Hit Dramas of 2018

It's the end of the year and I would like to express my gratitude to all the people around the world who read my blog. This year was special because of you.
Special THANK YOU to: Thailand, Japan, Belgium, Germany, Czechia, Philipines, France, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, Ukraine, Russia, Canada, United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Unknown Regions.


Alrighty fellow drama addicts, it's time to review this year's dramas. To be honest, 2018 was a step above 2017. However, I frequently dropped dramas like hot potatoes. I had "episode 10 syndrome" it was hard to revive my interest after the tenth episode. I often wandered dramaless for weeks at a time.

However, there were some incredible gems in the drama world this year, and I want to spread the good cheer for anyone who is in a drama rut and may not have given these drama's a try!

HIT Drama's

Come and Hug Me:

Buy 7 boxes of tissues and wrap yourself in your blankie. From the first episode until the last episode I bawled my eyes out. The writing was amazing, the acting was brilliant, this drama took me places emotionally I had no idea existed. I recommend this drama 1,000x's over.

My Mister:

Another tear jerker that was brilliant. The synopsis for this drama mislead me, I'm glad I read the comment section of the last episode because this is a drama no one should miss. This drama is riveting poetry. There was never a dull moment, and it did a wonderful job of illustrating different kinds of relationships.





Live:

Noh Hee Kyung wrote another incredible drama. Everything I've watched of hers has been no less than excellent. This drama showcased every single actor's talent. It's a wonderful depiction of the dynamics a cop has to balance.

Eulachaha Waikiki:

If you need a laugh, watch this immediately! I laughed like a maniac throughout the entire series. Every episode is well written. There is physical comedy, wit, and a strong plot. This drama could turn your worst day into the best day.

Hand, The Guest:







If you're looking for something to make your relationship with Jesus stronger, if you want to connect to a higher power... watch this horror drama. Every night I was praying the demons away. This drama is truly terrifying and it's executed in the most powerful way.

Voice 2:

This drama is a kick-ass battle of the wits between detectives, and criminal mastermind. Voice season 1 was amazing, and season 2 for me is even better. It's a great action-packed ride. Every actor brought their A-game, and if you like psychological mind games, this drama serves it well.

My ID is Gangnam Beauty:

Endearing is the best word to describe this drama. Every single moment your heart kind of does an *AWW* sigh. This drama showcases the journey of a girl who learns to love herself and accept love from others. It's a great, light drama that makes you feel great at the end of the journey.

Life on Mars:

Talk about mind-bending, this drama is AH-MAHZING! I was hooked throughout this time-warp drama. It's a beautiful mix of cop-show, fantasy, and screwball comedy. It's intelligent, hilarious, and heartbreaking all at once.

What's Wrong With Secretary Kim:

This might have been my favourite drama of the year. I was terrified that it was going crumble in the middle, but it  was paunchy all the way through. This was the PERFECT rom-com I'd been looking for, and it was utterly satisfying.

Matrimonial Chaos:

Well now, there aren't enough ways to compliment this drama. The writing is emotionally intelligent, and the actors expressed incredible ranges of emotions with wonderful subtlety. I wish more shows had the kind of substance this drama showcased.








Just Between lovers: 

If you're binge-watching this drama, take your time, go through it slowly. This drama is amazing, but it's another one where my pillow became drenched in my tears. The story is simply magnificent, definitely watch it (I know this drama technically started in December of 2017, BUT it finished on January 30th 2018... and I waited until the last episode to binge watch it... so I'm counting it for 2018)

Bad Guys 2 Vile City:

This is a "Knuck if you Buck" kind of drama. Watching it made me want to fight crime, and join a vigilante gang. It's extremely violent, but man it's spectacular. I couldn't predict anything in this drama. It was like being on a rollercoaster ride that injects adrenaline into your system.  Best Action drama of the year. Possibly ever! (Again! It technically began in 2017, but it ended in February 2018, so I'm counting it.) 

