Tag: woman of dignity

Dramaland Forecast: November 2017

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

Completed:

  • Woman of Dignity – considering how much I’ve hated this writer’s previous works, I went into this with negative expectations. I just wanted some background noise while I appreciated drama queens Kim Sun Ah and Kim Hee Sun. To my surprise, I got totally sucked into this saga about the “Desperate Housewives of Gangnam.” The gothic murder-mystery also definitely helped me to goggle at every cliff-hanger and queue up the next episode, and I ended up binging the series in a matter of days. Despite my low expectations, this has become one of my favorite drama-watching experiences of the year.

Currently watching:

  • The Package
  • Black

Dropping/skipping:

  • Mad Dog – the lack of Leverage style capers was definitely a disappointment, since based on the first couple of episodes I thought that this would be that kind of show. I also really hated Woo Do Hwan’s character and wanted to punch his smirky face whenever he was on screen. Considering I fell asleep in the middle of an episode and then decided it wasn’t worth my time to rewind, it’s clear this is not the show for me. Sorry, Yoo Ji Tae! Hopefully your next drama is more to my liking!

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • I’m Not A Robot – a man who falls in love with a woman pretending to be robot because he has an allergy to other people is definitely an interesting concept, although I’m instinctively wary of any love interest that puts a woman in a category of “robot.” The cast is excellent, though, but that’s probably me thinking Uhm Ki Joon can do no wrong.
  • Meloholic – OCN has made its name with gritty thrillers and cerebral mysteries, so I’m very hesitant when they try to branch out into more comedic or romantic fodder. There’s also a lot about this show that puts a few strikes against it, such as a director who’s very hit or miss with the quality of his shows (mostly miss with me) and, y’know, it stars U-Know Yunho (who, to be fair, I actually really enjoyed in the mini-drama I Order You, but historically he hasn’t exactly been one of those idol-actors that command a strong thespian presence). I’m curious if it will be as… ah… mediocre… as I presume it will be, but doubt I’ll make time to actually watch it.
  • Nothing to Lose – considering the quagmire of legal shows that make me sigh if I have to deal with yet another prosecutor trying to save the day, the concept of a legal drama about two judges with completely different personalities somehow seems novel and refreshing, even though I’m sure it will be no different than anything else we’ve seen before.
  • Doubtful Victory – the premise is vaguely compelling in that “one sentence synopsis that may set up false expectations” way (a man escapes jail and becomes a fake cop), but I’m really liking the production team. The director previously worked on Tree With Deep Roots and Six Flying Dragons, which were both visually stunning, and 3 Days which, well, wasn’t terrible but I mostly remember being disappointed that it didn’t live up to my Kim Eun Hee fangirl expectations. The writer previously did School 2013 and Pride and Prejudice, which means I have faith that the script should be pretty decent. I also like the leads, Yoon Kyun Sang and Jung Hye Sung, although I haven’t heard about the supporting cast yet.
  • Untouchable – this could be a dark horse drama, because it’s JTBC, I like this director, and the cast is pretty decent (Eunji! I’ve missed you!). But this writer is… eh… hit or miss, to put it nicely (oh the RAGE I still feel about the hours I spent in vain hope that Masked Prosecutor would somehow live up to its potential), so this will probably be one I skip and binge later if it doesn’t sound as soap-opera frustrating as it could be.
  • Two Cops – I don’t think I have anything new to add so I’ll just say: Jo Jung Suk! Kim Sun Ho! Lee Shi Un! HOYAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
  • Bad Guys: City of Evil – I don’t care about the complaints that it’s not a true sequel, it looks awesome and that caaaaaaaaaaaaast.
  • Jugglers – Daniel Choi is coming back! And he’ll be starring with Kang Hye Jung (aka Tablo’s wife) who usually seems to prefer playing quirky/offbeat characters. Even though I’m still unsure about the premise, this cast definitely has my attention (and how shallow am I to hope for some lame excuse to show-off the post-army abs?).
  • Wise Prison Life – the latest drama from Reply series PD Shin Won Ho, which means of course everyone’s favorite papa Sung Dong Il is in it. Also starring is Yoon Kyung Ho (and cutie-patootie Jung Hae In, who I’m happy to hear is getting lots of attention from his role in While You Were Sleeping, which I didn’t watch but I’m always pleased for my pet actors to gain the glory they deserve). The premise is vague so far (prison life), but the strength of the production team and cast means I’ll be tuning in.
  • Just Between Lovers – my instinct is that this will be a low-key real-life character-based drama that JTBC does so well, so fingers crossed it lives up to those expectations.
  • The Most Beautiful Goodbye in the World – I never saw the original, but it’s Noh Hee Kyung’s remake of her 1996 drama of the same name, which starred (and will once again star) everyone’s favorite granny, Kim Young Ok. I’m not sure if I’m ready for a gut-wrenching story about family and Alzheimer’s, but for Noh Hee Kyung, I’ll endure it.
  • Return – I adore Go Hyun Jung so I was already vaguely interested in this legal-mystery-thriller, but now that there’s a rumor Park Ki Woong will join the cast, I’m definitely adding it to my watchlist. I adore Park Ki Woong but have not been impressed with his choices post-enlistment (in fact, I’ve been actively ignoring them), so hopefully this will be the drama to remind me why I’ve been his fan for so long.
  • Let’s Eat 3 – really? REALLY??? I love foodie Goo Dae Young to bits but after season 2 completely writing out Soo Kyung noona as though she never existed, and the fact that the foodie scenes weren’t even all that appetizing, I’m going to be watching this with a very negative “prove me that this is all worthwhile” attitude (but of course I’m still going to watch, because dammit Dae Young, I can’t quit you).
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secondratedramablog:

