I’m currently watching two dramas:
“Undercover High School.” I’m on Episode 6 and so far, the story is entertaining me. Who has finished this? I have a question to ask.
“Hello. Nice to Meet You. Let’s Get Divorced.” This is a Japanese series and as usual, the eccentricity of the plot, characters and acting both lure and repel me to keep on watching. I already explained this phenomenon to y’all when I reviewed “Love Last Forever.” When watching doramas, you must remember that manga and kabuki greatly influence the Japanese visual arts. There’s bound to be outlandish, unnatural, and exaggerated scenes in the drama. Minimalism might be synonymous with Japanese aesthetics, but when it comes to their dramas, I find maximalism is prevalent. Two episodes are out on Viki.
I’ve also gravitated back to the variety show “2 Days, 1 Night” as stress reliever. With kdramas, I must block off an hour and a half to completely immerse myself, but with 2D1N, I can grab snatches of the episode and resume whenever I find time again.
Here are the dramas I’ll keep an eye on this month.
1. Way Back Love
The story may not be my cup of tea but I’ll check it out because I’m seeking confirmation bias, that is, a novel-based kdrama has better logic and flow than a manga-based kdrama.
The blurb from soompi:
Based on a novel, “Way Back Love” is a fantasy romance drama starring Kim Min Ha as Hee Wan, a 24-year-old woman who has isolated herself from society after losing the will to live. A week before her death, her childhood friend and first love Ram Woo (Gong Myoung) appears before her as a grim reaper.
Source: soompi
Cast: Gong Myoung and Kim Min Ha
Episodes: 6
Start Date: Thursday, April 3. Yesterday!
Airs on Thursdays
Where to Watch it: Viki???
Network: Tving
2. Karma
I don’t know if I need something dark right now but who knows?
Cast: Shin MinAh, et al.
Episodes: 6
Start Date: Friday, April 4 Today!
Airs on Fridays
Where to Watch it: Netflix
Network: Netflix
3. The Haunted Palace
This is the fluff I need for this month.
“The Haunted Palace” is a fantasy historical rom-com that delves into the tale of the Eight Feet Tall spirit that bears a grudge against the king, a female shaman who opposes it, and an Imugi (imaginary creature that is able to transform into a dragon upon acquiring a magical jewel).
BTOB’s Yook Sungjae plays Yoon Gap, a royal archivist and Yeo Ri’s first love, who becomes possessed by the evil Imugi Gang Cheol. WJSN’s Kim Ji Yeon (Bona) stars as Yeo Ri, a shaman’s granddaughter with powerful spiritual abilities, who defies her fate and becomes an eyeglass artisan instead. Kim Ji Hun stars as King Yi Jeong, a wise and just ruler who prioritizes his country and people above all else.
Source: soompi
Cast: Yook Sung Jae (I last watched him in “The Goblin” lol) and Bona
Episodes: 16
Start Date: Friday, April 18
Airs on Fridays and Saturdays
Where to Watch it: Viki
Network: SBS
4. Heavenly Ever After
The premise of this drama is unusual so I’ll watch the first few episodes. This might be a tearjerker that I don’t need right now.
“Heavenly Ever After” is a transcendent romance starring Kim Hye Ja as Lee Hae Sook, a woman who reunites with her husband in heaven after death. Unlike the other residents of heaven—including her husband Go Nak Joon (Son Suk Ku), who has chosen to return to the 30-something version of himself—Lee Hae Sook makes the unusual choice to keep her 80-something appearance.
Source: soompi
Cast: So SookGyu (“My Liberation Notes”), Kim Hye Ja
Episodes: 12
Start Date: Saturday, April 19
Airs on Saturdays and Sundays
Where to Watch it: Netflix
Network: jTBC
What are you watching this month?
Hi @Packmule3,
I have finished Undercover High School.
I found it very entertaining. I think others have been watching it too.
Ok. Good to know, @Kate. Will open a thread later because I have some questions re. the Urban Legends.
Hello Ladies, how have you been? Hope you are all well!!!
Not so much in Dramas lately. Rewatched Japanese Dramas “Good Luck!! (2003)” and “Kaidanshita no Gogh (2022)”. Paraphrasing Jorge Luis Borges and his quote “To re-read is to read”, to rewatch is to watch.
@GB, hope you are recovering properly!!!
Hello my dear @FGB, how sweet of you to think of me. I trust that you are well, and continuing with your own studies and writing.
As for mme, it’s the usual long and slow process of recovery. I’ve got a slew of exercises to do for my physiotherapy and need to find the time to do them!! I’m aiming to be able to get up more elegantly from very low chairs (even from the floor) and manage stairs without a noticeable limp. I’m getting there! 🙂
Dear @GB, thanks for improving!
