Tag: secret forest

The Best TV Shows of 2017

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‘Stranger’ (Netflix) Full disclosure: this is an affirmative-action slot, recognizing the ubiquity and popularity of South Korean dramas. The murder mystery “Stranger” has less of the usual awkwardness and obviousness (yes, I know, cultural differences) and it has two other big advantages over most K-dramas: It’s only eight episodes long and it stars the immensely likable Bae Doo-na as a fearless cop.

I may not have personally cared all that much about Stranger aka Secret Forest, but this “review” is pretty insulting. It seems like it’s saying the only good thing about Stranger is that it was short, which is damning with faint praise. Especially when it makes you sound like an idiot, since it’s actually 16 episodes long, like any other drama.

I even went to Netflix to confirm, since I remember the weird way Netflix aired Night Light aka White Nights by splitting the drama in half of 8 eps each and waiting months before uploading the second half, but the US and Canada Netflix both show all 16 eps as available.

So I don’t know what the deal is with this pity “affirmative-action” vote (wtf), but these reviewers should have just saved themselves the trouble and not bothered with posting anything about kdramas if they clearly didn’t know much about them.

The Best TV Shows of 2017

Dramaland Forecast: October 2017

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

Completed:

  • Circle – after assiduously avoiding spoilers for months, I finally watched it! Thanks to a long plane ride, I pretty much binged it in one go, which I’m thinking is the best way to watch because I don’t know how I would have handled those cliffhangers. And I loved the show! It definitely lived up to my expectations and more, and I wish we could have more such sci-fi shows in the future (maybe a second season? Because I was wondering why we hadn’t focused on the fact that this is alien technology but that final scene made me go “yesssssss let’s do this!”).
  • Secret Forest – I don’t know if I wasn’t in the right frame of mind when I was watching, but after all the hype this show got I was actually mildly disappointed that I didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. It was a well done show and everyone involved should be proud, but like Shi-mok, I just couldn’t seem to connect to it emotionally.
  • Strongest Deliveryman – what a wonderful and endearing drama this turned out to be! While it didn’t give us anything particularly new, it did manage to switch up some standard tropes and provide a cast of characters that I fell completely in love with – from the leads to the smaller, minor roles. I’m usually the last one who wishes drama to have extensions, but I think this drama could have comfortably gone for 20 episodes. There’s an element of the family weekend drama that made me wish I could spend more time with everyone and linger in the small, happy moments of their lives.
  • Manhole – my expectations were sub-zero and I was happy watching pretty people acting ridiculously (well, mostly Jaejoong running), but the drama decided to forget the one fun thing (magic manhole time travel!) and instead focused on a very boring and unnecessary psychopath stalker storyline that did this pitiful show no favors. Also, you’d think the main character would have had some sort of growth zipping around time and realizing his actions have consequences, but no. Apparently if you screw around in time enough you can win the girl without any self-reflection or, y’know, actually working on your own life. Jaejoong’s still hella pretty, though.

Currently watching:

  • Temperature of Love
  • Lingerie Generation/Girls Generation 1979 – technically this is a “plan to watch,” but I’m looking forward to binging this short drama (hopefully soon!).

Dropping/skipping:

  • While You Were Sleeping – yep, I’m the weirdo who’s not really a fan of Lee Jong Suk (and this writer isn’t one of my faves), so while I was originally interested after discovering cutie Hae In would be in it, I think I’ll give it pass.
  • Go Back Couple – I really like Jung Nara and Son Ho Joon, but nothing about this immediately appeals, although there’s a chance it will be added to the “watch” pile eventually.

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • 20th Century Boy and Girl – I’m most excited about this one because of the cast, premise, and production team, although I’m not exactly sure if it’s a drama I’ll stick with since my track record for rom-coms is pretty terrible.
  • Witch’s Courtroom – the premise isn’t exactly enticing (I am So. Dang. Tired. of prosecutors), and a show dealing with sex crimes will probably make me So Angry, but I adore Jung Ryeo Won and Yoon Hyun Min, which is a combination so tempting that I’ll at least keep it on my radar.
  • Avengers Social Club – I don’t know anything about the original webtoon, but the cast (my queen Lee Yo Won! Ra Mi Ran!) and premise (women getting together for revenge but finding friendship!) are appealing. 
  • Mad Dog – I don’t know much about this drama other than it stars Yoo Ji Tae (y’all) looking badass, which is enough to get my attention.
  • The Package – as someone who adores France and who once (and still sometimes does) considered a career as a tour director, I’m definitely looking forward to this travel porn.
  • Revolutionary Love – Choi Siwon and Kang Sora starring in a rom-com! This sounds delightful (the teasers totally cracked me up) and it could be a perfect kind of drama brain-candy that is fun without being too stupid or annoying.
  • Black – OCN has been doing an incredible job this year with their Sat/Sun original line-up, so I’m going into this with the expectation that it will be slick and full of intrigue. It also stars goddess Lee El (well, in a supporting role, but still). The premise has me scratching my head, but I’m sure it will be gripping no matter what. (Unless, y’know, it’s the one OCN dud of the year.)
  • Two Cops – I was already vaguely interested because it’s Jo Jung Suk’s latest drama, but then Hoya signed on and I was like OMG YES BEST DRAMA EVER (and his role sounds like there will be SO MUCH BROMANCE with JJS – my heart won’t be able to take it!). Also Kim Sun Ho, he of the magnificent dimples, has also been cast, so I am ALL IN with whatever shenanigans this show tries to send my way. My only complaint is that Hyeri is cast as the female lead, which is annoying because there are plenty of amazing and funny actresses in their thirties who would be a wonderful match for JJS, but it HAS HOYA SO WHAT ELSE MATTERS.

