MsLattés Daebak Cybercafé (Kdrama addicts #22): As pandemic restrictions ease the Ajummas of Darkness and ARMY recruits are on spring manoeuvres, camping under the cherry blossom

[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)*
Lovestruck in the City (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)
To My Star [BL] (Viki)
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)
You Make Me Dance [BL] (Viki)


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…

@Andante57 I've just started My Love from the Star (on Ep 4). I'm enjoying it so far, even though Cheon Song-i is entitled and difficult. She does seem to have a sweet side though. It does make me wonder what writers think of actors!

I'm excited for Hospital Playlist Season 2. I got over-invested in the Winter Garden love story!

I have finished YAMH. What is everyone watching now? I need something similar.
‘I am your mother’ cracked me 😂
Police academy seems to be having no objection when guys bring girl friends & wives.

@sakura06 I am more keen on Cardio Dr. & pigeon.
In script writing video you will get glimpses & Garden him self is looking forward to winter 😂. I am still waiting for subs.

Not much drama watching for me this last week... Been busy and away! I'll be returning to

• Vincenzo! (it's excellent!!) 👍👍👍👏👏👏
• Navilleria (lovely!) 💕💕💕💕😍
• Mouse (scary!) 😱😳😱😳😱
• River with Moon (interested but just not pulling me in!) 🤔😏🤔😏🤔

@JinBhoot I really like Jun Wan and Ik Sun too! Keep expecting Ik Jun to catch them together! I wish Jun Wan would tell him. Like @polkettle mentioned, I hope she's back for S2! We had some jokes about Royal Mail in our house when the package was returned.

I will have to watch the script reading later!

Sakura06
We are now so over invested in My Love from the Star that as soon as dh gets home from work I give him a cuppa and we sit down to watch another episode.
We’ve always waited until supper time before we start on tv before now.

The writer Park Ji-Eun is brilliant at unrequited love - remember Dan in CLOY? - I wonder if she’s had experience or she’s just an extremely good observer of human nature.
Actually, she’s a brilliant writer full stop, and so original.
I read somewhere someone saying that Kim Soo Hyun literally becomes a different person in all his series/films/cameos.
Yes, I know that’s what good acting is, but he’s super brilliant.

I know it’s going to be really sad at the end and I’m dreading it.

I watched the first episode of Sell Your Haunted House on my phone in bed at stupid o’clock this morning (thanks perimenopause!). It has Jang Nara and the ex-idol ML from The Package (ding ding Betty) as the ML. He’s in wideboy conman mode at the mo, all noisy checked suits and blinging, grifting lifestyle. It looks like it will get darker and grungier, at which point he’ll become more attractive. Jang Nara is on top form as a shit-kicking, no prisoners exorcist with mad martial arts skillz. 👍

My Love from the Star .... don’t dread the end, I confirmed before watching 😆. Ending is very different and less vague compared to CLOY.

After this watch W-Two Worlds Apart.

We are now so over invested in My Love from the Star that as soon as dh gets home from work I give him a cuppa and we sit down to watch another episode.

Andante - You are living the dream! I’m curious to know what your husband is getting out of it. The writing and shows are top notch, obvs, but does he like the actresses?

I am now in to Kdrama, exploring Kcuisine & dipping in to Kpop.
So next step is Kbeauty. I know it was all the rage couple of years ago courtesy bloggers & IG. Have you tried any skin care regime? 7 step daily routine is not my thing but if there are any tips & recommendations pls do share.
I ran out of my CC cream & company has stopped the production 😔 I am thinking about trying something different.

Ha! I almost started Sell your Haunted House at stupid o'clock too but then went for JDrama froth of In Time With You (of which there seems to be a version in all languages). Also intrigued by the new Law School on Netflix - anyone started?
I'm sure Ik-Jun will turn out to have already twigged about Ik-Sun and Junwan @sakura06. - really seemed to be enjoying not giving Junwan a chance to tell him at end of series 1 and winding him up. They're my fave couple. SO looking forward to it! happy dance
You might enjoy Surgeons @jinBhoot. It's nonsense ott and not the soothing vibe of YAMH but I found it very gripping and enjoyable.

I watched the first episode of Sell Your Haunted House on my phone in bed at stupid o’clock this morning (thanks perimenopause!). It has Jang Nara and the ex-idol ML from The Package (ding ding Betty) as the ML

Ah thanks boaty it’s on my list, I like the premise & I couldn’t quite place the actor I guess he’s back from military service then!

I have got caught up in a swirl of Oppa loving Oppa drama (or the Thai equivalent) but am now back to get on with my ever expanding list:
Oh Master - catch up
Navillera - catch up
The Long Ballad - catch up
Sell Your Haunted House - start
Ping Pong - start
Vincenzo - start again as dropped it

And tomorrow is BangBangCon 💜

Jinbhoot oh that’s a relief. *[edited at poster's request as this contained a possible spoiler]
Thank you for the recommendation.

Boatyard yes he likes all the actresses - I mean, not in a pervy way, but they are very beautiful - and he loves the writing, the superb acting and the originality and also we are enjoying the fact we are both loving them.
It’s such fun when you know your viewing companion is getting as much pleasure out of the drama as you are.

I’m sorry - I’ve reported my last post as it contains a spoiler.

