Dramaland Forecast: August 2016

Previously: JanFebMarAprMayJune – July

Completed:

  • Dear My Friends – best drama of the year for me, hands down, no questions asked

Currently Watching (…kinda – I’m so far behind on everything!):

  • Squad 38
  • Monster
  • Beautiful Mind
  • The Good Wife

Planning to watch once I find time to watch more things:

  • W
  • Age of Youth

Skipping/Dropping:

  • Right now I’m not really sure what’s out there for me to skip that I haven’t already said I would, but I bet I’m skipping something (or many somethings)

I’m going to finish this show one day, I swear:

  • Six Flying Dragons – yeah, yeah, one day, *mumble, mumble*

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • *sweats nervously*… um… I haven’t been keeping tabs on upcoming stuff. I don’t even know what I’m excited about since all I’ve wanted for months is The Good Wife and now she’s here so nothing else really matters
  • This is the worst forecast yet
  • I’m so sorry

Dramaland Forecast: July 2016

Previously: JanFebMarAprMay – June

Completed:

  • Baek Hee Has Returned – super cute and heart-warming, and I loved the relationship between the mother and her not-far-from-the-apple-tree daughter. Also Kim Sung Oh is amazing and should be in more things (er, more things with a greater role and not just cameos!).
  • Vampire Detective it was a decent crime show with a fun cast of characters and nifty camera work, but I still don’t understand why they bothered with a vampire gimmick when it was barely utilized.

Currently Watching:

  • Monster – whooooooa, we’re (over) halfway there! Whooooa-OH, livin’ on a prayer (that it will maintain the recentish switch to being actually good).
  • Dear My Friends fave drama of the year so far.
  • Squad 38 – fave drama airing right now.
  • Beautiful Mind – on paper this is clearly a show that I wouldn’t like but in reality I’m hooked.

Skipping/Dropping:

  • Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul Ho – I do still intend to finish this show (one day), but I finally had to admit that being stuck on episode 8 for a month means it goes to the drop list. For now.
  • Doctors – I love Park Shin Hye and glad she’s back on the small screen, but this isn’t the drama for me.
  • Wanted – I still haven’t watched the premiere and don’t know when I will, so it’s safe to say I’m skipping this one.
  • Let’s Fight Ghost – Taecyeon in a drama about ghosts? 
image

I’m going to finish this show one day, I swear:

  • Six Flying Dragons still on ep 28. There are just so many good dramas lately that I don’t have the free time to attempt to get caught up! (Yeah, that’s the story.)

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • Uncontrollably Fond – or, as it’s known in these parts, Uncontrollably Woozy. Each teaser seems to cement that this is probably not the drama for me, but… ImJoo2! What to do, what to do. (Uh, watch at least the premiere and go from there, probably.)
  • W the teasers aren’t exciting me, but the premise is interesting and this is generally a trustworthy screenwriter, plus Han Hyo Joo! And my favorite bodyguard!
  • The Good Wife – I’m pretty sure you guys know how I feel about this one. CANNOT. WAIT.
  • Second to Last Love – I’ve not watched the original Japanese version, so I don’t really have a clue what this is about beyond the basic description, but it has Kim Hee Ae and my girl Kim Seul Gi, so that means it also has my attention.
  • Age of Youth – even though there isn’t much info out there about this drama*, I’m excited about it because it’s from the writer of White Christmas and Wild Romance, the latter of which had its issues, but it also gave us the character of Dong Ah who is one of my fave characters ever, and who sounds like she’d fit right in with this drama about five female college students who live in a share-house. (*edit: a teaser has been released since I originally queued this post.)

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. 

Dramaland Forecast: June 2016

Previously: JanFebMarApr – May

Completed:

  • Nothing yet! Still watching!

