Patreon Year End Awards: phl1rxd’s Year In Dramas!

In case you missed it, we’re doing something special and different to end off the drama year this year! Guests posts, by patrons on Patreon!

You can read more details, and check out Shahz’s inaugural post, here. You can also find JJ‘s post hereTrent’s post hereSean’s post here, Martina’s post here and lotusgirl’s post here!

This is the finale guest post in the series, and next up, we’ll cap everything off with a poll, where you’ll be able to pick YOUR favorites for the year, from among the gems identified in these posts. How exciting! 🤩 Stay tuned for that!

Today’s post is brought to you by phl1rxd, who is as modest as she is talented. And, those of us who joined in the Nirvana in Fire group watch, will always be in awe of her deep knowledge of everything about that show, and her generosity in sharing that knowledge with the rest of us! ❤️

You’ll notice that in her post, the graphics are extra crisp and clean, all clearly hailing from the same family. That’s all phl1rxd’s work, y’all. Didn’t I tell you she’s talented? 🤩

I hope you guys enjoy!

~ KFG ❤️

Introduction:

Hi everyone! I am the local and unabashed Nirvana in Fire resident nerd. Note that it is not mentioned in my lists even though we watched it in this year’s group watch (love you Fangurl!) as I have already seen it so many times.

I am not a writer by any means, so I pulled a ‘bait and switch’ by designing my own media, hoping it works to divert your attention from my words. Please bear with my mish-mosh of pretend prose here, please and thanks.

About Me:

I occasionally watched Hong Kong martial arts films in the 80s, but I watched my first real Asian drama in the late 90s when it aired on Saturdays on my local public TV station.

I use the word ‘Asian’ as I did not know enough at that time to be able to ascertain country of origin. I just remember ninja assassins, palace shenanigans and a cranky big boss Emperor/King/Shogun. Unfortunately, they dropped the drama after a few weeks and I have spent all these years looking for it.

Then in 2012 I stumbled across The Moon Embracing the Sun and that was all she wrote. Faced at that time with some serious life issues, I needed KDrama more than it needed me.

For the record, dramas were dropped like bombs this year. I was pushing that reject button left and right. In the end, I watched more CDrama than KDrama even though my top ten appears balanced. There was no perfect drama this year and even a few of my top ten have flaws, so I just went with my heart.

I love a good comedy – very dry, even droll or inane humor, if possible. Goofy physical comedy is embraced as well. My appreciation runs very deep for a good detective murder mystery. Good martial arts on my screen thrills me, so of course, I love, love, love me some wuxia dramas, especially with multiple-incarnation, karmic ties and intertwined destiny stuff. Yes Trent! I am partial to OTPs that are sweet with very little SLS (Second Lead Syndrome) angst.

A word about Patreon dear readers – I cannot say enough about how great a place it is. Watching Fangurl’s process of breaking down a drama is quite enlightening. It has been on fire with JJ and Shahz and ‘da crew’. I cannot keep up with them as they are way too fast for me! I wish I had more time to hang out over there because it is downright fun.

So, let’s go…

My top 10 shows ranked in order:

1. Korea | Yumi’s Cells

This only beat out Imperial Coroner because of its astute and insightful take on the human psyche. This show was so outside–the-box and I found it refreshingly unique. I do not think I will ever not think of what my ‘cells’ are doing, moving forward. (Shahz rocks for sharing the quiz in her post.)

For a very unrealistic drama concept involving animation, it turned out to be one of the most realistic KDramas I have seen in a long time. A pure delight of a drama, more so as it was completely unexpected.

Please give this a try if you have not seen it. It is a riot and I can’t wait for S2. Those naughty cells were the MVPs, right? Bravo to the artists behind these cells!

2. China | The Imperial Coroner

What can I say about how much I loved this drama? I absolutely adored it!

From the clever and detailed graphics in the opening titles (also dispersed throughout the drama), to the fascinating madness of Head Eunuch Qin played by Mu Huai Hu, to the very likable secondary characters, to the very, very sweet and refreshingly honest OTP, to the detective work, to the political schemes, it was right up my alley in every way.

I loved every single second and even watched episodes raw while waiting for subs to post. It was a close race between #1 and #2.

