dudette

A very nice post and I've decided to vote for some of these (Hospital Playlist, Run On). However, after checking your expectations/guidelines I had to "cut" the best dramas (2020+) I could honestly recommend. I've realized my best k-drama experience was from shows with some "dark" storytelling, angst etc. I just wanted to say one thing. The same "angst" you're afraid of watching might be the best storyline "fuel". Angst, sadness, anger, and revenge are often a part of the hero/heroine's journey. I understand that someone might not be comfortable with it, and I fully respect that. However, if I had to give advice to someone who srsly wants to "get back into love for k-dramas" I would recommend classics like "My Mister" (a lot of angst unfortunately but this is top-of-the-top drama, one-of-a lifetime), "Lost" (classic drama, heavy, catharsis), as for something lighter but smart "Search WWW" (modern, women empowering drama). Last but not least - the "Reply" series, this is pure gold, family dramas with a lot of life lessons. Ofc good luck with your project!

Fully agree. As much as I enyojed part 2 (not bad, really) I still do feel part 1 was so much better in soooo many aspects. I LOVE stories with good screenplay. Something that is both creative and delivers great storyline from ep 1 till the very end. Extra points for creating a full universum - bright, mysterious, with own "magical" rules. It doesn't need to be realistic, as we're having a full blown fantasy world. But it needs to be LOGICAL within it's own set of rules. So, yes, part 1 is still the "better one" for me. I also do feel bad for Go Youn Jung - she seems like a sweet, talented young actress. But she had to deal with almost impossible mission. It was clear to me there will be a lot of hate and dissapointment comments after changing FL. She did well and deserves all love. But still, in my heart and ming - Naksu/Mudok character belongs to JSM. She made her alive - strong, funny, lovable, mystical.

Excellent comment about "Lord of the flies". I agree wholeheartedly, especially as a former vitim of school abuse. Time flies, but fear doesn't go away. This is like prolonged cruelty - like a curse you need to break to be able to fully live your life. And yes, cruelty is in our nature. Kids can act in a cruel way, teenagers... Btw, I haven't seen the drama, as it seems to be "trauma triggering", but might give it a try some day.

I think I recognize you from dramacool/Disqus comments! Thank you for all of the good recommendations. "My Mister" is also my absolute top favourite (and I didn't want to see it cause of "moody/emo" cover... and possible weird "romance".... boy, was I wrong). I also love "Lost"! What a gem - mature, tender, raw. I'm happy that you gave "Kairos" some love, too! It has a brilliant storyline and great life lessons, but unfortunately still an "underdog drama". Guys, if you read this - please give "Kairos" a try! You'll thank me later ;)))

Lost potential of storytelling. I do enjoy this season, however, it is clear to me... good drama needs to be made of a well-wrapped STORY. I do believe AoS was originally made as a one-season drama. Then, when it happened to get a lot of attention (and more money...) Hong sisters probably changed the original final of season 1. They had a chance to make it longer and develop the character's love story. But, as we can see, it seems to backfire badly. We all discussed the nuances of the new season. But as it goes forward, it's clear to me that storytelling is lacking more and more... Fillers, push and pull actions, prolonged amnesia, repetitive motives etc. etc. I'm really curious how they're gonna wrap it up. Really enjoyed some aspects of season 2, but it also made me more appreciate season 1 - the novelty of story!, action scenes (!), cliffhangers, the beauty of the "magic lore", and of course our "old" Mu-Dok (facial expression, humour, chemistry with Uk). Season 1 was excellent entertainment from ep 1 till the very end. Now, I've lost my high expectations for season 2. I wish it all the best. I still have a soft spot for the actors and characters <3, but I'm off the "excitement wagon".

Ok, I loled... have an upvote <3

I created a really elaborated comment... and lost it x) A shorter version will follow. If there's any drama fan thinking "Should I give AoS a try? Is it overhyped?"... If your taste in dramas is the same as mine, do not hesitate to watch it! I wouldn't say I like the fantasy genre (at least the Korean version of it...). I'm not a fan of semi-historic dramas either. Also - not a super fan of Hong sisters. But boyyyy, this drama definitely has an X factor and I consider myself a really picky watcher. A solid 9/10 story, original (within this specific genre), with beautiful cinematography, well-done CGI (ghost doggo <3). Did I mention great actors? Not a big fan of Jung So Min (didn't like her in "This is my first life") - but it's probably her best role so far! What a great surprise. What a comedy talent! And definitely break-through role for Lee Jae Wook (I do remember him from "Search WWW"). Now, this shy boy has grown so much into a real ML. Love their OTP. I can't wait to see again all of the supporting cast - Master Lee, Yul <3, maidservant Kim, Crown Prince... and ofc Naksu.

Thanks to this drama I've discovered Namkoong Min.
Worth it. Totally worth it.

