best to worst ‒ dramas ❜

2024/05/02

Pyramid Game addresses thought-provoking messages on physical/emotional violence, bullying, neglect, the "bystander effect", and social class hierarchy in the form of a school setting. With such a morally ambiguous main character like Sooji, this show is able to explore many themes, all while making it in a thrilling and enjoyable watch. 

The storyline is reminiscent of a chessboard, where multiple calculated moves by characters are made in advance. The cat-and-mouse game between Sooji & Harin is without a doubt, the highlight of the show. Both characters are just so multi-faceted with complimentary acting performances by the actresses. In fact, every actress here was note-worthy, and as a viewer, it felt as though everyone had a good grasp on the person they were playing.

It's thrilling, immersive, and simply fun. I had a great time waiting every week and seeing other people's edits on social media. 

2024/05/02

I'm usually averse to historical dramas and romcoms, but The Story of Park's Marriage Contract defied my expectations and managed to captivate me with the actors' impeccable chemistry and fun storyline.

Lee Se Young and Bae In Hyuk delivered solid performances, but I truly loved them when they were acting alongside one another. They seem to have natural chemistry together and their scenes were particularly heartwarming.

The supporting characters were nuanced and compelling, albeit some of them were quite annoying (*ahem* Ha Na). 

The drama at times exhibits plotholes/inconsistencies with the lapses in the timeline, however TSoPMC is still fantastic, as I've never felt this giddy about a romcom drama. I definitely suggest people to at least check it out!

2024/05/02

Tomorrow is able to showcase the scathing conditions of modern society, as the amount of societal issues plaguing the cities are insane. The drama conveys heartbreaking scenarios of what people have to face in life, and why it can lead to suicide. It's realistic, touching, and it draws empathy and sympathy from views who can connect to how a character is feeling.

My favourite episode would have to be when the main characters found themselves in the situation where they discuss the harsh conditions women during World War 2 had to face, serving as mere comfort women for the Japanese. It was heartbreaking and hard to watch, but it really opened my eyes on the topic I was previously unknowledgeable about. 

The episodic nature of the show can be a turn-off for some people, but I personally love it. It allows me to take bite-sized information about different characters, all-the-while having an engaging overarching storyline.

There were some episodes where I believed that the way the main characters handled a character's struggles was insensitive, but in the end, Tomorrow manages to show social commentary and offer unique perspectives on humans in general.

2024/06/19

Enigma is a near-masterpiece with its storyline, exceptional acting performances, stunning cinematography, amazing visual effects, and noteworthy scene compositions. It's no secret that GMMTV aren't known for their action scenes — Midnight Museum fell flat in its first episode for its awkward-looking fight scenes — but the scenes here are just extraordinary. In simply four episodes, this drama effortlessly portrays mystery and suspense, leaving me on the edge of my seat after each episode.

The cast may be on the smaller side, but each one acted their hearts out. I fell in love with Prim, Piploy, and Win's acting in just one swoop. The emotional range displayed by the actors is downright remarkable. This drama also explores themes such as identity, friendship, and the pains of familial expectations so well.

In conclusion, Enigma is a must-watch, exceeding expectations on every level. With its compelling plot and breathtaking visuals, it has set a new standard for GMMTV.

2024/05/03

Alright, let's do this one last time. My username is neriya. I was searching for a new drama to watch, and finally I stumbled upon Move to Heaven. I'm pretty sure you know the rest.

I watched the first episode, fell in love, watched more, and then I watched even more, and more and more, and more.  Look, I fell in love with the characters, the story, the acting. Move to Heaven has an excellent soundtrack.

And a... few bumps along the way. I mean, the ending could've been worse. But after everything, I still love Move to Heaven. I mean, who wouldn't? So no matter how many hits it takes, I always find a way to love this drama.

2024/05/04

This is 100% an unpopular opinion (you can tell based on my rating and the overall consensus rating), but The Heavenly Idol was absolutely delightful. The humour was simply on-point and the secondhand embarrassment scenes were elevated because of Kim Min Gue's acting. It's well-paced and the chemistry is there! I truly have no clue on what others mean when they say their chemistry was non-existent.

The main character was so amusing that even mundane things like him trying to navigate modern life left me fulfilled. I've read the webtoon, and I actually didn't mind the inclusion of romance. Do I miss the original manager? Of course! However, the love story between Dal and Yeon Woo was adorable. The mutual affect and support from one another was so heartwarming o watch. 

