Team Dramabeans: What We’re Watching (January 6, 2024) – A Roundup of Missvictrix, MaryDaebak, GritsUnit

Team Dramabeans: What We’re Watching (January 6, 2024) – A Roundup of Missvictrix, MaryDaebak, GritsUnit

So, what are we all watching this week?

What kept you reaching for more (or agonizing when there was no more), and what made you want to throw your remote through the screen? Time to weigh in…

 

missvictrix

Currently covering: Like Flowers in Sand

My Happy Ending: I didn’t really like this, but something about it sucked me in so I watched Episode 2 and found myself even more sucked in. What’s in Jae-won’s head? What is real? What is a lie? The drama does so much setting up, undercutting, reassuring, and then subverting again that I’m not sure what end is up (and I’m not even sure if that’s inventional)(and I’m not sure I care). The performances are good, it’s not boring, and I’m just dying to see more Jang Nara x Lee Ki-taek chemistry. So I’m addicted sticking around for now.

Marry My Husband: I only saw Episode 1 so far and… it was way more fun and watchable than I was expecting. Watching Ji-won try to piece together the logic of her time-slip and plan her next move was what made this fun for me. I’m a little disappointed with Na In-woo (sorry dude), but I’m willing to be won over [while simultaneously fantasy-casting Choi Jin-hyuk in the role instead].

 

mary

Mary My Husband: I’m not much of a Park Min-young fan, so I was a bit wary of this drama even though I was intrigued by another life-reboot-to-get-rid-of-my-shitty-husband plot. So far, I’m not impressed by most of the directing or acting choices, and the only thing keeping me interested is my curiosity to know what will happen next — especially as far as Ji-hyuk is concerned. (He’s obviously another time traveler, right?) I’m going to stick with it for now, but on the plus side, if I decide to drop it, I still have the webtoon to read and satisfy my curiosity.

A Good Day to Be a Dog: I’m still hanging onto this one, but, man, the pacing is just so off. This drama really should have been condensed to twelve episodes, and maybe that would have made the one-episode-a-week airing schedule drag less.

Welcome to Samdal-ri: In contrast to A Good Day to Be a Dog, I’m liking the slower paced slice-of-life feel of this drama. I initially had a hard time watching the bits with the jealous, lying assistant because they made my blood boil, but now that Sam-dal is settling into life on Jeju and having her own personal renaissance, I’m connecting with her and the story more. I’m equally enjoying the side plots about Sam-dal’s sisters and the friendship between her and Yong-pil’s mothers. That said, I’m ready for both Yong-pil’s father and the second male lead to take a backseat so Sam-dal and Yong-pil can officially rekindle their romance.

Moving: I finally found the time (and headspace) to watch this drama! While I’m extremely glad I waited until I could binge it (almost done), I wish I’d started it a lot sooner. Not just so I could have earned another 2024 bean, but also because it’s soooooooo good!

 

Unit

Currently covering: A Good Day to Be a Dog

Marry My Husband: How is Ji-won not dead again after tripping and falling over so many times in Episode 1? Also, is there a law which states that the male leads in back-to-the-past dramas have to wear ill-fitting suits?

Maestra: Strings of Truth: Why is everyone so obsessed with Se-eum? Who am I kidding? I’m a little obsessed with her as well. But at least, I’m behind my screen. I just need the people on the show to take a step… two… three steps back and let her breathe — especially that husband of hers. It’s bad enough that he’s cheating, it’s worse that he bears the same name as one of my favorite Korean singers. Boo!

My Happy Ending: The cheating husbands really followed us into the new year. Sigh.