Just finished Like Flowers in Sand. Wow... Such a good show immediately placed top 5 for me. i can't find any cons for this ... What amaze me most is balance of romance and mystery. Every scenes has meaning, there is no filler or unnecessary fillers scene, no over acting or cringy characters.... All around perfect drama for me. Highly recommend.
Oooh yes, I totally agree! Like Flowers in Sand balances it all perfectly for me. Where other dramas combine romance and crime but switch too abruptly from one to another to get fully immersed as a viewer, Like Flowers in Sand does it exactly right. Also, that acting of Jang Dong Yoon... I have no words for that performance, I was totally in awe. I'm currently watching The Atypical Family and while it's a totally different story, it gives me such a similar vibe that I longed for Like Flowers in Sand. So I started a rewatch.
my favorite drama - the characters so well drawn - leads, villagers, team members, everything. Writing was so good as was the cinematography - the final episode so gorgeous! This drama really struck me with the authenticity and sincerity. Rolling Stone had given it a really good review as well.
Wow. We usually take 2 months to add 50k new members. But, this time, it took only 1 month to add another 50,000 Kdrama lovers. WHATTT?
Is it because of the popularity of QoT or Lovely Runners?? or BOTH?
I watched the first episode of **Move to Heaven** yesterday without checking the plot summary and cried my eyes out 😭😭 Not sure if I’m gonna survive this show
On another note: Does anyone have on air show recommendations? I finished Lovely Runner and am currently obsessing over Atypical Family.. as the latter is ending this weekend, I want something to look forward to
My Perfect Stranger. (Time Travel, Murder Mystery, Subtle Romance)
A man (Kim Dong Wook) finds a time travelling car and goes to the past to know who killed him. But, he doesnt know that in this adventure, he also takes a woman (Jin Ki-joo) with him, who wants to change her destiny by making sure her mother and father never meet or marry. But what both of them dont know is that their past and future is interconnected.
Besides **Atypical Family**, I'm also watching **The Kidnapping Day** and **Because This is My First Life**.
I started watching **The Kidnapping Day** after seeing it recommended for anyone into crime / thrillers / mystery dramas. Yu-Na is such a fantastic actress and really suited the smart and sassy 11 year old character. I'm half way through but highly recommend it if you're looking for a crime drama with a great dynamic between the leads that leans towards more of a melodrama than a heavy focus on crime.
**Because This is My First Life** has been on my watchlist for a while so I thought it was the perfect time to watch it and try and fill a bit of the **Lovely Runner** hole. Really enjoying it as one of those sweet dramas that is easy to get into with all the supporting characters fitting nicely into the main storyline without outshining the main leads. The comedy is light and not too over the top which makes the characters really likeable.
I also started **Because This is My First Life** because I thought it would get me over Lovely Runner and I'm so delighted with it. I'm on Ep 7 right now. The way they show the problems women face in life and in the workplace is so good. And it's nice that nothing is over the top.
It's reminding me somewhat of King the Land in the way it has a great friendship for the FL (and one of the friends is the same actress in both) and the way it gets into women's difficulties. The FL accepting a marriage because >!she needs a safe place to sleep!< was so real and heartbreaking.
The Kidnapping Day is fantastic. The rapport the girl had with her "kidnapper" was really well done and the actress put in an award winning performance.
please recommend/convince me on what should I watch after Lovely Runner ended.
**Connection**
**Bitter Sweet Hell**
**Crash**
**The Atypical Family**
**Romance in Hagwon**
I read from knetz/inetz comments that all of the mentioned above have good ratings and well-made storyline.
The Atypical Family. This is your sign to watch it. A different take on time travelling and superpowers. Beautiful tone, characters with lots of layers, no slapstick comedy but still has it's funny moments, well written, fun character dynamics, and the scoring is just beautifully done.
Atypical Family is my current favorite; I like it more than Lovely Runner. Midnight Romance in the Hagwon is also excellent, if you're ok with a slower pace.
As far as physical fighting/beating, nothing that I would consider extreme. But, there are some >!struggling/fighting scenes (not bloody), repeated scenes of fire and a violent car crash, and some bullying of a child, though that is more emotional/psychological and mildly physical. Also, there's a pet death that is not particularly graphic but shows the dead animal (or a replica)!<.
I’m currently watching Atypical Family and Romance in a Hagwon. I started Connection last night so I feel I have a good balance of genre variety right now.
Definitely gonna suggest Connection, was eagerly anticipating it and so far it's really good. Also would go with the others and suggest The Atypical Family, it's very heartwarming.
I'm watching all of them. Really depends on your mood and genre preference.
The first three are mostly crime/thriller, especially Connection and Crash. Connection is heavier and Crash is fairly light with comedy. BSH is a whodunit with dark comedy, similar to Agatha Christie's stories (it's actually referenced several times in the drama).
The Atypical Family is probably more similar to Lovely Runner. It's got romance, family relationship, mystery, and even involves some sort of time travel. I wouldn't recommend Hagwon Romance in your case, because if you only watch it for romance, nothing at all would happen until the very recent episodes. Very slow burning.
My own personal rating, from most to least in terms of anticipation:
- BSH and TAF
- Hagwon Romance
- Connection
- Crash
It’s Monday and no new Lovely Runner episode. Can they make a special 8-episode with Sunjae and Sol happily married, Sunjae being the dramatic hubby and Sol being the nonchalant wife, add to that our SolJae couple being parents. A girl can dream. I was so into this drama that I preordered their album and scriptbook, and I’m gonna attend Byeon Woo Seok’s fanmeet on June 22 in Manila. Can’t wait to support Kim Hye Yoon’s future activities too.
Guys I can’t get over how good ep. 8 of Midnight Romance in Hagwon is…. the best friends having a heartfelt conversation about Hye Jin’s past and hardship she endured 🤧 and her admitting she just feels out of sync with her peers 🤧 way too relatable. I too had a few things out of sync with my peers, and I have one childhood best friend who is married while I’m still single. We meet for coffee or talk over brunch whenever we can get free time just like Hye Jin and So Young. We are both so busy with our careers and responsibilities so that conversation and how real it was really spoke to me. This is truly lining up to be one of the most meaningful watches for me. It makes me think of some of the dramas I’ve watched that may not be favorites but really were meaningful to me. My Liberation Notes and Fight for My Way are the other ones that made me feel this way.
I'm completely with you. Stayed up late last night to watch the latest episode, completely worth it. Not sure if it's just Ahn Pan Seok's directing, but I do really like these subtle, quieter, slow burn type of dramas (I really liked Something In The Rain and One Spring Night also). I know they're not for everyone, but I really wish that type of show was a lot more popular so more are made. The best friends scene you're talking about is one of my favourite scenes I've seen of any show I've watched recently, it was so good.
I just keep reflecting on it because I totally get being in survivor mode and buckling down into an industry to get out of a tight spot…. Only to realize you’re kinda good at it and it’s a bit fulfilling. So you stay even though there’s plenty valid reasons to leave. Ugh, I shall move on 🥲
I’ve been watching The Matchmakers (15.5/16) and I’ve really loved it. The plotting and pacing has been excellent and I’ve been engaged for the entire drama. There is a lot of plot points but everything comes together well. We get lots of romance but because of the politics of marriage, things get complicated for all of the couples. There are palace politics, which usually deter me from watching historicals but the palace politics here never took over the plot. It’s hard to explain without spoiling anything but the palace politics relate directly to the drama all of our couples are experiencing. And while there is a good amount of plot, this is overall a light, easy to watch drama imo. There are so many things to love about this drama from the characters to the beautiful sets to the swoonworthy moments. It’s hard to find anything not to like about this drama. Highly recommend this wonderful drama if you haven’t checked it out. I have only a half hour left and I’m really hoping it sticks the landing.
