Racket! SON~YEON~DAN~

Ahhh, what a show! Racket Boys was my happy pill for a long while these past couple of months. It started off with a bang and gave me all the sweet childhood Reply 1988-style vibes for the first half. Unfortunately, the show dragged a bit in the back half — at some point, I felt like there wasn't much plot left, so we filled the time up with badminton scenes that felt repetitive. We also lost a bit of momentum due to COVID, but thankfully, the series wrapped up on a high note. I found myself grinning and laughing as all the loose ends got tied up! I'll miss this crew, and I'm glad we got to see them grow and mature.

By far, the strongest cast members were the kids. All of these child actors are all stars, and they all have such bright futures ahead of them! Tang Joon Sang + Baeksang, WHEN? I hope one day, we'll look back on this cast and marvel at how they were cast on one show together (think: The Heirs). Unfortunately, the adults weren't all quite as strong. I found the dad particularly irritating; he acted so pitiful, irresponsible, and childish at times. You are too old to be acting the way you do. Even by the end, his climactic moment with the kids was still all about HIM rather than the KIDS. I also felt bad for Hae-in; her parents totally neglected her.

Speaking of neglect, the initial storyline of the family dynamic seemed a bit contradictory. The mom wasn't around at first and there was a whole episode on the mother-child dynamic (done so well), and then the problem seemingly... disappeared completely?! We could've gotten a fleshed out struggle (and Oh Na Ra OBVIOUSLY has the talent to handle a more dynamic character), but instead we got her sitting around folding clothes for the whole family as though she were always attentive and present. I did love all the other boys' family dynamics though — the productive and proud Bangs, Woo Chan's gruff and protective father, Yong Tae's alternative father, and In Sol's involved father all offered nice contrast to one another. I also found it odd that In Sol was seemingly added to the main cast halfway through, but dude deserves it. I just wish he had more time to play.

At its best, this show shone — I loved the curry scene, burger scenes (both of them!), Daegu birthday and construction moments, and the first nervous walk in the greenest potato fields. I also loved all the references to BTS, pop culture, and Prison Playbook. There were some clunky moments in between, like the clearly shoe-horned preachy perspectives (on gratitude, country vs city living, etc.) and the dialogue in the father-themed episode that mirrored Reply 1988's first episode heart-to-heart but without any subtlety. And sometimes I felt infuriated by all the screen-time wasted on village meetings and feuds with visitors. But on balance, Racket Boys was a wholesome and heartwarming watch.

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A calm redemption

Oh Jung Hae-In, I love you so much.

If you've seen Something in the Rain, it is impossible not to draw comparisons. The team clearly learned their lesson: we got wonderfully empowered women this time, as well as the mom's big redemption (I like to pretend this actress is playing the same mother... haha!). At the same time, this show continues to deliver behaviour in line with my expectations — artsy cinematography (tbh sometimes too much division / foreground-background nonsense), a slow pace, super realistic / relatable scenarios, and the same few English songs on loop (but at least I like the one about seasons changing, albeit it's a bit on the nose). It doesn't quite reach the heights and chemistry of Something in the Rain though, unfortunately. The highs aren't as high, but the lows CERTAINLY aren't as low. Thank goodness.

Top highlights: Eunwoo, the giggly cute lovey-dovey scenes, the emphasis on books!, the wonderful friendships and strong sisterly bonds. I really enjoyed Seo-In's situation, and I wish we got a bit more detail there. I'm glad we got to witness Ki Seok's slow descent into madness. He started off as a bland, inoffensive guy and turned into a stalking monster with a vendetta. This got old pretty fast; at some point he was more like an annoying gnat that I wished just went away. The eventual soju/restaurant scene was sad, but HECK, THEY DESERVED IT.

The show unfortunately dragged in the middle. I think a 12-episode format might've worked better, or a couple of additional plot points would've made things more interesting (like a direct confrontation with the mother). Still, the writing didn't fall off a CLIFF in the second half, and I got the chance to stare at Jung Hae-In a bit longer, so that made it a win for me.

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Cute!

I started watching this one as a palate cleanser while binge watching SKY Castle. There were moments where that show was a bit too much, so A-Teen was perfect in between episodes! Plus, both shows had the cute Kim Dong-hee.

Overall, don't expect this story to have super complex characters or hard-hitting lessons. It's mostly cute and fluffy, with conflicts that resolved themselves fairly quickly. The main group of friends was definitely loveable; I rooted for them all.

