Dramas 2024

A Killer Paradox ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 8 | Channel: Netflix

Cast: Choi Woo Sik, Son Suk Ku & Lee Hee Jun
Plot: Lee Tang is an ordinary man. One day, he accidentally kills a drunk man who turns out to be a wanted serial killer. After that incident, he discovers he has the ability to recognize evil people. So, he becomes a serial killer to kill them. Detective Jang Nan Gam is after him.

Review: Although the drama started off on an intriguing note, it unfortunately failed to keep up with the pace. The plot supposedly revolved around an ordinary and unsuccessful young man who discovers he’s got a special ability to recognize killers and thus becomes one of them. However, the story gradually moved onto another serial killer, played by Lee Hee Jun, who outshone the male lead. To me, this weakened the storyline that turned predictable and boring. Even the detective’s actions were expected by the end of the drama. This bored me a bit and disconnected me from the plot. The ending managed to rise my interest again after the spotlight was put back on Lee Tang, but that was unfortunately too late. Moreover, the direction was quite peculiar – I understand it was to translate the character’s own confusion, but still I couldn’t follow (especially in the first episodes). However, I really want to praise the work done on the transitions between the cuts that were exquisite. All in all, I watched until the end because I wanted to know what would happen to Lee Tang, but I won’t watch a season 2 if there’s one. The drama failed to embark me and excite me for the rest.

A Shop for Killers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 8 | Channel: Disney+

Cast: Lee Dong Wook & Kim Hye Jun
Plot: When Jung Ji An was a kid, her father killed her mother before committing suicide. She was raised by her uncle Jung Jin Man who runs a mysterious shopping mall. Ji An left for university years after, and came back to the mall after hearing about her uncle’s passing. She finds out what her uncle was really doing in his secret mall.

Review: I’ve been blown away by this drama! If you like action, then I definitely recommend A Shop for Killers. Lee Dong Wook endorses the role of a cold and silent uncle who has a dark past. He takes care of his niece after the murders of both her parents. I think that’s enough information to make the plot intriguing. Honestly, I really loved the uncle-niece relationship between Ji An and Jin Man. They care for each other, although they don’t never say it with words. Jeong Ji An proves to be a resourceful, clever and strong-willed young woman. She’s willing to fight back in order to understand what happened to her uncle and what his shopping mall is about. I don’t want to tell you too much, because the twists are really nice and I don’t want to spoil it for you. Just know that the flashbacks are perfectly incorporated to the story and give context to events in the present. Characters are well written and you understand their actions quite easily, even the bad ones. The first episode totally immersed me in the story, and trust me it starts off strong. As for the ending, I’m willing to bet my arm that there’s going to be a second season. Anyway, a lot of action, excellent characters, very good plot are the main ingredients of that tense 8-episode long drama.

A Virtuous Business ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: JTBC, Netflix

Cast: Kim So Yeon, Kim Sun Young, Kim Sung Ryoung & Lee Se Hee
Plot: In the rural village of Geumje in 1992, Han Jung Sook, Oh Geum Hee, Seo Young Bok and Lee Joo Ri start working in door-to-door sales for adult products. They all have their own reasons to enter the business, but gain independence and form friendship along the way.

Review: A Virtuous Business is one of my favorite dramas that have been released this year, and I think it is such a shame that it’s so underrated. The female quartet is simply amazing embodied by a superb cast. Each character has her own difficulties, relationships and dreams that they’re trying to juggle with in the conservative 1990s South Korean society. This drama tackles feminism, female emancipation and independence in a humorous and melodramatic way. I loved seeing these women show resilience and determination when confronted with obstacles in their journey. This show is also about friendship and motherhood, differently, but realistically, portrayed. Finally, I think that the drama was a great combo of romance, detective drama, slice of life in a historical setting (like the Reply series) and comedy – the simple fact that the female leads are selling adult products says it all. I highly recommend you watch this drama, you won’t be disappointed with it!

Amidst a Snowstorm of Love ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: China | Year: 2024 | Episode: 30 | Channel: Tencent Video

Cast: Leo Wu Lei & Zhao Jin Mai
Plot: Amidst a snowstorm in Finland, former billiard player Lin Yi Yang meets Yin Guo, a professional nine-pool player, in a bar. He immediately falls in love with her and his entire world is turned upside down. From then on starts a slow-burnt romance between these two who can’t seem to stay apart.

Review: This drama is an extraordinary discovery of 2024! First off, I must warn you that is a slow-paced drama, so if it’s not your thing, you may not want to start it. However, if you hesitate, I absolutely recommend you give it a go and do not let the rhythm block you. The male lead is a real green flag, who only has eyes for his lover. He’s devoted, affectionate and also putting Yin Guo on a pedestal. She is also quite patient and understanding, as her presence is what makes Lin Yi Yang want to start playing billiard again. They have such good chemistry together and their romance really blooms little by little. I enjoyed every bits and pieces of their story in Finland and later on in China – by the way the drama is an amazing postcard for Finland which is a rather unexpected destination in Dramaland. Need to applaud also the wonderful OST “Love and Shine” that is full of hope and love. Finally, I have to admit that this drama made me discover a new sports (pool, snooker, billiard) of which I knew absolutely nothing. So, it feels good to also learn more about a discipline dramas almost never talk about. I 100% recommend you go watch this gem!

Beyond Goodbye ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Japan | Year: 2024 | Episode: 8 | Channel: Netflix

Cast: Kasumi Arimura & Kentaro Sakaguchi
Plot: Saeko is in a happy relationship with Yusuke. But on the day he proposes, he dies in a bus accident. His heart is transplanted into Naruse. Though Saeko and Naruse don’t know each other, the two meet and unexpectedly bond.

Review: There are dramas that are meant to entertain, others to reflect on life. Beyond Goodbye falls into that second category. First off, let me warn you. If you’re expecting a grand romance, don’t watch this drama. You will be disappointed because that’s not the point of the show. Instead, the plot focuses on a simple question: what would happen if you were given a second chance to say goodbye? To answer that question, the show offers a variety of perspectives. It’s easy to put yourself into each character’s shoes and see the situation with their lenses. It also makes the whole story more emotional and complex. The connection between Saeko and Naruse is so endearing, moving and heart-wrenching. Emotions are palpable and that’s exactly what makes the drama beautiful. The direction and cinematography also participate. Poetry is everywhere from the snowy landscapes in Hokkaido to the Hawaiian coffee plantation by the sea. Beyond Goodbye relies on a fragile bond that can break people involved, as much as it can heal them. The drama is an ode to life and a remedy to grief that you should enjoy at your own pace. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Black Out ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 14 | Channel: MBC

Cast: Byun Yo Han, Ko Joon, Kim Bo Ra & Go Bo Gyeol
Plot: When Ko Jung Woo was in high school, he was accused of the murder of 2 girls and spent 10 years in jail. Upon his release, a series of strange things start happening in his town. So, he teams up with Detective No Sang Cheol to uncover the truth behind the past murders.

Review: This is one of the best thrillers I’ve ever seen! FYI, the story is adapted from Nele Neuhaus’ novel Snow White Must Die if you’re ever interested in reading the book – like myself. Black Out is a masterpiece that takes all the ingredients of a good thriller and mixes them together perfectly. First, you’ve got this eerie and disturbing village atmosphere where everyone has secrets. The male lead chases after the truth and is trying to put the puzzle pieces together. This leads to a lot of twists and turns regarding what happened to the two women he supposedly killed, and trust me they were really unexpected. No matter what you think, you’ll always be surprised – at least I was. Second, the lead is helped by two allies who are the only ones able to see that he may not be the culprit and thus accompany him in his chase for the truth. Third, the drama will make you go through a myriad of emotions from shock to anger, from sadness to fury. By the end, I almost hated every single person who had something to do with the murders. My only comment is that I would have loved to see more about the helpers’ backgrounds (Kim Bo Ra and Ko Joon’s characters). They were really interesting, but lacked a bit of focus. Apart from that, it’s a gem, 100% recommended!

Blossom ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: China | Year: 2024 | Episode: 34 | Channel: Tencent, Viki

Cast: Meng Zi Yi & Li Yun Rui
Plot: After years of marriage, Dou Zhao discovers that her husband cheats on her with her sister and that her stepmother may be responsible for her mother’s death. On her way to divorce him, she crosses path with Song Mo, a notoriously cruel general. While together, they are both killed. Dou Zhao is however given a second chance at life by going back to the time of her childhood. She can now change her fate.

Review: Though this drama reminded of another excellent one named The Double, it was extremely well narrated and played. The female lead is absolutely fantastic. She’s clever, resourceful, determined, and dignified. She’s a formidable opponent and doesn’t let others sway her, even her family. On top of that, she’s very assertive in her relationship with Song Mo, and I think that’s what I liked the most in this show. It’s so rare to see female characters take the lead in a relationship. Her romance with her lover is just so sweet and tender. Her man is protective, calm, but also super cute when he wants to. Together, they are the best duo one could dream of. As for the plot, it’s dynamic and flows well. I appreciated that they don’t spend too much episodes on each of their enemies. Instead, they introduced a big villain hidden behind a series of pawns. That gave a better pace to the story. I highly recommend you watch this C-drama, it’s worth your time.

