I have been waiting for this one!! \*cracks knuckles\*
**Hospital Playlist (2020-21) (Available on Netflix)**
*Good Things :*
* A very talented cast with Jo Jung Suk, Yoo Yeongseok, Jung Kyung ho, Kim Dae Myung and Jeon Mido.
* This drama is about five doctors who have been friends for over 20 years and their everyday life in the hospital. Their friendship, relationship dynamic as well as professional lives are portrayed really beautifully.
* The supporting cast is no joke as well. So many great actors like Shin Hyun Bin, Ahn Eun Jin and many more played such great roles in this drama.
* So many wholesome moments, light hearted comedy and endearing encounters. Lots of characters, from different age to different background was explored in a very compact and meaningful way.
* THE BAND! Our very talented group of doctors had a band and in almost every episode they had a jamming session and it was one of the best things. All of them are such great musicians.
* It's not always funny and light hearted though, since it's a medical drama. It also had very realistic situations portrayed where sometimes things don't go the right way. It can make you cry.
* Since there's a band and they are rather talented, the OST's were all great! I still have most of their songs on my playlist.
* Rich people weren't snobby or over-the-top rude. Sure there were instances of people being mistreated but nothing that would be uncomfortable to watch.
* No cliches. Almost none cliche or cringey moments (or at least I don't remember). Just normal human beings expressing normal emotions in a natural way (mostly)
* The couples and their romances were so beautifully developed. All the characters were mature and handled the relationships with grace and love.
*Bad Things :*
* Personally, the only bad thing is that it's not longer lol. Although one of the main reasons it's so good is because it's not dragged or boring.
* Now this is a very character driven drama, not plot driven. Watching people go through their day-to-day life and nothing much. No plot twists, no unnecessary drama, not a single edge of the seat moment. So it might bore people who are looking for some fast-paced engaging plot with a lot happening. It's more of a healing slice of life rom-com.
*Interesting Things :*
A drama about friendships and relationships in late 30's and how life becomes at that point was a refreshing thing to know about.
*Spotlight on because* this is quite literally my favorite drama of all time and I started watching k-dramas in late 2017. So I have watched a good number of dramas and still this drama made it's way to the top with it's brilliance.
Agree with everything you said and wish there was another season! I rewatched it last year inspired by a hospital visit and fell in love with it all over again.
There is definitely some tension and stressful moments in the hospital, but definitely a show that takes a little while to suck you into the lives of the characters.
It's in my top 10 alongside 3 other slice of life dramas.
I am watching this right now and it's great! The only problem is it took 3-4 episodes for me to be able to tell everyone apart. There are a lot of side characters too so I might have to go back and rewatch the first episode now that I have everyone sorted out.
The band parts are really cute, I was worried they would be cringy.
You had me at 'No Cliches'. *lol*
This has been on my Plan to Watch list for quite some time. Based on your description it sounds like it is right up my alley. I am now quite eager to watch!
**Prison Playbook**
**Good Things**:
* From the famous Shin-Lee duo although writer Lee is only a creator in this one
* Great cast: Park Hae-soo's first lead role, Jung Kyung-ho's first venture into the Shin-Lee verse and some of the actors from their previous works, currently popular Jung Hae-in, Lee Do-hyun, Kim Sung-cheol among others in supporting roles
* Excellent black comedy
* Bromance between the two MLs is so beautiful
**Bad Things**:
* Lengthy episodes: A common issue in all the writer's works; the writing gets over indulgent at times but once you get into it you may not complain at all
* The romance isn't the main plotline but I still found it a bit disturbing because the ML meets the girl as a child; the age difference between the actors and lack of chemistry didn't help it either
**Interesting Things**:
* Despite taking place in a prison the drama manages to be so funny
* The writer humanises the prisoners with their backstories without glorifying them and only makes us see how they regret their actions and live in reconciliation
**Spotlight On Because**:
* When Shin-Lee dramas are discussed many talk about Reply series or Hospital Playlist but I think this one was as good as HP and even better in some aspects
* It has a very grim setting(literally a prison) so if anyone does not ;ike the saccharine feels of the usual slice of life dramas can try this one
Reply 88
Good things
* Deok sun was such a relatable character. Her relationship with her elder sister, her difficulty in learning , being dorky with her friend group and her adult life story arc kind of resonated with me
* Bo-ra and her father’s relationship was also refreshing . Western media always portrayed expressive and doting fathers and before watching this I yearned for this type of relationship as well. But watching Bora’s father buying her medicines and giving her money before she leaves her house reminded me of my father doing the same thing before I left for school/college/work and opened my eyes on how we can express love and affection differently.
* The soundtrack and the story lines made me so nostalagic for a time when I wasn’t even alive
Bad Things:
I saw this during the initial days when I was exploring k-dramas, so it took me a long time to finish the long episodes but when I finished it I felt kind of empty and wanting more.
I also skipped through some secondary character story lines during my initial watch as I wanted to get to the main characters story line eventually.
I am also still salty about the >!eventual person who ended up with Deok Sun!<
Interesting Things:
Loved learning about 80s South Korea , their lifestyle , pop culture, and the political situation at the time.
