2026 Kdramas

In terms of quality, I'm surprised that this has managed to stay pretty much in line with the first season. There are a few frustrating story points used to further the narrative, but overall a good watch. And I liked how they wrapped it up, which tends to be uncommon with dramas nowadays. I'm actually anticipating season 3. This is a rare occurrence from me as I'm very much against the multi-season kdrama model.

I'm so thrown off by the acting choices in this particular show, particularly that of the lead prosecutor and the ML, the accused. The show fulfils its necessary duties, neither trailing behind nor exceeding its cohorts. However, the acting genuinely feels like the kiss of death for an already derisive plot.

I have a somewhat complicated relationship with this drama. The immersive game was a really questionable story point for me because it circles ethical boundaries with no real respite. That said, if you take it on a surface level, it’s such good comedic relief with how it approaches romcoms and webtoons in such a satirical manner. It turns something overdone on its head, and I think that has never been more necessary, given many's fatigue with kdramas. 

I do really like how they contrasted falling in love in the real world and within the confines of a perfectly curated universe. I thought that was really important in all the fluff and whimsy of it. There’s a solidness that only a relationship toiled for in the real world through shyness, awkward moments, silent encounters and steady build up can manufacture. I love Seo meri’s hesitancy as she comes to terms with the fact that people aren’t enduring, they’re subject to change and that’s perfectly normal. These were the moments of vulnerability that made you crumble in between the laughs. I would’ve challenged the writers to go deeper just for a moment.

This falters slightly in the last episode, especially with the FLs lack of acknowledgement of her wrongdoing. We didn't need some overblown apology, but there were no clues in Seo Meri's demeanour, internal musings, or even subtle expressions that spoke to our unease or that of teh MLs. Honestly, I really enjoyed this, and it was a fun journey. It will likely be one of my 2026 favourites for the mere joy I derived from it.

The title is incredibly fitting and not simply because the main protagonist navigates his day job as a competent translator, or the multicultural backdrop that allows us to border-cross seamlessly. It’s the words that get stifled, the silences that hang, the way they rummage through a mental inventory for the right words, the sensitivity to the creases and furrowing of brows. I think we underestimate the act of relating with one another and the tax on language to bridge the divide. 

I was fascinated by the female lead. She’s such a pulling force with no clear or discernible end in sight. Fantastically frustrating while brimming with a maximalist excess, with everything that makes life interesting. 

Update: That is what I would've said before venturing past episode 6. The initial premise was already so full, with what I felt to be endless possibilities. I can't tell if the writers are being bold in their risk-taking or if they're relying on tropes to guarantee a reaction, any reaction. I would've preferred they lean into the humanist/life aspect. Two scripts are vying for the viewers' attention: the misunderstood, clumsy love story between a couple in dire need of an interpreter & the psychological breakdown of an actress brought on by sudden stardom. It's greedy to have both serve as one, and it makes for chaotic toning.

Contrary to popular opinion, they were both worthy stories deserving of the small screen. You see the budding potential in episodes 1-6 and 7-11, respectively. They take what could seemingly be an unremarkable love story and attempt to add depth. Simultaneously, they explore the experience of an actor plagued by the presence of her own character. The makings were there.

The saving grace of this drama is the cinematography. You can feel the intentionality behind every shot. The lighting and colour grading feed you in ways the script tragically fails.

A+ review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/heartinfootnotes/review/532164

I didn't particularly have high hopes for this. I assumed it'd be another run-of-the-mill dark drama that wouldn't stick the landing because of their inability to commit and shed the pretence. However, this is the level of audacity I was hoping for from Aema, with how closely the themes parallel. There are a few moments when the acting falters a bit for me, but overall, strong performances. The characters in their personal pursuits are chilling to their core. Some of the political elements could have been played up further, but essentially, it positions itself more as a business industry series.

SPOILER - A conversation worth having why non-LGBTQIA+ creatives feel these characters and their stories are disposable...

Another pleasant surprise in the romcom department. I was about to write this off, but that first week was pretty strong, and you can tell the show knows what it wants to be. It has such a masterful way of navigating serious topics in the workplace that feels dutiful yet unburdened. This is contrasted with Sold Out on You, which aired the week prior and got off to a rocky start. I think this will be a fun watch.

