Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (March 16, 2024)

278 March 16, 2024March 16, 2024

Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (March 16, 2024)

by DB Staff

So, what are we all watching this week?

What kept you reaching for more (or agonizing when there was no more), and what made you want to throw your remote through the screen? Time to weigh in…

The Impossible Heir: I have to revise what I said in my first impressions — Hong Su-ju IS the worst. Is she trying to be smug all the time, or is that just her natural state? She annoyed me so much every time she came onscreen that it overtook the plot, and I figured I don’t need this kind of negativity in my life. That impatience might have been mitigated if the boys ever seemed to do cool master plan stuff more than they talked about cool master plan stuff. But alas.

Reborn Rich: On the other hand, watching The Impossible Heir reminded me I hadn’t finished Reborn Rich, which turned out to be a much more enjoyable experience, and vastly more bingeable. It was satisfying on several levels: the revenge plot, the persistent anti-one-percent sentiment (seriously, eat the rich), the cat-and-mouse games of constant one-upmanship between foes, the retro nostalgia play, the fact that Song Joong-ki is somehow just as convincing (if not more) playing twenty as he is playing forty. I was in the mood for a juicy revenge and this one largely delivered, despite some feelings about the ending that I’ll get to in a minute. I loved the premise of a loyal lackey being betrayed despicably by his rich employers, then finding himself reincarnated into their fold thirty years in the past and armed with all the knowledge to take them down from the inside. *rubs hands together in glee* We saw how every member of the chaebol family was awful in their own ways (both in general and specifically to Lackey Song Joong-ki in the 2023 timeline) — and not only did they deserve their downfalls, I enjoyed that the drama made them quite complicit in their own comeuppances. The drama also managed a deft balance between hinting that Reincarnated Grandson Song Joong-ki always had a master plan, while also letting us occasionally believe he’d been outplayed, because it wouldn’t have been fun if he was always winning easily. Sure, he had the benefit of foresight and knowledge of future events — and it was thrilling to have the satisfaction of knowing future outcomes along with him — but he was one person against an institution, and the drama never let us forget that even with his advantages, he was still David against Goliath. Did I understand the stock manipulations, the corporate maneuverings, the mechanisms behind the power plays? Not specifically, but I let the drama explain what it was doing and didn’t think too hard about whether it was true to real-life economics. Even more than the chaebol revenge, I was impressed with the complex relationship development between Grandson Song Joong-ki and his tough-as-nails chairman grandfather, the patriarch who started it all who should have been the origin of all his grief. Yet Grandson Song Joong-ki turned out to be the only one really worthy of Chairman Grandpa’s respect, and they cultivated a fascinating rapport that blurred the lines — after living nearly twenty years in a second identity, at what point does it cease becoming a disguise or cover, and at what point does it become a part of your sense of self? For that reason, I found peace in the resolution despite some initial twinges of disappointment. The simple, bloodthirsty side of me wanted Chaebol Grandson to obliterate his family from the inside out and even the scales using his new life in a way he couldn’t as the poor, disadvantaged lackey. So it was bittersweet that when the chaebol group finally crumbled, it was at the expense of Chaebol Grandson — it was rather crushing that he had to be the sacrifice that precipitated the downfall of the family. If I had to choose which Song Joong-ki I thought deserved to live, it would have been the chaebol, not the lackey. But that’s the fantasy, isn’t it? We’re messy and selfish and full of regrets in our first go-around at life, and the reincarnated timeline is our wishful thinking for how we would live when we have all the answers, all the resources, and truth on our side. On a poetic level, I appreciate the way the drama defined his reincarnation in terms of repentance. If Chaebol Grandson had meted out his revenge perfectly, it would have been fun but puzzling — why had he been reborn in the first place? Was it all too easy? The ending we got was tinged with sadness, but it provided some closure on the fantasy time-loop device by giving meaning to both lives and leaving us with hope for a future that looks a little brighter than we’d initially left it.

Queen of Tears: This is an interesting one so far. It’s got that premium K-drama flash ‘n’ dazzle and the cast chock full of talent; the dialogue snaps and the scenes are aesthetically beautiful to look at. It feels engineered to be a massive hit. But the setup feels a little off-the-mark for me, and I’m conscious of this niggling sense of dissatisfaction while also making allowances for the drama to make up for it as the plot thickens. The characters aren’t fully working for me yet but I expect that there is a ton of development to come, and I think there’s enough here with writing and acting and production value that it will make the turn successfully. If anything, I don’t think it’s bad characterization so much as it’s a miscalculation of plot reveals, throwing us into the absolute rock bottom of this marriage without any context for the happy days (the bratty intern moments do not fulfill this criteria), leaving me scratching my head as to why I should care that this marriage is in crisis. For instance, our female lead character is fully awful, even though I know this extreme representation is intentional and we are being misdirected by seeing it through the eyes of a somewhat unreliable narrator. (Unreliable in the sense that our perspective is extremely limited — we’re kept out of the loop in order to think the worst of her, and the drama looks like it’ll be making piecemeal reveals to show us the bigger picture. But honestly, I could use a little help here because I feel like I’m making excuses for her and the show hasn’t earned my trust yet.) Casting is so key here, because I think Kim Ji-won carries this unpalatable character as well as could be hoped for; in the hands of a lesser actor I think this drama would be sunk, but somehow I still have hope for her. This is a hallmark of writer Park Ji-eun’s dramas that I can appreciate — her female leads are unapologetic and interesting. On the other hand, we’re primed to sympathize with Kim Soo-hyun as the man who married for love only to find out he’s nothing more than a trophy husband. But his glee at finding out his wife is dying (leaving him free and clear) and his subsequent playacting at doting caretaker left a sour taste in my mouth — another case of miscalculation, where the drama went for the comedic element at the expense of character. (I’m sure the show is making a satirical commentary by gender-reversing its marriage politics but I’m not sure I find it successful in this regard because it’s trying for both the satire and the gag, and sometimes they conflict.) In conclusion: I have faith in this drama but it’s on a limited timeline.

missvictrix

Currently covering: The Impossible Heir

Queen of Tears: Hotly anticipated and… hotly dropped after Episode 1. Yes, it was great, the premise is refreshing, I love the cast, and I got a good LOL out of the meta. But I’m on a personal No Terminal Illnesses campaign right now, so this trope came as quite the unwelcome shock. In my dramaland days of yore I watched so many terminal illness romance-melos, and I’m still completely ~~traumatized~~ needing my main characters not to die. So everyone please enjoy this drama loud enough for me to hear from over here.

DaebakGrits

Currently covering: Flex x Cop

Chicken Nugget: I’m only one episode in (and I will have to watch the rest later this weekend), but — OMG! What did I just watch!? It’s (so far) the best kind of ridiculous, and because I watched this on my lunch break, I had to explain to my co-workers that I was watching a show about a girl who got turned into a chicken nugget. My co-workers all think I’m crazy now, but they assure me that they mean it endearingly.

Wedding Impossible: The longer I watch this drama, the more anxious I get that Ah-jung’s fake marriage is going to reach a point of no return and things are going to publically implode for one or more of the leading characters. This is one of those stories, where I know it will end happily, but to get there the story is first going to drag me through a series of lies and misunderstandings that will likely drive me bonkers. And then there’s Chae-won. At times, I like her and feel bad that she won’t be Ji-han’s end game, but then she goes and makes a secret deal with his grandfather, and then I’m like, “Oh, you’re going to have a jealous streak, aren’t you?” I’m here for Ah-jung and Ji-han’s banter, but I can only take so much unnecessary drama.

Doctor Slump: This is a nice healing drama, but this probably won’t be a classic for me. I appreciate that it addresses topics like depression and PTSD, but, for me at least, the whole operation murder kind of detracted from that.

Dramaddictally

Currently covering: Wedding Impossible

Queen of Tears: Hmm, after months of anticipation, I’m not sure how I feel about this one. I love every second that the leads are on screen together, but everything surrounding them… meh. The business-y stuff, the screaming jailbird auntie, and even the setup put me off a little. Initially, I was intrigued by the chaebol female lead, with a hero that takes the Cinderella role, but then again, the story would be much harder to accept or laugh at if the positions were switched. We’ve already seen how hard the story is pushing the male lead as the “protector,” so I’m not sure how daring of a choice this is. All that being said, how can anyone resist Kim Soo-hyun’s adorably funny characterization here? I’m so happy to have him and Kim Ji-won back on my screen that I’ll probably put up with a lot. Plus, all the surprise appearances in the premiere week added a dose of needed fun. I think just a few more scenes of Kim Soo-hyun crying around about how cute he is and I can probably be convinced to stick this one out to the end.

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1 miso

March 16, 2024 at 5:01 AM

This was an unexpectedly full drama-watching week!

COMPLETED
Chicken Nugget - This was…okay? Had a few funny moments. Felt over-long even with 30 min. episodes but Ahn Jae-hong was unexpectedly charming.

ONGOING
The Chaebol-Cop Show - Quite a lot happened in these episodes. I love the way Yi-soo has integrated into the team slowly but surely.

Doctor Slump - Did not expect to feel bad for Kyung-min but the show managed it. Give me happiness in spades for the last week though!

Wedding Impossible - Oof I felt so bad for Ji-han. We'll get A-jeong realising her feelings next week so that should be interesting.

The Impossible Heir - We talked about this on the fan-wall but OMG save this show from its FL (and the writer). Love where we ended though. It's the kind of dumb, nonsensical, but delicious cliffhanger kdramas do well.

STARTED
Queen of Tears - I'm in the minority (?) who loved it. I laughed a lot. I'm even ready for the inevitable childhood connection, chaebol back-stabbing (sis-in-law is the culprit!), illness turning out to be a conspiracy, and more. Gimme (grabby hands)!

The Midnight Studio - I thought it was sweet and I liked everyone in the Studio. The episodic stories didn't really move me but I found the overarching story arc about Ki-joo and Bom interesting.

C-DRAMAS
Pegasus - Up to Ep. 16 and still enjoying it a lot. Will finish it next week.

Will start In Blossom over the weekend. Liu Xueyi 😍😍!

Trying to work up courage to also dive into the CGI madness that is Burning Flames.

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Kafiyah Bello

March 16, 2024 at 5:04 AM

Park Ji-eun's leads, in recent years, never have a completely happy ending so I'm prepared for the eventual tear-fest. But I'll enjoy the journey till we get there. Gimme more indeed!

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Kathryn51

March 16, 2024 at 2:52 PM

Was on the fence about Queen of Tears until that last scene in Episode 2 (the boar). Maybe not epically jaw-dropping but definitely memorable and it sealed the deal for me that this drama deserves the razzle-dazzle promotion.

However, the multiple mysterious back-stories of most characters will either wrap-up well as the various clues/hints/secrets are slowly revealed or leave us with a sloppy mess of a romance.

Like @javabeans and others, it remains to be seen if this one sticks the landing.

