Shows I Watched: May 2024

Status: Dropped

Year: 2024

Country: Chinese

Genre: coming of age, romance

Episodes:  4/26

Plot: The ML  at 19 years old, in the 1990s decides to work in a factory instead of going to college and his friends follow suit.

Comments: 

• I tried watching it and looking at the ratings when writing this review, people enjoyed it.
• But the biggest reason people would watch this drama is because of nostalgia, I saw a lot of references to the pop culture of the era. Like the Korean Reply series. But I am not that interested...

Status: Dropped

Year: 2024

Country: Chinese

Genre: romance, slice of life, drama

Episodes:  5/20

Plot: Our female lead is faced with the choice of pursuing her career in the city, or staying in her hometown and building a family with her boyfriend.

Comments: 

• For me, I just couldn't get into the story... mainly because of how they decided to show the two different lives of the female lead, it wasn't confusing for me but I felt like there could be better ways to show it.
• I peaked at the ending, and I was just confused about what the purpose of the story was or the message they were trying to tell.
• I really wanted to love the drama, because I love Lin Yu Shen.

Status: Dropped

Year: 2024

Country: Chinese

Genre: Romance, Slice of life, Comedy

Episodes:  15/40

Plot: Tells the story of 4 friends and their struggles in finding love in their 30s. A remake of the 2012 Korean drama A Gentleman's Dignity (men in their 40s). 

Comments: 

• The drama I think missed the point and failed to capture the essence of the Korean Original. Yeah, the opinions in the previous drama can be outdated but it was done tastefully. At that time it was refreshing to see love stories of men in their 40s and it was witty.
• They removed all the fun out of the drama and made everybody a goody two shoes.

Status: Dropped

Year: 2024

Country: 2024

Genre: Rom Com

Episodes:  3/16

Plot: The ML is responsible for preserving the heritage of the Joseon Dynasty and recovering stolen artifacts, and he ventures on to modern Korea to track down a thief. He reunites with an old tutor and their love story begins.

Comments: 

• It was an interesting concept, but everything felt very amateurish and tacky for some reason.

Status: Completed

Year: 2024

Country: Chinese

Genre: mystery, thriller

Episodes:  10/10

Plot: 6 people gather for a memorial service for Fei Ke and share how they know him and they realize he is different from each other's accounts.

Rating: 8/10

Comments: 

• It was good with really good twist after twist after twist. I think Jing Bo Ran has finally hit the spot in the next step of his career.
• It was well-paced, and the motives were explained well, and most characters are unapologetically selfish.
• I think the end, and the two goody two shoes and their intentions ruined it though.

Status: Completed

Year: 2024

Country: Korean

Genre: Mystery

Episodes: 10/10

Plot: This is a prequel to the legendary Korean drama Chief Inspector/detective. Our male lead gets transferred from his rural hometown police station to the city of Seoul. He puts together his team and fights against people who use their power to get away with their crimes.

Rating:  7/10

Comments:

• I expected more from this.
• I wish there was more than 10 episodes.
• I wish there was more variety in the cases, I know that they are trying to get the message out there and show the whole philosophy of the team and what keeps them motivated to do what they do. But I think it just got too repetitive for me that they are trying to solve a case and bring justice, but they couldn't because there are people in power that committed the crimes, but you know how corrupt people in power are right? Then injustice happens and our heroes won't give up until justice is served and they get it through their unconventional ways. 
• But I wish there was more and went into something deeper. It could be about the realities of the situations at that time or more about the characters.

Status: Completed (rewatch)

Year: 2023

Country: Korean

Genre: time-travel, coming of age, rom-com

Episodes: 16/16

Plot: Our male lead travels back in time and meets the younger version of his father. As he realizes that 

Rating: 9.5/10

Comments:

• The feels in the drama is so gooooood!!!!!
• The story of Yi Chan and Song Ah are forever ingrained in my heart.
• They just casted the right people for these roles, it is lighthearted but has substance. 
• I thought I grew out of this genre because the recent ones are hitting the spot, but I was wrong, I think the recent dramas don't capture the essence of these dramas well.
• I will probably rewatch this at the end of the year.

Status: Completed

Year: 2022

Country: Chinese

Genre: fantasy, rom-com

Episodes: 24/24

Plot: A novel writer wishes for an unforgettable love and that wish is granted, and her destined partner is the villain in her novel. 

Rating: 8/10

Comments:

• I finally watched this one...
• It was a good light-hearted rom-com with heart. The story was really nice and wrapped things up nicely.
• The chemistry was really good with both couples. I would say the 2nd male lead seemed like a spoiled brat to me and was unprofessional at times. But other than that, there were no messy love triangles or squares and no unnecessary plot lines.

Status: Completed

Year: 2024

Country: Korean

Genre: fantasy, time travel, rom-com

Episodes: 16/16

Plot: The FL travels back in time and meets the younger self of the idol she stans that unfortunately took his own life and she tries to save him as he saved her.

