Editorials 
An Underrated Dramedy
This is a shout out to the makers and cast of this drama series. The current rating of 7.5 on MDL is , in my opinion, too low. Set in present-day South Korea, this story is a poignant depiction of issues faced by societies that are rooted in traditional Asian values yet experiencing the inevitable cultural effects of globalisation that come with economic development and technological advancement.Themes such as young versus old, modern versus traditional, gender roles, Eastern versus Western values are explored within a central family and in each of the family members' lives outside of it. All this may sound serious, but the screenwriter skillfully drizzles the dialogue with humour and gives the viewer the hope that love and resilience can conquer all.
Special mention must be made of the actor, Ryu Seung Ryong, who is so good at playing the protagonist, Kim Nak Su. His physical comedy is stellar and adds hilarity to an unbending and stern character.
If you love social dramas, this one might be just the one for you. A heads up: This series might start with a slow pace, but it gains momentum from Episode 2.
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An Original Reality Dating Show without the Need for Catty Drama to Drum Up Ratings
Unlike reality dating shows that hail from the West, My Sibling's Romance is absolutely unique and in my opinion, 99% unscripted and 100% wholesome and interesting to watch.Four pairs of siblings (a brother and sister pairing) live in a house to get to know one another for three weeks. Within a day, they start requesting for a secret date with someone they find attractive. Siblings discuss in secret whom they think would be a good match for the other and their relationships are not revealed until midway through the series.
Drama unfolds when misunderstandings arise between love interests or when the interest is only one sided. I love how the siblings have got each other's backs - aiding the other in gathering information about their love interest and even standing up for them if they feel their sibling has been taken for a ride.
What I find most refreshing is how honest each cast member is and how the audience gets to know their true character and personality over the course of the series. They are not looking for fifteen minutes of fame. With the exception of perhaps one cast member, they are genuinely looking for a potential life partner.
One more episode to go before it is revealed which cast members agree to leave the show as a romantic couple and which ones decide to fly solo.
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A Must Watch if you like history and politics
Intelligent, intriguing and well-directed. I haven't come across a C-drama as riveting as this since The Ingenious One and The Long Ballad. If you enjoy political dramas that are inspired by history, Heroes (2024) might be the one for you. Set in the turbulent period just before the fall of the Qing dynasty, this story artfully and intelligently depicts human nature at its worst and best in times of socio-political instability. In pursuit of ancient treasure that is believed to be able to change the fate of its possessor, the motivations of each protagonist is revealed. Greed, patriotism, political idealism and personal loyalties meet head-on and are called into question as each protagonist fights to get a hold of the treasure.Plot aside, the acting and fight scenes are stellar. I love how the director wants the actors to speak in accents that are native to each region...although I am not sure if all the actors are able to do it. Cinematography is beautiful as are the sets and costumes. And lastly and by no means the least, the music which is a mixture of traditional Chinese and modern genres is on point, reflecting the atmosphere and feelings of the characters in each scene aptly.
My hope is that this drama sustains my interest till the end and finishes strong.
Now that I have seen all the episodes, I must echo some of the reviews in MDL for this drama series. The ending was a huge let down especially for its fans. It was rushed and poorly scripted. Why did the writers not ensure to give this fantastic story a well paced and solid conclusion? 38 episodes would have been ideal. I was hoping this drama series could rival War of Faith. Sigh! I am disappointed.
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I have only 1 thing to add...
Tan Song Yun is finally showcasing her amazing acting talent. If you are her fan, watch this drama. It's been a long while since she chose a meaty role that can flex her acting muscles.Everything else about this drama, my fellow reviewers above and below (who rated it at least an 8) have already said. Three cheers for Seven!
And kudos to the casting director who chose the right actors to play each character so well.
Heads up: The story takes a nose dive from Ep 37 due to poor scripting...sudden change in the main themes, pace and tone. Poor transition from part 1 of the series. A very anticlimactic ending. Still the first three quarters of this drama deserves an 8/10.
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A Comforting Slice of Life in 1970s Communist China
Set in dreary 1970s communist China, two single parents find love again in their middle age. Their sweet and heartwarming courtship takes place in the court of public opinion involving meddlesome community leaders, spurned suitors, supportive comrades and those hellbent against it. The couple marries despite objections from their children to become an antagonistic blended family.As the story develops, incidents happen along the way to reveal how each character deals with them on an individual and collective level while China's economy advances and its societal mindset evolves. Special mention must be made of how the latter is subtly but accurately reflected in the production set and script.
Other than the recurring scenes of public confrontation and shaming, I find the portrayal of everyday situations and the characters’ responses to them realistic, relatable and humorous. The world is constantly changing, but human nature and human relationships rarely do.
For some reason, I find this drama comforting -- its pace, its music, the tone of voice used by the actors and the way the characters resolve conflicts. I especially appreciate how wholesome values are illuminated in this nuanced drama.
In this day and age in which revenge and violence is glorified and romantic relationships are often sexualised in entertainment, 'Wonderful Times' is a breath of fresh air. Here's hoping it will continue to impress me till the end.
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Disappointed
I am a huge fan of Cao Dun's work. The Longest Day in Chang'an and Litchi Road are, in my opinion, masterpieces of Chinese television. They are of incredibly high artistic calibre—not just in terms of writing and direction, but also cinematography, acting, music, and production design. They are in a totally different league from commercially popular dramas starring "idol" actors.Hence, when I heard he had directed the movie Heroes of Dunhuang, I sought it out immediately. However, within the first 20 minutes, I felt deeply disappointed. It wasn’t because the story or acting was bad, but rather that I noticed significant visual elements heavily reminiscent of Denis Villeneuve's Dune (Part 1). Why did such an amazingly talented and visionary Chinese director need to mirror the artistic direction of another filmmaker? I felt so disheartened that I could not continue watching.
That said, I am not going to discourage others from watching this movie. Its story (loosely based on history), cast, production and cinematography are still of excellent quality. My issue is strictly with the artistic direction, which is a personal preference.
If you have not yet experienced Cao Dun's work, I strongly recommend starting with the drama series The Longest Day in Chang'an—a true masterpiece of high art built for the small screen. Despite my disappointment here, I remain a fan of Cao Dun and look forward to his future masterpieces on both the small and big screens
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The Power of Food to Solve Almost Any Problem
In my opinion, this is easily one of the best K dramas in 2026.Funny, touching and inspirational, The Legend of Kitchen Soldier is a dramedy that believes in the power of food to resolve almost any conflict. The power of food to lift one from clinical depression, to give one purpose, to heal hurts, to turn an enemy into a friend, to secure victory in a military war game and even convert a collectivist into a capitalist. An absolutely uplifting zero-to-hero masterpiece.
This was an unexpected delight that I stumbled upon on my flight to South Korea. Its storyline and direction are both original and creative, outshining other food-themed dramas like Tastefully Yours or Bon Appetit, Your Majesty...both of which lacked this level of depth.
This drama also features a great ensemble cast --even those in supporting or cameo roles deliver convincing performances! I find that any project that Lee Sang Yi and Jin Goo agrees to be a part of boasts an excellent narrative. Would watch it again!
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