Aaaand I’m back! I can only participate in WWW every two weeks because I work every other weekend. I’m trying to be consistent every two weeks, though!

Forest of Secrets 2 (14/16): The pace definitely picked up this week. Admittedly, I was very distracted while watching episode 13 because I finished School Nurse that same day, but I really did enjoy this week’s episodes. Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but I’ve never been super attached to Seo Dong-jae as a character. However, seeing Shi-mok and Yeo-jin’s reactions this week was especially painful. The cast really brought their A-game this week.

Record of Youth (8/16): I think I’m liking this more than most Beanies, although I am viewing it in a sort of detached manner still. I really just find it to be a nice watch, and there’s something almost comforting about it. I appreciate that it delves a bit more into what the entertainment industry is actually like for up-and-coming actors, and provides a bit more depth than most dramas about actors or singers. I love watching Park Bo-gum acting as a character who is acting, haha!

The School Nurse Files (6/6): Loved, loved, loved. It’s been a while since I thought about a drama so much even while I wasn’t watching it. This is exactly my kind of weird, and I love that the show made me think and left a lot up to viewer interpretation without being at all pretentious or inaccessible. Jung Yu-mi is love as always.

Memories of the Alhambra (16/16): I’m going to echo what everyone who watched this show warned me about and say: WTH at that ending! I so wanted to enjoy this drama but I couldn’t. It had such a cool concept, but its treatment of the female characters was just eyeroll-worthy. I was officially done when we waited so long for Jin-woo to be able to talk to Emma and when he finally did… all she asked was where her brother was. Really, show? REALLY? The focus on the romance really hurt the show in the end, too. I mean, was anyone invested in that? At all? I’m disappointed we didn’t get any sort of explanation of how the game bugged in a way that actually killed people. I understand this is a fantasy drama (science-fantasy, I’d say), but I did want some sort of explanation, and I can’t believe a company would then continue to produce a game that runs the risk of developing a bug like that, lmao. It happened before, who’s to say it wouldn’t happen again? So dumb. Although I did appreciate that they briefly showed how much of a social disturbance such a game would be.

Flowers For My Life (6/16): Slow going with this one because I’ve been busy and keeping up with the current shows is my priority, but still loving it. I like the soundtrack, too! I really love the scenes with Ha-na and her new Vietnamese friend. One of my favorite tropes is characters connecting despite their language barrier, hehe.

The upcoming dramas I’m planning on watching are Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol,...

Record of Youth: This is what being in love feels like. Hye-joon and Jung-ha are couple goals. They have the healthiest relationship with domestic conversations. Not only do they find comfort in each other when they're sad, but they know when the other person is sad without saying anything. They're perfect for each other. Please don't break up. 😭😭

18 Again (Episode 3-4)
I do find the establishment of potential love lines down the road lazy with Da Jung and Shi Ah tripping over themselves and Woo Young having those umbrella slow mo scenes (though I’m never saying no to Lee Do Hyun’s visuals), however, the show’s story isn’t focused on the romance but family instead so I’m willing to give a pass to all the rescue scenes that are markedly cliche. Something that I’m not willing to give a pass to however is young Ae Rin: director, you casted young actors for even Duk Jin and Il Kwon, what about her? I will admit though it was hilariously weird to watch.

Missing: The Other Side (Episode 7-8)
Although I still adore the show a lot and find watching it a compelling experience, I do have a few questions: 1) What is the critical factor that allows the living to see the dead? I used to think it was ‘missing family’ but chained prisoner was a con artist that doesn’t fit that, 2) What is the point of showing us the scenes of Idol Trainee and Creepy Smiley Killer, if they are not tied to the plot? Their appearances have now gone beyond cameos but there’s no development, 3) Jong Ah doesn’t recognise Hyun Ji’s picture, so is she not Jang’s daughter? But if not, she’s a damsel in distress plot device.

