I decided to bite the bullet and binge-watch Hyun Bin’s newest drama since dimples. Was it a good decision? I’m veering more towards ‘no’, but maybe the show has some other ideas. (No, not the game)

Memories of the Alhambra:
RIP Secretary Seo! It’s really frustrating to not only see your favourite character die offscreen for reasons yet to be explained (they better explain it well!) but also realise that this also means that Min Jin Woong will be joining Park Hoon in the minimal-acting department (they’re both good actors so I’m happy that they’re raking in the money but more experience would be great!). I really dislike that between the train scene in Episode 2 and 10 (half the show), the writer has gone on tangents with insignificant and uninteresting arcs instead of focusing on the game itself.

My Strange Hero:
The kiss looks really nice, I’m not going to deny that! But on the other hand, I’m not totally onboard this show yet because of a few worrying factors. One, is Se Ho going to be a straight up villain (yawn) or a grey one (yay)? Two, is Min Ji going to be the jealous 2nd female lead (yawn) or the supportive friend (yay)? Three, are we going to get a plain old corruption story within the education system (yawn) or a refined insight on the class discrimination that schools perpetuate (yay)? Well, Kwak Dong Yeon will keep me watching the show surely but a good plot would be nice.

An Empress’s Dignity:
We all know this show is batshit crazy, but part of me wishes that the writer used a bit more finesse when it comes to developing the characters: the King could have been one of those awesome grey villains (I mean you have Shin Sung Rok of all people who can turn in a very nuanced performance) who we could empathise with and hope for redemption. Of course, there is no chance of that occurring now logically speaking when he has murdered people already without remorse (written for maximum makjang effect), so I’ll just shut my brain and enjoy the revenge thrills.

I also did a little bit of sleuthing around DB: there are 9 2018 prime-time shows (all miniseries) that do not have their own show pages, 3 of which have ended already while the other 6 are currently airing. The full list is as below:

Currently Airing: Bad Detective / An Empress’s Dignity / God's Quiz 5 / Top Star Yoo Baek / Priest / SKY Castle
Ended: Dance Sports Girls / Big Forest / Investigation Couple
(I assume creating show pages falls under the IT department so tagging @mary? Pardon me if I made a mistake!)

Top Star Yoo Baek: Heh. It's so satisfying to watch Yoo Baek going through those 5 stages of parting. I want him to end up with Kang-soon (especially with all the sweet yet crackling tension between those two whenever they spend time together), but I still couldn't imagine how they gonna compromise regarding their very different world to make their relationship long lasting.

Memories of Alhambra: It's a strange feeling to love half of the drama with all my heart, willing to let the writer dragging me even to the most depressing and tragic place. While at the same time, feeling mightily frustrated by the other half.

Red Moon Blue Sun: This drama broke my heart in the most devastating way possible. I need more warm hugs in the next 3 eps.

Friend, Our Legend: Still very early on the journey, but it's unexpectedly good and much darker than I thought. My only gripe is the excessive censorship. Given that this is about the harsh gangster world, these censorship turned many important scenes into indiscernible blurred moving shapes. (Well, what else did I expect from a 2009 MBC drama?)

I was happy for all the cancelled shows as I hoped I would catch up... or watch some older shows I still haven't managed to finish (like Familiar Wife or Just Between Lovers)... and then FAMILY happened 😁😁
(It was nice... just very little drama-time).

I did manage to finish 12 Nights though. I found it sometimes too draggy (1.5 speed was usually optimal 😁)...and it's no Just Dance. But I'm fine with the ending - the main couple finally meets as two confident adults.

