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Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching

So, what are we all watching this week?

What kept you reaching for more (or agonizing when there was no more), and what made you want to throw your remote through the screen? Time to weigh in…

 

javabeans

Because This Life Is Our First: The main romance is really the highlight of the show (and of dramaland at the moment), but I do think this show has done a really lovely job balancing it out with the concurrent relationships going on with the two friends, giving everyone depth and fully lived lives that make the situations feel genuine. In a lot of dramas my interest flicks off when we move away from the main couple, but here I find myself invested in all the stories and pulling for everyone. It’s so oddball to see a married couple in the very beginning stages of dating, but I like how that weird juxtaposition forces introspection and action—these two never just fall into things easily and naturally, do they? It’s part of their quirky charm.

Go Back Spouses: I can see my second-lead ship sailing away, but that doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy the petty squabbling between the two boys as they fight over Jin-joo’s affections. I feel like things are both bleak for our main couple and yet also starting to see glimmers of hope, mostly because they’re just barely starting to actually communicate. They were so bitter in the original timeline that it seemed healthier for them to get new starts, but if they can actually correct some of their source issues—paradoxically, back in the “past” before they would have occurred in this reset timeline—I feel like it’s the best thing to a do-over that they can get.

20th Century Boy and Girl: There’s so little angst here that when the show tries to drum some up, it feels weirdly overblown, because the actual source of the conflict is so simple. I cannot imagine how there are four episodes’ worth of material still left—and with the crazy quadruple-header coming next week, I wonder if the drama knows how it’s filling all that time, either. This show is so good-natured and sweet that it’s a shame that it’s also boring.

Witch’s Court: I love that Yi-deum is still her irrepressible self, and she is remarkably likable for someone whose ethics are always toeing that line, veering on the edge of going too far. I actually prefer this setup, out of the prosecutor’s office and going at it from the other side, where her experience as a former prosecutor gives her a hefty advantage. Mostly, I’m waiting to see how the romance finally shakes out, since they’re still at philosophical odds, though the sharp edges have worn down now. Can we get some movement on that, please?

 

girlfriday

Currently recapping: While You Were Sleeping

Go Back Spouses: This is adorable. I’m only four episodes in, but I love Jang Nara in this role, and the show is like rom-com comfort food. Usually time-warp dramas are unbalanced because only one character is going back in time, but it’s so great to see both leads back in their youth and living it up, determined to do things right this time. And I’m already falling for the second lead! I’m doomed.

Temperature of Love: It was a depressing week for Temperature of Love. My wants for this show are very simple: I watch this drama to see two people in love. If they’re falling out of love, what the hell am I watching for?

Mad Dog: Woo Do-hwan being a part of the Mad Dog family is so delightful. It’s everything I wanted and more. I can’t believe it took so long for them to get here, but I love how squishy he is with the boys, and he’s starting to get really swoony with Ryu Hwa-young. I always knew you were a marshmallow!

Because This Life Is Our First: This drama is just the right amount of thoughtful, while still maintaining its light, funny, breezy tone. I feel happy and a little bit wistful when I watch it, and I wish I could bottle that feeling.

 

dramallama

Because This Life Is Our First: I chose a great week to catch up on this show because this week was so darn cute. After thinking that Se-hee was an emotionless robot for so long, this week really caught me by surprise in the best way possible. I loved the poignant poetry that narrated Se-hee and Ji-ho’s courage to shift their platonic relationship to a more romantic one, with the emotional weight unexpectedly carried by Se-hee. All the cuteness was topped with ajumma-dressed kimjang Se-hee and horny Ji-ho—both had me rolling in laughter.

Witch’s Court: I’m taking my time with this one because it’s not the most riveting show. Even though we’re mostly guaranteed justice for the victims, the cases are always so icky to watch and sometimes timed too perfectly as plot devices for Yi-deum’s storyline. I like Yi-deum as a character, with her sharp tongue and stubborn nature, and I really like Jung Ryeo-won in the role because she embraces the unlikeable aspects of the character very well. But I am in no rush to catch up. When I run out of things to watch, I’ll get back to this show.

