Premiere Watch: Moonshine, The One and Only, The Silent Sea

35 December 19, 2021December 24, 2021

Premiere Watch: Moonshine, The One and Only, The Silent Sea

by missvictrix

We have a fun assortment of dramas awaiting us this week! Another sageuk awaits (flowery and full of illegal alcohol), a tear-jerker of a melodrama, and a sci-fi adventure on the moon.

Moonshine

Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: KBS
Genre: Romance, sageuk
Episode count: 16

Reasons to watch: The feast of sageuks continues, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t getting a little overwhelming. With The King’s Affection over, and The Red Sleeve Cuff and Secret Royal Inspector and Joy half through their run, there’s room on our plates for more. Yoo Seung-ho plays the government official in charge of sniffing out illegal alcohol breweries and consumption, and Hyeri plays our alcohol-brewing heroine. The promos are far more beautiful than expected (can this drama be even prettier than The King’s Affection?!), and I’m wondering if this drama can do something playful, romantic, and exciting all at once.

The One and Only

Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: JTBC
Genre: Human, melo
Episode count: 16

Reasons to watch: So torn. This looks and sounds like the sort of moving, heart-wrenching drama that makes you feel, and makes you cry 10,000 rivers. That has an appeal, but so does not crying, and not having your heart ripped out by yet another drama. In The One and Only, we have the story of three terminally ill young women and their final days together at a hospice. Ahn Eun-jin leads the drama (yay for her, she’s been doing great work) with Joy and Kang Ye-won — the three are very different, but build a bond together. Special bonus: Kim Kyung-nam (oppa!) as a hitman who gets involved with Ahn Eun-jin. That both takes my interest level from 10 to 100, but also makes me wonder how much melo we’re going to get in our human melodrama.

The Silent Sea

Time slot: Friday
Broadcaster: Netflix
Genre: Sci-fi, thriller, mystery
Episode count: 8

Reasons to watch: Our next Netflix original is here already, and with it comes Bae Doona and Gong Yoo — not too shabby. The series takes place in the near future, and a special group of astronauts and scientists gets tapped for a mission to the moon. The mission is shrouded in as much mystery as the drama is, but I’ve always got my antennae up for a good sci-fi story, and even better with an apocalyptic or somewhat dystopic setting. Netflix dramas seem pretty hard to pin down, or even predict in terms of tone, so no promises, but all the crossed fingers.

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1 panshel

December 19, 2021 at 11:06 PM

The Silent Sea is how I'll spend my Christmas.

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OldLawyer

December 20, 2021 at 9:46 AM

Me too.

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Eazal

December 22, 2021 at 11:02 AM

Same here.

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2 redfox

December 19, 2021 at 11:14 PM

Silent sea could do a bit more justice with promo photos. First, they float 1 photo on Netflix since august. And second, this floating heads thing is hideous. It is like anti-promotion, lest too many people watch or smth

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PYC

December 20, 2021 at 4:59 AM

They have a great trailer available at YT.

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redfox

December 20, 2021 at 6:59 AM

im talking specifically about the Netflix page

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3 glenlake8

December 19, 2021 at 11:32 PM

Netflix’s youtube channel has had two different trailers for Silent Sea in the past month.

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4 Kurama

December 19, 2021 at 11:52 PM

I think I will pass the sageuk, I need to digest the end of The King's Affection and as slapstick humor, we already have The Secret Royal Inspector and Joy.

But I'm really excited to watch The One and Only, it will be my first time to watch KKN in a main role, finally! (I'm not a familial drama fan) I'm happy for AEJ too.

I can't say no to Gong Yoo and Bae Doona. I'm curious, it's really a challenge for a Korean production (I guess Netflix money helped).

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halofan68

December 20, 2021 at 5:24 AM

I have to admit that part of me is relieved The King's Affection is over. Don't get me wrong, I genuinely enjoyed it and thought for the most part that it was excellently done but parsing out both the king-swap storyline and the push-pull central romance over 20 episodes resulted in an undercurrent of tedium in the last five episodes or so.

When anticipating both TKA and Red Sleeve, I would have given odds that TKA would be more gripping because of the creative freedom that comes with a fictional setting, especially since Red Sleeve treads such well traveled ground, but oof, at the risk of hyperbole, episodes 11 and 12 were near Shakespearean in high drama. Bravo.

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Kurama

December 20, 2021 at 5:47 AM

For me, TKA was way more entertaining that Red Sleeve. The characters showed growth, I never knew what will happen and the events were credible with the story. There were of course default but it was Hwi's story and none of her actions were out of story's line.

But Red Sleeve completely lost track of the story : the romance between San and Deok-Im by adding The Head Court Lady's cult. The assassination's plan and the letter didn't make any sense in this story and were badly executed. We should see San and Deok-Im working on their different opinion, growing together and finally be a couple. But there are no growth, their dialogues fell flat in the last episodes. At the opposite, San and his grandfather's relationship was really great and I loved their dialogues.

