This is more about what I'm NOT watching. Some years ago, the "PRIME-TIME DRAMAS AIRING THIS WEEK" list used to include ones from "major" channels (KBS, MBC, SBS) for Mon-Tue, Wed-Thu, and Fri-Sun, which means 9 or 10 dramas altogether. Now, there are two from KBS (My Perfect Stranger and The Real Has Come) and one from SBS (Dr. Romantic). None from MBC.

So, 3 instead of 9 or 10. Why? What happened?

ngl, I came here to complain about King the Land, but I see a number of positive comments - what did you see that I didn't? Honestly, I'm a Junho fan, but the first episode seems to confirm that he takes himself too seriously (I always suspected it) and the plot? urgh. What supposedly stellar employee would rush to do her sunbae's bidding, by running to a guest room which she has apparently never seen (despite having worked in the same hotel for 5 years), and then 1. go to the bathroom in said guest's room and 2. sit on the toilet playing with the electronic controller? Like, is she getting back any quicker than if she had just used the staff toilets in the first place?
In other CDrama news, loved Back to the Brink, and have started Snow Sword Stride (thank you Beanie recommendations).
In JDrama News, a fun lightweight watch is Ousama ni Sasagu Kusuriyubi and I am waiting for the 10th and final episode to binge watch the ending.

Doctor Cha I like the ending. As I said when I started this, I only wanted her to divorce that fool and pursue her medical career which she did. I didnt mind she did not reciprocate Roy's feelings. She has been kind to him but only treated him as a friend. Her reasoning was sound and if she does not feel the same she should not force herself to like him out of any other reason but love.
Tale 1938 I enjoyed S2 much more than I expected. The bromance, friendships and everything in between was on pointe. It is not perfect in any means but I still loved it. I dont like the loose end of the original mountain god. I suppose they need a S3 to explore that. I hope Hong Joo will be in S3 as well as my other favorites. This will be a definite rewatch for me.
My Perfect Stranger Since it was not Mi Sook or any of the other suspects. I always considered it may be his estranged mom. But for it to be his other parent is still heartbreaking. With two episodes to go, another supect may still turn up right? Because if it is him, why would he kill Hae Jun in the future.
Delightfuly Deceitful Two Kim Dong Wooks in one week is not confusing for me. I enjoy the weekly con and how Ro Um and Moo Young break expectations. I like how smart they both are as they try to outmaneuvre the other every week. I also like a good mystery. I want to know who the president is. I think he/she may be closer to our leads.
Happiness Battle this is the most dramas that I am watching weekly. I surprise myself that I am even watching this since this show was not in my radar. But Lee El in a drama should not be passed up. I am waiting on her to go full crazy on that mean Mom group. Lee El will be amazing when its time for her to avenge her sister.

DROPPED:
Brain Works:Half an episode was enough to confirm that this one fell into the fatal “wacky” category.

The Package:Another early exit due to excessive wackiness, coupled with a boatload (or should I say planeload) of annoying characters.

IN PROGRESS:
Familiar Wife: 12/16. Just when my attention begins to flag, it snaps back with some inventive plot twist. I had a hard time forcing myself to turn off the tv at the 12 episode cliffhanger, which managed to surprise me—twice!

Something I’ve noticed with this show is that there are so many directions the story could go at various points, each with its own intriguing possibilities. One of the missed opportunities, I think, was in making Hye-Won so unlikeable; there would have been more at stake for Joo-Hyuk if he had had to choose between two women who would each make excellent spouses. For the most part, I’m not minding the plot holes, except this one: if Joo-Hyuk vaulted into the future and found his life had gone in a completely different direction, how could he know anything about the life of the alternate-reality Joo-Hyuk? Wouldn’t everyone think he’d come down with a case of amnesia?

FINISHED:
Happy Valley, season 3: Despite the seven-year gap from season 2, the show barely skipped a beat. Unfortunately, the ending seems to preclude a season 4. Writer Sally Wainwright and the brilliant actress Sarah Lancashire were paired up in one of my other favorite series, Last Tango in Halifax. I moved that one into my rewatch queue.

