Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (March 9, 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…
javabeans
Shooting Stars (aka Sh**ting Stars): One upside to having unplugged from the entertainment machine for a while is the ability to go into shows without any baggage or anticipation and just figure out how I feel about them, and I’m quite enjoying the experience. I completely missed this show when it aired, but didn’t get the sense it had made much of a splash at the time and thus didn’t expect much. I generally like Lee Sung-kyung and Kim Young-dae, but they’ve both done bad dramas so the casting alone wasn’t much to stand on. So my foremost impression of this drama was pleasant surprise — I found it lighthearted, amusing, a bit tongue-in-cheek, inoffensively cute. Dramaland really loves making dramas about dramaland, to the extent that it often feels like a lazy cliche — everybody’s a top star, every scandal is an emergency of the highest order, and every press conference is a pivotal turning point. At least with this drama, rather than playing up a lavish display of celebrity excess, I appreciated the perspective on the staffers and crew toiling behind the scenes to clean up their star clientele’s shit (aka, that endless stream of gossip, controversy, and scandal that comes with the territory), armed with a can-do spirit and deadpan humor. (On that score, while I still think that title is more awkward than clever — always to be read in my head as shitting stars — at least I can appreciate the reference to shit was intentional in both languages.) To be honest, Kim Young-dae has been pretty subpar in previous projects (so wooden in Extraordinary You, so ineffectually unemotive in Penthouse) but he won me over here because he’s found an angle that works with his limitations: clueless heo-dang himbo smacked upside the head by petty jealousy and lovestruck adoration. It was frigging adorable. Lee Sung-kyung was all no-nonsense competence as the lead PR manager and fixer, while he was the topmost top star with a swoony reputation who just couldn’t figure out how to make the smart pretty girl like him. There were other plot elements and stars with shit to clean up, like Choi Ji-woo guest-starring as a legendary star and negligent mother, plus a host of scandals cooked up by bloodthirsty tabloids and anti-fans — but really, all that was just filler in between the couple moments for me. Side note: sometimes we get chaste pecks and sometimes we get moderate making out, but we don’t often get couples chain-smooching amidst outbursts of giddiness at how adorable they find each other and we really need more of that in our lives. So while the romance veered a bit young in tone (one could even say juvenile) and I’d never turn down a bit more nuance and thoughtful characterization, in this fantasy, top star romances can be simple and pure and I’ll accept that.
Dramaddictally
Wedding Impossible: I loved the mom’s well-articulated philosophy on taking the side paths. I totally stand by that perspective. As for our female lead, I like her a lot better when she’s mouthing off and putting people in their place. Something about the softer moments between our leads just didn’t work for me this week. Although, that being said, I do think Ji-han is earning his place as a drama-worthy male lead. Maybe the seduction tactics don’t work for Ah-jung, but I like his dedication to the craft. In fact, he’s so dedicated to the art of making ‘em swoon that I couldn’t believe even for a second that he didn’t know he was already smitten. Who watches all of someone’s side-character filmography for “research”? Give it up, Ji-han. I think you drank your own love potion.
The Impossible Heir: I’m just here for the love triangle and all the handsomeness on display. Yes, years-long plotting and endless power-tripping is exciting stuff, but really, here’s to Week 2 suits and improved haircuts.
RELATED POSTS
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (March 2, 2024)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (February 24, 2024)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (February 17, 2024)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (February 10, 2024)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (February 3, 2024)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (January 27, 2024)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (January 20, 2024)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (January 13, 2024)
Tags: Shooting Stars, The Impossible Heir, Wedding Impossible, What We're Watching
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1 HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 5:00 AM
Currently Watching
Wedding Impossible: 🤵♂️🚫👰♀️(ep. 2-4) Oohh things developed more depth in the last couple of episodes! It was nice seeing the ML and FL stand up for each other to jerks. I'm liking the ML more now. Chaebol half-sister seems quite interesting - will she become the primary antagonist?
Flex x Cop: 🕵♂️ (ep. 10-11) So the cases are getting a bit darker (*and bloodier*), but I'm still enjoying it. Ahn Bo-hyun is just doing such a nice job making the ML personable and likable. Their team is just so chill and supportive! It's nice to see positive work teams. Also, I LOVE seeing Isoo make breakthroughs and solve things with his non-linear processes!
FINISHED!!🥳🎉
The Matchmakers
The most beautiful drama. "Love is everywhere, and is the beginning of everything." I loved the tone of this... sweet, wistful, and a little bittersweet, but with hope and happiness instead of sadness. The love between our main leads is developed through their admiration and esteem for each other as they get to know each other. The ML is a sweet nerd (just my type), and has to learn about romantic love because he hasn't had any practice. But he's sincere, genuine, and patient in his pursuit. The FL is a young widow who loves love, and tries to help other couples find love like she experienced in her marriage. The manifestation of her love is shown as a desire to protect - to protect her clients, her family, and her new-found love, even offering to be his shield. She and her MIL are cut from the same cloth, which her MIL sees, but whereas MIL will sacrifice anyone to advance the monolithic concept of "family," the FL is willing to sacrifice her own happiness for people she considers family. Such an interesting contrast. I also loved the Romeo and Juliet thematic bookending of the first and last episodes. The villain was complex and compelling, the characters well fleshed out and nuanced, the love sincere and gentle, and every scene was GORGEOUSLY framed, lit, and filmed (I mean, even using different colors of light to visibly show passage of time - just WOW). My new #1 drama.
🦆❤️🦆🫏📚🏮👰♀️🤵♂️💕
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Seon-ha
March 9, 2024 at 5:05 AM
OMG. You're done. And it's now your #1!!!! I had so, so hoped you'd love it this much. Squee for my Internet Friend!!
Now, to the meat of the matter. When might we see, "Hopeful's Summaries of EVERY SINGLE MATCHMAKERS EPISODE," each presented in apt, poignant, brief phrases that are separated by semi-colons? I'm truly not joking that I'd avidly read and respond to 16 such Fan Wall posts. 🥹🤓❤️
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 5:20 AM
You were so so right about how lovely and awesome this drama is, and how much I'd love it!!! 🥰 Thank you again for all your fanwall posts - it was so fun to engage with the themes and visuals, even when I hadn't gotten very far yet.
The thing is, the things I liked about the drama were so BIG, my emotions eclipsed my watch-pause-take notes-watch-pause-etc. process... I didn't do the summaries for the last episodes! To do so, I'd need to go back and rewatch. And I totally will at some point!!!!
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Kurama
March 9, 2024 at 5:54 AM
It was a pleasure to read your comments about The Matchmakers! Everytime, I could remember this beautiful drama and its characters 🥰
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 5:59 AM
Thank you Kurama!! 😊❤️
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zindigo
March 9, 2024 at 6:18 AM
Your comments on The Matchmakers filled me with joy as I read them, just like the drama itself. Your contrast between the FL and her MIL is spot on, and something I hadn't thought of before. So glad you loved it (although your internet twinsies had no doubt you would!) 🤗
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 6:22 AM
Thank you Zindigo! 😊 ❤️ Yay drama twins!! 😆
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ar_arguably romantic
March 9, 2024 at 8:27 AM
I love how you brought me back to The Matchmakers memory lane! I feel like it's easy to overlook how a scene is lit and framed in favor of focusing on script and acting and even costuming, but a drama like Matchmakers come along and I go, "omg, the scene is so beautifully framed! How did they think to get that angle or compose that scene?!"
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 8:53 AM
Thank you!! 😊❤️ I loved how continually impressive the cinematography was, even for transition or "throwaway" scenes, but it was never distracting or overpowering. Lol I kept pausing scenes to admire the lighting! 😆
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mmmmm
March 9, 2024 at 11:08 AM
Ok.. now I have to add this to my to-watch list despite my sageuk allergy.
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 11:14 AM
I hope you like it if you try it! The "vibe" and plot progression isn't quite like other sageuks, so I think you may like it.