Currently Watching:

  • Vampire Detective – why does the show still not really care that he’s a vampire? It’s Vampire Detective – VAMPIRE!!! But I still really like it because I enjoy stylish crime procedurals and the Scooby gang are so much fun to watch.
  • Monster – it’s not great but it’s not terrible and the cast makes me happy. Just don’t ask me to explain the plot because I’m pretty sure not even the writers know what’s going on any more.
  • Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul Ho – okay so I haven’t touched an ep in weeks but I still consider it to be on the “watch” list just because.
  • Dear My Friends – *cries* my aunties ❤

Skipping/Dropping:

  • Entertainer – there were glimpses of goodness, but it’s nothing that I haven’t seen many times before (even from the same director!) and combined with the fact that the chemistry was lagging between characters and the music wasn’t more compelling than any other non-music-centric drama, I decided I didn’t need to waste my precious drama-watching hours on this.
  • Lucky Romance – originally I was thinking I’d check this out predominately because of how much I enjoy watching Lee Soo Hyuk, but the teasers have reminded me how quickly my patience is exhausted for Hwang Jung Eum’s standard acting-style and I’m not sure I want to deal with that, especially when I already have more than enough dramas to fill my time right now.

I’m going to finish this show one day, I swear:

  • Six Flying Dragons made it to ep 28. Progress!

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • W this was only vaguely on my radar since it’s from one of the writers I always want to like more than I do (I swear it’s just me and I totally agree she’s worthy of being beloved by everyone), and I’m also generally iffy about Lee Jong Suk. I like him in smaller, supporting roles, but for shows where he’s the lead, he just doesn’t keep my attention. *ducks to avoid the flaming pitchforks* However the news that my fave bodyguard has been cast as a (wait for it) bodyguard definitely pushed me over the line from “maybe” to “okay yes we’ll check it out for sure.” It may be shallow, but honestly the casting is rather excellent in general (despite my weird taste in leading men) and this writer does craft excellent dramas, especially when they involve the wibbly-wobblines of time travel.
  • Police Unit 38 or Squad 38 – nothing really new to add except the teasers are as slick as you’d except from OCN and I’m looking forward to seeing Seo In Guk playing a con-man for the good guys.
  • Doctors – I generally avoid medical shows, so I’m not sure if I’ll actually pick this one up. But I did see the stills from the first shooting and really loved Park Shin Hye’s style, so I might watch it just to see her kick ass and be awesome – while, uh, also healing people…yeah… I make no promises though, especially since I’m not a fan of the writer.
  • Goblin – Gong Yoo returning to Dramaland? Oh, yes! KES as the writer? Oh, dear. At least tell me she’s gonna have a co-writer to help rein her in because I want to believe in the DotS and City Hall KES (both dramas where she had a co-writer) and not the chaos she creates when she’s left to her own devices. Fingers crossed that the only hell I’ll have to endure is the one in the script and not because of the script.

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. 

Dramaland Forecast: April 2016

 Previously: JanFeb – Mar

Completed:

  • One More Happy Ending it was far from what the first few episodes promised me it would be, but it was an enjoyable enough fluff bit of a drama, although I only stuck it out for my darling Dong Mi and how charismatic Jung Kyung Ho was as Soo Hyuk. Despite a few bright spots, it’s the kind of drama that I’ll forget ever existed.
  • Signal have I made you all fans of Kim Eun Hee now? Do you see why she’s one of my favorite writers? It wasn’t a perfect show, but it was pretty close, and it definitely redeems my disappointment in Three Days.
  • Neighborhood Hero – the plot was a bit slow, I admit it. But while it may have disappointed others, I enjoyed the laid-back attitude. It did make it feel more like this show would be more at home on jtbc instead of OCN — it was more Yoona’s Street than a slick spy drama (but nowhere close to being as excellent as Yoona’s Street, mind). Then again, I am probably biased because I adored Soo Hyuk’s adorable awkward puppy character and the concept of a place where displaced ex-spies hang-out, and the overall sense of community between all the shop owners in the area. The actual nitty-gritty behind who ruined the original mission and the great conspiracy didn’t interest me quite as much.

Currently watching:

  • Come Back Ahjussi – still loving it.
  • Pied Piper – I’m a couple weeks behind thanks to a busy work schedule, but I still plan to see it through.
  • Vampire Detective – thank goodness it’s only one episode a week, so I might have a chance to keep up. But that first episode was everything I could have wanted, and I’m eager to see how this new take on the vampire mythology plays out.
  • Monster – the first two episodes were high on old-school melodrama, and if I were basing my decision to watch the show just on those, I’d likely pass. But I know this team, I’m obsessed with Park Ki Woong the cast, and the teasers keep promising some cute moments, so I’m holding out for the story to get rolling with the adult versions.
  • Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul Hoonce again, legal dramas are not my thing. But I’m hooked on the first two episodes. Plus Park Shin Yang is back on the small screen after six years, so you know it’s going to at least be a pretty good script. (The last time he was in a drama was Sign, which was written by Kim Eun Hee. Just sayin’.)

