[Drama Chat] Great dramas with great first episodes
by Dramaddictally
We can argue all day about what makes a drama great — and everyone has their personal favorites. But independent of the great dramas on your list, it’s not every day that a show hits its mark straight out the gate. In fact, it’s a special event when a drama nails it from start to finish, and you leave with that glowy feeling of an exceptionally well-told story.
One example is the recently aired drama Lovely Runner, which from the get-go set up all its epic potential and had me raring for more. But at the risk of over-gushing about that show (deserving as it is!), I’ll go with another great: Yumi’s Cells.
The first episode introduces us to the wacky world of the heroine and her brain cells, gives us the cringey-sweet tone and sense of humor, and teaches us how the storytelling works as we glide between internal and external atmospheres. Plus, the first scene has our heroine dreaming of her current crush in a compromising position in her bed, which, for me, is quite a way to set the stage! (Shoutout to Minho on that one.) With so much color, craziness, and fun, I was a goner for this show from the jump — and it never disappointed me, even as it careened on to a second season.
What dramas do you consider great that started out that way right from Episode 1?
*And just a note: don’t get caught up in thinking about great dramas with crappy first episodes yet — we’ll be chatting about that next time.
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1 Soyesterday
June 9, 2024 at 5:13 AM
Hyena
A drama that pretty much fires on all cylinders from the word "Go", the writing, the perfomances, the worldbuilding are pretty much aces from the first episode.
World of the Married
An artistic, highbrow take on the makjang drama that does an excellent job at setting up the trashy rollercoaster that will follow for the following 15 episodes, its also far superior to its british original imo ( Surrane Jones was absolutely fantastic in the original though)
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Midnight
June 9, 2024 at 6:57 AM
Hyena was fantastic from minute 1 and sealed the deal by blasting that ost at the end of the hour!
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2 Healer’s
June 9, 2024 at 5:21 AM
The most recent ones that I can recall having great first episode are:
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Taxi Driver 2
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Seon-ha
June 9, 2024 at 6:34 AM
EAW was attractive and engaging beginning with the credits, even!
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Neolttwigi
June 9, 2024 at 6:44 AM
Yeah, EAW had me at the opening credits. That train ride across the river into Seoul, and the animation
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OldLawyer
June 9, 2024 at 10:36 PM
I agree with all of you.
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23new2kdrama 🌱❤️🪦RIP FAN WALL❤️
June 9, 2024 at 7:25 PM
EAW-The music also is intriguing and draws you in immediately.
Another good thing about Taxi Driver! When will I have time to watch🥰
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3 HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
June 9, 2024 at 5:28 AM
What a fun prompt! I can't wait to read everyone's answers. A short list of what I would consider great first episodes to great dramas includes:
Like Flowers in Sand
The Matchmakers
Bossam: Steal the Fate
Mr. Queen
Healer
I would also add, for my personal preferences of greatness/first episodes, Unlock My Boss and Into the Ring. While I wouldn't say I loved the whole drama, While You Were Sleeping has an EXCELLENT first episode, too.
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Isa is always time travelling
June 9, 2024 at 1:10 PM
I think exactly the same about While you were sleeping. The first episode was very good.
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4 Snow Flower
June 9, 2024 at 5:34 AM
Money Flower
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5 jerrykuvira
June 9, 2024 at 5:40 AM
The list is endless but...
Trolley
Queenmaker
Why Her?
Our Blues - I pressed play on this solely because of the first 3 episodes.
Uncle Samsik - You have to watch this to know this.
Queen For Seven Days: This one is beyond the first episode. The introductory minutes alone is something else.
Arthdal Chronicles 1.
Tell Me That You Love Me.
The World of the Married.
Cheat on Me If You Can.
Behind Every Star: Jo Yeo-jung and Seo Hyun-woo sold this drama to me with their bickering chemistry in episode 1. The people who matched that bickering chemistry again in the show was Park Ho-san and Oh Na-ra.
Adamas.
