Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching
by DB Staff
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…
stroopwafel
Parasite: This film wormed into my brain, and left me feeling unsettled for days afterwards. The movie feels very Korean to me, yet universal, and I’m not quite sure how Bong Joon-ho did it. I didn’t quite like any of the characters, but I was drawn to our basement-dwelling family; it’s a funny thing to find yourself empathizing with a family of con artists, yet that’s what I ended up doing. Throughout the film, I had this sort of low-grade anxiety about how the entire thing would end, would everyone’s deceptions be found out? How could the film (and the con) be wrapped up in a way that makes sense? That anxiety I’d been nursing ramped all the way up to 11 during the closing act of the movie, basically everything that happens after the flooding. I won’t spoil anything, but Bong Joon-ho managed to create an ending that was both shocking but not totally unexpected. It was the sort of ending where I didn’t feel like I’d called it from the start, but I didn’t feel it came out of nowhere. The slow chipping away of dignity all just gave way in a horrific way. Trying to unwrap all the layers and symbolism could take me months, and it may take just as long to get rid of that post-Parasite uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I said this after Call Me By Your Name, but I’ll never look at peaches the same way!
mary
Tale of Nokdu: I can’t believe I’m hooked by one of the oldest drama tricks in the book: birth secret angst. Whenever the king is being emo with Nokdu, I’m screaming at the screen “HE’S YOUR SON HE’S YOUR SONNNNN” to stop the king’s evil spiral. But he keeps choosing to be evil. At this point, the best case scenario I can think of is for the king and Yul-moo to off each other so our OTP can live happily ever after. Also, who else loved that our widows are slowly rebuilding their family in Hanyang? It both warms my heart and gets me hyped for the impending war because these ladies are no pushovers and they’ve got a score to settle with two royal a-holes. I wouldn’t want to be Yul-moo or the king soon.
Extraordinary You: Look, Haru is the sweetest angel, and I totally ship him and Dan-oh to live happily ever after. But you can’t deny the draw of Kyung’s angst. I love that this show gets me invested in everyone’s story when they’re literally pulled around like puppets despite their subconscious not wanting to be a one-dimensional jerk. (And that goes for Sae-mi too!) It makes me think of badly written K-dramas. I wonder what the characters would think if they suddenly became aware. “You want me to slap whom with what?! Waste of a good kimchi!” “Why do I have to shower with my clothes on every time I’m sad???”
Her Private Life: I’ve seen Kim Jae-wook be melo, killer (literally), scary, and swoony but I’ve never seen him be this funny. Why, oh why, did he take this long to accept a lead role in a rom-com? Also, why is everything happening so fast?! I think I’m gonna spontaneously combust before I even reach the 8th episode. *fans self* Also, Park Min-young is so adorable. I love her in everything and ship her with everyone.
Search Query: WWW: Done! Despite the draggy slow motion shots of Ta-mi and Mo-gun’s every date and fight and reconciliation, I love this show with all my heart. And yes, IT work is like that. Not the abundance of cute boys and Maseratis, but lots of arguing about the ethics of what you make and balancing it with the need to do business (programmers need to eat too). I love all the office scenes because of that. It makes me want to run off and build a web portal. LOL I also love all the relationships in this show. The sunbae love triangle. Brian’s hands-off, slacker style of management. Ta-mi’s struggle to succeed without turning into another Ga-kyung. Even the lovelines were well done. From Scarlett’s meet-cute to Ta-mi’s pragmatic issues to Ga-kyung’s simmering not-a-marriage. Waaah~ I want to say sooo much and I regret being late to the WWW party. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I got 16 recaps’ worth of comments to lurk in…
RELATED POSTS
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (November 2, 2019)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (October 26, 2019)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (October 19, 2019)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (October 12, 2019)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (October 5, 2019)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (September 28, 2019)
Tags: Extraordinary You, Her Private Life, Search Query: WWW, Tale of Nokdu, What We're Watching
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26 Ms. Rabbit 🐇
November 9, 2019 at 7:35 AM
Tale of Nokdu: ❤❤ I was happy for the reunion and the forming of a couple of new ships. Fearing the angst to come... 😣
VIP and Catch the Ghost: Can't decide which one to drop. 🤔
When the Camellia Blooms: ❤❤ Still in this for Yong Sik and Pil Gu.
Extraordinary You: ❤❤ Kyung playing smart and asking the right questions. Get us some answers, Kyung!
Secret Boutique: Preempted 😭
Pegasus Market: ❤❤ Kudos to beanies! Suspicion on Seok Goo's mom confirmed. 👏👏👏
My Country (11): ❤❤❤ Now that we've caught up to episode 1 timeline, I am going to spend the rest of the series fearing for Hwi and Sun Ho's life. 😰
Nokdu Flower: ❤❤❤ Caught up to the 18th hr. Bracing myself for the 21st hr.
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miss h
November 9, 2019 at 8:14 AM
It had never even occurred to me about Seok Goo's mom until I read Beanies suspicions and then I watched with them in mind. The reveal was sad yet heartwarming.
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Ms. Rabbit 🐇
November 9, 2019 at 2:04 PM
I had my suspicions, because there were only scenes of the two of them, and she doesn't look she's aged in 10 years. But I brushed it aside after that scene in episode 2. He was rushing through the door and his mom called him back to bring his lunchbox. I thought, he couldn't have thought of mom when he's rushing through the door. But I was wrong. 😢
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27 WishfulToki
November 9, 2019 at 7:37 AM
ARSENAL MILITARY ACADEMY has all my heart and attention. 😍😍 C-dramas have really stepped up their game. On episode 27.
