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: Adamas
Alchemy of Souls: All caught up and no place to go. I loathe a drama hiatus! The only things to do while I wait are: a) not panic about the impending end; b) not panic about the impending cast change; c) keep making Chisu and Hwansu jokes; d) talk about Shin Seung-ho’s eyebrows to anyone that will listen. And not in that order.
mistyisles
Currently covering: Wild Boar Hunting
Alchemy of Souls: Amidst all the other ways this show has me by the heartstrings, something that particularly stood out to me this week was how much I’m warming up to Cho-yeon. I was proud of her for standing up for herself to her mother, even if she wasn’t quite ready for everything that would entail, and I find myself rooting for her and Mu-deok’s reluctant friendship almost as much as Wook’s and Prince Won’s (and that’s saying something!). As for the story overall, I’m trying not to think too hard about the end, or that second season, and instead just keep enjoying the ride for whatever it decides to be.
DaebakGrits
Today’s Webtoon: I can’t say that this drama is spectacular, but it’s just the kind of feel-good story that I’m in the mood to watch because I’m still all melodrama-ed out (Thanks, Why Her?). The mini-stories featuring the webtoon artists are cute and highlight the energy and magic Ma-eum adds to the team, but I’ve got to admit that I live for all the information about her past as a judo athlete. People keep underestimating her because she lacks the expected experience and education for the industry, so I love it whenever she’s able to bust out her athleticism to show that she has other strengths — literally and figuratively — and is an expert in a different field.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo: I’ve successfully converted not one, but TWO of my coworkers into Attorney Woo fans! As far as I’m aware, neither of them have watched a K-drama before, and they are the third and forth co-workers that I’ve successfully convinced to watch a drama. Slowly but surely I’m going to turn everyone in the office building into Korean drama lovers! Mwahahaha! Like everyone else, though, I’m a bit concerned with how the story will wrap up in its finale week. I swear, if this turns into another Twenty Five Twenty One situation, I’m going to breathe fire. I’d hate to think I introduced my coworkers to a good drama, only for us all to be disappointed by the ending. Sending positive vibes to the drama gods!
Unit
Currently covering: Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Poong the Joseon Psychiatrist
It’s Beautiful Now: This was a tough week! I knew it was coming, but the father-daughter reveal hit me hard. Poor Mi-rae and Hyun-jae! I feel bad for everyone involved in the situation, but somehow, it’s Min-woo I’m most worried about. Everyone in the family is concerned about grandpa, and rightfully so, but at some point I was expecting his wife and the boys to ask how their father feels about all of this. It doesn’t even help that the other aunt from upstairs is just harping on about blood relationships, inheritance and whatnots. Pfft.
Today’s Webtoon: I don’t know how she does it, but there is no Kim Se-jung character I don’t fall in love with. And now Ma-eum has joined the ranks of characters who have my whole heart. My heart also went out to the black and white comic guy, and I just want to protect him. I hope the webtoon team picks him and sends him to Ma-eum for mentoring. Lord knows she’s in a good position to add some color to his world.
alathe
Currently covering: Alchemy of Souls
Extraordinary Attorney Woo: I’m not quite up to date, but I’ve fallen hard for this show. It’s all down to the absolutely marvelous Park Eun-bin, who’s acting her socks off in every single scene. And wow, what scenes! Every episode is as thought-provoking as it is fun: it’s clear that whatever the topic, the writers have done their homework. Granted, it’s not always perfect; the child kidnapping plot was a real bust, for me. (Wow, what a sentence…! But really, my safeguarding instincts were blaring loud enough to drown out all willing suspension of disbelief.) Nonetheless, despite the occasional misfire, this show mostly leaves me delighted, giddily amused and full of surprisingly intense emotions about whales. Plus, full marks to them for doing one of the best moments of incidental queer representation I’ve seen in a while! That part’s small, but it’s nice to see a show that cares. And this show really does care about everything — above all, that’s the beauty of it.