#( namhee: reply. )

[gcholdtrops]

just a cheeky starter for: @ofdamnation

   " did you bring some clothes ? it kinda happened again. "

[latibulx]

continuation of this with @etherealve​:

[📨ーfree drinks] Wow look at the consecutive texts I received. Someone was waiting for my texts it seems??

[📨 ー free drink] what do you mean trouble, do I look like trouble to you? 😒

[📨 ー free drink] I don't know why I am awake either but I've been lying down since earlier.

[📨 ー free drink] I can't sleep. It is getting frustrating.

[📨 ー free drink] Now I'm more awake than ever, spent hours watching cute animal videos on Youtube. Kind of wanna own a panda.

[📨 ー free drink] Aha! Why don't you sing me a lullaby

[📨 ー free drink] Are you about to close the shop?

[📨 ー free drink] Maybe I should go there for a free drink... 🍹���

[ ✉ ㅡ trouble ] how did you even end up with this conclusion [ ✉ ㅡ trouble ] the real question here is: when are you NOT troubles [ ✉ ㅡ trouble ] sorry darling, I’m not here to put you to sleep with my sweet voice [ ✉ ㅡ trouble ] please get yourself a panda and forget about me [ ✉ ㅡ trouble ] the bar’s already closed  [ ✉ ㅡ trouble ] so you’ll come for nothing [ ✉ ㅡ trouble ] is there something bothering you though?  [ ✉ ㅡ trouble ] since you can’t sleep I’ll indulge you  [ ✉ ㅡ trouble ] and don’t say it’s nothing or I’m muting you

[kpoptimeout]

My Top 10 K-Dramas of 2020 - What’s Yours?

2020 has ended after feeling like it was never ending and K-Dramaland has once again brought us so many goodies this year. As per our blog’s tradition [For 2019 faves click here], below are my Top 10 favs of the year (my faves in alphabetical order so it might not be yours so please don’t judge). (For our blog’s 2020 music ratings, click here!)

My only specific criteria is that the show must have had started in 2020 to be considered a 2020 series but like last year, I have allowed one drama starting very late in 2019 to make the list.

Without further ado, check the list below!

Crash Landing On You (tvN/Netflix)

While it started in December 2019, “Crash Landing On You” is certainly the Rom-Com of the year that swept the world by storm. It was possibly the K-Drama most people knew about and everyone rejoiced when the leads Hyun Bin and Son Yejin admitted to being a couple on 1 January 2021. 

One might say “Crash Landing On You” has generic plot - two people from vastly different worlds meeting through a crazy accident and developing feelings as a result, the choice of using North and South Korea as the two worlds provided unique social commentary and the opportunity for lots of interesting shenanigans. This is not the first series to feature a romance between a North and South Korean lead (see 2012’s “The King 2 Hearts”, which was also stellar), but it is definitely a more light-hearted take which is fun to watch. Additionally, the series is filled with fleshed out and lovable side characters.

While North Korean refugees interviewed by media outlets point out that the typical North Korean captain would not have the looks of Hyun Bin, most of them agree that the production team did their research as the everyday life of typical North Koreans were recreated quite accurately - from the types of furniture and household appliances they use, to the type of K-Dramas they watch in secret.

If you enjoy a good Rom-Com and an interesting premise, this is the K-Drama for you!

Extracurricular (Netflix)

Being a Netflix only series with no counterpart on Korean television, “Extracurricular” was able to explore the dark side of South Korean youth life which is not discussed on traditional South Korean media platforms. We are thrown into the life of a nerdy high school student played by Kim Dong Hee, who is actually effectively abandoned by his family and making ends meet secretly as an illegal prostitution ring mastermind.

The story unravels as the star student played by So Minhee discovers the schemes of Kim Dong Hee’s character and begins to blackmail him. Not to give too many spoilers, but it will prove difficult to balance his double life and the whole journey is captured superbly by the main cast’s stellar acting.

If you are a fan of dark and realistic teen dramas, this is the series for you!

Hospital Playlist (tvN/Netflix)

The team behind the “Reply” series and “Prison Playbook” returns with a few familiar faces so we all knew when the trailers dropped that we were in for a treat. As expected, the fabulous acting of the main cast, the wonderful storylines and also medically accurate procedures (according to my doctor friends), combined to make “Hospital Playlist” one of the most endearing dramas of the year.