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Seon-ha

March 16, 2024 at 5:21 AM

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miso

March 16, 2024 at 9:03 AM

I feel like I did read the synopsis long-back when I was looking at Liu Xueyi's upcoming shows but I have no memory of it 😅. Will heed your advice and go in blind!

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Mandy

March 16, 2024 at 4:05 PM

Regarding QOT: definitely not in the minority when looking at the recap comments. I’d say out of the 200+ comments around 90% of beanies are liking/loving it. I’m deffo in that camp lol

And YES so much to Chicken Nugget feeling somehow long and draggy. But also I was a bit repulsed by that disgusting looking “nugget” to focus on the drama.

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

March 17, 2024 at 1:57 PM

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

March 17, 2024 at 2:00 PM

I've been a fan of Park Ji-eun dramas since YFAS days and my favourite remains The Producers, but it's a different beast from QoT, which I love.
Hong Hae-in, to me, comes from the same spiritual lineage as Cindy, Chun Song-yi and Yoon Se-ri - all young women in positions of fame, wealth or power (or some combination of them) to their detriment, but still distinct from her predecessors thanks to the writing and Kim Ji-won.

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Tizzy

March 16, 2024 at 9:29 PM

Queen of Tears - Nope, you're not in the minority! We're enjoying it but I dread the terminal illness aspect of the show. I'm in for the comedy but I don't want sad endings.

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

March 17, 2024 at 1:47 PM

same, I'm in for the emotion and the comedy but I will be even more vocally unhappy about it if it kills off a lead, than I was years ago about the finale of Moon Lovers. And this drama's already made me sad!
I can take a sad ending but I'm very nervous about that terminal illness - but even with it, QoT is an addictive watch that has that 'classic kdrama' feel, insane how fantastic the cast is (especially our leads - their chemistry is everything I hoped it would be and more) and how quick the episodes go by.

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Tizzy

March 17, 2024 at 10:33 PM

I'm confident this show won't let us down. Like the writer made a way for CLOY to have a good ending even though we all could not imagine how SY & HB's characters could end up together without his family getting killed by NK.

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

March 17, 2024 at 1:39 PM

count me in as another one who's firmly on Team Queen of Tears! I just finished ep 4 .. last week left me with nothing but QUESTIONS about how our leads went from what we saw in their flashbacks, to, well, this.

There was exactly one thing I could think of that could have done it, and as it turns out..... it was (to keep it vague, I wasn't even sure if the one condition for it to happen had ever taken place, and it looks like it did at some point). Turns out Hae-in isn't our eponymous Queen of Tears for nothing, ugh life give that girl a break please! I firmly disagree with jb's description of her as 'awful' even before this week's episodes - that ice queen front isn't much more than a facade.

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2 Seon-ha

March 16, 2024 at 5:01 AM

LIVE WATCHES
Chicken Nugget
Hot tip: If your English is better than your Korean, try it dubbed. I'm not joking. Way funnier that way because you can pay more attention to the actors' faces and bodies. I keep thinking of lines and laughing. And yet, even though it was only five hours long, it was still two episodes too long somehow. How does that happen??

The Midnight Studio
It's gonna be a predictable, but wonderfully predictable, ~~frightening and tear-jerking~~ comfort watch, with Joo Won and Kwan Na-ra doing nice jobs (as are our 2MGs (ghosts)).

Impossible Heir
When these two male leads can't sell a drama, you know you're in trouble. I shall forego my bean, even, I think.

Wedding Impossible
I'm a convert. The writing is quite good, and I am ready for the happy ending now, writernim (**Beware Seon-ha's menacing glower**)

FxC
Banmal for the win between our male leads! That'll never cease to be adorbs, I'm afraid. Gang-hyun wants to trust I-soo. Squee. Gang-hyun's mom is momming I-soo. Squee. Kyungjin did it right and showed such adorable GLEE...SQUEE!! Also, the endgame is nigh, now that we're focusing on the chaebols and only the chaebols, and so far, so good. Twist was expected, but good.

Dr. Slump
Cha Eun-woo is, hands-down, both better looking and a better actor than Park Hyung-sik. Did I get your attention? K-dramas are fun.

LYOL
Last weekend! Please! Someone! **cough cough Tae-min** Live your own life!!!

March 16, 2024 at 6:50 AM

I like both of them but also... Seon-ha, I'm choking on my coffee, here. Why would you say such a thing?

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Seon-ha

March 16, 2024 at 6:56 AM

To make you laugh so hard you choke on your coffee. DRAMAS ARE FUN.

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zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 7:00 AM

I am ready to rumble!! 😜

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Seon-ha

March 16, 2024 at 7:03 AM

OK! 😂 Chae Jong-hyeop looks like Lee Jeong-ha. FIGHT ME!

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zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 7:32 AM

This one's a draw because I can actually see some similarity there 😬😝

Seon-ha

March 16, 2024 at 7:39 AM

OMG You can? I’m actually not joking!! No one has ever agreed with me in the slightest. I couldn’t keep them straight at first in Nevertheless!!

zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 7:56 AM

Yes, really, I can! It's the face shape, hair, eyes, build, and overall vibe.

HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

March 16, 2024 at 8:33 AM

Lee Jong-ha looks like Chae Jong-hyeop!! 😝

Seon-ha

March 16, 2024 at 8:36 AM

Hahahahaha @hopefulromantic

It’s a deal! The hyung was the OG.

HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

March 16, 2024 at 9:09 AM

@attiton YAYYYY I concede to your terms!! 😆 Those two had better be cast as brothers at some point in the near future!!

zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 10:11 AM

@attiton @hopefulromantic A drama with these two as brothers would be a drop- everything-and-watch kind of drama 😍

DK-Drama ❤️🎄 Giffing n Space Cadetting 👼🏻🌟

March 16, 2024 at 12:56 PM

But their smiles are very different. When Chae Jong-hyeop smiles, he has more of a young(er) Dev Patel.
The lines from nose to mouth, and even more - the disarming look of innocence and joy.

Kafiyah Bello

March 16, 2024 at 1:12 PM

I'll allow it, lol. No, fighting here. Their smiles could light up homes for decades.

Seon-ha

March 16, 2024 at 1:31 PM

@ceciliedk Dramas are for fun.

DK-Drama ❤️🎄 Giffing n Space Cadetting 👼🏻🌟

March 16, 2024 at 3:48 PM

I know, I know. It's just, to me, Chae Jong-hyeop is like: "Oh, the Dev Patel guy!"

HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

March 16, 2024 at 5:21 AM

Wedding Impossible convert??? YAYYY!!! 🥳🎉 The writing has been pretty fun, and the FL actress elevates things!

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Kurama

March 16, 2024 at 6:43 AM

It's funny you talked about similarities between Midnight Studio and SYHH because when I saw the scene with the kid, it reminded me how she was exhausted with the ghost who was a kid too and ran everywhere 🤣

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Mrs. Yoo Ah In

March 16, 2024 at 8:36 AM

SYHH is really good! I kept expecting a season 2 and somehow I'm still holding out hope.

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Gikata

March 16, 2024 at 11:23 AM

I know it's a bait - and rather outrageous one at that - but while beauty is somewhat subjective, PHS is MILES better actor than CEW. Unfortunately, DR SLUMP seems to be the worst drama possible to showcase that VERY hard fact. You're always welcome to ask for a recommendation of his far better performances - which are plenty - I'll be more than happy to provide them^^

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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain

March 16, 2024 at 1:10 PM

OK, I'll bite - what are they?

I've dropped The Slumpies.
I saw Our Blooming Youth; he was better than the show was overall.
Soundtrack #1 was kind of boring and there wasn't enough of him.
I've seen a few clips from Strong Woman DBS but it's really not my kind of show.
I loved Nine: Nine Time Travels and he did well in an early role.
Happiness is on my list and I'll get to it soon, really!
I keep meaning to watch Juror 8 when those mythical 25th and 26th hours in the day appear.

Do Happiness first, if you can, and after that I am going to suggest something surprising, because I honestly think the next best drama he’s been in is What Happens to My Family. Yes it’s 53 eps, and yes, some of the comedy and acting is a bit broad, and yes there is a huge cast and PHS is a supporting role but he really shined even though he was the rookiest kid in the cast. He and Nam Ji Hyun were the beloved maeknae couple (she’s younger but his sunbae), and they were soo cute. PHS manages good chemistry with all his FLs (even a smidge with Go Ara’s insufferable character in Hwarang, which is to say, a smidge more than Park Seo Joon managed with her, lol, but I digress), but I still go back to this first underrated ship as a top ship for me, over many of his more popular ones, even. Soo much natural, easy chemistry. Search clips of them on the show, or at awards shows, interactions off camera around this time and you’ll see. *Anyway*, I think the show itself will also eventually win you over, 53 episodes be damned (it got extended bc it was so popular). It set the standard for weekend dramas. You’ll laugh and cry and care about all the extended family… I mean expect sitcom-y silliness and some overly broad comedy, and feel free to FF through some other characters’ storylines but there is ultimately so much heart. You don’t have to binge this, it can be a fairly relaxing, chill watch you reach for occasionally and casually.

All that said, this type of drama isn’t what most foreign Kdrama fans prefer... so if it doesn’t sound like your jam, maybe check out Suits, there’s not much romance, but a fun bromance. Or, if you want try a quick one, his 30 min Samsung short movie on YouTube, Two Lights is so sweet and calming. Last thing I will say: he actually does, imo, some of his best work in Hwarang and High Society, both pretty bad dramas overall. He just steals the show in both (there’s a reason he got cast in his first lead role after the back to back of High Society and Hwarang), and they are both roles that seem the least “PHS” irl, imo. Not puppy-like, a bit grey and unlikable…. Very good acting.

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3 HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

March 16, 2024 at 5:01 AM

Currently Watching
Chicken Nugget: 🐔(ep. 1-4) Welp, I guess I'm just about the only one who likes it!😂 It's weird like an avant-garde stage play, and the humor works for me: "The girl you're flirting with turns into a chicken nugget" Lol! And it works because of Ryu Seung-ryong and Ahn Jae-hong going ALL IN. Those two reacting and overreacting is everything! 😂 I guess I don't have to share my chicken nuggets with anyone else!

Wedding Impossible: 🤵‍♂️🚫👰‍♀️(ep. 5-6) It's official; I don't like Do-han - I find him cold, and his apology to his brother didn't cut it for me. At least Ji-han is sincere about doing sketchy things, and he and Ah-jeong have such fun, chaotic energy. I always enjoy seeing a ML begrudgingly smitten!! And I love the FL's sister and brother-in-law - they're hilarious! That in-laws dinner was FANTASTIC. Also, I love Ah-jeong's meta references to drama tropes, and how real her family seems!

