I don’t know what happened to the glut of dramas in December. I only have one new drama this January and it won’t premiere till the end of this month.
That’s okay. I’m currently watching:
“Alchemy of Souls 2: Light and Shadow” – it ends this weekend
“Forbidden Marriage”
“Unlock My Boss”
I might get started on “The Interest of Love” just because I like the femininity and prettiness of Moon GaYoung. I need her to expunge that revolting picture in my head of YYS’ last onscreen partner in Hospital Playlist. What’s her name again? Maggotty Jang? I heard the actress was panned in her last show with Song JoongKi. Ha! It couldn’t have happened to a better person. (irony alert).
Here’s that drama that will begin later this month.
1. Kokdu: Season of Deity
I’m not sure I want another body swapping/soul switching drama soon.
Here’s an excerpt from soompi:
“Kokdu: Season of Deity” is a fantasy romance which tells the story of a grim reaper named Kokdu (Kim Jung Hyun) who comes down to this world to punish humans every 99 years. Kokdu meets Han Gye Jeol (Im Soo Hyang), a doctor with mysterious abilities, and starts working as a visiting doctor.
Source: soompi.com
Cast: Kim Jung Hyun (the King in “Mr Queen”) and Im Soo Hyang
KJH plays the Grim Reaper, Kokdu. But while on his earthly sojourn, he’ll take on the body of Do Jin Woo, the youngest executive director in the hospital. I wonder who the leading lady will fall in love then. The Grim Reaper or her medical colleague?
Episodes: 16
Start Date: Friday, January 27
Airs on Fridays and Saturdays after “The Forbidden Marriage”
Where to Watch it: Most likely Viki
Network: MBC
What about y’all? What’s on your list this month?
I like Kim Jung Hyun, but I am not sure if I want to watch a Grim Reaper drama. But who knows? I only started watching Alchemy of Souls because of Lee Jae Wook, and did not expect to become so invested…
Right, @Snowflower? I want something light and perky. I don’t know if I’ll watch it.
I’m not sure if I’m in the country to watch it. I’m scheduled to leave again for weeks. But because of my recent hospital visit, plans may need reassessment. Oh well.
@packmule3 I will let you come to your own decision about Interest Of Love. Suffice to say it’s not light and perky. I am currently watching 3 (one too many) dramas
1. Interest of Love
2. Trolley
3. Island
I should have saved what I wrote so that I can copy and paste it here, LOL. I’m just being lazy.
What I’ll continue watching:
Flight to You (cdrama) – it’s more engaging than expected. The work in and around the aircraft is actually interesting.
Forbidden Marriage – I hope it remains funny despite the love triange.
Island – It’s campy horror, so over the top with slugs dripping out of monsters, LOL. I like KNG and LDH together. Their ages look so right.
Unlock My Boss – I like the loan shark coming around to being more humane.
Rewatching – Memories of the Alhambra. I’m finally understanding what I’m seeing LOL. Took me such an age.
Dropping Unchained Love/Forbidden Love – palace intrigue with cruelty, and evil that is mixed badly with trite matters that are supposed to be light and funny. It’s not expertly done, so that scenes and tones feel out of place.
Kalimera Everyone and Happy New Year!
What am I going to watch in January?
“Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow” finishes this Sunday.
I have also started “Island”. It’s first season ends next Friday.
I am thinking to start “Crash Course In Romance” for Jung kyungho. It starts January 14th on Netflix.
…and If I have time to watch “Memories of the Alhambra” I will do so in order to enter the rewatch party… 🙂
So many things to watch now my updated search engine (thanks to work IT) has allowed me to get back onto Viki – hoorah!
Just finished Reborn Rich – engrossing for me until final few episodes but well worth watching! As so many have said, the scary Grandfather Chaebol was, bound to be, an award-winning performance. But it was also a wonderful ensemble piece with many wonderfully distinctive performances. Just as Vincenzo had SJK and then superb character actors surrounding him.
Some of the second life logic was puzzling but I gather from reviews that it is best not to think too hard about the holes in the plot. Re-creating earlier eras in Korea with themes shared across the world (year 2K anyone?) was done so very very well.
Beth B. I am also finding Singles Inferno addicting – the plot has really become interesting from episode 7 on … and what a struggle for opportunities for time with others! The gargantuan struggle by the men for the final tickets to Paradise (sounds Dante-esque!).
Also watching ‘Lighter and the Princess ‘ based on books by Twentine (awful pen-name unless it is a marketing device for her target readership… then not a bad idea at all!) who also wrote ‘One and Only’ etc I didn’t enjoy the start but got into the university years of our protagonists and found myself watching avidly. This is not a Love 020 romance… our hero is troubled and complicated. Would I put up with his behaviours? At 19 or 20, yes, I probably would! haha.
Have just begun ‘Hospital Playlist’ – determined to find out about the references to Miss Maggot. I have only just realised that the actress was the extremely wooden actress playing the heroine in ‘Warrior Baek Dong Soo’ alongside Lee Chang Wook. She didn’t have that easy a role that said… one of those stoic quiet parts that requires a lot of experience to pull it off well. But it was not a favourite performance.
I also plan, encouraged by @Viva, to finish what I started and complete ‘Forever and Ever’ and use her helpful notes as a reference ooint for linking back to ‘One and Only’ – so it is a Twentine season for me.
@OAL and @Miracle23
You have probably read that ‘The Glory’ is a great success with a high rating on Douban and internationally top 10 Netflix ratings. So, SHK has knocked it out of the park! The writer is Kim Eun-sook – so this is an established partnership. I love some of KES’s work – Secret Garden may be my all time favourite show.
I won’t be watching, though, because this type of theme does not appeal at all. It was clearly a very good career decision for SHK. I wondered if it would work against her being too gory and sensational. Not the case.
And finally for SI fans… one of the turning points in the show…the tug of war final – I watched this over and over!
https://www.tiktok.com/@rmc1206/video/7179219748897574170?is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7179219748897574170
My dear @Cleo, I’m glad to see that you’re enjoying several shows. I hope you can find time to watch MOTA and join us. I find that the show turns out better for me during a rewatch. 🙂
I find ‘Island’ quite riveting, although I hope that we’ll get to see more interesting scenes, than just one person after another being taken over by the evil spirits. 😆
Hey Unnie!
If I have time to watch the first two episodes before Saturday, then I will watch MOTA with you.
“Island” is interesting, I know it is from a Webtoon and I am waiting to see how it will go… I think they wanted to show us how good is Van aka Kim Nam Gil! 😋
I’m not sure what to watch after AOS and Forbidden Marriage.
I’m patiently waiting for Lusi’s modern drama, Hidden Love with Chen Zhe Yuan.
Maybe I’ll try the cdrama Lighter and Princess since they said it’s good.
Satoh Takeru has a new romance drama starting on January 13. The FL is the one from Boys Over Flowers Japanese version. I don’t know the title. 😄
I’ll see how I go.
I sent you an email. Thank you! 😉
Hi Kate… yes I finished The Glory and it was so captivating. The husband of the bully girl caught my eyes.. he is into baduk. Like may others, we find him mysterious and very very captivating in his scene with SHG and his wife, the bully. He is the rising star in this series. I feel proud for SHG. I am looking forward to part 2 in March 😊
I will be starting Island this weekend.😁
Annyeong 🐇 Hello January.
AoS is ending? does that mean there’s a Part 3?!!!!!
I’m down coz i’m not ready to see the end of this show yet. I feel like we’re just getting in the middle.
I’m so caught up with the shows – Forbidden, Unlock and Aos… that i’m watching other shows like Emily in Paris S3 (just finished that as well) and Blacklist (LOL) coz i’m behind in this one.
Looks like nothing much new in January. hmmm
As I said recently in a WAWW December 2022 post here, I am continuing:
–Forbidden Marriage
–Singles Inferno, S2
–Unlock My Boss
I’d like to try The Glory, but I find dramas about bullying–especially when graphically portrayed–hard to watch. I say this having watched numerous explosions and fights in Marvel movies recently. Yet watching up-close and personal high school bullying bothers me far more–perhaps because I can put myself in the place of the bullied far more easily than I can with a superhero getting pounded or shot at.
As for new dramas… there’s not much on my radar right now. That’s probably because hubby and I are still burning through the Marvel Universe (we just started Phase 3, with Civil War). Once we are done with them, I’m thinking I may be able to persuade him to watch “Moving.” It’s about teenagers with supernatural capabilities and is supposed to be on Disney+/Hulu in January (although it doesn’t come up in searches there yet).
I will probably give Kkok Du a try as well since I usually like Grim Reaper dramas.
To be honest, I’m a bit hesitant to commit to new k-dramas having been burned a few times in 2022. I would start a drama optimistically because the storyline seemed intriguing or I knew the actors to be top-scale–only to see the whole thing implode or go off the rails (i.e., Little Women, Summer Strike, etc.). I think I dropped more dramas last year than I finished–and there were many I regretted that I finished (like Love in Contract). So I really want to only watch really good dramas in the next few months, without crazy storylines, unnecessary murders, or too many boring side stories.
For January, I’ll be watching “Forbidden Marriage.” I heard “The Glory” is going to be 2 seasons, so I’ll watch it when the final part airs in March. I might check out “Crash Course In Romance” if the reviews and audience feedback are positive. Otherwise, will be catching up on the older dramas. I am also waiting for C Drama “New Life Begins” to be completely Edited on Viki, and I think that may happen in January.
The drama I am most looking forward to premieres in February. Park Hyung Sik’s new historical drama “Our Blooming Youth.”
I’m watching Kiss Sixth Sense that came out not sure when. I’m loving it. It’s kind of ….HOT. Finally a sexy kdrama! I see that there are some blog posts on this drama that I will read after I watch it – right now I am enjoying seeing how it all unfolds.
I’m watching AOS, so not ready for it to end. Otherwise due to various thinks in life my nerves are shot and I’m looking for lighter happier shows to watch this month.
Else I have nothing else I’m watching at the moment. Planning to watch:
1. Kokkdu: looks fun from the trailer and not super tear jerky.
2. Crash Course on Romance (loved this actor in Hospital Playlist)
3. Chef Hua (CDrama) – all eps on YouTube. This is the calmest, chillest show. They’re all sweet. The bad things get resolved quickly. And while I personally find the ML unattractive, I like how supportive and caring he is to the FL. Lots of good imagery, so don’t watch when hungry.
Would have watched The Glory but don’t think my nerves can handle it at the moment. I will wait for its second part to come out before watching.
Also @PM3, thanks for the literal LOLs at maggot. Awful creature. I couldn’t start Reborn Rich (the SJK drama) because of her.
Thanks for asking!
I am finishing Aos2 in real time, loving Forbidden Marriage and with @GB’s permission also dropping Unchained Love which I only picked up for ML. But she’s right, it’s a dud that even he can’t save. I have started a new one on Viki, Meet Yourself that seems interesting (on ep 2).
Can anyone share about how the watch party works? Is is just watch in real time and meet here to comment?
@Kelley C,
I’ll let the others answer in more detail.
This is the set-up that works for me: I have my ipad and laptop on. I watch the show on my ipad and I type comment on the blog whenever I see something interesting. I also refresh the blog constantly to see the comments of the other posters rewatching with me, and I react to their posts.
Hi @Kelley C, LOL so you found Unchained Love a dud too? You don’t need my permission… drop all the shows that don’t appeal to you, by all means!
The Rewatch Parties work pretty much the way @pkml3 describes them. Instead of 2 devices, I use a wide screen PC that enables me to keep refreshing emails on one side while I let the episode play on the other.