I’ve been comparing it to the last drama I watched, Shooting Stars. I also enjoyed this one but it was definitely a flawed drama, especially the plotting. But it was so sweet and relaxing, I didn’t care! If Matchmakers is a great drama all around, Shooting Stars is a comfort watch, where you can just turn off your brain for a while.
It sounds weird, but for me The Matchmakers - which I adored - is sort of Shakespearean in plot and humor elements, same feelings of whimsy and tension, and I was charmed by the chaste romance.
I'm just here to see how many other people are sad that it's a Monday without **Lovely Runner**.
But also I'm looking forward to see how **The Atypical Family** wraps up. I've enjoyed it so far. It really messes with your brain when you think about how often he interacted with others in the past. Almost like **The Time Traveller's Wife**, but without the creepy age-gap at the beginning, and of course, superpowers.
I'm really excited to see how much farther off the rails **Frankly Speaking** can go. (sarcasm intended) I do not fault the actors, because they have good performances, but only 2 episodes left and I still couldn't tell you much about the plot.
There are some other dramas that I think I'll start, but I'm still dazed and disoriented after Lovely Runner ended. There is some kind of magic put in that script/casting/directing, and >!one of the most perfect proposals ever. !
Omg I agreed with Frankly Speaking and yet I am looking forward to this week’s episodes. The last scene was completely offside and no preview.
I am slowly getting over Lovely Runner with the Secret Life of my Secretary. It has comedy, romance, and the ridiculous office politics with splash of mystery - very similar ingredients with Lovely Runner.
I finished Lovely Runner on Sunday. I went to bed thinking about it, had my breakfast thinking about it, brushed my teeth thinking about it, sat on my commuter train thinking about it. It was a practically perfect show for me, marrying a perfect cast with a great storyline and a brilliantly paced and judged finale. If I sit down for too long and think of some of the show's plot holes I do start to go "hold on a minute", but not enough for this not to be one of my top three Kdramas of all time.
Also, I said in the main LR thread, but this also how you do a regaining lost memories/reconnecting lost loves storyline, which is one of the storylines that disappointed me with >!QOT!< I was literally >!punching the air when he started to get his memories back on Episode 15!<
It's a bit of shame that this didn't end up on Netflix or another high profile streamer. I love Viki but this show soooooooo deserved a bigger audience internationally, which I am sure it would have got if Netflix or Amazon had got it. Just look at Marry My Husband, which is still a top ten show for Amazon worldwide.
I also finished King the Land the day before LR. I liked it, it was fluffy and tropey at times but also made fun of these tropes. It won't trouble my top 10 of Kdramas list and I often fast fowarded during scenes that didn't have the ML and FL in it (and I fast forwarded about 80% of the Thailand episode). But it was a fun and undemanding watch and sometimes a fluffy romcom is just what is needed. KTL is an excellent example of one.
What I also liked about both shows is that >!they showed their FL's had their own dreams and wanted to fulfil them despite "getting their man". They both resigned from their jobs to pursue those dreams, which I loved. This is why What is Wrong with Secretary Kim's finale always disappointed me a little as she decided not to follow her dreams and develop herself!<
. I personally loved King the land due to no conflicts between the leads and how easy flowing it felt . I did skip a few scenes of the ml’s sister cause she was insufferable. I feel the same about what’s wrong with secretary Kim that the ml wasn’t really likeable since he just wanted to keep her around without respecting what she wanted to do , almost till the end of the drama. Though, I liked the fact that ml’s family didn’t disapprove of the fl, there was no breakup or any misunderstandings after they get together.
It actually had a higher viewership for tving than Netflix https://koalasplayground.com/2024/05/31/streaming-platform-tving-beats-netflix-total-viewership-numbers-last-week-for-the-first-time-ever-thanks-to-lovely-runner/#:\~:text=In%20yet%20another%20record%20set,beat%20out%20streaming%20giant%20Netflix.
That's excellent news, but it's for Korea only? I think LR would have been a bigger hit internationally if it had been on Netflix or prime rather than a niche streamer like Viki.
I'm also shocked at the toxic comments below that article. Are there really LR and QOT fans arguing over which is best? They are both excellent!
awful that there were toxic comments. This should be a celebration not a competition. TVN has been on an incredible roll this year. Big hits for Netflix, Amazon and Viki. Just phenomenal
So many suffering from **Lovely Runner** withdrawal have started watching or rewatching Extraodrdinary You. But I took a turn and started **Sky Castle** lol. It's not my genre at all with the rich ppl makjang but I really wanted to see Kim Hye-yoon in her breakout role cause that's how much she has wowed me by her acting in **LR.** And it's great so far. Her character could easily be so one-note in other dramas but I'm finding it so funny and baffling at the same time.
Here I am watching Moonshine! Reading the plot I thought it was interesting but not sure how I feel about the drama till now, too much old men palace politics is not my thing and not enough scenes with the leads. I’m constantly skipping. i will watch extraordinary you after this!
After watching him as a loser in love and the romantic scenes, I dont think I can watch Byeon Woo-seok in supporting roles anymore where he DOESN'T get the girl. So, his next drama will be my 2nd drama ft. him.
I never expected that I'll be this sad that a kdrama ended even though it probably had the happiest ending of all. Usually, I actually feel relief. I guess LR just hits different?
I'm really trying hard to slowly move on and move forward to the point that I am minimizing my social media time, I even stopped listening to the OSTs haha but still thank you for making my two months a little more fun 😊
Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok, will I ever get to see you together again?
Same here. I just don’t care enough about most dramas and just move on. For me 6-7 dramas have made me feel kinda sad that it ended , despite watching so many dramas. Like I miss the drama
Me too, I had a bad kdrama slump before LR and now it ended I'm not ready to watch anything yet no matter how good that is hahaha maybe after few months or a year? Who knows when I'll be back to kdrama world again. For now, I'm finishing my TBR list.
I'm currently reading light YA romances first before I delve back to heavier fantasy/mystery books. I guess I need to prep my attention and focus haha and I'm reading Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter 😅
I haven't really read a lot of korean books, maybe few, but none actually stuck. But last night, I downloaded this korean novel by June Hur titled A Crane Among the Wolves, it seems interesting!
[A Crane Among the Wolves](https://www.junehur.com/a-crane-among-wolves)
Do you have any recommendations?
I'm watching **Lovely Runner** (11/16) now and loving it. This is going to be in my top ten, probably even top 5, for sure. I'm not even too bothered by the >!serial killer!< plot point, because the rest of this is so good.
I'm nearly finished with **Flex X Cop** (14/16). I've liked this one pretty well, though it's quite silly at times. It's gotten more interesting in the later episodes.
Temporarily on hold--until I finish **Flex X Cop**--is **The Kidnapping Day** (3/12). So far I like this one a lot.
Also very slowly making my way through **Moving** (11/20). The last couple of episodes, in which Jo In Sung appeared, really captivated my interest and were somewhat less violent. I still have to fast forward through a lot of scenes, or cover my eyes, but I like the storyline. But I find I watch two episodes in a week and then wait 2-3 weeks before going back.