MY COUNTRY. Jang Hyuk and Woo Do-hwan own this drama, along with Ahn Nae-sang. The drama assumes audiences are familiar with the story of the foundation of Joseon and offers a new interpretation. I’m not complaining, it’s just that I often need to refresh my mind about the historical events. Episodes 9-10 were good but painful😭
I’ll be catching up on EXTRAORDINARY YOU next week. I think I will enjoy the historical bits if I turn off my brain. It’s pointless to keep looking for logic in this drama, unless it’s that the invisible Writer (Fate) is a villain. 🤯
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kiara
November 9, 2019 at 8:46 AM
Toki, I think it's understandable for them to assume that the local audience would be familiar with this time period.
That's why they are telling it from a different perspective because it has been featured in a dozen sageuks among different generations.
This is the 6th sageuk that is based on this era in the last 5 years.
I do feel your pain though. It can be frustrating.
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WishfulToki
November 9, 2019 at 11:15 AM
@kiara yes, I know local audiences will know the story. I guess I’m saying I wouldn’t recommend the drama to a sageuk novice. I am broadly familiar with the history but even so the time skips feel jarring because important events and character development take place off screen.
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kiara
November 9, 2019 at 11:32 AM
Gotcha!
I glossed through the new episodes but taking my time with the recap to kind of fill in some that gap that we are missing from the time jump.
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FlyingTool
November 9, 2019 at 9:10 AM
Jang Hyuk, especially. Most of his scenes lack action - the acting is all face, voice and body language. Wonderful, subtle, really well done.
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OldLawyer
November 9, 2019 at 10:45 AM
Jang Hyuk is a great actor.
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WishfulToki
November 9, 2019 at 11:32 AM
It’s a great contrast to his OTT character in FATED TO LOVE YOU, and even as Dae-Gil in CHUNO. Restrained Jang Hyuk is even more intense!
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miss h
November 9, 2019 at 4:04 PM
I love his more OTT roles but restrained Jang Hyuk is definitely intense. Shallowly, he’s never looked hotter than here and in Money Flower.
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Linda Palapala
November 9, 2019 at 9:30 AM
Okay, tell me what I'm missing about Arsenal, because I think it's one of the worst, cheesiest dramas I've seen. I'm serious...I want to know what you find so great, really...because I really would like to like it and I'm willing to try again.
My Country, I'm only watching for Yang Se Jong - I thought he owned the drama, so I don't get your not mentioning him. Another explanation needed!
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Ms. Rabbit 🐇
November 9, 2019 at 2:00 PM
I love Yang Se Jong to bits, but his character in My Country isn't the best. I'll just go rewatch Duel for my full dose of him.
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MeiDramaDreams
November 9, 2019 at 3:48 PM
My Country Ep9 and 10 were intense. I just rewatched parts of it and was impressed by raw emotions coming from Yang Se Jong. A contrast to a more subdued portrayal of his character in Episode 11.
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
November 10, 2019 at 12:48 AM
Maybe it's personal preference? I think Jang Hyuk and Woo Do Hwan are mesmerizing in this. Yang Se Jong is less impressive to me the longer this goes on which might be due to the traumas they've heaped on him.
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Ally
November 9, 2019 at 3:04 PM
Agree about the history and assumptions that the audience knows some of the history. I had to look up who Poeun was because I couldn’t remember.
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28 psycho 🍉
November 9, 2019 at 7:47 AM
Just finished Running Mates: Human Rights I enjoyed the drama for it was but some of the cases ended too neatly for me. The drama was reduced from 16 episodes to 14 and unfortunately it shows the ending was rushed everything was rushed and I wanted to see more interactions between our two main leads but for the most part I enjoyed what I got to see.
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tsutsuloo
November 9, 2019 at 8:35 AM
You nailed it right here—the relationship between the two leads was too dry. They were so interesting together when their brains connected. Not every work drama needs a romance but why not use the chemistry on the screen to build the synergy of their partnership? I loved watching the two leads solve problems together and their brief intimate moments hints at potential for a real friendship, if not something more.
Unfortunately, I lack both the talent and motivation to write the fan fiction to fix this.
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29 TurtuallySarcastic
November 9, 2019 at 8:43 AM
I had it all planned out...which episodes I needed to watch on Saturday, Sunday,.... to keep up. Unfortunately I fell ill this morning, and typing this comment is already a workout on its own, so guess no K-drama for me today :(
Watching Extraordinary You, Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung with a friend, and recently started No Second Chances and Pegasus Market.
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shach
November 9, 2019 at 8:52 AM
Get well soon!!
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TurtuallySarcastic
November 10, 2019 at 4:54 AM
Thank you!
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halfmoon
November 9, 2019 at 8:55 AM
Comment was deleted
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TurtuallySarcastic
November 10, 2019 at 4:55 AM
Thank you!
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FlyingTool
November 9, 2019 at 10:25 AM
Get well soon. Hwighting!
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TurtuallySarcastic
November 10, 2019 at 4:55 AM
Thank you!
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Karmen ~ 🍜🏢🎭 ~ 📚☔🦋 ~ 🪂🌱💘 ~ ✨🍊💫 ~
November 9, 2019 at 1:07 PM
Get well soon!!
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TurtuallySarcastic
November 10, 2019 at 4:55 AM
Thank you!
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Ms. Rabbit 🐇
November 9, 2019 at 1:53 PM
Oh no! Hope you feel better soon. [Sending a 190 cm tall, occasionally shirtless oppa to you to make you feel better].
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thequiet1
November 10, 2019 at 2:13 AM
ermm..... *nudge nudge
I'm not sick, but can you send over one of those occasionally shirtless oppa to me too? Please?
