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idontwanttowhy · 6 months

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AC's and MZ's Review Rubric and Running Record

Ranked list of dramas we've watched (and some we've also reviewed) in order from best to...not so good.

AC's list and comments: I watch a variety of dramas, and every new one starts at a 7/10 and has to prove themselves otherwise. Sorry not sorry.

10/10: FANTASTIC I WOULD DIE FOR THEM

It's Okay Not to be Okay (2020)

While You Were Sleeping (2017)

Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon (2014) -first jdrama!

9/10: Okaaay, I admit, this was great!

Past Lives (2023, film)

Love to Hate You (2023) - reviewed

Mr. Queen (2020) - reviewed

Rain or Shine/Just Between Lovers (2017)

Familiar Wife (2020) - reviewed

Hwayugi: A Korean Odyssey (2017)

My Love from the Star (2013)

In-House Marriage Honey (2020) - reviewed

The Penthouse: War on Life (Season 1) (2020) - reviewed

Hospital Playlist (2020) - reviewed

12 Years Promise (2014) -one of my first kdramas!

Strong Girl Do Bong-Soon (2017)

Welcome to Waikiki (2018)

Kimi wa Petto/You're My Pet (2017)

Oh My Ghost (2015)

8/10: Good, even

Business Proposal (2022)

The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016) - reviewed

Holiday Love ホリデイラブ (2018) - reviewed

Sweet & Sour (2021, film) - reviewed

Dr. Cha (2023) - reviewed

My Secret Romance (2017) - reviewed

Hello, My Twenties (2016)

One Spring Night (2019)

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018)

Before We Get Married (2019)

Because This Is My First Life (2017)

It's Okay, That's Love (2014) - reviewed

Kill Me, Heal Me (2015)

Crash Course in Romance (2023) - reviewed

Weighlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (2016)

Something in the Rain (2018)

Cheese in the Trap (2016)

W: Two Worlds (2016)

The Beauty Inside (2015, film)

Itaewon Class (2020)

My ID is Gangnam Beauty (2018)

Chicago Typewriter (2017)

7/10: Solid, didn't kill me.

Descendants of the Sun (2016) - reviewed

Another Miss Oh (2016)

Encounter (2018)

Crash Landing On You (2020) - reviewed

Nevertheless (2021)

The Beauty Inside (2018)

Still 17 (2018)

Triad Princess (2019)

Romance is a Bonus Book (2019)

Abyss (2019)

Mystic Pop-Up Bar (2020) - reviewed

Extraordinary You (2019)

Destined With You (2023)

1-6/10: Why did I watch??

She Would Never Know/Sunbae, Don��t Put On That Lipstick (2021) - reviewed

School Nurse Files (2020) - reviewed

True Beauty (2020) - reviewed

To All the Guys Who Loved Me (2020) - reviewed

Start Up (2020)

Boys Over Flowers (2009)

MZ's list and comments: I am in no way surprised by the amount of variation we have here, and in fact I feel very lucky to be in conversation with AC because we have such different takes. That said, my list is the correct one...

11+/10, will not shut up about these in this lifetime (or the next)

Secret Garden (2010)

Crash Landing on You (2020)

Coffee Prince (2007)

Love to Hate You (2023)

10/10, no notes!!! they are everything!!!

Boys over Flowers (2009)

Kill Me, Heal Me (2015)

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)

While You Were Sleeping (2017)

9/10, loved and would recommend to anyone

You're Beautiful (2009)

Hwayugi (2017)

My Girl (2005)

Start Up (2020)

Extraordinary You (2019)

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim? (2018)

Oh My Ghost (2015)

Destined With You (2023)

8/10, solid but wouldn't necessarily rave about

My Lovely Sam Soon (2005)

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017)

A Hundred Days My Prince (2018)

Full House (2004)

My Princess (2011)

True Beauty (2020)

Business Proposal (2022)

Her Private Life (2019)

Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung (2019)

7/10, no strong feelings

School Nurse Files (2020)

Crash Course in Romance (2023)

Imaginary Cat (2015)

Mystic Pop Up Bar (2020)

The Bride of Habaek (2017)

1-6/10, strong negative feelings

Full House Take 2 (2012)

