Hi, Bean friends!

The only current drama I’m watching right now is The Lies Within, for obvious reasons. Lee Min-ki and Lee Yoo-young and the rest of the cast are really carrying this show, although I actually quit enjoyed episodes 6-12. The writing leaves much to be desired, but I REALLY love the character of Jo Tae-shik, and am even more in love with Min-ki’s nuanced portrayal of him. It’s odd—there’s nothing romantic about this drama at all, but Tae-shik makes me swoon. Just seeing him on-screen puts me at ease, and I’ve rewatched some of my favorite scenes these past few weeks when I’m upset to help me calm down. I think he just has a comforting, dependable aura. Is this TMI? This is probably TMI. ANYWAY. This is not a great drama, and I have no expectations going into the finale this weekend, but as long as Tae-shik and Seo-hee are happy in the end, I’m happy.

I’ve been making my way through his entire filmography starting from Taereung National Village since last month. While they’re mostly rewatches, some things I’m seeing for the first time, and watching it chronologically and seeing his development is SO much fun. I rewatched I Really Really Like You (Nam Bong-ki and Yeo Bong-soon! 💖) and Dal-ja’s Spring (SPARE TIRE ❤️), and now I’m finally watching Mixed-Up Investigative Agency for the first time. This show is a delight! Ye Ji-won is simply FANTASTIC in it, and I love the ensemble cast’s rapport. This is definitely Min-ki’s most purposefully unattractive role, and he plays it with gusto. He’s such a goof. I love that he completely lacks vanity as an actor. He went straight from the handsome, charming Kang Tae-bong of Dal-ja’s Spring to this. Also, that HAIR. Those CLOTHES. Oh, honey.

While watching his early filmography is fun, I’m looking forward to digging into his later meatier performances. He was still a baby actor here (albeit a very good one), and I’ll always love watching him turn into the incredibly versatile chameleon he has become (ignore Beauty Inside it doesn’t exist I’ve never heard of that drama before).

And. Uh. Maybe when Lies is over I’ll pick up something that DOESN’T have my favorite actor in it. Any suggestions? What’s good amongst the currently airing crowd, Beanies?

Pegasus Market (Episode 10)
I feel that the show is still squeaky perfect when it comes to the Pegasus Market characters, however, as we approach the end it’s worrying to see that there’s no clear resolution when it comes to the tension between Bok Dong and Young Goo. When they drunk together and agreed on an armistice for Ji Na, I was hoping she would be the bridge that mends their relationship and let them become old-school friends once again. But, she turned out to be a spy that escalated it instead! Seok Goo’s going to be dragged into the fight next week as the market is threatened and it’ll be a nasty mess.

Psychopath Diary (Episode 1-4)
On one hand, I like the twisted message of the drama: on a blank canvas (aided by our dear friend amnesia), our mind is strong enough to even change our own personality and disposition. I don’t even mind the side effect of Dong Sik who thinks he’s a psychopath (this is drama I can accept). On the other hand, In Woo’s sob story of rich family politics isn’t one bit interesting whereas Bo Kyung seems like one of those ditzy female characters who will fail terribly later on. The show also has a lot of arcs thanks to the high number of side characters: this will be bad if the writing doesn’t hold up.

Tale of Nokdu (Episode 26-32)
Once the show started bringing in the usual sageuk tropes (fight for the throne for greedy reasons, birth secrets, killing of characters left and right, hiding information, noble idiocy), I naturally lost interest in the show. It did feel like we were tricked by the initial light and breezy tone of the show with the crossdressing before being thrown into the politics with the burning of the widow village: afterwards, the tone flipped into dark and tragic colours. The ending itself highlighted how fractured the romance and tragedy had become: the need for a happy ending while remaining historically factual.

@selena "I found the cure to Second-Lead Syndrome, by the way — just imagine that they find love in the Shadow of their own story!" - I love that!

