Ranking of 2021 dramas I've watched- updating

When I watch historical dramas that are based on real events, I go directly to Wikipedia and read about the characters. I knew where we are heading but I really hoped the drama won't show us all the misfortune as well. It's good thing for them they kept it as real as it can be, but my heart truly ached on eps 16-17. It was hard to watch but I'm happy I did (even though my friend advised me not to).
As a HOTTEST from 2012, I feel so proud of Junho, as if he's my own son lol I've seen some of his previous projects and wasn't really impressed but here he was just great and his smiles through ep 16 reminded me the early days of 2PM and how he was so proactive on all the variety shows.
Lee Se Young was as great as always. I'll feel way to sorry to only brag about Junho but it really feels to me like a family member just achieved great accomplishments and I have to tell it to the whole world.

I’m not sure whether on different times, like last year when there were a bunch of great 10/10 dramas, I would’ve still given this drama such a high rating. But you make the best with what you get and this drama was definitely a fresh and charming addition to the time slot this year.
Chemistry could’ve been better but the script was so lovely that I couldn’t care less.
Also, as a HOTTEST I can say that I was a bit upset that both Taecyeon and Chansung played the villains this year but Chansung oppa did such a marvelous job that I hope it will help him get the recognition he deserves and I want to crown him the best actor out of my 2PM boys!

*Favorite drama of the year. I knew this embarrassing day will come but my favorite drama of this year is So I Married an Anti Fan. I don't know what was in this drama that made me favor it among others, I guess it might be the relieving feeling I had while watching it. This drama was my silver lining, brought a smile to my face and made me really look forward to the eps every week. It wasn't a phenomenal acting spectacle or an extremely thrilling drama but I LOVED IT and rewatched any romantic scene at least twice lol
*I have to mention that I haven't seen before the movie so it was new content for me. 

*What is your favorite remake/reimagining in dramaland? Even though I haven't seen the original one (the Chinese), the most recent favorite remake is So I Married an Anti Fan. I probably liked it much more than others. At the time (2021) it was the drama I enjoyed the most, and exactly the fluff I needed. 

 It was as great as the first one. Maybe with a bit less tears lol After watching it I got back to watch dramas and movies in normal speed, didn't want to miss a thing from this incredible drama.

*Sweetest romance. I think that Ik Joon and Song Hwa definitely gave a fair fight to all the youngsters. They had a grown, balanced and yes sweet "romance" (mostly romantic feelings lol). They were there for each other, constantly, whether it's to park the car for the other one or leaving a cup of coffee in the office so the other one will be able to relax after surgery. It's so important to be able to count on someone all the way, blindly, and know that the other one will just ran towards you when you'll need it. 

*A drama that made me cry. I don't remember that this year brought on to us some tear jerker (even the last season of This is Us wasn't that sad lol I think producers and writers have mercy on us because the world is dealing with COVID) but when I read the keyword I instantly remembered how I bowled my eyes out after the final of Penthouse. I don't know if it's because it's been such a magnificent long journey and I felt that it's an end of an era or it was just too sad but I honestly can tell that it's not the ending I wished for and therefore I ranked the final installment of Penthouse 9.5 instead of 10 like the previous ones. I would watch it again cause this drama is a masterpiece and the actors performance is mind blowing but I wish they gave us a different ending. Hope I didn't spoil too much, on purpose I didn't use any revealing details. 

*A drama that was too long. I can't believe I'm saying this but Penthouse. Considering it was my favorite drama of 2021 even I'm surprised by myself for using it here. BUT the last and third installment just felt that they tried to squeeze the juice out of the plot when there was nothing anymore left there. I think they could've just let us have the fine ending of the second installment and that's it. Don't get me wrong, it's not that the last "season" was boring, it just that it didn't live up to the expectations (only by a bit) of the previous ones. 

What a roller-coaster this drama was. I'm so happy Netflix proposed it to me cause I got to see yet again the amazing performance of Go Hyun Jung. This woman is just an incredible actress, there aren't enough words to describe her talent.
I've changed faves throughout the whole drama, started by rooting for her to end up with Kim Jae Young and ended up by rooting her with Choi Won Young (ain't this guy sick of playing the rich husband roles tho?).
Shin Hyun Bin was talking so slow all the time (something that I've noticed before while watching her in Hospital Playlist) that I constantly checked whether I slowed the speed of the drama lol but like I've said a few days ago, I think her casting in this role was exact. I really hated her, and as the drama continued, I started to hate the psycho that is her love interest.
Kim Sang Ho was totally wasted in his role, I waited for some revelation for him (cause he's a top class actor) but nothing that crazy happened.
Overall totally recommend to people who aren't afraid from the dark vibe of it.

