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| The boys of Flower Boy Next Door |
Answer Me, 1997 (2012). “As far as I’m concerned, [this] is the drama of the year, and quite possibly my second favorite Korean series of all time. It has everything you could ask for in a television show about growing up: it’s at once silly, funny, sweet, tender, and poignant.” A+
Answer Me, 1994 (2013). “This drama will keep you entertained in spite of its shortcomings. In truth, its biggest problem is that bar was set too high by what came before.” A-
Dream High (2011). “Unlike many dramas, the show’s narrative tension never flagged; thanks to having no fewer than 6 main characters, there was enough story to go around, from beginning to end.” B+
Flower Boy Next Door (2013). “So could Flower Boy Next Door has been a better drama? Probably. Could I have loved it more? Probably not. It’s a humane, fairy-tale-tinted foray into the lives of some of the most indelible characters Kdrama has ever created.” A
Heirs (2013). “Heirs ultimately crumbled under the weight of its crown. But it sure was pretty while it lasted.” B-
Meteor Garden (2001). “Meteor Garden has all the shortcomings you’d expect from a drama of this vintage—it looks, feels, and sounds dated and its production values are bargain basement. But I’m still a sucker for its swoony, starry-eyed love story, and this might just be my favorite of its incarnations.” B+
Operation Proposal (2012). “Repetitive, dull, and frustrating.” D
Heirs (2013). “Heirs ultimately crumbled under the weight of its crown. But it sure was pretty while it lasted.” B-
Operation Proposal (2012). “Repetitive, dull, and frustrating.” D
To the Beautiful You (2012). “Flawed as it may be, this empty-calorie treat is light, bright, and full of sly references to the cross-dressing Kdramas that came before it. Watching it may barely require consciousness, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time if you—like me—are happy to overlook some serious missed opportunities in favor of goofy fun.” B
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| The girls of I Need Romance 2012 |
Cosmopolitan career girls
Dal Ja’s Spring (2007). “Wonderful in all its particulars, this is the humane, effervescent story of not only the female lead, but also the people whose lives intertwine with hers.” A
I Do, I Do (2012). “If only this show had embraced its true premise rather than watering it down with standard Kdrama workplace shenanigans, it might have been the a touching story of an independent woman rising to the challenges of unexpected motherhood. As it is, I Do, I Do is an empty exercise in form over function that has neither a heart nor a soul.” C
I Do, I Do (2012). “If only this show had embraced its true premise rather than watering it down with standard Kdrama workplace shenanigans, it might have been the a touching story of an independent woman rising to the challenges of unexpected motherhood. As it is, I Do, I Do is an empty exercise in form over function that has neither a heart nor a soul.” C
I Need Romance (2011). “What makes I Need Romance really special is its thoughtful storytelling, which mixes weighty-but-realistic relationship angst, light comedy, and heavy petting, all flavored with a uniquely Korean earnestness.” A
In Time with You (2011). “Although its plot is low-key to the point of being almost nonexistent and it suffers from last-quarter pacing problems, this stylish, sophisticated drama is second in my heart only to Coffee Prince. Everything about it is enchanting, from how it looks to how it sounds to how it feels.” (Taiwan) A+
I Need Romance 2012 (2012). “While the three C’s of the 2012 edition—cast, characters, and chemistry—aren’t quite on par with the wonderful original, all is forgiven in light of INR 2012’s better-plotted script and tendency toward dialog that’s equal parts painfully funny and painfully truthful.” B
My Lovely Sam Soon (2005). “All these years later, My Lovely Sam Soon doesn’t feel dated—the production values are good, the casting and acting are spot on, and the script is funny and insightful.” A
My Sweet Seoul (2008). “The drama might have survived a major tone shift to hardcore melo, if only [the leads] had ever managed to feel like they really belonged together.” B-
