liddi

@ktcjdrama You raise an interesting point about being reluctant for Eun-hee to be found due to the care she has been giving to the children in the village, and it is true that her departure breaks the hearts of the little ones under her charge and leaves a void in the village which may not be as quickly and readily filled. Nonetheless, I guess I don't feel the same way because there is no telling when, if ever, the children will be found. Considering the fact that she has been missing for 20 years, how many more 20 years does her mother have in this life to be able to wait in vain for closure? In the end, for me, the torment of those left behind outweighs the needs of those in the village, because, regardless of the nature of their deaths, they are at limbo in a form of paradise in the village, and are in a far better place than those who continue to wait for their return. Unfortunately, the fact that they are in the village also means that only their remains can return to their loved ones, and that is the unchanging tragedy of their lives and those who love them...

@abs-oluteM I agree. This drama embodies so much heart - focusing on the victims, their loved ones, when even closure is sometimes just not enough, as Eun-hee's mother so piteously cried over the injustice of it all, a daughter finally returned to her side whom she can no longer see nor touch. Utterly heartbreaking. There is certainly a great deal of mystery surrounding OIY's abilities - his ability to travel in and out of villages, even to multiple villages (even being able to talk to Thomas in Duon a year prior), and to be able to interact with those in the land of the living. It's telling that in the script-reading BTS, Kim Donghwi's interview about his character was censored which is great since it goes to show his unusual abilities, while in apparent conflict of the universe's rules, are a deliberate plot device and should be explained down the road. I had such a good laugh with your description of the greatest mystery of all. Now that is one mystery I demand to know the secret to, so that I can apply it to my own life as well, surviving if not thriving without doing any work Although so late in the year, I am so thrilled that this drama has broken my drama drought... being the one that keeps me waiting impatiently for the next episode. Is it Tuesday already? @SilverMoonTea Do join us! With what we've seen so far, fingers crossed this will be one of the dramas you will persevere to the end.

S2 script reading

And they did it. Ep2 delivers everything I loved about S1 and more... keeping me invested and in tears for the better part of the hour, reminding me over and over why I could not move on when the 1st season ended. I mourned anew with JPS as he finds a world where his Hyun-ji had been... grieving with him through every little trace of her he encounters in the village... until he begins to heal at last, knowing that she had wonderful memories of him during her brief life to tide her over all those years before she was recovered. And this knowledge enabled him to pay it forward to Eun-hee's mother... according her the same sliver of comfort that he himself had derived from that revelation. HJH affirms again why he is such a force to be reckoned with, nailing every nuance of JPS' emotions - shock, to reopened wounds, renewed grief, gratitude for those who were with Hyun-ji when he couldn't, acceptance and healing. Tears. So I was right. It was OIY whom Thomas related everything about KW and JPS to, and he has abilities that the other souls didn't. While we don't know yet why he would be different from the others, I am glad that these discrepancies are deliberate, and not shoddy writing on the scriptwriter's part. Captain Kang definitely knows more about OIY than she lets on, and I don't know yet why she would insist on the two men being kept in the dark, but I can't wait to see how it unfolds. Similarly, KW brings up a question that remains to be answered... why he still could see the village. If JPS' ability to do so is due to Hyun-ji's ties to it, what is KW's? From Captain Kang's reaction, I believe he is related to her somehow. Since she is definitely not his mother, then what other link is there? To be honest, we don't even know how long she has been in the village, so the idea that she could be his grandmother might not be too far-fetched? We see another mysterious locked room, similar to the one in Duon where Thomas kept Hwang Du-cheol incarcerated until CYN set him free. Is there another evil living person that Captain Kang is keeping under literal lock and key? Could it be HDC again, having stumbled into this village after escaping from the last? There is a sinister masked man that OIY is seen with at the end of the episode. Does that man have similar abilities as HDC and our dynamic duo? Knowing that it is possible for the living to be trapped in these villages, is Captain Kang and OIY plotting to incarcerate him to prevent him from harming more people? Questions questions. Suffice to say Ep2 has exceeded my expectations after the initial disappointment, hitting all the right notes - emotionally and narratively - which is both a blessing and a curse since I am back in the vicious cycle of euphoria and pain that live-watching brings, with no way to make the days go faster to the next episode.