I’m going to finish this show one day, I swear:

  • Six Flying Dragons  I’ve temporarily stalled out on episode 26, but it’s important to note I’m over halfway!

Skipping/Dropping:

  • I didn’t drop a single show I’d planned to watch! What madness is this?
  • Ms. Temper and Nam Jung Gil – I was only vaguely interested in this, and I haven’t heard anything that will make me squeeze it on my extensive watch list, so I’ll give it a pass.
  • Daebak – I’ve heard good things about it, but I can only handle one sageuk a year, and I think SFD will tide me over for quite some time (should I, uh, ever actually finish it…).

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • Arbitrarily Fond – finally has an airdate: June 29th! I’m so excited to see Im Joo Eun and Im Joo Hwan back on my screen (and together again!) that I keep forgetting they’re not the actual leads. 
  • Entertainer –I wasn’t even aware of this drama until I heard cutie-pie Minhyuk was going to be in it, and being the shameless fangirl that I am, I will primarily check it out just for him. Of course, that’s the worst reason to watch a drama, so I don’t have very high hopes, but I’ll at least try to watch the first few eps.
  • The Good Wife – look at me, willingly adding a legal drama to my list of upcoming dramas that interest me. But I’ve been enjoying the original American drama, which I only started watching once it was revealed that Jeon Do Yeon and Yoo Ji Tae had signed on for the leads. I’m also cool with the rumor of Yoon Kye Sung signing on, since even though I’m not sure what role he’d play (the Will Gardner character, perhaps?), I know he’s talented enough to be able to hold his own with those two power houses. Honestly, I’m excited to hear more about the cast, since I feel like with Jeon Do Yeon as the lead, there should be plenty of seasoned and extremely talented people dying to work on a project with her.
  • Dear My FriendsI’m not sure if there’s really anything to update about this drama, other than it’s settled on an airdate (May 13th). Even though Noh Hee Kyung’s dramas often leave me cold, I’m intrigued by the concept, and, of course, the incredible cast.
  • Police Unit 38 – I do love me some crime procedurals, and I’m curious to see what OCN (aka Only Crime Network) will do with a take on catching rich people attempting to evade their taxes, starring the pretty faces of Seo In Guk and SNSD’s Sooyoung (who I happened to very much enjoy in the tvN drama version of Cyrano Dating Agency). The production team seems promising, at least in terms of action/mystery. Hidden Identity may have been riddled with plot holes, but it was gorgeous to watch, so that director combined with the screenwriter for Vampire Prosecutor definitely have my interest.
  • Jealousy Incarnate – Jo Jung Suk, Gong Hyo Jin, and my queen Lee Mi Sook in a drama from the writer of my beloved Miss Korea? Sign me up!

As always, if a drama isn’t listed here, it means I don’t care about it or there’s nothing new to add since the last time I mentioned it.

Dramaland Forecast: March 2016

Previously: JanFeb

While I didn’t get this posted on the first of the month, I at least wanted to get it up before the new premieres.

Completed:

  • Remember
  • Splash Splash Love yeah, I’m late to the party, but at least I watched it! Super cute, although I was bizarrely content with just the first half and felt the second half was somewhat unnecessary.

Currently Watching:

  • Signal – I haven’t watched this week’s episodes yet, but I’m already sad that it’ll be ending next weekend. By far my favorite drama of the year (and a tough one to beat).
  • Neighborhood Herostill really enjoying this show, even though I understand it won’t be to everyone’s taste in terms of pacing and/or personal reasons.
  • One More Happy Ending this has dropped to my lowest priority, but I still plan to see it through. It’s not what it could have been, or what it was in the beginning, but I still find it reasonably enjoyable, although I’ll likely forget it existed once it’s over.
  • Come Back Ahjussi – a delightful surprise! It wasn’t high on my must-watch list although I knew I’d check it out for Rain, yet the show has impressed me with how engaging it is, and all the actors are giving a marvelous performance. If it stays as good as the first four eps, it will end up high on my list of favorite dramas this year.

