Drama Log: 2025

I really enjoyed the overall story and premise. The concept of a mute sign language interpreter paired with a presidential spokesman was fantastic, and the chemistry between the leads was absolutely electric. In earlier projects, I couldn’t fully invest in Chae Soo-bin’s acting, but here she truly shines, and the character is a perfect fit for her. While the ending disappointed me, setting that aside, the drama was a wild, intense ride that kept me hooked from start to finish.

• 10 Jan 
• Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Romance

• 14 Jan
• Genres: Drama

This was my first proper Chinese drama. I had tried Untamed before and dropped it immediately, but here I became interested quickly. The cast of characters is diverse and engaging, the cinematography is beautiful, and the fight choreography is impressive. Adventure and wuxia aren’t usually my preferred genres, but the story held my attention. It lost its footing toward the end, and the finale didn’t satisfy me, but as an introduction to the vast world of Chinese dramas, it was a solid start.

• 20 Jan
• Genres: Fantasy, Wuxia, Romance

I watched this quickly, mainly because of the amazing main cast, because I follow everything they act in. It was interesting to see a medical drama with a faster, action-driven pace, set in extreme conditions. Baek Gang Hyeok as a character is an absolute legend!

• Jan 26
• Genres: Medical, Action, Comedy

• 3 Mar
• Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Horror

• Dropped (episode 6)
• 25 Mar 
• Genres: Comedy, Romance

This is definitely a masterpiece in my hall of fame! I was so deeply connected to the story and characters, and the way it was told was absolutely beautiful. I literally cried every episode while watching it as it aired. It’s rare to find something this special these days. The drama made me appreciate my own family even more, as the story is profoundly humane and heartfelt.

• 29 Mar
• Genres: Drama, Romance

• 15 Apr
• Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Political, Makjang

And the greatest fight scene of the year award goes to… this drama.

• 27 Apr
• Genres: Action, Thriller, Youth

I started watching mainly for my beloved Park Bo Young and Lee Jun Young, whom I rediscovered as an actor. I dropped it several times and only managed to finish it in April. Even though I’m usually interested in romance set around the film industry, this story just didn’t work for me at all.

• 29 Apr
• Genres: Romance

• 7 May
• Genres: Mystery, Romance

This was a bonkers retelling of the Cinderella story and honestly not very funny, but at least the kiss scenes and overall chemistry between the main characters worked well.

• 14 May
• Genres: Comedy, Romance

• Dropped (episode 6)
• 15 May
• Genres: Comedy Romance

Finally managed to finish, and it was so draining. The concept of an attorney in the Joseon era with touches of comedy is interesting and had a lot of potential, but the characters and their development fell flat. Bo Na’s character (or maybe her acting?) made it especially hard to keep watching. The drama should have been shorter, 16 episodes felt far too long.

• 17 May
• Genres: Historical, Law, Romance, Comedy

• 20 May
• Genres: Historical, Mystery, Romance

• Dropped (episode 3)
• 26 May
• Genres: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance

So many viewers recommended this drama for a light romance, and when I was in the mood for that, I decided to watch it while waiting for other 2025 releases. It was pretty cute, nothing special, but very relaxing. What I enjoyed most were the interactions between Seo Mok Ha, a newbie aspiring to become a star, and Yoon Ran Joo, a veteran singer.

• 2 Jun
• Genres: Music, Romance, Comedy

• 6 Jul
• Genres: Historical, Romance

Watched only for Go Minsi.

• 13 Jun
• Genres: Romance, Comedy

• 17 Jun
• Genres: Thriller, Sci-fi

I had some hopes before watching, since I was going to the gym myself at the time, but the humor didn’t land and the energy ran out quickly. It felt more like a comedy sketch or sitcom than a proper drama. Unfortunately, it was very forgettable, though I did like the actors.

• 21 Jun
• Genres: Comedy, Romance

• 28 Jun
• Genres: Action, Horror

• 5 Jul
• Genres: Action, Crime

With confidence, I declare that this drama feels like it was made purely as fanservice for Luo Yunxi fans — and that is not a compliment.