At the end, I felt nostalgic for my youth. The montage at the end made me reminisce the warm and sweet moments of a carefree "in between" year — one where you're not anticipating the next step in life or worried about the things you're supposed to be working towards, but instead, living and enjoying the moment. This feeling was evoked with a subtle touch.

Also, the kids were all so PRETTY and the OST was fire.

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Ridiculous but somehow... charming?

There were only three good reasons to watch this show: the food, Koo Dae Young, and Vara-ssi.

All the other characters were annoying and one-dimensional at times. The plot kept shoe-horning random violent mysteries, which felt out of place. A lot of the stereotypes, while I get were probably meant to be humorous at the time, felt cruel and problematic from the perspective of a North American in 2020. For example, I hated how Ms. Oh was always the butt of every joke for her appearance, or how a supposed solution to a bad boss is to spit in their cups.

But this show shines when people gathered to share a meal together. I loved looking at all the food, and all the rich descriptions from Koo Dae-Young. While I'm a huge fan of AMSR cooking videos on Youtube, I DIDN'T like the gratuitous close-ups of people chewing with their mouths open and moaning — and there were a lot of these. Thank goodness for the ability to fast-forward!

Still, by the end of the last episode, I was grinning from ear-to-ear. Everyone got an ending that felt right for them. Also, the Lee Il-Hwa cameo was PERFECT. What a great way to end a show.

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Squee!!

I can fully understand why Reply 1988 is the best of the Reply series — WOW! What a heartwarming story of family, friends, youth, and first love. I loved the themes of fate/timing/commitment, figuring out your dreams, and the significance of place. I wish I had a group of friends like these, forged through countless hours spent together during our formative years.

There were a couple moments that felt draggy. I was also a bit disappointed by the ending, because I felt it was a bit too focused on a secondary romance vs. our main one. Speaking of the romance, I was truly, genuinely shocked after reading an incorrect spoiler floating out there (THANK YOU REDDIT!! This does NOT happen to me often as someone who actively ruins shows for myself!). I was bracing myself to get Chillbonged here, and instead got beautiful, understated OTP feels fulfilled. While I was happy about that, it diverted so far from expectations that I can't help but wonder if the writers changed course near the end? I mean, I started to wonder considering which moments we were shown around halfway through, but... I was shocked things didn't flip flop a bit more. I think the themes we got from this ending were absolutely perfect, but I also felt like we spent too long watching their youth from a certain perspective only to get minimal payoff for it.

Still, I can't gripe too much. The romance was top notch, the family relationships were top notch, and the friendships were golden. I laughed, cried, and felt so nostalgic for a time and place that I didn't even get to experience firsthand. I used this show to introduce my parents to kdramas, and it made for the perfect family bonding experience.

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Love love!!

Eeeek, my HEART. This show was so gosh darn CUTE. I came to love all the characters, and by the end of it, I couldn't help but grin (especially that airport scene). This show is perfectly lighthearted and cute, and makes me feel all types of ways. Particularly at the end — I was nostalgic for my own time at university as well as all of theirs.

There were serious issues discussed, but they all had pretty concrete arcs that never dragged too long. I never got that invested in Si Ho's story, but the rest of them are all so gosh darn lovable (and I liked her by the end of it too). Overall, the format was more similar to a western TV show —  the episodes were somewhat self-contained.

It was adorable watching Kim Bok Joo stumble through all the awkward bits, the hard bits, and the swoony bits that come with all the "firsts" around that age. I'm so glad we got to see all these characters succeed. I swear, all the main plot points were re-introduced at some point, and tied up perfectly! I can already see myself going back to some of the night-time terrace contemplations or "lying-down-outside" scenes. The only mystery remains: any follow ups from that movie date?!

To be honest, I thought the show was a bit slow to start (I even had trouble staying awake to watch the first few episodes), but I LOVED the second half (and especially the end!). This is how you write a romance, my goodness. Can someone say SWOON? Wait, scratch that... more like "SUH-WAG." :)

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Ahh, The Heirs. It's required watching to understand the memes and tropes of the kdrama world. You have to go into it knowing it's not particularly good. But wow, I can totally see how it's a guilty pleasure kind of watch. This is a Disney channel style show in kdrama form.

The story sucks if you take it too seriously. It really dragged in the middle, but the last two episodes were great. If we could've gotten more of that, less of California, and less of the unnecessary back-and-forth, this could've been a tight 16 episode show.

Our leads had no chemistry and had concerning power dynamics. The saving grace here was the huge cast of supporting characters. The highlights of course were Bo Na and Chan Young, but I also came to love the rest of them —  Young Do, Myung Soo, even Rachel and Hyo Shin.

