[2023 Year in Review] Bean of Squee
by DB Staff
The power of squee — defined as a word used to express great delight or excitement — cannot be denied in dramaland. While a drama can’t float for 16 episodes on squee alone (or can it?), a hefty dose of squee sure helps you get through some of the more sloggy bits of your drama. Mostly saved for those OTP moments that make you go, “Eeeee!” at a frequency only dogs can hear, what drama brought you the most squee this year?
Not to be confused with the famous Editors’ Picks, this bean series is much like our other DB team posts — each writer sharing their feels. We’ve chosen our Bean of Greatness and Bean of Disappointment, and now it’s time to add your choice for Bean of Squee in the comments, and join the Eeeeee!
missvictrix: While I considered choosing Perfect Marriage Revenge here (because Seo Do-gook), I think my maximum squee came from Destined With You. And you know, Rowoon. A silly role in a silly drama could have stayed just that, but there’s something about Rowoon as Jang Shin-yu that just exploded my heart. Kinda like he did with Sunbae, Don’t Put on That Lipstick and The King’s Affection. This guy is able to convince me of his undying adoration for the female lead in every single drama he’s in, and it never loses its authenticity. And for sure, watching Jang Shin-yu fall in love — and all the pretense and hypotheticals and conflicts we got during that journey — created all the squee for me. It’s kinda rude in a way. Dramaland pulls up a teenage fantasy (say, a super handsome and awesome hero is madly in love with you despite all objections and obstacles) and then creates a story around it to give it legs. Long legs.
mistyisles: I very nearly gave this one to Castaway Diva, but I think I need a Bean of Tears for that show, because it probably made me cry more than squee (and I mean that in the best of ways!). So instead, my Bean of Squee goes to Twinkling Watermelon! While I award this bean to the show as a whole, though, Ha Yi-chan honestly could have earned it all on his own. And if not on his own, then he earned it for his beautiful, earnest teenage romance with Chung-ah (“Magic Castle” in sign language, anyone?). I have mixed feelings about the time travel and the leading lady (character, not actress, to be clear), but overall I had a wonderful time watching this show — and, especially, watching its characters grow.
DaebakGrits: King the Land has earned my 2023 Bean of Squee because I honestly squeed non-stop throughout the whole dang thing. It was light, fluffy, and (mostly) devoid of the usual drama and misunderstandings that try to separate the OTP and prevent them from becoming a couple. From start to finish, it was a rom-com focused on our couple meeting and falling in love, and the fact that it didn’t deviate far from this genre is largely why I’m giving it my Bean of Squee. Plus, this drama had some top tier swoony moments. For starters: the kisses. Seriously, Sa-rang and Won’s first kiss was so hot that, if the sprinkler system wasn’t already dousing them with water, they’d have set that kitchen on fire! And the way he asked for consent! (*makes incoherent noises of approval*) But outside the obvious squee-inducing moments, there were a lot of subtle interactions that made this OTP one of my all time favorites, like all the little ways that they both showed affection and demonstrated that they supported each other’s dreams unconditionally. Their relationship was just so healthy and that alone is squee-worthy.
solstices: When a show’s title literally means “Flower Scholars’ Love Chronicles,” you know you’re in for a swoonworthy ride. The Secret Romantic Guesthouse had plenty of heart-fluttering moments to go around, from our OTP’s amusing bickering to our side couple’s heartfelt journey of forgiveness and healing. Shi-yeol certainly stole the show — and my heart, too — with his thoughtful sincerity and quiet selflessness! Beyond just romantic relationships, though, what truly made this show my drama catnip was its portrayal of love in all its forms. I cheered when Dan-oh courageously protected her inn and her loved ones; I giggled when the Ihwawon family bantered and joked at the dinner table; I gasped when our scholars showed up for one another time and time again, proving that they had one another’s backs even when circumstances threatened to tear them apart. This show was chock-full of heart, and it deserved every last squee I gave it.
