[Dramaland Catnip] Secret identities and alter egos

87 June 19, 2017June 19, 2017

[Dramaland Catnip] Secret identities and alter egos

by tipsymocha

Healer

It’s difficult to express in words why secret identities and alter egos are such a big draw for me, especially amongst the sea of other drama catnips that continue to pull me into shows against my better judgment. Maybe it’s because of the superhero Clark Kent vs. Superman element that’s often associated with the plot device (I’ve always loved a good superhero story), or maybe it’s my general affinity for drama tropes that play with the idea of identity, like crossdressing or body-possession.

Whatever the reason, dramas that feature heroes that assume multiple identities for some purpose always manage to raise my blood pressure in the best way, whether it’s because I’m worried about the hero’s safety or because I’m holding my breath while the hero and heroine dance around the subject of his real persona. For me, the real crack factor of these scenarios is derived from the romance, because nothing heightens the angst of the will-they-won’t-they like the danger and baggage that often comes with a hero with a secret identity.

Chicago Typewriter

Sometimes, this element can become the decisive factor that gets me invested in an OTP at all, as in the case of Chicago Typewriter. I can easily pinpoint the moment I started rooting for the pairing of the OTP: It was the instant it was revealed that Hwi-young was the masked rescuer that came to young Soo-hyun’s aid as she was fleeing from Japanese soldiers. As soon as that happened, Hwi-young’s glib attitude and devil-may-care personality were given retroactive context and depth. I adore characters with this duality, which explains why I’m enjoying Kim Young-kwang’s role so much in Lookout, because it often means that our drama heroes have to lay down their pride while keeping up their facade and I can really relate to how difficult that would be.

In Chicago Typewriter, this outer ruse is necessary to Hwi-young’s cover for his illicit activities as the leader of the youth independence organization, but it was also a wall Hwi-young could hide behind regarding his growing feelings for Soo-hyun. I understood that he needed to keep up the pretense for the cause, but I couldn’t help but enjoy his increasing inability to keep that wall up, culminating in that kiss “for their country.” I didn’t even fault him for bringing his defenses back up right after, because I felt so thrilled by that one second he let himself give in to his feelings.

Lookout

The returned-from-the-dead hero is a hilariously common usage of this trope, as we’re currently seeing in Seven Day Queen. I’m usually an impatient viewer and don’t get as invested in the backstories, but in this case I savored this setup, because my knowledge of what’s in store for the prince and his would-be bride gave their cute, blossoming relationship a bittersweet edge that I loved. Their moments together seemed that much more precious, so when forces beyond their control come crashing down to separate them, it’s heartbreaking in the most satisfying way possible.

Their separation and subsequent grief feels like the quickest, most extreme induction into adulthood ever. So when we find them both years later and our hero struggles to maintain his alter ego while our heroine is hoping against hope that he is who she thinks he is, it’s like a deliciously angsty internal struggle between their adult and younger selves. I admit I take a lot of sadistic satisfaction from these situations when the hero acts like an ass and denies his true identity repeatedly in response to the heroine’s probing, each time with less resolve on his part, even though we the viewers know that he secretly appreciates that she’s still looking for him and would be disappointed if she stopped trying.

I find it mildly amusing that all of the above is also directly applicable to Joseon Gunman, in which the leads are forced apart when our hero’s father is falsely branded a traitor. I had hoped that the heroine would have a more proactive role in our hero Yoon-kang’s revenge, and while she didn’t ultimately live up to that initial potential, she was at the center of some very poignant scenes that I feel are pretty unique to this particular catnip.

Seven Day Queen

I have little patience with leads who engage in noble idiocy, but in this particular context, with the very real life-and-death stakes inherent to the premise, I could totally accept Yoon-kang pushing Soo-in away for her own safety. I knew that him hurting her emotionally in order to protect her from getting hurt physically was also for his own mental well-being, and when he lashed out at her, he hurt himself as well. That’s why I loved it (in an admittedly sadistic way) when she ended up being tortured in front of him by the time she had already figured out his true identity, because it felt like her turn to step up to the plate and protect our hero, when so often, it was him taking risks to protect her. It also served as a harsh wake-up call to him, because watching her suffer showed him just how stupidly it was to hide his identity from her.

