Unlock the boss
My favourite drama at the moment. I am having fun trying to work out what is really going on with boss but at the same time I am really worried about the potential negatives for Insung. I am hoping that his previous Uni studies and current home study, alongside his regard for others will help to demonstrate that he is in a good place to be offered the training experience to help him develop in his chosen career.

The forbidden marriage
Waiting for part two to drop but enjoying the story so far. The water incident was so funny but people spend so much time in their wet clothes its ridiculous. The king get changed but she has to stay in her clothes while she helps him go to sleep.
The guard never seems to sleep how does he stay alert for work?

New love playlist webdrama
Really sensitively handled storylines around navigating love and friendship during University years.

Three bold siblings
The conception dream hints at the possibility of the aunt becoming a mum. Ex boyfriends seem to be lurking everywhere trying to cause problems. The potential for conflict following the reveals of certain identities and the impact on the wider family continues. The nephew is going to be exposed as a schemer at some point when his link to the false accusations about the ML’s son is discovered. I think the ulterior motive for him doing this was because he wanted to save a child from the hard life he had endured and get some extra income due to his inferiority complex.

Buam dong Avengers
What started out as a revenge journey evoking negative emotions has become a healing journey. Dohee radiates love, care and protection and this is impacting positively on those around her.

Completed

Good manager/Chief Kim
Loved this drama. It had me crying with laughter at times I could not breath it was hysterical. The team bonding and the growth of some of the characters was lovely to see. It has aged well and I stand by my view that they tried to show the updated version of the character with a new career as a lawyer in one dollar lawyer. The styling of the credits at the end of each episode of Chief Kim were very similar to the styling of the credits they used as the intro to one dollar lawyer.

Since I met u - Chinese romance drama
It was a solid romance with friendships set in a coastal city. Lots of lovely drone shots of the sea tourism PPL. They covered mental health at a deeper level and showed treatment as something that can be done in different ways over time and the important role of supportive friends and family members.

First Love - Japanese
I binge watched over a couple of days. Really enjoyed the story, it was a rollercoaster of emotions and the cinematography was amazing. There was definitely some parts where the contrasting feels they used to demonstrate mood and time mood was a bit jarring for me.

If anyone knows the significance of the male leads family wearing red around the house e.g. was it representing...

ONGOING
The First Responders - Time spent helping the villain process the 5 stages of grief confessing 🙄 could have been better spent on giving Do-jin something to do.

The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate - This show does cliff-hangers so well. The reveal of the killer and the elevator scene in Ep. 12 were great. Still don't think FL has much to do.

Summer Strike - Glad Yeo-reum didn't give in to the guilt-tripping eventually. The holiday trip scenes were cute.

Curtain Call - It's finally clearer that Grandma does know it's all a lie. It was sad seeing her sitting there waiting for the real Ri Moon-seung.

May I Help You - I genuinely did not see the twist in Ep. 13 coming - the story sure took a turn as did Hae-an's personality. It seems a bit much.

Unlock My Boss - The editing in this show is pretty weird. A lot of big moments fizzle out into nothingness.

The Forbidden Marriage - Liked the start and liked the abundance of kisses in Ep. 3 even more. Keep moving at this speed show!

STARTED
Alchemy of Souls S2 - I am just going with the flow at this point but the soul-body rules sure are convenient. I'm glad the 'darker' S2 still retained its humour.

C-DRAMAS
Completed She and Her Perfect Husband, which descended into a mess at the end. Still watching New Life Begins.

Started Hi Venus for the writer.

Finished:

Revenge of Others - Mood progression: D / D / D / D / D / D
After Seasons of Blossom ended, I decided to risk watching another Seo Ji Hoon show because of my quench to see him on my screen again. But oh dear, not only was his character a mystery till the finale week, the reveal was bad despite him pulling out all the stops. I don’t think he won against the writing but he fought valiantly so it’s fine.

Behind Every Star - Mood progression: C- / C- / D+ / D / D- / D-
I was rooting for you to be an improved Shooting Stars! But I got clowned hard by the characterisation & story.

Cheer Up - Mood progression: D / D / D- / D / D- / D- / D- / D-
I fast forwarded this show by clicking along the progress bar while watching at double speed. And that’ll be my review?

Watching:

Recipe For Farewell (Episode 5-6) - Mood: B+
Normally, when it comes to shows dealing with terminal illnesses, there’s always that visceral fear of death and how its inevitability sucks all the joy out of the show. But it is to this show’s credit that even as we conclude the 1st half with an attack, there’s a subtle sense of hope that our characters will be able to deal with the upcoming grief. It’s great drama!

