[Theme of the Month] Your year in dramas
by stroopwafel
December marks the end of the year, so it’s time to look back before saying goodbye to 2019. We’d like to hear different perspectives and approaches on your retrospective of the year. Maybe you encountered a certain character type or plot point that prompted reflection. Did you have a gem of a drama that moved you? Join the Dramabeans staff as we look back on 2019’s dramas!
Share with us what this year in dramas has meant for you. Thinking beyond a straight list of dramas you loved or hated, what spoke to you?
To submit:
- Email your submissions to hello@dramabeans.com. If you have a registered Dramabeans account, include your handle so we can link to it.
- Include at least 1 image, though more is preferred.
- Suggested length: Between 500 and 1,000 words.
- Deadline: We will post these on a rolling basis, so we’re taking submissions now. We will cut off accepting submissions on December 24. If you miss this month, join us for a new theme next month!
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Tags: Theme of the Month, year in review, year in review 2019
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1 saturtledaisy
December 1, 2019 at 11:35 PM
Boksoo best drama 2019 <3.
That's it, I have nothing more to say.
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2 Edgar Pordwed
December 1, 2019 at 11:45 PM
Oooh exciting!
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3 Dorotka
December 2, 2019 at 12:23 AM
Dear Santa,
I really really did my best this year, I even tried to be a responsible adult and learnt how to skip, drop or speed up dramas to have time to concentrate on the important things in life (*cough* there was a kiss in No Second Chances!!! *cough*). Please, please, please, bring me a year review by Javabeans and Girlfriday. 🙏
Yours sincerely,
D.
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Midnight
December 2, 2019 at 9:49 AM
Aaaahhh you reminded me of the old old db where we waited with bated breaths for a year-end review from Santa.
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4 💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
December 2, 2019 at 1:29 AM
You will find me sobbing in the corner with three bottles of sake.
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5 💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
December 2, 2019 at 1:32 AM
Keep an eye out for my "A Year of Sh☠️tposting" write up. After the three bottles of sake of course.
(would they actually publish that if I sent it in? Lol...)
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frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials
December 2, 2019 at 2:36 AM
No, they absolutely would not.
... But you should try anyway.
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
December 2, 2019 at 1:14 PM
Then they would not be recognizing my service to this country!!!!! *smh*
I should shouldn't I... hehehe
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Kurama
December 2, 2019 at 4:30 AM
Send them some sake bottles... with a misunderstanding, we never know!
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
December 2, 2019 at 1:15 PM
I did consider bribery.
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6 Globe
December 2, 2019 at 1:56 AM
Tale of Nokdu was the most enjoyable drama of 2019 for me. The chemistry was like magic.
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7 javinne
December 2, 2019 at 2:41 AM
Ok. Finally I get to write something????? 😅🙄🤔
Roughly I feel I honestly liked more 2018 than this year. 2018 was the year of My Ajusshi and Mother.
But yes I know, we have to move on.
I will try to participate this time.
Also, I am crazy looking forward to all your inputs.
Write a lot, beanies!! 🙂☺
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8 TurtuallySarcastic
December 2, 2019 at 2:49 AM
The theme I have been waiting for all year...:)
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9 Bebe | Nessa❣️
December 2, 2019 at 5:44 AM
#TheYearOfCdramasOnDramabeans
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gadis
December 2, 2019 at 6:24 AM
Hahaha... this!
It's a year of discovery for me. Suddenly my to-watch list is filled with sageuk and Chinese costume dramas. (Not that I'm complaining 😉)
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Bebe | Nessa❣️
December 2, 2019 at 9:00 AM
MOOD
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beantown
December 2, 2019 at 9:55 AM
( nods head vigorously and stumbles off to finish the last 2 episodes of Arsenal Military Academy )
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Bebe | Nessa❣️
December 2, 2019 at 11:08 AM
Again, MOOD lol
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strawberry
December 2, 2019 at 12:27 PM
seriously! All I could think about is the Untamed, even though I've watched 14 Kdramas prior to that. haha
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Bebe | Nessa❣️
December 2, 2019 at 12:50 PM
Same!!! I'm trying to think back to what I've watched this year in dramas and all my mind is coming up with is "The Untamed" XD
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stpauligurl
December 3, 2019 at 5:10 AM
After glancing at the list of shows in 2019, it's a good thing I didn't start The Untamed until October.