The Undateables (2018)

She Was Pretty (2015)

To All the Guys Who Loved Me (2020)

Dr. Cha (2023)

Personal Taste (2010)

Cheese In The Trap (2016)

Hyde, Jekyll, Me (2015)

Memories of the Alhambra (2018)

My Love from the Star (2013)

My Holo Love (2020)

Mr. Queen (2020)

#kdrama recommendations #kdramareview #at least we have while you were sleeping

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visuallypleasingdramas · 3 years

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그냥 사랑하는 사이 | Just Between Lovers

#Just between lovers #jtbc #2017 #2018 #rain or shine #kdrama #kdrama aesthetic

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notyourmamasdramas · 6 years

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Me: *SITS ON HIGH HORSE* I just don’t understand people’s obsession with organized sports. People get too involved and act like they are part of the team. Why do people get so damn emotional and dedicate so much time to something so trivial that they have no control over? There are more important things to worry about in life.

Also me: *gets way too emotionally involved in every kdrama, talks about the characters like we’re all bffs, yells at them when they make poor life decisions, cries with them when they are hurt, dedicates hours every week to watch new episodes, questions how one could possibly move on with normal life after a drama finishes*

#*brings high horse back to her stable*#kdrama #korean dramas #kdramas #jugglers #kbs jugglers #mbc i’m not a robot #i’m not a robot #just between lovers #because this is my first life #while you were sleeping #black knight #i am not a robot #mbc i am not a robot #go back couple #20th century boy and girl #school 2017 #watch me as i ramble

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ravenrani · 6 years

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Just between Lovers

This drama is just amazing and heartbreaking at the same time.

The last time I was so emotionally investing in a drama was during the airing of GOBLIN.

All the characters are well presented, their lives, pasts and emotions are portrayed so well by the actors, you cant help but feel for them. Even the ‘bad’ characters are starting to generate a little sympathy.

The subtle but strong female lead is fast becoming one of my favourite characters! As well as her artistic best friend.

And, unlike a lot of Kdramas with their ‘out there’ dramatic storylines, this one feels more real; how the lives of these characters are linked and affected by an incident and how their stories unwind, its just fascinating to watch!

This drama is slowly becoming one of my favourites IM TOTALLY HOOKED AND I CANT WAIT FOR MORE!

Oh and one more thing.....

I LOVE GRANDMA and her illegal medical clinic!! She is shipping Lee Gang-Doo and Han Moon-Soo so hard!!! Im a fan lol

#just between lovers #lee jun ho #2PM junho #kdrama #2017 #korean #Won Jin-A #Park-Hee von

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xtltokio · 6 years

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scoundrels-in-love · 6 years

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Rainy recommends Kdramas

So I was slightly encouraged to make a kdrama rec list and, of course, I went overboard and went and wrote a long-ass list, but if it helps even one person, I will be happy. Besides, it’s excuse for me to rant about dramas I love and you know I can’t pass that up.

This list will be divided in multiple parts because I am a troubled watched. The titles will explain. (Genres I’ve written as per my opinion and are listed in alphabetic order cause I can’t decide how to do it otherwise, and dramas are too.) I also stopped added humor genre because most of these dramas have a fair share of humor and kept the tag only for the ones that felt purposely humor-made.

Disclaimer: This list is purely my opinion and I will not fight anyone who dislikes any drama listed here and I hope you will not fight with me. Or unfollow me. #awkward laughter. Also let it be noted I have at least one issue with each of these dramas, I do not proclaim anything perfect.

And now, finally, onto actual fic rec list, under the cut.

Kdramas I’ve 100% watched

Goblin Drama - Fantasy - Romance There seems to be only people who love it to pieces or quite profoundly dislike it. Obviously, I belong to the first group. It’s a visually stunning story that draws you in, makes you laugh your heart out and then sets it on fire. I tagged this as drama for a reason! In a way, it’s story of humankind, both at its worst and best. It’s a story of 300+ year old men being total adorable dorks. Of love and friendships that can be lost in twists of fate, but transcend a lifetime. It comes with 2 OTPs and no love triangles in conventional sense, OST that might blow your mind in best way and cinematography that takes breath away. Beware if your squick is visual age difference, though!! If not, watch away and beware: (lots of) tears may be shed.