After several false starts (parked myself at Viu last night but realised belatedly that the international stream only starts today ; then when I tried to watch today, I realised my Premium membership just expired and had to be renewed in order to watch )... at last, I'm back to the universe that I have missed for over 2 years. Thomas' cameo in the beginning is such a bonus and an inspired move with a two-edged purpose - to relive the nostalgia of the first season for those who knew and loved the residents of Duon village; as well as to briefly introduce KW and JPS' special abilities and what they had done to newcomers. It is quite bittersweet seeing him again even if just in a flashback from a year ago, knowing that unless something happens, it is pretty much an impossibility for him to still be around in the present. The chuckles are frequent - KW's obstacle-riddled chase of the scammer in the subway station to Six Million Dollar Man sound effects; the familiar bickering and comedic rapport between our dynamic duo, be it shuffling away when reminded of their outstanding rent, to the disagreement over the direction of Duon, bringing us right back to the last episode of S1. Still, ominous overtones persist - kidnapping, murders, a grieving mother's 20-year wait to find her missing daughter, a new otherworldly presence whose motivation remains unclear, culminating in their arrival to another village just like Duon, this time through an abandoned factory. What little we have seen so far appears to have thrown some rules of the universe we knew (or thought we did) from S1 out the window. We were told repeatedly that it is impossible for the souls in Duon village to cross the barrier to the world of the living - from KW's inability to bring little Ha-neul out of the village, to CYN's multiple failed attempts to contact her fiancé. Yet here, we have OIY who travels in and out of the village with ease - interacting with those in the land of the living. Still, we did see KW and JPS talking with a little girl outside the barriers of yet another village in the finale of S1. What does this mean? How could those children and now OIY go past the barrier, when the Duon residents couldn't? I am toying with the idea that unlike the village residents, OIY's body is perhaps not missing but he is instead a spirit still bound on earth with unresolved issues, which is why he could travel freely between the land of the living and the dead. After all, OIY did tell KW to confirm that he died 3 years ago. How else would KW be able to confirm it unless the authorities have concrete proof of his death. But that does not explain why the children could as well... Another question I have is the identity of the person Thomas was reminiscing with. He should have been the very last to leave Duon so who could the other person have been? Is it OIY? If so, does that then mean OIY can actually travel to multiple villages? Or am I just overthinking it? And it's just Ep1. Help! While I am thrilled to finally be back, personally, this episode feels a little lacklustre compared to Ep1 of the first season. I take issue with its pacing that feels slightly dragged out and not as tightly woven. In addition, the characters we have been introduced to thus far are not as emotionally resonant for me, thus keeping me detached. Perhaps it is due to the fact that I held such high hopes for it after loving S1 so much, so I am judging it more harshly than it deserves. Regardless, it is early days yet, and I continue to be hopeful that such teething problems will be ironed out quickly, and I will be won over once again by the narrative. Ep2 please.

@Chocolate Please give it a try! It is predominantly a mystery, but so much more. Am not sure how much of the reviews you read... but will try not to spoil for you the reason for the village's existence and the dynamics that play out for its inhabitants. It is not a perfect drama, but suffice to say that the various meanings behind the title is one that has broken my heart consistently throughout the first season. Fingers crossed that S2 will be just as amazing. Can't believe it airs tonight!

Oh! I missed the next question! 11. Is there a drama character that people thought had great characterization or growth? 2022's Through the Darkness gave us Song Hayoung, who we watch overcome his painful reticence to confront the terrible darkness of depraved souls he pursues, breaking down in the process, and finally getting up and doing it all over again, with the realisation that he is not alone, but has the unswerving support of his team and fellow colleagues. But most memorable for me overall would be Misaeng - the growth of the interns in One International as they weather knocks, heartache, even blows to their egos to find their own footing, values and position both in the workplace, and also in life. They, along with the mentors and managers, keep me cheering for them, celebrating every little victory, crying over every setback, and so inordinately proud at where they are when the curtain finally falls.

