Also watching: Hi Bye, Mama! (Episode 13-14)

365: Repeat the Year (Episode 9-12)
Lee Shin revealing her cards at the end was one hell of a banger to end the first half of this breakneck-paced and well-directed show. But what she said has some food for thought: if all of them were dead in the original timeline they could have only done the reset when Lee Shin saved them through an earlier reset (so far she is the only one who is capable of resetting), so did she let them know their fate now to lead them down different actions such that their deaths would not cause her daughter to die? I seriously can’t wait for the second half to give us answers: please don’t disappoint us!

Hospital Playlist (Episode 5)
I trust that this writer knows what she is doing, so hopefully that terminal disease trope teased in the cliffhanger won’t become a mar in her resume. This week’s episode saw the reveal of yet another crush by Min Ha, which I feel the show should have explained better: I believe its implied that her strong disdain of him last week was boosted by her crush as it led to greater disappointment when she thought she misjudged him. She does this again this week and hasn’t learnt the lesson in correcting misunderstandings by asking him directly, so we’ll see. The mafia game was very epic though!

Nobody Knows (Episode 11-12)
Between the birth secret and amnesia tropes, I would say that the former was executed better than the latter, because Eun Ho’s discovery of the doll then when he found out his real father was developed to advance the stigmata killer arc now, which is what the drama started out with. On the other hand, the amnesia seems like a deus ex machina, allowing the good guys to have a breathing space to catch up to the bad guys, which the show ended up resolving regardless in the cliffhanger. Poor Sun Woo is going to realise quite soon that Eun Ho is the least he should worry about in his family.

Find Me in Your Memory: One word I would use to describe this show is ‘surprising’. The stalker plot has surely been done before but our leads have really cute chemistry so I’m down for the romance, memory be dammed.

Welcome: I’m mentally torturing myself with this show since Seo Ji Hoon is starring in it as a 2nd lead despite having acting skills for a lead. Please don’t be the next Im Joo Hwan, I beg you.

How to Buy a Friend: Lee Sin Young’s satoori acting comes across as really unnatural to me, not sure if anyone else feels the same. Shin Seung Ho’s acting is great, please continue gaining experience for a lead!

(This is a review of the 1st half of the drama)

Find Me in Your Memory is a drama we've seen time and time again. The combination of melo, romance, comedy, and thriller isn't anything new. The concept of "two damaged souls meet, heal, and fall in love with each other" is a staple of k-drama epic love story. But what this drama does really well is slightly subverting our expectation about its 2 leads. That, and the somewhat asmopheric feels that made this dramatic story quieter than it should be. That's probably the reason I found myself captivated by this drama.

When I first read about our leads' description, I expected the male lead to be another cold and rude guy. But Lee Jeong-hun is gentle and mild-mannered despite his infamous sharp tongue. He is more open-minded and considerate than what I pegged him as in the beginning. As for Yeo Ha-jin, I braced myself for another ditzy or obnoxious actress like what we usually got from many previous dramas. Yes, she is nice, bright, and very confident. But she is trusting without being stupid, she knows how to make a smooth maneuver in difficult situation without attracting attention to herself. She is a good person, but not unbelievably so.

Another thing I really like is how the blossoming relationship between our 2 leads is something that happened very naturally. It's not a goal the drama has to achieve by certain eps. Instead, it evolved slowly and quietly as they continue to interact with each other. I love the way he softened around her, how amused he was by her antics. And Ha-jin letting herself freely fall for him made my heart flutter. They are a good influence to each other, and that's a high compliment amidst so many problematic love stories. It's a great thing to see them capable of calmly talking everything out in the middle of a stressing situation or after they made a blunder. And I hope they continue to be so even when the tragedy hit hard.

As a bonus, the friendly banter in this drama is also very well done. Hajin-Hakyung is one of the best pair of sisters I've watched. And I really like the dynamic between Jeong-hun and Reporter Jo. The way the young reporter needled him about many things is always amusing to watch.

I think the show I'm looking forward to the most these days is Weather. I like the shots of the nature, I like the silent (and often pregnant) moments... and I love so many characters even if we just have glimpses of them 💕 I especially like how Jang Woo loves his work, how Haewon is straightforward, how loving Eunsob's adoptive parents are... and Hwi is such a ray of sunshine 😍
(The only character I don't like is Bo Young who is so incredibly selfish and self-obsessed... and now even risking her own life and lives of others because of an old crush??)

I also like how they manage to mix sad with funny... how on one hand they don't shy away from portraying the complexity and vicious cycle of home violence... and then they show the book club banters... and Eunsob's "opa checks the potential boyfriend" face... or the falling books 😁

While Weather's glimpses into the lives of others feel integral, I have the impression lately that the scattered storytelling of Hospital sometimes works counterproductive and leaves me with confusion and/or mixed feelings. (Btw, is the Mistress of the father the former Wife???) Still, the quintet is great to watch... and this week I'm adding the older generation as well, their mafia game was a riot 😂

Cricket - Thanks for the various Cricket boards for live-streaming old matches. What kind of joke is it? Still fun. Enjoying it.

