MsLatté’s Daebak Cybercafé (Kdrama addicts #24): where we ‘lean in’ to our obsession. Non-judgmental support served up with a side-order of kpop.

[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)
Doom At Your Service (Viki) - still airing
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)*
Move to Heaven (Netflix)
My Mister (Viki/Netflix)*
My Unfamiliar Family (Viki)*
Navillera (Netflix)*
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
#Alive (Netflix)
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)
Sisyphus (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 ‘You May Also Like’
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)
You Are My Hero (Viki, 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 bum 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…

@polkettle

FINALLY a small nugget of warmth in SIMTAF. I actually really liked the bit with her parents. More of that, less of the rest please.

Yes that was a good bit. More of that please and less of the self centred twats in Seoul (JJ, Inhung and TV people).

Ooooh Johnny ‘whip your ankle socks off before you can say ni hao’ Huang is coming to iQ in a drama called My Dear Guardian

Looks like a DOTS remake - Pumped Plug in military uniform 😍

I don’t know what to watch 🤪
Mr. Sunshine or The King: Last Monarch

Mr Sunshine!!!

Mr Sunshine!! I couldn't get into King: Eternal Monarch at all. Lee Min-ho is crapola.

I caught up with SIMAA-F. I actually enjoyed episode 10, though I think I may be the only one from reading the posts! .
ML is so much nicer and so sweet to FL.
Agree about the second ML and FL, it’s just annoying now. I’d rather have the storyline about the missing Dad.
Just wish I didn’t need to wait several days for the next episode.

I enjoyed Ep 10 too Birdy let's hope ML continues to not be a knob! JJ is just a horrible abusive man, the 2 FL just looks terrified of him all the time. I think she needs a restraining order! 😠

On the other hand, the ML in Youth of May is so sweet and gorgeous! I know it's not going to turn out great, but I'm really loving it so far!

Thanks lovelies, I will start Mr. Sunshine

Here is for our cultural enrichment.

The idea that language shapes how we see the world is fascinating, and as no one has more gardening terms than the Japanese, here are four words for concepts you may have never thought about, but could help you see your garden in a different light.

Miegakure - Ochitsubaki - Ma - Nebari

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/may/30/james-wong-on-gardening-to-rethink-your-garden-learn-japanese

Thanks @JinBhoot! New expressions - lovely! One of my favourite Japanese words in komorebi - sunlight filtering through trees 🥰

[quote JinBhoot]Here is for our cultural enrichment.

The idea that language shapes how we see the world is fascinating, and as no one has more gardening terms than the Japanese, here are four words for concepts you may have never thought about, but could help you see your garden in a different light.

Miegakure - Ochitsubaki - Ma - Nebari

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/may/30/james-wong-on-gardening-to-rethink-your-garden-learn-japanese[/quote]
Lovely.

I'm reminded of a fantastic short documentary series shown on BBC a few years ago: The Art of Japanese Life.

Worth seeing if you come across it (no longer on iPlayer annoyingly)

Morning all! I’m still about but on a kdrama go slow due to other stuff at the mo, but I’m looking forwards to this evening’s DAYS.

Finally got round to finishing MC&ML - the last few episodes really dragged and then everything happened lickety-spit in the last ep. And what an odd ending.....still no action after 3 years? And then the weird last shot where he's having a steak and she's downing a glass of wine while MNing on the laptop? You're right pol that mandarin sharing in YAMH was positively lewd in comparison. And as for Dora the Chinese Explorer and her beau snogging full-length on the jetty while a diesel reeking fishing punt went past....
ML will be in the upcoming Forever and Ever which looks good (iQ)

She Is The One finished very amiably in spite of the earlier shenanigans.

Looking forward to DAYS and wondering what the next binge watch should be.
Taxi Driver? Mr Gu? Legend of Jungxi? Finally get round to Vicenzo?

Still here but only get to watch maybe 2 or 3 episodes a week so slow going - about 2 episodes left on Hospital Playlist and know I'll be gaggin for season 2, I timed that well though. Really enjoying it. It's so much less "high stakes" than the likes of ER but that suits me at the moment.

I have just discovered TWogether I don’t think I have seen any of their shows, both are funny. Is JL the dimples?

@hawthornknitter

Still here but only get to watch maybe 2 or 3 episodes a week so slow going - about 2 episodes left on Hospital Playlist and know I'll be gaggin for season 2, I timed that well though. Really enjoying it. It's so much less "high stakes" than the likes of ER but that suits me at the moment.

It is my top favourite show, I love the chemistry & friendship between main leads.

The format of non ER/urgency & lack of overly dramatic cases is amazing.

Do watch their camping show, they did it before filming season2 it is on YouTube.

Yes @JinBhoot that's Dimples 😊

Contract marriage ✔️
Tsundere CEO ✔️
Feisty FL ✔️
Childhood trauma ✔️
Wannabe bitch gf ✔️
Desperate to see son married MIL ✔️
Bank Holiday Monday & WiFi in a sunny garden ✔️

Well hello Hello Mr Gu 😎

Yes Bettys! Just what the doctor ordered!

I'm on go slow drama watching at the moment... life getting in the way!!! How dare it!!!...
Current watches..
Mouse (viki)--- watch with dh... very gruesome... very grim... little laughs... thrilling, very very confusing... but still goooood!!!!
So I Married ANti Fan - i'm still liking it though only for the main couple and lovely manager... everyone else is objectionable and go take a running jump... the 2nd couple are just flippin awful,,, they snipe and hate each other and 2nd ml has got such a sly resentful face.. could do with a slapping as can 2nd fl .... ugh!
Sell Haunted House - still enjoying and intrigued...
DAYS - i'm watching this very very very slowly but i can see it's quality,,, i love love PBY! x

even less drama watching this coming week or so as it's BTS FESTA time!!! woo hoo! which means i'm on high alert for notifications of videos / songs / clips / gifts dropping!...plus it's half term! I have to go and be a parent!!! Boooooooo!!!!!!

BTS Festa starts on 2nd June doesn't it?

All BTS members are singing Butter? Right? So they all can speak English or just enough to sing?
I thought I’ll dip in to BTS knowledge river here rather then asking wizard google.

Jinbhoot they can all sing in English....RM is fluent having learnt while watching Friends and the others have varying degrees of fluency (I suspect Suga can understand way more than he lets on ). Interestingly their pronunciation on Butter is way better than Dynamite, dunno why....