Currently watching:

1. Alice: I like this one more than I expected. I’ve never been good with sci-fi dramas but I found this one piquing my interest. (Perhaps because I just finished The Theory of Everything (movie)). I have always liked Joo Won (besides when he was in My Sassy Girl) so I’m relieved that he seems to be doing fine in terms of rating in this project. The story is interesting; moreover, I love the cast. I’ll be sticking with this one I guess.

On hold:

1. When I Was Prettiest: I don’t quite like the palette used; it made the show look so dated. Right now there aren’t enough compelling reasons for me to stick with this one besides the facts that FL is an art teacher and Hwan is ML in My First First Love. So I’m putting this one on hold for now.

2. I’m a bit sad that I think I’ll also put Brahms on hold. The sad part is that I won’t be able to participate in any interesting and fun discussion that might take place here while the show is airing. The possibility of love triangles frustrates me more than I expected. I might pick up this one again when I’m more in the mood for it.

Perhaps I’m in a drama slump; all I can think of is to rewatch Chocolate..or Coffee Prince.

Flower Of Evil - Well, I am late to the viewing party and I am fast forwarding all scenes that don't involve our couple or the second leads. So, it is really interesting to read all the spoilers here, I seem to miss a lot. Still having a lot of fun with the parts of the show that I watched.

Do You Like Brahms - Personally, yes, a lot! But I am not too sure about the show. Watched the first episode... it was okay, a bit slow perhaps? I am not sure if I'll continue. And the FL's hair is irritating to me (I am shallow like that, forgive me). Why give her those VERY fake looking extensions? Maybe a wig instead? Which brings me to

Forest of Secrets - As well I have to lament about the hair: Those extensions are distracting. The rest is okay. I must admit it is a very different show from the first season. Not dropping it though, I like our characters too much.

Forest of Secrets 2 : Now that we're 3 weeks in, I've got to say that while the body count is lower than season 1 so far, it's a lot more stressful given that there are a ton of political and bureaucratic landmines that the characters - main and background- have to navigate. Not as exciting as season 1, but it's still very stimulating. Even though this is about the South Korean system, I can connect with it given the increasing discussions in the US about systems of oppression.

Crash Landing on You : At the fun part now when our North Korean gang are all in Seoul and Seung-joon is openly crushing on Dan. I think dramas are a lot more fun when the heroine gets to be super rich and I can spend vicariously through them. I love it when Pyo Chi Soo keeps threatening to spend all of Seri's money.

Bits and pieces.
(This should have gone in yesterday's Open Thread): I can't focus at the moment on dramas, because not only did I have to euthanize one of my kitties last month, now another one needs to be euthanized (they're old) but with the holiday 3-day weekend and all vet clinics around booked up until the end of the month, what am I to do with my poor kitty? I'm sure she's suffering a lot.

My wife continues to love THE EMPRESS KI despite the very slow pace of subtitling- she is watching episode 50 even as I watch this, with subtitles for the final episode 51 now at 90%. She also enjoyed the historical costume C-drama IMPERIAL DOCTRESS.

Only twelve episodes for HOUSE ON WHEELS. I am so disappointed in that. It was a really nice, relaxing ride through summer. The guest in the last two episodes was Ha Ji-won- who played the Empress Ki in THE EMPRESS KI.

We continue to watch SYMPHONY’S ROMANCE, the C-Drama remake of NODAME CANTABILE.

I am still watching the weekender ONCE AGAIN which has gone into the final episodes- only two weeks left.

DO YOU LIKE BRAHMS has finally started. Park Eun-bin is always good. I will keep watching this show.

Am still only watching two older dramas. Live watching seems too risky at the moment...

Six Flying Dragons made no progress this week as I am watching it on my train commute and I was sick all week so, no train. Am hoping to be better soon otherwise am going to break my rule and watch at home 😅

King2hearts though - I knew the King had to die for our hero to become King, but did he have to die?! 😭😭 he was so nice. Am really enjoying this drama despite somewhat cartoony baddies (particular enjoy the Extremely Dramatic theme music of the villain and Evil Facial Hair of his Australian sidekick).

