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Premiere Watch: Joseon Exorcist, Navillera, Oh! Master

With some dramas ending, and others nearing a close, it’s time for more premieres! Dramaland has been a little dark and dire of late, so I’m throwing out a wish that we have some sparkly, fabulous shows coming up in the mix. If nothing else, I love the casting I’m seeing here — so much that perhaps we should take a moment to thank the unspoken heroes that are our drama casting directors. *Applause*

 

Joseon Exorcist

Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: SBS
Genre: Sageuk, supernatural, horror
Episode count: 16

Reasons to watch: It hasn’t been that long since Jang Dong-yoon’s last drama ended, but he’s back already, and I’m not complaining. I only wish it wasn’t a sageuk horror, because that is definitely beyond my drama-watching abilities. But for those that are braver than I and welcome some gory, occult intrigue, Joseon Exorcist sounds pretty exciting. An evil spirit that was kept at bay in Joseon reemerges, and the two princes have to either fight the evil, or give into it. All evil aside, this might be worth the watch just to see Jang Dong-yoon and Park Sung-hoon playing brothers, because whoever cast those two as much needs a medal of some sort, and I’m happy to bequeath it.

 

Navillera

Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: tvN
Genre: Dramedy, human
Episode count: 12

Reasons to watch: If you miss seeing Song Kang on your screen (whether monster-y or broody), he’s back as a ballet dancer in Navillera. Being a big ballet fan, but one without a lot of technical knowledge, I’m ready and willing to be swept away by this drama. It breaks the mold — and I’m here for that — with the main focus being on Song Kang and his friendship with a haraboji (played by Park In-hwan). Together, they learn and grow and dance their way to their dreams. It sounds beautifully heartwarming, and heartwarmingly beautiful. (Special bonus: hard-working sweaty dancer muscles, if you’re into that, heh.)

 

Oh! Master

Time slot: Wednesday & Thursday
Broadcaster: MBC
Genre: Rom-com, melo
Episode count: 16

Reasons to watch: And now it’s time for our next casting award. May I present Exhibit A: a new rom-com featuring Nana (much beloved after her turn in Memorials) and the incomparable Lee Min-ki. Put them together in a cohabitation themed rom-com about a screenwriter and an actress, and you have magic! Well, more accurately, you have no excuse not to have magic. With two actors that have enough color to bring even the dullest of plots to life, and a co-director that brought us the awesome drama special You Drive Me Crazy, I’ll admit my hopes are sky high. I’m picturing the cutest, swooniest drama that takes a wonderful, archetypal drama setup (a la Full House) and refreshes it in a way we didn’t know we needed. Bring it on.

 
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NAVILLERA is here. Huzzah!

Plus nana and Lee Min-ki- need I say more.

The dark ages are over.

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You don't realize how dark the current fare is until you realize that we're finally getting one rom-com (I consider Hello, Me! more of self-love story than a love story).

And then I have hopes for Navillera to be a nice, healing show as well.

Spring has arrived!

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Exactly what I meant.

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Agree!!!

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I'm just gonna say that the next 3 days are going to feel like AGONY and why isn't it Wednesday yet?????

Not that I'm getting my expectations up too high or anything, cough.

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You're more calm than I expected. Did you schedule Wednesday or Thursday as a day off to celebrate?

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Sadly, working in healthcare, I have to ask for days off quite far in advance and couldn't have if I wanted to! :P

Real talk, I work on Wednesday but I'm off Thursday, haha. Def gonna stay away from any and all internet comments on Wednesday until I get home and can watch!

The calm is because the days immediately leading up to the premiere I am of course in the "oh god this is gonna be awful it's gonna be TERRIBLE" mentality. This is a familiar pattern.

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@ndlessjoie just thought I'd let you know a coworker just came up to me asking if I could work for ger Thursday and I nearly shouted "NO!!!!!!!!" before she even finished her sentence.

I might be a bad coworker.

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😂 I'd expect nothing less. Does she have no respect for LMK????

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Was gonna say I had no expectations of Oh! Master other than a fun, light watch. Then I checked out the writer, Jo Jin-kuk, on Asianwiki. Has anyone seen his cohabitation rom-com from just last year, Love is Annoying But I Hate Being Lonely? Does he specialise in cohabitation rom-coms or something? Another ominous thing is that he was the co-writer of Lee Myung-se's very strange film M.

Still, I generally prefer writers with unusual CVs - and sometimes no CV at all - to the likes of the Hong sisters or Kim Eun-sook or Park Ji-eun.

