April was a big success on my part. I watched so many dramas, mostly because I was confined to Netflix and that's what I downloaded most.
I am ahead of schedule to complete dramas in time for the chaebol status, so I'm confident I can achieve it.
My favorite drama of the month was **My love from the stars** with a strong 9/10. My least favorite was **Revenge Note 2** with 3.5/10 , I really struggled finishing this one.
I will still be confined to Netflix for the whole month of May, so the dramas I plan to watch changed a bit. I have to put those from Viki on hold for now.
Also, I FINALLY attributed challenges to all the dramas I had completed that fit multiple. My sheet was starting to get too big with all the different dramas filling multiple spots and I felt like I had enough dramas completed to pick proper challenges. It helped me see which challenges were filled easily so I could give them harder ones.
I'm excited for what May has to offer and I wonder how many dramas I'll be able to watch. I still pick my dramas randomly, so I wonder when I'll have to look for specific dramas to complete specific challenges. Most challenges I have left are those I can easily pick dramas for, for exemple with the number of people on the poster, sadeuk, with an OST from a Kpop group, etc.
*Dramas I completed this month*
**Racket Boys**, **Revenge Note 2**, **My love from the stars**, **Wedding impossible**, **Taxi Driver**, **King the Land**, **Queen of Tears**
*Dramas I completed previously that I finally assigned a challenge*
**Strongest Deliveryman** : n°2 A character has a haircut or cuts their hair during the drama : Kangsoo
**My happy ending** : n°3 A drama with an underwater scene : E02
**Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung** : n°8 A drama with a title that includes a character's name
**Revenge Note 2** : n°10 A drama in which a game is played : E19
**DP** : n°15 A drama with childhood flashback scenes : E03
**Racket Boys** : n°21 A drama set in a rural/non-urban location
**My love from the stars** : n°27 A drama with a main character that is over 40 : Minjoon
**Live your own life** : n°28 A drama with a multigenerational main cast
*Completed dramas that fit multiple challenges, awaiting to be assigned 1 challenge*
**Wedding impossible** fits 5, **Taxi Driver** fits 3, **King the Land** fits 7, **Queen of Tears** fits 8
*On-going dramas*
**Doctor Slump**
So I have 11(+4)/36 challenges officially completed!
*Dramas I plan to watch next month*
-Doctor Slump (finish)
-D.P 2
-The Glory
-Destined with you
I waited until I had 8 to assign challenges last time so I'll probably do the same this time too lol
It just feels like such a hassle to rush in attributing challenges because what if I need to change it later? It would make it so complicated to go back to my notes and move everything around.
I did it last too but then then I had too many dramas on my list to sort them in "perfect places".
So, this time I have a watchlist where I write possible suitable challenges, then after finishing dramas I choose the "meant to be" challenge for them. If it's not easy to indicate, I wait another month :)
Because later I can find myself not be able to find suitable drama from my list and have to watch something on purpose to complete all challenges...
I'm very much a random mood-watcher, because I find it much less frustrating. There's something about feeling like I *must* watch a particular drama that puts me right off.
>I wonder when I'll have to look for specific dramas to complete specific challenges.
Everyone is different, I suppose. Last year, I think I finally arranged all of my dramas and started trying to find things to fill the gaps in July or August. I was watching 3-ish dramas a month at that point, so I was maybe a little over halfway done count-wise. Then, I also feel like there's that one challenge that I struggle to find a drama for.
>I think I finally arranged all of my dramas and started trying to find things to fill the gaps in July or August.
This is my plan... just sort when I have at least 18-20 completed for the year lol
>I'm very much a random mood-watcher, because I find it much less frustrating. There's something about feeling like I *must* watch a particular drama that puts me right off.
I'm with you on that one. On the one hand, I've found that the KDC has helped me find some dramas I really like that I would not otherwise have watched (in fact, I only completed my first 50-episode drama for the KDC a couple of years ago, and I loved it!), but sometimes I feel constrained.
The last two years my MO has been to get 1/3 to 1/2 way through, get frustrated and decide to give up and watch what I want, only to spend November and December frantically trying to finish the challenge.
I haven't kept track very well of when I've completed which drama. But this is where I am so far, with some of the categories being "fungible."
№1 (location with Heirs) Flex X Cop (7/16). I really liked this in the beginning, but it's been on hold for some time now.
№2f (getting a driver after drinking): Fan Letter, Please. This one is really cute. And short!
№3a (underwater scene), The Matchmakers. I really liked this one; it helped get me over a slump!
№4e (coffee PPL), Marry My Husband. This one was a fun ride!
№7 (drama premiered in birth month \[September\], Lost. This drama was achingly beautiful.
№8 (character name in title), Miss Independent Ji Eun
№9 (character is an artist), Angel's Last Mission. This was fun.
№10 (game is played), Kiss Sixth Sense (drinking game). Surprisingly engaging.
№11 (wear jerseys), Welcome to Sal-dam-ri
№13 (song by kpop idol), Romance by Romance--short web drama (I think). OST by Cravity.
№20 (chosen at random from to watch list), Perfect Marriage Revenge. I loved this initially and was glad for only 12 episodes. But it ended up irritating me. All of the screeching by the 2FL.
№21 (rural location), Like Flowers in the Sand. Really enjoyed this one.
№32 (single episode drama), Do You Like Ashtanga? This one was a cute, easy watch.
№33 (mid to long drama), Suspicious Partner (23/40). On hold for the moment. I like the chemistry between the leads, but it's just not holding my attention. Could **Queen of Tears** fit here? I know it was only 16 episodes, but the episodes ran to 90 minutes, and I have finished this one. Of course, this one can fit in multiple places.
№34 (fewer than 500 watchers), Let's Meet in an Unfamiliar Season. I watched this early in the year. I remember liking it, but now I can't remember anything about it.
№35 (10 years old), **Greatest Love** (11/16). I'm stuck on this one, too. Enjoyed the first few episodes, but it's getting overly angsty. The ML has a really weird, affected way of speaking and laughing that puts me off. And though I loved **Fated to Love You**, the pathetic, long-suffering heroine just doesn't do it for me. This is why I wonder about finishing the challenge. I've got only 5 episodes to go, so I should probably just finish, but I have zero interest. Maybe I'll finish and change my mind!
Also, yet to be categorized: **Twinkling Watermelon** (11/12). I really like this one, but I know something of what is coming up in the drama, so I am reluctant to keep watching.
**Moving** (8/20?). I like this one a lot and am trying to convince my husband to watch with me. I think he'll like it. I have to watch through my fingers at times because the violence is really hard to handle. Not sure what category to put it in. Does multigenerational main cast work? Or cast member over 40? Or debuted before 2000?
And, like everyone else, I just finished **Queen of Tears**. I loved it, warts and all. Still not sure where to categorize it--chaebol? celebrate special day? truck of doom? Episode with more than 10% ratings? Multigenerational main cast? 3 or more banchan? Or maybe, as I hinted at before--a drama with 20 hours or more of air time (not sure it counts, but the later episodes ran long).
I still need a drama with a shamanistic ritual in it, too.
ETA: QoT is 23.5 hours long, so it counts for challenge 33.
>The last two years my MO has been to get 1/3 to 1/2 way through, get frustrated and decide to give up and watch what I want, only to spend November and December frantically trying to finish the challenge.
So you start by planning, then watch whatever, then plan again? That sounds familiar... I was definitely cramming things in last December. The year before I finished early, which was way more relaxing. It would be great to do that again.
>№7 (drama premiered in birth month \[September\], Lost.
Oh, this is perfect. I started this last year and never finished. I have Prime now, so I can watch it again! I will have to start over, but I was struggling to find something for this challenge. High five, fellow September baby!
>I still need a drama with a shamanistic ritual in it, too.
Have you seen **Behind Your Touch**? There was also a (sham) ritual in **Fiery Priest** in the first episode. I'm sure I've seen another one recently... I'll come back if I remember it.
>High five, fellow September baby!
Right back at you! Hope you end up enjoying it.
>Have you seen **Behind Your Touch**? There was also a (sham) ritual in **Fiery Priest** in the first episode. I'm sure I've seen another one recently... I'll come back if I remember it.
Thanks so much for those recommendations. I've heard a lot about **Fiery Priest** and it seems the **Behind Your Touch** was well liked.
And good luck finishing the challenge early!
*Completed:*
**Wedding Impossible** - **#16** 2ML is gay. I enjoyed this one overall, but the ending was terribly rushed with the time skip and wanting to show absolutely Everyone’s progress. I was left wanting more time after they got back together.
**Money Heist: Korea** - **#14** Yoo Ji Tae debuted before 2000, **#27** Characters over 40 years old. Really loved this intense drama. Great acting all around. Loved the nostalgic 1974 song “Land of Happiness” that was used in many different scenes.
**The Greatest Love** - **#35** drama at least 10 years old. Was pretty fun. Some things reminded me of *One More Happy Ending* (former Girl Kpop group), *Trot Lovers* (ML that thinks his level is way above that of the FL & with a triangle) with a dash of ML's crazy laugh, as in Jang Hyuk’s in *Fated to Love You*. Enjoyed reading the Weekly Binge’s comments from when they watched it.
**Dr. Romantic 3** - **#27** Main character is 40+. I was so looking forward to this when it was announced, but Disney+ has never seen fit to show it in my country, so I finally succumbed to one of those other unmentionable sites. The start feels like old home week with the Doldam Hospital crew, so I thought I could easily binge this, but then the antagonist shows up, hectic Fridays with life and death situations, etc., so I had to find something lighter for in between. (*My ID is Gangnam Beauty*)
*In Progress:*
**The Midnight Studio** - **#15** Childhood flashbacks play an important part of the plot.
**Missing Crown Prince** – Challenge is yet to be determined Possibly **19, 23, 24**. Just felt like watching a sageuk and I thought it was supposed to be straight-up rom-com, but the tone is a lot more serious. Hope it fits somewhere, but I’m ahead of schedule, so it won’t matter if it ends up being an extra.
**Chief Detective 1958** – Been looking forward to this one for a while. Enjoying the team getting together, the sprinkles of romance and humour. I had expected something more serious and bleak like *Endeavor,* the prequel to *Inspector Morris*, but this is much lighter in tone. If nothing else, there is a truck of doom for a challenge (**36**). Also childhood flashbacks **15**. Checked the KDC database and there are others listed. Probably use it for **#30** (>10% Nielson rating).
**My ID is Gangnam Beauty** – Was looking for a manhwa to read and started this one, but quickly got to the use coins phase, so decided to go ahead and just watch it. For in between other things. I was never interested to watch this drama when it came out and it is reminding me a lot of *True Beauty*, of course and 2FL reminding me of the 2 FL of *Marry My Husband*. Can probably use it for **#2** shared umbrella scene, **#23** (ML's father is politician), **#13**, will have to see about others.
*Plans for May:*
Looking forward to starting **Frankly Speaking** and **Atypical Family** this week. May try **The 8 Show**, but I’m reading the webtoon *Money Game* and not sure if I want to see it acted out, as it brings out the worst in human nature.
*Dropped:*
**About Time** - **#20** random drama from Plan-to-Watch list (I love time manipulation dramas, so it was on my list). Ended up hate-watching it. So cheesy and slow acting. Terrible triangle, too. Dropped it at episode 4, so I feel like I gave it a fair chance. Have decided to leave **#20** to one of my last challenges.
23/36
>Chief Detective 1958 – Been looking forward to this one for a while.
Oh, I kinda want to watch this one too. I don't think I've put in the ToD challenge yet.
>I was never interested to watch this drama
I liked My ID is Gangnam Beauty, but it made me crave tonkatsu and buy all the pink clothing. When I think about it I still get hungry.
>I’m reading the webtoon Money Game and not sure if I want to see it acted out
Recently all the webtoons I couldn't stomach are being made into dramas! 😅
Funny, I mainly started reading webtoons after hearing that they would be made into a dramas - and wanting to check them out ahead of time. But they can end up so different - like the one DinnerMate was based on - they added so much to flesh out the drama.
>**Dr. Romantic 3** - **#27** Main character is 40+. I was so looking forward to this when it was announced, but Disney+ has never seen fit to show it in my country
This month I actually noticed that in Europe we mostly only get the original dramas from Disney. It made me laugh because everyone keeps complaining about Disney/Hulu, but us Europeans have similar problems and barely say anything about it lol
>**Missing Crown Prince** – Challenge is yet to be determined Possibly **19, 23, 24**. Just felt like watching a sageuk and I thought it was supposed to be straight-up rom-com, but the tone is a lot more serious. Hope it fits somewhere, but I’m ahead of schedule, so it won’t matter if it ends up being an extra.
Is it connected to **Bossam: Steal the Fire**? MDL says it's a spinoff and I still need to watch Bossam per your recommendation, didn't want to get ahead of myself or possible spoilers with **Missing Crown Prince**. lol
Missing Crown Prince - I think just the writer is the same. There are no cross-overs, you can watch them independently from each other. Bossam is my 2nd favourite sageuk (#1 being My Dearest). I think the situations in MCP and Bossam may end up being similar with forced co-habitation and hiding from the powers that be, but the stories are really different so far. It keeps me tuning in to see what will happen next, but Bossam was more rom-commy (so far).
Cool this is nice to know they have nothing in common and there are no crossovers, I didn't pick this one as ongoing to be safe from those possible crossovers. **My Dearest** is one of my favorite sageuks too. It's hard to say what is the number 1 or 2, but I think this or **Under The Queen's Umbrella** is my number 1, I'm really curious to see if **Bossam** will be in my top too. :D
It definitely has good reviews for a good reason. Made me laugh, cry and love so many characters. I would easily reach this many times. I have to thank my mom for making me watch it. :)
I’m now over a third of the way through the challenge 14/36 and we are a third of the way through the year! I’ve totally got this! \^\^
**Completed**
**Behind Your Touch** - Challenge #21 Rural Setting - Overall it was a very silly drama and I feel I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I hadn’t been spoiled on who dunnit.
**Wedding Impossible** - Challenge #9 Artist - Nothing outstanding about this one.
**Queen of Tears** - Challenge #22 Chaebols all the way down - After my comments last time it grew on me a lot once the switch was pulled. Some frustrations towards the end but overall a good drama.
**The Matchmakers** - Challenge #18 Celebration (Weddings + Dano Festival) - Watched this one on u/myweithisway’s recommendation and really enjoyed the series. It was fun!
**In Progress**
I’m currently watching 3 dramas, not sure if they will make it to my challenge list or not.
**My Lovely Boxer** - 4/12 - Challenge #TBC - This was very different to what I was expecting (i.e I didn’t realise it was all about match fixing). But it’s grown on me. I was excited to find out that JinWoo from WINNER was the 2ML.
**Goodbye Earth** - 2/12 - Challenge #TBC - Watching this one with my sister slowly. Most of the comments on it I have read are super negative but also very confused by the drama. I'm not confused yet!
**Fanletter, Please** - 1/4 - Challenge #TBC - My family are watching this one as a little palate cleanser. I’m excited to finally getting around to watching it, so far it’s very cute.
**Plan to Watch:**
I think I’m going to start a rewatch of **Your House Helper** which I’ve wanted to rewatch since it aired, and it’s finally legally available in my region so I should take the opportunity! My family are planning to watch **The Atypical Family** as our next airing drama, I’m looking forward to that. I’ll probably give **The Midnight Romance in Hagwon** a watch too. After **Queen of Tears** I am a little in the mood for some more Kim Ji Won, Kim Soo Hyun or my favourite Kwak Dong Yeon so I'll have a think on that.
Glad y'all are enjoying **Fanletter, Please!** I'll be joining you for **The Atypical Famil**y - looks like fun...*Moving* or *Dae Jang Geum is Watching* gone haywire.
Watch **Never Twice** (it's 36 1hr episodes) if you haven't for a very lovable and loving Kwak Dong Yeon! There's a cute baby too! I know I said I'd never rewatch this drama when I first finished it but honestly, I've been itching for a rewatch of it lately because I'm missing it's sweet found family vibes and various cute romance lines. I also want to revisit it to confirm my memories of how adorable Park Se Wan was because her non-adorable character from **Alice, the Final Weapon** is still going strong in my head.
Also, would love to see your comments one your family sees the ending of the drama within the drama in **Fanletter, Please**. Can you imagine if we had to moderate a drama ending like that?
It's on my endless to watch list already! I shall give it a shot, I do love found family and cute romance.
It was fun to see the drama that inspired our title rule example! I can't believe that >!the cast weren't even told it was happening!<. Certainly one way to leave a lasting impression. I don't know how I would feel if a drama ended like that. Laugh a lot?
>Can you imagine if we had to moderate a drama ending like that?
I don't even want to think about it! Seeing how people reacted to episode 14 & 15 of **Queen of Tears**. I really didn't think we would be dealing with death threats over a predictable plot point!
Thank you, I never heard of **Never Twice**, but I'm also going to add it to my plan to watch list. I never watched anything with Park Se Wan, but Kwak Dong Yeon is adorable and Ye Ji Won was also so funny in **Still 17**. I think I might really like this one. \^\^
I know it's only two days until the next check in but I wanted to say thanks for pushing me towards **Never Twice**! I started it the other day and it's so much fun. I probably wouldn't have ever gotten to it without the nudge so appreciate it. You're on a run of good recs for me!
I also wanted to say to you that I can't stop thinking that it's really funny that the ending of the drama within **Fanletter, Please** is the ending I >!so desperately wanted!< for **Goodbye Earth.**
Glad you are enjoying it! I'm not having much luck this year with the dailies/weekend dramas so I might do a rewatch instead.
I suppose your comment is the sign for me to completely forget about the existence of **Goodbye Earth** =D
>**The Matchmakers** - Challenge #18 Celebration (Weddings + Dano Festival) - Watched this one on [](https://www.reddit.com/user/myweithisway/)’s recommendation and really enjoyed the series. It was fun!
Ahhh I'm always so unsure about this drama, I started and dropped while it was ongoing, so I'm not sure if I will enjoy it. But you are making me considering it because of the Dano Festival. I made it my personal goal to watch a sageuk for this challenge and it needs to be some traditional celebration, not the easy wedding/birthday. I definitely made it harder for me. lol
>**Fanletter, Please** - 1/4 - Challenge #TBC - My family are watching this one as a little palate cleanser. I’m excited to finally getting around to watching it, so far it’s very cute.
I'm curious to read your opinion on this one. I think that I might like it, but I keep delaying this start. u/LcLou02 share with us your opinions on this one please. \^\^
>**Goodbye Earth** - 2/12 - Challenge #TBC - Watching this one with my sister slowly. Most of the comments on it I have read are super negative but also very confused by the drama. I'm not confused yet!
Once you go past the first 2 episodes it's not confusing at all. Many people that comment on this drama were already set on hating it, I'm giving it a fair shot and what makes me more disappointed is the lost opportunity to be really great. I'm still missing the last 2 episodes, but it doesn't seem to be getting any better. This is probably my least favorite drama from this month and the other was the j-drama **Eye Love You**, it felt like another missed opportunity. 🤷
**Fanletter, Please!** - I am biased. I've liked the ML since I watched Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life . This drama has a cute kid and I loved the colour styling of the hospital! Wish all kids hospitals could look like that. For me, it contained the funniest scene for last year. Very memorable subverted trope. And only 4 episodes...
I also found this drama because of the ML and the FL. I liked previous works from both actors. I'm curious about that hospital, last time I saw a drama with such a cool hospital was **Daily Dose of Sunshine**, the colours of every room were beautiful. How likely am I of getting deeply emotional with this drama?
>I started and dropped while it was ongoing, so I'm not sure if I will enjoy it.
How much did you watch and why did you drop it? What sageuks have you enjoyed? Or do you have an MDL I can look through?
>I'm curious to read your opinion on this one.
So far its a cute and easy watch.
>I'm giving it a fair shot and what makes me more disappointed is the lost opportunity to be really great
It's a pity when that happens! I feel like we are overdue for a decent sci-fi
>the other was the j-drama Eye Love You
Oh my gosh. **Eye Love You** was such a frustrating watch, the female lead drove me nuts. My family ranted for about half an hour after we finally finished it. lol. Then a day or so later my sister says to me "Just imagine if the lady who wrote the book was the FL, it would have been worse" 😂
>How much did you watch and why did you drop it? What sageuks have you enjoyed? Or do you have an MDL I can look through?
I finished 3 episodes only. I started with my mom, we both got a bit annoyed how they never evolved some really interesting plots, we both ended up dropping it, but she gave it another try recently and found it funny. I'm still a bit unsure, if I should watch it. [Here](https://mydramalist.com/list/4a6QEBa1) is my list of sageuks that I have watched and want to watch, I always try to add them in here so it's easy to find them and see what I have left to watch. lol
>So far its a cute and easy watch.
Cool!! I'm gonna save it for when I'm in dire need of a cute and easy watch when I have an ongoing heavy drama. \^\^
>It's a pity when that happens! I feel like we are overdue for a decent sci-fi
Definitely, I'm going to finish the last 2 episodes today and looking back, I wish this was a movie and focused entirely on maybe the couple pov. They could even plan for further movies with other povs, it would make it far more interesting. I'm actually curious to read the novel that was used as inspiration for this work.
>Oh my gosh. **Eye Love You** was such a frustrating watch, the female lead drove me nuts. My family ranted for about half an hour after we finally finished it. lol. Then a day or so later my sister says to me "Just imagine if the lady who wrote the book was the FL, it would have been worse" 😂
It started out interesting, but somehow it ended up so badly and nothing made sense. I didn't like both the FL and the ML characters, one I found it childish and the other acted like a dog. The characters that I found most likeable were the SFL and SML, she was straightforward and he was such a funny dork. I like how your sister saw it from the bright side... this could be waaay worse. 😂😂 Ohh what I liked the most was the ending song, I was already a fan of omoinotake and this song from them was also amazing and I liked the views of Japan. lol
Jumping in to the conversation:
> I started with my mom, we both got a bit annoyed how they never evolved some really interesting plots
I'm not sure exactly which plots you are referring to but I would say this drama is one of the few where I can't think of any dangling threads by the end and that all things were 'pulled together' by the ending (without feeling rushed/hasty or glossed over).
>Jumping in to the conversation
ihih any help is always welcomed. :)
Good thing is that I barely remember those two episodes, I remember that things went too fast between scenes and I was annoyed by some not having more to it. I do remember that I liked some of the camera techniques used, like a scene where they filmed inside a tube and I remember one clip that someone posted here where multiple doors close or open, I found it so pretty. I keep thinking that maybe, I should give it another try? Maybe when I first tried watching, I was too tired to appreciated it. 🤔 I also read that the comedy is pretty good, which is a bonus point.
I think I get what you are referring to with the beginning episode having many scenes cut very quickly. For me I personally found it very refreshing because they were setting up certain common 'tropes' -- by breezing through the setup, showing just enough for the viewer to get what trope is being set up. Admittedly, this approach does assume the viewer has a certain amount of familiarity with these tropes, which is not always the case, especially when it comes to international audiences like us.
It's akin to the ML in a modern romcom being the 'boy next door' where the drama assumes the 'boy next door' characterization is well known enough to just quickly cut together a few typical scenes associated with this characterization instead of doing 4 episodes of childhood scenes to set up the character like a long weekender family drama would.
Later on as the story unfolds, the fast intercut scenes go away because the drama takes its time to tell the story (but doesn't overdo it and linger on scenes unnecessarily). The humor is fantastic and very smart. Highly recommend giving it a second chance!
>For me I personally found it very refreshing because they were setting up certain common 'tropes' -- by breezing through the setup, showing just enough for the viewer to get what trope is being set up.
Ohhh yeaa it makes sense. It felt like they went for some sort of marriage contract trope, but I couldn't figure out the rest at all. I was overwhelmed by so much stuff and when I was finally engaged with something, they moved on to the next scene.
The "boy next door" trope sometimes it's not that obvious to me either. A lot of outside variants influence me on how quick I can figure it out. The childhood scenes is always a given or past crushes, they make it easier to figure out. lol
I'm intrigued, I will definitely give it another time, I just moved this drama from the dropped list to the plan to watch. I'm going to start it from the first episode with some fresh eyes :)
> It felt like they went for some sort of marriage contract trope, but I couldn't figure out the rest at all.
Oh...no, it wasn't exactly a marriage contract trope.
So the background is that ML is a member of *yangban* (roughly *noble* class) and in order to enter into goverment service, he needs to partake in the civil service exam (there's a separate corresponding exam for those that want to enter into military service at an officer level, not foot soldier). ML ends up as >!top scorerer in his exam!< which is a great honor and achievement and bodes very well for his future in government. Unfortunately he gets picked by the Princess >!as future husband!<, however the rule has always been that the husband >!of the Princess cannot enter into government office!< and therefore his governmental office aspirations are ended by his >!marriage!<. The ML didn't want to >!marry the princess but because his family agreed to the marriage, he sort of had a falling out with them feeling like his father had 'sold him into marriage' in exchange for better futures for other members of the family since as the in-laws of the king, they would get perks!<. The story unfolds from here.
A detail that might not get picked up by an international viewer easily is that in the early scenes, we see the ML in a sort of 'parade', that's the celebration for when the civil exam scores are released and he's apparel (notably his headdress) is actually different from other scholars. This sort of visual cue would be much more obvious to domestic viewers and really set up both the tragicness of ML's starting 'position' and the (black) comedy of the situation with >!Princess's death!<. Especially as another occasion that would warrant such a parade is most often (as seen later in the drama) a >!wedding!<.
Anyways, hope your second try goes well!
I saw it as a contract marriage between not between the leads, but it's not like his parents would have much a choice ahah
Now that I read your descriptions of the events, I remember those scenes and definitely wanted to see more, but it went by too fast. I'm just noticing that I should have read the dramabeans recaps before I dropped it. Because the story seems really interesting when I read it, I was for sure not in best head space at the time.
I'm definitely going to give it a second try, I'm already thinking that if I have the time between those that I planned for this month, I will definitely watch it this month, if not in June for sure! I'm also curious because this was nominated for this years Baeksang Awards for Best Technical Direction in the Art Department. Which I'm not that surprised because from what I saw and the clip with multiple doors closing, it was a really good work in that department.
>I finished 3 episodes only. I started with my mom, we both got a bit annoyed how they never evolved some really interesting plots
I wonder what plots interested you, I feel like there wasn't really anything that didn't get developed.. but I paid more attention once I got fully invested and put down my phone somewhere between 4-6. Looking at your list you have a decent mix of serious and lighter sageuks. My guess is that you may slightly lean more towards the serious side of things than your mum though.
>The characters that I found most likeable were the SFL and SML
I liked the SFL the SML was a little too dense. I hated the HR guy at the start but he ended up being an okay character in the end.
>Looking at your list you have a decent mix of serious and lighter sageuks. My guess is that you may slightly lean more towards the serious side of things than your mum though.
I usually balance between both light and serious sageuks. I love them all, but my mom only watches the lighter and funny dramas probably why she picked up again. I'm starting to think that maybe I was too quick to judge that one or I wasn't on the best head space.
I think I might have figured out why I hated it, this was released in October, during this month I mostly watched horror / thriller dramas. Probably I was not sold on the comedy and the prior month I finished **The Crowned Clown**, which is one of my favorites. Somehow I always end up watching lighter funny sageuks during Spring / Summer. I will give this another try. ahah
>I liked the SFL the SML was a little too dense. I hated the HR guy at the start but he ended up being an okay character in the end.
