Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (October 26, 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…
starrygazer
Currently covering: Family by Choice
Psychopath Diary: I’ve been feeling in the mood for something a little darker so I thought I would give this drama a try. At first I was wishing for Dong-shik to remember he was a lovely person, and not a psychopath. But the comedy surrounding his inability to follow through on these heinous acts is brilliantly (and surprisingly) well done. I’ll be in it till the end, after a slow start I am now totally hooked.
RELATED POSTS
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (October 19, 2024)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (October 12, 2024)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (October 5, 2024)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (September 28, 2024)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (September 21, 2024)
- Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (September 14, 2024)
Tags: Psychopath Diary, The Judge from Hell, What We're Watching
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 miso
October 26, 2024 at 5:00 AM
COMPLETED
What Comes After Love - I wish we'd gotten more conversations between the leads instead of the just the small restaurant meet-up and the final scene. So much of what was said in voiceover was what they should have been saying to each other. It made the happy ending feel unearned.
ONGOING
The Judge from Hell - The mythology is all over the place and there is no real explanation for people's actions - why is Bael okay with killing both Da-on and Justitia all of a sudden??
Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born - The pansori performance was excellent and I liked that it was given room to breathe. In comparison the rest of the scenes felt quite artificial - esp. the random and extremely unnecessary slap-fest that ended the week.
A Virtuous Business - The backward thinking here doesn't feel oppressive - maybe because it's time and place appropriate but also because our Awesome Foursome never let it bring them down for long. They are determined to do their work and do it well and it's downright inspirational.
Dong-jae… - The throwback to the former prosecutor Kang was really nice. I love how the mystery is unravelling piece by piece.
Seoul Busters - Dongbang Gang FTW! Yoo-bin becoming progressively more immersed in the gangster act, and the rest of the team more confused, was so funny.
Family by Choice - I've figured out the solution! Don't watch San-ha's mom's scenes at all! Just watch the family and the kids together and it feels like a whole other show!
C-DRAMAS
The Rise of Ning (up to Ep. 29) - This story is very slow and steady. There are no big mysteries but it's progressing at an even, likeable pace. I find all the characters interesting.
Kill Me, Love Me (up to Ep. 21) - This was quite OTT fun in the beginning even if most of the scenes had screaming or laughing in place of actual dialogue. Now it’s decidedly less fun (I did laugh when the king toppled over seconds after he finally heard the truth about the Crown Prince). Anyway Liu Xue-yi 🔥🔥.
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 5:04 AM
Liu Xue-yi 🔥🔥🙌
Required fields are marked *
zindigo
October 26, 2024 at 6:11 AM
yesssss!! 😀
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 6:21 AM
I mean, if I finish this drama, it will be for him 🔥😍
Required fields are marked *
zindigo
October 26, 2024 at 6:27 AM
As good a reason as any! 😅
miso
October 26, 2024 at 6:44 AM
🤝
2 Kafiyah Bello
October 26, 2024 at 5:01 AM
Dear Hyeri: This is one of the worst written dramas. There is absolutely nothing healing about it and it is clear the writer knows nothing about DID. Hyun Oh is the worst ML in a long time. He ignored her for 6 months, 6 months. Their relationship is incredibly unhealthy and he needs therapy more than she does. I don’t know why I am watching, but the bean I am getting from this. SMH
Dongjae: The mystery has begun. The writing is tight and everything is slowly connecting. I’m excited.
Family by Choice: The mothers are genuinely awful in this drama. All of them, wow. That being said I am rooting for them to grow up still loving each other. The two dads are also great. Plus the romance has begun.
What Comes After Love: I will finish this off this weekend. I still don’t want them to end up together, his lack of communication is Appalling.
A virtuous Business: I lurve this drama so so much. The sisterhood is so nice to see, especially among older women. I love that each of them is different as well. I’m looking forward to the rest of this drama.
The Judge from Hell: I hope episode 10 is explained because it didn’t make sense or I didn’t understand. We only have 4 episodes left, so we shall see.
Jeongnyeon: I really enjoy this drama too. I am rooting for Jeongnyeon.
Hellbound: Will try to watch this weekend.
Required fields are marked *
TwoCentsWorth
October 26, 2024 at 5:06 AM
I've been catching up on the OT, and someone mentioned the preponderance of fantasy green-flag males these days. Well, not all clearly. LOL. I feel ya.
Required fields are marked *
Kafiyah Bello
October 26, 2024 at 5:13 AM
No, lol, bring the green flags, please, all I see is a sea of red.
Required fields are marked *
DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
October 26, 2024 at 5:47 AM
Dear Hye-ri: INterestingly, the show itself has made a leak in her illness. While calling it DID is *very* problematic, she has to some extend inflicted herself with the illness in a hope to call back her sister, at first, and later, to experience happiness. It's a mental illness accompanied and even initiated by conscious attempt to escape her own troubled self, including probably an enormous burden of guilt towards her sister.
And the ML is the worst!
I have giffed about that on my fan wall.
I still harbour a tiny hope that she will not end up with him, but as for now, it looks like it, I am afraid.
Required fields are marked *
Kafiyah Bello
October 26, 2024 at 7:35 AM
I agree, she totally has some form of mental illness, something more akin to delusion than DID.
I have never disliked a ML so so much, he is just AWFUL.
Required fields are marked *
3 kay4625
October 26, 2024 at 5:01 AM
Fragile (7): Su Ho taking care of a cat was not on my bingo card, but that was the most adorable thing I've seen all week. I get why A Ra is hesitant, but Su Ho being a player seems more of a preconception than the actual truth. He genuinely seems like a good and nice guy. Also, I really liked the scene between Ji Yu and her mom. They haven't exactly had the best relationship, so hopefully that'll change now. And in the never-ending mystery of "who the heck does Kang San like", him avoiding Mi Na's kiss does seem to rule her out, but I just hope she won't be left with a broken heart. Regardless, hopefully episode 8 proves to be a satisfying finale.
Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (3-4): I loved everything about that trainee performance. Kim Tae-ri and Shin Ye-eun are fantastic here. Their rivalry is great too. And while the way she treats Jeongnyeon isn't exactly right, I do feel for Yeong-seo. But you also get the feeling that, just maybe, both of them might lift each other up and make it together… if they don't end up killing each other first that is. I'm certainly rooting for both of them.
What Comes After Love (6): I should've known they were going to drag this out until the last second. Now, I don't necessarily mind this, and I did enjoy the episode, but it was pretty obvious they were stalling. Waiting until the end obviously means everything about their reconciled relationship is left open, but maybe that's the point, even if I do wish we knew more like in which country they were gonna live now. Regardless, I hope our leads have grown enough so history won't repeat itself.
The Judge From Hell (9-10): We interrupt our regularly scheduled case of the week format for… really just another villain of the week. Yeah, I guess it's technically connected to the overarching storyline, but that doesn't really amount to much. This wouldn't really be a problem, except this whole thing just made me realize that the show doesn't even come close to reaching it's full potential. This whole Paimon demon comes completely out of nowhere, but the idea is interesting, especially with the century long rivalry with Justitia. Now what does the show do with this? Absolutely nothing. So much potential… wasted. Sure, the fight was cool, but much like the "revenge" scenes, this really just feels like style over substance. And as much as I like those scenes, it just isn't enough anymore. I need this show to stop focusing on these weekly stories with no substance and start focusing more on the overarching stories that do have it.
Required fields are marked *
4 Dorotka
October 26, 2024 at 5:01 AM
Iron Family
Mwuahaha, this show is a comedy gold and makes me laugh every week. Uri Hidden Writernim may be a sweet boy completely smitten with Darim, but he is also a complete moron stupidly causing a big trouble and chaos in his future in-law family. And Kim Junghyun is excellent, as always. Not that the rest of the actors would be lacking, I'm enjoying everyone... and so am I the writing, winking banknotes included.
Dog Knows Everything
I found this week a bit weak, but I still enjoyed the old quartet. And despite guessing the truth behind the Funeral Case, it still got me teary and sentimental.
