this was a v nice read; thank you for your words :~) similarly the dramabeans community has influenced my drama-watching habits in mostly positive ways (the only flip side being discovering so many more good dramas to watch) so i'm v grateful for this community that has given me so many people that i can talk dramas with :D

DB community has influenced my drama choice and watching habit too. There are several dramas that I would drop in a heartbeat if not for the fun discussion in the comment section. Sometimes, I think I even enjoyed the discussion and raving more than the drama itself.

What We're Watching is definitely my favourite feature on Dramabeans - I tune in every week, no matter what, and give my opinions (even when I can't think of much to say). The recappers don't really get involved, but we rule the comment section!

I AM SO WITH YOU! I scour through the discussions and "What We're Watching" threads to look for dramas that I might otherwise avoid (Chief Kim, Chicago Typewriter, Buamdong Revenge Club, etc) or to avoid dramas that I might otherwise waste time over (Manhole, Hospital Ship, etc). Here's to hoping for an awesome 2018 drama year!

What a fun read! When I first discovered DB (not sure how many years ago) it was mainly to read the recaps. I never commented or posted. I'd always read the comments and either agree or disagree with their insights. I'd always wanted to put in my two cents but never did. It had seemed everyone had better analysis of what was happening in the show, so I was hesitant. It wasn't until a few months ago, while at work, I checked the beanie wall and decided, heck why not. I made a comment here or there and now I'm addicted! I always look forward to the What We're Watching posts. It's fun to read what everyone has to say about a show.

I did watch Chief Kim and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the quirkiness of the show and all the characters! I do remember reading the recaps and the comments. I wished I had joined in on the fun!

Thanks again for your delightful post!

Awww @wishfultoki, I read the whole article grinning of how much it relates to me and my viewing habits. Found myself nodding unconsciously to every paragraph. And you really had me at Carpe Diem.

I look forward for What We're Watching every week as well. And yes, I've noticed how shameless you've been promoting Chief Kim LOL. Totally understand that given how much work I've put promoting Chicago Typewriter when it was airing!

And sometimes when I found Beanies who share the same tastes like mine, I would sneak around their profile pages too, just to see what other shows they liked/ watched, as it might indicate how much I would enjoy the shows.

p/s: I probably watch Chief Kim later, now I've re-found Jun Ho n JBL!

Thank you for this nice write up, @wishfultoki!

I usually start the shows I want to watch regardless of what everyone says about them but I can't say that the DB community haven't affected my drama-selecting decisions. I didn't want to start Avengers Social Club because I thought it will be a dark revenge drama and I wasn't in a mood for one, beanies reassured me that it was nothing like that, I'm glad I took their word and started it, it's such an underrated gem!

Chicago Typewriter is one of my favorite shows this year, I was watching so many dramas at the time that I couldn't start it with everyone else but I marathoned it when it reached it's 10th episode because everyone was so in love with it, I fell for it, too!

I really love our DB community and I'm thankful that it helps me pick up shows that would otherwise fall under my radar!

All drama you mentioned are my top favourites this year! I remember there weren't that much of us in Chief Kim's thread but we continued to spread out the love in Beanies community and yeay it worked! Same goes to Rebel which was enjoyed and loved by small group of Beanies (unlike other sageuks like Seven Days Queen and The King Loves which received more love and appreciations here and among international fans), but slowly I saw some other beanies finally picked it up later and enjoyed it too.

Although I don't usually pick up / drop drama based on recommendations / opinions due to my different taste and preference, but I really love and appreciate What We're Watching thread. It's great to have a platform which we can read what other Beanies' opinions etc etc which sometimes contradict to ours.

My drama watching habits changed this year too, but for me it was the fan wall that changed things ~ seeing people rave had me try out School 2017 and Because it’s our first life, and it gave me a place to express my fangirling in a way I had never been able to before.

