Hello!! It’s me! I’m sorry for dropping off the face of DB for a bit there, defs was not planned. I’ve not logged on in AGES mainly because I haven’t actually been watching anything (aside from idol variety show content on YT every so often) and life took over for a little bit. I’ve slipped back into it though with my annual rewatch of A Piece of Your Mind , this time with mum who is exasperated with the slow pace yet is also first one to press on ‘next episode’ 😆 Also started the C-drama Present Is Present which is an entertaining tropefest that’s hitting the required plot boxes well (and is also pulling off the comedic moments well? I’ve laughed out loud unexpectedly at the few funny scenes that have been peppered in). I’m keen to see what the next slate of K-drama offerings have in store, it’s been a hot minute since I’ve watched a live drama I think, and there’s a few new C-dramas I’ve got my eye on too.

I hope everyone’s been well, sending lots of love! And looking forwarding to hosting the book club on my wall soon (Sunday 14th for those wanting to join in! I’ve got a list of those that expressed interest in related threads, but I’ll post a reminder in the open thread the night before just in case!).

Currently Watching
Dare to Love Me: 🎭🪡 this drama has been simple and sweet so far. I can see why L was drawn to this sweet character. Yoon-bok and Hong-do's relationship has been so cute and nice... I loved how he comforted her, and how he vowed to follow her as she pursued her dreams. A+ boyfriend material.

My Sweet Mobster: 🍭🦞 I love this show SO MUCH. It's so sweet and heartfelt and meaningful. The ML and FL have great chemistry, and their characters click together like two puzzle pieces. Ji-hwan is such a fascinating character, and Uhm Tae-gu is bringing depth and warmth to the role. I'm looking forward to learning more about his story and how he made it his life's mission to help ex-cons stay on the straight and narrow. I've also come to really like the caring and empathetic Eun-ha, and I'm beyond thrilled for the Snow White and the Seven Ex-Cons direction things are taking. And helloooo "locked in a freezer and must keep warm" trope, I missed youuu! 😍

Miss Night and Day: 🌜🙇‍♀️🌞 Dropped. I already ranted about this on my fanwall, so I'll just say about week 2: the director forgot to tell the ML that it's a fantasy rom-com, and to tell the FL that it's an investigative thriller 😂

In other news... Mom loved Flex x Cop and said it was "very good." She forgot she hadn't finished Frankly Speaking, so she watched the last four episodes. After finishing one of the episodes: "this whole episode was a waste of time." 😂 She's enjoying Suspicious Partner now!

I'm still enjoying the heck out of The Double (16-29). This drama is top-tier!! All kinds of High Drama takes place during thunderstorms (yessssss), the action scenes are really good, the chemistry between the ML and FL ✨️SIZZLES✨️, and the FL is an expert strategist manipulating situations and outcomes as she systematically seeks her revenge. I'm not generally a fan of revenge tales, but this is gripping, and I can't wait to see her continue to burn it all down!!! 🔥🔥🔥 I'm forgetting his name, but her Jiang cousin is awesome (*and his pet turtle*), and he had better make it out of this unscathed. If anyone finds a link to the special 40.5 epilogue episode, please @ me!!

My Sweet Monster Episode 1&2 - Um Tae-gu's voice is husky and lullaby-ic at the same time. Is that how his voice is on a good day cause it is cool.

Seeing Im Chul-soo here is...a delight. It was a sweet surprise.

One thing I noticed and I'm looking forward to see play out is the character of Hyun-woo. It is clear that Jang Hyun-woo is one Hyun-woo. I'm subconsciously guessing our sweet mobster is also Hyun-woo but he changed his name. It has to be this cause I don't want another repeat of Start Up. It is Kwon Yul I'm (and/or we are) talking about here.

I do love the parental feeling I get from monster guy and Hyun-woo's granny.

Player 2: The hijinks are still happening and so are the cons, the major arc is just inching along though. The show needs an infusion of something new, it is getting repetitive. That being said cult scams are always interesting particularly when the leader is so nefarious. I want to see a cult episode or show where the leader isn’t all bad, but his/her followers suck.

