SHOW WINDOW (Ep 13-16): This will go down as one of the best dramas of the year. The back and forth between friends and enemies, allies and foes, with the logical plans hitting strong emotional headwinds, gave the show the pace and twists of a tornado. The end game was drawn out which seemed to be a dangerous move on Sun Joo’s part. Husband Myung Sup was not just a cheating husband, but a real evil character only obsessed with his own power and greed. He continued to blame others for his own wrong doings. He does not seem to understand that he destroyed his own family for his own personal gain. Episode 15 end was a stunner. Episode 16 more a reflection than a sprint to the finish. The acting was very good. Jeon So Min should be nominated for a best acting award.

The only issue I had was in the editing/direction. Each episode started with a big reveal than backtracked to that point. It was not linear which would have made for more dramatic tension and a stronger finish. I can see why the writer put what happened first to take time to show the why it happened. It is an unusual story telling technique for dramas.

ORDINARY JAE-HWA (Drama Special): KBS does its year end one part drama specials. It is usually a show case for young actors, writers and directors. In this special, Kwak Sun-Young plays the lead role of Jae-Hwa, a young woman who has personality troubles; she is always seems to be run over by life. She cannot stand up for herself. With the help of her counselor and a few side characters, she begins to change. Then the show abruptly ends. Huh.

DR. PARK’S CLINIC (Episode 1): I dropped it because of the “mockumentary” story telling style and the characters were not very compelling. It seemed like an old SNL skit with no laughs.

THROUGH THE DARKNESS has been compared to David Fincher's Mindhunter, but I’d be very surprised if it manages to match the Netflix show in quality. IMO Mindhunter is a unique examination of the theory and practice of criminal profiling. In forensic detail, the show lays out the development of the process, the way it is shaped by the people working on it, and its uses and limitations in particular contexts. In contrast, TTD neither departs much from typical cop shows nor says anything that hasn’t been said before. But it is well acted and directed, and the cliches are neatly woven into the fabric of the story.

My favourite thing about eps1-2 is the almost casual way in which they establish the ubiquity of male toxicity. If those guys aren't absent, they are hanging around being abusive (or, in Bang Ki-hoon’s case, borderline abusive). Their nastiness infects both personal and institutional spaces, and passes from generation to generation (the perps’ respective dads; boys progressing from extorting money from schoolchildren to burglary and violent crime). For me, it’s telling that the fictional cop that Song Ha-young most resembles is a woman: Clarice Starling, with whom he shares a desperate need to rescue all the crying lambs out there. It is even suggested that Ha-young is much better off with his single mum than having a dad like Yang Yong-cheol’s, who might have belted him to kingdom come for being “different”. Anyway, I’m really looking forward to Kim So-jin’s appearance as the final cop in the central triumvirate - a much-needed female perspective on all that violence done to women, and what’s more played by a great actress.

It seems the history repeats itself as I still haven't finished Rainless Love (I did advance though, only one episode left now) and this time it is because of a cdrama Reset. I checked it because I liked the main actor (Bai Jing Ting) in the recent drama You Are My Hero and the synopsis looked interesting. Though I think it is maybe better not to read it and go into the drama blind, just knowing it is a story (I'm hesitating to use thriller, because there is much more) about preventing a bomb explosion on a bus... with a twist... And I like it, very much. (It's available on YT.)

Thailand Boys Over Flowers - I think the charm is in small details (like the friend regretting sending the money) and layers... and in the warmth it emits (like when Gorya took care of sick Thyme... or that family dinner!) I also like the humour (and the flower shop owner).

Our Beloved Summer - I was cringing from embarrassment when Yeonsu tried something new... though I think it is also a huge step for her and I appreciate that she is trying and I hope that step by step she also learns to more talk and express herself. Though... this week I more enjoyed the side characters - the parents, NJ, the documentary director (he is gold! 😄), the ex-boyfriend cameo 😆 and the Noona Romance ❤

Our Beloved Summer: I’ve watched enough dramas to know that is Woong’s biological father lurking in the shadows. I think the drama will handle it well though. Woong just needs to hear a “why” from both Yoon-soo and his bio dad. I’m rooting for Eun-ho and Sol-yi. Forget fancy gifts or sweet words, Eun-ho cleaning those clams was romantic to me.

Ghost Doctor: Surprisingly, this is the drama that had me pushing play first this week. Young-min and Seung-tak’s bickering was funny. I love them together. They have great chemistry. I could make so many memes from Rain’s scenes.

Uncle: Poor Ji-hoo. Poor No-eul. The drama has an abundance of villains, but they really commit to their roles and get under my skin. The birthday surprise was very sweet.

Bulgasal: This drama could be so good but the writing is weak, especially for the female characters. Eul-tae is still the highlight, but they could have given him a more interesting motivation than daddy issues.