Unit: Is it possible to give this bean to a character? Because Jang Shin-yu from Destined With You is my hands-down winner. I wish I could say it was the drama’s romance that made me squee, but it was all Jang Shin-yu. Cheesy Shin-yu, charismatic Shin-yu, conflicted Shin-yu, flirty Shin-yu, protective Shin-yu, petty Shin-yu, puppy-eyed Shin-yu…basically, all fifty shades of the recklessly in love character. From his exasperated self-admonishment: “Get a grip, Jang Shin-yu!” to his corny one-liners like: “Don’t make that face. My heart flutters,” I can’t fathom how the cringe and delivered-with-a-straight-face dialogue made me squee the way it did, but I couldn’t help being smitten. He was the one who drank the love potion, and I was the one who was enchanted. “My feet won’t move because I miss you.” No, my heart has refused to move on because I miss you, Shin-yu. What are you going to do about that? You know, the romance in itself wasn’t that bad. It was actually sweet, and the OTP gave me the 300 years of longing kiss that had me squee-ing into my blanket and forgiving all their past, present, and future transgressions. But when you place Shin-yu (who “died” to end noble idiocy) side by side with Hong-jo (who was always getting into some dumb trouble or the other), it’s clear at whose feet the bulk of the squee lies.
Dramaddictally: Bean of Squee? Is there a choice here? King the Land! Such a squee-worthy drama. From fan service to steam to the lead actor’s suits and smiles — I was stomping my feet and covering my mouth to conceal the high-pitched sounds that each episode provoked. Granted, anything Junho-adjacent probably has me reacting this way. But I loved that this drama was unabashedly old school with its tropes and didn’t try to hide its intentions. It was designed to be 16 doses of feel-good and I took the prescription without complaint (well, at least the first 12 doses), while the drama did its job and made me excited to return each week. To top it off, covering this drama was a blast. The amount of love in the comments (amidst abundant ill will for the show) was truly inspiring. The fact that so many Beanies had such fun following along is enough to make any writer squee.
alathe: Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim Season 3! Pass the bovie one last time, because this patient is experiencing dangerous levels of squee! There’s nothing more satisfying than sinking into a show and feeling like it’s greeting you with a warm hug. I relished every moment with Teacher Kim and his ragtag band of rule-breakers. Season 3 gave us ambitious plot twists, extending beyond the ivy-covered bounds of Doldam itself, but it also left room for some iconic moments with the characters we know and love. There was that silent, anxious surgery when the power went out! Eun-jae and Dong-joo facing off over rival treatment plans! Teacher Kim and Nurse Oh debating the nature of leadership during Doldam’s final hour! At this point, everything I know about medicine begins and ends with the word ‘hemoperitoneum’… but everything I learned about creating a lovable ensemble cast? Well, that’s all Doldam too!
RELATED POSTS
- [2023 Year in Review] Bean of Disappointment
- [2023 Year in Review] Bean of Greatness
- [2023 Year in Review] Tell us about your year in dramas
- [2022 Year in Review] Bean of Hiddenness
- [2022 Year in Review] Bean of Shame
- [2022 Year in Review] Bean of Disappointment
- [2022 Year in Review] Bean of Greatness
Tags: Destined With You, King the Land, Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim 3, The Secret Romantic Guesthouse, Twinkling Watermelon, year in review, year in review 2023
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1 Blue (@mayhemf)
December 22, 2023 at 5:03 PM
None other than Swoon Hoon as Do Guk!!!!
I squeeeeed. Screee. And everything in between. Do Guk is 🥰🥰🥰😍😍
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2 HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
December 22, 2023 at 5:18 PM
I'm going to second @unit and give my Bean of Squee to characters, too!
● Rowoon as Jang Shin-yu 😍
● Sung Hoon as Do-guk 😍
● Bae In-hyuk as Tae-ha 😍
We still have two weeks to go, but the DRAMA this year that has caused me to not only squee, but also to kick my feet in bed like a K-drama heroine, is actually The Story of Park's Marriage Contract! (*please end well, 제발*)
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lapislazulii
December 22, 2023 at 7:47 PM
Right there with you praying for a safe ending for PMC!!! 🤞
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3 jillian
December 22, 2023 at 5:30 PM
Its hard to choose which drama to give this to sonce I have few choices:
* Mi Hyun and Doo Sik in Moving although short, they provided enough squee for the show
* Bong Seok and Hui Soo in Moving - they provided the feels in the earlier episodes
* Chung Ah and Yi Chan in Twinkling Watermelon
* Seo Do Guk and Han Yi Joo in Perfect Marriage Revenge
Now I had time to think about it some more, I will have to choose both Kim Doo Sik and Seo Do Guk!