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welh
June 10, 2024 at 8:12 AM
Jo Yeo Jeong's episode was the highlight of BES.
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mmmmm
June 11, 2024 at 12:20 PM
Tell Me You Love Me is chef’s kiss 💋
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6 🌸 Seeker 🌸
June 9, 2024 at 5:50 AM
Perfect Marriage Revenge it was prefect from the get-go. 🤣🤣🤣
Episode 1 wasted no time, set up all characters, we knew what we could expect and wowza 😱 did it deliver. 🙌
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jerrykuvira
June 9, 2024 at 6:21 AM
I'd say episode 2 instead of 1.
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Unaspirated
June 9, 2024 at 6:25 AM
I agree. If the FL had stayed the way she was in ep 1 I would not have been able to finish this drama. 😬 It wasn't bad, but I thought ep 2 did more to establish the tone of the rest of it.
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🌸 Seeker 🌸
June 9, 2024 at 7:04 AM
I appreciate both your views. Indeed episode 2 did more to set it up.
For me I went in with zero expectations - thinking it would be a "so bad it's good watch". I was hooked from episode 1. 🤷♀️
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🌸 Seeker 🌸
June 9, 2024 at 7:06 AM
* the views of both of you
7 Aunt Tim
June 9, 2024 at 5:50 AM
Mr. Sunshine
Young Eugene (Kim Kang-hoon’s) performance was just amazing.
Happiness
I blindly jumped into this without watching any teasers and all I can say is the lead’s instant chemistry is probably one of the best I’ve seen in the last few years.
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Koalatown
June 9, 2024 at 6:53 PM
I second Happiness. When she pushed him off the roof and he had surprised yet delighted/intrigued look on his face. I was hooked.
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9TailedVixen Loves Hanging Upside Down
June 9, 2024 at 6:55 PM
The look on Park Hyung-Shik's face was the look of a smitten dude taken by surprise LOL!
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Minnie🫘👩🏻🚀Pioneer and Teacher 👩🏻🏫🌱🏹
June 9, 2024 at 7:38 PM
It's probably one of the most memorable scenes ever.
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9TailedVixen Loves Hanging Upside Down
June 9, 2024 at 7:49 PM
HAPPINESS definitely presents one of the best friends-to-lovers OTPs ever.
DancingEmma
June 9, 2024 at 8:55 PM
I agree on both counts. Kim Kanghoon was mesmerising. I was disappointed that Lee Byunghun never vibed for me after those striking early scenes,
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Minnie🫘👩🏻🚀Pioneer and Teacher 👩🏻🏫🌱🏹
June 10, 2024 at 6:07 AM
I firmly believe both Byung hun and the ending did a disservice to an otherwise outstanding drama. Kim Kang hoon set the bar sky high you root for him so much, yet the entire Byung hun arc is kind of déjà vu
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Leaves45
June 11, 2024 at 2:16 PM
Agreed. Their chemistry was off the charts and outshine the zombies plot. I couldn’t press Next fast enough.
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8 Linarrick
June 9, 2024 at 5:59 AM
I haven’t watched all of it, and I’ll definitely get back to it at some point but the first episode of MY LIBERATION NOTES is incredible.
I’ll also add ATYPICAL FAMILY as well, it’s pilot episode is confusing and yet unique and intriguing, pretty much as the title suggests ATYPICAL
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Linarrick
June 9, 2024 at 11:26 AM
Gonna also add AGE OF YOUTH S1&2
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9 Healer’s
June 9, 2024 at 6:03 AM
LOL
And we need crappy dramas with great first episodes as well 😂
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Seon-ha
June 9, 2024 at 6:30 AM
This would be an unfortunately long list.
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Neolttwigi
June 9, 2024 at 6:47 AM
I have an ongoing list of 'Disappointing dramas with one brilliant episode' Her Private life, Episode 4, Queen of Tears, Episode 10...