The One and Only: Mi-do’s boyfriend is such a boring villain. That whole part of the drama is really unnecessary. Poor San-ah was sexually abused and is self harming, but nobody is getting her any therapy. Smh.

Young Lady and Gentlemen: There was no reason Dan Dan and Young-guk couldn’t have reunited on Christmas, but I hope we are done with the Groundhog’s Day and this reunion sticks. No breakup when Young-guk inevitably finds out that Anna Kim is Dan Dan’s biological mother, please.

Haven't posted properly for almost a month now so there's a lot I finished during this time. Completed The Red Sleeve Cuff, The Silent Sea, and Now We Are Breaking Up among kdramas. Also finished the cdramas Win the Future and Lucky With You. Only had time to watch the Monday shows this week -

ONGOING
Our Beloved Summer - It was nice to see the nice dating vibes - Woong and Yeon-su are pretty darn cute together.

Moonshine - I think Young ruing the fact that every woman he's met in Hanyang is a criminal about sums it up. The show still hasn't made up its mind whether it wants to be a drama or a comedy or a heist movie. And now I have to watch most of the next episode w/o the not-really-dead lead.

The Ghost Doctor - The bickering between the leads is quite fun but sometimes gets a bit hammy (looking at you Rain). I don't think the will-be-dead-in-a-month thing makes sense.

Will start Through the Darkness and Tracer (fan-subbed apparently!) over the weekend.

Our Beloved Summer: I would have to agree with @daebakgrits, Ji-Woong's insane decades long crush on Yeon Su is annoying. It is a negative in one of my fav dramas in a while For why? Aside from that I really enjoy NJ, what a great character. I only want happiness and friends for her. The actress is portraying a lonely existence so beautifully. As for our couple, I am rooting for them, and I need Yeon Su to mature because Ung is leaving her in the dust. Match him girl, he is waiting.

The One and Only: There is something oddly comforting about this drama. The premise is absurd and the underlying story outside of the hospice is ridiculous, but it is still a strangely healing drama. I am also really liking Joy in this role, playing such a selfish individual, but still making her relatable is hard and she is doing a good job.

Tracer: 😭😭😭😭, still haven't found any subs, or good subs I should say.

Through the Darkness: Hellllllo Kim Nam Gil, idk if it is the hair or the way my dude is wearing that t-shirt, but how you doing? (in my Joey voice). He is great in this, ha. I like that although the drama is predictable, it has emotional punch, it reminds me of Tunnel, so I am loving this.

Snowdrop: SIGH. This drama, why they didn't just bill this as a NK hostage drama, I will never know. The drama itself is fine. I realize though that I really really love Jung Hae In. He is one of the most nuanced actors. His expression doesn't change much in this drama, but I feel everything he is feeling. An eye, nose, or lips twitch and I feel it.

Bulgasal: I enjoy this drama. I enjoy Lee Joon the most though. He is giving me sex and sensuality. Very strong Eric Northman vibes and I dig it. As for Lee Jin Wook, I recently realized he is 40 and was shocked, why, I don't know. However, he is so youthful in this role, maybe that is why.

Uncle: Such a solid drama thus far though I think the uncle turned into a good uncle a little too quickly. The moment when mom was giving the step-mom the baby stuff was a good strategy but heart breaking all the same.

The One and Only: Too much foisting blame for the murder so I think the momentum got a little off but still looking forward to this one.

Young Lady and a Gentlement: I am about 6 episodes behind but I hope the drama has some more surprises in store instead of it just being everyone finding out all the secrets we learned in the first 10 episodes. The leads are lovely.

Moonshine: Paused and possibly dropped. It's the kind of show that maybe I would have continued just a few years ago but meh.

Through the Darkness: One episode in and so far so good though early days.

Dramas on stand-by are: Bulgasal and Ghost Doctor. I have a soft spot for Rain. With Bulgasal, I have trust issues with these type dramas having any kind of ending that makes sense so I'm holding off for a bit longer.

In Western entertainment, I found Ghost on US tv and then realized it was adapted from a British show and found that and am watching that first since they have 3 seasons. I am enjoying the hijinks thus far.

Our Beloved Summer (Series review, part 1) - Mood: D-
What happened to Nu Ah’s arc? What was the unresolved history between him and Ung? Did the show really waste 5-6 episodes with Mr Jang as a plot device so that the OTP would have their first conflict in the present day? What was the point of the old guy who crashes often at Ung’s family restaurant besides filler? Was there a point in having four actors in Yeon Su’s company besides perfunctory comic relief scenes if she’s barely shown working? Was there a point having two actors in NJ’s team if her idol background is scarcely used for the plot besides a scandal arc? More rants in part 2.

