Happy 10th!

YOU GUYS.

The blog is 10 years old today! TENNN! 😱🤯 That’s literally multiple lifetimes, in blogging years?

The reason I say that, is because when I started blogging, common wisdom was that most blogs didn’t last past the one year mark. And so, if a blog lasted more than a year, then it had a chance of actually having a more lasting presence.

It’s blows my mind, that 10 years ago, I started this blog, ON A WHIM(!), just to see what it was like to have a drama blog, and 10 years later, here I am, and here we are. Wow. 🤯

I feel like I ought to say something extra wise and momentous, to mark the occasion, but.. I’m not sure I’ve got anything wise or momentous enough, to say. 😅

But, let’s see what I manage to rustle up, anyway. 😁

Notable milestone over 10 years of blogging

The main milestone that I’m most proud of right now, is that we hit 10 million views a couple of months back, in October. That’s 10 million views in 10 years!

How neat is that?? 🤩

THANK YOU for 10 million views, you guys. 🥰

It’s a milestone that I never thought I’d reach, but which came sooner than I could have expected. You guys made that possible. ❤️

5 Lessons from 10 years of blogging

In no particular order, here are 5 thoughts that come to mind, when I think about what I’ve learned through 10 years of blogging.

Most of these are reminders to myself, really, but if you find them useful too, in any way, that would be awesome. ❤️

1. I’m still learning, growing and changing

While I would love for the blog to be completely consistent across the board, with all reviews and other posts, to be of similar depth and quality, and while I would also love to never contradict myself, like, ever, that’s just not possible.

The reason is because I’m only human, and therefore, I’m changing and growing all the time. My drama tastes are evolving all the time as well. Stuff I loved 10 years ago may not appeal to me now. Stuff I enjoy now, might shock Past Me too.

And that’s ok.

(Repeat to self: that’s ok, it’s really ok. 😅)

2. People come, and people go

Seriously, this is one of the hardest things, about having been around the blogosphere for 10 years.

Like I mentioned earlier, lots of people who start blogging, don’t continue blogging past the first year. Some blog for a few years, and then move on to other things.

This means that blogging friends come and go, and, by the same token, readers come and go, too. And that’s hard, for me. 😭

I have such fond memories of friends that I’ve made on this online adventure, and my big wish is that they would have never gone away.

But, life goes on, and I have to console myself, that this is life, and that ALSO, maybe one day these friends might come back, in one way or another.

3. Haters gonna hate

I try my best to be a positive presence here on the interwebs, because, well, that’s kinda who I am; I try to be a positive presence in real life too.

Sometimes, though, people can be really nasty or unkind in their words, and that, well, sucks.

I’m learning not to take it personally, and I’m reminding myself that more often than not, it’s really not about me. Haters are just gonna hate, no matter what I do or don’t do.

Best to let it all slide off me, and just carry on.

4. Resilience is key

Some people ask me what my secret is, to being a longtime blogger, and I think the answer is, just.. don’t go away. 😅

I’ve had drama slumps where I didn’t blog for more than a month, and since it takes only about 30 days to form a new habit, it would’ve been too easy to just walk away from the blog, during one of those slumps.

But I didn’t.

Most likely because the blog is an outlet for my drama thoughts, and so, when I finally had drama thoughts I wanted to put into words again, it was natural that I came back to the blog.

If you’re in the blogosphere and want longevity, stick around, and don’t go away. 😁

5. You still gotta do what you love

In a changing landscape where creators are looking to expand their reach via Tiktok, YouTube and podcasts, I’ve been asked more than once, why I don’t create content on those platforms too.

The truth is, it takes A LOT of work to produce content for just one platform, especially if you want to do it well.

I don’t have the time nor expertise to create good video or podcast content, to be honest. And if I were to put aside time to learn how to do it, I wouldn’t have time to keep up with the blog (and Patreon too).

At the end of the day, I got into blogging because I enjoy writing. And I figure that if I want to have longevity at what I do, I ought to stick with something that I enjoy.

So, even though lots of folks do enjoy watching Tiktok and YouTube videos, and listening to podcasts, I’m hoping that there will also be lots of folks who still enjoy reading about dramas – because that’s the part of the sandbox where I’ll be playing. 😁

10 Posts I’m most proud of, from 10 years of blogging

In no particular order, and off the top of my head, I’m most proud of these 10 posts, at the moment.