We all start watching the same episode at about the same time and check out each other’s comments/reactions each time we refresh emails. We respond to what the others say and add our own thoughts if any. It’s a polite but frenetic free for all, with each of us trying to watch and comment at the same time. However, I do pause to read or type from time to time, so we may not always be watching in sync, but that’s OK.
Because I’m the tedious kind of watcher, I also choose to do a pre-rewatch of episodes and make notes. You don’t have to do so,… however I find that this enables me to mostly ignore the show because I’ve already caught the details. This way I can pay more attention to the comments of others.
I hope you’ll find a show to rewatch with us and experience the fun and frenzy yourself! 🤪 😂
@Kelley C,
Hi, I am a re-watch newbie – so forgive me for stating the obvious but I only recently discovered that I could refresh the re-watch thread discussion page by clicking on the third arrow from the left on on the top left hand corner of the screen, next to the web address bar.
It is a circular arrow pointing to the right.
Using this made things so much easier.
Thank you @GB and @Kate. I have never seen this series so will look forward to it and the experience.
@Kelley C, are you going to rewatch “You Are My Hero (YAMH)”? Or “Memories of the Alhambra (MOTA)”? These are 2 shows that are going to be rewatched on BOD by different groups of us and at different times this weekend.
Please note that the YAMH party will be on this thread https://bitchesoverdramas.com/2023/01/04/you-are-my-hero-eps-9-10-rewatch-on-jan-6-7/
…while the MOTA party will be on https://bitchesoverdramas.com/2023/01/04/memories-of-the-alhambra-ep-1-rewatch-on-sat-jan-7/
Please check the thread for the time and the episodes. (MOTA will start with Episode 1.) 🙂
‘Lighter and the Princess’ – I enjoyed it and it was a satisfying watch over all.
Our heroine has a remarkable stickability through thick and thin. The writer seems to like to write about love and loyalty against the odds. Although this can veer into ‘woman who loves too much’, in the story as a whole the central romantic relationship is redemptive and has many dimensions.
Both leads are very well played. Especially ‘Lighter’ – the actor who plays him truly embodies the character.
Much of the story takes place at a university with relationships blossoming together with healthy competition amongst students. The twisting of student competition into angry rivalry and entrenched resentment is the driving force behind some of the most painful parts of the story.
Then there are some wonderfully light touches to the narrative with funny and realistic dialogue and relationship depiction.
Our CP – post college and returned from abroad on the one hand, and just out of prison, on the other – become part of a failing game development company around episode 24. This part of the story is for me the most satisfying and enjoyable with a wonderful gaggle of unlikely colleagues who become a type of family for our hero and heroine.
I really liked the way the story was resolved and the lessons that were learned. It wasn’t trite and it was certainly a twisty turny journey!
Thanks @Kate. I’m looking forward to watching it.
I just need time to actually get on it. ☺️
@agdr03 – let us know what you think when you eventually get there!
Hope you are not too busy!
Adding on that I started Forbidden Marriage (watched 2 episodes so far) and I’m already absolutely loving it.
The humor, the genuine feels, the timing, and the “fusion sageuk” as you mentioned in your posts @PM3 is really fresh and exciting. Naturally, I ran right to BOD to devour your posts on the show right after watching the episodes 🙂
i think ‘Kkok Du: Season Of Deity’ will be Kim Jung-hyun’s make or break situation in his acting career. it will be his first comeback since CLOY, followed with string of issues regarding his past relationship with Seo Yea-ji and between him and his former management agency.
Well, Happy New Year everyone 💫
I have major exams in 2-3 months time so i doubt I’d be watching anything after AOS ends this weekend. I had *Under the queen’s umbrella* on my mind last year but if I haven’t seen it now, eh, maybe after my exams
I’ll probably live watch a show if I see comments that it’s really good in this first quarter so let’s see how that goes
I have been leaving dramas up in my computer tabs for a month now. I will start something, watch enthusiastically for 7-12 episodes and then meh, not so much. The list must by 10 or 12 dramas by now. I just finished Summer Strike (finally) and although I liked the ‘feel-good ending’ this is not a drama that would call me to watch again. Im-Si-Wan just always looks so unfinished to me; like he never made it past 13 or 14 years. I have trouble being enthusiastic about his characters, although he and the FL made a pretty and convincing couple. I am slowly making my way through AOS2, and will probably try to finish Contract for Love for Love. My husband, youngest son and I tried to watch Decision to Leave (we all gave up on the protagonist and hence the movie), but I did recognize Go Kyung Po as one of the minor characters. One of my small joys in watching Korean and Chinese drama is recognizing the face of a character as an actor I have seen before (shout out to MyDramaList for making it so easy to figure out who stared in what!) I will be trying out the MOTA rewatch. I just watched to first episode as prep and saw Min Jin Woon; the first time I saw this I had never seen him before but this time it was a small delight to recognize not only the actor but the character; he played the same character in My Father is Strange and in Chocolate, a good-hearted, but a bit dim and immature guy who slowly matures (not sure if he will in MOTA, yet). Otherwise, I will be looking for older Korean dramas that I have not yet seen, but which have good reviews (or rewatching favorites).
Hi all,
There is far too much good stuff to watch at the moment – however, if you are in need of a romance with lots of swash and buckle, some great kissing scenes and wonderful ML-FL chemistry, try ‘Fall in Love’.
It’s a c-drama set in 1926 at a time of great turbulence. The ML is very well played (an upandcomer from a top drama schools) and the FL was ‘Princess’ in ‘Lighter and the Princess’. They have very sparky chemistry and I prefer their chemistry to the more melo romance in ‘Lighter and the Princess’.
It’s a bit of a romp … but very entertaining. Reminds me a little of the feel of a Georgette Heyer novel – spirited heroine, debonair lead etc etc
So, if you are – by some miracle – wanting something to watch and like that period in Chinese history… why not give it a go?
The ML – Cheng Xing Zu – starred in ‘Goodbye My Princess’ in 2019 and was well reviewed. I may now deviate from plans and watch that next.
@Kate,
Did you read Georgette Heyer?! I have a box (or two??) of them bequeathed to me by a lovely aunt.
Which one do you recommend?
@Packmule – they are wonderful books! Our whole family have grown up on them and my lovely, late Mum, read GH every day!
I often wonder why they aren’t dramatised. They read like screenplays.
I’ll refresh my memory and get back to you on my top 5 titles! I have read too many to count.
Thanks, @Kate.
No rush.
@Packmule3 – I can’t pick 5 titles but here is a list of some of the titles I have enjoyed over the years:
Civil Contract
The Grand Sophy (the archetypal spirited heroine)
Friday’s Child (I think this is my Dad’s favourite)
The Unknown Ajax
The Reluctant Widow
Devil’s Cub
Cotillion
Thanks, @Kate.
I’ll sort through the box and take those titles out.
@Packmule3, I like connecting on things like this – it is a pleasure.
GH was a writer of her time (published in 1950s and 60s) so there is the occasional storyline that may offend contemporary sensibilities, but she is a fun read and you learn loads, incidentally, about the regency era.
I just wanted to leave a comment about cdrama Flight to You. I’ve reached the episodes where the ML becomes ‘constipated’ LOL. I’ll FFD until I get to the sweeter parts again.
Writers should get out of the trope where a character makes a self-sacrifice, Sacrificing one’s love for the benefit of others when it’s not necessary. Treats the other party like an object to be handed over, plus does not respect his/her agency.
The work bits are still interesting.
Good thing that character gives it straight to the other… well I’m not yours because you rejected me, duh.
@kate, I watched fall in love as it was airing and I enjoyed it. The time period made it feel different and I liked the costumes. I remember watching the first episode and thinking “wow, this is different than my usual drama viewing”.
@kate @pm3, I decided to dust off my kindle app and see which ones I’ve read. In order of my rating:
Devils Cub
Venetia
The Grand Sophy
@GB Agreed. Flight to You started off so promising and then got really stupid along the way. Like let’s have the pilots perform an on the ground rescue operation instead of doing what they’re trained to do which is to fly. It’s like watching General Hospital except in planes. Too bad because I think the leads are both talented actors who are doing the best they can with an increasingly nonsensical plot. I would be doing a lot of eye rolling and forehead slapping except that would be giving the outlandish plot more than its due.
Flight to You
Hi @Good Twin, I’ve managed to plough through to the part where shifty misogynist is fabricating evidence to cover himself. This part is better as it gets our couple to investigate. At least it puts them on the screen together.
However, Cheng Xiao’s Dad is going to get into trouble for lying to her Mum, LOL. Or both CX and Dad will.
The last few episodes I trust will be better for the wrap up. At least now the 3rd wheels are fully aware that they’ll be rejected if they try anything with their crushes, so that’s one good part of the triangles out of the way. I like that we don’t have the long drawn out 3rd wheels forever trying to get the attention of their crushes and getting false hopes. Everyone and his mother now knows where the lay of the land is. Now we just need that rigid character to bend!
@birdie007,
Oh I’m glad you also enjoyed ‘Fall in Love’. Agreed, it does have a different feel to it.
Ah, another GH fan – great! I hope @Packmule3 will enjoy a title or two when she gets the time.
Hi @Kate and @birdie007. I have been thinking of reading Georgette Heyer for a while now. One of my favorite Scifi authors, Lois McMaster Bujold, has a novel titled ‘A Civil Campaign’ which she compares to a Georgette Heyer novel. So thanks for the lists! I now have something to take to the public library to start with! It will be fun to see how her novel takes off from the GH novels. Just from your description @Kate I already know that she plays with the idea of a ‘debonair lead’ since her lead is a handicapped spy whose deeds are completely unknown to the high society he is a part of.
Hi back @Salteddust, @birdie007 and @Packmule3
@Salteddtust, that’s great re the connection with your Scifi author – an interesting literary connection.
Fresh from family research: ‘Friday’s Child’ just received a top accolade from my very discerning Dad: ‘my favourite Georgette Heyer is ‘Friday’s Child’, one of the funniest books ever, and with a quotable ending that unexpected people can come up with.’
Makes me want to go back and re-read some of these novels!
@Good Twin Flight to You improves from Episode 30 onwards. Looks like it will be a strong ending.
Now that I have finished AOS, I’m back with vengence with all the Kdramas. I had a cdrama phase. Meanwhile I’m left with:
– Forbidden Marriage (absolutely loving it)
– Hit the Spot (wow..this is not what I expected to watch for a drama but at ep6, I’m getting where this show is getting at on s** education and that the bottom line is intimacy is not necessarily = s**)
Now, I’m uncertain of whether to watch the following and I have watched bits of them like 10-20mins while I fold laundry
– Unchained love (now that @GB has said it wasn’t as great, I’m not sure whether to continue, it hasn’t captivated me that much)
– Glory (for SHK)
– Island (I’m hearing so much about it and looking forward to see CEW in a role that I don’t usually see him in)
– Lighter and Princess (I’ve read conflicting reviews about it but I love the OST and now some of you have shared more about it, I’m almost wanting to try watching it)
– Interest of Love or Fabulous
@GB I haven’t given up on Flight yet – will “stay the course” (see what I did there?) to see how it resolves. I like the leads just not the adventure of the week plotting.
If you like FL, you might check out Master of My Own – it was one of my favorite dramas I watched last year. An ugly duckling tale of sorts, it was about venture capitalism, mentorship, women owned business, entrepreneurs. The boss is so awful in the beginning that it didn’t seem possible for him to redeem himself but he actually has as much of a growth arc as the FL. The second ML from Flight to You is also in it.
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Does anyone know where to watch the Thai drama “Love Destiny” (Bhuppae Sanniwat) with English subtitles?? It used to be on Netflix but now it’s gone. I subscribed to IQYI because they claimed to have Eng subs but they only have Viet subs. I really loved this drama. It’s funny and witty and the leads are amazing together. I am dying to rewatch it in High def.
