MsLatté’s Daebak Cybercafé (Kdrama addicts #27): The one where global smash Squid Game launches kdrama into the stratosphere. C’mon in!

[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/Netflix)*
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)
Hometown Cha Cha Cha (Viki)
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)/Couple on the Backtrack (Netflix)
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” 💩

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

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!

I think they were estranged and this was the big reunion that the dad was in on. To be honest I think there could have been a better time and way of arranging that. I mean if she'd pegged it at the reception would have cast a real downer but 🤷 Lovely day trip for Mr Smoulder and Ms Sunshine.

Yumis cells was good again- cameo from 2ml of HTCCC - the smarmy "concern" at the end 🙄

Aargh!! He's always an annoying character! 😂

Ooh! Babi is going to make an appearance in the next episode of Yumi! 👏

@rowdythree I wonder if he gets the script thinking "what exciting character that will stretch my acting skills and show off my range am I playing this time....

Oh, irritating 2ml/love roadblock. Again"

A bit like Sung Hoon and cold chaebols or those actors who are always the evil chairman or interfering chairwoman/mom Park Yeong Gyu springs to mind- generally the minute you spot him he's going to be the chairman, possibly evil.

Ooh! Babi is going to make an appearance in the next episode of Yumi! 👏

Hmmmm I’m at the point in the webtoon where she has just received an offer for her writing and really really hope they don’t do a True Beauty (although I liked that ending and the TB webtoon is still going on) as I’m enjoying where the story is going.

…..on the subject of the webtoon POSSIBLE SPOILER I’m wondering if there’s a reason why the publishing editor’s cells are different in style? I also like how the characters in Yumi’s writing are different in appearance according to who is reading the story

I'm up to Ep 3 of come and hug me it's a bit slow but I'm persevering as it should get better right? The mother in it at the beginning isn't a very nice character and her over acting annoyed me.

Saving HCCC for tonight as DH is dragging me on a walk.

@bettys

Ooh! Babi is going to make an appearance in the next episode of Yumi! 👏

Hmmmm I’m at the point in the webtoon where she has just received an offer for her writing and really really hope they don’t do a True Beauty (although I liked that ending and the TB webtoon is still going on) as I’m enjoying where the story is going.

…..on the subject of the webtoon POSSIBLE SPOILER I’m wondering if there’s a reason why the publishing editor’s cells are different in style? I also like how the characters in Yumi’s writing are different in appearance according to who is reading the story

You're not too far behind me @bettys! The publishers 'little man' cells made me laugh, they look quite ridiculous! No idea why they're so different to the others though. Maybe it's the way the character presents himself as quite arrogant and stand-offish, not cute and cuddly like Yumi.

I don't want to give any spoilers away, but I think the Yumi Webtoon had moved on so much from where the show is. It's almost like a different story now. However, I am loving the show and I can only think that it will be a True Beauty style ending, not sure how else they can do it, without carrying the show on for many series.

@Hydrogensonata, maybe one day we'll Lee Sang Yi play the lead, so he'll know what it feels like when the irritating 2ml turns up 😂

I’m fearing for the state of Dr Yoon’s sheets. (Vague)

Me too Boaty 😂 I'm worrying about all sorts of things tbh. Those grandmas must have given very comprehensive advice.
I read somewhere that Yumi's Cells is going to have multiple seasons? Not sure if that's true or not. Saving drama up for later but enjoying my daily dose of the Webtoon so much.

@Rowdythree I have been galloping along on 5 episodes a day! I do know how it ends as I have read the last eps but it's not spoiling my enjoyment of it. I think you're right about how they will end it, I don't think they'll take it to another series.
Was it you who said something about the tongue cells when they kiss? Where was that bit did I miss it? Her current status hasn't involved much action on that front.

Oooh cross-post with pol where did you see that about multiple seasons?

Saw it on Insta but just looked it up to confirm and that was certainly the intention when the show was announced. Of course will depend on how it's done whether they get a season 2 I guess but means it may end on cliffhanger. Only 14 eps.

Me too Boaty 😂 I'm worrying about all sorts of things tbh. Those grandmas must have given very comprehensive advice.

I was surprised about destination to be honest. I thought the clinic would have been a better bet - access to clean instruments, pain relief, a whole bunch of useful stuff to be honest.

Pol - What is your take on Nurse Sunshine’s self-esteem? She seems impervious to his snarks and barbs. Does she have such high self-esteem, they glance off her self-belief force field? Or is her self-esteem so low she doesn’t react because she agrees? Her persistence and lack of ego is baffling. I’m loving the visuals but it’s not very believable.

bettys yes it was me who mentioned the tongue cells, it seems quite a while ago now, I can't remember when it was. I think it must have been when the current status began. It was quite amusing though 😂

That's interesting that there might be more series pol!

Is anyone reading the authors other Webtoon, Daily JoJo? Woong makes an appearance in it!

Presumably a nice supply of nitrous oxide at the clinic too...

I don't think believability was high on the agenda in the production meetings for Incurable Love 😁. But yes, she takes it all on the chin because he is her One True Love and she is his student determined to be Worthy. The balance between them is quite sweet by the end though.

@boatyardblues

Me too Boaty 😂 I'm worrying about all sorts of things tbh. Those grandmas must have given very comprehensive advice.

I was surprised about destination to be honest. I thought the clinic would have been a better bet - access to clean instruments, pain relief, a whole bunch of useful stuff to be honest.

Definitely. That bedroom looked far to clean for what had just gone on. And she managed to sit up without wincing which was impressive! Any theories on the photo mystery?

Business partner?

@JinBhoot I'm up to episode 8 of w:two worlds - it certainly clips along! Enjoying it so far although for some reason I don't quite buy the chemistry between the two leads? Although I'm only half way through so plenty of time for that to develop

Actually the flirting chemistry is good - the relationship bits aren't quite there yet.
Perhaps I'm just too distracted by the MLs black and white chequered suit....

Ahhh! The crazy wardrobe of Kang Cheol! I loved W Two Worlds! 😂😂

@Bea

Ahhh! The crazy wardrobe of Kang Cheol! I loved W Two Worlds! 😂😂

It proves that being rich as Croesus doesn’t buy you style or good taste.

Someone needs to stage a wardrobe intervention for him.
It's the way it's pretty normal then suddenly...bam..black and white chequered suit...then back to normal again?

OK, Nurse Sunshine has no self-esteem. 🤦‍♀️