- dramas rumored to air: iQiyi's HUNTING (Wang Yang, Zhang Youhao, Yu Haoming, Deng Enxi, crime thriller) on September 3rd, iQiyi-Tencent's THE JOURNEY OF LEGEND (Cheng Yi, Gulnezer Bextiyar, wuxia) on September 6th, iQiyi's MOBIUS (Bai Jingting, Janice Man, Song Yang, sci-fi thriller) on September 17th, iQiyi's FATED HEARTS (Li Qin, Chen Zheyuan, historical mystery romance) on September 26th, Youku's LOVE IN THE CLOUDS (Hou Minghao, Lu Yuxiao, xianxia romance) in September, iQiyi's SUNSETS SECRETS REGRETS (Jing Boran, Cai Wenjing, Qin Junjie, modern romance thriller) in October.

- dramas licensed: iQiyi's DREAM OF GOLDEN YEARS (Zhou Ye, Zhai Xiaowen, retro melo).

- dramas announced: MangoTV's JIANG SHAN WEI PIN (Wu Jinyan, Chen Zheyuan, Liang Yongqi, historical political romance).

- casting rumors: MangoTV's SOLAR RAIN TODAY (Yang Chaoyue, Dong Sicheng, youth romance), iQiyi's A BEAUTIFUL DESTINY (Li Landi, Yang Yang/Zeng Shunxi/Chen Xingxu/Tan Jianci, xianxia romance), Tencent's HU SHAN WEI (Chen Duling, Ming dynasty court intrigue melo), Tencent's GOING TO RIDE THE WINDS (Yu Shuxin, Zhang Linghe, xianxia romance) – oh rly?, CONFESSION (Chen Feiyu, Deng Enxi, youth romance, platform unknown), Tencent's THE REBIRTH OF MALICIOUS EMPRESS OF THE MILITARY LINEAGE (Dilraba Dilmurat, Liu Yuning, historical revenge romance) – sure Jan, iQiyi's THE RETURN OF THE KING (Zeng Shunxi, Xia Zhiguang, He Qiu, Ao Ziyi, xuanhuan), Tencent's JIN ZHI (Zhang Jingyi/Li Yitong, Zhang Yunlong, historical romance), Tencent's XING JING SHI KE 1: FENG HUAZHENG MAO (Gong Jun, Sun Qian, crime thriller), iQiyi's MO LU KUANG HUA (Yang Mi, modern suspense), Tencent's WU MING YE HUO (Li Yitong, Ci Sha, modern mystery), A ZHI A ZHI (Song Zuer, Zeng Shunxi, Republican fantasy romance, supposedly iQiyi now), MangoTV's GENERAL CHANG NING (Meng Ziyi, Chen Xingxu, historical action romance from TPOB author) – but book sucks, Tencent's SHAN HAI CHANG LIU (Song Zuer, historical?), Youku's THE REIGN OF NORTHERN WEI (Yang Mi, Liu Xueyi, historical court intrigue) - oooh, YIN ZHE WU XING (Zhou Dongyu, Guo Jingfei, Wang Ou, modern spy thriller, platform unknown), iQiyi's ZHAO DAO TA (Liu Haocun, Yan Ni, Ma Su, modern mystery melo), Tencent's REN JIAN NUAN YANG (Zhang Jingyi, modern melo?), MangoTV's PEOPLE IN BEIJING (Huang Xuan, Tan Songyun, Republican/retro?), Tencent's WHY NOT CROSS BY BOAT (Yang Yang, Zhang Miaoyi, historical romance).

- dramas wrapped: MangoTV's LIANG CHEN MEI JIN (Ren Min,Ci Sha, historical romance), MangoTV's LIVE LONG AND PROSPER (Wang Hedi, Li Qin, Rong Zishan, Wang Duo, Zhang Yaqin, Xia Meng, xianxia), iQiyi's ROAD TO SUCCESS (Yu Shuxin, Chen Jingke, modern romance?), MangoTV's LOVE IN RED DUST (Wang Xingyue, Xu Ruohan, historical mystery romance), MangoTV's DAZZLING (Guan Xiaotong, Li Yunrui, modern romance).

Happy Saturday, Beanies!

WOW THE WORLD (c-variety): Behind for now.