@redhotchilligirl, The 40 episodes of “Love Destiny” are on dramacool with English subs. I suggest that you look for ways to download them (or at the episodes you like) before those disappear, too.
It’s a bummer when Netflix cleans out its library and retires your favorite drama without giving you a heads-up.
Lud! Singles Inferno 2 is all the crack… but what a capital ending!
Trying out some Regency slang here…
I won’t spoil it for those of you still catching up.
SI2-I had to FFWD straight to the end of episode 10 before I could even begin it. I don’t actually care or feel invested in any of the couples but what fun it was to watch! I have a whole new appreciation for the actress Lee da Hee—it was fun to watch alongside her and the other panel members—and am glad I took a chance on a reality show since it’s something I usually steer clear of.
I am glad I checked back in and watched AOS part 2. The actress strikes me as a mix of moon ga young (true beauty) and Kim ji won (my liberation notes).
I finished Silent.
I’ve dropped and skipped through a few, notably The Fabulous which I found to be awful.
I’ve watched the first five episodes of Time and him are just Right but decided to pause for now.
I haven’t watched the last two episodes of The Forbidden Marriage but plan to catch up tonight.
I’m trying to decide if I will begin Interest of Love—I have the first 6 downloaded and waiting.
Not interested in: Crash course in Romance
Will try:
can we be strangers?
Love to hate you
Our Blooming Youth (Feb 6)
@birdie007, I struggled with the Fabulous and had to stop too.
@birdie007, me too re the Fabulous. I was disappointed. The characters and storyline didn’t draw me in at all. I only gave it one episode. It may have developed later.
Glad you enjoyed the panel on SI2 – their tears, facial expressions, exclamations and insights together were delightful! LDH was great on the panel.
@Birdie and @Kate, I enjoy Lee Dae Hee in ‘Island’. It’s just so much of over the top, campy horror, it starts to become funny at times, and LDH plays into the ridiculousness well.
@Kate, my fanfic after finishing Singles Inferno 2 would have Nadine completing her medical degree, Jin-Young taking his military background and love of firearms into a career in a SWAT unit, and the two of them becoming a real-life OTP like in You Are My Hero. It could happen, right?
I was actually disappointed in Kim Jin-Young at the end, going from one admirer to another with a promise to get together after the show, then going to Seul Ki and saying he thinks he likes her. Thinks? Then what is he thinking, trying to leave doors open for future relationships with other women? Considering the conversations he had as he walked over to Seul Ki, his confession to Seul Ki seemed insincere.
I’m almost done with Flight to You. The female lead is not letting love turn her into an idiot. I like her commitment to her career (but not at the cost of compromising her principles), and her calling bullshit when she learns of her love interest’s noble idiocy.
@GB I agree about LDH in Island. She and KNG are a hoot. I don’t get the whole rationale for the slugfest 😂😂😂. I guess it just adds to the gore of lust demons being creepy crawly?
@Welmaris – that would be a wonderful development! haha.
I was glad for Seul Ki that she went with the guy who pursued her unreservedly rather than the guy being pursued by half the island! I hope they’ll work out! I watched a follow up on-line show where Jin-Young joked that he became delusional about everyone being attracted to him!
The Singles Inferno S2 ending was great. I especially liked watching how invested the panelists were with the outcome. Of course they are actors and could be faking their tears, etc., but it certainly seemed real. The panel really was the most charming aspect of the show. The panelists were encouraging and kind and never snarky, which they could have easily been. They didn’t seem to favor one contestant over the other except in the end, when persistence seemed to pay off with the courtship of Seul-Ki.
Another aspect of the show I liked was seeing people do virtually nothing except cook and talk on a deserted island–it was all very Zen.
What I didn’t like was the the same thing I disliked in the first season–seeing the rejected women in the finale having to stand alone on the beach while the camera zips by them and the drone takes shots from above, making them look even more alone. I have to remind myself that it’s just a silly visual since they are all about to return to their normal lives, friends, and smartphones!
In January I’ve completed:
Single’s Inferno, Season 2
Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow
Reborn Rich
Motokare Mania
Love Is Blind: Japan
I have dropped:
She and Her Perfect Husband
Unchained Love
New Life Begins
I will soon finish:
Flight to You
Recipe for Farewell
And will continue watching:
The Forbidden Marriage
The Interest of Love
My emotional state at present is such that I’m dropping shows that make me feel “ugh!” when I think of tuning in for another episode. If the plot is dragging, if conflicts seem forced, if characters give speeches instead of engaging in dialogue, I’m outta there.
I’m in agreement with others that Reborn Rich was a quality show despite a few flaws. I found it interesting how the male lead utilized knowledge of his past and others’ future to achieve his goals. The love line received so little treatment it seemed an afterthought, and the supposed deep emotions without a believable foundation.
Motokare Mania was something I stumbled across in search of something light and short. It had interesting, even deep, conversations between characters while maintaining a humorous feel overall. For the mood I was in, I felt it was worthwhile seeing through to the end, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over other shows.
Recently I’ve spent a lot of time in solitude, so have been watching a lot of shows to stay entertained. And since my head and heart aren’t up to heavy lifting right now, I’m not digging into the shows. Does it make me feel bad? I drop. Does it make me feel good? I keep going without thinking about it too much. When this season of JOMO passes, I may get back into writing in-depth commentary.
@Kate, I think I’ll give Fall in Love a try.
@agdr03, here’s the My Drama List link to Satoh Takeru’s upcoming drama. I don’t know where it will be streaming. https://mydramalist.com/743695-100-man-kai-ieba-yokatta
Fans of Single’s Inferno 2,
On YouTube I watched The Swoon’s I watched part 1 and 2 of the cast reuniting to watch parts of episodes 1-8 and it was such a bonus to get their added commentary. Se-jun is absent but they all speak of him fondly. The whole cast is delightful and respectful and I find myself actually sad to say goodbye.
Hi @Welmaris, good to know that you’re on the roll and able to happily let go or continue peacefully.
I feel I’m doing about the same. Dropped 2 of the same shows as you, and am continuing with 2 of the same shows, too (and some others).
Thanks for the heads-up on Satoh Takeru’s show. It’s seldom I watch a show for a particular actor or actress. He seems to be one of the few who incites interest in jdoramas.
Flight to You should have it’s good, strong finish today/tonight. I like how the love triangles were peopled with reasonable individuals. They were so much more down-to-earth and real.
The start of the recovery of FL’s mum seemed a little to easy to me, but I’m not an expert in that area, and am willing to accept any scenes that work towards a good resolution with just the last episodes to go.
The little but obvious PPL, especially the one for rental cars at the end got me laughing. It was almost a blink and you’ll miss it PPL, but it was there all the same.
On the whole a satisfying watch that got me invested in the ins and outs of the work behind the glamour of air travel.
One thing I’ve got to say is that the production values of Flight to You are so high it’s difficult to believe Luzhou Airlines doesn’t really exist. The branding appears all over the screen in big and small ways to convince watchers: lanyards, straps to organize passengers in the boarding areas, planes parked at gates in the background. It all looked so real to me, I briefly wondered if the show piggybacked on an actual airline. But the city of Luzhou after which the airline is named is in real life the city of Xiamen (as evidenced by the distinctive twin skyscrapers).
Island
What a romp into a melting pot of beliefs. Ancient magic, spirits and demons, reincarnation and possession, and people who dress like priests who don’t do much in the way of priestly things, plus exorcism on the side. Our FL believes in everything, naming 3 main ‘gods’ in one breath (I thought it was unwise to add the names of gods into the script) and worried that she might get thrown into hell for dissing the Christian God.
Generally what we seem to be having are merges (mergings?) of humans with an other supernatural being: demons possessing and taking over humans, a half-demon human, a tree-spirit that claims a human body…. We have the undefined prophecy of evil returning and a saviour who does not know her past life ‘origins’ and a strange granny who has lived for possibly over a hundred years since a previous life, but who looks about the same as in the past.
The beginning had an endless number of humans being turned into demons to attack the FL… I wonder why that stopped, although it’s a relief LOL.
Cha Eun Woo is far better as this demon-slaying priest than in all his previous roles. We know he’s having a time of his life, and no one can take the role seriously, especially those big ear studs! 🤨 😂 😎
@Welmaris
Flight to You – I remain totally convinced that there really is an airlines called Luzhou Air, with a fleet of planes and their own fully staffed airport. LOL. The creation of this drama’s reality was that meticulously done and so good. There were only a few instances when I thought to myself … ‘oh that’s computer graphics’. I’m even rooting for the locally made/put together D191 aircraft and engine. I’ve to say, this series has been quite a good ride (pun intended!)
Kalimera Unnie!
I really like Island. I heard from a friend that the jakkanim is a famous manga artist. As it seems he blended several traditions, religions in order to create this supernatural world.
I have found a link to read the manga somewhere. If you are interested let met know! *smiles*
P.S. Here is what Ella created for the first 4 episodes : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STlbOECbD38
Kalimera @Welmaris and @GB Unnie,
There is some time now, that I don’t watch just anything. If something doesn’t cling I paused it or drop it. I prefer not to watch anything, than to start something that is not good. So, I totally understand you.
So far, In 2023 I am watching : Missing the Other Side Season 2.
Nothing more, nothing less.
I have started a greek series called One August Night. It is based on a book by Victoria Hislop and it is the continuation of her book The Island. I have watched “The Island” series back in 2010-2011.
IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1708523/
I don’t know if you can find it anywhere with English subtitles, but here are the books if you are interested: https://www.goodreads.com/series/322277-the-island
Hi @Cleo, thanks for the link to Ella’s video. Yes, I’m enjoying Island. Except for the lack of trust between the priests and Van, I feel that they’ll make a great team with Mi Ho. They just need to get over the initial distrust and realise that there’s another true villain.
At the moment it looks like Van’s abilities are more what’s needed to keep everyone protected. I want to know what the priests will be able to do in the face of lust demons.
Thank you for introducing Victoria Hislop to us. I watched the trailer for the Greek series ‘The Island’ and found it evocative of much feeling. I imagine it will grab one and keep one invested and riveted.
Once again, I’m preparing for a big formation, and I really should be reading my notes and other books LOL. So I’m going to take it easy with the shows. 🙂
@birdie007 – I really enjoyed the SI2 cast’s interactions on those shows and the sportsmanship between Jin-Young and Jong-Woo!
@kate yes! And how they discussed their views and feelings when seeing Seul Ki interact with the other. I was glad to see jin young realize that had seul Ki won the wrestling match, she would’ve chosen jong woo. It was nice to see them get more enlightened and find closure.
I can’t help but think of @PM3 and her
points about “feels” and “chemistry”. I think she’d be very impressed by seul Ki and her decision making skills/process.
@birdie007 – yes agreed. I was pleasantly impressed by Seul Ki’s reasoning. She showed maturity.
@welmaris
How was recipe for farewell??
I read a book a few years ago that was similar but opposite—he, a concert pianist, was dying of ALS and his ex wife became his caretaker. I found it thought provoking and I am glad I read it but it was not a light, fun read. I was afraid I wasn’t in the right mood for something like that right now, but I keep feeling like I should watch. Is it worth starting?
Here’s AvenueX’s review of Unchained Love/Forbidden Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6b_2AThahI
One of those dramas I’m glad I dropped early. However out of curiosity, I might watch the last 2 episodes. 😝
@birdie007, from what I’ve watched of Recipe for Farewell so far, I think it deals with the subject of death without being maudlin. I’ve still got two episodes to watch, so my opinion may change. I did cry while watching episode 10, but am still of the opinion that the show didn’t fall into overdone sentimentality. The sorrow I witnessed during a conversation between mother and son seemed raw and real. Because this show is only 12 episodes, each 32 minutes long, the subject matter is doled out in bite-sized chunks, just like in the male lead’s food blog.