Go Ho’s Starry Night Office Romance - Romance - Slice of Life A short and lovely watch that may surprise you. It tears into such topics as sexism, bigotry, prejudices and others, while not being too in your face about it. As I once said, It has all the good things of romcoms, but somehow pretty much deals with the fallout what would come with one. What’s more, it appeals to my love of jerks with heart of gold trope, in most pleasant way. Entertaining fun that isn’t all empty.

Hello Monster / I Remember You Crime - Family - Drama - Romance Though I added romance tag, this is just a side factor in grand scheme of things, though it does not feel forced and is emotionally satisfying. This is story of mistakes, of losing and finding what matters, of situations where there is no right answer. One of my greatest draws to this series was the acting, especially by three important men. Psychos that are so charismatic it hurts. Ambiguous good guys. All that good stuff.

It’s Okay, That’s Love Drama - Medical (sort of) - Psychological - Romance It’s not spoken of much and I feel the need to always rectify that, because while it might not be the most accurate portrayal of mental health care or even these issues, for me, while it might end up brushing over the end of some plot points a little too easily, there were many things that screamed deep and personal to me, that made me cry again and again as I stayed up till 5am to watch the final episodes because I could not stop anymore. Perhaps it’s one of those hits-one-in-a-hundred watch, but do give it a try, move past the eyeroll of first episodes and the male lead you may dislike (or female). What’s more, the acting is amazing and it’s chockfull with lovable side characters that have/create great and meaningful relationships and friendships.

Kill Me, Heal Me Drama - Psychological - Romance What can I say, this drama is an experience on its own. It may lack in psychological accuracy and the female lead may seem like a screeching harpy at the start, but overall it’s very emotional ride with amazing acting and made me feel and cry quite a bit. At one point, if certain song came on, I knew I’d probably cry! But it’s not all sadness and gloom, in fact there’s so much humor and funny moments they’re brought up through drama cracks years later. And the male lead’s acting may just floor you. 7 (!) different characters and they all truly feel different, grow and change subtly.

Shopping King Louis Humor - Romance - Slice of Life Definitely a feel-good watch of chaebol (rich heir) and girl from countryside living in the capital and navigating the difficulties together. It’s cute, wacky and all around adorable, until it suddenly makes you quiver lip a little. It’s easy, sugary brain food and sometimes we need just that. (+ Male lead is played by same actor as in Hello Monster and the vast differences between characters are likely to wow you.)

Splash Splash Love Fantasy - Historical - Romance - Time Travel If you want to spend 2 hours with easy, lovable watch, this may just be your thing. I heard a lot of positive feedback about it and thought it couldn’t be that great, but somehow it was! Pretty costumes? Check. Time Traveling? Check. Modern gadget shenanigans in historical era? Check. Sweet and troubled love? Check. Happy ending? Check. Don’t expect it to answer all your questions, it won’t, but face value of it is still worth it!

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo College/High School - Romance - Slice of Life My first drama and I would suggest it as first to watch for others, too. While the humor and even the characters may make you roll your eyes sometime, the theme of growing up and dealing with new and old wounds is handled with love and wiseness of heart. The eventual couple is amazing sorta enemies to friends to lovers trope embodiment and absolutely adorable. It’s a feel-good watch, until angst comes and smacks you in the face, and then you’re crying and healing along with the characters. The acting is excellent, it’s visually beautiful and there’s something charming about it. Give it a try, even if slice of life and college content isn’t your cup of tea. They aren’t mine either.

Kdramas I’ve not 100% finished, but I have watched most of it + finished with gifs, meta and clips and am still absolutely recommending and 100% plan to finish when I am emotionally and physically capable

20th Century Boy and Girl Friendship - Romance - Slice of Life A drama lot of people ‘slept’ on because it was so quiet and subtle in some ways, and perhaps the writer was not quite sure what to do with it in the end, stretching some things far too long and not even delivering an upgrade, but... Somehow, I like(d) it a lot. So, so, so much. The female friendship of it made my heart soar, the gently blossoming romances made me physically grin so much it hurt and there were so many good, unusual dynamics about it you don’t usually see in a kdrama. If you’re in for a boat ride down a beautiful, slow and wide river where sometimes there’s a sudden bump with group of wonderful friends, this may be drama for you.