Zombie Detective (Episode 3-4)
After all the effort that went into hiding himself, Moo Young’s secret identity got ousted because he forgot to close the window blinds and lock the door? Maybe he let his guard down too much after he solved his financial issues but I’m of the opinion that it would be more logical had he revealed himself at his own discretion. Anyway, regarding the plot, I’m a little confused that this week’s episodes was essentially a diversion to force the two leads together and we’ve had no updates on the Santa case other than the obvious ‘I was murdered’ memory: I hope the plot picks up during next week.

More Than Friends (Episode 1-2)
Lee Soo’s characterisation reminds me a lot of the classic first male lead of the old days: a cold jerk with some trauma that is somehow used to justify emotional manipulation towards the female lead. Sure, he isn’t obligated to reciprocate her love and there’s no issue rejecting her but the same applies to his friendship request and yet he selfishly pushes on to be with her regardless of her will. I was glad Woo Yeon finally took steps to end the toxicity by kissing him though he now converts into her stalker according to the preview. He needs family therapy first stat before he ruins her entire life.

Also watching: Do You Like Brahms (Episode 9-10) / Alice (Episode 9-10) / Record of Youth (Episode 7-8)

I suddenly got this urge to shorten my never-ending-and-constantly-getting-longer list of dramas I want to watch... and I binged Chugakusei Nikki (Meet Me After School), a Japanese drama about a young female teacher trying to find herself... and finding her (initially questionable) love. I have heard good things about the show... but... I can't say I really liked it. Well, I did reasonably like the first episodes (but that slap), how they portrayed the first love awakening of Akira and how Hijiri was trying to do her best as a teacher figure... but then the show changed into a makjang and I got frustrated with the overhonest martyr Hajiri... and even more with the Mothers. I think part of my frustration stems from a cultural difference (where I live 18yr-olds are legal adults) and part (a big part) from my beliefs about what is good parenting. Also... why was everyone so interfering?? Anyway, rant short, I personally think they should cut out most of the second part (which was more less a repeat of the beginning) and more concentrate on the inner problems of the couple (and their age difference)... and on showing me why I should root for the couple, why these two are such a good fit and should be together (the poems in the first part was a good start).

Also, I didn't see much of a development of the main heroine...... and in that respect I much much prefer the story of the Dentist in Miracles.

There was one character I loved from the beginning till end though... the very straightforward and yet sensitive Section Chief Haraguchi Ritsu.

Brahms - I didn't like the reaction of the "friends"... and I'm of the opinion that some things should remain a secret. Also, that black handkerchief has to go 😆

Okane no Kireme... (Love Will Begin When Money Ends) - I like the idea about spending money well... and about not accumulating things (and having respect to things we already have). But... Miura Haruma... why?? 😢 (R.I.P.)

Love In Time - utter fluff, great for switching the brain off and just having fun... and the male lead is a master of smirks 😊

Cricket - IPL has started. Good way to earn money for players but am not fond of this at all. All in all for Test Cricket -
Waiting for Asutralia Vs. India this December.

JAPAN -

Love will Begin when Money Ends - 7.5 out of 10. Only if it had 10 Episodes. Overall, i'm enjoying it.
The School of water Business - 7/10 manga to live-action. It got 1st episode translation. Typical school drama where teacher and student solve problems but presentation of it made it all work.

Last Letter - Japanese movie - watching it now. Next week.

Do you like Brahms?: I still do. This week I felt so bad about our OTP. I also feel like they had nothing to apologize for. In Min Seong's case DY simply stopped liking her. The fact that SA liked him when he started to like SA is completely irrelevant to that fact. SA could no more turn off her dislike of DY than MS could. There is absolutely no reason SA should have told DY or MS that she liked DY, it would have solved nothing and she was never going to act upon it. In HH's case, JY was also never going to act on his crush. He loved both HH and JK too much to break up that trio. The fact that HH and JK has nothing to do with JY. She was miserable in her relationship and I think because JY is the only other constant in her life, she thinks she is in love with him. Luckily, our writer likes the OTP as much as we do and doesn't plan on stupidly breaking them up. HUZZAH!!!❤️❤️

Record of Youth: The show has grown on me. The fact that it has taken 7 episodes is not good though. The writing is not my favorite and I dislike the direction choices even more. That being said the OTP is moving along nicely and I finally believe their romance. We are still in 2018 though, so we shall see how it goes. Hopefully his messy ex-girlfriend goes away.