And then we have the hero who maintains a secret identity cover because of his vigilante activities. One of the earliest examples of this that I fangirled over was in Sungkyunkwan Scandal, where the double-identity character was the second lead, Moon Jae-shin aka Geol-oh. He was a prickly-on-the-outside, marshmallow-on-the-inside type, who moonlighted as the Red Messenger, working against the corrupt ruling political party in court. He also acted as a daddy long legs to our crossdressing heroine after finding out her own identity secret, which explains why I fell so, so hard for his character. He had all the traits of a traditional drama hero, and the fact that he wasn’t made me feel like a captain in denial at his sinking ship.

One of the most endearing things about Geol-oh was that his cover wasn’t really a facade, because his daytime persona was really just himself, and himself was pretty swoonworthy. Sure, he was gruff and perpetually annoyed, but he also had this adorable affliction of hiccuping around the presence of women. And when he started hiccuping around Yoon-hee before he even consciously realized she was a she? I died. At night, he was a masked avenger, but during the day, he was this flustered doofus who couldn’t look at our heroine in the eyes without getting a mad case of the hiccups, hee.

Sungkyunkwan Scandal

One of my all-time favorite examples of this catnip, and of dramas in general, is City Hunter, who was the closest to being an actual vigilante hero, fighting against corrupt politicians who were committing crimes against the public for their own gain. There were many elements that made this show so gripping, but what I loved about the City Hunter identity was his dynamic with Nana, because he had to actively work against his love interest while also trying to protect her.

Aside from her general sass, I adored Nana’s fighting skills and her job as a Korean Secret Service agent. While those very traits made her an asset to Yoon-sung’s activities down the line, at the beginning, she and the City Hunter were natural enemies because she had to protect his targets. He had to carry out his mission in disguise, protect himself while avoid hurting her in the process, and also make sure she wasn’t in the crossfire when his dad tried to take matters into his own bloodthirsty hands. All in a day’s work, right? It was compelling because they’re on opposite sides when our hero was the City Hunter, but then in the next moment, bantering and flirting when he was just Yoon-sung. It was also the more rewarding when Nana finally found out about his secret life as a vigilante hero and joined the ragtag Scooby gang to help take down the baddies.

But never was I more happy to see the heroine finally figure out the hero’s true identity than when Healer’s Young-shin found out that her cowardly co-worker Bongsookie was in fact the errand boy/vigilante she was looking for. Healer elicited some pretty violently giddy emotions from me, and it will most likely stay right near the top of my all-time favorite dramas, and number one when it comes to a romance involving a secret identity. (I also just noticed this is the fourth drama in this post to star Park Min-young. Lucky woman.)

City Hunter

Everything about Healer and Young-shin’s romance hit the right notes for me, and it made me run through a whole gamut of emotions, from really high highs, to a lot of nail-biting tension and panic. I suffered from eruptions of giggles when our hero got jealous of his own alter ego, and my heart stopped whenever Young-shin would suspect that Bongsookie was not who he said he was. It’s much more satisfying to have her figure out the identity in a case like this where she interacted with Healer but never saw his face, because she caught on by instinct and nuances, whereas it was less of a head-scratcher in Joseon Gunman where Lee Jun-ki wore the same face in all guises.

I also loved how the show shaped our two leads’ dependencies on each other, because while Healer rescued Young-shin from harm several times, he and the show made it very clear that it was he who couldn’t go on without her in his life. He might have saved her physically, but she was the one to ultimately save him from his lonely existence. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another drama couple so perfectly made for each other, and I honestly couldn’t imagine a future with these two characters not together, which is the best kind of drama magic there is.

Reading through this list, I realize it might seem like I enjoy watching characters suffer onscreen, but I promise that’s not it. For me, dramaland is at its best when it takes me on a roller-coaster of feels, and with the heightened emotions, larger-than-life stakes, and the warranted angst that comes with this catnip, it really is no surprise that dramas that employ this trope rope me in every time. It doesn’t hurt that the masked hero look? It’s a good look.