While You Were Sleeping: I forgot that this week was the finale, mostly because this show had been pretty stagnant for the past few weeks. I’m sure the storyline would have felt fresher if we didn’t have the dreams spoiling some critical moments, making the show pretty anticlimactic. But this finale surprised me with Chief Choi. His tragic storyline was arguably the most powerful and quite a tearjerker, especially with Lee Jong-seok crying his sad tears. But overall, the sweet romance, friendships, and Mom with the random English exclamations truly made this a pleasant watch.

Mad Dog: Insurance fraud isn’t the most gripping topic, but Yoo Ji-tae’s intense resolve somehow convinces me that they’re very important. I’m mainly watching for the undercover missions and the chemistry between Woo Do-hwan and Ryu Hwa-young.

 

tineybeanie

20th Century Boy and Girl: Hmmm, maybe it’s a good thing that this show is ending early. There’s not enough conflict for me to keep interest for an entire hour. Although, I’m really digging that side romance between the flight attendant friend and the cutie-turned-ugly doctor. For some reason, it reminds me of My Name Is Kim Sam-soon. A lot.

Witch’s Court: After the climax of last week, this week was a bit of a snoozefest, but I’m glad Yi-deum is on her way to getting her mojo back.

Mad Dog: Woo Doo-hwan, I’m in it for you. Please have an epic epilogue where you and Ha-ri have a soccer team’s worth of cheeky and sneaky Olympic medalist children.

 

Laica

Revolutionary Love: I’ve been sick so I was late starting this one, despite it being my most anticipated out of the current batch of shows. I was hoping for something like Siwon’s character from She Was Pretty, this time as the lead of a crackling rom-com, but alas, this drama does not live up to its potential. It’s not a complete loss—it has likable leads, a cute premise and a talented cast, but the writing falls short just enough that we’re left with mediocrity. I’m still watching, because every week gives us a couple of really good scenes, and I love the camaraderie of the underdog cleaning crew; I’m also enjoying Siwon’s performance as Hyuk, who is open-hearted and generous almost to the point of imbecility. I need that kind of optimism in my life right now. But I am sad at the loss of the wacky, heartwarming rom-com I was hoping so much for.

Because This Life Is Our First: 2017 has given us some great dramas, even some unexpected near-masterpieces like Forest of Secrets and Live Up to Your Name, but this is the one I needed, and the one I’ve been waiting for all year. When it first started I watched up to Episode 4 and stopped, because it was so perfect and I was so excited for the rest that I wanted to make it last, in the ridiculous way I do sometimes. This week I watched five episodes in two days, gobbling them up almost uninterrupted. If this show continues this way to the end, it’ll earn its place on my personal top ten. I think what I love most about it is that the writer doesn’t hold back on the story for the sake of furthering the plot or creating conflict; the characters have the conversations they need to have, and act in the ways that feel authentic to them, exactly when it makes sense and not a moment later. And that makes them feel so alive and real.

My Ugly Duckling: Who knew that a show about four old ladies watching their unmarried celebrity sons fool around on camera would be the perfect thing to watch while convalescing in bed? These moms tell it like they see it, and it’s hilarious to see them at once sighing over their “old” bachelor sons’ immature antics and in the same breath defending them against the MCs’ teasing. Former basketball star Seo Jang-hoon is my new favorite variety personality, and I’ll never listen to a Kim Gun-mo song the same way again.

