, and both with parental issues that prompt them to seek nurturing from others, Yoon-sung and Nana’s love is based on grounds of mutual respect. They are each other’s biggest supporters and protectors, understanding the risks of Yoon-sung’s revenge. But what’s even braver of the both of them is that they’re willing to let go of each other and give each other space and time to clean up their baggage. But like all destined couples, it’s not like they can stay apart for long.
Honorable Mentions: Lee Min-woo & Hong Soo-hyun (The Princess’s Man), Kim Jae-won & Hwang Jung-eum (Can You Hear My Heart)
BEST ALTERNATE PAIRING
Lee Min-ho & Kim Sang-ho, City Hunter
girlfriday: Sometimes the best love is the one between a vigilante hero and his ajusshi-wife. Batman had Alfred, and the City Hunter had his Ajusshi, who did everything from prepare his meals to save the day with his sidekick moves. No matter how many spats they had about his home-shopping addiction or how unappreciated he felt, Ajusshi always came through. Sometimes heroes just need to know that at the end of a long day of fighting evil, home is wherever Ajusshi is.
and
Kim Sun-ah & Eom Ki-joon, Scent of a Woman
Dahee Fanel: He loved her even though she laughed at him crapping his pants. What better proof of a man’s devotion do you need than that? In a show where the male lead spent several episodes unable to make up his damn mind and just KISS THE GIRL already, Eun-seok was always there. Comforting her, thawing for her, and silently suffering for her. Behind his cold exterior lay a dorky little boy who didn’t know quite what to do with his own hands and feet, and who, over the course of the show, learned how to deal with people, and his own neglected heart. If ever there was a character worthy of our heroine, it was him. Poopy pants and all.
Honorable Mentions: Gong Hyo-jin & Yoon Kye-sang (Best Love), Lee Ki-woo & Lee Chung-ah (Flower Boy Ramyun Shop)
BEST BROMANCE
Ji Chang-wook & Yoo Seung-ho, Warrior Baek Dong-soo
HeadsNo2: Two beautiful warriors with equally beautiful manes of glory who grew up together as friends, only to be torn apart by betrayal and made mortal enemies by the cruel hand of Fate? That’s already enough fodder for active imaginations, but with Warrior Baek Dong-soo, we weren’t left with empty hopes and shattered bromantic dreams. The brothers-by-bond relationship between Dong-soo and Yeo-woon proved to be the true love story of the series, as their mutual respect and admiration for each other never faded even during the darkest of times. The fact that Dong-soo never gave up on his friend-turned-enemy no matter how far Yeo-woon spiraled down into his bleak and mysterious world, and that never once did he think Yeo-woon was too far gone to ever return to the way they once were proved a testament to their lasting bond. And that kind of unconditional acceptance and steadfast love? That gets me right in the heart.
Honorable Mentions: City Hunter & Ajusshi (City Hunter), Chun Jung-myung & Lee Sang-yoon (The Duo), Lee Hyun-jin & Jang Seok-won (You’ve Fallen For Me)
FAVORITE CHARACTER
City Hunter (Lee Min-ho), City Hunter
girlfriday: He may have had a questionable sense of style at times, sure. But Superman’s been wearing his underwear over his pants for almost a century. City Hunter seemed like ten characters in one – the cheeky playboy, the cool-headed fighter, the agent of vengeance, the heartbroken son, and sometimes just the young man in love. But he remained from beginning to end the noble hero, which is why he stole our hearts and kept ’em all year long. His pants may have been pink, but of all the memorable characters this year, City Hunter takes the gold.
Honorable Mentions: Min Tae-yeon (Vampire Prosecutor), Cha Chi-soo (Flower Boy Ramyun Shop), Jung Jong (The Princess’s Man)
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE
Han Groo, Girl K
girlfriday: This rookie actress put most A-listers to shame with her trifecta of kickass action, sass, and emotional vulnerability. In just three short episodes, she managed to leave the biggest impression as the breakout star of the year, and made us believe that it was possible to assassinate a target via sniper rifle, investigate the secret underground organization kidnapping your friends, and catch the attention of the cutest boy in school, all before first period. Now that’s badass.
Honorable Mentions: Park Yoo-hwan (Thousand Day Promise) Seo Hyun-jin (The Duo), Song Joong-ki (Tree With Deep Roots), UEE (Ojakkyo Brothers)
MOST IMPROVED
Lee Da-hae, Miss Ripley
javabeans: Perhaps this is an unexpected category for Lee Da-hae, who started her career strong with dramas like Lotus Flower Fairy, building on that with Green Rose and My Girl. But she hasn’t lived up to her talent in years, which is why Miss Ripley was a welcome turn for her, giving her a combination of meaty character to sink her chops into as well as a reinvigorated spirit. She schemed, lied, and cheated with regularity, but peppered Miri’s meannesses with a vulnerability that allowed you to understand, if not admire, her character. It was an intense role, which she brought to life with an intense performance. “Most improved” in this case isn’t as much about raising her overall skill level as much as it’s a long-awaited return to form.
Honorable Mentions: UEE (Birdie Buddy & Ojakkyo Brothers)
LEAST IMPROVED
Kang Ji-hwan, Lie To Me
javabeans: This hurts me, it does. My love of Kang Ji-hwan is no secret ’round these parts, but you’ve gotta call a spade a spade: He was not good in Lie To Me. The writing’s mostly to blame for this one, but this is a man capable of making the craziest crazy seem kinda sane (Coffee House), or playing a no-good playboy wastrel (Hong Gil Dong) with vulnerability. He can do a hilarious comic bit and then rip your heart out with tears in the same moment. So his downturn in this drama was painful to watch, almost as painful as trying to watch him and Yoon Eun-hye try to figure out what the heck was up with the story. He got in some cute ad-libby moments, but that was tantamount to throwing in the towel, abandoning all pretense of character or plot logic. (Not that there was much in the way of plot logic.) Let’s all just hope his next role makes up for it, and then some.
Honorable Mentions: Yoon Eun-hye (Lie To Me), Yoo Inna (Best Love), Eric (Myung-wol the Spy)
MOST OVERRATED DRAMA
Best Love
kaedejun: Grumpy male lead falls for spunky female lead. Puns spew forth with a litany of sound effects in the background to emphasize the cheesiness oozing forth. Second male lead is perfect; second female lead is perfectly catty. So why watch when I know exactly how it’s going to turn out? I don’t need metaphors to tell a “layered” story, especially when the ploy is so obvious. Try something new, Hong Sisters.
