detailed list of favorites

My personal favorite, a hidden pearl! Amazing, every episode brought me such a thrill that I haven't felt since the day I jumped out of my mother's uterus on a late Saturday autumn night in 1999. 

Jung Kyung Ho fit perfectly as a troubled detective and it made me reminisce about his acting in Cruel City.  

Life on Mars has a good mix of everything that makes one stay for another episode even though its already 3 am and you have work in the morning.  A tad of action, great chemistry between the whole cast and a general feel of magic and mystery. In my eyes this was a perfect drama, the only thing that would make it better is a second season (for selfish reasons, the story doesn't need it, I just want to see the gang together.) 

All in all, it's very touching at times, captivated me throughout and make me laugh, a true 10/10.

I started watching 'Extracurricular' on a whim, I didn't think much of it and just wanted to see something that was on Netflix. The simple action of watching 1 episode turned into a 10 hour binge, and I have to tell you it was one hell of a ride. This drama didn't hook me on the first episode, I felt a bit hesitant, will this be another unrealistic shitty teen thug type of story? But nonetheless I continued.

After the second episode I knew, this is something else. The premise seems simple enough, a normal setup for a Korean thriller/action movie but this took it deeper. During the 10 episodes the viewer get to know its main character Oh Jisoo and his contrasting behaviors as well as his partner Bae Gyu Ri. The character work on these two was phenomenal, I loved seeing their facades crack little by little to show what these young humans held within themselves all along. Although they commit actions that goes by the law of morals you cannot help but route for this unfortunate pair. I personally related to the characters, especially to Bae Gyu Ri and her struggles to keep her image in front of her parents, the school and Jisoo. Although the circumstances that these characters goes through is unrealistic you can draw similarities to their struggles of fitting in, money, grades and love.

The acting was simply amazing! Nothing more is needed to say, all cast members seemed to act well in their parts and the production was done so smoothly that I almost forgot that it was all an act.

Well all I can say is that this blew me away, I was chocked at the amount of enjoyment I felt watching this short but thrilling drama. Everyone that enjoys to feel nervous and wants to see something a bit fucked up and dark: 'Extracurricular' is something for you!

I knew from the first scene that this would be one of those dramas that would stick with me. Since watching it I can't seem to keep it of my mind for very long. 

The issues that Weak Class Hero touched upon shouldn't feel so relatable to me in a personal sense as a non bullied student in a warm and welcoming school environment. But I still couldn't help but feel that the characters Yeon Shi Eun and Oh Beom Seok realistically depicted emotions that I felt so strongly during my youth.  

I feel that anger, envy, apathy and rage is often overplayed in fiction, but this I could see myself in, which made me (a big fan of realism) very content. Yeon Shi Eun lacks purpose in life and pushes on with what is expected from him by his parents, Oh Beom Seok feels like a victim in his home environment and needs to take out his anger and envy on others to feel in control of some aspect in his life. These themes aren't uncommon, but them being realistically depicted with this intensity really is what made it so special to me. 

I could criticise the almost constant relying on shock value with its gory violence, but I won't because I liked that as well. A great show with a great premise, that it doesn't lose its purpose halfway. The acting is touching, the editing keeps you on your toes and last but not least: it's as beautiful and raw as a brutal school drama could be. 

Randomly watched the drama Somebody recently, and wow. It was right up my alley: Morally corrupt, dark, and weird. I was surprised that I hadn't heard about it before since everything about it was so professionally done. 

The writing and pacing is great, it builds up slowly but doesn't drag. The characters are complex and the acting is at a high level. I haven't received Kim Young Kwang's acting too well in the past. I generally find him a bit stiff, but he really suited this character. "Just the way he stands can make your skin crawl" sort of emotions coming off of him. Kang Hae Lim was wonderful, haven't seen her before so I was blown away by her performance. 