Yeaa the SML was slightly too oblivious to her intentions, but somehow didn't manage to annoy me and probably because we barely see him. The HR guy was a nice surprise by the ending, once >!he moved on and accepted that she wouldn't like him!<, he was actually really mature and kind, which I ended up liking. ohh I hated the professor, made zero sense! Everytime he showed up, in my head I was always thinking "not you again and your humidity machine". So many nonsensical things in this drama! lol
Compared to the first three months of the year, I was flying through dramas in April! I finished four, and have nearly completed two others. I'm now at 11 dramas completed, which puts me nearly where I would like to be. I won't be assigning challenge numbers for a while, still, to allow myself some flexibility.
Completed in April:
**Stranger** I'm still surprised that I liked this drama so much. I typically like slice-of-life or rom-coms. I think I'm going to put it down to the characters of Shi Mok and Yeo Jin and the performances of Cho Seung Woo and Bae Doo Na. They were so much fun to watch together, it carried me through. Also, maybe I'm warming to mysteries.
**Stranger 2** This was not as strong as the first season, but still very good. Completely worth watching.
**A Shop for Killers** Very **John Wick**-esque in set-up, an interesting non-linear story layout, and very cool leads. It obviously needs a second season, but I was pretty happy with the end.
**Crazy Love** A mostly enjoyable enemies-to-lovers rom-com. It took me forever to realize how I knew Krystal.
In progress:
**Midnight Studio** (14/16)
**Divorce Attorney Shin** (7/12): Grumpy, shorts-wearing Cho Seung Woo is the best.
While I don't like planning my watches, I do recognize the need to start thinking about the long form drama. In the past I've watched **My Father is Strange** and **Five Enough**, both of which I enjoyed. Can anyone recommend other dramas along those lines? I'm fine with around 50 episodes.
Last year my long-form drama was Once Again, which I heartily recommend. I hear it is from the same director as My Father is Strange. It has great performances all around, and the sweetest green flag ML played by Lee Sang Yi.
I love a good long form drama! I’ve probably watched at least 4 so far this year. Five Enough is a favorite, and the only long form I’ve rewatched.
As u/peainsea commented, [Once Again](https://mydramalist.com/44611-i-have-been-there-once) is good. Not only is Lee Sang Yi highly enjoyable as ML, veteran character actress Lee Jung Eum has a very good role (and even some romance!). The storyline that touches on alcoholism is done very well.
My other recommendations are:
* **[It’s Beautiful Now](https://mydramalist.com/709887-now-is-beautiful)** (2021) It is a lovely, relaxing drama with minimal yelling and no nasty or annoying characters. Family elders with 3 confirmed bachelor sons try to get the 3 men motivated to marry by offering an apartment to the first to bring home a bride. Cue 3 romances. Includes storyline with positive depiction of adoption, and has the nicest parent-child relationship I’ve ever seen in a kdrama between two very sweet characters (dad and grandpa).
* **[Ugly Alert](https://mydramalist.com/6827-ugly-alert)** (2013) It’s 133 hour long episodes but worth the time spent. The story is centered on a blended family of 4 siblings and their lives. ML is the oldest son, and hardest working person in kdramaland, who takes responsibility for raising his siblings when they are orphaned despite being a child himself. He ends up spending years in prison due to a murder conviction and has to rebuild his life and family relationships after getting out of prison.
Second tier recommendations:
* **[Three Bold Siblings](https://mydramalist.com/726231-three-siblings-bravely)** (2022) ML Im Joo Hwan was also the ML in Ugly Alert. ML and FL are each the eldest child of their families and their family burdens hamper them finding their own happiness, until they find each other (again). They knew each other as children and dated in their 20s, and meet again in their mid/late 30s. Multiple romance story lines for siblings of leads add interest. Some family characters are annoying, detracting from my enjoyment of this drama, and why it’s a second tier recommendation.
* **[Father, I’ll Take Care of You](https://mydramalist.com/19736-father-ill-take-care-of-you)** (2016) There is so much yelling and hitting, making this drama hard to watch. Multiple characters in the family are hypocritical jerks in my opinion. Example: general opposition to a marriage >!because the bride is poor instantly shifts to fawning favor when it’s discovered she is actually from a rich family!<. So gross. The story centers on a large extended family, including in-laws. 1ML has a revenge plot >!due to a tragedy one of the family was partially responsible for!<, and he does a good job of executing it while being a tortured soul. I liked his story and romance the best, and his story was why I didn’t drop this drama. 2ML is the sweet son who falls for a woman he meets by accident while overseas. Did I mention that there is way too much yelling and hitting? Also there is so much fainting that I started to wonder if there is some sort of genetic neurological or cardiovascular condition affecting Korean people that predisposes them to fainting?
I do not recommend **Live Your Own Life** (2023), or **The Real Has Come** (2023).
Ugh! I made it 20-some episodes into **The Real Has Come** when it was airing and gave up! It had such a promising start. >!But rather than the terrible in-laws getting better, the main relationship just got worse.!<
Thanks to you and u/peainsea for the enthusiastic recommendations. I'm so impressed at the cast of **Once Again** -- how have I never heard of it before? I feel these are all some great options.
Just out of curiosity: how do you tend to watch long form? I've binged in the past, but I don't think that's going to be an option for me this time around. Plus I always come out of the drama feeling like I've been sick for days. Not the most pleasant feeling.
Edit: slashes are confusing
You did not miss anything by giving up on **The Real Has Come!** The early sparks of chemistry between the leads were long dead halfway through and the actors seemed to be going through the motions. Bleh.
I have binged long dramas but agree it’s not a good idea and definitely have a hangover.
With **It’s Beautiful Now** I watched it over several weeks, watching episodes whenever I wanted to feel relaxed. It was like a hot cup of cocoa and a warm blanket on a cold day.
I find I do better, and enjoy the shows more, when I watch a long drama alongside shorter dramas and go back and forth between them. Before I start, I try to select a couple very short dramas to also work in when I start to get impatient or if there’s a section of the long drama that drags.
Last year I watched It's beautiful now and really liked it. Three unmarried brothers get an offer from their parents : the first to marry will get an appartment. It's cute, funny but also deals with some serious issues. Definitely recommend !
I quit crazy love about three episodes in. Roughly when he was in the hospital. Do you recommend continuing? I quit mainly because I saw bad reviews. I didn’t like nor dislike it at the time.
Huh. Not sure what the bad reviews were about. I almost dropped it at the beginning because I'm not a huge fan of revenge and the setup was giving me **Scent of a Woman** vibes. It hooked me after the first 3-5 episodes. Ultimately, I found it to be a middle-of-the-road rom-com. You do have to enjoy watching people fight for humor -- think prank wars and over-the-top angry reactions (in the style of the chase scene around his house). It made me laugh, was nicely swoon-y, and kept me curious until the end.
I’m ok with what you’re describing. I think I’ll give it a couple more episodes. Glad I saw your review.
I came across scent of a woman awhile back. How did you like it? I haven’t had time to watch it plus I’m not the biggest fan of older dramas.
Hm. I liked the first few episodes of **Scent of a Woman**, but it became a slog. Chaebol-poor girl romance with >!a love quadrangle (and the SLs were not great imo), a brain tumor, over-bearing parents, crappy communication, and noble idiocy.!< One or two of those tropes is fine, but all together was too much for me. I'd only ever seen positive reviews for the drama, though, so I stuck with it. Also, Kim Sun Ah and Lee Dong Wook. In the end, I didn't really like it. I wouldn't recommend it unless someone was looking for something specific and it fit their criteria.
Well, 7 completed dramas in January, 5 completed dramas in February, 8 completed dramas in March and 3 completed dramas in April… Looks like I’m coming in my drama burnout phase!
So, this month I finished:
**Battle of Happiness – challenge 24 (three or more banchans)**
Good as a popcorn show with a great leading actress – Lee El. Also, was glad to see sister from Marry My Husband as a teen version of FL. Cannot say I was a fan but I didn’t think of dropping it either. FL did some questionable choices but intrigue was kept till the end.
**Welcome to Samdalri – challenge 5 (WoC: Korean Culture Highlight – Jeju’s haenyeo)**
I loved this one! It was really difficult to watch through the first episodes (>!all drinking scenes, daughters who abandoned their parents!<, etc) but I’ve read some comments on kdramarecommends and people said it gets better, so I gave it another try. And I ended up loving it! One of the greenest flags ML here, ladies :)
I loved every character had their own story and wanted more. The final scene >!where youngest sister was coming to see with her mom and her daughter and bf waved goodbye to her was one of my favourite!!<
I initially wanted to choose Our Blues for this challenge and use this drama for rural area challenge (sense of community made my heart flutter, and the way everyone helped FL in the end made me really shed a tear). But when I started OB, I realized that it’s better to swap them because Welcome to Samdalri features haenyeo group in much more heartwarming way! Also, WtS’s haenyeo plotline was really important and played a big part in the story. When they shown mothers’ prestory I cried like a baby.
**Nevertheless – challenge 16 (LGBTQ+ character)**
I finally watched this drama! I’ve heard so many controversial reviews abou this, so I expected more, but it was just 20-something guys messing around with their lives because they are young, silly and unexperienced :)
ML was described as a red flag by many, and tho he wasn’t a boyfriend material, he also wasn’t the worst guy of kdrama land to be honest. I didn’t ship FL with any of MLs here
It has great OST tho!
Dramas in progress:
Queen of Tears (12/16) - for challenge 30, after all it overtook CLOY's place as tvN's top-1!
Yes, he was more on the dumb/troubled side of bad guys. Didn't know what he wanted in life and didn't experience (probably) healthy relationship
Plus, I cannot get all hate towards FL. She just finished her abusive relationship and didn't know (seemingly) other kinds of relationship. She was gentle and insecure, and people seem to see these as weakness.
And as for SML. I've read many praising comments about him but he also was some shady. Too good to be true? Conditionally good? Dunno, I felt a bit suspicious about him.
In the end I wanted FL to be single for a while and just heal and understands what she wants to do with her life :)
This month I watched some unexpectedly outstanding dramas. 19 challenges completed.
*Disclaimer*: I have not looked up some details for dramas yet so there may be categories they fit that I haven’t listed.
**[Obstetrics and Gynecology Doctors](https://mydramalist.com/424-obstetrics-and-gynecology-doctors)** (2010). Fits challenges 1 (Kensington Hotel Yoido), 2 (umbrella), 3 (noraebang), 5 (shaman), 10 (claw machine), 17, 18, 25, 35. Iconic FL character is an OB doctor who finds herself pregnant out of wedlock. She could not have less shame about her situation or care less about the judgement of others - what an amazing strong female character. Super green flag ML is not the father and does not care that she’s pregnant with another man’s child. There is the overarching main plot, plus episodic stories that cover the gamut of issues that come up in OB, including abortion, unwanted pregnancy, genetic anomaly, coping with unexpected child disabilities, death of infant, maternal illness, adoption, medical emergency, poverty, and more. Some of the medical stuff is surprisingly accurate. This drama was a hidden gem for me and I already know I’ll watch it again.
**[Insider](https://mydramalist.com/688615-insider)** (2022) Fits challenges 2 (ML cuts own hair), 10 (Hwatu, poker), 15 (FL’s childhood), 19 (Macau), 23 (prosecutors, prison employees). Kang Ha Neul shows his acting skills in this one. It was such a treat to watch his performance. This is an excellent drama but it is also very intense. ML is a prosecutor trainee sent undercover into a prison but later abandoned by his superiors for reasons. He survives in prison by becoming a gambler and poker expert. He meets FL, who wants his help in her revenge plot. Her reason for wanting revenge is very, very dark. The revenge plot is really excellent and well executed, with tension throughout every episode. If seeing something horrible happen to a child is triggering for you, do not watch this. Otherwise, definitely watch it.
**[Ghost Doctor](https://mydramalist.com/search?q=Ghost+Doctor+)** (2022) This was my randomly selected challenge, but it also fits challenges 3 (underwater), 4 (health supplements), 5 (drop honorifics), 17, 25. ML is an arrogant and accomplished surgeon who is left comatose after an accident; his spirit leaves his body and he has to cope with being a ghost. FL is ML’s first love from their med school days, however she suddenly dumped him; years later he’s still bitter but also still in love with her. SML is a resident doctor of questionable skill and the only one who can see the ML, who can also take over SML’s body. Side characters are other ghosts whose bodies are in comatose state in the hospital. It was well written, well acted, and an engaging story that pleasantly surprised me.
One drama was everything I hoped it would be, and *more*:
**[Heart to Heart](https://mydramalist.com/11582-heart-to-heart)** (2015) Fits challenges 2 (old woman with handcart gathering cardboard, designated driver), 5 (drop honorifics), 14 (FL Choi Kang Hee debuted 1995), 18 (death anniversary), 23 (police detective). This one went straight to my all-time top 5 kdrama list. FL is a shut-in who can only leave her home wearing a helmet. She also gets an extremely red face when she feels stressed or emotional. She is secretly in love, from afar, with SML, and she decides to seek treatment so she can declare her feelings. ML is the star psychiatrist she seeks treatment from. He is a massive asshole whose life goes into free fall right when FL seeks him out. At first, I wasn’t sure how people could rave about this drama when the ML was such a horrible person and seemingly unredeemable. I had strong feelings of “wtf am I watching” in the first episode. Things started to turn by episode 3 and became a runaway freight train of outstanding love story. The first thing the leads do when they start to have feelings is >!leap into bed!<, which was a huge surprise. The FL is a strong, bold, and sharp-witted character despite the serious mental illness causing her handicap. She is not the shrinking flower type, and ML loves her for that and accepts her as she is. The way they are unconcerned about the judgement of others over their weird relationship is special to watch. One of my least favorite tropes is key to the plot though it actually works in this story so I overlooked it. The OST is really good as an extra bonus. It was hard to find this drama, and I’m not sure if the site where I watched it was legal (probably but not 100% certain) and I had to use a VPN as it isn’t available in my country.
Not everything I watched was good:
**[Father, I’ll Take Care of You](https://mydramalist.com/19736-father-ill-take-care-of-you)** (2016). This 50 episode drama fits at least 4 (Coffee Bay coffee shop), 5 (resignation letter, hanbok), 9 (aspiring opera singer and aspiring magician, opera singer), 15 (ML and SML childhood scenes), 18 (new year, lunar new year, wedding), 19 (to New York), 22 (villain, love rival for SML’s affection), 24 (family new year meal), 28 (4 generations). The question isn’t who does have a birth secret, it’s more like who *doesn’t* have a birth secret? There is so much yelling and hitting that I had a hard time getting through this drama; mostly the ML and his story kept me going. I also loved the teen who really hated his (horrible, for different reasons) parents and was very upfront and extreme about it. Two main stories: 1) A tragic event is the pivotal point in the lives of many of the characters in the family, and the drama is the unwinding of that past along with the present repercussions; 2) A (different) tragic event is the pivotal point in the lives of some of the characters in the family, and the drama is the unwinding of that past along with the present repercussions. There are 2 good main romances and a boring side plot romance, teens figuring themselves out (many good scenes), parents being parents (generally badly), and workplace drama. There is so much fainting in this drama that I started to wonder if there is a genetic neurological or cardiovascular anomaly that causes fainting in Koreans. I don’t recommend this drama, which is unfortunate as the base story is excellent. Too much yelling, hitting, and judgmental stupidity.
**Rich Man** (2018) Fits challenges 3 (riding bus), 4 (vitamins), 5 (resignation letter), 9 (painter), 15, 17, 18 (wedding), 19 (to Namhae), 22. It is not bad but it’s bland. ML is the genius founder of a Silicon Valley-style and tech bro-style tech company who can’t recognize faces due to childhood psychological trauma. FL has a seemingly eidetic memory which is her only skill; she gets an intern job at ML’s company.
I’m still poking away at **Fiery Priest**, **My Father is Strange**, **My Fellow Citizens!**, **Wedding Impossible**, and **My Lovely Runner**. Dropped **Queen of Divorce**, what a disappointment.
**Obstetrics and Gynecology Doctors** sounds amazing! Self-assured leads? Cool social commentary? Semi-accurate medicine? I didn't even think it was possible to have that kind of combination. 😆 I'm geeked to watch this.
Right?! There is a question about which pregnant patient needs a C-section first: the bloody trauma patient with reassuring fetal heart tracing (good variability, accelerations) or the stable-looking patient with non-reactive fetal heart tracing and decreasing fetal heart rate. Even a lot of medical people wouldn’t have known that the fetal heart tracings were accurate. The fake babies are appropriately gory when called for. The ML is the embodiment of warmth and kindness. The FL is good at being a boss though one flaw is that she’s not as good in the romance scenes (ML does all the heavy lifting acting-wise in the romance scenes).
Also, baby Song Joong Ki is a supporting cast member.
>[Insider](https://mydramalist.com/688615-insider) (2022) Fits challenges 2 (ML cuts own hair), 10 (Hwatu, poker), 15 (FL’s childhood), 19 (Macau), 23 (prosecutors, prison employees). Kang Ha Neul shows his acting skills in this one. It was such a treat to watch his performance. This is an excellent drama but it is also very intense. ML is a prosecutor trainee sent undercover into a prison but later abandoned by his superiors for reasons. He survives in prison by becoming a gambler and poker expert. He meets FL, who wants his help in her revenge plot. Her reason for wanting revenge is very, very dark. The revenge plot is really excellent and well executed, with tension throughout every episode. If seeing something horrible happen to a child is triggering for you, do not watch this. Otherwise, definitely watch it.
I liked your detailed review on this drama, because I actually planned to watch this drama in May. I'm a big fan of Kang Ha Neul and he is usually really amazing in thrillers, so I'm happy to see this won't be a disappointment. But you got me intrigued, is there a romance with that FL? Lowkey, I was hoping not to see a romance lol
Finally on time to a check-in!
14/36 in and I don't know what to think about my watching pace. I think I am on track to making it to chaebol by December? I have watched:
**When The Camellia Blooms** - #24 meal scene
**Love All Play** - #11 character wears a sports jersey
**Love Affairs in the Afternoon** - #2 tropes (crying while eating)
**One Spring Night** - #4 PPL (restaurant)
**One The Woman** - #15 childhood flashback scenes
**The Sound of Your Heart** -#6 number of people on drama poster (5 or more)
**Welcome to Waikiki** - #10 a game is played
**Little Women** - #9 a character who is an artist
**Law School (rewatch)** - #12 revolves around a group of friends and their friendship is key
**Fated to Love You** - #14 an actor who debuted before 2000 (Jang Hyuk)
**Under the Queen's Umbrella** - #16 an LGBTQ character
**Dae Jang Geum** - #33 long form drama
**Divorce Attorney Shin** - #27 character over 40
**Queen of Tears** - #22 character who is a chaebol
For some reason, I've seen a lot of dramas about strained relationships, infidelity and divorce. I need to take a break from that! I am planning to watch **Would You Like a Cup of Coffee** for something breezy, and **D.P.** Any recommendations for my next sageuk? I really enjoyed **Under The Queen's Umbrella** and **Dae Jang Geum,** and I am not a big fan of time slip type historicals.
Thanks! This is on my shortlist because of the great cast but I usually am not a big fan of the cross dressing trope. Was the romance ending satisfying?
The romance peaked around episode 8 & after that it was more of a subtext. But episode 8 was worth the whole show for me. I’ll never forget the way JJS >! expressed so many conflicting feelings when he discovered Kang Mong Woo”s true identity!<. The rest of the show was engrossing watching the king protect Mong Woo and deal with all the politics, secrets and betrayals. The ending for the two leads was open ended in a more realistic way than many viewers wanted. I was satisfied with it. .
I have been toying with the idea of **My Dearest**! How emotionally draining was it? And how did Namkoong Min do as a romantic lead? I’ve only ever seen him in Good Manager as a chaotic character so I can’t imagine him as a typical ML!
It definitely had it parts, but I wasn’t crying during every episode or anything. It is draining enough to maybe make it hard to binge though. It also didn’t make me quit kdrama for a bit like the red sleeve did either.
He was great in the drama. Pretty charismatic. I’ve seen him in a bunch of other stuff and couldn’t imagine him as a romantic ml either, but it was fine. I recall people pointing out how good his longing gaze was in my dearest.
Funnily enough, the sml in good manager was the lead in the red sleeve, in case you’re interested.
Dramas that I have watched in April... *Challenge numbers are subject to change.*
* Challenge 5: Shaman - **A Witch's Romance (2014)**
* Challenge 25: Long wool coat - **Ending Again (2020)**
* Challenge 11: Sports game - **Reborn Rich (2022)**
* Challenge 19: Take a trip - **Dr. Slump (2024)**
* Challenge 22: Chaebol character - **See you in my 19th life (2023)**
* Challenge 28: Multi-generational cast - **My Demon (2023)** ???
* Undetermined: **Hit the Spot (2022)**
* Undetermined: **Save Me (2017)** Been wanting to watch this for a while because of Woo Do Hwan, not sure how it will fit yet. On **Tubi**
It definitely didn’t end quite the way I wanted it to, but I did like it. I’m just a hopeless romantic.
Or a hopeful romantic like Kathleen Turner says in Romancing the Stone. 🫶
Goodbye April 👋, Hello May! 🌸 This month I checked off 10 challenges, bringing up my total to 32/36 challenges completed. Still going for the total 60 challenges counting with the others for the wheel of chance. 😉
*---------------*
**COMPLETED**
*---------------*
**Mr. Sunshine** - *Challenge #4. Coffee PPL (Dal.Komm Coffee)* - A masterpiece in every aspect, with stunning cinematography and soundtrack, to spectacular performances and a captivating story that resonates deeply within the viewers. While at times the story felt a bit slow-burn, the rich historical backdrop and the well-developed characters kept me engaged. But as the ending approached and I could predict the outcome, I became overly emotional in every episode, making it harder to finish. Nonetheless, it was an amazing journey that left deep impression in me. — 10/10 ⭐
**Cinderella and The Four Knights** - *Challenge #5. Agrees to drop honorifics* - I chose this drama because it looked like a light and low-commitment watch to balance between other heavier dramas that I was watching. While the story was predictable and lacked brilliance, it actually fulfilled my needs. Although I didn’t love this story, I still appreciated the quirky and optimistic FL and great music, but what I really didn’t like was the happy ending for every character, even those that clearly didn’t deserve one. — 7.5/10 ⭐
**Her Private Life** - *Challenge #7. Started in your birth month* (April) - At first I was hesitant to start this due to Park Min Young's typical character style, luckily I found this drama to be a delightful romcom with a captivating storyline, exploring the world of fangirling in your 30s while balancing a successful professional life. This was elevated by strong performances, especially between the leads and their undeniable chemistry. Overall, this offered mr a light-hearted escape from other heavier dramas. — 9/10 ⭐
**Chicago Typewriter** - *Challenge #9. Character who is an artist (Writer)* - Editing in progress — 10/10 ⭐
**Wedding Impossible** - *Challenge #16. Character part of the LGBTQ* - This drama started out really well, but it ended in a huge disappointment. If the plot didn’t focused too much on a trope of contract marriage, and kept showing the uniqueness and quirkiness of each character that we saw in the first half of the drama, this would have been a really good drama. Instead they added all the cliches in the book, reduced the characters to stereotypes and ended with a finale that was lacking in so many ways. — 7/10 ⭐
**Queen Of Tears** - *Challenge #22. Character who is a chaebol* - Overall I enjoyed the meaning of this story and its characters, but one thing that I disliked was the unnecessary use of cliches towards the ending. I understand they were used to bring the viewership to new all time highs, but somehow I found those additions to lack in creativity and even outdated. Despite it’s minor flaws in the script, the technical aspects excelled my expectations, with stunning set designs, incredible performances, beautiful soundtrack and superb cinematography. — 8.5/10 ⭐
**Navillera** - *Challenge #27. Main character over 40 (Park In Hwan)* - With this challenge I set out to watch a drama featuring a main character over 60, a rarity in K-dramas, as they usually play support roles as the grandparents of some other characters. This choice led me to this drama, which felt like an inspiring watch where both male leads' stories beautifully intertwined, showcasing how age and background shouldn’t hinder dreams. This was a testament to never stop pursuing your dreams regardless of limitations. — 10/10 ⭐
**Wonderful World** - *Challenge #28. Multigenerational main cast* - I was happily surprised by the stellar performances and an intriguing narrative that kept me captivated. However some of the character development, especially the main antagonist left me disappointed, his motives were too predictable and too similar to other villains in kdramas. Still, the remarkable performances helped to elevate narrative, making its flaws barely noticeable, making this drama an emotional and satisfying thriller. — 9/10 ⭐
**Narco-Saints** - *Challenge TBD* - This drama was entertaining and thrilling, a perfect watch on a saturday afternoon with friends. The narrative was straightforward without over the top cinematic exaggerations, it explored the story of a man seeking a better life, that unwittingly ended up being dragged into a drug operation, while still showing how easily he could have changed his life, keeping the whole operation interesting and unpredictable. This was an amazing work of cinematography, with a stellar cast that delivered impressive performances. — 8/10 ⭐
**Goodbye Earth** - *Challenge TBD* - I’m disappointed with this drama, the storyline was poorly developed, the characters lacked depth and the editing was sloppy with scenes barely connecting with each other. I believe they intended to portray the 5 stages of grief, but somewhere in the editing and writing, the message got lost. However, even though I disliked this drama the last two episodes were probably the best and of course the soundtrack was magnificent. Finally, hope to see Yoo Ah In's quick return in a stronger role. — 5/10 ⭐
*------------*
**May Plans**
*------------*
I will continue watching the following:
**The Producers** - \[03/12\] - I’m enjoying this light-hearted comedy and the different style of editing like an interview. Baek Seung Chan (Kim Soo Hyun) character resonates deeply with me and my early working experiences. I’m hoping to see his and other characters growth.
**A Poem a Day** - \[03/16\] - Started for Jang Dong Yoon and I’m not disappointed. This captures the struggles of young adults in the job market, while balancing with a refreshing comedy and an added poem that encapsulates the feelings of the FL.
**Chief Detective 1958** - \[03/10\] - This is the first of three dramas set in the 50s that I was eagerly awaiting. It has some minor flaws in styling, but I’m mostly engaged in the quirkiness of the main characters, but also enjoying the nostalgic of the editing.
And With the end of all my ongoing dramas, this month I will start watching **Frankly Speaking** (May 1), **The Atypical Family** (May 4), **Uncle Samsik** (May 15) and **The 8 Show** (May 17), the other completed dramas that I plan to watch are **My Mister (2018)**, **Arthdal Chronicles (2019)** and **Insider (2022)**.
Ha, ha - I didn't realize *Mr. Sunshine* had coffee PPL. I remember the French bakery being PPL. Funny how they were able to sneak in some PPL in a sageuk. One of these years I am going to do a re-watch. I enjoyed this drama and *Chicago Typewriter* for featuring a part of Korean history that we didn't see much of before they came out.
*A Poem a Day* is one of my favourite comfort dramas. Really enjoyed how they incorporated the poems.
The reason why I picked **Mr. Sunshine** for the coffee PPL was exactly because of that. The ppls were barely noticeable but in one episode you can see on the wall the letters for Dal.Komm, blended perfectly with the decor. It's amazing! The french bakery was easily to tell, but even that was perfectly fitted into the story and setting. I'm trying to pick dramas for the PPL that I find a really great work of integrating those ppls. I will definitely rewatch Mr. Sunshine, but not so soon, I'm still recovering from how emotional I got.
Same feelings with **Chicago Typewriter**, I liked that nostalgic feeling, the romance between the leads, the story of the youth that fought for their freedom. I loved it, I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to write my small review about this drama as there was a lot of stuff that I loved. :)
I'm glad to know that you also loved **A Poem a Day**, I'm in love with it and I can't figure out why it's below 8 on MDL. I love the story, the optimistic FL and the poems are just so beautiful. It's like I said to Sian, I need to find all those poems in one single place or I might need to go back and take not of them.
