All About Love Stories: By Sean!

In case you missed it, we have yet another guest post series to enjoy, this month!

Unlike our previous guest post series, this one was kind of an accident, almost. I have Ele to thank for this one, because it was her innocent question about something, that made me casually talk about the off-the-top-of-my-head, hypothetical possibility of a guest post series on love, in the month of February, in honor of Valentine’s Day.

So many folks on Patreon responded enthusiastically to this idea, that I felt that it would be remiss of me, not to actually make it happen, come February.

And so, here we are. This month, we will enjoy a total of nine guest posts from patrons on Patreon, on the topic of love stories. The brief is pretty flexible, in that, each writer is free to go deep, or go wide, on anything around the topic of love stories in Dramaland. I feel like we have a lot to look forward to, this month! 🥰

You can check out our earlier posts in the series as follows: UyenJaco_4950, Kate & Ele.

Today’s post is brought to you by Sean, who continues to bend time and space, to bring us his thoughts on this month’s love theme in dramas! I have no idea how Sean managed to keep living his very busy life, and keep watching all his dramas, and write this post on top of it all, but I’m sure glad he did, because it’s great. 🤩

You might also like to visit Sean’s blog, where he writes about management and leadership.

I hope you guys enjoy!

KFG ❤️

Love Makes the World Go Round

According to my drama viewing record, I have watched 398 dramas out of an unmentionable number of KDramas, CDramas, Jdoramas and others, that are about love, romance or a love-based theme.

Of course, the challenge with this post, is rising to the task set by kfangurl: a guest post focusing on favourite love stories, in honour of Valentine’s Day. So, with task in hand, I set out to compile a post based on the fabulously delicious broad criteria, “You’d be free to interpret the love theme according to what resonates with you.”

Now, this is not an easy subject, by any stretch of the imagination, for someone like me, because it means dealing with the gooey marshmallow insides of my personality. Not only that, I like a wide range of romantic dramas, from the super cute (eg Cdrama Sweet Teeth) to the deep and emotional heart rendering “burn me on the funeral pyre when I die.”

However, I thought I could at least write about some well-loved shows in other countries that I like (or sort of like) and compare these with the “corresponding” show in kdramaland, recognising that the connection might be very tenuous at best. 😂

Those “Love” Things That Really Irritate Me

Straight up I am going to say those things that really irritate me regarding love-imbued dramas – love triangles, one sided love, frowning CEOs (generally) and sometimes, either party not turning up to a date because they get the jitters, or think less of themselves.

This means that many shows for me end up marooned as part of the “Bermuda Triangle of what was the point of that show!” 😜

Love On a Boat or An Island

Despite suffering from sea sickness each time I think about getting on board a boat or a ship, I thoroughly relish everything nautical, love at sea included.

The Love Boat

So, without a doubt, The Love Boat was an iconic series (even if it was an Aaron Spelling production – okay, I liked Charmed too) that many watched, and a show that helped encourage the world to go on more cruises.

Despite its love-based theme each week, I really enjoyed the friendship the cast had, and the pearls of romantic wisdom they dispensed to the guests along the way on each of its 250 cruises – even if they were hopeless at taking their own advice. 🤣 🛳 ❤️

Hospital Ship

I enjoyed this drama (though many didn’t), a love boat of sorts – well, there are medical ship doctors, and the ship cruised around the islands dispensing medical advice and treatments, along with carrying out surgeries and also dental work.

We have Empress Ki herself – Ha Ji Won – being the cold-hearted surgeon who is serving time out for a mistake instead of it being the male stereotype – hooray. 😊 Her counterpart and eventual love interest is the very warm internal medical specialist: Kang Min Hyuk.

It would have been classified as a noona romance, but for the fact that the doctors are in their “thirties” who were more concerned, supposedly, about their profession, and providing the best of care.

Hospital Ship is not for everyone. And to be honest, it’s the sort of show the Japanese do much better. In fact, it suffered from viewers expecting it to be more than it is. Comments were made at the time regarding the ship and the poor state of its medical equipment.

However, from where I sat, show was quite the commentary on a very real problem. If you have ever lived in small and very remote communities (like I have), where medical facilities are quite basic, if at all, that’s exactly how it is. However, you will always be given care on a much more personal level.

The takeaway from this romance: a warm heart over a long period of time will always melt a block of ice. ❤️🥶

Stirring Rebellions or Rebellious Hearts

In case you don’t know – the brilliant cast of Mr Sunshine

Poldark (2015 Version)

Where would we be without the windswept and tortured souls of Captain Ross Poldark and Demelza in this visual and romantic marvel. It was an absolute, delicious, treat.

I did have quite the chuckle recently when I saw comments by The Hollywood Reporter’s Keith Uhlich regarding Poldark. In short, he made positive comparisons to the kind of romance novels sold in airports. He said, “This is trash done ecstatically well.”

Of course, there are many people I know who would disagree with his tongue-in-cheek assessment. 😂 That being said, I also enjoyed the original series, and of course the novels. Ross and Demelza live on forever. 😊

Mr Sunshine

In Mr Sunshine, we have that tortured, heroic army hero Eugene Choi, who, like Ross Poldark, supported the local population by lifting up the downtrodden and giving them hope. This story is told from the point of view of epic events, and love won and lost. I found Eugene and Go Ae Shin to be an eternal love for the ages.

Mr Sunshine was also a visual masterpiece, and I held on to very minute the OTP shared on the screen. From where I sat, Lee Byung Hun and Kim Tae Ri nailed their roles (and, just so you know, KTR is awesome in Space Sweepers to boot – a really good SK space operatic sci-fi movie).

Did you notice I didn’t mention Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo? With this Kdrama adaptation of the various CDramas and novel, I could only give it 5/10. I can hear the gnashing of teeth right now. But you know, kfangurl only gave it a C+. 😝

Slow-Burn Romance – Medical Themes

Yep, I am a sucker for a good medical drama that has a bit of the slow-burn romance thrown in.

Virgin River

I admit I have a love-hate relationship with this show. Many watchers initially grizzled that the show is not like the books. I wouldn’t know as I haven’t read them, but I am almost tempted to.

What we have is a nurse practitioner called Mel, who is also an experienced midwife, and who ends up relocating to the remote Northern Californian town of Virgin River. In essence, this story is about “heal thyself first” and then taking life head-on from there.

Mel falls in love with the local bar owner, Martin, who is a former marine with PTSD. She also works for Doc Mullins, a hard task master who is not very forgiving and has his own complicated relationship with the town’s mayor (Annette O’Toole).

Virgin River doesn’t take the easy way out regarding how it deals with relationships. Doc Martin is more my type of show – where Doc is grumpy, socially inept, but brilliant, and a surgeon with a blood phobia to boot. Also, this show successfully broke the hoodoo re main characters getting married ruining a show.

Dr. Romantic (Teacher Kim)

I absolutely adored everything about Dr. Romantic. The characters are interesting and amazing, and some of them give a new appreciation to what a slow-burn romance means.

Seo Hyun Jin is a personal favourite, and I have said this about her before – the screen absolutely loves her. When she smiles, the rest fades to black. Some of the most breathtaking moments are between Yoon Seo Jung and Kang Dong Joo (Yoo Yeon Sook – who is a wonderful actor – Oh, look, he was in Mr Sunshine too).