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Neolttwigi
June 9, 2024 at 9:23 AM
I think I agree with @panshel that we could add Castaway Diva, Episode 1 to this list.. though Episode 8, with the confession by the ML (I spent weekends going out to islands/of course I love her) is also in competition.
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23new2kdrama 🌱❤️🪦RIP FAN WALL❤️
June 9, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Wow! Smart idea. If I’m going to watch something I’ll just ask you what episode to experience 🌸
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Neolttwigi
June 10, 2024 at 9:34 PM
You might need to read some recaps so you know who the characters are and what the general situation is though :)
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Bunny Sonaki
June 9, 2024 at 7:17 AM
Seconding this😂😂
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panshel
June 9, 2024 at 8:18 AM
In a way, this prompt is that because everyone's definition of great dramas is different.
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Healer’s
June 9, 2024 at 9:21 AM
I think the difference is if one considers the rest of the drama lived up to that first episode for them.
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Babylilo
June 9, 2024 at 3:20 PM
I've lost count of the shows where I've said, "This is fabulous!" after the first episode or two, only to be disappointed with all or part of the rest. It's much less common for me to feel "meh" at the beginning and then see an improvement in subsequent episodes. I will usually drop a show if there's no discernible improvement after the first few episodes, or if I'm just not connecting with it. There are way too many other dramas out there for me to spend time with something I'm not enjoying.
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23new2kdrama 🌱❤️🪦RIP FAN WALL❤️
June 9, 2024 at 7:28 PM
I honestly don’t remember first episodes good or bad ahhhh! I probably need to be taking notes.
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23new2kdrama 🌱❤️🪦RIP FAN WALL❤️
June 9, 2024 at 7:33 PM
Actually I take that back. I know exactly what show would say for bad. Next time
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10 9TailedVixen Loves Hanging Upside Down
June 9, 2024 at 6:24 AM
The opening of HAPPINESS is both bonkers and immediately establishes the OTP's respective characters. Can't ask for more than that from a first episode.
I also loved the first episode of ROOKIE HISTORIAN GOO HYE-RYEUNG with the OTP's hilarious meet-cute in the bookshop and where we get a very clear picture of how awesome the FL is.
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9TailedVixen Loves Hanging Upside Down
June 9, 2024 at 6:27 AM
Honorable mention goes to the first episode of HOW TO SELL YOUR HAUNTED HOUSE.
Jang Nara single-handedly sells the viewer the show concept of a matrilineal line of psychic exorcists in the haunted house real estate business.
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Seon-ha
June 9, 2024 at 6:37 AM
Kang Mal-geum as her spunky business partner with all the right things to say is also a hard sell in the early episodes of Haunted House!!
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Babylilo
June 9, 2024 at 3:27 PM
Jang Nara also made the opening episode of The Last Empress a delight, playing the awkward, timid, fashion-challenged actress who is unexpectedly tapped to be the next (and ultimately the last) empress of Korea.
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9TailedVixen Loves Hanging Upside Down
June 9, 2024 at 6:43 PM
I think Jang Nara is one of the best K-Drama actresses around. Like Meryl Streep, she can inhabit any role she takes on and make it WORK no matter how outlandish or subtle.
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11 Seon-ha
June 9, 2024 at 6:32 AM
Healer.
This is a gimme, but I'll take it. That first training scene in the hideout (video game tennis, of all things)...straight into the subway/train spy action with Ajumma.
I was there from the first seconds.
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Healer’s
June 9, 2024 at 6:38 AM
Strangely I had to try Healer's first ep a second time to get interested.
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Seon-ha
June 9, 2024 at 6:40 AM
LOL. I will say that Ajumma had me sold faster than Healer...but soon, the whole cast had me hooked. Well, in all honesty, the weak link for me in this drama has always been Park Min-young
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zindigo
June 9, 2024 at 9:05 AM
Really? I thought it was different and cute - it suited the personality of her character. My favorite hairstyle on PMY is the ultra high, ultra long pony in Secretary Kim.
