236

Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching

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

Itaewon Class: I feel a little deflated after that finale. There was so much I enjoyed during most of the show’s run (that goofy chestnut haircut, unconventional characters, David-Goliath struggles), but I found the last few episodes so unfulfilling. Things started to fall flat for me around Geun-soo’s turn to the dark side and the time jump. When Geun-soo went to Jang Ga, it felt like he was a little kid trying to play dress up as a “bad boy.” At first I thought it was intentional, to show the viewers that Geun-soo was making bad choices rather than turning dark. But ultimately, I don’t even think that was the case and I just couldn’t reconcile Danbam Geun-soo with Jang Ga Geun-soo — not because I couldn’t believe that Geun-soo could turn bad, but because the change was so abrupt that I had trouble understanding it. There was a lot more that could have been done with his character, if only they’d left more room to characterize his story properly. As for the the time jump, it was too broad of a jump. It exacerbated weaknesses in the plot and characterizations and the shift in years left me with a sense of something missing. So many important plot points and character developments were just told to us, not shown, and since I couldn’t see it, I couldn’t quite feel it either. Itaewon Class deserved a better, more tightly plotted ending. 

 

missvictrix

Currently weecapping: Hyena, A Piece of Your Mind, and Rugal

I’ll Find You on a Beautiful Day: It’s been a crazy week in the world, at work, and at home… but boy do I ever look forward to sinking into this drama two nights a week! It’s like that delicious throw blanket that makes you feel instantly cozy. And I know I say this every time, but I really loved this week’s episodes. Eun-seob’s silent/hidden meltdown after Hae-won’s confession just rang so true to me. Long-term unrequited love, they say, relies a lot on fantasy and putting the other person on a pedestal, which is exactly what Eun-seob has done to Hae-won over the years. But adoring someone untouchable from afar, and being confronted with their realness, closeness, and humanness, are two totally different things. So I loved his fear, his meltdown, and I even loved the way the drama handled his token dramatic fever.

In fact, the only thing I don’t like about this drama right now is that sometimes the end-of-scene cuts seem a little sharp and sudden. Is it just me? I’m still deciding whether this is because they’re being choosy about when to cut scenes (with time constraints in mind), or if it’s because the editing has been a bit rushed? The drama is gorgeously paced and edited otherwise — maybe that’s why some of these scene cuts seem harsh in comparison. Anyway, I forgive them of this. And I thank them for that lovely, appropriately Episode-8-ending kiss. It was perfect.

 

quirkycase

Currently recapping: I’ll Find You on a Beautiful Day

Itaewon Class: I barely managed to trudge through the last four episodes. The more we got into the business stuff and the time skip, the more disjointed and boring it all became. What made it fun and interesting in the beginning dwindled as it got more and more absurd. It was always intentionally a bit over the top, but it tipped over into the ridiculous with all the kidnapping, attempted murder and gang fighting. By the end, all the characters felt like a faded version of themselves which was a shame. I knew they’d force a romantic pairing, but that trajectory was disappointing for me too. All in all, it was an okay show that didn’t live up to its potential.

Hi Bye, Mama!: Seo-woo is so freakin’ cute. I love that adorable smile she gets when she’s with her moms. The scene with the three of them walking home was precious. Both moms’ love for Seo-woo is real and equally valid. It’s interesting how both Yu-ri and Min-jung envy each other’s positions since it’s something they can’t ever achieve. Min-jung will always be the stepmom, no matter how hard she tries, and it makes her feel inadequate. At least she has Yu-ri on her side. Watching Yu-ri crusade against books villainizing stepmoms was awesome. It’s so sweet how Yu-ri takes care of Min-jung. The ladies’ bonding session at the bar (and the fight over Hyun-jung) was great. I really love the women of this show.

365: Repeat the Year: This is exactly what I was hoping for, and I love it. It has such an intriguing, fun premise with just enough mystery. The whole survival aspect of the show ramps up the tension and unpredictability factor. Plus, the characters are interesting and flawed, which I like. So far nothing is clear except everyone is much more connected than they were led to believe. And that lady is shady. I can’t wait to find out what’s going on and how this will all play out. I think it’s only 24 episodes (12 hours in total) which gives me hope it may be able to keep tight storytelling all the way through.

Hyena: I’m a little late to this party, but I finally picked this up after reading a bunch of good things. Kim Hye-soo and Joo Ji-hoon are fantastic together. What interesting characters! I’m much more concerned with whether a character is interesting than if they’re “likable,” so this is right up my alley. Geum-ja, in particular, is such a great character—she’s quite the oddball with her bold fashion choices (sports coats over tracksuits!) and her complete disregard of what anyone may think of her. She’s unscrupulous and makes no attempt to hide it. I’ve only watched the first four or so episodes so far, but it has impressed me so far.

 
RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , , , ,

236

Required fields are marked *

Can't feel anything. left no interest in any kind of media. There is nothing in life without Sports and Politics.

JAPAN - movies that i can't seem to complete.

Korea -

Whether - overly dramatic once more. You just don't feel for any character.
Ai guy - mind or not but you are trying to compete with whether dude. drama queen in action.
got memory - three miserable heros fighting with each other for viewers. this one is proper soup.
365 - as predicted taken from japanese media. typical slow annoying 1st week.
None of these shows have much credibility or substance. all of them get 4 or below in rating.

Hospital Playlist - 6.5/10 this one has no competition whatsoever.

0
8
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hospital Playlist is on another level for me as well.
(That doesn't mean I can't also enjoy the other shows 😀)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

There is a Mainland Chinese show on Viki named SKATE INTO LOVE. It involves Hockey- which is a very exciting and fast paced sport. Maybe that would help with the sports part.

1
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Comment was deleted

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Is it anything like the US film, The Cutting Edge? I always enjoyed that story, because I love figure skating, and it was fun to watch the hockey player learn how to be a pairs skater.

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

That is a fav of mine.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I remember that movie. This is a much different drama- although it also involves a figure skater. But the hockey player is there to play hockey. There is also a third ice sport in the drama: Short Track Speed Skating.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Fluff irritates me and that actress who's like in every other romantic show is enough to infuriate me. I put these kinds of shows in porn category(to most ppl dislike)
These days i'm watching match highlights of greatest games ever played from 3 different sports as well as political documentaries.

@screentime I look down upon the medium of escapism and i find it demeaning to an extent. That's why i always stay away from such stuff.

Ghibli is the only soothing experience i can take refugee in.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

@catocat
I get where you are coming from.

P.S> if you are in a mood for interesting political documentaries, you may find this lecture one an interesting take.
"A Speech to Europe 2019 | Timothy Snyder - Judenplatz 1010" (on youtube). I hadn't thought about Europe in this frame before and Snyder makes a compelling case for it as a way of understanding the EU...even for us non-Europeans.

For me, the best escapist shows unexpectedly hit you hard from the side when you aren't expecting it. They manage to embed some critique within the fluff and it rattles around until it sends your mind reeling into reverse as you re-write everything you thought about it. Their construction has a different dramatic gradient (that's just the genre) so it often needs a recalibration to see if/where they are making their critiques.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

@catocat

If you are lost on normal programming ATM...maybe you might find some watching happiness by either leaning into it or going the escapist route. J has a treasure trove of movies/TV worth a revisit - particularly the early stuff.

