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The Most Endearing Watch in 2024
I was so caught up in this drama, that I didn’t realise it was the last episode yesterday, that’s how much I enjoyed it!Fundamentally, this show piques the question of how lifestyle diseases could adversely affect a family with superpowers. We are led to believe that their decline began with Bok I-Na’s birth, it is a curse or vice versa. While the poor kid spends 10 episodes or so, battling her insecurities; the elders are at another level of bewilderment. Joining them on this charade of epic proportions is a family of scammers, who turn out to be less of cheating scums and more of potential bodyguards. The show is all about familial love or the loss of it; therefore it hits harder. Each of them are so lost in their own world, that they have forgotten how to be a family unit. That’s where the scammers come in and teach them the true meaning of being a family. Sounds cliche or unbelievable, right? Wrong, because this is the most important part of this storyline. The budding romance between Bok Gwi-Ju & Do Da- Hee is questionable on all accounts; I’m still wondering how the depressed and aloof Gwi Ju suddenly fell for Da- Hee after she decides to dump him. But that’s where the magic lies; knowingly or unknowingly, Da Hee brings this entire family of misfits together and gives a new meaning to their regretful lives.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/06/10/the-atypical-family-series-review/#more-906
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Could Have Been Better!!
This was one of those shows that starts interestingly, takes a nosedive in the middle and ends in a surprisingly weird way!I’m a huge fan of Zhang Yu Xi, especially her historical dramas, so it isn’t a surprise that I was going to watch this show. The storyline pans across two different lifetimes and the 40 episodes project the main couple in an ill-fated relationship. The fact that them being together could bring catastrophe to the world is a whole new conundrum. And even though, the male lead primarily focuses on the wellbeing of common people, his love for the female lead mostly clouds his judgements. Frankly, both of them are kind of obsessed with each other, so you can’t just blame one person. It does get tiring in the second half where both leads make questionable choices because of each other. Watching them act dumb despite the fact that they are both smart and intellectual was boring. But the storytelling is quite addictive, so it makes you sit around and take notice. Except for that annoying obsessive Demon Lord who keeps pinging on your radar and you just want him gone forever!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/destiny-and-saving-series-review/#more-1788
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One of my Favorite Watch This Year!!!
This was a laughter riot thoroughly and I have no qualms expecting a third season!When I watched the first season few years back, I couldn’t stop laughing hysterically. That’s the major highlight of this show- a foul-mouthed Catholic Priest, a comic police detective and a badass Prosecutor. They are entirely contradictory to the kind of the image that their professions demand. It made for an interesting watch; while the prequel was all about forging new ties, the sequel delivers on the promise of seeking justice, albeit with a healthy side dose of humor. Our favorite trio return to defy logic, amassing victories like bitcoin while they remain true to their legendary spirits. All three of them are like mad dogs, unpredictable and chaotic; but that’s what makes this show so intriguing. As our trio head to Busan, they set up a new base, tackle drug lords while forming fresh ties. This drama was my weekend go-to for fun and frolics, there wasn’t a dull moment. Sure, the show did seem to drag in some places (wish they had handled punishing the villains in a better way), but then this show was never about making “sense”.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/12/29/the-fiery-priest-season-2-series-review/
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One of My Favorite This Year!!