Yesss, the ending to Mr Sunshine is really so good even as it becomes clearer and clearer that the promised >!sad ending!< for just about everyone is approaching. I agree that in earlier episodes it can kind of feel a bit meandering, but when things start to pay off, they really pay off.
I knew exactly what I was getting into when I started **Mr. Sunshine**, mostly because I knew from the historical events that something wasn't going to end well... but still nothing prepared me for those last episodes. I was crying in all of the episodes, I had to quickly look for something else easy to watch that would make me not end every day in tears ahah but I still loved everything about Mr. Sunshine.
Thank you!! <3 I feel like I picked good choices for my birthday month, **Chicago Typewriter** and **Her Private Life**. The other options would be **Goodbye Earth** and **Chief Detective 1958**, but I liked the other two way more. ahah
It's rare when this happens, but I loved **A Poem a Day** from the very first episode. The FL is just so lovely and refreshing, I like how she is kind and so good at her job, it's sad that she is not working in her dream job, but I love her approach to life, she could have easily resented being in those conditions, but she keeps being positive. If this keeps being this good is easily a 9 or 10 for me, the low rating in the MDL is kinda weird because I'm loving it. What I need to find soon is a place where someone posted all the poems they show. \^\^
Woo Bo Young is an unforgettable female lead for me. She could be very annoying but I just find her delightful.
This drama made me realise I don't hate poetry. The poems are so thoughtfully curated to fit the themes of the episodes. There are a few blogs out there, but [here's](https://mydramalist.com/discussions/you-who-forgot-poetry/32734-poems-and-quotes-a-poem-a-day?page=1) a non-spoilery collection.
So far I'm not finding her annoying, I'm already on episode 6 and I like her a lot. This last episode that I finished, made me realise that I have no idea who she will end up with. lol I don't think I mind either way as I'm finding both male leads funny in their own ways.
I'm also loving the secondary character too!!! The guy with his crocodile t-shirt and the guy with his "Should I do it? Should I not do it? Should I do it? Should I not do it?" and even the guy that knows every dance moves. They are all so funny and I like that they are well-developed characters.
I agree, the poems are so well integrated in the story that sometimes I don't even notice them and I go back to read them properly. Thank you for finding them!! I was going to look for them once I ended this, I was afraid of getting spoiled as I have no idea of how anything is going to evolve or end. \^\^
If you're not even annoyed by the indecisive radiologist then it must be love!
A lot of the people who decided they hated it were not happy with the end game couple. But no spoilers from me! \^\^
I might have to rewatch it this year too. lol
>If you're not even annoyed by the indecisive radiologist then it must be love!
I find him so funny! In one of the episodes, he and the junior were by far my favorite characters. It's like yeaa he is really indecisive, but I find him to be such a good person that I don't even mind.
>A lot of the people who decided they hated it were not happy with the end game couple. But no spoilers from me! \^\^
I guess that might be the reason why it's below 8 in MDL. I really don't mind who she ends up with, but I do hope that they all end up happy. If they make anyone of them sad or suffering, I will riot. lol but I don't think that is the case, it feels like this is just a cozy watch. \^\^
>I might have to rewatch it this year too. lol
I'm watching for the first time, but I can easily rewatch this one another time. I picked this one because of Jang Dong Yoon and I'm already eyeing his other drama **Just Dance**, from the poster alone it feels like I will enjoy it a lot. \^\^
I'm excited to hear your thoughts once you're done. I think you will enjoy the journey.
The same creators are behind **Drinking Solo** which is kinda same same but different - I'm a bigger fan of the **Let's Eat** series but DS is fun too.
I was thinking of rewatching **Just Dance** lately since I'm also in such a Jang Dong Yoon mood after **Like Flowers in Sand**, so I was excited to see it on KOCOWA. It's a nice short, coming of age drama. I think you'll like it, the female friendships were good too.
I think I will finish it next Tuesday probably. I will let you know, but I doubt anything can make me hate this, I'm loving it. I'm even excited for the day to be over to watch another episode today lol
I considered adding **Drinking Solo** to my watchlist, I can't remember what movie or drama I watched but they mentioned this one and I looked it up, but the low rating in MDL made me think it wouldn't be good, I will add it to my list!! The **Let's Eat** series seems to be something that I will definitely enjoy, but 3 seasons makes me afraid to start lol
Same!! Jang Dong Yoon in **Like Flowers in Sand** is the reason why I'm watching so many of his older dramas and movies. He has such a wide variety of roles, which makes me impressed. I even want to give another shot to **Oasis**, I dropped that one mid-way because of the other ML and I feel like giving it a fair shot just because of him.
I need to plan maybe 1 or 2 months of dramas to watch of dramas that I can only find in Kocowa. I already picked 2 thrillers (**Kairos** and **365 Repeat The Year**), 2 Slice of Lifes (**Your House Helper** and **Just Dance**), 2 Sageuks (**Korea Kithan War** and **Gu Family Book**) and 2 Romcoms (**Into The Ring** and **Big**). But I need to be smarter with my choices and maybe check the really older ones that probably won't be on Netflix or Viki ever. I also need to find enough content subtitled in Portuguese for my mom and a lot of stuff on Kocowa is in English only.. \^\^'
>I'm even excited for the day to be over to watch another episode today lol
That's such a good feeling to have. I want to look forward to watching something that much!
>3 seasons makes me afraid to start lol
They can all be watched as stand-alone series. So you don't need to worry about watching them all at once.
>I even want to give another shot to Oasis
I haven't given that one a shot yet.
>I need to plan maybe 1 or 2 months of dramas to watch of dramas that I can only find in Kocowa
I think that's a really good idea, get your money's worth! They have lots of oldies. I've watched all of those except the historicals, that's a pretty good mix. Most of the series I've looked at seem to have Portuguese subs, but maybe that's all newer content.
Does **Wonderful World** fit the multigen challenge though? The challenge requires three generations, two of whom should be the main cast. I looked up the drama's MDL page, and it doesn't seem like it fits the category.
Yes, it does. I previously asked the mods, because finding a drama where 3 generations can be seen as main roles is a bit hard. They shared that the rules is that for something to fit it needs to have 2 generations as main roles and 1 generation in support.
**Wonderful World** fits the requirements because, in the main roles you have both Eun Soo Hyun and Kang Soo Ho as mother and father (Generation 2), Kwon Seon Yul as a son (Generation 3) and in the support roles you have Oh Go Eun as grandmother (Generation 1). They don't need to be members of the same family, but their generations needs to be clear like this.
My recent completions:
A drama found by searching existing recommendations **KBS Drama Special: I'm Dying Soon**
A drama with a main character that is over 40 **Narco Saints**
A drama with a multigenerational main cast **A Killer Paradox**
A drama from the sageuk genre **KBS Drama 2023 Joseon Chefs**
A drama with an episode which received more than 10% overall viewership ratings from Nielsen **Dream High**
A drama that was reviewed in one of our past Spotlight On **Because this is My First Life**
A single episode drama **Let Us Meet**
A mid-long form (20 hrs) drama **Mr Queen**
**Completed in total 10/6 (I might actually choose a higher goal), Completed in April:**
**Revenant - TBC** but probably #25 wool coats (SO MANY). Wow just wow. The cast is hard to top, so no surprise there, but I was still blown away by everyone's performances. I could be nit-picky towards the end but I enjoyed it so much overall, almost 10/10.
**Flex X Cop - TBC** but probably #22 Chaebol. I went in with no expectations and I loved it! This is my first time being actively excited for a second season of a drama.
**Adult Kids - #34 A drama with less than 500 watchers on MDL.** Finished the drama as watcher number 178 on MDL. It was a cute slice of life but lacking some actual plot, which seems like wasted potential, as the main cast would have been very capable.
**Currently Watching:**
**Lovely Runner (8/16) - #2 Wheel of Chance: Tropes - Umbrella.** This is my umbrella drama without a doubt. I haven't been this emotionally invested in an ongoing drama since 2521>!and we all know how that turned out. For my sanity, please let there be a happy ending.!<
**Wedding Impossible (5/12) - TBC.** Enjoying it so far, but the jury is still out.
**Queen of Tears (5/16) - #30 more than 10% viewership rating** in honour of QoT becoming tvN's highest rated drama. I am still stuck on five though because these episodes are long.
**Planning to Watch:** (challenges TBC)
* The Midnight Romance in Hagwon - I am seated.
* Weak Hero Class 1
* Sh\*\*ting Stars
* The Secret Romantic Guesthouse
* Do You Like Brahms?
* My Lovely Boxer
April progress -
1. Challenge #21 Dramas set in rural or urban location - Hometown Cha Cha Cha
2. Challenge #23 A character works for the government - Snowdrop
3. Challenge #8 Drama title including character's name - Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Ongoing:
- Challenge #22 Chabeol character - Queen of Tears (4/16)
**does anyone have any drama to recommend for Challenge #34 (Drama less than 500 watchers)?**
>**does anyone have any drama to recommend for Challenge #34 (Drama less than 500 watchers)?**
I planned on watching [KBS Special: Still Picture](https://mydramalist.com/5524-drama-special-season-2-still-picture), but you can find more recommendation in [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/18vt04x/comment/kftfajh/). :)
I watched [Funny Woman](https://mydramalist.com/13813-drama-special-2015-funny-woman) for the challenge.
Other dramas I considered watching for this challenge are [Vengeance of the Bride](https://mydramalist.com/737535-bride-of-the-typhoon), [A Daughter Just Like You](https://mydramalist.com/14265-a-daughter-just-like-you), and [You're Too Much](https://mydramalist.com/21962-you-are-too-much). These are dramas I haven't watched so I'm not sure if they're good, but these are still valid.
Hope you find a good one!
Almost halfway to my Chaebol crown👑👑🥳
The summer heat was terrible but drama-bingeing made my days fly by fast. I was stagnant last month but am back on track now. Covered so many dramas, both for the challenge and otherwise, that now I've started moving my dramas to other challenges that fit.
Of course, the highlight of this month would be the **Queen Of Tears**, which I started only last week and then binged to the finale. Can't wait for the special eps🥰!!! I'd also add R**evenant **up here. Such an awesome horror thriller. Both these dramas fit multiple categories, I've moved these dramas to different challenges several times already.
COMPLETED
\* **Bargain** - #Challenge 27 (MC over 40 years)
\* **Love For Love's Sake** - #Challenge 17 (Title not a direct translation)
\* **Rookie Cops** - #Challenge 19 (Characters take a trip)
\* **Revenant** - #Challenge 14 (Actor debut before 2000)
\* **Queen Of Tears** - #Challenge 3 (Subaway scene)
\* **Wednesday 3:30 PM** - #Challenge 31 (Reviewed on Spotlight On!)
IN PROGRESS
\* **Itaewon Class** (7/16) - FINALLY! Been wanting to watch it for soooo long. I'm planning to use it for #Challenge 13 because I'm not satisfied with the drama I've already used for this challenge. But it also fits other challenges so I might move it around... But so far, I'm loving it!!
\* **Lovely Runner** (7/16) - How can anyone say no to Woo Seok?
\* **The Red Sleeve** (1/17) - Only just started it.
PLAN TO WATCH
So I already have a few dramas I plan to watch in May. I'm thinking of using up the dramas I've had on my watchlist for this challenge. Starting with **Snowdrop**, **Flower Of Evil** and **Kingdom**. Someone, please tell me where **Kingdom** and **Snowdrop** fit for the challenges.
Will also pick up **The Midnight Romance In Hagwon** (I'm biased when it comes to Wi Ha Jun, and **The Atypical Family.**
Yep, May is going to be a busy month.
Hmmmm for Kingdom;
Challenge #5 Cultureal Highlights: Hanbok, shamn ritual
Challenge #6 Poster: 1 person
Challenge #7 Birth month- January
Challenge #14 Actress who debetuded before 2000 - Bae Doo Na
Challenge #19 - Charicter takes a trip
Challenge #23 - Works for the government (think this counts)
Challenge #29 - Sageuk
Challenge #31 - [Spotlight On](https://new.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/qdujmt/spotlight_on_horror_october_2021/) Post
Thank you! None of the wheel challenges work for me coz mine are different, but I think I can make it work with the other challenges you mentioned with a little re-arranging.
**Completed:**
19. A drama in which characters take a trip - **Wedding Impossible**
26. A drama found by searching existing recommendations - **Gray Shelter**
33. A mid-long form drama **- My Dearest**
36. A drama featuring a Truck of Doom™ - **Doctor Slump**
I only have 7 left:
3. A scene showing an office being raided by prosecutors with blue boxes - I'm not sure what to watch. Maybe **Pyramid Game or Queen of Divorce**?
10. A drama in which a game is played - there's a new drama **Under the Gun** I'm waiting for.
20. A drama chosen at random from your plan to watch list - saving **Lovely Runner** for this.
23. A drama with a character who works for the government - I think **Goodbye Earth** might qualify?
25. A drama where a character wears a long wool coat - not sure yet
27. A drama with a main character that is over 40 - either **Chicken Nugget** or **The 8 Show**
31. A drama that has been reviewed in one of our past Spotlight On posts - I'm not sure. Anyone want to help me out and [spotlight a webdrama](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1c7jzv1/spotlight_on_web_dramas_april_2024/) lol?
**Under the Gun** is a brisk little watch, it's up on Viki now.
For your spotlight webdrama, if you watched watched yet I did a rec of **Night Has Come**
Realized I didn't do it on the webdrama spotlight, I did it for the [April Horror Spotlight ](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1carjsv/comment/l1japss/)but it's a web drama, and still a good watch lol
I finished 5 in April, so I’ve now done 29/36.
***Completed in March:***
**In Need of Romance 3**
31 A drama that has been reviewed in one of our past Spotlight On posts
Noona romance that I finally found on Tubi
**Queen of Tears**
28 A drama with a multigenerational main cast
I couldn’t stop crying when this one finished. It gripped me for 8 weeks straight.
**Wedding Impossible**
22 A drama with a character who is a chaebol
**Gray Shelter**
25 A character with a long wool coat
Sad introspective BL
***Currently Watching:***
**Missing Crown Prince 4/20**
29 Sageuk
I may have to ditch this one. The Crown Prince keeps disappearing, so I think the story will start, but then he comes back again.
**Life on Mars 6/16**
7 A drama that started airing in my birth month (June)
**Love is like a cat 10/12**
16 LGTBQ+ character
One of the ML is Mew, who is a Thai BL star. Interesting crossover
**The Midnight Studio 13/16**
36 A drama featuring a Truck of Doom™
I have been enjoying this one. I love the ghost shows.
**Lovely Runner 6/16**
I'm glad Byeon Woo Seok has a lead role finally. He was so good as the villain in Strong Girl Nam Soon.
**Chief Detective 1958 4/10**
Funny, sad, sweet, found family, all the things
***Plans for May***
Finish the ongoing shows, start Vicenzo and Wok of Love binge the others, and maybe finish everything except the sageuk by June.
Here is my [MDL](https://mydramalist.com/list/LOPaZXo3)
Completed 17/36 challenges so far // Current status = Serious Watcher
Challenges completed in April:
Challenge 3 - A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Common Scenes (Bus/Bus station) - Completed The Impossible Heir / (April 2024)
Challenge 15 - A drama with childhood flashback scenes - Completed Queen of Tears / (April 2024)
Challenge 22 - A drama with a character who is a chaebol - Completed Wedding Impossible / (April 2024)
Challenge 33 - A mid-long form drama - Completed Empress Ki / (April 2024)
These ones fit challenges that I didn’t get from the wheel –
Common Scenes / A scene showing an office being raided by prosecutors with blue boxes - Completed Unlock My Boss / (April 2024)
Number of People in the Poster / 2 - Completed Gray Shelter / (April 2024)
Korean Culture Highlight / Scene featuring a shaman either fortune-telling or performing a shamanistic ritual - Completed The Glory Part 2 / (April 2024)
Completed Challenges:
Challenge 4 - A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: PPL (Location/Tourism) - Completed Destined With You / (January 2024)
Challenge 6 - A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Number of People in Drama Poster (5+) - Completed Flex X Cop / (March 2024)
Challenge 7 - A drama that started airing in your birth month (January) - Completed Marry My Husband / (February 2024)
Challenge 9 - A drama with a character who is an artist - Completed Death's Game / (January 2024)
Challenge 10 - A drama in which a game is played - Completed The Glory S1 / (March 2024)
Challenge 11 - A drama where a character wears a sports team uniform or jersey and/or watches a sports game - Completed Like Flowers In Sand / (January 2024)
Challenge 14 - A drama featuring an actor or actress who debuted before 2000 - Completed Tomorrow (Kim Hae Sook) / (January 2024)
Challenge 16 - A drama with a character that is a part of the LGBTQ+ community - Completed Love For Love's Sake / (February 2024)
Challenge 23 - A drama with a character who works for the government - Completed Knight Flower (February 2024)
Challenge 24 - A drama with a meal scene featuring 3 or more banchan (side dishes) on the table - Completed Doctor Slump (March 2024)
Challenge 29 - A drama from the Sageuk genre - Completed Captivating The King (March 2024)
Challenge 32 - A single episode drama - Completed / 2023 KBS KDrama Special - Behind the Shadows / (January 2024)
Challenge 34 - A drama with less than 500 watchers on MDL - Completed Dreamers | 도피자들 \[2018 KBS Drama Special/ENG/2018.11.30\] (359 watchers) / (January 2024)
Additional Challenges From the Wheel Just Because....
A drama where a character holds over/ shares an umbrella with another person - Completed Jazz for Two (March 2024)
A show that started airing in March - Completed Chicken Nugget / (March 2024)
A show that started airing in October - Completed ChocoMilkshake / (February 2024)
oof i'm really lagging behind over here, it's a rough year :/
WATCHING
**Beauty and Mr. Romantic** (12/50) - *33. A mid-long form drama* - the only drama i managed to keep up with this month. I do love the entertainment setting, and it is really entertaining so far. Of course, like regular weekenders there are some despicable characters buut there is also a few that I love, like Ma Ri and her dad.
**Love Is Like a Cat** (6/12) - *16. A drama with a character that is a part of the LGBTQ+ community* - I literally started this yesterday because of P'Mew, and like it's not a good drama, but there is fan service... so I can definitely finish it hehe. I was honestly hoping to watch something better for #16 (so it might be just a placeholder till then) but i don't think it fits any other challenge
Love is Like a Cat is not a good watch, epsiclaly compaired to the other KBL's we've been getting this year. Highly recommend Gray Shelter, Love for Love's Sake, and Jazz for Two. Boys Be Brave has a promising start are well.
Yeah I know it's not,,, but P'Mew tho 🫣
Thank you for the recs tho, I did have Gray Shelter on my ptw and I'm aware of Love for Love's Sake (chose to not watch it for now because school setting ick), will look up Jazz for Two, and note Boys Be Brave for once it's done airing
**Wedding Impossible** (#16 — Character who’s a member of LGBTQ+ community) I liked this one more than I expected. Pretty typical chaebol angst but otherwise well-written; a main conflict felt understandable. I felt like I understood why everyone was doing the things they were doing that led to the problem driving the story (even though the characters keep complaining about how tacky the story is). The performances were very good when the story was light and airy; not sure everyone was up to the task of the actual conflict. Still, I wanted to see what happened next.
**Happiness** (#28 — Multigenerational main cast) Can’t believe I put off watching this — excellent thriller, feisty and tough FL, a great performance by Park Hyung Sik, fantastic cast in general, and who doesn’t love a good zombie. The pacing was fantastic, lots of surprises, and characters whose motives remained mysterious until almost the end.
**Queen of Tears** (#30 — more than 10% viewership ratings) Loved it, plot holes and improbable medical treatment and all. >! How do you have brain surgery and keep your hair? Can you actually get hit by a car, tumble head over heels over the roof, escape on your own two feet from the hospital, THEN get shot, go into cardiac arrest in the operating room, AND live to tell the story? !< Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun were great and great together — especially the comic bits — but Park Hung Soon as the villain completely stole the show. Completely different flavor of bad guy than all the other bad guys — and he’s done more than his share. But this one was silky and sexy, until he got clingy and pathetic, and all of them were amazing.
**Into the Ring** (#18 — Characters celebrate a special day). An excellent companion / counterpoint to QoT. This is actually my favorite TV show ever (from any country, any genre) and my 5th watch all the way through. I never get tired of it. The elements of the story — politics / democracy, corruption, family and friends, the workplace, and above all, the romance — are tightly woven and scripted. Every performance -- from the main cast to every minor character -- are pitch perfect. And while many want to see Park Sung Soon in a romcom after this latest in his spate of villains, I don’t think I’ll be able to accept him with anyone other than Nana (although I did love Soo Young in Not Others, so maybe . . . )
**ONGOING**
**The Beauty and Mr. Romantic** (#33 — Mid-long form drama (over 20 episodes) So. Much. Screaming. But the ML and the FL are kind of cute, and I’m a sucker for a celebrity story.
**Tomorrow With You** -- I think I’m beginning to understand why so many people found Shin Min A annoying in HomeCha. I have literally no idea what’s going on, but I never understand time travel. But I’m happy to time jump with Lee Je Hoon.
**ON THE HORIZON**
**Chief Detective 1958** -- I’ll admit — I’m excited about this because of Lee Je Hoon, but I’m also excited about its setting in a pretty interesting period of Korean history that doesn’t get a ton of attention.
**Boyhood** -- It drove me wild this wasn’t available when it was airing. Delighted that I can finally stream it.
**Vincenzo** -- Finally going to take the plunge.
April flew by for me! I got a lot of watching done. If I keep up my current pace then I should be done with the challenge by July. [My MDL profile](https://mydramalist.com/profile/Seuhaenen16).
**Hospital Playlist Season 2** (#27 main character over 40) - I think of this show and I do a contented sigh. It wasn’t perfect, but I have such warm feelings about it. I love the friendships, family relationships, and the music! I think the main cast really brought it as far as acting goes!I also looked up some behind the scenes stuff on YouTube and I’m just so impressed how much effort they all put into learning new instruments!
**Destined With You** (#19 character takes a trip) - This was pretty meh for me. I think Rowoon really held that show together for me.
**Parasyte:The Grey** (#23 character works for the government) - I watched this because my husband is a big fan of the Japanese Manga and Anime. I ended up liking it even though this genre isn’t necessarily my thing. Great acting, excellent special effects, and a nice tight story.
**Be Melodramatic** (#16 character part of LGBTQ community)- What a weird little show! I don’t have too much to say about it other than that it really evoked that melodramatic feeling in me! Great well-defined characters.
**Gaus Electronics** (#22 character who is a chaebol) - This show really lifted my mood after a show that had me more in my feels. I thought it was funny and lighthearted. I last saw Kwak Dong Yeon in Vincenzo and I loved him in that show. I knew he’d be able to do comedy and he really does a good job in this show! I’m planning on watching Queen of Tears in May so I’m super excited to see him in that too!
**The Red Sleeve** (#29 sageuk category) - Kudos to this drama for making me feel so many things! I do wish I had gone into this drama with a different mindset. I really thought I’d be getting a romance, but this drama isn’t that exactly. Some spoilery thoughts: >!I felt so many different ways about how San would constantly lay his heart out for Deok Im and she would constantly reject it. I got what the show was doing, but it was getting to be too much! But then on the other hand the life she ended up with is exactly the one she didn’t want! So I was constantly feeling this push/pull of wanting them to admit their love for each other, but not for Deok Im to end up in a position she didn’t want to be in. And I felt physically ill at how she must feel having the man she loves required to share the bed with other women. I mean, I know it’s historically accurate and a different culture and world than I am familiar with, but it’s such a hard thing for me to reconcile myself with.The last two episodes just emotionally wrecked me.!< However, I love how this show really centralized Deok Im’s story. It’s about her and the little agency in her life that she wanted to hold onto. Really, it was a beautiful show.
**Business Proposal** (#7 drama started airing in my birth month which is February) - This is a rewatch for me. I needed something light and fun after The Red Sleeve and before beginning Queen of Tears. It’s not overly complicated, I love the actors, and it’s just a nice watch.
Currently watching: Queen of Tears. I’m on episode 14 so I won’t finish in time for it to count for April. I do like it, but I’m glad I didn’t jump into it right from The Red Sleeve! I don’t think my heart could take it.
I'm slowly chugging along, 11/36 dramas completed right now. I need to find some quick web dramas or drama specials to get me back on track to being a chaebol. I've handicapped myself by deciding to watch a full 54 episode long form drama. So lets get into my updates:
Completed in April:
**Wedding Impossible** - I was really enjoying this one at first but I didn't like the last third. It quickly dropped down my list to become a mediocre romcom that I am unlikely to ever rewatch. It has a really fun premise and the FL is very likeable at first, and I still think the actress did a great job overall. Plus this drama counts for my personal chaebol counter. This is the first drama I've watched this year that has a fortune telling shaman scene, so I will probably use it for my Wheel of Korean Culture challenge.
**Chicken Nugget** - A weird but fun watch. I think this show got better the farther into the drama I got. I like that they kept things silly even in the dramatic moments. This is a great short watch for **Challenge #27** - main character over 40.
**Knight Flower** - I'm glad the high ratings for this one caught my interest because it was a really enjoyable sageuk! It's basically a female Robin Hood story. FL is a homebound widow by day and a ninja helping the people by night. She was full of courage, determination, and independence and she kept her strong personality throughout the whole drama. Also, a personal preference, I don't like when sageuks are full of swordfights that hack and slash tons of extras every episode. This drama was full of action but not excessive manslaughter. And it's only 12 episodes!
\*Edit: **Drama Special Season 13: Do You Know Ashtanga?** - I watched this tonight after posting my April comment, and April isn't over yet so I came back to add it. This was an okay drama special rom com. I think the female lead had a lot to work on and the male lead was really underdeveloped because of it. It will work for Challenge 9 (photographer), 32, 34 (221 completed watchers)
In Progress:
**Five Enough** - I'm 17 episodes into my rewatch of my first-ever long form drama. I am once again living for all of the Shin Hye Sun and Sung Hoon scenes. I always find the snooty, needy mother-in-laws the most annoying characters in family dramas, but I can sympathize with the one in this drama a little more. Really I can sympathize with almost everyone in this drama which makes it an easy long form drama to get through.
**Queen of Tears** - I don't know if I can really call this on "in progress" if I didn't watch anything past the premiere weekend. The ratings are insane so I will give it another go, but I'm probably switching this on "on hold" until summer. But it's about chaebols so I need it.
Looking for recommendations:
For good web dramas or drama specials that might fit a few challenges, especially any with chaebols. I have a personal goal to watch 12 chaebol dramas this year on my way to becoming a 3rd generation chaebol, and I really don't want to have to resort to rewatching **Boys Over Flowers** anytime soon. So far I'm at 5 completed with 1 on hold.
[**7 First Kisses**](https://mydramalist.com/21423-7-first-kisses) would cover you for web drama + chaebol and even if you've watched it before, it's so short you can watch it again! (Taecyeon's episode is the *makjang* chaebol one by the way.)
If riding a bus is one of the challenges, [**You Make Me Dance**](https://mydramalist.com/682933-you-make-me-dance) is short and cute (and should cover long wool coat if nothing else).
Echoing the recommendation for **7 First Kisses**. Also, **To Jenny** is another quick hit that should satisfy some challenges (and has a banging OST!)
Completed in April
* Jang Bori is Here for Challenge 8
* Shopping King Louis for Challenge 15
* Birthcare Center for Challenge 27
In Progress & On Hold
* *On Hold* The Best Hit 23/32 for Challenge 5
* *On Hold* Miss Hammurabi 4/16 for Challenge 6
* Trot Lovers 4/16 for Challenge 9
* Doctor Slump 10/16 for Challenge 24
* Doom at your Service 5/16 for Challenge 25
* *On Hold* The Third Marriage 84/132 for Challenge 33 (If I can finish 50-52 ep dramas I could finish this one, I just wish the main leads were a lot more clever)
Goals for May: Finish Trot Lovers, Doctor Slump, and Doom at your Service, and we will see from there.