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honeybean

December 20, 2021 at 7:13 PM

I feel oddly happy when someone prefers TKA than TRS. Like I'm not weird for choosing good>best and there's more strange people like me.

I won't lie, TRS is better than TKA at everything, but my heart likes TKA more. Maybe I just liked seeing Hwi on my screen more than San and Deok-im.

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lynnB

December 25, 2021 at 5:27 PM

I had to come back here and support your comment now that I've seen the last episode. You arent strange. TRS is not better than TKA at everything. There is one superb gift TKA gives and that is a strong female protagonist. Very often when we are given a "strong" female lead, its a woman whose strong like a man. Which isnt the same thing. TKA gave us a strong woman. She's courageous, strategic, brave, skilled, compassionate, empathetic and emotionally vulnerable to those she cares about. She's the best female protagonist I've seen this year. Kdramas don't often provide that. And Park Eun Bin really did an outstanding job with this role. I think part of why so many may not like the show more than TRS is because the whole show centers the FML and is carried by the female actress. I've noticed that when this is the case the show does better when the FML is "strong" like a man (see Mr. Queen, which this show is often compared to). "Female" strengths (characteristics) aren't often seen as strong. Especially within a context where a male protagonist could have fit the plot. For example TRS is supposed to be Doek-Im's story, but most of the plot centers both the FML and ML lead equally. When discussing the show most viewers I've read center the ML and the male actor. But TKA gives us a FML that we can genuinely be proud to point out.

Over-Dramaddictally

December 31, 2021 at 10:10 AM

I'm with you on this. I liked TKA better than TRS (for all the reasons @lynnb and @kurama thoughtfully stated in their comments here).

[As an aside, I cannot believe TRS just won a screenwriting award at MBC. Best couple, sure. But the writing? Totally baffled.]

lynnB

December 22, 2021 at 3:12 PM

Red Sleeve also suffers from a rinse and repeat plot line. The King is tricked into being offended by San and punishes him with isolation, Deok-Im discovers a way to save him and does just that. Twice now she's had to "restore" the king's memory and both times the queen was involved. So even the solutions are rinse and repeat. I feel no tension each time San's or Deok-Im's life in endangered, because I already know Deok-Im's going to solve it (and so far I'm even able to guess how).

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5 Jezz

December 20, 2021 at 1:03 AM

Legal streaming sites for...:
Moonshine: Viki/Kocowa/Viu
The One and Only: Viki

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miss h

December 20, 2021 at 2:34 AM

For some reason, Jtbc dramas licensed by Viki have a 5 day delay so the first episode of The One and Only won't be released right away.

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6 ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae

December 20, 2021 at 1:44 AM

Super excited for The One and Only. I love the leads and I’m really in the mood for an angsty melodrama right now. The Silent Sea is a must-watch, no questions. It has Gong Yoo and Bae Doo-na, what else do you need? The other cast members are great too.

Alas, despite my love for Yoo Seung-ho and sageuks, I don’t care for Moonshine. I’ve had my fill of fusion sageuks for now and mostly, I just don’t like Hyeri much as an actress.

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OldLawyer

December 20, 2021 at 9:52 AM

Gong Yoo is one of my favorite actors. Always good.

Hyeri is not always good- and she is no Shin Hye-sun, Park Eun-bin or Kim Yoo-jung. But she can surprise you with a good performance at times and MOONSHINE appears to be that kind of a role for her. But to some extent this is dependent on the writing. The premise is great but we will have to see what the writer does with it.

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ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae

December 20, 2021 at 11:05 AM

I’m gonna to be totally honest, I find Hyeri unbearable even in her “good” performances. A lot of people adored her as Dam in My Roommate is a Gumiho, but I didn’t like her there either (just her acting, Dam the character was well-written…at first). At this point, I’ve just given up and accepted that she’s just one of those actors I can’t warm up to. It’s irrational as hell, but I can’t help it.

But I still think Moonshine could be great if the writing stacks up. Especially with Yoo Seung-ho to carry the cast.

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javinne

December 22, 2021 at 12:12 AM

Although I am one of those who loved Hieri in the gumiho drama (and actually, I liked her in Miss Lee and Entertainers too)... I have to say, I can relate with you, because it happens to me with other actors or actresses.... people love them and I can recognize they act good here and there, but I dislike them, and sometimes I pass on a drama because they are there.
I am still thinking whereas to watch crash landing on you because Hyun Bin is there!!!!! 🙄🙄🙄😂😂😂😂

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7 miss h

December 20, 2021 at 2:31 AM

The trailer for The One and Only sold me. It looks good. Kim Kyung-nam has the same hairstyle as Jun-ho in Just Between Lovers. Why is that hairstyle code for "I'm poor and angsty" in dramaland lol?

