wonhwa

Best Screenwriter (and for which show?): Jin Soo Wan (Chicago Typewriter), Lee Soo Yeon (Forest of Secrets), Yoon Nan Joong (Because This is My First Life)

Best Director(and for which show?): Kim Cheol Gyu (Chicago Typewriter), Ahn Gil Ho (Forest of Secrets)

Best Korean Drama of 2017: Forest of Secrets, Chicago Typewriter

Best Romance Drama: Because This is My First Life

Best Comedy Drama: Because This is My First Life

Best Romantic/Comedy Drama: Because This is My First Life

Best Action/Thriller/Suspense Drama: Forest of Secrets

Best Melodrama: Chicago Typewriter

Best Actor: Jo Seung Woo (Forest of Secrets), Kim Ji Suk (Rebel), Yoo Ah In (Chicago Typewriter)

Best Actress: Bae Do Na (Forest of Secrets), Honey Lee (Rebel)

Best Supporting Actor: Kim Sang Joong (Rebel)

Best Villain: King Yeonsongun (Rebel)

Best Bromance: Yoo Ah In & Go Kyung Po (Chicago Typewriter)

Best Sismance: Because This is My First Life

Best OST: Chicago Typewriter

There's some pretty intense romantic chemistry between some of the characters, but I wouldn't call this a romance.

Love these!

Love your quotes!

I agree. I would have been fine with that element if it had payed off plot-wise or metaphorically in an interesting way at the end, but it just sort of withered away.

I agree. I would have been fine with that element if it had payed off plot-wise or metaphorically in an interesting way at the end, but it just sort of withered away.

Yes, it's the same writing team as Dragons and Tree.

It depends on what you're looking for, but it features great storytelling and has some of the most interesting, complex, charismatic antagonists of any drama I've seen.

So far, this is a beautifully written, beautifully filmed, beautifully acted show. Like the writer's earlier works it mixes quirky humor with deeply serious themes, and understands how to patiently set up key moments. Hopefully the final episodes will be equally strong.

The kids are there for about 8 episodes, which in my opinion were the weakest part of the show in terms of writing. However the fact that one of the kids is played by Yeo JIn Goo helped a lot.

I personally love political/philosophical dramas and this show handles both topics well - I hope you enjoy it!

I also am just fine with the pacing right now. At least at the moment, if feels like the writer has a clear plan and is putting pieces in place that will pay off in interesting ways down the road. Obviously that's no guarantee that everything will come together in the end but I'm thoroughly enjoying the ride so far.

It's very well done, but yes, I wanted to feel more emotionally invested by the end.

The first two episodes were great fun, but it just didn't go anywhere.

It started so promisingly, but then fell apart. I loved the concept but I wish the execution had worked.

It was great to watch a show with both a strong female protagonist and a strong female antagonist. I wish there were more dramas like this one!

The first half of Dae Wang Sejong (The Great King Sejong) focuses heavily on the relationship between Taejong and his queen, and, like SFD, makes both of them smart, ruthless, compelling characters.

I actually liked the fact the drama didn't try to cover up or try to mitigate the brutality of Bang-won's actions. For me, part of the point was showing how destructive the desire for power can be, and that while ruthlessness can sometimes be effective, it also comes with great costs. I didn't feel like the writers were endorsing his actions at all, and I believe the reactions of the other characters, especially Moohyul and Boonyi, made this clear.

Best Korean Drama of 2016: Six Flying Dragons
Best Romantic/Comedy Drama: Age of Youth (hard to categorize this one)
Best Historical/Sageuk Drama: Six Flying Dragons
Best Action/Thriller/Suspense Drama: Pied Piper
Best Melodrama: Memory
Best Actor: Jo Jin Woong (Signal), Yoo Ah In (Six Flying Dragons)
Best Actress: Kim Hye Soo (Signal), Kim Go Eun (Cheese in the Trap)
Best Supporting Actor: Byun Yo Han (Six Flying Dragons), Yoo Joon Sang (Pied Piper)
Best Supporting Actress: Han Ye Ri (Six Flying Dragons, Age of Youth), Park Eun Bin (Age of Youth)
Best Up and Coming Actor of 2016: Byun Yo Han
Best Up and Coming Actress of 2016:Kim Go Eun
Best Villain: Park Hyeok Kwon (Gil Tae Mi - SFD), Yoo Joon Sang (Pied Piper)
Best Idol Actor(or Actress): Ryu Hwa Young (Age of Youth)

There are some powerful moments near the end, but overall, I found the writing stayed sloppy throughout, with some particularly nonsensical "twists" in the last 5-6 episodes. As someone who tends to prioritize characterization and plot structure over gorgeous cinematography, it drove me nuts.