School Nurse Files: There are no words to describe this show other than weird, but in the greatest way possible. I LURVED this show and I think everyone should watch it.

Forest of Secrets: Still excellent. I look forward to the final episodes. I am sad though because what a fabulous run!!

Late to the Prison Playbook party but man, has it grown on me. I'm guessing I should prepare for some heartbreak along the way?

Do You Like Brahms it's sad seeing the friendships crumble. Also looking forward to Joon-young finally getting rid of his suitcase someday. Just throw it out, man.

Do You Like Brahms: i agree with quirkycase about Minseong and Hyunho. both blamed everything to Joonyoung and Songah because they couldnt bring themselves to mad and blamed the person they love. both are so toxic i wish Joonyoung and Songah stop being friends with them at this point.

Zombie Detective: surprisingly good.

I’m on a Brahmsie ship and will stay here for the duration of the drama (and possibly weeks after) just gushing over our Dimple/Ice Cream couple in their scenes and in the bts videos.

Also watching More than Friends and School Nurse Files, but that’s just to pass the time until Monday. More than Friends seem to be the formulaic romcom and I think I can predict its ending from the first 2 eps. School Nurse Files is wonderfully weird, and Nam Joo Hyuk seems to have improved acting-wise.

Zombie Detective Now the truth is out, I'm really curious to see our duo resolving crimes.

Do You Like Brahms We were used to sugar with our lovely couple, so the 10th episode was a little bitter. But storywise, it was inevitable.

Record of Youth I like it. Park Bo Gum is shining in this role.

Alice Not sure I want to continue... But I'm still curious about the time travelling...

More Than Friends The second episode wasn't really better than the 1, but at least I could see the second male lead, go! Get the girl! Please!

Missing: The Other Side They're so bad at communicating, it's really frustrating...

Forest of Secrets 2 I can't believe we have already reached the end...

Korean holidays are not good for me >_<

Zombie Detective: I've just watched one episode, and I think I will continue. This only works if the actor is all in and he definitely is.

Do You Like Brahms: Messy friend stuff. I see it coming and didn't dip my toe in this weeks episodes. I love the leads but those friends. Oy vey.

Stranger 2: This past weeks episode reminded me about what I didn't like about the first season. I never bought who the big bad was in Season 1. It made no sense. I also don't buy the bully being a cool cucumber but then panicking at having one conversation with a prosecutor to the point of doing what he did. Realistically they have absolutely nothing on him and considering who the kid's dad is, he would know it. Also, the corporate shenanigans could have been completely cut. This season has had moments I've really enjoyed but overall it's been a miss for me.

Do You Like Brahms: I know Song Ah wants to continue to study violin, but she’s not going to be a violinist. Maybe she’d get real teaching in graduate school that she hasn’t gotten for the past four years, but still, it's frustrating watching her be Professor Lee's lackey when she doesn't really seem to have an end game beyond getting into graduate school.

Lie After Lie: Poor Ji Min. It was sad seeing him open up his heart only to find out Eun Soo has been lying to him. Eun Soo was definitely affected by him though; It wasn't all a lie. Secretary Yoon, why did you show your hand?

Forest of Secrets 2: I appreciate the writer’s talent and what she is showing here with corruption, bullying and hierarchy, but I feel really detached from her works. I did feel something in Episode 14 when Seo Dong Jae’s wife was breaking down watching the rescue operation. How horrible to have to watch something like that unfold on television.

More Than Friends: Premiere week was underwhelming. I was way more interested in the secondary characters than the leads but they were absent for most of the second episode. I hope it’s more of an ensemble going forward because the leads just aren't doing it for me.

Missing: The Other Side: A question that has been on my mind: If Thomas died during the Japanese Occupation, why is his hair dyed blonde? Though I guess if they have stuff to put together a hot air balloon they could have hair dye. On a storyline note, I want Mr. Jang to find his daughter but maybe his purpose is to build this makeshift family.