I like the look of sell your haunted house!
I've got a list building up- definitely want to give Navilera and Vincenzo a go.
I've been finishing off oh my baby but might stop as for some reason it wasn't grabbing me? Watched gaduri restaurant yesterday which was very light, short and easy watching!
Nothing quite filling the YAMH spot- not sure why I liked it so much - possibly combo of low drama, easy watching and everyone's comments on here afterwards 😁

Does anyone else follow ajumma_sdramahub on Insta? I sometimes wonder if she's on these threads as she watches so many of the same dramas....

....and she's ARMY

@Hydrogensonata

I like the look of sell your haunted house! I've got a list building up- definitely want to give Navilera and Vincenzo a go. I've been finishing off oh my baby but might stop as for some reason it wasn't grabbing me? Watched gaduri restaurant yesterday which was very light, short and easy watching! Nothing quite filling the YAMH spot- not sure why I liked it so much - possibly combo of low drama, easy watching and everyone's comments on here afterwards 😁

Hi Hydro - I love c-dramas and tend to watch a clatter of them before sickening myself. Here's a list if you think it might help? Varying quality 😊

Put Your Head on my Shoulder
My Little Happiness
Go Go Squid
A Love So Beautiful
Love 020
The World Owes Me a First Love
Master Devil Do Not Kiss Me
Meteor Garden (loooooong)
A Little thing called first love
I hear you

AVOID Well Intended Love S1

Also check out J-dramas if you like low-risk/drama. Although they tend to be shorter in length and weirder in plot, the skinship is high. If that's your thing. It's not for me! 😳😨😁

I find all the incidentals in CDramas delightful - the interior decor, the weird fashion where sometimes I can't even put a name to the garment, the random slogans on t shirts ('Danish Dynamite' a favourite from Love in Time yesterday) the use of Spam...

@JinBhoot

I am now in to Kdrama, exploring Kcuisine & dipping in to Kpop. So next step is Kbeauty. I know it was all the rage couple of years ago courtesy bloggers & IG. Have you tried any skin care regime? 7 step daily routine is not my thing but if there are any tips & recommendations pls do share. I ran out of my CC cream & company has stopped the production 😔 I am thinking about trying something different.

I use a lot of K skincare @jinbhoot I order from this company; beautyandseoul.co.uk Everything I've had had been excellent quality and you always get lots of samples to try with an order. My skin is pretty good now, and it doesn't take that long to do all the steps

@Andante57 I'm worried we will become similarly addicted! I loved CLOY and that's what drew me to this (must admit I was a little unsatisfied by the ending of CLOY 😆)

@polkettle My DH definitely thinks Ik Jun knows about them! They are a fun couple. I love Jun Wan and Dr Do's friendship too.

I'm looking forward to Vincenzo and Navillera and will watch once all episodes are available.

Just caught up with Navillera ep 7! 😭 I just love this show so much ♥️♥️

Sakura06 yes I agree about the ending of CLOY. Though I suppose given the situation between N & S Korea it was hard to make a satisfying ending.
I WISH they’d make a second series but they’d have to have the same actors for it to really work.

Has anyone on the thread been following the Kim Jung Hyun & Seo Ye Ji saga?
I wonder how private text messages fell into the hands of others - it seems the Korean media is as intrusive as the British media.

Also I’m conflicted about actors being cancelled because of past misdemeanours. I mean, bullying is VILE, - I was bullied at school and I sometimes see the bully many many years on and I still feel a qualm - however should bad behaviour as a teenager mean career over and air brushing out forever?
Lee Shin Young (Lt. Park in CLOY) was accused of being a bully and although his accuser retracted his statement, the actor has been dropped from his latest role.
I don’t really know what to think.

Has anyone on the thread been following the Kim Jung Hyun & Seo Ye Ji saga?

It’s not on my radar at all. What gives?

Apparently they were in a relationship and she told him to avoid intimate scenes in the drama he was starring in, Time, which caused all sorts of problems with the director and his co star.
He eventually cited health reasons for dropping out of the show.

Somehow the texts have become public and for other reasons as well Seo Ye Ji’ s reputation has taken a hit and she has been dropped from her latest series.
That’s very much a précis but if you google it there are longer explanations.

I've read a few articles about it @Andante57, I don't know how or why the texts between them have been released but I feel a bit sorry for them both. The articles seems to be saying that Kim Jung Hyun was in an abusive relationship with Seo Ye Ji which was detrimental to his work. And then there are the school bullying rumours too.

I don't know how I feel about bullies being cancelled years later, on the one hand they have probably grown up a lot and changed their behaviour (but maybe not), on the other hand their actions may have caused lasting damage to their victims... So basically I'm on the fence 😂

I guess this is a warning to aspiring actors /Idols that their misdemeanours will follow them for life if they become successful in the future. There are a lot of dramas that portray school violence/bullying so I'm guessing it is a common occurrence. There's a show on Viki called Live on which is about a popular girl at school getting buillied and the story is about her shame in being a victim of bullying. It made me think that TV producers are really trying to get the message across that if you are buillied, don't be ashamed, speak to people and get help. It feels like they think this is an important message to get across, as it felt like this drama was made with that purpose in mind.

Just had bulgogi for dinner from a fresh meal kit hand sold to me on Insta and it was goooood.