K-Drama recommendations

[boatyardblues]

A K-drama thread was suggested on the Netflix subtitled gems thread so we can discuss in more depth without swamping the other thread. There are a lot of Korean films & boxsets on Netflix and I’m discovering the quality is variable, so I thought this would be a goid place to swap recommendations (and ‘avoids’). So far, I have hugely enjoyed:

• Something in the Rain
• Mr Sunshine (new episodes still dropping weekly)
• Live

Would also love to hear how closely these dramas represent real life in Korea from anyone who has lived there. Its fascinating learning about another culture.

Have you watched Ms Ma Nemisis (that’s the name on Rakuten Viki). It’s based on Agatha Christies Miss Marple stories. I’m liking it so far.

Thanks for the tip Xherries101 I have added it to my list!

Sorry typing on phone Cherries101

Sorry boatyRdblues I wasn’t clear Rak pasta chef is brother to CEOs mum so his uncle... I think... I’m rewatching from the start

Yes, Uncle. Just got to OMG chef’s 2nd misfortune & Na-Ri’s gossipy co-anchor flapping his gums around the station. Forced myself to step away, although I see I’m still up far too late.

It’s just so addictive, I find it difficult to stop watching even though I’ve seen it before!
I’m picking up on a lot more character development second time around though, and hints that he wasn’t that averse really to Na-Ri’s crush. The alternate title of Jealousy Incarnate makes more sense. OMG chef makes a cameo appearance in Legend of the Blue Sea where he references jealousy incarnate as a means of waking someone up to how much they like that person without realising it.

He has a wonderful way of looking wounded through his eyes. I did like the scene where she sees him with his glasses on and tells him never to wear them in front of other women. He started in musical theatre, there’s a fab scene at the end that I had to rewatch several times.

I noticed he pirouettes rather well. I like that he plays arrogant arsehole and wounded bird equally convincingly. It’s mesmerising. I feel his CEO BFF is rather one dimensional, but this is often the case - wealth is a sufficient draw, no personality needed.

Thank you also Cherry for the recommendation.

Betty - was it the hospital dance routine with the surgeon and nurse at the end of the special broadcast episode? Or is there more to come?

Ummm it is a dance routine but it's in the last episode, episode 24. I dunno why but I was well-impressed with his moves

That was great! I am now a huge Jo Jung-Suk fan and I thought he and Gong Hyo-Jin were terrific in that. Thank God I’ve finished it though - it was terribly addictive. I might have to go back and watch the mudfight now, which was hilarious. I loved her reaction when they asked her their burning question and she just shouted at them for knocking her bucket of octopuses over, shouting “that’s not important right now!”

Oh me too! That last episode is just great, it's nice to have a series that doesn't dip in the middle or disappoint at the end. Jo Jung-Sun and Gong Heo-Jin had a lovely chemistry throughout, quite steamy by kdrama standards! The octopus scene is great too!

She is very good in The Master's Sun too which is on Viki, and Jo Jung-Suk is good in Two Cops (but he's about the only good thing in that)

That has reminded me, I need to google now to find out if octopi really burrow into mud. I always had them pegged as rocky underhang skulkers

Who knew? Mudflat Octopus Festival in Korea

Well I never!

It was filmed on Daecheon Beach koreandramaland.com/listings/daecheon-beach/

OK, what next? I started Stranger a while ago, so could go back and finish it. I so enjoyed Dare to Dream, it needs be well scripted and acted. I don’t want shiny shite with wooden Kpop artists in the lead roles.

I thought Stranger was excellent, very well acted, a straight drama.
Suspicious Partner is a fun legal/mystery rom com that’s very enjoyable.
Healer is a fun thriller with journalism/mystery. Both have Ji Chang Wook in who is highly watchable and are well done in different ways.

Stranger was excellent, what I’ve seen so far. However the day I’ve had, I’m leaning towards escapist trash.

Healer!!! It's really rather good.

I am recapping my favourite bits of Don't Dare to Dream" and have just started Shopping King Louie^ on Viki

I watched the first 2 episodes of Suspicious Partner, which was surprisingly enjoyable and romped along nicely. I am assuming the defence lawyer with the IQ of 143 is the one who did the dirty with the prosecutor’s ex and was also his BFF.

Only comment: spring (scenic fluttery blossom) seems to last months in S Korea, unless the woman was on remand for a whole year.

Yep, you're right!
Thoroughly enjoyed Suspicious Partner myself, the female lead in it is also the lead in Shopping King Louie which is an engaging romp.

Call me shallow, but I’m rather fond of Ji Chang Wook in Suspicious Partner.

Well you'll have to call me shallow too....

(and then go watch him in Healer)

Healer is on the list for half term.