Ghost Doctor (Episode 5-6) - Mood: C
Seung Won having a personal vendetta against Dr Cha because of his crush towards Se Jin is just more messy writing, but I feel like I can endure that nonsense with the partnership between the male leads slowly blooming? I mean, look at both of them laughing together after Seung Joo’s surgery! On another note, Soo Jung’s arc is really confusing for what is supposedly a lead role: her scenes are mostly filler and ironically the most important detail I learnt from them is Tess continuing to vouch for Seung Tak’s character. The obvious theory is the father one but we’ll see if there’ll be any twist.

The One and Only (Episode 9-10) - Mood: D+
The lawyer has to know that there’s a conflict of interest working for Se Yeon, right? But besides her scummy husband, we also had a very random childhood trauma for Mi Do, while the main murder plot got wrecked by incompetent police.

Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (Episode 9-10) - Mood: D
Obvious A Chan reveal aside, of course he was stabbed before he talked about the past (writer is dragging backstory again). Eul Tae being formerly human with daddy issues is pretty nondescript. And the previews spoil way too much?

Bad and Crazy (Episode 9-10) - Mood: D
Judging from the way Andrei got eliminated just like that, the whole drug-gang arc does feel like it was used to pad the middle third of the show when the actual villain was a gaslighting psycho. So two-thirds of the show is sadly just filler.

Let Me Be Your Knight (Episode 10) - Mood: D-
The noble idiocy wasn’t horrifically bad but then there’s the one-two punch with the stalker and the identity reveal that was executed in the lamest way possible. Is it me hoping against hope that it won’t be usual fallout and reconciliation?

Moonshine (Episode 9-10) - Mood: D-
A real twist would’ve been the King himself being the Master but the writer said no let’s throw a good red herring away. I don’t see the point of that cliffhanger unless Nam Young actually dies but they already spoiled the abs in the preview.

Our Beloved Summer: I groaned at the parent issues. Can we leave Woong’s crap dad in the past and just focus on his lovable apron-clad parents? I wouldn’t have much issue with Jiwoong’s strained relationship with his mom if the show had delved more into this narrative than his pining, which I have little sympathy for tbh. He barely knew her. (Also I feel Sungcheol is a bit wasted here; he deserves a good meaty role)

One thing I love besides the lovey doveys: the Subway scene! Woong is incredibly lucky to have an honest genuine friend like Eunho.

When the Weather is Fine: Time for a rewatch. This drama has an insane ability to suck me into its wintry countryside wonderland yet still make me feel cozy warm and loved. Gah! I keep sending requests for this drama on Netflix, lol.

Our beloved summer I really love it’s not just magic and love can make everything work, but that the fact they have to communicate to each other, and also they are giving each other time. I loved how Ungrounds opened up and how he said he will wait, and how YeonSo tries hard to make herself more open to others, leaving behind her fear of feeling hurt. I am also in love with Eunho and Solyi (isn’t JinJoo the best???), and I am tired of seeing JiUng suffering, and I just hope there is no redemption arch for his mother. I don’t care if she’s really dying, she was a bad mum and being about to die doesn’t change it. I’m also tired of the efficient dedicated hoobae in love with the brilliant sunbae (I’ve already seen this in Homchax3, thank you!), and I wish the drama would have gone for something with NJ: from work relation to friends to something else. At least I hope they will remain friends.

The one and only was not the drama I wanted to watch (a hitman in love with a terminal ill woman who kills a man), but after reading so many beanies praising it I decided to give it a try, and in two days I am on episode 5 and liking it a lot. AEJ and KKN are doing an impressive job, which is no surprise at all.

Tracer. Finally the subs for ep. 1 are out thanks to the wonderful group of subbers uri Earthna is part from. It’s soooooo good, I’m really annoyed it’s not getting picked my any streaming platform. Anyway, I will gladly wait form more subs patiently. Love how cheeky ISW is here!

Through the darkness. It felt like The silence of the lambs meets every single Korean police drama I’ve watched, nothing new really, and I hate dramas with shouting ahjussis and superior hitting and abusing people just because and there was plenty of this on the drama. Those are the negative parts. But this is my first KNG drama and somehow I can’t take my eyes off the screen when he’s there. So yes, it’s official an “I’m watching for the hair” drama.

The Package (2017). This drama had been forever on my to watch list and I finally found time to hit the press button. Watched 2 episodes and I’m liking it so far.

I’m also rewatching Run On and I find it even more delightful than the first time and When the weather is nice because it’s winter and I need my warm drama and EunSeob being adorable.

Battle of Changsha - I like this show's willingness to make its family relationships complicated, and Xue Jun Shan in particular was a really fascinating character, but I absolutely hated Xiaoman, and found the "stoic hero recuses female lead over and over" dynamic of the main couple uninspiring. Also, maybe deciding to watch a show about 7 years of war and misery was a bad choice in the middle of a dark Covid winter.

Kieta Hatsukoi: So after Changsha I needed something light, fluffy and fun to watch, and holy mother of rainbows, cupcakes and kittens did this show deliver. It's super short and not a whole lot happens, but 10 episodes of watching the kindest, most supportive teenagers ever help each other through all the angst of high school crushes and self discovery was a delight. A little gem of a show for when you need to restore your faith in humanity.