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Neolttwigi
June 9, 2024 at 9:16 AM
I think Seon-ha just doesn't like PMY.. I'm with you though, like PMY and the Secretary Kim hair
zindigo
June 9, 2024 at 9:23 AM
@mazarin Ahhhh... I see 😉
Seon-ha
June 9, 2024 at 9:43 AM
HEY! Who knows who I do and don't like here?? 🤔😂
I really didn't like PMY in Healer that much at all, and her first-half hair was a big part of it. I don't think "gamine" is where she shines. I liked her best in Her Private Life when she played the mental sasaeng without the capacity to tell real men from fake men. Ryan-Lion sure showed her!
Neolttwigi
June 9, 2024 at 3:10 PM
Well, if you ignore the strike out, your comment does say the weak link is PMY... :)
Neolttwigi
June 9, 2024 at 3:11 PM
sorry if that was an assumption, was just going with what the comment said :)
Seon-ha
June 9, 2024 at 6:35 PM
@mazarin It's OK. But, fret not, I can always make myself clear in my own time. I'm usually misunderstood due to the depth of my sarcasm.
Healer’s
June 9, 2024 at 10:11 AM
Healer is the only show of PMY I finished, so I guess I don't like her acting either. But to me, she did ok in Healer.
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bong-soo
June 9, 2024 at 3:53 PM
Interesting. I have started and finished four Park Min-young dramas: SBS’s CITY HUNTER (2011), KBS’s HEALER (2014/15) (Viki US) and both ‘’Weathers”: JTBC’s I’LL GO TO YOU WHEN THE WEATHER IS NICE (2020) (Viki US) and JTBC’s FORECASTING LOVE AND WEATHER (2022) (Netflix).
HEALER (natch) is my favorite PMY performance. Frankly by the time she performed in the ‘Weathers’ her appearance had changed so much I wondered if it was the same actress as in HEALER.
23new2kdrama 🌱❤️🪦RIP FAN WALL❤️
June 9, 2024 at 7:38 PM
That’s because the Ji Chang-Wook and the other cast made up the difference. But I did like her in Sec Kim. But sort of same thing, strong ML and cast
bong-soo
June 9, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Remember the famous make over at the salon at the end of episode 9? (Probably my favorite scene un the drama.) Both Park Bong-soo (JCW)
**slight bow** and Young-shin (PMY) came out with new ‘do’s. His hair was above his forehead and hers was pulled back.
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Seon-ha
June 9, 2024 at 6:09 PM
I do remember this. And it is why I am confident in my belief! No one need agree with me, but the difference...ahem...made all the difference. 😘
zindigo
June 10, 2024 at 4:13 PM
Wow, ya'll have great memories. It's been too long and I have no recollection of the haircut scene at all.
bong-soo
June 10, 2024 at 4:55 PM
@zindigo, I already am in trouble for going O/T and reminiscing about HEALER’s episode 9 when we should be concentrating on episode 1 I think. Mea culpa!
Anyway, to refresh your memory, our couple was sent to a salon to get a new look/makeover so they could go undercover. It occurs the last few minutes of episode 9 and it is probably the most comedic sequence in the drama. Iirc there is no actual hair cutting but an overall before and after contrast.
JCW really hammed it up in his Bong-soo persona.
Seon-ha
June 10, 2024 at 5:09 PM
But...I HAD forgotten the moment when Bong-soo actually tries to escape the dressing room in his undershirt with all of his belongings clutched to his chest, though, @marcusnyc20.
Thanks for that timestamp--what a romp! So good. Even if it's in (shhhh) episode nine!
zindigo
June 10, 2024 at 5:50 PM
@marcusnyc20 Ok, I had to go back and rewatch it. NOW I remember! JCW really is a natural comedian. And YES @attiton, their hair looked much better after their traumatic makeover 😂 It may be time to rewatch this drama.
Kas61
June 11, 2024 at 7:18 PM
I loved PMY's hair in the first part of Healer -- it looked cute and perfectly suited her personality. I didn't like the way they "fixed" it for the 2nd half.