Joseon Gunman

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Tags: Theme of the Month

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1 mianmian

June 19, 2017 at 11:18 AM

Ugh that screenshot of Healer brings back all the feels ❤️ Time to rewatch that drama!!!... But where do I find the time?!?

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blo

June 19, 2017 at 11:32 AM

IKR? I was just getting ready to be productive and then BAM! Healer lands on my screen. Now what was I going to do before? Rewatch Healer, right?

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Carolina

June 19, 2017 at 6:03 PM

There is always time for Healer aka Ji Chang Wook.

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ramonathepest

June 20, 2017 at 2:56 PM

Just note when rewatching Healer that the isolated island he wants to buy and live on away from people is actually his unconscious longing for the safety and love blanket-tent that Uncle Moon ho (name? ) made while babysitting Baby Healer and Baby PMY's character so that he could get his studying done. lol

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NinaSargi

June 21, 2017 at 2:46 PM

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!~~~Never thought of that! THANK YOU!

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silverdrafts

July 3, 2017 at 9:36 AM

Oh My God you are absolutely right! Why I never made that connection before, I blame it on Ji Chang-wook for looking too hot-slash-pretty-slash-distracting as Healer-ya.

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ramonathepest

July 8, 2017 at 11:17 PM

Yes, I forgot to write that Uncle Moon ho called the blanket - tent their secret "island".

Ashi

June 19, 2017 at 6:10 PM

Yessssss, those 2015 Healer days when my free time in between undergrad classes was wholly devoted to watching and rewatching Healer.

Speaking of which, Park Min Young seems to be in an awful lot of "hidden identity" type of dramas. City Hunter, Healer, 7 Day Queen...

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GL

June 20, 2017 at 8:30 AM

You forgot SKKS lol

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S

June 19, 2017 at 6:56 PM

Mianmian. I am rewatching it now. One episode each night when i had to fold my laundry ?. Thats the only time i can sit down and watch it.

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Irate

June 20, 2017 at 3:23 AM

This is such utter BS. I kept scrolling to see if Bridal Mask would be included but of course the writer chooses to overlook the most well writen show and hand picks fan fodder cause what the heck, the fans love the sexy opppas.

I mean come on he had like 3 different aliases in the show, sick of this crap site

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aqua❤jcw

June 20, 2017 at 4:14 AM

or the writer may not have watched it...chill.

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sargevee

June 20, 2017 at 11:30 AM

Yes, chill! No reason to be rude. If you are sick of the site then unsubscribe here, don't visit and stop reading the posts. Or better yet set up your own blog.

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mindy

June 20, 2017 at 4:38 PM

Good luck with finding a K-Drama fan site with a more diverse and mature user base than Dramabeans. I can already tell you it doesn't exist.

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2 Diraito Teson

June 19, 2017 at 11:26 AM

No words about Bridal Mask/Gaksital? None? OK.
I don't enjoy at all these kind of stories, and have seen only 2 with that line. Reason why is simple : I want to see my OTP as a couple, and this sort of story always makes the heroine feel like she doesn't belong there.
Even with Healer , which I loved, sometimes the heroine was so far away that I felt like I was watching 2 separate dramas.
However if I know that we don't have a romance in a drama , I enjoy this very much, as I am doing now with Lookout :)

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anayahs

June 19, 2017 at 8:00 PM

Bridal Mask will always be the drama that will rip me up in pieces no matter how many times I watch it. Joo Won's portrayal of Kang To's growth as a character and how he eventually becomes Gaksital is always thrilling. But I do agree the heroine feels sidelined and I'd not mind if there were no romance at all.

Healer on the other hand makes me feel the opposite. The budding relationship between Sun Woo and Young Shin is the main driving force for him to attempt to reinhabit the real world. I didn't really feel the divide in the story in Healer (in contrast to say Gaksital or Man to Man) because their relationship felt really fleshed out.