There seems to be so much thought behind each scene by both the writer and director, they didn't smack you in the face why a character would act a certain way. Watching it made me reflect a lot and that's probably my favorite thing about evil characters. I realised after watching this that all of my 10/10 dramas have stuff that is left unanswered. I think that a drama can only be perfect if it gives the viewer room to reflect about its characters and plot. 

It was perfect to me from first scene to the last. A true ten in my eyes. 

Started watching this on a whim after getting it recommended to me on Netflix. Didn't know anything about it, and wow. This is a hidden gem.  It is nuanced in its acting and script, and is one of the best depictions of going through a crisis that I've seen. I loved the characters deeply by the end of it, and felt that their stories were beautifully told. The main reason I would have to complain is that I would've focused more on the friendships rather than the romance. As I'm a sucker for a good cry, this recommendation was perfect. And If you are like me, you should give this heartfelt story a watch. 

Strangers from Hell was one of those dramas that made me expect more from dramas moving forward. Great acting from the whole cast. Especially Yim Siwan, Park Jong Hwan and Lee Jung Eun. The writing is understated, keeps in the background to make the mystery of the whole story shine. But what impressed me the most was how it looked. 

This drama peaked my interest in cinematography, the way the initial scene is shot cements the series theme, mood, and character. I remember being hooked right from the start. I wasn't usually a big fan of the unrealistic, thriller, horror-ish type of content but this changed my mind. Strangers from Hell depicts so much more if you are looking at the scenes rather than listening to what they are saying. The way the camera tilts or how we see lines between characters mean something, and realising that made me obsessed with finding more of its visual language and decipher its meaning. 

All in all, made me as well as Yim Siwan; insane. It chilled me to the bone, nothing short of amazing. 

I generally hate historical dramas, they really aren't my thing. I usually find them too long, unrealistically cliche and nagging. This shouldn't have been an exception, since technically it is very long, unrealistic and nags on about various topics that I don't have any interest in. But non alas, I loved it.  

The scenery is beautiful, I can't believe some of these places are real and that they can transform something from the 2000's to feel like the 1600's. The acting is great, Namgoong Min is good in whatever he puts his mind to. In my eyes he can do no wrong when it comes to acting. At first I didn't like Ahn Eun Jin's character, but it was good to see a great character arch.  The story is beautiful, full of cliches and made me feel stupid for loving as much as I did. But honestly I should stop being such a snob about dramas. 

Who cares If its unrealistic? I can like whatever I want since its for my entertainment.  I think that was my biggest take away from this, I should just have fun, and enjoy the journey. If I like it, good! If I don't, I'll just turn it off. 

Note to self; This is what you liked about it. 

- Sweet

- Normbreaking

- Good portrayal of ONE version of autism (at least better than not being included at all, but still not all too good, since most people with autism isnt like this) 

- Great acting

- Nice chemistry between characters

- A kind drama, we dont see those often. 

Note to self; This is what you thought 

- Tears, and even more tears. 

- Nice character building

- Great message

Oh boy, this one made me cry. I cried bucketfuls of tears while watching this wonderful and beautiful series about miserable people. It gave me many life-lessons that I hope that I will continue to think about for the rest of my life. It felt so real and that is the best thing about this drama. Loved all of it.

It wasn't what I thought it was, it wasn't the most realistic depiction of life in prison but that didn't matter to me. The story was about how to overcome hardship in any shape of form and how to make the best out of a bad situation. The loss of realism was necessary to show what a great prison should look like, the relationships that the prisoners had with each other and the guards showed what a healthy life in prison could look like. I really enjoyed the scenes with Lieutendant Paeng and enjoyed seeing him develope from a closed off prison guard to a person thatmade the lives of the people around him better. 

The humor was wonderful as always with Lee Woo Jung and Jung Bo Hoon. It didn't take it too far, you could still feel the always present sadness that the prisoners felt even in their happiest moments. The cast was just the right mix of 'dramatic-' & 'comedic' actors to give a great acting performance and giving the viewer a chance to laugh. 

I laughed and cried, it was great and I related to them even though I've never been in prison. 

