Boooo. I recently learned that the premiere of Kim Soo Hyun’s drama, “Queen of Tears,” which was slated for July 31, has been pushed back to 2024. Booo. Kim Soo Hyun was last seen in “Psycho But It’s Okay” (2020) so I was eagerly anticipating this new collaboration with Kim JiWon (“My Liberation Notes”). Their visuals alone would have made my summer sizzle.
Oh well. It’s a good thing that August has lots of new dramas.
1. My Dearest
Synopsis from asianwiki:
Set during a Joseon period where people went through severe hardship due to the Qing invasion (Jan. 3, 1637 to Feb. 24, 1637). A love story blooms during that time.
Lee Jang-Hyun (Namkoong Min) is a mysterious man who suddenly appears in society circles. He appears to be a cheerful person, but in fact he is not. He is a complex person with a deep and dark secret that he can’t reveal to anyone. A woman named Yoo Gil-Chae (Ahn Eun-Jin) appears in front of him and his life changes. Yoo Gil-Chae is the daughter of noble a family. She is a lovely woman, brimming with confidence. While experiencing the upheaval caused by the Qing invasion and falling in love with Lee Jang-Hyun, she grows as a person.
Source: asianwiki.com
My comments:
a. This is going to be melodramatic; I don’t expect a happy ending. I’ll see if the angst will be worth it after the first few episodes.
b. The cinematography should be stunning, though.
c. The drama will be divided into 2 parts. Part 2, also with 10 episodes, will air in October, after a month hiatus in between two series.
Starring: Namgoon Min and Ahn Eun Jin
Episodes: 10
Start Date: Fri, Aug 4
Airs on Friday and Saturday Mondays and Tuesdays
Where to Watch it: Viki
Network: MBC
2. Moving
Synopsis from soompi:
Based on the webtoon of the same name by Kang Full, “Moving” is a new superhero action drama about teenagers with hidden superhuman powers and their parents who, unbeknownst to them, harbor a painful secret from their past. They eventually team up to battle powerful dark forces that threaten multiple generations across different eras.
Source: soompi
Why do I get “Alchemy of Souls” vibes? Maybe there’s magical powers involved? Or because one of the teenagers is played by Go Youn Jung who was Naksu/BuYeon in AoS? Or because the unresolved issues of adults pose a looming threat to the younger generation?
Starring: Jo In Sung, Cha Tae Hyun, Ryu Seung Ryong are the oldies. The teens are Go Youn Jung, Lee Jung Ha (never heard) and Kim Do Hoon (the mad comic artist in “Today’s Webtoon”).
Episodes: 20
Start Date: Wed, Aug 9
Airs on Wednesday
Where to Watch it: Disney+ (Booooooo. Who knows then when this will stream in North America then)
I’m watching it on “alternative” sites.
Network: Disney+
According to the same soompi news article, “the first seven episodes will be released on August 9,” and “two new episodes will be released each week” after that. If you’re in Singapore, you’re in luck. It’ll be readily available on Disney+.
3. Behind Your Touch
Synopsis from soompi:
“Behind Your Touch” is a comedy investigative drama about a diligent yet busybody veterinarian Bong Ye Boon (Han Ji Min) who somehow gains psychometric abilities to be able to see the past of both people and animals in Mujin, a small rural village free of crime, and the ambitious elite detective Moon Jang Yeol (Lee Min Ki) who needs her abilities to return to the criminal investigation team in Seoul. EXO’s Suho also stars as Kim Sun Woo, who suddenly comes down to the village of Mujin one day and starts working as a part-timer.
source: soompi
My comments:
a. I read somewhere that there’s a word play here. “Behind” = buttocks. She has to touch his butt a lot to get the psychometric readings. Lol.
b. Is Lee Min Ki playing another crosspatch this time? He seems to be typecast as a crotchety and misunderstood, middle-aged loser.
c. If you’re new to kdrama and gullible… Psychometric ability is a staple in kdramas. The hero/heroine gets a psychic vision of an individual’s history or future by touching it. It’s pseudo-science.
Starring: Lee Min Ki (“Because This is My First Life” and “My Liberation Notes”) and Han Ji Min (“Familiar Wife”)
Episodes: 16
Start Date: Sat, Aug 12
Airs on Saturday and Sunday
Where to Watch it: Netflix
Network: JTBC
4. Destined With You
Synopsis from soompi:
“Destined With You” is a fantasy romance which will tell the love story of civil servant Lee Hong Jo (Jo Bo Ah) who obtains a forbidden book sealed 300 years ago and ace lawyer Jang Shin Yu (SF9’s Rowoon) who becomes a victim of the forbidden book.
Source: soompi
My comments:
a. I know the male lead plays an attorney but I’m betting that his job is of little consequence to the plot that I can ignore it.
b. IIRC, Jo Bo Ah isn’t @nrllee’s favorite actress. I wonder if she’ll watch this.
c. It depends if I’ve finished reviewing “Hidden Love.”
Episodes: 16
Start Date: Wed, Aug 23
Airs on Wednesday and Thursday
Where to Watch it: Netflix
Network: jTBC
Chinese drama recommendations??
I’m sure @Kate, our speed-viewer (how do you do it, Kate??), @GoodTwin, and @Table122000 will have their recs.
None for me, thank you! ☺️
I only have Uncanny Counter 2 for kdrama and definitely still on cdramas. 😃
JULY into AUGUST 2023
What a delicious predicament – too much handsome available in too many shows and not enough time!!!
– Jun Ho and Lim Yoo Na (I’m probably going to FFD King the Land later when I want only fluff)
– Taecyon and Won Ji An (This one tickles me pink, and would you believe it, Taec has beaten Jun Ho in my viewing preference this time around)
– Yang Yang and Wang Chu Ran (Finished this already)
– Xiao Zhan and Ren Min (I stopped The Longest Promise indefinitely)
– Zhen Zhe Yuan and Shen Yue (I did try to get back to Mr Bad, but I think I’ll be skip watching)
– Ahn Bo Hyun and Shin Hye Sun (Finished with mixed feelings but mostly positive)
Will be watching ‘Uncanny Counters 2’ ‘Behind Your Touch’ and if there’s time, ‘Moving’
AvenueX’s review has gotten me interested in cdrama ‘Be Your Own Light’.
My ‘Plan to Watch’ list keeps getting longer but I have not planned when and if I really will watch those shows!!!
Invitation to join a new Rewatch Party.
@WE, @FeiFei and @GB warmly invite everyone to watch with us…
Kdrama: Queen In Hyun’s Man/Queen & I (2012). It’s a time jumping show where the guy from 300 years in the past jumps back and forth to the future, and of course, falls in love.
This is another well written, interesting tale by Song Jae Jung, in 16 episodes of 45 minutes each.
Start Date: Saturday 26 August 2023 (and the next 15 Saturdays after that!)
Time in some parts of the world (at least until Daylight Savings kicks in again)
6:30am PST
9:30am EST/Caracas
2.30pm in London
3.30pm in Paris
4.30pm in Athens
9.30pm in Singapore/Malaysia/Hong Kong/Perth
All are welcome! Please let us know on this What We Are Watching in August 2023 thread if you’d like to join us.
I am interested in “My Dearest” and “Behind Your Touch.” These dramas seem to counterbalance each other, so watching them in tandem may be a good idea.
I am also rewatching “Jumong,” a classic epic sageuk.
I’m curious about “Behind Your Touch” because it’s comedy.
Also looking forward to start on July’s dramas like Heartbeat and Not Others.
I’m kind of struggling to finish King the Land but still want to see what happens in the end.
I think i got caught up with Hidden Love this month and also wanting to rewatch Hidden Love and savour @pm3’s posts on it. 🙂 So happy you are writing on it!!
Plus binge-ing 3 episodes of Nineteen to Twenty everytime it comes out on Tuesdays. Family watching Fireworks of my Heart and occasionally catching up with Destined. Lol…It’s hard to have any much time left over for any new dramas. 😛
I will go for the “Queen In Hyun’s Man” view. Loved Yoo In Na back then 😀 .
I’ve found to my dismay, that I have to get hold of higher definition episodes of “Queen In Hyun’s Man/Queen and I”. Being an 11-year old show, it’s been relegated to the low definition pile. Nevertheless I couldn’t resist rewatching, and was quite charmed by Ji Hyun Woo and Yoo In Na together. 😁😋
@Packmule3 – haha! Re: speed – it’s a habit I am trying to break. I envy the BoD contemplatives!!
I do a lot of late night watching and …unless I am entranced by a show… quite a bit of fast forwarding when my attention flags. I am always wanting to know what happens next and in the end…!
I was reflecting last night on shows like Yumi’s Cells where I felt every moment counted and I wouldn’t have dreamed of fast forwarding…
I don’t think I fast forwarded through ‘Hidden Love’… I repeat watched a number of scenes – especially the one where DJ unburdened himself to SZ about his indebtedness to people… they sat outside in the darkness and she expressed her support to him. It was a clever show and worth paying attention to.
Hi again all,
I am starting out on the ‘Lost You Forever’ journey … ‘Romance, fantasy, costume and period’.
Very well received in China.