But honestly I didn't realize how big a catnip this was for me until I read the post.

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celine

June 19, 2017 at 10:13 PM

Yes to Bridal Mask! Oh the memories and the feels.

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3 Lunabird

June 19, 2017 at 11:27 AM

TBH, this is probably my most favorite catnip ever. Secret identities and alter egos have always drew my attention when looking for a new kdrama to watch. That being said, Healer was one of my all time favorite show. But, I also love Chicago Typewriter, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, and Seven Day Queen. Please feed me more shows with this type of theme.

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I Quit

June 19, 2017 at 12:46 PM

Comment was deleted

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4 Lulu02

June 19, 2017 at 11:29 AM

How lucky is Park Mi young to lead with both Lee Min Ho and Ji Chang Wook and to bring life to NaNA and Young Shin? She shows this huge chemestry with both of them and those drama are my top favorite so far. I recently watched Healer and I fell for this couple, I also liked when Jung hoo was jealous of himself, and that confession scene? Plus, what I really enjoyed about this couple is that they never denied their feelings once they found out about them, even when they think SJH's father killed her dad, she tell him to no matter what to stay with her. I really hate noble idiocy.

And in City Hunter I loved Nana because she was not weak, she was strong, she kicked butts and even got shot for him. She's not a victim- damsel in distress. And their flirting and bickering was too cute. The negative point for me is that even though they like and love each other he tries to push her away even though she goes back, he pushes her.

One thing I loved about these girls and dramas is the way they discover the truth. Is not like their too dumb to tell "one plus one equals two" once the elements are there. And they don't take long to the hero realize he's been discovered.

I liked your catnip, but only can discuss about these two, the others I haven't watch them.

Right now I'm watching 7 days queen, (ep4 still) and loving it.

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5 blo

June 19, 2017 at 11:31 AM

I was nodding off at my desk until I saw Healer pop up on my screen. Instant recharge!

The funny thing is that my favorite part about the secret identity in Healer was how Young-shin would take charge and be the hero even though she was very much afraid. And then the look Healer gave her at the end of ep 5 as she "saved" him. Then again, everything about that drama is so much ?.

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6 Sonali

June 19, 2017 at 11:31 AM

Ooh my favorites are there healer,seven day queen,sungkyunkwan scandal love those dramas.But seven day queen is still ongoing and I know that there will be no happy ending as SCARLET HEART(oh it gave me a heart attack & buckets full of tears)but still hanging on to the drama bcz of the love story.But why doesn't master-ruler of mask includes there ? The CP hides his really identity from Ga eun . So it's a secret identity

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7 frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials

June 19, 2017 at 11:36 AM

It's apparently Park Min-young's catnip too.

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Ek Ladhki Thi

June 19, 2017 at 12:41 PM

Lol, she's in half of the dramas on this list.

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CrimeFighter

June 19, 2017 at 2:30 PM

Haa she's often the female lead for this kind of plot.

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8 Trinity 🍆

June 19, 2017 at 11:56 AM

OMG yes! This is such a catnip thing for me. City Hunter, Healer, Gaksital. Oh, I could go on! This one is definitely a huge catnip for me also (considering Gaksital and Healer are my 2 favorite dramas).

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9 Martin J Simwaba

June 19, 2017 at 11:58 AM

This double identity trope is my second favourite. And though i didn't like how she found out about him, Healer is my fev' in this trope, because up until now i still watch it from time to time.

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10 risa

June 19, 2017 at 12:12 PM

Meow meow... purrrrrr-- I love this catnip! I get hooked by the tension created by the double identities and eagerly anticipate The Big Reveal. But in the meantime, I enjoy seeing the Clark Kent persona getting misunderstood, and it's even better if that persona becomes jealous of their own alterego. Bongsookie being jealous of Healer was the best thing ever!

I think a big part of the attraction for me is that I want to (eventually) see the misunderstandings be resolved and the façade dropped because sometimes I feel misunderstood and want to be seen in a different light. Really, we're all multi-dimensional, so isn't it affirming to see that someone can be both vulnerable and strong, bumbling and heroic, etc. at the same time?

