MsLatté’s Daebak Cybercafé (Kdrama addicts #32): Spring is in the air, it’s blossom season and the BinJin wedding was lovely. Happiness abounds!

[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, AppleTV and Disney+. There are also platforms streaming content illegally if you go looking. We don’t actively 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 list 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. 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)*
Snowdrop (Disney+)
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)
Pachinko (AppleTV)
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung (Netflix)
Tale of Nokdu (Viki/Netflix)*
The King’s Affection (Netflix)
The Red Sleeve (Viki)*

Romance - lighter & fluffier
Beating Again (Netflix)
Business Proposal (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)
Twenty-five Twenty-one (Netflix)*
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)*

On The Verge of Insanity (Viki)
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)
Black (Netflix)*
Happiness* (Viki)
Hotel del Luna (Viki/Netflix)*
King: The Eternal Monarch (Netflix)
Kingdom (Netflix)*
Kingdom: Ashin of the North (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)
In House Marriage Honey (Viki, Japanese)
In Time With You (Viki - Japanese)
Instead of Tipsy Why Not Get Drunk (Viki, Chinese)
Lost Romance (Viki, Taiwanese)
Love O2O (Viki, Chinese)
Million Yen Women (Netflix, Japanese)
Morning Call (Netflix, Japanese)
My Little Happiness (Viki, Chinese)
Put Your Head on My Shoulder (Netflix, Chinese)
Rinko Wants To Try (Viki)
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 aka “the shit list” 💩

Melting Me Softly
The Birth of a Beauty
Well-Intentioned Love season 1 (S2 is fine & stands alone)

Posters’ Top Scoring 2021 Dramas
Courtesy of Hello’s kdrama spreadsheet, updated by thread regulars. Marks out of 10.

1. The Red Sleeve - 10 (2 votes, more pending)
2. Happiness - 9 (6 votes)
3. Devil Judge - 8.75 (3 votes)
4. Squid Game - 8.63 (12 votes)
5. Navillera - 8.57 (7 votes)

2020’s top scoring dramas
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, writers, film and music when the mood takes us. We have some ARMY (BTS fans) among our regulars. Some 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 sometimes resort to acronyms and/or abbreviations of show titles or favourite actors’ names. 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!

Wow - business proposal was hot [by kdrama standards]. I can forgive the amazing recovery

Cheered me right up after the misery of 2521 and the snooozefest of FLAW

Welcome KPop 👋

I fell asleep last night watching Business Proposal so must have been super tired as it does make me giggle. I think the scene where the drunk cute co-worker asks the chairman if the rumour about his wig is true was comedy gold!

Welcome @KpopArmy.

I left thread at page2 & overnight it’s on page 5.

I am not extremely sad after Grammys, I was rooting for two - BTS & Arooj Aftab, first ever South Asian female to be nominated AND SHE WON 🙌🏼.

I have finished Black Dog on ViKi (dropping on Netflix today). I have really enjoyed it.

I am on hiatus this month, will resume the viewing with Business proposal. On my return looking forward to Our Blues & Green Mother’s Club.

Any news on BTS UK tour?

If Jin & Yoongi are going to enlist this year, when will it be? When do they start the service? Any fixed time or is it open all year around?

I think enlistments are weekly (judging by dates other idols have gone in and out).

Also due to go in this year are Song Kang and Nam Joo-hyuk. No wonder they've both been busy recently!

I’m halfway through Strong Girl Bong Soon - started it ages ago, but I really liked her boss (Mr Ahn maybe?) but was worried she’d end up with the old flame cop guy… I really should woman up and keep watching to finish the series, but can someone reassure me it has a happy ending please? 🙈

Definitely a happy ending for BongBong and MinMin LeeLoo ❤️

@leeloo1

I’m halfway through Strong Girl Bong Soon - started it ages ago, but I really liked her boss (Mr Ahn maybe?) but was worried she’d end up with the old flame cop guy… I really should woman up and keep watching to finish the series, but can someone reassure me it has a happy ending please? 🙈

oh the happiest of the happiest!!! You're good to go!!!! 😁

Thanks @Bea and @Rowdythree - that’s really reassuring and I’ll start up again with that tonight. I started watching Old Enough last night, but couldn’t decide to be amazed or traumatised by the toddlers being sent off on such mammoth journeys - the 2yrs 9 months sent a km away down busy roads seemed neglectful! I wouldn’t easily ask my 13 year old to do that! 🙈

Tbf I wasn’t sure if these were regular jobs these children were asked to do (especially as the parents seemed to sit at home waiting and worrying while they were gone) or if it was only done because the cameras were following them!

Well there was an awful lot to pack in to the last episode of Business Proposal, they could have done with another episode or two to fill in the sexee timez fine detail.