Recovering that tool that is the body properly is important. We can be our mind and Soul, but the body is our vessel.
I kind of owe you an apology about my post with the story of the little cat. In retrospective and putting myself in your cultural context, it was almost as invoking the number between 3 and 5.
Sorry, I was insensitive!!!
Hope your MIL is doing better these days.
As a sidenote, the little cat appeared alive and well. It seems that probably someone mistreated him near the kiosk so he deemed the place as non-safe. The lady that runs the kiosk told me laughing that when the cat finally visited her, he meowed non-stop… meaning he told her about his adventures during the time they were separated. That she couldn’t understand him was another matter!
It is almost 2 AM here in Caracas. Finally ended “AARO (2024)” which was a good show. I can’t tell it was fantastic just yet, but I enjoyed it a lot.
@FGB, I emailed you. I hope you can get to read it! 🙂
Dear @GB, did read it and also answered it!
Hi @FGB, I’m glad to read your email and know you are well. We’ll keep in touch!
@packmule, I am on episode 9 of Undercover High School. Apart from the unlikely and unprofessional actions taken by the NIS agents, I am really enjoying it. But then I’m feeling a bit shallow about it as well. I like the ML much better here than in that wintry drama, I’ll Go to You When the Weather is Nice.
I hope that you are well.
My Best recent current watch was Undercover High School. MDN was OK. Part way through Filter and still enjoying. Some great laughs!
Otherwise I was in the mood for melo. Rewatched Marriage Contract and I am almost finished My Daughter SeoYoung which I think is a good weekender,from 2013, with Lee Boyoung, Lee Sang Yoon, Cheon Ho Jin and Park HaeJin. The only other weekender I have made it to the end was Five Enough.
Now I am in the mood for more laughs, Park Hae Jin and Jin Ki Joo so From now on It’s Showtime is my next rewatch.
I have seen some info online about Scarlet Heart Ryeo being re-released, perhaps edited differently? but it is not on viki in my country. The music from this drama is on several of my playlists.
I have had more time recently for watching dramas but too much time for reading the news. I have been laid up for a couple of weeks with knee problems (@GB,I hope you continue to feel better) but it is improving. As they say old age is not for wimps. Makes for more guilt free watching when I cannot do much else!
@Fern I agree with you about Seo Kang Joon. I have been looking for other dramas of his to watch and am avoiding The Weather one. I watched half of Watcher and rewatched Am I human too. There are such mixed reports on The Third Charm so I have not tried to watch it. He is in the weekender What Happens to My Family with Park Hyungsik and Nam Ji HYun which I might have a look at.
That reminds me I tried to rewatch Angel Eyes but my interest flagged once the children actors-Nam Ji Hyun and Kang Haneul- left the screen.
I am very much enjoying our Saturday morning rewatch of I can hear your voice. As an aside, Lee Boyoung also plays a prideful lawyer in MY Daughter Seoyoung.
I have been studying Korean out of interest and to keep my brain cells active. It helped in one drama to be able to read the names on the phone screen. My vocabulary is pretty limited but it is fun when I hear a word I know. It also helps me get through boring episodes of a drama so I can move on to the more interesting ones and not abandon the show completely.
@monmor, how interesting that you are studying Korean. I know words here and there, but I think that they are either commonly used words like sorry, love, goodbye, or they are common parts of speech like conjunctions! I also know some Mandarin and some Japanese in the same way. Nothing at all that would be useful in a conversation. 🤪😄
It is interesting that you mention conjunctions. I think I picked up conjunctions because one understands them from the rythym of the sentence. Often
People hesitate when they use a conjunction so it stands out more than a word that may be blended in with a number of others. And of course from the translation. It interests me that rhythm and Intonation in english and korean can be Similar.
My daughter has studied Japanese.And we enjoy comparing differences and similarities. Korean has pretty much completely done away with chinese characters which are still very common in japanese So more to learn.
From what I have learned about japanese chinese and korean, Korean may be the easiest to start learning. I thank king sejong For the korean alphabet.
I’m watching Kian’s Bizarre B&B and dying of laughter 🛝 🌊 ⛰️ 🎢
On other days, I’m discovering Twenty-Five, Twenty-One and reading your posts alongside each episode. 🤺 Last night, I started Alchemy of Souls.
I have begun the practice of watching different series to match my mood (or my need), so it will take some time before I actually finish anything, I think.
@StarlettOnAB,
Kian’s Bizarre B&B has me wheezing with laughter too! I started watching 2 days ago. It is a slow build – you know the situation will be funny – and then sections of Episode 2 are hilarious.
Impressed with BTS’s Jin – getting stuck in with everyone else and really supporting everyone as one of Kian’s ‘staff’. Apparently, Jin was offered a different contract to protect his idol status – with more privacy than the other people taking part – and he turned that down else. I also loved that he supported Kian to stick to his concept.