JAPAN - Heartache.
Korea -

School beauty is your girlfriend. yeah yeah yeah. winter scenery.

China - Trailers 10-12months ago and still no actual airing date of shows.

Documentary - screentime one gonna start next week.

My level of enjoyment for each drama (5/5)

Hospital Playlist ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - it's like a comfortable home, because hospital is already like my 2nd home
The World of The Married ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - the thrilling sensation !
Hyena ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I will be sad when it's end
Hi Bye Mama ⭐⭐⭐ - I wish I can spend more time with my friends like that trio
A Piece of Your Mind ⭐ - skipping most of its part only to see Kim Sung Kyu's scenes ;)

When The Weather Is Fine- looking forward to more developments between Jang Woo and Eun Sil. Why are the main guys there so timid when it comes to women? Is there something in the water?

Hospital Playlist never fails to disappoint me. Laughed at Seok Hyung's birthday surprise but if that happened to me, I really don't know what I'd do 😅 Cried at the father and daughter liver transplant, the mom giving birth with the singing father, and the dad asking for the best prosthetic valve for the son. Mafia game with the elders is the best! Love Jeong won's expressions and him persuading the mom about priesthood. That would be a shame btw.

Loving Meow The Secret Boy for the eye candy. That's it.

365: Repeat the year. Can you believe I've just realized I hadn't seen episode 6?? Big spoiler, but I'm running to watch. I'm having lots of fun with this one, and I love HyungJoo and GaHyun interactions: He's so evident on his crush!!!

I'll find you on a beautiful day. Despite having less OTP timescreen, I loved learning more about the sisters, even so how painful it was. And on the other side the Bookclub scene was priceless. Anything that has Hwi in is just great. I'm in love with the casting and directing in this drama. Hats off!!

Memorist . I can't believe there are still 6 episodes to go. What are they going to be about? Six episodes trying to catch the Eraser are too many episodes. I mean, there's nothing left to do. Six whole hours? Really? Also, can I ask for a day shot, please???

I'm also watching Hi Bye, Mama but still haven't seen this weeks episodes and My Ahjussi as I hadn't seen it when aired and some beanies are rewatching it and so I have the opportunity to watch and comment with other beanies. So far I'm on episode 4, loving it and falling for the main leads and their weakness and strength at the same time (and yes, I still hate the brothers).

Watching Hospital Playlist.
Shin Won Pd (Pd of Reply Series) has done it again as expected of him. Each episode is making me laugh out loud , cry and making me fall more and more in love with characters. And it doesnt make it any better that its just 1 episode per week and it will have only twelve episodes with the possibility of there will be more seasons. So that means it will leave in a cliffhanger which will probably make me go crazy
How does he do it every time from the reply series to prison playbook and now Hospital Playlist ? He is a brilliant storyteller.

Hospital Playlist - drama I'm waiting for every week.
Eccentric Chef Moon - I want cooking scenes! I hope they have in the upcoming episodes.
Live up to your name, Dr Heo - down to last ep. I enjoy the acupunture scenes and Kim Nam Gil.

Well, I'm watching "Once Again" and I'm so happy that the show delivers what it promissed. I was very annoyed when I tried to watch the last couple KBS weekend dramas. A lot of "crying and whining" plotlines and despicable characters, it was impossible to tune in. Too much drama!

This one reminds me "Father is Strange" and I can't wait for the next episodes!

Find Me In Your Memory
I am still enjoying this drama immensely. The leads are so cute together. I really like Ha Jin’s character and Jung Hoon is a nice male lead for a change. I am still not really interested in the stalker story to the point I don’t even care who or how despite the interesting closed room murder nature of the situation. The guy who killed Seo Yeon is still locked up but it was clear from last week’s episode’s that I watched late that he had something to do with Ha Jin being stalked and Jung Hoon threatened. This all indicates that Ha Jin may be in danger because of him but I didn’t think Ha Jin and Jung Hoon were close when the stalking has started so it must be because she is Seo Yeon’s friend. Ha Jin’s fragmented memories indicate that the stalker knew Seo Yeon (which then begs the question of how in the world Ha Jin didn’t ever meet her bestie’s boyfriend as these events seem to have occurred concurrently). On the how and the why: Is Chul or the director or whoever is helping him from the outside that psycho’s brother or something? The reporter confessed he did it for money if he is to be believed so I don’t think he is the guy on the motorcycle.

I also wondered after last week whether there aren’t any decent directors in Kdramaland.