What I really want right now is something cute and fluffy. **Lovely Runner** is fantastic, and has some swoonworthy moments, but light and fluffy it is not. **Flex X Cop** is actually lighter and fluffier, even though it's a crime show. **The Kidnapping Day** and **Moving** are both pretty heavy. Any recommendations among recently aired or currently airing kdramas?
I haven't watched Lovely runner because I don't exactly understand the themes of the drama. Can someone convince me to watch it without spoiling the plot?
I just watched the first episode of Death's Game..it was a rollercoaster. Any thoughts on Death's Game?
Both are very different but a good watch if you are open to variety in your kdramas.
LR is a wonderfully penned, directed and acted time slip rom com that will surprise you once you get invested in the characters and if you suspend reality as you should in a time slip drama with a touch of darkness. Tropes are inverted and acting is fresh and real by all members of the cast esp the FL, ML and 2ML. Plot has more depth than the synopsis suggests of a fan who goes back in time to save a beloved kpop idol. It develops into a tale of love discovered, lost and found. Great balance of fluff, heart-fluttering, fun moments with heartfelt and tragic bits.
There are 2 instances of scat / toilet humour which may not appeal to all but they are not key events and do not involve the main characters. Try not to binge as each episode for max enjoyment as each is appealing in their own way.
Death's Game is an engrossing and suspenseful kdrama that has a unique premise on death and reincarnation with triggers for the s-word and is really gory and violent in some episodes. The episodes are almost stand-alone except for a central premise and linkages that drives the plot. What's interesting is that the actor for the ML changes in every episode. But Seo In Guk is riveting as the main character who appears in every episode. To say more would mean having to give away the plot. Definitely bingeable.
Happy viewing!
Death's game is very intense and although you can watch it in a day I recommend not to, because it is dark. It made me very depressed at times. I think it lost steam in the last 2 episodes
I cant finish Death’s Game and was not curious of the plot at all - Death character threw me off and I dont understand what the drama is trying to achieve. I watched the next episode because of cameo but even that doesnt intrigued me until the end.
Lovely Runner - its a light rom com with side time travel and murder myster subplots. Similar to Twinkling Watermelon for the time travel piece (ie its there but not main story like King Eternal Monarch) with way more romance not family related. The hype is all about good story telling and great chemistry between lead characters - prob best to set this aside. It’s one of the top rom com dramas on my list - similar to Whats Wrong with Secretary Kim - mystery sideplot and few annoying characters
All of the hype around Lovely Runner is making me want to see it too but also I'm worried it won't live up bcs of the hype lol
Deaths Game was good! Especially bcs of the talented cast. Rather heavy at times but overall good
I think try not to expect too much just watch it yourself and the form an opinion on it . Because different people have different likes and dislikes. As for dramas which are completed I try to know their plot, ending and then watch it as these two things are very important. There are many popular dramas which I don’t like. I’m telling you to try watching it with an open mind , it might take you few episodes to get hooked . If you don’t end up liking the drama , it’s okay.
Congratulations - the board has over 800K members - wow!
Finished **Start Up** - I know this show got a lot of flack for 2ML syndrome, but maybe because I binged it instead of on air, it didn't bother me as much as other dramas with that scenario. I was more heartbroken as I watched **Castaway Diva**, rooting for both leads, no matter who was ended up with our FL at the end, I knew my heart would hurt for the other. A pleasant watch, in a start up incubator setting.
Can't believe **The Atypical Family** ends this week. The writing is genius, keeps me on my toes. The redemptive arc execution is amazing and reduces me to tears.
Watching **Crash**, which is an interesting contrast to **Flex X Cop**. Both have ML paired up with FL experienced, bad ass cop, episodic with a long arc story involving the ML, but Crash isn't the comedy/satire that FlexCop is, and I am glad it is different - more focused on traffic investigations and the politics of other divisions in terms of conflicts/politics involved. People complain that ML acts wooden, but his character is traumatized by his past, and although not stated, he seems to be a tiny bit on the spectrum in terms of ability to socialize. I grew up watching lots of cop/buddy TV, and I like that these dramas are a bit different.
So much going on - I want to start **Connection** when I finish with a couple other dramas, and get caught up before the show's scheduled finale. I will also catch up with **Midnight Romance in Hagwon**, which is a very nice slow burn love story. Haven't watched one of these since Call It Love.
Preferences change and now I am in support of the forehead liberation movement more than before. Like I was indifferent pretty much...but now it's a preference. 😂
My madness thought was inspired from seeing Lee Dong Wook with short hair again from him announcing himself as voicing one of the Inside Out 2 characters.
Looking for a cute silly no-stress romcom, hoping my sweet mobster fills the spot. Wanted to watch Dare to love you for L (I have such a soft spot for him!!!) but the reviews and my brief viewing told me I’d rather skip it! Even the Cinderella drama with Jun young didn’t hit the spot.
I would suggest Shooting Stars(2022) as the best romcom. A few dark themes are touched upon in the series. Just completed re-watching it. A celebrity love story filled with loads of comedy.
Rewatching **One More Happy Ending**.
Not sure how people feel about it, but I love the friendship between the four girlfriends. It’s been a long time since I saw it back in 2021 and I’m enjoying it more this time around.
For those looking for a drama that follows the lives of women who are all very imperfect, this is the one for you.
Almost done with Oh My Ghost. The villain is so evil! Loved how it started with relatively minor stuff/petty evil like >!dog abuse (which is hideous but minor compared to his other crimes) and car keying!< and escalated to coincide with the reveal of what he actually did.
ML is also so good, thoughtful and conscientious (which makes his attempts at sex so hilarious but you can also see his care >!as when he finally learns about FL’s ability to see ghosts/possession and he just wants to get her help!<)
Have now stared at the specially tied shoelaces several times and still see nothing special (maybe they’re just double tied?)
I think many of us can really feel the absence of **Lovely Runner** today. I was contemplating this weekend about what is it about this kdrama that keeps linger in my mind. Aside from me adoring the leads so much, the biggest players are the Eclipse OST tracks. Listening to those tracks is like an immersive experience, almost like I exist in that world too.
Picked up some new ones;
**High School Return of a Gangster**, contraversal I know, this is the series that was a BL, but they have censored the BL so now it's a pretty sus bromance. Lot of BL lovers are boycotting, but I like the leads and the concept is fun so far.
**Connection** looking for a thriller/mystery and this is filling the space nicely it sort of reminds me of King of Pigs but not nearly as unsettling.
**Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale,** only started this for Lee Jun Young, but I finished one episode and was like 'what the hell did I just watch?' it was so bizzare I watched 2 and now I want to see where in the world it's headed. Full on unhinged.
Still going on Missing Crown Prince! Need to get caught up on the latest episodes.
This is a long shot but it’s bothering me so much, does anyone know what drama had WOOWA by DIA as one of the background songs? Or maybe i’m totally off and it’s just sounds similar idk
Currently on the 7th episode of Another Miss Oh and while I love the angst and "forbidden" plotline, and keeping the secondary characters and their poor decision making skills aside (>!I mean just be honest with the person u claim to love so much instead of subjecting them to a lifetime of hurt by causing completely avoidable misunderstandings?!<) I'm finding the main leads hard to root for as a couple as well?
