Kannadin

I think there's a phenomenon of collective hysteria on MDL. When a show is praised, people voicing a different opinion are ganged up against even when being polite. I don't count the number of times, I've been called a "hater" simply because I didn't like a show and expressed my reasons why without insulting anybody for that matter, people telling me to leave the comment section, insulting me right left and center as if I had insulted their mothers.
When a show is disliked, people who like it are directly insulted and people say they're immature, this or that. Seems that some people just like to start wars in comment sections over nothing.

Personally I like to read constructive criticisms. Sometimes you come accross a comment of a person that explains to you why they didn't like the show in details and you might see that these reasons would be valid reasons for you to drop said show as well. One such recent example for me was "The Judge From Hell". Everybody was raving about it but after 2 episodes I just couldn't get into the show especially because of the violence. Wondering if I should keep on watching or not , one viewer encouraged me to keep on going since it would get better starting from episode 4. Didn't see the improvement. After episode 6, I was lucky enough to see a comment from somebody who had finished the show and disliked it immensely. Reading that person's comment, she basically listed all the reasons that made me disliked the show, mentioning that the show stayed like this up to the end. Thanks to her, I didn't waste more time on the series and dropped it. There was another comment from a viewer on a chinese show I was planning to watch... and I decided against it because she explained that while she enjoyed the show, she really needed to be in the mood since the show was "too sugary" (she detailed more obviously). I recognized myself in her comment, and decided to watch it only I'll feel like watching that type of shows.

Anyway, I totally get why you avoid reviews and comments... Personally if a show really interests me, I don't care much for reviews and/or comments... but if I'm hesitating between starting a show or not, I do rely on them with some reservations.

I wish people would behave on the Internet like they would in real life. Sometimes we disagree, but in normal conversations IRL, you don't insult the person you're discussing with for having diverging opinions on dramas/books/movies etc.

At the end of the day, we're here to relax and enjoy ourselves, and sharing opinions is part of it whether positive or negative...

Personally the ban button has become my best friend. I've banned a bit less than 10 users so far (which proves it's only a minority that is extremelly rude) but that has made my MDL so much more agreeable. If I see an insulting comment, I just automatically ban the user without bothering to even read the whole comment.

Honestly, there were times I used to no longer come here except to keep my personal list, since I like to keep track of things, but since I've learned to make good use of the ban button... I've started to interact a bit more in the comment section.

"(...)so I'll be waiting to see what they've got before passing judgment."

Not particularly excited by the budget... Dropped the King: Eternal Monarch definitely after having tried to watch it 3 times. Big budget is only great if the writing is good in the first place, so I'll be waiting to see what they've got before passing judgment. Not a particular fan of these two either, their choices of dramas for me are hits or miss, the only project Lee Min Ho led that I truly enjoyed was City Hunter (2011) .... and my GOD it's been a while. Same for Gong Hyo Jin, first project I saw her in was "Thank You" (2007)... Still one of my favorite show... and the only one I liked of hers. I dropped a countless number of dramas she starred in and the few I finished, I didn't like. Nothing against her personally，it's just that all the dramas she chose were dramas I disliked.

However, I hope I'm mistaken but I doubt it, EVERY TIME tvN brings out LOTS OF CASH for a show either because of star power and/or special effects or whatnot, they always go with these looooooooooooooooong aaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssss episodes of 90mn sometimes even almost 2 hours and it ALWAYS drags the show down.

Please tvN for the love of all drama gods, past, present and future, keep these episodes with a reasonable length. Longer is not better.

Well no surprise here. Given the fact that South-Korea barely escaped being a dictatorship and the political turmoil that logically ensued, I was expecting them to cancel this week's episodes. Then they still released a prerelease for episode 5 and I was just baffled but I thought 'Good for me' I guess... I'm sure they released the previews and pre-releases because it was already scheduled that way and they probably forgot to remove them since err... there have better things to do such as you know... reporting the state of the country to their people?

Have to remind you guys that SBS, MBC and KBS are all public channels. Even if it's available on Netflix, shows on these channels are bound to the schedule (and policy notably regarding nudity or violence) of these channels. I haven't checked but apart from jTBC, tVN, ENA and so on, I don't think any of the big 3 are gonna air their dramas this weekend.

