kdramahunter

[kdramahunter]

crash landing on you

Starting this kdrama was so confusing (my fault) because I'm so used to dramas having a hint of fantasy that I thought it was going to be a time travel concept. But obviously as the first episode progressed I realized my mistake, and I have to say I appreciate a different type of plot!

I got so invested with the show I forgot to write down my opinions but it was a mix of everything good to me, a different and interesting plot that I had not seen before, a classic relationship trope that just always HITS!

I think what was even more captivating was the fact that I was not able to predict what would happen because of the plot, it was set so specifically that everytime I tried to come up with a solution it just didn't make sense to me (however I did have a preference but I knew it would not play out).

I just appreciated the acting, the chemistry and the plot so much there's not a lot I can say without spoiling anything because of how specific everything is. The entire cast was incredible, every single character was perfect. The only thing I personally felt was lacking was the ending, I did feel like it was missing the essence of the entire show, like it was missing a "punch".

I will 100% be rewatching this soon.

Plot: 95

Acting: 90

Ending: 70

TOTAL: 85/100

recommend? yes!

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

alchemy of souls

Okay let me start this by saying I don’t really like what you call “period pieces” or historical dramas, which is why I kept putting this one off because it just seemed like one based on the images I saw everywhere. Once i decided to start I couldn’t stop watching it. I swear I normally keep a note with my comments so that I don’t forget what I thought while watching but the note for this drama is just all caps, shocked and entranced, so you know it’s good. 

I think that the acting was a little off putting at first because it’s a drama set in the past but the acting felt like it was set in the present in a way. However, I think that helped a lot because normally those dramas are slower and this was just not, it had the perfect amount of wits. It’s not like I can fully comprehend Korean, but I understand enough to pick up when dialect changes or when the language is from the past, and this one didn’t feel like that, even though of course it did have that essence the overall feel of the dialogue was much more present like in my opinion. 

See this drama made me torn between the two male leads, I was going crazy trying to decide who I preferred but they were able to balance the love I had or felt for bot leads because yes I loved them both but I still believed more in the main couple. In my opinion when it’s a love triangle you need the perfect balance of loving both leads but understanding which couple makes the most sense, and this clicked perfectly to me. Loved Hwang Minhyun’s acting, I think Seo Yul’s role was perfect for him. 

The amount of shock and plot twists that it had was insane. I was so entranced with the story line I wanted it to end to know what would happen but also I wanted it to be longer, the anticipation was insane to me. 

It definitely felt like a rollercoaster of emotions, the heart ache, sadness, but then the romance that made me giggle was a really good balance. This is one of the longer dramas I’ve watched, it having two parts and all but I swear I don’t think I was ever bored and no matter what happened I kind of knew the ending but I couldn’t really predict it which is exactly what I love. 

Fair to say it’s a really good watch and I will absolutely be rewatching it soon. 

Plot: 85

Acting: 90

Ending: 95 the cheesiness dropped half a point

TOTAL: 90/100

recommend? yes

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

queen of tears

I'm not going to lie, when I started this drama I was not too sure what to feel. Second hand embarrassment from shows is something that bothers me but if it's in moderation I can move on. I felt like the first episode I had to constantly pause and it made me over analyze every little thing (noticing shaky camera and stuff like that) but I was definitely able to move past it.

I think both leads were cast perfectly, they both delivered like they had to. I really enjoy the strong woman & weaker male trope - pairing, when the woman commands the room it's just so good to me.

I loved the way the story flowed in a sense that I was able to see the development of things because you're able to see things from both perspectives and not just keep one. Sometimes shows make it a thing to only show one perspective and as a viewer you start hating the other lead because they're painted as a sort of villain, but being able to see both and understand both sides was perfect for this type of storyline.

I must say though that it is a tried and true plot, which ended making it way too predictable but overall a very cute story. I feel like it's way too cliché but nothing I was too turned away by.

I don't know if I would 100% recommend it to everyone, I do think it's a good watch but there's better options out there. I think it could be a good introduction to someone to the kdrama world but if you're an avid watcher i think it will just be an okay watch.

Plot: 75

Acting: 90

Ending: 70

TOTAL: 78/100

recommend? maybe

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

doctor slump

I had really high expectations for this drama, I love Hyungsik's silly enamoured acting for romance, it always just gives the perfect over the top level of infatuation that is not cringey but rather silly and makes you giggle along his performance. I do think he is also able to deliver on serious scenes, I really do appreciate his range but I think that when his co-star doesn't match his level (not in acting but rather chemistry) it takes away from the show, and this pairing of leads was not my favorite, I didn't really feel the chemistry.

I think the story had so much potential and the acting was good, but there were elements missing or things that just made me not that interested with it. For example, I did not enjoy how the episodes started. I think that the first episodes being recaps was fine and definitely needed for context but after a while starting every single episode with narrations over things that are happening seemed redundant and unnecessary.

I must say that narrations can be done properly, since I've seen this drama I've rewatched some of my favorites and they also have narrations but the difference is that it's minimal and on key points, whereas doctor slump got overly narrated.