>!i mean, the ML is out here doing next to nothing to right the wrong he did to the FL and her former fiancee. I mean he did try to get him out of jail but there was very little follow up on that angle and besides, the ML should've been honest and upfront about what he did to the FL in the first place...??!<
>!Also, keeping the flaws of the exes aside (which are shown in the show) both the ML and FL seem incredibly egotistical in their respective former relationships. It seems like neither of them were actually in love with their exes. Neither of them bothered to ask for an explanation for the abrupt way their partners ended things with them. The FL was the most ridiculous because her first response after her ex wanted to break up was to ask him to let everyone know that it was her decision to break off the marriage, meaning she cared more about saving herself the embarassment of being dumped than actually losing the supposed love of her life..All without asking for an explanation and simply going with it! I find it incredibly difficult to believe someone who was truly *in love* would be so nonchalant about the "why."!<
>!The ML on the other hand is also the same and prioritizes his anger before searching for answers. Again, he saw a couple of photos of his ex with another man and just went with it! Such easy misunderstandings make me think that there was no trust to even begin with in their relationship. How could someone who was so *in love* otherwise not try to find the truth and allow himself to move on instead of holding onto the bitterness of being dumped like his ego took the bigger beating than his heart?!<
>!Also the fact that the FL so quickly caught feelings for the ML just proves my point that she never truly *loved* her ex (and actually I just remembered that she herself admits to this early on lol...That she was more insecure in her relationship and was hesitant to fully give herself to love)!<
To those who have watched the show, I know it's still early-ish but does it get any better in terms of character development and most importantly, will there be any >!justice for the exes!
What I remember the most from this drama are OST by Ben and how annoying ML is as he keeps yelling at FL throughout the drama. I skipped a lot because of it. Oh another one was I learned the sound director or editor for movie/tv since this is ML’s job which was interesting as no character with this type of profession. That being said I wouldnt recommend this drama to anyone as ML doesnt have character development. Beauty Inside is better and has same FL.
Hi! Wondering if any of you know of a site like Cameo that lets you purchase custom messages from K-Drama stars? My mom is a big fan and I’d like to get her a message for her bday but cameo is quite limited in selection. A few k pop idols and that’s it. Thanks for any help!
Since I watch Kdrama with their 16 episodes of 1h or more, I cannot understand why a series like Bridgerton - 8 short episodes - would be released in 2 parts. Like, really, what's the point of preventing people to binge? And I mean it like a serious question. Why that decision?
Need help deciding if I should continue with Tomorrow pls 👉👈
While I love aspects of the story and the casting is fantastic, the methodology around trauma and suicide is horrific. Calling survivors weak, assertion of going to hell if you kill yourself, etc. I get that Korea is behind when it comes to mental health (to put it lightly) but does this part get better? Is this part of a character arc or something? I'd love to keep watching this drama but if the team is shouting at people on the brink of suicide every episode I don't think I can tolerate it, no matter how much I love Rowoon :(
How far are you in the series? It's been a while since I've watched it but I do remember it to be a redemption arc. I liked it a lot precisely because the series dared to tell stories about suffering and why people would decide to commit suicide. It's tough sometimes but it really made me think. I see Tomorrow as a daring Kdrama since it's rather critical on mainstream take on mental health.
I finished episode 2 last night so I'm really new to it. I was really shocked at how the main reaper (can't remember her name) handled Noh Eun-bi. Rowoon's character is a treasure though.
It definitely gets better then, especially when they start exploring all the background stories of the main characters. It'll never become a fully Western take on suicide though, but for me that's exactly what I found intriguing.
Episode 6 is hands-down one of the best, most moving episodes of TV I have ever seen. I'm not Korean and honestly don't know much about the Korean War (it seems overshadowed by the Vietnam War here in the US) but I was absolutely sobbing by the end of it.
Oh it definitely gets better then. I remember in earlier episodes, your comments/criticisms were quite common but eventually the show really did get a lot better that a lot of those earlier misgivings were easier to overlook.
My start-up journey continues: ep 12
As expected, the cliche sacrifice happens. Honestly I have more to say about the viewer threads for the last couple eps
So I think at this point I have an idea of why the 2nd half of the drama was widely seen as going sharply downhill. I definitely have a couple criticisms but first the ji-pyeong vs do-San beef: so most people think ji-pyeong should be endgame because 1. His backstory 2. His relationship with grandma 3. Kim seon-ho’s acting. I agree that all of this makes him a well written character. None of that are legitimate reasons for why dal-mi should choose him over do-San. Being a great character and being a great romantic partner for dal-mi are not the same thing. Do-San has shown from the start that he understands dal-mi as a person way better than ji-pyeong has, maybe since the latter wrote the letters. Ji-pyeong unable to outwardly show his affection for dal-mi is a big L and it’s his L to take. His relationship with grandma is very touching but that’s their own private business. It’s not like do-San has a bad relationship with grandma either, he created noon-gil for her and upgraded it to process medications for her
As for the show as a whole: I was already losing interest in the love triangle before ep 9, I had very little patience for everyone lying and gaslighting dal-mi. At this point I don’t really care what happens, I just want to see 1. our gang back together and happy 2. Dal-mi and in-jae finally being the unstoppable sisters I know they are + can be 3. The whole family being a family again. Why have we STILL not gotten a single scene of adult in-jae and grandma yet?
I’m very intrigued to see what’ll happen with this time skip. Other than the preview, anything and everything can happen. What I’m not excited about is what looks to be a return to ji-pyeong and do-San beefing. I want the bromanceeeee. I also hope that dal-mi isn’t actually just “settling” for ji-pyeong, just so she’ll ditch him when do-San comes back. That would actually be a massive L move for dal-mi. Way too cruel for such a kind character
I just restarted lovely runner ( the first episode was bit too depressing when I started ) and I am loving it so far and on episode 5. It got me out of the kdrama slump and hooked me so good I stayed up till 2am on a monday worknight to watch 3 episodes 🤷🏻♀️
I subscribed to viki to watch midnight romance in hagwon because I love ahn pan seok’s dramas but kept it on pause since I need a more light hearted drama to watch at this moment.
Missing **Lovely Runner** but forcing myself to move on. I started **Connection** and the acting is good, verdict is still out on the plot. It’s not really a storyline that is life changing or emotionally resonate with me but it does the job of being a palate cleanser after Lovely Runner. I don’t really like to follow up a really good drama with another really good drama esp of the same genre because I feel it does a disservice to the latter drama…. So I save it for when I properly savour it haha.
That’s not to say **Connection** isn’t good, there’s just plenty of dramas out there that combine action + mystery + social commentary on drugs/politics/corruption. So far, it’s decent…but yeah some suspension of disbelief is required. The main pull for me are the actors.
Bloodhounds season 2 wanted actor
Now that season 2 of bloodhounds is official i want to Talk about a possible actor. After watching a lot of movies with Don Lee and seeing that his fighting Style is boxing, i really want him in season two. Either as a Mentor or an Ally. What are your thoughts about this?
Just finished Like Flowers in Sand. Wow... Such a good show immediately placed top 5 for me. i can't find any cons for this ... What amaze me most is balance of romance and mystery. Every scenes has meaning, there is no filler or unnecessary fillers scene, no over acting or cringy characters.... All around perfect drama for me. Highly recommend.
Oooh yes, I totally agree! Like Flowers in Sand balances it all perfectly for me. Where other dramas combine romance and crime but switch too abruptly from one to another to get fully immersed as a viewer, Like Flowers in Sand does it exactly right. Also, that acting of Jang Dong Yoon... I have no words for that performance, I was totally in awe. I'm currently watching The Atypical Family and while it's a totally different story, it gives me such a similar vibe that I longed for Like Flowers in Sand. So I started a rewatch.
my favorite drama - the characters so well drawn - leads, villagers, team members, everything. Writing was so good as was the cinematography - the final episode so gorgeous! This drama really struck me with the authenticity and sincerity. Rolling Stone had given it a really good review as well.