Hope everyone's been well this week :D

Do You Like Brahms - I didn't know I could feel so many emotions watching this week's episodes. I was swooning, smiling like a fool, then feeling frustrated, sad, bitter, yet also hopeful for what's to come in the next few episodes. It's been awhile since I've been this invested and attached to a drama, but gosh have I realised it can be tiring sometimes ;-; anyways, I just wanted to mention how eye opening it is reading other Beanies' opinions. There's always someone with a different perspective from me and reading your comments really helps me change the way I view a particular scene, a particular character's action or feelings. This is why I appreciate this community a lot :)

Hot Stove League - I wanted to see more of Park Eun Bin's acting and she definitely did not disappoint! I binged it from start to finish and I'm glad to say that I no longer find baseball all that boring anymore haha also, who knew watching Park Eun Bin scream would be so satisfying ^-^ gosh, I love her acting so much (loved her in Age of Youth too!)

Hospital Playlist Throwback - Yoon Bok and Hong Do are actually so adorable, I feel like everyone just looks at them with heart eyes ♥‿♥ I hope we get to see them more in the second season!

Wishing you all a lovely week! Make sure to take regular breaks, drink water and stay safe :)

LIES OF LIES: (Episode 9) What I like about the writing in this series is that characters do not jump to crazy assumptions. Questions are left open or partially answered (usually interrupted). Jin Mi knows some of Eun Su's story but it is hard to fathom why he did not do his own investigative background check of her when she "suddenly" became interested in him. But that will clearly change now with Mr. Yoon's story line.
Variety:
HOW DO YOU PLAY? The sorority sisters are fun when they interact without thinking about the cameras. I just don't know if they will have the same success as SSAK3 in terms of music.
THE SIXTH SENSE: The ratings for this show have gone down consecutively to around 2.5. It is an expensive, set driven show which probably will not get renewed after its 8 episode run. I still find it a clever mystery show.
PROBLEM CHILD IN THE HOUSE: After two years, it seems more guests want to be on the show because it is relaxing, fun and surprising answers to questions.

The School Nurse Files (6/6):🎵Nae Mom-i Johajinda Johajinda Johajinda…🎵 I am not going to apologize for getting it stuck into your head. Now you know what kind of week it has been for me.😆 I usually stay away from shows with dark and creepy vibes, but I really enjoyed this one and would not mind a sequel or more seasons. Jung Yumi was amazing as Eun-young, and I wish I could have her toy sword and look that awesome while fending off invisible jellies myself.🗡️💪 Yoo Teo was another new face to me, and I can see why he often plays villains. However, with those glasses and that haircut and fashion he might as well have been Eun-young’s sidekick.🥰 Speaking of sidekicks, Nam Joo-Hyuk and the students did very well too. I would scold myself for laughing whenever In-Pyo got (left) behind because of his limp during the earthquakes, but then he would always curse out whoever put him in that predicament.🤣Despite her loneliness, Eun-young had some nice bonding moments. I enjoyed the sisterhood scene when mite eater talked about their first experiences with womanhood, and Eun-young’s friendships with Kang-Sun and In-Pyo. I do not mind the romantic implications, but I prefer the platonic bonds Eun-young had or has with these two men. Last but not least: the ducks! 🦆🦆🦆🦆

Reply 1988 (5/20): @sc325 Only your best friends can call you out on your failures and simultaneously cheer you up and on. Taekkie picked the right crew.❤️Relatives, on the other hand, are sometimes something else. We all know the evil mother-in-law trope, but Sun-Woo’s paternal grandmother somehow turns this trope into reality.😤 Fortunately most moms just want to be needed by their husband and kids, as Lee Dong-Hwi the Wise One said.👍I do hope Bora will follow that advice as well. Being a student protester would be a much more interesting storyline to watch if she cared more about her relatives.🤔

Just 3-4 K-dramas left before I break my 2019 Beans record! There are certainly more than enough 2020 shows that I want to watch, but time is being wishy washy with me at the moment. If I keep postponing pressing play on the other shows, then it might be best for me to just wait for Tale of the Nine-Tailed next week.🦊

SF8: episode 7 was good. I was expecting a bit more, I dont know, it felt a bit rushed even more than episode 4, so maybe thats why. The story has nothing really new, but I cant say no to Choi Siwon (dont judge me). BUT, there is a preview to the last episode. And my heart is already broken, omg I wanted to cry just with the trailer. Will they end with a a strong episode? The Prayer is still my favourite.