Virtuous Business
Sometimes I get the feeling I'm watching Sunny, the adult version. 🙂
I was planning to also watch Family by Choice... but then because I read kfangurl's review of No Gain, No Love I decided to juuuust quickly (ha!) check the first episode again 😊.... I had enough self control to not click on episode 2 (yes, I also don't know how I managed 😁)... but then... then I somehow clicked on the Jiwan and Chef John cut version (from Love Is For Suckers)... and there went all my self control and I just couldn't stop, their story is so good. ❤️
Required fields are marked *
DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
October 26, 2024 at 5:49 AM
That Iron Family .... is it the kind of weekender that has 50+ episodes, or is it within the 16-24 episodes frame? Because maybe I'd love it, but I am just not going for 50+ ones.
Required fields are marked *
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
October 26, 2024 at 5:51 AM
It’s 36 episodes as they have shortened the length in a bid to increase the audience after the last few weekenders bombed.
Required fields are marked *
DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
October 26, 2024 at 5:53 AM
Thanks, mum! I'll think about it, then. 🙂
Required fields are marked *
Dorotka
October 26, 2024 at 6:21 AM
It is a weekender which normally has around 50 episodes. It has all weekender hallmarks, including different pace and multiple stories (interconnected, of course). But this one has less episodes, only 36 (if I remember correctly, it was a request from the writer). I think it is best if you just try a couple of episodes and see if it is your jam. 🙂 Be ready that it jumps from one story to another and that some people may start unlikeable and later come around (or not, as we have unfortunately seen in previous weekenders). Iron Family is so far fun and full of warmth. Right now I wouldn't mind even the standard 50 episodes (I hope I have not jinxed it!).
Required fields are marked *
OldLawyer
October 26, 2024 at 9:26 PM
Right now, IRON FAMILY is giving us much more of the side stories than we have seen for the past year- so it is actually more balanced. This is an encouraging sign.
Required fields are marked *
DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
October 26, 2024 at 5:52 AM
Virtuous Business: There seems to be something like a whole genre being created about women selling sex toys and getting emancipated. Like in Grace and Frankie and the Polish Sexify ... are there more?
Required fields are marked *
zindigo
October 26, 2024 at 6:12 AM
I'm so glad to hear that Iron Family is going well!
Required fields are marked *
5 HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 5:02 AM
Life has been busy lately, so my watching has been more sporadic and I've not been able to keep up with live watching.
Family By Choice: (1) 👨👧👦👨👦I enjoyed the opening ep, but I think I'm not in the mood for a family melodrama right now. I'll save this to watch later.
Dog Knows Everything: (5-8) 🦮 It's so low-angst and relaxing. Extremely pleasant. BUT I cried plenty with ep. 7. And OH MY GOSH that fakeout in ep. 8, and then the makjang meltdown!! 😆
Seoul Busters: (10-11) 🚨 I'm behind because I don't want it to end 😭 I love our sweet and funny Scooby gang SO MUCH. I'm consistently laughing out loud - this is my fun watch of the week!
A Poem A Day: (1-3) ✍️ This is a lovely slice-of-life! I've been surprised how much I identify with the FL. It's interesting going into it knowing about the fan wars and the OTP outcome. I'm a Dr. Ye Liner 😉 Going slow because I'm preferring action/ comedy/ mystery dramas at the moment.
Cafe Minamdang: (1-4) 🪭 Way more fun than I expected! It's like a darker, Kdrama version of the live-action Scooby Doo movies. It's also super funny! I've read recaps and reactions about this one, and I know the critiques, but WOW what a fantastic first few episodes. There's Seo In-guk in all his chaotic glory; hilarious hacker sis; goofy (handsome) sidekick; maknae is the vampire with beautiful eyes; even FL's intro is epic. Also, that OST by Gwangil Jo?? Fire!! 🔥
Designated Survivor: 60 Days: (1-7) ⚖️ Gripping!! This is really tense and really good. And what an amazing cast! I haven't seen the American original, and I've managed to stay spoiler-free, so I'm having fun theorizing. I'm watching this like a modern sageuk because that's what it feels like: we start with a coup and a scholar is suddenly thrust on the throne. His advisors try to help him navigate the factions, but everyone's motivations are opaque and both parties would likely prefer him to stay a puppet ruler until they can place their own king on the throne. Riveting so far. I don't really trust anyone except his personal secretary, the new press secretary, and the character played by Kang Han-na. Question: are Chief of Staff and The Whirlwind similar/any good?
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 5:02 AM
Miscellaneous
● Finished Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty and started season 2. I think season 2 is even better because it's been built on the solid foundation of season 1's character development. Great characters.
● Watched a few eps of Kill Me Love Me and liking all the draaaamaaaaaa. ML and FL are slaying so far (literally and figuratively Lol). Reminiscent of The Double and My Journey to You. But I'm fickle; if it doesn't end well, I'm out. 🤷♀️
● Mom watched High School King of Savvy (thought it was ok and liked the ending), and watched Plus Nine Boys (said it was very angsty, but Kim Young-kwang is great at the melo). She's also keeping up with Seoul Busters, which makes her laugh 👍
Required fields are marked *
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
October 26, 2024 at 5:39 AM
I enjoyed Plus nine boys
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 5:42 AM
It's currently on Tubi! Mom is excited to see so many "older" dramas there that can't be found elsewhere.
Required fields are marked *
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
October 26, 2024 at 5:47 AM
Thanks for doing community service re the location, as the older dramas can be hard to find and beanies miss out on the early work of their favourite actors.
Dorotka
October 26, 2024 at 6:23 AM
Me too!! 🙋♀️
Required fields are marked *
kiara
October 26, 2024 at 7:48 AM
I felt similarly about "SToTD 2." It improved upon season 1, as seasonal shows should. I hope they maintain the same cast and crew for season 3.
So far, it's been my favorite C-drama for the year. I'm waiting for the holidays to binge SHE AND HER GIRLS.
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 10:16 AM
I'm only a few episodes in with SToTD2, but it feels like it got an upgrade - even better music, sound design, CGI, etc., and quite well-rounded characters. I'm with you in holding those hopes for S3!
Required fields are marked *
Kafiyah Bello
October 26, 2024 at 5:09 AM
Re: Designated survivor. The American first season is fantastic, but it hit the dreaded sophomore slump for me, so I didn't continue that much afterward. The premise is so fascinating and it is different from the Korean version for some parts simply because the laws are different. So even if you end up watching the American one there won't be too many spoilers.
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 5:12 AM
Thanks for the insight, Kafiyah!! I've been realizing that the watch is a lot richer because of how many sageuks I've seen... it's a really fascinating watch!
Required fields are marked *
DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
October 26, 2024 at 5:57 AM
"Designated survivor" sounds like someone who has promised to stay alive on behalf of their community. Like, promised to not put themselves at risk because they have an important task.
Required fields are marked *
Midnight
October 26, 2024 at 5:44 AM
I loved the first season of Chief of Staff. The second one wasn't as good.
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Thank you Midnight!!! 👍👍
Required fields are marked *
tabong
October 26, 2024 at 11:44 AM
I also loved the first season!
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 11:56 AM
👍 I've put it on my list!!
Required fields are marked *
Dorotka
October 26, 2024 at 5:56 AM
I laughed so much with the fake k-melo in ep8 in Dog! 😂
Designed Survivor - I'm half way, but had to stop and could not find time to continue since then. Gripping indeed (and there is also smexy Son Sukku 😊). I'm tempted to try to find ways to join you...
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 6:13 AM
Designated Survivor is so good with such a good (and good looking 😉) cast, but I essentially binged the first 7 episodes but the tension stressed me out so much I've been paused since then 😂 I might watch a couple more episodes this weekend!
Required fields are marked *
zindigo
October 26, 2024 at 6:16 AM
The original Designated Survivor started out really well. I remember being enthralled. Unfortunately it fell apart. But I'm thinking that this remake probably covers the best parts from season 1 of the American version. I'm really curious to hear how you like it. It's been on my watch list for a long time 🙃
I'm up to ep 11 of KMLM and I'm still enjoying it!
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 6:34 AM
I'm really really enjoying Designated Survivor so far, and I'm hoping it retains its tension and great writing/acting to the end. I'll report out when I'm done! 👍
Kill Me Love Me isn't as deliciously bonkers crazy as The Double or as sophisticatedly dark as My Journey to You, but it's enjoyable all the same, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the leads - they're so good together and such strong actors!