Shout out to Geol-oh, one of my favorite characters of all time!

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Ek Ladhki Thi

June 19, 2017 at 12:28 PM

Yoo Ah-in was born to be a rebel. He plays those kinds of roles the best, SKKS, Six Flying Dragons, and recently Chicago Typewriter.

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redfox

June 19, 2017 at 1:25 PM

high-intelligence rebel though. he has always played characters with wits and strategy

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11 redfox

June 19, 2017 at 12:15 PM

none have been as thrilling for me as Gaksital, though we knew who he was the suspense of others finding out was too much sometimes. cause torture and betrayal.
City Hunter was a very sexy kind of secret identity. and very suave.
the most heartbreaking secret identity was Min in I Remember You. Gawwwwwd. when he was about to flip that photo but stopped CMON, Hyun! and the revelation!

and then in Shopping King Louie Seo In Guk played a character whose identity was secret even to himself.

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saturtledaisy

June 20, 2017 at 5:20 AM

"and then in Shopping King Louie Seo In Guk played a character whose identity was secret even to himself."

most successful secret identity for sure

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12 Junie Bug

June 19, 2017 at 12:23 PM

This catnip always draws my attention. The thrill of hiding their secret identity is very very fun to watch. It adds so much to the drama in every way. I'm currently watching Healer and Seven Day Queen right now and I can't get enough of them. I love how they have to hide their identities.

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13 ohhaeyoung

June 19, 2017 at 12:26 PM

Park Min Young dramas are sooo good...I've watched 3/4 mentioned here and am strongly considering picking up Seven Day Queen. Seriously lucky girl! Healer has to be my top favorite of these dramas mentioned.

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Carolina

June 19, 2017 at 6:09 PM

I'll also have to add Seven Day Queen to my current list of dramas that I'm watching. Who needs to do chores anyways...

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GL

June 20, 2017 at 8:42 AM

Well I've watched all 4 and Healer was my favorite but now that I have started watching 7DQ....I'm not sure anymore... 7DQ is giving me a different kind of thrill lol

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14 Ek Ladhki Thi

June 19, 2017 at 12:27 PM

Ah Healer, so many memories so many warm fuzzies. Even though the finale felt like a big letdown in light of the gripping
sweet, sweet agony that was the first fifteen episodes, I still love that drama to a million pieces. Ji Chang-wook can do anything frankly. I really should find some time to start 7 Day Queen since the only other saguek I was watching on Wednesday turned into a flaming, hot mess.

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S

June 19, 2017 at 7:00 PM

Except in k2. I think it was a waste of a talent to guard the always distress damsel.

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15 sidnerella

June 19, 2017 at 12:30 PM

This is my catnip as well. I just adore the angst the masked protector feels with his warring feelings for his lead girl and with keeping with his job of his masked self. Plus any catnip that Healer falls into....Can Healer be its own catnip?

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16 Cafelatte

June 19, 2017 at 12:36 PM

Yoo Ah In plays the secret identity role very very well, doesn't he? He looks so gorgeous in the dual role of prickly but soft persona. In both Sungkyunkwan Scandal & Chicago Typewriter he is just too amazing & swoonworthy. Kyaaaaa!!!

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17 giocare 🌻💛

June 19, 2017 at 12:58 PM

I'm a simple girl. I saw Healer and I HAD to click

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Shahirah Hasbullah

June 19, 2017 at 6:56 PM

Honestly same.

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18 Giegie

June 19, 2017 at 1:03 PM

Healer ❤️
(I can finally access my db account. Yay!)

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pastmidnite

June 19, 2017 at 2:27 PM

Yay! Just in time to comment on Healer ??

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19 Jiji

June 19, 2017 at 1:15 PM

City Hunter, Healer, and Gaksital are my trifecta of K-Drama perfection. Also, I think Time Between Dog and Wolf belongs on this list!

