MsLatte’s Daebak Cybercafé (Kdrama addicts #15): Tiring of your usual telly during lockdown? Want to be transported somewhere else? Try our escapist boxset recommendations

[boatyardblues]

A quiet corner of MN for serious addicts of Kdrama, or the K-curious. (MsLatte is a Her Private Life reference.) Most of our viewing is drawn from Netflix and Viki, with a sprinkling of Dramabus (non subscription, maybe dodgy) and AmazonPrime. 

We also dip into Japanese, Taiwanese & Chinese drama as & when. The previous thread is here but our ‘Addicts Recommend’ list below is cumulative so includes recommendations and favourites from all previous threads.


Shows marked with an asterisk are more uniformly loved or admired. In categorising series, its important to note most Korean dramas have multiple strands - e.g. supernatural, romance and a thriller; crime series with fantasy elements. Genre-busting mash-ups are normal. Series that are tagged as dark may also have moments of comedy or the absurd, likewise fluff can have heavier moments. View the categories below as best approximate & ask if you need guidance, eg about suitability for younger teens.

Comedy (with a side order of absurd)

I picked up a celebrity on the street (Viki)
My Fellow Citizens (Viki)
The Fiery Priest (Netflix)

Crime/Thriller

Come and Hug Me (Dramafast)
Graceful Family (Viki)
Healer (Netflix)*
Heartless City (Viki)
He is Psychometric (Viki)
I Hear Your Voice (Netflix /Viki)

Life on Mars (classy remake of BBC series, Dramafast)
My Secret Terrius (Netflix)*
Signal (Netflix)*
Suspicious Partner (Netflix)*
The Lies Within (Netflix)*
Tunnel (Netflix)*

Historical/Period drama (“sageuk”)
100 Days My Prince (Viki)
Crowned Clown (Viki)*
Mr Sunshine (Netflix)
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung (Netflix)
Tale of Nokdu (Viki)*

Romance - lighter & fluffier
Beating Again (Netflix)
Coffee Prince (Netflix)
Don’t Dare to Dream (Netflix, or as Jealousy Incarnate on Viki)*
Gogh, The Starry Night (Viki)

Happy Once Again (Netflix)
Her Private Life (Viki)*

His Master’s Sun (Netflix)

Love from a Star (Netflix)*
Pinocchio (Netflix)
Radio Romance (Netflix)

Romance is the Bonus Book (Netflix)*

She Was Pretty (Dramabus/Netflix)*
The Beauty Inside (Viki/Netflix)
The Secret Life of My Secretary (Viki/Netflix)
Thirty Not Seventeen (Viki) or as Still 17 (Netflix)
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (Netflix/Viki)
What’s Up With Secretary Kim (Viki)*
Where Stars Land (Viki)*
You are my Destiny (Netflix)


Romance - heavier weight/more grown up themes

Another Miss Oh (Netflix)*
Because This Is My First Life (Viki/Netflix)*

Chicago Typewriter (Viki/Netflix)*
Crash Landing on You (Netflix)**
Descendants of the Sun (Viki/Netflix)
Doctors (Netflix)
Fight For My Way (Viki/Drama bus)*
Go Back Couple (Viki)
I’ll Go To You When The Weather is Nice (Viki)

Just Between Lovers (Viki)*
Melo is my Nature (Viki)/Be Melodramatic (Dramafast)
My Strange Hero (Viki)
One Spring Night (Netflix)
Red Carpet - film (Netflix, very adult content)
Romantic Dr Kim - seasons 1&2 (Viki)
Search: WWW (Viki)*

Something in the Rain (Netflix)
The Package (Viki)



Straighter ‘Slice of Life’ dramas on universal themes
Hospital Playlist (Netflix)
Itaewon Class (Netflix)
Live (Netflix)
My Mister (Viki)**
Prison Playbook (Netflix)*

Stove League (Viki)

Supernatural/zombies/vampires/fantasy/sci-fi - lighter & fluffier

Extraordinary You (Netflix)
Goblin (Viki)*

I am not a Robot (Netflix)
Legend of the Blue Sea (Viki/Netflix)
My Holo Love (Netflix)*
Orange Marmalade (Netflix)

While You Were Sleeping (Viki)*



Supernatural/zombies/vampires/fantasy/sci-fi - darker/more grown up themes

Black (Netflix)*
Hotel del Luna (Viki)*
Kingdom (Netflix)*

The Guest (Dramafast)
Train to Busan - film (Amazon Prime)

W: Two Worlds (Viki & Netflix)*



Guilty Pleasures (for the joy, not the quality)
Bride of Habaek (Netflix)
Hwarang (Viki/Netflix)
The Last Empress (Viki/Netflix)
Sassy Go Go (Netflix)



Mad as a box of frogs/uncategorisable

Strong Girl Bong Soon (Netflix)

