MsLatté’s Daebak Cybercafé (Kdrama addicts #26): With the dog days of summer behind us, it’s time to dust off your persimmon racks and dig out your down jackets for a cosy k-autumn

[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)
Monthly Magazine Home (Viki)
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)
Racket Boys (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/Netflix)


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)*

AVOID, AVOID, AVOID aka “the shit list” 💩

Well-Intentioned Love season 1 (S2 is fine)
The Birth of a Beauty

Thread Regulars’ Top Scoring Dramas of 2020
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). 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!

What did you have on the bbq Sakura? And how much soju did you consume? 😆

OK, I’m watching ep 4 of Cha Cha Cha. Can anyone shed light on the banchan that looks like hard boiled quails’ eggs pickled in malt vinegar? What is that dish and what’s in it?

By the power of google! thesubversivetable.com/soy-sauce-quail-eggs/

Korean cucumber pickle on the same page: thesubversivetable.com/korean-cucumber-pickle/

This clip on insta 😂😂😂😂www.instagram.com/tv/CS85MGNpO0h/?utm_medium=copy_link

Is anyone else looking forward to chilly autumn days so they have an excuse to stay in watching dramas? I don’t need any excuse, I am chilling & binging all year round. I am approaching my 1sy year anniversary since I have discovered Kdramas.

I think I have a crush on Hometown Cha Cha Cha’s ML.

I love FL’s shoes collection with a decent heel size (not too high & not kitten either).

Posting link again www.instagram.com/tv/CS85MGNpO0h/?utm_medium=copy_link

Ha ha Jin, that's hilarious 🤣

@Rowdythree beef bulgogi, chicken, veg and squid (inspired by Hometown Cha Cha Cha) on the BBQ. Pajeon, kimchi jeon and bibimbap too. It was all delicious! Sadly only had one soju cocktail (an apple flavour one) as our table booking was only 90 minutes. Will definitely go again!

Damn sakura, you’re making me hungry! Sounds like a great combo.

Ooh sounds delicious Sakura!

@JinBhoot

This clip on insta 😂😂😂😂www.instagram.com/tv/CS85MGNpO0h/?utm_medium=copy_link

Is anyone else looking forward to chilly autumn days so they have an excuse to stay in watching dramas? I don’t need any excuse, I am chilling & binging all year round. I am approaching my 1sy year anniversary since I have discovered Kdramas.

I think I have a crush on Hometown Cha Cha Cha’s ML.

I love FL’s shoes collection with a decent heel size (not too high & not kitten either).

I think it must be about a year since o started watching kdramas - although I don't need the autumn weather as an excuse to binge I am looking forward to snuggling on the sofa and watching whilst it tips it down outside Getting FOMO about hometown cha cha cha- I've been finishing off kill me heal me and watching tomorrow with you mostly because I love Shin Min-a and Lee Je Hoon definitely makes it onto my age appropriate opppa list 😁 @JinBhoot isn't he the 2ML in start up? I mainly remember he had very nice dimples and a nice voice and would have been my choice over the ML

I started watching The Romance. I couldn’t make head nor tail of it until I realised it was a reality show - two celeb (not RL) couples pitted against one another to come up with a web drama scenario, with the best one to be filmed. The older couple are Kim Ji Suk (ML from Monthly Magazine) and actress Yoo In Young. The younger pair are totally forgettable, but Kim Ji Suk and Yoo In Young have been really good friends for 14 years. I don’t know if they are playing it up for the show but there’s a definite Harry Met Sally vibe going on. They’re good fun together and very much at ease in each other’s company. I’m not sure I can stick all 8 episodes of it, but it’s interesting.

In other news, Kim Ji Suk went to middle & high school in England. If we invite him to our fantasy oppas in the pub outing, I think he’s be good fun and able to converse comfortably in English.

Your dinner sounds amazing Sakura! I'm so jealous of you guys having ready access to Korean restaurants!

I'm planning to go to London in October 2022 for the K-pop V&A exhibition. Anyone else?

@boatyardblues

I started watching The Romance. I couldn’t make head nor tail of it until I realised it was a reality show - two celeb (not RL) couples pitted against one another to come up with a web drama scenario, with the best one to be filmed. The older couple are Kim Ji Suk (ML from Monthly Magazine) and actress Yoo In Young. The younger pair are totally forgettable, but Kim Ji Suk and Yoo In Young have been really good friends for 14 years. I don’t know if they are playing it up for the show but there’s a definite Harry Met Sally vibe going on. They’re good fun together and very much at ease in each other’s company. I’m not sure I can stick all 8 episodes of it, but it’s interesting.

In other news, Kim Ji Suk went to middle & high school in England. If we invite him to our fantasy oppas in the pub outing, I think he’s be good fun and able to converse comfortably in English.

That is interesting information Boaty! I really like Kim Ji-seok, even though he's fallen out the plastic surgery tree and hit every silicone branch on the way down.

even though he's fallen out the plastic surgery tree and hit every silicone branch on the way down.

😂
I agree, though. I find him intrinsically likeable. It’s interesting that he has such a close female friend - usually a good sign that a bloke is not a dick.

The monosyllabic idol and his noona writing partner are warming up. She’s definitely wearing the trousers in this team. Jejudo looks lovely in the winter - big skies. It reminds me of Cornwall out of season.

I'm hungry now! 😭😭😭

Cucumber kimchi is my favourite!

I have had a few horrible work days so have been recovering by rewatching In The Soop in preparation for series 2. The biggest drama was a battery running low on a remote control boat. Lovely.

Sorry to hear work has been rubbish Girl. In the Soop sounds like a good tonic.

@TheGirlWithTheArabStrap

I have had a few horrible work days so have been recovering by rewatching In The Soop in preparation for series 2. The biggest drama was a battery running low on a remote control boat. Lovely.

I have watched it last week - it’s such a relaxing watch. I heard S2 is paid a content, but which platform? JK’s paintings are amazing. JHope is such a sweetie, hanging out with everyone. I wonder if the wine request (ep1) from V was for his heart to heart with JK 🧐

@TheGirlWithTheArabStrap Sorry to hear about your work, I hope things get sorted soon.
I watched In The Soop during a tough work week & it was so therapeutic.

Soop soop soop … Soo roo roop roop roop
Soo roo roop … Roop roop … Soo roo roop

I think I have a crush on Hometown Cha Cha Cha’s ML.
I know I do, those dimples 😳
Just finished catching up on it tonight, its so funny. I belly laughed at the Seoul road trip road rage/FL bonding with the Hacker over JUNE and police station cell scenes.

Loving this show so much!

@JinBhoot Soop 2 will be available to buy on Weverse but not sure about anywhere else. Just seen the mild peril of Jin killing a fish for Sashimi

Me too. The pacing and warmth are just what I need right now. The ML is totally my style and his character is very likeable. I’ve been trying to guess what his character’s job was before he dropped out & became chief/odd job man. Clues so far: he was a child prodigy and v good at reading Chinese characters; suit in the wardrobe; on very good terms with the local police. I’m guessing a judge, an unusually young and accomplished one. It will turn out he is more than her match intellectually & in terms of bragging rights with her horrid dentist frienemies.

[quote TheGirlWithTheArabStrap]@JinBhoot Soop 2 will be available to buy on Weverse but not sure about anywhere else. Just seen the mild peril of Jin killing a fish for Sashimi[/quote]
Oh yes 😂😂😂
Jin’s fish song & painting didn’t help, in Soop 2 - they must give him a pond/lake filled with fishes. Or a big paddling pool/bigger version of fish tank.