In general terms, I did not expect:

1. Smaller networks gaining large ratings for shows that were not mainstream.

2. So many shows were comedy-forward which was a good thing until some of those shows changed course to a serious finish.

3. An uptick in non-weekender ensemble cast shows with various degrees of success.

4. Finding a greater degree in satisfaction with watching older shows.

Thanks for this overview. The only one of these I watched to the end was A Business Proposal, but I'm thinking I should add Gaus Electronics to my watchlist.

I started Extraordinary Attorney Woo and I have to admit I enjoyed it, until one day I just didn't feel like going back and finishing it. I'm not sure why, I truly have no good explanation, but I still feel the same. I guess I enjoyed it, just not enough?

Thanks @quirkycase these were great reflections. I agree the major trauma in every drama or healing drama mix with murder was unwanted and unexpected. It was surprising that two healing dramas went there with a two for one of violence and trauma; If you wish upon me and Summer Strike.
My unexpected events were watching and enjoying two reality tv shows; In the Soop: friendcation and Young Actors Retreat. I also watched and enjoyed two sitcoms Unicorn and Gaus Electronics.

@quirkycase Thanks for this review, these are great unexpecteds,wonderfully presented which I completely agree with except for 2 minor exceptions:

1. Little Women which I viewed recently, and really liked for exactly the reasons you said, was a surprise to me in the sense that the authors took the title, and maybe one or two? plot elements, in order to destroy Alcott's premises and ridicule the sentimental place the book has in children's literature. Its characters had virtually nothing to do with the characters in the book, and at most it parodied the novels sentimental valuing of parenting and family. Its moral--greed is good--is EXACTLY the opposite of the novels. You could call that a "reworking" I suppose, but the surprise to me was both how good the show was, but also that it would be so openly contemptuous of a beloved children's book. A similar "reworking" of other children’s classics would change the plot of Anne of Green Gables so that the farmers decide to pimp out Anne to supplement their income, or have Lassie turning rabid and coming home to kill her master.

2. As a sports fan, I disliked 25-21's treatment of sports only slightly less than framing of the coming of age story replacing a wonderful Kim Tae-ri with a dull Kim So-Hyun who apparently had trouble remembering that she had a first love and a current husband.

Even if fencing was THE national sport in Korea in the 1990s, (it was not) a controversial judging decision would not require the mother of one of the participants to go on national news and cruelly accuse her daughter of cheating, resulting in the daughter being villified and harassed by the 10s of millions of passionate fencing fans. Neither would an athlete needing money abruptly defect to Russia, of all places, where she would be pumped full of PEDs and then jailed if she stepped out of line. As a traitor to Korean fencing, she would not then open come back to open a fencing studio back in Korea without enormous controversy.

Finally, the clear connection of ballet and sports, which many athletes have realized, actually, is not some stupid "plateau" theory of learning, but rather the rhythm and flow of physical movement, and the necessity of mastering the smallest feint/gesture, to incorporate into the whole of the attack/dance. Hee-do would have told her daughter that, as well as also saying something about the nature of young love: intense but passing. But the older Hee-do was badly written, which is which why she didn’t think of doing these obvious things.

Didn't watch Cheer Up and Summer Strike, but was baffled hearing there are murder mysteries in it. Geez!

A trauma-free ensemble for Gaus - that's a great point. I don't know why kdramas always have to give their characters so much trauma. Feels like those college application personal statements where it seems like you're expected to talk about your trauma or some terrible struggle (like poverty, death of a loved one) and how you overcame it.

Lol it's kinda funny but finding out there was a murder plot added to Summer Strike makes me want to watch it

@quirkycase Very nice writeup!I really enjoyed reading it and nodding my head up and down in agreement many times!
Thanks for you insights!

Dramatic epiphany whale footage you won't see in Extraordinary Attorney, not matter how many sequels / remakes pop up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CLumsir34

The series Glitch could be a bit slow at times - one plot point per episode kind'a slow - but lets admit we were just watching for the great Nana/Jeon Eu-been pair-up, anyway. On the topic of unexpected, the series' kidnapping/UFO/religious cult/UFO/kidnapping storyline certainly gave us lots of unexpected twists and turns.

I am not surprised that you found the fencing matches engrossing.

I was a Saber fencer in college and remember how challenging it was. Imagine trying to play chess, run a long-distance race AND play volleyball simultaneously. It is a thinking person's sport- as much mental as physical, but the physical requires strength, skill and endurance.

In other words, it is a sport that is itself good drama.

I think my biggest surprise of the year was ENA. I think I watched 4 of the 5 (or so) shows they put out and thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. These were: Never give up, EAW, Good Job, and Gaus Electronics. I don’t know who their programs director is, but they need a raise.

I’m also very surprised Alchemy of Souls is still just as engaging this second season with the actress switch as it was last season. That’s some deft directing, acting, and writing. I don’t think anyone can deny that.

Also surprising was that I fell for two new actors, Hwang In-Yeop and Bae In-Hyuk. Both have excellent and bright futures ahead of them. I especially liked Bae In-Hyuk in Cheer Up and Under the Queen’s Umbrella. And I was surprised the former is actually in his 30’s and older than PBG and many other actors in the business.

I’ve also finished 21-22 dramas (not including the newest Kdrama BL’s) this year which also was surprising for me. It’s the most I’ve ever seen and for everyone saying it was a lackluster year, I thought it was not too bad!

I hope I’m as prolific next year! I already see a sageuk I’m looking forward to. Happy New Year!