Bulgasal: Immortal Souls: 8.0
- Si-Ho & Do-Yun seemed to be getting along well. Would it still be incest if reincarnated mother & son got it on centuries later?
- What kind of baddie stabs someone just once and then leaves? He didn't learn to make sure the victims are dead over his centuries of mayhem?
- How come it's never a guy who gets all clumsy and helpless and trips and hurts his ankle?
- If Hwal and Sang-eon try some happy-ever-aftering in episode 17, he'd be married to his ex-wife's sister.

Ghost Doctor: 8.0

Moonshine: 4.0

Bad and Crazy: 6.5 What's more Bad - the story or only getting one episode this week?

b>Tracer: 6.5

THROUGH THE DARKNESS is a very welcome surprise, it is so much better than expected. Great acting and thoughtful script. The interrogation scenes are gold. Asking a criminal for insights into a serial killer's behaviour is a creepy thing to do, but necessary to understand the mind of killer. Apprehensive about the next few episodes. Do I really want to get insights into the mind of a child killer?

Watched a subbed episode of TRACER for about 20 minutes than gave up. That must have been done with google translate! It was funny for a short while, but I will wait for better subs.

Good developments in BELOVED SUMMER. I am so glad that Ji-wong is given the chance to get to know and hopefully understand his mother. I do feel sorry for him, but also am a little annoyed by how much he cultivates his misery. I would love to see him making more of an effort to find happiness in life and resolving his feeling towards his mother is a step in the right direction.

Came close to dropping SNOWDROP, but I do like Yoo In-na and Jung Hae-in. The drama did not need the (really bad) political plot (and controversy), it works only as a hostage drama.

Checked out another Yoo In-na drama, THOUCH YOUR HEART, on Netflix. Easy and very enjoyable drama. I have also only seen Lee dong-wook in more eccentric roles. He did well as romantic lead, but somehow I like him better in BAD AND CRAZY.

Still Bulgasal, and I'm loving it despite:
1.There was no treating of injuries to Hwal's abdomen this week :'(
2. The Airhead Candy really is, as solstices said up there, "mismatched and tonally disjointed with the rest of the show". Luckily, I went into this one with really low expectations so it doesn't bother me that much, but really - what's the deal with the heroines in these supposedly epic K-fantasies? Or they're overly gloomy and bland (side-eyeing Hwayugi), or they're a really strange mismatch in terms of appearance/maturity (side-eyeing Goblin), or they're... Well, Sang Eon.
3. I have to confess being in minority here - I'm not that impressed with Eul-tae. Not that Lee Joon is bad, but I find his estethics and over-acting too K-popish for a villain in this millenia-old epic story, and it's distracting me, not in a good way.

Playing catch up with Bulgasal, Let Me Be Your Knight, and Bad Buddy.

Behind Cut - liked the father-son relationship the most. The main couple also got together rather stress-free which A+. Not sure how you can see them making eyes at each other and think its the best time to confess though, so really wish they'd re-thought the love rival and picked a different conflict.

The Lion's Secret - They should have just stayed in the city and kept the story about business. smh

City of Streamers - Great chemistry so far. He doesn't seem younger than her but I'm just being nit picky. I don't understand the FL's motivation tho but not yet far in so here's hoping to upcoming backstory.

You're My Sky - Episode 2 is more what I'd expect Episode 1 to be, so its a bit slow. Kinda wish they'd only had 2 couples instead of 3 so they can just focus on them.

F4 Thailand - Can MJ get more screen time and lines?

Paint with Love - Wish it was more coherent, some of that is the subtext going straight over my head.

This is my first post on "WWW" thread FY:2022. Happy new year Beanies!

Ms. Kim's Million Dollar Quest (Year: 2004) Omg! The chemistry between Ji Jin Hee and Kim Hyun Joo is real. The story was such a delight with many funny moments and even if one viewed it with a modern perception, one wouldn't be disappointed because the female lead was strong and the male lead was not a jerk. My only complain would be their horrible hairstyle, especially ML's hair because I had to erase my image of a dapper looking Ji Jin Hee😍 I totally recommend this drama.

Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy (Year: 2005) Had this aired now, it would have been bashed and probably get cancelled for its portrayal of student/teacher romance. So many wrong moments and so many wrong dialogues that I was astonished that someone of Gong Yoo and Gong Hyo Jin's caliber would choose such a script, but then I guess all these great actors must start somewhere and so the decision to star in this drama. I'm not going to lie that I din't enjoy their chemistry or Gong Yoo's antics because it was adorable but the setting could have used a time jump. The story apart from the unethical romance was good because each student had their own story and Gong Hyo Jin supported them as a solid teacher of empathy. Again beware of the actors' distasteful hairstyles. The first line should tell you, if this drama is for you to watch.

