DaliaB

9 out of 10, why don't Chinese drama makers know how to stick the landing, always a huge letdown and rushing in the last few episodes. Otherwise this would have been up there with the best dramas ever. Sometimes the happy ending is the sad seeming ending.

This was the most disappointing part of the ending. I half wanted Yang Jian to end up with Jiang Hi, but I definitely would have found more satisfaction in him growing a spine and a scene or two where he is finally interested in someone else. And Zhaoyang moving out with her mom and learning to live her asexual, aromantic life happily.

Ah, my favourite genre! Love the list, I would add The West Wind is Strong as one of the great miniseries.

Thanks for posting this. I thought it was a straight melodramatic Saeguk from the title and just if ignored it, because I am not in the mood, but you made it sound so good!

Here is a Playlist of the 2001 original on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPuK6agA0-w&list=PL8tziLOrUMtW1Nm7YqtjZLxmTGPp2NT4q

Thankyou so much.

Thanks for telling me this. I was actually looking for a story with a divorcee finding success and romance, and was recommended this show. I am ignoring the 27, in my head cannon she is 35. Do you know where I could find the novel?

Right, this was my thought exactly. He has such mesmerising eyes and interesting face, but his acting already suffered from lack of facial expression in RIABB and it seems he is now getting worse.

It's funny. I didn't even like some of the dramas where I remember the songs, and when I listen, I remember the time when I watched the drama more than the drama itself. Often I watch dramas to fit my mood anyway, so the mood is back. Like with the Bride of Habaek soundtrack, which I watched during the first lockdown and hmm... was that a good or a bad memory for me?

I have just watched someone turning into a phone. Which drama has the vending machine?

I now have a crush on you! This comment made me laugh way too hard.

Haha, I was already a teenager in the 2000s, just not watching KDramas for lack of access. I meant it felt like western TV Rom-coms of the early 2000s.

That sucks. It's also on the YouKu app.

I started watching dramas only in 2019, and am surprised I watched so many from 2015 and didn't even realize. It is funny how much the style, tropes and looks have changed in these 9 years.. She was Pretty felt almost a bit early 2000s to me.

And this is all of them in one long video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dI1TidsVtk4&pp=ygUbaW52aW5jaWJsZSBzdGVwbW90aGVyIGRyYW1h

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIPiKkS-FpK_VYq0-kczhNYSWKrCcJh46

It's already on Youtube.

Also, I agree on the soundtracks. It's the reason why Sageuks and historical shows often rub me the wrong way, the modern soundtracks. Would love to see one with music of the time, akin to what the BBC miniseries do.

I haven't watched them yet, mostly because "family" is a bit of a sore spot for me, I was a child in the 80s and 90s and don't really want to go back right now and I am now also a parent, so I watch shows to escape all the love, fights and warm responsibilities.

But I will definitely earmark them if I do get a bout of nostalgia. My childhood was a bit unusual, but wonderful, and I wrote down the story of my grandparents, parents and me in 2008 or so, to get over grief and become a proper adult.

Your description is the best I have read, it makes it very appealing. Great article!

I loved all of these dramas except Go Ahead. And yes, they all have the same underlying feeling of compassion with the flawed characters, positivity and warm relationships even with the secondary characters. Also great secondary characters. Big fan of these two and will watch anything they work on.