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tipsymocha

June 19, 2017 at 1:31 PM

I just had to reply because Gaksital and Time Between Dog and Wolf were both in this list originally (among several others), but I had to (painfully) cut them out due to length constraints. Still crying a little on the inside :'(

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Jiji

June 19, 2017 at 6:19 PM

Time Between Dog and Wolf doesn't get much attention anymore because it's so old but it's SO GOOD.

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momoflag

June 19, 2017 at 10:28 PM

speaking of old, I will always count The Princess' Man as one of my all time favorites even with the Park Shi Hoo scandal (which ruined him for me). Bring on the masked identity, the epic tragedy and romance, the revenge, the cinematography!

I didn't even know this was my catnip until i read this post!

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ZZZZ

June 20, 2017 at 12:23 PM

In addition to old kdramas, Iljimae should also be in this list ?

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20 🍙 kimbap noona

June 19, 2017 at 1:19 PM

I never fully realized how much I savior this catnip until tipsymocha listed all dramas which are not-so-coincidentally some of my all-time favorites. Secret identity is also the first cousin of another personal favorite catnip of cross-dressing.

Perhaps watching our heroes in secret identities mirrors what we do as viewers spectating this particular land of make-believes. As the extension of our active fantasies, our heroes just like us are playing pretends therefore further amplifying the viewers’ pleasures and the catnip’s resonance.

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21 Sharie

June 19, 2017 at 1:33 PM

I agree with like, everything that has been just said. Healer will probably forever be my favorite drama of all time. The romance was so intense!! And can I just remind everyone of that heart-stopping movie theater date?? The moment they hELD HANDS WHILE FACING OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. Gosh, if I were in Young-shin's position my heart would be beating so damn fast, and I would love every second of my encounters with the Healer. Oh shit I almost forgot their first kiss!!!!! oh my gosh i love Healer so much

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GL

June 20, 2017 at 8:47 AM

The snow kiss was my favorite .....sweetness overload

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22 spazmo

June 19, 2017 at 1:34 PM

le purrrrrrrr.... this cat likes this catnip very much!

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Playstore, Okay Or Not Okay

June 20, 2017 at 1:51 AM

Mweao too ?

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23 Ahj ❤ ❥ ♡ ♥ ღ

June 19, 2017 at 2:08 PM

One of my most favorite catnip as well. Gives me all the spice that I need to look forward when the the right time approaches to come out of the closet, too much feels.

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24 vannerie

June 19, 2017 at 2:15 PM

I only have to see a screenshot from Healer and I want to re-watch it again! I love five of these dramas and the other two are on my list so I guess this is my catnip.

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25 CrimeFighter

June 19, 2017 at 2:26 PM

I love secret identity plot too ! Mysterious with some romance in between !! That's why I'm loving current airing Lookout and past works like City Hunger and Healer. But I realised all/most hidden identity are male leads. Can we have a change for the female lead to have a hidden identity instead? Please ???

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CrimeFighter

June 19, 2017 at 2:27 PM

*City Hunter

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Carolina

June 19, 2017 at 6:12 PM

Good idea. I would watch a kick ass female lead drama.

Also, cool username.

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26 Chandler

June 19, 2017 at 2:29 PM

Yesssss. This is a definite catnip for me, hehehe! And the reason why Healer wins is probably because it combines with my other favorite catnip, when the leads work together as a team! I loved how, even when they were separated by certain truths, they always worked together and supported each other. By the time they came together, they had already formed such a strong emotional bond.

I love City Hunter for combining it with the cohabitation catnip, but it never felt like the leads worked with each other quite as much. They certainly made sacrifices for each other though! I've actually been wanting to rewatch this, even though Healer is attracting me more right now.

PMY has really done well picking these dramas, haha. They've all managed to have their own merits. And now 7 Day Queen is making me crazy for the next episode already. I've been wanting more love for this show, so I'm really happy to see it mentioned here!

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WishfulToki

June 19, 2017 at 2:56 PM

Both are my catnips too. So yes, that is exactly why Healer became a favourite and why City Hunter fell a bit short for me (not in bromance though!). Since Nana was such a great character, did it hurt too much for Lee Min Ho to work with her, get revenge or whatever, and save the world together? I find making sacrifices but keeping the other person in the dark gets tiring after a while. It doomed Beautiful Gong Shim in the second half (such a shame, because I loved the first half and still rewatch it from time to time).