Nine End, Two Outs (2007). “[This is a show with] an appealingly mellow, realistic vibe and some real insights into the difficulties of sharing a living space and allowing friendship to become something more, but never quite manages to become essential viewing.” B-
Soulmate (2006). “[Soulmate’s] half-hour running time, indie vibe, and lightweight storytelling make it feel distinctly different from traditional Kdramas. [It’s] a fun, airy comedy that feels weirdly unmoored.” B+
In Time with You (2011). “Although its plot is low-key to the point of being almost nonexistent and it suffers from last-quarter pacing problems, this stylish, sophisticated drama is second in my heart only to Coffee Prince. Everything about it is enchanting, from how it looks to how it sounds to how it feels.” (Taiwan) A+
I Need Romance 2012 (2012). “While the three C’s of the 2012 edition—cast, characters, and chemistry—aren’t quite on par with the wonderful original, all is forgiven in light of INR 2012’s better-plotted script and tendency toward dialog that’s equal parts painfully funny and painfully truthful.” B
My Lovely Sam Soon (2005). “All these years later, My Lovely Sam Soon doesn’t feel dated—the production values are good, the casting and acting are spot on, and the script is funny and insightful.” A
My Sweet Seoul (2008). “The drama might have survived a major tone shift to hardcore melo, if only [the leads] had ever managed to feel like they really belonged together.” B-
Nine End, Two Outs (2007). “[This is a show with] an appealingly mellow, realistic vibe and some real insights into the difficulties of sharing a living space and allowing friendship to become something more, but never quite manages to become essential viewing.” B-
Soulmate (2006). “[Soulmate’s] half-hour running time, indie vibe, and lightweight storytelling make it feel distinctly different from traditional Kdramas. [It’s] a fun, airy comedy that feels weirdly unmoored.” B+
Queen of Reversals (2010). “Queen of Reversal’s story never falls into the drama doldrums. There are always new and exciting things happening, and lots to look forward to around every corner.... Even the addition of ten episodes couldn’t derail this narrative; like its heroine, this drama handled the unexpected with grace and style.” A-
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| The food of Fermentation Family |
Baker King, Kim Tak Gu (2010). “However slapdash and silly it may be, I find it hard to actively dislike Baker King Kim Tak Gu. It’s so cute and good-hearted that it’s easy to overlook the show’s many flaws, which include but are not limited to low production values, a makjang-tastic storyline with plot holes large enough to contain entire solar systems, and indifferent acting on the part of everyone but the leads.” B-
Fermentation Family (2012). “What began as a story of foodie magical realism told through the lens of a traditional Korean restaurant and the people who frequent it quickly descended into a series of makjang plot twists taken right out of the Big Book of Kdrama Clichés.” C+
Jewel in the Palace (2003). “Like the journey to success for its female lead, this show is a long voyage that is very much worth taking.” A
Pasta (2010). “More of a lighthearted workplace drama than a traditional romantic comedy, Pasta may not have much of a central plot, but its underdog-makes-good storyline and episodic structure manage to stay fresh and interesting to the very end.” A
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| The kiss of Coffee Prince |
Autumn’s Concerto (2009). “Showcasing a pair of so-beautiful-it-hurts lovers and their mind-bendingly adorable son, [Autumn’s Concerto] pulls out all the stops when it comes to soapy tribulations, but never fails to keep a relatable human face on the madness.” (Taiwan) A
Can We Get Married (2012). “Can We Get Married is a realistic, quietly funny and subtly feminist take on modern love.” B+
Coffee Prince (2007). “A window into a warm, cozy world of blue skies and bright sunshine, a world that feels like our own, but ever so slightly better.” A+++
I Need Romance (2011). “What makes I Need Romance really special is its thoughtful storytelling, which mixes weighty-but-realistic relationship angst, light comedy, and heavy petting, all flavored with a uniquely Korean earnestness.” A