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TurtuallySarcastic
November 10, 2019 at 4:58 AM
Thank you! Erm...I think I would have another oppa in mind than YOU clearly have in mind :p So I shall generously pass that dongsaeng over to @thequiet1 ;)
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Ms. Rabbit 🐇
November 10, 2019 at 8:45 AM
Haha. [Shipping him to @thequiet1]
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thequiet1
November 10, 2019 at 6:15 PM
I thank you for your boundless generosity, o hopping one!
thequiet1
November 10, 2019 at 6:17 PM
*grabby hands
Thank you! And wish you recover speedily, take care @turtuallysarcastic!
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
November 10, 2019 at 12:50 AM
I hope you feel better quickly.
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TurtuallySarcastic
November 10, 2019 at 4:56 AM
Thank you!
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TurtuallySarcastic
November 10, 2019 at 5:00 AM
Wow, thank you for your best wishes Beanies! :) I am feeling a lot better today, and I am able to watch K-dramas and eat! ;)
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Ms. Rabbit 🐇
November 10, 2019 at 8:42 AM
Yay! No oppa needed then 😉
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30 halfmoon
November 9, 2019 at 8:54 AM
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Linda Palapala
November 9, 2019 at 9:35 AM
And Prince Neungyang was a real prince who successfully staged a coup and became King Injo. Let's hope our couple escapes all that and goes off to "live happily ever after".
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FlyingTool
November 9, 2019 at 10:21 AM
Our crew can become like Robin Hood and his merry band, forever a legendary thorn in the side of King Injo (Yul-moo). Would make for a wonderful season 2.
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Linda Palapala
November 9, 2019 at 10:26 AM
We can only hope!
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pogo 🍉
November 9, 2019 at 1:10 PM
If Rebel pulled it off, I have some hope that maybe Nokdu can do the while 'happy ending while not totally changing history' thing too.
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kiara
November 9, 2019 at 2:50 PM
The poor guy didn't want to be the king but he was forced into it by the Western faction because they needed a puppet on the throne.
Don't really care if he dies in the drama or not lol. This writer will have her happy ending.
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Linda Palapala
November 9, 2019 at 3:09 PM
I like your knowledge!
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zzthorn
November 9, 2019 at 9:44 AM
@halfmoon on Tale of Nokdu, I don't believe that the Queen knows what the King did to their baby. Though she is quickly going to find out. Remember, the King did not allow her to talk about the baby after the day he was born (and supposedly died). I am not sure that she would have forgiven the king, had she known. I rather doubt she would have.
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halfmoon
November 9, 2019 at 9:50 AM
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31 Rosa Alvarez
November 9, 2019 at 9:08 AM
I like see Viki Pass the series are fantastic. The only problem its with the subtitles in inglish. I hope in the future getting much better.
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32 nightmoon
November 9, 2019 at 9:30 AM
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33 nightmoon
November 9, 2019 at 9:31 AM
Finished Airing
1% OF ANYTHING: Okay beginning. Pretty standard romcom. Not really seeing the hype for this one yet, but I’ll come back to it when I want to watch something uncomplicated and angst-free. (ep. 1)
HUNDRED MILLION STARTS FROM THE SKY: I really like this vibe of this drama but definitely have to be in a certain mood to watch it. (It’s not my standard fare.) It’ll probably be quite a while until I watch the next episode. (ep. 3)
JUST BETWEEN LOVERS: Same as above. Though the winter season may have me coming back to this one a little quicker. (ep. 5)
Non-Korean Dramas
ARSENAL MILITARY ACADEMY: This is quite fun. I’m not anxious to continue though, as I’ve heard the latter half gets draggy and focuses on other characters. (ep. 2)
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Linda Palapala
November 9, 2019 at 12:45 PM
Just Between Lovers - one of the all-time best kdramas.
Arsenal: Ooh, thanks for the advice. I was having trouble with it and now I know why.
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books7time
November 9, 2019 at 4:50 PM
1% of Anything is magical for the natural love story; it truly as if the leads are falling in love right in front of us. There are some spine tingling scenes too, if you like those. Otherwise, yes it is not anything new (and don't get me started on the ridiculous rosy way teaching is portrayed).
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nightmoon
November 9, 2019 at 6:06 PM
I'll be sure to still give it a chance then! The bickering between the leads is fun, so hopefully the romantic chemistry will live up to the hype.
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WishfulToki
November 10, 2019 at 9:06 AM
On ARSENAL, I’m on Ep. 30 and it hasn’t dragged. The focus is on several characters throughout the drama, not just the leads. Maybe give it a few more episodes and decide for yourself?
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34 OldLawyer
November 9, 2019 at 9:55 AM
Mary, I am glad that you got to watch SEARCH: WWW. It has been one of the best shows of this year. The writers understood the industry and their characters were often grappling with the real issues of their work, which is why they seemed so real. The cinematography, sets and wardrobe were as good as HOTEL DEL LUNA (and that is intended as highest praise).
Last week Mary noted that she enjoyed PEGASUS MARKET but did not understand what was happening anymore. There was a reason for that: The seventh episode was essentially filler (but a lot of fun). PEGASUS MARKET will only have 12 episodes. It seems as if there may not have been enough material in the webtoon to even fill that space. Episode seven should be seen as essentially a “Halloween Special” inserted into the series to fill the rest of the space. But it was not a waste of the viewers time because in a sense it showed us how our former losers have come together to form a real community that can do things as a family. In this case they take Manager Moon’s instructions to don Halloween costumes in a different direction: They all dress as figures from Korean folklore. Our beautiful Ms. Jo dresses, of course, as a Gumiho- a nine tailed fox. Our former thug Mr. Oh dresses as a Grim Reaper- leading another character to ask if this was a reference to HOTEL DEL LUNA- alluding to the fact that Kang Hong-suk, the actor who is playing our Emperor of Customer Satisfaction was in fact the actor who played the Grim Reaper on HOTEL DEL LUNA. It was a fun episode with only one truly serious moment- and that is when our President Jung tells Chairman Kim that he will no longer be his hatchet man and we see what he went through when he had been ordered to downsize the Corporation’s staff during the financial crisis. Clearly that experience left Jung Bok-Dong deeply scarred emotionally. This sets up much of what will follow as we enter the final arc of our story.