*If we'll go by the number of viewers on the drama's page, so definitely Reflection of You deserves a shout-out (why even less than 1000?). Netflix was the first one to propose me the drama after I've completed Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (don't really know how works its' algorithm cause those dramas couldn't be more different). At first I thought it's probably not for me, the vibe is so gloomy and depressing but as the story continued I got more and more immersed in the story. Definitely my biggest surprise of the year and I totally recommend it (solid 10/10), also Kim Jae Young is quite good looking fella, saw him before but only now got to appreciate his looks ;) 

*Favorite supporting character: 2FL. Jisoo's story was interesting, but Yoo In Na's wasn't far from it. She had so much complexity and depth in her character that I was at times upset we couldn't get more scenes with her (and her past). If there would've been a sequel, I wish she will be the one paired with Jung Hae In lol 

It was the best series from the last couple of years but TBH this season felt a bit too much.
It seemed like all the cool ideas were used and they only tried to drag it a bit more to save the potential of the publicity.
Yet, obviously the over the top talented cast made up for it and still, even in this season, they made it look close to perfection.
I teared up a bit at the end, it was a long journey and it finally ended on a bittersweet note, or rater more bitter than sweet but it was hell of a ride. Totally recommend!

*Unpopular (and unrealistic) opinion: I prefer Hee Tae to end up with Soo Ryun.
I'm so sick of this poor woman, rich man concept. I don't know why they like to use it so much, but for once I would've loved to see two main leads with strong character and "great" background like Hee Tae and Soo Ryun end up together.
IMO they're an ideal match, cause both of them need someone to ground them, to understand the causes of the problematic behavior and to see eye in eye, which I don't think the FL can.
And I'm upset with yet again a love triangle that ruins friendship and where the 2nd FL just doesn't stand a chance, and not only because she's the 2nd FL, but because the ML somehow managed in a short time span to fall head over heels over the other girl. 

Great acting and story.
I think the show would've only benefited if they would've added 4 more eps, like regular Kdramas.

*SLS of 2021.  Geum Sae Rok. While watching the show, I already talked about my(unreal) preference of her ending up with Lee Do Hyun. I'm sick from poor FL who has on the one hand strong character but on the other when she's near the ML, suddenly becomes the weakest link. But ML falls in love with her anyways.
Yes Soo Ryun was spoiled, but so was Hee Tae, it's so much easier to be in a relationship with someone with similar background, cause they understand each other much more. Also, they look much better together.
Unfortunately, as I'm in an unfavorable opinion, I've used already the only GIF of the two together in a post here so you'll get a GIF of her alone (I'm sure there's enough Lee Do Hyun GIFs around here anyways lol). He was technically part of the situation in the GIF as he left her standing there all alone. 

Such an intriguing story.
Top notch performance, even my girl Shin Hye outdid herself. But I would've wished for her to drop her always the same facial expressions when she's paired with such a phenomenal ML, the best she had IMO, and I'm a sucker of both Jang Geun Seeok and Kim Rae Won.
Nevertheless, it was super interesting to watch, and I'm happy I binged it and didn't have to wait each week for the next closure.
I'm upset the actor who plays the bad guy is recently only doing bad guy roles, but I understand why he gets them, he's playing it extremely believable.

Such an enjoyable drama!! Adorable ML, adorable FL, adorable friends and adorable group members.
It did feel at times like Love O2O with elements of Go Go Squid (the cat ^^), but it was great and I can't understand why I stayed away from the gaming part because it was really entwined coolly in the story (amazing CGI).
It was interesting to see Xu Kai as the stronger member in the relationship after Bai Lu dominated him lol and I'm not quite sure why he calls Cheng Xiao a "shorty" cause if I recall correctly from the variety shows, her height is above average of girls.
Also, as someone who've been watching Kdramas for over a decade, it hurt my ears their "Korean", awful accent even from those who were supposed to be Korean *facepalm*

