2025 Drama Review

Kim Go-eun truly never does me wrong. She is amazing in this drama/slice of life. Everyone really did a great job conveying and evoking emotions. I have never felt so conflicted on how to feel. I think this is the best release this year because it has a lingering effect on people. My head is all wrapped up in these characters. I would say for the most part I understand Eun-jung so strongly, she is someone who tries to give the benefit of the doubt and be understanding because she had to be understanding of her own situation from childhood. It's still taking me a lot to understand Sang-yeon... She is a very complex character because she does a lot of actions rooted in hate and revenge to someone who doesn't hate her and has actually been consistent in wanting the best for her. Her character falls in line with the saying "hurt people hurt people". I think in the end if she did not get sick, they would have no need for reconciliation unless a different life event occurred (i.e. Eun-jung's mother passing). In the end their reconciliation was partly due to Eun-jung being raised by her mother and having a big heart but also due to the fact that Sang-yeon couldn't hurt her and  finally feeling comfortable to letting her in on something. Anyways, this drama is amazing and I think most people will like it (just have a tissue box). 

Tied for the best drama of the year. I think I cried every episode. It's not that it is always tragic but I think that seeing the characters go through the passage of time and everyone gets older, the feeling of trying and giving your best, and overall community. Ae-sun and Gwan-sik loved their family so dearly that some people turn to them and would think in their high moments they got lucky but their love remained and was even stronger during their low moments and that is what truly got their family through all the seasons. What an amazing drama, truly such good storytelling, casting, acting, and production.

I couldn't even feel the time passing while watching this. It is such a great binge. I don't feel like it is predictable in the slightest but it doesn't feel like completely out of left field which I hate. I feel like based on the first episode the audience thinks that they know more than they do and as you watch over time it truly is like peeling an onion. I enjoyed the ending, I feel like everything added up in the end with some room for the viewers to wonder "what will happen next?". Kim Go Eun truly rarely disappoints (we will forget Cheese in the Trap cause I don't even think we can blame her for that). I have only ever seen Jeon Do-yeon in a Crash Course on Romance, and she was great in this! 

Before you judge so quickly, I don't think this movie deserves Oscar nominations but I do think it was just a fun and light movie (until it wasn't at the end for a bit). I enjoyed that she recognized that her hair was just hair in the end, and that all that mattered was she likes it and that she should only like someone who also likes it too. I feel like I've watched so many older movies where the girl has to take off her glasses, braces, and fry her hair to the gods and they usually like that version of themselves more. I enjoyed seeing a girl be a little crazy but still kind, and having friends who supported her crazy. 

Best ensemble and chemistry all year. We got great chemistry, friendship, retro vibes, and a good ending. I am biased for feel good dramas but I can see the main criticism due to having a little bit of repetition of a product experiencing difficulties and the "bad guys" sabotaging. I don't mind the repetition because I think it is overshadowed by the great acting and the chemistry.

I liked this drama and that they didn't shy away from DV at all and how strong the bystander effect can be in situations. A lot of people are hating on Jeon So-nee's acting but I really do think she pulled the drama together. I feel like it is very clear how you can see the regret and empathy she feels for the women around her. I didn't give a 10 due to there being one plot point which I wished they addressed more being the relationship between Lee Moo-saeng and Jeon So-nee's characters. I don't think they need to push for a romantic plot (as most people wanted) because they are truly a group of hurt people trying to heal, but I think there just needs to be more explanation as to why he is willing to help her. Otherwise great drama but also can be extremely triggering to some. 

I enjoyed the show and that it kept me at the edge of my seat until the end.  I will say that one of the cases in relation to pro choice/pro life was a little iffy (the best way I can describe without the review being so long) and is the reason why I don't have this show at a 9-10. The other cases regarding animal rights, idols, and immigration were done well and I enjoyed watching a show where there were happy endings to each case. There is a lot of media which portrays a very realistic depiction of the world and how bleak it can be but this show provided a sense of hope but not in an entirely unrealistic way. The ML was a judge who was connected and was able to use those connections in his cases and the pro bono team was apart of a large firm. I hope that there will be a season 2 for this show as I think there can be more topics they can shed light on. I do think that this show provides a mirror to k-netzs on the issues happening within their country.  Overall, I would recommend this show but I would advise against bingeing as I think each case should be given time to digest. 

Park Bo-young, you are my queen. Our unwritten Seoul truly had me sobbing and I really do like the way that approached depression, burnout, and feelings of failure. I do see how it can be slow paced for some people but it is a melodrama, so it comes with the territory. I think the show focuses more on character building than world building which could be it's one flaw but I do think it's what made the show for me. I think my two critiques would be the ending and the need to give Yoo Mi Rae some sort of romance plot. I think the ending would have benefited from the sisters being together and having a closing scene together because we spend all of the show with them mostly apart and I think in the end seeing them together and appreciating each other's company would have felt more "healing". Also, You Mi Rae doesn't even have friends, I just think after what she experienced she doesn't need a man asap. I know in the end they are technically not dating but it is implied that they are OTP. I think she needs bumble bff or something because she survived so long without any real relationships and that's why I also emphasize an ending scene with both twins, because at least they have each other. Otherwise, good drama. 