Flex x Cop: 👨‍✈️ (ep. 12) Episode 12 was so exciting!! I loved hearing Gang-hyun tell I-soo she trusted him, stoic policeman take him out for drinks and speaking casually, and fanboy policeman giving him a hug after his ordeal. He's fully accepted by the team now, and FL's dad is vindicated and reinstated!! 🥹

Finished
My Man is Cupid Let's not beat around the bush: it was not good. But it was also compelling enough to watch to the end. Oddly enough, I was very into the mystery. It seemed more well thought out than the rom-com angle. Nana was good, particularly when she was given some comedy to work with. Jang Dong-yeon was also there. (*Sorry Dong-yeon, I'm looking forward to Like Flowers in Sand!*) The editing of time cuts (and time in general) was often nonsensical, to the point where I thought I accidentally fast-forwarded through something, clicked on the wrong episode, or spaced out for 5-10 minutes. But nope, that was their intentional choice. But I liked the ending! 💘👩‍⚕️🐕🧚‍♂️🪽👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

I Am Nobody (C-drama) It was a chaotic, weird, suspenseful, funny, exciting modern wuxia! Highly recommend.

That's a really good point! I've liked Kim Do-wan a lot in other things, too.

Kurama

March 16, 2024 at 6:40 AM

Ji-Han is hilarious with his plans. When he went to the play for children, she asked if he changed strategy and he just answer "yes" and gave her money. 😂

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miso

March 16, 2024 at 7:01 AM

He is so petty and childish and he thinks he's scheming but then also shares the schemes with everyone. Too funny!

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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

March 16, 2024 at 9:13 AM

Lol he's too honest for his own scheming good! 😂

Kurama

March 16, 2024 at 9:34 AM

But he's with her, not in his job. He got the terrain for the mall and I don't think his half-siblings know anything about him.

His colleagues don't know his true identity yet!

DK-Drama ❤️🎄 Giffing n Space Cadetting 👼🏻🌟

March 16, 2024 at 7:28 AM

I think Do-han suffers from privilege: Because he has been treated like a son of the family always, he is not needy and can treat the inside/outside of the family offhandedly. Therefore, he doesn't know how cruel he is when he treats his brother the same way.
That little boy has been starving for recognition and love ever since that accident. When he seems greedy and scheming, it is all because "acceptance" and "money" has been bundled in his (lack of) upbringing.

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miso

March 16, 2024 at 7:56 AM

True, though to be fair to Do-han, he suffers from discrimination in other aspects of his life, which possibly blinds him to how good he has it in the family (compared to his brother).

Honestly the real problem here is Grandpa, who's been blaming a child for his mother's death while humouring and paying off the reporter actually responsible 😒.

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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

March 16, 2024 at 9:15 AM

This analysis is really interesting... I agree that a lot of how they act and interact comes from the very different ways they seem to have been treated within the family.

parkchuna 🍉

March 16, 2024 at 10:30 PM

I’ve been very confused about grandpa’s treatment of the brothers and the reporter. I thought it was a case of me being lost in translation. Why would he blame a child and grudge him for an accident that he had no control over? And keep paying off that reporter instead of pressing charges.. 🤔😩

Seon-ha

March 16, 2024 at 5:19 AM

🎵More than Machines...More than Machines...we develop and research and you should order from us now MORE THAN MACHINES🎵

HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

March 16, 2024 at 5:40 AM

@attiton well, that scene - with his tone of voice - conveyed to me that he was just trying to conciliate younger brother so he'd stop sulking. It didn't feel sincere to me. I'm not sure if that was the intent, or just the actor's delivery? But I'm willing to be swayed!

HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

March 16, 2024 at 5:25 AM

Yayyyy @attiton and @daebakgrits!!! 🥳🎉 I hope you continue to enjoy it, Daebakgrits!!!

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DK-Drama ❤️🎄 Giffing n Space Cadetting 👼🏻🌟

March 16, 2024 at 6:52 AM

The Nugget has a feel to it very much like the show "The Three Debras".
I love both but also get impatient and bored very quickly, somehow.

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zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 7:04 AM

Love your emojis for Wedding Impossible haha! Agreed on Do-Han's character but I'm not sure if it's how he's written, how he's being played, or both.

I will give Chicken Nugget a try based on your review 😉

And I have I Am Nobody on my watch list. I'm sold on the idea of a "modern wuxia." So glad you liked it (and guessing that means I'll like it too)!

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♡Peach_Mochi♡

March 16, 2024 at 8:11 AM

Chiming in to further endorse I Am Nobody. It’s really fun seeing wuxia elements transported to modern times. Beyond the fights it’ll hit you in the feels more than once too.

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zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 8:26 AM

I will give it a try! My first c-drama was a wuxia (A Journey to Love) and I shocked myself at how much I liked it, probably for the very reason you mention... the blending with the emotional aspects of the story.

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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

March 16, 2024 at 9:17 AM

It's really good in really unexpected ways! I hope you enjoy it!! 😄

ar_arguably romantic

March 16, 2024 at 1:34 PM

I Am Nobody is one of the best things I've ever watched. I think the first 2 or 3 episodes were a little slow since they're set up and we start off with the depiction of the ML as a cowardly fool. But you need to push through it, because it gets sooo good!

HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

March 16, 2024 at 9:18 AM

Lol I may have oversold Chicken Nugget to counteract some of the negative reviews I was seeing - I think it's a drama where people will love it or hate it, with very little room to be "meh" about it! I hope you enjoy it if you try it!!

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zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 10:12 AM

Duly noted 😉

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4 Unaspirated

March 16, 2024 at 5:01 AM

YES another one reminded of Heard It Through the Grapevine by Queen of Tears! Though that really holds only as far as episode 1 and its handling of the premise from Hyun-woo's POV, other than that the two dramas are tonally polar opposites.

There is, as you said, a sadness under all the glamour and that comes through strongest in our two leads, especially her. Also it's interesting to me how many commenters seem to be writing our female lead off as "awful", a "bad person" and even an "abuser"(??) when the glaringly obvious subtext - so glaring it may as well be text - is that Hyun-woo NEEDS to build her up in his mind as a cold unfeeling monster to justify divorcing her. Especially after what we learn in ep 4.

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6 Radily

March 16, 2024 at 5:02 AM

Branding in Seongsu (Series review) - Mood progression: D / D+ / D / D / D- / D-
I wish I had nicer comments for this show but what can you say about a plot that starts off with one question and drags the answer through the middle before revealing that there was this whole other conversation going on? Oh, and we’ll reveal the answer to the original question with minimal buildup during the finale and rush our way to a happy ending. It’s just pathetic.

The Midnight Studio (Episode 1-2) - Mood: C
While I believe that the FL’s background could be tidied up a bit (ex boss is cliche and friend seems like filler), this was very solid for a premiere with the fantasy elements introduced to us alongside questions to ponder upon. The procedurals might be generic and the FL’s abilities may be a precursor to a past connections trope but we’ll see if the show has any surprises.

Queen of Tears (Episode 1-2) - Mood: D+
So you’re telling me you casted not only Kwak Dong Yeon but also Park Sung Hoon to play such incredibly superficial characters? And I haven’t even talked about the super-stacked supporting cast! The story is full of makjang and chaebol nonsense while the narrative hook is a terminal illness trope that shakes up the OTP’s dead marriage. Even though the ML has conflicting feelings and motivations, this isn’t the innovative second chance romance that the writer thinks it is?

Flex X Cop (Episode 11-12) - Mood: D+
That was a fast resolution for the FL as her father gets his honour restored just in time as chaos arrives on the doorsteps of the ML’s family. I don’t really have anything to say about the cult arc because it’s so generic it’s underwhelming, but I loved seeing Jun Young finally accept the ML and proving for once that male female friendships do exist (the ML doth protest too much methinks, though this show could do without a OTP romance). Tbh, there isn’t enough plot left for 4 episodes but idk.

Wedding Impossible (Episode 5-6) - Mood: D
We’re already halfway through the show and nothing interesting has happened: everything is either fillers or pure crap. And of course the 2FL confesses to the ML. Of course the ML spends a whole episode going through the 5 stages of grief. But it feels like the show loves its random comedy moments that do nothing to develop the story as Grandpa remains mysterious.

Doctor Slump (Episode 13-14) - Mood: D
Why was there a need to insert in a love triangle at the eleventh hour for the supporting couple? Even worse, if there had to be a conflict, it should’ve been something like the kids not comfortable with each other or their step-parent, which makes a lot more sense as both kids are young. As for Kyung Min, that isn’t how you write nuance. Not with all the makjang reasons!

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Gikata

March 16, 2024 at 10:06 AM

Re: QoT - pretty sure it's writer's trademark - to cast amazing actors for VERY shallow and cartoonish supporting roles. But since all her dramas are huge hits, it keeps working since people are willing to go there for the exposure...

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Grand Sophy

March 16, 2024 at 6:09 PM

This may be the first time I've seen a C from you. Woo hoo! Had any show ever achieved a B, or even...an A?!?

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7 Kafiyah Bello

March 16, 2024 at 5:02 AM

The Midnight Studio: This was cute. I enjoyed it for the fluff plus heart that it wants to be, if it doesn’t veer from that, we are in business.

The Impossible Heir: This is bad. Not in an entertaining way either. It is bad, but I am the fool because I keep watching. I want to know the ending, why I am not sure, but I will be there until the bitter end of this nonsense and bad acting.

Chicken Nugget: It was just okay for me. I LOL’s a few times, but the rest of it didn’t really tickle my fancy. I finished it because it was 10 half hour episodes. So, a pretty short binge overall. There were a great many meta references.

Flex X Cop: Haven’t gotten to this week’s episodes yet, but as always, I look forward to being entertained. 4 more episodes, writer do not ruin this for me, I beg.

Doctor Slump: SMH, we are done this week. So at least I get my bean.

Queen of Tears: Please keep up the funny and extraness!!

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Britney

March 16, 2024 at 5:51 AM

Haha your comment about The Impossible Heir reminds me exactly of criticisms about Love Song for Illusion after first episode haha. Folks specifically said "it's bad; it's not even so good it's bad but just bad bad" haha

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Kafiyah Bello

March 16, 2024 at 6:13 AM

I believe it, lol.

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8 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)

March 16, 2024 at 5:05 AM

Flex x Cop: 8.0

Dr. Slump: 6.5 Day 13 - Who are you and what have you done with the fun show I was watching a few weeks ago? End of 14 - Oh, there you are, finally.

Goryeo Kitan War: 6.0 The big final battle seemed worse than I expected, even after the preview in episode 1.

Queen of Tears: 7.0?? Started with very high expectations, then found the first 3/4 of episode 1 such a slog I thought maybe the Curse was more powerful than the writer. What curse? You ask. Let's just say... The last time I saw Kim Ji-won was in Arsedal. Before that there was The Heirs/Inheritors 😠😨😱😱😱😱

Wedding Impossible: 8.0

Midnight Photo Studio: 7.0 Master's Sun, much? Also, shows that make a big deal out of reaching a certain age need to clarify whether they're using traditional "Korean age" or new official Western style age.

Chicken Nugget: 6.5 Ep 1/3: those times early on when everybody just started laughing... I wasn't laughing.

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Kafiyah Bello

March 16, 2024 at 5:12 AM

I agree about the age thing.

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Britney

March 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM

Pretty sure they were using korean age because the western age was 34 as shown when all the "mysterious" deaths were shown.