I remember watching the first episode of this and thinking, I cannot be bothered with this shit, so I dropped it. Then my appreciation of Son Suk Gu reached a new level, and I felt the need to watch everything he has taken part in. I have to say, wow  I'm so happy that I did because this whole drama (1 and 2) was such a thrill. 

The acting was superb, what an amazing ensemble cast! So many strong actors together can become like an overcrowded kitchen, too many people trying to stand in the spotlight at the same time, but this worked out perfectly. I liked the first season even more than the second, which seems like an unpopular opinion, at least at MDL. 

I liked the first especially because we got to know how Choi Minshik's character became the imposing man of power that is later showed. I love a good background story and this one kept me on my toes, never knowing what he would do next. Would he lose his morals completely and betray his friends? Or will he go by the code that he seemed so adamant at keeping when first arriving in the Philippines? 

I loved that it felt like each episode was a movie, and that so many of the characters lives was woven together by the end. A well planned out drama with a skilled cast, simply thrilling!

This is a series that isn't that good if it doesn't have any meaning to you. It's mainly a comedic series that is very lighthearted and quite silly at times.

To me it's something that I hold almost sacred, I watched this during one of the hardest periods in my life and it gave me a breath of fresh air with its happiness and light. I can honestly say that I think it gave me a push on the way of recovering; I was a depressed teen that felt that everything was so serious, overwhelming and scary. Even though it's fiction and unrealistic fiction at that, it helped to ease my mind. 

I'll always rewatch it with a warm feeling in my heart, and I recommend it for anyone that is going through some hard times and need some laugher. 

I'll be honest, I was skeptical when it came to this drama. I'm generally not a fan of Go Kyung Pyo's acting, that was what initially put me off (and Yoo Ah In's haircut, which I loved by the end) but to my surprise it turned out great and I was so happy that I decided to give it a chance. 

It is a love story that doesn't feel like a Happy Ever After like many other K-Dramas do. Even if the series had many unrealistic characteristics, its heart was realistic issues regarding following your destiny and friendship. The storytelling was masterful, it showed just enough of the characters life at the right time to keep me intrigued.

Loved it, will rewatch when in need of a nostalgic feel of warmth. 

- Lovely depiction of the lives of doctors

- Great friendships, so nice to see humor in this way

- The cast has chemistry and act on a similar level, you can see that the group got close during the filming. It flows. 

- Fun, a bit unusual characters. Breaks the stereotypes. 

- This felt like bottled youth

- Teen angst at times

- Heartfelt! Bright. 

- Thrilling

- A great concept, that I often reflect about.

- Morally grey characters. 

- Yeom Jung Ah's acting

- The whole cast

- Great script

- Fun to see so many villains

This OCN drama delivered some serious chills down my spine, by far one of the best 'thriller' dramas I've watched. 

I started watching with high hopes of it being a great drama, and it topped my expectations. Every episode developed the story forward without unrelated plot which made me get into it on another level. Captivating, scary, with a great cast; I recommend everyone to give this a shot!

Edit 2024: I might need to rewatch, I doubt it would be a 9/10 in my 2024 standards. That doesn't matter much though, I remember I enjoyed it a lot and couldn't wait for the next episode. 

This series was not your typical romance drama where everything turns out all right. What made me love it is the grey areas that the viewer is left reflecting about after its ending.  I felt that its secondary title 'Rain or Shine' fitted the themes of the drama perfectly. Not everything will be bright and happy, but the drama showed both sides. To me it felt quite realistic, especially the bond between the leads, no feel of rushing to push a romantic plot but still having great heartbreaking moments. 

I had a hard time to watch the two final episodes since it would mean that it was all over, I was terrified that the writers would butcher it, but alas it kept its 9.5 stars. Warmly recommend for anyone that wants their emotions evoked. 

Rewatched 2024: It's much worse quality than I remembered. Cringed a few times and noticed a whole lot of plot points that didn't make sense, this will lower the grade of this drama substantially in my eyes. But I'll leave it on this list, because I really did love it back in my late teens.