Premiere Watch: The King's Affection, Reflection of You, My Name

44 October 10, 2021October 13, 2021

Premiere Watch: The King’s Affection, Reflection of You, My Name

by missvictrix

After a brief respite from our fall premieres, there are three new shows on the way, each offering something quite different. We have Netflix’s next original (sure to get extra buzz after Squid Game, right?), our latest romance and gender-bending sageuk, and some nice juicy melo to top it off.

The King’s Affection

Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: KBS
Genre: Sageuk, romance
Episode count: 20

Reasons to watch: Despite being one of the only humans that didn’t love Moonlight Drawn By Clouds, I’m actually excited to see what The King’s Affection has to offer. With the ever-lovely Park Eun-bin masquerading as her crown prince twin brother, there are sure to be a lot of life-or-death secrets and complicated situations. I mean, imagine if your private tutor knocked on the door and when you opened it up, Rowoon was here. ‘Nuff said. Based on a manhwa, and looking very flowery and pretty, The King’s Affection also promises the feels — and I say, bring it on. (Oppa bonus: Did I mention Rowoon was in this?)

Reflection of You

Time slot: Wednesday & Thursday
Broadcaster: JTBC
Genre: Thriller, drama
Episode count: 16

Reasons to watch: One of the best things about autumn is that it’s melo season, and it feels like Reflection of You is our first unofficial melo drop of the season. The drama’s promos bring Mine to mind, but I’m secretly hoping this one is a little more… fun? With Go Hyun-jung and Shin Hyun-bin leading the story as rivals, and lots of gaslighting and manipulation being on the table, we could be looking at an intense tale. I hope it’s riveting, because I want a juicy, psychologically-driven melo filled with complicated affections, and I’m not going to stop asking until dramaland delivers. (Oppa bonus: a long-haired Lee Jae-young also stars here!)

My Name

Premiere Day: Friday
Broadcaster: Netflix
Genre: Thriller, drama
Episode count: 8

Reasons to watch: Although Nevertheless fatigue (or is that PTSD?) might still be running strong, there’s something about My Name that just grabs attention. It looks like we’ll be getting a very different side of Han So-hee — the inversion of shy butterfly girl, in fact. In My Name, she’s full of fight and badassery and on an undercover revenge mission. Some have likened the plot to Heartless City, and that’s all they needed to say to get me to watch. (Oppa bonus: Not to be robbed of the spotlight, Ahn Bo-hyun and Park Hee-soon also star as cop and mob boss, respectively, and here’s hoping that they get as much attention as Han So-hee most likely will.)

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1 Jezz

October 10, 2021 at 11:09 PM

Legal streaming sites for...
The King's Affection: Netflix
Reflection of You: Netflix

This week was Kdramas that all related to Netflix, so there's a two acquired Kdramas (The King's Affection and Reflection of You) and an only one Netflix original Kdrama (My Name).

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OldLawyer

October 11, 2021 at 8:04 AM

So we will get test whether the global success of SQUID GAME carries over to a larger audience for these shows. People who watch SQUID GAME will likely get an email from Netflix telling them about these shows. Not everyone who like SQUID GAME will bite, of course, But some will- and some will even stay with a show like THE KING'S AFFECTION because of all the pretty and the costumes- for many a whole new viewing experience. How many? We don't know yet But I do know that this could be seen as one of those "Natural Experiments" for which 3 guys were just awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics.

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2 Kurama

October 11, 2021 at 12:00 AM

I'm super excited for The King's Affection.

The story and the teasers of Reflection of You didn't appeal me.. I don't think I'm in the mood for this kind of drama. Shin Hyun-bin's acting in HP kinda disheartened me...

I will try My Name for the story and Park Hee-soon.

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3 miss h

October 11, 2021 at 1:36 AM

I might give The King's Affection a try but generally I don't last long with sageuks.

I've read the synopsis and watched all of the teasers for Reflection of You and still don't have a clue what it's about but with Go Hyun-jung and the writer of JBL/Secret, I'm definitely in.

I've been impressed with Netflix originals so here's hoping My Name is a dark, gritty revenge drama.

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Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)

October 11, 2021 at 9:15 AM

Have to at least start any show with Go Hyun-jung no matter what you think of the story line.

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4 mmmmm

October 11, 2021 at 3:38 AM

I am interested in My Name because of Han So-hee, but I'm not sure I'll last long in this genre.

