• https://www.netflix.com/title/82761884

For me, it was True Beauty. It was the second drama I watched in 2024 and ever since then I have been obsessed with Kdramas. It’s definitely not perfect but it was so fun in every way, its going to forever have a special place in my heart❤️‍🩹

What was the drama that made you fall in love with Kdramas? And do you still love it and rewatch it to this day?

It may even be that your first drama didn’t get you hooked but another one you watched after it did, was that the case for you? Squid game was my first drama but it definitely wasn’t the one that got me hooked.

I started researching the controversy around Korean actress Ha Young expecting it to be another celebrity backlash story.

Instead, it led me into a much bigger question about how South Korea remembers Japanese colonial rule and what happened to collaboration-related accountability after liberation.

The part I found most interesting is that two questions often get mixed together:

Is a descendant responsible for an ancestor’s actions? No.

But that is different from asking whether a specific property or benefit can be historically traced through documents.

I made a short video using Ha Young’s controversy as the entry point. I tried to separate documented historical records from allegations that are not proven, while also explaining why the reaction in Korea carries historical weight that can be easy to miss in English-language coverage.

Full disclosure: I made the video.

https://youtu.be/c3reIPYNE_I

For people who follow Korean film/drama culture: do you think international audiences often miss the historical context behind controversies like this?

I watched this drama mainly because it starred Siwon and Donghae. As a fan, there was no way I was going to miss seeing both of them in the same series. That was honestly the biggest reason I decided to watch it. At first, I had a hard time getting into the drama, and there were moments when I almost gave up because it just did not click with me. I still pushed through and managed to finish it. Since it is adapted from a manga, it naturally has a very comic-like atmosphere, and being a Taiwanese drama, it also features the exaggerated acting style that comes with the genre. I eventually understood and appreciated the story for what it was, but it is not a drama that I see myself revisiting in the future. My MDL Rating: 4/10

1. High & Low The Worst (2019)
   • https://www.netflix.com/title/81304899
   • https://mydramalist.com/33391-high-low-the-worst
2. High & Low The Worst X (2022)
   • https://www.netflix.com/title/81647497
   • https://mydramalist.com/716661-high-low-the-worst-sequel

Four High & Low movies left Netflix on July 9 in the aforementioned regions. https://www.reddit.com/r/JDorama/comments/1u3ljw0/four_of_six_high_low_movies_leaving_netflix_on/

My all time fav role of Lee Dong Wook ❤️

Did you know playing the dark and twisted character Seo Moon-jo in Strangers from Hell had a noticeable psychological aftereffect on Lee Dong-wook. He shared that even though he tried not to get too immersed, he later realized the role had lingered in his mind and habits.

Behavioral and Mental Aftereffects

Startling friends: He noticed that when he drank with acquaintances, a simple glance from him would prompt them to ask, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Unfamiliar reflection: He looked in the mirror one day and felt a strange, disconnected sensation, realizing he did not quite feel like himself.

Lingering intensity: The heavy, controlling aura of the villain stayed with him longer than he initially expected after filming wrapped.

I think this is Lee Min Ho's best performance among the dramas I have seen from him so far. Although I was not a huge fan of the drama as a whole, I still found it very entertaining. The production was impressive, and it was clear that SBS invested heavily in the series. The action sequences, cinematography, and plot twists made the first half especially engaging. As the story progressed, however, I gradually lost interest and found it harder to stay invested until the end. I was also happy to see Park Min Young as Kim Nana, and I became so used to her in that role that I still think of her as Kim Nana whenever I watch her in other dramas. One thing I also remember was how much more difficult fan subtitles were to follow back then compared to the quality of subtitles available today. The emotional scenes hit even harder because of the soundtrack, especially Jonghyun's beautiful OST, which remains one of the most memorable parts of the drama for me. My MDL Rating: 8.5/10

This drama truly had an amazing and brilliant cast. Seeing Jung Woo Sung in a drama was a rare treat for me since I was more accustomed to watching him in movies. As expected, he was able to convey every emotion perfectly and made me feel deeply connected to his character. Even years later, just seeing this drama on my completed list gives me a certain feeling in my heart. It remains one of the best dramas I have watched over the years. I would love to revisit it someday, cry all over again, and rediscover the lessons and emotions that the characters left with me.

• https://www.netflix.com/title/82903780
• https://mydramalist.com/655-iryu-team-medical-dragon

Summer Strike

Watch for me

I absolutely loved this drama centered on two introverts !

Yim Si-wan… the hair. 🤌🏼 And Seolhyun I seriously need to see you in more dramas! She absolutely shines on screen and it was so refreshing to see a leading actress with a naturally sunkissed complexion. It added to her charm and felt like a welcome change from the very pale beauty standard often seen in dramas.