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risa

June 19, 2017 at 5:24 PM

@Chandler, @WishfulToki, and any other fellow lovers of OTPs who work together as a team: If you haven't watched Ugly Alert, I highly recommend you put it on your to-watch list.

I think a lot of people are put off by the fact that it's a 133 (half-hour) episode daily drama, but the upside to that is that there is ample time to build deep emotional bonds between the OTP (as well as the family members) in a way that feels organic. It starts out super makjang-y, and there's plenty of heartache, but ultimately it's a very beautiful story of healing.

This OTP, played by Im Joo-hwan and Kang Sora, is the one to beat in terms of the extent to which they come together not only as lovers, but as partners who always support one another and work together to achieve their goals. Im Joo-hwan has a knack for making me "hurt so good" when he plays a sweet-but-wounded character (like in What's Up)-- and he's extra sweet and extra wounded in Ugly Alert. It's really touching to witness the way he and Kang Sora care for and heal each other, and they're very playful and affectionate as well. Their relationship is also noteworthy in how egalitarian it becomes.

The most annoying character was the lawyer-- if you're into fast-forwarding, I recommend skipping most of his scenes. Oh, and a bonus lure is that Choi Tae-joon (who's currently charming us as Eun-hyuk in Suspicious Partner) plays a key character. I decided to try the drama based on an OT rec., and I feel it's my duty to pass the favor on. ?

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WishfulToki

June 20, 2017 at 2:58 PM

Did you say Im Joo Wan, Kang Sora and OTP that work as a team? Sold! Thanks for the recommendation.

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Chandler

June 20, 2017 at 6:51 PM

I love Kang Sora and Im Joo-hwan in Ugly Alert! That's one of my favorite daily dramas, along with I Live in Cheongdamdong and the High Kick series :)

Their characters were so sweet together in that. I also loved how we got to see them work together so much, even well into their relationship. They always kept me invested, but I also came to love Choi Tae-joon's romance with Shin So-yul. They made me pretty giddy too. I'm really happy to see him in such a fun, engaging role now!

Now I just need Im Joo-hwan to get a leading role again. I also loved him in What's Up and it's been hard seeing him so underappreciated lately.

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27 fgb4877

June 19, 2017 at 2:43 PM

Mmmm... does the male lead in High School King of Savvy counts as a Secret Identity catnip?

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sargevee

June 20, 2017 at 11:37 AM

Yes. I was just about to post that its one of my favourite shows with this SI catnip. im also am a fan of noona romances as much as I am of secret identities so that show hit two birds with one stone for me. plus Seo In Guk who is love!

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28 Playstore, Okay Or Not Okay

June 19, 2017 at 3:21 PM

Imma simple cat. I see 'secret' and 'alter ego' I mweao ?

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29 Aigoo!YuanFen

June 19, 2017 at 4:58 PM

This was my favorite catnip, but now It's second to best after my newfound addiction.
I love this trope especially in Healer as the female lead was in love triangle with yuri Healer and his alter ego so their was no second lead syndrome & I could root for both sides (:

Then their is the angst of not being able to tell your lover your secrets
And conflict over losing yourself in your other identity.In a way we all have secret identities.We're students or parents and by night or day we're all just a bunch of addicts for Hot abs,Coffee & k-Dramas ???

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30 Myka

June 19, 2017 at 6:17 PM

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31 Myka

June 19, 2017 at 6:19 PM

So well-written! I'm wondering what it would be like if you also did recaps - your writing is top-notch ?

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Playstore, Okay Or Not Okay

June 20, 2017 at 1:52 AM

Comment was deleted

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32 inna

June 19, 2017 at 6:38 PM

For this Dramaland Catnip, Yoo Ah-In (Sungkyunkwan Scandal and Chicago Typewriter) suits my taste well.

