365: Repeat the Year (Episode 21-24)
And six weeks of heart-stopping tension has finally come to an end! It’s been an incredible watching experience but let us discuss the not so good parts first: 1) Sun Ho’s motivations was rather iffy in that he became a psychopath because of a mistake. It might be a twisted descent into evil and it was shown how he had limits when it came to Hyung Joo but the ‘I-kill-because-its-fun’ thing was not great. 2) Seung Min’s arc was a pretty lazy way to establish trust between the leads in a crucial part of the story. It does have a decent narrative use for the fanboy & writer relationship between the leads however. 3) The show wanting to keep the twists going till the eleventh hour made the resolution super rushed in the last 10 mins and we ended up not seeing the other resetters who did not deserve to die despite everything they did.

On the other hand, wow. This show was electrifying from start to finish as more and more twists came into play. It was actually on hindsight to be expected: which person without some skeletons in their closet would choose to reset in the first place? I was worried that we would all suffer the crazy ending of God’s Gift: 14 Days but thankfully we got a happy ending of peace where Hyung Joo can finally get his autograph and possibly become the most successful fan.

Hospital Playlist (Episode 8)
There were hints last week that Eun Won is a terrible person but this week confirmed those suspicions: thank god Seok Hyung is aware of it, though he’s taking the passive approach for now which isn’t a surprise given his personality. I am certainly waiting for the opportunity when he can passive-aggressively shade her (in a performance review perhaps?). Jun Wan is another professor who cares for his resident quietly behind the scenes: I feel like if golf rebates guy causes any more trouble Je Hak will be brave enough to fight back. In other news, Seok Hyung’s mother is not dying or we riot.

When My Love Blooms (Episode 1-2)
I have to admit I’m not really a fan of the setup: Seo Kyung and Se Hoon fall into the easy-to-hate ex category which is way too predictable as an obstacle to our leads finding their romance again. The story had a more organic way for the leads to meet again (Hwa Jin’s funeral) but it chose to add the school bully scenario to complicate matters (and waste precious screen time). It also feels like Ji Soo is characterised like a Candy: she has an obsessive ex chasing after her, is poor, has a record, dad has dementia, son is bullied, attracts three men, rich woman is out for her, you get the point.

Find Me in Your Memory: Really disappointed that after stalker we are getting manipulative doctor
Welcome: I can’t even…
The King: Eternal Monarch: If not for Kim Kyung Nam and Woo Do Hwan this is a clear drop

I somehow wasn't in a mood for kdramas this week... and dived into a cdrama Miss Truth. Which actually took me by surprise as wuxias / xianxias / period cdramas usually don't work for me. I don't know why, but they just don't. I couldn't get through first episodes of Nirvana (and I tried more times), nor could I get into 10 miles of Peach Blossoms... and dropped many others fairly early. Perhaps Miss Truth worked this time, because the heroine is a forensic examiner and the episodes mainly focus on solving crimes and murder mysteries. (I also love how the fighting scenes are shot.) I don't think this is the best drama ever (and I can believe that Nirvana is far far superior) - the stories are uneven and so are sometimes the characters (sometimes I love the smart bickering couple... and sometimes I question their behaviour). Still, I'm watching... and keeping my fingers crossed that Fox and Fish will find their happy end, preferably together.

A Piece of Your Mind ended this week and I miss the OTP so much already. I love this show for A LOT of good reasons (great cast, beautiful directing, the best OTP, beautiful characters, etc.), but what made me love this show more was the fact that Won was wrong about his reaction point being Ji-soo (due to her fear of thunder). It was touching to see that this show actually circles about the death of Won’s mother, and how her death (directly and indirectly) affected the characters. The closure Won really needed was not one with Ji-Soo, but one with his Mom, and I am so glad that he came back to Oslo to heal himself. Even Seo-woo’s breakdown (which could’ve been dealt with earlier if this show had its original 16 episodes) and how she is recovering with time was satisfyingly done without unnecessary time skips (thank you, show). Despite the episode cut, this show managed to be amazing up to its last hour. I am going to miss this wonderful show about two beautiful people that healed and grew with each other. *sobs*