So she’s an artist?
Let’s go to her house.

Dramaland Forecast: July 2017

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Previously: 2016 – Jan – Feb – Mar – Apr – May – June

Completed:

  • Chicago Typewriter – it started out slow and I was *thisclose* to dropping it around ep 5 because I didn’t care about the modern timeline dynamics, but ep 6 was good and then it just got better and better until the ending crushed my heart in all the best ways.
  • Man to Man – a fun, idle binge! Even though I wasn’t super invested, I loved every moment Park Sung Woong was on my screen (he can do no wrong!). I preferred the goofier side of the drama than the srs bzns spy stuff, but the action scenes were pretty slick and I liked the production values. I don’t regret wasting my time on this show although I will probably forget it ever existed.

Currently watching:

  • Super Family 2017
  • The Best Hit
  • Duel

Dropping/skipping:

  • I purposefully didn’t start many dramas this month knowing that I wouldn’t have time for them. I’m waiting for Lookout, Circle, Secret Forest, and Fight My Way to end so I can binge at my leisure (and no one had better spoil me on Circle until I do because that’s the one I’m most looking forward to – I’ve worked incredibly hard to avoid spoilers so far and you don’t want to make me cry, do you? Do you?)
  • Oh and I also plan to look into Woman of Dignity but my hopes are sub-basement level and I’m only doing it for my love of Kim Sun Ah.

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • School 2017 – I never watched the 2015 version but I really enjoyed the 2013 version (all my beloved students with their various problems, and the reunion of the Baby-faced duo Jang Na Ra and Daniel Choi). Although, based on this writer, I have a feeling there will be loads more humor than tears.
  • Strongest Deliveryman – I know nothing about this except it has Go Kyung Pyo in his first leading role, so of course it has my attention.
  • Reunited Worlds – “A love story between an 18-year-old man and 31-year-old woman, born in the same year and were childhood friends.” Well, this is certainly a new take on the noona romance. The writer is dependably okay and I like the cast even though no one particularly excites. I’m curious but not to the point where I’ll make a point to clear my schedule for the premiere.
  • Save Me – I love OCN thrillers (esp. in the Sat/Sun timeslot) as much as anyone, maybe even more than most, but… but… Taecyeon.  I dunno if I can last a whole drama with him as the lead.
  • Man Who Dies To Live – the plot is vague but the cast is decent. There’s potential here but I’m gonna need more info.
  • Manhole – “Bong Pil and his five friends travel between the past and present through a manhole in order to stop a wedding scheduled a week later.” Starring Jaejoong and UEE and Baro. Heck, let’s get all the idol and ex-idol actors and make it a thing. From the writer of TEN and TEN 2 so it shouldn’t be quite as ridiculous as it sounds (but it better be just a little bit ridiculous. Just a little).
  • Hospital Ship – the plot makes me think of a gender flipped version of my beloved Matsuda Shota’s A Clinic on the Sea, so I’m tentatively willing to give it a chance if it promises me a quirky mix of characters.
  • Mojito – the plot sounds like a standard chaebol-candy rom-com buuuuuuuuuut Sung Joon and Baek Sung Hyun reunited? Yes, please!
  • Live – Noh Hee Kyung’s newest offering that potentially could star Lee Kwang Soo in a role that I’m hoping reflects more than just his comedic abilities. There’s no airdate set (some time next year, probably) and only a vague plot but MY BODY IS READY.