Required fields are marked *
Cori
October 26, 2024 at 7:43 AM
APAD ❤️ The poetry scenes and way they connected to the episodes was lovely. And Bo-young is one of my favorite FL's. Such a nice show 😊
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 7:45 AM
The poems really are lovely!!! I really appreciate the thematic connections they make to the story ❤️
Required fields are marked *
Procrasti-NationFirstCitizen
October 26, 2024 at 9:57 AM
Designated Survivor is one of my top Kdramas (better than the original IMO). Ji Jin Hee is fantastic in this, isn't he?
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 10:18 AM
I just watched two more episodes and now I'm going to watch a movie to calm down!! 😂 Ji Jin-hee is FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Required fields are marked *
tabong
October 26, 2024 at 11:42 AM
I don't want Seoul Busters to end either. 😭 these week were SO good. The best so far, imo.
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 11:57 AM
Argh I want to watch but I also want to "save" the episodes so it will last longer!!! I LOVE the humor and I LOVE the sweet characters. 🥰
Required fields are marked *
tabong
October 26, 2024 at 12:03 PM
I know what you mean. I think I'll take my time with the last four too.
Love them so much!!
Required fields are marked *
yayabean
October 27, 2024 at 3:51 PM
Omg! I loved A Poem a Day and have been wanting to rewatch it. Where did you find it?
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 27, 2024 at 4:32 PM
😅 Haha I'm watching on a non-legit source, but I've also found it on the CJ ENM channel add-on in the Apple TV app (which, unfortunately, is only available on Apple devices).
Required fields are marked *
yayabean
November 1, 2024 at 7:51 PM
Darn that Apple!
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
November 2, 2024 at 3:37 AM
I know!!!! 😮💨
6 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
October 26, 2024 at 5:02 AM
Judge From Hell: 9.0 Ep 10 ended on a rather demonic cliffhanger. If I had been able to find emojis for cliffs and coathangers you'd be looking at them now. Then ep 11 took the easy way out - a bit of a letdown but the rest of the episode made up for it.
- Whenever Bael comes onscreen I keep thinking of the Spiderman theme.
- Also "Stop hitting him. I have to hit him too" Then kicks him while he's down.
A Virtuous Business: 7.5 Week two didn't quite repeat the magic (or at least novelty) of week 1. Kim So-yeon is almost as impressive here as in Tot9T 1938.
Jeong-Nyeon: The Star is Born: 8.0 Hard to believe the famous handsome "prince" is the same actress I've been seeing in Pachinko. Day 4 had nice alternate versions of the standard catch-the-FL-who-trips and try-on-all-the-clothes routines we have all seen so many times.
Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard: 7.5 Crooked prosecutors in shows like this could have neat crossovers with Judge From Hell.
Hellbound 2: 4.0 Episode 1 only.
Dog Knows Everything: 8.0
Seoul Busters: 8.0 (ep 13/16)
Required fields are marked *
wonhwa
October 26, 2024 at 5:49 AM
Kim So-yeon is such a joy to have on my screen. I love seeing actors with her kind of range.
Required fields are marked *
kiara
October 26, 2024 at 7:56 AM
I love her, and it’s wonderful to see her career flourishing where it deserves to be.
Required fields are marked *
7 welh
October 26, 2024 at 5:03 AM
DOG KNOWS EVERYTHING (Ep. 9-10) Episode 9 was a well constructed episode about down on their luck losers. Chae-Mu is basically abandoned by his son and family because he brings nothing financially to the table. But they change when they hear Chae-Mu won the lottery. The other loser element was Ki-Dong ditching his audition while he pines for Se-Kyung. He just cannot man-up.
Episode 10 deals with growing old and making mistakes. Everyone has known an endearing prankster in their lives who despite their teasing is a valuable friend. Next weekend seems to go towards reconciliation.
A VIRTUOUS BUSINESS (Ep 3-4) Episode 3 turned off the light humor to focus in on darkness of Korean women being disposal objects. Jeong-suk’s cheating husband is a family repeat as her mother had the indignity of her father bringing his mistress home with him.
Episode 4 turns up the disdain on those perceived to be lower in class. Our ladies business is getting more public backlash. Woman are clearly second class citizens and orphans third class at best. And the town ladies have their own biased pecking order. At least Jeong-suk stood up to them with her right to survive. I still like this program even as it veers away from comedy towards slice of life.
Required fields are marked *
DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
October 26, 2024 at 6:01 AM
Virtuous: I love the mixture of comedy and dark truth.
Let's have a look at the problems while laughing, and let it end well. And maybe, just maybe, some of the Real Life antagonists will recognise themselves and not want to be the villains in the K-drama of real life. Maybe it will ring a bell and make them hear themselves, when they are at their worst.
Required fields are marked *
8 TwoCentsWorth
October 26, 2024 at 5:03 AM
I'm a little out of sync with Dear Hyeri and What Comes After Love. They keep singing All You Need Is Love and I keep hearing Sometimes, Baby, Love Just Ain't Enough. But I haven't seen the last episodes of either yet. I can be convinced otherwise. Maybe.
However, I'm no cynic. I love the blooming feelings of the male lead in A Virtuous Business. We have a lots of possible pairings in Iron Family as well as the delightful haraboji and his noona. Who'd think I'd be rooting for a HEA for a murderous demon and a policeman in The Judge From Hell? I desperately want at least one queer romance in Jeongnyeon. And lastly, the male lead's feelings in Family By Choice are sitting better with me than they did in the OG. It's something.
Required fields are marked *
wonhwa
October 26, 2024 at 5:55 AM
I may end up being wrong about this, but right now it feels like Jeongnyeon is taking the approach to queerness that many Chinese shows do to get around the censorship board. It's letting all its characters openly be who they are and be in the relationships they're in, but it's just not stating explicitly that they're couples. Maybe it will give everyone a "boyfriend" down the line, but right all the romantic tension is between the women.
Required fields are marked *
TwoCentsWorth
October 26, 2024 at 6:22 AM
I also suspect we'll see a muted queer relationship like you say; maybe just the one. I really do admire the bravery of Love in the Big City (on my watch list). But others may only have a small measure of it, esp. in a rather conservative environment. One positive might be that in a more mass vehicle, far more folks might at least be exposed to queer relationships, even if diluted.
Required fields are marked *
world-smitten
October 26, 2024 at 10:51 AM
Watching ep 5 rn, and I think you're right. They've upped the romantic tension & the (very mild) critique on gender, but they're not gonna go any further.
I like how this post explains it: https://www.tumblr.com/commajade/765327645726605312/ahh-jeong-nyeon-drama-discourse-among-korean?source=share
I was already aware an all-female drama abt cross dressing actresses was a risk, but I didn't consider the cost aspect - the years-long singing/dancing/martial arts training, the clearly elaborate costumes etc. A lot of money spent on a project without much guarantee - actresses don't have the same financial clout actors do. I really wish we lived in a world where this wasn't the case 😕
Required fields are marked *
TwoCentsWorth
October 29, 2024 at 4:58 AM
Thanks for sharing this. I always wonder what the reaction in Korea is. I can understand why the adaptation is both deeply disappointing and also why it may be worthwhile to others still. Yes, I wish we lived in a different world. And maybe this is one small step toward it.
Required fields are marked *
9 Radily
October 26, 2024 at 5:05 AM
Dog Knows Everything (Episode 9-10) - Mood: B
The show tried really hard to top the insanity that was last week’s episodes: while I do think it fell short in the procedurals, I really liked how the show is spotlighting so many different characters (and it’s not just even the leads). It’s going to be very bittersweet saying goodbye to this show next week, but I’m thrilled that we’re seeing Nam Yoon Su return for more after his extended cameo at the start. I don’t think the show will ever explain how Soon Jae and Sophie could suddenly talk with each other and that’s totally okay but you never know: this show really thrives at flipping expectations and then some.
The Judge from Hell (Episode 9-10) - Mood: D
Oh great, yet another demon from Hell who’s after our leads. And we do get the classic cliffhanger where the OTP survives an attack from the villain, but then just stays there long enough for one of them to shield the other from getting killed. Sigh.
Dear Hyeri (Episode 9-10) - Mood: D-
As the show hits a new low, I shall think positively for Kang Hoon: the boxing scene could help him gain new fans! I also hope he’ll act with Kang Sang Jun in another project: the real life connections made here might help later on?
