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…
missvictrix
Sell Your Haunted House: I only got to watch Episode 9 this week, but squee! As painful as the rift between Ji-ah and In-bum is, we know it’s a necessary evil. The glimmers of Ji-ah missing and relying on him made it worth it for me, and it’s also turning into just another reason to love the character of In-bum and how he’s just so thoughtful and understanding. I can’t wait for them to be on the same side again. In terms of the ghost story in this episode, ugh, it was kind of upsetting and awful, and yet I loved the woman’s bravery so much that I was pretty moved (making it the ghost story I found the most interesting). Anyway, the drama continues to be well-paced, and it’s definitely time for Ji-ah and In-bum to starting figuring out what really happened that night 20 years ago, and uncovering the lies (and liars) in their midst. Ships, full steam ahead!
selena
Mouse: Oh boy. This week’s episodes were…a lot, to say the least. Let’s have a moment of silence for Yo-han. His story was tragic enough to begin with, but I am beyond livid after learning about Han Seo-joon’s decision in the operating room. He’s an absolute monster.
Youth of May: Ughhh I’m not a fan of Myung-hee’s request at the end of episode four. I just need her and Hee-tae to be happy together forever, is that too much to ask?! I can’t quite decide how I feel about Soo-ryun, who’s always droning on about her own problems and drawing conclusions about Myung-hee’s feelings without actually stopping to listen. For once, I’d like Myung-hee to put her happiness before anyone else’s.
Move to Heaven: Only caught the first episode so far, but wow. I’m into it. This is going to tug at my heartstrings, but I’m more than ready for the waterworks. The production quality is great, and I especially appreciated the dynamic shots that set the show apart from most others.
Branwen
Currently recapping: Sell Your Haunted House
Beyond Evil: I coincidentally finished it the same day it won the Baeksang for best drama, and I can safely say that it lives up to the hype. Dark and deliciously angsty, it’s a character-driven thriller that got me genuinely emotionally invested in the leads as much as the twisting plot, as all the best dramas do. Shin Ha-kyun really was phenomenal, and the chemistry between him and Yeo Jin-goo made the show. Some of their scenes, particularly towards the end, were breathtakingly intense.
Navillera: A gentle gem of a drama. Ultimately I preferred the first half, but although I got much more angst than I bargained for, Navillera also more than delivered on the wholesome, feel-good front. I genuinely felt proud as I watched the characters overcome their personal obstacles and grow. One very small gripe: I wish Seong-gwan hadn’t gone back to surgery and had instead become a geriatric or palliative care specialist. I think it would have been fitting to see him realize that he could do as much good for people like his parents by caring for and supporting them in smaller ways every day, not just in the big, dramatic moments.
RELATED POSTS
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (May 8, 2021)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (May 1, 2021)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (April 24, 2021)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (April 17, 2021)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (April 10, 2021)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (April 3, 2021)
Tags: Beyond Evil, Mouse, Move to Heaven, Navillera, Sell Your Haunted House, What We're Watching, Youth of May
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1 ilovecoffee&rain
May 15, 2021 at 6:05 AM
Lee Seung Gi is a way too good actor. I will never not shiver whenever I will see him on screen from now on. Hat's off to his acting on Mouse. I really hope he gets the awards. Who knew that adorable face could ever be that scary!
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ar_arguably romantic
May 15, 2021 at 9:08 AM
Even though Mouse won't end up being one of the great works that would get recommended from time to time, it's undeniably a great drama to showcase both Lee Seung-gi and Lee Hee-joon's acting. Lee Seung-gi played both the person who inflicts horror and the person who feels the horror of the truth very well.
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ilovecoffee&rain
May 15, 2021 at 10:34 AM
Well said. I agree that the drama itself has some flaws specially the writing which feels a little dragged. They could have ended at 16 episodes with tight writing. But Lee Seung Gi's performance is awesome. It shows that he really put hard work into this.
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beffels
May 15, 2021 at 1:01 PM
I agree, I think he’s done really well in this. I was always going to watch the drama because I am somewhat biased 😅 but I’ve been really impressed.
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dramalover4ever
May 16, 2021 at 2:44 PM
So well expressed. I'll find it hard to shake off his scary face. I always remember him in his cameo in The Producers being so unremittingly a nice guy. He's thrown off any typecasting now. He's so talented.
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2 miss h
May 15, 2021 at 6:05 AM
Move to Heaven: Binged all 10 episodes and this might be the drama of the year for me. A beautifully moving look at death and who and what the deceased leave behind. I’m not a big crier but the tears started in Episode 1 and did not stop. Tang Joon-sang is an actor to watch with his sensitive portrayal of a young man with Asperger’s. I continue to be impressed by what Netflix is doing with their original dramas. More dramas like this please.
MINE: Basically a makjang fashion show. The cast is good but I’m a little tired of dramas focused on chaebols behaving badly. I’ll give the drama another week because of the Seo-hyun reveal, but I don’t especially trust the writer to handle it well.
Doom at Your Service: I don’t know how I feel about this one …. Maybe I just expected something different? I like PBY and SIG but the premiere week was kind of dark and depressing. I just want a drama where people smile and have fun. I suppose they are trying to keep it vague and mysterious on purpose, but the Doom stuff sounded like gibberish to me. Lee Soo-hyuk was the best part of both episodes.
Youth of May: This drama is quite good. If someone has to die I choose Soo-ryun though I don’t dislike her. I just like Myung-hee, Hee-tae and Soo-chan more.
Bossam: Steal the Fate: I really like Soo-kyung and how she’s adapting to her circumstances. While there are politics, I like that it mostly takes place out of the Palace. I know this is a sageuk but the latest episodes kind of reminded me of the old historical romances I used to read where a very proper lady goes West and runs into an outlaw …
Law School: Congressman Ko and his son make my blood boil. I knew Professor Yang would be the one coming through the courtroom doors, but it was still a good moment.
Mouse: Poor Yo-han. I kept expecting Detective Shin to be important somehow but apparently not. While this drama was too long and had its share of jump the shark moments, I do appreciate that the writer had the story all planned out, with details in early episodes being important later on. Unfortunately, the reveals were too dragged out, like with the baby switch twist this week. I think we all guessed that 10+ episodes ago. I also think Hong-ju’s arc could have been handled better, instead of having her mostly disappear for most of the second half.
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windsun33
May 15, 2021 at 12:50 PM
Agree on Move to Heaven - I had my doubts about the premise, but after binging it until 4 AM, it is one of the years' best. Wondering if there will be a 2nd season.
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miss h
May 15, 2021 at 4:15 PM
I would love one but it feels pretty complete. There are openings for one though, especially with the somewhat procedural aspect.
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Yn00na
May 15, 2021 at 6:29 PM
Thank you for letting me know it’s a complete story. I’ve been holding off watching this because I was afraid it’s one of Netflix notorious multi season series. Glad that’s not the case.
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miss h
May 16, 2021 at 4:58 AM
I get you. I would say it's safe to watch. There's certainly room and openings for another but you won't be left hanging if there is not.
seed
May 15, 2021 at 7:44 PM
Agree that it can go both ways. But if there's no season 2, I hope to see Lee Je Hoon and Sooyoung in another drama.
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Ducktor
May 16, 2021 at 2:37 AM
There is plenty of room for the second one. Madam Jung escaped, there was the new girl who appeared at the end and seemed to have got Geu-Ru smitten - how would that work for Na-Mu? There must be plenty of stories to tell about people leaving so much behind (we have had only just a few stories in these 10 episodes. Plus I would really love to see how Sang-Gu and Geu-Ru's relationship evolves. Also, Netflix has a history of adding more seasons to KDramas they produce (I am yet to be fully happy with that because I am afraid they may become greedy and not stop at 1 or 2 more and the toooooooo many seasons made me quit American shows.
All in all, what I would call for now the first season is a really great one - good enough for my better half who watched with me only one more KDrama to watch this, too.
I have bawled my eyes out both the first time when I watched it and now when I am watching it with my better half. There has been only one more show in my whole life that made me cry so much - 1 Litre of tears - the Japanese drama and film alike. If 1 Litre made me think seriously about my life and made me live my life the fullest I can Move to Heaven made me think seriously about what do I leave after me when I die - and you could see in the drama that it's not just material things, although they are the medium that tells the story.
On 3rd August this year, I'll celebrate 10 years of KDrama. JDramas came only sporadically and as a consequence of me watching KDramas. When I started it, I wouldn't have thought that there could be a TV show whatsoever to make me rethink my life so profoundly. TV and films used to be just entertainment.
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beffels
May 15, 2021 at 1:05 PM
Mouse - I was expecting Detective Shin’s character to be something as well, but I guess not? Unless they’re planning to bust out a big twist in the final episode. I haven’t felt the drama was too long but I do think some of the pacing was a bit unbalanced and some reveals could have come earlier/some characters filled out more. The romance idea between Hong Joo and Moo Chi kind of disappeared completely (admittedly hard to sustain when he shot her boyfriend because he thought he was a psychopathic serial killer).
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3 Eazal
May 15, 2021 at 6:06 AM
Doom at your service. I liked the premiere a lot. I like the tone, which apparently is light but hidden so much darkness. Our FL is a woman with a terminal desease who really doesn’t care about it. God is also a terminal girl in her early twenties who is about to die (again). I want to see how all this darkness turns into hope.
I haven’t been able to watch Youth of May but I’m planning to do it during the weekend.
Oh, Master!. Don’t watch. Such a waste of everything. I’m not really mad at the drama, I’m just totally indifferent. But don’t watch. Even if you are tempted. It’s a stupid nonsense. I’m not trusting this writer anymore. A rom-com? My foot!
Sell your haunted house continues to be my happy pill. I love how everything is so coherent about the drama. Things don’t happen just because or because plot needs to advance. It’s been a while since watching a drama was so satisfying. I’m absolutely in love with JiAh and I’m not surprised at all InBum also is, although he probably doesn’t know yet. This drama deals with cliffhangers so well! Wednesday is too far away!
So I married an antifan is still a guilty pleasure. I don’t expect much from it but to have a good time and that’s what I get.
Beyond Evil I keep being fooled by the drama. No wonder it won Baeksang for best script. It is that good.
Dark Hole. Nothing happened on episode 3 (apart from that Save Me sort of spin off), and episode 4 started with people being unreasonable and yelling around just because in a very dramaland style I hate. I’m really sorry to say goodbye to LJH, but here is were our paths part until the next drama.
Only four episodes left of my rewatch of Just between lovers. I don’t really want to let go.
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Kafiyah Bello
May 15, 2021 at 6:18 AM
Don't worry Junho will be back on your screen soon. Also congrats for making it through Oh, Master, way to earn a bean.
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Eazal
May 15, 2021 at 7:07 AM
He will be next week on I live alone, by the way!!
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OldLawyer
May 15, 2021 at 12:12 PM
I fell by the wayside on OH MASTER. I hate bad writing and this was badly written, such a waste of both Nana and LMK, who are tow of my favorite actors.
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4 Dorotka
May 15, 2021 at 6:07 AM
I'm surprised, but I really like Bossam. As a non-saguk person I like that we focus on our newly formed family and that the politics is so far mainly presented through the Princess and the importance and significance of her fake death (so sad (but probably true to life) that the King sees the Princess more as means to get rid of his enemy than his daughter). I also like the music and the breathtaking contemplative shots in the nature. And... I didn't know that an inspection of a hurt sole can be so loaded... I was blushing...
Doom - I need to adjust. It is way darker and sadder than I expected. And Myeolmang looked extremely lonely...
Extremely lonely looked also Jia in Daebak Realty when she operated without Inbum. So heartbreaking when she imagined him next to her... she lost someone who could finally understand her, who could see and share her pains and struggles... I'm happy they made up and are back together.