Unlock the Boss (Episode 3-4) - Mood: C-
Surprisingly, the show continues to hold my attention on the whodunit narrative beyond the premiere week even if I’m a bit lackadaisical over the corporate shenanigans. Maybe it’s the way I fantasise about In Sung’s Truman Show possibly being real or the juxtaposition between In Sung and Baro as they disrupt family dynamics? But my brain’s definitely on!

The Forbidden Marriage (Episode 1-2) - Mood: D
I had expected a political conspiracy and love triangle but what threw me off instead was the marriage switcheroo and attempted murder on So Rang. I guess we’re supposed to assume the crown princess got murdered by the same family which can only mean that the crown princess is alive: well, if she returns, So Rang’s ruse will immediately get exposed?

Summer Strike (Episode 7-8) - Mood: D
Goodness gracious: of all the characters in the drama, how does the toxic female librarian has someone who truly likes her? Is this karma for Sung Min’s earlier attempts to chase Yeo Reum out of town? And I might have spoken too soon, if he complies as lovestruck people do. But maybe he doesn’t need to do much if Yeo Reum insists on being a noble idiot.

May I Help You (Episode 13-14) - Mood: D-
You know, I’ve belatedly read some news about how the show was forced to move away from its procedural roots since that horrible incident and wondered if I had been too harsh on the writing. That was until the stupid twist this week: yes it’s certainly unexpected but it reeks of desperation from the writer. And I pity the actor because he’s getting typecast?

Behind the Stars - It has come to an end 😊. A satisfying watch I must say.

P.S. Kim Ah-joong's hanbok at the 27th BIFF was just fabulous.

Curtain Call - I'm running out of patience but somehow I'm not bothered. I find it cool that Granny is having doubts even just as the grandkids are moving thier chess pieces, not knowing that the King(Granny) has began piecing her moves.

The Forbidden Marriage - The comedy hits on and off at times. But the on surpasses the off. Kim Young-dae as King? He's not exactly selling it despite me wanting to buy it.
A Queen Dowager that doesn't spell chaos in the premiere...please remain so.

Alchemy of Souls - What the hell happened to Park Jin? Did 3 years age him by 10 years?
Yul still has the Jinyowon worm from 3years ago. Not my Yul, please.

Crevasse 2020 Drama Special - Wow! This one deserves another rewatch. I never thought he'd still in all honesty and regret want the marriage after the affair. Truly, he did love his wife, even though he thought there was no need to show it, and that created a Crevasse in his marriage. What the thought exactly. Reassurance/reminder is of the essence? When do we heed the wake-up call? What if it's too late? I really don't know.

CRICKET -

Australia VS South Africa - it has to be spicy - decent pitch - and good bowling go bad bowling pretty soon. Australia slightly ahead. Drunk fans if not cause some drama then there won't be much of your "wife is this n that" foul language. All drama is set by spectators and let's see how it goes. Very -ve tour this can be - much like previous one.

England won - woah - really good performance - Next Ashes that is in England, gonna be extra spicy.

I'm all in for Boxing day test.

Female cricket - i will say only this - no infrastructure and no sports culture to promote it - gonna talk about it more in next 2 weeks - As for how female cricket made much impact in non-cricket states - you can give +ve to it being considered as social activity than being a career or profession.

Alchemy of Souls: This show has once again grabbed me by the soul and isn’t letting go and I couldn’t be happier. It feels like seeing friends after a long time. Really broody, powerful, mysterious friends.

May I Help You: The reveals were huge this week, and while I’m finding myself missing the adorableness of the beginning of our leading relationship, I’m no less charmed by the beautiful mature way they support each other when things aren’t going as well. So refreshing not to have a useless ep 14 breakup for no reason! Also feeling pretty good about my So-ra/Il-seob ship right about now…

Unlock My Boss: Everyone kept talking about how beautiful Chae Jong-hyeop’s smile was, so I paid attention this week and they were so right! It’s just brilliant. I’m also into the rest of this drama, which is toeing a nice line between comedy and mystery and definitely wins the award for FL Most Likely to Hit Someone/thing With Her Car.

Reborn Rich: I knew the Grandma couldn’t be the only non-conniving member of her family but I didn’t think she’d go that far. Sheesh. It is a credit to Lee Seong-min’s phenomenal acting that I have such complicated feelings about Jin Yang-cheol and his illness. He’s such a ruthless person but to see him so helpless is still heartbreaking.

