Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching
by girlfriday
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
Busted: This is a Netflix-only show, which limits its viewability, but worth a watch if you’re on Netflix. The games and mini-missions feel super familiar for anyone who loves variety like Running Man, 1 Night 2 Days, or the old-school classic X Man, but Busted impressed me the first episode with the degree of planning and execution they went through to create incredibly elaborate puzzles and mazes. I died laughing in the water balloon segment that nearly drowned Yoo Yeon-seok and Kwang-soo, and came away with additional love for Park Min-young, who’s one of the sharper tacks in the bunch. I’m expecting the games to settle down as we go, but I’ll be back for Yoo Jae-suk, the crew, and their gently ribbing camaraderie.
girlfriday
Greasy Melo: It’s as weird and funny as I’ve come to expect from this writer, maybe EVEN weirder, but I think that’s the Jang Hyuk factor. The opening episodes were a little hard to follow at times, with so many characters and just a string of vignettes loosely strung together, but that’s nothing new. I think it’ll take a few episodes to really get invested, because right now it’s just funny farce and food porn (so much foooooood). Jung Ryeo-won is just right for this kind of comedy, though, so I expect her to make it easy to get invested in her character.
mary
Tale of a Good Witch: I can’t believe I finished this show while falling behind on Jak-doo, but Good Witch had a couple of things going for it that saved it from lagging: Lee Da-hae acting like an evil stepsister to Cinderella Da-hae, makjang twists that become ridiculously funny at 1.2x speed, and a shorter episode count. There’s almost no filler to speak of. In fact, the ending left me wanting more filler. I love-hated these people for the past twenty episodes, couldn’t they show us more of Tae-ri being punished? Mom and Oh Byung-pan being awkward around each other? Tae-yang bromancing his hyung after hating him for years? The wedding scene was sweet, but it felt like we didn’t get enough of Woo-jin and Sun-hee being lovey-dovey, and I wish we had a couple more minutes of Sun-hee using her brand new Spine of Righteousness.
You Who Forgot Poetry: This show turns me into a bad person who laughs at a snail-biking ex-chaebol who lost his treasured shirt connecting him to his happy past and can’t reunite with his first love because they both need more part-time jobs. I’m sorry for laughing at Nam-woo’s suffering and wish the writer would stop making Min-ho sink further into nope-guy territory, give him the character growth we all want him to have, and spare some thought to making Nam-woo happy. It’s not that hard. All you need is an alligator shirt.
Live: I’m so used to OCN cop shows where an angry guy with a traumatic past can take down a dozen thugs that it scares me how Live’s universe is populated by vulnerable people. Like why are they put in danger by one colleague slacking off and adding an extra call to everyone’s workload? Why does a cop get incapacitated by just a couple of kicks from some kids? Why does it take seven traumatised cops to subdue a crazy man with a gun? Why does Jeong-oh have to apologize for educating parents on the dangers of sexual assault– just so she can get to stay at the job AND keep protecting their children from said assault? It’s all so unfair and real. Are we sure this isn’t a documentary?
TeriYaki
Miracle That We Met: The spirit of chef Hyun-cheol may be in a different body, but what hasn’t changed is how he cares for those closest to him. That now includes Hye-jin and her children, which only makes his impossible situation more complicated. I find myself wondering who will take care of Hyun-cheol, who finds himself between two very different wives. Kim Hyun-joo has made quite an impression as the love-deprived Hye-jin whose heart has been touched by her post-accident husband. As she recalls happier days with her Hyun-cheol in scenes with Kim Myung-min, I can’t tell if she’s falling in love with the new version or grieving her late husband. It’s this ambiguity that gives the romantic triangle its tension and keeps me conflicted about which wife cares the most for the “new” Hyun-cheol. I can’t wait to see how this dilemma is resolved but it’s sure to be bittersweet.
You Who Forgot Poetry: It was so hard to see Min-ho lash out this week even though he was angry at himself for realizing too late how he felt about Bo-young. What I’m hoping is that the loss leads to personal growth for Min-ho who needs to learn how to respect Bo-young and her decisions.
My Husband Oh Jak-doo: Finally, Jak-doo has taken matters into his own hands and is headed back to the country! He and Seung-joo are at their best together on their mountain and I’m looking forward to seeing their love story continue in that setting. It’s the jolt that the drama needed because as much as I enjoy Eric in Seoul, the romance between Seung-joo and Jak-doo is the reason that I come back week after week.