I started this show awhile back, set it aside, and then picked it back up this week. I need the catharsis. I mentioned in an earlier comment that I’ve recently spent a lot of time in solitude. Before Christmas my husband went up to Toronto and spent a week with his mother after she was hospitalized. He came home Christmas Eve, then raced back up January 4th because her condition was deteriorating quickly. She passed away early last Friday. Most of her children were able to be at her bedside before she died; two who couldn’t make it in time had recently visited. Eight of her nine children were gathered today in Toronto for her memorial. I stayed in Southern California to be available if a problem arises with her oldest daughter–my sister-in-law–who is a brain trauma survivor living in a facility. I’ve helped with her since her accident in 2008, and my husband became her guardian when she was widowed in 2012. I am making a positive contribution to the family by staying behind, but I’ve found it unexpectedly hard to process my emotions while I’m home alone. Crying last night while watching Recipe for Farewell did me some good.
@GrowingBeautifully, I wrapped up Flight to You today. Have you finished it? All in all the ending was satisfying. Show tried hard to nicely tie up all story lines with pretty little bows. Even Minister Jiang got a measure of redemption; I feared his arc would end tragically with self harm, but we get a glimpse he’s found good footing morally and emotionally.
I am disappointed in how this show finally brought together the OTP. The scenes leading up to, and showing, their first kiss were overflowing with tropes. The culmination was cringe-worthy, not glorious.
I come away from this Chinese drama feeling it was an entertaining watch, but ultimately propaganda. I suspect there is a reason this show was created and released at this time. The domestic creation of a heavy commercial jet: that storyline is “ripped from the headlines.” In the show the last few episodes centered on the maiden flight of Comac’s D191. In real life, Comac (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd.) delivered its first C919 to its first customer on December 9, 2022.
http://english.comac.cc/news/latest/202301/11/t20230111_7355061.shtml
As for the show’s high production value, making Luzhou Airlines look real, I think Xiamen Airlines provided the model. The real-life city of Xiamen became the fictional Luzhou. Xiamen is in the same location as the Luzhou airline hub, as seen on the maps that were so important to our OTP. Xiamen Center Skyscrapers stood in for Luzhou Airlines headquarters. The Xiamen Shimao Straits Towers dominate the skyline of “Luzhou” in establishing shots. The branding of Luzhou Airlines is very similar to Xiamen Airlines, including bird logos. I don’t know if video editing programs can do “replace all” like text editing programs, but if so, it would be easy to swap the Xiamen Airlines egret for the Luzhou Airlines bird graphic. And looking through the “About Us” section of the Xiamen Airlines website, it seems much was borrowed to put into the Flight to You screenplay.
https://www.xiamenair.com/en-us/article-detail?articleLink=%2Fcms-i18n-ow%2Fcms-en-us%2Fcontents%2F44561.json
@Packmule3, my comment is awaiting moderation. I only included two links, and I’m banished. Sheesh!
I’m wondering, since we have a lively discussion going on in this thread, if you think it’s a good idea to pin it to the top of your blog until the end of the month. When February rolls around, that month’s thread could take its place.
@Welmaris condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mother in law. It sounds like she raised a close family who looks out for each other. Sending virtual hugs across the miles. Strength and peace 🙏
@Welmaris,
My condolences to you and your family. I am sending you love…
*HUGS*
@Welmaris,
Sincere condolences to you and your extended family.
Thinking of you at this time.
@Welmaris, hugs to you and condolence. 🙏🏼 I’m glad you’re able to cry it out.
@Kate. I’ve sent you an email. Please check. Maybe it went to spam. 😬
Thank you!
For January I still have Forbidden Marriage, Island (watching with hubby) and I’ve just watched the first episode of Time and Him Are Just Right (cdrama).
The last is an easy watch. The guy is tall (you like tall 😉), he’s a computer genius (again 😂) and she’s pretty, smart and upfront. They’re a new pairing for me but I’m liking it so far. The bonus is the beginning of the episode showed them all dressed up for their wedding. 🥰
It’s 25 episodes and it’s on Viki.
@Welmaris, thank you for the link to Satoh Takeru’s new drama. 😘
I might watch it a bit later. I read he’s a ghost communicating through an investigator. I like my happy endings. 🙁
@agdr03 – just found your email and have got back to you! Thank you. Let me know if it doesn’t arrive safely.
Hi @Welmaris, yes, I finished Flight to You. I felt that the last episode made the show end on a whimper when it should have been a stronger finish. However all’s well that ends well, the good guys are exonerated and the bad guy got his deserts. The expected couples came together and the unexpected one looks good.
To tell you the truth, I expect all cdramas dealing with icons that embody national pride to include a big chunk of propaganda. Anything to do with the uniformed services, and projects that will compete in the international arena (You Are My Glory had locally made space satellites or something like that) will include something to ‘make the people proud’ or stress how dependable the services are.
As it went, I felt that the propaganda bit was unsubtle, but little and didn’t bother me. In any case, in my present mood, any show that gets me to complete it deserves some kind of accolade! I enjoyed it and take it for a show about the work first, which just happened to have a bit of romance, or it would be considered not romantic enough, LOL. Industry-wise, it did not disappoint.
= = =
On a different tack… I’ve started another light romance, the just completed cdrama ‘Hi Venus’. This one is a romance first that happens to be helped along by the job. I believe it will be painless and easy to breeze through, with a tad more skinship than FTY. 😇 😂
@GB and @Welmaris – I stuck with Flight to You – thoughts in no particular order:
1. I liked the leads. Will look for them in other dramas.
2. Maybe it’s my age but lately I am liking these more mature/older ML and a maturer FL (not childlike like you see c-dramas like my boss and me) TSY is actually older than she looks. And her character is quite an accomplished pilot just a little brash – like not initially caring about turbulence as a cargo pilot but realizing its impact on passengers as part of her growth arc.
3. As has been mentioned before in the comments, the parts of the drama that really worked were in the cockpit and the flight simulator and the business of running an airline. I really like where he puts her to the test in the simulator and she is able to land the plane.
4. Feminism – if I had to pick one word to sum up the cdramas I have watched lately it would be “feminism” (closely followed by pro China propaganda). I will do some reading to see if this is a theme in China these days much like the west has had “me too.”
5. Plot – there was way too much plot – probably a function of having so many episodes. The whole thing with her mother and the rescue operation could have been omitted. Same with her “kooky” friend – although I did like seeking how flight attendants are trained. I need to not watch cdramas that are currently on air because I lose interest while waiting for episodes to drop. I find the ff button on my remote is the key to watching these lengthy dramas.
6. Propaganda – I play propaganda bingo when I watch Cdramas to see what societal or governmental value is being promoted, for example group marriage in You Are My Glory. Here it was domestic plane production. I thought it was funny that the bullies at flight school were the seemingly American pilots.
7. Would recommend watching to anyone looking for a drama to watch – just keep the remote and the ff button at ready
Is anybody watching the Makanai: Cooking for Maiko House on Netflix? It just premiered. I’m halfway through the first episode and already googling to get more background. It’s set in modern era about two teen girls who leave their small village to train to become maiko (apprentice geishas). One of the girls is considered too clumsy and becomes their cook instead. An article on the series: https://time.com/6246425/the-makanai-cooking-for-the-maiko-house-netflix/
My condolences, @Welmaris. 💐💐
Good suggestion. I’ll pin this thread on top tonight when I’m on my laptop.
Can’t read and write too much now bec I get carsick. 🤪 Bye!
My condolences as well @Welmaris. I had to do much the same thing 3 years ago when my mother-in-law died. I stayed at home after rushing to get my husband on the train so he could be with her. It’s a 17 hour plus train-ride even when the trains are on time so there was no time to take care of making sure animals were cared for etc. My mother had just died the month before and I was still used to being the one staying at home and caregiving and I too watched a sad movie for the emotional release (‘PS. I Love You’ was the movie with Hillary Swank). It was the first time I had cried since my father’s death two months before. I did end up catching the train the next day after making arrangements so I was able to be with my husband and husband’s family. It is difficult to grieve alone. Take care.
@welmaris that’s a lot to deal with and I also find that having an alternate avenue to help access emotions. I think the Korean underlying Han in their dramas is why I’m drawn to them. I hope you had a nice, cathartic cry and can rest in knowing what you’re doing is important and necessary
Drama Review
I’ve finished binge-watching cdrama, ‘Hi Venus’ and this is what I call a satisfactory romance. A straightforward tale of a female doctor who herself needed healing, and the amusing, sweet relationship between her and the hospital boss.
This was one drama relationship I can get behind. The amount of time the OTP spent together, the quality of their conversations and how they both contributed to their relationship was so reasonable and so good. Aside from the ML being childish at times, it was a great relationship through and through. Even the 2nd lead romance was good although understated.
The usual tropes or obstacles in the romance were turned on their heads. Stuff that might have been filler that made the route to happiness long and meandering did not happen. The tale was simple and to the point, which I appreciated. The enthusiastic kisses were the cherry on the cake.
Some of the music for the OST was absurdly funny and fit the scenes very well. I found myself laughing each time we were given a musical cue only to have it rescinded. I did like a couple of the romantic song OSTs although I felt the first one was repeated too much.
The 24 episodes felt about right. It touched on the abuse of authority and how it can be stopped, threw in briefly a smidgeon on the equality of women, gave advice on the effects of trolling/bullying on social media and the foolishness of believing in rumours, but its main focus was always the development of the couple and how the FL became more positive and open.
At the end of the series, I found myself contented with the delightful romance that even came with healing.
@GoodTwin I have started Makanai – Cooking for Maiko House. It’s fascinating. The 2 girls are gorgeous. Everyone is polite and respectful. It’s refreshing not to have everyone back stabbing or constantly in conflict. Instead it regales sisterhood amid the tight knit geisha/maiko community. There’s an old school charm and glow about this sweet show. The heroines are best friends who stand up for each other and thus far (I am onto Ep4) haven’t had the slightest jealousy against each other (this could change because one of them likes a boy who seems to have his eye on the other friend). The only wet blanket in this show is Ryoko (?) who seems to react negatively towards Kiyo. Kiyo is a Pollyanna type character who failed as maiko training and ended up as the makanai (cook). She’s delightful. And the meals she conjures up inspires me to cook with love. I am not sure I am totally for the concept of men seeking the company of geisha as a form of entertainment. It’s definitely interesting to follow the rituals and take a peek at how they live. Their kimonos are so beautiful and the ladies (bar Yoshino) carry themselves with so much grace. I had to laugh when Hyun Bin made a cameo appearance 😂😂😂 in the form of posters in the room of Grandmother (who lives to oversee and manage the girls).
Kalispera Ladies,
Seriously, “Crash Course in Romance” is pretty good! 😁
@GB – thank you for the review. I just started watching ‘Hi Venus’ this evening as a result. I am enjoying it.
@Cleopatra – I am intrigued by ‘Crash Course…’ – watched a little earlier and then saw the @GB review and decided to go with ‘Hi Venus’. But it looks fun and pacey.
Hello there @Kate! I’m glad to know that you’ve decided to take a peek at ‘Hi Venus’. I’d be very interested to know how you find it after you’ve watched a few episodes. Enjoy!
@GB – will get back to you!
@nrllee – it’s really lovely – I think lyrical is a good word. I’m having to watch it quite closely because there isn’t that much dialogue. I love how much the girls support each other. It is an interesting peak into this world and what goes in to creating the illusion. At first I thought the theme music was from Squid Game – odd choice 😂 – but I went back and listened and it is similar but different.