I get you. Joo Won's way of speaking in a few first eps got on my nerves too (but he will make a big U-turn later) :)) I will say, give it a try with one more episode. If I remember correctly, ep. 6 is crucial both for the storyline and it greatly changes dynamics between our main duo. If it won't click for you after ep. 6, I'm assuming it won't do it later.

Loved it.

Thinking now that I almost skipped it cause thriller vibe seemed to be too dark + I was not a big fan of Yeo Jin Go. Now... what a mistake it would be to pass this drama.

PREJUDICE...
If you're like me, seeing now all the hype bandwagon and thinking "naaaah, I will pass", PLEASE think it out one more time. Give this drama a try. As it was already said: it IS a slow burn, it has it's own pace, there are small flaws (some cliches typical for k-drama thriller, predictability, aspect of ppl with morals and values "to good to be true", pure evil baddies etc.).

.... and PRIDE
At the same time drama gives you fantastic CHARACTERS, delivered with passion, deep emotion and dark, but tasty quirks. Our main man-combo is a classic duo of contrast characters - cliche, but it works perfectly well. Their interactions soaked slowly into my cold, stoic heart. At the start I knew Dong Shik will be the star of the drama, but slowly I found myself driven to Joo Won's character too. Last eps are heart-wrenching and I couldn't keep my "cool" approach anymore.

SUMMA SUMMARUM
I think Beyond Evil will be put in a classic 10/10 k-thrillers very soon. And well deserved.

RECOMMENDED, IF YOU LIKE:
- thrillers and dark drama/classic detective/serial killer storyline - a must see,
- classic korean movies, as it has a beautiful cinema "vibe" (visuals),
- charismatic detective couples with dynamics based on different characters,
- twist and turn storyline and want to figure out "who did it".

NOT RECOMMENDED IF YOU:
- search for romance storyline,
- don't like a classic crime dramas,
- don't have patience to story/characters that need a little bit time to "unfold".

KAIROS is a solid 8/10 thriller drama. + 1 goes for great delivery of the main, male character by SSR.

Recommended for fans of: good thriller, drama/melo with some heavy twists, time travel. I would say it's also highly recommended for ppl who prefer camaraderie rather than an actual romance.

What I really liked:

1. Overall storyline - smart, fresh, even if based on some cliche topics.
2. Male lead - great portrait of Father/Husband figure trying to get his life together. It felt like I could follow his twisted road to revenge, exploring the past and his inner strengths. It was good to see how he slowly finds out what he is built of, capable of and what values are the most important in his life. Great character and even better delivery.
3. Action scenes - really well done, to the point of similarity with some Hollywood blockbusters. It felt like I could be "in the centre" of action.
4. "Time travel" effects - “evaporating” people, gadgets, whole scenes. It has a good vibe.
5. Chemistry of camaraderie between main male/female characters. Their connection was well written, it felt "real" and gave me some good chills. I personally found their first, conscious meeting in the same timeline as one of the most beautiful scene in the whole drama.
6. Da Bin's storyline - cute, heartbreaking, with some obvious but important life lessons.
7. Speaking about life lessons, Kairos definitely delivers, but makes it better when it's done in a subtle way - with gentle sound, general feeling of scene, actor’s subtle mimics etc.

What I couldn't get into:

1. Mom's character - for me she honestly couldn't be more irritating. I couldn't stand both her storyline and mimics of the actress.
2. Ae Ri is a type of a "goodie goodie" character that you either love or hate. I liked her delivery overall, but wasn't a strong fan. Sometimes she just looked too "angelic".
3. Main, evil female character - on the contrary to "angelic" Ae Ri, she was evil to the point of being "diabolic". A typical character for a Korean drama - maybe it would be better to give her some more subtle vibe.

Welp, here it is. Do you think is it worth your time? It is. It will keep you interested, sitting on the edge, keeping fingers crossed for main leeds. Sometimes it might feel "too dark" or "twisted", but it's a solid story with important meaning.

So yes, go on and give it a try :)

Short recap could be a good resolution indeed. I was lucky to get into Stranger's world when S2 was released (I was curious about all this "Hwang Shi Mok buzz"...), so it was easy for me to keep up with the pace of both dramas. It felt like a long, fluent story.

Keep up the hope, it'll be worth it at the end. Promise! S2 has a very slow, precize and heavy-dialogue-oriented start so I get your confusion (comparing to S1). All heavy accents - and "the thrill" we loved in S1 - were put in the latest eposodes. Yes, it will be different than S1, but still a great treat to all crime/suspense lovers and K-dramas lovers (not mentioning Hwang character's fans <3). So yes, keep going.

I feel this title is really underrated. Nice drama, well written, with good scenario, great OTP and strong sense of humour, highly detoxicating. If you want to laugh, cry and smile - it has it all. Great acting from Rain and Oh Yeon Seo, but it'll click only if you have a specific sense of humour. If not, you might feel irritated ;) Definitely worth trying. You might feel puzzled with 1st episode, but if you want to drop, please wait at least till Rain's coming ;).... For me a nice surprise. Honestly, I didn't expect a lot from this title...