This is a loaded question because it really depends on the watcher. I think that universally, everyone would agree that the editing, cinematography, and direction were done extremely well in My Ahjussi. The way they used hues of black, white and grey, lighting and framing to tell that entire story was masterful. Then the sound editing was just amazing. The silence, the sound of just he snow crunching, or just the ML’s voice cutting the snow. Sent goosebumps down my spine. And the soundtrack was also amazing. Then the acting on top of it all just was icing actually. But good actors are better with good direction and I think both Jang Ki Young and IU benefited from good directing. I’ve not like them any better in any show since this one. (You can fight me on this.)

Mr Sunshine is another masterfully directed show. Every scene is a painting. The editing was as good as any show I’ve ever scene.

If you want to learn more from beanies about cinematography and framing, and how they tell the story, the comments on Because this life is our first talks a lot of this. That was also a good example of good editing and directing. Some debate that the writing suffered in the last 2 episodes.

Goblin, my favorite, had good directing, cinematography, and framing too. The set director made that show for me—and Gong Yoo. 😆

@sicarius
@leetennant
Could write a thesis on this.

Personally I don’t really pay attention if something is good, but when it’s bad that’s when I start to notice…it’s like I can feel there’s something wrong with what I’m watching, it becomes distracting, and I then assume it might have to do with the production aspects of a show (more than the acting or the story itself).

Not a super thoughtful answer, I’m afraid, just something I realized some time ago about my watching experience xD

This is hard to answer succinctly, because it’d probably be like an entire year in film school lmfao, and actually covers a lot more parts to filmmaking than you think.
So I’m going to ignore the first question for now (mianhae) till I either have time to expand on it more in depth- or if you have any finer tuned questions, that might help narrow down not giving you, as @ally-le said, a thesis, lmfao. (because I would do that… pfft)

If you want examples of shows that are well directed (and therefore well edited), two of my personal favourites in the last few years are ADAMAS and You Are My Spring, and some older ones that still hold up 10 years later, are Tree With Deep Roots and White Christmas.

I’m not an expert in edition at all, but I know that a bad edition can make a drama even boring, while a good edition keeps you engaged.

Misaeng, which I finished last night, has a very good editing.
Now I’m watching The Nokdu Flower and the battles are very well directed/edited too.

As Sic said, this could bring one or a thousand thesis around, but also, as Ally said many times is just a subjective impression.

When do I feel directing is good? Hints: a so-so actor does a remarkable job in a drama and then turns to so-so; despite the writing being weak, you still find the drama investing; the pace the drama has just feel adequate. Examples? Stranger/Forest of Secrets (both seasons): giving the fact that the script was gold and the cast was perfect, the directing was perfect by both directors.

When do I feel editing is good? Sound or image is when you can hear silence (as Ally said My Ahjussi is amazing here) and the transitions between scenes feel so natural and smooth.

When do I feel cinematography is good? When colours are part of the story. An example? Kairos with its subtle differences to show the time gap, My Liberation Notes (it was filmed during winter and yet you could feel the suffocating heat of the summer), The Red Sleeve (same cinematography director as Kairos).