I don’t think I’ve watched so many currently airing dramas at once!

Mystic Pop-Up Bar - continuing to enjoy, was a bit more heavy handed on How Things Work this time. Am intrigued by the bodyguard.

The King Eternal Monarch: am only on episode 6, but it occurred to me watching it from New Zealand that I must have a completely different experience (that is, none) of neighbouring countries pushing the limits and skirting around war than S Korea.

Oh My Baby - I’m loving this. I wonder if how much you enjoy it might be influenced somewhat by where you are in life. I have a young family, friends who are older and single, as well as married friends who have been struggling with infertility for years, so a lot of Ha Ri’s struggles are recognisable. I think when I was younger and hadn’t ever thought about kids, I would have had less patience with her/said ‘just adopt!’ I don’t know how it works in S Korea but adoption is not an easy option here - maybe one child a year is adopted outside of the extended family.

I’m still watching Goblin (one episode left) and The Last Empress, so I’m breaking my own rules about not watching the same actors/same settings (eg fictional monarchy) in different dramas at the same time in about as many ways as possible 😄 but I’m enjoying everything which is lovely after a long drama slump at the start of the year.

Where Your Eyes Linger On episode 5
I've been watching the episodes raw, then subbed and with comments, then with my roommate. Rewatching ftw!
The King On episode 6.
Oh, My Baby On episode 6.
King is Not Easy On episode 19. That twist though!
I've now shown my roommate one time and her and her boyfriend a second.
The Brightest Star in the Sky On episode 8.
Psychopath Diary On episode 3.
Dark Kiss and Midnight on episode 3.
How Are U Bread? on episode 3.
Hospital Playlist on episode 1.
Drake&Josh & VicTorious watching random episodes for a fanfiction I'm writing
Rampage it was cool
Spiderman: Homecoming amazing as usual
Never Have I Ever rewatch

I didn't watch as much as I wanted to this week. I don't have much thoughts in my mind right now so I'll be very brief.
Airing
1. Kkondae intern: Ep 2 (3-4) This episode was funny. I am enjoying it. I am liking PHJ in this.

2. Mystic Pop up Bar: Ep 1 I like this. I have hopes that this one will be interesting.

Others:
My fellow citizens: Eps 1-2 My next drama on the to watch list after Mad Dog. This was fun. But I put it on hold for-

Someday one day: Ep 1-2 My second tdrama. I like it so far. After it being recommended to me by a few people as a way better alternative to TKEM I definitely had to watch this.

THE KING: ETERNAL MONARCH Episodes 11-12 were by far my favorite. The story finally pulled itself together, so I'm a bit nervous about watching Episode 13 actually...

DINNER MATES. What is up with the long titles dramaland? Started this on a whim, and was pleasantly surprised by Seo Ji-hye. Will give it two more episodes before deciding.

And that's it! I didn't get to BALLAD OF SEODONG this week because I was too busy theorising about THE KING. Lol.

I did watch two movies: MEMORIES OF THE SWORD (tragic, but Junho and Kim Go-Eun), and THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD (crazy spaghetti western adventure)

Currently watching:

1. The King:
Ep.12 is my fav so far. On the other hand, I think ep11 and 13 quite let me down. I like the pacing and the way the story is told (yes, the 'confusion' way) in other episodes more than these two. I agree that beautiful cinematography can retain my attention even when I can't comprehend much of what's going on or whom the characters are referring to. I love watching the lovely KGE's face and her style. I like watching LMH's face as I think he's handsome.

Around the last scene of ep.12 and the beginning of ep.13, I couldn't take my eyes out of PM Koo's jewelry I had to look up those on other sites later on. Her outfit in that scene was also breathtakingly beautiful (the grayish pink suit and the bottom part.) I hadn't thought she would end up on Rim's side tbh..

2. Hospital Playlist:
I LOVE how slice-of-life this story feels. It's like I'm watching what my group of friends have been doing week after week. I think I should be in the minority here, but I found YYS's acting quite unnatural in this show. His character, for me, seems inconsistent in many scenes and as a result I also found his romantic relationship somewhat forced.