1 Night 2 Days Season 3: No celebrity death has ever hit me this hard before, so I was both dreading and anticipating the in memoriam episode they did for Kim Joo-hyuk. It was lovely and sensitively done, and even more devastating than I expected. (Especially those video messages from the other members at the end… God.) Maybe it’s because of the nature of the kind of program 1N2D is, but his time on it made me love him so much more than his acting projects. The show wasn’t the same without him, and this world won’t be the same either, without our lovely, generous-hearted, beautiful Gutaeng Hyung. Rest in peace. ♥

 
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Oh wow, so fast today!!
currently watching:
Go Back Spouses and While You Were Sleeping
Just started WYWS but because GBS is too good, WYWS hasn't really drawn my attention yet. I'll give it a few more episodes because Lee Jong Suk ❤

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Wow, this is the first time I'm posting early. Usually I don't see this until the next day. Anyway quite a few of my shows are wrapping up and I'm dreading the next crop of shows. Nothing is really catching my eye, so I'll likely be in a drama slump for the rest of the year. I want to bid a sad farewell to the following:

1. While You Were Sleeping
2. Buam-dong Revenge Club (I still can't believe DB didn't recap this.)
3. Go Back Couple (I think it's ending this week. I'm confused.)

And I warily watch the nearing end of the following:

1. 20th Century Boy and Girl
2. Witch's Court

I've been blessed with the current crop, so according the Drama gods, now I'm cursed with a slump.

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"I am a robot" sounds like it could be fun.

The JJS drama (two cops?) sounds a bit like "Oh My Ghostess" with a gender switch (and both have JJS). But with cops rather than chefs... it could be a mess if they made it to crime heavy and interject unnatural comedic lines. Hoping for a tonally light hearted drama but will give it a shot.

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Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll wait and see what the reception is on the new upcoming shows. (I'll follow DB's recaps and check out folks' comments in the What We're Watching threads for any shows not picked up by DB -- I've gotten some good suggestions from you guys, my fellow commenters.) Anyway the worse case scenario is that I catch up on my backlog (Mad Dog, The Package, and so on).

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Why a slump? Join us in BTLIOF before it is too late...

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lol

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I completely agree with you!
"Jooooin us!"
(at the risk of sounding like Pennywise the Clown in IT)
LOL

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I also love Buamdong Revenge Club! Sad that DB didn't recap this, but with so many dramas on their plates, it's totally understandable. 😘

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There are so many good things to say about alot of this year's dramas. I agree with @Laica that Forest of Secrets and Because It's Our First Life really raised the bar for the ones that come after. Unless something hideous happens which I'm confident it won't BIOFL is already earmarked for the top spot in my personal list. I can't get over how excited I am every week for it to come on and every week it exceeds my expectations.

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Unless they go completely off the rails for the ending, BTIOFL is going to take over Coffee Prince for my top romantic k-drama ever.

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BTIOFL is about to enter my Top 10 Kdramas

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Same here! And if I may add, Live Up to Your Name was also all kinds of awesome, though the finale could've been more solid.

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While You Were Sleeping: I’m sad that it ended and I don’t have anymore of our 3 cuties to look at on a weekly basis, but it ended on a nice, satisfying note, so I really couldn’t ask for more. (But I’m greedy, I want more.)

Go Back Spouses: Slowly catching up on this, and every time mum appears I want to cry.

BTLIOF: YAY KISS YAY PROGRESS YAY SLEEPING TOGETHER it better not be lying next to each other/someone on the floor in the same room, just saying.

Buamdong Social Club: 2 more episodes! I’m waiting for subs but I’ve already watched the raw version and this show just gets me in the feels with the strong girl power and friendship. Aww.

I need a new show to replace the empty hole WYWS left!!

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The package : abit underwhelming on episode 8-9, episode 10 really making me hope again episode 11 and 12 will deliver.

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Is anyone watching Package? I find this drama so enduring and thoughtful in its execution. I'm fully vested in the back stories of all the group travelers in Paris, Saint-Malo and Mont Saint-Michel. (I want to book a flight to France now! ASAP!) There's genuine emotions at play and I am drawn in completely when I'm watching. I'm looking forward to the last episode. I want all the characters to have their own happy endings and closures.

