40somethingahjumma

Only up to Episode 9 and not in too much of a hurry to catch up especially when there's still two more weeks worth of episodes unaired. This is the first piece of fluff that I've enjoyed in a rather long time. As people know I wasn't a fan of HomeCha but this one does feel much more authentic and lived-in. There's much more of a community feeling in this and I appreciate the weather forecasting angle to it which adds another layer to the story. Certainly people who live near water would have a heightened consciousness of the dangers of nature but also rely a lot more on the natural environment for their daily living. At it's core there's nothing especially groundbreaking about this although I like the camaraderie of the haenyeos. It's still rather charming to see people generally quite supportive of each other. There is the usual small town gossip which is nicely tampered by push back. The villagers aren't a monolith thankfully. They don't all hold a single opinion about every single subject as some of these dramas lead you to believe. It helps too that I like both leads -- good actors can do a lot to elevate the material but I do like how Yong-pil and Sam-dal are written. Their motivations are clearly laid and they make sense in light of where they come from, who they are at their core. Both crave community more than they do material success -- and honestly I don't have any problems with that. I have seen Yong-pil cop a bit of flak for being unambitious but really to me, a boy who lost his mother tragically to the sea, it's not hard to see why he prioritizes family over career. With Sam-dal too, I'm not that surprised that she's put her career on hold because she's completely disillusioned with the industry stakeholders. It's true that she should be aware of the cut-throat nature of the business but she's a talented individual who worked hard to prove herself coming up against a subordinate who thinks she can take shortcuts to success. Unlike what his father thinks, Yong-pil does prioritize family which is why he is still in Samdal-ri. He's keeping an eye on his dad who is still harbouring a festering wound and he's cast a watchful eye over Ko Mi-ja which has always been a second mother to him. Whatever anger he feels about losing his birth mother, is overridden by his concern for Ko Mi-ja's survival. There is a surprising recklessness to Mi-ja although I imagine a large part is survivor's guilt. I am sympathetic about the loss that both men suffered -- who wouldn't be? Even Yong-pil's dad wanting to cling on to a resentment just to hold on to the memory and to show he hasn't forgotten. I get all of that that. But remembering doesn't have to be about anger as it is here. It should be about love. Otherwise it's no longer about his Mi-ja but about him and the other Mi-ja. Also it's about how his Mi-ja died and not how she lived. Then there's the innocent bystanders who become casualty in this cold war. It's silly but people who cling on to their grief are usually pretty selfish. I definitely don't have SLS. There are a lot of people in this show who are living in the past for one reason or another. Sang-do is one of them. The reason why living in the past can be a very bad thing is because is causes people to miss out on what's in front of them or what good things the future could hold for them. Sang-do obviously doesn't see himself as a side character in his own story. To him, it's a second chance story. To me I think he is just trying to make himself the romantic hero in a story with Sam-dal. He someone who would definitely benefit from leaving that place for a while.

Death's Game definitely. It's cleverer and better written. Part 1 is action-packed. Surprisingly so. Acting is top-tier. There are also nice cameos from Jang Seung-jo, Kim Kang-hoon, Kim Jae-wook, Lee Do-hyun and Oh Jung-se. Kim Ji-hoon is really good as well. I wouldn't watch Gyeongseong Creature just for Wi Ha-joon because you'll end up being really frustrated. It's okayish but the writing is fairly mediocre.

I did a bit of inventorying. Ha. MDL is helpful in that regard. And discovered that I actually watched a few more than I had remembered. Completed C dramas - 20 Completed K dramas - 30 (A large number of them were Season 2s) Then there are an extra six dramas that don't fit into those two boxes. Copycat Killer and Oh No! here Comes Trouble are Taiwanese dramas that I completed. Then there was the live action adaptation of One Piece. Memorist and Gaus Electronics were two older K dramas that I watched and The Victim's Game was an older Taiwanese drama as well. So yeah... it all adds up to 56.

