LIVE WATCHES
Destined with You
I’m still on the front lines here, in love with the show beyond reasonable measure. Episodes 11-12 had most of the live-watch community irritated with the tropes, irritated with the OTP, irritated with the 2FL. No one seems irritated at the 2ML anymore, though, which suits me. Giraffes-schmeeraffes. Team Otter all the way.

Parallel Worlds (c-drama)
I’m enjoying the Fan Wall conversations on this so much…the show itself is mainly silly, until the FL smiles. At this point, I imagine that I, too, would pretty much do anything to be the cause of one of her full-faced smiles.

FROM THE RESERVES
Mad Dog
A few beanies are still moving forward on this as a group, although thanks in large part to @sicarius (who was a live-watcher and fan of the drama), we also now recognize that the draw of seeing Woo Do-hwan and his lady love together has always been the “only real point” of this show. That’s totally fine with me! I think each episode is about to get much shorter due to the 10-second skip button. Who's in charge of the post this week? Should I just make WDH gifs and we can call it a day?

ON DECK
Worst of Evil
I started this, but had to turn it off when I saw how they were going to play up how much the loving married couple was going to get torn apart by their own decision making. So, here’s my plan. I’m gonna wait until all the episodes are posted and then I’m going to fast-forward through it pausing only on scenes of intense, violent gore and chain smoking. Moving, I fear, has turned me into a monster.

Twinkling Watermelon: Awww I enjoyed these first two episodes. It fully shows the follies of youth and honestly for once the trauma makes sense, but it isn’t debilitating. Eun Gywol is so precious and his relationship with his family is excellent also. You totally feel the pressure that not only his family puts him under, but that he puts on himself. My only hope is that I continue to enjoy it.

Destined with You: SIGH, lol. I am now solely watching to see what happens with Jae Kyung. He is my favorite character. The OTP does nothing for me, although I did laugh when Hong Ju wrapped her entire body around Shun Yu’s leg. The break up was inevitable and tedious. We have 4 episodes left and I hope they show more of Jae Kyung.

The Worst of Evil: It was fine. I didn’t mind the pace of his integration into the gang, It is only 12 episodes and the story is about Jun Mo and Gi cheul, so they needed to get there fast. That being said it takes less than 10 mins to do character development. They have skipped that important aspect of story building. Luckily it isn’t completely absent so I will continue on watching.

Arthdal: It is happening and I am watching, lmao.

I used to be so busy with dramas, What happened? lol

CRICKET - World cup and October is up

Only 10 teams - yeah It's a world cup -

Seems like matches gonna be quite competitive - Teams aren't as much far from each other but if pitches are flat then big teams not gonna have any troubles.

I watched 2015 world cup and 2019 world cup properly.

And from 2019 onwards i've made cricket a main event which i bring in every week. I still am a casual viewer.

2011 wrld cup was loud - good advertising -

2015 world cup was a hit too with slightly less loud approach

2019 world cup in England had very little PR and advertising but matches made up for it.

Let's see how this world cup goes. All is on 10 teams now.

The Killing Vote: I’ll watch the episode for this week later today, but I looooved last episode when we got the full backstory. This whole drama is tragic on so many levels, and all our leads are so flawed but I still sympathize with them so much. I hope that Ji-hoon comes out of this story with a good ending. He’s been through way more than enough for his young life and I’m always glad when Min completely ignores his efforts to distance himself. The dynamic between Soek-joo and Mu-chan is something I could watch forever. So glad these two actors reunited in this (extremely different) drama.

The Song of the Bandits: I’m finished with 7 of 9 and am getting very worried that everyone is going to be dead by the end of this drama. But we got the teamup I’ve been waiting for from the beginning! Some of the choreography with Lee Yoon and Eon Nyeon-i kicking @$$ and taking names was just as cool as I was hoping it would be.

Moving: Finished this just a little behind the live-watchers. My partner and I both really loved it, but there were parts in the last stretch where you could tell they were being a little too webtoon-accurate. The clapping guy was a really tragic story, and I understand he was there to drive home the point of all of these people being victims of their governments, but it was a bit much to spend that amount of time introducing another new character right at the end. Still, a truly great drama. I will happily watch other in-universe dramas that come out later.

Finished:
Showtime Begins: This was lovely! It got better and better as it went on, and provided one of the nicest happiest endings I've seen. I really enjoyed the humor, but also the heart. And of course, themes of enduring love and forgiveness across lifetimes are also favorites for me. I appreciated that the FL was a good and competent person/officer, that the ML became warm and empathetic believably, and that the ghosts were just as important to the plot as they were for comedy.

