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
Currently covering: Forecasting Love and Weather, Crazy Love, Tomorrow
Twenty Five Twenty One: Well, I decided to catch up in this drama after all, because I realized hearing spoilers about its conclusion without watching would be worse than going through whatever we’re about to go through as the drama concludes this weekend. Yep, I’m not ready. And I’m saving all my feelings until I know where it lands (but there will be feelings).
Business Proposal: I loved this week in the drama, and was so happy to see the hijinks take over again as the plot takes yet another turn and gives us new things to giggle over. Like hiding from Hari’s parents under their very noses. The highlight of the story for me at this point is how our couples are settling into their relationships, and are clearly going to be fixtures in each other’s lives — you know, after all the disapproving family members get over themselves and they can all get married like the drama gods intended!
DaebakGrits
Currently covering: Business Proposal
Twenty Five Twenty One: For once I’m not fully caught up on this drama. I may have accidentally-on-purpose read some spoilers for Episode 14, and now I can’t bring myself to watch it until I can binge it along with the finale. Ahhh! I’m still hopeful that somehow our leading couple will be married and happy in the future, but the show is definitely making me lose confidence. Funnily enough, I can’t help but remember how bummed I was that Our Beloved Summer didn’t give us a more true-to-life story about a couple moving on from their first love, and now that Twenty Five Twenty One appears to be giving us exactly what I said I wanted, I’m unhappy again. Why am I so fickle?!
Mr. Queen: Yet another rewatch for me and a first-time viewing for my friend. Only two episodes in and she’s already extremely impressed with Shin Hye-sun’s ability to embody the masculine mannerisms of a modern man in a Joseon woman’s body. So far, this drama has a fairly high rewatch value for me, and certain scenes still make me laugh. That may change with the later episodes, though, when the plot gets a bit heavier on the palace politics.
solstices
Currently covering: Grid
Business Proposal: Yay, more screen time for Ha-min! He’s so adorableeee. I can’t believe he went from squinty and suspicious to calling Tae-moo “brother-in-law” all in the span of five minutes, haha. (The power of Tae-moo’s credit card strikes again!) This week was full of hilarity and cuteness — Sung-hoon hiding behind Tae-moo (and vice versa)! The four friends suddenly having to cook for a whole group of hungry hikers! The video of a drunk and whiny Sung-hoon! I really like the development in the love lines, with Sung-hoon and Young-seo opening up to each other more, and Tae-moo and Hari all fond and smitten. Hari was so thoughtful in her efforts to distract Tae-moo from the rain on their date, and it made Tae-moo’s impulsive kiss even more tender. Also, the meta lines about being an idol were really sweet, since both siblings are played by idols. (With all the struggles he’s been through, I’m glad Byung-chan got to hear that affirmation, along with a side of head pats.) This show is really hitting all the right spots, and I’m not ready for it to end!
RELATED POSTS
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (March 26, 2022)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (March 19, 2022)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (March 12, 2022)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (March 5, 2022)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (February 26, 2022)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (February 19, 2022)
Tags: Business Proposal, Mr. Queen, Twenty Five Twenty One, What We're Watching
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1 miso
April 2, 2022 at 6:02 AM
COMPLETED
Thirty-nine - I finished it and I didn't hate it. But it just felt like a waste - of a very talented cast and of the chance to show something more real and moving about women in their 30s.
ONGOING
Business Proposal - I hope the ending is a fake-out. The awesome foursome were very cute together and the rainy night date was really sweet - Ha-ri is a gem.
Crazy Love - I'm glad she's not dying but I'm waiting for the woman who slapped him silly with an envelope to come back. Give back as good as you get Shin-a!
Grid - As usual I have no idea what will happen next week which is possibly this show's biggest strength. But I also don't know how the writer is planning to resolve all the storylines in 3 episodes.
Forecasting Love and Weather and Twenty-five Twenty-one - I'll binge-watch the last 4 episodes of both shows this weekend. It was quite a task avoiding the spoiler mine-field that is the internet 😅.
Planning to watch Tomorrow. I hope it lives up to its promise.
C-DRAMAS
Completed The Oath of Love. Still watching Legally Romance.
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Dorotka
April 2, 2022 at 6:29 AM
I want Shina with inner fire back as well!
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Lonestar Girl
April 2, 2022 at 6:38 AM
I agree with your assessment of Thirty-Nine. It’s too bad.
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debbie
April 2, 2022 at 7:00 AM
I am enjoying Legally Romance. I could not believe I will enjoy it.
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miso
April 2, 2022 at 7:50 AM
Yes it surprised me too. I'm liking it more than The Oath of Love. I also liked the way they've changed/ expanded on the book.
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debbie
April 2, 2022 at 9:18 AM
I haven't watched Oath of Love.
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darwi
April 4, 2022 at 5:15 AM
I enjoy much more Legally romance than The oath of love.
The first is so fun and cute. I was litterally crying with laugher during the theater play. This drama is a gem.
The latter is slow and I wondering why I'm still watching.
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debbie
April 4, 2022 at 6:50 AM
That's why Legally Romance is more interesting than Oath of Love. When I saw the summary, I didn't bother watching it. But Legally Romance ends this week. Sad already
OldLawyer
April 2, 2022 at 2:09 PM
We are watching it too. It is good
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darwi
April 6, 2022 at 12:37 AM
I'm going to miss this drama.
Do you know another one that could be similar in style ?
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2 Dorotka
April 2, 2022 at 6:03 AM
It was a bit depressing weekend watch for me... first with F4 Thai and the destruction it brought - even though I knew they had to follow the main Hana Yori Dango plot, I was still frustrated that the leads didn't trust and talk to each other more.
Then I watched 4 episodes of Weather back to back... and couldn't recognise the characters anymore (what was that power fight at the Jeju centre during the typhoon?? Really, Hakyung??). I still hope the finale will bring at least something back from the early episodes I loved.
And then I watched 25-21 and it made me laugh and tear at the same time (this show is really good at this). Surprisingly the most emotional part for me wasn't the Yoorim's arc, but the news live section between Heedo and Yijin in 2009 (and now I'm oscilating between sadness of one chapter closed... and tiny whispering voice that they were just professional 😁)
Luckily Monday came and I could laugh again with Business Proposal, this show is a romcom well done (with heart shaped lamps in the background included 😁) and I loved the kiss in the restaurant, so loving and appreciating Hari's care. I also love Yeonsu, she is becoming one of my favourite characters and brings me joy whenever she appears on the screen (and Yeonsu cuddling with Mom... ❤💕).
And then Crazy Love dialed up its crazy humour and I was in stitches during that family drinking, Gojin's and Shina's synchronisation was flawless 😄 (I have to say I'm generally really enjoying Krystal here). I was looking forward to potato-speeches à la Dokko Jin... and to the contract relationship 🥳 Pity the show then regressed back to the secretary-bullying... and I couldn't enjoy the episode 8 obligatory kiss as I would like to.
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PYC
April 3, 2022 at 5:38 AM
That regression to bullying really disappoints - it took me 6 episodes to start liking the drama and then this?!
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3 miss h
April 2, 2022 at 6:05 AM
Twenty Five Twenty One: I love the relationship between Yoo-rim and Hee-do. They had some great moments this week. I hope they are still in touch in the future.
Business Proposal: I liked Young-seo’s scenes with her cousin, but hated that Young-seo told her to continue pursuing someone who had rejected her multiple times. They skirted the line on this with both main pairings, and I just wish the message was that no means no. The car wreck made me roll my eyes.
Forecasting Love and Weather: This week was another slog to get through. Not even PMY could make this character or pairing work. My wish is for everyone to split but the penguin couple and maybe Myung-joo and her husband if he were to shape up. I fear the drama is going to go the route of a baby fixing Yoo-jin and Yi-jun’s dumpster fire of a marriage, and that is another terrible message.
Tomorrow: Solid first episode. Kim Hee-sun and Lee Soo-hyuk looked good, and Kim Hae-sook was perfect as the Director. She’s been getting some fun roles lately. Ro-woon’s acting was a little rough. The Afterlife was fun.
Thirty Nine: Geez, I’m annoyed on behalf of Joo-hee. She talked about feeling left out last week and then this week Chan-young said she was grateful for Mi-jo and Jin-seok but made no mention of Joo-hee and then said she worried about Mi-jo after her death but not Joo-hee. This was really the story of two friends and then there was the chick who sometimes hung out with them. Her romance even happened offscreen. I finished this drama because I like all three actresses, but I will be avoiding this writer’s projects from now on.
Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce): The Professor is the worst character on this show, and that is saying a lot. I laughed when he learned his ex was marrying someone taller, richer and more handsome than him. Of course he had to barge in and announce that he’ll take the kids HE abandoned if she gets married. I love Hyang-gi for always supporting her mom and setting him straight. Hye-ryung is selfish but she deserves better than being possessed by St. Song Won the Ghost.
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pohonphee
April 2, 2022 at 8:53 AM
I just watched the 1st ep of LfMD season 3: (not liking the new replacement actors & I dont mind being spoiled 😁). But heck the professor is one that I hate the most among the three male leads. He is so full of him self, not just cheater. Now, he wants to take their kids if the ex wife is going to marry the new guy?? Unbelieveable. Sometimes I wonder if there is someone like him IRL, or just the writer tries to make us binge hate him? (I know the naive of me ha ha ha I blame K dramas!)
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miss h
April 2, 2022 at 9:11 AM
He's just being manipulative. Unfortunately, there are absolutely people like that who use their kids to try to control their exes.
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Diana Hansen
April 3, 2022 at 8:40 AM
and my oldest daughter got into one of those. it messes with the kids
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mmmmm
April 2, 2022 at 10:43 AM
I agree on the thing you pointed out about ABP. As much as I love it, it also conveys some messages that are simply wrong. My main problem with it is the black-out scene Yeong-seo experienced after drinking. It is the wrong thing to do even if you're in a relationship with someone. What is wrong is wrong.
I'm also irritated by the message that you may win the heart of your crush by being persistent and don't take no as the answer. Respect, please, people.
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bong-soo
April 3, 2022 at 8:27 AM
Comment was deleted
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bong-soo
April 3, 2022 at 8:32 AM
I have really enjoyed BUSINESS PROPOSAL but I found the team dinner/drinking session at the beginning of episode 9 interminable ending with the nosy coworker having to be carried out.
I have generally had my fill of those kind of scenes of overindulgence of alcohol in kdramas.
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4 cat-cric-kat
April 2, 2022 at 6:06 AM
CRICKET -
Women World Cup 2022 - ODI - Australia as usual in final and more or less England. let some other team win world cup that is what needs for the promotion of the sport.
