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.

437. Run On 런 온 (2021) Korean

Im Siwan, Shin Se Kyung, Sooyoung, Kang Tae Oh

Drama Rating: 9/10     Neck Score: A

Dang it, I started this and then it didn't save, and somehow got published before it was finished, lol. I'm not sure why this review was so hard to write besides all that. I loved this drama, but it's also hard for me to describe in words that will accurately show how great it is. It's like a melodrama that was instead turned into a slice of life, if that makes sense. It has all the tropes of a typical melodrama set up, with the orphans, the chaebols, the overly ambitious politicians, celebrities, and quirky artists. But instead of it being a dramatic mess, instead it humanized at these typically stereotyped characters and made them real people. Incredibly flawed and lovable people. I very much appreciated that there weren't those lame tropes like love triangles, but instead we got multiple sets of people developing their relationships in very organic ways, where the biggest tests of their relationships are getting to know each other and working out differences. Not that other things don't also influence and that there weren't any misunderstandings, there of course were, but they were the real kind and the couples were really good at talking through them instead of being dumb. That was probably the best part, it was full of communication, but also the dialog felt very organic and real. It let the characters be awkward, imperfect, and lovable.

430. Flower of Evil 악의 꽃 (2020) Korean

Lee Joon Ki, Moon Chae Won, Jang Hee Jin, Seo Hyun Woo, Kim Ji Hoon

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A+

The premise was too good to pass, the cast was too good to pass, I was super excited to start this show. But still I waited to start it. Then I binged it until I caught up with it. It was so good and intense, I had a hard time not being able to just start the next episode. But sadly, it was my one drama I loved while I was being stressed out from everything, but having to stop and wait in the middle of a  hugely dramatic climax made the stress of anticipation overwhelm me, and with everything else I suddenly was too stressed to watch it. Which is so interesting because if I had the ability at the time, I would have just binged watched it to the end. However, though it took several weeks of getting to a place where I could watch anything besides We Bare Bears, I finished it and it remained good until the end. Even though the last episode was an extreme change of pace. It was still good. And then I still too even longer to write this review because that is what last year did to me. Apologies.

428. Stranger (Secret Forest) 2 비밀의 숲 2 (2020) Korean

Cho Seung Woo, Bae Doo Na, Choi Moo Sung, Jeon Hye Jin, Kim Young Jae, Lee Joon Hyuk, Park Sung Geun

Drama Rating: 9/10     Neck Score: A

Stranger, or Secret Forest, is one of the best dramas I have ever watched. So there was no way I wasn't going to watch the second season, albeit with some trepidation that it wouldn't live up to the first season. And while I didn't like it as much as the first season, it was still really good and of a similar quality. The biggest difference between the two shows was the focus, which actually flavored this season a lot. The overarching situation in this season was the battle between the police and prosecution for investigation rights. So it was even more political than normal, and it also made it so my two best friends didn't get to spend as much time being the power partners, since they were representing two different sides of a fight. This tainted the flavor of the show for me, because my favorite part of the show has always been the incredible and respectful partnership of Si Mok and Yeo Jin. I just wanted more of them teaming up and less of them being awkward around each other because they couldn't be on the same side. However, there was still enough of that to make me happy, and confident that they still had that partnership/friendship chemistry.

426. Into the Ring 출사표 (2020) Korean

Nana, Park Sung Hoon, Ahn Nae Sang, Yoo Da In, Han Joon Woo

Drama Rating: 7/10     Neck Score: A

I had to watch this one because I needed to see my psychopath being a male lead. He did a good job. I loved his chemistry with Nana. They had the friends thing down so great, especially when they were like opposites attract and complement, but they also transitioned to lovers well. Yeah, this is a romantic comedy. It's a political one too. Warning to all who don't like that type of drama. This is a story about a girl who goes from being a chronic civic complainer (you know the type that notify city all about all the lights out in town and potential hazards, etc) to running for city council to make both money and a difference. It's about smaller town politics (it still happens in the Seoul Metropolis, I believe, but in a suburb district) and the pettiness of politicians. Seriously, they acted like they were all in some high school clicks.

