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…

mary

Catch the Ghost: I almost ignored this show after seeing lots of complaints against the heroine (without context to guide me, as I’m just sorting them to remove spam, heh). But the pull of Kim Sun-ho’s dimples was too strong! I’m glad my shallow side won out because I ended up loving this show. Maybe I’m speaking with the benefit of a straight marathon, but I wasn’t repelled by Yoo Ryung’s recklessness at all. I’ve seen this type of character loads of times in dramaland, except it was the hero bulldozing through logic to get to the truth. What I liked about Yoo Ryung is she wasn’t the usual vendetta-obsessed robot who eventually only softens in the end. Despite breaking rules and causing trouble the whole series, Yoo Ryung is always sympathetic to the plight of victims and their families. Rather than being “softened” by the other half of the OTP, she was actually the one who made Ji-seok care about something again outside of his huge worry over his mom. That being said, everyone has limits. Yoo Ryung’s actions may be hard to tolerate for some viewers, but there are a bunch of other characters, stories, and dynamics in Catch the Ghost that are worth trying the show out for. I could write a whole love letter dedicated to the different relationships within the squad alone! After the last episode, I caught myself wondering how our subway squad is doing, which speaks a lot to how this drama made them seem like real people fighting undercover-ing to protect innocent train-riders. Goodbye, Show, I’m sorry it’s too late to give you a bean, but my heart will miss you just the same.

Psychopath Diary: For a self-confessed serial shipper, I sure am jumping from one thriller to another instead of finishing my rom-coms. But if we’re talking ships and chemistry, my current favorite is In-woo and Dong-shik’s misunderstanding-laden psychopathic bromance. Yoon Shi-yoon is a must-see in character as the normal-outcast-turned-outcast-by-choice trying to “hide his inner beast”. The show is so good at putting Dong-shik in dangerous situations where he pulls confidence from the belief that he’s a strong psychopath, even as we’re shouting at the screen, “You’re not! Run, you dumbass!” LOL It’s a morbidly funny case of how one’s outlook can totally change one’s life. Who else would laugh and think they’re winning even while they’re being beaten to a pulp? If I were up against Dong-shik, I’d probably start doubting myself too.

quirkycase

Currently recapping: Diary of a Prosecutor

Stove League: It’s refreshing to see a different setting in dramaland! And, surprisingly, I really enjoyed the premiere week. I say surprisingly because I hate team sports and can’t usually get into sports-themed stories. Although this is technically an underdog sports story, it’s a different take than usual. I like that we’re focusing on the off-season and what happens behind the scenes rather than getting another inspirational tale of team triumph. (Not that I hate inspirational stories or teamwork. Just sports.) I’m curious about our mysterious new manager and what his plans for the team are. That meeting where he proved all the management wrong was so satisfying. Oh, and I hate Im Dong-gyu.

Crash Landing on You: I knew going in I’d have to turn off my brain, and it certainly outdid itself with regards to ridiculousness. Now, I love campy ridiculousness when done right (a la An Empress’s Dignity), and this one has potential, but I’m not sold yet. I really didn’t like the first episode (although the whole tornado situation was hilarious) and wasn’t invested at all. But I found the second episode more engaging. So long as it doesn’t try to take itself seriously and goes all in, this could be a fun ride. I’ll just have to think of it as taking place in a parallel universe in which benign tornados whisk you into foreign lands where Hyun Bin is waiting to catch you.

No Second Chances: I’ve been binging this one thanks to the beanie posts, and I’ve finally caught up. The lead couple is great both individually and together. Bak-ha is awesome, and I’ll never tire of watching Hae-jun being owned by that adorable baby. That trio is the only reason I’m watching, to be honest. Everything else is just meh. I skip through all the other storylines at this point. Although I don’t mind the inn residents as an ensemble, I find their individual side plots boring. On another note, I’m starting to have a Pavlovian anger response to Hae-ri’s voice.

selena

Currently recapping: Black Dog

Crash Landing on You: This was more fun and zippy than I thought it’d be! I’ve missed Hyun Bin in dramaland. His deadpan delivery just does it for me, and he’s just always very charming in his roles. I’ve never actually watched anything that Sohn Ye-jin has done, but I’m liking her so far. They have great chemistry and I’m so excited for the fake fiancee shenanigans to come. The Se-ri character reminds me a lot of Chun Song-yi from You From Another Star. They’re both quirky and confident, which makes for a great female lead! I’m not sure how accurately this show portrays the North Korean lifestyle, but it’s definitely interesting to see them live out their day-to-day lives. The PPL here is is amazing and cracks me up!

 
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