Since they're supposedly using international age as a norm in SK, I wonder how long until its used in media. I think I've still seen some folks use KA while others use IA in the same program.

I feel the same about Chicken Nugget. So much

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9 sonai

March 16, 2024 at 5:27 AM

I’m happy so much stuff seems to be released lately! 🥳

So, still watching DR SLUMP, and was mollified by last weekend’s episodes. I’m hoping this will wrap up nicely! 🤞

Started MIDNIGHT STUDIO, which I find surprisingly entertaining. I like the ensemble in this one, and have a feeling this will be my comfort watch on weekdays.

Also started OUR BLOOMING YOUTH (which I haven’t watched before) as a community watch and am really excited about it! 🤓 I enjoy seeing PHS in a vastly different character than his role in DR SLUMP.

I’d love to start CHICKEN NUGGET sometime this weekend, but I’m unsure if I’ll have the time! 😬 I’m a bit concerned about the “lack of love” this got on the fan wall so far (maybe just my impression, I didn’t read additional comments on there lest I spoiler myself), and I’m really hoping it can still live up to (my?) expectations!

10 mmmmm

March 16, 2024 at 5:32 AM

Currently watching:

1. Doctor Slump (14/16): At the time of this comment, we are having the penultimate and the final ep today and tomorrow. How happy I am! I love that it addresses the topics such as depression and PTSD in such a progressive way (at least in terms of depression; not sure about PTSD), and I love that the depressed FL has a very supportive family: The kind of ideal familial dynamics every depressed person should want one. I understand that the show is by no means perfect, but because it addresses something I can relate to on a personal level, it became a dear. It is fun to watch.

I really love PSH in this role; to me, this is her best role to date. Somehow, something changed in her and I view her now as one very talented actress. I love her vulnerable scenes. Can't believe I'm saying this, but I cannot see any actress top her in this role.

It is the first time I watch PHS. I had no expectation re his acting because I haven't watched one, so this is quite a nice surprise. Tbh, I don't know how to comment his acting: Let's say that I can relate to PSH's acting more. This, doesn't mean that he is bad; but I don't know how to feel about his character that kind of overdoes aegyo. Let's say that it kind makes his character less real to me compared to the FL.

Anyway, I find watching this show therapeutic (excluding the murder subplot), so I'm eagerly waiting for tonight's penultimate ep and tomorrow's final ep. I'll be sad having to say good bye to this show. Perhaps I'll rewatch it again soon.

2. A Perfect Story (a Spanish mini series on Netflix) (3/5): Well, well, I really liked the premise of the story, and everything is so beautiful to look at. The story is light-hearted with some real LOL moments. There are some really nice dialogues between the OTP (I think they are?) that made me feel happy watching it; however, it also has some graphic intimate scenes that I don't think they are that necessary. I think I'll continue with the last 2 eps, but @reply1988 told me to brace myself for more graphic sex scenes.

So I can't recommend this show yet; so far (3/5 eps), I think it is a nice watch.

Finished

March 16, 2024 at 1:46 PM

Maybe it's because I have watched Spanish shows all my life and I'm totally fed up with sex and nude scenes everywhere 😅
It is worse when the characters have not developed strong bonds or feelings (that's usual too). And another thing I don't like is the vulgar vocabulary.

In conclusion: I'm so happy in Dramaland! 🤣

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mmmmm

March 16, 2024 at 7:28 PM

And that’s where you belong!

11 Britney

March 16, 2024 at 5:41 AM

Hero. Ah, and I can see why Lee Joon Gi's niche is action haha. I don't want to be too critical because comedy is hard and this is also a product of its time plus it's still relatively early days in his career. I did chuckle sometimes while watching because it's just so cringe or dumb to me haha but still if a comedy produces laughter, even unintentional laughter, then it must be doing its job. Also I kept thinking one of the cast members looked like Ji Chang Wook (but kinda different) and it WAS him! Aww young Ji Chang Wook haha. Well, everyone has to start somewhere. It amuses me that this project has two actors who will end up being known for their roles and ability yet there's not on display at all here haha. I thought the underdog story got better over time and I liked that. It kinda makes me wonder how a modern version would look since we're living in a time of even more misinformation, distrust, and scandalous clickbait headlines that the powerful manipulate for their own means. Funny enough, I think if it were released now, it would probably do about the same ratings wise (in the 5% range I think) yet it would probably be considered more successful now than it was then.

Midnight Photo Studio. I don't know how I feel. I definitely teared up during the final partings and then the living is left with a picture. Oh my heart! I kinda Move to Heaven vibes regarding the deaths so I'm not sure if it I can watch this cause that would mean alot of tearing up each week for like 8 weeks I think. I'm curious about the lawyer's ability to repel ghosts/spirits from him. I guess there's some kind of childhood connection at play. I wouldn't even be surprised if it went further back such as she's from a long line of people who have that ability but may not even know.
It made me chuckle when it was mention did child look like a girl because he has played a girl in the past. I think the premise is interesting but I think there may be some logic/practicality gaps. Fairly certain the main character is gonna survive but then I had Heartbeat flashbacks and thought he might really die and again, I don't know if I wanna get emotionally invested in something with a sadness. The humor is alright but it doesn't stand out to me as much as the partings which is argubly the best part yet the saddest part

HERO is a weird show in a sense that it's pretty dated in tropes/styling/directing/humor etc. Heck, it even felt dated back then! Perhaps it was one of the reasons why it wasn't received favorably...

I'd love to see him in something less grim and dramatic for a change, but he appears greatly uninterested in such scripts. No need to imagine how that'd look like though - he had enough of romcom moments in his dramas, usually right before things turned VERY dark, so at least we have something to reference to))) Plus, even supposedly lighthearted dramas all have Murder Mystery subplots nowadays... Guess he's right and it really doesn't worth it.

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Charlotte

March 16, 2024 at 1:18 PM

I'm all 'sat' for The Sword of Aramun. The Arthdal Chronicles latched onto me because of the unusual time period for a historical imagining, as well as the drama's cliffhanger-ending (curse you Netflix). Arthdal Chronicles is a historical yes, but nothing akin to the standard Sagueks at all. We get to see a time period when tribal communities in Korea gathered into villages, towns, and then large cities. An imagined time when blue-eyed Neanderthals were scarce, but in this story, had not disappeared....an era when isolated peoples hesitatingly lay down their weapons and began to negotiate how to live together for safety and better lives, in the midst of differing beliefs and ways of interacting. It begins with a tribe's discovery that horses could be tamed for riding... and that other men could build a tower as tall as the mountain that protected an isolated clan from outsiders and their new ways: for good & bad, which yes did mean war, as the old clashed with the new. The drama wasn't all war, but it was always about power. Much of it was the tension between factions of different politics & philosophies vying for dominance. Jang Dong-gun, Son Joong-ki and Kim Ji-won's performances personified both the internal & external conflicts of this clash in belief systems and added to the story. Actually it seems those mindsets haven't really changed over history and still makes good dramas. Arthdal's wide palette was filled with many diverse locations, tense pacing and the strong dramatic character arcs and interactions that often identify todays historical & sageuk dramas. Then again, if you're not big on a historical perspective in dramas, then this one might not appeal...although because it's not recorded history, it plays more like a fantasy-imagined historical. But the bottom line? Even though I'm still on the "please no second season" side of dramas, I'm looking forward to Part 2 of this...especially with Lee Joon Ki.

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Grand Sophy

March 16, 2024 at 6:50 PM

It would probably help to watch Arthdal first, although the cast change in Aramun is rather jarring.

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12 peiyeelai

March 16, 2024 at 5:42 AM

This has been a busy week for me as I need to make sure my students submit their assignments, finish my online documentation duties and give lectures.

Currently watching

Queen of Tears:
Love the strong and sassy female and the romcom!

Wonderful World
The drama is getting better at each episode.

The Midnight Studio
I finally have something that suits me for Monday-Tuesday

Goryeo-Khitan War
Bye, show! I am going to miss you. You have been consistently good and eye-opening when it comes to Korean history.

Dropped: The Impossible Heir
So much potential but then it slowly went down the drain.

Dropped:

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13 Linarrick

March 16, 2024 at 5:49 AM

QUEEN OF TEARS
Yeah…nah
I get that it’s meant to be a black comedy, but I’m kinda over chaebols behaving badly. Most of the characters are varying degrees of awful, tho I do admit the FL slightly intrigues me. Anyway my wacko theory is that Park Sung-hoon is an undercover cop planning to take down the chaebol family 😁

March 16, 2024 at 5:55 AM

The big downside for me in not doing live watches is that I don’t get to post comments and observations on individual episodes, in real time. I had a ton of thoughts and observations about the shows I watched this week that I would love to have shared as they were airing. Here are some general takeaways.

COMPLETED:

Death’s Game - Brilliantly written, with an ingenious, intricate plot that invites repeated viewings. Fabulous performances from a large cast of top-flight actors, with two exceptions: Park So-Dam (I always felt she was Park So-Dam acting the role of Death, rather than embodying Death), and Kim Ji-Hoon, who was a cartoon-villain psychopath. The ending was a bit sappy, which was easily forgivable given the show’s overall quality.

Doctor Cha - While the show wasn’t perfect by any means, it kept me engaged throughout, with a good balance of pathos and humor. (I can’t remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did during the team dinner scene!) I liked the many parallels and interconnections among the large cast of characters. Other than the dirtbag husband and his awful mother, I liked or at least had sympathy for all of them as they learned from their mistakes and became all the better for it. Plus, Kim Mi-Kyung as the FL’s mother.

As Dr. Cha Jeong-Suk, Uhm Jung-Hwa fully inhabited the role of the devoted but under-appreciated housewife who finally decides to resume her medical career after so many years of basically being the family servant. I loved her character’s self-confidence and determination; once she’d made up her mind, she didn’t let anyone shame or guilt her into giving up and going back to the kitchen. She also stuck to her guns when she decided to ditch her weasel of a cheating husband. The only false note was her Noble Idiot routine when she tried to refuse the organ donation.

I’m going to risk bringing down the wrath of the DB community by saying that the one thing I didn’t like about the show was Kim Byung-Chul. I think he’s a marvelous actor, especially in comedy, but his cartoonish, over-the-top performance as the smug slimeball of a husband was tonally and stylistically out of step with the rest of the show, and blunted the impact of his moral awakening and penitence at the very end.

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Babylilo

March 16, 2024 at 5:56 AM

Even though the show wasn’t set up to be a romcom, I saw from the recaps comment section that a lot of people were disappointed that Jeong-Suk didn’t accept Dr. Dreamboat’s love confession. I heartily applauded her decision, because 1) she had shown zero romantic interest in him the entire show, and 2) I didn’t want to see her getting into another relationship just when she had freed herself from a bad marriage and established her independence. Even after three years passed and she was still single, it didn’t mean she’d never find someone she truly wanted to be with. I’ve given it a lot of thought and came up with some scenarios:
On one of her medical outreach assignments, she meets a kindhearted male doctor (cameo by Song Seung-Heon).
She joins a motorcycle club and meets a ruggedly handsome biker (cameo by Cha Seung-Won).
She hits it off with a hunky contractor she hired to remodel her clinic (cameo by Jung Woo-Sung).