Currently Airing

ALICE: Really enjoyed this first episode. It definitely had an older feel to it, which I’m thinking is because it took place in the 90s, if I’m not mistaken. I loved Kim Hee-Sun’s dedication to her son, especially when he was from from affectionate. Super excited to continue on! (ep. 1)

FLOWER OF EVIL: Lee Joon Gi’s acting is on point here. I was so creeped watching some of his scenes, but then there also seems to be some flashes of humanity that confuse me. Plus, with his past with some of the other character’s, it also makes me want to sympathize with him. I’ve spoiled myself a bit on the future episodes, but it sure would have been nice to watch this and keep second-guessing if he had actually committed the murders or not. And Moon Chae Won’s character had that moment in the bathroom, and it was very unexpected. I’m hoping this gets explored more later on, because that was a complete character change to me. (ep. 2)

SF8: JOAN’S GALAXY: Really enjoyed this one. Loved that ending, too! Wanted to rewatch this immediately upon finishing. (ep. 3)

SF8: MANXIN: Didn’t like this one as much as the first short. Found it to be a little confusing and almost anticlimactic. It did have a more hopeful ending, though. Which surprised me for a ‘series’ like this. (ep. 2)

ITS OK TO NOT BE OK--I don't know if I can add anything to the raving by beanies. I am fully immersed, which is my personal sign of an exceptional show. ( I just saw the ep with THE KISS. Oh.My. GOODNESS. I had to pause and come back after that. )

INTO THE RING—Ah, this one quickly became one of my top fives. I love that the ring is actually a small provincial ring but the writing makes the stakes seem just as high as national and global politics. Most of all I love to see characters who have a firm moral code and integrity that in turn inspires others. Yes, Gu Se-ra originally went into politics for practical reasons ( the money to pay off debt) but her inner steel and integrity and passion for the rights of all people make it so she cannot just walk by (like most of us might do). And Gong-Myung. Oh, he is the perfect match and foil for her. Together they are magic. But the exceptional part is that all of the characters and the actors who play them are so interesting. They are not sacrificed for the main characters. These are my favorite kind of stories.

SYMPHONY ROMANCE—I have never read the original manga nor seen any of the other versions. I love classical music, an underdog story, and I have been impressed by Steven Zhang in his other projects so I started this one. Wow! What this show does well is does very well. The passion for classical music jumps off the screen and kudos to all the actors who do such a good job acting as musicians. This show has some of the best musical acting (the quickest way for me to be pulled out of a story is to have a character that is supposedly a musician obviously completely unfamiliar with the instrument; looking at you *stiff piano players*). This is not that show. I LOVE, LOVE that the most dramatic and intense edge-of-your-seat scenes are the musical competitions. You are just rooting for these characters so much. Now, if only the FL character was taken out. Seriously, I have never been more turned-off by a female character—scheming mother-in-laws and conniving second leads included. I am half way through and have a hard time continuing to watch because of her. I just have no hope of character growth in her. And worse, I have no idea why this couple belong together. None. Ok, end rant. Watch for the music and the other characters and stomach the FL if you can. Otherwise, this is a gem.

INTO THE SOOP—Yes, I adore BTS. I don’t know why watching 7 guys just hanging out is so soothing, but it is. Chalk it up to the endless charm of BTS.

Flower Of Evil: episode 11 was crazyyyyyy. i really love the theme "love is not only something you can feel but you can see". i really love how the plot move. kinda suprised reading comments here saying its predictable.

Alice: watch it with 0 expectation but i love it. kinda remind me of circle (because its same genre). im so happy this is my first Joo Won's drama.

Forest of Secrets S2 Seo Dong Jae! Okay I needed to get that out of my chest. The weaselnapping case will bring our leads together. So looking forward to the new episodes.

Flower of Evil only one episode this week and it still packed one hella punch. A lot were revealed and so many variables that can make it even worse for our misunderstood lead couple. Heartwrenching scene after another definitley makes this drama a melo of the best kind. I such hope LJG and MCW will get recognizee through awards the amazing job they have done on this drama. I also hope the amazing story will continue until the end.

Reply 1997 I started this since I wanted a light watch that was somewhat familiar so chose a Reply series. I do not know who the lead female ended up with or may have seen it somewhere but just forgotten about it. I like Yoon Jae so rooting for him and Si Won. So far I like it and almost halfway through.

Men Are Men: It's done! Ep 15/16 reminded me of how this show should've been tone wise before it got into revenge melodrama. Feels like a misfire, dunno why I continued watching lol. Ending with FL/ML stayed true to the original essence of the show, which got muddled in unnecessary filler.