My Girl (Year: 2005)The female lead is very funny with her witty lies and the male lead starting off as her polar opposite and their complicated relationship was rather amusing to watch which was the whole premise of the show. I was astonished to find that Lee Dong Wook, Lee Dae Hee and Lee Joon Ki were the lead actors in this drama because they were totally unrecognizable here , partly due to their makeup and hairstyles, but on comparing the current Lee Dae Hee to her "My girl" version, I find that she is missing all her past cuteness and charm. I recommend this drama though in the last few episodes, I thought the FL was bipolar because one second she'll be crying and the next second she'll act all cheerful by covering up her emotions with a lie.

Ghost Doctor Ep 1-6 I thought, I would drop it in the first episode, but its still holding my attention and I'm greatly enjoying the bromance between the leads and all the laughs the drama is throwing at us. Those worrying about Son Na Eun, fear not because her character isn't annoying and her presence minimal, but I find UEE boring. It's my first drama of hers and I don't know if its her character or her acting chops aren't that great.

Uncle Ep 11-12 Not many shows can pull off a successful adaptation by infusing their own culture, style or vibe, but this drama has totally made the story as its own. Totally loving it! Guys watch this drama, if you already haven't

Red Cuff of the Sleeve This was the best sageuk I have watched even with all threats...

BULGASAL: For Sang-yeon's relentless chirpiness to be less grating, I think the show needed to reveal her background--which it seems obvious would show her as some sort of guardian angel type--earlier. With the context in place for her Candy-esque personality, I'm guessing her scenes and Hwal's attraction to her would go down easier. But I still like this drama. Eul-tae continues to be a highlight; even if, in the end, he's just an embittered son whose daddy preferred his brother he's fun to watch and his conflicted emotions--whether actually present in the writing or brought to the role by Lee Joon--make him unpredictable and interesting to watch.

SNOWDROP: Continuing in the spirit of "this would have worked better if," the only way this love story would have been the emotional anchor the show so desperately needs is if the leads had actually dated for even just a few weeks either before or after Yeoung-Ro hid Si-hoo in the dorm. Instead, we're expected to believe they fell in love at first sight (yes, I know that's what happened with Romeo and Juliet, but it's still a ridiculous notion, especially in this drama. Attraction at first sight is real; love at first sight is not) and then, what, fell more in love during this hostage crisis when she was hyperventilating in terror or he was threatening to blow everyone up? Can't buy that. Jung Hae-in is very good at making me believe his character is in love with one longing glance and Jinsoo does the puppy dog look of adoration well, too, but the emotional heft simply isn't there because these two barely know each other. It's a lost opportunity, but the drama is so busy doing so many other things, and it is very well directed and produced, so I'm going to continue to roll with it until the end.

THE ONE AND ONLY: Again, it's definitely not a laugh a minute, and this week's episodes were darker and more focused on bad guys being bad, but I love our ensemble. Things make sense in this show even though the plot is outrageous in parts, and I completely buy all the relationships. I love when the ML, in his low-key, direct way, calls the FL out on her "unnatural" acting when she's trying to hide something from him.

BELOVED SUMMER: Like others, I'm over Ji-woong's perpetual suffering. It was emotionally affecting for the first part of the drama, but now it feels overdone and, frankly, like he's got a serious martyr complex. I can buy that his feelings for Yeon-su were re-awakened to some extent when he saw her again after five years; I can also buy that his mom deeply damaged him and he can't shake that. But the way he sleepwalks through life and is so, so bitter is too much now. Someone needs to call him out on all this so he can realize he's the one hurting himself the most.

Suits - I'm rewatching this to continue fangirling over Park Hyungsik post Happiness. This reminds me how i discovered Park Hyungsik's great acting and how i've come to like him.

Snowdrop - I'm tired of everything and only continue watching to get my bean. I've come this far, i must earn something!
I discover a fun(?) way to enjoy Snowdrop: take a shot everytime Park Sungwoong's character says "you bastard!" 😂

Through the Darkness - bless this show for finally ending my almost 2 year crime drama slump. I started this show with no expectation. I've watched ep 3 and I like this drama so far. I love how the drama shows us how Hayoung tries to solve the case step by step. Sometimes crime dramas try to include tricks into the story by intentionally skipping scenes to add surprise element, but this drama doesn't. Basically we only know and see things through Hayoung, so it feels like we're going through the journey along with him.
Plus Kim Namgil is so hot with that hair

I’m still really enjoying Beloved Summer, but a slight loss of thematic momentum in the last two episodes has left me in fear that the final week will disappoint. However, thanks to a mention by @egads in the “best dramas of the year” discussion, I’ve started Hello Me. I’ve only watched a few episodes. It of course has trauma, which I’m sure will loom large later on, and at times its just too silly, but its absurd premise is so far working. I’m (ruefully) laughing throughout these early episodes in part because it really hits home. I think back on how close I’ve come in my life to the equivalent of having to wear a squid costume and dance in front of a display of fish-flavored snacks. The one difference between me and the heroine, however, is that if my acned teenage self would come back, he would take a look at my current state and say-“I knew this would happen.”

