Summer ’15

Amazing things: I’ve watched 19 dramas so far this year! I usually end up finishing dramas within weeks of each other rather than endless marathon sessions, feels like a lot though.

Mask

I could not have asked for anything more melodramatic. I knew from the start that Mask was gonna be a trip — two doppelgangers meet, one poor and the other rich. Insert loan sharks, revenge plots, and a dinner party from hell. A doppelganger dies and the other must take her place because REASONS. Did I also forget to mention that this all happens in the first week?! Talk about going from 0 to 100 real effing quick. (And the chaebol son AKA object of revenge/affection is also being gaslit, which adds to this party.) Aside from the deliciously borderline makjang plot, Yeon Jung-hoon and Joo Ji-hoon are a big part of my descent into k-dramas, and the stars really aligned for this one.

Mask is a melo that is at times wildly inconsistent and lacking in common sense, but it’s never self-serious and there’s enough going on in every episode to keep it fresh. Sometimes I’ll be watching any given episode and think to myself, “WHY is this episode so weird/OTT”… but that’s all the time!!! The series really found its stride when Ji-sook stopped being so meek and started defending the people she loves. There is no greater joy in life than watching Ji-sook give Seok-hoon a big “FUCK YOU!” in many ways and shaking him to the core. SO BEAUTIFUL. :’) I really wanted to root for her and I’m so glad that her character has taken a turn for the awesome.* This entire drama has taken a turn for the awesome!! Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, Ji-sook shakes things up in the Choi household and we are given the most romantic divorce proceedings ever. There are only two weeks left of this craziness, and I have no doubt that Mask will fire on all cylinders and deliver something big. Hopefully not a big disappointment.

* That, and she’s not being threatened with violence anymore (oop).

. . .

Orange Marmalade

Continuing along the lines of dramas firmly settled in Wack City, we have Orange Marmalade. I never meant to watch this! I was never a fan of the webtoon and its aggresive Mary Sue-ness, so when I got word that they were making a live-action adaptation, I brushed it off. I brushed it off… until I saw Yeo Jingu in the promo trailer. Then I watched the first two episodes and I was hooked/hated myself (haha). It’s not an amazing drama by any means, but it’s got a perfect mixture of elements and teenage angst that make it just right. I actually stopped watching Orange Marmalade for a while after the most amazing jumping of the shark I’ve witnessed this year. Trust me when I say it was truly, truly outrageous.

The biggest surprise was that I actually liked the drama’s field trip to Joseon! There were a lot of things I enjoyed, like the camp (gosh was it campy……) and being able to stare at Han Shi-hoo’s beautiful visage. He was just so 💕💗💓💖💞?!?! And for as much focus as we got on Jung Jaemin, there was just no explaining why he was and continues to be vehemently anti-vamp. The whole time he’s going, “RECOGNIZE MY FEELINGS!!!!!”, but they don’t even make sense! And with respect to loving Mari, he loved her even though she was a vampire and not unconditionally, which is… HMMM. I don’t know. I have a lot of feelings about a fantasy teen drama. There’s only one (!) week left and as of this writing I have not watched Ep 11 yet, but I really hope he stops being a stubborn little poop to Mari (who has shown gr8 growth, btw).

Shoutout to Yeo Jingu though, he of endless charm and a voice like Barry White. Such talent, many wow. Also, 17?! WTF. I feel like he’s been 17 for three years.

. . .

Complete / Current

Producer failed on two points: romance and concept. It was posited as mockumentary/variety drama kind of deal and I was really optimistic… which made it all the more disappointing when they couldn’t deliver on that promise. I also found myself not really caring about the loveline, especially since Joonmo seemed so content to let Seungchan waltz on in and do his thing. Honestly, there was never any doubt who would end up with who. That said, I REALLY enjoyed this series. It may not have fulfilled my romcom/mockumentary dreams, but it never lacked in heart or comedy.

I’m Home: Was I wowed because it was gorgeous? Or because my years of cruel/unusual punishment have ended and this is Kimutaku’s best drama since CHANGE (2008)? Could be, but what matters is this — I’m Home wasn’t bad. It was actually pretty decent. AND I’M GLAD!

Heard It Through the Grapevine: It was rough the week after I finished HITTG, I had nothing to look forward to on Mondays/Tuesdays anymore! Still the one to beat and it still has my heart.

Also completed: Tenshi to Akuma, Fuben na Benriya, Missing Noir M, Ishitachi no Renai Jijou.

. . .

I Remember You: I’ve willed myself to drop this show week after week, but here I am, halfway through its run. I think it has a lot of interesting pieces (fun cast including a grouchy not-detective and kickass lead who isn’t afraid to scrap, great comic bits and seriously beautiful camera work), I just happen to find it a bit of a chore to get through sometimes.

Oh My Ghostess: Reminds me of Arang and the Magistrate + Master’s Sun + Mondai no Aru Restaurant. All the good parts!

Utsukushii Hito: Something I like about Japanese dramas from the 90s is that they weren’t afraid of exploring taboo/heavy psychological themes, and Utsukushii Rinjin is more of the same. It’s chic and dark — a plastic surgeon changes a battered woman’s face to match that of his dead wife, and her abusive (COP!) husband comes looking for her. Compelling! I wish more dramas focused on crafting an interesting story rather than falling on the all-too-familiar procedural of any variety.

Starting soon: Hanasaki Mai ga Damattenai 2 because my love for Anne won’t let up! I’m thinking I might just go ahead and start season two and start season one later…