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4 Tazzo
December 22, 2023 at 5:44 PM
I’ll give mine to call it love/aos 2. I can’t decide on one, so I’ll cheat. The male leads are what made this possible for both, and naksu as well for aos.
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5 Seon-ha
December 22, 2023 at 5:49 PM
If our fearless leaders can give their Bean(s) of Squee to Jang Shin-yu of Destined with You, a drama I adored until episode 14...squeeing just as much as they may have done (although probably squeeing
moreover Jae-kyung as Shin-yu TEAMOTTERshhhhhteamotter)...then I'm going to feel free to proclaim my overall Bean of Squee for HeartBeat.Yeah, it ended poorly. But the squees--felt amongst a strong community of absolutely devoted Beanies--for the first 12 episodes doubled those of DWY in the moment. There was the pairing of our vampire, Woo-hyeol, and the love of his life, In-hae...but of course the addition of the longing of one of the most complex villain-not-villain 2MLs, Shin Do-shik. I'm going to even add our makjang-queen-with-a-backstory Na Hae-won. It wasn't as if we didn't understand her crazy...we just knew it was a losing game.
While we're at it, the whole Fang Gang! What affection we had for these characters.
...so there's some sadness here, yes, but my Bean of Squee goes to the first 12 episodes of HeartBeat. When I look back to see where my heart lies this year, it's here, on Dramabeans, talking about HB during the height of its squeefest.
The lighted tree, people!! The prom. SQUEE!!
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
December 22, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Aww 🥹❤️ What a lovely tribute, Seon-ha!! Yes, I agree with you here... when it was adorable, it was insanely, sweetly adorable 🥰
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DancingEmma
December 22, 2023 at 7:08 PM
We certainly did. And then, sob sob.
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lapislazulii
December 22, 2023 at 7:49 PM
The harder you squee the harder you sob sometimes - defs was the case with Heartbeat, but like you said, for the most part it was very, very, very squee worthy! A good pick Seon-ha!!
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Isa is always time travelling
December 23, 2023 at 12:08 AM
Heartbeat deserves it.
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6 wonhwa
December 22, 2023 at 6:03 PM
I squeed pretty much non-stop through Twinkling Watermelon, though not so much in a "isn't this romantic?" way. It was more of a "I love this whole gloriously awkward, earnest, hilarious gang of young people and I just want them to hang out and make art and music together forever" kind of way.
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7 9TailedVixen (formerly 9TailedFox)
December 22, 2023 at 6:06 PM
My Beans of Squee is awarded as follows:
1. The romance between Mi-Hyun and Doo-Shik in MOVING.
2. The Sageuk episode of DESTINED WITH YOU - That episode gave me ALL the feels. Rowoon really knows how to show undying devotion to his soulmate love.
3. MY HAPPY MARRIAGE - Not K-Drama but this romance anime has produced the Romance Hero of the Year - all hail Kiyoka Kudo.
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mysterious
December 23, 2023 at 1:55 AM
Definitely agree with My Happy Marriage.
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Kafiyah Bello
December 23, 2023 at 5:23 AM
Yes, hail Kiyoka Kudo!!
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8 KDramaTipsy
December 22, 2023 at 6:06 PM
Comment was deleted
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9 KDramaTipsy
December 22, 2023 at 6:09 PM
When in squeed in 2023:-
1. Perfect Marriage Revenge - When DoGuk gently tied a drunk YiJoo's hair in a ponytail 😍
2. The Matchmakers - When SoonGu jumps into the river to save SamSoon even though she doesn't need saving 😋
3. I Feel You Linger In The Air (Thailand) - When a drunk Yai recited poetry while lying on the floor with his head in Jom's lap 🥰
4. My Personal Weatherman (Japan) - When a frantic Segasaki told Yoh, "Without you, I can't breathe." 🫠
5. Jun & Jun - When Choi Jun pulled Lee Jun into his lap and then teased him in his 'American' way 😛
6. His Man Season 2 (Dating Show) - When JunSung called SungHo for the first time with his now iconic greeting 🤗
7. The Eighth Sense - When JaeWon zips up JiHyun's surfing suit 🥵
8. Moonlight Chicken (Thailand) - Jim and Wen walked around the town the first night they met, with the air heavy with their mutual attraction ❤️🔥
This list makes me sad that most if my squee moments came from BLs. It's like het dramas have forgotten the art of creating swoony moments. My enjoyment of romcoms like Destined With You, The Matchmakers, My Demon etc. comes more from the comedy and the beautiful faces/aesthetics rather than the romance. That's a shame.