*TBH I'm usually so on point with revelations. But here, as a 2PM fan, I've just ignored all the warning signs (or as my friend said- deep down I knew but couldn't and didn't want to believe). Throughout the 4 eps, I constantly thought to myself why would Taec agree to such a small role. Does he want to be like Lee Dong Wook in Goblin? then again, LDW had much more screen time than him, and with all the love to Song Joong Ki, he's not Gong Yoo. Those thoughts couldn't stop swirling in my head up until I saw an image of a dude in the smoke and I immediately knew who he was (HOTTEST for 7 years now and he's my bias). FYI I left a disappointed comment on Taec's Instagram account ;) 

I can't say the story was extremely interesting
but the acting, chemistry and most importantly HUMOR were the reason why my rating is so pumped up. I enjoyed so much smiling and laughing with the cast, that I'm sad this drama has ended.
btw I know it's a fiction thing, but especially with his statue- is it logical that Song Joong Ki by himself is able to kill/hurt so many gangsters? I would've believed that a bit about Taecyeon, after all he's a "beast idol", but Joong Ki is thin and not that tall so those scenes don't have any connection to reality lol Nevertheless, it seems everyone here trained for all this fighting and kudos for them.

*Favorite character of 2021. I tried really hard to think about a female character, but even the lady next to him ain't that powerful competition for our Italian mafia boss with an awful Italian accent Vincenzo. He was so charming, intelligent, hard working, ready to help, witty and funny. Everyone was swooning over him, as the FL was and it was great watching him mess around with the bad guys (Hi Taecyeon). Though if I could just mention to the writer that they didn't have to make so many fight scenes cause it's really not credible that someone as thin as Joong Ki would kick the ass of those heavy lifting gangsters lol 

I don't know what is it with Cdramas but even when I cry while watching Kdramas or Thai dramas my heart doesn't ache as much as it does with Cdramas, and boy how much my heart hurt for the main couple throughout the show! prob the OST plays a big part in it too.
ML was such a gentleman while Bai Lu settles in her role so well in each production that you feel it was written with her in mind.
Off I go to start watching the sequel that unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I accidently came across how it will end.

*Favorite Hero. So I noticed I'm allowed to choose from dramas I've completed this year but aren't from 2022, and what says more hero than a military leader who slays the bad guys, takes pity of the weak and poor people and protects till death his loved ones? ;)
Started this drama for my goddess Bai Lu but got to know Allen Ren and I think the way he portrayed this character, even if he had almost no dialogue, and merely used action and body language, still I got so attached to the sensitive and caring hero he played *-* 

Came for Ahn Bo Hyun but the real stars of this show were definitely Park Hee Soon and Han So Hee. God I'm not jealous of this girls' preparation for this role- so many action scenes!
To call it unpredictable would be a total lie cause we all seen this type of drama once or twice in our lives but because of the level of the actors, the feelings they conveyed and the continues action, I guess we can accept their apology for that.

Thanks to the recommendation of @Jiya I got to experience a gentle drama with a bunch of life lessons.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the FL of My Girlfriend is an Alien who was as great as back then (and as bad kisser too lol).
ML was also great but I'm not that convinced with the change he's been through, character wise.
Overall totally recommend this beautiful drama.

*Best actress of 2021. obv the best ones are from the dramas Hospital Playlist or Penthouse but they had installments last year so it won't be fair to talk about them again after I raved about them previously (especially about Penthouse). So I'll put the spotlight on the FL of Crush- Wan Peng.
I've seen her before in My Girlfriend is an Alien and unlike many others who complained, I really loved her there. When I started Crush, I was pleasantly surprised to see her in the drama. She was great and showed a big variety of emotions, as the ML there, which is important to note cause it's his first main lead role. I think it's crucial to have at this type of instances a good partner next to you who'll lead you through it, which she was for him, and it's just like what she had at the time with the ML of My Girlfriend is an Alien. That's the life in the world of entertainment, sometimes you're the hoobae and others the sunbae, and it's amazing that in such a young age she already has experience in so many different productions. 

Such a difficult drama to watch, especially the last two eps.
This is why I always tell that military isn't for everyone, and I don't necessarily mean the one whose future was ripped to pieces (whom I cried for), but the one's in command.
I too had a hard time in the military. I suffered from depression and I clearly even now, 7 years later, remember how my commander just told me to go and kill myself when I said I want to die. She too smiled at me and wished me luck on my discharge day, as if nothing ever happened.
I don't know if it's true to go after disserted soldiers, cause as I say to people in my home country, don't make those who don't want to serve, do it. It's a very tough environment, and people who're kind and fragile just get abused, mentally, physically or both.