JAPAN

If Talking Paid - 8.5 out of 10 for this week too. 7 straight weeks of 8.5. This week was awesome. Niece-Uncle became heartache buddies.
Wife-Husband came together. Mother vs. Son buildup. Female love interest vs. Mitsuru. Gender stereotypes.
I like how the show put the terms Housewife, Househusband, Kept man, working professional to voluntary unemployment on table.
When you look at how Mitsuru justifies his laid lifestyle - you go against him but then you see how other characters are driving the point how Mitsuru is a MALE and must work - you stand and note points against them too.

Amazing show of the 2019 - fighting with Crazy SNS family vs. Nagi who is on long vacation.

Doki no Sakura - 7.5 out of 10. good 1st initiation episode.

RE - Follower - 23min episodes. another of SNS and tech show of 2019 from Japan. Timepass 7/10. 1 time watch. Nothing new in story and nothing else that might attract you.

Eren the Souhpaw - 6.5/10 got free time and watched 1st episode. for now can't make say much but i felt something was off, Oh yes. IDOLS. Serisouly, It should be in contract of idols - must have acting training or some theatre experience. heavy makeup does nothing for a viewer.

Janus no Kagami - 1st ep watched 6/10 -ve drama. This might interest you a lot @coolgirl I'm gonna drop it because negativity.

Doctor X - Season 6 - Still going strong. I'm not into it.

Rewatching The Greatest Love on Netflix, then watch Chocolate first episode (both have Yoon Kye Sang!). I love the cooking scene and the female lead loves for food, even all the classic tropes seem to be here but let's see how many episode I can hanging.
Don't have courage to continue:
-Tale of Nokdu on ep 12, it's fun but not that make me watch more
-Extraordinary You on ep 14, curious about the ending but too lazy to watch
-Leverage on ep 8, really enjoy it, but maybe later
Went to cinema to watch Kim Ji Young 1982 and cried alot bcoz reminds me of my mother *sobs*. Gong Yoo is a hot dady.

Guys, I'm sooooo enjoying No Second Chances 😀 It is so funny 😁 The bickering old first loves, the romance of the Chairman (with music and Cinderella shoe 😁)... and of course all scenes with Kwak Dong Yeon 😍

The rest...
...I dived into Camellia and finally finished it. I quite liked the first 13 episodes (the marriage proposal!! 😍)... and then... then I think they should have sticked to the 16 episodes. I would gladly skip the reporter and the stepdaughter scenes (and the pre-birth connection!! 🙈). I would also skip Mom's redemption arch. And I would skip some silly subplots with dumb picking up a bike in a deserted shopping mall or with dumb provocation of the Joker. I also think they tried to be a bit too clever with the Joker and overtwisted it. If they really needed to spend some extra time, I would prefer they spent it on the ahjummas and their stories. Well, that said, I think it still was a good drama and I really enjoyed all the actors, seasoned or not... with Kang Haneul and his Yongshik as the highlight.

I also finished reading King's Avatar. I know very little about esports and I even can't play these online games (I'm already scared just from the vibration of the remote control during Mario karts races 😆). And yet this novel completely sucked me in. It's definitely different than the drama (which also only maps like half of the novel), but I think both have the same air of camaraderie and Glory spirit. And they keep the humour 😁 I'm only not happy with the ending of the novel, it felt too sudden and not very logical. So for me it ends with the finals 😊
(PS I started reading prequels and watching anime. 😆)

Looking forward to Chocolate...

Tale of Nokdu The couple was great and it's all I will remember.

Catch the Ghost We had to wait for a long time that JS becomes the real cop he can be.

Secret Boutique It looked the writer gave up the story... I can't be angry against her/him seen as SBS handled this drama...

Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life After the Secret Boutique debacle, I'm expecting more for Kim Jae Young.

No Second Chances They're all pretty crazy in this drama...

Chocolate I want to try it.

The Lies Within They're kinda slow to understand things...

