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!

Our Alternative Oppas list contains oppas who don't usually come across as classically handsome; but personality, a well placed goatee, or good lighting make all the difference.

Day two is one of our favourite versatile character actors: Oh Jung-se!

mutters something about Jo Jung-Suk dancing as an alternative oppa, fans self and then runs away

Loving my weekly dose of Daily Jo-Jo on Webtoons even though I'm obviously in for a 5 year lease on emotional involvement.

In-laws announced yesterday that they're staying an extra day. I've obviously entertained them too well so down to cooking the enormous swede for them today.

Briiiiick great photos of Oh Jung Se, I almost didn't recognise him!

Loving my weekly dose of Daily Jo-Jo on Webtoons even though I'm obviously in for a 5 year lease on emotional involvement.

I love Daily Jo Jo too, I wish I could binge it!

Loving my weekly dose of Daily Jo-Jo on Webtoons even though I'm obviously in for a 5 year lease on emotional involvement

Me too! I loved the Auto Reaction Machine Cell and the Kings Apps, in fact I find the tomorrow & yesterday Jojos a bit in the way.

Enjoying the alternative oppas!

Briiick good work on the alternative oppas, Oh Jung-se has some nice flowing locks going on in one of the pictures too.

Polkettle good luck with the enormous swede. Are you going to roast it, boil it, fry it, braise it or would your in-laws like all of those options too much? I'm just hoping I don't poison my guests with lunch today, I remembered (and had to get up) at 3am to put the leftover turkey pie in the fridge. Everyone is willing to risk it though so hopefully no-one will die.

Due to guests we haven't had any kdrama viewing lately and have been making do with british tv, so thank you for pointing me in the direction of webtoons, I am trying not to binge my way through too quickly.

Glad to know The Silent Sea is worth it Boaty.

I'm roasting it and making soup Musique. Unfortunately I think it will be tasty. But the remnants of yesterday's shredded sprout salad should be pretty off-putting.

Make sure the sprout salad is extra soggy!

I have almost used up all the leftovers so I'm feeling pretty smug. Now to go and watch the rain out of the window.

Turkey curry tonight and then that is IT.

I've just finished You are Beautiful, I absolutely loved it 🥰 thanks for the recommendation Sakura. I just have Dali to finish before new year now.

Enjoy the leftovers, I'm going for Christmas dinner number two today 😋

First world problems, but all the Japanese restaurants are still closed after Christmas. I had to magic up a kimchi stew instead to feed our guest. One of the restaurants reopens tomorrow so I hope we can get a table or a takeaway.

Our guest also means no kdrama for a couple of days. 😱 Well, except at the very edges of the day. He is a late riser so tomorrow morning is a possibility for the finale of To Fly with Me.

Was it Hydrogen who was feeling awful with COVID a couple of days ago? I hope uou are on the mend.

So glad you enjoyed it Rowdy! DH got me some merchandise for Christmas. 😆

I haven't watched K drama for a few days either. Feels very strange! Hope everyone gets to enjoy some over the next few days.

What was it Sakura? If it's a Hwang Tae Kyung life size cut out, I'll be extremely jealous 😂

To Fly with Me - that head injury and the immediate decision? 😱😱😱 Dear God!

Haha! Sadly not, Rowdy. A notebook with him being all pouty on the cover and an A.N.J.E.L.L T-shirt!

That's just as good sakura! Well done to your DH 👏

Alternative Oppas Day 3. It's a man who caused much debate round these parts. I think this picture settles the matter nicely.

It's Jung Ho-yeon's fella; the coolest hipster in SK: Lee Dong-hwi!

I think the long hair does him all sorts of favours 😬 I do think he's very cool though

I've got really into him since following him on Insta. He's COOL. Although it's quite a lot to do with his cats for me.

He gets a 👍 from me for all sorts of reasons

I’ve started The Silent Sea and it was sufficiently creepy for me to think I’d better stop watching it late at night on my own. Top notch stuff so far

I can get behind Lee Dong-hwi Briiick! Nice indie style floppy hair there.

bettys I wouldn't watch The Silent Sea by myself either. I reserve the right to walk out to the kitchen during scary or tense bits.

No kdrama round this way, but we did watch The Ghost and Mrs Muir starring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison last night. A young widow moves into a house haunted by a former occupant and they fall in love (sorry for spoilers, it's been out since 1947 so hopefully it's ok). It would do very well as a kdrama remake - bluff, cross man falls in love with a sassy heroine, interfering in-laws, cute kid, opinionated servant...all present and correct.

Ooooooh Musique you are so right about The Ghost & Mrs Muir being perfect for kdrama….I can barely remember it so may have to watch that later with kdrama goggles in for a reappreciation

Pol completely agree about Lee Dong-Hwi's cats. Definitely the insta content for me!

I’m all caught up with Our Beloved Summer. I love the pace and vibe.

Enjoying a the alternative opposite!
Thanks @boatyardblues still feeling pretty pants if I'm honest- the bit that's currently driving me up the wall are sore eyes, feeling shattered and the awful taste in my mouth- so far fruit and quality streets are the only thing that taste ok. It's a balanced diet...
I've been rewatching dramas- weightlifting fairy, zombie detective and quite a bit of once again- I need a kdrama omma to come cut my fruit up and make me tea
Oh and Korean odyssey which I think was first foray into kdrama- interesting watching again having watched so many dramas now