Watched in 2022

This definitely kept me hooked - even if I didn't understand some of the businessy things. It's hard for me to write the ML off as a complete jerk - it seems like he just doesn't know how to treat people at times, but the actor did a great job at portraying his personality traits. I enjoyed the fact that the FL didn't stay weak - as she became comfortable with him she had no problem calling him out on his shit - or putting herself first. Although I like the fact the SFL wasn't toxic towards the FL - they didn't really give her character much to work with.

Lets be real: I won't remember this drama in a year. I'll remember Park Bo Gum's acting, but little else. Everything was just too obvious and there wasn't any real twists. I hope that was intentional because if it wasn't it was just plan bad writing. There were a lot awkward dinner conversions that went around in circles, and while I don't hate the female lead - she was just kind of there, and felt pretty undeveloped. (I actually really liked the score - but it felt more like a Sherlock Holmes type of detective story and not a psychological thriller while is what they'd seemed to be aiming at).

This was okay for the few episodes, only aided by a clumsy hitman, and "Death Prince" (a over the top character that probably jumped out of a anime but one of my favorite characters), but about halfway through the drama it decided to speed up a bit (a and started throwing all the twists) and I think that's what made it become a lot more fun.

I thought I was going to hate this but I actually enjoyed it a lot. Granted it's a little dated, and I'm not sure if it's an example of Park Min Young's best acting, and I turned out of some of the politic stuff, but it was pretty fun. The friendship between the four started out kind of rocky, but they all became ride or die toward the end. I had some SLS in the sense that I knew he was going to be heartbroken but he still protected her until the end, but hey, he gets Goo Yong Ha. (If you squint it feels like there something going on between the two of them, yes, I know its a kdrama, but the way Song Joong Ki played him had me confused the whole damn time, lol.)

Yo, I want another season! (I'm not getting one, but I would totaly watch another one). Did I start this because I might have a slight thing for Dean Fujioka's face? Yes, lol, but it was pretty enjoyable outside of that. I loved the leads, they had this bickering thing that played well of each other. There wasn't any romance - but I could see it as something that could develop in the future between the two characters (there were tiny tiny hints). Although they wrapped the story up (it was kind of split between two arches), I still want more.

This wasn't completely terrible, but pretty meh definitely not rememberable and I struggled to finish the last couple of episodes because I was just kind of over it by then, and it probably didn't help someone commented the ML didn't really fit the role and having that thought in my head probably didn't help, lol. The plot itself could have been pretty interesting, but it just wasn't executed very well.

I reviewed this here: 

https://mydramalist.com/profile/deswrath/reviews/200155

reviewed here: 

https://mydramalist.com/profile/deswrath/reviews/201855

This drama knew exactly what it and that's probably why it was nearly the prefect rom-com. Yes, it was cheesy as hell, but it has all the cliches you expect but something feels fresh about them here. Nearly perfect because the last episode was a little lacking. I enjoyed that Tae Moo wasn't the cold ML from the start, and that Ha Ri (and Young Seo) never came across as a damsel. Her relationship with Young Seo was goals. She had a pretty relativity normal family too, unlike those crazy drama parents. And we had our favorite Haraboji and Young Seo's crazy but now iconic cousin, to add to the fun too. I'm not sure what else to say - but a fun stress free drama I will probably rewatch a million times.

A personal thing but I kind of wished for more Haraboji and Sung Hoon (I felt like that relationship could have been explored more), and I was also hoping for Haraboji to get into a fight with Young Seo's father for judging his grandson. And I'm assuming they cut out stuff with Ha Ri's brother because it seemed like there was probably a story with him - or he was just a pain, lol.

Maybe I'm just emotional today, but this got to me, lol. Honestly it adds nothing new to the friends to lover trope, but I found myself pretty engaged, maybe I enjoyed the acting/production value because there wasn't much to the plot. I don't know, but I found myself tearing up during the angsty parts of the fourth episode.

I reviewed this here : https://mydramalist.com/profile/deswrath/reviews/206389

Honestly, disappointing. Not the dark occult drama I thought it would be, and just more horror. Surface level vibes, good. But in terms of actually storytelling, it's super week, like many were saying in the comments it was lacking in the actual lore of the story. But the acting from the younger ones Kwak Dong Yeon (not at all surprising) and Nam Da Reum were on point.

