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! ❤️
Hey where can I watch Queen In Hyun’s Man? Does anyone know if Prime Video has it in the Pacific (I know it has it in USA but they have a stupid system where you have to pay up before you can view their catalogue).
Hi @manukajoe, I’ll be publishing an announcement post on the QIHM group watch on Saturday (OTs start next Saturday). Perhaps someone will be able to answer your question there.
I do know that the show is available on iQIYI. It’s also available on AsianCrush here.
I can’t see it on Viki or IQiyi. Asian Crush has it but it seems you need a USA or Canada credit card/address. Hmmm.
@manukajoe Trent and j3ffc had some experiences to share, when using a VPN to access it on iQIYI, you can visit their sharing on my NordVPN review here. I hope that turns out to be helpful for you!
Ugh this VPN thing is too difficult, it’s not working on my PC, I’ve spent an hour getting nowhere. Frustrating.
@manukajoe Gosh, sorry to hear that! I thought you had it solved when you managed to watch episode 1!
Do your previous steps not work anymore? I remember Trent & j3ffc mentioned that you need to have the VPN fired up, before accessing iQIYI using my link. I believe that worked for them..
Wow so annoying. Eventually it worked, I don’t know why, I think I had to clear all the cache on Chrome and also change some location settings on Chrome. Anyway Ep 2 successfully watched.
Once again, THANKS for this list. As a newbie, I questioned KFG about what it like to re-watch a favorite drama. I LOVE the idea of the community watch and reading about the things that are picked up during a re-watch.
AND….when I watch a drama on my own, I follow the recaps from the rewatch than read the reviews after I’ve completed my watch. This is really enjoyable.
See you over on Healer the Queen In-Hun!
Lots of interesting shows on the list! Healer and Signal are on my short list of top dramas. Both are amazing in their own way 🙂
Wow never thought I’d see Autumn’s Concerto on this list! Definitely a classic and one of my all-time favourites – in fact I was just planning a re-watch, but might hold out to watch with you.
Oh, yes wait for us!! It’d be great to have your perspective as a long-time fan!!
Me too!
wow i’ll watch Healer with you…. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
So excited to rewatch, healer!! 🥰
KFG, will there be spoiler threads created separately for both Healer and Signal during our group watch? Between the 2, I have completed only 1 of the shows and I liked the idea, introduced during our My Mister group watch.
Oh! I hadn’t thought about that.. That’s probably a good idea, since there will be rewatchers in our midst for sure. I will go ahead and create Spoiler Zones for both shows, thanks for reminding me, PP! ❤️
Ah, poor Gaksital… I guess I will re-watch it on my own. But this list has exciting titles as well. I am curious about Grapevine, and Queen In Hyun is always a welcome re-watch.
@Snow Flower – I was hoping Gaksital would be a winner. I started watching it a bit ago and stalled, because it’s a different kind of drama experience… I think it would be a good one to watch in a group and with KFG’s guidance. I’ll see if I can go it alone.
Nice selection! There’s bit of something for everyone.
I’m one of probably handful of people who didn’t fall under the spell of Healer. 😆 I loved Grapevine though and if stars align right I’ll be watching it with you guys. It will be my third time but enough time has passed for it to be a somewhat fresh take again.
Ahaha, yes, I remember you were not on the Healer train with the rest of us. 😁 But YAY that you plan to join us for Grapevine!! Would love to hear your thoughts, when we get there! ❤️
Ooh, gosh, classics there! I think you’ll like Signal. I’m super-sensitive to grisly murders but the high-concept of Signal and the acting really got me past the scary – though don’t think I could watch it again. I may not rewatch Healer either – am undecided as I can remember it all quite well, having only watched it last year. It is so good, though!
I will hold out on watching Autumn Concerto until the group watch! Thank you for including it 🥰 And I’ve not seen Heard it through the Grapevine or Queen In-hyun’s Man so will definitely join in those group watches.
