433. Mr. Queen 철인왕후 (2020-2021) Korean

Shin Hye Sun, Kim Jung Hyun, Bae Jong Ok, Kim Tae Woo

Drama Rating: 9/10     Neck Score: A+

I had my eye on this one when it was announced, and it did not disappoint. Although I'll admit that it was not exactly what I expected. I was thinking it would be more like a body swap, but instead it was a gender swap/soul swap. So not Secret Garden, but Scarlet Heart Ryeo except the person going back in time in the soul swap was a free spirited, playboy chef named Jang Bong Hwan, ending up in the body of Kim So Yong, the soon to be queen of Joseon. I was immediately caught when that free spirited chef was played by Choi Jin Hyuk. A lovely unexpected special appearance that made everything even better, especially since he still did the voice of the chef's thoughts inside the queen's body. So imagine deep manly voice as the petite Shin Hye Sun acted it out. I thought their team work was amazing. I have an even deeper respect for Shin Hye Sun in this role. It really felt like she was channeling Choi Jin Hyuk even down to the expressions. Then add in amazing chemistry between her and Kim Jung Hyun and yes, this drama was awesome. I haven't raved while telling people about dramas in a while, but I was totally talking  my sisters' ears off about this one.

322. Devilish Joy 마성의 기쁨 (2018) Korean

Choi Jin Hyuk, Song Ha Yoon, Hoya, Lee Joo Yeon

Drama Rating: 6/10     Neck Score: A+

I was literally in the middle of an episode of this when the horrific tragedy of Drama Fever's demise happened. It wasn't one of the shows that I missed the most, but I definitely wanted to finish it before I stopped caring about the characters for the sad mopey episodes. But sadly, that's what happened. I only had like 6ish episodes left, but even when it became available on Viki, it still took me forever to finish them. I was down to 2.5 episodes when I just forced myself to make it a priority and finish it. So, it was hard to give it an honest rating, really. I feel like a 6 is probably what it deserves, but based on how much I struggled here at the end, my initial reaction would have been a 4. But really, 6 is probably more accurate... right?

I mean, I knew what I was getting into right away. Stories where the heroes get a terminal illness in the first 2 episodes aren't going to end happy. If they do, then they're not going to end realistically. Some times they just Uncontrollably Fond you in the gut and you have to be okay with that sort of ending. This was completely set up for another Uncontrollably Fond. Why did I do it to myself? Same reason. Choi Jin Hyuk is hot and Song Ha Yoon is adorable. Also, Hoya stole the show. He plays the perfect spoiled chaebol puppy. You love him, but he's also an idiot who can't live without his mom's money.

This isn't really a spoiler when most of you aren't interested or have finished this long ago, right? Right...

330. The Last Empress 황후의 품격 (2018) Korean

Jang Na Ra, Choi Jin Hyuk, Shin Sung Rok, Shin Eun Kyung, Lee Elijah

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A+

Some of you might already know this, but I love makjang (aka overly melodramatic). But not just any makjang, I like the classy, but crazy kind that twists through through all the emotions and all the drama without making you want to chew your leg off to escape it. The kind that is so fantastic that you just eat it up and want more. The Last Empress was exactly what I like. Not only that, but all the craziness was fortified by a stellar cast that made everything worth it, even at the crazier times. I have always loved Jang Na Ra, so seeing her take down the rotten royal family was the best. Also, and you might have heard this a time or two but, I love Shin Sung Rok. As a super fangirl, this show just might have been a dream come true. He was really in his element with the complex character that was the emperor. One part villain, one part hero, at least two parts lover, and a whole lot of crazy. The chemistry between him and Jang Na Ra was nothing short of amazing and that really complicated things because even when he was being a supreme douche bag and you knew he was lying, you still wanted to believe his fake cuteness because the chemistry was there. Now that's messed up and perfect makjang right there.

So, yeah, I might have a problem to begin with.

Note: Reading on might contain mild spoilers, so be warned.

