MsLattés Daebak Cybercafé (Kdrama addicts #21): With our ranks swelling due to pandemic ennui, the Ajummas of Darkness are building an ARMY 😉 of Addicts.

[boatyardblues]

A quiet corner of MN for serious addicts of Kdrama, or the K-curious. 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 Queen (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)*
Run On (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)
True Beauty (Viki)
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)/Hot Stove League (Netflix)

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)
Peninsula - film, Train to Busan sequel (Amazon Prime, iMovies)

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)
My Little Happiness (Viki, Chinese)
Put Your Head on My Shoulder (Netflix, Chinese)
Some Day or One Day (Viki, Taiwanese)
The Romance of Tiger & Rose (Viki, Chinese)
Tientsin Mystic (Netflix, Chinese)

Thread Regulars’ Top Scoring Dramas of 2020 (updated for thread #21)
Courtesy of Hello’s kdrama spreadsheet, updated by/for thread regulars. Marks out of 10.

1 - Mr Queen - 9.4 (5 votes)
2 - Parasite - 9.05 (10 Votes)
3 - It's Okay To Not Be Okay - 8.88 (9 Votes)
4 - The Uncanny Counter - 8.50 (4 Votes)
5 - Once Again - 8.42 (6 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 explained or 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…

welcome @twoseven

Worst drama!!!!!??? SGBS!!!!!???? Yikes!... 😲 but that's the lovely thing about kdrama... there's always something for someone... I loved SGBS... just the couple story alone (forget the serial kilelr and stewpid gangsters!!!)... but Park Bo Young and Park Hung Sik!!!!???? i think they're one of my most fave drama couples!!! 😂😍

plenty more to enjoy!!!! 👋

@sakura06 yes! DOTS... i didn't get it... it gets sooo much love... i found it all a little schmaltzy (without the humour) and a little too cliched!

Another one here who didn't rate DOTS - I struggled through it as it seemed to be required viewing but it was very meh IMO. In fact couldn't watch FL in Encounter either, so may be partly her (and the plot)

So enjoying How To Be 30 !! I really like the director and his elliptical comments, there is a lot to enjoy in these 20 minute episodes. I was convinced when they were having their kiss on the stairs that he'd set it up to be filmed covertly. I have a feeling there will be an explanation for the other woman but she will have lost confidence in him. Still pinning my hopes on the less attractive but probably nicer director.

I am taking a break from xianxia - Eternal Love a bit of a mixed bag really, preferred Ashes of Love and if I start The Untamed I may never make it out - so may start You Are My Hero - or should I wait & binge?

20 minute episodes sound great. Although I suppose I might still spend all evening watching I really want to watch Reply 1988 but am daunted at the 1h20m episodes.

@sakura06 Reply 1988 is worth it, don’t be daunted! Although you will prob get SLS! (Second Lead Syndrome)

if it's good... time will fly!!!!!!

Hello @sakura06 & @twoseven
Welcome welcome 🙂

Ha ha, you're probably all right about DOTS, I think I'm just remembering the dishy soldiers running around the parade ground shirtless 😂 I definitely did not like the FL!

I really love HTB30 too Bettys I really hope the young guy and the announcer work out, that's a really sweet relationship development. Do you think the director guy caught them smooching in the stairwell? I think he's going to be the better option too. How many episodes are there, it seems there's a lot of story still to develop.

I'm looking forward to You make me Dance episodes airing this week. Is anyone else watching Must you go?

Just realised I've got 7 dramas on the go at the moment with these weekly releases 😬

@sakura06 Reply 1988 is worth it!! It's sooo lovely. Really nostalgic and so interesting seeing what 80s life in SK for normal people was like.

I will definitely give Reply 1988 a go! I'm intrigued by 2ML syndrome, although I think I preferred 2ML in Chicago Typewriter (at least in modern day; preferring ML in 1930s 😂).

I agree with you there Sakura!

I want to watch Vincenzo but I have no self control to pace myself & zero patience to wait for new episodes 😭

@sakura06

I will definitely give Reply 1988 a go! I'm intrigued by 2ML syndrome, although I think I preferred 2ML in Chicago Typewriter (at least in modern day; preferring ML in 1930s 😂).

I was very sad for the 2ML in Chicago Typewriter. Really enjoyed the drama & had withdrawals symptoms for a while.

Next drama I started after that was Don’t Dare to Dream and perhaps that’s why I ditched the show half-way as didn’t want him to suffer in that too.

Chicago Typewriter was lovely. I especially liked the 1930s parts. I'm a little obsessed with the song 'Satellite' from it.

@JinBhoot I'm excited for Vincenzo. My husband needs a Song Joong-Ki break though after DOTS 😂

@sakura06 All 6 songs are lovely, there is a playlist on YouTube. None of the music streaming site (my subscriptions) have these songs so youtube it is with annoying AD breaks sometimes in the middle of the song.

I will start watching Vincenzo once all the episodes are available. Same goes for Sisyphus.

That's a shame @JinBhoot. We have Apple Music and that has the Chicago Typewriter soundtrack.

Same for me! Waiting for all episodes so I can binge! I like the immersive experience, like a really good book.

@polkettle

Always bail if it's not for you because in the crazy variety of K-Drama there's always something else that will be!

Also, if you come back to it at a later date it may better match your mood.

@JinBhoot the Chicago Typewriter OST is on Spotify too...

Random post - saw this article today.
Was Nokdo island featured in any show?

widerimage.reuters.com/story/the-last-children-on-south-koreas-ageing-island

I saw this earlier too, I asked DH if he fancied moving there, we'd double the amount of children if ee turned up😂 it's Nokdu in the drama... The Tale of Nokdu

Ep 8 of Sisyphus and new contender for the Bad Art of Korea prize!
Becoming increasingly concerned about the employment practices of The Control Bureau. Not only not equal opportunities but no natural light in the office and a totally unfit for protection uniform. I want a spin off series with them at the norabang after work grumbling. Or an Oppa loves Oppa at the Control Bureau web drama.

Do you mean the pink/black (Blackpink? 😉) painting in the ML’s bedroom, Pol? I like it. 😜

Haha pol I want a spin off series with them at the norabang after work grumbling. Or an Oppa loves Oppa at the Control Bureau web drama.
I was thinking which team has the best looking young men with guns - Control Bureau or Asia Mart??

Ep 9 Sisyphus is a bit hard to watch. I was hiding under a blanket for some of the bombing and aftermath.
I managed a laugh at the end though; when the fire alarm at the hospital went off and everyone ran out screaming instead of muttering "FFS has someone made toast again??" or maybe SK smoke detectors are more advanced than NHS ones 😂

The ginornous post apocalyptic Seoul skyline wedding present and Sisyphus portrait Boaty 😁
Asia Mart definitely looks more fun as an employer but I suspect better health insurance and employment benefits from The Control Bureau for the average ambitious good-looking man who can guarantee not to ever shoot straight or land a punch.