With some dramas ending, and others nearing a close, it’s time for more premieres! Dramaland has been a little dark and dire of late, so I’m throwing out a wish that we have some sparkly, fabulous shows coming up in the mix. If nothing else, I love the casting I’m seeing here — so much that perhaps we should take a moment to thank the unspoken heroes that are our drama casting directors. *Applause*
Joseon Exorcist
Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: SBS
Genre: Sageuk, supernatural, horror
Episode count: 16
Reasons to watch: It hasn’t been that long since Jang Dong-yoon’s last drama ended, but he’s back already, and I’m not complaining. I only wish it wasn’t a sageuk horror, because that is definitely beyond my drama-watching abilities. But for those that are braver than I and welcome some gory, occult intrigue, Joseon Exorcist sounds pretty exciting. An evil spirit that was kept at bay in Joseon reemerges, and the two princes have to either fight the evil, or give into it. All evil aside, this might be worth the watch just to see Jang Dong-yoon and Park Sung-hoon playing brothers, because whoever cast those two as much needs a medal of some sort, and I’m happy to bequeath it.
Navillera
Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: tvN
Genre: Dramedy, human
Episode count: 12
Reasons to watch: If you miss seeing Song Kang on your screen (whether monster-y or broody), he’s back as a ballet dancer in Navillera. Being a big ballet fan, but one without a lot of technical knowledge, I’m ready and willing to be swept away by this drama. It breaks the mold — and I’m here for that — with the main focus being on Song Kang and his friendship with a haraboji (played by Park In-hwan). Together, they learn and grow and dance their way to their dreams. It sounds beautifully heartwarming, and heartwarmingly beautiful. (Special bonus: hard-working sweaty dancer muscles, if you’re into that, heh.)
Oh! Master
Time slot: Wednesday & Thursday
Broadcaster: MBC
Genre: Rom-com, melo
Episode count: 16
Reasons to watch: And now it’s time for our next casting award. May I present Exhibit A: a new rom-com featuring Nana (much beloved after her turn in Memorials) and the incomparable Lee Min-ki. Put them together in a cohabitation themed rom-com about a screenwriter and an actress, and you have magic! Well, more accurately, you have no excuse not to have magic. With two actors that have enough color to bring even the dullest of plots to life, and a co-director that brought us the awesome drama special You Drive Me Crazy, I’ll admit my hopes are sky high. I’m picturing the cutest, swooniest drama that takes a wonderful, archetypal drama setup (a la Full House) and refreshes it in a way we didn’t know we needed. Bring it on.