I think I’ll need a romcom this month since I’m finishing up “Business Proposal” and the Chinese drama “Legally Romance” next week.
I’ve my eye on four dramas.
1. “Tomorrow”
The thread is here. Tomorrow: Eps 1 & 2 Open Thread
Cast: Kim Hee Sun (“Alice”), Rowoon (“Extra-ordinary You”), and Lee SooHyuk (“Doom at Your Service”)
Episodes: 16
Start Date: Friday, April 1
Airs on Fridays and Saturdays
Where to Watch it: Netflix
Network: MBC
2. “From Now, Showtime!”
Synopsis from soompi:
“From Now, Showtime!” is a comedy mystery drama about a famous and charismatic magician named Cha Cha Woong (Park Hae Jin), who can summon ghosts, and a passionate police constable named Go Seul Hae (Jin Ki Joo), who has supernatural powers.
Source: soompi
Cast: Park Hae Jin (“Cheese in the Trap”) and Jin Ki Joo (never heard of her)
I’m not wild about Park HaeJin as a person. He seems to be hard to work with, a divo. I hope he’ll establish a good enough rapport with his costar to make the romance believable.
Episodes: 16
Start Date: Saturday, April 23
Airs on Saturday and Sunday
Where to Watch it: Viki
Network: MBC
3. The Killer’s Shopping List
The show’s description according to soompi.
Based on the novel of the same name by Kang Ji Young, “The Killer’s Shopping List” is a comedy-mystery thriller about an ordinary neighborhood on the outskirts of Seoul. When a mysterious body is found in the vicinity of an apartment building, a supermarket receipt becomes a key piece of evidence that kicks off an entertaining hunt for the killer.
Lee Kwang Soo will star in the drama as Ahn Dae Sung, the son of supermarket owner Jung Myung Sook (played by Jin Hee Kyung). Although he was once considered a genius with impressive memorization skills, his life took a turn for the worse due to an incident that took place at his mom’s market when he was 10 years old. Despite his extraordinary brain and powers of perception, Ahn Dae Sung is currently going through a rough patch after having failed the examination to become a public service official for three years in a row.
AOA’s Seolhyun will star in the drama as Ahn Dae Sung’s girlfriend Do Ah Hee, a passionate police officer who has only had eyes for him from a very young age. When a body is discovered near an apartment building, Do Ah Hee steps up to catch the culprit herself.
Source: soompi
Cast: Lee KwangSoo (from variety show “Running Man”)
Episodes: 8
Start Date: Wednesday, April 27
Airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays
Where to Watch it: ??
Network: tvN
4. What happened to “Pachinko”?????
I have my eyes set on Lee Jun and Jang Hyuk this month i.e. Red Heart. Did a marathon of BP till ep 8 and dropping out despite loving Sejong there. 🤭
Still contemplating whether to watch 2521. Trying to finish up those dramas I left unfinished last year. Took a glimpse of Panchiko, pass 🤭
There is a new drama by the writer of My Mister, and also a new Jang Hyuk drama, Read Heart, so I will check them out.
,@packmule3, Pachinko is on Apple+ and started off with the first three episodes and It think will go to 8 with one playing each week. I saw the first episode. It is beautifully done but is told in a series of flashbacks-present day. The book was linear
It is projected that it will go four seasons. I am in because Of loved the book. It is a departure for Lee Min Ho
He was not a major presence in episode one but will be going forward
Youn YuhYoung is a force of nature-I will watch her in anything. I love that she is not vain-you get her wrinkles and all and that she brings dignity to aging. As a whole, so far,the show is a quality production and is unafraid to show grit. I also don’t know where they get kid actors but the little girl is heartbreaking.
I got an Apple+subscription especially for that but I may drop it after season one and resubscribe for each successive season. I have to look at other content on the channel
Cord cutting can be costly. And if this pandemic ever ends, I’d like to live life and not be glued to the TV.
Thanks @pkml3. I’ll hang around and wait a bit. I’m in no hurry to jump into another show. 🙂
I’m watching Pachinko slowly, savouring the scenes and wishing I can watch it on the big screen. I wonder if it is confusing for those who hadn’t read the book. I had to try to recall what happened in the book to remember who these characters. I guess this is a problem when you have read the book before watching it?
Anyone watching Our Blues? It takes over 25-21 time slot. Asian wiki’s really short summary is
“Our Blues ” follows a group of people on Jeju island. Not sure if it is like a slice of life kinda drama, gives the Hometown Chachacha vibes. It has 20 episodes!?!
I’m also curious about “Shooting Stars”
Asian wiki’s really short summary is “Set within the entertainment world, employees work for a star and try to make that person shine.” Lee Syung Kyung and Kim Yong Dae from Extraordinary You starts in it.
This is to be a rom-com so I’m curious about it. Starts 22 april
I just finished Thirty Nine moments ago. It isn’t overwrought–the last two episodes are gently done–yet I am a puddle. I need something that’ll make me laugh.
@Snow Flower, My Liberation Notes has me intrigued not only because it is written by the same person who wrote My Mister and Another Miss Oh, but because it has Lee Min Ki and Lee El playing two of three siblings. The actress playing their other sibling, Kim Ji Won, I’ve also enjoyed in dramas such as Fight for My Way and Lovestruck in the City, but for me she hasn’t been as memorable. C’mon, we’re comparing her to Lee El in Goblin!
Kalimera Ladies and let us have a nice month!
I have started Pachinko. I have watched all 3 episodes that aired last Friday.
It is brilliantly made. The directors really knew what story wanted to share with us and they are saying.
The montage is amazing! I haven’t seen such smoothly transitions for a very long time now! The person who is in charge needs to take an award!
Also, I have to refer to Photography as well. The chromatical palette is amazing. They have picked it with care.
The only thing that is certain is that I will start “Tomorrow”.
I also want to see “Bloody Heart”as MDL has it, because of Lee Joon and Kang Hanna. Also, the brilliant Jang Huyk is in it.
Also, “Sh**ting Stars” is coming on Viki before Easter.
For now, I will finish first what I have on my ongoing list and then I will decide for the rest!
@Welmaris, I am one episode behind the ending. I was crying last night so I am with you in this one! *HUGS*
Son Ye Jin and Jeon MiDo were brilliant and I fell in love with how Lee Moo Saeng expressed his character’s feelings. He is so good! Kim Ji Hyun grew on me, even though I don’t remember watching her anywhere before. I really liked watching this!
Every time I see the words “Sh**ting Stars” I laugh because it looks like swearing. I wonder about the original words in Korean.
Maybe I’m in a funk, because nothing looks as fun as what we are watching end this week and next. I’ll watch what others recommend.
@Fern, I’m with you on being ‘in a funk’. I do not feel drawn to any of the new offerings. However as we are 10 days away/heading into Holy Week and Easter, perhaps it’s just as well!! 😂 😉 🤪
I am waiting for May. When JinGoo and GaYoung star in Link. It sounds fun. Fantasy romance. I like both leads so I will give it a go. The premise sounds a bit like Mr Queen? But the reverse? So long as it’s fun I will watch.
https://www.soompi.com/article/1520082wpp/yeo-jin-goo-moon-ga-young-and-more-share-anticipation-for-upcoming-fantasy-romance-drama-at-script-reading
I got the urge to re-watch Boys over Flowers (my first K-drama back in 2017 as a follow up to C-drama version of the same story -The Meteor Garden). When I first watched it – I found it mesmerising because it was so different from anything i had seen before + of course the unexpected appeal of Lee Min Ho. I know its a ‘marmite’ show – you either get drawn in or you don’t – but I am still loving Lee Min Ho in the lead and enjoying this show. It has the most and quirkiest twists and turns … I am thinking too that our Business Proposal FL would have been fabulous as the FL. The actual FL was super at times but also over acted at others trying to capture the spirit of a teenager when she was actually in her late twenties (I think).
For April, I look forward to checking out:
From Now, Showtime!-love Jin Ki Joo and premise sounds interesting
Shooting Stars- looks like it might be fun rom com
Again My Life-Lee Joon Ki!
Love All Play-This looks like a sweet light watch
Might check these out later after seeing how audience reviews:
Monstrous
Our Blues
Just a few notes:
The Killer’s Shopping List will be on Viki.
I took me a while, but the asterisks in Shooting Stars are supposed to be stars (I assumed that one out from the show poster.)
@Skayt, thanks. It’s not as funny as asterisks, but makes more sense.
@Fern, it’s not! haha I thought the same thing as you too, then saw the drama poster with stars as zeroes. The asterisks were an unfortunate style choice!
If they had bulls-eyes instead of ‘o’s it would make more sense in an ironic way.
Sh🎯🎯ting Stars.
Never mind me. I’m bored and have already vented on the Tomorrow thread. Probably will regret that in the morning.