@GB I watched Hi Venus – it was cute although improbable (pediatrician acting as executive assistant). I agree with you – the dialogue between the couple was well written and natural. I thought the ML was good at the humorous parts of the drama. And I downloaded one of the songs to my kdrama playlist (now expanded to cdramas too)- the song sung by Claire Kuo – title is in Chinese so can’t say what it’s called.
@cleopatra I intend to watch Crash Course – but I need to wait for more episodes to drop as I have no patience for one episode a week.
Since it has been non stop rain for almost 3 weeks, I have had lots of time to hibernate and watch television . I finished Kiss Sixth Sense which is finally on Hulu – though the ending was messy and noisy – I really enjoyed this series. I like the adult romance and the mature leads and the concept of seeing glimpses of the future and how that challenges living in the present. It had a great soundtrack too.
*peek.
@GB if you’re looking for uncomplicated, sweet and breezy – I enjoyed the Best of You in My Mind – the physicality of the FL and their disparity in height and size made for some amusing visuals. She literally climbs him like a tree at one point….
Hi @Good Twin, thanks for the recommendation! I may check out Best of You in My Mind.
@Cleo, thanks! I looked up Crash Course in Romance. It looks possible too… I gather it’s a romance between people in their thirties.
Once again I’m busier and want to only watch things that are ‘undemanding’. I looked back on some of my old posts and discovered that I’ve lost interest in many dramas since the beginning of last year. Fewer shows are managing to engage me for the full series. No wonder I was overjoyed by LBFD and First Love (which I’m still rewatching).
I’m not even finding ‘Forbidden Marriage’ all that compelling. I’ll see where fancy takes me!! 🙂
@Good Twin did you find it odd that there were 2 men dressing the Maiko? Tying the Obi (?). I thought it was odd but it was probably a “normal” thing.
@nrllee – I find the men who serve/work with the geisha/maikos one of the most interesting parts of the series. What a strange world to be part of. I read that it is very complicated dressing a geisha and that the kimono can be as expensive as $5000 and the obi several thousand as well. The dressers are so proficient that they can dress in about 10 minutes with many years of practice.
@Good Twin. It was certainly an eye opener for me. All the little details of their life. Like how the maiko had to sleep (or not sleep) on a special pillow to keep their hair 😮. But it was just a lovely breath of fresh air to have everyone just treat each other with respect and care. It’s what I remember of Japanese people when I visited. Kiyo taught me lessons on how to value each moment as special, even if it’s the same old meal you’re cooking the 100th time, because every meal is different because the ingredients are subtly different. 😂. I am not sure I treat cooking like that. I tend to treat it like a chore so my mind is usually wanting it to be over already. But I will certainly try from now on. And hope it makes the cooking process less onerous for me.
Kalimera Ladies!
@Kate, @GoodTwin and @GB Unnie,
I enjoyed the first episodes of “CCiR”. I am watching it for Jung Kyung-ho and he doesn’t disappoint. It is fresh and easy going so far. It deals with some issues that we haven’t seen before and I like it because the jakkanim has the main male lead to deal with them.
I am not going to spoil it for you. I will be waiting for your thoughts if you start it!
@Cleopatra,
Sounds good! Will certainly comment on this thread once I get going.
Thank you for highlighting it.
@Cleopatra, I’ve also started Crash Course in Romance because of Jung Kyung Ho. I originally was going to give it a pass because the write-up on Netflix made it sound like SKY Castle, then Netflix surprised me with the clip of the math course TV ad being filmed, and I HAD to check it out. I wonder if Jung Kyung Ho and Ju Chang Wook agreed to recent projects with the caveat that they’d be able to sing/dance in at least one scene.
Seeing the actors who were cast as competing moms in CCiR puts my heart at ease a bit: they’re great character actors. I’ve seen them do comedy and drama well, and expect we’ll see both from them in this show.
Jung Kyung Ho does well playing fussy characters. This one is more anxious than the cardio-thoracic surgeon he played in Hospital Playlist. The bravado of this male lead, Choi Chi Yeol, thinly covers (but not all the time) deep insecurities. I’m glad he’s not in denial, but seeing a mental health professional. Let’s hope that continues to be positively modeled in this show, not turned into a mockery (or worse, with the psychiatrist secretly being the antagonist).
CCiR is trying to turn a humorous light on serious subjects, and I hope the fun feel can be maintained throughout. But this show does have hallmarks of a makjang screenplay: sudden death of parents, abandoned child, unremembered acquaintance in youth, stalkers, helicopter parents…this show having already demonstrated it is comfortable going over the top, we watchers should just enjoy the ride.
Unfortunately, no way to see anything. At most, half an hour of drama a day, during lunch. The rest of the time, writing. I’m in an epic rush. On available days, wake up at 5am, and revise/correct/re-write until 7pm.
A bit of in-depth re-reading of Song Jae-Jung’s screenplay. Making me progress a lot. No more wasted time in photo editing too. Making the writing to be more complete and conform to a screenplay. I was able to publish episodes 13 (the last one with full photos), 14, 15, 16 (simplified photos). I just finished the 17th (to be translated). In less than a month.
@GrowingBeautifully, I’ve started Hi Venus. You’re right, it is entertaining and enjoyable, with fewer of the elements that–for me–drag down storylines. For once, the female is getting logical advice from her bestie. From the beginning the new president is aware of political wrangling, jockeying for power, and gossip: he’s not in the dark, but biding his time and letting things play out.
@Good Twin, I understand your scepticism about the FL, a pediatrician, stepping into the role of the ML’s assistant, but the show clearly sets out the reasons why this happens. The FL and other characters even voice their concerns about the move appearing inappropriate for someone on her career track. But I trust the show will reveal advantages of her, a licensed doctor, being in that position when others in administration don’t have that kind of background. The show has already revealed that the top doctors don’t respect the new hospital president or Associate President Gao. I suspect that tension will continue to drive some of the story arcs, and our FL will be in the thick of it because of her unique position.
Kalimera my dear @Welmaris!
I am glad you are watching this as well. It is a good transition from AoS to a romcom.
Yes, the secondary cast is brilliant as well. I am happy we get to see them in this drama as well! There will be funny moments but also sad as well.
I am also glad that the ML is seeing a therapist and he knows his problems. The fact that he doesn’t nourish himself properly means he is not happy in life in general. This also has to do with the past, but I don’t want to spoil it for others.
I do hope we will get to discuss more about it. I think the messages are very clear and it is interesting how the jakkanim will address them further on.
@GB, @Welmaris and @GoodTwin,
Also enjoying ‘Hi Venus’ and for the same reasons that @Welmaris outlined. It’s great to have an ML who is a bit ahead of the game so that our couple are not swimming in misunderstanding. In fact, lots of characters seem to be intelligent in the way they read the room – including our ML’s astute Assistant Lin.
I liked their ‘meet cute’. What could be cuter than attractive rain-swept man, well-dressed, rescuing young goat – even if his kindness was misunderstood!
Agree that the bff is less irritating than standard C-drama fare.
Altogether a very pleasant watch. I found myself effortlessly at the end of Episode 10 last night. Just the sort of thing I need to watch at the moment when life is busy.
Annyeong 🐇
I finished “unlock the boss” and feel sad that the dad remained in coma state 🙁 but happy for the ML achieving his dream as an actor.
I also finished “The Glory” Part 1. Can’t wait for Part 2.
Still watching “forbidden marriage” – How many lives does So Rang have? still hoping for a happy ending.
I’m thinking of checking out “you are my Hero” and awaiting “Blooming Youth”
On the recommendation of @GoodTwin, I’ve started The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House. What a gentle show! It’s perfect for the gloomy days of January because there is so much laughter in it. Watching it, I realized how infrequently such simple, day-to-day joy is shown on American TV. It’s also refreshing to see a group of women supporting one another without any backstabbing or jealousy. There’s not a lot of plot/conflict, though, if that’s what people are looking for. It is more like dropping in on this world for a few months. I assume there will be no big epiphanies or resolutions at the end but that we will simply bid farewell to these women.
I’m on Episode 7 and plan to finish it in the next couple of days. I wouldn’t mind a separate post here about this show–not to discuss the story (since as I said there isn’t a lot of plot) but to figure out how the whole geisha system works as it is shown here. For example, I can’t figure out the role of the woman who returned to the house after she left her marriage. She wears a kimono but doesn’t have her hair done and sits with men in the bar. Does she get paid to entertain the men like that? Also, do women never watch the performances? Is this really entirely for men, still, in Japan?
Hello everyone!
I have finished watching Makanai and I enjoyed the slow pace of the show. I was also surprised to see the 2 guys helping to dress the Maiko, I only knew that it’s impossible to dressed up in kimono alone but not to the extent that it has to be done in the presence of men. I was inspired by Kiyo’s support for Sumire and how she enjoyed her fall back as the Makanai.
I am still watching the Forbidden Marriage and hope to get a happy ending. I also started with the Crash Course in Romance and got hooked because of the Math “thing”. It’s just distressful to see the monster parents and the sufferings of students just to get to a good school, where in reality, sometimes the name of the school doesn’t matter to be successful.
@nrllee and @bethb, I’m still watching The Makanai – not quite finished yet. I just got to the episode where the older geisha met up with her first (only?) love. I am going to have to rewatch a couple of episodes because I got distracted from the subtitles by a project I’m working on. Hard to multitask and read subtitles! @nrllee I love what you said about cooking with love – I think my attitude about many household chores could be improved with this reframing. My mom always cleaned with love and you could feel it in the house – me not so much. @bethb – I have been doing a lot of googling on the culture as a result of this show. It is interesting that the maiko dresses more colorfully than the geisha to make up for their lack of conversational ability. At least that is what one article said. They also don’t where the white makeup all the way down their back. Now I need to watch again to notice these differences.
Is anyone watching Meet Yourself? It’s on VIKI. It has the FL from A dream of splendor and the ML from Go go squid. It’s at the around the halfway point (40 eps total) and since the reviews seem to be positive, I think I’ll start now.
Since I seem to be watching everything these days with the help of ff button on remote, I have started watching. I don’t know if I’ll stay watching for all of it – but what I’ve watched so far is lovely. A little like Hometown Cha Cha Cha without the aegyo (thankfully). He is quite charming – can’t figure out yet whether he has childhood trauma – I haven’t watched closely enough. I like the FL. It’s a sweet story with small town cast of characters. the locale is a cultural heritage site and the economics and the draw of the big city for the youth are some of the themes.
@birdie007 and @Good Twin, I have not started on Meet Yourself yet, but I watched Avenue X’s review of it and it sounds promising for a relaxing, ‘pretty’ watch. Yes, the ML from Go Go Squid who frowned soooo much is in it. I wanted to see him frown less LOL.
As usual, I’ll have to see if I can squeeze it in, knowing that I’ll be tempted to binge the available episodes if I’m not disciplined.
I just watched the last two episodes of Recipe for Farewell. Yes, I was brought to tears a couple of times, but don’t stay away from this show because you think it is too sad. Overall, it is uplifting, but in a gentle and real way. I think that is because this show is based on a nonfiction novel written by a man who lived through the experiences. Rather than focusing on death, it celebrates joy, good food, connection, family, and love. I highly recommend this well-made show, if for no other reason than it being an excellent palate cleanser if you are frustrated with bad writing, bad acting, bad direction, or bad cinematography in another show you’ve watched.
It is the Chinese New Year long weekend here and even though I’m going to have visitations and eating and gatherings for the next 3-4 days, it’s gonna be a relaxing weekend to catch up on some dramas!
New dramas I’m starting
– Strangers again (about divorce lawyers and the divorced couple lawyer ends up in the same law firm and having to face each other again. Pretty fun so far and)
– Crash Course in Romance (looks like a noona romance but I like the setting about education and it is drawing me in)
– Love in Time (This was from last year October. Kind of like a Wrinkle in time and it is intriguing so I can’t help wanting to watch the next and the next, anyone watched this?)
