Thanks to everyone who voted in the poll; 482 votes were cast by 186 voters, and Healer came out on top, with 74 votes! Looks like I finally have an excuse to watch Healer – for the third time! 😁
Based on the votes cast, and in the interest of creating a balanced Group Watch menu where there ought to be a little something for everyone, I’ve mapped out 2 People’s Choice and 3 Editor’s Choice group watches.
I really hope you guys like what’s on the schedule, going forward!
An Overview
Essentially, I decided that we’d plan for two People’s Choice group watches instead of one, based on the results of this latest poll.
In first place, we have Healer, with 74 votes, followed by Heard It Through The Grapevine, with 62 votes. With Grapevine being a longer show at 30 episodes, we will need a total of 3 Editor’s Choice group watches, to partner with these two People’s Choice group watches.
In the sections below, I outline for each show, the schedule, availability and reasons to watch. If you know of other streaming sources that I haven’t mentioned, or if you’re passionate about the shows and want to help stir up some excitement for them to draw in more group watchers, feel free to share in the comments below!
I hope that this way, everyone will be able to find at least one group watch that you’d like to join. Of course, join all of ’em, if you’d like – that’s what I’ll be doing. 😉
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PEOPLE’S CHOICE 1: Healer
Schedule: Wednesdays, starting 16 February 2022. Posts will go live at 8:00am, my time (GMT+8).
Romance: Yes.
Commitment: 20 episodes. 2 eps a week = 10 weeks.
In other words: We will discuss E1&2 next Wednesday, 16 February 2022.
Availability: Available for free on iQIYI and on Viu. Also available on Viki with Viki Pass, or for free on Kocowa.
Why you should watch:
This show is one of my all-time favorites. This one’s got romance, action, melodrama; a bit of something for everyone. Plus, y’all know I just can’t help swooning, every time Healer casually parkours off a building. 🤩
Review is here.
Trailer:
Healer Open Threads:
I’ll be linking the Open Threads here, for easy reference. You’ll also be able to find the Open Thread links on my Full List page and on my brand new Group Watches page.
E1&2 | E3&4 | E5&6 | E7&8 | E9&10 | E11&12 | E13&14 | E15&16 | E17&18 | E19&20
PEOPLE’S CHOICE 2: Heard It Through The Grapevine
Schedule: Wednesdays, starting 4 May 2022. Posts will go live at 8:00am, my time (GMT+8).
Romance: Yes (I think).
Commitment: 30 episodes. 2 eps a week = 15 weeks.
In other words: We will discuss E1&2 on Wednesday, 4 May 2022, after we complete our Healer group watch.
Availability: Available on Viki with Viki Pass, and for free on Kocowa.
Why you should watch:
Eda and Beez both love the show, and feel it would make for a great group watch discussion.
As I understand it, it’s a bit of a social satire / black comedy sort of thing, and is an underrated gem brought to us by PD Ahn Pan Seok, who also gave us the amazing Secret Love Affair. I’m actually pretty curious to see this one; it’s been on my list for years. Plus, Lee Joon and Go Ah Sung are both excellent actors, so that’s a definite plus.
Trailer:
Heard It Through The Grapevine Open Threads:
I’ll make another announcement when we’re about to start on this group watch, and I’ll link the Open Thread posts there, as well as on the Full List page and on my brand new Group Watches page.
EDITOR’S CHOICE 1: Signal
Schedule: Saturdays, starting 19 February 2022. Posts will go live at 8:00am, my time (GMT+8).
Romance: No.
Commitment: 16 episodes. 2 eps per week = 8 weeks.
In other words: We will discuss E1&2 next Saturday, 19 February 2022.
Availability: Available on iQIYI, Viki, WeTV and Netflix.
Why you should watch:
I’ve heard so many good things about this one, but never managed to get past episode 4, because I’d found the serial killing rather hard to watch. But, enough time has passed now, that I think I’d be up to give this another try.
Trailer:
Signal Open Threads:
I’ll be linking the Open Threads here, for easy reference. You’ll also be able to find the Open Thread links on my Full List page and on my brand new Group Watches page.
E1&2 | E3&4 | E5&6 | E7&8 | E9&10 | E11&12 | E13&14 | E15&16
EDITOR’S CHOICE 2: Queen In-hyun’s Man
Schedule: Saturdays, starting 23 April 2022. Posts will go live at 8:00am, my time (GMT+8).
Romance: Yes.
Commitment: 16 episodes. 2 eps a week = 8 weeks.
In other words: We will discuss E1&2 on Saturday, 23 April 2022, after we finish our watch of Signal.
Availability: Available on iQIYI and Amazon Prime.
Why you should watch:
I did love this when I watched it, back when it aired in 2012. Yoo In Na is adorable in this, and Ji Hyun Woo is our really nice, decent, intelligent male lead, who time travels from Joseon, to meet his fated lady love. My quick review is here.
Bonus factoid: Ji Hyun Woo fell for Yoo In Na for real, while filming this drama, and made a public love confession after the show wrapped, just before enlisting for military service. The buzz around this was HUGE. The two did date for a season, but ended up breaking up eventually, which is too bad. The point is, though, the smitten gazes that Ji Hyun Woo wears in this show, are real.
Trailer:
Queen In-hyun Man Open Threads:
I’ll make another announcement when we’re about to start on this group watch, and I’ll link the Open Thread posts there, as well as on the Full List page and on my brand new Group Watches page.
EDITOR’S CHOICE 3: Autumn’s Concerto [Taiwan]
Schedule: Saturdays, starting 25 June 2022. Posts will go live at 8:00am, my time (GMT+8).
Romance: Yes.
Commitment: 34 episodes of 40 minutes each. 3 eps a week = 11 weeks.
In other words: We will discuss E1-3 on Saturday, 25 June 2022, after we finish our watch of Queen In-hyun’s Man.
Availability: Available on Netflix and Viki.
Why you should watch:
In the spirit of adding some retro flavor to the mix, and also, because Ele had expressed that a Taiwanese show would be nice to have, I’m adding 2009 Taiwanese drama Autumn’s Concerto to the mix.
It’s a much loved classic for Taiwanese drama fans, much like how Coffee Prince is a much loved classic among kdrama fans. I haven’t seen this one myself, but have been curious to check it out, because it’s considered so iconic.
Plus, it’s actually quite hard to find good, subbed Taiwanese dramas on our various legal streaming platforms, so this feels quite serendipitous, that it’s available on both Netflix and Viki.
Trailer:
Autumn’s Concerto Open Threads:
I’ll make another announcement when we’re about to start on this group watch, and I’ll link the Open Thread posts there, as well as on the Full List page and on my brand new Group Watches page.
In closing
..That’s about it, really! Now that we’ve got our group watch shows selected, please go forth and enjoy your first couple of episodes – and remember to tune in for the Open Thread posts, going live next week! ❤️
