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…
javabeans
Lovely Runner: Still the highlight of my week. I was very relieved that the show only taunted us with hints of just-missed connection for a limited time before delivering the much-awaited reunion. Given too readily and without that build-up, it wouldn’t have felt quite as earned, but dragged out too long, it turns into a sadistic act of anti-fanservice. While it’s a little eye-rolly to depict a 34-year-old top pop/movie star being that innocent and awkward around the girl he likes, I enjoy Sun-jae’s utter lack of cool around Sol too much to look that gift horse in the mouth. As for that murderous plot turn, the prospect of a third-party evildoer did occur to me and I’m sure some fans saw it coming, but I think I would have preferred the initial version where Sun-jae falls victim to depression and Sol’s desperation to save him brings them together. That feels more intimate, meaningful. Maybe that plot has fewer twists and a more straightforward trajectory, but I would have been fine with just a character-based story of growth and connection. Not that I don’t think the story works now, since saving Sun-jae remains the goal, but I would have rather we got there without spending time on nefarious villains whose only purpose in the story is to be a plot device of evildoing.
Queen of Tears: Such… slow… going. My pesky sense of completionism is provoking me onward and I’m sort of mad about it, but for whatever reason I feel like I have to finish despite not really enjoying this anymore. I know where this is going and generally how it will end, but despite the appealing visuals and well-acted performances, this drama seems to be wallowing in its beauteous misery and I have no patience for that. Sometimes pain and poignancy can be lovely and thoughtfully portrayed, with tears that feel cathartic, so it’s not that I take issue with the premise. But when the end trajectory seems so obvious, all that time luxuriating in dramatic angst just feels overindulgent. Cut the fat and get to the point, please!
Doctor Slump: I wanted something breezy and easy to watch and the premise hinted at healing dramedy, and for the first six episodes or so it was delivering on my expectations. I liked exploring the existential crises of these two overachieving adults who’d never had a chance to slow down, only to find circumstances forcing them to screech to a halt and reevaluate their lives. I could relate to that sense of “what is it all for?” weariness, when a lot of dramas tend to focus on the go-getter culture of chasing career success. Ten episodes in, though, and the plot seems to be spinning its wheels a bit. And while I understand that arrested development is sort of the point of their characters, I tire a bit of watching grown adults behave like emotionally stunted teens. I do want them to grow… but maybe offscreen, and in fast-forward.
missvictrix
Lovely Runner: I love this drama sooooooo much I don’t even know what to say first or what I love the most. This week, in addition to that kiss (*TKO*), I’m just so impressed with the nerviness of the writing — to think they built the high school portion of the story so painstakingly, made me feel the ache of leaving it, and then got me 100% invested in the newly improved present day? So fast, and so seamlessly? Touché.
mistyisles
Currently covering: The Midnight Studio
Lovely Runner: I’m running out of ways to say “I love this show so very, very much,” but that remains just as true this week as it has been all along. (Though, HOW is it already halfway over??) I CANNOT with these two and their mutual pining over what’s right in front of them, not to mention their adorably awkward commitment to try and play it cool in spite of themselves. And when they finally came out and admitted their feelings — and ACTED on them! — it was so deliciously satisfying even though I knew it couldn’t last. I may be in the minority on this, but I don’t mind the serial killer aspect at all, because for me it helps answer the “Why her? Why now?” questions regarding Sol’s time travel. When it seemed like she was just a random fan Sun-jae happened to have had a teenage crush on, there wasn’t a very strong reason she’d be the one sent back to save him, but it makes more sense (in my head, anyway) that it would be tied to a significant event in their shared past and the person responsible for that event returning to wreak more havoc. Likewise, seeing the full story of Sol’s accident in the original timeline helped put things into better perspective, especially Sun-jae’s part in it — it wasn’t technically his fault, but no wonder the guilt ate him alive! TL;DR: This week was a roller coaster and I never want to get off.
solstices
Currently covering: Blood Free
The Midnight Studio: I bawled my eyes out over Seo Ji-hoon’s episodes.
Chief Detective 1958: Park Jung-hyuk, the adorable little rattlesnake! It’s always exciting to see one of my favorite musical actors on screen, heh. I don’t think I’m all that invested in the overarching plot yet, and the comedy can be hit or miss for me, but I have to admit subduing a snake gang with actual snakes was hilariously apt. I feel like I need to turn off my brain and enjoy this ridiculously zany wild ride, haha!
Unit
Currently covering: The Atypical Family
Lovely Runner: This week had me all giddy, smiling at my screen and swooning at how utterly adorable Sun-jae is as a smitten puppy in love. That man is really a goner for Sol in all timelines. Sun-jae and Sol were cute together in high school, and I love that they’re still serving that cuteness — of course, sandwiched between tension and electricity — in their adult era. My highlight of the week is obviously the kiss(!), and it was absolutely hilarious to watch Sun-jae inevitably get “oppa-ed” when Sol bundled him out with a scarf over his face.
PS: I hope a certain drama can see the level of fan service that other dramas are giving their fans. No, I really hope that drama sees how normal people react when they finally address their miscommunications and get together after a period of separation.
PPS: That crazy cab dude needs to leave Sun-jae and Sol alone. Actually, all serial killers and psychopaths need to leave rom-coms. Period!
Frankly Speaking: I’m not a hundred percent sold on this yet, but I enjoyed watching Mr. Announcer struggle with his new unfiltered reality. I could do with less toilet and stinky socks humor though. By the way, having zero filter might seem like a curse to our announcer, but I know a specific couple who’d actually benefit from this blessing in disguise. But how else would we get 16 episodes of miscommunication and angst?