Youth of May - Lee Dohyun and Go Minshi don't cease to impress me... but... I'm not sure I'm strong enough for all that heartbreak and tragedy coming... I may chicken out...
As my prime shows are currently on a heavier side (first episode of Move to Heaven included), I occasionally balance it with I Married an Anti-fan... or even She is the One 🙈.
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RevSparklyAndroid
May 15, 2021 at 7:37 AM
She is the One is ridiculous. But I laugh so hard during each episode.
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Dorotka
May 15, 2021 at 7:55 AM
Yes, I watch it for the laughs 😀
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ar_arguably romantic
May 15, 2021 at 9:25 AM
Me too! I'm mostly FF-ing though since I don't want to spend THAT much time on a ML with caveman behavior and a FL who is over-the-top naive, but I've got to admit that the ridiculousness is what makes it watchable. I LOL like crazy every time the ML comes to her in the dark as her intimidating older fiance with the stilted voice, and it took like 10 episodes of oddly-timed power outages for her to even get the slightest bit suspicious.
Last year, I checked out, but did not really watch the writer's last drama - Love in Time. Same schtick, but upping the ridiculousness level makes She Is the One a lot more palatable.
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RevSparklyAndroid
May 15, 2021 at 11:42 AM
The interactions between the main leads are just so funny. And you're right, I FF so much else, basically everything to do with the other sister and that odd love triangle. The grandfather is also unbearably domineering so he gets the FF treatment.
I didn't last the distance with Love in Time, either.
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Zestileigh
May 18, 2021 at 12:17 AM
I read your comment and started She is the One and it is cracking me the hell up.
These set ups are hilarious. Like the secretary giving Yue Yue bonuses for every little thing.... like using the bathroom. 😂
I think the humor can only work by playing off the ridiculousness of typical tropes, which makes the story set up boring but the small moments fantastic... like Yue Yue worrying she offended upper management only to find out the woman didn't know how to use her ID card to get through the gate. Pfft.
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RevSparklyAndroid
May 18, 2021 at 2:45 AM
I'm glad you're enjoying it.
What I like about it is that you can tell they are playing into the ridiculousness but the payoff is in the comedy. I think the FL even broke the fourth wall at least once to question the obvious craziness.
The comedy doesn't peter out during the 'angst' arc either.
5 miso
May 15, 2021 at 6:07 AM
Completed
Oh! Master - What on earth was that ending? They didn't tell anyone he's dead?? If LMK and Nana had been less cute I might not have finished it .
Ongoing
Youth of May - The inevitability of the coming tragedy bleeds through everything in this show. For e.g., when they mentioned 13th for the ambulance move, I kept fearing it'd get rescheduled to the 18th. There's a melancholy to even the sweetest scenes. Also ugh to noble idiocy.
Mouse - Will watch last 3 episodes together next week.
Daebak Real Estate - Oh In Bum all dressed up for his 'date' was adorable ("I wanted to go with Black and White" "Are you playing baduk?" 😂). And what an ending. Very good set of episodes.
Law School - Makjang law school. Every week we're forced to watch more evil people doing ridiculously evil things with impunity. The assemblyman is so gross, it's hard to watch.
Taxi Driver - RIP to the only well-adjusted person in the show.
Bossam - Never has a splinter in a foot been more sexually charged than this.
New
Mine - Dropped after the first episode when I had to keep trying to convince myself to watch the second one. Might reevaluate later based on beanie feedback.
Doom at Your Service - Didn't blow my mind but I already really like the chemistry between SIG and PBY. Their characters feel like they just GET each other at a fundamental level.
C-dramas
Binge-watched The Long Ballad. Engrossing tale especially for the 'villains' who were not really villainous.
Watching Octogenarians and the 90s, Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard and The Imperial Coroner.
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Dorotka
May 15, 2021 at 6:23 AM
Oh yes, baduk 😂😂😂
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emily
May 15, 2021 at 9:35 AM
Regarding baduk, if you've noticed, in the scene right after that where they were talking about the exorcism of In-beom's uncle, the arrangement of the rock slabs made the ground look like a Go board, and the leads' clothing made them look like board pieces. Pretty clever but I was wondering if it's too subtle for comedy.
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miso
May 15, 2021 at 10:05 AM
Ah I didn't notice that but I wouldn't be surprised if it was deliberate. This drama has a very nuanced visual style and detailed art direction.
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OldLawyer
May 15, 2021 at 12:16 PM
I did not catch that either- and I am that rare westerner who was actually taught to play GO as a child. I need to go find my board sometime....
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beffels
May 15, 2021 at 1:07 PM
That’s very clever! I really like the visual style of this show.
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Snow Flower
May 15, 2021 at 1:29 PM
Oh yes, splinter🥰
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6 Radily
May 15, 2021 at 6:09 AM
Doom at Your Service (Episode 1-2) - Mood: C+
The terminal illness trope is part of the synopsis and the trigger of the entire story, so I’m not going to hold that against the narrative, but did we really need all the unluckiness in the world with financial, romance, career (she shouldn’t have gone to the cafe if she was on the clock) and family issues on top of facing sexism, harassment and stormy weather for a setup, with a Truck of Doom to boot? It’s a severe contrast opposite Doom’s character who had a nice introduction to his motivations! I do wonder though if there’s a need for cohabitation when Doom should be able teleport to her at will?
Law School (Episode 9) - Mood: C-
My mind was racing with all sorts of possibilities about why Seung Jae stealing the computer was Professor Kim’s fault: the reveal this week was so underwhelming that I cringed while watching the episode. Add to that selfish people (Sol B, Seung Jae and that sexist student!): it’s no wonder my interest for this show sank like a stone. The preview also has yet another trope with the ‘snatching evidence on a motorcycle’ scene: that’ll be downright depressing to watch next week. I did however like the continued development of the Joon Hwi & Ji Ho pairing: hopefully, Ji Ho doesn’t take Sol B’s offer!
Mouse (Episode 18-19) - Mood: C-
It’s a makjang festival as plot points get thrown at all of us: my personal three picks would be 1) The baby swap (and of course let’s not forget the baby kidnapping this week), 2) Moo Chi remembering Yo Han’s dying words perfectly (wasn’t this also last week’s cliffhanger where Ba Reum also did the same thing?), 3) Bong Yi getting attacked once again (this girl repeated what she did during the Kang Duk Soo case: tell no one, bring a knife, become a victim, sigh). The show is wrapping up next week: all I can pray is that there aren’t any plot holes (girl who squashed mouse?) or absurd endings.
Youth of May (Episode 3-4) - Mood: C
As feared, Soo Ryeon probably guilt-tripped Myung Hee into saying what she said during the cliffhanger, which doesn’t really sit well with me given that this whole spectacle started because of her deceit. Soo Chan as a character is ok now but I wonder what he’ll be like when he realises that his brother-in-law has feelings for his ideal type. I don’t appreciate the random crush the boarding house girl had on Hee Tae or his trauma story, but it’s interesting to see Jung Tae stand up for Myung Soo and bond with him afterwards. Sadly, their friendship looks to be doomed just like their elder siblings.
Dark Hole (Episode 3-4) - Mood: C-, Yet another serial killer? But why? Wasn’t the shaman/principal enough?
Taxi Driver (Episode 9-10) - Mood: D+, It’s nice seeing all the disguises but can we move on with the main plot?
Sell Your Haunted House: Didn’t have enough time to watch it, will catch up next week!
Mine: Dropped, I can’t stomach all the rich...
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ar_arguably romantic
May 15, 2021 at 9:30 AM
Bong-yi *facepalm* I really can't stand her.
I predict there will be an absurd ending, and I'm sort of excited for it since I know my sane mind can never come up with anything like it.
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beffels
May 15, 2021 at 1:11 PM
OMG she is a frustrating bundle of bad decisions. My sister and I message each other while watching and whenever she shows up our text chain is basically “No! What are you doing?!”
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7 cat-cric-kat
May 15, 2021 at 6:13 AM
JAPAN -
Rikokatsu - 7/10 parents going for divorce and main couple is resisting it. heh. The growth of couple could have been more realistic. Comedy's tempo needed to be more too. Heck, there is least of huour out there. Some manga expressions would have done wonder. Couple's growth is also underwhelming. I want more genuine, not this what we have seen before too many a times. Still show is enjoyable.
There is a Reason for Love to Dress UP - 8/10 - This show has good budget for a jdrama. Director has done really good job - I wanted more in 1st episode but Director has given it back in the form of tourist advertisement in episode 03. Writer surely lives in 2021 and trying to make a romantic show of 2021 but also keeping features of earlier romance time too. Characters are moving ahead naturally and very smoothly. This one i'm enjoying too.
Life's story Starts - 8/10 - Trailer aka teaser - aka there was nothing except our 5 main actors aka characters showing their fae and that also became the poster. heh. But all the colourful entry made you think show gonna be a bit different - on crazy side a bit. But the show isn't. 1st strike by the show. It turns out to be a common man's drama. struggling main characters, reaching their 30's and yet have not much bank balance or career to show - do they have dreams!!?
I'm enjoying this show of these 5 characters that are out now to decisions that change their life in near future significantly.
Highly enjoyable. Comedy could have been better, but that's the point the ensemble of these 3 guys isn't achieving any good outcome. Heroine the way attached to the this small group of noodle-boys makes for interesting watch.
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cat-cric-kat
May 15, 2021 at 6:41 AM
Tv dramas look far too good in trailers and previews and when you watch the episode everything looks too stretched and dragged. Well, trailers+previews are made to grab the attention so can understand.
Kdrama -
Cosplay School - 6/10 Our handsome hero with manly voice can do anything and everything. From start i'm not talking about all the cliches being utilised b/c a kdrama without them is not your typical kdrama. Still, among all the korean shows aired this year - this show is my 3rd korean show to go at.
On credibility factor alone this show beats all the other action korean trash. Cliches can't go against this show as everyone has this thing in common.
Vigilante Justice - 6/10 - This show is far better than some garbage mafia. Source takes information from real life events and the created a comic and that turns out well in a tv drama. All the action and everything around is trash but atleast those events are real and get good screentime in this fictional drama.
Stale Soup - 3/10 - 85 episodes watched - This daily is garbage and made to increase your blood pressure. Everyone's dumb in this drama.
Toons disservice - 3/10 - Garbage - 1 word to sum up it all.
anti-fan service - 3/10 - garbage - its 2021 writer and broadcaster.
Harpy sisters - 6/10 - are not harpy anymore so need to change the name. That slap show last week. heh. Romance is fast and cranky - Lots in this show not makes for viewing but then this absurd writing+direction makes for this absurd watch.
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FlyingTool
May 15, 2021 at 2:09 PM
Cosplay School - very appropriate choice of alternate title!
Stale Soup - you’re still watching this? Do you drop dramas, or do you watch to the end once you start?
Harpy Sisters becomes ...?
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cat-cric-kat
May 16, 2021 at 2:03 AM
I had used the word in talk and thought it suits this show well. If we have to take cliches in consideration then show really is cosplaying earlier ones.
I don't drop shows(just move onto new ones) and that's how i have completed more kdramas than jdramas and that's why i'm stuck with stale soup though i did try to move onto Be my Dream family but instead flatly moved ahead with this trash. Technically its a drop.
Harpy sisters suited for 1st 3-4 weeks but now it really doesn't suit the state of sisters so need to reflect what they become now.
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cat-cric-kat
May 15, 2021 at 6:50 AM
Renai Mangaka - 7/10 - I never though i'll like this typical romance cliche but heroine really is carrying this foolish show. Actress is good at comedy and i think i have seen her in few live-variety shows.
@screentime - which takahata mitsuki's black and white media you talked about several months ago - i still haven't found it.
@oldlawyer - since you talked a about jdramas having raunchy stuff then you must try Naked Director and its 2nd season is airing on netflix too.