Age of Youth/Hello My Twenties: I realized at some point that I’m not going to be able to finish the first season of this before it leaves Netflix and I feel… fine about that. I enjoy it while I’m watching it, but I have very little drive to start watching it if I’m doing something else. I’m pretty sure it’s not the show, it’s me. Are slice of life dramas just not my thing? Odd.

Alchemy - oooh, I like it!! Even more than I expected. It is visually stunning (that kidnapping of the bride boat!) and there is Lee Jaewook as Dark Smeksy Hero Tired with Life. No, I'm not watching this for a slice of life feel... and right now I'm willing to roll with whatever the show throws at me, even if it is Naksu's body suddenly unrecognisable to others... or that despite having no memory and being secluded for the last 3 years Naksu knows A LOT about wedding traditions... and nights. 😁

Cheer Up - cancer 🤦‍♀️ ...stabbing 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ Though I liked that the cheering was used for real cheering up... and that they all convinced Haeyi to accept the help, both financial and emotional. Anyway, the show should have been shorter and never use the crazy stabber, they should have focused on the campus life and individual members instead. And on moms, they were the best part ❤️

Coming soon: Do you like Messi? 🙂

ALCHEMY OF SOULS is back and Jae-wook is becoming an expert in making a big entrance! I just hope he does not expect gasps every time he enters a room in real life. I do like Joon-young, her voice and intonation is so similar to Jung So-min's that I wondered whether she had been dubbed. Very good performance. Good start!

UNLOCK THE BOSS is still weird, but it works for some reason. Good mix of humour and unusual plot twists.

Did not expect a kiss so soon in FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE. Park Ju-hyun has lovely chemistry with both male leads. Love her schemes to put the king to sleep.

I never wanted Jae-hoon and Se-yeon to be the main couple and therefore disliked the confession in CURTAIN CALL. Yoon-he remains my favourite, she is nice to everybody. Will grandma herself be the one to put an end to the charade? I hope so.

MAY I HELP YOU is sadly another show ruined by writer in the last few episodes. What a missed opportunity. The cast deserved better.

(OK, now is everybody happy? \o/)

ALCHEMY OF SOULS (Ep. 2.1-2.2): It was not what I expected since season 1 ended in chaos with needed immediate answers for the literal burning questions. Too much tell and not enough show. The three year time gap served no purpose. They mythology rules are still a big distracting mess. Naksu 2.0 seems like a nice Rapunzel. And getting married in Daeho is easier than ordering a Starbuck's latte? Uk and BY are quickly together in an apparent ice stone death pact.

CURTAIN CALL (Ep. 11-12): The story creeps along like Grandma's old bones. Everyone knows but no one tells which is story momentum quicksand. The lack of urgency by the real Moon -seong is a head scratcher since he wife is dying in China. Let the bomb drop and Grandma put the family back together. The Jae-Heon/Se-yeon love line is a infatuated teen non-starter for me.

BEHIND EVERY STAR (Ep. 11-12) Jo Yeo Jeong's episode 1 cameo was the highlight of the show. From that point, the show went downhill. The cameos were not well developed and repetitive. The agency stories were wrapped in so many manipulations that it was unworthy of any concern. It was like watching CCTV footage of a bad adult daycare. Then throwing a half dozen new major plot questions in the last episode and NOT answer any of them was one of the worst finish train wrecks.

GAUS ELECTRONICS (Ep 3-12): This is probably a better binge show than a weekly watch. The three office women look like sisters which is really confusing if you are distracted from closely watching the screen. (Casting directors take note for future weekenders). The show has gotten a little better as it gets more wacky and the story lines get clearer. The push pull of the office romances can be leaning toward cringe naivety but overall the comic vibe was there. It seemed it left an open ending for a second season which would not be a good idea. Overall, a good office comedy.

Summer Strike I really like to watch this new formed group. They were all hurted by life but they found each other now. I'm happy that Yeo-Reum didn't give up!

Curtain Call KHN is killing it with this haircut!

Cheer Up It's over! Why Kdramas suck so much with college drama?

Behind Every Star It would have been better to give a real end to each character than this weird open one, making the show ending on a negative note.

Unlock the Boss The story is a big mess but Chae Jong-hyeop is a cutie!

Reborn Rich This family is really dysfonctionnal.

The Forbidden Marriage There are only 12 episodes and the King seems still in love with his late wife, so it's weird to see a love story with the FL when the SML is here...

Alchemy of Souls 2 The story will count 30 episodes and I wonder if we will know who is really the FL... We got Naksu the assassin, Mudeok the comedian and now Jin Bu-Yeon the priestess.

Revenge of Others I'm kinda tired by the violence in teen dramas without any consequences or lessons.