Previously-Aired:
Mad Dog: (through ep 6) Woo Do Hwan is the best part.

C-dramas:
Parallel World is the bee's knees, y'all. I love it. The ACTION, the ROMANCE, the MYSTERY, the ROOSTERS.
What more could you want??? And oh my gosh, the plot twists!!! Everything from ep 26 onward has been craaaazy. There's still time to get caught up if you want to give it a try! The 30-min episodes fly by.

Still slowly watching (and enjoying) Joy of Life. Thanks to Beanie recommendations last week, I now have more Zhang Ruo Yun dramas on my list!

Twinkling Watermelon (Episode 1-2) - Mood: C+
You can tell that we’re in the hands of an experienced writer, given how they wrapped up the initial setup: it’s easy to throw Byung Ho away as a plot device but instead, we see the repercussions of overprotective parenting (though yeah I rolled my eyes when Byung Ho’s mom spotted Eun Gyeol by coincidence, setting up yet another conflict). Still, despite the potential, I think that the writer will have a headache trying to maintain a cohesive time slip narrative. But regardless of what happens, I trust Choi Hyun Wook to elevate the show: he’s such a talent and I hope this project will be a good choice for him.

The Kidnapping Day (Episode 5-6) - Mood: C
Sigh, with one-note characters like Jayden, it’s hard for me to appreciate the narrative because all of it boils down to greed and money, which by itself has never made a compelling story. And they’re making it way too obvious that Jayden’s lackey, the one who had a rooftop chat with Myeong Jun, will eventually switch sides. But we’ll see if the 2nd half can surprise me?

Destined With You (Episode 11-12) - Mood: D-
Ah, the third quarter break up trope, the perfect development for a k-drama. And of course he stabbed her in the past: that is truly a groundbreaking twist for a show dealing with fate and destiny. Then there’s Jae Kyung, whose father conveniently pops up for $$$ just as he’s being bribed? As for the other characters, I don’t really have anything to comment about them.

Current/recent:
Moving: The finale was generally satisfying AND left me wanting more - more family, more high-stakes intrigue, more tonkatsu, but not more headsmashing violence.
Destined With You: It’s getting wobbly but the scenes with the rolling chair and the chummy assistant are keeping me in it. They’re the real OTP.
My Lovely Boxer: Waiting to watch the last two episodes at the same time. Can the smarmy vice-principal please just buzz off?
The Kidnapping Day: This show is darned near perfect (with the glaring exception of the nonsensical HIV story). Ro-hee is the best character in a drama this year.
A Time Called You (through ep. 8): Plus: allowed gay characters some joy, unlike the original. Minus: still buried them. Jeon Yeo-been is terrific. Now I’m just watching for the pretty and not worrying about the plot.

Older shows:
Mad Dog: Now this is fun. It doesn’t always make a lot of sense, but everything suddenly snaps into place when Woo Do-hwan is on my screen.

Arthdal Chronicles 2 - I'm loving this a lot. Tanya has basically turned herself into a political player, far from Arthdal Chronicles 1's Tanya. Tagon came to question her about the wealth her shrine is accumulating? Show him the reality of things and negotiate with him with it. Dang! Taehala and Tagon hold her at gunpoint : Threaten them in a way I didn't see coming but definitely stopped me in my tracks. The look on Taehala's face... priceless.
I really like the independent sort of relationship the Hae Fortress has with Arthdal. I'm a fan of such settings cause it's like a power struggle between the main power and a lesser power that has autonomy from the main.
I'm trying to separate Kim Ok-vin in Love To Hate You from Taehala in Arthdal Chronicles. They're polar opposites, except for their fighting skills of course.

The Kidnapping Day - My current weekday delight. This one is a gem. Jayden is a force. The scene at the beach with Ro-hee and Myeong-jun - raw.
Kim Sang-ho is sealing himself with playing a hurt husband who lost his loved one and he's doing it perfectly well. I didn't expect that twist with Hye-eun. But it makes it possible to think that Hye-eun has Cheol-won indebted to her so he's doing her whims.
Can someone advice Myeong-jun to go for an HIV test.

Live Your Own Life - I'm looking forward to this week's installment. There's this solidarity between Tae-ho and Tae-min. I love it. I know it'll likely get strained over time but I'm savoring it for now. Hyo-sung's wife, Hyo-shim's youngest brother and her mom are taking the thumb up for being irritating characters. I'm looking carefully at the one who's studying the bar exam. He already has the leech trait inherent of the Lee family, I'm carefully side eyeing which angle of leech he's gonna display. I'm guessing the homeless girl is the missing Kang daughter.
Granny is one of my favs. Lee boy child had better not have caused halmoni's death.