I think the concept is interesting but also has been done before. I enjoyed the twists and turns but there was a degree of predictability. The acting was great and I do think the emotions were conveyed really well. The intentions behind every character were also explored very well for it being a limited series and it showed the cycle of how trauma is a cycle and effects everyone in it until someone breaks it and how nature and nurture effects someone. I would tune in if they were to make a season 2. 

This season was drama! I liked the contestants but I do think that they sabtoaged one of the girls by having two of her exs. I hope they do not add that twist in next season because I think having to split your attention with two exs and a new person seems difficult. I wish we got to see more friendship between the girls and them hanging out all together. Also, I wish we saw more time of the other couples, they really focused on the trio exs which to me were just not that interesting. Otherwise good season and I wish all of them luck. 

It's a show about different chefs and it gives them all a platform. It is really heartwarming to hear their stories and see them work hard. I enjoyed this season and it is a fun and casual watch. 

I enjoy a reality show. This was alright, it was motivating in the beginning seeing all the teams and also witnessing the physical and mental strength the contestants needed to have. I think there was just some rigging or various things that occurred which made me feel not so great near the end, but it is just a show. I don't say this as in Korea did not deserve to win because their team was very strong, but I do think having new people who were never in the Physical series and changing up some of the old games would have made it feel a bit more fair. The contestants all seem to really enjoy each other and the experience, which is the most important part. 

I really enjoyed the ending and the last 2 episodes but the start was a bit slow considering this is a six episode drama. I do think it all came together in the end and the title really just sums up the show, I just think the pacing of the first episode could have been sped up just a bit to pull more interest.

The movie is religion on x-games mode. I do think the concept of the movie and the acting is great, I do think this concept/plot would have benefited from being a tv show as there could be a little more context for people to care more about the characters and develop more complex feelings. I do think it is overall entertaining, but I don't think it will be a movie I rewatch. I do think the downfall was that the plot idea was so great that 2 hours would truly not be enough to execute it in a way which sits a long time with the audience. 

Not the worst and not the best. I think it is just a fun silly little story and can be watched casually. I enjoyed their chemistry and I think they both are decently comedic. The plot is interesting in regards to the murder plot and the idol life. Other than that, nothing really stands out to me positively or negatively. 

I liked this dating show, more than most. It felt nice to see a new concept of people who have never dated before start to date and how they would navigate relationships. I do think people on the outside of the show are way too critical of the people in the show. I think it is very obvious that a lot of the contestants are on the spectrum and have previous unhealed trauma which makes them act the way they act, and probably stopped them from being in any relationships. Everyone's first love/relationship is so difficult and although I was annoyed at times, I just felt more empathy. I think in the end, I am happy with the decision most people made and it showed that even though the process might have not worked in the traditional sense it worked in other ways. 

I liked that they got more personalities this season but I'm just not a fan of the island getting a fav boy and girl that everyone picks. Also, I feel like the editing just isn't my favourite. Sometimes, it would be nices to see the other couples too. I think the cast chemistry on the outside is more fun and interesting to see. 

I think the trailer of the movie is a bit misleading. I do think if they leaned more into the superstition of left handedness being evil and show the little girl and her struggles with it + family dynamic, it could be a very interesting piece. The overall plot of the movie is not bad through as it focuses on generational trauma and the lives of the three girls. I do think so much more could be done with this plot in terms of showing a bit of the relationship between the mother and father, how they ended up in their current situation, how the eldest daughter went from being the belle of her school to working in an "interesting" environment, and how the youngest daughter views life (is she happy, sad, etc?). I do think due to probably lack of budget the movie was not able to be at it's fullest potential. Although I gave the movie a 6.5, I do think it has a lot of potential to be something better and more thought provoking. Surprisingly, I would still recommend to watch but I think everything I noted will be picked up on in the first quarter of the movie.

If you do not want to feel overwhelmed and overstimulated DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE. I felt exhausted in the end and I think it was at some points a bit hard to keep up with but I do think the ending is really good. I overall actually like the movie despite my rating of it but I think that because I felt a headache form as I watched and felt a little nauseous from so much of the sounds and directing style, it personally can not be something I watch again or say I sat and really enjoyed. The plot, acting, and direction was great, just not for taste/comfortability. 

The later half of the season is interesting. I think the concept of having 50 women and 50 men who are ready for marriage is new. I don't understand how some of the contestants are from different countries and expect their partner to move. It is very obvious when some people were chosen to ensure tv show ratings because it is very obvious they are not ready for marriage. It is just another dating show where the women are so out of their league and can find men who are kinder and wiser. Watch it if you are bored and there is nothing else on your list. 

The start of the drama and the chemistry was great! It was giving a very fun bubbly, almost similar to Business Proposal, feeling. Around episode 10, the show started shifting and it was very hard to even watch the last two episodes. Such a great build and actors, but the end destroyed the whole show. I would have honestly dropped the show if it wasn't for making this list, but I gave it a 5 based on the beginning of the show. If you want to just have something fun to watch, I would say go for it, stop at episode 9/10 and watch the last scene of the last episode. Honestly, what was the last episode...Every trope imaginable was just starting to be thrown into the drama for no reason. Fire whoever started taking more lead of the show in the later half, asap!