Near Miss

 I recommend these drama's, but I skipped some episodes because of noble idiocy nonsense, or because a couple of episodes crumbled and made no sense. 

Most of these dramas have happy, lovey-dovey endings, which is something I value.

1) Misty
*this drama made some weird turn, but the intrigue and mystery was the best thing I'd seen in my life. This could've made it as the best drama of the year, or all time if the last two episodes hadn't taken a strange turn. 
2)The Beauty Inside
3) Devilish Joy
4)My husband Oh Jak Doo
5) Should We First Kiss
6) Radio Romance
7) Suits 2018

Comment below if you have a drama to recommend or if you liked any of these dramas!
As always, Happy Drama Watching and a Happy New Year

Voice 2 Review

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I finished Voice 2 this morning and I have to talk about it!!!

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Okay! Last year I wrote how incredible Voice season 1 was. This year, I'm here to shout from the rooftop that season 2 is even better! The comment section lamented Jang Hyuk's non-appearance. I thought it would've been nice to see him as a guest, but I was confident that I could enjoy the show without his enigmatic performance. Why you ask? Because Lee Jin Wook plays the lead in season 2! Every drama I've watched with Lee Jin Wook has showcased his talent. I was ecstatic to see what he would do with this role.  I waited until I could binge watch the show, because season 2's are a bit risky, but this drama did not disappoint!

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The Golden Time Team are rocked to the core, due to the cruel death of their captain. In order to find the murderer, they launch their own investigation and find another serial killer is loose and on a rampage. This season takes us on a ride with  Do Kang-Woo. He is a cop suspected of murdering his partner. Despite the open hostility he receives from his precinct, he continues to search for the real killer. Lee Jin Wook is exceptional in this role. Do Kang-Woo oozes barely contained rage and resentment, but he doesn't allow himself to be consumed by hate. Balancing the mistrust and ostracism of his peers, he is able to find the connection in the most heinous crimes. I loved this character. At the beginning of the drama, all we see is a brash, outcast trying to clear his name. By the end of the drama, we see Do Kang-Woo at his most vulnerable. The transformation, and the glimpses we see of his past make him all the more endearing to my heart.

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Kang Kwon-Joo is set with new challenges as she tries to find another killer. This time the killer is aware of her sensitivity to sound and he manipulates her in the most chilling way. Lee Ha-Na still delivers a beautiful performance, and unlike the first season, I ship Do Kang-Woo and Kang Kwon-Joo. Their chemistry together was amazing.

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The MVP of this season goes to Kwon Yool. I give this man a standing ovation. I've never seen him play a sinister role before. I've always loved him as the attractive second lead in romance drama's, but the execution of this role was sensational. Bang Se-Joo is the mastermind of a nefarious plan to mete out judgment and punishment to those he deems as lower than bugs. Though he causes lots of pain to innocent victims...I couldn't completely hate him. Certain crimes he committed didn't bother me the way they should, and I it's because, despite the obvious mental illness, he's relatable. I understood why he made the decisions that he made, given his background, and his corrupted mindset. He also was an intelligent criminal. There is nothing I enjoy more than a battle of wits.

Overall, Season 2 was an amazing ride and I couldn't recommend it enough!

Happy Drama Watching!

Credit 1: http://asianwiki.com/Voice_2

Credit 2:https://www.soompi.com/article/1228433wpp/ocns-voice-confirms-season-3-airing-next-year

Credit 3:https://saostar.vn/dien-anh/truoc-mot-ngay-len-song-dien-vien-phim-voice-2-bat-ngo-gap-tai-nan-giao-thong-sau-khi-tro-ve-tu-phim-truong-3435976.html

Credit 4:https://twitter.com/k_dramaindo/status/1039512242914353153

Credit 5:https://www.wowkeren.com/berita/tampil/00223532.html

King of High School

The two male leads are the reason why I was sucked into watching this drama. I put off watching "King Of Highschool" because I thought it was a high school drama and I'm not interested in those. However, this topsy-turvy drama gave me more enjoyment that I could ever fathom. There are extreme leaps of logic, and the leads' relationship makes me slightly uncomfortable... but despite myself, I LOVED this drama hahahaha