It is a story of a Prince, tasked by the Emperor to solve a crime, and Chu-Chu, an adorable but highly skilled female coroner who is just as smart as that Prince. Refreshingly, he acknowledges this and keeps her close. Sweet, sweet love right here! Open and honest conversations, which I appreciated.

3. China | The Day of Becoming You

This is part of the new iQIYI series of romantic dramas, and is only 26 episodes.

It is hilarious. I read a review that said “Don’t eat or drink while watching this as you may choke”. I laughed like mad and enjoyed the hell out of every – single – episode.

It goes like this – after body-swapping occurs between the OTP, all hell breaks loose. Worth the watch if only to see the ML pull off the role of the FL (and vice-versa) in a brutally honest, funny, and, at times, quite an embarrassing way. Great OTP.

4. Korea | Mr. Queen

Raucous, bawdy and bodacious! Shin Hae Sun threw herself completely into this role. This was just fun to watch. I laughed out loud the entire drama. Beez was right about Shin Hye Sun all along. Great opening graphics in the title that must have taken a clever artist a long time to do. Kudos to the music director for his selection of both opening and closing songs.

Another body swapping story and you know how ree-dunkulous these can get, and this drama squeezes out every last bit of laughs.

5. Korea | Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

Big city gal moves to the seaside and meets a Mister Jack of all Trades. A simple love story full of sweetness and sass, with plenty of secondary characters to round it all out. Beautiful scenery, an unforgettable opening song, and plenty of dimples, made this an enjoyable watch every single week.

I felt like I was on vacation watching this. The cinematography was beautiful.

6. China | A Murderous Affair in Horizon Tower (2020 release)

A really good who-dun-it that kept me on my toes when so many suspects began to emerge. It was a very clever show indeed. You’re guilty and you’re guilty and WTH, everybody’s guilty!

7. China | The Long Night (2020 release)

This drama is not for the faint of heart – it is dark and gritty and accompanied by lots of pain and rain. The murder occurs early on and the rest of the drama is devoted to solving the unique case.

Bai Yu is just so dam good in this. This drama is part of the 2020 iQIYI Light On series dramas. In my opinion this is the best of the bunch. Jury is still out on the newest release, 2021’s Who is the Murderer where Zhao Li Ying is just killing it (or not).

8. Korea | Vincenzo

Vincenzo is about a Korean adoptee raised in Italy by his mob family. He returns to South Korea with a clear goal in mind, and the crazy party starts.

I would have rated this much higher but the last two episodes simply would not allow me to do so. This drama had me at episode 1 when the subtitles purposely misinterpreted an Italian phrase (a very naughty one at that). With the combo of opera and Italian I was right back in my childhood.

Excellent ensemble cast. They kept me entertained throughout the entire drama. More interpretative dance please!

9. China | Eternal Love of Dream (2020 release)

OK, I was definitely late to this party. Released in 2020, I wonder how I missed this one since it lit the internet ablaze with netizen love. It is a 56-episode drama that covers three incarnations of Dilraba’s character.

Yes, the CGI was not the best and Dilraba was required to behave bizarrely in her first incarnation (she is a fox after all), but dang it, Vengo Gao is so dam handsome, I could not stop looking at his face. I made it through the first incarnation and it paid off, as I found myself quite content when this drama ended.

10. China | The Long Ballad

I have this listed for several reasons.

First, Leo Wu. ‘Nuff said. Lil’ bit Fei Liu has grown up, and he is now a fine (and very handsome) young man with big skillz, polished after so many years in front of the camera.

Second, the second leads’ love line, which was so, so sweet, dominated the show.

Third, you can get shot with an arrow multiple times, even in the heart, and not die! Wowsers!

Fourth, there was more hair in this drama than at the Wigs R Us Emporium.

It is not rated higher due to the unneeded number of episodes. They could have shaved quite a few of these ridiculous bits off. Did I mention that Leo Wu is in it? As crazy over-long as this was, I still watched faithfully. As with The Imperial Coroner, I watched episodes raw while waiting for subs to post. The OST was gorgeous.