One man’s yearning to express his hidden desires to his loved one led to “the catastrophe of heaven”!“Love Game in Eastern Fantasy” premise boils down to one thing- authors can be pretty peculiar, as is Fu Zhou. Terminally sick, he wrote a novel in his childhood about his crush; in the current times, as a popular author, he published the same novel. The unexpected twist being that his supposed childhood crush, Ling Miaomiao is now his biggest fan and somehow she gets pulled into the novel where Fu Zhou himself acts as a supporting character paired opposite her. This show becomes a “revolving door” phenomenon, because of the said author’s vivid imagination; but it is by far the most entertaining transmigration story that I have watched in a long time. Esther Yu & Ding Yu Xi have a naturally affable chemistry, their romance is overrated or loud; their fights, arguments and bickering are epic. Not to be left behind, Zhu Xu Dan & Yang Shi Ze have their own somber romance that is mature and subtle.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/11/23/love-game-in-eastern-fantasy-series-review/
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An Endearing Romance Between an Ex-Mobster & a Sweet Content Creator
A bittersweet romance between a soft-hearted ex-gangster and a kid’s content creator!When I first started watching this show, I thought it was so silly. The female lead’s hijinks were epic and hilarious, paired with the other ex-convicts in the makeshift family she moved to, “My Sweet Mobster” was endearing and adorable. It was also my first time watching main leads Uhm Tae Goo & Han Sun Hwa in a romantic setting, and they didn’t fail to impress. The show might not appeal to those who like fast paced love stories, but the irreplaceable charm related to slow-burn romances is rather underrated. The same goes for “My Sweet Mobster”, our sweet couple take a lot of time finding the middle ground for their budding yet delicate relationship; and yet you can’t help cheering for them from the sidelines. They are just so darned cute, I fell in love with the whole concept of a gangster trying to reform his life and founding a new family. The strongest trait of this show wasn’t the romance between the main protagonists or the unwarranted love triangle they were caught in; it was the familial ties they formed with the other ex-convicts in the house; that sort of bonding is truly inconceivable.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/08/02/my-sweet-mobster-series-review/
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The Best Watch of 2024 So Far
A fabulous journey of lost love, redemption and reconciliation.Words cannot express my feelings, as I look back at this journey of eight weeks. What happens when you are a stay in son-in-law and dying to divorce both your wife and her family. Before you sympathize with Baek Hyun Woo’s situation, you might need to hear about the said wife’s tragic life. Despite her ruthless demeanor, Hong Hae In is a lone camper who trusts no one. In times of utter despair, she desperately wants to lean on her husband, only he wants nothing to do with her and is seeking a divorce. Both are depressed at different levels; with familial pressure tearing them apart. When I first watched the pilot episodes, it seemed the show was more about their reconciliation. But “Queens of Tears” managed to deliver a beautiful script with a stellar casting that literally embodied the struggles faced by the variant characters. A couple cannot, will not be together until their families get along well. Marriages are made in heaven, aren’t they? Let’s talk about each & every character in this show, as we pay homage to this phenomenal melodrama!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/29/queen-of-tears-series-review/#more-777
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My Favourite Watch in 2024
Adapted from the web novel “Xi Hua Zhi” (惜花芷) by Kong Liu (空留), “Blossoms in Adversity”, this drama isn’t a one man show. No, rather it chronicles the individual journey of each character. It could be the main leads, Hua Zhi or Gu Yanxi, each of whom had their own struggles; or it could be the female residents of the Hua Family whose sudden fall from grace led them to live a life of misfortune, something they could have never imagined before. Even though they had their disagreements, blood is obviously thicker than water. They argued, fought and yet stood together when the times were worst. How far can a bunch of women hold out when the Emperor of the nation is out for their blood? The story line beautifully weaves a redemptive recourse with a somber romance. Neither overpower each other, they exist in perfect harmony, blending through motions. For now, let’s talk about the main characters and their journeys!Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/27/blossoms-in-adversity-series-review/
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The Best Thriller This Year
Adapted from the novel “Auspicious Pattern Lotus House” (吉祥纹莲花楼) by Teng Ping (藤萍), Mysterious Lotus Casebook was one of the most anticipated releases this year, from the IQIYI flagship. Starring Cheng Yi, Joseph Zeng, Xiao Shun Yao in lead roles, this male centric wuxia drew attention because of its unique storyline and stellar casting. Directed by Guo Hu and Ren Hai Tao, the story focuses on the adventurous life of our main protagonist, Li Xiangyi (Cheng Yi). Once the revered leader of a powerful sect, Xiangyi falls from grace after an eventful battle with his arch nemesis, Di Feisheng (Xiao Shun Yao). Ten years later, he reemerges as a humble physician, Li Lianhua, while cutting all ties with the martial arts world. But as fate wouldn’t have it, his peaceful existence is disturbed when he accidentally gets entangled with Fan Duobing (Joseph Zeng), a rich young master who intends to work as a detective at the Baichuan Court.Mysterious Lotus Casebook raked in 4 million reservations on the date of its premiere. Audiences were ecstatic with the prominent casting, that includes some big names like Cheng Yi and Joseph Zeng. If you are an avid fan of the “Lost Tomb” franchise, then you will probably understand the charm. Both Cheng Yi and Joseph Zeng have been a part of this popular franchise; with Cheng Yi playing the lead role Zhang Qi Ling in “The Lost Tomb 2” and Joseph Zeng starred as Wu Xie in “Ultimate Note”. Those who are familiar with this storyline might know that Wu Xie and Zhang Qi Ling are an insanely popular fictional couple (known by their ship name, PingXie). As such, the excitement surrounding this show was high pitched. Cheng Yi was recently in news for his xianxia romance “Immortal Samsara”, while Joseph Zeng was cast in the recent wuxia romance “Heroes”; both being major Youku productions. Joining them on this crusade is Xiao Shun Yao, who is slowly gaining popularity after playing negative roles in “The Blue Whisper” and “Till the End of the Moon”.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/08/19/mysterious-lotus-casebook-series-review-ep-1-to-40/
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The Most Anticipated Turns The Most Disappointing!!