I haven’t watched DR 2, despite the cast containing some personal favourites, and there is certainly plenty of very positive viewer feedback out there. I think I will keep it that way. Our beloved Dr Kim said:

“Living life means going down new roads everyday. It means facing the realities that come at you everyday, whether you want to or not.”

In case you didn’t know, it looks like season three of Doctor Romantic is on its way. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

The Supernatural, Interspecies Romance and Zombies

The supernatural, interspecies romance and zombies abound in kdramaland, as it does in other dramalands too. Where would we be without ghosts, vampires and zombies of all sorts?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Well, I think some of us already know that there are a reasonable number of Buffy watchers that visit The Fangirl Verdict. 😉 As for me, yes I (we – wifey is a big fan) loved Buffy.

Buffy and Angel are immortalised in vampire lore where destiny plays a big part in their relationship. Despite the way Buffy ended, it generated appropriate spin-offs and helped consolidate acting, producing and directing careers.

In case you were wondering, the ladies in my household also like Supernatural.

Blood

From the writer of Vincenzo (and The Fiery Priest, Good Manager, God’s Quiz), comes this 2015 Kdrama about a doctor who is also a vampire.

Show stars Ahn Jae Hyun (My Love From Another Star and The Beauty Inside) and Gu Hye Seon, who were married at the time. It is the kind of show where you will either “love it, or hate it” (that could be the name of a kfangurl quiz show).

On a side note, GHS is also a talented director and screen writer – and as for other shows she was in, I won’t mention Boys Over Flowers.

So, Blood is a good vampire vs bad vampire show, and just to let you know – the romance in this show will not go the way one might expect.

Overall, Show deals with vampires being infected with a virus rather than by a sire, so it is possible for the vampirism to be cured and our heroic vampire surgeon is dedicated to this course of action. Meanwhile, he tries to keep his love interest on the down low re who he really is.

Why my interest in Blood? That’s easy – I am a sucker for “will she, or won’t she” find out about who he really is (a theme in so many vampire shows – well, it used to be).

Show also stars Ji Jin Hee (and Kim Gab Soo – always good for a dodgy type), where we get a glimpse of what is to come in future shows, with him playing a two-faced role as the power dominating hospital chief. I can guarantee you will hate him, that is for sure! 🧛‍♀️🧛🧛‍♂️

Z Nation

Hands down, the funniest, quirkiest show regarding zombies out there, apart from Zombie Detective.

Where else will you see a giant wheel of cheese wipe out zombie hordes, and zombies moving around at a million miles an hour hyped up on speed?

Of course, the romance in this show is bizarre too, as we see long distance romances, a zombie overlord who is a romantic at heart due to his human side, and a loving and caring group of friends, in which you hope for the best regarding these characters.

Zombie Detective

I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between Choi Jin Hyuk and Park Joo Hyun in Zombie Detective. They have an intriguing relationship and, okay, Show is not a romance as such, but there are moments where it could have been.

Show is very much about how both Moo Young and Seong Ji turn from enemies to not being able to exist without each other. It is also quite humorous – in particular I enjoyed the so-called fantasy or potential movie sequences. 🧟

The Ghost and Mrs Muir

Oh look, another seaside romantic story. Hmmm, I am now starting to understand a little bit more about myself.

The Ghost and Mrs Muir is an immortal novel, film and tv show. It is something that both my parents watched back in the day, which I thought was very interesting (especially re my dad!).

In short, the romantic tension between a 19th century seafaring ghost (Edward Mulhare – Knight Rider anyone?) and a 20th century career woman (Hope Lang) enables them to compromise and overcome their differences.

Hope Lang was also in A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 – which Linda wanted to go and see, and we did, but I laughed my way through it, and she shushed me and thumped me endlessly throughout the movie. Anyway, my eyes were watering, because I laughed that much. 🤣 👻

Catch the Ghost

This is a romantic investigative drama set in a police station in a South Korean subway. So, that alone made it interesting.

What we have, like in the Ghost and Mrs Muir, a difference in opinion on how to lead one’s life – quietly, with no fuss, versus a love interest who gatecrashes the party.

Show is a case of the week sort of thing, with an underlying mystery regarding a so-called ghost that is woven throughout its run.

Our two leads are very good together. We have Kim Seon Ho as the subway station chief who wants to stay out of trouble and lead a quiet life, and his newest team member, the critically acclaimed Moon Geun Young (known as “the nation’s little sister”), whose character has other ideas.

It wasn’t a 10 for me, but it could have been.

Another theme, I suppose, are cop shows and private detective shows with romantic overtones, and there are plenty of those in every country around the globe. So, I guess, Zombie Detective and Catch the Ghost cover these important story sources as well.

On a separate note, should I have included Master’s Son in my discussions regarding ghosts – yes, but you will be able to find it and watch it. It’s a Hong Sisters production that stars So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin. I thought they were awesome together.

Then there is Jang Na Ra’s Sell Your Haunted House, The Beauty Inside and the list goes on…

Mental Health

There are a number of shows such as Its Okay To Not Be Okay, which is a personal favourite personified. Then there is of course the very recent Mad for Each Other. Just pure awesomeness and a great relationship. And just so you know, I did enjoy Kill Me Heal Me, and as those who participated in the group watch know – the Devil Judge Ji Sung puts in a stellar performance.

It’s Okay, That’s Love

Leslie mentioned this delightful drama in her recent guest post.

Here we have a show that does revolve around the theme of mental health in a very positive way. Kfangurl describes Its Okay, That’s Love as a show that “serves up an oddball-flavored 3-in-1 love package exploring romance, friendship and family, with a big dose of dysfunction and dramaland psychiatry on the side.”

Jo In Sung as Jang Jae Yeol is superb. He is a famed fiction writer, and has OCD, and a painful past. Ji Hae Soo is a psychiatrist, who made it as a practitioner against the odds and is, just let us say, very disorganised.

Show outperforms many other Kdramas and Cdramas regarding stories based on mental health and relationships, and our leads not only take the cake, they actually steal it. 🎂🍰🧁

To my mind, Gong Hyo Jin is so good in this drama, that you don’t even realise it’s her. I think she is very versatile – if you ever watch her in darker roles (some of her movies), you know she can really put on a very different performance. I am looking forward to her new show starring alongside Park Ha Sun: Queen of the Scene.

Have I ever come across an equivalent “Western/European” drama? Not really, but plenty of movies though. I watched bits and pieces of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, a show about a young lawyer who takes life lessons from rom-coms and musicals 😱, but I have never felt compelled to go back to it.

Ordinary Guy and The Jaw Dropping Beauty

I grew up in an environment where you can be who you want to be and do what you want to do. That doesn’t mean there are those who won’t judge you, because there most certainly are. Respect is also very important. We just show it very differently to most other cultures. 😉

The Baker and the Beauty

This was originally an Israeli show (which I haven’t watched yet), but I totally adored the American remake.

This is a modern romance and it is about two people from different worlds, but not how they see the world. They enjoy each others company despite the very different circles they move and work in.

She is the brand–supermodel and movie star and he is the hard working baker in his mum and dad’s bakery.

He knows a lot about life, has no airs and graces and is very warm and welcoming. She is a delight too – very concerned for those around her and very savvy business-wise. Sadly, it was cancelled after one season.

I guess I will have to track down the Israeli original now (Seasons 1, 2 and 3) and perhaps the Indian adaptation! There’s also a Dutch version. 😜

That Fool (The Accidental Couple)

I truly liked this drama. It is about a fake marriage based on a contract relationship, which does have a partial love triangle in there.