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tabong is ironing the crosswalk
December 22, 2023 at 7:44 PM
6. "Hi, roommate"??
My friend, I feel you. His Man 2 made me squee more than any kdrama this year. I was so invested in their story!! Kdramas wish. 😂
Yesterday I rewatched To My Star, and yes, I feel like we don't get that type of romance anymore. But are you watching Park's Marriage? I feel like this show is going all in with the squee moments. I love it.
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KDramaTipsy
December 22, 2023 at 7:51 PM
"Hi Roommate" totally sent me! 😍😍😍 The fact that they are going strong almost 1 year down the line makes me so happy!
I started Park's Marriage Contract but dropped it after 2 episodes. Have also tried to watch the romance portions as per the recaps on DB, but I guess this romance isn't for me.
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tabong is ironing the crosswalk
December 22, 2023 at 8:31 PM
That line is ICONIC. 🥰
Yes, almost a year! I wish them the best.
Oww. Well, next year we'll get more romances. Let's hope they make us squee!
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10 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
December 22, 2023 at 6:24 PM
Lord Cobol does not do squee.
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DancingEmma
December 22, 2023 at 7:11 PM
Common your lordship. Live a little.
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Dorotka
December 23, 2023 at 1:38 PM
Not even a little bit?
.
.
.
When nobody looks?
.
.
.
Under the blanket?
.
.
.
With the lights off?
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
December 23, 2023 at 1:50 PM
Same here. I encourage squeeing in those who enjoy it, but my squee-by date has passed.
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Dorotka
December 24, 2023 at 5:33 AM
Those inner ones, with butterflies around, count as well 😉🙂
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DancingEmma
December 25, 2023 at 2:06 PM
I’m not entirely sure what squeeing entails!😊
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11 lapislazulii
December 22, 2023 at 6:45 PM
Destined With You was defs Bean of Squee worthy BUT it was specifically and only really for Rowoon. So as a drama overall, I think My Demon has come in as a last minute contender to take the bean; even though it's only half way through its run, I've been squeeing non stop and at higher frequencies with each week that passes. It's not even just because the leads are drop dead gorgeous and their characterisations are 👌👌👌👌; the production aesthetics, the supporting characters, the OST - everything about this show has me squeeing, screaming, and flailing like a the most love sick fangirl.
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Unaspirated
December 22, 2023 at 8:00 PM
I watched the first four minutes of ep 9 of My Demon and took a break for a sec. Ahem. Definitely squee-worthy!
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lapislazulii
December 22, 2023 at 8:15 PM
Oh goSH I haven't watched ep 9 yet for this exact reason!!! I need to watch it on the big TV BUT not when my family are around and then can see me simultaneously flatlining and suffering from intense heart flutters. I had to stop -start ep 8 last week a bazllion times because I needed a breather 😂
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Unaspirated
December 22, 2023 at 8:37 PM
Um, yes, depending on which family members are around, the first bit of the episode may not be entirely appropriate to watch with them. It’s a very… logical next step from the end of ep 8 🤭
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lapislazulii
December 22, 2023 at 9:40 PM
my imagination is about to take on a life of its own 🤭🤭🤭
9TailedVixen (formerly 9TailedFox)
December 23, 2023 at 12:31 AM
The Tango Fight itself is definitely squee-worthy!