My charismatic crush Seo In Guk plays high-school jock Lee Min-Seok. Lee Min Seok learns his older brother needs him to pose as a director for a corporate company. This was a long reach for me, however, the show pulls off this absurd scenario. Lee Min-Seok is a riot posing as his brother. He uses informal speech, and he generally enjoys his newfound power. I loved this particular performance because it had a youthful execution about it. Seo In Guk had a pep in his step in this role, and it seemed as though he enjoyed acting in this drama. It was also hilarious that this teenager had to juggle the corporate world, along with is academic studies, along with being a super hockey star at his school. This isn't the most realistic drama, but it makes up for it by being hilarious. To help him navigate his corporate endeavors, Seo In Guk heavily relies on Jung Soo Young. As they work closely together, he begins to develop feelings for her. We get to see him pine for her most of the show, and eventually succeed in developing a sweet romantic relationship.

Powerhouse Lee Ha-Na, plays the ridiculously clumsy Jung Soo Young. There is no helping this character. Jung Soo Young is painfully shy, awkward, and the character is a trainwreck. Despite being heavily flawed, there is something about her quirkiness that makes the character attractive. I loved how generous and thoughtful she was. She wasn't easy to bully and she could stand up for herself, even though I was clutching my pillow in second-hand embarrassment as she did. Lee Ha-Na puts a special magic on a character that is poorly written. It's a testament to how amazing of an actress she is, she executed beautifully despite the scarcity she had to work with.

Yoo Jin-Woo is played by the incredibly attractive Lee Soo Hyuk. This second lead never gave me second lead syndrome, but I liked his story. He was also an adult, emotionally stunted, but a full-fledged adult, which made him more attractive. Jung Soo Young challenges Jin-Woo in ways that he isn't used to. She also doesn't buy into his obvious charms. (i.e rich, handsome, etc.) It was nice to see him develop into a decent human being. We also got to see his six-pack abs, and that made the value of this show rise.

Here is the Public Service Announcement: This drama is about a grown woman who essentially falls in love with a high school student. That's the huge elephant in the room. Though she goes most of the drama without knowing Lee Min Seok's identity, once she finds out, it doesn't have the effect it would in the real world. I think he's 18 in the drama, so technically everything is kosher, but still, it was something I actively had to not think about.

Despite this, the drama was heart-warming, and it brought to tears from laughing so hard. I think the director and actors have to be given their kudos because they overcame the obvious discomfort of watching a grown woman fall in love with a teenager.

Happy Drama Watching!

Discovery of Romance Review

credit: DramaFever

I watched Discover of Romance at the beginning of my descent into K-Drama mania. I was blown away by the sizzling chemistry displayed on the screen. I enjoyed the crazy ride of being madly crazy in love and being comfortably loved. The supporting role characters were hilarious! They delivered poignant points with sarcastic observations that made me cackle.

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I feel like Jung Yu-Mi was in her sweet spot when she played this role. She played Han Yeo-Reum who is this human mixture of incredible strength and massive insecurity. Yeo-Reum goes from being a sweet supportive girlfriend to calculating and conniving, back to confident and lovable. Her actions and motivations are a whiplash of adventure. Yeo-Reum's decision making is the reason for the ridiculous plot holes in this drama. I loved how we see pure chaos ensue because she acts out of insecurity and fear. Despite the flaws of this character, I was extremely attracted to the brashness of this character. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and she has a high emotional intelligence.

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Eric Mun is the quintessential male lead. Charisma drips off of this man and he delivered in his role. Kang Tae-Ha is a sexy, confident architect, and he is jonesing for his ex-girlfriend. After Han Yeo-Reum serendipitously drops down in front of him, he begins to explore feelings from the past. I enjoyed the way he looked at her. In their work relationship, he made it a point to demand the best out of her, not just what she thought the client wanted. I also liked the energy he had when dealing with her. Though he was antagonizing at times, I felt he was incredibly considerate of Yeo-Reum.

