burhaa aadmi

Excellent coverage, thank you! So many of the many tropes well covered, a very enjoyable read. Were I to add one it would be the "everyday marriage" that features in really good slice of life Dramas like "Yeah That's How It Is" - couple who've been married for decades and leading ordinary married lives. As someone in that position, seeing it well depicted on screen is an added bonus :)

IMO no one pulls off quirky concepts as well as Japan. I think it might be a nice gateway drug for your vict-, I mean, friend 😉

Thanks for the heads up about S2 - I haven't seen it yey, will lower my expectations :)

Yes, I thought so - it wasn't a gripping mystery series, it was cute and fun

I'm sure you're right. That's one of the reasons I didn't describe any of these Dramas as "less popular" or "underrated", simply "less watched" :)

The phrase "situational ethics" seems appropriate here 😱🙂

Interesting article, thanks! I definitely agree that one doesn't have to sporty to enjoy sports Dramas. I am slightly less athletic than a dead fish, but have enjoyed several of the Dramas you mention.
I really liked Run On, one of my highest rated K Dramas in a while, but I agree with those who say it's not really a sports Drama. Hot Stove League stands out for being all about sports, with no major romantic element for me. Another "forgotten gem" was Dr Champ - a romance Drama but very much focused on sports and sports medicine

Wonderful - so many hidden treats being revealed, thank you.

Excellent, thanks!

Her growth was fun to watch, WJH did very well showing her move from childish princess to a more adult person who still retained her irrepressible sense of fun

Not exactly a list of J Dramas, rather a list of favourites of mine that all have one thing in common. Actually, two things in common: In addition to the "under 1000 watchers" list, I decided to use only Dramas that I scored at least 8/10, to keep the list to a manageable number. Had I gone with 7/10 as I had originally thought of doing, there would have been a couple of extra K & TW Dramas, diluting the Japanese dominance.

It's great to find another one of the few of us! 👍🙂

Thank you! It's bit liking trying new food - you might not like it, but at least you'll know that from personal experience :)

That's why I thought the clarification was needed. Any real makjang fan would experience "final episode birth secret reveal" levels of annoyance if they watched YTHII expecting makjang. 🤣

"sleep"? What is this "sleep" of which you speak? 🤣☕☕☕

Ah, that is NOT how the word is normally used, I assure you. I think "weekender" is more common for Dramas that air on a weekend. They're longer than primetime week Dramas, but shorter than daily Dramas, at least in number of episodes. :)

Thank you for reading! :) I should warn you that the reason I love "Yeah, That's How It Is" is because it has ZERO makjang. It is pure slice of life, very low key and quiet by Korean standards, and one of the most common complaints about it from those who enjoy makjang is that "nothing happens" . I love it to bits, but if you like makjang, you are almost certain to be very disappointed by YTHII

I think I did understand what you meant. My reply was about your remark that this understandable cycle "pisses you off sometimes". I would say rather that this "echo chamber" disappoints me, that's all. Whereas the rampant misogyny and chauvinism of MANY raved-about C Drama romcoms really DOES "piss me off" 😀

I don't think many Thai Dramas would be for me, but there is one I keep meaning to check out: I really, totally HATE, LOATHE AND ABHOR the Korean "Full House", one of the most horrible viewing experiences ever. Many have told me the Thai version softens the bits I hate the most, so thanks for the reminder I need to give it a try. 👍

This article was actually the second I wrote, but the first to be published. The first one written is just waiting for a second edit, and it is mostly all about this issue you raise 😀