Guess I’m free now to continue with Romance is a Bonus Book solo 😊
Thank you for organising, kfangurl! See you all on the comments! xx
Yay that you’ll be joining 3 of the 5 group watches, Ele!! I’m so glad that you’ll wait for the group watch, to check out Autumn’s Concerto! Looking forward to your company! ❤️
I can’t believe we have actually got ourselves a schedule up until August! I hope that life will allow me to at least tune in for the lovely Yoo In Na. And I will occasionally show up to see what ‘s going on with Healer and Signal, both shows I liked pretty well. Happy watch, everyone!
I hadn’t realized it, but YES, we do have a schedule that goes till August! In fact, the Autumn’s Concerto group watch ends in early September! Guess I’m better at planning than I’d thought? 😂 I hope you’ll be able to join us!
Nice! I’ll try to join – been in a drama slump (the horrors!) and work stress for a while so I don’t know if I can keep to my commitment. But I’ll try to do the Signal watch!
@MC Yikes, sorry about the work stress and drama slump!! I also don’t know if Signal will help you relax from your work stress 😬 – but I’m glad that you feel up to giving it a try!
Healer might be more slurpable, if you’re in the mood for a rewatch..?
yaaaassss…its time to rewatch healer and signal!!!
i really want to watch Heard It Through The Grapevine Open but i dont hv access to viki and kocowa. Pls let me know if there are other option.
And tbh, after i saw no of episode (30ep 🤯)..idk if i can finish it lol. Currently im struggle to finish all drama on my list.
I still havent watch finale of Hosplay 2, homcha, happiness and last 2 ep of bad and crazy. I love all this drama but i just cant watch the finale 😅😅😅. Do any of u having the same trouble as me?
@pika13 You should be able to access Viki & Kocowa, if you sign up for ProtonMail’s free VPN (link above, in my section on Geo-restrictions). Just select to connect to the US, and you should be good to go!
Yes! I have 3 more episodes of Bad and Crazy and the last episode of Taxi Driver patiently waiting for me…
I couldn’t be happier! Now I’ve just got to organize my watching habits and find a way to keep up with everyone’s comments!
@Beez – looking forward to it!
@Beez Yes please, we especially need you to share more of your Grapevine love, when we get there! 😉
@phl1rxd – Well waiting on me to organize my thoughts/life schedule… out of concern for you, phl1rxd – don’t wait for it. 😆
🤣😂😅😃😆
@beez – there is a long time to the actual watching of grapevine, you’ll have enough time to organize all you need (we never finish organizing EVERYTHING in life, just do your best). anyway, wasn’t it our desire and project to have this drama for a group watch? wasn’t our idea to be able to discuss it (discussing means all of us and YOU)- i am definitely excited and waiting for you here (no “nos” accepted). see ya.
@eda – haha! I think @phl1rxd knows me well enough to know that I didn’t mean I wouldn’t be commenting but that the point is I’ll never be organized! 😆
@beez – no worries, so am i.
@KFG – I’m definitely on board! As for Grapevine, I’m hoping to glean more information from everyone else’s thoughts because there’s so much strange (I believe cultural) behavior that I often thought the subtitles weren’t explanatory enough (I watched it on Drama Fever and you know how they could boil down a subtitle into a bare bones “gist”). Despite the lacking in the translations, I still loved it and can’t wait to see what everyone else thinks is going on. I’m also looking forward to better subtitles (although these won’t be Viki detailed subs with their helpful parentheticals, but rather subs provided by Kocowa).
What an interesting set of choices…and a lot of forward planning! I’ve seen none of these (save 1 hour of Signal) so this will be fun. (Not gonna lie, though, I was sorta pulling for Romance Be a Bonus Book, but it’s a diverse group notwithstanding.)
It will be an honor to watch Healer, one of kfangurl’s faves, along with the founder of our feast. Hope you see you all on the flipflop.
@j3ffc – you are going to love QIHM.
Wheeeeee!