Survival : Escape of the Seven - It's nonsensical. Just when I was glad a character was out for Da-mi's proof of innocence, he's killed off in the most stupid way possible. 5 deaths in episode 4, how many will be left living at the end of this series. 1.45 playback to the rescue cause I don't think I can watch this on normal playback. I'd just give up.
I'm guessing Eom Ki-joon is finally showing up next week.

Destined With You - I'm loving this with the recaps more. So after all that hype about Jae-kyung's family issues aka dad issues, it is to use that overused trope that doesn't add any substance to his plight. Lazy writing at its peak.
Hong-joo's naivete dumb attitude is to the superlative degree. It's not endearing at all, not does it evokes pity or compassion. It evokes a disdainful scorn from me.

I watched the movie The Concubine and I really liked it. I really don't know why Hwa-yeon murdered Sung-woon when it was crystal clear that his guy...

Twinkling Watermelon
The band and the magical guitar (I bet it is Eungyeol's father's) is surprisingly leaving me cold and disinterested, but everything about Eungyeol's hearing impaired family has my full attention (and heart) and that culminating fight with Father was such a strong moment... and so heartbreaking. 💔

Destined
I'm glad that the funny is back and instead of Creepy Stalker and his Evil Plant I will put my attention on Cooking With Hajoon and enjoy all the Silly Dating of The Bear And The Giraffe. (And some PPTs of Mr. Gong ). 🙂

I have also started Parallel World (so far 2eps only) and I relax with daily Unpredictable Family and weekender Live Your Own Life.

Behind Your Touch: 7.5 Too many misdirects this week, not enough cute animals.

Song of the Bandits: 7.4 (ep 5 / end)
Well, by comparison they actually made Moving look subtle, calm and believable. Also good. Don't forget "good".
This time Seolhyun's character is not Jinxed, not even At First.
Rushing to finish this gives me an excuse not to finish A Time Called You Maybe Next Week.
At least here we don't have sinister Americans being baddies in the background.

Twinkling Watermelon: 2.1 I'd rather watch serial killers than school bullies. Out at 21:23 of day 1.

My Lovely Boxer: 7.6

Destined With You: 7.0 Jo Boa is still doing great facial expressions, but that's not enough to carry the story.

Han River Police: 3.0 On a beans-to-boredom ratio a 6-episode 3.0 is better than a 16-ep 6.0. I have no regrets.

The Kidnapping Day: 8.0 I suppose the plot had to move "forward", but Inevitable Kdrama Complications aren't as much fun to watch as the kid and the kidnapper. Also, kid gets her hands on a phone and all she does is check the news? I hope next week we get a flashback of her calling or texting the police or something.

The Worst of Evil: 5.5 (Just for ep 1) Well, at least it's not the worst of Disney.

Killing Vote: __ They voted to kill this week's episode? No great loss.

So many dramas and not enough time!

BEHIND YOUR TOUCH: Oof, I did not expect that twist in the story! It packed a punch. Clearly, both Gwang-Sik and Seon-Woo knew who the killer was. I wonder why Seon-Woo called Ye-Bun to his cabin late at night when he knew the killer was on the loose. Was it to protect her or was there any other motive?

LEGEND OF FUYAO: Episode 47-49. It is time for Zhan Beiye to reclaim his inheritance. The action has shifted to Heavenly Fiend. As expected, Qi Zhen is still alive.

MY LOVELY BOXER: Lee Kwon Suk has decided to fight to win! She is still adamant that she will retire but at least she will not retire as a loser. The hug that she gave Tae Young was everything as was the confession. I hope the story has a happy ending.

THE KIDNAPPING DAY: Poor Ro-Hee. Never to have played, never to have really laughed, and never to have wet her feet in the ocean. I choked up when she asked Myeong Jun to lie to her that he was her dad if she ever lost her memory again. The ones closest to her see her as an experimental subject. Only Myeong Jun sees her for what she really is. I hope in the end Myeong Jun, Ro Hee and Hae hee live together.