My wife and I have continued to watch MY LOVELY SAM SOON. I can see why the show was so popular. It is fun to watch Daniel Henney perform in a K-drama at a time when he did not know Korean.
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Dorotka
November 9, 2019 at 11:39 AM
There is also young Jung Ryeo Won 🙂
My favourite parts were Sam Soon's cooking and talking to her dad.
(Also that hot piano kiss 😄 was quite surprising, given the Korean drama standard during those times... 2005...)
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Dorotka
November 9, 2019 at 11:43 AM
My emoji has changed??? (Or my hand slipped 😆 ) It was supposed to be a blushing one... 😊
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Beverly
November 9, 2019 at 11:53 AM
I just re watched a scene with Sam Soon and Henney. It is one that makes me laugh because it looks like he is breaking character and laughing.
I'm not sure if you are there yet, but the bicycle/late night ride scene....makes me so angry. I want to kick Hyun Bin.
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35 MarLo
November 9, 2019 at 10:16 AM
EXTRAORDINARY YOU
The plot thickens and there’s SO MUCH to unpack! I love seeing more of the Trumpet Creeper comic and it definitely feels much darker than the current comic, especially Mi Chae and his (or is it now Nam Ju’s mother??) mother. I feel for Mi Chae and with the addition of that girl from the other comic, hope he finds answers or happiness here in this comic. He seems to suffer some PTSD around that witch mother so I hope that he’ll be able to heal here. Also, I wonder if we’ll see Nam Ju and Ju Da in the other comic…
I wonder how Kyung will react when he finds out what he did in the other comic. He seems to genuinely care for Dan Oh in this comic and I wonder if that reflects in the other comic: did he grow to care for her? Hope he learns to be less of jerk and that they all get a happy ending they deserve. Also very interesting that it was Haru that was first self-aware in the other comic than this current one.
I love all the side characters and love that they’re all becoming their own people in the Shadow. Sae Mi especially (that heart flutter at Soo Chul made me so happy! Shadow Sae Mi deserves a great guy!). Will Do Hwa (OUR first lead no matter the Writer’s intentions) get his girl? I hope so!
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36 javinne
November 9, 2019 at 10:23 AM
Airing
Miss Lee
I have to keep on watching because I am curious, but yeah, there are stuffs I don't care too much in this show.
Pegasus Market
I finally started and I love it, oh my, I really really love it and I wish it had 16 episodes instead of 12.
I really like Kim Byong chul since Shopping King Louie. I loved him in Mr. Sunshine as well. I want to watch Sky castle also because he is there, and definitive I love him in Pegasus market!!! Wow. You can never know if he is joking or serious!!! However, he always makes me smile.
Warm and Cozy
On hold
Wishlist:
- Live
- No second chances
- Miss Korea
Chinese:
I kind of binged The world owes me a first love
It was really cute. I like the women in this show, at least most of them.
Highly recommendable.
It was fun too.
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OldLawyer
November 9, 2019 at 2:25 PM
I was thinking of starting THE WORLD OWES ME A FIRST LOVE. Sometimes a cute show is just what you need.
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javinne
November 10, 2019 at 1:01 AM
You won't regret. I think it was well done
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37 miilo
November 9, 2019 at 10:33 AM
Chiming in after a long while...
Camellia - Hyang-mi has been dead for so many episodes that I started hoping that it´s all a joke. I mean, just why, show? There must be other ways how to make the audience sympathize with a manipulative, blackmailing kleptomaniac than killing the character first and then making you like her (more) in hindsight. Still my fav show at the moment, though.
My Country - Oh dear, I´m getting slightly bored. Perhaps it´s because I was so blown away with the first episodes that every consecutive week has left me feeling (gasp!) a little let-down. What was first gorgeous-looking (still is!) sageuk with a well-tried formula of characters that felt fresh (so hard to pull off!) is now getting sort of stale. Maybe it´s just that the younger cast has trouble holding their own against the seniors? I just wish I´d be as invested in Hwi´s plight or Sun-ho´s as I am in Bang-won´s, and I know already what´s going to happen to Bang-won.
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38 OldAmericsnLady
November 9, 2019 at 10:58 AM
New to K Dramas but loving them. Very addicted. Watching Camelias and Vagabond but also binging Secret Garden, You're Beautiful. The Greatest Love. Cain and Abel, That Winter, The wind Blows, Love Rain, Masters Sun, etc.My husband thinks he needs to put me in rehab. Americans don't know what they're missing. So much content, so little time. Learning so much about Korean culture-oppas and noonas... I live in New York so I know where to get kimbap and soju.
Also don't get me started on the actors-so talented and attractive. If I wasn't be old enough to be their mom, I'd be crushing them. I do ship Going Hyo Gin with all her costars..
Thanks Korea!
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Kurama
November 9, 2019 at 11:38 AM
Welcome in Kdrama world, full of addicts :D
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Beverly
November 9, 2019 at 11:55 AM
Those first binges are so fun and so exhausting.
