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 love it when ML confronts his father.

[quote LarryUnderwood]@bea what?! Today! I thought it was on 30th. Shit, there go my plans to work tonight.[/quote]
performances on Radio 1 Live Loung was today at 12... you can catch up on BBC Sounds or watch performances on YouTube..

Tomorrow (Weds) there's a little 30 min prog about the rise of bts and i assume the interview with Adele Roberts and their Live Lounge performances! www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/bbc-one-special-bts-radio-1-hosted-by-adele-roberts-announced__33640/

Enjoy!!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

I really looking forward to monthly magazine home tonight
Then realised it's out Wednesday and Thursday and today is Tuesday 😭
The disappointment of premature K-drama excitement

@boatyardblues yes she was surprisingly blasé about nearly being strangled especially considering he's a suspicious character already ... I think Yoon Park is doing a good job and keeping it on the line where you're not quite sure which of him if either is is the baddie

@FiddlefigOnTheRoof

I love it when ML confronts his father.

Usually I don’t have favourite episode but that episode was the best. FL’s conversation with both parents and all the scenes in the house. I just love ML’s parents house.

I enjoyed the North part more. I have finished all episodes. Now it’s time for withdrawal symptoms & I am feeling bit sad on 2nd pair’s ending.

Another day, another cryptic Plug photo shoot. After last time's counter top whippet, the Yorkshireman theme is developed further.

@polkettle

Another day, another cryptic Plug photo shoot. After last time's counter top whippet, the Yorkshireman theme is developed further.

Now THIS is art.

He's not to get those eggs home in one piece though is he FedUp? Will the pigeon lay replacements? Just as well we know he has a working tap to clean up the mess.

😂 That picture couldn't get more Yorkshire! How bizarre 🤣

As a Yorkshirewoman myself it just needs one more thing…..a flat cap

@polkettle

He's not to get those eggs home in one piece though is he FedUp? Will the pigeon lay replacements? Just as well we know he has a working tap to clean up the mess.

Pigeon eggs. Imagine 🤢

@Bea I have decided to save myself to watch the BBC1 tonight and then the live lounge after (who cares if it's the same thing!). Only problem is we're going to my inlaws tonight so I may have to hide upstairs with my ipad as I don't think it will be their cup of tea. Have so far avoided any clips whatsoever as I want to enjoy the whole thing, unadulterated and uninterrupted. It's hard to describe just how hard I have fallen down the BTS rabbit hole in recent months.

[quote LarryUnderwood]@Bea I have decided to save myself to watch the BBC1 tonight and then the live lounge after (who cares if it's the same thing!). Only problem is we're going to my inlaws tonight so I may have to hide upstairs with my ipad as I don't think it will be their cup of tea. Have so far avoided any clips whatsoever as I want to enjoy the whole thing, unadulterated and uninterrupted. It's hard to describe just how hard I have fallen down the BTS rabbit hole in recent months.[/quote]
😂🤣😂🤣 It's perfectly understandable... once you start digging there are sooo many lovely nuggets of treasure of thrills, comedy, awesomeness, touching moments, good sense, chaos, jaw droppingly good stuff... it's just a HUGE whole entertainment package and then added to that... they are just such goog good people... sigh i say it all the time... their parents must be just sooooo proud for them!!!...

Enjoy!... squirrel away but sooner or later you will throw caution to the wind and if they don't get it... they won't get it but as long as you enjoy!... your days will be filled with joy!!!! 😂

Nooooo. Lovely Mr Beanie guy is being edited out of Nevertheless because his girlfriend says he cheated on her. Nooooooo 😭

@polkettle

Nooooo. Lovely Mr Beanie guy is being edited out of Nevertheless because his girlfriend says he cheated on her. Nooooooo 😭

What the hell?!?!??

@Rowdythree

Okay, I'm up to date with Nevertheless! I think Mr nice noodles is definitely going to get his heart broken! I find him quite irritating, his character was similar in Sysiphus too! Will he forever be in one sided love affairs!

I like Mr beanie man! He gets my vote as a decent all rounder!

Head up- Mr beanie man - seems like some scandal is coming up (cheating & covid regulation violations)

This may or may not be true.
Seen few posts on insta & I don’t know which celebrity news accounts are genuine & which are click bait.

I hope it’s not true as he seems to be favourite here.

@polkettle

Nooooo. Lovely Mr Beanie guy is being edited out of Nevertheless because his girlfriend says he cheated on her. Nooooooo 😭

I was just reading that … so it is true. He is being edited out of ep7 for now.

Anyone know where we can watch The Witch's Diner? Or is it off to Olga's house?

@FedUpWithBriiiiick

Anyone know where we can watch The Witch's Diner? Or is it off to Olga's house?

Viki - The Witch's Diner www.viki.com/tv/37756c-the-witchs-diner

@polkettle

Nooooo. Lovely Mr Beanie guy is being edited out of Nevertheless because his girlfriend says he cheated on her. Nooooooo 😭

What the heck! Why should he be edited out because he cheated on his gf!? 😡 Also, massive regret in bigging up his character as a good egg 😂

Reading some of the comments on the soompi article! One person even commented how the Prime Minister of GB 🇬🇧 is a two timing cheater but still got the job 😂 not sure that's much of a consolation. I wouldn't want to be compared to Bo Jo if I were Kim Min Gwi 😬

I am disappointed though, I liked his character.

@polkettle

Another day, another cryptic Plug photo shoot. After last time's counter top whippet, the Yorkshireman theme is developed further.

I really don't know what to say with that 🤷🏼‍♀️

On another note, i have paused my Jonny H watching (I had ditched MDG for a rewatch of Love Designer) for a new cdrama Tears in Heaven 😢👼🏼 and i am so #shallow I don't even care about the plot 😍😍😍

The Flaming Heart’s story seems very similar to You are my hero.
Main leads are Firefighter & Doctor

Thanks @JinBhoot!! I was a bit lazy there 😳

@Cassini I have just read the synopsis of Tears in Heaven 😱😂 is it on iQ?

We have a Guilty Pleasures category on the thread header but maybe we should add When You Just Don’t Care About The Plot……..