Celebrating womanhood in this drama. Women who aren’t afraid to ask what they deserve, unapologetically, whether it’s about their carrier or about their sexual life. It’s a show about sisterhood, so deep it moves you.

but I said I WON'T WATCH IT! How did I end up watching it? I practically skipped the first ep since I thought that it sucks as I previously thought but in ep 2 I understood already that the main thing is the cells and the action happens there rather than in the "real" world.
I cared much more about what's going on in their village than between the leads though I might admit that I too had butterflies at some of their first romantic interactions. Yet, unlike my friend who didn't proceed to the second season because of this ending, I couldn't care less and was totally fine with it.
btw Do they pay royalties to The Voice in My Head? ;)

Cute drama, even though I expected that because it's made in Thailand, they will be a bit more expressive in their affection .
but except the last ep which showed a mild romance, there weren't much skinship. Which is double surprising as they didn't have any problem to TALK about very racy stuff.
Also, I don't know about you, but IMO the ML doesn't look Thai at all lol I thought he's Japanese, because his facial features are sharper than of Thai people.

Is there a single character who has normal relationship with his/her parent? That's just crazy and throws the whole majority statistics of functional families to the garbage. though I really cried with Go Doo Shim and Jang Hyun Seok. it's difficult seeing your family member hurting so much in front of you and you can't do a thing.
I wasn't shipping the main couple. I love the ML from previous projects and was so happy that he got his main role but the character was just a big warning sign. They hadn't an abusive relationship of any sorts but I rally wished she would stick with her teddy bear from Hospital Playlist ;)
Also, it's my first time seeing Joy acting and she's really nice. From time to time I come across backlash about her, so maybe in playing the FL her skills are not enough sharpened but as a supporting she was totally fine.

This is the kindest ranking I can give. As I wrote on the drama’s page, it’s hard to not get bored if you watch it on regular speed but when you speed things up, here in particularly, it becomes more engaging.
I was a Hwal and Shi Ho shipper but the last up made me drop this thought. I personally think it was not the right choice to explain us what was going on 1000 years ago only in the last ep cause through the the show the lack of understanding made us feel there are too many plot holes.
Also, I don’t understand why Gong Seung Yeon chose this production. She acts as a lead for years now why be a supporting character and it this type of drama where all the CGI of the first eps (and some times later on too) looked absolutely horrendous?

Can't understand why a guy who's so smart to get a masters in statistics and math will go and pursue an acting career in a country that's not even his motherland (he's Japanese American). I feel pity for his intelligence, and all the things he could've accomplished and would've stayed after him in the world.
FL is such a mediocre actress! She really needs to take some acting classes and work on her confused/shocked expressions.
Overall, the story was nothing new but had it's perks. Nice to pass the time after a difficult day at work.

Straight or flipped Woo Young Woo ;) FL's previous (or chronologically speaking next) role was so prominent, it took me time to stop saying this sentence when I see her on-screen. but Park Eun Bin was really great, so was Rowon who takes on roles that aren't typical for idols. I was happy to see Bae Su Bin, it's been a while, and I had a feeling we'll see a redemption for him.
The bad guy on the other side, really has something about killing his family members ;) first Joong Ki as his nephew in Reborn Rich, and now his granddaughter Park Eun Bin lol
Actually I came to watch this drama after hearing two girls who do a podcast about dramas on Spotify raving about it. They sounded to me like total newbies in this field but I gave them the benefit of the doubt and gave this drama a shot while I'm waiting for this weeks' eps of AoS (and hello to you too, mama Jin who was for a change nice).
Overall, the drama was fine, I didn't feel, like the two mentioned, that the last eps were extraordinary or something. The thing I liked the most was that for a change, especially in a Saguk, the woman had much higher status and wealth than the man (who wasn't poor at all which is important to note).
Loved hearing my Suju (K.R.Y) oppadeal's OST *-*
p.s Last completed drama of 2022

I don't know, I'm not impressed.
They hinted us who'll be the bad guy (s) from the very beginning so there wasn't the shock effect which is crucial in thriller dramas.
I was surprised how fast Mark's acting abilities improved since Forever My Sunshine, but I wish the kisses there would've been at least half like here.
If I was him, I would've picked the other girl. I think the way the FL says "Lisa" will come and haunt me in my dreams (always in the same annoying tone and range of voice).