Required fields are marked *
10 Unaspirated
October 26, 2024 at 5:08 AM
Live Watches
Judge from Hell: I think the weakest part of this drama might be the mythology that they’ve set up. I would rather they just made up regal sounding names for all the demons and angels instead of using names from actual mythologies and cultures. I think you can build a good world by taking little bits of stories from all over the place, but it feels carelessly ripped off rather than referenced here. That said, I like a lot of things that they are doing with the story even if I don’t like the exact method they are using, and I could watch PSH be irreverent, KJY be sad, and Kim Ah-young be unhinged for a while.
Recent Dramas:
Midnight Romance in Hagwon: (finished!) I never thought I’d find the inner workings of a hagwon so interesting. I loved the FL’s journey into rediscovering her original motivations and dreams, and quite liked the ML’s journey into taking responsibility for his desires and becoming the teacher he would have wanted as a kid. The villains were satisfying (and went down in a satisfying way), the side couple was cute and sweet, and I kind of want the sweet husband who ran the late night restaurant to be my fairy godmother. He certainly was one for all the Team Daechi characters in this drama!
Live Watches
Judge from Hell: I think the weakest part of this drama might be the mythology that they’ve set up. I would rather they just made up regal sounding names for all the demons and angels instead of using names from actual mythologies and cultures. I think you can build a good world by taking little bits of stories from all over the place, but it feels carelessly ripped off rather than referenced here. That said, I like a lot of things that they are doing with the story even if I don’t like the exact method they are using, and I could watch PSH be irreverent, KJY be sad, and Kim Ah-young be unhinged for a while.
Recent Dramas:
Midnight Romance in Hagwon: (finished!) I never thought I’d find the inner workings of a hagwon so interesting. I loved the FL’s journey into rediscovering her original motivations and dreams, and quite liked the ML’s journey into taking responsibility for his desires and becoming the teacher he would have wanted as a kid. The villains were satisfying (and went down in a satisfying way), the side couple was cute and sweet, and I kind of want the sweet husband who ran the late night restaurant to be my fairy godmother. He certainly was one for all the Team Daechi characters in this drama!
Required fields are marked *
Unaspirated
October 26, 2024 at 5:22 AM
Zero clue how this got pasted in here twice… other than the fact that I have not been awake that long 🤦♀️. Kind Beanies, please ignore.
Required fields are marked *
TwoCentsWorth
October 26, 2024 at 5:37 AM
TJfH: "I could watch PSH be irreverent, KJY be sad, and Kim Ah-young be unhinged for a while." Pretty much sums it up!
Required fields are marked *
Kurama
October 26, 2024 at 5:46 AM
Midnight Romance in Hagwon> It was really an interesting setting.
You are a teacher, aren't you? Did you feel like these teachers?
Required fields are marked *
Unaspirated
October 26, 2024 at 11:26 AM
I have been a teacher in formal and informal settings (lots of grad school and postdoc work), but that isn't a good description of what I do now. Honestly, I'm not a teacher in a formal way anymore because I do feel like the teachers in the show. I pour a lot of myself into preparation and classes and students, and I realized eventually that it wasn't a very sustainable situation for me. I cared too much to prepare less, and I was burning out hard, so I moved away from teaching actual classes. Now I still get to lead workshops and teach people informally and I love that, but I do miss it sometimes. And I think most teachers would like to teach like Jun-ho and Sang-seop at the end - it's more interesting and the lessons stick with you longer than memorizing things. But it takes so much work to pull off a class like that!
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 12:03 PM
Unaspirated, this is very, very relatable, and it sounds very similar to my journey. I'm guessing we may be in the same (or very similar) field. I loved teaching and working with students, but it's such a 24/7 job, it just wouldn't have been a healthy long-term career path. I'm thankful I still get to do similar work with a similar audience, but with better balance. I'm glad to hear you found something that doesn't burn you out!!! ❤️
Required fields are marked *
tabong
October 26, 2024 at 11:55 AM
So happy you enjoyed Hagwon! It's one of my few favorites this year.
"I could watch PSH be irreverent, KJY be sad, and Kim Ah-young be unhinged for a while."
Yes!
Required fields are marked *
11 marblebees
October 26, 2024 at 5:11 AM
Jeongnyeon: episode 5 & 6 are coming out later today, i'm really enjoying this despite the there only being queer subtext and not canon queer text.
Dongjae: you know what, this is everything I hoped for! I'm a little sad it has less episodes than stranger though.
Doubt: I couldn't keep watching past episode 1 yet, but I have the entire next week free, so it's time for a binge :).
9-1-1: (not a kdrama) latest episode was fun, but I do hope we get some more story focus on other castmembers and not just torture bathena and henren with new problems.
Alien Stage: (korean animation) just like I imagined, it broke my heart. The song we got out of it is a banger though! I've been listening to it on repeat. Luckily we will get a few more songs before the project ends.
It's halloween soon! Got any movie/show recs for me (korean or otherwise)?
I think this is the perfect time to start watching revenant. I actually downloaded it a while ago because my wifi sucks really bad lately and I always have one show downloaded for the times I'm bored and out of wifi!
Required fields are marked *
OldLawyer
October 26, 2024 at 5:20 AM
For Halloween we tend to re-watch HOTEL DEL LUNA and MASTERS SUN.
Required fields are marked *
yayabean
October 27, 2024 at 3:54 PM
Just finished rewatching Maters Sun and actually enjoyed more the second time around.
Required fields are marked *
panshel
October 26, 2024 at 6:36 AM
Halloween Korean movie recs: Exhuma, The Wailing, The Call
Required fields are marked *
marblebees
October 26, 2024 at 8:00 AM
Have seen the others, but I will give the wailing a watch later tonight. Thanks, I love small town/village mysteries!
Required fields are marked *
ar_arguably romantic
October 26, 2024 at 8:48 AM
If you like village mysteries and this is more thriller/mystery than horror: The Village: Achiara's Secret. Moon Geun-young was in it and she just returned to kdramaland this week with Hellbound 2.
Required fields are marked *
Alluvial_Fan
October 26, 2024 at 7:27 AM
My heartfelt rec for a Halloween watch is Oh No! Here Comes Trouble. Often discussed here and on Cdrama sites (although it is not from China). Interesting mix of fantasy and reality while being very warm and funny.
Required fields are marked *
marblebees
October 26, 2024 at 7:53 AM
Oh I love "oh no! here comes trouble"! I really hope we get a second season one day, I loved the characters and worldbuilding. Maybe it's time for a rewatch :)
Required fields are marked *
wonhwa
October 26, 2024 at 8:00 AM
Seconding this one - it's an amazing show!
Required fields are marked *
ar_arguably romantic
October 26, 2024 at 8:44 AM
Agree with Revenant!
For a cute-scary rather than scary-scary korean movie- Spellbound.
Required fields are marked *
12 DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
October 26, 2024 at 5:14 AM
Dear Hye-ri: I did not like how episode 10 ended. I did not like ML before, I like him less now. He keeps using her to massage his ego also after having cried in his teenage room, and I know very well it’s fictional, but still, how would Hye-ri suddenly get to trust him and feel safe with him after more than eight years negligence? I wrote a good deal about it in the hangout and I made a gif about my feelings. (The drawing represents “a K-drama Fan” – it doesn’t look like me at all).
Virtuous Business: The condemnation of people around our heroines is interesting and menacing. I imagined they showed the women as socially incompetent idiots to let us follow them while they discovered ways to be better, but the fact that running around in the street shouting that you want people to write down their sexual fantasies for you will usually not stop a conflict and make them open to your business, so to speak, was not conveyed as much as that it is a good idea to give them free underpants.
I love Im Chul-soo more every time I see him, now as Park Jong-sun, the kind husband. Wonder if our heroes will take their wares to other cities and make their hometown miss them?
:
Tomorrow: Rowoon does sweet so well – apart from that, I remembered it as if he actually got a 9 to 5 job in the afterlife and clocked out and went home like a normal worker. In real life, everyday. That’s not what happens, though. The story is not a romance, but the ending hints at the possibility.
Semantic Error: Still a lovely show. Rewatched it. Noticed a thing about their “Veggie” game. Seriously? 🍆🎃🥕 Giffed.