Honorable Mention: Protect the Boss
MOST UNDERRATED DRAMA
Me Too, Flower
javabeans: Granted, I’m a little less enthused about this entry with the Wild-Eyed Villain Piling On The Possessive Crazy in recent weeks, but there’s still a charm to the show that makes it unfortunate to have been so overshadowed by such stiff competition. It’s a little show with a quirky cast, a hero acted wonderfully by Yoon Shi-yoon (despite, yes, that baby face), and a heroine who’s endearingly grumpy. Her character has the least charm, but it’s her growth we root for, her vulnerabilities that get us in the heart, and her happiness we desire. If the drama could remember that, it could once again polish off its surface to remind us what a gem lies underneath the tiresome villianness’s machinations.
Honorable Mentions: Birdie Buddy, President, Ojakkyo Brothers
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Lie To Me
girlfriday: There were quite a few contenders in this category this year, but none so disappointing as an unfunny rom-com that wasted two of the genre’s best stars. It even seemed that the show’s badness was contagious for the actors, because they turned in uninspired performances at every turn. Not that you could blame them for having to play the wishy-washiest characters ever written. Never have we watched an entire show starring Yoon Eun-hye or Kang Ji-hwan and spent the whole time going, MEH.
Honorable Mentions: Myung-wol the Spy, Scent of a Woman, Paradise Ranch
BIGGEST WASTE OF TALENT
The cast of Athena: Su Ae, Jung Woo-sung, Cha Seung-won, Kim Min-jong
kaedejun: When you have A-list stars like Jung Woo-sung, Cha Seung-won, Su Ae, and Kim Min-jong, you should have a bona fide hit in your hands. When you have A-list stars and give them a shoddy script that’s a rework of its “prequel but not a prequel” IRIS, you just wasted the talent. These actors can give you so much more than Lovesick James Bond, Broody Baddie, Always Stoic She-Spy, and Comic Relief. I have not seen more than five expressions on each of these actors for all 20 episodes. Shame.
Honorable Mentions: Eom Ki-joon (Dream High), Kang Ji-hwan (Lie To Me)
BEST USE OF AN IDOL
Lee Ki-kwang, Me Too, Flower
javabeans: Dual roles don’t always work, but Me Too, Flower took a cheeky approach with its Double Ki-kwang: One’s a sexless sidekick, the other’s a sexy dreamboat. It was more than just a meta joke (look, an idol playing a normal dude, making fun of his idol persona!), however, in representing two sides of our heroine’s desire for love. Both were idealized — the eager puppy who idolizes her, and the fantasy who tells her she’s beautiful when she doesn’t believe it herself — and yet, both paled in comparison to the real thing, the love that made her believe life might just be a thing of beauty after all. Ki-kwang played his roles with cute charm, but it was the clever use of his character that puts him under the “best use of” category.
Honorable Mentions: Yoochun (Miss Ripley), Han Groo (Girl K), Jaejoong (Protect the Boss), Seo Hyun-jin (The Duo)
WORST USE OF AN IDOL
Changmin, Paradise Ranch
Dahee Fanel: I often make lighthearted jokes about how various bad actors make constipated faces whenever they try to conjure up facial expressions (because I do love me a good bathroom joke. Hey, I’m Korean, after all). But never in my wildest dreams could I have thought up the facial expressions that Changmin makes in Paradise Ranch. My god. If this were a contest on the best faces when suffering from bowel movements, then he would win it. Even the drama’s early use of horse manure as a “humourous” plot point seemed to be cheering him on. Alas, he was supposed to be ACTING, dammit. And yet he failed to, on every possible level. I was actually embarrassed for him. This is why rookie actors, idols or not, should start out in small roles on small shows, where they can learn and build their craft without stinking up the proceedings. Jumping headfirst into a leading role when you don’t have the faintest clue what acting is about is brave, sure, but hardly smart. Better luck next time, maybe.
Honorable Mentions: Yunho (Poseidon), Jung Yong-hwa (You’ve Fallen For Me)
MOST GLORIOUS MANE OF GLORY
Park Shi-hoo, The Princess’s Man
javabeans: This was the year of Sageuk Hair. Curly, straight, rugged, shiny, old, young, tousled, every-hair-in-place — there was a style for every preference. Of numerous fine candidates, Park Shi-hoo’s takes the prize for Best In Show, straddling the divide between good-guy nobility and bad-boy avenging spirit, boldly masculine and why-can’t-my-hair-be-as-shiny feminine. You can picture him equally at home swinging that sword around (rawr) and shaking out his flowing tresses in front of a wind machine, mouthing a cheesy tagline for a Pantene commercial. We’d never hate you for being beautiful, though, Park Shi-hoo.
Honorable Mentions: Ji Chang-wook (Warrior Baek Dong-soo), Yoo Seung-ho (Warrior Baek Dong-soo), Choi Min-soo (Warrior Baek Dong-soo)
BEST USE OF ARMY ABS
Lee Ki-woo, Flower Boy Ramyun Shop
girlfriday: Humona.
javabeans: It ain’t like I’ve never seen abs before…
girlfriday: Just maybe not as shiny?
javabeans: But runner-up Lee Dong-wook took a shower every other episode, and somehow those scenes weren’t as sticky. Er, not literally.
girlfriday: Now I’m thinking of whole new ways to use maple syrup.
javabeans: And dirty ways to interpret Shiny Pillar?
girlfriday: Rawr. God bless army duty.
Honorable Mention: Lee Dong-wook (Scent of a Woman)
RELATED POSTS
- 2011 Year In Review, Part 4: The DramaMeter: highly scientific and foolproof (girlfriday’s review)
- 2011 Year In Review, Part 3: Somewhere Over the K-Drama Rainbow (Dahee Fanel’s review)
- 2011 Year In Review, Part 2: The Good, The Bad, and The Hmmm… of 2011 (kaedejun’s review)
- 2011 Year In Review, Part 1: Measuring 2011 on the Sticky Scale (javabeans’ review)
- 2011 Beanie Awards: Vote for your favorite dramas of the past year
- 2010 Year in Review, Part 5: Editors’ Picks
- 2010 Year in Review, Part 4: Objects in mirror are closer than they appear (girlfriday’s review)
- 2010 Year In Review, Part 3: Heady with a chance of ho hum (thunderbolt’s review)
- 2010 Year In Review, Part 2: Finding the gems among the stones (Dahee Fanel’s review)
- 2010 Year In Review, Part 1: A year of surprises and disappointments (javabeans’ review)
- 2010 Beanie Awards: Vote for your favorite dramas of the year
Tags: 1 show to rule them all, Athena: Goddess of War, Best Love, City Hunter, Editors' Picks, featured, Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, Girl K, Lie To Me, Me Too Flower, Miss Ripley, Paradise Ranch, Scent of a Woman, The Princess's Man, Thousand Day Promise, Warrior Baek Dong-soo, year in review, year in review 2011
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1 Ani
December 24, 2011 at 8:11 PM
*mutters* Most Overrated Drama should be City Hunter*cough*
Other than that. Thanks Dramabeans for another year of awesomeness. May it continue.