Branding in Seongsu ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 24 | Channel: U+mobileTV

Cast: Lomon, Kim Ji Eun, Yang Hye Ji & Kim Ho Young
Plot: So Eun Ho is a nonchalant man who unexpectedly gets hired as an intern in a marketing company. But he’s not the working type, which gets on Kang Na Eon’s nerves. She’s been working hard all her life to get the position she’s at. Both constantly clash until they share a kiss one day and exchange bodies. They now need to live in the other’s shoes.

Review: To be honest, I expected this drama to be way better than it actually was. Considering the cast (Lomon from All of Us are Dead and Kim Ji Eun from One Dollar Lawyer), I thought Branding in Seongsu would make a great drama. Unfortunately, the beginning of the story lost me. Like, it took me 4 episodes to understand that characters would switch bodies at some point. The intrigue then continued to confuse me even more, showing leads as friends, then lovers, then enemies, then back to lovers, etc… The villains popped out of nowhere to become good again without really getting an explanation for it. Apart from that, the romance was ok, but tainted by the lack of substance of the plot. The only reason that kept me going is the fact that the episodes are very short (24 minutes) and that it started to get better mid-drama. All in all, this drama ended as a disappointment.

Brewing Love ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: GenieTV, Viki

Cast: Kim Se Jeong & Lee Jong Won
Plot: Chae Yong Joo used to be in the special forces in the military. She now works as a salesperson for a liquor company. When she discovers that her branch is about to close, she carries out a mission to sell a new beer made by brewmaster Yoon Min Joo. He lives a quiet life in a rural area, but Yong Joo’s sudden appearance and atypical personality change his life.

Review: Brewing Love was such a cute rom-com! First of all, the duo Kim Se Jeong- Lee Jong Won works with perfection, they had great chemistry and I was eager to see their love blossom in each episode. Both characters also have a way to always put the other’s needs before his own which results in a strong duo that goes through hardships together, instead of breaking up at the first issue – and I really loved it. The second couple was also great. I liked how both love stories were not alike and independent from one another. I think the configuration of relationships kind of reminded me of A Business Proposal which made me like the drama even more, although the stories have nothing to do with each other. The whole marketing of beer was also super interesting. I appreciated that they focused on the production of a new beer up to its marketing and distribution to consumers. We had the end-to-end vision and to be honest, I would have definitely bought their products. All in all, Brewing Love is a cute drama to watch that keeps you entertained. It’s not THE drama of the year, but surely ticks all the right boxes to make it amazing!

Cinderella at 2AM ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 10 | Channel: Coupang Play, Viki

Cast: Shin Hyun Bin & Moon Sang Min
Plot: Ha Yoon Seo is a young woman who works at a large company. She is a pragmatic person. Her boyfriend is Seo Joo Won. One day, she discovers he’s the son of a chaebol family. So, when his mother offers her money to break up with him she accepts, but Joo Won tries hard to make her change her mind.

Review: Though the drama had a rather original concept to start with, the plot unfortunately lacked in many ways. At first, I really liked the fact that the story was playing with clichés and stereotypes that you typically see in romances – the female lead accepting her mother-in-law’s money to break up with her son to quote one. But this setting also gave way to a series of back-and-forth between characters who were so indecisive that it made the story run in circles. Every 2 episodes or so, the male lead would try to conquer the female lead, who was adamant on breaking up, then go back to square one, accept his fate before fighting again for his love. By the end of the drama, I felt like this push-and-pull had become annoying. As for the resolution and the ending, it literally took 30 minutes to wrap everything up. Not to mention that the leads would never have managed to make a decision if the secondary character (the painter) – although pushy at first – had not intervened several times. I felt frustrated and bored, as the dialogue was clearly non-existent between main protagonists and even with their families, leading to misunderstandings and tricky situations. My only breath of fresh air was the second couple – at least they knew what they had signed up for and were trying to get the best out of their situation. They were my only comfort, and I preferred them to the lead couple.

Dear Hyeri ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: ENA, Genie TV, Viki

Cast: Shin Hye Sun & Lee Jin Wook
Plot: Joo Eun Ho has been an unknown announcer for 14 years. Due to a deep wound in her heart, she developed another personality named Joo Hae Ri. She used to date Jung Hyun Oh. Though he’s a star announcer, he carries a wound that he never showed to anyone. These 2 reunite again and cure each other’s wounds.

Review: First of all, I think Dear Hyeri is yet an underrated drama this year. Not a lot of people actually talked about it, but I’m such a huge fan of Shin Hye Sun that I couldn’t miss it for the world. And I was right to put it on my list. Shin Hye Sun is absolutely amazing! She really carries the entire drama by herself and her acting performance as a suffering woman with 2 different personalities is top-notch. Nevertheless, the first episode did confuse me and I even wondered if I should continue watching. However, if you manage to get past that, you’ll see that the narrative is truly worth the watch. I can’t express how much pain I felt for the characters. All of them have been through a lot and their pain is palpable on screen. I rooted for all of them to heal and get better. Because that’s what this drama is really about: healing, becoming happy. I read some comments of people who were unhappy with the ending or even talked about a toxic relationship between Eun Ho and Hyun Oh, but I completely disagree. The drama realistically portrays the ups and downs of a long-term couple in which each partner has his heavy past to carry and is just trying to make it work. Contrary to clichéd romances in Dramaland, Dear Hyeri is honest and credible. The writer didn’t try to sugarcoat the love between characters, and that’s a good thing (it’s also so rare in dramas generally). Yes, I had my doubts about Hyun Oh, but his perspective is as understandable as everyone else’s – and you get that the more you learn about him. My only real pain point was the lack of communication between everyone – so frustrating. Still, this drama is a gem for me. It talked to my soul and moved me deep. I cried, suffered and laughed with the characters. By the end of the drama, I only wanted them to be ok and happy.

DNA Lover ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: TV Chosun

Cast: Choi Si Won, Jung In Sun, Lee Tae Hwan & Jung Eugene
Plot: Shim Yeon Woo is an OBGYN who ends his relationships with women whenever they try to change him. Han So Jin works at a gene center. She’s obsessed with finding a man genetically perfect for her. They get involved together and with Seo Kang Hoon and Jang Mi Eun.

Review: This was probably one of the worse dramas I’ve seen in 2024. It was so bad that it took me months to actually finish it. At first, I thought the synopsis was funny and it could lead to a cute rom-com, very clichéd but still. We kind of know what to expect now. However, I was not expecting it to be this painful. The female lead was the first problem. She’s got a lot of traumas and past relationships gone wrong, that I understand. But the way she treats others – like a crazy scientist making experiments – was just straight out of line. I still wonder how the male lead survived her, because she was really hell-bent on proving that her DNA lover theory was true. This annoyed the hell out of me until the last episode. Then, the second leads were annoying. Lee Tae Hwan’s character a little bit less than the second female lead who just deserved some slaps. She was pushy, selfish and always prioritizing her feelings over the rest, while pretending to be a good friend. That was just not possible for me. Also, I don’t think the love square was really necessary to be honest, they really could’ve made a nice story with 2 love lines and some interferences in the middle. The only couple I was actually interested in was the firefighter lady and the doctor, but even they, disappointed me. And don’t even get me started on So Jin’s family (aka her mother), because I already hear myself fuming. Third, I just didn’t get why they would add a plot with a criminal trying to avenge himself. Again, clichéd and unnecessary. The only reason why I didn’t put 1 to the drama is because there seemed to be a realization for most characters at the end that they had to change the way they were behaving. All in all, watch the drama if it’s really the last one remaining, it’s really not worth your time.

Doctor Slump ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: JTBC

Cast: Park Hyung Sik & Park Shin Hye
Plot: Yeo Jung Woo has always been a top medical student and then became a successful plastic surgeon. One day, an accident occurs and his life is turned upside down. He meets his former rival Nam Ha Neul. She is an anesthesiologist whose entire life revolves around studying. But she wants to make a change. They comfort each other and start a relationship.

Review: First of all, it was a pleasure to see these 2 veteran actors – previously on The Heirs – reunited in this drama. Their friendship is palpable on screen which creates a good chemistry between them. When it comes to the plot, I think the stories are really relatable and moving. Jung Woo is going through a crisis in his life, as he suddenly loses everything he built in the blink of an eye; while Ha Neul has buried her pain and suffering for so long that it’s now eating her away. Though their ‘slump’ in life stems from different places, they ultimately converge towards one conclusion: They need to heal. And that’s where the romance becomes interesting. Each character brings comfort and support to the other, creating a good balance in the relationship. I also really appreciated their pettiness and hilarious behaviors – Park Hyung Sik is absolutely dramatic and I loved it! Characters all have a great and real evolution in the drama. They all learn something and grow. Even better, I think it’s one of the rare dramas that allow for everyone (including side characters) to have an actual ending. Finally, I need to say that I loved the secondary couple (Hong Ran & Dae Young), if not more than the leads. So, if you’re looking for a good in-between between comedy and romance with a touch of seriousness and melodrama, sparkled with some life lessons to give away, then this is the right drama for you.