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I had no idea who was the first lead or the second lead, but whatever role Sung Joon played, I fell HARD for this character. While Kang Tae-Ha pulsated with passionate energy, Nam Ha-Jin was a calming energy. Ha-Jin was the sweetest boyfriend ever. He was understanding of Yeo-Reums temperament, and there was a sensitive quality about him that was simply loving. I was sorry that he was being dragged to and fro' because of Yeo-Reum was figuring out her feelings. He definitely deserved better. His storyline was a bit convoluted but the character was beyond reproach.

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Comic reliefs Kim Seul Gi and Yoon Hyun Min were the best for me. Their characters were simply outrageous. (Think Married Not Dating outrageous) Every punchline, physical comedy routine, schtick landed excellently. The magic that comes from this drama is directly from them!

Though I loved this series, I wasn't a big fan of the last episode. It was great, but I wanted more from the last episode, I believed it couldn've delivered more than what it did, but the journey to the blissful last 5 minutes was worth it!

Credit 1: https://kjtamusings.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/ep16_42.jpg
Credit 2:http://www.koreandramafashion.com/discovery-romance-finding-true-love-episode-1-review/
Credit 3:https://jediprincess.wordpress.com/tag/discovery-of-romance-korean-drama-review/
Credit 4:https://66.media.tumblr.com/29c9878fe700f7524f13953665711ced/tumblr_ndew9yJCNP1qmm6lho2_500.gif

Matrimonial Chaos Review

I debated whether or not I would watch this drama on air. I was interested in the plot, but it seemed like the kind of drama that could have a hit or miss ending. I kept reading the comment section and I wanted in on the fun, and boy was it the most fulfilling drama I'd seen in a while.

Matrimonial Chaos explores the relationships between two couples. Jo Seok-Moo is a type A, O.C.D, elitist who lived most of his life ostracized from his peers because of his finicky personality. He is married to Kang Hwi-Ru. Hwi-Ru is an athletic free spirit who secretly aspires to be a children's author. While these two grapple their lives as a divorced couple, the audience gets to see how close these two truly are. I loved the quirky chemistry between these two. Cha Tae-Hyun and Bae Doo-Na balanced each other wonderfully. Their characters blossomed beautifully, and it was interesting to see how they carried a torch for each other the entire series, but they never could effectively communicate their feelings. Throughout the drama, I wanted these two to revive their relationship. As their parents put "You guys got lucky you found each other, no one else would put up with either one of you". 

Jin Yoo-Young and Lee Jang-Hyun are a professional couple, who have a sweet and peaceful exterior. Their interior lives, however, is filled with resentment, self-hatred, and guilt. Lee Jang-Hyun cheats but his character is very interesting. I detested his actions, but for whatever reason, I could never get to hate the man. Son Seok-Koo was brilliant Jang-Hyun was thoughtless, guileless and self-centered. Yet, he wasn't malicious or callous. In fact, he resembled a lost puppy. The character development was astounding, even though not much changed. This character was a great example of how a simple mind shift can be the ripples for change.

While Jang-Hyun is off in the clouds, Jin Yoo-Young is grounded. She's developed the habit of repressing her rage while she carefully curates her life. I have a major girl crush on Lee El. I've never seen her play the same role twice, but this was the first role I'd seen her in where she didn't have an edge. Jin Yoo-Young self-implodes and even when she is furious, it's quiet. This character was wonderful to watch. She was pragmatic as she was delicate. The greatest attraction toward this couple was the juxtapositions of themselves. The woman is in a rage, but she is delicate. The man is a liar and a cheat, but he is open and vulnerable. It was quite an enjoyable ride watching these two.

This drama will opened my eyes to my relationship I have with myself, I could sing it's praises for a long time! 

Happy Drama Watching!

