2021: kdramas were cool even before Squid Game

Dec 30 2020 - Jan 1 

Jan 4 - Jan 10

Feb 4

Feb 4 / Feb 5

Feb 5

Feb 5 / Feb 6

Feb 11

March 12

May 24 / May 25

June 12

June 11 / June 12

June 18 - Sept 19

August 3 / August 4

August 4 / August 5

August 17 - August 23

August 24

august 25

August 26 / August 27

A whole damn masterpiece. From the plot, to the settings, to the costumes, to the acting, and to the actors themselves--it didn't lack a thing. It was dark, beautiful, funny, heartbreaking, scary, angering.... every emotion you can think of, it invoked it. The ML, my god, that boy can act. Playing two entirely different roles and you can FEEL the difference in each scene. All the actors do a fantastic job; you don't even feel like you're watching people act. It feels so real. I am blown away by this entire production. It was the first Historical drama I actually liked and now I can't help but watch more of them in hopes they might just remind me of this absolute piece of unmistakable art. Watch it. Like... right the heck now. 

August 6 - August 28

June 27 / August 30

Sept 24

Oct 1

Whenever I try to write something for this I lose my words. It's really good. The development is strong with these two and we love to see it!

Oct 2

Oct 3

Oct 3

Oct 3 / Oct 4

Oct 5

Oct 5

Oct 5 / Oct 6

Oct 6 / Oct 7

Oct 7

Oct 7 - Oct 9

Oct 9 - Oct 11

Oct 15

Oct 15 - Oct 19

Oct 20 / Oct 21

Oct 21 / Oct 22

Oct 22

Oct 22 - Oct 24

Oct 24 / Oct 25

Oct 25 - Oct 27

I probably laughed until tears during every episode. It's dark and grim as hell, but the dry humour absolutely gave me stitches in my side. I was so invested, I set my laptop outside my shower so I didn't have to stop watching at one point LOL. MLs acting is phenomenal. Him and the 2nd ML completely took this crime drama to a possibly never again achievable height. FL was good for the plot, but it was definitely the guys that made it *chefs kiss*. My goodness, ML was so dang funny in this. I just cannot--I'm still laughing just thinking about it and it's now December.   

Oct 27 / Oct 28

Oct 29 / Oct 30

Oct 30

Nov ?

Nov 3

Nov 3

Nov 4

Nov 8 

Beautifully done and the whole thing is artistic as hell. Far from PG or being like any of these other dramas on this list. Much more realistic. Grab tissues.  

This drama is also based on the same book, but it's completely different (PG for starters):

1. The Painter of The Wind (2008, South Korean drama version) https://mydramalist.com/422-the-painter-of-the-wind

Nov 18 / Nov 19 

Lower budget (with make up/hair) but idc, the scenes between ML and FL are just so dang sweet, I've surely got cavities. Treating your partner with equality is a beautiful thing. I'm here for it.. Low budget but I honestly didn't care because I was too enthralled by the love story. The acting was pretty convincing as well. I find Chinese dramas are normally very fluffy, but I really didn't mind it in this as it balanced the heavier topics with the sweetness. Normally I'm used to 4-5 episodes driving me crazy from frustration, but I don't think I was ever frustrated past one episode during the entire series. Give it a shot if you're hesitant.

Nov 19 / Nov 20

Nov 20 / Nov 21

I loved FLs acting in this. As per the recommendation of fellow watchers, I stopped after watching episode 21 (and then read spoilers). Highly recommended as I feel completely satisfied, and as seen in the comments, the real ending left a dissatisfied crowd lol. But, yeah, I was fully invested in the FL. I didn't dislike ML but I would have been fine with the 2nd ML, too.  It was her acting and the character she played that really kept me watching. I recommend it purely for her and the energy she exudes. 

Nov 29 / Nov 30: 

The faults make me want to give in a 8.5, but the amazing parts honestly are so good I'd give it a total of 9.5. Absolutely worth the watch. Action was perfect.

episode 6/16: Okay, I really like this drama. Unlike other cross-dressing dramas, this one actually seems to do a really good job at being gender defying. By that, I mean both men and women are strong characters with equally as important roles and each with their weaknesses. No one is really a heroin or hero... rather, they are both, taking turns. More older important male characters, but with it being historical that makes sense lol. Really enjoying this and hope it keeps it up. 

episode 9/16: I have no words. Okay, I have a few: what an amazing drama. Holy macaroni I am at the edge of my seat. This went from an 8.5 to an absolute 10 for me. While the romance had me at the beginning, I am now fully absorbed in the political plots and action. My god, it's amazing. I don't think I've ever been this so intrigued by the non-romantic part of a drama. The PLOT TWISTS. I am going to have SEVERE trust issues. Literally every character in this dang drama has made my head spin at least twice. Phenomenal. I'm so hoping it keeps it up.

Finished: The only complaints are (1) after the 1st half, there wasn't as many women making dents in the plot (besides messing it up)  (2) the FL could have been way more dimensional. They seemed to really know complex when it came to males... females, not so much. (3) The build was outstanding, but the ending was a bit lackluster. It's like they were rushing. I feel unsatisfied by a few relationships I had become so invested in.  Also, some weird out-of-character choices by normally diabolical characters just to keep the plot going. That being said, the ending didn't make me regret watching it.