This world cup had many competitive and last ball win matches. a few upsets too. But 8 teams world cup is just abig nonsense. Need atleast 16 teams to call it a world cup. for that Cricket needs lot of aggressive promotion.
Thailand is now in our cricket sphere - same is happening for brazil.
We need to corner more of carribbean and japan.
This is year of Bangladesh's cricket too both male and female.
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cat-cric-kat
April 2, 2022 at 6:17 AM
JAPAN -
Read One piece in one go and woah good good good buildup but battles of hero team vs villains look week and a bit copy-paste. Big Mom has variety and one of the better villains of manga industry.
Screentime talked about camera work of Japan - I want to pitch in few points.
1 - Japanese dramas can go for niche because broadcasters play very secure game - typical of Japanese work culture and business world - low budget shows. That's why the vareity of Japanese media cant be rivaled by anyone.
2 - camera equipment used in japan is usually mediocre compared to other countries systems. Finding 4k-8k content of Japanese media is very difficult compared to other demographics.
3. costly camera equipment is used but there are very few who specialise in using that equipment - from director to assistants. Music directors are more tech savvy as their is idol industry to back them up. There is almost no workforce that could work on such equipment and technology
4. same for cgi graphic and editing softwares - low budget and lack of experience renders them ineffective.
5 - Japanese like whatever tech they are using for years and are comfortable with it and attach cultural value to it - and that make their shows look less glamourous nonsense and more real. Ofcourse there is artistic value involved to great degree but you can't absolve others factors.
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cat-cric-kat
April 2, 2022 at 6:21 AM
KOREA - wont talk about romance garbage that it literal porn and nothing else.
Solar jump - 6/10 This show is now you typical sci fi of time jump to change future which actually is present. lot more confusion but still lot of fun.
Weather report of relationships - 4/10 - As said last week, side couple has far more better relationship struggles than the main couple.
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cat-cric-kat
April 2, 2022 at 6:26 AM
JAPAN is waiting for approval
CHINA - 2 good shows among romance fluff nonsense
Life is one long quite river - 7/10 - What a show of 2 sister-in-laws. As usual most male characters are trash. women have it hard - especially sister-in-law with 2 kids. The Chinese system of family is shown very beautifully - the relationship dynamics are top quality. You can understand all characters and feel for them.
The bachelors - 6/10 This concept has come before and it was expected it will be keep on coming. A FAMILY OF GUYS - there is no female and every male of the family having no good opportunity with others. relationships chaos of romance is what this show is. Must watch one.
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5 sorrynotsorry
April 2, 2022 at 6:12 AM
Business Proposal: Such a fun and easy watch.
Thirty Nine: It committed the sin of being boring during the last two episodes.
Forecasting: The first 10 episodes were really good for me. 11 and 12 were like, what the heck happened. 13 and 14 were a little better as it tried to settle back in so we will wait and see how it ends up. Like maybe the writing room got Covid and the lead writer got sick...no, really, I totally think that could be it.
Tomorrow: I love Kim Hee Sun. This episode zipped by and easy to watch. I feel like there are a lot of grim reaper shows in the last few years but I'm sticking around.
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6 knewbie
April 2, 2022 at 6:13 AM
The juxtaposition of past and present in THE KING OF PIGS continues to impress me. The flashbacks are not just expository for the viewers but also for Kyung-min and Jong-seok, whose memories play a key part in their navigation of the present crisis. I particularly like how teen Jong-seok comes to the fore as adult JS becomes more involved in the investigation, as if adult JS is reflecting on his own role in the tragedy.
I’m still a bit dubious about the events in the present. The 2011 film didn’t need revenge or cops running around to show the wider implications of the bullying, and I can see why there have been complaints about Ahn Jung-hee's gruesome fate. Then again, without the revenge plot there wouldn’t have been that superb scene between Jong-seok and Kang Min at the hospital, where the hard-boiled detective is reduced by a few words and gestures to the insecure fishmongers’ son. This isn’t just about bullying - it’s also about class differences. Although JS's family is at least a level or two below Kyung-min's, JS knows that Kyung-min and his mother regard them as their equals (as we can see in that scene where Kyung-min’s mum insists on picking up the fish she’s dropped herself). So it’s no wonder that teen JS is so loyal to his friend.
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Fly Colours
April 2, 2022 at 8:21 AM
I want to watch KoP too, but haven't found it yet. Where are you watching it?
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knewbie
April 2, 2022 at 9:27 AM
It's on Bilibili but only for some regions. I'm resorting to dodgy streaming sites. I should also warn you that the subs, though official, are a bit weird. Not Tracer-level weird, but like they've been translated from a Chinese translation of the original Korean.
https://www.bilibili.tv/en/play/1047363/11200800
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Fly Colours
April 2, 2022 at 11:22 AM
Unavailable in my region 🥲 Thanks anyway!
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lili
April 2, 2022 at 5:06 PM
I watched it in dramac**l.sk
7 welh
April 2, 2022 at 6:13 AM
BUSINESS PROPOSAL (Ep 9-10) The comedy ship has sailed as the series turns into a more conventional show. Kim Se Jung had been doing the heavy comedic lifting now it is the secondary support cast trying to smooth over the cycle of stumbling, secret dating problems of now three couples. The second lead chemistry and story is still superior to the leads. This week’s ending of Grandpa being the stereotypical parental naysayer really puts a damper on his prior personality and fun loving attitude. I think the majority of viewers enjoyed these episodes more than I did.
THIRTY NINE (Ep 11-12): We finally see some pain and depression in CY as she plans her own funeral. Episode 11 was previewed about creating lasting memories. I don’t think anything significant happened. The title and feature song made it seem that all love is is gratitude. That is a sad life lesson if true. The finale was smothering pile of regret. The brunch was the best moment but it could have been used better to tell CY’s story on how each person really affected her life. Instead, we got her own eulogy. At least JMO got some added screen time but the episode, like the whole series, orbited around SYJ. And that was the real problem with the series. Surprisingly, there was no expanded funeral scene. Instead, a series of meandering, small time skips of MJ and JH coping with their loss and trying to move on with their lives. There were no in-depth moments, no grand romantic movements, and no closure to any of the individual character story arcs. Overall, a disappointment.
Film: THE ART OF SEDUCTION (2005): I went into viewing this movie without knowing it was a comedy. SYJ has humorous expressions and physical comedy skills. This is in stark contrast to her THIRTY NINE tear waterfalls. The movie script was quite light; not a lot of meat on the story bone for substance or depth. It seemed like more a series of skits than a cohesive story to the end but it was still was watchable but not really memorable.
Anime: FLCL PROGRESSIVE (2018): Adult Swim has announced that it will air two more sequel series to the cult classic anime Fooly Cooly (FLCL). The original FLCL was a great but bizarre, weird sci-fi ride. I recall watching FLCL 2 and 3 in 2018. As with most sequels, they are never as good as the original. FLCL 2 is basically a remake of the original series. It tells the same story with a few different characters. But what it does the most is to put its world in crystal clear clarity of what it is all about: A Girl in Love. Through all the allegory, metaphors and symbolism, it is about the explosive hormonal battles of a girl chasing her unrequited love.
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8 Jance
April 2, 2022 at 6:19 AM
I’m finally up-to-date with 25/21! I kept last week’s episodes so I could watch them all this weekend without a wait… WEDDING?! WTH?!
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9 TeaTimeandCrime
April 2, 2022 at 6:35 AM
The Cursed: I had a couple of days off and decided to give this a whirl and then promptly binge watched the entire drama on netflix. Absolutely loved it- - the curses were gruesome, a shamaness you loved to hate, strangely funny despite the overall mood and everyone acted their parts to a T!
Crazy Love: Honestly this show was such a slow burn for me, I was barely interested the first couple of episodes, almost dropped it by the 4th and now it's somehow the show I look forward to the most every week. I hope it keeps up the zaniness from the past couple of weeks now that it looks we're moving into the romantic segment of our viewing.
Tomorrow: First episode done! Only have good things to say so far, I'm interested in the characters and looking forward to exploring our reapers backstories and motivations a little further - the world building so far has been pretty tight also.
Business Proposal: Will it ever cease to be delightful? Very doubtful. Every episode feels like a shot of pure endorphins :)
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10 Lonestar Girl
April 2, 2022 at 6:36 AM
𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝗻𝗲: Despite my previous rant about a happy ending, I do love this show. But I’m not ready for it to end. I’ll be watching the ending with trepidation. 🫣
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿: This show is like the flying cow in the movie 𝘛𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳. You don’t know where it’s going to land. I’m glad it’s almost over. The one ray of sunshine among the clouds is our Penguin Couple.
𝗔 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹: Speaking of a ray of sunshine, this show continues to make me smile. Although I suspect we’re in for a bit of angst in our next episode, I’m confident we’ll get our happy ending. Let’s work on getting grandpa his great grandchildren!! 👶🏻👶🏻
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗲: I finished it. I thought it was ironic how they talked about Mi-jo tossing the bouquet at her wedding to her friend who’s dating a younger guy. I read that’s what happened in real life at the Jinbin wedding.
𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗼: I have not read the book, so I don’t know if it’s staying true to the story. I’ve decided I don’t like the opening.
I’m ready to move on and looking forward to the premier of several April dramas including Our Blues.
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11 OldLawyer
April 2, 2022 at 6:37 AM
We started this week on a detour: Binge-watching season 2 of BRIDGERTON. This one is Anthony’s story. Then we got back to FORECASTING LOVE & WEATHER which is still good.
But we also got to enjoy the penultimate episodes of BUSINESS PROPOSAL, The groundwork has been laid for the final act of this wonderful comedy. It has been our very favorite show and I hope that the writers and executives in the Korean entertainment industry have taken full note of this show’s success. Do we get two weddings in the final week?
More mis-judgments and mistakes as KING OF TEARS continues. This sageuk is remarkable in the absolute rejection of the idea of fate in history- our faults are indeed in ourselves rather than in our stars and tragedies are always caused by bad decisions coming from character flaws. I remain convinced that the writer of this drama is consciously emulating Shakespeare in everything except that there is no use of blank verse. Of course because it is Korean and I am reading subtitles I could be wrong about that last part.
My wife continued to watch the currently airing C-drama THE OATH OF LOVE and finished it as soon as the final subtitles were available. Not a costume drama but she loved it anyway. We are both watching LEGALLY ROMANCE as well.
My wife loves Chinese Costume dramas and particularly the fantasy ones (known as Xianxia). This week she decided to re-watch the classic LOVE AND REDEMPTION which is certainly worth it. It is beautifully done- one of the very best of these shows.
