154

Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching

So, what are we all watching this week?

What kept you reaching for more (or agonizing when there was no more), and what made you want to throw your remote through the screen? Time to weigh in…

 

javabeans

Because This Life Is Our First: I love the way this drama subverted the Bok-nam situation. I was disappointed when the show when all stalkertown on us, because I thought the sudden menacing undertone was unnecessary, and then was tickled when basically our characters created that drama in their heads. I mean, I still loved it with the stalker plotline, but now I love it more.

Go Back Spouses: I’ve just decided that I’m not watching this for the romance (since it doesn’t do much for me), but the show does absolutely shine in the parental love moments, whether it’s the side characters going through issues with their parents, or our main characters getting a second chance to understand their parents, or with them dealing with their own child. I bawled pretty much nonstop through Episode 8 and tried to hug my cat, who wasn’t having it.

20th Century Boy and Girl: This show’s charm is absolutely its openhearted sweetness and good nature. That said, it’s so unrelentingly sweet (though not sickly-sweet) that I find myself craving some more conflict. Maybe because without more drama up in this drama, I find the reasons for this OTP remaining apart to be forced and shallow—I mean, when you don’t have much conflict preventing you, why are you still apart? I know they’re going through stuff emotionally (yada yada), but it’s just a tad frustratingly slow.

Witch’s Court: Gahhh the antagonists really make this show hard to watch sometimes, although Jung Ryeo-won keeps me with it, and with her. She’s so compelling that I find even when she does questionable things, I’m completely there in her head and understand why—so much so that when Yoon Hyun-min is being right and honest, I still get aggravated because he’s too cookie-cutter good. I’m still rooting for them to work things out, eventually, but I was totally on Yi-deum’s side this week and was irrationally mad at him for trying to be reasonable while she was grieving/coping/revenging. Let the girl feel her feelings!

 

girlfriday

Currently recapping: While You Were Sleeping

Because This Life Is Our First: I was so relieved that the show didn’t veer off into ill-fitting territory with the stalker storyline. And I love it whenever the in-laws show up, because the families force our couple to navigate all these social rules and act like a real couple, while the show gets to ask pointedly why the daughters-in-law of this world are always the ones peeling the goddamn apples. It’s the little everyday things that make this drama so special, because it’s so normal.

Temperature of Love: I didn’t think the heroine would be the one to raise my blood pressure because I’ve always loved her forthrightness, but this week her prying made me so frustrated. I get that she has loving, supportive parents and she doesn’t know what having screwed up parents is like… but come on, try a little. You’re a drama writer, for crying out loud. Imagine growing up with Lee Mi-sook as your mother! ‘Nuff said.

Mad Dog: Yay, the puppy has been brought into the fold! I love it when the team works together—there’s just a different excitement level when they’re in on the scheme together, instead of trying to outsmart each other on top of chasing the bad guys. It’s about time that the good guys joined their swindling powers. Also, totally shipping Min-joon and Ha-ri.

Meloholic: I checked out the first episode, and I thought Yunho actually had potential when he was the loser who couldn’t figure out girls. There were emotions! On his face! But the second he underwent his magical transformation into Big Man on Campus, I lost interest and he became boring again.

 

odilettante

Currently recapping: Black

The Package: Every week I think I can’t possibly love this delightful, heart-warming, thoughtful, beautiful, hilarious, painfully relatable show even more than I do, and every week new episodes air that prove me wrong. Show, you own me. ♥

Youths Over Flowers: I’m so excited it’s back, even though my knowledge of Winner is very limited. Doesn’t really matter who the group is, though, because I sadistically enjoy watching Na PD torture celebrities for my own amusement, no matter what. I’m also pretty sure the reason why this show has such a small daily budget for the cast is because the rest of the budget was spent on the elaborate plan to kidnap them. They should have really filmed a CF, if only to recoup some of their costs.

 

tineybeanie

20th Century Boy and Girl: This OTP makes my heart crumble sometimes.

