Happy New Year, everyone!
Let’s get cracking!
Currently, I’m watching “Uncle” on Viki because it stars Oh Jung Se, our favorite Ahjussi Deuteragonist. He’s doing well although I think plot-wise, the drama could have been shortened to 12 episodes (I’m a fan of the abbreviated run after “Happiness” and Japanese dramas. lol). I guess his relationship with the teacher is the stuff that fangirl’s dreams are made of.
I’m also watching “Bulgasal” albeit rather slowly. I find the graphic gore too disturbing to watch in one seating. Every time I sense a stalk-and-slash scene about to begin, I pause the screen and glance at the Wall Street Journal RSS feed to calm myself down.
But like my foray into the zompire world of “Happiness,” I’m hoping this writer won’t use the gore as an end unto itself, but as a means to communicate his/her worldview. In the end, I expect the gallons of fake blood to yield even just a pint of moral validity. Like, a few noble lessons on the importance of resilience, fortitude, and…I’m going to be ironic here…nonviolence.
So, what dramas are on my radar this month?
1. Tracer
Do you remember that I demoted Siwan from my list of “Fab Four Idol-Actors” because his post-military service projects just didn’t interest me? I’m going to give him a chance with this new drama.
There’s meager information about the show in the synopses of wiki and mydramalist. It’s about civil servants working in the National Tax Service. According to Siwan, he chose his role to shed light on the works of this organization.
“Until now, the story of the National Tax Service has not been well dealt with. Not only was I personally curious [about it], but I also felt that the background investigation related [to the drama] was very meticulously and thoroughly done. There was no reason not to appear in it.”
Source: soompi
I’m guessing that the drama will depict Siwan as the Korean version of Eliot Ness, that American Federal Agent who famously brought down gangster Al Capone. He’ll portray a highly competent and upright crime fighter, going after the Korean mafia on charges of tax evasion.
Cast:
Im Siwan – Yes, I’m watching this for him.
Go Ah Sung – Never heard of her
I don’t think this is a romance drama. But this may be a blessing in disguise because he sucks at kissing.
Episodes: 16
Start Date: Friday, Jan 7
Airs on Fridays and Saturdays. This replaces “Red Sleeve”
Where to Watch it: Viki??
Network: MBC
2. Internal Medicine Director Park (aka Dr. Park’s Clinic)
I’m watching this comedy because it features an unlikely couple as husband and wife: Lee SeoJin (you know this handsome ahjussi from “Marriage Contract”) and Ra MiRan (the mom of JungHwan in “Reply 1988”).
꽃길일 줄 알았던 의사의 삶,,
하지만 현실은 그리 호락호락하지 않Zㅣ
슬기롭고 '싶은' 초짜 개원의 박원장의 짠내나는 하루 공개!티빙 오리지널 🩺<내과 박원장>
2022년 1월 14일 티빙 대공개#티빙오리지널 #내과박원장 #이서진 #라미란 #티빙 #TVING pic.twitter.com/PnWKoz6OuA— TVING 티빙 (@tvingdotcom) December 31, 2021
Synopsis from mydramalist:
Dr. Park Won Jang recently opened his own internal medicine clinic. His goal is to become acknowledged as a skilled physician and make a lot of money in the process. He thought that if he opened his own clinic, the money would soon roll in. Reality is a little different for Park Won Jang. His clinic receives very few patients and it is teetering on insolvency. He struggles to save his clinic. Making things worse, he also suffers from hair loss. Meanwhile, Park Won Jang is married to Sa Mo Rim. His wife trusts the advice of medical TV programs more than her husband.
Cast: Lee SeoJin and Ra Miran
Episodes: 10
Start Date: Friday, Jan 14
Airs on Fridays
Where to Watch it: Viki??
Network: TVing (hmmmm… this is the same network that produced “Yumi’s Cells”)
Just look at the poster. How can Lee SeoJin’s baldness NOT send you laughing?
![Upcoming Drama 2022] Dr. Park's Clinic/Internist Park Won-Jang,내과 박원장- Lee Seo Jin & Ra Mi Ran - Premieres on January 14 - k-dramas & movies - Soompi Forums](https://i0.wp.com/blog.asianwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Internest_Park_Won-Jung-mp1.jpeg?resize=510%2C727&ssl=1)
3. All Of Us Are Dead
This is a zombie show with high school students. A group of teenagers are trapped in school when zombie apocalypse occurs.
I’ll just check out the first episode for curiosity’s sake, but please don’t expect me to give this show platform in this blog. Why?
Because, if I’m still watching “Bulgasal,” then I don’t want to consume more of the same bloody fare from the writer who created “L.U.C.A.: The Beginning.” I don’t want to ruin my new year with his misogynist take on what constitutes a “strong” female character.
Given this writer’s past work and the title emphasizing that nobody gets out alive, I seriously doubt that this drama will be anything like my 2021 fave, “Happiness.”
Cast: I don’t know them and won’t clutter my limited memory space with unfamiliar names.
Episodes: 8 (thank goodness!)
Start Date: Friday, Jan 28
Airs on Fridays
Where to Watch it: Netflix
Network: Netflix
4. Chinese Dramas???
I’ve spotted nothing interesting.
I’ve been waiting for that body-swapping romcom “The Trust” to be released, but so far, no luck.
Synopsis from my dramalist:
The story revolves around an Emperor who does not know martial arts and an Empress who is skilled in swords fighting. They dislike each other and do not get along. One day, they find out that their souls have switched. Left with no choice but to live with the other’s identity, they slowly unravel their misunderstandings and learn to love and trust each other.
But no news is good news. I can catch up on all the Cdramas I missed last year.