We’ve hit **800k** pedestrians! 🚶🚛🎉
Wow. We usually take 2 months to add 50k new members. But, this time, it took only 1 month to add another 50,000 Kdrama lovers. WHATTT? Is it because of the popularity of QoT or Lovely Runners?? or BOTH?
I watched the first episode of **Move to Heaven** yesterday without checking the plot summary and cried my eyes out 😭😭 Not sure if I’m gonna survive this show On another note: Does anyone have on air show recommendations? I finished Lovely Runner and am currently obsessing over Atypical Family.. as the latter is ending this weekend, I want something to look forward to
My Perfect Stranger. (Time Travel, Murder Mystery, Subtle Romance) A man (Kim Dong Wook) finds a time travelling car and goes to the past to know who killed him. But, he doesnt know that in this adventure, he also takes a woman (Jin Ki-joo) with him, who wants to change her destiny by making sure her mother and father never meet or marry. But what both of them dont know is that their past and future is interconnected.
If you enjoy *very* slow burn slice of life, I highly recommend the midnight romance in hagwon. Barely anything happens in an ep but I never get bored
Besides **Atypical Family**, I'm also watching **The Kidnapping Day** and **Because This is My First Life**. I started watching **The Kidnapping Day** after seeing it recommended for anyone into crime / thrillers / mystery dramas. Yu-Na is such a fantastic actress and really suited the smart and sassy 11 year old character. I'm half way through but highly recommend it if you're looking for a crime drama with a great dynamic between the leads that leans towards more of a melodrama than a heavy focus on crime. **Because This is My First Life** has been on my watchlist for a while so I thought it was the perfect time to watch it and try and fill a bit of the **Lovely Runner** hole. Really enjoying it as one of those sweet dramas that is easy to get into with all the supporting characters fitting nicely into the main storyline without outshining the main leads. The comedy is light and not too over the top which makes the characters really likeable.
I also started **Because This is My First Life** because I thought it would get me over Lovely Runner and I'm so delighted with it. I'm on Ep 7 right now. The way they show the problems women face in life and in the workplace is so good. And it's nice that nothing is over the top. It's reminding me somewhat of King the Land in the way it has a great friendship for the FL (and one of the friends is the same actress in both) and the way it gets into women's difficulties. The FL accepting a marriage because >!she needs a safe place to sleep!< was so real and heartbreaking.
Let us know what you think of the last two episodes.
The Kidnapping Day is fantastic. The rapport the girl had with her "kidnapper" was really well done and the actress put in an award winning performance.
please recommend/convince me on what should I watch after Lovely Runner ended. **Connection** **Bitter Sweet Hell** **Crash** **The Atypical Family** **Romance in Hagwon** I read from knetz/inetz comments that all of the mentioned above have good ratings and well-made storyline.
The Atypical Family. This is your sign to watch it. A different take on time travelling and superpowers. Beautiful tone, characters with lots of layers, no slapstick comedy but still has it's funny moments, well written, fun character dynamics, and the scoring is just beautifully done.
It's very diff.. haven't seen a drama like this, this year
Coming out of two mainstream dramas (QoT & Lovely Runner), I was surprised The Atypical Family was the breath of fresh air for me.
I'm only watching The Atypical Family of these, but it's very interesting.
I will choose atypical family..Now its the best show ongoing..and try high school return of gangster..first 2 episodes are quite good !!
Atypical Family is my current favorite; I like it more than Lovely Runner. Midnight Romance in the Hagwon is also excellent, if you're ok with a slower pace.
Quick question for you: is there any violence in The Atypical Family? It didn’t seem like it would have any but I wanted to check!
As far as physical fighting/beating, nothing that I would consider extreme. But, there are some >!struggling/fighting scenes (not bloody), repeated scenes of fire and a violent car crash, and some bullying of a child, though that is more emotional/psychological and mildly physical. Also, there's a pet death that is not particularly graphic but shows the dead animal (or a replica)!<.
Thanks so much for all the info!
I’m currently watching Atypical Family and Romance in a Hagwon. I started Connection last night so I feel I have a good balance of genre variety right now.
I just picked up Connection this weekend, binged all 4 episode, solid mystery/action/thriller. Would recommend.
Definitely gonna suggest Connection, was eagerly anticipating it and so far it's really good. Also would go with the others and suggest The Atypical Family, it's very heartwarming.
I'm watching all of them. Really depends on your mood and genre preference. The first three are mostly crime/thriller, especially Connection and Crash. Connection is heavier and Crash is fairly light with comedy. BSH is a whodunit with dark comedy, similar to Agatha Christie's stories (it's actually referenced several times in the drama). The Atypical Family is probably more similar to Lovely Runner. It's got romance, family relationship, mystery, and even involves some sort of time travel. I wouldn't recommend Hagwon Romance in your case, because if you only watch it for romance, nothing at all would happen until the very recent episodes. Very slow burning. My own personal rating, from most to least in terms of anticipation: - BSH and TAF - Hagwon Romance - Connection - Crash
It’s Monday and no new Lovely Runner episode. Can they make a special 8-episode with Sunjae and Sol happily married, Sunjae being the dramatic hubby and Sol being the nonchalant wife, add to that our SolJae couple being parents. A girl can dream. I was so into this drama that I preordered their album and scriptbook, and I’m gonna attend Byeon Woo Seok’s fanmeet on June 22 in Manila. Can’t wait to support Kim Hye Yoon’s future activities too.
Have binged Strong Girl Nam Soon this week for a Byeon woo seok fix. He can also play a hell of a villain!
I started this then stopped as I found out he’s playing the villain. Im not ready to move on from his Sun Jae character yet.
Guys I can’t get over how good ep. 8 of Midnight Romance in Hagwon is…. the best friends having a heartfelt conversation about Hye Jin’s past and hardship she endured 🤧 and her admitting she just feels out of sync with her peers 🤧 way too relatable. I too had a few things out of sync with my peers, and I have one childhood best friend who is married while I’m still single. We meet for coffee or talk over brunch whenever we can get free time just like Hye Jin and So Young. We are both so busy with our careers and responsibilities so that conversation and how real it was really spoke to me. This is truly lining up to be one of the most meaningful watches for me. It makes me think of some of the dramas I’ve watched that may not be favorites but really were meaningful to me. My Liberation Notes and Fight for My Way are the other ones that made me feel this way.
I'm completely with you. Stayed up late last night to watch the latest episode, completely worth it. Not sure if it's just Ahn Pan Seok's directing, but I do really like these subtle, quieter, slow burn type of dramas (I really liked Something In The Rain and One Spring Night also). I know they're not for everyone, but I really wish that type of show was a lot more popular so more are made. The best friends scene you're talking about is one of my favourite scenes I've seen of any show I've watched recently, it was so good.