Set in the fictional Yulje Medical Centre, we follow the lives of 5 doctors who met in college and their respective medical teams. Jo Jung-suk acts as a prankster and fun dad who is also a genius doctor. Yoo Yeon-seok plays a pediatric surgeon who is dead set on becoming a priest. Jung Kyung-ho acts as a cardiologist who seems cold-hearted (pun intended), but of course isn’t really. Kim Dae-myung plays a gynaecologist who is a mummy’s boy and has family drama galore. And finally Jeon Mi-do completes the set as a neurosurgeon who is lowkey the only adult in the friend group and who everyone wants to be when they grow up.

The drama throws us into the day to day runnings in the hospital without too much introductions and it actually made the characters all the more real because it was like we were just casually witnessing their everyday lives. The realisms of the show is furthered by the fact that even side characters like nurses and medical students have meaningful storylines of their own. We honestly cannot wait for Season 2 to air in May 2021!

Itaewon Class (JTBC/Netflix)

A remake of a popular Webtoon, “Itaewon Class” is a feel-good David and Goliath story where the male lead played by Park Seojun goes on a journey to avenge his father and chooses to do so without bending his morals at any point in time and making many friends along the way.

This series stood out by providing very diverse lead characters including a sociopath, a former convict, a trans woman, an illegitimate son and a Blasian trying to find acceptance in South Korea. All their stories highlight the different social issues and the stigmas many face navigating through life and is touching and relatable in many ways.

If you love a show with a positive social message, this is the show for you!

Sweet Home (Netflix)

Another webtoon remake by Netflix, “Sweet Home” follows a group of survivors in an apartment complex after all hell breaks loose in South Korea, as people begin to transform into monsters based on their greatest fears and regrets. 

Every character has interesting backstories that are slowly revealed as they try to survive together, while battling monsters that are generated by the team behind many Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbusters. The main cast led by Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Siyoung and Lee Dohyun also acted extremely well, with Lee Siyoung grabbing a lot of attention with her ripped superhero physique. Kim Namhee also had a breakout performance as the survivor who favours a Korean sword and hopefully would continue to get more roles following years playing minor characters.

If you enjoy apocalypse thrillers that explore human nature, you would love “Sweet Home”!

The Uncanny Counter (OCN/Netflix)

Okay, Netflix is really funding all the webtoon adaptions because “The Uncanny Counter” is yet another one. Currently the highest rated OCN drama in the cable channel’s history, this webtoon adaption follows a disabled orphaned teenage boy who gains superpowers and joins a demon-banishing team of other super-powered beings (who own a noodle shop on the side) called the Counters, while the mystery of his parents’ death plays a key role in the story.

This somewhat cliché set-up is done in a fun and enjoyable way and it is great to see the talented Jo Byung Gyu finally cast as a male lead! Kim Sejeong has also further improved in her acting and is a loveable badass in this series. 

If you love a ghost/spirit busting mystery and just the superhero genre in general, you would enjoy “The Uncanny Counter”!

VIP (SBS)

“VIP” is a drama following a luxury brand’s VIP service team. While it has office drama, intrigue and power plays in almost every episode, it is arguably more of a drama about womanhood than anything else. With 4 female leads, 3 of whom are in their late 30s, the series accurately depicts the concerns women face reaching that age, whether they are married or unmarried, with children or not. 

Jang Nara plays a successful business woman and a co-worker to her husband played by Lee Sang Yoon. Born in a privileged background with a seemingly loving husband, all seems well until she has suspicions of her husband having an affair. This drives her to investigate and through her findings, she instead uncovers more stories of her other female co-workers, like the rumour-tainted but very cool section chief played by Lee Chungah and the stressed and depressed mother of two played by Kwak Sunyoung.

If you want a spicy office drama that also has meaningful discussions about working women in South Korea, VIP is the best drama for that!

The World of the Married (JTBC)

Overtaking JTBC’s “Sky Castle” to be highest rated cable TV K-Drama of all time, this 2020 production also by JTBC is a remake of BBC series “Doctor Foster” but highly localised to fit the Korean narrative.

Kim Hee-ae plays a successful doctor with a film director husband and a teenage son. Her life seems picture perfect until she discovers her husband’s infidelity. But unlike in “VIP”, where the female lead actually bonds with other women along the way, Kim Hee-ae’s character would quickly learn that she was in fact betrayed by everyone around her - they all knew her husband was cheating and have been pretty supportive of this whole affair.

While highly dramatised, the suspicions of the husband’s infidelity, the discovery, the subsequent divorce and schemes for revenge are all done tastefully and is a reason why it struck a chord with the general public, especially married women watching the show.

If you love mess and chaos and seeing douchebags destroyed, “World of the Married” is the perfect drama for you!

18 Again (JTBC)

JTBC really has a knack for remakes. This remake of the movie “17 Again” starring Zac Efron is also adapted seamlessly to fit Korean culture and social issues e.g. teen pregnancy, divorce, women’s careers after being a parent and parent-child relations. 