I Need Romance 2012 (2012). “While the three C’s of the 2012 edition—cast, characters, and chemistry—aren’t quite on par with the wonderful original, all is forgiven in light of INR 2012’s better-plotted script and tendency toward dialog that’s equal parts painfully funny and painfully truthful.” B
My Lovely Sam Soon (2005). “All these years later, My Lovely Sam Soon doesn’t feel dated—the production values are good, the casting and acting are spot on, and the script is funny and insightful.” A
My Sweet Seoul (2008). “The drama might have survived a major tone shift to hardcore melo, if only [the leads] had ever managed to feel like they really belonged together.” B-
Queen In-hyun’s Man (2012). “This is an epic, redeeming love story with a supernatural twist, beautifully plotted with unrelenting narrative tension and an unerring feel for the pleasures and terrors of star-crossed love.” A-
They Kiss Again (2007). “There’s a lot to enjoy in [They Kiss Again’s] episodic stories, but I started to feel like the female lead: I was being strung along by the promise of a love that never really materialized.” C
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| The melodrama of A Love to Kill |
Juicy melodramas
Autumn’s Concerto (2009). “Showcasing a pair of so-beautiful-it-hurts lovers and their mind-bendingly adorable son, [Autumn’s Concerto] pulls out all the stops when it comes to soapy tribulations, but never fails to keep a relatable human face on the madness.” (Taiwan) A
December Fever (2004). “There’s a lot to love in this drama’s candid depiction the political currents inherent in traditional Korean family life. For something that starts off as a broad romantic comedy, it evolves into a powerful melodrama that will almost certainly leave you sobbing.” B
A Love to Kill (2005). “A Love to Kill might just be my favorite of [screenwriter] Lee Kyung Hee’s melodramas. It will tear out your heart. But in a good way.” A
Nice Guy (2012). “Nice Guy is one of the finest examples of its species: dark and drawn to the things that break us, it explores the horrible things people will do to save themselves, and the precarious ways they can earn redemption for them.” A-
I'm Sorry, I Love You (2004). “If you can handle the tragedy of it all, you’re in good hands...every character is nuanced and sensitively drawn, and every awful turn is balanced with a moment of grace and beauty.” A-
Padam Padam (2012). “From its basis in a standard Kdrama conflict shared by who knows how many other shows, Padam Padam grows into a romance, mystery, family drama, and tale of both the natural and the supernatural. And television doesn’t get much better than that.” A
Que Sera Sera (2007). “How is it that this dark gem of a show isn’t on more top 10 lists?”
What Happened in Bali (2004). “The Wuthering Heights of Korean drama (only less good).” C+
Autumn’s Concerto (2009). “Showcasing a pair of so-beautiful-it-hurts lovers and their mind-bendingly adorable son, [Autumn’s Concerto] pulls out all the stops when it comes to soapy tribulations, but never fails to keep a relatable human face on the madness.” (Taiwan) A
December Fever (2004). “There’s a lot to love in this drama’s candid depiction the political currents inherent in traditional Korean family life. For something that starts off as a broad romantic comedy, it evolves into a powerful melodrama that will almost certainly leave you sobbing.” B
A Love to Kill (2005). “A Love to Kill might just be my favorite of [screenwriter] Lee Kyung Hee’s melodramas. It will tear out your heart. But in a good way.” A
Nice Guy (2012). “Nice Guy is one of the finest examples of its species: dark and drawn to the things that break us, it explores the horrible things people will do to save themselves, and the precarious ways they can earn redemption for them.” A-
I'm Sorry, I Love You (2004). “If you can handle the tragedy of it all, you’re in good hands...every character is nuanced and sensitively drawn, and every awful turn is balanced with a moment of grace and beauty.” A-
Padam Padam (2012). “From its basis in a standard Kdrama conflict shared by who knows how many other shows, Padam Padam grows into a romance, mystery, family drama, and tale of both the natural and the supernatural. And television doesn’t get much better than that.” A
Que Sera Sera (2007). “How is it that this dark gem of a show isn’t on more top 10 lists?”