10. Which drama defined 2022 for you? That is such a tough one since 2022 has such a mixture of high, low and incredulous moments for me. Any drama that does not hit the right notes for me is usually dropped like a hot potato so those I do complete usually have redeeming quality of some sort in my eyes. After long deliberation, I guess it would be The Veil, with its convoluted, oft-mind-boggling plot with too many threads (similar to the drama that just played out not too long ago domestically), saved by strong ensemble performances and characters I do care about (even if they are inexplicably written off way too soon) , and ending on a hopeful note that tomorrow will be a better day.

9. An actor or actress that you're waiting for Jo Jin Woong While he is actively churning out movies, he has not had a drama since 2016, so I am still hoping against hope that he will make a comeback as Lee Jaehan in Signal S2 Ahn Mi-Na Her stunning breakout role as Chae Eunsoo in Story of a Man (2009) - the core around whom Kim Shin and Chae Dowoo revolved - made me a massive fan. She has had supporting roles in a smattering of dramas and movies since then but I am rooting for her to come back with yet another outstanding, memorable performance.

8. A drama you weren't planning on watching, but am grateful you did! Once again... nothing this year I can mention. In which case, it will have to be Misaeng. I remember hearing glowing recommendations when it first aired in 2014, but I balked for the longest time because I was sure its office life premise was not something I would want to watch, being so much a part of my own life as it is. Took me more than a year to finally get my toes wet, after which I was irrevocably hooked on a journey I did not want to end - cheering, hurting, crying, hoping, railing along with Sales Team 3 and the other staff of One International. From here, I would go on to watch every remake I could find - J-adaptation HOPE～期待ゼロの新入社員～ and C-remake 平凡的荣耀 Ordinary Glory, the latter of which I truly love as well. Still, none could hope to touch the place that the original holds in my heart, and the raw emotions I felt when I first watched are still as fresh as ever each time I revisit it.

Go Soo, Heo Joon Ho, Ahn So Hee, And More Blur The Line Between Life And Death In New “Missing: The Other Side 2” Posters DRAMA PREVIEW Dec 9, 2022 by AliG tvN has released new teaser posters for the highly-anticipated second season of “Missing: The Other Side”! “Missing: The Other Side” is a mystery fantasy drama about villages inhabited by the souls of people who went missing while they were alive. After two years, the series is returning for a second season with Go Soo, Heo Joon Ho, Ahn So Hee, and more reprising their roles. The newest posters feature not only the “soul searching duo” Kim Wook (Go Soo) and Jang Pan Seok (Heo Joon Ho), but also Lee Jong Ah (Ahn So Hee), Shin Joon Ho (Ha Joon), and two residents of the new spirit village: Kang Eun Shil (Lee Jung Eun) and Oh Il Yong (Kim Dong Hwi). Life and death appear to coexist in one space, but it seems that the living cannot fully feel the presence of the dead and vice versa. The teaser posters get creative by selectively focusing on one group or the other, leaving the remaining characters as indistinguishable blurry shapes. One poster asks, “Do you have someone who is forever engraved in your heart?” while the other inspires heartache by reading, “No matter where you are, until we meet again.” How exactly the line between life and death will be crossed is something viewers can look forward to in “Missing: The Other Side 2.” “Missing: The Other Side 2” will premiere on December 19 at 8:50 p.m. KST. Check out a teaser for the new season here! cr. Soompi

Oh... in that case, I was slightly better off, having suffered for a shorter period of time since I binge watched the first 11eps after completing The Veil. Still, it had a lot going for it in spite of its glut of horrible characters, and I was glad I persevered to the end to see the redemption arc in most of the characters, even if I didn't agree with the choices that were made to get there. So thank you @ktcjdrama @abs-oluteM for the siren call that drew me in even if my monitor and hair might beg to differ, considering the dire danger they were in throughout that time

7. A character that made you want to throw things Hmm... that's kind of a tough one because while I could say all the killers in Through the Darkness, I feel that my reaction towards them is more of horror rather than frustration. In that case, I will once again have to reach back one year to "Reflection of You" and give Seo Woojae the dubious honour of being that character, even more so than Jung Heejoo and the rest of the unlikeable characters in the drama, which is saying a lot

Q6. A character who made you laugh I don't think there is much to laugh over in the two (3 if you count Link Click) series I watched this year... so reaching back to past years... it will have to be the rag-tag ensemble team of Seobu Penitentiary (especially Looney) from Prison Playbook, where pretty much every single episode has me chuckling if not in stitches. My only gripe is still how Looney's arc played out... which hits even harder because I adore his character so much. cr. kdramadiary.com