Having said that, I completely enjoy Ik-joon and Song-hwa, among many others. I think their actings are natural and believable.

Dropped:

1. Mystic Pop-up Bar: I just didn't like it that much, so I dropped it after the first 10 minutes.

Will resume watching:

1. When the Weather is Fine: I like to watch only a couple of shows at the same time, so I put this one on hold. I think after Hospital Playlist is finished, it's time to go back to sipping my old cup of tea.

I'm so EXCITED that @leetennant is watching Marry Me Mary (Mary Stayed Out All Night)!!! (@thatstp) Now if only there were a way to take over her account and have her write a glowing review...

I finished Hospital Playlist and loved all but some parts of the last episode.

Still muddling through Eternal PPL and hoping for a satisfying ending (satisfying to me).

Hospital Playlist: This was the only drama I was watching and actually enjoying so now I am left with nothing. I really loved this and don't know how I can wait a year to hear Song-hwa's answer especially since I am a proud Ik-joon Song-hwa shipper with no regrets and shame. My only complain about this show is how they literally left every scene and then followed it up later. Like I know the writer director duo are famous for this kind of storytelling but I just don't see the appeal of doing this for every freaking scene. Nothing wrong with a bit of a linear storytelling.
I also went back to 2016 and watched 1 Percent of Something up to episode 8 or 9 and couldn't take all the hand grabbing and toxic jealousy but unfortunately I did find Ha Seok-jin too sexy so I may or may not continue this.
Also checked out the first episode of Will You Have Dinner With Me. Didn't do much for me but the ajumma garb was pretty funny so I'll probably watch the second episode as well.

Oh My Baby: Go Joon is adorable. I remember watching Fiery Priest and strangely rooting for him to join the gang. I'm so glad I get to see him as Yisang. I don't think it was necessary for them to expand upon the sperm thing (I thought that was over with tbh) when they could have developed the relationships more. Also I don't particularly like Eutteum but I do think he deserves a better pairing than the lazy snooty coworker.

Itaewon Class: I was avoiding this because it sounded so melo but I'm glad I finally sat down to watch it to brainwash other people into getting on the Park Seo Joon train. The use of Ben Folds' Still Fighting It was exquisite. This is easily Park Seo Joon's best role so far. I strangely feel like a proud mama watching him because I remember him catching my eye in BAP's I Remember MV and then again in I Summon You Gold. He's one of the very few actors I've followed since the beginning of their careers and I'm so glad he's being recognized for more than just being a romcom lead (though honestly romcom lead is one of my favorite forms of him.) I can't wait for him to return to drama land.

Currently Airing

THE KING: ETERNAL MONARCH: This one’s an odd one. It’s utterly ridiculous and cheesy at times with minimal chemistry between the leads (most of the time). But there’s just something that keeps me pressing ‘play’ on the next episode. I’m left rolling my eyes by most of the ending scenes but still somehow can’t resist wanting to see what happens next. (ep. 2-6)

OH MY BABY: I think I could have sat and watched these episodes back to back (which I typically never do). Even though the premise sounded bonkers, it is so fun. Jang Na Ra is just lovely in her role. I understand why people love her so much. The awkwardness between her character and Yi Sang is fantastic. (I know this is probably weird to say.) I love how they’re both seeing each other at their worst and yet still have so much obvious respect for one another. (episode 1-5)

Oh My Baby: Episode 3 sealed it. I like this show and I am going to stick with it till end. I am hoping this show will not go for white picket fence ending.
Hospital Playlist and Mystic pop-up bar: Need to catch up with latest episode.
Romance of Tiger and Rose: My crack drama. It is funny and cute. The one thing about c-drama that I observed is, more I enjoy the drama in first half more of its possibility to derail in second half. *cough* Legend of fu-yao, Princess agents. I am keeping my finger crossed.
On Hold:
Sweet Munchies : I was finding it mildly interesting till the bullying at office started. I have low tolerance for such things and I don’t think I can continue. I will wait for reviews to pick it up again.
Dropped:
Good Casting: I have crossed 8-episode mark and still don’t care about the spy stuff or mystery of Michael or NIS corruption. It looks like it only contains the things that I hate most in drama – boring office politics, corrupt public officials and incompetent people.
The only thing I like about this drama is Ye-Eun but it is not enough to go on.