@Fern, the bullseyes would be clever.
oh, we’ve all done that at one time or another! I still need to watch it, and you brought up a few points I was worried about. Maybe I’ll catch up tonight, or maybe I’ll use it as filler between the 2521, Forecasting Love and Weather and Business Proposal finales?
@Skayt and @Fern, Enjoying the asterisk discussion immensely. Laughter reigns. Big next few days of finales. Just finished Thirty Nine in big messy tears. Son Ye Jin, our real newlywed is so fine,running the gamut of emotions. She is one great scene partner. And Jeon MiDo is a quiet powerhouse. Every other cast member shined. I was pleasantly surprised by this drama that got better as it moved along.
Looking forward to 2521’s finale-hope we learn how our friends turned out. As nd am looking for more laughs along with the romance-want to see more of grandpa…
Happy spring to the northern hemisphere and happy fall to the south-I love the interim seasons.
@Skayt, @Cleopatra seems to like “Tomorrow” so perhaps it’s only me. I would just be sorry if the actors worked hard but the production values were not in keeping. I have to remember that it comes from a webtoon.
@Fern I am not a fan of Rowoon. Unless the other cast is good, I skip his dramas. A bit like Cha EunWoo. I watched True Beauty for GaYoung (FL). Both CEW and Rowoon are like statues to me 😂. Gorgeous to look at but the acting chops just aren’t there. I just can’t bring myself to watch Kim HeeSun again after Alice. And yes I thought the Sh**ting Stars looked like swearing too 😂😂😂. Especially because the word looks so much like a certain fecal equivalent.
Long time no post 🤣
Anyong chingu🌻 micuu
I like both Business proposal and legally romance. This two will end soon.
I have feeling she and her perfect husband cdrama will have airing date in april, some rumors also said the same 🤓
I dont have interest for upcoming drama you’ve mentioned above.
Maybe i will try to watch lee kwang soo drama..
But honestly kdrama nowdays kinda hmmm 🤔 to me..nothing new..
The most exciting news only suzy casting in kdrama the girl downstairs as lee doona
I’ve just seen that Again my Life is coming to Viki on April 8th… will definitely try that as a recent Lee Joon-gi fan.
It sounds promising… a do your life over again story line… We’ll see!
@Kate, Lee Joon-gi is one of my favorite actors, I watched Flower of Evil Twice and I .over him in Lawless Lawyer, two of his recent dramas. The man is versatile. I’m in.
Thanks for the alert @Kate. ‘Again My Life’ sounds like something I could watch. I may only really get into it in mid April, but it’s good to know that there’s another Lee Joon Gi show on. I’ve liked him in every role I’ve seen him acting. Versatile and full of range.
@OAL and @GB…great!
I have only seen in LJG in Moon Lovers so far. I’ll check out some of these other LJG shows.
@Kate and @Old American Lady, I agree that LJG is a very charismatic actor. He has an interesting face and a lot of energy. I think he is very private – I’ve never learned much about what he’s like in RL, but in the past he seemed to do a lot of his own stunts. I would like to see his new show as well.
@Fern – great. Yes, I have been intrigued by his delicacy of acting – subtle shifts of expression – combined with his being this kick-*ss action man as well. He is interesting looking – the second lead in Moon Lovers was far more handsome (and acted brilliantly) but I was fascinated by him in role. He has mystique.
@Kate, there was a YouTube interview of LJG by Jae Jae who is probably my favourite interviewer of celebs and idols. Have you seen it.
@Fern. No I haven’t. He is charming isn’t he? She is high energy too – wonderfully wacky.
@Kate, I think that their energy matches well.
She usually prepares lots of lyrics and lines from the interviewee’s past, which is why she is so effective. Also, she genuinely seems to generate a lot of fun, even when she’s teasing someone.
–I’m still planning to watch Pachinko (we subscribed to Apple TV to watch it, but I didn’t think I could start Pachinko so soon after 2521 because it also looks like another melodrama…). Any chance there will be a thread on it?
–I am only interested in Green Mothers Club because Jang Hye-Jin is in it–everything I’ve seen her in in the past has been good (Red Sleeves, True Beauty, Parasite, CLOY), so I was planning to watch it. But 10 minutes in and it seems a mash-up/re-hash of a lot of other k-dramas I’ve seen about anxious parents trying to get their kids into the best schools so I’m not sure about proceeding.
–I watched the first two episodes of Tomorrow but am not sure I will continue. I liked the Dr. Strange-like folding-in special effects when the non-grim reapers walk through memories, and also the scenes of hell. But, as others have said above, I’m not a fan of the wooden acting of Rowoon. And the first two episodes spent a lot of time showing how miserable someone’s life is for them to consider suicide (relentless bullying), which was hard to watch, and could have been shown more succinctly to move the story along. There also was a lot of time spent showing the actors getting from point A to point B, which to me signals script writing that isn’t tight–although they are wearing fab outfits as they walked, for the most part.
–I plan to try Our Blues because I’ve been fascinated with Jeju Island since I read Island of Sea Women, about the haenyeo there; (and also because I’ve had the hots for Cha Seung-Won since I saw him in The Greatest Love–I like that he’s someone closer to my age!).
–I might also check out The Killer’s Shopping List; The Man Who Defies the World of Boy Love 2 (1 was pretty funny); and My Liberation Notes(?).
–I would like to watch Soundtrack, but Disney+ isn’t showing it in the US, and I don’t go on sketchy sites.
P.S. Are there any rom-coms coming out? I need something light and happy and I’m not sure any of the shows I’ve listed or that were listed above my comments would qualify as that.
@BethB, It seems that Disney+ releases its K content to the US about a month after it completes its S. Korean run.
I started Pachinko but have chosen to put off watching it until I can binge watch the first season. The first episode was beautifully done. I read the book and I loved it. The drama uses a different narrative form than the book;flash backs v linear. If you like Sci fi, Apple+ has Dr. Brain with Lee sun -kyun.
I like Cha Seung Won too. In this new drama he’ll be in a live Triangle and I hope he ends up with the character played by a favorite actress if mine, Lee Jung-eum, who I’d like to see get a romantic storyline(it’s time a great actress who is not a class I cal K beauty gets a chance art love, with swoon worthy older male lead).
Currently watching:
Military Prosecutor Doberman- military makjang but I don’t want to drop it so I guess that means I’m enjoying it 😏
Soundtrack #1- episode 3 was the best so far but that’s not that high of praise. I just don’t understand why anyone likes her (the character)? She’s so blah…
F4 Thailand- maybe the best adaptation? Again, that’s not high praise.
And now my thoughts on Crazy Love:
I wanted to watch but then the whole USA Disney+ thing was an issue and I hate watching ads so I decided to wait until it was completed and hope US D+ would drop it at once. Yesterday I decided to scan comments on my drama list to see if it was still worth looking into and I came across a comment that had a google drive link of all 10 episodes that have been released so far with no ads so I clicked and wow, what a fun little binge. I would compare it to A Business Proposal in that it’s very self aware and leans all the way in to the crazy comedy part. I’m glad I had the opportunity to watch the first half all together because it’s one I think I wouldn’t be DYING to watch week after week but now that we are in the second half of the show I’m kicking myself for not waiting until they’ve all aired because NOW it’s getting to the part where the audience is waiting on the edge of our seats to see what comes next. I didn’t love My Private Life and besides the kiss scenes the actor didn’t leave much of an impression but goodness, he is really enjoying this role and you can tell. Krystal as an actress has always been fine to me, I’ve just never actually liked any of the dramas she’s been in but she’s great here. If I were to nitpick, I wish she’d been a little more bedraggled so the makeover would have more of a wow effect but maybe that was the point.
Looking forward to:
Liberation notes.
That’s about all I’m excited about. Hopefully there’ll be some gems that Ive underestimated and will actually fall in love with them—Like legally romance and crazy love.
Ok announcement! 📣📣📣
Who Rules The World will premiere on April 18!!! 👏🏻
Get ready girlfriend @Phoenix and girlfriend Queen!!! ☺️
Just like that, my April’s been lifted again. 🙌🏻
Hurray! 😂
I’m so excited even though it’s a period drama. 💃
Thank you @Agdr03 for the update! I did not expect Yangyang in April! Marking the date. Yay!
@Janey, I wasn’t expecting it too. Yang Yang has another drama airing and it’s a military story.
Anyway let’s get ready to battle, base on the preview. 😂 CTO
https://youtu.be/EAQQYQTn_3Q
@Table122000, @Kate, @OAL, I just realised that Lee Jun Ki/Lee Joongi’s fantasy show ‘Again My Life’ is airing tonight!!
“It is based on a web novel of the same title published on KakaoPage, which was also released as a webtoon. It is scheduled to premiere on SBS TV on April 8, 2022, and will air every Friday and Saturday at 22:00 (KST).”