COMPLETED:-

*My Lovely Liar* - Another one of those shows that I wish I had dropped when it started going downhill. Kim So-Hyun carried this one but she deserved better. 5.5 out of 10

*WhyRU Korea* - Cute and funny. Could have been so much better if it wasn't made on a shoestring budget. 7.5 out of 10 Stars

*Remarriage and Desires* - Was a cracky makjang for two-thirds of the runtime, and then became an illogical mess. Still wasn't a bad watch overall, though I wish the main romance was more fleshed out. 6.5 out of 10 Stars

WATCHING:-

*CEO-dol Mart* (6/10) - This cute little show is fast becoming my favorite on-air drama. A simple narrative, ernest youngsters and heartwarming friendships - just what you need after a hard day at work. Cherry on top - there are zero fillers! This 10-episode drama isn't wasting a single minute on unnecessary side characters.

*Sparkling Watermelon* (2/16) - I was invested during the ML's childhood phase but felt disconnected once he grew up. They don't seem to be the same person (maybe because the child is the better actor of the two). The other older actors and their younger versions also don't match. Will try one more episode and see if I can keep watching this one.

*Live Your Own Life* (3/50) - Have only binge watched weekend shows till now, this is my first time live watching one. It's been an easy watch till now even with all the character introductions. I identify a lot with the FL and want to see her journey to realizing that she needs to love herself more than her parasite family. It's so realistic that the mother is the enabler for the brothers' lack of responsibility.

*Destined With You* (12/16) - Miss the bickering and 'get-a-grip' Sin-Yu. But Sin-Yu just being his handsome self is also good enough ;) The show isn't as addictive now as it was in the first half but I'm not bored (well, except when those two annoying girls working with Hong-Jo get too much screentime). Let's get the inevitable break-up over and done with next week.

*My Lovely Boxer* (10/12) - The preview at the end of Ep 10 was scary. I will wait till next week to watch the last 2 episodes together. This better not have a tragic ending!

*(Thailand) Naughty Babe* (4/8) - This show is so much fun when it is ridiculous and campy. But when it tries to get serious, its shallowness becomes its weakness. Hope it gets back to reveling in its absurdity after the lackluster Ep 4.

*(Thailand) I Feel You Linger In The Air* (6/12) - The love confession had me kicking my feet in the air! Yai is such a swoony ML with his kind eyes and old world charm. The gentle yearning between Yai and Jom has me in its grip!

@mistyisles
Haha, I was the one who didn't know and wondered how he fit into the story and then was surprised at the very end. 😄

Slooooow week:

DESTINED WITH YOU: Ugh. Still love it, though there was a “slight discomfort” with episode 12, like others mentioned. 😅 I’m pretty invested in the show, would really love to know about all the OTP past life epic love story/heartbreak, and instead, I’m now swayed by the 2ML. LOL! I still like Rowoon, I do, which is why my second watch is…

THE KING’S AFFECTION: Yes, I confess I had this sitting on the shelf, watched until episode 8 or 9 when it came out, and now re-started it. Funny how it’s pushed on my Netflix start page all of a sudden… (To be honest I was sitting there yesterday and wondering who on earth all these characters were. 🤓 Will have to do some characters/synopsis checking before I can continue, lol!)

And I cannot muster the courage yet to watch the last two episodes of A TIME CALLED YOU. 😖 I need to be in the correct mindset to do so, so it’s stalled right now.

My Lovely Boxer I would have prefered they didn't wait for the last episode to show the match but show like it was just a step in her future life.

Twinkling Watermelon It was quite disapointing to be honest. The past part didn't feel nostalgic and the characters were just copies of the actor's past characters. The present part was more interesting but very cliché. I was a little bit disapointed by the music scenes.

Destined With You It was lovely to see them finally happy and not lonely anymore. Hong-Jo has finally someone in her life to share moments, her feelings, her fears. Shin-Yu finally opened himself to another person. Sadly, they will have to understand their past lives to be happy.

Behind Your Touch I wasn't sad for the 2ML. I never liked him as a character or how he was acted.

Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun I'm behind... I guess I will watch it when I have nothing else.

The Worst of Evil The first episode wasn't great...

Han River Police I didn't realize there were only 6 episodes. But it was good a thing. The drama was like a long movie. There was no character I cared about. Kwon Sang-Woo was the I don't follow rule typical cop, Kim Hee-Won was his usual the less I do, the better I feel, Shin Hyun-Seung was the typical cute rookie (but he looked way too thin), Bae Da-Bin was really not an interesting character...

