These new dramas caught my eye.
1. Parasyte: The Grey
Three things you should know about this kdrama:
One, adapted from a Japanese manga. I get the sense that Korean screenwriters/directors have a different worldview from their Japanese counterparts when it comes to good vs evil. In many Korean post-apocalyptic dramas, the objective is for the good to categorically vanquish evil, whereas in Japanese doramas, good and evil differ only in shades of gray and a murky coexistence between the two is the final goal. Needless to say, I’m more comfortable with the Korean mindset.
Two, the director is famous for that zombie flick, “Train to Busan” (2016). Lately, I’ve become more interested in the visual and artistic aspects of a drama rather than just the storytelling.
Three: the parasite looks like a liquid blob with spikes but once it’s inside the host body, it turns the human head into a grotesque looking flower-head. Lol. That’s the main reason I’m not grossed out about this show. I can’t stand zombie shows because of the blood-stained faces but when the aliens merely look like elongated, misshapen succulent plants, then they’re rendered less horrifying.
Here’s the synopsis from mydramalist.
The story depicts parasites that fall from space and begin to kill to gain their own power by controlling the human brain and body by living off human hosts. The story revolves around Jung Soo In, who is infected with a parasite on her hand and starts a strange cohabitation as it fails to steal her brain.
Seol Kang Woo chases parasitic water to find his missing sister, and Choi Jun Kyung is the team leader of the parasitic life team ‘The Grey’ and lives only to exterminate the parasitic water after losing her husband to the parasitic water.
Cast:
Jeon So Nee
Koo Kyo Hwan – here’s the weird director/love interest in that travelogue “One Day Off.”
Episodes: 6
Start Date: Friday, April 5
Airs on Friday (I suspect all 6 will drop on the same day)
Where to Watch it: Netflix
Network: Netflix
2. Lovely Runner
I guess we’re all eagerly anticipating this. This is a time travel again to change the future.
The blurb from soompi:
Based on a popular web novel, “Lovely Runner” is a new time-slip romance drama that unfolds as Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon), a passionate fan devastated by the death of her favorite star Ryu Sun Jae (Byun Woo Seok), goes back in time to save him. The drama will be penned by Lee Si Eun, the writer of “True Beauty” and “Top Star U-Back.”
Cast:
Kim HyeYoon Always liked to see her in another romcom after “Extra-ordinary You” but her “Secret Royal Inspector & Joy” with Ok Taecyeon was a non-starter. Hope this one turns out better.
Byeon WooSeok. He’s the finally the male lead in a romcom. I almost had a 2nd Male Lead Syndrome in “Strong Girl Namsoon” because of this guy.
Note: There should be more to be said about their “on-screen chemistry” than their height difference. I mean, if that’s all we’re seeing when they’re acting in the scenes, it doesn’t augur well for the show.
Episodes: 16
Start Date: April 8
Airs on Mondays and Tuesdays
Where to Watch it: Viki
Network: tvN
I can’t find any English subbed trailer so that will have to suffice.
I’m still watching “Queen of Tears” so I can’t do more this month. What about you? What are you watching this month?
Hi @pkml3! Thanks for this thread.
I seem to be watching 2 rather different shows with a similarity in their premise… mind-reading through eye contact!
First is the cdrama, Guess Who I Am (24 episodes)
Original Network: Youku
Platforms: YouTube (limited episodes), Viki. Alternative streaming sites have 14 Episodes out but there’s a VIP scheme so non-VIPs have to wait to get the rest.
Duration: 35 min per episode.
A story in a story where the inner story is what we watch. It’s a fun, light-hearted romp of scammers scamming each other. We watch to see who outdoes the other. We also wonder what caused an accident (or 2) in the past and want to see some investigation being done. The fun premise is that FL has the power when she looks into the eyes of rich, men, to make them see her as their ideal woman and to make them fall for her instantly. Her power only works with those kind of men, what a joke! So when male lead is a false chaebol, she has no power over him… but when he gets big bucks, she suddenly finds him devoted to her! She’s confused and he hates it but what to do? Not as many kisses as in Wang Zi Qi’s other shows, but the couple are great together.
The other show is a Japanese short drama Eye Love You (10 episodes)
Original Network: TBS
Platforms: Netflix
Duration: 1 hour
This is somewhat similar and yet very different. Another FL whose able to read the minds of people whose eyes meet hers (Similar to “I Hear Your Voice” but without the angst). She and the men she dates are afraid of their minds being read and so she decides not to date. Until along comes a cheerful Korean grad student, Tae Oh, played by a buff looking Chae Jeong Hyeop (last seen in Castaway Diva). FL is torn between keeping her distance or falling for Tae Oh, about whom she guiltily has salacious thoughts. LOL
I’m waiting for the last 3 episodes to be subbed. Jdoramas take ages to get fully subbed, but this is sweet and cute, the chemistry is not bad, and it’s worth the wait.
= = =
Apart from these, I’m having a ball of a time with Wedding Impossible and Queen of Tears. Thinking of these 2 shows, it occurs to me that a lot of shows include loads of lies in their premise. Dishonesty seems to be an often-used plot-driver… which says something about human nature! 😏😬😜
I’m also thinking of watching a 2021 Wu Lei movie, Upcoming Summer
And the next Rewatch Party will be in 4 weeks’ time where we’ll rewatch Signal!!! Been wanting to rewatch it but didn’t want to do it alone, so Yay!!!
@GB,
I downloaded “Eye Love You” for a trip. Is it good? It’s own Netflix so I just downloaded the series without knowing if all the episodes were out.
Have a couple of non-working days to explore Taipei on my own. Will ask people on the blog for tips on the night markets to go to later. 🙂
As already said about Parasyte:
– I’ve read the manga.
