I’m still on board “The Haunted Palace” and “Heavenly Ever After” kdramas.
“The Haunted Palace” has four elements that I look for, that was missing in that cdrama, “Demon’s Hunter Romance,” namely,
- an evolving but charming male lead (As much as I like Ren Allen’s acting, I’m so over his repertoire of stoic characters!)
- a non-preachy theme (I don’t need a cdrama to moralize about the evils of seeking eternal beauty, perfection, and immortality)
- a straightforward plot (Do these screenwriters think so little of our time to waste 36 viewing hours on a sad ending? Ugh! I could have been reading Dostoyevksy instead!)
- and multi-layered conflicts. I like how the three main leads, the imoogi, shaman, and King, have competing reasons to form an alliance to beat a common enemy. It’s the “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” trope.
As for “Heavenly Ever After,” this has been so much fun watching Son Sokkyu (the gangster in “My Liberation Notes”) as a devoted husband/boyfriend that I blitzed through four episodes. I really must make time to review this show.
I’ll also try watching that cdrama “Best Thing” because I signed up for VIP membership with IQIYI. After all, this is supposed to be that Yang Yang drama (follow up to “Love O2O”) that I’ve been waiting for all these years! @agdr03, are you watching this?
Here are the kdramas that I will consider adding to my viewing list this month
1. Tastefully Yours
I don’t know about the love scenes, but this drama will appeal to me because of the food scenes. I’ve been watching a lot of these food shows on Netflix to relax after work.
I hope that one day, a creative screenwriter will find a way to explore a Korean dish and link its culinary exposition to the romance between the couples.
The write-up from soompi:
“Tastefully Yours” is a romance drama about chaebol heir Han Beom Woo (Kang Ha Neul) and stubborn chef Mo Yeon Joo (Go Min Si), who have different backgrounds and philosophies about food but wind up running a small restaurant together in Jeonju, where they grow and fall in love.
Source: soompi
Cast: Kang HaNeul (“When the Camellia Blooms”) and Go MinSi (“The Frog”)
Episodes: 10
Start Date: Monday, May 12
Airs on Mondays and Tuesdays
Where to Watch it: Netflix, I hope. That way, I can download it for my evening flight.
Network: ENA Genie TV
2. Dear Hongrang
The write-up from soompi:
“Dear Hongrang” is a historical mystery romance that follows Hong Rang (Lee Jae Wook), the long-lost son of Joseon’s largest merchant guild, who returns after 12 years with no memory of his past. As his half-sister Jae Yi (Jo Bo Ah), who spent years desperately searching for him, becomes the only one to question his true identity, an inexplicable emotional bond starts to form between them.
Source: soompi
Cast: my favorite Lee Jae Wook (“Alchemy of Souls”) and my-not-so-fave Jo BoAh (“Destined with You”)
Episodes: 12
Start Date: Friday, May 16
Hmmm…I don’t know if all 12 episodes will drop on the same day; I hope not. Whenever this happens, I can’t catch up.
Where to Watch it: Netflix
Network: Netflix
3. Good Boy
Since I dropped “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” I guess I’ll check this one out…for Park Bo Gum’s sake. I think this will be a lighter fare, like a cross between “Avengers” and “Law and Order.”
The writeup from soompi:
“Good Boy” is a comic action drama about young athletes who become police officers through a special recruitment program. Trading their medals for badges, they take on a world full of corruption and cheating.
Park Bo Gum plays Yoon Dong Joo, a former national boxing team member who becomes a police officer through a special recruitment program for medalists. Park Bo Gum will portray a passionate young officer who raises his fists once again in the face of injustice.
Source: soompi
Cast: Park BoGum,
Episodes: 16
Start Date: Saturday, May 31
Airs on Saturday and Sunday
Where to Watch it: Amazon Prime??? Really?
Network: jTBC
What are you watching this month?
Hi Packmule3, I’ve watched two episodes of Resident Playbook and am not sure whether to continue. The episodes are too long and, so far, script is too predictable. However, two episodes are often not enough to judge.
I am curious as to why you dropped Tangerines? Can your reason/s be found in a different post?
Annyeong BOD ~ 🪻 Happy Mother’s Day to all BOD MOMs
I’m so glad you’re enjoying HEAVENLY EVER AFTER because I am, too. And would love to read your impression, thoughts, analysis or review.
SSK – he looks so different compared to how he looked in My Lib notes. Also, he’s in that “a killer paradox” which i started watching but IDK. He looks gangster and rugged in those shows but here, he looks so boyish, like a pretty boy ahaha. I’m hoping either the FL turns young in the end 🤔 so they can have a second chance at youth. but i do love the ajuma character.
I will be watching all netflix shows haha. Tastefully yours, Dear Hongrang – looks dark, but i’ll watch it. You don’t like the FL? haha I know what you mean. oh well. I can also watch Good boy if it’s in Prime.
@LootieLyn,
🙂 I was tempted to watch Resident Playbook but I’m still boycotting its creator (Shin WonHo of the Reply and Hospital Playlist series). So pass for me.
As for Tangerines…did you watch it? What did you think of it?
I thought I could whip up something for “Heavenly Ever After” but I’m out of time, unfortunately. I found the construct of heaven as a more efficient, systematic, and hyper-digitalized Korean society very entertaining. The OSTs (original soundtrack) are chosen and written well; the lyrics help convey the general tone of the scenes. I like the varied guest appearances or cameos; it keeps the show interesting. I never know who to expect next.
I hope you don’t miss some details, I’ll just mention three for now.
1. the flower (trumpet creeper) that HaeSook bought and placed in her husband’s bedroom is said to mean resilience, determination (or “waiting” according to one facebook account). While the husband was alive, she kept it alive and well. It was a hardy plant, just like their marriage. They were determined to make the most of their married life despite his long-term disability. A great sense of humor kept them resilient.
But after his death, she let the flower die. And she began to wait for her own death, as if she had lost her resolve, her determination to live.
2. The stamp that she used when she was collecting the debts pretty much looked like the stamp the pastor used on her stamp book when she had to earn credits for going to church. In a way, she turned from debt collector to a debtor herself.
3. Take note of the change in her tone of voice when she was speaking to one of her delinquents debtors and when she was talking with her husband Nakjoon. Though she never raised her voice, she was brusque and unyielding to the debtors. But when she arrived home, she sounded so innocent and kind when speaking to Nakjoon. I always wondered whether he knew what her day job was. Did she hide it from him?
I’m surprised that @GB isn’t watching this one, though. This show should appeal to her.
Apparently Good Boy is so “good” that it’s streaming concurrently on 3 platforms – Disney+, Prime AND Netflix (in Korea at least – not sure if that extends to different regions). @packmule3 which ep did you stop for Tangerines? 🍊 I stopped at Ep5 (I think). Life got busy and I just never got back into it – especially after I saw videos about the death of one of their children. And I wasn’t particularly enthused about the daughter’s character…
Heavenly ever after is worthwhile? I will see if I can muster enough energy to push through 12 eps.
Greetings, @packmule3. I hope you are well. Is it summer yet there? I planted out my summer garden last week and it’s growing well so far.
I’m watching Resident Playbook because I liked the FL in Alchemy of Souls and haven’t watched any of her other dramas. Also, I am rather in the mood for something light and rather predictable. It’s busy at home atm and my doctor tells me I shouldn’t be sitting for long periods, nor standing still, so it’s tricky to fit in viewing in volume. I may have to re-define my favourite hobby!