MsLatté’s Daebak Cybercafé (Kdrama addicts #25): We may not always agree (on shows, oppa preference, wonky fashion) but we are never disagreeable…

[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)
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)*
Mad For Each Other (Netflix)
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. 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!

I'm still nailing my colours to the him knowing all along mast leloo. Obviously we're being toyed with - mixed signals by writer, but his surprise at the end could also be at being asked to keep a secret and understanding that they've broken up.

I think Ik-jun's surprised face at the end was more to do with the fact that she didn't want him to tell Jun-wan, and that he's going to have to keep it secret.

But I could be wrong. I frequently am 😂

Mmm, yes it could well be mixed signals, or surprise at being asked to keep the secret. He just seemed so surprised that I doubted the reaction I'd had earlier.

Is nevertheless fluffy? I started watching it, but couldn't tell if the ml was cute or sinister (or both), so started watching you are my spring - which is definitely sinister! 🤦‍♂️ I want something fluffy really. Hp really hit the spot last night, but now I have to wait for the next episode... 😔

Its not fluffy exactly because Hearts Will Be Broken but it's not sinister either. ML is just a total player and FL aware of that but doing him anyway. As frankly she should.
If you aren't already on the Racket Boys wagon, that is delightful warm hearted loveliness that keeps me tided over between HP hits.

Hi @leeloo1 what did you think of what you saw of You are my Spring? I keep looking at that one. I actually quite like sinister.

I'm up to dare on Nevertheless and fully enjoying it. Perhaps I am too naive but it seems to me that she's been the one putting the blockers up the whole time, not him e.g. she said to keep it secret. I suspect that she'll break his heart without even realising she's done it..m

Oh I am hooked on You Are My Spring pagan!!!!
Massive twist at the end of ep 2, I have no idea where it is going to go. It is dark, the plot is sinister, but with some lighter touches.

@pagansophie - I've found you are my spring quite gripping so far. It's a bit like mad for each other, in that there's a traumatic back story, but (I think) you find it all out early on, but there's definitely a mystery to be solved and I think it'll be interesting. I just needed a happier/fluffier plot before bedtime! 😁

Thanks @polkettle, I'll keep going with nevertheless then and I'm starting racket boys too! 😂

@bettys and @leeloo1, thanks. It would have been my evening viewing sorted, but even though neither I nor anyone in my household are football fans I think we might just have to watch.....

@FedUpWithBriiiiick @leeloo1 @polkettle on reflection I now think, he kindda knew/suspected but it was the first time it was confirmed and he was taken a back.
I am sure all will be revealed in flashbacks 😆

I don’t have a good feeling about winter garden couple - why do they have stir the peace. On another note, I don’t find their relationship very natural, he acts like as if he is taking care of a child.

Rosa is MY favourite, I would love to be like her in my 70s. She is always bubbly & fun to be around.

[quote JinBhoot]**@FedUpWithBriiiiick* @leeloo1* @polkettle on reflection I now think, he kindda knew/suspected but it was the first time it was confirmed and he was taken a back.
I am sure all will be revealed in flashbacks 😆

I don’t have a good feeling about winter garden couple - why do they have stir the peace. On another note, I don’t find their relationship very natural, he acts like as if he is taking care of a child.

Rosa is MY favourite, I would love to be like her in my 70s. She is always bubbly & fun to be around.[/quote]
I ❤️ Rosa too!!

Oh yes football on tonight, no k-dramas for me. I've got the Italian beer chilling 😉😂

I have started watching nevertheless, currently on ep 2.
ML is a walking red flag with a big red pole yet it’s the FL I am finding on the annoying side.
I like FL’s friend.

Hazy/filter camera lenses, slower pace, minimum dialogues, extreme close-ups with the focus on eyes, lips & hands (fingers) are to create the ambiance & set the mood but I am finding it annoying too.

Perhaps I am annoyed at wasting time on Well-intended Love 😫. Only a good & fluff contract marriage drama will cleanse the pallet. Any recommendations? Chinese? Korean?

@JinBhoot

I have started watching nevertheless, currently on ep 2. ML is a walking red flag with a big red pole yet it’s the FL I am finding on the annoying side. I like FL’s friend.

Hazy/filter camera lenses, slower pace, minimum dialogues, extreme close-ups with the focus on eyes, lips & hands (fingers) are to create the ambiance & set the mood but I am finding it annoying too.

Perhaps I am annoyed at wasting time on Well-intended Love 😫. Only a good & fluff contract marriage drama will cleanse the pallet. Any recommendations? Chinese? Korean?

Chinese^ Hello Mr Gu^ ^Put your Head on My Shoulder ^ Korean Something about 1% Full House (older) ^Lie to Me Marriage, Not Dating^ The wonderful and unbeatable Because This is my First Life.

Japanese
^Hapimari: Happy Marriage?!
In House Marriage Honey^

Sorry if you've seen these! These are just off the top of my head.

Not fluffy - hard going:
Contract Marriage
All regional variations of Fated to Love You/You Are My Destiny
Well intended love YUCK

Italics fail! Sorry 😳

@FedUpWithBriiiiick

Oh yes football on tonight, no k-dramas for me. I've got the Italian beer chilling 😉😂

FedUp ! 😱😂

I feel like I should watch the football, if only to have something to talk to people about at work tomorrow, but I just can’t summon any enthusiasm for it.

I'm getting the drinks in me tonight. It's a public holiday tomorrow and my work is closed until Wednesday!

I’m not watching football the house is full of males I am escaping to the loft and dramaland/webtoonery (with wine obvs)

I might have watched the football but those who really want to watch it have gone out to do that so I'm peacefully at a fish farm in Taiwan instead.

@JinBhoot for fluffy tosh you could also try Instead of Tipsy Why Not get Drunk on Viki - plot is cohabitation as somehow the ML & FL swap taste buds by accidentally kissing 🙄 as you do, and as mL is a wine expert he has to keep kissing FL to get his taste buds back 😂😂

Who dreams this up???? Anyway if you can forgive the first few kisses it is okay and has Simon Gong in 👍👍 not the best actor but now a firm fave after Word of Honor ……..have I mentioned how much I like Word of Honor? 😆

pol what’s the fish farm in Taiwan thing?

@JinBhoot

What does this say? Is this some emoji? And the one he did with just one hand on the cheek.

Found this on Instagram

It's A Thousand Goodnights Betty's I hesitate to recommend it as such because it's very very low key. But also really pretty and kind of immerses you in Taiwan. I keep almost giving up on it and then going back to it. A drama for a particular mood...

I love Something about the 1%, it is really endearing and the FL is a primary school teacher and takes no s**t at all from the ML