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2 miso
March 9, 2024 at 5:00 AM
COMPLETED
Sejak - What a relief that everyone in Qing was as blind as everyone in Joseon 😑. JJS was too good for this show.
Queen of Divorce - Meh. Still waiting for Kang Ki-young as a lead in a good show.
ONGOING
The Chaebol-Cop Show - It'd be interesting if they actually let the mother's death remain a suicide. I thought this was 12 episodes with the cult being the final arc so I'm glad we get more episodes!
Doctor Slump - The Trucks-of-Doom are evolving 🙄.
Wedding Impossible - The show is jumping through so many hoops to make everyone's super irrational motivations believable. But the characters keep surprising me - even evil chaebol trio - and I enjoy it.
The Impossible Heir (Ep 1-4) - The story is moving so fast - it's hard to relate to any of this scheming. Still Week 2 was better than Week 1. The FL is extraneous to this story. Nice to see Lee Ji-hoon again.
WATCHLIST
It's finally Queen of Tears weekend! Let's go 💃🎉🎊!
C-DRAMAS
Only had time to watch 4 episodes of Pegasus so far but liking it a lot. Hu Xian Xu is such a talent.
Not really enthused by any forthcoming dramas right now 🙁.
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Seon-ha
March 9, 2024 at 5:09 AM
Yeah, the ToD's are learning to attack in packs now, aren't they? The first one fakes you out so the second one can really side-swipe you! 😂
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miso
March 9, 2024 at 5:12 AM
Seriously it's like a tag-team of ToDs. Tiki-taka!
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mmmmm
March 9, 2024 at 11:10 AM
We may expect 3 ToDs in some next show.
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
March 9, 2024 at 11:24 AM
Gang of ToDs met while they were doing their military service in Crash Landing on You, then drifted around doing odd jobs for a while. One of them picked up the tag-team method while filming Hometown Cha Cha Cha and organized his buddies into the growing criminal enterprise we see today.
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mmmmm
March 9, 2024 at 12:05 PM
Tbh, and I hate to say this a little, but it may be a good thing if these ToD's targets have been carefully chosen. 😂
miso
March 9, 2024 at 12:23 PM
The logical progression then is obviously Queen of Trucks, a melo on the forbidden romance between two white trucks (also starring a Tall, Dark and Handsome black truck) as the doomed to failure SML 😔.
3 Blue (@mayhemf)
March 9, 2024 at 5:00 AM
Completed
Queen of Divorce: Oh Min Seok! 😍Everything else *yawn*
Ongoing
Flex Cop upto 4 episodes. I am having fun with this show. First two episodes were ok, but I really liked episode 3 and 4. I love how earnest our chaebol cop has become. It was nice to see him find something he enjoys and is actually passionate about it. He even informed his boss he is running late!! All he wants is to be part of the team. It was sad when no one went to his dinner invite nor did they invite him. I can’t wait for our cop team to warm up to him and make him feel included. He is such a softie and endearing chaebol!
Also, the forensic lady and other cop dude have some insane chemistry!! In just two scenes so much was said. Need morawwwe!
Only complaint is that the two cases so far have been in the rich realm making it easy for Chaebol cop to contribute. Hope we see him learn in other cases and be thrown into unfamiliar territory.
Shop for Killers : 5/8. No progress this week.
Impossible Heir :
What are they even doing!! So flat. But everyone is so pretty and are acting like the smartest cookies in Korea, so I just want to see where they go from here.
Wedding Impossible :
So so fun! Absolutely enjoying the faux seduction backfiring on Ji Han. I hope the show can keep this up.
Shogun : Yet to watch Ep 3.
I really liked Ep 2. Hiroyuki Sanada as Toranaga is brilliant. The assassin sequence was so well shot!! can’t wait to watch episode 3 this evening.
Exploration method of Love (cdrama) :
Paused.
Dropped
Doctor Slump :
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Blue (@mayhemf)
March 9, 2024 at 5:01 AM
Also, Judge Dee’s mystery (cdrama) is coming on Netflix US, if anyone is interested.
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 5:16 AM
I saw that, too!! I'm planning to at least try it out since it will be easy for me to access.
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OldLawyer
March 9, 2024 at 6:01 AM
I know that I and my wife are.
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pamkay
March 10, 2024 at 6:19 AM
I've read and enjoyed the series of books by Robert Van Gulik. Look for them online, he based the character on a real Chinese judge. Looking forward to seeing how it is brought to the screen.
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Dorotka
March 9, 2024 at 5:16 AM
I see we have a very similar comment on QoD. 😄
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Blue (@mayhemf)
March 9, 2024 at 7:04 AM
It was worth it for him! The last two episodes gave us some very good shots of OMS!
I want to see him in more dramas.
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Dorotka
March 9, 2024 at 8:24 AM
The director obviously loved him as well. 😁
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4 Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
March 9, 2024 at 5:00 AM
Live watches
Wedding Impossible
Still the most fun drama in the week. Having to qualify this as a week day drama knowing later today I will finally start watching Queen of tears which I am hoping will be my fun weekend watch.
Queen of tears
Drops later today🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Dr slump
Hoping dark tones aka Hyung disappear as that is the only reason this drama has not been able to reign as the ultimate watch. It is a great slice of life rom com but I feel the slice of life elements were dark enough and would have kept it more realistic.
The impossible heir
Singing All by myself 🎶 again as I am the last woman standing still enjoying this drama for what it is is.
Between Him & Her
Progress in the main relationship at loooooooooooooooooong last.
Eye love you -Japanese
I have the last two episodes on hold as the show will finally drop tomorrow on Netflix with hopefully better subtitles. I want to watch on Netflix so the ratings are captured to support smiling boy and his projects.
Binge watch corner
The best chicken as recommended by a beanie on their What We’re Watching list a couple of weeks back. Thank you for recommending this no stress watch.
Special Labour Inspector Jo
Early days with this one. I think it’s going to be Miseang and On the verge of insanity type hard core watch so limited number of episodes in each binge session.
Completed
Queen of divorce
Shame the ‘happy’ ending was so briefly tied up.
Book club:
The tale of Genji - Japanese classic from 11th century
Only 6 hours of listening left. Non spoiler review to be posted next week.
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Kafiyah Bello
March 9, 2024 at 5:03 AM
I may not be "enjoying" Impossible Heir, but I will be right there with you!!
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 5:23 AM
So glad you're having fun with Wedding Impossible!! 😄 I'm going to try out Eye Love You, too!!
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5 Kafiyah Bello
March 9, 2024 at 5:01 AM
Flex x Cop: The meta reference and his Iet’s not talk about it wave of his hand to his next life was pitch perfect. I am glad he can make fun of himself. Corrupt police, smh, but this continues to be my fun drama. Also Yisoo’s earnestness is so sweet, we are a team indeed.
Wonderful World: SIGH, we had to go the cheating husband route. I biggest problem with this plot point is that at the end of the day, the ultimate cause of Gunwoo’s death was not the cheating or the door open, it was the man who hit him with the car and left him to die. This is annoying and I think that was my last episode.
Queen of Tears: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be good!!
Doctor Slump: Well I guess no more cutesey moments and cringe, now we have dramatic acting and tears. I look forward to it.
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miso
March 9, 2024 at 5:04 AM
Joining the "Queen of Tears PLEASE BE GOOD" prayer circle 🙏.
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OldLawyer
March 9, 2024 at 6:33 AM
As am I.
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jerrykuvira
March 9, 2024 at 5:13 AM
Thanks for the Wonderful World warning. I guess that's a hot potato drop from me. I won't bother watching the premiere anymore.
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 5:24 AM
Flex x Cop has been, and continues to be, such charming fun for a show about murders! 😂
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Kafiyah Bello
March 9, 2024 at 10:44 AM
So true, lol.
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6 Seon-ha
March 9, 2024 at 5:01 AM
LIVE WATCHES
Impossible Heir
Those who wanted "moar politix" certainly got that in episodes 3-4. Unfortunately, even though some of us were able to watch them about a week early due to a Hulu slip-up, it has not felt like an extra hardship to have to wait an extra few days for episodes 5-6. Here's hoping they'll get better. Week one was so good.