I am just two episodes in and enjoying the production (very high quality with great sets), the actors, and the story. It looks like there will be a love triangle at the heart of the drama.
https://www.viki.com/tv/40049c-lost-you-forever-s1
FL – Yang Zi – is on great form when we meet her in Episode 2. I really enjoy her. She is slightly stagey (is that the word?) but as a result she brings life and energy to the world into which we are invited. Her character’s story has taken an unexpected turn and she delivers this with aplomb!
Tan Jian Ci, one of the MLs, has quite a following… I wonder why I haven’t heard of him before.
There are 2 seasons … so not for the faint hearted. I’ll see how it unfolds.
@Kate,
This latest drama of Yang Zi appeared on my YouTube recommended videos…something about the beggar she took care of turning into a handsome man. I recognized the actor; he’s the handsome “brother”/ill-fated suitor of the female lead in “Till the End of the Moon.” I don’t want to start this drama till I hear more about the ending. Since there are three possible love interests, I don’t want to end up rooting for the “wrong” guy.
Kalimera @Packmule3 et al!
I wish you all have to have a nice month! I am taking some time off this month. So, I will be in a mini pause. What I have already in my bucket:
– Uncanny Counters 2.
– “King The Land” that I will finish this weekend.
What August shows I am waiting for :
1. “Moving”. For Han Hyo Joo, Zo in Sung and Go Yoon-Jung. I have to add that their cast is stellar.
2. “The First Responders 2” that I want to see for Kim Rae Won. We were left in an cliffhanger in Season 1’s ending.
3. “The Killing Vote” also starts in August 10th and I will give it a try because of Park Hae Jin and Park Sung Woong. It is not a genre my fellow B.o.D’ers watch.
(More info: https://mydramalist.com/742695-national-death-penalty-vote)
4. I think that “My Dearest / Lovers” will be a pretty good Sageuk. Most likely I will watch it later on since it is a two parts show.
So, most likely I will watch: “Moving” and “The First Responders 2″…and we will see how that will go.
Correction: I wish you all to have a nice month!
@Packmule… I have watched that whole segment of the story… it is beautifully told.
He is a quietly gorgeous character. He reminds me a bit of Legolas from Lord of the Rings.
And yes three male leads! A great selection – very hard to settle on a favourite!!
I am on Episode 5 and am now officially engrossed. I hope there will be minimal fast forwarding.
At Episode 5 this seems to be a very well written story. There is an earthy, bitter sweet realism at times and many well-drawn characters. Big themes about identity and disguise and life as struggle. ‘Who are you exactly?’ is one of the questions asked of the FL and could be asked of many of the characters.
All of this prevents that slightly saccharine feel you get in many Chinese fantasy dramas.
Visually, it’s great. Lovely use of music too and mix of sets and natural locations.
SPOILER
SPOILER
SPOILER
The first episode and a bit serves as historic scene setting (300 years before we kick into the main flow of action). It’s very sad. Great performances by the young leads playing 2 of the main protagonists. Lots of tragedy and sadness, loss etc
But do hang on in there… this is the necessary basis for the direction of travel of the rest of the show.
I’m interested in My Lovely Liar because I like both leads: Hwang Min Hyun as ML and Kim So Hyun. I like his voice and thought he did a decent job in Alchemy of Souls. She was impressive in several shows. The most memorable for me was River Where a Moon Rises.
As @Growing Beautifully says, so much handsome so little time.
I’m still behind with Sato Takeru’s latest dramas.
@Fern, @Kate, @Cleo
Lost You Forever sounds intriguing but the number of episodes gives me pause. I understand that it’s something like a 70 episode slow burn saga broken into 2 seasons?
@Kate, I know what you mean about looking like Legolas. The gentlemen all look scrumptious. Yes, adding more handsome to the overflowing drama pool!!
I ended up watching a Chinese Movie today, All These Years. A simple romance, simply told, from high school to adulthood with separation, and a good ending… So simple but somehow, quite fetching and the OSTs were sweet.
https://mydramalist.com/734891-so-many-years.
In the end I didn’t get good subs for Sato Takeru’s latest ‘ghost’ drama but decided it was probably better not to watch it. I heard it wasn’t as engaging as his other shows.
I’ll stick with Uncanny Counters 2 and hope to complete King The Land with some FFDing.
@GB – the MLs are scrumptious indeed! LOL
SPOILER
SPOILER
SPOILER
Of our three ML – at the moment at least and in this particular segment of the story I think one of the MLs is a highly unlikely mate for our FL. You will see why if you watch the show… Of course in a 70 episode show there is all to play for… so who knows?
Hello everyone!
I plan to spend the month of August mostly catching up on older shows that I somehow missed the first time or that I enjoy rewatching because I fell and broke my ankle. I am in a cast with instructions to stay off my leg for the next 4 weeks. I have been having a tough time using the crutches so please pray for me that I can have a fast recovery.
Anyway, for August I want to check out for K Drama:
My Lovely Liar
Destined With You
Depending on Reviews/ Viewer Feedback, I will check out Longing For You: a mystery/thriller drama starring Na In Woo and available with Eng subs at Viki.
For Chinese Drama, I want to check out 2 mini dramas available ay Viki.
Butterflied Lover: By the same Director/Writer team as A Familiar Stanger
Ancient Love Song
Oh no @Table122000 🙁
I’ll pray for your quick recovery. 🙏🏼
Take it easy ok and I’m sure the dramas will give you some relief. Update us.
Sending you hugs! 🤗
Hope you get well soon, @Table122000. Ankle injuries are a nightmare as far as getting well properly.
Started today “Tsuiraku JK to Haijin Kyoshi (2023)”. A young High School professor falls for a suicidal student and does his best for her to learn to enjoy life more. So far it has very good points on how to deal with a gloomy, self-isolating person with strategies like looking for places and people to belong. It also shows the power of having someone that cares about the isolated person.
Yesterday I watched “Say you love me (1995)” until episode 3. Deaf male lead who is an uprising painter, upbeat female lead who is starting to get roles as a theatre actress. Probably a symptom of “Silent (2022)” withdrawal.
Annyeong BOD’z ~
Hello August ~ my birthday month! yay!
i look forward to read this update every month @pm3 and to read what you guys are watching. Looks like good shows. I can only watch what is showing in Viki, Hulu, and Disney. Waaaaah.
as for me – I just finished —
“Fireworks of my heart” – even though it’s not “you are my hero” i still liked the show for Yangyang and the story and the Firemen insider
and “Numbers” – didn’t realize that an accounting firm can be that exciting- riveting – as they pursue to do what is right. amazing! they have to be vigilant and ahead of the game. wow!
What I am currently watching:
the real has come – am i the only one watching this long show haha
Not other
Durian’s affair – after it was mentioned in this blog. I was able to binge watch it but now i’m all caught up. waaaah i’m rooting for the Joseon ladies.
And for oldie – watching “Voice 4” for Song Seung-heon. It’s freaky so, i don’t binge watch it for too long haha. i’ve heard of 911 show, but this takes it to another level (they got their own police task force wow) and how efficient they solve the mysteries – very fast paced.
Take care you all! Summer is almost over.
@Table122000, I’m sorry to hear about your broken ankle. May you heal quickly and completely. And since crutches aren’t working out for you, you may want to look for a knee scooter to buy, rent, or borrow. I’ve seen several people with injured feet using them to get out and about.
If you watch An Ancient Love Song beyond Episode 4, @Table122000, please let me know what you think of it. Maybe I lost patience with it too soon, but I dropped it at the beginning of Episode 5. Once the ML told the FL he’d stay in the past by her side, my interest flagged. The time travel element is what drew me in. I was also dubious about the ML and FL suddenly behaving like lovers when we hadn’t seen their relationship grow. They, especially the ML, went from skepticism to commitment through life and death in a huge leap.
I just finished watching the South Korean reality show 19/20 on Netflix, and thought it entertaining. Oh, the intensity and sincerity of youthful emotion! I’m glad the participants kept it a positive experience, even though they hit rough patches here and there. These teenagers who became legal adults at the stroke of midnight seemed less calculating than older participants in dating shows such as Singles Inferno.
I’m still watching (and laughing because of) the Kdrama Not Others. I’ve also stayed with King the Land, and will finish it next week. I’m interested in picking up Behind Your Touch because of Lee Min Ki. He showed in My Liberation Notes that he has excellent comedic timing. I hope this new Kdrama allows him to display it some more.
At @Fern’s recommendation I started the Jdorama Hold My Hand at Twilight (Yugure ni, Te wo Tsunagu). The characters are quirky, and I find the FL’s outspokenness refreshing. The soundtrack is also great.
Oh dear @Table!!! Poor dear. I will definitely pray for you.
Yes, this is the time to catch up on many shows, since you have to sit in one place with your leg up anyway!!! LOL.
Hugs and good wishes! 😧🦶😥🤗🙏
@FGB, the jdoramas sound interesting. Yes the echoes of Silent still resound. I listen to the plaintive OSTs from time to time.
It’s interesting that more than just 1 or 2 jdoramas feature a person who cannot hear in them. “First Love”, “Silent” and now “Say you love me (1995)”. I suppose there must be loads of other shows dealing with other disabilities, but for me, the prevalence of deaf characters in dramas seems significant.