CEO-dol Mart I can already smell future conflict between Ho-Rang and Tae-Ho over Ye-Rim... Team Ho-Rang :p

I’VE FALLEN FOR YOU (CH) –My ribs actually hurt watching this show. Every character is a hoot and my only disappointment is that I don’t speak Mandarin because I know 80% of the puns and jokes are flying over my head.
Imagine a tropey period love story with characters who are square pegs in round holes. They appear to fit the typical fill-in-the-blank role, but you quickly find out no one is quite sane in this world. For example, the second male lead typically falls for the heroine and supports her when the ML is being an idiot, yet he is also prone to poetic monologues that bore everyone to tears (the actor has the best straight delivery in these scenes). The drama is somehow completely ridiculous and yet equally believable and I think it comes down to the tongue-in-cheek tone as well as the fact that the actors are obviously enjoying themselves.

EVER NIGHT (CH)--This coming of age, underdog fantasy is my treat during the week.
With the trailers for the second season of Joy of Life making me mad with impatience, I gave the other Mao Ni novel adaptation a chance, and found to my delight I am enjoying it. The execution is completely different, but the story is just as immersive. I am reading the novel as I watch and it is a fascinating experience.
The acting is excellent (so many veteran actors to support the young cast), the shots of the diverse landscapes of China are breathtaking, and the writing is able to keep up with the sprawling storylines. I am almost done with the first season and feeling the pang of leaving it. I know there is a second season with Dylan Wang (when he was a new actor) and I will probably watch so I can keep following the story. I know fans were upset at the change in actor, and I get it. Arthur Chen was definitely green–he was 17 when he filmed the drama–but he absolutely fits the part as the cheeky, ruthless underdog who may save or destroy the world.

KDRAMAS —
I enjoyed the first two episodes of LIVE YOUR OWN LIFE, over the top chaebol melodrama and all. I think I would continue primarily for UEE and Ha Jun’s characters and their inevitable love story. I just love both actors: UEE from MARRIAGE CONTRACT and Ha Jun for MISSING: THE OTHER SIDE. But with 50 episodes, excuse me while I wait out the live watch.

I will also wait until TWINKLING WATERMELON gets further in its run because I have an inkling that this will be catnip for me.

Behind Your Touch: The most recent deaths seem just so unfair and unexpected, especially with characters that we've actually gotten to know. While I was personally upset with the end of episode 14, I have to say that the drama has been impressive in keeping my interest for this long, even when the drama switched over from 80% comedy to 20% comedy. It is an impressive feat to keep up the momentum.

Destined With You: (only up to ep 11) I'm fading fast with this drama. They should have just condensed it into a solid 12. The OTP's romance seem to be mindlessly romancing by number. I may visit Ha Joon in his weekend drama. His drunken rambling about bear, giraffe, and otter was adorable.

The Longest Promise (cdrama, up to ep 40 out of 43): catching up. Watchable, but nothing stands out much. I felt bad for the FL's actress with the crying and kneeling in the last 10 episodes and having half her lines be "shi...fu.." I think it's a mediocre script that just happens to be produced well.

Parallel World: (cdrama, up to ep 27) I know these are shorter episodes than your average cdrama, but they still fly so fast! Still riveting and even though I had expected the reveal, it was devastating. I'm continually surprised at how well the romance is done with the leads. They talk and act so comfortably with each other.

Joy of Life (cdrama, up to ep 29): I love all the unexpected moments of humor among the politicking and violence. My particular favorite is all those moments between Fan Xian and the never-aging, preternatural Uncle Wu Zhu. I'm curious if we'll ever see flashbacks of Fan Xian's mom and Uncle Wu Zhu just having adventures. It's also funny how they write around the censorship against time-travelling.

Fake It Until You Make It (cdrama, up to ep 3): I appreciate the drama tackling the unromantic and unglitzy side of surviving the big city and making the characters feel like living, breathing humans slogging through overtime in competitive work cultures, but I find it overwhelming to watch more than an episode at a time. I do love the chemistry between the 2 leads. They're attracted, but don't feel like they have the bandwidth for a relationship.

Destined With You: I care about the fates of Hong-jo and Shin-yu, past and present versions. I'm curious about the curse and if they'll be able to end it. But her catty coworkers (honestly, the way the characters are written feels misogynistic), the overall lack of HR guidelines at city hall, the meddling fathers (remember when we thought Shin-yu's parents were lovable, hah), there's a lot going on in here that I could do without. What I do need is a spell to eliminate noble idiocy, just in case that's lurking on the extremely picturesque horizon.

CEO-dol Mart: It's really cute. I'm getting some "Unlock My Boss" vibes from Ho-rang as the rookie boss learning from the capable right-hand woman who's his senior in work experience if not in title. The Gina storyline has me intrigued, too. Although it's a comedy, I appreciate that we get some insight into the difficulties of the idol and former-idol life. Certainly many more talented young men and women wind up saddled with the "former idol" moniker than ascend to stardom.