Because This is My First Life Friendship - Subtle Drama - Romance - Slice of Life Another girl friendship story. Well, it’s not just about girl friendship, but without it, the story wouldn’t be half of what it was. For me, this drama hit a lot personal spots, with our girls who are 30, but are still looking for their way in life and getting lost and finding themselves. It’s gentle, painful and reassuring all at once, there are tropes and then they’re flipped on the head in most amazing ways. The romance is slow and strange and pretty much wonderful. Maybe the characterization suffers a little in the end, but overall, I think when I do finish it, I will be satisfied and moved and feel like it was fitting conclusion for characters whose stories are in quite unique. And by this, I don’t mean just our main couple, but essentially the whole supporting cast, even rather minor characters!

School 2017 Friendship - High School - Romance - Slice of Life I am not one for high school stuff, and I don’t know when I will properly watch and finish this, but I do know I want to. Why? Because it gives me lovely characters with issues both on the superficial and deep level, fitting and transcending age group the characters are in. It’s well acted and has lovely friendships, a cute romance that is right up my alley, as it’s boy goes from fight me @ world to smitten kitten for his girl and also a lovely story of finding yourself as you grow up.

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon Fantasy/Superpowers - Humor - Romance This is a problematic favorite of mine, personally. You won’t stick with this drama for plot, but you may for an OTP that consists of kookie, super strong girl and rich CEO who hires her to be his bodyguard because he’s already 10 feet in love with her despite his denial. It’s the ‘powerful women and pretty boys who would die for them’ trope incarnate, the heartgame is so strong you feel it through the screen. And yes, there are issues with side characters, with consistency, too many jokes about pee and so forth, but if you want any of what’s mentioned above + some feels, this may be for you.

Suspicious Partner Crime - Romance This drama may have benefited from being few episodes shorter and better pacing of romantic and crime story lines, but overall, it’s one that’s likely to draw you in and feel for the characters. It’s not just the main couple that are straight up adorable, especially when they can get beyond that I’m distancing/hiding things for your safety/happiness point, but plenty of interesting side characters with meaningful relationships and stories to tell. Besides, the acting’s wonderful and Ji Wook is one of most likable and considerate male leads (other than hiding things aspect) I’ve ever seen in kdrama (or anywhere). His confession speech is just, #swoon.

While You Were Sleeping Crime - Fantasy - Romance It’s a drama that started strong and then puttered out some, but if you’re in for a story that once again asks questions ‘what would you do if you saw future’ and gives it’s own kind of answers, this may be for you. It’s got interesting characters, cute romance and lovely friendships are made along the way, as they struggle with some truly difficult problems of morality and otherwise.

Things I have started, kept up with via media and have mixed feelings about, but still kind of am fascinated by, so I suggest you give them a try

Black (tagged on my blog as OCN Black so there’s no mistags) Crime - Fantasy - Romance (??) Personal Status - Unfinished, plan to finish It’s a wild mess, but intriguing one. I did not get further than 4 eps yet, but I do plan to try. The acting is pretty good, the story’s very twisted and I have heard mixed reactions to the way its solved, but it strays so far from anything I’ve ever watched I can’t help but be kind of drawn to it. It’s got tons of gory and/or disgusting moments, though, as its humor kind of rides on that, so be warned.

Tomorrow With You Drama - Time Travel - Psychological - Romance Personal Status - Unfinished, but plan to finish This one is a strange one, because it’s slow and with awkward push and pull dynamics, but and at the same time, that’s what makes it so real it hurts. You might want to punch some senses in characters at times, but that’s how we just are, especially if we are as troubled and traumatized as our leads. It’s a story of learning, growing as a person and healing and perhaps, if it was that, I’d be done with it and added it to the bottom list, but the eventual crime aspect felt jarring to me and I got frustrated with that story line and lost part of confidence my questions could be answered and whole drama wrapped up well. It’s just so emotionally and psychologically meaty and good otherwise, I am afraid to head into disappointment. But one day, I will wrap it up and judge for myself. W / W of Two Worlds Drama - Fantasy - Romance Personal Status - Unfinished, plan to finish Perhaps the one drama I ruined watching of to myself because of spoilers and now I can’t bear to watch the rest, unsure if I will be part of love or hate group (another one to divide the followers very deeply). What I can say, though, is that I loved the start of it, it really doesn’t hesitate to surprise you and make you think, especially if you are any sort of content creator. Very likely to make you Feel at some point.