If you have watched “The Blood of Youth” & “Dashing Youth”, then you would expect a lot from this show!In some instances, this show somehow meets those expectations and in some ways, it is slightly disappointing. After having watched the above-mentioned shows, you would be well acquainted with the villains in the novel “Tales of Dark River” (暗河传) by Zhou Mu Nan (周木楠). “The Blood of River” portrays them in their later years while “Dashing Youth” depicts the assassins in former years. The contrast is obvious, so “Blood River” should be the rendition of their organization. The story stretches across Su Muyu & Su Changhe’s need for survival and freedom. The main highlight of this universe is the Bromance, especially when it comes to these two assassins. They are scary, invincible and also quite close to each other. Wherever there is Su Muyu, Su Change would be around. That’s the impression we got from “The Blood of River” & “Dashing Youth”. “Blood River” does touch on this scenario, but then squabbles that chemistry with an unwarranted romance with the female lead.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/12/10/blood-river-series-review/
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Not A Complete Waste of Money Though!!
Eugene’s comeback show after four years is a glitzy, glamorous affair, but it fails to make its mark!It could be attributed to poor marketing or simple directorial discrepancies. As the First Lady, Cha Su Yeon (Eugene) has a strong presence. She is smart, resourceful and has high acumen, even her backup plans have plans in motion. She is the Queen who keep the entire chess board under her control, scheming and plotting to achieve her goals. In short, when she wants something, she gets it; by hook or by crook. There are no straight rules in her book, unlike her righteous husband, Hyun Min Cheol (Ji Hyun Woo) who plays by the book. They are complete opposites and their relationship is on the verge of deterioration. Min Cheol is hellbent on passing a special act to investigate an arson incident in the past that victimized his close friends while Su Yeon doesn’t want the bill to pass. From there begins, a cat and mouse game between them, under the guise of getting a divorce.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/first-lady-series-review/
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For Most Parts, It was Good!
Words fail to describe how I felt about this show!!For most parts, “Walking on Thin Ice” cannot be described as positive or negative, it is rather grey; to be frank, quite dark grey. The show toes the line between morality & immoral acts. How far will you go to save your family? This question piques your interest throughout the expanse of this show. The storyline is hugely centered around Kang Eun Su (Lee Young Ae), a middle-aged woman who lives a simple life with her husband and daughter. Her life spirals out of control when suddenly her husband is diagnosed with cancer. His misplaced decisions lead to bankruptcy and their house is on the verge of being auctioned by the bank. Her daughter Sua is kicked out of school because her Eun Su is unable to pay her tuition fees. Right at the behest when Eun Soo’s life is falling apart, she finds a bag full of drugs in her apartment. She also unexpectedly meets the popular drug dealer, James (Kim Young Kwang) while working at a pub. The slight twist being that James is actually Lee Gyeong, her daughter’s art tutor. He has been selling drugs to accumulate a fortune to seek revenge. These two form an unlikely partnership to sell the drugs. What starts as a simple drug distribution spirals out of control when the corrupt police inspector, Jang Tae Su (Park Yong Woo) gets involved.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/walking-on-thin-ice-series-review/#more-2113
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A River that Bleeds Corruption & Decay!