Do you like Brahms? - Honestly, I am not sure. The editing on episode 9 was the most weird thing ever. They met, have ice cream cut to the sky and then... cut to them meeting again, like it was supposed to be a coincidence. I am not sure what to think about the friends. I am not sure what is the use of the best friend anymore or Dong-Yoon. Or even Jung-Kyung. Theyve become so... bland. Even for background characters. I must be the only one that doesnt like how the story telling is going.

18 again - It is fun. Lee Do-Hyun playing a middle age dad is the second funniest thing in kdramaland (nothing will bet Lee Yi-kyung in Welcome to Waikiki).

School Nurse Files: I am still trying to process, in a good way.

Alice: hmmmmmmmm I am still watching it and I still like it. I am happy we are getting some answers.

School Nurse Files got me thinking the whole week. It's a good show, hope they get to make a second season!
Besides that, the only airing drama I'm watching is Mr Heart. It's kind of cute - when they're not doing weird nipple scenes - and I like the athletics angle, but, yeah... It's ok - for a webdrama

Pressing question: is that one on the top Kim Minjae with messed hair? Oh dear, this is the first time I see him uncoiffed (*clutches pearls)

I caught Part 2 of "My Dear Youth: Coffee Prince" and enjoyed it just as much as the first part. This time the documentary's focus was on the show's secondary couple played by Chae Jung-an and Lee Sun-kyun, and the three 'princes' who worked in the shop played by Kim Dong-wook, Kim Jae-wook and Lee Eon. It was fascinating to hear about how they saw their characters and each other. You get the sense that they became friends on the set and stayed as friends long afterwards. Just like with Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun-hye in Part 1, the show made Chae Jung-an and Lee Sun-kyun watch their romantic scenes together and I totally cracked up at Chae Jung-an and Lee Sun-kyun cringing (mostly Chae Jung-an). It was nice how the show didn't leave out Lee Eon and included his thoughts on the show and his audition from old videos and interviews. I felt wistful as the cast recalled their late friend and colleague, and you could tell they still missed him after all this time.

18 Again: TL;DR: this is a gem of a drama. I know it's not readily available (and no idea why!!!), but please go watch it. You'll laugh, you'll (maybe) tear up or even cry, and you'll have one of the best drama memories. 
It's been a while since I'm so emotionally invested in a drama like this. Coming from the director of Go Back Couple (GBC), it really reminds me of that drama, in all the best ways: seamless flashbacks and epiloqgues that peel off layers of a situation or a character, surprising us and adding complexity to our understanding of their relationship (can't give you an example here because it will spoil you, but trust!) The writers are all new (no previous credit), but they must have been assistants on GBC too, because the tone and style are very similar - again, a great thing in my book. There's no villain here (except for a tortured school bully, and a couple of old sexist corporate men doing their sexist corporate thing per usual). Just adults and teeangers alike trying to live their life and sometimes failing, but always learning that they have each other to rely on, or to protect.
It's so heartwarming to see a young teenage dad trying his best to work without a college degree and raising his twins, and now as a middle-aged man finding himself unable to connect with them and thus using his mysterious transformation into his younger self, not so much to "relive his glory", but to get close to his kids and help them. "What they need now is not their dad, but a friend." - when Daeyoung (the dad) thought that, I wanted to shake him and said no, they definitely need their dad, just maybe not the way he was (before his transformation). He has definitely been able to help his children out more practically by being their high school friend, but this is as much about him needing to be someone else in their life other than their dad, to be an even better dad. 
The kids and the mom are also amazing characters in their own right, but I'll save that for next time, or the fan wall, before this becomes an even longer essay.
Stranger/Forest of Secrets S2: finale week! I've always liked, though not loved S1 (S1 to me was both really slow and at times too dramatic; I did really love the character interactions and relationships there!), so maybe that protected me from any disappointment in this season. The plot is tighter this time around; less relationship focused, more on politics - which does drag and bore at times. Nonetheless, it has done a great job of revealing the right information when it needs to, keeping me glued to the end (a great feat for someone who drops dramas regularly like me!) I will miss our platonic detective-prosecutor duo!
Do you like Brahms: this has been a pleasant surprise, and I enjoy the OTP, but not much else. The professors enrage me, and the "friends" annoy...