424. It's Okay to Not Be Okay 사이코지만 괜찮아 (2020) Korean

Kim Soo Hyun, Seo Ye Ji, Oh Jung Se

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A

It took me a while to get into this one, mostly because it needed a bit to fully set up the situation and characters, and then once it did, it was quite delightful. If you only give it maybe longer than you normally would, it picks up quite nicely. What I liked about it was that found family aspect, and opening yourself up to be okay with not being okay. None of the characters in this show is okay, even the ones who would not typically be accepted into a mental hospital, but that doesn't mean they are okay. Everyone has their struggles and needs to open up about what they are feeling and thinking.

427. My Unfamiliar Family (아는 건 별로 없지만) 가족입니다 (2020) Korean

Jung Jin Young, Won Mi Kyung, Choo Ja Hyun, Han Ye Ri, Shin Jae Ha, Kim Ji Suk

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A+

This drama felt like one of those 50 episode weekend family dramas that are full to the max with drama and follow multiple different story lines and couples. It had all that, except it was only 16 episodes long. Which was awesome, actually, since that meant that it stuck to only the important drama and left out the filler drama. It still focused on the whole family and their different problems, as well as their problems together. The whole premise is that even though they are family, they don't know everything about each other. In fact, they are the poster family for miscommunication and even no communication. The whole show is a lesson on how not communicating with your family and loved ones will lead to miscommunication, with is a poison that can ruin even the closest families. The beautiful thing is that it also shows the power of communication and how that builds relationships, and even creates families.

425. Oh My Baby 오 마이 베이비 (2020) Korean

Jang Na Ra, Go Joon, Park Byung Eun, Jung Gun Joo

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A

I knew I had to watch this show when it was first announced because 1. Jang Na Ra, 2. Go Joon (I loved him so much in The Fiery Priest!), and 3. Park Byung Eun (he's seriously rocked everything I've seen him in). I think I've watched almost all of Jang Na Ra's dramas. She's one of my favorites. She's sooooo good and so pretty! But I put off watching this one right away because I knew it was going to hit me in the feels just like that episode of New Girl where Cici finds out her eggs are drying up. I guess sometimes I do worry that kind of stuff as I continue my single, career woman life. Plus kids are super important to me even if I don't have any myself, so I get it. It was just what I predicted. Super cute, funny, and made me cry almost every episode. Maybe I didn't predict just how much it would make me cry. Everyone was perfect too, the acting was so spot on.

422. Mystic Popup Bar 쌍갑포차 (2020) Korean

Hwang Jung Eum, Yook Sung Jae, Choi Won Young

Drama Rating: 9/10     Neck Score: A+

Oh my heart, this show was so good! The feels! Not just for the main plot and characters, but feels for all the people whose grudges they settled. It was just so sweet and funny! It's about a kid who has the power to open people's hearts. This means that when anyone touches him, they start spilling the beans, all their inner emotions, and he has to deal with their emotional dump on him. But that also means that anyone he tries to date will do the same, so all he wants is to be loved, or a family. Because he was abandoned by his parents, real and adopted, for the same reason. Then he meets the two owners of a pop-up tent bar, who specialize in settling grudges. Wol Ju's punishment for her past sins is to settle the grudges of like 10,000 (or was it 100,000?) people before her 500 years of punishment are up. She does this through dreams with the help of some water from the afterlife that helps her bridge the gap between the two worlds. She is assisted by Manager Gwi, who is supposed to be supervising her, but is more like helping her while getting bossed around. Kang Bae is enlisted to help them, since he can get people to open up so easily, because time is running short.

420. Good Casting 굿캐스팅 (2020) Korean

Choi Gang Hee, Yoo In Young, Kim Ji Young, Lee Sang Yeob, Lee Jun Young, Lee Jong Hyuk

Drama Rating: 7/10     Neck Score: A+

Good Casting was a good combination of awesome spy action, comedy, and romance. It is the girl power spy show that isn't afraid to just be silly. The best part is that while all the women are off being bad-A spies and getting things done, the dudes all think they are in some kind of romantic comedy. But even though the ladies are pretty awesome, they are also pretty flawed, which I know made some people struggle at the beginning. This isn't a show about perfect, top notch spies. It's about a bunch of misfit spies who were thrown together to not get the job done, but they get it done anyway, even with all the slapstick.