You all have piqued my interest in
– Hi Venus (he was a ML in this drama called Take My Brother Away which is a G rating kind of Cdrama and a comedy that my tween could watch to help improve her chinese)
– Flight to you
– Recipe for farewell
– The Makanai
Thanks for the recommendations. I did have moments when I’m not sure what to watch next
Let’s see if i can keep up with all these!
Last one! On Singles Inferno, do check out Nadine’s interview on Elle Singapore. It helped me understand that there is more that meets the eye. Also, did you all hear about the controversy that YoongJae got into a fight with another guy (a new guy) and those parts were all cut out in the final production?
https://elle.com.sg/2023/01/19/nadine-lee-on-fronting-a-reality-tv-series-unexpected-friendships-and-the-singles-inferno-ending/
Hi @grace, I watched Love in Time. It was pretty good as these time-warp/time travel stories go. The logic held through til the end.
@grace, I also recently watched, and enjoyed, Love in Time. Be careful, though…there are three different shows with the same title. The one you want is a Chinese drama done in 2022.
@Grace – I enjoyed Love in Time also. I enjoyed the way they played with the wrinkle in time plot and some of the early episodes with the very first encounters were so well done and funny too!
Hi all,
‘You are my Hero’ re-watch
@Fern and I think we are probably re-watching ‘You are my Hero’ on our own.
If that is the case, we propose to bring forward the re-watch time to 8pm GMT. Slightly preferable at the end of the week.
However… if anyone is watching with us and wants to continue at the 9.30pm GMT etc time… please let us know by Monday and we will, happily, continue to start at 9.30 pm GMT.
@GrowingBeautifully, I just finished watching Hi Venus Episode 23, which was released today, and have to wait four days for the final episode to be available. In your region, have all 24 episodes been released? Although I’m not on pins and needles, worried about the OTP, I still want to see the happy ending as soon as possible.
Hi @Welmaris, I have all the episodes where I am, but then I’m getting the show from a free dramas site. When it was airing, the episodes came out 2 a day. Yes it’s a fun, watch, childish ML and all.
I have not found out why the show is called ‘Hi Venus’… maybe the Chinese title makes more sense. Of course I could ‘try hard’ to draw out meaning by saying that as Venus is the second planet from the sun, maybe we consider ML as the ‘sun’, then FL is Venus who’s ‘next’ to him. LOL.
Vague First Impression (May be my first and last, LOL)
I’m sort of trying to watch Sci-Fi cdrama ‘Three-Body’ (or ‘Three-Body Problem’), but I can’t say it’s easy. I admit that I was tired, etc and slept through quite a bit of Ep 1, but unlike other shows, I do not feel compelled to watch every minute of what I missed. I went on to Ep 2 and 3 (snoozing here and there!!!) without caring about parts I didn’t watch.
This series is based on the first of 3 books, adapted from the novel “The Three-Body Problem” (三体) by Liu Ci Xin (刘慈欣).
As an aside: The three-body problem describes the motion of three-point mass particles under their mutual gravitational interactions. This is a classical problem that covers a large range of situations in astrodynamics. An instance of such situations is the motion of the Moon about the Earth under the influence of the Sun. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/physics-and-astronomy/three-body-problem#:~:text=The%20three%2Dbody%20problem%20describes,the%20influence%20of%20the%20Sun.)
So far the three-body problem itself is not obvious but is the underlying basis for the premise.
Even my sciencey-techie husband found some of the show hard to understand. Ep 2 onwards is probably better. I’m more interested in the mystery (which might include the physics or lack thereof), than in the characters per se. At the moment, the mystery, drives the show. I know of some spoilers already, so I’m not too het up about the strangeness.
One good bit that’s in the show’s premise can be found in this blog:
https://peterbutler.blog/2017/03/06/the-shooter-and-the-farmer/
The problem of induction: we think we know, but what is our thinking based on?
I generally found it visually too dark. Literally show wants to shroud itself in darkness and mystery? ML is as at a loss as we are… so we journey with him in figuring out what’s going on. There’s mention of gamma in Ep 3, which on looking up, makes me laugh. We need a lot more gamma to lighten the show.
🤔 😧 😳 🤯 😱 😵💫 😣
@GrowingBeautifully, the title Hi Venus may have been given to the English-speaking audience because the literal translation of the Chinese title is cumbersome: I May Have Met a Savior. (Per MyDramaList) Venus is the Roman goddess of love, beauty, desire, sex, fertility, prosperity, and victory. I think it’s a bit of a stretch from savior to Venus, besides the victory allusion. Who knows what was going on in the minds of the translators? But I do think Hi… could be a convention in titles of Chinese shows: Hi My Sweetheart (Taiwan, 2009), and Hi Producer (China, upcoming). Just like You Are My… is used repeatedly in translations of Chinese and Korean shows.
Hey all, Happy Chinese New Year!
@GB I thought about Three Body but recently I have been watching Allen Ren’s dramas after ‘One and Only’. After reading your first impression, I probably will not start.
What I have watched in my summer break:
The Blue Whisper – OK watch. Although I need to Google to fully understand the ending.
Spoilers on ending – it’s a happy one.
Under the Power – OK watch. Story plot is average. The rommance between Lu Yi and Jin Xia is the selling point. Great for stress free watching and if you feel watching something sweet.
I’m currently watching She and her Perfect Husband. I fast forward the side characters story lines though. Currently up to ep 16. The parts I like:
1.Yang Hua stands up to his mother for Qin Shi – It is refreshing! It’s tiring to watch interfering mum and the girlfriend has to put up with it. Yang Hua tells his mother she is wrong when she is.
2.Qin Shi told off Yang Hua’s mum – watched too many dramas that the mums walks over the sons because of ‘love’ . It’s nice to watch Qi Shi called her out of not respecting the son’s choices in his own life. Let the adult children live their lives!
3.Yang Hua doesn’t plan to change Qin Shi – He has no problem to like a smarter womam. The confession to her family in the first family dinner is touching.
4.Qin Shi’s clothes and handbags. I like her pearl chandelier earrings!
The annoying part is obviously the lies. At the moment they are like a couple to me, just they don’t know it. All those touching moments listed above is built on a false starting point – a fake marriage. I am waiting to see how the lies will be exposed. I expect consequences to follow.
Interesting and short piece on the appeal of dramas by Wang Chiong Cheng – Meet Yourself and Hi Venue:
https://dramaswithasideofkimchi.com/2023/01/19/captivated-by-meet-yourself-and-hi-venus-a-wang-xiong-cheng-appreciation-post/
*Hi Venus* !
@Kelley C, @birdie007, @GoodTwin, @GrowingBeautifully, and @Kate, I started Meet Yourself tonight and am loving it! This show doesn’t just have food porn (the flower cakes!🤤), but also craft porn. Embroidery! Tie dying! Wood carving! And move over Maximus, there’s a new white horse for us to fawn over: Cutie Pie. I love this glimpse of Yunnan Province and its regional cuisine, arts, clothing, etc. I love that the plot tension doesn’t come from evil villains, but from all-too-real temptations that draw young people away from villages to big cities: jobs, money, expanded horizons, etc. I love seeing characters supporting one another, rather than engaging in petty competition and tearing each other down.
Hi all – since we are all enthusing about writer WXC’s dramas …
It turns out ‘Go Ahead’ – another favourite of mine – a family drama is also by Wang Xieng Cheng. It stars Seven Tan and Song Weilong amongst others in a wonderful slice of life ensemble drama.
As is… Find Yourself …one of my fave romantic comedy shows with Victoria Song and Song Weilong. I’ve re-watched this three times. Older woman younger man romance with a very entertaining 2ML performance too. And Esther Yue plays a key role… found her irritating but have since come to appreciate her wacky winsomeness.
@Welmaris – thank you for your review of ‘Meet Yourself’. It is now next on my to be watched list. Sounds great.
@Kate @Welmaris @Good Twin, @Birdie, @Grace
I’m thinking we’ll do well to watch ‘Meet Yourself’. Something that will keep us full of good cheer, bring on happy sighs and general approbation. I’ve yet to start it but from what I hear and what @Welmaris has reported, it sounds like a sweet watch.
@Viva, okay… to be fair, I decided to be more awake and try Three Body again Episode 1 LOL.
The mystery is interesting and we can tell that some ‘evil’ portents. It was quite watchable, but it suffers from too much exposition. People sitting around a table and talking. I may still continue with it and see if it keeps sending me to slumber-land. I imagine that Ep 3 onwards will be more gripping.
Yes @GB it will be fun to share the experience!
@Kate, good article about writer Wang Xiong Cheng: thanks for the link! As @Packmule3 says, we Bitches ship scripts, not actors. Now that I’ve been pleased watching Hi Venus and Meet Yourself, I think I’ll put WXC’s other three shows on my watch list.
To all the Bitches who celebrate it (and even those who don’t), Happy Lunar New Year’s Eve! 🐰
Happy Chinese/Lunar New Year to all who celebrate it!!
Out of curiosity, I looked up the element that this year’s ‘Rabbit’ is associated with…’water’.
2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit
In Chinese Astrology, 2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit, also known as the Year of the Black Rabbit. In addition to the 12-year cycle of animals in the Chinese Zodiac, each animal is associated with one of five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water), which are associated with their own “life force” or “chi,” and corresponding luck and fortune. The rabbit is the symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese Culture, thus 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope. (From the blog: https://www.cartus.com/en/blog/lunar-new-year-2023-hopping-year-rabbit/)
Regardless of the zodiac, we pray with great hope for a peace-filled, healthy, good year.
🙏 🏮 🧧 👨👩👧👦 🙏
Happy Chinese/Lunar New Year, ladies! Wishing you a prosper years ahead full with happiness, good health and blessing. ❤️❤️❤️
@GrowingBeautifully, as long as it’s not the year of a rabbit like the one in Monte Python and the Holy Grail, I’ll be grateful.
Thank you @Miracle23. Happy Long Weekend Holiday to you!! 🙂
Thanks for the reminder of that show @Welmaris. I started to watch it and couldn’t stop laughing for many minutes from the subtitles until the king coconut-ted his horse ride away from the castle, who’s keepers could not agree on how a tropical coconut could be found in their temperate land. I miss those good old shows. 😂 🤣
I’m watching Episode 7 of Meet Yourself, and I’m in love. The actress who plays Zhi Yao’s granny has completely stolen my heart. She’s imbued her character with feistiness, love, dependability…and has such a twinkle in her eyes. I want to be her when I grow up.
@GB, @miracle23, @Welmaris happy CNY!
I am very happy that we got to watch some lion dance performance in our local shopping mall today in New Zealand!
I will try out Meet Yourself.😉
On ‘Meet Yourself’ – I also like the lead couple. Our FL and the actress playing her (recently in Dreams of Splendour playing someone similar so it seems this is her sweet spot as an actress… I don’t know her other works) is so attractively poised, composed and careful with her words but, at the same time, direct and kind…She is so graceful. She also gives me massive hair envy. I don’t like random long hair but on her it looks stunning. And our ML (of course we know him from Go Go Squid) is sincere, direct and passionate about life. They are very yin and yang which is rather nice.
Has anyone been to see Shen Yun in performance? I am considering booking tickets. A friend is a fan of classical Chinese and Japanese dance (she has a dance background) and thinks this is too adapted for a Western audience. I don’t mind if it is adapted at all! But I wonder if the show is as good as it appears in the promo videos…
https://www.shenyun.org/?lang=en-us
@Kate Shen Yun is a political statement against the existing Chinese government. It’s not just a classical dance performance.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shen_Yun
@nrllee – thank you for the link!