It stars Hwang Jung Min (who is more of a film actor and stage actor, and very popular) and Kim Ah Joong (who does have a Grand Bell Award for best actress).

Accidental Couple is a romantic comedy that is a character driven show, is heart warming and very easy to binge watch.

In short, we get to see how a famous actress with a jerk boyfriend ends up in a relationship with a very ordinary guy.

This type of relationship wouldn’t seem a typical one in South Korea, but despite the glitz and glamour, something that is not all that unusual in Hollywood.

And yes, I just love when the unassuming guy gets the girl. ❤️❤️❤️

Veterinarians

Just like those shows about bodyguards, I also like shows about vets. Well, I like animals full stop, and so seeing them being cared for is something that resonates very strongly with me.

All Creatures Great and Small (Both Original and the Remake)

In itself, the stories regarding James Herriot (Alf Wright) are literary gems based on his real-life veterinarian exploits.

When they made the original series of All Creatures Great and Small, it was, quite simply, outstanding and extremely popular. Not only that, since 2020, they have made a remake that is faithful not only to the original series, but the books themselves.

It is one hell of a classy production. In short, James is a vet who is very keen on farmer Helen who happens to spy him one morning going for a swim naked in the local natural pool and won’t let him forget it. The story rolls on delightfully from there.

Noble, My Love

In this rom-com, Kim Jae Kyung (aka Veronica Park from The Secret Life of My Secretary) is paid by a conceited CEO (Sung Hoon) to be his girlfriend so that he can avoid blind dates – shock, horror, gasp I hear you say. 😱

So, the overbearing CEO is played by Sung Hoon (Five Enough and I Picked Up a Star on the Road), who ends buying our delightful vet a veterinary practice as a thank you for saving him from kidnappers. So, yes they are sugar-and-spice characters, and it’s cheesy, but if you don’t have the time to watch some of those longer dramas, sit down, be comfortable and just enjoy.

Confession time – I dropped Secret Life after 17 minutes. However, don’t panic re my decision, because kfangurl said she gave show a second chance – everyone loves Veronica Park!

Then there is Kill It with Nana as a former ballerina turned detective and Jang Ki Jong – a vet who is also an assassin! Show was a superb actioner and the ML Kim Jong, just so you know, recently starred in My Roommate is a Gumiho.

Time Travel

My fascination with time travel can be attributed to some iconic shows: Doctor Who, Catweezle and The Time Tunnel, along with the novel: A Wrinkle in Time (notice how I haven’t mentioned the movie?).

Lontano da te (Away From You)

This is a superb Italian-Spanish production.

Candela is a disorganised Spanish flamenco dancer who owns a dance studio, whereas Massimo is a young, super-organised businessman from Rome.

So we have two polar-opposites whose lives are changed by a spell, after bumping into each other in an airport. The hijinks continue once they are back living in their respective countries. One will materialise in the life of the other in some very surprising and ill-timed circumstances, without a rational explanation.

I think you can picture some of these. Sometimes what they experience with each other seems like a dream. Other times it appears to be in the past or present day. What we find though, is that, along the way, they do get to know each other and start to help each other through some very difficult times – becoming closer in the process.

Queen In Hyun’s Man

What more can I say that hasn’t already been said about this breathtaking romance?

With Queen In Hyun’s Man we get to see the scholar Kim Boong Do, who supports Queen In Hyun, travel 300 years into the future to modern Seoul and meets Choi Hee Jin, an actress who is expecting a career renaissance through her role as Queen In Hyun in a TV drama. Boong Do is also able to travel back in time due to his talisman, and as a result starts to change history.

Yoo In Na is an absolute delight and her closing scenes re her narration of the historical documentary on Queen In Hyun, were superb. Oh, and how they made us wait for that final scene was so well done. Interestingly, in real life, Yoo In Na has gone on to narrate historical documentaries.

Special Mention – Tomorrow With You

This is a show that deals with issues in a “grown-up” way, which also gives us an inkling of what Shin Min Ah is planning, career wise.

Tomorrow With You revolves around a time traveller, Yoo So Joon (Lee Je Hoon) and his wife Song Ma Rin (Shin Min Ah). In short, they get married to avoid a catastrophe in the future, but they end up falling in love with each other, despite their trust issues and many challenges.

Psst Double Special mention – Take a Peek at Reset

The show of the moment for me is the brilliant CDrama: Reset. A big thank you to phl1rxd for confirming this is a must-watch.

Quite simply it is a brilliant story with fabulous acting – and you will be yelling at the screen! Also, the young couple are a delight. You will enjoy the time they have together to solve the time loop they are in. In fact, kfangurl has started covering Reset over on Patreon.

I was amused by a watcher’s recent comments when they said, if a Korean remake was made of this terrific show, they would have to throw in a love triangle and ruin it.

I laughed out loud, because you and I both know there is a very good chance this would happen, or at least there would be some sort of love angle and possibly one that is slightly creepy or “squicky” as kfangurl might say (here’s looking at you Alice!!!). 😎

Workplace Romance

As we know, there are many, many dramas that deal with workplace romances. The challenge for me is finding one that resonates.

I am not a fan, generally, of the cranky, cold, entitled CEO or executive. However, there are those shows where the CEO leads a secret life, which I quite like, eg Introverted Boss.

What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim

Park Min Young plays the role of Secretary Kim, an executive officer (chief secretary) that every CEO would kill for.

This is a superbly acted show and explores what happens when Chief Park decides to resign and the Vice President tries to get to the bottom of the reasons why – after all, doesn’t the world revolve around him?

What unfolds is proof that when two people are honest with each other without having any secrets, the things between them will work out. We see their relationship get stronger with each episode.

I liked that issues were not drawn out and not only that, Lee Young Joon’s parents are supportive instead of interfering. Then there are those ooh la la moments and of course our OTP’s chemistry was perfect. Show really upped the ante in this respect. 😱

I think Park Min Young is wonderful and she seems to be powering through some very good drama choices, after a couple of iffy ones a little while back (but I enjoyed). Anyway, Healer fixed any doubts.

Political Romances

So where did my interest in politics start? Well, one of my earliest memories was The Governor and JJ, a Golden Globe winning comedy that only lasted two seasons. I loved that show.

It was very clever, a high level commentary on politics, although some criticised it for not being bold enough.

The West Wing

Donna and Josh perhaps had one of the longest drawn out romances in drama history.

Set amongst the machinations of the White House, they finally get themselves sorted, in the eighth and final series of this wonderful Aaron Sorkin drama. In a nutshell, we have two very clever and intelligent people who dance around their relationship, which everyone else in the Oval Office seems to be aware of.

Linda is rewatching West Wing for the third time (along with our youngest), and I am catching up with it from time to time as I tend to get drawn back in. I thought “she who must be obeyed” might have had enough of politics in her life regarding what I did (and sometimes still do).

Chief of Staff 1 and 2

I think some of you know that I rate CoS 1 and 2 very highly and it isn’t a romance at all, but what it does is highlight the difficulty high-profile people experience in relationships, and not just because the public might have something to say about it.

Shin Min Ah does it yet again – a performance that shows she is an actress of some note. Although she was fabulous in Hometown Cha Cha Cha, we get to see in Chief of Staff an actress playing a substantial and very mature role. Her future dramas tend to paint a similar picture.

Also, I was really pleased to see Lee Elijah get to play a very good role. She is very underrated as an actress. So, what is it that I liked about this show, and season 2 in particular? In short, the OTP rebuilt their relationship over a long period of time in a very considered way (hint: they are politicians that know how to play the long game). In fact, they are, in my view, a couple for the ages.