My Sweet Mobster: AWWWWWWWWWW, Our OTP is so cute. Ji hwan is very obviously Hyun Woo from her childhood. Ji Hwan’s very very cute and respectful crush on Eun Ha is so GREAT. He isn’t pushy, he really tries not to be jealous, and doesn’t overcrowd her. I like that Eun ha is starting to realize she likes him back. Just Sweetness overload. I really enjoyed these two episodes. As for our hair dresser and legal counsel, good for you. I am not mad.

Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale: I’m so sad it is gone. The penultimate episode had noble idiocy, so blah blah. However, episode 10, all the kisses, hugs, and loving. It was whimpering along, but ended with a nice splash.

The Whirlwind: And what a Whirlwind it is. I am 6 episodes in and the back and forth is so much fun. I love the pressure Dong Ho has to avoid corruption, it is so ubiquitous and ever present. Luckily for him, he has people around him who are always trying to do the right thing. He would sink otherwise. Meanwhile, Su Jin is already mired in the s(^t and just can’t get out. It is such a great juxtaposition to watch.

Miss Night and Day: I love how cute our OTP is together. She is a different person, while old, but still so adorable. I also appreciate her competence and her gratitude at having a job. I’m glad the serial killer is on the back burner and isn’t prominent.

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon: Hye Jin and Jun ho are almost through to the other side. I am sad this is ending; it has been a lovely ride. WHJ has been a fantastic and swoony leading man and JRW as always is fantastic. Hopefully it ends well. I have become an even bigger fan of So Joo Yeon who has a fantastic turn as Chung Mi and her cute little boyfriend.

Older Dramas
Scholar Who Walks the Night: *light spoilers but I kept it vague* What a weird/hilarious/entertaining/sincere ride this was! Lee Joon-gi remained great throughout, but I was impressed by how much Lee Soo-hyuk made me care about the vampire overlord by the end. The show reeeeaaaally slowed down for a few episodes - was it around 12-15 or so? But then eps 16 and 17 brought me back with their increased pace and return to action sequences! Lee Yoon and Hye-ryung ended up being the most interesting couple in this show (and not just because the FL was a bit boring). They were both complicated characters who had to deal with their own baggage regarding their respective families, who both made really bad choices at various times, and who both came to pretty satisfying conclusions.

I wish the FL could have gone on a journey of growth or realization too, but she was a bit static while everyone else evolved around her. I liked her relationship with our Night Scholar better early on, when it was more cute stolen glances and secret gifts, and less mindless devotion and arguments about what was too dangerous. They never seemed like they were equals in their relationship, and it didn’t help that basically everyone called her “that child” the entire time. Ah well. What I will remember fondly are Gwi wearing a dragon robe better than everyone else, Kim Sung-yeol being saved by the little girl he saved earlier (one of my fav things in dramas!), and everyone’s flawless eye makeup.

Live Watches
Miss Night and Day: I really loved Mi-jin’s interactions with her mom and Ga-young this week. It’s been so great to see her finally be given a chance and really be good at something after struggling for so long. My money is on the idol to discover her secret next - he’s all but seen her transform - but I hope they don’t wait too long for some of the other characters too!

Just Started
The Atypical Family: Only one episode in and I’m pleasantly surprised to be intrigued so far! I don’t dislike anyone as much as I was expecting too, and Gwi-ju in particular seems like someone I want to know more about. Granted, he’s doing a pretty awful job being a father, but he’s trying more than I was expecting to see at the beginning of this story. Onward!

What I’m NOT watching
Freaking Fairy Tale Show: But not by choice! 😒😩🤬 If this isn’t somewhere legitimate by the time I finish TAF I’m going to find a way of watching it anyway.