Happy Birthday @HK_Lady!!
Wow you’re watching a lot of shows, but I’m only aware of a few of them! Yes, I did enjoy “Fireworks” for the reluctant lover aspect, the gaining of greater agency of the FL and the rescues. It made me appreciate our firefighters a great deal more.
Have a blast celebrating your birthday with your fave dramas!! 💐🎂🎁🎈😁
@GB – On a Starry Night (jdrama) also featured a deaf ML. I really enjoyed it and Silent. The two male leads couldn’t have been more different. One introverted and “silent”; the other extroverted and bold. I’m curious how the depictions by non-deaf actors have been received by the deaf community in Japan. And if there has been the same conversation about representation that we have had and continue to have in the west.
I am watching and continue to enjoy Not Others. In fact it is the first kdrama that I consider “must watch” in a while. I think it would be an excellent binge watch because of the central mystery but I like it too much to wait for the episodes to stack up. I find the mother lovable but infuriating which is exactly how the daughter feels. The goldfish poop conversation was heartbreaking and it is completely believable that a child would hear and internalize a conversation like that. SPOILER SPOILER – the dad bursting into tears upon meeting his daughter was also very touching. What a sad man he is.
My guilty pleasure is the cdrama Princess and the Werewolf – so silly and enjoyable. Beauty and the Beast (literally) with a little My Roommate Is a Gumiho thrown in. The ML from Hidden Love plays the Beast. I can’t tell if his voice is dubbed or not. Sometimes he sounds like himself and other times not.
I’m watching a kind of terrible t-drama call Trick or Love that has the most nonsensical plot and really terrible subs on Viki. It’s a woman masquerading as a man’s boyfriend so the ML can avoid having to get married. ML (Marcus Chang) from Lost Romance is why I started watching. It’s a bad weirdly addictive drama. Watch with remote in hand and thumb on fast forward.
Will join in the watch of My Lovely Liar.
@Kate – I watch dramas just like you and I like to know the plot. That’s why I like to binge mysteries because I have no patience for the reveal. (I read books the same way).
@Table best healing wishes!
Dear @HK_Lady, happy to read another Leo is here 😉 . This is my Birthday Month too!.
@Welmaris, please tell me where are you at in “Yugure ni, Te wo Tsunagu”. I left it in Episode 3 if memory serves well. Love Hirose Suzu. Her character is terribly uncouth and savage but incredibly honest, you could say it was her protest for being targeted as the classroom’s beauty. Both Beauty and Beast in the same package.
I was interested in their take on beauty. Both the male and female leads are gorgeous in their respective genders but while it helps them gets flings easily, it renders them hard to take seriously as life partners. Both the songstress and the lady in the coffee shop wants to hook-up with him, and Hirose Suzu’s lifelong boyfriend swaps her for a girl he did just meet recently.
Happy Birthday @HK_Lady 🥳🥳🥳
Enjoy watching. ☺️
Happy Birthday @FGB! May you have many more and may they be joyful, peaceful and healthy.
It seems that even with the group of children I meet, several have their birthdays in August. A very prolific month!! LOL
Happy Birthday @FGB4877! 🥳🎂
Sorry, I should have included your greeting with @HK_Lady 😊
Enjoy the dramas. ☺️
Happy birthday month to @HK_Lady and @FGB4877. We can add my older daughter to the list of people born in August.
@FGB4877, tonight I watched episodes 7 & 8 of Hold My Hand at Twilight. I am in awe of lead actress Suzu Hirose: she brings raw emotion to the role…rage, shock, sadness, delight, wonder. I can’t think of anyone who portrays fury at being betrayed as purely as she does.
August 23rd. Jung Hae In & Im Siwan. Scotland. Whiskey. I can’t wait to watch this travelogue, but I don’t know where it will be streaming (it’s being broadcast in JBTC), and there doesn’t seem to be consensus on the show’s title.
Kalimera Everyone!
Happy Bday to @HK_Lady and to uri @FGB! My best wishes!
@Welmaris my best wishes to your daughter too!
Should I say that I took a peak at “My Lovely Liar”?
Well, not a peak really since I watched back to back Episodes 1+2…😁😂
The only I will say is that the plot is promising and Minhyun is way better than AoS 2. If you wander in MDL don’t read those comments that say he needs to improve.
He is getting better in every scene. You should watch the action sequence.
And that’s all I am going to say for now… 😊
I’m also watching another jdrama that is currently airing – Cinderellas of Summer on Viki. It gets better each episode. Very Mystic Pizza(y). The main Cinderella is too good to be true but you can’t help but root for her. What I like is that it is not obvious yet which of the two men vying for her will win her heart – the old friend who only realizes his feelings when another suitor arrives or the rich shy prince from Tokyo. I’m still undecided on who I think deserves her. Maybe she’ll just choose herself in the end. Her friends and their relationships are also interesting – including the person who says every rude thing in his head out loud.
@Table122000, I hope that your ankle heals quickly and completely. 🙏 What a bother in the summer! Meanwhile, I hope that you can rock those crutches.
@FGB4877 and @Old American Lady and any other August babies here, Happy Birthday!
@FGB, I have watched all of Hold My Hand at Twilight. (It’s a shorter drama than most Korean or Chinese.) I agree with @Welmaris that the FL has an extraordinary character. Spoilers below:
The FL starts out like a blaze. As to beauty, neither of them actually use it much to their advantage. The ML only contacts a woman who flirted with him because he believed any relationship with the FL was doomed. He seems to be a solitary figure. He resists being used as a ‘visual’ in the music industry for a long time because he wants to be known for his music. He is persuaded eventually. I love how the FL and ML’s relationship develops and how at one point the final pairings could go in several directions. The ML is like a rock for the FL, without being tsundere.
I did have some questions about the portrayal of the FL’s professional development. The abandonment seemed OTP, but it supported her need for company/partnership at all times.
The drama, because it was compact, didn’t waste much time with fillers and tropes. It had a less glossy feeling than some dramas we see, but to me the characters, mental health issues and situations seemed very realistic.
@Welmaris, I hope to watch the whiskey show. I think I heard Im Siwan mention it in an interview, but I forgot. Thanks for the head’s up. I’m hoping for some great scenery, too. And I’m not speaking of shallow island only.
@Table – my sympathies. I hope you get all the support you need at this time and wishing you speedy healing.
Dear @Fern and @Welmaris, you almost force me to watch that series from the beginning 😉 .
I love both her and her real life sister Hirose Alice.
And yes, that is kind of the point about how beauty give them trouble. I think of being beautiful (or handsome) as having an eight page menu where normal folk have only four yet while the person with only four pages can still take the soul food that will nurture him or her, a bad choice of food can land anyone into an hospital for food poisoning 😉
Thank you so much to everyone for your prayers and get well wishes regarding my broken ankle. Very much appreciated. We purchased a knee scooter which I hope will be better than the crutches.
@Welmaris: I’m not sure about Ancient Love Song anymore as I hear it is a tragic romance plot. Right now, I need happy endings and positivity.
To all the August Birthday Babies: Happy Birthday! May all your birthday wishes come true!
@Table12200
I wish you a speedy recovery!
@Welmaris and @Table,
I’m on episode 8 of ‘Ancient Love Song’.
I stopped watching it for my holiday – with limited Wifi – and have picked up the captivating ‘ Lost You Forever’ – got to episode 20 with only one brief fast forward!!
I am now going back to complete ‘Ancient Love Song’.
It doesn’t feel like an expensive production – feels bit smoke and mirrors visually – but it is an intriguing premise.
Can they change their futures as they go back into their shared pasts?
I am enjoying its wistful quality as I shared in a post somewhere in July.
It’s about love and the fragility of life.
‘Lost you Forever’ – unlike so many stodgy Chinese fantasy dramas is so well told that the episodes seem to fly by.
I hope that some of you who are – understandably – put off by the length, will test it out.
I think, for me at least, it’s on a par with ‘Love of Fairy and Devil’ and possibly better.
There are elements of the LOFD dynamic although our FL is nothing like the ingenue Esther Wue character!! There are also elements of this show that remind me of one of the core Buffy the Vampire Slayer relationships (these will only resonate with Buffy fans!).
I can guess where the show will go now we are in Episode 20 – and the opening credits give big hints – which I wish they wouldn’t.
It is definitely slow burn but the level of romantic intensity is high and the scenes are so beautifully set up: under water scenes, flying scenes, a scene which evokes Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and so on.
The dialogue is consistently intelligent.
The design of the different kingdom’s and their clothing is mirrored in the different types of incidental music.
The director said that all the effects and lighting etc are focused, in this show, on bringing out character and story.
It took 183 days to film apparently.
It would be wonderful to be part of such a concerted, creative effort.
The director described her cast as ‘pure souls’…How Lovely. I assume she meant they were focused on making this all it could be and not on ego.
Correction: *her crew* – the director was talking about the whole team including the actors.
I do find the selfless quality of a team like this and their attention to detail in the accomplishing of their vision for the show – quite moving!
I wrapped up Hold My Hand at Twilight, and am glad that what I feared would happen to a character did not come to pass. I believe the scriptwriter trolled viewers to heighten tension. All things considered, I am glad I watched this show and wholeheartedly recommend it.