Spring Waltz (2006). “Spring Waltz is a sublime and swoony fairytale. It’s cotton-candy luscious and lovely and earnest, but also has just the right amount of gritty edge to keep it from being like drowning in an ocean of treacle. It encapsulates almost everything I love about Korean drama: it’s unapologetically sentimental, intensely romantic, and full of fated love.” A+
Thank You (2007). “This is not a showy, wish-fullfilment drama designed for maximum razzle-dazzle. It asks serious questions about life and death, and gives no cheesy answers or showy resolutions. It’s a thoughtful meditation on community, responsibility, and family that happens to be told with the voice of a love story.” A+
Thank You (2007). “This is not a showy, wish-fullfilment drama designed for maximum razzle-dazzle. It asks serious questions about life and death, and gives no cheesy answers or showy resolutions. It’s a thoughtful meditation on community, responsibility, and family that happens to be told with the voice of a love story.” A+
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| The history of Jewel in the Palace |
Sageuks
Arang and the Magistrate (2012). “A perfect, goose-bumpy fit for the Halloween season, this show is just what I wanted it to be: a transporting sageuk that never commits the crime of taking itself too seriously.” A-
Bridal Mask (2012). “Unpopular opinion alert: I thought this much-loved drama was middling at best.” B-
Capital Scandal (2007). “What starts off as a madcap story of unlikely love blooming against a period backdrop evolves into a unexpectedly powerful exploration of duty and sacrifice.” B
Hwang Jin Yi (2006). “Fine, but not especially engaging.” B-
Iljimae (2008). “Overall, a diverting if not entirely satisfying way to spend twenty hours.” C+
Joseon X-files (2010). “As outlandish as its premise may seem, Joseon X-files is actually a perfect blend of occult detective story and sageuk mystery.” A
Jewel in the Palace (2003). “Like the journey to success for its female lead, this show is a long voyage that is very much worth taking.” A
Moon that Embraces the Sun (2012). “I’ve seen more narrative sophistication in Disney Channel movies intended for ten year olds.” D
Painter of the Wind (2008). “Thoughtful, girl-centered sageuks are hard to find, but Painter of the Wind is both. Its speedy plotting and fully drawn characters are a pleasure to watch, making it hard to stop at just one (or five) episodes at a sitting.” A
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| The classroom of Answer Me 1997 |
Answer Me, 1997 (2012). “As far as I’m concerned, [this] is the drama of the year, and quite possibly my second favorite Korean series of all time. It has everything you could ask for in a television show about growing up: it’s at once silly, funny, sweet, tender, and poignant.” A+
Answer Me, 1994 (2013). “This drama will keep you entertained in spite of its shortcomings. In truth, its biggest problem is that bar was set too high by what came before.” A-
Dream High (2011). “Unlike many dramas, the show’s narrative tension never flagged; thanks to having no fewer than 6 main characters, there was enough story to go around, from beginning to end.” B+
It Started with a Kiss (2005). “The comfort food of dramas: sweet and tasty, but totally devoid of actual nutrition.” (Taiwan) B-
Mars (2004). “This central relationship and the story’s speedy plotting will keep you watching, but the rest of the drama leaves a bit to be desired.” (Taiwan) C+
Meteor Garden (2001). “Meteor Garden has all the shortcomings you’d expect from a drama of this vintage—it looks, feels, and sounds dated and its production values are bargain basement. But I’m still a sucker for its swoony, starry-eyed love story, and this might just be my favorite of its incarnations.” B+
Operation Proposal (2012). “Repetitive, dull, and frustrating.” D
Sang Doo, Let’s Go to School (2003). “It seems mean-spirited to judge yesteryear’s dramas by today’s standards. But that doesn’t step Sang Doo from feeling like fifth-grade gym class compared to today’s Olympic-caliber Kdramas.” D
School 2013 (2013). “Because the show’s scope is limited almost exclusively to the classroom, it never feels like you get to know anyone or come to understand their motivations. As far as I’m concerned, this resulted in an anchorless narrative that was too broad for its own good.” C+