I can't seem to stop watching it (third rewatch, but with much ff-ing in the long scenes) and still I can't seem to start any new kdramas.... sigh..
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Bebe | Nessa❣️
December 3, 2019 at 8:26 AM
Hahaha It’s okay, take as much time as you need
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Keona
December 6, 2019 at 12:03 PM
Same effect for me! I watched the drama, then the anime, read the novel, the donghua and I can't stop thinking about this drama! They deserve to win "Best Couple". Nobody can't beat this chemistry!
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Bebe | Nessa❣️
December 6, 2019 at 12:52 PM
I managed to untame myself from "The Untamed" but more and more Beanies have finally joined in on watching it and posting on the Beanie Section, and I am finding myself slowly being sucked back into the "The Untamed" hole OMG HELP
neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
December 3, 2019 at 11:14 AM
HA! I was about to ask if Cdramas can be included in the Beanie count >.<
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Bebe | Nessa❣️
December 3, 2019 at 11:23 AM
'S what I'm wondering, too lol
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neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
December 3, 2019 at 11:43 AM
Then we'd have more beanies!
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10 Waadmay
December 2, 2019 at 9:00 AM
Maybe I should write about what spoke to my fears and pressed my buttons , I just don't know how to start 🤔
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OhSoEnthusiastic
December 8, 2019 at 10:22 AM
That sounds like a great topic. I would read it.
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Waadmay
December 8, 2019 at 1:07 PM
Thanks 💚💚💙💙 I'm still thinking how to start
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11 larelle79
December 2, 2019 at 9:23 AM
This year in dramas taught me that I...have accepted that makjangs are for me and I am not above them because if a series can accept it and lean into it with accepting it for what it is, so can I.
So, thank you Mother of Mine and Graceful Family. And a shoutout to 2018's The Last Empress.
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mary
December 2, 2019 at 10:05 AM
Don't forget What's Wrong With My Mother-in-law XD
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larelle79
December 2, 2019 at 10:12 AM
Ahhh, yes. That one was too short. Too short.
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FlyingTool
December 2, 2019 at 12:29 PM
Yes, one of the very few makjangs one can say was too short!
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Jamie Opso
December 2, 2019 at 2:43 PM
Can I like this more than once? DRAMA OF THE YEAR!!!
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mary
December 2, 2019 at 3:59 PM
The .mkjng virus has spread 😂
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neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
December 3, 2019 at 11:15 AM
Best Makjang EVER!
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Rumi~
December 12, 2019 at 6:13 AM
How can we? That was hands down the best makjang of the year!!! XD
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HugosHalmoni
December 2, 2019 at 6:22 PM
If you substitute romcom for makjang, I did the same thing. The heart-pounding action of My Country, the suspenseful thrills of Vagabond, the torturous shenanigans of makjangs were as nothing to me. Instead, I find lip action and heart-eyes much more enthralling.
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OhSoEnthusiastic
December 8, 2019 at 10:24 AM
I sort of wish I could watch makjang's, because that would mean I would get less eternally irritated at characters when they do stupid things, lol.
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12 Midnight
December 2, 2019 at 9:53 AM
This year's retrospective is same as last year and every year before it: disliked most of the shows loved on DB, got surprised by liking shows I didn't expect.
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panshel
December 2, 2019 at 8:34 PM
I can relate. I disliked Tale of Nokdu and Her Private Life which Dramabeans loved and then quite enjoyed My Absolute Boyfriend (where Yeo Jin-goo was more heart fluttering than Hotel del Luna) and avoided reading recap comments because Beanies' negativity clouds my enjoyment.
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Lixie
December 3, 2019 at 10:01 AM
I can not only relate but probably beat you, nobody probably disliked more popular shows.
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Midnight
December 3, 2019 at 10:46 AM
HA!
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kiara
December 4, 2019 at 7:57 AM
That's me almost every year.
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Rumi~
December 12, 2019 at 6:16 AM
Which were the ones you liked & didn't expect?