DROPPED: MISS NIGHT AND DAY (Ep. 3-4)
I think I talked myself out of watching this. I genuinely do like the scenes with Lee Jung-eun, she has magnetic screen presence but sadly that’s not enough of a reason for me to stay. I promised myself this year I’ll be dropping dramas that frustrate me. Also I want to let beanies who enjoy the show, enjoy it in peace without my ranting 😅

MY FROZEN LOBSTER (Ep. 5-6)
Seo Ji-hwan has shot up to being one of my favourite male leads! The comedy is on point and while I had my reservations about the plot not being able to sustain sixteen episodes, I take it back! Yes Eun-ha can be considered a typical Candy, however I view her more of a Mary Poppins like figure, especially with her being tasked to tutor our ex-mobsters. I also like with every episode we get to learn about their backstories, it’s kinda similar to FRUITS BASKET, which is my favourite manga/anime ♥️

DREAMING OF FREAKING FAIRYTALE (Ep. 9-10)
Sadly not a favourite, I couldn’t connect with the characters for majority of the drama. While I did appreciate Jae-rim’s development, which in my opinion was the best part of the show, a lot of the side-plots and characters felt juvenile, especially the second leads. That said, it seems kdramas are going in the right direction, with comedy making a comeback and hopefully maybe zero serial killers in rom coms?!

Very little to watch on weekdays…when are we getting the next batch of kdramas 🤨?

COMPLETED
Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale - The show made me doubt it through most of Ep. 9 but I guess they thought they needed the last-minute draaammaaa. I'm glad it redeemed itself in Ep. 10 with a good 'moral of the story', lots of kisses, and a happy ending for all. Sweet show 🥰.

ONGOING
Dare to Love Me - One more week…

My Sweet Mobster - Been a while since I've found a second male lead THIS annoying. Thankfully, the rest is SO GOOD esp. UTG's extremely nuanced performance. The thirsty deers continue to be adorable - love Jae-soo!

Miss Night and Day - The ML turned super-annoying suddenly. Mi-jin's personality also varies wildly - feels like she's extra mumbly and can't grasp a lot of simple things in the younger version 🤔?

C-DRAMAS
Completed The Double. So tired of the non-ending + money-grab 'special' episode trend in c-dramas. Still overall it was a fun, if slightly overdramatic, watch.

Started Follow Your Heart (up to Ep. 8) - Had a slow start and meanders quite a bit plot-wise but the leads are good together. Always refreshing to see leads who are simply nice and respectful to each other.

Also started The Princess Royal (up to Ep. 4) - Sticking pretty close to the book while cutting out the faff, I liked this immediately. Zhao Jinmai is doing a great job as usual.

Midnight Romance in Hagwon (13-14): So, like, what is this show trying to tell me at this point? What is it even about? Because somehow this show devolved into the same old battle of good vs evil, where everybody is on a clear side, and the middle ground in non-existent. What happened to the realism? Everything is so black-and-white that most of said realism went out the window around episode 12. I am just so disappointed…

Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale (9-10): Sigh, another disappointment. These last 2 episodes left me so cold? The plot was going in circles, the comedy was lacking, and I found the way everything resolved itself to be very underwhelming. I like the message of the show, and everything with Jae-rim's family this week was a highlight, but everything else just left me very disappointed.

The Player 2: Master of Swindlers (7-8): Finally a guest star I recognize! Though saying that I prefer Heo Sung Tae's character in Crash is an understatement. Seriously, the villain of the cult case might just be the most despicable villain of the entire show so far. He's guilty of literally every crime under the sun, including the ones you really don't want to think of. He disgusts me, and I can't wait to see him go down next week.

Hospital Playlist (S1: 7-12 & S2: 1-2): Last week I said I found this to be a hard show to binge watch. So, obviously, that's exactly what I did this week, because that's just how my mind works. Anyway, I basically love everything about this. Whether it's the friendships, the main and side characters, the music, the medical cases, the romance, I pretty much love it all. The show is just so calm, relaxing and funny, and somehow manages to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the exact same time. This is really making me wanna watch one of the Reply shows next, because somehow, I still haven't watched those.

My Perfect Stranger (7-8): I was really hoping we saved those 2 women… Episode 8 was pretty heartbreaking in that regard. However, I do think the show is avoiding some basic questions. The killer seems to hate women, but then seemingly after decades of doing nothing, he kills the FL's mother and then the ML a year later? Shouldn't our leads at least question the logic behind all this? Also, the ML's father seems fun, but since every young guy in this show turns out to be shady, I don't trust him. Or maybe I have trust issues.