I hope that if you haven’t checked any of them out, that you’ll consider taking a gander:

1. My Open Thread episode notes for Nirvana in Fire. These were a real challenge, especially since Show is complex AND 54 episodes long. I’m proud that I survived. 😅

2. My post on food and culture, which was sparked by a comment in response to my review of Let’s Eat. Revisiting it now, I’m actually very pleasantly surprised that I sound so thoughtful and coherent. 😅

3. My review of The Red Sleeve, which is a legit monster. I found myself putting a lot of thought into the episode notes, and breaking down why certain characters behaved in certain ways, or why certain narrative decisions were made.

4. My Healer review, which, for a while, held the title of most monstrous review on the site. That show captured my imagination and stole my heart, and I will always have a soft spot for its review. 🥰

5. My review of My Mister. It came to my attention that I got dragged in some forums for saying that I didn’t see a romantic loveline between our leads, but y’know what, I poured a great deal of heart into my review, and I’m proud of it.

6. My overview of iconic dramas over the years. This was a post that grew much bigger than I’d originally anticipated. The end result feels fairly robust, and I’m proud of that.

7. My overview of sageuks. This is a topic that I honestly didn’t feel knowledgeable enough to answer, so I’m pretty proud that the end result is.. not bad. 😅

8. My post on supporting actors, including veteran character actors. This was a very illuminating exercise for me, because in preparing to write this post, I learned so much about the background of these excellent actors.

9. My post on the female gaze vs. the male gaze in kdramas, because this was an interview with VOGUE India, and I was super stoked to work with a big name, mainstream magazine.

10. My recent review of c-drama Love Like The Galaxy, which is a monster in its own right. I’m happy that aside from covering all the main sources of spazz and squee (and there were many! 😍), I also managed to provide some cultural and language insights.

BONUS: This isn’t quite a blog post, but I’m super chuffed to have guested on the Dramas Over Flowers podcast! If you haven’t listened to it yet, you can check it out here! ❤️

In closing

I.. am not sure I managed to say anything as wise or momentous as I’d hoped, in this post, but, thank you for reading, thank you for being here, and thank you for making it possible for me to do what I love.

Thank you for being part of my world, and thank you for allowing me to be part of yours. 🥰

For something fun (and delicious 😋), could we all eat some cake today, wherever we are, at some point, so that my not-so-little bloggie’s birthday legit gets celebrated around the world? 😄

Feel free to share a photo of your slice of cake (or cupcake, or muffin, or ice cream cake, or swiss roll, or any kind of cake) with us in the comments!

(I hear that that helps to reduce calories.. 😉)

KFG ❤️

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Su San
Su San
4 months ago

CONGRATULATIONS! “Squeeee……!”

So happy for you–what an accomplishment! With wishes for an even brighter future!!!! Your decade long work and achievements are admirable!

Fangurl Verdict is now an integral part of my Kdrama experience. You are my north star, guiding me through the galaxy of Kdramas. You save me from chasing useless “bright & Shiny” things and guide me to satisfying and exciting new places.

I can’t even summarize all that I’ve learned from you and your fellow fans. My kdrama journey began almost two years ago with only 105 dramas under my belt and still counting. THANK YOU just doesn’t seem like enough! PLEASE keep sharing your wisdom with us!

Hoping that someday you’ll host your very own in-person celebrity event, just like the drama stars, perhaps in Seoul, peppered with lots of activities, like drama tours, special guests, etc.. We will shower you with the love and attention that you and your talent deserve! Wouldn’t that be a blast?

Looking forward to spending 2023 with you in KFG VERDICT dramaland!

Kay
Kay
5 months ago

Happy 10 Year Anniversary! What an amazing achievement! And 10 million views is a wonderful achievement too.

I so relate to all of your lessons learned when it comes to blogging. As someone who is 7 years in, it’s particularly hard seeing bloggers and readers come and go. I’m so glad there are some that do stay though (like you!). It’s nice to have that continual presence in the everchanging world that is blogging.

And you always do such great work, and we all know how much you put into it. Thank you! Here’s to many more years of blogging for you ❤

chokulit191
chokulit191
5 months ago

Happy 10th anniversary! Thank you for all the effort that you’ve put into your blog. I lurk here when I’ve finished a drama and I want to read your thoughts about it. I do appreciate how well thought out your reviews are.

Elaine
Elaine
5 months ago

Kfangirl! Gasp, sorry I missed this post for so many days!!!

Thank you for making our days brighter. Indeed, many of us prefer reading to Twitter/TikTok/YouTube and all that jazz. As so many others have mentioned, thank you for your very thoughtful, reflective, introspective reviews that you have poured so much of your soul into. I think every career will have its ups and downs, and indeed you have made a career out of this, which demonstrates your persistence and grit. I would definitely have given up after a month or so!