Not Korean but just try it
Regulars occasionally branch out into Japanese, Taiwanese and Chinese drama. The Chinese & Taiwanese stuff is much more variable quality-wise, so we’ve noted anything decent here:

Before We Get Married (Viki - Taiwanese)
Go Go Squid (Viki - Chinese)
Instead of Tipsy Why Not Get Drunk (Viki, Chinese)
Love O2O (Viki - Chinese)
Morning Call (Netflix - Japanese)
Put Your Head on My Shoulder (Netflix - Chinese)
Tientsin Mystic (Netflix, Chinese)

Thread Regulars’ Top 5 Dramas of 2019
(courtesy of Hello’s kdrama spreadsheet, scores range from +10 if very good to -10 for truly awful)

1. Her Private Life - 9.40 (5 votes)
2. Melo is My Nature - 9.00 (5 votes)

3.= Crash Landing On You, The Crowned Clown, The Lies Within, and The Tale of Nokdu - 8.75 (4 votes)

1. Hotel del Luna - 8.50 (4 votes)

5.= Romance is a Bonus Book, and Search: WWW - 8.17 (6 votes)

We are generally fans of all things Korean, so equally happy to talk about Korean cookery, language, film and music when the mood takes us. Quite a few of us are learning Korean, Japanese and/or Mandarin (some more diligently than others admittedly), so we swap tips and links to language resources. Basically, anything topical goes.


We have a few frequently used acronyms:
FL/2FL = female lead/2nd female lead
ML/2ML = male lead/2nd male lead
SLS = Second Lead Syndrome (where the FL/ML is too dense to realise the 2ML/2FL is better)
🥾🍑 (boot, peach) = kick up the arse to go to bed



We also abbreviate titles if they’re long, but usually with an obvious abbreviation. Some favourite actors & actresses have been abbreviated for speed/efficiency, eg Park Min Young (PMY), Kim Jae Wook (KJW). Don’t be afraid to ask for help/clues if we’re not making sense or have descended into acronym soup.



If you want to join us down the kdrama rabbit hole, welcome! Pull up a chair, say goodbye to early nights and get stuck in…

Go me! I’ve added my first entry to (the bottom of) the 2020 tab. Just watched Are You in Love (film) with Sung Hoon on Viki. And here is my note: Rather slight but sweet love story with classic tsundere ML.

👏👏excellent, the more notes the better!

I’ve started Oh My Baby and it shows promise

However I’m tempted by The Untamed with ML from Gank Your Heart but honestly I don’t know if I can do another marathon Cdrama

I’ve started Oh My Baby and it shows promise

Glad you think so too Betty. I like the ML’s vibe and he’s good with Jang Nara.

Is it the same house as in Tunnel?

Which one? The one in Oh My Baby? I wondered the same thing.

If you start The Untamed Bettys let us know... I might watch with you... Full of beautiful male leads and supposed to be 👍👍👍👍... But I've said it before... I get sooo confused! 😂

.... hello has said she says they assume you know back story... And even me trying to read the back story gets me flummoxed! I don't think my lockdown addled brain can take it! 😭

Yes the one in Oh My Baby, if I remember I will take a look later.
I’ll let you know Bea if I start Untamed, I have a few onairs to catch up on too

I finished IGTYWWIN and it's one of my favourites of the year so far, probably because it matches my mood at moment. I really enjoyed the slow, unfolding story. I found it heart warming and heart wrenching in places, especially towards the ML. SKJ played the role so well, it was all in the 'eyes'. I loved the relationships and community spirit of the towns people.
I then went on to the Memoirist which was an assault to the senses after Weather| . Only a few episodes in, but liking it so far, and keen to know what's going on.
I am keen to watch Mystic Pop Up Bar, as the story line looks good, but I dislike Hwang Jung Eum acting so much. She completely spoiled She was Pretty, and don't get me started on Secret Love - horrendous, I still get annoyed with myself for watching it
Does anyone else avoid dramas because of certain actors?

I dislike Hwang Jung Eum acting so much. She completely spoiled She was Pretty,

fifi I completely agree, she's the main reason I am not keen to start Mystic.

Also won't watch anything with Han Ji Min in (had to grit my teeth & endure when watching Familiar Wife for the sake of Jisung)

I used to say the same of Lee Min Ho but he has grown on me with King

bettys there's 2 versions of The Untamed. (I could wax lyrical about this show so prepare yourself) There's a 50 episode version with a lot of intertwining stories that requires you to know a few important bits and pieces (it does tell you at the very beginning but its not really clear until the end) so it requires a bit of persevering. They later released a 20 episode condensed version focusing on the main storyline specifically for international viewers that made the whole story easier to understand.