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lapislazulii
December 23, 2023 at 1:34 AM
Yes!!! Won't be forgetting it any time soon 🤩
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12 Britney
December 22, 2023 at 6:53 PM
I would DEFINITELY have to give the bean to Twinkling Watermelon; the scene when Yi Chan officially confessed to Cheong Ah via signing a song. When Eun Gyeol was peeking and smiling at them from behind a wall, that was so me haha.
It was so awww!🫠😊
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tabong is ironing the crosswalk
December 22, 2023 at 7:36 PM
Yes, yes, yes. 🍉🥺
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13 vienibenmio
December 22, 2023 at 7:28 PM
Castaway Diva's couple had me making noises that I usually only make for my dog sooo gonna say that one. Ep 7 or 8 I think was the peak but also eps 11 and 12 had some moments
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Britney
December 22, 2023 at 8:21 PM
Mok Ha & Ki Ho (as kids): when they're on the boat and Mok Ha said she'll take care of him now and he was like "is that a proposal?" Haha
Mok Ha & Ki Ho (as adults) I think all of their moments on the rooftop may count so now I'm having difficulty choosing one. An obvious choice would be their kissing since they are so smiley and it's literally the first time in 15 years where they could just breathe and be in the moment without the spectre of abusive dads behind them.
But I also like the bickering during both time periods. Ki Ho getting offended that Mok Ha said he couldn't be Ki Ho haha
I think it's just the look on the actor's face that I love haha. Like imagine being told you can't possibly compare to the awesome reliability of your teen self haha
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14 Bunny Sonaki
December 22, 2023 at 7:29 PM
That is a difficult one because for me, this year was abundant of dramas where I rooted for the OTP to not end up together. But them came the Yi-chan/Chung-ah couple and stole my heart and like @mistyisles I would give this one to Yi-chan as a character too. That selfless kid-hearted boy had my heart with every moment he was on the screen.
Another worthy mention is the couples from The Matchmakers. Way to go the female lead for calling out the noble idiocy and the most ridiculous live ever "I
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Bunny Sonaki
December 22, 2023 at 7:32 PM
the most ridiculous line ever "I am leaving because I love you" Sam-soon-gu is a delight to watch as well. I loved how Doo-ri got her perfect match too. Hoping the same happens to Ye-jin. Not me trying to pretend the Ha-na/crown prince pairing didn't happen. This drama gave us lots of love stories and an ensemble cast where everyone got their spotlight and no one was left behind.
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15 tabong is ironing the crosswalk
December 22, 2023 at 7:34 PM
Park's Marriage is winning that title right now. These couples are killing me, 10/10.
Honorable mentions: Love Tractor, Unpredictable Family.
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KDramaTipsy
December 22, 2023 at 7:56 PM
Love Tractor was cute! Have you checked out The Eighth Sense and Our Dating Sim?
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tabong is ironing the crosswalk
December 22, 2023 at 8:23 PM
Yes! I liked them too.
The Eighth Sense was really interesting, and Our Dating Sim cute.
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16 Unaspirated
December 22, 2023 at 7:56 PM
King the Land!!!
So glad we have this category this year and it seems like it was made to acknowledge KtL. I don’t really have anything to add that @daebakgrits and @dramaddictally haven’t already expounded on, except to say that my squeeing during this drama was so constant and obvious that my husband would often look over from what he was doing in pleasant bemusement at the sounds I was making. I had so much fun watching and he had so much fun watching me watch. Junho was the cause of much of the sqeeing, yes, but it was also Prince Flight Attendant and the adorable interactions between so many of our characters. And that’s why, as much as other characters might have been squee-inducing, KtL takes the cake as the Bean of Squee overall.
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hacja
December 22, 2023 at 9:16 PM
The profound theme of that show, one I've been thinking about ever since I saw it, was squee.
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sonai
December 23, 2023 at 2:31 AM
I’m right here with you on the KTL/Junho squee balcony. 🎉🫰🫠 *kicks feet*
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Midnight
December 23, 2023 at 3:46 AM
🎂🤩🎂🤩
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Midnight
December 23, 2023 at 3:46 AM
Also, your comment was so sweet!
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Vero
May 14, 2024 at 12:09 AM
I am currently watching it (how did I miss this jewel of squee for so long?) and my husband's reaction is the same.
