MsLatté’s Daebak Cybercafé (Kdrama addicts #28): The Lord gives and He takes away. Lee Jong Suk & Park Hyung Sik return from the army; Seo Kang Joon departs.

[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. 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 Name (Netflix)
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)*
The King’s Affection (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, Netflix)*

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)*
Hospital Playlist 2 (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)
Ashin of the North (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 imagine they'll be wanting their money back if so!

@Rowdythree I haven't seen Heartstrings but DH re-watched it before You're Beautiful! Will definitely check it out on his next re-watch!

Sakura, your DH is a proper fan! Lucky you.

I've just caught up with Jirisan. I have absolutely no idea who the murderer is!

@TheGirlWithTheArabStrap BTS fanfic...goodness me. There is nothing quite so hormonal as the writings of what I imagine to be mostly teenage girls. It reminds me of Sung Shi-won in Reply 1997 getting into a prestigious university based on her filthy stories about Tony from H.O.T. I'm guessing you are a B&S fan too from your username, I think I might die if I read any of their fanfic...

I'm going to catch up with Happiness tonight but I fancy something new. Has anyone got any recommendations for something which is funny and light?

I've just caught up with Jirisan. I have absolutely no idea who the murderer is!

We’ve just watched episode 6 and I agree.

I am in Jdrama territory, watching Choosing spouse by lottery it’s very interesting.

I just watched episode 12 of Jirisan and it’s still mysterious. When the reveal happens, nondoubt the clues will have all been there. Still, 1 current front runner has been definitively ruled out in ep 12. Also, can Ju Ji-Hoon please hurry up & wake up so we get a Bea-friendly ending. 🤞I’m developing a major soft spot for JJH as he’s so affable in this. I’m seeing a whole different side to him after the succession of arrogant popinjays, princes and hard men he’s previously played.

@JinBhoot

I am in Jdrama territory, watching Choosing spouse by lottery it’s very interesting.

Is it in contract marriage territory Jin? Can you give a little more context?

How does ARMY bombs work? Do they come with tickets? Do you buy them separately?
How it changes colours, specialty when there is shape, do people coordinate or is there a certain real command to control lights?
I have so many questions.

@boatyardblues Choosing spouse by lottery is about dating & addressing serious issues. You can watch it in Viki.

Due to the nation's low birth rate and aging population, the Japanese government implements a new law that requires single men and women from the age of 25 to 39 to go on government planned blind dates. Each person can say no 2 times if they do not like their partners. If they say no for the third time, then they have to serve 2 years on an anti-terrorism activities support team.

Jin - that sounds bonkers, but good bonkers. Are the male cast members easy on the eye?

@boatyardblues

Jin - that sounds bonkers, but good bonkers. Are the male cast members easy on the eye?

They are alright, for a change main leads don’t have standard Jdrama hair style … To be honest nothing can beat Korean oppas 😆

Word!

The more Once Again progresses the more I loathe the blowhard stuntman ex/Dad. He’s always wanging on about something in his self-important way. Him berating his ex-wife after she slapped the teen (who frankly should be grounded until her 30th birthday for pulling the internet café stunt) was the final straw for me. Skip skip skip (pause for delivery guy) skip…

@MusiqueAutomatique I have never even checked if there is B&S fanfic 👀 there probably is because I have learnt there is fanfic about everything! Im going to have to check now.
My favourite ff writers are def not teenagers, promise!!

The more Once Again progresses the more I loathe the blowhard stuntman ex/Dad. He’s always wanging on about something in his self-important way. Him berating his ex-wife after she slapped the teen (who frankly should be grounded until her 30th birthday for pulling the internet café stunt) was the final straw for me. Skip skip skip (pause for delivery guy) skip…

Yup. Totally agree with the stuntman character and his crew, don't really need them in the show.

The delivery guy though I have to say is a shocking actor, stiff and expressionless even during the scenes with eldest daughter where her acting and character carries all their 1-2-1 scenes.

I'm now re-watching CLOY, having recommended it to lots of people whose first and only foray into K Drama was Squid Game.

Oppa advent day four Mr Sunshine's Goo Dong Mae

I second Choosing Spouse by Lottery for a surprisingly thoughtful watch. Really enjoyed it & was rooting for ML massively by the end

@Rowdythree

Oppa advent day four Mr Sunshine's Goo Dong Mae

Another excellent choice Rowdy. 👍

I stayed up past 1am watching Once Again and am up early be ause I have to be somewhere for 8am. 🤦‍♀️ My enthusiasm just now can be measured in negative numbers.

@JinBhoot

I am in Jdrama territory, watching Choosing spouse by lottery it’s very interesting.

It's quite a good one Jin. Quite serious social messages, not goofy.

@Rowdythree

Oppa advent day four Mr Sunshine's Goo Dong Mae

Wonderful surprise behind door number 4. This Yoo Yeon-seok is my favourite Yoo Yeon-seok.

Wonderful surprise behind door number 4. This Yoo Yeon-seok is my favourite Yoo Yeon-seok.

Mine too 😍

I think I'm going to give Choosing Spouse By Lottery ago! I still have five days of isolation left! I think I can fit it in 😂

Dong Mae!!!!😍😍😍 So excited about door no. 4 what a great way to start the day!

Am even more excited about Rowdy’s advent calendar with the possibilities of drama Oppas alongside RL oppas (no pressure Rowdy 😂)

Now THAT'S a 🔥 Day 4. Ooh... Do we get some Oppa in the shower doors? #shallow
Finally some I've skating subs plus coffee finale made for a happy start to the day.
I liked Choosing Spouse - bit of chew to it.

This week’s Happiness is off to a cracking start. I like that murdering philanderer wet himself in front of everyone. 🤣