It is about a young prosecutor who gets killed while trying to take down a powerful crime boss, but is given a chance to start a new life for justice.
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Again_My_Life
Original Network: SBS, ViuTV (From MyDramaList) and I believe available on Viki.
Kalimera Ladies!
@GB I concur. Again my Life is on Viki!
Hi @Cleo, I hope we get a good show to talk about. I may be more absent than present for the next week or so, but I’ll be back after Easter!!
@GB Unnie,
I don’t know if I will watch this one. Maybe If I read your thoughts first!
I remember that your Easter is one week earlier than ours.
@Cleo, ok… I’ll see if I can do a bit of a review of Ep 1. I, too, may not continue, depending on how the story grabs me.
@GB,
I want to continue watching “Military Prosecutor Doperman” because I have stopped it on Episode 5. Basically, I want to finish those I have on hold or paused.
Also, I cannot watch something too demanding at this moment. I don’t want a revenge driven story either. I want a romcom like “Shooting Stars”. Something funny to laugh a bit like “The Killer’s Shopping List”.
@Cleopatra, So many dramas that I am having a hard time choosing. I think I’ll look at the posts and choose something that matches something that interests me. The April dramas fall out during heavy holy day season.For the first time in a long time Easter, Ramadan and Passover coincide. I”lol be busy with Seder preparation and won’t eat leavened food for 8 days. Certain foods are prohibited like rice and beans(although Mizrahi and Greek Jews eat beans). Regular cake is prohibited. There’s a lot of prep involved.we say no to bread. We also have to thoroughly clean house, change our dishes flatware pots and pans.it’s spring cleaning on steroids. And then there’s the cooking. As I for the next two and a half weeks or so dramas will be on the back burner.As Ramadan is already here, I wish those who are observing it Ramadan Mubarak. May your Iftar meals bing you strength to enable you to fast and pray.
My dear @OAL,
That is so true. We should give ourselves the time to focus on the spirituality of the holy days ahead. I wish you all the best with your preparations.
We should all focus our time to fast and pray!
@GB – Thanks for the prompt – I’ll be watching it!
@OAL – happy preparations – that’s a lot of work! I hadn’t realised all those festivals coincided. Thank you for telling us your practices at this time.
@GB, are you on for W: Two Worlds rewatch this Saturday? I’m assuming you’ll pause for next Saturday, Holy Saturday for Easter Vigil?
Hi @pkml3, yes, we are on for this Saturday 9 April, and will take a break the following Saturday 16 April (Holy Saturday). We should be back on 23 April.
Thanks for asking!
Ok. Will put up an open thread for you. 👍
Muchas gracias @pkml3!
😆 💐 🍪 🍪 🍪 🥛 🥛 🥛 🥑 🍎 🍌
Con gusto, @GB!
Kalispera @GB Unnie and @Packmule3,
Since our Easter is a week later than yours,I won’t be to attend the rewatch party on April 23rd. 🙂
@Kate, For those of you who are interested, I have one last preparation that is done in large Kosher institutional kitchens and even in home kitchens. To make sure one dispouses of every last crumb and piece of holiday forbidden food, the entirety of cooking surfaces, counters, sinks ovens,etc. Are b,ow occupied and washed down with boiling water. You don’t do the blow t o rch on marble, stone or formica but you use the scalding hot water. It is a sight to see. It is good that it happens once a year. Also people who observe kosher rules have four sets of dishes and the same for flat a re, pots and pans. Two sets are for dairy meals(no meat, poultry) and two are for meatmeals(no eggs, dairy products,etc.).they have to be washed separately and there are proscribed amounts of time between eating meat meals and dairy meals. Certain foods are neutral(the term is pareve that can be seen on package labels)and may be eaten with all like fruits and vegetables, eggs and vegetable v oils, sugar and spices. If you aren’t raised with the customs, they become daunting. So if you see tv shows like Shtisel and Unorthodox you’ll know what mostly housewives are expected to do around food preparation.
Hi @Cleopatra, it’s another case of using a d I frequent calendar. 8 think if we look at our BOD community we have all sorts of calendars using the sun and the Moon. The variations are fascinating and also involve things like leap years. I have friends who come from mixed Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox families. They have the best Christmases and Easters.
@OAL – it sounds like it is a sight to see indeed! It sounds too like you have to be careful in that process not to get scalded with over enthusiastic swooshing! I’d love to be a fly on the wall. I had never before heard of this. Fascinating!
@agdr03, hallelujah. 18 April is on my calendar.
@Kate, I used to be part of my synagogues volunteer clean up crew (we also polished the c silver Torah breast plates, crowns, pointers, finials and candle holders a few times a year) and once we were done with clearing out the refrigerators and stainless steel counters, cabinets and ovens, our Rabbi would come in with his bow torch and then for good measure we doused everything with boiling water. There are also professionals who do the job who just require supervision.
I like reading about everybody’s customs here and greatly enjoy the lenten recipes. what I have learned that seems to be universal is that women are responsible for a lot of heavy labor as well as all of the usual stuff the men still don’t help with. So many of us also work outside the home too. We deserve a superhero movie!
We (non-Korean speakers that is) are awaiting subtitles for Again my Life on Viki. We may not get them today.
@Kate, that’s true. Usually by now I’d at least see the raw episode uploaded, but nothing yet. Popular shows get subbed in about 2-3 hours. This one being new, may not be given priority. I’ll have to check tomorrow. 🤔 🥱 😴
@OAL… thank you for this further detail. And yes indeed re the role of women and all the heavy lifting they do!
@GB… me too.
@Growing Beautifully and @Kafe, Thanks for the heads up about the Viki subtitles. I’ll be watching this because if Lee Joon Gi and will be joining the conversation a little late. Looking forward to reading comments.
@OAL, @Kate, and other intrepid BODers,
AGAIN MY LIFE – Episode 1 – thoughts and review
*SPOILERS*
*SPOILERS*
Episode 1 – This show does have a manhwa feel to it and even some of the dialogue sounds like it could come from a cartoon, however it is suitable for the premise and the ‘one great hero’ trope.
The first half quickly introduces us to the arrogant, badass Kim Hee Woo, who is larger than life and full of himself. He is able to literally fight criminals without fear (kudos to Lee Jun Ki who does those fight scenes so well in all his shows), and has a grand set of opinions about himself.
He considers himself to be a brave fighter prosecutor who eradicates injustice, a warmhearted prosecutor who cares for the weak and a fair prosecutor who only follows the truth to bring criminals to justice. He defines himself solely by his prosecutor role.
When his over zealousness gets him killed, we get to see his unhappy past and his regrets over his ungrateful treatment of his parents, who died. The lady in red (fashionable Grim Reaper?) who keeps him from staying dead, seems to have an axe to grind with villain Cho Tae Sub. She gives HW a new lease of life, starting back in his post high school days, in return for a promise that he’d make CTS suffer in his earthly life. Lady Reaper thinks waiting for CTS to suffer in his afterlife was too long a wait.
The second half is a warmer, more human unfolding of HW’s story with unexpected comedy provided by Hee Woo’s Father. Death with the return to life in his past has markedly changed HW for the better. He starts to prepare to take down CTS from way in the past (2007), but as in all time jump stories, he must first act to prevent something bad from taking place in his life, in this case, he acts to save his parents.
Familiar questions in time travel/back to the past scenarios:
-We know HW is returned to his past to take down CTS, but is HW also being manipulated for another reason unknown to himself?
-To what extent is his prior future knowledge going to change the future and what will be the fallout?
-If we could live our lives again, would we make the same decisions that we did, or right the mistakes that we made?
While I did not find the first episode to be particularly compelling, it became more watchable. It started off in mostly grey tone, with a coldly rigid HW representing good, and behaving as if he’s the only prosecutor fighting for justice, but brighter, warmer colours came on for HW’s past.
Lee Jun Ki as usual, delivers well and I loved his dad. I may watch to see how the reporter Kim Han Mi – who was also in HW’s past – will play a part in his future. I’d also like to see what the Lady Reaper meant when she said that HW would need her near when he wanted to take CTS down. I expect to see her in another guise, probably as Kim Hee A who has not been introduced to us yet.
I’ll probably watch a couple more episodes at least and maybe all of the show. I’ll want to see if HW can retain his humanity and warmth while taking down criminals in his badass way, and how he will have redefined himself.
@BethB and @Birdie007, have you watched the first episode of My Liberation Notes? I just finished Episode 1, and am saying wow, wow, wow. @Packmule3, I highly recommend you look at it.
This show is a character study with an outstanding cast. I have never seen Le Min Ki play a role that allows him to get angry; this is quite a change of pace from Because This Is My First Life, The Beauty Inside, and Oh! Master. He emotes! He’s yelling on the phone in the first scene we see him. Later he bickers with his two sisters, his father, and with friends. He does a good job of coming across as Everyman, even during his first episode fanservice “shower” scene. (I won’t say more, but you’ll understand how the trope has been subverted when you see it.)
