#worst kdramas of 2020

[feuqueerfire]

January 2024 Movies/Shows Wrap-Up

A little monthly (spoilery!) wrap-up of all the shows, movies, and shorts I’ve watched or am watching in January 2024, general thoughts, and ranking of them all.

Recommendation of the month(s): Bottoms (2023), so fun

Ranking

Beyond Evil (rewatch)

Bottoms (2023) = Twinkling Watermelon (2023)

Death's Game S1 (2023)

Palm Springs (2020)

Love Class 2 (2023) = Death's Game Part 2 (2024)

Skimmed: Bon Appetit (2023)

Average Rating: 6.75/10 [really quite high! Didn't count my Beyond Evil rewatch and Bon Appetit doesn't have a rating]

MDL Updates - Added to Watchlist:

A section because I’m curious about how many shows I decide to add to my Watch List a month and also the ratio of watching them:adding them.

Rookie (2023) - a Phillipino lesbian movie, saw this tiktok and wanted to give it a try

Bon Appetit (2023) - Originally didn't have this on my list because it has a meh MDL rating but this tiktok of guy 1 liking girl liking guy 2 like guy 1 is fun

Kiseki: Dear to Me (2023) - I've seen it mentioned sooo many times that I thought I'd give it a try.

The Guest (2018) - I haven't yet liked a supernatural/fantastical kdrama but maybe this will be the one. Also apparently it's a good bromance that starts off antagonistic

Through the Darkness (2022) - Also a thriller investigation with strong bromance

My Perfect Stranger (2023) - Saw this Tiktok and ended up watching a few more and idk, it reminds me of 18 Again somehow with like younger version and family stuff

Twinkling Watermelon (2023) - same reason as above in terms of plot, it's also in the same tiktok, and it seemed to be very popular among the kdramas this year

Lucky My Love (2023) - wanna watch it cuz it's a GL but unfortunately people don't seem too keen on it :/ oh well, I'll keep it on hand for when I'm craving a GL

Death's Game (2023) - Hadn't heard much about it until I saw Pocha Playlist podcast covering it but I didn't listen to that episode. Then I find out that Lee Dohyun plays a (reincarnation) character in it and now I'm like hmm maybe + the rating and reception seems really good on MDL.

Last Twilight - hmmm people have very polarizing opinions on the last ep (both the disability aspect but also the general storytelling aspect), so I'm cautious but people reallllly love the first 9 episodes. Just adding it here in case I wanna see what the hype was about

The Worst of Evil (2023) - It's in a lot of people's 2023 favourites lists and it seems like a show I'd be into based on genre

The Dude in Me (2019) - a movie about an adult in the body of a teenager, found it from this tiktok with 18 Again and Twinkling Watermelon.

Our Beloved Summer (2021) - I had had this on my to-watch list for a while because I like a post-breakup story and people seem to love this show but had taken it off because I kept not watching it and heard some meh opinions but now it's back again because in Twinkling Watermelon tiktoks, this showed up a couple times in the tiktoks or comments bc people were mentioning Yi Chan and this guy as green flags and shows they loved etc

I Hear Your Voice (2013) - a 2013 drama lol but the Eun Gyeol/Se Kyeong tease in Watermelon Sugar made me remember that I kinda wanna watch noona romance sometimes, so this is for that time. + it's like mystery/suspence plot I think

Death's Game Part 2 (2024)

Youth of May (2021) - Obviously I've heard about this because I was looking for Lee Dohyun shows to watch after 18 Again but idk if I'm up for a tragedy :< but yknow he's in the military now, so maybe I'll watch one of his shows a year to tide me over. Thought of it again because I saw this tiktok when going through LDH tiktok tag

The Good Bad Mother (2023) - This was another case of "When will Lee Dohyun finally again star in a show I wanna watch?" But I saw like 2 mins of this edit on youtube of dude being 7 and ahh it's humorous (Ik it's supposed to be really heavy and traumatizing actually so I avoided it but idk if there's some levity as well and it's really beloved w the 8.9 rating and stuff maybe I'll give it a try to see Lee Dohyun - esp as he's in the military rn). After all, it's not like I knew 18 Again was show/concept I love like this

Lesson in Love (2022) - (240129) Sometimes you just want an uncomfortable and gross relationship... student/teacher noona (well jiejie?) romance and the comments talk about a plot twist (i saw the spoiler lol) anyway... might watch. Saw it first in this Certified Noonas Coming Up live. The student is an adult irl, so I'm gonna just pretend it's that in the show too. Also side note but he was also in Red Balloon and apparently his sister is a lesbian.

To Watch List At Start Of Month: 49

To Watch List At End Of Month: 62

Removed from To Watch List:

Removing these on June 30 because now that I’m getting into kpop as well, my interest in watching dramas isn’t as high and I know I’m probably not gonna get to these.

Nothing ig 

Completely Watched

Bottoms (2023)

Country: USA

Release Dates: Sept 1, 2023 

Watch Via: :>

Watch Dates: Jan 1, 2024

Rating: 7.5/10

Overall Impression: First movie of the year! Very, very funny and wacky, thoroughly enjoyed it. Hazel is sooo attractive lol, as is Isabel. Loved Josie being a sweetheart and reluctant to go along with antics except then going in wayyy too hard with the juvie stories lol. PJ was insufferable but like in a good way? like yesss, high school girl who says things before thinking and is an asshole! Also lesbian movies where they kill men is always fun, this time it being an actual funny comedic part. The whole movie was ridiculous and I'm glad.

tags: bottoms 2023

Palm Springs (2020)

Country: USA

Release Dates: July 10, 2020

Watch Via: :>

Watch Dates: Jan 7, 2024

Rating: 6.5/10 [Mar 11, 2024 Update: Decreased by 0.5 stars: 7 -> 6.5]

Overall Impression: In 2019, I binged Brooklyn 99 like 2-3 times and was obsessed with it and then watched some of Andy Samberg's other stuff and added this to the list of things to watch once it comes out a year later and does its festival tours or whatever... anyway it's now 2024 lol but it was fun! A good mix of the romance and interpersonal relationships with the sciency aspects. I was expecting it to focus more on the characters rather than the science or plot and that struck true, though there were definitely a few interesting bits to chew on in terms of worldbuilding. Funny and charming but not life-changing and predictable but not in a bad way.

Rewatch Beyond Evil: Jan 8 - 12, 2024

It's so fun to rewatch because I catch things that I hadn't before, not just about the case but about the different characters and their storylines. Also, all the stuff from 20 years ago that is repeating now which I'm catching onto earlier because I remember things that haven't been revealed in the show yet.

Han Joo Won continues to be way too naive and self-rightous, even if Lee Dongshik really was the killer. His methods are careless and reckless despite trying to seem rational.

Since I'm watching this after a year and it's a show with many storylines, I'm still extremely engaged lol watching this at 1x speed and watching it all when I expected that I'd be skimming through. I also forgot a lot of the smaller stuff and some of the kinda big middle stuff, so it's fun to rediscover them. Ep 7 ending & Ep 8 beginning are a fucking great combo fr even still.