Hospital Playlist made me love actress Ahn Eun-jin even more (discovered her as Gwi-nam in My Fellow Citizens and loved her so much as Mi-ran in Diary of a Prosecutor). I feel for Dr. Chu Min-ha so much when her colleague was being irresponsible and she had to shoulder all the work, so I screamed at the top of my lungs (so happy for my girl) when it was revealed that Seok-hyeong knew about what was happening and even praised Min-ha for being responsible (and secretly gave her that tteokbokki hehe). Also, Jun-wan being a softie for Dr. Do Jae-hak made me go awwww. I can see some hints on the Ik-jun x Song-hwa ship and the Jeong-won x Gyeo-wool ship, but I don’t want to get disappointed in the end so I am not getting my hopes up.

I am still watching The King: Eternal Monarch and am now weirdly enjoying watching this show. That kiss happened way too early and it would’ve been better if it happened later when Tae-eul actually likes Gon. Woo Doo-hwan is *chef’s kiss* BTW, the Who, Me? segment of the cast on The Swoon’s YT channel was CUTE.

Welcome ended with a deus ex machina lmao. I don’t really have much to say except this show is weird (reaaaaally weird) and that cat sunbae is the best actor (give him the Daesang, KBS). Oh, and the second leads are cute. Finishing this show is +1 bean this year (which I ALWAYS never manage to give out by the end of the year).

I am also re-watching Beautiful Gong-shim and this gem is still as hilarious as before.

Hospital Playlist: Episode 8: Min-Ha had a good story this week. Like Min-ha, I was mad about how Seok-hyung didn't appear to see what was going on, but he made up for it with his acknowledgement and sincerity. I've been a little critical of how patients don't die in this series and then they went and had a little baby die.

Good Casting: The first two episodes were fun! Love that it is female centric. I have issues with something that Choi Kang-hee's character did in a flashback, but I'm in for the ride!

Extracurricular: I really liked this drama. Not your typical youth drama. I didn't think much of the male lead in Itaewon Class, but I thought he did a good job here along with both female leads. The drama had an open-ending, which I'm sure people won't like, but I was satisfied and kind of hope they leave it there.

A Piece of Your Mind: From beginning to end, this was a weird show that I didn't quite know why I was watching. I had to hand wave a lot with AI Jisoo.. But Seo Woo and Ha Won were cute, and I really liked Eun Joo. Unpopular opinion, but I think the episode cut probably made for a better drama.

365: Repeat the Year: The drama was far from perfect, but I liked the ending. I liked that the remark GH once made about not having a friend that would reset to save her and hoping to make one had meaning. I liked that GH and HJ were drawn together in each of the resets. I liked that its 12 episodes made for a fast paced story.

The Kind: Eternal Monarch: Episode 5: Well, they tried to give it a sweeping feel but the green screen work was laughable. Aside from that, not much happened in Episode 5 but at least we are past Lee Gon proclaiming himself King and TE telling him he's crazy. Oh, there was a kiss. The fact that I forgot about it should say all there needs to say about that.

When My Love Blooms: I wasn't a fan of the first two episodes. It just took the most predictable route with its tropes. Give me a break with the awful chaebol wife, pining ex husband, pining first love, pining male friend or give me a twist. I'll give it four episodes.

365: Repeat the Year I liked how the mystery unfolded itself little by little but the mystery itself was kinda disapointing...

A Piece of Your Mind It was really great drama. The cut of episodes was sad and I think they had enough to tell for at least 2 more episodes. I loved the scenery, the music, the story, the use of AI and overall the actors ! Jung Hae In and Chae So Bin did really well.

Find Me in Your Memory I like how every problem is resolved fast, they don't last during all the drama. Each test makes our couple stronger :)

Memorist It was more a rollercoaster than a drama... I need YSH and LSY in a rom-com!