The lead story got slow at times and it made me turn my head and be more interested with the side characters and their story, which is never good because they're there for support, not to steal the show. I do think the story picked up at the end but at that point I was more interested in the side characters that it did not make me excited.

Everything leading up to the ending made me so bored that it took me forever to actually finish it and I was so done with it that I just couldn't appreciate the ending.

Plot: 70

Acting: 80

Ending: 30

TOTAL: 60/100

recommend? no...

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

lovely runner

it took me forever to actually sat down and do this review because no words could amount to how I felt when I was watching this show. I'm literally writing this with the OST playing in the background and on my second rewatch, it's serious business.

The plot is all up on my alley, perfect amount of fiction with real world. The acting is incredible, both leads are able to transmit every single emotion. At times I felt all giddy inside and I couldn't tell if it was due to the chemistry or just the incredible job they both did at acting.

But heavy emphasis on how good they are at acting, I've seen other dramas with both of them and they are always so good, Extraordinary You with Kim Hyeyoon is in my top 5 dramas of all time.

This plot can be messed up so easily because things can be forgotten, but my props to the writers because they did an excellent job of adding things without ruining the flow of events or the rules they had set at the beginning. The jumps they make are executed in key moments that help you get even more entranced with the story.

One issue I tend to have with kdramas is the balance between characters, there was no problem with this at all. The leads steal the show hands down and even though the side characters are set for support, you end up getting interested in them as well, but they don't take the focus away from the leads.

I got confused sometimes but my doubts were answered quickly. It's just so well done I know I will constantly rewatch it and it will stay in my top.

Plot: 90

Acting: 100

Ending: 95

TOTAL: 95/100

recommend? YES!!! absolutely

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

hierarchy

I saw this kdrama everywhere online, twitter, instagram, tumblr and then a friend said she started it so i decided to do it as well before spoilers started coming up everywhere.

I think it started so strong and it made an impact but after the first few minutes it just didn’t feel the same. It was kind of a take on the spanish show “Elite” in my opinion, there were a lot of similarities. However a lot of things were not similar and those things were essentially a downside in my opinion.

I had to constantly pause the show due to second hand embarrassment, it took me forever to finish the first episode. And also, this is a personal thing but every time the main guy appeared I got reminded of his performance at music bank (Fighting by BSS), but I do think he was the one character that was incredible and stayed true to the essence with the script he had, I definitely believe he could’ve done way better with a better script and plot.

I think it’s a little overhyped, the flow of events is not the best and it ended up feeling both slow and fast, between the jumps in time and the lack of storyline but also no explanation, as a watcher I was just confused as why it was so moved that way when some characters barely knew each other and the feeling was just not there but in reality “months” had passed and it didn’t feel like that, it felt like days.

As mentioned I do think the lead actor was good, the rest of the cast fell a bit short (the lead cast, i feel like the supporting roles were okay), if you have such a strong plot line and a power show you kind of need stronger voices or stronger characters, at least that’s how the premise feels. But maybe they did the best with the script they had.

The unfolding of the story was so underwhelming and it lacked the initial essence I felt with those few minutes from the beginning.

It’s an okay watch, I definitely would not recommend it since there are way better dramas out there and the ending was just anticlimactic.

Plot: 70

Acting: 70

Ending: 50

TOTAL: 63/100

recommend? no

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

a time called you

This kdrama had me attentively watching for a while, my friend and I started it together and would hang out every day just to watch one or two episodes because of how hooked we were.

It was so confusing at first which made it so interesting because you think you know the answer but you actually don't. But I do think after a while I got bored because of the plot getting a tad slow.

The problem is you have to pay close attention to everything because if you don't you will get lost and get even more confused which is so frustrating.

I do believe it's a good watch, but there are better dramas out there. The ending was anticlimactic in my opinion.

Plot: 80

Acting: 90

Ending: 80

TOTAL: 83/100

recommend? yes

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

weightlifting fairy kim bokjoo

This kdrama is like a breath of fresh air in my opinion, it is everything that you need in a lighthearted drama. The humor, the seriousness, the romance. It just hits everything perfectly. I think this one is very popular on some platforms but not that widely known like others.

This story is completely fulfilled by the amazing work of the lead couple. They are both amazing actors and I just love when you can tell and feel the romance or emotions through the screen, and they're able to execute this perfectly.

The side characters are just that, they're able to lift the story to what it is but they don't overshine on the leads which is something I've noticed happens a lot on other dramas. In this the side characters are perfect for context and play.

It's just really good in every aspect and it is 100% rewatchable which makes it that much more enjoyable.

Plot: 90

Acting: 90

Ending: 100

TOTAL: 93/100

recommend? YESS

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

triple fling

I started watching this as I got it constantly recommended on tiktok and to be honest I realized I should not write down recommendations based on 3 second clips because it’s never as good as i expect them to be.

It’s a really short story, I would label it as “okay” but it is very predictable, since it’s quite short there’s nothing much to say about it i guess.