A MOMENT BUT FOREVER: YA EDITION WHEN DESTINY BRINGS THE DEMON: No, for real, it's basically the same premise (plus transmigration), but with younger cast, sillier tone and less inspired directing (choppy editing, lacking flow, tho CGI is decent). This is also much more romcom-like, full of cheeky meta akin to ADWAD's. Heard that makers intentionally made the drama targeted at younger audience and boy, does it show! Unfortunately, these juvenile vibes aren't really working on me, esp considering some very dark themes explored, and the constant comparison with AMBF – the heart that drama had, the gravitas its mature leads brought - doesn't help. Still fun tho, maybe I'll catch up with it on FF later. Can see people enjoying this as palate cleanser after ADWAD – FL's character and romance here seems to be much better, not that the bar wasn't in hell or anything.

TAOIST MONK IN DEMONLAND MOONLIT REUNION: What a great production! Linmon studio never fails when it comes to visuals – if anything, this drama is absolutely gorgeous. Particularly Demon Market/Underworld: the slightly trippy architecture, the colors, the costumes, the prosthetic makeup on extras! Great and clearly expensive CGI as well. Have to admit, I'm far more impressed with FL's acting here than I was in DAFENG – she truly embodies cat-like mannerism. Xu Kai is OK, tho I firmly believe he's more suited for warm, animated roles rather that stoic ones. And in theory I should've enjoy their relationship progress – bold girl chasing shy man is very much my thing – but something feels lacking, both plot-wise and OTP-wise. It's not a complete lack of chemistry nor really bad writing, but... Idk, it's not as crackstatic as I hoped? Which is wild – never thought I would accuse PD of THE DOUBLE and GO PRINCESS GO of this! Maybe it'll find its footing later? Not that I'm hopeful.

“Drama news” segment:

- dramas aired already: nothing new.

- dramas confirmed to air: iQiyi's SHADOW LOVE (Song Yi, Cheng Lei, historical action romance) on August 24th, Tencent's GUI DUI (Hu Jun, Li Naiwen, Chen Jingke, Yuan Shanshan, Ren Bin, Song Jiateng, Republican war drama) on August 25th, MangoTV's THE DAUNTLESS YOUTHS (Zhang Kangle, Yu Ziwei, Song Fangyuan, historical youth adventure) and iQiyi's SI YANG YE SE (Yao Guanyu, Chen Siche, romance melo?) both on August 26th.

My favourite 2nd lead ladies that I root for:
1. Seo Dan (Crash Landing on You)
2. Woo Su Ji (Because This is My First Life)
3. Won In-jae (Start-up)
4. Kudo Hina/Lee Yang Hwa (Mr. Sunshine)
5. Song Hae Rin (Romance is a Bonus Book)
6. Oh Min Jung (Hi Bye, Mama!)
7. Yoo Ji-Yeon (Terius Behind Me)
8. Rachel Yoo (The Heir)
9. Choi Yoo Jin (K2)

(Still looking for my #10 😂)

Kdrama watching of my two current favorites, BEYOND THE BAR and NICE GUY, was limited by my TV inexplicably going on the fritz (waiting on tech savvy family to restore me). Stopped by MY TROUBLESOME STAR but not sure it's a keeper.

Happy watch this week goes to the dream-team cast of SUNSHINE BY MY SIDE (2023). This was such a great watch that I am bereft now that I can't watch it for the first time. What a terrific screenplay, and these gifted performers give it such lift in many memorable scenes. Special mention to Xiao Zhan and a luminous Bai Bai He in lead roles but ZX's parents, his wingman/woman, and Bai Bai He's sister and her beau are all outstanding. Now I understand why Wu Xing Jian was cast as Yan Bing Yun in JOL2, a role previously filled by XZ in JOL1. He's different, but he's a honey.

SUMMIT OF OUR YOUTH is my current favorite addiction. The whole AI discussion is over my head but something must be sinking in (right?) and leads Sun Zhen Ni and Chen Jing Ke are a fun pairing. This is a dense tale, sweet storyline and very enjoyable with excellent pacing.

THIS THRIVING LAND got bogged down in the politics of land redistribution but there is no denying the quality of this production. I'm sticking with it.

LEGEND OF THE FEMALE GENERAL. Cheng Lei is pulling me through this one as I'm increasingly uninterested in our heroine -- something is just not right about the casting here. A good production with great stunt work but it stumbles towards the finish line.

Looking forward to MOONLIT REUNION on Disney+ August 26, assuming I get my "smart" TV back up and running.

Yeah, I also loved how invested both leads in Imperial Coroner were in all things forensic, and it was great to watch a female lead who, squeaky voice dubbing aside, was so competent, calm, cool and collected in times of crisis.

@jerrykuvira I know, right? I did binge it. I honestly thought it was going to be a train wreck, so I wanted to get to the episode where the crashing began. It never materialized. I won't spoil it for you, but let me just say the tone of (almost) overwhelming sadness in the first few episodes does not permeate the entire show. It never goes entirely away but it is tempered by other feelings, such as strength, friendship, and personal exploration and growth.

