十人十色, “Different strokes for different folks”, “One woman’s meat is another’s poison” and “All sorts make up the world” are adages I live by. Live and let live.

I have quite specific tastes in dramas, with particular preferences for certain tropes, which will be reflected in my list of favourites and watched. Main diet for the last ten years is KDrama but while an avid viewer, is not consistent as drama-watching requires certain moods and a drive that are not always present; always in a struggle to cut down on the growing numbers on the To Watch list. I spend more time reading about dramas than I do watching them.

Unlike many, the main attraction in movies/dramas for me are the female leads and their characters and not the male leads (no matter how swoon worthy they may be; perhaps a handful of exceptions at most), and they are mostly the reason I start and finish any dramas. I love me interesting, awkward, prickly, quirky, strong or kick-a** - and everything in between - female characters. In that spirit, I have no tolerance for badly behaving male lead characters - especially in a romance - and tend to avoid those. 

My ratings also try to be on the more ‘objective’ side, versus my own feelings and enjoyment of a particular drama. So, a relatively lowly rated drama does not necessarily reflect my own love or lack of for it, nor does it mean it is not a drama worth watching. Since I am not a regular viewer now, and tend to be picky about the dramas I do watch, those I start (and complete) always have something going for it that I greatly enjoy, and could be the basis of a recommendation if you have similar tastes and preferences. 

Anything rated 7.5 and above are fundamentally good dramas with great performances and coherent storylines that I would not hesitate to recommend. 

Rating criteria (personal POV, obviously):

9.5-9.0 Only a step - or a few - away from being flawless. From script/writing, direction, performances, pacing, conclusion, emotional and intellectual impact (including OST etc), as well as overall coherency and consistency in the narrative(s) and plot(s). Nearly every element stands out and comes together impeccably.

I don’t rate anything a 10. This is the highest rating I will give for any show because despite my own feelings/thoughts, ‘nothing’ is perfect.

8.5 Superb and brilliant. Outstanding script/writing, direction, performances, pacing, conclusion, emotional and intellectual impact (OST etc included), as well as overall coherency and consistency in the narrative(s) and plot(s). The most crucial elements/themes of the storyline/narrative are executed with precision. Dramas/movies with high emotional and intellectual footprints. Shows which stay with you long after the fact. (Not necessarily favourites, but always magnificent, memorable shows). Genre specific (or not).

8.0 Fabulous. Excellence in script/writing, direction, performances, pacing, conclusion, emotional and intellectual impact (OST etc included), as well as overall coherency and consistency in the narrative(s) and plot(s). A few missteps and mistakes in terms of storyline, pacing and flow etc (might be negligible but noticeable). Genre specific (or not).

The top 3 of my personal favourites are only rated 8.0. There is little I don’t love about my favourites, but while they are ‘perfect’ to my heart and mind, not necessarily true from a more ‘objective’ POV of what makes a ‘true masterpiece’.

7.0-7.5 Good. Very solid in terms of script/writing, direction, performances, pacing, conclusion, emotional and intellectual impact, as well as overall coherency and consistency in the narrative(s) and plot(s). Shows worth a watch (and more depending on one’s preferences).

6.0-6.5 Perhaps a good watch depending on one’s mood, inclination and preferences. Quite solid in terms of script/writing, direction, performances, pacing, conclusion, emotional and intellectual impact, as well as overall coherency and consistency in the narrative(s) and plot(s).

I don’t (final) rate any show dropped or not completed.