Rating: still 8/10

Bon Appetit (2023)

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Sep 27, 2023

Watch Via: :>

Watch Dates: Jan 13 - 14, 2024

Rating: -/10

Overall Impression: Started watching because the guy1 likes girl likes guy2 likes guy1 tiktok was funny but not high hopes for the actual show. Skimmed through this so hard, honestly shouldn't have even watched it because it didn't seem too good from my skimming. The main two characters were cute-ish in the first half of the show and the Yoon Seobin surprise cameo for 2 minutes was fun, but meh otherwise. Skimmed even the main couple scenes in the last 2 eps because random fighting and misunderstandings. Not rating it because I skimmed through like 60% of it lmfao

Twinkling Watermelon (2023)

Country: South Korea

Release Dates:  Sep 25, 2023 - Nov 14, 2023

Watch Via: Viki (paid, so :>)

Watch Dates: Jan 19 - 22, 2024

Rating: 7.5/10

Overall Impression: I'm fucking obsessed with this sort of concept: Parent and child being the same teenage age through some magical concept. It's got a good storyline, hilarious yet touching. I was afraid that they'd make Yi Chan's hearing come back but I'm glad it didn't; it's just something that has to happen to him for no reason the way these things just happen sometimes. The characters were well-crafted and the acting was great. Kinda slow paced, there were certain episodes where I was like nothing really happened, but I guess that's the point of the slice of life aspect in some cases; just watching the characters exist alone and together.I was into the ChCh romance from the get-go and thought they were sooo cute whereas EunEun were a more fun menace pair who I just liked to watch fighting before it gradually became a couple I shipped Very Much. Also, a shoutout to my Se Kyeong (OG, not Eun Yoo) and Chung Ah ship, I can't believe Se Kyeong's first love was her husband instead of Chung Ah. A well-crafted show, good acting, hit some feels and I expect some attachment to it (I'm rewatching and skimming certain parts as I write lol).

tags: twinkling watermelon

Also Appears In: Twinkling Watermelon Live Blogging

Love Class Season 2 (2023)

Country: South Korea

Release Dates:  Aug 11, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023

Watch Via: Viki (paid, so :>)

Watch Dates: Jan 26 - 27, 2024

Rating: 6/10

Overall Impression: I liked the main couple: a younger, insistent pursuer to an older, reluctant hyung who was also his tutor when the younger was in high school. I do wish the random stalker, weird hyung wasn't haunting them for so long though because the premise of this couple is so good. I came around to the second and third couple even though if the show was longer or deeper, I might not have. I was bored by the last 2 eps though, so ehhh

tags: love class 2

Also Appears In: Love Class 2 Live Blogging

Death's Game (2023)

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Dec 15, 2023

Watch Via: paid, so :>

Watch Dates: Jan 29, 2024

Rating: 7/10

Overall Impression: Weird to rate just this half-show 4 episodes but really good and interesting, I'm enjoying it a lot. My favourite eps are eps 2 and 4, they balanced a good amount of heart with excitement (for ep 2) and plot progression/answers (ep 4 + ofc Lee Dohyun my initial reason for checking out the show). The 18 Again characters/actors are haunting me with this fr.

tags: death's game

Also Appears In: Death's Game Live Blogging

Death's Game Part 2 (2024)

Country: South Korea

Release Dates: Jan 5, 2024

Watch Via: paid, so :>

Watch Dates: Jan 30, 2024

Rating: 6/10

Overall Impression: Firstly, fuck the message of the show. In shows like this, where they treat suicide as a personal, moral failure of selfishness and weakness rather than due to systematic issues in society, mental health struggles, or treating the characters with kindness, it's of utmost importance to just roll your eyes and see the story/acting/etc. Eps 1 to half of 3 were interesting and exciting but in the way of "I'm watching a show with murder and gore and people trying to outsmart each other" rather than about this specific show. The ending is... okay, I guess, expected it. In Part 1, Death just left something to be desired for me and this kinda continued here. Don't think I'll think of this show much (except maybe Lee Dohyun?) and the 2nd part didn't have the excellent pacing of the first one. Not as good as part 1.

tags: death's game

Also Appears In: Death's Game Live Blogging

Post created this month: 2023 Series Overview + Stats

[mostlyfate]

Hi :) what are your faves kdrama ?

Hi hi! :D Whenever I get ask about favorite dramas my perspective always seems to change as time goes by tbh! Here's an old ask from 2021 that included my favorite kdramas — but now I'm honestly really picky with what I call a "favorite" drama. Like yes, I still very much enjoyed past ones I called a favorite but if I had to put it in a category it'd be that I just enjoyed it a lot in the moment. If that makes any sort of sense 😭 For a drama to be a favorite I literally need to feel some sort of attachment to it. So if I would give a list of fave kdramas it would literally be like just one ngl 😅 But anyways I'll list kdramas that I enjoyed watching and would recommend giving a try! (read until the end for that one favorite kdrama haha)

2023:

— My Lovely Boxer | episodes: 12, duration: 1hr. 10 min. genres: drama, romance, sports. » Main leads chemistry and bickering 💯

— Destined With You | episodes: 16, duration: 1hr. 10 min. genres: comedy, fantasy, romance. » Plot 🙅‍♀️ Couple being sick in love w each other 👌

2022:

— May It Please the Court | episodes: 12, duration: 1hr. 5 min. genres: comedy, drama, law. » Fun, fun leads! Great chemistry, great acting, love me a law drama. 👩‍⚖️

— One Dollar Lawyer | episodes: 12, duration: 1hr. 10 min. genres: comedy, drama, law. » All around fun characters, great fits. Wacky scenes? ✓ Serious scenes? ✓

2021 and previous years:

— Idol: The Coup (2021) | episodes: 12, duration: 1hr. 25 min. genres: drama, music, youth. » If you're in the mood for an drama about idols... great music ✓ intense chemistry ✓

— To My Star (2021) + (Season 2!) | episodes: 09, duration: 0hr. 15 min. genres: comedy, romance, youth. » 🫶 Such an enjoyable watch, honestly! 🫶

— One the Woman (2021) | episodes: 16, duration: 1hr. 10 min. genres: comedy, mystery, romance. » idk i just remember enjoying this one with a lot of laughs! and honey lee kills it every time!!

— 365: Repeat the Year (2020) | episodes: 24, duration: 0 hr. 35 min. genres: fantasy, mystery, thriller. » I loved this drama a lot and the main two leads were everything!! 🥹

— Run On (2020) | episodes: 16, duration: 1 hr. 15 min. genres: life, romance, sports. » such a treat it was! everyone was chaotic, ki seon-gyeom i miss u 🤏

— Live On (2020) | episodes: 08, duration: 1 hr. 3 min. genres: comedy, romance, youth. » i remember loving female leads growth!! and the leads relationship was v cute!

— Radio Romance (2018) | episodes: 16, duration: 1 hr. 10 min. genres: business, comedy, romance. » 🫶 it's just a kdrama i love a lot 😭 and had a blast rewatching last january 😭 might be bias bc im in love with yoon doojoon lol but the first time i watched back in 2018 i didn't know much about him and i remember enjoying it then as well. idk i just love it and enjoyed it to the fullest. ✨

— While You Were Sleeping (2017) | episodes: 32, duration: 30 min. genres: comedy, fantasy, mystery, romance, thriller. » "So, the first kdrama I ever watched! It holds a special place in my heart because of that fact! The soundtrack for this drama also... I remember listening to it on repeat for a while after finishing." < What I previously said which still holds true! >

— Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016) | episodes: 16, duration: 1 hr. 22 min. genres: comedy, fantasy, melodrama, romance, supernatural. » Not me just rewatching this a bit ago... still v funny and iconic 😭

+ A Business Proposal (2022), A Piece of Your Mind (2020), Extraordinary You (2019), Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017), Secret Forest (2017) + season 2 (2020)

I'm probably missing others I enjoyed but these are like the ones I remember the most enjoying. I mean I have like the worst memory soo 😅

Drumroll my favorite kdrama?!?