I needed a lighter drama, because I finished Rain or Shine/Just Between Lovers on Wednesday. It gets one of the highest ratings on dramabeans, 9.7/10, so I know its completely my problem that I didn’t like it. Please don’t think I’m disdaining the opinion of the DB community—I read all the commentary. I totally get why other DB commentators gave the show high ratings- the various grief scenes, were I thought, well-handled, with sensitivity and an awareness of diverse responses to tragedy. The strong writing and the sentimental (but not too much so) portrayals in these sections made the show worthwhile. The main leads were charismatic, and their acting was excellent. Its easy to see why Junho is a heartthrob!

Still my emotional reaction to the painful trajectory of the romance prevented me from appreciating the show (that’s my problem as a critic.) The dumping Junho’s character received from the heroine in the final episodes was about as devastating a late show breakup as I’ve seen in K-Dramas. If someone I loved said to me what she said to him (virtually out of the blue) my liver would fail on the spot! And then what in other shows would have been an emotional highlight, the night in the hotel, the amount of cajoling it took by the heroine to get the hero into bed for just one night of physical intimacy before he died suggested he was dreading the experience. Hadn’t he watched enough K-Dramas to know that regardless of what happened, he and his love were going to wake up fully clothed? Obviously, the night was a disappointment to him, since he left her sleeping alone in the early morning as if she was a cheap one night stand!

In fact, take away the sunshiny last five minutes--the medical miracle, the cheery I’m okay now narrative that undercut what had been said throughout the previous 16 episodes, and the passionless closed mouth kiss that capped it off, the show powerfully conveyed the message that romantic love not only generally fails to provide consolation, it also doesn’t even lead to good sex—which of course, is quite true to life, so I guess that one...

For the first time I'm feeling envious of you all 🥺😂 My neck gave up on me for the reasons known only to her, and now it gives sucha shooting pain the minute I bend it even a lil to see something! Aigoooo, why? My whole plan of watching DP with @introvertbean this weekend got chopped! Anyways happy watching to you all beanies!
And if you're watching 1&only or TheGhostDoctor, give them love from myside too!😜

1% OF SOMETHING (at 12 of 16): I tried a show from off Viki’s “must see” list and was happily surprised by this (relatively) uncomplicated romance with actors I had never seen before – Ha Seok Jin and Jeon So Min, who have great chemistry. The tropes feel natural rather than manipulative. I love the kind but tough, smart and outspoken lead female character and I like the way the arrogant CEO is softening up but staying true to his jerkishness in an entirely believable way. I’ve known too many all-business, super-egotistical men exactly like him. 1% is an underrated gem of a drama.

W: Nothing against Lee Jong Suk. This 2016 vehicle for LJS and his nice guy persona, identical to the character he plays in all his subsequent vehicles, failed to keep my attention and I gave up the fight midway through. I’ve seen all his major dramas and either he is an actor with limited talent or he only accepts scripts that don’t call for much character development. Please don’t shoot poison darts at me, LJS fans! Anyway, I felt sorry for his romantic lead, Han Hyo Joo, who deserved better than a ClipArt damsel-in-distress role.

Cunning Single Lady (finished): My instincts always make me dislike the second leads, but in this drama they both deserved the hate a 100% lol
Kingdom (season 2): when the last episode of the first season finished my bestie said "bye drama" so I was going to end the call but then she told me to play the first episode of second season because the cliffhanger was why too strong to stop for the day.
Welcome2Life (finished): This was cute.
Ghost Doctor (Ep 5): I don't remember what happened in that episode, tbh.
Bad and Crazy (EP 9): It makes sense that he has split personality because of some trauma or wtv, because having a mental disorder just out of guilt it's a bit much even for a drama (and especially for a character like SY).
Me too flower (finished): lol
A Witch Love (EP6&7): on hold again.
Uncle (EP9): How can you send our JH to that awful woman?
Our Beloved Summer: Did I hate Ung when he said that he only went to college because of YS and that he quit when they broke up? Yes. Why? Because my vacations are over and that scene reminded me of that. Sorry Ung, I'm just jealous of you.
Human Disqualification (EP2): Not what I expected, not what I need it. That was A LOT for two episodes. Is this a Secret Sunshine x Right Now, Wrong Then mashup? I only like one of those movies:(
20th century boy and girl (EP13): cute as hell.
Life is beautiful (EP1): why do they act like my family? Why did they recreate the fight my mom and my sister had couple of weeks ago? 😂
Anyway, I think I'm going to skip the scenes with the annoying dad. I don't like the "let's redeem the awful parent just because their dying" trope.
My husband got a family (EP18): the main leads of this show are the best. As individuals, as a couple, it doesn't matter, I love them. I love this show. This is how I like my family dramas!