YOUNG LADY AND GENTLEMAN started very well and did well dramatically until the writer ran out of steam. And I can point to exactly when that happened: It was when our titular Gentleman inexplicably collapsed to the street with a second bout of amnesia- for which we were never given a medically plausible reason. One result was the near sideling of one side romance and the sad death of another. Yet this shows ratings continued to climb, despite the awful writing. Why? Because of the great performances by the two leads. At the KBS drama awards Ji Hyun-woo, who played the Gentleman received the Daesang while Lee Se-hee, who played the Young Lady, received the Best New Actress award. Both of them deserved it for continuing to make this mess watchable.
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OldLawyer
April 2, 2022 at 6:40 AM
I meant 'the near sidelining of one side romance in YOUNG LADY AND GENTLEMAN.
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beantown
April 2, 2022 at 8:27 AM
What did you think of Bridgerton?
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OldLawyer
April 2, 2022 at 11:50 AM
We enjoyed it- the second season is actually better than the first. Bridgerton is really well done- including costuming and cinematography
However, the unnecessary struggle between Queen Charlotte and 'Lady Whistledown' is an unneeded distraction - and adds nothing to the story IMHO. Queen Charlotte does not appear in the original novels. The actress playing her is doing a wonderful job. The problem I have with this additional element is no criticism of her performance but rather I am afraid that it may be one of those intrusions which may make it difficult to have future follow on seasons. There are a total of eight novels in the series. At least the first five stories are worthy of a drama and so far, we have had the first two, though real fans would argue for even more.
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sorrynotsorry
April 2, 2022 at 12:11 PM
I have read the first 4 or 5 of the Bridgerton books. (I forget how many as I moved on from them.) I haven't watched the second season, but I notice in the first season that when the tv production added to/changed the original story, it was never for the better.
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OldLawyer
April 2, 2022 at 2:11 PM
Sadly, that is usually the case. The only time I have ever seen a movie improve upon the novel was KING RALPH.
12 geminirat
April 2, 2022 at 6:47 AM
Loved 39 but why is it too short? Oh, well, at least Chan-young was able to say a proper goodbye to the people she loved. Unlike Lee Shin-a of Crazy Love who caused chaos because she was 'dying' only to learn she wasn't and now has to pay the price! Really loving Business Proposal and Twenty-Five, Twenty-one. I can't understand why Ha-kyung and Shi-woo of Forecasting Love and Weather need to break up but, okay, am gonna hold on till the end. Starting with Rowoon's Tomorrow tomorrow. :)
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13 Kurama
April 2, 2022 at 6:47 AM
Business Proposal The story has nothing original and lot of scenes remind me other Kdramas. But it's a fun watch. Hearing the Archeopteryx making the swan dive's "scream" was really fun. I like the archeopteryx!
Military Prosecutor Doberman I finally catch up. I wonder how the story will be able to hold for 8 episodes.
Thirty-Nine It's over and I won't miss it.
Tomorrow The first episode was fun. I'm ready to hear more about the people they will have to save.
Twenty Five Twenty One I never was invested in the present situation, so I have no expectation : death, divorce, marriage... I don't care. I just want the end to be true to the characters.
Forecasting Love and Weather I wonder how the ratings can be so high. The characters get more disapointing at each episode.
Pachinko I liked the new character of the Pastor, the actor was great. It made me realize that I don't like how LMH and KMH are playing their characters, their scenes are the most boring.
F4 Thai The noble idiocy is the worst cliché, I hate when a main character hurts his/her lover purposely thinking it's for the best. It's never! This show is short, so I'm kinda disapointed that Gorya and Thyme had so few moments together. It gives me second lead syndrom because Ren and Gorya's scenes always are lovely.
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14 jay
April 2, 2022 at 6:54 AM
I want to like "Tomorrow" and Kim Hee-sun. But I'm still in a state of trauma after watching her drama "Alice", which was a waste of time and not well executed.
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Dorotka
April 2, 2022 at 7:08 AM
Then try to watch first Angry Mom 🙂
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15 Erica
April 2, 2022 at 6:54 AM
Pachinko ep4 - an exquisite watch. It’s like watching a virtuoso at work. And the last 5 minutes was sheer magic.
25-21 -finally! The much speculated upon ending will be upon us. Regardless how it’ll end, I’m glad to discover this gem. Light yet profound, an enthralling slice life.
Business Proposal - I’m no longer charmed by this as everyone seems to be. But I’ll stay on for the finale and hope to see quirky version of grandpa again.
39 - despite the disappointing stale writing , i must say the ending was quite decent.
Tomorrow - I like Kim Hee Sun, but can’t finish this. There’s a lack of subtlety, a bit too in-your-face. (And not in a parody way like Business Proposal when it first aired). And as someone commented, Rowoon’s acting is rough. In fairness, it’s just half an episode I watched.
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soulsearch12
April 2, 2022 at 9:57 PM
No lie Secret Life of My Secretary deserved this love too!! But I think prolonging certain aspects hindered it. But this show was such a good rom-com with a good disabled representation for the FL's brother!
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16 jerrykuvira
April 2, 2022 at 6:59 AM
King of Pigs - Dark, disturbing. Nice storytelling about trauma and abuse, and the long term effects, and as I'll always praise, Hwang Kyung Min's meticulousness. Kim Dong Wook is really selling his character.
Love ft Marriage and Divorce - Give Lee Si-eun a reward.
FLAW - The two second leads actually communicate what bugs them when with their exes. I really wish that mood to communicate that they exhibit with each ex comes into play in their current relationship. If only Yu-jin heard Ki-juns conversation with Ha-kyung, she'd know the scared yet loving bubbling baby and husband she married. The perfect combo of reaction for someone expecting. And to the Penguin Couple, more accidental bangs. It'll be hard bidding good bye to this one.
King of Tears, Lee Bang Won - If there's any movie I'm watching with a clear bias for a character, it's this. SFD I blame you for this laying this background bias. It's really hard to root for the King.
Soundtrack - Cool.
Kill Heel - Week in week out Woo Hyun keeps popping the champagne before the victory. And this side of Bae Ok-sun, it's really disturbing. This is supposed to be about three women navigating the cutthroatness of a workplace, but it seems like they are the ones after each other's throats.
Crazy Love - Si-na back to cowering in fear isn't it at all. Both giving clap backs would have been more Crazy than she just being at the receiving end now.
Business Proposal - Saying goodbye to this next week wouldn't be a easy deal. I'll save the comments till then.
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17 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
April 2, 2022 at 7:05 AM
Twenty-Five, Twenty-One: 8.0 Even if the show needed to have someone change nationalities and leave Korea, it's a bit awkward now to go to that particular country. I don't know how far in advance they filmed what, but I *suppose* they were committed before the news broke. And I've heard of that country bringing in real-life foreign athletes to join their teams.
A Business Proposal: 8.0 I've gotten tired of goofy-hair coworker. He's supposed to be comic relief, but he stands out as the least comic thing in the show.
Crazy Love: 7.5
Grid: 7.0 The realist in me insists that in alt-world where there was no grid and the sun was so harmful, plants and animals would have been hit too, food supplies would have collapsed, and things would have been much worse.
A Superior Day: 6.5
Tomorrow: 8.5 Elite suicide-prevention team? A look at S.K's high suicide rate indicates that whatever they are doing they're not doing enough.
Pachinko: 8.0
I have of course saved my screen shots of BP's (not British Petroleum) wonderful WTf scene for future use, but I'm impressed by how much informal English kdramas expect Korean audiences to know. I'm pretty sure wtf isn't on the college entrance exam and people aren't memorizing it in late-night cram schools.
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Fly Colours
April 2, 2022 at 8:34 AM
First thing everybody learns in a foreign language are swear words. In my country people learn more English from american media than from proper classes, so you've got loads of people who swear like sailors, even if they are very polite in their own language. Everybody throws around the f* word like there was no tomorrow 🤣
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18 ar_arguably romantic
April 2, 2022 at 7:05 AM
Twenty Five Twenty one: What happened with Yoorim was sad and the flashback to 2001..which is 1 year after Yoorim left..seems to indicate Heedo and Yoorim are no longer close. Steeling myself for more heartbreak next week. I love these characters and their friendship that it hurts to think that they all become a distant memory to each other over the years. I'm like mostly sure that Yijin and Heedo aren't together anymore in 2022, but I'm holding out slim hope.
Business Proposal I need a Hari in my life - the one who will run over in the early morning to kill a cockroach for me. This is my weekly LOL and as much as I love it, I'm glad for its shorter length because the pacing is just awesome and things are firing on all cylinders. The actors are killing it in the comedy and romance department. The resolution of Young-seo's beef against Tae-mu was the best. And I love the screencap chosen for this week's WWW.
Forecasting Love and Weather: Past week was better than the drag of the week before, but I'm definitely feeling that the show would have been better off as a 12-episoder. I get the need for nuanced characters, but do side-eye the show trying too much to redeem or even whitewash all these people who do terrible things...looks like they may try to redeem Si-woo's dad.
Crazy Love Fun to watch, but with the "i don't have amnesia" confession, I feel like we haven't progressed much. Not that all characters need to progress in a drama, but I think when we you have a ML whose terrible and inappropriate workplace bullying causes the FL to suffer like this, then I think more change is needed.
Legally Romance C-drama- up to ep 15. Was looking for some cracky, nonsense especially with the whole boss-subordinate romance, but was pleasantly surprised with a heartfelt drama. We're getting the warm school/campus romance that cdramas typically excel in.
Tomorrow Caught the first episode. The pacing was slow in the first half hour with the worldbuilding, but then sped up with their first case. The depiction of our leads running through the minefield of the bullied girl's memories looked amazing and movie-quality.
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19 debbie
April 2, 2022 at 7:09 AM
So this week had me laughing and sad.
Started with Legally Romance. This C-drama is the only one I am watching right now and I am enjoying every bit of it. Episode 27-28 had me laughing. The ML and the FL has a great chemistry and I see they are enjoying themselves and I am enjoying them.
2521 was wonderful as usual until I heard congratulations on your wedding. I was like what happened? But with what Yijin did to Yurim and HeeDo, well, it was heartbreaking and I was sad.