Husband Vs. Wife - to Husband with Wife to Husband saving family to husband hiding from wife - 6.5/10 -
Husband aka Hero is carrying the whole show - He has just too much screentime and too much to do when not much is in his shands. If he became the boss of NIS, he would have been ruling over the korean kingdom. That's how muchs cale of power is unbalanced in the whole show. This show now has turned into your typical korean action corruption drama. Writer had to challenge it but naah writer played it secure. Afterall, its a job and writer has to earn the livelihood. Predicable things are happening and things have slowed down quite a but. This week is good as writer acts like a hot balloon with trick of presidents office being attacked in 1st week. Villains looks weak and fool with all the toys they are playing with.
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OldLawyer
May 15, 2021 at 12:21 PM
NAKED DIRECTOR- got it. The Japanese are no prudes...
But nor are they into cheap exploitation. It is just a different perspective.
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Screentime
May 15, 2021 at 4:24 PM
If you are expanding your jdrama list, there are a few good shows on the edges.
However, with J having different constraints and when theme/budget are not a strong guide on quality...you just have to jump in before you can tell.
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Screentime
May 15, 2021 at 4:01 PM
@catocat
Ep03 - Cold Case season 3.
The B&W shot construction in this episode is stunning - some of the best I have seen in a weekly drama. It very clearly draws on B&W of old Japanese films which is different to B&W of US or European films. The DP and director also appear to have deliberately used the reality of body textures as a visual cue for past time-line vs the plumped super-smooth vision of current stars.
I know this show is not usually your thing but if you can get through the first minute of the episode you will be fine. This is a funny show in some ways but wow...it knows where to spend its budget. The production of the historical scenes is drop dead gorgeous and the current day scenes are so simple. Detectives with photocopies in an empty white office.
P.S. Kuroki Haru is in ep7, but I think it is less to your taste. Suruga Taro is chilling as the abusive husband with such little screen time he infuses that entire episode with a sense of dread.
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8 Kafiyah Bello
May 15, 2021 at 6:14 AM
Youth of May: The heartbreak has already started. It honestly looks like our couple will never get together or know any happiness. This thing with the marriage is unfortunate. Hee Tae’s father is a bit of a force of nature, dangerous even in his subservience. He is probably going to be partially responsible for the death. Did Romeo and Juliet teach nobody anything? Or since this is a kdrama, let’s use a Korean reference Yun Sim Deok. Star-crossed lovers are not good for anyone involved.
Doom: It is SIG so I will watch regardless. Doom is interesting because he is just a being that based on the lore they have given us, exists because of humans. There is a beanie theory that he used to be human, which unfortunately is probably the case. Everything he does makes sense to me as the entity Doom because he is Doom. The drama seems to be defining doom pretty specifically. His miasma and personality are down because his very existence causes doom. At the same time, it makes sense that he used to be human because he is tired of being doom-like. An being who was Doom wouldn’t get tired of being itself. That was convoluted, but that is my feeling on it. As for Tak Dong Kyung, I only had one question, why did she keep thinking he was American. What about his demeanor made him so, usually I get the references, but not this time. I also love that Park Bo Young is being treated as an adult in this drama, another beanie mentioned this before, but her cuteness isn’t a factor. I think it helps ground her character as a fully fleshed individual rather than a vessel for cuteness. I look forward to the rest of this drama.
Sell Your Haunted House: That was a quick resolution. I like that though. I appreciate the fact that the show doesn’t dwell and moves on. Now that Ji Ah and In Bum are back to working together the main arc is moving forward. We now know her Mama is attached to her. Also, I assume Hwa Jung is fine, so I won’t dwell on the timbers of doom. Hopefully, in the next episode we find out why her Mama is attached to her. Also wasn’t a fan of the last case. Soo Jung’s trauma and the quick recovery.,
Law School: I don’t know what is happening in this show. However, Sol A better get to keep her grade, commas are important. She is also still my favorite. As for the case of the ain’t s%^t boyfriend, I hope the professor buries him for being a trash person who deserved his head injury. Where is Taxi driver when you need him, gratuitous, unnecessary violence would be good here. (ha, just kidding).
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sorrynotsorry
May 15, 2021 at 6:34 AM
"why did she keep thinking he was American" - One time it was because he left footprints in the house i.e. he didn't take off his shoes.
Of course, plenty of Americans do have people take off their shoes though I personally just do it seasonally.
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Kafiyah Bello
May 15, 2021 at 9:31 AM
That was one I actually got, but I wasnt sure, so good to know.. I dont ever wear shoes in the house and I am an American.
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OldLawyer
May 15, 2021 at 2:25 PM
Me too.
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dramalover4ever
May 16, 2021 at 5:12 PM
It just occurred to me, reading your comment, what if Doom's end game is to get someone to swap with him????
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Kafiyah Bello
May 17, 2021 at 4:30 AM
Hmmmmm, that is interesting, would he swap with someone else to become human or just to cease his weary existence? The show is super dark so that would follow the theme.
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dramalover4ever
May 17, 2021 at 4:40 AM
This is out on a limb, but what if she becomes Doom and he is freed?
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Kafiyah Bello
May 17, 2021 at 4:48 AM
Ohh, yes that would be interesting. Her death wouldn't be death but becoming Doom. Woof, that is a hell of a theory friend and I kind of like it.
dramalover4ever
May 17, 2021 at 4:08 PM
Ep 3: Things are taking an interesting turn in that direction, but the twist I didn't see coming was that she had her own game plan.
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dramalover4ever
May 17, 2021 at 4:08 PM
Thank you, friend!! Ep 3: Things are taking an interesting turn in that direction, but the twist I didn't see coming was that she had her own game plan.
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9 welh
May 15, 2021 at 6:24 AM
OH MASTER (Ep 15-16): The series did not disappoint. It was terrible to the end. The show went from cruelty to an incoherent ending. The utterly stupid happy ending OTP fake out was unnecessary, as well as all the secondary characters simplistic tween crush love lines. But Joo-in was just as naive, juvenile and clueless as the rest. After all his mean torment, her nanosecond acceptance of him as her lover showed she had no pride, self-esteem or self-reliance in relationships. And what was the lesson bequeathed by Bi-soo to Joo-in? That you will become a sad and lonely woman pining for your lost love for the rest of your life like his own mother?
What a train wreck. The first two episodes had the promise of a cute, simple “odd couple” under one roof rom-com. My initial vibe was that Joo-in character could have been based upon a real or acomposite of K-drama actresses’ career conflicts with dating in private and public (and how it affects her “brand.”). That could have been an interesting avenue to explore especially with how agencies deal with their top stars. But no, it was a trope filled dumpster fire. It was like the TOD came out of our screens to run the viewers over again and again for the last 7 weeks. The show did not need an unexplainable fantasy death story line (which was so bad I still wonder what happened to Bi-soo’s human body after the accident; his 49 day body had to be existential since it was metaphysical when he and his clothes vanished in thin air,) The show could have been fine if it just focused in on the two leads. But the relationship and love triangle were dull. She had a very cardboard cut-out character; flat emotional scale and no depth. The last two episodes’ reliance on past clip show filler moments to try to express the characters’ feelings showed even the director gave up on this script. Clearly, this is has to be the frontrunner for worst show of the year.
DAEBAK REALTY (Ep. 9-10): The introduction of new types of ghosts and a new way to eliminate them keeps this show fresh and interesting. However, JiAh is starting to go beyond the normal to become a ghost detective to solve the human aftermath in her cases. I thought the tenant-client actor was stiff throughout her story so I liked they wrote her out quickly. It seems that we will be robbed of Hwa-Jung’s backstory just when I was thinking she had a past relationship with Director Do (thinking about him as being the cause of her child’s death). We do learn an important fact that JiAh’s mother is not anchored to the realty building but attached directly to her daughter which adds another level of complication to a final resolution. The show is hitting on all cylinders
BOSSAM (Ep 3-4): Throughout history, the value of human life has been very low. Our “family on the run” cannot seem to get a break. Just as they are trying to settle in to a hard but moral life, they are being hunted down by three parties. The king using his daughter as bait to destroy a...
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welh
May 15, 2021 at 6:24 AM
... political rival is bad enough. But the king’s son’s obsession to get the princess back is misguided and will back fire putting them all in deadly danger. I am starting to dislike Young Master’s quest to have the princess. Otherwise, this show has not disappointed in its story choices.
Variety:
HOUSE ON WHEELS 2: (Ep 6): For season 2, the producers have decided to shorten the time guests to about one episode or so. Probably to get more guests booked on the show. However, there is less time to get to know the guests. Oh Na Ra was fun and relaxed. The second guest, Jeon Hye Jin, was very quiet so we did not get to know her but the show had its funny moments with the cast cooking mistakes.
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Karmen ~ 🍜🏢🎭 ~ 📚☔🦋 ~ 🪂🌱💘 ~ ✨🍊💫 ~
May 15, 2021 at 10:56 AM
I couldn't agree more about Oh! Master
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10 sorrynotsorry
May 15, 2021 at 6:25 AM
Doom at Your Service: Now I know where the Truck of Doom comes from. I feel the drama has already given some hints as to how it could end. I don't quite understand everything that is going on yet but that is the genre I guess.
Sell Your Haunted House: I am 3 episodes behind but am all in on the show. The gangster stuff is my least favorite aspect but since that is involved in the history of the characters, I guess I'm stuck with it til the end.
Bossam: This drama seems fresh but with a classic feel. The story is going to go into the palace now which makes me a bit sad if I have to start listening to a lot of "Chuuuuurnaaaah" stuff. Court politics has been kept to a minimum so far. One probably controversial opinion: while the kid is cute and I like him, I actually think they are overdoing it with his cutiepie-ness. I feel like kids in dramas get over-the-top cutie or OTT sassy etc.
Brit Box: Life on Mars - so I am one of those people who has never seen any of the variations of this show and am finally checking the original out. Enjoying it so far and respect the fact the creators stopped at 2 seasons.
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miso
May 15, 2021 at 6:36 AM
The Korean version of Life on Mars is excellent. Probably one of my favourite shows ever. Highly recommended!
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Eazal
May 15, 2021 at 7:19 AM
Life on Mars (BBC) is brilliant. Season 2 is my favourite.
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sorrynotsorry
May 15, 2021 at 9:33 AM
Just started Season 2 today ;)
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imzadi
May 15, 2021 at 7:34 AM
Don't forget to check out the sequel Ashes to Ashes. It's even better in my opinion.
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sorrynotsorry
May 15, 2021 at 9:34 AM
Didn't realize there was a sequel. Thanks for the heads up.
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imzadi
May 15, 2021 at 9:51 AM
You are welcome. I think not watching it, would mean you miss half the story and of course the ending.
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beffels
May 15, 2021 at 1:17 PM
I love Ashes to Ashes.
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11 WishfulToki
May 15, 2021 at 6:27 AM
-Ongoing-
BOSSAM: STEALING FATE : Four episodes in, and it's every bit what I needed. It feels very much like a classic but the music and acting keeps it fresh. Yuri is a delightful surprise. Do join us in the Hangout thread if you're watching! https://www.dramabeans.com/2021/05/drama-hangout-bossam-steal-the-fate
FAITH Ep. 6: A rewatch in honour of @leetenant's gallant attempt to remain indifferent to Lee Min Ho. I'm still as annoyed as ever with the female lead but I love this drama ottoke?
-Completed-
THE LONG BALLAD: Thank you drama for reviving my faith in Cdramas. The climax was really at Episode 42, which I've rewatched too many times while waiting for subs (Haoyan fans know why). The rest was a wrapped up most of the side stories.