@j3ffc Ahhh! Thanks for appreciating the planning!! It did take a bit of mapping, on my calendar! 😁
I do believe you’ll enjoy Healer, coz I’ve seen it twice, and liked it just as much on the second go-around, so it holds up!
I can feel the excitement by everyone all the way over here! I probably won’t participate, but if I did, it would be Queen In Hyun’s Man 😊
@seankfletcher Well then, I hope to perhaps see you on the QIHM threads, sometimes, maybe? 😁
Well, LT has asked me to watch Squid Game, as she wants to know my thoughts around it, so there could be a chance QIHM will also get a revisit i.e. is to say I am mulling over both shows and what I will do. It’s interesting. The more I think about QIHM, the more scenes I can recall in my mind’s eye – so much more than other shows 🤔
@seankfletcher Well, with your time-bending abilities, I have every confidence that you’d be able to fit everything in, somehow! 😁😉
I think I might be weakening a tad 😂🤣😂
@seankfletcher Weaken?!? Nooo~ say it ain’t so! That’s your superpower!!! 🦹🏼♂️😁
Exciting List!!! YAY for Healer 🙂 And Woo Hoo for Signal!!! Looking forward to Queen In Hyun’s Man. Not sure if Heard it Through the Grapevine is my speed, but Ill give it a try 🙂
I kinda knew you’d be pleased with Signal being on the roster! 😉
It’ll be my first time watching Grapevine too, but I’ve heard good things, and hopefully I’ll love it as much as everyone else!
@KFG – YES for Signal 🙂
Oh exciting that this will be your first time for Grapevine. Fingers crossed you will love it as much as everyone else.
Soooo, have your ever dropped a Show during a Group Watch??!!
@JJ No I haven’t, most probably because I’ve either already seen the show, or the show comes highly recommended and is therefore solid, even if I don’t personally love it like everyone else. As long as the show itself is solid, I should be able to find reasons to finish it, I think!
@KFG – Awwww ok! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Quite an interesting slate, I feel! Definitely up for a Healer rewatch (can hardly believe it’s been over a year since I watched it the first time). On the fence at the moment for a Signal rewatch (yes, it’s good, but drama hours are limited, after all…).
The other three all look like at least checking out–I’ve heard great things about Queen In-hyun’s Man (which is known as “Queen and I” on Amazon Prime and iQiyi, and is geo-restricted as to the U.S. for iQiyi, looks like…). The other two are good to go (for U.S.) on Viki (and Netflix, for Autumn’s Concerto).
YAY that you’ll join the Healer watch! And, very cool, that you’ll at least check out QIHM, Grapevine and Autumn’s Concerto! 😃😃
Details are extremely hazy to me now, since I watched QIHM a whopping 10 years ago (😱🤯 I just did the math!), but I remember being completely invested in the OTP. 😍😍
I am so glad that we will be watching Heard it Though the Grapevine. This will be a second watch for me. It was quite an experience the first time around because I cared so much for the younger characters.
Ah, it’s good to hear, that you love it so much that you’d be up for a rewatch!! 😃 This will be my first watch, so I’m looking forward to finally checking this one out!
Very nice. I might be up for Grapevine, Signal and Queen In-hyun. By the way, the Autmn’s Cncerto video is showing as “Not available in your region”.
@manukajoe Well if you’d like to join us for Autumn’s Concerto, you could consider using a VPN to access it.. 😁
I’ve tried to watch it twice before but wasn’t hooked. It’s on my Netflix.
Is Signal going to be distressingly violent?
@manukajoe I don’t think so? I did back away from the show at the E4 mark when I first attempted it, because I’d found the serial killing hard to watch, but it was more because of suspense and tension, than actual violence. I actually think I’ll be fine, this time around. 😇
You’ve been working out on Sweet Home, My Name, Beyond Evil, and Hellbound… 😁
@Trent Yes I have!! 💪🏻💪🏻 That should’ve primed me well, so maybe Signal will feel like a walk in the park this time around..? 😁😅
My fairly strong recollection is that it’s not a lot of gratuitous, in-your-face violence, so much as tension and suspense, as KFG says. People die and there are bodies, but it’s after the fact of the actual killing, basically.