Suits: There are so many strong egos to deal with in this drama, which is what keeps Yeon-woo on his toes. I was disappointed in Ji-na’s petty behavior over a misunderstanding because it hurts me to see Yeon-woo suffer even more when he’s just trying to survive. The good news is that it looks like Kang-seok is warming up to his assistant, who may finally have someone in his corner.
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Tags: Greasy Melo, Live, Miracle That We Met, My Husband Oh Jak-doo, Suits, Tale of a Good Witch, What We're Watching, You Who Forgot Poetry
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51 fan
May 12, 2018 at 11:14 AM
Watched-
Live: What a Great show- made me cried and smiled every episode. Lee Kwang-soo- you did great! Sin Dong-wook- please do another drama soon. "Are we sure this isn’t a documentary?" -this.
Grand Prince: Yay for happy ending and some. I liked later half the show and glad OST was not the only thing I enjoyed. And I am happy for casts who worked hard and got to enjoy 5.6% ratings.
Miracle That We Met : Feel conflicted- which ajumma needs him more? btw I read there is a talk about American remake.
My Ajusshi: ....
Oh Jak-doo: "He and Seung-joo are at their best together on their mountain" -well said
Good Witch: It was nice watch. Liked seeing Lee Da-hae flip-flopping with two characters. "I wish we had a couple more minutes of Sun-hee using her brand new Spine of Righteousness." -this
Mistress: Intriguing story, beautiful cinematography, but editing is poorly done I think. I read Kim Yoon-jin's interview who was in American show Mistress, playing Han Ga-in's role. She asked and left the show in season 4. She said it was because she thought they went too far when they had the group porn scene in season 3 (Expressed as 'more Makjang than K-drama').
You drive me crazy: I loved to see Lee Yoo-young again (how was her French?). Been-there-done-that story, but still cute.
Exit: Interesting plot. Wanted to see more.
Wok of love: I got so hungry watching this. I enjoyed quirkiness, but felt something is missing and messy. Loved to see Jang Hyuk's goofy smile again which I missed from Money Flower. And Jung Ryo-won is love.
Rich man: "Its corny"- this. Acting of the male lead felt so awkward and annoying- hope it gets better. I have feeling this one won't be like J-version (which I enjoyed).
Secret Mother: wow that was some start (similar to Woman of Dignity). I am surprised this is SBS show not a cable show - because it gave similar dark vibe of Woman of Dignity (or even Mistress).
Lawless Attorney: Predictable story, but I love the casts. Like their bickering already (and Lee Jun-ki's fancy moves)
Pretty noona: I have hopes for Jun-hee's father who might provide what(help) the couple need. Writer-nim, is this best you can do? Directing is good, actings are great, it just needs you! fighting!
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52 Verity Rose
May 12, 2018 at 11:17 AM
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53 Verity Rose
May 12, 2018 at 11:21 AM
Since I have a soft spot for dramas that are set in school, I decided to give "Solomon's perjury" a try. And well, I'm on episode 7 and I do like that the drama keeps being ambiguous on what really happened. Though I suspect that the character that died, killed himself.
The instrumental soundtrack of this drama reminds me of Danny Elfman's music.
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54 banana
May 12, 2018 at 5:26 PM
I just finished Live and it honestly is the best drama I've ever watched. It beats Smart Prison Living (way too many unnecessary romance scenes). Considering most drama endings fail to deliver, Live's ending is pretty close to being perfect. I can't even count how many times I cried watching this show, but it also put a lot of smiles on my face and made me laugh a few times. The whole cast and crew really did an amazing job, but my favorite actor/character has to be Bae Sung Woo/Yang Chon. Yang Chon's change throughout the show is amazing to watch, and Bae Sung Woo delivered perfectly. I would say the romance between Jung Oh and Sang Soo did feel a little flat, but I don't really mind because their romance isn't the main focus. Even if you don't usually enjoy police themed dramas or dramas with little romance, I would recommend you to check out the first couple episodes anyway because it was an emotional roller coaster ride for me and maybe it will be one for you too.
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john
May 12, 2018 at 6:13 PM
I loved how Yang Chon’s family healed. The writing is excellent, a pleasure to watch.