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 2017

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Previously: 2016 – Jan – Feb – Mar – Apr – May

Completed:

  • Radiant Office – the little underdog that could! This show has nothing new to offer, but it was packaged with such warmth and heart and agonizing relatability that I fell for the Suicide Squad as they tried to prove they were worth being given a chance. This is currently my favorite show of the year – at least for now.
  • Whisper – what a wild and crazy ride. This is a show that, if left to my own devices, I probably would have dropped. Lee Bo Young and Kwon Yul kept my attention (poor Lee Sang Yoon and his eyebrows did their best, but I’m not sure if he’s really cut out for this kind of intensely dramatic role), and the show was utterly stolen by Kim Hyung Mook as Secretary Song. While I enjoyed the constant allusions to real-life corruption, this wasn’t what I’d consider to be one of Park Kyung Soo’s better dramas.
  • Tunnel – I can appreciate it intellectually for what it was trying to do and what it accomplished, the concept was interesting, the cast was pretty great (Yoon Hyun Min was perfect as ever, but as much as I love Sexy Demon Daddy, he really needed to dial down the shouting). But for whatever reason, it didn’t grab me as it should have. On paper it has everything I’d want in a mystery/thriller, but in reality it was difficult giving it my full attention and my heart just couldn’t connect with any of the characters. I enjoyed it for the most part, but it’s going to be one of those dramas that I’ll immediately forget I ever watched.
  • Individualist Ms. Ji Young – this drama special hit some very painful nerves but in the best way. There are shadows of Flower Boy Next Door with the bubbly neighbor that barges his way into the life of the loner-next-door. But there’s also a darker sadness and realness here that one doesn’t always find in dramas. Perhaps that’s why, even beyond the fact it’s only two 1-hour episodes, this felt more like a movie than a drama. This is by far my favorite romance I’ve watched this year, which probably tells you too much about my tastes (or at least my inner world).

Currently watching:

  • Super Family 2017
  • Chicago Typewriter

Recent premieres I plan to check out when I have a chance:

  • Fight My Way
  • Lookout
  • Circle

Dropping/skipping:

  • My Sassy Girl – despite loving Joo Won in Gaksital, I just haven’t been able to get into his other dramas. I also have a terrible track record for sageuks, be they fusion or not. This means it’s on the “skip” list even if I have hopes for the fantastic Oh Yeon Seo in the titular role.
  • Suspicious Partner – I loved this writer’s previous work (All About My Romance; Protect the Boss) so this may go into the watch list eventually, but nothing I’ve heard so far has made me want to immediately pick it up.

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • The Best Hit – I am really excited about this one, because I loved the docu-style from Producer until it turned into a standard drama. I also love Yu PD, and Cha Tae Hyun has been my favorite of the 1N2D members ever since the original crew moved on to other things, so I’m curious to see how they’ll handle directing their first-ever drama together. Also, as a fan of the slice-of-life genre, I’m hoping it will be along those lines just based on the premise. Last but not least, this cast is incredible, and I’m already anticipating a slew of cameos.
  • Duel – I was only vaguely interested in this because it’s from the writer of Nine: Nine Times Time Travel and Queen In Hyun’s Man (and I’m assuming this is the writer who focused on the more sci-fi mind-bendy aspects of those dramas ‘cause this one has clones) but given a choice to recap this one, I took it, because I have a feeling this will be fun to write about.
  • Forest of Secrets – I’m hoping giving this one up for Duel won’t haunt me because omg this caaaaaaaaaaast.
  • Woman of Dignity – I’m so nervous and conflicted. I adore Kim Sun Ah and Kim Hee Sun, and having them work together in a show is like a dream come true. But I really hated the writing of SWDBS and don’t trust this writer to do these incredible women justice. *fingers crossed for a miracle*
  • Bad Guys: Age of Evil – everyone’s gnashing their teeth that the original crew aren’t coming back but I’m over here already anticipating Park Sung Woong and (possibly) Kang Ha Neul.