LEANING IN.
- I am a hero
- Tokyo Living Dead Idol (hilarious shlock romp)
- Tokyo Ghoul
- Today I date the Yesterday's You
- Battle Royale
- Her Love Boils Bathwater
- Grave of the Fireflies. (don't look up the alternate theories)
- Cyborg She
- Akira

Escapist
- Tampopo
- A Taxing Woman
- My Love Story!!
- Sailor Suit and Machine Gun

JDrama has some of best source of escapist tv I know of - I suspect its their strong inheritance of visual metaphor from manga/anime. Nearly anything from Kurosawa and Ghibli could be in both lists depending on your mood.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

When the Weather is Fine: Super love this romantice drama. I love every scenes. The cinematography and scenery are on point. Soundtrack tooo... Very outstanding. I like the plot, the romance. Even tho it's slow pace, but I am waiting patiently for the leads to fall in love to each other.
Thanks to the Director, Writer and couple Seo Kang Joon - Park Min Young for working very good. Btw the fashion in this drama is also niceeee (add... thanks to the wardrobe team).

Hospital Playlist: Who doesnt like this kind of drama. To Director Shin and Writer Woo Joong we trust. Oh and I wont be fooled again by the writer-nim for the plot twist. Ah. I really love this drama.

365: This is it! The theme is so interesting. I like leads characters. I came for Lee Jun Hyuk, and It's good that Nam Ji Hyun takes different role this time. 4 eps already. I waiting for more.

8
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love that green parka coat and those sorel boots I wanted to give as a birthday present to my sister.

3
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Cool! Wow watching kdrama can be the source of our inspiration of bday gifts too :)

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I actually wanted to do so in January, that's why I was like they're doing this logic PPL really nicely.😁

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Haewon's coats! (*swoon)

4
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yup. The boots as well. And those pretty cardigans :)

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Korean dramas have character with great coats!

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

c'mon... how'd she pack all those cute puffy puffy jackets in her suitcase and that one duffle...
: D

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I thought that the Corona Times would at least have one advantage - more time for dramas 🙂 Allas, juggling work, kids, home schooling, cooking for everyone etc seems to be quite time consuming. And we are swamped with new dramas! Ottoke?!

I at least managed to check Half of a half and... I don't know. The show can be poetic and I like the recording studio and stuff around... and I also like watching Chae Soo Bin and Jung Hae In 😆 but... what is with that silly trip in Norway, alone in the snowy wilderness???

No time for Cat L, sticking to Weather, which narratively says too little, and to Find Me in Your Memory, which narratively says too much. Enjoying both nevertheless. Weather for its silent moments and book club meetings, Memory for its humour.

Hospital was too sad this week. And I was not prepared for that. Thus I had to balance it with Koi wa Tsuzuku 🙂 7 episodes in and I quite I like it. I also like whenever Nanase is shown as Yusha (a big hero / warrior) and wears the armour 😁

Finished Kono Otoko and, well, the first half was definitely better than the cliche and a bit boring second half. Though, I was happy that the Big Accident was not staged by the Hero... and the reason why he was saved made me laugh 😁😁

Stay safe and healthy, Beanies!!! 😘

6
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm currently binge watching Koi wa Tsuzuku, but kind of lost interest as I'm approaching the end of the series...bcoz I've already downloaded the full series, so I might just endure it till the end. Heh..😅

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm live-watching a LOT of dramas right now - Nobody Knows, When the Weather is Fine, Memorist, Hospital Playlist and Hi Bye Mama and enjoying them all. Though I do find myself fast-forwarding through Hi Bye Mama every now and then.

Also started 2 of the new ones - A Piece of Your Mind and Welcome. A Piece of Your Mind was lovely but Welcome was a little too cheesy for my taste. Will give it another week or so. Will wait to binge 365 and Rugal since I don't want the suspense to kill me week on week.

Also bingeing Watcher which I missed last year. I had thought it might be too graphic for my taste but compared to Memorist, this one's much more palatable. I certainly get the Stranger-style intrigue even though the characters are possibly less interesting.

6
10
reply

Required fields are marked *

I loved Watcher. It did had that Stranger vibe (normal, they share the same director), and I loved that not everything is always what it seems. No one is totally good or bad. I'd love a second season for this one, I've kept saying from the minute it ended.

8
9
reply

Required fields are marked *

I couldn't watch beyond the second episode... I can't against violence, gore... and thrillers generally, even if it is quality (I once accidentally watched 6th Sense, which I consider a very good movie (plus Toni Collette 😍), and couldn't sleep well for many nights after). I also can't do zombies... thus... sorry Train to Busan (my husband loved it)... and Kingdom...

1
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I feel you on that. I literally watched the last few minutes of Memorist Ep 5 through my fingers with my hands over my eyes 😨

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I like suspense thrillers like 6th Sense but not violence and gore like you. I watched Train to Busan with hubby but have not ventured into Kingdom so far. I can only endure zombies for so long. 😂 Needless to say OCN fare is not my cup of tea.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm not into zombies either.
I haven't watched Train to Busan and not planning to (despite my beloved Gong Yoo) and Kingdom, I may give it a try, but maybe not.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Definitely going to watch Watcher now!

4
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Plus it has Han Suk Kyu and Seo Kang Joo.

4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I would have given “Watcher” a couple of beans for last year’s show.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Another rec here for Watcher. It was one of my favorites of 2019. Plus, it finally put a name to the beautiful guy whose In Style photos I saw floating around, with no name attached - Seo Kang Joo. And it also introduced me to Han Suk Kyu, who is the reason why I watched Romantic Doctor Kim 1 and 2. (And season 2 gave me an intro to the lovely Ahn Hyo-seop, who I think has a lot of potential to be a classic romantic lead. Those big brown eyes that well up with tears so beautifully!)

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I just started with Ep. 7. It's certainly keeping me hooked so far. Will probably finish it over the weekend if that's good!

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Quarantine makes me watch a lot of dramas. This is the most I watch at one time in years.

Nobody knows
I'm loving every minute of it. I dunno what to say other than I love it.

365 Repeat the year
The first two eps delivered. I just watching it because it's on my cable tv and I like it. But instead of Death Note, it is more like Final destination to me? and Lee Shin sure walk a lot everytime she meet the group. Cant they just make them come to her room or something but yes, that set is pretty.

Find me in your memory
Another unintentional watch. I just check it out because of Kim Dong Wook but I like what I watch so far. A bit heavy on the flashback but I like Yeo Hajin chaotic energy. But the pain and heartbreak are coming fast and melo is not my genre

Memorist
The latest ep is a bore. Not sure whether I'll continue tbh. Just hope they dont drop a cute bts again because that's how they get me to continue watching till now

Hospital playlist - on hold

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have been on a drama slump for a long time but I am starting to watch more dramas these days. My favorite from the new batch so far is Find Me in Your Memory. I am really liking Ha Jin's character. She seems like the dim pure hearted heroine but she is not so dim. I like her optimism. She is also very pretty.

Jung Hoon is also not as indifferent as he seems, he is intrigued by her despite himself. I usually don't like stalker stories but in this case it looks like it will test Jung Hoon's resolve of staying away from Ha Jin.

This is also one drama where I don't find the main leads being polar opposites (the man who can't forget vs. the woman who can't remember) artificial as it seems to be both linked to the same incident.

4
19
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have also been enjoying the serenity of I’ll Find You on a Beautiful Day. I have been a fan of Seo Kang Joon since Are You Human Too and he is expressing Eun Sub's feelings quite well even in quiet scenes. This is slow and melancholy done well. I am annoyed by the Bo Young's character a bit (actually a lot, I really dislike the sickly sweet on the outside but underhanded characters) and didn't understand Eun Sub's motives in the last week (felt like a delaying tactic to push the union to the end of episode 8).