Mad Dog: Agreed. Jang Ha-ri + Kim Min-joon is now why I watch the show. The larger Yoo Ji-tae struggle seems meaningless. The crazy chaebols and their skewed sense of morality is completely uninteresting. I wish they had at least made one of the bad guys more relatable, so that we’d understand their viewpoint better, instead of it being this black and white depiction of corruption.

Because This Life Is Our First: Yayyyy. I started this drama late in the game, but I’m coming to appreciate the quiet nature of the love that’s shown here, as opposed to the in-your-face first love stories we often see in dramaland. Se-hee is adorable!! I want one of him IRL. And his cat—I think I’m turning into a virtual cat lady. It looks so soft and cuddly.

 
RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

154

Required fields are marked *

my favorite is The Package, though it also gives me major irks since I can see my own footsteps in my mind all the time wherever they go.
but it is so relatable how travelling and being far apart from your everyday hurries brings stuff to the surface. People have to face each other properly. First Jung Yong-Hwa character I have ever liked, too.

I kept to Avengers Social Club / Buamdong Revenge Club whatever you call it, and I like it as well, though it´s a bit slow. I was very upset at first episode for the violence because I don´t even want to see this much, but I got over it and kept watching. and I get what netizens mean by "sweet poison".... though I wish for more events and pace, I am glad these actresses get to own the screen like this.

While You Were Sleeping - I live for Jae Chans´ moments of vanity and cockiness. Especially vanity-bonding with Ji Gwang over red car Otherwise, I really did hope perhaps Batman and Robin theme would play more into the plot. It is becoming overly predictable. But the characters are too lovely to let go - every single person in Jae Chans´ office, little brother, Woo Tak and Mom, they all have such witty lines - it is a world of above average intelligent people. why are they ALL so smart?

BTIOFL - sometimes Se Hees´ eyes startle me, they are a weird color. Is Min Ki wearing some odd contacts or is it his natural color? sometimes he seems like an alien. I am losing interest in this show apart from Soo Ji and mr Ma couple

1
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

Nope, no contacts. Lee Min-ki's eyes are really that color.

And I could stare at them all day...

I mean, what?

2
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Also need to be revived after each episode because you've drowned in that deep gold-ish well that's actually his eyes? Mmm
😶

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

How did you know?! 😂

💖

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have an eye for spotting my people. 😏

3

You guys should watch go back couple! It's realllllly good!

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I so feel you on Yunho in Meloholic! Dude was seriously emoting as the rejected geek. How the hell is it possible to turn completely flat when you claim to be a mind reader and understanding what women want. Go back to being nerdy and clueless.Thankfully, Han Yeri(KSJ) is here to call him out on his nonsense.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Currently watching Because This Life is Our First and Avengers Social Club. The first one is my cute weekly milk chocolate bar, or maybe a sweet pudding, while the second one is a a full plate of tasty dish I didn't know I'd like, but ended up loving it so much.
Avengers Social Club is so good. All the characters felt alive and the women are amazing. Also there are good kids who support their moms. And smart kids. Amazing, okay?
For anyone who wants strong female friendship in dramaland, give this drama a try right now. I haven't marathoned anything these days and I just watched like, 6 episodes today. The poster made it look like it's a heavy drama but it's not. I love it. I love ittttttt

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Because This Life is My First: I really like the writing, directing, and music. I love the contemplative moments... but the plot devices are bothering me. They showed us Bok Nam in a stalkerish way to fool us, and now suddenly he is this puppy-like boy next door character who gained an immense amount of wisdom? I still don't get what the point of that storyline was and I've lost some love for this show in the last two weeks. I thought for sure it'd be in my top 5 but now I'm not so sure.

Go Back Couple: What a surprise! I wasn't a huge Jang Nara fan... only watched her in I Remember You and thought she was a bit mismatched for Seo In Guk. She is blowing me away in this show. Her acting is so on point and I feel every bit of sweet, anguish, joy that she brings to the table. The story is contemplative and relateable but so funny too... making this an easy, compelling watch. One of the best dramas this year for me, and this past week's two episodes solidified that for me. The writing is so good and the acting/directing bring it to life. As a 30-something and mother of two who met my husband in college and has known him for 16 years... this show is right up my alley.