Hospital Playlist I loved the reference to Demetan! When I was young, I loved the opening song in French, it was lovely (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGjJVYNXVn8). The drawings were cute.

The King: Eternal Monarch There was more of WDH in the last episode \o/ and I volunteer to give a banbogi to Shin Jae :D

365: Repeat the year. I have enjoyed this drama so, so much. It’s not the best, has lots of potholes, and I definitely would have wanted to watch more of the reseters in the last reset (for instance: how is that GH is not on a wheelchair? Does it mean JooYoung is still alive and Yeon Too didn’t run over her or GH and ran away?). But it was really nice to watch a smiling LJH, it’s been a while since I’ve watched him in such a warm character. I just love him.

Good Casting. I don’t have an opinion on this one. I may watch next week, or not. I will depend on my mood. If this show is comedy, it should be Get Smart like and I would enjoy it. But then there’s the whole “I feel guilty because my partner was killed because of me” and it’s all nonsense (she left his partner alone to die, she took his ring with her, and didn’t gave it to her widow, no one seems to be who the widow is, and I don’t care that they were not married, the last message on his phone was to her… Chief Seo stopping the agent from getting the baddie… really?). I don’t think I can lead with 16 episodes of this.

A piece of your mind. I loved the end and how everything was wrapped out. This show was a beautiful surrealist poem that shared beauty with all the viewers. Don’t ask me what it was about, what happened or why all the characters didn’t look for profesional help, they obviously needed. I know it doesn’t make sense, but I would ask all beanies to watch this gem, because it will grow in your heart. I had the same feeling I got watching Someday or One Day although they were quite different shows. Please, beanies, don’t miss any to these two.

Memorist. After all the pain and the agony (of watching some episodes), I loved the ending. Show had lots of flaws but last two episodes were pretty good. I loved the beginning and the end, but most to he middle episodes were, to me, just like “let’s keep filming and actors saying sentences that can be or can not be related to what’s happened previously or will happen after”. Best part for me, Lee Se Young acting. Great, as always.

When my love blooms. I wasn’t planning on watching this one, but after reading some comments on the beanie wall I decided to give it a chance. I loved the first two episodes. The chemistry of the leads is fantastic (both in present and younger versions) and feelings are all over the place. I didn’t expect to cry like a baby in the first episode, when I had so little idea of what was going on, but I just couldn’t stop. I know this watching will be a bit hard, but so far, I’m in.

My Ahjussi. I’ve watched episodes 11 and 12. It’s still hard to process, not an easy watching or a show you can binge. I love our leads.

Once Again first weekend family drama I'm watching with so much pleasure and tears in my eyes as well. It doesn't feel like 50 episodes drama and I love every character so far. It's so funny and emotional dad reminds me of my dad even with his physics just my dad isn't the good one in saving money.

Good Casting made me laugh, so ridiculous but highly entertaining, will see if they are able to keep the pace.

I was behind in my drama watching last week so I tried to catch up with as many as I could this week.

Once Again (Episodes 8-10)
I laughed when I saw the Covid related poster at the hospital by the elevator of a person coughing into his elbow and washing hands. I wonder if it just happened to be the décor where they were shooting or was it a PPL/government ad?

Da Hee is super kind and nice, she will be good for self-centered Jae Sook but selfish Jae Sook in no way deserves her, doctor or not. I didn’t expect him to fake an injury to be forgiven by her. But I liked that he protected her and his attempts to toughen her up were funny.

There is now a love square at the hospital. Aaargh! I don’t like the actress playing Bo Young noona and the character is boring. I prefer her son’s scenes with Na Hee better than the mom’s scenes with anyone. In fact, I prefer Ok Ja and Chi Soo’s bickering to her. They even had their “umbrella scene” spoof (what was the orginal of that in?) Now that Ok Ja’s heart has moved this storyline will get more interesting.

