Our Chuno group watch is almost over – gosh, time flies, doesn’t it?!? – and it’s been SO much fun doing this community watch! 🤩
We’ve had a smattering of comments around, (a) feeling sorry that we’re almost at the end of our group watch, &/or (b) what dramas we might want want to try next.
Which is why I thought I’d make this post, so that we can brainstorm together on what we might want to watch next! 😃
Some things to consider
1. Group watch benefits
I realized that one of the cool things about having the Chuno group watch, is that even though Chuno aired 10 years ago, we still got to have that “live watch” experience. So we might want to take advantage of that, and pick older (ie, not currently airing) shows for our group watch, since currently airing shows have lots of discussion options in the drama blogosphere.
2. Balance?
I wonder if you guys would like to pick something lighter for our next group watch, since Chuno has been pretty intense? Of course, if you guys just like digging into meaty shows together, and prefer to watch lighter shows on your own, that totally works too. 😉
3. Availability
In picking a show, we do need to take into account availability, so that anyone who wants to join in, can join in. For example, I thought Winter Sonata might be a good option for a group watch, since it’s so iconic of early Hallyu, but I realize that it’s not easily available (Edit: I found it, and have added it to the list! But the point I was trying to illustrate still stands 😅).
We need to pick a show that people can access on legal platforms like Viki, Kocowa, OnDemandKorea, Viu or iQIYI, preferably without needing to pay additional membership fees.
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4. Schedule
I was thinking that since we’ve gotten used to having our Group Watch discussions on Wednesdays, it might be easier for everyone to remember, if we just keep to Wednesdays as a general rule. Of course, if you prefer to follow the show’s original airing day of the week (which is how we ended up on Wednesdays to begin with, since Chuno originally aired on Wednesdays and Thursdays), that works too.
5. How are we going to choose?
I will gather some of the most popular options from the comments in this post, and put them into a poll next Wednesday, which I’ll announce in a new post. After a week of voting, I’ll announce the winning show, and our first Open Thread can kick off a week after that. Does that make sense?
So, in summary:
Brainstorming: today until Tuesday, 16 February 2021.
Poll: 17 February until Tuesday, 23 February 2021.
Announcement: Wednesday, 24 February 2021.
First Open Thread for new show: Wednesday, 3 March 2021 (tentative, depending on whether you guys prefer a different day of the week!).
Some contenders
You can totally add more suggestions in the comments, but to kick things off, off the top of my head, here are a few dramas that I thought we might want to consider.
My Girlfriend is a Gumiho
So cute, but also so surprisingly heartfelt. Shin Min Ah is incandescent and adorable, and Lee Seung Gi is hapless and funny. 16 episodes, and available for free on iQIYI and Viu. Also available on Viki, if you have Viki Pass Plus, and on Kocowa, if you’re on a paid subscription.
Dr. Romantic
I’ve heard lots of good things, even from folks who say that they’re not into medical dramas as a general rule. 20 episodes, available for free on Kocowa, iQIYI and Viu. Also available on Viki, if you have Viki Pass Plus.
A Beautiful Mind
I’ve heard this is worth watching – plus it’s Jang Hyuk, whom you guys know I have a huge soft spot for. 🤩 14 episodes, available for free on OnDemandKorea. Also available on Viki, if you have Viki Pass Plus, and on Kocowa, if you’re on a paid subscription.
Seven Day Queen
I’ve heard that this is really well-written, and stays coherent and satisfying all the way to the end. 20 episodes, available for free on Viu and OnDemandKorea. Also available on Viki, if you have Viki Pass Plus.
You’re Beautiful
Fluffy and blithely irreverent and nonsensical, I found this a whale of a good time, back in the day. 16 episodes, available for free on iQIYI and Viu. Also available on Viki, if you have Viki Pass Plus.
While You Were Sleeping
I’ve heard that this one is solidly good and worth a look, and that the leads share a meaningful connection. 16 episodes, available for free on iQIYI and Viu. Also available on Viki, if you have Viki Pass Standard, and on Kocowa, if you’re on a paid subscription.
Mother
I’m told that this one is gripping and deeply meaningful. And that Lee Bo Young is fantastic. 16 episodes, available for free on Viu.
Dear My Friends
BE‘s been saying such good things about this one, that I wondered if we wanted to try this for a group watch. I’ve sampled a few episodes in the past, and it strikes me as a very well-acted, well-executed drama, with a rare cast of consummate veterans. 16 episodes. Unfortunately, I can’t find it on the various free legal streaming platforms, but it does look like it’s available on Netflix.
EDIT!
Winter Sonata
I found it, you guys! I found Winter Sonata, available for free on OnDemandKorea, so it is now an option for consideration. It’s the show that took the world by storm, and contributed a fair bit, in turning Hallyu into A Thing. All the appeal and the angst, of a classic kdrama. 20 episodes.
In Closing
Like I said, these are just some initial suggestions! Please feel free to add your ideas in the comments below, and we can figure out together, what to watch next as a community.
Looking forward to our next group watch, whatever we end up choosing! ❤️