*Dissappointment of the year. Only the day before yesterday I've mentioned what a crappy drama was My Ladylord (which I truly had big expectations for since I love the leads dearly) so I won't use it again. Instead, I'll mention a drama I'm currently (trying) to watch- You Are My Glory.
I love the leads, both Raba and Yang Yang, but the story doesn't really lifts up for me even though the reviews couldn't be more positive. For the first time I've noticed what my friend (@Diana96) has been telling me for quite some time now about the propaganda in modern Chinese dramas, it's very dominant in this drama. It's not that this is what makes the story problematic but the emphasis on it contributes to it being quite boring and dragging in the wrong domain. I hope I'll be able to finish it but currently it's on hold and I've started a different drama for the time being. 

I had extremely high expectations because of the leads- the always sexy Yang Yang and the adorable Raba, and the high rating but it was a long watch. So much propaganda! I wish someone would’ve told me to skip eps 5-17 and I might’ve too given it a higher rating.
Raba was impeccable. I always compliment actors who portray actors, since it feels to me that it’s a more difficult character and she nailed it. He was also great but his character was nothing special IMO It felt a lot like he was trying to convey felling that the character didn’t necessarily feel just to add layers to it, so it felt at times forced.

I'm so sad for Jang Na Ra. I think this drama was one of her best performances yet, but she was paired with such a lucking ML that it was tough to watch and enjoy (cause this drama script wise had the potential to be 10/10).
I'm a fan of Yonghwa as an entertainer and singer, but since You're Beautiful everyone knows acting is not his strong point, nor he got better through years. He had an extremely hard character to play and his below average skills were even more out there because of the role and the versatility it required from him.
and Ahn Kil Kang, I'm so sad seeing him play the bad guy lol. He's such a funny guy but so talented, he really outdid himself too.

*Favorite antagonist. OMG I love this man. I prefer when he plays good and quirky characters like in Weightlifting Fairy but only when an actor plays a bad character you can notice how much of a good actor he is. His performance was an antithesis to our ML's acting abilities that it was easier to give up on the good intentions we have and root for the bad guys lol but no worries, I was there for Jang Na Ra and I only wanted for her to end up happy, even though Ahn Kil Kang definitely gave a fair fight. He was so terrifying at times that I'm sure people who don't know him from previous productions got spooken (just like I did with my last year's antagonist from The Uncanny Counter). 

This community ain't one that will rank high things that are popular worldwide right? ;)
I really didn't like it, and couldn't understand what in it made everyone go so crazy about it (then again, I'm also not a fan of other Netflix frenzy like Money Heist or The Queen's Gambit).
yes the acting was great and while Lee Byung Hun wasn't that of a surprise, the other dude (which I won't disclose) was.
Interesting what they'll do in the next season now that all the good looking guys are dead and we're left only with Lee Jung Jae.

*Best actor of 2021. The last drama I've seen in 2020 was Prison Playbook and I was so surprised by the handsomeness of the ML (such a great body!) and wondered to myself where he was hiding till then. But afterwards I went through his filmography and noticed I've seen him in many productions but probably didn't remember him cause he wasn't the main nor his role was that meaningful. I'm happy he got the chance to star in Prison Playbook cause he's a really great actor and thanks to this opportunity he landed the first (out of many) Netflix production he'll star in. He was great in Squid Game. I was battling with myself throughout the drama cause I really like him but his character was just despicable.
I'm waiting for the Korean version of Casa del Papel, even though it didn't grow on me even on it's third season and I haven't started the last ones too. But I'm sure 2022 will be a great year for him with this drama and it will bring even more international fans to our community. 

* Best produced drama of 2021- if we'll go by the drama with the biggest budget it will be probably Squid Game- the actors, the set, everything seemed with high quality (Netflix quality) ;) 

Finally over with this drama. I thought I would love it with all the 10/10 reviews, both male leads who starred in highly ranked dramas by me and the theme of the republican era which I loved previously in Sparrow, but I was so so disappointed.
On ep 2 already I understood this was not going to be close to Sparrow, male leads lack the charisma of Li Yi Feng and Timmy and overall not sure are qualified to portray the roles they had been given.
The romance was nice but since the story wasn't enough interesting for me, I couldn't care less whether we'll get a happy or tragic ending.
Also those in the comments who've said that the SML looks like Allen Ren, you need an eyesight check. Allen is much more handsome (IMO) lol