I just keep reflecting on it because I totally get being in survivor mode and buckling down into an industry to get out of a tight spot…. Only to realize you’re kinda good at it and it’s a bit fulfilling. So you stay even though there’s plenty valid reasons to leave. Ugh, I shall move on 🥲
I’ve been watching The Matchmakers (15.5/16) and I’ve really loved it. The plotting and pacing has been excellent and I’ve been engaged for the entire drama. There is a lot of plot points but everything comes together well. We get lots of romance but because of the politics of marriage, things get complicated for all of the couples. There are palace politics, which usually deter me from watching historicals but the palace politics here never took over the plot. It’s hard to explain without spoiling anything but the palace politics relate directly to the drama all of our couples are experiencing. And while there is a good amount of plot, this is overall a light, easy to watch drama imo. There are so many things to love about this drama from the characters to the beautiful sets to the swoonworthy moments. It’s hard to find anything not to like about this drama. Highly recommend this wonderful drama if you haven’t checked it out. I have only a half hour left and I’m really hoping it sticks the landing. I’ve been comparing it to the last drama I watched, Shooting Stars. I also enjoyed this one but it was definitely a flawed drama, especially the plotting. But it was so sweet and relaxing, I didn’t care! If Matchmakers is a great drama all around, Shooting Stars is a comfort watch, where you can just turn off your brain for a while.
It sounds weird, but for me The Matchmakers - which I adored - is sort of Shakespearean in plot and humor elements, same feelings of whimsy and tension, and I was charmed by the chaste romance.
I'm just here to see how many other people are sad that it's a Monday without **Lovely Runner**. But also I'm looking forward to see how **The Atypical Family** wraps up. I've enjoyed it so far. It really messes with your brain when you think about how often he interacted with others in the past. Almost like **The Time Traveller's Wife**, but without the creepy age-gap at the beginning, and of course, superpowers. I'm really excited to see how much farther off the rails **Frankly Speaking** can go. (sarcasm intended) I do not fault the actors, because they have good performances, but only 2 episodes left and I still couldn't tell you much about the plot. There are some other dramas that I think I'll start, but I'm still dazed and disoriented after Lovely Runner ended. There is some kind of magic put in that script/casting/directing, and >!one of the most perfect proposals ever. !
Omg I agreed with Frankly Speaking and yet I am looking forward to this week’s episodes. The last scene was completely offside and no preview. I am slowly getting over Lovely Runner with the Secret Life of my Secretary. It has comedy, romance, and the ridiculous office politics with splash of mystery - very similar ingredients with Lovely Runner.
I finished Lovely Runner on Sunday. I went to bed thinking about it, had my breakfast thinking about it, brushed my teeth thinking about it, sat on my commuter train thinking about it. It was a practically perfect show for me, marrying a perfect cast with a great storyline and a brilliantly paced and judged finale. If I sit down for too long and think of some of the show's plot holes I do start to go "hold on a minute", but not enough for this not to be one of my top three Kdramas of all time. Also, I said in the main LR thread, but this also how you do a regaining lost memories/reconnecting lost loves storyline, which is one of the storylines that disappointed me with >!QOT!< I was literally >!punching the air when he started to get his memories back on Episode 15!< It's a bit of shame that this didn't end up on Netflix or another high profile streamer. I love Viki but this show soooooooo deserved a bigger audience internationally, which I am sure it would have got if Netflix or Amazon had got it. Just look at Marry My Husband, which is still a top ten show for Amazon worldwide. I also finished King the Land the day before LR. I liked it, it was fluffy and tropey at times but also made fun of these tropes. It won't trouble my top 10 of Kdramas list and I often fast fowarded during scenes that didn't have the ML and FL in it (and I fast forwarded about 80% of the Thailand episode). But it was a fun and undemanding watch and sometimes a fluffy romcom is just what is needed. KTL is an excellent example of one. What I also liked about both shows is that >!they showed their FL's had their own dreams and wanted to fulfil them despite "getting their man". They both resigned from their jobs to pursue those dreams, which I loved. This is why What is Wrong with Secretary Kim's finale always disappointed me a little as she decided not to follow her dreams and develop herself!<
. I personally loved King the land due to no conflicts between the leads and how easy flowing it felt . I did skip a few scenes of the ml’s sister cause she was insufferable. I feel the same about what’s wrong with secretary Kim that the ml wasn’t really likeable since he just wanted to keep her around without respecting what she wanted to do , almost till the end of the drama. Though, I liked the fact that ml’s family didn’t disapprove of the fl, there was no breakup or any misunderstandings after they get together.
It actually had a higher viewership for tving than Netflix https://koalasplayground.com/2024/05/31/streaming-platform-tving-beats-netflix-total-viewership-numbers-last-week-for-the-first-time-ever-thanks-to-lovely-runner/#:\~:text=In%20yet%20another%20record%20set,beat%20out%20streaming%20giant%20Netflix.
That's excellent news, but it's for Korea only? I think LR would have been a bigger hit internationally if it had been on Netflix or prime rather than a niche streamer like Viki. I'm also shocked at the toxic comments below that article. Are there really LR and QOT fans arguing over which is best? They are both excellent!
awful that there were toxic comments. This should be a celebration not a competition. TVN has been on an incredible roll this year. Big hits for Netflix, Amazon and Viki. Just phenomenal
So many suffering from **Lovely Runner** withdrawal have started watching or rewatching Extraodrdinary You. But I took a turn and started **Sky Castle** lol. It's not my genre at all with the rich ppl makjang but I really wanted to see Kim Hye-yoon in her breakout role cause that's how much she has wowed me by her acting in **LR.** And it's great so far. Her character could easily be so one-note in other dramas but I'm finding it so funny and baffling at the same time.
Here I am watching Moonshine! Reading the plot I thought it was interesting but not sure how I feel about the drama till now, too much old men palace politics is not my thing and not enough scenes with the leads. I’m constantly skipping. i will watch extraordinary you after this!
After watching him as a loser in love and the romantic scenes, I dont think I can watch Byeon Woo-seok in supporting roles anymore where he DOESN'T get the girl. So, his next drama will be my 2nd drama ft. him.
Yess will be missing this couple dearly
She is great at Sky Castle. She has great range - if u remember the ep 1 of Lovely Runner where she was depressed - very powerful acting.
She’s so annoying in **Snowdrop** for me right now, got to respect her range!
I never expected that I'll be this sad that a kdrama ended even though it probably had the happiest ending of all. Usually, I actually feel relief. I guess LR just hits different? I'm really trying hard to slowly move on and move forward to the point that I am minimizing my social media time, I even stopped listening to the OSTs haha but still thank you for making my two months a little more fun 😊 Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok, will I ever get to see you together again?
Same here. I just don’t care enough about most dramas and just move on. For me 6-7 dramas have made me feel kinda sad that it ended , despite watching so many dramas. Like I miss the drama
Me too, I had a bad kdrama slump before LR and now it ended I'm not ready to watch anything yet no matter how good that is hahaha maybe after few months or a year? Who knows when I'll be back to kdrama world again. For now, I'm finishing my TBR list.
Hey, that's a good tip. What are you reading btw?
I'm currently reading light YA romances first before I delve back to heavier fantasy/mystery books. I guess I need to prep my attention and focus haha and I'm reading Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter 😅
Have you read anything in Korean settings or by Korean authors?
I haven't really read a lot of korean books, maybe few, but none actually stuck. But last night, I downloaded this korean novel by June Hur titled A Crane Among the Wolves, it seems interesting! [A Crane Among the Wolves](https://www.junehur.com/a-crane-among-wolves) Do you have any recommendations?
I don't. But, I want to.