Dreaming of Freaking Fairytale ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 10 | Channel: TVING

Cast: Lee Jung Young & Pyo Ye Jin
Plot: Moon Cha Min is the son of a wealthy family and CEO of a social club. He doesn’t care about women who dream of living the Cinderella fairytale. Shin Jae Rim is a manager at his social club. She hopes to find her Prince Charming to get her out of her condition. She and Cha Min become romantically involved.

Review: This drama is a light-hearted, absolutely crazy and hilarious remake of the tale we all know: Cinderella. I really liked the narrative they decided to go with, changing some boring situations of the original plot. For instance, Jae Rim gets along with her step-mother and step-sisters; she openly says that she wants to become Cinderella by marrying a rich man, etc… but you also have the incident with the shoe, and other allusions to the tale. This mix gave a fresh vibe to the story and created funny situations. Some scenes are clichés, but with a clear touch of humor (when Cha Min carries her, only to help her reach the toilets faster). There’s also a nice morale on self-love and self-esteem that sounds like the key takeaway of the drama. All in all, I recommend this cute romance. The leads are sweet, the intrigue is funny and original. The drama clearly does its job and entertains you without giving you a headache.

Face Me ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: KBS2, Wavve, Viki

Cast: Lee Min Ki, Han Ji Hyun & Lee Yi Kyung
Plot: Cha Jung Woo is an elite plastic surgeon, capable of visualizing the circumstances of an accident by simply looking at a patient’s wounds. He’s also cold and doesn’t connect with patients. He meets detective Lee Min Hyung who works in the violent crimes department. She’s empathetic and passionate. They form a unique bond while working on cases together.

Review: Face Me is a good drama that I enjoyed watching. I liked the setting of the story and how the plot actually unfolded. The most interesting part occurring mid-drama when suddenly there’s a shift of perspectives regarding the identity of the killer. From then on, you start doubting and suspecting every character. The main duo has good synergy; their partnership was quite appreciable. But what I liked most about the drama are the plastic surgery cases, especially those related to trauma and reconstructive surgery. Episodes centered on a patient (oftentimes a victim) that was in dire need of surgery to heal (physically and mentally). The message at the end of the drama focuses on the fact that plastic surgery is not just for beauty, but also and mostly for people who need it to overcome a trauma and/or improve their quality of life. For me, that’s the first and most important goal of plastic surgery that we tend to forget, so it was good that the drama reminded us of that. All in all, it’s a well-written and dynamic drama that I would gladly recommend.

Family By Choice ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: JTBC, Viki

Cast: Hwang In Yeop, Jung Chae Yeon and Bae Hyun Sung
Plot: Kim San Ha, Yoon Joo Won and Kang Hae Joon were best friends when they were young to the point that they considered each other as family. After 10 years of being apart, they finally reunite and their love story unfolds.

Review: What a wonderful gem! I didn’t watch the original C-Drama, so I can’t compare. But what I can say is that this version transpires warmth, love and good vibes. I enjoyed it so much. First of all, I love how the entire plot focuses on family and what it is that makes people a real family (and spoiler, it’s not blood). The relationships are complex, the wounds and scars that parents leave are deeply present in our main trio’s lives, yet they carry on because they have each other. I really wished I was their sibling. Their synergy and dynamics are so heartwarming. As for the two fathers, they are absolutely fantastic, each in their own way. The mothers are kind of the ‘villains’, and I really liked that for once that’s the case. Usually, fathers are the bad guys and mothers take care of the children. So, this was quite refreshing and new. The split between the two timelines was also well-done. The past didn’t take too long to unravel. We had just enough episodes to give away the context and explain characters’ feelings when they reunite 10 years later. The romances flow so naturally, my favorite being between Hae Joon and Dal. All in all, it’s a comforting, cozy show with only good vibes, love and positivity. Despite everything characters go through, they overcome together by simply being there for each other. I really recommend you watch this drama, you will want to hug your family afterwards!

Flexx Cop ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: SBS

Cast: Ahn Bo Hyun & Park Ji Hyun
Plot: Jin Yi Soo is a third-generation chaebol. He becomes a detective and uses his wealth and power to catch criminals. He works with Lee Gang Hyun who’s dedicated to her job, but has low social skills. Together, they partner up to solve cases.

Review: Ahn Bo Hyun – one of my favorite actors – as a rich cop is the reason that convinced me to watch this drama. The plot is good and got better over the episodes, though some were more entertaining than others to me. Sometimes, I was super focused, while some others I found myself totally disconnected from the story. However, the last episodes and the end really got me with captivating twists. The male lead, Yi Soo, is awesome and his synergy with the rest of the detective team was absolute genius; they really made me laugh hard. Overall, this is a good action drama with good camaraderie (reminded of Taxi Driver, Partners for Justice and The First Responders in terms of genres) and I’m more than happy that there will be a second season.

Good Partner ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: SBS, Viki

Cast: Jang Na Ra, Nam Ji Hyun, Kim Joon Han & P.O.
Plot: Cha Eun Kyung is 17-year veteran star lawyer specialized in divorce. She believes that her clients’ interests prevail. She works with rookie lawyer Han Yoo Ri who doesn’t tolerate injustice. These differences often cause disagreements. While working together, they experience changes in their lives.

Review: If I had to make a top 5 legal dramas that are absolutely fantastic, Good Partner would definitely be on the list. First of all, the female duo is extraordinary. Jang Na Ra and Nam Ji Hyun’s characters have great chemistry. They are in perfect sync together. Though their personalities differ – you have the idealistic and empathetic rookie vs. the cold and pragmatic mentor – both have the same purpose: help their clients. I really loved seeing their relationship evolve throughout the drama and turn into a real friendship in life and partnership at work. Second, the plot is dynamic, alternating between melodrama, cliffhangers, action, legal sessions and slice-of-life advice. You get to see Cha Eun Kyung and Han Yu Ri’s personal lives intertwined with divorce cases on a broader scale. Third, the other characters are also extremely good. The male duo matches the female duo’s vibe and complements it. The ending makes me think that there may be a second season, but who knows. Good Partner is an excellent drama – it’s not surprising that they hit 15% viewership ratings – that I really recommend you watch.

GyeongSeong Creature Season 2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 7 | Channel: Netflix

Cast: Park Seo Joon & Han So Hee
Plot: Set in 2024 in Seoul, Jang Heo Jae who looks exactly like Park Tae Sang meets Yoon Chae Ok. Together, they dig into their unfinished relationship and fateful encounter.

Review: I’m not going to lie, I think the second season of the hit drama was less good than the previous one. The universe is still as interesting as before, and I appreciated the parallels drawn between past and present. There was also a touch of mystery that was super catchy. However, I found some scenes to be quite repetitive with the first season and that gave me the impression that we were running in circles, always going back to square one. In the end, enemies are almost the same as before, and even new characters don’t have a lot of backbone. You only get glimpses of their past here and there, and that’s it. The romance unfortunately doesn’t evolve that much either. The leads still love each other to death, but are hindered by everyone else (again). Anyway, it seems like there’s a third season coming. So, I hope it will be the last and that it will put an end to these repetitive cycles.

Hierarchy ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 7 | Channel: Netflix

Cast: Roh Jeong Eui, Lee Chae Min, Kim Jae Won, Ji Hye Won & Lee Won Jung
Plot: Jooshin High School is the most prestigious school in South Korea. Students who can attend are chosen at birth and belong to powerful families. Among them stand Jung Jae Yi, Kim Ri An and Yoon He Ra. One day, Kang Ha is transferred there. He holds a secret that shakes Jooshin High.

Review: I was expecting a bit more from this promising school drama, but I ended up disappointed. The plot lacked power and strength, characters were flat and basic. To give you an idea, I considered Jae Yi selfish and passive, Kang Ha not vindictive enough and Ri An uselessly clueless. The story was like a cheap version of the Spanish series Elite without the spice of its European counterpart. The only characters I liked were the secondary ones – Woo Jin and He Ra – whom I believe would have deserved more spotlight. Indeed, they became truly interesting only mid- if not end-drama. All in all, the show is not bad, actors’ performance is good (I’ve adored Kim Jae Won and Lee Won Jung to be honest!), but there was a spark missing in my opinion. However, the ending scene of the drama pointed out at a second season which may become interested if the narrative is developed properly. I guess we’ll see.

Light Shop ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 8 | Channel: Disney+, Hulu

Cast: Ju Ji Hoon, Kim Seolhyun, Park Bo Young, Uhm Tae Goo, Lee Jung Eun, Kim Min Ha, Shin Eun Soo & Bae Sung Woo
Plot: A man runs a small and extraordinary light shop where dead spirits trapped between life and death visit. Each of them has his own story to tell. 

Review: When I heard that Light Shop was adapted from Kang Full’s webtoon – aka the author of Moving – my expectations rose to the top. And the drama didn’t disappoint me one bit! The universe is dark and gloomy with a beautiful cinematography playing on lights and shadows. Though it’s supposedly a horror drama at first, Light Shop slowly turns into a deep show with an intricate storyline that ties characters together under one common theme: Life and death. The drama explores the impact death and grief have on people, one’s will to live, the unfortunate events that can radically change your life overnight, but first and foremost the fringe between two worlds deeply intertwined that we all navigate at some point. Characters’ stories are heart wrenching and tragic, but the note of the drama is rather hopeful, emphasizing that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. This drama is a gem, you should definitely watch it! And if you’ve watched Moving as well, then the ending of Light Shop will delight you!