:
Not a K-drama:
Sex Education season 4: Awesome. But also a bit sad. Less realistic, it seemed to me, than previous seasons.
USA politics: Not very encouraging to hear someone with a considerate number of followers repeatedly express his admiration for dictators, including especially Putin and Hitler. Please remember to vote for something less horrifying, and help others to do the same. Please.
Required fields are marked *
DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
October 26, 2024 at 6:55 AM
Gif and picture links:
Tomorrow: https://dramabeans.com/activity/p/1643511/
Dear Hye-ri: https://dramabeans.com/activity/p/1643748/
Semantic Error: https://dramabeans.com/members/CecilieDK/activity/1643011/
Required fields are marked *
13 jerrykuvira
October 26, 2024 at 5:17 AM
I'll pick up Dear Hyeri next week. The hangout for this week spared me from getting passionately angry at both main leads. If reading spiked me like that, don't know what watching will do. I'll just watch 9-12 next week.
The week didn't just go by without watching though...
Iron Family - The children tore their Mom to pieces. But, I am not feeling bad about their reactions either. I especially liked that the siblings didn't back down when Da-rim came to see them both even though Cha-rim didn't even try to be gracious a little about it.
To our chaebol side, there's surely some history between Bong-hee and Jiseung. That man sure knows how to steel his face. Bong-hee sending a pillow his head and him keeping his reaction in check made me laugh out.
I'm glad Darim will get to see her eyesight restored. The grandparents though...they are a case😂😂.
Required fields are marked *
tabong
October 26, 2024 at 12:01 PM
That pillow scene was everything. 😂
And yes, haraboji and his noona are adorable!
Required fields are marked *
bomibeans
October 26, 2024 at 9:12 PM
"I'll pick up Dear Hyeri next week." Welcome!
I remember our awesome conversations of Captivating The King, another k-drama that for few valid (and unfathomable) reasons also inspired passionate responses.
Required fields are marked *
DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
October 28, 2024 at 2:33 AM
"If reading spiked me that way"
Usually, books can make me giggle or cry. But some books can make you really angry. On the spot, I can mention two of them:
Owen Jones' "The Establishment - and how they get away with it" where I actually had to stop after the first 3 or 5 chapters because I just got so, so angry. But at least I took the lesson from it that if good political mainstream ideas can be ruined so horribly by determined anti-solidary agents, then the tide can be turned again!
The othe one was a novel called "Cambridge" about a man by that name. It would not have made me so angry, I think, if I had not been forced to read it, because what made me so angry was that it was horribly badly written - like as if it was written by an ambitious teenager. A teenager who had done their best with the assignment: "Express the ideas and knowledge you have gained from our theme "post-colonialism" in a fictional work. The voices expressed in the book are so badly written I actually got a bit nauseous reading it. Every instance in the book is made to convey ideas talked about when studying postcolonialism. I don't know why they haven't just printed those subjects in the margin so students reading it don't have to find it themselves.
WHat made it worse was that the professor who put that on our curriculum, and whose eyes were shining when she talked about the book, was disdainful towards the far, far superior writer Dickens, partly because his style - especially when he is funny, but she wouldn't know about "funny" - is circumlocutory. I guess that professor leaves her champagne til it's flat so she won't have to bother with the bubbles, because they are "unnecessary". One of the voices in that horrible book "Cambridge" clearly was intended to resemble Dickens' style, but it was so clearly written by someone who hated it and was just ... I am getting all angry just thinking about that book again, I can feel.
Jerrykuvira, you weren't even asking whether books can make you angry, just stating your personal experience, but here you are. I deeply recommend reading a few chapters of Owen Jones' book and get angry about reality, and I deeply recommend not ever reading a novel called "Cambridge" but rather read 30 random romantic short stories printed in old Ladies' Magazines, since they will be literally (like in "literature", not like in "verbatim") more artistically (like in "art", not "artificial") satisfying than that pretentious teenage level book written by a grown man. Urgh!
Required fields are marked *
jerrykuvira
October 28, 2024 at 6:27 AM
Thankfully I am not a person for books so I am spared from starting this torture. I am music over books, movies over books, including audiobooks person.
Required fields are marked *
14 OldLawyer
October 26, 2024 at 5:18 AM
I continue to enjoy DOG KNOWS EVERYTHING and THE JUDGE FROM HELL.
My wife is watching the Chinese Costume drama FATEFUL LOVE. She loves mysteries and devoured the thirteenth season of DEATH IN PARADISE this last week. But perhaps her most interesting watch was the award-winning Japanese movie PERFECT DAYS. It is hard to describe it but it was really good. And on Prime she has enjoyed a superior Russian Costume drama in SOPHIA, the story of the daughter of the last Byzantine Emperor who married Ivan III of Russia (and was the grandmother of Ivan the Terrible).
Our FL got her miracle on IRON FAMILY this last week- thanks to her Grandparents and her mom’s willingness to go to prison after recovering the rest of the loot. What a stark contrast we have in this mom compared to the awful mothers who dominated the weekenders of the past year (and sucked all the blood out of their daughters and the audience as well). Hopefully this mom will see a happier ending- she deserves one. However, this situation sets up a potential conflict with the three police officer characters in this show: Our FL’s Oppa, his wonderful fiancée and his nice future mother-in-law. Meanwhile we got word that our 2ML is the love child of our Chairman, the stepfather of our ML- but Chairman himself does not know who his child is- just that he has one. Our FL’s aunt is being dumped by her cheating husband who wants to leave her with nothing: Hopefully her parents and her sister will finally learn what is happening and dip into their stash to pony up a cool 100 million won to buy her a really good divorce lawyer. Yet, oddly enough, one of the best developments this last week was our FL finding out that our (secretly rich through his own efforts- but he inherited his money-making abilities from our Chairman) 2 ML simply sees her as his little sister and has no romantic interest in her at all. This is good because it means that she can move on from her crush. But this raises an important question: Is our ML really good enough for her?
Three weeks into the new daily MY MERRY MARRIAGE and there are still no marriages in sight. Who came up with the title for this show? Netflix?
Required fields are marked *
Dorotka
October 26, 2024 at 6:36 AM
Perfect Days is... perfect. ❤️
Required fields are marked *
Alluvial_Fan
October 26, 2024 at 6:56 AM
Ditto the soundtrack.
Required fields are marked *
tabong
October 26, 2024 at 12:10 PM
Loved it too. Haraboji had taste.
Required fields are marked *
OldLawyer
October 26, 2024 at 9:31 PM
The soundtrack is actually a major dramatic element in PERFECT DAYS.
Required fields are marked *
OldLawyer
October 26, 2024 at 9:31 AM
It really had a profound impact on my wife. It was actually directed by the fabulous German Director Wim Wenders who also co-wrote the script with Takuma Takahashi. It was nominated for the Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards. If you have ever seen the Nicholas Cage film CITY OF ANGELS that is a remake of the (much better) Wenders film WINGS OF DESIRE. At age 79 Wenders is still going strong.
Required fields are marked *
Dorotka
October 26, 2024 at 9:40 AM
I have seen the original many years ago (I know it more under Der Himmel über Berlin) and I also loved Buena Vista Social Club. There is something which goes deep into the soul in Wenders' movies... and I always cry.
Required fields are marked *
OldLawyer
October 26, 2024 at 10:39 AM
Wenders is a great director (and script writer).
hacja
October 26, 2024 at 12:31 PM
I believe it was @enriquequierecagar who mentioned watching Paris Texas a few weeks back and reminded me how much I like Wim Wenders films.
By the way, this might be way too specialized for "what we are watching" but if, by any chance, you like the twentieth century American artist Edward Hopper, creator of evocative small town and urban scenes (and one of my favorites) Wenders did a great 2 minute short where he captured cinematically the mood and light of some of Hopper's paintings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pR_Qz86f54
As @oldawyer says, Wenders is just an extraordinary filmmaker, and I enthusiastically second his wife's recommendation of Perfect Days. In fact he's inspired me to watch it again this weekend, so thank you!
Required fields are marked *
OldLawyer
October 26, 2024 at 1:10 PM
Thank you so much for that link- I enjoyed it immensely. The genius of Edward Hopper remains unmatched among American artists and I loved what Wenders did to show why that is so.
tabong
October 26, 2024 at 12:09 PM
MMM: I suspect the wedding will happen around episodes 25-50.