Honorable Mention | Navillera, The Wolf’s Darren Wang (I should have only watched the first third and the last episode of the drama, but that last episode and Darren Wang were the bombs – thanks Beez!), and last but not least, Move to Heaven, a deeply moving drama about a family that cleans up the location after someone dies, and does so with dignity and honor.

Best Female Lead

Korea | Mr. QueenShin Hye Sun as she has no fear. None. At all.

Best Male Lead

Korea | VincenzoSong Joong Ki who was just too good as Vincenzo to deny him this award.

Best Female Supporting Actor

Korea | Mr. QueenCha Chung Hwa is one of the most versatile and talented supporting actors in South Korea.

Best Male Supporting Actor

Korea | VincenzoIm Chul Soo, my man, you killed this role baby! I do not ever think I will forget the scene where you walked out of that bathroom and – wait – that arm wave! I lit up (and laughed) every time he came on the screen. Can we get him on the screen with Jung Hye Sung? Pretty please?

Best OTP

A tie between:

China | The Long Ballad: Liu Yu Ning and Zhao Lu Si who, believe it or not, were the second leads. He was a putz but he just loved her so much and so awkwardly! Their height difference was cute as could be.

and

China | The Imperial Coroner: Wang Zi Qi and Su Xiao Tong were as sweet as sugar together. I loved that he treasured her intellect and treated her as an equal.

Best original score

A tie between:

China | The Imperial Coroner

and

China | The Long Ballad

Best original song

A tie between:

Korea | Mr. Queen Norazo’s ‘Bong Hwan A’ which is as raucous as the main role,

and

China | The Long Ballad Charlie – Cocoon which is sublimely perfect in every way.

Razzie Awards, Oh No!  

Korea | Start Up

I realize many folks love this drama and I am so very glad that you enjoyed it.

Unfortunately, I did not. This was my 2021 “throw your slippers at the TV bad” due to the behavior of certain characters who are not to be mentioned. I dropped this after episode 10. It gave me agita. That cast deserved better writing.

Korea | Jirisan

I really tried but I still had no idea what was going on after watching episodes 1 and 2 twice. I never made it past episode 2.

Korea | Oh! My Ladylord

This went off the rails and it was not pretty. Dropped it after episode 12. That cast deserved better writing.

Hidden gem, the show you loved and you wish others knew about

China | The Imperial Coroner

..as there was very little advertisement about this drama when it was released. But the netizens knew a good thing when they watched it, and well-deserved word of mouth recommendations spread like a ten-alarm wildfire.

Definite Re-watch

China | The Imperial Coroner

..and I would re-watch this in a heartbeat for that OTP, yes! Chu-Chu and Prince An!

Best ensemble


China | The Bond

..has a gem of an ensemble whom you will grow to love unconditionally.

There is no category for dramas that will span 2021 into 2022 but I do want to mention Sword Snow Stride starring Zhang Ruo Yun and a stellar cast. I just started watching and it is visually stunning. The trailer is gorgeous and this is right up my alley. Scriptwriter is Wang Juan who also wrote the script for Joy of Life 1 and 2. I will end 2021 and start 2022 with this drama.

Here is the gorgeous trailer:


So before I go, I want to give a quick nod to a Japanese movie (a sequel) I happened upon recently entitled The Fable: The Killer Who Doesn’t Kill 2021. Luckily I caught the first movie entitled The Fable 2019 and watched that first.

The only way to describe these two movies is “A Kill Bill Manga Comedy”. Straight-faced Okada Junichi is brilliant in this. These are both very droll and dry – in fact ridiculous – with a lot of very bizarre humor. I found both movies quite entertaining and was mesmerized by the zany, which would just pop out of nowhere and hit you right in the face.

That’s all she wrote folks! Looking forward to 2022 and a new slew of dramas that we will have to add to the Never-Ending List. The struggle to find time to watch them is real folks!

Wishing Fangurl and Family and all of you the best holiday ever. I am looking to see more folks over at Patreon in 2022!

~phl1rxd

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Elaine
Elaine
1 year ago

I went to watch Hometown Cha Cha Cha because of your recommendation!! Lots of lovely romantic feels. And dimples! 😍😍😍At episode 12 now.