— Splash Splash Love (2015) | episodes: 02, duration: 1 hr. 10 min. genres: comedy, historical, romance, supernatural. » "This one isn’t an full length drama but a special. It’s just a fun and charming drama? Like not exactly sure what about it made me love it so much? but I do and it’s an easy/quick watch. :)"

+ I know what made me love it so much = yoon doojoon (once again) 😂 for real though, I just love this special to pieces. and i wish it was an actual full-length drama 😭 like it's everything and i always think about it every now and then 🥺 their chemistry was everything! their acting was so good! i am so sad we didnt get moreee 😭😭😭

anyways!! i'm just a weird when it comes to something being a favorite like i only have one all time favorite drama ever (Talio Fukushu Daiko no Futari, 2020.) that i never shut up about and that's itt. 😅😭

[eddydreaming]

Best Kdrama 2023

Hey there! It's that time of the year again when we have to choose our favorite things such as songs, moments... and kdramas. For me, there was one kdrama that stood out the most. I decided to watch it this month based on my friends' recommendations. I would have never watched it if they hadn't suggested it to me earlier.

That kdrama is Twinkling Watermelon. It was released on the 25th of September and finished airing on the 14th of November. It has 16 episodes and the topics are romance, youth, drama and fantasy.

“When your life can twinkle again on its own, I hope it twinkles as radiantly as possible.” – Ha Eun Gyeol

This is mydramalist's synopsis for it:

In 2023, Eun Gyeol is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) high-school student with hearing-impaired parents, but he has a passion for music. During the day, he is a studious model pupil… but at night, he rocks out as a guitarist in a band. But when he stumbles across a strange yet alluring music store, he goes hurtling back in time to 1995.

Here, he comes face to face with his father, Ha Yi Chan – as a high schooler! Yi Chan takes Eun Gyeol for a lunatic when the latter calls him “dad”. Worse still, it looks like Yi Chan has a crush on an icy cellist named Se Kyeong – not his future mother, Cheong Ah!

In a bid to put things “right,” Eun Gyeol joins a band fronted by his future father. But will this be enough to help Eun Gyeol bring his future parents together… and will he ever get back to the 2020s?

Before watching it

It's so funny when you don't want to watch something because you don't feel it's gonna be that good and then end up watching it to realize that is more than good: it was awesome.

That's what happened to me this time.

I read the synopsis of the kdrama, but it didn't catch my attention. Therefore, I decided to start watching another show instead. However, I recently joined a Discord server where the majority of members were raving about this drama called Twinkling Watermelon. This piqued my interest and I decided to give it a try. I am grateful to the members for introducing me to this amazing show.

“If it is a new heart that you need, I will give you mine. If you need new eyes, I will give you both of my eyes.” – Ms. Go

No spoiler review

After a couple of episodes into the kdrama I knew this was gonna be a big thing for me. The first two episodes are a little bit introductory in my opinion, but they're completely necessary to understand our ML, Ha Eun Gyeol.

After watching the fourth episode, I couldn't help but continue until I finished the entire series.

The story is about how deaf people are usually discriminated against because of their condition, and also the disdain towards sign language, when it actually is like any other language.

Moreover, we have a beautiful friend group, and I love it when we have that because they make me so happy and it's so wonderful to see.

The drama conveys the importance of having loved ones by your side and the inspiring ability of one character to move forward even in the worst situations. This message really resonated with me.

Finally, the relationships between the characters, both romantic and platonic, are beautifully portrayed. My favorite relationship was between the father and son.

"If you put a coda at the end of a musical phrase, it means getting ready to wrap up the song with a beautiful end."

Music

The music plays a crucial role in this drama, and it's what makes it stand out. When you listen to a song and it transports you to the scenes or the characters of that drama, it's an amazing feeling. My favorite song from the show is definitely "Shining," and I strongly advise you to avoid listening to it until you watch the show. Otherwise, you won't feel the same way about it.

“Music isn’t something you listen to just by ear. Music is something you can feel with your eyes, mind, and heart.” – Ha Yi Chan

This is my opinion, which may differ from yours, but that's what makes it fun!

I want to know what your favorite kdrama from 2023 was if you don't mind sharing. Maybe I haven't watched it yet!

[worshiphwa]

I'm sorry to say but backstreet rookie is the worst kdrama I've watched 1 🌟

Like I thought at one point it had potential but really it wasnt any good. How was this a drama made in 2020 seriously? Even most 2015 kdramas are better than this was

[shellyb04]

Once Again (2020)

Once Again (Kdrama)

Once Again follows the Song family and their 4 adult children. The eldest two have recently been divorced and moved home. The third child is married, but her marriage has hit a rough spot. The youngest is set to be married in just a few days. Meanwhile, the parents run a chicken shop on a market street that gets stirred up when a new woman opens a kimbap store.

9/10

The majority of this is really good. The family dynamic and inclusion of found family is simply wonderful. I really struggled with this show in the beginning. I felt like everyone was a jerk (except Da Hee who is an angel) and there is A LOT of screaming at each other throughout, but especially in the first few episodes. It probably took me the first 7-10 episodes to fall for this show. But once I had, it kept me. I laughed and cried along with the characters.

Fair warning, this show is 100 episodes. The episodes are about 35 minutes each, but even with the short length this is a longer show. It mostly moves along decently with only a couple of hiccups that feel unnecessary. Ultimately, this is an enjoyable show that will give you the feels and make you laugh, just bear with the beginning. People have to start in their worst place to make you feel it when they succeed. I've seen this compared with My Father is Strange and that is a fair comparison. Personally, I prefer My Father is strange, but this is a VERY close second.

[clairedaring]

I've started a Takahashi Fumiya and Shison Jun drama hunt cus of gifs I seen from fermat cuisine by you and the couple other people making gifs ehehehe. That show was sooo good and now I need to find more good movies/shows w them in it! Other than fermat I only ever saw the yu yu hakusho live action (which I loved even if they were forced to condense too much into 5 eps, the actors and fight choreo was niiiice) haha. Do you know other shows or films w either of them you rec??

Actually nonnie I'm only new to Jdramas so I haven't really been able to check out their ENTIRE filmography (T . T) But I'll list out the ones I've watched (quite a lot more fumiya than jun stuff unfortunately) and maybe you can try checking them out if you'd like.

