Happy New Year! Given the kdramas on my “To Binge-Watch” and “To Finish” list on this thread, I feel guilty about starting on new dramas this month. I must either practice more self-discipline or devise a more efficient system to cull the good shows from the bad. For starters, I’ll look for drama with a unique […]
Love Scout: Eps 5 & 6 Open Thread
The thread is open. I’ll join you all after Monday’s big shindig here in Washington DC. Let’s enjoy the show!
Kairos: Ep 8 Rewatch Open Thread Sat, Jan 18
The thread is open. The Saturday schedule of rewatches: Episode 8: 18 Jan 2025 Episode 9: 25 Jan 2025 Episode 10: 1 Feb 2025 Episode 11: 8 Feb 2025 Episode 12: 15 Feb 2025 Episode 13: 22 Feb 2025 Episode 14: 1 Mar 2025 Episode 15: 8 Mar 2025 Episode 16: 15 Mar 2025 The […]
Love Scout: Eps 3 & 4 Open Thread
The thread is open. I forgot about this scene. I liked what EunHo said about restaurants are “homes,” not “stores.” It’s food for thought. Remember I’m not Korean, but Google is my friend. I believe the word he’s referring to is “yoritjip” or 요릿집. “Jip” or 집 means house. There’s also “bulgogi-jip” which is a barbecue […]
Kairos: Ep 7 Rewatch Open Thread Sat, Jan 11
The thread is open. The Saturday schedule of rewatches: Episode 7: 11 Jan 2025 Episode 8: 18 Jan 2025 Episode 9: 25 Jan 2025 Episode 10: 1 Feb 2025 Episode 11: 8 Feb 2025 Episode 12: 15 Feb 2025 Episode 13: 22 Feb 2025 Episode 14: 1 Mar 2025 Episode 15: 8 Mar 2025 Episode […]
Love Scout: Ep 2 On Romantic Scenes, part 2
To bookend my review of these first two episodes, I’ll finish in the same way I began: with an example of a romantic scene I approve of. This time, I’ll focus on the cinematography. The backstory: A furious JiYoon (JY) marches into her sunbae’s office. She accuses her former colleague of poaching her candidates to […]
Love Scout: Eps 1 & 2 First Impressions
According to mydramalist, the original title of this kdrama is 나의 완벽한 비서 or, in English, “My Perfect Secretary.” However, I’m glad that the show ended up being named “Love Scout” because it distributes the spotlight evenly to the main leads. It refers to the heroine JiYoon (JY) whose job as a headhunter is to […]
Love Scout: Ep 1 On Romantic Scenes
Since I panned the romance in “When the Phone Rings” as formulaic and makjang, it’s just fitting that I give you an example of a romantic scene I approve of. Let me present you with the “rocky staircase” moment in “Love Scout.” Timestamp: 20:15. I’ll begin with the backstory. The heroine Kang JiYoon (JY) is […]
When the Stars Gossip: Open Thread
The thread is open. It’s on Netflix starting tomorrow. I appreciate reviews. Thank you. Please, please, please, drama gods! Don’t make this Lee MinHo drama as lame as “The Heirs” (2013). Let’s enjoy the show.
When the Phone Rings: The Fish Connection
Thanks, @GB. Your comment here, As an aside: it occurred to me that young SE was brought up by a fisherman, and probably smelled of fish, but was forcibly transplanted to sweet smelling environments, while the real SE as Psycho smelled strongly of fish that he handles and is jealous of how nice fake SE […]
When the Phone Rings: Eps 11 & 12 Open Thread
The final thread is here. Watching this has been a fun roller coaster ride. The sudden twists and turns, not to mention drops (how many times did HJ fall off a precipice?) were exhilarating. But I admit to fast-forwarding the romantic scenes because I can’t stand the cheesiness. Like this one in Episode 10 epilogue. SE: […]
When the Phone Rings: Eps 9 & 10 The Plotholes
I read some of your comments on the Open Thread and will now give my take on them out here. I’ll start from the top. 1. @Snowflower wrote, With so many reveals in these two episodes, I have one burning question: How did The Master and Psycho 406 meet? Great question, @Snowflower! I’m glad you […]
When the Phone Rings: Eps 9 and 10 On SaEon
Disclaimer: I didn’t read the webtoon. One, I didn’t want my analysis of the drama to be bogged down with comparisons or reference to the original source, especially when the original source isn’t World Literature/Classics anyway. Two, I didn’t want to be hindered by preconceived expectations and be miffed when the drama deviates from the […]
Kairos: Ep 6 Rewatch Open Thread Sat, Jan 4
The thread is open. This is the first rewatch for the year 2025. The Saturday schedule of rewatches: Episode 6: 4 Jan 2025 Episode 7: 11 Jan 2025 Episode 8: 18 Jan 2025 Episode 9: 25 Jan 2025 Episode 10: 1 Feb 2025 Episode 11: 8 Feb 2025 Episode 12: 15 Feb 2025 Episode 13: […]
When the Phone Rings: Eps 9 & 10 On SangWoo
Wait a second. We’re still on Episode 10 with two more episodes to go, so everything isn’t cut and dried as it seems. Though I’m glad that these last two episodes cleared up many issues, they also muddied a few things. Let’s go over the story again. A. First, Psycho 406 intended to burn the […]