r/KDRAMA Challange 2023

#1 - A drama that has one or more tropes that are used in The Heirs: tropes we hit; abusive parents, anger born of worry, big fancy house, childhood friends, jerk with a heart of gold, has two moms, sucession crisis, tsundere, possesive wrist grab, 

03/08/2023 It was trope-filled eye roll, but the cast had visuals, and the OST was great. So many plot holes, it got pretty eye-rolly to the end but it wasn't too problematic. I did hate the SFL her character development happened way to late in the series to redeem her.

#2 - A drama which subverts a trope - a super supportive wife

03/19/2023 That was the funniest thing I think I have watched in a long time. Totally identified with the couple as I'm about the same age group.

#3 - A drama that was referenced in another drama (referenced in Missing 2 they where watching it in episode 2)

02/10/2023 Not as good as the first half, the story was cute though and happy endings all around. The tone of it though was all over the place, you thought it was supposed to be fluffy but then takes a hard left.

#4 A drama chosen by the Wheel of Chance: Food (Korean fried Chicken)

03/05/2023 Super funny, light-hearted and funny, really enjoyed it Aziz was doing the most.

#5 - A drama chosen by the Wheel of Chance: Tropes - rich/poor

01/31/2023 That was absolute fluff, fun unproblematic and very sweet. Nice ending as well, fairly rare for a historical drama.

#6 - A drama chosen by the Wheel of Chance: PPL - Instant Coffee

04/13/2023 ALL the ppl like ever. but Namgoog was doing the most out-there loved the character and how he could switch both back and forth he was doing a hell of a lot. It was aggressive with the ppl, and the run time cut short didn't do them any favours either. 

*also referenced Hot Stove Leauge, ALL the ppl makeup, coffee Starbucks, subway, health supplements, chicken restaurant, an aggressive amount of jajjemong eating.

#7.1 - A drama chosen by the  Wheel of Chance: Locations: School

04/02/2023 I really liked part 1, not pleased they split it in half that is my least favorite new trend. I am curious to see how they are going to wrap it up I may read the webtoon in the meantime while I wait. 

#7.2 - A drama chosen by the  Wheel of Chance: Locations: School

04/22/2023 SO much salt about that ending, but I didn't mind it. That post-credit thing though I thought was stupid, it took away all the intent of the bleak ending prior, thought they should have stuck to their guns on that one.

#8 - A drama with a main lead that started off as a child actor - Chan Young

04/06/2023 It got real painful towards the end, and the final episode was a mess. There was potential in the characters but the writing is what really let them down here. Side characters were criminally underused. 

#9 - A drama starring a well-known supporting actor - Ha Do Gwon

05/25/2023 You had to do a lot of reaching on the plot, but I liked the characters in terms of the family. I think it would have made a better movie, to be honest. But it wasn't as bad as the reviews made it out to be. 

#10 - A drama starring one of the actors from your first drama - SIG

06/21/2023 Sort of turned into a slog towards the end of it, Na Ra was more of the issue on that one sort of weird. A lot of people liked it but it was pretty predictable.

#11 - A drama starring an actor who has previously won the Baeksang best new actor or actress award - Joo Won (2012)

05/20/2023 It's a shame this didn't get a wider release, and it has a lot going for it. It was a lot a fun, and when the got the gang together it was a good.  

#12 - A drama starring an actor who is a member of a Kpop group - OMEGA X

03/29/2023 So sweet, that is a BL done right. So soft, and no terrible cringe kiss. Flowers to the boys as well, outstanding debut in the acting world.

#13 - A drama where two of the main or support cast have been co-stars on multiple occasions - Lee Si Woo x Shin Hyun Seung (Sh**ting Stars)

This was a total accident I was watching it for tropes but, recognised Yo Na! Lol I can hear that voice in my head.

#14 - A drama with an OST by an artist who has been nominated for or won a MAMA Award for best OST - Ailee (Goblin)

03/11/2023 Loved this, absolutely my jam. I did think the ending dragged a tad, I'm not a huge fan of epilogues but my streak of happy endings continues.

#15 - A drama with a multigenerational main cast

02/05/2023 It was a quick, dark gripping drama. Well shot, well-directed, and excellent overall.

#16 - A drama where one of the main cast shares your zodiac sign - Kang Hoon (May 23)

12/05/2023 It lost momentum in the second half I was invested in some of the couples but not all. Honestly, I thought it wrapped up a little too well, would have been better with a bit of a tragic end perhaps.