The Beauty Inside Review

I was pleasantly surprised by the trailer of "The Beauty Inside". I adored the movie version. The writing was so creative, and the soundtrack riveted me, so a drama version was most welcome. When I saw that Lee Min-Ki was the male lead, I was all in.

Lee Min-Ki plays a chaebol who is face blind. Seo Do-Jae compensates for his inability to recognize faces by remembering other features of a person so that his position as CEO isn't compromised. He works smart, and to the ire of his other board members, he is fiercely confident. I am a big fan of Lee Min-Ki. I love that twinkle in his eye and his beautiful smile. Every movie and drama I've seen him in has left an impressionable impact on me, so I was thrilled to watch it. His character did not disappoint! I love how charismatic, and oblivious Seo Do-Jae was. This deeply analytical man showed a softer side that melted me. Every time he smiled I could feel myself blushing. There was such an intimacy in the way that this character cared for the female lead. I almost felt as though I was peeping into an acquaintance's personal life. The exterior is the typical cold we see in most drama's, but that sweet, simple, entertained part of this character seemed deeply private and I love how Lee Min-Ki portrayed it.

I have a strange relationship with the works of Seo Hyun-Jin. I believe the actress herself is incredible. Hyun-Jin has this utterly captivating way about her that sucks me into each of her characters. Unfortunately, the type of characters she picks, I don't like them for very long. I once saw her speak in an interview in which she explained that she chose characters that were flawed in their own particular way. She is right... the characters she tends to pick out are deeply flawed, and the level of rage they can send me into... well let me just say it's irrationally deep. So while the character Han Se- Kye attracted me, I was eventually put off. I loved that this character was spunky, and had a slick mouth. I loved how this character went out of her way to help heal some of the pain in this world. I initially loved this character. However, as with every role I've seen Hyun-Jin in... Han Se-Kye pissed me off with the noble idiocy. This character reached very far to break up with her boyfriend so he could be happy. I ended up skipping episodes 13 and 14. However, by 15 and 16 everything was right on track and I adored this character once again.

I think most people have a higher stamina than me for noble idiocy, so with that said, I think this drama would be enjoyed by the vast majority of people.

Happy Drama Watching

Secret Garden Review

It took me three tries before I could start Secret Garden. If you've read this blog long enough you'll understand that I judge books (and drama's) by their covers. The cover poster for this wasn't intriguing enough for me. On my first attempt, I dismissed it as an action drama that I wasn't interested in watching. On my second attempt of watching I seemed to get bored in the first 5 minutes. The third time ladies and gentlemen was the charm. I ended up falling in love with this drama and it's in my top five drama's that  I adore. I binged this drama in 2 days and I don't regret the sleep I chose to sacrifice.

Ha Ji-Won is magnificent. Every single project I've seen her in, she's been a powerhouse. I adore her performances. Gil Ra-Im is a stunt double who is incredibly athletic. She is reserved, strong, and when pushed she becomes a bit prickly. I loved this character because she was my introduction to a physically strong female in K-Drama's. I loved the portrayal of endurance and fortitude in this role. Ha Ji Won also portrayed chaebol mannerisms excellently. Her acting sucked me into the story. I laughed with her, my heart melted with her, and I cried with her. Gil Ra Im is the typical broke female lead living in a shared studio apartment, but I never felt the despair in her lack of finances. She was able to fill every room with warmth and love.

Hyun Bin was the consummate match for powerhouse Ha Ji-Won. I was warped into his performance and though the character grated me, I fell deep for his charisma and charm. Kim Joo -Won comes from a Chaebol family. He is an elitist and he's completely out of touch with reality. I adored him because every new experience was met with shock and outrage. I liked his jealous side and I liked how he tried to analyze his heart when falling for the alluring Gil Ra-Im. I was very impressed by the mannerisms of Hyun Bin. In his portrayal of Gil-Ra-Im, his expressions were in incredible.

This drama gave me all kinds of feels. I shipped all of the side characters, and I loved how everything ended. My heart was full from this drama. This is an absolute classic that needs to be tried.

