MsLattés Daebak Cybercafé (Kdrama addicts #20): With Hyun Bin off the market, the ajummas off darkness begin researching his ‘oppa fabulous’ replacement in earnest

[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)
Some Day or On Day (Viki, Taiwanese)
The Romance of Tiger & Rose (Viki, Chinese)
Tientsin Mystic (Netflix, Chinese)

Thread Regulars’ Top Scoring Dramas of 2020
(courtesy of Hello’s kdrama spreadsheet, updated by/for thread regulars. Marks out of 10.)

1 - Parasite - 9.05 (10 Votes)
2 - It's Okay To Not Be Okay - 8.88 (9 Votes)
3 - The Uncanny Counter - 8.50 (4 Votes)
4 - Once Again - 8.40 (5 Votes)
5 - Hospital Playlist - 8.21 (7 Votes)

2019’s top scoring dramas:

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
🥾🍑 (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…

The last ep of Run On was... odd.

I feel like in 2020/21 either the writers are running out of steam, or Covid is cutting filming short so the editors are working overtime and something is lost.

Saw it to the extreme with DDSSLLS.

I haven't watched the final Run on yet, but I feel that there hasn't really been any highs or lows with this series, it's just been flat, which is probably why it's quite a relaxing watch.

Im Siwan also has a very restful voice, he would do a good bedtime story

Subs finished for My Little Happiness on Olga - at last.

@fifilacklustre hurrah!! My Little Happiness & True Beauty 💃🕺

@FedUpWithBriiiiick yep the end of run on was ok but I kept waiting for something to happen- it felt like it was building up but then just nothing. In particular why did the random director turn up? I felt like that might go somewhere but nope.

The only bit I couldn't figure out is at the end where they do the bits with all the characters- there's on after the brother who's an idol and before Siwan with his Dad there was a bit with 2 blokes and a woman- I can't for the life of work out who they were?!
@Rowdythree I'd agree- he does have a lovely restful voice and presence

@Hydrogensonata there was a bit with 2 blokes and a woman- I can't for the life of work out who they were?!

Me neither - it was like a scene from another drama! I thought it might be the sister & Ryan as I half recognised them but it wasn’t

@Hydrogensonata I was disappointed that there was no boardroom scene for 2FL. Must have ended up on the cutting room floor.

Shame they couldn't have cut the endless cryptic chat instead 😂

My Little Happiness ahh, so toothache sweet .

I liked the ending to Run On. Yes, it was very gentle and without major drama, but that was its whole vibe. I enjoyed it. This kind of romance suited Im Siwan. I’ve watched a couple of YouTube interviews and read one too. He comes across as a bit dorky and rather shy in real life, so this played to his strengths. It wasn’t a stand out drama but I appreciated its quiet, unshowy sensibility. Kdrama for introverts and imposter syndrome sufferers coupled with a pleasing lack of shouting. It gets my vote. 👍

Shame they couldn't have cut the endless cryptic chat instead 😂

Yes this!! And 2ML & 2FL - they went from never seeing each other again to somehow seeing each other again in the blink of an eye (and the figure in the painting was all wrong deeply naff)

I did like how the mum was always seen on set either covered in blood or dragging an instrument of death around. But she was the only one who gave ghastly dad what for

Just watched the end of Run On. Agree with all the comments re it being quite relaxing to watch. I was a bit cross that the awful Dad's and Brother didn't get a sufficient pasting. It felt quite modern that a character came out, and that 2ML hugged him for confessing. I loved the actress mother and her violent characters 😁. I was also a bit confused by the convo between 2FL and 2ML where they decided to not be together. But DS kept coming downstairs with a (phantom) toe pain and distracting me.

I've finished night's and I'm off work tomorrow so off to enjoy some Misaeng now. Plus 🍷

Also just want to say that BTS hula hooping in the latest episode of Run BTS is one of my favourite things to have happened this year.

Nearing end of Lost Romance and so many design treats. The vintage clock and typewriter themed CEO office with the tiny secretary desk! The Tudor/Swiss chalet timber hunting lodge with fake stag heads! The glass doored toilet! The green leather bed with purple satin sheets! It's a constant feast for all the senses.

@TheGirlWithTheArabStrap... This episode of Run was the funniest thing ever! The hula hooping alone!... But tied into that... Poor Kendo Jimin... V & Jimin version of My Time... Min yoongi's awesome success!... Jk waiting fur Jimin... Jin's rock paper scissors... Jhope's "don't look in the mirror"... Rm squeezing through the Web...dominoes... 😂😂😂😂😂😂💜

True Beauty finished!! Lovely lovely lovely! Great tying up of all the lose ends! Very satisfactory ending for all! The role reversal of sister and teacher was brilliant!.. The angst and heartbreak perfect! Comedy!... Side characters were lovely!... Leads watchable cute and full of good storylines!... Excellent all round!
Great fluff school comedy with plenty of angst and heartbreak but full of warmth! Loved it! Solid 8.5!! 👍👍👍👍

@fifilacklustre definitely watchable and soothing and funny with enough grit to stop it being cheeseville! Go for it!! 👍👍😁

Also v happy with ending of True Beauty ! Full of positivity (even though I was thinking at one point noble idiocy was a dick move )

And now to finish My Little Happiness....after doing some work.....I suppose...

(Also loved the hula hooping and Min Yoongi just awesome not that I watch Run episodes oh no)

Yes True Beauty had a wonderful ending. I can see myself rewatching the series again and again, especially the literal happy ending 😆

On to Mr Queen. Is Run On not worth it then?

@Kseason I'd say opinion is divided on Run On, it will depend what you're in the mood for!
I have been looking through recaps to try & find out who those people in the end clips were but no luck yet!

So to replace the couple that have ended this week we have:
Luca (Viki)
Spacesweepers (film Netflix)
Hello Me! (Coming to Netflix 17th Feb)
Sisyphus - very excited about this! (Coming to Netflix 17th Feb)

Has anyone watched Team Bulldog or 18 Again?

Aah, I'm so happy with the True Beauty ending it tied everything up perfectly. It's a series I'll definitely watch again.

Need something new now, so I'll check out those upcoming titles, thanks @bettys. I still have the final of Run on to watch today, plus I have another 3 series on the go that I'll dip in and out of...should probably do some housework today, its been abandoned a bit lately 😂

Ohh I've been saving True Beauty! I'm so glad it was a goodun. Going to get stuck in this weekend!

Omo! Today's Lovestruck has made me BEAM 🥰🥰🥰 I am so loving it.

Bea and bettys poor Jimin, he looked so frustrated 😂

I had missed that Space Sweepers is a film. I'm off today so Im going to try and watch it (and ignore all the things I'm supposed to be doing 😂)