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: Mental Coach Jegal, One Dollar Lawyer
Seasons of Blossom: Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I only half pay attention to the present-day story, and then watch with bated breath when we get to the achingly beautiful flashback sections. Then, when the ep is over, I rewatch them about five times, just to enjoy all the nuances therein: the lighting, the blocking, the camera angles, the heart-stopping acting from Seo Ji-hoon, and the amazing amount of sorrow this things holds, while still being pure sweetness and magic. I love love love what the story is able to do just by having us know how it eventually ends.
DaebakGrits
Currently covering: The Law Cafe
Cheer Up: I came for the costumes and stayed for pretty much everything. On paper this sounds like a train wreck, especially when you add in the whole prophecy and creepy person lurking in the shadows, but it hit all the right notes for me. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a fun campus rom-com. Plus, I’m digging Hae-yi’s personality and her unique role as caretaker in her family. Unless this one gets really dumb really quick, I plan on sticking with it.
Love in Contract: I don’t fully like this whole juggling two fake marriages thing, but that’s mostly because I’ve never been a huge fan of love triangles. Inserting another dude into the equation — just so the male lead can make sad, jealous eyes at the leading lady from afar — isn’t romantic to me. That being said, in this particular case, I see how the setup is a major part of the plot and will serve its purpose. So, I’m doing my best to set aside my preferences and just enjoy every moment Go Kyung-pyo is on the screen.
Unit
Currently covering: Love in Contract
Mental Coach Jegal: Is Coach Oh really the cockroach who just won’t die, or the cat with nine lives? It’s so annoying how he keeps weaseling himself out of all the traps that Gil sets for him. I’m so stressed!
Youth MT: I had to watch the waterboarding game about three times to understand the rules, but once I did, it was an absolute blast! Korean variety PDs are geniuses at coming up with fun games, and this show is giving me different ideas for a fun hangout with my friends. In the future. When we finally pick a date that works best for everyone. Seriously, why is it so hard to come up with the perfect date?
One Dollar Lawyer: I have no complaints about Namgoong Min in a comedy role because he knocks it out of the park as usual. But it’s a bit of a downer that the female lead character is way more interesting than the actress playing her. Sigh.
My Husband’s Got a Family: I finally got around to watching this after putting off for a few years, and boy, they really don’t make weekenders like this anymore. This is my new crack, and I won’t be watching anything else this weekend.
Dramaddictally
Currently covering: Cheer Up, Love is for Suckers
Love in Contract: LOVE. IT. Every week is better. The bit with the cat is hysterical, and Ji-ho renaming it had me on the floor laughing. Go Kyung-pyo is awesome in this role. Kim Jae-young is growing on me now too. The scene with the three leads in the hallway trying to get the motion light to stay on: gold.
alathe
Currently covering: Little Women, Glitch
Love in Contract: I’m several episodes in, and this show is waaay more complex than I expected. It’s pretty wild! I’m invested in learning all about our heroine’s deeply convoluted backstory — though, I’ll be honest, I’m increasingly distracted from all the financial double-dealings by Jin Kyung’s effortless charisma and elegance. How does she get her hair to look that good? As for our leads… well, Park Min-young is, predictably, charm itself as Sang-eun, but Go Kyung-pyo surprised me. I was expecting his half of the series’ much-vaunted love triangle to be bland; instead, Ji-ho’s hopelessly endearing social maladroitness has captured my heart. I’m actually rooting for him! That’s not to say that Kim Jae-young isn’t hilarious as Hae-jin, who has somehow managed to combine being a suave celebrity/dashing chaebol with being a ridiculous loser whose cat hates him. I’m side-eying the underutilization of Gwang-nam’s character, though — every time I feel as if this show has managed to break loose from the “gay best friend” stereotype, they return to making his entire existence revolve around the straight female protagonist. Here’s hoping they do better soon!