Oh, thankfully I can answer Q5! 5. A new actor / actress you came to love in 2022 That would have to be Kim Nam Gil. I know, I know I've been living under a colossal rock, but I never watched any of his works until Through the Darkness, after which I am now a fan - love the subtlety that speaks volumes which he delivers effortlessly, and the quiet intensity of Song Hayoung that he brings to life. By the same token, can I also add Jin Sun-kyu to the list? I've known him since he played a smirking villain in 3Days back in 2014, and he has continued to impress in different roles since then, but never more so than his brilliant portrayal of Kook Youngsoo who is the perfect fodder to Song Hayoung's reticence, the breath of fresh air in a drama that is predominantly oppressive. Bravo.

Looks like a shift in focus for S2... can't wait! Heo Joon Ho Talks About Reprising His Role In “Missing: The Other Side 2” And What To Look Forward To In New Season DRAMA PREVIEW Dec 4, 2022 by AliG Heo Joon Ho took some time to share his thoughts on returning for another season of “Missing: The Other Side“! “Missing: The Other Side” is a mystery fantasy drama about villages inhabited by the souls of people who went missing while they were alive. After two years, the series is returning for a second season, with Go Soo, Heo Joon Ho, Ahn So Hee, and more reprising their roles. Heo Joon Ho is coming back as Jang Pan Seok, a man who can see souls and who continues to miss his own daughter. He expressed his happiness at being able to return for another season, saying that such a continuation feels “like a miracle.” “I felt that it would be a shame for the subject matter being dealt with in ‘Missing: The Other Side’ to end with Season 1, so I was hoping that there would be a Season 2,” he said. “So when they asked me if I was interested in doing a Season 2, I immediately said I would do it.” Jang Pan Seok is one half of the “soul searching duo” in the drama, his partner in crime being Kim Wook (Go Soo). Heo Joon Ho confirmed that the duo’s chemistry is “very good” in Season 2 as well, and he mentioned how great it was to meet someone like Go Soo during filming for the first season. He also complimented his co-star Ahn So Hee by saying, “Ahn So Hee is very innocent and beautiful, and she’s one of my juniors whose growth I can’t wait to see. She’s grown a lot since Season 1 and looks even cooler now.” Heo Joon Ho went on to talk about his other co-star Ha Jun, describing him as someone who always asks how others are doing on a personal level and shows concern for their well-being. “He’s already very cool and admirable right now, but I believe he will become an even more reliable and sturdy actor as time goes on.” As for what viewers can look forward to most in the new season, Heo Joon Ho chose Lee Jung Eun and Kim Dong Hwi, who will be appearing as brand-new characters. He called Lee Jung Eun “the pillar of Season 2,” saying he felt honored to be working with such a respected and talented actress. He also talked up actor Kim Dong Hwi and his many achievements, including his win at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, describing him as being on the level of a “master actor.” In terms of the new season’s storyline, Heo Joon Ho commented, “The traces and presence of Jang Pan Seok’s daughter are highlighted more in Season 2. Compared to Season 1, there are many more things to see in Season 2, which is what I’m most looking forward to.” He went on to add, “Since ‘Missing: The Other Side’ deals with the stories of the deceased and the missing, there are many sad scenes, but Season 2 also deals with things like hope, love, and happiness, so I’m curious as to how viewers will react.” Finally, Heo Joon Ho asked viewers to look forward to Season 2, which he said “will soothe your empty heart” when it abegins airing on December 19. cr. Soompi

Oh - missed so many questions already! Clearly, with my poor 2022 drama watching track record, I don't believe I could really answer most of them solely on 2022 dramas. Anyway, in the spirit of participation, I will just answer based on whatever I have watched before... 2. A couple you wished ended up together Jeong Guyeong & Lee Yangsun (Jirisan) - While technically they were a couple until they were torn apart by her death, JGY's continued vigil for her years after her death is heartbreakingly poignant and makes me wish fate had been kinder to them 3. A drama you lost sleep from staying up to watch it Tree with Deep Roots (2011), Nine (2013) - I binge watched both dramas in the early days of my kdrama-watching, gripped by the plot, and shattered by the fates of those I fervently rooted for. And I still revisit and cry over pertinent scenes every now and again. 4. A drama that disappointed you 民国大侦探 Checkmate (2022) - Strictly speaking, this is an unfair choice since I have only watched the first case of the official adaptation of Agatha Christie works, but thus far, the narrative and acting feels stilted, which is particularly disappointing since I love Agatha Christie.