A couple of nitpicks. Why do Kdrama hospitals—even the most prestigious ones—always seem to be short of available doctors? It sets up yet another situation in which untrained, unqualified, unsupervised staff are called upon to perform dangerous medical procedures: in this case, a procedure that Dr. Cha has only watched on YouTube! And yo, Continuity Supervisor: Jeong-Suk’s family sings “Happy Birthday” to her in English, but in the video on her son’s phone, they’re singing it in Korean.

Fake It Till You Make It - My first C-drama. Enjoyable in the moment, but I don’t think it will stay with me. My favorite scenes were the FL telling off her former crush and then the entitled rich girl bent on stealing her boyfriend. (You go, girl!) Waited in vain for a Truck of Doom to take care of the sister’s disturbing stalker boyfriend.

FILM:

Paid in Blood (a.k.a. Tomb of the River) - One long stabfest, with occasional cigarette breaks. Jang Hyuk at his most psycho, which is saying a lot.

DROPPED:

March 16, 2024 at 6:00 AM

Live watches
Wedding Impossible
An interesting funny watch is guaranteed each week. I am on the train and happy to go wherever it leads. (Please don’t have a second half drop off a cliff, I am begging you)

Queen of tears
I am fascinated by the rollercoaster of emotions the first two episodes evoked and I am really excited to see where this writer is going to go. Driving a steam roller through expectations seems to be top of the agenda.

Dr slump
Can’t believe we come to the end of the journey this week. I hope it finishes well. It’s been sweet. Definitely one I will recommend.

March 16, 2024 at 1:24 PM

WHOA that's an impressively small amount of blood!! 😂

FlexxCop has been such a nice surprise for me, too!!

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18 welh

March 16, 2024 at 6:21 AM

LIVE YOUR OWN LIFE (Ep. 48-49) The set up for the finale is so open ended anything goes now. There are so many Swiss cheese holes in the these last scripts you cannot tell if the show runners are going to tie things up or they gave up trying weeks ago.

CHICKEN NUGGET (Ep 1-10) It is a strange, weird story but not as surreal as one would have thought by the premise. It is more sci-fi com. It relied too much on flashbacks to tell its story. It would have been better if it was made as a chronological movie than a 5+ hour series. It posed several moral paradoxes against science, religion and human greed. But literally in the end, it was a cyclical story. Overall, it was not a bizarre as I thought it would be.

SHOGUN (FX) (Ep. 4) Blackthorne finds his men gone and uneasy secrecy in the village. He changes tactics to naval warfare drills to great results. He cannot fully come to terms of his new imprisonment (with better quarters) and his strong willed widow consort Lady Fuji. But he finds comfort and companionship with Lady Mariko, who has yet to reveal her family tragedy and revenge motive. Lord Toranga’s impetuous young son starts the inventible war by wiping out the Regents messenger envoy. Double-dealing Lord Yabushige now finds himself trapped on the wrong side of the pending battle.

HOUSE ON WHEELS 4 (episode 4) Rain and windy day does not dampen the campers. They quickly gel into a laughing group of new friends. Cooking is still the crown jewel of the series and this episode’s feasts no exception. Ha Neul relaxes enough to joke and be self-deprecating which is different than her totally focused actress-on-set vibe.

APARTMENT 404 (episode 3) It was better than other two episodes, but not really exciting. Blackpink’s Jennie has improved dramatically in her variety skills, but that is not enough to stop below average ratings to continue to fall. Despite its hype and cast, k-netizens find the show boring.

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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

March 16, 2024 at 9:25 AM

Apartment 404 is more boring than it should be given its premise and cast, but I'm finding it a pleasant and comfortable watch. Your reviews of House on Wheels have added it to my list!

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Britney

March 16, 2024 at 3:03 PM

I watched the first episode of Apartment 404 and I think maybe 5 minutes of episode 2 before dropping it. It's just so not funny and it's long and it FEELS long. I think the premise is kinda cool or fun but somehow the execution is lame(?). For me, only like the last 10 mintues of episode 1 was when it felt fun and tense since they all now knew the mission and that there were betrayers.

20 Scottie

March 16, 2024 at 6:25 AM

Loved every minute of QUEEN OF TEARS even though the terminal illness plot took me by surprise. Will all that comedy turn into a sob-fest? I hope not.

Poor Ji-han, I am pleased that he is now aware of his attraction to his future sister in law and is trying hard to get over it. Now it is A-jeong's turn. It was fun to see how she unconsciously takes any opportunity to talk to him, be near him. How long will it take until the penny drops for her, too and what will she then do about her contract? I am not pleased with Do-han in the way he keeps a distance to his little brother, the person who is closest to him in this dysfunctional family. I hope he will open up to Ji-han, soon.

That was a rather good cliff hanger in WONDERFUL WORLD. I think that it is entirely possible that these wild theories are true, that Seon-yul and Min-hyeok have switched places and that Seon-yul is really the son of the the hit and run driver who was killed by Soo-hyun, that the mistress in the photo is not the neighbour, but Soo-hyun's best friend. This would make the drama certainly more interesting. So far I struggle to empathise with Soo-hyun despite her grief over the son she lost. I do like that she confronts her husband about his conduct. Her brother should really be sacked from the hospital for giving out a patient's information!

FLEX X COP is still doing a god job. Jin I-soo has remarkable self confidence, but these new developments will crack this a little. As expected, the nice brother is shady after all - unfortunately.

Only saw two episodes of CHICKEN NUGGET and I am still waiting for the crack comedy. Best bit so far was the family fleeing from the obviously crazy guys and leaving their nuggets behind for them. The half hour episodes are a good choice for this kind of drama.

The ghosts in MIDNIGHT STUDIO are good, but not as good as Hong sisters ghosts, but it is a promising start so far.

Will only drop in for recaps for IMPOSSIBLE HEIR (if there are any more!). I find it impossible to keep watching.

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21 Isa is always time travelling

March 16, 2024 at 6:36 AM

What I am watching:

_ Wedding Impossible (6/12). Almost everything has already been said in DB about this pair of episodes. I really enjoyed them, especially the Episode 6 (pure and funny rom-com). This show is my happy pill these days.

_ Our Blooming Youth (4/20). It's quite interesting so far. I like that the plot is half comedy and half mystery. The OST is very nice.

_ The story of Minglan (12/78). I'm still amazed by the realistic beauty of every scene, but some dialogues are quite long and redundant. I'll keep watching it at my own pace.

What I have finished:

_ Captivating the King. What can I say? Very good actings, but unfortunately I never was very interested in the plot, and I didn't like the main couple. I didn't drop it because I wanted to know what would happen to some secondary characters (I'm glad their arcs finished well).

Movies:

_ Past Lives (2023). Intimate and delicate. I wish it had lasted longer. I'm too used to TV series now, and movies go too quickly. Btw, this is my first time watching Yoo Teo (because I was reluctant to watch Love to hate you).

Western shows:

_ The Last of Us. Season 1 (8/9). This show has all the good things of the early seasons of The Walking Dead, and some of the bad things too (I was very hooked to Walking Dead some years ago). Episodes 3 and 5 have been my favorite so far.

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zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 7:20 AM

Yoo Teo was very good in Love to Hate You! I enjoyed that drama but maybe because I like kickass FLs in both word and deed 🙃

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Isa is always time travelling

March 16, 2024 at 7:46 AM

I'm afraid I'm not particularly a fan of that kind of FLs, and I don't like dramas whose plots are centered on the battle of sexes. That's why I didn't feel like watching that drama when it aired.
But I know that many people enjoyed it, so I might watch it when my list is emptier (🤭).

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zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 8:04 AM

"when your list is emptier" hahaha! We all know how that goes 😉

I'm trying to remember if the plot was really centered on the battle of the sexes or just a battle between these two people with their extreme povs. Hmm....

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zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 8:06 AM

Or is that the same thing? lol. (Also, I just accidentally liked my own post. Ha!)

♡Peach_Mochi♡

March 16, 2024 at 8:56 AM

IIRC her battle was against cheaters and misogynists. But those were the majority of guys she met because of her mission to out them. So she initially assumed ML was more of the same.

Midnight

March 16, 2024 at 1:50 PM

I like that the plot is half comedy and half mystery.

Thank you, I really needed to read this. The show had started much darker, and the comedy was throwing me off, preventing me from connecting with the characters.

March 16, 2024 at 6:46 AM

I'm just so relieved BETWEEN HIM & HER is over. I don't know why I stayed with it. FFing was my friend. I was in a drama Slump (sorry) for a while, and then I started MY SIBLING'S ROMANCE, the dating show where 4 sets of sisters/brothers are living in a house, with a slow reveal of back stories, jobs, and who is related. So far I am mesmerized. I've shed tears of both laughter and empathy. I hope the PD can keep the tone going, because I'm hooked.

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24 zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 6:47 AM

I haven't started Queen of Tears yet, but just wow on javabeans review above. How many times have we felt that reaction to other dramas as well?

WATCHING
Wedding Impossible: Our madcap couple in denial continues to charm and amuse. I'm a little sad that Do Han is the foil for all this craziness, so I'm hoping he will have a wonderful and warm ending. Still wondering how much Grandfather knows... and when he knew it.

The Midnight Studio: I like it. It's unusual and bittersweet. It's a nice change of pace from recent storylines. And I always enjoy seeing Kim Young-Ok in grandmotherly roles.

Doctor Slump: Caught up on the last 4 episodes this week and I'm ready for the finale. I wish this drama had been better in some ways, but in the overall I've actually enjoyed it. The last few eps were definitely an improvement over the middle, er...slump. And it's certainly beautifully produced.

Amidst a Snowstorm of Love: c-drama Ok, I'm just going to say it... romantic c-dramas are winning for me over romantic k-dramas right now. In a big way. For starters, they're actually, you know, romantic. This one also has an engaging story and terrific chemistry. Available on Viki and Netflix.

Eye Love You: j-drama The first two episodes are odd, including (and most particularly) the characterization of the FL. The next 3 are an improvement, and some cute Korean cultural references are fun for k-drama fans. Still, it's a very average story with average acting. I do like seeing a smiling Chae Jong-Hyeop on my screen, so I'm just floating along with it. Waiting now for the remaining 5 episodes to be released.

COMPLETED
Reset: c-drama If you like tightly written, time twist mystery thrillers, this is a worthy watch. I loved it!

Wishing you all a lucky week ahead! 🍀

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FormAnOrderlyQueue

March 16, 2024 at 7:12 AM

With you on the romantic c-dramas winning. I'm at ep20 on Snowstorm and it is so delightful. Absolutely cheering on the main couple through every prolonged absence and wobble - they're so devoted.