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And I really have to start Because It's Our First Life...

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Of course you do! I promise you won't regret it, more so if you like The Package!!!

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I know... Because It's Our First Life has my name written all over it!!

I'm waiting for the right moment to start... or maybe to save it for a future marathon watch on a cold wintery weekend!

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Save it for when you’re in a slump.

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Or when you need to put a smile on your face.

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I've just started watching The Package. I thought the first episode was slow, the second was fine, and then I was totally gripped by episode 3. I'm just ignoring the few bits that annoy me, like certain characters' terrible French, and watch it for the travellers' stories.

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Oh, and I started watching it, as I had nothing else to watch - waiting for the next episodes of Go Back Spouses and BIOFL

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everything little back story is really good, just excluding the main couple love story haha

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Agree! No chemistry in main couple. But, I like all the lines in this drama, full of philosophy. A warm drama.

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I'm saving Package for later, when I'm finished with my current dramas. You make it sound great!

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Go back spouse might be one of Jang Na Ra best performances I've watched. Never seen her showing this much fire in her previous role. I liked her performances in fated to love you in the first half of FTLY. But love her here more. Might be due to material is meatier and more well written

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A little more than a month ago we had 9 dramas premiering. I felt like I participated in a speed dating event, and in a couple weeks my soulmate had emerged. BTLIOF makes me giggle and giddy but also challenges me intellectually. Because This Life Is Our First makes me, for the first time in my life, feeling that drama monogamy is possible.

I do still keep one other company on the weekend. At last Miss Jang is too charming for me not to indulge in wallowing in her pathos.
With GBS’s impending departure, I will always think of her fondly and appreciate the time we have spent together, and who knows? Maybe in the future I will even visit for old time’s sake.

BTLIOF, I am devoted to every part of you. The images of you linger on my mind, the turns of your phrases are to be savored, and the sound of you has permeated in my air. I am in awe by the creation and the existence of you. I look forward to every passing hour because it brings me closer to knowing you a little deeper (past), experiencing all of your delights (present), and learning new parts of you that again and again exceed my expectation (future). Someone like you who has come is indeed a tremendous thing. Thank you.

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You need to write this on pink stationary with a sparkly gel pen, spray it with some perfume, and send it to the production of BTLIOF. Or better yet, pass it to me first so I can sign my name to it, too.

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😆 Instead of signing, we should just pucker up our lips Se-hee style (as in Ji-ho’s fantasy) and kiss the letter with pink lip gloss as ink.

For your eyes only, BTLIOF.

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SWAK! (Sealed With A Kiss)

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I think it will be better if @kimbapnoona starts a Thank You and We Love You Note for BTLIOF Production team so Beanies can start signing our names before the finale week

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That is a great idea! This drama is just so good even my mom is into it! As in she watches ahead of me just to annoy me with spoilers! Lol.

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Okay, I think it's been awhile since the last time I post comment at WWW section. I'm down to 3 dramas now: Go Back Spouses, WWYS and Buamdong Revenge Club. All of the dramas end this week which is sad, but a good thing as well because then I can focus on the other dramas that I have put on hold: BTLIOF, Witch's Court, Mad Dog and Black.

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BTIOFL... of course!

WYWS... it was easy to finish. and I was glad it finished.

20th century boy and girl... I've tried to reimagine the cast as 20 year olds. It helps because that's pretty much what their mental age seems to be stuck at. Who would imagine a celebrity with 17+ years experience, apparently, being completely and absolutely naive about PR issues and the quandaries of public/private life?

Last Minute Romance... not sure why. In between commenting on DB perhaps. lightweight. Given the premise, it didn't really go where I thought it would, dramatically. For 2 hours of time, it was pretty good.

BRC - waiting for subs to finish. then go for the rest. I am not as captivated as many other Beanies so far but it is fun.