So, what are you watching this January?
Definitely #2!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 it looks sooo much fun. I am getting frustrated with Bulgasal OTP, seriously! I mean, bad bulgasal is way more expressive and engaging being just crazy him. Once I get to the reason behind the whole she killed him because of whatever then I am out. I might stay for Lee Joon but once him gone, bye bulgasal😂
My other shows in Jan will start next week i.e. Kim Nam Gil in Through the Darkness, and Ghost Doctor. Have to remind myself to minimise my monthly drama list 🤭🤭
Same here, @miracle23. I’m sticking around with Bulgasal till I know HER story. It’s the missing puzzle piece.
I read about “Through the Darkness” — it’s the profiler, right? I think I’ll skip it. 🙂
The “Ghost Doctor” is the body-swapping with Rain and that Kim Bum (“Tale of the Nine-Tailed”). I don’t know why it is, but I’m more interested in sisterhood than brotherhood stories. Maybe because I grew up with brothers and knowing how their minds work wasn’t my idea of fun??😂😂
I’ve been JOMO’ng from K/CDrama late last year (it feels weird to say 2021 is so last year!). The last one I watched was Silent Sea which I have not had the time to write down my thoughts on due to the holiday rush.
And for fluff, I binged on Emily in Paris which is nice to look at but a regurgitation of season 1’s storyline and floss. For Korean connection, her roommate is Korean Chinese who sings. She covered BTS’s Dynamite.
For January, I’d be interested in Tracer.
Happy new year!!!!
I just remembered something, @Janey. I’m going to watch “Around the World in 80 Days” on PBS tomorrow night. I’ve forgotten most if not all of the plot of “80 Days,” but I remember aspiring to become a world traveler because of the book. Then I remember having a crush on David Niven who played Phineas Fogg. 🤣 Oops. My age is showing. 🤐
How was your new year celebration @PM3? We had a simple gathering with our extended bubble families (2) for the NY. 1 other family got exposed to Covid positive person and since there is a dearth of test kits to confirm if they got it or not, they promptly self quarantined and joined us online instead. I also heard from my relatives that some of them contracted Omicron but with mild symptoms (more flu-like) since they are vaccinated and boosted. Still cautiously optimistic on the pandemic front for 2022.
Hope everyone in BoD is healthy and safe. Take care!
LOL! Sorry @PM3 but I had to Google David Niven. I may have seen him in the Pink Panther movie. 😉
Thanks for this thread @pkml3. Possible shows for me, and not necessarily all of them…
Ghost Doctor with Kim Bum and Rain – For another story of possession. Sounds funny though since it’s a possession of a doctor by a ghost doctor, but the genres assigned are drama, medical, fantasy, supernatural. I hope there’s some comedy!
Tomorrow – For the fantasy element with Rowoon as grim reaper. Unfortunately Kim Hee Sun is also in it. But then there’s Lee Soo Hyuk, so maybe I can tolerate the show. I hope KHS has no noona romance thing with Rowoon’s character!!!
Through the Darkness with Kim Nam Gil – 12 Episodes! For the criminal profiling and the examination of the human psyche.
Shooting Star with Lee Sung Kyung – This is a maybe for me because it seems to be a romance with maybe the male version of prima donna… what’s that called? Primo uomo or someone with Prince Syndrome?
Happy drama watching everyone!
@packmule3, I’m going to watch Tracer mainly to see how a government regulation agency works in SK. I like I’m Siwan-liked him in Run On, I am also still working my way through Misaeng.
Loved your kissing comment. I have to say that from what I’ve seen of all manner of Asian dramas, the most passionate kiss scenes come in BLs. I don’t know why that is, but they last longer and I guess the sex doesn’t result in unwanted pregnancyLOL. My favorite heterosexual love scenes were in the movie, A Man and A woman with Gong Yoo and Jeon Do-yeon, particularly the scenes the Finnish sauna (I wonder if Gong Yoo’s partially naked bottom was his or a double’s.)
I also want to see Internal Medicine with Lee Seo Jin. I like him on variety shows. I would love to actually hear him speak English because he is an NYU Stern School of Business graduate- love that factoid.
For the most part I’ll finish The Secind Husband and Show Window Queens House with Jeon So-min in a Glenn Close type villain role and the very interesting Song Yoon-ah as cheated on wife. I am hooked on that show for lots of over the top plot twists.
And, I am doing a mini Lee Jun-ho drama festival watching just Between Lovers(just wow, so far-he is so different) and Wok of Love( great title] to see his comedy chops.
Right now I’m making my way through the drama award shows. I am thrilled that our Dali and the Cocky Prince couple won a Best Couple award as did our wonderful Red Sleeve duo. Parenthetical, I’m no longer shipping Jun-ho with Se-young. He is so good with his scene partners and was electric in his dance performance with Yoona in Senorita. Tha was one sexy performance-the man can dance. I also like Yoona-enjoyed her in the K2 (also with the enigmatic Song Yoon-ah who eats up the screen) and Ji Chang Wook.
I have npmy “work” cut out for me. So many dramas, so little time. And it’-s partially your fault @packmule3. You started this blog that I read daily and 5he d I scussion offers so much temptation that I want to see so many more dramas. I also just saw the J Drama about Nurse Sakura Nanase and thundered Dr. Tendo (loved it).
Happily getting through the pandemic with great dramas and BOD, the site that b in its way helps us stay safe….the great unintended consequence of BOD.
@pm3, I pick ghost doctor for its comedy as KNG’s drama probably gonna tire my brain with the usual kdrama police antics😂… Rain did a similar bodyswap drama before and it was a fun one. 😁
None of the above. I had just finished The Red Sleeve and am now an emotional mess, so I don’t think I have the capacity to start another drama. I’m just gonna stick with Our Beloved Summer and Snowdrop.