Coming to this week I was initially equally annoyed with Jung Hoon’s mom not telling her son about her illness or even preventing her husband from telling him that she died! I understand her trying to spare him the everlasting painful memories but no matter when he learns he will mourn and it would have been much better for him to have a chance to say goodbye and hear once more how much his mom loves him to balance out that grief.

I am enjoying the cute noona romance in the making between the strong Ha Kyung and the beta male maknae reporter Il Kwon. But I have to wonder the source of his income to live in such a fancy house.

One storyline that I find disturbing and annoying is between Tae Eun and his father. Tae Eun is between a rock and a hard place between Jung Hoon expecting him to be a friend and his dad expecting him to act like a doctor. He is unable to choose and is failing terribly by trying to be both and succeeding in neither. His father is right in one aspect: he should not continue to be his doctor if he will act like this, but the way he treats his son is so wrong.

Hospital Playlist:

I love ep.5. It's true that now they've introduced many possible romantic relationships of all the 5, but I don't feel like it's forced. Instead, it feels natural that such wonderful doctors may be involved in some sort of relationships. Of all the 5 friends, I'm hoping to see more of Dr. Ahn (the military doctor) with Song-hwa. They are adorable and complement one another so well.

On the other hand, I always feel afraid for the future girlfriend(s) of Joon-wan. We all learned that he had so many short-term relationships with various women. Now, he is in for something much more serious. I'm not sure how it will play out once Ik-joon knows about this.

I'm thinking of posting more of my thoughts perhaps on the Hospital Playlist ep.5 thread.

I'll Find You on a Beautiful Day: Continues to be a solid story for me. I do think eventually we have to find out about Hae Won and her life in that household. We now have the aunt's perspective, but it boggles the mind that HW didn't know and how that impacts her relationships should be addressed. I am hoping after next week's episode to not see the 2nd female lead again. I don't get how she was in that town with the dude all that time, was crushing on him and did not join the book group. She had all that time to make her move. Seems to me she just rediscovered liking the guy when she saw a girl she was jealous of come back to town.

Welcome: So the 2nd male lead ditches the girl because he makes a really negative assumption even though he has known her for years and could have crossed the street and asked. Don't care if he has issues over being left at an orphanage; he's dead to me as a worthwhile character. Use your words. I've heard this drama has been cut to 12 hours (24 episodes) so I don't know if I'll jump back in. I am not super picky about acting but L doesn't really speak a lot early on so that means a certain amount of acting can actually come in handy. We'll see.

Community: This got added to Netflix and I never watched it when it aired. It's silly but is working for the current situation.

365: Repeat the Year So much happening in each episode, no time to be bored. It's nice to see Lee Joon Hyuk as a puppy, his last roles were so depressing.

I'll Find You on a Beautiful Day I still don't understand the mother after this week episodes, but I really liked to watch the Aunt's story. We always know that her behavior was a facade but now we really know why. Our couple is so lovely :D

A Piece of Your Mind I love everything in this drama! The ML and the FL were so cute together in these episodes. The dialogues are really good.

I read an translation of a Korean article that said Welcome and How to Buy a Friend was the "KBS's answer" to MBC's Extraordinary You, so I was excited because I really liked EY. And honestly, it's not at all. Welcome is nothing like EY, in all compartiments it's less good. I think the scene with the strong wind was the perfect exemple : one was funny, the other fell flat.

How to Buy a Frien was interesting but until when will they cast Shin Seung Ho as a student? If an actor looks like his real age, it's him.

Find Me in Your Memory It's a nice drama, I like the story, the relationship between the leads who are surprisly better written than I was expected. Kim Dong Wook is super charming. Ha Jin makes him smile more often!

Memorist This drama really likes secret and dark passages, less logic.

Hospital Playlist This writter is really good for writting friendship stories in an unique place but lacks for the love stories. It's always the thing that interests me the least in these series.

A Couple's World I wanted to watch it but I like cheating stories when it's about psychology of the character, their choices, etc not the madness and the cruelty.

Hi Bye, Mama! I'm finding this sweet and heartwarming even though I know it will be bittersweet in the end. The humor won me over after a few episodes and I love the child actor as well as the lovely women.

I'll Find You on a Beautiful Day is one I'm slowly savoring and catching up on. I may regret this one after seeing some of the fan wall comments.

Trying to find the time to start Hospital Playlist although I greatly dislike the idea of a seasonal drama. If I wanted that, I'd be on season bazillion of Grey's Anatomy like crazy @katakwasabi. 🤣 Thank you katak for giving us so many things to tease you about.

Long time no Dramabeans :P Here's what I've been watching...

Finished Dr. Romantic 2:
Loved it! I think it was better than Season 1 🤔
Saw AHS's potential in Abyss and he was one of the reasons I watched this and he did not disappoint! A close second to LJS as a fave actor. One thing though.. LSK's acting reminded me of her characters in Doctors and WFKBJ.