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He's got a pretty interesting variety of shows under his belt, including some cult classics like the vampire family sitcom Hello, Francesca and the ensemble indie-ish romance/comedy Soulmate, and then more mainstream fare like the Korean Fated To Love You. I honestly don't know what to expect from the writer, so fingers crossed he delivers this time! 🤞He seems to like quirky, and these two actors can definitely do quirky justice.

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I'll check out Master because Nana was so much fun to watch in Memorials, and I'll start Exorcist for no particular reason, but...

... *flame suit on* Ballet? GUYS doing ballet?? Sounds about as interesting as watching paint dry. I'd rather watch dancing hippos in tutus. *runs for cover*

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...Millennial whippersnappers never watched “Center Stage”, clearly. Ballet is like insane gymnastics crossed with drama crossed with podiatry Youtube videos! What’s not to like?

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Center Stage is still one of my favorite movies of all time! and totally agree!

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I loved Center Stage and really any show with good dancing in it.

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"Joseon Exorcist" feels like an oppa sageuk. It's dark, bloody and horrifying with 3 male leads.

This is not my type of sageuk but I'm very curious about how they are going to tackle this well known part of Korean history in a supernatural/horror genre.
Shin Kyung Soo is one of the few PDs I trust with sageuks so I'm more than happy to support this drama.

One of the Western male character is played by Darcy Paquet, an American film critic and the subtitle translator for some Korean films including Jong Bong-ho's ""Barking Dogs Never Bite," "Memory of Murder," and "Parasite."
The other is David McInnis who seems to have been around K-dramas for a while now so no random white dudes in this.

I think this cast is a good mix of old and young talents and I love watching sageuks where every actor is capable of carrying their own.
I'm happy to see Lee Yoo-bi back in a sageuk playing a much darker role this time. Her mother, Kyeon Mi-ri is a sageuk veteran best known for her role as Lady Choi in "Dae Jang Geum" aka "Jewel in the Palace" and Queen Wonhu in "Jumong." She played the antagonist in both so Yoo-bi has her own experienced coach in the family for this role.

I'm going to watch this show during the day with no snack lol.

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Please let me know how it is. I'm a no gore person, so I think I'll have to pass.

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Will do if I make it pass eps 2 :).

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Darcy Paquet in a drama!! Have been reading his review for so many years and now to see him on screen....

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@kiara,oneof the things I am concerned about in JOSEON EXORCIST based on the trailers I have seen are the Christian references. Historically Catholicism which constituted Christianity (for all intents and purposes) arrived in Korea in the 1780s. It was brought to Korea from China by Korean diplomats, laymen, not missionary priests in the beginning.
I am no expert and it is possible that some kind of Christian missionary presence may have made it to Korea in the 1400s (the time of our story) but I think it is a stretch.
I am not going to get hung up about it. In historical fiction I guess the probable has to live with the possible. Writer-nim may have a hook on the possible front.
Any thoughts before we jump into JOSEON EXORCIST?
I am ready.

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Well, JOSEON EXORCIST is a fiction fantasy sageuk with real life historical figures. It's more like TREE WITH DEEP ROOT where most of the characters and events are fictional but it was intriguing in it's own way if you set aside the actual history.

Joseon was known as a hermit kingdom so you are right, the early presence of western missionaries is historically inaccurate.
Joseon was a tributary state of Ming (China) during Taejong's reign. The two countries had that older brother and little brother relationship. Ming would take care of little brother Joseon and Joseon would pay tribute to older brother Ming.
I'm thinking those Ming diplomats (shown in one of the trailers) brought those missionaries to Joseon to help them fight off the evil spirits that's plaguing the whole country.

"I am not going to get hung up about it" Same here.

I like having a mental picture of the whole country and where the main events of the story take place so I went back "Six Flying Dragons" and "Tree With Deep Root's" Gyeongbokgung Palace.
I know I'm weird but I like keeping track of where the characters are at and where they are moving in the story.

I have some idea of who “the soldiers of Azazel” are in the drama but I'm not quite sure. Obviously they are Goryeo loyalists but who is Azazel? Could it be General Choi Young?
If so it'll give me great pleasure to see them terrorize King Taejong 😂. Sweet revenge!

Anyway, since there is no recap we need to hijack a JE threat and continue discussing it there😊.

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Thanks. There is always something to learn in these dramas.

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Yes, there is a lot to learn even from fusion fantasy sageuks.

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@marcusnyc20 bong-so

Did you start yet? I don't like this feeling that this show is up in the air with petition and ads getting pulled.
I think I'll wait till the weekend.