Our Unwritten Seoul (through episode 8): I appreciate the fact that this show is fine with letting its central characters be messy, awkward and even unlikable (I particularly love the two moms' arc), although I wish it didn't rely so much on standard-issue k-tropes for its plot structure (car crashes, first love, greedy redevelopers, etc.).

I am looking forward to Twelve and will give Bon Appétit, Your Majesty a try.

I couldn't bring myself to go back to Legend of the Female General and finished Summit of Our Youth. The ending unfortunately wasn't satisfying and Legally Romance handled it a lot better.

I am by and by watching Delightfully Deceitful. It's nice and I have no idea where it's going and what's going to happen.

Just finished:
Mr. Queen
Rewatch finished this week, and I have - as some will know, - spend a good deal of time repairing a Happy-Ending-shaped Hole in my Love for that drama. The beginnings of my fanfic was slow and took a shape that didn't function optimally - me trying to turn my footnotes to the drama into a more detailed parallel story, - but when I drew up the final as a Flow Chart instead, it worked much better.
The second (and 2½nd) link is filled to the brim with links for carefully made illustrations.
links are strewn in the commentaries for the last three recaps, and I sincerely welcome extra stories and further flowcharts and whereever your imagination takes you in those commentaries.

Flow Chart one; The Possible Endings:
https://1drv.ms/w/c/77e2e7a5b808004d/EaWBxvPGrU9Bkan3VIzR1msBKw-ybYVjnd4tGzJejBAU4Q?e=3XN4od
and then The So-Young Journey - a possible 2nd Season.
https://1drv.ms/w/c/77e2e7a5b808004d/EX-m84hhimVIo7ieVguAV7ABCi2v6f5llrxkTgPKow18ag?e=iRG0VO
With the Spin-off-ette The CULT: https://1drv.ms/w/c/77e2e7a5b808004d/Ef4h4aSYkjNIonky8XjMzXsBMnz15iosPd420dfhIpVDVA?e=2aDKk9
3rd flow chart: Decades ahead.
https://1drv.ms/w/c/77e2e7a5b808004d/EacPrcXvDhdDqMubyByU7nQB6jkhkF8Ae8hveGENBcE9eA?e=wv2jZf

Just today Netflix has started advertising a new K-drama that looks like a "We don't Use Pronouns" Version of Mr. Queen.
Just like Parks Marriage Contract was a super boring version of the idea I had for So-young's Journey (I felt they stole from me) so this drama at first look seems like a Mr. Queen thoroughly "cleaned" from any questions of gender and sexuality.
A timetravelling cook can be fun, and I hope they will make a cooking show out of it with lots of details. Still, it feels like they are going for a Mr. Queen with the teeth pulled out.

Not a K-drama:
The Dead Shadow: A book with multiple voices audible in different ways to different characters in different ways. It is fun, but and takes a little getting used to.
Imagine Xavier from The X-men kind of being a young, hyper-active and constantly talking girl. Different, right?

You began...and completed...Lost?
Now, that is some energy booster.

I have to ready myself. I've been pushing it away for years and it has been sitting pretty in my storage.

@asianromance
They were so intelligent! But it was clear that neither the prince nor Chu Chu were experts at social interaction. I really liked how natural, calm, and sincere their romance was.

I've never seen Ma Dong-seok in any drama before, so I'm really excited. Honestly, July and August weren't great for me in terms of drama releases. I got bored, so I'm glad there's finally something new.

Permit me to gloat and say it was worth the hype. And, ditto on the Shin siblings.

@zindigo and @midnight

Thanks! It's the first time that happens to me. I hadn't noticed it 😅

... Continue:

_ Western show Upload, season 3 (2023). This show had a very good first season but then unfortunately it went downhill. Now I'm waiting for the fourth and final season.

So glad you enjoyed Imperial Coroner! Love your description: "a nice group of nerds".

This kind of drama puts me in a tricky spot. You start watching because you love the A-list actors, but then you find yourself stuck with a subpar plot. That's why I never really comment on actors themselves; it's always about the characters they play, since you can't truly know the actor. As for the comedy, I'm not sure if it was the show or if my sense of humour is just off. Anyway, I decided to drop it; it just wasn't how I wanted to spend my weekend.

Thanks!
I didn't noticed!

I really like Tian Xi Wei and haven't started Moonlit Reunion yet. I'm glad she's doing a great job!

It just worked that way.