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Linda Palapala
November 9, 2019 at 12:42 PM
Welcome! We're all in the same boat - just wish I had the t-shirt that says "just one more episode..."
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FlyingTool
November 10, 2019 at 2:37 PM
Now there’s a DB Tee shirt!
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Karmen ~ 🍜🏢🎭 ~ 📚☔🦋 ~ 🪂🌱💘 ~ ✨🍊💫 ~
November 9, 2019 at 1:13 PM
Welcome!!
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OldLawyer
November 9, 2019 at 2:20 PM
Once you start K-dramas the American stuff just pales in comparison. Have your husband watch some comedies like PEGASUS MARKET or WOO HOO WAIKIKI. You could even treat him to the classic FATED TO LOVE YOU which has Jang Na-ra as the female lead and Jang Hyuk as the male lead (although his laugh can be a little off-putting). He'll come around.
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Linda Palapala
November 10, 2019 at 2:16 AM
Except you need to find which ones you really love and of course like anything else it's subjective and personal preference. I, for one, did not like Fated to Love You. I loved the Taiwanese version though.
My first introduction to kdramas was MAIDS (I think I watched it 5 times). Was I surprised when later I learned it wasn't very popular or well thought of! I loved it.
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OldLawyer
November 10, 2019 at 2:04 PM
I too have seen both versions of FATED TO LOVE YOU- and they are both good.
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Linda Palapala
November 10, 2019 at 2:30 PM
Realized my problem with the kdrama Fated was it was one of the first ones I watched and I was shocked and angry when a certain little somebody died. I thought how can they do that, that's horrible. I simply could not watch the rest of it. Plus I'm one of the few who is not a Jang Hyuk fan.
By the time I realized and watched the Taiwan version I really really liked Ethan Ruan and I knew what was going to happen. Still sad, but I felt the emotions more with Taiwan version.
dramalava
November 10, 2019 at 8:33 AM
I haven’t been able to watch Jang Hyuk because of that laugh 😩
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OldLawyer
November 10, 2019 at 2:07 PM
It was like fingernails on the chalk board. But do not worry- I believe that he only does that laugh in FATED TO LOVE YOU. Unless he is reprising it in MY COUNTRY which I have not seen yet.
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Linda Palapala
November 10, 2019 at 2:32 PM
Doesn't he do that laugh and general over-acting (esp the crying bit) in Chuno?
Linda Palapala
November 10, 2019 at 2:31 PM
You mean I'm not the only one?? That's nice to know!
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OldLawyer
November 10, 2019 at 4:16 PM
I have not seen CHUNO. I cannot imagine that any writer would want to reprise that laugh, but obviously I can be wrong.
FlyingTool
November 10, 2019 at 5:17 PM
Not a lot of laughing in My Country.
Linda Palapala
November 10, 2019 at 5:30 PM
@hebang No, not a lot of laughing in My Country. They're taking themselves too seriously.
MikeyD signed up
November 9, 2019 at 4:35 PM
"Americans don't know what they're missing." Truer words were never [typed]. I've been trying to flog K-dramas lately using Parasite as a hook. 'If you liked that you'll love THIS!'
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OldAmericsnLady
November 9, 2019 at 6:37 PM
Thanks to all for the great welcome and suggestions. Am a happy fangirl. Am now going to pull an all nighter to finish Secret Garden.
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beantown
November 10, 2019 at 3:27 PM
Welcome!! SG is still one of my favorites; it may not make much sense on paper, but I find it manages to capture the wonderful smaller moments in life. I still choke over his scenes where he imagines he's walking with her....sigh
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Linda Palapala
November 10, 2019 at 5:31 PM
I loved the ending to Secret Garden!
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Ally
November 9, 2019 at 8:18 PM
Welcome to the club! Haha! Rehab. We are enablers here!
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Ally
November 9, 2019 at 8:19 PM
And I have a soft spot for LOVE RAIN.
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Ally
November 9, 2019 at 8:22 PM
It was this show that hooked me. And it was my husband that introduced me to kdramas. I’m definitely the addict now. He created a monster!
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WishfulToki
November 10, 2019 at 9:09 AM
Haha I thought you had introduced him to kdramas. Sounds like an interesting story you have there @ally-le!
39 ar_arguably romantic
November 9, 2019 at 11:31 AM
Extraordinary You: I love this drama so much! I feel like if I had a heartbeat-monitoring watch like Dan-Oh, it would be beating all the time watching it - from all the heart-fluttering things Haru does to all those eerie, uncertain moments. Do Hwa, Dan Oh, and Haru are my favorite kdrama team-ups. With Joo-da being self-aware and frustrated with her character, I hope she joins Team Change! I feel for Kyung, but his selfishness gets on my nerves.
Tale of Nokdu: I love the development of our OTP and the writer really knows how to ramp up the excitement and keep us on our toes. Dong Joo struggling with her desire to live and to be alive with Nokdu and Nokdu and the Queen's interactions gave me all the feels. The one thing that really confuses me is the king.
Catch the Ghost: A drama where the actors really elevate the characters with their natural charm and cuteness. I don't care much for the plot. I'm just in it for all the Yoo Ryung and Ji Seok iteractions.
Live: So good and also such a punch in the gut when you realize these cops have to deal with so many lose-lose situations and there is always that expectation for some sincere, hardworking police officer to take the fall for something they didn't do or had no control over.
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Linda Palapala
November 9, 2019 at 12:41 PM
Nokdu: I think the king must have a split personality disorder. But I'm with you and anybody else who loves this show. Especially how they keep things moving along so quickly.
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books7time
November 9, 2019 at 4:54 PM
Your comments are golden. Thank you.
Haha. My heartbeat would be as erratic too. And the trio is truly the best I have seen, I agree.