Hello.

Ghost Doctor: I love the bickering of Our Ghost Doctor and Kim Bum. It was satisfying how Kim Bum hurt him with words. Ghost yet is still harsh but thanks to Kim Bum, our ghost doctor is softening up. Can't believe he has 1 month before he dies. I am sad😞😞😞

Bad and Crazy. Episode 10. I already knew the Doctor was the one behind the gaslighting but the way he twisted everything that SY wasn't believed is what is surprising me.
Twisted his adopted mum's memory and SY was confined in a mental hospital. Just wawu. Anyways, waiting patiently for episode 12.

Through the darkness. Didn't know I will love this drama. Saw the review and I decide to watch it and I am hooked. Kim Nam Gil oppa really portrayed his character. He is showing what it takes to be a profiler. For you to catch a criminal, you have to think like the criminal.

The gentleman and the Young Lady. I feel as if they are repeating the circle again and again. The only progress so far is the young lady apologizing to the step mother. Well, let's see how it goes.

Healer🕶️(20/20): Like mother, like daughter. Myung-Hee still got it and passed her awesome genes on to our female lead.💪Her second husband is a whole different matter. I never liked how distant he was as a hyung to our beloved uncle Moon-Ho and as a friend to our pirate broadcasters, but things escalated quickly. To paraphrase Teacher in one of the flashbacks: “Moon-Sik, just confess already, get dumped and move on so we can stop all this drama in our friend group.” Of course, there would not have been this gem of a show if he had actually moved on from his love. Now he gets to live out the remainder of his life with Secretary Oh by his side. The man did all his dirty work and more and the show just reduces him to Moon-Sik’s babysitter in the end. Mr. Slime deserves better!😤

Hana Yori Dango Anime📼(51/51): To cope with F4 Thailand withdrawal (see below) I checked out the source material for a fun binge this week. Being the original version is its saving grace, because this version would not be received well nowadays. There are some problematic plotlines, unnecessary side characters and too many one-episode villains obsessed with the OTP. Multiply 51 episodes by 20 minutes and you get a K-drama with lots of filler in 17 episodes. Despite my criticism it was not a waste of time, because I understand now how the hype began and it will enable me to appreciate the adaptations a lot more.

F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers⭐(5/16): This is the second week in a row that I postpone my pressing Saturday duties until I have watched the new episode, whereas I have all Sunday to watch. Patience is a virtue lost since the days of the Great Shaman Ga Doo Sim.😂 It is interesting to compare the Thai version with the original (see above) and notice the changes. Some of the problematic plotlines are absent and two unnecessary side characters are meshed into one unlikeable but very interesting character that takes center stage this episode. This is not the first adaptation to merge them, but this portrayal feels refreshing in the way they tell their story and the merciful response from both our male and female lead. I am not sure whether it is Gorya’s influence or his nature, but I much preferred Thyme’s reaction here to the more violent male lead in the original version.

I’m just skipping around through a bunch of dramas at the moment - currently on holiday so not as much time for concentrated viewing anyway. I have been rewatching Love Now with my sister as it was one of the earliest (Taiwanese) dramas we watched and now the leads are engaged in real life, something like ten years later 🥰 . The set up is as ridiculous as it was the first time but I am fond of it.

I’ve also been watching Bride of the Century which I am really enjoying so far, even though it has both ghosts and rich people being evil and scheme-y, both things I typically do not enjoy.

We eagerly look forward to each new episode of the Sageuk THE KING OF TEARS, LEE BANG WON. Some Beanies are having to wait for it to be released to their regions. This has to be frustrating, but I would encourage them to keep this show on their watchlist for the time when it does become available. I promise that it will be well worth the wait- this drama is a must see. At this point it is actually our favorite show. How does this one compare to RED SLEEVE CUFF? We loved RED SLEEVE but dramatically KING OF TEARS is better.

My wife completed her watch of THE TREE WITH DEEP ROOTS and highly recommends it- it is a fitting companion to KING OF TEARS.

My wife also finally got to see the final episodes of the Chinese costume drama ANCIENT LOVE POETRY, which she describes and one of the best of its kind ever. She also watched SWORD SNOW STRIDE which was good, and then she launched into THE HEART OF JADE which is much lighter- and an easy watch but worthwhile.

After 34 episodes of YOUNG LADY AND GENTLEMAN our main couple will no doubt face more difficulties, but the main barrier has fallen: Our Gentleman has finally surrendered. But our side romances are a mess, although at least the romance of our Young Lady’s uncle has finally gotten off the ground- but turbulence lies ahead. Sadly, however, her half-brother has had to end his romance- and even more sadly it is a matter of common-sense prevailing: Love cannot conquer all after all and, unless the writer can find a way to change their circumstances this relationship is done. Meanwhile the romance between our Young Lady’s cousin and her in-law cousin is about to provide its own fireworks. This is the stuff we look for in a weekender. And, sadly, our Young Lady has now discovered that she and her dad were abandoned by her baby momma- though she still does not know who that is-so more guaranteed angst to come.