Wedding Impossible
This one has split the community. The FL is pretty well universally loved by the fans, tho.
Queen of Divorce
While not a master class in script-writing, the last episode did contain some pretty solid commentary about what constitutes a strong attitude towards marriage at the wedding ceremony, but then undercut them in the last five minutes with our "lead couple".
FxC
Such a simple show. Predictable each week, in a good way. Hopefully, it stays that way!
Dr. Slump
While welcoming the exit of Park Hyung-sik's aegyo, the reason for its departure was disappointingly trite.
LYOL
Almost done! With luck, Ha Joon will actually get scripts offers after this, and with even more luck, he'll pick a good one.
FROM THE RESERVES
Sell Your Haunted House
Going slowly, but through episode two, it's fantastic. Love the world-building. Love the characters.
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Kafiyah Bello
March 9, 2024 at 5:04 AM
Huzzah, love that you are enjoying Sell your Haunted House!!!
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Dorotka
March 9, 2024 at 5:18 AM
Sell Your Haunted House (Daebak Realty) was really good. Jang Nara. ❤️
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Seon-ha
March 9, 2024 at 5:19 AM
This is spot on as the perfect description of Kim Young-dae in Sh**ting Stars (obvs), @javabeans. And I take your point about being delightfully surprised to find that he found his niche.
May I also offer a shout-out to those of us much newer to the K-drama universe who saw him for the FIRST time in Sh**ting Stars, watched this character, became smitten with him...and came away thinking KYD could act? The constant disappointments afterwards have been, well...large. 🥹😢
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 5:31 AM
I adored Sh**ting Stars for the reasons mentioned by Javabeans, but yep, that was also my first drama with him as ML... I guess the bar was set high? He really needs to do more comedies, as that seems to be his wheelhouse.
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ar_arguably romantic
March 9, 2024 at 8:38 AM
I saw him a few things before Sh**ting Stars, and he was always a little wooden but not terrible (like in Moon in the Day where he had hit a new low in acting...i still can't believe I finished it). He definitely suits comedy more and more physical comedy. I feel like he has more fun with it and lets himself go. He does get a bit overact-y, but he gets the timing right.
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Tizzy
March 11, 2024 at 2:06 PM
I too enjoyed Sh**ting Stars. I love light dramas. I watch to relax and this did it for
me
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Kurama
March 9, 2024 at 5:44 AM
I think he was helped by the fact that Sh**ting Stars had a lot of characters with their own stories and not everything was focused on him (like our lawyer and journalist couple).
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Isa is always time travelling
March 9, 2024 at 6:04 AM
I had first watched him in Extraordinary-you, so his acting and his character in Sh**ting Stars was a nice surprise.
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zindigo
March 9, 2024 at 6:32 AM
Absolutely yes to your comments on KYD. Sh**ting Stars was the first drama I saw him in and I really enjoyed it. I also liked The Forbidden Marriage. So I was gobsmacked at his horrendous turn in the Moon show.
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23new2kdrama🫘🌱 ❤️WDH❤️
March 9, 2024 at 10:59 AM
Glad you brought up The Forbidden Marriage. He is still very grumpy in most of it but there was a reason, not just bad script. And he had the perfect FL to play off of which helped his performance. Same for Sh**ting Stars. Such great chemistry. And who can forget the ad photo shoot🤣😘
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9TailedVixen (formerly 9TailedFox)
March 9, 2024 at 7:09 AM
I loved SELL YOUR HAUNTED HOUSE too.
It's one of the few K-Dramas where we see the ML and FL as excellent work partners and the platonic relationship is maintained right to the end.
It's well worth watching and re-watching.
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Seon-ha
March 9, 2024 at 7:22 AM
Oh, I guess that's what happens to our leads in the end, huh? 🤷♂️
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9TailedVixen (formerly 9TailedFox)
March 9, 2024 at 7:53 AM
GAH! Oh no! Sorry for the accidental spoiler!
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Britney
March 9, 2024 at 8:06 AM
I'm grateful. Now I'm tempted to watch it
Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
March 9, 2024 at 12:36 PM
Hmmph. Maybe I won't bother now. I'm starting to feel that it's better not to mention the older or completed shows I'm watching.
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7 Dorotka
March 9, 2024 at 5:01 AM
Chaebol, up to ep.10
I loved the old hotel setting (with Choi Taejoon the ghost hunter). I also liked the twists surrounding the Older Actress (and she was awesome!).
In the meantime, Chaebol is growing up and finding true friends. I still hope that he and Father (and Hyung) will also find way to each other (and heal what needs to be healed between them).
Queen of Divorce
Oh Minseok.
Wedding Impossible
Jihan, I see, you have a plan... ha. 😁
And Ahjung, you are not interested, not even a tiny bit, I see... ha.😁😁
This show is still a delight. With surprises and unexpected complexities. I love it. Is it Monday yet?
Everyone Loves Me, 3eps
I needed something light and undemanding and this cdrama fitted the bill perfectly - quite outspoken and online badass Heroine is having a crush on Hero and tries to act sweet and innocent around him to attract him (not working, he hates it). The funny thing is it is the Hero himself, an online shooting buddy of the Heroine, who gave her such an advice during their online conversation. And now he is basically jealous of himself. 😁
Still there with Live Your Own Life and a bit behind with Unpredictable Family.
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 5:33 AM
The hotel setting was such fun for the mystery arc with Choi Tae-joon!! And the reveals about the experienced actress were so good.
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OldLawyer
March 9, 2024 at 5:26 PM
When was the last time we looked forward to Monday? I remember: BUSINESS PROPOSAL.
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panshel
March 9, 2024 at 5:44 PM
Four weeks ago for Marry My Husband.
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8 Unaspirated
March 9, 2024 at 5:03 AM
Live Watches
Doctor Slump: Like many folks, I didn’t love the truck of doom development. But there have been so many other things that I did love, including in these episodes, so I’m going into this weekend hopeful that they will handle the situation well.
Older Dramas
Sungkyungkwan Scandal: (up to episode 14) So far Yong-ha is winning the fav character battle. I said during Reborn Rich that I would just watch SJK swanning around winning all the time with a cocky smile on his face and I meant it. But Yong-ha has lovely other sides that he carefully hides under his pretty hanbok. That scene where he confronted Jae-shin as he was sneaking out? Fire. Slow clap for uri real OTP. The main couple is growing on me though. I like watching Seon-jun realize that his inflexible convictions might not be entirely accurate, and then bending them slightly. I don’t really like watching Hyo-eun do anything at all - she is aggressively annoying and how Seon-jun could resign himself to a tiresome life with her is beyond me.
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wonhwa
March 9, 2024 at 6:58 AM
Yong-ha was definitely my favorite Sungkyunkwan Scandal character as well, and still my overall favorite SJK role.
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mmmmm
March 9, 2024 at 11:16 AM
Agreed on Doctor Slump. I think it's more fun when I stopped trying to make sense of everything and just have fun with it. It didn't disappoint so far. I especially love messages it gives to its viewers. My favorite one in ep 13 is that you don't need to forgive someone who did you wrong. You may choose to, but you def have the right to be mad at them for as long as you're pleased.
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Koalatown
March 10, 2024 at 10:46 PM
Yes and I think in this case TOD did something different than I’ve seen so far (but I am relatively new to kdramas). This TOD #2 actually made the villain also give the same advice as the mom. Not a redemption arc because he didn’t deserve it but an understanding arc and finding a path forward from the resentment/anger.
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Sweetiepie
March 11, 2024 at 1:12 AM
Episode 14? Get ready for the slump now, it was great till this point, then got a bit draggy. That female was too clingy and annoying, you need a lot of patience to tolerate her presence. The best characters of the show were for sure Yong-ha and MJS. I loved his naughty, prank-y character in here.