Can't believe I'm currently at the age Park Seo Jeon was when he played the ML in the original Kdrama. How fast time flies =(
So although I don't remember every single detail of the Kdrama, it's only thanks to it that I understood everything even with the fast pacing of the Jdrama. I think that FL's character was much more suited for the Japanese culture (all the obedience part) and unlike Hwang Jeung Eum, I liked her with the fluffy hair much more than the straight one (maybe because I've seen HJE before and know she can look better lol). Even though the ML isn't as half handsome as PSJ, he's much less of a douche thanks to that. SFL wasn't as infuriating as was Go Joon Hee and the "Jackson" joke Siwon used in the original didn't age so well here.
Overall, it was almost as mediocre as the Kdrama was. Still it was nice to relive some of those past memories :)

*A drama I've dropped. The story was interesting at first and I'm cool with Hyeri and the strikingly beautiful Jang Ki Yong but something stopped working for me after ep 10. I lost interest with the drama and even the three eps afterwards were seen in big time lapses. I'll probably finish it, cause like I've said I haven't seen many dramas this year, but while doing it, I'll probably be back with my bad habit of watching dramas at double speed (which I stopped completely doing midway of watching Hospital Playlist S2).

Finished! I can't believe it, it's been forever on my on hold list.
Don't know even how to rate it cause I don't remember anymore the feelings I had while watching most of the drama.
The last 3 eps which I got hold of were okay.
Wish someone will already give Kang Hanna a FL role and not just second (no hard feelings towards Hyeri tho).

I feel like this drama on the one hand gave the opportunity for actors to show their talent but on the other hand was a waste of their talent.
The dialogues and many of the scenes were full of emotions but the story was just too much weird to enjoy it.

*Best cinematography of 2021. As last year, this keyword complicates me since I'm not really sure what it includes. I'll go with the guess that it's how well the CGI looks and pick the drama that used those effects the most this year- L. U. C.A. Still can't believe Kim Rae Won participated in such a weird drama (and this complaint goes towards the other impeccable actors in the cast such as Kim Sung Oh, Ahn Nae Sang, Lee Da Hee, to name a few). I mean the script let him and the others showcase their acting abilities but it was way too weird (then again, how many times a guy can play a gangster). The CGI were a lot around him and it looked quite nice. I personally think that he really used the most of it and didn't even put on some different color eye lenses lol 

It's been almost two years since I've completed the first part and unlike many others, I don't think S1 is must for anyone who wants to watch the second season. On the contrary, I feel like the S2 was done to make all of us fans of S1 to receive the ending we all wished for. As a fan of S1 I'm totally disappointed. The feeling were almost gone.
The story was very different, we were just seeing them navigating through life as a couple (with a very unique professions I have to mention), but in a very frustrating way since I've never seen a more shy (both parts) couple. Total antithesis from Bai Lu's previous modern drama Love is Sweet.
I was stunned by Allen's acting. I truly won't believe if I'll see him in real life that he isn't that shy and reserved guy lol
Happy they at least kept the OST from S1, it was a silver lining

When I've started this drama, the thought that I'll give it this low of a rating didn't even cross my mind.
It was good at first. Not spectacular but good. The story was somewhat interesting, the cast phenomenal (especially Im Soo Jung) and overall I found it enough entertaining. As it crossed the half point, it became more and more boring (did the melancholy concept absorbed in me?) such as the last 4 eps I really forced myself to complete and while watching the last ep I was more engrossed in my Candy Crush game than in the drama.
I'm kind of surprised by Lee Do Hyun's choice to star in it cause he usually takes part in amazing productions but he conveyed well the high school kid (better than the "grown up" IMO).

Can't believe it's finally over. Thank god.
There were some eps, including the last one that I really suffered through.
I think I might have taken the drama more lightly if the hype wasn't as big. No wonder people say that high expectations lead to higher disappointment.
It felt at times that they tried very hard to be like When the Camelia Blooms (some elements like the burglar) but even as someone who wasn't fond so much of Camelia, Hometown didn't come close to it, and even if they tried to be slice of life, you couldn't identify with the characters. Happy tho they had a LGBT character, it's nice to see that South Koreans are opening up a little bit.