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12 Unaspirated
June 9, 2024 at 6:34 AM
I remember Alchemy of Souls having a really fun first episode. It has a lot of history to establish right off the bat but doesn't falter as it moves into the present, and then the introduction of our two leads was just glorious. We know who Jang Uk is immediately, and Naksu/Mu-deok is at her most murderous. We get amazing interactions with Uk being held at crab-leg-point and telling Mu-deok she has beautiful (soul-shifty) eyes. His request at the end that she be his master is an incredible intro to the rest of the whole story. Makes me want to rewatch right away!
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13 Blue (@mayhemf)
June 9, 2024 at 6:46 AM
Kingdom - they had my complete attention right from the title opening credits. It really was a terrific opening right from ep 1.
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14 Midnight
June 9, 2024 at 7:02 AM
This is very interesting. Because with many of my favorite shows I skip the first episode on rewatches.
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🌸 Seeker 🌸
June 9, 2024 at 7:10 AM
🙃 Guess you will have a good and long list ready for the next drama chat.
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Midnight
June 9, 2024 at 8:48 AM
If the next chat is about: Shows that you love and watch hundreds of times, but prefer to skip the first episode, then yes, I will.
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Seon-ha
June 9, 2024 at 7:48 AM
I do this too! It's how Healer came to mind, actually, as I knew I'd start from the beginning... When I rewatch I usually go back straight to the heart of the matter, like episodes 6-12. Or, if it's really good 4-14 ;)
I might join in the The Matchmakers crew though, having been given this time to reflect. I'd probably watch that from beginning to end again, if I rewatch it (right now it just sits perfect in my mind). Knowing that you've never fully watched any Rowoon drama though, @midnight, I know you're not with me on this one 😉...
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Midnight
June 9, 2024 at 8:55 AM
I usually start at episode 2, or watch half of 1, half of 2, and start 3... Most of my favorites have either a rocky start, or a tragic or deliberately frustrating one...
I tried The Matchmakers twice, both times clicked stop in the middle of Rowoon talking... Don't think I can survive it.
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Kurama
June 9, 2024 at 10:48 AM
I think it depends a lot on the drama. Sometimes, they exaggerate the main traits of the characters or the humor, etc. and the first episodes are over the top. But it calms down later and it's finally pleasant to watch.
In other cases, the childhood or backstory are very compelling.
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Midnight
June 9, 2024 at 10:51 AM
Exactly what I mean.
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Unaspirated
June 9, 2024 at 9:50 AM
I can totally understand this. Because dramas are a longer form of storytelling, they often spend the first episode setting things up. So there is often lots of history and character introductions, but if you've already seen it, you don't really need all that information and you can just get to the parts that you love. I'm a very new re-watcher so I don't really have established patterns yet, but I can understand both sides here.
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🌸 Seeker 🌸
June 9, 2024 at 10:32 AM
That actually makes a lot of sense. In a way the "set-up" is expendable.
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Midnight
June 9, 2024 at 10:45 AM
Also kdramas have a habit of going over the top in the beginning to, I don't know, drive the point home? To establish the story and characters more quickly? To draw in the viewers? Whether in comedy, or gore, or cringe, or sloppyness, or luxury, or tragedy... It doesn't matter at all which one, the show dials it to eleven in the beginning, then settles down afterwards. I usually prefer to skip that part because it's not in synch with the rest of the show, and kinda irritates me.
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jerrykuvira
June 9, 2024 at 2:53 PM
You fail to mention the ones that jam-pack all the teasers and promotional materials into the first episodes. Like...why?
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Midnight
June 9, 2024 at 3:14 PM
Because they quickly edited and aired all the teasers and promos immediately after they started filming? Still...why?? Sigh.
15 Neolttwigi
June 9, 2024 at 7:07 AM
A Korean Odyssey. That might be partly because I grew up watching Monkey, so I was giggling at a contemporary Monkey, Pigsy, and Sandy even without any story. (Bull Demon King was an extra character, but done so well he had me giggling too)
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16 Kurama
June 9, 2024 at 7:18 AM
So many :
- Goblin : I need Gong Yoo in a sageuk!