Currently watching, kinda, I swear I’ll get caught up eventually:

  • Six Flying Dragons – I’m up through ep 26. Over halfway! I’m gonna make it until the end, hopefully before next year.

Upcoming premieres:

  • Pied Piper – airs tomorrow! I’m still not sure about the details but the premise is intriguing, the teasers were pretty to watch, and Shin Ha Kyun is amazing, so I know it’ll be at least decent if not actually a good drama.
  • Vampire Detective – once again, my expectations were actually fairly low (or at least mild), but all the teasers have got me excited since the premise seems it won’t just be a gritty detective show (which I love!) but will also have some fun with the vampire aspect of it. Plus the cast is gold and if there’s any network I want to host a crime drama about vampires, it’s OCN.
  • Monster – oh man oh man OH MAN. At least I know what show will fill the hole that Signal will leave behind. I’ve gushed enough about this cast (PARK KI WOOOOOOONG!) and the fact it’s helmed by one of my favorite production teams. The only thing that gives me pause is that whole “50 episodes” thing, but doggone it, I’m going to get through it and it will be more than worth it.
  • Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul Ho – I’m generally not a fan of law dramas, but doggone it, this is the first Park Shin Yang drama since Sign and the teasers look kinda… awesome? Plus there’s Kang So Ra, who deserves a good drama after the snooze-fest of Warm and Cozy. Honestly, the entire cast is amazing, and even though it’s usually against my policy to watch a show just for the cast, the production team seems pretty solid, too, so I’m mildly optimistic.

Skipping/dropping:

  • Cheese in the Trap – I bailed on ep 11, but if anyone makes a supercut of all the Bo Na/Eun Tak scenes, please let me know because they’re my new OTP.
  • Memory – I love me some Lee Sung Min, but a lawyer who gets Alzheimers? Thanks, but I’ll pass – I’ve had my share of that already this year. (I’ve actually had my fill of Alzheimers as a plot device in Dramaland just in general, but at least it’s not cancer, I guess.)
  • Ms. Temper and Nam Jung Gi – this is technically more of a “maybe” – I like the cast the premise sounds interesting in kind of a gender-swap take on the typical bossy chaebol v. timid assistant roles, but I haven’t figured out what the plot is beyond that. It’s an unknown writer for me, too, so it’s hard for me to guess what the tone of the drama would be like, and there are too many other dramas that are capturing my interest right now for me to squeeze in a “maybe” on the watch list, but I’ll keep an eye on the buzz about the show and perhaps add it in later if word on the street seems to indicate it’s worth it.
  • Goodbye Mr. Black – I enjoy a good revenge drama, and this is an excellent cast, but for whatever reason, it’s just not appealing to me, so I think I’ll give it a pass but keep an eye on the reaction to it.

Any other premieres in the near distant future either don’t have new information worth noting or I’m still of the same mind on them from the previous months, so nothing new to add.

Dramaland Forecast: Feb 2016

So, I started this just idly last month, but maybe it might be a good thing to do monthly. Maybe? I dunno. I’m going to give it a shot to try and be more organized as well as chart my interests/commitments/where Dramaland has failed in meeting my expectations. Gonna stick with “Dramaland Forecast” because it makes for a nifty unique tag (for me) and will be useful to go back and weep over the “what could have beens” versus the reality of casting choices and writing flops. Yes, I’m so optimistic.

Actually, I ought to be a little optimistic because so far 2016 has been absolutely delightful. 2015 was a disappointing drama drought, so to be awash in shows that interest me and that I genuinely enjoy and make a point to watch (even sacrificing sleep!), well, that means something.

Right, so let’s get caught up from where I left off last month:

Completed:

  • Imaginary Catoverall thoughts here. The cat was cute and I thought the story had potential, but it felt like a confused mess most of the time.

Currently watching:

  • Remember
  • One More Happy Ending
  • Signal

Currently watching, kinda, I swear I’ll get caught up eventually:

  • Six Flying Dragons – I made it to ep 22! There’s still hope for me yet. (I mean I’m only a little over a dozen episodes behind.)