Like Flowers in Sand ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2023-2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: ENA

Cast: Jang Dong Yoon & Lee Joo Myung
Plot: Kim Baek Doo used to be a promising ssireum athlete, but he’s now thinking of retiring. One day, he meets his childhood friend Oh Yoo Kyung again and his life changes. She becomes the leader of the management sirreum team. 

Review: Against all odds, Like Flowers in Sand managed to convince me and immerse me in its story. Though I wouldn’t say it’s a drama for everybody, as it is rather slow-paced. But if you don’t mind that, then you’ll be good. I discovered ssireum, a South Korean sports I had heard of but never actually seen or learned about. Being a fan of South Korean culture, this was a deeper step into their traditions that I really appreciated. The male lead, Kim Baek Doo, is a kind character who unfortunately struggles to succeed and become a champion despite his potential. Like most sports dramas, Flowers in Sand focuses on the hardships an athlete encounters and how tough it can be to fulfill your dreams at times. However, it gives you hope and certainty that some flowers bloom later than others. I also really liked the fact that they added a ‘thriller’ vibe, as murders take place in the village. Both genres combined give way to an interesting intrigue. Finally, the friendship and romance depicted are super cute. Each character has a role to play, and we root for them all along. All in all I would recommend, but be sure you can handle slow dramas beforehand. Otherwise, you won’t survive it.

Love Andante ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 8 | Channel: Lifetime Korea, KOCOWA+

Cast: Kwon Hyun Bin & Song Ji Woo
Plot: Set in a fictional peace village project at the DMZ, piano prodigy Im Joo Hyung is sent from Seoul to live in the village for a year. There, he meets Ha Na Kyung, a pharmacist and the daughter of a high-ranking North Korean official. They develop romantic feelings. 

Review: I first decided to watch the drama because I believed the concept was fresh and intriguing. I’m quite keen on dramas that revolve around the relationship between North and South Korea (like my favorite The King 2 Hearts), so I thought this one would be worth the watch. The drama is good, you have sympathetic characters, lighthearted romances and a good reasoning on peace between the 2 countries. However, that was it. The plot and relationships remain at the surface making the overall story quite bland. It’s entertaining, but not captivating; well-intended, but too superficial. Worst part for me was the end that felt really rushed. It really gave me the impression that the drama was unfinished, especially when it comes to secondary characters the drama spent 8 episodes to introduce. So, I’m left with the feeling that there’s something missing. All in all, it’s a cute experience, but I won’t recommend you watch this drama, as they are so many others way better.

Love Game in Eastern Fantasy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: China | Year: 2024 | Episode: 32 | Channel: Tencent Video, Viki

Cast: Ding Yu Xi & Esther Yu
Plot: Ling Miao Miao is a young woman who’s passionate about novels written by her favorite author Fu Zhou. One day, she gets transported into the world of the novel she’s reading as secondary character Lin Yu. In order to get out, she has to realize the missions given by the system. One of them is to seduce the cold demon catcher Mu Sheng. 

Review: Love Game in Eastern Fantasy was such a fun drama to watch. First of all, I am huge fan of the duo Ding Yu Xi and Esther Yu. That’s their second drama as a pair and the more I see them together, the more I like them! That chemistry transpires on screen which allows for characters’ romance to really blossom. They are credible and you root for them, as Miao Miao and Mu Sheng gradually form a relationship. The plot is also quite engaging. Miao Miao is cheerful and bubbly which clashes with the evil character she ends up in. The tasks given by the system are also a clever way to make the intrigue advance faster, though we kind of lose focus mid-drama to really delve into the novel’s universe. That was not problematic per se, but it slowed the pace and interest a bit. We were following characters’ journey rather than continuing with the main narrative. The last part of the drama made however all the elements converge. The ending was clever and offered proper explanations to connect the world of the novel and the real world. To me, the finale was intelligent and meaningful, though that opinion may not be shared by other fans. Anyway, I really recommend you watch that fantasy romance, it’s worth your time.

Love Next Door ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: tvN, Netflix

Cast: Jung Hae In & Jung So Min
Plot: Choi Seung Hyo works as a succesful architect. He’s also handsome and has a good personality. But he wishes to erase memories from his past involving the daughter of his mother’s friend Baek Seok Ryu. She used to work at a large company, but mysteriously quit her job. Unexpectedly, they meet again. 

Review: On paper and on screen, I’ll say that Love Next Door is a good romantic comedy. Though the trope of best friends falling in love is not new in Dramaland, it works perfectly well in the drama. I also loved the second leads – Mo Eum and the reporter – and I’ll even dare say they were cuter than the main protagonists. I was looking forward to their story more than the leads’. That being said, I believe that there was something missing in the show. This little spark that would make me fall in love with the drama. Love Next Door is good, but lacks this little something to make it memorable. Moreover, I kept watching the drama not for the romance, but for the various themes tackled in the show such as chasing your dreams, starting anew/learning new things no matter your age, family related by love and not by blood, and the struggles that one encounters in his life like death, sickness, being burnt-out…. Add to that friendship and family, and you get a good collection of reflections and debates to have while watching the drama. There are also some characters who annoyed me (like Seok Ryu’s mother) and I think this also participated in my lack of full engagement in the plot. All in all, I would recommend you watch the show for all the topics it deals with, not necessarily for the story or romance.

Love Your Enemy ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: tvN, TVING, Viki

Cast: Ju Ji Hoon & Jung Yu Mi
Plot: Seok Ji Won and Yoon Ji Won have the same name, were born on the same day in the same town, but their families have been enemies for generations. They grew up together and went to the same school, but then went different ways. They reunite years later in their old town and their former bicker emerges again. 

Review: Love Your Enemy is a nice rom-com to watch. It’s nothing original compared to the usual plots on enemies turned lovers, but it has the merit to be enjoyable. The main couple is cute and I liked their bickering though I think we didn’t see enough of that as adults. Nevertheless, their romance flows well. The characters I appreciated the most were actually the young cast whether in the past as the two Ji Wons or in the present with Ji Won’s students. I thought they were fantastic and their blossoming love so sweet. Not to mention that the high school story in the present kind of echoes that of the Ji Wons in the past. However, there are some parts of the drama that annoyed me a bit. Starting with the fact that the families at war are still deciding their children’s lives when they are 36. That’s too much. Second, the story of Ji Won’s parents and how they died was in my opinion not necessary to make the drama entertaining. Finally, I had fears that Ji Won’s friend would be problematic and that she would prevent the leads from being together due to her one-sided love, but thankfully she did not go overboard. All in all, this ‘Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending’ story is nice and easy to watch, but it’s not the drama of the year.

Lovely Runner ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: tvN

Cast: Byun Woo Seok & Kim Hye Yoon
Plot: Ryu Sung Jae is a top star who’s been worn out by the industry. One day, he dies from shock after taking sleeping pills. Im Sol is Sun Jae’s fan. Upon hearing the tragic news, she miraculously travels back in time to 15 years in the past and meets him as a 19-year-old student. She tries to save him. 

Review: What a LOVELY drama! There’s so much to like about this show starting with the plot. The back and forth between timelines is super interesting and brings so much depth to the story. It’s also an excellent way to see Ryu Sun Jae and Im Sol fall in love, over and over again. The shifts between past, present and future give a good rhythm to the intrigue, so you’ll never get bored. You’ll feel like you are rediscovering the story every time which it’s quite refreshing. Apart from the plot, the romance is what makes Lovely Runner such an amazing drama. The leads are definitely meant-to-be – no matter the hurdles along the way. Actors’ chemistry and lovey-dovey performance are top-notch and super credible. They gave me butterflies all along! Their cheesiness and cuteness will really grab your attention (as will their height difference), so that you can’t help but root for them. I believe I should also celebrate the wonderful playlist of the show that adds drama and tension, nostalgia, sadness and longing, but also hope to every moment of the couple’s relationship. Finally, I will mention my favourite character (after the leads of course) Baek In Hyuk, as he proved that even a secondary character can steal the spotlight with his comedic traits and fun personality. This drama is a MUST-WATCH of 2024! Do not wait!

Marry My Husband ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: tvN

Cast: Park Min Young, Na In Woo, Lee Yi Kyung & Song Ha Yoon
Plot: Kang Ji Won is married to Park Min Hwan. He’s selfish, and in debt. One day, Ji Won learns she has cancer and that her husband is having an affair. During an argument, he kills her. She wakes up 10 years in the past, engaged to him, but decides to make him marry his mistress, while she falls for her colleague Yoo Ji Hyuk who has a secret. 