- A Piece of Your Mind : I loved the atmosphere of this drama.
- Extraordinary You : the world of manhwa with Danoh discovering she's not the FL.
- Heartless City : just for Jung Kyung-ho knife fight.
- Start-Up : Nam Da-reum was too good as the SML's backstory. It ruined the whole drama.
- Castaway Diva : these teenagers were very good, I could have watched a whole drama with them.
- The Matchmakers : It was so beautiful and funny.
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panshel
June 9, 2024 at 8:12 AM
If the first episode ruined the whole drama, do you still consider Start-Up a great drama?
I agree with Castaway Diva's great first episode, but IMO, it was the best episode of a not-great drama.
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Kurama
June 9, 2024 at 8:22 AM
I liked Start-Up, I had some issues with the writing but it was entertaining and I liked the idea of start-up.
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Bunny Sonaki
June 9, 2024 at 9:45 AM
I didn't ruin the drama but perhaps giving the childhood arc to the 2ML was a risky decision. Still, that was the drama decision.
I wish to hear more about your reasoning and things that you disliked.
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Bunny Sonaki
June 9, 2024 at 9:45 AM
*the drama premise
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Kurama
June 9, 2024 at 10:14 AM
I didn't like how the female characters were written. Suzy had no reason to be a CEO in a start-up, she knew nothing about creating an app, neither about managing. She was very luck to get 2 genius in these 2 fields.
For Kang Han-na, they wrote her as a villain because she chose her mum when she was a teenager, they always separated her from her family when the mother was forgiven. Suzy told in interviews that she was closed to Stephanie Lee, it showed how they screw what it could have been a great sistance.
For the romance, I didn't really mind she ended with NJH, he was the ML after all. But the letters were dismissed when they built the story about how they were important for her. It was weird.
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Bunny Sonaki
June 9, 2024 at 10:24 AM
I see. Those are good points indeed. I agree with you that it was strange she got to be a CEO without any prior indications she is qualified for that position. Same goes for Kang Han-na's arc and the sismance. But I have to say Kang Han-na's character had some greed to it as a child but I won't say she was a villain just an antagonist. I found her journey compelling and respected her from stopping her employee from making fun of sam san tech team after they got disbanded. She was multi layered, wanting to run a business and protect it so that no one could steal it from her and being humane as well.
As for the letters, I think by the time she discovered the truth she was much in love with Do-san that she forgot about the letters. Still, getting back to it somehow might have made for a better story.
17 panshel
June 9, 2024 at 7:45 AM
The first episode of While You Were Sleeping is a self-contained movie.
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panshel
June 9, 2024 at 7:54 AM
Sky Castle's bombshell cliffhanger in Episode 1 is the reason it became the highest rated drama in Korean cable television history.
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18 Bunny Sonaki
June 9, 2024 at 7:49 AM
Getting back to my list, I was surprised that there are countable ones that fit the bill.
Under The Queen's Umbrella
Bloody Heart
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Tomorrow
Our Blues
Me Sunshine
Twenty Five Twenty One minus the ending
Call it love minus the time jump
My Dearest 1
Doctor Cha
Flex X Cop
Me Queen
Kairos
Defendant (I am 4 episodes in but I added it to my favorites)
Little Women
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23new2kdrama 🌱❤️🪦RIP FAN WALL❤️
June 9, 2024 at 7:40 PM
Yes on Flex X Cop! Great beginning
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mmmmm
June 11, 2024 at 12:25 PM
I loved that you mentioned 2521 in this list, but I have to especially agree to disagree- I think 2521 is marvelous from beginning to end.
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mmmmm
June 11, 2024 at 12:26 PM
*respectfully
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Bunny Sonaki
June 11, 2024 at 9:30 PM
Perhaps, since it was really marvellous, the sad ending shattered our hearts more.