– I watched the anime.
– I watched the movies.
So, as well to watch the kdrama too. 😅
I tried some episodes of “The impossible Heir”, but the quality isn’t here.
I started an old 2013 kdrama “When a Man’s in Love”, with bad rating on MDL (6.8), but it turns to be a good one. Sounds even like magic compared to Impossible Heir.
I also started to rewatch Signal. It’s perfect, except the terrible deformed image during flashbacks.
Howdy! 👋🏻
Wedding Impossible is finishing this week so I will take up Lovely Runner. It looks cute. 😊
I want to watch Guess Who I Am too but it depends when I’ll start it. 😄
Queen of Tears is taking up most of my time. ☺️
Kumawo! 🍩🧁🍧
Hi @pkml3, yes, I find Eye Love You good. I believe @monmor mentioned it too.
It’s a Japanese-Korean collaboration up to a point… but is mostly Japanese. There’s a bit of jdorama whimsy, especially in the sound effects. The characters are likable. There’s a nice relationship between FL and her dad.
The FL uses her ‘ability’ for good but she’s conflicted about being too friendly with the grad student (I guess it’s because of her age and her mind-reading ability). Chae Jong Hyeop has such a winning smile. I smile when he smiles. I believe you can probably just inhale the episodes. They are tropey but light so far (I’ve watched up to Ep 5 or so).
As MM pointed out, in the show they are 4 years apart in age with FL being a noona but in real life he’s older than her by a year, but he looks like a young kid to me!
Thank you for the April watch thread @Pm3… I hope everyone who celebrates has a nice time during Easter Holidays 💝
I’m going to try Lovely Runner. I hope it’s watchable ! The height AND size difference is absolutely ridiculous. If the FL aims to stop him from doing something, she better put her mind to it rather than depend on stopping him bodily. The latter has a guarantee of not working.
@pkml3
🤔📧💻📂🍝🍜🍲🍛🍣🍱🍵
Please see if one of my posts to the >Queen of Tears Ep 7 and 8 thread went into spam. I was replying to @FeiFei. Thanks!
🤔📧💻📂🍝🍜🍲🍛🍣🍱🍵
Lovely Runner sounds great. I think in the meanwhile, I’ll have a look at @Growing Beautifully’s suggestion Eye Love You. I’m in the mood for a dorama again having watched Silent recently. There’s something about the pace of Japanese dramas that I like. No filler because of short episodes but even when there is no action or audio the space is meaningful. Do you know what I mean?
Many thanks, @packmule3. Enjoy Taipei!
Hi @Fern, I know exactly what you mean about jdoramas. I like their quirks and silences, their strange whimsy and some anime characteristics the crop up unexpectedly. They can be full of expression or too quiet, but the stillness is saying something, if I can only access it!! I feel they give us time and space to take in more than what meets the eye and ear.
Kalimera @Packmule3 et al!
Let us have a happy month! I have paused almost everything on my list and I am currently watching:
1. The Legend of Shen Li. | C-Drama
I am loving it! Everything is perfect, including our OTP! Also the Soundtrack is amazing!
More Information: https://mydramalist.com/697861-yu-feng-xing
2. The Midnight Studio
I continue to watch this and I am enjoying it very much!
What am I going to watch in April? I don’t know yet, but most likely:
– Blood Free on Disney Plus
and
– Lovely Runner.
I have started watching “Eye Love You” and I am enjoying it, but I haven’t proceed much with it. On Netflix are available the first 5 episodes.
I do hope you are all okay!
Greetings! I look forward to watching the last two episodes of Wedding Impossible this week. After that I plan to pick up Queen of Tears again (can’t watch more than one neglected chaebol heir at a time).
I was also planning to go back to Heir Impossible (which didn’t pull me in with the first couple of episodes but I usually love LJW), but if @wechanteur says the quality isn’t there, I’ll just drop it from my watchlist.
I sampled the first few minutes of The Midnight Studio and didn’t know what to make of it. It seemed both slapstick and tragic. Only the presence of Kim Ok-Nam made me think it might be worth watching later—she’s usually in good stuff.
Otherwise we are thinking about dropping our AppleTV subscription so I’ve been skimming a few shows there. I might finally watch all of pachinko (I was waiting for the second season first but I’m not sure it’s ever going to happen).
I’m liking Eye Love You. The Korean man who thinks in Korean but speaks in Japanese – I can almost understand him from watching dramas. His thoughts aren’t subbed on Netflix. The characters are interesting. And it’s obvious that the way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach – with Korean food. 😊😋
@Fern, about ‘Eye Love You’ – isn’t it fun that we have picked up enough simple colloquial Korean to figure out what Tae Oh is saying to himself?
I’m still waiting for the remaining episodes to be subbed. I always worry that they might not get subbed at all!
Re: “eye love you”I am losing my interest in watching the second set of 5 episodes.Because so much time has elapsed since I watched the first five And they are still not up on netflix.
Same thing happened to me.With a good day to be a dog.
Airing schedules really do Affect how a show is initially perceived and rated, I think. I was really keen on both these shows.
Annyeong ~ Happy Spring to all 🌷
Thanks for this thread @pm3. enjoy Taipei. idk about the Parasyte show. I will watch the “lovely runner” though.
I am also watching “eye love you” coz of Chae JH – and waiting for Part 2.
Still on Queen of Tears, Midnight Studio, wedding impossible (even tho honestly, idk about the FL) and BEauty & Mr Romantic (50 episodes!!! idk about the grown up ML but oh well).
for oldies, I am watching “my Love from the Star” and started “flower in the sand.” i started “it’s ok not to be ok” but…. i’ll finish MYFTS first hihi.