Business Proposal another wonderful drama I am enjoying. Grandpa, please let HaRim date and marry our President. Pleaseeeee
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20 hacja
April 2, 2022 at 7:18 AM
Awaiting the conclusion 25-21 and A Business Proposal, I was fully planning to check out a Chinese rom-com kindly recommended by @ally-le, @wapzy, and @beffels, but the Netflix algorithm worked its evil spell so I got sucked in by Bridgerton. I know that Bridgerton’s intent, at least, is similar to A Business Proposal, that is, presenting a romance while also making fun of conventions of the genre. Yet A Business Proposal is so much more appealing and successful, in my opinion! First, A Business Proposal makes its jokes about the genre within the show; Bridgerton depends for its humor on an annoyingly arch narrator. Julie Andrews is a great actress, but I am not her “dear reader” Second, the writing and plot of ABP are a lot more clever, even in translation. To capture the supposed flavor of the period, Bridgerton characters use contorted elocutions over and over again. A word to the wise: don’t take a shot of soju every time someone uses phrases like “that is happiness indeed” or “it is beautiful, is it not”
The best parts of Bridgerton are plot devices lifted from Jane Austin and the worst are just terrible. In Bridgerton 1, the last 4 episodes were centered on whether the duke would impregnate the duchess. I like a lust filled drama as much as the next carnal man, but focusing on the technical details of another couple’s sexual congress is pretty much a buzz-kill for me. And in Bridgerton 2, the plot hinges on the male lead’s obtuse reaction to a fatal bee-sting allergy. A timely dose of benadryl would have rendered the whole show moot! In A Business Proposal, the male trauma is a purposeful cliche, but is also used as a way to show the love and consideration of the heroine.
Finally, there are the politics of the dramas. I suppose you could say that A Business Proposal was a defense of a grossly inequal male dominated chaebol system—but there’s also an underlying satirization of the way its been portrayed. Whereas I don’t know what Shonda Rimes was thinking, but Bridgerton’s blending of blacks and whites without comment denies rather than satirizes the British aristocracies involvement in slavery and the slave trade, while Part 2 has Indian women asking for the privileges of being exploited by brutal British colonialism. Meanwhile, women supposedly “stand up for themselves” even while eagerly participating in a marriage meat market.
In short, think twice about listening to Netflix—consult the experts at DramaBeans instead!
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tsutsuloo
April 2, 2022 at 8:56 AM
@hacja—As I understand it, Shondaland's Bridgerton AU posits that the empire's society was transformed by Queen's Charlotte's marriage to George. Lady Danbury pointedly reminded Simon Basset of this fact in season 1. She said that marriage changed everything for "people like us."
The series also muddies up timelines because the older characters are far too young to match their real historical dates. For example, the real Charlotte married George in 1761—52 years prior to the first book's timeline.
But it's a fair critique to note that this important history is sort of glossed over in the series. With young Queen Charlotte getting her own prequel, it looks like Shondaland will dive more deeply into their AU world-building.
And if the Bridgerton AU is upending this aspect of British history, I imagine they've retconned the brutal colonization of India as well.
It's fair to critique the show on these points. I myself was born in Zaïre (CDR) a former Belgian colony and the brutal facts of that history are imprinted in my DNA. That's one of the reasons I love Afrofuturism. It's not about erasure—it's psychological liberation.
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hacja
April 2, 2022 at 9:33 AM
I completely agree with you about Afrofuturism. I became a fan of Sun Ra in college, although admittedly more for the music than his overall philosophic universe. And I didn't think that one pop cinematic version of it--Black Panther--was a particularly great film, but the concept of the kingdom of Wakanda is really thought-provoking alternative history.
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wapz
April 2, 2022 at 11:27 AM
I marathoned Bridgerton this week too and surprisingly also kept comparing it to Business Proposal. Both are tropefests and both are depending a lot on the tropes that come with the genre that glue people to their screens. However BP is much more endearing, thanks to kdrama's stirring the viewer's emotions whether for laughs or cries.
I hope you get back to the cdrama later, binging it after BP ends will be perfect.
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OldLawyer
April 2, 2022 at 3:46 PM
It should be pointed out that by the time of the BRIDGERTON stories slavery was falling from favor and being gradually shut down. It had already been ruled as illegal by the Scottish Supreme Court in 1788 (as the theft of labor- a truth so self-evident that one can only admire the elegance of such reasoning). Even before the Regency began the slave trade had already been abolished in the British Empire in 1807, although it would take another 31 years to completely free the slaves throughout the Empire.
Slavery has been a normal thing through human history, including in Korea, whose last slaves were not freed until the Japanese annexation in 1910. It continued even later in many Muslim countries. Even Native Americans had slavery.
I am pointing these things out in defense of Shonda Rimes. All I think that she has done is posit a simple thought: What if we had been able to move beyond slavery sooner? It is on of the crowning achievements of Christianity and Western Civilization that we were ultimately able to abolish slavery and even get the rest of the world to do the same, although the forced labor camps in China and North Korea are really a continuation of this evil- so the job is not completely done yet.
It was a little disconcerting at first but I finally decided that I really liked the idea of an Regency Era English aristocracy where a black man could be a Duke and an Indian girl could be seen as the prize catch of the season. I approve because it is a statement about our common humanity. Those who think that one can defeat racism by finding fault with the actions of people long dead are making a mistake- because in the end they are actually emphasizing unimportant and trivial differences and thereby perpetuating the false consciousness of racial awareness. Shonda Rimes has it right - she is showing us a colorblind society and thereby demonstrating our common humanity.
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hacja
April 2, 2022 at 9:30 PM
@oldawyer Thanks for your reply. Let me be clear, it is not my place except as a discontented viewer, to criticize any decision of Shonda Rhimes, who is extraordinarily successful and brilliantly creative, and who has overcome a great deal of industry prejudice as a woman and African American. But that's why I was wondering about the decision to leave out any mention of the British aristocracy deep involvement in slavery, even in a fantasy show. I certainly do not begrudge her, or actually anyone, the right to imagine a racism free society, but it would have been so easy to be pathbreaking in showing black and white aristocrats mingling ,while handle the issue in a way that wasn't historically jarring- that is, have Queen Charlotte as the pioneer, African-British aristocrats as the nouveau-riche, maybe even ex-slaves, and handle racial tensions as a plot device in the show without making race the main theme. (Afterall, this is a fantasy romance!) It could have retained its alternative history aspect without adding, as it did to me, an air of total unreality, especially since the show did in fact deal with the sexism of the mythical marriage market.
Anyway, criticism of the show aside, while I'm in full agreement with your sentiments, I have to disagree slightly with your concluding reasoning. I would say Anglo-American society has never faced up to the sins of its past in a way that prevents continued injustice. I'm not saying that whites need go around in ashes and sackcloths--I'm just saying before we declare society colorblind we should acknowledge that slavery/continued discrimination has hampered the life prospects of many. AND we should teach that history so that it is well understood why circumstances are the way they are today. That is not perpetuating a false consciousness of racism, it is promoting an understanding of why it is false. I think if society as a whole had that understanding, THEN we could move toward eliminating race as a category of social analysis.
Anyway, I realize this is a bit ponderous for "what we're watching" on Dramabeans, so I apologize for going on so long about a show that is not even a k-drama!
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sorrynotsorry
April 3, 2022 at 8:19 AM
300,000 white men died to free the slaves in America. When you look at the population of the US at the time, it's amazing the country even survived at all.
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OldLawyer
April 3, 2022 at 9:39 AM
I do not think that it would have been possible for Ms. Rhimes to so completely re-write the story as to do what you suggest. BRIDGERTON is based upon a series of Regency Romance novels. They are romances, not regular historical novels. What she could and did do left the fundamental story intact but with that important change.
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hacja
April 3, 2022 at 11:36 AM
Well, I'm not really arguing rewriting of any type is easy--I have a degree of respect for all writers, since writing is such a difficult enterprise. I'm just saying it wouldn't be out of the realm of the story, since there is some social commentary in there already. However, you do raise an interesting question of how much respect is due the source material. I know several k-dramas are based on web-toons or mangas, and there is sometimes criticism because the shows do not adhere to the source material (or sometimes praise when it departs.) My philosophy is that even though comparison is inevitable, as long as the writer of the original story is properly compensated, the screenwriter, director, and producer should have a great deal of freedom to produce a movie or show that stands on its own, and then the show should be judged on its own terms. Of course, I know that is pretty much impossible. Most of the discussion about the show Pachinko (which I haven't seen) have revolved around its relation to the novel (which I haven't read.) Still, I know many movies that are better than the books they are based on, as well as books that are superior to their movie versions, so I think its just a matter of trying to judge the story based on what its message its trying to convey, within the conventions of the genre--in this case, romance.
Ally
April 3, 2022 at 10:49 AM
I did binge watch both seasons of Bridgerton, and I thought the second season did a MUCH poorer job of explaining how colonization of India made it possible to have our heroine be completely Indian from no name and no rank marry a Viscounts—in that they didn’t explain it at all. Not sure if they talked about it in the book.
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Kurama
April 3, 2022 at 10:55 AM
They're English in the book. The same for the Duke, he wasn't metis.
I don't think the show wants to be historical. They want to show diversity and romance, the how and why are not their priority.
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OldLawyer
April 3, 2022 at 12:28 PM
I have taken two courses in the history of India- one specifically about the British in India. The story in BRIDGERTON is set at the tale end of the first generation of a significant British presence in India. That first generation of the British in India were actually far less racist than the later ones- which is explanation enough for me.
Later generations were extremely racist.
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21 Scottie
April 2, 2022 at 7:35 AM
The heart beak has finally arrived in 21-25. All I liked was that the conflict for Yi-jin revolved around Yu-rim and not Hee-do, she should not have been betrayed by her mother and her boyfriend. For Yu-rim I feel particularly sorry. The price she is paying for her father's accident is too high, I do not like this plotline.
I do trust that BUSINESS PROPOSAL will keep the angst low key, as before. Grandpa has every right to be annoyed by all the lies, but I am sure his disapproval will not last long. He genuinely liked Shin Geum and he will like Shin Hari, too. The loud cousin plot felt a little bit like a filler and the cousin's acting was too much and over the top for me.
Can't wait for the next episodes of CRAZY LOVE. Shin-ah really went full out with her revenge, thinking that she would not live to suffer the consequences. Now she half wishes that she would actually die. Go-jin's payback is as bad as expected, but why does he insist that she remains his fake fiancee - he is already hooked without realising it.
KING OF PIGS is still weird (and gruesome), but somehow I am coming back for more. The best bit about SUPERIOR DAY is the villain - he is good! I will finish WEATHER FORECAST, hopefully the ending is good enough to make me forgive the last two episodes.
Enjoying PACHINKO, it is visually very impressive. I like the cultural mix very much. Have ordered the book!
First episode of TOMORROW was ok, but I am not hooked yet. I did like Jade god's shoulder pads which could cause an eye injury!! The actress is so good, too.
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22 jillian
April 2, 2022 at 7:49 AM
Search WWW i binged this the previous week. I love the show. I love the main trio's intersecting relationship/friendship. My favorite character is Scarlett. My fave couple is GaKyeong and Jin Woo. I felt that Tammy and Morgan's relationship got dragged on too much. I would've wanted to see more of the ladies friendship or GaKyeong and JinWoo's.
