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Dramaland Forecast: February 2018

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Previously: Jan

Completed:

  • Prison Playbook/Wise Prison Life – this so far is going to the one to beat this year (well, technically half of it aired in 2017), which means all the other dramas I watch are gong to have some stiff competition to gain my trust and approval. I was surprised at how much the reaaaaaaallllly long episodes seemed to fly by (helped, perhaps, by me watching half an episode at a time). I loved spending a “year” with these inmates and guards, learning more about everyone and finding the humanity behind their prison numbers. I have a slight quibble* about the ending, but everything was perfect and for once I genuinely believe that another season could not only be justified, but just as enjoyable as the first. (*Shin PD, you’re killing me with not letting the gay characters have their happy endings.)

Currently Watching:

  • Just Between Lovers – I’m still watching this, I think. I stopped at ep 4 and then focused all my drama attention on Prison Playbook as I struggled to get over the Evil Cold From Hell, where my attention span was extra minute thanks to all the cold meds and general fatigue. Now I’m distracted by all the new shiny premieres. I want to finish it because I really loved the vibe (this is maybe my new favorite director) but I also wearied of all the hype, because I’m a simple, fickle soul, so there’s a chance I may not pick it up any time soon until the hype has been long forgotten and I can enjoy it in peace.
  • Cross – I watched the first two episodes (okay, one-and-a-half as of this posting, but it’ll be two soon!) and I’m withholding judgement so far, but it hasn’t grabbed me yet. The first couple of minutes of the first episode got me all excited but then it dropped into a standard medical drama that I feel like I’ve seen a zillon times before. I’m hoping the revenge aspect ramps up because I want to like it, but I also can’t stand it when medical dramas get super detailed in their goriness because I am a wimp.

Dropping/Skipping:

  • Radio Romance – I haven’t paid any attention to its premiere to know what the buzz is, but I just can’t get past the age difference. So, pass.
  • Return – I downloaded the first four episodes (the first week), but haven’t had a desire to give it a shot, despite my love for both Go Hyun Jng (queen!) and my desperate hope that Park Ki Woong finally has a role that’ll remind me why I love him so much in the first place. 
  • Mother – I’ve seen the original and enjoyed it, and I’m in no hurry to replace that memory.
  • Hwayugi – this’ll probably be saved for a rainy day when I’m looking for something mindless to binge.

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • Misty – I’ll check out the premiere to see if it grabs me, but I’m not particularly expecting to keep it on my watch schedule.
  • Laughter in Waikiki/Eulachacha Waikiki – this looks like it could be cute, but I’m so picky and fickle about cute shows that all I can say is maybe I’ll check it out, maybe I won’t; maybe I’ll enjoy it, maybe it’ll annoy me. It just depends if I’m in the mood for something adorable and dumb (and I’m still getting a Three Men and a Baby vibe).
  • Should We Kiss First – my most anticipated premiere of the month! I’d probably die for Kim Sun Ah, and I’m eager to see her comeback in a drama that’s billed as “a story of the love lives of four middle-aged adults who have lost their faith in love.” Maybe I’m an old cynic, but this sounds exactly like my kind of romance.
  • Children of a Lesser God – by now you all should know that I’m a pretty huge fan of OCN shows in general, and this one has an intriguing concept (as well as an excellent cast), but this director has worked on previous dramas that just did not sit well with me, so my instinct is to pass because the production team usually makes or breaks a drama for me.

As always, any drama not listed means I have nothing new to add since the last mention and/or it’s not something I care about enough to add to the list. I only focused on upcoming Feb dramas because I totally spaced that today’s the first day of February and then there was a hasty scramble to throw this together so I could get it out ASAP.

