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: One Dollar Lawyer
Curtain Call: I really enjoyed our second week! As expected, I am all about the old school feels that are shooting out of this drama left and right, and I really like how we’re getting hints of how the house of cards is going to quickly collapse. There are soooo many dangling ends and dangers at this point, and the utter carelessness of our actors on “vacation” just epitomized that. Do they not realize the gravity of what they signed up for? They might be good at acting, but they’re not very good with the common sense. Also, can they stop switching to their Seoul accents while they’re in their bedroom, please?! Or if you’re gonna do that, at least whisper.
mistyisles
Revenge of Others: I’ve only watched the first episode so far, but I’m intrigued. Not crazy about the whole terminal illness thing, but still intrigued enough to keep going for now.
Behind Every Star: I liked the first episode, but the second was what hooked me. That graveside scene had me crying and laughing at the same time, and if that’s an indication of what we can expect from the show as a whole, I’m here for it!
Secret Royal Inspector and Joy: The end of Blind’s run left me craving more Taecyeon, and I had some extra time on my hands, so I decided to pick up this show that I missed when it aired last year. Turns out, it’s exactly what I didn’t know I needed! I’m about halfway through and I love everything about it — the leads, the side characters, that one sympathetic villain, the tragic crown prince storyline with all its angst and longing, just everything.
DaebakGrits
Currently covering: Behind Every Star
Love is for Suckers: I have mixed feelings about this drama right now. I still look forward to it each week, but I’m sooooo frustrated with the love triangle that I’m on the verge of jumping overboard and swimming over to a new ship: the surprisingly adorable pairing between our chef and webtoon artist. There’s still room for two ships in my metaphorical harbors, but I’m going to need Yeo-reum and Jae-hoon (to a lesser extent) to get their heads out of their asses. Yeo-reum needs to stop being so passive about everything — from dealing with the bulldozer that’s Chae-ri to addressing her feelings for Jae-hoon. Logical me is like, “Well, it makes sense that she’s not willing to address her feelings so soon after her failed almost-marriage. It’s a dumb move on the writers’ part for trying to make a rebound into a romance.” But the romantic in me is yelling, “Do something to repair your relationship with Jae-hoon!” And Jae-hoon, my dude, why you thought confessing your feelings so soon after the demise of her last relationship is beyond me. It’s like he’s mad at her for not wanting to start a new relationship two days after her last one ended, and everyone but him — and the writers, apparently — can see why that’s a bad idea. If Jae-hoon ends up with Ji-yeon (who has the personality of a plain, un-syruped pancake) because the writers are trying to create a story all about the importance of “timing” in relationships, I’m going to pull out my hair.
solstices
Currently covering: The Golden Spoon
The Three Musketeers: This musical is so much fun! Maybe it’s because I watched the second-last Seoul show, but the cast was certainly having a blast onstage and giving it their all, which translated to crackling chemistry and captivating camaraderie. I find it absolutely adorable how the older veteran cast, who play the titular three musketeers, have basically adopted baby musketeer Kyoung-yoon as their son. That nearly ten-minute adlib segment was comedy gold! Also, I’m still in awe over how exhilarating the combat choreographies were, and how well the actors pulled off the swordfighting. The musical was a charmingly sincere take on a classic story, and I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering by the end.
Mental Coach Jegal: I came for Kang Young-seok, and stayed for the No Medal Club (and Kwon Yul). So I’m going to try and remember this show for the endearing characters it gave us, rather than its disappointing ending. Our characters often doled out nuggets of wisdom, and one in particular resonated deeply, becoming my favorite line of the show: “It’s okay to cry, and it’s okay to falter. The moment when we are at our weakest is also the beginning of our growth.” The drama may have stumbled its way towards the finish line, but at its core it was always full of heart. I’ll certainly remember its uplifting message of learning to forgive, embrace, and above all, treasure oneself.
jenzy
Love is for Suckers: This show has me grinning like an idiot. It’s giving Fight My Way meets unREAL in the best ways. I’ve always loved Lee Da-hee, but as someone who never considered herself a Choi Siwon fan, I’m so surprised at how well he does the tender scenes or conveys all those pining feelings with a *look* and a low voice. Like, come on guys, that confession scene??? That had to be one of the most understated, confident, swoonworthy things I’ve seen in a while.
Boys Before Flowers: I’m having a blast revisiting the 2000s camp classic. The cheese! The outfits! The crazy plot points! The (slightly toxic by 2024 standards) masculinity! Sam Levinson wishes he had this team when he wrote Euphoria.