Takahashi Fumiya films/series

our secret diary (2023) - film, super cute sweet basic high school romance. not groundbreaking or anything but like a delicious dish of dessert you know you're going to enjoy. i think it's a total must watch if you're looking for a lighthearted romcom.

kimi no hana ni naru (2022) - series, fumiya plays ML and leader of a flopping boygroup. i'm not a huge fan of noona romance (FL is ML's former high school teacher) but that wasn't really the problem for me here. i just had qualms with FL's acting and fumiya was hard carrying for the entire series tbh. the music is VERY good (really feel good generic bg music *\(^o^)/*. fumiya looks extremely good in this series tho (understandable since he's playing an idol) |(￣3￣)| available on netflix.

themis no kyoshitsu: legal seishun hakusho (2023) - series, it's a law school drama and fumiya plays supporting role as one of the students. maybe it's because i watched other law tbs dramas so this one was underwhelming for me but i watched it just for fumiya and thought it was alright.

waru: hataraku no ga kakko warui nante dare ga itta (2022) - series, fumiya plays a lovable intern who has a crush on quirky FL (plays by the fabulous imada mio whom i adore). i had the worst 2ml syndrome and although i'm kinda glad FL technically doesn't end up with anyone i was stilllll rooting for fumiya's character so much. fumiya has more screentime than i initially thought and i loveeeee his character in this one (an adorable cutie).

saiai (2021) - series, fumiya plays a supporting role in this thriller mystery drama. i really liked this one but it wasn't because of fumiya, his screentime was minimal but the suspense was good. he's got that soft babie fumiya look for this one. it felt like a makjang kdrama. i recommend if you're in the mood for something thrilling (i think it's available on netflix as my dearest?).

bokura ga koroshita, saiai no kimi (2021) - series, fumiya plays the lead role in this thriller romance. i don't like series that leave me with way too many questions at the end so it was frustrating but fumiya's acting was insane so it was worth it. but very bloody and mild gore so trigger warning for that.

muchuu-sa, kimi ni (2021) - series, i think this was my first ever fumiya series but at the time i watched it i just thought it's a cute bromance series. kinda a strange dorama but it's healing and soft in a way.

divoc-12 (2022) - film, it's an anthology film so like a collection of short films so it's just 10 min really. i just watched it because CURLY HAIR FUMIYA.

Shison Jun films/series

joshiteki seikatsu (2018) - series, wonderfully heartwarming short series where jun plays a fabulous transgirl. i love it so much you can see i have started giffing for this series even though the raw quality is god awful (T . T)

gokushufudo (2020) - series, i ADORE this series. the premise is so wacky like it's about an ex yakuza/mafia dude adjusting to his new life as a house husband. jun plays an underling of ex-yakuza who assists him with various tasks. it's so funny i almost died laughing watching this one ✌︎('ω')✌︎.

high & low the worst and the worst x (2019 and 2022) - films, jun plays the lead role in this action comedy. i had fun watching but i wasn't really invested in this story. but like the acting and the music is excellent. if you like yu yu hakusho, i think you'll enjoy these films. both are available on netflix last time i checked.

i know that this answer probably wasn't that helpful but i hope once you start going down that takahashi fumiya or shison jun rabbit role, you'll find some series that you'll enjoy ٩( ᐛ )و

[kateknowsdramas]

Worst KDramas of 2020

We can all agree that 2020 has been a dumpster fire, but we’ve been given several super amazing dramas (Hospital Playlist FTW) that have made my all time favorites list. However, we’ve also been given some colossally bad dramas this year. The list below are shows I watched that range from “Eh, I didn’t want to gouge my eyes out while watching” to “The people who green list this trash deserve to rot.”

Without further ado...my worst dramas of 2020:

7. The King: The Eternal Monarch

TKEM definitely wasn’t the worst drama of the year but, man, it was the most disappointing. For a show with such a stellar cast and writer, it turned out to be one of the most boring and nonsensical dramas I’ve watched in a long time. I wrote a few posts on why the show didn’t work for me - here and here and here. The only reason I stuck it out was for Woo Do Hwan because his poor back must have hurt carrying this drama. Oh, and I had to support Kim Kyung Nam too. So, really, the reason to watch this drama? See below.

6. When I Was the Most Beautiful

I don’t mind a melo and I don’t mind a makjang melo either. But it needs to be done well. This was not done well. I wanted to watch because Ji Soo in a lead romantic role - the universe smiled upon me! Or so I thought. The show saddles the poor guy with being a high school student falling in love with his teacher and he never gets over it. He pines over her for years even when she marries his brother (who then disappears for years of course). It’s depressing, none of the characters are likeable and there’s no actual romantic payoff. Just everyone being upset, angry and jealous most of the time. No thank you.

[pretend there’s a gif of this show here cause I didn’t bother to gif it and it seems like no one else did either]

5. Was is Love?

This show started out pretty well and then turned into a mess. I started it because I really like Song Ji Hyo but, unfortunately, she does have the acting strength to pull off the complexities of this drama. The misunderstandings, lies and messy plot just made it into a frustrating watch.

4. To All the Guys Who Loved Me/Men are Men

I’m a sucker for past life stories and I was actually pretty excited to see Yoon Hyun Min and Seo Ji Hoon reunite after Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter. I generally not a Hwang Jung Eum fan because she so often goes over the top but she actually impressed me here. It started out well - especially having the female lead be independent. Then it just got weird and messy. The show continued to have Yoon Hyun Min’s character be a creepy stalker who’s lying to her. Seo Ji Hoon’s character is a whiny man-baby. I can’t understand why she would want either of them and, after a point, it was just a slog to watch. 

This was my favorite thing to gif in the show.

3. Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol

You can send me angry asks all you want, gang. This one is bad. And it didn’t start out that way. It started pretty okay (I’m still not a Go Ara fan - she can’t seem to stop looking constipated when she’s trying to convey deep emotion) and I was enjoying the silly fluffiness of the show and supporting my baby Lee Jae Wook. A leading man role, yay! 

And then...the big reveal came. Our hero is a high school senior - a 19 year old high school senior who met our female lead around two years prior when he was probably 16/17. A high school senior who pursued a relationship with an adult woman who he lied to about his age. And it really didn’t get any better from what I saw. Yeah, I dropped it after the reveal. I watched 14-16 just to see what happened. You can read my recap of the last episodes here. The show just didn’t make sense, the writing was all over the place and what could have been a fun and fluffy drama just floundered in nonsense.

But there is an adorable dog who wears cute lil’ doggy clothes.

2. Backstreet Rookie

This show is the one that ripped Ji Chang Wook from my ultimate bias spot. How my dude could choose Melting Me Softly and then this is a crime against humanity. Full disclosure, I only watched the first four episodes and that was enough. I wrote a post about the age gap issue because people were losing their minds about how someone could watch and appreciate Goblin and find fault with it in this show. But that’s only one of the problematic aspects of this drama. A racist character who draws erotic webtoons? No thank you. It’s just not a good show, fam. Not at all. There’s so many things wrong with it. I skimmed through later episodes to see if it got better and - shocker - it didn’t. Even the writer must have figured out it was bad because the OTP didn’t even kiss in the final episode. 

1. Born Again

Look, if you want an insanely bad show that is equal parts infuriating and hilarious, look no further. I wrote a review here and if you want details as to why this show takes the prize for the worst and most BoNKerS drama of the year check out some posts  here ,  here , here, here. Search my blog for it and you’ll find a treasure trove of insanity. 

Let’s have our female lead fall for a dude who stalks her and tries to kill the guy she was engaged to in her past life. Who was also set up as the male lead for the first ten episodes before the writing staff changed. That might explain why it completely veered off course so badly in the second half of the show. I mean, to be honest, it wasn’t exactly a masterpiece to begin with but at least there was an interesting premise if not a heavy handed homage to Wuthering Heights. One of the very, very few shows I rage watched and ended up just shaking my head by the end. It’s a disaster. The worst of 2020 and, possibly, one of the worst Kdramas ever. 

