AnicsiRoscoe

I am at episode 10 now, and does that woman not know how to smile? Urgh, it's so frustrating. I get she is terrified and hasn't all that much to laugh about, but her face looks like she's going to burst into tears ANY second now. I thought she was gonna be a strong woman from the beginning of the series, but so far I am really disappointed. 10 episodes in and there seems to be no character development at all. I think I might put this on hold for a while.

Super random comment, but ep 5, it was a TANGO not a WALZ omg. I was so startled I couldn't enjoy the moment urghhh

It is embarrassing to say that I started watching it only a couple of weeks ago and I cannot even remember if I finished it. That said, it started out pretty nice and then wasn't able to keep my attention anymore, as per usual with the cliché romance dramas. It's still a cute watch, though. I should figure out if I finished watching it lol

I completely agree with you. I feel somehow cheated. The setup was brilliant. BRILLIANT. Korea during the 30s under Japanese rule, writers, freedom fighters, reincarnations, stardom and ghosts? Hell, yes! But somehow it just didn't live up to my expectations: As you said, around episode 10 or so it became a giant cheese-feast and suddenly many of the developments felt forced in the modern world. It's a shame :(
(don't get me wrong, I still liked this drama a lot, but yeah... expectations were not met)

I am on the second to last episode and I have too many thoughts. I think the stalker's sister ruined everything, it felt so forced, honestly. She seems too normal to be able to commit such deed. She was painted way too two-dimensional by the writers. I wished they had let Tae Min be the one and only antagonist and thought of a more clever way. I am much more intrigued by the 30s setting, somehow the future setting lost focus and that's a shame. I also think that Bang Jin's attachment to Jin Oh is unbelievable. She met him like... 4 times for less than 5 minutes each. That doesn't justify her 'love-left-me-i-am-so-miserable' attitude. I think it was cuter when it was just a crush, rather than 'something' between them. This drama could have been a new masterpiece. Oh well, let's wait for the final two episodes.

All the dramas you mentioned would be something for people that change from Anime to Asian drama in my opinion. I would not dare to show a single of those old shows to my European friends. Way, way, way to cheesy for the average netflix/american tv person I believe.

Hmmmm, for some reason I could not get into Man to Man. I also don't agree with Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. While it's a fun watch, a lot of scenes are too overdone and cater more to 'asian drama lover's' sense of humor, so I think it wouldn't be good for beginners.

Personally I think when you switch from American/Western series to Asian Dramas, what puts most people off is the abundance of cheesy romance paired with super weird and overdone comedy. My first K-drama was You Who Came from the Stars, and it totally had me hooked. However, I've been watching Anime since I was younger, so I had no issues with the clichés and whatnot.

So I think Asian Drama beginners that don't have a past of watching Anime should rather watch something more mature, not so cheesy and with some action or at least very interesting characters. My personal Top 5 would be (in random order):
- Yong Pal: The first couple of episodes are just mind-blowing. Medical drama with twists. We also don't have the typical 'love on first sight' or 'rich asshole chaebol/poor girl' dynamic, which makes it interesting. I think it could be a pretty good drama for the first time.
- Chief Kim (No cheesy romance and just pure, amazing comedy. Interesting character dynamics. Though maybe the comedy is a bit too weird for some people...)
- I Remember You: Actually made me think of BBC sherlock the first time I saw it. Despite the clumsy romance it's an action packed drama with amazing cast that will keep you at the edge of your seat. Those acting skills and bromances will play with your heartstrings, even when you're a first-timer.
- Descendants of the Sun: I agree with this one, and the international success speaks volumes. Although the first episode is super cheesy, it takes a new turn when the position of the main lead becomes apparent. The romance gets time to develop more naturally after the first episode, and the rest of the plot is definitely interesting enough to hold the attention of Western TV lovers. I do have my problem with the English speaking actors in this, but whatever...
- It's Okay, That's Love: Might be my bias, because I simply love this drama to pieces, but I think the psychological aspect is super interesting and refreshing. Not to mention that the themes and romance are quite mature compared to many other dramas.