What trope would you like banned? In general there's nothing wrong with tropes if used well by skilled writers but philosophically there's the one I detest heartily and that is Noble Idiocy. It robs the other party of agency and moral responsibility in decision making. It seems noble on the surface but in the end everyone suffers. Ignorance is not bliss in such situations. It is a convenient way for writers to prolong the angst and perhaps even the conflict but I tend to lose a bit of respect for the perpetrator. Favourite Villain? Probably Shin Ha-kyun in Evillives. Because he doesn't start out as one and gradually develops into one. I also liked Shin Jae-ha's arc in Taxi Driver 2. Those last two episodes with revelations about his backstory were absolutely devastating. Honorable mentions are Heo Sung-tae in Decoy and a whole assortment of people from Big Bet. Big Bet is a fascinating study in villainy. Favourite Character? Either Xiang Liu from Lost You Forever played by the Tan Jianci or Yu Shisan from A Journey to Love played by Fang Yilun. Those are two are standouts and I have a tough time choosing between them. Both are definitely breakthrough roles for the actors and are absolutely scene stealers. They charmed me, amused me and moved me. Without these characters their respective dramas would less than what they are. Honourable mention would be Gil-chae from My Dearest -- a really fantastic arc for a truly independent woman of her time. Great performance by Ahn Eun-jin. Memorable Scene? There are just too many to recall. Number of Dramas Watched in 2023 *drum roll* 51 Shocking right? I had a lot of time when I was laid up with allergies. And that number doesn't include the ones I didn't/haven't finished.

I'm going to play a bit catch-up now that my year end travels have come to an end... 4. My favourite relationship in a drama -- There are a few that come to mind but Elvis Han and Elvira Cai's pairing in Fake It Till You Make It is the one I rewatched over and over. The leads brought their A game to the push and pull. They sizzled from Day 1. 5. What drama did not meet your expectations? -- From the more recent crop I'd say The Story of Kunning Palace because I just couldn't bring myself root for the leads. Their "romance" came across more like a fanfic fetish than a properly built up adult one. Also I felt that the Zhang Zhe character was horribly short-changed in this adaptation especially because of all the fanfare from the set-up. The resolution was all over the place and not a lot made sense at the end. There's something about The Worst of Evil that seemed to fall short of greatness. Maybe it was the Gatsby-like focus on the faux love triangles. The sequels to Taxi Driver and The Uncanny Counter probably would apply although I finished both. Miraculous Brothers could have done with a trim. Honestly, I could say the same about a lot of dramas this year. Far too many outstaying their welcome. Crash Course in Romance was another that left me with a vague sense of dissatisfaction especially considering Jung Kyung-ho as the male lead. The leads just didn't have that kind of chemistry to make this more compelling. Didn't really like the finale much TBH. 6. Best Appa and Oma... The title probably goes to Ning Yuanzhou and Ren Ruyi in Journey to Love. At times it feels like The Brady Bunch or something along those lines. I like that role that they play in the narrative rather than their romance. 7. Journey to Love most definitely wins the title of "Best Family/ Squad". The banter, the character arcs and familial dynamics -- unmatched by any other show that I saw. The show did all of it with humour and feels. A'Ying's arc in particular is super good. 8. A drama I wished I hadn't watched. Scent of Time because of that ending that changes how the entire drama should be seen. A redemption drama that undermined its own premise. Watched it for Wang Xingyue more than anything else. I don't even know why Moon in the Day was greenlit. It was an utter waste of everybody's time. At 8 episodes it might have been salvageable. But honestly it doesn't move the needle to warrant the effort. I did like the doomed couple though. 9. Doomed romance I was shipping. Definitely the couple of Moon in the Day. I also barracked for Tan Jianci's Xiang Liu from Lost You Forever to get the girl even when I knew that it would end in tears. Still lowkey grieving over that one. Such is the power of the sea serpent.

As a monster show it's okay. For those who have consumed a steady diet of sci-fi horror over the years, it's nothing groundbreaking. The historical aspect -- Japanese occupation of Joseon during WW2 -- is what gives it a new coat of paint. After a clunky first episode, the second and third episodes seem to be finding its groove. The leads are okay. Wi Ha-joon has barely been in it so far although that might change. I'll probably keep watching because I like the period but yeah, I don't think you're missing anything if you're not watching. The show is better when it doesn't feel beholden to cliches.

I watched the first six episodes in airports and airplanes on my journey back home. I like almost everything about it except the romance between Dr Hwang and Nurse Min. I don't know about any one else but I think I could have done without it. It not only annoys the heck out of me but gives me the heebie jeebies. To me this kind of romance doesn't belong in a show about a show that purports to be serious psychiatry as it demeans the characters involved. "No" should have been the end of it. I do think that Dr Hwang crossed a very fine line and behaved quite unprofessionally on more than one occasion. Poor Jang Dong Yoon... in another A Poem a Day scenario except this time he is far less of a jerk. The love triangle is fine as both men are self-aware and respectful. So far. But sorry JDY, I'm rooting for the colorectal specialist who is rather fun. Both men were also in Search together. The other thing I was ambivalent about was the way the team handled the young woman who accused Da-eum of stealing her money. I am also left wondering occasionally how much Big Pharma "invested" in this drama.