While it's not explicitly shown to have a romantic relationship between the two male leads they were told to act as if it were. In the book it's based on, they also end up romantically involved. We can assume it's because of Chinese censorship that they've played heavy into the bromance aspect instead. This means there's so much softness intertwined with this really interesting evil plot that leaves you constantly second guessing who you trust.

The costuming is insanely intricate and brilliant. The cinematography is breathtaking. The soundtrack is so delicate and adds to every scene without overstating its place. It is just beautiful to watch. It places a lot of emphasis on 'found family' and I think that's a really important theme. I also blubbed a few times. It's a 🐝 friendly ending but there's a few heartbreaking moments.

Also there's a really cute dog called fairy. What's not to love?

boatyard I do have a backup of the spreadsheet. It's like a second child to me. I wouldn't want to lose it 😂

Right so the 50 episode version is on both Netflix and Viki, I can't find the 20 episode version. This could potentially be my Bank Holiday Binge

Speaking of Bromance/BL there's a new BL drama starting on Viki soon, Where Your Eyes Linger
Also Gogh, The Starry Night is returning to Viki

I do have a backup of the spreadsheet. It's like a second child to me. I wouldn't want to lose it 😂

Thank goodness hello !! I use it more than my own personal list now. I wonder if word of its marvels will spread and lurkers will delurk to gain access to it?

bettys ill have to see where I watched the shorter version, as it is definitely a good binge if you can get into it.

The spreadsheet is replacing MyDramaList for me because I trust the reviews of random strangers here more than random strangers there.

The 20 episode version of The Untamed has been released by WeTV on their YouTube channel. Here's the link to the first episode;

Thanks hello!! I might try the first episode of each & see how I get on! I don’t know the common ground stories so I plump for the most easily accessible I guess

I think they're pretty much shot for shot the same until about episode 4 or 5. A lot of the first few episodes is world building. I think the shorter version is wonderful, and well worth watching. The longer version is great to watch is you care about the side stories that you see hints of in the shorter version.

It just goes to show that a lot of Chinese dramas could really easily be slimmed down though.

from what i've watched I do love the Bromance of it all..and teh 2ML are sooooo beautiful and lovely to watch... thus why i'm eager to watch it but keep getting flummoxed... thanks for the 20 ep link! that might pull me in ....

i actually think i have watched so many eps / clips and skipped here and there ... it's actually my own fault i keep getting confused!!!!!

What is the general consensus on Legend of the Blue Sea?
I have tried a couple of episodes previously but couldn't really get into it, which disappointed me as I really wanted to like it. It has all the elements that I normally quite enjoy in a show.
Should I persevere by dipping in and out of?
hello, you do a really good job of selling C-drama to me - I still haven't plucked up courage to watch any yet, but may start with something from list above.
bettys Vikii is teasing me with some of the dramas that are coming soon. I am still emailing them daily with requests for other dramas to be accessible in our region - Find me in your Memory and Eccentric Chef Moon, to name a couple.
I'm waiting on an email from Viki reporting me for my best Kdrama stalking behaviour

I'm waiting on an email from Viki reporting me for my best Kdrama stalking behaviour

I should do more of that, there are lots of dramas that sound good but I can't be arsed with wading through dodgy ads to find them. Films too.

I enjoyed Legends of the Blue Sea, but I've just checked and I gave it a 5, so maybe I was in a not liking LMH mood. I remember being quite surprised at some very obvious tongue action in one kiss scene and was impressed the FL didn't recoil. I like the mermaid theme though, and the side characters.

Loving the slightly incompetent gangsters in Lawless Lawyer 😂 There's a new BL Jdrama dropping on Viki soon, Life ~Love on the Line. Got a translation request.

I like Cdramas but they're so long at times. Taiwanese dramas also tend to be 20 plus episodes but they are far easier to dip in and out of because the storylines aren't too complicated. I'd be a disaster in the fantasy type Cdramas since I trip over air and regularly miss my mouth 😂😂 those drapey sleeves would have to be either not white or foldable😁 It's like the time I wore the full formal kimono just to please my granny. It was hot, restrictive and I couldn't take the dainty steps needed to keep it in shape. She laughed that hard that she was in tears.

I always think I'd end up accidentally putting my sleeves in the food. Who needs that much draping fabric?! I suppose you could hide things in them though? Surprise sleeve snacks!

I sageuks they are always pulling things out of their sleeves

quite surprised at some very obvious tongue action in one kiss scene
Is there a rating system for best kisses and kisser
PSJ would definitely be one of my favourite kissers. I don't think that I have seen him do a bad kissing scene yet. He always seems natural and his FL always appear to be fully involved and at ease.
The two kissing scenes which spring to mind are - GHJ and JJS in Jealousy Incarnate - when they are in the hospital changing room. Also, EM and SHJ, Another Miss Oh, when they are outside in the street against the wall
Although I am now thinking of lots more