Recipe for Farewell I really like this one. The couple is really touching and it's nice to them acting as adult. Not a big fan of their son...

The Idol Band Battle I loved the version of the song Hyukoh's Tomboy by one of the participant. I'm excited to watch the teams performing.

𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵: I have not seen this week’s episodes yet, but Episode 11’s ending has me worried. As I said in my comments of the recap, the show will not be the same without Lee Sung Min.
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹: It’s a depressing premise, but I’m enjoying the show. A large part of it is due to Han Suk Kyu. I could listen to the man read the phone book, if we still had phone books. Watching HSK’s character cook healthy meals for his wife is so soothing. It’s not just his voice, but the careful deliberation and love he puts into each dish.
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲: That straw beard! The “channeling”! The boom-bop beat! The hammer and the nail! 🤣🤣🤣 @missvictrix, this is a show that has me squeeing and squealing! I went in with zero expectations so it’s a pleasant surprise. Please don’t disappoint me show. I’ve dropped more dramas than I’ve completed this year. 🤞🏼

Reborn Rich: 8.0 The only thing scarier than a wicked stepmother is old age. FWIW, I only have to worry about one of those.

Forbidden Marriage: 7.5 Their brand of humor is a very nice change from most historicals, but it won't be enough to carry a whole show, and the murder/politics seem conventional and uninteresting so far.

Alchemy of Souls s2: 8.0

Cheer Up: 7.4 Baddie was lame to the very end, but otherwise the ending was ok.

Behind Every Star: 8.5 The ending was better than the middle, mostly because of better than average star cameos this week.

Revenge of Others: 7.9 Ending was convoluted and a bit hard to follow, but parts were emotionally satisfying and overall the end was better than most of the rest of the show. Score is (as usual) for the week, not the whole show. BUT, when the FL joins the Marines, I hope they train her not to come so close to the baddie she has the drop on that he can knock the gun aside and turn the tables on her.

Unlock the Boss: 8.1

May I Help You: 5.5

Work Later, Drink Now 2: 6.5

Money Heist Korea 2 & Connect: __ Paused after 1 ep each. Plan to finish before next year's Bean Count.

ALCHEMY OF SOULS, 2: I have no interest in picking apart the mythology (the writers say this is Naksu's soul in Bu-yeong's body and I'm cool with that) and see our FL (as she exists right now) as the same person as she was in Part I, just without the weight and psychological damage of memory. But I do need the show to retain its sense of humor and sumptuous sets, while keeping the romance center stage. So far, I feel the switch in lead actresses has been seamless, and I don't know if it will last, but I like the way the romance has a darker, more epic feel in this season. I enjoyed Jang Uk and Mu-deok's banter in season 1, but I find the whole "Dark Uk reconciled with the true love who was forced to murder him" undercurrent to be so cracky.

MAY I HELP YOU: I'm still processing the cheap, unnecessary turn the show took in ep. 13. The twist was definitely a shock, but that's the only remotely positive thing I can say about it. Up to this point, I had some minor quibbles with the depiction of the ML's ex and the aftermath of their breakup, but other than that, I loved every beat of this drama. For me, it was the healing drama "Tomorrow" and "Wish Upon Me" so desperately wanted to be but never came close. Then I was slapped with the psychokiller plot twist kimchi and am mourning the destruction of a nuanced, beautifully executed show in its final stretch.

UNLOCK THE BOSS: Love the parodies that exist in the ML's head, and how quickly the secretary learned the truth so the two of them could navigate this grand deception and murder mystery together. This is just a fun, clever show that knows how to balance out the social commentary and corporate machinations without losing momentum or heart.

CURTAIN CALL: This show is still worth watching for me, but the central love line--which had great potential--is now sputtering to an unsatisfying conclusion. I do, however, still care about all the characters, especially the real Moon Sung, who is truly a tragic anti-hero deserving of a better lot in life. His relationship with his wife and his grandmother are the most moving ones in the show.

FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE: I've only watched some of it, but I keep wishing the actors playing the ML and SML would switch roles. That would have worked better, I think.

Alchemy of Souls : this second season have a lot of similarities with Goblin. I will believe you if you said KES is the one who wrote this. From the fact the love story begin right away even before 2 leads know each other, the way their banter going, girl could see something inside the boy and she is the only one who have power to destroy it, without knowing it could kill him, he approaches her for exactly that means, even the way some scenes were shot reminds me a lot with Goblin. With that aside, not much (?). Arin’s acting still painful to watch and I kinda wish the female leads act more rationally (I hate romance between people who don’t know basic things about each other, like, sis, he could’ve been a serial killer). On upside, the boys getting prettier and I’m staying for Jang Uk’s sarcastic remarks about everything and everyone.