Lee El plays the oldest sister. She’s forceful, opinionated, yet wants to be in a loving relationship. Her musings would be more amusing if they weren’t so cuttingly truthful. And for those who remember her as SamShin in Goblin: it’s hard to believe she’s the same actress, watching her have a meltdown because of a bad perm.
I last saw Kim Ji Won in Lovestruck in the City, but have also seen her in Mr. Sunshine, Fight for My Way, and Descendants of the Sun. She plays the youngest of the three siblings. Her character has a deer-in-the-headlights manner about her when she’s not with family; at home she’s competent help to her mother in the kitchen, and holds her own with her older sister and brother. We see in Episode 1 that her mild demeanor at work masks turmoil. I won’t give away a spoiler, but her way of dealing with the pressures of her life is different from anything I’ve yet seen in a Kdrama, and I’m curious to see where the writer is going to take it. Is she mentally healthy? Is she making herself too vulnerable and ultimately endangering herself?
The three siblings all work in Seoul, but live in their family home in the countryside. The city versus country tension permeates their lives. Who they date, how they socialize with co-workers, is impacted by the long commute they face each night. They ask themselves, would they be different if they’d been born and raised in Seoul rather than the countryside? I expect this theme will be explored in future episodes.
The patriarch of the family is played by Cheon Ho Jin, who has tremendous presence on screen, even playing a farmer and craftsman. He puts no less steel into the backbone of this character than he did playing General Yi Seong Gye in Six Flying Dragons.
I haven’t mentioned one of the main characters: Mr. Goo. He’s an enigma, and that’s exactly what the writer wants him to be. As the hired hand, he’s an outsider. Does he fit into this community? Is he good? Does he send out menacing vibes, or is that my imagination? Mr. Goo is played with subtlety, so far, by Son Seok Koo. I recently saw him in D.P., but earlier saw him play a horrifying character in Mother.
Two recent works of Park Hae Young, the screenwriter of My Liberation Notes, are My Mister and Another Miss Oh. My Mister has stayed in my mind long after I watched it; I want to revisit My Mister because it is thought provoking. I also enjoyed Another Miss Oh, which was lighter fare. Based on these two dramas, I anticipate being in good hands with My Liberation Notes.
I started Our Blues (on Netflix). Only because I was interested in the synopsis saying it was about life in Jeju island. I need some pretty scenery and slice of life (nothing too sad I hope). It’s written as an omnibus. Kim WonBin’s return also roused my interest. And it hasn’t disappointed after watching Ep1. Glorious scenery. Interesting snapshots of surly rural folk. I can see why people rave about Kim WonBin. Enjoying it so far… staying for Kim WonBin. It boasts a stellar cast. Thus far it’s not a hard watch. Bar the gory toe nail injury.
BUT…here’s the big BUT…if one of the characters goes down the divorce route and back to his “first love”…well, I am out. 😑
@Welmaris and @nrllee, both of those dramas seem to be worth a look. Thank you.
Suffering from post-traumatic “first love” syndrome, eh, @nrllee? 😂😝😈
Thanks everyone, for sharing what you are watching this month.
I watched the first two episodes of Green Mothers’ Club last week and don’t think I’ll continue. It reminded me of Sky Castle which I skimmed and instead of being a drama about mothers’ friendships and how they support each other, it seems to be about mom competing against each other. There are some dark undertones I’m not in the mood for right now, so plan to drop it.
I am thinking of starting either Our Blues or My Liberation Notes. Thanks @Welmaris and @nrllee for your takes on those two dramas.
@Packmule3, @Welmaris, @nrllee, @Fern et al,
Kalispera. Although I wanted to peak a boo at Our Liberation Notes I didn’t. Nor Our Blues.
@Welmaris I want to watch it for Lee El as well.
@nrllee, I haven’t seen anything with Kim Woo Bin in it. Except the first episode of the variete with Zo In Sung that was also his tv comeback.
What I wanted to say is I am very happy he is healthy again. For thay reason only I will cheer for him for a long long time.
If I start watching Our Blues I will do it for him for starters.
@Old American Lady, thanks for the details about preparing for the Passover. I’ve been reading about violence towards Jews in the news recently, may there be peace everywhere.
My ancestors are Ukrainian, my godbrother’s wife (I see her every week) is Ukranian, and we support churches and an orphanage (now the orphans have left and the orphanage is a refugee center for fleeing refugees) in Ukraine, so this war has really hit home. We get news and updates from the “front lines” a few times a week. Praying for peace around the world and for violence and war to end.
@Welmaris – thanks for the recommendation for Our Liberation Notes. I’ll have to check it out.
I started Our Blues but haven’t finished the first episode yet. I really liked the scenes of Jeju Island–but the story thus far hasn’t pulled me in. (And that gory toenail–yuk! Wish it hadn’t been the first scene.) I usually find the slice-of-life dramas too slow…
We subscribed to Apple TV+ so I could watch Pachinko but before that my hubby started to watch Ted Lasso and I got sucked into it as well so now we’re watching it together–the first time we’ve watched anything together in awhile. (He has yet to watch any k-dramas, despite all my recommendations–that’s why I’m so glad to have this group to discuss them with!) I like TL because it’s really about kindness. I’m probably going to finish TL before I watch Pachinko or Dr. Brain.
@packmule3 yes to the post traumatic “first loves”. 😂 I literally seized up and had 25-21 flash across my mind as I watched Ep1…I seriously contemplated dropping it when that potential scenario was planted (complete with flashbacks from their past). 😑. The story really isn’t terribly gripping (I agree with @BethB – it’s a VERY slow start). There’s no “mystery” to solve. Some of the characters aren’t particularly winsome (not a fan of the loud cussing EunHui – the fish store owner). See? Even the characters are like 25-21 characters. 😂. EunHui is uncouth and loud (like HD). HanSu is cultured and educated (like YJ) 🙄. Except this time, it’s the man who is married and has a daughter trying to be a pro golfer. I do like Kim WooBin’s character though (gruff and reserved but oozes sex appeal 🥰). And I like the little bits of trivia about life in Jeju (actually I liked these the most) eg the Haenyeo divers (all ladies who dive with no oxygen tanks), how fish store owners bid at the fisheries (?) to get their stock. But if it just plods like this (all 20 eps of it), I am not sure I will have the patience to watch it weekly and may opt to wait for it to finish screening and then binge watch.
@Cleo it’s very slow moving. And scrolling the Netflix episodes, it looks to be 20eps. I don’t know if I can last that long if it keeps at this slow pace. The cast boasts of other big names (old man Lee ByungHun – Mr Sunshine fame, Han JiMin). And WooBin’s fiancé (? or are they married I forget), Shin MinAh (of HCCC) is also in it. Although she doesn’t play his love interest in the drama. 😂.
Urgh…I just googled the writer and realized her penchant for moody melodramas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noh_Hee-kyung) . I watched That’s Okay It’s Love (for Do KyungSoo). I wasn’t particularly enthused with the story. And then I watched That Winter, The Wind Blows and again her approach to incest (reality was that they weren’t brother/sister BUT FL didn’t know that? 😬😑) was disturbing for me. So world view wise I would definitely say she’s not aligning to what I enjoy watching and therefore there’s every chance she will probably do the same here with Our Blues. Apparently it’s Our Blues because it references Blues Music.
According to the Soompi article (https://www.soompi.com/article/1521225wpp/our-blues-cast-shares-reasons-for-joining-the-drama-message-they-want-to-convey-and-more)
“Writer Noh Hee Kyung explained that she wanted to convey a message of hope through “Our Blues.” “Blues are songs that people in pain sing to no longer feel pain,” she shared. “I hope it’s like a festival. Although there are scars, I hope it’s as enjoyable as a festival.”
For the drama’s focal point, Noh Hee Kyung chose the acting. Director Kim Kyu Tae added, “While watching the drama, you will be able to see and discover the ‘you’ that wants to become happier. I hope this lasts as a warm and happy drama.”
I always get edgy when the vague concept of “happiness” is touted as the ideal. Many people who choose the right thing to do aren’t “happy”. Opting to do the right thing often involves pain and suffering. What matters is the conscience and living with authenticity (according to your world view)?
@Welmaris, thanks for the heads up on My Liberation Notes. Will check it out later. Still not sure about Our Blues. Again My Life is a maybe.
I’m liking ‘Again My Life’ and may continue. My focus is month is, of course, “Who Rules The World”, aa soon as an English sub is available. Thank you, @agdr03, for that release info, girlfriend ❤️
Sorry for posting this one month too early… I’m leaving this here because I’m actually likely to forget by the time May comes. I didn’t bother with this before, although Ji Chang Wook is in it, but then it popped up in my feed and I watched the two videos below.
