MyDramaList MDLv6.7

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  • Last Online: 9 hours ago
  • Gender: Female
  • Location: Brussels, Belgium 🌍
  • Contribution Points: 31 LV1
  • Birthday: January 04
  • Roles: VIP
  • Join Date: January 30, 2023
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Ariane

Brussels, Belgium 🌍

Hi & Welcome everyone !

This is the journey of an socially extroverted INFP into Dramaland...


How did this ADDICTION start ?

Beginning of September 2022, I hit a major slump on Netflix. Despite an endless list of series and movies on my already huge watchlist, nothing was tempting me.
A few weeks earlier, a friend had recommended a South Korean show called Crash Landing on You. I wasn’t convinced (back then I was almost exclusively a fan of American & European shows) but, knowing her excellent taste, I added that “foreign” title to my watchlist
 and just left it there ! đŸ€ŠđŸ»â€â™€ïžđŸ˜…
At the time, I admit I wasn't really aware of the existence of Asian TV-series (I know, right ?!), let alone that they were SO MANY and that they were called "dramas".  

Pretty soon Netflix's algorithm began recommending other Korean titles and my curiosity finally got the better of me: the very 1st drama I clicked on was "Business Proposal". I don’t remember why I chose that one in particular (its fun quirky trailer maybe?), but what a cultural shock it was!
I was still a little skeptical after that first watch, but definitely intrigued.

That's when I finally decided to watch the now classic Crash Landing On You... and down the rabbit hole I went. Deep. Down. (yup, I even started learning Korean đŸ€­)
By the way, "Business Proposal" is - to this date- still the only Korean drama I rewatched in its entirety (and re-rated). I absolutely had to reevaluate that first watch a few months -and many Kdramas- later! 

As a "newbie" I quickly realised how late I was to the game.
After just a few weeks I already had waayyyyy too many Kdramas on my never-ending PTW list. So I made myself a promise: NEVER! EVER! watch a show from an Asian country OTHER than South Korea. Adding MORE Asian shows would be completely insane, right?!?
Well... that promise went down the drain a few months later (why am I not surprised ?!) as I subscribed to VIKI and watched my very first Taiwanese drama: Lesson in Love. Again, don't ask me why I chose that one specifically but I was hooked !

Soon after, the addicted person I had become joined other streaming platforms, discovered MDL, fantastic podcasts (see list below), and amazing communities on social media.  

Around 10 months after my first Kdrama, I finally watched my very first Chinese series in July 2023, the no-less-famous Hidden Love. And as they say, the rest is history.
And yes, remember when I promised myself I would never watch anything other than Korean shows ?!? Yeaaah... 🙄

WHAT I watch ?

At the moment, around 60% of what I watch is still Korean. The rest is roughly 15% Chinese, 15% Japanese, 5% Taiwanese, and 5% Thai.
I like all genres and usually watch between 3 to 7 dramas at the same time. I’m a mood watcher — I love variety.

I'm not a fan of Horror 😰 except if mixed with really good comedy, nor am I particularly interested in Anime, even though I enjoyed "The Apothecary Diairies" and "Love Through a Prism".
On a side note, I recently discovered mature -mainly BL- webtoons/manhwas (= Korean mangas in full colour) and the rate at which I devoured dramas has therefore decreased a little. Inevitably.
So far, my favourites BL reads are: Spinach Bouquet, Reunion, Melting Point, Pian Pian, BJ Alex, Jinx, Beyond (the) Memories, Gig of the Day/Daily Part-Time Job, The Ghost's Nocturne, 1 to 10, Diamond Dust, Instant Family, 2020, Smyrna and Capri, Blossoms of the White Night, First of Summers, Here U Are, Unsleep...

Although I'm not hyperfixated on that specific drama genre, I love a good interesting romance (Noona's, BL, fun sweet rom-com's, mature/smart melodrama...) and I'm definitely a Slow Burn -with a touch of angst and real character development- aficionada.

WHAT are my favourite tropes ?

  • (Realistic) enemies to lovers

  • Hidden/mistaken/fake identities

  • Fake dating/contract relationships & marriages of convenience

WHAT I cringe at ?

  • Dead fish / duckface kisses (especially between consenting adults)

  • Love triangles or ex-lover comebacks

  • Lack of communication or miscommunication as the main conflict (or repeated endlessly)

  • Random serial killers in rom-coms

  • Insane makjang storylines & exaggeratedly toxic/screaming characters

  • Infantile FLs (childlike voice, zero brain cells, no backbone)

  • (White) Truck of Doom. Really? Again?

  • Sudden amnesia (or the universal sign that the writer gave up)

    Note: the "age gap" and characters' sexual orientation are never an issue for me. As long as both characters are consenting adults, I couldn't care less.
    Please don't try to drag me into debates about this (or any actor "scandal") ! I love dramas but I can't stand drama. 

HOW I watch ? 