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 2017

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 Previously: 2016 – Jan – Feb – Mar

Completed:

  • Voice – not quite a perfect drama (so many logical fails, questionable police work, and a waste of potential character development), but gripping throughout its entire run, which is pretty impressive for a crime drama. Plus, y’know, Handsome Oppa makes everything better.

Currently watching:

  • Super Family 2017 – my darling show that has yet to disappoint. <3<3<3<3
  • Radiant Office – I’m insisting I’m just here for the Suicide Squad and the wonderful Go Ah Sung, but Hobaby’s noona romance has suddenly taken over my life with an OTP I never expected but now is everything I want.
  • Tunnel – I don’t know if I’ll stick with this one, but if I do, it’ll be because of the bickering “Odd Couple” begrudging partnership of Yoon Hyun Min and Choi Jin Hyuk. At least, that’s what I’m hoping they’ll become.

Skipping/dropping:

  • Strong Woman Bong Do Soon – noped out of this one in ep 4 and haven’t looked back.
  • Perfect Wife – I didn’t intentionally drop this one, I just forgot I watched the first episode (which I really enjoyed!) and that this show even exists. I’d like to go back to it one day, since I think it had great potential. It’ll be added to my never-ending “marathon on a rainy day” list.

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • Mystery Queen – I’ve had a vague eye on this one based on the concept of a mystery-loving ahjumma housewife finally getting a chance to solve cases. Even though my drama plate is full right now, I think I’ll still make time to at least check out the premiere, although I don’t really have space to add anything to the live-watch list.
  • Third Rate My Way – there isn’t enough on this show yet for me to decide how close attention I’ll pay to it, but the cast is promising (Kim Ji Won in her first leading role! Kim Sung Oh on my screen again!) and it’s from the writer of Baek Hee Has Returned, so my hopes for it are continually rising.
  • The Best Hit – this is another attempt at that “variety drama” format as seen in the initial few episodes of Producer, which I personally loved and wished had been extended throughout the entire show. That’s the main reason I plan to check it out, although I’m also excited that this will be Cha Tae Hyun’s first directorial challenge and he’ll be working alongside my fave 1N2D PD, Yoo Ho Jin. It’s still a drama, I swear! But this holds promise that the show will actually keep to a more “variety” feel. Even though I’m not in the “cult,” I’m sure there are those who are also excited that Yoon Si Yoon will be in another leading role.
  • My Secret Romance – there’s nothing so far that makes this seem any different from the zillions of rom-coms that have gone before, but it is OCN’s first attempt to crack the rom-com market, and so I think I’m interested due to pure curiosity since OCN is more known for their excellent crime/thriller/mystery programming.
  • Lookout – the cast is what caught my attention on this one: Lee Si Young! Kim Seul Gi! Kim Tae Hoon! My SHINee bias Key! Shin Dong Wook! I’m not the hugest fan of Kim Young Kwang, though, even if I’m suddenly wondering if Lee Si Young is attempting to work with all the model-actors.
  • Bad Thief, Good Thief – I’m not one to watch 50-episode weekend dramas, but knowing my girl Im Joo Eun means I’m keeping an eye on it. I still probably won’t watch just because I know my attention span limits, but I hope it’s a good role for her.
  • Circle – Kim Kang Woo and aliens. I’m already sold.
  • Woman of Dignity – finally has a channel (JTBC) and an airdate (June, after Man to Man). Buuuuuuuuut knowing it’s written by the same person as Strong Woman Bong Do Soon (see above), I’m super wary, even though I adore Kim Sun Ah and was really hoping for redemption after the disaster of Masked Prosecutor. I’ll probably still check it out just for her, but I’ll be cautious about any expectations for the actual 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: December 2016

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

Can you believe the year is nearly over? It’s actually been a good year for me, drama-wise – definitely better than 2015. But let’s have a look what’s in store for the last few weeks and the start of 2017.