There are two sort of fatherless kids in the drama. Ga Hee’s son will somehow get one by the end of the drama but I don’t know what will happen to Shi Hoo. He clearly wants a father and has picked Gyu Jin for the role. I am not sure whether he knows he is married and that’s why he is teasing Na Hee.

Ga Hee didn’t recognize Park Hyo Shin but I wonder whether he recognized her and that’s why he is so abrupt with her. He may have lost his job because of her. The market women’s appreciation of Hyo Shin is similar to Lee Min Ho fangirls. I am not liking the brothers’ employee’s crush on Ga Hee. There doesn’t need to be a love triangle everywhere. I have no sympathy for Ga Hee’s financial woes. I never understand people who spend the money they don’t have and this whole extortion from family members is also something I can’t empathize with.

The Song family first gained squatters in their rooftop and now the store (though the house story and the situations the well meaning but incompetent oppa is putting himself in annoy me. Why doesn’t he talk to his parents and ask permission? It is unused space. Stealing food for them on top of sneaking them in is a bit much. I haven’t mentioned before but those two leaving a paying job when they don’t even have somewhere to live was not loyalty but utter stupidity.

I was wondering when kimbap unni is going to learn how bad her kimbap is, she was told and still doesn’t get the message. 🤣 I wasn’t expecting that. It seems like it’s not that she can’t cook but that she can’t taste. 😂

Typical of weekenders secrets start to spread slowly. After Jae Sook Da Hee now knows of the divorce and oppa’s ex is suspecting all is not well in Na Hee’s marriage. Ga Hee knows oppa is hiding his employees upstairs (the busting scene was stupid, couldn’t they have said they came to watch the video?)

On balance the story is...

Happy Saturday everone! There was a lot of work for me this week, so it is OK that there are not many dramas on my plate at the moment.

Find Me In Your Memory - Now I understand why Psychiatrist Junior is so bad at his job - his father is even worse. But thanks to him everyone is now more or less on the same page. I am happy that Ha Jin made the first step to reunite and sort out their past and future together. And YAY for Ha Kyung. It was a very touching scene when Jo Reporter was concerned about her feelings, while she usually seems to define herself as a caregiver to her sister.

The King - With Tae Eul now being in the parallel world I enjoyed it again. I have decided to not think of this deeply and just go with the flow. As I watch it far too late I didn't read any comments, that might help to keep watching it just for the fun of it. And the beautiful palace interior. Lee Gon's character seemed a little more lived in as of late, their chemistry is improving as well. And I was pleasantly surprised that Maximus is a lady.

That's it for dramas this week. I binge watched Never Have I Ever (loved it) on Netflix and started a slow-paced Studio Ghibli marathon.

This month I am looking forward to all the food and drinks themed drama premieres and keep my fingers crossed that they are as delicious as the pictures suggest.

FIND ME IN YOUR MEMORY: I love that our leads are finally together...only be torn apart by the ridiculous story (at least their break-up didn't last long)...first stalker, then evil doctor, and finally crazy murderer...oh gosh...

A PIECE OF YOUR MIND: A strange drama. With a weird plot. With frustrating characters. And with an abrupt ending (I WANTED MORE). Despite that, I still enjoyed this drama...

HI BYE, MAMA!: I didn't enjoy the end. Sorry folks. I get that Yu-ri couldn't stay, but at least give Min-jung some happiness with Kang-hwa (it seems that they get together in the future, but we didn't see their reunion, it fell flat to me)...At least, I loved Seo-woo's grown up introduction and how she never forgot Yu-ri.

LOVE ALARM: Still on hold.

LEGEND OF THE BLUE SEA: I began to rewatch it after I dropped mid-ways, but it seems that I got stuck mid-ways again. WHAT'S WRONG??? I don't know...I can't find the answer to this riddle...

THE KING: Dropped, sorry...Hated it.

