Premiere Watch: Zombie Detective, Eighteen Again, More Than Friends, The School Nurse Files

69 September 20, 2020September 20, 2020

Premiere Watch: Zombie Detective, Eighteen Again, More Than Friends, The School Nurse Files

by stroopwafel

After weeks of delayed premieres, having four dramas all in one week feels like a much-needed burst of rain during a drought. Dramaland is starting off fall with a wealth of fantastical plots, and I could certainly use a little break from reality right about now.

Zombie Detective

Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: KBS
Genre: Action, fantasy, comedy
Episode count: 12

Reasons to watch: I have been waiting for what feels like forever for this show, and it was the main conceit that hooked me–a zombie who must learn to be human. Choi Jin-hyuk features as the titular zombie detective, and will be playing a zombie who cosplays as a human. Once a normal man, he wakes up and finds he has no memory of his past and to make matters worse, he’s a zombie who craves flesh. After a years-long struggle to learn the ways of humans, Choi decides he must find out who he was before he became zombiefied and runs into a bit of luck in the form of Park Joo-hyun. She decides to join him as he opens a private detective agency and they take on cases together as he searches for pieces of his human past.

Eighteen Again

Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: JTBC
Genre: Fantasy, rom-com
Episode count: 16

Reasons to watch: This adapation of the American body-swap film 17 Again, stars Kim Haneul with Yoon Sang-hyun and Lee Do-hyun sharing the role of Kim Haneul’s husband. Though they’d once been deeply in love, they’ve grown apart over the years and Yoon Sang-hyun is at the lowest point in his life when Kim Haneul hits him with divorce papers. Suddenly, (and aren’t body-swaps always so sudden?) he wakes up to find himself back in his eighteen-year-old form (Lee Do-hyun). Though he’s determined to start anew, he finds he can’t stay away from Kim Haneul after all, and the two of them might not be as out of love as they’d thought.

More Than Friends

Time slot: Friday & Saturday
Broadcaster: JTBC
Genre: Rom-com
Episode count: 16

Reasons to watch: Our “straight” rom-com of the week (so in other words, no body-swapping, zombies, or paranormal phenomena) is all about young love, timing, and missed connections. Shin Ye-eun and Ong Sung-woo play old friends who’ve always had a simmering, unspoken something between them. Shin Ye-eun has been unlucky in love in pretty much every way possible and is resigned to being someone with an unrequited love. Just as she’s more or less given up on her crush on Ong, her luck may be changing as Kim Dong-joon makes his interest clear–much to the displeasure of Ong Sung-woo. Can friends become something more, or will the new man in town manage to sweep Shin Ye-eun off her feet? (Talk about a happy dilemma!)

The School Nurse Files

Time slot: Friday
Broadcaster: Netflix
Genre: Fantasy, comedy, thriller
Episode count: 6

Reasons to watch: In one of the more unusual dramas this year, Jung Yumi stars as a school nurse who possesses the power to fight and exorcise spirits and all sorts of paranormal creatures. The school is a a hotbed of paranormal activity, though the various ghoulies are only visible to her, and Jung Yumi is never without her trusty weapons: a toy sword and BB gun. Her costar Nam Joo-hyuk is a teacher and grandson of the school’s founder. Though he’s not as spiritually gifted as her, he possesses an otherworldly aura that acts as a supercharger for Jung Yumi and he’s a stalwart ally. She’ll need all the help she can get while she protects the students from all manner of nefarious fiends.

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1 panshel

September 20, 2020 at 11:06 PM

I already know I'm going to love More Than Friends. Friends-to-lovers romances are my favorite.

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javinne

September 21, 2020 at 12:03 AM

I was about to say, this is the only one I may be interested to watch, but... I don't know for sure if I have the time 😐
I will wait for the beanies reviews after the premiere and so... Maybe I will make the time😅

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2 protect junwoo

September 20, 2020 at 11:06 PM

SEONGWU!!! I'm going back to my roots <3 I was pretty much a lurker on db until I decided to come on and talk about a few dramas, including A Moment at Eighteen, thus my username. I'm excited for this one, just to see Ong again!