8
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Seo Kang Joon was fantastic in Human... and he was also good in Charm. I'm now fan as well. 🙂

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I like SKJ too. He acts well and good range. But his choice of dramas is a little weak, not all to my taste. I wish he can make it big like PSJ but with this slow drama with low ratings I am not sure if he can.... still a very long way to go.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have given up on A Piece of You Mind after the first week. It wasn't the slow pace that turned me off but the whole unrequited love, the way characters treated each other and events rang false and incomprehensible to me. I disliked Ha Won's stalkerish and unethical behavior, Seo Woo's meddling (albeit well-intentioned) and disclosing other people's private business to people even she didn't know, Ji Soo's indecisiveness and inconsistency etc. etc. Lee Ha Na is completely miscast as someone who is supposed to be Ha Won's age and calls him samchun. The mystery didn't intrigue me and the unrequited love bored me. I would rather not have either of the leads met Ji Soo.

4
6
reply

Required fields are marked *

Have some of same quibbles about A piece of your mind as you, found the stalking of woman (especially one with mental health issues) disturbing, as well as using an employee to meddle in... But I'm giving it another chance, just in case everything falls into place (and because I don't want to say goodbye to the leads just yet)

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I will also give it another week, to see if it gets better, but it has to improve a lot. I love the leads as well, I don't want to drop it, but...
... the stalking was creepy.
... Jin Soo and Seo Woo relation was creepy, and the phone call during the suicide attempt was cruel to say the least.
... everything was confusing and nothing made sense.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

These are exactly my thoughts on APOYM. I gave up. Jung Hae In must love to be in heavy dramas. I'll just love him from afar.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't think there is any actor or actress that I would watch a crappy drama for!

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Im sorry to say this but, you just watched the first two episodes right?. Give it another chance, it just started. A Piece of your mind was not bad. I think Ha-Won's part is the best. The whole point is that Seo-Woo is 'helping' Lee Ha-Na because of Hawon, which she Seo woo was suprise to find about. But, if you dont like it, I respect your decisions. Im not forcing you to watch it either.
No hate. Just saying
:)

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

With how busy I am right now I am sorry to say that it is getting only two episodes from me. If I hear beanies who continue to watch say it improved substantially I may come back to it later but I am live watching three other shows and will be starting two more that started this weekend. I was already thinking I should drop at least one that isn't as compelling as the others and for me this is the weakest ink at the moment.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have just finished the first episode of Welcome and I am intrigued by the cat-boy and the girl who triggers his transformation. I was also intrigued by the fact that Jae Sun seems to know the connection between catboy and Sol Ah.

I found Do Shik to be a strange friend the way he kept pushing her to do uncomfortable things. I think a friend should help you reality test but also be a bit more understanding.

I felt for Sol Ah when she was blindsided by her dad's illness and felt completely sidelined to the point she was thankful for having a pet she doesn't even like.

I found the little animal drawings cute and the analogies between people and animals interesting. I think I will keep watching this one as well.

4
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree about the friend. But I guess it's not ridiculous that he's pushing a romance between his friends, it's just obnoxious.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

It wasn't just the romance either. His attitude was the same when Sol Ah was talking about her father. He seemed to be very pushy about everything as a friend.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have been writing even less than watching so I have finished a whole classic in the background since the last time I wrote here. As part of my So Ji Sub homage I finally watched Thousand Years of Love (2003). And my God, his hair was awful. It only marginally improved after the haircut. There were manes of shame in the historical parts of the drama but surprisingly the modern version was a hundred times worse.

The unexpected star sightings were Kim Sa Rang and Lee Sun Kyun in supporting roles. I haven't watched Sung Yu Ri in anything before and found her really pretty.

Surprisingly I found it quite watchable and interesting.

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Omg, I had forgotten all about Thousand Years of Love, thanks for the reminder! I mostly remember the struggling fashion designers in their little hovel.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

The fashion in the drama was interesting to say the least. Not only the clothes the guys made for women but also the way So Ji Sub dressed must have been the height of fashion of the day. LOL.

I thought the second male lead has an interesting and different face (and the better haircut) but I have never seen him anywhere else.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have also just finished Forest as I am a completist and rarely quit a drama I started. Like many, I found it quite underwhelming. Jo Bo Ah thankfully toned down her overacting and I did like the second leads but Sang Hyuk's motives and the drama's plot of him infiltrating the rescue team etc. were just too far fetched. The "look how evil I'm" villain was too cardboard cliche to the point of his maniacal laughter and videotaping his bad deeds!

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Many of us watched simply for the fun of pointing out everything that was wrong. But the second leads almost managed to redeem a hopeless show-it is a shame that they did not get more screen time.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I binged those first 8 eps. I'm so glad I did. Totally loving it. The leads are cute together even if he is fighting it. Contract relationships are my catnip.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Finished: BEAUTIFUL LOVE, WONDERFUL LIFE: As I expected, it was a terrible "all happy" weekender ending. It was really terrible that Jin-woo manipulated his ex-wife and mother into his corner, but never changed his stripes (he continues to run the company). Cheong-Ah "weekend marriage" in the countryside was unbelievable.
HIT THE TOP: The ending was bad because the writer messed up on a time traveling paradox. If you die in the past, you cannot live in the future as a copy ("one person, one soul" theory).
Enjoying: HI BYE MAMA: The show should just be about three lead women. Their interactions and bonding moments are gold.
Dropped: MEOW . . . Episode one appears to be a lame version of Angel's Last Mission but in cat form.
May Add: ONCE AGAIN, but pensive about another 100 episode weekender.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I thought that these days with the lockdown I would have more time to catch up with my dramas, but there are so many good dramas every week that I've began more than I can handle so far...

365 Repeat the year. I like it a lot, despite the fact that I don't like NJH a little bit. But so far she's doing fine. The story is intriguing, and I'm having so much fun. Waiting for new eps.

I'll find you on a Beautiful day. I'm totally in this one. Please show, continue this path and let our OTP heal their wounds and grow their love together. And please, more Bookclub, Hwi and JangWoo.

A piece of your mind. Second episode was confusing and infuriating. I'll give it the chance to explain in next weeks episodes. I'd be really sorry to drop a drama with Jung Hae In and Chae Soo Bin, but it has to change a lot for me to stay.

Memorist. I'm having so much fun with this one, and I love the leads, their acting and how they interact. I'm specially fond of SunMi, I love this FL that knows what to do and considerate all possibilities to solve a case, even the fact that his best ally can be the culprit she's looking for. Yay, SunMi, you RULE.

Hi Bye, Mama! There has not been a single episode in this drama I haven't cried buckets. And laugh out loud as well. I'm also in love with supercute SeoWoo and I'm intrigued on how things will evolve with YuRi, although my believe is that she will not stay and will ascend.

On pause and I hope I can resume them: Tell me what you saw, Nobody knows.

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Loving Hyena and When the weather! The first because it's fun and sexy, the second because it's pretty and soothing.

When the weather is making me very afraid that it will chew my heart out. I'm realising too late that this might me
a melo, it can take an angsty turn... And I'm super invested in the characters, oh no! Besides, I'm mesmerized by Seo Kang Joon's face, so it's too late for me to drop this, even if it becomes a cry-fest... Anyway, the character ensemble in it is lovely, and I trust they will lift the mood if the OTP meets a roadblock. Wish me luck, Beanies!

8
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Lousy Seo Kang Joon!!
How dare he has that gorgeous face?
(*puppy*)

4
reply

Required fields are marked *

365: Repeat the Year It was interesting to see how things are connected. I really want to know the all story.