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sorrynotsorry
May 15, 2021 at 6:45 AM
Faith: This is one of the few dramas that I will do a yearly re-watch albeit with some FF through evil people shenanigans. I am in the minority who loves the female lead. She was a smart but fickle woman in modern times and stayed that way in history until she and Choi both slowly changed due to their enduring love. I just can't get enough. I actually see similarities to what this same writer did in Healer. I mean the male leads in both shows are so similar in character. At least that is my memory...I've never re-watched Healer though it doesn't seem like a bad idea.
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WishfulToki
May 15, 2021 at 6:53 AM
I know, I didn't want to spoil it for anyone. The female lead starts out brash and outright stupid in many cases, but she has a big mouth and a big heart and eventually comes through in my view.
The evil people shenanigans are making me laugh at lot this time. I did not remember that cockroach skin lotion 🤣
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sorrynotsorry
May 15, 2021 at 9:37 AM
I still remember being so surprised there was a supernatural element beyond the time travel. There are various bad guys with various motivations and shifting loyalties through the drama which I loved but, yes, "evil people shenanigans" is a good way to describe it.
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FlyingTool
May 15, 2021 at 2:24 PM
“ cockroach skin lotion “...????
How does that even come up? Just curious...
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WishfulToki
May 15, 2021 at 5:57 PM
Only one way to find out ;)
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
May 15, 2021 at 6:17 PM
Join usss
mugyuljoie is preciousss
May 16, 2021 at 5:22 PM
Hold firm @hebang.
mmmmm
May 15, 2021 at 7:09 AM
LT I think LMH is handsome.
But I am indifferent to him, too.
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Eazal
May 15, 2021 at 7:22 AM
He is as handsome as boring, I'm afraid.
I'll join you two in indifference.
You have to admit it's quite a thing that I'm indifferent to such a gorgeous (and boring) pretty boy.
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mmmmm
May 15, 2021 at 7:28 AM
LT is irresistibly indifferent.
Eaz is ................ indifferent.
M is magnanimously indifferent. (If it doesn't make sense, do tell me. I'll change.)
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
May 15, 2021 at 6:16 PM
I recommend you be loudly and aggressively indifferent and maybe he'll start stalking you instead.
dramalover4ever
May 16, 2021 at 5:17 PM
I'm benignly indifferent
dramalover4ever
May 16, 2021 at 5:16 PM
Me too. I'm watching it for the first time. Thanks LT. It's something about his nose. It just doesn't work for me. LOL.
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UrsulaX
May 15, 2021 at 1:09 PM
I think I would have liked The Long Ballad if I hadn't been such a fan of the original manhua, Cheng Ge Xing. Instead, the adaptation reinforced my current feeling of frustration with Chinese dramas in general because I feel some of the changes were an attempt to conform to a popular C-drama formula I neither like nor understand. There is clearly a large audience out there that likes the formula, which focuses exclusively on romance and romantic tropes and typically diminishes the female protagonist in some way so that she is childish, naïve, or ignorant enough to attract the male's paternalistic attention. Worst of all, any independent goals or interests the female has are ultimately subsumed by her desire to be with the male and perform her domestic duties. The Long Ballad would seem like a refreshing departure from this trend were it not for the creators' attempts to make the story more romantic and formulaic (in the early episodes, at least). I just wish the series was a more faithful adaptation, personally, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. On a positive note, I do like that C-dramas are trying to tell stories about intelligent female characters.
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WishfulToki
May 15, 2021 at 6:20 PM
When I read a book and then watch the movie adaptation I will always say that the book is better, so I understand where you're coming from. However, I thought THE LONG BALLAD did not focus exclusively on romance or make the female protagonist lose independence at all. [Spoiler] In the end Changge refuses to go back to Chang'an for an easy life and does not agree to marry A'Sun until the final episode. The last scene in the whole drama is of Changge walking through the grasslands, and A'Sun on horseback somewhere else (it's kind of an open ending). At several points during the drama he says he wants to let her do what she wants. He never interferes and is supportive even when he doesn't understand her whole plan. In Leyan's case the romance happened hand in hand with her becoming more assertive and independent. The only formulaic couple was minor characters: Mimi Guli & Mu Jin, who did all the cutesy things and even got a kiss. Not that I cared. I thought Mimi Guli was the weakest character overall.
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UrsulaX
May 16, 2021 at 12:54 AM
I should stress that I stopped watching the drama early on once I realized how different it was from the manhua in terms of characters, tone, storyline, and thematic focus. I agree that the romance is not a big focus, but much of the romance that exists in the drama has been added. Ashina Sun and Li Changge have expressed some romantic interest in each other towards the last chapters of the manhua, but their future together is uncertain. Li Changge is a very independent character, and they spend much of the story apart, traveling on separate paths that occasionally converge. They respect each other as brothers or comrades, but she doesn't depend on him and he doesn't have to save her. None of the side couples exist. Mimi kills herself after betraying Li Changge, and it's quite tragic. I don't remember her ever interacting with Mu Jin. Princess Yong An and Wei Shu Yu do not exist, and Hao Du is a minor character with no love story.
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Beans007
May 16, 2021 at 2:37 AM
The Long Ballad had so many excellent points: the intelligent and assertive FL, the supportive ML, a lot of interesting history (Wikipedia is my friend) etc. However, it did kind of lose me after the parrot kiss and Mimi Guli was very aggravating. I didn't finish it just for the bean though (yes, I know, it doesn't bean-count) as there was still a lot to it, so overall I agree with you and would recommend it.
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Snow Flower
May 15, 2021 at 1:33 PM
Faith is the first kdrama I ever watched, so I always have a soft spot for it.
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wonhwa
May 15, 2021 at 4:49 PM
Enjoying Bossam, but I keep thinking Cha Dol is going to get everyone killed. I know he's supposed to be endearing, but I kind of want to throw him in a bag sometimes so he'll stop running off to where he's not supposed to go.
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dramalover4ever
May 16, 2021 at 5:19 PM
Noooo. I love him. He's so cute and not grating at all.
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
May 16, 2021 at 5:25 PM
I'm with you. He's enthusiastic and adorable.
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12 OLakes
May 15, 2021 at 6:27 AM
Sell Your Haunted House: continues to be my top-watch for it's tight storytelling, even pace and, as always, the fabulous Jang Na-ra. This drama hits the spot every episode and is currently the only one I'm impatient for every week.
Oh! Master!: dipped back in momentarily for a few minutes and have never hated myself more. Don't watch this.
Move to Heaven: currently binging this with enthusiasm. As with many dramas about death, this one is really about life: its fragility, how vulnerable we are to its whims, and also the real wonder of it - and we how we can live many of them, if we are willing to listen and keep becoming. (And Sooyoung's cameo is delightful.)
So I Married the Anti-Fan: still pretty bad but still pretty much loving the ride. It's easy to watch, especially in light of some of the heavier stuff on tap these days.
Doom At Your Service: can't say I'm captivated, but it's intriguing enough to keep me hooked for another week. I saw it described somewhere as a cross between Goblin and Black Knight, and for the sake of viewers, I hope it leans waaaaay more toward the former.
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mmmmm
May 15, 2021 at 7:29 AM
I am liking SYHH, too!
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OLakes
May 15, 2021 at 9:22 AM
Twinning for the winning!
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mmmmm
May 15, 2021 at 10:00 AM
*happy dances*
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13 A. McG.
May 15, 2021 at 6:41 AM
I'm struggling to finish River where the Moon Rises. I found that some scenes seem repetitive. Same with It's Okay to not be Okay. Don't get me wrong, it's good to look at, and the leads are good actors but I found the story over the top.
I'm enjoying Flower of Evil. Beyond Evil is phenomenal and I'm still savoring Be Melodramatic. I've put Taxi Driver on hold because I have to finish the others. It feels familiar because the mood seems like The Equalizer (80s version, USA) meets Batman (Alfred) with the staff from Criminal Minds.
I've also started watching the film The Call. The gal from Burning is in it and outshined Park Shin-hye. She's excellent in both movies. Is why I can see her winning the Best Actress (film) at the Baeksang.
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dramalover4ever
May 17, 2021 at 4:44 AM
FOE, BE, BM all brilliant.
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14 Orientedstar
May 15, 2021 at 6:43 AM
FIGHT MY WAY COMPLETED: Completed this gem of a drama today just to share it here. Why was I so late to this? I kept ignoring it even though it showed up in every list of friends to lovers trope. I love loved the leads park seo joon and kim ji won just stole my hearts. And Oh My God the kisses and the skinship. Loved it so much. I was constant mess of butterflies in my stomach. They were so cute together and the plot is not just angst lite or fluffy. The struggle they went for their dreams was hard but satisfying. And I was pleasantly surpised by the second leads who were not a favourite with many. They were realistic going through problems as a long term relation couple. But their scenes were also very cute when they were in love. There were some things I did'nt love like the birth secret but it was okay. Definetely will be in top 5 couples.
Youth of May and Sell your Haunted House took a backseat this week because of FMW. Will catch up now. Really excited to get back into them both. Btw love Lee do hyun😘
Sunbae don't put on that lipstick Completed : Just wanted some light fluffy drama watched this last week. Enjoyed it but did'nt leave much impression on me. Even though objectively Ro woon was much more swoony here than extraordinary me I liked him much more there. Maybe I'm a closet high school romance fan. I actually was more interested in the other stories than the main leads. Not that they were not good but they were not that different. The sisters arcs were nice. I did'nt initially watch this as I did'nt want to watch a rom com along with run on. So picked it up now.
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beffels
May 15, 2021 at 1:22 PM
I love Fight My Way. Dong Man is possibly my favourite kdrama hero ever.
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Orientedstar
May 15, 2021 at 6:51 PM
Yes he went right up the favourite heros list. Even Choi ae ra was very charming. Loved her.
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dramalover4ever
May 16, 2021 at 5:22 PM
Loved FMW so much. What a classic.
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15 ladyjaye
May 15, 2021 at 6:47 AM
DOOM AT YOUR SERVICE! I mean, Park Bo-young is beautiful to look at, ans she's such a good actress, AND it's a fantasy drama, so I wan gonna watch anyway, but lemme tell you, whatever vibe Seo In-gook has going on: that amoral/wicked/antihero...whatever it is, is MAJORLY working for me. Hai....this is the happiest a drama has made me in a long time! Here's hoping it finishes as well at it has started.
DAEBAK REALTY is also still holding strong, and I look forward to the final half of this show.
Tried to watch MINE, but I couldn't do it. Everything was too long and drawn out for me. I just wanted them to get on with it. SO yeah, no. I may try pick it back up and see later.
On the CDRAMA front:
Started THE IMPERIAL CORONER and so far so good.
For JDORAMA - I still haven't gotten around to starting KOI WA DEEP NI.
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Dorotka
May 15, 2021 at 7:17 AM
I watched one episode of Koi wa Deep Ni, then started ep 2 like 3 times... and the dropped it... it just didn't work for me... I'm planning to continue with Kikazaru Koi(...) instead.
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16 Kurama
May 15, 2021 at 6:49 AM
Youth of May It's a charming drama but the direction is a little too much for me.
Doom at Your Service It was an interesting beginning! I'm really curious! Will the deity change Doom's purpose and make him human? Will she let the FL live longer?
Sell Your Haunted House Two almost normal adults! They apologize, respect each other and are ready to find the truth even it's hurtful. I really like them together!
Law School It's entertaining.
Taxi Driver They're starting to ask themselves about their questionnable job.
Move To Heaven It's hard to not binge it but I want to take the time to watch it like they take the time for the dead.
Cdrama
Use For My Talent I'm watching it only for the actors Shen Yue and Jasper Liu. They're forming a great pairing! It's an adaptation of the Korean version and sadly they chose the same bad second lead role...
TV show
Kingdom The dance team made a mini sageuk about the King Yeonsangun. The performance was beautiful.
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Dorotka
May 15, 2021 at 7:13 AM
I started Talent (~10mins), but I guess I need more time to accept Jasper Liu's dubbed voice...