And I'm current on Alhambra. I know this show gets a lot od criticism (and some is valid...and some should wait till the end of the show)... but I love it despite all its shortcomings 😍
...I like the game despite not being sure how it works (though...we still don't know who actually killed Marco... and who Secretary Seo...)... and despite sometimes watching through my fingers with muted sound 😱😱😱
...but I mainly love Jin Woo's journey, being it the terror of the earlier episodes... or being smart and levelling up... to heroically fighting the lost zombie battle... (and I'm also interested in JW's past... and the family / company drama on the background).
...though... there is of course this HB feature levelling up my love for this show 😉😁😁

Uhm... why is the header for Thirty But Seventeen? Is this a gentle nudge...?
Happy New Year to all Beanies!!! <3

Same list as last week

The Last Empress : is it wrong for me to like Hyuk 🤣

Sky Castle : Seriously Coach Kim! What's your deal? And Hye Na, stop being a hyena 😐

Memories of the Alhambara : game are you cray? Why did you kill Seo! I'm angry with you because i dont know who else to blame huhu

That's all. And now i'm spiraling down a Shin Sung Rok wormhole and i'm looking for his shows and appearance on variety shows. This is all your fault coffee-hyuk hahaha

Why are all the good dramas at the end of the year? As soon as I drop something, I pick up something even better. I'm unreservedly enjoying every show I'm watching at the moment and I can't remember when that last happened.

Children of Nobody: I'm only a few episodes into this but it is gripping and disturbing. But maybe nothing is more disturbing than how much I'm shipping Woo-kyung with Ji-hyun.

SKY Castle : I'm behinddd. But I will catch up soon. This is one of the best dramas I've ever seen.

Boksoo Returns: I have never fallen off the FINSE so quickly and so hard as I did with this week's delightful little gem of an episode. This show has been a bit inconsistent for me and I honestly couldn't work out what it was trying to be. But this week, it just nailed it. I loved every minute of it and Boksoo's lethal adorkability. It turns out death by marshmallow is a thing.

Boyfriend: I got nothing. This is the most gorgeous show I've ever seen. Almost nothing happens every episode and yet I'm left with this comfortable feel of satiation like I just ate an emotional feast. I could honestly just sit and think about this show for an hour after it airs. It's so powerful in its utter simplicity. And did I mention it was beautiful? A piece of televisual art.

You know what beats watching dramas at the moment? Chatting with a Beanie over Whatsapp 😂 😂 😂

So happy to be connecting in real time with @greenfields and seeing a plan for a Singapore Beanie Meet-up. Anyone here in Singapore who is interested? 😃

I thought i was the only want wanting Hyena and Yesuh's mom to somehow works together hand in hand because smh Hyena feels more like her child than Yesuh is (or i probably just doesn't care about yesuh anymore lol).
Their whole truce is like that kdrama contract relationship smh lol

Start my 2019 with Dance Sports Girls!💃🕴
Shi-eun is a very detestable character, but Park Se-wan is a really great actress that can make Shi-eun a character that I rooted for and able to remind me of things that I had done in highschool days.

Shi-eun may doing bad things, but for teens it is acceptable, because it is a phase when everyone starts questioning their life and trying hard to be the best version of their own selves.

Though I am quite disappointed with Jang Dong-yoon. Okay, he get his girl now, but breakup? Noooo😭

BEAUTY INSIDE: Pick it up again at Ep. 5-6, and Eun-ho and Sa-ra's relationship becomes less interesting lol. But Kim Min-seok as Se-kye is really hilarious😂. He is totally Seo Hyun-jin's Se-kye in another body, it makes me sad to let him go. Only watch it for Se-kye and Do-jae from now on.

SKY Castle : The Pilot Episode's intro to characters is really too much to stomach but after Myung-joo's death, it becomes addictive, though I just finished 4 eps. I can see why it is highly acknowledged by Knetz and Beanies. Like it is the prequel of your old-fashioned K-drama where your Chaebol boyfriend and the annoying second female lead lives before they meet the candy heroine lol.

MY STRANGE HERO : OMG I always love Yoo Seung-ho but in here he is so sweet I might have a toothache. And also the kiss at the end was so hot, gosh. Also, I lowkey feel like Yoo Seung-ho and Jo Boa might actually dating in real life lol.

My Strange Hero It's a cute drama but I'm not sure what story they want to tell for next 18 episodes (or 9)...

Clean With Passion for Now I missed it this week :(

Red Moon, Blue Sun This drama is so good. There is so many things happening in each episode but at each end I'm stunned and I want to know more.

An Empress's Dignity Nobody is sane in this drama...