I wasn't sure about this at first, but it really came together at the end. I didn't necessarily find it that funny but I really liked how they incorporated some pretty serious subject matters (sexual assault, assault, domestic abuse, stalking, child abuse, depression, trauma, LGBTQ+ representation) into the storyline seamlessly. The ML was kind of dumb (and at times annoying) but it becomes pretty clear why he's like that. Everyone is a suspect here - including all the supermarket employees - Meat, Veggies, Cosmetics, and Fish (who had one of the most interesting storylines that I felt was really well written for a kdrama) so it takes a little while to unmask the murderer until the end. Also a kdrama mom written pretty constantly and mess with her son and see what happens, lol. Also how everyone in the community loved and looked out for Yul (Ahn Se Bin did a great job considering how hard it would have been for someone that young). I really really disliked 5 Won, but there are people like him that exist.

Not sure why some people are caught up on the reapers saving people bit (I thought they explained it fairly well), but anyways. I enjoyed this, but I also understand the criticism. Some of the cases did seem like they were solved easily, while I think it wouldn't be so simple in real life. But they did bring up a lot of important issues and the affect on someones mental heath (ranging from death of a loved one, eating disorders, sexual assault, trama, bullying, depression, quilt, etc). I didn't always like their approach, but they were looking through their own life experiences I suppose. A few of the cases really stuck with me - one involving a lost dog, a couple - one dreaming of being a singer, and the other a former ballerina, comfort women, and the episodes involving the reapers' past. That said - I think they could have done a better job of developing the characters - Lee Soo Hyuk being listed as a main character but barely having screen time. Not really important to the plot but Goo Ryun's outfits were always on point.

I feel like I should have more to say about this but I don't. It was just okay. Visually pretty, and I think the actors did the best they could with the scripts, but the writing could have been a lot better. Some aspects of 'Luna' seem pretty far fetched. Honesty Gong Yoo was the only thing that stood out to me, lol.

Sure there was some sloppy writing here - but this was a fun ride. Park Hae Jin really shinned here (enough to erase the terrible Cheese in the Trap memories, lol). And I really enjoyed Jin Ki Joo's character along with the ghost crew (but I really love found families). Some of the weaker moments were with the villain, and the fact this dude still can let go after hundreds of years. But the chemistry of the leads, I was here for it. 

Easily one of my favorite dramas of the year. The writer really has a talent diving into the woes (or rather "blues") of everyday life, along with featuring some issues that always appear drama: including teenage pregnancy, depression, the ongoing trauma left behind from our parents, the burden of being a career (how you can love someone but at the same time feel exhusted by being around them), among many other stories by the people living in the same community on Jeju Island. There is a lack of "drama" with this since it's based much more in reality. My personal favorite story came from an estranged mother and son, one who is extremely prideful (a completely complicated character played brilliantly by _ ), and the other who hasn't really been able to live his life because of the trauma caused by her neglect, as they go on a trip together. 

A man stuck in a rut and his colleague determined to help him find joy in his life, mainly by eating deserts. It doesn't sound like much, but the performances really brought the characters to life, which also touched about some norms, aging, gender roles, and just generally trying to find fulfillment in life.   The only real downside to this was that it was too short. 

I honestly wasn't feeling anything for the first few episodes. It was pretty meh, but it did pick up towards the end. The musical aspect was a miss for me, but totally a personal thing. I think the FL definitely had the whole woe is me thing going on so the writing could have been a bit better, which was why I found  Na Il Deung's arch much more interesting - Hwang In Youp's acting here really helped, it really did seem like someone who was on the edge. 

Had a stronger opening but it seemed like the writer didn't really know how to finish it, but as it was it seemed more like it was a story of human nature and the after effects of the crimes rather then a murder mystery. The amount of people that failed these children was nearly everyone. From those who hide things to those who continued to blame the ML when was child not responsible for another child.  That said - they could have done a better job at making that clear. Acting was good - but Shin Jae Hwi as Lee Jin Geun really stole the show, man you were really routing for him to die by the end. 

Interesting premise - good acting and chemistry between the leads, but man, was the writing was pretty bad (like a character thought they were pregnant for months and never once went to a doctor, or the FL's wish washy personality), thankfully they never made the ML out to be a total jerk, just a decent guy who made mistakes at times. There were a few completely unnecessary secondary characters that could have been left out. It could at times be a little preachy about certain topics. Unfortunately, just disappointing. 

