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…

@Rowdythree

I'm really loving My Love from a Star! Why did I not watch it before?! 🤦‍♀️ Got to episode 16 expecting it to be the last one and I still have 5 more episodes to go! What a great surprise for a Sunday morning!

Let me know if it’s a happy ending, I will watch it then. I don’t want sad ending.

Finished Love is Sweet. Thought it lost some pashing momentum and wasn't sure about third act psycho turn of particular character. Also wished she'd become the ethical noodle magnate her father couldn't be. Also get that girl an EpiPen!
But here for all other suggestions of pleasing sub genre of CDramas where they live opposite each other, ML has cute dog and is faithful and accomplished in all things and there is plenty of low stakes hot snogging.

For some reason, I've not had access to Mumsnet since yesterday morning so just catching up on the thread.

polkettle I wonder about the 'safety' of some of the FL with their ML. There are a couple in particular that I think probably have Oppas of their own hidden from sight . And, a particular FL who I think could have an Unnie/Noona! That's why I think it's so important that more good dramas with same sex couples are being made. Hopefully, drip, drip way into slow acceptance. I can only imagine the fear that celebrities must have of being 'outed'.

Needing help with trying to remember the name of a Kdrama. I keep having clips play in my mind but cannot recall the name or, the full story!
So, what I do have is - some scenes are shot on an island, not sure which one. FL is pretending to ML that she is the daughter/granddaughter of a woman who owns a fish restaurant on the island but it's her friend who is related. ML needs something from her. don't know what ML and FL are accidentally locked up in a fish warehouse type building and end up sleeping on chairs on a pickup truck.
Come on all you sleuths work it out Or, have I made up a Kdrama plot in my dreams

@fifilacklustre I Am Not A Robot ?

@fifilacklustre
There are a couple in particular that I think probably have Oppas of their own hidden from sight wink. And, a particular FL who I think could have an Unnie/Noona!

Oh go on give us a clue!

I'm not sure bettys, but I can't remember that in it at all. I might have to rewatch to find out

@polkettle I agree with the third act pycho turn, I thought that was a jump from where the character was actually heading. I did like the suggestion though that something might develop with the 'Commander'

CDrama Suggestions for

Not immediately taken with Hello Me so might head back into some CDrama on IQ

low stakes hot snogging

This is most kdrama/cdrama in a nutshell. 😂

Fifi - I know exactly the drama and scenes you are referring to. Can’t for the life of me remember which one it is.

Also, MN was down for several hours yesterday due to a DDOS attack. There are threads in site stuff and MNHQ ones pinned in some of the topics I frequent. I had a far more productive day than usual, mainly because I also managed not to get stuck into kdrama first thing too.

[quote bettys]@fifilacklustre
There are a couple in particular that I think probably have Oppas of their own hidden from sight wink. And, a particular FL who I think could have an Unnie/Noona!

Oh go on give us a clue![/quote]
PM us if you’re worried about putting it in the public domain. I’m curious too.

I’m liking smiling Jo Seung Woo in Sisyphus. Age-appropriate oppa material. I was looking at him thinking: “I recognise him, but what have I seen him in?” It was the red hoody, flirting and smiling. Now I’ve placed him (Stranger), I feel silly for not realising it was him straight out of the box.

That is a fantastically titled link Betty. Cuts straight to the chase 🤣 Many thanks.
Yes, my gaydar beeps strongly for quite a few candidates. As you say, mainly would love to see fuller representation in dramas and a shift in attitudes that give all those hard working stars some better life/work/relationship balance than currently seems possible for too many of them whatever their inclinations. I am just so pathetically PLEASED when I find one is apparently happily married or has a kid.
And total hypocrite because I love following HB and SYJ romance while also feeling horror at the pressure and scrutiny they're put under, however benign the intention of the scrutineers.

Oh bettys I don't want to burst anyone's bubbles

For the first ML, he is a favourite on here, does amazing kissing scenes in a drama with FL who is a fangirl.

Second ML, rowdy watching the show now. The FL always look very comfortable in any kissing scenes with him.

FL has a lot of good kissing scenes with her ML, who all praise her. She is in one of my top picks of kissing scenes, which takes place n a hospital changing room.

It's hard to be open about your sexuality when you are selling a dream to young girls, and Ajummas .
Aaron Yan is an example of your life imploding when outed!

boaty your mission today if you choose to accept it is - wrack your brain until you remember

Yes, my gaydar beeps strongly for quite a few candidates

Mine too. I'm not remotely bothered by an individual's sexual orientation, it doesn't affect my admiration for them. I can think of several talented actors in the west who are openly out and play straight & gay roles, and who are absolutely charming and believable in both, but it still seems a bit far off in Asia.

Fifi - Your fangirl ML was absolutely convincing as a very promiscuous out gay man in one of his roles. I have the DVD of the film.

And total hypocrite because I love following HB and SYJ romance while also feeling horror at the pressure and scrutiny they're put under, however benign the intention of the scrutineers

I absolutely agree Polkettle. I love seeing romantic photos of them, but as you say I don’t suppose they can walk a yard down the street without being pestered.
Also there are some weirdos who post anonymous hate mail - presumably jealousy - and it must be horrible to be on the receiving end of that.
Off topic but I wonder if people who were very famous and aren’t any longer miss the attention and hero worship.

I feel exactly the same bettys, as long as they are believable in the show and make my heart flutter, who cares what their extracurricular activities are .

oh, boaty I didn't know that. I will now search!

Totally! I just want them to be happy and able to be themselves irl as they make me happy in drama life 😁

All on my Bingo card Fifi

@fifilacklustre no worries, no bubbles to burst!

The first on your list though has been suspected for a long time of being in a relationship with a well-known actress. He is very convincing in the role boaty mentions, but as a former model & rocker, he is I suspect comfortable in many such situations. Less sheltered than some who come straight from drama school or idol training.

Interesting about the other two you mention

Aaron Yan - yes that was a ping on the 'dar.

Mine too. I'm not remotely bothered by an individual's sexual orientation, it doesn't affect my admiration for them.

Likewise. And I agree about extra-curricular activities, unless it harms other people. There are kdramas I’ve swerved because of the ML’s sexual assault record.

Yes, and it's even worse if you end up watching one where you had no idea about the charges. I did this with Feel Good to Die, only to find out about ML sexual assault charges! I felt a bit tainted!

I have to say after watching To My Star I searched for Son Woo Hyun dramas as he definitely gave me the feels, and I wanted to see him in other romantic shows.

There are kdramas I’ve swerved because of the ML’s sexual assault record.

Oh me too! And I have felt if I have watched one by accident (Rooftop Prince ML)

Agree about Son Woo Hyun

Right off to search for a show to watch, toying with starting Run On, or finding a Cdrama on IQ. I'm warming up to She Would Never Know and looking forward to the next episodes. Mostly down to the lovely Rowoon who plays the role with maturity and confidence. He is shaping up to be a wonderful boyfriend in this show, but I fear he may have his heart broken

I’m on episode 9 of dodosolsol and I’m enjoying it a lot.
Jun has learned the piano very quickly - I wish I’d had Ra Ra as a teacher!
However I think it’s about to take a darker turn.

@jinbhoot I have a feeling it won't be a happy ending... Will let you know though!