Jeana's Little Gems
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1. Joy of Life
Chinese Drama - 2019, 46 episodes
Fan Xian is a GOD. The story flows beautifully with two mature, older daddies in the main cast that are as devious and wicked as they are unpredictable. Lots of great schemes and intrigue along with bromance, family bonds and character development.
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2. Empress Ki
Korean Drama - 2013, 51 episodes
One of my first dramas. I am sure it is flawed but do I care? NO. Badass, schemey, cunning female lead of my dreams + complicated, unhinged, blood lust filled anti-hero and a tragedy to keep you up for 5 business days.
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3. The Fiery Priest
Korean Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
King Nam Gil slaying as always as a badass, unrepentant priest with anger issues. Comedy + action + amazing side characters + major romance potential due to the inferno level chemistry between FL and ML and loads of heart touching moments.
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4. Ever Night
Chinese Drama - 2018, 60 episodes
One of my first wuxias ever so it holds a soft spot. It's a journey story. The acting isn't the best but the writing is pretty solid with great world building and a hero who LEVELS UP.
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5. Rookie Agent Rouge
Chinese Drama - 2016, 45 episodes
My favorite spy drama of all time. Zhao Li Ying is just effortlessly cool and suave as a spy. You also have a broody, morally ambiguous hero, an excellent villainess and major chemistry between all the characters.
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6. Stranger
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Only the best detective drama ever with one of the most SHIPPABLE ships + nuanced acting and a crime/thriller that actually makes you feel smart.
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7. Healer
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
Guilty pleasure drama ofc. Great kisses + great chemistry and showcases JCW at his best with action romance.
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8. Defendant
Korean Drama - 2017, 18 episodes
Daddy Ji Sung is here to take the crown home. Very emotionally charged drama of a man committed of a crime he didn't commit and a father desperate to be reunited with his child. Excellent villain + side characters.
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9. I'm Sorry, I Love You
Korean Drama - 2004, 16 episodes
The OG makjang tragedy. Literally anything that can possibly go wrong, DOES go wrong in this drama. It is a sob fest and just so fucking sad. Probably would not enjoy this as much now but at the time, I ate it up even in the terrible quality. It's also a classic good girl - bad boy romance so you know my kinks are here.
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10. Kill Me, Heal Me
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
The is just a classic. No justification.
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11. MARS
Taiwanese Drama - 2004, 13 episodes
The original bad boy. Seriously, it's THAT drama that all the future cold man/warm woman dramas try to emulate. Plus the OST is one of the most haunting and memorable I have heard in my entire life. Deals with real trauma and issues and comes with a side of craziness. Unfortunately, it's not available in HD print. :(
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12. Kaitou Yamaneko
Japanese Drama - 2016, 10 episodes
Cat-like Kamenashi Kazuya with his wack moves, badassery and unapologetically real detective? SIGN ME UP.
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13. Save Me
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Cult drama with very real sense of danger and high stakes. Unfortunately, the second lead syndrome is MAJOR in this one. Ok Taecyon is a flop but the drama is still worth the watch due to both the SML and the FL aka charismatic Seo Ye Ji.
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14. Cruel City
Korean Drama - 2013, 20 episodes
My heart hurts just thinking about this one. The drama that turned me into a Jung Kyung Ho superfan. Such chemistry between the OTP, real skin ship, raw emotions, bromance, amazing characters and a black bellied anti-hero with a heart of gold. Granted, its dated but if you can get past the extra-ness of its time, you have a gold mine in your hands.
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15. Mr. Sunshine
Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
Beautiful + serene + heartbreaking.
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16. Prison Playbook
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
So much heart and warmth in this show. Deals with lots of real issues and has one of the BEST bromances ever.
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17. Bad Guys
Korean Drama - 2014, 11 episodes
Honestly, this is a thrill chase of a drama. Good time pass but it is forgettable unfortunately. Still, bromance is giving and since I rated it a 9, must have impacted me at the time.
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18. Life
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
Very subtle + lots of dialogue and moral dilemmas + a male lead that is a certifiable badass, ruthless, corporate executive. A ship that actually sails and super tight plot.
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19. Stranger 2
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
More philosophical + dialogues but always a good mental workout. The ship is here to stay and slay.
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20. Dear My Friends
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Ooof so many emotions. A very real. flawed heroine with sexy Zo In Sung as the best, love interest with a most heart aching love story. Also, lots of old people but every single one of them is so endearing that you start to truly treasure them and their bonds with each other.
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21. Nirvana in Fire
Chinese Drama - 2015, 54 episodes
This is the OG chinese period drama. It can take a while to get into it but once you do - you're in. Schemes, treachery, brotherhood and loyalty all come to a head. One of the best political Machiavellian shows ever with a ending that shatters your heart.
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22. Monster
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Best bromance in k drama history. It's that good. Plus, the whole crime and investigation aspect is done fairly well and a whodunnit plot that doesn't unravel in the first episode.
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23. Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Na Hee Do has to be one of the most resilient, driven, determined, endearingly vulnerable female leads. She made me fall in love with a sport I had never watched before in my life. The romance itself is incredible with the way its written - poignant, realistic and unforgettable. Unfortunately, the ML can't act to save a life but such was the writing on this show that even that couldn't bring it down.
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24. King of Pigs
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
Graphic bullying, super intense drama with characters who are completely morally black. It's such a heartache but also an entirely thrilling journey.
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25. My Liberation Notes
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Raw, real, emotionally charged live wire of a drama that feels like home. Wildly atmospheric, slow burn with great dialogues, story and acting. Mr. Gu aka the ML is sex on legs. The chemistry between the leads is combustible and they have real and intense moments and their love is believable and makes you root for them fully as you watch them grow and evolve both as individuals and together.
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26. Lost You Forever
Chinese Drama - 2023, 39 episodes
This is the kind of drama you don't expect to love so much but you do. One of the most independent and fierce female leads in a xianxia ever. It is so angsty, full of yearning and so tragic. The acting on it is brilliant and it has one of my favorite anti-heroes of all time aka Xiang Liu. It has more super interesting, complex and human characters living in a very cruel and unforgiving world. Amazing sets and cinematography with INSANE music score and over all A+ production. There are some flaws towards the second half with one miserable character (Tushan Jing) that gets a lot of screen time but overall this is a top tier drama.
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27. The Rise of Phoenixes
Chinese Drama - 2018, 70 episodes
The ONLY real power couple you will find in dramas. So much smarts and schemes to go around. Also, Ning Yi with his charismatic, devilish self turns me into a simpering fool. So much chemistry between the main leads. Unfortunately, the ending episodes are rushed and poorly executed and there is barely ANY skinship in 70+ episodes but it is 100% worth just to witness the journey of these super endearing characters. Acting is A+ and emotional level is at an all time high
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28. Six Flying Dragons
Korean Drama - 2015, 50 episodes
The BEST saguek that ever saguek-ed. Yi Bang Won played by Yoo Ah In was a once in a lifetime anti-hero. Just simply brilliant. The show has the best music score and action scenes in a saguek ever. It’s an excellent and painful story. The politics do drag and it gets too long sometimes but the payoff is 100% and Yi Bang Won is a character that just cannot be missed.
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29. Unmet: Aru Nogekai no Nikki
Japanese Drama - 2024, 11 episodes
Gut wrenchingly real, heartbreakingly honest and extremely powerful story of a woman’s unwavering spirit as she tries to hold on to the memories that keep slipping from her hands and her sturdy rock of a man who would do anything in his power to help her gather the pieces of all that she is. Brilliantly acted, written and directed with a fantastic music score, this has to be one of the best dramas of 2024.