I was immediately intrigued because, unfortunately, I am very predictable and can never get enough of an amnesia storyline. I was mildly interested going in, whether that was due to my lack of attention or the pacing, I'm unsure. They really needed to tighten the inter-sect rivalries plot; it lagged a lot for me, especially when you consider the constant flashbacks. That said, from episode 20, it really started to take off and made for phenomenal TV. This bolsters my initial belief that this drama would have thrived in the 28-32 episode region.

I mean, Park Bo Young knows how to pick a project, so that was enough for me to be seated. This show is weird for me because it's interesting, but still feels incomplete. Like, if I were to recommend a show within this genre, it wouldn't be this one.

This seemed pretty interesting, but there was one comment that threw me completely off, and I have not picked up where I left off. I hope I can watch one or two more episodes to simply round off my thoughts.

This reminds me of the little shop of horrors ride you get at the circus. That pretty much sums up the viewing experience. The scoring threw me off a little at times.

There's something that feels so awkward about this show. It's not quite finding the right beats, and I don't think the leads are particularly suited. They're both meant to be deeply traumatised individuals, but I'm not getting any of the subtleties. 

Not much to say. It's very much a simple but effective drama. Hits all the notes you would expect of a romance with the backdrop of an architectural firm. However, I wasn't particularly invested in the plot of the side character. The best word to describe this show is: agreeable. Doesn't move the needle as you might assume in the first few episodes featuring the VR game. It's just kind of... there.

I normally do not comment on things like this, but the actors are incredibly distracting if you catch my drift.

Yay. Another virtual reality dating game.

This show is both fun and forced. There are definitely some growing pains in those initial episodes because transmigration will always be pretty awkward. A whole lot is going on, so hopefully they can find a baseline.

This drama just about does the job in holding down the fort in a clear drought, but this is far from complimentary. Given the 12-episode length, the show advances at a lightning speed that feels unnatural. Many story advancements are unearned and feel like a grand illusion. The writers want to convince us of a love for the ages that defies human logic without laying any of the groundwork.  It is an absurd experience to be coaxed with suggestive music that implies a rapport that has not been woven into the plot thus far. Although the concept itself is interesting, the lackadaisical approach to the writing greatly caps it at the knees. 

The animation clearly makes use of AI, which is incredibly disappointing. However, what is even more egregious and cause for concern is that I suspect one or two scenes have employed this technology to render certain facial expressions on the baby. That is not to say the child is not talented, as with several scenes, it's clearly a case of directing from the parents on set, and the child is intelligent. Still, slight blurring and unnatural colouration at one point will not allow me to put this thought to rest. 

This has been branded an attempt to propagandise the masses, which in part might be true, but it's clear they wanted Katherine Heigl's nachos with Life As We Know It. It's just disappointing that the execution is not as impressive, and they have not taken the appropriate safeguards as was done with that project regarding the baby. In short, I think we could've done without this show, albeit the innumerable cute moments it has spawned.

I’m just going to assume IU wanted something light following wlgyts. I feel for my lovely runner duo, it's been straight dubs. As someone who will watch romance drivel even in its lowest form, this has singlehandedly reignited my habit of skipping. Some of the issues I had with No Tail to Tell are mirrored here. It's becoming increasingly clear that the 12-episode bandage is puss-ey and worn out. Romances that should be steadily built and reinforced are now fed to us on a barely subliminal level, and we're told to fawn accordingly.

Shame. We don't often see this niche genre of a modern monarchy, but now I think it might be for good reason following Perfect Crown and The King: Eternal Monarch. Princess Hours, your crown laced in nostalgia is still intact. At least you had vibrant colouring, innovative wardrobe and styling, and a worthy final kiss scene for the ages.

A pretty overdone premise, but that's what makes it a good pastime. I don't imagine this being anything more than agreeable. Like, it's pretty interesting, but I find the ghosts hella disrespectful. What happened to consent?

And where I found it enjoyable, I feel they introduced a specific storyline way too early, which threw my viewing experience.

Can't get into.

Even at their best, I've found unavoidable criticisms with cdramas such as poor character continuity, weak subplots, and unconscious gender bias where the crux is dismantling that. My major gripe is that of tone. You have these intricate plots that are undercut in the worst way possible by poor or ill-timed tone (excessive cuteness, comedic relief). Pursuit of Jade, for me, has joined the cohort alongside The Double. I have a greater fondness for some arcs over others, but overall, a very consistent viewing experience.