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@kiara,
No I haven’t seen the first two JE episodes yet. After the intensity of the first four episodes of MOUSE (which I have dropped), I decided on watching tonight the first two episodes of NAVILLERA.
I checked Viki and saw that episode one of JE was fully subbed and saw from @smaltwalt Maq’s fan post the Soompi article which I have read. So I am aware that there is some kind of controversy. I really don’t know too much yet
Do you recall that THE KING: ETERNAL MONARCH had its own controversy to deal with early on but things settled down? Hopefully the same will happen with JE. This drama has been eagerly awaited by a lot of folks.

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It's annoying to see another production having to make unnecessary changes just to please these so-called netizens.

I don't have time to watch it till Friday anyway so hopefully the 2nd eps will be fully subbed then.

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@marcusnyc20 bong-soo,

So I guess this show is over now.

I watched the first part only just to see what the fuss is all about and I think they could have done this without real life historical figures since they seem to be aiming at a global audience with an over-ambitious writer.

This writer is pushing the envelope during a time of political uneasiness especially when it comes to their own history.
Taejong did create a bloodbath to the throne against his political opponents but never pointed a sword at his father or massacred his people.
I see why it didn't sit well with the local viewers.

Creativity with historical sensitivity goes a long way.
TREE WITH DEEP ROOT was a complete fictional take on the creation of Hangul so it can be done.

Anyway, I'm sad for the cast and crew but what can we do?

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@kiara,
Thanks for you take on things.
I watched episode one and half of episode two last night intending to finish today.
It’s unfortunate but JOSEON EXORCIST will be an early drop for me.
After watching episode one I gathered that the ‘gisaengjip’ scenes were part of the issue. Now after reading your comments I can see that the slaughter by King Taejong would have been a turn off also.
Probably unlike most it seems but the part of the story that I could not buy at all was the religious.
I thought the presence of the Catholic priest speaking Latin, his super annoying translator was absurd. I have had a concern about this since I saw the first trailer. It looks to me that it will be a central part of the plot. I can’t take 16 episodes of what I saw in the first two.
On a positive note I enjoyed the performances of the leads. Like you I feel sorry for the cast and crew. It begs the question however.
Just what was the Executive Producer doing to be unaware of potential pitfalls in the script?

I recently dropped MOUSE after four episodes for two reasons: the heavy religious component of the plot and tvN episodic length and the fact it is scheduled to be 20 episodes.

So I could go back now to RIVER with Na In-woo getting positive comments on taking over the role of On Dal. River is scheduled to be completed on April 20.
Now I am looking forward to Jung Il Woo’s BOSSAM—STEALING FATE scheduled to begin on May 1.

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*sigh* I hear you.
I know there is a long list of complaints for the first eps alone but I don't feel like watching it.
I'm done with the writer/pd of RIVER too so on to the next.

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Definitely in the mood for something light, so I hope Oh! Master is a halfway decent rom-com, just wish it wasn't on iqiyi.

Navillera looks like it could be a really nice, heartwarming drama.

Joseon Exorcist isn't really my kind of thing but Jang Dong-yoon and Park Sung-hoon! It looks beautifully filmed too. I'll give it a shot.

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Joseon Exorcist felt like Mr. Queen writer mediocre hit as if I hope the ratings will potential reach below 10 percent but unfortunately, this show looked like too much unfunniest and messiest horror and the story will get the most dangerous truths and revelations despite of great cast, sometimes most excellent PD, coolest editing and most beautiful cinematography. It will combined with another fellow SBS drama Penthouse: War in Life (currently season 2 of 3) which might similarly combining sageuk horror Joseon Exorcist with some of the 19+ episodes, most awesome cinematography, shockiest secrets, most dangerous storylines and even unexpected good-job editing. I will watch this in the near future.

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Navillera will be the kind of show that would tug our heartstrings, isn't it?

If that's the case, I'm in!

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I might be coerced into watching one of these dramas. Maybe. It'll probably be really bad. I'm expecting bad things. It's not like I like the leads or cohabitation dramas or anything like that. Nope. I probably shouldn't watch.

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EGADS I'M SO SCARED WHAT IF IT'S BAD???

It's fine. It'll be fine. It's FINE. We'll be fine!

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We'll pretend it never happened. It's fine. It will be FINE.

There's always Quick and Millions to go back and watch.

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LOL.

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Its OK. Just remember to keep a stiff upper lip, tune in and watch. You can do it.

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Yay, Oh! Master is finally here! Also, checking out Navillera since it's going to be on Netflix anyway. And oh man, I'm afraid of watching Joseon Exorcist but I love both leads! I might just end up checking it out for the Jang Dong Yoon and Park Sung Hoon.

Funny how our Memorials leads have dramas premiering the same week.

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Right?! I love that Nana and Park Sung-hoon have new shows airing the same week!

Although, last time the leads of my OTHER favorite drama had new shows air the same week, I ended up hating both of them...