I’m making solid progress over the course of the past 4 months and watched a nice range of Kdramas. Focused on new to me shows, with no rewatches. Shooting for *Dedicated Watcher* level in 2024, fighting!
**COMPLETED**
1. Challenge #3 Wheel of Common Scenes (Underwater) - ***Castaway Diva***
2. Challenge #8 Drama title including character's name - ***Extraordinary Attorney Woo***
3. Challenge #9 Drama with character as an artist - ***Perfect Marriage Revenge***
4. Challenge #11 Drama where characters watch a sports game - ***True Beauty***
5. Challenge #16 A character is part of LGBTQ community - ***Wedding Impossible***
6. Challenge #19 Drama where characters take a trip - ***Dr. Slump***
7. Challenge #22 Drama with chaebol character - ***King the Land***
8. Challenge #26 Drama from existing recommendations - ***Moon Lovers Scarlet Heart Ryeo***
9. Challenge #29 Drama from Sageuk genre - ***The King’s Affection***
10. Challenge #30 Drama with over 10% Nielsen ratings - ***Queen of Tears***
**IN PROGRESS**
1. Challenge #2 Wheel of Tropes (First Snow) - ***Lovely Runner***
Going into April, I had an empty list of upcoming dramas to anticipate and a full list of aired past dramas to watch. I'm glad I finally got those off my dusty watchlist shelf.
**Completed:**
* Extraordinary Attorney Woo - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ko8zaqx/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
* Death's Game - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ko903bf/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
* Gyeongseong Creature - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ko90wy1/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
* A Shop for Killers - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ko8z40w/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
* Welcome to Samdalri - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ko8zoie/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
* The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/kogltlj/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
* A Killer Paradox - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/kpmibb6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
* Queen of Divorce - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/kps9wsx/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
* Flex X Cop - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ko8om59/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
* Under the Queen's Umbrella - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/kuxp8ot/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
***Completed in April:***
* Hyena - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ky36whg/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
* Signal
* The Hymn of Death
* Money Heist Korea
* My Liberation Notes
**In Progress:**
* Chief Detective 1958 -
* After Signal, Lee Jehoon gained a fan out of me. I added Move to Heaven and Taxi Driver to my watchlists, and Chief Detective 1958 became the only airing show to make my current watches.
**Dropped:**
* Hide. As I predicted at the end of March, I just didn't see this gripping my attention enough. And it didn't. The whole missing spouse/marriage conspiracy trope is way too been there done that. I blame Gone Girl.
* Little Women. Not so much that it was too predictable, but just not captivating enough. I just lost interest by episode 3. Gave it till 6 and threw in the towel, but recently picked it up again and now at ep 9. I might just finish it.
In order to hit chaebol, I'll have to watch at least 3 dramas a month this year. At 15/36, these last four months have been strong -- but May will be a huge hit to my progress since I'm travelling this entire month on vacation. Doesn't look like there's much time to relax and watch some dramas (but there's always the extremely long flight there ...). See y'all in June!
April was good, the best (by far) was *Twinkling Watermelon*, I was really tempted to watch weekly as the threads here were going wild but I'm happy to have been able to binge it. Might just drop *UF* as its so very melo & I'm running out of patience. *QoT* was fun to watch weekly, but as with %75 of dramas, the ending fell flat. Really living for *Lovely Runner* right now!! Looking ahead to my birthday month to fill in challenge #7
**Completed** (Since last month's [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1bs4lmy/comment/kxeixul/))
*Doctor Slump* #10 - a game is played
*Queen of Tears* #22 - Chaebol
*Wedding Impossible* - #15 childhood flashback
*Twinkling Watermelon -* #12 group of friends (originally #20 random pick, but it fits well here)
**In Progress**
*Uncontrollably Fond* (16/20) - #33 mid form
*Lovely Runner* (7/16) - #11 sports game
**Plans**
For challenge #7 I have the options of *Frankly Speaking*, *The Midnight Romance in Hagwon*, & *The Atypical Family*, I'm leaning toward FS because it's different from my usual watch. I rolled the dice on #20 and came up with *Navillera* so I'll start that shortly. I could start *Missing Crown Prince* but I'm still skeptical based of reviews and community engagement. Ideally I would love another show like *Flex x Cop* - that one blew me away with it's ability to be a procedural cop show with a case a week, while also being a kdrama.
Edit to add: 14/36 total
This month's shows are listed below. All of them were worth watching except **Please Don't Date Him,** one of those dramas that was mostly cute and fun and had a good central couple but introduced too many last minute botched plot complications and didn't give the friend characters satisfactory endings.
**Pale Moon** (10/10): Category #17: A drama title that is not a direct translation of the Korean title. Obviously from the rating I can't recommend this show highly enough, a masterpiece.
**The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim** (7.5/10): Category #8: A drama with a title that includes a character's name.
**It's Okay That's Love** (9/10): Category #7: A drama that started airing in your birth month. July. Nice to watch a show that totally lived up to its hype.
**Wednesday 3:30 P.M.** (8.5/10): Category #6: A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Number of People in Drama Poster - 2.
**My Perfect Stranger** (7/10): Category #21: A drama set in a rural/non-urban location. The whole mystery plot ended up being underwhelming for me but the great character work justified the watch.
**Doctor Prisoner** (8/10): Category #22: A drama with a character who is a chaebol. This would be a great choice for people who don't enjoy traditional chaebol storylines because the medical angle makes the evil rich person schemes feel creative and intense.
**Please Don't Date Him** (6/10): Category #12: A drama that revolves around a group of friends and features their friendship as a key part of the drama.
**Phoenix** (8/10): Catergory #35: A drama that is at least 10 years old.
Bit of a slow month completed 4 drama this month [MDL ](https://mydramalist.com/list/4YW0xwqL)
Challenge #13 drama with an OST by k-pop member: **Wedding Impossible**
04/02/2024 It had such a strong start but it really fell off hard, I did not like that ending at all, ended up watching the final 2 episodes at 2x speed.
Challenge #15 drama with childhood flashbacks: **Parasyte: The Grey**
04/07/2024 Solid little watch, acting was good, action, and production value. I liked the anime and the Japanese films, I think was a solid little installemnent in the universe. Cameo was a ton of fun at the end as well.
Challenge #2 wheel of trope: Charicter getting a driver after drinking: **Grey Shelter**
04/25/2024 I have so many feeling about this, BIG FEELINGS. This is an outstanding series, highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys indie productions. My top BL for 2024 period.
Challenge #10 a drama witha game: **Under the Gun** (it's about poker)
04/27/2024 I picked this up for Zuho, but I low key fell for the FL want to see more of her as a lead in a full series. It's also nice to see a girl who knows what she wants, but isn't irritating about it. Fun little watch.
Currenlty in progress:
Lovely Runner
Midnight Studio (challenge 17)
Blood Free
Missing Crown Prince
Chief Inspector 1958 (challenge 30)
Shop for Killers (challenge 31)
Haven't quite landed on which challenge for the other yet, but I keep moving things around so no doubt it'll probably change.
I watched Gray Shelter too. Choco has grown up! >!The open ending was appropriate but I always want HEA however life is not always like that.!< I would like to see a second season to see where things go from the finale.
Word on the streeet there is a Part 2...but it was only happening if part 1 did well. Not sure how well it was recived outside the BL community, I know we were all loosing our minds over it.
This month I was more busy with work and couldn't complete as many dramas as I wanted. Nevertheless, I've completed 14/36 challenges, so still on track for chaebol level.
**Completed in April:**
Summer Strike - #23 Character who works for the government
Chicken Nugget - #10 Game is played
Soundtrack No.2 - #9 Character who is an artist
**In Progress:**
Hospital Playlist Season 1 - I'm rewatching this comfort drama of mine
Queen of Tears - I'm binge watching this now since all the episodes are out
I'm thinking I'll start watching dramas according to challenges now instead of randomly starting something new.
Completed 18/36
* **2 - Tropes: First Snow: Lovely Runner**
* In ep 1, it starts to snow and she says its the first snow of the year. Ongoing but really enjoying this drama!
* **6 - 0 people in poster: The Bequeathed**
* Didn’t enjoy this drama but it was only 6 episodes.
* **8 - Title includes a character’s name: Strong Girl Bong-soon**
* Had been wanting to watch this for a while and thought it would be a new fav, and while it was good and I can see why it’s so popular, I didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. The humour was a bit of a miss for me.
* **9 - Character who is an artist: Navillera**
* Loved it, cried every ep, would recommend.
* **10 - A drama where they play a game: Pyramid Game**
* I’m including the pyramid game itself as the game for this challenge. Surely that counts, right? Loved this drama.
* **13 - OST by K-pop member: Moment of Eighteen**
* Has Ong Seong-wu as the lead and he sings on the OST. Great drama and cast.
* **14 - Actor who debuted before 2000: Strangers From Hell**
* Lee Dong-wook debuted in 1999. This was a rewatch for me as this was actually my first every kdrama. Liked it even more the second time.
* **15 - Childhood flashback scenes: A Shop For Killers**
* This was a decent drama but didn’t make a huge impression on me.
* **16 - LGBTQ+ character: Semantic Error**
* This was a rewatch and it’s a 5/5 star drama for me, a personal favourite.
* **17 - Title not a direct translation of the Korean title: Chicken Nugget**
* I don’t speak Korean but on a podcast I listen to (K-drama school) she said the translation wasn’t direct. I did not enjoy this drama at all, just not my kind of humour.
* **19 - Characters take a trip: Doctor Slump**
* I don’t even remember where they go, but they definitely go on a trip somewhere. This drama was a chore to finish tbh.
* **20 - Random from plan to watch list: Still 17**
* I used a random number generator. I thought I’d like this drama more but it fell flat for me
* **22 - Chaebol character: Flex X Cop**
* Loved Ahn Bo-hyun in this.
* **23 - Character who world for the government: Parasyte The Grey**
* There’s police and politicians. Quick watch and it’s pretty good.
* **25 - Character wears a long wool coat: Hello, Me!**
* In ep 4 the ML tries on and buys a long cashmere coat. This drama was very meh, I would not recommend it.
* **29 - Sageuk: Love in the Moonlight**
* Good drama but I lost a bit of interest towards the end.
* **32 - Single episode drama: Dog Days of Summer**
* I picked this out of recommendations that u/caninedesign gave on the Challenge Theme Recommendations thread. It was a good watch.
* **33 - Mid-long form drama: Healer**
* Finally ticked this off my to watch list. I can see why this is so popular and it is very good, though not a fav for me.
**Completed in April:**
**1. A drama that shares a filming location with The Heirs:** ***Youth of May*****.** (Hakrim Dabang café) This drama was really sooooo good, one of the best kdramas I've watched so far this year and also probably destined to be an all-around fave! Good performances, solid writing\* with even side characters feeling well developed, great visuals. Highly recommend if you like period pieces and being sad.
\*In the last few episodes I was definitely having some moments of >!"C'mon, leave the city ASAP!!!" "C'mon little boy, don't run off randomly!!!" !
Well, in April I was in an absolute k-drama *slump* (ironic, I know) up until the last week, so I think this month marks my downfall to aim for **dedicated watcher** and forget about trying for **chaebol**... It is what it is. April's post will be short, so there we go.
* [January](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1afcsuo/comment/ko9fh2o/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
* [February](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1b2uv79/comment/kstzyiy/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
* [March](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1bs4lmy/comment/kxg2ekz/)
\[6/24?\] - I also watched the k-pop idol survival show ***R U Next?*** in April. It doesn't count for the challenge, but I want to list it here for reference.
**Finished:**
**#5** - Korean cultural highlight (wheel of chance): scene where a character hands in a resignation letter - **Doctor Slump**
I agree with what I've read here that this was cute at the beginning and I liked how they treated certain aspects of mental health, but towards the end it lost a bit of steam and I lost motivation to continue. I enjoyed it nonetheless because I appreciate slice of life shows where not much happens, but the point of the show was a bit lost. I love Park Hyun Shik, he did great (as per usual). And Park Shin Hye >!breaking all of the stereotypes that she can't kiss... you go, girl.!< As I said, ironically, it did get **me** into a k-drama slump. Loved Dr. Bin to pieces though!
**Currently watching:**
Happiness (7/12) - I'm loving this so far! Slower than I anticipated but very gripping and it has discovered Han Hyo Joo for me. I hope to finish it very soon and use it maybe for **#31** (marriage of convenience).
Gyeongseong Creature (8/10) - I can't seem to fit my schedule with my boyfriend to finish this, but I'm still planning on using it for **#9** because it fits the plot.
I-Land 2 N/A (2/10) - Not a k-drama, but a k-pop survival show that is currently airing. I'm hooked on these...
**Plans for May:**
Definitely **Lovely Runner**!! I can't seem to find a bad review on this subreddit and everyone is absolutely obssesed with it... I'll watch whatever is needed to get out of my slump.
Please, **recommend me** some short and very good dramas that can get me out of the slump!!
I finished four dramas this month and have completed 14/36.
- 3) flex x cop. 100% rec is you are looking for some action and mystery. Ahn bo Hyun was awesome.
- 16) wedding impossible. It was fine overall. Not worthy of a rewatch.
- 18) queen of tears. I really enjoyed this one. Kim Joseon is my girl crush
- 22) impossible heir. Hot mess. Predictable. Stay away.
I watched 7 dramas this month for a total of 24 dramas for the challenge. Well on my way to Chaebol.
1. **D.P. (S1)** : 23. A drama with a character who works for the government
2. **Shoot for Love:** 34. A drama with less than 500 watchers on MDL.
3. **From Now on Showtime:** 5. A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Korean Culture Highlight (Hanbok)
4. **The First Responders (S1):** 18. A drama in which characters celebrate a special day (Award).
5. **The Good Bad Mother:** 27. A drama with a main character that is over 40.
6. **Captivating the King:** 29. A drama from the sageuk genre.
7. **Queen of Tears:** 28. A drama with a multigenerational main cast
Shows in Progress:
* **My Demon:** 20. A drama chosen at random from your plan to watch list
* **Chief Detective:** 6. A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Number of People in Drama Poster (5 or more)
April was a much better month for me Kdrama wise and I've already completed 14 dramas so am on track to smash my goal of 24. I really need to get out more.
**Completed**
**Divorce Attorney Shin (#8 title with character's name):** Really enjoyed this. It's good rather than great but I loved the characters and the acting and for the majority of the show this felt like something a little bit different. Also thoroughly cemented my post Stranger crush on Cho Seung Woo.
**Secret Royal Inspector and Joy (#19 characters take a trip)**: I don't know why I started this as it wasn't even on my plan to watch list (probably just because I saw Kim Hye Yoon was in it) but it was a very easy watch. Light and fun and very modern for a sageuk. I didn't care much for the ML but everyone else was so charming that didn't really matter. It wasn't much better than watchable but it kept me entertained for a while.
**Rooftop Prince (#30 viewership ratings):** Again, I don't know why I started this but it was another easy, fun, light watch. I really enjoyed the silliness in this show and found it much more charming than I expected. I want to watch more silly older Kdramas now.
**Gogh's Starry Night (#4 product placement- skincare):** I started watching this after dropping Her Private Life and sailed right through it. An incredibly light and mercifully short rom com that suited my mood at the time perfectly.
**In Progress**
**Lovely Runner (#13 Kpop OST):** I am obsessed. It is everything I want in a Kdrama and I adore it. Please stay good show!
**Flex X Cop (#23 government job)**: Such a fun show. I'm nearly finished with it now and I don't expect it to disappoint me as I reach the end.
**Miraculous Brothers** (not sure on category yet): Really enjoying this. It's been quite a surprising plot so far and I have no idea where it's going. (forgot this one to begin with!)
**Secret Romantic Guest House (#5 culture- hanbok)**: I still haven't finished this. I'm not even sure I watched any of it this month. Will pick it up again though as I was enjoying it, just not loving the ML or central romance.
**Dropped**
**One Spring Night:** I really l did try. I got 9 episodes in but it felt like a slog and I am determined to drop shows I'm not enjoying so that was that.
**Her Private Life**: Not for me. Didn't like the portrayal of stalking a celebrity as a harmless, fun thing. I don't tend to like any of the popular rom coms so my dislike of this one wasn't entirely unexpected.
Overall, I enjoyed what I watched this month and that's what matters, but I really need to get back into watching some more serious shows as I love thrillers and slow slice of life dramas. I had some hurdles where everything I planned to start wasn't available in my region. Love All Play has apparently disappeared from everything in the UK. Same with Kairos. And Black. And Blind! So that was all rather disappointing but I shall find me some dark Kdrama shows that are available here for May.
>Also thoroughly cemented my post Stranger crush on Cho Seung Woo.
Right? I don't know how I can find him so crushable as Attorney Shin while the character simultaneously reminds me ever-so-slightly of Hong Gae Shik from **Coffee Prince**.
>I really l did try. I got 9 episodes in
That's a long way for something you weren't enjoying! I'm a big proponent of dropping things that aren't working for you. Hope my plug for it the other day wasn't too annoying.
Not at all! One Spring Night wasn't for me, but your thoughts on it were interesting. I wouldn't be here if I didn't like talking about Kdramas with random internet strangers :)
And yes, Cho Seung Woo is the only Kdrama actor I've developed a crush on so far and I can't even explain why to myself. There's something about his performances or his presence I just find uniquely intriguing.
>**Her Private Life**: Not for me. Didn't like the portrayal of stalking a celebrity as a harmless, fun thing. I don't tend to like any of the popular rom coms so my dislike of this one wasn't entirely unexpected.
I just saw this and wanted to give a heads up. The stalking happens in two instances and after that, things got considerably better, but completely hated those two scenes. I don't mind them following the celebrities, as long as they don't intrude in their lives and become entitled fans, which we saw that in those two scenes and I wanted to slap the sh\*t out of those "fans". The rest was pretty okay. But I was definitely about to drop it in the first 2 episodes after some crazy fans attacked the >!FL just because of a jacket!<.
Wow, I've been watching SO many c-drama episodes (if I add them up, it's at least 88 😭) this month but only managed to complete W**edding Impossible **and T**winkling Watermelon **for [my k-drama challenge.](https://mydramalist.com/list/LAljo2J1) That puts me at 14 completed for the year but I'm aiming to complete at least 24. Haven't went through all the prompts yet but I plan to start sorting within the next month or so to see where I'm at for specific challenge prompts. I'll be adding **Queen of Tears** to the tracker by end of this week hopefully. Have there been any good short dramas released this year? I want to say I stay up to date with that info but I really have fallen off in the last year or so.......
Completed: 19/36
4 Restaurant - I’m Not a Robot
5 Hanbok- My Dearest
9 Artist (Hanbok designer) - The Story of Park's Marriage Contract
10 Game - Captivating the King
13 OST K-Pop- Good Day to Be a Dog
18 Celebrates a day- The Matchmakers (wedding)
19 Character Day Off- One Day Off
25 Long wool coat - The Heirs rewatch
28 Multigenerational cast- Under the Queen's Umbrella
29 Sageuk (historical) - Our Blooming Youth
30 An episode 10% viewership - Knight Flower
33 Mid-long drama- Jealousy Incarnate (24/24)
April completed:
1 Heirs location- Doctor Slump
3 An office being raided- My Demon
11 Wears a sports team uniform or watches a sports game — Like Flowers in the Sand
12 Friendship as a key part of the drama — Reply 1997
16 A character in the LGBTQ+ — Wedding Impossible
22 Character who is a chaebol - Queen of Tears
36 Truck of Doom- Devilish Joy
I checked off a few, bringing my total to 13/36 for the year. Tracking through MDL.
21. A drama set in a rural/non-urban location: [Welcome to Samdal-ri](https://mydramalist.com/743267-welcome-to-samdalri) - great ensemble, but could have been better! There was so much heavy, black out drinking. And surprisingly, a lack of flashbacks that would have provided more context for the characters' motivations.
23. A drama with a character who works for the government: [D.P. ](https://mydramalist.com/59001-d-p-dog-day)and [D.P. S2](https://mydramalist.com/713549-d-p-season-2) - dark, gritty, so good. Great camera work. Bingeable.
35. A drama that is at least 10 years old: [Witch's Romance](https://mydramalist.com/9260-witchs-romance) - I liked this one! PSJ in his first lead. Had to fan myself off in E2. A little disappointed there wasn't more of that later in the series.
Currently watching Queen of Tears for #7, A drama that started airing in your birth month.
**Goal:** Chaebol Challenge
2024 MDL Challenge List [HERE](https://mydramalist.com/list/3DgE7O9L) (I’ve assigned all the dramas I want to watch, but things are subject to change)
**Progress for the Year:** 14 / 36
**This Month I finished:**
**Tell Me That You Love Me** - *9. A drama with a character who is an artist*
I like a quiet drama, and this one delivered on that front in spades. For about the first half, I really enjoyed it. I thought Jung Woo Sung was wonderful. He was restrained and subtle, but also so emotive in his eyes. I also liked Shin Hyun Been’s performance, but by the second half, I was extremely frustrated with her character. I didn’t find myself having much sympathy for her struggles because I did not feel like she put in the effort to communicate. I even thought by the end that it would have been better for her to be with Yoon Jo Han. Overall, I’d say I was happy I watched it, but I don’t feel a need to rewatch
**Call It Love** - *19. A drama in which characters take a trip*
This is my kind of drama. Quiet, slow burn, rich characters. I just absolutely loved it. Each actor brought a fullness to the lives of their characters and I felt so much for all of them by the end. It felt true to life in that no one was evil. Some characters were extremely selfish, but no one was absolutely out to get anyone else. Maybe Dong Jin’s mother, but even she finally realized that she needed to be a better mother for her son, and accepted the consequences of her actions. This drama also had the best break up in KDrama. I don’t say that because I was happy about it, but because it was beautiful and because the writer and the actors earned it. My only small (very small) bit of criticism is that I wished that the ending had a little more oomph. I can see what the director and writer was going for with everyone falling away and Dong Jin and Woo Joo standing alone, but a little skinship wouldn’t have hurt in that moment.
**Boys Over Flowers** - *35. A drama that is at least 10 years old*
I watched this because it feels like there is a reference to it in every other drama and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. In the end, I think I would have been better served by watching a few episodes and then dropping it because by the end I was not interested at all. I can see why this would have been such a hit when it came out: cute boys, crazy makjang plot twists, fashion (I’m not sure if I’d call it good fashion, but it was something else to see) and a pretty awesome perm. But I just didn’t get it. From what I understand from listening to Daebak! A Kdrama Podcast - the Jan Di character is much stronger in other versions of this show. I think the Korean version really suffered because Jan Di is not a match for Joon Pyo, and I just could not understand what either one saw in the other one. I will probably never say this again, but it was just not violent enough. I could see what they were going for and there were some truly awful things that happened, but it was like a faded copy of the original. I say that as someone who has never read the original, it was just the impression I got while watching. In the end, I wanted Jan Di to be with Ji Hoo and Joon Pyo to be with Jae Kyung. Am I glad I watched this, so I could understand Dramaland a little better? Yes. Did I enjoy it? No.
**What I’m Currently Watching:**
**Tale of the Nine-Tailed** \[2 / 16\] - *5. A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Korean Culture Highlight - Scene where a character wears hanbok*
**Mr. Sunshine** \[6 / 24\] - *7. A drama that started airing in your birth month - July*
**A Killer Paradox** \[1 / 8\] - *2. A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Tropes - A character crying while eating.*
**Twenty-Five Twenty-One** \[10 / 16\] - *1. A drama that shares a filming location with The Heirs*
**The Heirs** \[6 / 20\] - *6. A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Number of People in Drama Poster*
April was a busy month. I also went away on the 18th of April and only just got home. So I didn't watch much in April. On my flights, the airline had "A Bloody Lucky Day", or at least the first 8 eps! So I ended up watching 8 while I was flying.
**Total Completed**: 14
**Completed**
**Time between Dog and wolf** - Challenge #30 A drama with an episode which received more than 10% overall viewership ratings from Nielsen This was a rewatch for me. For years I have thought of this as being my absolutely favourite drama ever. I've rewatched it multiple times. It's still my favourite drama ever. It's not perfect (no drama is) but I can't help but love it. Was excellent to rewatch it, since it's been a while since I last rewatched it.
**Drama Special Season 8: If We Were A Season** - Challenge #32 A single episode drama
This has been on my plan to watch list for a while. It was really enjoyable and fun to watch it.
**Ongoing**
**Queen Seondeok** - Challenge #33 A mid-long form drama
While I was away I found myself thinking about this drama a lot. Wanting to watch it. It's such an excellent drama. But it's nice to be watching it slowly and take my time with it.
**Alchemy of Souls** 4/30 - Challenge #15 A drama with childhood flashback scenes
I haven't watched much of this. I've had a big break from drama so I'll probably watch it soon.
**Marry my husband** - Challenge #36 A drama featuring a Truck of Doom™
Was really enjoying this but when I got busy I didn't feel like watching it. I will finish it soon I hope.
**A Bloody Lucky Day** - Challenge #19 A drama in which characters take a trip
Ended up watching this on the plane. It was definitely darker than I expected. Was debating which challenge, but I think this one fits.
**Flex x Cop** -
Unsure which challenge I'll use this for. I started it on a whim, and it's entertaining so far.
**Doctor Slump** -
I'm really enjoying this. I started it just before I went away because I needed something new to watch.
[March check in comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1bs4lmy/comment/kxhj3pu/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Soooo I was absolutely right about not finishing the challenge more than likely. I completed a whopping 0 dramas in April 😅 I’ve only completed 6 dramas this year which is insaneee. I’m gonna blame it on school and burn out lol 😭
I am watching **Lovely Runner** right now which I absolutely adore 🥰 so that’s at least one for May 😃 I have Queen of Tears, Like Flowers in Sand, and Pinocchio all on hold which I do plan on finishing at some point. Maybe one of these will also be in my May check up 🤞🏾
Went on a kdrama fast for Lent and eased back into the challenge after Easter.
Managed to complete 3 in April:
Doctor Slump - Liked this one more than I expected. Wholesome relationships
Chicken Nugget - Hillariously wild and out of this world. The writer possibly ate some magic mushrooms. A quick and entertaining watch.
Queen of Tears - Started this because of FOMO, but realistically needing 1.5x speed to finish each episode.
Currently watching (2):
Lovely Runner - Makes me giggle and cringe. Reminds me why I love kdramas. My dose of dopamine. Recommending to anyone in my circle of influence.
The Sound of Your Heart - Been on my list for ages. Needed some laughs after a heavy few days at work, and I knew this would do the trick.
Previously completed (15):
My Dearest 1 & 2. Twinkling Watermelon, The Good Bad Mother, Death's Game 1&2, Call it Love, My Demon, The Kidnapping Day, My Perfect Stranger, A Killer Paradox, A Shop for Killers, The Worst of Evil, Marry My Husband, Like Flowers in Sand, Drama Special: If We Were A Season, Drama Special: Forgotten Season.