Honorary mentions: Age of Youth (for girls in their college years), Time Between Dog and Wolf (for action lovers), Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim (for medical drama nerds), Oh My Venus (for the Rom Com deprived), My love from another star (for those that like pretty boys....)

Totally agree with Lee Jin Pyo in City Hunter. I just couldn't hate him, no matter how ruthless and cruel he was, he was turned into such a being by his tragic past. Every fiber of his body screamed 'authority' and 'charisma'. The acting really was brilliant. City Hunter, despite it being an old drama, continues to be one of my favorites. It's a masterpiece, despite its flaws.

Who is the male main lead in this drama? I prefer Woo Jin as an actor, but I have a feeling he is the second lead? ;'(

I agree with covers, sometimes they can be the deciding factor on whether I even take a closer look or not. I like simple but beautiful covers usually more than the super fancy ones, but there are also cases where I am drawn in by flowers or supernatural elements. Unfortunately your three favorites don't leave an impression on me at all. it might be because I have seen neither of those shows, but I really dislike the design of all of them. They look old fashioned and amateurish, especially the two yellow ones. But I guess that just shows how we all have our own preferences :) Off the bat I can name only two posters that left an impression on me: Yong Pal and DOTS. I also loved the simplicity of Goblin, and Tomorrow with You makes you immediately fall for their chemistry.

The show has a romance tag. Is it worth watching for romance as well, or does it spoil the mood?

I think he looks manly in a very handsome way? Like, a lot of Korean Actors that are popular nowadays have super feminine faces, I guess men wouldn't really admit to that being handsome. Won Bin has an attractive face for both men and women. And btw, I think he's freaking hot, I really don't see how you can not think he's gorgeous, but everyone has different tastes I guess xD lol

I second: I remember you, Doctor Romantic, It's Ok that's love (my favorite!!), and I add: Queen In Hyun's man, Another Miss Oh; Marriage Not Dating.
That is, if you want to watch dramas with a lot of romance...

I so agree with you! And coincidentally the four dramas you mentioned are among my favorites (well, ok, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon ended up being just 'okay', but damn, that killer smile of Min Min makes up for everything else this drama is lacking!). I think you definitely forgot Shopping King Louie, even though he is yet another type of character.

I think I mostly like the characters that are somewhere in-between though, f.e. in It's Okay, That's love and Another Miss Oh. I just have a soft spot for realistic love stories.

I still have two episodes left to watch but I still had to comment because I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS DRAMA. Seriously, the cast is just amazing, all the characters found their way into my heart, especially our TQ psycho and gluttonous sociopath! This show just brings so much excitement and laughter, you really have to give it a chance! I'll write a more deserving comment after finishing it.

I dislike bad video quality, so I usually watch in HD. But even if that wasn't the case, I would still be troubled with it. I grew up watching dubs of TV shows, so I am used to it, but the dubs are much better than the chinese ones. It seems so unnatural.

And I tried watching it, but had to stop midway episode 1 because the sound bugged me so much T_T

If you haven't yet, you should watch 'I remember you' and 'It's okay that's love'. He proves to be a fantastic actor in both of them. I don't know anything about him as an Idol, but man, I love his acting.

Can you please mark this as a spoiler?? You totally ruined the ending for me.

I really really want to watch this, but why do all Chinese dramas seem like they have been dubbed really badly? T__T I cannot get over the awkwardness. The lips never match the sound. Chinese already sounds super foreign to my ears after only watching Korean dramas and this is making it worse. *sigh*

This was a lovely drama. The first half shined much more than the second half I believe. It is definitely not a drama with many twists and turns, it's just a heartwarming slice of life and romance. I was a bit disappointed that the chemistry between the main couple dwindled compared to the beginning. My favorite character was Ko Mi Rae, she's adorable.