WHEN MY LOVE BLOOMS: Dropped. Talented Leads (YES), Tragic love story (YES), Cinematography (YES), Chaebol heiress evil wife (NO), kid bullied in school and doesn't tell his mom (NO), rich kid abuses poor kid (NO), irritating ex-husband (NO)...The NOs made me drop this good drama because I'm sick of these awful troopes.

The King - I don't know how a show with this cast, budget and time travelling plot manages to be so boring. I keep giving it more chances.

World of the Married - Great soap opera, I wonder why not many people talk about it when Last Empress and Graceful Family got so much attention. Maybe because the heroine isn't a nice girl. I also like the social commentary in every episode about social classes and how different rules apply for women in korean society. I like that every character is intense and selfish but none of them get demonized for it.

Born Again - This show is bizarre but it's kind of entertaining, though I can also understand anyone that ran far away from it. I like not knowing if the MLs are switched or if they are criminals or if the heroine is creepy. Judge me kkk

I'LL GO TO YOU WHEN THE WEATHER IS NICE: Why did she have to break-up with Eun-seob? I can't find the reasoning behind it. At least they got together in the end. Either way, it was a lovely drama, beautiful, smooth, loving, healing, and unforgettable.

HER PRIVATE LIFE: After WEATHER finished, I wanted to see more of Park Min-young, and I remembered of Her Private Life and how it became one of my fav dramas. I'm currently rewatching this gem for the 3rd time!!! *I'm doing printscreens of PMY stunning outfits! Check my FanWall!*

Question: I've never watched Secretary Kim, is it worth watching? I think I saw ep1 once...

I am a couple of weeks behind on Find Me In Your Memory, so that’s next on my catch up list.

Welcome (Episodes 9-12)
Even 12 episodes were too much for this drama. They manufactured artificial and stupid crises and in the end had an unexplained resolution. All I got out of it was that the cat who spend all his life waiting for people finally had someone wait for him for two whole years …. But then so what? He because a person permanently? His life span expanded? No idea!!! I did prefer the secondary loveline better.

From the West:
We watched the second story in J.K. Rowling’s Cormoran Strike Series: The Silkworm. I still love the casting but especially with crime stories the rich detail that helps the audience understand the crime and trace its resolution gets lost in its translation from book to another medium. This was particularly true for this one as it was only 2 episodes. I didn’t like Robin’s fiancé in the books and don’t like him in the series. I am still annoyed that Robin married the jerk. I also don’t like the formulaic writing in these kind of books. The authors always tease the reader with some romantic/sexual chemistry but withholds. I would have expected something more original from J.K. Rowling.

Find Me in Your Memory: Such an underrated drama. I love love love anchor Lee's personality and our leading lady too. The cherry on top is Kim Seulgi. I enjoy the relationship between the main couple soo much (but the second couple is delightful too). Jung Hoon is really mature and patient, while Ha Jin has this pure and honest side that just melts anchor Lee's sadness away. I was so glad that Ha Jin realized in under 1 episode that what she needs is Jung Hoon and Jung Hoon needs her just as much to heal. I can't with these two..even writing this makes me giddy and feel all kinds of things. Everyone, give this one a chance! :)

CRICKET - NETFLIX -

JAPAN

Joshi Kousei no Mudazukai - 7.5 out of 10

I am NON - 7.5 out of 10

Korea

Trope dopelist - 6/10
King's Fling - 4/10
Once Again - 4/10

Sassy Go Go! (8/12): Thanks to Labour Day, my friend has time for not 2, but 3 episodes this weekend! I have heard the tales of Jisoo the Second Lead. Now I finally experience them. Would the Grumptopus notice me if I stole his pompoms? I want to give teacher Ji-Suk a hug.🥺

Top Star Yoo Baek (4/11):…and I want to hit top star Ji-Suk with a pillow!😆 I watched The Classic, Miss Granny and some other Korean movies this week to complete a challenge, so @eazal the flow between episodes 2 and 3 got interrupted for a week and it was my own doing!😆 I’ll do better from now on!😀

