AnicsiRoscoe

Fair enough, not every kind of comedy is for everyone. I had Iron Family on my radar, but 36 full hour episodes are more than I can take of a korean drama.

wouldn't say that I only like complex or complicated dramas, I've watched and enjoyed plenty of slow slice-of-life shows or those that follow a simple recipe. I've recently immensely enjoyed 'Lovely Journey' for example. And contrary to that, I really disliked some of the shows that on paper had everything I would love (like Bon apetit your majesty, Genie, When the stars gossip etc.)

I'll just have to continue picking up new dramas and to see which I can stick with. Anyway, thanks for trying to analyse with me. :)

I am confused, why would you say these dramas are not 'com'? ALL of them have "comedy" listed as genres, with exception of Lovestruck, which yeah, is more witty than funny. Of course they're not 'brainless' comedy, f.e. I could not get into Welcome to Waikiki or Strong Woman DBS, because they were just too slapstick, but I love some wit and fun, it can be silly as long as it's not... dumb.

And yes, I loved Twinkling Watermelon!

Spring Fever started out great, as I said, I just don't feel any chemistry between the main couple, I also don't care for the SFL (High School girl sister) and the lawyer is annoying. Sooooo, idk.

I might give Dearest Nemesis another shot if you say it's so good, but personally I didn't dig it the first time around. :)

And I don't think there's a specific formular to what I like, I agree that I enjoy deep dramas, or rather, great dialogue/script, I love good cinematography and music. But that's not everything. To give an example of non-comedy dramas that I loved, I always come back to 'When the weather is fine', it's poetry itself for long winter days. I was blown off my socks by 'Work Later, Drink Now', the first episode is SO out there, it's insane, but then slowly, surely, it becomes one of the most heartfelt dramas I've watched to date. I love good friendship dramas. I have enough dramas on my To Watch list, that's not the point. I just still miss some of the good old ones, I don't like where the trends are heading...

PS: I hope you haven't spoilered yourself too much for It's Okay, it's love. It was one of the craziest plot twists and heart shattering moments to discover that truth. But yes, you should watch it, it's a masterpiece.

Thing is, at this point I am not even sure if I would've liked those new dramas back in the day, or if they really have just become boring. You can check out my MDL list, but from the top of my head, my favorite romcoms of all time are "It's Okay, It's love", Crash landing on You, Lovely Runner, Hometown Cha-cha-cha, Lovestruck in the City, Another Miss Oh, Oh My Venus, Mr. Queen (it's so modern i don't count it as historical), Her Private Life... I have other extremely fav romantic dramas but they're usually paired with mystery or action and not so much comedy.

I checked and in 2025 I finished 3 dramas and dropped 11. 5 still watching but will probably drop some. That's just sad. I don't know, maybe it's me. I've been watching Korean dramas for 10 years, maybe it's time to stop.

When I said the past year, I was not counting dramas that are still airing, but I started watching ever drama you mentioned. Undercover High School was pretty good (I still have one episode to go), but I don't consider it a typical romcom (romance is not the main focus). Haunted Palace, dropped at ep 6. Spring Fever, currently watching, it's very funny in the beginning but loses steam after a couple of episodes, I don't feel any chemistry at all. Not sure if i'll finish. Our Universe is on my to watch list. Idol I was one of the few I liked but even here, it didn't live up to expectations even though I love the actors and also idol dramas. Still, one of the better ones. My Dearest Nemesis, couldn't even make it through the first three episodes. Again, most of the ones you mentioned aren't typical romcoms, I mean I am just craving a good old romantic comedy without mystery, historical plot or focus on action. Potato Lab was cringy but I did make it through and even rewatched it at some point.

Yeah, I watched one more episode (so i'm at ep 5) and I'll probably continue but there are still things that annoy me. FL going out as Gildong under the most terrible circumstances is just so stupid, and she's supposed to be smart and care for her family more than anything. If she's caught, her whole family might be beheaded or imprisoned, even more so now that she's 'married' (here again: WHY would she even be married, her husband died before any kind of ceremony could be held, or rather, how could there be a ceremony if the 'husband' is unconscious an cannot consent to a marriage?!), Secondly: she's in the prince's body and just AGAIN has to sneak out just to satisfy her curiosity and even engages in combat EVEN THOUGH she could get the grand prince killed in the process. Does not show a whole lot of responsibility to me, endangering a body that's not even hers... There are so many more things that I think make no sense but I'll stop here.