I love the OTP but I think I love Jun-ho even more. As I am a more recent kpop follower I have never heard of 2PM, I am even watching their videos (and squeeing). I dont think he will dethrone Gong Yoo as the king of my squees but comes close.
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17 Snow Flower
December 22, 2023 at 7:56 PM
The Kidnapping Day.
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Babylilo
December 30, 2023 at 8:03 PM
Yes! The scenes with Myeong-Jun and Ro-Hee were the squee-est!
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18 Gum Shoe
December 22, 2023 at 9:00 PM
Nothing made me squee more than PERFECT MARRIAGE REVENGE this year. So many squee moments:
-Flower ring proposal and real kiss in Episode 2!
-The honeymoon.
-Straightforward statements like, "I came because I wanted to see you." "I like you, a lot." "If I told you how much and how long I have like you, would you be able to handle it?" "The best way to get revenge is for you to love me." "Use me as much as you want. I will accept it all."
Also, there were so many squee moments that weren't romantic moments between the OTP, but nonetheless just so fun.
-The key scene in front of the awful sister.
-Do Guk's mother's one liners: "I am open minded. I studied abroad." "Don't call me that. (Mother) It's very unpleasant."
I also squeed some in THE INTEREST OF LOVE, like the ice rink scene, but the couple was so twisty that the squees sometimes became squeals and sometimes became squeeches, so it is a more complicated bean, maybe a black eyed bean of squee.
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19 mmmmm
December 22, 2023 at 9:04 PM
I squeed (can you believe it? I did find this word in Oxford Learner’s Dictionary online and couldn’t find its meaning, so I always thought you meant “squeal” :) every time Mok Sol-ha and Kim Do-ha from my Lovely Liar is on screen. I love their chemistry and the support they provide for one another throughout the whole show. Their chemistry feels natural to me. So this couple has BoS from me this year!!!
🩷🩷🩷
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lapislazulii
December 23, 2023 at 1:33 AM
Great pick!! I remember how much we were all squeeing on fan-walls and threads when MLL was on air 🥰
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20 jerrykuvira
December 22, 2023 at 10:31 PM
Perfect Marriage Revenge, Crash Course in Romance, and Tell Me That You Love Me.
Tell Me That You Love Me's understated storytelling has me squeeing in delight every single time.
Perfect Marriage Revenge was the drama I didn't know will bring out the laughter and cheerleader in me.
Crash Course in Romance? Well...the reason wasn't far-fetched. It delivered it's romance quite well. Its first moment of epiphany that I noted was coupled with a shout of delight from me cause it was freedom.
Character wise? Go Ah-in in Agency. Each moment when she kicked the bad guys to the curb was a delight.
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21 Midnight
December 22, 2023 at 11:14 PM
I squeed when I saw not one, but two DB writers squeeing over King the Land! It was such a lovely surprise and I read both @daebakgrits and @dramaddictall 's squee-worthy posts many times!
Me too, DaebakGrits, me too 🥰🤩😍 I agree with every single word you've written.
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Dramaforever
December 23, 2023 at 2:17 AM
You and I are twins in our reactions to King the Land 😂 I was so excited to see 2 DB writers give the squee award to KTL because all I see is negative comments about that drama in general.
I LOVED the drama, Jun Ho, everything about it. As in it was not even a choice, one day I started the drama for fun and the next day my brain chemistry was altered permanently because of Jun Ho. I also felt the drama was well done in the sense, it never pretended to be anything other than what it appeared on surface. It was marketed as a rom com, it did the rom com very well. Never wavered with a serial killer plot, noble idiocy, white truck of doom, amnesia, love triangle. None of those. It was a straight up rom com and it delivered. But so many people hated it and most of that hate came from the expectation they had for Jun Ho after The Red Sleeve. They thought his choice of doing this drama a ridiculous one. I think Jun Ho was strategic in his decision and I am so glad he did this. He can act well and he will get heavy scripts in future. He will deliver when he gets those. But he never had a chance before this to be a Chaebol CEO and that's every K actor's rite of passage and we all deserved to see suit clad Jun Ho for 16 episodes. I mean, just imagine we could have gone all our lives without knowing Jun Ho looked like *that* in well tailored suits.