Spies Next Door!

Yep, I’m just going to put it all on the line. I love anything spy and covert operations related. There are plenty of Kdramas and Cdramas about such activities.

I know Healer is a favourite with most, and I liked it a lot, but it is not my favourite re this genre. I think Beez might have something to say about this. 🤣

Chuck

So, when Chuck came along, I was, wow! Not only that, the whole family watched it. As such, this show was one of the few times I was allowed to take back and use the tv remote.

Chuck is an average computer wiz next door, selling electronics with two deadbeat sidekicks and ends up with America’s greatest spy secrets embedded in his brain.

The thing to note is that we know Kdramas cash in on product placement and using a sponsor’s product. Well, in Chuck we have the same re a certain fresh food eatery, with the spy base located within the store. As such, Chuck ends up being “handled” by top spy Sarah, and slowly turns into a more competent and willing spy. Chuck and Sarah bloom as a couple along the way.

Terius Behind Me (or My Secret Terrius)

Whereas Chuck doesn’t have a clue how to be a spy, our master spy Terius (So Ji Sub) is the consummate covert operative.

Terius goes into hiding after being blacklisted and moves in across from Go Ae Rin (Jung In Sung, who, after Circle has played main roles since – but I liked Naked Fireman better). So, our intrepid spy becomes the babysitter for Ae Rin. He has the most beautiful moments with Ae Rin’s children and through time we see the “family” become closer together.

In amongst caring for the family, Terius continues his spy activities. We also see Ae Rin develop in confidence, and become a fine spy herself, and in the end we have her wonderful character saving the elusive Terius. I loved the ending, and I think you will too.

Legal Dramas

Good legal shows are few and far between, and we have had a lot of them over the years. My favourites are The Practice, Boston Legal, Suits (the first five seasons), Silk, Goliath, and Touch Your Heart. I didn’t enjoy How to Get Away With Murder though – very disappointing (But the very loosely based Kdrama remake is very good).

Some very familiar faces!

 JAG

Oh boy – a legal drama and a naval one at that all rolled into one, along with, “will they or won’t they get together.”

Commander (then Captain) Harmon ‘Harm’ Rabb Jr. is a strong but sensitive naval aviator-turned-lawyer. He has a dry sense of humour and is prone to dispensing “righteous” violence on occasion.

Harm meets his match in season two in the form of Sarah ‘Mac’ Mackenzie, a Major (later Colonel) in the Marines. She has a troubled history that includes neglectful parents, teenage alcoholism, and a stint in a high-end law firm.

Overall JAG is well made and it was both fun and serious. Both leads are, despite being adversaries, great friends which transpired into something more.

Touch Your Heart

In Touch Your Heart, true love is the answer in the cutest way possible.

We have our “PiChi” couple back together with Lee Dong Wook playing a very straight-laced lawyer in Kwon Jung Rok who suddenly gets Oh Yoon Seo (Yoo In Na) parachuted in as his assistant.

Yoon Seo joins the law firm in an effort to study for an up-and-coming Kdrama after a scandal. She is smart, resilient and shows initiative constantly – something that no one expected. She also likes the colour pink.

Despite his presumptions, Jung Rok is protective and kind and I like how he asks Yoon Seo to rewind their relationship and start again, each time he comes across as too austere. In short: proximity wins out in the end. 🤗❤️😊

Where Are the Sageuks and The Fusion Ones at That?

Most romantic sageuks tend to crash and burn for me, and the fusion sageuks leave a lot to be desired.

Of course, we all know about The Red Sleeve Cuff – which is awesome. 😂

However, I am going to mention The Princess’s Man (2011). As much as I enjoyed The Red Sleeve Cuff, I rate The Princess’s Man a little higher. I read a delightful review by Jeaniessi, on MDL where they said in part:

“The Princess’ Man is packed full of action and revenge, sword fighting and battles to the death! What I’m saying is…This drama isn’t just for women or those looking for a well told love story. If you are a person who prefers action, you need to know there is a perfect balance of badassery as well as a lovely and sweeping romance.”

I liked 100 Days My Prince, but not Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency. As for The Emperor: Owner of the Mask it was, hmmm, okayish.

So, There We Have It

So, there we have it, my tour through the different types of love-imbued themes along with some of the stories that appeal to me.

Love does make the world go round, because as we see from the raison d’être regarding so many dramas, we all need a bit of romance in our lives. If I had to choose an absolute favourite romantic drama of all time it would be … ❤️❤️❤️ 😁😁😁

~ Sean

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beez
1 year ago

@Mr. Fletcher
Just my thoughts that ran b thru my head as I read your post. (If course, I had to go back and edit how I address this to you.

Koo Hye Sun – who knew? Actress, author-screenwriter, artist and a host of other stuff that I found on Wikipedia that I would’ve never known to search for without your mentioning it. Quite impressive. The media covered her relationship and made her seem quite irrational (crazy), whether that’s the case or not; but I’m guilty of thinking “Oh! No wonder! Because all geniuses are crazy like that. um hmm.)”

Zombies via virus – and here I thought Happiness came up with that one.
Moon Geun Young – I was wondering what happened to her after she stopped acting for a while because of her illness. So glad she’s back to acting.

Master’s Sun – so good (and this from me – a “no scary stuff allowed” person.

No way! The actress from the web drama Noble My Love is Veronica Park????!!!! She’s come a long way from what felt like a novice actress in Noble… It still cracks me up that this show has ML sign create a contract in which he is to be referred to as Dominant and she as Submissive, as if we were ever going to get some shades of gray or something. More like shades of milk toast! And I love the innocence of K dramas but – c’mon – you can’t have characters call themselves Dominant and Submissive and not even hint of steam.. Well, there was that one-and-a-half-second counter scene but that’s literally about how long that lasted. That sounds like I didn’t like the show, doesn’t it? I LOVED IT! I’m just sayin’.

Alice had a love triangle?

Sean, or rather, Mr. Fletcher, are you slinging your mal-misshapen black magic arrows at Healer now? But that’s okay because I’ve never felt that Healer was really a spy. Not the way we think of a spy backed by a government with unlimited resources. Healer really did feel like a super sophisticated errand boy to me in spite of them showing him infiltrating offices, etc. Maybe because I found the one time that they showed him in that capacity quite ridiculous.

Jung In-sung was in Welcome to Waikiki and while yes, it’s some of the most crass humor (think bathroom type humor), it made me laugh so hard. Usually because of Lee Yi-Kyung (who at the time of filming was dating Jung In-sung. I don’t know if they’re still “a thing”). …Waikiki almost made me understand how people love the The Three Stooges.

Well, wow, Sean. I should’ve known I’d come away from reading this with an entire new watch list – but not for western shows! I’ve added 3 westerns [sic] and 1 Cdramas

And Kfangurl’s introduction of you just solidified in my mind that witchcraft you’re practicing whereby you do all the stuff KFG listed and yet still have time for western tv too! Where’s my garlic and wooden cross with a sharp point on the end? 

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

– I’m so glad you mentioned It’s Okay, That’s Love – now that was a love story!

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

@Beez – it certainly was 😊😊😊

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

@Beez – 🤣😂😅😆😁😄

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

@Beez – I am always worried when someone addresses me as Mr Fletcher. It implies I have some level of responsibility 😁

I guess that is always the issue with celebrity isn’t it – are we reading about or seeing the real person. I generally keep an open mind with such things. Sometimes, I will look into the situation. I know what it’s like to be the subject of public scrutiny.