Since this was supposed to be a drama about an estranged father and son I wished they would have played off that dynamic and the humor more. Although the cast was fun - most of the cases seemed kind of receptive. Good for a stressless watch, but nothing I was terrible invested in.    

This started with dark fairy tale vibes and slowly progressed into something else. The problem was with the storyline - it could have been better with several revisions, lol. It went a little crazy - but I did enjoy bit and pieces of this. 

There was a lot of people who didn't like the writing for this - but I enjoyed it. It provided a lot depth to a character we really didn't know much about in the first season. That said - this was a angst fest and you really wanted to scream at both of them, but the writing was completely consistent to these characters personalities and the experiences they've gone through. 

I guess this was okay, but I found myself more annoyed then enjoying it at times. The second leads could be pushy, and people were offering the leads  some terrible advice. The leads were find on their own, but I wasn't really invested in this. 

It's funny to say that I really enjoyed this when I'm about to mostly criticize it.  But I did- this dram was a lot of fun, which is probably why I was left feeling a disappointed at the end. 

Everything was there - lead characters you instantly loved, some pretty amazing world building, a crazy opening fighting scene, but as the drama went on it became clear that it was in serious need of a editor. Because if they had tightened the script it would have been pretty close to perfect. Some episodes where draggy, some rushed through, and the pacing was all over the place. 

Some things such as the "fake jin daughter" dragged on to the point she was exposed nearly the moment after they exposed the plan, I never understood why they spent like ten episodes teasing it. They would also introduce "twists" that they had basically already told us ages ago - so it felt rather dumb. Sometimes they wasting time introducing us the "lore" of that world - while I loved those elements that helped us flesh out this world - they were used instead of a plot. Some of the characters could have been improved: the "villains" were just all over "meh" and occasionally goofy. 

What was really disappointing was how our dark Yoda Naksu lost her edge over the series. I can get allowing for character development but sometimes she was just there and I kind of missed the times she was manipulating situations to her benefit. We also had Yul, who was just the classic second lead who didn't seem like he did anything. The real Mudeok was a complete missed opportunity. I would have liked more interactions between her and Naksu. 

As for the positives - the humor was pretty spot on, including interactions with the prince (including his bromance with the Jang Uk), and the silly romance between the elders. Jang Uk was a highlight - but Lee Jae Wook usually doesn't disappoint, and the chemistry was on point. 

This took me forever to finish- probably because 80% of the characters were beyond annoying especially Baek Sul Hee, Cha Gang Jae, & Kwon Hyo Jin... well, I think only the Aunt and the Chairman didn't get on my nerves. I enjoyed the chaos at the beginning, watching the first ten episodes pretty quickly, but it took me literally months to get through the rest. 

Lets be real: this show was just dumb. Like a lot of times, which was funny at first but as it went on the gimmick wore off. Also the balance/lack of balance between between humor and drama was off. The female was just written so terribly it made it hard to like her. I enjoy Seo In Guk's crazy expressions - but there's not much here. 

It's like they saved all the drama for this season. It's hard to say that I liked it less but if definitely had a different vibe (a change of actor didn't help, but I think I liked this actor better). The leads are dealing with a lot more this season, but some of the issues are true to life. 

For some reason, I couldn't really stay awake while watching this - so if you are tired, then this somber tale isn't for you since the narrative is wrapped up in different layers, that you really have to be paying attention or you'll get lost. I did enjoy learning more about Amis people and their beliefs, and the music was A + . 

Entertaining but ultimately forgettable. The writing was kind of mediocre, and the villains were both written poor and acted poorly. I guess there was a plot but it wasn't really that exciting. I enjoyed the interactions between the leads (and second leads) but I really enjoyed the female lead. Sure she had a super power - but she didn't need it. Her empathy, ability to adapt to any situation at a moments notice and instincts, and her refusal to be a damsel, are more apparent. Unfortunately the script didn't really let her shine as much as she could.

Could have been really good - but they made some pretty weird choices. The chemistry between the leads was clear from the beginning - but there was a scene (that wasn't probably meant to be what they present to us) that really ruined this illusion. In true Thai drama tropes - we had two crazy bitches after the male lead but they weren't just annoying, they were flat out sexually harassing him - one should be jail, and he needed a restraining order from the other. The ending spent way too much time on someones stupid 'revenge' that they had zero right too (again they should be in jail). While they could have actually dealt with the fact that sexual assault/harassment is a problem in the fashion industry it's kind of brushed under the counter. The drama with the female leads family ended with a sloppy bandage.   

