“— I need you, Seo A-ri. I know it's not the case for you yet, but I hope you too... feel the same way, someday. [...] Allow me to stay by your side because we will get through this together.”
Just some of my thoughts for some of the dramas of 2023...
-KING THE LAND !!!!!
The natural chemistry between the main leads is just so so soooo real that it makes it hard to believe that they're "just friends" in reality; However, at the same time it makes sense, as both Junho and Yoona have been in the entertainment industry and have known each other for a long time (2pm and SNSD go wayyyy back, IYKYK). I'm kind of surprised it took them this long to meet for a drama project, but as a fan of both 2pm and SNSD, I'm so glad to see them both working together again. There are so many funny moments in this drama and the added sound effects and acting make some of the scenes so funny. I also like the easter eggs added in the drama haha. Definitely a feel-good drama. I ship the main leads..!! They already know each other so well and they're also starting to look the same haha.
-See You in My 19th Life
This series is based on the webtoon, and the drama was surprisingly not bad. Ahn Bo Hyun and Shin Hye Sun both are great together, and I feel like recently Shin Hye Sun has been typecasted into these somewhat typical bold, fearless characters that are also seemingly reflective of her own personality but in this drama I was able to kind of see somewhat of a different side to her (hard to explain hahah). And Ahn Bo Hyun...he's very versatile as an actor. And finding out that he's now dating Jisoo of BP...super unexpected haha !! The drama itself is somehow comforting with all the characters meshing well together. Pleasant~~
-Celebrity
Hmmmmm this one was great but something about the female lead I can't put my finger on.. While I do feel like her acting has improved over the years and I see that in some scenes of this drama as well, there were parts where it just seemed flat but I'm not sure if it's just how her character was written. The storyline itself was definitely interesting nonetheless, and I didn't have much expectations going into it, but it does touch upon the effects of social media in modern times and I liked the mystery/thriller type of vibe.
-D.P.
Star-studded cast; haven't watched this yet but excited to pick up where they left off for season 1.
-The Real Has Come
The cast is talented and there are strong characters in this drama and lots of twists and funny moments. It's light and funny, but there's 50 episodes so there are definitely times where it's a bit draggy but also that's typical of any family dramas.
-Oasis
Jang Dong Yoon!!! Hahaha I think the cast did a great job with their portrayals though I feel like Jang Dong Yoon just has such a baby-face and looks like he wouldn't hurt a fly but he looked so cool playing this role as Lee Doo Hak. I liked the old-fashioned style of this drama as it took place in the 80s-90s Korea, so it was really refreshing to see the type of fashion, dialects and overall atmosphere during that time through this drama, and think about how much has changed. There were parts of the drama that felt a little repetitive, but I think overall the cast made up for it.
-Apple of My Eye (금이야, 옥이야)
Typical family drama, a little predictable but expected haha.
I just finished watching Celebrity and, although its not the main plot, I truly hate the romance plot between Seo Ah Ri and Joon Kyung. She rejects him because he's snooty and represents everything she hates about rich people, and then he doesn't change at all but she falls for him??? I get that he helps her, but it doesn't make any sense that she would fall for him.
What would make more sense, is if she rejected him romantically but they became freinds. Then, he gets back with Shi Hyun because they had better chemistry tbh. Ah Ri is not a character that needs to end up with someone.
SUMMARY: Real life can be lonely, but life online can be deadly.
THIS SHOW HAS EVERYTHING: Limited edition dresses, wine-guzzling, car crashes, computer hacking, virtual deepfakes, textile manufacturing, online haters, online handmaids, gaudy cell phone straps, ignorant husbands, relationships without chemistry, escort deaconesses, corrupt cops, no-limit hold-em poker, mistaken identities, and online infomercials.
HOT TAKE: You know that feeling when you watch too many mystery, tragic, or seriously dramatic kdramas and you're like 'my brain just needs something pretty and mindless to look at?' This is that show.
See Also: Was that a throwaway Lee Jun Ho cameo in the literal last minute of this series?