If I hear "Love is the Moment" 10 years from now, it'll still be too soon.

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This show legitimately had a cheat code to make you start crying. Any scene with the Mom or Seo Jin was an immediate trigger to cue the waterworks. So unfair! I cried too much! (But I love a show that can cause a good cry.)

The story was hard to get into at first. I'm not a big fan of 90s nostalgia (ugh! The FASHION!), and the comedy was very much of the overacting variety (not my style). I worried that I wouldn't be able to relate to any of these characters, and I got tired of Jin Joo and Ban Do fighting all the time. But eventually, the show won me over. You know a show is good when you want to savour the last few moments, and I'm so glad that so many mistakes of the past were addressed. I BELIEVED that these two people who hated each other were able to come back to each other, and that was definitely a feat in itself. Plus, all the "What really happened" flashbacks to 1999 and 2004 were AMAZING.

I wish the Nam Gil storyline had a bit more to it, but overall the ending here was reasonable. Oh, and where was Jin Joo's sister in the present day? I wish she played a bigger role! I also wish we got to catch up with Seo Young and Dok Jae at the end (c'mon dude, PLEASE tell me you don't still have a girlfriend and a wife!), but otherwise, all the ends were tied up neatly. The "explanation" for the time travel was a bit kooky (seriously, comrades?), but if you suspend your disbelief to watch the whole series, it doesn't even matter. Enjoy the ride and don't forget to have a LOT of tissues on hand.

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Above all else with this show: PARK SEO JOON. Wow I am in LOVE.

The story was sweet and I can see how it could be relatable, but personally did not find it relatable myself. I first heard about this drama after watching Because This Is My First Life —  while it has a similar style (slice of life, romance, and friendship), I found the issues less relevant to my life. Mainly, I know people in this world work in "third-rate jobs" and are forced to work instead of building their resume... but I am more comfortable in the world of top universities, tech jobs, elite VC, and looking to pay off a mortgage than the world of month-to-month rent. The discomfort is a testament to my privilege, and not a knock on the show at all. If anything, it made me more appreciative of all that I have in life. And I definitely admire these characters for pursuing their dreams.

I think the landlady plot was one of my favourites, and I definitely teared up as revelations related to this storyline got tied up. I also loved how the childhood flashbacks played a role in this story.

I wasn't a huge fan of the MMA fighting, but I did become invested in this. It's hard not to be when Tak Su is such a prick!

I was conflicted by the second leads' storyline. To me, the only satisfying conclusion for Seol Hee would've been to end up alone; and the only satisfying conclusion for Joo Man would've been to end up together. You can see how this led to some dissatisfaction in the end.

I also really hated all the unnecessary external folks interested in any of our four leads. Hye Ran, Moo Bin, Jang Kyung Goo, Ye-jin, and Chan-Ho... get away! I don't want to see any of you on my screen!

But above all else, the Dong man and Ae-ra storyline shone the brightest. So cute (even their friggen aegyo!)! I treasured their moments together, and I'm thankful that their time apart was short (vs. "will they / won't they?" type stories that only have them dating in the last 5 mins). I do think the ending was rushed for them —  the moment in the ring didn't explain how things were different, and I wish we had a callback to the "real gold" as well. As far as a love story goes, this one was cute. And one more thing... PARK SEO JOON, YOU HAVE MY HEART.

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Perfect vanilla fluff!

After a lot of shows lately that have erred on the side of serious, tense, and deep... A Business Proposal was a breath of fresh air!! With a lot going on in the world these days, this show brings us joy and levity. This show proved that sometimes, all we need is a simple, straightforward romcom. It felt reminiscent of classic stories from the past, and as long as your expectations are set accordingly, you will have a fantastic time. Don't watch this show when you're in the mood for tears or reflections on life. Watch this show when you need a light pick-me-up, archaepteryx sound effects, fun mannerisms, and unexpected laughs.

Despite its simple premise and fairly straightforward plot, A Business Proposal is surprisingly engaging. It SOMETIMES subverts tropes, but more often than not, it leans into the camp. The writer was smart to keep the story tight at just 12 episodes — it prevented any situations from dragging out, and therefore felt excellently paced. I LOVED the drama-within-a-drama, explicit product placement, snappy lines, and unabashed cheesiness. Our four leads are all immensely root-able, and I love how all the women are driven, ambitious, and stand up for themselves.

The actors all played their parts well. Even Young Seo's cousin endeared herself to me by the end. No one was really a villain, and we all had a good time.