While You Were Sleeping: I'm so behind... but I think I'm dropping it because the storyline is boring and I'm over the "villain of the week" stuff.

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm loving Black so far. While You Were Sleeping is on the backburner for now as is Revolutionary Love. I'll go back to them soon, though!

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Go Back Spouse: Every episode have me sniffling back my tears. and reminded me to give my boy an extra big hug and to call my mom more often. and the latest episodes reveal how it takes 2 hands to clap. Both BD and JJ did take things for granted. Both did sweet things for each. Both fail to communicate when needed. And both are still very much in love. I wan to see Seojin this week.

BTLIOF: It's refreshing to have a quite otp. Where the girl isnt rowdy, isnt ugly turn beauty, and not exactly kdrama cookie-cutter type and yet shes most like your day to day average person. Makes her so relatable and likable. I am behind on this show and subconsciously i wanted to marathon this drama

WYWS: A mid week chore. I feel sad to put it this way. Again i will see it through but for every other reasons and none of which is about our otp and their romance. Their scenes felt 'acted out' or friendly. It seem its also a chore for LJS to romance Suzy. Hes better in non-romantic scenes if you notice.

Reading recaps and watching clips of these dramas that i plan to watch soon:
Mad Dog, The Package, Black

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Binge watched Go Back Spouses with my mom only to find out it's been cut to 12 episodes. I'm so mad.

SJ on variety shows though. SNL made me feel like a pervert. Lol. Life Bar was a roller coaster of emotions. SJ Returns was awesome today. And the comeback stages, oh someone save me.

YOF was cute though I know nothing about Winner. They look like really hardworking kids so I'm enjoying it a lot.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Go Back Spouse wasnt cut. it was always intended as 12 episode. The korean wiki and korean website both listed it as 12. But some sites listed wrong info of 16 episodes. I m sad its ending soon as currently its my fav drama.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

WYWS - watching for the cinematography and Woo Tak. The storyline was mediocre. Still love LJS and know he's a great actor, but he really was just meh in this drama.

BTLIOF - not my favourite but love how relatable the gender issues are that writer-nim brought up. My favourite couple is Sang Gu and Soo Ji.

WC - last week was difficult to watch but other than how dumb Baek Sang Ho was, everything was still quite relatable. Because more often than not, the rich and powerful do get away with doing bad stuff to the powerless. They climb and they climb, and seem invincible. I'm curious to see how our heroine will fight back. Prosecutor Min's undercover was aware of Kingdom's existence. Surely that will come useful at some point. And I'm curious to see what Jo's wife will reveal when she wakes up.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

There's only either this section or OT to write this in, So I just chose to place to say that the Avengers Social Club is daebak!

I wouldn't have imagined when I started watching, that this would be one of those shows that I look forward to with bated breath, but after being a fun watch of almost naive tit-for-tat between the club and assorted 'enemies' that took place at a nice, relaxed pace, it's suddenly taken on a higher stakes tone and consequently, raised tension by leaps and bounds. Episode 10 has really taken it up more than a notch in terms of pace and deceitful machinations.

It was already a funny-serious, compelling show from the outset but the rounded characters, all pretty fully utilised and so well at that, plus the excellent acting has made this beyond addictive. The unlikely characters banding together was of course the best thing about it, but then show added on endearing mother-stepson, plus offspring-cum-offspring relationships that warmed the heart and got me totally invested.

I heartily appreciate a show that manages to pull on many strings concurrently, maintain coherence in character and plot at all times, and then draw and tie the many ends together without losing any thread. I've a feeling Avengers Social Club is going to be one of those shows as it continues in it's second half into the end.

Loving it so much!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

No love for our ahjummas over on Avengers Social Club?

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *