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.

Oooh Christmas kdrama what's not to like??

Re: BTS they bring out the New Romantic art student in me.....but I also very much like the metrosexual tailored lean look. However I wonder what happens to them when they hit 40. Does it all go to pot or do they remain coiffed? Although Song Seung Heon is going strong at 42

One of my favourite BTS songs. Quite different from their usual stuff.

Bettys!... Yes! They are surprisingly arty farty!...was watching one of their short films and it's all very pretentious and arty in the nicest way!

We Must be similar age!... Ahhh! The day's of Simon le bon... His eyeliner and crimped long floppy Fringe!.... Now I understand why I find bts soooo compelling! 😩🤔😭😂

I’m letting Sassy Go Go wash over me in a Friday-night-fuck-it way. There’s not enough to hold my attention for the long haul, but its nice enough. The thing that’s surprised me, given that it’s teen rated, is the overt suicide attempt scene and how casually/routinely that its been treated and the way it seems to be normalised as something that kids in a high pressure academy do . It’s really startling. Also, I feel so sorry for the kids - the parental expectation is off the chart.

A friend of a friend once snogged Simon le Bon when they were both at Birmingham University (irrelevant info). I was more of a Phil Oakey Human League girl, I guess I've always liked a bit of guyliner and a sharp suit

Got bored of Sassy. I can recommend the workout scene about 15 min into the first episode.

..of Oh My Venus.

Interesting, I was going to check Sassy Go Go out for light relief as I think from an excellent start Cheese in The Trap is going to slump for the next couple of episodes. There's also a lot of parental expectation in this but geared to the male ie the daughter is expected to give up college so the son can study abroad.
It deals a lot with stalkers and popularity at college and the ML (Park Hae-Jin) has a very dark side so it's been a bit different from the usual fare.

Oh My Venus isn't on a par with His Master's Sun even though it is Se0 Ji-Sub. I skippetydoodahed through a fair bit of it.

I haven't got the emotional mental wherewithal to cope with another series... I need to sleep and function in the day... Can't get drawn in!

So just rewatching healer... Sec Kim... Bong soon... Suspicious Partner... She was pretty...

I wish the PSJ dramas were on netflix (altho I have subbed to viki now!)... I loved she was pretty and fight for my way...

OK everyone, top 5 faves for the header on the next fred. Mine are:

Live
Prison Playbook
Don’t Dare to Dream
Black
His Master’s Sun

Ooooo! That's too hard! I love them all for so many reasons!!

Strong Girl Bong Soon (netflix) ... Because it's just soooo proper bonkers... And has got the most endearing charming love story! (and my first kdrama,)

What's Wrong With Secretary kim (Viki)... It's got the lot... Narcisstic boss... Rich vs poor...traumatic past... Great office staff and support... Sweet growing love! ❤️

She Was Pretty (dramabus)... It's a pretty shallow premise.. you'd think she'd have to change to her pretty self before he notices her... But he already notices her before she's pretty and at the end she goes back to her scruffy self and he still loves her... And her gives her the room to find her own path... And he moves back for her... All whilst trying to keep the fashion mag afloat! Again great supporting cast (I loved her family!)

Healer (netflix)... A great thriller /drama full of mystery and intrigue with lovely flashbacks... And some great fighting and action (loved her dad and extended family)

Fight For My Way . (dramabus) the loveliest characters... All having their story told... Dongman is the most loveliest and funniest of characters.. All deserving their happy ending...

And... Special mention for
Suspicious Partner (netflix) ... Ji Chang Wook and those law office meetings!... Where it always dissolved into nonsense! But great mystery and funny romance and again lovely funny supporting characters!

And that concludes my vote... But also... Hwarang (netflix) ludicrous! But strangely compelling and a great ost! The last scene is one of my faves for warm and fuzzies! 😍

Top 5 (In no particular order)

Black (Netflix)
Fight For My Way (Drama bus)
What’s Up With Secretary Kim (Viki)
I Hear Your Voice (Netflix /Viki)
Don’t Dare To Dream (Netflix / Viki)

However if I had to choose 5 that no one had so far mentioned it’d be:

I Hear Your Voice (Netflix /Viki)
While You Were Sleeping (Viki)
Because This Is My First Life (Viki)
Scarlet Heart Ryeo (can’t remember)
Kill Me Heal Me (can’t remember)

The ones I found very hard to leave out of the top 5 were Prison Playbook, She Was Pretty, The Beauty Inside and Stranger.

Oh damn didn’t put in Healer or Suspicious Partner gah just can’t fit them all in!
Also Chicago Typewriter....

Bettys!! How could you leave out JCW?? 😳😳😳😳

Oh Em Gee!! DS2 just came to tell me (spontaneously) that kpop is really good. His close female friend (yr 6) has been bigging it up so he’s been on YouTube this morning doing research. He is also open to watching rom coms with me sometimes. I think I might be able to turn another family member.

👏👏👏 mwah ha ha we will convert them all.....

.... And so it starts!!.....

Viki has a special offer at the moment of $29.99 annual / $2.50 per month which is cheaper than my current standard plan, quite a good stocking filler

I have finished Cheese In The Trap (Viki) which would have had MN waving red flags like bunting. The first half was really absorbing, especially as the ML has a somewhat warped character. However in the last third they changed the script from the original webtoon to feature the SL more (which caused a lot of flack at the time) and lost a lot of the characterisation as a result. Definitely in my favourites list though, and has completely changed my view of Park Hae-Jin who somehow made a sociopath attractive.

I'm flipping through Sassy Go-Go in slightly horror-struck glee while scoffing mince pies. Awww Jisoo ...

Have decided to limit Christmas viewing to on-air & short series in the hope that family & guests get fed.

Hymn of Death (Netflix, 3 episodes only)
Memories of Alhambra (Netflix)
My Strange Hero (Viki - ML is the guy from I'm not a Robot )

Famous last words...

Started weightlifting fairy on viki... Seems good but also good in a way where I won't completely sign my life to it (I'm looking at you Healer! And anything with PSJ!)... I need to function like a human being!!

Hymn of death (netflix) looks gorgeous... But am afraid it won't be fun!!... You know me!!... I need the fluff!!!

Phew, it's going to be a close shave at 997 posts. Here is the new thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/streamed_tv/3452242-KDrama-Addicts-Anonymous-thread-2