We could've managed the pacing slightly better in the third quarter and select battle scenes. At heart, this presents as Wuxia, and considering all the strategic elements, viewers wanted to relish in the martial artistry, as we did in the first half.

Furthermore, once we left the context of the small, quaint village in favour of the sharp, calculating palace, I expected more grounding through deeper character study and introspective dialogue. The perfect moment for this would have been when *VAGUE SPOILER* the leads are made aware of the circumstances of the deaths of their parents and how they're interconnected. That set the stage for an emotionally strong performance, and a lot was left on the table. This is consistent with readers of the source material.

I have to applaud the directorial decisions and the precision in general as it pertains to the filming. There were so many beautiful choices in terms of lighting, composition, and framing.

I do appreciate the scale and feasibility of some shots, but the use of AI, even for a few seconds, was incredibly jarring. Although highly advanced compared to Western media, I'm saddened. There is a fondness with which we look at old media with its real sets and scouted locations and feel like it’s something intentionally crafted. The beauty this drama would've held if they'd given priority to textures, interaction with the physical, and the way light flickers off nature. There's a small part of me mourning this

I feel bad when I don't like a drama because there are times when you can really see the effort and attempt being made, but this wasn't landing. The writing, the pacing, it feels like a cauldron of confusion.

I'm getting incredibly tired of the overly curated and sleek look kdramas have these days. It's bordering on dystopian, and it's so disconnected. I love a thriller, a sexy mystery, but PMY seems so awkwardly placed. Everything feels a little too contrived. In all honesty, this is just about scraping a 6.

Already, how the characters are written is bugging me. They, namely the fl, feel out of character, and it's only the first two episodes. That said, I have managed to get some real laughs in episode 3, so it's promising.

Update: This has been cute. It's brought some levity and well-needed lightness. Now, it's not groundbreaking, but it's a decent midweek watch. Make-up department needs to be sued - why can't a farmer have their natural skin tone...

Everything about this feels so lazy and substandard. For instance, the writers have come up with the perfect formula to keep viewers entertained while sacrificing any type of quality. It's as though they just about want to meet a threshold with no desire to actually thrive in their chosen lane. This is not reminiscent of the older series; it's pretty sloppy with none of the essence. 

I don't think there was ever a period I watched so many romance kdramas that were currently airing. This particular show feels really grounded and like it knows what it wants to tell us. I'm not suprised given that after the first episode, I read it was a remake of another show.  

I'm glad to say Park Jin Young, is back and in full form. As of late, I've thought some of his roles haven't worked to his strengths. It seems we're back on track. I mean, the entire cast seem to be stellar.

I went in with the expectation that I would loathe this, so I was pleasantly surprised. The storyline is somewhat predictable, but it is in no way formulaic. The writers take something very straightforward, but never assume you're in pursuit of the end with a disregard for the journey. The episodic nature that opts to focus on the various individuals who have crossed paths with the main protagonist, centring them for a brief moment and wholeheartedly giving credence to their experience, thoughts and opinions, is so much more rewarding than being forced to believe the protagonist is who they are from mere first-person glimpses. 

I personally prefer ANNA (2022) as I find it to have an air of realism and rawness that is extracted here for the purpose of entertainment, but this is simply reflective of the netflix model and what it prioritises. 

Sidenote: There were a lot of blurring effects in the show, and it led me to believe they employ AI for many of the backdrops, which soured my viewing experience. I do hope that was not the case.

I thought this was a continuation of The Devil Judge, so I immediately called it a day after the first episode. It's not. Maybe I'll return. We need to rework these law shows; there are many possible angles. 

This pleasantly surprised me. I've watched 4 back-to-back dramas centred around a dating premise, so I was getting ready to count myself out, but this was somewhat refreshing. I think this is one of the few times I'm not immediately put off by the second lead, which is a feat. I'm actually endeared to them.

This has all the lightness and whimsy of a typical romcom kdrama while still having scriptural integrity. Now they must toe the impossible line of a love triangle. 

