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!

We got a Dyson V11 after we got our cat. Between him and the kids, they trail mud everywhere and the cat sheds constantly. I was aware of it from kdrama PPL but it was recommended by a colleague. The kids vacuum their rooms now because they like using it, so a win. It is good for a quick clean before visitors and useful for vacuuming the car. I’m not convinced it is worth the price but it has made cleaning easier and more frequent. If there’s a well reviewed less £££ brand that does the same thing, I’d recommend it as a concept/design.

Is the female host with long hair in Singles Inferno the actress who played Scarlet in WWW: Search? She looks the same if it isn’t her.

@boatyardblues

Is the female host with long hair in Singles Inferno the actress who played Scarlet in WWW: Search? She looks the same if it isn’t her.

I just checked mydramalist and have confirmed she is indeed the same person but had to dodge all the spoilery links with the contestants’ ages and jobs. It’s so tempting to look.

I've just dipped into You are my destiny and the opening scene for the shampoo ad seems bonkers. Going to see if it's a binge as have day to myself.

Very satisfying end - off to Twitter to find out what happened next
Had completely failed to twig it was 'Scarlet' although the other woman is in My Love from Another Star. I actually really enjoyed the panel chat - in built Gogglebox.

I was interested in their opening remarks about it not being like a Korean show & the more western sensibility. Also the contestant’s comments as stubble guy walked down the stairs that he was not Korean & walked like a Korean-American. It’s funny that they drew conclusions just from his walk and general look.

He has chest hair! Scandalous. But not armpit hair. I can't keep up with what hair is or is not allowed.

I've just dipped into You are my destiny and the opening scene for the shampoo ad seems bonkers. Going to see if it's a binge as have day to myself.

Aesops You Are My Destiny is eminently bingeable. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Currently watching Bad & Crazy with Lee Dong Wook in manic form and the 'Opppppppppa!' FL from Be Melodramatic

Must watch Single Inferno by the sound of it....

Very satisfying end - off to Twitter to find out what happened next
Pol - se-hoon is getting lots of slating for his choice on instagram(I don't have twitter)

Can't wait for more of you to finish for the discussion!

Betty's- I'm sticking with YAMD after 2 eps it's definitely a binge

I've just started Bad and Crazy, and counterpointing with strangely paced contract marriage c-drama on Viki called Love in Time.

Is it worth the watch?

Much to discuss Aesops and I suspect a cultural divide on his behaviour. It was a great plot twist!
Is there a CDrama that isn't strangely paced FedUp? Love in Time pretty jolly froth with a good line in pyjamas as far as I remember.

I’m still on ep 2 of Singles Inferno but I like the 2nd couple featured at Paradise, how they go straight from their pool to a relaxed dinner in their swimmers and dressing gowns with wet hair and genuine chit chat. The first couple suit each other in that they are vain poseurs and shallow as puddles. I will now unpause to resume viewing…

More food talk - Cup noodles fried rice is all over on my insta feed today.
www.instagram.com/reel/CTFK3zclXTW/?utm_medium=copy_link

The first couple suit each other in that they are vain poseurs and shallow as puddles. I will now unpause to resume viewing…🤣💯

@polkettle

Much to discuss Aesops and I suspect a cultural divide on his behaviour. It was a great plot twist! Is there a CDrama that isn't strangely paced FedUp? Love in Time pretty jolly froth with a good line in pyjamas as far as I remember.

You know how I feel about good lounge wear. Right up my straße.

I really want to see Bad and Crazy! Is it any good? Singles Inferno is also on our watch list so am pleased so many of you are enjoying it. We got addicted to Love Island a few years ago though and I'm worried about a similar situation...

Is anyone else avoiding the lure of Singles inferno? I really don't want to watch it, but you're all making me so tempted 😬

@Rowdythree

Is anyone else avoiding the lure of Singles inferno? I really don't want to watch it, but you're all making me so tempted 😬

Aye Aye Captain!

Goarn Rowdy . It's all good timez and more sweet than ick meat market.

I’m half way through. It is surprisingly gripping. There are some two-faced turncoats, for sure. I’m wearying of Ji-A’s constant outfit changes, all the branded clothing. She’s so vapid. And who the hell brings a furry pink handbag to a desert island?

I'm probably in the minority when I say that I would prefer to stay on the island with the group (inc se-Hoon for his cooking) than stay in a hotel suite eating western food room service🤔.

As long as it is safe to swim in the sea and there is bug spray, island for me too. 🏊‍♀️

Oh no. Se-hoon and So-Yeon in the canteen for round 2. 😱

@polkettle

Goarn Rowdy . It's all good timez and more sweet than ick meat market.

I'm going to resist Pol 😆

I started reading Pachinko last night, I was awake at 4am reading it 🤦‍♀️ I can't wait to go to bed and read more tonight.

I can't BELIEVE you're choosing Pachinko over Singles Inferno. Blocking and reporting.