Kim Haneul and Yoon Sanghyun truly acted out the energy of a long-married couple and Lee Dohyun did extremely well in encapsulating Yoon Sanghyun’s mannerism as his de-aged counterpart. This boy is truly on a roll this year (he is also in “Sweet Home”). Also, the younger cast of this show were also very likeable and well flesh-outed and by the end of the series you are rooting for all of them to do well.

If you love a slice of life drama with a little fantastical element, you would love “18 Again”!

365: Repeat the Year (MBC)

Based on the Japanese novel “Repeat” by Kurumi Inui, “365 Days: Repeat the Year” follows this social experiment where 10 individuals are given the opportunity to travel 1 year back in time. As all 10 individuals try to remedy their mistakes and become better people, the experiment takes a sinister turn as the time-travellers begin to die one after another.

The veteran detective played by Lee Joohyuk and the mystery webtoon artist played by Nam Jihyun team up together with other time travellers to uncover the secrets behind travelling back in time and learn about the past lives of everyone chosen for the project.

If you enjoy a well-thought out time-travelling series that involves some alternate reality battle royale shenanigans, this is the series for you!

Honourable Mentions:

Kingdom (Season 2) (Netflix): The ancient zombie drama is back and still as strong as ever - one of the best zombie series on air right now.

Start-Up (tvN/Netflix): Loveable rom-com set in the start-up world in South Korea with one of the most hotly debated love triangles in this year’s K-Drama world.

Hi Bye, Mama! (tvN/Netflix): When a woman reincarnates to meet her husband and child again 5 years after her tragic death, only to find he has since remarried.

What’s your Top 10 K-Dramas of the Year? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below and may the drama sharing begin (and the road to more excuse for holiday procrastination!)

Also, if you want to check out underrated K-Pop songs of 2020, here are the lists for idol songs and artist songs. 

[gcholdtrops]

      " i don't sleep a lot these days either. we can be insomiacs together. "

starter for: @mccnxhild

[gcholdtrops]

     watching how unsure sora seemed to take that step, maybe because the freshness of their break up was still there, probably lingering too much for her to be the one moving on firstly.  " exactly, i promise i'll do a good job. "  fingers finds sora's delicate hand, intertwining their digits together as if to physical show his promise to her; so it wasn't just all words.  " anything for you, i hope you know that. "  his care for her was endless and if namhee could help the femme grant some kind of revenge or get him back, then he'd love to help in any way he could.  " so, where should our devilish plan start ? "

"i..." sora wasn't sure how to answer. a part of her wished the have the comfort of the known back, while the other wondered if her relationship ending wasn't a good thing. even if she wouldn't want to get back with her ex, wasn't it a good idea to give him a taste of his own medicine? that was the thought that made her nod, agreeing with nam's idea. "i guess there's one way to find out how much of a good fake boyfriend you actually are." she teased with a cheeky smile. "thank you for doing this. couldn't ask for a better friend, honestly."

[gcholdtrops]

      part  of  him  had  discovered  that  maybe  he  wasn't  cut  out  to  be  in  the  shadow  of  elliot's  fame,  to  be  hidden  away  life  some  secret,  because  the  other  male's  manager  or  boss  wouldn't  allow  dating  freely.  that  was  something  namhee  had  found  out  to  be  extremely  distasteful,  even  if  he  cared  a  lot  about  elliot,  and  he  did,  sometimes  one  had  to  be  egoistic  about  their  own  heart.     "   i  know  but,  you  couldn't  even  smile  to  me  in  the  crowd,  elliot  ...  are  you  even  aware  of  how  much  that  hurt  me  when  that  happened  ?   "     the  memory  was  so  clear  to  him,  namhee  was  almost  a  ghost  in  the  crowd  back  when  their  eyes  met.     "   it's  not  like  you  weren't  on  my  mind  or  that  i  didn't  miss  you,  i  just  can't  ...  i  can't  be  some  hidden  away  boyfriend.   "   

eli  is  left  uncertain,  unsure  whether  namhee's  response  is  meant  to  reignite  a  glimmer  of  hope  or  serve  as  a  painful  reminder  that  their  shared  past  should  remain  firmly  in  the  past.  "...do  you  not  feel  that  way  anymore?"  he  asks,  his  voice  tinged  with  despair  as  tears  pool  in  his  eyes,  seeking  solace  amidst  the  overwhelming  uncertainty.  "you  know  what  it  meant  to  me  —  going  on  that  show."  eli  continues,  recalling  the  promise  namhee  had  made  to  cheer  him  on  as  he  shone  on  the  stage.  "i  thought  you'd  be  proud  of  me."  the  words  escape  his  lips,  carrying  both  the  anguish  and  bitterness  he  feels.  his  gaze  falls,  unsure  where  to  anchor  himself  anymore.  "i  missed  you  every  day."