Completed:

  • Squad 38 – I finally finished it! Yay! Ma Dong Seok is my beloved teddy bear ahjussi and I feel like I could watch him in anything, but I really enjoyed how he was able to keep true to his bumbling, earnest, everyday man yet still become a slick con-artist (thanks to the begrudgingly-family-like team).

Currently Watching:

  • Legend of the Blue Sea – I love it! It’s the drama highlight of the week for me. Jeon Ji Hyun shows off her star power and I swear I would watch an hour of her eating and be utterly delighted. Thankfully the show lives up the director’s knack for style (it’s so preeeeeeety!) and the assorted characters are interesting, too. There’s a lot of questions I have about the plot but it seems like we’re gradually getting answers about how the Joseon mermaid and the modern mermaid are connected.
  • Night Light – we’re all angry at Netflix, I know, but I’m so eager to watch this show that I’m happy to watch it raw. Fyi, Darksmurfsubs has picked it up in the meantime (yay!), but it takes a while for them to have decently edited subs, and I’m not exactly a patient person.
  • Romantic Teacher Doctor Kim – this isn’t quite the show I was expecting, but I’m still enjoying it. I’m a sucker for quirky misfits coming together to make a family/learn life lessons/be humbled so it’s hitting all those buttons. I just get bored by the medical stuff really easily.

Skipping/Dropping:

  • Sweet Stranger and Me/The Man Living in Our House – my interest fizzled around episode 8 and I struggled through ep 10 before realizing I didn’t care about anyone or their outcome. 
  • Entourage – in my head I’m like “yeah this is still on the watch list!” until I remember I haven’t watched past episode 2 despite continuing to download episodes. Maybe one day I’ll go back to it. But probably not.

Upcoming dramas of interest:

  • Hwarang – I’m unironically looking forward to this and hope it’s ridiculous as the second teaser made it out to be because that’s just the kind of fun I could use right now. Even though it’s on KBS, it’s from the Oh! Boy production team so I’m faintly hoping it will actually live up to my expectations of absurdity.
  • Goblin – I don’t think I have anything to add except that my chronic internal debate is still the same. I don’t trust this writer but I love this cast.
  • Missing 9 – the vague synopsis I’ve found for this doesn’t explain much, but I’m hoping, just based on the production team, it’ll be more intense and stylish than just some washed-up ex-idol being stranded on a deserted. Even though I never watched Lost, my brain wants to go there – at least we should get an interest array of characters with (presumably) back-stories that will somehow all intertwine.
  • Defendant – tentatively intrigued by this – mostly due to the cast (Uhm Ki Joon!) and the fact it’s coming from the City Hunter writer.
  • Voice – honestly I’ll only be checking this out for Kim Jae Wook’s cameo because a starved fangirl needs all the crumbs she can get.
  • Tomorrow With You – the writer and concept makes me a little nervous, but I trust the director and Shin Min Ah.
  • Sensitive Boss – a shy CEO of a PR office? That’s a quirky show that could be super appealing for me, especially since I’ve generally enjoyed tvN’s office dramas in the past.
  • Solomon’s Perjury – I haven’t watched (or read) the original Japanese movies (or book), but it’s giving me a White Christmas vibe so of course I’m eager to check it out.
  • Woman of Dignity – Kim Sun Ah and Kim Hee Sun starring in a drama together? Yes, please!
  • Strong Woman Do Bong Soon – this is same writer as Woman of Dignity, and while I haven’t seen her other work (My Love Eun Dong), if she keeps writing about awesome women she might turn out to be one of my favorite writers. I just hope the vague synopsis (”stories about women with Do Bong Soon as the central character”) lives up to my gurl power expectations. It can’t hurt that it’ll star the adorable and talented Park Bo Young. While I know idol actors are controversial, Park Hyung Sik is one of my favorites, and there’s everyone’s favorite noona killer Ji Soo, so I’m not complaining – provided it doesn’t get bogged down by the boys and lives up to its premise.

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.