Ele Nash
1 year ago

I live you for including all these Cdramas! I do love a Cdrama, dodgy CGI aside 😆 I haven’t seen some of those on your list so will give them a whirl. Happy New Year! And thank you for making the Nirvana in Fire group watch so cool 😍

Ele Nash
1 year ago
Reply to  Ele Nash

“love” 😩 I don’t seem able to edit… I don’t think you’d have thought I meant live… I haven’t slept for days…

merij1
merij1
1 year ago
Reply to  Ele Nash

I knew what you meant!

j3ffc
j3ffc
1 year ago

Another great year in review post! You are not only our resident, much-admired, and greatly-appreciated NIF MVP, but a great commentator with wonderful visual style. A million thanks.

Thanks for giving HCCCccccccccc and  Cha Chung Hwa a bit of well-deserved love. Although Hometown had a bit of an old-school vibe, it sort of came around at the right time, while CCH is just fantastic all the time, with two great roles in the same year.

Finally, thanks for keeping an eye on what’s going on in C-drama, which is relatively hard to non-aficianandos to crack into. Hope that you solve your mystery someday or one day….

j3ffc
j3ffc
1 year ago
Reply to  j3ffc

And for a little snippet of The Queen and her lady from last week’s TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReKRSTB5PK8

merij1
merij1
1 year ago

I see The Long Night features Bai Yu, who was so good as the eldest brother in The Bond. So I guess we’ll need to look that one up.

Thanks for this list! I may have to watch Vincenzo after all.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  merij1

It has a lot going for it, MJ 😊😊😊

merij1
merij1
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

With the two of you advocating it, it’s pretty much a done deal!

beez
1 year ago

– first off – How could your local broadcasting station do you so wrong! To leave you hanging like that… !

I liked The Long Ballad but only because of L’il Bit. It was definitely female lead’s show.

I’ll definitely have to save this page to try to pick up a couple of the C-dramas that you liked when I’m going through Kdrama drought/burn out.

And also, as we end this year, I know KFG and others have thanked you already, but I want to personally thank you for your helping me have an even more enhanced enjoyment of Nirvana in Fire this year.

I used to scoff at people who claimed they made internet “friends”, but I must say, you – my friend – always make me feel special. You are a gift! I’m looking forward to this new year and the dramas we’ll discuss. 🥰😍😘

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

I second your sentiments re phl, Beez 😊😊😊

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Right back at you too Sean!

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

😊😊😊😎😎😎

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

@Beez – that is because you are special Miz B! Right back at ‘ya.

The Case of the Elusive PBS Drama: As for that show – you are gonna laugh at this Beez – I have a subscription to a major newspaper archives site because I use it for football research all the time. Don’t you know I went back and checked all the Saturday TV schedules for the years I think it aired (I cannot pinpoint the exact year, only late 90s) and all that is listed in that time slot is ‘Asian Drama’ – no name. So I emailed the PBS TV station (which is still in existence) and sent them a copy of the TV schedule to see if they kept detailed archives but they could not help me with a name. I was bummed. I do have faith that one day I will be digging around the internet and I will find it. I have not given up. Maybe I had an intuitive (Intuition is my primary cell) glance at my future drama watching hours. Ha! I was so, so impressed by that drama. I do remember there being an evil Empress Dowager-like schemer and a very older grumpy ruler who was forced into going into a war which he did not want. I also remember ninja-like assassins in black, flying across rooftops trying to kill him. I am cracking myself right up over here – Beez – that is almost ever historical drama ever, yes? If I only knew then, what I know now, I could probably have pegged the country, the ruler and the era.

Beez – you def challenged me with the NIF questions but I rally loved digging for the answers. It was fun!

Last edited 1 year ago by phl1rxd
beez
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

– I had a similar experience with a PBS documentary that I searched their site decades later but I was fortunate and found it! So I totally understand. Here’s to your ongoing quest! 🥂

wonhwa
wonhwa
1 year ago

I also loved The Imperial Coroner – such a delightful, smartly written show that showcases leads who succeed (and fall for each other) due to their smarts, professionalism, and hard work. Plus the second leads are equally awesome as well!