I just finished “The long Ballad” with Leo Wu and Zhao Lusi and Dilraba ♥
Dear Friends, it is always a pleasure to read you!!!.
Lovely Runner seems likeable. It reminds me on some aspects of the several iterations of “Girl who leapt through Time”. Haven’t seen any of those to be honest.
Dear @WEnchanteur Bro, last month you gave me a list of your favourite Animes. I didn’t respond. That was rude from me!.
Some of my favourites lies in the Iyashikei genre: soothing shows with uplifting messages.
“A Place Further than the Universe”. A stagnant high school girl meets a fuzzball of energy schoolmate trying to go to Anctarctica in the next civilian expedition. A study of different personalities and how the four main characters get united under the same goal.
“Space Brothers”. A 38 year old Mechanical Engineer feels frustrated in his job as a car designer. He and his younger brother used to dream to go to space, even going as far as to go periodically to JAXA’s exhibitions and befriending an astronomer living in a big telescope as children. While the younger never left his dreams and eventually became the first Japanese on the moon, the second one finally gets enough and goes for it. It explains in good detail how NASA’s astronaut training goes.
“Yuru Camp” Seasons 1 and 2. A group of schoolgirls goes camping near their city. Relaxing and offering good advice on camping for beginners. It also has a live action version that does not do as well as the actresses acts like Anime characters but shows the actual sites they visit in Japan.
Several more, but this is kind of off-topic 😉 .
As far of what am I seeing?. I have downloaded several J-Dramas for offline days.
I still have to finish “Nagi’s Long Vacation (2019)”. Dear @GB knows that sometimes I have a hard time ending Dramas, even if they are gems like “SOno Onna, Jiruba (2021)” or “Grace no rireki (2023)”. It is hard to let go beautiful characters that have left so much to you!!!.
Hi @FGB! You’re a source of info on interesting Japanese shows. We don’t have to let go of the Shows that spoke much to us, that’s why we can rewatch ad infinitum 🙂
Ladies, For your viewing pleasure through the week.. a new, looong trailer of Lovely Runner ! The drama is looking better by the minute !
https://youtu.be/aZ9I0t39Qqg?si=-VTLpYdz7uxP33IG
Some observations in the trailer that might be of interest to @Fern, @Cleo and others who might be interested in this drama:
– There is a LOT of water involved in this drama. It seems to rain a lot, the ML is a swimmer/loves to swim and in spite of having been a professional swimmer, dies in a pool. Or rather “chooses” the water to die in, maybe because he felt safe in it.
– Is there a double time travel ? Who knows? She seems to be “running away” or rather “hiding away” an adult, grown, star Sunjae in the last couple of seconds. That wouldn’t be possible unless she can run. And in the current timeline, she can’t. Maybe he changed her fate in turn? Or it can be a dream. You never know with kdramas.
– the FL makes it clear that she’s a time traveler early on (thank goodness), no matter ML believes her or not.
– Although there is some excessive emotion involved from FL in timeline 2.0 (viewers know why), she doesn’t give you the cringe. Even in the few minutes of the trailer, she seems genuine in her intentions. It’s like watching a very small statured, very emotional but equally determined female Yu Ji Hyuk 🤭🤭
– I hope they represent disability well like Twinkling Watermelon. I love the scene where the ML bends to her level in the snow rather than towering over her like a coconut tree. Bless his cotton socks to have this sense. If this is the result of timeline 2.0, does he remember her ? Does he remember her not ?
Kalimera @Arihsi!
I do hope you are okay! I don’t know if I can watch this. I am watching “The Midnight Studio” and “Lovely Runner” will be aired the same days.
I will try though, because I like the actress who plays the FL.
Not a drama, but I really REALLY recommend the reality dating show My Siblings Romance. It’s available for me in the US on VIKI. I’m enjoying it very much and I lol multiple times and then want to reach for my tissues. The siblings and their stories are all different and interesting.
@packmule3, are you in Taiwan now? All okay?
Oh dear! They had an earthquake. I checked the news after your comment @Fern. @pm3 please take care !
Hi Queen, please leave us a note here ok.
Praying for Taiwan. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Omo…@Packmule3! I do hope you are okay! I will be waiting for your update!
Oh wow I just saw where @pm mentioned exploring Taipei. 🙏🏼
@Packmule3, just saw you will be in Taipei! You are in Taipei now, right? If you are up for it, I can be your tour guide for a few hours or half a day if you would like. I know this city like the back of my hand. 🙂 Let me know.
I am just watching Queen of Tears now and am thoroughly enjoying it!
Taipei recs from a local:
1. Shilin area: National Palace Museum (largest collection of Chinese artifacts in the world), free classical Chinese gardens next to it, Aboriginal Museum right across from the front if you have extra time), Shilin Nightmarket
2. Taipei 101 area: Taipei 101, Dingtaifung in the basement, SunnyHills Pineapple Cake in the basement, Taipei Discovery Center (3F of Taipei City Hall, free), Sat-Yat Sun Memorial Hall changing of the guards every hour on the hour from 9:00 to 17:00
3. Taipei Train Station Area/surrounding area: Freedom Square (also has changing of the guard on the hour like above, it’s a nice place to walk around and take pics, Ximending for youth culture/shopping
4. Nature: Maokong Gondola, tea houses, etc.
5. Day trips: Jiufen, Yingge
Food: Lots of good eats everywhere!
Nightmarkets: They are all about the same. Since people are on holiday for Children’s Day and Tomb-sweeping Day the next few days, everywhere will be pretty crowded this long weekend so expect long lines.
Enjoy your trip in my beloved city! It’s been really hot and humid the past couple of days though, please stay hydrated.