CONNECTION (Ep 9-10) This week had a lot of throwing shame and shade at the main characters as the ethical, moral and evil story edges begin to unravel. This week really hit home that all the characters except Joo-Song have moral character issues or worse. Some, like Tae-Jin and Yoon-Jin, are not as smart as they think they are. Others like Chang-Soo, continue to harbor ugly secrets. It may also lead to Joon-Seo not having a grand plan but a means to “push” paranoia and greed onto his friends and associates to backstab each other for a pirate treasure that does not exist.

BITTERSWEET HELL (Ep. 9-10) Another week of No and MIL outsmarting themselves trying to trap Se-Na but she is always three steps ahead of them. Se-Na’s master plan includes eliminating her own pawns in deadly fashion. We don’t know how much more damage she can inflict on the Choi family but so far they cannot stop her. The writer and director have thrown so much dirty family laundry at us it is hard to see how any of them come out clean. Is this going to be a series where the villain actually wins? Going into the finale, we have not seen much No and MIL working together to save their family. MIL is now in prison martyr mode. No thinks she has the upper hand but I think not.

THE LONG BALLAD (CH) —Leo Wu was the draw initially, but now the story has me on the edge of my seat. The story! It has been a long time since I have been mesmerized by the story of a drama specifically (Forrest of Secrets was the last one). Usually I care more about characters than plot, but in this one I keep watching because I want to know what will happen. The story tension is well-crafted.

And oh I have not cried for a drama character like for the Sui General, who sacrifices himself to keep his people and family safe, The scene where he says goodbye to his wife and little daughter gutted me because while he never says “good-bye” his meaning is clear to his wife and everyone else who can read between the lines.

MY LOVELY BOXER (7) —It was my cup of tea, and I drank it up happily. Though I wish it had had one more episode to wrap it up—their reunion and the wrap up was rushed for me.

WELCOME TO SAMDAL-RI (7)—I enjoy Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye-Sun together, but I am not invested in other storylines. Yet? The drama has settled in a bit, but I think it has a lot of unmet potential so far, let down by writing and directing of characters. However, I do enjoy that this second chance romance is not taking the typical route and I love that Cho Young Pil is not bitter or hurtful toward Cho Sam Dal. Was everyone yelling at their screens for her to take him back? I missed the live watch.

Edit: I have since watched more episodes and I am fed up with his father and that his grudge and inability to forgive is the reason they broke up. Get over yourself, sir.

WATCHING AS IF THE WHOLE KDRAMA WORLD IS ON HIS WiDE SHOULDERS THAT CAN STILL HUDDLE

My Sweet Mobster This is a such a great show on so many levels—from the purely nice to look at level to meaningful themes beyond the OTP. The love story is not in a bubble insulated from the world and other people; instead, you see how the couple relate to each other and to other people (and how that also informs how the couple view one another) in the world. How many shows have one or both OTP act one way in the world and another way to the romantic interest? This show with mature gifted and charismatic actors is delivering from giggles and swoons to social commentary—all in an entertaining, brightly colored package. So good.

COMPLETED

Dreaming of A Freaking Fairy Tale This show at 10 episodes of less than 45 minutes each was like a great children’s picture book. It was short and succinct with bright colors, had characters who were quickly but adeptly presented, and still presented a story with a message and with heart. It managed in a short amount of time to entertain and be touching. Good night, Moon Cha Min and Shin Jae Rim. Thanks for a great run.

Non-Kdrama
The Bear, Season 3 Wow. I needed this. Such good dialogue writing— how can a scene with half the words being “F**k you” say convey so much—history, tension, love? I also was reminded how showing the individuality (sometimes considered flaws) in skin tones, wrinkles and marks can reveal how beautiful people are in different ways. I don’t even realize how much the glossy filtering of people making them “perfect” can be exhausting for me until I see a show doing something different.

Looking forward to the next set of dramas coming over the next few weeks.

Live watches

My Sweet Mobster
I am enjoying this and hope the second leads ‘Mr All about the assumptions’ and ‘Miss I think I am all that’ get over themselves sooner rather than later.

My Name is Gabriel
I came for Bogummy and stayed for the Comedian who is the other victim on the show where they have to move in to someone else’s life for a few days. The challenges really do suit the celebrities personalities, the Comedian’s perspective on his situation is so funny. Looking forward to seeing what they did to Wookie in later episodes.