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Kurama
May 15, 2021 at 7:19 AM
Yeah, it's why I never watch Cdrama. I hate dubbing! But it's Jasper Liu...
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Mani-chan
May 15, 2021 at 7:30 AM
I love him a lot but not enough to watch a dubbed show. I'll go back to watching Before We Get Married in case I miss him.
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Kurama
May 15, 2021 at 7:57 AM
Honestly, it's bearable. Not like some other dramas.
beffels
May 15, 2021 at 1:25 PM
I have been thinking about starting it but the dubbing really puts me off.
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Kurama
May 15, 2021 at 2:40 PM
Oh, I understand. The only reason I watch it is the actors.
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OldLawyer
May 15, 2021 at 2:40 PM
Now that you mention it I think that it is the dubbed voice which explains my disappointment in Jasper's performance- which is still OK but I expect more from him. Why so many C-drama's do this is mystifying- and exasperating.
Shen Yue is a very fine and talented actress but she is trying to fill the shoes first occupied by Kim Yoo-jung- who is simply matchless. She is definitely not mailing it in and only suffers by the comparison.
I will definitely continue to watch USE FOR MY TALENT and do not want to discourage others from doing so. But the dubbing is definitely an irritant.
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Kurama
May 15, 2021 at 2:44 PM
At least, I don't have the weird echo or beyond the grave feeling... For the actresses, they often chose cute voices, it's so annoying... It's why I rarely watch Cdramas but more Tdramas.
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bong-soo
May 15, 2021 at 3:56 PM
@kurama,
Right from the beginning I had decided MOVE TO HEAVEN will be a one episode a night drama.
I watched episode one last night and loved it. I anticipated Lee Je-hoon and Tang Jun-sang will give great performances and TJS hit a home run in episode one and we only got to see LJH at the tail end. I was really impressed with the performance of Ji Jin-hee as TJS’s father. (He was so good I was thinking something like I wonder how it would have been if he continued in the drama.)
Also I recently watched and loved NAVILLERA and see in the cast that at least two cast members from that drama are in MTH. In episode one we have already met Hong Seung-hee.
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17 ladyjaye
May 15, 2021 at 6:52 AM
Oh, I forgot BOSSAM: STEAL THE FATE: I like the drama, but Bossam (or whatever his name is Ba wu..whatevs) is getting on my nerves. HE ruined the princess' life. He doesn't get to act all offended and self-righteous. And also, the kid is extremely annoying. I don't find him cute or precocious or pitiful.....just extremely annoying, and I really wish he wasn't in the plot at all. Ugghhh. But I am still watching, so yeah.
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wonhwa
May 15, 2021 at 4:53 PM
I also find the kid annoying. Sometimes there are really good reasons you don't just run into the palace.
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18 finalparadox
May 15, 2021 at 7:20 AM
Sell Your Haunted House: Glad to see their fight didn't get blown out of proportions. I also really like how In-bum and Ji-ah defer to each other's expertise. Their subtle interactions give me the fuzzies. Right now this is the show I look forward most to each week.
Mouse: This show is tedious and I increasingly hate everyone.
Taxi Driver: I haven't watched the latest episodes yet but I'm lowkey rooting for Esom on this show. Maybe I'm just frustrated by the lack of a story for her.
Bossam: Started watching this show because people said it's good. Gotta say, while I don't like sageuk as much, I'm surprisingly pleased with this. I would like more scandalous Court Lady Jo and that cute kid.
Doom at Your Service: Decided to check out the first few episodes before I make any decision about continuing. Still trying to figure out the show's mythology but I'm cautiously optimistic about this one. The material is quite dark despite the cheerful exterior.
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19 Mani-chan
May 15, 2021 at 7:27 AM
Sell Your Haunted House: Binged all episodes this week and I am loving this drama. I had forgotten how good of an actress Jang Nara is. The woman is phenomenal. I want her all her make up products and clothes from this drama. I guess I have grown up, because I find the communication between In Bum and Ji Ah to be so swoony. It's goals really. They behave like mature adults and I love and want that. I'm not used to seeing Ahn Kil Kang as a villain. Every time I look at him, I see the gruff dad from Memorials. I'm waiting for them to recover the truth of what happened all those years ago.
Doom At Your Service: As much as I find Seo In Gook super hot in this drama and I adore PBY, this drama didn't click with me. I guess I will give it 2 more episodes before I make up my mind. I do like that the drama isn't overly maudlin. Also this was my first time hearing Lee Soo Hyuk's voice and boy was I surprised. It does not go with his face. Also for a second there I thought he had something stuck in his throat.
I read the the way Oh My Master ended and boy am I glad I dropped this drama at the right time.
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tsutsuloo
May 15, 2021 at 9:52 AM
I feel giddy thinking about how good Sell Your Haunted House is. At first I thought I might be overpraising the show because I'd shifted my attentions from the drek called Oh! Master. But no—Sell Your Haunted House truly is one of the best things in dramaland right now.
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beffels
May 15, 2021 at 1:27 PM
His voice surprised me too! In a good way but yes unexpected.
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20 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
May 15, 2021 at 7:27 AM
Taxi Driver: 7.5
Bossam: Steal the Fate: 6.0 If the mid-show doldrums are apparent mid-day-4, and it's 20 episodes? 😨 Also, commit suicide by jumping off a cliff into a RIVER? Has she never watched a kdrama?
So I Married an Anti-Fan: 4.0 It took me 4 days to get thru 11 minutes of day 4 before I dropped it.
Doom at Your Service: 8.5 Cigarette lighter. Shooting stars falling from the sky. Can they get to 100,000,000? Can they find ways to reference every kdrama we've ever seen?
Youth of May: 8.0
Sell Your Haunted House: 8.0
Law School: 8.0 The evilbullycorruptpolitician (in kdramaland that's all just one word) is predictableandnotfun, otherwise show is good.
Move to Heaven: 2.4 For those of us who don't like sad, the start was just slow and boring. Unless everyone else here praises it to the heavens, I'm moving on.
----
Faith: 👍 After the discussions this week I "had" to re-watch some highlights from days 1, 5, 12 & 24. 5 & 12 have rare examples of speaking English in 1300s Goryeo. And who can forget hearing "X-Man" in day 4? Also, see if you can spot the lead of Rebel Thief Who Stole the People in an early supporting role.
Oh! Master: 👎 Considering low ratings and the negative comments I've seen, I'm feeling pretty good about having dropped it after day 6.
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WishfulToki
May 15, 2021 at 8:04 AM
FAITH got a thumbs up from Lord Cobol! That means a lot. I'm also in the middle of a rewatch of the first half. I'd forgotten it has everybody's favorite ahjumma from HEALER too.
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kiara
May 15, 2021 at 2:54 PM
I wonder if you'll like THE LEGEND by the same writer and PD of FAITH. It's one of their earlier sageuk.
I prefer their first sageuk, THE GREAT AMBITION.
Writer Song Ji Na and PD Kim Jong Hak were the dynamic duo back then with 2 back to back masterpieces EYES OF DAWN and SANDGLASS.
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bong-soo
May 15, 2021 at 4:05 PM
LC. Re BOSSAM. Did you notice that when Ba-woo entered the water to save Princess Soo-kyung he entered head first. All I can say is that was one hell of a dive, Olympic quality. Most of us (if we had the guts) probably would have jumped feet first off the cliff.
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kiara
May 15, 2021 at 4:16 PM
Comment was deleted
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kiara
May 15, 2021 at 4:17 PM
That head dive was filmed in a swimming pool because it was in the middle of winter 😊.
They were sprayed with a little water just enough to look wet when they filmed the river scene.
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Beans007
May 16, 2021 at 2:46 AM
He did jump off the cliff feet first, and then the shot cut to him diving into the water. I spent quite a bit of time pondering the mid-air contortions he went through!
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bong-soo
May 16, 2021 at 6:42 AM
Incredible and with all that baggy clothing he was wearing.
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21 Bob
May 15, 2021 at 7:38 AM
I want to give a small shout out to the never-ending low-brow series 'Revolutionary Sisters' which nobody mentions (or respects) but I'm enjoying more than those high prestige failures we've been getting.
I've got to admire how well structured 'Sell You Haunted House' is. They know how to do 'ghost of the week' while keeping the larger plot alive.
For rewatching I'm halfway through last year's 'More than Friends'. I had forgotten how slow paced it was, but not in a bad way. It's the kdrama equivalent of a leisurely stroll through the park in the spring sunshine.
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tsutsuloo
May 15, 2021 at 9:59 AM
I'm not watching Revolutionary Sisters but it's worth noting that excellent trash has its place. I love excellent trash. High brow, low brow—it don't matter. Unfortunately, creating well-written, fully realized characters seems to be beyond the abilities of most shows.
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OldLawyer
May 15, 2021 at 2:47 PM
I have given up on REVOLUTIONARY SISTERS for now. I too love good trash- but to me it just wasn't that good. There were simply too many plot holes and illogicalities. Perhaps I will look at it again after a while as I am a regular watcher of Weekenders.
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22 CasualDramaFan
May 15, 2021 at 8:16 AM
Sell Your Haunted House : This show continues to be well paced and solid as ever. I liked how In-bum and Ji-ah came to an understanding about finding out what happened in past. I love interactions between Ji-ah and In-bum. How cute In-bum was when he thought Ji-ah asked him for a date?
Doom at your service: I think this show is trying too hard. Maybe I am expecting too much from the show.
Law School: Baddies are getting worse by each passing episode. I just want truck of doom to take out each and every one. I loved reveal about Kang Dan. I previously thought she was bit selfish but we got to know that she is as protective as Kang Sol A.
I think Kang Sol B should abandon her obsessive desire to become a judge. Plagiarism scandal is a smoking gun and everyone, even prosecutor is aware of that. Does she really think she will be successful judge with this kind of history? That is grade A blackmail material for criminals and lawyers if she really becomes one.
Taxi Driver: I am getting whiplash due to tonal shift between every episode. In one episode they could have killed dozens of police officer and a prosecutor and in second episode everything is upbeat.
Mine: I just want this chaebol family to explode. It would be spectacular if it happened.
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tsutsuloo
May 15, 2021 at 9:30 AM
In-bum preening in his white suit was beyond adorable. Considering that I'm a tomato sauce magnet, I can only look upon him with awe.
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FlyingTool
May 15, 2021 at 12:20 PM
Or, in Korea, gochujang magnet. I’d swear there was none at the table, somehow, some ends up on me. Sigh.
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Midnight
May 17, 2021 at 8:51 PM
It is coffee for me. Sigh.
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23 PYC
May 15, 2021 at 8:28 AM
Is anyone watching Undercover? Any views?
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korfan
May 15, 2021 at 9:36 AM
I am! ..... I have never watched the original series this show is based on, so I have no idea how it compares. But I'm really enjoying this show.
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PYC
May 16, 2021 at 6:00 AM
Great and thanks! Hope it will eventually be shown on a legal site ..... awaiting.
With KHJ and JJH teaming up again, it’d be hard to fail, right?
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finalparadox
May 16, 2021 at 7:35 AM
I watched the first 4 episodes and it's interesting so far. Also, I think Ji Jin-hee exudes hot dad energy in all the roles I've seen him, so that doesn't hurt.
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ssandulak
May 17, 2021 at 1:26 AM
I am. It’s solid! If you’re into the genre, I’d recommend it. I also haven’t seen the original but this seems like one of those shows that’s going to be underrated for sure.
It’s not spectacular at anything, but it’s worth a watch.
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24 emily
May 15, 2021 at 8:34 AM
I cannot rave about Sell Your Haunted House enough. You get a compelling story about someone dying in place of another when trying to help, you get Jang Nara looking breathtakingly beautiful in a princess dress, you get an awesome truck of doom and a fantastic reversal that ensues and you also get super ghost mom at the end. Phenomenal.
