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dangermousieHere is my very biased, wholly subjective rating of this year's kdramas. I have italicized those I haven't seen, whether because I didn't get around it or they aren't out yet. Yes, I have no problem judging on the slimmest of pretexts. Since this is so very personally tinted, a word on my preferences: period dramas, gangster stories, angsty passionate love, anything starring Bae Soo Bin, is in. Trendy teenybopper dramas, horror, Ryu Shi Won, overlong family stories with 150 characters are out. At least for me.
Wonderful: Do Not Miss
Friend, Our Legend: best drama of this year so far, hands down. Clever, passionate, complex, gorgeous. I wouldn't hesitate to use the word masterpiece. The blurring of violence/cigarettes though is ridiculous (it's a story about gangsters!), and present even on dramafever. ARGH.
Kingdom of the Winds: Everything I want in my period drama - politics, messed up families, slave cursed prince protagonists with mad sword skills, forbidden love, a whole cast of characters I swoon at, and Song Il Gook as the ultimate in manliness and warrior sex appeal. All that and evil ninjas in only 30+ eps.
Queen Seon Deok: I haven't seen it yet, but everyone seems to love it and it does look gorgeous and complex.
Princess Ja Myung Go: Complex and in a minor key and "exhausted" - it's a story of defeat and loss and ugly face of politicking and family poison. There is a touching love story but, for once, it is the secondary characters (especially Ja Myung Go's ruthless stepmother) who truly rule. I loved it despite not finding the male lead attractive and that tells you a heck of a lot. Cruelly cut short at 39 eps but they are eps full of goodness.
Brilliant Legacy: unlike with that other hit of the year, BOF, Legacy's crazy success is entirely deserved. I marathonned it like mad - love story when it kicks in is lovely, but it's Hwan's character development that really sticks with me. It's so very solidly written.
Chuno: My most anticipated of the year, even over IRIS. If it's one-tenth as good as it can be, it will be twice as good as anything out there. Compact (24 eps), period, messed-up and brutal, forbidden love, slaves and slave-hunters and rebellion and bloodied Oh Ji Ho and ruthless, hopeless Jang Hyuk, and Lee Da Hae in a dual role. TAKE ME I AM YOURS.
IRIS: The other most anticipated of the year. Spies, forbidden love, ridiculously amazing cast, trailer to die for. Yes please. Did I mention LEE BYUNG HUN?
You're Beautiful Cross-dressing girls, bands, and Hong Sisters' writing. How could I not love it?
Return of Iljimae: The only Group 8 drama which does not suck. Gorgeously shot (one of the most gorgeous out there), passionate, clever, and moving. Plus Robin Hood. Watch!
Jejoongwon: 19th century hospital and Dong Wook from EoE and Seosono from Jumong minding it :) Seriously. Made for me.
Shall It Snow On Christmas: Latest is it will star Han Ye Seul and So Ji Sub, which is amazing in and of itself. But it's the writer (A Love to Kill) and director (Bali) which fill me with glee.
Flawed, Fun Ride:
East of Eden: A sprawling behemoth of a story, almost 60 eps long, with revenge, politics, the mob, everything thrown to see what will stick. Some sticks, some does not. But what does work is awesome. Plus gangfights, love story that gave me a fave otp, star cast, and the gorgeousness of Song Seung Heon.
City Hall: a swoony romance that masquerades as a political tale. Or a political story that hides under a romance cover. Your pick. It redeemed Kim Sun Ah for me and brought me out of a drama slump.
Cain & Abel: So Ji Sub in the desert shot in the head. Han Ji Min as a North Korean escapee. True love, evil siblings, revenge, and did I mention So Ji Sub in the desert shot in the head?
Empress Chun Chu: I have heard uneven things about it but a period drama with a female lead? I am in.
Swallow the Sun: mercenaries, Ji Sung, idolization of a woman by a tough guy, Ji Sung, cool locations, twisted families, Ji Sung. Did I mention Ji Sung?
Partner: I am not into lawyer stories but I adore Lee Dong Wook so that is why this is here. Make of it what you will.
Angel's Temptation: Revenge, plastic surgery, more revenge, dysfunctional marriage, Bae Soo Bin finally as the male lead. This is going to be INSANE.
Strange Heroes (aka Hero): Journalists are a dull drama topic. Journalists played by Lee Jun Ki, Han Ji Min and Uhm Ki Joon? Oh baby. This is as high as it is purely because of the cast.
Heading to the Ground: cute leads, cute plot, and come on - at least one sports drama has to be decent, sometime, if for no other reason than cute soccer players.
Hateful But Once Again: The plot sounds much too insane: if a woman marries a particular no-good guy, she gets turned into a "Hilary Clinton." OMGYES.
Good Job, Good Job: It could be about puppets and have the budget of $10 and I wouldn't freaking care because Uhm Ki Joon is the male lead.
Strike Love: Ho Gae as a baseball player, heeee. I know they screwed up with ending because of being cut but the full version is going to come out and then I can binge, precious.
