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.

👍

In passing, I wanted to note how gentle and respectful Je-Hee’s (sister) boyfriend is, asking if he can kiss her etc.It makes a great change from the unconsented grabby behaviour of so many “romantic” male leads.

Done! Very satisfactory, and now on my favourites list, I am so glad you prompted me to watch it boatyardblues!
I would have cried at one bit but I was eating crumpets.
I’m guessing the Looney storyline had to have the ending it did as a cautionary tale.

I have 30 min left but have to go out now. I laughed my head off at the locker room scene where Paeng reaches into his pocket and brings something special out for BFF guard.

PS don’t spoil me for later bits - Justice Minister just turned up for photo opp.

I wondered if what went down had been Looney’s plan all along - if he deliberately asked his boyf to meet him at the restaurant for that reason.

Yes the burgeoning understanding & respect is lovely.
I did like the way women were respected in this, as you mentioned upthread it’s quite a different slant.

Looks like another one for my list!... Going to finish Hwarang... Then start She Was Pretty... Finish Dr Romantic.... Maybe give Prison Playbook a look..?... Lots more... I've heard you two mention Black?... One about a robot?... There's just too many! Help! Where will I find the time??!.... 😭

Also... Waiting for The Divine Fury!... Which sounds very exciting...!! And keeping my eye out for whatever Park Hyung Sik is upto next! 😍😍😍😍

Bea I'm also waiting for The Divine Fury!! Impatiently!!
And Hymn of Death (Lee Jong Suk not PSJ) which has just aired but not available on Netflix until December the buggers!

A selection from my Favourites list: (in order I viewed not favourite)
Stranger
Black
Healer
Suspicious Partner
The K2
Oh My Ghost
Jealousy Incarnate/DDTD
While You Were Sleeping
W: Two Worlds
Chicago Typewriter
What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?
I'm Not a Robot
I Hear your Voice
Pinocchio
Shopping King Louis
Because This is my First Life
She was Pretty
Fight My way
The Beauty Inside
Prison Playbook

I don’t think that was Looney’s plan, I think he was set up & he couldn’t say no when it was in front of him

All done. Brilliant stuff. I liked his farewell with Crony.

Jumping in to ask suggestions for your top 3 favourite k dramas which are available on Netflix Uk please!! I have seen DDTD, Oh My Ghost and Hello My Twenties.

In Netflix, in addition to your list: Prison Playbook, Black, Live. All brilliant, but Live and Prison Playbook for the warm heartedness, grounded relationships, exploration of human themes and the quality of the writing. Really, really good.

OK, what next? Still not sorted out viki, so it’ll need to be Netflix suggestions.

itsmehere1 what kind of thing are you after?

My 3 fave romcoms on Netflix UK that you haven't mentioned are:
Suspicious Partner (legal/thriller)
I Hear Your Voice (boy reads minds/legal/thriller)
Healer (spy/fun /Ji Chang Wook!!)

YY Prison Playbook deeply satisfying!

I loved Crony's turnaround, in fact all the character arcs were well done and even Captain Na's flashbacks were good. Would have liked more of what happened next to the ones that left the prison before but that's just greedy. I adored the scene where they stalk across the ground to sort out Crony's former boss and Gunner Hang had his shirt off & walked backwards to show off his tattoo. So pleased for Captain Woo :-)

boatyardblues I wish they had ratings on Netflix like they do on Viki, it gives you a head start.

On my list are to see are:
Misaeng
Life (started but didn't finish)
Korean Odyssey - for another attempt
Secret Garden - have watched bits
Distorted

I thought Captain Na’s flashbacks were hilarious, particularly how his best friend had the measure of him.

Loved Paeng being lauded by his daughter’s class. All the way through it, people write Je-hyeon off as not very bright but it turns out that he’s actually very astute at working out what other people need and playing the prison gangsters at their own game.

itsmehere1... Others may disagree... But I love strong girl bong soon! for fluff v... It's absolutely bonkers!... But... I love it for the wittyness... Banter and giddy joy of love... Try and ignore the ridiculous gangsters and revel in the bonkersness of it all! Park Hyung Sik CEO Ahn Myn-Huk is ❤️❤️❤️... Though boatyardblues and bettys prefer policeman Guk Doo! 😂

Thought I wouldn't get on with it... But! I'm absolutely loving Hwarang at moment!... Again its all slightly ludicrous!... With all the beautiful young men and everything but it has drawn me in! Again! Park Hyung Sik... Plus bonus of lovely Park Seo Joon...

Speaking of Park seo Joon... Not on netflix... But what's wrong with secretary kim ... Rec by Bettys is lovely and thoroughly enjoyable...

And.... for my way again with Park seo Joon is endearingly lovely! (another rec by bettys)

Basically I love anything with PHS and PSJ! 😍😂....

and I've really liked ww.dramabus.com/drama/suits/episode-1/SUITS again with PHS for a taste of real drama... No crazy romances or bonkersness... Straightforward legal drama... (Korean version of US Suits)

Enjoy!

Oops.. Obviously I meant Fight For My Way... I really should preview!... Right on with ep 16 of Hwarang!... bettys... I'm enjoying it much much more than I thought it would! 😘😊❤️😍

Yes I fell for Hwarang in the end! I even liked PSJ with long hair

I am trying 10 mins of each series - currently on Ms Hammurabi on Netflix - according to the boatyardblues method of seeing if it hooks me in

Tried and tested, honest. I do come back to series that look good but don’t grab me at that moment. Half the time its about matching the series to your current mood. I will now do the same.

Testing In Need of Love 3 - female lead from Beating Again (plus, she’s good) and 2nd male lead from Discovery of Love (the plastic surgeon boyfriend, so-so). It’s witty and a bit more adult, but the jury’s out.

There’s an older woman/toy boy aspect.

This has the breath forming vapour thing going on indoors and looks like one of the domestic murder scenes in Suspicious Partner. I can only conclude its a set in a freezing warehouse, not someone’s living room.