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9 Radily
March 9, 2024 at 5:03 AM
Wedding Impossible (Episode 3-4) - Mood: D
I don’t know, it’s a struggle watching this when there’s really nothing narratively that’s interesting. The family drama is crap not worth discussing about, the side characters lose out to the cameos, the 2FL gets a nice edit because this is building up a love triangle down the road, and the OTP is just doing as most romance leads do and flail into compromising situations. It is also disappointing that the one character with any narrative potential (2ML) is being given that scorned ex development.
Flex X Cop (Episode 9-10) - Mood: D+
Hmm, it feels like I’ve seen a cult as a procedural case in way too many shows already, so I can’t say I’m looking forward to revisiting that again especially when it ties into FL’s dad’s downfall. I’m not sure where we’re going with ML’s mom but it’s a rollercoaster after they dropped that revelation and had ML move on. Imagine if the twist is that it’s truly just a suicide with nothing shady behind it: that would be glorious trope subversion I could get behind? But there’s that opening scene though.
Doctor Slump (Episode 11-12) - Mood: D
It’s crazy how everything is pretty much skippable except the 2nd leads, who finally get content because this is the time we have to endure 3rd-quarter nonsense (of course it was the Truck of Doom in the cliffhanger). For a moment, I had thought I would see the supporting couple carry the show like John/Ji Wan did in Love is for Suckers, but then of course that park date happened and I knew the whole point of that was to hash out drama and pivot back to the Kyung Min crap. Sigh?
Branding in Seongsu (Episode 17-20) - Mood: D-
With the revenge arc coming at the eleventh hour, I’ve fully checked out of the plot which has already jumped the shark too many times. Wasn’t the show about finding out who the rabbit mask killer was while navigating a soul swap? This plot twist not only isn’t great, it also feels like the writer didn’t know where to go and just winged the plot to meet the deadline. I have to wonder if the actors were given the whole script at once because their acting also seems like they’re adjusting on the fly.
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10 jerrykuvira
March 9, 2024 at 5:04 AM
Captivating the King - It ended. I'm so sad to see it go so soon. It was worth it while it ended.
This drama is really good though. Gave us 3 strong cameo performances in persons of Choi Dae-hoon, Jo Sung-ha and Sohn Hyun-joo. I really thought he would return with Hee-soo from Beijing. I was a bit disappointed that he didn't.
I'm going to hold on to the fact that Lee In and Hee-soo were never intimate - hot kisses from JJS and undergarments, or not.
I didn't quite understand what went on in Hee-soo's head by wanting to not appear before Lee In after her return from Qing. Make it make sense cause it is glaring nonsense to me and one annoying form of something worse than noble idiocy.
@kiara what implications does it have when a King moves his palace residence to another location because the Queen Dowager threatened to leave the Palace? The mention of that act shut the QD almost immediately and it kinda piqued my interest on the severity of the action of carried out.
Talking about the Queen Dowager, I liked her defiance towards Lee In. "You want be back at the palace? Come and find me yourself." Moments like this is why I like Sagueks that are properly done. You don't see this kind of grandstanding in modern kdramas.
Goryeo-Khitan War - I was moved to feel for the Empress. However progressive Hyeong-jung was and conservative she was, she made her point clear. I blame Hyeong-jung for how she ended. It could have turned a different way. At least she didn't go Queen Wonyoung's way. While she was still Princess, she told her husband "half of Joseon belongs to her. And that he shouldn't leave her out of discussion of state matters". Not that she didn't have the right to make such statements cause she did have every right to every word she said. The Empress did nothing compared to Queen Wonyoung and I came to realize she overcompensated for it.
I hope those officials know not to mention touching the military's dues again to satisfy their own paychecks. Sometimes I find this people parasitic, and I was very disappointed to see Gang Gam-chan just watch it happen without saying a word in opposition. It was only the King speaking on the side of his military.
The death of evil Chunju guy's adopted son pained me quite a bit. Even though it was late, I liked that he never lost focus of what was supposed to be.
Mr. Queen - I've gotten to the most iconic line of mine in Mr. Queen: Incompetence is sin. Episode 11-16 was a blast.
2nd iconic line: Let me remind you once again who this palace belongs to. EP 11.
But I'm not so excited to complete it. Unless I'll have to skip to episode 20 ending.
Finally the real Queen will premiere today.
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zindigo
March 9, 2024 at 6:54 AM
Thank you for your comments on the Queen Dowager in CTK! I didn't participate fully in the weekly comments on this drama, so I'm not sure, but it seems we didn't discuss the excellent performance by Jang Young Nam. Maybe I missed it. But she was terrific.
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jerrykuvira
March 9, 2024 at 7:28 AM
Jang Young-nam was terrific, absolutely terrific.
Honestly, I was too busy being angry at the Queen Dowager. So she got the wrong end of it.
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kiara
March 9, 2024 at 8:44 AM
I haven't watched CTK, but if the king wants to move his palace, he can. The Queen Dowager is the most senior member of the royal family but not the regent over the king. He is a grown man with all the authority a king should have. Sounds like a seniority power struggle.
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11 welh
March 9, 2024 at 5:05 AM
LIVE YOUR OWN LIFE (Ep. 46-47) The writer and director are trying too hard to give every character personality transplants and happy endings as the series stumbles to the finish line. The idea of adding at the eleventh hour a slew of new actors for tertiary characters’ immaterial stories shows how off-course the show has been for a long time. Poor Uee, she has the least amount of screen time for any weekender lead. Her character has not have had any alone time; she is constantly running around putting out fires even after moving out of her Mother’s dungeon.
SHOGUN (FX) (Ep. 3) Edo Lord Toranaga escapes his hostage status with the help of the British pilot Blackthorne who continues to forge favors with unlikely enemies. He cannot grasp the honor in Japanese deaths as he has done everything possible to hang on to his life. He still cannot understand Mariko’s husband’s final suicide mission instead of saving his own life. He also could not understand her stoic reaction to it - - - the concept of an honorable death is more foreign than this strange land. His reward is to be forced into a regiment commander to teach European battle techniques. It is an honor and a curse as his newfound mutual respect with the Edo Lord.
HOUSE ON WHEELS 4 (episode 3) The MCs are extremely nervous about meeting their guest. None of them had ever worked with her or part of their friend circles. It was awkward as a freshman mixer. Kim Ha-neul confessed that she only came on the show because it was in Jeju Island (which photographs magnificently) and eating Hyo Jin’s famous Jeju gimbap. A lot of childhood nostalgia in this episode.
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OldLawyer
March 9, 2024 at 6:28 AM
I need to get back to watching HOUSE ON WHEELS.
At least LYOL has been more entertaining than its predecessor even if it is a mess.
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12 ♡Peach_Mochi♡
March 9, 2024 at 5:09 AM
Flex X Cop (through Ep. 11): Sad there are only two weeks left. This show has been an absolute delight, in no small part because it treats its characters with grace. Even trashy reporter and the guys on the other investigative team are proving to have a conscience. Coffee with a view is Yi-soo and Kang-hyun’s friendship language. Kudos to the writer for developing their relationship so naturally.
Wedding Impossible (through Ep. 4): Nearly every other drama FL risks seeming bland in comparison to Jeon Jong-seo's Ah-jeong. She is absolutely owning the role and elevates the entire show. But as much as I enjoy watching the two players unintentionally play themselves into falling in love, I hope Do-han doesn't get sidelined too much. I know he's not the ML, but his character deserves to be more than the mechanism bringing the OTP together.
19th Floor (C-drama, through Ep. 4): Needed a break from chaebol succession storylines and figured a thriller would do the trick. It's fun and my kids are enjoying it. Curious about how it'll sustain the excitement for 30 episodes, but a balance between the mysteries of the haunted world and the real world might do the trick.
Exploration Methods of Love (C-drama, completed): Gave us two intelligent, strong-willed leads in a twins-switch-places plot, brought them together and then flubbed the ending. A power couple should combine forces and be stronger together, not succumb to last-minute noble idiocy and an uneven relationship dynamic in which one half of the "OTP" seems waaaay more invested than the other. Not to mention they let the bad guy completely off the hook.