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19 zindigo
June 9, 2024 at 9:22 AM
Under the Queen's Umbrella. I was sold from the first minute!
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20 PYC
June 9, 2024 at 11:05 AM
It is a very big call for a great first episode - which normally comes around episodes 2 - 4.
Since no one has mentioned it, I’d say One More Happy Ending hit that rare note of getting you in the first 60 minutes. I was so enthralled by that very first episode as we saw the opposite-attract meet of Jung Kyung-ho and Jang Nara, getting drunk together to marriage registration - all within 24 hours. So charming and funny! I was thinking what an amazing first episode and looking forward to a nice romcom….but no.
I would rewatch it every now and then - but only the first episode to re-live that great promise.
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21 Storyenthusiast
June 9, 2024 at 11:34 AM
D-Day had a pretty unforgettable opening episode. And I thought Flex x Cop did a great job setting up the characterizations in it’s first episode.
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22 Dorotka
June 9, 2024 at 11:49 AM
I don't have a good memory for details, but I still remember how I was impressed by the cinematography and how one scene morphed into another in It Is OK to Not Be OK.
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Kurama
June 9, 2024 at 12:50 PM
But I remember I was disapointed because it didn't last the whole drama like her being a giant.
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23 Gikata
June 9, 2024 at 12:04 PM
Interestingly, most kdramas truly take off in Ep2-3, not the very first one. Esp older shows where those initial episodes were all about setup/flashbacks. Take LOVELY RUNNER for example - it's not like Ep1 was objectively weak or anything, but people really got invested after the twist in Ep2. Plus sooo many sageuks that are better with their prequels than actual story - GU FAMILY BOOK, MOON EMBRACING THE SUN... legion of them!
Since people already mentioned HAPPINESS, I'd go with FLOWER OF EVIL, that opening episode was fire (look, PD who knows how to do tension and cliffhangers!). Now that we're talking about it, BEYOND EVIL (precisely Ep1 ending) was quite good too. Right, THE CROWNED CLOWN! All the titles we already mentioned these days))) REVENANT too. I also loved THE FIERY PRIEST's one but I'm probably in minority here... Right, k-SUITS! Another PD with a solid vision. ARANG AND THE MAGISTRATE as well.
For cdramas - TILL THE END OF THE MOON says hello, that intro alone should be in fantasy genre textbooks. Also counts for the most epic introduction scene of ML - twice in the same episode, 3 times in the whole show because tiny LYX can outrizz a crowd without breaking a sweat^^
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Midnight
June 9, 2024 at 12:18 PM
Flower of Evil ep 1 was something! I watched it 3 times in 2 years and couldn't press play on ep 2 after that ending. In the end I begged for spoilers!
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Gikata
June 9, 2024 at 12:37 PM
Ahaha, that's a cute reaction)))
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Kitsune Moon
June 12, 2024 at 12:27 PM
yay for another FoE fan ♥️
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24 Isa is always time travelling
June 9, 2024 at 1:02 PM
Yumi's cells would be one of them, no doubt. Amazing drama with an almost perfect script.
Other dramas with a great first episode which kept being very good until the end:
_ Prison Playbook. Wonderful from the first minutes.
_ At a distance, spring is green.
_ Twinkling Watermelon.
_ Live up to your name.
_ The Nokdu Flower (such a powerful and hard start).
_ My Dearest. (But the best episode was the sixth).
_ The Atypical Family (this drama got better from the fourth episode, though).
_ Weak Hero Class 1.
_ My Ahjussi (currently watching it for the first time. 7 out of 16 so far. But my favorite episode has been the first one).
One of the best first episodes I have ever watched is from Start-up, but even though I really like that drama, I think the first episodes were above the rest.
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Reply1988 - 🍊Mother Bean🍊
June 9, 2024 at 1:12 PM
Start up was really good. I also agree with Prison Playbook, Live up to your name, and Twinkling Watermelon. I can't remember anything outstanding about episode one of At a distance but I did like the drama so it's probably just my poor memory.
