mikrokosmos228

This is such a wonderful show. It's a relaxing watch filled with heartwarming moments. And I still can’t get over how real this ensemble cast feels. It’s as if I could look this pretty little seaside town up, go for a visit and run into each and everyone one of these folks in the drama with all their idiosyncrasies attached. They're loud, annoying, nosy but also fun, funny, charming, smart. And the one thing they have in common is their hearts of gold. As you settle nicely into the story, you'll learn that these are the kinds of people you want to surround yourself with in life. And the boys in this drama. Gosh, how could they all be so wholesome? Special shout out to Lee Sang Yi as Ji Sung Hyun. What a transformation! I recall seeing him in villain roles and he was quite good because I hated him. But here, he’s so adorably nerdy and charming. Also, I did not expect the bromance but I was all for it. And our main couple: double dimple attack! I was drowning in sugar with the two of them but all in a good way haha.

I enjoyed this short drama. Don't go in expecting warm friendship between the girls though. They felt more like acquaintances than friends, though I didn't necessary see that as a bad thing. The awkwardness was warranted considering they got together because of a group project at school. It was nice to see them get closer by the end of the drama.

I really dig Ji Yoo's character. She was the coolest; not concerned at all the opinions of others and cutting through all the bullcrap from scumbags and gossipy girls. And she gave sound advice to the naive Ah In. She was so honest and open that she was the perfect match for someone so closed off as Seo Bin. The scene where she was dancing and trying to get him to dance and make him feel better was super sweet.

Ah In was cute but it was painfully obvious her crush was actually a scumbag. I did like how she stood up for herself at the most critical juncture though. And of course, the best part of her story was when her guy best friend entered the picture. Super adorable together. Another friends to lovers done right.

I was bored with Ha Young's story but do appreciate the drama showcasing a long term relationship on the verge of collapse. We don't often see it because it's not romantic. But it is out there and I like how the drama kept it real. Aside from the issue stemming from the elephant in the room, it was clear they remained in the relationship out of habit than anything else. So it was unsurprising how it ended, though I thought they genuinely cared about each other.

The last portion of the drama dragged somewhat for me but somehow it always pulled me back in. And that cute twist at the end! I loved how they were smiling as they kissed after the proposal. These two, gahhh. I can't.

This was delightful though not without flaws. I loved Da Li and Moo Hak's personalities. Such opposites yet somehow fit together perfectly. The brother like detective further reinforced that family doesn't have to be all about blood. And last but not least, I thought Kwon Yool was amazing as Tae Jin. Glad he did not play a stereotypical boring second lead role. I think the drama was weakest when time was spent on the other secondary characters. I found them unnecessarily dramatic and shrill. But the four I mentioned carried the show to the finish line for me. Strong acting on all fronts and loved how they played off each other.

This was a quick watch and super cute. The leads felt like real friends and believable in how they turned into lovers. I also love the music in the drama.

This drama emerged out of nowhere and entertained me to bits with the 2nd couple's story (ep 3-5). Incredible chemistry between these leads. And the male lead is smoking hot. Holy cow. I want more.

Actually, he kind of reminds me of Tsao Yu Ning in Mysterious Love.

I just love her in I Wanna Be Sup'Tar. She was so wacky and fun. My favorite female lead with Push.

I really liked her character and acting in Leh Ratree , which I watched recently. I thought she was a natural. And then I find out her sister is Gypso Ramita Mahapreukpong, whom I absolutely loved in I Wanna Be Sup'Tar. Mind Blown. I guess talent runs in the family.

It's older and appear lower budget than her other dramas but I didn't find that as detraction. It's got a hate to love premise which is a trope I personally like watching. I would say give it a try =)

Princess Agents left me feeling conflicted but she was so badass and I enjoyed watching it overall. The other wuxia I loved was the Journey of Flower. And I also enjoyed Cuo Dian Yuan Yang, which was more of a family drama. She was absolutely charming and hilarious in that one; it was a fun watch.