I've been watching a mix of old and new dramas, mostly because most of the new dramas, while a fun watch, haven't really grabbed my heart.

Finished
- Angels last mission Love: Smaltzy, but nice to see the world of ballet depicted on screen. FL's relatives were a bit bonkers in their nefariousness, but that's classic kdrama logic armour. I wasn't sold on the romance either, but meh it's not as bad as other pairings I've seen before
- Bloodhounds. I LOVED the fight scenes, laughed out loud at the marines propaganda, and omg Siwon really resembles Armie Hammer! I really loved the first episodes where the show seemed to want to explore the effects of COVID on everyday koreans, tho this was quickly forgotten. I finished this only because of the fight scenes; the bromance felt super forced and the lead trio seemed to share one brain cell.
- Tale of the Nine Tailed - 1938: A fun watch, but it ended up requiring turning off my brain way too much for my liking. Our heroes survived simply b/c the writer wanted them to, they really had no plans. KSY was a standout, she had this feline way of moving that was such a hoot to watch. Excellent world-building too, with the sets and costumes really brining that era to life!
- Stealer: The Treasure Keeper: Fun watch, lots of heist-tropes, and a lost opportunity to showcase some of Korean's extensive history, but it was a nice way to relax after a long day at work. All characters did a solid job, and the sets (esp. those in the baddie's safehouse) were rad.
- The Secret Romantic Guesthouse: I feel like I forced myself to finish this. I was intrigued by the guardian storyline but by the end, didn't really care.

Dropped:
- Oh My Ladylord: Why did I even start this one? Lol, I liked the FL in the first few episodes, but they de-fanged her pretty quickly which was around the time I lost interest.
- Family: the unbreakable bond: I love Jang Nara, love Lee Jeong Mook zany-ness, love the Mr & Mrs. Smith setup, but man, this show, wth.
- Marriage contract: Felt like a classic early-aughts drama but without the crack factor.
- Bo Ra! Deborah: Not really sure why Yoo In Na picked this. Most characters in this were kinda unlikeable, which in the hands of a different writer, would have made for an interesting watch.

Anticipating:
- See you in my 19th life: SHS! The first two episodes were beautifully directed, and the drama did better than most in showing how the FL got so attached to the ML. Hope the show continues to build on this, tho I foresee some run-of-the-mill chaebol power struggle in the upcoming episodes, ugh.

I'm hoping the upcoming dramas pull me out of my drama slump and I get shows I can sink my teeth into.

So many great suggestions in this thread! I was undecided on Into the Ring and F4, but there seem to be lots of reasons to get on the bandwagon. The OST for F4 is certainly pleasing which for me is a springboard for watching anything.

Finished Bloodhounds. The fight scenes and bromance, including with the ahjusshis, were the only reason to make it through. And what in the world with the female roles. That was a disappointment.

King the Land and See You in my 19th Life were a great taste of things to come. And both shows really made me consider changing my skincare routine. I too would like to have translucent skin at all times!

Help! I just started watching Call It Love on HULU, and the only subtitle option I can find is actually closed captioning. The extraneous text describing the sound effects is driving me crazy. Has anyone found a way to watch with just the subtitles?

Dropped "The Real Has Come." For some reason I find the drama tiresome and very unrealistic. It probably will end with our couple finally in a happy marriage and everyone in the family being pleased and happy finding joy when 3 newborns emerged. Se-Jin and Jun-Ha will be a couple and both of them no longer welcomed by everyone. I fail in the desire to continue watching Se-Jin and Jun-Ha getting in the way of the MLs and theie ridiculous efforts to separate them. Enough is enough!

Instead I chance upon a Cdrama "Hidden Love 2023." I just finished episode 2 and really enjoyed the plot. It is a story of a young elementary school girl meeting her older brother's room mate and their interactions as she came of age. There is a 7 years age gap between the MLs. No evil baddies or interfering grandmas or MiL so far and I am hoping none will appear. It is an ongoing drama and as far as I know 4 episodes has been released with more expected soon. I beleive this will be a light hearted RomCom and an easy watch.