Skipping/dropping:

  • Moorim School – I said I wanted to check it out for Sam Okyere but that was pretty much it, and honestly that’s not enough to get me to watch. Which means I won’t.
  • Madame Antoine – this show could turn out to be better than its introduction but wow yeah I just couldn’t get past that and there are other dramas I’d rather spend my time and fury.
  • Cheese in the Trap – I downloaded the first two eps when they first aired and they’re still sitting on my hard drive, untouched. I haven’t deleted them to free up space because I think that I’ll eventually watch one day but we’ll see how long it’ll be for that day to come.
  • Neighborhood Hero – I’m not not-watching it, it just isn’t high on the list and I have too many dramas right now as it is. I’m still curious about it, but I’m also aware of the drama surrounding what’shisface. But I also want to see Soo Hyuk in a different role. Plus based on the teasers, I have a feeling it’ll be more Fugitive Plan: B than Basketball, and that intrigues me (I put most of my stock in the production team, y’know).

Upcoming:

  • Tyrant Monster – AIIIEEEEEEE!!!! I am so excited!!! I’m Park Ki Woong’s #1 fan and to read the news that he’s signed on to a new drama pretty much immediately once he’s freed from army life is definitely reason to do the happy dance, not the least because the last time we saw him on the small screen as Full House Take 2, and, well, I feel I’m owed another Gaksital or Story of a Man or something. (Okay, the fictional small screen, because he was also in Beating Hearts which is a reality show about a bunch of actors/entertainers learning what it takes to become a cop/fireman/paramedic. It has a bunch of familiar names but also Choi Woo Shik for you flower boy fans). POINT IS this was a show I’d already decided to keep an eye on because it’s by one of my favorite writers and that was even before Kang Ji Hwan signed on and much much before the news about PKW broke. I wonder if he’s taking the role that was originally offered Seo Kang Joon because if so, I bet the production team are thrilled that SKJ passed on it because now they get PKW which is a better deal no matter what. Still a little bummed there’s no word about a leading lady (and they’re going to start filming next week!), but they’ve managed to find amazing actresses for their other works, so I hope the production team won’t let us down.
  • Hwarang – when I last wrote, nothing was confirmed, but now this historical flower boy drama is actually set to air this summer and it will indeed star my girl Go Ara with her boy toys Park Seo Joon and Park Hyung Sik. It’ll be pre-produced, which… okay, I love Harvest Villa and What’s Up?, but the last pre-produced drama I touched was D-Day and, well… pleaseletthisbegoodpleasepleaseplease. At least the director knows his way around historical matter, plus the cast and the production company (that brought us all our favorite “Flower Boy” branded shows!) should make for a pretty (literally) and entertaining show.
  • Come Back Ahjussi – this is one of those dramas that I feel like is doomed to mediocre failure, but… it’s Rain. Possessed by a ghost. Who is apparently delighted to be in such a handsome body. How can I resist that? IMAGINE THE SHENANIGANS. It’s supposedly based on Jiro Asada’s novel, and a ghost haunting happens in Oh Yeon Seo’s body, too, so I guess it’ll follow it, kinda, maybe? I dunno. Point is I’m pretty sure I’m guaranteed some shirtless Rain, and that’s what really matters.
  • Vampire Detective – it has an airdate! March 27th! Other than that the only thing I know is it’s started filming. I don’t care. I will watch a vampire drama on OCN any day.
  • Pied Piper – I’m still all-in for this (despite my general misgivings about Liar Game, it was a well-produced drama), and now I know that it’ll follow Cheese in the Trap.

I don’t think I have any other updates beyond what I’ve mentioned previously. Any dramas not on the list aren’t there for a reason, because why waste energy hunting down information about a show I’m not going to watch (or even maybe kinda think about watching) in the first place.

These three dorks all posted the first pic on their respective IGs within minutes of each other.

And then for the second pic, BYH captioned it with their couple name: “BangDdang.”

Planning Ahead

When I made the vague resolution* to become more organized, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but procrastination knows no bounds.