Extraordinary You: yaaaaasssss a happy ending danoh haru deserves. eventho i keep sobbing in the last 2 episodes (especially when danoh graduates alone and left everything in haru's desk) im so so so happy with the ending

Tale of Nokdu: finally a drama with a clear resolution between all of the characters. i dont care about the political plot anymore. im so glad nokdu and dongju get married and life happily (and quietly) in the island with nokdu's mom

The Lies Within: i love how the detectives are not dumb. im actually enjoying this drama a lot

Leverage: its cliche but i love love the squad so

Catch the Ghost: Go Jiseok is soooo uwu :((((( im so glad he know about Ryung's secret now. kinda tired about mari's bullshit

Psychopath Diary: dont watch eps 1 but accidentally watch eps 2. im gonna start watching after Dongshik realize that he aint a psychopath.

Love With Flaws: idk... i hate the misunderstanding between the characters. maybe gonna watch it the next 2 eps to decide to keep going or nah

Finally watched the finale of When Camellia Blooms. It was such a good drama, with a satisfying closure for every character. Totally gonna get the bulk of my beans for this year beanies count.

Catch The Ghost - I want to say I watch this for the whole storyline but in reality I just want to watch Kim Seon Ho and his dimples. The romance storyline was a bit meh..hot Junior Officer with broad shoulder and tall figure is so nice and good hearted I want to root for him even though the end pairing is pretty clear.

Nagi no Oitoma - what a good show! I literally binge watched this and I was reminded once again on how good Japanese drama are. I used to watch more Japanese dramas than Korean before. Solid casting, solid storyline. It’s a proof that you don’t need large cast and lots of episodes/filler to have a good story. Now I’m searching for my next Japanese dramas to watch. Gonna get back to my root! 😋

Chocolate - this is gonna be a tear fest I can feel it already. I’m sticking around for now.

Trying to continue watching all the dramas that I left midway through..waiting to see which one will stuck with me to complete watching. Sky Castle..Fiery Priest..Arthdals..

I'm watching twitter and instagram for Shin Sung Rok updates. Hopefully he'll have a new drama soon. Dramaland feels incomplete without a SSR drama to look forward to. #dramaqueen

Tale of Nokdu: Super Cute ending. I'm glad I watched it for the beautiful chemistry between the leads.

VIP: This seems like there is going to be some kind of misunderstanding happening. I don't think he is cheating with Yoo Ri, I think she is the VP's secret daughter or something. I also don't think he is cheating with Mi Na. I believe him when he says it is some random woman. Juicy.

Chief of Staff: The twists and turns are still great. I love the show so much.

Secret Boutique: That was the most pat ending ever. I am actually disappointed.

People With Flaws: I tried, but I didn't make it half way through the first episode. I didn't laugh once. Also Ahn Jae Hyeon does nothing for me, so is not particularly believable as some beautiful man who gets all the ladies.

Chocolate: We will see, but I have yet to finish or like a Ha Ji Won drama. So I'm hoping it is good.

I was looking forward to People with Flaws, but the poop humor is terrible. Funny only if you’re a third-grader. It’s a shame, because I like everything else about the drama.

So happy I watched Vagabond as a comedy so I don't have to rage about the ending.

Tale of Nokdu was a sageuk light. Jang Dong Yoon never disappoints.

I'll spend the next week recovering from the ending of My Country. Please remind me of this if I forget and venture toward another sageuk. Of course if the sageuk includes Jang Hyuk, Woo Do Hwan and Yang Se Jong, I won't be able to stop myself.

Chief of Staff ✅
No Second Chances ❤️
Watched first episode of Pegasus Market

Chief of Staff is good. Shin Min-a , love her wardrobe, can I say she looks smoking hot ? lee Elijah, yay ! Kim Kap Soo and Jung Woong-in as the evil doers ⭐️, really good casting .

The Lies Within: Ready for the finale! Kim Seo-hui can make a great detective. The investigators are smart but the culprits are always one step ahead. I don't think Sang-hun is going to make it out of this alive. Amazed at how terrible the villains are.