IDOL I

As a sequel to the first season, I enjoyed this one just as much. The drama remained well written, especially with the medical and forensic cases it explored, which always made me feel smarter while watching. This season delved deeper into the mysteries and dark secrets that were only hinted at in the first season, giving the story more depth and intrigue. However, it also kept leaving me hanging, constantly making me want more right until the very end. That sense of anticipation and curiosity was one of the things I enjoyed most about the series. My MDL Rating: 8/10

This is definitely not a drama for everyone. It is very mature and graphic, and I honestly was not prepared for what it had to offer. I never expected to see this kind of series from Korea, which made the whole experience even more surprising. To be honest, some scenes made me uncomfortable, so I was too shocked to fully enjoy the drama. I was also impressed by Han Groo because I never thought she could pull off such a role, but she proved that she could. Thankfully, the series was short because I do not think I would have enjoyed it as much if it had been longer. My MDL Rating: 4/10

This drama is one of my all-time favorite K-dramas and, in my opinion, still one of the best historical dramas ever made. Park Shi-hoo and Moon Chae-won are also among the actors whose dramas I always look forward to watching. What makes this drama so good is that it is not just about the romance. It also has a strong political storyline, which is common in historical dramas, but it was handled really well here. Although forbidden love is the main theme, I appreciated how the writers gave the story a solid foundation and convincing reasons for why everything unfolded the way it did.

The acting was excellent, not only from the main leads but also from the supporting cast. In all fairness, the chemistry between Park Shi-hoo and Moon Chae-won was on another level, and they made it easy to become invested in their story. I also liked the ending. Even though it was not a typical happy ending, it felt satisfying and fitting for the overall story. This drama remains highly recommended

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I caught Colony a while back and finally decided to drop a quick review here.

Going into it, I had pretty balanced expectations. It’s a Yeon Sang-ho film with an absolute stacked cast Jun ji- Hyun, Ji Chang-wook, Koo Kyo-hwan so naturally, the potential was massive. The setup in the Dongwoori Building with the whole ant-like hive mind/collective intelligence concept sounded super cool on paper.

To give credit where it’s due the production values are really solid. The claustrophobic atmosphere of being trapped inside that high-rise works well, and the makeup, practical effects and stunt performers playing the infected are top tier. Gianna Jun carries a lot of the heavy lifting as the biotech professor and Ji Chang-wook has some great high-intensity action moments.

That being said the script really holds it back from being great. The writing gets pretty generic once the outbreak takes off falling into the usual zombie tropes we’ve seen dozens of times. The hive-mind concept is introduced with a lot of scientific jargon but the movie doesn't really do anything groundbreaking with it later on. Plus, a lot of the characters including the tactical units and authorities make incredibly questionable dumb decisions just to keep the plot moving.

Ji Chang-wook also felt pretty underutilized given how he was marketed basically ending up in a glorified side role.

At nearly two hours, it definitely drags in the second half and could’ve easily trimmed 20 to 30 minutes to make it punchier.

Overall, if you turn your brain off and just go in for the action, the claustrophobic setting, and the stunt work, it’s an entertaining enough ride. But if you’re expecting another Train to Busan or a deeply written survival thriller you’re going to be disappointed.

Giving it a solid 6/10. Worth a casual watch, but nothing extraordinary. What did you guys think?

This is the first installment of the Flower Boy series, but it was actually the last one I watched. At first, it didn’t catch my attention because I wasn’t really into the first two episodes. But as the series went on, it slowly grew on me, and I’m glad I decided to continue watching. It just kept getting better with each episode.

The cast was also very charming, especially the second male lead, Lee Ki-woo, who was really attractive and fun to watch. What I liked most was how the story stayed focused on its central point: the three main characters and the ramen shop. This simple but consistent focus made the drama enjoyable and easy to follow. Out of all three Flower Boy series, I personally think this one has the best storyline overall. It left me with a very satisfying impression and rounded out my journey through the whole Flower Boy franchise. My MDL Rating: 8.5/10

This drama made me cry so much. I first became interested in it after seeing the trailer on TV, and it immediately caught my attention. Watching it was an emotional experience, and it was not just tears that came out, even my nose was running from all the crying. It was incredibly heartbreaking and sad. This drama truly represents melodrama at its finest, and the cast delivered performances that made it feel special and unforgettable. The dialogue was beautifully written and executed, making it easy to get completely immersed in the story. It was so painful and emotional that I honestly have no desire to rewatch it because I know it would only break my heart all over again. My MDL Rating: 8.5/10