Anyone in the mood for a musical drama? JCW sings (he does musicals too).
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaVW093-cSw
Review of the webtoon (general spoiler?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYDiqfVf4TY
Some details from Mydramalist (https://mydramalist.com/63835-annarasumanara)
Drama: The Sound of Magic (Anara-sumanara)
Episodes: 6
Airs: May 6, 2022
Airs On: Friday
Original Network: Netflix (Seems it may be exclusively on Netflix!!)
Cast from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sound_of_Magic
Ji Chang-wook as Lee Eul, a mysterious magician who wants to remain as a child even after becoming an adult, (Nam Da-reum as young Lee Eul)
Choi Sung-eun as Yoon Ah-yi, a girl who wants to become an adult too early
Hwang In-youp as Na Il-deung, a gifted high school student who does not know how to communicate with other people and is just immersed in his studies
Hello, @Growing Beautifully. Yes, this is on my radar. It’s not my usual type of story, but I will watch the beginning episodes to see how it goes.
@GB – thank you. Looks very interesting. I love JCW’s singing btw…the song he contributed to Suspicious Partner is beautiful.
Not sure where this belongs… but a number of dramas that are liked by BoDers have made it into the Baeksang Arts
Awards – including Grandpa Emperor from Red Sleeve: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmacdonald/2022/04/11/netflix-a-noticeable-presence-in-58th-baeksang-arts-award-nominations/?sh=73abb6d748b0&fbclid=IwAR2HBVhBJ3PsJlEDf398iVEL9NaFwQvsaUuivPHezkRzq3RNogmDEXYu-H0
I knew about this Chinese Drama from before, since my husband watched it. I wasn’t in the mood for it then.
Now I see Kfangurl’s review (I only read the first 2-3 paragraphs of it and saw her review rating) has got me interested in watching the whole thing.
The Show is Reset, another time loop drama like ‘Groundhog Day’.
I’m thinking of starting this only after or near completing Grid and Again My Life … or there will too many ‘time-jump/time-travel/re-living one’s life’ stuff going on at the same time.
Here’s the review: Don’t read too far down to avoid spoilers.
https://thefangirlverdict.com/2022/04/12/review-reset-china/
I wonder if @Cleo and @WE and any other sci-fi/fantasy fans may like it/have watched it. 🙂
@GB if I remember rightly @Birdie or @TheWanderer have mentioned Reset before. After the Grid, I can join you if you are interested in this? I read a positive spoiler-free review before. It said it prompts people to reflect on life. I haven’t watched Chinese Drama for a looooog time. Normally I found the past C-dramas I watched involved a lot of prolonged misunderstandings so will see if things have changed.
I haven’t found a new drama to watch yet. Watching Start Up and currently up to ep 7. Totally can understand why Dosan is highly valued here. 🙂
Hi @Viva! That’s great if you can join me in watching ‘Reset’!! Yes, I remember others mentioned it before. The time to watch it was ‘not right’ for me then. Maybe they may want to do a rewatch?
I too, find cdramas rather difficult to watch. I tend to start FFDing before long. I’m interested because kfangurl has given it such a glowing review. She seldom gives shows an ‘A’ grade.
Yes! I watched Reset as it was airing. The actors are great-the guy is from the drama with the SWAT cop and the doctor and the FL was someone I hadn’t seen before but I really liked her acting and will watch her future roles. It started out very strong and I liked everything including the opening credits. The story did become slightly repetitive and fizzle out towards the end but I don’t regret watching.
I watched the first episode of Our Blues and plan to watch the second tonight.
My mister is my favorite drama of all and I adore another Miss Oh so I’m scared of how high my expectations are for My Liberation Notes. I do plan to watch I just want to make sure I start at the right time.
Today episode 11 of Crazy Love aired. Is anyone else watching? I can’t believe I’m enjoying something this wacky but I actually am. It’s definitely one that gets better and better every episode
@GB – I also watched most of Reset as it was airing. I liked the lead actor in ‘My Hero’ and he is good generally.
Like @birdie007, I thought it started off super strong – really compelling and a very clever concept. Then for some reason, I lost momentum – maybe, again, finding it repetitive…even thought they were doing tons of clever things with the use of myriad variable plot possibilities – it did start to feel repetitive.
I’ll be interested to know what you all think.
@Kate, @birdie007,
Thanks for your reviews. I guess with a show called ‘Reset’ it was bound to get repetitive LOL. I think my husband said the same thing. They went back to the same time, so many times LOL.
OK, perhaps we can discuss how we find the Show when we actually get down to it. 🙂
@GB let me know when you start 🙂 I will keep tap on this thread. No rush.
@Cleo @WE and any other sci-fi/time travel fans, keen to join us after Grid finishes in two weeks?
Just saw this on soompi. I didn’t read the article other than the first para to avoid spoilers.
https://www.soompi.com/article/1520384wpp/5-reasons-to-watch-the-riveting-time-loop-c-drama-reset
Kalimera Ladies!
@GB and @Viva, I have heard about “Reset” before. It is on Viki.
Yes, after two weeks if we do an episode per week that would be okay for me!
Okay @Viva and @Cleo, we’ll aim to do a slow watch of Reset, once a week, and come back to BOD to discuss it. My schedule is going to be full in June, so I will take a break from the 1st – 18th June.
I’ll be freer to watch again after that.
Tentative start week will be the week of 24th April 2022.
Let’s see how it goes. 🙂
@GB Unnie,
I am okay with it. We can keep Wednesday for “Reset”, if everyone don’t have a problem. I just saw on MDL that it has 15 episodes.
Yup, OK @Cleo. Generally we can keep Wednesday for ‘Reset’, but like what we did with ‘Just Between Lovers’, it may be that some are faster or slower to watch, so they come along before or after Wednesday, and that’s fine too. If we’re too early to post our thoughts, we can put up *SPOILER* alerts above our comments. 🙂
@GB @Cleo sounds good! 🙂
Urgh I think I am out for Our Blues. It’s painfully slow. And there’s a teasing of infidelity which I don’t think I want to watch. The ONLY character I like in the drama is Kim WonBin’s. Respectable, honest, hardworking and dependable. I may choose to just fast forward the other parts and watch his parts. But when it’s all finished. It hasn’t gripped me at all and I am not sure I have the patience to keep watching. I will try My Liberation Notes (as per other recommendations here) and see how I go there.
Now wouldn’t this make a fantastic J- or K-drama that I would certainly want to watch!
https://uk.yahoo.com/style/japans-former-princess-mako-lands-195836560.html
Hi, Kate. Yes, it’s a screenplay waiting to be written. I hope that they are very happy together.
Hi Fern – me too!
@Kate, @Fern
Ah yes, all the best to this intrepid couple. Indeed, their story would make a lovely drama. I hope it’s a happily ever after, considering what they have willingly given up.
@Growing Beautifully and @Kate, they even have the odd in-laws trope. On both sides.
One final linked thought to Reset. If you enjoy it you may enjoy ‘You are my Hero’ – two strong leading actors – in it Bai Jingting may just be a candidate for one of the BoD boyfriend awards…
https://www.cpophome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Bai-Jingting-Sandra-Ma.png
A wonderful ‘meet cute’ and an entertaining story.
@Fern and @GB — that last in-law trope comment made me laugh …and yes, intrepid indeed!
@Kate, thanks for highlighting another possible cdrama with romance. It’s something to keep in mind and put on my Plan to Watch List. 🙂
@GB – you must have a long list!
I’m just re-watching the start having given myself an appetite for it. LOL.
Very high tension opening scenes… first 20 minutes or so. Great set up for the remainder of the drama. You could check it out if you have spare time! So… action and romance. Medical stuff. Military police stuff. Different vibe from Descendants of the Sun.
I’m intrigued now by ‘My Liberation Notes’ – I think @birdie007 mentioned it and the other shows by the same writer.
I plan to start that this weekend and watch alongside the LJK series – they will be too different types of viewing experience.
@Kate, I watched the first episode of ‘My Liberation Notes’, initially for Lee Min Ki. I think this will be intriguing. S. Korean families and the parental controls over adult children, workplace life and finding romantic relationships are themes. I think we may also go slowly. I’ll probably stick with it.
@OAL – good. This sounds promising. I’ll report back too.
@Packmule3, please check your email. I’ve sent you a screed on My Liberation Notes.
Ooh,@Welmaris, A screed-oh my. Somebody doesn’t like this one. So far, I find this drama troubling, in a good sense, because the siblings all have hardships. It’s not a happy place but it’s sparked my interest (things like lengthy commutes, work issues, rural concerns, parental influence on adult children(filling issues),etc.). That and the return of Lee Minki have me watching.