Where can one watch Will You Have Dinner With Me in the US?

The current crop of dramas haven’t lit a spark for me. So, I am watching Pasta for the first time and absolutely loving it! The pacing, story, some of my favorite actors. I recommend it highly.

I'm watching the classic Marry Me Mary (Mary Stayed Out All Night), which as everyone knows is a searing polemic on forced marriage in Korea.
Just kidding. It's a romcom about a lovable Dad who sells his daughter into marriage with a man she's never met by forging marriage registration papers.
Oh wait, no it's a romcom about a Candy and her love triangle with a Chaebol and an Indie musician.
There's now a drinking game. This has made a difference to my viewing experience.

With a dislocated and now taped up finger I cannot type much this week. This is also why I am posting this so much later.

HOSPITAL PLAYLIST- the best. Cannot wait for the second season.

ONCE AGAIN- getting even better. The first ships are not quite sailing yet but Yoon Jae-sook finally accepted that Da-hee has unwittingly taken up permanent residence in his heart and is starting to do something about it. Their ship may not be under sail yet- but he is definitely working to cast off the mooring lines.

MYSTIC POP UP BAR- Is very good.

OH MY BABY- Started OK. I am hoping for the best. So far it is entertaining.

SWEET MUNCHIES- Good so far.

My family don't want me to watch too many dramas, so here is my list for this week:
TKEM: ff love scenes, watch it for Woo Do Hwan and to finish the story. All this toggling between space, time and dopplegangers is very tiring.
Born Again: it is till completely insane and obscene, and I want it to be this way till the bitter end. Please, don't be preachy, show!
Mystic Pop-Up Bar: on hold, the storyline is too similar to Hotel Del Luna (minus Chanel and Co). I"ll wait for more positive reviews. The FL actress always drives me nuts.
Sweet Munchies: I'm not optimistic, but I will stick to it for the time being. It's too much like Personal Taste (minus Yves Saint-Laurent and the ethereal beauty of LMH). The idea of a "gay chef consoling women with his wise cooking" is so trashy, I can't even hope they'd challenge it.
Winter Begonia: slowly watching it for the art.

Nokdu flower:

Well, as I said before, I am late to this party but I arrived in ep 10, which I will watch tomorrow if the library is open. I moved to another city and don't have internet at home.
Moving also was horrible, and there is so much to organize!!!!!
But a little bit of dramaland I need, of course!!!

Oh my Baby:

I couldn't finish ep 6. But I love this show, I really enjoy the plot and most of the characters. I root for Hari, although I don't understand why she wants to have a child.

Good Casting: I don't know why I am still watching this. I just hope to finish it with the team in one piece and Lee Sang Yeob's character learn how badass Choi Kanghee's character.

Mystic Pop-up Bar: I love my fantasy supernatural drama. And this one is done just right. I am wondering of Manager Gwi was previously the Crown Prince. It is good thing Hwang JungEum found the right role here. She is so hard working and has next drama lined up.

Oh My Baby: I am still watching this for the leads. But alot of real life questions raised up seems to cross across all the cultures in the world when women are not considered successful and living a life in failure when unmarried and childless at that age. But if you are a single mum you also in same boat in Asian cultures.

Team Bulldog: I fnally found a legal site to watch it with English subtitles. IQIYI app a Chinese app is acarrying it in my region South East Asia or maybe North Asia if anyone is curious and can give it a try. Not sure available in how many countries. I will watch any show with Cha Tae Hyun at this times seeing after the whole 2019 controversy.

King Eternal Monarch: Just one episode and I am fine, want to see how the mechanism of the time travelling will work. All been said much about this drama, that's all from me.

Kkondae Intern: I am not sure why I am still watching it. Not so comfortable seeing the old man treat the youngers ones with quite disrespect. I think age does not mean you can treat those younger than you so meanly especially when you are in position of power. It just reflects back on you your behaviour as a human being. But in Korea it seems to be quite different so will just see how this goes on.