Behind Your Touch: Just hoping for a satisfactory ending and the return of Ok-hui's girl gang. I'm sorry for Sun-woo if he died at the hands of the serial killer, but his aloof attitude didn't do much to alleviate Jang-yeol's suspicions of him. Ye-boon's lack of common sense in the previous episodes was frustrating. As others pointed out, she didn't act much like a trained veterinarian who presumably knows something about triage or CPR. Also, it might be possible to make an emergency call AND run at the same time?

Wrong Carriage, Right Groom: Stayed sunny until the end. Might have brought together the most couples of any C-drama I've seen ... five by the finale, and that's not even counting the villainous pair. A breezy, mostly stress-free watch with two FLs worth rooting for.

Parallel World: Desert adventure. Richly imagined fantasy. OTP who embodies couples goals. Magical creatures. Shadow puppets. Gasoline shortages. Heroic roosters. If it sounds trippy, why yes, it is, in the best way.

Live Your Own Life: Dipping a toe into the weekender waters once again. I look forward to Hyo-shim doing just what the show title says, and I hope it doesn't take all 50 episodes for her to get there. I wish she had just one good ally/friend on her side -- maybe she'll befriend the SFLs entangled with her younger brothers. Is it a common weekender scenario for the FL's hardships to be more extreme because she largely endures them alone? That also deprives the character of a sounding board to knock some sense into her from time to time (Oh Yeon-doo from the previous weekender could've really used one).

The 5-episode Japanese drama FENCE can only be found on dodgy streaming sites (or downloaded from nyaa), but I feel it's worth the trouble. For a start, it's Nogi Akiko's latest work, and so far I think it's even better than Unnatural. The Okinawa setting is resolutely non-touristy, and there isn't an atom of sentimentality or melodrama in the story or in any of the characters, especially the two female leads.

I only watched SOME DAY OR ONE DAY the movie. It was a very good decision to make it kind of a sequel, and I was relieved to finally see them courting without one them being a high school student and the other one 30. But on the whole, too much twists and turns, and the completely illogical presence of the unfinished building, and then that weird ending, made it feel more like a pointless dream than a heartbreaking story.

Ps. Now I know where the changes in the Korean remake came from.

Currently watching:

_ My Lovely boxer (9/12). I don't love it as much as other beanies, but it's nice enough to go on (and better than My Lovely Liar). The script is not wonderful, and I wish they had not included the bad guys (I'm fed up with some kind of villains and dark sub-plots in Dramaland, tbh) but I like the main characters and their interactions.

_ Twinkling Watermelon (2/16). As I commented in the recaps, this has been a great start for this drama, specially the first episode. I like Ryeoun here, his character is so sweet. And of course Choi Hyun Wook, who again will be a scene stealer.

Finished:

_ Song of the bandits: it didn't start well (too much violence, poor script), but towards the fifth episode it got better. Even though I wish Kim Nam Gil had done other kind of drama, he is really good in action scenes. However, the love story is quite boring here.

Rewatch:

_ Someday or One Day (8/13). Am I rewatching a drama I finished in August? Yes, I am. And it's not a waste of time. This story needs to be watched at least twice. It's a different experience the second time.

As I'm waiting for My Dearest to start airing again, I don't have any live watches but I did finish a few older dramas and start a new older drama.

HOGUS LOVE: I enjoyed this, but it wasn't as good as 2 of the other dramas by the same writer (Flower Boy Ramen Shop and Because This is my First Life). I think I'll try the other drama by this writer, Queen of the Office--anyone have any thoughts on that?
THE FABULOUS: Instead of being fabulous the show went traditional rom com even giving us a main character that despite working in the fashion industry wore mom jeans for the first 4 episodes (really!!). The secondary story of the model and her life in the modeling world was so much braver and interesting then our main couple. I love that they casted a truly beautiful real run way model for this role. She had great presence. It was only 8 episodes, so it was an easy watch but I spent much of it on 1.5 time. Beware jaw-dropping stereotypes!
ARANG AND THE MAGISTRATE: Up to episode 3. So far am enjoying.

MOVIE: BIG EYES (2014, US): A good watch especially if you are interested in the art world. It is about artist Margaret Keene who was known for those 60's/70's paintings of big eyed girls. Directed by Tim Burton who almost always takes on interesting stories. Worth the watch.