On another note – ‘Singles Inferno’ has been nominated for the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Entertainment Program.
Wang Xiong Cheng, the scriptwriter of Meet Yourself, obviously does through research on the topics he introduced. The subplot of Mr. Ma wanting to return to his entrepreneurial ways is presented interestingly. He tries market research using folks in the village to hilarious results: they’re all over the board! He gets no-nonsense advice from Aunty Gio, another character I love. Her advice, and words that come out of the mouths of other characters are solidly based in good mental health. Does it his show reflect real life? No, but watching it is a refreshing change from shows with characters that are misguided and/or morally compromised.
As I said before, come for the OTP (and excellent writing, directing, cinematography, set design, etc.) but stay for Granny and the aunties.
I’m up for this cdrama, @Welmaris. Sounds like a great cdrama as you and the other Ladies have said.
I haven’t started it yet. I’m trying to finish Time and Him are Just Right. But I can jump on it this week. I like Li Xian from Go Go Squid. ☺️
Kalimera Ladies!
Happy Chinese Year / Lunar Year to all those who celebrate it! 🙂
I do hope your weekend was spent beautifully!
In Meet Yourself the character of Hu You Yu, the musician, has a peripheral role, at least up through Episode 19, which is as far as I’ve watched so far. He’s a bit silly, but he does sing well. I thought he looked familiar, so I looked him up on MyDramaList. Turns out he was the male lead in GO into Your Heart. In that show the character played by actor Niu Jun Feng was dour. That character and this current character are each a bit tortured in their own ways, but it’s nice to see him play someone more lightheaded.
Thanks @Welmaris.
He’s part of Xiao Nai’s group in LoveO2O.
I’m hoping to finish my other cdrama so I’ll jump to this straight away.
Make that lighthearted!
Chalk up my typing mistake and proofreading failure to my being lightheaded. I’m running a fever right now, but unless it goes higher or my head hurts more, I’m letting it run its course. I’m working through my first bout with COVID-19. This is Day Four since the onset of symptoms..Am I having fun yet?
@Welmaris, all the best to you as you navigate the choppy waters of Covid. I trust that you will feel better soon with the right medication. I gather that those of us who have more severe symptoms will need a longer time to rest and gather their strength, even after 15 or so days. A friend of mine was still unwell after a couple of months, so please do take care of yourself, get lots of rest, and get the right medication if you need it. I will of course be keeping you in my prayers. 🙏
@Welmaris, rest well and praying your recovery will be complete. Everyone’s experience with Covid is so vastly different. Here our elders will tell us to drink lots of coconut water cos it is heaty?! For our family, we take cordyceps in the pill form because it helps with respiratory issues and immunity. Rest lots and sleep lots if you need it! My kids were up and jumping after 3 days even though they tested positive till the 8th day.
I’ve finished Love in Time!! Gosh, it was so good we binged it and finally finished it last night. I cried so much at every episodes from epi.15 onwards. A drama I would always recommend.
Now on to Hi Venus and hope I can catch up with you all! Chinese drama “translated” titles are the weirdest, maybe they try to catch the essence of the drama instead of the original title.
Meet yourself is an example. Literal translation 去有风的地方 means to go to a place where there is wind. But it’s weird to translate that into english. There is a chinese phrase 去吹吹风 which literally mean to go blow wind and to those who understand, it means to go for a ride or a walk and feel the breeze. I’m sure the country side where they filmed is a beautiful place to relax.
@grace, it’s a lovely countryside in Meet Yourself. Yes there’s a Windy Court and lovely places where people go to relax and probably find themselves or meet themselves. I’m at Ep 26 and have to wait for the next lot to be subbed (probably after the New Year period!!) and it’s still lovely and engrossing although (like Avenue X says) there is no 1 driving force arc or much plot. But there is a main theme, well executed, to give us the overall desire to see the success of the projects by Ep 40. 🙂
@grace @Welmaris, dear me… I’ve taken to watching Meet Yourself raw and am smiling like a loon for many minutes on end. This is the go to show when one wants to relax and enter a positive frame of mind.
‘smiling like a loon’ – wonderful @GB!
It is feel-good show.
@Kate, yes it is ultimately, but of course there are sad bits here and there. In a sense, it feels very ‘authentic’ as a slice-of-real-life show. 🙂
Good point… for me a feel good show includes and takes you through the authentic experience… so this is a question of definition.
But certainly for people who are considering it, that sense of life and the bitter sweet of life is part if its appeal for sure.
I checked – ‘Feel good’ is sometimes used to describe specious or superficial happy feelings evoked by a show.
This show makes me feel good and I don’t use the term in that way. In fact the existence of problems and difficulties is part of the show’s rich appeal.
@Kate, there’s one female in Meet Yourself who worked harder–I should say labored–than all others who appear in this show. Her performance? I’d say she delivered. I’m talking about the mom with pretty eyes and long eyelashes. Wasn’t that footage amazing?
@Welmaris – yes!! And yes the footage was indeed amazing.
OMG I laughed at the scene where the village aunties think he is smiling and happy because he already recovered from his broken heart (typical male they scoff) when in actuality he is so happy because she sent the peaches.
@Good Twin I really like how this drama draws out Li Xian’s smile. I didn’t see a single smile of his on GGS!! Ah Yao is just such a little boy with that grin, each time he thinks of her. (I loved nai-nai’s reaction when she found out that he’d got the girl. I giggled for ages.)
@Welmaris, LOL the puns. Ah! Yes, that footage. Even I had a tear in my eye, like Hong Dou, when that gift arrived safely and could stand on its own feet. A job accomplished perfectly!
You all make me have to watch Meet Yourself asap!
@Kate shared a link about Wang Chiong Cheng dramas and I also have that all on my list of dramas to watch…written on paper at my computer. I watched 1 episode of Go Ahead and I understand what they meant by those warm moments, kinda of Hospital Playlist / Reply 1988 feel of human relationships.
Hi @grace and Everyone,
If you’d like to just relax, here are the OSTs for ‘Meet Yourself’ (A Windy Place).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWS4GaCF4lM
Melodies that bring down blood pressure LOL. Perhaps only the last song, ‘Validate’ has a different feel to it, but it adds contrast to all that sweetness and calm, that belied real worry here and there, like real life.
I was wondering about the cradle song whether it is an actual children’s song or written for the drama. I enjoyed his confession – I read that it was badly translated but I liked the “you’re just ok and that’s ok with me” – I am paraphrasing. It reminded me of the Bruce Springsteen lyric – “you ain’t a beauty but you’re alright and that’s alright with me”. It isn’t about her being perfect but rather perfectly (or imperfectly) suited for/to him. I think that it what he was saying to her and that it was a process of discovery.
I really enjoy seeing the character actors who play the parents/grandparents in these chinese dramas and the different pairings. They most have so much fun. Her mother throwing dumpling wrappers at her husband’s head 😭 The mom was also in You Are My Glory – she has a really distinctive voice – I wonder if it is actually her voice or dubbed. It seems so well suited to her!
Watching Meet Yourself, I’ve developed a bad case of courtyard envy. Anyone else?
@welmaris – yes!!! I don’t think Melrose Place (yes, I dated myself) could compete
Yes @Welmaris – I want to live there too and enjoy tea tasting and nights under the stars.
This show really appeals if you have any sense of missing community/family.
It even makes perhaps not a virtue of gossip (in the way that it encourages romance not in the way it creates shame as in the experience of our ML’s younger brother) but at least creates a tolerance for the way human curiosity can shape and support the good things. And the children as the invisible carriers of gossip. And, for me, the subtle message or not to subtle message is that privacy is all well and good but we also need community and to be close enough to rub up against one another’s frailties.
There is so much about acceptance of oneself and the other in this show.
@Kate, there were several quotable (but I did not make notes) philosophical, sensible, pieces of good advice given by friends and family to each other that got me nodding my head several times. Wisdom abounds in the midst of human frailties, and we embrace both as we accept each other.
I really appreciated the communal spirit of giving in this show: the others-first attitude, the generous expansion of what family means to include unrelated individuals, to work without obvious self-centred reward, but simply so that the whole community would be able to thrive.
The unassuming hero was Ah Yao through and through. Although the main protagonist that we follow is Hong Dou who does have a growth trajectory, it is Zhi Yao’s concerns, decisions and causes for joy that got me feeling a whole lot more. He deserved every bit of happiness and success that came his way.
I’m still rewatching slowly as the subs come out. Such a relaxing delight at the end of the day.
@GB – love your post above!
I’m not as far on as you are (Episode 12) but yes what super lead character is Ah Yao… his vision and commitment to that community, unassuming actions, warm smile for Hong Dou and for his granny too… + tolerance of human frailty… He is a delight.
He is no smoothie … the comment about milk cheese and farting for instance!!
I agree with you re Hong Dou who is the recipient of his encouragement and love and is blossoming under his gaze. Not totally… I correct myself … she brings a lot to the table… but is, would you agree, being called to vocationally, and drawn in relationship terms by AH.
A further thought … although Li Xian’s character was more dour in Go GO Squid… he was playing a similar role. Gun had a passionate commitment to his young ‘under dog’ team. His vision went before his personal interest in many ways and he was heavily invested. He was self-giving, hard-working and utterly focused on bringing out his team’s potential. He was angry with his friend for quitting (although the AppleDog relationship was part of that) after all the roof top discussions of bringing home the world championship to China etc etc
So, I wonder whether the director was inspired to pick Li Xian for that reason because of what he evokes. Just pondering here.
@Kate, yes Hong Dou has a lot to offer. I’m sure it leaps out at one, just how relevant her skillset is to the community in that little village. However she is the hard-nosed, rational type who’ll think things through carefully before committing to anything.
Thanks for the reminder of Li Xian’s GGS character. Yes perhaps his role there got him this role. I take it that casting directors go around watching many shows to find their actors, since auditioning is not always done. Perhaps all they had to say was he was to be just as committed to his community, as in GGS, but with lots of smiles this time! 😁
That last comment made me laugh @GB – nicely distilled!
ps will stop chuntering soon … but I find his Meet Yourself character personally inspiring for life in general and the type of work I do. It’s about understanding the people you work with in order to bring out the best in them rather than needing them to be ‘perfect’ for their roles from the outset. He takes risks and encourages.
Enough chuntering.
@Kate, I wouldn’t consider your chat chuntering at all. More a positive review of his character. Yes I find the show overall inspiring in how difficulties or feared challenges are approached. The advice given is so far on point. We can see characters taking the good advice and improving in little ways. So uplifting!
In the end our Ah Yao was the only one who did not really ‘need’ a growth arc. He was pretty good from the start. 🙂
@GB – thank you and couldn’t agree more – even though I’m on Ep 15 (not 12) and have a way to go.
That we all may have people like AH Yao in our lives and seek to emulate him!
Here ends the sermon! haha
Had problems with Viki yesterday so watched the first 3 epsiodes of Crash Course in Romance on Netflix.
@Cleopatra recommended it.
I second her recommendation – it is very good, fresh, and moreish.
Clever story telling, engaging story and not the usual main protagonists by any means.
Worth watching based on the first 3 episodes.
Meet Yourself Episode 32: I’m not sure I want to applaud the direction the story arc is going with Hu You Yu and Bai Man Jun, but I found hilarious the use of farm animal sounds in one scene while Hong Dou and Na Na have a very frank discussion about the true source of the sounds.
@Welmaris, I just watched that part and laughed at how Hong Dou noted sound proofing was essential in their guest house. She shocked Na Na by saying the noise should not continue for long … she knew from experience LOLOL.
@GrowingBeautifully, I’m glad Hong Dou was able to clarify for Na Na what she meant by “from experience.”