Best site for Taiwan travel info IMHO: https://www.nickkembel.com/
@Hatlady I hope you’re okay ! From the images on the internet, it looks like a lot of damage from the quake ?
@Hatlady and any other readers who live in Taiwan. I hope you are all right and not suffering from damage or stuck anywhere. Prayers for your country and any other coastal regions that might be affected. 🙏
@HatLady, how are things going in Taiwan?. Are you and your people OK?.
Please Taiwanese Friends, report if you are OK.
Amen 🙏 stay safe
@PM3, @hatlady and BODers in Taiwan, I hope you are safe and well. 🙏🙏🙏
Sending prayers 🙏🙏🙏 your way @hatlady and all in Taiwan!
Dear BOD Community, @Arihsi, @Fern, @FGB4866, @Hana, @Janey, @GrowingBeautifully, thanks for reaching out! We are safe and sound.
The earthquake was a 7.2 at the epicenter, but in Taipei we felt it as a 5. It shook for around 20 seconds and there were many aftershocks. I crawled under the table with my son when it happened. He was going to go out the door to go to school when it happened. The Taipei subway system stopped running for about an hour and had some damage. It was quite a scare. I actually felt dizzy on and off for the rest of the day.
Please pray for those who loved family members (9 reported dead so far), the injured (around 1,000) and those still trapped. Appreciate everyone’s care!
@Hatlady,
Kalimera. Good to know you are okay. Sending prayers to Taipei and Taiwan!
@Hatlady, I’m relieved to read that you are all right.
🙏 May those lost be found; may the injured and traumatised heal well. Prayers for those who passed and their loved ones. I hope the country will be back to a normal lifestyle as soon as possible.
We haven’t heard from Queen @pm3 ? She might be traveling back to US, not sure.
So glad to know you’re okay @hatlady. 🙏
Good to know you are OK, dear @HatLady. At the end of the day we are helpless against Mother Nature. The best thing we can do is to be prepared.
@PackMule3 has not reached out?
Amen 🙏 thank you @Fern for the lovely prayer
@Hatlady glad you are safe, must be so scary
Hello ! Has @pm3 reached out to anyone? I’m a bit concerned. There are BoDers connected to her via other portals as well…I’m sure she’s fine but still.
Kalimera @Arihsi,
As far as I know, there is no news regarding @Packmule3! I am worried myself.
I am waiiting for her update as well.
Oho !! @Cleo I’m hoping we’d hear from her tomorrow in case she’s been busy and not checking BoD. Tomorrow is QoT air day and she’d open a thread !
@Arihsi,
If you have news please leave me a message. I have paused QoT.
I am currently watching “The Legend of Shen Li” that is going to finish this Monday. It is on Viki among other sites.
Hi @Hatlady, thank God you’re ok. 🙏🏼 It must have been terrifying. I’ve experienced it too but it was back in Manila.
Hello @Cleopatra and @Arihsi . I’m praying Queen will send us a quick message soon. 🙏🏼
@cleo I am not watching QoT either. But when she comes to BoD to open a thread, she’ll surely see our messages ❤️
My heart sinks everytime I hear about an earthquake..Hope no one here suffers from this one.
Dear @PackMule3, are you OK?.
@GB, hope to find some gems to share 😉
BTW I will be offline for a while. Hope to reconnect soon!!!
@pkml3, I trust that you are having a good, safe trip and that you’ll be online soon.
Hi @FGB, I’m watching an older jdorama, Okusama wa, Tori Atsukai Chui or “Caution, Hazardous Wife” (2017). A fun watch with episodic neighbourhood issues to resolve. 10 episodes of around 50 minutes each. The FL, played by Ayase Haruka completely carries the show but her co-stars are good too. 🙂
Dear @GB, I will download it. If I have to be offline, better with good company!.
Would you believe me if I say that I hoarded all 120 episodes of Okaeri Mone? 😀
Hope @PackMule3 appears soon. No new Posts and worrying news from the place she was gives me the Willies.
@FGB, in the past I used to worry every time @pkml3 did not come online for over a week. Those times she was often traveling and could not bring or use her personal laptop. I’m hoping that is the case here as well and that she’s safe.
LOL. I too hoard my fave shows to rewatch at leisure. I might just pick and episode here or there to watch, to calm my nerves if other things annoy me.
This Caution, Hazardous Wife series is mostly a fun romp where wife finds solutions to help others so as to also excite her boring days and ramp up her romance with husband. Although not as lyrical as some other jdoramas, it still gives much to consider concerning keeping secrets, marriage, conjugal felicity, domestic life, friendship and using one’s strength, etc.
I am praying for all impacted and that you are right @GB about @pkml3.
Like @Cleopatra, I have been hooked on the Legend of Shen Li. I like all involved and for the most part all of the story lines. Will be sorry to see it end on episode 39 and we are on 33 as of Friday even with one each day (Sat/Sun) and then two on Monday and final two on Tuesday. Its Cdrama so I pray they don’t break my heart.
After it, am not sure. I still have never watched Under the Queen’s Umbrella because I didn’t want it to affect my SAD disorder (it aired in the fall) so I may go back and pick it up.
I hate waiting on QoT…. Ah, first world problems!
Already downloaded Hazardous Wife series and its movie!.
That’s a compelling review. Mr. and Ms. Smith movie had that kernel of truth that made it a classic. Also made me remember in “Grace no Rireki” (2023) the conversation between the widower and his late wife’s ex-boyfriend turned into great friend in the bar (cafe?, restaurant?) spiced by the waitress’ comment:
Ex-Boyfriend greets his usual waitress:
– Hey Kumiko!(insert Japanese woman’s name), how’s your newlywed life?
– Truly marvelous!!!
– Do you keep secrets from him?
– Of course!!!