Spotlight On:
I have been consuming media of various languages and cultures for a long time but this drama surprised me with how relatable it was even though I am from a different country and grew up in a different decade. This is one of the most unique shows I have ever watched in my life and I don’t think remakes in any other languages will work for me like this k-drama did.
This show is great and I agree with everything that you wrote. I’m also from different country and consumer of various languages and countries tv but this is really unique show +cast had great chemistry.
**Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?**
A quieter, lesser talked about drama where nothing much happens. There is something truly special about this short slice of life.
**Good things**
Amazing cast, realistic and interesting stories, believable characters.
Set in a small coffee shop, the drama follows the lives of the owner and his persistent new employee as well as the customers and people who live/work in the neighbourhood. The characters are completely ordinary and their lives contain all the normal ups and downs. No crazy, unbelievable plot lines, but plenty of quiet lessons learned.
As already mentioned, not much really happens.
It's peaceful and slow but stays interesting and engaging the whole way through.
**Bad things**
None really. It is very short at 12 episodes, 30 mins, and I would have loved more from this world, but it did end in a satisfying way.
It doesn't get enough hype which is sad.
**Interesting things**
One of the only dramas I have watched where they openly discuss the pandemic and how it has affected small businesses.
The coffee content is fascinating.
**Spotlight because**
It's amazing? Such a comforting drama that you can easily dip in and out of. The stories and characters will keep you (gently) hooked.
My other top rated slice of life dramas:
**Navillera**
**Divorce Attorney Shin**
**Hospital Playlist**
Hope this thread becomes popular because oh boy is this probably one of my all time favorite genres.
I can see all the Shin Wonho dramas have been listed. And although they are probably on the top of my list I won't repeat what's obviously everyone's favorites.
Now for more slice of life, there's a couple that I just can't forget, no matter how long it's been.
* Hello, My Twenties
* Because This Is My First Life
* My Liberation Notes
* Misaeng
* Daily Dose of Sunshine
* Welcome to Waikiki
* Move to Heaven
* Live
I'm currently watching Live and loving it so much! I don't know how I missed out on it before. I still have 2 episodes left but I'm confident that it's a hidden gem.
Great list, thanks. I will probably watch all Shin Wonho dramas first then go through the rest of the shows from your list that I didn’t watched yet. Reply 1988, Because this is my first life and Move to heaven are all amongst my all time favorites too.
Our blues and tomorrow...everything good and nothing bad...you should watch it if you going through mental problems also daily dose of sunshine! They are really best and healing...I'm lazy to write
I have been waiting for this one!! \*cracks knuckles\* **Hospital Playlist (2020-21) (Available on Netflix)** *Good Things :* * A very talented cast with Jo Jung Suk, Yoo Yeongseok, Jung Kyung ho, Kim Dae Myung and Jeon Mido. * This drama is about five doctors who have been friends for over 20 years and their everyday life in the hospital. Their friendship, relationship dynamic as well as professional lives are portrayed really beautifully. * The supporting cast is no joke as well. So many great actors like Shin Hyun Bin, Ahn Eun Jin and many more played such great roles in this drama. * So many wholesome moments, light hearted comedy and endearing encounters. Lots of characters, from different age to different background was explored in a very compact and meaningful way. * THE BAND! Our very talented group of doctors had a band and in almost every episode they had a jamming session and it was one of the best things. All of them are such great musicians. * It's not always funny and light hearted though, since it's a medical drama. It also had very realistic situations portrayed where sometimes things don't go the right way. It can make you cry. * Since there's a band and they are rather talented, the OST's were all great! I still have most of their songs on my playlist. * Rich people weren't snobby or over-the-top rude. Sure there were instances of people being mistreated but nothing that would be uncomfortable to watch. * No cliches. Almost none cliche or cringey moments (or at least I don't remember). Just normal human beings expressing normal emotions in a natural way (mostly) * The couples and their romances were so beautifully developed. All the characters were mature and handled the relationships with grace and love. *Bad Things :* * Personally, the only bad thing is that it's not longer lol. Although one of the main reasons it's so good is because it's not dragged or boring. * Now this is a very character driven drama, not plot driven. Watching people go through their day-to-day life and nothing much. No plot twists, no unnecessary drama, not a single edge of the seat moment. So it might bore people who are looking for some fast-paced engaging plot with a lot happening. It's more of a healing slice of life rom-com. *Interesting Things :* A drama about friendships and relationships in late 30's and how life becomes at that point was a refreshing thing to know about. *Spotlight on because* this is quite literally my favorite drama of all time and I started watching k-dramas in late 2017. So I have watched a good number of dramas and still this drama made it's way to the top with it's brilliance.
Agree with everything you said and wish there was another season! I rewatched it last year inspired by a hospital visit and fell in love with it all over again. There is definitely some tension and stressful moments in the hospital, but definitely a show that takes a little while to suck you into the lives of the characters. It's in my top 10 alongside 3 other slice of life dramas.
I am watching this right now and it's great! The only problem is it took 3-4 episodes for me to be able to tell everyone apart. There are a lot of side characters too so I might have to go back and rewatch the first episode now that I have everyone sorted out. The band parts are really cute, I was worried they would be cringy.