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5 💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜

October 11, 2021 at 4:01 AM

I think I was originally planning to try and start all of these so I guess we'll see how that goes.

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kiara

October 11, 2021 at 1:56 PM

I started a lot of dramas but only managed to finish a couple. I might not have more than three beans for the end of the year. 😟
There is no cure for drama ADD.

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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜

October 11, 2021 at 2:20 PM

Drama ADD oh gosh 😭😭😭
I realised yesterday I've started 40 dramas this year (Inc currently airings) and dropped 17 of them so far, so actually maybe I SHOULDN'T start all of these...

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kiara

October 11, 2021 at 4:06 PM

What? But who is going to do all the sh*t posts? LOL

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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜

October 11, 2021 at 4:38 PM

HAHAHA but Kiara I have only shitposted properly twice this year and none since March... ಠ_ಠ

6 Mandy

October 11, 2021 at 6:15 AM

I definitely am one of those who thought Moonlight wasn’t all that. It wasn’t anything but fluff to me lol.

But I’m soooooo excited for King’s affection. PEB is just so likeable and I’m really loving her chemistry with Ro Woon. I hope it’s good. I really want a great sageuk because Red Sky… lol

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7 Over-Dramaddictally

October 11, 2021 at 6:20 AM

“imagine if your private tutor knocked on the door and when you opened it up, Rowoon was here. ‘Nuff said” 😂😂😂
I can’t wait for Rowoon. Netflix says The King’s Affection won’t be available for me until the 22nd. Not sure I’m going to make it!

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Kurama

October 11, 2021 at 7:26 AM

@missvictrix really liked a tortured Hyun-seung in the last episode of She Would Never Know :p

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missvictrix

October 11, 2021 at 12:26 PM

mwaaaaa

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Over-Dramaddictally

October 11, 2021 at 5:50 PM

nothin wrong with that ;P

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8 kiara

October 11, 2021 at 6:27 AM

I'm excited for PD Kim Jin-min's MY NAME. Park Hee-soon is a bonus!

It's been a while since we have two fluffy sageuks competing on the Monday/Tuesday slot. I'm glad they are saving the heavy ones for winter.

Welcome back Go Hyun-jung <3.

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9 OldLawyer

October 11, 2021 at 7:53 AM

Eight episodes for MY NAME? This is not one of those Netflix "Season 1" and "Season 2" deals is it?

I love Park Eun-bin so I hope THE KING'S AFFECTION turns out well.

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10 bong-soo

October 11, 2021 at 8:46 AM

Mini Sageuk update.
It is possible that in November rabid sageuk fans could be juggling three sageuks:
1. KBS’s THE KING’S AFFECTION. M/T 20 eps. (Oct. 11-Dec. 14) (Netflix)
2. MBC’s RED SLEEVE CUFF. F/S 16 eps. (Nov. 5-Dec. 25) (Viki US)
3. tvN’s SECRET ROYAL INSPECTOR JOY M/T 16 eps. (Nov. 8-Dec. 28) (Viki US).
Then, to get you into 2022 you will have available:
4. KBS’s WHEN FLOWERS BLOOM, I THINK OF THE MOON (Yoo Seung-ho, Lee Hye-ri) M/T 16 eps. (Dec. 20- Feb. 15 ‘22).

I am passing on watching No. 1 THE KING’S AFFECTION but plan to watch Nos. 2-4.
As alway I wish all the upcoming dramas luck.
(I am not watching LOVERS OF THE RED SKY but I am very pleased that it is seems to be fan favorite here and seems to have found its audience in the 8-9% ratings range.)

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kiara

October 11, 2021 at 9:52 AM

KING'S AFFECTION's opening scene gave me the QUEEN SEON DEOK vibes. I didn't expect that but seeing Bae Soo Bin made me squeee like a crazy fangirl. I miss him in sageuks, and I'm so glad he is not just making a cameo appearance.
Son Jong Hak playing evil is always convincing. FLOWER of EVIL, anyone?
I'm in love with the pilot episode, but it's going into fluff territory at some point, and I might continue for my bias.
Park Eun-bin don't let me down...

RED SLEEVE CUFF is a yes for the leads. The writer scares me. "General Gye-Baek" should have been more interesting, but this writer managed to make it dull and uninspiring as heck. Don't get me started on "Ruler..."
I'm praying hard for the writing to be decent. Maybe this writer will connect more with the novel?