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Ani
December 24, 2011 at 8:14 PM
Pillar Panda Onion = awesome abs indeed. I'm going to miss him. Lee Kiwoo come baaaaaaaaaack soon. X(
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autumnscribbles
December 24, 2011 at 10:22 PM
I know! Panda was the sweetest and most adorkable person ever. I loved his quirks, his smile and his thoughtfulness. I rooted for him till the very bitter end. Still cannot fathom why anyone would prefer a spoiled brat over him.
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Redd
December 26, 2011 at 8:26 AM
Was that a spoiler I just read for a drama that I haven't yet finished watching...? I hope not, but if so, commenters, can you please NOT do that? Thanks!
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Kiki
December 25, 2011 at 1:18 AM
I totally agree with both of you guys- he's awesome!!!! <3 Just to let you know, I found a movie he's in called Wedding Dress; apparently it was made in 2010 so check it out on youtube (just type in Wedding dress eng sub) if you can't get enough of him (like me XD)
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Kushi
December 25, 2011 at 10:57 PM
@Ani
*mutters along with you*
In fact, I did like CH. Buuuut...*glancing down the list...* I don't think it deserves THAT many 'best' categories. Seriously!):
Biased. :/
On a side note...
Funny how for best mane of glory, all the 'honorable mentions' are from WBDS...AHAHAHA. :D I personally think that YSH's mane of glory looks better than PSH's(I think, because, I'm really used to PSH with shortish hair...)...buuuut...eeeeek. There are so many PSH fans here!O.O *cower*
-looks for fellow YSH fans...-
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rjyuggy
December 24, 2011 at 8:22 PM
overrated drama it is!!! just because its an eye candy doesn't mean it is the best drama. The editors placed too much bias on City Hunter.
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Ani
December 24, 2011 at 8:28 PM
Hahaha. Maybe most of them really do like City Hunter. I just didn't fall in love with it the way everyone did. It's ok. Everyone has a bias. To each their own.
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cv
December 24, 2011 at 9:37 PM
haha~ yea, it was waaay overrated. It was gooood, but not awsome.
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ivy_factiva
December 24, 2011 at 10:21 PM
I totes agree. Especially in the "Best Writing" department.
mariama
December 25, 2011 at 12:02 AM
so true, i was not a fan of city hunter but i love love love his crazy dad. best chemistry ever.
bd
December 25, 2011 at 12:26 AM
Third the esp. in the "writing dept."
Jaeminuf
December 25, 2011 at 2:02 AM
Second that re: the writing dept.
violet
December 25, 2011 at 7:07 AM
3rd!best writing should have gone to tree with deep roots imo
kimchi
December 24, 2011 at 10:40 PM
that's why its called "editor's pick". just sayin....
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Ani
December 24, 2011 at 11:23 PM
And jb has already said that even if it is Editor's Pick, it doesn't mean we can't voice our own disgruntled opinion. Just sayin'....
haru
December 25, 2011 at 11:30 AM
agree
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Indi
December 25, 2011 at 7:51 AM
I have to agree with that. Exactly my thoughts!The Duo wasn't chosen in at least ONE damn category! The Princess's Man totally gets the best drama this year, imho.
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Dee Dee
December 26, 2011 at 1:55 PM
Way too much bias on City Hunter. I saw way too much City Hunter throughout the picks. Anyway, Hooray for Flower Boy Ramyun Shop!
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Chandler
November 13, 2013 at 2:44 PM
I don't see how it's a bias really when this is supposed to be their opinion. You're allowed to say you disagree, but if City Hunter was what they enjoyed the most in all those areas then they're just being true to how they feel. I also disagree with them a bit and wanted some love for some of the other dramas out there, but I understand their reasons for picking what they did, they're were some truly great things about City Hunter.
It had a lot more heart to it than Tree With Deep Roots and in the end I think thats important. I ended up caring for the characters more in City Hunter. In TWDR I found myself only really caring for the King and his bodyguard. The other characters were fascinating, but lacked a certain spark that made me really care. ALSO I have a beef with the ending of TWDR. I won't say it here, but I felt like the writers made their character's make a really stupid decision (that was supposed to be a "brilliant" one) that lessened the effectiveness of it's ending. And I always felt that the villain who originally seemed so interesting, completely lost his spark.
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Nadia
December 24, 2011 at 8:25 PM
You Jealous?
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Ani
December 24, 2011 at 8:32 PM
Truthfully? No. Nothing to be jealous about a drama when it's make believe. I am jealous though that everyone found it exciting. Makes me feel like the odd ball out. I need to find a drama to fall in love with again and feel as passionate about as everyone here seems to be when it comes to City Hunter.
P.S. Your comment really reminded me of them long gone high school days.... Heck, maybe a bit further back. ^_~
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alua
December 25, 2011 at 2:22 AM
I loved City Hunter but still couldn't get into FBRS. I also always film I'm the only one that can't stand My Sassy Girl (the film)... I think everyone's an odd ball out somewhere!
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alua
December 25, 2011 at 2:25 AM
*"always feel" not "always film"
jose
December 25, 2011 at 8:06 AM
well i am happy :) i am in the side of people who loved so much city hunter,i don't think is overrated,it deserves its popularity,its ratings and the good review here,even without the actor lee min ho is amazing,i am a heterosexual man and i watched it because the story was good as well,it had some things i didn't like ,but they were few; my other favorites of the year were: vampire prosecutor ,49 days, dream high and now i started watching the princess's man
SprinkledPink
December 24, 2011 at 8:33 PM
Why would someone be jealous of a drama? o.O
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poo
December 24, 2011 at 10:46 PM
LMAO! Jealous of a drama? or jealous of others liking the drama? Is that even possible? Maybe if u r in school i guess...but seriously what kinda ridiculous question is dat?
Anyway even i wonder y CH is soo overrrated? I liked it! It was alrite, wont say that it was bad and nor did i hated it. BUt it was definitely not amazing or great imo.
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K
December 26, 2011 at 12:46 AM
I laughed so hard. Hahaha. Maybe jealous of the person who found a drama that she liked? Or jealous because her favorite drama wasn't in the list? Something like that. Nevertheless, it sounds completely funny.
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Ani
December 26, 2011 at 1:01 AM
Even being jealous of my favorite drama not being on the list doesn't make sense. The whole jealous thing really makes no sense. X/ Truthfully, I had some dramas I liked this year, but I don't think I had one where I was head over heels in love.