Anyway, good luck to the Koreans. I'm still pretty hyped about the series, but having flipped through the novel and knowing some of the things that are supposed to happen ( though lots of changes have been made for the drama and I do think it makes the story better so far), I'm not as obsessed as some viewers here. Knowing a bit too much goes a long way to cure one's obsession so I'll be sticking with other shows.

I found this series completely unrealistic but pretty enjoyable nonetheless, so I'll be tuning it.

To answer you... It's pretty much a romance. Without comparing it to the novels, both actors have said in a common interview that the start of the series is more thriller-like but that as the series progresses there's going to be more romance compared to the thriller aspects.

Basically it's more a Romance with thriller elements than a Thriller peppered with a bit of romance.

Hmm... Seems to me that most of the elements that makes this show so addicting is not working for you... For the lingerie thing, having flipped through the novel, the drama is actually pretty tame. As for Hee Joo, she's supposed to be pretty innocent and hapless so making stupid decisions is definitely in line with her character.

Personally I'm loving all the cringy/clyché, wattpad moments. That's what makes this show so fun in the first place.

Some plot elements will be revealed later so I personally don't get why you're mentioning them now... but again, if so many elements bug you, you're bound to ask yourself about all the rest... That's the domino effect.

For Hee Joo talking in the hospital though, the guards weren't with her and Sa Eon wasn't even supposed to know the dad was in this hospital. Basically nobody knows her there so it makes sense that she is able to speak there without fear.

The question is more... Do you think you're still enjoying this show in spite of all the elements you mentioned or does it bother you to the point of no longer enjoying it? If it's the latter, don't push yourself: many dramas available that will fit more to your taste...

If it's the former... Well, my advice would be, either to turn your brain off and just enjoy the ride OR, maybe put this drama on hold and try to watch it at another moment. Sometimes, enjoying a drama is just a matter of timing. If you're not in the mood to watch certain shows, even if it's flawless, you just won't enjoy it.

5 episodes in and this show is just hilarious especially the writer-CEO-Secretary storyline... I just can't with their nonsense and wild imagination 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Nothing new under the sun though, so I'll probably rate this 8.5

Perfect show to lift one's mood in these turbulent and depressing times ^^

OffGun + By the Director of Not Me...

OK. Now, we're talking.

Yet another nobody who doesn't know how to read and picks fights for no reason.

I don't mind people not liking the show and voicing their opinions... But I am surprised to see that the top reviews are only two negative ones for a show which overall rating is at the time I'm typing this... 9 which is incredible in itself.

There are plenty of shows that were rated way lower that didn't get such negative top reviews. Similarly lots of hyped shows, I personally disliked, which didn't get such bashing in the reviews. Again, everyone is entitled to their own opinion but usually top reviews for shows which are so highly rated are usually positive... and here it's the complete opposite...
So I'm guessing those who disliked the show doubled down on clicking on "this review was helpful" on negative reviews when usually they wouldn't bother.

It's a pity because no matter how many negative comments and/or reviews have appeared, at the end of the day, most people loved it.

This show is still a 10/10 for me it does have its flaws though, notably some major plotholes but in the end it's about if these plotholes got you out of the story or not. I could see them, but I loved the story and characters so much I just didn't care so if you haven't watched it, don't trust neither the positive or negative comments/reviews and try it for yourself.

I get you. I personally haven't noticed (not counting this drama which I haven't watched yet, waiting for all episodes to be released before I see if I give it a try)... but again I'm not particularly sensitive to the point you mentioned ^^

Haven't started this drama... But to answer you, it's the current trend. I started to watch k dramas in the early 2000s and it was the opposite most of the time. The ML would always be the one all the girls wanted, and the FL had just one suitor. In the end the ML was the prize and the girl would win him over through her innocence or whatever but before that, he would treat the FL like shit for I don't know how many episodes until he did a 180... and the FL would still fall in love with him in spite of his more than terrible previous behavior... without any proper apology for that matter.

I personally prefer the new trend of having the ML be a nice guy pinning for the girl... Trends come and go. At some point things will balance out... Still, if you'd like to see the opposite, go back to dramas from the early 2000 to mid 2010s...