Yep - you read that right. He wants to be the heart in her chest. Oh, how I wish that had happened.

As always, thanks for reading my opinionated discourse. 

[seatawinan]

Favourite Shows [2/7]: Where Your Eyes Linger

I want to be with you all day. And if we're together, I want to hug you. If I don't see you, I want to whine.

[demelzahcarne]

And then they drove off and were never to be seen again, haha if only. Okay I got it NDS is the next Elon Musk or even better, next...what a waste of the first minutes showing a self driving car. Why give time to your characters, oh wait tarzan is an important character deserving screentime.

If joohyuk ever slams NDS role I'd respect him so much more but koreans are too polite to even slam obvious bullshit.

He ask an app about his fortune, and of course he doing the opposite and it will prove him right and NDS and his non believing in anything but his super coding powers will save the world...is this a bad fairytale or a drama trying to be a tiny bit realistic?!

Where the fuck is Jipyeong?! There he is, looking so damn good again. I can't, and they be talking so normal, it's so good to see them at ease. Wait, are we hurting NDS poor soul because Jipyeong told dalmi what granny should cook, oh of course I forgot NDS needs all the love and attention even from Granny too cause he has nobody else except for his Mom/dad, his san boys, dalmi and etc pp so yeah we should be considering his poor soul cause crybaby is about to tear up again cause nobody fucking loves him.....

Another triangle I could do without...

God, I know I wont see it but I wish to see NDS fail again in 5 to 10yrs and lose it all, what a fucking prick. At least then he has a reason to cry again about his own dumbass' doin

Dal-Mi was dickmatized. OMFG...way to ruin a confident woman.

This is fucking real, he wants the money tree?! Just suddenly out of nowhere, he did not once care about it, not fucking once, the audacity and entitlement of this prick ass character. I want to punch his fucking eyeballs out. What is the writer even doing, the fucking writer is on some weird ass drug, and it's definitely not the good kind. Take the drugs away from her, I can even click play again cause shit will get worse from here on, I want to stab something or someone.

Oh these letters, without them he never would have gotten dalmi, but whatever who cares about details, right. He never wrote a single letter in those letters but sure keep them cause whatever, getting the girl ain't enough for you, you spoiled rich ass idiot.

The money tree was given to him(NDS) but he didn't care about it for one second but when Jipyeong is in the mix of keeping sth from dalmi, he wants it back or keep things..how old is he 30 or 5 ???? I honestly have no idea why he is suddenly so eager to have/own the money tree.

God, we get it dalmi will tell NDS in some big ass speech that he was and always will be her first love for reasons I really don't care about. Can't you just play this fucking scene and let his whiny ass be happy so he can gloat about beating Jipyeong.

The letters and the plant are his happiness? Well this just fucking broke my heart. Thanks for the tears I really didn't want to shed.

Lol, that's her reason?! that's what they were working towards in all those episodes, lbr the writers had no idea either why it's Do-San and took the easy way out. LMAO

I can't believe there will be 90more minutes of this tmrw, again why????!!!!!

No you are not a loser, stop it. You are too good for a dickmatized woman. God I am crying the tears Jipyeong can't cry right now.

This late ass thrown in won vs seo self driving car company bullshit storyline nobody gives a shit about cause it's obvious it won't hurt them precious souls in any way, lame. If Jipyeong saves them again I will cut someone for real.

Jipyeong please let them fucking fail. Please.

Don't run to them, run away my baby. Run run run.

SEONHO tomorrow we will be free, huzzah!

[koreandragon]

Welp

[jiwoes]

Record of Youth because Start Up was so bad it made it look better

[afza147]

Day23 Your Best Couple

Answer:

Han Hyo Joo And Lee Jong Suk in W :Two World

Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin in Crash Landing On You

Ji Chang Wook and Nam Ji Hyun in Suspicious Partner

Yoon Kye Sang and Ha Ji Won in Chocolate

Song Hye Kyo and Park Bo Gum in Encounter

Day24 : Your Worst Couple

Answer: i got some, but not gonna tell..

Click here if u interested in doing the challenge

[absolutebl]

tagged by @pose4photoml thanks dalink! 

BL ~ Drama Asks

1.     If you had to watch one drama forever what would it be? 

Ooof. This is such a hard one. Any of my top 10/10 rated could go here: Seven Days, Color Rush, Light On Me, To My Star 1, We Best Love 1 & 2, Until We Meet Again Semantic Error.

Right now it’s probubly Light On Me. 

2.     If you could change the ending of a drama which one would it be?

HIStory 3: Make Our Days Count AKA the BL that shall not be named. 

3.     Name your favorite drama and tell who your favorite character was.

Seven Days, Yuzuru 

4.     Name a drama you dropped within the first few episodes ~ we all have at            least one!

Only one?

2022 7 Days 7 Boys Thai

2020 Amore Pinoy

2021 Call it What You Want Thai

2021 Country Boy Thai

2017 Customized Companion China

2022 Getaway Singapore

2020 Ghost Runner Thai

2017 Glass Heart China

2021 Hidden Love Thai

2022 In a Relationship (Thailands Gameboys) Thai

2020 In Between AKA Sa Pagitan ng Kamusta at Paalam Pinoy

2021 Jack & Jill Pinoy

2021 Love Poison 2 Thai

2021 My Boy Thai

2022 Next Door Crush Vietnam

2021 On His Turf AKA On My Turf Korea

2022 Rak Diao (BL sitcom) Thai

2022 Restart(ed) Thai

2021 Stuck on You Pinoy

2019 The Teacher Taiwan

5.     Name a popular drama you've never watched and why?

I Told Sunset About You is exactly as good as everyone says. It’s beautiful, well acted, well scripted, cinematographically stunning, and honest to the queer experience. Which is why I really struggled with it ad gave up about half way through.Too close to home. It was a memory-ache hurt watch. What’s the opposite of nostalgia? That’s what ITTSAY is.

6.     Name a drama you regret watching. 

2008 A Frozen Flower Korea

2016 A Round Trip to Love China

2016 Grey Rainbow: Views of Love Thai

2016 My Bromance the series Thai

2006 No Regrets Korea ( I HAVE REGRETS) 

7.     Name a drama you thought you’d never watch but did and did you end up            liking it? 

Well I watch everything BL so that first bit won’t apply. I’m a completest. So instead I’ll go with drama I thought I wouldn’t like but unexpectedly ended up liking: Oh! Boarding House. I’m nto wild about BL sitcom formats, and this one started out that way, about half way through it switch to a standard Kdrama style and then I liked it a lot more. 

8.     Name a pairing you want to see?

Crazy BL Actor Pairing I'd Love to See has a whole list but if you want me to pick just one? Sam Lin & Saint Suppapong. And yes, I am aware they do not speak the same language. Don’t bother me with trifles. This is my fantasy casting, you’re just reading about it. 

9.     Name a pairing you didn’t think had chemistry?

Most recently the worst I can think up is Physical Therapy. Blerg. 

10.  Name a pairing you have seen in another drama that you like? 

Sugus & Tenon from Golden Blood (PitchBank). They’ve never co-branded as a pair though so I don’t think we will ever get more of them. 