My only critique is that the ending felt a bit rushed. C'mon, y'all know what we're here for! Why didn't you give us a wedding and babies?! If you're going to do a time skip, at least make the future a bit more fulfilling. I'll kid myself and say it's so they can keep things going with a drama special or second season someday.

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Fresh and heartwarming!

This show swept the international community by storm, and to be honest, it didn't live up to the hype (for me). I felt uncomfortable and creeped out at times, but I suppose that was the point. At the end of the day, you come to understand these people who "aren't okay," and this story beautifully helps us increase our compassion for one another. I hate to admit that I was kind of weirded out by Sangtae at first, but it's really a testament to the story and Oh Jung Se that I ended up rooting for him HARD —  and I began to reflect on how to be a better human. By the end of the story, I found myself rooting for this sweet family, and lovingly remembering all the patients (both through the story and the "real-life" counterparts). Special shoutouts to Ahjussi looking for the door, the star-crossed lovers, and the politician's son. You were such gems, and the last episode did a great job at tying up these knots!

Some missing plot threads: what happened to Park Ok Ran? How did Mom make it through the ice? WHY DIDN'T THE STORY END WITH A LIL GANGTAE (kidding... but not really)?!

It took me a long time to watch this show. I didn't LOVE it, but I do appreciate the messages and the overall direction. The cinematography was stunning. Kim Soo Hyun is a beautiful crier, and I loved his chambray shirts (although his whiny way of saying "hyung" got grating). Also, I was completely in awe of KMY's outfits. If only I could pull off HALF of what she wears.

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Slice of life at its finest

Run On is so creative, fresh, and fun! I found myself holding back from watching the last couple episodes because I didn't want it to end. Heck, I even watched Misaeng in the middle to cure my impending Im Siwan withdrawal (which, by the way, is now out in full force).

Run On is a show about communication, and shines with its wonderful pacing. Somehow, there's enough conflict to keep things interesting, but without too much drawn out noble idiocy or frustrating conflicts. It's light, fluffy, and warm — the perfect kind of show to help you feel better during the crazy times of 2020/2021. The cinematography is BEAUTIFUL, the dialogue is witty, and all the characters are loveable and redeemable (except maybe the slimeball director at the beginning, although he ultimately became irrelevant?).

Above all, Oh Mi Joo and Ki Seon Gyeom SHONE in this show. I rooted for them so hard, and I wished I could've seen their subtle care for each other for episodes on end. I mean, the other storylines were great as well — but I always felt sad when the scenes stepped back from these characters, and wanted to see more of them interacting with each other and their broader orbit. For once, the two leads stole the show (how rare is that in a kdrama?!). I loved how Seon Gyeom was less innocent and cheekier than he seemed. I loved how straightforward Mi Joo was, and how resilient she was too (plus, a lifestyle like hers is hardly ever depicted? How refreshing! I want to be friends with her!). Their chemistry made me want to watch all the behind-the-scenes clips. And although I know it's not the right thing to do.......... let's just say I wouldn't be opposed if they started dating in real life.

Seo Dan Ah and Lee Yong Hwa's relationship in one word would be "COMPLICATED." There was so much angst and a lot left unsaid. I must admit that some of it might've gotten lost in translation, or simply flew over my head. I'm satisfied with the ending here, although they definitely got me in the last couple of episodes. I think my perspective was like Yong Hwa's, so it was cool to be able to see Dan Ah's perspective too. I didn't understand what was wrong with the original painting until I saw the final one. I didn't understand the distinction between forcing Yong Hwa into Dan Ah's world until I saw the foil with Seon Gyeom and Mi Joo. The bbq and food scenes helped assure me they figured it out eventually.

Also, can we appreciate all these side characters? Candy is a BAMF mother. I loved the little pairing of May and Mr. Jeong. The inclusivity was done well — I like the coffee shop apology and the fact that no feelings were ever discounted. I liked the camping scene to demonstrate how families can reconcile and overcome differences. I liked our little idol for finding the love and support he always sought after (haha!). Even our hatable Assemblyman figured it out in the end. Can I say that ending this show in a movie theatre was PERFECT?

My only regret is that there were SO MANY movie references throughout the show that flew way over my head. I am not a film buff, so they ruined the immersion for me at times. And Seon Gyeom's friends never felt that necessary to me (Woo Shik is a golden retriever; you can't convince me otherwise), but I'm glad they existed. I also wish Kim Seon Ho's cameo was as Ryan, but hey, we're really grasping at straws to critique here.