Boyfriend Not enough Secretary Jang and Mr Lee :p

SKY Castle Those families can be pretty touching when they forget university. I loved Soo Han explaining math to his parents: Aaaaa minuuuuus Bbbbbb :D

Memories of the Alhambra Gaming is not good for the health!

Top Star Yoo Baek They both are so sad, whyyy :(

Cold Case Shinjitsu no Tobira 2 (7ep watched): the subs are finally out. The complete season is available but the enjoyment i used to feel watching this quality j-drama seems to have being killed by the wait.
Or maybe it's the writing?
The team chemistry is still here but the episodes rarely impress: the scenarii picked to be adapted don't have a thematic connection between them like s1 had, so the season seems disjointed.
The alternating of very intense episodes with heavy/sensitive subjects with more quiet ones made s1 a rollercoaster, but yet a balance was kept: we had a lot to reflect on in some stories and the space and time to do it in serenity.
This season seems flat in comparison, nothing stand out: i can barely remember the plots of the episode i watched, the secondary actors/characters which were so essential in s1 are taking too much place, as if they got a too large space to occupy and not enough stories or charisma to do it. That's because the team scenes are less compelling: they don't have as much scenes as in teh 1st season and their scenes have almost no character development.
I will finish the season because i'm commited to watch it, but there's no excitation anymore.

After Voice, this is the 2nd drama for which i prayed for a s2 and was disappointed. I'm starting to think that the common sense was right: one season is enough.

Bad Detective: I enjoy every bit of it. I love the two main characters and the actors who play them. I love their chemistry and their relationship. I love all the twists and turns, how the stories unfold between the secondary characters. I love to hate the bad guys and the variety in the insanity they portray, going from being weak to greed and power to being sadistic psychopaths.
I love all the plot holes and suspension of belief that this drama requires.
It showed up on a legal streaming site where i live, but i'm not sure all the episodes will be available at once so i'm debating to continue watching it live or not since others drama are starting soon.

Children of Nobody is a masterpiece.
I work in a center that take cares of children abused, so i'm not disturbed by the subject as others viewers, and thus more focused on the writing.
Ep 23 to 26 were a superb conclusion to the investigation. A masterful demonstration of the fact that the drama is carefully constructed
if there was any doubt on the subject.
Everything fell in place nicely: the clues given to us before, the character developement, the relationships. All to create a haunting finale image.
The writer played remarkably well with our feelings: pushing us in turns to root and not root for Red Cry before ending with a bang the story of this killer, delivering a very emotional punch with the revelation of his background and motivation.
The wrong and right sides are enlightened more clearly than ever and the consequences of the cowardice, linked to the refusal to denounce crimes against...

Binge watched LIFE
Finished the entire series! It was so freaking good!. Such a satisfying drama. Enjoyed all the characters and especially our Gu. And Director Oh was a hoot! I loved how the show surprised me by not getting into Cliche situations.
And loved the realistic portrayal on being a physically challenged person. The brothers dynamic was another thing I loved about the show.
I liked Lee Kyu-Hyung in FoS, but boy was he awesome in this drama? He played the little brother role to the T. Can’t imagine anyone else in that role.
Its going to be awhile before I can pick up another drama. Its like am still lingering in the hospital life.

And of course, MoA!!!

This week:

Memories of Alhambra: I don't get excited anymore for this show, I'm just curious how it's end.

Children of Nobody: still keeping me at the egde of my seat, and overthinking every detail, I hope it wasn't final reveal regarding RC because it somehow didn't sit right with all we were shown thus far.

My Strange Hero: very fluffy this week.

SKY Castle: Don't ruin my girl HyeNa, writers! And let's YeSeo go in SNU, I don't even like her but she didn't deserve this brainwashing from Coach Kim, I hope her assistent step in soon, he clearly not comfortable with her action.

Boyfriend: Dropped it, nothing wrong with this show but it's pacing was just too slow for me.

The Last Empress: I was really angry with Sunny beating Ari, because she couldn't figure out what she did wrong, there is noone really left to root for, maybe Sunny's sister and young prince.