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OldLawyer
March 9, 2024 at 6:24 AM
I agree with you about Do-han's character in WEDDING IMPOSSIBLE but given how it was drawn up it is hard to see how he could not be sidelined. But I hope that he is not.
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Blue (@mayhemf)
March 9, 2024 at 6:30 AM
Ditto. I want a proper arc for him. His own story.
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Blue (@mayhemf)
March 9, 2024 at 6:26 AM
Ah! Exploration methods of love. Should I continue or not? It’s a filler drama for now since I am enjoying the leads falling for each other. At Ep 12. Is it just the last few episodes?
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♡Peach_Mochi♡
March 9, 2024 at 7:16 AM
They have some great moments, don’t they? You’re safe to watch through most of Ep. 21. Basically bail after peak sweetness.
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Ydigresse
March 9, 2024 at 11:29 AM
Thanks for the warning about the ending of 'Exploration Methods of Love'. I'll be dropping this one, then.
It started out so much fun, but I lost interest fast once the writers started padding out the story with the cutesy younger sister romantic arc. I hate cutesy.
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Alluvial_Fan
March 9, 2024 at 11:40 AM
As a geologist I had to click play on Exploration Methods if only to see how my profession is depicted in a C-drama. It has been a scientific laugh riot, from her ultra fashionable "field" clothes to her dinky little decorated rock picks. If she studies meteorites she'd actually need Thor and a sledge hammer. Perhaps she is able to sound intelligent when talking contracts and social media but every line of written dialogue about geology is word salad/utter nonsense. Note to screen writers: geologists are not hard to find for consulting or questions and are typically eager to explain.
I thought I'd hang in until the ML finds out she has a PhD but maybe not. Too painful.
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13 Kurama
March 9, 2024 at 5:16 AM
Wedding Impossible I love the chaos that our leads cause when they're together.
Queen of Divorce This drama had an interesting premise that the writer didn't follow at all. I'm sorry for Kang Ki-Young but after this drama, I don't think he can be a ML.
Doctor Slump The last 2 episodes were very disapointing. I don't like the writer chose a villain for this story, it wasn't necessary.
Wonderful World I'm disapointing by the new elements, it's so unoriginal...
Flex x Cop I like how the leads tell each other their truths, he was childish, she doesn't trust anyone.
Queen of Tears D-Day \o/
The Impossible Heir It's quite meh for now, the story, the characters and the acting.
Pyramid Game Myung Ja-Eun comes straight out of a Japanese manga, the style and the character. She's my favorite!
Branding in Seongsu I have no idea what the writer is trying to say with this drama but it would be better if the characters were consistent and didn't act differently in each episode...
Eye Love You I like how the FL is a food lover, it's quite surprising she doesn't cook herself. I'm not sure about the plot with the scientist...
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Blue (@mayhemf)
March 9, 2024 at 6:29 AM
QoD - yeah I felt the same way about KKY. I don’t know if it just the writing or acting too. He felt like a support character rather than the main lead.
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Kurama
March 9, 2024 at 6:36 AM
He didn't "command" his scenes but acted like he was a supporting character. The leads didn't have any chemistry neither and the kiss scene was lackluster.
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Britney
March 9, 2024 at 11:24 AM
I wonder what this means. How can the lead actor not "command" his scenes but I'm also not particularly surprised.
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Kafiyah Bello
March 9, 2024 at 10:48 AM
Omg, are you me. Re Wonderful World and Doctor Slump. Meh
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14 DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
March 9, 2024 at 5:23 AM
Starting:
Queen of Tears: I haven’t seen more than the trailer yet, but I am looking forward to it. The trailer has as much crying as the bumper cars have collisions, and though I like to be a bit sad with Oppah Soo-hyun, I hope there are bits of plot between wailing binges. It seems in the trailer as if huge amounts of crying, overwhelmingly melodramatic, are played for laughs. Well, let’s see.
The Secret Royal Inspector and Joy: This comedy that I had at first shelved because it seemed to light weight and generic, is becoming more and more interesting and complex, and I love some og the “side” characters a lot. (Like; a lot!) I have giffed some moments that caught my eye, and they are mostly not about the OTP. A bit like with Byeun Woo-seok I started gaffing the moments one evil guy was not killing anybody, but this time it is not because the rest of this drama is “Dødens Pølse” (=The Sausage of Death = Boring), but because this guy is so intense every time he is on screen. Honestly, he seems like a much more interesting person than the main character, though not one I would SMLS over until he got his daddy-issues sorted out. Man, he’s got at baaaad round of daddy-issues.
https://www.dramabeans.com/activity/p/1546606/
https://www.dramabeans.com/activity/p/1546997/
Branding in Seongsu: I have had some good talks with @hacja on the hangout about this drama
There are many ways this could end intensely and well, but we dare not hope that all the mystery – and there’s a lot – will not just be “solved” with the K-drama equivalent of “Because I say so!”
Nevertheless, I will have to watch and hope til the end.
Watching Continued:
Doctor Slump: Last Sunday’s episode was way below the rest. I hope the writers tighten the harness for the last episodes. I don’t mind comedy mixed into my thriller – at all –as long as it’s tight (and the drinking binge with the in-laws wasn’t) - and anyway, to me the most important here is the story of how they manage neurodivergence, Rejection Sensitivity, depression, and PTSD, but I also wants to know what happens with the evil co-worker and the Truck of Doom.
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sonai
March 9, 2024 at 8:20 AM
Cackling at the “Sausage Of Death” and “wailing binges” 😂
I’m happy to get a good glimpse at Royal Inspector through your fan wall posts, as I haven’t watched it yet. 🫰👏 Might want to put it on my watchlist after all…
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ar_arguably romantic
March 9, 2024 at 8:49 AM
I see you have discovered Bead Boy! He was hot and tortured and so captivating.
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 11:21 AM
Yeah, he was riveting!
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
March 9, 2024 at 1:08 PM
THe main story was so pale compared to him and his story.
Maybe this was really about him, and the OTP was just a way of making a comedy with that sad story in it.
I would have really preferred a quiet redemption for him. Like, defending and escaping with the kids. And his life necessitated for the kids to live.
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ar_arguably romantic
March 10, 2024 at 7:50 AM
Same! It would have lovely for him to end up as that slightly grumpy friend in the friends group.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
March 10, 2024 at 10:57 AM
I imagined him as a reconvalescent from that life of humilition, lies, murders and greed.
Somewhere with few people, unknown as for what he was. A simple, industrious life, slowly changing from sorrow-filled exhaustion to quiet happiness. Having to help the kids would be a good way to make him stay alive in spite of realizing what he had been part of and still not kill himself or turn himself in, and also a good way to slowly allow himself to be happy - also because children can sometimes make it hard to stay sad.
DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
March 10, 2024 at 10:57 AM
Sentimental, i know.
mmmmm
March 9, 2024 at 11:19 AM
I really want to commend this show in terms of how they depict depression. They did their research well in this area, and to me that's a very big step for everyone.
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15 Babylilo
March 9, 2024 at 5:32 AM
I didn’t get around to posting last week, which is why this one’s longer than my usual long posts.
Beware of possible ***SPOILERS*** that may lie ahead.
COMPLETED:
LTNS - Though it was by no means perfect, I still find myself thinking about this show long after reaching the end of the final episode. I loved its black humor and indie-movie vibe. While the bumbling-blackmailer escapades may have been the hook, the heart of the show was the evolution and gradual disintegration of a marriage. The fault lines were apparent from the start: Jin seems to have chosen eager-to-please Samuel not out of love, but because he promised not to cheat on her. Starry-eyed Samuel, on the other hand, sees Jin as his soulmate. When the couple’s physical passion fizzles out, they secretly try to fulfill their separate needs outside the marriage: Jin through a one-night stand with her sleazy ex, and Samuel through a platonic (so far) relationship with the married woman next door. It begs the question: which is the bigger betrayal…the physical or emotional one? Or are they equally bad?