Nobody Knows Hum.. I want to watch it but I don't find motivation. Not really logical, I know.

I'll Find You on a Beautiful Day What a great end of episode :D

A Piece of Your Mind I'm really intrigued by this drama : the characters and the AI. The AI's parts were really nice, I want to know more about its potential.

Welcome I want the cat to be only a cat and the FL with the cafe owner. All the cat changing in a human was weird, not really cute for me.

Find Me in Your Memory The story was slow in these 2 episodes, I hope it will speed up a little bit. KDW is so charming!

Memorist It's rare to see only the ML and the FL together during almost all an episode.

Hospital Playlist The fact we don't know for sure how many seasons there will be makes me wonder if it will become a Korean version of "How I Met Your Mother"... But the casting is great and I love the characters.

Itaewon Classs I think this drama had great ideas and challenged prejudices but it failed in the execution and sadly didn't left a real impact.

Maybe I will try Hyena and A Couple's World.

No Weekend's dramas, it was almost a torture with the last ones.

5
8
reply

Required fields are marked *

And now that you’ve mentioned that Hospital Playlist may have future seasons makes me want to cry my happy tears. If it can be this good as the past few episodes, I’d definitely tune in for the future seasons as well.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

For me, it's the opposite. Koreans love to end an episode with cliffhanger. I don't want to know how they will end up the season if they hope for a next season.

I want a real end with the character's stories.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

The real impact of IC is with the acting. Most artists have been upgraded to the next level in popularity and status. I hope Geun Soo (sorry don’t know his real name) can be a lead in a youth drama next. Story fell flat after the time leap but acting was still going strong so I stay because of the acting.

2
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

While some acted well, I think acting was one of the deficiencies. Better acting would’ve made this more believable, vs the jarring transition it provided us.

Who acted well: the 2 FL acted well. The older brother Guen Woo acted well.

Who fell flat: I’m really sorry to say this as Park Seo Joon is one of my favourites (I watched 7of his kdramas!) but he was bland and singular note in IC. He was good in first few eps then afterwards I cannot relate to him. Part of it is the story but part of the blame must go to him. And since he’s the protagonist , this weakens the overall acting of the series.

Guen Soo - agree. He was serviceable as a nice guy but transition was jarring when he crossed over. It could’ve been so delicious (think Nicolas Cage in Faceoff) but instead it highlighted the limitation of his acting skills and mediocrity of this drama in general.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Nicolas Cage has no more offer so he is off the topic. He is old so that explains all. Not sure about your assessment of PSJ but he has been getting offers so you are a bit off in your assessment too. I don't find PSJ bland but it is your opinion not mine.

1
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Nicolas Cage is a good actor, bit I'm not sure his style would fit IC. I'm trying to think of a kdrama actor like Cage, different style for sure.
There are a lot of actors who are around his age or older that do amazing work and bring viewers. Though there is definitely ageism in the entertainment industry.
But Keanu Reeves, Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Robert Downey JR.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Joaquin Phoenix will fit.

2

@candycane,
Kim Dong-here (our Geun-soo) is a lead in the upcoming drama EXTRACURRICULAR airing on Netflix supposedly Apr. 29, 2020. The cast includes one of my favorites Choi Min-soo. If I am reading its wiki entry correctly the drama is preproduced.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extracurricular_(TV_series)

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yesterday tried A piece of your mind and... the jury is still out! Love the leads, love the OST (although it was a bit too sad for my poor heart in ep 2). Need to see more, but that poor woman wondering about in weather inappropriate attire got on my nerves, hope there's a logical explanation for everything.

Finally, I'm going to watch the cat thing with my kids. They're also loving Glee. Yup, asked for Beanie counsel, and then went my own way (don't kill me, Beanies, blame Netflix and Viki in my region), but they're loving all the singing and dancing... Anyway, I'm taking all the recs into consideration and will watch some of those dramas! Trust me, we have lockdown to go for miles

5
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I loved the first few seasons of Glee, after that I started losing interest. Might be because of Cory Monteith's death--he made the show for me.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Kingdom: I completed season 2 in a few days. I like the pacing and that answers are being given regarding the virus that, so far, actually makes sense. A few too many scenes of people telling the Crown Prince they must go now as they look toward a door about to burst open with zombies. Tick tock people.

I'll Find You on a Beautiful Day: I just started this a few days ago and since I am in the same situation as a lot of people, I have quickly caught up. I like a nice slice of life show that does a bit of a melo but also humor. I am a little bummed that we are going to have the hero with a tragic past. I would have preferred perhaps just a quiet, introverted man....they exist in nature, you know. I married one and am mother to another. I think they have to go all angsty background to get the 16 episodes because the first half did focus on the female lead's character with her aunt and mom etc.

I have found myself not interested in starting dramas when they first begin their run so might jump into Hyena or eventually Hospital Playlist. Also still need to watch last 4 episodes of Romance is a Bonus Book.

4
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

🙈 I have the last 4 episodes to finish for RIABB as well! I was so excited to watch when it first started, but later just couldn't find myself caring as to what happens next . I didn't feel the chemistry between the leads 😩

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I also lost interest in RIABB after several episodes but still watched it till the end. But surprisingly after some time when I rewatched the drama I loved it

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I started the first episode and lost interest, haven't gone back yet--maybe when I run out of options.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Also watching: Find Me in Your Memory - I think Agency CEO is also Ik Jun’s mom (the voice!).
Dropped: I'll Find You on a Beautiful Day / Memorist

365: Repeat the Year (Episode 1-4)
Lee Joon Hyuk is playing the good lead role in a non-romance drama! Hooray! Okay, but more than just that, I find the editing in the premiere episodes thoughtful and impactful which is great news. Any speculation in a time travel show will be hard but here goes: of all the resetters, we are still left in the dark about the scrapyard worker’s as well as the gamer’s motivations for coming back one year ago which makes them rather suspicious. As Yang Dong Geun is in the show’s press conference, his character will probably be the one to look at, whether his an ally or an enemy.

Hospital Playlist (Episode 3)
Husband hunt it is not! I’m surprised that it was the resident that gave Song Hwa the shoes: hopefully he’ll convert his silent crush into something more. Jun Wan’s random actions made me laugh this week: driving away in the golf cart as his bosses talk, chomping down on his chocolate cake, leeching off the wedding dinner, getting the trainees to pose in the operating room and using an emotional hook to attract them to his discipline. But despite his gruff exterior, he is no less empathetic as compared to someone like Song Hwa. It seems like Seok Hyung divorced due to a past miscarriage.

Nobody Knows (Episode 7-8)
Both good and evil(?) get one step ahead in the cliffhangers as Young Jin and Sang Ho finally contact the people they desired to meet. I did fear that Min Sung’s mother would present another obstacle to the investigation when she wasn’t even related to the school/church/cult issues (and this would be another needless drag on the writing) but that did not happen thanks to Young Jin’s mentor, so yay! I feel that Tae Hyung is not too ingrained into the cult just yet, if he could make amends with Sun Woo, freeing himself might be a possibility. But Sun Woo has to free himself from the web first.

Hi Bye, Mama! (Episode 9-10)
I have mixed feelings after watching this week’s episodes. On one hand, the egg incidents for both Kang Hwa and Keun Sang were hilarious and the comedy there flowed well with the story and didn’t feel forced. We also had developments for all the characters in the main arc and the show used the cameo well to close off some side arcs. On the other hand however, we are no way near the conclusion of the side ghosts’ stories (some haven’t even started!) and a grim reaper is already here to rush matters. 6 episodes to go, 1 big reveal left (Min Jung) and anxiety for the ending that will come.