Lol re Noble My Love. You got it in one 😂🤣😂 Also, shades of milk toast – love it 😝

Alice, was interesting. It was more of the uncomfortable relationship variety for me.

No, no arrows, although I come from a long line of arrow makers and fletchings for arrows 😉 I rated Healer very highly, I just felt the some key moments I wanted to play out differently e.g. when he wasn’t well and how matters were wrapped up in the final episode.

I love “The Three Stooges,” Beez, I just couldnt get into the Waikiki vibe though!

I am glad you a new watchlist and some, I think, other good shows to take a look at.

Just so you know, I like garlic. And I am partial to sharp pointy things that can be used to spear certain food groups 😂🤣😎

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

@skf – Yes, sir! Take responsibility!
You know I call you Mr. Fletcher when your comments make my brown stain list. As my anger fades you become “skf”. As it gets better, you’re just “sean” but when I address you by your full gov’mint name, then you know you’ve torn it! 😄😄😄😂😂🤣🤣

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

@Beez – now I know what my risk measures and likelihood are 😂

j3ffc
j3ffc
1 year ago

What a great post, Sean. Sorry that it took me so long to put down my glass of Chateau Thames Embankment to respond…

I love how you point out the universality of good writing, characterization, and realization (acting, setting, all else) by sharing your favorite shows from multiple genres. We have similar tastes: Buffy led directly to my k-drama obsession, and my wife and I were enthusiastic consumers of many of the shows you mention, including Poldark, Chuck, West Wing, and most currently are charmed by the recent All Creates G&S. And, for The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, the Rex Harrison movie is an old fave.

Have you ever seen the wonderful I Know Where I’m Going! ? It’s a 1945 romantic comedy by Powell and Pressburger – totally worth 88 minutes of one’s life.

I’m looking forward to many of the shows you mentioned, including the upcoming group watch of Queen in-Hyun’s Man (if I can get it 😬). I did see one episode of It’s Okay, That’s Love and may use my optional slot for it once I’m done with Do You Like Brahms? Finally, as noted elsewhere, I share your enthusiasm for Shin Min Ah, and after reading your comments, feel comfortable in taking her off of my Endangered Actors list.

Thanks again for your fun and thoughtful post and take care!

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  j3ffc

Ah, j3ffc, Rumpole would be so proud. I am still smiling as I think about it 😎

Thank you so much for your kind words re the universality of my post. You can’t beat a good show 😉 I was a bit worried that it might reveal I have spent most of my life watching shows and not doing much else 😝 The Rex Harrison movie of The Ghost and Mrs Muir, has stood the test of time in my view. I was always transfixed by that Monkey Puzzle Tree.

Oh wow re I Know Where I’m Going. I absolutely love it. So many shows and movies have much to thank it for. It makes you wonder why we sit through two hour plus movies!

You sound rather disciplined with your viewing. I am like a black hole and suck them all in, although I have halved the number I used to watch. That’s great Shin Min Ah is of your Endangered Actors List. She is a treasure and I think kdramaland will make sure she is around for a very long time.

My folks were very fond of claret back in the day. Of course we don’t call it that over here anymore. Cheers to you, as I go looking for a bargin bin cleanskin Cab Sav in return🍷

j3ffc
j3ffc
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Well, I do love me some claret. Good and, uh, not-good.And, golly, did I love Rumple. So glad to find someone else you has seen, much less enjoyed, I Know… I do think we have simpatico tastes; yet another pleasure of participating in this community.

I wouldn’t describe my own viewing habits as “disciplined”, it’s more like “opportunistic”. My wife is not a fan of k-dramas (did my best, but no dice) and let’s just say that the remote is controlled by someone very close to me. So I have to fit in my drama watching in weird time slots: during morning workouts, maybe a half an hour before bedtime, early weekend mornings – but I do get an hour on each weekend afternoon. So, two shows/week are the group watches, which I’ve found extremely enjoyable, even though (maybe because) they are not usually in my preferred genres, and I’m able to slowly get through what I call, only half-jokingly, my “optional watch”. So progress is slow. The glass half full? I’m not going to run out of anticipated shows anytime soon.

I’ll address the SMA issue in my response to @beez below, but for now….Cheers to you too! Thanks again for responding and your contributions to the Verdict!

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  j3ffc

Cheers, as always, j3ffc 😊 I have a remote “controller” in my household too, on account of my poor viewing choices, apparently 😂 That being said, we do like many of the same things. However, the other night a movie came onto Netflix and I said that looks so bad, we have to watch it. I didn’t receive a favourable response and the whole family appeared to gauge the situation. Anyway, I had to “can” it after ten minutes – it was beyond bad 😝

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  j3ffc

– why was Shin min ah on your endangered list? Do you think she wasn’t receiving enough roles? (I guess she did take a break to be with her ill boyfriend for a while. Was that it?)
Who else is on your endangered list?

j3ffc
j3ffc
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

Ah, Shin Min Ah! Mostly, she was on the Worried List because I was ignorant, only knowing her from Gumiho (in which I thoughts she was amazing) and then hearing of only a couple of other shows. I know that folks like Anang and the Magistrate (which I still haven’t seen since I’m holding it for when I need it), but I had read uncomplimentary things about her in Oh My Venus. I guess that I’d assumed that she wasn’t getting very many roles, which is why I was so pleased to see Hometown chaChaCHA do so well. But Sean’s post cleared all that up for me.

Now your second question is interesting. Who IS on the Endangered Actor list? I’d consider folks who were excellent in something in the past but have had trouble following up on that success. It’s tougher for women, I think, because the worldwide entertainment industry is just so brutal to women “of a certain [ridiculously low] age”.

So I’ll name one, someone whom I think is FANTASTIC, as do many here, but has a been a little AWOL recently: Kim Seul-gi. I also enjoyed Lee Soo-kyungin Let’s Eat, which is among my gateway dramas, but she never has really done much after that – at least as far as I know.

How about you? Anyone else you’ve enjoyed in the past that you’d welcome back on your screen?

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  j3ffc

– I 😍 Kim Seulgi. I have so many male biases but my list of female actress is very short:
Ha Ji won is first off my head because she was so spectacular and is part of my early Kdrama watching journey.

Go Ah sung is just so good.

Kim Seul gi is everything!

Shin Hye sun is a chameleon.

Lee Si young is my favorite female action star (Well, actually that title guess to Michelle Yeoh but that’s something different)

As for guys, I’m always wanting to see more of Kim Sung oh. But alas, my days off hoping to see him as a ML are over. If it hasn’t happen yet, it’s never going to. 🙁 He’s crossed over into ahjusshi territory.

j3ffc
j3ffc
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

Ha Ji Won is great. I saw her on that reality show, House on Wheels, and just thought she was super cool in “real(wish) life” (only can see it on Viu, unfortunately). She had a movie out last year, which of course I haven’t seen. Hopefully she’ll make a return to Dramaland.

And Michelle Yeoh is a legend, no matter how you cut it.

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  j3ffc

Wing Chung forever!