Mouse i am dumbfounded by how much Moo Chi and the police got so blinded with all the circumstantial evidence against YoHan. Anyone who would pause to think would not easily pin it on him since there is no direct evidence to point that he is a killer (despite allegedly being a son of a murderer). It was fishy from the start. It was still a good watch despite that big flaw.
Twenty Five Twenty One I got all caught up on this drama partly because I want to know what happens next. I get the feeling that whatever the drama throws our way, it can be satisfying ending (I hope).
Crazy Love I am really annoyed with Go Jin as he boss Shin Ah around again. While I am disappointed that Shin Ah lost her back bone, I am waiting for that time that Shin Ah will fight back. I rather want them to bicker like an old married couple on equal footing. This new contract they got into gives Go Jin the upperhand again and I am rather tired of GJ being a narcissistic jerk.
Queendom 2 I rather like these kpop competitions but I am not really a fan of any of the contestants (yet). I was pleased to see a familiar face from WJSN. Exy who played Elle in Idol: The Coup. Despite that I will continue to watch. I liked Hyolyn's first performance and looking forward to the rest of the performances next week.
Sixth Sense S3 i like the new spy concept they introduced this season. It adds a layer of challenge. Also I am still enjoying the show despite SoMin's absence. Jessi, MiJo and Nara tries to fill in her absence. There are less Sang Yeob and Jessi loveline but I still look forward to their scenes. JaeSuk is as exasperated as ever but at least got it easy this season dealing only with the three ladies.
Unexpected Business S2 I really liked the new challenge this season. I also enjoyed watching the new part timers - WooBin, KwangSoo and Im JuHwan- interact with In Sung and TaeHyun. They really are friends.
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23 LaurenSophie
April 2, 2022 at 8:23 AM
CRAZY LOVE: This week's episodes were a missed opportunity. Having the ML reveal that he's faking his amnesia was a fantastic moment, but it went downhill from there. As many have mentioned, Shin-a's return to being the meek, put-upon secretary was disappointing, as was her boss' cruelty. There were so many other ways this could have gone, but even a few degrees of difference--seeing the ML struggle a bit more to be mean or the FL clapping back under her breath here and there--would have made these scenes so much more fun. I didn't like the kiss, either. Technically it was well done and pretty, but in the context of all that nastiness and cowering it seemed wrong.
25/21: I'm not fully caught up, and like others, am fearful that the ending will mar the perfection that the drama has been so far for me (I truly can't imagine any last minute twist that would allow for these two to be together; the show has been very clear, imo, that in the present they're not a couple or even friends), but this is such a good show. Much has been said about Kim Tae-ri's amazing ability to morph into a teenage girl and she deserves all the awards sure to come her way. But I've been very impressed with NJH in this as well. His role is less showy, but he's so good at conveying how BIJ feels in any given moment with just a quick glance. And he's a great comedic actor, too. His reaction to finding out that his professional hero is Hee-do's mom was hilarious.
BP: I'm loving Tae-mu's hair. It's a tidy metaphor for how much more relaxed and happy he is in his life. Both couples also have excellent chemistry to complement the breezy feel of the writing. Just a pleasurable drama to watch.
FLAW: I struggled with the latest two episodes. Throughout the drama I've recognized that there's not anything necessarily new or that interesting about this story, but it was executed in a way that made it easy for me to sit back and enjoy the movement in every story. But these last two felt forced and bogged down by the weight of contrived conflict. The dialogue suffered as well. Hoping the final episodes will be fun again.
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Dorotka
April 2, 2022 at 8:43 AM
I had exactly the same feeling about the Crazy Love kiss...
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mmmmm
April 2, 2022 at 10:53 AM
I feel the same about FLAW. I commented somewhere that the show feels like a comfort food: nothing is new yet the pacing and execution were done well. However, after I started ABP and 2521it's really difficult to come back and continue watching this. I think I am 3-4 eps late now.
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beffels
April 2, 2022 at 1:11 PM
I agree with Crazy Love - I would have liked to see him struggling to be mean. I get why she reverted to meekness so fast, because the catalyst for her revenge has been removed. Given his reputation for being a cruel jerk, she’d have no problem believing he would savagely go after her family as well as herself. Meekness would be the sensible choice.
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24 Alluvial_Fan
April 2, 2022 at 8:24 AM
After a week of playing catch up to watch as many Oscar noms as possible, I donned my PJ's and settled in. Of course I fell asleep and missed the stupid slap.
Hanging in with FLAW hoping against hope that FL will get some of her spunk back. Have avoided blatant spoilers for 25-21 but strongly suspect a realistic ending. First love is wonderful but it is usually not forever.
How much I love A Business Proposal</b) is hard to quantify. Want to echo @oldawyer in hoping that K-ent execs sit up and pay attention to its success. We need to laugh, writernims!
Watched 3 eps of Pachinko and it is okay - not fab but not shoddy. Heard the Grass Roots opening song on my local alt-music radio station and was reminded of how incongruous that dance number is at the beginning (there's no "skip intro" option).
Started <Master's Sun and dabbled in Traveler in Cuba. Enjoyed the first ep of Tomorrow with the hopes that Roowon will become slightly less goofy and the serious undertones will be handled skillfully.
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mmmmm
April 2, 2022 at 10:54 AM
I mistakenly read Traveler in Cuba as Traveler in Boba (tea) and felt instant sugar in my veins.
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Alluvial_Fan
April 2, 2022 at 7:43 PM
Thought about my first boba experience. I have a problem with background noise.
Walked in with hubby to a place he found online and was assaulted by 12 blenders going full blast. It was a big place in Portland Oregon and I was so hammered by noise.
Wouda, coulda this been a fun sugar-y drink?
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25 Fly Colours
April 2, 2022 at 8:51 AM
Aigo, haven't checked in for a while!
Been watching 25 21 (eps 1-4) and FLAW (eps 1-2) now that they got released in my region. Loving and adoring 25 21. Kim Taeri has been my girl crush since Mr Sunshine and The Handmaiden 💚
Also watched Doberman until ep 8. I love to hate a good old unhinged villain who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty. This drama has some wild twists, and I'm here for that.
And because there's so little to watch legally, I ended up watching Secret Life of my Secretary. Squinting hard at the double identity shenanigans, it's kind of cute - and I adore Kim Youngkwan's winning smiles. Veronica Park is also a very cool character. Still, I feel kind of sorry for these secretaries whose happy ending is getting stuck with looking after their man-child CEOs for the rest of their lives 😂
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Fly Colours
April 2, 2022 at 9:00 AM
Also, vampire-loving Beanies, go and watch Jackson Wang's latest video, Blow. Jackson Wang rocking silver hair and a corset is the thing I didn't know I needed in my life
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
April 3, 2022 at 12:54 AM
Welcome to the fish cult (just wait) that is Secret Life of My Secretary. It's one of the few dramas of this type that's good. We need more Veronica Parks in dramaland.
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26 CS
April 2, 2022 at 9:29 AM
I feel like enough has been said about Twenty-five, Twenty-one and you know I love it and can't wait to see how it all ends.
Run-On: Inspired by the cameos and the fact that one of the women in Thirty-Nine is watching this, I decided to rewatch this sweet and goofy show. I really liked it when it first aired, and I still really like it. I like that the OTP is sweet and kind and tries their best to stay away from drama.
Father is Strange: Hard to believe, but I've never watched it before. I always heard good things about it, but just never hit play. I was looking for something to fill all the dead spaces between the weekends and ease my yearning for more Twenty-five, Twenty-one episodes. It's definitely a weekender with all that entails. Cheesey sets, unnatural lighting, drawn out storylines... But still, I'm enjoying the characters and seeing so many actors that I love. My husband has been laughing because everyone thinks that I watch Korean soap operas when I tell them that I watch Kdramas, but this is probably the first thing I've watched that really is like a soap opera. AND, I mean no offense to soap operas. I loved watching the US ones growing up and followed a few of them for years.
Thirty-nine: I know it's an unpopular opinion, but I really enjoyed this show all the way through. I think 12 episodes was the right call. I watched the finale and was taken completely by surprise when I ugly cried. I wasn't expecting to be so moved, but it really hit me hard. I've had two friends die of cancer in their prime (one at 29 and one at 45) and I thought they did a good job of showing what that was like and how devastating it can be for the friends that are left behind. I'm glad I got the chance to watch it.
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27 Radily
April 2, 2022 at 10:25 AM
Thirty-Nine (Episode 11-12) - Mood progression: D+ / D+ / D / D / D / D
I wonder what Lee Tae Hwan’s agent was thinking giving him this role which could’ve been done by an intern. I hope Kang Tae Oh’s next show is good. Yeah, I’m talking about the cameo: the show gets zero words from me.
Grid (Episode 7) - Mood: C
I liked the twist where Sae Ha’s father wasn’t the janitor, but then the cliffhanger happened and now Sae Ha’s the killer instead of the Ghost: I expected more than just butterfly effect chaos? I found the impaling scenes just really awkward.
Business Proposal (Episode 9-10) - Mood: D+
So much for saying that you’ll accept anyone, Grandpa? But also, a car accident for the cliffhanger? (There wasn’t any need for the motorcycle, Writer, just make it conveniently rain and a crash will happen.) How did the childish cousin fall in love with Sung Hoon after he outright mentioned he’s taken? Was Ha Ri’s brother really added into the plot to be this week’s plot device? What’s the point of continuously hiding the relationship from Ha Ri’s parents of all people? I believe they resolved Tae Moo’s trauma this week: hopefully it won’t appear in the finale. And I’m also praying for no amnesia?
Twenty Five Twenty One (Episode 13-14) - Mood: D+
There’re so many things that could’ve gone wrong that went wrong, such as the writer treating the OTP’s romance as a forbidden fruit, but I’m infinitely more annoyed at the blatant use of a plot device to split the 2nd couple as well as fulfil the prophesied reporter-athlete conflict. With that cliffhanger, the writer’s certainly forcing themselves to pick between popular and critical reception with the finale: it’s a lose-lose regardless of whether Hee Do is marrying Yi Jin or not. I’m disappointed that it’s come down to that but I guess if you can’t write a good plot you should have a good bait at least.
Forecasting Love and Weather (Episode 13-14) - Mood: D
Convenient that Si Woo’s father has a terminal illness for an undeserved redemption arc, isn’t it? But this writer doesn’t even try to be innovative as can be seen from the penguin couple, the not-studying husband or the office gossip. Sigh?
A Superior Day (Episode 3) - Mood: D-
If characters like the reporter are needed to push the narrative forward, that’s just admitting your story is horrible. But I can’t understand how he even managed to overhear about Dong Joo’s murder: superhuman hearing or just show crap?