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zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 7:24 AM

The difference between a c-drama like Snowstorm and virtually any other k-drama romance I can think of is miles wide. I have my guesses as to why this is, but mostly I'm just appreciating watching an onscreen couple being very natural with each other in every way. 😍

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zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 7:25 AM

Btw, I'm exactly at ep 20 right now too! How funny 😄

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HappyOkayTales

March 18, 2024 at 4:56 PM

Thanks for your response. I’m wondering if there’s a turning point coming up (like ep 9 for LBFAD, for example) to hang on til, or if it’s not doing it for me already, I should quit. So far, it’s just some not-deep texting, him treating her to meals and recommending her restaurants… barely seeing each other at home or at the billiard… just minimal communication overall. I’m waiting to catch some feels cuz I heard good things but I’m not getting it so far.

zindigo

March 18, 2024 at 5:02 PM

@happyokaytales Well, the thing is that with this story it slowly builds, so I'm not recalling any specific turning point. I think that's what makes their relationship feel so real when you're watching. I loved this drama from episode 1, but if you're still not enjoying it after 6 eps, maybe set it aside for now. There are too many other dramas to watch! 😀

Isa is always time travelling

March 16, 2024 at 7:59 AM

Maybe couples in C-dramas tend to be too overemotional and cloying (sometimes I feel it's too much), but I think they look more natural and believably in love than couples in k-dramas.

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zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 8:28 AM

Being an emotionally expressive person myself, I don't mind it at all. I find C-drama romances to simply have a lot more heart. 💗

ar_arguably romantic

March 16, 2024 at 1:19 PM

I couldn't make it past the first few episodes of AASoL, but I think cdrama romances tend to let the characters' relationships develop over a longer period of time on screen and allow more mundane scenes between the characters that some people may find filler-y. Like "Oh! We like the same musician! or "we both like this one specific tea!" There's a slice-of-life-ness to the relationship.
Cdramas are good at having days or weeks pass between scenes without the audience feeling like the writer lobbed a time-jump at them.

Always love Reset mentions!

zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 1:34 PM

@asianromance I think that's exactly why I like them. We're actually watching a romance as it grows between two people. It feels real. But it only works with actors who are masterful with their facial expressions (and have chemistry, of course).

Snowstorm, like most dramas (k or c) picked up after the first few eps, which were definitely a bit unusual. Wu Lei's long gazes are INTENSE!

Reset was fantastic! I'd recommend that to anyone, whether they had watched Asian dramas before or not.

HappyOkayTales

March 18, 2024 at 4:37 PM

Guys, I’ve been slogging through the Snowstorm for weeks and I’m still only at ep 6 and already tempted to drop… should I hang on…? Literally nothing happens, episode after episode, I’m losing motivation to keep watching…

zindigo

March 18, 2024 at 4:48 PM

@happyokaytales This is a character driven story. It's all about the progression of their relationship and we're along for the ride. It snowballs (no pun intended) over the course of 30 episodes but there's no huge drama or action. Personally, I like this kind of storytelling for a romance. But nobody can really tell you whether or not to watch a drama. It's entirely up to what you like and how you feel about it. No judgment on DB. We all like we like, love what we love, and drop what we don't. Your call!

♡Peach_Mochi♡

March 16, 2024 at 8:51 AM

Not inserting a murder subplot is a good start. Snowstorm also benefits from starring two incredibly talented young actors. And although both are very attractive, I never got the sense that their beauty was being showcased for the TV audience. Rather it was more about how they captured each other’s gaze.

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Gikata

March 16, 2024 at 9:47 AM

Gikata

March 16, 2024 at 9:24 PM

@zindigo I'm truly sorry to be that kind of messenger(((

Legit had a convo elsewhere another day about her and how some people should just stay away from romance-centric plots if they obviously hate the genre so much... I find it very unprofessional to keep taking such roles while not making even a minimal effort to earn the paycheck.

zindigo

March 17, 2024 at 8:13 AM

@gikata I'm surprised she gets offered these roles. Ahh well, maybe the right ML will change her tune 😉

alasecond

March 17, 2024 at 8:22 AM

different production team; all cast changed

Gikata

March 17, 2024 at 9:33 AM

@zindigo there's always hope!

zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 1:18 PM

I started watching Snowstorm on Viki, but succumbed to Netflix's better user interface, lol. I'm really glad that they're picking up more c-dramas, tbh.

A spin-off for the cousin would be great!

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25 wonhwa

March 16, 2024 at 6:47 AM

Wedding Impossible: I started this hoping that a mainstream k-drama might finally feature openly gay characters who weren't a) miserable, b) evil, c) single, d) hopelessly pining over a straight person or e) dying. And while we haven't gotten the last two yet (although, who knows, Truck of Doom or cancer could still come roaring in), the first two are still very much in play, and the fact that Do Han's presumed partner has yet to get a name or a single line of dialogue makes me wonder about the third one as well. I mean, don't they call, text, email, something? Is Random Guy in the Bed in on the whole marriage plot, because shouldn't he be? And given the show's utter unwillingness to grant Random Guy the same screen time any straight partner would naturally get, what's with the creepy, stalker-y homicidal?, suicidal? ex who keeps showing up, except to emphasize that queerness may be great as a plot point for launching predictably tropey heterosexual hijinks, but it certainly can't be portrayed as something normal where people get to have happy, fulfilling relationships? Unless I hear that things change radically in the second half, I'm out on this one.

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28 LaurenSophie

March 16, 2024 at 7:29 AM

QUEEN OF TEARS: I feel a lot less conflicted about this one than I expected to after reading the mixed first impressions of many Beanies (I didn't have access to Netflix until yesterday, so I watched it late). From the first seconds of the opening credits, I was into it. There's just something about Park Ji-eun's dramas that give off epic romance vibes for me. Of course I agree that right now, this couple is a mess, and the little vignettes we got of them falling in love (the copier and umbrella scenes) don't seem adequate enough to explain what drew these two to each other. But I know we're only seeing about 25% of the story that's lurking under the surface, and I'm here for the reveal. My only concern/curiosity is if the solution to the main couple's marital troubles will end up being the radical personality change for the FL that the doctor told her might occur as the disease progresses. It may be that that change will allow her to be who she was all along, or it may end up feeling like a cop-out on the part of the writer to get us from Point A (where the FL is sincerely aloof, cold, and looking only for a trophy husband) and Point B (where their marriage becomes what they've been pretending it is all along).

Also, I have to confess that although I liked him very much in "It's Okay to Not be Ok," I've always been lukewarm on Kim Soo-hyun. He did nothing for me in "You From Another Star" and I also did not get the hype about his performance in "Moon Embracing the Sun." I can see that he's talented, but he reads as self-aware and overly polished to me, to the point of caricature. But I'm really liking him in QoT and think he and Kim Ji-won (who has only grown more beautiful as she has gotten older--I'm so jealous of that!) are already showing the potential for intense chemistry.

FLEX X COP: Still vibing with this drama even as things turn darker and more serious because I love the relationships (even when they're reluctant or not yet fully realized) between the characters. That includes our leads, who might also be progressing towards romance, and the coroner and cop, who should already be dating (and maybe they are?), to Mr. Choi and Ji-isoo, who have the father/son relationship Ji-isoo needs. I continue to wish the brother was more prominent, though, and not as an antagonist.

WEDDING IMPOSSIBLE: This week's episodes were the best yet and everything is clicking for me. Loved that family dinner scene! When the dialogue really sparkles in this show it's a delight.

IMPOSSIBLE HEIR: The less said about this awful drama, the better. I'd feel bad for Jun and LJW, but their careers can handle one creative flop. And I don't want to be mean, but I'll go ahead: the actress playing the FL should never have been cast and needs to go back and do some major work and training before she's cast again (if she's ever cast again).

GHOST PHOTO STUDIO: I'm too lazy to look up what this drama is actually called...

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LaurenSophie

March 16, 2024 at 7:30 AM

It's fine and on viki so I'll probably keep watching it, although at this moment I'm struggling to recall anything substantive about it beyond Joo Won's hair (I would have left it alone, but it's not distractingly awful). I haven't seen him in anything since "Alice," and I'm not sure yet if this drama is the one that will make me forget the weird faux (?) incestuous romance at the center of it. I'd really like it to!

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29 TurtuallySarcastic

March 16, 2024 at 7:31 AM

Doctor Slump🧑‍⚕️(10/16): I am not caught up yet, so let me live in happy denial as long as I can, please and thank you!😁Shouting at the moon to get your wish across, calling your love interest your anxiety medication or the bean you want to watch as it sprouts… It’s either swooning or laughing, HyungSik. I cannot do both. Simultaneously.🤭Yes Haneul, throw beer at him, water dries too quickly and does not leave any stench or stains.🤫Harder to watch were the aftermaths for both our leads because they are so relatable. His trial is over, but the PTSD is not. Her trust in him is well-placed, but her fears are not.

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30 ♡Peach_Mochi♡

March 16, 2024 at 7:49 AM

Flex X Cop: Continues to show how you pull off a procedural with heart. It’s the acting and writing, y’all. I’d watch a second season.

Midnight Photo Studio: Started promisingly enough and it’s on a weekday, so … let’s go!

Impossible Wedding: Amidst the snappy dialogue and comedy there’s a relationship square where no one is undeserving of happiness. Let’s see if it’s possible to resolve it.

19th Floor: Add Sun Qian to the list of recent badass C-drama FLs who aren’t in a show to look pretty.

Everyone Loves Me: C-drama romcom set in gaming company. Charming OTP, and the ML really has his work cut out trying to atone for past mistakes.

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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

March 16, 2024 at 9:34 AM

I'd watch a second season, too!! 👍

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abalyn

March 16, 2024 at 11:21 AM

Will give ELM a try. Thanks for the cdrama rec!

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♡Peach_Mochi♡

March 16, 2024 at 1:39 PM

It has some elements that make it feel fresh compared to other C-drama fluffy fare. Both ML and FL have their own capabilities even though he is more successful. Neither is unrealistically wealthy or dressed in designer labels. Her gaming alter ego as a take-no-prisoners spitfire contrasts with the Candy persona she thinks she needs to adopt to be attractive to her crush. I hope you enjoy!

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Mrs. Yoo Ah In

March 16, 2024 at 12:00 PM

I will RIOT if there's no second season of FxC.

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31 panshel

March 16, 2024 at 8:15 AM

Queen of Tears: People calling Hyun-woo gold-digging -- Hyun-woo is not a gold digger. If he were, he wouldn't be getting a divorce. If he were, he wouldn't have proposed to intern Hae-in. He's not after Hae-in's money. If he gets an inheritance from her will, great! If not, it's fine too. The only important thing to Hyun-woo is that Hae-in dies, so he can be free from this marriage. He was willing to risk his life to ask for a divorce because he was that miserable. I know that Beanies think it's abhorrent that he's waiting for his wife to die, but it's not like he's the one killing her. She has an incurable brain tumor with three months to live. Not all marriages are salvageable, and this is a realistic portrayal of one that isn't (of course this is a Kdrama, so she won't die, and they'll end up together).