SamYu of course. 

I mean, I could go on...

Play if you want! Tag me if you do, I always love seeing peoples answers to these kinds of things. 

[kdramacrybaby]

Top 10 Favorite Kdramas

As I have now watched my 50th kdrama, I thought it would be fun to go over them all and pick my current top 10 🥳. I had a really hard time placing them all, and my opinions might change again, but as of now my top 10 kdramas of all time are:

__________

1) Memories of the Alhambra (2018)

This drama is what really got me into watching kdramas back when it first came out, and I have still yet to find a drama that tops it. It may be nostalgia, but I just love this drama and the emotional rollercoaster it put me through. I have already watched through it twice, and will definitely watch it again someday.

2) The Uncanny Counter (2020)

This one blew me away right from the start, and it has absolutely everything I love in a good drama. If you like fantasy, found family, and an overall amazing story, this one is for you! If I'm going to rewatch another drama in the future, this will definitely be the first one.

3) Mad Dog (2017)

I came for Woo Do-hwan, but I stayed for literally every single character. Another found family story that just absolutely breaks your heart in the best way, along with some amazing crime-fighting shenanigans - what more could you want?

4) Vincenzo (2021)

This went from being a drama I didn't want to watch, to now being one of my all-time favorites. It is brutal in so many ways, but somehow also one of the funniest dramas I have ever watched. Fantastic drama!

5) Crash Landing On You (2019)

Somehow, I am a little surprised this didn't end up higher on the list because this drama just absolutely destroyed me in the best way. Truly one of the best romance stories I have ever watched across any media.

6) Hotel del Luna (2019)

When watching this drama, I obviously loved it, but I didn't think it would ever make my top 10. Since though, I have often found myself thinking about it, and have compared a lot of other dramas to it. Other than being a visually gorgeous masterpiece, it is one of the few dramas to just completely break me.

7) Sisyphus: The Myth (2021)

I watched this one alongside a friend of mine, and we had a blast trying to figure out what the hell was happening. Even through plot holes and time travel (which I usually hate in media), I just loved watching this. I've seen people love and hate this for different reasons, but I don't really care, I just had a good time watching.

8) Navillera (2021)

Another absolutely stunning drama that had me crying my eyes out. Such a tragic story told in a beautiful way, teaching us to live in the moment and never take anything for granted. Find what you love and don't mind what other people think.

9) Happiness (2021)

I just recently finished watching this drama, but there is no doubt in my mind that it belongs on this list. Despite being filled with my literal worst nightmare, and the cut-short ending, I still somehow loved being stressed throughout the whole show.

10) The Last Empress (2018)

Now I will always be the first to say that this drama is a hot mess, but it was one of the first dramas I ever watched (and the second to rewatch), and I loved every second. It is a masterpiece, and I will die on that hill.

Honorable mentions in no particular order:

Her Private Life (2019)

Descendants of the Sun (2016)

The Untamed (2019)

100 Days My Prince (2018)

Doom At Your Service (2021)

Sell Your Haunted House (2021)

Your Honor (2018)

Squid Game (2021)

[antitheticaldreamgirly]

KDRAMAs THAT MADE ME FEEL SOMETHING

(not in any particular order)

disclaimer: I just started watching kdramas seriously this 2020. This is highly personal.

These dramas are the best, for me at least, and the ones that made me feel the most. 👌🏻

* Crash Landing On You 🏔

- This has been my black whole for kdramas-I went in and I never came back. This drama made me fall in love with kdramas.

- It is funny, romantic and heartwarming at the same time. It showed that sometimes strangers can be more home than your family.

- I loved the second couple just as much as the main.

- This helped me a lot through this year, I went through a hardcore ‘separation anxiety’ when it ended.

Feels like: a sunny day under a tree surrounded by flowers in full bloom 🌸🌺

Romance: so strong that it can light up the whole of North Korea (not my words)

Strengths: actor’s chemistry

Rewatch? : ABSOLUTELY

* The Tale of the Nine Tailed 🦊

- I don’t watch horror films AT ALL but the fact that I enjoyed this and loved it says a lot about how good this is.

- The magical character made it feel like I was reading a fantasy novel

- Family

- I loved some characters more than others and I wished some endings didn’t end the way they did BUT I understood.

Feels like: a hot bowl of soup on a rainy day

Romance: electric

Strengths: the BROTHERHOOD

Rewatch? : yes

* Extraordinary You 🌺

- the cutest but also mind-blowingly good

- Almost all characters are amiable. They are young but incredibly capable.

- It is like watching anime human version

- Will make you miss your youth (given that I am the same age as the actors)

Feels like: having butterflies in the stomach

Romance: the best of young love

Strengths: unique plot

Rewatch? : definitely!

* The King: Eternal Monarch 👑

- I watched this while it was airing and I very much enjoyed all the theories here on tumblr just as much as the drama itself

- Doppelgänger to a whole other level

- Thought provoking

- Strong independent individuals

- I loved this drama deeply and who wouldn’t fall in love with the male lead who is smart, decisive and loyal.

- The love line was mature without any misunderstanding.

- It will make you cry

- The ending was not perfect but it tied up mostly everything in the end. I wanted to see more of this world.

Feels like: reading a love poem

Romance: literal star-crossed lovers

Strengths: cinematography

Rewatch? : YES

* Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo 🏋️‍♀️

- okay, right now you just want a break from kdrama mind games. You just want a cute rom-com. This is the drama for you!

- This is relatable in the sense that you are not even an athlete but you think you know what it feels like

- Tremendously raw at times

- Light but with weight

Feels like: falling in love

Romance: adorable 😍

Strengths: friends that are family

Rewatch? : the type that you can watch over and over again

* While You Were Sleeping 🌸

- dreamy and also “what a visual cast.”

- The first episode is an entire movie

- It is smart

- Will make you care for people you don’t even know

- One of my fave endings

Feels like: a beautiful daydream

Romance: love in it’s purest form

Strengths: OST

Rewatch? : done

* It’s Okay Not To Be Okay 👠

- As you may have guessed from the title, it’s about mental health

- humanly tender

- It shows how the toughest battles are in your head

- This will make you bawl your eyes out

- Not for the weak at heart

- Strong female lead

- Found family

- You will need a huggg after this

Feels like: sleeping in the softest silk

Romance: chemistry across all boards

Strengths: Fashion

Rewatch? : maybe? Just because it hurts (albeit the best way) and also because I already did

* Itaewon Class 🌙

- This is something you can recommend anybody

- About life-it’s best and worst moments

- makes you wanna get your life together

- Also, it makes you want to wrap these people in comfy blankets and give them hot milk

Feels like: WINNING

Romance: it will grow on you

Strengths: acting was superb and OST!

Rewatch? : DONE

* Goblin ⚔️

- How can we make a list of kdramas without this main meal? Everyone loved this and I must say, rightfully so.

- Dynamic duo bromance

- Second lead couple was everything

- Noteworthy

Feels like: experiencing the first snow fall

Romance: will also grow on you

Strengths: everything about this was iconic

Rewatch? : highly likely

These are highly mainstream dramas because I’m a basic b*tch but also since I’ve been reading everybody’s lists before watching (mostly). And if your fave is not in the list, it’s likely that I have not watched it so hit me up 👇🏻. I have TONS still to watch so don’t come at me.

