MsLattés Daebak Cybercafé (Kdrama addicts #19): Our noona days may be behind us but the ajummas of darkness will unleash their inner Gangnam leopards as the festive season approaches

[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 AmazonPrime. There are also platforms streaming content illegally if you go looking, but we don’t promote them as they are peppered with pop-ups of “Olga” and friends offering a good time, which gets in the way of the drama.

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/Netflix)
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, no major site yet)
My Secret Terrius (Netflix)*
Signal (Netflix)*
Stranger - 2 seasons (Netflix)
Suspicious Partner (Netflix)*
The Lies Within (Netflix)*
Tunnel (Netflix)*

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

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 (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/Netflix)*
Go Back Couple (Viki)
I’ll Go To You When The Weather is Nice (Viki)
It’s OK Not To Be OK (Netflix)

Just Between Lovers (Viki)*
Melo is my Nature (Viki)/Be Melodramatic (other sites)
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 Handmaid (film, Netflix - content warning: explicit sexual content)
The Package (Viki)



Straighter ‘Slice of Life’ dramas on universal themes
Hospital Playlist (Netflix)
Into The Ring (Viki)
Itaewon Class (Netflix)
Live (Netflix)
Misaeng (Netflix)
My Mister (Viki/Netflix)*
My Unfamiliar Family (Viki)*
Prison Playbook (Netflix)*

Once Again (Viki)
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)
Kiss Goblin (Viki, webdrama)
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/Netflix)*
King: The Eternal Monarch (Netflix)
Kingdom (Netflix)*

Mystic Pop-up Bar (Netflix)
The Guest (Netflix)
Train to Busan - film (Amazon Prime)

W: Two Worlds (Viki & Netflix)*
Zombie Detective (Viki)


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



Mad as a box of frogs/uncategorisable

Strong Girl Bong Soon (Netflix)
School Nurse Files (Netflix)

Not Korean but decent quality
Regulars also 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)
Find Yourself (Netflix - Chinese)
Go Go Squid (Viki - Chinese)
Instead of Tipsy Why Not Get Drunk (Viki - Chinese)
Lost Romance (Viki - Taiwanese)
Love O2O (Viki - Chinese)
Morning Call (Netflix - Japanese)
Put Your Head on My Shoulder (Netflix - Chinese)
The Romance of Tiger & Rose (Viki, Chinese)
Tientsin Mystic (Netflix, Chinese)

Thread Regulars’ Top Scoring Dramas of 2019
(courtesy of Hello’s kdrama spreadsheet, which are updated by/for thread regulars)

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…

My favourite BTS member is V. He's just so lovely to look at and I love his voice. Although the more I find out about them all the more I like all of them 😂😍.

Run On sounds promising boaty, Netflix keeps telling me I should watch it next too!

Love the festive yoongi! My favourite is V, his voice and the style of music that he works on. But they are all brilliant in their own different ways.

Sweet Home my dd wanted to watch this as she's read the web toon. It's very gory, monster killer type thing. Not really my usual style of show. But it also has me laughing lots because its a bit absurd. Maybe it's just me, dd kept telling me it's not supposed to be funny!

I've been really enjoying Start up, I've always had a soft spot for geeks, because I'm one too. Into the final episode, but I never much liked the 2ml so happy if she gets together with 1ml. Neither seem very likely at the moment.

And hello all, I've not been around for a while.. hope everyone can find a good kdrama to get lost in this Christmas.

Hi Ginger! 👋

Balls balls balls. Run On is very engaging and super-bingeable so imagine my annoyance at finding I’m all caught up with the cliffhanger at the end of ep 2 and have to wait until Wednesday for resolution. Lovely ML/FL pairing. I think it’s going to be a good one. 🤞

Hi @gingerbiscuitandacuppatea I agree that Sweet Home definitely had some funny moments! The small Ahjussi in particular

All of the BTS chaps seem lovely. My DD is a huge fan so I've been exposed a lot to them, I wouldn't call myself an army, but I do like them.

@boatyardblues I'll check out Run On, as I need something to watch in between the other 2 drama's in watching 😂

@boatyardblues

I have a soft spot for RM, but I do think Suga is one of the most interesting, musically gifted members of BTS and will have career longevity.

Hmm. I loved Reply 1988 but wasn’t struck on the last couple of episodes. I didn’t agree with FL’s final choice. I hated how we didn’t really hear about how things turned out for the other one. I felt like it went out with a long sigh rather than a bang. I did like Bo-Ra’s story arc though, probably more than her sister’s.

This is exactly my feelings on Reply 88, Boaty! I loved it right up to the last couple of episodes. I get the feeling that the ending was changed by the producers...

This is exactly my feelings on Reply 88, Boaty! I loved it right up to the last couple of episodes. I get the feeling that the ending was changed by the producers...