I appreciated the show’s lack of moralizing when it came to the various unfaithful couples—showing that in some cases (such as the lesbian couple and the elderly lovers), infidelity is not always a simple case of right and wrong. And speaking of right and wrong, Jin and Samuel’s investigative methods ranged from the uncomfortable to the reprehensible—not to mention the criminal. No matter how awful their behavior, though, I was always on their side. A huge amount of credit goes to the outstanding lead actors. Esom brings her usual depth, nuance, and quirkiness to the role of Jin. The schlubby but endearing Samuel, Ahn Jae-Hong, was not on my radar, but now has given me some incentive to watch Chicken Nugget.
I’m not sure I liked the ending. It felt significant that Jin reached out to Samuel after the divorce to apologize, since during their marriage she’d always resisted expressing her feelings. I thought the show should have ended there; having them get back together (if only for sex) may have pleased audiences, but for me it undercut the drama’s message.
No discussion of this show would be complete without mentioning the frequent appearance of water in many guises. There are floods, both literal (Samuel’s taxi) and metaphorical (Jin and Samuel’s apartment during the blowout argument that ends their marriage.) A huge delivery of water bottles blocks their apartment door. Samuel and his neighbor bond over their love of cleaning, beginning with their meet-cute at a car wash. Samuel swims over to spy on the couple in the cabin out in the ocean. Missed opportunity not naming the ML Noah rather than Samuel.
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Babylilo
March 9, 2024 at 5:33 AM
Killer Paradox - Though it came across as more style than substance, I loved the first half, with its David Lynch vibe, dark humor, and moral ambiguity. I was looking forward to seeing how reluctant “Batman” Tang—encouraged by his tech-nerd “Ro-Bin”—became increasingly confident in the role of cold-blooded avenger. It was so disappointing when the wacko killer (a terrifying Lee Hee-Jun) showed up, drawing the focus away from Tang and turning the show into a standard-issue Kdrama thriller. Choi Woo Sik, playing against his usual nice-guy type, was a revelation as antihero Lee Tang, while the effortlessly sexy Son Suk-Ku put his own stamp on the familiar role of the tenacious, hard-boiled detective.
Black Knight - This felt like a show nobody needed, especially when there are already any number of excellent post-apocalypse dramas. I found it unimaginative and predictable, with inconsistent world-building and a cartoon-character villain. Characters that might have had interesting backstories went largely unexplored, which was a waste of some excellent actors—especially the ever-intriguing Esom. 😥 The story meandered at a leisurely pace until everything wrapped up in untidy fashion right at the very end. And perhaps the worst PPL ever: cancer survivor Kim Woo-Bin CGI-smoking Marlboro cigarettes.
FILM:
Blind - Kim Ha-Neul plays a blind woman who is a passenger in a taxi that gets into a hit-and-run accident. With her sharp analytical skills and heightened sense of smell and hearing, she helps police close in on the murderous driver, who goes after her and another witness, played by Yoo Seung-Ho. Nothing groundbreaking, but it’s suspenseful and well acted. Held my interest throughout.
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Babylilo
March 9, 2024 at 5:34 AM
DROPPED:
Knight Flower - Dropped after episode 5. Not awful, but not compelling enough that I wanted to keep watching. Everything felt a bit flat: the plot didn’t hold much dramatic tension, the campy humor grew tiresome, and I wasn’t feeling much chemistry—except perhaps between the FL and her servant. I couldn’t work up enough interest to stick around for the character reveals. I didn’t even bother to read the recaps to find out how it ended; I just assumed that the main leads were NOT long-lost brother and sister.
Daily Dose of Sunshine - Dropped in the middle of episode 1. Another one of those shows (most often a medical or police drama) where the writers clearly ignored or hadn’t bothered to familiarize themselves with how things work in real life. While I don’t know about medical training and hospital protocols in South Korea, I can’t imagine that someone completely unfamiliar and inexperienced with psychiatric nursing would be allowed to look after patients. On her very first day on the job, the FL triggered a patient into a violent manic episode, getting herself injured in the process. She then went to her former tutor to have him explain basic facts about bipolar disorder (which he didn’t get entirely right, by the way). Shouldn’t this information have been part of her basic training? I applaud the show for trying to educate viewers about mental health disorders, but it would have made a lot more sense dramatically to have the doctor explain the condition to a family member than to a nurse responsible for working with these patients.
Whisper - Dropped about halfway through episode 1. Just didn’t grab me.
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Seon-ha
March 9, 2024 at 5:37 AM
Oh, did you not see (or not enjoy) Be Melo, Babylilo? Ahn Jae-hong earned the entirety of my respect for his work in that one--his character was such a jerk, truly...but I couldn't take my eyes off him. He simply has--I'm reduced to platitudes--screen presence.
And woot for the Chicken Nugget shout-out...aka the LTNS-Moving crossover hit we didn't know we needed!!! Please be zany and good and not try to be about the human condition.
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Babylilo
March 9, 2024 at 6:26 AM
I haven't watched Be Melo; it's a type of show that I usually end up dropping. I'll probably give it a try at some point.
Were it not for Ryu Seung-Ryong, the overall premise would have made me steer clear of Chicken Nugget. I'm hoping I will be pleasantly surprised!
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16 Wise
March 9, 2024 at 5:35 AM
Death’s Game : I’m so late on reviewing this but I want to give my appreciation for the story, directing and acting. This one for me is like antidote to US drama like 13 Reasons Why by delivering the important message of why suicide shouldn’t ever be the answer no matter how hard someone’s life is. Despite the heavy issue this show trying to convey, the directing was properly packed and somehow manage to be light enough so it wasn’t uneasy to watch. All the performances from the actors were well delivered but honorable mention for Lee Jae Wook because he ate his cameo role whole and left no crumbs.
The Impossible Heir : Overall, 6.5/10? The scene transitions quite odd a lot of times, the time jump from 5 years to another 5 gave a big void to the story, and till episode 4 I don’t really see the purpose of triangle love story in the first 2 episodes. The triangle love story plot reminds me of the drama New Country, which I don’t think that particular plot is necessary neither interesting to add as conflict. And I hope it will not become like drama Oasis where this triangle love story become the main reason for the fall out between best friends. I really dont want to hate KIH. Just give me strong bromance, please. And yes, the FL acting just not enough. I personally think it’s not her facial expressions, at least for me she doesn’t look awkward on the screen. But, she doesn’t have strong presence either despite her beauty. That’s weird with that kind of face someone could be so flat. And also I think it’s her voice. I think hers is the kind of voice that would take a lot to work on, it was heavy low tone yet not deep. Or, maybe she speaks without understanding the script, that is why her delivery was boring and soulless. Also her background character or the lack of it wasn’t helping either.
Pyramid Game : The main appeal of the show for me is the fact they don’t create all power with no brain villain, quite the opposite, the villain is surely powerful yet she isn’t all money but also mind gamer. She is calm, poised, and manipulative. It made her difficult to defeat because the heroine has to be careful and tactical in her attack or she will be buried before be able to launch even a slap on the wrist. And that exactly our heroine. Soo Ji is a very well written character. She is as composed as the villain and a street smart given her life experience of moving places multiple times. It is so entertaining with the all psychological battle because there was no soft ball thrown from the antagonist yet the hero managed to always hit back. Also with courage, empathy and easy going manner she obtain a powerful thing the evil girl could never which are friends. People follow her not out of fear but respect and trust. Acting wise, Bona nailed it. I’ve always like her since GG 97. At some scenes when she is talking back the delivery was so good I felt cathartic. And I think Jang Da Ah also performed a well job given this is her debut project...
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Wise
March 9, 2024 at 5:37 AM
Wedding Impossible : Story wise, I don’t think it is close to perfect, but the whole show is so much fun. The vibe is calm yet chaotic for me which is a new experience I felt from rom-com. The calmness I think came from how both leads are soft spoken despite the ridiculous situations they put themselves in with all their hijinks and childish antics. I’m loving it.
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17 Dorotka
March 9, 2024 at 5:40 AM
@Javabeans
I liked Kim Youngdae also in Cheat On Me, if You Can.