@OAL— @Welmaris has written a glowing review a bit further up this discussion. More encouragement to watch this series!
What is a screed btw? Perhaps there are different understandings/
@Kate, HI, a screed is a long written piece that can be tedious and boring and angry.it’s like a rant. Just think of it as long winded and nasty.
Thanks for letting me know about Welmaris’ nice review!
Thank you back @OAL – I’ll try and use it in conversation soon!
I’m only familiar with screed in terms of construction. Reed and screed, like some flooring I once had and don’t miss at all. I had to google the current usage. 😆
@OAL, I intended my use of the word screed to be interpreted as defined in 1a & 1b. I didn’t do much ranting. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screed
The Word document I typed up in Arial font size 12 ran 4-1/3 pages long. I thought it’d be too lengthy to upload to this comment stream. While waiting for @Packmule3 to decide if it is worth opening a new thread for My Liberation Notes Eps. 1 & 2, if you want to read my musings, folks can view the document in my Google Drive using this link.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O-6Q7Dt1L6ZofK33Hin7jxJc8FdXizWk/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113590983741395925015&rtpof=true&sd=true
@Packmule3 I made some revisions to my document on My Liberation Notes Eps. 1 & 2, so have emailed you the new version.
‘You are my hero’ – the c-drama I already mentioned — I am re-watching it and it is truly heart-warming. Better than I remembered. Gets a big repeat thumbs up and our leads – Bai Jingting and Sandra Ma are wonderful in their roles. The romance is very well paced, natural and charming + there are heroics and challenges for personal growth etc etc
https://www.viki.com/tv/37036c
@Welmaris…thank you! I am going to watch this at the weekend so want to come back to your review then. I hope we can have a thread too. From your other comments – this looks very worthwhile,
Reset works, I could watch some episodes.
It’s an easy watch because all is very clear, no confusion.
@Welmaris, although I have only watched one episode of Lib Notes, I agree with your analysis of the younger sister Mi Jeong’s behaviours. Having an imaginary friend is okay for children and sometimes therapeutic, but for an adult to use that to cope is too sad and potentially a place of no return. Adding onto that the loan she took out for someone else. I haven’t yet seen who that person is but I suspect a former boyfriend. There is no way she can repay that if she defaults. We’ve already seen how her father is about borrowing money during the discussion he has with the brother about buying a car. Now she is involving Mr Gu in a deception against her parents who are his employers. She knows nothing about him – -he could be shady as the night is long – or categorically un-dateable for many reasons. Despite her conventional exterior, she is in a downward spiral, perhaps faster than her siblings.
But, what an interesting drama. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. It seems unique and far from a trope-fest.
What, @WE you’ve tried it already and with success? That’s great. We’ll start on it after Grid ends next week.
@Kate “You are my Hero sounds great”, synopsis and all. I’ll have to put it aside for a freer time, although I’m tempted to start more shows. It’s probably just as well there was nothing much new that felt interesting in April-May!
@GB – no pressure! I am enthusing. The one downside for me – this seems to happen a lot with c-dramas – is too much time given to a ‘comedy leaning’ second lead romance which just isn’t that interesting in my opinion. I don’t care about the characters involved. However, other secondary plots and characters work very well – colleagues, relatives etc – and are in balance with our main story line.
ps I am glad you are contemplating it at some point. It may be that it doesn’t grab you after the first few eps…but if it does it would be interesting to see what you think,
Hello, @Kate and @GB. I remember this being discussed on BoD last year. @pm3 mentioned the ML’s slender waist when he’s in uniform. I think there was a link or a quote from an interview; he thought he would have to bulk up for the role, but met with some actual SWAT team workers and they were strong but wiry. I wish I could remember which BoD thread it was in.
Yes, it was a super-satisfying watch with only a few episodes filled with some annoying gf-wannabe sisters towards the end that can be ff’d through.
@Fern – ahhh! I’m so glad you saw it and enjoyed it too. ‘Super satisfying’ is exactly what it is!
and yes, ML’s waist is incredibly slender. He is wiry and tall with a boyish look and somehow pulls it off in the role of this imposing military police captain! His arms were on display in the last episode as he was lifting weights…
Have you watched the entire drama? If not, where are you now?
@Kate, I watched You Are My Hero a year or so ago, and enjoyed it. I found it interesting to watch the procedures employed during a disaster. Toward the end of the drama I felt the tone leaned toward propaganda, but overall found the story engaging.
@Fern – yes I watched it all last year and am on Ep 21 of a re-watch now. I would be happy to go back and discuss again…! I so enjoy the development of their romance – he is adorable.
@Welmaris – that’s interesting – I can’t remember much of the end stages of the drama from last year but I always find it a shame when that tonal shift happens – along with all the product placement!! I am forewarned for this time around.
@Fern, You have the other meaning.Isn’t it funny that it is also a construction term.
Ah, episode 21 is funny. The vacation house and the couples was pretty funny. Dr. Shao and Ke Lao knew that they had been set up by their friend.
I like Sandra Ma. I wonder how much she improvises – she’s always cracking up at Bai Jing Ting’s reactions to her. But she’s so cute, she can carry it off and so can he.
Hi @Fern – check out this bts (spoiler alert for anyone who hasn’t seen the show) – she is a bundle of improv energy it would seem:
https://www.viki.com/videos/1179696v-behind-the-scenes-2
Yes, ep 21 is awkward funny … Dr Shao is quite something in the more mature male stakes eh?
Off topic:
@Old American Lady, we bought a very old house when we first moved to England. The upper floors weren’t boards laid over the joists, but literally reeds and lime plaster screed. The reeds weren’t even woven, just laid across the beams. It had to be replaced like for like if it needed a repair.
Someone once told me to beware of the ‘hole in the floor called Marriage’ back when I was about 17. That reed and screed floor was the authentic hazard. The children had to be told not to jump when upstairs. I’m grateful to be living in a house that’s only Victorian now.
@Kate, I like Dr Shao’s character quite a bit.
I saw the actor in another show where he played a husband who was trying to get joint custody of his child. He played pitiful well, too, but I prefer him as Dr Shao.
@Kate, ref. YAMH, thank you for the link to the BtS. I think she is quite a bit more experienced than the ML in acting and life in general. That link was so funny!
Must sleep now!
@Fern, OMG! I’ll never look at those thatched houses the same. Your children had to exercise so much self control, lest they fell through the floor. Ouch! Thank you for sharing this. BOD is full of interesting and practical lessons.
Night night! I am up far too late too.
BODers, I’m so happy. I can see this. Thanks to this blog, I have so much to look forward to watching. And the best part, if I can’t comment I have the BOD archive to enjoy. You know this blog is a source of great temptation.
Ahhh…you are my hero. Yes I remember our discussion about it here. I enjoyed it and remember there being very little kissing but it didn’t take away romance.
@welmaris, I just watched the first two episodes of My Liberation Notes and I’m so glad I set aside time to properly take it in.
****spoiler alert for first 2 eps****
Maybe after watching Miss Oh and seeing the sound effects job or My Mister and remembering the sound of his footsteps but I as soon as I ‘heard’ this drama I felt I could settle in comfortably.
The casting for each character is perfect.
The patriarch father especially.
I really like Lee Min Ki in this role and I’ve never seen him so lively. The elder sister’s hair is it’s own character. I was impressed my the actor playing Mr Gu in Be Melodramatic so I have high hopes for him in this. I wasn’t surprised by her speech to Gu but the term “worship” is definitely intriguing.
If I’m forecasting love matches:
Brother with friend that interrupted phone session
Older sister with divorced coworker
Gu younger sister
Sorry, haven’t learned all their names yet.
I forgot to add, I think our You are my Hero comment discussion might be in one of the April or may 2021 what are we watching threads ????
Thank you, @birdie007. I will have a look there. I had thought that it had its own thread, but couldn’t locate it to refer it to @Jane.
@Old American Lady, they jumped anyway. So we bought a big trampoline. 😄
@Fern, Lucky children to have great parents.
Happy Easter to those who celebrate it!!! Cheers and much love, BoD!!!
@birdie007, I’m in on My Liberation Notes. I want to see how these siblings navigate separation from their parents and their assigned roles. In western culture, one of the more important developmental stages that signifies adulthood is separation from one’s family of birth. In certain eastern cultures, including in S. Korea, being fillial, following Confuscian precepts muddy that water. Children are tied to parental expectations until, and even after parental death. Daughters become their in-laws “property” and mistreatment isn’t unusual.on some levels this construct has its positives. One is that elder care is assured.As they learned with China and the one child rule, the old social norms no longer apply.Given all the things I’ve learned about S. Korean society and social norms, I think My !iteration Notes will be a fascinating slice of life with family, corporate, dating culture all at the forefront. On an other note, as v a Lee Minki fan, I’m happy to see that in this role, he is not playing someone stoic.