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  wonhwa

@wonhwa – I also loved the way the ML respected the FL’s intellect and allowed her to make many major decisions. That was refreshing. Their communication was so genuine and caring.

wonhwa
wonhwa
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

Yes, I loved the fact that he was attracted to her abilities, and that they communicated so well. I also loved that she was so professional and competent – so often shows pair cold genius male leads with warm, spunky, clueless female leads, and it was nice to see a female lead who was every bit as calm, cool and collected (and smart) as the male lead.

Ronald Metropolit
Ronald Metropolit
1 year ago

surprised Vincenzo made so many top 10 lists, started to watch episode 1 stopped,went back later, found it boring in many places,comedy didnt work for me at all, didnt like violence,

Vincenzo spoilers
we really needed to see mom strangled,could have just shown killer entering room and corpse later,

violence later episodes disgusting, cant imagine who the writer thought would enjoy it, teen boys perhaps ? liked our female lead,no rewatch value for me.

Last edited 1 year ago by kfangurl
phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago

@Ronald – until the last two episodes Vincenzo would have been my number 1 of 2021. The story, the leads and the ensemble cast and their shenanigans alone was worth a number 1. However, I do agree that the violence in the last episodes was over the top and that is why I rated it lower. Even with being repulsed by the ending, I had to give it props for what it did right up until those last two episodes.

Thanks much for reading my post. Happy Holidays to you and here’s hoping that 2022 produces a drama that you really enjoy! We all need at least one a year.

Elaine Phua
Elaine Phua
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

From what I am hearing, I’m glad I bailed on Vincenzo at end of episode 17/beginning of episode 18!

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  Elaine Phua

@Elaine Phua – 😂😂😂😂 Elaine, I’ve heard of people dropping dramas late in the game, like episode 7, 8, and even 10. But I’ve never heard of anyone dropping a show with only 2 episodes to go! You must’ve seriously been disgusted or bored or something????

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  Elaine Phua

Elaine – I feel bad that you lost those drama hours (and they were long episodes too). Vincenzo was not for everyone. You fortunately stopped before the last two episodes which were so very hard to take.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

So, I watched Night in Paradise recently. It is not for the faint hearted. Jeon Yeo Been’s role as the vengeful angel left Vincenzo’s character for dead 😜 She was awesome, but far too violent for some here.

Trent
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Sean — I caught this (Night in Paradise) a few months ago, around the time it first dropped on Netflix. My being somewhat enamored with Jeon Yeo-bin from her turn in Vincenzo may have had something to do with it?

At any rate, this is the short, blurb-type review I spit out elsenet:

Night in Paradise: Long stretches of meditative, almost art-house feeling character moments set against a background of sparsely populated, semi-rural, gorgeous sea-scapes (it takes place mostly on Jeju Island), stitched together with a gang-war-and-revenge plot. 

Spoiler for ending
The ending definitely manages to tickle every atavistic lizard-brain revenge fantasy you might have been harboring, although everyone dies. Yes, literally everyone.
 Recommended, if that’s your sort of thing.”

And yeah, I would say definitely way too bloody/violent for a significant proportion of our good friends here…

(For those who stuck with My Name, take that and then bump it up at least a couple notches on the violence scale…)

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  Trent

Auto correct did me in again, Trent 😂 You are so spot 0n with your treatment here.

The Restaurant Owner
I wanted to know what happened to the restaurant owner during that final 20 mins

The ladies from both dramas would be awesome together 😉

Trent
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Now that’s a movie/drama I would sign up for in a heartbeat… 😁

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  Trent

🤗🤗🤗

ngobee
ngobee
1 year ago

Thank you for an incredibly entertaining post with new-to-me recommendations! 2022 can come and I know just what to watch, thanks to you.

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  ngobee

– thank you for reading!

Natalia
Natalia
1 year ago

Dear phl1rxd (that I only now realized who you are on Patreon, sorry…), before commenting on your list, may I once again thank you for all the troube you went during our Nirvana group watch to clarify characters + places, especially at the beginning!
Now, on your list: Ι just loved that you recommend so many shows that I haven’t even heard of. Although it does stress me a little, you know, so many shows, so little time… Now I have to add Imperial Coroner to my never-ending to-watch list. Will I manage to watch 36 episodes though? We’ll see… At least I see that you also didn’t like Jirisan (like everyone else, apparently), so at least I get to remove one show from my list!