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Ally
November 10, 2019 at 4:25 AM
Another Beanie who watched LIVE! Still one of the best shows I’ve seen.
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40 pogo 🍉
November 9, 2019 at 11:59 AM
I'm a bit late with it but I'm watching Nokdu and I love it. This is what good execution of classic tropes feels like (thank goodness they took a pass on the 'fated childhood meeting' for the leads though). Cross-dressing? A very modern heroine (right down to her in-story haircut)? Birth secrets/secret identities (for both leads this time!)? Forced proximity? Treason?
Nokdu has them all, and done so well I'm eating it all up. I suppose that's what a good cast, writing and production can do (I love the music, especially the background scores). Also - and I hope this won't be a controversial opinion - Nokdu has, hands down, the best chemistry of any couple in a 2019 drama, and the best Kim So-hyun's ever had with a male costar in any of her dramas as lead. It's just that good.
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Linda Palapala
November 9, 2019 at 12:34 PM
Totally agree! With one exception. You mentioned the best chemistry in a 2019 drama - you might have stated it as "best chemistry in a 2019 k-drama, because without a doubt the best chemistry of any drama was between Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan in The Untamed. I've seen both and Untamed is my all time favorite, while Nokdu is definitely the 2019 favorite and best. So it's been a good year.
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Linda Palapala
November 9, 2019 at 12:36 PM
But yes, the chemistry between our lovebirds in Nokdu is fantastic and nobody had better disagree!
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zzthorn
November 9, 2019 at 3:23 PM
I watched a youtube video of behind the scenes of Tale of Nokdu where Kim SoHyun has rollers in her hair and she is walking along with the actor who plays Nokdu and they are holding hands. Probably they are just practicing their moves for a later scene, but it was cute to see them not being filmed and still holding hands. :-)
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pogo 🍉
November 9, 2019 at 12:42 PM
My apologies, but given what this site is, I generally assume any reference to a "drama" on db is a kdrama, unless stated otherwise.
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Linda Palapala
November 9, 2019 at 12:48 PM
Ah, of course - duh (hits my forehead). I've been into c-dramas so much lately I forget!
No worries, I was teasing a bit anyway.
Nokdu is the first k-drama I've absolutely loved in every way since probably Just Between Lovers and I agree with all you said.
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pogo 🍉
November 9, 2019 at 12:57 PM
yeah, Nokdu is the first drama to have me this thoroughly charmed since....early 2018?
It's just been so long since we got a drama that could balance out the intense with the cute so well. I was expecting mostly-insubstantial cuteness (par for the course in youth sageuks) but we got so much more! And yes, a huge part of it is down to the leads, I love that it's getting love in Korea too.
books7time
November 9, 2019 at 4:56 PM
I am so happy to read the love for Tale of Nokdu. This is one that I was eagerly anticipating and knew I would have to wait until it finished to watch it. I almost made it too (I am on ep 5).
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41 applecrumble
November 9, 2019 at 12:28 PM
I'm enjoying Leverage (the Kdrama). I love this kind of show, especially when the cast is great to watch, like Mad Dog and Player. My classic Hollywood favorite is Sneakers, starring Robert Redford and River Phoenix.
The "good idea, finger-pointing" part in Ep 7 of Leverage is so cute and funny! I read somewhere that Eui Sung and Roy used their names from the actors' characters in Marry Me Now. Lol
I just caught Iceland in 3 Meals on youtube, till ep 6. Jiwon and Sugeun are really a good comedy pair!
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books7time
November 9, 2019 at 4:57 PM
Oh, I grew up with Sneakers! I enjoyed the American version of Leverage and I am looking forward to checking out the Korean version. Thanks for the comments.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
November 9, 2019 at 10:49 PM
I'd be interested to know how other people who loved the original are liking the adaptation because I did not. I dropped it. I don't know how I would have felt about the show if they hadn't said it was an adaptation but I was very disappointed in this version.
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42 LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
November 9, 2019 at 12:51 PM
Due to the power of the sun's rays and the new - albeit tiny - hole in my head (wear sunscreen, world), I had some unanticipated time off this week and so I broke rule one - don't pick up dramas in November.
Camellia: Why, oh why, does this show have a thriller plotline in it? It doesn't need it. If anything, the thriller plotline is in real danger of undermining the rest of the show's themes. But apart from that, I loved almost everything else about this show. From its strong, quiet female lead who refuses to let people tell her there's something wrong with her life to the golden retriever who followed her home one day, refused to leave, and now bounds around the place and barks at people he doesn't like. As usual for this kind of show, as we move into the back half, we hit some cultural stuff that I don't like and don't understand but all in all this is a really enjoyable, beautifully written little show.
Vagabond: High Five Gang remains alive. I don't know how. I wish ten times a day this show didn't have a romance plotline. It's badly written and embarrassing.
Tale of Nokdu: I'm in love. Genuinely, madly in love. At least with the first half and its delightful Shakespearean gender bending, mistaken identity, comic farce. It's like watching a play; an hilarious and subversive one. Nokdu is a wonderful male lead: both gentle, kind and feminine while simultaneously sexy as hell. He respect women and has no annoying masculinity crisis - even while he's dressing as a woman or even kissing a man to maintain his cover.
Snarkjellyfish and I had an interesting discussion about sages and gender roles and why we love the show so much on my fan wall so drop on by and have a read. And no, it's not because of the "plot".
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
November 9, 2019 at 12:52 PM
That should be "sageuks" which autocorrect just tried to make "sages" three time again.
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books7time
November 9, 2019 at 4:59 PM
I love thinking of Tale of Nokdu as a Shakespearean farce; thank you.