Required fields are marked *
OldLawyer
October 27, 2024 at 9:58 AM
I am wondering if the first marriage will actually be for our third pair- that is our FL's Oppa and her friend.
Required fields are marked *
tabong
October 27, 2024 at 12:06 PM
I think so too.
pregnant -> marriage.
Required fields are marked *
15 Gikata
October 26, 2024 at 5:26 AM
Happy Saturday, Beanies!
KILL ME LOVE ME: Week later I still cling to my original stance about the show – it lacks balance in vibe/pace, rendering all actors efforts and plot's good points underutilized. Like that absolute humiliation conga scene in Ep13 – if you know, you know – that deserves to be in drama textbooks as an example of daring twists and amazing acting, but was eventually buried under mediocrity of what came after. It's still watchable enough, but whatever potential for greatness this story has, I don't think it'll ever fully realize. Like I don't mind few episodes of basically idyllic country vacation romcom – heavens know, poor leads needed that! - but it should've FEEL earned emotionally, not just logically, and happen at the right moment in the story. And yet... Speeding up back into action and political intrigue improved the pace, but not much. All in all, show overall is just not strong enough in its entirety – be it writing, supporting cast or directing, there are clear holes everywhere and this ain't Swiss cheese for that to be a good thing!
MELODY JOURNEY (c-variety): Last “standard” episode of it, nooo! I'm gonna miss it so much, pls renew for another season and bring LYN (and everyone) back! Perhaps because it was ending, the demos selection and overall mood were highly sentimental – more on that next week when I'll cover grand finale – I didn't recall such amount of tearjerker songs in any episode prior. Ofc, being all in the feels didn't stop these gremlins from their fave game “get on Joker Xue's nerves” - someone pls gift him with a calming tea asap! - including LYN with his epic 18 seconds “pick me, bro! bye” pitch that had everyone rolling. Spoiler – he got rejected for such disrespect, serves him right lol))) Maybe they'll finally get to work together in S2, if that ever happens... I believe show did fairly well rating-wise and cast seemed to enjoy it big time, so hopefully.
Also now I want LYN and LDD in one of those “going shopping with limited budget” varieties because these two are already genius
scammershagglers/manipulators/problem solvers on their own, imagine what they could do together! Yo, Tencent, I'm giving you this idea to promote TPOB totally for free, take it and thank me with drama's release, can you?Required fields are marked *
Gikata
October 26, 2024 at 5:29 AM
“Drama news” segment:
- dramas that aired already: Youku's DUEL OF SHADOWS (Yang Xuwen, Tian Yu, action thriller).
- dramas confirmed to air: iQiyi's FANGS OF FORTUNE (Hou Minghao, Chen Duling, Tian Jiarui, Cheng Xiao, historical fantasy horror) premiers today.
- other dramas rumored to premier – some of these are “tentatively scheduled” (basically platforms release their schedule drafts every 3 months and this is what's planned/semi-confirmed, but yunno, don't hold your breath, for Q4): Tencent's LOVE GAME IN EASTERN FANTASY (Yu Shuxin, Ding Yuxi, xuanhuan action romcom) got allegedly delayed till early November, Tencent's BLACK AND WHITE FOREST (Ding Yuxi, Ning Li, Han Xue, crime action thriller) on November 10th, iQiyi's DEMON HUNTER'S ROMANCE (Ren Jialun, Song Zuer, xianxia romance) in November, iQiyi's NORTHWARD (Bai Lu, Ou Hao, family melo) in November, iQiyi's A MOMENT BUT FOREVER (Tang Yan, Liu Xueyi, xianxia romance) in December, Tencent-iQiyi's UNDER THE SKIN 2 ( Tan Jianci, Jin Shijia, Zhang Bojia, modern mystery) in December, iQiyi's MOONLIGHT MISTYQUE (Bai Lu, Ao Ruipeng, xianxia romance) in December/January.
- dramas that got licensed: Tencent-iQiyi's UNDER THE SKIN 2 (Tan Jianci, Jin Shijia, Zhang Bojia, modern mystery), iQiyi's MOONLIGHT MISTYQUE (Bai Lu, Ao Ruipeng, xianxia romance), Tencent's THE GLORY (Chen Duling, Xin Yunlai, Ming dynasty revenge romance).
- dramas announced: Youku's PULL STRINGS (Ao Ruipeng, Sun Zhenni, xianxia) – I've seen confusing reports, but looks like leads are confirmed, but not the supporting cast/filming date.
- casting rumors: MangoTV's THE GREAT DREAMER (Shen Yue, Wu Hankun, youth romance), iQiyi's CONG JING SHEN YA (Zhang Wanyi, police thriller).
Required fields are marked *
Gikata
October 26, 2024 at 5:31 AM
TSOPG megapost! While Yuning is being busy bee promoting it all alone on Hi6, drama finally announced its press-conference on October 30th (1st November looks like the expected air date now) and dropped more posters in preparation. I see we're back to “love triangle or is it?” BS, along with lousy photoshop. OK, a little less lousy than before, but come on!
https://x.com/ForCdrama/status/1848600592114954363
And short making video of OTP 's violent quarrel – trust these two to turn even filming of literal knife fight into romcom skit))) Hopefully this guy right here will finally give us proper Bad Boy ML time that community seems to crave desperately nowadays – manhandling skills are certainly on point.
https://x.com/YoukuOfficial/status/1848644344921919828
Silly video for 2M reservations:
https://x.com/ZLYM_TLOJ/status/1848593229978980831
Full version of the dance – that's one way to stay warm while filming outside in winter:
https://x.com/wonwoncity/status/1848716200538476860
The beads saga - btw, it's called rudraksha mala, Youku, do your homework!
https://x.com/YoukuOfficial/status/1849629415921336443
3M reservations – ML's poster that makes my eyes bleed from editing (also lol, jianghu boy's signature pose strikes again!) and poster photoshoot bts – he's so pretty with moderate filtering, aaa!
https://x.com/Bigsislilred/status/1850065884322332757
More short videos of my early Birthday present – with that amount of materials I feel like drama is really coming next week:
https://x.com/Bigsislilred/status/1850067379268567113
Required fields are marked *
Clios Servant
October 26, 2024 at 2:17 PM
Ah geez. Cutting up on the set, these are so great. Thank you!
Sorry to be stupid, but the 3M reservations, what is that, a count of subscribers who intend to watch a drama? Context -- is that a big number?
Required fields are marked *
Gikata
October 26, 2024 at 11:18 PM
Yes! You can add the upcoming drama to your watchlist to get notification once it drops - both on its respective platform and Weibo. Cumulative numbers of those reservations are a big deal in cdramaland, shows brag about hitting every milestone with "bonuses" like posters/videos etc and sometimes even set goals to reach, each unlocking another bonus.
3M is pretty good for a big budget idol drama - 1M is fairly easy to get with some buzz, 2M and more is already an achievement. But with the massive expectations around TSOPG it MUST go even higher - Youku actually set 6M as the final goal on their site, which is quite bold of them.
For example, TTEOTM last year hit 5M prior to release, which was unseen number for Youku at the time. But post-TTEOTM and especially in 2024 platform has been doing great, so now 6M sounds just hard and not entirely impossible. KMLM hit 4M thanks to popular source material and leads hype after both of them had hit shows on Youku earlier this year. It's more murky for TSOPG due to variety of reasons, but I think it will manage 4-5M. 6 tho... we'll see.
Ofc, bigger fishes can do better than that - Tencent, in particular, pulled impressive 7M with LYF2 and current all time record 13M with JOL2, also this year.
Clios Servant
October 27, 2024 at 4:16 AM
I'm so excited Gikata! I read through your well done explanation and recognized every one of the acronyms for show titles. Without puzzling! Finally, I'm breaking the code!
While not hugely consequential, this reservation thingy is a great marketing scheme. Makes one wonder what the count would be if NIRVANA IN FIRE 3 went into production. Just Saying!
Gikata
October 27, 2024 at 4:53 AM
@cliosservant1846 congratulations, you've reached an advanced cdrama fan level! Not sure about higher ones tho - I don't feel like I am yet there either...