Deep Rooted Tree: I still can't finish that last 30 minutes. I have a feeling either Ddolbok or Dam or both will not make it alive in the end. I know it's a drama about Hangul creation, Joseon history and I should appreciate it more than just a romance between Ddam and Ddolbok...but what can I do? I love romance.

El Ministerio Del Tiempo season 2: it's better than season 1. My favorite watch this week.

Great Teacher Onizuka (1998): Just started yesterday, I like it, but I thought I would love it. Maybe second episode will be better.

Memories of Alhambra: I don't have any complain, except for the zombies. Is it necessary??

Instead of getting drunk with friends like most of the k-drama characters do I spent one night of indigestion to rewatch Strong Woman DBS. It was fun and had to do it at 2x speed - don't have too much free time. The end was little bit pulled by hair, I don't think DBS would be able after having twins doing her heroic work so soon, but it's a fairy tale where everything is possible. I realized the drama had stronger impact on me while life watching.

Red Moon Blue Sun, Nobody's child is my week treat and the only drama which drew my interest. It helps me a lot to manage my sudden anger towards my child when he's testing me, but I'm too soft a parent.

There's something I observed recently - children don't take violence and death threats in the same way as we do. They can tell you in aa instant that they don't want to see you ever in one moment and that they will cut your head and your arms and legs or they will kill you in some horrible way beyond imagination and one minute after they hug you, give lots of kisses and you are the most loving person in the world for them. It's funny how everyday experiences, fairy tales and images saw in newspapers, paintings or photos mix in their little brains and form things which when explained how it works in real world they would think little bit and then realize the possible consequences for a little while and regret it.

Maybe that's the case in Eun Hoo - a little child frozen inside. Anyway it's horrible to see how some parents can treat their children. From one extreme to another - abused or spoiled, the golden middle path isn't called golden for nothing.

Anybody's watching Eun Joo's room ( Dear my room)? It's pitty it isn't subbed, for now I gave up to learn korean - have to refresh all other languages before and finish to learn the current one occupying my brain cells.

Spoilers please avoid if you haven't watched the latest episodes.

The Last Empress
I'm falling for Lee Hyuk again after watching that latest episode. He's so funny, and sweet in the sudden appearance on camera, and I held my breath, and went awwww when he hugged Sunny, and the song started to play. I feel that there's so much chemistry between her and him, more than between her and the bodyguard, and my favourite moments are her and his scenes.

Memories of Alhambra
Loving the show, and looking forward to more romantic scenes. Hyun Bin's charm continues to dazzle, and his serious moments are heartbreaking...his eyes looking at the faithful sidekick protecting him broke my heart.

[Warning: Don't read if you have not watched episode 25 & 26. Sorry, if you have accidentally read my previous one.]

Red Moon, Blue Soon

"Do you know what real pain is like? The innocent child who trembled in fear stands before me with a murderous gaze threatening to kill me. That's the real pain. Do you see that?"

"Where do you think my mom went after leaving me at such a beautiful place?"

I really hope that he does not die! I replayed a few times to observe which part of him being shot, but it is not so clear, or perhaps purposely.

It is so painful to watch such "tragic" character, an "icon"(?) for children of nobody. Being abused physically and mentally, feeling lonely and no one understands him. He really needs to be comforted! That's why he has conflicts between what his heart and mind say after being persuaded by Woo-Kyung, leading to changes of his choice during final scene.

The writing about revealing the culprit and his motivation takes almost the same route like "The Village: Achiara's Secret".

"I am not a murderer. I saved the children." - Lee Eun Ho
"I want them to be happy."- Kang Pil Sung

However, when I re-watched the episode, I also got the feeling that there is something missing in his explanation about their deeda, makes it unconvincing that he is the master mind. He defnitely involved, but he may not be the master mind.

He may thinks that he should take the fall as the real one did right thing, hence the latter should not be arrested and punished. He may also hopes RC continues his work.

Considering that we still have 3 episodes (6 mini-episodes), I think it is possible that the writer may want to surprise us especially those who "underestimate" her that she uses the same story-telling method of revealing the culprit. Huhu.

Whatever path the story is going to take, I do not really mind. Her work is still impressing! Good job for such great story regarding societal issues.