5
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree with you in the editing (and also cinematography) of 365. It's fantastic!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

So, with everything going on, I should easily find the time to catch up on a lot of dramas... but I find myself not being able to concentrate and immerse into the story as I usually do. This leads to a lot of postponing and watching only one episode per week, because I need to find a matching mood and attention span for the shows.

Shows that I watched both episodes of:

- When The Weather Is Fine - Nicely done, still I hope Eun Sob is able to seek treatment for his mental health problems soon. And more Lee Jae Wook, please. Wait, he is not the main character? OK, I'll wait patiently for the show they announced lately where he will finally play the lead.

- Welcome (or is it called Meow?) - When I read about this show I thought I had seen enough of L playing some supernatural being. But this is exactly what I need right now. Fluffy, weird, lots of pets, people acting like posh cats (the father for example is on point, love the actor) and clingy dogs, I love it.

Still have to watch the back episode of
- Find Me In Your Memory, 365 - Repeat The Year

On hold, but to be continued when the mood matches: One Day or someday.
Not so sure about A Piece Of Your Mind. Will check it out one day, but I seem to need something more uplifting at the moment.

And of course, HYENA is my favorite show at the moment, can't wait for tonight's episode!

3
14
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh, and one more comment about MEOW - I am so relieved they got a real cat! After all the weird CGI-Tiger-Action last year (Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter, Hotel del Luna etc.) I was dreading more of weird moving felines and interactions between the actors and clearly some ping pong balls in production. But this cat (or rather these cats?) is real and does a really good job. I hope she gets something else than the PPL cat food they are promoting, or as a friend's veterinarian called it "crack for cats"...

1
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

We love the cat too. There was also a great non-CGI cat in BECAUSE THIS IS OUR FIRST LIFE who was also very much a character in the show and non just a feline prop.

4
6
reply

Required fields are marked *

Played by two different cats, you know! Mint and Lime!

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes, I remember, it was such a pivotal moment when she named it Woori! The show was great in reminding us to feed and care for a cat and recycle properly.
When she fed the cat milk in the second episode of Welcomeow I was really concerned, but the show redeemed itself when she had to take it (him?) to the veterinarian. I hope nobody switched the episode off before and thought "well, why not give my cat some milk to cheer it up?"

2

I c an see why they needed two- the cat character actually gets a lot of screen time.

1

My favorite "real cat" drama was, "Imaginary Cat." That was a wonderful use of a living cat, and the cat was the best actor ever.

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I was in it for the cat and Han Ye-ri's voice.

0

Thank you for the suggestion, I will check it out!

0

As for L's acting in WELCOME: I was curious to see how well he would do in this show. So far- I am not encouraged. This time he does not have Shin Hye-sun to work with. You are right that it is the FL that makes this show work (and the cat). But it is still a fun show.

1
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

ah crap. Is that why he was decent in Angel's Last Mission (I just finished that yesterday)? It's Hye Sun? I was really hoping he improved his acting.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Most of the actors she has worked with (like Sung Hoon in FIVE CHILDREN) are noticeably better actors after working with her. (although Sung Hoon had actually done a very good job as a secondary character in OH MY VENUS and had actually carried the short episode web drama NOBLE MY LOVE) She is the ultimate master of her craft and seems to teach her counterparts well when they do a show together.

How good is Shin Hye-sun? ANGEL'S LAST MISSION was actually a very poorly written drama- there were serious logical flaws in the script based upon even more serious logical flaws in the way that inconsistent world views were mashed together by the writer. Yet, thanks to the fantastic acting of Shin Hye-sun as well as an unexpectedly good performance by L starting at around the third or fourth episode, it was a good show anyway- at the time it was even my favorite show despite its flaws.

I would like to think that maybe L is just off to a slow start in this one. Pease note that in the first episodes he actually does not get to do much at all beyond carrying the FL's father down the stairs. So in my opinion we should be a little patient with L.

And this show is fun in any case, so I will keep watching.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Personally, I love cat L as much as angel L. He has great, super dorky mannerisms and isn't overbearing. I think it's easy for someone to play a cat and just be wayy over the top, but so far I think L is just cute and quirky enough in the role.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Agree. LJW seems to be wasted in that drama. His character is so watered down, not sure what is the significance, maybe just as the one only token friend. He has no storyline at all. Puffff I will rewatch Search WWW for more satisfaction of his acting.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree with you about Lee Jae Wook in WTWIF--I'd like to see the female lead fall for him instead of Eun Sob.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

What I finished this week:

The Novelist
Mood Indigo
Your Name (movie)

Hoping I'll finish its run:

Hospital Playlist -- ensemble casting with this director/writer combo is always top notch.

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

A Piece of Your Mind: I spent the first two episodes completely confused. The conversations characters had made no sense and the characters’ actions made no sense.

I’ll Find You on a Beautiful Day: Still loving it.

365: Repeat the Year: The first week was fast-paced and the plot is intriguing.

Hospital Playlist: I was pretty meh about Episodes 1-2, but I really enjoyed Episode 3. I was happy to see more of Jo Jung-seok in Episode 3. Ik-joon and Song-hwa are my favorites.

Hi Bye, Mama!: Yuri and Min-jung are my OTP.

Hyena: Joo Ji-hoon’s reactions make me laugh.

4
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm so relieved to read so many beanies are confused with A piece of your mind. I hope next week's episodes will make more sense (or a just a little).
I hate to see two actors I like doing nonsense.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hyena Ep 11-12: I can almost feel my second bean coming. I am digging the bit of romance that we get and the fact that the show isn't as deeply mired in the legal side of things but is more like a heist show. The recent eps may not have been as fast paced and thrilling as the initial 4 eps had been, but the show continues to be a hoot to watch, with special thanks to the amazing cast. Kim Hye Soo's character is badass and just plain freaking awesome. Joo Ji Hoon is also killing it of course. But Jung Geum Ja is the character I will miss when this show ends. Aggressive FLs like her, who have a clear goal in mind and will do everything and anything to reach that goal, everyone else be damned, come once in a blue moon. She isn't cold and unfeeling, but her ambition is greater, stronger. She's been through hell and back, and it has hardened her and made her tougher than rocks. That's the type of FLs I want more of. And Kim Hye Soo has always been a total crush. I am also glad that the way too close, way too wide, stare downs between the leads have been toned down haha. We are gearing up for the final quarter where things are bound to get dark and serious, and I cannot wait to see what the show has in store for us.

A Piece of Your Mind Ep 1-2: To start things off, I do not like such aesthetics. AT ALL. Retro has come back in a big way in recent years, a wistful longing for the glamorized "simpler times", and we see this also inevitably trickle into dramas. There's a new trend amongst melodrama romances - old-fashioned production design elements (wooden structures, analog tools and instruments, minimum metal structures and other signs of modern life, etc.), lots of flares and soft focus, film grain, muted color palettes washed with sepia and cold blue/grey, dialogues being delivered barely above a whisper, snow, sound design that relies mostly on classical pieces, Le Silence, people walking around looking plain miserable, and of course, the same miserable people walking around randomly quoting poems or novels. To me, all these elements together just scream try-hard and obnoxious, majorly turning me off (also why I dropped When The Weather Is Fine). So watching this, I already wanted to bang my head against something. The FL's baffling, contrived, actions and interactions made me want to bang my head some more. All this meant that I should have dropped this...except I found myself drawn in, and the person/thing to majorly thank for that would be the AI aspect of it. Even outside of the contrast between our man-of-less-words ML and his AI creation which is ready to spew all his innermost feelings to anyone who will listen, it also creates an odd little contrast with the world built up around it. It makes the very foreign little device feel far more fascinatingly strange and mystical than it would otherwise be and I hope that it becomes a pretty central element of the plot. There's a lot of interesting things that can be...