Idk about NIF3 - I remember hearing it being "in works" like 4 years ago when I just started dabbling in cdramas and things didn't progress much since then. But numbers for JOL3 will certainly be insane.
It's good for buzz, but also places heavy expectations on everyone involved. And when these expectations end up not being met... I doubt TSOPG is at risk of performing less than moderately well at least, all things considered, but you never know.
OldLawyer
October 27, 2024 at 10:01 AM
FANGS OF FORTUNE premiered just in time for Halloween. Once again, thank you Gikata for your C-drama news.
Required fields are marked *
kiara
October 26, 2024 at 8:49 AM
I'm still watching RISE OF NING; the Song dynasty family dynamics feel like a KBS family drama set in the Joseon era. I'm happy that the two leads and the show are doing well. I can breathe now. LOL
I dropped KILL ME, LOVE ME, but I'll watch the last episode. I like Liu Xue Yi, but the last character I enjoyed was Wu Xin in "The Blood of Youth." Dude is not as lucky with scripts, but he is beautiful to look at and a decent actor. I have a soft spot for Wu Jin Yan, but I prefer her in small doses cause she tends to pick similar intense roles doing the same acting. There is a lot of kissing as if to compensate for the lack of chemistry. I find politics uninteresting; it lacks coherence and structure.
MOMENT BUT FOREVER (Tang Yan, Liu Xueyi) doesn't look interesting either.
Required fields are marked *
Gikata
October 26, 2024 at 9:53 AM
Lots of kissing in KMLM?! I know everyone has their own definition of what's too many, but like 3 times in 20+ episodes is hardly anything to be impressed with...
I do kinda agree with chemistry - not in a sense that it's lacking, more like a bit forced/too rushed. I don't even like slowburns, yet here it would've been probably a better choice narratively. But that's entirely on script, imo, actors are doing rather well.
AMBF looks questionable from acting standpoint (saw FL in one drama and she was godawful there), but the plot! It's like vanilla version of TTEOTM fix-it fanfic where goddess decides to NOT kill the ominous demon as she was supposed to because he's cute - 100% valid reason, we need more of that mindset in cdramaland!
Just took a peek at FANGS OF FORTUNE... And here I though MJTY was too pretentious and "style over substance" for its own good lmao))) Yuning's OST they generously put in the first half of Ep1 is a banger tho.
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 10:22 AM
Lol Gikata "style over substance" is one of my favorite Cdrama genres 🤣
Required fields are marked *
Gikata
October 26, 2024 at 10:47 AM
Fair point. Perhaps you'll like it more than I did.
16 9TailedVixen (formerly 9TailedFox)
October 26, 2024 at 5:36 AM
LIVE WATCHES:
1. FAMILY BY CHOICE - This week's episodes continue with ALL THE FEELS! And it looks like the San Ha-Jo Won ship is about to sail! But Writer-Nim seems to really dislike women though - every single female character except Jo Won (and maybe Dal) are such negative and unlikeable characters and stereotypes.
2. AGATHA ALL ALONG - This week's episode was FANTASTIC (and heartbreaking)! Lillia's final stand is one for the books.
3. THE JUDGE FROM HELL - Bit-Na and crew are still my weekly dose of supernatural drama and they left us on a cliffhanger. Hopefully this week's episodes will do that cliffhanger justice.
4. A VIRTUOUS BUSINESS - This is shaping up to be one of my top feminist dramas this year. And the ML is getting to be one of my favourite 2024 drama MLs next to Baek-Du from LIKE FLOWERS IN SAND.
OTHER WATCHES
KNIGHT FLOWER - Netflix in my region just released this and since I'm not quite ready for the high drama of MY DEAREST, I decided to try this out. The first 2 episodes totally hooked me from the laughs to the unsubtle jabs at the Joseon patriarchy. Honey Lee definitely carries the series.
Aaaaand that's about it for me.
Required fields are marked *
Dorotka
October 26, 2024 at 6:43 AM
Oooh, Knight Flower!
You are in good hands there, not only Honey Lee's. 😉
Required fields are marked *
9TailedVixen (formerly 9TailedFox)
October 26, 2024 at 7:35 AM
The ML is very easy on the eyes. A total bonus!
Not up there with Jang Dong-Yoon but still... hehe!
Required fields are marked *
Isa is always time travelling
October 26, 2024 at 8:10 AM
Lee Jongwon looks so handsome in Knight Flower! I had already seen him in other shows but I started to really appreciate him in Knight Flower. The character was lovely, and that also helps. I think Jongwon is good in comedy. Looking forward to seeing him in Brewing love.
Required fields are marked *
17 Kairoskat 💐
October 26, 2024 at 5:36 AM
Finished binge-ing My Sweet Mobster and it was so sweet it has placed itself as my favourite 2024 romcom and one of my favourite romcoms of all time alongside Perfume~ 😆
Currently watching:
1) The Judge From Hell - Bitna is my favourite Park Shin Hye character out of all her dramas I've watched.
2) Jeongnyeon - didn't expect to get hooked with this but it's fun
3) Seoul Busters - drama is funny with likeable characters. I like how supportive the team is and they complement each other.
Also finished What Comes After Love. I blazed through ep 6. Not a big fan of the drama, I stayed mostly for SakaKen. After ep 6, I'm surprised to say best character was Kanna: who stayed true to herself, spoke her mind and even pushed Jungo to act.
Required fields are marked *
Kairoskat 💐
October 26, 2024 at 5:56 AM
I just realized all my on air dramas are on D+ 😯
Required fields are marked *
tabong
October 26, 2024 at 12:17 PM
I was shocked Kanna had the best character development in the show.
And I had a *face palm* moment when she had to tell Jungo what to do. Yikes.
Required fields are marked *
18 Kurama
October 26, 2024 at 5:42 AM
Dear Hyeri I have difficulties to understand Eun-ho as a character.
Family by Choice I didn't remember every female character was so awful in GA, I wonder if this remake accentuated this side of the story.
A Virtuous Business I'm still laughing after this survey with the cop.
Doubt I didn't like Oh Jung-Hwan from the violent crimes team at the beginning but now he looks like the normal one.
The Judge from Hell I felt like the love story is forced.
Jeongnyeon - The Star is Born I have the feeling to watch a Shonen with a FL instead of a ML.
What Comes After Love It looks like they could heal their past wounds, regrets and frustrating. But I'm still wondering how it will work in the future...
Seoul Busters They're so funny! I really like this team.
Love in the Big City It didn't feel like a Kdrama except the fact it was in Seoul. I'm not convinced by the fact they used 4 PDs for 8 episodes. But it was nice to have a realistic story even it wasn't the one I wished.
Our Beautiful Summer It's fun to get 2 of our past badminton players in a new drama! These 3 brothers are touching, loosing your twin in this way must have been devastating. The way adult can make the FL feeling so lonely... It's so frustrated!
Required fields are marked *
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
October 26, 2024 at 5:49 AM
Our Beautiful summer was deeper than most coming of age dramas, I enjoyed it and hope more beanies get to see it.
Required fields are marked *
Kurama
October 26, 2024 at 6:12 AM
I cried so much 😅
Required fields are marked *
Isa is always time travelling
October 26, 2024 at 7:26 AM
I want to watch it but I don't know where. Maybe Viki? Kocowa? I'll check it.
Required fields are marked *
Kurama
October 26, 2024 at 7:41 AM
I don't know who translated it. I think it was fansub.
Required fields are marked *
19 wonhwa
October 26, 2024 at 5:44 AM
A Virtuous Business & Jeongnyeon: I'm not sure what cosmic alignments led to these shows airing at the same time, but so far it's awesome to have two dramas packed with great actresses that are laser-focused on their female characters and willing to venture into risky territory. While the underlying plot structure of both shows (underdogs make good by breaking the norms) is fairly conventional so far, the fact that both have a very specific sense of time and place that isn't "modern Seoul" helps them to feel fresh in a drama landscape that often feels like it's recycling the same tropes over and over. Obviously both shows could crash and burn down the line, but right now I'm thrilled to be enjoying watching current k-dramas again.
Required fields are marked *
20 DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
October 26, 2024 at 6:03 AM
My own main comment is being reviewed 😢 What have I done wrong?
