All Time Faves

So far, my absolute fave Kdrama, to which i keep coming back to. Superb acting, pinpoint humor and the best enemies to lovers relationship development i have seen in a long time in a tv-show. #teamnotouching

One of my most favorite kdramas of the year/all time fave now, and probably one of the most overlooked in 2022 too, alas.

Action, horror, comedy, mystery, supernatural/ghost shenanigans, high chaotic energy of the leads/supporting crew, past lives, satisfying slow burn romance and character development in a well-balanced genre mix. The humor is on point and imo on a lvl with mr. queen. This underappreciated drama has everything and deserves more love <3

trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHs_7sWA-TE
short mv: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7SX-33ycQs 

I LOVE IT SO MUCH. So heartwarming but also ripping it out to stomp on it at times, only to put it back in with lots of care and humor and love for its characters. ML's/Sejong's depiction of trauma and how he acts due to it (him falling back into old, unhealthy behavior patterns after having a ptsd episode) and Hyesun/Seori tearing down/melting those emotional walls little by little with just being her sweet caring and honest self (while he also takes up professional counseling to deal with his worsening ptsd) is so well done and their relationship one of the most wholesome dynamics in a kdrama ever. 

MDL's synopsis is really on point here, bc Seori is not the only 17 yrs old one stuck in a 30 yrs old body, ML's life also stopped at 17 after the accident and him shutting down emotionally and away from other people or any kind of relationships for more than a decade. It is only together that they learn and grow and heal and mature, and move on from it. It is so so sweet. Plus you get an adorable baby Ahn Hyo Seop as SML on top of it, heh. And Jennifer is one of the best most quirky characters in Kdrama ever. The writers and actress do such a good job in humanizing and giving depth to what otherwise could have been easily an one note joke character. This is honestly one of the rare kdramas that leave you with a smile each time after watching an episode.

May I Help You is all but lighthearted. The comedic trailer is all a liiiiiiieeeee as is its perky romcom facade haha. This drama is build upon a sea of tears, death/loss, survivors guilt, and traumatized characters with some lighthearted moments in between. It does have a lot of heart and care for its characters tho and its raw portrayal of grief in the latter episodes is one of the best and most visceral/real i have seen in a drama. 

Also the leads have one of the most healthiest, supportive and mature relationship i have ever seen in a kdrama. Issues between them are solved in a very timely manner and with great compassion instead of assumption and accusations. No break ups or stupid drama between them, once they are together. To watch two highly emotional intelligent and empathic people slowly fall and be there for each other on their way to healing/moving on was SUCH a treat, even though their romance definitely took a backseat in favor of the plot unfolding in the latter episodes.

A slow-paced, slow-burn melodrama, full of loneliness, sadness, angst, anger and regrets, but also flooded with love, compassion, respect, forgiveness and healing.
Beautifully written, meticulously filmed and exemplary acted, this is a refreshingly non cliché story and a heavy but rewarding emotional ride.

This drama made me smile so much my cheeks did hurt, omg. From the first episode on where the unlikely pair met by sheer (literal) dumb luck, it was such a wholesome, fluffy and fun ride till the end credits rolled. It had a bit of everything: Comedy, (Murder) Mystery, Crime/Corruption, Family Drama and of course romance. Oh the romance.  It is rare to see such a mutually supportive, playful and affectionate couple with mature, clear and open communication between them in a kdrama. They are both so very different characters and people but they still get and understand each other so well, because they put in the work and never give up on each other. Idiots in love that act smarter and more mature than a lot of other FL/ML's in other romance drama do.

Plus the ML, who is so very obviously and completely head over heels for FL from the get go, while playing Disney's Hercules Song "I won't say (I'm in love)" on repeat in his head during the first half of the drama is such a delight. He is also as enthusiastic and unabashingly loving and caring for her in the second half, like he literally swoons over Da Li's words of affection/endearments more than once, and it is the cutest thing ever. 

Such a good, well-written show. I especially loved the FL, she was so multifaceted and layered. Brazen, loud and cold at first glance but warm and empathic underneath, and like the FL in Hotel Del Luna very much shaped, influenced and hurt by her past. I really loved the way how the drama peeled back the layers not only of her character more and more with each episode but also her backstory, which is more intertwined with her two colleagues than initially thought. And the (tragic) love story told did add to the plot instead to defer from it. Like with Hotel Del Luna i very much my time with it. While it was sad, it also had heart and humor and the bond between the three characters is simply beautiful and well done.

