I watched 2 episodes last night, so I don't know how it will play out, but so far I think it excellent. I'm embarrassed to say that even though I taught this period for decades I know it only from the U.S. perspective, and just the basics of the three events that the show has touched on so far --Rhee's corrupt reelection, the student/worker protests that led to Rhee's overthrow, and the military coup that overthrew the replacement government.

But what makes this show good so far is that it is presenting the issues not as a dry history lesson, the way, a boring history teacher like me would present it, but personalizing them with Uncle Samsik as a morally grey figure who is pro-South Korea, and sympathetic to the people, but also of course mainly out for himself, and then Kim San, who I'm sure will eventually be "corrupted" in his attempt to push Korean development.

To go back to my boring history teacher mode, while I find it sad that in the end, the goal of economic development became so dominant that it for a long time actually worked against a democratic government, South Korea's situation was so complex in this era because of the tension between the need for economic development, the desire among liberals for democracy, the desire among most for reunification of North and South, the strong anti-communism and wartime hostilities among most that would work against reunification, the continued tensions with Japan, and the outsized role played by the U.S., who treated S. Korea pretty much as an afterthought to the development of Japan and then later to the Vietnam war.

While as a regular viewer, I'm looking forward to seeing the story of Uncle Samsik and Kim San, as a former history teacher I'll be interested in the shows perspective on the issue of economic development and democracy, which is of course still a big issue everywhere around the world!

@zindigo I feel like in my case dropping planned dramas and sticking to unplanned ones has been a new tradition lately - with a very few exceptions, I have a hard time recalling a show I had big long-term hopes for and was not utterly let down as result. Perhaps I should stop making plans altogether? Hmm.

My list is not that impressive in terms of numbers, not exactly sure why.

Speaking of upcoming conference, LYN's CICADA is also a Tencent production... what if? In terms of lacking promotions TSOPG has no money on this show - it's been 7 months since filming wrapped, yet no trailer, no poster, no bts, nothing! What the hell did they film there to be so suspiciously secretive - softcore erotica as per source material? Yeah, as if!

See, REBORN FOR LOVE was not on my radar at all, but I seriously liked the trailer. It's actually fun! With humor that lands well! Ofc the fun never lasts long in this genre, but it's still better than all the other deadly serious shows I MAY be interested in. Also it's been a hot minute since I've seen ZLH giving a naturally charming performance - I liked him quite a bit in his debut show, but everywhere else he was either too bland or tried way too hard, poor clearly overworked thing...

Thanks for this! I'm also enjoying Lovely Runner and hope all the romances work out with happy endings. And I agree about Queen of Tear - a missed opportunity with this cast, OST, and superb cinematography. All the K-drama cliches and no surprises. This story could have been beautifully told in 12 episodes.

Now I need to make of all dramas that I am not familiar with that my fellow drama lovers put on their lists! I'm always on the lookout for the next adventure in drama land! (Now watching Lovely Runner!)

Looool true, especially when the killer is so bland and one-note.

Generally I just watch the drama and move on. There are some exceptions, sometimes I have watched edits on Youtube, or interviews, outtakes, behind the scenes... (Flower Boy Next Door, Live up to your name, The Best Hit, Twinkling Watermelon...).

And every time I finish a drama, regardless of my final impression about it, I always add my favorite songs to my k-drama list on Spotify and I create a new sub-board for that drama on Pinterest.

Your comments will be great because you have the insight of watching before

A great idea

Perfectly said. Have watched very few interviews. I did watch anything Netflix put on concerning TKEM. It was fun to see them getting along on that set as well as they did the drama.
I like your idea about reality shows and I think that’s the better way to go to learn more about the actor.
Mostly for me it’s time. I am always watching 2-3 dramas, and don’t have the extra time. That might not sound like a lot for many but it’s m limit to remember what’s going on

I watch add-ons to ease off a drama I really like. Oftentimes, I'd miss the characters when a show ends, so I watch the extra stuff to sort of extend my time with them.