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55 stpauligurl
May 12, 2018 at 8:53 PM
Currently watching:
APAD: Last week's episodes were so dull and boring the regression of Minho was so glaring AND the sad morose bike-riding duo was a bit too over the top. But there are just two shows left, but I'm not sure I want to waste my time. Should I watch it? No I don't want to. Should I watch it? No? Yes? No? Yes?
Wok of Love: first ep was a bit too weird for me but the second one was much better. I'll give it a few more, if nothing else to watch the gangster crew/cooks take down the big hotel.
My Ahjussi - brilliant show and I'm sad it's almost done. Everyone else has said enough accolades that I don't need to add anymore.
Suits: beautiful men, sassy dialogue, PHS, fun bromance. I'll all in for this ride.
The Miracle we Met: like this show alot but I still cannot figure out how they are going to resolve this love triangle between all these good and kind people. The the MIL and Ahbojji fighting and dancing...
hmmm Friday night I just watch whatever catches my fancy.
My husband Oh Jak Do - My Saturday is not complete without two hours of watching the lovebirds beam with happiness when they are together. I can't wait for Eric to fall in love with making his own gayagamon (spck).
Finally finished Bad Guys Vile City on Netflix and loved it. The editing was really well done for such a dark and violent show. It almost looks like there is going to be a sequel! *claps*
Can you tell I have no life?
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javinne
May 13, 2018 at 3:51 AM
LOL!!!😂😂😄😂😂
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bong-soo
May 13, 2018 at 7:14 AM
Hi @stpauligurl. I was so looking forward to BAD GUYS 2 (if you will) when it first aired. I wanted to see how Ji Soo handled his role in this drama after his work in SWDSB which I enjoyed.
I love OCN's dramas. One of my pet gripes right now is the way OCN's drama's are being treated in the post-Kocowa era of kdrama streaming.
I consider OCN the odd man out but not totally.
Any way thanks for the mini-review and giving me the impetus to get to BAD GUYS: VILE CITY on Netflix.
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stpauligurl
May 13, 2018 at 8:53 AM
Thanks @marcusnyc20 - at this point I'll watch anything from OCN. They put out such compelling, gritty dramas. Children of a Lesser God was also good (despite the horrid subbing) and so I'm looking forward to watching it with decent subs when it also lands on Netflix. At least I heard that somewhere it was coming to Netflix.
Ji Soo's role in this drama was VERY understated and he had few lines - but a powerful presence. He was brooding and angry - but faithful to the people he trusted. Very good and different from SWDSB.
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bong-soo
May 13, 2018 at 2:08 PM
Congratulations of finishing CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD. I am on a holding pattern after episode 4. The subs are a real challenge. Jae-in's sister (who died) was consistently referred to as "he". I will try to push on.
Also, I am with you on SUITS. I am unfamiliar with the original so I am taking this drama as it is.
Thoroughly enjoying it but if truth be told during episode 4 I was sort of lost during the mock trial (as far as the facts of the case were concerned.) I got the tension part of it however.
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56 Maq
May 12, 2018 at 11:27 PM
I stopped watching k-dramas in April to focus on exams and in order to secure employment for the summer. It's been like five weeks, but I'm getting back into k-dramas now.
The Great Seducer: Yeah, so I feel guilty for having defended this show when it first came out. It's really bad. They somehow managed to squander good actors and a good concept. And Joy's acting is cringey, and it gets worse rather than better as the series progresses.
Wok of Love: I like this so far. The concept is intriguing and the acting is great. The heroine is really fun and quirky. This is my first time watching a Jang Hyuk drama, and, holy shit, he's good. Junho's pretty solid, although I feel like he's a bit worse in this than he was in JBL; he's still putting in a good a performance, but the character of Poong doesn't feel as 'lived-in' as Kangdoo. One thing that kinda concern me is the plot, which so far seems to be relying on a complete absurd sequence of thinly explained events to drive it forward. Yes, it's only two episodes in, but Sae-woo being jilted (for unexplained reasons afaict), getting incurable cancer AND witnessing her dad's arrest all seems a bit...much. I'm hoping it settles in.