Indi
December 25, 2011 at 7:53 AM
You trolling?
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Kgrl
December 24, 2011 at 8:41 PM
Hahaha. Well, CH was a great watch, just didn't end as spectacularly as I had hoped. Definitely not the best drama of 2011, but a good is a good drama. LMH kicked ass in it.
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cv
December 24, 2011 at 9:38 PM
totally agree with you there! ^^
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Countdown
December 24, 2011 at 9:59 PM
Exactly my thought.
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j.real
December 24, 2011 at 10:13 PM
AGREE!
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Flikanio
December 24, 2011 at 10:53 PM
I am totally with those who can not figure out the hype for City Hunter.
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Kim
December 24, 2011 at 11:28 PM
Agree, I like CH, but it's definitely not the best drama of the year. Might as well place CH on all the categories since it took almost all of it.
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jessie
December 25, 2011 at 5:40 AM
yeah, my thoughts exactly. I don't know why but City Hunter didn't appeal THAT much to me. I mean it's good I enjoyed it, but I don't think it's THAT great. You know what I'm sayin'...
Just because they have Lee Min Ho in it, imagine if the PD put -for example Kim Soo Hyun (?)
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Molly
December 25, 2011 at 6:56 PM
I actually didn't fall in love with Lee Min-ho until after I started watching City Hunter - didn't think he was charismatic beforehand. But after I started, I fell hard for him, haha.
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Kushi
December 25, 2011 at 10:58 PM
Same here. Tee heeeeee. But CH was okaaay. Ok-ish. Really, that's what I think. :3
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TANYAS
December 25, 2011 at 6:05 AM
i feel that too, city hunter is the most overrated drama
n after a few episodes , more than enjoying it i was just watching it to finish it.
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dongfishy
December 25, 2011 at 6:43 AM
yeah totally totally totally agree... i've watched more than 20 dramas this year ( yeah i have that philosophy of finishing whatever i started ), and city hunter is not even in my top 5 maybe in 8th-10th, but seriously - the best series... and also the best writing?! i nth demotion that it isn't... i think there are many makjang manga elements there ( i also watched 30 anime series this year, hahaha i reaalllly do have a lot of time this year but it's not good since there are only a handful that are good for the eyes, the mind, and the heart)
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Aeyouline21
January 28, 2013 at 6:13 PM
May I know your favorite drama among the many that you have watched?
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Enria
December 25, 2011 at 6:46 AM
yeah... I thought the same way with you... there's so many good dramas in this year that should be given the drama awards... e.g: Vampire Prosecutor for the best cinematography and best thriller/action drama maybe..
City Hunter was a good action drama but I thought it was just as good as it supposed to be and not really surprised me in story, directing, humor, or even the cinematography aspects...
The dramas that gave me a lot of surprises this year mostly aired on cable TVs, such as: I Need Romance, Vampire Prosecutor, Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, What's Up, TEN, etc....
I hope more surprising dramas will be coming up next year...
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Hannah
December 25, 2011 at 9:12 AM
I definitely agree with you on the cable dramas. I watched VP and thought it was great! CH was alright. Read the recaps but didn't feel a need to watch it.
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malta
December 25, 2011 at 7:12 AM
Agreed. haha :)
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karened
December 25, 2011 at 7:55 AM
Ding Dong!
And the most under-rated, for me...was I Need Romance...
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coolrepublica
December 25, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Agree 100%. City Hunter being best anything will be a mystery that I will never solve. Other than that that list was fine.
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Jo
December 25, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Ikr, I sighed every time it was City Hunter.
ughh :T
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Sunny
December 25, 2011 at 1:46 PM
*Side-way glances an "I agree" look.
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bluetsukky
December 25, 2011 at 3:58 PM
I agree. It should've been City Hunter. Well at least it's worth the hype
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Mai Vang
December 25, 2011 at 8:16 PM
I actually agree on this. Everywhere I went on the web there was City Hunter blasted in my face...It made me mad! It was a good drama but I don't think I'd marathon watch it like I would some other dramas.
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JJ
December 26, 2011 at 4:07 AM
Totally agree, and especially for the writing category. Fairly standard shoebox revenge plot, which the directing and actors managed to make slick and pretty. TPM and others had far better writing in terms of story, dialogue, character complexity, etc.
It seems each year the editors at DB are obsessed with a single work, which they bring up over. and over. Last year was MGIAG, and I'm thankful at least that CH is a far improvement over that.
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Southerner
December 26, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Ditto, on the mutters...coughs...and thxs above!
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Kaiah
December 27, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Agreed.
I don't what it is about City Hunter that has all the editors going googley-eyed over, but I definitely missed it. Good? Perhaps. Overrated? Definitely. And best writing? Pshaw.
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otchosais
December 31, 2011 at 9:28 AM
I doubt that!
CH is so great that is why it had a HIGH RATINGS!!! :)
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katerentz
October 30, 2012 at 10:37 PM
that is so true..I really think that city hunter is too overrated here while Best Love is definitely not overrated!
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1V
October 5, 2013 at 3:57 AM
Totally agree.
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2 diorama
December 24, 2011 at 8:22 PM
Thank you! I have a feeling that if Vampire Prosecutor had been longer and had a chance to continue its fantastic upward streak, it would have swept the writing and directing categories. Drama of the year for me, totally, although I personally really enjoyed City Hunter as well.
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doozy
December 24, 2011 at 11:39 PM
Agree! Love Min Tae Yeon and his hyung!
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damianna
December 25, 2011 at 9:58 PM
they shud have won d best bromance too. heee
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Shukmeister
December 25, 2011 at 2:05 AM
I would've pick VP as well. I thought the writing was slick and the episodes, for the most part, fast paced but not out of control.
Well, there's always Season 2 (crossing all fingers and toes that they use the same writing/directing team).
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Enria
December 25, 2011 at 6:52 AM
I've just done watching the last ep of VP, and so happy because of this words: "2 be continued...." written in the of the drama...
Min Tae Yeon-ssi... I'll always be waiting for you...
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Jaeminuf
December 25, 2011 at 2:05 AM
Totally agree. Vampire Prosecutor never made me want to hurl things at the screen or give up in boredom or rue my completist tendency that kept me watching a drama that belittled my intelligence.
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Mystisith
December 25, 2011 at 3:06 AM
I'm with you in this, diorama. An i agree with the answers to your post. If viewers could give a chance to VP, they would see than CH and VP don't fight at the same level. I think that a lot of admirers defend Lee Min Hot rather tha CH. You know how to check this ? Just wait for 2 or 3 years then come back here and ask : Who remembers ? Even the bromance is better in CH.:)
- Imagine CH without LMH : What is left ?