Can't believe the Christmas countdown event is here, though am not quite sure I will be able to properly participate, seeing I barely watched anything this year. Come to think of it, my dismal list is as follows... Dramas watched (2): Through the Darkness 民国大侦探 Checkmate Dramas completed (1): Through the Darkness Did also complete the brilliant Chinese anime 时光代理人 Link Click this year, which kept me riveted and crying copious tears... does it count though since it was released in 2021? It's a disaster, I know! Still! I guess there is hope yet, since Missing:The Other Side S2 airs Dec 17th, so I might just be able to nudge in a partially started drama to the list of watched dramas

3 more weeks to go! And yes, @ktcjdrama, I concur about adjusting to KW's new look, not to mention JPS' dorky persona based on the photos. Can't wait! Go Soo Talks About Coming Back To His Starring Role In “Missing: The Other Side 2” DRAMA PREVIEW Nov 30, 2022 by AliG Go Soo is back as Kim Wook in the new season of “Missing: The Other Side“! “Missing: The Other Side” is a mystery fantasy drama about villages inhabited by the souls of people who went missing while they were alive. After two years, the series is returning for a second season with Go Soo, Heo Joon Ho, Ahn So Hee, and more reprising their roles. Go Soo is making his return as a swindler who can see souls, and he shared that he feels much more comfortable coming into the second season of the drama. “Acting as Kim Wook is so fun, the set is very relaxed, and our teamwork with the staff is great,” he happily remarked. “During filming [for Season 1], I used to talk to Heo Joon Ho about Season 2 as a sort of joke. We often said things like, ‘I think we can expect a Season 3 and 4,’ so I felt all kinds of new emotions [when we actually started filming Season 2].” When asked to name the things that had driven him to keep working on “Missing: The Other Side” for a second season, Go Soo chose the drama’s subject matter and their viewers’ love. “One of the biggest strengths of “Missing’ lies in its subject matter,” he explained. “It’s a drama that tells the stories of the deceased who died because of an unfortunate incident, and there are many episodes that start from ‘What are the words that they couldn’t say or wanted to say?’ I think this is the driving force that brought us all the way to Season 2.” He also went on to mention the viewers who loved the drama and gave it endless support in the hopes of seeing it continue, noting that they were the ones who had made it possible for a second season to exist. Go Soo also spoke aboutJang Pan Seok (Heo Joon Ho), the other half of the “soul searching duo,” and the bromance that is definitely one of the biggest highlights of the series. “I’m so thankful to Heo Joon Ho for making it possible for me to act very comfortably by always being receptive and giving good reactions,” he said. “You can look forward to upgraded chemistry between [the two of us].” He went on to express his happiness at being able to come together with both old and new faces to create something really great. Delving more into the mindset he adopted while acting as Kim Wook, Go Soo explained, “Unlike when I’ve played characters that have very clear arcs, I thought more about Kim Wook’s texture rather than his narrative while acting. Because Kim Wook meets a lot of people and encounters a lot of situations while going back and forth between the real world and the spirit village, I tried to act without being restrained by or biased towards certain emotions, situations, and people.” He also described how Season 1 felt like a prequel to Season 2, noting, “Season 1 starts off with explanations for all of these mysterious situations, such as why Kim Wook can see the deceased, but Season 2 will start off with a new incident right away, which will immerse viewers in the story more quickly.” The actor then gave a shoutout to all of the cast and crew, who worked hard to make a show that viewers can enjoy. “You may think that it is a serious drama because of its subject matter and genre,” he said, “but it is actually a work whose bright charm is doubled by the stories of its characters, so please tune in.” Finally, Go Soo told viewers, “‘Missing: The Other Side’ will come back with Season 2 on the Monday before Christmas. I think it will be a heartwarming drama that fits well with the end-of-the-year atmosphere that is filled with people singing carols. We’ll be returning with an even more fun and rich story than Season 1, so please look forward to ‘Missing: The Other Side 2.'” The second season of “Missing: The Other Side” will premiere on December 19. cr. Soompi