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beffels
May 15, 2021 at 1:29 PM
That truck of doom truly took me by surprise.
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OldLawyer
May 15, 2021 at 2:50 PM
Jang Na-ra was beautiful indeed but that scene really show just how good the writing and directing of this show is. The effect of that scene was magnified by the fact that at all other times we see her in black.
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25 blessingwind
May 15, 2021 at 8:43 AM
To be honest am watching Vincenzo bts even after it ended. Watching the #JeonKi crumbs. I am officially in love with the couple. Never been this hooked before. I can't move on. T____T
Have started watching Doom at your Service. I am loving the show. Seo-in-guk is charming as ever and our female lead is also actually good. Love the pairing and their scenes. Seems that there will be some very heartbreaking moments later at the end. I can feel some melancholy vibes from this drama. Not too cheery .
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purplefall
May 15, 2021 at 10:14 PM
Welcome to the ChaCenzo/VinCha/JeonKi nation! I've been lurking around Twitter/IG/Tumblr everyday just to have fun with other shippers. I also found that The Swoon is on the same ship with us :D
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blessingwind
May 17, 2021 at 10:35 AM
OMG Same. I cannot move on.. They have such sizzling chemistry and they seem so comfortable with each other. And to that add the unmatchable sync between them onscreen and offscreen, together and separately. I just wish we can seem them in more projects or game shows and photoshoots. Need to seem them again onscreen .
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purplefall
May 17, 2021 at 7:38 PM
I'm not sure what's going on but it seems like they're busy with photoshoots and interviews, it's just that they deliberately avoid being seen together. It's an odd situation if we consider the post-airing photoshoots/interviews they had with their previous co-stars. But if that helps nurturing their private relationship, I don't have any complaints hehe.
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26 am1993
May 15, 2021 at 8:49 AM
Mouse
Finally caught up! You could play Makjang bingo with this crime thriller.
Well, at least Lee Seunggi is great as per usual. I’m really happy to see him challenge himself with this type of role.
Lastly, Poor Yohan. What a cruel fate he had.
Youth of May
Episode 3 and 4 were my favs so far. However, I am apprehensive about what’s to come. We already have May 18 looming over these characters...why add frustrating love triangles in the mix? Sooryun is starting to frustrate me and I fear Soochan will also soon enough...
Doom at your Service
Love the leads but I wasn’t hooked by the premiere week. I had such a hard time connecting with the story and the fantasy elements. Nothing much happened also.
I like that Park Boyoung’s character can actually stand up for herself and I find her cynicism somewhat compelling. However, the contract and the wish thing was strangely hard to follow and I find it’s already being dragged out a bit too long.
I am intrigued by Lee Soohyuk’s character. Hopefully next week will start developing some side plots.
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tsutsuloo
May 15, 2021 at 9:44 AM
Ah, you're not the only one who's a little fuzzy on the details of the Doom At Your Service contract? Can Beanies please explain here? Otherwise, I'm enjoying the mix of gloom and dark humor.
The FL's cynicism alone is enough to keep me watching the next couple episodes. That and Mr. Doom himself. I'm a sucker for "Death takes a holiday" type of story lines.
The Deity as a suffering 20-year-old patient is also intriguing. Gives me Joan of Arcadia vibes, where God kept showing up as different people.
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am1993
May 15, 2021 at 10:11 AM
From what I understand
Park Boyoung’s character has to wish for the end of humanity before she dies (Seo Inguk’s wish that he can’t make himself).
In return, Seo Inguk’s character will grant her a wish of her own and take away the pain from her condition (so she won’t suffer at all physically during her remaining days).
However, if she fails to wish for ultimate doom by the time her 100 days are up, the person she cares the most about will die. It’s unclear if they will die along with her, or she’ll have to live on with the guilt (cursed miracle recovery)...
It was difficult to follow because there was a lot of somewhat meaningless back and forth and it was dragged for 2 episodes. Also, Park Boyoung was forced to semi-accept because of the truck of doom...which was a weird set up in my opinion. She couldn’t add her own conditions either, it was just Doom randomly adding conditions to try to persuade her. He was also stalking her a bit...Took me a while to realize she STILL hadn’t accepted or rejected his offer lol
(I was also watching the first episode with unrevised French subtitles, so maybe some of the things were lost in translation on my end)
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tsutsuloo
May 15, 2021 at 10:16 AM
Thanks. I hope we'll get more clarity next week. You know, some sort of contract that requires a thumbprint. ;D
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Mike
May 15, 2021 at 11:25 AM
Basically the contract is a big Macguffin. Wishing doom or the whole world OR your loved one dies has the same result for the love one, regardless. Its a distinction without a difference.
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am1993
May 15, 2021 at 11:53 AM
Ah yes! That’s it! It’s the fact that it is so clearly a Macguffin to force the main characters to interact that keeps me from getting invested in it!! Thank you!
Macguffin’s are useful to get the plot going (e.g. sending characters on a journey à la LotR). Usually, the audience doesn’t care much about them BUT you have to believe that the characters do. There needs to be some basic logic to them. This macguffin took 2 episodes to set up and in my opinion was stretched really thin. It’s all we have for plot so far...I really hope we’ll move on from it next week...
tsutsuloo
May 15, 2021 at 1:38 PM
Fair point. I'm not even a lawyer so I don't know why I even care about the particulars of the contract. I guess all that matters is that they become attached at the hip and go on from there.
beffels
May 15, 2021 at 1:36 PM
My basic assumption with Lee Seung gi dramas is that while they may not be great at least they won’t be terrible because he always seems to choose projects with interesting ideas.
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am1993
May 15, 2021 at 1:58 PM
Agree!!! Although his dramas are not always the best, he hasn’t disappointed me so far in his choice of projects. I watched everything he’s been in and enjoyed (at varying degrees) all of them.
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27 pcch2345
May 15, 2021 at 9:00 AM
watched episodes from:
Taxi Driver - makes me want to watch more shows of LJH (while its one of my fav shows already, i still haven't gotten to watch Signal in its entirety).
Move to Heaven - this can be considered the first completed show i've seen for LJH...such a heartwarming show, i wasn't expecting 10 ep to drop same day, perfect for binge watching though. HGR's character is lovely.
Bossam - i don't know what's about this show, but i keep finding myself looking out for new eps each week...haven't really completed any shows for the main leads before, but in this show, here i think they've done well with their characters
Voice2 - this was in my watchlist so trying to catch few episodes
regarding Mouse and Beyond Evil (currently i don't have access to all the episodes)...i decided to do a binge watch once i had access to all the episodes else i was finding myself a bit confused here and then...but personally i'm totally engaged in their storylines...been avoiding any spoilers so far...
Ling Cage: Incarnation (ending part 2) donghua...not sure what i was expecting but still looking forward to seeing the next part...
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28 korfan
May 15, 2021 at 9:33 AM
Sell Your Haunted House - Week after week this show continues to make the different ghost stories interesting.
Undercover - Loving how female lead's husband is secretly helping her.
Mine - Haven't watched this weekend's episodes, but curious to see where they go with last week's reveal.
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29 ar_arguably romantic
May 15, 2021 at 9:49 AM
Sell Your Haunted House: My weekly happy pill - just chilling with the super-cool Ji-ah and her awesome partner, In-beom. It's just such a pleasant, zero-stress watch even if there are scary ghosts in this drama. There is something just reassuring about the whole vibe. I hope Hwa-jung is okay.
Doom at your service: Confused about the contract, but I'm loving it. It gives off that breathless, fantastical feel I got from the first week of Goblin with an eerie dash of darkness. Some of the scenes feel "been-there-done-that", but atmosphere is keeping everything off-kiler. Seo In-gook looks hot.
Taxi Driver I'm losing interest in this, though I like how it sheds light on things wrong in society. I just want to FF to the parts where Lee Je Hoon/Kim Doki gets in disguise. I almost felt bad for the baddie this week with Kim Doki playing with her heart.
Mouse: The thriller is now a tragedy. Song Yohan is one of the most wronged and tragic kdrama characters ever. :*( And it's also sad that Bareum was triggered to kill. I can take the brain graft surgery, but the baby swap was too much. I wonder what OZ's end goal is.
Imperial Coroner (up to ep 12): C-drama. A pleasant watch with likable characters who care about their work and a nice, fast pace. The second male lead is from another investigation drama I watched years ago so I'm glad to see him here and in a comic role.
She Is the One (up to ep 10) : C-drama. A reminder in how hitting a certain level of ridiculousness can make things MORE watchable and even enjoyable. So many LOL moments.
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am1993
May 15, 2021 at 11:32 AM
I am also confused about OZ goal. I thought Dr Lee was part of the brain behind them (an extension of his psychopath gene research). I believed before these last 2 episodes that he wanted to prove the gene’s existence (that it was truly nature the winner in the nature vs nurture debate...) but now I can only assume him and/or OZ want to create a weapon against other psychopaths? A psychopath hunter? I mean, that wouldn’t be that far fetched in this drama lol
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beffels
May 15, 2021 at 1:38 PM
I think Daniel Lee and OZ are quite separate in their goals, but what OZ’s goals are? Who knows.
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30 Islander north
May 15, 2021 at 10:06 AM
Any legal site to watch Undercover in U.S.? Doom was strange, I had to force myself to finishe ep. 2. I'll try one more week.
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31 axis3
May 15, 2021 at 11:30 AM
Sell Your Haunted House (Ep 9&10) - When the pile of woods dropped down on Hwa-jung I was like noooo!! only for the Ep 11 teaser appearing after to pop my curiosity on her fate...duh.. :P
Mouse (Ep 18&19) - The switched at birth was what I theorized very early on. I shot down my own theory in the middle of the story only for it to be confirmed in Ep 19 :P I felt sad for Yo-han, finding out the truth and then being killed when he actually was able to live. I think for once I will not try to guess what's the outcome of the finale but I'll expect it's gonna be a sad end for some of the main players.
Taxi Driver (Ep 11&12) - I did not see it coming for the likeable Mr Wang. The last piece of advise that he gave Hana at the end of ep 11 showed his persistent as a law enforcer. If only there are that many people who holds that principle, vigilante justice will not have a place in society. The ugly side of the collab between Sung-chul and the gangsters finally comes to play. This was never a wise thing to do from the start so I really hope he has a back up plan :P
Move to Heaven (Ep 1-10): I watched a documentary about trauma cleaners some time ago and I got curious when this drama came out. I find it a good watch though of course there's some extra help from Geu-ru's ability to spice up the stories. Have a box of tissues with you when you're watching it :)
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32 Fly Colours
May 15, 2021 at 11:43 AM
Didn't have much drama time over the last weeks, but still managed to watch Bossam up until ep 4 and I'm enjoying it so much! It's pretty and wintery, and Jung Ilwoo and Kwon Yuri are very solvent and pretty to look at. Not crazy about the ML because he's kind of crummy (like, trying to sell off the Princess to a pimp, really? 😠) but there's surely some character development in store for him, and the Princess' quandary is well thought off and engrossing. Also, there's some social comment in the drama. Like it!
Also, episodes 9 and 10 of Taxi Driver were such a riot! The violence was a bit toned down compared to previous eps, and the comedy was dialled up. Kim Doki's turn as a dodgy - and flirty!- conman is *chef's kiss. I was totally feeling it like big teeth phone-fraud lady, like, who would say no to that crab? 😂 Lee Jehoon is the man of the moment. Love him in all his iterations - dang, he looks so fine in bad outfits! It's his superpower. And I'm loving it that he's having so much fun with this role. Tonight I'm going to check out Move to Heaven, been seeing some really good feedback about it
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soulsearch12
May 15, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Seriously, flirty Do Ki was super fun/sexy lol. God, I'm so impressed by how LJH can pull of these slime balls and yet he doesn't come across as sleazy but sexy lol?! That lady has taste, no one can be immune to his charms.