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3 dramafan100

September 20, 2020 at 11:09 PM

Been waiting for More than friends for a long time now!! Can't wait for some unapologetic romcom. With what appears to be fun squad.

Bring it on Ong Seongwu.

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4 Radily

September 20, 2020 at 11:16 PM

"She decides to join him as he opens a private detective agency and they take on cases together as he searches for pieces of his human past." -> And they fall in love with each other until he finds out that they had a twisted fate where she fed him to the zombies in the past, but of course he forgives her and maybe bites her and we get Zombie Couple

"Though he’s determined to start anew, he finds he can’t stay away from Kim Haneul after all, and the two of them might not be as out of love as they’d thought." -> By the end of the show, he'll be crying to the heavens to turn him back into his old self so that he can reunite with her and we get an awkward deus ex machina of some sort where his wish gets awarded due to him achieving inner peace or something

"Can friends become something more, or will the new man in town manage to sweep Shin Ye-eun off her feet?" -> Rhetorical question, the poster already stated who the final OTP will be, also, first male lead has an intense backstory with female lead (Unless the show is daring enough to be like You Who Forgot Poetry and have the girl get over her crush totally and love the new guy)

But I'm still watching all three shows in the end, haha.

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Maq

September 21, 2020 at 2:19 PM

Or like Strong Woman Do Bong-soon. Also completely random q, but is You Who Forgot Poetry good? I want to try it out for Lee Joon-hyuk, but I've heard mixed things about his character in this show.

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Radily

September 21, 2020 at 5:24 PM

Pros:
- The nice guy gets the girl and the romance is mature with none of that Drama Male Lead Toxicity
- Poetry is actually used in the drama wonderfully
- Lee Joon Hyuk doesn't die and gets to smile a lot

Cons:
- Side characters are caricatures and their arcs aren't developed much
- Love triangle gets a little angsty (fans of the other ship are still outraged about the alleged character assassination)
- There's no story per se and the resolution of the main character's goal is a little too nicely wrapped up

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Maq

September 21, 2020 at 5:37 PM

As long as Lee Joon-hyuk is decent, then it's on my list! I had been told that his character is sort of under-developed and prickly, which was a huge turn-off.

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bong-soo

September 21, 2020 at 6:01 PM

@radily,
Lol I don’t consider it “alleged”. Writer-nim and Director-nim ‘did in’ you know who.
(The only shipping war I have ever been involved in. It was a bit heated but fun.)

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Maq

September 21, 2020 at 6:34 PM

Wait, did they crap all over JDY's character?

bong-soo

September 21, 2020 at 7:52 PM

Maq all I want to say is watch and enjoy.
Check out the recap too. There were 5 recaps covering episodes1-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-16.

bong-soo

September 21, 2020 at 5:55 PM

In A POEM A DAY LJH (1984) played the famous Dr Ye.
It became one of my favorites for 2018 and definitely recommend it with a heads up. The first 3-4 episodes were difficult for me because of the way the characters were introduced (Dr. Ye excepted).
I am convinced (and I lay the blame on the writer) that APAD’s poor ratings were partly the result of the early episodes. Viewers were turned of.
O/T I have a similar complaint about I AM NOT A ROBOT.
You will get a great introduction to Korean poetry.
I give the production credit that not withstanding the poor ratings the presentation of the poems were splendid.

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5 Nessa (Bebe) 🌹

September 20, 2020 at 11:19 PM

For the longest time, until literally this week, I had thought that “Zombie Detective” was already airing, but I guess all the COVID-19 related delays and changes of other dramas just got me confused 😅😅

“Eighteen Again” is reminding of and giving me feels of “Big” (starring Gong Yoo [his first post-army project] & Kee Min Jung) and we all know how that went *sigh*

“More Than Friends” is the one I’m anticipating most of of this list, and the promos make it feel and seem more contemplative rather than romcom, so I’m actually surprised the romcom genre label is being given to it

Finally, “The School Nurse Files” just seems like good natured wacky fun that does pant seem to be taking itself seriously, and if it can keep and stick to this tone throughout the drama and not stray into, say, melo territory, I think it has the potential to be great 😂😂😂

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Nessa (Bebe) 🌹

September 20, 2020 at 11:20 PM

*Kim Min Jung

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6 LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death

September 20, 2020 at 11:53 PM

That stirring deep down somewhere near my chest area suggests I may - just may - poke my head out of my Slump Land window for a few of these...