Review: Where to begin? If you haven’t watched this hit drama yet, well I recommend you do right now. The story is AMAZING! Marry My Husband is a perfect combination of a revenge plot and a fluffy romance. The main characters are well written, especially Ji Won. She goes from a weak, kind and manipulated woman who’s wronged by her closest people to a strong, fierce and determined lady who’s assertive and strong-headed. It’s absolutely pleasant to see her vengeance, but also her new love story with the greenest of flags. The male lead is supportive, helpful, patient and caring. Seeing these two together was honestly heartwarming. The villains were horrible – which I consider an asset in a drama, because they did their part. As for the side characters, they were cute and lovely, I was rooting for all of them with my entire heart. The plot was fast-paced and intense. Not a single minute was wasted and each served the overall story. As for the ending, it was PER-FECT! The drama managed to immerse me fully in its universe, so it’s a 10 out of 10.

Midnight Photo Studio ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: ENA, Genie TV

Cast: Joo Won, Kwon Na Ra, Yoo In Soo & Eun Moon Suk
Plot: Seo Ki Joo is a photographer who runs a small photo studio. There, he only takes portraits of ghosts who come into his shop. One day, he meets Han Bom. She’s a passionate lawyer, who hates injustice. She somehow partners up with Ki Joo.

Review: If you’re new to Dramaland and have not had the occasion to watch a lot of ghost dramas yet, then Midnight Photo Studio can be a good start. Characters are interesting and all have a well-developed backstory; the plot has a good pace and manages to keep you watching; and the romance is as strong as the curse imposed on Seo Ki Joo. However, if you are a veteran drama watcher – like me – then this drama will not bring anything new or original to your past viewings. It’s all well executed, but feels like it’s a story that’s been told over and over again. A curse, a romance, ghost stories, difficulties along the way and perhaps a happy ending. Actors do a great job – I’ve never seen Kwon Na Ra cry so much in a drama before to be fair – but the drama lacks this spark of newness that turn certain shows into masterpieces. All in all, the drama is good, but missing this special something to make it stand out.

Midnight Romance in Hagwon ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: tvN

Cast: Jung Ryeo Won & Wi Ha Joon
Plot: Seo Hye Jin has worked as a private instructor for 14 years. She gained recognition as a teacher for helping Lee Joon Ho get into a prestigious university. 10 years later, Joon Ho quits his job and starts working as a rookie instructor at his former teacher’s institute. Romance unfolds.

Review: Before I start reviewing Midnight Romance in Hagwon, I think it’s important to warn you that this drama is not for everyone. It’s a slow-paced show that depicts the lives and romances of ordinary people. There are no clichés, no stereotypes, nothing dramatic or else that you can expect in other romances. It’s simple, down-to-earth and basic. If you have watched An Pan Seok’s previous works like Pretty Noona who Buys Me Food or Spring Night, you’ll recognize his print. That being said, this realism is what I liked the most about the drama. The plot is centered on the educational system in South Korea, showcasing its good, but above all, negative aspects (competition, pressure, man-eat-man world, rumors,…). Nevertheless, it also allows for an optimistic vision on education, showing that you can find other ways to make students like studying apart from the good grade and future that come with it. Moreover, I think the intrigue was splendidly written. You understand characters’ perspectives and motivations (even the ‘bad’ ones) and their discussions actually make you reflect and think. As for the romance, it started slow, but it got better and better. I appreciated that the leads were united from beginning to end. Beware, you won’t find the typical tropes. Instead, they remain solid and join forces to overcome obstacles. They’re also super sweet and really belong with each other. Finally, I really liked the direction and acting performance. There are 2 scenes in particular that impressed me for their wit and realism (one when Hye Jin and Joon Ho argue – they made me feel like I was in the room with them; and one when Joon Ho speaks with Seung Hui and destroys her with words). Plot, romance, acting performance, direction, I think the drama has everything to make you like it, if you don’t mind realistic and slow-paced shows. Give it a go, don’t stop after the first episodes and persevere, because it’s really worth your time. My only point: I would have loved even more romance between the leads because they had quite a good chemistry.

Miss Night and Day ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: JTBC

Cast: Jung Eun Ji, Choi Jin Hyuk & Lee Jung Eun
Plot: Lee Mi Jin is in her 20s and desperately looking for a job. One day, she wakes up and finds herself in the body of someone in her 50s. She uses this to get a job as an intern under Prosecutor Kye Ji Woong who also gets involved with Mi Jin at night, when she gets back to her original self.

Review: To my surprise, Miss Night and Day was a great drama that I really enjoyed. First of all, I’m really glad that they balanced the two female leads well in the sense that each of them had enough screen time and spotlight. Each of their narratives was well intertwined with the rest of the characters, especially the prosecutor. The romance was intricately weaved and I think the dynamics between the main trio were just perfect. As for the criminal plot per se, it was really well done with enough mysteries to keep you hooked, while the comedic aspect of the drama relieved the tension. The identity of the killer came as a surprise, but definitely a good one. Not going to spoil, but it was quite fresh for once. Finally, the side stories, like Ga Young and the Inspector’s romance, or even Mi Jin’s parents, were adding a nice touch to the overall vibe. All in all, it’s a great drama, easy to watch, funny, romantic and captivating. My only criticism would be the fantasy part that I thought could’ve been explained a little bit better, but it’s minimal compared to how much I liked the show.

Mr. Plankton ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 10 | Channel: Netflix

Cast: Woo Do Hwan, Lee Yoo Mi & Oh Jung Se
Plot: Jo Jae Mi has always wanted to have a family. She is about to marry Eo Heung, despite his family’s reluctance. But on their wedding day, she disappears and runs away with Hae Jo. He’s looking for his real father and Jae Mi decides to accompany him on his journey.

Review: I think I didn’t like Mr. Plankton as much as other people did. To me, it was a good drama with a poetic atmosphere and a good message at the end. But it was not THE best drama of the year either. I would say that that the story’s greatest asset is its consistency. From beginning to end, you follow characters on their journey and there’s a clear shift between who they were at first and who they are in the last episode. When characters have an actual evolution while remaining true to their purpose, that’s what I like the most in dramas. The show also offers a good reflection on family ties and especially what makes a parent, love and what it means, accepting your fate and making the best out of it. The romance made sense in my opinion and I think Woo Doo Hwan and Lee Yoo Mi had quite good chemistry on screen. However, I was missing a little something to really get me engaged in the drama. At some point, I felt like the plot was a bit redundant with the same ‘running away’ narrative. But still, Mr. Plankton remains a good drama that I would recommend.

My Sweet Mobster ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: JTBC

Cast: Uhm Tae Goo, Han Sun Hwa and Kwon Yool
Plot: Seo Ji Hwan is a former gangster who now runs a company. He hires former gansgters and helps them improve their lives. Go Eun Ha is a sweet woman who wants to spread love through her YouTube channel. One day, she accidentally hurts Ji Hwan who seems to recognize her.

Review: If you’re in need of a fluffy, sweet, funny rom-com, then you can stop looking right now. My Sweet Mobster has all the nice ingredients to make you spend a good time and enjoy the ride. First of all, I really loved that the leads, Uhm Tae Goo and Han Sun Hwa, were given the main roles, as we didn’t have the opportunity to often see them as such in Dramaland. I think everyone discovered Uhm Tae Goo’s charismatic appearance and deep voice, so I was super happy that he could finally shine through this drama. Talking about characters, Kwon Yool also diverged from his usual path by playing an upright and supportive prosecutor, who is mature enough to learn how to change his opinions on something/someone whenever he’s in the wrong. Plot-wise, I think the storyline wasn’t exceptional, but it conveyed the message quite clearly: Anyone deserves a second chance, even ex-cons. As for the atmosphere of the drama, the family formed by Seo Ji Hwan and his colleagues/bros is just way too sweet. Despite their differences in age, education, life, etc… they all share a strong bond and clearly love each other. Just like the female lead, I wished I were part of their community. But the best part of the show remains the romance between secondary characters Mi Ho and Il Yong. I was rooting for them so much! In conclusion, the plot is not very new or original, but does the job. This makes it a nice rom-com to watch.

No Gain, No Love ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: tvN

Cast: Shin Min Ah, Kim Young Dae, Han Ji Hyun & Lee Sang Yi
Plot: Son Hae Young is the type of person who doesn’t want to lose money under any circumstances. So, when she’s about to lose a promotion at her job, she asks Kim Ji Wook, the cashier of a convenience store, to become her fake husband. Though he doesn’t appreciate her, he somehow accepts.

Review: No Gain, No Love is a fun drama to watch that is easily entertaining (plus I love the theme of fake marriages). The main couple is absolutely hilarious and their constant banter gives a good rhythm to the plot. I especially loved how the female lead thinks, emphasizing that she doesn’t want to suffer any losses in her life, particularly at work – and I clearly agree with her mindset. Though the drama starts with her wanting to be promoted thanks to her good ideas and fighting against discrimination against women in the workplace, the ending was kind of bittersweet for me. I still felt like her ex benefited from her and that she was wronged. Romance-wise, I was totally smitten with the second leads (Ja Yeon and Gyu Hyun) whose relationship I was more eager to follow than the main’s. Not saying that the leads’ was not good, on the contrary. Characters’ love stories couldn’t have been more different, even the last sister of the trio. But they had a spark and chemistry that really grabbed my attention. The drama also had a decent reflection on parenthood and what makes a family, as the dynamics in Hae Young’s home differ from the usual pattern. All in all, I really liked the drama and had a good time. But the ending spoiled it a bit for me. It was too cliché and expected – exactly the time of endings I get tired of now.