Chief Kim: Also got the finale episodes left. I just love the concept of this show, something really different. It's written really well. It seems it's quite underrated. Also I've developed a huge crush on Jun-ho. It's so fun to watch him eat.

Tale of Nokdu: I didn't really buy that Yul Moo would let ND live and DJ go to him, but the finale had its cute moments.

Chocolate: It's nice seeing HJW and YKS. There were some things about the first episode I liked and some things that made me groan, but I'm in for now. I like this character for HJW.

My Country: The ending was pretty much what I expected.

Pegasus Market: Episode 11 - The fate of Pegasus Market is in Seok Goo's hands.

VIP: I caught up on several episodes, and while I find the three coworkers somewhat interesting, the leads story line is slow and Lee Sang-yoon only has one expression.

Love is Beautiful, Life is Wonderful: I had barely been watching since I hated almost everyone, but I quite enjoyed last week’s episodes. The second time jump moved things along.

No Second Chances: Typical weekend drama, but I'm liking a lot of the characters.

Leverage : a very good show. Glad that i started watching it. It is so addicting. I love Lee tae joon and the way he plans out everything and glad the all of them somehow saves the day with Plan B at the end. I am on about to watch ep 7 right now and i am biting my nails , because the ending of ep 6 was like such a shocker.

VIP: I didn't expect that ending! (I wasn't even sure about the affair). Now I want to know what happened that led to this.
Mi-na has all my simpaties, but I hope she isn't really betraying her collagues.
Jung-sun's reaction to the situation is very realistic.

CHOCOLATE: lots of tempting food. I hope there won't be a feud between the cousins or an unoriginal triangle.

THE SECRET LIFE OF MY SECRETARY: I had put this on hold months ago, but I'd like to finish it and The wind blows within the end of the year.
The drama seems a low-budget one, but it's nice.
Is Kim Young-kwang always so cute, or is it just his character?

THE TALE OF NOK-DU: I'm watching this very slowly from when it became more sageuk and less rom-com.

MOVIE
ROMAN HOLIDAYS: yes, I had never watched it, and I confess I did to see the similarities between it and the pilot of Encounter. It was fun to spot them, they're really a lot!

PEGASUS MARKET: (Ep 10) Still a great joyride, but with two episodes to go there is a chance the writers may drop a dramatic bomb on us as the market President completes his transformation from revengeful corporate pawn to community business man (market closes by corporate; labor and health violations; arson; hostile takeover; accounting scandal, etc.) which breaks up the team.

BEAUTIFUL LOVE, WONDERFUL LIFE: Now that the elongated coma arc is completed, now we are in the multi-layered jealousy phase.

SCOUTING REPORT (Drama Special): An average but nice typical story that gets wrapped up neatly like a practical Christmas present.

CHOCOLATE: The show burned through the entire trope playbook (birth secret, first love, family strife, lost dreams, rich snobbery, family accidental deaths, succession sabotage, saving the heroine in medical emergency, and the power of food for healing) in the first episode. It foretells a bittersweet drama.

I have yet to watch the final episode of My Country. Still gathering the courage.
Leverage - another of those dramas where you root for the Con guys. Wishing more screen time for Kim Kwon.
VIP - too much play up on the non-existent adultery. I’m not a fan of the stoic acting of both leads.
Catch the Ghost - shelved. Will get back to it when less interesting shows come up.
Never Twice - interesting first episode. The Inn vs the hotel would should be a rich source of very good drama arcs but so far, the characters are not that loveable.