Maybe it's because I mentioned someone who says bad things, and mentioned those bad things?
Required fields are marked *
Gikata
October 26, 2024 at 6:41 AM
Isn't that me every other weekend more or less?))) Sorry to hear, hope it'll be free soon.
Required fields are marked *
DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
October 26, 2024 at 6:57 AM
Thank you!
It has just been set free. And my gif links came out of prison in few seconds, a new record.
Required fields are marked *
21 zindigo
October 26, 2024 at 6:08 AM
This week was a fun mix of dramas: Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Taiwanese!
Finished...
What Comes After Love k- and j-drama crossover
As moody as I anticipated, and they managed to keep the tone throughout. The story felt realistic, but I needed a bit more convincing of the depth of their relationship originally, as well as a bit more detail about the FL's new relationship. Without that, the ending felt like a bit of a cop out, tbh. Although this didn't hit every note just right, overall, I enjoyed it.
Snowy Night, Timeless Love c-drama
I didn't love it, but I liked it well enough. In particular, the segments filmed in real snow and the many beautifully framed scenes throughout were quite appealing. I quietly enjoyed the slow burn romance and the sweet portrayals by the leads. Unfortunately, the bad CGI never stopped being distracting, the music was mundane and overused, and the FL's frequently featured fingernails were notably awful. Just why?
Still watching...
Rainless Love in a Godless Land t-drama 3/13
This jumped out at me while scrolling for something vaguely Halloween-y. I remembered beanies having some good things to say about it, and once again, beanies for the win! This is an unusual and compelling story, and I'm really enjoying it.
Kill Me, Love Me c-drama 11/32
KMLM started out as promised - intense, edgy, and rather exciting - until suddenly it wasn't. Still, I find the (now) predictable story and the cinematography worth watching because the acting is so good. The sets and costumes are beautiful. Plus the leads are as visually stunning as I've ever seen them.
Looking forward to the non-angsty Brewing Love next month 🙂🍻
Have a great week everyone! 🤗
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 6:18 AM
Rainless Love in a Godless Land is one of my favorites!!!!! 😍 It's like a dreamy modern fairytale of nature, faith, and memory. I hope you continue to enjoy it!!
Required fields are marked *
zindigo
October 26, 2024 at 6:30 AM
Ahhhh, it WAS you who had talked about it before 🙂
I thought maybe so!
I'm excited to see how this unusual story plays out.
Required fields are marked *
wonhwa
October 26, 2024 at 6:38 AM
Rainless Love! It be structurally messy at times, but the way it uses metaphor and myth in its storytelling is extraordinary.
Required fields are marked *
HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
October 26, 2024 at 6:42 AM
Agreed!! 💯
Gikata
October 26, 2024 at 6:48 AM
Nails of SNTL's FL deserve an entire mystery drama of their own to answer the question "who the hell thought it was a good idea?!".
Re: KMLM apparently in addition to 2 PDs, responsible for wonky pace, also has 4 screenwriters, and holy moly, does that shows!
Required fields are marked *
lillamy
October 26, 2024 at 1:25 PM
Rainless Love in a Godless Land is a favourite show of mine and one I'm not shy to revisit from time to time. The OST and the mythology is great.
Required fields are marked *
22 redfox
October 26, 2024 at 6:49 AM
I just have so much to catch up with. only ep 1 on Dog Knows everything, want to start Dongjae, but found Virtuous business really not my thing because there is not anything I can relate to.
cannot wait for the Ma Dong Seok and Seo In Guk reunion in 12. meaning I really cannot wait so bad that I want to go to Korea and sit in the filming location.
Required fields are marked *
23 Isa is always time travelling
October 26, 2024 at 6:55 AM
Hi beanies!
What I'm watching:
_ Dear Hyeri (10/12). Even though I'm frustrated with the way some things are being addressed, I still think this is a very interesting drama. And it's leading to long discussions on line, which is always good.
_ Dog knows everything (10/12). This nice show is coming to its end. I think it could have a second season, if main lead's health allows it, of course.
_ What comes after love (3/6). It's not perfect, but I love it. And the music is wonderful, I never skip the ending credits.
_ Grand Prince (5/20). It didn't have a good start, but I'm glad I didn't drop it because episode 5 had some great moments, for instance the sequence of the theatre performance that ML (Yoon Shi Yoon) and his bodyguard played in order to sneak in FL's family house.
And the confession scene was lovely too ("we'll be lovers who are friends"... aww 🥰).
_ C-drama Rise of Ning (17/40). A very good surprise, this show. It's way better than I initially thought. Zhang Wanyi is so gorgeous in this drama that it's even distracting.
Finished:
_ Shōgun (very good visuals, production design and music, but I think it could have had more intensity in some scenes).
_ The second season of Tsuiraku JK to Haijin Kyoshi. (I'm sure there will be a third season. This sensei is so cute!).
Required fields are marked *
♡Peach_Mochi♡
October 26, 2024 at 10:39 AM
💯 on Rise of Ning. Pleasantly surprised that it’s getting better as it goes along. Impressed with the pacing of the plot and the way different conflicts and secrets are revealed.
Required fields are marked *
Isa is always time travelling
October 26, 2024 at 12:21 PM
It's calm, smooth, relaxing (at least up to the episode I have watched)... The cinematophy is very pretty, and the music sometimes reminds me of Joe Hisaishi's style...
And there are several characters whom I love to watch.
Required fields are marked *
bomibeans
October 26, 2024 at 9:17 PM
"Zhang Wanyi is so gorgeous in this drama that it's even distracting."
Now. This type of review got me intrigued about the show. 😂
Required fields are marked *
Isa is always time travelling
October 27, 2024 at 3:37 AM
😂😂😂😂
I must say he is totally my style, I'm not objective.
Required fields are marked *
Isa is always time travelling
October 27, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Update:
Finished What comes after love. As I said, it wasn't perfect but I liked it. Even though it started better than it ended, I have enjoyed watching this minidrama from start to finish.
And the original music is so beautiful! Probably my favorite soundtrack this year.
Required fields are marked *
24 LaurenSophie
October 26, 2024 at 7:18 AM
Drowning in work and election anxiety, I haven't found much that either holds my attention or is worth making time to watch. But I'm trying! I figure that if things go the way I fear here in the US, I'll desperately need the escape that dramas provide. So, with that in mind:
DEAR HYERI: I had to drop this halfway through. The ML, actor and character, really didn't do it for me. It's also a terribly sad drama, and although the writers clearly meant for the central love story to be healing, I found it stilted and inauthentic. It's not so much for me that the ML is a jerk, as others find him, but that he and their relationship (pre, during, and post DID) didn't feel remotely real or relatable to me.
JUDGE FROM HELL: I like both Jae-Young Kim and PSH, and am happy for PSH especially that she clearly relished playing such a fun role. But the drama itself isn't surprising or suspenseful enough for me, and the burgeoning love story too subtle. But I might re-visit this one later.
JEONGNYEON: I know nothing about the webtoon, so can't speak to any changes, and I'm not very far into the second episode, but the pansori scenes are electric. This drama is also beautifully shot. Kim Tae-ri is brilliant as usual, but she's definitely playing the entire drama as if it's pansori, with exaggerated line readings and facial expressions. But it totally works.
VIRTUOUS BUSINESS: I avoided watching this at first because I wasn't sure I could withstand the prudish or violent reactions, rooted in sexism, that would surely emerge right at the start. But after reading a lot of positive reaction to the drama here on DB, I started watching with one hand on the remote. But I never once hit the FF button, even when the FL's mom and landlady started spewing their vitriol in the face of the FL's explanation of why she's forced to do what she's doing. Note, too, that the men are judgmental and mocking, too, but it's sadly the women who are often truly cruel, even when they, like the mother, know all too well what damage submissive, patriarchal values do. Anyway, the show keeps me coming back for more because the FL is a naturally reserved person, but with a core of steel who speaks her truth quietly and clearly and gets done what needs doing. I love her and all the women working together to try and have lives and identities outside of their families and children.
WHAT COMES AFTER LOVE: I just started this, but it's lovely so far. Lee Se Young is really impressive and the ML is interesting to watch. I know there's a world of hurt coming, but the lightness in the opening episode gives me hope that this won't end up being a painful distraction.