Unlock the Boss : okay. I don’t hate it so far but “like” still a bit strong word for this one. But it keeps me watching. And it’s Jong Hyeop, I can’t pass him.

Cheer Up : I like this. This more like everyday life drama if you throw the prophecies plot away. Not something to deeply think about, you’ll be dissapointed like what happened to a lot of netizen who are watching this show. I definitely love how they interact to each other, the friendship feels and seems so natural. It’s a fun drama, something to come back to in the future when I need something light and happy.

Connect : the corpse arts are beautiful, but the story is definitely not an art here.

Curtain Call - I think grandma knows the truth.

Behind Every Star - Hyun-joo may be nice and all, but nothing convinced me that she has what it takes to be an agent.

Reborn Rich - Lee Sung-min is simply phenomenal in this!!

Alchemy of Souls 2 - No idea why Yul didn't recognize Naksu the second he saw her.

Connect: I forgot to talk about it last week. It was fine, but I really hate open endings. What is the point? Kim Hye Jun is starting to be typecast a little bit.

Summer Strike: A drama where everyone is actually awful except the 4 main leads. I watch for them because I like the 2L romance and the budding OTP romance as well.

Cheer Up: The fact that I managed to complete this is something I am actually sad about, lol. What a tedious drama, only saved by BIH's adorable Jung Woo.

Behind Every Star: It was fine. lol

Unlock the Boss: I really enjoy this drama. They are maintaining a good balance of comedy and drama. Also CJH is such a charmer that it all works out beautifully.

The Forbidden Marriage: PJH is really the star of this drama. She is fully carrying the load. She is funny and earnest and I believe her. The rest of the characters are fine, but she is the sun and they orbit her.

Reborn Rich: I always wait until Sunday, to watch all three at once.

Red Balloon: I look forward to trying this.

Reborn Rich : Not sure why I've never watched anything with Lee Sung Min before but his acting is amazing, his character is really fleshed out and you can feel for this old man, his sense of self and his vulnerability. Between his acting and SJK smirks, this show is really gripping. You just need to fast forward when Shin Hyun Bin comes on, I still have figured out why she is part of the main leads in the show.

Alchemy of souls 2: it may not have JSM but it still feels like home coming or meeting your good friends all over again. Best feeling I have ever from any Korean drama that had a season two, let's hope this feeling carries on to the end.

Curtain call: what a waste of a strong cast and premise, it's so bland that I wish they went makjang. And HJW saying she likes KHN? I never ever got any feeling that she viewed him more than a close cousin or brother. Just watching for my bean.

I’m watching a K dating show named Single’s Inferno! 😂🤣🤣🤣.

I know it’s scripted and all, but it’s quite fun to watch this type of dramas. You have this guy in the show that brings a report (of something I don’t know) while going for a walk with a group of people! How funny is the script! So strange! And many of the contestants hold or is studying for a US degree. It’s really catered for international audience this season.

FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE- we are excited about this one. The first episodes were a decent introduction.

ALCHEMY OF SOULS- the first two episodes of Part 2 were good. I liked the explanation for how Bu-yeon now looks like Naksu instead of Jung So-min and, if there was ever a plausible explanation for amnesia surely being petrified would be it. In any case so far Part 2 seems to be as good as part 1.

We were able to watch more episodes of the C-drama SHE AND HER PERFECT HUSBAND. It is an entertaining show.

This weekend will mark the halfway point for THREE BOLD SIBLINGS. Last weekend saw Mooyoung really trying to head things off with So-rim but she was not going to put up with that- and she does not fight fair. Besides, Mooyoung has already lost his heart to her anyway leading to a wonderful vignette to end episode 23: Her Ex having manipulated her into handwriting 100 invitations to a company event she has worked long hours to get it done- and fell asleep. Mooyoung heard about what she was doing and checked on her- then put his coat over her to keep her warm and sat down next to her to complete the task for her. Then she eventually opens her eyes and if she were not completely in love with him already this would surely have done the trick, but dramatically what it really accomplishes is to confirm to her that he really does love her. Meanwhile her younger brother took the ML’s young aunt glamping- and seduced her into a one-night stand- and said aunt’s much older sister just had a conception dream. Uh oh. To me the contrast between the two age gap side couples could not be starker: Mooyoung is wonderfully responsible but cannot help the fact that he has lost his heart, while So-rim is equally responsible towards their hearts. Younger brother is reckless in comparison while ML’s aunt is, in her own way, not really taking responsibility for her life. The age gap for the first couple does create real difficulties but ones which they are in fact both well equipped to overcome. The second couple is a disaster, but not due to an age gap. Meanwhile their vignette in Episode 24 showed us the first small breakthrough for So-rim and her Model Student of a man- Mooyoung is visibly struggling to keep himself under control and tells her to tell him to get it together- which she does “Get it together and speak the truth”- and that it is OK to be shameless for once. He apologizes for being shameless for ten seconds- and kisses her on the cheek- and then turns and rushes out, but then turns around to look back- And So-rim is smiling at him- and waiving- and he smiles and waives back. It seems so small and silly but in fact a gigantic wall has come down. This is not a story about two people falling in love- both of them are now very far past that point. This is the story of their working out how to be together and how their marriage will actually work (Foreshadowing Note: Mooyoung’s daughter would like him to marry and provide her with a...

