Favourite Kdramas

When I concluded episodes 5 and 6, my first comment was "I’m kinda broken at the fact that everything that scared us was actually shrouded in love." I really have to applaud the writers and directors on how they formatted and structured this series. It's such an amalgamation of genres, but done so beautifully. This seems to be typical of Kang Full, but it's still something that gives you pause.

This drama alone was able to get kdrama twt theorising again and actually dissecting a more-than-basic plotline. I don't know what more there is to say. It's cinematic and deserving of many awards as it's sister show, Moving (2023).

I'm super excited for Kang Full Universe and what it has in store. This is great ideas/writing meets precise execution.

I'm not quite sure I have the words to capture how intricate and layered this drama was. The amalgamation of several genres, but not once does it feel wrong. And so many time-stopping scenes in the final episodes. An acting masterclass but I wouldn't expect anything less. I genuinely do not know what else there is to say. One of the best out this year, if not the best. The little Moving and Timing nuggets had me brimming with excitement. And considering I've never read the Timing webtoon, that's something.

A drama that showed promise and delivered on all fronts. We managed to scrape a few gems this year, and this came up high on the list. Truly a dark horse because it came out of nowhere and managed to capture my attention from start to finish. First of all, the cast was stellar, and that was really half the job in itself. This show balances wit & humour with some heavier themes without crumbling under the weight of its commitments. It’s been a while since a script has felt complete, whole, not lacking in any respect. The care with which the actors deliver this wholesome body of work reveals their labour of love. This is the type of kdrama you watch over and over because it’s written to hold up.  A highlight of 2024 for sure and a great watch for those looking for a cathartic release and hearty laughter. And the first time in history I've ever not hated a love triangle.

This drama encapsulates life in a way that is so attentive and personal that it almost fills you with dread from the introspection you're forced to engage in. It is a beautiful and very necessary ode to women at all levels of society.  This drama embodies and even breathes new energy into the slice-of-life genre by intricately weaving through the life of a small-town couple in a way that seems straightforward, almost aimless, but is, in fact, very precise.

The acting is phenomenal, as expected from such a cast. I'm pleasantly surprised that I'm not jarred by the use of IU for both mother and daughter; her clear distinction makes for an enjoyable and even technically impressive viewing experience. Park Bo Gum excels as usual, showing a side I've not seen before. The acting is really the driving force for the tsunami of emotions this project explodes with.

The writing is so worthy of praise and mention, especially contrasted with the current drama landscape. I can only describe it as beautiful and incredibly penetrating. To be so true to life's nuances without convolution or rudimentary language is a feat. There are so many aspects of life so accurately depicted and given life through words that it's almost unsettling, yet ultimately moving. A standout drama through and through.

This series is truly a gem among stones. I don't believe we're in any shortage of "beautiful" series; Netflix has made sure of that, but there are few scripts that have hit the mark until the very end. I'd almost forgotten what it felt like for a drama to not falter at the last stretch.

Everything exists in the grey with this drama, a near-perfect depiction of when human relationships are stretched to their limits and emotions aren't imagined in silos. I have immense respect for those who pen stories like this. There's a rare bout of honesty here that often gets overshadowed by boisterous, showy storytelling. In the writers' restraint, and in spite of their resistance to neat binaries, we're able to untangle this complex story between two lifelong friends, even if only in feelings.

This series opts for what I can only liken to a slow-cook recipe, trusting that steady pacing, subtleties and even silences will make us tender and receptive. This series is not ideal for those who think in strict dichotomies.

The film work was amazing, not that I'd expect any less from a series that pulls the curtain on the film industry, centres photography and speaks highly of art. I was enamoured by the lighting and watched every opening panel. These aspects read a melancholy, a lot of in-betweens; walls, doors, nature's natural chasms. Almost a struggle to grapple with their true feelings in the moment.

From the child actors to the seasoned professionals, remarkable. Go Eun and Jihyun showcase some of the most layered and intricate acting of the year. 

Spoiler: My main critique would be regarding the plot of the brother, also known as Monee. I'd be curious to understand people's sentiments around a trope that could be considered overused. I wonder if it was perceived as  "unintuitive" by the writer. Furthermore, I wonder if we needed such a literal depiction of Sang Yeon's passing.