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beffels

September 21, 2020 at 4:24 AM

Surely you can’t resist at least trying Zombie Detective....it’s going to be great or terrible. Or great because it’s terrible.

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mmmmm

September 21, 2020 at 4:40 AM

Great because it’s terrible! 😂😂😂😂😂

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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death

September 21, 2020 at 1:33 PM

🤞

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Kafiyah Bello

September 21, 2020 at 5:10 AM

Perfectly stated!!!!

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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites

September 21, 2020 at 9:37 AM

LT is irresistibly indifferent to persuasion. She is cool like that.

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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death

September 21, 2020 at 1:34 PM

😎

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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death

September 21, 2020 at 1:33 PM

This is true and precisely what I was meant. Also the School Nurse files looks just crazy enough to be in my wheelhouse too. I have hopes, guys. Just a little. Just enough.

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beffels

September 21, 2020 at 5:19 PM

I look forward to your thoughts 😎

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egads aka Dame Maggie

September 21, 2020 at 6:42 PM

Don't say the H word! You might have jinxed everything.

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Kairoskat 💐

September 21, 2020 at 7:10 PM

H? Hyuk? 🤔

egads aka Dame Maggie

September 22, 2020 at 5:24 AM

@katakwasabi, (hope)

7 faee 💫 won bin comeback pls

September 20, 2020 at 11:58 PM

i will have to check out eighteen again cause lee dohyun is adorable. and more than friends sounds totally like my favourite kinda drama and i love the leads! is the school nurse files gonna drop all the episodes at once? probably right. then I'm gonna probably be done with it this weekend.

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8 Kurama

September 20, 2020 at 11:59 PM

For once, I'm not interested in JTBC dramas.

More Than Friends : I'm kinda tired by the story about the FL who loves during years the same cold guy who becomes interested in her only when another guy looks interested. I like stories about friends becoming lovers but more like In Time With You style.

Eighteen Again : I don't see how the plot can be stretched for 16 episodes.

I'm really excited for the other dramas.

Park Joo-Hyun chose very good dramas until now : A Piece of Your Mind and Extracurricular. She showed 2 very different characters.

The fluffy "monsters" in The School Nurse Files looks super cute and the FL looks super weird and fun.

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sal

September 21, 2020 at 2:23 AM

Regarding More than friends. In one of the trailers they both confirm their feelings for each other in high school, but he have to leave so she says she can wait for him. So I belive it is more external circumstances that keep them from exploring their feeling for each other. When they meet again years later he still harbor feelings for her while it looks like she have somewhat moved on. So it is not because of another guy he start to fall for her. :)

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Kurama

September 21, 2020 at 2:46 AM

Technically, the ML always is in love with the FL, it's just he never thought to tell her because of some reasons connected to his past, family, etc. and hides it behind coldness.

But it looks the plot changed a little bit. First, it was only the FL who had a crush since highschool but now they both have but didn't tell to each other.

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9 Jezz

September 21, 2020 at 12:01 AM

I knew I'm excited for 18 Again and More Than Friends! :)

So I will expect if I will be interested with cult horror comedy crime series Zombie Detective then if I love this, then I will be not expected to drop as soon as possible.

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10 meowingme

September 21, 2020 at 3:52 AM

So interested in Zombie Detective because it looks like some cackling fun, plus only 12 episodes, so why not. The weird premise of School Nurse Files definitely needs some checking out too, but happily, 3 out of the Premier Watch are listed in the "Currently Recapping" so we viewers are covered anyway, yayy!