Update: the love triangle wasn't particularly remarkable in the latter half, and ultimately leaves you wondering if the show needed it altogether.  All in all, it was pretty inoffensive. The support characters teetered between fun and cringe, which was an... experience. A decent and pretty sweet drama, something to watch in between the shows you look forward to.

It's been said, but this case is pretty embedded in the Korean film and television landscape with several iterations or references. With that in mind, The Scarecrow still manages to bring a fresh lens, spotlighting the social unrest and weaving in a story of a relegated but wholly endearing cop, Tae Joo, relenting forward into the future while forced to face his past.

I never quite expected an intersection in this way between a thriller and childhood bullying. Tae Joo is not plagued by his past failures or shortcomings as a cop; rather, he is detangling the complex and suppressed emotions of his 15-year-old self, now face-to-face with his tormentor, who stands as the embodiment of justice in his hometown police department. The familial and neighbourhood ties do Tae Joo no favours. All while pressures mount, due to the upending of a small town.

The last 5 minutes of episode 3 are truly chilling and an excellent use of scoring. The camera work makes you catch your breath, and this seems to characterise the entire series. Upon completing the series, I believe it could've been much more refined and pointed, especially given the complex dynamics at play between Tae Joo and the prosecutor. I think they should’ve opted for something more pulled back and sombre, similar to The Bad Kids.

Not a review, but an interesting observation on the Taejoo-Siyeong dynamic: https://mydramalist.com/profile/heartinfootnotes/feeds/b3B3VYCd

This gave me whiplash because it was so impressive at times, and then it was not. I mean, it's in the name, so you anticipate a bashful and chaotic introduction to the characters. However, I don't think anything quite prepared me for the headache I was about to endure during those initial episodes. Park Eun Bin, in particular, did a wonderful job, maybe too wonderful, as I was so close to calling it a day.

Once I made it past the halfway mark, it was actually pretty engaging, and my investment in the stories, characters, and end-goal all skyrocketed. I particularly loved the powers selected for the leads and how they were so intrinsically linked to their personhood and eventually their dynamic as a trio. It was super to watch by the end after my annoyance had subsided.

On the acting front, I think everyone excelled. My standout would have to be Cha Eunwoo, simply because I've followed his inception, and to see the growth, both impressive and endearing.

What I would've loved from the writers was more emotional depth. We've seen the orphan/illegal experimentation motif so many times that it becomes rehearsed. I think they could've done so much more, and that's what differentiates a lot of K-superhero shows and a project like Moving. Also, I found the villains so uncompelling, and I doubt I will spare them a thought in any future conversations. They felt like a means to an end.

Well-rounded review/post-show thoughts I found on an mdl user page: https://mydramalist.com/profile/hong_ringo/reviews

Yay. Another body switch. 

This is a pretty unhelpful review, but I think it appropriately captures the sheer exhaustion.  I will go on to say I thought the storyline was pretty stupid, and therefore, I could not buy in. I did not help that although I like this particular actress, I found her facial expressions to be incredibly jarring.

I am glad Shin Minah felt no qualms about playing a fresh graduate, as the industry has forced us to bear witness to hordes of overgrown men squished into high school uniforms. And it has been unfortunate every single time. That said, I found that there was little for me to latch onto in this story.  I was thoroughly bored with every episode, barely making it to the ending credits. This saw me suspend my watchings by episode 6.

Dropped this one episode in after three attempts. Not even sure why I've included it on the list.

I really need a Go Youn-jung palette cleanser following CTLBT, and I'm hoping this will be it. This show is scarily relatable. It truly shows how we all converge on the human experience while providing a heart-tugging story of resilience as a response to community, as opposed to survival. I mean, it is to be expected from the writer who penned My Mister and My Liberation Notes. The show is happy to be unorthodox and overfill the mould. The end goal isn't a flashy story, but a silent acknowledgement of our personhood: I see you. Screenwriter, come get your baddie chain.

The ability of this series to capture the essence of falling in love so perfectly with every new season is truly impressive. The butterflies have not once decreased in the last 5 years.

The only downside of this season is the length. At first, I assumed they only had 8 episodes worth of content. However, hearing they transplanted many of the Soonrok scenes for Babi in season 2 and that Soonrok is essentially endgame, the 8 episodes seem inadequate. It's sad we'll only just about get them falling in love when we've followed Yumi so closely.