If you are wondering why this show is called “The Murky Stream”, it is because the storyline reflects the grim corruption that is decaying the Joseon roots!The storytelling isn’t simplistic, rather it is a complicated mesh work of hardcore characters that are trying to make a living. Their circumstances are unbelievable though. We are treated to raw, gritty individuals who are nothing short of desperate. It might be the workers lining up for chores on the river bank, or the bandits who control their daily wages, the indisputable thumbs & their forefingers or the corrupt Police Captain who controls this entire system. Starring Ro Woon, Shin Ye Eun, Park Seo Ham in lead roles, the show focuses on the situations, each of their characters is thrust into. There is barely any romance, enough friendship & brotherhood to carry the narrative forward. The show would fall flat of these three characters didn’t exist. As for Mu Deok, you are left to wonder why this haphazard character commands so much screentime; but in the second half, he becomes the backbone of the storyline (somehow).
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/10/19/the-murky-stream-series-review/#more-2106
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One of the Best Investigative Thrillers in a Long Time!!
It’s been a long time since I thoroughly enjoyed an investigative thriller. It is so good that you had wish for S2!The best part about this show is the female protagonist smashing age-old practices left and right. Shen Wan aka Qin Wan belongs to a noble family and is a brilliant coroner as well as medical practitioner. Yes, you heard it right, she is a coroner. And the fact that she takes pride in her occupation is what sets her apart from most coroners in that era. The show has a historical setting, so it is atypical for a woman to choose to be a coroner; women who do so are considered as ominous. And yet, Shen Wan destroys these old age believes and proves that women are adept as men. Joining on her revenge crusade is Prince Yan Li, the heir of Prince Rui and the Emperor’s nephew. Both get entangled investigating a common case and from there, there is no turning back. There is oodles of romance in this show but it takes a setback to the investigation. Both Shen Wan & Yan Li give preferential treatment to their cases than themselves.
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/07/29/coroners-diary-series-review/#more-1998
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The Most Disappointing Watch This Year!!
This is one of those shows that even a good main lead couldn't save!I kept contemplating if writing a final review for this show was worth the effort; because it was an utter disappointment. In the end, I decided that I should finish the work that I started. The story focuses on the female lead, K gets transported into the novel that she is reading as Cha Seon Chaek, daughter of the Chief State Minister. Supposedly, a supporting character Seon Chaek suddenly becomes the main lead & gets entangled with the dreaded male lead, Prince Gyeong Seong. The novelty of this premise lies in the fact that K tries everything possible to get away from Prince Gyeong Seong and get him back to Cho Eun Ae, the true main lead in the novel. Frankly, the novelty wears off as K suddenly develops feelings for Prince Gyeong Seong and from there the story is a windfall. We are treated to the same old jargon where the protagonists face parental issues and a hundred different problems before ending up together!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/07/22/the-first-night-with-the-duke-series-review/#more-1977
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One of the Much Anticipated Sequel Returns Triumphantly!!
The sequel returns with a bang, and I was left gobsmacked!After they left us at a chilling cliffhanger in the prequel, “Eternal Brotherhood Season Two” was probably the most anticipated sequel this year. And it lived upto the excitement, not a single dull moment; the political intrigue grows thicker with new character introductions that add more girth to the riveting storyline. The plot can practically be divided into two parts; because Zichuan Xiu gets separated from his motley group of brothers and is exiled to Yuanzhou where he plots and schemes to unite the people in the 23 territories. Secondly, the Chieftain is engaged in a political game of give & take with his own ministers, his attempts to sabotage them shows how disdainful he is. The guy just loves blowing his own trumpet and cares for nothing else. The maneuvering is a classic attempt towards locking the future where Xiu might reunite the continent. The possible lack of information about the third season is sad; but for now let’s focus on the sequel and know what happened exactly!
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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/06/10/eternal-brotherhood-season-2-series-review/#more-1887
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