High Kick (finished): 😭 I'm gonna miss this show so much.
The First Responders: Nice. I love firefighters, and the ML is hilarious.
Behind Every Start: I feel like this show is gonna end up "on hold" forever. I'll probably finish it eight years from now.
I Don't Want to Do Anything: this week we had the four leads together so it was easy to avoid all the toxic crap. I've never ff so hard in my life tbh.
Unlock the Boss: I want more comedy. Tbh, I don't care who ends with the power and I don't care about the company.
Forbidden Marriage: this love triangle is going to destroy me. I know it.
The FL is everything. That woman is hilarious, I love her.
Oh My Assistant: wtf. How can things escalate this fast in one episode of ten minutes? I thought it was a dream. All the angst and confessions and lies came out of nowhere.
3BSibilings: Auntie and maknae (don't get the wrong idea people), are pregnant, cool. But how are they gonna make the family accept the CEO? I bet those two are getting together in episode 49.
The Love in Your Eyes: someone throw that snake to the forest please, she doesn't belong in the city.
Fan letter, Please (finished): Awwwwwwwwwwww.
Today's Webtoon: that's the wrong ship, writer-nim. You literally have Daniel over there, wachu doing.
Drink Now, Work Later 2: My girls are back! Yay!
Semantic Error (rewatch): my boys are still adorable.

Current/recent:
May I Help You?: WHAT just happened? The moral dilemmas and questions of guilt were a major theme in this show and suddenly there aren’t any.
The Forbidden Marriage: So funny. A perfect combination of silly and clever. The word ‘romp’ was invented for this show.
Alchemy of Souls Part 2: Well, it’s neither as good as it could be nor as bad as feared yet, but the addictiveness is back in full force. So far the number of times Wook drinks something without investigating it or thinking it through is outrunning the number of hugs. For the sake of his liver and our hearts, that needs to reverse.

Older stuff:
Tracer part 2: This is such a well-written show and I can’t quite believe I’m finding accounting so thrilling - but I couldn't stop noticing Siwan’s plum lipstick after all the mentions in recent threads here. Thanks, Summer Strike, for ruining all the things! 😂

I don’t want to jinx it but after 4 episodes Unlock the Boss is still providing thought provoking and silly entertainment. The theme of what is real is one that has been dealt with many times in movies and shows, but this show is dealing with it in an appealing way, in part because the male lead is such a likable Everyman. It’s giving off strong Gaus Electronics vibes to me, not because it’s anything like it, but because it’s a really well done show flying under the radar. I hope it continues to be good, and gets more than .03% viewer ratings.

Wanting for once in my life, to be part of the popular crowd, my wife and I watched two episodes of Reborn Rich. Of course its polished and entertaining—the cool kids always are. Since it was late at night, I dozed off near the end, and when I woke up, I felt like a new man, and, wouldn’t you know, there was 24 billion won stacked in my living room!

Realizing I’d gone back into the past, I rushed to take advantage of my foreknowledge, but I couldn’t remember what exactly had happened! I called my financial advisor, and had her put all the money into kdrama productions, seeking to take advantage of the Hallyu before it occurred. Alas, I forgot about the Netflix effect—I had invested in old style 60 episode family melodramas, rather than 8 episode glittery violent thrillers. So I lost everything. Ah well, easy come, easy go, as we say in the world of reincarnation!

Forbidden Marriage: I had low expectations, so I'm so happy to find myself loving this drama so much. It reminds me a bit of 100 Days My Prince in terms of balancing humor and romance. Everything feels lush and gorgeous and romantic. And I love the relatable modern touches. I rarely get SLS, but my heart is already breaking for Shin-won! Can't we just clone So-rang?