Someone said this was all about the lead staring intensely, and they are kind of right. Honestly there wasn't really a point to this - besides being an ad for those clothes but I thought they could have done something about the backstories of the characters briefly mentioned. 

Definitely one of the weaker stories in the series for me. I don't quite understand the black and white aspect, and the actual storyline didn't really draw me in.

I honestly only watched this for the spooky vibes, which it did in fact fill, but it's still only getting filed under it okay. The main problem was with the villain, he was just a gross person from the beginning so I wasn't so interested. I'm glad there were a few twists involving the leads the pasts, and I really enjoyed the relationship between them. Although it never got romantic - I could see it becoming romantic in the future - they had a really strong vibe, almost like two kindred spirits that understood each other in a way no one else would. I through the idea of adding the egg ghosts was good - but they could have expanded on it. Some of the case were pretty heartbreaking, but the writing wasn't this series strong point.

One of my favorites, especially because of Vivian Sung's acting.  

This one was an outliner - its not really horror - more just heartbreaking. It's not bad on its own - but compared to the nature of the other stories, it really doesn't make sense.

While I love, LOVE the characterization of Yu Ri (Lee See Young played her perfectly), and the writing around them as a couple (they broke the normal kdrama cliches), and how some the cases drove into some very serious matters - the rest of the writing was sloppy especially when it came to the villain (the last two episodes where kind of useless when it came to this).

This had a interesting premise - that wasn't quite revealed to the last episode. Each story related to a woman in a different part of Tokyo (and also mentioned the history/folklore of the area they came from). But for me something just didn't click, not sure if it's partly because this felt and looked like it was from the 90s, or because they waited till the last episode to explain why this lady was just roaming around Tokyo, I don't know.

It's hard to find a show that truly makes you laugh out, on top of that you also have show breaking some stereotypes (a polyamous character, and non-Korean character Aziz written with substance who steals the show). Everyone's ridiculous at times and yet they still have some heartwarming moments. 

First, Go Kyung Pyo killed it here. Killed it. He brought so much life to his character. He's not your typical ML - he's introverted, has trouble connecting to people, and can be a little blunt, but is a complete sweetheart, who seems to notice everything about the FL but still knows when to give her space , and more than that listens and while in other dramas he doesn't misunderstand 

This drama was about ten episodes too long for a very simple plot with a very lackluster villain and motivation for whatever they were trying to do. I did enjoy the lack of place power plays (no royals in site here), and a female lead who didn't just stand around in danger and held her own, everything else was just boring, and it felt like a lot of the secondary actors where just turning it in. Especially the villain, the actor relied too much on those weird angry looks instead of doing anything. Oh, and a very very bad wig. They weren't even trying with that one. 

The first part of this show was kind of rough - I wasn't really that interested in it - but the last three episodes made up for it, and were a lot more interesting.

Ages more interesting then the first - it's split into two 'arch's but with the same evil floating over them - and dealing with the two very big ethical issues (the second probably was more frustrating with how awful it was) The new character fit in really well with the team, and acted a little as a counter to the rest of the teams views. 

While yes, this a tale of revenge (although most of it is along petty acts) its also about three women who decide to take agency in their lives. One because of her status as a single mom , another living under the control of her abusive power hungry husband, and another having lived as a pawn her whole life, its also a story of finding your people, and the bond these women form, one that's closer than family.

Not quite perfect, but still an enjoyable drama that makes you think about life, death, and different forms of grief. I enjoyed almost all the characters. My main complaints are that they could have woven the themes of fate and the reason for her gift into all the episodes instead of reveling into the end, the writing around Seo Hae Ahn felt a little inconstant, and the use of the ex who came back without actually pointing out her co-dependence issues or her getting help for that.

A quick watch, so some of the messy filler nonsense is missing due to it only being four episodes long. Choi Soo Young and Yoon Park had great chemistry (it was also nice to see him not playing a jerk like all the other roles of his I've seen lately). While the daughter starts everything off, the focus is more on the struggles of being in the public eye. The hate you can receive when  people really don't know you.