Related: Film discussion forum.
Related: Film discussion forum.
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.
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boatyardblues · 09/11/2021 12:09
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:
- Her Private Life - 9.40 (5 votes)
- 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)
- 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!
bettys · 12/11/2021 20:36
I wouldn't possibly know anything about that sort of thing
Me neither
polkettle · 12/11/2021 20:47
Cry laughing at the solemn sad monkly preparation of Halloween decorations.
boatyardblues · 12/11/2021 21:03
Bad monk!
As of August 2020, Yamashita has been suspended by Johnny & Associates from acting/singing for an undefined amount of time due to proven allegations of drinking with underage girls in a group setting with Kamenashi Kazuya on July 30th, 2020. Both he and Kamenashi claim to have not known their ages.
Source: mydramalist.com/people/215-yamashita-tomohisa
FedUpWithBriiiiick · 12/11/2021 21:38
[quote boatyardblues]Bad monk!
As of August 2020, Yamashita has been suspended by Johnny & Associates from acting/singing for an undefined amount of time due to proven allegations of drinking with underage girls in a group setting with Kamenashi Kazuya on July 30th, 2020. Both he and Kamenashi claim to have not known their ages.
Source: mydramalist.com/people/215-yamashita-tomohisa[/quote]
Nooooo!!!!!
boatyardblues · 12/11/2021 21:51
He is 36 too. Old enough to know better and be well beyond women young enough to fall the wrong side of the legal line. 
boatyardblues · 12/11/2021 22:50
I’ve got to date night and the monk’s decision. I see a whole day under the waterfall in his immediate future. 😂
boatyardblues · 12/11/2021 22:52
FL’s family home has the feel of a static caravan.
Rowdythree · 12/11/2021 22:56
We started Chimera tonight, another serial killer one. Unfortunately I fell asleep after about 10 minutes and woke up 5 minutes before the end 🙄 DH said it was quite good though, so I'll have to catch up tomorrow
boatyardblues · 12/11/2021 23:47
I’ve spent my evening with sexy monk and his erstwhile bride. It’s very easy, frothy viewing. The clip clop of sexy monk’s wooden flipflops are a bit of a turn-off for me, but he’s OK indoors in socks or bare feet. I hope BL eonni pulls her head out of her manga long enough to notice that Arthur is itching to bonk her IRL. Such a waste. NY slowpoke? A bit fat whatevs from me, I’m afraid, irrespective of backstory.
boatyardblues · 12/11/2021 23:49
The temple is triggering all the same happy points as a good hanok does so I’m enjoying some incidental architecture porn too. 😄
AesopsMables · 13/11/2021 08:17
Ogam bar in London has got roadside tents in! Must go soon.
We are going here on 27th Nov!! Friends of ours in London called me the other day to tell me about it as they were discussing my K Drama obsession whilst they were dining there !! From what they said it was v v spicy and authentic - Can't wait! They also serve Magkeolli in bowls👌
Not had chance for any viewing this week at all due to work, getting silly now. I will be addressing this over the weekend of course.
boatyardblues · 13/11/2021 09:31
Happiness is a bit 😱 this week. Lots of jump scares.
boatyardblues · 13/11/2021 10:09
Happiness is great. Really well put together and the leads are fantastic.
boatyardblues · 13/11/2021 10:32
And on to Jirisan… Am I alone in thinking that spending Christmas in a remote mountain shelter with Ju Ji-Hoon is pretty damn marvellous? Lucky Demon Seo!
TheGirlWithTheArabStrap · 13/11/2021 10:53
I went out after work yesterday for 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 so I'm feeling a bit 🤢😵 today
BUT I have a card from the postman so I think our favourite cardboard Oppa might be waiting for me at the post office! 😂
I'll go and collect him after I've joined in with DH and DSs activity of choice today (model railways 😏)
TheGirlWithTheArabStrap · 13/11/2021 10:55
DH is out tonight and I've got Happiness Jirisan and In the Soop to watch!! 😍
boatyardblues · 13/11/2021 11:25
Great to see the oddball director from Melo again in today’s Jirisan. He has an odd energy, hard to define but great to watch.
Rowdythree · 13/11/2021 12:26
@TheGirlWithTheArabStrap
BUT I have a card from the postman so I think our favourite cardboard Oppa might be waiting for me at the post office! 😂
I'll go and collect him after I've joined in with DH and DSs activity of choice today (model railways 😏)
How exciting Thegirl! I hope your hangover is easing! Hangover soup??
Looking forward to my Saturday afternoon Jirisan binge. DH and I are going out tonight (kids at a sleepover! 🙌) so we won't be watching Happiness tonight, but can have a double bill tomorrow.
Dontwanttobeyourmonkeywench · 13/11/2021 13:13
Finally getting the time to binge Cha Cha Cha and really enjoying it 😁 Had a late night catch up with my sister (on her end) and the b*h was drinking magkeolli with dried squid snacks. I may have to disown her...😂 She has promised to add dried squid, persimmon and sweet potato to my Christmas box, so I'll keep her around until then 😉
Andante57 · 13/11/2021 14:51
Monkeywrench Cha Cha Cha is adorable, isn’t it.
In rl, I’m glad the tide is turning and public opinions seems to be getting behind Kim Seon-Ho.
Gosh I would hate to be a celebrity in Korea (zero chance of that happening, luckily) and have private text messages published for the world to read and if some jealous netizen decided to have a go, having to prove innocence.
FedUpWithBriiiiick · 13/11/2021 15:12
Look what DH picked up for me 😂
boatyardblues · 13/11/2021 16:47
He’s a keeper FedUp!
Can anyone explain why FL in Five to Nine has empty water bottles floating in the bath with her?
Rowdythree · 13/11/2021 16:56
What a good 'un Briiiiick!
The snake poachers wife in Jirisan is really annoying me! Take some responsibility love. 😒
Bea · 13/11/2021 17:13
@Rowdythree
The snake poachers wife in Jirisan is really annoying me! Take some responsibility love. 😒
Yes! I thought that too! Talk about dramarama!!
@FedUpWithBriiiiick... He's Dy Na Na Na na na na mite! 😂
FedUpWithBriiiiick · 13/11/2021 17:13
@boatyardblues
Can anyone explain why FL in Five to Nine has empty water bottles floating in the bath with her?
No but if you find out let me know 😁
The temple granny is a bad bitch isn't she?
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