Alchemy of Souls P2 The bad: I'm super upset that Buyeon is just gone and that the Jin leader is now cray-cray! I also really wished they didn't wait months between parts. And I'm a little tired of contract marriages. The good: The PD, Hong sisters' signature humor and energy, and Go Yoon-jung (who is able to replicate some of JSM's original delivery) are making it work. Heartbroken LJW/Wook makes me want to accept Naksu 2.0 as his Mudeokie. Also the three deliverymen - happy to recognize 2 out of the 3. And LOL everyone got simplified/modernized hairstyles. I don't think fashion even changes that fast and drastically in modern times. Guess it saves time!

Under the Queen's Umbrella (up to ep 4) Started this. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I enjoy how it's a bit of a lot of things - comedy, family drama, political drama (specifically inner court politics), mystery. It's a sageuk that doesn't follow a formula. This is what you get when you center a sageuk on women rather than on men or on a young couple.

We have finished From now on Showtime, and as for too many dramas the end is a let down. However it was fun, and the ghosts are cute.
Since we are both going in our families for Christmas, we did not start a new drama together. Ok, that's also because I have not interest in seeing Please send a fan letter.
I am back in Daewo ! Alchemy of Souls Season 2: Light and Shadow started strongly last week. Ep3 feels flatter, but still there a lot that happened.
Maybe I do not want to compare, so I choose something quite opposite in Blood. I'm still at the beginning, so the part that is not so bad.

This is the first time ever I have watched two shows and one movie simultaneously in one week.

Someday or One Day I love time-travel, and many things about this show were done very well. I loved both male leads. They both had incredible characterization and execution. And I liked the past female lead. I liked the mood, the feelings, the relationships. But I didn't like the present day female lead. She wasn't a bad character herself, but I just couldn't get behind a 27 year old woman romancing a 17 year old boy. Or two! So I felt completely disconnected with her. I heaved a sigh of relief at the ending we got.
The only thing very badly done was the villain storyline.

Bossam: Steal the Fate I love it if I stop myself from watching 3 episodes a day. Classic sageuks aren't made to be consumed that way, and I have to keep reminding myself that. It is moody, lovely, and sharp, in a slow way. Oh and I LOVE the ost.

Mood of the Day One of the worst movies in the history of... whatever. This movie was everything that a romance, and a relationship, shouldn't be. I hated every second of it.

Alchemy of Souls is back! Please Hong sisters, don't kill our OTP off and have them meet in the next life! That is not a happy ending in my book, and Jang Uk and Cho Yeong deserve a happy ending in this life.

Also rewatching Thirty but Seventeen (so sweet and pure) and Live Up To Your Name (Kim Nam Gil is great).

i had to rewatch all eps of Reborn Rich because i couldn't follow what was happening after last weekend's episodes. seems like i literally slept thru eps 5-7, i know i didn't skip them... must be my old brain.

at any rate, i noticed for the first time the opening sequences where everyone's faces change. i usually skip the intros, as i'm impatient to start any new drama... this is what i get.

noticed especially grandma's discerning stare... super creepy!

I'm still working my way through Stove League. Every episode they start talking baseball and I think this is going to be boring, then it gets interesting.

Coincidentally, I started rewatching Becoming a Billionaire and forgot Namgoong Min was in that, too.

Right now it seems like a break in watchable dramas ( I know Alchemy of Souls is back out but I’ll have to take a day over the holidays to binge because I can’t deal with all the beautiful angst during normal life.) so I’ve been watching other things.
The storytelling and lines in Wednesday are completely amazing. It’s an oft told tale: High School angst at a boarding school for fantastical teenagers, but they managed to give it a really fresh spin. I also love how they used the Adams family lore so expertly. Thing should get a supporting actor award.
I also love, love Slow Horses on Apple+ Amazing snarky writing in that one too. I love how they lovingly insult each other.

I'm really enjoying The Forbidden Marriage, which is giving me the worst SLS in my kdrama watching experience so far. I couldn't stop watching the end of ep 4 over and over again lol and it doesn't help that I loved Kim Woo Seok in the first few episodes of Military Prosecutor Doberman as a villain. I dropped that drama after a few episodes but it looks like I'll be going back to it soon because TFM has reminded me how good he was!

This show has also cemented my love for Park Ju Hyun, and I'll definitely keep following her dramas. If anyone wants to watch her in another fun, quirky 12-ep comedy, I recommend Zombie Detective!

To watch: I'm counting down the days til Island premieres on Dec 30th!

Weak Hero Class 1—Amazing! Really enjoyed the story, and I’m sad one of the characters will not be following us into Part 2.