*tbh this organizational battle is just a continual thing in my life, nothing new for 2016 – just a skill my ADHD brain will probably never master yet it’s essential for being a responsible adult, apparently.

So here’s what the Dramaland forecast looks like:

Currently watching:

  • Remember
  • Imaginary Cat

…I’m not a Yoo Seung Ho stan, I swear. But Imaginary Cat is only 8 eps so why stop now, and I’m obliged to Remember (but I’m not complaining. Yet).

Currently watching, kinda, I swear I’ll get caught up eventually (curse you busy holiday season!):

  • Six Flying Dragons – I still haven’t gone past ep 10! My life is a failure.

Plan to watch once drama is over/is already completed:

  • Reply 1988
  • Oh My Venus – mebbe; the only draw for me is Shin Min Ah and Henry-puppy, which is never enough for get me to stick with a show, but it could make for some decent background noise while I’m pretending to organize my household.
  • Awl

Dramas I’m anticipating for 2016:

  • Signal – the only that really matters, tbh, because one of my favorite writers paired with one of my favorite directors with an awesome cast and intriguing concept, on tvN? Yeah, pretty much has “FAVE DRAMA OF THE YEAR” written all over it. Fingers crossed it isn’t as disappointing as Three Days, although I have high expectations for this director (*clutches Misaeng tightly*), so if nothing else it will be absolutely gorgeous to watch. 
  • Moorim School – I’m iffy on the production team and cast, but I’m curious about the premise and I want to see Sam Okyere play a teacher – with such shallow reasoning, there’s a strong chance I won’t last past the first few episodes unless the show pleasantly surprises me.
  • Madame Antoine – I know I should probably walk away from Sung Joon forever, but I just can’t give him up. Not yet. Despite my bitterness, my hope remains that he’ll finally get the role that does him justice. At least the production team seems dependable, even though it’s about 50/50 for a hit or miss just based on their previous works.
  • Lightly, Ardently (or whatever the heck we’re calling it) – tbh I am only excited about this because of Im Joo² – not only do I always need more Im Joo Eun in my life, but to get Im Joo Hwan as well is just a little too much for my eager heart (and What’s Up? obsession) to handle. Pretty sure I’ll hate the drama but love them. Yep, I’m calling it now. Not even gonna take bets on whether or not I stick with it because the odds aren’t that great.
  • Descendants of the Sun – not planning to watch, but I am anticipating the reactions of everyone else watching, because I’m curious to know if pre-production (plus a co-writer) has tamed KES’s predictably frustrating ways.
  • Vampire Detective it’s on OCN, which is where all vampire dramas should be hosted; it has Oh Jung Se, Lee Chung Ah, and Lee Joon; and it has my attention, if not an airdate as of yet.
  • Pied Pipertrustworthy production team, on tvN, and Shin Ha Kyun back on my screen? I’m in!
  • Dear My Friends – Noh Hee Kyung’s love fest starring Go Hyun Jung, who definitely deserves my attention because she’s amazing, and it also has Shin Sung Woo who’ll you’ll remember me adoring as Shin Umma during the first season of Roommate. Tbh the whole cast is excellent – the ahjummas and ahjussis deserve some prime-time lime-light. I am excite, even if Noh Hee Kyung’s dramas sometimes leave me cold.
  • Tyrant – there’s not much out there on this yet, but it’s from one of my favorite writers Jang Young Chul (or at least one half of my favorite writing team, because he and his wife were responsible for Giant, History of a Salaryman, Incarnation of Money, and Empress Ki), so I have hopes.
  • Mermaid’s Prince – again, not much about this, but it’s an adaption of a webtoon that is about a contract marriage between two opposite personalities and sounds like it could be either cracktastic or a lackluster failure, but still holds that classic rom-com potential.
  • Hwarang – an historical drama presumably about flower boy warriors, from the production company that brought us treasures like Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, Flower Boy Next Door, Shut Up Flower Boy Band, and Cyrano Dating Agency. My interest is definitely piqued, especially since roles have been offered to Park Seo Joon, Park Hyung Sik, and Go Ara. (And I need Go Ara on my screen some time this year; why not let her be surrounded by the pretty?)

All around, 2016 is looking much more exciting compared to 2015, and hopefully that remains true. I need to believe in Dramaland again!