Crazy Love (Episode 7-8) - Mood: D-
Misdiagnosis is lame, forced kiss is outdated (asking for consent doesn’t mean it’s given?), watch reveal is predictable. Se Gi not being the villain is such an obvious twist (so easy I consider it brownie points) and yet the writer’s failing that.
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bong-soo
April 3, 2022 at 9:07 AM
@radily, Re Lee Tae-hwan. I didn’t watch THIRTY NINE but I have had a soft spot for LTH since watching his beautiful performances at age 19 in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (2014/15) (Viki US). My log tells me that in 2016 I watched him in W: TWO WORLDS APART (Viki US) and P&P simultaneously. After those two I haven’t seen any of his dramas or reality shows.
You ask a good question because I find it hard to believe that by now he has not had leading roles. (Perhaps I am wrong on that.) I know the entertainment business is rough and maybe one takes a paycheck whenever you can but based on his early work I would have thought he would have leading roles by now. I believe his military service still awaits so that will be a career interruption.
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28 tsutsuloo
April 2, 2022 at 10:44 AM
It was spring break for me this week so I indulged in Business Proposal and Bridgerton. Bridgerton isn't perfect but there's much to admire. Lord knows I love a slow burn and Simone Ashley is one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. How is she real? All that juicy banter reminded me Much Ado About Nothing and The Taming of the Shew. Kate Sharma is more Beatrice than Katherine Minola but the verbal sparring is absolutely my cup of tea.
Also anxiously awaiting Michelle Yeoh's new film, Everything Everywhere All at Once, which is coming to my city next week. It looks gloriously unhinged and I can't wait!
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Fly Colours
April 2, 2022 at 1:25 PM
Wow, that film looks amazing
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tsutsuloo
April 2, 2022 at 1:28 PM
My husband and son just saw it today in Chicago. They want to see it again with me next week!
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Ally
April 4, 2022 at 7:38 AM
I am soooo looking forward to Everything Everywhere All at Once. The little kid (Viet immigrant who came to the US about when my family did) from Indiana Jones all grown up is in it—back in acting.
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29 Edgar Pordwed
April 2, 2022 at 10:44 AM
I've gone the first 3 months of 2022 without watching a single drama! I've only just started Tomorrow only because of Kim Hee-seon's awesome look! The theme is interesting too, and the cast so good looking... let's see how it goes.
I've got to try to find the time to watch Pachinko and Our Blues.. aah theres Lee Jun-ki's new drama too.
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mmmmm
April 2, 2022 at 10:56 AM
Can I interest you in checking out the first ep of 2521 or A Business Proposal? I'm liking these two a lot right now.
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30 CS
April 2, 2022 at 10:49 AM
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31 mmmmm
April 2, 2022 at 11:10 AM
Yes, why are you so fickle, @daebakgrits? haha.
My short comments on the three shows I'm watching as of now..
1. 2521: I'm caught up with this one and it is so far so good. I don't want to jinx anything so I am not going to go in detail. I've posted my comments and what I guess will happen in the show in the latest Hangout thread of it. I think the writing has been pretty consistent so far, and this one is all about quality.
Everyone has been praising KTR and NJH a lot, but I haven't come across any comments that praise the actress who plays Yurim and color me surprised! I just searched the internet a moment ago, and I'd love to compliment how the singer Bona portrays the character Yurim. With less talented actress, this character wouldn't have been able to stand against the character Hee-do played by the amazing and talented KTR. Yurim is such a beautiful girl and a complex character to play. I'm thoroughly impressed by Bona's acting and her beauty. She is super talented, and I will be on a lookout for her future projects. She is one of my finds this year.
2. A Business Proposal: The show has been ranked no.1 in my country for almost entire its run. That is surely something. I'd say that the show comes at the right time when there aren't a lot of good rom-coms around and given the stressful situation everyone is living in nowadays. The show manages to hit the right comedic notes, and I had never looked forward to Mondays this much. I'm so impressed by Kim Sejeong's acting and her various facial gestures. She reminds me a lot of Yoon Eun-hye whom I also adore. Despite some things in the show that irritated me, I still like it a lot.
3. Forecasting Love & Weather: Frankly, I think this is a show that has consistent writing. The pacing is also great; but the fact that it's aired at the same time as 2521 and ABP, it is no surprise that not many people are tuning in to watch it once they have started either or both of the mentioned shows. It doesn't help that the most recent eps felt like a chore to watch for me. I'm not sure what happened in the later eps, but it is kinda losing its steam. I hope it'll be able to end on a satisfying note.
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sorrynotsorry
April 2, 2022 at 12:18 PM
I'm not 100% sure, but I think Forecasting is on the same evening but not the same time as 25/21. Forecasting is airing late. I like Forecasting quite a bit but man the writer really lost the thread in episodes 11 and 12.
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mmmmm
April 2, 2022 at 12:32 PM
Yeah, I still haven’t been caught up with the recent eps yet because somehow it’s become a bit tedious task to do. Anyway, can someone design a new way to walk for Ha-kyung’s angry scenes? I don’t know why but I’m put off whenever I see her character “authoritative/ angry” walk.
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kippeum (ft. liberation and bath robots)
April 2, 2022 at 8:27 PM
This drama introduced me to Bona and she’s been amazing. I love how she sounds almost like a kid when she’s with the gang, when she has her guards down. She and Taeri sell their friendship and athlete roles so perfectly, I believe everything they say 😆
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
April 3, 2022 at 12:59 AM
Bona is also wonderful in Girl's Generation 1979.
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
April 3, 2022 at 12:57 AM
If you haven't watched Bona in Girl's Generation 1979, you should.
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32 TurtuallySarcastic
April 2, 2022 at 11:32 AM
F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers⭐(14/16): Shame on me for falling for those crocodile tears!🐊I should have seen that low trick from Thyme’s mom coming! This better be the start of her own downfall in the two remaining episodes!😤 As much as I want to know how Gorya is doing, I was also relieved to see the others around her surviving. She has touched many souls and it was heartbreaking to see them all get punished for caring about her. Poor Ren and MJ have been looking for her everywhere!🙁
Twenty-Five Twenty-One🤺(14/16): Angstfest galore! Some bombs were dropped last weekend and I am still reeling from all the possible theories and answers that sprouted. I am definitely in this until the end for closure and to feed my curiosity. Whether I will like the ending or not will depend on what actually will happen and how quickly and thoroughly I can accept that, but I hope that the narrative will make sense and turn this gem into one of the top K-drama recommendations.🙏🏻
A Business Proposal🦤(10/12): Our couples have a double date! Spending time together in the orphanage and the chicken shop beats any fancy dinner in my opinion. The characters seem to agree, because they all learnt more about their significant other by either talking or getting immersed in their background. Also, you cannot call a bribe a bribe if it does not involve a drunk boyfriend Kim Min-Kyu pining after you.🤭 Our male lead and second female lead are indeed similar in many aspects!😆
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33 Heartoppaya
April 2, 2022 at 11:39 AM
Business Proposal
This is the only drama that warrants no heartbreaks and just unending happiness not only for the main characters but the viewers as well. As much as I love the main couple and the secondary main couple and their hijinks, I do have to adore Byungchan as Hari’s immature younger brother. He does diverse roles and I love the fact that we see a completely different character from his previous role as a stoic bodyguard of the King (Queen). As a fan of Victon, I do have to say, he’s definitely not how some idol turned actors are.
Speaking of idol turned actors, Kim Sejeong not only acts so well, but even the over hyperactive mindset of Shin Hari comes off as cute. Some might argue that she is acting too much, but I have to say, this drama is complete with every cliché known to kdrama lovers. And as someone who has watched kdramas for 14 years, I know most of the clichés. But this drama does clichés right and no one can argue with that.
That said, Ahn Hyo Seop is a breath of fresh air too. I love him as a person, for the too-tall-to-debut-with-Got7 person he is. And Kim Mingue, he’s gorgeous, the dimples are killer and the chemisty he has with Sol In-Ah is superb. Even the chemistry he has with Ahn Hyo Seop is super cute. But bromances are adored no matter what.
Crazy Love
I have no idea why but I keep falling more and more in love with Crazy Love. I’ve noticed how most people don’t like it, and are quite superstitious about Kim Jae Wook not being the usual pretty male leads we are used to but as someone who has followed him throughout his career, I have to assure them, Kim Jae Wook is a God. He’s one of those people who you end up shipping with everyone he shares his screentime with. There is a magnetic quality about him, something that attracts you even if you don’t want it to. His voice is delicious, his stares will make your knees wobbly and the chemistry he shares with his costars could melt even the coldest hearts. To top it off, he is one of the best actors I’ve come across. And honestly knowing his acting was the only reason I started to watch it.
But then, Krystal proved me wrong. Yes, I do agree there are some green acting sometimes, but she has come a long way from Heirs and My Lovely Girl, and now, matched with the King of Chemistry, she is doing a really good job. She can do crazy really well, and the way they fight honestly reminds me of Na Jeong and Garbage Oppa from Reply 1994.
I do love how they use clichés and then throw them out of the window the next moment. First it was the cancer, then the amnesia and now finally the fake fiancé. And the only thing that they could agree on is about someone trying to actually kill Noh Gojin and both of them trying to find it. I knew right from the start that I won’t like the second female lead, and something rare, even the second male lead. He’s too nice and the drama is making it obvious that he’s the bad guy. UNLESS, they decide to throw...
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Heartoppaya
April 2, 2022 at 11:42 AM
UNLESS, they decide to throw that around and prove someone else wrong.
What if, No Gojin has split personality and had hired someone to kill his alter persona? That would be an amazing twist.
Falling for Innocence
This is the only drama that I have been watching all week. I actually started to watch it because of a weird coincidence. I accidentally saw a trailer of it and because I actually am in love with Jung Kyung Ho, I decided to watch it.
I knew what the drama is about but I was in for a surprise. I didn’t expect to actually fall in love with all the characters. Usually if the female lead is amazing the male lead is bad and likewise. But in this not only are both the male and female leads so good, the villains are pretty amazing too.
But I have to say, that Jung Kyung Ho’s comedic timing, his willingness to sacrifice himself to physical comedy and his chemistry not only with Kim So Yeon but also with Yoon Hyun Min is what sold the drama. After watching Descendants of the Sun I have become a certified fangirl of Jin Goo, and seeing him here, even as a small cameo, warmed my heart. His character’s fate is sad but seeing him being all smiley after his serious face in DOTS is a welcome surprise.