New Life Begins—What a sweet story of love and friendship. I wish there were more dramas like it. A palace story where the politics and romance is the least important thread. Everything was so colorful and beautiful. I will remember it for a long time.

Forbidden Marriage—I think I’m fully on-board now. The first week was hard for me to get into. I didn’t expect a realistic story, but I couldn’t get over how casually the FL treated the KING. It completely took me out of the moment. But this week was a lot of fun. Already so sad for the SML—they were engaged. My heart can’t handle such stories.

Alchemy Part 2—I’m glad the story seems to be moving somewhat quickly by episode 3. Kind of odd how the writers are pushing FL onto the ML when they don’t know each other. It makes me somewhat uncomfortable, especially as I remember Mudeok. It almost feels like she’s trying to make ML cheat on Mudeok lol. How is everyone more handsome than they were in Part 2. Jin Bu Yeon and Yul are so funny together. And Jang Uk all broody is so much fun!

Summer Strike—Siwan is so lovely! Daebum, summer vibes, and library vibes are great. I wish there was more to it though.

I swore not to continue Eden 2, or start Single’s Inferno 2. But I guess I couldn’t help it. I feel silly watching them, but they’re so entertaining! Are they really scripted?

- This week we have finished 25-21. I didn't know I would love this series so much. The first episodes I wasn't hooked at all but then everything went better and now I know I will miss these five lovely people. I can't stop hearing some songs of the OST, being the one called 25-21 (Jaurim) my favorite.

- Alchemy of Souls Season 1. (Twelve episodes so far). I was looking forward to starting this drama. But to my surprise I was quite bored until episode 9. Now I'm enjoying it a bit more.

- Six Flying Dragons. Three episodes so far. This is too good. I'm really into epic sageuks.

- The Package. Yesterday I watched the first three episodes. I would have prefered it without the sad secondary plotline, but I'm loving the rest of the show and I'm enjoying the journey and sightseeing. It seems like I am one more in the group.

I just watched the first episode of Summer Strike and I really hope the series is as good as it sounds until now. I like the tone, the atmosphere and the lead actress that I didn't know.

I tried to watch Through The Darkness , which many of you loved here, but I'm afraid the genre doesn't suit my preferences. Way too slow and dark.

I am enjoying the romantic Cdramas Since I met You , New Life Begins and Moonlight. The petite and feminine Chinese actresses are truly a sight to behold and it is so easy to fall in love with them.

Finished Cheer Up
I had so much fun with this drama! So many tears, so many smiles in the final episodes. The last half hour the drama just celebrated itself and its loveable cast, with multiple couples, cheers, flashbacks and a jump to the present – I just sat there with a huge grin on my face. Sure, the thriller element wasn’t really necessary, and plot development in the middle was slow especially with the multiple postponements, but the adorable romance, the chemistry between all of the cast and the captivating cheering more than made up for that.
b>Curtain Call
This drama has gotten so much better after Ep.8. It is really interesting and compelling how everyone is trying to figure out if a reveal of the true grandson would be in their own best interests, but they all also consider Halmeoni. But she knows, too… The confession scene didn’t really get me, where was the romance in the last episodes? I didn’t see any lingering glances or closeness between our main couple, only from Yun Hee to Jae Hyun…
Reborn Rich
This is getting even better; the ending of Ep. 10 was stunning. And the acting is the best. I saw some behind the scenes footage, and now I realize how detailed the actors and the director are in every aspect; impressive! But again, I do not really feel the romance. And where is alternative Do Joon?
Finished Revenge of Others
Everything came together in the last episodes; we knew that neither Gi Osung nor Jae Beom couldn’t be trusted. A satisfying ending to a really good youth drama – but Weak Hero Class 1 was even better.
May I Help You
Instead of a separation, we get a cliffhanger at the end of Ep.14… this time I was thankful for the preview clips for the next episode. The real story about little brother’s death is hard to take, how can you be so cruel and only think about yourself and your career when a boy is dying in the street? And a mother’s grief about a baby’s death – more tears and emotions. But I really like this kind of drama, also loved Tomorrow, Move To Heaven, If You Wish Upon Me.
Summer Strike
Not too special, but still a good watch.
Unlock My Boss
I’m at episode 4, still unsure if this is worth my time. I expected fun and games, but yet again we’re getting conspiracies and office politics… The fact that our boss has a little daughter and really cares for her is a big plus! Again, the child actress is adorable and talented. And of course the bonus of looking at potato boy’s infectious smile 😊
KDrama friend project:
Still watching You Are My Spring, I enjoy it a lot. And we both refrained from starting Alchemy Of Souls because we want to watch it together, but both were sick and couldn’t meet up.