Happy Drama Watching

Misaeng

This drama was the first corporate drama I'd ever watched. It was an interesting insight into the corporate world in Korea. The types of challenges workers go through, and the type of work environment both positive and negative was different than anything I'd watched before. I wasn't familiar with any of the actors, even though it was a veteran studded cast. I really enjoyed this drama and the dynamics it explored.

The story centers around temp worker Jang Geu-Rae. Introverted, awkward, and earnest, this young man tries to navigate the corporate jungles despite having no experience. Siwan plays this character, and I can't applaud this performance enough. I was impressed by the style of this character and the nuances of his personality. There was a unique insight into the mind and life of a novice. I wanted to hug this character a lot, he looked as though he needed some extra support.

The team leader Oh Sang-Sik played by veteran actor Lee Sung-Min was amazing. He was the consummate leader, he guided his team, he supported them. he didn't take in bribes, he was a quality human being. I loved everything about this man. Oh Sang-Sik showcased the balance between a family man and a working man. He kept his integrity even when it benefitted him to be sketchy. I liked how he chose to be kind when he had the power to be mean. He was an incredible mentor throughout this series.

This show was my introduction to Kang So Ra. I absolutely love her, and I've enjoyed the majority of the projects that she's picked out. She plays fiercely intelligent An Young-Yi. She represents the journey of having to prove why you're the best. Though she was the ace of the recruits, her working life wasn't as smooth as it should've been. She was often reduced to doing menial tasks because she was a woman. Though she was smarter than people around her, and everyone knew she had a great educational background she wasn't treated the way she should've been.

I was also introduced to Kang Ha Neul, he legitimately has only been in projects that I thought were spectacular. I loved his performance, even though I hated his character. Jang Baek Ki comes from a privileged background. He's hyper-competitive, and he's got a stick stuck up his butt. I liked how his personality grew throughout the show. This performance was a testament to the range that Kang Ha Neul can play.










Overall be prepared to shed buckets of tears. This drama will take you to some dark places emotionally but in the end, everything works out the way that it should.

Happy Drama Watching

Marriage Not Dating

Marriage Not Dating is hands down the best comedic performance ever written, produced, filmed, and acted. This drama broke all the rules in all the right ways. The first moments of each episode depicted the most embarrassing scenarios one could be in, and the rest of the episode explains why that scenario happened and the aftermath of such a scene. This drama was impeccably executed and it's #2 on my favorite dramas of all time list.

Gong Ki-Tae is a plastic surgeon who comes from an affluent background. He is successful in every area of his life and his mother and family feel it's time for him to marry. Ki-Tae was a very special kind of chaebol. Though he's arrogant, stuck-up just like the type character, he's incredibly vulnerable. Yeon Woo-Jin did an amazing job playing this role. He was able to express the tenderness of Ki-Tae even though it wasn't written. The expressions towards Joo Jang-Mi, and even how he looked at the second lead Han Yeo-Reum, was with compassion and tenderness. I adored this male lead so much. He' another character that gives you the drama-realistic expectations in a boyfriend.

Joo Jang Mi is the best friend in my head. This character charged head first in every scenario and I adored her for it. This poor female lead was put through the wringer, but she maintained a great fighting spirit. Vivacious is the word that I would describe this character. Han Groo pulsated with life in this drama. Her performance was perfection. This drama was enhanced because of Han Groo. She was the magic, and spark that created a wonderful watching experience.

Han Yeo Reum was the dreamiest second lead I'd ever seen. This character was charming, sexy, a great conversationalist, in short everything I would want in my soulmate. Jinwoon oozed a kind of je ne sais quoi. The way this character wore his heart on his sleeve was beautiful. Though he had a few childish behaviors... he was sweet.

To be honest, this drama was sweet. There was a kindness to this drama that isn't often seen. Though the actions of these characters are extreme, there is a tenderness that is consistently expressed. GO WATCH THIS DRAMA RIGHT NOW hahahaha