Wedding Impossible: I appreciate Ji-han for distancing himself, distracting himself with yoga and language classes, folding paper cranes, walking the breakup wall, all to wrap up his feelings. I don't appreciate Ah-jung for seeking out Ji-han, pretending to be his girlfriend in front of his colleagues, texting him, all while knowing she's engaged to his brother. The only reason this is not cheating is because we know their marriage is fake. More than the fact that she signed a contract, Do-han is her best friend, and she made a promise to help him. I agreed with everything Do-han yelled at Ji-han, "I won't ask anymore why you were at that house and what happened between you two." If Ah-jung were Do-han's real fiancée, then Ji-han sleeping over at her house would've been so suspicious. Their families are going to faint when the groom turns into the younger brother. The family meeting was gold with little sister Soo-jung and brother-in-law giving as good as they get.

The Impossible Heir: Welp, our bromance is over. It's been ten years, and Tae-oh still hadn't gotten over Hye-won? And she never genuinely developed feelings for In-ha after a decade of dating? "She doesn't love you. This is why I hate you." Hee-joo spitting facts. Ask and ye shall receive. We wanted more In-ha last week and we got it, and I love Lee Jun-young in this role. In-ha's character is gray, while Tae-oh's character is boring. I suspect In-joo's henchman of killing him to take revenge against his abusive boss. "Why do I have to do this to you? You did nothing wrong!" was psychotic. I was hoping that Henchman would come to Tae-oh and In-ha's side. North Korean hacker is cute.

On QUEEN OF TEARS it is true that Hyun-woo is not actually a gold-digger. However, his friend has talked him into acting like one for the moment. That does not mean that his character has changed but rather that he has a slightly different motivation for this which is his very real resentment at how he has been treated by his wife's family. Javabeans is wrong to describe him as a trophy husband because he is in fact a very valuable asset to the Conglomerate (remember that one brother is mad at him after it came to his dad's attention that Hyun-woo had discovered that the company overpaid six and a half million dollars in taxes- and were now seeking a refund). An argument could be made that his wife could not possibly have married a more suitable husband. His real character is shown in how he tries to get the company to do the ethical thing or work within the law- but even his wife publicly humiliates him for doing this. He is no trophy husband but rather effectively a slave to the family even to the point of missing the celebration of his father's sixtieth birthday. It is only natural that he would momentarily succumb to his friend's blandishments and want to get his wife to change her will.

But that is just a momentary emotional response. He is a very good lawyer. Very soon he will remember that even if she were to change her will, her family could successfully contest that new will: All their lawyer will have to do is prove that she did this while suffering from a brain tumor, etc. His momentary lapse will not last long.

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32 Ydigresse

March 16, 2024 at 8:19 AM

Still loving 'Flex x Cop' and 'Wedding Impossible' because the characters are a delight.

Also still loving 'The Impossible Heir' (no matter how sketchy the writing, because I think it's heading into best friend betrayal territory, which is my favourite thing in all k-drama...)

Managed only 10 minutes of 'Queen of Tears'. I'm sure it gets better as it goes on, but I couldn't get past the beginning because I like the "Show, don't tell" school of writing, where you have to examine a character's smallest actions to figure out what they are thinking, and that voiced over introduction just sledgehammered me straight out of the story.

Flex X Cop: I have to admit, this show is the most pleasant surprise of the season. It's the first KDrama I've watched where the all important pen drive was actually copied on to someone's computer (DUH). I was also surprised that the first big mystery was resolved in a reasonable manner. I kept expecting the other trope-y shoe to drop. I'm dreading the end of the show.

Marriage Impossible: Our boy's attempt to exorcise himself from his feelings have officially made me a fan. Between him and our badass heroine, it's been a funny, silly way to spend an hour.

The first responders: God I loved this show. And then I watched Season 2, episode 3 and immediately dropped it. People who've watched it will know why. How could they???

Finally! Finally I have a proper drama watching week! It's been AGES! *tears up a little from all the feelz*

DR SLUMP: *screw-this-I'm-outta-here.jpg* Let's meet in your dark gritty noir, Hyungsikkie, I promise to love you to the fullest again there, makjangy plot be damned!

WHITE CAT LEGEND: Only had time for a few episodes - still nice, easy and fun. I especially love running gag of ML (chief detective, mind you!) casually befriending brothel's madame and going in/out of her establishment like no biggie while everyone else are properly scandalized. Side-eyeing writer's idea to make ALL cases connected to the main one – who does that in 36 eps drama?! - and “love line” between Ali-baba and female judge. She's such a useless character, boy, focus on your exam instead!

~~SEEKING SEQUEL~~ ETERNAL BROTHERHOOD: First things first – Ep24 was a banger! Show gathered all its tiny budget for 1 episode full of action, drama, war games, titular brotherhood and other goodies. Despite its total narrative openness, I liked the ending – whether sequel happens or not, I'm good, it was a satisfying enough moment to stop at. Overall, last week was show's strongest so far – drama dropped Princess Diaries subplot for the sake of macho stuff (there was even a hot bed scene! not between the ship I'd prefer, but a nice surprise nonetheless) everyone came for. With old generals chewing the scenery being gone tension suffered a bit, but new generation still tried their best to fill the big shoes. I even kinda liked ML near the end, took me long enough lol. SYL is THE most classical hero out of 3 (poor Romeo, at least you won't perish a virgin) while Di Lin is the most riveting one (the contrast between his Person Of Mass Destruction and Sweetest Hubby modes is WILD!), while ZCX is a bit... idk, something's off either with his writing or performance – this hero archetype SHOULD work, but only does 50/50. Shame, since it IS a hero-centric plot. Less whiny princess love interest did the trick later on tho.

Annoying off vibes happen to the story as well – I CANNOT with hardly anyone in the show seeing how much of a manipulative bastard the current ruler is! Are you blind or just dumb? His unapologetic villainy is super obvious, stop fighting each other and focus on the real root of ALL your problems! Di Lin, babe, pick that axe back up and use it for the greater good before it's too late! Northern clan's Emperor is the same kind of jerk (how realistic!), but at least he's much less creepy. And goes into battle himself, respect. His sons are morons tho, that family tree is doomed unless SYL and KD make some quality princes asap. ZCN continues to being moron too – I have a VERY bad feeling about her last scene's “will 100% throw her bae's bros under the bus to save said bae” heavy vibes... Pls prove me wrong! Also, red eyed bird men?! I thought show did away with demons...

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Gikata

March 16, 2024 at 9:28 AM

Now to the fun part – my boy! Heard Di Lin's epic (6 digits body count or so) murder spree since mid-drama left picky local audience quite impressed. I was impressed too – this is probably his darkest role to date, and not due to lack of strong contenders... At some point I wondered why he doesn't have a scary nickname to reflect his The Dreaded fame – and sure, two episodes after we've got one: The Executioner. Charming))) Sadly, he wasn't in that cool final battle, but since season ends with him planning to ride there and join the fun, perhaps next time? And how 180 degrees different he is at home – gardening with wifey and making DIY toys for his unborn kid, two sets just in case? - really sad we only got crumbles of that. Again, hopefully he axes chieftain the first thing upon returning – one does NOT take a pregnant woman hostage without consequences, that's peak uncool! ~~Is it too late to hope for a prettier armor/wig as well? Guess so(((~~

No official word about S2, but rumors say June (how?), let's see. Until then have this cool OST from Ep24 (btw, singer WROTE it and was a music director of both EB and AJTL – I sensed familiar vibes!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFjLhA2-7TA

IN BLOSSOM: Promise of gothic romance meets a cdrama got me curious. Face swap was even crazier than in synopsis, but it's kind of fun – leads are OK so far and I'm amused. Wonder if we'll get amnesia later on, but least the risk of ToD is minimal...

“Drama news” segment:

- LYX is rumored to headline an isekai-into-period-action-VR-game drama (from Tencent, of all things). Catch is that the game is hella buggy – dying there means dying irl... How classical cyberpunk! Since he's a giant gaming nerd this holds some credibility, I guess;

- 2 long shelved dramas LYN cameo-ed in are rumored to air soon, but no strong movement yet. No sight of TPOB either...

- TLOJ wrapped up 2 days ago with no official new content, yet tons of leaks instead. Aside of swoon and sugar (hugs, domestic shots AND riding horse together through desert? Boy should get a client's card there lol! Love “bandit kidnapping a princess” vibe - very ANGELIQUE-like) there's also battles, blood, tears, drama, leads take turns being kidnapped and tortured (LYN goes from chopping folks with a bow/saber to chilling chained up in a cave in nothing but inner robe – both images are rather... picturesque). Should we worry about sad ending once again? Dude, do a xianxia pls – at least it's harder to die permanently there! Too much of everything to post, check for yourself:
https://mydramalist.com/749429-zhu-lian-yu-mu

Well, I originally meant it as a compliment. But now that you mention it... 😂

zindigo

March 16, 2024 at 1:25 PM

DB crashed while I was trying to respond, if that's any indication of my original intent 😂

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36 john

March 16, 2024 at 9:54 AM

K dramas

Finale for LYOL

Queen of Tears Sticking with it.

Midnight Studio I tried 3 times to watch, meh. Another Joo Won drama I did not finish.

Chicken Nugget Did not bother to click on it.

I looked for a good weekender to watch. Many “best of “ lists listed Five Enough Dropped after 5 minutes. Let’s lie ! FL lied about divorce, says husband is in the USA, not that crap again ! trash !

My wife and I have enjoyed DOCTOR SLUMP. The final episodes are this weekend.

Just started on Netflix is JUDGE DEE’S MYSTERY. JUDGE DEE is based upon an actual Tang Dynasty county magistrate and later court official who was the basis of an Eighteenth Century Chinese detective novel which was then translated into English. The author who did the translating then proceeded to write sixteen follow-on novels. Then several French authors added to the canon as did a Chinese American author. I remember watching an earlier made for TV movie centered around Judge Dee and it was definitely entertaining. There are, in short, enough Judge Dee stories to produce a drama franchise that would last for years. My wife particularly like Chines Costume Mystery dramas and so I hope that Netflix will be smart enough to make sure that this happens.

I dropped QUEEN OF DIVORCE at about the half-way point. You know you are done when you just cannot bring yourself to hit the Play button. I am not quite sure why this has happened as I really enjoyed the earlier episodes.

WEDDING IMPOSSIBLE is simply fabulous.

I am finally able to watch FLEX X COP and it is actually fun.

What was the show my wife first watched on Hulu? KISS: SIXTH SENSE. She enjoyed it. Then she started watching CHRONICLES OF ARTHDAL: THE SWORD OF ARAMUN and has just been enthralled. In her words “I can’t stop watching”. The irony of all this is that I signed up for Hulu in order to watch SHOGUN and we have yet to start it.

This week started the final story arcs for my very favorite show: The daily UNPREDICTABLE FAMILY with weddings for our leads at the beginning of the week and then we finally returned to the tale of Ga-ram and his father- and the inevitable birth secret reveal that we knew was coming almost from the first episode. Our little family will be very happy together but not before a couple more bumps in the road.