[gcholdtrops]

     continuing putting away some of the things that wasn't necessary to give the other a tattoo and yet, minjun couldn't help a smile of amusement to appear onto his features ; the sight of minsung being too endearing to not wanna take a picture in his mind.  " crazy you then still are dusted in snow by walking from the parking lot and here then. "  approaching the other and with a hand lifting, lightly dusting away some of the snowflakes on his jacket before nudging head toward the couches placed in the corner.  " should we go over the designs then ? i am glad you made it here ... i liked the ideas for motives you had ~ "  grabbing his tablet and the belonging pen, looking over at the other with a pair of anticipation filled eyes.

One thing about Minsung was that he always made sure to come on time when something was planned, no matter the circumstance. He was a stubborn guy, if there really wasn't any good reason to cancel an appointment, then he was going to come, even when Santa was pouring snow and shaking the world's snowball as hard as he could. It wasn't like the weather was all that bad. It wasn't like he was currently looking like the live adaptation of Jack Frost, the snowman (maybe he had bad preservation skills along with his long-term battle of not being a perfectionist and a people-pleaser). "It's all good, I was in my car for the most part of my way to here, and I drove slowly to be careful." Okay, at least he had some self-preservation skills, of course, he wasn't going to drive like a maniac in this weather; he didn't drive like a maniac in general; he was careful on the road. "Yeah, if that's okay with you, I'm already here anyway."

[gcholdtrops]

       "  yes,  i  suppose  you  could  put  it  that  way.  "   although  ryo  was  seemingly  having  the  time  of  his  life,  namhee  wished  for  them  to  reach  either  of  their  place;  wanting  to  wear  proper  clothing.   "  my  soul  ?  "   head  turns,  meeting  ryo's  sharp  gaze  and  there's  almost  a  sigh  emitting  him,  being  a  hellhound  already  meant  he  was  never  his  own  to  begin  with.   "  mind  elaborating  what  that  exactly  means  ?  i  am  already  demons  call  dog  for  taking  deemed  dead  people,  you  know.  "   only  ever  allowing  himself  to  talk  so  low  about  his  species,  knowing  too  well  that  it  was  a  job  needed  in  hell  but,  he  hated  the  random  transformation  a  little  too  much.

can't help but let out a low chuckle to the other desperately pulling at the shirt to keep it in place, he just looks too cute to the taller male right now. " so it was just ... premature ? " snorts at his own little joke, smirk still playing on the corners of his lips. " oh i don't know, there's about a million things i could have you do to make it up to me, couldn't i ? " pretends to think for a moment, allowing the other to think of some of the worst scenarios in his head before finally speaking up again. " i don't know, i mean it could be fun to work together, " shrugs his shoulders as an arm comes to wrap around namhee's shoulder whilst the other holds his free shoulder. " how'd you feel about selling your soul ? "

[gcholdtrops]

    even if the sleeves went down to his elbows and the t-shirt mid-thigh, he was only thankful that he wasn't the broadest guy in the world; it definitely came into good use when it came to situations like this one. a snort and a roll of his eyes at ryo's statement, hands currently ensuring that the fabric stayed hiding what it needed to hide, by tugging slightly down on his t-shirt.  " normally i hope i don't have to transform but, i can't really always control it. "  it depending a whole lot on the demons who called for aid in whatever was needed, an assassination of hell as some would say.  " are you going to make me do something crazy, or rational ? "  slight worried, as namhee never really knew what was going on inside of ryo's mind, especially when he was cooking up some kind of favor that he'd have to do.

can't help but chuckle at the way his shirt looks like a dress on him, at least it's enough to cover what he needs it to until they get him back home. brows furrow in confusion, a moment of surprise taking to his features at the way it actually words with hellhounds. of course ryo being ryo, he doesn't usually pay attention to anything other than himself so he most definitely doesn't know the ins and outs of it all. " damn, they burn off ? you must spend a fortune on clothes and shit. " yet another low chuckle erupts his chest, head shaking in response. " oh don't thank me, nammie. just means that you owe me, big time. now what'll i have you do in return ? " the demon taunts, pretending to mull over something he could get namhee to do in return for helping him this time around.

