Team Dramabeans: What we're watching » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

201 October 17, 2020October 17, 2020

Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching

by DB Staff

So, what are we all watching this week?

What kept you reaching for more (or agonizing when there was no more), and what made you want to throw your remote through the screen? Time to weigh in…

stroopwafel

Currently weecapping: Zombie Detective

Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol: The drama is hitting all the right notes for me; it’s like listening to a familiar and favorite lullaby. Apart from Dr. Cha’s overtures consistently falling flat, I’m loving every other element, especially how adorable Lala and Joon are together. (Sorry not sorry for my punniness!)

Record of Youth: All I can say is that I’m still watching and Byun Woo-seok has a beautiful face.

SailorJumun

Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol: Oh my garshhhhh, why are Lala and Joon so cute? Why is everything so cute, down to Mimi and her little doggy outfits? I left this week’s episodes feeling happy and full of sugary sweetness. Of course, even with a sugary sweet show, there has to be a tinge of danger. I know Lala is grateful towards this mysterious Dodosolsol person, but for all she knows, she could be talking to an obsessed stalker. Or someone wanting revenge. At least she has a good group of people around her now (the squishable Joon included).

Record of Youth: I find myself getting whiplash quite a lot with this drama. One moment Hye-joon is starting a new project, the next he’s winning an award for it. Now, he’s filming a completely different project, he’s in a scandal, and his best friend is actively seeking out his girlfriend. LET ME TAKE A BREATH, SHOW. Like, jeez. Time has always flowed this way in the drama (fast and non-linear), but it still takes me off guard. I guess the fast pace does resemble what it must be like for a star on the rise. I wanna grab Hye-joon by the shoulders and make him take a breath too.

missvictrix

Currently weecapping: Do You Like Brahms, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol, Start-Up

Tale of the Nine Tailed: I really liked the opening week of this drama! It feels like it’s doing fantasy just the way I like it: wild, rule-breaking, and kinda crazy, with a side helping of dry humor. Lots of folks were complaining about Jo Boa’s character throwing herself off the balcony to test our gumiho, but I loved the gothic wildness of this scene, and so many others. I like a drama that keeps me guessing and unsure of what stunt they’ll pull next. It requires some suspension of disbelief, but I don’t usually have a problem doing that… it’s a fantasy drama about mythical creatures, after all. And now for some mint chocolate chip ice cream to eat as I catch up on this week’s episodes.

When I Was the Most Beautiful: Can’t watch the last two episodes yet. No idea where it’s going to go, and I’m not ready for it to be over. Hwan, don’t leave me.

quirkycase

Currently Recapping: Tale of the Nine Tailed

Do You Like Brahms: I felt bad for everyone this week – well, except Jung-kyung because she’s terrible. Poor Joon-young and Song-ah haven’t figured out how to share their burdens rather than bearing everything separately. I feel like their main issue at this point is just that they’re inexperienced in relationships. Joon-young is being too considerate and inadvertently shutting her out while Song-ah’s insecurities are making her question everything. Song-ah’s decision made me sad, but I get it. I’m glad she was so honest about her feelings and what she needs.

Zombie Detective: Things took a darker turn this week. If what they teased at the end of this week’s episodes actually happened, that could really change things for Moo-young. I don’t mind if we go a bit dark so long as we keep the humor. I need my weekly ridiculous zombie antics.

Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol: This drama is just so light and fun, and I’m not even always into light rom-com fare. A lot of what makes this work for me is the likable characters (save for that doctor who still creeps me out). Go Ara has never caught my attention, but she’s perfect for this role. Lala reminds me of UEE’s character in Ojakgyo Brothers, a similarly endearingly clueless rich-turned-poor young woman. And Joon is so sweet and lovable. I didn’t expect to look forward to this one so much each week, but here we are.