Dramaland Forecast: December 2017

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Previously: 2016 – Jan – Feb – Mar – Apr – May – June – July – Aug – Sept – Oct – Nov

Completed:

  • The Package – this is, hands down, my favorite drama of the year. I had hoped it would be enjoyable, a fun romp with pretty scenery – but I didn’t expect for me to fall in love with all the characters and care so much about their stories. It’s rare that I finish a drama and then immediately want to rewatch it, but I wish I could spend more time with this misfit tour group and become a part of their defacto family.

Currently watching:

  • Black – I’ve heard rumors that this should be coming to US Netflix in the next month or so. If so, I’m jealous of anyone who gets to binge and not agonize with me each week, trying to figure out what’s going on and guess what will happen next.
  • Two Cops – the premiere was okay, although I wasn’t immediately drawn in (although Hobaby’s love for his sunbae Jo Jung-suk is my new favorite thing). There’s a strong chance this will end up on the dropped list unless things pick up a little more, but for now, I’m willing to give it a chance.

Dropping/skipping:

  • Untouchable – I thought about checking this one out because it seemed like it could have potential, until I remembered how bitter I am about the mess that was Masked Prosecutor, so this writer is still banned and I refuse to watch his stuff.
  • Doubtful Victory – technically I haven’t dropped it, nor am I exactly skipping it. I just haven’t had a chance to watch the premiere yet, although knowing I can only watch a handful of live-airing shows at a time, there’s a strong chance this won’t make it to the “currently watching” list unless it’s binge-worthy (or I decide to drop Two Cops and the few December shows that interest me, making room in my viewing schedule).
  • Judge vs Judge – as legal dramas go, this sounds like it could be a relatively fresh take, since most legal dramas focus on the prosecutors and lawyers. Buuuuut it’s still a legal drama and I’m not particularly motivated to check it out.
  • Wise Prison Life – I really, really, really want to watch this drama. I also have discovered that the episodes are an hour-and-a-half long. Dammit, Shin PD, why are you making my life so difficult? If you want me to watch your shows, make them shorter! A girl only has so many hours in the day to watch dramas! I’m telling myself that I’ll binge it later, but then I’ve been saying that about Reply 1988 for almost two years, and I’m still balking at those episode lengths.

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • Jugglers – Daniel Choi in a workplace drama, surrounded by a mess of awesome women. I AM ALL IN!
  • I’m Not a Robot – I love the cast, but I’m still iffy on the concept, and the teasers haven’t exactly won me over, either, so this will probably be a pass.
  • Bad Guys: City of Evil – the teasers got me all hyped up! I don’t know if I’ll watch it while airing or wait to binge, but it’s definitely on the “watch” list.
  • Hwayugi – the Hong sisters lost my trust years ago, but this looks pretty awesome, not the least because the cast is a collection of all their favorites from previous dramas. I hope they can deliver on this and remind me why I used to like their dramas in the first place.
  • Just Between Lovers – this could be a little more melodramatic than is my taste, but it also seems like it will be one of those “slice-of-life” dramas that JTBC does so well, so it’s definitely got my attention. I don’t know if I’ll make time for it while it’s airing, though.
  • Return – it’s a lawyer and detective show, which makes me go “ugh, not another one.” Buuuuuuut it stars queen Go Hyun Jung, along wth Lee Jin Wook, Shin Sung Rok, and my beloved Park Ki-woong, who I’ve been temporarily freezing out since I’ve been so disappointed with his post-army acting choices. But this will make up for it, right? At least I can hope!
  • Radio Romance – Doojoon as a top star who can’t speak unless it’s scripted who then has to suddenly become a DJ? Yes, please! A love interest potentially with an actress who is still in her teens? Hell, no! Sigh, dramaland, why do you have to be this way? There are plenty of twenty-something (and thirty-something!) actresses who would make a good pairing with Doojoon (don’t make me remind you of my love for Soo Kyung noona!). Whhyyyyyyyyyyyyy are you making a teenager pretend to be older? Ugh, ugh, ugh.

As always, any drama not listed means I have nothing new to add since the last mention and/or it’s not something I care about enough to add to the list.