2026 Kdramas

I'm so thrown off by the acting choices in this particular show, particularly that of the lead prosecutor and the ML, the accused. The show fulfils its necessary duties, neither trailing behind nor exceeding its cohorts. However, the acting genuinely feels like the kiss of death for an already derisive plot.

I have a somewhat complicated relationship with this drama. The immersive game was a really questionable story point for me because it circles ethical boundaries with no real respite. That said, if you take it on a surface level, it’s such good comedic relief with how it approaches romcoms and webtoons in such a satirical manner. It turns something overdone on its head, and I think that has never been more necessary, given many's fatigue with kdramas. 

I do really like how they contrasted falling in love in the real world and within the confines of a perfectly curated universe. I thought that was really important in all the fluff and whimsy of it. There’s a solidness that only a relationship toiled for in the real world through shyness, awkward moments, silent encounters and steady build up can manufacture. I love Seo meri’s hesitancy as she comes to terms with the fact that people aren’t enduring, they’re subject to change and that’s perfectly normal. These were the moments of vulnerability that made you crumble in between the laughs. I would’ve challenged the writers to go deeper just for a moment.

This falters slightly in the last episode, especially with the FLs lack of acknowledgement of her wrongdoing. We didn't need some overblown, on-the-nose, lengthy apology. But there were no clues in Seo Meri's demeanour, internal musings, or even subtle expressions that spoke to what we knew.

The title is incredibly fitting and not simply because the main protagonist navigates his day job as a competent translator, or the multicultural backdrop that allows us to border-cross seamlessly. It’s the words that get stifled, the silences that hang, the way they rummage through a mental inventory for the right words, the sensitivity to the creases and furrowing of brows. I think we underestimate the act of relating with one another and the tax on language to bridge the divide. 

I was fascinated by the female lead. She’s such a pulling force with no clear or discernible end in sight. Fantastically frustrating while brimming with a maximalist excess, with everything that makes life interesting. 

Update: That is what I would've said before venturing past episode 6. The initial premise was already so full, with what I felt to be endless possibilities. I can't tell if the writers are being bold in their risk-taking or if they're relying on tropes to guarantee a reaction, any reaction. I would've preferred they lean into the humanist/life aspect. Two scripts are vying for the viewers' attention: the misunderstood, clumsy love story between a couple in dire need of an interpreter & the psychological breakdown of an actress brought on by sudden stardom. It's greedy to have both serve as one, and it makes for chaotic toning.

Contrary to popular opinion, they were both worthy stories deserving of the small screen. You see the budding potential in episodes 1-6 and 7-11, respectively. They take what could seemingly be an unremarkable love story and attempt to add depth. Simultaneously, they explore the experience of an actor plagued by the presence of her own character. The makings were there.

The saving grace of this drama is the cinematography. You can feel the intentionality behind every shot. The lighting and colour grading feed you in ways the script tragically fails.

A+ review: https://kisskh.at/profile/heartinfootnotes/review/532164

I was immediately intrigued because, unfortunately, I am very predictable and can never get enough of an amnesia storyline. I was mildly interested going in, whether that was due to my lack of attention or the pacing, I'm unsure. They really needed to tighten the inter-sect rivalries plot; it lagged a lot for me, especially when you consider the constant flashbacks. That said, from episode 20, it really started to take off and made for phenomenal TV. This bolsters my initial belief that this drama would have thrived in the 28-32 episode region.

I will remember this cdrama fondly.

Not much to say. It's very much a simple but effective drama. Hits all the notes you would expect of a romance with the backdrop of an architectural firm. However, I wasn't particularly invested in the plot of the side character. 

Yay. Another virtual reality dating game.

This drama just about does the job in holding down the fort in a clear drought, but this is far from complimentary. Given the 12-episode length, the show advances at a lightning speed that feels unnatural. Many story advancements are unearned and feel like a grand illusion. The writers want to convince us of a love for the ages that defies human logic without laying any of the groundwork.  It is an absurd experience to be coaxed with suggestive music that implies a rapport that has not been woven into the plot thus far. Although the concept itself is interesting, the lackadaisical approach to the writing greatly caps it at the knees. 