He really is right! I'm glad b/c while he's considered A List in Korea (I guess A List in film but his drama picks haven't hit for him since Signal), so this is a really nice gift. Honestly, he must have some superpower, b/c even w/ a mullet and unkempt vibes in Move to Heaven, dude is smoking hot!! Emphasis on smoking, b/c damn I know its bad, but he looked alluring doing so :D But yes, I'm amazed b/c other actors couldn't pull off half the looks he's pulling off. I guess, his natural sex appeal/hotness is way too overpowering that it overrides bad outfits lol?!
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33 OldLawyer
May 15, 2021 at 12:00 PM
This week I started watching USE FOR MY TALENT the Chinese re-make of CLEAN WITH PASSION FOR NOW. In my experience many C-Drama re-makes of foreign shows tend to pale when compared to their originals and so far that seems to be the case here (for me the only exception has been SYMPHONY’S ROMANCE which was in the end actually superior to both NODAME CANTABILE and the Korean re-make NAE-IL’S CANTABILE). It is a watchable show but it was probably unfair to expect that Shen Yue match the performance of the fabulous Kim Yoo-jung and even though the male lead is the much esteemed Jasper Liu I am not sure that he really has his heart in this performance. But I have only seen the first episodes so my opinion of this one could still change.
SO I MARRIED THE ANTI-FAN is watchable and entertaining. This drama is a re-make of a Chinese movie. The question still to be answered is can a movie be successfully expanded into a full drama? I hope so.
SELL YOUR HAUNTED HOUSE continues to be our favorite show. Jang Na-ra continues to rock. This show is just so well written. The different is quite stark when we compare it to other shows and yes, I mean you OH MASTER. As much as I like Nana and LMK I just had to give up on that one.
I have not yet started MOVE TO HEAVEN but Selena’s description is encouraging. So I will be watching.
My wife finished another Chinese Costume Drama- THE LONG BALLAD. Dilmurat Dilraba had the female lead role and did an outstanding job. My wife continues to watch MY HEROIC HUSBAND and it is still a fun drama.
My wife finished the biographical Sageuk GODDESS OF FIRE, She could not believe that Korea had been so unprepared for the Japanese invasion. Having just completed a history of the Imjin War I was able to tell her that this was in fact entirely historically true. The only good news is that the two scheming princes in GODDESS OF FIRE got to spend four years as the prisoners of the Japanese. BOSSAM is set in the time immediately after the war- and we are really enjoying BOSSAM.
My wife likes biographical Sageuk’s. She previously watched THE GREAT QUEEN SEONDEOK. Now having finished GODDESS OF FIRE she is watching THE PAINTER OF THE WIND which is very (extremely) loosely based upon the 18th century painter Shin Yun-bok.
The daily drama BE MY DREAM FAMILY still leaves me with a smile on my face at the end of the week. Really at the end of almost every episode. This week concluded with the agreement of their parents that our young (pregnant) couple can go ahead and marry. But the boy’s mother is firm on one condition- they will have to live with her. Absolutely- and this is the beginning of a whole almost redemption like arc for her.
I respectfully disagree with Branwen’s view of Seong-gwan’s decision to return to being a surgeon in NAVILLERA. He has made that decision based upon his realization of the importance of time. This is at least as true of younger patients as it would be to older...
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34 beffels
May 15, 2021 at 12:58 PM
Suddenly watching so many things!
MOUSE - one more episode to go and I’m really going to miss this show. It’s been really good and I never knew Lee Seung gi could look so scary. When Ba Reum woke up when Bong Yi was checking his arm for scars 😱
SELL YOUR HAUNTED HOUSE - I really liked the latest pair of episodes. In Bum’s white suit music video style entry made me laugh. I was really pleased that Ji Ah decided to actually tell him about his uncle’s spirit instead of just finding another psychic.
DOOM AT YOUR SERVICE - A good start though seems unlikely to have a happy ending.
VINCENZO - kind of struggling along when I get around to it. It’s fun when I’m watching it but kind of forgettable when I’m not.
And last, but definitely not least - FAITH. Why had I never watched this before? I went in basically completely blind, inspired by a couple of posts on the fan wall, and it is madness. I really, really want the heroine to a) stop just standing there doing nothing while someone is bleeding from the neck until she forced to act and b) tie up her hair, honestly if you’re concerned about the germy soldiers around your surgery maybe also be worried about your loose hair getting in as well.
Anyway there is sword fighting in the dark with luminescent ninjas and Lee Min Ho has magic hands and I think I’m in love.
Oh, and as always MASTER IN THE HOUSE. I think the new PD is trying a lot of things, some of which work for me better than others. It was a bit unfortunate they had a teamwork themed episode just as Sung rok was out with Covid19 but I did like seeing Seung gi and Se Hyeong paired up for most of the episode because that’s always fun. Pretty hard to make me believe it’s because they have bad teamwork though.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
May 15, 2021 at 2:53 PM
I thought the first episode(s) of Faith were good trash. It's just episode 3 and 4 I struggled with, especially since the female lead they brought from the future is almost superfluous to the story. She's more like an alien observer then an actual character. If this was a scifi procedural, she'd be Data.
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beffels
May 15, 2021 at 5:48 PM
I’m aiming to do eps 3 and 4 tonight so will be interesting to see how I take them. If it keeps up the magic police shield boomerang shenanigans I can cope with quite a lot of shrieking female lead who seems incapable of movement until specifically ordered.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
May 15, 2021 at 5:52 PM
It's more like "here's all the ways in which this show is entirely about the male lead and oh yeah, there's a female lead I put here somewhere. I guess I should find something for her to shriek about".
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WishfulToki
May 15, 2021 at 6:10 PM
So how far did you get? I'm on Episode 6. While I can't stand the shrieking female lead in the early episodes, I find the Queen dignified and awesome.
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
May 15, 2021 at 6:12 PM
The Queen is an amazing character @wishfultoki. By far my favourite character. I'm about to watch 5 and 6 now.
Midnight
May 17, 2021 at 9:18 PM
But seriously! That is actually the story in the beginning! Theymessed up with bringing a doctor, now they are going on with their lives just barely tolerating her in the background! I know it sounds like the disaster recipe that most beanies despise but go with it. 😁
35 soulsearch12
May 15, 2021 at 1:04 PM
Me seeing the Taxi Driver screen grab, "Ooh, what's this suppose to imply?" Then going back to zero lol.
What can I say, Lee Je Hoon could no wrong in my eyes!! I happen to think he's a great actor, and no one's doing it like him rn. Taxi Driver Ep 9-10 was such a riot!! I loved it!! So fun to watch, and his disguise was just delicious.
Move to Heaven: Very good show!! I love that its not overly manipulative or cloying. It presents a good scenario, and gives a lot of heart to it. Also, that scene in Ep 3, I think I just spaced out, like whew damn. Also, LJH's biceps/arms were highly distracting esp. when he was wearing sleeve less shirts, like not fair dude!!!
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miss h
May 15, 2021 at 5:59 PM
I didn't expect him to be so built. His arms were distracting. They had that vein that is somehow very sexy.
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36 LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
May 15, 2021 at 2:49 PM
Doom at your service: Really good premiere week. Despite saying I thought it was too dark, I enjoyed these two episodes a lot. I'm a bit cautious though because I can see where a show that starts out like this could end up going and I've been stuck on this train while it crashed before. So for now put me down for cautious enjoyment. If they do pull it off though, the theme of death and rebirth as a metaphor for resilience could be very healing and heartwarming. I'm here for now.
<Dabaek Realty/Sell your Haunted House completely lost me this week. I absolutely loved everything about the first eight episodes, especially the Warrior Queen/Marshmallow Soldier dynamic of the two leads, which is my absolute favourite thing behind Partners Against the World. But this week not so much. Did we really need to see endless flashbacks to a woman being murdered? We finally get to meet Chief Ho's girlfriend and she's 15 years younger than him and looks and acts like a 12 year old. It was skeevy as hell. We've seen Ji-Ah take down multiple gangsters but she can't handle a fried chicken cook? In-Bum is all smitten because he saw Ji-Ah dressed as a lobotomised doll. It was like the show was deliberately pressing all my buttons. I'm not dropping though because it has been so so so good until now.
Dark Hole is dropped. The only Dark Hole here is the black hole of boredom this drama opened up as it sucked me into a soporific coma. A strange mix of 80s monster flick, Stephen King novel, and Korean drama elements, Dark Hole is pretty much a mess. And while the first week shoots for moody and atmospheric and almost makes it, week two degenerates into a boring succession of post-apocalyptic cliches that mostly involve people running around in the dark and yelling.
Beyond Evil: I have actually finished this but need to write up the back half. While it falls shorts of masterpieces like Forest of Secrets and My Ajusshi it absolutely deserves all the awards it got.
Born Again: A huge gothic mess of an opening week, a clear disaster in the making. I may get around to pressing play on episode 3 at some point but for the moment, my public masochism is being served by
Faith: Yes, Faith. I blame who needs to be blamed. But, actually, apart from an enjoyably trashy first episode, this is surprisingly boring. Trash shouldn't be this boring. And if I can break character for a moment, LMH is so whitebread and his performances are shallow. Seriously, I can't help thinking what this show would have been if they cast an actor instead.
And if this all sounds a bit negative, well, they can't all be Vincenzo and Navillera I guess.
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37 Jingbee
May 15, 2021 at 4:52 PM
Move to Heaven - completed in one day!. Can't praise this show enough. 10 episodes made for a tight plot, even with the client stories per episode. Now I am wondering, what would my story be if the trauma cleaners go through my belongings?
Mouse - the show could have chosen to reveal some of these in the earlier episodes and thus spare us from the whiplash of eps 18 and 19. But I love dark LSG.
Taxi Driver - much as I love LJH disguises every episode, I hope the plot moves on mext.
Law School - Sol B and Sungjae just officially moved to the baddies list here. Still love the show though despite the painful watch this week.
Sell your Haunted House - so the main plot moved this week. It is about time. With the exception of MTH, i noticed that all the shows I chose to watch are the dark ones. But this is the "lightiest" of them. Humans are scarier than ghosts.
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bong-soo
May 16, 2021 at 7:08 AM
@jingbee, MOVE TO HEAVEN is a slow watch for me (one episode a night). Next up is episode 3. I love it. Lol about your concern. It reminds me of the advice mom’s of a different generation gave their kids: “make sure you wear clean underwear in case you get hit by a bus”!
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Jingbee
May 16, 2021 at 5:18 PM
Funny you mentioned this.. i actually think this is sound advice.. LOL. When I ran into an accident 6 years ago while driving, you know what my first thought was when paramedics were trying to get me out of the car? " was I wearing a decent underwear ?". I swear i thought about it, esp that I was wearing a skirt and there were plenty of bystanders then. Needless to say I am ok but that lesson stuck with me. LOL.
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bong-soo
May 16, 2021 at 6:38 PM
It must have been a serious accident. I am glad you are ok. Strange what comes to mind at moments like that.
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38 john
May 15, 2021 at 5:00 PM
Dropped Taxi
Watching C drama Imperial Coroner
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RevSparklyAndroid
May 16, 2021 at 5:56 AM
Imperial Coroner is excellent on so many fronts.
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39 Snow Flower
May 15, 2021 at 7:40 PM
BOSSAM - surprisingly good so far. I hope it continues this way, splinters and all...
YOUTH OF MAY - this show makes me feel like a deer in the headlights. I know doom is coming, but I can't stop watching.
MONEY FLOWER rewatch - Jang Hyuk. In a suit. Enough said.
I composed a piano piece inspired by this show. Video of me playing it is on my fanwall.
NAVILLERA - my happy pill right now.