We continued to enjoy OUR BELOVED SUMMER but have fallen behind on MOONSHINE even though we liked it.

Missvictrix, you will actually see L’s acting visibly improve during the course of ANGEL’S LAST MISSION. Shin Hye-sun has the effect on her fellow actors. She also triumphed over a script that was fundamentally flawed in that writer tried to meld together the Buddhist and Roman Catholic visions and that is simply unworkable: Fate and Grace simply cannot co-exist. Shin Hye-sun demonstrated her brilliance in taking this deeply flawed script and making a very watchable show out of it- it was one of our favorites that year. So, on the one hand the show is ridiculous for a reason but in the end, you can really enjoy it.

I love that DeabkGrits watched WHAT’S WRONG WITH SECRETARY KIM? A second time. It really is worth a re-watch.

Our Beloved Summer The OST is the best part of this drama! The story is still cute but the use of the tropes is disapointing (adoption, debt, dying mother, sick grandma, etc.).

The One and Only The fact VIKI translates this drama with 5 days late made it a week-end drama... Why???

Through the Darkness I really like this drama. It's not over the top. Like when they arrested the real criminal, the one who arrested the wrong one didn't try to stop it.

Let Me Be Your Knight By watching PD Na Young-seok's show, I realize that the SL actor, Jang Dong-Joo, is part of Artist Company founded by Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung. I hope they will find him a better drama the next time.

Bad and Crazy I found weird that K didn't remember the past... His goal is to protect the main personality from trauma, so it didn't really make sense.

F4 Thailand I like this version for now. It's cute.

Our Beloved Summer my heart is at peace seeing Ung and YeonSu date and be all cute together. I know that there are still a few hurdles left but they are both actively working on it which is a good sign. My favorite line is from Ung when he said hs ia good at waiting and he will wait for YeonSu to open up to him. YeonSu obviously loves him so they will figure it out themselves. I am just here for the ride.

Through the Darkness I always like police procedural shows. So I appreciated the main character here a lot. I really like the first two episodes and have yet to catch up on this weekend's episode. Kim Nam Gil is doing great and I really miss him in dramaland.

I’m finally back! It’s been a while since I’ve done this, so I hope I remember my usual format.

Bad and Crazy: A little behind, but I’m still enjoying the chaotic energy in this show. I’m not sure I can tell the exact details of the plot if someone asked, but I don’t care. The cast is doing a good job and I’m having a blast. That’s all that matters.

Ghost Doctor: I’m so happy I overcame my initial reservations regarding the show because it’s so much fun! This really does remind me of comedy dramas from the late 2000s/early 2010s - both in the zany premise and the lighthearted execution. Neither are entirely gone from current shows, obviously, but this just feels like a throwback to me. In the best way possible. Now, if only the show toned down the sporadic bursts of eldritch horror - Son Naeun - more, it’d be damn near perfect.

Our Beloved Summer: Honestly, I’m so over Ji-woong angsting about Yeon-su. Dude, you knew her from freaking high school, how is this even possible?? I’ve only been out of high school a few years and I barely remember the few people I dated. And he didn’t even date Yeon-su, so what the hell? There is no way y’all are still crushing on people you met as kids after reaching adulthood. Dramaland tropes be damned. His storyline with his mother is more interesting, but it’s a too-little-too-late situation for me. It should’ve been his story from the beginning, not the ridiculous teenage crush thing. Woong and Yeon-su, meanwhile, continue to be adorable. The OST is still awesome.

Through the Darkness: This is exactly what I needed. The writing is appropriately dark and realistic, without resorting to the ridiculous tropes this genre is plagued with. Kim Nam-gil’s Song Ha-young is such a great protagonist; equal parts intelligent, observant and empathetic. It’s so refreshing to see a male lead be realistically intelligent and not some geeenius savant (who’s actually not all that smart because writers are bad at writing smart characters). The depictions of police brutality and incompetence is horrific and frustrating, but so, so necessary. It’s definitely not the first drama to portray it, but I can’t remember the last time it was shown so unflinchingly and so obviously something to condemn. As terrible as it might sound, I’m glad that they showed that Ha-young was ultimately unable to stop the violence. It’s an entrenched, systemic issue - not one a single good cop can solve. I hope the show continues to be as insightful and intelligent when tackling such difficult topics.

Tracer: I’ve only watched one episode so far because of the lack of english subs (thanks once again to the Tax Payer Subs team!!) but I already like it! I’m sure the episode was long as usual but I honestly couldn’t tell you because the time breezed by. I remember all the characters despite the huge cast and the writing and pacing was pitch-perfect. Such a great start. Can’t wait to watch the next...