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11 JillofAllTrades

September 21, 2020 at 4:08 AM

"Shin Ye-eun has been unlucky in love in pretty much every way possible and is resigned to being someone with an unrequited love. " - Is this not her last role too?

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Kurama

September 21, 2020 at 4:22 AM

Yes, it was and it traumatized her so much that she ended up dating a cat...

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JillofAllTrades

September 21, 2020 at 4:25 AM

It must be traumatizing to be that cat! The cat was a cutie pie though (I am referring to the actual feline and not the human counterpart)

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12 JillofAllTrades

September 21, 2020 at 4:12 AM

I guess it is School Nurse files for me! AND it is on Netflix this Friday in my country!

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13 hazelnuts

September 21, 2020 at 4:22 AM

Here for zombie detective! Im so done with Choi Jin Hyuk se-ri-ous characters, its about some comedy chop chops! Hahaha! Looking forward!

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14 beffels

September 21, 2020 at 4:29 AM

I think I might be interested in all of these? I only have time for maybe one though so I’ll have to prioritise 😅

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15 mmmmm

September 21, 2020 at 4:43 AM

More than Friends sounds like something I wholeheartedly want to try. If it’s not possible in real life, me thinking, at least watching these friends end up together in a drama land sounds like a good compromise.

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16 Ayalynn

September 21, 2020 at 6:44 AM

I watched Zombie Detective. I love it!
Super funny!
I'm already sad there are only 12 episodes.

And More Then Friends finally!
I've been waiting for Ong Seong-wo's new drama since Moment at Eighteen ended.
Hotel Del Luna's P.O is fantastic bonus!
I'm ready to watch!
Oh 18 Again also. I love Lee Do-Hyun.
I'll be super busy on Mon-Tue for sure!

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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites

September 21, 2020 at 8:51 AM

I am so going to watch Zombie Detective. Why only 12 episodes??

More details between the lines...

"...he’s a zombie who craves flesh." He has taken to chewing his inner cheeks to fight his addiction; it has helped to cut down on the craving, but has, unfortunately, left huge gaping holes in both of his cheeks.

"...they take on cases together..." She douses herself liberally with canfuls of insect repellant to mask her human scent.

"...he searches for pieces of his human past" in the freezer he keeps locked up deep down in his basement.

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Ayalynn

September 21, 2020 at 10:44 AM

It's a comedy, mystery/suspense and probably some romance too.
So much fun! I was laughing out loud.
Choi Jin-Hyuk is killing it.

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Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)

September 21, 2020 at 12:46 PM

I'm only 50 minutes in... so far it's demented genius

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Amy

September 21, 2020 at 11:15 AM

OMGGGYWRsssUTWITI Zombie Detective is good???? Thank God I was worried about his ability to chose scripts when I read the synopsis. Anyway Good for him and hope it gives him some break.

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17 miss h

September 21, 2020 at 7:52 AM

Excited for More Than Friends.
Will probably give Zombie Detective a try since it's only 12 episodes.
The School Nurse Files looks bonkers but fun.

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18 CasualDramaFan

September 21, 2020 at 9:48 AM

I am excited for The school Nurse Files. I am definitely going to watch it.
For 18 again, I would have loved if FML got to be 18 again. What if her new life was so awesome that she never wanted to go back?

For Zombie and More than friends I will wait for reviews. I am not in mood for both the genres.

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19 Islander north

September 21, 2020 at 12:51 PM

Anyone know where 18 Again will be streaming on a legit site in US? Thanks.

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Zora

September 21, 2020 at 12:57 PM

I looked and couldn’t find in legit sites ☹️

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Islander north

September 23, 2020 at 7:41 AM

Thanks, this is getting frustrating so many dramas that should be on Viki at least not anywhere legit.

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20 windsun33

September 21, 2020 at 1:03 PM

At this point the only one I am looking forward to is School Nurse Files. The rest seem like rerun #67.