It can get a bit cliche, but I think it addes to the charm of the drama. Overall, The Heavenly Idol is charming, engaging, fun, and a heavenly mix of romance, comedy, and life. They can never make me hate you baby girl! 

2024/05/03

18 Again was my re-introduction to kdramas after I'd fallen out of love, so this will always have a special place in my heart regardless ♡

18 Again explores the theme of second chance after you've goofed up in detail. The central character is Hong Dae Young, played by the one and only Lee Do Hyun, and my god was he the heart of the show. The story moves at a slower pace, so it allows us viewers to really see the dynamics — or lack thereof —  of his family and friends.

The characters are all so relatable with their struggles and personal problems, so it makes me more emotionally invested in their story. There were many tearjerker moments that just made me love this drama even more.

Nothing is without faults though. The slow pace is also its downfall. The pacing feels uneven at times; there were many, many scenes that either felt too rushed or too dragged on. The children of Dae Young felt underutilized as well. The scenes they did have left much to be desired. Shi Ah, the daughter, had a... love triangle plotline. Are you kidding me?? And Shi Woo was basically an afterthought. His screentime was so minimal, I almost forgot he existed.

In conclusion, 18 Again is still worth it for the valuable life lessons and emotional depth. When this drama was good, it was REALLY good.

2024/05/04

The Glory is a revenge-based bullying story filled with jaw-dropping foreshadowing, iconic one-liners, and overall emotional resonance.

Many have praised Song Hye Kyo for her performance as a victim of school bullying fueled with revenge, but I personally find her as one of the weakest links in the ensemble. Her character has a lot of subtle and nuanced emotions, but she just looks stone-faced most of the time. She has won the Baeksang Award for Best Actress though, so clearing I'm of the unpopular opinion. I'm not saying she's bad, it's simply that everyone else was perfect.

Putting all that aside, The Glory is an emotionally charged drama with perfect pacing that tackles important, albeit difficult themes in a succinct manner. It blew up for a reason, and I highly suggest it just for the acting alone. 

2024/06/19

23.5 is charming and adorable little show. It's a "safe" option, as this drama is GMMTV's first step into the GL market. MilkLove show off their adorable sides and their natural connection, while ViewJune show off their unexpected chemistry here. It's a feel-good watch and a lighthearted escape from real life problems.

However, as I've mentioned, 23.5 is a safe choice. The story is predictable and lacks depth to keep me engaged for long. The supporting characters re also way too overutilized. As much as I adore AJ, his character did not need to take up that much screentime.

Overall, 23.5 is a good option for fans of high school romance stories. Although, if you're looking for a complex plot with complex characters, you might find it a bit lacking.

2024/05/03

D.P. showcases the harsh reality of the South Korean military system; the bad, the ugly, and the horror of it all. Its short runtime is just perfect enough to demonstrate the darker aspects of military service without it feeling too long.

The comedic aspects are a hit or miss, but overall it's a nice break from the grim reality. The main duo bounces off each other really well. Many have garnered a strong emotional response to the scenes shown in the drama, but to me, it never felt "too much." My opinion for season 2 might change, but the first season by itself is pretty solid.

2024/05/04

Extraordinary Attorney Woo is noted for having an autistic woman as a main character. The reason why this is so groundbreaking? South Korean is known for its conservative views, and mental illness and disabilities are not a popular subject amongst citizens. So, for a show to have a positive outlook on autism and people on the spectrum is incredible.

This drama is different from other law shows as it depicts more of a lightheartedness aura. The colour tones are bright, the editing is wholesome, and the sound effects are comical. Jun Ho is an absolute green flag and the romance subplot was actually was what made me invested in the drama.

However, I must point out some flaws. The legal cases were monotonous and predictable. The process was boring and a total snooze-fest. Some characters infuriated me and romantic pairings of supporting characters were too rushed and didn't feel right. If you've watched this, you'll know who I'm talking about.

I can see why people adore this drama, but I personally have seen better.

2024/05/04

My notes on Part 1 encompasses all my thoughts with the overall series.

2024/05/02

Vigilante is a critique on the current criminal justice system and how the system helps criminals get away minimally/scot-free in life. This drama completely changed Nam Joo Hyuk's acting credibility. His micro-expressions and delivery was impeccable here, and you really can't tell that he's the same "romcom" actor.

I did have some qualms about the short runtime. Because of it, I couldn't find myself to care about any character, so the emotional impact some scenes should've had didn't sit right. There was also a lack of character depth from every character, and some characters felt like cartoonish caricatures.