Another vacation for me, and I didn’t watch anything during that time because it was so wonderful. So now I have to catch up on My Lovely Boxer, Behind Your Touch, Destined with you and Boss-dol Mart, before starting anything new. I’m so looking forward to A Time Called You, Song of the Bandits, The Kidnapping Day, Worst of Evil and Sparkling Watermelon! So many favorite oppas to watch…
Before my holiday, I finished Moving which I really liked. A Superhero drama done right: interesting personalities and storylines, good CGI (but not overwhelming) and most importantly, great acting all around. They did leave several points open (time-stopping guy, Frank returned, Elias…) hinting on a second season? I don’t think I need that…
KDrama friend project: Finally, we got to finish My Lovely Liar together and enjoyed it all the way! During Ep. 15 my friend said, “We already have our happy end, so what’s left to show?” But there was so much more: every single storyline was wrapped up, and we had so many cute and lovely moments with our main couple. We both find this a model ending for a romcom! Also finished Japanese BL Our Dining Table, cute and sweet.

WORSE THAN EVIL: Just like the title, which promises a more extreme version of villainry than it actually delivers, this show is not the Scorsese masterpiece it clearly wants to be. The first episode was a study in too much (gangster cliches abounded from the violence to the smoking to the coke to the casual misogyny to the intense sense of brotherhood that stands in for an actual moral center) and, strangely, too little (so far, every character is undeveloped). That said, it has promise if the substance catches up with the style. I thought JCW was excellent with the little he was given to do; even just sitting and smoking, he did a lot of the heavy lifting the writing didn't do for him. That said, the whole thing is starting to feel like PPL for cigarettes, so here's hoping dialogue and character development take the place of smoke rings soon.

DESTINED WITH YOU: The main twist here, that one half of the OTP unknowingly is the bloody hand tormenting the other, works for me more than continual stories about various spells wreaking havoc would have. I wish I didn't feel bad for the 2ML (someone other than @Seon-ha needs to love this guy), and I also can't stop rolling my eyes at the many scenes of two people who are supposed to be hugely attracted to each other and who literally waited centuries to be reunited managing to fall asleep fully clothed next to each other in bed. To me, that's the most unrealistic thing this drama is offering right now. Oh, and I want Hong-joo's two nasty, entitled co-workers to teleport to "Worst of Evil" for a bit of a comeuppance (not the full-on gangster bloodbath, mind you, but more of a smoky, verbal put-down that reminds them that just because you have a crush on someone the woman that guy likes does not deserve your petty nonsense).

TWINKLING WATERMELON: I read the promo materials but totally forgot about them, so I was actually surprised when the time slip stuff was revealed. Also, as not much of fan of the lead did not expect to be interested in this one, but it's pure fun with enough emotional depth to pull me in. I almost turned it off in ep. 1 when I thought Dad was going to die. Glad he's still around, although I wish the creative team didn't feel it was necessary to add spoken dialogue to the signing scenes. Having the hearing character speak and the non-hearing character sign was fine.

MY LOVELY BOXER: Almost wish I hadn't discovered this as it was airing because it's the perfect hidden gem to come upon in the middle of winter when I need a story to grab my heart. The confession scene was so lovely and bittersweet; I still do want these two together, but as long as the ML doesn't die, I'm good with however this all ends.

Finally a week where I did a lot of watching and rewatching. Yay!

Currently watching:

Behind your touch Episode 14 left me in despair. Lots of loose ends, and convenient screen play. However, Lee Min Ki's love lorn gazes, doofus dating invitations and furious stabbing demos had me reach for my invisible popcorn more than once.
I do have to stay that Suho's acting has left me so unimpressed. In the beginning I thought he was acing it, only to realise the script at that time suited his facial muscles, and not the other way round.....he should stick to singing.

Something in the rain I recently realised it has two of my favorite actors - Joo Mingyung (OH hee from Behind Your Touch) and Yoon Jong-suk (Sung On from Our Blooming Youth). I had started it last year but had given up. I took it back up. Episode 5, and I am bloody hooked. I love it! Although Jung Hae In seems to be in a continuation of his 'One Spring Night' role (I loved Han Ji Min in that) but the chemistry between Son ye Jin and Jung Hae In is out of the world. Planning on finishing it. Someone said it's not a happy ending, but well as long as no one dies, or grows old when away, I will give it a try.