No comments about Kippeum and Mr.Lawyer? 😁
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miso
March 9, 2024 at 5:50 AM
Ditto on liking him in Cheat on Me If You Can! I was totally rooting for Cho Yeo-jeong to ditch her husband and run-off with puppy KYD.
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Seon-ha
March 9, 2024 at 6:01 AM
Oh, god. My Seon-ha's SLS™ Monitor is redlining. No way could I watch this show!!!
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Dorotka
March 9, 2024 at 6:06 AM
But this drama is... different. 😁
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Dorotka
March 9, 2024 at 6:01 AM
Yes, yes, yeeeeees!
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welh
March 9, 2024 at 8:09 AM
CHEAT ON ME IF YOU CAN is an underrated series. It was really good with tension in a calm demeanor that JYJ plays so well.
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ar_arguably romantic
March 9, 2024 at 8:51 AM
I also enjoyed Cheat on Me if You Can! It's pretty offbeat. Ditto about JYJ.
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18 9TailedVixen (formerly 9TailedFox)
March 9, 2024 at 5:47 AM
CURRENTLY WATCHING:
1. BLOOD - This vampire drama is bordering on makjang for sure. It's watchable but I keep thinking that Lee Dong-Wook would make a much cooler vampire doctor/surgeon.
2. A KILLER PARADOX - This one is taking me a while to get through. Not sure why because Son Seok-Gu is excellent in it.
3. THE TALE OF NOKDU - I can now confirm that I have been hit by the Jang Dong-Yoon Truck (TM). Every drama I've seen him in just shows what a versatile actor he is - he literally inhabits his roles. It doesn't hurt that his is *ahem* absolutely gorgeous!
4. THE GENTLEMEN - Just started this Netflix series by Guy Ritchie. It seems promising so far but I have a feeling it's gonna tip into extreme violence before long.
FINISHED:
1. SOMEBODY FEED PHIL - Apart from a couple of inaccuracies (No, Phil, the Taiwanese greeting is in Hokkien, not Mandarin and the restaurant in Scotland is not Malaysian food - it's Scottish-Malaysian fusion) it was fun and informative as usual.
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19 Scottie
March 9, 2024 at 5:49 AM
WEDDING IMPOSSIBLE is the favourite for now with the FL who is tough on the outside, but really a marshmallow for the underdog, including Ji-han who thinks of himself as so smart and suave, but is really pretty clueless.
Looking forward to QUEEN OF TEARS, but also worried after watching IMPOSSIBLE HEIR. With Jae-wook and Jun in the lead, I foolishly thought that nothing can go wrong. I forgot the writer and director who are producing a thriller which is anything but thrilling!
Got my bean for QUEEN OF DIVORCE. Still like FLEX X COP and how ML remains enthusiastic about his detective work. It is nice to see that he slowly appreciated by the team. The police chief is corrupt after all! He was so nice at the beginning.
Started WONDERFUL WORLD, but needed a break already after ep 1 after watching all that grief. I read the recaps and might just jump in for the new episodes this weekend.
Best watch is SHOGUN. The production is excellent. I remember the craze in the 80's, but I am not sure why I was not much interested then, but this remake is really well done.
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OldLawyer
March 9, 2024 at 6:16 AM
This version of SHOGUN went back to the original novel and has been completely re-worked- and is a Japanese show rather than an American one. That being said much of it has been shot in Canada. The 1980 version was actually more authentic in its location as still the only major American drama to be filmed entirely in Japan. That being said this new version has consciously striven for authenticity in almost every other possible way including the scriptwriting.
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Blue (@mayhemf)
March 9, 2024 at 6:42 AM
I read somewhere that the script was written in English, sent to Japanese experts who wrote the script in Japanese with proper terms and then it was translated/subtitled back to English. This helped capture the authenticity.
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kiara
March 9, 2024 at 9:01 AM
Yes. The script was originally written in English and later translated into modern Japanese in Tokyo. The final translation was done by a playwright who specializes in "jidaigeki" (period Japanese) and who did not speak any English.
The English translation of the show is from the jidaigeki version of the script.
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ngangbam
March 9, 2024 at 10:47 PM
Very impressive. Will have to check out.
OldLawyer
March 9, 2024 at 5:38 PM
I had also read about that and I was genuinely impressed by that.
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Scottie
March 9, 2024 at 6:45 AM
The book is somewhere in my bookshelf. I cannot remember much about the first film, but I am impressed with this production. The light in the village and the water scenes is certainly from a much Northern country, but I love the authenticity of the Japanese rooms with Tatami mats, no furniture and beautifully painted screens.
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kellie
March 9, 2024 at 7:22 AM
The production team must've heard about what Kurosawa had to say about the original Shogun miniseries. Nothing good. He gave Toshiro Mifune a hard time for having taken part in it.
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OldLawyer
March 9, 2024 at 7:42 AM
While I have great respect for Kurosawa I think that his comments were quite unfair and stemmed from a lack of appreciation for the fact that SHOGUN may be recounting Japanese history but is still a Western novel in which those events are viewed through Western eyes as the protagonist is John Blackthorn who is an Englishman. If it had been a Japanese novel I might have a different opinion.
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kiara
March 9, 2024 at 9:35 AM
This series strikes a good balance between the Western perspective and Japanese culture, and it's well-received in both regions.
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OldLawyer
March 10, 2024 at 11:37 AM
The novel is one of a series of six which Clavell wrote all of which are set in the Far east and spanning the time from 1600 Japan to Twentieth Century Hongkong- That one is named TAIPAN and it too was made into a (shorter) mini-series starring Pierce Brosnan as the titular Taipan.
OldLawyer
March 10, 2024 at 12:14 PM
Oops- I got the title of the Pierce Brosnan mini-series wrong: While he is indeed the Taipan of his House in fact the novel and the series are actually entitled NOBLE HOUSE. The novel TAIPAN is an earlier one in the series.
kiara
March 9, 2024 at 8:27 AM
I am new to the book, show, and the history. This is the first US series production I have enjoyed in a long time.
Well done, FX!
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Kafiyah Bello
March 9, 2024 at 10:54 AM
Huzzah, more Shogun fans, it is so good!!!
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20 Isa is always time travelling
March 9, 2024 at 5:50 AM
What I'm watching:
_ Captivating the King (12/16). I'm struggling to find the motivation to watch this drama. I'll get my bean, but sometimes I think I should have dropped it in the first episodes.
_ Wedding Impossible (4/12). I'm enjoying this series. It is far from being perfect, but the script is quite clever and I'm looking forward to knowing what's happening next.
_ C-drama The story of Minglan (7/78). I wanted to start a historical c-drama which was not a wuxia, and this one was a usual recommendation. At first it was difficult to understand who was who, and the drama spends a lot of time showing long discussions about domestic issues, so the pace is really slow. I now understand why there are 78 episodes. I admit the first three episodes were hard. Fortunately, I have found a blog which explains all the episodes, characters and lots of details that I could never notice without this help. I love the settings and cinematography, everything seems realistic, as a true journey to XI Century (Northern Song Dynasty).
_ Variety Nemo Travel: A trip to Spain (6/12). So funny! Lovely actors Shin Ye Eun, Kang Hoon and Yoon Park having a great time in Spain.
What I have finished:
_ Mini C-drama My Husky boyfriend. It was silly but funny. I liked Ryan Cheng here (I had watched him in Familiar Stranger before).
_ Mini k-drama Death's Game. Great show. I preferred the first half over the second one, but it was an enjoyable watch.
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ar_arguably romantic
March 9, 2024 at 8:57 AM
Loved Story of Minglan! The number of episodes can be a turn-off, but the drama really did use the episodes wisely in depicting the character relationships and the ways they grew or remained consistent through the years.
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kiara
March 9, 2024 at 9:49 AM
"The Story Of Minglan" is up there with my favorite C-dramas: Nirvana In Fire, Joy Of Life, The Untames, Imperial Coroner, Reset, etc.