I didn't say anything about copying, I'm just saying I miss a good historical drama with romance that doesn't involve either time travel, body swap or both.

I agree, I think all in all it's just not a good place where it's headed. I recently watched a long Youtube video on how streaming sites like Netflix, Disney+ etc are ruining the industry, it was quite eye opening. I don't condone the working conditions in SK entertainment industry but it's true that previously they produced some amazing shows (and sometimes still do).

Maybe an unpopular opinion but the insane amount of webnovels and manhwas getting adapted to Korean dramas has ruined the industry. I am not saying there's not some good stuff out there, there is, but original drama scrips were usually much more thoughtful and poetic/smartly written . Manhwas are nice as a comic, but my opinion often lack depth and thus fall short when adapted to TV shows.

Choi Jin Hyuk's best drama is Tunnel, hands down, and it's not primarily a romance drama. Highly recommended.

Why are there no more great romantic comedies? I tried watching every new one in the past year and I barely made it through one or two, and even those were mediocre. First dynamite kiss and then this? LOL The ending of first episode:" Hmm, where would I find the guy I had a ONS with, amongst 10 million or so living in Seoul? Ah but he is tall, has double eyelids and thick eyebrows and is cute when he smiles." A description which would match about 200.000 guys in Seoul alone, and then bff: 'Oh, maybe you mean him?!' *ML coincidentally walks through door* I mean, come on, they could've at least left a little bit of doubt and suspense... Ugh, probably dropped.

I did not read the description so I went in totally unprepared and really enjoyed the ride up to episode 4 (although FL going out as Gildong while the ENTIRE city is looking for her was just an insane amount of stupid...). So I'm caught by surprise by the body swap and I'm like WHY do historical dramas these days have to resort to that kinda trope? I mean, I LOVE a good body swap but it's getting old. I already didn't see the point in Moon River, and here again, I wish they had made this a good drama without it... I'll continue to watch but I'm not too happy about it.

Yessss, I forgot to say that, the uncle and aunt deserved hell.

Ah thanks so much! Choi Yu Ree is an amazing singer as well, her songs always stand out to me in OSTs.

One thing I didn't like was the final reveal of her parents still being alive. Why? A setup for a second season? Made no sense and just added confusion and her going alone to meet her crazy mother breaking up with ML (even tho it was implied they'd meet again) left a bad after-taste. Relationships are built on trust, understanding and being there for each other when you need it most. Their relationship would've grown much more had he accompanied her. That 'plot twist' made me rate it 8 instead of 9.

I quite enjoyed the ride, I think I liked the first half more than the second, but I did like the Do Re Mi sequences. Hiro was a cutie pie, he grew up to be a fine man and I hope love comes his way. Second couple was a bit of a question mark for me, it felt rushed and I would've preferred to have a loveline for Hiro instead. Oh well, all in all, I'll probably rewatch at some point, cause I love travelling and main leads were adorkable. 8/10

about 90% of Koreans lol While traveling alone in Korea, a photographer gave me boiled eggs at 2 AM in the morning on a lonely mountain, while a taxi driver offered me fresh Tofu and a security guard who gave me a ride to the train station bought sandwiches for me so I wouldn't go hungry. Koreans believe everything is better with food and love to share that sentiment. It's actually very sweet :)

There will be a season 2

I always need a sprinkle of romance in my dramas, but I was not disappointed with this one, even though they did not become a couple. It is clear that they care for each other, and they become closer over the course of the drama, in the final episode they are sort of on a date I would say. It's nothing definite, but it lays the foundation for season two. If you like traveling, are curious about places in Korea and Japan and enjoy slice of life, I would say: watch it. Make sure to stick around until episode 3 for sure, because ML only really gets more screentime after this.

What a lovely journey indeed. It felt like watching poetry, sipping a beverage in front of a magnificent view. Somehow I did not expect how much I would love this drama, it was deeper than I thought it would be. All the individual stories were beautifully told and touching in their own way. As a huge fan of Kim Jae Yeong I hope we'll get season two soon, and more screentime with him, including his backstory and how he fell for FL. I really want to see their romance blossom. Very much recommended to everyone who loves traveling, beautiful scenery and slice-of-life dramas. 9/10 from me for enjoyment.