The rare examination of what came before and after a relationship turned sour, and where to go from there. Wonderfully layered dissection of human relationships and all of the accompanying, complex emotions told back in flashbacks and forth in the present of an ex couple meeting again by chance. A warm and sentimental journey about people figuring out how to cope with trauma and loneliness and how to overcome and grow past it, alone and together. Took me various times by surprise as it subverted my preconceived notions of where the story lead and I absolutely adored the drama fooling me and subverting my expectations, as well as its overall complexity that enfolded more, piece by piece. By far not your typical rom-com even if it still delivers on a lot heart-fluttering moments later on when it all comes together in the most satisfying way.

Excellent thriller with multi-faceted, complex characters and well done twists and turn in the plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. The unwavering trust, love and loyalty of the married lead couple for each other was one of its best and most vital parts of the drama. I have pure adoration for the narrative's equal appreciation and importance for ML/FL without favoring one over the other (like Big Mouth did) and as a married couple. Their story, past and present was front and center to the plot and thus this thriller would have not worked without romance, without the stellar portrayal of both actors of their characters and us seeing their depth of care for each other. I have rarely seen this and its progression done so well and so mature in a kdrama. I would love to see more ride or die power couples, especially married, going through struggles together instead of giving up on each other at the slightest challenge posed.

Plus the villain was actually believable and scary in parts, and we also had a police force (and detective) in a thriller that was not near braindead, hurray. The lead's kid was the cutest, too. Several scenes of the drama were so memorable and well-acted by the leads, they will be forever live rent free in my head. Definitely a drama which surprised me as i have not expected to love it and the leads as much, but wow, i do. A lot. 

I liked season one, but i was also a bit bored by some story elements and its too gritty tone. So i went into season 2 with little expectation... but i ended up loving it a lot more. The rainbow taxi family had grown past their inner demons and it showed in a way more lighter, partly even very comedic tone. However the various serious topics brought on by their clients were treated with the gravitas and respect it needed. 

Just the creative and sometimes batshit crazy ways how they undermined and punished the various baddies had me rolling xD Kim Dogi is an absolute king and so is lee jehoon and his ability to shift into any persona in the matter of seconds for the undercover operations.  I loooooved how this season focused on the team and the cases alone without any annoying subplots like in season 1. Despite it being inspired by real cases it is all but realistic and quite stylized, but it is very well written and so very enjoyable if you don't think too hard and just roll with the rainbow taxi team being badass. Can't wait for season 3 and more of the crew.

Oh my god this kdrama xD I had not expected to like it as much as i did, as i only started watching it for Mr. Queen's KJH, who has quickly become one of my fave kdrama actors. He definitly carried the drama for me, each scene he was in was excellent and often hilarious in its own way, due to his talent in comedic timing and lively acting from gestures to voice over to mimic. Bless. He really excels in playing the super extra guy with a heart of gold xD 

The other characters/actors are a blast too and really grew on me over the course of the show. The focus is defintely on comedy here which ranged from bizarre to funny and sometimes cringy. Never boring tho, with all the shenanigans the friends get themselves into, none of the 20 episodes felt draggy. Also the slow burn romance of KJH's Dong-Goo and Yoon-ah was surprisingly wholesome and one of my fave parts of this drama. I laughed a lot, thanks to KJH being as excellent as always and funny af in his roles :D

The drama is really cute and cozy like a warm spring day. And the caring best friend role LJS plays made me like him as an actor, after having gained the worst impression of him in the drama "W-Two Worlds", which i hated for too many reasons to count (his wooden acting/zero chemistry with FL was one of them.) Similar to Soundtrack No. 1 it is once again the guy who (not so) secretly harbors romantic feelings for the FL for a long time, but is scared to confess bc he does not want to ruin their friendship. I just love that dynamic, the waiting until the inevitable confession, which explains why the drama grabbed me from the start.

The main couple is super cute once they get together (even as friends they are great). They know each other so well and thus have this certain, very comfortable, easy going chemistry and cheeky banter with each other that screams married couple. This drama is basically the more grown up version of Weightlifting Fairy KBJ with books as plot backdrop, and i loved that a lot.  

Visually almost like a fairy tale, narratively the bittersweet story of two unlikely people finding each other, using the little time they are given as best they can. Starts out as frenemies and grows into a mutual supportive relationship within they find healing for old scars. Stunning acting performance of Shin Hye Sun and cute af ML. I cried so much watching this, but despite all their struggles the drama thankfully ends on a very happy note.

a sadly very overlooked/underrated slice of life kdrama in 2022 (or rather published this year, produced in 2020/2021) with a cute, awkward bean romance on the side. It's focus is full on the people/characters working in the salon however, and their story, friendship/rivalry, experiences, with smart social commentary woven in.  Every episode has a different theme that suits perfectly not only to their working field but also what the characters are going thru at the moment/life lessons for both characters and viewers. 