Baek Chan Mi (Choi Gang Hee) is a loose cannon who lets her temper get the best of her, making huge mistakes. She lost the target and endangered a team member last time, so is determined to not to lose him this time. Hwang Mi Soon (Kim Ji Young) is basically retired and living the life of an ahjumma. She is rusty at best, but is still crazy good at undercover, in spite of her being past her prime. Im Ye Eun (Yoo In Young) is a white agent (think completely green). She's been working for the NIS for a while, but has kept out of the field and worked support and tech. This is her first field assignment. She is also a single mom. They are all put on a team to catch Michael, an elusive international technology thief/dealer. Michael managed to escape and kill Chan Mi's teammate last time, and this team is the last resort.

412. Hospital Playlist 슬기로운 의사생활 (2020) Korean

Jo Jung Seok, Yoo Yeon Seok, Jung Kyoung Ho, Kim Dae Myung, Jeon Mi Do

Drama Rating: 9/10     Neck Score: A+

I don't love doctor dramas, but I loved this one. Because it was about the people and relationships way more than dramatic operations (although there are plenty of operations). But it's more about the day to day hospital life than the crazy dramatic stuff. But most of all it's about the people who work in the hospital, and not just the main ones, the whole ensemble.

I love good ensemble dramas where we have multiple main characters to care about and not just the OTP. Hospital Playlist was great in that respect, and I am super excited for next season. Even just watching the group of five friends hanging out, eating, and band practice without their dynamic with their other coworkers would be amazing. I could even watch a drama just focused on the moms and uncles. In fact, my main ship is Rosa and Jong Su's friendship. There was enough balance through the longer episodes for all the different story lines for all the characters. I also love that there was passage of time without there being huge gaps. It just flowed well.

414. Welcome (Meow the Secret Boy) 어서와 (2020) Korean

Kim Myung Soo, Shin Ye Eun, Seo Ji Hoon, Yoon Ye Joo, Kang Hoon

Drama Rating: 6/10     Neck Score: A+

A drama featuring a cat? Yes! Myung Soo wearing a chunky white sweater? Yes please! The plot.... ok. There were a lot of people who were bothered by the whole cat turning into a person thing, and I get that. I just went with the it happens in fairy tales all the time vibe and went with it, but it did open itself up to a lot of awkwardness when she finally found out and was constantly wanting him to turn into a human and stuff. Honestly, I was probably 99% in it for the cat and 1% for Myung Soo acting like a cat. Well, it might be more evenly balanced. But let's just say I wasn't really in it for the plot and romance and stuff. It was ok, it didn't bother me or anything, but I just wanted to see the cat. Maybe it's social distancing talking, but I really want my cats, and this rental that doesn't allow pets is going to be the death of me. Oh well. So it's a light, fluffy drama with a lot of problems, but still cute. I do like the discussion it addresses about different types of people and how they get along, how opposites can attract, but also be a deterrent. It also discusses the issues with pet ownership and people not taking responsibility, and how cats usually take the brunt of it, being abandoned the most. All those abandoned cats also made me want to adopt a kitty too. Or a kid. I don't like hearing about abandoned kids either. Abandoned anyone/thing makes me sad. But it also talked about trust and loyalty, and actually listening and taking responsibility. I was also 100% in like with the second couple, who were another cat/dog couple. His big, dumb, loving dog personality and her meek, cute, and considerate (and sassy) cat personality were fun to watch.

Ultimately it wasn't something outstanding, but it was cute and fun, but I also love cats and Myung Soo, so I probably forgave it way more than some. But if you think too much about the cat as the romantic lead, and a real cat at that, not just personality wise, then I get it. But it is worth it just to see him do a good job being a cat. That part with the cardboard box though 😂😂😂.