Kdramas I plan to watch, but already love because of meta, clips and other content I’ve seen

Fight For My Way Friendship - Romance - Slice of Life Hwayugi Fantasy - Romance

Just Between Lovers Drama - Psychological - Romance - Slice of Life

I can’t say much about any of these, but at the same time, I feel like there’s lot to be said. Especially about Just Between Lovers, which, so far, appears to be the top tier Drama drama, with traumatized characters, profound storytelling and a way to both wrap you up in warmth and devastate you.

Kdramas that I’ve heard a lot of good about/have been recommended to me/I may be planning to watch

Age of Youth 1 and 2 - Another Miss Oh - Bring it on, Ghost - Cheese in Trap - Chicago Typewriter - Coffee Prince - Descendants of the Sun - Go Back Couple - Healer - My Love From Another Star - Pinocchio - Reply series - Save Me - Signal - The K2

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nexusromanova · 6 years

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emerald-notes · 2 years

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TV series I've watched in March 2022

The End of the F***ing World - Season 1 & 2 (2017-19)

- Check my previous review of season 1 here

- The season 2 will always be memorable to me because I've binge watched it with my cousin. We talked about it the whole day. I know, whenever I'll watch it again, I'll miss those moments.

- Season 2 also had some serious issues dealt with just like season 1. Bonnie's character hit close to home. I want to hug her. I also want to hug Alyssa and James. They've been through a lot.

Sweet Tooth (2021)

- A world slipped into chaos as a contagious virus breaks through and babies are born as part animals.

- This is the perfect time to watch this show with your family. It is quite emotional.

Our Planet (2019)

- From the grassland to the forest, from the ice covered world to the hot desert, from the fresh water to the high sea, this series shows varieties of habitats of the living beings of our beloved earth.

- This nature documentary is quite different than any other I've ever seen. It discusses the climate change in a way to make people actually worry about the situation. I highly recommend it to all of my followers.

- You may feel like to cry if you're an animal lover.

Strangers From Hell (2018)

- A small town boy moves to a residence of the city where he encounters many creepy strangers.

- I've never imagined this series would be that much deep. It is very detailed and the work is a piece of art. One of the best kdramas out there.

- It's very gruesome and violent. Definitely not going to recommend it to the faint hearted people.

- To be honest it gave me nightmares. I couldn't sleep properly at night for a whole week and only slept at daytime. My mind was totally wrecked.

The Tale of the Nine Tailed (2020)

- A nine tailed fox leaves his position as a forest deity to search for his reincarnated love.

- Though it is a fantasy and romance series, I mostly enjoyed the interaction between the gumiho brothers. And to be honest, I love Lee Rang <3

- Another best part of the series is the mentions of all the different sorts of mythical creatures. I love to know about mythologies of different countries.

Persona (2019)

- An anthology of short films with metaphorical meanings.

- Apart from the fact that each episode was directed by different directors with the same lead actress I don't want to say much about it. Watch it to find out. It's great BTW.

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stormblessed95 · 3 years

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We don’t talk about BV2 enough. We need to esp for new JKers. How JK lost on purpose to share a room with JM. How we got no footage of Jikook sleeping together, but everyone else we did. How domestic they were. JM wiping JKs mouth off. JM caught playing footsie with JK. JK saying let’s go baby to JM. members teasing JK asking him what’s the difference between BV1 & BV2 while JM stares at JK fondly who is clearly flustered & red from the question. What happened during BV2 & why were jikook so sus

I'm just saying.... if we are correct about them being together and if we are correct about the timeline of things.... BV1 was filmed in the beginning of 2016, still figuring things out, trying things out, working things out. BV2 was filmed in the beginning of 2017, things have been pretty worked out and more established. JK is an adult, no cameras in their room, one suspicious bed selca. I'm just saying I think I know what the difference was between them during those 2 seasons. Lol