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

There's a lot of interesting things that can be done with it in this setup. The show is still on pretty thin ice with me however. While I am curious, what with the show having dropped us in the middle of a story, there's only so much that it can do to carry a whole romance show for me.

Meow, the Secret Boy Ep 1-4: The show starts with an interview of pet owners as they talk about their love for their pets and, as an animal lover, that was the aspect I got invested in. Having our cat be able to transform into a human does an interesting little thing - break down all communication barriers and clearly show us the unconditional love that pets have for us. All the things L instinctively did for her in these eps had me MELT with love. The problem? The show pushing that as romance and already showing us a bit of angst. Um....HE IS A CAT. I know I know, "this was in the synopsis. Why did you watch it then?". But I thought that maybe he was primarily a human who could just shape shift. But no. He is primarily a cat. He has stayed a cat his whole life, didn't know he could turn into a human and, most importantly, HE AGES LIKE A CAT. THE F-. I am also not fond of L's acting. His portrayal is very surface level. I would say that the actual cat is better at acting like he is slightly human ROFLMAO. The second ML is not doing well with his character either. The only one doing well is the FL. I will still give it one more week and see how it goes. I do need some fluff in my life. Finally, wth is up with excusing typical tsundere jerks by saying they are just "cat-like people"?

DROPPED

Some Day or One Day: Chen Yun Ru was the one I got invested in while I couldn't connect with the main couple and their romance at all. So when I figured out who the OTP was in ep 3, I had to bounce. Sure, she gets a conciliatory prize, but come on! Her first bright memory in the diary, set to the croons of "come away, come away with me, no more tears, no more fears, with me", as Li Zi Wei makes her smile. The single tear that escaped from her eyes when she was in her coma, watching the FL's memories of Li Zi Wei play out, and he said "I will hold you, that way, even if you dream, you won't be afraid anymore". How could I ever settle for anyone else for her when she looks at him that way? When he affects her so?

PLAN-TO-WATCH

The World of The Married: Kim Hee Ae. 'Nuff said.

3
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

@christina41218, if you dropped Someday or One Day at ep 3 because of the reasons you point out, you might want to go back. Trust me, everything pans out nicely and, yes, Huang Yu Xuan has more space in this story than Chen Yun Ru, but she also has an interesting development arc

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

365 Repeat a Year: I am thoroughly enjoying this. I like how the show slowly unveils things.

Nobody Knows: Continues to be interesting and heart pounding. The lead actress is doing such a beautiful job being both vulnerable and strong. Shout out to Kim Seo Hyeong, her debut as lead has been wonderful to see.

I'll find you on a beautiful day: In the words of Viki commenters "Now Kiss", 😂, and what a kiss it was. They will have problems, of course, but hopefully they go through them thoughtfully and in a contemplative manner.

A Piece of Your mind: I will watch with a friend when social distancing is finally over.❤️

Welcome: I don't know how I feel about it. L's character isn't catlike at all. It is weird bestiality and I don't see how it will work. I'll probably drop it.

Memorist: The plot holes in this drama are numerous and absurd, yet I keep watching.😂😂

Hospital Playlist: Haven't seen Thursday's episode, but will watch soon.

Hyena: Will watch yesterdays and todays, today. However, the plot continues to thicken with romance and with the cases.

Rugal: I'm so excited!!!!

A couple's World: We will see.

Once Again: We will see.

Hi-Bye Mama: Continues to make me sob, love it.

4
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Its a testament to how bad the bad k-dramas have been this year that 'Meow, the Secret Boy' looks like a superior product in comparison! I'll admit I went in planning to hate-watch the series but I found its opening episodes charming and fluffy entertainment.

3
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I WILL FIND YOU ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY is excellent. I rate it as very close in quality to BECAUSE THIS IS OUR FIRST LIFE and even GOBLIN for its incredible insights and trueness to human nature.

5
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Sorry, I'm just not seeing it. To me its just uninteresting people with personal problems I'm not invested in. Usually this sort of series would be right up my alley but the series doesn't ring true to me.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

DROPPED:
Meow, the secret boy- waste of time. this is a candidate for the worst k drama of the year.

When the weather is fine: i am tired of watching the lead, PARK MIN YOUNG, who is TRYING to looking pretty all the time. Probably i got tired of her acting as well
Now watching:
Nobody knows, this is an interesting series
A piece of your MInd: JHI is very good in this series. will probably drop this because of Chae soo bin

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm sorry to hear only Meow piqued your interest. It is some weird bestiality so I'm probably going to drop it. Maybe Rugal or A married world might interest you. Or Hi Bye Mama. Or rewatch some oldie but goodies. Lol

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

im just here to say i appreciate the use of chae soobin as the picture for this post.

i love her and i love her as han seowoo. which is sadly the only thing about that drama i love, but at the same time its more than enough to keep me going!

chae! soo! bin!

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Currently Watching:
Weather is fine: This show is beautiful. I like literary references, stories within stories and how it ties to the current situation.
Hyena: Generally, I find corporate shenanigans boring and waste of time. But this show has made it quite interesting. Everyone is self-serving and finding out each one’s ulterior motive is quite fun. No one is prince charming and no one is damsel in distress.
Hospital Playlist: This show is bit uneven for me. I liked episode 1 and episode. Episode 3 has sealed the deal for me and I am going to stick with it. I love all 6 friends. My only complaint is they have made Song-hwa too perfect (Her non existing singing ability can not be considered as flaw; it only adds to her charms). Every one else has a flaw or going through battle but Song-hwa seems to have it perfect. We don’t see her mourning her relationship or any other kind of dilemma. I hope show does not make her a Mary Sue.
Skate into love: This show is my happy pill. I love two idiots Master Tang and Bing Bing together. They are quite hilarious and Yu Yan is living embodiment of cute lamb.

Show I dropped:
The one with the Cat: It is too weird and disjointed. I am dropping it only after one episode.

3
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I think having Song-hwa too perfect is a first for Shin PD. Haha. All of his other female leads were very different from Song-hwa, especially 999th place Sung Deok-sun. Haha. So relative to Shin PD’s previous works, Song-hwa’s character is a refreshing one. :)

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Tell Me What You Saw: 7.4 I saw 16 hours of a mostly passable show with an ending that tried to tick off all the typical-kdrama-ending boxes.

Hi Bye Mama: 6.5 So Monday their idea of suspense for the ending was peeling an egg? Next they'll have us watching paint dry.

A Piece of Your Mind: 4.1 Normally I'd watch almost anything with Chae Soo-bin, but zzzz... I only lasted 41 minutes. I've been watching too many hammer/kettlebell serial killer shows. I keep thinking "A Piece of Your Brain".

Meow: The Secret Boy - Welcome: Promising first half hour. Ask me later.

6
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I do find myself wanting to fast forward parts of Hi Bye.

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I must admit to FF-ing through a lot and I don't feel like I miss out on anything.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

With double-speed and a slow-paced show it's at least possible that I miss LESS because my mind doesn't wander as much.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hi Bye Mama! kills me every episode exactly BECAUSE of moments like the super tense egg peeling. It's like the out-of-toilet-paper (woah, so prescient) scene from one of the early episodes.