Completed
Because it's my first life: I must say I am liking Lee Min Ki more in Butt Touch. I am not a fan of tooooooo many love stories crammed into one series. I did not care for the other two love stories, especially Ho rang and Won Seok's. Kim Min Kyu was as edible as ever, though no match to his BP avatar. In the latter half I found myself ffing a lot more than I normally do. It was cute though, and some really deep insights into a relationship that I liked. I did go back to watch them in Secretary Kim and was touched by the cross over of their OST. It left me a bit mauldin and I wished I had not seen the Sec Kim parts (imagine the frugal, responsibility driven See hee leaving his predictable desk job to become a rockstar, lol!)

Rewatch
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
I had loved Joon Ho and Young Woo during all my previous watches.
This time, I suddenly found myself shipping Attorney Jung and Young Woo. It weirded me out a little.

Lost You Forever, part 1: This is a slow, thoughtful watch that takes its time to map out a complex web of relationships as it explores what happens when love collides with ambition and desire with duty. I hope that random government-imposed cuts don't derail its self-assured storytelling in the second half.

Is ceo dol mart anything like modern farmer (which I admit I adore to bits)

Started three dramas this week and finished two:
1. Romance is a Bonus Book. I loved this, unexpectedly. I was enjoying it, but wasn’t overly invested...or so I thought. It’s funny, even into the last two episodes, I forwarded some things ( Writer Kang’s mystery), and was just going along for the sake of completing the drama. But two things caught me by surprise.
The first was [Spoiler ahead] Writer Kang’s death scene with Eun Ho and Seo Joon crying by his bedside. I didn’t cry because they were crying, and yet, I found myself tearing up! It was so surprising, I suddenly thought of my grandma’s passing, and the difficulty of caring for an older person who is sick, the emotional toll on you, the caregiver, the endless patience required, the pain of you, the sick person, helplessly watching as you loose yourself daily, and being dependent on others for your basic needs. I thought of how that must have felt for my grandma, and how we took turns caring for her, and the moments where she resisted our help, even violently sometimes (in the drama, there’s a scene where Writer Kang pours water on Eun Ho, perhaps to resist him). Even now as I type, I’m tearing up again...sigh.

The second was the last and final shot of the drama, the one that focused on the hallway of the publishing house with all those books lining the shelves. When the credits started to roll, I teared up again. Unexpectedly! The emotions I felt by that last scene was so powerful that it coloured the entire drama for me, turning from an enjoyable, simple drama that didn’t have too many highs stakes or life and death situations, into a drama I would remember fondly, revisiting from time to time for the warm and cozy feels it gives me. That was a surprise.

2. Drama Number two was ‘Secret Love Affair’. After reading high praise for that drama for years in many platforms as well as DB, I decided to give it a go. I won’t say much apart from that it wasn’t for me. Maybe it was my mood or the timing in my life right, I just didn’t have the patience for it anymore and stopped at episode 8. All the characters were pissing me off. I’ll probably return to it some day, but for now, all these broody art-iness and hateful characters is not for me. If I want that, I’d watch a show that shamelessly embraces it’s makjang.

3. The third drama was BTLIOF. I finished that one, and enjoyed it...not so much the last few episodes as I started to fast-forward most of Jung So Min’s voiceovers and started feeling ansty for her to talk faster to get to her point, even her soft-spoken voice started to piss me off, and it wasn’t the case at the beginning of the show (sorry guys😂🙏🏾).
I’m currently reading the recaps and the comments which is helping to put things into perspective and understand—appreciate— the character choices in the drama.
As for Lee Min Ki, I wish I hadn’t seen Beauty Inside (another drama I greatly enjoyed, his pairing with SHJ was ❤️) before this, because I feel like his character...

Destined with you : Recovering from my dental implant and being able to have good food while watching very much improved this week! Last week was annoying. And this week its back to cute and fun and Jae Kyung making me giggle so yay!

The Song of Bandits : Checked it out for Kim Nam Gil, got bored with the first episode and is now on hold. The first episode hasnt hooked me enough to care buuut Kim Nam Gil...so might go back. Not sure.

Arthdal Chronicles : Thought it was getting better but then they had the worst direction and effects during supposed to be epic lightning scene and I just....facepalm. My expectations are back to zero. Will continue watching for Lee Jun Ki and in hopes of getting some narrative closure.

Master's Sun : A rewatch spurred by the recent chaebol boss post and girl! This still stands the test of time. Joo Jung Won and Taeyand still a cracktastic combo!

Love Designer : C-drama recommended due to algorithm and thought it was mature and slice of life-y in the beginning but Dilraba's ever present glaring red lipstick (even while sleeping? Like sis whaat) and the fact that nothing shows shes a good designer plus the annoying get together-break up- get together have all combined to make me drop it.

Huh. Used to be a lot more in the past but times be changing.