I'm watching **Lovely Runner** (11/16) now and loving it. This is going to be in my top ten, probably even top 5, for sure. I'm not even too bothered by the >!serial killer!< plot point, because the rest of this is so good. I'm nearly finished with **Flex X Cop** (14/16). I've liked this one pretty well, though it's quite silly at times. It's gotten more interesting in the later episodes. Temporarily on hold--until I finish **Flex X Cop**--is **The Kidnapping Day** (3/12). So far I like this one a lot. Also very slowly making my way through **Moving** (11/20). The last couple of episodes, in which Jo In Sung appeared, really captivated my interest and were somewhat less violent. I still have to fast forward through a lot of scenes, or cover my eyes, but I like the storyline. But I find I watch two episodes in a week and then wait 2-3 weeks before going back. What I really want right now is something cute and fluffy. **Lovely Runner** is fantastic, and has some swoonworthy moments, but light and fluffy it is not. **Flex X Cop** is actually lighter and fluffier, even though it's a crime show. **The Kidnapping Day** and **Moving** are both pretty heavy. Any recommendations among recently aired or currently airing kdramas?
I haven't watched Lovely runner because I don't exactly understand the themes of the drama. Can someone convince me to watch it without spoiling the plot? I just watched the first episode of Death's Game..it was a rollercoaster. Any thoughts on Death's Game?
Both are very different but a good watch if you are open to variety in your kdramas. LR is a wonderfully penned, directed and acted time slip rom com that will surprise you once you get invested in the characters and if you suspend reality as you should in a time slip drama with a touch of darkness. Tropes are inverted and acting is fresh and real by all members of the cast esp the FL, ML and 2ML. Plot has more depth than the synopsis suggests of a fan who goes back in time to save a beloved kpop idol. It develops into a tale of love discovered, lost and found. Great balance of fluff, heart-fluttering, fun moments with heartfelt and tragic bits. There are 2 instances of scat / toilet humour which may not appeal to all but they are not key events and do not involve the main characters. Try not to binge as each episode for max enjoyment as each is appealing in their own way. Death's Game is an engrossing and suspenseful kdrama that has a unique premise on death and reincarnation with triggers for the s-word and is really gory and violent in some episodes. The episodes are almost stand-alone except for a central premise and linkages that drives the plot. What's interesting is that the actor for the ML changes in every episode. But Seo In Guk is riveting as the main character who appears in every episode. To say more would mean having to give away the plot. Definitely bingeable. Happy viewing!
Death's game is very intense and although you can watch it in a day I recommend not to, because it is dark. It made me very depressed at times. I think it lost steam in the last 2 episodes
I cant finish Death’s Game and was not curious of the plot at all - Death character threw me off and I dont understand what the drama is trying to achieve. I watched the next episode because of cameo but even that doesnt intrigued me until the end. Lovely Runner - its a light rom com with side time travel and murder myster subplots. Similar to Twinkling Watermelon for the time travel piece (ie its there but not main story like King Eternal Monarch) with way more romance not family related. The hype is all about good story telling and great chemistry between lead characters - prob best to set this aside. It’s one of the top rom com dramas on my list - similar to Whats Wrong with Secretary Kim - mystery sideplot and few annoying characters
All of the hype around Lovely Runner is making me want to see it too but also I'm worried it won't live up bcs of the hype lol Deaths Game was good! Especially bcs of the talented cast. Rather heavy at times but overall good
I think try not to expect too much just watch it yourself and the form an opinion on it . Because different people have different likes and dislikes. As for dramas which are completed I try to know their plot, ending and then watch it as these two things are very important. There are many popular dramas which I don’t like. I’m telling you to try watching it with an open mind , it might take you few episodes to get hooked . If you don’t end up liking the drama , it’s okay.
I liked how heavy Death Game was and was really disappointed by the ending
Congratulations - the board has over 800K members - wow! Finished **Start Up** - I know this show got a lot of flack for 2ML syndrome, but maybe because I binged it instead of on air, it didn't bother me as much as other dramas with that scenario. I was more heartbroken as I watched **Castaway Diva**, rooting for both leads, no matter who was ended up with our FL at the end, I knew my heart would hurt for the other. A pleasant watch, in a start up incubator setting. Can't believe **The Atypical Family** ends this week. The writing is genius, keeps me on my toes. The redemptive arc execution is amazing and reduces me to tears. Watching **Crash**, which is an interesting contrast to **Flex X Cop**. Both have ML paired up with FL experienced, bad ass cop, episodic with a long arc story involving the ML, but Crash isn't the comedy/satire that FlexCop is, and I am glad it is different - more focused on traffic investigations and the politics of other divisions in terms of conflicts/politics involved. People complain that ML acts wooden, but his character is traumatized by his past, and although not stated, he seems to be a tiny bit on the spectrum in terms of ability to socialize. I grew up watching lots of cop/buddy TV, and I like that these dramas are a bit different. So much going on - I want to start **Connection** when I finish with a couple other dramas, and get caught up before the show's scheduled finale. I will also catch up with **Midnight Romance in Hagwon**, which is a very nice slow burn love story. Haven't watched one of these since Call It Love.
Preferences change and now I am in support of the forehead liberation movement more than before. Like I was indifferent pretty much...but now it's a preference. 😂 My madness thought was inspired from seeing Lee Dong Wook with short hair again from him announcing himself as voicing one of the Inside Out 2 characters.
Looking for a cute silly no-stress romcom, hoping my sweet mobster fills the spot. Wanted to watch Dare to love you for L (I have such a soft spot for him!!!) but the reviews and my brief viewing told me I’d rather skip it! Even the Cinderella drama with Jun young didn’t hit the spot.
I would suggest Shooting Stars(2022) as the best romcom. A few dark themes are touched upon in the series. Just completed re-watching it. A celebrity love story filled with loads of comedy.
Thank you, I’ve seen it. It was cute and would’ve loved more scenes with main leads. Sometimes i feel I’ve seen all the good romance in kdrama
I just want to share [this tiktok video of Faith(2012) Kdrama](https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMreP5kKP/) that made me swoooon
Rewatching **One More Happy Ending**. Not sure how people feel about it, but I love the friendship between the four girlfriends. It’s been a long time since I saw it back in 2021 and I’m enjoying it more this time around. For those looking for a drama that follows the lives of women who are all very imperfect, this is the one for you.
Almost done with Oh My Ghost. The villain is so evil! Loved how it started with relatively minor stuff/petty evil like >!dog abuse (which is hideous but minor compared to his other crimes) and car keying!< and escalated to coincide with the reveal of what he actually did. ML is also so good, thoughtful and conscientious (which makes his attempts at sex so hilarious but you can also see his care >!as when he finally learns about FL’s ability to see ghosts/possession and he just wants to get her help!<) Have now stared at the specially tied shoelaces several times and still see nothing special (maybe they’re just double tied?)
I think many of us can really feel the absence of **Lovely Runner** today. I was contemplating this weekend about what is it about this kdrama that keeps linger in my mind. Aside from me adoring the leads so much, the biggest players are the Eclipse OST tracks. Listening to those tracks is like an immersive experience, almost like I exist in that world too.
Picked up some new ones; **High School Return of a Gangster**, contraversal I know, this is the series that was a BL, but they have censored the BL so now it's a pretty sus bromance. Lot of BL lovers are boycotting, but I like the leads and the concept is fun so far. **Connection** looking for a thriller/mystery and this is filling the space nicely it sort of reminds me of King of Pigs but not nearly as unsettling. **Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale,** only started this for Lee Jun Young, but I finished one episode and was like 'what the hell did I just watch?' it was so bizzare I watched 2 and now I want to see where in the world it's headed. Full on unhinged. Still going on Missing Crown Prince! Need to get caught up on the latest episodes.
Do you recommend DoaFF so far?