Might as well, to pass the time:
Dream: Boxer blah blah redeemed agent blah blah Son Dambi imitating a tree blah blah. Some eye candy and an OK pace but nothing more.
Take Care of the Lady: Spoiled bitch for a heroine and a nonsensical plot, but said bitch is played by Yoon Eun Hye and the two men are choice.
Boys Over Flowers: first half excellent, second half horrific. Make your choice!
Hon: Horror. By all accounts, good horror, but still...not my thing.
Harvest Villa: revenge and secrets but a yawnworthy cast.
Creating Destiny: seeing that star Eugene's last was the horror that was 3 Dads, it's clear her presence is not enough to save a drama whose plot otherwise sounds dull. But you never know.
The Queen Returns: Yet another ahjumma drama but you never know when it can become Last Scandal mark 2.
A Man's Story (Slingshot): Excellent in every way, from acting to writing, but very much not my thing.
The Man Who Can't Get Married: Just watch the Japanese version, it's shorter.
Queen of Housewives: I hear "housewife" and tune out but this one did get to be insanely popular so I might check it out.
Terroir: Wine tasting: boring. Love story and that cast: not boring.
Star's Lover: so...very...sloooooow. But the leads are cute together. I might finish it someday.
Loving You a Thousand Times: surrogacy, family secrets etc. Total loose cannon. Can be dishwater dull or can own me forever.
Horrific Waste of Celluloid:
Tamra, the Island: albinos, engrish, potty humor, overacting, HORRORS BEYOND MY IMAGINATION. But not Group 8's imagination apparently.
Temptation of Wife: it's kinda like Angel's Temptation but is 120 eps longer and doesn't star Bae Soo Bin or anybody else hot, so, being shallow, pass...
You're my destiny: Yoona was awful in Cinderella Man and that was only 16 eps. This is a 132 eps. *shudder*
Style: Ryu Shi Won, get off my screen! Li Ji Ah, why were you so awesome in Legend and awful in everything else. RSW, shoooooo...
Family's Honor: 17 billion characters and only slightly less episodes.
Hometown of Legend 2: More like hometown of cheap bad horror.
Cinderella Man: Kwon Sang Woo, whyyyyyy? Only you stripping naked for 20 mins each ep might have saved this.
Triple: slice of life might be fine but not for me. I'd rather watch paint dry.
The Tale of Janghwa and Hongryeon: evil and good wives blah blah blah yawn.
Assorted Gems: What did I say about 18 billion characters?
Smile, You: Not only did they seem to take the plot of Corner with Love but the female lead pisses me off just by existing because she played fiancee in BOF and now she is forever tainted by association with her badly acted character.
Wonderful: Do Not Miss
Friend, Our Legend: best drama of this year so far, hands down. Clever, passionate, complex, gorgeous. I wouldn't hesitate to use the word masterpiece. The blurring of violence/cigarettes though is ridiculous (it's a story about gangsters!), and present even on dramafever. ARGH.
Kingdom of the Winds: Everything I want in my period drama - politics, messed up families, slave cursed prince protagonists with mad sword skills, forbidden love, a whole cast of characters I swoon at, and Song Il Gook as the ultimate in manliness and warrior sex appeal. All that and evil ninjas in only 30+ eps.
Queen Seon Deok: I haven't seen it yet, but everyone seems to love it and it does look gorgeous and complex.
Princess Ja Myung Go: Complex and in a minor key and "exhausted" - it's a story of defeat and loss and ugly face of politicking and family poison. There is a touching love story but, for once, it is the secondary characters (especially Ja Myung Go's ruthless stepmother) who truly rule. I loved it despite not finding the male lead attractive and that tells you a heck of a lot. Cruelly cut short at 39 eps but they are eps full of goodness.
Brilliant Legacy: unlike with that other hit of the year, BOF, Legacy's crazy success is entirely deserved. I marathonned it like mad - love story when it kicks in is lovely, but it's Hwan's character development that really sticks with me. It's so very solidly written.
Chuno: My most anticipated of the year, even over IRIS. If it's one-tenth as good as it can be, it will be twice as good as anything out there. Compact (24 eps), period, messed-up and brutal, forbidden love, slaves and slave-hunters and rebellion and bloodied Oh Ji Ho and ruthless, hopeless Jang Hyuk, and Lee Da Hae in a dual role. TAKE ME I AM YOURS.
IRIS: The other most anticipated of the year. Spies, forbidden love, ridiculously amazing cast, trailer to die for. Yes please. Did I mention LEE BYUNG HUN?
You're Beautiful Cross-dressing girls, bands, and Hong Sisters' writing. How could I not love it?
Return of Iljimae: The only Group 8 drama which does not suck. Gorgeously shot (one of the most gorgeous out there), passionate, clever, and moving. Plus Robin Hood. Watch!