I'm not a huge fan of this period. The most common trope was ML in love with SFL who doesn't give him the time of day, treats FL like shit who is pitied by SML who falls in love with her... Then ML falls in love with FL, SFL feels the change and backstabs FL on several occasions and lies about FL. Obviously ML believes SFL 's lies... FL is supported by SML. In the end ML can't help but love FL who is suffering from Stockholm's syndrome and gets with him and SFL threatens to ruin FL's life and/or ML's life and when nothing has worked she threatens to commit suicide. OH, and ML losing his memory at some point so that they can restart the same cycle at some point.

Overall Guys were nice but girls were all b*** except for the FL.

Glad this trend has been dead and deceased for a couple of years now.

PS: Doesn't mean I didn't enjoy these dramas at the time, but not gonna lie, I don't think they've aged well.

Keeping my policy of not coming here unless I've seen the episodes.
Nobody's putting any "Spoiler" tag for those who don't want to be spoiled...

But you can be sure that if there's one person here who isn't enjoying this series, and says their piece regarding this or that scene without any Spoiler tag, they're gonna get bashed by everyone.

So... I read a comment on Viki about someone saying it's a pity lots of people are judging this "gem" and dropping it only after having watched one episode... + It was recommended from someone on "When the Phone Rings' "thread SO...

I will give this show another try at some point... But not gonna lie, I understand why lots of people dropped it after the first episode.

The FL is just...
The length of the episode doesn't help.

Best thing is the OST. Gotta say, when I checked the trailer, that's the first thing I checked on youtube. All 3 songs by Shishi particularly "Don't Panic" and "He's not worth it" are bangers.

BUT... very jarring in the drama... like many idol dramas I've watched.

So yeah... I'll definitely check this one out again at least past episode 4 or 5 before judging it but for the moment it's a pass. Can't stomach the FL... Music is completely absent and when it comes it's just overly loud.
1 hour 15 minutes... is long when nothing happens appart from the FL making stupid decisions after stupid decisions...

The F*** with this cliffhanger!!!

I wish we had spent less time on the King's random past I didn't care about and didn't end on this awful cliffhanger >_<
I mean I get the King is still supposed to be a central character but It just felt a bit random to have placed his back story there.
Thank God, I watched this now... should get the Netflix release of the 4th movie in 1 or 2 months at most...

Anyway, that was my only complain... Still feel this movie is the best of the 3 so far.
Also Shin is starting to be less Naruto-like, always a plus. Tired of all that random shouting typical of many a shounen character.

War movies are REALLY not my thing but somehow, Kingdom is just awesome. Period.

A solid 9.5

Second that... Mask was fantastic. Another show I underrated. Every time I check old dramas I watched I realize, I had this habit of underrating shows for no reasons...

Ah yeah, I think I saw your comments some days ago mentioning Kleun Cheewit. I saw some clips online and it's with Yaya so I REALLY wanted to check it out... unfortunately only 3 episodes on youtube and no English subs... It's not available in my region. Bottom line I'm screwed... Maybe Viki will pick it up at some point?

BUT Behind your Smile is available on Viki so I might check this one out...

EDIT:

Well Definitely checking this one out... starting from next week... ( GOT.TO.RESIST) If I start this one now, I feel I'm gonna be doomed, TONS of things to do this weekend, even finding the time to watch this one is gonna be hard. ML hating the FL and then falling from her is my favorite trope with the FL crossdressing.

I'm waiting for the ultimate treat: ML hates FL disguised as a boy but end up falling for her anyway :D

I second that.
Secret has the same king of toxic love thingy wattpad style. The ML hates the FL due to him believing something... and as he observes her he realizes he was wrong and falls in love... except he treated her so badly that he's got a lot to make up for before she returns his feelings.
I was obsessed when it aired... In fact, this drama made me want to rewatch it...
Checked my own list and can't believe I gave it an 8.... Probably entered shows in batch wasn't careful with that one. I would give it a 9.5, but you got to put your feminist principle at the door before watching.

Reposting my comment for the I don't how many times....
It's too bad we can't pin comment here...

BEST TRANSLATION AVAILABLE:

CHAPTER 00 to 11 - Samona's translations:

https://moonlightnovel.com/novels/when-the-phone-rings/

CHAPTER 11 TO 47 (so far - fast and accurate translation in the making) - Pen_P's translations:

https://kisskh.at/discussions/the-number-you-have-dialed/132368-novel-translation

No way in HELL they're going to put THAT in the drama :D