Rating: 8.5/10

Comments:

• I know this is an unpopular opinion. So, let me start by saying that I enjoyed the drama, the writing was good, the directing was good, and the acting and the chemistry were good. But I am not losing my mind over it.
• I know this drama is making everybody lose their minds, mostly because of the ML Byoen Woo Seok and he does come out super good-looking, eye candy, and his character is definitely written purposefully that way. The actor really did a good job portraying the character and embodying it, but I think I am now in my mature ajusshi era...
• The actress was a really good hit, her previous work can attest to this, also she put weight into the character as the episodes went on.
• I think the actors and their acting and chemistry are what made the drama special for everybody.
• But I wasn't crazy about it.

Status: Completed

Year: 2023

Country: Chinese

Genre: rom-com

Episodes: 9/9

Plot: Our FL is a high school student who is thinking of jumping off the rooftop of her school when she gets rejected by a boy she likes. She gets stopped by our ML who is one of her teachers whom she thought was very indifferent.

Rating: 8/10

Comments:

• This was a very unexpected find, I was browsing the upcoming dramas and found the season 2 poster very eye-catching.
• I enjoyed it as it was very self-aware and it took diggs at the inappropriateness of the two's relationship, especially on the teacher and it was the FL that was doing it.
• The chemistry was sparking, which is the essence of this type of drama.
• The ML is very good looking (I think that this is my type of character as of now)

Status: Completed (rewatch for season 2)

Year: 2019

Country: Chinese

Genre: fantasy, political, mystery, comedy

Episodes: 46/46

Plot: Our ML is a man with modern knowledge of ancient fictional China. He grew up in the country away from the capital with his grandmother. After an assassination attempt, he decides to head to the capital to find out who is behind the assassination and the mystery behind his mother and her death.

Rating: 9.5/10

Comments:

• I had to rewatch it for season 2.
• It is as good as I remember, in the writing, acting, and chemistry departments.
• The production quality sucked though, but it doesn't bother you as much as the story, and the acting sucks you in.

Status: Completed

Year: 2024

Country: Chinese

Genre: fantasy, political, mystery, comedy

Episodes: 36/36

Plot: second season of the Joy of Life. This time, it tells the story of the ML getting control and power.

Rating: 8/10

Comments:

• I know, I know.....
• I am enjoying this but I just have some reservations:
• The production quality stills sucks.... why?
• I feel like this is another exposition drama from the final season, I get it, but with the new Ming family and the plethora of new characters that came and went... It's hard to remember who is who
• It seems like there are new revelations were made, but it did not give me satisfying conclusions to the already existing conflicts...
• But nonetheless, I am looking forward to season 3 and will definitely rewatch the previous seasons to prepare for it.

Status: Currently Watching

Year: 2024

Country: Japanese

Genre: mystery

Episodes: 8/10

Plot: The FL tries to uncover the mysteries and the causes behind her father's death and her friend's death years later when an ex that is a link to all these incidents reappears. 

Rating: 5/10

Comments:

• Well, this was a disappointment, to say the least...
• The drama is just very dull, it has no personality at all, it's very confusing, it's not intelligent or clever, and the actors can't even bring the characters to life.
• But seeing Fujiki Nahito was such a pleasant surprise.

Status: Currently Watching

Year: 2024

Country: Korean

Genre: historical, political

Episodes: 14/20

Plot: The crown prince goes missing and the conspiracies and the power struggles ensue.

Rating: 6/10

Comments:

• I think everybody had different expectations of the drama because if you compare the initial poster and the poster now, you would think it's a different drama with the same cast.
• I mean it's ok but there is so much going on and it is so messy, like WTF is going on here?

Status: Currently Watching

Year: 2024

Country: Korean

Genre: rom-com

Episodes: 10/12

Plot: Our ML is an announcer, and he is used to telling white lies or omitting the truth to get by in life, but suddenly he gets electrically shocked which causes him to speak what he feels without filter. The FL, a variety show writer sees potential in our ML and attempts to recruit him for the show.

Rating: 7/10

Comments:

• This was such a wasted potential, as it started off strong, but did not reach its potential in its comedy.
• Maybe it was because I wasn't expecting out of this drama, since I couldn't care less about the actors starring in it, ***just being honest**, and the over-the-top comedy took me by surprise and I laughed really hard. But I think the writer got lost in the middle and tried to go deep, which I don't mind, a drama has to have some substance but it missed the mark.
• I swear episode 10 was the last episode by how they ended it. 

Status: Currently Watching

Year: 2024

Country: Korean

Genre: family, fantasy, supernatural, romance

Episodes: 8/10

Plot: A family with supernatural abilities loses their abilities due to modern-day illness and diseases. But they start to use their abilities again when our FL enters their life, but she has her own agenda.

Rating: 9/10

Comments:

• I love this drama...
• The concept is refreshing
• The writing and the directing are good. It can be confusing how to show visually and narratively how the ML time travels but they did an exceptional job.
• I love the chemistry between Jang Ki Yong and Chun Woo Hee (she is so good)
• I like the story between Ina and Joon Woo...
• And it has weight and substance that balances the quirkiness of the drama.