They were paired up as a team that season as well, so they simply got to spend a lot of time together exploring. Which I'm sure was so nice

And Vminkook were the cutest together this trip too. I love it when they all have so much fun together. It's the sweetest to see! The "let's go baby" was a line from a super popular Kdrama "Lovers in Paris" and got tossed around ALOT as ways to make people laugh, not just in BTS, but in general. He wasn't *really* calling Jimin baby there, lol just quoting a Kdrama and being a little silly. But it was absolutely precious still and goes right along with Jikook and putting themselves in romantic movies together. Lol

BV2 was so so cute and sweet. Not just for Jikook, but all of them! They all seemed to have a lot of fun!

#jikook #kookmin #jikook in BV2 #jikook in Hawaii #anon #ask

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dramaism · 3 years

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kdramas over flowers → warm & cozy (the romance that makes you feel the happiest)

Lee Gang Doo & Ha Moon Soo JUST BETWEEN LOVERS (2017-2018)

Because we survived... It's a relief

#just between lovers #jbl #kdramaedit #kdramanetwork #kdramadaily #kdramasoverflowers2021 #won jin ah #lee jun ho #kdrama #kdramagifs #my edit #mufaloedit #fun fact i remade it 3 times and i hate that i didn't find 1080p video #but they're always no 1 for me even after 3 years #i feel so happy and warm when i watch them

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dramarants · 3 years

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KDrama Actresses Who Caught My Eye

Won Jin Ah

On the surface, she looks just like a porcelain doll with the sweetest, purest smile - but her performance in Just Between Lovers showed she’s capable of so much more. Ha Moon Soo is soft yet brave and while it looks like She Would Never Know might be a bust script-wise, I’m still holding my breath for Won Jin Ah’s next hit!

Dramas watched: 2

Greatest Hits:

Just Between Lovers/Rain or Shine (2017) - between slice of life and melo, a personal favorite

Life (2018) - medical drama, haven’t seen it but looking forward to it!*

Latest:

She Would Never Know (2021, still airing)

Hellbound (2021, coming soon!)

Gong Hyo Jin

Her characters and dramas are super offbeat (usually less glamorous). Gong Hyo Jin is a total dramedy queen, and the great news is that she’s got tons of movies and shows to choose from!

Dramas watched: 2.5

Greatest Hits:

Thank You (2007) - breakout role as a single mom with an HIV+ child*

Master’s Sun (2013) - fantasy romcom

It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014) - explores mental health and social stigma*

Jealousy Incarnate/Don’t Dare To Dream (2015) - workplace romcom*

Latest:

When the Camellia Blooms (2019)

Ha Ji Won

Can you say versatile? I watched Secret Garden and didn’t love it but appreciated Ha Ji Won’s performance but then came Chocolate and Empress Ki. I started both at once and the way she pulled off a quiet, pining chef and a badass, broken power lady fighting to survive - oof, the range 👌

Dramas watched: 2

Greatest Hits:

She’s got so many dramas so this is a hard one! Listing recent cross genre works but check her filmography to see what suits your taste

Empress Ki (2013) - historical political drama, it’s a heavy one

Hospital Ship (2014) - medical drama*

Latest:

Chocolate (2019)

Shin Hye Sun

I cannot believe I forgot to put her on this list! Total powerhouse and loved seeing her move from secondary characters into lead roles in multiple genres! I’ve hated her guts and worshipped her guts, Shin Hye Sun is, as they say, a true acting chameleon.

Dramas watched: 4

Greatest Hits:

My Golden Life (2017) - family drama, break through role!*

Still 17/Thirty But Seventeen (2018) - romcom*

Angel’s Last Mission: Love (2019) - fantasy melo, blind ballerina meets cheerful angel

Latest:

Hymn of Death (2018)*

Mr. Queen/Queen Cheorin (2020, currently airing)

Seo Ye Ji

Okay, so this one’s is kinda literal - Seo Ye Ji is stunning. I didn’t love It’s Okay to Not Be Okay as much as others did but I enjoyed it mainly for her fantastic performance as Ko Moon Young (plus her chemistry with the male lead!) and cuz I'm a sucker for found family. Really looking forward to seeing more of her work moving forward!