JJ
JJ
1 year ago
Reply to  j3ffc

– Word. Re: Michelle Yeoh is a legend 🙂

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  j3ffc

Michelle Yeoh is so adept at using a sword, the prop masters need to get right. I saw an interview with her a couple of years ago and her opinion on swords is widely sort after. I just watched the trailer for her starring in the new Witcher spin-off series – Blood Origin where she stars as a sword wielding elf. Fun times ahead 😊

kate
kate
1 year ago

Sean,
 
what a delightful post! 🤩😍
 
I have not seen all dramas you refer to (only a newbie with 88 shows at least started 😆)!

I also watched Virgin River but only season 1 (haven’t we already had 10 shows about a fish-out-of-water story?) and found it a bit meh (sorry) but I liked Dr. Romantic quite a bit more than I anticipated. I watched it because I wanted to see Yoon Seon-Seok (swoony Samurai in Mr. Sunshine) in another role and he did not disappoint (so different lol) but I liked the love story in season 2 more I think. Both solid dramas though! I had no clue they are making a season3 😮

I have added about 3 exclamation marks to “It’s ok, that’s love’, which has been on my “TO WATCH” list for forever but I never seem to get around to starting it. It just moved up a few notches now 😉

I did a double take about “All Creatures Great and Small” bc I have very hazy memories of my parents watching this on TV (80s?) when I was a little kid. It was dubbed of course, so I did not know what the original was called! Wow. I did NOT even know the show had romance in it 😂
I was equally delighted to see you mention catweezle! I have not heard anyone mention this show ever (my brother and me loved it when we were kids), such a qurirky show.

I really need to find a way to watch “Queen In Hyun’s Man”, I have yet to find it on a streaming platform accessible to me 🤔
And I made it almost to the end of “Tomorrow with you” and now that I know

spoiler
it has a happy end
I will pick it up again. I love both Shin Min-Ah and Lee Je-Hoon 🥰

And YAY. 🥳 you loved WWWSK and Healer, I am a huge PMY fan myself! ❤️

Did you ever come across “Scarecrow and Mrs King” in your life? Because that is what “My secret Terrius” reminded me of. The super-spy-meets-housewife-who-turns-out-to-be-a-talented-secret-agent-herself vibes were strong with this one 😂🤣 LOVED Terrius! The understaed development of feelings (and the kids !!) just melted my heart!

I loved Chuck btw (the show that turned the Scarecrow and Mrs King premise around and also cast Bruce Boxleitner as Awesome’s dad 🤣

After your description, I have also added the Princess’ Man to my watchlist. Please tell me it has a happy ending? I cannot deal with melodrama these days (pathetic I know but I just need everyone to be happily ever after atm 🙈)

I also found “100 days my prince” quite endearing 🙂

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  kate

Thank you for you wonderful musings regarding my post, Kate 😊 Wow, that’s awesome to be 88 shows started. By now, you would have a pretty good idea what you like!

I have no doubt you will enjoy It’s Okay, That’s Love. In some ways I could relate: an ordered existence, interrupted by someone who thrives on chaos 😂 I’m glad you liked Dr Romantic.

As for Catweezle, it was such a “fantastical” show. I read the books ased on the show’s scripts as well. In fact I have the theme running through my head as I write and I haven’t heard it in a very long time!!!

Enjoy finishing Tomorrow With You. I found it intrigued me so much. As for Queen In Hyun’s Man, It is on Amazon Prime – I note Mike said he could only see eps 10 -16, but I can see all 16 episdoes sitting there. It is also known as Queen and I and is on AsianCrush (which is a subscription service). However, a VPN does the trick re free subs for this streaming service. Whoops – I started watching it again already

Yes, I did watch The Scarecrow and Mrs KIng. I’m also a Bruce Boxleitner fan. He was awesome too in Babylon 5. As. for Terius, I enjoyed everything about this show.

The Princess’ Man
The Princess’ Man does have a happy ending, but it is a tough last episode.

So, here is to very much more happy viewing with what’s ahead of you 😊

Elaine
Elaine
1 year ago

Ah Sean I’m glad to find another fan of Chuck! I really liked its blend of spy suspense and action with comedy, and a swoony will-they-won’t-they romance. Loved the homages to Star Wars, scifi and comics geekdoms. The show was an underdog all the way and constantly under threat of being canceled but loyal fans rooted for them and campaigned for Subway to sponsor the show. Which had a satisfying ending after 5 seasons, yay! The second season is my favourite but they are all good!

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  Elaine

Hello Elaine, yes, Chuck has a special place in my list of all time favourite shows. It was amazing what the fans did to keep Chuck on the airwaves. As for Subway, I was mightily impressed at the time re how its sponsorship saved the day and then I stumbled across Kdramas that has taken product placement to a whole new level. Anyway, I read recently that a Chuck movie is very much on the cards – here’s to the fans 😁

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Is Chuck the show that also had Adam Baldwin? If so, I always wanted to watch it but just never got around to it. (Adam Baldwin (“A man they called Jane”) one of my biases before I even knew we could apply the word toward people like that! 😊)

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

@Beez – Yes, it is, Beez. I think he is fabulous – X-Files, Firefly, The last Ship etc, etc, etc 😉

mikereporrt
mikereporrt
1 year ago

Alas, it doesn’t look like Queen In Hyun’s Man is available in the US. Not in California anyway. Amazon Prime is showing that it has it, but only episodes 10-16!

kate
kate
1 year ago
Reply to  mikereporrt

Mike, I’m having issues finding it myself (Europe)

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  mikereporrt

Hello, Mike – just see my comments to Kate, above and see how how you go 😊

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

I’m calling Amazon right now because that just doesn’t make sense. Nobody would watch just the last half of a KDrama. (I’m on hold.) I’m such a Karen sometimes. 😆

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

So here’s where I left it at – Amazon Prime has made a “ticket” that they say they’ll check into this. I explained that I’m calling on behalf of thousands of people in my “Kdrama watching club” 😄 I told them I’m calling because I hope it’s just an error because it doesn’t make sense that any licensing agreement would allow only access to the last half of a short Kdrama. The rep said she would turn it over to the tech department to see and if it’s just an error, they’ll update the show so all episodes are available.
Maybe nothing will happen but maybe it will get fixed. 🤞

Trent
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

@beez — amazing! Truly, not all heroes wear capes (unless you happen to wear a cape, I dunno). I hope this works, I don’t want to have to fiddle with my VPN to watch this…

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

@Beez – that’s fantastic to get this far 😊

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago

Sean – you mention “I am a sucker for “will she, or won’t she” find out about who he really is…” You must know how much I agree with this statement. As you know this is a main theme in Nirvana in Fire. I find the tension delicious when viewing this scenario in a drama or movie.

I have not seen Z Nation, but I may look at it. I doubt that it has the same social commentary as Happiness so I may enjoy it on some level. Yes, Zombie Detective was one of the highlights of 2020. I was hooked from E1, and then came the dance, and I was committed! Ridiculousness with a ton of heart and soul. I dare to say that I would love to see a S2.

I never expected to like Noble My Love but I ended up doing just that. They just warmed their way into my heart. What can I say? I am happy to see you listed along with Kill It. Jang Ki Yong was perfectly cast in this.

Lontano da te (Away From You) – now, to figure out where to see this. I think I know enough Spanish and Italian to get by without subs, but I cannot even find it raw. Where did you view this Sean? It looks fascinating.

Reset – I wanted to ask if you liked it but your post covered your reaction. I am so happy you did Sean! I loved it and waited each day for a new episode. A time travel drama with a deep human touch. Daylight Entertainment does not fail to deliver with this drama.