No Way Out: The Roulette ⭐⭐(2/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 8 | Channel: U+mobiletv

Cast: Yoo Jae Myung, Cho Jin Woong, Kim Moo Yul & Lee Kwang Soo
Plot: Kim Kook Ho is a criminal who spent 13 years in jail. Upon his release, a bounty of 20 billion won is offered for his murder. Bae Joong Sik is a detective who wants to protect people from the killer, Lee Sang Bong is his lawyer, and Yoon Chang Jae is a butcher in need of money.

Review: No Way Out: The Roulette is not a bad drama per se. On the contrary, I think the concept is great and the game in itself leads to a good reflection. What would you do if you could win 20 billion won just by killing a horrible criminal? If you were a police officer, would you protect this kind of person? If you were a lawyer, would you believe he’s worth defending? And if you were a politician, would you let this killer wander around in your city? These are good questions that the drama tries to ask. On top of that, the idea of having a masked man playing Russian roulette while streaming was thrilling. But the drama unfortunately didn’t hold his promises. First of all, each episode is dedicated to a specific character. Although it allowed me to know more about each of them, this kind of storytelling disconnected me from the core of the intrigue aka the game itself. It also created some lengthy and boring scenes that didn’t have their place in an action/survival drama. Yet, this could be a forgivable mistake if only characters were interesting and likeable. I especially disliked the detective who only caused pain to others (family included) because of his bad decision-making. He put himself in a terrible situation and let others pay the consequences. The only complex ones worthy of my time were the priest and the hitman, though they only arrived at the end of the show. The cliffhanger in the last episode suggests a second season, but I’m not convinced the first one was enough to make me want to go through all this frustration, annoyance, and exasperation. I spent most episodes sighing and was very close to banging my head against the wall out of rage. So unless I practice patience, my tolerance for a second season would be close to none.

Pyramid Game ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 10 | Channel: TVING

Cast: Bona, Ryu Da In, Jang Da Ah, Shin Seul Ki & Kang Na Eon
Plot: Sung Soo Ji transfers to a new high school in Seoul. One her first day, she has to participate in the Pyramid Game where students vote for each other. The person with the lowest vote gets bullied for a month by the rest of the class. Soo Ji is voted out and bullied. Meanwhile, she tries to put an end to the game.

Review: This drama was spectacular! First, I need to take about the plot because it’s really what makes you want to press the ‘Next episode’ button. The drama is so well-written with a fast and suspenseful narrative. It feels like watching a chess game where Soo Ji and Ha Rin are the Queens fighting for dominion. Each episode brings about a new interesting thread of the story that, once pulled, can change the entire dynamic in the classroom. Alliances between students also play a crucial role, but they are only possible because of Soo Ji’s charismatic aura or Ha Rin’s threatening presence. Second, characters are amazing. My preference naturally goes to Sung Soo Ji, but she’s not your typical heroine. She has her faults and that’s exactly what makes her appreciable. Others, like Ja Eun, Do Ah and Ye Rim will surprise you too. Third, the friendships and relationships between bullied students depicted in the drama are credible and relatable. Who knows how one would react if one were forced to play the Pyramid Game? All of these girls show a different aspect of human nature, which makes the story even better. Finally, I can’t finish this review without mentioning the villain: Jang Da Ah. I think she delivered a good performance for a rookie actress with no experience, and made her character believable until the end. All in all, if you’re still doubting whether to watch this drama or not, don’t anymore. Pyramid Game is an excellent pick with 10 eps of only 50 minutes full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. So, will you play it?

Queen of Tears ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: tvN

Cast: Kim Soo Hyun & Kim Ji Won
Plot: Baek Hyun Woo works as the legal director of Queens Group. He comes from a poor background, but managed to climb the social ladder. He gets married to Hong Hae In who’s the arrogant heiress of Queens Group. But what seemed to be the marriage of the century turns into a crisis.

Review: If you’re wondering if the drama deserves the hype, let me give you a straight answer. Yes, it ABSOLUTELY does! The plot is really well-written, with good connections between characters and timelines. Relationships are heartwarming and touching. Whether it’d be the tumultuous love story of the leads or the middle-school romance of Hae In’s aunt, all characters have their fair share of romance and above all, spotlight. And we love that! The drama immersed me completely in its universe and the lives of these families, Yongdu-Ri village, Queens Group. There’s not a single character to throw away, even the villains do their job with perfection. As for the story itself, it perfectly combines comedy, romance, melodrama and even action. An excellent mix of genres that gives a great pace to the show. Finally, the acting performance is top-notch. Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun are more than credible as a married couple going through a crisis. My only criticism – which is not a real one – is that episode last an hour and a half. But that’s nothing when the story is that good. 100% recommended. Do not miss this drama.

Red Swan ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 10 | Channel: Disney+

Cast: Kim Ha Neul & Rain
Plot: Oh Wan Soo used to be a successful golf player. To pursue a perfect life within the upper class, she marries the successor of Hwain Group. Seo Do Yoon works as her bodyguard. He joined Hwain Group’s security team for a special reason. Through her bodyguard, Wan Soo faces a family secret.

Review: Frankly, I’m disappointed with this drama, but only partly. If you ask me to recommend a show with good action scenes, then this one ticks the box. The cliffhangers at the end of the episodes are good and the action is well executed with enough thrill to get you interested. However, there are some major issues that can’t be disregarded. Firstly, the chemistry between the leads. It’s non-existent and they also randomly start having feelings for each other. The timing is off. Second, the acting performance of Kim Ha Neul and Jung Gyu Woon playing her husband were honestly terrible in my opinion which made some serious scenes quite laughable. Talking about characters, none is very likable or useful, you don’t really root for anyone to succeed, except maybe Do Yoon, though he remains stoic and taciturn throughout the entire show. My greatest regret is that they had characters at hand that could’ve been excellent game changers (like Hwain’s butler), but they did nothing with them. They mysteriously introduced them and left them as such. Finally, the plot is a bit messy and this confusion is translated in the direction. You start the episode with one scene that has nothing to do with the one from the ending of the previous episode and you struggle to understand when the intrigue is taking place. The narrative also goes around in circle around the end focusing on common tropes (who’s the villain, what’s the house secret, who’s betrayed whom…) which turned the story into yet another bland family drama. I feel like the drama could’ve started at episode 10 in the last scene and that whatever happened before was just a warm-up. In a nutshell, the drama is ok-ish in terms of action and rhythm, but there are several loopholes that made it hard for me to entirely appreciate it.

Ready, Set, Love ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Thailand | Year: 2024 | Episode: 6 | Channel: Netflix

Cast: Pongtiwat Tangwancharoen & Kemisara Paladesh
Plot: Following a world pandemic in the 1970s, male babies have now become rare. So, the government has gathered them in a closed space named The Farm. To help them find their future wives, they’ve also created a reality show named Ready, Set, Love where women compete to win their hearts. Among them stands the Lotto Girl Day. While in the program, she meets the arrogant and popular contestant Son. Can she win his heart?

Review: I loved the concept of the drama! Generally, we tend to see several men fighting for the same woman, so I really loved that the dynamic was reversed this time. It gives way to a lot of hilarious scenes, especially in the context of the game. Men become objects that women fight for. Though the story seems like a lighthearted rom-com, the drama actually goes way deeper than just the tip of the iceberg. It also explores some dark themes that counterbalance the innocent ambiance. Men are a scarce species, so obviously people want to get control of them. And that’s the whole point of the show. You also see the not-so-nice side behind the polished surface. The romance is also quite cute and they really executed the drama properly considering that there are only 6 episodes. My only criticism would be that the plot in itself and characters were too stereotypical. There’s nothing new really, as Ready, Set, Love seemed like a giant blend of The Handmaid’s Tale and Thomas More’s Utopia (for the dystopian view on the system), Squid Game (for the games, minus the blood) and The Hunger Games or Divergent (for the poor heroine who goes against the system). It’s nicely mixed, but not original. Nevertheless, I would recommend the drama and would definitely watch season 2.

Romance in the House ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: JTBC, Netflix

Cast: Ji Jin Hee, Kim Ji Soo, Son Na Eun & Choi Min Ho
Plot: Byun Mu Jin was married to Geum Ye Yeon and they have 2 kids. But Mu Jin’s failed businesses were too much to handle for the family, so they got a divorce. Years later, he comes back rich and wants to get back together with his ex-wife, but his daughter Byun Mi Rae is firmly against it.

Review: I have to admit that I’m positively surprised with the drama Romance in the House. Not going to lie, it took me quite some time to get into it (like the first 2-3 episodes), but I really felt like the story got better and better. I liked the dynamics between characters, especially the main family. The daughter Mi Rae is the perfect mix of personalities between her father and mother which explains why they sometimes get along or clash so much between themselves. I think characters were also well-written, as I was able to put myself in their shoes all the time and understand their perspectives. Though I was not always in line with their choices, I completely got the reasons behind. That’s not something you get very often in dramas, so it was quite appreciable. The themes tackled (divorce and the impact on the family, failure and success, dream and hope for the future) are well explained which makes it easy to identify with characters’ struggles. The romances between the parents and between Son Na Eun and Choi Min Ho were also super cute! Finally, the mix of genres between mystery, romance, melo and family drama was perfectly balanced which added to the overall ambiance. All in all, I’d definitely recommend the drama. I spent a good time watching it!