Completed

Dreaming of a freaking fairytale
It ended well with minimal wasted time on noble idiocy and annoying second leads. Please let the next gen of rom coms use this and My sweet mobster as a benchmark for fun and drama.

Uncle Samsik
It really left me feeling sad, I still think about it now and again. The world of politicians can be so corrupt, and when it is, the fallout can have long term consequences.

Dare to Love Me Nothing is goof but nothing is totally bad neither...

My Sweet Mobster Ji-Hwan deserves every sweet, lovely, delightful, nice, precious, etc. adjectives that English subber can find.

Miss Night and Day I'm not convinced by the story with the serial killer and the actresses playing the same character yet. The ML's behavior is not helping...

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon I can't believe it's already the end...

The Whirlwind On my watch list.

Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale At the opposite of the Beanies, I didn't like at all this drama. It was between a rom-com and a parody but neither of them and it ended being just a lot of clichés. I didn't specially like the actors in these roles because there is nothing new. I wish Jun finds a simple role where is not acting the biggest jerk and the rich and cold guy...

Starting:

Just Between Lovers/Rain and Shine: This drama is so good it’s very hard impossible for me to stay in Community Watch tempo. Way the best thing I have seen with Junho yet. I have seen some old pictures of him where he looks super cute, but being constantly angry seems to bring out the best in him. This time I really got why he is a star. Being angry, and eating – hence Chief Kim the next best thing I’ve seen with him. (It’s not like he is the only good thing about this drama, but he is the one I know the best).

Miss Night and Day: I am still enjoying this a lot, even if I agree with those who are disappointed that the ML is such and *-hole towards a woman based on her age alone, as if it was a crime against him to have to work with a middle-aged woman. I had hoped he would get the kind of relationship where you rely on an older person’s wisdom – protecting her (as he actually does) while also asking her advice. Only more fun for her actually being young. But at least she has a lot of experience of hardships that he doesn’t know of.
… Okay, that’s not how this goes, apparently. [Sigh]
Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale: Found out Friday night it can be watched at Dailymotion! Oh what crazy marvellous fun it is!
Rewatching:
Destined With You: I have been revisiting those sweet beginnings, with that (literally, but also) haunted rich-kid boy who is more than anything offended at being in love, at being hopelessly, helplessly lovesick, in love, pining. And who is doggedly, whiningly, pettily, steadfastly following his new owner around. (While also being unfaithful, but to whom?)
Finished:
Sh**ting Stars: Fun and nice. I too enjoy have so many couples to ship. I did not enjoy the amount of aegyo. I liked the turn of that at the end, though, and giffed about it on my wall.
Not a K-drama:
Sweet Tooth: Finally gathered the courage to watch this and binged it in two days. I just had to get to the ending. And when I got there, it was a kind of “choose your own adventure” in the way that I could decide how much of the happy ending actually happened and how much was just a story Gus told to the next generation and to Big Man. In any case, I needed to get to the end so that I could breathe again.

Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale (Series review) - Mood progression: D+ / D / D / D / D-
Did you know that Kim Hyun Jin is actually older than Lee Jun Young in real life? I was quite surprised that the former looked younger while the latter carried himself older. Anyway, the show ended on an absolute whimper as all the nonsense from the 2nd leads piled once the ML got past his trauma. Classic nice 2ML and treacherous 2FL, it’s giving zero.

Miss Night and Day (Episode 3-4) - Mood: D+
I don’t get it, the ML’s already telling the FL explicitly that she’s under witness protection, so why hide the tracking software when you were open about saving your number in her phone? I’m surprised the ML’s ageist given his workaholic personality but maybe that’s the character development he’ll undergo? The killer seems obvious: will the new intern be the red herring?

My Sweet Mobster (Episode 5-6) - Mood: D+
The chasteness of K-drama leads never fails to amuse me, but seriously, the juxtaposition couldn’t be more severe with the random makeout scene they gave to the supporting couple, who despite having minimal scenes actually form a convincing OTP, more so than the leads. But it’s not like they’re so great either, though I think it’s a low bar with the freezer cliffhanger.