Currently Airing.
Catch the ghost: I think I was unhealthily obsessed with this week's episodes. I rewatched it quite a few times and couldn't help but cry every single time, yet so worth it to get to the sweet, cute and funny parts. Episode 11: I cried for mostly Yoo Ryung this episode and then felt extremely happy for her and for both her and Ji Seok. This was satisfying and heartbreaking at the same time. I have had quite a few favorite kdrama couples, but I have never squealed happily at them getting together as I did for JS and YR. Episode: 12: This made me cry even more in the first half. This time it was JS I cried for and then happy for him. Thank God YR found a way to catch the remaining grasshopper. I loved seeing them working together to catch the guy. I loved the confession scenes, definitely my most favorite in a Kdrama. And this is going to be unpopular but YR and JS take the top spot in my most favorite Female and Male characters respectively. And also the top spot as my most favorite couple. Now I am just worried that things are going to be even more heartbreaking for the leads and is going to make me cry even more. Show just keeps pulling twist after twist. It keeps us guessing who the subway ghost is. This drama also has my most favorite kdrama ost. I have only ever liked one or two from any drama, I liked every single song for this even as I definitely prefer the more upbeat ones. Every single one perfectly fits the leads. I have watched the behind the scenes too and they are fun to watch even as I don't understand a thing l, heh.

2. My Country: While I expected either or both Sun Ho or Hwi to die I was surprised by how to came to happen. Definitely hate Bang Won now. I couldn't help but flinch and look away as both of them were killed. It was shocking and heartbreaking. At least there was they were happy for a little time and Hwi finally got to see Sun Ho smile.

3. Tale of Nokdu: I was satisfied with the ending as both Nokdu and Dong Joo ended up with their happily ever after.

4. Extraordinary You: How it ended up from the top spot to the 4th. But nevertheless I liked the ending though I wished to know what happened with Do Hwa and Joo Da.

5. Psychopath Diary: Watched only one episode from this week. I actually kinda like it as it's quite hilarious. Even though I don't like dark humor that much.

VIP I think he’s either cheating with Kang Ji Young the other friend or he’s not cheating at all but hiding a prostitution ring. These are my theories. I ready like this show, I love all the plot twists & the overall vibe. My favorite character so far is definitely Lee Hyun Ah

W I started it & I’m half way, I’ve watched 7 episodes. I really like the drama to real life changes, it’s really well filmed. It’s okay it’s not bad but not the best either. I’ll probably stop here since the 2nd half was what most people didn’t like & the preview for ep 8 is looking like a mess.
I’m glad I finally watched it though I felt like missing out; I really feel like it’s better to watch this drama after it’s finished.

Watcher Just started this like it so far

Live I wish I watched this half live (just the last episodes), I’m taking my time with it. I really like it. I’m just kinda sad & melancolic while watching this. I feel that way about this writer’s works: extremely good but kind of hard watch. Each episode stays with me. But really really good.

Finished Life so so so good! I wish I watched this live. I absolutely loved it. I loved how everyone is flawed. My least favorite character was the main lead Ye Jin Woo. Rather than Lee Dong Wook’s acting it’s just the character itself. I don’t know I found him irresponsible, immature & kind of dumb. Always caring like he’s better than the others, almost like he was living in his own fantasy world & not in real life, he’s the only good one there.
I definitely preferred Gu Seung Hyo & Oh Se Hwa even if they have more twisted morals they stick to it.
I found it hard to relate to the doctors & their fight. I just found that almost nothing the president was doing was actually wrong. Like Seon Woo Chang (from the organ transplant center) said at the end nurses & doctors were always screwing each other so why do they expect different from the management.
I don’t know I really really liked this show just as much as stranger. I need more work from this writer.
I really really wished I watched it live to find people to talk to. There’s no right or wrong or good guy or bad guy. It was different from other dramas I’ve watched so far. I don’t know exactly how but it felt different.

I'm re-watching the much maligned 'I Picked Up A Celebrity On The Street'. The series is very funny and very unpretentious. Much more watchable than Sung Hoons subsequent drama 'Level Up'. Sure, the story kind'a falls apart at the end but who was watching this humorous confection for its plot?

I'm currently obsessed with the Chinese drama, "Royal Nirvana". It is so beautifully filmed with rich costumes and sets! You can tell the production budgets were high. The story is very well written with the main character trying to outsmart his enemies. Unfortunately, the subs are sometimes weirdly worded so it can be confusing. The acting is stellar; first time I've seen a male lead crying so much that I could feel his pain. It's available on YT.