Will probably start Ghost Doctor after OBS ends, as I need my dose of comedy regularly. The teaser looks fun. Hopefully this time, Rain’s drama choice doesn’t disappoint.
The casts are fine. Rain, UEE, and Kim Bum. The only problem I have is Son Naeun, an idol from group Apink. Her acting is significantly bland compared to other idol actresses in her year: Krystal, Suzy, Hyeri.
Hi Ladies!!
I honestly do not know what I’ll watch. I finished Silent Sea but everything else is on hold or not even started.
I just saw Red Sleeve last 2 episodes are out. That’s the only show I’m excited for and it will be over soon.
I’ll probably start the ones above but not sure if they will catch my attention. I may wait for your reviews before I venture on to new things.
Happy New Year!!
Hi Ladies!!
I honestly do not know what I’ll watch. I finished Silent Sea but everything else is on hold or not even started.
I just saw Red Sleeve last 2 episodes are out. That’s the only show I’m excited for and it will be over soon.
I’ll probably start the ones above but not sure if they will catch my attention. I may wait for your reviews before I venture on to new things.
Happy New Year!!
PS: I may hold off on Red Sleeve. I don’t want to cry.
Happy New Year, @packmule3 and everyone on BoD! I still am holding onto hope for Bulgasal, let’s see if the gore lessens.
I also want to start Snowdrop because I like Jung Hae In but am waiting to see if the controversy surrounding thr historical setting dies down and the drama continues. No point in starting it only for it to go off air. However, I also have a feeling it might have a sad ending as it seems to have a hint of Romeo-Juliet type love, so I’m still undecided.
I’m waiting for Song Joong Ki’s The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate, till then I may re-watch Vincenzo.
Will keep an eye on BoD for any more interesting suggestions for 2022 dramas.
@Phoenix I am saying NO to JoongKi’s new drama because of the FL… 😂. I dropped SnowDrop (😂) because I didn’t like how the production behaved when dissenters made a fuss. Also the FL there is very green. She needs to work on her diction. And her facial expressions… there’s just not the subtlety that’s required for the part. I cringed a lot.
Nothing has really caught my fancy. I stopped Red Sleeve Cuff because I didn’t want to be a sobbing mess on NYD. I couldn’t see how it could possibly end well.
I may give Tracer a go for SiWan? I bailed on Run On because of the FL. My daughter loved it though? Not watching another zombie drama. Had enough of gore.
I can’t believe I just recently discovered Move To Heaven. 😳 That’s what I’m watching now.
Happy New Year everybody!
@Phoenix come join us at Snowdrop! I am no Korean so I can’t particularly say anything about the history, but…. Haein is really good…. and both hot and cute at the same time… Is that excuse acceptable? 🙃
@nrllee ah glad I’m not alone! Iwas so excited for SJK’s new project after Vincenzo, but then I read the devastating (😆) news.
@CheekyChu, Please stick with Made In Heaven.our young lead was one of Captain Ri’s soldiers in CLOY. Here he does a stellar job in depicting autism-no cliches here. The stories are heartwarming. And the topic is quite different. It is well worth the watch.
Has Snowdrop started to air in the uS. I don’t find it on Disney+. I read about the controversy but read that JTBC has cleared up the offending parts and has gotten some better feedback from the Netizens. With that I’d like to watch it.
@OAL: Yez. Save for the guy who plays Han Geu Ru, I don’t know the others. This show went under the radar for lack of matinee idols/stars. But but but I think it’s also its strength. Because popular actors can sometimes distract you from the narrative. And the story is unique and beautiful. I didn’t know about trauma cleaning being an actual profession.
Hi @Cheekychu – Moved to Heaven really moved me. And it was also shorter than regular kdramas (10 Eps). We did some quick takes of it in BoD, check out the title list.
@OAL – I cannot find Snowdrop on US Disney+ as well. Heard from a friend that you have to change VPN, I’m assuming something in Asia, but I don’t know how to do that. It’s available in Dramacool. I’m Planning to wait for it to be finished before watching it.
@CheekyChu, One of the glories of K Dramas is the unusual subject matters. I’ve enjoyed learning about the nuts and bolts if all manner of professions. What I lived about this one is how they treated the deceased and their families with grace and dignity. And they did not sensationalize autism. The smaller touches like maintaining the Dad’s place at the dinner table were using on the cake.I am so happy that you are enjoying this.
Thank you @Janey. I’ll wait for it to finish and will binge it. Sometimes the international airing on platforms happens after the initial run.
@nrllee:
I stopped watching Red Sleeve Cuff after episode 13 too because I knew there would be more separation and deaths of main leads that I can’t handle this season. Will go back to the last four episodes later.
What has the FL of The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate done? I see from her drama backlist that she was in HP1 and HP2. Was she really bad there? I’m fully capable of ignoring the FL and focusing on only Song Joong Ki though🤣🤣
@goldenashes97:
I’m with you on watching Snowdrop only because of Jung Hae In🤣 I saw episodes 1 and 2 and really liked him in it (I can ignore the FL here too😜). Is there a thread for it somewhere – Soompi or Dramabeans? I can join it there as it’s not on BoD.
@OAL, as @Janey said, I’m watching Snowdrop on Dramacool too.