*A drama that I found boring. I feel right now like someone who writes a post against BTS on Allkpop, but I really disliked Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha ;)
The first few eps were okay but it escalated to boredom extremely fast for me. I thought to myself so many times throughout it to quit but I saw constantly the rave reviews that I decided to continue on giving it chances. but I waited and waited and nothing happened. It felt like a mediocre replica of the extremely well made When the Camelia Blooms (which also ain't my cup of tea but I can honestly tell that I recognize it was a very high quality drama both the story and the actors' performance).
On a personal note, I thought Sang Yi will land a better role after his appearance on How Do You Play? but he wasn't that meaningful here, not even sure if he's supposed to be credited as second ML with the lack of screen time he got. Hope he'll get better roles soon. 

It had a premise but the love story was way too artificial.
I know stories of people after memory loss, and it takes time to learn things again, especially getting back your feelings, all those positive stories of people who fell in love again, and of course the disappointing other side.
In addition, even though procedural memory stays intact, people don’t remember they knew how to cook or play guitar.
FL had great facial expressions, while the ML acted a bit weird. I didn’t feel the chemistry between them, and maybe if there was a bit more passion, it wouldn’t feel so artificial and fake.

I've seen a one or two Kdramas in my life, you really think I wouldn't know who the bad guy is the moment he appeared on the screen lol? Though it seems many of our cast members were also suspicious of him.
ML was an obnoxious jerk who couldn't (or didn't want to) believe he has feelings for the FL and every second he had he engaged in romantic (+skinship) interactions with the SFL - something I haven't seen EVER in a drama before!
I really disliked that every single time that something even close to romantic happens between the main couple there's a pause, music, zoom on him, zoom on her. Why do you waste my time with these pauses? :(
In the end of the day, not sure I recommend this drama. It started strong, than fell hard and in the last 3 eps redeemed itself a bit. Also, why did many of the guys went through hair change on ep 12- even ML's father?
Have to mention ML's brother in-law looks just like Kwak Shi Yang (a more gentle looking and with different skin tone version).

Oh well, I thought that because throughout it's run, so many people raved about it on the feeds it must be better than the previous ones, but I guess not.
It's nice the ML was much less violent (himself), and interesting that the FL on the other hand also used her fists not once.
I felt his friends got much less purpose this time around, but definitely all of them were total eye candies and the most pretty cast, FL including, out of all versions watched (haven't seen Meteor Garden).
*I advise you to read Kate's review on the drama's page, practically sums up everything about this show.

I liked Chani in Under the Queen's Umbrella so I checked this drama out but even though it was very short, it really felt like a waste of time.
It's my third time this year seeing the 2ML but his role here was the most challenging one out of the three dramas, though he over reacted his scenes much more than when he caught Jung So Min & Jung Hae In in bed or Byeon Woo Seok & Kim Hae Yoon lol
FL really looks a lot like Kim So Hyun, so I had hard time convincing myself it's not really her ;)
The musical parts were nice but diverted too much the story from the traveling to present day from the past plot. Like always, a way too fast adaptation to civilization and modernity..

Love both main leads, therefore I was so excited for this drama, but after the sweet first few eps, it just didn't feel like the story I signed up for.
The two sick moms, him disappearing (supernatural aspect) was just way too much. The only silver lining was that there wasn't really a love triangle and the 2ML understood he doesn't stand a chance quite quickly.

Not sure what I've missed since I haven't seen any review below 9 but at least I've found some comments about this drama being overhyped.
So many misunderstanding between the leads and no less clichés. Great chemistry between the leads though.

An extremely overrated drama. My closest friend recommended it to me so I've patiently continued watching it and nothing happened. I guess I should've just listened to my gut feeling and stopped watching it after two eps, cause for me it didn't get any better and was boring throughout it all.
Though I have to applaud that all the closures in the last two eps were nicely made and not abrupt like many dramas like to do.

I've commented today on the usual misses with Netflix dramas and remembered another miss that I haven't finished and it was exactly what could put in the background while doing my assignment lol
Yes they're visually suitable but their relationship is toxic. The guy is a total douchebag and I want to applaud Song Kang for his walking and having the look of certainty the all girls will fall for him, but I'm afraid that it's not far fetched from reality, and he has it in real-life as well (hope not the douchebag character though).
Consequently, I liked much more the supporting couples especially the bald guy. He was a total sweetheart. and yeah, Holly plays here as well but her skills aren't that polished as in Song of the Bandits, but that's fine.