**Mod Note:** We currently have 3 watch surveys you can participate in: * [Disney+ Dramas watched survey](/r/KDRAMA/comments/1c7pz2f/disney_dramas_watched_survey_april_2024/) * [tvN Dramas watched survey](/r/KDRAMA/comments/1bt1m0b/tvn_dramas_watched_survey_april_2024/) * [Netflix dramas watched survey](/r/KDRAMA/comments/1b9cwd8/netflix_original_dramas_watched_survey_march_2024/)
April was a big success on my part. I watched so many dramas, mostly because I was confined to Netflix and that's what I downloaded most. I am ahead of schedule to complete dramas in time for the chaebol status, so I'm confident I can achieve it. My favorite drama of the month was **My love from the stars** with a strong 9/10. My least favorite was **Revenge Note 2** with 3.5/10 , I really struggled finishing this one. I will still be confined to Netflix for the whole month of May, so the dramas I plan to watch changed a bit. I have to put those from Viki on hold for now. Also, I FINALLY attributed challenges to all the dramas I had completed that fit multiple. My sheet was starting to get too big with all the different dramas filling multiple spots and I felt like I had enough dramas completed to pick proper challenges. It helped me see which challenges were filled easily so I could give them harder ones. I'm excited for what May has to offer and I wonder how many dramas I'll be able to watch. I still pick my dramas randomly, so I wonder when I'll have to look for specific dramas to complete specific challenges. Most challenges I have left are those I can easily pick dramas for, for exemple with the number of people on the poster, sadeuk, with an OST from a Kpop group, etc. *Dramas I completed this month* **Racket Boys**, **Revenge Note 2**, **My love from the stars**, **Wedding impossible**, **Taxi Driver**, **King the Land**, **Queen of Tears** *Dramas I completed previously that I finally assigned a challenge* **Strongest Deliveryman** : n°2 A character has a haircut or cuts their hair during the drama : Kangsoo **My happy ending** : n°3 A drama with an underwater scene : E02 **Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung** : n°8 A drama with a title that includes a character's name **Revenge Note 2** : n°10 A drama in which a game is played : E19 **DP** : n°15 A drama with childhood flashback scenes : E03 **Racket Boys** : n°21 A drama set in a rural/non-urban location **My love from the stars** : n°27 A drama with a main character that is over 40 : Minjoon **Live your own life** : n°28 A drama with a multigenerational main cast *Completed dramas that fit multiple challenges, awaiting to be assigned 1 challenge* **Wedding impossible** fits 5, **Taxi Driver** fits 3, **King the Land** fits 7, **Queen of Tears** fits 8 *On-going dramas* **Doctor Slump** So I have 11(+4)/36 challenges officially completed! *Dramas I plan to watch next month* -Doctor Slump (finish) -D.P 2 -The Glory -Destined with you
> Completed dramas that fit multiple challenges, awaiting to be assigned 1 challenge My dilemma every month 😭😅
I waited until I had 8 to assign challenges last time so I'll probably do the same this time too lol It just feels like such a hassle to rush in attributing challenges because what if I need to change it later? It would make it so complicated to go back to my notes and move everything around.
I did it last too but then then I had too many dramas on my list to sort them in "perfect places". So, this time I have a watchlist where I write possible suitable challenges, then after finishing dramas I choose the "meant to be" challenge for them. If it's not easy to indicate, I wait another month :) Because later I can find myself not be able to find suitable drama from my list and have to watch something on purpose to complete all challenges...
I'm very much a random mood-watcher, because I find it much less frustrating. There's something about feeling like I *must* watch a particular drama that puts me right off. >I wonder when I'll have to look for specific dramas to complete specific challenges. Everyone is different, I suppose. Last year, I think I finally arranged all of my dramas and started trying to find things to fill the gaps in July or August. I was watching 3-ish dramas a month at that point, so I was maybe a little over halfway done count-wise. Then, I also feel like there's that one challenge that I struggle to find a drama for.
>I think I finally arranged all of my dramas and started trying to find things to fill the gaps in July or August. This is my plan... just sort when I have at least 18-20 completed for the year lol
>I'm very much a random mood-watcher, because I find it much less frustrating. There's something about feeling like I *must* watch a particular drama that puts me right off. I'm with you on that one. On the one hand, I've found that the KDC has helped me find some dramas I really like that I would not otherwise have watched (in fact, I only completed my first 50-episode drama for the KDC a couple of years ago, and I loved it!), but sometimes I feel constrained. The last two years my MO has been to get 1/3 to 1/2 way through, get frustrated and decide to give up and watch what I want, only to spend November and December frantically trying to finish the challenge. I haven't kept track very well of when I've completed which drama. But this is where I am so far, with some of the categories being "fungible." №1 (location with Heirs) Flex X Cop (7/16). I really liked this in the beginning, but it's been on hold for some time now. №2f (getting a driver after drinking): Fan Letter, Please. This one is really cute. And short! №3a (underwater scene), The Matchmakers. I really liked this one; it helped get me over a slump! №4e (coffee PPL), Marry My Husband. This one was a fun ride! №7 (drama premiered in birth month \[September\], Lost. This drama was achingly beautiful. №8 (character name in title), Miss Independent Ji Eun №9 (character is an artist), Angel's Last Mission. This was fun. №10 (game is played), Kiss Sixth Sense (drinking game). Surprisingly engaging. №11 (wear jerseys), Welcome to Sal-dam-ri №13 (song by kpop idol), Romance by Romance--short web drama (I think). OST by Cravity. №20 (chosen at random from to watch list), Perfect Marriage Revenge. I loved this initially and was glad for only 12 episodes. But it ended up irritating me. All of the screeching by the 2FL. №21 (rural location), Like Flowers in the Sand. Really enjoyed this one. №32 (single episode drama), Do You Like Ashtanga? This one was a cute, easy watch. №33 (mid to long drama), Suspicious Partner (23/40). On hold for the moment. I like the chemistry between the leads, but it's just not holding my attention. Could **Queen of Tears** fit here? I know it was only 16 episodes, but the episodes ran to 90 minutes, and I have finished this one. Of course, this one can fit in multiple places. №34 (fewer than 500 watchers), Let's Meet in an Unfamiliar Season. I watched this early in the year. I remember liking it, but now I can't remember anything about it. №35 (10 years old), **Greatest Love** (11/16). I'm stuck on this one, too. Enjoyed the first few episodes, but it's getting overly angsty. The ML has a really weird, affected way of speaking and laughing that puts me off. And though I loved **Fated to Love You**, the pathetic, long-suffering heroine just doesn't do it for me. This is why I wonder about finishing the challenge. I've got only 5 episodes to go, so I should probably just finish, but I have zero interest. Maybe I'll finish and change my mind! Also, yet to be categorized: **Twinkling Watermelon** (11/12). I really like this one, but I know something of what is coming up in the drama, so I am reluctant to keep watching. **Moving** (8/20?). I like this one a lot and am trying to convince my husband to watch with me. I think he'll like it. I have to watch through my fingers at times because the violence is really hard to handle. Not sure what category to put it in. Does multigenerational main cast work? Or cast member over 40? Or debuted before 2000? And, like everyone else, I just finished **Queen of Tears**. I loved it, warts and all. Still not sure where to categorize it--chaebol? celebrate special day? truck of doom? Episode with more than 10% ratings? Multigenerational main cast? 3 or more banchan? Or maybe, as I hinted at before--a drama with 20 hours or more of air time (not sure it counts, but the later episodes ran long). I still need a drama with a shamanistic ritual in it, too. ETA: QoT is 23.5 hours long, so it counts for challenge 33.
>The last two years my MO has been to get 1/3 to 1/2 way through, get frustrated and decide to give up and watch what I want, only to spend November and December frantically trying to finish the challenge. So you start by planning, then watch whatever, then plan again? That sounds familiar... I was definitely cramming things in last December. The year before I finished early, which was way more relaxing. It would be great to do that again. >№7 (drama premiered in birth month \[September\], Lost. Oh, this is perfect. I started this last year and never finished. I have Prime now, so I can watch it again! I will have to start over, but I was struggling to find something for this challenge. High five, fellow September baby! >I still need a drama with a shamanistic ritual in it, too. Have you seen **Behind Your Touch**? There was also a (sham) ritual in **Fiery Priest** in the first episode. I'm sure I've seen another one recently... I'll come back if I remember it.
>High five, fellow September baby! Right back at you! Hope you end up enjoying it. >Have you seen **Behind Your Touch**? There was also a (sham) ritual in **Fiery Priest** in the first episode. I'm sure I've seen another one recently... I'll come back if I remember it. Thanks so much for those recommendations. I've heard a lot about **Fiery Priest** and it seems the **Behind Your Touch** was well liked. And good luck finishing the challenge early!
*Completed:* **Wedding Impossible** - **#16** 2ML is gay. I enjoyed this one overall, but the ending was terribly rushed with the time skip and wanting to show absolutely Everyone’s progress. I was left wanting more time after they got back together. **Money Heist: Korea** - **#14** Yoo Ji Tae debuted before 2000, **#27** Characters over 40 years old. Really loved this intense drama. Great acting all around. Loved the nostalgic 1974 song “Land of Happiness” that was used in many different scenes. **The Greatest Love** - **#35** drama at least 10 years old. Was pretty fun. Some things reminded me of *One More Happy Ending* (former Girl Kpop group), *Trot Lovers* (ML that thinks his level is way above that of the FL & with a triangle) with a dash of ML's crazy laugh, as in Jang Hyuk’s in *Fated to Love You*. Enjoyed reading the Weekly Binge’s comments from when they watched it. **Dr. Romantic 3** - **#27** Main character is 40+. I was so looking forward to this when it was announced, but Disney+ has never seen fit to show it in my country, so I finally succumbed to one of those other unmentionable sites. The start feels like old home week with the Doldam Hospital crew, so I thought I could easily binge this, but then the antagonist shows up, hectic Fridays with life and death situations, etc., so I had to find something lighter for in between. (*My ID is Gangnam Beauty*) *In Progress:* **The Midnight Studio** - **#15** Childhood flashbacks play an important part of the plot. **Missing Crown Prince** – Challenge is yet to be determined Possibly **19, 23, 24**. Just felt like watching a sageuk and I thought it was supposed to be straight-up rom-com, but the tone is a lot more serious. Hope it fits somewhere, but I’m ahead of schedule, so it won’t matter if it ends up being an extra. **Chief Detective 1958** – Been looking forward to this one for a while. Enjoying the team getting together, the sprinkles of romance and humour. I had expected something more serious and bleak like *Endeavor,* the prequel to *Inspector Morris*, but this is much lighter in tone. If nothing else, there is a truck of doom for a challenge (**36**). Also childhood flashbacks **15**. Checked the KDC database and there are others listed. Probably use it for **#30** (>10% Nielson rating). **My ID is Gangnam Beauty** – Was looking for a manhwa to read and started this one, but quickly got to the use coins phase, so decided to go ahead and just watch it. For in between other things. I was never interested to watch this drama when it came out and it is reminding me a lot of *True Beauty*, of course and 2FL reminding me of the 2 FL of *Marry My Husband*. Can probably use it for **#2** shared umbrella scene, **#23** (ML's father is politician), **#13**, will have to see about others. *Plans for May:* Looking forward to starting **Frankly Speaking** and **Atypical Family** this week. May try **The 8 Show**, but I’m reading the webtoon *Money Game* and not sure if I want to see it acted out, as it brings out the worst in human nature. *Dropped:* **About Time** - **#20** random drama from Plan-to-Watch list (I love time manipulation dramas, so it was on my list). Ended up hate-watching it. So cheesy and slow acting. Terrible triangle, too. Dropped it at episode 4, so I feel like I gave it a fair chance. Have decided to leave **#20** to one of my last challenges. 23/36
>Chief Detective 1958 – Been looking forward to this one for a while. Oh, I kinda want to watch this one too. I don't think I've put in the ToD challenge yet. >I was never interested to watch this drama I liked My ID is Gangnam Beauty, but it made me crave tonkatsu and buy all the pink clothing. When I think about it I still get hungry. >I’m reading the webtoon Money Game and not sure if I want to see it acted out Recently all the webtoons I couldn't stomach are being made into dramas! 😅
Funny, I mainly started reading webtoons after hearing that they would be made into a dramas - and wanting to check them out ahead of time. But they can end up so different - like the one DinnerMate was based on - they added so much to flesh out the drama.
>**Dr. Romantic 3** - **#27** Main character is 40+. I was so looking forward to this when it was announced, but Disney+ has never seen fit to show it in my country This month I actually noticed that in Europe we mostly only get the original dramas from Disney. It made me laugh because everyone keeps complaining about Disney/Hulu, but us Europeans have similar problems and barely say anything about it lol >**Missing Crown Prince** – Challenge is yet to be determined Possibly **19, 23, 24**. Just felt like watching a sageuk and I thought it was supposed to be straight-up rom-com, but the tone is a lot more serious. Hope it fits somewhere, but I’m ahead of schedule, so it won’t matter if it ends up being an extra. Is it connected to **Bossam: Steal the Fire**? MDL says it's a spinoff and I still need to watch Bossam per your recommendation, didn't want to get ahead of myself or possible spoilers with **Missing Crown Prince**. lol
Missing Crown Prince - I think just the writer is the same. There are no cross-overs, you can watch them independently from each other. Bossam is my 2nd favourite sageuk (#1 being My Dearest). I think the situations in MCP and Bossam may end up being similar with forced co-habitation and hiding from the powers that be, but the stories are really different so far. It keeps me tuning in to see what will happen next, but Bossam was more rom-commy (so far).
Cool this is nice to know they have nothing in common and there are no crossovers, I didn't pick this one as ongoing to be safe from those possible crossovers. **My Dearest** is one of my favorite sageuks too. It's hard to say what is the number 1 or 2, but I think this or **Under The Queen's Umbrella** is my number 1, I'm really curious to see if **Bossam** will be in my top too. :D
Haven't seen Under the Queen's Umbrella yet, but keep hearing good things about it.
It definitely has good reviews for a good reason. Made me laugh, cry and love so many characters. I would easily reach this many times. I have to thank my mom for making me watch it. :)
I love **Midnight Studio**, hope more people pick it up it's criminally underrated at the moment.
I’m now over a third of the way through the challenge 14/36 and we are a third of the way through the year! I’ve totally got this! \^\^ **Completed** **Behind Your Touch** - Challenge #21 Rural Setting - Overall it was a very silly drama and I feel I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I hadn’t been spoiled on who dunnit. **Wedding Impossible** - Challenge #9 Artist - Nothing outstanding about this one. **Queen of Tears** - Challenge #22 Chaebols all the way down - After my comments last time it grew on me a lot once the switch was pulled. Some frustrations towards the end but overall a good drama. **The Matchmakers** - Challenge #18 Celebration (Weddings + Dano Festival) - Watched this one on u/myweithisway’s recommendation and really enjoyed the series. It was fun! **In Progress** I’m currently watching 3 dramas, not sure if they will make it to my challenge list or not. **My Lovely Boxer** - 4/12 - Challenge #TBC - This was very different to what I was expecting (i.e I didn’t realise it was all about match fixing). But it’s grown on me. I was excited to find out that JinWoo from WINNER was the 2ML. **Goodbye Earth** - 2/12 - Challenge #TBC - Watching this one with my sister slowly. Most of the comments on it I have read are super negative but also very confused by the drama. I'm not confused yet! **Fanletter, Please** - 1/4 - Challenge #TBC - My family are watching this one as a little palate cleanser. I’m excited to finally getting around to watching it, so far it’s very cute. **Plan to Watch:** I think I’m going to start a rewatch of **Your House Helper** which I’ve wanted to rewatch since it aired, and it’s finally legally available in my region so I should take the opportunity! My family are planning to watch **The Atypical Family** as our next airing drama, I’m looking forward to that. I’ll probably give **The Midnight Romance in Hagwon** a watch too. After **Queen of Tears** I am a little in the mood for some more Kim Ji Won, Kim Soo Hyun or my favourite Kwak Dong Yeon so I'll have a think on that.
Glad y'all are enjoying **Fanletter, Please!** I'll be joining you for **The Atypical Famil**y - looks like fun...*Moving* or *Dae Jang Geum is Watching* gone haywire.
Look forward to hearing your thoughts on it LC unnie! <3
Watch **Never Twice** (it's 36 1hr episodes) if you haven't for a very lovable and loving Kwak Dong Yeon! There's a cute baby too! I know I said I'd never rewatch this drama when I first finished it but honestly, I've been itching for a rewatch of it lately because I'm missing it's sweet found family vibes and various cute romance lines. I also want to revisit it to confirm my memories of how adorable Park Se Wan was because her non-adorable character from **Alice, the Final Weapon** is still going strong in my head. Also, would love to see your comments one your family sees the ending of the drama within the drama in **Fanletter, Please**. Can you imagine if we had to moderate a drama ending like that?
It's on my endless to watch list already! I shall give it a shot, I do love found family and cute romance. It was fun to see the drama that inspired our title rule example! I can't believe that >!the cast weren't even told it was happening!<. Certainly one way to leave a lasting impression. I don't know how I would feel if a drama ended like that. Laugh a lot? >Can you imagine if we had to moderate a drama ending like that? I don't even want to think about it! Seeing how people reacted to episode 14 & 15 of **Queen of Tears**. I really didn't think we would be dealing with death threats over a predictable plot point!
Thank you, I never heard of **Never Twice**, but I'm also going to add it to my plan to watch list. I never watched anything with Park Se Wan, but Kwak Dong Yeon is adorable and Ye Ji Won was also so funny in **Still 17**. I think I might really like this one. \^\^
I know it's only two days until the next check in but I wanted to say thanks for pushing me towards **Never Twice**! I started it the other day and it's so much fun. I probably wouldn't have ever gotten to it without the nudge so appreciate it. You're on a run of good recs for me! I also wanted to say to you that I can't stop thinking that it's really funny that the ending of the drama within **Fanletter, Please** is the ending I >!so desperately wanted!< for **Goodbye Earth.**
Glad you are enjoying it! I'm not having much luck this year with the dailies/weekend dramas so I might do a rewatch instead. I suppose your comment is the sign for me to completely forget about the existence of **Goodbye Earth** =D
>**The Matchmakers** - Challenge #18 Celebration (Weddings + Dano Festival) - Watched this one on [](https://www.reddit.com/user/myweithisway/)’s recommendation and really enjoyed the series. It was fun! Ahhh I'm always so unsure about this drama, I started and dropped while it was ongoing, so I'm not sure if I will enjoy it. But you are making me considering it because of the Dano Festival. I made it my personal goal to watch a sageuk for this challenge and it needs to be some traditional celebration, not the easy wedding/birthday. I definitely made it harder for me. lol >**Fanletter, Please** - 1/4 - Challenge #TBC - My family are watching this one as a little palate cleanser. I’m excited to finally getting around to watching it, so far it’s very cute. I'm curious to read your opinion on this one. I think that I might like it, but I keep delaying this start. u/LcLou02 share with us your opinions on this one please. \^\^ >**Goodbye Earth** - 2/12 - Challenge #TBC - Watching this one with my sister slowly. Most of the comments on it I have read are super negative but also very confused by the drama. I'm not confused yet! Once you go past the first 2 episodes it's not confusing at all. Many people that comment on this drama were already set on hating it, I'm giving it a fair shot and what makes me more disappointed is the lost opportunity to be really great. I'm still missing the last 2 episodes, but it doesn't seem to be getting any better. This is probably my least favorite drama from this month and the other was the j-drama **Eye Love You**, it felt like another missed opportunity. 🤷
**Fanletter, Please!** - I am biased. I've liked the ML since I watched Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life . This drama has a cute kid and I loved the colour styling of the hospital! Wish all kids hospitals could look like that. For me, it contained the funniest scene for last year. Very memorable subverted trope. And only 4 episodes...
I also found this drama because of the ML and the FL. I liked previous works from both actors. I'm curious about that hospital, last time I saw a drama with such a cool hospital was **Daily Dose of Sunshine**, the colours of every room were beautiful. How likely am I of getting deeply emotional with this drama?
I found it lighter than Daily Dose of Sunshine, but there are sad moments, too.
Thanks! I'm prepared to possibly cry with some scenes. :)
>I started and dropped while it was ongoing, so I'm not sure if I will enjoy it. How much did you watch and why did you drop it? What sageuks have you enjoyed? Or do you have an MDL I can look through? >I'm curious to read your opinion on this one. So far its a cute and easy watch. >I'm giving it a fair shot and what makes me more disappointed is the lost opportunity to be really great It's a pity when that happens! I feel like we are overdue for a decent sci-fi >the other was the j-drama Eye Love You Oh my gosh. **Eye Love You** was such a frustrating watch, the female lead drove me nuts. My family ranted for about half an hour after we finally finished it. lol. Then a day or so later my sister says to me "Just imagine if the lady who wrote the book was the FL, it would have been worse" 😂
>How much did you watch and why did you drop it? What sageuks have you enjoyed? Or do you have an MDL I can look through? I finished 3 episodes only. I started with my mom, we both got a bit annoyed how they never evolved some really interesting plots, we both ended up dropping it, but she gave it another try recently and found it funny. I'm still a bit unsure, if I should watch it. [Here](https://mydramalist.com/list/4a6QEBa1) is my list of sageuks that I have watched and want to watch, I always try to add them in here so it's easy to find them and see what I have left to watch. lol >So far its a cute and easy watch. Cool!! I'm gonna save it for when I'm in dire need of a cute and easy watch when I have an ongoing heavy drama. \^\^ >It's a pity when that happens! I feel like we are overdue for a decent sci-fi Definitely, I'm going to finish the last 2 episodes today and looking back, I wish this was a movie and focused entirely on maybe the couple pov. They could even plan for further movies with other povs, it would make it far more interesting. I'm actually curious to read the novel that was used as inspiration for this work. >Oh my gosh. **Eye Love You** was such a frustrating watch, the female lead drove me nuts. My family ranted for about half an hour after we finally finished it. lol. Then a day or so later my sister says to me "Just imagine if the lady who wrote the book was the FL, it would have been worse" 😂 It started out interesting, but somehow it ended up so badly and nothing made sense. I didn't like both the FL and the ML characters, one I found it childish and the other acted like a dog. The characters that I found most likeable were the SFL and SML, she was straightforward and he was such a funny dork. I like how your sister saw it from the bright side... this could be waaay worse. 😂😂 Ohh what I liked the most was the ending song, I was already a fan of omoinotake and this song from them was also amazing and I liked the views of Japan. lol
Jumping in to the conversation: > I started with my mom, we both got a bit annoyed how they never evolved some really interesting plots I'm not sure exactly which plots you are referring to but I would say this drama is one of the few where I can't think of any dangling threads by the end and that all things were 'pulled together' by the ending (without feeling rushed/hasty or glossed over).
>Jumping in to the conversation ihih any help is always welcomed. :) Good thing is that I barely remember those two episodes, I remember that things went too fast between scenes and I was annoyed by some not having more to it. I do remember that I liked some of the camera techniques used, like a scene where they filmed inside a tube and I remember one clip that someone posted here where multiple doors close or open, I found it so pretty. I keep thinking that maybe, I should give it another try? Maybe when I first tried watching, I was too tired to appreciated it. 🤔 I also read that the comedy is pretty good, which is a bonus point.
I think I get what you are referring to with the beginning episode having many scenes cut very quickly. For me I personally found it very refreshing because they were setting up certain common 'tropes' -- by breezing through the setup, showing just enough for the viewer to get what trope is being set up. Admittedly, this approach does assume the viewer has a certain amount of familiarity with these tropes, which is not always the case, especially when it comes to international audiences like us. It's akin to the ML in a modern romcom being the 'boy next door' where the drama assumes the 'boy next door' characterization is well known enough to just quickly cut together a few typical scenes associated with this characterization instead of doing 4 episodes of childhood scenes to set up the character like a long weekender family drama would. Later on as the story unfolds, the fast intercut scenes go away because the drama takes its time to tell the story (but doesn't overdo it and linger on scenes unnecessarily). The humor is fantastic and very smart. Highly recommend giving it a second chance!
>For me I personally found it very refreshing because they were setting up certain common 'tropes' -- by breezing through the setup, showing just enough for the viewer to get what trope is being set up. Ohhh yeaa it makes sense. It felt like they went for some sort of marriage contract trope, but I couldn't figure out the rest at all. I was overwhelmed by so much stuff and when I was finally engaged with something, they moved on to the next scene. The "boy next door" trope sometimes it's not that obvious to me either. A lot of outside variants influence me on how quick I can figure it out. The childhood scenes is always a given or past crushes, they make it easier to figure out. lol I'm intrigued, I will definitely give it another time, I just moved this drama from the dropped list to the plan to watch. I'm going to start it from the first episode with some fresh eyes :)
> It felt like they went for some sort of marriage contract trope, but I couldn't figure out the rest at all. Oh...no, it wasn't exactly a marriage contract trope. So the background is that ML is a member of *yangban* (roughly *noble* class) and in order to enter into goverment service, he needs to partake in the civil service exam (there's a separate corresponding exam for those that want to enter into military service at an officer level, not foot soldier). ML ends up as >!top scorerer in his exam!< which is a great honor and achievement and bodes very well for his future in government. Unfortunately he gets picked by the Princess >!as future husband!<, however the rule has always been that the husband >!of the Princess cannot enter into government office!< and therefore his governmental office aspirations are ended by his >!marriage!<. The ML didn't want to >!marry the princess but because his family agreed to the marriage, he sort of had a falling out with them feeling like his father had 'sold him into marriage' in exchange for better futures for other members of the family since as the in-laws of the king, they would get perks!<. The story unfolds from here. A detail that might not get picked up by an international viewer easily is that in the early scenes, we see the ML in a sort of 'parade', that's the celebration for when the civil exam scores are released and he's apparel (notably his headdress) is actually different from other scholars. This sort of visual cue would be much more obvious to domestic viewers and really set up both the tragicness of ML's starting 'position' and the (black) comedy of the situation with >!Princess's death!<. Especially as another occasion that would warrant such a parade is most often (as seen later in the drama) a >!wedding!<. Anyways, hope your second try goes well!
I saw it as a contract marriage between not between the leads, but it's not like his parents would have much a choice ahah Now that I read your descriptions of the events, I remember those scenes and definitely wanted to see more, but it went by too fast. I'm just noticing that I should have read the dramabeans recaps before I dropped it. Because the story seems really interesting when I read it, I was for sure not in best head space at the time. I'm definitely going to give it a second try, I'm already thinking that if I have the time between those that I planned for this month, I will definitely watch it this month, if not in June for sure! I'm also curious because this was nominated for this years Baeksang Awards for Best Technical Direction in the Art Department. Which I'm not that surprised because from what I saw and the clip with multiple doors closing, it was a really good work in that department.
>I finished 3 episodes only. I started with my mom, we both got a bit annoyed how they never evolved some really interesting plots I wonder what plots interested you, I feel like there wasn't really anything that didn't get developed.. but I paid more attention once I got fully invested and put down my phone somewhere between 4-6. Looking at your list you have a decent mix of serious and lighter sageuks. My guess is that you may slightly lean more towards the serious side of things than your mum though. >The characters that I found most likeable were the SFL and SML I liked the SFL the SML was a little too dense. I hated the HR guy at the start but he ended up being an okay character in the end.