I also roll my eyes everytime people get frustrated with idiotic SFL or SML or noble idiocy or serial killers in a romance drama. I feel like telling them that look, a drama did that and you all couldn't hate it enough. Anyway, this is my whole summary of thoughts about people's reactions to KTL. I don't talk about it at all, but I had to defend it somewhere 😅
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sonai
December 23, 2023 at 2:58 AM
👏💯👏 Spot on! My “drama without drama”.
I joined DB to talk about KTL, as an outlet for all the squeeing if you will. 😂 So KTL was actually a win-win for me: got to squee & found this awesome community! 👏🫰👏
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Midnight
December 23, 2023 at 3:38 AM
Thank you 🤩 Loved your comment and agree with every word!
The hate started way before the show even started! I remember people ranting at the posters saying they were too simple and the production probably gave all their budget for the leads' salary and it is all cheap from here on!! Like!! Come on!!
I think it has a lot to do with Yoona. She is very much disliked here as an actress. I have always liked her, ever since Prime Minister and I. Never saw the horrible acting people seem to see.
This sentence. This is exactly what happened to me in Chief Kim.
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Diana Hansen
December 24, 2023 at 8:13 AM
And you defended it well! I loved it too. Looking forward to what roles Jun Ho will play next year!
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22 Isa is always time travelling
December 23, 2023 at 12:05 AM
I don't know if I'm understanding "squee" correctly, so I'll pick the shows which gave me more butterflies in my tummy.
The Matchmakers, because I simply adore all the side couples here (they are so good that overshadowed the main couple).
Also Twinkling Watermelon, Bora Deborah, The Secret Romantic Guesthouse (but only one of the couples) and a few moments in Heartbeat.
And I can't forget C-dramaland, because "Fake it till you make it" and "Meet Yourself" happened and gave me all the feels (I have not watched"Hidden Love" or "When I fly towards you" yet).
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lapislazulii
December 23, 2023 at 1:31 AM
WIFTY is a certified butterflies in tummy generator - can't wait for you to watch it!!
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Isa is always time travelling
December 23, 2023 at 3:09 AM
It's on my list and in fact I want to watch it before Hidden Love.
And another C-drama I'm looking forward to watching is Love me, love my voice.
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Kafiyah Bello
December 23, 2023 at 5:26 AM
Yes, to Fake it to you make it!!!
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Isa is always time travelling
December 23, 2023 at 5:33 AM
It's a gem 😊
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23 Kurama
December 23, 2023 at 12:49 AM
Rowoon as Jang Shin-Yu in Destined with You : He was the cold lawyer who said the most cringey words and it was so funny! Between his ego and the love potion we got the most styled man in love. I totally agree with @unit and @missvictrix
Rowoon as Jung-Woo in The Matchmakers : how to not squee with this puppy in love who flaps his bat sleeves when he's happy or hides behind them when he's crying, who learns to swim on a table, fights with a sword by reading a book, who rides a cute donkey (I miss Princess!).
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lapislazulii
December 23, 2023 at 1:31 AM
2023 was the Year of Rowoon for many of us it seems 😍 😍 😍
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Kurama
December 23, 2023 at 1:43 AM
He gave us very different characters with these two and the one in A Time Called You.
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24 CasualDramaFan
December 23, 2023 at 2:11 AM
Matchmakers Three adorable couples. Each more squee-worthy than others. I haven’t been able to squee this much for a k-drama for a long time.
For a C-drama, it’s Journey to love. It’s hilarious, heart-warming in parts and squee-worthy in rest. I have never rooted for anyone to get future they want. They deserved it but the screen-writer is one cruel thing.
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25 Dramaforever
December 23, 2023 at 2:34 AM
I wrote a whole essay under another comment, so I'll try to keep this short.
My Squee award goes to - actually I can't choose. There are a few of them that made me super happy in the second half of this year (I watched only 1 drama in the first half).