INSPECTOR is probably the one that I won't mind skipping. I'm always in the mood for more conventional sageuks during winter, and KBS' TAEJONG: YI BANG-WON will be my winter watch. Kim Young-Chul playing Yi Seong-gye again after MY COUNTRY. He is a fabulous actor, so I don't mind.

I'm looking forward to Jang Hyuk and Kang Han-ah's sageuk reunion in RED SINGLE HEART the most, but that's for 2022.

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bong-soo

October 11, 2021 at 1:31 PM

I am glad you enjoyed the pilot for TKA.
(Unfortunately at 62 episodes THE GREAT QUEEN SEONDOK is not going to happen for me).
The reason I think I can watch both RED SLEEVE CUFF and INSPECTOR simultaneously is that they are contrasts. RSC although a romance, given the character of Yi San (King Jeongjo), will be the ‘heavy’ of the two I anticipate. INSPECTOR is being promoted as a comedy saguek and I am looking forward to Taecyon displaying some comedic acting chops.
All I know is that sageuk fans have a lot coming down the line the rest of this year and well into 2022. It all makes up for the barren sageuk year of 2020.

Then there is the Hong Sisters’ HWON HON which was reported to air in December but from what I gather has been somewhat jinxed. I have been keeping HH in the mix of sageuks I have tried to follow but it may wind up being pure fantasy so I am not sure what is going on there.

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kiara

October 11, 2021 at 2:41 PM

Understandable. I don't think I can watch a 200 eps sageuk like I used to back in the days. 😂
QSD was fun watching live. I don't want to re-watch it. I'd be seeing all the flaws that I purposely ignored. 🤣

Sageuk comedies do well in films. I'm interested to see how it fares in dramas.

I didn't know HH was going to be a sageuk.
Whatever happen to Park Hyung Sik's sageuk? Is it still a go?

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bong-soo

October 11, 2021 at 3:40 PM

Park Hyung-sik's sageuk? Well, it's complicated.
Talk about being jinxed, the television dramatization of the historical mystery novel The Golden Hairpin by Qinghan CeCe has been jinxed both in China and South Korea. To keep it short jinxed in China because of Kris Wu.
In SK, (now I am speculating) the kdrama adaptation got caught up in the JOSEON EXCORCIST debacle. The best info I can come up with right now is this Soompi article from June which gives the new title of the project:
https://www.soompi.com/article/1474623wpp/jeon-so-nee-in-talks-along-with-park-hyung-sik-for-new-historical-drama

When the word came out that the dramatization of The Golden Hairpin might be PHS's first project after completion of his military service I downloaded the novel and enjoyed it. It was obviously set up for a sequel and PHS seemed to be prefect casting as the prince. I thought it could have been easily adapted to some point in Joseon history as fiction.
(@kiara. that is my report from the field.)

kiara

October 11, 2021 at 4:03 PM

@marcusnyc20, bong-soo.

Thank you <3.
I'm up to date now!

Snow Flower

October 12, 2021 at 10:15 AM

@kiara, @marcusnyc20,

I thought that the first episode of The King's Affection was very engaging. Have not seen Episode 2 yet. The children actors are great as usual. Hope the show maintains my interest.

I am also watching Red Sky. I am rather confused by the world building, but I am in Estes in the OTP and want to know how the leads are going to survive the mess they are in.
I do plan to watch Red Cuff. I am not sure about the other incoming sageuks, but will keep an eye open.

Are there TWO Taejong sageuks planned for next year, with Jang Hyuk in one of them? I always thought he would make a great Gwanghae...

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Snow Flower

October 12, 2021 at 10:18 AM

invested in the OTP! Stupid autocorrect...😂

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bong-soo

October 12, 2021 at 3:54 PM

Tell me about it!

kiara

October 12, 2021 at 12:08 PM

@Snow Flower,

Yes, RED CUFF is a must-watch for the Yi San fangirls. 🙂

Jang Hyuk would make a great Gwanghae, but I think he is playing the kingmaker for Gwanghae. in this sageuk.
It's fiction, so I'm not 100% sure, except that it's during Sungjong's reign.

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kiara

October 12, 2021 at 12:41 PM

As for RED SKY, I think it'll have a happy ending. The novel was written by the same writer of "MOON SUN and SKS" Her OTPs always had a fairytale ending.
The two princes are loosely based on King Sejo and his brother Grand Prince Anpyeong. If they follow it, Ma Wang's next host will be the future king.
I still don't know who's portrait will become the vessel and what it means for the OTP.