I had an hour or two before bedtime, and without prior desire to watch it, I thought I’d give a try to the first episode of the Kdrama Miraculous Brothers because Viki has been pushing it on my home screen. Although the plot synopsis didn’t make it sound like something I’d like, I was intrigued to see Jung Woo in a new role. I haven’t seen him in anything since he played Trash in Reply 1994. Other actors in Miraculous Brothers also caught my eye: Oh Man Seok, who played the main bad guy in Crash Landing on You; and Lee Ki Woo, who played the adorable love interest of Lee El’s character in My Liberation Notes. Getting just a taste with one episode was wishful thinking; I couldn’t stop watching.
The thing that turned me off in the synopsis of Miraculous Brothers, that the lead character takes credit for a manuscript he didn’t write, turns out to be a MacGuffin. It’s an important part of the plot, but more to get the story rolling and contribute to the momentum rather than the main focus. This is a murder mystery with supernatural elements. There are moments of comedy, so it’s not all darkness. Jung Woo plays his role with an animated face, verbal outbursts, and is combative physically (although not very effectively). Stoic, he is not.
Is anyone else watching Miraculous Brothers?
A propos of nothing …
I was researching Tan Jian Ci’s dramas… and noticed he has a romantic comedy/drama out later this year: ‘Love has Fireworks’.
And his leading lady? None other than Wang Chu Ran!
More fireworks please!
I hope it’s a good show. Looks like it could be fun.
@Kate, yes, I noticed it too each time I searched for Fireworks, I’d see that Want Chu Ran appeared in 2 shows with that word in their title. Now that you’re happy with Tan Jian Ci, I’m curious about her pairing with yet another actor.
I went back to rewatch the last but one episode where I’d seen her before (the not great Love Heals/I Have a Crush on You). Wang Chu Ran wasn’t too bad in that. She made me feel for her when she ‘lost’ her beloved.
That show showcased that the actors manage slow but pretty good English in Africa.
Your review has got me a bit tempted to start Lost You Forever… but catching up with the current episodes is going to take a while. Do they air 2 episodes a day, 3 days a week?
I happened on a shorter cdrama, Exclusive Fairy Tale which is not bad. This show has a childhood friends-to-lovers premise, and promises lots of kisses when they are all grown up LOL.
The predicament remains. Too many shows, too little time or JOMO JOMO. 😝😍🧐😩🫣🤔🤭
Hi @GB!
If you do fancy watching ‘Lost You Forever’ – 21 episodes are available on Viki now and it airs Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Hi @Kate, I take it that you will be here, on this thread, to chat with about Lost You Forever?
I suddenly have 3 things I have to leave home to do today. On top of some work. I’ll see if I can fit in a couple of episodes. 🤔🤪😏😬
So much adrenaline was coursing through my system, I could hardly sit still in my chair, yet I couldn’t stop watching Miraculous Brothers. The script of this show is tight, the pacing fast, the plot not predictable. It is a crime drama, a murder mystery, but the male lead is stumbling through his process of discovery for self interest and survival, not in a noble search for truth. The question is asked of him: Is he on the side of the light, or of darkness? His answer seems to be that it isn’t one or the other, but that the question is wrong. What is true? That is also called into question. Leading us through these grey areas is a confused Everyman, and that makes for an involving watch.
@GB – I will be here. If it appeals to you it would be lovely to discuss.
See how you go.
Hi @Kate, amidst many interruptions, I watched 3 episodes.
Lost You Forever seems to be a solid show. No wasted time, and intelligent dialogue as you mentioned. Good setup and a premise with a difference.
Thanks for recommending this show @Kate. I’ll probably continue with it since at least there are 2 of us who can discuss it. Perhaps we should have a dedicated thread to chat on? Maybe more will join us there!
@pkml3 if you see this note, could we have a single Open Thread for Lost You Forever?
@GB – brilliant that you are up for this!
I had a hope that it might be your type of show!
Because I have watched to the end of what is available, I’ll go back and do some refresher watching from the start. That will be fun.
Done, GB.
Today August 4 is my Birthday. Since you have been almost instrumental for me in surviving the Pandemic I just wanted to say Thank You!!!.
Never underestimate the power of having someone who cares about you and listen (reads).
Will have a little party with a friend who came back to vacation. Read you later!!!
Happy Birthday again @FGB!! Have a great party with your friend. 🥳🎂🎁🎈🪅🎊🎉🥳
Having finished King the Land today, and having time this evening, I decided to watch a movie I stumbled across on Viki: Memories of the Sword. It’s from 2015, and stars Lee Byung Hyun (Mr. Sunshine), Jeon Do Yeon (Crash Course in Romance), Kim Go Eun (Goblin; Yumi’s Cells), and Lee Jun Ho (King the Land; The Red Sleeve). Set in the Goryeo Period and focused on swordfighters, there’s plenty of artfully splashed blood. The storytelling was disjointed, but the cinematography captivating. It has a couple of fight scenes filmed differently than I’ve seen before: one in which the combatants move back and forth between light and shadow, with only their flashing swords seen when they’re in the dark; another fight scene is shot from a distance through heavily falling snow. For those who are in withdrawal after King the Land, you might get a bit of a Jun Ho fix watching him duel Kim Go Eun. Her character’s martial arts skills are superb; if she and Kim Shin crossed swords in battle, they might just fight to a draw.
Having spent a day mulling over the movie Memories of the Sword, I’ve concluded the heart of the story is a disfunctional, toxic family, but I put the blame on the Master who mentored them all. He may have taught them exceptional swordsmanship, but seems to have skipped the lessons on morality and righteous living.
My movie tonight was Seo Bok, released in 2021, starring Gong Yoo and Park Bo Gum, streaming on Viki. Although it has action, I was most engaged and touched in the quiet moments when questions were raised about death, life, immortality, and self-determination. Both Gong Yoo and Park Bo Gum turned in fine performances, but my attention was particularly drawn to supporting actor Jo Woo Jin, playing a character who isn’t always Mr. Nice Guy. Jo Woo Jin played Secretary Kim in Goblin alongside Gong Yoo. Their characters have a very different dynamic in Seo Bok.
@Welmaris are you still watching Not Others? I loved Episode 7 – so much going on said and unsaid. I found myself grinning or teary at different points.
Yes, @Good Twin, I watched Episode 7 of Not Others this afternoon. The scriptwriter has created characters who are funny, sometimes annoying, yet tug at our hearts. What effective character exposition, to show Oppa having slow reactions to not one, but two yellow lights! After seeing that, we don’t need to be told he’s operating below capacity. He redeems himself by performing well during the medical emergency, then pivots back to fool status by dropping off the sleep twice during potentially romantic moments. The first time he dozed off, Mama was hilarious, taking the remote with her after blasting the volume on the TV, startling him awake and leaving him in confusion how to turn down the sound. Later when Oppa succumbed to sleep while sitting at the table, his face planted on a beer can, I completely fell in love with the screenwriter, director, actor, cast and crew of this show.
Yes exactly! 🙌 I read comments on MDL and I was like people don’t you get it?
@Good Twin, I find it interesting that the two lead actresses in Not Others are in relationships with actors I admire. Jeon Hye Jin, who plays the mother, is married to (and has two sons with) Lee Sun Kyun. He was the SML in Coffee Prince, ML in My Mister, and was the head of the wealthy household in the movie Parasite. Choi Soo Young, who plays the daughter, has been dating Jung Kyung Ho for a decade. We recently watched him in a lead role in Crash Course in Romance, and I’ve enjoyed his work in Hospital Playlist and Prison Playbook.
I knew Choi Soo Young was in a long term partnership with Jung Kyung Ho. She reminds me of Kim Sejeong in that they’re both singers and very natural actresses. And they’re both pretty but play ordinary well.
After finishing “Shitsuren Meshi (2022)” [10 episodes 24 minutes each] I can happily say it was quirky and funny in an endearing way. The main character is a Manga artist played by Hirose Alice [Hirose Suzu’s real life eldest sister – “Hold my Hand at Twilight (2023)”].
What is interesting is that it describes how the Mangaka gets inspiration for her stories. Characters are lovely and you will get a lot of surprises. It also rewards a detailed watch. Characters can get deluded by their own imagination in a tragicomic way.
Is anyone watching “My Dearest”? it is streaming on Viki. It is a wartime romance set in the 17th century. I am a history nerd, so I already brushed up on the Qing invasion of Joseon in 1636. If you are in a mood for hanboks and heartbreak, this fits the bill. The first episode was lighthearted, but the story made a dark turn at the end of Episode 2.
@FGB4877, where did you watch Shitsuren Meshi?
@FGB4877, that sounds like a good, short drama. Many thanks for the recommendation.
@Welmaris,
This dorama is on dramacool. 🙂
I watched the first 10 minutes. It looked quirky but light-hearted. Like that “One Day Off” kdrama. I may watch it. But I don’t know when I’ll have to write about it. 😂
Dear @Welmaris and @Fern, I get some good recommendations for Japanese Dramas in a blog called “That Japanese Drama Guy”.