Eternal Love/Ten Miles of Peach Blossom was the one that got me into Chinese dramas. Prior to that, I only ever watched Kdramas. My favorites are the historicals/wuxias. I think China does it best when it comes to producing these epic, sweeping costume dramas that take you on these journeys and allow you to escape into the wonderful, imaginative stories. I'll try any Chinese historical drama that's out there nowadays so I am happy to see the release of a steady stream throughout the months/years. Anyway, here are some of my favorite Cdramas that I recommend.

Ashes of Love - This show affected me far more than any other on so many levels. It touched my heart, then broke it into pieces, only to put it all back together to create an even bigger love for the show. I suffered from withdrawal for days in the aftermath.

Nirvana in Fire 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin - Everyone loved Nirvana in Fire but this sequel was the one I personally loved. A serious, well-produced historical that also made me emotionally invested.

Story of Yanxi Palace - Captivating palace drama where 70 episodes felt like a 24 episode drama.

A Love So Beautiful - This adorable, heartwarming youth/modern drama will always hold a special place in my heart. I have so much feels for this show it's hard to articulate with words at times. Whenever I watch it again, I have a goofy smile on my face.

Any Zanilia Zhao historical drama

I rewatched both Devil Beside You and Mars a couple years ago and they're as awesome as ever! I totally get you xD

Seeing Jerry Yan and Mike He brings back wonderful memories of drama watching back in the good old days when Taiwanese dramas were the bomb. I will never forget Jerry with his pineapple hair in Meteor Garden or Mike He with his bobby pins in Devil Beside You. The drama Mars was so weird and wonderful (where is Vic Zhou?). It Started With a Kiss with Joe Cheng and Ariel Lin had me squealing left and right (which I still think is the best out of all the remakes). If anyone wants to try Taiwanese dramas, I'd recommend all these oldies I just listed. They were the reasons I started watching dramas (along with Full House with Rain). I've seen hundreds (Korean, Chinese, Thai, Japanese) since then but they will always hold a special place in my heart. Also, special shout out to Wallace Huo, who was such a hot oddball in Love Me If You Dare.

I agree with your "clownish" description of Push's character in the beginning. This was my first Push drama and although I thought he looked good as expected, I didn't really think much of him until after the fallout from the wedding and everything that followed. That's when I realized he's a very strong actor and when I started to like the drama and Push himself. I do agree I wish they chose a different actress as that would have made it better but I still felt they did good together. The chemistry was there. I wish you had continued so you could see the upward progression as things got serious.

I was the same with Sawan Biang but my curiosity got the best of me. And after watching, I thought it was not just a great Lakorn but a great drama in general. It was one of those dramas where I said to myself: wow, this is why we watch dramas.

Lol thanks for understanding. I wish I do (the cast is always stellar) but just can't get into them.

Thank you for the detailed list. This genre is what got me into Thai dramas, as it goes hand in hand with love/hate trope that I enjoy watching. My favorite hands down is Hua Jai Sila (2019), especially after rewatching. My other favorite is Sawan Biang, which I believe you had it on your first list. Just phenomenal! Both of them delivered strong acting from the male leads (and from the rest of the cast). The build up to the fallout were executed with perfection in both that they were such satisfying watch.

In my humble opinion, screenwriter Kim Eun Sook's dramas should be at the top of this list. I've either finished them but they left me unsatisfied or they were forgettable (The Heirs, Secret Garden) or I could not finish at all as I found them rather boring (The King: Eternal Monarch, Goblin, Descendants of the Sun). And I'm an avid drama watcher; I've seen hundreds. But I just don't like her dramas (believe me, I've tried) so I really don't understand why they get so highly rated/popular.

Oh, I have not seen that one but I don't doubt it! Taiwanese dramas have always been liberal with their kiss scenes, which I have appreciated since the days of Devil Beside You.