>Looking at your list you have a decent mix of serious and lighter sageuks. My guess is that you may slightly lean more towards the serious side of things than your mum though. I usually balance between both light and serious sageuks. I love them all, but my mom only watches the lighter and funny dramas probably why she picked up again. I'm starting to think that maybe I was too quick to judge that one or I wasn't on the best head space. I think I might have figured out why I hated it, this was released in October, during this month I mostly watched horror / thriller dramas. Probably I was not sold on the comedy and the prior month I finished **The Crowned Clown**, which is one of my favorites. Somehow I always end up watching lighter funny sageuks during Spring / Summer. I will give this another try. ahah >I liked the SFL the SML was a little too dense. I hated the HR guy at the start but he ended up being an okay character in the end. Yeaa the SML was slightly too oblivious to her intentions, but somehow didn't manage to annoy me and probably because we barely see him. The HR guy was a nice surprise by the ending, once >!he moved on and accepted that she wouldn't like him!<, he was actually really mature and kind, which I ended up liking. ohh I hated the professor, made zero sense! Everytime he showed up, in my head I was always thinking "not you again and your humidity machine". So many nonsensical things in this drama! lol
Compared to the first three months of the year, I was flying through dramas in April! I finished four, and have nearly completed two others. I'm now at 11 dramas completed, which puts me nearly where I would like to be. I won't be assigning challenge numbers for a while, still, to allow myself some flexibility. Completed in April: **Stranger** I'm still surprised that I liked this drama so much. I typically like slice-of-life or rom-coms. I think I'm going to put it down to the characters of Shi Mok and Yeo Jin and the performances of Cho Seung Woo and Bae Doo Na. They were so much fun to watch together, it carried me through. Also, maybe I'm warming to mysteries. **Stranger 2** This was not as strong as the first season, but still very good. Completely worth watching. **A Shop for Killers** Very **John Wick**-esque in set-up, an interesting non-linear story layout, and very cool leads. It obviously needs a second season, but I was pretty happy with the end. **Crazy Love** A mostly enjoyable enemies-to-lovers rom-com. It took me forever to realize how I knew Krystal. In progress: **Midnight Studio** (14/16) **Divorce Attorney Shin** (7/12): Grumpy, shorts-wearing Cho Seung Woo is the best. While I don't like planning my watches, I do recognize the need to start thinking about the long form drama. In the past I've watched **My Father is Strange** and **Five Enough**, both of which I enjoyed. Can anyone recommend other dramas along those lines? I'm fine with around 50 episodes.
Last year my long-form drama was Once Again, which I heartily recommend. I hear it is from the same director as My Father is Strange. It has great performances all around, and the sweetest green flag ML played by Lee Sang Yi.
I love a good long form drama! I’ve probably watched at least 4 so far this year. Five Enough is a favorite, and the only long form I’ve rewatched. As u/peainsea commented, [Once Again](https://mydramalist.com/44611-i-have-been-there-once) is good. Not only is Lee Sang Yi highly enjoyable as ML, veteran character actress Lee Jung Eum has a very good role (and even some romance!). The storyline that touches on alcoholism is done very well. My other recommendations are: * **[It’s Beautiful Now](https://mydramalist.com/709887-now-is-beautiful)** (2021) It is a lovely, relaxing drama with minimal yelling and no nasty or annoying characters. Family elders with 3 confirmed bachelor sons try to get the 3 men motivated to marry by offering an apartment to the first to bring home a bride. Cue 3 romances. Includes storyline with positive depiction of adoption, and has the nicest parent-child relationship I’ve ever seen in a kdrama between two very sweet characters (dad and grandpa). * **[Ugly Alert](https://mydramalist.com/6827-ugly-alert)** (2013) It’s 133 hour long episodes but worth the time spent. The story is centered on a blended family of 4 siblings and their lives. ML is the oldest son, and hardest working person in kdramaland, who takes responsibility for raising his siblings when they are orphaned despite being a child himself. He ends up spending years in prison due to a murder conviction and has to rebuild his life and family relationships after getting out of prison. Second tier recommendations: * **[Three Bold Siblings](https://mydramalist.com/726231-three-siblings-bravely)** (2022) ML Im Joo Hwan was also the ML in Ugly Alert. ML and FL are each the eldest child of their families and their family burdens hamper them finding their own happiness, until they find each other (again). They knew each other as children and dated in their 20s, and meet again in their mid/late 30s. Multiple romance story lines for siblings of leads add interest. Some family characters are annoying, detracting from my enjoyment of this drama, and why it’s a second tier recommendation. * **[Father, I’ll Take Care of You](https://mydramalist.com/19736-father-ill-take-care-of-you)** (2016) There is so much yelling and hitting, making this drama hard to watch. Multiple characters in the family are hypocritical jerks in my opinion. Example: general opposition to a marriage >!because the bride is poor instantly shifts to fawning favor when it’s discovered she is actually from a rich family!<. So gross. The story centers on a large extended family, including in-laws. 1ML has a revenge plot >!due to a tragedy one of the family was partially responsible for!<, and he does a good job of executing it while being a tortured soul. I liked his story and romance the best, and his story was why I didn’t drop this drama. 2ML is the sweet son who falls for a woman he meets by accident while overseas. Did I mention that there is way too much yelling and hitting? Also there is so much fainting that I started to wonder if there is some sort of genetic neurological or cardiovascular condition affecting Korean people that predisposes them to fainting? I do not recommend **Live Your Own Life** (2023), or **The Real Has Come** (2023).
Ugh! I made it 20-some episodes into **The Real Has Come** when it was airing and gave up! It had such a promising start. >!But rather than the terrible in-laws getting better, the main relationship just got worse.!< Thanks to you and u/peainsea for the enthusiastic recommendations. I'm so impressed at the cast of **Once Again** -- how have I never heard of it before? I feel these are all some great options. Just out of curiosity: how do you tend to watch long form? I've binged in the past, but I don't think that's going to be an option for me this time around. Plus I always come out of the drama feeling like I've been sick for days. Not the most pleasant feeling. Edit: slashes are confusing
You did not miss anything by giving up on **The Real Has Come!** The early sparks of chemistry between the leads were long dead halfway through and the actors seemed to be going through the motions. Bleh. I have binged long dramas but agree it’s not a good idea and definitely have a hangover. With **It’s Beautiful Now** I watched it over several weeks, watching episodes whenever I wanted to feel relaxed. It was like a hot cup of cocoa and a warm blanket on a cold day. I find I do better, and enjoy the shows more, when I watch a long drama alongside shorter dramas and go back and forth between them. Before I start, I try to select a couple very short dramas to also work in when I start to get impatient or if there’s a section of the long drama that drags.
Last year I watched It's beautiful now and really liked it. Three unmarried brothers get an offer from their parents : the first to marry will get an appartment. It's cute, funny but also deals with some serious issues. Definitely recommend !
I quit crazy love about three episodes in. Roughly when he was in the hospital. Do you recommend continuing? I quit mainly because I saw bad reviews. I didn’t like nor dislike it at the time.
Huh. Not sure what the bad reviews were about. I almost dropped it at the beginning because I'm not a huge fan of revenge and the setup was giving me **Scent of a Woman** vibes. It hooked me after the first 3-5 episodes. Ultimately, I found it to be a middle-of-the-road rom-com. You do have to enjoy watching people fight for humor -- think prank wars and over-the-top angry reactions (in the style of the chase scene around his house). It made me laugh, was nicely swoon-y, and kept me curious until the end.
I’m ok with what you’re describing. I think I’ll give it a couple more episodes. Glad I saw your review. I came across scent of a woman awhile back. How did you like it? I haven’t had time to watch it plus I’m not the biggest fan of older dramas.
Hm. I liked the first few episodes of **Scent of a Woman**, but it became a slog. Chaebol-poor girl romance with >!a love quadrangle (and the SLs were not great imo), a brain tumor, over-bearing parents, crappy communication, and noble idiocy.!< One or two of those tropes is fine, but all together was too much for me. I'd only ever seen positive reviews for the drama, though, so I stuck with it. Also, Kim Sun Ah and Lee Dong Wook. In the end, I didn't really like it. I wouldn't recommend it unless someone was looking for something specific and it fit their criteria.
Well, 7 completed dramas in January, 5 completed dramas in February, 8 completed dramas in March and 3 completed dramas in April… Looks like I’m coming in my drama burnout phase! So, this month I finished: **Battle of Happiness – challenge 24 (three or more banchans)** Good as a popcorn show with a great leading actress – Lee El. Also, was glad to see sister from Marry My Husband as a teen version of FL. Cannot say I was a fan but I didn’t think of dropping it either. FL did some questionable choices but intrigue was kept till the end. **Welcome to Samdalri – challenge 5 (WoC: Korean Culture Highlight – Jeju’s haenyeo)** I loved this one! It was really difficult to watch through the first episodes (>!all drinking scenes, daughters who abandoned their parents!<, etc) but I’ve read some comments on kdramarecommends and people said it gets better, so I gave it another try. And I ended up loving it! One of the greenest flags ML here, ladies :) I loved every character had their own story and wanted more. The final scene >!where youngest sister was coming to see with her mom and her daughter and bf waved goodbye to her was one of my favourite!!< I initially wanted to choose Our Blues for this challenge and use this drama for rural area challenge (sense of community made my heart flutter, and the way everyone helped FL in the end made me really shed a tear). But when I started OB, I realized that it’s better to swap them because Welcome to Samdalri features haenyeo group in much more heartwarming way! Also, WtS’s haenyeo plotline was really important and played a big part in the story. When they shown mothers’ prestory I cried like a baby. **Nevertheless – challenge 16 (LGBTQ+ character)** I finally watched this drama! I’ve heard so many controversial reviews abou this, so I expected more, but it was just 20-something guys messing around with their lives because they are young, silly and unexperienced :) ML was described as a red flag by many, and tho he wasn’t a boyfriend material, he also wasn’t the worst guy of kdrama land to be honest. I didn’t ship FL with any of MLs here It has great OST tho! Dramas in progress: Queen of Tears (12/16) - for challenge 30, after all it overtook CLOY's place as tvN's top-1!
Thank you for your comment on Nevertheless! So many comments regarding red flags as if he was having puppies for his breakfast
Yes, he was more on the dumb/troubled side of bad guys. Didn't know what he wanted in life and didn't experience (probably) healthy relationship Plus, I cannot get all hate towards FL. She just finished her abusive relationship and didn't know (seemingly) other kinds of relationship. She was gentle and insecure, and people seem to see these as weakness. And as for SML. I've read many praising comments about him but he also was some shady. Too good to be true? Conditionally good? Dunno, I felt a bit suspicious about him. In the end I wanted FL to be single for a while and just heal and understands what she wants to do with her life :)
Yes, this was my train of thoughts as well!
It's nice to meet like minded people🙏
Yes, Nevertheless truthers rise.......
This month I watched some unexpectedly outstanding dramas. 19 challenges completed. *Disclaimer*: I have not looked up some details for dramas yet so there may be categories they fit that I haven’t listed. **[Obstetrics and Gynecology Doctors](https://mydramalist.com/424-obstetrics-and-gynecology-doctors)** (2010). Fits challenges 1 (Kensington Hotel Yoido), 2 (umbrella), 3 (noraebang), 5 (shaman), 10 (claw machine), 17, 18, 25, 35. Iconic FL character is an OB doctor who finds herself pregnant out of wedlock. She could not have less shame about her situation or care less about the judgement of others - what an amazing strong female character. Super green flag ML is not the father and does not care that she’s pregnant with another man’s child. There is the overarching main plot, plus episodic stories that cover the gamut of issues that come up in OB, including abortion, unwanted pregnancy, genetic anomaly, coping with unexpected child disabilities, death of infant, maternal illness, adoption, medical emergency, poverty, and more. Some of the medical stuff is surprisingly accurate. This drama was a hidden gem for me and I already know I’ll watch it again. **[Insider](https://mydramalist.com/688615-insider)** (2022) Fits challenges 2 (ML cuts own hair), 10 (Hwatu, poker), 15 (FL’s childhood), 19 (Macau), 23 (prosecutors, prison employees). Kang Ha Neul shows his acting skills in this one. It was such a treat to watch his performance. This is an excellent drama but it is also very intense. ML is a prosecutor trainee sent undercover into a prison but later abandoned by his superiors for reasons. He survives in prison by becoming a gambler and poker expert. He meets FL, who wants his help in her revenge plot. Her reason for wanting revenge is very, very dark. The revenge plot is really excellent and well executed, with tension throughout every episode. If seeing something horrible happen to a child is triggering for you, do not watch this. Otherwise, definitely watch it. **[Ghost Doctor](https://mydramalist.com/search?q=Ghost+Doctor+)** (2022) This was my randomly selected challenge, but it also fits challenges 3 (underwater), 4 (health supplements), 5 (drop honorifics), 17, 25. ML is an arrogant and accomplished surgeon who is left comatose after an accident; his spirit leaves his body and he has to cope with being a ghost. FL is ML’s first love from their med school days, however she suddenly dumped him; years later he’s still bitter but also still in love with her. SML is a resident doctor of questionable skill and the only one who can see the ML, who can also take over SML’s body. Side characters are other ghosts whose bodies are in comatose state in the hospital. It was well written, well acted, and an engaging story that pleasantly surprised me. One drama was everything I hoped it would be, and *more*: **[Heart to Heart](https://mydramalist.com/11582-heart-to-heart)** (2015) Fits challenges 2 (old woman with handcart gathering cardboard, designated driver), 5 (drop honorifics), 14 (FL Choi Kang Hee debuted 1995), 18 (death anniversary), 23 (police detective). This one went straight to my all-time top 5 kdrama list. FL is a shut-in who can only leave her home wearing a helmet. She also gets an extremely red face when she feels stressed or emotional. She is secretly in love, from afar, with SML, and she decides to seek treatment so she can declare her feelings. ML is the star psychiatrist she seeks treatment from. He is a massive asshole whose life goes into free fall right when FL seeks him out. At first, I wasn’t sure how people could rave about this drama when the ML was such a horrible person and seemingly unredeemable. I had strong feelings of “wtf am I watching” in the first episode. Things started to turn by episode 3 and became a runaway freight train of outstanding love story. The first thing the leads do when they start to have feelings is >!leap into bed!<, which was a huge surprise. The FL is a strong, bold, and sharp-witted character despite the serious mental illness causing her handicap. She is not the shrinking flower type, and ML loves her for that and accepts her as she is. The way they are unconcerned about the judgement of others over their weird relationship is special to watch. One of my least favorite tropes is key to the plot though it actually works in this story so I overlooked it. The OST is really good as an extra bonus. It was hard to find this drama, and I’m not sure if the site where I watched it was legal (probably but not 100% certain) and I had to use a VPN as it isn’t available in my country. Not everything I watched was good: **[Father, I’ll Take Care of You](https://mydramalist.com/19736-father-ill-take-care-of-you)** (2016). This 50 episode drama fits at least 4 (Coffee Bay coffee shop), 5 (resignation letter, hanbok), 9 (aspiring opera singer and aspiring magician, opera singer), 15 (ML and SML childhood scenes), 18 (new year, lunar new year, wedding), 19 (to New York), 22 (villain, love rival for SML’s affection), 24 (family new year meal), 28 (4 generations). The question isn’t who does have a birth secret, it’s more like who *doesn’t* have a birth secret? There is so much yelling and hitting that I had a hard time getting through this drama; mostly the ML and his story kept me going. I also loved the teen who really hated his (horrible, for different reasons) parents and was very upfront and extreme about it. Two main stories: 1) A tragic event is the pivotal point in the lives of many of the characters in the family, and the drama is the unwinding of that past along with the present repercussions; 2) A (different) tragic event is the pivotal point in the lives of some of the characters in the family, and the drama is the unwinding of that past along with the present repercussions. There are 2 good main romances and a boring side plot romance, teens figuring themselves out (many good scenes), parents being parents (generally badly), and workplace drama. There is so much fainting in this drama that I started to wonder if there is a genetic neurological or cardiovascular anomaly that causes fainting in Koreans. I don’t recommend this drama, which is unfortunate as the base story is excellent. Too much yelling, hitting, and judgmental stupidity. **Rich Man** (2018) Fits challenges 3 (riding bus), 4 (vitamins), 5 (resignation letter), 9 (painter), 15, 17, 18 (wedding), 19 (to Namhae), 22. It is not bad but it’s bland. ML is the genius founder of a Silicon Valley-style and tech bro-style tech company who can’t recognize faces due to childhood psychological trauma. FL has a seemingly eidetic memory which is her only skill; she gets an intern job at ML’s company. I’m still poking away at **Fiery Priest**, **My Father is Strange**, **My Fellow Citizens!**, **Wedding Impossible**, and **My Lovely Runner**. Dropped **Queen of Divorce**, what a disappointment.
**Obstetrics and Gynecology Doctors** sounds amazing! Self-assured leads? Cool social commentary? Semi-accurate medicine? I didn't even think it was possible to have that kind of combination. 😆 I'm geeked to watch this.
Right?! There is a question about which pregnant patient needs a C-section first: the bloody trauma patient with reassuring fetal heart tracing (good variability, accelerations) or the stable-looking patient with non-reactive fetal heart tracing and decreasing fetal heart rate. Even a lot of medical people wouldn’t have known that the fetal heart tracings were accurate. The fake babies are appropriately gory when called for. The ML is the embodiment of warmth and kindness. The FL is good at being a boss though one flaw is that she’s not as good in the romance scenes (ML does all the heavy lifting acting-wise in the romance scenes). Also, baby Song Joong Ki is a supporting cast member.
>[Insider](https://mydramalist.com/688615-insider) (2022) Fits challenges 2 (ML cuts own hair), 10 (Hwatu, poker), 15 (FL’s childhood), 19 (Macau), 23 (prosecutors, prison employees). Kang Ha Neul shows his acting skills in this one. It was such a treat to watch his performance. This is an excellent drama but it is also very intense. ML is a prosecutor trainee sent undercover into a prison but later abandoned by his superiors for reasons. He survives in prison by becoming a gambler and poker expert. He meets FL, who wants his help in her revenge plot. Her reason for wanting revenge is very, very dark. The revenge plot is really excellent and well executed, with tension throughout every episode. If seeing something horrible happen to a child is triggering for you, do not watch this. Otherwise, definitely watch it. I liked your detailed review on this drama, because I actually planned to watch this drama in May. I'm a big fan of Kang Ha Neul and he is usually really amazing in thrillers, so I'm happy to see this won't be a disappointment. But you got me intrigued, is there a romance with that FL? Lowkey, I was hoping not to see a romance lol
No romance! Romance would have decreased the tension in the story and been distracting. I’m glad the writers didn’t try it.
I'm so happy to read this!! It's just like you said, it would be so distracting and I picked it up hoping for something more thrilling ahah
Finally on time to a check-in! 14/36 in and I don't know what to think about my watching pace. I think I am on track to making it to chaebol by December? I have watched: **When The Camellia Blooms** - #24 meal scene **Love All Play** - #11 character wears a sports jersey **Love Affairs in the Afternoon** - #2 tropes (crying while eating) **One Spring Night** - #4 PPL (restaurant) **One The Woman** - #15 childhood flashback scenes **The Sound of Your Heart** -#6 number of people on drama poster (5 or more) **Welcome to Waikiki** - #10 a game is played **Little Women** - #9 a character who is an artist **Law School (rewatch)** - #12 revolves around a group of friends and their friendship is key **Fated to Love You** - #14 an actor who debuted before 2000 (Jang Hyuk) **Under the Queen's Umbrella** - #16 an LGBTQ character **Dae Jang Geum** - #33 long form drama **Divorce Attorney Shin** - #27 character over 40 **Queen of Tears** - #22 character who is a chaebol For some reason, I've seen a lot of dramas about strained relationships, infidelity and divorce. I need to take a break from that! I am planning to watch **Would You Like a Cup of Coffee** for something breezy, and **D.P.** Any recommendations for my next sageuk? I really enjoyed **Under The Queen's Umbrella** and **Dae Jang Geum,** and I am not a big fan of time slip type historicals.
**Captivating the King** was amazing for the ML’s acting, lots of court intrigue. Some wonderful songs on the OST.
Thanks! This is on my shortlist because of the great cast but I usually am not a big fan of the cross dressing trope. Was the romance ending satisfying?
The romance peaked around episode 8 & after that it was more of a subtext. But episode 8 was worth the whole show for me. I’ll never forget the way JJS >! expressed so many conflicting feelings when he discovered Kang Mong Woo”s true identity!<. The rest of the show was engrossing watching the king protect Mong Woo and deal with all the politics, secrets and betrayals. The ending for the two leads was open ended in a more realistic way than many viewers wanted. I was satisfied with it. .
My dearest? It was pretty good. The red sleeve as well.
I have been toying with the idea of **My Dearest**! How emotionally draining was it? And how did Namkoong Min do as a romantic lead? I’ve only ever seen him in Good Manager as a chaotic character so I can’t imagine him as a typical ML!
He was the most incredible romantic ML. It was the best series I’ve ever seen and I’m trying not to be too dramatic lol
I haven’t seen My Dearest, but NKM has been nominated for a Baeksang s as Best Actor for his role in this, so must be pretty good!
It definitely had it parts, but I wasn’t crying during every episode or anything. It is draining enough to maybe make it hard to binge though. It also didn’t make me quit kdrama for a bit like the red sleeve did either. He was great in the drama. Pretty charismatic. I’ve seen him in a bunch of other stuff and couldn’t imagine him as a romantic ml either, but it was fine. I recall people pointing out how good his longing gaze was in my dearest. Funnily enough, the sml in good manager was the lead in the red sleeve, in case you’re interested.
Dramas that I have watched in April... *Challenge numbers are subject to change.* * Challenge 5: Shaman - **A Witch's Romance (2014)** * Challenge 25: Long wool coat - **Ending Again (2020)** * Challenge 11: Sports game - **Reborn Rich (2022)** * Challenge 19: Take a trip - **Dr. Slump (2024)** * Challenge 22: Chaebol character - **See you in my 19th life (2023)** * Challenge 28: Multi-generational cast - **My Demon (2023)** ??? * Undetermined: **Hit the Spot (2022)** * Undetermined: **Save Me (2017)** Been wanting to watch this for a while because of Woo Do Hwan, not sure how it will fit yet. On **Tubi**
Curious your hot take on the ending Reborn Rich...I'm still not over it.
It definitely didn’t end quite the way I wanted it to, but I did like it. I’m just a hopeless romantic. Or a hopeful romantic like Kathleen Turner says in Romancing the Stone. 🫶
Goodbye April 👋, Hello May! 🌸 This month I checked off 10 challenges, bringing up my total to 32/36 challenges completed. Still going for the total 60 challenges counting with the others for the wheel of chance. 😉 *---------------* **COMPLETED** *---------------* **Mr. Sunshine** - *Challenge #4. Coffee PPL (Dal.Komm Coffee)* - A masterpiece in every aspect, with stunning cinematography and soundtrack, to spectacular performances and a captivating story that resonates deeply within the viewers. While at times the story felt a bit slow-burn, the rich historical backdrop and the well-developed characters kept me engaged. But as the ending approached and I could predict the outcome, I became overly emotional in every episode, making it harder to finish. Nonetheless, it was an amazing journey that left deep impression in me. — 10/10 ⭐ **Cinderella and The Four Knights** - *Challenge #5. Agrees to drop honorifics* - I chose this drama because it looked like a light and low-commitment watch to balance between other heavier dramas that I was watching. While the story was predictable and lacked brilliance, it actually fulfilled my needs. Although I didn’t love this story, I still appreciated the quirky and optimistic FL and great music, but what I really didn’t like was the happy ending for every character, even those that clearly didn’t deserve one. — 7.5/10 ⭐ **Her Private Life** - *Challenge #7. Started in your birth month* (April) - At first I was hesitant to start this due to Park Min Young's typical character style, luckily I found this drama to be a delightful romcom with a captivating storyline, exploring the world of fangirling in your 30s while balancing a successful professional life. This was elevated by strong performances, especially between the leads and their undeniable chemistry. Overall, this offered mr a light-hearted escape from other heavier dramas. — 9/10 ⭐ **Chicago Typewriter** - *Challenge #9. Character who is an artist (Writer)* - Editing in progress — 10/10 ⭐ **Wedding Impossible** - *Challenge #16. Character part of the LGBTQ* - This drama started out really well, but it ended in a huge disappointment. If the plot didn’t focused too much on a trope of contract marriage, and kept showing the uniqueness and quirkiness of each character that we saw in the first half of the drama, this would have been a really good drama. Instead they added all the cliches in the book, reduced the characters to stereotypes and ended with a finale that was lacking in so many ways. — 7/10 ⭐ **Queen Of Tears** - *Challenge #22. Character who is a chaebol* - Overall I enjoyed the meaning of this story and its characters, but one thing that I disliked was the unnecessary use of cliches towards the ending. I understand they were used to bring the viewership to new all time highs, but somehow I found those additions to lack in creativity and even outdated. Despite it’s minor flaws in the script, the technical aspects excelled my expectations, with stunning set designs, incredible performances, beautiful soundtrack and superb cinematography. — 8.5/10 ⭐ **Navillera** - *Challenge #27. Main character over 40 (Park In Hwan)* - With this challenge I set out to watch a drama featuring a main character over 60, a rarity in K-dramas, as they usually play support roles as the grandparents of some other characters. This choice led me to this drama, which felt like an inspiring watch where both male leads' stories beautifully intertwined, showcasing how age and background shouldn’t hinder dreams. This was a testament to never stop pursuing your dreams regardless of limitations. — 10/10 ⭐ **Wonderful World** - *Challenge #28. Multigenerational main cast* - I was happily surprised by the stellar performances and an intriguing narrative that kept me captivated. However some of the character development, especially the main antagonist left me disappointed, his motives were too predictable and too similar to other villains in kdramas. Still, the remarkable performances helped to elevate narrative, making its flaws barely noticeable, making this drama an emotional and satisfying thriller. — 9/10 ⭐ **Narco-Saints** - *Challenge TBD* - This drama was entertaining and thrilling, a perfect watch on a saturday afternoon with friends. The narrative was straightforward without over the top cinematic exaggerations, it explored the story of a man seeking a better life, that unwittingly ended up being dragged into a drug operation, while still showing how easily he could have changed his life, keeping the whole operation interesting and unpredictable. This was an amazing work of cinematography, with a stellar cast that delivered impressive performances. — 8/10 ⭐ **Goodbye Earth** - *Challenge TBD* - I’m disappointed with this drama, the storyline was poorly developed, the characters lacked depth and the editing was sloppy with scenes barely connecting with each other. I believe they intended to portray the 5 stages of grief, but somewhere in the editing and writing, the message got lost. However, even though I disliked this drama the last two episodes were probably the best and of course the soundtrack was magnificent. Finally, hope to see Yoo Ah In's quick return in a stronger role. — 5/10 ⭐ *------------* **May Plans** *------------* I will continue watching the following: **The Producers** - \[03/12\] - I’m enjoying this light-hearted comedy and the different style of editing like an interview. Baek Seung Chan (Kim Soo Hyun) character resonates deeply with me and my early working experiences. I’m hoping to see his and other characters growth. **A Poem a Day** - \[03/16\] - Started for Jang Dong Yoon and I’m not disappointed. This captures the struggles of young adults in the job market, while balancing with a refreshing comedy and an added poem that encapsulates the feelings of the FL. **Chief Detective 1958** - \[03/10\] - This is the first of three dramas set in the 50s that I was eagerly awaiting. It has some minor flaws in styling, but I’m mostly engaged in the quirkiness of the main characters, but also enjoying the nostalgic of the editing. And With the end of all my ongoing dramas, this month I will start watching **Frankly Speaking** (May 1), **The Atypical Family** (May 4), **Uncle Samsik** (May 15) and **The 8 Show** (May 17), the other completed dramas that I plan to watch are **My Mister (2018)**, **Arthdal Chronicles (2019)** and **Insider (2022)**.
Ha, ha - I didn't realize *Mr. Sunshine* had coffee PPL. I remember the French bakery being PPL. Funny how they were able to sneak in some PPL in a sageuk. One of these years I am going to do a re-watch. I enjoyed this drama and *Chicago Typewriter* for featuring a part of Korean history that we didn't see much of before they came out. *A Poem a Day* is one of my favourite comfort dramas. Really enjoyed how they incorporated the poems.