Plot: 60

Acting: 60

Ending: 30

TOTAL: 50/100

recommend? no

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

Any thoughts about "a good day to be a dog" if you watched it yet

I haven’t watched it yet! I’ll add it to my list and watch it ASAP and share my thoughts <3

[kdramahunter]

once upon a small town

I think there really isn't much to say about this kdrama. It's good (or okay I don't really know how to put it), but in my opinion it's kind of forgettable. It's not a show I can recall completely and even then there's times I forget I've watched it (I did not have it written down in my original spreadsheet for the longest time).

I think it's a cute concept and a cute drama overall, I did like it and I definitely believe people could enjoy it! It's a feel-good romance I guess.

Plot: 70

Acting: 80

Ending: 60

TOTAL: 70/100

recommend? maybe

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

while you were sleeping

This kdrama is longer than what I'm used to, but I never lost interest. The plot is so interesting and they executed it so well. The actors are really good, the plot never derails it's just an incredible watch.

I also am biased because I love Lee Jongsuk. I must say I watched this a very long time ago so I might not recall everything. However, on my original notes I wrote how interesting it was to see everything unfold and I just remember loving the switch from romance to mystery to fantasy, there was so much but it was all handled well.

Plot: 90

Acting: 90

Ending: 90

TOTAL: 90/100

recommend? yes

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

backstreet rookie

The lead actress took on the role perfectly and it's just a very funny cutesy drama. I have to say I was not really into the male lead but honestly it was just because I love the second lead. After watching more dramas with the male lead in them, I realized how incredible he is and I was able to assess this without that bias.

This kdrama most definitely showed some red flags: the age difference and one specific character who was just a bad depiction and essentially had racist connotations. This made certain scenes very unbearable to me.

However I must say it is very refreshing in the sense that it's light hearted and cute. If you can look past the issues I mentioned I would definitely recommend it since it was a good watch, you might just have to skip some scenes.

Plot: 70

Acting: 90

Ending: 80

TOTAL: 80/100

recommend? yes

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

marry my husband

There's so much I have to say about this kdrama. I must say I kept seeing it everywhere and my friends started watching it so I convinced another friend and we decided to watch it together. I was instantly hooked, the first episodes had my friend and I so entertained, there was so much going on but everything was well planned out.

Then episode 7 hit, and I must mention this one specifically because I think this is when it started going downhill for me. I don't enjoy or appreciate when they make the whole plot based on miscommunication, things would just be solved faster if the characters talked. I think when they do this it's because there's no story to tell which clearly makes the show drag on and to me it just knocks some points off.

Nonetheless, I stayed hopeful, the dream and vision of the first episodes was still there. But it got to a point were, in my opinion, the episodes were the same, it was just the same conversations and actions being done, there was no shocking factor, which with this plot you need.

There were certain episodes in which the plot was picked up, but then it went down again, so it was just a rollercoaster (and not in a good way). I think that it got to a point to which it felt messy, there were too many antagonists and they kept bringing more in, and it felt unnecessary.

I must say though, the acting for the side characters / antagonists was on point. I know a villain / antagonist is good when they make me despise the character, and they were able to do just that. This however made the leads fall behind, since everyone else stood out to me and I was so impressed by the characters, the leads just seemed boring and sometimes even cringey and not believable.

The ending was so anticlimactic to me since everything was predictable for the last 4 episodes, I feel like they could've made the show 8 or 12 episodes long and be able to portray something much better instead of dragging it on.

P.S. not related but my biggest issue was the amount of product placement, I've never seen a show get 5 Kopiko ads (I don't even think I'm exaggerating)

Plot: 80

Acting: 90

Ending: 60

TOTAL: 77/100

recommend? maybe

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

the bride of habaek

I really enjoyed this kdrama for multiple reasons, first one being the plot and second one being Nam Joohyuk. I truly believe he is a very good actor and is able to portray his characters well.

I've realized I like the main actress but don't really connect with the way she portrays characters, there's just something always missing.

The plot twists can be predictable but overall it's an interesting show, again I can really appreciate a show set around a complex fantasy / sci-fi but it overall revolves around romance, I just enjoy them a lot. It is a good watch and I literally binge watched it in one day.

Plot: 80

Acting: 90

Ending: 80

TOTAL: 83/100

recommend? yes

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

touch your heart

This kdrama is super cute, I think what gave it an extra element was the chemistry between the leads. I've seen them before as a pair on goblin and I just love when they know a pair works and more dramas are done with them.

I don't think there's much to the plot as it is but it is definitely worth a watch, I remember not getting bored at all. But it is not a drama I would rewatch or think about rewatching.

Nonetheless, it is very sweet and lighthearted!

Plot: 60

Acting: 90

Ending: 70

TOTAL: 73/100

recommend? maybe

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas

[kdramahunter]

cinderella and the four knights

I think overall it's a good watch. I don't have much to say about it. I guess it starts off well but then trails off and the side characters tend to become more interesting than the lead couple.

However, I think it's okay since it is about the other 2 as well and not just the main couple, but the focus shifts awkwardly because you expect them to keep up just with her but then her story is not interesting (or at least to me).

Plot: 50

Acting: 80

Ending: 80

TOTAL: 70/100

recommend? maybe

links:

explore tags | about the blog | recommend kdramas