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33 panchhi

June 19, 2017 at 7:16 PM

pretty much everything i wanted to say has been said. but still, Healer is ???

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34 wilson

June 19, 2017 at 7:55 PM

Ahhhhh Healer. Truly the most satisfying show I have ever watched. It hit all my sweet spots. Time to rewatch...again ♥

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35 Fatcat007 (Kitty 💜)

June 19, 2017 at 8:19 PM

Healer & city hunter, the top of secret identity dramas. As for alter ego, isn't KMHM best? I mean I know the alter egos weren't intentional, but it kept me so hooked.
And I don't like back from dead hero's, especially when they so obviously got a fatal wound & fell into the river & their bodies were never discovered. It's ridiculous how they make a comeback after so much drama. -_-

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36 tesshan

June 19, 2017 at 10:55 PM

Healer ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I loved that one so much. It is an interesting trope but only if done properly (needs to have a strong reason for it) otherwise I do not get invested.

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37 Mzmeow

June 19, 2017 at 11:36 PM

Meow! ❤️❤️ Secret identity or alter ego minus the idiosyncrasy are my favourite catnip too. Healer is my favourite show so far because the character of a cool night errand runner and Bongsookie is the total opposite of each other, yet JCY portrayed both so endearingly. Park Min Young simply shined as Chae Young Shin who is goofy, boastful yet has the die-die-must-do personality. And who can NOT like Ajhumma who help created the Healer persona? ❤️❤️ I love their way of no-hold-bars banmal speech which makes the show very realistic.

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38 yukie

June 20, 2017 at 1:20 AM

Seems like this is Park Minyoung's catnip as well. Seeing how she can't resist it when it's offered to her ??

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39 ivanesca

June 20, 2017 at 2:09 AM

Wow, first Hwi-young then Geol-oh? My aching heart wasn't prepared!

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40 ani411

June 20, 2017 at 3:45 AM

Wahhhh I just submitted a catnip titled the same thing yesterday. Guess secret identities ia really popular.

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41 kurazo4

June 20, 2017 at 4:04 AM

Healer is my all time favorite! But I also love City Hunter and Sungkyunkwan Scandal, too! How could Park Min-Young be the leading lady of all these super cool dramas? I envy her.

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42 silverdrafts

June 20, 2017 at 6:59 AM

All of us who's smitten by Healer-ya/Bong-sook-ie and Young-shin has gathered here, and I found myself up-voted so many of your comments because I absolutely am too!

Anyway, about this catnip, this is certainly mine too. I'm also a sucker for superheroes, so that's a given, right? Also love SKKS, ohhh the bromance between Geol-oh and Yeorim, amIrite? Uh, sorry to get sidetracked for a bit there.

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43 JCW

June 20, 2017 at 8:28 AM

SKKS, healer & 7DQ are my fave... so therefore, PMY is my fave actress!!...

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44 ZZZZ

June 20, 2017 at 12:18 PM

Iljimae starring Lee Joon-Gi for me is my favorite representation of this catnip. The ending was a bit disappointing for others but I find it interesting and different in some way. Most of the stories with this catnip revolves on how the leads will know and react if they happen to know the lead true identity. However, Iljimae seems to be very diff coz up till the end, he never reveal his identity and he still remains a mystery. Although some close to him happen to know his secret but the lead actress, Han Hyo Joo wasnt able to know who he was until the end.

Haven't watch Joseon Gunman tho. Healer also happens to be one of the thrilling kdrama with this catnip.

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45 littlecat

June 20, 2017 at 5:38 PM

GAKSITAAAAAAAAAAAAL~!!!!!!!! *shakes fist at sky* XD

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46 NinaSargi

June 21, 2017 at 2:45 PM

Let's talk about the surprising frequency in which Park Min Young in the female lead in most of the dramas cited for this catnip

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47 aami

June 27, 2017 at 12:38 AM

Whenever I see any mention of Chicago Typewriter, my ears perk up (or my eyes in this case) and feeds on to it with full attention. I am walking around with a Hwi Young shape hole in my heart since the drama ended.

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