I have always dropped comments thanking you for your reviews and ratings which helped me find great stuff to watch. But more than that, your thoughtful reviews make me reflect on different things in life. And your own personal stories of how you overcame past difficulties inspire me. =)

I hope this blog continues to be joy and not a burden. If you ever need rest and a break, please take it! Give yourself some grace. And if you ever need encouragement when you are down, I hope all the appreciation expressed here cheers you up!!!!

Here is a cake for you from my fave man this year, hee hee!!!!

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Princess Jasmine
Princess Jasmine
5 months ago
Reply to  Elaine

Oh Dear – What a wonderful comment and words of wisdom ✌️; And even more wonderfully delivered 😃 – I thought I was the only one who got melted by Wi Ha-Joon charm this year – Looks like I have company 😂 – Can someone do a swoon-worthy post of him please ✌️- that’s my second anniversary wish along with my fave photo of this year

Princess Jasmine
Princess Jasmine
5 months ago

The Pic of course

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Ele Nash
5 months ago

Aw, great post to celebrate ten years!! You and your blog have really amplified my love of kdrama and cdrama. I can’t tell you how great it is to watch something and then see what you thought of it (and the comments) and feel seen 😅 So, so many times, you write what I’d literally been thinking or feeling about a show or actor or character, the good bits, the bad, and best of all, the SQUEEEE moments!!! My heart lifts when you’re singing the praises I sing to myself (because I don’t know a real life fan 😟). It is a gift to write reviews as well and as comprehensively, and with such heart, as you do. The reason I think you have made it to ten years (and I hope tens more tens of years yet!) is because you have a knack of communicating real affection, nuance, along with the nitty-gritty and factual, in an intuitive, amusing, intelligent way. You are brilliant and always my go-to for all kdrama (and increasingly, happily) cdrama suggestions. Thank you, kfangurl!! xx

Nancy
Nancy
5 months ago

Congrats on 10 years! I love your blog! Your reviews are thoughtful and well written, and have been really helpful to me as a new K drama viewer. I’ve found shows that I really love from your reviews.

BELLAYIKA
BELLAYIKA
5 months ago

CONGS on the milestone KFG.
AND
Thanks for the wonderful reviews.

Carly
Carly
5 months ago

Congratulations! I want to thank you for _writing_, and writing well–which you do. Videos and podcasts are no substitute for the clarity and introspection of good writing. Please keep it up, best wishes for years to come!

Cathy
Cathy
5 months ago

Congratulations! Ten years of blogging is a momentous achievement! Thank you so much for your insightful and entertaining reviews. They have greatly enhanced my understanding and enjoyment of Korean dramas. I hope you continue to enjoy blogging and provide us with many more years of your wonderful writing!

CP
CP
5 months ago

Congratulations!!! Wow I can’t believe it’s already been 10 years…I initially found your blog through your review on Healer (it must have been not too long since you started the blog at that time, come to think of it). Although I am mainly a CDrama watcher, I’ve tuned in to read your insightful reviews for years since, and even started aboard the KDrama train, owing almost entirely to your blog and wanting to be able to join in the discussion. Thank you for introducing me to do many great shows (and helping me dodge some not-so-great ones), and for the community that you have created here. I don’t have time to watch that many dramas / comment, but I do remember participating in the NIF group watch and having literally the best time. Here’s to many more years to come and even more success into the future!! 🍰🍰🎂🎂

uyen
5 months ago

I can’t believe I missed this — congrats on 10 years, KFG!! So happy to have found your blog and thank you for bringing folks together in such a sweet community. You put so much thought into your posts and blog and we are all so grateful for it <3

Here’s a pic of a cake from my fav guy to you! 😉

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phl1rxd
phl1rxd
5 months ago
Reply to  uyen

@uyen – like how doggone perfect is your photo? I am impressed.

uyen
5 months ago
Reply to  phl1rxd

@phl1rxd, it’s just him. he’s perfect 🤣 

Bookworm
Bookworm
5 months ago

Congratulations! Thanks for all the reviews especially older dramas without which I would never know of their existence. I loved all those very much. You were like my ultimate go to guide on watching kdrama and cdramas when I started watching back in 2018. My choices usually matches with your ratings. Thanks a ton for doing this 🙏😍

ngobee
ngobee
5 months ago

Congratulations! And crazy kudos for not giving up during the pandemic but creating more content on Patreon instead! Thank you for all your work!