274. Panda and the Hedgehog 판다양과 고슴도치 (2012) Korean

Lee Dong Hae, Yoon Seung Ah, Choi Jin Hyuk, Yoo So Young

Drama Rating: 5/10     Neck Score: A+

We started this one because we were in the mood for cheesy and we wanted to look at lots of pretty Dong Hae.  I didn't expect Dong Hae to actually be pretty decent at acting.  Better than some other idols I've watched dramas for.  This was a ridiculous show nevertheless.  The villain was over-the-top bad and I ended up calling him "Rat Saekki" because his was just the worst, and stupid.  I have no idea how he managed to hide from the law for so long, because they were doing so many illegal things, both he and his wife.  They were both the worst.  Really, this show would have sucked completely if it hadn't have been for the bromances.  The girl was annoying enough, with her spacey full of herself ridiculousness, that I didn't really care about the couple.  I just loved Dong Hae with Choi Jin Hyuk and Dong Hae with Halbae.  They were all so adorable.  I know they call him a hedgehog because he's supposed to be spiky on the outside to protect his gooey core, but he was just gooey the whole time.  He was a marshmallow cinnamon bun the whole time.  He barely had any bristly moments at all, and he was an adorable drunk.

251. Tunnel 터널 (2017) Korean

Choi Jin Hyuk, Yoon Hyun Min, Lee Yoo Young, Jo Hee Bong

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A

I usually just like OCN dramas and this was no exception.  It was great.  I loved all the characters.  The bromances between all of our violent crimes team, and especially between our leads (Meat Head/86 and Fish Bangs FTW!).  So good!  I loved the girl who was, besides that one lapse of logic they made her have so she could be vulnerable enough for the plot to move on (it was super stupid), super smart and bad-a.  I loved her relationships with our bromance too.  I loved how suspenseful it was at times, although some of N's scenes made me have to scream in a pillow because we were watching them at midnight and I didn't want to see bad things happening to my secret secret Vixx bias.  (Screaming spoilers into pillow- you cannot hear them).  All of the men were very cool, and attractive.  Love me some Fish Bangs... and Choi Jin Hyuk... and Kang Ki Young... and N.... so many to love!  And it was some of the better police work I have seen in a drama about police in a while.  It was like they actually did stuff, and not just visiting the crime scenes.  They all pulled their own weight and we saw them do stuff.  Although I don't know why they always have to be so obsessed with getting a confession.  Just indict him!  I did have some concerns with some of the things that they decided to just gloss over.  It was a time travel drama, about a cop from 1986 jumping forward to 2017, but they didn't bother much with the typical time travel stuff, like the butterfly effect, etc. because he stayed most of the time in the future, without much changing the past, etc.  I guess if he is from the past that makes more sense, but his return is bound to change things in the future, but they don't really bother much with it.  Everything they did in the drama could be negated, but whatever, we don't have to see that, and the drama was really good so it doesn't matter.

Sexiness Overload: Pride and Prejudice and Choi Jin Hyuk's Hotness

What the... whew! I can't handle this show already!  Too many sexy men in one office!  Rawr!  It is the perfect replacement for Ghost, which we've been going through withdrawals for, because it's snarky, intense, and full of crime mystery.  Perfect!

It's not really based on Pride and Prejudice, since this is a law show, but it does have the same very basic premise when it comes to character types.  He's super proud and she's prejudiced against him and a lot of other things too.  She seriously has a skill for jumping to conclusions, which makes for a lot of misunderstandings and strangely increases the sexual tension.

Still More Men Who Make Me Watch Dramas Against My Will: Sultry Voice Edition

Do I watch dramas just for the sultry voice of one of the male leads?  Why yes, yes I do.  Some men just have buttery, husky, velvety, and/or soothing voices that just make me what to listen to them while I watch whatever bad drama they are in.  Seriously, they need to stop seducing us (and by that I mean mostly me) with their sexy voices.  Dude.

Sometimes it's only their voice I find attractive *cough cough Lee Sun Gyun cough cough* but really isn't that enough.  I mean... that sexy voice.

More Men Who Make Me Watch Drama Against My Will: Hot Bods Edition

Smiles aren't the only thing that make me watch dramas.  Sometimes I'm a lot more superficial and I watch a show just because I know that there will probably be a shirtless or brooding shower scene, and that actor has a hot body.  This just might be the most shallow post I ever will write, but you all know you've got your own list of hot bods.  Also, who wouldn't appreciate this list, because... yes.

Sometimes those shows are awesome, and it's not a problem at all that I started it out just for that one actor and how well he takes care of his body.  But sometimes, pleasure is mixed with regret as I wonder if that one shower scene was worth the 16+ episodes of crap.  That's a slippery slope, we won't go there, we'll just remember the minutes of shirtlessness, flexed arm muscles, and chocolate abs.

