(Yes spring, because summer doesn’t actually start until June 20th!)
Like last year, I’ve been obsessed with a certain game that’s left little room in my heart for dramas. H O W E V E R, Mystery Queen (or Queen of Mystery) is the only drama that managed to hold my interest and actually reaffirmed my belief in big network dramas. I loved coming back after a day of work/school and tucking into this drama. Mystery Queen isn’t necessarily one of those dramas where you turn your brain off, but it has that excellent combination of factors (hilarious, crazy good chemistry between leads, fun supporting characters, good mysteries, cute factor) that make it a comforting watch.
Unfortunately when I originally wrote this post, there were only two weeks left in the drama and I had a lot of questions — ones that I didn’t think could be resolved in just four episodes. I’m a little bummed to say that they still weren’t resolved in those last few episodes and I STILL have questions. It turns out that the producers were angling for a season 2 and they’ve held the greater plot hostage until they get one.
If the second season is confirmed, ORIGINAL CAST OR BUST because I’m just not down with replacing old characters with new faces a la Age of Youth 2. Do it well or don’t do it at all!
Current
Circle / very interesting and ambitious sci-fi effort by tvN. More than the story, I want so badly for a Yeo Jing-gu drama to do well because he’s always picking projects I won’t watch (Jackpot) or that are crappy (Orange Marmalade), which is a shame because this guy can ACT. — Episode 2
Woman / FRICK. Dramaland is so lucky to have Mitsushima Hikari. She is incredible. This story is a punch in the gut in so many ways, and I’m really glad I’m revisiting this drama. (After four years!) Someday I’d really love to see Oguri Shun take on a lead role in a Sakamoto Yuji penned drama, too. — Episode 3
Samurai Gourmet / I was travelling recently and my Airbnb hosts had Netflix, so I decided to take care of my jetlag by watching some dramas. Samurai Gourmet lacks the sentimentality of Shinya Shokudo, but it’s still a relaxing and pleasant drama. Takenaka Naoto does timid retiree so well, haha. — Episode 10
I’m also considering some k-dramas like The Best Hit and Fight My Way but other than that, nothing has really grabbed my interest. Didn’t finish a lot of my Japanese winter dramas since they haven’t been fully translated yet, nor was there much in the spring that caught my interest. It’s a shame because last year seemed so strong! I am looking forward to the summer though, what with Code Blue 3 (!) and Hello Harinezumi (EITA! EITA! EITA).
Completed
Tomorrow With You, Quartet, Lunch no Joou, Naomi to Kanako, Shinya Shokudo 4 (Netflix only!), Unubore Deka. And speaking of Unubore Deka, I need more Kudokan + Nagase Tomoya comedies in my life.