@manukajoe – I agree with Trent & KFG – its more about Suspense and Tension than violence. And yes, its after the fact of the murderers and thats tough to see, but not gratuitous, thankfully. More matter of fact.
@manukajoe – I am watching it now with a couple people on Patreon on Drama Exchange and I have been fine with it. Have you ever seen the American Criminal Minds? That show is way more gruesome and violent than Signal so far and I cant do the violent ones as I prefer Unicorns and Puppies please 🙂
I watched The Victim’s Game recently, which had suicides.I don’t like it is there’s abuse involved mainly.
yes to violent, troubling violent. and i personally think that it is way overrated. but that’s just me. i was utterly disappointed, especially because it’s by the same director of my mister, but i don’t want to dim the light on it right now.
queen is yummy delicious. and healear and grapevine were my own suggestions, so i am almost in heaven with this selection.
o, and i think you WILL enjoy autumn’s concerto, even that it is not one of my favorites, but still enjoyable watch.
Thanks eda. At least I can practice my Mandarin. If they stop speaking Taiwanese! The guy is such a class A jerk though it was hard to watch.
manukajoe, in terms of practicing mandarin (i envy you!!!). but i also love chinese dramas, especially historical. so i am watching now 2 chinese dramas, which i can recommend to you, if you haven’t seen already – a very old version from 2008, legend of the condor heroes, (my interest is in folklore, legends, culture), but it’s pretty good so far, i am just at the beginning. and it seems like it’s one of those that the chinese are not willing to give up and continue to add more and more of these dramas with the condo heroes. but i started watching it primarily because i missed hu ge on the screen. this is a very young hu ge, and it’s interesting to compare with his more recent work (still good). and the second hu ge drama, a modern one, good time. very easy watching, digestible piece of work. nothing to write home about, but pleasant, kind of a vacation drama (that does not mean bad). but definitely would fit your desire to practice mandarin(i love the sound of this language).
Wonderful choices, from my perspective, KFG! I’ve only watched one – Healer, finished for the 2nd time a month ago, so I’ll pass this time – but I’ll be joining all of the other group watches. Looking forward to them! 🥳
Aw, YAY that you’ll be joining in all the other ones, Leslie!! ❤️😘
@Leslie – Hope you join for the Notes on Healer as I always LOVE your commentary 🙂
Yes Leslie – you do have some zingers of which I am most appreciative of! 😁😀
Fangurl – that is a stellar list. I shed a tear watching Queen In Hyun’s Man!
@phl1rxd I barely remember any details from QIHM now (which is great for a rewatch), but I do remember the show had my heart! 🤩 And yes, I’m pretty sure I shed a tear as well!
Fangurl – It is tissue time and a lot of those tears were tears in sisterhood with Yoo In Ah! What a great classic!!!
@phl1rxd – I don’t remember much about Queen In hyn’s man other than it left me with that feel-good feeling, and that one iconic scene, of course. 😘😘😘😘😘🦶
@Beez – the one that they did not package with the drama? 😂🤣😅 The ones for adults?
@phl1rxd – I’m intrigued because I don’t know which one you’re talking about???? I meant
@Beez – I was thinking of the un-cut/un-aired ending scene – too hot for daytime TV. I would link to it but it has been shut down on YT. Bummer.😕
@phl1rxd – Dagnabbit!
@phl1rxd, at least tell us – was it just too sexy or what exactly? can you describe it?(entertain us!)
Ah Beez and Eda – I sincerely 🙏 promise to do so when we get to the last episode as it was basically one of the last scenes shot (if I remember correctly – suffice to say it was at the very end). I do not want to spoil the ending. I will find it as it must still be out there somewhere. I have a lot of reverence for this drama and anything slightly hinting at a spoiler would be sacrilege. 😏 I just could not resist Beez’s comment.
phl1rxd, please remember your promise, as now i am dying from curiosity.