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  Natalia

Hi Natalie – NIF was a great thrill for me. No trouble on the clarifications as I already had all of that done before we started. 💖

Imperial Coroner was a right sleeper. It presented a different approach to CDrama love stories and I found it refreshing. The ML, Wang Zi Qi, has a certain honest (for lack of a better term) quality that I find very appealing. He recently starred in another CDrama, Once We Get Married. Although the drama was not outstanding by any means, he brought a nice touch to his role. I cannot wait to see him in more projects.

As for episodes, I do want to share that The Story of Ming Lan was 78 episodes and once it was over I was like “Where did everybody go? Come back” so I think that if a drama really appeals to you, the episode count does not matter as long as it grabs you by the heart.

I dropped a lot of dramas this year. Whew! This was kind of a blah year for me and I struggled to find a top ten. Let’s hope that 2022 brings superior drama content to our screens and each of us find our own special drama to love.

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

– Wha-? Who? Natalia mentioned you use a different screen name on Patreon? Granted, I don’t spend much time there (but I don’t spend much time online at all these days), but what’s your moniker on Patreon?

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  kfangurl

Thanks, KFG

lotusgirl
lotusgirl
1 year ago

Great review! Imperial Coroner sounds right down my alley. I’ll have to check it out. I don’t do many Chinese shows because they tend to be soooooo long but that storyline intrigues me.

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  lotusgirl

@lotusgirl – I think you would appreciate the work behind the graphics in this drama. I just loved them as I am very visual. How lucky we are to get these shown all throughout the drama. I am appreciative all the work put into them. 👏👏👏

I can only assume they used AE, which got a workout on this drama. Then to think of all the hours spent layering these in (the timing!) a video editor. Whew! Hats off to these artists, as doing video work is my least favorite part of a creative process. Give me PS and I can play all day. Video – not so much. 🙄

Last edited 1 year ago by phl1rxd
lotusgirl
lotusgirl
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

I’m with you! Stills are more speed. Good to hear about the visuals though. I can appreciate all that goes into it.

Leslie
Leslie
1 year ago

What a terrific post, phl1rxd! I’ve loved hearing our guest posters’ different voices and perspectives. I appreciated your Chinese drama recommendations, too; I’ve seen and loved both The Imperial Coroner and Day of Becoming You already, so that bodes well for the rest of your dramas, in my book. Thanks for taking the time to share!

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  Leslie

Hey Leslie – Eternal Love: if you watch this, do ignore the CGI and poor Dilraba’s gestures in incarnation 1. It gets better… Also, the Long Ballad is bloated and no one would critisize you for using the FF at times. Did I mention that Leo Wu is in this? 😅🤣😂 For his age he has a ton of depth in his emotions.

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago

Fangurl – thank you very much for sharing your space with moi! You know I love this place and doing this was a real honor. You tweaked it perfectly and I am grateful. Love ya Fangurl!! 💖💖💖💖🥰🥰😘😘😘😘😍😍

Trent
1 year ago

– You killed it! I loved your post, loved the C-drama love especially, gives me a glimpse into a corner of Asian dramaland that I’m not very familiar with! Thanks for carving out the time on your packed end-of-year schedule to share.

And the dramas on your list that I’ve seen (ie all the kdramas) are all really good–Yumi’s Cells was such a hoot, and super insightful, wasn’t it?

Here’s hoping for some real gems in 2022…

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  Trent

@Trent – thank you very much for your encouragement and your kind compliment. You know I had to add in your statement on my preferred genre/s 😅🤣😂 I could not resist.

Trent
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

We stan a pure-hearted wuxia fan, what can I say?

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  Trent

Trent – I like my heroes cheeky (long flowing hair is very much appreciated) and I love to see them fly while wielding their swords, even more so when destiny and karma (from past incarnations) drive the plot. 🤣😂😅 I am just a sucker for these, what can I say? Its nuts. 🥜🥜🥜

Elaine Phua
Elaine Phua
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

Ooh, could you do a top favourite Wuxia drama list please please????? It is such a nostalgic genre for me but I found out that my father-in-law’s recommendations are (usually) not what I like haha.