His direction:
https://thatjapanesedramaguy.blogspot.com/
As for where I do watch them, I have to go to WatchAsian, my particular source has the web direction:
https://watchasian.mx/
Hope you have a good time, Enjoy!!! 😀
Dear @Packmule3,
Can you open a “Moving” Open thread? The first 7 episodes were released today on Disney Plus worldwide. I will try to watch them on my own time.
@SnowFlower,
I managed to watch the first episode of “My Dearest”, I will tell you exactly what I have said to my friends.
I think we are going to cry buckets with this one. I didn’t have time to watch Episode 2 but I will do so.
Stil, as you pinpointed it is a a wartime romance and not full of politics. I don’t know if there will be Chingus who would like to watch it.
Hi all,
I don’t want to overload BoD with endless stuff about ‘Lost you Forever’.
Just wanted to flag up that Tong Hua writer of the novel and co-screen writer of LYF is also the author of the novel Scarlet Heart, Bùbù Jīngxīn.
That book was made into a Chinese drama in 2011, with a sequel (sequel not recommended!). The rights were bought by a Korean production company to make Moon Lovers Scarlet Heart Ryeo in 2016.
Loads of parallels now occur to me between the Scarlet shows and the story of LYF.
It’s not a spoiler to say that one obvious parallel is that there are a lot of men vying for our heroine’s affections. They all offer something different – in Scarlet, for instance, one of them is polished and charming and one is a dark, disfigured character with a mysterious past.
Lots of other parallels which will be worth discussing further on the LYF thread.
Annyeong 🍰
yay to August Birthdays ✨
Thank you for the birthday greetings @GB (yes, i do have lots of shows and I added more LOL – My lovely liar, Tempted, and Link: eat love kill hahaha).
Happy bday to us, @FGB4877 – we even have the same birthday DAY!!! omg.
Thank you, @agdr03, Welmaris (i started Miraculous brothers but have not returned), Cleo, Fern, and Table122000 (hope the knee scooter helps!).
I have too many shows I want to watch but with the little time I have, my most anticipated one is Love You Seven Times. It has a the same world as Love Between Fairy and Devil. @GB are you interested?
Not sure what to expect but I like the two leads and I love the sets and costumes.
I’m finishing the last episode of King The Land and will see what shows draw me in.
Happy birthday August friends, @HK_Lady and @FGFB4877! Have a great one! 😀
Dear @HK_Lady, Happy Birthday!!!, better late than never 😉 .
Hi @grace, I’m interested in Love You Seven Times but I’m in the same boat as you. I’ve got too many shows I am watching, or want to watch!!!
When will Love You Seven Times start? I’m now enjoying another Xianxia Lost You Forever which I find to be even better than Love Between Fairy and Devil. It’s an alluring show that tugs at the Second Lead Syndrome heartstring. 😬😝
Let me know when you start watching LY7T. I’ll try and join you. 🙂
@GB, I have heard much about Lost You Forever!! I will start that sometime after finishing 2 dramas…really cannot cope more than 2 dramas at a time 😅 watching episode 5 & 6 later tonight!
I have started LY7T but at a 2 episode per day schedule as I’m watching with family. The first few episodes is funny, but it took me a while to figure out who is who because there is a lot of info to take in like LBFAD. I like FL and her very anime eyes. So huge! She is naturally cute.
@grace, I can’t start LY7T now either LOL. Too many shows. Trying to write sensible things about any of them requires that I even have to rewatch!!! So, no time to start a new one.
I’m trying to finish the jdorama ‘Shitsuren Meshi’ first while still on LYF. I’ve had to put ‘Uncanny Counters 2’ and the ending of ‘Heartbeat’ on hold!!! Lots more shows are also lying half watched and most likely will be dropped.
Too much of a good thing is also bad! 😩🥺😑😁 I thought I was JOMO-ing but it’s still stressful. LOL.
OMG!! ‘My Dearest’ four episodes continues to deliver. I must admit though I knew I was done for at Épi 1, minute 10 (waterworks for me without knowing anything about the characters or plot). Beautiful scenery and heart longing. I know there’s a lot out there but….
@snowflower, @cleopatra
OMG!! ‘My Dearest’ four episodes continues to deliver.
I must admit though I knew I was done for at Épi 1, minute 10 (waterworks for me without knowing anything about the characters or plot). Beautiful scenery and heart longing.
@Kelley and @Cleopatra,
I just finished Episode 4 of “My Dearest.” I love history and historical dramas, and this one is very good so far. Episode 4 was super intense!
@SnowFlower and @Kelley,
Good morning. I haven’t managed to move on with “My Dearest”. There are so many shows to watch and I am trying to stay away some days.
I will do so though and I will come back to you…
On the side note, I have watched Episode 3 of “The First Responders 2” and it broke my heart…
Sometimes I choose what I watch based on the actors. I saw Lee Byung Hun for the first time as the ML in Mr. Sunshine. He was in the ensemble in Our Blues, which I stopped watching after the first episode because I wasn’t in the mood to witness marital infidelity (not involving LBH’s character). Last week I decided to continue with Our Blues and was glad to see the potential marriage infidelity story arc was short and ended with the marriage being salvaged. I was intrigued by the role LBH plays in Our Blues: a relatively poor man who operates a mobile shop selling groceries, clothing, household goods, and hardware. Wanting to get a better understanding of the departure this role is for him, I decided to watch LBH’s iconic older work, which is what led me to the 2009 Kdrama Iris, streaming on Netflix. In its time, Iris was the most expensive TV drama ever produced in South Korea. It was the most watched show at its time, averaging 30% viewership, and Lee Byung Hun won the Daesung Award at the 2009 KBS Drama Awards.
What do I think of Iris? It does feel dated, but after the initial episodes I’m pulled into the story. It’s in the action-intrigue genre and has a high body count, not my usual fare, but so far I’ve been able to continue watching.
Some production make me laugh: for an organization whose existence is supposed to be top secret, they have everything blazoned with their logo. Did the poor graphic artist who designed their logo get eliminated in order to maintain secrecy? How can the organization stay secret when its SWAT members’ equipment, including bullet-proof vests, clearly displays their affiliation?
Kalo mesimeri and Hronia Polla!
We are celebrating Virgin Mary’s Assumption! My best wishes to everyone! ❤️
@Cleopatra , hi! 😍❤️
We finished mass about 2 hours ago. 🙏🏼
We couldn’t go in the morning because I had to go to the office and my boys were at school and university.
Hey my dear @agdr03!
We went to morning Mass. It is a huge celebration for us. 🙏❤️🌺
Are you ok? 😘
That’s nice! 🥰 I enjoyed singing the songs for Mama Mary tonight. ☺️
I am ok @Cleo 😘
How about you? You ok? 😉
Hi @Cleo and @agdr03, I’m just back from a beautiful high Mass blessed with a glorious choir. It was uplifting! I trust you’re all doing well! 🙂
Thanks for the reminder, @Cleopatra! It almost slipped my mind.
Big 👋🏻 @GB! 😘
Mass are always uplifting for me. 🥰 My sister is in Singapore till Sunday. She’s at mass now. ☺️
LOL @agdr03! I did look around and wondered if I’d see familiar faces. Maybe a sweet lady looked like someone I know!
Yes, thanks indeed for the reminder. Today is the day after the anniversary of my dear Mum’s death last August.
At the time, I took great comfort about the celebration of the Assumption the next day with it’s theme of a good death.
😂 she came from Manila yesterday. She’s staying with her friend. She went there to eat and to grab us some Irvin’s. 😋
Hi @Kate, I’ll be trying to rewatch LYF Episode 18 tonight! And then jump into Episodes 33 and 34! Crazy, right? 🤪🤭😵💫
Kalo mesimeri my friends!
@Packmule3 ❤️
@agdr03, I am okay. Currently relaxing…
@GB Unnie, I am glad that I hear from you!
@Kate, *Hugs*
I can’t believe it’s been a year already @Kate. 😲 I’m sure your Mom is smiling at you from heaven. Sending you hugs! 🤗
Sheesh @agdr03!!! Even I who like salted egg stuff didn’t know that we had a brand called Irvin’s LOLOL. I have crispy fish skin snacks at home but they are not with salted egg. Hmmm… this puts me in the mood to go get some!
I’ll have the crispy fish skin too anytime @GB! 😆
What do you mean you didn’t know about Irvin’s? 😱 My Boss knows I love them so when he was there last time, he bought me 3 big packets. 😂
@agdr03 – I know the year has flown past! Awww….Yes, I am confident that she is in a happy place now. Thank you. Hugs back!
@Cleo – hugs too!
@GB – yes!
I am just going to watch the two new episodes tonight. I have some tedious admin to do.
Wasn’t Episode 32 amazing? Although the book version of the Mother of Pearl Underwater Dwelling was better.
@agdr03, I buy any old brand if I see it, didn’t notice Irvin’s LOL.
@Kate, oh, was that what that underwater place was supposed to be? I just call it Clam for short LOLOL. And I didn’t know at first that Chubby came in two sizes LOL no wonder we hear him called Fur Ball!!!