- Imagine VP without Yun Joong Hoon ( yes, i know, it's Hard... ). The story stands up on his own.
Just my opinion, and now i' gonna run to save my life from angry fangirls.
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Mystisith
December 25, 2011 at 3:08 AM
Ooops : bromance better in VP, i mean. " beating keyboard ".
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Hannah
December 25, 2011 at 9:14 AM
yes! I love VP!!!!!!!!! I just wished there were MORE! oh welll, there's always a season 2! yippy YAY!
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3 foraredrose
December 24, 2011 at 8:22 PM
Thank you for the picks! I be sensing some City Hunter bias, but that's okay ;)
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4 Orleanas
December 24, 2011 at 8:27 PM
I'm a little surprise that Scent of a Woman lost its shine and hasn't much love from you at the end of the year because that was the drama that got me totally engrossed and obsessed from beginning to end.
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Tru2u
December 24, 2011 at 9:14 PM
ME TOOO!!!!!! its been awhile since i was last HOOKED to a drama. i did try a few but was unable to finish. dramas like, lLe To Me, Greatest Love (i LOVE Cha Seung Won but did not like this one), Baby Face, Birdie Buddy, Can't Lose, heartstrings (WTH (-.-)), Manny, My Princess, Secret Garden (kill me later, i just never fell in love with it), Royal Family, Protect The Boss (it was fun, but not love), The Musical.
The dramas I really enjoyed were
1.Scent Of A Woman
2.Tree With Deep Roots
3.Vampire Prosecutor
Now i am watching Fermentation/Kimchi Family ( I'm LOVING it)
It was a Wonderful Year!!
Thanks to Dramabeans Family and the one who recap dramas, it has been a pleasure reading your recaps.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S any recommendations?
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Abbie
December 24, 2011 at 9:36 PM
I like Fermentation Family/Kimchi Family too! But it isn't what I expected it would be! I can't wait to watch more of it!
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Abbie
December 24, 2011 at 9:39 PM
How about High Kick 3? I like it a lot!
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alua
December 25, 2011 at 2:29 AM
I might tackle Fermentation Family soon... But loving Padam Padam and What's Up at the moment.
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ashura
December 26, 2011 at 5:45 PM
Hey agree totally with you. You love all the 3 dramas I loved!
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5 sleeplessinwgtn
December 24, 2011 at 8:29 PM
Off the topic.. but... I just want to wish javabeans, girlfriday, guest bloggers and everyone a Merry Christmas.
I'm afraid the k-dramas I watched with great ardour did not figure in the list. Nevertheless, I could use above list as a guide to future watching.
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6 yui
December 24, 2011 at 8:32 PM
LIKE THIS! SUPER LIKE THIS! *silent......* THANK YOU!*speechless*
:))
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7 tiacait
December 24, 2011 at 8:32 PM
Yay editors' picks! Thank you chicas! And Merry Christmas!
I gotta say, though, Kim Bum's mane of glory in Padam Padam is pretty much killing me (or rather his newfound manliness, but that isn't a category here, so I'll push for his mane of glory).
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violet
December 25, 2011 at 7:17 AM
ok i know it's a stupid question,but does mane of glory mean hairstyle?!
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8 come2noona
December 24, 2011 at 8:33 PM
Thank you! I really appreciate all of the hard work that goes into your "Year in Review". All 5 parts were thoughtful, interesting and well written. Great job everyone!
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come2noona
December 24, 2011 at 8:38 PM
Oh, and Han Seok kyu as best actor? Heck yeah! He is awesome!
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Kgrl
December 24, 2011 at 8:48 PM
The best in Kdrama this year - heck, probably the best in the last 5 years. Absolutely astonishing portrayal. He completely blew everyone out of the water and was the deciding factor for me as to which was the best drama of 2011.
MCW and PSH totally owned the best Kdrama pairing of 2011 - the chemistry was simply sizzling. Happy that Can You Hear My Heart was recognized for it's writing - very emotionally-realistic and heart-warming.
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violet
December 25, 2011 at 7:24 AM
Are u talking about TWDR?if so,i couldn't agree more!
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genevieve
December 26, 2011 at 11:31 AM
I adore TWDR. And it made me like Han Suk Kyu on a totally different level (i even googled him and found out he's a Hayao Miyazaki fan just like me... ahh~!)
Kinda sad that TWDR didn't figure more prominently in the editors' picks.... *cough agree with the other comments that CH is greatly overrated... there were too many plot loopholes...*
But nevertheless, rooting for TWDR to win big in the korean drama awards in the coming days!
dom
December 24, 2011 at 9:33 PM
what about his younger counter part Song Joong Ki? I think he should be in the 'most improved' or 'the most shining performance although only used in 2-3 episode' category.... he gave a good platform for HSK character to grow.. (imho)
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Kgrl
December 24, 2011 at 10:15 PM
Of course my Joong Ki gave an amazing performance - I was so proud. But if I were objective, Han ahjussi just took that role and turned it into a masterpiece. His King Sejong has now become one of my most unforgettable characters in a Kdrama, along with Story of A Man's Chae Do Woo, Kim Samsoon, Mishil, and bounty of other characters that I will vividly remember for their epic-ness. ^-^
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Celest
December 24, 2011 at 11:27 PM
The Princess Man is one of my fave dramas of this year, my second favorite after CYHMH but dang! I'm still in the process of watching Tree With Deep Roots and Han Suk Kyu is killing it! I thought TPM was cemented as my fave saeguk of the year but TWDR is slowly creeping up there.
Kudos to the editors for picking Jung Bo Seok as an honorable mention for playing a mentally handicapped father in CYHMH. His performance as Bong Young Gyu was poignant and beautiful to watch (and no, this isn't just my ahjusshi crush talking!)
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daniela
December 27, 2011 at 12:54 AM
So true! i just love this drama, for me TWDR it's the best historical drama of the year.
I don't understand why it was choose TPM when the love part was more important there, and the history part was just a support, like the "second lead actor". In stead, in TWDR I was "involved" every moment in history.
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9 ais
December 24, 2011 at 8:34 PM
Most overrated had got to be CH. These picks were pretty much bias to it. Oh well, to each his own. I personally couldn't get past episode 5.
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swift
December 26, 2011 at 7:11 AM
You did better than me... I can't get past episode 3...
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mihinikki
December 26, 2011 at 6:18 PM
Neither did I. I loved episode 1, hated episode 2, and by the third I thought it was trying too hard. AND I think Lee Min Ho is beautiful and enjoyed Park Min Young in SKKS, so there was no actor-bias. Maybe I should try it again.