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bong-soo
May 16, 2021 at 7:03 AM
We have BOSSAM, YOUTH OF MAY (both current watches) and NAVILLERA (completed) in common.
Re NAVILLERA. Have you seen the ending of episode 8 yet?
I would be interested in your reaction.
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Snow Flower
May 16, 2021 at 10:34 AM
I have finished the first 4 episodes of NAVILLERA so far. Will let you know when I get to Episode 8.
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WishfulToki
May 17, 2021 at 7:07 AM
I'm curious. What does "Navillera" mean? It sounds like a Spanish word.
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Snow Flower
May 17, 2021 at 8:02 AM
Here is an excellent explanation:
https://bitchesoverdramas.com/2021/04/15/navillera-episode-1-review-first-impressions/
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WishfulToki
May 17, 2021 at 9:08 AM
Thank you! This makes the drama look much more interesting.
bong-soo
May 17, 2021 at 3:37 PM
Toki, NAVILLERA is excellent. I mean it. 5 stars.
The cast across the board was terrific.
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40 Lilium
May 15, 2021 at 9:32 PM
The Imperial Coroner is my crack drama at the moment. The attention to detail, the tight script and the smart team of people surrounding the male lead all make for a great little whodunit. I even like the lowkey cute romance between the leads.
Vincenzo was fun. Occasionally violent, often chaotic. Sometimes funny, sometimes not so much. But the final act inevitably falls prey to all the same issues that most K and C dramas do. The villains were pretty one-note so there wasn't really much of a cat and mouse game all throughout. They did a lot of dumb unnecessary things. Song Joong-ki was yummy though. Can't help feeling that there are better shows that do the same sort of thing.
I'm only really watching Sell Your Haunted House for the developing leads dynamic. Not really seeing the wow factor. Like Vincenzo it's an entertaining watch but there's a lot that feels derivative. At least Vincenzo is unabashedly a farce. No doubt I'm feeling jaded like Ji-ah.
Love Taxi Driver's 80ish nostalgia vibe. Lee Je-hoon is undoubtedly the best thing about this. I'm going to miss his impersonations now that things are heating up and getting serious.
Not that it matters but three cheers for Beyond Evil getting the recognition it deserved. It was a wonderfully written parable of the inner and outer workings of evil set in the context of a regional town.
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41 Beans007
May 16, 2021 at 3:12 AM
I'm so thrilled that I suddenly have a lot to watch:
Bossam has stolen my heart for now; I'm heading over to the hangout...
Imitation I'm not a kpop fan, so was pleasantly surprised at how intriguing I'm finding this. The main story line is heading towards tropey, but the insights into this business feel fresh and true and revelatory (perhaps because I'm not a fan?) Are the idols who are playing idols creating that veracity?
Doom I got a thrill at the end of the second episode as the cigarette fell out of his mouth at his surprise at her proposition. Keep it coming!
So I married an anti-fan is really fun. I hope that the FL, who was originally characterised as feisty, doesn't go too far down the road of needing protection though. That would be very annoying.
The Imperial Coroner Cdrama. Still watching and still enjoying although it is dragging a little more now (ep.22). Hoping that it goes back to its original snappy pace.
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42 javinne
May 16, 2021 at 3:14 AM
My Ajusshi
Now on ep. 8 (half way through)
What can I say that you don't know? This is the number one drama in my favorite list, and I haven't watched since then a drama that could come close (except maybe for My unfamiliar family).
Anyway, I am so much in love with this show.... So much I can't express myself coherently. If any of you haven't watch it.... Please go. Go watch it. You won't regret it.
Doom
My comment is nothing compared to everything you guys have said before, but at least I can join the party and announce I am watching too!
And honestly, after the horrendous failure of Oh Master, I wonder what would it be to watch this show not only with no more of expectations, but actually expecting it to fail too... to say: come on, show.... let's see how you doom yourself.
The premise is very edgy anyways, we are all predicting a sad end... let's not expect coherent logic mythology... let's not expect a compelling story, but let's just ride the fun and the prettiness from SIG and PBY... And see where it goes.
I will still be watching, that's for sure 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
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wonhwa
May 17, 2021 at 7:30 AM
I also didn't watch My Ajusshi until recently, and I agree that it's absolutely extraordinary. Not always an easy watch, but an incredibly powerful one.
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43 dokutokunaneko
May 16, 2021 at 11:22 AM
This past week has definitely been "reversal of expectations":
Doom: I had so much hope for this because I love SIG and have not liked PBY's dramas (I like her movies!), so was hoping for one I can enjoy her in. I made it to 1.5 episodes before dropping. The story is definitely intriguing, but the dialogue....is so pretentious (in that "philosophical" way, a lot of vague musings about life and death and the fanstatical that really means nothing if you think about it). And the directing is SO stylized - which worked in the director's previous drama, Search WWW, because it was more or less a stylized reality, and mostly fluff. This stylized direction does not work well here for the heavy emotional beats (stop with the blurry glowy filter -_- and the slow-mo! The slow-mo that basically is a huge signpost for THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MOMENT). And the music oh dear god the music (and sound effects). I would have much preferred if they stuck with the serious tone - the comedic moments feel jarring, and even more so when the music is practically screaming at you that "THIS IS A FUNNY SCENE!" then promptly switches to "OK WE'RE DONE WITH THAT NOW IS A SERIOUS SCENE!" I really like the concept of a godlike being and a Candy destroying the world together (what was promised in the synopsis), but we didn't even get there yet, and the direction and dialogue got on my nerves so much, I had to stop. Let me know when they're actually destroying the world so I can tune back in!
Imitation: I read the webtoon source material, and thought it was ok. It's basically the Law & Order version of Kpop, meaning: all the storylines are taken from scandal headlines in the kpop world. It's sensational, tropey, a bit mopey, and maybe not all that deep. So I had low expectations for the drama, but checked it out anyway because Jun built a lot of good will from Avengers Social Club. The first episode (it's one ep per week) was actually (!) very engaging. All the makjang-lite key storylines are still there, but treated with so much heart. This is a coming of age story about people with dreams who are fighting for them, and yes falling in love along the way. It feels thoughtful and youthful at the same time. It's still not all that deep, but a lot more sincere than I thought it would be. Liking it!
All the cdrama side, The Imperial Coroner continues to be delightful, and I binged all 10 eps of Use for My Talent on Netflix. Finally a Jasper Liu's drama that I like! They toned down a lot from the kdrama version: the FL is much less disgusting (hygiene-wise; she's just very easygoing about doing the dirty jobs, not necessarily a messy person herself), the ML is much less rude (he's such a decent guy!), the comedy is much less over the top slapslick, and his mysophobia, while severe and delibetating at times,...
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dokutokunaneko
May 16, 2021 at 11:34 AM
also doesn't lead to so much angst. The FL is also much more respectful and professional (I really did not like how Kim YooJung's character repeatedly overstepped boundaries and traumatized her CEO in the original). The cleaning business stuff is also much reduced. Like most cdramas, it does drag a bit in the middle, but Jasper and Shen Yue are so cute together (and some of the side couples too) that I really don't mind. The directing is polished, the pacing (of the scenes, tho not necessarily the whole drama) is swift, and the background music is spot on. It is fluff, but really good fluff, and since they changed a lot of the details from the original, you can still watch this as something new.
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44 ssandulak
May 16, 2021 at 5:06 PM
Bossam: Oddly enough I think this might be the show I look forward to the most right now. The subs are pretty slow, unfortunately, but the main cast are all pretty interesting. The kid is getting a little grating though, as he’s less interesting now that he’s basically repeating himself over and over.
Mouse: Rough week. One episode to wrap this all up? Lee Seung Gi killing it though. It’s nice to see him branch out with a very different character. I’ve also been a fan of Park Ju-hyun since Extracurricular so can’t wait to see her in more shows.
Doom at Your Service: PBY yeeeees! Solid opening week. It was definitely NOT what I was expecting tonally and got pretty serious pretty quickly. The fantasy elements add to the drama, instead of detracting or drawing attention away from, which I think is the sign of good fantasy. I’m hopeful this one continues strongly from here on.
Taxi Driver: Still watching...I’m kind of on the fence with this one. It’s got some solid moments but whereas the characters should be getting more depth as we’re going along, it almost feels the opposite.
Sell Your Haunted House: Another week of Jang Na-ra awesomeness. Easily the most consistently good show I’m watching right now. The villain is pretty one note, with no real depth to him, but besides that, the whole cast is clicking (and I still really like the actor who’s playing the villain).
Still watching a bunch of other shows (Youth in May, Law School, So I Married an Anti-fan) but they’re just steadily going along.
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45 bong-soo
May 17, 2021 at 7:01 AM
I figure if I was able to get through last week's episodes 5 and 6 of DARK HOLE well out of loyalty to LJH (1984) I will be able to make it the end (episode 12).
O/T. Viki I have a request. Could you reassign a few of the DARK HOLE subbers to the BOSSAM subbing team? It would be OK if the DH subs were a little slow in coming. The BOSSAM team could use the help.
Thanks for considering my suggestion.
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WishfulToki
May 17, 2021 at 7:05 AM
Yes, please. I must have refreshed VIKI every hour yesterday hoping for subs, and they came at 1% per hour.
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OldLawyer
May 18, 2021 at 2:21 PM
A fervent Amen to your request on BOSSAM
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46 jennee
May 18, 2021 at 9:38 AM
Just finished (a rewatch)
JEALOUSY INCARNATE: I remember enjoying it very much the first time around. Still loved it but realized I was hoping for more stories from the side characters. Also, I didn't realize Moon Ga Young (True Beauty) was in it as ML's niece, and that Kim Jung Hyun and Seo Ji Hye (the second leads in Crash Landing on You) were also in this as FL's brother and FL's rival, respectively.
Currently watching:
MOUSE - Lee Seung Gi gets better and better each drama. I wish this one was less convoluted though; I have trouble remembering the names of all the different killers and victims, so I suspect if I have been a native Korean maybe I would like this more and can remember and understand more of what's happening? Or maybe this was a show I should have binge-watched rather than wait for every week maybe so I can remember the details more? Also, probably it's just me but I'm not feeling the chemistry between him and Park Ju Hyun, whom I adored since Extracurricular and Zombie Detective. Other than that, I am anxiously waiting for the final episode this week.
A PIECE OF YOUR MIND - Park Ji Hyun is also in this drama - she is so versatile, all the characters she's played are so different! I'm already in Episode 10 but I'm not enjoying it as much as I hoped. I am reading the weecaps for this here in dramabeans as I watch the drama and it looks like missvictrix enjoyed it much more than I did. I normally like healing dramas and while this one does have its moments, I still do not understand why the characters are acting as they are. Will finish this of course (only 2 episodes left) because it's Jung Hae In and Chae Soo Bin but honestly it feels like a chore sometimes so I only watch this one episode at a time (rotating with other dramas).
VINCENZO - Just finished Episode 2. I should have watched this live because now I got spoiled about the main villain. Oh well. It would be nice to see if I can pick up hints of his duplicity as I watch through this though. So far, the drama has not grabbed me yet.
ALL IN - the K drama classic from 2002 is available in Viki here in Canada so I decided to dive in as I have never watched it before. I'm starting Episode 14 soon. I think Lee Byung Hyun and Song Hye Kyo were in a real relationship when this was shot, right? I am enjoying Song Hye Kyo's character here a lot and Ji Sung is so baby-faced, hahahaha. I also think I actually saw Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister from GOT) as an extra in Episode 10. She was driving a car that had stopped to get gas at the gas station where Lee Byung Hyun was working. I really think it's her, though I didn't see it listed in her iMDB page (maybe it won't be since she was an extra without a speaking line). Does anybody want to check and let me know if I need to have my eyes checked? LOL. It's at the 49:43 to 49:56 mark.
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