All my Love. 💋

P.S. Yet to watch: Scarlet Heart, Hotel De Luna, Reply Series, etc. ✌🏻

[gloster]

FAVORITE FANFICS OF 2021

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

2020 was a constant hell on earth last year. 2021 seriously tried to take me out, especially in terms of burnout. I went through the WORST slump ever. A massive creative slump. A massive mental slump.

Hoping that 2022 will be a much kinder year. That's the only resolution/wish I have for the new year. A kinder year & for my creative slump to finally crack.

While this story was crappy in many ways, I still had things to help carry me through from BTS (obviously), anime, kdramas, and of course fanfics. Every year fanfic writers that are favorites to me or new to me come through with the content. Just blow me away with their storytelling and I always do this tradition because GODDAMNIT fanfic writers deserve their flowers too.

If you’re interested in past lists, here is the 2020's list, 2019′s list and 2018′s. If y’all are interested in doing your own fanfic favs of the year, please do so and tag me. Always on the hunt for new favs.

Without further ado, here are my favorite fanfics of 2021:

1). the beauty of futility by wbtrashking (tododeku) aka @wtkdigest

Summary: Todoroki Shouto is exhausted.

He's miserable, really. He's ready to give up, to tell his older sister goodbye, to stop fighting and just close his eyes forever.

But life isn't through with him. Izuku and his adopted daughter stumble upon Shouto in his darkest moments and show him that there's something worthwhile in the world. They show him that he's more than his depression; that he can laugh and love and be happy.

At age thirty, despite all the odds, Shouto finally figures out how to live.

I read this story only once, but the way it stuck to me, the number of times I shared around my friends who got into the tododeku ship, the number of times I keep thinking about it....it was that GOOD. That great. That amazing.

Shouto's exhaustion with life, with himself, and living in general hit so hard-and almost mirrored my own mental stage. And in comes in Izuku, the sweet beam that he is, doesn't cure him- thankfully it's not that kind of story. But he shows him that are hidden gems in everyday, with the help of Izuku's adorable adorable daughter.

That's another thing I love about this story: single dad Izuku with daughter Eri, a trope I NEED MORE OF. I also love the tenderness of the slowburn. Just read please. So so so good

2). I'll be your biggest kept secret and your biggest mistake by sascake aka @sascake (tododeku)

Summary: Devastated by his lack of a Quirk and pushed to the limit, fourteen-year-old Midoriya Izuku takes Bakugou's advice and jumps from the roof of their school.

Ten years later, pro hero Todoroki Shouto can't stop running into a vigilante hell-bent on saving people, going after every villain he comes across, and causing a conflict in Shouto like he's never felt before.

I am warning you right now if you are a Bakugo stan.....please proceed with caution. Mind you, the author does an incredible of not outright bashing bashing him, but she also does incredible job of showing just how severe Bakugo's words and actions deeply impacted Izuku.

Every year I always seem to find that one author who sucks me in with just one story and next thing I know, I become OBSESSED. And I do mean OBSESSED with their work. @sascake became that author to me. @littlenightdragon & I just PLOWED through mostly everything under their ao3 profile, and honestly I was debating whether I should name this or (possibly, maybe) falling for you which I also adored but something about this one just STUCK TO ME.

First of all, the way this felt like....it could be canon if things were differently. If Izuku's self doubt outweighed his inner strength and self worth. If Bakugo was twice as nasty with his words. If there was no All Might to come through and help him. Like me and @littlenightdragon couldn't stop thinking or talking about how this seriously could've been canon.

The relationship between Izuku and Shouto is just so breathtaking and at some points heartbreaking, watching them go from uneasy allies to commrades and more. We also have an incredible friendship between Izuku and Shinso that just so amazing to read-made me crave more stories featuring that platonic relationship. Not to mention this has to be one of the best vigilante Izuku stories I've read so far.

Just every single aspect of this story from the relationships, the dynamics, the scars of trauma both Izuku and Shouto carry are handled so incredibly well. Also, this story-along with every story by @sascake is addicting as hell, so there's that.

Honorable mentions:

(possibly, maybe) falling for you

you are my sweetest downfall

hit me with your sweet love, steal it with a kiss

3). home is the shape of your heart by unreemarkable (tododeku)

Summary: If this is a dream, Shouto doesn’t want to wake up.

[in which shouto gets back what he lost, and he's both better and worse off for it.]

In this story we have vampire Shouto and ghost Izuku. Those were the two elements that immediately drew me in, especially vampire Shouto. I walked into this thinking it was gonna be a haunted mansion story, but it ended up being so much more.

Yes, there is a haunted house element but we have so much more. We have a ghost who doesn't remember anything about his own life, much less what led to his death. And a vampire, who knows everything and the weight of it kills him.

This romance, this love story, reminded me a lot of Kaz x Inej from Six of Crows, where there is very limited physical touch but the love and care linked between these two is so palpable like a live wire. This romance is so so so tender, you just melt reading it. The pining, the pining, the wanting and the PINING. It hurts so much. It was so good, it hurt.

Also please check out the prequel that shows how this story begins, and still i will live here

4). Like Moth to Flame by magisterpavus (sheith)

Summary: When Keith tries to save his dying father by making a deal with the vampire lord who has terrified his village for centuries, he's prepared for sacrifice.

He's not prepared for Lord Shirogane.

Mags is a GOD. A god I say when it comes to sheith. When it comes to just raising the bar for good content & hot smut. And this story was a knock out.

First off, vampire Shiro. I've read stories with vampire sheith but I don't think I've come across one quite as snarky and lovable as this Shiro right here because WOW. I loved him so much. I also loved Keith, our determined human who's willing to do anything to help his ailing father, even if it means being under the thumb to this creature who haunts his village like a nightmare.

This is a very slowburn romance, but every chapter, every moment we see the two come closer is just so delicious. So well done.

Honorable mentions:

only while the sun shines

Desperate Measures

5). The Water's Fine series by @goldentruth813 (sheith)

Summary: Keith's lifeguard tower offers a stunning beach view, but nothing steals his breath like the handsome stranger who runs by every morning. A chance encounter with hot running guy—Shiro, he soon finds out—reveals he's kind as well as gorgeous, but Keith's afraid to make a move. That is, until Shiro's in trouble, and Keith finds himself over his head.

Before we start, massive massive congrats to @goldentruth813. For making a spot on this list for the 4th year in a row.

you had me tell me that *spoiler alert* I would be so invested in a mermaid's relationship with a human...I would have some questions. Yes, I am a Disney girl. Yes, I grew up with the Little Mermaid. Yes, I am EXCITED AS HELL to see Halle Bailey play Ariel in the live action movie, but mermaids were never my favorite like that. Leave to Janel to drop a story like this and have me become completely obsessed with it.

There are 3 stories tied to this series. Each one, the relationship just gets better & better. It has heavy pining, it has sweet & epic romantic moments, it has mating, it has soulmates, it has sugar daddy Shiro, and of course massive fluff.