@Phoenix, The FL in the Younger son of a Chaeb9l is Shin Hyun Been AKA Dr. Maggot in HPL 1 and 2. I understand the antipathy towards her because she was the female half of the winter garden. Among Those fans were quite hostile group who trolled and doxxed the flower gardeners. The actress got good notices for her last role in Reflections of You. Recently she had a pictorial-to be honest the stylists made her look severe and unattractive for this type of thing. The article described her character as gentle in H PL. I watched that whole series and in no way would I describe the character as gentle. In HPL her looks were mousy, her character ambitious and her bedside manner nonexistent. In retrospect, I think her appeal to her fans was that of the somewhat unattractive girl getting the handsome guy.The character offended an entire religion because her male love interest chose her over God. In fact, it seemed that she got more screen time than Jeon Mido in the second c season of HPL, not something many here were happy about. So our actress who gained noticed in HPL that got her better projects. Sometimes one role can ruin it for an actor for many.
Thanks for providing that context, @OAL. I hadn’t watched the HP series, so was unaware of this.
You are right – just like a single role can catapult an actor to success, whether justly or unjustly (e.g. Seo Je ji in PBIO, our so-called good boy in Startup), a single role can also tarnish the image of an actor. So I understand what you mean.
Well, I’m not at all averse to just ignoring her and focusing on Song Joong Ki instead🧐🧐..after all the drama is named after him (like Vincenzo, this seems to be a trend?)..so hopefully the FL will have less screen time and SJK will see this through with his charisma 😎
@OAL after reading your comment about “learning the nuts and bolts of all manners of professions” I thought of On the Verge of Insanity and couldn’t remember if you were one of the others here who watched that show. If you haven’t, I think it’d be something you’d enjoy.
As for January, I finished Red Sleeve this morning and plan to finish Rainless love in a Godless land tonight. Currently watching and caught up on: beloved summer, uncle, school 2021, and The One and Only. It’s all MEH…and I’m really hoping I find something to be excited about— Although I don’t love new releases since I much prefer to binge watch rather than wait week to week.
@Phoenix you do just that girlfriend – keep your eyes fixed on beauteous JoongKi. Ignore her totally. You probably won’t even miss her 😂. She (who shall not be named) has committed the unpardonable sin of having her legion of delusional fan girls descend upon the hallowed doors of BoD delivering hate messages when they were told they weren’t welcome multiple times. So she’s on the naughty list.
@Janey Found the MTH Thread. I almost missed this drama. One of 2021’s underrated ones. Oooh and the social worker is Kyung H’s gf! I like her. 😊
@OAL I like how they portrayed Geu Ru’s autism; it wasn’t over the top say like the brother in PBIO. His condition actually makes him an efficient trauma cleaner, because he is devoid of emotion. But where there is lack of feeling, there is huge respect for the dead, their things and their lives.
I laughed at the uncle when he tried to steal the wreath from dead VIP wake. And was touched with the symbolism of the flowers that adorned the old couple wake. And cried when the chaebol haraboji and his minions paid tribute to the old man.
Now I had to Google Lee Je Hoon. And apparently he just recently won an award. He surprised me all clean and smooth on the awards show vs the gruff and untidy MMA fighter in MTH. Now I want to watch Taxi Driver because of him.
@birdie007, Thank you for this. I actually watched it I enjoyed On The Verge of Insanity very much. It had the conflicted HR professional woman, the older engineer, the corrupt executive, labor relations issues, There was so much detail. I also loved the fact that the leads were in older and not conventionally pretty. It was so good.
@CheekyChu, I’m with you;on Lee Je Hoon. Taxi Driver is on my watch list. He is just so good.Mybson is on the spectrum.The two depuctionsvif autism ring true. They need bit be compared. There is also a misconception that autistic people can”t experience emotions. They do but they have difficulty with expressive language. There are so mant sensory issues that are connected with it, that, as a parent, I learned over time.InvbithbMTH and It’s Okay …they did great jobs in showing the comfort of routines, what sets off melt downs,language patterns and so much more. The writers do a great job doing research. I am impressed with the lack of sensationAluam. The actors know when to hold back too. We neurotypicals have been conditioned by the Rain Man savant view but aw we see there is so much more. I Dramas do it so well because if you look these characters are layered emotionally.
@nrllee: Oh so there was a BoD context to this too! Will completely ignore here then, I hope the spotlight is totally on Song Joong Ki in that drama😝
@CheekyChu, @OAL, you reminded me that Taxi Driver is on my watchlist too. If all the other current dramas are uninteresting, then I think I will check that out. They even got a Season 2 approved. I was holdimg it off because there is no romance in that🙈
I like Lee JeHoon. He’s got the same intensity as Jung HaeIn. And LJH is very versatile. Taxi Driver had good reviews but I need to steel myself for it because it’s about vigilante justice? So a lot of beating up people?
Belated Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all BOD’ers! I hope you have had a good start to the year so far.
I’m a late bloomer in the world of K-dramas, so am going to actually watch Vincenzo instead- I see many positive reviews on it. I generally prefer to watch dramas after it’s complete rather than waiting week on week (I get rather impatient).
‘Just between lovers’ – was kindly recommended in the Red Sleeves discussion. Very good. Very watchable. Junho in a 2017 role (unappealing hair colour but aside from that very watchable and compelling character!). I started watching yesterday.
Finished ‘My Mister’ – another MUST watch. Superb. The plot starts of depressing but there is a journey to hope. Super performances from our leads and our secondary characters… the secondary characters are genuinely interesting and this is a proper ensemble piece. So glad it was recommended to me.
@Kate I’m glad to know that you’ve enjoyed these 2 shows. I found them great too, especially in the way they brought on the feels. The characters were so well drawn out, so heart-wrenching in their needs, and deserving of so much better than they got in the beginning, that it was cathartic to have the realistic happy endings.
I will always have JBL and My Ahjusshi up there with some of the best ‘healing’ shows I know of.