Jejoongwon: 19th century hospital and Dong Wook from EoE and Seosono from Jumong minding it :) Seriously. Made for me.
Shall It Snow On Christmas: Latest is it will star Han Ye Seul and So Ji Sub, which is amazing in and of itself. But it's the writer (A Love to Kill) and director (Bali) which fill me with glee.
Flawed, Fun Ride:
East of Eden: A sprawling behemoth of a story, almost 60 eps long, with revenge, politics, the mob, everything thrown to see what will stick. Some sticks, some does not. But what does work is awesome. Plus gangfights, love story that gave me a fave otp, star cast, and the gorgeousness of Song Seung Heon.
City Hall: a swoony romance that masquerades as a political tale. Or a political story that hides under a romance cover. Your pick. It redeemed Kim Sun Ah for me and brought me out of a drama slump.
Cain & Abel: So Ji Sub in the desert shot in the head. Han Ji Min as a North Korean escapee. True love, evil siblings, revenge, and did I mention So Ji Sub in the desert shot in the head?
Empress Chun Chu: I have heard uneven things about it but a period drama with a female lead? I am in.
Swallow the Sun: mercenaries, Ji Sung, idolization of a woman by a tough guy, Ji Sung, cool locations, twisted families, Ji Sung. Did I mention Ji Sung?
Partner: I am not into lawyer stories but I adore Lee Dong Wook so that is why this is here. Make of it what you will.
Angel's Temptation: Revenge, plastic surgery, more revenge, dysfunctional marriage, Bae Soo Bin finally as the male lead. This is going to be INSANE.
Strange Heroes (aka Hero): Journalists are a dull drama topic. Journalists played by Lee Jun Ki, Han Ji Min and Uhm Ki Joon? Oh baby. This is as high as it is purely because of the cast.
Heading to the Ground: cute leads, cute plot, and come on - at least one sports drama has to be decent, sometime, if for no other reason than cute soccer players.
Hateful But Once Again: The plot sounds much too insane: if a woman marries a particular no-good guy, she gets turned into a "Hilary Clinton." OMGYES.
Good Job, Good Job: It could be about puppets and have the budget of $10 and I wouldn't freaking care because Uhm Ki Joon is the male lead.
Strike Love: Ho Gae as a baseball player, heeee. I know they screwed up with ending because of being cut but the full version is going to come out and then I can binge, precious.
Might as well, to pass the time:
Dream: Boxer blah blah redeemed agent blah blah Son Dambi imitating a tree blah blah. Some eye candy and an OK pace but nothing more.
Take Care of the Lady: Spoiled bitch for a heroine and a nonsensical plot, but said bitch is played by Yoon Eun Hye and the two men are choice.
Boys Over Flowers: first half excellent, second half horrific. Make your choice!
Hon: Horror. By all accounts, good horror, but still...not my thing.
Harvest Villa: revenge and secrets but a yawnworthy cast.
Creating Destiny: seeing that star Eugene's last was the horror that was 3 Dads, it's clear her presence is not enough to save a drama whose plot otherwise sounds dull. But you never know.
The Queen Returns: Yet another ahjumma drama but you never know when it can become Last Scandal mark 2.
A Man's Story (Slingshot): Excellent in every way, from acting to writing, but very much not my thing.
The Man Who Can't Get Married: Just watch the Japanese version, it's shorter.
Queen of Housewives: I hear "housewife" and tune out but this one did get to be insanely popular so I might check it out.
Terroir: Wine tasting: boring. Love story and that cast: not boring.
Star's Lover: so...very...sloooooow. But the leads are cute together. I might finish it someday.
Loving You a Thousand Times: surrogacy, family secrets etc. Total loose cannon. Can be dishwater dull or can own me forever.
Horrific Waste of Celluloid:
Tamra, the Island: albinos, engrish, potty humor, overacting, HORRORS BEYOND MY IMAGINATION. But not Group 8's imagination apparently.
Temptation of Wife: it's kinda like Angel's Temptation but is 120 eps longer and doesn't star Bae Soo Bin or anybody else hot, so, being shallow, pass...
You're my destiny: Yoona was awful in Cinderella Man and that was only 16 eps. This is a 132 eps. *shudder*
Style: Ryu Shi Won, get off my screen! Li Ji Ah, why were you so awesome in Legend and awful in everything else. RSW, shoooooo...
Family's Honor: 17 billion characters and only slightly less episodes.
Hometown of Legend 2: More like hometown of cheap bad horror.
Cinderella Man: Kwon Sang Woo, whyyyyyy? Only you stripping naked for 20 mins each ep might have saved this.
Triple: slice of life might be fine but not for me. I'd rather watch paint dry.
The Tale of Janghwa and Hongryeon: evil and good wives blah blah blah yawn.
Assorted Gems: What did I say about 18 billion characters?
Smile, You: Not only did they seem to take the plot of Corner with Love but the female lead pisses me off just by existing because she played fiancee in BOF and now she is forever tainted by association with her badly acted character.