Meloholic - Stay away unless you can ignore some pretty morally objectionable behaviour. And it isn't the skinship I'm referring to either. Other than that (!!!) it could be a fun watch. not for me.

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"I’m mainly watching for the undercover missions and the chemistry between Woo Do-hwan and Ryu Hwa-young." - dramallama [I mean, at this point, who isn't only watching for that]

"Please have an epic epilogue where you and Ha-ri have a soccer team’s worth of cheeky and sneaky Olympic medalist children." - tineybeanie [*claps* my only wish for this show now]

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yes! I know at least both of us are so into this Ha-ri x Min-joon's cheeky,smart, cutie pies future offspring

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Gutaeng Hyung. Remember, each member, forever.

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While You Were Sleeping : I'm sad this drama has ended. It's not a perfect drama but for me it's a great drama because it managed to make me emotionally invested in the little universe this drama has. I love and care about not only the lead characters, but people around them too (except the baddies). I cried and laughed with them. I really like the family relationships, romance and friendship in this drama, so much warmth.
Despite my sadness about losing Chief Choi, I really like the finale episode. It leaves me smiling, believing that the characters continue their life journey after the drama end. I'm satisfied.

I haven't watched any other dramas this week.
I'm waiting subtitles for last 2 episodes of Buamdong Revenge Club.
Because This Life Is Our First, I don't feel the urge to watch this week episodes.
Meloholic, a bit lost interest after seeing comments about male lead's behavior that violates women's privacy. I'm late on realising that.

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Totally agree with you. It's one of the shows I've ever enjoyed this year

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#1 BTIOFL: obsessed just like everyone else
#2 Go back spouses: loving the second lead
# Father is Strange: Jung So Min is so cute

and just for fun, Lee Min Ki films: A very Ordinary Couple and For the Emperor. Wow, his characters are so different, but I love his acting. (I loved Spellbound and Moster)

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I loved Spellbound too. I found the confetti magic scene to be one of my most memorable kmovie scenes.

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Watching BTIOFL, obviously. Could not drum up enough interest to watch the last episodes of While You Were Sleeping. I feel like I am getting in another drama slump as nothing else seem to interest me. I don't want to fall in slump again. :-(

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Because This Life is Our First: I don't know how this drama managed to reduce me into a squealing and squeeing mess. Maybe it's the magic of being honest and upfront about your feeling. Or maybe it's simply the magic of watching Se-hee and Ji-ho being adorably in love.

Go Back Spouses: Uuuff... The revelation about what actuallu happened when Mom passed away hurt so much. Now there's no way I wouldn't root for our OTP to work out their issues together and finally get their happy ending.

While You Were Sleeping: This is definitely the weakest out of all Park Hye-ryun's dramas. What's with the simple and straightforward plot, and the stark black-and-white villain and hero. But I forgive a lot of its flaw because it has one of the best mentor-mentee relationship I've watched in kdrama. Chief Choi is such a great character, and I dig all his interaction with Jae-chan. This drama also, hands down, has the best resolution for the triangle love between our 3 dragons. I hope many drama writers take note of this, because friends can continue being friend despite liking the same person, you know.

Three Meals a Day S4: Ep 12. Finale eps 😭😭 I'm feeling blue already remembering that I wouldn't have another eps to look forward to from this relaxing var show.

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Because This Life is Our First: I don't know how this drama managed to reduce me into a squealing and squeeing mess. Maybe it's the magic of being honest and upfront about your feeling. Or maybe it's simply the magic of watching Se-hee and Ji-ho being adorably in love.

this show is bAE

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“ I watch this drama to see two people in love. If they’re falling out of love, what the hell am I watching for?”-GF

😆😆 exactly what I’m saying

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I was so much intent on watching Lee Yeon Hee on screen that I was tricked into watching The Package. But seriously, I don't know what the show is really about and to my surprise, I'm still watching it.

Oh, how I'll miss Jae Chan and Hong Joo.