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10 moochi
December 24, 2011 at 8:34 PM
well the emphasis on city hunter was cool, it's a drama that does deserve the attention. and thank you for putting "greatest love" as overrated..THANK YOU. i love the part 5 of this year's review and i might really have to watch the princess' man after reading this =p
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11 Noemi
December 24, 2011 at 8:35 PM
I'm watching The Princess's Man right now and I entirely agree about the OST and Hong Soo-hyun's performance. Really quite spectacular! I do agree with Ani about City Hunter being overrated (kind of surprised it was picked for best writing), but nevertheless, I enjoy reading your other picks :D Thanks for all the end of the year reviews, and the hard work all the contributors have put into this site. My k-drama addiction wouldn't be complete without Dramabeans :D
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12 Carrie
December 24, 2011 at 8:37 PM
Sad to see that "Protect The Boss" not only didn't make any of the 4 reviews but gets honorable mention for most overrated as well :(
I wish PTB had been reviewed even if not favorable.
Anyways, great list otherwise :) Haha, I could tell you guys sure loved "City Hunter". "Can You Hear My Heart" also ended up on quite a few lists as honorable mentions so I'm thinking about checking it out.
Thanks for the picks and Merry Christmas to all of you! ^_^
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Cha Eun Ae
December 24, 2011 at 11:10 PM
Yes concerning PB, I wandered about that myself. They categorized it as overrated yet I don't recall even seeing it reviewed here. I think it was mentioned once and then never mentioned again or even reviewed. So not sure how it falls into over-rated here.
For me City Hunter was way overrated. I started out watching and I finished, but it just did not capture me.
Tree was mind blowing. All the lead actors in Tree were awesome and there was a synchronicity between all the characters.
When scenes from a drama get "burned onto my brain" after a first watch then that's when I know it's made an impact. Tree did that for me...
-Song Jong Ki as he stood up to his Father shouting with such conviction. I am!!.... I am the King of Josen!!!
-Han Seok-kyu as he walked bootless to his sons dead body and then tried to place his dead sons hand on his face.
-Han Seok-kyu - that primal scream, when he finally allowed himself to grieve for the prince.
Nothing else was as memorable as Tree.
No other drama this season did this to me.
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Shukmeister
December 25, 2011 at 2:16 AM
I enjoyed CYHMH, mostly for the characters of the Bong and Lee Families. Their interaction in the household between the three generations really showed how a blended family works.
The Dong Joo / Joon Ha interaction was my first real look at bromance this year, and I really liked that it developed as the characters developed; first supporting each other, then love, then rivalry, etc. etc.
And the handling of the challenged individuals, Bong Young Guel's mental capacity and Cha Dong Joo's deafness.
All in all, a good watch.
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Llamaesque
December 25, 2011 at 7:37 AM
I really loved Protect the Boss, and would definitely rank it far, far ahead of City Hunter on the scale of 2011 dramas. Like a lot of Kdramas, both shows were stitched together, Frankenstein-style, from already existing bits and pieces. One's a chaebol love story, the other a revenge quest--both tropes have been done to death. To me, though, PTB was more than the sum of its parts--funny and charming and full of bromantic goodness. Even though City Hunter's component parts were of high pedigree, they fit together awkwardly--the student -teacher relationship, the hostile live-in, the cardboard cut-out bad guys who did their evil deeds in the most laughable ways possible (you hid 2,000 square feet of paper money in your house? Really?). Which is not to say that Lee Min Ho wasn't so awesome in the show that he came within a hairbreadth of saving it for me, in spite of all the conveniently forgotten drug-dealing that enabled his character to live like a king...
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ArtofWar
December 25, 2011 at 7:51 AM
^ I love you for saying this
"in spite of all the conveniently forgotten drug-dealing that enabled his character to live like a king…"
YAY for people with more than two braincells to rub together
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Llamaesque
December 25, 2011 at 8:41 AM
I guess they thought Bad Daddy's command not to sell in Korea was sufficient to address this issue, but come on. Our brave, pure, good hero doesn't stop to think that maybe the ends don't justify the means for more serious reasons than his real dad turning out to be pretty groovy? If only they had given the character the depth required for real soul searching, it might have been a truly great show. (Or maybe the real lead should have been Prosecutor Duddly Doright, who was smart enoug to see the big picture and his real place in it.)
And not that Protect the Boss was perfect, either: it was way draggy toward the end and the male lead's magical healing from a wounded, frightened individual to a flawless gem of chaebol-charm wasn't earned (or desirable, really). But at least the writers didn't just throw in every plot device known to man and hope for the best, like City Hunter's.
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13 songielove
December 24, 2011 at 8:38 PM
Haha. I do understand all the "City Hunter" squealing, but then my hype leveled up when "The Princess' Man" came along. I'm so happy to see these two top the charts for the year! Honestly, they're the only two i kept up with weekly (TPM at a daily rate ;P). Another enjoyable year of reviews and editors' picks! Thanks so much to the DB team~~wishing everyone a very merry holiday! *^^*
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14 melonhead
December 24, 2011 at 8:43 PM
Aaw, come on, Tree With Deep Roots should have been the best historical drama! I get that it's not as emotionally gripping, but still, that drama is gold.
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pandaD
December 24, 2011 at 10:59 PM
I guess I'm in the minority, but I think that Tree With Deep Roots belongs anywhere CityHunter is posted on that list.... :/
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melonhead
December 25, 2011 at 12:24 AM
Yup. Agreed. Tree is my newest all time favourite drama :D
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Lena S.
December 25, 2011 at 7:25 AM
haha i agree, and i love City Hunter but Tree with deep roots is on another level.
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violet
December 25, 2011 at 7:30 AM
totally(well maybe except for best couple)
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kyuuumin
December 26, 2011 at 2:10 AM
So true.
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daniela
December 27, 2011 at 1:07 AM
I already said early-ear : for me "Tree with deep roots" is the best drama (this is my firs k-drama year), but not only from Korean-drama. The main actor deserves an Oscar for this role.
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dramabliss
December 25, 2011 at 12:35 AM
Agree wholehwartedly. To me, TPM comes second only.
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15 DeeDee315
December 24, 2011 at 8:44 PM
Two of my favorites this season that have received little attention Brain and Sign. I can overlook a little overacting, for a well written story & some suspense. If you didn't see these the first time around, save them for the next dry spell.
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Kgrl
December 24, 2011 at 8:53 PM
Lols. Checked both of these out and they are underrated. However, one of my pet peeves is over-acting; particularly when it's not of the fantasical, whimsical, and comedic genre.
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16 nurii
December 24, 2011 at 8:53 PM
I don't think Ojakkyo Brothers is underrated drama. It has pretty good rating and I think OB central is pretty busy especially in the weekend.