Yes, Secretary Kim is a keeper. I have watched it several times and each watch is just as good as the first. I agree with you that the acting was superb in this.

Chief of Staff 1 and 2 – After reading your comments I will move this way up my list from ‘meaning to watch‘ to ‘have to watch‘. As you know, long, slow, understated burns are one of my favorite things.

Touch Your Heart – a study in pink, salmon-pink and deep pink! I loved it tremendously as it scratched that Sunny/Reaper itch and did so quite nicely. Yoo In Na is a top notch actress with a endearing personality and exceptional acting skills. We love her Sean! 💖

So, as you can see Sean, I studied your post in depth and enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you for providing me me with two laugh out loud snort moments with:

  • I like a wide range of romantic dramas, from the super cute (eg Cdrama Sweet Teeth) to the deep and emotional heart rendering “burn me on the funeral pyre when I die.”
  • He said, “This is trash done ecstatically well.”

Great job Sean! I totally enjoyed this comparison drama approach.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

Oh wow, phl – thank you so much for your awesome dissection and comments.

I did enjoy the hidden identity aspect to NIF. As you know, I wanted NIF to grip me more than it did, but that happens sometimes.

With Z Nation, despite its comical aspects, was very much about comaradery and relationships, dealing with oppression and a virus that decimated the human population and doesn’t mind bumping off popular cast members. One of my tests for a show is DJ Qualls. If he is in it, there is a pretty good chance the show will be good. Of course he went on to be in The Man In The High Castle. As far as I am aware, there will be no S2 for Zombie Detective, which is a shame.

I thought Kill It was a very good experiment in producing a shorter drama, and I believed it worked extremely well. Yes, JKY was perfect for this role and Kill It firmed up Nana’s all round acting capabilities for me. I think Noble My Love came along at the right time for me. It just tickled my fancy.

Lontano da te is on Amazon Prime. It is worth a look, phl. It is a very good blend of those great spanish and italian stories with characters that worm their way into your heart.

Thank you for spruiking up Reset, phl. Daylight Entertainment have such an awesome approach to the shows they do. Reset has moved into my Top 10, which means A Life had to drop down to my special mentions. I can’t believe I have found another two Cdramas straight afterwards which are in the awesome category: Vacation of Love 2 with our superintendent (deputy director) from Reset and she is fabulous. I can see a lot of men running for cover 😂 The other is The Autumn Ballard, again such an experienced cast with some very noticeable favourites.

I think with Secretary Kim, it is a tough act for PMY to follow. I liked When the Weather is Fine, but I didn’t enjoy Her Private Life and I dropped Forecasting Love and Weather after 45 minutes. However, I am looking forward to her next project: MonWedFriTuesThursSat.

i think you will appreciate all the aspects to CoS 1 and 2. Both leads are terrific and Shin Min Ah really does shine.

You know, Yoo In Na is one of those actresses that does need to be protected. She is a treasure in her own right. She didn’t deserve some of the flack that was directed her way because of Snowdrop. Anyway, I still chuckle at all that pink and she just lifts any show that she is in regardless of the part.

I am two episodes down with Couple or Trouble, and I haven’t stopped laughing. Han Ye Seul is wonderful – she has that awesome voice. I am looking forward to her new show: Goodbye Romance.

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

I will check out those two CDramas for sure, starting with The Autumn Ballard. I am on E2 of Chief of Staff and Shin Min Ah is showing another side and I like it.

I need a VPN to see Lontano da te – guess i will have to dig in and get VPN.

I cannot remember all of Couple or Trouble as it has been a few years sine I watched it. I do remember laughing a lot which is always a good thing. Overboard is a riot – such a classic comedy. The hi jinks with the kids in his run down shack were a blast. I feel that Goldie and Kurt’s closeness in real life only made it all that much better.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

My overall observation is I don’t think kdramaland could make Couple or Trouble now, simply because of some of those amusing bits and pieces. But, comedy aside, Anna is, perhaps, the most objectionable entitled rich woman of all the shows I have seen (except she’s not evil) – done so well. So, I have decided it’s time to dust off Overboard, because, as you say Goldie and Kurt made it theirs 😊

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

@skf – My first thought was I don’t know … Veronica Park could give her a room for the money! But you’re right. Veronica Park had a softer nature under that wonderfully obnoxious exterior. But Han Ye-Seul’s Anna had no love for anyone other than Prinnnncesss.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

@Beez – it’s hard not to wince when Princess lets you know her feelings about how she has been offended 😂

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Awwww Sean, sadly, I don’t remember that. I just remember the annoying way Han Ye seul called her name. Prinnnncesss! 😆

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago

Sean – I, like JJ will have to post several times to get in all my thoughts.

I loved how you partnered the S Korean version of a Western show. Clever you are sir! How about US Movie Overboard and Couple or Trouble? You really cannot beat Goldie and Kurt but I did enjoy the K version.

Love the Rumpole comment – “She Who Must Be Obeyed” will forever live in my head as that was the moniker used by my ex-husband when referring to me. Note that this was meant in the worst light possible. However, who could not love Rumpole? He was so crusty, sassy and brilliant. So, all these years later I look upon this phrase with delight as I remember Rumpole and not my ex.😆😁😉. I knew you were a compadre once you used this phrase years ago on this site.

I will now read this again. As Arnold says “I’ll be back”…

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

Overboard is one of my (our) all time favourite movies. The remake didn’t reach the same dizzy heights 😂 I haven’t watched Couple or Trouble, but I am going to start on it this afternoon. Yes, I know I have other shows to watch, but I like this type of premise 😊

Ah, as for Rumpole – truly wonderful and I have the books too. If I mention the “war office” or “she who must be obeyed,” I get “and you had better believe it,” which is why she gave me the “Yes Dear” button a couple of years ago, which our grandson finds hilarious 😂🤣😂

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Sean – I had to laugh as we have a ‘No’ button in ours…😅🤣😂 …seriously.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

Phl – I must get one 😂🤣😝

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

@skf – I ❤ Couple or Trouble. In classic kdrama style, I didn’t care very much for the ending but it’s as enjoyable as every other great kdrama whose ending fizzled so I’d say it’s definitely worth it. It follows Overboard to a T but where it lost it is when it veered away. It felt like the loss of a great opportunity when they didn’t include

SPOILER FOR SOMETHING NOT IN SHOW
didn’t have FL take up for the kids. It’s not that she let them be picked on but the situation just wasn’t included where she would need to

I understand, Sean, if you don’t click on the spoiler. From that point on, the story started to go it’s own way. I’ve always wondered if they had the licensing rights or if they didn’t so were worried about the story being so spot on as to cause legal problems so they diverged.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

@Beez – Thank you for the endorsement, Beez. I am progressing with my watch and quite prepared for it to veer away from the original story. It’s a pity as per your spoiler. It would be a key component if made now.

Although they may have recognised the film as the original source for the show, there is still licensing (to make it) and copyright (to broadcast it) – which can take quite some time and effort to secure. Cost would be a factor too. So, legal issues would have been very much a factor.