What db hyped dramas did you dislike? It might surprise you but I think you could find people with similar experiences & opinions for both cases 😉🙃
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Midnight
December 12, 2019 at 7:03 AM
I know, that is usually the case when anyone opens up about their drama experiences 😊
Two of the db hyped dramas I disliked a lot are He is Psychometric and One Spring Night.
Those I liked and didn't expect to, Welcome 2 Life, Inspector Jo, Doctor John, and a few others.
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13 JessCisu
December 2, 2019 at 10:19 AM
Can we only write about dramas that aired in 2019?
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mary
December 2, 2019 at 4:03 PM
You can start with shows that didn’t make the cut last year. Anything that premiered after Dec 1, 2018. I think older shows won’t count though. Even if you watched them this year. :(
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14 WishfulToki
December 2, 2019 at 11:29 AM
Potential titles for my review:
"Blood, Sweat, and Beans"
"Swimming with the Fish Cult"
"A Sageuk for Every Season"
"Magic Horse Lives On"
"Season 2: A Horror Story"
"Getting YY To Her Rooftop"
"The Fanwall Squad"
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
December 2, 2019 at 12:07 PM
It depends on how snarky you feel at the moment, doesn't it?
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
December 2, 2019 at 1:16 PM
One always has enough snark for #MagicHorseForPresident2020
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
December 2, 2019 at 12:14 PM
The Year of the Anti Bean
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kiara
December 4, 2019 at 7:54 AM
That would be 2019 for me.
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
December 2, 2019 at 12:17 PM
It really was a year of mêmes wasn't it...
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Ms. Rabbit 🐇
December 3, 2019 at 4:55 AM
I think you miss
"Sunflower, Work Place Musical and Singing to Cabbages: Weird is The New Sexy."
😉
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15 mugyuljoie is preciousss
December 2, 2019 at 12:10 PM
Anyone have a link to a complete list of dramas for 2019?
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Kurama
December 2, 2019 at 12:37 PM
https://wiki.d-addicts.com/Category:KDrama2019
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
December 2, 2019 at 12:42 PM
Thank you!
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Kurama
December 2, 2019 at 1:21 PM
You're welcome :)
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WishfulToki
December 3, 2019 at 12:35 PM
I like this one too, which has them listed by network: https://wiki.d-addicts.com/List_of_Dramas_aired_in_Korea_by_Network_in_2019
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Kurama
December 3, 2019 at 1:05 PM
Yes, and there is one for the future dramas by network too.
WishfulToki
December 3, 2019 at 3:03 PM
@kurama. That's my go-to site to check upcoming dramas: https://wiki.d-addicts.com/Upcoming_KDrama :D
stpauligurl
December 3, 2019 at 5:05 AM
Thank you for this link! Unfortunately all I see are the shows I couldn't finish! ;-)
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dramalava
December 3, 2019 at 8:25 AM
Same. I think this year has the lowest number of dramas I’ve watched from start to finish
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Kurama
December 3, 2019 at 1:06 PM
You're welcome.
No Kdrama in 2019? Really? There were good one though.
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stpauligurl
December 3, 2019 at 2:58 PM
Oh I finished LOTs of them - but also there were so many I couldn't finish. But now that I've fallen into the UT abyss I can't seem to get myself starting any new ones.
But I'll certainly check the new one with Hyun Bin next week.
16 Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
December 2, 2019 at 1:34 PM
I was thinking I barely watched anything, but I just counted up nine 2019 dramas that I watched without dropping ~ That’s pretty solid, especially since it’s not including previously aired shows or Chinese dramas.
My slump year was more full than I thought 😅
There is no defining theme to my watching, or my life, this year. So this will be a theme that I will sit out ~
Might I suggest January Theme of the Month be about our dream dramas? The ones we hope to come into being with each new drama ?
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
December 2, 2019 at 2:55 PM
*small excited gasp*
can I write about that in January anyway? I have so many.
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Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
December 2, 2019 at 3:42 PM
Please do, Sic dear~
Right now I know I will either be writing a lot or not at all in January, so I’m still committing to nothing.
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OhSoEnthusiastic
December 8, 2019 at 10:26 AM
I second this!
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17 DoubleFault
December 2, 2019 at 7:56 PM
This year was about Jang Man Wol for me and her Hotel Del Luna staff. It is great to come across another memorable character, and a female one at that. Aside from teaching us about forgiveness and letting go, what I got from it is that the cards that are handed to us will not always be fair. However,it should not stop us from living with dignity and grace.