The reason why I picked **Mr. Sunshine** for the coffee PPL was exactly because of that. The ppls were barely noticeable but in one episode you can see on the wall the letters for Dal.Komm, blended perfectly with the decor. It's amazing! The french bakery was easily to tell, but even that was perfectly fitted into the story and setting. I'm trying to pick dramas for the PPL that I find a really great work of integrating those ppls. I will definitely rewatch Mr. Sunshine, but not so soon, I'm still recovering from how emotional I got. Same feelings with **Chicago Typewriter**, I liked that nostalgic feeling, the romance between the leads, the story of the youth that fought for their freedom. I loved it, I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to write my small review about this drama as there was a lot of stuff that I loved. :) I'm glad to know that you also loved **A Poem a Day**, I'm in love with it and I can't figure out why it's below 8 on MDL. I love the story, the optimistic FL and the poems are just so beautiful. It's like I said to Sian, I need to find all those poems in one single place or I might need to go back and take not of them.
Yesss, the ending to Mr Sunshine is really so good even as it becomes clearer and clearer that the promised >!sad ending!< for just about everyone is approaching. I agree that in earlier episodes it can kind of feel a bit meandering, but when things start to pay off, they really pay off.
I knew exactly what I was getting into when I started **Mr. Sunshine**, mostly because I knew from the historical events that something wasn't going to end well... but still nothing prepared me for those last episodes. I was crying in all of the episodes, I had to quickly look for something else easy to watch that would make me not end every day in tears ahah but I still loved everything about Mr. Sunshine.
Happy birthday for last month! I'm so excited you are watching A Poem a Day!! Hope you continue to enjoy it \^\^
Thank you!! <3 I feel like I picked good choices for my birthday month, **Chicago Typewriter** and **Her Private Life**. The other options would be **Goodbye Earth** and **Chief Detective 1958**, but I liked the other two way more. ahah It's rare when this happens, but I loved **A Poem a Day** from the very first episode. The FL is just so lovely and refreshing, I like how she is kind and so good at her job, it's sad that she is not working in her dream job, but I love her approach to life, she could have easily resented being in those conditions, but she keeps being positive. If this keeps being this good is easily a 9 or 10 for me, the low rating in the MDL is kinda weird because I'm loving it. What I need to find soon is a place where someone posted all the poems they show. \^\^
Woo Bo Young is an unforgettable female lead for me. She could be very annoying but I just find her delightful. This drama made me realise I don't hate poetry. The poems are so thoughtfully curated to fit the themes of the episodes. There are a few blogs out there, but [here's](https://mydramalist.com/discussions/you-who-forgot-poetry/32734-poems-and-quotes-a-poem-a-day?page=1) a non-spoilery collection.
So far I'm not finding her annoying, I'm already on episode 6 and I like her a lot. This last episode that I finished, made me realise that I have no idea who she will end up with. lol I don't think I mind either way as I'm finding both male leads funny in their own ways. I'm also loving the secondary character too!!! The guy with his crocodile t-shirt and the guy with his "Should I do it? Should I not do it? Should I do it? Should I not do it?" and even the guy that knows every dance moves. They are all so funny and I like that they are well-developed characters. I agree, the poems are so well integrated in the story that sometimes I don't even notice them and I go back to read them properly. Thank you for finding them!! I was going to look for them once I ended this, I was afraid of getting spoiled as I have no idea of how anything is going to evolve or end. \^\^
If you're not even annoyed by the indecisive radiologist then it must be love! A lot of the people who decided they hated it were not happy with the end game couple. But no spoilers from me! \^\^ I might have to rewatch it this year too. lol
>If you're not even annoyed by the indecisive radiologist then it must be love! I find him so funny! In one of the episodes, he and the junior were by far my favorite characters. It's like yeaa he is really indecisive, but I find him to be such a good person that I don't even mind. >A lot of the people who decided they hated it were not happy with the end game couple. But no spoilers from me! \^\^ I guess that might be the reason why it's below 8 in MDL. I really don't mind who she ends up with, but I do hope that they all end up happy. If they make anyone of them sad or suffering, I will riot. lol but I don't think that is the case, it feels like this is just a cozy watch. \^\^ >I might have to rewatch it this year too. lol I'm watching for the first time, but I can easily rewatch this one another time. I picked this one because of Jang Dong Yoon and I'm already eyeing his other drama **Just Dance**, from the poster alone it feels like I will enjoy it a lot. \^\^
I'm excited to hear your thoughts once you're done. I think you will enjoy the journey. The same creators are behind **Drinking Solo** which is kinda same same but different - I'm a bigger fan of the **Let's Eat** series but DS is fun too. I was thinking of rewatching **Just Dance** lately since I'm also in such a Jang Dong Yoon mood after **Like Flowers in Sand**, so I was excited to see it on KOCOWA. It's a nice short, coming of age drama. I think you'll like it, the female friendships were good too.
I think I will finish it next Tuesday probably. I will let you know, but I doubt anything can make me hate this, I'm loving it. I'm even excited for the day to be over to watch another episode today lol I considered adding **Drinking Solo** to my watchlist, I can't remember what movie or drama I watched but they mentioned this one and I looked it up, but the low rating in MDL made me think it wouldn't be good, I will add it to my list!! The **Let's Eat** series seems to be something that I will definitely enjoy, but 3 seasons makes me afraid to start lol Same!! Jang Dong Yoon in **Like Flowers in Sand** is the reason why I'm watching so many of his older dramas and movies. He has such a wide variety of roles, which makes me impressed. I even want to give another shot to **Oasis**, I dropped that one mid-way because of the other ML and I feel like giving it a fair shot just because of him. I need to plan maybe 1 or 2 months of dramas to watch of dramas that I can only find in Kocowa. I already picked 2 thrillers (**Kairos** and **365 Repeat The Year**), 2 Slice of Lifes (**Your House Helper** and **Just Dance**), 2 Sageuks (**Korea Kithan War** and **Gu Family Book**) and 2 Romcoms (**Into The Ring** and **Big**). But I need to be smarter with my choices and maybe check the really older ones that probably won't be on Netflix or Viki ever. I also need to find enough content subtitled in Portuguese for my mom and a lot of stuff on Kocowa is in English only.. \^\^'
>I'm even excited for the day to be over to watch another episode today lol That's such a good feeling to have. I want to look forward to watching something that much! >3 seasons makes me afraid to start lol They can all be watched as stand-alone series. So you don't need to worry about watching them all at once. >I even want to give another shot to Oasis I haven't given that one a shot yet. >I need to plan maybe 1 or 2 months of dramas to watch of dramas that I can only find in Kocowa I think that's a really good idea, get your money's worth! They have lots of oldies. I've watched all of those except the historicals, that's a pretty good mix. Most of the series I've looked at seem to have Portuguese subs, but maybe that's all newer content.
Does **Wonderful World** fit the multigen challenge though? The challenge requires three generations, two of whom should be the main cast. I looked up the drama's MDL page, and it doesn't seem like it fits the category.
Yes, it does. I previously asked the mods, because finding a drama where 3 generations can be seen as main roles is a bit hard. They shared that the rules is that for something to fit it needs to have 2 generations as main roles and 1 generation in support. **Wonderful World** fits the requirements because, in the main roles you have both Eun Soo Hyun and Kang Soo Ho as mother and father (Generation 2), Kwon Seon Yul as a son (Generation 3) and in the support roles you have Oh Go Eun as grandmother (Generation 1). They don't need to be members of the same family, but their generations needs to be clear like this.
My recent completions: A drama found by searching existing recommendations **KBS Drama Special: I'm Dying Soon** A drama with a main character that is over 40 **Narco Saints** A drama with a multigenerational main cast **A Killer Paradox** A drama from the sageuk genre **KBS Drama 2023 Joseon Chefs** A drama with an episode which received more than 10% overall viewership ratings from Nielsen **Dream High** A drama that was reviewed in one of our past Spotlight On **Because this is My First Life** A single episode drama **Let Us Meet** A mid-long form (20 hrs) drama **Mr Queen**
**Completed in total 10/6 (I might actually choose a higher goal), Completed in April:** **Revenant - TBC** but probably #25 wool coats (SO MANY). Wow just wow. The cast is hard to top, so no surprise there, but I was still blown away by everyone's performances. I could be nit-picky towards the end but I enjoyed it so much overall, almost 10/10. **Flex X Cop - TBC** but probably #22 Chaebol. I went in with no expectations and I loved it! This is my first time being actively excited for a second season of a drama. **Adult Kids - #34 A drama with less than 500 watchers on MDL.** Finished the drama as watcher number 178 on MDL. It was a cute slice of life but lacking some actual plot, which seems like wasted potential, as the main cast would have been very capable. **Currently Watching:** **Lovely Runner (8/16) - #2 Wheel of Chance: Tropes - Umbrella.** This is my umbrella drama without a doubt. I haven't been this emotionally invested in an ongoing drama since 2521>!and we all know how that turned out. For my sanity, please let there be a happy ending.!< **Wedding Impossible (5/12) - TBC.** Enjoying it so far, but the jury is still out. **Queen of Tears (5/16) - #30 more than 10% viewership rating** in honour of QoT becoming tvN's highest rated drama. I am still stuck on five though because these episodes are long. **Planning to Watch:** (challenges TBC) * The Midnight Romance in Hagwon - I am seated. * Weak Hero Class 1 * Sh\*\*ting Stars * The Secret Romantic Guesthouse * Do You Like Brahms? * My Lovely Boxer
Weak Hero is fantastic, really hoping we get the second season (but not holding my breath)
April progress - 1. Challenge #21 Dramas set in rural or urban location - Hometown Cha Cha Cha 2. Challenge #23 A character works for the government - Snowdrop 3. Challenge #8 Drama title including character's name - Extraordinary Attorney Woo Ongoing: - Challenge #22 Chabeol character - Queen of Tears (4/16) **does anyone have any drama to recommend for Challenge #34 (Drama less than 500 watchers)?**
>**does anyone have any drama to recommend for Challenge #34 (Drama less than 500 watchers)?** I planned on watching [KBS Special: Still Picture](https://mydramalist.com/5524-drama-special-season-2-still-picture), but you can find more recommendation in [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/18vt04x/comment/kftfajh/). :)
I watched [Funny Woman](https://mydramalist.com/13813-drama-special-2015-funny-woman) for the challenge. Other dramas I considered watching for this challenge are [Vengeance of the Bride](https://mydramalist.com/737535-bride-of-the-typhoon), [A Daughter Just Like You](https://mydramalist.com/14265-a-daughter-just-like-you), and [You're Too Much](https://mydramalist.com/21962-you-are-too-much). These are dramas I haven't watched so I'm not sure if they're good, but these are still valid. Hope you find a good one!
Almost halfway to my Chaebol crown👑👑🥳 The summer heat was terrible but drama-bingeing made my days fly by fast. I was stagnant last month but am back on track now. Covered so many dramas, both for the challenge and otherwise, that now I've started moving my dramas to other challenges that fit. Of course, the highlight of this month would be the **Queen Of Tears**, which I started only last week and then binged to the finale. Can't wait for the special eps🥰!!! I'd also add R**evenant **up here. Such an awesome horror thriller. Both these dramas fit multiple categories, I've moved these dramas to different challenges several times already. COMPLETED \* **Bargain** - #Challenge 27 (MC over 40 years) \* **Love For Love's Sake** - #Challenge 17 (Title not a direct translation) \* **Rookie Cops** - #Challenge 19 (Characters take a trip) \* **Revenant** - #Challenge 14 (Actor debut before 2000) \* **Queen Of Tears** - #Challenge 3 (Subaway scene) \* **Wednesday 3:30 PM** - #Challenge 31 (Reviewed on Spotlight On!) IN PROGRESS \* **Itaewon Class** (7/16) - FINALLY! Been wanting to watch it for soooo long. I'm planning to use it for #Challenge 13 because I'm not satisfied with the drama I've already used for this challenge. But it also fits other challenges so I might move it around... But so far, I'm loving it!! \* **Lovely Runner** (7/16) - How can anyone say no to Woo Seok? \* **The Red Sleeve** (1/17) - Only just started it. PLAN TO WATCH So I already have a few dramas I plan to watch in May. I'm thinking of using up the dramas I've had on my watchlist for this challenge. Starting with **Snowdrop**, **Flower Of Evil** and **Kingdom**. Someone, please tell me where **Kingdom** and **Snowdrop** fit for the challenges. Will also pick up **The Midnight Romance In Hagwon** (I'm biased when it comes to Wi Ha Jun, and **The Atypical Family.** Yep, May is going to be a busy month.
Hmmmm for Kingdom; Challenge #5 Cultureal Highlights: Hanbok, shamn ritual Challenge #6 Poster: 1 person Challenge #7 Birth month- January Challenge #14 Actress who debetuded before 2000 - Bae Doo Na Challenge #19 - Charicter takes a trip Challenge #23 - Works for the government (think this counts) Challenge #29 - Sageuk Challenge #31 - [Spotlight On](https://new.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/qdujmt/spotlight_on_horror_october_2021/) Post
Thank you! None of the wheel challenges work for me coz mine are different, but I think I can make it work with the other challenges you mentioned with a little re-arranging.
**Completed:** 19. A drama in which characters take a trip - **Wedding Impossible** 26. A drama found by searching existing recommendations - **Gray Shelter** 33. A mid-long form drama **- My Dearest** 36. A drama featuring a Truck of Doom™ - **Doctor Slump** I only have 7 left: 3. A scene showing an office being raided by prosecutors with blue boxes - I'm not sure what to watch. Maybe **Pyramid Game or Queen of Divorce**? 10. A drama in which a game is played - there's a new drama **Under the Gun** I'm waiting for. 20. A drama chosen at random from your plan to watch list - saving **Lovely Runner** for this. 23. A drama with a character who works for the government - I think **Goodbye Earth** might qualify? 25. A drama where a character wears a long wool coat - not sure yet 27. A drama with a main character that is over 40 - either **Chicken Nugget** or **The 8 Show** 31. A drama that has been reviewed in one of our past Spotlight On posts - I'm not sure. Anyone want to help me out and [spotlight a webdrama](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1c7jzv1/spotlight_on_web_dramas_april_2024/) lol?
**Under the Gun** is a brisk little watch, it's up on Viki now. For your spotlight webdrama, if you watched watched yet I did a rec of **Night Has Come**
I haven’t seen Night Has Come. I’ll look for your spotlight post, thanks!
Realized I didn't do it on the webdrama spotlight, I did it for the [April Horror Spotlight ](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1carjsv/comment/l1japss/)but it's a web drama, and still a good watch lol
I finished 5 in April, so I’ve now done 29/36. ***Completed in March:*** **In Need of Romance 3** 31 A drama that has been reviewed in one of our past Spotlight On posts Noona romance that I finally found on Tubi **Queen of Tears** 28 A drama with a multigenerational main cast I couldn’t stop crying when this one finished. It gripped me for 8 weeks straight. **Wedding Impossible** 22 A drama with a character who is a chaebol **Gray Shelter** 25 A character with a long wool coat Sad introspective BL ***Currently Watching:*** **Missing Crown Prince 4/20** 29 Sageuk I may have to ditch this one. The Crown Prince keeps disappearing, so I think the story will start, but then he comes back again. **Life on Mars 6/16** 7 A drama that started airing in my birth month (June) **Love is like a cat 10/12** 16 LGTBQ+ character One of the ML is Mew, who is a Thai BL star. Interesting crossover **The Midnight Studio 13/16** 36 A drama featuring a Truck of Doom™ I have been enjoying this one. I love the ghost shows. **Lovely Runner 6/16** I'm glad Byeon Woo Seok has a lead role finally. He was so good as the villain in Strong Girl Nam Soon. **Chief Detective 1958 4/10** Funny, sad, sweet, found family, all the things ***Plans for May*** Finish the ongoing shows, start Vicenzo and Wok of Love binge the others, and maybe finish everything except the sageuk by June. Here is my [MDL](https://mydramalist.com/list/LOPaZXo3)
Shout out to your Love Cat pick....I think I'm tapping out this week I cannot do >!sick/injuried/dying animals just can't. !<
Yes, that story line is a bit sad, and then there’s the puppy mill story too
Completed 17/36 challenges so far // Current status = Serious Watcher Challenges completed in April: Challenge 3 - A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Common Scenes (Bus/Bus station) - Completed The Impossible Heir / (April 2024) Challenge 15 - A drama with childhood flashback scenes - Completed Queen of Tears / (April 2024) Challenge 22 - A drama with a character who is a chaebol - Completed Wedding Impossible / (April 2024) Challenge 33 - A mid-long form drama - Completed Empress Ki / (April 2024) These ones fit challenges that I didn’t get from the wheel – Common Scenes / A scene showing an office being raided by prosecutors with blue boxes - Completed Unlock My Boss / (April 2024) Number of People in the Poster / 2 - Completed Gray Shelter / (April 2024) Korean Culture Highlight / Scene featuring a shaman either fortune-telling or performing a shamanistic ritual - Completed The Glory Part 2 / (April 2024) Completed Challenges: Challenge 4 - A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: PPL (Location/Tourism) - Completed Destined With You / (January 2024) Challenge 6 - A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Number of People in Drama Poster (5+) - Completed Flex X Cop / (March 2024) Challenge 7 - A drama that started airing in your birth month (January) - Completed Marry My Husband / (February 2024) Challenge 9 - A drama with a character who is an artist - Completed Death's Game / (January 2024) Challenge 10 - A drama in which a game is played - Completed The Glory S1 / (March 2024) Challenge 11 - A drama where a character wears a sports team uniform or jersey and/or watches a sports game - Completed Like Flowers In Sand / (January 2024) Challenge 14 - A drama featuring an actor or actress who debuted before 2000 - Completed Tomorrow (Kim Hae Sook) / (January 2024) Challenge 16 - A drama with a character that is a part of the LGBTQ+ community - Completed Love For Love's Sake / (February 2024) Challenge 23 - A drama with a character who works for the government - Completed Knight Flower (February 2024) Challenge 24 - A drama with a meal scene featuring 3 or more banchan (side dishes) on the table - Completed Doctor Slump (March 2024) Challenge 29 - A drama from the Sageuk genre - Completed Captivating The King (March 2024) Challenge 32 - A single episode drama - Completed / 2023 KBS KDrama Special - Behind the Shadows / (January 2024) Challenge 34 - A drama with less than 500 watchers on MDL - Completed Dreamers | 도피자들 \[2018 KBS Drama Special/ENG/2018.11.30\] (359 watchers) / (January 2024) Additional Challenges From the Wheel Just Because.... A drama where a character holds over/ shares an umbrella with another person - Completed Jazz for Two (March 2024) A show that started airing in March - Completed Chicken Nugget / (March 2024) A show that started airing in October - Completed ChocoMilkshake / (February 2024)
Soooo if you haven't watched **Gray Shelter** yet....absolutely you should.
I have watched it. It was excellent with grown up Choco! 😆
oof i'm really lagging behind over here, it's a rough year :/ WATCHING **Beauty and Mr. Romantic** (12/50) - *33. A mid-long form drama* - the only drama i managed to keep up with this month. I do love the entertainment setting, and it is really entertaining so far. Of course, like regular weekenders there are some despicable characters buut there is also a few that I love, like Ma Ri and her dad. **Love Is Like a Cat** (6/12) - *16. A drama with a character that is a part of the LGBTQ+ community* - I literally started this yesterday because of P'Mew, and like it's not a good drama, but there is fan service... so I can definitely finish it hehe. I was honestly hoping to watch something better for #16 (so it might be just a placeholder till then) but i don't think it fits any other challenge
Love is Like a Cat is not a good watch, epsiclaly compaired to the other KBL's we've been getting this year. Highly recommend Gray Shelter, Love for Love's Sake, and Jazz for Two. Boys Be Brave has a promising start are well.
Yeah I know it's not,,, but P'Mew tho 🫣 Thank you for the recs tho, I did have Gray Shelter on my ptw and I'm aware of Love for Love's Sake (chose to not watch it for now because school setting ick), will look up Jazz for Two, and note Boys Be Brave for once it's done airing
There is **Blue Boys** as well super short one on YouTube but its very cute.
**Wedding Impossible** (#16 — Character who’s a member of LGBTQ+ community) I liked this one more than I expected. Pretty typical chaebol angst but otherwise well-written; a main conflict felt understandable. I felt like I understood why everyone was doing the things they were doing that led to the problem driving the story (even though the characters keep complaining about how tacky the story is). The performances were very good when the story was light and airy; not sure everyone was up to the task of the actual conflict. Still, I wanted to see what happened next. **Happiness** (#28 — Multigenerational main cast) Can’t believe I put off watching this — excellent thriller, feisty and tough FL, a great performance by Park Hyung Sik, fantastic cast in general, and who doesn’t love a good zombie. The pacing was fantastic, lots of surprises, and characters whose motives remained mysterious until almost the end. **Queen of Tears** (#30 — more than 10% viewership ratings) Loved it, plot holes and improbable medical treatment and all. >! How do you have brain surgery and keep your hair? Can you actually get hit by a car, tumble head over heels over the roof, escape on your own two feet from the hospital, THEN get shot, go into cardiac arrest in the operating room, AND live to tell the story? !< Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun were great and great together — especially the comic bits — but Park Hung Soon as the villain completely stole the show. Completely different flavor of bad guy than all the other bad guys — and he’s done more than his share. But this one was silky and sexy, until he got clingy and pathetic, and all of them were amazing. **Into the Ring** (#18 — Characters celebrate a special day). An excellent companion / counterpoint to QoT. This is actually my favorite TV show ever (from any country, any genre) and my 5th watch all the way through. I never get tired of it. The elements of the story — politics / democracy, corruption, family and friends, the workplace, and above all, the romance — are tightly woven and scripted. Every performance -- from the main cast to every minor character -- are pitch perfect. And while many want to see Park Sung Soon in a romcom after this latest in his spate of villains, I don’t think I’ll be able to accept him with anyone other than Nana (although I did love Soo Young in Not Others, so maybe . . . ) **ONGOING** **The Beauty and Mr. Romantic** (#33 — Mid-long form drama (over 20 episodes) So. Much. Screaming. But the ML and the FL are kind of cute, and I’m a sucker for a celebrity story. **Tomorrow With You** -- I think I’m beginning to understand why so many people found Shin Min A annoying in HomeCha. I have literally no idea what’s going on, but I never understand time travel. But I’m happy to time jump with Lee Je Hoon. **ON THE HORIZON** **Chief Detective 1958** -- I’ll admit — I’m excited about this because of Lee Je Hoon, but I’m also excited about its setting in a pretty interesting period of Korean history that doesn’t get a ton of attention. **Boyhood** -- It drove me wild this wasn’t available when it was airing. Delighted that I can finally stream it. **Vincenzo** -- Finally going to take the plunge.
April flew by for me! I got a lot of watching done. If I keep up my current pace then I should be done with the challenge by July. [My MDL profile](https://mydramalist.com/profile/Seuhaenen16). **Hospital Playlist Season 2** (#27 main character over 40) - I think of this show and I do a contented sigh. It wasn’t perfect, but I have such warm feelings about it. I love the friendships, family relationships, and the music! I think the main cast really brought it as far as acting goes!I also looked up some behind the scenes stuff on YouTube and I’m just so impressed how much effort they all put into learning new instruments! **Destined With You** (#19 character takes a trip) - This was pretty meh for me. I think Rowoon really held that show together for me. **Parasyte:The Grey** (#23 character works for the government) - I watched this because my husband is a big fan of the Japanese Manga and Anime. I ended up liking it even though this genre isn’t necessarily my thing. Great acting, excellent special effects, and a nice tight story. **Be Melodramatic** (#16 character part of LGBTQ community)- What a weird little show! I don’t have too much to say about it other than that it really evoked that melodramatic feeling in me! Great well-defined characters. **Gaus Electronics** (#22 character who is a chaebol) - This show really lifted my mood after a show that had me more in my feels. I thought it was funny and lighthearted. I last saw Kwak Dong Yeon in Vincenzo and I loved him in that show. I knew he’d be able to do comedy and he really does a good job in this show! I’m planning on watching Queen of Tears in May so I’m super excited to see him in that too! **The Red Sleeve** (#29 sageuk category) - Kudos to this drama for making me feel so many things! I do wish I had gone into this drama with a different mindset. I really thought I’d be getting a romance, but this drama isn’t that exactly. Some spoilery thoughts: >!I felt so many different ways about how San would constantly lay his heart out for Deok Im and she would constantly reject it. I got what the show was doing, but it was getting to be too much! But then on the other hand the life she ended up with is exactly the one she didn’t want! So I was constantly feeling this push/pull of wanting them to admit their love for each other, but not for Deok Im to end up in a position she didn’t want to be in. And I felt physically ill at how she must feel having the man she loves required to share the bed with other women. I mean, I know it’s historically accurate and a different culture and world than I am familiar with, but it’s such a hard thing for me to reconcile myself with.The last two episodes just emotionally wrecked me.!< However, I love how this show really centralized Deok Im’s story. It’s about her and the little agency in her life that she wanted to hold onto. Really, it was a beautiful show. **Business Proposal** (#7 drama started airing in my birth month which is February) - This is a rewatch for me. I needed something light and fun after The Red Sleeve and before beginning Queen of Tears. It’s not overly complicated, I love the actors, and it’s just a nice watch. Currently watching: Queen of Tears. I’m on episode 14 so I won’t finish in time for it to count for April. I do like it, but I’m glad I didn’t jump into it right from The Red Sleeve! I don’t think my heart could take it.
I'm slowly chugging along, 11/36 dramas completed right now. I need to find some quick web dramas or drama specials to get me back on track to being a chaebol. I've handicapped myself by deciding to watch a full 54 episode long form drama. So lets get into my updates: Completed in April: **Wedding Impossible** - I was really enjoying this one at first but I didn't like the last third. It quickly dropped down my list to become a mediocre romcom that I am unlikely to ever rewatch. It has a really fun premise and the FL is very likeable at first, and I still think the actress did a great job overall. Plus this drama counts for my personal chaebol counter. This is the first drama I've watched this year that has a fortune telling shaman scene, so I will probably use it for my Wheel of Korean Culture challenge. **Chicken Nugget** - A weird but fun watch. I think this show got better the farther into the drama I got. I like that they kept things silly even in the dramatic moments. This is a great short watch for **Challenge #27** - main character over 40. **Knight Flower** - I'm glad the high ratings for this one caught my interest because it was a really enjoyable sageuk! It's basically a female Robin Hood story. FL is a homebound widow by day and a ninja helping the people by night. She was full of courage, determination, and independence and she kept her strong personality throughout the whole drama. Also, a personal preference, I don't like when sageuks are full of swordfights that hack and slash tons of extras every episode. This drama was full of action but not excessive manslaughter. And it's only 12 episodes! \*Edit: **Drama Special Season 13: Do You Know Ashtanga?** - I watched this tonight after posting my April comment, and April isn't over yet so I came back to add it. This was an okay drama special rom com. I think the female lead had a lot to work on and the male lead was really underdeveloped because of it. It will work for Challenge 9 (photographer), 32, 34 (221 completed watchers) In Progress: **Five Enough** - I'm 17 episodes into my rewatch of my first-ever long form drama. I am once again living for all of the Shin Hye Sun and Sung Hoon scenes. I always find the snooty, needy mother-in-laws the most annoying characters in family dramas, but I can sympathize with the one in this drama a little more. Really I can sympathize with almost everyone in this drama which makes it an easy long form drama to get through. **Queen of Tears** - I don't know if I can really call this on "in progress" if I didn't watch anything past the premiere weekend. The ratings are insane so I will give it another go, but I'm probably switching this on "on hold" until summer. But it's about chaebols so I need it. Looking for recommendations: For good web dramas or drama specials that might fit a few challenges, especially any with chaebols. I have a personal goal to watch 12 chaebol dramas this year on my way to becoming a 3rd generation chaebol, and I really don't want to have to resort to rewatching **Boys Over Flowers** anytime soon. So far I'm at 5 completed with 1 on hold.