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OldLawyer
March 9, 2024 at 5:45 PM
My wife loved THE STORY OF MINGLAN and recommends it to everyone, even those who have never watched a Chinese Costume drama before. She did not feel that there were too many episodes. The same writer also gave us the fabulous LOVE LIKE A GALAXY
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PYC
March 9, 2024 at 9:51 AM
Minglan is a masterpiece which I wasn’t able to appreciate in the first watch. I pretty much FF to finish the story back then. It was only through reading some commentaries/clips that dissect each arc and character that made realise what a classic it is in depicting the era, social classes, the characters and the inter-family and personal relationships. Then I can’t help but rewatch, rewatch and rewatch.
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Isa is always time travelling
March 9, 2024 at 10:43 AM
Thank you! All your comments encourage me to keep watching it. I don't know how long it will take, though 😅
Btw, I love the intro and the ending! The music is beautiful.
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wonhwa
March 9, 2024 at 2:11 PM
I loved the opening theme to this one, and the fact that the lyrics came from a poem by a famous Song-era female poet.
ngangbam
March 9, 2024 at 10:55 PM
Enjoyed story of Minglan and the strong female character. It introduced me to many Chinese actors, some of whom are now my favourites. I was worried about the number of episodes but once started couldn't stop.
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21 Snow Flower
March 9, 2024 at 5:52 AM
Captivating The King - poor court lady Dong
Alchemy of Souls Part 2 (rewatch) - some details of the world building don't make much sense, but the characters are so cool!
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22 sonai
March 9, 2024 at 5:55 AM
Just noticed I missed the last few WWW threads! So, what have I watched…
DR SLUMP. I guess the last two episodes haven’t been the best in my books, but I’m ready to continue and hoping for the best. This one surely is a rollercoaster ride. But I was coaxed on willingly, by all the beauty and … flower petals! The question remains: will I get off all dizzy and with an aching back? Or would I want to do it all over right away? Time will tell.
Finished KNIGHT FLOWER, which I put off forever, because… I didn’t want it to end? Ha!!! The end did not disappoint though. I’m quite happy everything was tied up neatly, I was happy for our couples, and didn’t mind the “missing kissing”. The two of them still were super cute together and definitely will live on as a happy couple in my head. Plus the king? I imagine he would have a great time having some drinks with the one from THE MATCHMAKERS.
Binged through UNLOCK THE BOSS, which I found quite entertaining! Love the found family in this one (also ML’s parents are the best!), and I like the overall setting in a “techy background” (though most of it was “common” company politics, which I didn’t mind either, for some reason!).
I started GHOST DOCTOR, because Netflix practically started playing it on its own when I logged in. So far it’s entertaining, too, but I gotta admit I expected “more romance” after the setup in episode one. (I mean, younger ML basically squeed upon seeing his love interest from afar… and then? Nothing much…?!) 🤔😂
Super excited for QUEEN OF TEARS, which I’ll start today. Also waiting for EYE LOVE YOU, which’s release I seem to have missed somehow up till now, but got a notification about it along with QOT. Fingers crossed!!!
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Isa is always time travelling
March 9, 2024 at 6:22 AM
Here's to the kings in The Matchmakers and Knight Flower 🥂
I liked both of them.
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sonai
March 9, 2024 at 7:51 AM
Hahaha, they could have an exceptional bromance! Telling each other all the woes and vent about those infuriating Left State Ministers; share how to stay alive in a palace full of people plotting to take over the reign; best ways to disguise yourself when you want to venture outside; when to act all clueless; how to tell your ministers apart; etc. etc.
Ah, it’s the plot of a drama I never knew I needed. 😂
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Isa is always time travelling
March 9, 2024 at 7:55 AM
That would be a great and original plot but... I guess it's impossible to have two kings at the same time 😄
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sonai
March 9, 2024 at 8:03 AM
I thought long and hard about this problem, and the best solution seems to be… time travel. (Or a ghost story? 🤔😂)
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 6:34 AM
*SCREECH* UNLOCK THE BOSS!!!!😆❤️ That's one of my favorites, and I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed it!!! I just love the sweet goodness of the ML.
I also loved Ghost Doctor, but yep, it's very light on the romance - it's more a bromance, and what turns into a really lovely mentor-mentee relationship. I hope you continue to enjoy it!! I loved the sweet coma ghosts 🥹
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sonai
March 9, 2024 at 7:16 AM
LOL! Taken out of context, “sweet coma ghosts” is an interesting label! 😂 Though I agree, the three are growing on me, too. The bromance is real!
Yes, I admit that your praising comments about UTB also played a role in convincing me to finally start watching it. 😉 🫰👏 The ML is a cutie; just remembering how he wanted to buy beef for his parents from his first bigger paycheck and then…! And how he lived through the shaman “procedure” just for the sake of his mom. He’s a Good Guy.
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
March 9, 2024 at 7:23 AM
Oh yay!!! 😆 Aww yes - he's very much a Good Guy ML, which I loved!! And his parents are SO nice and lovely, and I loved how they took the FL under their wing, too 🥹
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Midnight
March 9, 2024 at 6:51 AM
If you want to enjoy Ghost Doctor to the fullest, forget about romance. It has 2 and both are on the farthest burner on the back. The show is about human interactions, and bromance, and I love it so much.
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sonai
March 9, 2024 at 7:25 AM
Yes, this just needed some adjustment of expectations. I guess sometimes the initial setup can be misleading…! Love the bromance, too, which finally kicked off for real. (Dunno, I think I am at episode 10 or something. 🤔)
Also love the running gag about random people pestering the poor security guard about deleting CCTV footage of Koh Seungtak (while he’s “acting suspiciously” 😂)
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Midnight
March 9, 2024 at 10:37 AM
😆😆
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Kafiyah Bello
March 9, 2024 at 10:55 AM
Unlock the Boss was such an underrated drama. With my favorite kdrama smile to boot.
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Babylilo
March 11, 2024 at 11:46 AM
For me, Ghost Doctor was all about the bromance and Kim Bum being irresistibly adorable. 😊 That was more than enough to keep me watching!
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23 Midnight
March 9, 2024 at 5:58 AM
Memory rewatch, ep 12/16
I was so sure I would never rewatch this show. It had wrecked me the first time, why would I put myself through it a second time??
But we lost a friend's mother to Alzheimer's recently, and I was reminded of it. Being in a very sombre mood, needing a serious show to rewatch (rewatching shows means it isn't too straining on my nerves because I know how it ends), and remembering the stellar acting led me to click play and get sucked in immediately.
Some random thought:
The acting. The casting. The directing. Everything is incredibly spot on. It could be such a feast for the eye if it wasn't giving me panic attacks left and right.
Kim Ji Soo, the actress playing Lee Sung Min's wife has such a sweet reassuring voice and speech, she is perfect for her role, like many others.
I have never liked Yoon So Hee's acting, but I like her role here so it makes up for it.
I can't believe so many sensible people know about his disease and still let him drive himself around.
The extremely complicated family and friends ties, in every direction, not just our core characters, are fascinating to say the least. The emotional bonds in expected and unexpected places surprise and wreck you at every turn.
Lee Sung Min and Song Sun Mi playing not-lovers... I was heartbroken on my first watch :D, but they are still lovely. Unbelievable actors both of them.
I even like Jun Noh Min's character, he is complicated, and perfectly acted.
I HATE Lee Ki Woo's horrible role, and the fact that he takes so many villain roles. Ugh.
I hate the premise of child hit-and-run, and it could turn me off this show if it was one degree less amazing.
I'm glad I'm rewatching this. It would have been a pity to only remember the panic attacks it gave me.
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PYC
March 9, 2024 at 9:58 AM
Thanks for your review @midnight. Memory is one drama I’ve been wanting to start but hesitating for its subject matter. It wasn’t talked about much here at DB and so your thoughts are really appreciated.
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Midnight
March 9, 2024 at 10:32 AM
It is very hard to watch so I can't really recommend it to anyone. But I think you can make up your own mind based on what I have written.