I loved the first two episodes of QUEEN OF TEARS. We have been waiting a long time for this show and it is really good so far. I agree with Javabeans about how so much of the past is missing in what we are seeing but it is clear that we will get reveals of happier times as we go along- and of the events that warped the relationship of our ML and FL- all of which probably due to the FL’s sadist, hypocritical tyrant of a father. A satisfactory resolution of this drama will have to involve some kind of come-uppance for Dear Old Dad, if only so that I will no longer feel like slugging him when I see him on screen (bad for the TV set).

March 16, 2024 at 12:23 PM

I think the meaning is: Drop this show and go to live your own life! 😄

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john

March 17, 2024 at 6:10 AM

Waiting for Ep 51 !!!
Omg, this girl.

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Dorotka

March 17, 2024 at 6:52 AM

Me too!
I think the liver transplant was the break point for Hyoshim and I actually get her. And I think this is better than if Taeho is the one saving her by basically kidnapping her and moving to England. (I still want to know what's in that letter though!). Only all this should have happened 20 episodes ago.

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john

March 17, 2024 at 9:46 AM

This has to be one of the worst communicating OTP ever !
They lie, omit , make life changing plans without bothering to inform their partner of said such plans !

I read that previews are now spoilerish ? 🤔🙄
Anyways, it looks as though a “time leap” is going to take place .

Breakout the K Drama Random Time Leap Generator and give the wheel a spin !

TaeHo never got around to telling Hyo-Sim about the England plan. .

Hyo-Sim crying next to the sleeping Tae-Ho. Quiet or you’ll wake him dummy !

Hyo-Joon , the man of the hour 🙄
I’m sure this last episode will be a doozy .

Dorotka

March 17, 2024 at 10:12 AM

@johnb
Very oldschool kdrama move.
Poor Taeho.

OldLawyer

March 17, 2024 at 11:44 AM

The liver transplant was indeed the final straw.

But it is sad that Hyo-shim has had to conclude that to live her own life she has to cut ties with everyone. That may be her own life but it is a lonely one.

And what about Tae-min? He too has been very badly used by his family and not had his own life. Does he have to soldier on without even being able to exercise the option used by Hyo-shim?

I am not sure which outcome is worse.

Dorotka

March 17, 2024 at 12:40 PM

I think she just got exhausted and needed space and silence, @oldawyer ...to get away from pity, overbearing care, guilty looks ....and Mom's shouts Poor Hyoshimaaa! Was it an ideal solution? Absolutely not. But I think Hyoshim was at the dead end, she just couldn't anymore.

As for Taemin... don't crush my hope for a miracle yet!

OldLawyer

March 17, 2024 at 3:08 PM

With one episode left- I too want at least a few crumbs of hope for Tae-min.

And a happier result for Tae-ho.

And a more far more respectful relationship between Hyo-shim and her family- with far greater respect for her needs and value as a person.

39 jillian

March 16, 2024 at 10:23 AM

Shogun ep 1-2 It is such a captivating drama. The history buff in me is intrigued since I am not familiar with this part of Japan's history. The characters are very intriguing and so very human. I love the costumes and locations. I am very interested to know what will happen next.

Eternal Brotherhood ep 5-10 the brotherhood is a definite highlight for this show. I liked the older generation's power atruggles especially the conversation between the two rivals. Aside from Dilin, I like Ka Dan and Si Yilin. Its still wrong that there was too little scenes with Dilin and more of squabble with Xin and Ning.

Pyramid Game ep 1-6 I started this because of a beanie recommendation. I usually avoid high school dramas but this is very interesting. Its a different take on the high school violence and power struggle between the haves and have-nots. The interacfion among these kids are very similar to what can happen irl. I worry for society if people in power are more like our top rich girl.

The Accidental Influencer ep 1-11 I forgot to write abot this when I started to binge this a couple of weeks ago. Its a Taiwanese drama and I like the humor. Its about Red and how she dealt with her breakup from her cheating ex. Her friends love lives are also featured. I like the humor of the show.

I hurt my foot which has meant a lot of drama watching while I am resting:

Risky Romance- another odd Tubi find. It was oddly engrossing in that old school way, and Ji hyun Woo was really hot here. In the first half of the show he was abusive to the FL, even causing her to lose her job, because he thought she was the reason his best friend died. The second half is them not being able to be too romantic because it might blow a blood vessel in his brain…and yet somehow this show was addictive, which is why it reminded me of older shows. Somehow it worked, although caveat is I fast forward watched.

Flex x Cop- I got stuck on FL’s ego when she was wrong in the first episode, but gave this another try and have been loving it. It keeps subtly surprising me in how the characters aren’t the stereotypes you’d exactly expect.

Doctor Slump- 13&14 were much more interesting (little brother growing up, complicated relationship with tutor). I thought the OTP were cute in the beginning, but in 11&12 the relationship was cloying. We’ll likely go back to that in 15&16, but I would love to be surprised with more exploration of real life or a more mature romance.

The Midnight Studio- I liked it ok, I thought the first two episodes could use more interaction and development between the OTP. I agree with @attiton that it’s like SYHS but not quite as good.

I’ll Come to You When the Weather is Nice- tried again when I heard that Lee Jae work was in it and because I needed a slower contemplative watch. I was put off by FL and aunt’s lack of mutual consideration initially, but it makes a lot more sense a few episodes in. I’m also not bothered by PMY since she’s playing such a different type-director really brought out a different side of her.

Queen of Tears-I am also not crazy about the dying soon trope or the ML’s response, but everything else is drawing me in. It’s too soon to decide.

March 16, 2024 at 11:39 AM

Well the upside of having not so great memory is that I can go back now and rewatch my early dramas and it's like brand new again LOL. I'm holding off on starting the new dramas until they finish airing. Instead, this week is all about rediscovering old gems such as My Husband Got a Family, written by the screenwriter of currently airing Queen of Tears. I am just amazed all over again by the quality and all-star casting of My Husband Got a Family. So much humor, so much wit, so many relatable situations, so many feels, so many astute observations of the human condition all tied up in a brilliant and hilarious set up. I do think this may be the screenwriter's magnum opus. It's so satisfying in so many different ways. I'm also rewatching Children of a Lesser God starring Kang Ji Hwan and Kim Ok Vin. I love the setup and fast pace in this drama too. These are the exact dramas I need right now: great set ups that draw you in immediately and emotionally connect with the leads right away and a screenwriter with a sense of humor.

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43 Comfort

March 16, 2024 at 12:03 PM

Suprised no Pyramid Game - current superior airing drama

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44 Grand Sophy

March 16, 2024 at 1:37 PM

Watched a lot of Oscar nominated movies (Maestro, Nyad, The Holdovers❤️, Zone of Interest, Anatomy of a Fall), plus binging The Untamed, plus traveling, so the only kdrama I'm up to date on is Wedding Impossible. Ji-han is such an orphaned baby in many ways, it's not surprising that he's smitten with a kind, capable older woman. He's also gorgeous, so no need for deep psychoanalysis to figure out why Ah-jung is attracted. Just a fun watch.

Finished Branding in Seongsu. Had trouble remembering who was in whose body at the end. And did they really have such a deep attraction that after a year of no-contact they'd instantly fall into a passionate clinch? I enjoyed the work projects, and the basement crew, but not a particularly memorable series.

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45 23new2kdrama 🌱🎄🎅❤️

March 16, 2024 at 2:42 PM

Bean Earned!!!
My Man is Cupid! Surprised??? I was too! It was crazy, made your heart flutter madly, confusing, and interesting. The romance, kissing and love between the leads was great. I will definitely re-watch when I need some swoon in my life.
Dropped:
Captivating The King
Knight Flower
---Enough Said

Next:
Chicken Nugget- intriguing
Dr. Slump
Flex X Cop
More beans please

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46 9TailedVixen Loves Hanging Upside Down

March 16, 2024 at 6:32 PM

CURRENTLY WATCHING:

1. CHICKEN NUGGET - It is truly bonkers! I'm enjoying this!

2. BLOOD - And the Vampire Makjang (TM) continues. At the rate this is going, it's right up there with the soapy angsty-ness of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES.

3. THE APOTHECARY DIARIES - The adventures of Mao Mao is infinitely amusing as she uses her apothecary skills (including her knowledge of poisons) and her common sense to tackle cases big and small.

WAITING IN THE WINGS:

1. DR SLUMP is finishing its live run this weekend so I'll be starting it this week.

FINISHED:

1. DAMSEL - That was an okay watch. I like how they inverted fairy tale tropes quite handily within a girl power framework.

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47 Olivedreams

March 16, 2024 at 6:59 PM

I’m rewatching Are You Human Too? and it’s just as good the 2nd time around and better than most of the dramas I’ve watched in the last year. Seo Kang-joon is absolutely brilliant portraying an android. I highly recommend if you haven’t watched yet.

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48 Minnie🫘👩🏻‍🚀Pioneer and Teacher 👩🏻‍🏫🌱🏹

March 16, 2024 at 8:54 PM

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49 Minnie🫘👩🏻‍🚀Pioneer and Teacher 👩🏻‍🏫🌱🏹

March 16, 2024 at 8:57 PM

I was running on wheels this week, so watch time was curtailed drastically.

Catching up:

Chicken Nugget: Just started it. I am not sure it's my cup of tea yet. I love the dad. Will report on this next week.

Wedding Impossible: I am impossibly behind, but it's cuteness personified. It's like the cotton candy of K-dramas. Lots of sweet fluff on a non-existent premise.

Finishing this week:

Doctor Slump This show is romance perfection, with some of the funniest moments ever in a K-drama. This is how a romance should be written. It's nice to see characters grow without always breaking up. Instead of evil exes or nosy families, its refreshing to see mundane problems that bring the couple closer as they work together to solve them.
Not saving the getting together in the last five minutes of a series is so rewarding. We deserve to see what happens after couples get together, not just at the end. This show has been beautiful, and Park Shin Hye a revelation.

Rewatch:
Our Blooming Youth Watching it as a part of my first community watch, I am thrilled to say I am loving it as much as I have always loved it.

Starting this week:

Queen of Tears
The horror photo studio show I forget the name, but I plan to check this one out because some lovely beanies highly recommend it.

Watched an Indian series:
Murder Mubarak Whimsical in its treatment, it starts slow but picks up pace in the second half. Nothing new, but the performances are good.

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50 parkchuna 🍉

March 16, 2024 at 10:19 PM

I just finished Queen of Tears ep 1 and boy it’s long. Watching the ep i kept thinking what a beauty KSH is and i’ve missed seeing him on screen, so i hope the story goes on well. Not holding out much hope seeing the mixed reaction of Beanies and the staffs but onto ep 2 then! You cant be bad show, not with the stellar cast you have on hand!

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Dorotka

March 17, 2024 at 12:35 AM

This drama definitely needs the first 4 episodes rule. The stage is being set slowly...

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