Serendipity’s Embrace ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 8 | Channel: tvN

Cast: Chae Jong Hyeop, Kim So Hyun, Kim Da Som & Yun Ji On
Plot: Lee  Hong Ju is an animation production PD. When she was in high school, she fell in love for the first time. But her hard break-up made her doubt in love. 10 years later, she meets Kang Hu Young who witnessed her past. Now working as a financial planner, he meets his first love Hong Ju again.

Review: This drama was just too short! But I really liked it. To be fair, I thought this was going to be yet another simple romance, and I had no issue with that, but it turned out to be more and delivered unexpected satisfaction. Indeed, the plot is straightforward (which is a must when you have so few episodes) and characters don’t waste their time running in circles. The relationship between Hong Ju and Hu Young in the present could be depicted as any other normal one, but their connection is the past is really what makes it exceptional and so great to watch. The drama’s biggest asset is its capacity to reverse character’s perspectives, creating twists and showing that feelings may have actually been mutual. Indeed, you start the drama thinking that Hu Young is the one pursuing Hong Ju since high school. However, they are so many little details that point out to another direction. As for the secondary characters, like Kim Hye Ji, she’s just too cute and her romance is as funny as it is sweet. I was also super happy to see Lee Won Jung in another drama this year (after Hierarchy). His character was quite comforting and heartwarming. Finally, I think the Korean name of the drama, roughly translated as ‘Is It a Coincidence?’, perfectly matches the storyline and is well explained at the end. My only criticism would be that Hu Young’s mother was a bit too stereotypical, and after seeing so many dramas, this is something that annoys me. But like I said, the story is too direct to make a big issue out of it. In a nutshell, it’s a cute, simple, straightforward romance with good acting and chemistry that I recommend you watch if you’re in the mood for love.

Social Savvy Class 101 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 8 | Channel: tvN

Cast: Kim Woo Seok, Kang Na Eon & Choi Keon
Plot: Kim Ji Eun is a social misfit who feels invisible at school. One day, she finds a phone that gives her access to the administrator account of the school’s most popular social media. She now knows everyone’s secret. In order to become popular, she asks idol trainee Kang Woo Bin for help. But he also has a secret.

Review: I was looking for a nice school mini-drama to watch and I have to say that this one kept me entertained. The plot is good and well woven despite the short format of the show. I really liked the message which is that everyone has his own secrets and you should not just believe what you see. It also highlights that even the most popular kids have insecurities. That was a good way to de-dramatize Ji Eun’s social fears. She’s not the only one afraid of other people’s opinions. The main characters were good, but I didn’t really like the second leads (Dong Min and Seol Hee). Apart from bringing problems, their role was not that useful. All in all, Social Savvy Class 101 is a good drama that you can binge-watch in a day.

Spice Up Our Love ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 2 | Channel: TVING, Prime Video

Cast: Han Ji Hyun & Lee Sang Yi
Plot: Nam Ja Yeon is a web novel writer, who ends up one day catapulted in her own story. In her spicy romance, she embodies a dietitian Seo Yeon Seo, who falls in love with her company CEO Kang Ha Jun. The drama is a spin-off from currently airing drama No Gain, No Love.

Review: I was already a huge fan of that couple in No Gain, No Love, so when I heard there was going to be a spin-off with these two, I couldn’t be happier. It’s a mini-drama – to say the least – with only 2 episodes. And I believe that this short format did a disservice to the plot. First of all, the literary universe in which Ja Yeon ends up in is her own, but the way it works is not explained at all. There are only a few sentences here and there that do not really help. Contrary to W: Two Worlds and Extra-Ordinary You for example, where the dynamics of the fiction are clearly laid out. However, this is a forgivable mistake, as I said there were only 2 episodes. So, the drama went straight to the point. Second, the beginning was a bit confusing for me. At first, I didn’t understand why Yun Ha Jun was the CEO and not Bok Gyu Hyun. Of course, I was biased by the original drama. So, for someone who knows the story, it can be misleading – but probably not for a newcomer. Finally, let’s talk about the positive point: the way the spin off is actually incorporated in the actual drama. For those who have seen it, I think the way Spice Up Our Love is embedded in Gyu Hyun and Ja Yeon’s story made perfect sense. On top of that, it contributed to their romance in an atypical, yet credible way. All in all, the drama is a good distraction that is REALLY easy and quick to watch for sure!

Squid Game Season 2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 7 | Channel: Netflix

Cast: Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hun, Wi Ha Joon, Im Si Wan, Gong Yoo, Park Sung Hoon, Kang Ha Neul & Won Ji An
Plot: Seong Gi Hun is back for a second round of the deadly games in this highly-anticipated new season of Squid Game.

Review: To be honest, I was preparing myself to be disappointed with this second season. Considering the success of season one and its addictive narrative, I thought it was going to be difficult to do better or at least as well as the previous season. But I was wrong! This new season is based on the same dynamics as before, but games are new, and characters are interesting and engaging. Among the main cast, there’s not one I was not rooting for. The plot allows us to finally have glimpses on the logistics and behind the scenes on the games, how they recruit guards, who they are, etc… The concept, the decors, the pace remain as good as in the first season. There are only two points that I would note, but these are not real criticisms as I believe they will have their importance in season 3 next year: the beginning of season 2 was a bit slow, but they were just setting the tone and explaining Gi Hun’s return in the games; Jun Ho was a bit useless in that season, so I hope he’ll be more present and serve the narrative more.

Tarot ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 7 | Channel: U+mobiletv

Cast: Cho Yeo Jeong, Kim Jin Young, Park Ha Sun, Seo Ji Hoon & Ko Kyu Pil
Plot: A mystery series that entails 7 stories revolving around someone finding a tarot card and becoming trapped in a curse because of the choice they make.

Review: If you’re looking for independent bloody stories to watch for Halloween for example, I think Tarot would be a good pick. Each story lasts 30 minutes and is centered on a different character – and actor. The stories are all interesting and shed light on the negative consequences some behaviors can have on you and/or others. All of that linked to a tarot card. The concept is intelligent, the acting performance is good, and the plots well introduced though sometimes a bit extreme. For those who don’t like blood, I would however recommend against watching the drama.

The Atypical Family ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: JTBC

Cast: Jang Ki Yong & Chun Woo Hee
Plot: Bok Gwi Joo has a superpower that allows him to travel back in time to happy moments of his life. But he can’t change the past. His family members also have their own superpower, but they all start losing them due to modern time issues. One day, he meets Do Da Hae. She brings about change to the family.

Review: I loved this drama! It’s been a long time since I’ve binge-watched a drama, but this one made me want to click the next button constantly. First of all, the cast is stellar (Jang Ki Yong, Chun Woo Hee, Ryu Abel, Ko Du Shim, Claudia Kim, Choi Roy, Park So Yi to name a few). Second, the plot is fresh and original. There have been dramas on people with superpowers before, but this show linked it with societal issues, while using them to give structure and pace to the story and relationships. From beginning to end, past, present and future were cleverly connected. And the ending is just chef’s kiss; a perfect wrap up to the overall narrative. On top of that, I would also add that the drama tackles a lot of interesting topics (grief, friendship, self-acceptance, family…) and shares valuable lessons and takes on life. Finally, I could not talk about this drama without mentioning the romance (or romances should I say), because the leads’ was beautiful, but I Na’s was just the cutest! In a nutshell, 100% recommended, The Atypical Family is amazing, and absolutely atypical for its own good – even the music is unordinary.

The Double ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: China | Year: 2024 | Episode: 40 | Channel: Yukou Tudou, Viki

Cast: Wu Jin Yan & Wang Xin Yue
Plot: Xue Fang Fei is happily married to Shen Yu Rong. But one day, she’s accused of having an affair by her step-family and killed by her husband. She’s miraculously saved by Jiang Li who dies shortly after in tragic circumstances. To avenge Jiang Li and herself, Fang Fei assumes her identity. On her journey to revenge, she meets the Duke Su who becomes an ally.

Review: FLAWLESS drama! I can assure you that The Double is worth the watch! First of all, the costumes, decors, direction and acting performance are top-notch. The scenes in the rain, the storm, the snow, and the pear blossoms are absolutely beautiful. Add an incredible use of colors (red and black mainly) and you’ll get the aesthetics and cinematography of the drama. Second, the plot is extremely well-written. I loved how they turned Jiang Li’s revenge into a chess game in which anyone can be a pawn. The intrigue is full of strategy, clever moves and brilliant twists. Even the villains are smart and know how to play their cards well. I’m not going to lie though, the ending was not the one I expected, but they added post-credit scenes in another episode (40.5) that wrapped it up well. Last but not least, the romance is fantastic. The leads are a power couple, quick-witted and calm even when pressed into a corner. They stand on an equal level of capacities which is something that I definitely loved – usually indeed, heroines tend to be vulnerable and fragile, in need of protection. Well, Jiang Li sure knows how to protect herself. And don’t get me starting on the Duke, he was a perfect character. All I can say is that it would be a mistake not to check this drama out! So, don’t miss out on it.