Forest of Secrests 2: Last weeks shows were everything I would expect from this series! I am working this weekend and then volunteering after work, so I'm not going to be able to watch the last 2 episodes until very late on Sunday or Monday evening... It's killing me! I'm going to have to stay far away from the fan walls!!
Record of Youth: I loved this week's episodes. They are doing a great job of capturing the rush of falling in love and the dating honeymoon. The scene where they kiss through the open door of the truck took me right back to when I was first dating my husband and I swear that all of our kisses happened in parking lots. Sigh... I have hope that the reporter isn't going to buy into spreading false rumors and that HJ won't see his fledgling career ended too quickly. Ep. 8 was the first time I enjoyed this show more than Brahms, but don't tell all the Brahmsie Beanies. I don't want kicked off the cruise ship just yet!!
Temperature of Love: My growing love for RoY lead me to starting a rewatch of this show. I liked it when it first aired, but I think it does better as a binge. The annoying characters don't annoy me so much when I don't have to wait week to week for the good parts. Seriously though, I'm so glad that RoY doesn't have an annoying "best friend" character like this one. She almost ruins the show.
Do You Like Brahms?: Well, we all knew it was coming. It can't be that easy to just ignore that your boyfriend is still friends with the girl he loved from afar for years and years. I don't think JY is going to go back to that love, so I don't want show to drag on this angst too long.
More than Friends: I'd read a lot of negative reviews, but I decided to check out the first 2 episodes. I actually liked it a lot, but I think that it helped that my expectations were pretty low. On a side note, Jeju Island is so beautiful!

Here after a while. Forest of Secrets 2 stays strong and top of my list, head and shoulders above the rest. Lee Soo-yeon, I bow to you a thousand times! I'm going to be moping for sometime in a corner quietly all by myself after this weekend.

Brahms is introducing me to some lovely music. The collective spazzing is great fun, probably more so than the show itself. Minjae's voice remains the best attraction.

I ffed through Record of Youth (which says what I think about it), but the consent scenes stayed with me - both where they ask each other for consent, and where PBG calls out his friend for grabbing PSD's hand - Nicely done, show!

Among the other various things I picked up and dropped these past few weeks, I have been very impressed by Pinocchio - It holds up *very well* for a drama that's about 5 years old. This might be the second LJS drama I end up watching in full (after the excellent School 2013; in contrast, Romance is a Bonus Book was - umm - pleasant, but not great, IMHO.) Kim Young Kwang as part of the candy dose in the show was a pleasant surprise. I am not a Park Shin Hye, but this is definitely her best role I have watched so far.

DO YOU LIKE BRAHMS: Yes! Cant wait to move on from our little heartbreaks from our “bestfriends” and ACTUALLY looking forward to possible JungKyung-SongAh friendship. Haha. I pray for an actual SongAh/JoonYoung piano/violin set for next episode please. And Manager-nim, I hope he’d be gone along with JY suitcase next week. Heh.

AGE OF YOUTH. Yes, again, I am late for this train but absolutely loving it! I can oh-so-relate to some of their problems. Haha. I had to say that Park Eun Bin in this reminds me of Park Min Young in Healer — I think it has to do with the hair style and this clear, strong tone of their voice? Love them both though! Looking forward to finishing this til next week (to proceed to season2, yay!)