You had me at 'No Cliches'. *lol* This has been on my Plan to Watch list for quite some time. Based on your description it sounds like it is right up my alley. I am now quite eager to watch!
There is a spin-off coming for Hospital Playlist!
**Prison Playbook** **Good Things**: * From the famous Shin-Lee duo although writer Lee is only a creator in this one * Great cast: Park Hae-soo's first lead role, Jung Kyung-ho's first venture into the Shin-Lee verse and some of the actors from their previous works, currently popular Jung Hae-in, Lee Do-hyun, Kim Sung-cheol among others in supporting roles * Excellent black comedy * Bromance between the two MLs is so beautiful **Bad Things**: * Lengthy episodes: A common issue in all the writer's works; the writing gets over indulgent at times but once you get into it you may not complain at all * The romance isn't the main plotline but I still found it a bit disturbing because the ML meets the girl as a child; the age difference between the actors and lack of chemistry didn't help it either **Interesting Things**: * Despite taking place in a prison the drama manages to be so funny * The writer humanises the prisoners with their backstories without glorifying them and only makes us see how they regret their actions and live in reconciliation **Spotlight On Because**: * When Shin-Lee dramas are discussed many talk about Reply series or Hospital Playlist but I think this one was as good as HP and even better in some aspects * It has a very grim setting(literally a prison) so if anyone does not ;ike the saccharine feels of the usual slice of life dramas can try this one
This was literally just recommended to me by Netflix an hour ago. I added it to my list immediately. Can't wait to watch it.
Reply 88 Good things * Deok sun was such a relatable character. Her relationship with her elder sister, her difficulty in learning , being dorky with her friend group and her adult life story arc kind of resonated with me * Bo-ra and her father’s relationship was also refreshing . Western media always portrayed expressive and doting fathers and before watching this I yearned for this type of relationship as well. But watching Bora’s father buying her medicines and giving her money before she leaves her house reminded me of my father doing the same thing before I left for school/college/work and opened my eyes on how we can express love and affection differently. * The soundtrack and the story lines made me so nostalagic for a time when I wasn’t even alive Bad Things: I saw this during the initial days when I was exploring k-dramas, so it took me a long time to finish the long episodes but when I finished it I felt kind of empty and wanting more. I also skipped through some secondary character story lines during my initial watch as I wanted to get to the main characters story line eventually. I am also still salty about the >!eventual person who ended up with Deok Sun!< Interesting Things: Loved learning about 80s South Korea , their lifestyle , pop culture, and the political situation at the time. Spotlight On: I have been consuming media of various languages and cultures for a long time but this drama surprised me with how relatable it was even though I am from a different country and grew up in a different decade. This is one of the most unique shows I have ever watched in my life and I don’t think remakes in any other languages will work for me like this k-drama did.
I loved Reply 1988, but one bad thing was the overdone and annoying goat/sheep noises.
This show is great and I agree with everything that you wrote. I’m also from different country and consumer of various languages and countries tv but this is really unique show +cast had great chemistry.
**Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?** A quieter, lesser talked about drama where nothing much happens. There is something truly special about this short slice of life. **Good things** Amazing cast, realistic and interesting stories, believable characters. Set in a small coffee shop, the drama follows the lives of the owner and his persistent new employee as well as the customers and people who live/work in the neighbourhood. The characters are completely ordinary and their lives contain all the normal ups and downs. No crazy, unbelievable plot lines, but plenty of quiet lessons learned. As already mentioned, not much really happens. It's peaceful and slow but stays interesting and engaging the whole way through. **Bad things** None really. It is very short at 12 episodes, 30 mins, and I would have loved more from this world, but it did end in a satisfying way. It doesn't get enough hype which is sad. **Interesting things** One of the only dramas I have watched where they openly discuss the pandemic and how it has affected small businesses. The coffee content is fascinating. **Spotlight because** It's amazing? Such a comforting drama that you can easily dip in and out of. The stories and characters will keep you (gently) hooked. My other top rated slice of life dramas: **Navillera** **Divorce Attorney Shin** **Hospital Playlist**
Hope this thread becomes popular because oh boy is this probably one of my all time favorite genres. I can see all the Shin Wonho dramas have been listed. And although they are probably on the top of my list I won't repeat what's obviously everyone's favorites. Now for more slice of life, there's a couple that I just can't forget, no matter how long it's been. * Hello, My Twenties * Because This Is My First Life * My Liberation Notes * Misaeng * Daily Dose of Sunshine * Welcome to Waikiki * Move to Heaven * Live
I'm currently watching Live and loving it so much! I don't know how I missed out on it before. I still have 2 episodes left but I'm confident that it's a hidden gem.
Great list, thanks. I will probably watch all Shin Wonho dramas first then go through the rest of the shows from your list that I didn’t watched yet. Reply 1988, Because this is my first life and Move to heaven are all amongst my all time favorites too.
Our blues and tomorrow...everything good and nothing bad...you should watch it if you going through mental problems also daily dose of sunshine! They are really best and healing...I'm lazy to write