COMPLETED:

1. BRAIN WORKS - Jung Yong-Hwa and Cha Tae-Hyun nail it as the Odd Couple duo of psychopathic brain specialist and super empathetic police detective solving mind-bending crimes together. The drama's open-ended final episode leaves room for a second season and I hope there is one.

I actually cackled aloud when the psychopath brain specialist terrorised a boy (who had framed the detective's daughter for bodily harm of another student because she wasn't interested in him) into saying out loud the equivalent of "If a girl says no, I will not bother her" 100 times. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

2. SECRET INSPECTOR & JOY - This is very entertaining Fusion Sageuk nonsense hahahahahhaha! I really do like Kim Hye-Yoon and this is the first time I've watched Taecyon in action. Looking forward to watching more of their other dramas.

3. LITTLE FOREST - Stumbled across this little gem of a K-movie on Tubi starring Kim Tae-ri. It's so healing and I love the food scenes and the quiet contemplation about life choices and learning where one belongs.

CURRENTLY WATCHING:

1. DOCTOR SLUMP, A GOOD DAY TO BE A DOG and BLACK - Onwards we go with the lunchtime viewing rotation.

2. THE X FILES - This is a comfort watch. Very few long-running Horror/Sci Fi series can be considered classics. Mulder and Scully make it so.

3. MILITARY PROSECUTOR DOBERMAN - It's quite interesting, especially Jo Bo-A's character. I still don't like Ahn Boh Hyun (he kinda irritates me with his f*ckboi smirk) so it's like me watching movies with Tom Cruise in them - I dislike Cruise intensely but I sit through an otherwise good movie/series if I like the rest of the cast.

Happy Saturday, Beanies! MASSIVE wall of text below, you've been warned)))

THE DOUBLE: So I didn't have time nor energy to finish it yet, but heard it ended with no surprises, except maybe Youku chickening out the last second and hastily doing HE special to evade fan rage over another wtf finale. Huh, where did this wisdom was last year? Yunno, someone's got to finally open cdrama writers' eyes to the hard fact that “fresh take” of turning happy novels into half-backed tragedy dramas has long lost all its freshness and shock factor... We've had enough!

THE PRINCESS ROYAL: Watched half of Ep1. Good news – show's rather loyal to the book. Bad news - that means FL is gonna be insufferable for far too long for my patience. Drop, good luck to yall who remain!

HISTORICAL CHAEBOL ROMCOM (FEAT PURPLE WEED) FOLLOW YOUR HEART: Oh boy, this is a bipolar mess. Don't get me wrong – it's a very pretty (sets, costumes, camera work), cute and light (so far) show where leads and at least some supporting actors are doing really well... Too bad script is hardly on par. There are so many issues here – pacing, annoying characters (gosh, ML's sister is a real abomination!), ridiculously overdone conflicts, sometimes off-hitting humor, simply moronic bits (burning the whole field of toxic hallucinogen at night? next to village with people? wonderful idea!) etc. Also not sure how I feel about making it basically anti-drugs investigation story – not the theme I prefer in my procedurals. Action scenes are fire though – after the clownery that was wire work in THE DOUBLE my eyes were blessed by the smooth elegance of fighting here. As much as I find OTP sweet together, this show being full action detective instead of romance wouldn't be half bad either. Oh well, I just need to wait some more until SHUI LONG YIN...

LYX is great as usual and only coughed blood ONCE in 20 episodes, can you believe that?!, but his TTJ-esque satanic laugh takes me out sometimes))) FL is fun, even tho I find her writing a bit too emotional sometimes. Chemistry is more soft/warm than scorching, which I can accept as long as there's less of usual romcom BS keeping OTP separated... Futile hope, I know. Second leads are facepalm-inducing – in sister's case it's just character who needs to grow tf up asap, but CL's Commander-in-chief, while finally became a lot more palatable in latest episodes, still needs a lot of work on his acting, esp in subtlety department – all that eye bulging and constant shouting really grates on my nerves. Same with his mountain girl future OTP. Slave boy is decent at least, slightly creepy toothy smile aside. Mom just needs to chill, all things considered.