@GB – yes. Mini Chubby is a Furball. It’s a miracle he can fly. More suitable for football
XY is sleeping on a Pearl pillow do the “Clam” seems to have those overtones…Will check at source! Haha
Correction on my complaint about the Kdrama Isis. In one of the episodes I watched last night, it was clarified that the newly elected President of South Korea, which the clandestine National Security Service serves, wasn’t comfortable with it being secretive, so put it under the umbrella of NIS (National Intelligence Service). I suppose that means NSS was brought out of the shadows.
The show IRIS is Kdrama at its best in terms of plot twists and turns, and episode endings that hook you into the next episode. Highly bingeworthy.
@Welmaris, I did enjoy IRIS and liked LBH’s performance in that drama, but I am still upset that he beat Jang Hyuk at the Baeksang awards.
@Snowflower, I looked up the 2009 KBS Drama Awards and searched all the nominations for Jang Hyuk, and couldn’t find him listed. Are you thinking of a different awards ceremony? Jang Hyuk did win the 2010 KBS Drama Awards Daesung for The Slave Hunters.
I figured out what you meant, @Snowflower, after doing some online research. At the 46th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2010, Lee Byung Hun won Best Actor (Television) for his role in Isis. Jang Hyuk was also nominated in that category for his role in The Slave Hunters. The Baeksang Arts Awards eligibility period must not align with calendar years, because those two shows aired in different years.
Not Others ends next week. It has been a really enjoyable watch. I loved how the sister completely softened upon meeting her niece, chastising the mother for not making her become a doctor 🤣; expressing pride in her niece’s accomplishments in going to the police academy and offering her pocket spending money. (Just like good aunties everywhere!) Her stealing the portrait of her niece was a nice touch. There is a glimpse of the dysfunctional family unit that they will all become.
It looks like the relationship between the daughter and her senior will start to develop. While I love a good romance drama – I’ve really enjoyed the focus on the mother, her story and the mother/daughter dynamic. The relationship of the daughter and her senior will just be icing on the cake. I’m curious too if we will find out exactly what happened at the police academy to cause such friction between them.
Choi SooYoung is becoming one of my favorite kdrama actresses.
@Good Twin, I really liked Choi Soo Young in ‘My Blooming Days/The Spring Day of My Life’. I’m glad to know she’s done well in ‘Not Others’.
@Kate, it was a bit confusing because it is uncertain just what kind of shellfish it is, but it did not look like an oyster. However everything was pearly. I’ll settle for imagining it to be a magical oyster-cum-clam mobile, underwater home. 🙂
@Snowflower, as I guessed, the eligibility period for the Baeksang Arts Awards does not coincide with the calendar year: it runs April 1 – March 31.
@Welmaris, that is correct. I like both Lee Byung Hun and Jang Hyuk, but I still think JH should have won the Baeksang award for Best Actor (TV) in 2010. His performance in The Slave Hunters is simply iconic, mesmerizing and unforgettable. I think he also received an International Emmy nomination for that role.
@Snowflower, I’m finishing Iris tonight: one episode left to go. I don’t think it surprising Lee Byung Hun raked in awards for his role in that drama, because his performance was a tour de force. Over the course of the show he was able to display many dimensions and emotions. I think my next show will be The Slave Hunters, so I can determine whether I agree with you, or the outcome of the Daesung at the 2010 Baeksang Arts Awards.
@Good Twin, I caught up on the two recent episodes of Not Others, and will be a bit sad when it finishes next week. The screenwriter has done a good job of keeping the mother-daughter relationship the heart of the story. I look forward to those two standing firm when previously estranged relatives swoop in to make claims based on bloodlines, as seems to be forewarned by the teasers. I don’t have as good an opinion as you do of Jin Hee’s gomo: stealing is stealing, and her taking the framed photo is not okay even if it is of her newly discovered niece. And I don’t think it is logically or morally correct to love the niece who turned into a fine adult while continuing to detest the mother who worked hard to raise her alone.
@snowflower, are you still keeping up with My Dearest? It’s turning into my top drama of 2023. It’s like Gone with the Wind—-but better. I hope everyone finishes up their watch list so they can join in on this one. I’d love to read your thoughts.
@birdie007,
Yes, I am watching My Dearest. The subtitled episodes drop on Viki at midnight, so I stayed late to watch Episodes 5 and 6. If the quality stays at this level, the drama is shaping up to be the best of the year. The latest episodes marked a departure from the Gone With The Wind template, and that made the drama find its own tone.
I am happy to recommend “Grace no rireki (2023)”.
Minako has been married for about seven years with her husband Kikuo. Some time ago she resigned to her beloved work as an Antique Furniture dealer just when she finally got her assignment as a Buyer of Antiques. At the beginning of the series she is beginning a two week holiday without her husband to mark a milestone in her life but just shy of ending her vacation in France she will find herself in an accident in France.
As part of her Testament, Kikuo will find himself in possession of her beloved Honda S-800 sport car called Grace… and her GPS travel directions in Japan for a whole week unaccounted. As far as Kikuo knew she should have been in France from the beginning… what kind of secrets the late Minako had?.
Would love to have a discussion on this Drama just to have the opportunity to share it with all of you. Minako is a female character not to be missed. It is 8 episodes around 50 minutes each.
Dear @PM3, I will let you decide 😉 .
@FGB, sounds intriguing. I don’t mind starting this, but I’ll only be watching properly maybe next week.
@pkml3 would you be able to join us? Can we have an Open Thread?
😆🥛🍪🍜🍵🍨🍱🍣🍵 😋 🥛🍪🍜🍵🍨🍱🍣🍵 😎 🥛🍪🍜🍵🍨🍱🍣🍵😁
@GB, you will be welcomed when you can join. I know things are getting busy for you 😀 .
I have to binge the remaining episodes. I have enjoyed it so far as well.
Anticipating a big gap, I checked out two shows for later — watched a few episodes of both.
https://www.viki.com/tv/40102c-the-legend-of-zhuohua
The Legend of Zhuohua – C-drama – is a delightful mix of mystery, adventure and female feistiness in the form of a young woman determined to make it to the upper echelons of the academic world and escape unwanted marriage.
Romance, potentially, with the most powerful man in the land, apart from the emperor. He is an older man recovering from a disastrous military campaign and trying to find out what really happened. Very funny dialogue between them at times – he is frequently at a disadvantage. If you like those shows where the FL is plucky, super bright, helps solve mysteries etc you will enjoy!
https://www.viki.com/tv/40098c-you-are-desire
‘You are Desire’ is a modern-day Chinese coming of age drama which has some parallels with ‘Our Secret’ (that show starred the ML actor in ‘Hidden Love’). In this drama we have two unlikely, school desk-mates, whose eyes meet during a traffic jam (!).
Attractive leads. Intriguing story. Nicely filmed, nicely acted – good use of mood and music and humour. Adult characters, perhaps, a little thinly characterised. The actress who played Mum in ‘Hidden Love’ is in this show.
Our ML and FL both have a lot to contend with in their young lives. ML is a bit moody/James Dean with hidden talents and a nice deep voice. FL reminds me a little of the teenage daughter in ‘Crash Course in Love’ (that actress won an award for that role). Both characters have a lot about them.
It gets a BIG thumbs up from me. I was hooked after 2 episodes and I know I will watch it all the way through having dipped my toe in the water.
ps Our attractively surly ML in ‘You are Desire’ plays the First Prince in ‘ The Legend of Zhuoha’- also a main role in that show. I didn’t recognise him.
He’s one to watch!
Oh gosh, the month has flown by and I just realized I’ve never posted anything about what I have watched, been watching, or plan to watch.
So far this month I finished:
—Durian’s Affair (crazy and disappointing ending— I think this was supposed to be multiple seasons and they cut it short. Otherwise the ending really makes no sense. But it was a fun watch until then)
—King the Land (very lightweight, not much plot, should have been 8 episodes not 16–but Jun Ho looked lovely. I FF-ed through it a lot.)
—I started an older drama, Happy Once Again, which began as a lightweight and fluffy watch, but which devolved into too much angst and weeping and “will they/won’t they” delay tactics. There was also way way too much drinking/getting hung over, which I find boring on repeat and when not essential to the plot. I dropped it around episode 10. It would have been a better drama if it hadn’t been drawn out for 16 episodes, and they had cut it to 8 or 10.
[Fun fact: if you ever saw the Conan O’Brien goes to Korea special, you saw him guest appear on a kdrama. It was this one! I didn’t realize they would actually leave that cameo in.]
–I’m Not a Robot (2017) – This one hit the spot for me. Light and fluffy, with a poignant center about loneliness. I’ve been looking for pre-2020 dramas to watch and, like Goldilocks, nothing has been just right until I found this one.
–>Feel free to let me know of your other favorite easy-to-watch dramas from pre-2020 along the lines of INAR.
I’ve started:
–My Lovely Liar – it has been slow at times but I really like the world-building here. It’s very cozy and familiar. I could see myself living in one of those apartments. And watching the ML open up to life has been sweetly moving.
–DP S1 (since it won a lot of awards and S2 came out recently), but it’s too grim for me and I couldn’t finish the last episodes of the first season.
–Destined with You (ep 1). I am not a big fan of Rowoon’s so this is not a big draw for me. I watched the first episode yesterday and it didn’t pull me in. For one thing, the bloody hand creeped me out. I did think the reference to Goblin was funny. If you all start watching it and converse about it here, I’ll give it another shot.