A crazy amount of tension for such a ridiculously banal thing.

I'm sure the show would put me on the edge of my seat watching paint dry and I'm so here for it!

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

KDrama:
365 Repeat the Year - interesting premiere episodes.
A Piece of Your Mind - might drop this. So slow and don't know where this is going.
Hospital Playlist - Ep1 is hard to get by. It felt slow but now I want more.
Let's Eat S1 - really wrong choice to watch few eps while on lockdown.

JDrama:
Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomade mo - OMG the kind of drama I'm looking for now. Smiling like crazy!! Reminded me of Itazura na Kiss.

2
10
reply

Required fields are marked *

Where can you watch Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomade mo?

0
9
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hmmm link is not appearing here. I am watching it in blitzfansub site.

1
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

You will have fun. It just makes you smile and squeal.
Eye candy, simple storytelling, good old romance. I did not like the manga but the live action will be a comfort blanket for me, predictable and cute like Pretty Woman. I can go on and on about how cute Tendo sensai is (I did not like Takeru sato earlier but lord he kills it in this role). Oh and there are cute moments in each episode. I like blitzfansub for watching it cause some of the notes on the site added to the joy of watching the series. I would love a second season :D
And you are lucky... u will not end up waiting for one week to see the next episode of just 45minutes! Some of the extra bits with the cat Kamisama are fun too.

I did not like the Japanese version of Itazura an Kiss but the anime was fun in parts.

@oldawyer and @mmmmm I recommend. @blissfulennaira thanks for speaking about it :D >just thinking about those two makes me smile!<

2

@noone! Hi Chingu!

Long time no see, and I hope you’ve been well. 😊 I think I have watched fewer than 4 Japanese dramas in my life (animes excluded), but because you so recommended this one I might give it a try. My feeling is that they tend to ‘play it big’ in Japanese shows. Are they actually like that? Or I have such an unrealistic opinion because I haven’t really give them a try?

1

reply to MMMM: The Japanese are much less prudish in their dramas: For instance in CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA the ML nd FL have actually gone to bed by the end of the first episode (no actual sex scenes, just very clearly making it clear that the characters have indeed had sex). You could say that the Japanese tend to favor a much high degree of realism in their dramas- sometimes disconcertingly so- when compared to a K-drama, a T-drama or a C-drama. It could be considered both their charm but also sometimes a drawback as well. Too much of one thing can obscure another.

1

wwv dot newasiantv dot tv

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

@noone I've finished it in 2 days!! It's so niceee!! Now looking for same heart-fluttering romcom jdorama.

1
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Don’t get me started @blissfulennaira I can go on and on about it. I have spent so much time rewatching clips from that show that I am told I could have written a thesis in that Time period!
I am grinning like a Cheshire Cat right now!

And yes... if u find some nice jdrama stuff then do recommend. I tried Aoi coz of sato but there is too little of them together! Fated to love you (I like the korean and the Taiwanese version though have seen both with FF buttons and not completely) is no fun... episode 8 is out but too much of a copy and the ML is mehhh!

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'll try Parfait Tic since it was also sub by the subbers of Koi wa. Hopefully it's good.

0

I haven't really been watching kdramas for a year. I got the viki plus subscription now...and have been catching up, especially since I am working from home these days (been watching kdramas a lunch and after work, during the hours I'm supposed to be commuting).

I just finished "Angel's Last Mission of Love". Currently checking out "Doctor John" since I was craving a...smart drama after that? I've been watching the fantasy fluff (finished "Extra-Ordinary You" a few weeks ago) and wanted something meatier.

I was going to start "Doctor Prisoner" but as I was typing "Doctor" in the search bar, "Doctor John" popped up. So far, I have just finished episode 4. It seems exactly what I was looking for. A bit dark, mysterious, controversial (medically assisted death).
And Ji Sung - I never can go wrong with his dramas. He's an amazing actor and I am drawn in.

4
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I’LL FIND YOU ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY is really good. Missvictrix is right that Eun-seob’s silent meltdown was both true to his character and all too human and understandable. I think that I agree with her about the scene cuts- which are probably driven by time constraints. I think that many or even most shows probably suffer from this as well, but we just do not notice as much precisely because it is this drama that is so beautifully paced that this time we do notice.

HOSPITAL PLAYLIST is a very good watch.

The T-drama rom-com THE WONDER WOMAN is very good and on Viki the pace of subtitling for this show has picked up.

Speaking of T-drama’s we find ourselves with more time on our hands these days as the courts are largely closed and, effective 2 days ago, I am working from home until the crisis is past. Now that I have a proper set up for working at home I will continue to limit my trips to the office even after that. It is quite peaceful here. The only drawback is that as I look out from my window I am reminded that I need to do some serious work on my rose garden. I have already pruned my fruit trees (and sprayed an Asian pear for black spot) but there is still much to do once the rain stops. Until then we have extra time on our hands and have been watching the T-drama INBORN PAIR. We have arrived at the contract marriage part, but have a long way to go- this is a weekend family drama.

When I am hard at work in my study my wife has been binge-watching MISS HAMMURABI. She also absolutely adores the new show WELCOME. It is a nice light show. I have really liked the first episode of UNIQUE! CHEF MOON, I think that this is going to be a good show.
FOREST is finished. Enough said.

5
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Well presently I am watching 365:repeat the year, which I find interesting. Also hi bye mama, I started watching it , then just switched to reading the recap. But I just don’t get Itaewon Class. This 2020, I have not really found a drama that stuck. I have been watching past dramas though .

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Skate into Love Episode 13 - I love that this show comes out everyday on YT. That means everyday is a Bing Bing day!!!

Started this drama last week and I didn’t think I would go down the rabbit hole fast! 😭😭 Bing Bing and Master Tang give me life during my uncomfortable wfh setting. I seem to be much busier wfh 😤😤 8 hours is mostly spent on video and phone call meetings. And I don’t get any paper work done at all 😪

Anyways Skate into Love covers three ice skating sports – ice hockey, speed skating, and figure skating. It’s about a ice hockey player, Bing Bing, who got reunited with his childhood friend, Master Tang. In his memory, Master Tang was a terrifying child who bullied him whenever she saw fit. He decided to take revenge for his horrible childhood by bullying his ex-bully 😅 But as always with dramas, there’s more to it than what we know and what the drama shows, so we spent each episode learning more and more about Master Tang and Bing Bing. Their strengths, their weaknesses, their insecurities, their happiness…. And how they’ve changed over the years. It’s so addicting. I want more of Master Tang and Bing Bing. 😭😭

I’m glad it comes out everyday, so I get my daily dosage!

1
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Also watching/loving Skate Into Love!

I started My Huckleberry Friends too because it stars the main lead, but didn't get as engrossed as with SIL.

I also found the translated novel and finished what was available online ☺️✌️

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have first seen Janice Wu in Le Coup de Foudre. And while I very much enjoyed that show, I love love love her character in this drama better! I’m all for bad ass female lead who takes no bull. And she’s not all perfect. She’s got past that creeps up on her, her insecurities get the best of her but she strives to be better.

I will read the novel once the drama is done. Although this is a romcom where spoilers ain’t really a big deal, I still want the show to surprise me with what it throws at me. For example: Episode 14 - I was ready for another crack up moment when they showed a flashback of how Master Tang improved her singing skills but nooooooope, the flashback grabbed my heart, tugged on its strings and I was gushing over it cuz like 😭😭😭😭 Master Tang looks at Bing Bing with 😍.
I totally did not see that coming. Ahh I love that progress.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have only seen the first episode of SKATE INTO LOVE but it was encouraging.

