KDramaCritic

  Green Mothers' Club (2022) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 16 Netflix Summary: "Five moms in a competitive grade school community keep their enemies close, and one another closer, as envy and secrets tangle and unravel their lives." Starring: Lee Yo-won, Choo Ja-hyun, Kim Gyu-ri Creators: Ra Ha-na, Shin Yee-won MyDramaCritic Rating: Watch MyDramaCritic Short Review: Green Mothers' Club (2022) got me hooked on KDramas.  I couldn't stop watching the series and thoroughly enjoyed the drama. Some scenes in this show are especially intense because the main characters' children are regularly part of the plot.  The child actors are fantastic, but it makes some scenes or interactions difficult to watch. Lee Yo-won's performance is absolutely fantastic.  In fact, most of the actresses from this show are firm favorites of mine after seeing their performances. There is domestic abuse (mostly language) and drug use. I do think the writers captured the p...

 Café Minamdang (2022) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 18 Netflix Summary:  "A suspicious business that offers the services of a purportedly all-knowing shaman catches the attention of a tenacious police inspector." Starring: Seo In-guk, Oh Yeon-seo, Kwak Si-yang Creators: Ko Jae-hyun, Park Hye-jin MyDramaCritic Rating: Favorite MyDramaCritic Short Review:  Café Minamdang (2022) is a better version of the American show Psych.  The story is well-written, the drama is deliciously campy and over-the-top.  I laughed and felt sad with a good balance throughout the whole series. Watching Café Minamdang (2022) was just a lot of fun and I am looking forward to re-watching the show. Arguably, the plot is somewhat predictable, but not in a way where the journey is ruined for the viewer.  The heavy handed drama of other comedies is not present, but I found that refreshing. MyDramaCritic rating is "Favorite" and I will hopefully have a chance to ...

  Familiar Wife (2018) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 16 Netflix Summary: "After receiving a bizarre chance to go back in time, a man wakes up to find that his whole life - including the person he married - is different." Starring: Ji Sung, Han Ji-min, Kang Han-na Creators: Lee Sang-yeop, Yang Hee-seung KDramaCritic Rating: Meh KDramaCritic Short Review:  I stopped watching Familiar Wife (2018) after three episodes.  The humor used in this romantic comedy is mostly cringe or awkward situations and I was not finding it to be funny.   In addition, the marriage between Seo Woo-jin and Cha Joo-hyuk was clearly not in a healthy state.  In addition to the lack of communication, Seo Woo-jin throws items and yells at Cha Joo-hyuk.  In turn, Cha Joo-hyuk hides purchases and tries to avoid home (and by extension his children).  When Cha Joo-hyuk wakes up to his new life with Lee Hye-won as his wife and she shows him basic affection, I dec...

  The Uncanny Counter (2020) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 20 Netflix Summary: "Noodle shop employees by day and demon hunters by night, the Counters use special abilities to chase down malevolent spirits that prey on humans." Starring: Cho Byeong-kyu, Yu Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong Creators: You Sun-dong, Yeoh Gee-na, Kim Sae-bom  KDramaCritic Rating: Watch KDramaCritic Short Review: The Uncanny Counter (2020) is a solid fantasy show.  Some parts were predictable fantasy plot arcs, while the writers surprised me in other places.   The writers and actors developed the main characters well and I enjoyed seeing Kim Se-jeong's range in a more serious role.   The heart-tugging scenes did make me cry and the overall sense of urgency that the show communicates would make this a difficult re-watch for me.  However, I do think it is solidly "Watch" and that less sensitive viewers could easily add it to "Favorite." 

  Hotel Del Luna (2019) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 16 Netflix Summary: "When he's invited to manage a hotel for dead souls, an elite hotelier gets to know the establishment's ancient owner and her strange world." Starring: Lee Ji-eun, Yeo Jin-goo, Shin Jung-keun Creators: Oh Choong-hwan, Hong Jung-eun, Hong Mi-ran KDramaCritic Rating: Watch KDramaCritic Short Review: Hotel Del Luna (2019) crafts a surprisingly emotional narrative.  The show's premise necessitates discussions about life and death and handles those dialogues well.  I cried multiple times throughout the series. The viewer grows very attached to the characters, especially because the writers and actors do an excellent job and fleshing out their stories.  Again, lots of tears but some were happy tears. If there were holes in the fantasy logic, thankfully they were not glaring ones.  Overall, the suspension of disbelief was easily maintained for the entire course of the story....

  Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 16 Netflix Summary: "A big-city dentist opens up a practice in a close-knit seaside village, home to a charming jack-of-all-trades who is her polar opposite in every way." Starring: Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho, Lee Sang-yi Creators: Yu Je-won, Shin Ha-eun KDramaCritic Rating: Meh KDramaCritic Review: I tried to give Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) a fair chance.  I watched about ten episodes before abandoning the effort.  I have never had the desire to finish watching the series. The premise works well for a romantic comedy movie, but not as well for a full-length romantic comedy show.  About half way through the show, I felt like the writers were scrambling for ways to keep the main characters apart and to add drama. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) could have been wrapped up in about eight episodes and been a cute story.  Sadly, I am rating it Meh since half the show was filler content. 

10 Products From KDramas That You Can Buy From Amazon (2023) The product placement in KDramas is not always subtle (think the Subway placement in Touch Your Heart).  However, some of the products do look fun (see espresso machine from Green Mothers' Club below).  Who wouldn't want some of the glamorous things the characters have? I did some searching on Amazon and found 10 products that I have seen in KDramas! ***Please Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*** 1.  The Nespresso Machine seen in Green Mothers' Club Byeon Chun-hui offers Lee Eun-pyo espresso in branded glass mugs during a tense conversation in Green Mothers' Club.  Pricey, but Byeon Chun-hui is good at keeping up appearances!  2.  Green Embellished Pumps  from The Glory Park Yeon-jin and Moon Dong-eun both wear green embellished pumps in The Glory.  While the exact pair is probably worth more than the average person will make in a lifetime, this pair is a cl...

  Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 16 Netflix Summary:  "Brilliant attorney Woo Young-woo tackles challenges in the courtroom and beyond as a newbie at a top law firm and a woman on the autism spectrum." Starring: Park Eun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Kang Ki-young Creators: Yoo In-sik, Moon Ji-won KDramaCritic Rating: Favorite KDramaCritic Short Review: Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) resonates with me on a deeply personal level.  As someone on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum, seeing a fairly accurate portrayal of an high functioning autistic woman is wonderful.  The show captures some of the nuances of behavior and the dichotomy of this condition: How can someone with such intelligence struggle with day-to-day functioning? After watching the first three episodes, I immediately texted my husband that he needed to watch this show ASAP.  I then called my parents and told them about it.  So many behavi...

  The Glory (2022) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 16 Netflix Summary: "Years after surviving horrific abuse in high school, a woman puts an elaborate revenge scheme in motion to make the perpetrators pay for their crimes." Starring: Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon Creators: Kim Eun-sook, An Gil-ho  KDramaCritic Rating: Favorite KDramaCritic Short Review: The Glory (2022) is my favorite Korean drama of all time (so far).  Considering that physical and sexual abuse are a key part of the plot, this is a surprising favorite.  I even kept track of when the final eight episodes were released and watched them all day of, something I never do with shows. The writing, directing and acting in The Glory (2022) are fantastic.  From episode one to episode 16, the story was cohesive and maintained the same level of quality. Revenge is the focal point of the show with each episode diving into the emotional and dark journey to reach this end.  As ...

  Extracurricular (2020) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 10 Netflix Summary: "A model high school student who's steeped in a world of serious crime finds his double life upended when a classmate takes an interest in his secret." Starring: Kim Dong-hee, Jung Da-bin, Park Ju-hyun Creators: Gin Han-sai, Kim Jin-min KDramaCritic Rating: Skip KDramaCritic Short Review:  I will be honest; I stopped watching Extracurricular (2020) after about four episodes.  There were several reasons why I stopped and why I rate this "Skip." ***Minor Spoilers *** (But the show isn't worth watching so it doesn't matter as much!) First, the hermit crab died from being stepped on.  It was to emphasize how little one character cared about another's stuff, but the death was a large part of the episode and later episodes.  Other aspects of the plot had already showed how terrible this character was, so it was unnecessary. Second, Extracurricular (2020) took itself e...

  Vincenzo (2021) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 20 Netflix Summary: "During a visit to his motherland, a Korean-Italian mafia lawyer gives an unrivaled conglomerate a taste of its own medicine with a side of justice." Starring: Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-been, Ok Teac-yeon Creators: Kim Hee-won, Park Jae-beom KDramaCritic Rating: Favorite KDramaCritic Short Review:  Vincenzo (2021) has turned into one of my favorite shows.  I laughed and cried while enjoying the character development and overall plotline.  It balances itself out well with heart wrenching moments and goofy scenes.  Because the show doesn't take itself too seriously, the viewer's suspension of disbelief is maintained throughout the whole story even when some eyebrow raising events occur. As a crime drama, the show contains violence but not to an excess. Also, since the protagonist is a mafia lawyer, his justice and criminal tendencies are slightly glorified. My KDramaCritic rating...