There are rumours of a special episode but it isn't listed on Netflix. Apparently it may be down to Netflix that it was a short series
www.allkpop.com/article/2022/03/why-most-k-dramas-these-days-are-only-12-episodes

Business Proposal ep11 should come with a warning that the existence of Father Christmas is discussed 🎅😬😂

bettys I did feel a little short changed on Business Proposal, I must say. It definitely could have done with another episode (with more bedroom scenes). Still enjoyed it immensely, though.

The last episode was like when you're running out of time in an essay-based exam and have dash down your arguments/evidence as bullet points for the last question. I could have done with a bit more filler especially the bedroom scenes.

I have been thinking that Netflix is a bit pernicious for modest Korean actresses (and actors) as TV offered a less kit-off/sex scenes option and those less bothered could could do no-holds-barred Korean films. Non- domestic platforms catering to more international tastes are upping the sexy times content in their TV output.

boatyardblues What I actually do like about the bedroom scenes is that there is very little female nudity, which is a nice change. Let's face it, if Business Proposal was a uk or us drama the FL would have been topless, but they are mainly clothed in kdramas. I hope that doesn't change.

True. We get a lot more topless men in kdrama, which is as it should be. 😄

Oh yes, it is nice to redress the balance of many years of seeing boobs all the time on the tv. I am not averse to seeing a topless male in every drama. Especially in the shower scenes.

You can definitely tell the dramas are aimed at heterosexual women judging by the male:female nudity ratio.

I've got one episode to go with FLAW. I was really surprised about that chap laying hands on a woman like that in episode 15 though. I can't see that happening in a western show and it being glossed over with some funny sound effects.

I still have lots of Business Proposal to go, I am undecided as to whether I should eke it out or go full on binge.

The Girl you will not regret Business Proposal, it is uncomplicated high quality romance without any depressing sub-plots. And yes, I can now name all of BTS and I blame this thread totally for my descent into fandom.

Rowdy thanks for the Father Christmas warning! My oldest still seems to believe in the Easter bunny but I think he might be pretending to get more chocolate.

We watched ep 2 of Tomorrow and I'm not sure I can cope with the themes involved. Just when I thought I'd fast forward past all the bullying scenes another would pop up unexpectedly.

I can identify the actor you all call the Elven King but I must be missing a vital piece of kdrama knowledge as to why he is called that - can anyone enlighten me?

I can identify the actor you all call the Elven King but I must be missing a vital piece of kdrama knowledge as to why he is called that - can anyone enlighten me?

Musique he was 2ml in Doom At Your Service and one of us, may have been me, suggested he looked like he had escaped from Rivendell.

He actually plays a very ethereal but deadly vampire in The Scholar Who Walks The Night so the flowing robes look does suit him, although the Men in Black attire is good too. Ex-model, it all looks good on him. Not sure I want to go back to Tomorrow though as I'm not keen on the themes so far.

He actually plays a very ethereal but deadly vampire in The Scholar Who Walks The Night so the flowing robes look does suit him, although the Men in Black attire is good too. Ex-model, it all looks good on him. Not sure I want to go back to Tomorrow though as I'm not keen on the themes so far.

I’ve added it to my watchlist on the basis of this paragraph alone. 👍

I’ve been watching nodding off to something charming and Italian on Netflix, the one with the girl with cystic fibrosis rather than the TV producer/astrology one. They are interchangeable anyway - warm-hearted, beautiful men, quirky dialogue, lots of sex scenes.

I'm just getting over a spectacularly rubbish shift (should have been home by 8pm but wasn't back till 11pm 🤬) by watching Business Proposal and having a massive gin. It's everything you promised me 😍 such good fun!!

😬 Musique sorry not sorry about BTS! They definitely cheer me up every day 💜

@MusiqueAutomatique ... you will have noooo life and everything you will do will make you giggle due to some silly tenuous link in your deluded brain to Bangtan! 🤣😂... ahem... i am not speaking from experience!!!!

Business Proposal...sigh... what a marvellous classic daft kdrama with all the lovliness but a very very unchracteristic rushed ending.... i feel like i have been short changed... hopefully the special ep @bettys mentioned might tie up all the lose ends that i need to see thoroughly knotted!!!!!

I've got one episode to go with FLAW. I was really surprised about that chap laying hands on a woman like that in episode 15 though. I can't see that happening in a western show and it being glossed over with some funny sound effects

Yes I was surprised by that.

TheGirl I’m sorry you had an awful shift: glad you had gin and business proposal.
Dh is working abroad (he says he’s happy if he never goes abroad again after the scenes at Heathrow) so I’ve got to wait for him to get home to see the final of BP. I’m ticking off the minutes……