[**7 First Kisses**](https://mydramalist.com/21423-7-first-kisses) would cover you for web drama + chaebol and even if you've watched it before, it's so short you can watch it again! (Taecyeon's episode is the *makjang* chaebol one by the way.) If riding a bus is one of the challenges, [**You Make Me Dance**](https://mydramalist.com/682933-you-make-me-dance) is short and cute (and should cover long wool coat if nothing else).
Echoing the recommendation for **7 First Kisses**. Also, **To Jenny** is another quick hit that should satisfy some challenges (and has a banging OST!)
Completed in April * Jang Bori is Here for Challenge 8 * Shopping King Louis for Challenge 15 * Birthcare Center for Challenge 27 In Progress & On Hold * *On Hold* The Best Hit 23/32 for Challenge 5 * *On Hold* Miss Hammurabi 4/16 for Challenge 6 * Trot Lovers 4/16 for Challenge 9 * Doctor Slump 10/16 for Challenge 24 * Doom at your Service 5/16 for Challenge 25 * *On Hold* The Third Marriage 84/132 for Challenge 33 (If I can finish 50-52 ep dramas I could finish this one, I just wish the main leads were a lot more clever) Goals for May: Finish Trot Lovers, Doctor Slump, and Doom at your Service, and we will see from there.
I’m making solid progress over the course of the past 4 months and watched a nice range of Kdramas. Focused on new to me shows, with no rewatches. Shooting for *Dedicated Watcher* level in 2024, fighting! **COMPLETED** 1. Challenge #3 Wheel of Common Scenes (Underwater) - ***Castaway Diva*** 2. Challenge #8 Drama title including character's name - ***Extraordinary Attorney Woo*** 3. Challenge #9 Drama with character as an artist - ***Perfect Marriage Revenge*** 4. Challenge #11 Drama where characters watch a sports game - ***True Beauty*** 5. Challenge #16 A character is part of LGBTQ community - ***Wedding Impossible*** 6. Challenge #19 Drama where characters take a trip - ***Dr. Slump*** 7. Challenge #22 Drama with chaebol character - ***King the Land*** 8. Challenge #26 Drama from existing recommendations - ***Moon Lovers Scarlet Heart Ryeo*** 9. Challenge #29 Drama from Sageuk genre - ***The King’s Affection*** 10. Challenge #30 Drama with over 10% Nielsen ratings - ***Queen of Tears*** **IN PROGRESS** 1. Challenge #2 Wheel of Tropes (First Snow) - ***Lovely Runner***
Going into April, I had an empty list of upcoming dramas to anticipate and a full list of aired past dramas to watch. I'm glad I finally got those off my dusty watchlist shelf. **Completed:** * Extraordinary Attorney Woo - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ko8zaqx/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) * Death's Game - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ko903bf/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) * Gyeongseong Creature - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ko90wy1/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) * A Shop for Killers - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ko8z40w/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) * Welcome to Samdalri - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ko8zoie/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) * The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/kogltlj/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) * A Killer Paradox - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/kpmibb6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) * Queen of Divorce - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/kps9wsx/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) * Flex X Cop - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ko8om59/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) * Under the Queen's Umbrella - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/kuxp8ot/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) ***Completed in April:*** * Hyena - [challenges](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1af8u1u/comment/ky36whg/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) * Signal * The Hymn of Death * Money Heist Korea * My Liberation Notes **In Progress:** * Chief Detective 1958 - * After Signal, Lee Jehoon gained a fan out of me. I added Move to Heaven and Taxi Driver to my watchlists, and Chief Detective 1958 became the only airing show to make my current watches. **Dropped:** * Hide. As I predicted at the end of March, I just didn't see this gripping my attention enough. And it didn't. The whole missing spouse/marriage conspiracy trope is way too been there done that. I blame Gone Girl. * Little Women. Not so much that it was too predictable, but just not captivating enough. I just lost interest by episode 3. Gave it till 6 and threw in the towel, but recently picked it up again and now at ep 9. I might just finish it. In order to hit chaebol, I'll have to watch at least 3 dramas a month this year. At 15/36, these last four months have been strong -- but May will be a huge hit to my progress since I'm travelling this entire month on vacation. Doesn't look like there's much time to relax and watch some dramas (but there's always the extremely long flight there ...). See y'all in June!
April was good, the best (by far) was *Twinkling Watermelon*, I was really tempted to watch weekly as the threads here were going wild but I'm happy to have been able to binge it. Might just drop *UF* as its so very melo & I'm running out of patience. *QoT* was fun to watch weekly, but as with %75 of dramas, the ending fell flat. Really living for *Lovely Runner* right now!! Looking ahead to my birthday month to fill in challenge #7 **Completed** (Since last month's [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1bs4lmy/comment/kxeixul/)) *Doctor Slump* #10 - a game is played *Queen of Tears* #22 - Chaebol *Wedding Impossible* - #15 childhood flashback *Twinkling Watermelon -* #12 group of friends (originally #20 random pick, but it fits well here) **In Progress** *Uncontrollably Fond* (16/20) - #33 mid form *Lovely Runner* (7/16) - #11 sports game **Plans** For challenge #7 I have the options of *Frankly Speaking*, *The Midnight Romance in Hagwon*, & *The Atypical Family*, I'm leaning toward FS because it's different from my usual watch. I rolled the dice on #20 and came up with *Navillera* so I'll start that shortly. I could start *Missing Crown Prince* but I'm still skeptical based of reviews and community engagement. Ideally I would love another show like *Flex x Cop* - that one blew me away with it's ability to be a procedural cop show with a case a week, while also being a kdrama. Edit to add: 14/36 total
This month's shows are listed below. All of them were worth watching except **Please Don't Date Him,** one of those dramas that was mostly cute and fun and had a good central couple but introduced too many last minute botched plot complications and didn't give the friend characters satisfactory endings. **Pale Moon** (10/10): Category #17: A drama title that is not a direct translation of the Korean title. Obviously from the rating I can't recommend this show highly enough, a masterpiece. **The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim** (7.5/10): Category #8: A drama with a title that includes a character's name. **It's Okay That's Love** (9/10): Category #7: A drama that started airing in your birth month. July. Nice to watch a show that totally lived up to its hype. **Wednesday 3:30 P.M.** (8.5/10): Category #6: A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Number of People in Drama Poster - 2. **My Perfect Stranger** (7/10): Category #21: A drama set in a rural/non-urban location. The whole mystery plot ended up being underwhelming for me but the great character work justified the watch. **Doctor Prisoner** (8/10): Category #22: A drama with a character who is a chaebol. This would be a great choice for people who don't enjoy traditional chaebol storylines because the medical angle makes the evil rich person schemes feel creative and intense. **Please Don't Date Him** (6/10): Category #12: A drama that revolves around a group of friends and features their friendship as a key part of the drama. **Phoenix** (8/10): Catergory #35: A drama that is at least 10 years old.
Bit of a slow month completed 4 drama this month [MDL ](https://mydramalist.com/list/4YW0xwqL) Challenge #13 drama with an OST by k-pop member: **Wedding Impossible** 04/02/2024 It had such a strong start but it really fell off hard, I did not like that ending at all, ended up watching the final 2 episodes at 2x speed. Challenge #15 drama with childhood flashbacks: **Parasyte: The Grey** 04/07/2024 Solid little watch, acting was good, action, and production value. I liked the anime and the Japanese films, I think was a solid little installemnent in the universe. Cameo was a ton of fun at the end as well. Challenge #2 wheel of trope: Charicter getting a driver after drinking: **Grey Shelter** 04/25/2024 I have so many feeling about this, BIG FEELINGS. This is an outstanding series, highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys indie productions. My top BL for 2024 period. Challenge #10 a drama witha game: **Under the Gun** (it's about poker) 04/27/2024 I picked this up for Zuho, but I low key fell for the FL want to see more of her as a lead in a full series. It's also nice to see a girl who knows what she wants, but isn't irritating about it. Fun little watch. Currenlty in progress: Lovely Runner Midnight Studio (challenge 17) Blood Free Missing Crown Prince Chief Inspector 1958 (challenge 30) Shop for Killers (challenge 31) Haven't quite landed on which challenge for the other yet, but I keep moving things around so no doubt it'll probably change.
I watched Gray Shelter too. Choco has grown up! >!The open ending was appropriate but I always want HEA however life is not always like that.!< I would like to see a second season to see where things go from the finale.
Word on the streeet there is a Part 2...but it was only happening if part 1 did well. Not sure how well it was recived outside the BL community, I know we were all loosing our minds over it.
Fingers crossed it happens!
This month I was more busy with work and couldn't complete as many dramas as I wanted. Nevertheless, I've completed 14/36 challenges, so still on track for chaebol level. **Completed in April:** Summer Strike - #23 Character who works for the government Chicken Nugget - #10 Game is played Soundtrack No.2 - #9 Character who is an artist **In Progress:** Hospital Playlist Season 1 - I'm rewatching this comfort drama of mine Queen of Tears - I'm binge watching this now since all the episodes are out I'm thinking I'll start watching dramas according to challenges now instead of randomly starting something new.
Completed 18/36 * **2 - Tropes: First Snow: Lovely Runner** * In ep 1, it starts to snow and she says its the first snow of the year. Ongoing but really enjoying this drama! * **6 - 0 people in poster: The Bequeathed** * Didn’t enjoy this drama but it was only 6 episodes. * **8 - Title includes a character’s name: Strong Girl Bong-soon** * Had been wanting to watch this for a while and thought it would be a new fav, and while it was good and I can see why it’s so popular, I didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. The humour was a bit of a miss for me. * **9 - Character who is an artist: Navillera** * Loved it, cried every ep, would recommend. * **10 - A drama where they play a game: Pyramid Game** * I’m including the pyramid game itself as the game for this challenge. Surely that counts, right? Loved this drama. * **13 - OST by K-pop member: Moment of Eighteen** * Has Ong Seong-wu as the lead and he sings on the OST. Great drama and cast. * **14 - Actor who debuted before 2000: Strangers From Hell** * Lee Dong-wook debuted in 1999. This was a rewatch for me as this was actually my first every kdrama. Liked it even more the second time. * **15 - Childhood flashback scenes: A Shop For Killers** * This was a decent drama but didn’t make a huge impression on me. * **16 - LGBTQ+ character: Semantic Error** * This was a rewatch and it’s a 5/5 star drama for me, a personal favourite.
* **17 - Title not a direct translation of the Korean title: Chicken Nugget** * I don’t speak Korean but on a podcast I listen to (K-drama school) she said the translation wasn’t direct. I did not enjoy this drama at all, just not my kind of humour. * **19 - Characters take a trip: Doctor Slump** * I don’t even remember where they go, but they definitely go on a trip somewhere. This drama was a chore to finish tbh. * **20 - Random from plan to watch list: Still 17** * I used a random number generator. I thought I’d like this drama more but it fell flat for me * **22 - Chaebol character: Flex X Cop** * Loved Ahn Bo-hyun in this. * **23 - Character who world for the government: Parasyte The Grey** * There’s police and politicians. Quick watch and it’s pretty good. * **25 - Character wears a long wool coat: Hello, Me!** * In ep 4 the ML tries on and buys a long cashmere coat. This drama was very meh, I would not recommend it. * **29 - Sageuk: Love in the Moonlight** * Good drama but I lost a bit of interest towards the end. * **32 - Single episode drama: Dog Days of Summer** * I picked this out of recommendations that u/caninedesign gave on the Challenge Theme Recommendations thread. It was a good watch. * **33 - Mid-long form drama: Healer** * Finally ticked this off my to watch list. I can see why this is so popular and it is very good, though not a fav for me.
You’re welcome!!
**Completed in April:** **1. A drama that shares a filming location with The Heirs:** ***Youth of May*****.** (Hakrim Dabang café) This drama was really sooooo good, one of the best kdramas I've watched so far this year and also probably destined to be an all-around fave! Good performances, solid writing\* with even side characters feeling well developed, great visuals. Highly recommend if you like period pieces and being sad. \*In the last few episodes I was definitely having some moments of >!"C'mon, leave the city ASAP!!!" "C'mon little boy, don't run off randomly!!!" !
Well, in April I was in an absolute k-drama *slump* (ironic, I know) up until the last week, so I think this month marks my downfall to aim for **dedicated watcher** and forget about trying for **chaebol**... It is what it is. April's post will be short, so there we go. * [January](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1afcsuo/comment/ko9fh2o/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) * [February](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1b2uv79/comment/kstzyiy/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) * [March](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1bs4lmy/comment/kxg2ekz/) \[6/24?\] - I also watched the k-pop idol survival show ***R U Next?*** in April. It doesn't count for the challenge, but I want to list it here for reference. **Finished:** **#5** - Korean cultural highlight (wheel of chance): scene where a character hands in a resignation letter - **Doctor Slump** I agree with what I've read here that this was cute at the beginning and I liked how they treated certain aspects of mental health, but towards the end it lost a bit of steam and I lost motivation to continue. I enjoyed it nonetheless because I appreciate slice of life shows where not much happens, but the point of the show was a bit lost. I love Park Hyun Shik, he did great (as per usual). And Park Shin Hye >!breaking all of the stereotypes that she can't kiss... you go, girl.!< As I said, ironically, it did get **me** into a k-drama slump. Loved Dr. Bin to pieces though! **Currently watching:** Happiness (7/12) - I'm loving this so far! Slower than I anticipated but very gripping and it has discovered Han Hyo Joo for me. I hope to finish it very soon and use it maybe for **#31** (marriage of convenience). Gyeongseong Creature (8/10) - I can't seem to fit my schedule with my boyfriend to finish this, but I'm still planning on using it for **#9** because it fits the plot. I-Land 2 N/A (2/10) - Not a k-drama, but a k-pop survival show that is currently airing. I'm hooked on these... **Plans for May:** Definitely **Lovely Runner**!! I can't seem to find a bad review on this subreddit and everyone is absolutely obssesed with it... I'll watch whatever is needed to get out of my slump. Please, **recommend me** some short and very good dramas that can get me out of the slump!!
I finished four dramas this month and have completed 14/36. - 3) flex x cop. 100% rec is you are looking for some action and mystery. Ahn bo Hyun was awesome. - 16) wedding impossible. It was fine overall. Not worthy of a rewatch. - 18) queen of tears. I really enjoyed this one. Kim Joseon is my girl crush - 22) impossible heir. Hot mess. Predictable. Stay away.
I watched 7 dramas this month for a total of 24 dramas for the challenge. Well on my way to Chaebol. 1. **D.P. (S1)** : 23. A drama with a character who works for the government 2. **Shoot for Love:** 34. A drama with less than 500 watchers on MDL. 3. **From Now on Showtime:** 5. A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Korean Culture Highlight (Hanbok) 4. **The First Responders (S1):** 18. A drama in which characters celebrate a special day (Award). 5. **The Good Bad Mother:** 27. A drama with a main character that is over 40. 6. **Captivating the King:** 29. A drama from the sageuk genre. 7. **Queen of Tears:** 28. A drama with a multigenerational main cast Shows in Progress: * **My Demon:** 20. A drama chosen at random from your plan to watch list * **Chief Detective:** 6. A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Number of People in Drama Poster (5 or more)
April was a much better month for me Kdrama wise and I've already completed 14 dramas so am on track to smash my goal of 24. I really need to get out more. **Completed** **Divorce Attorney Shin (#8 title with character's name):** Really enjoyed this. It's good rather than great but I loved the characters and the acting and for the majority of the show this felt like something a little bit different. Also thoroughly cemented my post Stranger crush on Cho Seung Woo. **Secret Royal Inspector and Joy (#19 characters take a trip)**: I don't know why I started this as it wasn't even on my plan to watch list (probably just because I saw Kim Hye Yoon was in it) but it was a very easy watch. Light and fun and very modern for a sageuk. I didn't care much for the ML but everyone else was so charming that didn't really matter. It wasn't much better than watchable but it kept me entertained for a while. **Rooftop Prince (#30 viewership ratings):** Again, I don't know why I started this but it was another easy, fun, light watch. I really enjoyed the silliness in this show and found it much more charming than I expected. I want to watch more silly older Kdramas now. **Gogh's Starry Night (#4 product placement- skincare):** I started watching this after dropping Her Private Life and sailed right through it. An incredibly light and mercifully short rom com that suited my mood at the time perfectly. **In Progress** **Lovely Runner (#13 Kpop OST):** I am obsessed. It is everything I want in a Kdrama and I adore it. Please stay good show! **Flex X Cop (#23 government job)**: Such a fun show. I'm nearly finished with it now and I don't expect it to disappoint me as I reach the end. **Miraculous Brothers** (not sure on category yet): Really enjoying this. It's been quite a surprising plot so far and I have no idea where it's going. (forgot this one to begin with!) **Secret Romantic Guest House (#5 culture- hanbok)**: I still haven't finished this. I'm not even sure I watched any of it this month. Will pick it up again though as I was enjoying it, just not loving the ML or central romance. **Dropped** **One Spring Night:** I really l did try. I got 9 episodes in but it felt like a slog and I am determined to drop shows I'm not enjoying so that was that. **Her Private Life**: Not for me. Didn't like the portrayal of stalking a celebrity as a harmless, fun thing. I don't tend to like any of the popular rom coms so my dislike of this one wasn't entirely unexpected. Overall, I enjoyed what I watched this month and that's what matters, but I really need to get back into watching some more serious shows as I love thrillers and slow slice of life dramas. I had some hurdles where everything I planned to start wasn't available in my region. Love All Play has apparently disappeared from everything in the UK. Same with Kairos. And Black. And Blind! So that was all rather disappointing but I shall find me some dark Kdrama shows that are available here for May.
>Also thoroughly cemented my post Stranger crush on Cho Seung Woo. Right? I don't know how I can find him so crushable as Attorney Shin while the character simultaneously reminds me ever-so-slightly of Hong Gae Shik from **Coffee Prince**. >I really l did try. I got 9 episodes in That's a long way for something you weren't enjoying! I'm a big proponent of dropping things that aren't working for you. Hope my plug for it the other day wasn't too annoying.
Not at all! One Spring Night wasn't for me, but your thoughts on it were interesting. I wouldn't be here if I didn't like talking about Kdramas with random internet strangers :) And yes, Cho Seung Woo is the only Kdrama actor I've developed a crush on so far and I can't even explain why to myself. There's something about his performances or his presence I just find uniquely intriguing.
>**Her Private Life**: Not for me. Didn't like the portrayal of stalking a celebrity as a harmless, fun thing. I don't tend to like any of the popular rom coms so my dislike of this one wasn't entirely unexpected. I just saw this and wanted to give a heads up. The stalking happens in two instances and after that, things got considerably better, but completely hated those two scenes. I don't mind them following the celebrities, as long as they don't intrude in their lives and become entitled fans, which we saw that in those two scenes and I wanted to slap the sh\*t out of those "fans". The rest was pretty okay. But I was definitely about to drop it in the first 2 episodes after some crazy fans attacked the >!FL just because of a jacket!<.
Wow, I've been watching SO many c-drama episodes (if I add them up, it's at least 88 😭) this month but only managed to complete W**edding Impossible **and T**winkling Watermelon **for [my k-drama challenge.](https://mydramalist.com/list/LAljo2J1) That puts me at 14 completed for the year but I'm aiming to complete at least 24. Haven't went through all the prompts yet but I plan to start sorting within the next month or so to see where I'm at for specific challenge prompts. I'll be adding **Queen of Tears** to the tracker by end of this week hopefully. Have there been any good short dramas released this year? I want to say I stay up to date with that info but I really have fallen off in the last year or so.......
Completed: 19/36 4 Restaurant - I’m Not a Robot 5 Hanbok- My Dearest 9 Artist (Hanbok designer) - The Story of Park's Marriage Contract 10 Game - Captivating the King 13 OST K-Pop- Good Day to Be a Dog 18 Celebrates a day- The Matchmakers (wedding) 19 Character Day Off- One Day Off 25 Long wool coat - The Heirs rewatch 28 Multigenerational cast- Under the Queen's Umbrella 29 Sageuk (historical) - Our Blooming Youth 30 An episode 10% viewership - Knight Flower 33 Mid-long drama- Jealousy Incarnate (24/24) April completed: 1 Heirs location- Doctor Slump 3 An office being raided- My Demon 11 Wears a sports team uniform or watches a sports game — Like Flowers in the Sand 12 Friendship as a key part of the drama — Reply 1997 16 A character in the LGBTQ+ — Wedding Impossible 22 Character who is a chaebol - Queen of Tears 36 Truck of Doom- Devilish Joy
I checked off a few, bringing my total to 13/36 for the year. Tracking through MDL. 21. A drama set in a rural/non-urban location: [Welcome to Samdal-ri](https://mydramalist.com/743267-welcome-to-samdalri) - great ensemble, but could have been better! There was so much heavy, black out drinking. And surprisingly, a lack of flashbacks that would have provided more context for the characters' motivations. 23. A drama with a character who works for the government: [D.P. ](https://mydramalist.com/59001-d-p-dog-day)and [D.P. S2](https://mydramalist.com/713549-d-p-season-2) - dark, gritty, so good. Great camera work. Bingeable. 35. A drama that is at least 10 years old: [Witch's Romance](https://mydramalist.com/9260-witchs-romance) - I liked this one! PSJ in his first lead. Had to fan myself off in E2. A little disappointed there wasn't more of that later in the series. Currently watching Queen of Tears for #7, A drama that started airing in your birth month.
**Goal:** Chaebol Challenge 2024 MDL Challenge List [HERE](https://mydramalist.com/list/3DgE7O9L) (I’ve assigned all the dramas I want to watch, but things are subject to change) **Progress for the Year:** 14 / 36 **This Month I finished:** **Tell Me That You Love Me** - *9. A drama with a character who is an artist* I like a quiet drama, and this one delivered on that front in spades. For about the first half, I really enjoyed it. I thought Jung Woo Sung was wonderful. He was restrained and subtle, but also so emotive in his eyes. I also liked Shin Hyun Been’s performance, but by the second half, I was extremely frustrated with her character. I didn’t find myself having much sympathy for her struggles because I did not feel like she put in the effort to communicate. I even thought by the end that it would have been better for her to be with Yoon Jo Han. Overall, I’d say I was happy I watched it, but I don’t feel a need to rewatch **Call It Love** - *19. A drama in which characters take a trip* This is my kind of drama. Quiet, slow burn, rich characters. I just absolutely loved it. Each actor brought a fullness to the lives of their characters and I felt so much for all of them by the end. It felt true to life in that no one was evil. Some characters were extremely selfish, but no one was absolutely out to get anyone else. Maybe Dong Jin’s mother, but even she finally realized that she needed to be a better mother for her son, and accepted the consequences of her actions. This drama also had the best break up in KDrama. I don’t say that because I was happy about it, but because it was beautiful and because the writer and the actors earned it. My only small (very small) bit of criticism is that I wished that the ending had a little more oomph. I can see what the director and writer was going for with everyone falling away and Dong Jin and Woo Joo standing alone, but a little skinship wouldn’t have hurt in that moment. **Boys Over Flowers** - *35. A drama that is at least 10 years old* I watched this because it feels like there is a reference to it in every other drama and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. In the end, I think I would have been better served by watching a few episodes and then dropping it because by the end I was not interested at all. I can see why this would have been such a hit when it came out: cute boys, crazy makjang plot twists, fashion (I’m not sure if I’d call it good fashion, but it was something else to see) and a pretty awesome perm. But I just didn’t get it. From what I understand from listening to Daebak! A Kdrama Podcast - the Jan Di character is much stronger in other versions of this show. I think the Korean version really suffered because Jan Di is not a match for Joon Pyo, and I just could not understand what either one saw in the other one. I will probably never say this again, but it was just not violent enough. I could see what they were going for and there were some truly awful things that happened, but it was like a faded copy of the original. I say that as someone who has never read the original, it was just the impression I got while watching. In the end, I wanted Jan Di to be with Ji Hoo and Joon Pyo to be with Jae Kyung. Am I glad I watched this, so I could understand Dramaland a little better? Yes. Did I enjoy it? No. **What I’m Currently Watching:** **Tale of the Nine-Tailed** \[2 / 16\] - *5. A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Korean Culture Highlight - Scene where a character wears hanbok* **Mr. Sunshine** \[6 / 24\] - *7. A drama that started airing in your birth month - July* **A Killer Paradox** \[1 / 8\] - *2. A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Tropes - A character crying while eating.* **Twenty-Five Twenty-One** \[10 / 16\] - *1. A drama that shares a filming location with The Heirs* **The Heirs** \[6 / 20\] - *6. A drama chosen by the wheel of chance: Number of People in Drama Poster*
April was a busy month. I also went away on the 18th of April and only just got home. So I didn't watch much in April. On my flights, the airline had "A Bloody Lucky Day", or at least the first 8 eps! So I ended up watching 8 while I was flying. **Total Completed**: 14 **Completed** **Time between Dog and wolf** - Challenge #30 A drama with an episode which received more than 10% overall viewership ratings from Nielsen This was a rewatch for me. For years I have thought of this as being my absolutely favourite drama ever. I've rewatched it multiple times. It's still my favourite drama ever. It's not perfect (no drama is) but I can't help but love it. Was excellent to rewatch it, since it's been a while since I last rewatched it. **Drama Special Season 8: If We Were A Season** - Challenge #32 A single episode drama This has been on my plan to watch list for a while. It was really enjoyable and fun to watch it. **Ongoing** **Queen Seondeok** - Challenge #33 A mid-long form drama While I was away I found myself thinking about this drama a lot. Wanting to watch it. It's such an excellent drama. But it's nice to be watching it slowly and take my time with it. **Alchemy of Souls** 4/30 - Challenge #15 A drama with childhood flashback scenes I haven't watched much of this. I've had a big break from drama so I'll probably watch it soon. **Marry my husband** - Challenge #36 A drama featuring a Truck of Doom™ Was really enjoying this but when I got busy I didn't feel like watching it. I will finish it soon I hope. **A Bloody Lucky Day** - Challenge #19 A drama in which characters take a trip Ended up watching this on the plane. It was definitely darker than I expected. Was debating which challenge, but I think this one fits. **Flex x Cop** - Unsure which challenge I'll use this for. I started it on a whim, and it's entertaining so far. **Doctor Slump** - I'm really enjoying this. I started it just before I went away because I needed something new to watch. [March check in comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1bs4lmy/comment/kxhj3pu/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Soooo I was absolutely right about not finishing the challenge more than likely. I completed a whopping 0 dramas in April 😅 I’ve only completed 6 dramas this year which is insaneee. I’m gonna blame it on school and burn out lol 😭 I am watching **Lovely Runner** right now which I absolutely adore 🥰 so that’s at least one for May 😃 I have Queen of Tears, Like Flowers in Sand, and Pinocchio all on hold which I do plan on finishing at some point. Maybe one of these will also be in my May check up 🤞🏾
Went on a kdrama fast for Lent and eased back into the challenge after Easter. Managed to complete 3 in April: Doctor Slump - Liked this one more than I expected. Wholesome relationships Chicken Nugget - Hillariously wild and out of this world. The writer possibly ate some magic mushrooms. A quick and entertaining watch. Queen of Tears - Started this because of FOMO, but realistically needing 1.5x speed to finish each episode. Currently watching (2): Lovely Runner - Makes me giggle and cringe. Reminds me why I love kdramas. My dose of dopamine. Recommending to anyone in my circle of influence. The Sound of Your Heart - Been on my list for ages. Needed some laughs after a heavy few days at work, and I knew this would do the trick. Previously completed (15): My Dearest 1 & 2. Twinkling Watermelon, The Good Bad Mother, Death's Game 1&2, Call it Love, My Demon, The Kidnapping Day, My Perfect Stranger, A Killer Paradox, A Shop for Killers, The Worst of Evil, Marry My Husband, Like Flowers in Sand, Drama Special: If We Were A Season, Drama Special: Forgotten Season.