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43 Ally
November 9, 2019 at 3:08 PM
My Country: after some Kdrama mid-steps with my husband, finally found one we like to watch together. He likes it better than Goblin (sacrilege!). We’re half way through ep 11. I’ve found that I have to break this one up because way too much happens in one episode and I need time to digest. The Untamed is still mesmerizing, I can’t lie. However, My Country is really what I look forward to every week.
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kiara
November 9, 2019 at 4:00 PM
I'm on the same boat with you when it comes to MY COUNTRY. I love it but too much too fast.
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javinne
November 10, 2019 at 3:54 AM
Better than Goblin, LOL 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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44 books7time
November 9, 2019 at 4:41 PM
A LITTLE THING CALLED FIRST LOVE--I have run out of adjectives to describe the way this drama affects me and have just gone to unintelligible squeals. This is the drama that has me waiting impatiently in between blocks episodes (even when 8 come at a time!) to go back to these characters and this adorable coming-of-age story. Are there any other Beanies watching this one?
EXTRA-ORDINARY YOU--I am behind! I can't believe it (see above for the reason); I am hiding away from the angst--I can just feel it coming! If the angst is done as well as it has been so far I will be good, but I don't think I can handle it otherwise. But there is no way I stopping (just hesitating).
TALE OF NOKDU-I am (strategically) late to this one. I enjoyed the first 5 eps and I am hooked, but not invested. I am delighted by Jang Dong Yoon's acting though. I don't have to suspend disbelief (much) to believe the women believe he is one of them.
Considering:
IN TIME WITH YOU (TW)--I read the review by Fangirlsverdict and want to take a second look. Despite Ariel Lin and the one-side love trope (my catnip), I couldn't survive her return to the jerk. Ugh. Problem is I can't find this now.
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lentils
November 10, 2019 at 7:42 AM
TAKE THAT SECOND LOOK!!! The payoff is all the more satisfying cause of the slow burn, i've watched it twice and chen bolin's dimpleesss gah!
You've convinced me to start up 'a little thing...', I just recently completed my youth (which enjoyed A LOT), so hopefully it'll fill its spot 😄
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books7time
November 27, 2019 at 10:03 AM
I could stick around for the dimples. Hmmm.
Thank you@lentils. And yes, take a look at "A little thing..." It is still so good and I am almost done (you do have to take into account how young the actors are though). I am impressed by the consistent writing that fleshes out all characters. It reminds me of the Reply series.
I am looking for another Chinese youth drama and saw "My youth". I will have to take a look since you liked it. Can you tell me a little more about what you loved about it?
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45 Rumi~
November 9, 2019 at 7:35 PM
# Extraordinary You
Last week I cringed at the cute scenes, this week I just went with the flow.... Seeing Haru like that breaks my heart 💔. However at the same time I can't help but get infuriated by how even their off stage shadow personalities are just an extended set up, a carry over from the sageuk manhwa. EY managed to take all autonomy & shred it to bits. They're going in the direction of its all just fate & I hate it.
#Hotel Del Luna
I finished this a few days ago..... It was pretty to look at & had a nice osts, but that's all. In ep 15 when Sanchez asked GCS if the ghosts were able to do that because they had developed high ability skills after such a long time & GCS just smirked 😏, that was the Hong sisters laughing at their audience because they know they got away with that kind of stupid shit that explained nothing, contradicted itself multiple times while confusing itself, that there are no words.
I hated how it tried to dress up its Confuciansm as Hindu/Buddhist ideology, & didn't give a proper conclusion to any little angle it was ever going for. What a colossal waste of time.
# Moorim School
Yoon Si Woo & the the Chairman's daughter are going to turn out to be siblings aren't they? The narrative is so obvious, leaving opportunities to put Wang Qi An & Seon Duk together. A guy interested in a girl thinks of her first, unless something else happens.... But here they're pushing the SFL x SML angle, because it's obvious the fan & her oppa can't be linked romantically. There are more organic ways of achieving what they want, but then again I didn't start this drama thinking I'd get A+ writing so I have to put up with it.
It's not that hard, I guess I can somewhat buy the situations that happen.
I wish I knew how old the characters are supposed to be though. YSW mentioned college, but then he's supposed to be 1 yr younger than the SML & SFL.
Cdrama - All I want for love is you
It's cute because it's mutual, & overall it was nice. The angst in the last episode was unnecessary, & it pulled from DOTS when it didn't need to. I didn't like how the FL changed tracks from what she wanted just because she wanted to be together with the ML, but hey people choose careers for even more shallow reasons, & at least she ended up landing in a good place in life
Ossan's Love - Jdorama
I don't mind BL, & an uber straight flirting on vulgar confession doesn't turn me off, but I guess I have an issue with people entertaining those they aren't interested in just because they feel like they're usually unwanted. I want to see some dignity, I dunno if I can continue with this. The older suddenly/secretly gay man as a romantic candidate also turns me off. Maybe I shouldn't have started this & watched cdrama Addicted instead 🤔
I'm also watching Bloody Romance since I'm not finding anything that I completely like these days. It's such an underrated cdrama...
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Rumi~
November 9, 2019 at 7:38 PM
... – Everything from story, acting, direction, chemistry, to graphics, art, cinematography, is all so beautifully done ; it's a visual delight. I love it & have rewatched it twice already!
Arsenal Military Academy
Episode 1 was bad. Without any fangirl persuasion it was drop worthy.
Fammy & @mayhemf pulled me onto this, & 6 episodes into it I am beginning to understand why they like it so much.