Run On is a great show to watch when you want something light and lovely. This is slice of life at its peak form.

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A fun marathon

This show is sweet, addictive, and emotional. It was fun to binge (admittedly because it's coming off Netflix in my area, but I found it hard to stop watching regardless) despite putting me through an emotional roller coaster.

If the pitiful premise laid out in the first episode turns you off, keep going just a little while longer. The dramatic irony and payoff of this show is top-notch. I weirdly found myself rooting for ALL of the characters, even ones like Hye Mi, Kim Woo Cheul, Kim Yi Jin, and Shin Sang Ye... but ESPECIALLY No Ra, Minsoo, and Cha Hyeon Seok. Where can one find a man as devoted as Cha Hyeon Seok in this world?! And shout-out to the 친구s, Na Soon Nam and Park Seung Hyun — they're some real ones out there.

The show definitely feels a bit dated, with some "classic" tropes like wrist grabs, awful manhandling hero complexes, and one measly open-eyed kiss. I was frustrated from noble idiocy (YALL ARE TOO OLD FOR THIS, AREN'T YOU?), and I certainly would've been less tolerant had I watched it while airing. The last few episodes definitely dragged (probably from... 13-15?), which was a shame considering how strong and well-paced the rest of the show was. It's not even that there was a left-field mini-plot to fill up those last few episodes; perhaps it was the lack of one that made the show drag a bit? But the plot points that did happen all felt plausible. Thankfully, episode 16 redeemed the series with worthwhile endings for all. My only gripe with the ending was WHATEVER THEY DID TO SWEET MINSOO'S HAIR!! Unforgivable.

Second 20s was also a bit on-the-nose with the "life lessons." Living in the present and seizing the day are great messages imparted through the creative premise of the show, but it was delivered through maybe... 3-4 too many vehicles. I liked the nuance of considering how our past actions and anticipation of the future impact the present though. And the show brought up interesting social issues too, from sexual harassment in higher education, to nepotism and bribery, to the immense pressure and competition for classes/university admissions/recruiting, to socioeconomic disparity and the mounting unaffordability of financial independence in one's 20s. People of all ages will probably get something out of this show, whether you're a 20-something like me in need of the reminder to enjoy life in the carefree way we can only truly achieve at our age (without all the real-adult responsibilities) or a 38-year-old facing marital problems, or someone older seeking to empathize with the youth of today.

While this show wasn't perfect, it certainly made me think and feel things (strongly!). It's not as iconic as other shows from this era (I lump it in the era of The Heirs and such because it succumbs to pre-DOTS camera technology), and somehow it feels more dated than some of its contemporaries (Reply 1988; Misaeng). Despite these faults, its messages remain classic. And that makes Second 20s worth a watch — even today, in 2021!

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Nostalgia to the gills!

Ahh, what a show! I laughed and cried right along with these crazy kids.

I have to admit, it took me a loooong time to get through this show. I felt so detached from the story at first. I didn't get the cultural references! Shiwon was such a crazy fangirl! The fights felt so overblown and unrealistic! In fact, I even fully dropped this show twice before finally plodding through.

But wow, I am glad I stuck with it. Eventually, each of those ridiculous youthful moments felt like fond memories — I suppose nostalgia does that to you. I have to give HUGE props to Dramabeans for keeping me in the loop on all the references and subtleties I missed in each episode. I can understand how this was a huge ratings hit, especially among those who grew up in 1997. One can only hope they make a new Reply version in the 2000s/2010s for my own youth. I would love to remember my own period of obsessing over Big Bang / rest of the Hallyu wave, Boys Over Flowers, Gangnam Style, BTS, and even cultural moments like Kim Yuna at the Olympics. Please?

There were two things that shone so brightly from this story. One, the relationships — oh boy, KEEP BREAKING MY HEART, REPLY 1997. Joonhee's crush was a real heart-wrencher, as was the brotherly love/competition/sacrifice story. Shiwon's relationship with her parents (Dad especially) was impeccable. I loved seeing her mom express her love through food, and seeing Shiwon and her dad go at each other's throats. But his reaction to sending her off to college practically wrecked me. Second, even above the relationships, I have to commend the writing and directing for the ability to frame situations with perfect foils and analogies, and hit you with unexpected twists. The story dragged at times, and was definitely hard to acclimatize to at first (just because it's SO different from other dramas), but eventually I became as invested as one can be. Somehow, the end of the series made me appreciate the beginning so much more — to the point that I could definitely see myself rewatching these sweet moments of their youth with fondness.

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