Status: Currently Watching

Year: 2024

Country: Korean

Genre: action, mystery, thriller, comedy

Episodes: 6/12

Plot: Members of the TCI investigate the crimes behind accident/traffic-related incidents.

Rating: 8/10

Comments:

• This drama is so chaotic and I love it.
• The team chemistry is so important and they are killing it. I love Lee Min Ki, Kwak  Sun Young, Heo Sung Tae, and Lee Ho Chul, but I haven't seen enough of Choi Moon Hee yet.
• They are doing a good job of moving on from one case to another and reminding us of the main case as we get further into the episode.

Status: Currently Watching

Year: 2024

Country: Japanese

Genre: mystery, drama

Episodes: 3/10

Plot: Our ML is a meteorologist and is the head of the newly established Special Disaster Management. They attempt to rescue people affected by natural disasters. 

Rating: 6/10

Comments:

• This drama is eh....
• They are showing that this is a big-budget drama, but I have yet to be hooked on the story.
• Depending on the sub rate, I am probably going to drop this.

Status: Currently Watching

Year: 2024

Country: Korean

Genre: historical, business, political

Episodes: 8/16

Plot: Tells the story of two seemingly polar opposites that pair up to try to change the course of Korean politics and economics. Kim San is an idealistic economist who wants to industrialize Korea and Uncle Samshik has been moved by his vision and will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.

Rating: 8/10

Comments:

• Wow... to just the cast. If you want great acting, this is the drama for you...
• I don't watch Korean films a lot, but I know of the great Song Kang Ho. And he is just as great as they say they are.
• And the other actors do not fall behind and are holding their weight.
• You definitely need to pay attention, and how they choose to tell the story might confuse you, I think they start somewhat in the middle or the end, being interrogated and it goes back to recounting what happened.

Status: Currently Watching

Year: 2024

Country: Korean

Genre: mystery, thriller, drama, comedy

Episodes: 3/12

Plot: The pair of mother-daughter-in-law duo, tries their best to keep their family from falling apart after learning of the secret of their son/husband.

Rating: 8/10

Comments:

• I thought this was going to be a dark melodrama with a revenge-like World of the Married vibes. But episode 3 threw me off guard, it is so funny but doesn't lose the tension, mystery, and intrigue of the drama...
• The matriarch duo has really good chemistry.
• I am looking forward to the drama.

Status: Currently Watching

Year: 2024

Country: Chinese

Genre: fantasy, romance

Episodes: /36

Plot: I will try my best... The FL is the chief of the fox clan and the ML is a human with a special bloodline. The spiritual beings and humans hate each other.

Rating: 6/10

Comments:

• I am having a hard time following the story, it's moving on without me.  Maybe it is because there are too many characters, or because I don't get why things are happening. Maybe it's because I am watching a lot of dramas.
• Fundamentally, this is a romance, so if I ship anybody in this show, then I am going to watch it. But nobody is chemistrying for me. 
• And the acting is not working for me sometimes I just feel like they are just reciting lines.
• The only positive thing for now is that it got me really looking forward to the sequel that is actually a prequel. 

Status: Currently Watching

Year: 2024

Country: Korean

Genre: 

Episodes: 6/16

Plot: A love story between an established academy instructor and her former student who quit his corporate job, hopefully, to make it big as an academy instructor.

Rating: 7/10

Comments:

• This is very melo, very moody, and aesthetically pleasing drama. If you like Something in the Rain and One Spring Night. And it is done right, this is the director's style and you can feel it since it's not pretentious.
• I think there is a pacing issue, and the writer is cramming a little too much of everything, like the confrontation with the actual school teacher and the continuing narrative, the office politics, the students, and the competitions between these private academies. And I actually find those more interesting compared to the romance, if I were being honest. And that it is expanding the world for the audience to make them more than the leads being each other's love interests. And it shows, but I guess it needs a balance.
• I love we get to see a glimpse of the busy life and the area itself, albeit through romanticized and rose-tinted glasses.
• The chemistry is good, they both fit the characters really well, and the director sets the mood right for these scenes, and is well thought out.
• The dialogs are really important in the drama, which is so my style. So if you don't like characters just talking, then this is not for you.

Status: Currently Watching

Year: 2024

Country: Korean

Genre: mystery, thriller

Episodes: 2/16

Plot: The ML who is a detective of an anti-drug unit. His estranged friend from high school pays him a visit and takes his life soon after. He was also kidnapped and forcibly addicted to taking drugs by a mysterious person.

Rating: 7.5/10

Comments:

• It is still too early to judge, but I am enjoying this so far.
• I am still not used to Jeon Mi Do as another character other than Chae Song Hwa from Hospital Playlist, 
• Interesting camera language.

Status: Currently Watching

Year: 2024

Country: Japanese

Genre: law, mystery

Episodes: 

Plot: 5/10

Rating: 8/10

Comments:

• It gets more interesting as the episodes go by it goes interesting, even though it is a typical Japanese drama of this genre.
• Love Hasegawa Hiroki, he always tries to do something unique with his characters. Loved him in Chiisana Kyojin.