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Premiere Watch: Dr. Brain, Happiness

More dramas coming in hot! This week’s drops are quite interesting ones — we have the first-ever drama production from Apple TV+ (all eyes on how that goes), and an apocalyptic infectious disease-themed drama that feels way too close to life to be entertainment. But we’ll watch anyway.

 

Dr. Brain

Time slot: Thursday
Broadcaster: Apple TV+
Genre: Sci-fi, thriller, mystery
Episode count: 6

Reasons to watch: While Apple TV+’s first foray into the dramaverse (and their launch in South Korea) might be a giant question mark so far, at least they nailed the titling. I mean, was there ever a title that felt more like a K-drama than Dr. Brain? As to the actual story, it follows Lee Seon-kyun as our hero — a brain scientist who’s working to develop a way to access a person’s memories. This research comes in handy when he has to solve a mysterious incident that happens in his own family. Weird premise aside, the cast is enough to pique my interest — Lee Seon-kyun is joined by Seo Ji-hye, Lee Yoo-young, Park Hee-soon, Yoo Teo, and more. According to my calculations, this could either go in an awesome Inception direction, or become a confusing and cheesy mess. We shall see.

 

Happiness

Time slot: Friday & Saturday
Broadcaster: tvN
Genre: Thriller, fantasy, horror, action
Episode count: 12

Reasons to watch: Han Hyo-joo and Park Hyung-shik take the lead in tvN’s thriller Happiness. In the story, the two have know each other since high school, and are now in the police force as a squad member and a detective. And, important plot point, Hyung-shik has thing for her. However, their world is not a happy one (punny title reference intended) — infectious diseases are now common, and a new one threatens to shut down life as they know it. I feel it’s a little too soon to delve into the psychological, political, and economic mayhem that comes from an epidemic, but perhaps that’s actually the perfect time to deliver some catharsis? Either way, I think we can trust the story in the hands of PD Ahn Gil-ho, and I’m in.

 
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Nope, NOT adding Apple TV. Not gonna do it.

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I was totally thinking the same thing ...

**while looking at this months budget -- maybe I'm drinking too many cold brews?🤔**

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So Dr. Brain is not being aired by any Korean broadcasting company, huh. Okayyy.

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You forgot the biggest reason to watch: Director Kim Jee Woon of the famed I Saw the Devil and Tale of Two Sisters.

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Oh god, not another network. Nope.

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The good news is that HAPPINESS a will be available on Viki US.
1. Director Ahn directed two of my favorites STRANGER (2017) and WATCHER (2019). I am sold.
2. Park Hyung-sik. I saw and enjoyed his three drama before beginning his military commitment. I think in his last drama SUITS (2018) he gave his best performance. I am looking forward to his return.

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Happiness also available on Iqiyi.

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Viu and WeTV too for those in Asia

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Not happy about another streaming service added to the mix, but I have Apple TV right now to watch Season 2 of Ted Lasso, so I will give Dr. Brain a try.

I wasn't blown away by the trailer for Happiness, but I'll give it a try too.

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I did the same thing—for Ted. Ted should be protected.

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Ted is love.

FYI If anyone has an account at Target, you can get 4 months of Apple Tv free.

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These two are a skip for me. Not subscribing to another service just for one drama, even one with Lee Sun-kyun in it, and Happiness is way too close to home for now.

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May have to resort to ill**** means to get my Lee Sun-kyun fix.

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I think most of us will have to do that. :)

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I'll find Dr Brain thru illegal means 😅😅

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If you find the episodes elsewhere, please let us know. :)

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I found ep1 on dramac**l 😅

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I have my own two-part posts for what I said was the possible hints/clues of being as a references to Happiness that allegedly soon-to-be plagiarism/copycat to this one of this year's (2021) Philippine TV show's halloween special (Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho/One at Heart, Jessica Soho):
https://www.dramabeans.com/members/magajesj/activity/1272015/
https://www.dramabeans.com/members/magajesj/activity/1272016/
My only opinion on why KMJS segment Quarantine Hotel was soon to be possibly a plagiarism victim of Happiness was because the real-life haunted hotel looks like a Happiness apartment that contained a three lead characters and of course, a real-life Covid-19 pandemic sounded like a Happiness fictional apocalyptic epidemic.
(Note: that first of two posts contained a copycat to Squid Game's doll Younghee and of course, both parts had also allegedly or possibly plagiarized/copied by Netflix 2020 Kdrama Sweet Home)

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I knew there was 2 one-titled horror K-dramas that begins with a H that both premiered this month of November 2021: Happiness and Hellbound (Netflix) (which the former will premiere this week while the latter will be premiere next two weeks)

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Also premiering:
https://www.dramabeans.com/2021/08/jung-in-sun-and-jun-confirmed-for-new-sbs-idol-drama/#comment-3894934
SBS' Let Me Be Your Knight (November 7, 2021, every Sunday) (available on legal streaming sites: Iqiyi and Viki)

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I'm doing the free trial of Apple TV+ for Ted Lasso (with a reminder set to terminate once that period is up), so I'll give Dr. Brain a try for Seo Ji-hye. Dinner Mate had some serious issues, but I really enjoyed seeing her in a role that wasn't bitter, lovelorn second lead (looking at you, Black Knight *shudder* and CLOY). This looks like a serious role, and she does serious well, but hopefully another chance for her to stretch her acting chops. And it's only 6 eps, which helps enormously.

Not so sure if I'm up for Happiness but willing to give it a go based on feedback after the first few eps.

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I love Park Hyung-sik but a no to the horror genre. I cry. I couldn’t take the trailer, too. Thank God for DramaBeans recaps!

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Netflix, Amazon, Viki, Kocowa, IqIyi...not going to add Apple TV. I still can't even watch 18 Again on any channel in US, this is getting annoying that so many dramas are unavailable.

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I think two more dramas will premiere this week: Red Sleeve on MBC and I'll ve your knight on SBS, both at the weekend!

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I believe Red Sleeve’s premiere was moved to the 12th?

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Lee Seon-kyun!! So happy to see him again <3 Welcome back, LSK!

but, like some beanies, I too am annoyed on how Dr.Brain won't be available in other platform than apltv+ . but seems that my self-commitment wavered after watching the trailer (looks intriguing), before I knew it my previously uninstalled apltv+ is back installed on my ipad haha..*if anything, would rely on not-so-trusted site..

on Happiness, I was quite excited because it will be a thriller, I love thriller, but then the premise didn't incite my excitement, so I probably wait for beanies' review on this one before deciding to watch it.

ok, I just have to do this once more: Lee Seon-kyuuuuunnn! <3

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Lee Sun Kyun has my attention in anything he dues—the premise sounds interesting and I have Apple TV already. So Dr. Brain is a go. The others, only if they’re buzz-worthy.

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Hello PHS, let's do this <3.

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Happiness episode 1 is fun.

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It's so much fun! I'm hoping all subsequent episodes are as good.

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