THE WORLD OF THE MARRIED

Hands down, the best, the most rivetting drama I have watched in years. I can't remember when a drama has gripped me this much. It is so much more than a drama about cheating; it is a clever, psychological drama with so many twists and turns that leave you gasping and hanging onto the edge of your seat. You think you have figured out who did what, and why, but the show is always, always one step ahead of you. A single act spirals into a hellish chain of consequences, dragging every single character into a nightmare, and spinning desperately out of control with each episode. No one is immune. No one is protected. And, above all, no one is to be trusted. Your heart will be ripped apart, and lines are so real and so heartbreakingly painful and powerful and raw they reach deep, deep down into you and haunt you long after the episode ends.

THE KING

Confusing and mindboggling and charming in parts. I roll my eyes at some scenes, but am captivated by others.

I watched Little Forest (movie) recently, and I am honestly surprised by how similar that story and Weather is Fine (drama) is. I had to check if they were written by the same person (nope!) or at least it was the same PD (nope!). In fact, both are adaptations of different books. That's very odd.

Here are a list of similarities I noticed:
1. Both female leads lived in the countryside in their youth
2. Both FL returned to the countryside as adults due to personal issues
3. Both returned during winter
4. Countryside is a farming community with lovely--and a bit gossipy--neighbors
5. Both FL lost their dad while in high school (I think)
6. Both FL had emotionally (and physically) absent mothers
7. Both FL have similar sounding names! LF: Hye-won, WIF: Hae-won. I'm not Korean so I don't know how different these names really are. But both sounded similar.
8. Both have adorable dogs (Chestnut, Five)

I think the message and atmosphere of both stories were the same. Even the ending, when both FL went back to Seoul only to return back to the countryside (for good?).

Welcome - I somehow managed to finish this show, although I FFed generously throughout. Cat sunbaenim should get the best rookie actor award (*ahem*). I liked the Doo-shik and Ji-eun more than the lead couple. Aside for the weird bestiality vibes I was getting by the end of this show (Seol-ah said something like, "Hong-jo hugs me even when he's a cat," in the last fifteen minutes, which, given the conversation was about how she was still waiting for human Hong-jo, really creeped me out), my only lingering thought is that Seo Ji-hoon should get better projects.

A Piece of Your Mind - I could write a lengthy essay about how much I love this show. I wont because I'm lazy and because I don't have the time, although suffice it to say I absolutely adore this show and am glad I stuck out the rocky first week. Kudos to JHI and CSB for great performances and many thanks to the chaka-nim for writing a great show despite the unfortunate adjustment of the show's run.

Hospital Playlist - I feel like I have a love/hate relationship with this show. I love the characters, the dialogue is spot-on, and the performances are great. However, my viewing experience shifts between intense interest and boredom. I can't exactly say why I sometimes feel bored while watching this show - might have something to do with how I'm feeling going in or the fact that I don't connect with some of the patient stories - but this is a recurrent qualm I have. Overall, it's a solid show that I like and find fun, and I'll definitely stick it out. I will say, though, that my entire viewing experience will retroactively be less enjoyable if any or both of two things happen: (1) Joon-wan and Ik-sun break-up, and (2) Gyoe-oul and Jeong-won don't end up together.

The King: I don't know why I'm watching this. I don't think it's very good. Others may disagree, but it's not really my cup of tea.

Once Again - It's typical weekend drama fare, although arguably better than most other weekenders I've watched. It's a light watch that I keep on in the background while doing chores.

When My Love Blooms - Too early to tell with this one.

*The King* - dropped it. Might pick up later if I read in reviews that it has improved.

Just a thought it seems like times have changed. Audiences steer more towards content driven or performance driven dramas rather than consuming a content which inspite of having handsome mega stars with mediocre acting skills and a hit drama writer with a boring script and a magnanimous buget still doesn't garner that kind of attention.