@GB -yes! I am wondering why it took me so long to find them… perhaps they didn’t look, initially at least, as appealing synopsis-wise.
Am loving the way the story is unfolding in JBL… a good follow-on watch to TRS.
Thanks for sharing @OAL. I didn’t finish PBIO though so I hastily judged the older brother based on the few scenes I’ve seen of him. And they are mostly him throwing tantrums. Miane.
I’m now done w MTH. I luv how the 10 episodes rounded up Geu Ru’s closure journey. The contrast how he was hesitant of his dad’s embrace in episode 1 vs him hugging the his dad’s tree in the last episode.
I’m confused about the ending though. But it leaves opening for a Season 2.
Now on to Taxi Driver….
@Kate @GB Just Between Lovers is one of my favorite Kdramas and Junho’s acting in it is the reason I started watching Red Sleeve in the first place. The drama is such a poignant love story of two damaged souls tied by the same tragedy finding and healing each other. As @GB says, I found their happy ending cathartic, in spite of how difficult it was to watch the show at certain points, while the characters were processing their traumas. Junho was outstanding in JBL, along with Won Jin Ah who unfortunately didn’t choose impactful roles after that.
@Phoenix – it is a ‘pull you in -hold you there’ drama isn’t it? I am on the final day of annual leave and am watching it right through before things get too busy! As you say Junho is outstanding in it…his performance is the lynch pin… He really commmits to his character.
@Phoenix, I started watching this drama and will continue it. I just need space to process our leads’ harrowing lives. Our younger Junho shows his range here. He is c also a physical actor who can do action. I have Wok of Love and The Good Manager on my watch list. I want to see him do comedy. I think this former idol runs rings around the essentially wooden Cha Eun-woo. To my taste Lee Junho is better looking too.
Thank you for discussing the ending. I don’t view it as a spoiler because I’m in for the journey. However, while watching the last episode of The Red Sleeve, I had one ugly cry.
@CheekyChu, if you haven’t seen Signal, it is an excellent drama and great role for Lee Je Hoon. My attention was first drawn to Signal by references to it in The King: Eternal Monarch, and I wanted to see what it was about since it appears to be iconic in South Korean culture. I was not disappointed.
@Kate, My Mister is a drama that has lingered in my mind and heart long after I watched it. It is a show I recommend highly. It has top-notch performances and a great script. It’s a drama I would like to someday choose for our Saturday rewatch group.
@Packmule3, I also am watching Uncle and liking it, although it does have a few problems here and there. One long story arc wrapped up with a few words of voiceover; I almost got whiplash from the speed with which it was ended. As with other dramas I’ve seen him in, Oh Jung Se is highly engaging, although sometimes it seems he inserts a bit of Moon Sang Tae from PBIO into this character, which I find jarring. I assume Oh Jung Se is doing his own singing in this show, and I find his voice delightful.
Because I liked Siwan’s work in both Misaeng and Run On, I will check out Tracer. I also will try Dr. Park’s Clinic. I’ve seen on Three Meals a Day that Lee Seo Jin can be funny, and I know from Reply 1988 that Ra Mi Ran can also do comedy.
I’m trying to watch Bad and Crazy, but don’t want to pay for IQIYI VIP, so it’s a long wait between releases of free episodes. I tried watching Episode 4 on Dramacool, but it kept freezing up on me. I’d like to watch Snowdrop, but don’t subscribe to Disney+. I may resort to Dramacool for that, as well.
Filling in my down time, I’m still chipping away at Six Flying Dragons.
I’m also watching Our Beloved Summer, but haven’t been commenting because I’ve been busy with other things. Same with The Red Sleeve, of which I’ve only the last two episodes to watch. Until my time and brain clear a bit, I may be a scarce presence around here. My husband and I have a lot of tasks to attend to after a severe winter storm caused many tree branches to fall on our mountain cabin. Power has been off to the whole community for more than a week, so we haven’t yet gone to assess the damage. Our neighbors up there, most who are full-time residents, evacuated. Two of our neighbors’ houses were destroyed. One, across the street from our cabin, had a tree fall through the kitchen while the homeowner was seated at her dining room table. She’s one lucky lady that she wasn’t hurt.
Oh dear @Welmaris! What drama with the elements in real life!! How sad that houses were destroyed. What a new year. I hope your place is unscathed. Make sure the weather will be stable before you go to your cabin and stay safe as you clear the big and small debris.
Oh my @Welmaris! I’m sorry your mountain cabin was affected by the snowstorm that hit Cali. I hope there’s not much damage and that power will be restored soon. Same record breaking volume of snow here in NorCal at the Sierras with road closures and power outage as well. Take care!!
@pm3–my previous post on the red sleeve 16 and 17 thread might be more appropriate for this thread. Sorry!
And to further elAborate on that comment,
Junho’s kiss scene in MEMORY was 🔥. I also enjoy that actress though she hasn’t been in much. I do know she’s brilliant IRL which makes her seem prettier to me. I just looked for her name on MDL and it’s Yoon So Hee and while on her page I see she’s currently appearing in Ghost Doctor. Fingers crossed it’s not a flop
@Welmaris… really sorry you have been dealing with the situation with your mountain cabin!
Yes please to what you proposed re My Mister. This group would relish it I am sure.
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I am watching Bulgasal on Netflix, and the C-drama, Sword Snow Stride, on YouTube Channel MZTV, which is free, you can skip the YT commercials, and the sub-titles are quite good. There are 38 episodes, and one new episode is released daily. I’m only episode 15, and they have released 22 episodes as of today. It’s a period fantasy story, with martial arts, but no immortals, and a lot of politics. The pacing is slow and gives the audience time to marinate the storylines, and see the progression. The show has a greenish tone to the coloration that some people may see and may complain about, but it’s part of the art direction. For some odd reason, the show gives me 1980’s Hong Kong TVB show vibes, which is nostalgia to me. The actors’ voices are mostly their own, so that is a big plus! One turn off of C-dramas is the dubbing of voice actors. It’s weird to see the actor in a different show with a different voice.