But this will be better! It'll be fine! They'll both be FINE!

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You an count me out on JOSEON EXORCIST.

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I didn't see Oh! Master in iQIYI yet, any idea where it will legally be streaming in US? Thank you.

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Wednesday! :) I hear iQiyi gets subs up real quick too so you should be able to watch Wednesday morning!

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Yes, it is Wednesday.

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I'm excited for all 3, but I can only watch Navillera and Joseon Exorcist. I have to wait for my friend to watch Oh Master, so I won't get to it until until the 10th. I really hope I like the first 2.

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Some things you just have to lie to your friends about. I'm not saying you should... well, yes I am. I might not be a good friend.

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Lol, that is true, but binging six episodes is sometimes easier than waiting a week for the next two eps.

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O/T probably but one of the things that struck me watching Siwan in RUN ON (now who who make a drama about a track sprinter?) was that not only did he have the physique and moves of a sprinter but also those of a dancer. He probably could have been cast in NAVILLERA.
Anyway, I will be looking for an uplifting drama with characters I can support in NAVILLERA and I won’t sweat the technical stuff.
For my sageuk fix I will also be watching JOSEON EXORCIST. I passed on ROYAL SECRET AGENT and MR. QUEEN. RIVER is on long term hold but I will get back to it later in the year now that the early returns for Na In-woo are so positive. I was dreading having a 6 week overlap between RIVER and JE so I will stick with JE for now.

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With Jung Il-woo’s S/S sageuk BOSSAM—STEALING FATE premiering May 1st, there will be a two week overlap with JOSEON EXORCIST which concludes on May 11th.
I can handle that.

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Where can we watch oh master?

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I believe it will be streaming on iQiyi.

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That is right

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Co-director of You Drive Me Crazy? Oh.. please don’t disappoint me Oh Master. I already prepared to like you.

Nevillera Nevillera Haraboji Nana...

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They’re all finally here! Everything I was anticipating with casts I love. It’s been so long since I’ve been this excited for every single drama on this list. I need them to be at least good. I cannot handle more disappointments.

Wednesday can’t come soon enough. I need my dose of Lee Min-ki.

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This is a much much better crop than the current fare.

Will certainly check out Navillera, not for Song Kang but for my favorite father-in-law / haroboji Park In-Hwan. His FIL character in Be Strong Geum Soon left a lasting impression in me all these years.

And Oh! Master is finally here. The anticipation is high and hope it doesn’t disappoint. While, like everyone, I love Nana in Into The Ring, I love her role in My Good Wide better which is edgier and ambiguous - pulling it off is a feat.

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I have just seen the first episode of NAVILLERA. No spoilers here but I loved the way the first episode set everything up and started the story off. And there is one thing I can see very clearly already:

This show is going to be very, very special.

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Glad to get such a favorable early return.

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Ditto this. I have a good feeling about this one. Looking forward to next week’s eps..

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I really enjoyed the first two episodes.
I had a misconception from a trailer that the guys bullying Chae-rok (Age 23) were from the ballet world which apparently is not the case thank goodness.
The head bully (so far for me in the story) is I think supposed to be a contemporary to Chae-rok and is played by Kim Kwon who is 31 in RL. So far he seems to be pulling off playing a character 8 years younger.

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Me too bong-soo. I enjoyed the first two eps immensely. This is just what I need right now. It's gonna be my saving grace. Hopefully it continues to be this good -at least this good- until the end. I'm hoping this is not too much to ask for. :)

And yes, I think his 'enemy' is very good looking, to say the least. I don't want to spoil it here so I'll just say that this character really annoys me. He really gets on my nerves.

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It seems like our young aspiring ballerino was once a really good soccer player- and quit the team (possibly in shame because of his father's crime). The bullies seem to be his former team mates whose dreams of glory went down the drain when the team was disbanded- and his quitting had something to do with that or was connected to it. So yes the are bullies and their behavior is unacceptable- but it appears that they do have a genuine grievance. Hopefully there is a growth arc for them- learning that in refusing to get over the grievance it is they who are ruining their own lives.

It also explains who our young ballerino keeps asking his now student/manager if he was formerly an athlete. This was his own background and the reason he could advance so quickly as a ballerino- his body was already both strong and trained. Ballerinos/ballerinas are dancers but also really athletes as well.

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I am so freaking excited for Mindy's drama which was actually named Oh! Master (I didn't know!)!!! I'm watching Navillera and will watch Joseon Exorcist tonight after work. What a wonderful week!

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OH NO! Dark is good why?
How am I going to live if drama land is full of fuzzy fluffy dramas..😣😪😭
OCN sallyochuseyo....

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