Shut Up: Flower Boy Band (2012). “SUFBB transcends its gimmicky premise (pretty boys! In a band!) to become a genuinely affecting, well-made drama about the power of friendship and the pain of growing up.” A
What’s Up (2012). “On a small-scale level, this show is full of idiosyncratic pleasures—fun musical numbers, interesting characters, and a random ghost for good measure (and occasional purposes of exposition).... But What’s Up’s ending-fail retroactively ruined what had been a fun show.” B-
White Christmas (2011). “In the course of its eight-episode running time, [White Christmas] morphs from a story about a schoolyard secret to an adult mystery, and then to a fight for the survival of body and soul. So here’s the key piece of information you need to know: You should watch it.” A
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| The angel of Padam Padam |
Supernatural stories
Arang and the Magistrate (2012). “A perfect, goose-bumpy fit for the Halloween season, this show is just what I wanted it to be: a transporting sageuk that never commits the crime of taking itself too seriously.” A-
Big (2012). “Decently executed but with an unforgivably awful, unfocussed script: Once it became clear that the writers had no idea where they were going with the show’s central body-swap mystery, I all but lost the will to watch.” D
Faith (2012). “It’s possible to enjoy this show for its swoony, slow-boil romance, but the second you give your brain cells free reign everything falls to pieces.” B-
Big (2012). “Decently executed but with an unforgivably awful, unfocussed script: Once it became clear that the writers had no idea where they were going with the show’s central body-swap mystery, I all but lost the will to watch.” D
Faith (2012). “It’s possible to enjoy this show for its swoony, slow-boil romance, but the second you give your brain cells free reign everything falls to pieces.” B-
I Hear Your Voice (2013). “I Can Hear Your Voice is a charming distraction with a cast of likeable characters and an impossibly compelling central romance. It gives viewers a mouthwatering taste of many of Kdrama’s biggest tropes—noona romance, cohabitation farce, revenge quest, supernatural drama, and birth secret mystery.” A-
Master’s Sun (2013). “Master’s Sun is funny but not broad, sweet but not treacly, and animated without being over the top.” A-
Moon that Embraces the Sun (2012). “I’ve seen more narrative sophistication in Disney Channel movies intended for ten year olds.” D
Nine (2013). “Although it arrived late to 2012’s time travel party, Nine is without a doubt the guest of honor. It’s a thrilling, noodle-baking action drama that engages both heart and mind.” A
Operation Proposal (2012). “Repetitive, dull, and frustrating.” D
Padam Padam (2012). “From its basis in a standard Kdrama conflict shared by who knows how many other shows, Padam Padam grows into a romance, mystery, family drama, and tale of both the natural and the supernatural. And television doesn’t get much better than that.” A
Queen In-hyun’s Man (2012). “This is an epic, redeeming love story with a supernatural twist, beautifully plotted with unrelenting narrative tension and an unerring feel for the pleasures and terrors of star-crossed love.” A-
Rooftop Prince (2012). “Saddled with a weirdly unsatisfying ending, this lighthearted romantic comedy is occasionally cute but overall tiresomely average.” C+
The Thousandth Man (2012). “Episodic and insubstantial, The Thousandth Man brings the mythical gumiho into the modern urban world, surrounding its family of foxes with spas and playgrounds and the petty concerns of humans.” C+
This list rocks! Thanks so much, Amanda!
ReplyDeleteThanks! too bad ive watched most of what you graded high.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I highly recommend to watch "The princess' man". I really would like to read your review about it.
ReplyDeleteA "C" for "I do I do"?! This is such a lovely and touching love story. She tries not to love him but just can't stop (see: the scene in the park where she draws their feet together and the scene in the parking lot where he carries her in and she nestles her head in his shoulder, sigh). Yes the work stuff is ignorable fluff but the attraction between the leads makes slogging through it worthwhile and on the 2nd and 3rd viewings you can just go fast over those parts (kind of like "My Girlfriend is a gumiho" where the action stuff is just filler between one of the most beautiful loves in Kdrama land.
ReplyDelete