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51 nuWOy🍄🍄

October 17, 2020 at 9:04 PM

Currently binge-watching:
-18 Again (ep8)
-Missing: The Other Side (ep2)
-Hometown flex (I miss 2 days 1 night casts,staff so much! Glad to see Junho,Cha Taehyun,Defconn, Yoo Ho Jin PD, internationational referee staff❤️)

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52 Linda Palapala

October 17, 2020 at 10:29 PM

SEARCH: Just finished the first episode - I won't sleep tonight..
Just what I've been looking for: action, danger, Jang Dong yoon. I don't see how they can keep up the intensity in future episodes. But this is the kind of thing I like - no fluff. Looks like it is well written, directed and filmed too.
Haven't tried the other new stuff yet.

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windsun33

October 18, 2020 at 9:07 PM

I was disappointed in Search mostly at the portrayal of how totally inept 95% of Korean soldiers are. If they were really that clueless and stupid, North Korea could take over Seoul with maybe 30 people.

Hoping it gets better, but from the start not looking good.

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Linda Palapala

October 18, 2020 at 9:47 PM

What you said wasn't what I was looking for in a drama. I got what I was looking for.

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53 Lilium

October 17, 2020 at 10:42 PM

Alice: I shake my head in sheer disappointment of what this show could have been. It started so well, was on the cusp on greatness and then it suffered the middle sag and now it's rushing to pull all the threads together. Apart from the fact it didn't do magical things with the ensemble cast, they had 2020 Tae-yi running around doing everyone else's job except hers. When it's behaves like a sci-fi show it's fun but when it's the Tae-yi - Jin-gyeom melodrama... not so much. However, recent twists and turns are wildly amusing.

Hot Stove League: A little late to the party on this but what a gem. It seems like all the good ones from the last 12 months go under the radar one reason or another. Namgoong Min plays a similar role to the one he played in Doctor Prisoner. A feel-good underdog show.

Lie After Lie: It's well-made makjang with a stellar cast. It does this thing that all makjang shows do whereby the baddies seemingly get the upperhand in the short-term but ultimately it backfires in so far as it provides unexpected opportunities for the good guys. This is why I have some grudging respect for writers of makjang even though I'm done with the crazy 50 episode weekenders. (I'm not sure if they make those anymore.) The reaping and sowing principle does its thing in the end.

Record of Youth: On-hold. I only really like Hye-jun and a few other characters. Initially I liked the relatability of the family dynamics but now I'm not sure where the show's taking us.

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soulsearch12

October 20, 2020 at 12:38 AM

Lie After Lie: Sophisticated makjang? Crazy yes, but in the midst of that you've a human story about two broken people meeting each other and finding solace in one another despite their past. Woo-joo's fainting scene was amazing, what an amazing young actor! I lol'ed b/c it was that good.

Alice: The show should've cut out weird mom/son tensions, and instead inserted more on other characters like Do-yeon/Min-hyuk/and more of TY/MH past love story/life. I like the ambitious feel that makes this show stand out in the shows airing this year, but I find the time parallel things not explained well in this show. I'm trying to find my own explanation for that in order to focus more on the aspects which I find the show does well: family.

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Lilium

October 20, 2020 at 10:34 PM

Re: Alice
I think it's probably the most ambitious sci-fi kdrama that I've seen in terms of deliberately wanting to draw on real world science. Unfortunately the effectiveness of that varies from episode to episode. That said, I especially liked the reference to quantum entanglement and its usage in the most recent episodes. That particular concept worked extremely well especially in relation to doppelgangers.

Korean dramas in general do well in making family-related themes front and centre in most cases although I'm not always sure that in this instance the time travel/multiverse side of things always mesh comfortably with the family themes

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soulsearch12

October 23, 2020 at 9:56 PM

I def. agree with you on there on the show being hella ambitious for K-drama standards. It's trying so hard to be the Korean version of Dark, but sometimes that ambition is also their setback too. Maybe Korean audiences are wary of sci-fi set dramas for now? They do love fantasy though...

The writers use a lot of intricate terms, but they don't go in-depth with it so sometimes I can see why some viewers are befuddled. I think the time mechanics is the most confusing in Alice.