I think you recommended CHIEF KIM to me as well! I’m still watching this as my “running drama,” but I’m not running much these days, so have it on the back burner. I may just have to marathon it one weekend—I’m too old to be doing this as well! Thank you for the lovely write up!

I remembered watching chief kim. it was such a good and fun ride for me as it was the first drama i picked up after i travelled for a while. I am glad people enjoyed it...

Suffering needlessly is unnecessary, but suffering needlessly together is also its own type of fun especially with fellow Beanies!

Thank you Dramabeans community and thank you for the wonderful article, Wishfultoki! All of you make the live-watching experience so much fun week after week.

I started Just Between Lovers (the only drama that I watch this season) thanks to open post and what we're watching, otherwise I would be in drama slump. Just few weeks ago I couldn't imagine myself watching melodrama but I give it a try because I always trust beanies recommendation. In fact, it is the main reason why I keep coming to this site.

Totally agree on respecting beanies recommendation! If I'm lost, I just ask away. Beanies always ask you first what are your taste or what are you in the mood for before recommending something and that's wonderful ;)

*squeals* I'm currently watching Chicago Typewriter thanks to recommendations from fellow beanies. I also discovered the gem that Outlander is from What We're Watching posts..

Oh my goodness, I didn’t think this would get published, what an honour! And thank you to the editors for adding not one but FOUR photos of Seo Yul eating. 😍🍕. Thanks everyone for making my first year in this community (after de-lurking) so special.

After seeing how much love Chief Kim is getting, I've decided to add it to my list 🙂

Ever since I’ve started lurking around DB a few years ago, it changed my view on dramas too. Dramas don’t feel as fun if I didn’t read a recap or the comments, if I didn’t analyse and discuss it with other beanies. Because it’s great to share something with others, whether it’s the fangirling or the criticsm.

Great recap, thanks WishfulToki! I, too, love the Watch We're Watching column. It has really helped me choose which dramas to start if I'm looking for something new or am on the fence about a bunch of different shows. This year I watched Circle because of how much people raved about it. I also was one of the handful of people who watched Chief Kim and posted a comment here or there in the recaps. Chicago Typewriter was perhaps my favorite drama of the year, super underrated, and with an OST I still listen to! The Beanie community is really amazing and it's heartening to see how much influence our voices do have here. :D

This! I couldn't agree more - that's been my year as well. Are you me?

The image of Seo Hwi Young drew me to this post! And then you went ahead and gave a shoutout to Chief Kim - one of my favorites of 2017.

I agree with you about how expecting perfection in not realistic. I was a little upset at some of the wasted potential in Fight My Way, but months later, all I can think of is how grateful I am for its awesome aegyo scenes, like this one: https://youtu.be/WyVqtSXMqqw?t=40s

Me! Me! I watched chief kim basically because of your recommendations. And same with avengers social club, which I recently watched over three days of half binging. On the other hand I was also one that once in a while recommended Chicago. Same reason. I agree with you so much.
Thank you for your post!

beautiful writing ❤️❤️
I can't help but feel super happy when you mentioned chief Kim! I lurk around the comment section a lot even when the drama ends (I was late D:) because I just felt happy with people who enjoy that fun ride of a show! I got a lot of new friends because of chief Kim as well 💕 it's super special to me! (and as you can see I'm still not over it. And yes like you I still promote it to everyone xD)

I enjoyed your piece! I didn't think I had a pattern for 2017 but your article made me realize that my viewing was also heavily influenced by Dramabeans suggestions, more than ever before. Nice!

Thanks for the nice write up @wishfultoki!😊 I am so happy to see Chief Kim mentionned here too. I was one of those who dearly enjoyed the drama when it was airing but didn't really comment on the thread. At that time, I was so grateful to you and other beanies for your comments and attempts to spread the community. As I got the time to properly do it today, I want to sincerely thank you for that! Kamsamidaa!

You know, I was a little bit sad to see that Chief Kim wasn't going to win much awards this year and get the recognition it deserves (to my opinion) but your and other beanies posts make me feel happy.