BTW dear Friends, that is an incredible Japanese Drama recommendation!
You are right. Most probably I am a worrywart 😉
@Kelley CC
Kalimera! I wanted to tell you that we have a HEA on “The Legend of Shen Li”…
So don’t worry!
I watched ep 1 of Lovely Runner today. I like it ! The FL is a capable actress. She can carry a scene solely on her own shoulders. I also really liked the backstory of WHY she’s such a big fan. It makes her desperate attempts to save him all the more convincing.
Episode 1 of Lovely Runner
@Arihsi, I watched Ep. 1 of Lovely Runner as well.
Whilst we are waiting for @packmule3 to open a thread 🍪🍪🍪, perhaps we can post comments with the title and the episode and she will be able to transfer them more easily when it’s open. 🤞
The weather seemed important in this episode. Maybe I’m preoccupied with weather because it seems to have rained for more than the biblical 40 days here in England and spring weather is late. Those sunny days looked fabulous – like sun +++. The snow and sleet looked completely real and gave me goosebumps (or did my husband turn off the heating already?).
I’m looking forward to seeing how the FL will try to save the situation. I agree that she seems very capable as an actress.
Will open a thread, @Fern. Give me half an hour. Just got home and checking the thread. 🌷🌷🌷🌷
Good to know you are here @Packmule3! We were all worried about you! ❤️🙏
I have watched the first episode of “Lovely Runner” too… 😊
I apologize for making you all worry. 🙁
I was on an official mission so no personal item like laptop, cellphone, and ipad for kdramas were brought along on the trip. Yes, I was in Taipei when the earthquake happened but I was never in danger. The personnel in charge stopped our activity and took us to a safe place.
The Taiwanese citizens are thankfully prepared for such natural disasters like quakes and typhoons given their geographical location.
I had one free day (actually just 6 hours) to do what I want on my own. So, I went to the Lungshan Temple and offered my respects to the gods. I saw a few people tossing red crescent-shaped blocks to the ground for some sort of divination. I copied them and took pictures of the result to ask my colleagues what they meant.
I was told that I received a “yes” answer from the gods.
But the problem is I didn’t ask a question.
I guess I’ll reserve the question for the future. 🙂
Then, I went to a commercial district which is the version of Times Square in NYC or MyeongDeong in Seoul. I was attempting to lose myself in the crowd but I didn’t expect to be totally swallowed up by the throng of shoppers and tourists like myself.
I ordered deep fried chicken cutlet, deep fried mushroom, and deep fried balls of something (shrimp, fish, or squid, I don’t know) and washed them all down with a passion fruit smoothie. Lol. Passion fruit sounded exotic but I had to google how it looked like. Passion fruit juices are my favorite now.
After buying trinkets and snacks to share with my staff, I took a cab back to my hotel.
I felt like that character in the kdrama “One Day Off” — but with a lot less inclination to ponder on the meaning of life.
Hi @pkml3, yes we’re glad to see you back safe and sound.
There’s no help for it. Each time you go off traveling for work, and we don’t hear from you for several days, we start to worry, earthquake or no earthquake!!
This time because we knew where you were heading and because of the earthquake lots more prayers were sent your way! 😌😇😊😄
Have a good rest and please join us in our drama watching. 😘🤗😁
A Note About Caution, Harzardous Wife (OKUSAMA WA, TORIATSUKAI CHUUI)
I re-read what I wrote above and felt I needed to update it, because it might give readers the impression that it was just a light and fluffy show. Those who’ve read reviews or watched it will know, but without giving out spoilers, let me just say that it started out deceptively simple and took on more serious issues, that it ponders what makes for an ideal marriage, and gives us satisfactory twists. And all of this at a rollicking good pace because it’s a jdorama with just 10 episodes.
I read the review for the movie version with the same actors in the lead, I believe, and want to watch the movie too! Oh and yes, I like the fights, well, the choreography of the fights!!! The only thing I’d like a bit less of is the music that was very evident and which I tuned down when I needed less intensity. 🙂
Yay! We’re all good now. 🙏🏼❤️
Glad to have you back. It sounds like you were able to enjoy your 6 hours free time. That’s nice, visiting a temple and paying respects to the Gods. ☺️
The food sounds yummy! I’m not really into fresh passion fruits because of it’s sourness but I like it mix in anything. 😃
I’ll rewatch QOTs now for my highlights. I will watch Lovely Runner too. 😃
Kalimera @Packmule3!
I am glad you are okay and you had your “one day off” in Taipei.
I didn’t know that you were heading over there, until someone mentioned it above.
Well, after so many years around here, we cannot help it. We are happy when we learn happy news, a bit sad when we learn sad news and we keep worry for each other.
Rest as much as you can! I do hope to see you in a thread! <3
Just watched yoo teo in a cameo in Live up to your name. The female lead crunches his n*** After he tries to pick her up at a bar. On previous watch as I would not have known who he was.
Kalimera!
Now that I have finished watching “The Legend of Shen Li” on Viki,
I will say that this is the best xianxia I have watched so far! For the ones who have watched others, they say it is one of the best of 2024 (and most likely the decade).
If you want to see a beautiful C-Drama, give is a try!
It has everything and I am not exaggerating! The story is based on the novel by
Jiu Lu Fei Xiang who also wrote “Love Between Fairy and Devil”. She is also the scriptwriter in this one and they kept almost everything from the main story.
So, the story, the acting by Zhao Li Ying (who is also the Producer) and Lin Geng Xin, but everyone in the cast is chef kiss. The director did a great job, the Photography is magnificent and the CGI is pretty good. Also, the Soundtrack is Epic!
@Packmule3 It would be nice if you could open a thread about it. I am eager to rewatch it again. I have fallen in love with the OTP, but I cannot say here more because I don’t want to do spoilers!
Here is one FMV of the song Ages sang by Liu Yuning portrayed with a compilation from scenes with the OTP. 💕
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRgEiQI6aPc
P.S. @Kelly CC have you finished it as well? I am waiting for your thoughts!
@CLEOPATRA I started watching the legend of shinlee. I only finished the first episode but I thought it was very interesting. I am not familiar with this genre.So I was not sure if it was a good one to be watching as my first one. From what you are saying it sounds like a good ONE TO watch And being able to join a conversation here would really be helpful.
I also really need a drama to distract my brain from thinking about time Travel.
@Monmor,
I have enjoyed “The Legend of Shen Li” immensely! I have stopped everything that made me sad to watch this show! It has smart humour here and there that cracked me up because you will see that all the lines are being said with a straight face! I truly admire the ML for doing so!
Please continue the story and you will see more about the chemistry of the OTP. I will be waiting for your thoughts !
As it seems,
My comment to @monmor awaits moderation!
I approved it already, @Cleopatra.
Thank you @Packmule3 and Kalimera!
I wish you to have a fine day today! <3
I really enjoyed the humor in the first episode. I will continue watching.
Greetings all – I have been looking forward to a modern Chinese romance where the woman don’t act like children. I just started Best Choice Ever and it is checking the box of light and entertaining. I’m getting a whiff of King the Land except the ML ithe ML CEO is the typical boorish CEO you see in cdramas – he is awaiting redemption. The FL is hardworking and resourceful. She doesn’t know that the man (SML) she has been dating for the last 3 years is the cdrama equivalent of a chaebol. His mother doesn’t think she is good enough for the family. The boyfriend is wimpy and a bit whiny but he does love her. That’s the set up.
There js enough escapist entertainment to keep me curious for now.
I am 14 episodes in to Best Choice Ever and it is definitely not the typical CEO cdrama. It is really a drama about the virtuous hardworking FL and her trials and tribulations trying to succeed in work and love in modern Shanghai. It is like Great Expectations meets Jane Eyre or Elizabeth Bennett. I’m enjoying it. She is impossibly good but fun to watch regardless. I would say that she is most like Jane Eyre in the sense of always working hard and doing the right thing. Her younger brother is equally kind, good and loyal. Her mother and father are very reminiscent of the parents in Pride and Prejudice so I do some fast forwarding over those scenes as a little goes a long way. The grandmother is the grandmother from Meet Yourself. She is a scene stealer here like she was there.
Thanks for the cdrama recommendation @GT! Will try it out.
I like the Chinese modern romances like Amidst the Snowstorm of Love (billiards/snookerI also finished another one from Leo Wu (I was on a roll!) Nothing But You (badminton/tennis focus) – noona romance but it works and tennis is my favorite sport to watch. And Yangyang’s Fireworks of My Heart (firefighting/doctor). I learn something new about stuff with each show. That makes it fun for me. I got my Yangyang fill as well. I like seeing him broody and angsty and then he smiles… yeah!
@Good Twin, I’m watching Best Choice Ever on Viki, but we only are getting fed several episodes a day, so I’m up to episode 9 as of last night. Good call that the mother is like Mrs Bennett – she is really getting on my rag and I keep hoping that she will learn her lesson. However, the song in the credits is telling me that her extreme smother love is okay because it’s from the heart. 😝
Some minor spoilers below:
I quite like that the ever-handsome Xu Kai isn’t falling for the FL immediately and that his character is actually sort of grey, not the usual fairly innocent heart of gold hiding behind a tsundere facade.
This drama is pushing family values and respect between classes as though in modern China, the family system is breaking down as quickly as the class system (although perhaps more about money than strictly lineage) is growing. Perhaps it is? There is some anti-West sentiment – the feeling that the ML learned his dodgy ethics during his long stay abroad, and the biggest proven villain so far is the only non-Chinese cast member. If the situation were reversed in a Western drama in our time, we would all be up in arms about racism.
But I’m really enjoying it. I think the awful marriage drama will be drawn way out because the 2nd ML has a large fan base, too. It looks like the brother will have his own arc. I like the brother. The actor seems familiar, but I don’t watch too many c-dramas and haven’t researched him yet.
The grandmother is really good — I don’t think that will change. I’m trying to figure out the relationship – I think her husband remarried the FL’s father’s mother and the FL’s father was already born at the time. The FL’s father is therefore the Grandmother’s step-son and the FL is her step-grand daughter. The 2nd wife of GM’s husband must have died so he went overseas when his own son, daughter-in-law and grandson. I don’t know if he is still alive. Only the grandson (ML) has returned to China by the beginning of this drama. Strangely, it seems that just like the FL’s boyfriend/fiance’, the FL and her family have no idea that Grandmother is wealthy. It’s less that she lied and more like that she was never asked, so the family made the assumption that she was living on her retirement income.
In the early episodes, it seems that no matter where he turns, the ML finds links with the FL. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had been acquainted as very young children, k-drama style.