Dramas watched: 2

Greatest Hits:

Save Me (2017) - thriller mystery drama*

Lawless Lawyer (2018) - legal thriller drama, insane chemistry with ML*

Hwarang (2016) - historical hot ppl fest, watch for costumes + eye candy

Latest:

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)

Honorable Mentions:

Park Min Young - loooved her in Healer and heard great things about Her Private Life and Sungkyunkwan Scandal!

IU - I feel like this one is kind of obvious, she did so well in dramas like Scarlet Heart Ryeo: Moon Lovers and My Ahjussi; Hotel Del Luna is on my watchlist!

Go Ara - she plays sweet but defiant and strong willed really well. Loved her performance in Miss Hammurabi and looking forward to watching Black soon.

I’m guilty of following kdrama men more than the women so if there are any actresses you really like or dramas featuring great female performances, let me know!

*starred dramas are blind recs

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fauxkaren · 2 years

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Just Between Lovers/Rain or Shine (9/10)

Just Between Lovers (or Rain or Shine, as it is titled on Netflix for some reason?) is peak melodrama at times, but damn it is satisfying. It's about the lives of people who have been through some pretty incredible trauma and how they can (if they can) move on from it.

I'm pretty sure this was inspired by the Sampoong Department Store Collapse because a mall collapse is at the heart of this story. In this show, in 2005 the two central characters, Ha Mun-Su and Lee Gang-du, are teenagers at a mall that is preparing for its grand opening when it collapses, killing Mun-su's sister and Gang-du's father and leaving the two of them alive but trapped in the rubble for days before they are rescued. Through a few meet cutes and coincidences, the two of them meet again in 2017 as construction begins on a new project being built on the site of the tragedy.

On the surface it seems like Mun-su is coping well. She is hardworking and gets a job at the architecture firm that is doing the new building project on the accident site. Mun-su has a preliminary architect license and works building models at the firm and also helps out at the family owned sauna. She also finds herself taking care of her mother who has descended into alcoholism in the wake of losing her daughter. But really, Mun-su only seems like she's doing so well because she hasn't actually dealt with the trauma of what happened. Part of it is because the head injury she suffered has caused her to lose memories of what happened while she was trapped in the rubble, but also she hasn't addressed any of the guilt she feels over surviving while her sister died and the fact that she feels like her mother wishes that she had died instead of her sister.

Gang-du however, is pretty much a mess. lmao. His mother passed away a few years after the accident, leaving him to take care of his younger sister. He took out a massive loan from loan sharks to stay afloat and has been working as a laborer to cover his interest payments and has been living alone in a boarding house for the past 7 years while his sister went to university and has become a doctor. He gets into fights fairly often and he's just ANGRY at the world. Pretty understandable. He lost his dad in the accident and the leg injury Gang-du sustained in the collapse dashed his dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. He gets a job as a security guard at the construction site and through that he's forced to face some of his demons.

Of course, since this is a Kdrama, Mun-su and Gang-du meet through this new construction project and start to fall for each other. As their relationship grows, Mun-su begins to regain some memories and Gang-du makes the connection that they had met in the rubble. Through flashbacks we see what they experienced in the disaster and in the present day we see how they're processing and dealing with what happened to them. And also there are some DELICIOUS romantic tropes going on here. Including Gang-du pushing Mun-su away because he feels like he's not good enough for her. MY HEART! IT'S SO GOOD.

I only talked about the 2 leads in this little review, but there's a pretty wide variety of people who have been impacted by the tragedy in different ways. And I LOVE seeing how this accident affected all kinds of people and affected them in different ways. It's a pretty great exploration of how people heal (or don't heal) and how tragedies impact so many different people from different walks of life.

The one thing that maaaaybe is a mark against the show is that lmao it REALLY leans into the melodrama at times. Like DAMN so much happens to these people and it's like "maybe give them a break?" lol. It was still a pretty great watch though. Would recommend.

#karen watches kdramas #just between lovers #rain or shine

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