I agree. Especially after the “fiancé ring” scene in the bar where it looked very much like FL was reviewing events in flashback and seeing the light.

Fiancée, obvs.

Wrt to Reply 1988, like polkettle I checked out who she ended up with several episodes in, (hate hate hate being disappointed hence reluctance to begin Start-Up ) so I sort of travelled along with the hints that were being thrown out. If it had been me I would obvs have gone with the other one (which is what has happened in RL ) but his procrastination was a big problem, plus the dynamic was set in stone from childhood and the other was more prepared to just go for it, except when he thought he was getting in his best friend's way.

Now I have to go hunt down a turkey instead of catch up with Mr Queen

We have all our supplies in. Now we just need to eat it all.

Hi Boaty waves back.

Rowdy Glad I'm not the only one finding bits of Sweet Home funny, its often some of the monsters I'm laughing at though! I've always thought kdramas like their blood but those nose bleeds are something else!

Any good kdrama I really shouldn't miss on amazon prime? Accidentally triggered it and having finished Picard I'm wondering what else to watch before our free month is up. Going to watch Parasite as still not seen that.

We have an order of food coming tomorrow, hope it all comes. Had already decided best not to see family, which is lucky since we're also tier4.

I already have brussel sprouts & pigs in blankets so DH & DS will be happy, and Roku Gin so I’ll be happy.
Currently standing in queue for M&S. I used to play Christmas Eve bingo & just go to Waitrose & buy what was reduced at 4.00pm, this is kind of another version of that 😂🤷🏻‍♀️🎄

Currently listening to Sweet Night - V is my fave BTS member it is his voice that drew me to their music. Closely followed by Suga, his music is so clever, and the rest rotate as next-favourites according to whim (currently JHope) 💜

M&S queue monologuing.....
I might try Sweet Home if it has the occasional unintentional chortle in it.
By ending of 2nd ep of Run On I have been drawn in & may even watch Strangers From Hell. Agree locker room visuals are good 👍 Hope the young lad recovers & baddies get their just deserts

Intermittently watching Futmalls, but would love an undiscovered binge watch for xmas

I think the key to satisfaction with her Reply choice was when Dong says "But who do YOU like?" All of her body language all the way through leans one way in that respect and the clues are there from beginning. Liked the adult them chemistry too. But - yes - I made sure early on to not set myself up for disappointment so didn't play game properly! I loved all the menopause stuff in last two episodes. Thought overall such a wonderfully rich series whatever you felt about a particular thread.

Finished fight for my way last night and it was definitely what I needed - very easy to watch, mild drama, funny and the ending was really satisfying!
Not quite sure what to go onto next- maybe hotel del Luna? Or start up sounds good

Bts!?... Fave... Oh god! It changes daily / weekly / hourly... But the constant fave is Park Jimin! His dancing is flippin mesmerising!
Started to watch Sweet Home with dh! Thought he might like it as he prefers gritty!!

Having finished Reply 1988, I need something I can just binge. Run On would have fitted the bill, but is still airing. I’ve tried Find My Way but it’s not the right vibe. I’ve dipped into Moon Embracing the Sun but I’m not in the mood for sageuk. I’m thinking well-observed romance with sparky FL, but not wilfully quirky or oddball. Any suggestions?

Have you seen Hit the Top Boaty?

I started it a while ago but got sidetracked, Rowdy. Thanks for the reminder as that may just fit the bill.

I find the ml very endearing! I loved it

Hurrah, finished work, I can binge drama until my heart's content - whilst intermittently engaging with family over Christmas .

Has anyone watched any good Thai drama, I may have a foray into that.

Re all the Reply 1988 musings - I remember reading an article in which the FL said she knew early on in the drama who her husband was going to be as she queried a scene and the writer explained that it had to do with her husband being ???. I was pleased with who the husband was and thought he was a much better fit but I wouldn't have been distraught if she had picked the other one either. It's so interesting though that there was such a split between people who wanted one or the other.

Has anyone watched any good Thai drama, I may have a foray into that.

I don’t know if its any good but the Thai version of Tunnel bobbed up on my Netflix home page yesterday. It would allow for calibrating your quality settings. We have the Korean, Japanese and Thai versions now. All we need are the Taiwanese and mainland Chinese versions to complete the set.

I was looking up some of the Reply 1988 cast last night. According to Wikipedia, Lee Hye-Ri (FL) and Ryu Jun-Yeol (Jung-Hwa) have been a couple since 2016 IRL since meeting on the set...

I've gone into Bride of the Century and while it's not (cough) improving me, I'm having a lovely time 🥰 They just can't stop falling over each other 🤷‍♀️ Plus there was a kitten.