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18 Kairoskat 💐
December 2, 2019 at 8:55 PM
2019 is simple: Shin Sung Rok.
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dramalava
December 3, 2019 at 8:28 AM
Every time i see his name I feel a little sad cause I like him so much but can hardly get through the dramas he’s in 😭
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19 earthna
December 2, 2019 at 10:41 PM
2019: My 147th rewatch of Six Flying Dragons.
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Peridot
December 3, 2019 at 4:34 PM
I just started watching it. I am two episodes in. I didn't want to post any thoughts on it at this point because I want to make sure I can make the commitment.
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earthna
December 4, 2019 at 7:50 AM
Ohhhh enjoy the ride!
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Peridot
December 5, 2019 at 8:03 PM
Thanks!
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WishfulToki
December 4, 2019 at 7:46 PM
It took me until Ep. 6 to get hooked and make that commitment. Enjoy!
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Peridot
December 5, 2019 at 8:02 PM
Thanks! I'm on episode ten. It does take a while, with all the set up. There is so much to cover.
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earthna
December 5, 2019 at 9:36 PM
Yooo you're so fast!
20 13infamyss
December 2, 2019 at 11:15 PM
The rise of strong female leads. Lee Yeon Seo, Tammy, Scarlett, Veronica Park, Man Wol, Mo Seok Hui. May this trend continues on.
I didn’t watch a lot of K-Dramas this year. Even the ones I liked I had gripes, but I definitely appreciated the shift in female leads with amazing personality and characters. 💘💘
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13infamyss
December 2, 2019 at 11:24 PM
Throwback to that time I first fell in love with Bae Ta Mi http://www.dramabeans.com/members/13infamyss/activity/798987/
Throwback to that time I decided Shin Hye Sun rose up to the ranks of my all time favourite actresses. She was amazing; drama not so much. http://www.dramabeans.com/members/13infamyss/activity/786089/
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OldLawyer
December 3, 2019 at 7:01 AM
Shin Hye-sun is my very favorite actress of simply extraordinary talent. I have always hated the fact that in her previous dramas the designers always seemed to want to hide her very great beauty with ill-fitting or dowdy clothing. Then we got ANGEL'S LAST MISSION and a designer who received permission to do the opposite- and it was a real treat for the eyes.
The show itself was seriously marred by the inability of the writer to choose between competing visions of the world: The Buddhist/Traditional Religious one and a Roman Catholic one- including a profound misunderstanding of the purpose of angels. Because of this the happy ending seemed forced- even though the elements for it were there throughout the story.
The sad thing about ANGEL'S LAST MISSION is that, had the writer not attempted a sloppy mishmash of world views we might have gotten a story as profound as GOBLIN.
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wapz
December 3, 2019 at 4:42 AM
I will also like to add the wonderful trio of Be Melodramatic. I think you haven't watched it unless they would've been mentioned *hint: time to get over AMA too 😜*
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13infamyss
December 3, 2019 at 5:03 AM
Yes correct. I haven’t seen Be Melo 🙈🙈 Guess I can add one more bean this year? 😬
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wapz
December 3, 2019 at 5:49 AM
It is amazing. Totally worth a try. There will be serious parts but always something fun too to balance that out.
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mary
December 3, 2019 at 11:26 AM
She’s not a lead, but Hoo-ja from Fellow Citizens :)))
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13infamyss
December 3, 2019 at 4:27 PM
Ohhh!! I forgot about Hoo Ja!! Yes she was awesome. I would consider her a lead, just like how I label Veronica and Scarlett leads!
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parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
December 12, 2019 at 7:36 AM
Yesss I vote Hoo Ja for best villain of the year!
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Edgar Pordwed
December 3, 2019 at 5:17 PM
A lot of awesome female side characters and villains too I think!
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21 Mary Sintim
December 3, 2019 at 11:57 AM
I have done my best
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22 Snow Flower
December 5, 2019 at 4:45 PM
2019 - the year of the sageuk
My favorite dramas (in order of airing)
The Crowned Clown
Kingdom
Nokdu Flower
Designated Survivor: 60 Days
The Tale of Nokdu
My Country
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