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…

I have just finished Because this is my first life. The beauty of recovering from an operation and not being able to go anywhere has allowed me to binge watch this.
I started to really enjoy this halfway into the series. Nam see-he annoyed me to begin with but I started to like him once we got to know him more.

I just need to decide what to start next. Maybe Chicago Typewriter? I need to be careful as my husband may start getting fed up with me glued to these dramas, though he’s starting to believe I’m getting very cultured with world cinema. He doesn’t realise the content of what I’m watching!

Oh birdy, the profoundness of Kdrama knows no bounds . My family have now accepted I am addicted and I will happily spend days upon days watching shows

I really liked Chicago Typewriters, in particular, the blending of present and past stories, the acting, and the storyline.

Just finished Suspicious Partner found JCW better then Healer.

Thanks @bettys and @Rowdythree for the recommendation. Did they sleep together (1st episode) or not?

Now the most difficult task of finding next drama. I wonder when Mr. Queen will come on Netflix

@TheGirlWithTheArabStrap awww... that's the one with lovely min yoongis poem about what a relief they are 7 ... and you can hear some of the lyrics in Shadow in there... blub... I don't blame you I often blub at BTS lyrics!!!...

These don't make me blub as such but am in total awe...

"we are humans (사람), among those countless straight lines (ㅁ), my love (사랑), when we gently sit on it (ㅇ), it becomes a heart (♡)"
-trivia: love
and
"before knowing you, my heart was filled with straight lines (ㅁ) only. i’m just a human (사람), you erode all my edges and make me a love (사랑)."
-trivia: love

and Magic Shop deffo makes me blub
"On a day you hate being yourself, on a day you want to disappear forever,
let’s build a door in your mind
Once you open the door and enter, this place will wait for you
It’s okay to believe Magic Shop that will comfort you

Drinking a cup of hot tea,
looking up to the galaxy,
you’ll be alright oh here it is Magic Shop"

💜💜💜💜💜

Lovely Bea 💜

I think their lyrics are wonderful 💜

@fifilacklustre with Iq I only watch on laptop or phone anyway so not an issue, but I sometimes cast Viki to the tv when DH is out. However have just tried with Iq & it doesn’t seem to work 🤷🏻‍♀️

I have now watched both special episodes of Mr Queen 💕🥰

So much to love, especially the last shot when they make their wishes. It implies that they may meet in another life, even if in different forms

Where did you watch Mr Queen - Bamboo Forsest? I've tried on Olga but when I clicked on the link it just went to the Secret special!

@JinBhoot I don't think they did sleep together

It's hard to tell whether Mr Queen will come on Netflix, not everything that gets shown on Viki does. Hence why I have both subscriptions - well - three now if you count IQ

Mr Queen is in my top 5 and Cheese In The Trap got booted out of the top 10. Not entirely sure why it was still in there tbh It's been a while since I updated my list which is on my phone, as I now tend to use the spreadsheet.

Gah sorry that's my mistake - The Bamboo Forest is an alternative title for the 2 special episodes so as you were, it's the ones on Viki

@jinbhoot as Bettys says, I don't think they did sleep together, just passed out drunk

@bettys I would recommend WLBL, as long as you're prepared to do some skipping through, especially in the middle of the storyline. The story also takes place over a period of 10 years, so at one point there is a massive jump to 9 years later, which was a bit confusing. As I said, I did enjoy it. I thought the plot was good, even though some of the sub plots and characters were a bit annoying.

Is anyone watching A love so beautiful? I can't remember if anyone has mentioned it

@bettys I loved Cheese in the Trap too, even though I was team bad boy pianist Seo Kang Joon, and you were team beautiful statue/emotionally dead Park Hea Jin, I think 😂. Its got the crappest ending ever though!!

I need recommendations, as aside from the final Mr Queen I’ve finished everything. What’s good? I’m not in the mood for another sageuk. A good contract marriage or quirky romance would hit the spot right now. Something like Melo would be ideal. If that’s on Netflix, it would be a good next pick for birdy.

@TheGirlWithTheArabStrap you’re right on all counts!! I think perversely I liked the slightly psycho anti-hero aspect but such a shit ending 😡 Plus it was one of the earlier ones I watched and I have a wider perspective now . Still my favourite Park Hae Jin drama.

@Rowdythree I've watched it. I quite enjoyed it but got really annoyed with Hu Yitian's character at times. FL also annoyed me at times but once it came together it was fine. I have been binging C dramas so might have to try a Taiwanese one for a change. I like to have 2 on the go so I can switch between K and C drama, but Olga is getting quite a few J dramas. I think I just find J dramas irritating at times because they tend to favour the cutesy voice and it's like nails against chalkboard for me. I don't like it in K or C drama either, but I can tolerate it more 🤔 DD watched bits of Ms Hammurabi with me and really liked it.

@Birdy65 I really enjoyed Chicago Typewriter.
ML 🥰

I have Netflix on my phone and it’s a slippery road.

Thanks Monkeywench I'll put it on the maybe list then.

jinbhoot Netflix on the phone is dangerous! Even if its just 10 minutes here and there I'm always on it I don't get to watch anything on the TV though as the kids are always watching something or being noisy, so plugging myself into my phone is my little bit of escapism... Not sure DH appreciates it though 😬

I'm on the hunt for something light and fluffy too if anyone can recommend anything

@boatyardblues A quirky romance like Melo on Netflix? I've got to suggest Lovestruck in the City for that 🤷‍♀️
Just spent 97 minutes with Science and Sensibility. Like someone cut up Pitch Perfect and Good Will Hunting with kitchen scissors and stuck random bits together with other things they found on the floor. And I was totally there for it .

Decided to go for Good Casting and quite enjoying kick-ass ajjumma action. 2 episodes in and I'm enjoying switching the brain off

Guys. I just realised I've never watched Fight for my Way. 😳 I need to hand in my membership card 😔

I'm now 5 episodes in. 👍

I think Fight For My Way is my favourite PSJ have fun!

Mr Queen! Lovely! Great ending! It took me a fair few eps to get into it... But really ramped up towards the end! 👍👍👍Marvellous!
Think I'll head over to IQ now and start on Royal Inspector!..

Aww Fight My Way! Silly Naive and a bit daft PSJ! ❤️😘💜
@Dontwanttobeyourmonkeywench! Ms Hammurabi!... With Go Ara Korean Knightly! (🤣🤭🤭) and Lovely Hair! Kim Myun Soo... I really enjoyed that! It was very heartfelt!

@FedUpWithBriiiiick

Guys. I just realised I've never watched Fight for my Way. 😳 I need to hand in my membership card 😔

I'm now 5 episodes in. 👍

I am on episode 8 🙂