–Moving – This feels more like an American drama than a Korean one. The violence seems gratuitous/too explicit and was off-putting for me. I do like the teenager’s stories and how they are coping with their superpowers. I only watched the first couple of episodes so far and haven’t been eager to return, but plan to revisit it after more episodes have been released.
Maybes:
–Behind Your Touch – I don’t love potty humor but might give this a try if you all still like it after watching a few episodes.
@Kate – I agree with what you said about Yumi’s Cells. I never FF-ed through any scenes in it. Every scene felt essential. I especially can’t imagine FF-ing through that long, slow shot at the end of Season 1–it was so moving and perfectly paced.
Yet, recently, I’ve been using the FF button more and more (with King the Land, Durian’s Affair [older woman/younger man subplot], etc.). I don’t know if I have k-drama over-saturation (because they no longer feel new and fresh to me), or if more recent dramas have been using too many filler scenes (I’m especially looking at you King the Land–too much swooning/kissing and putting on suits, and not enough plot!)
@BethB I dropped Behind Your Touch because of the kidnapper/attempted murderer and then serial killer plots. The juxtaposition of sadistic violence against women with a comedy/romance is too jarring for me. I pondered before whether the serial killer/romance/comedy is a uniquely Korean genre? If there is going to be a murder plot – why must women be the victims?
Serial killer? Ugh. From the title of the drama I thought this was gonna be fun and silly but I guess not. Thanks for the warning. I’m probably not going to even start it.
@Kate – now that Not Others is over I am in a show desert. I started You Are Desire – the lead is very Dylan-like ( from BH 90120 😂 – dating myself ). If you want uncomplicated fluff – everlasting fairytale – is cute. Same FL as in Flying Towards You. She plays essentially the same character – happy, smiley, cute. Jun from Seventeen is ML. I breezed through it.
Dear @GoodTwin, may I tempt you to watch “Grace no Rireki (2023)”? 😉
I promise you will not be disappointed 😀
@FGB4877 I will check it out! I’ll report back.
@BethB – Yumi’s Cells – top quality with great story telling and clever details and reveals! LOVED it. Will re-watch at some point – although knowing the story and the clever and unexpected developments may make it less fresh this time.
@Good Twin – thank you for the tip. I have noted with interest! I agree on the BH comparison, btw, with our ‘You are Desire’ ML!
@kate (and everyone else) I think you’d really enjoy My Dearest. Esp once it gets to episode 4
@birdie007 – hello!
Do you know, I have been eyeing up the discussion about that show in BoD! I’ll take a look this weekend.
Thank you for underlining this.
I started watching “Behind Your Touch” and so far I have enjoyed the comedy, but I find the pacing a bit slow. I really want the vet and detective to start teaming up and solving crimes together.
@BethB: To be honest, I’ve been using the FF button for K Dramas ever since I started watching them in 2014. Slow pacing, boring moments, etc. have ever been an issue with various K Dramas. I remember people talking about the various issues at a variety of forums, and how they FF through episodes. One comment from a post on K Drama Tips for Newbies has stayed with me: “The FF button is your friend.” It still holds true for some shows.
I also remember watching a YT video from the founders of the Dramabeans website (they did a few YT vids back in the day). It was a short video on K Drama “Black Knight” where they posted clip of an episode and then FF it.
This just to give examples that needing the FF button is not a new thing.
@Good Twin: Shows with contrast of comedy/ serial killer vibes could be a K Drama trope. I’ve seen 2 other K Dramas that use these elements in the plotline:
“Girl Who Sees Smells”: One minute it’s a cute rom com, next minute it’s a scary serial killer on the loose, then it’s a cute rom com. *Fun Fact: This was Namgoong Min’s breakout role where he showed his range. After this performance, and with the help of his stint on WGM, he went to the A List.
“Strong Woman Do Bong Soon”- One minute it’s a cute rom com, then suddenly it’s a creepy thriller about a crazy villain kidnapping women and holding them hostage in a dungeon and assaulting them, then it’s a cute rom com
@Table12200 – exactly! I haven’t see the Girl Who Sees Smells but strong woman is exactly that weird combination of comedy, sweet romance and then sadistic serial killer subplot. Not Others had a killer/stalker subplot, Lovely Liar has maybe a murder subplot, and Behind Your Touch has a murder. Korea has one of the lowest crime rates in the world – except on TV.
@Good Twin the show recommended by @FGB now has it’s own Open Thread on BOD!
Intriguing little show…
@GB – I’ll meet you over there. I watched the first episode.
@OAL, are you reading this thread? I hope so, because I want to let you know I’m enthralled by Our Blues. I’m finally watching it, having gotten past the first couple of episodes with a story arc that angered me to the point of dropping the show. I recall your loving Our Blues when you watched it. The stories get deeper and deeper, delving into a variety of relationships and characters.
I chose to download episodes of Our Blues onto my tablet to watch on recent trips by plane. I wanted a show that wouldn’t be visually distressing to strangers sitting near me, so no sword or gun battles with splashing blood, no zombies, no explosions, no crashing modes of transportation, etc. I thought the slice of life in Our Blues would be inoffensive and keep me from getting bored for the duration of each flight. I’m happy to be charmed and entertained by it.
I was several episodes in before I realized that the intros to the episodes are not all the same. I went back and watched all the intros I’d skipped, and am glad I did.
@Good Twin: Well, at least “Girl Who Sees Smells” the serial killer subplot made some sense as the ML was a police officer and the FL was using her powers to help him solve cases, but it was still a sometimes jarring tonal shift.
I think the success of “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon” led to the huge increase of inclusion of these serious murder/psychos subplots in rom coms. It feels like that trope has been used much more often since SWDBS premiered to huge ratings in 2017. Many times it has been shoehorned in, making no sense in the overall storylines. I keep hoping that writers will finally stop doing it in the rom coms.
@OAL, Our Blues squeezed my heart in Episode 15 when it wrapped up the story arc of the twin sisters, and now in Episode 17 my tears are flowing because of the grandmother-granddaughter story arc. This show has such good writing, top level acting, and fabulous camera work. Why didn’t we Bitches pay more attention to it? Did it first air against a show that interested us more? Whatever the reason it slipped below our radar, I highly recommend it.
The actress who plays the mother of Lee Byung Hun’s character is well cast. There’s something about their mouths that makes them look like they have a family resemblance. And when Dong Seok (LBH’s character) mocks his mother’s blank stare, he nailed her default facial expression, which means LBH must’ve studied actress Kim Hye Ja well. As the show winds to a close, we see there are emotions hiding behind his estranged mother’s mask.
I watched Our Blues just after it came out and mentioned watching it on BOD previously but I don’t think my comment got any response. I’m glad to hear that other BODers are discovering it now. (It was hard for me to start it at first because of that initial broken toenail scene—ugh—it took me a few days to go back and begin again). I loved the ensemble cast, the interconnected stories, and especially the opening credits, slightly different each time to let you know which people it would focus on. I also appreciated the setting on Jeju, and the small town/small world it created, placing actors in a real open market, etc. Maybe it was too melancholy for most viewers, which is why it didn’t get more press/buzz at the time?
Hi all,
I’ve caught up now with all the 18 episodes of the ‘Legend of Zhuohua’.
It’s now top of the pops one above ‘Lost You Forever’ on WeTV. Of course, LYF has just finished so viewer levels will be tailing off… but nevertheless, it’s getting a good reception.
I like the way the story is told. There are some very interesting surprises and twists and turns with an overarching mystery informing the whole story and linking our key characters.
I would advise anyone watching this to stick to VIKI avoid the teaser episodes on WeTV. They are not teasers they are massive plot spoilers. I can only say that this show will continue to have twists and turns and reveals.
The cast is experienced and characters convincingly portrayed.
The ML is played in a restrained way by the hugely experienced Feng Shao Feng (Story of Minglan). https://www.viki.com/celebrities/17498pr-feng-shao-feng
I am enjoying the unfolding of the relationship between him and our FL who is being played with a lot of brightness by the younger actress. It is refreshing for me to see this age and experience-gap being bridged, sometimes very comedically, by our leads. It is a grown up romance rather than a heady youthful chemical explosion.
VISUALS –
Don’t be off-put by the ‘visuals’ … some viewers are complaining that they don’t fancy FSF. He will not be everyone’s cuppa! However at only 44, I don’t know if is the styling, make-up or the pulled back hair, but they haven’t been entirely kind to him in the way he is presented. If you look at his VIKI publicity shot and then see him in this show he looks drawn and tired. Arguably, he IS playing a character who is living with the long-term effects of poison – so the context doesn’t lend him that vigorous hero vibe. But I do think some of this may be unintended by the production team.
There are also minor styling problems for the FL. They have put her in this rather hat-like, solid-coloured wig. There is an unflattering, severe contrast with her skin. It looks at times like she is wearing a bobble hat. When her hair is loose and flowing or in a half up-do, it much more natural. Sometimes, too, she seems to be wearing a lot of thick stage make-up. She again – purely visually – is not being presented in as flattering a light as she might be.