FOE: Came back after a brief hiatus on the show, and enjoying it. I don't love it per say, but its been really good thus far and by this point, that's a good thing! Also the other detective guy is annoying me, the wrist grab, and the condescending attitude rme. MCW is killing it here, but I kinda rme at them writing her character as overtly emotional (maybe contrast to ML?) and some actions of hers were quite dumb. Ex. Not grabbing the knife ahead of time before jumping first into pool/ Ex. Not handcuffing both of female suspects hands.

Tunnel: Finished it! Loved this show! Yes the police were stupid sometimes, but the show merged in well thriller/sci-fi/suspense/mystery/comedy. It was very funny, I had no idea I would've laughed a lot (S/O to the team chemistry!). CJH's acting fitted here, and he did a very good job w/ the fish out of water scenario. But it was YHM who impressed me the most, same with LYY. He was the better actor compared to CJH, and made me wonder how come he's not leading a crime/thriller show? Ending was sweet, & I think ending it there made sense b/c time travel creates issues, so its up to us to decide what occurs afterwards.

Flower of evil: I'm holding out a bit on episode 11, I'm dreadfully anxious for it to end on a cliffhanger before taking a break.

Moment of eighteen: This show is just so sad, the mental and physical abuse of those children is so unlike the society I've grown up in. But I do like the interactions and most of the characters. Kang Ki-young is the greatest beacon of light, even if we fall into the greatest misery, I will keep watching for him alone. On another note, I noticed Viki picked up More than friends, starring Ong Seung-wu. I'm quite impressed with him in 18 so I'll be on the look-out for this.

I managed to finish I'll find you on a beautiful day, and I loved the show as a whole and it is already one of my faves this year. That being said, I was upset with how the show chose to resolve Eun-seob and Shi-won's relationship. To have taken baby steps towards each other and then getting together again through mere coincidence, I didn't think it was in line with their character growth. Ok, getting upset again. Moving on. Moving ooooon.

Do you like Brahms: I liked this. I think my favorite thing so far is Kim Min Jae's voice but I like the quiet and somewhat pensive mood.

I tried watching Symphony's Romance but made it two minutes into the show before turning it off. As much as I love Nodame Cantabile, I didn't like the style. Will try giving it another chance later on as I've heard beanies praising it.

So looking forward to Tale of the Nine-tailed!! ....Not so much Vincenzo.

DO YOU LIKE BRAHMS?
I've always preferred Schumann. :P
Just kidding, overall I like it but I'm hoping for more music-making. Thankfully we're not seeing hands flapping randomly across the keyboard or air bowing very difficult pieces (c.f. Two Set Violin on METEOR GARDEN: https://youtu.be/HaihF0kev6Q). Apart from the opening concert, we are only getting brief moments of them practicing. Park Eun-bin actually played a few chords of Tchaikovsky. Kim Min-jae actually played Traumerei in that scene with all of them in the practice room at night - We can tell because they don't sound like a recording. Earlier, he also played Traumerei but we hardly saw his hands, and the sound was dreamier (so probably dubbed). Anyway, as a musician this is a nerdy drama for me, but I also relate an awful lot to these characters.

Also watching MARY STAYED OUT ALL NIGHT. Episode 10. "My Precioussss" *runs away screaming*

I have been watching a lot of Filipino shows. Recently I am almost on the last episode of Gameboys the Series and In Between. Along with those, I just picked up Alice. I like that it was quick and didn't drag as much. It kind of reminded me of W: Two Worlds with the fast pace of the episodes. I'm just hoping it doesn't drag as much.

@sailorjumun Take care of your health.

I've officially moved into Slump Land. But you know, the Land of Slump doesn't have to be a depressing place. We've moved some couches in here, I have snacks, maybe a Duct Tape or two. Sure I used to call this place The Void when I was on the FINSE but it's not so bad all things considered. A little dingy maybe and nobody on the FINSE is sending us snacks but you can wear your PJs or your grungiest trackies and nobody will judge. The FINSE may have had a bar and of course the Back Half Meander but Slump Land has an extensive library for those who can't even be bothered turning on the television anymore. It also has a yarn depository for the knitters and a first aid station if they end up stabbing anybody. Disgruntled knitters should be approached cautiously.