Hyena: Waiting for the finale later.

Memorist: A bit confusing but ok so far. I am just a wee bit distracted that both leads are too good looking for their roles 😂

My Ahjussi: Just found out Viu has it so planning to rewatch ( which based on some posts here, others are rewatching too 😁)

Under the Power: What started as merely a fun distraction ended up being one of my fave c-dramas. I love the rom+com+crime+historical genre mix. The subs were a little wonky, though. I ended up falling in love with the OTP (so much it feels wrong to see them with anyone else now!) and the supporting cast of their friends/family. Villain/court scenes were given just the right amount of time. It was really refreshing to watch Tan Song Yun and Allen Ren, with their less trendy (some people will say they're less good-looking) faces and much better acting. I came in for Tan Song Yun, but Allen Ren was a revelation. The drama did not have a big budget. The sets were plain and the few CGI scenes were terrible, but they were on their game in the other areas: a well-paced story, great casting, characters you can root for even during those times when they annoy you, well-planned costumes, fantastic dubbing voices, great combat scenes, and a memorable OST.

There was a scene where the female lead's mother accused her of pretending to be engaged to the male lead to avoid blind dates. That spun me into a nostalgic rewatch of all the great scenes in kdrama, Marriage, Not Dating, where the male lead really did have the female lead pretend to be his gf so that his family would stop forcing him to go on blind dates. It is still LOL hilarious with so many standout moments, like stuck-in-the-bathroom scene, the poop scene, the memorial service (with Jang Mi whacking Ki Tae with the dried fish), and the the mother/daughter-in-law smackdown of the mistress. I hope to see Han Groo in a rom-com again. And I hope to see another rom-com with this sort of mad energy and those breathless kisses.

ONCE AGAIN: It is on. I watched it. It seems like a standard weekender where you can miss a couple of weeks and know where all the character story lines are at. It seems like it will be a slow simmer to the unbelievable happy ending for all.
HI BYE MAMA. It is on hiatus. (I have not seen if it has re-started filming since it stopped on Feb 29.) I am waiting for a an appropriate ending for this good show.
Since the global lock down, I have noticed that english subs (especially for variety shows) are slow or non-existent. Hopefully, that will not be the new normal.

365: Repeat the Year
I think Lee Shin is using the group as an experiment to try and change their fates, probably to somehow save her daughter. The revelation that they're all marked to die honestly changed everything in a great way now that they know time is their true enemy. Lee Shin might end up becoming their greatest ally.

Nothing. I watched NOTHING this week. And no, "Nothing" is not the name of a kdrama.
Having too much free time meant I got sidetracked into time-eating things I otherwise wouldn't wouldn't have started. But don't worry, they won't last.

Welcome: I had a mini marathon of this yesterday and enjoyed every moment. Any show that makes me laugh out loud right now is much appreciated. A shout out to the very shy office worker who always does the most awkward thing to avoid being awkward during any social interaction, I see you. I so often am you, lol.

Weather: 12 worked a better for me than ep 11 did. I honestly think our two leads are in an ok place. Hae won will have to come to some decisions on where she wants to be in the future, but that is still in the future, for a little while anyway. They just got together and are enjoying the present moment, this seems normal and healthy to me.

Schitt's Creek: Love David and Moira, especially her wigs. Cant wait to see how they become a part of the town.

2gether: not much to say. Its slight and sweet and works for me. They are treading some water right now, so hopefully the story starts moving forward again next week.

The Love Equations: Oh, as this is from the writer of A Love So Beautiful and Put Your Head on My Shoulder I'm excited and hope the subs are not super slow. Ep one and two are already on Viki with one already subbed 90 something percent.
Whose going to be watching this one?

PARASITE: Finally since it's now on Hulu. I'd read so much, watched all the reviews/analysis of symbolism, etc on YouTube that I thought it wouldn't be that good to me. It was THAT good. Some of it I could personally relate to.
TRAVELER 2/MOMENT OF 18: Usually I don't watch variety or Korean travel - but this was Argentina, a beautiful country. So then I discovered this sweet kid, actor Ong Seung Wu. He's also in Moment of 18, so I picked that up. And usually I refuse to watch teenage angst stories. But I like the pacing and the characters. When the teenage angst gets to be too much I just watch something else for awhile.
MEOW: Only for the bromance. Too bad they won't end up together.
NEW CHINESE DRAMA: ANCIENT DETECTIVE. Just started it but I like how it's put together. There are feels of a nice bromance too.
Taiwan: AMENSALISM. Okay, I'm in the mood for quasi action supernatural, even though it's another I-can-see-peoples'-death-because-of-a-childhood-trauma. And I like the leads. Just don't compare it to Some Day or One Day.
DUEL: Oh, how I wish I'd watched this when it was on another nameless defunct channel...it's really good but I'm watching it raw because there are no subtitles. Oh, well.