The Best Dramas of 2021, according to the Korean movie magazine Cine 21:
1. Going to the Blue House Like This
2. Inspector Koo
3. D.P.
4. On the Verge of Insanity
5. Hellbound
6. Beyond Evil
7. Human Disqualification
8. Youth of May
9. Mine
10. Squid Game
The most interesting thing about this list is that the drama at number 1 (and apparently it’s by far the most critically acclaimed drama of 2021) is a show that most of us haven’t watched. Obviously because there are no subtitles at the moment, but probably also because, being in the same category as shows like BBC’s The Thick of It, it is neither easy to sub nor easy to watch.
The other interesting thing about this list is that a lot of the PDs and writers involved are far from established figures in the industry. Inspector Koo and Blue House appear to have been written by teams of relative newbies. And Verge of Insanity’s PD was a last-minute replacement for a far more experienced PD accused of sexual harassment.
It’s a Wavve production, doesn’t have any big stars and wasn’t on any global streaming platform. I wouldn’t have known it existed if I hadn’t stumbled on it on Korean Twitter, where there was some excitement over it. I guess our experience of K-drama is pretty different from that of Koreans themselves!
Actually after I replied I went to look up the drama and realized that technically I’ve heard of it because I follow actress Kim Sung-ryoung on Ig and she posted about it a bunch of times, I just never knew what it was! XD
I saw promotional material for Going to the Blue House Like This and thought it looked like my kind of humor. Too bad it was not picked up by any of the streamers. I wonder how it is doing in Korea? I haven’t seen buzz for it like there was for Work Later, Drink Now.
I’m happy to see Inspector Koo and On the Verge of Insanity on the list, two wonderful but underrated dramas.
Going to the Blue House Like This has been on my radar since the trailers were releases because it seemed totally up my alley. I knew there wouldn’t be any subs because of the subject and the lack of young hot stars in the cast, but I’m still disappointed. Glad my spidey sense was right and that it ended up being great!!
Inspector Koo’s writing was shaky but the directing and overall production was just *chef’s kiss*
It’s on the Korean streamer Wavve but not on any legit global streaming platform (and hence it isn’t subtitled). As far as I can see, it isn’t even on the illegal streaming sites!
Aw thanks for checking! I was hoping to at least find it raw. I might have to try the wavve website but it might require korean phone number or an iPin. Hopefully not!
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knewbie
December 24, 2021 at 4:18 AM
The Best Dramas of 2021, according to the Korean movie magazine Cine 21:
1. Going to the Blue House Like This
2. Inspector Koo
3. D.P.
4. On the Verge of Insanity
5. Hellbound
6. Beyond Evil
7. Human Disqualification
8. Youth of May
9. Mine
10. Squid Game
The most interesting thing about this list is that the drama at number 1 (and apparently it’s by far the most critically acclaimed drama of 2021) is a show that most of us haven’t watched. Obviously because there are no subtitles at the moment, but probably also because, being in the same category as shows like BBC’s The Thick of It, it is neither easy to sub nor easy to watch.
The other interesting thing about this list is that a lot of the PDs and writers involved are far from established figures in the industry. Inspector Koo and Blue House appear to have been written by teams of relative newbies. And Verge of Insanity’s PD was a last-minute replacement for a far more experienced PD accused of sexual harassment.
Lelly19
December 24, 2021 at 4:58 AM
“Going to the blue house like this”
Not only many haven’t watched it, personally I haven’t even heard of it?! Or maybe I did but then forgot 😅
knewbie
December 24, 2021 at 5:40 AM
https://mydramalist.com/693457-going-to-the-blue-house
It’s a Wavve production, doesn’t have any big stars and wasn’t on any global streaming platform. I wouldn’t have known it existed if I hadn’t stumbled on it on Korean Twitter, where there was some excitement over it. I guess our experience of K-drama is pretty different from that of Koreans themselves!
Lelly19
December 24, 2021 at 10:25 AM
Actually after I replied I went to look up the drama and realized that technically I’ve heard of it because I follow actress Kim Sung-ryoung on Ig and she posted about it a bunch of times, I just never knew what it was! XD
She even posted a pic of that same list only a few hours ago ahah (I had not seen it yet when commenting here, though)!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CX3K_H6B3iT/?utm_medium=copy_link
knewbie
December 24, 2021 at 6:54 PM
I haven’t seen her in a lot of stuff, but damn she was unforgettable in The Chaser (the drama with Son Hyun-joo and Kim Sang-joong).
ex-beanie
December 24, 2021 at 5:18 AM
So happy to see Human Disqualification here!
korfan
December 24, 2021 at 6:48 AM
Me too!
Orientedstar
December 24, 2021 at 7:42 AM
So happy to see human disqualification and Youth of may on the list.
bbstl 🧹
December 24, 2021 at 7:59 AM
Wow, what a collection of happy viewing 😟
I also have never heard of the No 1 show, very interesting!
miss h
December 24, 2021 at 8:42 AM
I saw promotional material for Going to the Blue House Like This and thought it looked like my kind of humor. Too bad it was not picked up by any of the streamers. I wonder how it is doing in Korea? I haven’t seen buzz for it like there was for Work Later, Drink Now.
I’m happy to see Inspector Koo and On the Verge of Insanity on the list, two wonderful but underrated dramas.
mindy
December 24, 2021 at 6:13 PM
Going to the Blue House Like This has been on my radar since the trailers were releases because it seemed totally up my alley. I knew there wouldn’t be any subs because of the subject and the lack of young hot stars in the cast, but I’m still disappointed. Glad my spidey sense was right and that it ended up being great!!
Inspector Koo’s writing was shaky but the directing and overall production was just *chef’s kiss*
earthna
December 25, 2021 at 12:10 PM
Wow. I’ve never even heard of the #1 drama and now I’m so curious. Any idea where to watch it? I’ve done a quick search but nothing came up. 🙁
knewbie
December 25, 2021 at 10:23 PM
It’s on the Korean streamer Wavve but not on any legit global streaming platform (and hence it isn’t subtitled). As far as I can see, it isn’t even on the illegal streaming sites!
earthna
December 25, 2021 at 11:29 PM
Aw thanks for checking! I was hoping to at least find it raw. I might have to try the wavve website but it might require korean phone number or an iPin. Hopefully not!