Kang Minho (Jung Kyung Ho) wasn’t supposed to be loved the moment he was introduced as a cruel monster, but maybe it JKH’s magic because I loved him the moment he showed up in all his glory and smarmy smiles, calling people names and living up to his name “The Serial Killer in the Business World”. And while I expected Yoon Hyun Min to be the second lead puppy that was going to break my heart, his villainous turn gave me goosebumps and I was interested. He was annoying, but after seeing his adorable chemistry with Jung Kyung Ho in Heartless City, and offcam, I didn’t expect him to sell this villain persona so well. Maybe that means he’s an amazing villain.
The plot was pretty interesting too, the whole political issues in Minho’s rival company, his revenge against his uncle and his wiener measuring against Lee Joon Hee (Yoon Hyun Min) and also the central plot: the hit-and-run of Minho’s heart donor, who is also Kim Soo Jung’s (Kim So Yeon) fiancé, Ma Dong Wook (Jin Goo’s cameo role). It was too interesting and sprinkled with some Jung Kyung Ho comedy, it was epic.
But I was honestly living for the love triangle between Soo Jung, Minho and Minho’s heart, which was not as weird as it sounds, honestly.
Twenty Five Twenty One
Is on hold because I’ve started to honestly get a bit bored.
Forecasting Love and Weather
Is on hold too, because with the myriad of new dramas coming out I can’t seem to find the time to watch it. I haven’t watched any spoilers and I do have to still agree that this drama is so comfortable is weird ways. So I will be watching.
Heartless City
I’m doing a rewatch and even if I do know what will happen, the emotions are strong with this one. Of course, Jung Kyung Ho’s...
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Heartoppaya
April 2, 2022 at 11:44 AM
Of course, Jung Kyung Ho’s and Yoon Hyun Min’s chemistry is once again off the charts. But well, they are real life besties, so it’s expected. But I absolutely loved the chemistry JKH had with Nam Gyuri. There was something about the way the both of them threw caution in the wind and just went with the flow. And the kissing scenes were perfect.
Also, Kim Yumi. She’s perfect as always.
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Kurama
April 2, 2022 at 1:15 PM
Hearless City is so good! It's my favourite role for JKH. He was so charismatic!
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34 bong-soo
April 2, 2022 at 11:57 AM
After having lightly scanned @missvictrix’s TOMMOROW Episode One, First Impressions and the positive comments there I will take the plunge after not having this drama on my radar at all.
The last time I did this was for NAVILLERA which became one of my favorite dramas of 2021. If I may segue to—
FORECASTING LOVE AND WEATHER. From the beginning I was convinced that FL&W should have been a 12 episode drama. Post episode 12 has been a plod and I am hanging in for my bean. Not that it has been too terrible or a disaster. Just that based on the early episodes I never thought there would be enough story to go 16 episodes. Interesting that for both Park Min-young and Song Kang FL&W is the best ratings drama they have appeared in compared to the last two for each. Personal opinion of course but I enjoyed both actors better in the last drama I saw them in which would be for Park Min-young: I’LL GO TO YOU WHEN THE WEATHER IS NICE (Viki US) and Song Kang: NAVILLERA.
Cdrama cops/crime/mystery fans I am really enjoying UNDER THE SKIN (2022) (Viki US) 16 episodes.
For the record I am continuing with KING OF TEARS: LEE BANG WON and BUSINESS PROPOSAL and enjoying both.
OCN’s A SUPERIOR DAY is another story. I will hang in there because of Jin Goo but an alternate title could be: NOBLE IDIOCY: THE DRAMA.
On long-term watch sneaking in an episode here and the is the wonderful jdrama MIDNIGHT DINER (27 of 50 episodes watched) and the Thai crime/martial arts drama from 2018 MONKEY TWINS (9 of 13 episodes watched).
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35 beffels
April 2, 2022 at 1:28 PM
Like just about everyone else, I’m watching BUSINESS PROPOSAL and enjoying it a lot. I think the fact that it’s doing so well shows how long it’s been since there was a good, basic rom com (actually romantic, actually funny - although the second couple give me less on the romance front, is didn’t find the drunk/not drunk first kiss to be romantic).
I’m also watching CRAZY LOVE which I’m liking much more as it goes along. Like others I’m disappointed to see Go Jin and Shin Ah revert so quickly to arrogant jerk of boss/meek doormat of Secretary but I hope it won’t last. I would have liked to see him be a bit nicer to her to make the kiss feel less forced on - at least he acknowledged he should be asking? 😅 my standards are lower in kdrama than in real life.
To fill in time while I wait for Tuesday/Wednesday to roll around I’ve been watching ancient Taiwanese drama SMILING PASTA (I think it is from around 2005). It is an absolute festival of Extremely Fashionable hair and makeup. It’s too long and they’ve stretched some storylines from well beyond their capacity to be stretched, but with judicious fast forwarding (especially after about episode 18) it’s still pretty entertaining.
I’ve also been watching jdrama THE FULL TIME WIFE ESCAPIST (aka we married as a job) which is coming on Viki here one episode a week. I was too impatient and watched episode 2 at about 50% subbed and had to watch again when it was all done because my Japanese is beyond extremely rusty. So far I like it.
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36 tabong
April 2, 2022 at 2:26 PM
I do I do (finished): pure gold. Loved this show.
25 21 (EP 4): I have to confess that I was shipping Hee Do and Yoo Rim after the umbrella scene (they have insane chemistry, fight me), but Yu Rim and Ji wong are really cute together so wtv. This show is perfect btw.
39 (half of EP 3): dropped. Maybe I would've stay if the show was actually about Chae Young (and she wasn't dying).
Business Proposal (EP 7): dropped.
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37 tiredys
April 2, 2022 at 5:20 PM
Military Prosecutor Doberman - somewhat surprised Cha Woo-In's identity wasn't picked up By Yong Moon-Good earlier. And hoping Bae-Man gets a new chance to explain what he wanted to say to his aunt. Looking forward to things ramping up and really enjoying the OST.
Fuujinshi - great except for the decision to have this preppy song playing as a transition into the ending credits. Ruined a good number of deep moments, like when the younger sister was trying to grieve for her older sister.
f4 Thailand - really hope more adaptions turn out like this series because they really did a good job, PPL and all.
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38 Bob
April 2, 2022 at 5:45 PM
After a VERY long hiatus I finally got around to finishing 'Ghost Doctor'. The ending was more satisfying than expected. My appreciation of the series went up a couple clicks just because they didn't botch the ending (as so many series have done lately).
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39 Beverly
April 2, 2022 at 6:55 PM
Just started Marriage Contract and Business Proposal. One seems like it will break my heart and the other hopefully will make me laugh. The little girl in Marriage Contract is wonderful. I did not recognize either lead in Business Proposal at first. I wish that the ML would, and maybe he does in later eps, bring some of the sweet charm he had in 30 but 17.
Finished Semantic Error which I found to be a fun, charming, and quick watch.
Finally able to also finish Koi Desu:Yankee kon to Hakujou Garu which besides an unfortunate noble idiot/time jump appearance was a very nice watch. The show had a sweetness to it and very likable characters. The male lead was especially endearing, just an overgrown puppy of a character.
Also 5 chapters in to The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh. It is a retelling of a Korean folktale. To soon to really say anything about it but the writing is good and it is building an interesting world.
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dramalover4ever
April 2, 2022 at 11:54 PM
The little girl in Marriage Contract is fabulous.
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40 kippeum (ft. liberation and bath robots)
April 2, 2022 at 8:22 PM
Business Proposal: Still good fun. Hari’s incredibly sweet and thoughtful as ever I’d have kissed her right there and then too. The girl cousins were hilarious, although I wish more drama characters would learn to take no for an answer. Persistence is not always a romantic or even positive thing.
Twenty Five Twenty One: As someone who’s also lost her dad, it hurt to watch Heedo and her mom not being able to talk about appa for so many years. I cried so hard when Jaekyung broke down. I’ll watch the last 2 eps later. The Heedo/Yijin romance is the least interesting part of the show for me tbh, but I’d be content with whatever their outcome is (but give him a break, Show).
Also Ji Seungwan’s mom is the best 🦾
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41 ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
April 2, 2022 at 11:33 PM
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42 ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
April 2, 2022 at 11:39 PM
I’m late to this, by both an entire week and today.
ONGOING
Business Proposal: I’m fairly convinced that harabeoji Ha-ri breakup with Tae-mu will be a fake-out. He’s too versed in drama clichés for it to be otherwise! It was also cute to see Ha-min get more screentime. There’s only one week left and I’m simultaneously not ready for it to end and really happy how well the writer utilized the 12 episode structure. The perfect length for a perfect fluffy goodness. I already know this will be on high demand for rewatches.
F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers: My heart may or may not have broken for Ren this week. I’m not usually one to be susceptible to second lead syndrome and I especially never cared much for the second lead in the BOF stories, but somehow this one did it for me. The irony is that the Thai version of the male lead (and pretty much every character, tbh) is also clearly the best one from all the BOF stories. So imagine how conflicted and delighted I am as a viewer. Once again, props to the actor playing Ren - Dew Jirawat Sutivanichsak. I’m genuinely shocked this is his first ever acting role. He’s got himself a fan.
Grid: Was too busy this week to watch. Not pausing or dropping it, I’ll just watch the next two episodes together. Maybe it’ll feel like an actual kdrama for once.
Soundtrack #1: Nothing special, but it’s sweet and calming with a nice leads to root for. A bit strange that Eun-soo hasn’t caught on to Sun-woo’s very obvious infatuation at all, but I guess the drama has to exist somehow.
Tracer: All caught up with season 1! God I wish more people had access to this wonderful drama. It’s so freaking good. Si-wan has never been better. I think I’ll binge season 2 when the all the subs are out.
Twenty Five Twenty One: This. Freaking. Show. I’m gonna watch episodes 15 and 16 in one setting when it’s out. Not because I couldn’t watch it on the day of, but because I’m just so nervous. I know the show won’t disappoint me. It certainly hasn’t at all so far, but I just have this feeling that my emotions will be completely and utterly wrecked. It’s not exactly a feeling of dread, but not acceptance or joy either. Is it too much to hope for a happy ending for our main couple?
FINISHED
Thirty-Nine: So inoffensively boring and bland that I don’t even want to dedicate real space for a proper review. The next time Son Ye-jin chooses such an obvious one-woman show, she should pick I don’t fall asleep watching. I’d be mad for Jeon Mi-do and Kim Ji-hyun, but I can’t even muster up the required emotion needed to bother caring.
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ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
April 2, 2022 at 11:42 PM
*harabeoji MAKING Ha-ri breakup with Tae-mu.
I deleted my entire first post because it was riddled with typos, only to miss the glaring one at the first entry in the list. Yay literacy.