Alexandra
Alexandra
5 months ago

Congratulations! Been here for only 3 years and I always enjoy your reviews. If I ever come across a less recent drama, my first thought is: I wonder if KFG has covered it. And if you did and it’s less then a B+, I don’t give it another look and that saves me a lot of trouble in this world of super abundent dramas. May you reach the 20 years milestone!

Last edited 5 months ago by Alexandra
Princess Jasmine
Princess Jasmine
5 months ago

Congratulations dear 💐 and keep up the fantastic work you are doing 👏. I absolutely enjoy your writing and have been a fan of your work/blog for 3 years now (wow time really flies…like really). My K-drama viewing experience is genuinely incomplete without reading your review of the dramas that I have watched or going to watch. Most of the times you are “spot on” with what the drama is trying to convey and your “viewing/ lens adjustment” helps a lot when I watch the past dramas.

Honestly, it’s no mean feat to keep this going for 10 years now especially with people watching more/reading less these days. For that please be “very proud” of yourself for being motivated for 10 long years and yet never compromising on the quality of writing. I have no idea how you do it with so much love/affection especially since we both live in the same city, and I know how “crazy” living here can be at times. So, kudos for that and I pray that this continues until you want it to be.

I did enjoy the group watches and I will never forget the discussions we had for “Healer, My Mister and Chuno” in that list. Many thanks for facilitating them and I look forward to many more in 2023.

 

My wish for the anniversary 😉 – Either I make you watch K2 and do a review of it or somehow include K2 in group watch….ha ha ha ha.

 

Once again – many many congratulations dear 🥳

And here is the much beloved cake for you:

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phl1rxd
phl1rxd
5 months ago

Princess Jasmine – a great choice of cake (and flowers) and what a delivery man! What a thoughtful selection. 💖

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
5 months ago

Princess Jasmine – Lol re a group watch for The K2. What an anniversary wish – it was 10/10 for me 😂🤣😂

Timescout
5 months ago

Goodness, has it been that long already? Time sure flies. 😁 Happy Anniversary and many more to come!! Hopefully. No 2 on your list rather resonates… What might these absent friends be doing now? I wonder about that at times, but as you noted, life goes on.

Antonio
5 months ago

Thanks for your service!

CanIcallYouKate
CanIcallYouKate
5 months ago

Oh wow! Congrats on reaching this milestone, KFG! A true testament to the quality of your blog, your reviews and your ability to make everyone feel welcome here! I am so grateful to have found this wonderful niche on the internet, thank you for creating it. ❤️❤️❤️

Celebratory pistachio pinwheels (I baked some XMas cookies this week lol)

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Last edited 5 months ago by CanIcallYouKate
Dorotka
Dorotka
5 months ago

Big congratulations! 🥳
I’m a long time silent reader and I love your blog ❤️
Wishing you another joyful decade of blogging and may your beautiful insightfulness never leaves you! 😘

MC
MC
5 months ago

Fangirl!!

Firstly the hugest CONGRATULATIONS!!! I cannot imagine my life without dramas.. and I can’t imagine my life without your insightful posts. So very thankful you didn’t give up when it was tough. You’ve introduced me to so many great shows that I never would’ve heard of, as well as the kindest community here and on Patreon. So many online spaces turn toxic but I like it here 🙂 Also, so many of your meaningful posts are highlights for me too – one particular highlight was the A Love So Beautiful one where I finally had the courage to comment – and you replied and there history was made 🙂

Btw your lessons don’t just feel like blogging lessons but life lessons too 🙂

Congrats on the first decade and here’s to the next, the next and the next…

Princess Jasmine
Princess Jasmine
5 months ago
Reply to  MC

I have to agree on the “kindest community” comment. The folks here are really awesome and thank you Jjang for grooming us that way.

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
5 months ago

The Korean Drama Gods looked out across the tv and streaming watching cosmos, pleased with everything they had achieved.

Then the king of the drama gods said to those assembled: “how do we know what the drama fans think?”

The goddess of drama content said: “there is the fangirlverdict, a portal of some ten years standing that has provided a well balanced commentary on what we have written and produced with over 10 million views.”

The king nodded his head sagely: “this fangurl is something else. Posts, videos and comments by the score and even on Patreon where there is deep diving galore.”

The god of future drama content to come, smiled broadly: “we should annoint this fangurl and make her queen of drama critics so that she can watch and undertake reviews of our kdramas for ever more.”

Then the gods nodded their heads as one. And with that, it came to pass: “all hail to the queen of drama critics. Let it be known, the queen has our favour and those who protest shall experience dramas no more.”

Then a heavenly wagon pulled up and lo and behold, who should alight but the CDrama gods, the JDorama gods and even TDrama gods.