Easy. Because the script wanted both of them to.

Good to see you here @IpohBanana. I can't watch the show right now (up to 18) as I'm travelling and the internet here is not great. On top of that I'm sharing it with others. I've always thought that Alen Fang is decent actor with good eye acting even in The Long Ballad where playing that character Wei Shuyu was a thankless task. What he needed was the right script. I've seen a few of his shows and this one has done justice to his talents. If this show doesn't screw up the ending, this will be at the very least my favourite C drama of the year. I've liked a few but this one has everything in it. But the characters especially those in the delegation are the best thing about it. They are all different and bring something entertaining to the table. @Tofu I wish they had chosen a more experienced actor to play Li Tongguang. This actor can't give me the nuance I'm looking for in a character like this. He doesn't annoy me so far but his obsession with Ruyi feels Oedipal. He definitely comes across as having attachment issues. While Liu Yuning is not the most handsome male lead I've been privy to, he is really not that bad looking. At certain angles he reminds me of Nam Joo-hyuk which no one would ever say was ugly. Social media is what it is and I'm surprised anyone takes the comments of know-nothing youngsters and continue to repeat it ad nauseum. It's contemptible. And we should not dignify it with commentary but I keep seeing it on various platforms. Is it really that important that Ning Yuanzhou be good looking? He's a spy master and an intelligence analyst. His looks don't matter. Completely irrelevant as far as his character is concerned. It's not what makes him an attractive leader or what attracts Ruyi to him.

I've seen a few of these short dramas. They are very low budget and usually have wacky premises. Some of them have time skip stories and others see the author of a novel finding herself in the story falling for her male lead. There are also reincarnation tropes. Some are classic soap opera. They are fun to watch but yeah, the acting leaves a lot to be desired.

I picked up Decoy some time during the year because I saw it advertised on Viki. I waited till both parts were added before jumping in. It wasn't on my radar and it probably went under most people's radar as well. I liked it a lot and it's probably not most people's cup of tea. It definitely had a noir aesthetic to it. There's quite a convoluted storyline because of the non-linear storytelling. Which is all the rage at the moment. It's about a man who started a pyramid scheme in SK and then absconded to China with the goodies. In present day people who used to associate with him start dropping like flies. Why? And is he still alive or is he dead? It stars Jang Geun-seuk, Heo Sung-tae and Lee Elijah. I liked the Taiwanese drama Copycat Killer mainly for Chris Wu who is so good in it. Yes, there be a serial killer in it and red herrings. Saw it on Netflix. Another drama I really liked this year that I didn't put in my list is the Taiwanese drama -- Oh No, Here Comes Trouble. That's actually one of my favourites from 2023 that's not a C or K drama.

I think he's an interesting character but the actor is very inconsistent with his performance. At times I'm not quite sure what his expression is supposed to mean. I'm glad he took Chu Yue down a peg or two because that girl is just not that likeable at this point. She's supposed to be some kind of tough boss girl but she just comes across rude and entitled. There are other countries and I think the An emperor is wanting to use the gold to fill his war chest in a bid to conquer the other neighbouring states. They often mention a country called Chu as well. It seems like both countries have their problems with leadership and the civilians are the ones suffering because of it. Neither of the leads give us a glowing perspective on either country.

This has got to be the best kissing scene ever... It cracks me up every single time and I tear up. I also like how the show affirms again that this relationship isn't just between two people but absolutely a family affair. Liu Yuning is a lucky guy because Liu Shishi these days is really one of the best female co-stars to have. She's so good in this show. Her experience really shines in this show especially in the romance and fight scenes. Episodes 13 and 14 were hilarious but they also served as set-up for future events. They managed to form an alliance with Jinsha Gang through an old friend of Ruyi. Shishan made an idiot of himself but his past caught up with him. I love how this lot are feeling more and more like a family.