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bong-soo

October 12, 2021 at 3:53 PM

@snowflower,
As far as I know currently there is only one upcoming Taejong saguek:
KBS’s TAEJONG YI BANG WON (Joo Sang-wook, Park Jin-hee) S/S 36 eps. (Dec. 11/12 - Mar. 27, ‘22?) MDL report here:
https://mydramalist.com/707971-taejong-yi-bang-won/cast

Jang Hyuk’s upcoming sageuk:
KBS’s RED SINGLE HEART (Jang Hyuk, Lee Joon, Kang Han Na) Airing:?
It has been difficult to get consistent synopses on what this fictional drama will be about.
The MSL report mentions ‘Sunjong’ which would place the story in the early 20th century perhaps. Here is the MDL report:
https://mydramalist.com/700723-red-heart
This is the description at koalasplayground.com:
http://koalasplayground.com/2021/05/27/jang-hyuk-and-lee-joon-cast-in-upcoming-kbs-sageuk-drama-red-single-heart/
I hope this helps.
I am ready for both sageuks.

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11 loveblossom🌸

October 11, 2021 at 9:57 AM

Heh, I like the oppa bonus. Thanks for the Lee Jae Young shoutout~ He’s been looking so good with long hair.

Planning to watch The King’s Affection. Feels like I haven’t watch a sageuk in so long. My Name is nice and short at 8 episodes. Not sure if I'm in the mood for it though. Wonder if it will get a lot of buzz.

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12 am1993

October 11, 2021 at 10:15 AM

For some reason I am in the mood for a story like the one promised by My Name. I have no reason not to check it out especially since it is only 8 episodes and it will be available on Netflix. I hope it's good.

I am currently watching a Sageuk so I am not dying to check another one out at the moment. Not even for pretty and tall Rowoon (who I just found out I technically can't call an oppa - It's all good. I'm fine. I swear.) and the wonderful Park Eunbin.
I'll wait for the feedback and reviews to decide.

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mugyuljoie is preciousss

October 11, 2021 at 11:36 PM

What happened to if he's handsome he's my oppa?

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13 Zora

October 11, 2021 at 11:31 AM

I am one of those humans that didn’t love Moonlight Drawn By Clouds @missvictrix as well 😆 I was more invested to Scarlet Heart Moonlovers when it was airing.

I am not a fan of sageuks but I would probably check out King's Affection since it's on Netflix. The advantage of My Name is it's a Netflix original so bingeing will not be a problem. I will definitely watch it. I don't know about Reflection though. I love melo once in a while but not sure if this one suits my taste so it's a pass for me.

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14 Makky

October 11, 2021 at 11:38 AM

In what countries is the King's Affection available?
I couldn't find it in my country so I'll need to use VPN :/ Is it not available in Europe?

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kiara

October 11, 2021 at 11:53 AM

The US, for sure.

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Makky

October 12, 2021 at 8:06 PM

I couldn't find it in the US Netflix library though

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lillamy

October 12, 2021 at 10:47 AM

The first episode will be available in my northern region of Europe in two weeks. Methinks it depends on the speed of the subtitles. Hospital playlist became available over a month after it finished airing, and most dramas do.

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Cloggie

October 12, 2021 at 11:10 AM

I'm in the UK and I've got the first two episodes available now

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15 aceinthetrap

October 11, 2021 at 2:03 PM

Kim Jae-young, not Lee Jae-young.

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16 jerrykuvira

October 11, 2021 at 2:24 PM

This premières are really interesting series. Really looking forward to seeing Go Hyun-jung on screen.

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17 Viki

October 11, 2021 at 3:51 PM

Have been looking forward to the first 2 dramas for weeks now and will definitely check out My Name for Han So Hee's transformation.

Glad they are all on Netflix because that means no waiting for Viki subs, which can take a while.

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18 korfan

October 11, 2021 at 10:15 PM

Looking forward to watching Go Hyun-jung in her new project.

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19 Lilium

October 11, 2021 at 11:47 PM

I didn't like Moonlight Drawn by Clouds either. And I tried hard... very hard for Park Bo-geum. I'm just not that fond of unserious historical dramas.

But I will give The King's Affection a go. In fact the Netflix lineup looks interesting. Thanks for the post.

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