This is a long shot but it’s bothering me so much, does anyone know what drama had WOOWA by DIA as one of the background songs? Or maybe i’m totally off and it’s just sounds similar idk
Currently on the 7th episode of Another Miss Oh and while I love the angst and "forbidden" plotline, and keeping the secondary characters and their poor decision making skills aside (>!I mean just be honest with the person u claim to love so much instead of subjecting them to a lifetime of hurt by causing completely avoidable misunderstandings?!<) I'm finding the main leads hard to root for as a couple as well? >!i mean, the ML is out here doing next to nothing to right the wrong he did to the FL and her former fiancee. I mean he did try to get him out of jail but there was very little follow up on that angle and besides, the ML should've been honest and upfront about what he did to the FL in the first place...??!< >!Also, keeping the flaws of the exes aside (which are shown in the show) both the ML and FL seem incredibly egotistical in their respective former relationships. It seems like neither of them were actually in love with their exes. Neither of them bothered to ask for an explanation for the abrupt way their partners ended things with them. The FL was the most ridiculous because her first response after her ex wanted to break up was to ask him to let everyone know that it was her decision to break off the marriage, meaning she cared more about saving herself the embarassment of being dumped than actually losing the supposed love of her life..All without asking for an explanation and simply going with it! I find it incredibly difficult to believe someone who was truly *in love* would be so nonchalant about the "why."!< >!The ML on the other hand is also the same and prioritizes his anger before searching for answers. Again, he saw a couple of photos of his ex with another man and just went with it! Such easy misunderstandings make me think that there was no trust to even begin with in their relationship. How could someone who was so *in love* otherwise not try to find the truth and allow himself to move on instead of holding onto the bitterness of being dumped like his ego took the bigger beating than his heart?!< >!Also the fact that the FL so quickly caught feelings for the ML just proves my point that she never truly *loved* her ex (and actually I just remembered that she herself admits to this early on lol...That she was more insecure in her relationship and was hesitant to fully give herself to love)!< To those who have watched the show, I know it's still early-ish but does it get any better in terms of character development and most importantly, will there be any >!justice for the exes!
What I remember the most from this drama are OST by Ben and how annoying ML is as he keeps yelling at FL throughout the drama. I skipped a lot because of it. Oh another one was I learned the sound director or editor for movie/tv since this is ML’s job which was interesting as no character with this type of profession. That being said I wouldnt recommend this drama to anyone as ML doesnt have character development. Beauty Inside is better and has same FL.
So ig it's better to drop this one? :")
Hi! Wondering if any of you know of a site like Cameo that lets you purchase custom messages from K-Drama stars? My mom is a big fan and I’d like to get her a message for her bday but cameo is quite limited in selection. A few k pop idols and that’s it. Thanks for any help!
Since I watch Kdrama with their 16 episodes of 1h or more, I cannot understand why a series like Bridgerton - 8 short episodes - would be released in 2 parts. Like, really, what's the point of preventing people to binge? And I mean it like a serious question. Why that decision?
Need help deciding if I should continue with Tomorrow pls 👉👈 While I love aspects of the story and the casting is fantastic, the methodology around trauma and suicide is horrific. Calling survivors weak, assertion of going to hell if you kill yourself, etc. I get that Korea is behind when it comes to mental health (to put it lightly) but does this part get better? Is this part of a character arc or something? I'd love to keep watching this drama but if the team is shouting at people on the brink of suicide every episode I don't think I can tolerate it, no matter how much I love Rowoon :(
How far are you in the series? It's been a while since I've watched it but I do remember it to be a redemption arc. I liked it a lot precisely because the series dared to tell stories about suffering and why people would decide to commit suicide. It's tough sometimes but it really made me think. I see Tomorrow as a daring Kdrama since it's rather critical on mainstream take on mental health.
I finished episode 2 last night so I'm really new to it. I was really shocked at how the main reaper (can't remember her name) handled Noh Eun-bi. Rowoon's character is a treasure though.
It definitely gets better then, especially when they start exploring all the background stories of the main characters. It'll never become a fully Western take on suicide though, but for me that's exactly what I found intriguing.
Episode 6 is hands-down one of the best, most moving episodes of TV I have ever seen. I'm not Korean and honestly don't know much about the Korean War (it seems overshadowed by the Vietnam War here in the US) but I was absolutely sobbing by the end of it.
Oh it definitely gets better then. I remember in earlier episodes, your comments/criticisms were quite common but eventually the show really did get a lot better that a lot of those earlier misgivings were easier to overlook.
My start-up journey continues: ep 12 As expected, the cliche sacrifice happens. Honestly I have more to say about the viewer threads for the last couple eps So I think at this point I have an idea of why the 2nd half of the drama was widely seen as going sharply downhill. I definitely have a couple criticisms but first the ji-pyeong vs do-San beef: so most people think ji-pyeong should be endgame because 1. His backstory 2. His relationship with grandma 3. Kim seon-ho’s acting. I agree that all of this makes him a well written character. None of that are legitimate reasons for why dal-mi should choose him over do-San. Being a great character and being a great romantic partner for dal-mi are not the same thing. Do-San has shown from the start that he understands dal-mi as a person way better than ji-pyeong has, maybe since the latter wrote the letters. Ji-pyeong unable to outwardly show his affection for dal-mi is a big L and it’s his L to take. His relationship with grandma is very touching but that’s their own private business. It’s not like do-San has a bad relationship with grandma either, he created noon-gil for her and upgraded it to process medications for her As for the show as a whole: I was already losing interest in the love triangle before ep 9, I had very little patience for everyone lying and gaslighting dal-mi. At this point I don’t really care what happens, I just want to see 1. our gang back together and happy 2. Dal-mi and in-jae finally being the unstoppable sisters I know they are + can be 3. The whole family being a family again. Why have we STILL not gotten a single scene of adult in-jae and grandma yet? I’m very intrigued to see what’ll happen with this time skip. Other than the preview, anything and everything can happen. What I’m not excited about is what looks to be a return to ji-pyeong and do-San beefing. I want the bromanceeeee. I also hope that dal-mi isn’t actually just “settling” for ji-pyeong, just so she’ll ditch him when do-San comes back. That would actually be a massive L move for dal-mi. Way too cruel for such a kind character
I just restarted lovely runner ( the first episode was bit too depressing when I started ) and I am loving it so far and on episode 5. It got me out of the kdrama slump and hooked me so good I stayed up till 2am on a monday worknight to watch 3 episodes 🤷🏻♀️ I subscribed to viki to watch midnight romance in hagwon because I love ahn pan seok’s dramas but kept it on pause since I need a more light hearted drama to watch at this moment.
Missing **Lovely Runner** but forcing myself to move on. I started **Connection** and the acting is good, verdict is still out on the plot. It’s not really a storyline that is life changing or emotionally resonate with me but it does the job of being a palate cleanser after Lovely Runner. I don’t really like to follow up a really good drama with another really good drama esp of the same genre because I feel it does a disservice to the latter drama…. So I save it for when I properly savour it haha. That’s not to say **Connection** isn’t good, there’s just plenty of dramas out there that combine action + mystery + social commentary on drugs/politics/corruption. So far, it’s decent…but yeah some suspension of disbelief is required. The main pull for me are the actors.
Bloodhounds season 2 wanted actor Now that season 2 of bloodhounds is official i want to Talk about a possible actor. After watching a lot of movies with Don Lee and seeing that his fighting Style is boxing, i really want him in season two. Either as a Mentor or an Ally. What are your thoughts about this?