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  kfangurl

Dear Fangurl and Elaine – I would be happy to do that. It will take a little while, as research would be involved. It would be fun though. Please bear with me as I dig up these goodies…

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  kfangurl

💖💖💖

wonhwa
wonhwa
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

that would be lovely – I really enjoyed the Chinese period shows I watched this year, but I’m fairly new to them and there are so many out there that it’s hard to know sometimes which ones are worth jumping into.

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  wonhwa

@wonhwa – yes, there are quite a lot out there and many of them have 40+ episodes so it is a huge time investment.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago

A beautifully presented post, phl 😊👏🎬🎭👩‍🎨 Although we only had one show that was the same in both of our Top 10s, I can say I have watched most that you have listed. Yes, Imperial Coroner was an absolute treat. The Long Ballard, was indeed the long Ballard 😂 and of course Hometown Cha Cha Cha only missed out by a whisker to be in my T10.

I loved your Razzie Awards, because sadly, they were contenders through and through.

Imperial Coroner is a worthy hidden gem and is a definite rewatch. Others here do need to watch it and marvel in the OTP and how talented both actors are. The story too was the bee’s knees.

I think you do have a future in compiling beautifully presented posts. I know time is always an issue, but a quarterly feature by you would be awesome 😎

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Thank you dear Sean! I believe it was you that mentioned Imperial Coroner to me now that I think about it. Yes, it was! So a big thank you. I loved it and then loved it some more. A very, very good CDrama. I can only imagine what the Patreon comments on the Head Eunuch would be. 🤣😂😅

As unbearably long as The Long Ballad was, it is still in the Top Ten and I unashamedly blame that on my Leo Wu appreciation. The music was gorgeous.

I am playing catch up on my drama list today and I am watching Red Sleeves. I must say this would have gotten an HM, if not made the list outright. The leads are just so good Sean. I had only watched 4 episodes when I did the write-up.
Lee Deok Hwa excels in that one pivitol episode. Wow. I see why he got one of your awards. That is some experience for you. I see he has his fishing tan too! He is an avid fisherman. What a star. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The graphics were the easy part – the writing was harder than I thought. Thank you for your kind sentiments Sean!!! 😘

Last edited 1 year ago by phl1rxd
seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

My absolute pleasure, phl. I just wish there were a few more CDramas like Imperial Coroner that also go the distance. Lol re the Head Eunuch 😂

I watched all of The Silent Sea yesterday and really enjoyed it. There were a couple of nods to major international sci-fi shows in it and I think kdramaland rose to the occasion.

Yes, what a legend LDH is. You can literally see what the king is thinking 🧐

Enjoy your drama watching today 😊 If you do get the chance, watch the first five minutes of Uncle. I was hooked within not even two minutes.

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Sean – I just finished SS. I enjoyed very much even though I had to peek through my fingers (I had my hand in front of my eyes as deep space and heights scare me) through most of it. I agree that KDrama rose to the occasion. The CGI work was top notch, the actors were very good and to be honest Gong Yoo looked especially handsome throughout. I bet you enjoyed this Sean, as I know that you like this genre.

I am going to start Uncle as I see that the ML is Oh Jung Se. That should be interesting.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

@phl – Linda did the same re the elevator scene 😂 Yes, show was right up my alley. It wiped the floor with so many big production “disaster” films and shows this year.

I hope you enjoy your peek at Uncle. I think it’s delightful.

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Sean – I’m on E4 of Uncle. Just stopped to answer emails. It is most definitely heart warming and now we know that Oh Jung Se can sing. The child actors are very good in this as well. Back to the show…

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

@phl – I think he and Beanie Girl are delightful together 😊

Shahz
Shahz
1 year ago

Loved this post!!! You know how much Jennifer and I love the dramas you approve! We adored Long Night and Day of becoming you.

Going to add Murderous affair to my list. Already have Imperial Coroner after you recommended it, just need to clear a few dramas before I start it in earnest!

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  Shahz

Shahz – Thank you! If ‘da crew’ ever decides to watch Imperial Coroner, I will join in on a daily basis. The OTP is so good.

Shahz
Shahz
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

Well that sounds perfect! I will have to ask my partner in crime but next week is doable I think to make a start on IC.