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54 MeSaya

October 17, 2020 at 10:43 PM

Watching:
'Record of Youth'
Oh, to be young, full of idealism and dreams, entertainment world
I like this drama, it reminds me when I was a lot younger.

To be in love like there's no tomorrow, wondering whether he/she minds if I wasn't there when he/she looked back, doing silly things like dancing in the rain, almost get a heart attack for the first kiss but wanting for more, being happy just strolling around holding hands and eat donuts!

To have a colleague like Jin Ju, I want to tear her hair apart, not to forgive her. And thankful, my mother doesn't resemble Yi Yeong at all. She is so scary yet on point. You want to love someone I don't approve? Fine, go love him dearly, don't get pregnant, and be ready to break up or I'll take your car, your credit card, your privileges, ha!

As for Hye Jun - Hae Hyo, I think this drama wants youths to learn how to be kind, walk on the straight paths, and overcome hurdles without being mean, bitter or vengeful. I like that, cause it might touch someone’s heart. I am naïve, like Hye Jun? Let me be.

'Tale of the Nine-Tailed'
Oooo… I love this drama, especially since it tells about some Korean’s myths/legends. While watching this drama, I also Google and learn a bit about Gumiho, Samdo River, Bulgasari, Imoogi, Dragon (the different between Chinese’s Dragon and Korean’s Dragon) and others. It’s so much fun!

InuYasha likeness. Sesshomaru = Lee Yeon vs InuYasha = Lee Rang. They both half brother, they both have love and hate relationship, Lee Yeon is the cold one, calculated and stronger, while Lee Rang is more mischievous. Yes, InuYasha is more kind hearted toward human, but not Lee Rang. He is so bitter and heart broken, his brother left him and returned just to slash/kill him, ouch!

'18 Again'
It hits very close to home. When you didn’t know what went wrong and suddenly your family was broken apart. Yet, you got the second chance, and learn the hard way, why they felt like you have never been there for them. Now, you want them to know you love them dearly, but you trap in a body of 18 years old. So, you get to give the best you can, just hoping they, somehow, will move on and be happy too.

Will be watching but let’s see the 4 episodes first: 'Search' & 'Start Up'

Peek now and then, but not watching fully:
'Lies of Lies'
I love Lee Yoo Ri, but it’s not ‘Secret’. I can’t stand watching her face gloomy like her life has no hope, no happiness. I love vivacious, mischievous, even an angry Yoo Ri. So, I will wait, till she can stand up to all the wrongness they did to her.

'My Dangerous Wife'
Errr… the story and casts seem promising, but why I seem to not be able to enjoy it fully? It doesn't have some teeth to bite me. It falls flat. Oups…

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windsun33

October 18, 2020 at 9:10 PM

Lies of Lies is one of my must watch shows, but I have to say that if Yoo Ri says SORRY or IT'S ALL MY FAULT one more time I will scream.

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55 💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜

October 18, 2020 at 12:11 AM

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56 💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜

October 18, 2020 at 12:13 AM

Hmmm let me see...

Brahms: Waiting to binge the last 3 eps cos Angst TM. The professors can all go endosolistrate themselves for all I care. Oh and that damn manager.
Tail of the Nine Taled: One the one hand, the Sword Umbrella was not as present this week. One the other hand, we had lightning disintegration and a tonal shift to like, full on horror. So, you know.

Do a deer a female deer, Re a drop of golden sun: Lee Jae Wook really is that actor isn't he. Instantly made my "Chameleon Actors" and "Could Flirt With a Rock" lists and he's 98 line and still a rookie. Dude.

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Eazal

October 18, 2020 at 12:53 AM

Yes, LJW is that actor.

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57 axis3

October 18, 2020 at 1:38 AM

Currently watching:
Alice (Yes I know :P)
Tail of the Nine Tailed (Wasn't expecting much from this drama but the humour part won me over so....)

Finished:
Missing TOS (This series is ok imo, not too extraordinary with it's concept but it does have some emotional moments. The ending tied up nicely for a 12 eps drama so yeah I enjoyed it :)

Might try to watch: Search