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21 Zora

September 21, 2020 at 1:29 PM

Episode 1 of Zombie Detective was way better than all the 6 episodes of Rugal I’ve seen
😂 🤣 😆

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Ayalynn

September 21, 2020 at 4:39 PM

🤣🤣🤣
Zombie Detective is soooo good!
I'm so happy that Choi JIn-hyuk took this challenging role.
He is fantastic!

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Zora

September 21, 2020 at 5:02 PM

I’m loving it so far 😁 CJH is killing it! 😆

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22 Eazal

September 21, 2020 at 2:15 PM

I’m so tempted to watch Zombie detective... it can be such a mess...

I’m surely watching School Nurse, and I would at least check More than friends, although I’m not really convinced.

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Islander north

September 23, 2020 at 7:42 AM

I guess I wasn't expecting to see Zombie Detective be so campy in first episode, but by 2nd episode I was onboard.

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23 ar_arguably romantic

September 21, 2020 at 2:38 PM

In for Zombie Detective because I sort of miss the comfort of procedurals, especially if they include some comedy in there. Also can't wait for School Nurse Files - looks cute and quirky!

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24 Marciaann

September 21, 2020 at 5:38 PM

Eyeing the six episode count of school nurse files warily, having not recovered from the year+ long hiatus of love alarm.

All others are fine.

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amara

September 21, 2020 at 6:34 PM

they may not do a s2 though i would love it. kyung mi is an amazing film director and writer so tbh if i were her i wouldn't want to do a TV show BUT BLESSED BE

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Marciaann

September 21, 2020 at 7:20 PM

Who am I kidding, I’m totally going to watch it.

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amara

September 21, 2020 at 7:32 PM

ikr same LOL

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25 amara

September 21, 2020 at 6:33 PM

SCHOOL NURSE FILES LEE KYUNG MI I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR 500 YEARS AND FINALLY IT WILL COME

not a fan of NJH at all but i love jung yumi for her ability to choose roles that are so different and defying. even if they're in shows i think are stupid (the one with kim seul gi and that guy idk his name but i hated it but have seen most of it like 500 times bc of seul gi) and then LIVE (goat....) and when i heard about this director, yumi (and def wanna see baek 1984) i just (scream)

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amara

September 21, 2020 at 6:36 PM

"Our “straight” rom-com of the week (so in other words, no body-swapping, zombies, or paranormal phenomena) is all about young love, timing, and missed connections" lbr i wasn't gonna watch it anyways but i'm dead at straight cos i was like a) HUH and b) wow even more reason to ignore it, @stroopwafel is so candid! ty for the post :)

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26 OldLawyer

September 21, 2020 at 7:47 PM

I have been looking forward to MORE THAN FRIENDS (which will be on Viki). SCHOOL NURSE FILES looks like it could be fun.

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27 Edgar Pordwed

September 22, 2020 at 5:20 AM

Yayy all 3 dramas of interest to me are going to be recapped! All these dramas seem light and interesting enough to get out of my slump. For some strange reason 18 Again is of most interest to me, maybe because for once I've seen the original unlike Designated Survivor, Suits and others so should be fun to see how they make a typical Kdrama out of the premise.

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28 bong-soo

September 22, 2020 at 4:55 PM

Yes to ZOMBIE. I loved the first episode. I am so glad I can get back and watch a Choi Jin-hyuk show (dramedy?).
I first encountered CJH in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE where he was terrific.
Then he is gone for his military service. He returns with TUNNEL where he was even better. After that I don't know what happened and none of his projects interested me.

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29 OLakes

September 23, 2020 at 10:59 AM

I think DYLB may be hitting my quota of relationship angst, so I may skip More Than Friends as a live watch but will be checking out School Nurse Files. And I sort of want to check out Zombie Detective, since it's out of my usual genre go-to. Looks fun!

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30 spazmo

September 23, 2020 at 11:10 AM

why all the zombie dramas/movies???
but... WUT? a comedy zombie drama?? ok, i'm in.
: D

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31 brian

September 24, 2020 at 1:48 AM

Poor Zombie guy. I watched the first episode, life er, undead life is really tough for him. It's not like normal zombies, where you mindlessly wander around looking for brains to eat.