But, always enjoy reading your posts. Thanks a lot Javabeans, Girl Friday, Kaedejun, HeadsNo2 and Dahee.
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dramalove
December 25, 2011 at 6:16 AM
Ojakkyo Brothers rating 30-40%! OB get 40.1% of the national rating on E40 last sunday. And always has the first place in the Тоp20!
I love this drama!
TH & JE very cute couple! They are the best!
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17 Iviih :)
December 24, 2011 at 8:54 PM
Yeahhhh finally Can You hear my heart being mentioned.
I'm just don't get it, how can Junha and Dong Joo not be mentioned on the best bromance?
But oh well. LOVE that you picked BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Hong Soo-hyun!!! If she doesn't win a award I'll be so disappointed.
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Celest
December 24, 2011 at 11:14 PM
AGREED!
I'm thinking that CYHMH was not watched by the editors who contributed to the "Best Of..." and the reviews. Yea...that must be it...right? I don't think anyone reviewed it on this site, really. Kim Jae Won and Nam Goong Min had sizzling chemistry as "brothers". Heck they were kinda like the OTP even lol. KJW who played Dong Joo at one point said that he loved his hyung more than anyone else in the world to his leading lady (in a half kidding manner of course! =P)
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ajewell
December 25, 2011 at 3:12 AM
CYHMH: I completely agree. They brought bro-mance to a whole new level - there were times when I thought *they* were the OTP, lol. I mean, soulful eye-gazing, hugging, bed-rolling, teasing, tears. It had it all.
Case in point: http://youtu.be/g1laOH9ok28
Should've gotten honorable mention at least.
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grany
December 25, 2011 at 5:53 AM
Banging-the-table-agree.
Jezz..I enjoy the bromance more than the story nor the OTP.
Hell..they look good together.
This was not the first time I dreamed that the triangle love could work..and that they will live happily ever after; but these people make me PRAYED that they would.
Facts:
The girl loves the guys
The guys love the girl
and best of all the guys love each other
LOL
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18 Z
December 24, 2011 at 8:54 PM
Wow, no love for Protect The Boss round these parts. I was willing to concede the they didn't watch it, since it didn't make any of the year end reviews... but apparently they watched enough to decide that it was "over-rated." I'm surprised and really don't get it. I thought it was excellent and deserves credit for at least breathing some fresh air into your cache of KDrama Cliche characters.
Color Me Flabbergasted. Ah, well, it was a fun ride for me. I was really looking forward to hearing what the "pros" thought of it but I guess it's not to be.
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Carrie
December 24, 2011 at 9:00 PM
I found it puzzling as well that "Protect The Boss" was not reviewed in ANY of the 4 reviews but ends up on the "overrated" list. OooOo
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Jen
December 24, 2011 at 9:40 PM
yeah, that's kind of weird. I don't know how you can judge something as overrated if you didn't even watch it enough to review.
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jn123
December 24, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Agreed, Z-- I loved the play with kdrama stereotypes in PTB, and wondered as I was watching what Javabeans and Girlfriday might think of the Wang Ji-hye character in particular, given her previous turn as the dreaded Inhee-bot. (yes, I can no longer help watching dramas without wondering what jb and gf might say, whether with wonderful incisive snark, or just wonderful incisiveness). I also enjoyed the way the chaebol family's ridiculousness was highlighted-- can't really remember having seen that elsewhere. Sure, the end was draggy and the separation/reunion annoying... but since well over half the dramas I've seen muff the landing (if not large chunks of the flight) in one way or another, I couldn't hold that too much against PTB.
But tastes of course vary and no one has time to watch everything, let alone watch and write about it. I'm just grateful for all the time and effort JB, GF and your esteemed guest writers (not to mention everyone who writes comments!) put into sharing their thoughts and knowledge with us. You've all made my kdrama addiction many more times as fun and addicting, and your year end reviews are always especially awesome.
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alua
December 25, 2011 at 2:33 AM
ditto, loved the play with drama stereotypes in PTB
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Brenda
December 24, 2011 at 11:27 PM
I found that interesting too, but i think they must have watched much more than enough to have given it a mention in their editors picks, but were just not willing to review it? (which is understandable considering the hefty number of dramas in 2011).
Though i initially really, really liked the set up of PTB and all of the characters, my interest started to disappear after around episode 4? and only until about.. episode 8 did i decide to drop it.
I understood the interest towards this drama since i am always especially supportive of a kick ass female lead but i found there was absolutely no romantic chemistry between the leads, i can only see them as friends, i liked them separately but cringed at the thought of them ending up together. I finally dropped it when i saw it wasn't really going to go anywhere in particular except perhaps angstville which would just bore someone like me who was not invested in the couple. Just throwing my two cents out there :) (also i found it strange how i never paid attention to Jaejoong in the jap drama i watched him in but i couldn't stop staring at him in PTB..)
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ajewell
December 25, 2011 at 7:48 AM
Protect The Boss wasn't covered because it was originally on Thundie's review log, like many of the series that went ignored in the end (Tales of Ginseng, Can You Hear My Heart, Royal Family, etc).
From what I understand, Thundie had some personal issues come up, so she had to temporarily withdrawn from her blog, and as a result, didn't have time to finish her year-long review. Javabeans and Girlfriday probably didn't have enough time/forewarning to hunt for someone else to fill her slot, so they just included her picks in the final review instead.
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kyuuumin
December 26, 2011 at 2:14 AM
Yep. And the cha cousins should have won best bromine hands down.
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kyuuumin
December 26, 2011 at 2:15 AM
Yep. And the cha cousins should have won best bromance hands down.
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19 kitkat
December 24, 2011 at 8:57 PM
Thanks for the year-end reviews! Enjoyed it ALOT ...
And I want to wish the Dramabeans crew a fantastic christmas and a glorious New York!
Love your writing!
btw... I just don't get the City Hunter bias. Could not finish the drama...
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20 bd
December 24, 2011 at 8:57 PM
How TWDR didn't win out for best historical drama AND best drama overall, I'd never know.
Also toss in best writing for TWDR ("City Hunter" - really?).
Plus, while not at the forefront as in WBDS, the "bromance" in TWDR (or more like the "nagging wife" and teasing husband) was so much more rewarding.
As much as I like CSW and his hilarious portrayal of Dokko Jin and yet being able to show his vulnerability and sadness, Han Seok-kyu is far and above everyone else (only Jeon Do-yeon's best work can match what he did as Lee Do/Sejong).
Agree w/ Han Groo as breakout performance, actually let me redo that - Han Groo and Song Joong-ki as breakout performance.
Both roles were relatively short, but they both packed a powerhouse.
Most improved for me is Kim Tae Hee in "My Princess."