1
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hope you’ll see more of it soon! It’s really funny and takes load off your mind while watching. Especially in the situation we are in right now, we need more fluffy rom com 😁

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

You are right about that.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Comment was deleted

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Graceful Family. Second watch. A really well-done drama. I still can't figure out how such a classy item came out of an outlier cable channel, so much an outlier that the drama didn't even make DB's ratings list each week.

Ming Dynasty. Sigh. I keep hoping for another Zhen Huan. This isn't it, but it's way more human and interesting than the comic book fairytales C-drama mostly serves up these days as historicals. I'm
having to get past the visual overload -- does everything on the screen have to be shockingly gorgeous? But you get past that & there's Tang Wei, glowering her way into your heart. The drama's long, which I like, so it'll last me a while. So far two thumbs up.

1
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Graceful Family was so good. I really liked that one too.

3
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I've been thinking about watching Graceful Family, so now I will. Thanks, kellie and weirdnshort.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I too watched GRACEFUL FAMILY twice. It was fantastic. At the time the word "crackjang" was used to describe it. My only complaint with the show was the last 20 minutes of 'epilogue'- after the real story has ended fortunately. I found it inconsistent with what had gone down before. But I still very highly recommend it.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I must say this is my very favorite modern times Kdrama. I just laughed my head off at several things--especially the funeral for the Koi fish. I had a little bit of trouble with the last episode, that I watched early this morning--it left me a little flat, I'd loved to have seen scenes of Ms. Han in prison.

0

I started watching it today--Lee Jang Woo is so darn cute, and I LOVE the music.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Looks like I watched a ton of dramas. I wish. Just premiere week(s) for a bunch of dramas!

Currently Airing

365: REPEAT THE YEAR: Promising start with such a high-stakes premise. The camera work is intriguing at times, slightly jarring at others. I’m still on the fence about it, as this isn’t something I ever really pay attention to in dramas. And the BGM is… different from what I’d expect in a thriller but in a very good way. I could definitely see myself downloading the majority of what I’ve heard so far. (ep. 1-2)

HI BY, MAMA!: I’d been stuck on the 20 minute mark for weeks and finally decided to force myself to watch the rest (with the hope of catching up before the finale). Surprisingly, I really enjoyed the rest of the episode. The quirkiness of the ghosts wasn’t as prevalent in this episode (thankfully), and we got to know a little more about our male lead. And he’s not as heartless as the first episode made him out to be. (Missing your daughter’s birthday is not good.) It was actually a reminder for me personally that just because someone seems to be one thing, doesn’t mean that they actually are that kind of person. (ep. 2)

A PIECE OF YOUR MIND: I liked this. It was a weird vibe and what Ha Won is creepy, generally speaking, at the moment. But this ex-friend/girlfriend of his and the drama there is making me quite intrigued. I do what happens at the next episode, though, so not sure how much of a plot there will be for the rest of the drama. (ep. 1)

I’LL FIND YOU ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY: I was stuck at about the 10 minute mark for weeks. Again, forced myself to get through this episode in the hopes of catching up and obviously ended up really enjoying this. Eun-seob was quite adorable in his crush on Have-won. The unexpected humorous moments are also a plus. I’ve realized that even the saddest dramas have to have a little bit of humor to keep my interest. (ep. 1)

NOBODY KNOWS: Ah, this drama made me go back to my Viki Pass Plus subscription. It’s a slower-paced mystery drama, but it’s so atmospheric. I’m loving the relationship between Young-jin and Eun-ho. Really hoping this one has a happy outcome. (ep. 3)

Finished Airing

LOOKOUT: It’s been so long since I watched the previous episode, this one didn’t make any sense. I couldn’t remember who was who and what the big bad was. Now that I’ve found readable subs (Viki’s were terrible), it may be easier for me to binge the rest of this drama. But it doesn’t help that I know the ending, so it may still be a while. (ep. 24)

1
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

The first episode of I’LL FIND YOU ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY is particularly slow. And this show never becomes a fast paced one, which is good because it would destroy the essence of this wonderful show.

4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I've only finished the first 2 eps of Hy, Bye Mama too.
I'm confused as to how many eps there are to be. My Drama list says 16, but Netflix is only showing 12.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I imagine it's 16 episodes and Netflix just hasn't updated it. Maybe they haven't been provided with the rest of the episode titles or something like that.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I honestly thought with this stay at home thing, I'll have time for dramas. I'm completely swamped. I've downloaded the new ones that premiered this week and I haven't touched it. The ones I've been watching, I hardly have time to watch it and the most funniest thing is that I'm not busy. Its like I find joy in watching dramas while I'm in school instead I studying.

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm in this really weird mood whereby I suddenly have time to watch all these dramas but then can't decide what to watch and end up spending hours trawling through Netflix and Viki trying to decide. And then I don't end up watching anything. So I am going to pick up all the currently airing dramas that don't involve old men being skeevy toward their younger female colleagues - although I have apparently signed up for conversations about whether or not a cat can consent. Fun times the apocalypse. Fun times.

It's been two years since My Ahjussi aired and so I am doing a rewatch of this transcendentally beautiful show. This was @mindy idea. Acknowledge Mindy, everybody. I'm watching two episodes a week so this week was 1&2. It really is as beautiful and powerful as I remember.

Memorist I enjoyed five and six a lot more than the first four. Enough to keep watching anyway. I find the religious overtones of this piece a bit much to take actually and YSH's character remains too underdeveloped for me but I am still watching for now. This week's episodes at least implied that they kept Dong Baek somewhat of an enigma so they could make the parallels between his temper and rule breaking and the antagonist's violent vigilantism.

Nobody Knows I'm trying not to compare this atmospheric crime thriller with last year's Children of Nobody/Red Moon Blue Sun because it doesn't quite compare and I'd like to judge the show on its own merits rather than assessing it in relation to another show. Nonetheless the similarities in tone are undeniable and both have complex and compelling female leads. Kim Seo Hyung has this sharp, angular, intense gaze that Directors love and the show is making full use of her gravitas here. It is possible I'm just tired of religion generally and wish the show didn't have an almost allegorical tone to it. It is extremely good, however, and I'm here till the end.

Weird Stalking Bestiality Paedophilia Cat Boy thing He's a cat. he can't consent. I can't believe they had a flashback to him being a 'kitten' and a child and her being a full grown adult. I can't believe him following her around and changing to a man in her bed and in her home is being framed as romantic. I can't believe I watched both episodes and will probably watch more. The cat actually looks like L. Who's responsible for cat casting? You did a great job.

I'm just going to say it - I'm going to miss Forest. Not the actual show of course - I dropped that weeks ago - but how much fun we had in the recaps (or, as I like to call them, the confusecaps).

Looking for a weekend binge watch, I followed the L train and picked up Ms Hammurabi. I can say that I enjoy the show, it's a nice watch. It reminds me a little of Your Honour without the twin shenanigans (and was in the same year - remember #metoo Korea? I wish you did). But MsH is also so unsubtle that I sometimes feel...

5
24
reply

Required fields are marked *

What do I sometimes feel? Will we ever know? Wow I had no idea that comment was so long. Mea culpa beanies.

Yes, Ms H is good but so unsubtle that I sometimes feel like the writer is taking a brick repeatedly to my head. Also L may be less annoying here and even a bit adorable but he is quite miscast. That old joke about forcing a young Idol into a role was made for this show. Poor L. Poor (probably) sweet L.

2
6
reply

Required fields are marked *