@Phoenix Jisoo is green, but I can tolerate her. At least she doesn’t make me want to punch her in the face, LOL. Honestly, I can see why the director picked her as the female lead. She delivers the innocent look and puppy eyes.
I’m not sure about the thread. I can’t remember the last time I read anything from Soompi Forum or Dramabeans. I guess I’ve found my home here. 😁
I don’t have anything except Moonshine and oh I’ll watch Just Between Lovers.
I might go back to cdrama and see which one is nice. Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi’s one will definitely be shown this year. I can’t wait for that one. 🙂
Thanks for the Cdrama rec, @Fan of TKEM. I’ve been scouring YT and Viki for a light-hearted romcom but no luck.
@Janey – I had to Google David Niven also!
@Welmaris – I don’t want to pay for VIP on Iq.com either. I started the C-Drama Luo Yang (which I highly recommend for: the storylines/plot, quick pacing, political intrigue, murder/mystery, strong character portrayals by the 3 main leads and those are their real life voices, no dubbing, set design, etc) and was able to view 10 free episodes. Episode 11 and onward are VIP only, and it’s been like that for 3 weeks now, so I am not sure if the website release those episodes later. I think the iq.com is similar to viki.com, where the website gives free the first few episodes, and if you want to continue, need to pay. I only have Netflix, and use YT, and these other web platforms are newer to me.
@packmule3 – I think you’ll find Sword Snow Stride to be very different from C-dramas. The main relationship in the story is between a son Xu FengNian, and his dad, Lord Xu (which is like a duke/marquis status of a person, using British terms). Dad wants to prepare son to take over their part of the kingdom, and with that role and responsibility, dad needs to know that son can do it. Son has to go through trials and tribulations to see if he can be the next leader. The story is light on the romance and I think it took me 10 episodes to figure out who the romantic interest for Xu FengNian. It’s a slow pace to go through the first two episodes, but what kept me was the relationship between Xu FengNian and his male servant, Old Huang. It’s rare to see a servant giving the master such a hard time! And, it’s rare to see a son and dad interacting the way that they do in a C-drama. The fighting sequences are not many. What you’ll see is the beginning and end, and not much during the fight, which is also different from many other wuxia/xianxia C-dramas. I also think it’s artistic direction (and perhaps budget constraints, and lack of actor’s physical training?) that drives the fighting sequences.
@agdr03 I’m waiting for Who Rules the Qorld too, girlfriend ❤ In the meantime, I’m going to finish watchimg You Are My Glory.
@goldenashes97 I don’t mind JiSoo in Snowdrop too (I’m focusing on Jung Hae in anyways😝). I’m glad the drama’s ratings are going up now.
I’m waiting for Lee Jun Ki’s Again My Life, which is a revenge drama similar in concept to Youngest Son of a Conglomerate, with the chaebol setting replaced by prosecutors.
Girlfriend @Phoenix, you have to finish You Are My Glory. It’s a really great drama with a great story and lots and lots of kisses. 😆 It’s a drama with no violence too. We can’t fault it at all.
High five with Who Rules The World! 🙌🏻 We’ll definitely be front seats on this cdrama. Let’s hope we don’t need to wait too long for it. 🤞🏻
@agdr03,
Tell me when “Who Rules the World” premieres and I’ll open a thread for us. Doesn’t Rosie Zhao have another drama? I saw something on YT. It looks like another historical?
Yes, I will! I’ll be updating all of us here once the premier date is announced. ☺️
Rosie has another drama called Love Like The Galaxy with the boobless guy? 😬
I’ll be watching it though because I’ve seen him on another cdrama with Dilraba. ☺️
😂😂 Oh? Is this THE “boobless” guy incident that was mentioned on this blog?
I’ve to get started on Yang Yang. I’ve been putting it off because I want to binge-watch it and I haven’t had an uninterrupted stretch of time. We went to a resort Christmas time, and I thought I could watch it in peace there. But I ended up doing classes. 😂 Yoga, glass-blowing, knitting, pottery, hunting, history, first aid. 🤪🤪
Yup, THE boobless guy incident mentioned here. 😂
Daebak! Those are good activities! I’m sure you had fun. ☺️ I need to get back to my long walks too.
You have to finish YAMG. Maybe you’ll have time anyway before WRTW. ☺️
The yoga class… I nearly broke my darn hips. 😂😂 Sometimes I just have to remind myself that I’m no longer flexible like I was in my 20s.
Oh dear! 😱 I’m so glad you didn’t.
It must have stretched you a lot. I should try it but I don’t know anyone who does yoga here.
Yoga is a big thing here. Especially during Covid last year because it can be done by zoom at home and/or in the park with social distancing. My sister-in-law is a yoga instructor. (haha. I’ll delete this factoid later.)
Tai-chi also became fad in my neighborhood. $20 a session?? Or maybe $10? Payable to the instructor after the class. But again, I couldn’t join because I was still at work.
That’s cool you’ve got a yoga instructor in the family. 😁
Yes it was covid that made me do exercises through YouTube as well and even trying weights. But I’m more on walking now but I haven’t done it since prior to Christmas.
@packmule3 @agdr03 Yoga is a huge thing in India too where I’m originally from. Everyone did virtual classes in the first pandemic year and I know all my asanas too.