• Dropped (episode 3)
• 9 Jul
• Genres: Fantasy, Wuxia, Romance

• 16 Jul
• Genres: Drama

• 20 Jul 
• Genres: Melodrama, Romance

• 29 Jul
• Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Drama

The story concept is very interesting, and I found myself engaged for most of the drama. However, the ending is utterly ridiculous, revealing that the director or writer had no clear idea how to conclude the story and resorted to throwing in a cult element. Disappointed, but not surprised.

• 12 Aug
• Genres: Thriller, Fantasy, Mystery

Clearly inspired by Bloodhounds, but misses the mark entirely. Such a shame, especially considering the great cast — it’s a waste of their talent.

• Dropped (episode 4)
• 18 Aug
• Genres: Action, Crime

• 20 Aug
• Genres: Action, Thriller

• 23 Aug
• Genres: Thriller

The! Spirit! Of! Youth!!!

• 6 Sep
• Genres: Comedy, Youth, Action

I’m sorry, but I will not be giving Cha Eun Woo’s dramas another chance.

• Dropped (episode 4)
• 14 Sep
• Genres: Romance, Comedy

• 17 Sep
• Genres: Wuxia, Fantasy, Mystery

My full review

• 22 Oct
• Genres: Action, Thriller, Romance

• 28 Oct
• Genres: Historical, Action

My full review

• 2 Nov
• Genres: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance

5 Nov

Genres: Historical, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance

My full review

• 7 Nov
• Genres: Comedy, Life, Romance

• 10 Nov
• Genres: Thriller, Psychological

• 13 Nov
• Genres: Action, Thriller, Crime

• 16 Nov
• Genres: Thriller, Crime

My full review

• 19 Nov
• Genres: Melodrama, Romance

My full review

• 24 Nov
• Genres: Historical, Drama

• 26 Nov
• Genres: Comedy, Romance, Business

Boooring. At this point, it feels like Jung So Min has been stuck in the same type of role for too long. 

• 27 Nov
• Genres: Romance, Comedy

My full review

• 2nd rewatch
• 28 Nov
• Genres: Thriller, Mystery

• 30 Nov 
• Genres: Thriller, Crime

• 1 Dec
• Genres: Business, Drama

• 3 Dec
• Genres: Romance, Drama

My full review

• 3 Dec
• Genres: Action, Thriller, Crime

What. A. Mess.

• 4 Dec
• Genres: Thriller, Crime

• 6 Dec
• Genres: Romance, Drama

A classic example of Chinese dramaland at work. The opening is full of potential and intrigue, especially with its sci-fi premise, which initially feels fresh and promising. As the story progresses, however, it loses coherence and clearly runs out of fuel toward the end. Despite these narrative issues, the drama remains beautifully shot, with strong visual appeal throughout, and the main leads share genuinely great chemistry that makes the early episodes particularly engaging.

• 7 Dec
• Genres: Thriller, Romance, Sci-fi

A pleasant slice-of-life drama focusing on an office romance between teachers who once shared a teacher-student relationship. Aside from their past, there is little narrative conflict, so after a while it starts to feel a bit monotonous. I would have preferred less emphasis on the romance and more focus on their work and teaching, which could have added more depth and variety to the story.

• 10 Dec
• Romance, Melodrama

• 12 Dec
• Genres: Romance, Wuxia, Fantasy

A slim but harrowing story about an office worker trapped in a stifling life and a failing marriage, who experiences sexual assault and must navigate the aftermath. While it wasn’t as emotionally moving as I had hoped given the gravity of the subject, it remains an important story that deserves to be told.

• 13 Dec
• Genres: Drama, Thriller

Everyone online seems obsessed with this Wattpad-style fakecest romance, but I could not connect with it at all. I am not being deliberately snobbish, yet nothing here felt convincing. I gave it a fair chance and watched 6 episodes, but the entire drama comes across as artificial. Even though it is supposedly about the rough, edgy life of the female lead’s brother in Thailand, the execution is strangely childish. The plot (if there is one) never really materializes, and the emotional beats feel shallow. The acting does not help either. Overall, it failed to engage me on any level.

• Dropped (episode 6)
• 13 Dec
• Genres: Action, Romance

I could not get past the way this drama was filmed. The visual style is distracting, and the CGI is particularly poor, to the point that it constantly pulls attention away from the story. I lost any sense of immersion early on and ultimately gave up without continuing further.