Thanks for the shout-out. In a season of gangsters and second chances, I'd say that both K and C dramas have not been consistently good but for some unknown reason things have picked up in the last couple of months. I also think that there's been a bad case of sequelitis going around K dramaland. In the case of C dramas the best ones for 2023... so far... Meet Yourself: Normally C dramas don't know how to do slice-of-life properly but the writing for this was stellar. The cast was great and the sets looked lived-in. It's a lovely, heartwarming, healing show of a group of people who might otherwise never meet but find their way to a kind of paradise on earth. The main romance was something of a slow burn but I loved watching their relationship grow over the course of everybody's journey. Character arcs were very strong in this one. A League of Nobleman: It's Jing Boran, Jing Boran and Jing Boran. That man can read the phone book while I do the housework anytime. The murder mystery side of things was also super fun. Lost You Forever: It's not just Tan Jianci but there's no denying that his turn as Xiang Liu is mesmerizing. The eye acting is magnetic and alluring. Yang Zi is not bad too. :D She's probably at her best in this show. Fake it Till You Make It: Of course. The best romance oriented drama I've seen in a while. It's even a half decent workplace drama. Fantastic chemistry between Elvis and Elvira. Great build-up, execution of contemporary romance I've seen in a long while. The Heart: I really liked this slice of life medical drama but it was a marathon at the end largely because of the romances. Loved Mark Chao's character the most but Jin Shijia and Rachel Mao were good too. A Journey to Love: This could potentially be the best C drama this year if they don't screw up the second half and the resolution. I don't want anybody from The Team to die although I have a bad feeling about my favourite character. Fang Yilun is a revelation and I'm loving the princess' growth. Please, please stick the landing. K dramas... My Dearest: This is an easy pick in a droughty landscape. Ahn Eun-jin was glorious in this and of course Nam Goong-min. The most immersive sageuk in a while. Revenant: This was a lot of fun and addictive. Oh Jung-sae playing a straight arrow was a bit different and I think I even fell in love with him slightly. Kim Tae-ri was brilliant playing two characters essentially. Shadow Detective S2: I loved S1 so yes, not surprisingly I loved the continuation too. Not as convoluted but it's always great to see all the well-known acting powerhouses go head to head. Lee Seung-min is fantastic. Big Bet S1 and 2: Watched this when I was subscribed to D+. I enjoyed this for the performances and the endless double-crossing. Reminds me of US TV show Justified. Excellent performances by Choi Min-sik and Son Suk-koo. Everybody looks like they're sweltering in the heat most of the time. No good people here.

Yeah, this is probably the best thing I'm watching right now. Everything's on point. The show has a good balance of everything: romance, humour, male camaraderie, team dynamics, navigating geopolitical landmines and it's got echoes of Journey to the West. The leads are good together and the guys that make up the inner circle have decent character arcs as well. Episodes 11 and 12 -- the set-up and payoff in this show is really good. The emotional payoff feels real. One of the better parts of this is watching Princess Ying develop as a royal representative. Sure, she had a rocky start but she was naive and inexperienced in understanding the political realities. With the right teachers and encouragement, she blossoming. Conflict arising out of Ruyi's true identity was bound to happen. Glad that it happened sooner rather than later. The foundations for building a team requires honesty and trust. At least the three guys who tried to kill her could be reasoned with in the end to "see the error of the their ways". For my part I understand them and their loyalty to LIu Dao Tang.

Yeah, I'm barely hanging on. FF through the contemporary timeline and only watching for the doomed lovers arc historical timeline. They don't seem to have enough content for 14 episodes. It's obvious they didn't throw much money at this one either.

Okay... I should avoid spoilers because I've only seen two episodes. The first couple of episodes aren't too bad. A bit on the slow side but tolerable. Lee Jin-uk really showed his acting chops in these two episodes. Song Kang looks more bulky than what I remember. Well, it's always been part of Sweet Home's DNA to show the best and worst of humanity. It poses the question -- What does it mean to be human? -- and then allegorizes the heck out of the scenario to sledgehammer home the point that some humans are just monsters or worst than monsters. I'm interested in what the mad scientist (Oh Jung-sae) does with Song Kang or what the show does with the character in the long run. He seems to be able to read the memories of other monsters or cause them to remember. Is remembering enough for anyone to regain their humanity? I wonder. Big Mouth finally turned. It was only a matter of time. The irony of him turning into a big deafening mouth is not lost on any of us. He was one of the more unlikeable types. He was always pretty selfish and he obviously learnt nothing. The survivors from Green Home returning back seemed like a bit tantrum throwing by Eun-yu. It potentially put everyone in jeopardy. Maybe she's right. Maybe she's not. But she doesn't have the luxury of acting at a whim. So far it's okay although there are moments that require suspension of disbelief.

@Tofu Do you know if we're getting new episodes tonight/tomorrow? I'm a bit confused about the schedule. Episode 9 was a bit of breathing room for the delegation after the big battle. Nice to see them all let loose and party. Of course it gives everyone a chance to get more friendly. Including the leads. Really nice to see Princess Ying maturing and getting on so well with Ruyi. She definitely needed some sympathetic female companionship. The expression on her face when they asked Yuanzhou if she could have horse riding lessons was adorably priceless.