And they all embraced as one: “congratulations kfangurl on all you have done. We shower our appreciation on you and may you reign forever more.”

MC
MC
5 months ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Sean – the drama gods have also crowned this as the best comment for the year, amen.

j3ffc
j3ffc
5 months ago
Reply to  MC

Somehow that little thumbs up doesn’t quite do the trick – bravo, Sean!

Leslie
Leslie
5 months ago
Reply to  MC

Agree! It should have at least 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼! Thanks, Sean, for saying, so well, what we all think!

Princess Jasmine
Princess Jasmine
5 months ago
Reply to  MC

I second this and as well what Sean wrote for FGV.

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
5 months ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Here, here dear sir – that was a bloody triumph of a comment! Well done!

Elaine
Elaine
5 months ago
Reply to  seankfletcher

Wow Sean, what an awesome awesome lovely and cute little poem/legend to commemorate Kfangirl’s 10th anniversary!!!!!! Kudos!!!!

lotusgirl
lotusgirl
5 months ago

Kudos!! We love you, KFG! 10 years is an amazing accomplishment in the blogosphere! Thanks for helping me find so many great shows and providing such a wonderful, safe , homey forum to discuss all things kdrama and more. 💜💜

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
5 months ago

Fangurl – I wanted to say that here were some reviews that you have done over the years that I really loved – the NIF1 group watch was a herculean task (that was spectacular), the 1st review I ever read on The Verdict which was Padam Padam, the giant Vincenzo review which I expectantly waited for and must have read about three times as it was that good and, last but not least, Angry Mom which was truly a hidden gem and everything you said it would be. Thanks for all you do for us! Thank you for the rating system which I followed faithfully until I had seen every A rated drama.

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
5 months ago

Fangurl – here is a cake for you!

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j3ffc
j3ffc
5 months ago

What an amazing accomplishment! Congratulations on ten years of persistent and always-evolving excellence. I’ve already read 8 of the 10 pieces you noted as personal highlights, plus many other reviews, essays, and comments that are every bit their equal. As someone who has to write regularly, I appreciate the challenge of writing on demand and can think of few who bring as much craft, thought, and generosity to the effort as you do.

Thank you for creating this special place and inviting us in to visit. Congratulations on all of your well-earned success.

Trent
5 months ago

KFG — huge congratulations, that’s a major accomplishment indeed. Ten years is practically immortal in blogging life!

I’m just a short-termer, relatively speaking…just around two years hanging out. But you’ve built a great resource for drama fans, and gathered a great community, and your Patreon is a lot of fun.

I do appreciate your positivity, and resilience, and determination not to let the haters drag you down.

The Nirvana in Fire watch was a great experience, and your episode notes were really key to anchoring the discussion each week. And your Red Sleeves review was an excellent look at an important show.

I’m in awe of your stamina, and definitely hoping that it keeps you blogging for as long it makes you feel happy and fulfilled.

P.S. I’m 100% in your corner on the no romantic loveline between the leads in My Mister, so stick to your guns!

Princess Jasmine
Princess Jasmine
5 months ago
Reply to  Trent

I agree with what you said on “My Mister”….no imagined romance please as it sounds such a “cliche”

phl1rxd
phl1rxd
5 months ago

Fangurl – the very happiest anniversary to you ever! Thanks to your wonderful reviews we have all been saved countless hours of wasted drama time by reading your comprehensive posts and avoiding the duds. I am so very grateful I found you 8 years ago and I wish you continued success with this and your rocking Patreon account.

Thank you for developing a great KDrama community that is such a positive experience for your followers. I love you for this most of all Fangurl! 🌹😘😘😘😘💖😘😘😘😘🌹

Leslie
Leslie
5 months ago

Congratulations, KFG! Thank you for putting out your best (or a very close approximation) in every post. Such a pleasure to be your fan! Your learnings apply to a healthy life as well as a happy profession. ♥️ May happiness and success be yours for the next 10 million views (at least)!

JJ
JJ
5 months ago

Many Many Many Congratulations to you, KFG!!! ❤️ Such an amazing accomplishment !

Last edited 5 months ago by JJ
Snow Flower
Snow Flower
5 months ago

Congratulations, KFG! Thank you for being the expert guide to the drama verse!
A follower since 2015

manukajoe
manukajoe
5 months ago

Wow congratulations! You have achieved something truly amazing! To be so stable and provide such consistent high quality material is so uncommon in webland. The thing that strikes me most is that you’ve stayed in love with Kdramas so long (I myself tend to flit from hobby to hobby pretty often). Many blessings for your continued endeavours 🙂