[gcholdtrops]

    it's almost a sigh of relief when the shirt is handed to him, quick to take it from male's hand to ensure he couldn't suddenly take it back. he pulls it over his head and thankfully it's covering down over his private areas as well. at least to some extend. " well, my clothes burns off when i shapeshift, and the same goes with any backpack i'd carry around. " it was quite a misfortune to be a hellhound in some moments, especially when he'd switch at the sound of a bell from a demon needing his assistance. " thank you, seriously. "

low chuckle erupts his chest at his reasoning, though he doesn't buy one second of it. " normal, huh ? " not really something a demon knows of in all truth ... nevertheless he's sick of his whining so in one quick motion he tugs the shirt off his back to hand to him, smirk still playing on the corners of his lips. " better ? — and why don't you carry your own shit around if you know this is what happens when you don't ? "

[gcholdtrops]

   lips purse out as they blow air and causes fringe to slightly waver in the air, this back and forth game ryo always played with him; namhee knew he'd loose no matter what he'd aim to try. " at least i wouldn't be naked alone, it would seem more normal then. " and male wasn't against seeing the demon nude either but, he wasn't up to admit that while he was naked. luckily, being a hellhound meant he wasn't freezing. " please just help me. " a more desperate attempt now.

" hm, " he mumbles under his breath, scoff leaving dry lips before he let's out a low chuckle. " so what, not only that you want me to carry your shit around, you want me to strip the clothes off my back just so you can be covered up ? that's messed up. " can't hide the smirk that still tugs at edges. " unless you just want me to get naked too, is that it ? "

[gcholdtrops]

   " i suppose we'll be testing it. maybe it's one of those placebo effects, if you believe it works, then it'll work. " male shrugs with a smile still plastered onto his pair of lips, only then to nod in agreement to the plan that iseul came up with. " sounds like a plan. " namhee then looked over at the other, nudging head to the bathroom. " now the question is, would you want to take the bath seperately or together ? we can just wear underwear of course. " namhee not wanting to make the latter uncomfortable but, he also felt like some company would be nice, just in case one of them fell asleep in there from over exhaustion.

"i'm not sure - some people seem to swear by the milk thing. i haven't really tested it." he chuckles at the idea and shrugs. "maybe we try the bath first and see how tired we get, then a glass of milk and get into bed?" he suggested with a sheepish smile on his lips. iseul wasn't usually the most affectionate, but he did hear that sleeping with a partner could help some one sleep better. thought they may not be together he thought that maybe this would have the same effect.

[gcholdtrops]

     " no of course not but— " at this point namhee was looking around them, to see if he could find some sort of coverage for his bare body, before anyone else would join them in the alley. it's first when ryo is nearing his frame his attention is brought back, snort emits and hand reaches out to the hem of male's shirt. " or you could at least lend me your shirt, it's only fair. "

" oh okay so i've to carry your shit around like a lapdog now ? " scoffs out in defiance, couldn't give less of a shit about his predicament considering it's a current source of entertainment. " what, you don't like feeling exposed ? " taunting tone to his voice now as he steps in closer. " what should i do, shield you with my own body ? "

[gcholdtrops]

   a thoughtful hum emits from his throat, gazing over at the male shortly before scratching at his temple. " does the glass of milk actually work ? " namhee had heard about it before but, he had never tried it to fall asleep. it was rather a glass of whiskey or something in the more stronger liquor section. " we could try, we might just be successful. " arms lifted to stretch above of his head. " you wanna do all three or just try one of them ? "

he can't help but to laugh and nod his head when the other said that it might just be a placebo. he could tell the other was lacking sleep it was clear in his face. "what if we tried doing a little ritual or something together? maybe taking a bath, having a glass of milk and then lay down together?" he suggested with a soft smile. "sometimes people sleep easier with someone beside them yeah?"

[gcholdtrops]

   a chuckle emits from the back of his throat, eyes locking with iseul's for a short moment. " maybe, just heard that those things is more placebo effect than anything ... might be a rumor though. " namhee hummed in thought, bags under his eyes heavier than usual.

iseul chuckles and nods his head in agreement. "maybe we both just need to take a bunch of melatonin." he jokes with a smile on his lips. sleep having avoided him so much the last few weeks, he was growing restless from the lack of it.

[gcholdtrops]

   a sigh of disbelief leaves him, because why did he ever expect anything else from the other. " i don't know, because you know this happens to me ? " a single digit scratched near his eyebrow. " ryo please, we're in an alley ... this is highly inappropriate. " eventhough the compliment did flatter namhee, he tried not to boost ryo's ego.

" and why the fuck would i bring a fresh pair of clothes with me wherever i go ? " scoffs out, smirk playing at the corners of his lips. " besides, " he begins, head tilting to the side as he ogles the other up and down. " you look cuter naked. "