So they are also going to another village? Go Soo And Heo Joon Ho Make For An Interesting “Soul-Searching Duo” In “Missing: The Other Side 2” DRAMA PREVIEW Nov 24, 2022 by AliG New posters for “Missing: The Other Side 2” have been revealed! Mystery fantasy drama “Missing: The Other Side” is set in a village inhabited by the souls of people who went missing while they were alive. There, a group of people search for missing bodies and try to discover what happened to each of them. After two years, “Missing: The Other Side” is returning for a second season with Go Soo, Heo Joon Ho, Ahn So Hee, and more reprising their roles. The new posters feature the “soul-searching duo” comprised of Kim Wook (Go Soo) and Jang Pan Seok (Heo Joon Ho) and show off their great chemistry that has carried over from the first season. One poster shows the two of them as they move to a new spirit village. Above the duo reads, “Comeback of the pair that sees souls?!” Kim Wook can’t take his eyes off the shining protective tree ahead of him, smiling joyfully at the marvelous sight while looking to be at complete ease. Meanwhile, Jang Pan Seok can’t seem to hide his embarrassment as he stands frozen in place. The pair’s vastly contrasting reactions to the new village is sure to make viewers even more curious about the adventures they will go on. The other poster shows off the bromance between the “soul-searching duo” as Jang Pan Seok throws an arm around Kim Wook’s shoulders while they sit under the protective tree. They look up with intrigue and the caption states, “Why do we see it again…?!” Even though they appear as completely different types of people, as made even more clear by their different choices in wardrobe, it’s exciting to think about how they will come together in the next season. cr. Soompi

@twink_twink_ Definitely! Did you watch S1? Love it so much and absolutely thrilled that the sequel is airing soon. Just need to prepare for my heart to be shattered again. The teaser pretty much confirms that KW and JPS are now able to see the missing souls even outside of villages like Duon, something which was pretty much hinted as well in the last scene of S1, with the meeting of the children. Can't wait!

Go Soo, Heo Joon Ho, Lee Jung Eun, And More Return To Save Souls Again In “Missing: The Other Side 2” DRAMA PREVIEW Nov 17, 2022 by AliG Two new posters for the second season of “Missing: The Other Side” have been released! “Missing: The Other Side” is a mystery fantasy drama set in a village inhabited by the souls of people who went missing while they were alive. There, a group of people search for missing bodies and try to discover what happened to each of them. The first poster shows Kim Wook (Go Soo), Jang Pan Seok (Heo Joon Ho), Kang Eun Sil (Lee Jung Eun), Lee Jong Ah (Ahn So Hee), Oh Il Yong (Kim Dong Hwi), and Shin Joon Ho (Ha Joon) standing before a tall and rather mysterious tree as they watch children play beneath its branches, the sky turned into a mural of flaming oranges and soft pinks as the sun sets. The second poster evokes slightly different emotions, the bright light of the shining sun replaced by the pitch black of night with only the flickering flames of a small fire there to illuminate the darkness. The fire is a very important symbol, as it is considered to be a very important symbol in comforting those who have gone missing. The line, “Once again meeting those who have disappeared,” is present on both posters. The new season is set to premiere in December. cr. Soompi

Really excited that this has finally aired as it is the first official Chinese language adaptation of Agatha Christie works. Very curious to see how these are adapted, particularly since the main characters are nothing like Poirot by any stretch of imagination. Read from MyDramaList that it will apparently be an adaptation of 8 stories - "Murder on the Orient Express", "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd", "The Four Suspects: A Miss Marple Short Story", "One, Two Buckle My Shoe", "The Kidnapped Prime Minister", "Five Little Pigs", "Three Act Tragedy" and "Curtain". Definitely looking forward to trying to identify which case is adapted. A little concerned about "Curtain" though since it will potentially be a tragic ending, but we shall see.

Totally did not see this coming, but I should have, as the Kingdom universe is perfect for such a genre, and I am glad that it has spawned its own video game. Meanwhile, I continue to wait (im)patiently for the next Kingdom installment...

Trailer is out. Hopefully not too long before it airs.