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It's funny how that happens sometimes. ;-)

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I know right?

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What I’m watching:

Drama:
While you were sleeping: aww. 😍 what a nice way to end the show. Though Chief Choi 😭
Because Its our First Life: do I even have to explain?

Variety:
Winner Over Flowers: because it WINNER
Mixnine: is this variety? But I love this though. YG is so savage. Ha.
1n2d: I still cant bring myself to watch Kim joo Hyuk’s special. 😭

Just a few shows, life’s too busy this days. Prayung for a less hectic one soon!
Have a great day everyone!! ❤️💕

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Because Its our First Life: do I even have to explain?
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Lol...

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Currently:
Ugly crying with go back spouses
Swooning over our first life
Wishing that the ajummas of avengers club were my unnies

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I also wish the ahjummas of avengers were my unnies! One would feed me with all kinds of seafood, another would randomly buy me some expensive stuff, and the other would teach me flower arrangement. Lol!

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I would just like to point that Javabeans has dropped Revolutionary Love from the list of shows she's watching in spite of how we were all excited about her being pulled out of the slump by Siwon.

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LOL I know right. 😆

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At least Siwon is doing his job right, judging from those 4 shows JB is simultaniously watching this cycle. 🤣

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Siwon, that man who taught you to love again, but quickly fell behind because he wasn't the knight in shining armor you thought he would be. Don't be like a Siwon. Be like a Se-hee. 😂😂😂 K, bye. (scurries away)

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lol "be like a Se-Hee!"
too funny!

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I am watching MBC's "Money Flower" now. The story is much more interesting that what I expected from the synopsis initially. And Jang Hyuk really nails the character !! Looking forward to ep 3 tonight.

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Currently Watching:
Buamdong Revenge Club: I cannot describe the depths of my love for this show and its characters. I literally whooped when Mi-sook slapped her husband. I am on the edge of my seat every episode. I love the relationship between all the women and Soo-gyum. I wish subtitles were faster but I’m glad that we’re getting them at all. Thanks subbers.
Because This Life Is Our First: My interest has rekindled after this week’s episodes. I was a little worried it was waning because of the misconception of Bok-nam being a stalker, but I totally love it again. I’m very invested in Su-ji and Sang-goo’s story mostly because I relate to Su-ji on a very soulful level. I’m so glad Won-seok and Ho-rang broke up, that relationship wasn’t going anywhere for Ho-rang. I’m a little wary about this introduction of Lee Chung-ah’s character.
20th Century Boy and Girl: Love this show to bits, the relationships, the general feel of this show is really laid back and it calms me down when I watch it. I feel like, in general, this is a good quarter for female characters and friendships in dramaland.
Revolutionary Love: I think I’m about to drop this show.
Andante: The acting in this drama is atrocious on all fronts but I’m still watching because I already started and I might as well finish it. Also, even though Kai and Kim Jin-kyung’s acting is terrible, their characters are so adorable I can’t help but root for them.

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Bokja Club is love. <3

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Because This is Our First Life:

Because this is probably one of those dramas in kdramaland that comes unexpectedly, slowly creeps to your heart and stays there for a very long time. It’s been a while since a drama graced my heart this much. After the bad slump that clouds over dramaland this year, it would feel even better to have this drama ends 2017 on a high note. You can do it BTIOFL!

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It's weird reading you guys' thoughts about Go Back Spouses, because most of us watching are further in the show and have already switched allegiance to Ban-do lol.

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Spoiler warning:
I'm team Ban do from tge starr. I just can see why Jin Joo fall for him in tge first place, but she forget all his proaitive image he showed. I actually love Ban Doo-Seo Yeoung dynamic alot more than Jinjoo and Nam Gil I almost ship them, it showing Ban Doo sweet side which might be Jin Joo has already forget. but Jang Na Ra performances is hard to ignore it make me invested in Jin Joo's journey.

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