The animation clearly makes use of AI, which is incredibly disappointing. However, what is even more egregious and cause for concern is that I suspect one or two scenes have employed this technology to render certain facial expressions on the baby. That is not to say the child is not talented, as with several scenes, it's clearly a case of directing from the parents on set, and the child is intelligent. Still, slight blurring and unnatural colouration at one point will not allow me to put this thought to rest. 

This has been branded an attempt to propagandise the masses, but it's clear they wanted Katherine Heigl's nachos with Life As We Know It. It's just disappointing that the execution is not as impressive, and they have not taken the appropriate safeguards as was done with that project regarding the baby.

In short, I think we could've done without this show, albeit the innumerable cute moments it has spawned.

Can't get into.

I think Pursuit of Jade is the first cdrama I’ve watched where I’ve not wanted to change a single thing. Even at their best, I've found unavoidable criticisms such as poor character continuity, weak subplots, and unconscious gender bias where the crux is dismantling that. I could go on. My major gripe, which I found The Double (2024) adequately handled, was that of tone. You have these really intricate and detailed plots that are undercut in the worst way possible by poor or ill-timed tone (excessive cuteness, comedic relief). This was incredibly pleasing because it felt like justice was being done all round.

I'm getting incredibly tired of the overly curated and sleek look kdramas have these days. It's bordering distopian and it's so disconnected. I love a thriller, a sexy mystery, but PMY seems so awkwardly placed. Everything feels a little too contrived. 

Everything about this feels so lazy and substandard. For instance, the writers have come up with the perfect formula to keep viewers entertained while sacrificing any type of quality. It's as though they just about want to meet a threshold with no desire to actually thrive in their chosen lane. This is not reminiscent of the older series; it's pretty sloppy with none of the essence. 

I don't think there was ever a period I watched so many romance kdramas that were currently airing. This particular show feels really grounded and like it knows what it wants to tell us. I'm not suprised given that after the first episode, I read it was a remake of another show. 

I went in with the expectation that I would loathe this, so I was pleasantly surprised. The storyline is somewhat predictable, but it is in no way formulaic. The writers take something very straightforward, but never assume you're in pursuit of the end with a disregard for the journey. The episodic nature that opts to focus on the various individuals who have crossed paths with the main protagonist, centring them for a brief moment and wholeheartedly giving credence to their experience, thoughts and opinions, is so much more rewarding than being forced to believe the protagonist is who they are from mere first-person glimpses. 

I personally prefer ANNA (2022) as I find it to have an air of realism and rawness that is extracted here for the purpose of entertainment, but this is simply reflective of the netflix model and what it prioritises. 

This drama is as agreeable as they come.

Sidenote: There were a lot of blurring effects in the show, and it led me to believe they employ AI for many of the backdrops, which soured my viewing experience. I do hope that was not the case.

This pleasantly surprised me. I've watched 4 back-to-back dramas centred around a dating premise, so I was getting ready to count myself out, but this was refreshing. I think this is one of the few times I'm not immediately put off by the second lead, which is a feat. I'm actually endeared to them.

This has all the lightness and whimsy of a typical romcom kdrama while still having scriptural integrity. 

Yay. Another body switch. 

This is a pretty unhelpful review, but I think it appropriately captures the sheer exhaustion.  I will go on to say I thought the storyline was pretty stupid, and therefore, I could not buy in. I did not help that although I like this particular actress, I found her facial expressions to be incredibly jarring.

I am glad Shin Minah felt no qualms about playing a fresh graduate, as the industry has forced us to bear witness to hordes of overgrown men squished into high school uniforms. And it has been unfortunate every single time. That said, I found that there was little for me to latch onto in this story.  I was thoroughly bored with every episode, barely making it to the ending credits. This saw me suspend my watchings by episode 6.