• Dropped (episode 4)
• 14 Dec
• Genres: Fantasy, Wuxia, Romance

At first glance, this drama is both visually beautiful and surprisingly realistic. Unfortunately, by the end, nationalistic tendencies clearly take over — though, given that the story is set in the late Qing Dynasty, this outcome was perhaps inevitable. Still, it was genuinely interesting to see the clothing, material culture, and overall atmosphere of the period. There are not many series that focus on these years, and for that alone, it remains a worthwhile watch despite its ideological limits.

• 14 Dec
• Genres: Historical

Started strong. I genuinely hoped it would remain a light, funny watch about a transmigrated family united by their love of cooking, with a gentle, slow-burn romance between the female lead and her ancestor. The first half promised warmth, humor, and an easy rhythm. Unfortunately, the second half shifted completely in tone: unnecessary heaviness, overused trauma tropes, and comedy that no longer landed. The visual atmosphere also became less appealing overall. What began as a comforting, playful drama ultimately lost its identity and cohesion.

• 16 Dec
• Genres: Historical, Fantasy, Romance, Food

This drama delivers a charming tale of an arranged marriage between rival clans that blossoms into love. The story is anchored by realistic, relatable interactions, while the electrifying chemistry between Liu Yuning and Song Zuer makes it truly captivating. A genuinely enjoyable watch.

• 20 Dec
• Genres: Historical, Romance, Drama

Overall, this was a good watch. What I appreciated most was how it played against the usual body-swap clichés between lovers. My main complaint is the overly generic villain and his daughter. Both overstayed their welcome and took far too long to be narratively “defeated,” which dulled the impact of an otherwise well-crafted drama.

• 23 Dec
• Genres: Historical, Romance, Comedy, Fantasy

I understand what this drama was aiming for — a playful throwback to old-school office rom-com clichés from the genre’s “golden days” — but for me it simply does not work. The central misunderstandings are dragged out far too long, and the female lead is written as painfully passive: she controls nothing in her own life and mostly just endures suffering.

The comedy leans too heavily into slapstick, and many situations feel overly calculated rather than organically funny. The unnecessary one-sided romantic interest from the second male lead is especially frustrating — he seems to forget he has a child who actually needs parenting. Poor kid. The father comes off as a deadbeat, and narratively I kept asking: why is this even here?

Watching it ongoing helped, I would not have tolerated it in one sitting. It’s a shame, because I genuinely like the actors, but the writing lets them down.

• 26 Dec
• Genres: Comedy, Romance

I was genuinely surprised by how much I liked this. I thought I had completely outgrown school dramas, but Chinese productions can still make them feel grounded, believable, and emotionally sincere. This is definitely not a bingeable show — ideally, it works best at one or two episodes after a stressful day — but overall it is genuinely heartwarming.

• 27 Dec
• Genres: Romance, School

I watched it and almost immediately forgot it. If anything, the takeaway is that I now know for sure I will avoid future projects with Xu Kai — how he keeps getting cast as a main lead is beyond me, especially when it barely feels like he is one. The second male lead gets more narrative and emotional investment, and Xu Kai’s performance is stuck on a single expression throughout.

I mainly kept watching for Wu Jun Ting’s character, who was at least interesting, though his ending is better to be erased from my memory. On the positive side, the settings, cinematography, costumes, and overall supernatural vibe with demon creatures and atmosphere are genuinely pretty, even if they cannot compensate for the rest.

• 28 Dec
• Genres: Fantasy, Supernatural, Wuxia

I’m not entirely sure what I expected from a hospice-care drama... it is, by definition, meant to be melodramatic. At the beginning, I was genuinely invested. As the story progressed, however, I became increasingly annoyed by what felt like emotional manipulativeness rather than earned sentiment.

There is also a very limited range of truly likable characters, which made it difficult to care deeply about their fates. Even when characters die (something inevitable in a hospice setting) the emotional impact felt muted. I ended up watching this mostly because it was the last title I hadn’t seen in Ji Chang Wook’s filmography, especially after The Manipulated.

• 29 Dec
• Genres: Drama, Medical

It was fun until it wasn't.

• 30 Dec
• Genres: Comedy, Romance, Melodrama