*Hospital Playlist*- only drama I look forward to watching every week. Every week i end up liking it a little more. Though the tone seems to have gotten more serious than the initial episodes, I'm still loving it. This week Min Ha and Jun Wan were the shining stars in ep 8. And as much as people (and myself) are polarized about Dr Jang and Winter Garden couple, i have decided that I'm ON this ship. Though i honestly think people give a lot of slack to Dr. Jang, i mean even if it seems she's a little lacking in her bedside manners (but she's learning and improving) and though we're not privy to much about here apart from her crush on JW i don't think she's as unworthy as people make her out to be.

*I'll find you when the whether is nice* - heard really good review about this drama. On ep 4. This drama is going to be my late night comforter drama. So far the tone resonates that of a soothing drama which seems like a good watch in these times!

365- repeat the year :- I have already posted this on my fanwall, Anyway...
So what was the point the show was trying to make? Whether fate is changeable or not? I’m still confused about it. Especially when it comes to our killer. He already knew about his future victims from the list Bae jung tae gave to him about the resetters. Yet he still chose to murder the very same people?? He, more than anyone had the power to change his destiny and maybe never got caught. Up to that point, all his murders was passable as accidents. But he became even more reckless and actually started murdering which couldn’t be ruled as accidents. And he also knew that HJ had suspicions? Why not confuse him more by choosing other random ppl? Why make his suspicions more clearer?
Also the professor was just a sadist. What was the point in saving those ppl only to let them die again? He wanted to prove that you can’t escape fate? Maybe once was enough. But he saw it 6 times!!! What was the use? Ofc you can’t change fate if you don’t know what to change. GH saved HJ because she knew what to do. Rather than observing passively, he should’ve given them better clues if he wanted to have fun. Where was the fun if things played out exactly like they were supposed to play.
That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the show. It was good and since I’m extremely bad at deducing, I kept getting shocked by all the revelations. Less episodes meant tighter plot and it was fast paced without dragging. But then again many things were not explained. Like the reset.
HJ and GH were the best parts of the show. Loved their friendship/ camaraderie/whatever it was. Was really proud that the girl saved the guy(literally) . Anyway I hope that at least in this present, they stay together.

The King- I'm thoroughly enjoying this. Several laugh out loud moments (nearly every time he's with the court lady), enjoying seeing Tae-Eul 'reaping what she's sown,' and glad to see her acknowledge it, too. I think she's always been drawn to the king from the first- there's no reason at all for her to have housed Maximus or given the nameless lunatic who owns the horse the time of day, let alone do all the things she's done for him if there's not something pulling at her. She just couldn't give in to it when she had no proof he wasn't a lunatic. And then she needs proof that *she's* not the lunatic, LOL.

Hospital Playlist- This is just lovely and there's so many feels.

Finished up Memorist- a couple things were confusing or dissatisfying to me but overall I enjoyed this.

Find Me In Your Memories- Sweet lead couple. Sweet little sister and little sis's love interest. Tiresome villainous shrink. A bit slow, but still watching. I like Kim SEul Gi in everything I've seen her do, although she wasn't given the strongest of characters to play here (so far). Every time the lead smiles I renew commitment to see this drama to the end.

I'd watch something else, but I am not in a place for tragedy, esp not tragic love stories, and I hate bad marriage dramas for personal reasons. I think I may see if I can find My Fellow Citizens and watch that- real life interrupted my viewing before.