416. Piece of Your Mind 반의 반 (2020) Korean

Jung Hae In, Chae Soo Bin, Lee Ha Na, Kim Sung Kyu, Park Joo Hyun

Drama Rating: 7/10     Neck Score: A+

When I started this, it was perfect for the mood I was in. I didn't know it, but melancholy sweet was the perfect mood for me. Unfortunately, it is just the general mood of all dramas currently, so I also think I'm done with it now, but I did like this drama. The breakdown of how I came to this rating is: 10/10 for the main couple's romance, 8/10 for general writing, but probably 4 or 5/10 for basic plot. I loved that it was a healing story about love, loss, and self-worth, but the dramatic causes of these people needing to be healed was quite frankly, to me, the worst. Yeah, people dying in such random and weird ways wasn't doing it for me right now. It was both too realistic and not? I don't know. Also, you have to suspend a lot of disbelief with the whole conversation AI. I can accept that the AI will develop the personality of the person, but I don't think there is anyway that it would then have all their memories or reasoning. Nope. That was too much for me. However, despite all that, and the fact that the drama was cut short and had to be rushed, it was still a cute, healing, melancholy sort of feel good drama.

417. When the Weather is Fine 날씨가 좋으면 찾아가겠어요 (2020) Korean

Park Min Young, Seo Kang Joon, Moon Jeong Hee, Lee Jae Wook

Drama Rating: 7/10     Neck Score: A+

I didn't really like the plot that much. Like the dramatic stuff. There was also a lot that if I think about it too much, I really hated too. But because all the characters were pretty likable, and the couple and their romance was super cute, I was willing to forgive a lot. Also, it was hooking enough that I kept watching it, even if I was crying all the time or rolling my eyes at how stupid some people (or just one person) was being. It fits into that trend that is currently happening with really melancholy dramas and nothing else. But honestly, I think that was what I was in the mood for anyway and that's why I kept coming back even when all I'd do was cry the whole episode. And though I say I didn't like the plot and the drama, it's probably because I just hate anything or anyone who would hurt all these wounded babies who are already hurt and sad. So basically I liked everything, but it made me sad.

408. Hyena 하이에나 (2020) Korean

Kim Hye Soo, Joo Ji Hoon, Lee Kyoung Young

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A++

Where to even start with this show... I loved it, but there was also a lot that was messed up about it. It's ultimately about the underdog or "unclassy" lawyers vs. the elite, but either way there is corruption going on. So which is better, to be a low class lawyer who bends the rules for money, but also to gain an advantage and level the playing field with with rich or the elite lawyers who use the law for unjust means for the love of power and glory? Both are pretty messed up, but at least the low class lawyers are generally seeing truth and justice... but if you think too much about it in that way, you miss the fun dynamic of the story. But do note that like all political and law dramas, there is going to be some messed  up crap and lots of manipulation. What you want to pay attention to is a good group of characters and their developing relationships. It starts out with a strong rivalry because Jung Geum Ja literally manipulates elite lawyer Yoon Hee Jae into accidentally leaking information to her by dating him. That's both ethically and morally questionable. It's no wonder they hate each other... or at least he hates her... or does he?

411. Signal 시그널 (2016) Korean

Lee Je Hoon, Kim Hye Soo, Cho Jin Woong, Jang Hyun Sung, Jung Hae Kyun

Drama Rating: 9/10     Neck Score: B

I honestly don't remember why I didn't watch this one as it was airing. The two possibilities are that it was either not subbed on a site I subscribe to (I think that's the most likely) or that I was watching too many heavy/dark dramas at once and I couldn't. I do usually need to watch like 3 fluffy types to every 1 heavy one. Call it escapism. Anyway, once I miss the concurrent airing window, it's way easier to put it off in favor of currently airing ones, so even when I knew it was available on the Netflix, I still waited until my love of Kim Hye Soo made me finally just do it. (You'd think my love of Lee Je Hoon and Cho Jin Woong already would have, but I guess not). It's all about timing. Anyway, it's one I always wanted to watch, heard so much good about, and now finally did. It was worth all the praise too. It literally wrenched every emotion from me. Every single kind. All the feels! It was good.

400. Never Twice 두번은 없다 (2019-2020) Korean

Park Se Wan, Kwak Dong Yeon, Youn Yuh Jung, Oh Ji Ho, Ye Ji Won, Park Ah In, Song Won Seok, Joo Hyun, Jung Suk Yong, Ko Su Hee

Drama Rating: 6/10     Neck Score: A+

This wasn't my favorite weekend, family, freaking long drama, but I like it okay. I was invested in all the characters enough to get excited each week for it, but it was also just not the best. It was about a bunch of people living at an inn boarding house type deal, and they are all on their last chance at life, grasping for straws. They all also have a common enemy in the family of Guseong Hotel group, who were all conveniently the people who somehow screwed them all over so that they are on their last chance. There was so much fate between this found family that it was ridiculous. But the dynamic of the found family was good, and the chemistry between the main couple was such that I kept coming back for more, even though the plot wasn't always my favorite. Basically it's the rich people kicking the poor people down until they finally unite enough to get some revenge and redemption, etc.