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Isa is always time travelling
June 9, 2024 at 1:58 PM
I think At a distance did very well presenting the main characters and their circunstances.
And the bungee-jumping scene is hard to forget.
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Midnight
June 9, 2024 at 2:15 PM
That scene is when and why I started hating the male lead 🙈
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Isa is always time travelling
June 9, 2024 at 2:19 PM
I admit that was something difficult to understand. But I didn't hate him. He grew on me.
Midnight
June 9, 2024 at 2:46 PM
As a person who is deathly afraid of heights and bungee jumping, I would never ever forgive him. No matter what good he did after.
But apart from my own fear, he was extremely pushy and manipulative in every way. I only forgave him in the instances where he was able to get through Bae In Hyuk's character's unrelenting mulish thick skull. And even that when I read recently that this story was originally a bl, I was angry at him again.
Midnight
June 9, 2024 at 2:50 PM
After posting a quite harsh comment, I remembered something I have been meaning to write for some days now.
I really love how your comments and reactions are always very soft, but quite clear and concise! Wish I would learn from you! 🫰
Isa is always time travelling
June 9, 2024 at 3:20 PM
But I think I read somewhere that the BL part of the story wasn't about the ML and the character played by Bae In Hyuk. It seems it was something about ML's big brother (Na In Woo in the drama).
Thanks for your kind words! ❤️ ☺️
I like your comments too. I love the way you express how much you like/enjoy some character, or show, or sequence!
Midnight
June 9, 2024 at 3:26 PM
Oooh! I'm glad you told me that! Now I can like that storyline again!
Thank you for your kind words too 😅❤️ I tend to get carried away in my rants and raves, hope I never offend anyone.
vienibenmio
June 12, 2024 at 8:12 AM
Start Up had a fantastic first episode. Agree with Atypical Family for sure
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25 Reply1988 - 🍊Mother Bean🍊
June 9, 2024 at 1:04 PM
I just rewatched Yumi's cells and it really was that good, just as I remembered. The other standout first episodes for me were The Producers, Racket boys, Hospital Playlist and Reply 1988.
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Reply1988 - 🍊Mother Bean🍊
June 9, 2024 at 11:58 PM
Missing words Yumi’s cells *first episod’. It pulled me back in for a much needed rewatch. It seems that this is going to be the season of rewatching my top dramas after avoiding rewatches for years, I have gradually found myself working my way through them.
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Kas61
June 11, 2024 at 7:23 PM
Ice-cold Kung Jyung-ho in the first ep of Hospital Playlist really does it for me! He's my favourite character. He roasts those junior doctors and dispatches the alcoholic girlfriend -- great stuff.
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Reply1988 - 🍊Mother Bean🍊
June 11, 2024 at 8:48 PM
He was a very different person with his friends so it took me a while to warm to him because of his attitude towards his staff.
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Kas61
June 11, 2024 at 9:13 PM
He and the ob-gyn doctor were my two favourite characters because of their chilliness and social ineptitude. (The other three had enough warmth and kindness to flood the whole hospital.)
It made his slow-developing relationship with his wonderfully friendly but bumbling junior doctor so satisfying.
As for the ob-gyn doctor, without his withdrawn personality (and we get lots of great family back story about why he was like that), we wouldn't have had that beautiful character reveal where he is making sure the mother couldn't hear her baby cry when he was born, the baby who had no brain.
I think I identify with the more buttoned-up characters!
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Reply1988 - 🍊Mother Bean🍊
June 11, 2024 at 11:05 PM
Yes, his care for the junior doctor was when the two sides began to merge. I agree the ob-gyn doctor was very sweet. The scene that always stands out for me with his character’s storyline was the complaining pregnant women and partners in the waiting area. There was an immediate change of attitude when a woman’s cry of anguish from the consulting room reminded them that a long wait not that important in the scheme of things.
Kas61
June 11, 2024 at 11:45 PM
Oh I remember that cry of anguish too, and the effect on the women waiting outside....