125. Pride and Prejudice 오만과 편견 (2014) Korean

Jin Hyuk, Baek Jin Hee, Choi Min Soo, Lee Tae Hwan

Drama Rating: 7/10     Neck Score: A+

I loved this show, but I have to admit that I didn't understand what was going on half of the time, and was extremely frustrated the other half of the time.  Especially when Curly Mullet and Ahjussi would talk, I really just didn't get what they were talking about with their metaphors and plots within plots.  Also, what the heck ending.  It was all like creepy atrsy weirdness and then they threw in a 30 second piece of fluff with a 3 year jump to make sure we know that it is also a happy ending... what?  Seriously.  The final episode was so good until all the what suddenly happened.  It was frustrating and realistic and then it was suddenly magically over... lame.  But as a whole I still liked this show a lot, and not just because of Choi Jin Hyuk and Lee Tae Hwan (although those are really good reason right there), I liked the intricate plot, all the characters, the level of intensity, and stuff.  I especially liked the Dragon (Prosecutor Lee) couple.  So funny and cute!

116. Fated to Love You 운명처럼 널 사랑해 (2014) Korean

Jang Na Ra, Jang Hyuk, Choi Jin Hyuk, Wang Ji Won

Drama Rating: 9/10     Neck Score: A

I was so loyal to the Taiwanese original, that I put off watching this one, especially since his hair was so bad.  Also I heard he had an annoying laugh.  But then, I heard enough good things to make me give it a chance.  Omo.  I loved it!  That's one thing that can be said for remakes, they do have a chance to polish and fine tune, it doesn't always happen that way, but it is a possibility.  This version is very Korean, so that is already going to make it different.  Also, the main couple is much older.  Instead of a pair of 26ish year olds, we have some 30s to late 30s peeps.  This gives it a whole different flavor because instead of accidents, mistakes, and coercion there is a lot more conscious decisions.  Cun Xi was a sweet, but hot tempered and immature man who didn't know what he wanted, while Lee Gun is a sweet, childish, and self-sacrificing man.  He takes responsibility and doesn't flip flop around, which is one of the things that drove us crazy in the other version.  Just make up your mind Cun Xi!  Well, as bad as Lee Gun's hair was at the beginning, I fell in love with him so completely!  I don't think I have ever fallen in love with a male lead quite as much as I did with Lee Gun.  He's handsome (when he got his hair cut... whew!), dorky, sweet, and just generally awesome, even when he makes some dumb decisions like lying for his love's sake (oh Korea and their noble idiocy).  Then there is Choi Jin Hyuk as the other man, Daniel Pitt, who is also sweet, handsome, and generally awesome, and you have an overload.  Seriously, both men were so well dressed!  (Those vests and open necked button ups!  Ah!)  Even when it was pulling at our heartstrings (it literally made Lizabreff cry, and she never does) we loved it.  So many feels!

81. Emergency Couple 응급남녀 (2014) Korean

Choi Jin Hyuk, Song Ji Hyo, Lee Pil Mo, Choi Yeo Jin, Clara

Drama Rating: 5/10     Neck Score: A

I was so excited about this one because love Choi Jin Hyuk and wanted to see him be the leading man for once, and I love Song Ji Hyo (yay Running Man!).  However, from episode 1 this was very poorly done.  The whole exes breaking up and then getting thrown back together through the workplace is pretty compelling, but this one tried too hard to be a comedy.  It is really a medical drama, with lots of sad medical things happening, which was fine, but every time it tried to be funny it was cheesy, dumb and utterly ridiculous.  I still watched it, but I was so disappointed in it.  Some supposed to be funny scenes just made me roll my eyes.  Whatever.  For an exes getting back together drama Cunning Single Lady was way better.  This one still had redeeming qualities.  For how badly it was written, the actors did a really good job.  I liked the chemistry especially on Choi Jin Hyuk's side.  Sadly, they didn't write Song Ji Hyo's character well, so when she finally decided to get her man back, it was weak at best.  They had her holding out too long, so it seemed lame when she suddenly decided she wanted him again.  The weird relationship with the chief was weird too.  She needed to show more resistance against wanting her ex at least, since it just seemed like she hated him the whole time.  Oh well.  Still liked it ok, but not as good as it could have been.  I think it just needed to be not a comedy and it already would have been better.  But I did love her little sister and brother in law.  Some of the comedic aspects weren't that bad, just when they were trying too hard to be funny.