It is a very light, warm watch with some more heavier topics (suicide/transphobia, bullying) in between, but it never gets too heavy. Very stress-free watch, like vacation from life and a perfect palate cleanser after a dense/dark kdrama-watch. Beautifully written (the narration dialogue, so good) and good humor too.  i loved the salon squad so much <3

For all my qualms with ML in the beginning this was a drama i definitely could not put aside and held my attention. Plus ML ended up showing sufficient growth and stopped being a petty, paranoid manchild and he became quite mature and sweet even, in the end. So there is quite the development happening with him, and i loved how the group of friends influenced each other to become better versions of themselves.

Overall, it was very enjoyable and well written drama, particularly the focus on the three friends and their counterparts in the present is what made me love this show. Their bonds of friendship and love between ML/FL transcended (life)time. Very touching and quite sad at times but always with a lot of heart and care writing-wise for its characters, despite the hiccups in the starting episodes.

Ever since Mr. Queen I'm partial to a good slowburn King/Queen romance in my sageuks and this drama gives me exactly that. Way more serious and politicky historical drama than my all time fave with just a dash of "fish out of the water" humor, but still one I fully enjoyed thanks to the great writing of situations and characters and stellar acting. The clown becomes an unlikely king who is more a ruler in the end than the actual king could ever be, also thanks to the people around him and others underestimating him. Such a wildcard and joy to watch in situations where they are politically cornered and how he maneuvers out of it with a plan in his backhand. He acts just with heart and guts against the corruption the real king allowed to fester. His character development and growth throughout the drama is phenomenal and more than once i got reminded of Mr. Queen's Cheoljong, which alone is a very endorsement for this show ;)

"The world has been created regardless of one's will. Depending on the relationship you make with the world, you can create your own meanings. We go on with our lives in this current world. As we love, suffer, and die, we're living in a real world. It will depend on whose perspective you see this. Look at the world from your perspective, then you'll be the main character." 

 if I were to only rate the relationship/character development and romance it would be a 10/10 for me, no questions asked. One of the best, most adorable, affectionate and wholesome kdrama couples that ever have graced my screen. But the plot, or rather its execution around them was more than flawed and should be categorized under "this wouldn't have happened if you all just stayed safely at home." and of we have characters acting unlike themselves and make stupid, illogical decisions to make stuff happen/move the plot forward. Still, that aside, i adored the realistic, mature approach to the question "what happens if two very different people marry too quickly?" and how their relationship was written with all its up and downs with the backdrop of sci-fi angst of time travel and fate and chance meetings.

I loved the many many many scenes of married life between them to bits. Incredible natural chemistry between the two leads, they made me smile so much while watching. Which is why i can overlook the plot inconsistencies due to the pure joy the main leads and the show's often witty situational humor brought me for 16 hours straight.

I mean... just look at these adorable dorks!

Criminally underrated show which has it all. Historical whodunnit with smart, nerdy leads treated equally well by the narrative, found family, comedy and well-done, adorable slow burn romance. Season 2 will air in January 2023 and complete the story based on a novel.

Sadly a very overlooked drama. Be prepare to cry. The drama deals with sickness and death head on. It is not an easy watch, but a rewarding one. JCW's character faced abuse and abusive relationships all his life and yet he retained a kindness and steady moral compass others long would have lost in He seems cold and distant at first but this is just a survival mechanism adopted in order to survive in his harsh environment, in trusth he is such a soft and warm man beneath it all. I constantly wanted to wrap him in a blanket and tell him it is okay, honestly. To see him finding a place to belong with the hospice fam for the first time in his life, friends and love, gaining confidence and showing his true self was the best part of the show. As was his cute romance with FL and the stories of the patients, however sad. 

It is a drama that makes you remember to cherish life in every moment, truly healing and wholesome. What kept it from a higher score for me was the makjang-ish last quarter of it where silly situations followed silly situations, but it thankfully found its footing again in the final episode. JCW's acting was very memorable and imo one of the best he has done to date. Super impressed by his performance and harmony with the other actors. 

"I was born for you. Thank you for loving me." 

Reminded me a lot of "Extraordinary You" with its fantasy elements and the theme of challenging fate against all odds and its sad but loving undertone. Bit too drawn out, meandering. Its story would have worked better in 12 episodes, but i still enjoyed the bittersweet tone of it all and the feeling of "us against the world." the drama had. Main pairing had a great chemistry and banter. I really liked how affectionate they were toward each other, they often hugged or held hands while walking. 

Who would have thought that Doom would be such a wholesome, supportive boyfriend haha. I did not care for and skipped all of SLs love triangle substory at all tho, which felt oddly disjointed to the main plot.