Slump Land is of course an Escape Room so you can't just leave. You have to puzzle your way out. And yes some people may feel that makes it a cage and there is no way out and they are trapped in the Void forever but that's the kind of negative thinking that sent us into Slump Land in the first place. Just enjoy your time here, take a break from the crazy of the Show Side or the perpetual ambivalence of the FINSE. Enjoy the quiet. And hope that when you're ready to leave you're able to find your way out.

You can of course watch dramas here so I am watching the wonderfully written new season of Forest of Secrets. Unfortunately enjoying one drama is not enough to ensure your escape from Slump Land. Guess I better pour myself another Duct Tape.

I am behind Go Ahead. I am caught up with FOS 2. I am behind of Love and Redemption. I can’t wait to watch The Boys Season 2 in Amazon Prime.💕 Have a great weekend!!!

It's been one looong week~~ ^-^
Stranger: Amazing from start to finish and had one of the most satisfying endings in a drama I've watched in awhile. Can't wait to get into the next season!

Hospital Playlist Throwback: Man, if Kwak Sun Young (who played IkSun) was cast as Min Ha or Song Hwa instead, the drama would've been soo different. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's fascinating how all the actors and actresses just fit their characters like a glove. Forever love our HP cast~~ ( ˊᵕˋ )♡

Been sentimental lately, so I've just been listening to Mr Sunshine's OSTs on repeat haha I miss them ><

My December tradition is to watch Spirited Away to end the year on a high note.

I'm watching, "Watcher"--isn't that apt for this thread?

Hmmm...

Was it love... I finally have a K-drama that I can't recommend to friends 😬

Finished Hyena and loved it.

Then turned my attention to both seasons of Kingdom and very much enjoyed it. The undead on that show are absolutely crazy and scary! Just the fact that they can run is terrifying enough! I hope it gets a season 3.

Friend turned me on to Psychopath Diary and I'm currently on episode 6. I love how light and funny it can be.

Stranger: The buildup is still a bit slow for me, but I'm still willing to watch. That being said, I have not watched this weekend's episodes yet, so I know what i'll be doing tonight.

Flower of Evil: More of this please!!! The accomplice reveal was nice, and somewhat expected... somewhat. Hee-Sung/Do Hyun-Soo and Ji Won finally coming to grips with their current situation was a nice relief. I'm definitely pulling for them.

Alice: Maybe after I finish Psychopath Diary, I'll get to that and get current, as long as it's fun, for me :)

Feeling the travel bug bites hard, and binged watched The Package. It is really a hidden gem. A nice pick me up when the mood is down.

Currently Watching:
Flower of Evil (very good pacing and still very intense :P)
Stranger 2 (gonna watch Ep 7 & Ep 8 back to back tonight)
Alice (the end of Ep 4 finally piqued my interest :P)
Missing: TOS (yet to watch Ep 3 and still too early to comment on the show hahaha)

Just Finished:
Graceful Friends - This is one drama that I never thought I would have watched but am glad I did as the multilayered characters and dramatic settings made a really intense story about friendship + relationship enjoyable. My only pet peeves is that this show should have ended nicely in episode 16 rather than having an extra episode.....

Do You Like Brahms? Solid start, I like the ML and FL so I’m looking forward to more. Not blowing my mind but I’ll watch at least another week!

Alice I’m actually really enjoying this one. It’s a bit campy, and some of the CG is a bit dodgy (though some of it is pretty great too) but I like how they’re just GOING for it. Time travel is a tricky concept at the best of times but it’s a favourite of mine and I’m glad to see more writers attempting it.

Flower of Evil The cliffhangers, they’re killing me. Not as much as the stupidly good chemistry between our leads though. Only one episode this week was brutal, especially with where they ended it. I ugly cried through a lot of ep 11. On a side note...how much older is the real Hee Sung supposed to be? It seems odd he’s the accomplice, and I’m definitely worried about the woman he was going to meet. A victim? Hae Soo? I hope it’s not Hae Soo, I like her being so protective of her brother and their dynamic with Moo Jin is great!

Stranger 2 Looking forward to the episode tomorrow, but having just rewatched the first season is it just me, or does Lee Yeon Jae seem like a really different character vs her depiction in the first season? I get that a bunch of things happened that could change her, she just didn’t seem as...saavy as she is in this season. Also the conglomerate stuff is definitely the least interesting part. All the cases seem so unconnected as well, I’m not sure if the writer can link them all together in a satisfying way, and if they don’t, a bunch of time was wasted. Still...more please.