#17 A drama where the college alma mater of a character was a plot point

02/12/2023 That ending, is so good. I love a bleak, dark ending.

#18 - A drama with a dream interpretation 

05/01//2023 It sort of fell apart in the middle I thought. Solid chemistry, but could have leaned more into the supernatural stuff.

#19 - A drama with minimal or no romance

04/15/2023 I liked the final episode but I didn't find it as punchy as season one, I thought they did stick the landing and I will most likely watch season 3. I just love Lee Ji Hoon.

#20 - A drama with a main or supporting character that is an athlete

03/16/2023 It had a lot going for it, but the plot seemed to be too predictable. The ending was also sort of meh, I would have liked a bigger twist.

#21 - A drama featuring disguises or false identities

04/11/2023 I liked that quite a bit, very slow burn, but surprisingly a very sweet ending for all couples.  I can understand how it wouldn't appeal to those looking for a legit romance this was more plot heavy.

#22 - A drama which features a character seeking revenge

05/19/2023 Wish it had been longer was so much world-building. 16 episodes would have been great. could have dived into more of the plotline and backstory.

#23 - A drama with at least one animal pet

04/24/2023 Stumbled on this by surprise, but it had no business being so friggin cute. Love Ana and Man-go too so cute the little pet bits.

#24 - A drama you always wanted to watch but for some reason have not watched yet

05/26/2023 I can now say I have officially watched the Heirs, it's been an absolutely wild ride. Wardrobe choices were made. Honestly, my teen self would have loved this, it's actually sort of nostalgic to watch. I did miss Lee Min Ho's collarbones though.

#25 - A drama whose poster you liked at first sight

02/28/2023 Honestly the best part of the series was the poster. Tae Hyun was doing the most, and I did love the bromance when we actually got it, but the plot was shambles. Hated the ex-wife and that mess of a plot. It was a half baked idea that couldn't really decide what it wanted to be.

#26.1 - A drama from a screenwriter or director whose works you have previously enjoyed - Kim Hong Seon (Voice, Guest, Black)

02/10/2023 Not going to consider done, until pt 2 but that soundtrack is fire. 

#26.2 - A drama from a screenwriter or director whose works you have previously enjoyed - Kim Hong Seon (Voice, Guest, Black)

04/24/2023 2 Months had to wait and I completely forgot the plot, and it was so much going on so I had to backtrack. But that OST ???

#27 - A drama found by searching existing recommendations

02/09/2023 Super niche and totally weird, right up my ally. Recommended from kdramarecommends. Soundtrack was fire as well.

#28 - A drama inspired by a review, recommendation or comment on r/KDRAMA or r/kdramarecommends

01/05/2023 I blew through this in 3 days, I saw so many recommendations for it, and it lived up to the hype. It even stuck the landing, which is my biggest pet peeve with historical dramas, but what a great drama.

#29 - A drama suggested by a fellow KDC participant 

05/31/2023 This had me, binged it in 2 days, love a time travel plot and this isvery much one of the better ones I've seen.

#30.1 - A drama whose title is a direct translation of the Korean title

01/14/2023 Finished part one but seeing as it was only 6 episodes think I should finish pt 2 to technically complete the challenge.

#30.2 - A drama whose title is a direct translation of the Korean title

03/10/2023 Now finished officially, overall the production value, setting and cast were great, plot line was too much for such a short run. Splitting it in half like that slowed down the story as well.

#31 - A drama with an episode which received less than 2% overall viewership rate from Nielson

03/23/2023 I hope more people pick this up it was criminally underrated and so much fun. Great mix of comedy romance, and a little supernatural.

#32 - A single episode drama 

01/15/2023 It was ok, little dated but I do love some horror adject content.

#33 - Long form drama

06/30/2023 That was a slog towards the end,  my first daily drama, not sure I can do it again.

#34 - A drama with less than 500 watchers on MDL (30 when I watched)

02/22/2023 I don't even know how to explain how I got here....it was looking at actors of BL series coming and the lead in this is supposed to be in Thai/Korean crossover with Mew. That being said it was actually pretty cute, just a nice little office romance, with some pretty good kisses.

#35 - A drama that is at least 10 years old

01/24/2023 I didn't mind that, even though it was a bit older solid action, a killer soundtrack, and Li Min Ho and his collar bones.

#36 - A drama which fits a challenge from previous KDC years - Features an LGBTQ+ character (2022) 

04/26/2023 Outstanding KBL, best of the year. Cannot recommend enough, if you've never watched a BL or only plan to watch 1 this should be it.