78. I Need Romance 로맨스가 필요해 (2011) Korean

Jo Yeo Jong, Kim Jung Hoon, Choi Yeo Jin, Choi Song Hyun, Choi Jin Hyuk

Drama Rating: 5/10     Neck Score: A

I needed this at the time I watched it.  Something super trashy romantic.  It's a good thing I watched it before Goong because Yul!!!!!!!!  I didn't already hate Yul so I was able to be ok with him as the lead dude.  However, this show is hard to like anyone in it.  It's a relationship mess for everyone really.  Three 30 year old girls getting into messy relationships.  The main girl is annoying, and after much analysis I realized that she was the one who created her own problems.  She thought her relationship was stagnant, which means it might have been, but because of her actions on that course she suspected her boyfriend was cheating and ultimately it happened, maybe partially because of her behavior, I'm not sure, but she was definitely the queen of over analyzation.  Seriously girl, chill.  So even when Choi Jin Hyuk was being like the perfect rich dude, I was super not wanting her to be with him, maybe for his sake.  I dunno.  It's a pretty sexy time  orientated show.  I mean there is sexy time in the first 5 minutes of the first episode.  Then it's a bunch of crappy relationship mess.  Still, sometimes you just need that sort of crap... maybe... probably not... anyways, it's not the worst thing out there.  I might have trouble with it now... now that I hate Yul (Kim Jung Hoon).  Yul (hissing with hate).

67. Gu Family Book 구가의 서 (2013) Korean

Lee Seung Gi, Suzy, Choi Jin Hyuk, Yoo Yeon Seok, Sung Joon

Drama Rating: 6/10     Neck Score: A

Not the best drama Seung Gi's ever done, but I liked it more than most people I talked to.  I know a lot of people were bothered by the ending, but I was fine with it.  Also it's pretty cheesy in spots, but oh well.  I also liked Seung Gi's high little pony tail, while others I spoke to did not... it's ok.  There is still Choi Jin Hyuk.  He is so hot in this.  This is probably my favorite role he has ever played.  When he was being the good little gumiho, he was adorable.  When he was being the bad 1000 year demon, he was so very sexy.  All he had to do was stand there and he was so sexy.  Rawr.  Also Sung Joon made the best derpy faces.  He was hilarious.  The bad guy was so very nasty that you hated him so much, but you are supposed to.  He's nasty.  Suzy was really good in it.  She made me completely forget how annoying she was in Big and think she is awesome, which she is.  Basically this is a silly but still great fusion/fantasy sageuk.  As fantasy sageuks go, Arang and the Magistrate is way better, but this one is still very enjoyable to watch, and has plenty of eye candy as well.  After all, Choi Jin Hyuk just stands there looking very sexy a lot.  Totally stole the show, really.

60. The Heirs 왕관을 쓰려는 자, 그 무게를 견뎌라 – 상속자들 (2013) Korean

Lee Min Ho, Park Shin Hye, Kim Woo Bim, Choi Jin Hyuk, Kang Min Hyuk, Kim Ji Won, Krystal Jung

Drama Rating: 5/10     Neck Score: A

The most over hyped drama of all time.  Supposed to be the next Boys Over Flowers.  Well... I guess it was similar.  Only I thought it was a bit more tolerable, but maybe that was because of Kim Woo Bin.  Even when he was being a complete bully bad boy, with no seeming redeeming qualities, man I was so attracted to him.  Yes, this show has lots of eye candy, but it's also ridiculous and stupid, and overly dramatic.  Hated the main characters.  Loved the side characters.  Seriously, Lee Min Ho was a creeper stalker overbearing type.  Park Shin Hye was the same character she always plays.  Kim Woo Bin... hot, sexy, funny bad boy that I shouldn't like but did.  Choi Jin Hyuk, sexy but not in it enough to justify anything.  Kang Min Hyuk... the one who tipped the scale and made me actually give in and watch it... was adorable.  Like always he was the best.  He and Krystal are like the best high school couple ever.  They made the show (along with Woo Bin's sexiness).  So... Lee Min Ho... not passable as a high schooler and wore the worst sweaters ever.  Those turtlenecks made me want to scream and the pink fluffy thing.... no.  Also, his character was dumb.  No sympathy for him at all.  But I did also love the momance between the two moms.  Lee Min Ho's mistress mom and Park Shin Hye's dumb (as in can't speak) housekeeper mom.  They had such a great love/hate relationship.  It could have been worse, but it dragged on and was boring and I already knew that she wouldn't end up with Kim Woo Bin like I really didn't want her to because I wanted him for myself.  It's tolerable, and having watched it has made it possible to make fun of it and get all the references to it in later dramas (like the one in Love From Another Star that had me waking my roomies up because of my laughter).  Don't regret it, but didn't love it.