Honorable mentions:

The Naked Roommate

rush (into my heart)

Sticker Me in Praise

6). Love Letters & Coffee Grounds by @jlaw1105 (clexa)

Summary: Lexa wasn't sure what it was that drew her into the little coffee shop on the corner. Maybe it was because it was less than a block away from the front door of her new building. Maybe it was because it wasn't a Starbucks or some other large chain coffee front that cared more about profit than the flavor of their beans. Maybe it was the warm air filled with the soft scent of coffee, chocolate and cinnamon. But likely, definitely, it was the defiant little corner of the store that loudly rebelled against the norm.

It was early November and everything around Lexa was filled with red and greens or whites and blues. It screamed of Christmas and Hanukkah. Of buying gifts and consumer driven profit. But the back corner of the coffee shop was filled with oranges and reds and browns with a rather large sign written in an angry scrawl that said "It's not even Thanksgiving yet, assholes!" There was just something about it that, to Lexa, felt poetically beautiful.

A Clexa Coffee Shop AU.

First off, place bets right now on who you think wrote that sign at the coffee shop. Secondly, yes, I deeply deeply fell in love with this coffee shop AU.

Obviously, at this point, almost every pairing to every fandom has gone through the cafe/ coffee shop AU. It may be a simple trope to come, a cliche to many, but there is a reason why that trope continues to thrive in fandom- and in storytelling in general. It's such a popular trope that I consider it to be your first steps into fanfics.

And the way @jlaw1105 did this and more is pure CHEF'S KISS. We have Lexa, a bestselling author to this popular sci-fi series, is suffering massive writer's block with the latest book. We have Clark, part-time barista, part-time artist, and part-time crush that quickly becomes muse & more to Lexa.

This was just so so so so fucking good. READ IT.

7). There's Something about Potter by slytherin_nette (drarry w/ fem-Harry)

Summary: There’s just something particularly strange about Aria Potter this year. Unfortunately, the new 8th year Slytherins are determined to find out exactly what everybody's favorite golden girl is hiding. Post-DH semi-AU Hogwarts. DMxfemHP.

There are so many tropes and things that can pull me into a good drarry story: veela and fem-Harry. Veela is my favorite creature trope to read with drarry. Anytime I see the word drarry, I JUMP. Also I love me some genderbenting, so if there's one that offers the Girl Who Lived, I am on board.

So imagine my great surprise & delight that I stumble onto a story that delivers both. Done none other than the great queen of fem-Harry, slytherin_nette. Like when I say queen, I mean QUEEN. Every fem-Harry x Draco story she does is just amazing. Just incredible. Always slaps, and this is one is no expectation.

In this story, taking place after 8th year, we have Aria Potter returning to Hogwarts after not just surviving the war but also coming into a secret inherrtiance. We have Draco trying to keep his head down and survive the year, while also reminsicing about the dream girl he meets during the summer. Thanks to a Housing switch up, the two collide and all that they got through together is so much fun to read.

Story is available both at ao3 and ff.net.

Also, while you're at it, please also check out more of slytherin_nette's fem-Harry stories. She has more on ffnet than ao3, but all of them are worth a read.

8). Werk It, Girl by stardropdream (sheith)

Summary: Keith is a contestant on Coran's Drag Race, competing to be the next Drag Superstar. Towards the end of the competition, the girls are given their weekly challenge: adopt a drag daughter into your drag house.

And in walks Shiro.

Working together in a competition is one thing, but Keith could never be prepared for everything that comes next.

CALLING ALL RUPAUL DRAG RACE FANS IN THE SHIETH COMMUNITY! THIS ONE'S FOR YOU

And even if you're not familiar with the show or a fan of it, I still think you'll have a good time with this show, I know I certainly did 😊😉

But then again anytime you read a story by stardropdream, you're always guaranteed a fun time. Okay, well actually some of her stories may include angst, but always a fun time at the end of it. And this was a fun, fun time.

I didn't realize how much I needed drag queen Keith x drag queen in training until now, so thank you Robin for that.

Honorable mentions:

In My Veins

We are Perfectly Okay

Body Without Sound

9). right besides me series by @storybookprincess (tododeku)

Summary: "For as long as Todoroki could remember, touch was something to be avoided. Dodging blows in his father’s relentless training or curling in on himself and covering his face to try to hide from the merciless punishment for whatever transgression he had committed this time, touch was always pain, plain and simple. After his mother left, he was never held or kissed. No one hugged him or stroked his hair. People touched him to hurt him."

Or, Todoroki gets a hug and his whole world shifts on its axis.

Oh. MY. DEAR. GOSH. Oh. My. Dear. Heart. Oh. My. Dear. Dear. Shouto. Oh. My Sweet. Sweet. Izuku. And my dear gosh....go to hell Endeavor & kick rocks.

As you can guess by the previous sentence, this story made me feel many things.

As you can guess by the summary of the first part of the story, ever so gently, the feels come on so hard, so rapid, and you have no choice but to let the feelings consume you. Then the sequel, quid pro quo, comes in and finishes you in the best way. It certainly did with me.

This beautiful relationship starts with a hug. This story has severely touch-straved Shouto just in awe by Izuku, who was the first person to touch him gently in such a long time. Which starts this achingly beautiful, heartfelt pining.

This story has to be one of the best Todoroki Shouto's POV stories I've read. This also featured one of the softest, softest tododeku relationships ever. I do recommend this as a starter fanfic if you're new to the tododeku ship like I was. It was one of the first tododeku stories I've read and I still think about it.

10). Sourdough by @academicdisaster24 (drarry)

Summary: Draco writes romance novels and doesn't leave his apartment much. Harry bakes bread and sells it to Draco. Draco is quite weird. Harry might like that.

Fair warning: you will CRAVE soughdough bread like crazy. I know I did. At some points while I was reading, I was seriously tempted to get some bread.

And you will CRAVE to have that sweetness that Draco finds with Harry in this story.

We have Draco as a reclusive historical romance writer trying to write & baker Harry downstairs distracting him with the delicious scent of fresh-baked bread.

I don't think enough words can praise this story. Can show enough it was. Other than speculator, achingly-sweet, and just everything.

Honorable mentions that I seriously wanted to add to the list but this post is already lengthy. All amazing, all greats reads by various writers y’all should check out:

on sight by @phaltu (sheith w/established relationship, happily married, and everyone thinking Keith is the horn dog when his sweet-faced husband is the real culprit

Ready Set Hut by Neyasochi (sheith, friends to lovers following them meeting at high school & bonding over FOOTBALL)

With Great Yawns and Stretching by sugar_screw (drarry, with Harry finding Malfoy isn't only redeemed but is the proud owner of a coffee shop. With cats)

Thirst and Devour by SashaDistan (izuku x shouto x bakugo x Kirishima poly fanfic; all 3 obsessed with Izuku & his sweet ass. SO SO SO SO HOT)

This Hungry Work (Give Me Some More) by @rayshippouuchiha (tododeku w/female Izuku; possessive & protective Todoroki, just goodness all around)

Almost, Not Quite, Us by xxjinchuurikixx (narusasu; ABO verse w/ doting alpha Naruto & feisty omega Sasuke deep in his heat & in need of assistance. SO GOOD).

And there you have, ladies, gents, & nonbinary babes. Thus concludes this year's list of my favorite fanfics of the year, including honorable mentions I had to shout out to. Mind you, there's so many more but this list is already long enough as it is.

To the writers who created these incredible stories. I applaud you. I thank you for creating and sharing these wonderful stories. Anyone interested in doing the tag, please do.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, GUYS