WATCHLIST
Given how much I’ve raved about my bisexual panic for the cast of Tomorrow, it’s almost sacrilegious that I didn’t immediately press play. I will definitely get to it by tomorrow (ha). I’ll binge A Superior Day when it’s finished because I was too lazy to start when it started airing. The same goes for King of Pigs. I also want to give the first few episodes of the Yoon Shi-yoon family drama It’s Beautiful Now a try. I’m in the mood for a long feel-good, family drama in the veins of Father is Strange or Ojakgyo Brothers.
For cdramas, it’s the same from two weeks ago: Royal Feast, Oath of Love, and Legally Romance.
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Kurama
April 3, 2022 at 12:04 AM
I have the same problem with F4!
Thyme made so many efforts to grow up, becoming different from his mother. His growth was interesting to watch. He's one of the best versions.
Ren is such a good boy. He's so sensitive and understands Gorya so well, better than herself. Dew is good in this role.
So I think that my issue was Gorya. She was so strong and against Thyme, we didn't get so many lovely moments between them but more her beating him :p
But when she's with Ren she let herself to be more fragile and opened more.
So it's hard for me!
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ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
April 3, 2022 at 12:28 AM
Honestly, I think I would’ve much rather preferred it if Thyme’s main character arc was his gradual redemption and work towards becoming a good person, rather than a romance arc. I like his relationship and chemistry with Gorya well enough, but I find them both much more compelling as individuals with other people than each other. Again, I don’t dislike them together - quite the opposite, I did stick around for 15 episodes for a reason - but they can be almost… too childish at times. It’s like watching preschoolers pull each other’s pigtails instead of actual teen lovers. I also think that Tu (the actress playing Gorya) and Dew just have better romantic chemistry. The moments we get of the characters interacting in a romantic light actually makes me catch my breath. They’re so good together. Bright and Tu, in comparison, feel more like friends. Most of the scenes Thyme and Gorya are together is her being an exasperated, eye-rolling babysitter. And I can’t blame her! He basically regresses to the immaturity of a five year old around her. Not exactly the strongest base for a romance irl.
I feel like F4 Thailand accidentally became too sophisticated and well-written for the clichés of the source material and is now being held back by it, rather than adding to the overall mythos.
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Kurama
April 3, 2022 at 11:00 AM
I agree that Dew and Tu have a great chemistry, I loved their GUCCI (and not AGUCCIM) shooting, they looked great together!
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43 dramalover4ever
April 2, 2022 at 11:49 PM
Apart from BR, 2521, 39, Grid, and Kill Heel, I've finished Dr Romantic 1 and 2 which I enjoyed so much. It's gone to the top of my list of favourite hospital dramas. Han Suk-kyu must had so much fun. His character had so much gravitas that no matter what they threw at him, I would always be gratified at how he'd turn the tables, all the while putting his integrity as a doctor foremost. Seeing his mentees transform into fine doctors with integrity was inspiring. I missed the four-legged, as well as the v beautiful two-legged Doberman this week. Sponsor is on hold and I most probably not return.
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dramalover4ever
April 2, 2022 at 11:52 PM
And I'm loving Tracer too.
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bong-soo
April 3, 2022 at 9:22 AM
I wish I could have loved TRACER also but alas for me it was not available (and I am not tech savvy enough to figure out how to access the fan subs but high marks to the group that provided them). I am hoping since is is an MBC production it might appear one day on Viki on a delayed basis as other dramas have.
I loved Siwan in RUN ON and eagerly awaited TRACER but it didn’t happen for me.
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dramalover4ever
April 3, 2022 at 1:58 PM
See if this works for you.
https://tracerenglishsub.wordpress.com/
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bong-soo
April 3, 2022 at 3:14 PM
Thank you. I will check it out.
neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
April 3, 2022 at 5:22 AM
I read BR as Baskin Robins and racked my brain for a whole 30secs which currently airing show had Baskin Robins 😅😅😅
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dramalover4ever
April 3, 2022 at 1:54 PM
Nice cream 😋
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dramalover4ever
April 3, 2022 at 1:55 PM
Should read BP - my phone has it's own mind. Sorry.
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neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
April 3, 2022 at 2:16 PM
Nah, that's what happens if I'm low on sugar xD need some BR ;)
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dramalover4ever
April 3, 2022 at 5:02 PM
Second that
44 ssandulak
April 3, 2022 at 12:57 AM
Twenty Five, Twenty One: Oh no, it’s almost over! With just one episode to go, I’ll be sad to not have it as part of my weekend. One of the most consistently good shows I’ve seen in a long while.
Grid: Oof…dropped this one last week, but had to heavily fast forward this episode to see if it could be salvaged. While it did give us SOME answers finally, I now feel confident enough I won’t have to watch anymore. When the cop pulled her gun on the deputy director in the middle of the police station, surrounded by her colleagues, only to do nothing…I don’t even know how that made it to the final script.
Time travel stories require a mastery of the narrative from various different angles, and that’s just not what we’re getting from this writer. Filled with such a good cast, I think that’s why I lasted as long as I did.
Forecasting Love and Weather: One episode to go, and I’m really only gonna finish this one for the bean. It had some merit, but just didn’t add up to the sum of its’ parts
Crazy Love: Oof again. Our ML is back to being an absolute dick and our FL is sinking back into her less feisty status quo. I, like a lot of others, was hoping there’d be some shift in his behaviour despite the faking of his amnesia. Both the leads are obviously still having fun (and Krystal is getting to play against her normal type) so I’m still watching.
Tomorrow: Kim Hee-Sun yes! I liked the visual style, and the characters are fun. The darker topic of saving people from comitting suicide has potential for good stories, but could also be handled very heavy handedly.
Welcome to Waikiki: I remember really enjoying this one, so when I saw it pop onto Netflix I figured I’d start a rewatch. It’s still hilarious, and a nice palette cleanser from a lot of the darker shows I’ve been watching lately.
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45 sarcastic_cat
April 3, 2022 at 1:37 AM
I think the theme of my kdrama watching this season is loving those that people find boring and not caring about those that people love.
Currently watching:
- FLAW: the last 4 episodes have been a slog. The show lost it's spark after ep 8 which was the peak of the drama for me. I know people love penguin couple, sadly I am rather indifferent to them so their cute does nothing to alleviate my disappointment about the recent episodes. I am staying on because I really like the main casts and for the sake of completeness.
- Tomorrow: I am loving the first two episodes. Kim Hee Sun is awesome and I want to see more of Lee Soo Hyuk.
- Grid: Slowly savoring this. Up to ep 3 and so far it's quite intriguing.
- Bulgasal: slow watch. Sometime I just want to drop it completely but my curiousity always get the best of me and hence I am still sticking with it.
- You are my spring: stuck at ep. 6. I like the thriller part but surprisingly the main romance left me cold. I just dont feel the chemistry and dont really care about it. In fact, I would prefer them to be just friends.
Completed:
- Rookie Cops: surprisingly watchable. Chae Soo Bin practically hard carry the show. Dont care much about any of the romance, but I like the camaraderie between the friends.
Dropped:
- 2521: I know, the blasphemy!!! But after trying to pick it back several times, I realized that I am not in the mood to watch a drama about the most difficult year in my life. Maybe someday or even never, but certainly not right now.
- Business proposal: I guess this drama is really not for me. I dont find any of the romance to be swoony. The supposed swoon instead made me cringe. I like the sisterhood but not enough for me to stick with the drama, and I could care less about any of the male leads.
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46 lillamy
April 3, 2022 at 8:31 AM
I started Itaewon Class and three episodes in, I'm not sure I'm continuing my watch. Park Seo-joon is great, of course, but I'm finding the FL hard to like. I get why she's the way she is, she's just plain un-likeable. And her bangs are too.
Moving on, I found great delight in Our Beloved Summer to the extent of forgetting all other drama. There's really not much going on but I love all the characters a lot, even the ones that don't get a lot of screen-time. And Park Jin-joo remains a scene stealer. I would love to watch her in a drama with fellow scene stealer Kang Ki-young.
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47 Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
April 3, 2022 at 10:36 AM
At the recommendation of some beanies in the "Dramas with chaebol bosses" thread, I just binged the 2016 remake of 1% of Anything and really enjoyed it. "Enemies to lovers" is pretty much my favorite trope and the ML is deliciously obnoxious at the beginning, while the FL gives as good as she gets. I think it helped that I knew going in what its flaws were so I was prepared to overlook those.
Pros:
- The chemistry of the two leads - absolute fire right from the start.
- The easy, natural physical contact between the two, especially in later episodes when they're being flirty and silly on dates - and the kissing!
- The short episodes that allowed less time for dull corporate corruption and chaebol family snottiness subplots.
- Ha Seok-jin's butt. It needs an entire drama of its own.
Cons:
- So much wrist-grabbing, which I generally hate, even though the FL did push back on it a lot.
- The throwback evil ex-girlfriend who seemed straight out of 2005.
- The (mercifully brief) descent into makjang madness, although it did advance the story.
- Ha Seok-jin's plaid suits. Yeesh.
Overall, 8+/10 - a fun, easy watch for when you're sad or bored.
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Dorotka
April 3, 2022 at 11:01 AM
The evil ex-girlfriend actually is from 2003 😄 (the original 1% of Anything).
The remake is my happy pill, warts and all. (I also totally enjoyed the friend and cousin couple.)
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OldLawyer
April 3, 2022 at 11:22 AM
1% OF SOMETHING is my favorite example of a rare drama where the re-make is better than the original- even though the original was also great. I have re-watched 1% OF SOMETHING twice. There are so very many things that I love about that show.
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48 darwi
April 4, 2022 at 5:34 AM
*Business Proposal: I hope Grampa will not be an indrance, nor the CEO father.
*Ghost doctor: very good, but put a bit aside by
*Hello the sharpshooter: cuteness overload with precision.
*Legally romace: a gem of cdrama. Great chemistry, lot of fun. I have a thing for bickering couples.
*Dine with love: a pity that the subtitles are so bad (automatic traduction) because it's great to see an alpha CEO in awe of the smiling and efficient FL. Recipes and eye candy, what's not to love ?
*Killer and healer: beautiful men in beautiful suits in beautiful period setting.
Just finished Run on. I might enjoy psychotic characters even more than impecable suits.
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49 ryunami
April 4, 2022 at 11:26 PM
Grid - took me 6 episodes to finally figure out whats this drama is really about. Grid should be very thankful 🤪 coz I never give up on scifi genre.
Military Prosecutor Doberman - i never like both leads in their previous dramas but here they have good chemistry together. Really hope they will give Doberman more screen time too 🐶
The King of Pigs - a very dark storyline which portrays the reality of school bullies. Im here because of Kim Dong Wok!
Tomorrow - giving this a try coz i never heard of grim reapers saving people from death.
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