Dramaland Forecast: February 2017

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Previously – 2016 – Jan

I started out the year all gung-ho about actually completing the dramas I start and keeping up with each week’s episodes. Yeah. It didn’t last very long before I realized I really can’t watch many dramas at once and when I lose momentum in a show, it’s a goner.

Completed:

  • Naked Fireman – I don’t know if I can really be disappointed by something that I didn’t have very high expectations for in the first place, but I think Baek Hee Has Returned must have instilled some unspoken expectations of the quality of KBS’s drama specials because this one felt like it missed the mark in so many ways. It wasn’t terrible, it just wasn’t very good. I blame the director for most of my bafflement with the show. It was an odd mix of rom-com cuteness and SUPER SRZ melodrama with a hint of mystery/thriller thrown in just for funsies. Now, this mix can totally work (Incarnation of Money is my go-to genre salad that goes to extremes – but does it all well). Naked Fireman, on the other hand… is just a mess that gave me genre whiplash and I’m not convinced I understand the motivations of the characters even still. Also there was a severe lack of nekkidness, which is probably the biggest complaint of them all.
  • Night Light – this is not the greatest drama ever – I get bored easily with business shenanigans, especially when it’s a bunch of people talking to each other. But Lee Yo Won and UEE had some magical chemistry, and Lee Yo Won is just incredible in the first place, that it managed to keep my attention through until the end (although I admit I watched some it as background noise, tuning in mostly when my ladies were on screen). Also I love Tak and I want one of my own. 
  • Solomon’s Perjury – all in all, I really loved this drama. It had a wonderfully bleak style feel that captured the “mid-winter” feel as well as the harsh noir-esque truths the students were dealing with (or at least debating). It never really felt like these were adults pretending to be teenagers, as so many teen dramas seem to me, and the teenagers always felt true to life in their struggles, big or small, personal or broadcast to the entire world. This was less of a whodunnit, as the plot followed a simple theme that has been seen many times before. It was more of a character study, watching these students learn that what they believe about people may not always be the truth.

Currently Watching:

  • Voice
  • Hwarang

Skipping/Dropping:

  • Legend of the Blue Sea – I love Jeon Ji Hyun to pieces but because I was watching TOO MANY dramas at once something had to fall to the bottom of the pile, and eventually it was three weeks later and I hadn’t touched an ep and new premieres were starting and and and… Also my interest in a show takes a dive when the happy romance stuff starts, especially when I know there’s angst ahead.
  • Reaper Goblin – the slow middle episodes were just too slow (and too loooooooooooong) and I don’t care if it gets more exciting or if tvN releases a “viewer’s cut” version where all the eps are one-hour or less (although tbh that would be pretty awesome), I just can’t muster up any enthusiasm to see this one out, despite how charmed I am by the adorable Reaper.

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • Super Family 2017 – I have no shame in admitting that the only reason this has caught my attention is because it has my beloved Hoya (hey, a fangirl’s gotta fangirl). I might check it out since it’s supposed to be a sitcom and I’m curious to know if Hobaby can do comedy, but it doesn’t seem like something I’ll properly watch, and I’m already anticipating it won’t be showing up on any “completed” list of mine.
  • Strong Woman Do Bong Soon – I’m still really eager about this one, even though I haven’t paid any attention to the promotional material (though I’ve heard it’s cute!). I just really hope that it lives up to my expectations. It’s been ages since I’ve enjoyed (and actually finished) a rom-com. 
  • My Sassy Girl – Joo Won is one of those actors that hold little appeal for me, but I love Oh Yeon Seo and think she’ll be brilliant in this role. The drama surrounded the drama has me a little cautious, but knowing it’s preproduced makes me slightly more confident it should at least be okay. I hope.
  • Secret Forest – I love me some cable mystery-crime-procedurals, especially one with an incredible cast (Lee Joon Hyuk! Jo Seung Woo!). Plus there has to be something pretty awesome about it that drew Bae Doona back to dramaland, right? I don’t know much about the production team, but I’m definitely keeping an eye on this one.
  • While You Were Sleeping – I know, I know, I know… you’d think the last drama I’d be interested in is the next Suzy/Lee Jong Suk vehicle, but my new crush Jung Hae In is listed as a second lead, so I’m intrigued, even though I don’t think I’ll likely stick with it since this writer is also hit-or-miss with 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.