Pretty Noona: Start watching this and am only a few episodes in. I love Jin-ah and Jun-hui so much, but I find it kinda hard to watch this show. I'm not entirely sure why. It might be that it's slow or that the drama in this show feels very forced. I also feel like the couple got together way too soon; it would've been so fun to see these two flirt for longer through thinl innuendo. The other thing that, for me, is grating is the constant discussion of how 'old' Jin-ah is. 35 ain't old! Moreover, it seems like Jun-hui is just 5 or 6 years younger? That's not a mind-boggling number. My parents have an 10 year age difference (mom married my dad at 22 when he was 32). It's only noteworthy because the girl is older than the boy, which I guess transgresses some kind of cultural taboo?
Rich Man, Poor Women: No specific comments yet. It's okay, but nothing special. The main actress is decent. Suho is better than I though he would be, but he's still just an idol who acts (unlike say fellow Exo band member Do Kyugsoo, whom I regard as a proper actor because his acting chops = confirmed).
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57 Amy
May 13, 2018 at 1:31 AM
MY HUSBAND OH JAK DOO : This kdrama is LIFE!!! I just want to see them at the mountain enjoying their everyday life and swoon at them exchanging sweet smiles forever!!!!! 😍😍😍😍😍
GREASY MELO : I haven't been able to decide if I like it or not. The first episodes didn't get my attention at all. Of course I love the actors, I just don't quite get the execution of the show so I'm still waiting to see how the directing is coming...
BUSTED: I quite like it, it's kind of a "Clue" mystery variety show or "Who did it".
SUITS: I love it! It's fresh, it's smart, it's blowing our mind!!!!! I just love it! (I haven't watch the original by the way)
SOMETHING-IN-THE-RAIN : I've been over this since they made the mom the center of the storyline. I haven't watched the past episodes 😫😫
GREAT SEDUCER : I haven't been able to get myself to watch the last episode (31/32)... I forced myself to continue watching it while it was airing but I just can't. Its just to dark and they twised the plot way too much 😧😧
A POEM A DAY : I've always been a Ye-liner and I'm sooooo glad I was from the start. It's pathetic what they've done with Min-ho's character... He's never been a rival, but the way they are pushing the love triangle is just stupid!!! They could have made him a great guy and cool friend, instead they're making him a fussy brat 😡😡😡 I'm also mad that we're seeing less of Boo Yong adventure to be a full-timer, but I guess with the next preview that we'll be getting more of that
MY AJUSSHI: DAEBAK!!!!!!!!! 😄😄
À FEW OTHER SHOWS
Secret mother - chilling, I'm quite amaze by the first week. Definitely something to watch
Secret Mistress - I don't know, I like it but at the same time something is kind if off. But I think it's gonna come around greatly, let's just wait a few episodes
Lawless lawyer - I love their chemistry so far, I'll probably pick up the show later on
OUF!I'm watching a lot, hehe 😅😅😅
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58 Kudo Ran
May 13, 2018 at 4:50 AM
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59 Kudo Ran
May 13, 2018 at 4:52 AM
**K-shows
*1n2d E214: festival special part 2, the quiz was funny and Yoo Il Yong apologizing to Kim Jong Min because his answer was right : wow *paksu 😆*
*I live alone E242: a special ep with the Three idiots trip = daebak 😆 !
*The Genius rewatch : Season 1 E1-12 : it's one of my all time favorite K-shows, I don't know why I haven't done a rewatch before (maybe drama and K-shows schedule always filled and life lol). I should do a rewatch at least once per year. I loved it as much as the first watch some years ago. Stars of S1 Hong JinHo he's the game king with his ability to truly understand the games , then Sung Kyu at first he seems like lost in the games but it's only to become a dark horse after !
Next week starting Season 2 rewatch, because this time I can watch all 4 seasons one right after another Assa 😎!
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60 Linda Palapala
May 14, 2018 at 1:18 PM
Always late to the comments! Watching: Wok of Love, or at least trying to. It's way to slapstick for my tastes. Seriously considering going back and watching Just Between Lovers for Jiho. However, I know how these dramas work and I'm guessing it won't stay so silly.
Just started You Drive Me Crazy. I shouldn't like it because they leads are so very young for my age, but between the music, the melo and the sweetness it's getting to me.
3rd: Just finished Chinese drama Siege in Fog. I knew from the first episode it was a Shakespearean tragedy so didn't think it would bother me but ohmo, the end was gut wrenching. And if anybody else watched it and knows what the ? was that last scene about? I did not get it at all, unless it was supposed to be a "what if..."
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