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: Finland Papa, Race
Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938: This is soooo much more campy than I was expecting, but I love campy action filled with humor and one-liners, so I enjoyed the premiere episodes a lot. Yeon and Rang going around together in their vests is endlessly enjoyable. That being said, it felt like a wild goose chase of one plot string leading to the next but not actually getting anywhere. Like passing through quick video game levels (get stone, save rang, use sword, retrieve pipe, etc.) it was rewarding in its swiftness and non-lingering attitude, but it might start to get old without any foundation to the story. Then again, maybe I should just sit back and enjoy the bromance.
mistyisles
Currently covering: Stealer: The Treasure Keeper, The Secret Romantic Guesthouse
Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938: I totally meant to go back and get a refresher on what happened in Season 1 before starting this. That didn’t happen. But I’m thinking that’s not necessarily a bad thing — it makes it easier to enjoy the story this season is telling without feeling as attached to the way things were before (especially in terms of Rang’s character growth getting a total reset). All that to say, I’m having fun in multiple ways: the show is entertaining in and of itself, every so often I get an epiphany of “Oh yeah, THAT’S who that is!”, and we get to explore Rang and Yeon’s complicated bromance all over again.
DaebakGrits
Currently covering: Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938
Doctor Cha: Finally found the time to catch up on some of the newest dramas! Initially, I hesitated to watch this particular drama because I’m not keen on watching a marriage fall apart, but once I started Doctor Cha, I couldn’t stop! It’s so delightful, but waiting so long for her to find out about her husband’s affair and love child has been torture! I need her to divorce his butt so she can get a little somthing-something going on with Dr. Dreamboat.
My Perfect Stranger: Love the cast and the premise, but dramas that mess with timey-wimey stuff like this make me worried that the ending won’t be the one I want. (Thanks, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. I’m forever scarred.)
solstices
Currently covering: Joseon Attorney
The Secret Romantic Guesthouse: The Shi-yeol angst is breaking my heart T___T It was so painful to watch the realization dawn on him that he’d inadvertently been the reason behind Hong-joo’s years of suffering and isolation. Their unwilling separation absolutely gutted me, since it was the first time Shi-yeol was able to make a decision for himself, and he did it not for his own sake but hers. Also, I love how this story is playing out, with so many tropes averted or even subverted — the brothers joining hands, the queen dowager forgiving their deceit, Ban-ya and Hwa-ryung being such strong women and supportive allies. I’d feared the show might end up as yet another trite love story, but instead its emotional core is firmly anchored in the three boys’ friendship. It’s so satisfying watching them come together despite their differences, because of the bonds they’ve forged and the loyalty they share. Now I’m just hoping they all make it out happy and alive — don’t let us down, Show!
Finland Papa: My Honey10 (or should I say Nia?) heart is happy! It’s so much fun watching Kim Woo-seok be his teasing, tsundere self. I love the trio’s friendship and the found family ensemble, but most of all I love how the drama understands that less is more. It really allows the characters and their heartfelt emotions to shine, with its understated moments, beautiful cinematography and soothing soundtrack. Thoughtfully curated in its sentimental simplicity, the drama feels like the perfect scoop of bite-sized magic.
Dramaddictally
Currently covering: Doctor Cha, All That We Loved
Finland Papa: It’s impressive that we didn’t know anything about the “family members” last week, and yet, in just one hour of introductions this week, I found each of their stories really moving. All of their issues are relatable (depression, abandonment, regret), and I especially liked the story about hula dancing — and how just having something to look forward to can be the best means of survival. Even though the show is kind of like a fairy tale, it’s surprisingly real at its emotional core.