A Happy and Holy Easter @Janey, @pkml3 and All Who Celebrate it! We rejoice and are glad!
Happy Easter to those who celebrate it! Peace and love to all.
@Welmaris, thanks for your musings on My Liberation Notes. It made me curious more than the gloomy TVN teasers did. How’s episode 3? I think I’ll check this next, I’m nearly done with Happiness.
In this holy season sending those who o BB serve a very blessed Easter 🙏🌷🐇…
Ramadan Mubarak ☪️
Happy Cambodian New Year(learned something new today)🌞
And to all peace and good health.
Kalimera Ladies!
Happy Easter to all those who celebrate it! ❤️ I wish you all the best!
To @OAL and any others of the Jewish faith on BoD, Chag Sameach. May you be blessed as you observe Passover.
If anyone on this thread is a practicing Muslim, Ramadan Mubarak. May your month of fasting strengthen your faith.
For those who are observing Easter today: Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Thank you @OAL and @Welmaris
@OAL
A blessed Passover to you and to our Jewish brethren.
@Welmaris
Christ has risen indeed. Alleluia!
@OAL, thank you and a blessed Passover to you and your family.
@Welmaris and @GB – Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.
@Janey – happy Easter to you too and all who are celebrating it!
and @Packmule3, @Cleo and @LauraZzz! Easter greetings to all!
Easter/Passover/Ramadan greetings to all!
@nrlee, thanks for the heads up about Our Blues. I was thinking of watching it but I’m not up for 20 episodes, especially if is a bit “slow” and hints at infidelity.
I’m going to go back and watch K-dramas on my watch list.
Have a great week ahead BODers!
I’ve now watched the first 2 episodes of Our Blues and really like it. The OST is unusual for a Kdrama. It sounds like French cafe music/tango music, which fits the mood (musicians who recognize this genre please enlighten me as to any specific genre or artist). It looks like it will be presented as a series of short stories, each concentrating on a different couple or main character—although Jeju Island itself is really the main character.
As for the hinted at infidelity—it’s really more about a man at the end of his rope and how desperate he might be, and who he is willing to betray…
@BethB and @Hatlady, I’ve watched the first three episodes of Our Blues and highly recommend it. The first three episodes focus on the Cha Seung-won character of Han-su and the Lee Jung-eum character of Eun-hee, who are older, were high school fri3nds(she had a crush on him) upon his return to Jeju Island as a transferred bank manager. He comes with a lot of financial baggage and although she appears to be working class, has made tons of money and is the sole support of her extended family. His motivation for reigniting their friendship is to borrow money from her-will heartbreak ensue? I won’t do spoilers but will say that it is a sheer pleasure watching Cha and Lee act together. Their silent moments are fascinating to see. Their’s is a master class and well worth the watch. In between we are also introduced to the other character’s and the island residents. We learn about the women divers, fish a uctions, itinerant peddlers and get a primer on island v life for the residents. I have to say that Kim Woo Bin has gotten more handsome(and has shed his old bad boy image).
I adore(strong word) the versatile Lee Jung-eum who I’ll follow in anything. I would love to see her as the lead in a rom com. She could be ca s t in a musical.in this drama she sings(and we know she’s holding back). She has a wonderful, swet eexpressive face. I think it’s time for K Dramas or movies to give her a little love. (I know it won’t happen but I can still wish).
And Cha Seung-won was my entry level drug (along with Gong Hyo-jin and Park Shin -hye) for K Dramas and movies. In this drama, impossible that it may seem, he was made to look unattractive and tired. I think his acting had a lot to do with this.
I have one suggestion for watching this drama v if you don’t want to fully commit. It’s an omnibus drama that seems to be apportioned to separate character arcs. One can choose the arcs in which there is an interest and v only watch that, coupled with the first and last episodes or watch all of them in intervals of three (or how many discreet character arcs there are) whenever there is a lull in regular watching.
My overall impression, so far, is that there are great production values(montages, atmospherics, music), stories-writing(so far it doesn’t seem to be obviously abridged) and acting by versatile performers.
I tried to post earlier but didn’t have much service. I hope this isn’t a duplicate.
I hope you all are enjoying your celebrations and I hope @pm3 is enjoying her time away from the blog.
On My Liberation Notes:
I couldn’t help but giggle at the end of episode 4. There was a comment previously that I was nodding my head along with when reading…nothing gets past us BOD-ers 😉 I can’t wait to join you all on a separate thread and hear your thoughts on this drama.
@Fern – following up your hunch re improvisation in YAMH – this comment in Soompi:
‘Sandra Ma and Bai Jing Ting is an unexpected and fresh pairing, and their chemistry is off the charts! Their chemistry onscreen is so natural that it feels like they aren’t acting. Instead, it’s like we’re watching the interaction of a real-life couple. That’s because many of their scenes and dialogues were improvised, showcasing their organic chemistry through the way they look at each other, their smiles, and other lively interactions. They skillfully brought out the emotions throughout the drama with their tense, heated scenes but also with their adorable and funny moments.’
https://www.soompi.com/article/1464280wpp/5-reasons-to-watch-c-drama-you-are-my-hero
@Hatlady, My family came from Eastern Europe-AusreiaHungary(now Poland) and Belarus.I have a dear friend who is Ukrainian.A lot of our food overlaps like borscht (who knew beets are so good for you).
Back to our dramas. It looks like we have a plethora if riches coming out way with so many to choose. And the people who made Business Proposal are giving us some additional episodes wi tog deleted scenes and behind the scenes offerings. No matter what we all select, I think we’re in for a good time.
Oooh, @OAL, you have my genealogy synapses firing! My great grandfather came from a region that was colonized by Germany but is now Poland. Under German control his birthplace was Maydanni, Schroda, Posen, Germany; it is now Majdany, Wielkopolskie, Poland. The nearest village is Zaniemysl, town is Sroda Wielkopolska, and major city is Poznan. What area are your ancestors from?
@Welmaris, My paternal grandfather came from Minsk in what is now Belarus. My paternal grandmother came from an area near the Carpathian Mountains and were country folk. Their rich relatives lived in Cracow. I don’t know much about my mother’s side. I know they lived in what is now Poland, but my maternal grandfather was also a steel worker in Stuttgart, Germany and was a wig maker too. All of my grandparents were multilingual, speaking,Polish, Russian, German, Yiddish and Englieh. What is funny is that I had a wonderful great aunt who raised me, but instead of calling her Tanta, we cal K e d her Chucha, that’s Polish for aunt. I grew up on the kosher versions of Eastern European foods like stuffed cabbage, pierogi, blintzes and I understood Yiddish because they spoke it when they did not want us to know what they were saying. We lived in a tenement building on the Lower East Sude of Manhattan that was multicultural with J e wish, Polish, Italian, Puerto Rican and African American tenants. We all knew each o t her and helped each h other. We were economically poor, but socially rich. You brought back some good memories o ries for me @Welmaris.
Thank you @OAL for your tip on Our Blues. It’s good to know that if you are interested in a certain arc only then you can watch a specific number of episodes and don’t need to plod through all 20 episodes.
Thank you for that Soompi link, @Kate. I really liked the oldest couple in the group. I thought at first that they wouldn’t end up back together. They are resistant to re-experiencing the stresses that pulled them apart. I was glad that they could find resolution.
Thank you for that Soompi link, @Kate. I really liked the oldest couple in the group. I thought at first that they wouldn’t end up back together. They are resistant to re-experiencing the stresses that pulled them apart. I was glad that they could find resolution. 😉
@Fern – me too – their story was well told and felt quite natural in the end! I also didn’t hold out much hope at the start.
@Kate, I liked that she, however disappointed,was able to maintain her moral code and her dignity while also being able to express her anger. She also was incredibly kind given her actions.She was also able to tell her friends where they failed her. It seems like her entire community was in her debt but took her for granted. She also was testament to the adage you can’t te lol l a book by in its cover(nobody would have imagined that she had that much money by looking at her).
I also liked that theade him multifaceted and not really a villain. He was actually his community’s great hope, going to Seoul National University, but again his outside didn’t match his failures. He owned up to his poor behavior and did the right thing.
This drama also used the trope of various wounds-bleeding toes and cut fingers to symbolize those that are existential. I like that trope where band aids help but are just the start of healing. There are lots of blisters in K Dramas.
And I’ll like that the production cpany labels the individual stories so viewers may skip parts to go syrai go ht to their couples of interest. However we see that there is overlap because they have introduced Shin Min-ah’s story showing her mental illness of deep depression. With very spare details they were able show it’s impact on the individual and family. They do not sensationalize but show the quiet desperation if the victims.
While I found Love Actually to be superficial in the end, I find this to be very serious. This drama does have the benefit of losing for longer exposition with a multi episode format.