The King: Eternal Monarch (Episodes 3-4)
I haven't seen yesterday's episode yet but this drama is not working and the reason is not just one thing. The story can be interesting on paper but it is not told in an engaging way. I was quite bored in episode 3. I am neither a great fan nor a great critic of Kim Eun Sook. I do admire her ability to consistently get high ratings even with very flawed dramas and as she tries different things I watch all her new dramas. We cannot attribute the success of those only to popular actors or their acting ability. They must have been entertaining to a degree to engage people and make them come back week after week in increasing numbers regardless of the flaws. Before the beginning of the drama I read an article on the ratings of her dramas and wow. That is quite remarkable. I have only watched the dramas in bold from the list below:

South of the Sun 2003 SBS (don’t have info on its ratings)
Lovers in Paris 2004 SBS (57.6%)
Lovers in Prague 2005 SBS (31%)
Lovers 2006 SBS (25.3%)
On Air 2008 SBS (25.4%)
City Hall 2009 SBS (19.6%)
Secret Garden 2010 SBS (35.2%)
Gentleman’s Dignity 2012 SBS (24.4%)
The Heirs 2013 SBS (25.6%)
Descendents of the Sun 2016 KBS (38.8%)
Lonely, Shining Goblin 2016 TVN (20.5%)
Mr Sunshine 2018 TVN (18.12%)
The King: Eternal Monarch 2020 SBS

My favorite Kim Eun Sook drama is City Hall for the feels (ringing @samsooki’s ears). It is actually the lowest rated network show from her (except for her first whose ratings I don’t know). I know many people didn’t watch it. It was quite a slow burn start but once it got going it was so good for the loyal fans, but it has a very different tone compared to other Kim Eun Sook dramas. My second favorite is Secret Garden for its humor. The only redeeming feature of The Heirs was its introduction of Kim Woo Bin to me. Descendents of the Sun was at best okay for me, I preferred the second leads’ romance. I liked the bromance and the second leads’ romance in the Lonely, Shining Goblin as well. The leads didn’t match and I didn’t like the ending. The best bit of Mr Sunshine for me were the scenes of the three frenemy guys in love with the heroine. Their drinking scenes were hilarious. I wish someone would just make a cut of them.

The King doesn’t have many redeeming qualities so far. There’s not much of a romance, no humor, no gripping story (though Tae Eul’s crossing to Kingdom of Corea is promising)… So far nothing works. And it shows in the ratings. Lower than even the two cable dramas and no upward trajectory. On the one hand this drama is unlucky to be competing with JTBC’s record breaking A Couple’s World, on the other whether the prospect of the upcoming Kim Eun Sook drama had an effect on it or not, JTBC postponed its next drama and is airing a foreign show after this which may provide an opportunity for King...

King: the Eternal Monarch: I was finally drawn into the story with Episode 5. I didn't find it boring or slow. Loved the "racetrack" scene because I wasn't expecting a location outside of time (so soon in the story); loved LMH's acting throughout the episode; loved that we got to see Tae Eul's vulnerability as she tried to find her mother; loved the comedic moments, especially the King checking out and finding the search history on his phone; loved the akwardness of the the first kiss which was obviously desired by both characters; and can't wait to find out more about the past of Kang, Shin.

MEOW/ANGEL’S LAST MISSION IN CAT FORM. The final two episodes were meo-yawn. Nothing happened. Nothing was resolved. You could not even say this was an analogy on the affection and companionship between single people and their pets. Shin Ye-eun, 22, tried to lead this show but it is very difficult for her to carry the cast along in a weak script. (Even shooting stars like Jung Hae-In could not muster good ratings on his latest series.) I was waiting for something profound to happen . . . still waiting. As I said before, the second leads and his parents were a better story. And the real cat was the best actor.

ONCE AGAIN: At least this weekender is not being too serious with itself. Ok-Ja’s cut-aways about her feelings for Chi-Soo were campy, light comedy. Once Again, viewers know exactly where all the story lines are heading to the pristine happy ending long, long down the road.

Variety:

THE GREAT ESCAPE Season 3: Not as good as Season 1, but it was not a total time waster. Give credit to writers in tying back to previous seasons story lines.

FUN RESTAURANT: Watching bits and pieces of episodes unsubbed (which is not helping my Korean comprehension) for the food creation process.

The Tube:

I am finding by accident more Korean actresses having their own You Tube channels. A peek into their daily lives is interesting but not ground breaking.