Vagabond: 8 Ending was only jarring because it wasn't what we expect of a kdrama. If an American show ended its first season like that we would said they did a good job of wrapping up something and laying the groundwork for next season. And the show had its own internally consistent logic. Bulletproof logic, as a matter of fact :)

Leverage: 7 Jeon Hye-bin: I guess you have to be a really good actress to be such a good bad actress (?) Meanwhile, show is probably as good objectively as ever, but as they approach the big bad I find it less interesting.

Tale of Nokdu: 7

Catch the Ghost: 7.8 All the why-which-lead-did-what in day 11 was boring compared to the cases. Day 12 was better.

My Country: 5 Took me a while to watch the final ep, not because I was saving up a treat or any other good reason. It just got too boring and degenerated into a bean-watch for the year-end polls. You know, so I can vote for SOMETHING ELSE.

Pegasus Market: 9 BTW, I think I've decided the Bbaya chief is my favorite character.

People with Diarrhea Flaws: 4.5 At least it has Kim Seul-gi.

Sigh. Most new shows don't seem very interesting. Last week I was watching 9 (!) shows. Next week it may be only 3 :(

Currently Airing

CHOCOLATE: Not attached to the characters at all. But the last several minutes were done so well. I’m still interested to see what this drama offers in future episodes, but I have to admit my hopes haven’t been met. There looks to be some family drama in the future, and I am already so bored and irritated with what we’ve seen so far. (ep. 1)

Non-Korean Dramas

HISTORY3: MAKE OUR DAYS COUNT: Ugh, so cute! This might be the only History series I’d consider rewatching. I know it’s had some missed reviews, but it completely hits the mark for what it is. Plus, the male friendships are amazing (and quite hilarious)! (ep. 13-14)

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN THE SERIES: The plot is so slow-moving. Give us more scenes of the couples! (ep. 3)

I'm still rewatching Shining Inheritance, but probably won't finish it. I've had trouble before with watching an older show on Viki. Even after changing from HD to SD, episodes stop for no reason and I have to reload.
Last night I went looking for Midsomer Murders, my palate cleanser between kdrama courses, but couldn't find it on either Netflix or PBS. Dang! It's just unrealistic enough that it's fun to keep count as the bodies pile up. Talk about negative population growth!
I need help deciding on my next oldie but goodie (Fight My Way, Familiar Wife, Weightlifting Fairy or other?) and currently airing. I think I've been putting off great older shows with high school/college characters. Not sure why. I also want to watch Dear Friends, but then I don't - emotional cowardice, I need something fun after a hard day at work?

I live watched the first episode of tale of nokdu, but my sixth sense told me the plot might be solid, so I kept it later for binge watching. And by God was that the best kdrama decision I ever made this year. The plot twist was one that actually was unpredictable. The last time I actually was astonished by a plot twist was circle in 2017.
The plot might go downhill (I just finished ep 10 now) but the plot twist will always remain memorable.
All these years of drama watching has made me extremely immune to any kind of plot twists so I really appreciate when a drama manages to surprise me.
Dramas like tale of nokdu and flower crew remind me why I started watching kdramas in the first place. These days I often keep forgetting that. Either the plots are extreme fluff with no substance or super serious and slice-of-lifey, both of which are not helpful for that sense of escapism that I desire.

Tale of Nokdu: I'm glad the drama managed to stick with Yul-moo/Injo overthrowing Gwanghae as per history AND found a way to provide out OTP with the happy ending they deserve. I thought Yul-moo had relented too easily (as if the writer was like "okay, we need to wrap this up"), so I couldn't truly enjoy the happy moments until the 9-year flashforward. I'm so glad all named members of Team Nokdu survived and now live together.

Catch the Ghost: So Grasshopper Leader is the Ghost and Yoo Jin alive. But the drama seems to giving her a slightly sinister vibe at the end, which feels like a nonsensical red herring. I am happy for Yoo Ryung's sake. I do wonder how