With his personality, Jin could have a future in variety shows… he’s a natural.
Great show!
Hi, I’m watching Dream High (2011).
It was the only drama from Park Hye Ryun that I didn’t complete.
So, I’ve a good time here, enjoying this writer at an earlier point of a carrer.
I can also see how she improved in her next drama “I hear your voice” for episode 1.
But anyway, it stands and is so nice to watch.
For a long time dream high was top of my list of best dramas. That was before
I had watched very many but it was really enjoyable and introduced me to a number of actors. And the music component was great.
I did not realize she was the screen writer
re undercover high school, I think it might have been unprofessional of the director to let Kim Shin Rok eat up so much screen time with that amazing crazed performance — maybe he just couldnt resist it. Otherwise it would have been the nice little romance between Jin Ki Joo and SKJ that took center stage.
currently watching Go Jun Young pout her way thru resident playbook (I still trust her to do something interesting with it). Finishing The Tale of Lady Ok finally, inspired by Lim Ji Yeon in Revolver and the realization that Choo Young Woo was that cutie in Trauma Code.
And..watching Haunted Palace !!! (possesion is my favourite plot), Hi..divorced (japanese series), and Crushology 101 (so cute, yay Lee Chae Min). All pretty nice so far.
Happy Easter for you all!
This month I have been revisiting some old friends in the J-Drama department: “Good Luck!! (2003)”, “Nice Flight! (2022)” and “Grace no Rireki (2023)”. Can recommend all of them, yet Grace no Rireki as a question mark on what is true love like is the most challenging and rewarding.
I am watching demon hunters romance and enjoying it. Very supernatural.
Also rewatching one and only.
I just finished from now on showtime
@MM, aaahhhh “from now on showtime”!! Did you like??
I finished watching Haunted Palace, too, @ibisfeather, and enjoyed it.
@WE
SPOILER From now on showtime
Yes I enjoyed my rewatch of “From now on Showtime! I particularly enjoyed the ghosts and the spirit. That was what I had remembered. I had totally forgot about the reincarnation theme. Felt very similar to Destined with Rowoon.
It was mostly entertainment. I was not watching for any grand themes.
@packmule3, I like your taste in dramas. What is attracting me to your recommendations are the actors. I like Shin Min Ah, Son Suk Ku, Bona, Yook Sun jae,etc. I look for actors I like and then watch episodes to see if I’m interested. I am watching When ?ife Gives You Tangerines now. I am fascinated by the hard life of women divers and the issues of social stratification in Korea. It appears that smart poor to lower middle class kids who do well in the lower grades have a chance to make it to Seoul National University(seems like the equivalent if Harvard/Yale here) but are not guaranteed to finish without significant financial hel0. There is a theme in K Dramas of students having to take so many part time jobs to get through. Chaebol kids just waltz through and in some cases don’t even have to study to get ahead. They have fun and our just graduated. We have some of that here with legacy admissions and pay to go admissions but there is a lot of merit based selection too. I went to so=called(at the time) slum schools but got into a state women’s college that was the equivalent to an elite seven sister school and then I went to grad school and got a jointly conferred degree from a public business college and a public Ivy league college. In grad school we had one legacy in our class and it was pretty obvious
when he couldn’t answer the simplest question that was put to him by our ptofessor. However there are many ways for economically poor students to gain admission and the most common one is through athletics while to a lesser degree you can see t h one wh9 achieve academically. Our so-called slum school actually produced a fairly large portion if students who went into the professions; medical, legal, teaching. We also had many creative alumni. I think that if there are great teachers, there are great student achievements. We had one talented math teacher who was the department chairman. He could get any student to pass the state standardized test in algebra, trigonometry and calculus. If you were fortunate to get him as a teacher, what he taught stuck and he never taught to the test. I wish they could have bottled him. He was wonderful. I also had zmusic appreciation teacher that started us on compositions like the William Tell Kverture that we knew from the Lone Ranger. She then got us into other classical music that we knew from pop culture and got us to enjoy the classicsbecause so much was familiar to us out of context if she liked you, she shared libretto with us as we read along to the music. But everyone in-class got to share some. The Italian kids were all familiar with opera because for them, it was pop culture. I enjoyed it because my family regularly listened to radio broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera. And our art appreciation teacher sent us out to exhibitions at the various art museums in New York City. His first assignment was splitting us into Teo groups-one that was to give a tour of the Egyptian Collection and the other to give a tour if the Greco-Roman collection. We also learned about the Renaissance artists, the early and late modern artists. A highlight was seeing the Van Gogh exhibition. And we also had hands on ceramics classes.Ah the frustration of getting air bubbles out of clay. We took our projects home. We were very fortunate to get so much enrichment. there were also specialized music classes that put on broadway musicals. These kids were so talented and the music was catchy. I guess that 8f teachers are motivated and creative, they canteachanyone by motivating them.