Personally, I prefer more hectic cardios than yoga, I fall asleep during long breathing exercises 🙈🙈
I love walking too, @agdr03..and jogging. I feel it makes me feel more active somehow.
I remember the boobless guy pic on this blog, about height of censoring by C authorities 🤣🤣
@agdr03 Putting YAMG on my watchlist for this weekend (I need to get past my weird dislike of Dilraba🙈 and focus on our YangYang inatead, girlfriend 😜). I’m there for the hugs and kisses😝
I watched the first two episodes of F4 Thailand subbed in English on YouTube last night. I’m not sure if it’s been talked about here before, but it’s the Thai version of the original Japanese manga hana yori dango which became boys over flowers, meteor garden, and other versions.
In full disclosure, boys over flowers was one of the first kdramas I dropped in the first episode, even though I tried it years ago and attempted to watch through a very lenient viewing lense—like the one I watched Full House with—-but I just hated it.
However, this seems different and I’d love to know if anyone else is watching.
The actors are all very good looking and after looking them up on My Drama List it seems they’re still in college and all studying something beyond acting e.g. the FL is studying dentistry.
Hi, I am wavering about watching D.P. which is said to be well done as a realistic portrayal, but don’t know if I could handle seeing the abuse those poor guys endure. One Spring Night is a series I’ve been meaning to start. My Name is a maybe. Sweet And Sour seems like it could be interesting, so I’ll try an episode and see. I like some Taiwanese and Chinese dramas too, so a few of those are on my watch list. A Thousand Goodnights is one I started, but took a long break from when I sobbed my heart out for the sweet station master. I think I’m ready to finally continue that adorable story. Use For My Talent looks like it could be cute. I hope some fun series come along this year, I’m eager for new stories.
@Kdrama Gramma Have you watched You Are My Spring? I highly recommend it. I started One Spring Night but it was terribly slow and I lost interest round about Ep10? I watched DP. In spite of all the abuse and hazing. Probably because of the intent (message) behind it. It was obviously meant to bring the nastiness to light and to give voice to the stories of the people who suffered. It is meant to shock. So I detached myself emotionally from it and watched it with that in mind. JHI was at his brooding best. But it was his sidekick Koo KyoHwan who was the real star (in my mind). I loved his character. The pair of them made the show.
@K-d-G), if you haven’t seen it and want generally light hearted fun, I recommend Dali and the Cocky Prince. The leads won a best couple award. And you get an art and food background with some of the most fun costumes and hair to treat the eyes. I’m rewatching Fated to Love You with Jang Nara. The first few episodes have some laugh out loud moments. It gets serious later on but has some great kiss scenes.
If you can find it Jung Hai in did acreality show just before the pandemic where he visited New York. He did a lot ofveating, had a great Air B & B. He was almost carded when he got some beer. He also has a hearty appetite and wowed students at the Actor’s Studio at Pace University, where he was recognized by some college girls. It may be in Viki.
Happy watching, no matter what you do. K Dramas are my happy place.
Packmule3, nrllee, OAL, (and anyone I forgot to include, I’m bad at keeping track), thanks so much for the warm welcome, drama info, and series suggestions! I really appreciate it! Guess what, I discovered that my new daughter-in-law’s mom is also bonkers for k-dramas, so now we have this fun to bond over!
Anyone watching Ghost Doctor?
Fun and contrasts with other types of dramas.
If you are a Rain fan it will appeal and it is highly rated by viewing communities.
I am watching in between JBL ep sequences for a change of mood. Not entirely frothy I must add….
@Packmule, I started watching Snowdrop last night (on Dramacool). Are you aware that your favorite imagined daughter, Kim Hye Yoon, is in this show? She plays an employee of Hosu Women’s University, a receptionist in a dorm and assistant to the dorm supervisor. She fantasizes about being a student.
The dorm supervisor gives me Nurse Ratched vibes (for readers who aren’t familiar with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, she was the story’s antagonist). Her outward appearance of self control thinly veils a sadistic core. She weaponizes rules.
This show has a huge cast, and some big name stars (e.g. Yoo In Na) have taken supporting roles. I’m thinking the acting community turned out to support this project long before its subject matter and depiction of history stirred controversy.
Controversy aside, I found the first episode did an excellent job of character building, which is quite a feat considering the large number of characters to whom we’re introduced. I found it highly amusing to watch the politicians’ wives battling for supremacy through fashion statements and verbal sparring over tea. Bingo! The archetype residents of Room 207: the diva with many suitors; the tomboy activist; two others who are interchangeably average, except one clings to her opportunity at Hosu (actually!) to lift her and her family out of economic hardship.
I’m going to watch more of Snowdrop and hope I continue to be favorably impressed.
@Kate, I’m watching JBL and Our Beloved Summer on Netflix, The Second Husband, Show Window The Queens House(a makjang drama), and A Virgin Woman of Literature(a J Drama with a title I couldn’t resist). I also am watching all the drama award shows on Viki. My plate is full but some dramas will conclude soon.
I also rewatched some episodes of Dr. John to see Lee Se Young opposite Ji Sung, one of my favorite actors. They both were great in this. I will now watch her in anything based on The Red Sleeve. Same for Lee Junho. I love “discovering” new actors. South Korea has so many great actors and that in itself will keep me enjoying for a very long time.
Ghost Doctor is on my watch list. I like Rain but like Kim Bum even more.
@OAL @Kate
I’m only managing (barely) the JBL rewatch, Our Beloved Summer and the Goblin rewatch. I’m JOMO-ing on the rest of the currently airing shows for a change.
While I’ve got Tracer and Ghost Doctor on my radar, I may just leave them as blips on the screen. 🙂
@OAL and @GB… both of your plates are full indeed and thank you for all the recommendations @OAL.