@Janey: OMG so am I! Literally, I just finished Nothing But You yesterday (sucker for sports drama myself) after being on a Leo Wu roll that started with Snowstorm of Love (again, got sucked in for the sports) in between I watched Leo Wu in The Long Ballad and the very excellent but slightly longish Love Like the Galaxy. Started reading the original Chinese web novels thereafter
To Everyone else : thanks for the recs for Legend of Shen Li and Best Choice Ever. I was in a drought for a Xu Kai series (abandoned Wonderland recently after 2 eps) so I hope BCE is good. IMO, his acting reached its apex goodness in AMA so am hoping for that same caliber of acting chops again
@Fern I’m glad you’re enjoying it – it is an entertaining watch and I like watching FL overcome all the obstacles in her way. She is really a character like in classic novels nobly dealing with setbacks and hardship and never compromising her values. I’m trying to think of her flaw because she really is character who embodies virtue. I think her flaw is that she is uncompromising and black and white when it comes to her principles. Like her turning over her coworker to the police. Justified but harsh – here it is played as the right moral decision. Your comments about the subtle anti west vibe is funny, I’ve gotten so used to this recent trend in cdramas I didn’t even notice it here. They’re so heavily censored – I like to watch for the elements I consider propaganda (as a critical thinker) but I must be falling for it it is so insidious 😂
I gave up trying to figure out how grandma is the grandma to FL. I just went with it. I too like how the relationship between the leads is evolving. I am a couple of episodes ahead because I am watching on IQIYI
I saw the younger brother in a college drama with Irene Song where their massive height difference was played for laughs. She had a fiery personality. It was cute. The brother too is having HARDSHIP and being treated unfairly at work in Best Choice Ever – the partner he works for is so awful I suspect there will be some scandal involving this law firm so they too get their just desserts. This drama’s theme seems to be that virtue is rewarded eventually.
Currently watching:
Queen of tears
My Siblings Romance—-making me cry and laugh harder than ever before esp at a reality show.
Will check out:
Lovely runner
Missing crown prince—I don’t recognize the actors but the writers also penned Bossam which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Blood free
@Good Twin, I’m on Episode 14 of Best Choice Ever and it’s making me laugh out loud. At about 35.45 Mao tells Chenghuan, “This plot is way too melodramatic.” She also said, “Your ex-boyfriend is like the gum on a shoe.”
At this point the horribly insulting and stuck up family is trying to get the two back together now that they understand Chenghuan’s personal and moral value. Run away, Chenghuan, run away!!! I’m watching for laughs now, and for Xu Kai’s eyes.
While waiting for “Lovely Runner” to be subbed and posted, I took a risk and tried a jdorama (which might be a prequel to the movie) based on a manga, “KARAKAI JOZU NO TAKAGI-SAN (2024).” The English title might possibly be “Teasing Master Takagi-san.’
Immediately I found it charming. Middle-schoolers where the girl teases the boy a lot, end up as adults working in the same school. I like the set-up of their relationship, and the ending OST.
I found it in IMDb and MDL which mentioned that the movie version will be released on May 31, 2024.
At 20+ minutes per episode, I’ll probably be able to get through most of the so far 5 episodes. imDb says that there should be 10 episodes, and I hope all 10 get subbed very soon (unlike Eye Love You which only has 7 subbed episodes even now, months after it finished airing).
It looks like a sweet teen entanglement that will later lead to romance.
@GB. I am close to finishing Eye love you. I just checked and all the episodes are subbed on netflix.
I think I have forgotten important Details of the plot from the first five episodes. It is not all making sense although I am getting the gist of the supernatural element.
Next time I visit Japan, If I ever do,I want to stay in that chalet in hokkaido.
@Fern episodes 15-16 slip into makjang territory. When she reference melodramas to him she said something to him about “Mary Sue” characters which I thought was ironic since she is very much a Mary Sue character herself – impossibly good and two men in love with her. (Although ML is still in denial )
@Good Twin, 16 is the latest episode I’ve watched, so I’m up to date for my region. Yes, to the makjang/melodrama tone now. I was hoping for better with these two actors, but something has to fill up the many episodes, I guess.
I haven’t heard the term Mary Sue character before. It sounds a bit like the old term Goody Two Shoes, Teacher’s Pet or Pollyanna.
@empress new clothes, I liked Xu Kai in Arsenal Military Academy as well. Here he plays a different, older character and it may be more difficult for an actor to play someone who is neither a villain nor a hero. ATM the grandmother has become another favourite of mine and I’m wishing I could have had a stellar gran like her.
@Empress New Clothes,
I am glad you are enjoying “The Legend of Shen Li”! I have finished the show this past Thursday, but I haven’t started a c-drama because I find it to be my comfort drama at the moment.
Lin Geng Xin / Kenny Lin and Zhao Li Ying are amazing in it! Also, all the cast members are pretty awesome. I am blown away by their story. Also a plus for me, the beautiful OST, the directing, photography and the CGI.
Annyeong ~
Good to hear @PM3 is back safe and sound from Taipei. Thanks for sharing your adventures. You made me smile.
I finished “The moon embracing the sun” and now enjoying “Dream High” – Yes, i’m into Kim Soo Hyun shows right now.
I was wondering about “shenLi” show. with everyone raving about it, Will add that to my check out list.
I was into Leo Wu shows and Zhao Lusi. I still have pending shows with them on it 🤩
I really like “midnight studio” – sometimes, it makes me *tear – very moving. i like the OTP roles and the sidekicks. i don’t like the curse. i hope together, the curse will be broken.
EYE love You is now on Viki with korean and japanese sutitles.
@MM, @pkml3 (who said you’d pick this show up) and Everyone!
Yes, I was very happy to see Eye Love You fully subbed in English this week. So far I don’t find it a Show with deep significance, but it is sweet and simple. Once in a way, it’s good to watch something that does not require much head scratching. 🙂
Just started watching Girls on Fire. It’s a Korean reality show like American Idol except all of the contestants are already really accomplished singers who are competing to be in a new girl group. I just watched first episode and love it. The performances are really outstanding. Funny thing just kdramas like to do a repeat on the kiss – whenever the judges say anything noteworthy it gets repeated twice. It took me a minute to realize it was an instant instant replay and not the judge repeating himself.