1) King the Land - I mean, this drama and Jun Ho are the very definition of squee. I consider Gu Won (KTL) as the pioneer of new gen green flags. I know we have had some amazing ones earlier too (Min Min, Ri Jeong Hyuk) but I came back to K dramas after a break and the way his character was written and portrayed made me look forward to the future K dramas with glee. I also think it's one of the first dramas to have leads who weren't necessarily Alpha in their personalities. Yes, we all like to see macho characters, doing super hero stuff, but here were 2 people, who avoided conflicts and spoke their minds and were 'ordinary' despite being in drama that was all Cinderella like.
2) Rowoon - Destined with you - Oh Jang Shin Yu, I won't forget you or your closet actions for a very long time.
3) Rowoon - A time called you - he came for 5 minutes and stole my heart forever.
4) Rowoon - The Matchmakers - I mean can anything ever beat practicing swimming on a table? I love, love, love his portrayal of Shim Jung Woo and I don't think anyone would have done this role better.
5) Rowoon - in general. I discovered both Jun Ho and Rowoon this year and I think I am a little more obsessed with Jun Ho than Rowoon, but I am slowly getting there with Rowoon too. He has been a revelation. There is something about him as an actor and as a person that is so ernest, I think that transcends to his characters too, which in turn convinces us that he is very much in love with every leading lady he's acting with. I really hope he gets good roles in future too and joins the top club of actors. I am convinced of his acting now, he's only going to get better.
Also, I realize this isn't short at all 😂
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Midnight
December 23, 2023 at 3:43 AM
EXACTLY!!
Loved every word about KtL. Especially the part about ordinary people despite a Cinderella setting!
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26 Samdong
December 23, 2023 at 2:59 AM
My Beans of Squee goes to
1. Castaway Diva couple!!! Their scenes was legendary and able to give me the squee which spans across surface level giddiness - there's something warm and touching in their relationship knowing their history together
2. The Story of Park's Marriage Contract!!! Kicking my feet for their dating era rn... pls end well!!!
3. Dr Romantic - I'm with alathe on how Doldam in all its element is squee worthy, but Woo Jin-Eun Jae couple deserve a shout out!!
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27 Islander north
December 23, 2023 at 7:49 AM
Oh, King the Land, hands down!
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28 Diana Hansen
December 23, 2023 at 8:37 AM
From reading the comments it seems we DID have some wonderful dramas this year and you beanies proved it! Again, I think I agree with most of you about the shows that were squee worthy and it is just too hard to pin down one of them for a bean so I would get out my pill/bean cutter but you won't be able to see the pieces meaning, (takes big breath) there are a lot that I totally loved and squeed for!
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29 23new2kdrama 🌱🎄🎅❤️
December 23, 2023 at 9:16 AM
soooo happy to see love for my 2 favorite dramas of 2023- King The Land and Twinkling Watermelon. Both were filled with all of the heart flutters and warmth needed, without the usual drama. I know- they are called Dramas for a reason, but I will go back to these anytime I just need some beautiful people, beautiful scenery and beautiful romance in my life.
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30 panshel
December 23, 2023 at 10:59 PM
Because I just watched it three days ago, I give my Bean of Squee to KBS Drama Special Love Attack. After Kim Do-hoon's fake confession and Chae Won-bin replied that she liked him too, I was hoping that she really meant it, so I squeed over their Band-Aid flashback. My favorite scene was her teaching him how to ride a bike and his falling off again and again. "Do you want me to get hurt like this?" "I don't hate it." "I quit." This drama was so squeeworthy and rewatch-worthy.
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31 Kitsune Moon
December 24, 2023 at 6:19 AM
there were many squees this year, but the only one i can remember right now is the last minute of ep8 of *Sweet Home S2*.
;)
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32 Aizaaiz 🫶💍🫶 A Love Story Swooner
December 26, 2023 at 10:45 PM
roSWOONing for Jang Shin-Yu!
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33 🌸 Seeker 🌸
December 28, 2023 at 11:25 AM
My bean of squee for 2023 goes to
Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow because I loved the couples dynamic even more than Season 1. Jang Uk was our perfect dark, mysterious yet caring ML and Cho Yeong was the perfect bright spark who knew the moment she met him that Jang Uk was her husband. Lol.
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34 Qingdao: likes scented candles
December 31, 2023 at 4:44 AM
Great choices! Have to go with King the Land! Juuunnnho!
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