Vigilante is gritty, dark, and gory; not for the faint of heart. 

*dropped

*dropped

2024/05/04

Song Kang they will never make me like you.

First off, the characters have very one-off personalities. Chae Rok's struggles feel very superficial and it's stopping me from being able to connect with the characters. Everything about this drama is just... slow. The plot is slow, the dialogue is slow, the climax is slow too. You could tell me this was filmed in slo-mo and I'd believe you. 

Every single problem and conflict is conveniently solved, making each episode excruciating to watch. The episodes that focused on ballet itself was also boring since the choreography felt too simple. 

Overall, Navillera is an overrated drama with little to no redeeming qualities. I remember thinking Song Kang did an acceptable job, but looking back... yeah it wasn't that good.

2024/05/04

Another year, another lackluster Sherlock Holmes adaptation. A genderbent tale of Holmes' stories was promising, but the execution fell flat, creating a boring mess.

Everyone felt one-dimensional, INCLUDING Sherlock, which is quite puzzling because how could you butcher such an interesting personality? Wato (Watson) felt so unnecessary, and that concerning flag #1. Number 2 is the fact that the two leads had zero chemistry. They don't act like friends, even until the bery end. Their bond was so superficial. There was also zero homoerotic tension like??? Talk about disappointing.

The acting was so-so, teetering on plain awfulness. I'll be quite honest; japanese dramas have the best initial premises, but they also have a ton of stiff or overexaggerated actors. 

In conclusion, Miss Sherlock was boring. I could've watched paint dry and find more enjoyment in that.

2024/05/02

I've pondered to myself as to why MIU 404 feels different from other crime procedurals, and I can finally answer: MIU 404 takes on a more realistic approach on the process of the police catching criminals. It focuses more on evidence and relating interviews to details of the scene of the crime. It also has a more empathetic approach to the episode's criminals, as it sheds light on *why* the criminal broke a law in the first place. 

That being said, it was also the reason why MIU 404 is boring as hell. I adore Gen Hoshino as an artist, but his portrayal of Shima Kazuki was lacking. The grumpy x sunshine of the main duo was bland, as was every other character. How can I enjoy a show when I can not find interest in any character?

2024/05/04

It's time to ruffle some feathers. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is just plain bad. Yes, you heard me right! It has several flaws that made it a frustrating watch.

Let me make it clear: the romance wasn't that bad. While they aren't my favourite couple, some scenes had me smiling just a little. I have problems with the characters individually. Doo Shik's backstory was building up for several episodes, and when it was finally revealed... my golly gosh, which nonsensical write wrote that?

The supporting characters were also way over-the-top. They weren't funny, they were annoying as hell. Don't even get me started on the music! I've never detested a soundtrack as much as the songs in this one.

16 episodes was way too long for this snoozefest of a drama. Sorry not sorry.

2024/05/04

I should've realized that I was not the target audience for Divorce Attorney Shin from the very first episode, so I don't know why I continued watching. Marriage problems are simply not my cup of tea, so that should've been the first indicator of why I probably wouldn't enjoy this one.

Yeah, objectively, it's at least an average drama, but it definitely wasn't for me. I wonder if I rewatch years later, I would have a different opinion.

*dropped

*dropped

2024/05/02

Plotholes galore, stiff acting performances, an obvious low budget, and nonexistent chemistry. Color Rush was horrible in every possible aspect. Despite the intriguing premise, the overall execution was lacking and just plain bad. There are numerous, COUNTLESS better options if you want to watch a BL. Trust me.

2024/05/04

Ah yes, A Killer Paradox: an expected 7-8 star rating at first that quickly got sliced in half. The word I'd use to encapsulate this drama would be "disappointing."

The supporting characters all had interesting backstories, but they all felt so hollow and shallow. The runtime that focused more on plot and action rendered the characters' motivations and inner thoughts unclear to the audience.

The latter half of the show became a complete mess and it all just turned into pure jumbled shitshow. The drama did a horrible job explaining things enough, so everything felt out of the blue.

A Killer Paradox had potential, but it became a clusterfuck by the end. Rating it higher would be completely unjust.

2024/05/02

Think of all the terrible aspects of the first season and imagine it being 100 times worse in the second season. Why do people like this?

*dropped

2024/05/02

Even 7-year-old me could tell Operation Proposal was a total shitshow. They had two great actors as the leads, why'd they have to ruin it with horrible characterization...