I've seen him in a couple of other shows. One period and one contemporary. Both fairly mediocre shows. He's a classically trained pianist and he plays the ML in the contemporary drama as a pianist. It's pretty much a Nodame Cantabile copycat but not a good one. I've always liked him even in The Long Ballad. He's 30. I can't remember where it was said. So is Yu Shishan. I believe they are from the same agency.

And Chow Yuen Fatt. ;) Can't forget him. Ooops... I think we've hijacked this thread.

He was Zhao Lusi's love interest. The guy who followed her around in the second half and took a beating for her. Tall chap. I am actually over 50 so 40somethingahjumma is more of a brand these days. :D Adam Cheng's Chu Liu Xiang is still the only Chu Liu Xiang. The others all pale into comparison. I haven't seen anyone even comparable. I don't think he will ever be deposed. It's interesting you mention this though. After seeing Alen Fang in this show, I'm thinking that he might be a good candidate for a much needed update. I also seen a couple of recent Xiao Li Fei Dao adaptations and none of them cut it either. I grew up with Adam Cheng. I think my mother was in love with him.

Watching Fang Yilun alternating among the giddy schoolboy, the shameless flirt and the matchmaker is something I didn't know I needed. He is so good in this. He is the comic relief but more than that. He does play the fool but when the chips are down he more than pulls his weight. More than once I thought about the A-Team while I was watching this. (Showing my age here I know) There's a bit of that and there's a bit of Avengers especially during the battle at the canyon in Episode 8. Not surprising of course when wuxia is the Chinese answer to superheroes. The push and pull is fun with Ning Yuanzhou's men making salient observations and snide comments about his blossoming romance with Ruyi. The guy is in denial and while he rationally tries to explain his interest in Ruyi to his sidekick Lu Yuan, it is obvious that it is more than a passing curiosity or attraction. She's his counterpart in every way except that she doesn't know how to be part of a team. That is her growth arc -- to learn to interact normally with people and work together with others. Word gets around that the mysterious Ruyi wants to have a baby with Yuanzhou and it travels faster than the speed of light. The next morning some of the constables are caught shirtless and doing weight lifts in front of the lady in question. If their chief isn't keen, the rest of them are up for the job of giving the lady what she wants. It is just the funniest scene so far and I literally had tears in my eyes. The baby issue is cause for much hilarity but it is also the catalyst for the romance and for Ruyi's journey to find a family with the members of Liudao Tang. This show is probably the funniest drama I've seen all year. @Chocolate Do you like wuxia?

The first six episodes are excellent. I'm enjoying this so much. Best C drama since Lost You Forever and Fake It Till You Make It. Liu Yuning has definitely improved and found a role that suits him. Liu Shishi is a queen. Her character the assassin Ruyi is absolutely ruthless. This show has some of the best set-up I've ever seen in an Asian drama. In just 3 episodes, all the key players are properly introduced and much of the world-building established without the usual clunky exposition. What's unexpected is the humour. I didn't expect this to be this funny. Fang Yilun's character Shisan (No. 13) brings so much laughter and nuttiness to the mix as the resident ladies' man. What's also hilarious is the leads constant negotiation and renegotiation especially when she so desperately wants a baby with him! Let's hope this is good all the way to the end.

I think the villains in general had more in-depth arcs because as you're well aware, they can't be too one-dimensional and also they need material to moralize about. For me, while I felt sorry for Xiaofei at certain points, in the end, he couldn't stop himself from the destructive path he was on. He was a bit of a loser -- poor guy but he made his choices. @PotatoChip Hello and another welcome from me. It is hard to find people to talk about this show because of the genre. The K drama Shadow Detective was another one that went under most people's radar. And the writing for S1 in particular was awesome. As you can tell, @abs-oluteM and I are fans of The Imperial Coroner. I recently rewatched the whole thing again because of this show. I wasn't getting enough of the leads so I started watching Imperial Coroner again. :D Interesting observation about the Romeo and Juliet balcony scene. I imagine you're talking about the one where she was standing outside the glass sliding door. Just as he tried to slide it open, she slid it closed. It was her way of protecting him and his integrity as a cop. Despite the flaws of this show, I think I enjoyed this show more than some of the more popular

I think the second life contract is for a year. Look at the time stamp on her wrist. If you keep watching you will find out more about Yu Ra's paternity. Yi-ju's ex-fiance doesn't stay at the company for long. All the stuff about grandpa will soon come to light. By episodes 8 or 9, most things are fairly clear. Can't say that I think that FL lead looks cross-eyed to me. Sad to hear that Sung Hoon isn't doing it for you BUT are you enjoying the show???