@GB I watched the last 2 episodes of EyeLove you with full subs on Viki. I would have waited to watch all of it on Viki and not on Neflix had I known. It was not good enough for me to rewatch now to get the benefit of the full subs.
The OTP was cute enough but the drama was odd and not satisfying in the end. Many references to kdrama tropes, too many, some cute some I think possibly insulting. I think there was some poking fun at the Japanese style of drama, maybe that was why I found it odd.
The whole storybook/myth thing did not carry the plot.
It was fun watching the male lead and there were a number of close ups. He towers over the female lead.
I may rewatch in the future for what I was originally looking for- the interplay of the languages.
While I am here I will update my drama watching for April before it is May.
As some of you know I have been obsessed with Lovely Runner-love the couple , the time travel and the music.
I am watching “Hide” amd “Nothing uncovered”. How is it that 2 dramas so similar air at the same time? I don’t love either of them but I do enjoy this genre. They both have frustrating plots where the female protaganist is beaten down over and over again by the important people in her life. There is a female antagonist in both who is out for revenge for some unknown reason that is gradually exposed.
Initially both female leads are not coping very well-Who would? but one hopes for an intelligent senible protaganist. And there is a second male lead in the background. Anyway I really want to know how the protaganists finally get some control back over their lives. I have a soft spot for the detective in “Nothing Uncovered”.
On the cdrama front I enjoyed “Everyone Loves me”(another game development/romance) and Date with the Future another firefighting show.I enjoyed the development of the romance in both. Because the sciptwriter of DwtF also wrote the cdrama remake of “I can hear your Voice” I tried that but it just made me want to rewatch the Korean original. But it hs not been long enough since my last rewatch.
I have “Hard to find”, “Blossoms in Adversity ” and Best Choice Ever on my to watch list.
I am very much enjoying the group rewatch of “Nine times Nine” and looking forward to “Signal”.
There are a few kdramas that I am interested in that will be airing soon-dont have the titles at my fingertips. I can count on Bod and others to keep me informed there.
I am craving a SOOD rewatch.
I think I am not clearer on the K-dramasI want to watch because many of them are On disney or apple and I have lost track.
Dear @HatLady, how are you?.
Watched the news. You were hit by another Earthquake.
@FGB,
Kalimera. I do hope you are okay my friend!
I am about halfway through “best choice ever”. This drama is a good antidote for my obsession with “lovely runner.”
Hello everyone. Came back here after so long only to check of you guys are watching or discussing the cdrama, Will Love in Spring. It’s the kind of drama that I think the crowd here will definitely like. It has been pretty good for all the episodes I’ve watched and there’s is a plus, it’s only 21 episodes long so the storytelling is very crisp for a cdrama.
I am watching this c drama. Forty minute episodes as well Add only 21 episodes.. Not too far into it but it looks like I will enjoy it. For me, probably best to not watch at bedtime Because of the funeral death Themes. I believe it is more about their relationship though. They have already set up what happened in the past mystery.
Hey @wapz,
I am thinking of starting it. I have seen clips on my FB feed. I will tell you if I do so!
I am on episode seven and really enjoying the couple.
I’ve finished “Best Choice Ever”. I love the grandma character. The hotel business was good to know but the romance between the OTP was lacking though. I did not feel the sparks and their romantic moments were few, it’s mostly related to work. And I was not happy with the mom’s character although I understand that there are moms like that. Her whole life revolved around their children and it brought unnecessary pressure on her children. The ending was a bit abrupt also.
I’ll try Will Love In Spring.
@janey re: BCE I am Still glad I watched this drama.But you are right about it having some issues. I agree with you about the development of the OTP romance And the Pacing was off towards the end. There was also overkill Getting the themes across towards the end.
@Janey,
Kalimera. I have started watching “Will Love in Spring”. 😀
P.S. @wapz, do you copy?
@janey cleopatra
I am watching will love in spring as well. I have completed all the episodes on viki so far. I think I will prefer to watch It an episode a day.Rather than as I binge watched the first eight or so. It is kind of heavy but good.
Hey @monmor,
We are currently in Holy Week and we will have Orthodox Easter this Sunday.
So, I will take my free time to rest mostly and enjoy the days.
I do hope you are enjoying it even though it is heavy.
@cleopatra I am enjoying it. I am mixing it with extraordinary you for something more light hearted, As well as the currently airing, “lovely runner” and “nothing uncovered”.
Enjoy your Easter. It is probably my favorite religious holiday.But of course we already celebrated it at the end of march.
We live in an area heavily populated with Eastern european families so you have given me a heads up for why it will be busy in our shopping district this weekend. Also why there will be so many delicious foods to buy
@cleopatra Are hot cross buns a tradition for orthodox easter? I have been wondering why there are still so many At the bakeries nearby.
Have a blessed Holy Week and advanced happy Easter @Cleo!
@monmor – BCE was still a good drama overall, I don’t regret watching it. There were irritating things (like the wimpy ex BF who was in Love 020!) but not far from reality and not in a major villain way. I was also thinking of watching Extraordinary You as I was not able to join BOD on that. I’m fascinated with the Lovely Runner actress and would like to see her other work. She and Kim Tae Ri (who is a favorite actress of mine) can be sisters!
I have almost forgotten about the wimpy boyfriend because he disappeared in the first third of the show. I did think we might see him again, but I don’t believe we did.
At first I thought her best choice ever would be which man she chose.But it was much better than that.
@ cleopatra We had the best leg of lamb that we have ever had, yesterday.
@janey Yes, the actress and the time T disruption story attracted me to the rewatch. It is also set in high school and there are some lines and situations that have a familiar feeling to lovely runner.
It takes a few episodes for the mysterious student to Reveal himself..And I have been waiting in anticipation for him. When I first watched the story I did not know who rowoon was.