My only concerns are that the drama might start feeling choppy due to the incessant censorship & edits. Xu Kai is dashing & very reminiscent of the titanic guy. The FL is handsome as a man & very pretty as a woman. The SFL isn't a typical bitch like I thought she'd be, & is a layered character. All the cast has fantastic chemistry with each other.
Only the instructor & his lady friend bit seem useless as of now, Let's see how it goes in future episodes.
Now I'm off to watch 3 weekend kdramas, hopefully I'll remember to come back & update here. Also hoping to catch up with My Country by tomorrow.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
November 9, 2019 at 10:47 PM
If you're going to watch Addicted bear in mind that it's a portrayal of a shockingly abusive relationship. Don't watch it if you're looking for romantic or cute.
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Rumi~
November 10, 2019 at 7:38 PM
I'll keep that in mind, thanks LT
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46 rochinipark
November 10, 2019 at 12:20 AM
Been too long since updated my watching dramas here.
Extraordinary you is the only one I am up to date. Wonder if thd other characters had a role in the previous manhwa.Loving the acting all around and storyline. Just excited to see it week in week out.
Tale Of Nokdu and When Camelia blooms about one week behind. But I do love the stories presented to us and acting all around just that time is so limited.
Pegasus Market I am also following but yet to see this week's episode. Loving this thoroughly wacky show. It is so wacky and super hilarious with the antics of it employees where they are the king.
Also following KBS weekend drama Beautiful love Wonderful Life. But am set for next 6months watching this.
Seem to have committed myself to another 6months drama wity Never Twice on MBC with those veteran cast.I should really check though if it is 6months long too.
Am also following Melt me softly but am behind by one week.
Where do I pluck a time hole to watch all these dramas?
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47 CS
November 10, 2019 at 11:19 AM
This was a week of highly anticipated cinema!
Parasite: Wow! It was worth the wait. I read an interview with the director where he said he wanted to make a movie that the movie goer would have to mentally unpack for a few days afterwards. He succeeded. I love that he managed to miss any of the class tropes that are so prevalent in kdramaland and get at something that felt much more real even at its most absurd.
Tune In to Love: It was slow and lovely. It didn't leave a lasting impression as much as Parasite, but I did enjoy the ride and the casting was perfect.
Extraordinary You: I like our leads and the episodes still fly by, but I am getting anxious for things to move forward.
My Country: I just started this last night and it is really well done! It's epic and beautifully shot and the actors are killing it. It gets epic and politics by not messy or too convoluted. It's everything Arthdol didn't quite pull off. I mean, I'm only 2 episodes in but a girl can hope. I've seen enough raving reviews on here to hope that it can keep this momentum going. Eagerly anticipating Jang Hyuk's appearance in the story.
Tomorrow With You: It showed up on Netflix and I was stuck in the house with a sick kid, so I thought I'd give it a chance. I had heard a lot of bad reviews when it aired. I wasn't expecting much, but I ended up really liking it. I thought the love story unfolded sweetly and I'm a sucker for time travel.
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MikeyD signed up
November 10, 2019 at 11:43 AM
Tomorrow with You... Mmmmm... Shin Min-a. I think people have reset the bar, lately, on what they call 'bad' now that they have 'Melting Me Softly' to compare against. A well made drama with an unexpected ending you didn't appreciate is not a 'bad' drama. A 'bad' drama is... Melting Me softly.
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CS
November 10, 2019 at 12:00 PM
Hahaha! There's a line early on where Shin Min-a says that she's not sexy, she's cute. I laughed out loud! She's a very sexy lady. I couldn't tell if it was bad translation, bad writing or just a character that's not very self aware.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
November 10, 2019 at 12:05 PM
Shin Min-a is like nails on a chalkboard for me. I can't stand her acting and, unfortunately, "cute" is definitely what she's going for in most of her acting decisions. The only performance of hers I like is, ironically, Oh My Venus. It's ironic because that show is an offensive dumpster fire but Shin Min-a showed she can do more than bounce around. I just wish she did it more often.
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egads
November 10, 2019 at 12:19 PM
You have to admit that her performance in A Million was amazing. She transcended time, logic, and geography to deliver her best line, "Merry Christmas!"
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
November 10, 2019 at 12:23 PM
Shin Min-ah's delivery of that line was truly the transcendent moment of that film, even outclassing LMK yelling at a female character to lick his sweat.
CS
November 10, 2019 at 12:24 PM
@leetennant, she is not one of my favorites and a reason I didn't rush right out to watch this show a couple of years ago. I almost said something about her trying to be cute, is actually annoying. Maybe it was a case of "right mood, right show" but I just didn't get bothered by much in it.
1tea1
November 10, 2019 at 8:30 PM
Tomorrow With You is one of my favorites. I rewatch it every year. There's just something about it that makes it so good to me.
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48 Lookie
November 11, 2019 at 7:37 PM
Are You Human, Too - Rewatched and fell in love once more with Nam Shin III. Seo Kang Joon gave a perfect performance as android and human. Talk about nuances and layers!!!
Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life - just started but stopped at episode 3 for now. I think this has a good story with interesting characters. Thinking about it having 100 episodes is quite daunting, on one hand.
My Country - this show sustains my interest episode after episode. The love between Seon Ho and Hwi continue to burn despite everything. And Jang Hyuk!! He is unbeatable!!!
Tale of Nokdu - the birth secret, the King, is he evil or not; the cute leads... That's all about it.
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49 Moons
November 13, 2019 at 8:19 AM
Extra Ordinary You: I dropped this on ep 12 'cos i don't like Dan Oh-Haroo. I'll watch only the last ep just to see how'll the ending be.
If only Dan Oh with Kyung in the end #sigh
Catch the Ghost: Can't wait the next eps. Poor Ryung..
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