Red Moon, Blue Sun: Probably one of my top 3 dramas of 2018 (since that is primarily when it aired) if they don't blow the last episodes.

An Empress's Dignity: I'm getting ready to jump back in. I can't watch these type dramas week by week so I've saved up about 10 episodes to binge.

Fates and Furies: The leads are winning in the chemistry department.

Encounter/Boyfriend: Episode 9 ....nothing happened. It was filler and it has made it hard for me to plug ahead to episode 10 where it looks like something might happen. I actually like the vibe of this drama so I'm hoping with 6 episodes left, we move along a bit.

C-Drama:

Story of MingLan: This drama should have been called Story of the Sheng Family because it puts in a solid foundation of the entire clan, their friends, their relations and their grievances - both real and petty. It took about 8ish episodes for me to get the vibe and it has turned into one of my favorite C-dramas as far as storytelling. However, it is not for everyone especially if you watch just for the romance between the leads. They apparently have a very circuitous route to one another. This past week, I especially loved the poignant moment when the mom and dad had to send their visiting daughter (who is not a main character) back to her marital home when they know she's in a difficult situation. The regret, sadness, and resignation were palpable.

On Hold: Memories and My Strange Hero.

Children Of Nobody: ❤️❤️❤️ Eun-ho ;(
Sky Castle: 2 eps behind but I LOVE Hye-na! Ki-joon cringing and his “Gosh, someone please save me!” lol when his father is talking to Se-ri on the phone is the funniest scene I’ve seen so far.

Story Of Minglan: Why is Zhu Yilong not the lead man of this drama? Because I really dislike the adult lead character. And why is the drama focusing more on the old characters (terrible husbands/fathers and petty wives/concubines) than the younger ones. Story is about Minglan but she’s barely on the screen. Last but not least, why is the male lead character si boring?

Bok-soo's Back: I've always been one to credit the writing over anything else - and sure, it's pretty solid here. But really, the main draw for me is that this show is a feast for the eyes, and I think I'll never go hungry as long as I'm watching it.

The Last Empress: How is Jang Nara going to come out of this alive??

Boyfriend: I've only seen a handful of episodes, since I watch it with my Mum, but it's pretty lovely. The soundtrack has been in my head FOR DAYS.

Mother: @cloggie was right, this should have been Thriller of the Year. I'm so sad I wasn't watching this while it aired, because it's just such a rich show and there's so much to say about it.

Shall We Live Together: I tried a few episodes of this earlier this week, but I somehow don't think it'll stick like Five Kids and Wolgyesu did. Wolgyesu had an all-star cast and one pairing that I absolutely adored, Five Kids broke the mould. Shall We Live Together isn't enough yet, really.

Finished :Dance Sports Girls
Watched:Our Mutual Friend Charles Dickens
C Movie:In the Heat of the Sun Coming of age story
K movie:Miss Baek
Watching: Russian drama Ancestral Lands Follows family of four children leading up to WW II. Birth Secret, Fauxcest, War,Lust, Greed, Pretty good
Watching: C drama The Story of Ming Lan
Behind on: Top Star Yoo Baek,Jeong Do Jeon

Top Star Yoo Baek: Ma-dol is going to break my heart. But I do like that our heroine is not confused.....so far. She does treat him like a brother. I loved the lunch scene and then going back a seeing it through the little boys eyes.

Memories of the Alhambra: I still like it. Yes, it is Jin-woo's story but I find him a compelling character and Hyun Bin is so good in this role. As for the game I'm just along for the ride.

Just Between Lovers: I've been gushing about this for the past week. It is so satisfying. I would kick myself for not watching sooner but I am loving being able to watch it now. These wonderful characters have kept me company all week and not only when the show is on.

I miss Clean with Passion for Now.. I miss Yoon Kyunsang. Can't believe I survived with only Alhambra and My Strange Hero this week.. Finished 12 Nights also.. Still can't make up my mind on how I feel about the ending. Dropped Encounter weeks ago and can't bring myself to finish Hundred Million Stars--I think I need courage to face it. Hahaha.

Craving for something to binge-watch this week: should I go for Thirty but Seventeen or My Ahjusshi?