I’m so late but I have finished The Potato Lab and WLGYT. I enjoyed the two and shed tears on the latter. It was a great drama though I’m still not into KSH.
I’m not sure what to watch next but I’m into rewatching for some reason. I’m onto Descendants of the Sun now.
Thank you for the recommendations Queen. It’s nice to see you here. I hope you’re having so good rest.
Join me in “The Haunted Palace,” @agdr03? The ghosts aren’t that scary. I think you’ll like the male lead, Yook SunJae.
Also check out the “Undercover High School.”
Are you twisting my arm? 🤣
Ok. I’ll try The Haunted Palace. It does sound interesting. ☺️
You know my types well. 😂
Oh I’ve started and the ML is the one from The Secret Life of my Secretary yeah? I’ve never watched him before but I like him, yes.
Bona is good. I like her. Hopefully she won’t be too serious in this.
It’s a pull and push thing with them. 😃
He was in Goblin, too. Remember Gong Yoo had a trusted butler? When the old man was about to die, he trained his grandson to be his replacement. The grandson was Yook SungJae.
Anyway, I’ll move our comments over to my “First Impressions” thread later.
Bona’s getting better at acting. When she first started, I couldn’t watch her blank face; I couldn’t tell what she was thinking. Now, she’s more emotive.
I have watched 3 episodes of The Best Thing (cdrama) and am enjoying. The acting and characterizations keep me interested despite the leisurely style. The lush natural scenes are so lovely. The actors are both beautiful.
Spoiler
I thought the scenes between the lead and her ex boyfriend had well written dialog. He was blaming her for the failure of their relationship without acknowledging that he had any role and doing this in a way that was making her question herself. Is this his personality only or is he covering something up?
Very slimey!
I have been thinking of starting haunted palace.But Bona has never been a favorite of mine so I am hesitating.
Also watching another chinese drama The Demon Hunters Romance.. Lots of supernatural! And allen
ren
I need to catch up on the I hear your voice rewatches I missed.
I remember Yook Sung Jae for Goblin like @packmule3. He must have been quite young then but I thought he did a credible job. He has been in the military since.
Hi @Fern,
Yes, he’s grown up reasonably well (i.e., no scandals, no gambling, no drugs) so I want to “support” him by watching his show.
The other actor that @agdr03 thought was the male lead — Kim Young Kwang — I like that actor, too, but I think he’ll only have a few cameo scenes in this drama. KYK was funny in “Hello, Me!” and “Mission: Impossible.” He does the pouty, sulky man-child role well.
But I think he’s a bit too mature/old for the actress playing YeoRi. YSJ is a better match, visually, and he has the pouty, sulky man-child acting down pat, too.
I hope the story holds up.
Where are you watching this, @monmor?
Demon hunters and the best thing are both on IQiyi.
Thanks. I don’t have IQiyi; I didn’t know it was even operational here in the US. Thought it was just available in Asia.
I was waiting for “The Best Thing” because I like the lead actor.
I have it here in canada.
I very much like the lead actor as well. Both leads are beautiful.
@MM, comedy is great in FNOS!
Currently I’m watching a japanese drama: Alice in borderland.
I’d resume that by: Gantz + Liar Game + Battle Royale + Kaiji + Squid Games.
Well, the concept of survival games with a mystery/supernatural setting a bit Sci-Fi.
Kalimera @Packmule et al!
I do hope you are all okay! I have been MIA for a while. Mostly because I don’t watch any k-drama for some time now.
The only show I am waiting for is “Dear Hongrang” that gets a May release with Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah. I know it will be on Netflix. I think it is the only one I will watch.
MDL:https://mydramalist.com/751095-tangeum
On the other hand, I am watching c-dramas. One at a time. I cannot watch many shows at the same time.
Last month I started and finished watching “The Best Thing”. I really enjoyed it. It stars Zhang Linghe and Xu Ruo Han. I learned a lot of things about TCM and it is useful!
MDL: https://mydramalist.com/30941-falling-in-love-with-you-is-the-best-thing-i-have-ever-done
I am currently watching “The Demon Hunter’s Romance” on Iqiyi with Allen Ren / Ren JiaLun and Song ZuEr. I am really enjoying it, the FL has a huge character development and it is pretty good.
MDL: https://mydramalist.com/63991-wu-you-du
I am also waiting for some Iqiyi shows that have grasped my attention, like: “Mobius, The Wanted Detective, Fated Hearts, The Unclouded Soul, Zhu Yu and Fated Chooses You.”
I will try to read you all!