@GrowingBeautifully, I’ve rewatched several times the reunion scene in Meet Yourself Episode 30. I think it is one of the sweetest, most realistic I’ve ever seen on film. The way Zhi Yao kept turning his head away, trying to hide emotion, actually
showed deep emotion.
@Welmaris, I’ve found myself thinking several times during this series, ‘Meet Yourself’, that it’s very realistic. The reactions, controlled expressions, most of the overall behaviour, are much what is to be expected. I totally understood why Ah Yao behaved the way he did when people teased him about Hong Dou, and I also expected HD to behave in the way she did, under the circumstances.
I really loved the way Ah Yao was surprised and shy to be caught unprepared to welcome HD. He must have felt that his being overjoyed at her return would be rather over the top, and tried to hide it. HD was naughty for video recording him at disadvantage and teasing him. It would make for a great video to show case during their wedding, though!
@GrowingBeautifully, much as we like our well-done kiss scenes at BoD, and when a couple reunites some kissing is appropriate, I’m actually glad that Meet Yourself Episode 30 scene didn’t include kissing. The long look they gave each other when Ah Yao made Dou put down her phone was so full of love it would have been a shame for us–and the characters themselves–to not see it. And then it was completely in character for Ah Yao to pull himself together and get to business. That’s part of his love language, paying attention to practical matters. Icing on the cake of that scene was Ah Yao walking away with plans in his head, stopping, reconsidering, then turning back to wrap HD in a heartfelt hug. The way her head relaxed into his neck said all. In his arms, she’s home. Then when Ah Yao did part from her, he kept turning to look at her like he couldn’t believe it was real and he didn’t want it to end.
When we finally do see our OTP kiss, it’s funny and crazy in a natural way, and also hints at lust without being tawdry. Ah Yao is done fighting himself, and wants to officially secure HD as his girlfriend ASAP. She indicates he’ll get an affirmative answer TOMORROW, after she’s rested, cleaned up, dressed nicely, and put on makeup. Her wind has stirred his waters so much that he can’t settle down. The kisses that follow seem right for the moment and the characters (not cringey–my opinion–like the first kiss for the OTP in Flight to You).
@Welmaris, yes that was a love scene, (that did not look like a love scene unless one really pays attention) done beautifully, and in sync with the characters as they have been consistently portrayed.
I found it cute and human, that one of Ah Yao’s foibles (if it can even be called that) is to sneakily get under HD’s skin or persist in getting her attention. She would later accuse him of deliberately planting the nostalgia for him in her mind LOL. This, together with his long patient wait for her, without exerting pressure on her to make a decision in his favour, was more swoony than if he’d been stalking her.
🥰 🤩 😋
Hi @GB and @Welmaris,
I’m at Episode 25 of Meet Yourself. Still enjoying enormously especially some of the moments that are happening between our ML and FL. It is as one of you said very realistic. ML chiding himself because he blanked when he could have comforted the FL who was remembering her friend. ML unable to chat naturally because he is holding FL’s hands for the scene in the video. You can see him trying to maintain his equilibrium. All the scenes where they edge closer to one another.
I am also finding the narrative about children being left with grandparents while parents go off to find work very touching. The little group of children are adorable.
I’m trying not to rush and to savour the last episodes as I inch towards the conclusion!
For touching read sad/moving. That that is the driver behind AY’s work is doubly moving.
When I have finished I will come back and read your latest conversation @GB and @Welmaris – I think you’ve both got to the end.
The scene where he comes to her room – she is packing to go. She cleans his scratched neck with iodine and blows on the wound… the OST song… his reaction…him watching her from the street below as she looks out of the window to see him leave… oh my!
Here’s the song ‘Saddle of my heart’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJeiGtxqT1M
Thanks @Kate! Swoony scenes, aren’t they? Low key but high romance. And such a lovely song. I’ve never heard a song where love is a ‘horse’. It’s really so right for this show, with it’s vistas of meadows.
I’ve watched til the end unsubbed, but I’m re-watching as more episodes get subbed now. 🙂
@GB – swoony is the word!
And I cried at the lakeside confession scene… oh MY!
Unusual indeed in terms of the love imagery … yes… and I keep playing it!
@Kate I went back to watch the scenes… In Ep 25 where she applied antiseptic to the scratches on his neck,so much had to remain unspoken.
Then when he did speak … confessing to her in the next episode…. phew!
Ah Yao (with some adjustment in the translation by me): “I intended to let these words sink in my heart. (I didn’t intend to tell you.) But I thought it over for a long time. My conclusion is that I want to give you another memory.
Beside the sea, at a place where the wind blows, there is a man who really likes you, as witnessed by the afterglow of the sunset.”
And then he lets her go: “Xu Hongdou, live the life you want. I wish you happiness.” A few tears rolled down her face. (I’d be bawling LOL.)
@GB – this comment may be posted twice..
Thank you for the translation!
Yes, I’d be in bits too… ha!
What he said and the way he looked at her.
His vulnerability and intensity in that scene where words were unspoken.
Then what he gathered his strength to say by the lakeside.
Gulp.
I also liked the line after the low key start to the expression of his feelins where he said ‘You’re just right’
She was puzzled and asked ‘Just right?’
He responded, ‘Just right to capture my heart.’
Stunned expression on her face.
@Welmaris and @GB,
Read back to all your comments now because entirely caught up.
The reunion
It felt oddly stunted to me – but your commentary gives it an added dimension. And yes more real life like than reel aspirational.
I didn’t like Hong Dou recording AY’s response… but I guess based on what you are both saying that our leads needed some protection from the intensity of what they were feeling at that point and her self-protection was to play a little game.
Agreed on the kissing – not the most elegant compared with some more staged scenes in K-dramas. My favourite moment was as when AY tricked her into coming downstairs and appeared at the gate- the look on his face signalling hot determination not to wait any longer for a full-on kiss… …The whole sequence ‘hints at lust without being tawdry’ as @Welmaris put it.
Kalimera Ladies,
I have started: Kokdu: Season of Deity and Decoy / Bait that are on Viki. They started pretty good. 🙂 The second one is a psychological thriller so I don’t know if you are interested!
I do hope that we will meet again in one of the new shows…
Hi @Cleo, I’m in the middle of Ep 2 of Kokdu. Quite an absurd setup overall, deliberately meant to be more on the wacky side. It’s a change for a grim reaper tale to be ridiculous rather than 50% or more serious and sad.
It’s good that we have the more weighty past life story to anchor the crazy parts. I hope we’ll get to see more of the past life romance and that the present lives’ romance will not spoil the more somber tone of the past by being too facetious.
Cleo, I don’t know how much I’ll be able to keep up with as I’m entering a super busy time. We’ll see how it goes. If I watch, then I’ll come here to leave word. 🙂
Kalimera @GB Unnie!
I totally understand you since I am busy myself! I do hope I will see you from time to time because I have missed you.
Kokdu seems to have comical and drama elements in order to be more light, although I believe that at some point we will have the serious and sad.
Still, it seems interesting.
P.S. @Packmule3 Can you open an open thread for Kokdu? Thanks in advance!
@Cleo, I’ve missed chatting with you as well. Thanks for asking for a thread, we can out there. 🙂
I started Crash Course in Romance and I’m really liking it. That scene with the belt had me laughing out loud.
Currently it’s the only kdrama I’m watching live. I watched the first 2 episodes of Kokdu and it just didn’t do it for me. I might return after more episodes are out so I can FF through the stuff I find frustrating or dull. It doesn’t help that I’m not a huge fan of the actress.
Other than that I don’t know what shows to watch. I’m thinking of catching up on things I missed last year. Did you all love AoS overall? Wasn’t sure how well it ended. I never really got past the first episode when I realized the FL was a bad person (well, a murderer).
So I’m looking for kdrama and J-drama recommendations on good shows from the last year or so I might have missed. Or anything current that’s really good. (I don’t watch Chinese shows because of the length/time commitment).
@BethB – yes re Crash Course in Romance – that was a wonderful sequence and scene.
I laughed out loud when ML and FL were bowing to one another – lower, lower and lower!
It is getting great reviews and a 9.2 on Dramabeans (although I don’t always agree with their ratings!).
Am trying to remember other really good K-dramas and I realise I’ve been in a C-drama mode recently.
K-dramas I have enjoyed include: Reborn Rich; Forbidden Marriage – very entertaining; Love in Contract (got mixed reviews here but I enjoyed it); Love is for Suckers (ditto although there were aspects that were underwhelming). I re-watched DOTS and My Love from Another Star too!
Kalimera Ladies and let us have a nice month!
@GB Unnie <3
@BethB Regarding your question about AoS. I don't know If I am the right person to answer to you, since I am biased regarding the story. The only thing I can say is that is in my Top3 Kdramas ever. Naksu is a complicating character and there is more to her story than her first -bad for you- impression.
@Cleopatra, I’ve noticed @Packmule3 hasn’t been active on BoD for several days, and if I remember correctly she mentioned an upcoming business trip. In the past when she was silent because of work, it went on for quite a stretch. You may not get a Kokdu thread if she’s otherwise engaged.
Kalimera @Welmaris!
I have noticed it as well. No worries. I just said so and when she is back online, I can ask again! I do hope you are okay!
@Cleo I was thinking that we might be able to just have either a single open thread or threads for a cumulation of episodes. I feel it’s one of those shows where we have to accept the ‘nonsensical’ parts and just enjoy the crazy misunderstandings, while going along with the shift from serious to wacky in the different ‘lives’.
@Unnie,
I agree with your suggestions! I don’t mind if we do that.
The thing is that on Monday, Our Blooming Youth is starting on Viki and I am eager to watch Park Hyung Sik!
Annyeong 🐇
What are we watching in FEbruary BOD’s???
I finished YOU ARE MY HERO and loved it.
I am in the middle of GO GO SQUID. loving it. full of laughs and giggles coz they’re so adorable. I was reading @PM3’s highlights but it stopped at Ep 15. waaaahhh
Excited for Blooming Youth.
I kind’a saw the preview for FEb dramas. I have my eye on CALL IT LOVE. maybe i need to watch ISLAND S1 coz there’s ISLAND S2. hmmm
Hey @Cleo @HK_lady, I’m waiting for Blooming Youth too!!! Park Hyung Sik ✔️ crown prince ✔️ nice costumes ✔️.
I am also watching Meet Yourself. Such a comfy watch. Very relaxing. Currently at ep 12.
For February, I am watching Blooming Youth. Park Hyung Sik is one of my favorite actors and the plot sounds interesting. The screenwriter is very hit or miss for me (mostly miss) so I am a little apprehensive… please be good, show!
Depending on viewer feedback and reviews, I might check out these dramas:
Love to Hate You
The Heavenly Idol
Call It Love
Otherwise, I am catching up on older dramas. Jut started C Drama Rom Com “Hi Venus” and I am enjoying it. So refreshing to have a Female Lead who acts and sounds like an adult! Yes, there are hijinks, but the characters come across as more relatable somehow. The writer is the same as for the drama “Meet You.” I’m also watching “New Life Begins” and I am enjoying that as well.
@BethB K Dramas from the last year I enjoyed were “A Business Proposal” and “Once Upon A Small Town” I will also recommend C Mini Drama “A Familiar Stranger.” It is 8 episodes total and one of the best dramas from 2022 in my opinion. Make sure you watch it at Viki or Huace Official YouTube for the best subs.
Thanks for the recommendations—I’ve seen both of those kdramas and like them (except the drunk sex scene in BP). I will check out the short(!) C drama.
Otherwise I decided to try watching some classic kdramas, starting with Another Oh Hae Young. But I’m not that wild about it so may drop it at episode 7–unless someone here suggests I keep going because it gets so good. I’m finding the ML actor kind of a dud, who only seems to know how to convey anger/guilt.
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