MsLatté’s Daebak Cybercafé (Kdrama addicts #29): The one where we celebrate our growing community, score the year’s dramas, thank Korean creatives and performers for another year’s happy distraction

[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, but we can point you in the right direction. We also dip into Japanese, Taiwanese & Chinese drama as & when.

The previous thread is here but our lists below are cumulative so include 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. Writer/actor Simon Pegg referred to it fondly as “tonal chaos” - it’s part of kdrama’s charm. View the categories below as best approximate & ask if you need guidance about suitability for younger viewers.

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)
Dali & the Cocky Prince (Viki)
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)
Yumi’s Cells (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)/Rain or Shine (Netflix)*
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)
Would You Like a Cup of Coffee (Viki)

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)*
Happiness* (Viki)
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)
To Fly with Me (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 & can be viewed without S1)

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

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!

Anyone else watching singles inferno on netflix?
It's not a drama tbf it's more like korean love island. But I am addicted!

I've watched half first episode Pinkbonbon - and will pick it up again as I am not averse to a bit of Love Island - in a very intellectual meta way commentating with DS OBVIOUSLY... In the same (sorta) vein I recommend The Future Diary which is bonkers but addictive Japanese dating thing.
So sorry for your loss (of a KDrama watching day) FedUp.
The Red Sleeve true story aspect was what put me off starting it. Still satisfying Boaty? I suppose I should wait for Bea's verdict.

Alternative Oppas day 8, and another talented, charismatic, character actor, who pops up in everything.

He's been touched by the surgeon's blade in recent times, but l'm still enchanted by this adorable knitwear look from Lee Kyu-hyung.

That's a great photo of him, gorgeous knitwear and tousled hair too! What surgery has he had done?

bookriot.com/books-for-k-drama-fans/amp/

This is an interesting article. One of my resolutions is to read more books this year, so books similar to K dramas seem like a good shout

The Red Sleeve true story aspect was what put me off starting it. Still satisfying Boaty? I suppose I should wait for Bea's verdict.

Yes, it gives answers and ends satisfactorily (after a fashion) so I’d say definitely worth a watch. It also achieves what so few sageuks do in reminding you that life in the 16thC wasn’t all smooching in beautiful frocks and poisonings, but also seriously lacking in modern medicine and human rights. Early on I was annoyed by FL’s steadfast resistance to the inevitable, but it turns out she was bang on the money. It was rather feminist in its take on life in that period. I’ll be mulling it over for a few more days, I’m sure.

Also, welcome @Pinkbonbon!

Ooh - some good tip offs there. Thanks Rowdy. Read Pachinko and The Disaster Tourist recently and would recommend both (VERY different). Also enjoyed Japanese books about a time travel café - title and author to follow when I look up! Almost book equivalent of Would you like a Cup of Coffee.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Gatakuchi
Thanks Boaty - I will be brave but then I'm still saying that about Mr Sunshine and then I go and choose fluff.

Both the The Red Sleeve and Mr Sunshine are worth the heartache. The stories, acting and beauty of the productions far outweigh any sadness. They have such heart. You are really missing out if you avoid them because of the sad bits.

Just going on how he looked in Racket Boys and Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?, I would guess cheek implants and/or a face lift?

He works out a lot so he's pretty buff now too.

Okay, I am New Year Resolved not to be a wuss and will go in to one of them. Heart is everything.
See that The Red Sleeve tripled its ratings and has earned team some sort of holiday travel gift from head of MBC.

The Red Sleeve was really interesting from the angle of a slamdunk virile young king woos the fair maiden. I didn’t get it until I got it, if you know what I mean. Very clever storytelling. 👏

By that I mean NOT following the usual well-trodden path.

@polkettle shall we brave it together?
I am also holding off Mr Sunshine & now The Red Sleeve has joined the list.

Was that 19 rated scene included in the last episode of The Red Sleeve? I guess it was hyped up after ML & FL’s radio show.

Did dispatch announced the couple? I am not interested in the gossip but more like I am happy for the couple.

@polkettle

Ooh - some good tip offs there. Thanks Rowdy. Read Pachinko and The Disaster Tourist recently and would recommend both (VERY different). Also enjoyed Japanese books about a time travel café - title and author to follow when I look up! Almost book equivalent of Would you like a Cup of Coffee.

Thanks for these recommendations pol I'll add them to my list!

I'm going to start The Red Sleeve too, I need a new Saeguk to watch.

[quote JinBhoot]@polkettle shall we brave it together?
I am also holding off Mr Sunshine & now The Red Sleeve has joined the list.

Was that 19 rated scene included in the last episode of The Red Sleeve? I guess it was hyped up after ML & FL’s radio show.

Did dispatch announced the couple? I am not interested in the gossip but more like I am happy for the couple.[/quote]
I'm up for that too

Dispatch did a "watch this space" post on Twitter on 31st, but nothing since then! Must have been a hitch...

I think that is not a genuine Dispatch Twitter account and they did announcement of big concert instead. Which annoyed shameless gossip loving me!
Up for a hand hold joint watch. Would probably do Mr Sunshine before The Red Sleeve simply as a bit Sageuk-ed out after a couple of them in a row but if you've already seen that FedUp then let's enjoy that virile king in a bath tub.

@polkettle

I think that is not a genuine Dispatch Twitter account and they did announcement of big concert instead. Which annoyed shameless gossip loving me! Up for a hand hold joint watch. Would probably do Mr Sunshine before The Red Sleeve simply as a bit Sageuk-ed out after a couple of them in a row but if you've already seen that FedUp then let's enjoy that virile king in a bath tub.

Ah that explains it!

Mr Sunshine is the stronger of the two I’d say: more strands, great female characters and Yoon Yeon Seok in scorching yakuza thug mode. Kim Tae Ri was also amazing in the FL role. It was so beautifully shot too, just amazing.

Briiick that is a classic korean photoshoot jumper, I think you could guess the nationality of the person just from the knitwear. I agree he's had something done, there was something about his face in Happiness but I can't quite put my finger on it. As for your DH, perhaps he can watch terrestrial on a tablet with headphones and leave the TV for kdrama?!

I'm trying to persuade DH to watch The Red Sleeve, he really does have a thing for the FL. We shall see.

I really loved the last episode of Our Beloved Summer, apart from the story it was nice to see some lovely autumn sunshine in the woods. I'm taking the children out for a walk in the woods later but I think it'll be more like calf-deep in mud. I fell over full length in the mud there last winter.

A bit of inspiration for the (naturally far superior) inaugural Daebak Awards in March.

I have just updated my scores on the spreadsheet and now realize that there are quite a few I started but didn't finish yet that have decent scores. Will re-visit a couple today.
Totally hooked on 'Inferno Island' and looking forward to the finale next week.

Done the first two episodes of The One and Only because I like Ahn Eunjin. Its ratings are tanking in Korea. Even by usual KDrama standards it is extreme in tonal shifts and have absolutely no idea where its going to take me and whether I'll see out the nonsense. Having a terminal illness has never looked more attractive.

I've just got back from a very noisy couple of hours at a trampolining park with ds and his chums. I need some peace and tranquility now. I want to start The Red Sleeve this afternoon