Dear @OAL, I think we are discussing two different shows. I may have confused things by posting about ‘You are My Hero’ in the middle of another discussion!
@Kate, I think you’re right. I was talking about Our Blues. There are a lot of threads happening under this heading. I haven’t even started You Are My Hero.We have a treasure trove of v dramas on so many platforms and soon we’ll be getting supplementary episodes of Business Pr o posal.th old saying of it’s either a feast or a famine” applies now.So sorry for the misunderstanding. I think this will be sorted out soon.
@OAL – absolutely no problems at all! Agreed – a lot of conversations are interwoven at the moment.
Hi @Packmule3 – doing a test post here- I’ve posted three comments this morning, one of which got posted fine and 2 of them are awaiting moderation – neither of the second 2 have anything sensitive in them as far as I can tell.
It may be that other people’s posts are getting stuck.
I’ll look for your posts, @Kate.
There must be a glitch again because MY posts have been double-posting, even triple-posting this morning and ending up in the spam box.
And my name comes out as “Anonymous”. 😡
Oh dear! Thanks @Packmule3.
One of them has now appeared – you replied to my question re ‘Who Rules the World’. But it sounds there may be wider spread glitches as you say.
I posted to what are we watching April about My Lib Diary. The comment appeared for a while saying it awaiting moderation. Then it disappeared. It was about ep. 1 and may no longer be valid, but if it is, please could it be moved to MLD?
I found it in the “awaiting moderation” box and I cleared it before you posted.
Let me look for it and transfer it to MLD Ep 1 before I leave for the office.
It may have been so early on that it’s irrelevant now. I leave it to your judgment. Many thanks. Glad to have you back.
https://mydramalist.com/article/jung-il-woo-and-girls-generation-s-kwon-yu-ri-to-reunite-in-a-new-series
The Bossam leads are reuniting and it sounds like it will be a good one!
It’s almost end of april and I got started on You Are My Hero after a few failed attempts to watch others. I thought I would be interested in Packinko, but somehow the drive to watch wasn’t there.
I got hooked on You Are My Hero that @Kate recommended instead. I’m 1/3 way though and its an easy warm drama to watch. I’m bingeing it a bit though. Also discovered I had it’s OST in my playlist a while back, and listening to it in the show I thought it sounded so familiar. Loving this! The title is “Accident”…They should have titled it coincidence.
https://open.spotify.com/track/5Kj5fxNuOADrnT5J4UlhYq?si=97b961e9e2ad4d99
@Grace – Glad you are enjoying YAMH! Just listening to ‘Accident’ now – what a lovely tender song.
Hi @pkml3, this is actually for the “What are we Watching in May 2022” thread.
Perhaps if you have time to open it, you may like to move this over, together with my post on it above? Thanks!
From Ji Chang Wook’s Kitchen on his show ‘Annarasumanara/The Sound of Magic’.
https://jichangwookkitchen.com/2022/04/28/drama-annarasumanara-ji-chang-wook%c2%b7choi-sung-eun%c2%b7hwang-in-yeop-character-posters-revealed/
Hey! I’m watching Love All Play.
It’s a sport drama with badminton. And for now, it looks like a real sport one, not like Hot Stove League. I liked this drama but was frustrated by the “no sport” after. So, I wanted to watch a sport drama.
It’s quite good. We have a feeling similar to Start-up or Dream-High, with the famous “achievement background music”. A bit normal in this kind of story.
There is already 2 annoying and arrogant characters, plus the trainers, sometimes they suck. So, some nice conflicts, on top of the main romance and the road to victory.
I like the mood too. We have many scenes in the gymnasium, pale blue green picture.
We see the actors smashing and all that. Look like they practiced badminton before to shot. Or maybe there is some tricks used by the director to hide doublure. But we can’t detect that and we have effectively the actors playing.
I like the main actress, good acting abilities. When I know more about her characters, I was thinking, wow! it’s exactly the feeling she gave to me from the start. She was the supposed girlfriend in Mouse.
Male lead is the delivery guy from Sisyphus. He did some others dramas I don’t know.
This was the actress who was so splendid in Zombie Detective. She was SO funny.
@Fern, when commenting on MDL, I had to make a Pm3′ like analyse, comparing some scenes and what say the characters and how they react. This drama is more complicated than what it look like about feeling, characters and situation. As I was watching casualy, I had to rewatch some scenes. And probably, I missed a lot of foreshadowing here or there in the 2 first episodes. I get a bit more the episode 3, even if a situation made it confusing (there was a flashback but I thinked it was a time jump, lol!).
@Wenchanteur, My Liberations Notes/Diary is certainly more nuanced and more unpredictable than many K-dramas. Every time I re-watch a scene to make a comment correctly, I see something new.
@Fern, I’m currently watching Liberation notes. I got a voice over so true. I think for people who lived these kind of situation (living far, living next), we can feel this. Living the both situation because in the drama, one of the woman only lived “living far” and she’s a wrong about her jugdement. She think it wouldn’t change when living next. She think relationship are anyway superficals, but she can’t envision that it’s not always like that. There is also the scene when they say they are friend with people only because they live close and there is no other choice. But I think they are wrong too. You can be really friends, it’s a friendship like family. The kind we don’t choose but is very true too.
@Fern and @WEnchanteur, My iberation Diary is a drama that has episodes that I watch several times. It is very character driven and takes time individualizing primary and secondary characters. It uses silence well and there is lots of nuance. I want to drink in everyone. Although our father figure is more flashy, the mom, in her silence is heartbreaking. Our bearded friend offers some comic relief but, he too is stuck. Our architect in Rain or Shine, Lee Ki-woo adds depth to his corporate colleague, single dad role and possible romantic partner. And that’s to name a few.
I am waiting for Mr. Gu’s back story, hinted at. The man is seen briefly in a wool/cashmere?/camel coat that says there’s more to him than meets the eye, and is, perhaps, a member of a higher class. What is he escaping? And, of course, there is something quite sexy about him. (The actor, Son Seok-koo does in reality speak English, having lived in the US and Canada for 10 years, receiving a degree at the Art Institute of Chicago. I now will go back and watch his work).
This is an onion drama, with lots of sweet and pungent n t layers waiting to be discovered. I am glad we have to wait for new episodes because the interim time let’s. Us do a deeper dive into the individuals.
@Wenchanteur, when you wrote commenting on MDL, I thought you meant My Liberation Diary (MLD). Was I incorrect? 🤦♀️
@OAL, like you I am savoring each episode of My Liberation Notes with multiple watches. The visual storytelling is sublime: some scenes with harsh lighting and saturated colors, other scenes with yellow hues and dim lighting, etc. And as you and @Fern say, the details are important. There are uncredited “characters” that loom large: MG’s unruly permed hair and bruised lower eyelids, the oppressive heat, the soju bottles (full and empty). I like to think that for many of the actors, inhabiting these characters will be a personal career high, whether or not the public understands what they’re putting into the roles. Even minor characters are top notch, such as the club advisor at the Joy Center. The casting and acting for that role are pitch perfect.
@WEnchateur, you say these characters are wrong for not valuing the people close to them: that’s part of the tension of this show. The siblings, the parents, are part of a family and a tight-knit community, yet they feel alone, lonely, abandoned, and in dire need of breaking free. We anticipate them to experience the revelation, like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, that there’s no place like home. But will they?
@Fern, the full drama name is “My Liberation Notes”. The one you watch and is episode 6 now (I just ended episode 2).
@Welmaris. I’m ok. My opinion don’t matter. I take the characters and the story like they are and follow it. If I feel they make mistakes, it’s as much good for the dramatization and the conflicts it will generate. You know I like this kind of mess. 🙂
@Fern. Ooops, I didn’t understand your question but it’s done now (the time the electricity go from my eyes to my brain then to my fingers ahah). So MDL is for the website MyDramaList. A popular drama website as it’s easy to make the list of watched (or to-watch) dramas. It help me to remember what was the latest episode I watched.
Thank you, @Wenchanteur. I thought I was having a brain malfunction – brain fog has been a default setting after Covid-19. My Drama List sounds like a good idea for me. I usually just bookmark the episode I’m on but sometimes I forget if I’m interrupted.
I’m glad you are enjoying My Liberation Notes aka My Liberation Diary.
@Wechanteur, I have started Love All Play on your recommendation. It is very good. How interesting to see Park Ju-hyun the lead actress playing a serious role after her perfect comic casting in Zombie Detective.
The competition off and on the court seems very accurate as does the injury rate and the interfering parents.
To any in our BoD community who observe Eid al-Fitr, may your celebration be filled with joy, good food, and happy companionship. Eid Mubarak!
To our Muslim BODers, and @Miracle23!
May you be blessed with good health, kindness, patience and love. Eid Mubarak!!