I’m more of a binger. That’s one of the reasons why I rarely start airing shows before all episodes are released. Also, the likelihood of me forgetting what happened the week before is
 real đŸ€ŠđŸ»â€â™€ïž

Choosing my next drama is always a struggle because there’s so much I want to watch. My choice can be influenced by MDL feeds, reviews, social media, or podcasts — but in the end, my mood decides...
I’m a total sucker for custom lists, and I especially enjoy browsing the fun and creative lists other MDLers put together. So much inspo there !

It's usually hard for me to drop a drama. I'm always hopeful the draggy drama will get better by the next episode. It rarely does. Yup, I still struggle with a bit of FOMO ! I'm working on it.  Slowly 😁
If I drop a show, it’s rarely before watching at least 4–5 episodes (for a 16‑episode Kdrama or 8–10 episodes of a 30+ episode Cdrama). I like giving things a fair chance.
I rarely rewatch entire shows — not because I don’t want to, but time is of the essence here, guys ! 😅

I cannot watch a show just because I love the actors or because they’re “pretty”. I don’t give passes based on personal bias.
With experience, I’ve also become more cautious of quickly overhyped shows — the “new toy” effect is real and rarely translates into long-term quality.

Important note: fastforwarding/speed watching is a crime. Obviously. And don't get me started on dubbing ! A sacrilege, no less  :-x  but I (kind of) understand/tolerate the context of Chinese shows' dubbing. A little. đŸ«€

By the way, have I ever mentioned how much I loathe (unannounced) spoilers ? Especially those inconsiderate attention-seekers who post major twists “just for the clicks”, like the one who made me stop Flower of Evil mid-suspense? Or the ones who spoiled the endings of Midnight (2021) and BlackOut (2024)? Yes, I’m still fuming đŸ˜€

HOW do I rate ? 

My rating system is based on my own opinion.
I know no drama or film is perfect, but a 10* (or A+) is close to my kind of perfection — emotionally, aesthetically, and technically.
Even though I sometimes rate too generously, I very rarely give a perfect score. And the more I watch, the pickier I naturally become.
* In my very personal and humble opinion, less than a handful of shows a year deserves a 10/10.

I try to rate based on writing (a tight script and smart dialogues are so important), directing, acting/chemistry, pacing, editing, cinematography, and overall production.

I never rate a drama I haven’t watched AT LEAST half of. I genuinely don’t understand how someone can evaluate an entire show after only a few episodes

Btw, I wouldn't recommend a drama I rated 7.5 and under.

Note: PLEASE don't take my ratings too seriously, this is Delululand, folks ! 🙃

10★

WOW
 UNFORGETTABLE !
Spellbinding. A Masterpiece. Touched my soul.  (A+)

9 - 9.5★

AMAZING !
GREAT watch. Almost flawless. Loved every second.  (A- to A)

8 - 8.5★

GOOD / SOLID
A few tiny flaws/plotholes but still VERY enjoyable.  (B to B+)

7 - 7.5★

DECENT but NOT impressive.
Very average. Noticeable flaws/plotholes ! Some irritating parts (C+ to B-)

6 - 6.5★

Barely AVERAGE.
Quite frustrating at times. Still watchable but VERY flawed (C- to C)

5 - 5.5★

MEDIOCRE.
Disappointing. Barely tolerable. Tested my patience. (D)

4 - 4.5★

NOPE !
It is BAD. A definite waste of my time and energy. I should have read a book.

3 - 3.5★

WHAT THE... !?
This is pure TRASH ! TERRIBLE to the point of enraging. Just plain torture. 

2 - 2.5★

AWFUL !
TOXIC. Why, Oh why was this even made ?!? Lost brain cells watching it. 

1★

This is a CRIME against humanity.
How am I still alive after watching it ?


Still can't get enough of Asian shows ?
Do you wanna HEAR more about Asian dramas ?

In no particular order, hereunder are some GREAT PODCASTS SUGGESTIONS (English speaking) on Spotify and their Instagram accounts:

Even if your tastes differ from mine, I'm always interested in other opinions.
WE ARE ALL ENTITLED TO OUR OWN OPINION AS LONG AS WE STAY RESPECTFUL.

IF CRITICAL COMMENTS CAUSE YOU TO LASH OUT AT THE COMMENTER OR IF YOU THINK A LOW RATING IS A PERSONAL ATTACK ON YOU OR YOUR BIAS, PLEASE KEEP WALKING ! 
I can handle healthy debate but I will NEVER tolerate hostility. 
LET'S BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER !

So don't hesitate to send me a Friend Request or message (even if I don't interact as much as I'd like) ! 
"The more, the merrier" in Delulu Land, right ? 😉

THANKS for stopping by and making it all the way down here ! 

HAPPY WATCHING ! 💝


If anyone cares, I'm a Capricorn sun, Sagittarius moon and Lion rising in Western astrology
and a Metal Pig in Chinese astrology

(LGBTQ+ Supporter 🌈) 

Badges & banners by Rien 

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5,927 episodes, 402 shows
2d 4h 12m
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