She not only hit the comedic parts right, the emotional scenes were also right on the mark (seemed like she was actually crying instead of acting - something that even well regarded actresses have failed to do).
Also, not going to be too hard on Kang Ji-hwan for LTM b/c I don't think any actor could have saved that role (agree that LTM was the biggest disappointment, it was worse than "Secret Garden" in my book which is saying a lot).
And while KJH did the whole quirky thing in "Coffee House" wonderfully, his acting in "Hong Gil Dong" was a bit one-note.
Think kaedejun is being too hard on "Best Love"; pretty much all romcoms are predictable, it's how the relationships develop over time and whether it has witty dialogue that seals the deal for a good romcom and BL had both, and unlike the other Hong sisters dramas (as well as for most other romcoms), does a better job with the supporting characters and side-story lines.
Next to "Coffee Prince," BL is the most complete romcom.
For mane of glory, I'd say Yoo Seung-ho (so long and shiny), altho Choi Min-soo had the most "bad-ass" mane of glory.
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Kgrl
December 24, 2011 at 9:12 PM
I completely agree with TWDP having the best writing, but disagree with BL - I found it pretty predictable though the dialogues were sharp and the puns witty.
Bromance in TWDP unfortunately was much less emphasized than other dramas this year. I would have given CYHMH honorable mention for bromance since Kim Jae Won loved his Nam Gong Min hyung so much.
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bd
December 24, 2011 at 10:39 PM
Sure, BL was predictable (we all knew who was going to end up together), but pretty much all romcoms are like that - Coffee Prince, MGIAG, My Princess, etc.
As I had stated, as long as there is a solid emotional basis btwn the leads (with the development of their relationship is believable) and some witty dialogue and some fun scenes to go along with the more emotional elements, that's pretty much 90% of a good romcom.
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wanne
December 24, 2011 at 11:12 PM
but i think MGIAG is not that predictable like other romcom. the ending is unknown until the last couple of minutes. maybe because it's categorized as melodrama also.
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Kgrl
December 24, 2011 at 11:50 PM
Lols. I don't mean general predictability like who is going to end up with who, but much more specific plot points. BL was just more predictable for me.
Rom-coms rely on 3 factors IMO: chemistry, wit, and relationship development. A great rom-com needs to have the trifecta and I found BL lacking in the chemistry department - didn't hit me in the heart. Perhaps that is b/c I saw Cha's chemistry with Sun Ah and it was much more magnetic in City Hall.
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Shukmeister
December 25, 2011 at 2:27 AM
I agree. Ju Gook and Mi Rae's romance sparkled much much more than Dokko Jin and Ae Jung, I think due to the chemistry between the actors.
I think it may have more to do with the female leads. Kim Sun Ah also had great chemistry with LDW in SoaW. Gong Hyo Jin's character in Pasta didn't seem terribly in love, either.
Jaeminuf
December 25, 2011 at 2:10 AM
While I can't comment on anything from Kim Tae Hee onward since I didn't watch them, I totally agree with you on everything up to Kim Tae Hee.
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Stephanie
December 25, 2011 at 5:25 AM
I loved CH but the writing in TWDR so much better, thought provocking, complete!
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Belle
December 26, 2011 at 3:04 PM
Agree 100%!...
"For mane of glory, I’d say Yoo Seung-ho (so long and shiny), altho Choi Min-soo had the most “bad-ass” mane of glory."
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21 Countdown
December 24, 2011 at 8:58 PM
Garr. City Hunter is overrated.
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22 IceFlower
December 24, 2011 at 8:58 PM
As always, I would not agree with those... Haha.
I really think Dream High is a wonderful drama. Kim Soo Hyun should had at least be honorably mentioned as Best Actor.
And of course, the SamMi pairing of Dream High should be one of the best couples.
Don't forget the Sam Dong, Jin Guk Bromance.
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mooses
December 24, 2011 at 9:27 PM
kim soohyun is a great actor, but DH didn't require him to do that much acting compared to the other mentioned actors, therefore he doesn't really fit in the best actor category. as for best couple & best bromance, if you give those other dramas a try, you'd see why the DH characters didn't win those categories.
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23 IceFlower
December 24, 2011 at 9:01 PM
City Hunter sweeping this kind of awards is really overrated. Well, they have their our own opinion.
I'll give the Best Writing in 49 Days.
Warrior Baek Dong Soo for Best Historical Drama
Best Actress for THE LEE YO WON.
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zazuki
December 25, 2011 at 2:17 AM
yeah! why no 49 days mention:( i loved that drama!!
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Octopus
December 25, 2011 at 3:45 AM
I second that! I LOOOVE 49 days! <3
Disappointed that Dream High was not mentioned much as well.
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Pitch
December 25, 2011 at 6:11 AM
I´m sad that 49 Days got zero love.
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Belle
December 26, 2011 at 3:10 PM
Completely agree! WBDS is the Best Action/Thriller or Historical Drama!
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qziwrites
December 27, 2011 at 12:45 AM
thank you for mentioning LEE YO WON.
she was awesome in 49 days, portraying two different characters.
But since i have not watched Su Ae in 1000 day promise, I cannot for sure say Lee yo won is the best this year.
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24 ar_arguably romantic
December 24, 2011 at 9:06 PM
I don't think I've responded in most of the 2011 year in review posts, so I'll just say it right here: While I am excited and grateful for all your dedication and contributions to the dramabeans blog and my kdrama addiction, I feel like I'm getting a special treat with your year in review posts and the thought you've all put into them! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!
"BEST USE OF ARMY ABS"---> Will this be a regular category in the Editors' Picks posts from now on??
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Shukmeister
December 25, 2011 at 2:28 AM
Yes, please!!
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malta
December 25, 2011 at 9:24 AM
How did Lee Dong Wook NOT get that category? It was such gratuitous fan service and boy was he on point too.
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25 trixicopper
December 24, 2011 at 9:08 PM
Thank you one and all for the awesome year end reviews. :)
As far as City Hunter goes... Best Crack, absolutely! Best writing? I disagree. But if we all agreed the world would be a boring place.
Thank you all so much! Happy Holidays! Looking forward to 2012! :)
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26 MeOnly
December 24, 2011 at 9:11 PM
Hi you did not mention Glitter, Glitter ..at all, what a miss.
May be Family drama is not your thing, but you did include
Ojakkyo Brothers...
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27 peaches
December 24, 2011 at 9:11 PM
Merry christmas everyone! On the other hand.. Look at those abs. How sculpted are they?!! Yummy, Lee Ki-Woo x)
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28 anna
December 24, 2011 at 9:14 PM
i'd have voted for the scheduler as the best character, but that apart, this hasn't been the best year for dramas, has it? :(