Cathy
Cathy
1 year ago

Thank you for a great post, Sean. Love that you mentioned Catch the Ghost. I recently watched it and thought it was fantastic. The OTP relationship was heartwarming. First time I’d seen Moon Geun-young and will definitely be watching more of her dramas.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  Cathy

Hello Cathy! I enjoyed the premise of Catch the Ghost so much and I am glad you loved it too. It is a fantastic show and I could relate to how Go Ji Suk struggled with Yoo Ryung gate crashing into his life. I also cheered on eagerly with anticipation our hero turning away from his passive self back into his legendary past 😂🤣😎

Natalia
Natalia
1 year ago

Sean, each time I read a post from you, I am perplexed by the quantity of shows I have never heard before!! Like, I only recognized a few in this post,but I have to share with you that when I watched Buffy in teens I didn’t even care about Angel,I had a crush on Spike! 🥰

JJ
JJ
1 year ago
Reply to  Natalia

@Natalia – LOOOOOOOOOOVE Spike!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  Natalia

Lol re not caring about Angel. Spike was awesome, Natalia. So much so, that I have followed James Marsters ever since and he has popped up in so many good shows. He is one of those actors that so relished a part, he made it his own and thus memorable in Buffy lore for ever more.

As I have said before, the number of shows I have watched is not necessarily a good thing, but it cured me of being a workaholic!

Ele Nash
1 year ago
Reply to  Natalia

Spike 😍 Me too, Natalia. He got such a bad rap compared to Angel and yet he was the one who chose to get his soul back. And he was SOOOOOOO handsome!!

kate
kate
1 year ago
Reply to  Natalia

who WHO didn’t have a crush on Spike? 😂 I still do when the odd buffy gifset comes across my timeline in tumblr (there were quite a few for V day) 🥰🤣

maj
maj
1 year ago

Heartwarming to read your appreciation of Zombie Detective & Buffy..I know them by heart..

Thank you for all of the different mentions of older shows I don’t know. The inclusion of shows world wide ( sort of) was great
..loved this post

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  maj

Hello maj, it’s nice to hear from you and that you loved the post. I am glad you found some heartwarming aspects and that you know Zombie Detective and Buffy by heart. I do look through the older shows all the time, because there are just as many good ones, it’s just sometimes the makeup, hairstyles and clothing take a little while to get used to 😊

Ele Nash
1 year ago

Sean!!! Bufffffffeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! Anyone who can include Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and Doctor Who and Charmed!) in a post about kdrama is in my book a winner 😍
I really enjoyed how you compared Western shows to their kdrama equivalents (though admittedly I have barely seen any you mentioned 😅) Of the few I have, oh yes, It’s Okay, That’s Love has just the most wonderful OTP of any show I’ve seen. I believed in it so much – and, without any spoilers, Jo In Sung just about broke my heart in those final episodes. He played it so authentically. I can still picture his expression when Gong Hyo-jin visits him 😭 Oof. The mental health aspects were perhaps not dealt with ideally but I forgave it all for that heartfelt acting.
As for Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo I never quite understand why people are so polarised. For me, Lee Joon-gi is just so beautiful in it, I could smother my inner critic and marvel, heart eyed, at how he could look that wonderful in an eye patch 😊
I really need to see Queen Hyun’s Man then!

Natalia
Natalia
1 year ago
Reply to  Ele Nash

Lee Joon-Gi was the only reason I endured Moon Lovers! 😊

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  Ele Nash

Ele – yes, you absolutely must see Queen In Hyun’s Man – a total classic and beautifully done. I rank it up with my Top Ten KDramas of all time. You must see it! Sizzling OTP chemistry right up there with the chemistry of The Rise of Phoenixes’ leads.

Ele Nash
1 year ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

OOH! That sounds so up my street!

beez
1 year ago
Reply to  Ele Nash

@ele
I thought the FL in Rise of the Phoenixes had way more chemistry with the Barbarian Prince. (Or maybe that was just me swooning? 😉

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
1 year ago
Reply to  beez

@Beez – That may have been you swooning 🤣😂😅 because I did a bit of a swoon every time he showed on screen. That is one beautiful man and he is someone who looks better in historical dramas than modern day ones. He does well with all that hair.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  Ele Nash

That’s so nice of you to say re Buffffeeeeeeeeee et al, Ele. I did the comparison between the two drama styles as it were, because quality entertainiment is just that, and it doesn’t matter who makes it. I watch shows from all round the world and even those from more austere environments – there are gems that give you an insight into how the culture works and how they see things. Mind you, there are those that are censored because they portray a point of view that is not accepted.

What’s not to love about It’s Okay, That’s Love, it is just wonderful. The acting was so good, it has stayed with me and cemented me in as a Gong Hyo Jin fan.

I was so intrigued with Moonlovers originally, that I did check out the chinese original. However, I became bitterly disappointed. I try not to be negative, but it did make me wary of similar shows after that. As for Lee Joon Gi in an eye patch – I liked the characterisation well enough. Characters with eye patches in kdramaland seem to work 😂

As for phl’s endorsement of Queen Hyun’s Man, I echo her sentiments – sizzling 🤣🥵

Ele Nash
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

I’m just watching Romance is a Bonus Book and then will relish the sizzle of Queen In Hyun’s Man – squeeeeeeee!!!!!

Shahz
Shahz
1 year ago

Fantastic post as ever. I have put Baker and I and Accidental couple on my list.

I also love Doc Martin although I haven’t watched the last few series as you know K dramas🤣 and now C dramas🤣

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  Shahz

Lovely to hear from you, Shahz 😊 I am glad you got something out of it re potenetial watches. I am watching a couple of really good Cdramas at the moment. It’s rare to have a number of good ones happening at once. I will always squeeze in some time for Doc Martin. I have dropped Forecasting Love and Weather already. I had such high hopes 😱 On to the next one…

uyen
1 year ago

Great post, Sean!! I haven’t seen much of the dramas you mentioned, but enjoyed reading it – I did enjoy Touch Your Heart and do want to watch Queen In Hyun’s Man and The Princess’s Man sometime. Oh yes and I’ve been hearing everyone talk about Reset.

I loved how you connected them to international shows and have seen a number of the American ones haha. Charmed!!! love, although I felt meh about some later seasons with different cast members. Also was into Supernatural for a time too – I actually liked its very beginning when it was more ghost/folklore and felt the angel/demon bent later on was just ok. I watched a bit of Suits and like the first season of How To Get Away With Murder, but didn’t really keep watching. Watched the first ep or 2 of Virgin River but it didn’t stick with me. Loved the first few seasons of The West Wing and that duo though, one of the boss-employee dynamics I didn’t mind because the employee was witty and had an upper hand a good amount of time <3 <3 <3 actually now that I think about it, I don’t do well with multi-season shows, which I guess is why Asian dramas stick out to me lol.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  uyen

Thank you so much for your feedback and insights about the shows you have watched, Uyen 😊 As for multi-season shows – I don’t mind whether a show is one season or multi seasons. My only issue is when a show is cancelled and the final episode has ended on a cliffhanger! I more or less promised kfangurl I would be part of the rewatch for Queen In Hyun’s Man, so I had better do that, I guess 😊

Natalia
Natalia
1 year ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Sean,regarding shows that end on a cliffhanger and then get canceled, fair warning: Don’t ever watch the Messiah on Netflix.
And, BTW, I am still waiting for Arthdal!😡

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  Natalia

I have been thinking about watching Messiah.So, thank you for the heads up, Natalia. Yes, it will be interesting to see what happens to Arthdal next!

JJ
JJ
1 year ago

YAY Sean!!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 You had considered not participating this month and look what you compiled; so much LOVE! I love it. Its awesome.🤩🤩🤩🤩 I have so much to say, but not right now, 😂😂😂😂but Ill be baaaaaaackkkkkk to say LOTS 😬

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  JJ

See you then, JJ 😊