I’ll carry on with Ghost Doctor and we can always share thoughts at a later time. The plot is developing in an interesting way… and some occasional skin shivering dramatic moments. I do find Rain very watchable as an actor… loved him in Full House (I only saw that a month or so back).
Oh wow, Full House was aeons ago for me. One of the first few kdramas I watched when I first started down this rabbit hole. I found Rain’s character too shouty and immature, but I did like that frustrating couple. I felt that there were so many scenes that could have been romantic but just fell short *sigh*.
@GB… it was slow for sure and I read somewhere that it one of the things that kicked off the Korean Wave…. (I had thought that was Boys over Flowers). For some reason I really enjoyed it despite the very many missed opportunities for romance. They were frustrating indeed as a couple. I found him so cute at that age and forgave the comedy shoutyness!
Just seen a new C drama ‘Reset’ with Bai Jing Ting on Viki… looks interesting.
Nice to have a c drama to look forward to.
Groundhog Day type time loop thriller… Haven’t watched yet but drawing it to your attention.
ps just caught the first episode and the start of the next… fast paced, clever, tense. Looks like one to watch!
This is something for Lee Junho fans. Reading and watching the attached videos will keep fans busy for quite some time! 🙂
With much thanks to kfangurl…
https://thefangirlverdict.com/2022/01/16/officially-smitten-with-lee-junho/
@GB, I see that blogger’s point about Lee Junho dancing beautifully. And after I went tonight to see a performance by an Argentine tango troupe, I now have a wish that Lee Junho would learn and perform that style of dance. I can just picture him…
@Welmaris, you made me go look up an instance of Lee Junho dancing. LOL. Fortunately, I got distracted by other videos and got out of that before being sucked in. 🤪
@Welmaris hope winter storm has died down.
I know what you mean. Junho would be good at that.
I also found the Junho story inspiring. He didn’t start off as the most popular member of the group, nor born with the typical kdrama leading man face or height. With hard work, good discipline, and persistency, one can break the public perception and stereotype. An artist can be good at both being an idol and acting. He is successful in introducing Kpop/2pm to Kdrama fans.
Has anyone tried watching Tracer? I tried last night on Dramacool but stopped halfway of ep 1. The Eng sub seems to be a direct, literal translation therefore it is harder than normal to follow. I haven’t watched Siwan other than Moon Embracing the Sun before and have to agree with you all his acting is good! I like the story pace. Straight into the conflicts. It is a shame that Netflix or Viki hasn’t picked it up to make it more accessible.
I will try hunting other channels to watch it.
@Viva, thanks for being concerned about the recent winter storms in my area and hoping for the neighborhood’s well being. Today, after many phone calls and a couple of visual assessments, a tree service is at my cabin to remove damaged branches from trees on my property and remove downed branches from my roof, back deck, and parking deck. They had to wait until most of the snow deposits had melted, which took forever because the last storm in the series had been an ice storm (hence the extensive damage to trees) and all the piled up snow turned hard as rock. People don’t think we have these problems in Southern California, but at the higher elevations in the local mountains we most certainly do.
For over a week I’ve been checking Tracer on one of the Dramacool sites, but it hasn’t included English subtitles. Dr. Park’s Clinic is also hard to find. There are many mirror websites for KissAsian and Dramacool, and they make me nervous because I wonder about legality and fear viruses.
@Welmaris Tracer is subbed on Dramacool now but the subs are bad…they are pretty much like direct Google translates. 🙄
SiWan’s fans (I think) have graciously stepped in and subbed it properly. This is Ep1.
https://twitter.com/TaxPayerSubTeam/status/1483910542062661632?s=20
@Welmaris I heard that isn’t it the 4th snow storm in California in 100 years?
Thanks @nrllee 🙂 I watched the first ep. The sub in your link is so much better than Dramacool. I like Tracer so far! Waiting for them to upload ep 2. For me, it’s a welcome change after TRS. Legal/crime dramas are more common so it is refreshing to see one focus on accounting frauds/tax department. I like the ending scene of ep 1.
@Viva, where can I find Tracer? My son works in the financial regulation field. I would like to see how this is done in South Korea, even if this is fiction. THANKS….
Hey @OAL
credit to @nrllee in the comment above, the link to Tracer is:
https://twitter.com/TaxPayerSubTeam/status/1483910542062661632?s=20
Let me know what you think? I like this show so far.:)
@pklml3 I guess you’ll be putting up the ‘What we’ll be watching in February 2022’ soon. A few shows that I may consider for next month.
The contract marriage in ‘A Business Proposal’ might be interesting. It seems to be 12 episodes long, on Netflix, SBS. OTP are Kim Se Jeong and Ahn Hyo Seop
Another romance (maybe I’m in the mood for romance after OBS) is ‘Twenty-Five Twenty-One’ with 16 episodes on Netflix, tvN. It has Nam Joo Hyuk and Kim Tae Ri in it.
For horror, for a change, ‘Monstrous’ which has Nam Da Reum in it (One can ignore Shin Hyun Bin). 6 episodes on tvN.
I tried one episode of Dr Park’s Clinic, but it didn’t grab me. The documentary style didn’t go down so well there as it did in Lovestruck in the City. I didn’t yet find the main characters engaging. Dr Park seems to be the sort of person who brings trouble upon himself and who will continue to suffer pitifully, without improving his own lot, for a long time.
I moved to another medical comedy-drama. Ghost Doctor, which at least has those nice looking leads, with all their hair LOL. I may continue with this now that OBS has ended. The comedy is not so strong in this one, but it does lighten up the life and death stuff of hospitals.