I am recovering from a summer virus this weekend and binged Finland Papa. It’s very much along the lines of One Day Off, in both length (it’s six 30 minutes episodes) and presentation. It’s slow, meditative, and slice of life, described on My DramaList as a “healing drama” (with a little of the Truman Show thrown in). Like ODO, there’s also an emphasis on food, with a lot of delicious Korean/Japanese food that’s made and eaten.
Four broken/sad people are brought together to work as a family at a restaurant called “Finland Papa.”
If any other BODers watch it, I’ll be curious about what you think. I’m not sure how many viewers it got when it came out in May, but I hope that people continue to discover it. (It’s available on Viki).
Hi, Beth B. Finland Papa was recommended on one of the BoD threads and its brevity lured me in. I liked it. Not earth-shattering, but worthwhile. I liked the clues that were given before we knew the set-up.
@BethB, hope you recover properly. Sinopsis of “Finland Papa” seems intriguing. Will check it out later 😉
I’m moving @Bosuji’s request here. I reply shortly. -pm3
*********************
@packmule3
@GrowingBeautifully (GB)
This thread on Hidden Love is such a treat!!!
I watched it one round.
I have planned to rewatch – close watch soon also – because it is a drama full of delicious pickings and enriched layers and promise of unpackings..
One of those rare constructions I found worthy of many rewatches…so well crafted that it will reveal corners unseen and unnoticed.
On that note : at the moment I am in full thrall of another C-DRAMA “Lighter and Princess”.
I’ve rewatched twice and am close-watching slowly making my way through it.
And very so often deeply craving both your detailed observations on it in a similar vein.
There’s such richness you bring to the experience of viewings..
I am 💯💯sure that LIGHTER AND PRINCESS will hook you. Itll scream to be unpacked..
Acting – scripting – direction – music – production.. On every level.
Looking forward hungrily 😂 to an open thread on this drama… Asap??
Please pretty please.
There’s such a dearth of meaty Drama blog sites..and those which are rich.. Have not yet discovered this gem!!!
@Packmule3, @Bosuji,
I think a few of us, including me, watched it when it came out on VIKI.
I enjoyed it – @Packmule3 – another bad boy archetype for you! – but it was a good year ago when I saw it so my memories are blurred.
@Bosuji,
I already told you that I don’t have time to watch and review “Lighter and Princess.” My soft law on opening a thread is a drama thread shall be opened if @GB, @agdr03, @nrllee, @Cleopatra or a few more regulars can lead the discussion.
That’s because:
a) I’m familiar (more or less) with them. In my case, familiarity doesn’t breed contempt. It makes me comfortable with the direction and tone of their threads.
b) Moreover, their values (more or less, again) align with mine. That’s VERY important to me because they’re the faces of Bitchesoverdramas when they moderate/curate the threads. I can trust them and their moral compass not to espouse ideas that I find antithetical to mine.
c) I don’t have to micro-manage their threads. I can leave them be. As you probably know now, time is my nemesis. Though I wrestle with my daily schedule to squeeze in more minutes on kdrama and this blog, I know losing is ineluctable. There are only so many ways I can slice and dice 24 hours a day. Oversight of an open thread is low on my priorities.
d) They don’t “fangirl” over a drama. Do you know what I mean by “fangirling”? 🙂
The reason you often get DUMBER when reading other drama sites is because you have to scroll through so many fatuous comments about HOW THEY FEEL about a scene before actually getting to something that has good insight, plausible theory, or logical explanation of the drama. Note: I don’t demand that opinions are 100% correct. I just want them to be well thought out.
I pre-screened the posters on this blog to weed out the emotional, effusive, hysterical viewers. For example, remember that second couple in the drama “A Business Proposal” when they had that drunken sex? She was drunk as a skunk and he had nonconsensual sex with her? Well, if you were one of their gazillion squealing thrilled fans, you’d have been blocked on this blog for mental vacuity.
e) Give and take. These old-timers know how to give-and-take in the discussions. In fact, many times they give and give and give their opinions while the lurkers take.
That’s my soft rule on opening thread.
If you want, post a critical review of the merits of “Lighter and Princess” and see if you can convince ME to join you. Lol. No, don’t tell me about the physical attributes of the actors or the cuteness of their interactions. Give me something I can chew on. Scrape beneath the surface.
Thanks for highlighting @Bosuji’s request, @pkml3 and for entrusting threads to us. They’re great fun to play in.
@Bosuji, speaking for myself, I’ll only go into and stay in a series if it appeals to me. I looked into episode 1 of Lighter and Princess, but at the moment it does not have enough of the pull factor that will get me to want to start it.
As @pkml3 suggests, perhaps you can write a review about it on why you find it so enthralling. 🙂
Kalimera everyone,
@Packmule3 thank you for enthrusting threads to us! <3
Where did August go? @Packmule3, I can’t believe there’s only one day left before we dive into our September 2023 viewing.
I may look at A Time Called You because I loved Someday or One Day so much, but I risk becoming disillusioned and dropping A Time Called You because I loved Someday or One Day so much. If the Korean remake doesn’t make the story its own, I’ll be disappointed. If the Korean remake, in trying to put on a fresh spin, makes the story unrecognizable, I’ll be disappointed. The makers of this show are walking a knife’s edge.
I thought today was already August 30…oops. We have two more full days of August, so I jumped the gun a bit.
I’ve watched the trailers for A Time Called You and am happy to see that the old cassette tape and player are back, although I expect the music to hearken back to South Korea in 1998, not Taiwan. As we saw in Reply 1997, that time saw the rise of K-pop super fandom. Boy bands that were big in 1998 included H.O.T. and Sechs Kies. I wonder if the song chosen to bring about the time slip in A Time Called You will be a nod to Reply 1997.
I am not familiar with past work of either the screenwriter or director of A Time Called You. I hope this beloved story fares well in their hands. Since I like the past work of the three lead actors in A Time Called You, I want this to be a success. Ahn Hyo Seop set a high bar for himself with A Business Proposal, as did Jeon Yeo Been with Vincenzo. I dropped both Little Women and The Secret Romantic Guesthouse, but did think Kang Hoon played the most interesting character in the latter.
Hi all,
For anyone who watches ‘The Legend of Zhuohua’ – according to AvenueX the issue with our leads’ faces is extreme use of ‘skin smoothing’ editorial suite effects, and not make-up or poor lighting (although that still might be part of the problem).
Also, they have aged our ML, Fen Shaofeng by dubbing him with an older man’s voice.
I plan to re-watch The Tale of Minglan at some point soon to restore my sense of how he sounds and looked a few years back.
So, there you are!
@Kate
@GB
@Packmule3
WOWOW 😀
That’s an assignment quality task then .. Feel like my English teacher just told me to persuade my classmates to read the book I loved reading last month.
For some reason the replies to my comments don’t show up in my email inbox .. so it’s by chance, if I happen to return to check the posts again, do I come across replies.
I just finished a close watch of L&P (meaning I took notes and wrote down dialogues – a first for me).
Hmmm now comes the hard part!!
How to hook you ??
Were my language seductive enough wrap and hold the contents in my thought stream .. Ya’ll would be putting the 36 slices of these multigrain episodes one after another in the toaster .. and chowing down – tonite
LOL
Kidding aside.
Lemme think and give it a try.
@Kate
True. Bad Boy archetype. (EVEN Bad Girl Archetype – My Name / Fates or Fury)
It’s for those who are irresistibly drawn to MLs who do crazy things, mean things, hurtful things, (things usually villains do) directed at people not necessarily deserving such treatment.
Sometimes they are players, killers, out on a mission to ruin and be ruined if it comes to that. A recklessness, an unhinged part of their psyche that flaps and slaps against anything that comes too close to them. Most of the time that unhinged bit is lashing them from inside (some injustice, ill fate in their life script)
– Smile has Left your Eyes
– Innocent Man
– Cruel City (aka Heartless City)
– School 2013
– Tempted
– Secret
– Bloody Heart (does this count as a spoiler? to list the drama here)
– Cheese in the Trap
– Flower of Evil
– Just Between Lovers (aka Rain or Shine)
– Kill It
– Lovers
@Kate
Are you the Kate that left a sequence of reviews as you watched the show .. on the VIKI comments thread?
circa Nov 2022??
If you did write those .. I am in sync with your reactions ;-p
Hi @Bosuji, if replies to your comments are not showing up in your Email Inbox, you may need to re-subscribe to the thread. This same issue happened to me a couple of times. No one knows why.
Hi @Bosuji, sadly, I am not that Kate… I like her reviews too!
Sorry we missed all your reflections when they happened.
I am not looking to re-watch L&P at the moment – never say never – but for now I have too many shows on my list.
I did enjoy it and you are making me want to go back and remind myself why – perhaps one episode!!
I also felt concerned about what it modelled for young Chinese women i.e. the woman’s love as rescuer… that taps into a lot of female tendencies to ‘love too much’ and to build relationships based on potential etc etc etc For me. it’s an only in drama land romance. Am I unfair?
But aside from that it was a good show. Our leads were very well chosen.
The comparison with ‘Just between lovers’ is interesting. We had a great discussion thread about that a year or so back. What a superb show. I felt the relationship there was healthier. But I have a misty memory of L&P so would need to defend that view!