402. Crash Landing on You 사랑의 불시착 (2019-2020) Korean

Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin, Kim Jung Hyun, Seo Ji Hye

Drama Rating: 7/10     Neck Score: A+

I'm trying to not be bitter, but apparently I was way too angry with what happened in the last episode to do that, so I'm not sure how fair to the rest of the show this review will be. I have a bad habit (in all dramas) of investing too much into the secondary couples who always get shafted and never get enough screen time and then if there must be a tragedy it happens to them, because that way people will still view the entire show favorably because the main couple still gets a happy ending... well that's crap. Like I said, I'm bitter. Is this too many spoilers in the first paragraph? Oops. Well, honestly, besides the fact that my favorite couple got ruined, this show was fun. It wasn't super well written or even really realistic, but it was very enjoyable and addictive. It had that squee factor, I guess. It did the ensemble super well as well, which means that we cared about everyone in the show and not just the main couple, which is probably why it hurt so much. One thing the show could have more of though was editing. The episodes were just too long. I like my hour long shows please. Why we had to sit through an almost 2 hour final episode when all the joy was sucked out of it in the first 15 mins in beyond me. I was bored and disinterested for most of it. Probably because it was also draggy and I was in a bad mood by that point. But really, the rest of the show was fun to watch. Like I said, I'm obviously still too bitter.

404. Live Up to Your Name 명불허전 (2017) Korean

Kim Nam Gil, Kim Ah Joong, Yoon Joo Sang, Yoo Min Kyu, Um Hyo Sup

Drama Rating: 9.5/10     Neck Score: A+

I've wanted to watch this show since it first came out, but didn't for two reasons. One, it wasn't subbed legally anywhere, and two, it's a doctor drama and I usually struggle with those. I mean, everything is life or death and always about surgery, and that gets old for me pretty darn fast. At one point I was thinking: How many people are they going to kill off! Just learn your doctor lesson already!!! But, then it was subbed on Netflix, and I just had to get over the medical stuff and just watch it. It helped that I absolutely love Kim Nam Gil (especially after Fiery Priest). The premise just looked too good from the previews, as did the chemistry between the main actors. It's a time travel drama, where a famous Joseon doctor, Heo Im, travels to modern times and meets a resident who is already a super talented heart surgeon. It is past vs present and oriental medicine vs western. However, that really is just the super basic premise. The time travelling reminded me 100% of the time travelling of Queen In Hyun's Man, which is not a bad thing at all, since that drama was also amazing. But the only similarities are how our Joseon man travels back and forth, those mechanics of time travel, and not the plot or anything else. So yeah, it blatantly takes that concept, but why not? In Queen In Hyun's Man it was a talisman that transported him every time he "died" but in this one it was a magical needle box, since Heo Im was an acupuncturist. So I said, it could be boiled down to that same form of time travel with the past vs present in both customs and medical knowledge, but what it's really about is what it means to be a true doctor and what that looks like in both the past and the present.

359. Psychopath Diary 싸이코패스 다이어리 (2019) Korean

Yoon Si Yoon, Jung In Sun, Park Sung Hoon

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A+

I don't know if I've ever seen a good psychopath thriller comedy that isn't just a super dark thriller that also happens to be funny in spots. This was a comedy that just happened to feature a psychopath. I wouldn't say it's scary really, but I would say that the acting was super good and did a pretty decent portrayal of a psychopath serial killer. But, considering the premise, you do have suspend a lot of disbelief too. It's literally a show about a pushover who loses his memory and is handed his identity in the form of a diary detailing the murders of a serial killer. Rather than freak out and reject that identity, he tries really hard to live up to it and be the psychopath he thinks he is. I guess it helps that he was a thriller junkie and has every thriller and horror movie ever memorized. That part didn't get lost when he lost the rest of his identity, to our own entertainment.