My Name (2021) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of episodes: 8 Netflix Summary:  "Following her father's murder, a revenge-driven woman puts her trust in a powerful crime boss - and enters the police force under his direction." Starring: Han So-hee, Park Hee-soon, Ahn Bo-hyun Creators: Kim Va-da, Kim Jin-min KDramaCritic Rating: Watch KDramaCritic Short Review:  My Name (2021) maintains mystery and tension throughout the whole series.  The dialogue is more limited, emphasizing the actors' ranges of emotions.  Violence is a key part of the narrative - including an attempted rape.  I would classify it as a hard watch.  However, considering that I wasn't sure if I would like the show until after watching the final episode, I would consider the series to be very well done.  My Name (2021) earns a solid "Watch" rating.  The violence and tension prevent it from being a "Favorite" since I would hesitate to re-watch the show.

Sweet Home (2020) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 10 Netflix Summary: "As humans turn into savage monsters and wreak terror, one troubled teen and his apartment neighbors fight to survive - and to hold on to their humanity." Starring: Song Kang, Lee Jin-uk, Lee Si-young Creators: Lee Eung-bok, Hong So-ri, Jang Young-woo, Kim Hyeong-min, Park So-hyeon, Park So-jeong My KDramaCritic Rating: Watch KDramaCritic Short Review:  Sweet Home (2020) puts an original spin on the typical zombie horror narrative.  The individual character development and plotlines carry the show.  As with all zombie stories, the exploration of humanity in a crisis is fascinating. It's hard to say more about it without spoilers.  I will add that the dog survives and a second season has been announced.  There is a fair amount of gore in this series.  Personally, the worst scene was early on when a cat head rolls past the camera, but thankfully the show does not rely too ...

Business Proposal (2022) Where to Watch: Netflix Number of Episodes: 12 Netflix Description: "In disguise as her friend, Ha-ri shows up to a blind date to scare him away. But plans go awry when he turns out to be her CEO - and makes a proposal." Starring: Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong, Kim Min-gue Creators: Park Seon-ho, Han Sul-hee, Hong Bo-hui KDramaCritic Rating: Favorite KDramaCritic Short Review: Business Proposal (2022) is the first romantic comedy to make me laugh out loud multiple times throughout the series.   The only major weakness of the series is that the last plot arc felt like filler to stretch the series out.  While not as strong as the majority of the show, I completed watching the series without being disappointed.  In regards to social issues, I would say the trope of pursuing someone romantically even after a firm "no" has been said is present.  Sadly, I think most kdramas I have watched use this to extend romance arcs.  However, I still en...

  It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2020) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 16 Netflix Description: "An extraordinary road to emotional healing opens up for an antisocial children's book writer and a selfless psych ward caretaker when they cross paths." Starring: Kim Soo-hyn, Seo Yea-ji, Oh Jung-se Creators: Park Shin-woo, Jo Yong KDramaCritic Rating: Watch KDramaCritic Short Review: Initially, I stopped watching It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2020) after the first episode.  The show jumps straight into the bizarre world that the characters live in and it was jarring.  However, I kept thinking about the episode for several days afterwards and internally debated giving the show another chance. I started watching it again and finished the series. I would caution that this drama is a hard watch.  The mental illness and trauma depicted are difficult to watch at times, but the redemption arc for each character brings hope. On a personal note, I did relate to the autist...

All of Us Are Dead (2022) Where to Watch: Netflix Number of Episodes: 12 Netflix Description: "A high school becomes ground zero for a zombie virus outbreak. Trapped students must fight their way out - or turn into one of the rabid infected." Starring: Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun Creators: Lee JQ, Chun Sung-il, Kim Nam-su KDramaCritic Rating: Watch KDramaCritic Short Review: All of Us Are Dead (2022) balances horror and drama surprisingly well.  I have never been a fan of gore horror, so many zombie shows are hit or miss for me. The writing and acting stay strong throughout all twelve episodes creating an enjoyable narrative to watch.  My KDramaCritic rating is solidly "Watch." I would almost upgrade the rating to "Favorite" if I could see myself re-watching the show multiple times.     

Squid Game (2021) Where to Watch:  Netflix Number of Episodes: 9 Netflix Description: "Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting price awaits - with deadly high stakes." Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-jun Creators: Hwang Dong-hyuk KDramaCritic Rating: Meh KDramaCritic Short Review: Squid Game started off as a super promising and unique show for the first five episodes.  The questions of what was going on out weighed the answers and the idea that children's games could be life-or-death situations crossed into surreal territory. Then the quality of writing crumbled dramatically.  The mystery was stripped away and the ending became an obvious second season set up. If Squid Game's popularity hadn't exploded, I would recommend skipping the show all together.  However, the cultural references to the show make it a relevant watch.