I'm SO in for The Silent Sea. I've been waiting for it all year and hope it doesn't disappoint.

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8 lillamy

December 21, 2021 at 12:53 AM

Truth be told, I was entirely opposed to The One and Only before I read Kim Kyung-nam. Oppa! I'll bear the pain for you!

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9 Emy

December 21, 2021 at 4:26 AM

I don't know why aren't ALL the dramas added to the list of dramas on this page! Bulgasal, Taejong Yi Bang Won are missing. I also think that dramas airing on smaller channels deserve some recognition, too, i.e. Show window and Uncle! Would you please complete the list?

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ohudushi

December 21, 2021 at 7:04 AM

I'm baffled why they've got Bad and Crazy but not Bulgasal. The list used to be my go-to to find out what's airing, but these days it's so patchy and incomplete I'm using the d-addicts wiki.

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10 javinne

December 22, 2021 at 12:05 AM

Ok. For the first time in a long long time I want to watch all dramas in a premiere week like this one. Interesting is that, they are all very different, but for me equally watchable (at least all the premises).
Problem is: I don't have much time. Also: promise myself not to watch more dramas in a while, in order to overcome fiction addiction... what to do?? Otokke?? 🙄😖🙄
Maybe wait until the second or third week and if I am behaving well, I will reward myself with one drama. By then I will know your insights and can even choose better which drama will be the lucky one 😅😂😅😂
Thank you, beanies... you always have my back! 😍✌😍

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11 Ally

December 22, 2021 at 4:58 AM

He’s finally here!!! I’m talking about Gong Yoo of course! Even my family knows he’s coming for dinner this week, so my Christmas schedule is clear. Really, I don’t this I need anything else for the holidays. 😂 Really, it’s only been five years since he starred in a drama, and I’m glad it’s with Bae Doona. This may well crash and burn but I struggled through Sisyphus, and Silent Sea looks much more promising and much better actors too.

I did want to check check out Moonshine, but I’m getting behind on the other sageuks oit that the timing of it will not work for me. I do like the premise and think Hyeri will shine here as a comedic actress. Yoo Seung Ho is always watchable as well.

Happy watching this holiday season, Beanies!

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bong-soo

December 22, 2021 at 10:46 AM

I am committing myself to the eight episode THE SILENT SEA (Netflix US). Believe it or not this will be my first Gong Yoo drama.

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Ally

December 22, 2021 at 11:49 AM

Sacrilege!! You’re in for a treat then.

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OldLawyer

December 23, 2021 at 9:32 PM

When you are up to some fantasy and mythology based drama- and assuming that sort of thing may interest you- you may want to take in Gong Yoo's bravura performance as the title character in GOBLIN, THE GREAT AND LONELY GOD, one of the all-time great K-dramas. (I notice that the title has recently been altered to suit Western tastes - it may now be found as "GUARDIAN, THE GREAT AND LONELY GOD". This is because Goblins have a very different nature in Korean culture from that in the West). The drama delivers powerful messages about life, love and death.

THE SILENT SEA is something that I will be watching too.
Gong Yoo is part of the reason for that.

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Ally

December 24, 2021 at 5:52 AM

If bong-soo knows me at all, he’d know that this is my favorite drama of all time. 😄

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bong-soo

December 24, 2021 at 9:57 AM

Indeed but fantasy is not a strong suit for me so GOBLIN won’t happen for me but I know it was a fan favorite.

OldLawyer

December 24, 2021 at 10:02 AM

It remains one of mine also. It is also not a fantasy just for those who love fantasy- It is dramatic art at its finest.

And Netflix has just notified me that SILENT SEA is now available. Goodee.

12 bong-soo

December 22, 2021 at 10:39 AM

Ratings Report preview for KBS’s M/T sageuk MOONSHINE:
Nielsen nationwide rating:
Episode 1: 7.5%
Episode 2: 7.2%

O/T. Let’s compare the first two episode ratings for the other three sageuks I am currently live watching:
SRI&J: 4.7%, 4.0%
TRS: 5.7%, 5.6%
TKOT,LBW: 8.7%, 9.4%

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OldLawyer

December 23, 2021 at 9:34 PM

I am not surprised- it has a good plot premise.

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13 lapislazulii

December 22, 2021 at 9:28 PM

Having just finished Kings Affection and watching Red Sleeve and Inspector Joy atm, I thought I'd be all sageuk-d out but Moonshine was a pleasant surprise! I think it's largely due to the lightness of the first two episodes, but the plot so far has me hooked - hope it continues the upward trend.

Only One Person is also quite intriguing (after the long wait for Viki to finally drop the first ep with subs), giving me same vibes as Just Between Lovers (another JTBC gem) which I loved so have high hopes for this one too!!

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