The Frog ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 8 | Channel: Netflix

Cast: Kim Yun Seok, Yoon Kye Sang, Lee Jung Eun & Go Min Si
Plot: Koo Sang Joon used to run a vacation cottage deep in the woods back in the early 2000s. Strange things happened and he lost everything. In present days, Jeon Young Ha runs the same cottage. His peaceful life is shaken when a mysterious woman named Yoo Sung Ah appears.

Review: My level of anticipation for this drama was really through the roof the moment I saw the trailer. Unfortunately, it proved to be quite disappointing. First of all, I think there was a certain issue regarding the double timelines. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the idea of connecting the past and present. However, the drama failed at really making the 2 storylines converge and impact each other. They spent a long time describing the events of the past, all of that for almost nothing in the present. Moreover, they had really good characters (and actors at hand) like Lee Jung Eun’s character. But she proved to be quite useless in the end. They had the potential to do so much more, yet they gave them no depth. Finally, the poor judgement and decision-making of most characters made my blood boil and made the drama painful to watch by the end. It seemed like they were letting the murderer escape on purpose when they were so many after her. That was infuriating and frustrating. Nevertheless, I should still recognize the beauty of the cinematography and the disturbing direction (pool scenes, plants and paintings) that participated in the murky atmosphere. Big thumbs up also to Go Min Si’s acting performance – she was stunning. Also, just a detail but her fashion was flawless.

The Judge from Hell ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 14 | Channel: SBS, Disney+

Cast: Park Shin Hye & Kim Jae Young
Plot: Kang Bit Na is a demon with a beautiful appearance who works as an elite judge. Her job is to kill people who destroy others’ lives and don’t reflect on their actions. She meets detective Han Da On. He’s sharp and gentle, but carries a heavy pain. Their lives change greatly after their encounter.

Review: Although there’s nothing really original about this fantasy drama – you have a ‘bad’ creature who becomes good and human, and falls in love, blah, blah, blah – I found The Judge from Hell strangely, but surely addictive. And I think that’s mainly thanks first to the female lead, who’s really ambiguous and badass. Yes, she’s a demon, she’s cruel and she doesn’t hesitate to kill – and she doesn’t repent for that – but she also learns to be kind, empathetic and humane. There are 2 sides of her that are totally opposite, but could never be removed entirely from her personality. And that’s exactly what makes the character so agreeable. Moreover, I was so happy to see Park Shin Hye in an action and fantasy drama, she was so classy, elegant and fashionable, even covered in blood. And second major asset of the drama is its pace. It alternates well between action and melodrama, fast and slow. As for the plot in itself, like I mentioned, nothing really different from usual (criminals are punished, good prevails, victims can overcome traumas…), but there’s one sentence that perfectly sums the whole message of the show for me: ‘Apologizing is an obligation, but forgiveness is not.’ It’s completely stuck in my head now. As for the romance, it was good and entertaining. Park Shin Hye and Kim Jae Young make a good duo.

The Legend of Shen Li ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: China | Year: 2024 | Episode: 39 | Channel: Hunan TV

Cast: Zhao Li Ying & Lin Geng Xin
Plot: Shen Li is part of the Demon realm and is a general of the armies. Forced to marry an immortal, she decides to run away. She ends up in the mortal realm under her true form (a phoenix) and is rescued by Xing Yun. While she hides in the mortal realm, Shen Li falls in love with this mortal who hides a secret.

Review: If you’ve had the occasion to watch the hit C-Drama Princess Agents, then you will surely recognize the leads. Zhao Li Ying and Lin Geng Xin partner up again in the amazing Legend of Shen Li. The drama was absolutely perfect from start to end in my opinion. The romance is fast-paced, but coherent; there are no unnecessary romantic twists that would’ve dragged the intrigue. Characters have a clear red thread and remain true to themselves, they are consistent and well-written. Even the secondary characters, like Furong and Lady Yun, had a great transformation and really had a part to play in the story. As for the visuals, the rain scene at the end of the first episode really set the bar and the drama met all of my expectations on that topic. In a few words, the drama is just a gem that I 100% recommend you watch. No boring scenes, no useless narrative twists (even the villains have backbone), great chemistry and the ending is top-notch. Just stop what you’re doing right now and go watch it!

The Tale of Lady Ok ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024-2025 | Episode: 16 | Channel: JTBC, Netflix

Cast: Im Ji Yeon & Choo Yeong Woo
Plot: Ok Tae Young is a legal expert during the Joseon period. She’s smart, eccentric and athletic. She doesn’t hesitate to help people. But she has a secret: her name, status and husband are all fake. She meets Cheon Seung Whee who’s a story-teller traveling around the country. He fell in love with Tae Young at first sight and follows her around.

Review: I’m utterly surprised that this drama is so underrated, because it’s literally a gem. In some ways, it reminded me of the excellent My Dearest (intrigue spread out in time, complicated romance, emotional roller coaster) which makes me like the drama even more. Beware, the plots are absolutely different though! Moreover, I think that The Tale of Lady Ok is one of the most credible and emotional historical dramas I’ve ever seen. The female lead is strong, determined, stubborn and resilient. But she’s also magnanimous, kind and generous. She goes through so much over the years, and yet never resents people. She’s fair and upright making her the perfect leader. As for the male protagonist, he’s funny and aloof, but 100% devoted to her since the moment he laid his eyes on her. In terms of intrigue, one of the drama’s biggest assets is the way they play with doppelgängers and dual characters. Indeed, Tae Young is impersonating someone and hiding her real identity, while her lover has a double who looks exactly like him. The drama uses this as a triggering element to either save or put in danger characters. In a nutshell, the drama is an excellent historical drama that tells the story of an incredible woman really worth watching.

The Trunk ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 8 | Channel: Netflix

Cast: Gong Yoo & Seo Hyun Jin
Plot: Noh In Ji works for a contract marriage provider NM that provides its clients with spouses for a 1-year contract.  She meets Han Jung Won, a music producer who’s still not over his ex-wife. While they get to know each other in this arranged marriage, a mysterious trunk is recovered from a lake that leads them to uncover secrets about NM company.

Review: I had not binge-watched a drama in a long time, but I have to admit that The Trunk was somewhat addictive. The drama’s greatest asset is its capacity to depict the worst you can have in a relationship: obsession, jealousy, control, manipulation, toxicity, etc… Both leads have been through a lot and are clearly surrounded with people who are bad for them. Yet, their blossoming relationship shows that you can set yourself free and change whenever you’re no longer tied with the wrong people. The romance was sweet and slow-paced which I liked because it was clear that both characters needed that in their lives. That being said, there were however some missing points for me such as a clear lack of explanations at times. For example, I would’ve appreciated to have information on Seo Yeon’s background and motivation. Why is she acting this way? What made her like that? Same for other characters like In Ji’s people. We have absolutely no intel, they are just here and that’s it. Finally, NM company is impenetrable as well. We know nothing as to why it really exists, it just does and serves the purpose of the show. Apart from that, the drama tackles real topics linked to relationships (from domestic violence, to toxicity to being bisexual), while emphasizing on the light that can pierce through the darkness when with the right people. Only for that, you should definitely take a look!

To the Wonder ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: China | Year: 2024 | Episode: 8 | Channel: IQIYI

Cast: Zhou Yi Ran, Yu Shi & Ma Yi Li
Plot: Li Wen Xiu is a young Han girl who dreams of becoming a writer but lacks inspiration. After an unsuccessful year living in the city, she goes back to her hometown in a small village located in Xinjiang Province. There, she gets acquainted with Kazakh nomads and a young man called Batay. Wen Xiu then embarks on a journey made up of love, traditions, inspiration and life.

Review: To the Wonder is so far my best discovery of 2024! This drama is a real hidden gem, extremely well cut and polished. The story totally immerses you in the lives of Kazakh nomads, as you get to discover their lifestyle, traditions, struggles but also the beautiful landscapes they scour. This show is an ode to life, to nature and to love. It depicts the ordinary lives of ordinary people with such respect and poetry that you feel as if you’re a member of that community. Not going to lie, To the Wonder made me want to escape by taking a plane right away to Northern China to resource myself! On top of that the romance is slow-paced, simple, but yet so sweet; and the direction is chef’s kiss – I mean the cinematography is absolutely breathtaking! Everything in the drama just feels right, and it’s such a great feeling. The drama is only 8-episode long, absolutely binge-worthy in one afternoon (that’s what I did) and so addictive, you’ll have a hard time letting it go.

Wedding Impossible ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: tvN

Cast: Jun Jong Seo, Moon Sang Min, Kim Do Wan & Bae Yoon Kyung
Plot: Na Ah Jeong is an actress. She’s friends with Lee Do Han, the son of a rich family. He has to marry, but holds a secret that prevents him to. So, he asks Ah Jeong to play his fake wife. Trouble arises when Do Han’s younger brother, Lee Ji Han, starts intervening and brings Yoon Chae Won in the picture. 

Review: In the category of fluffy rom-com not too tough or long to watch, you clearly have Wedding Impossible. I think the plot is pretty straightforward, and though I knew it was going to be messy right from the start, the relationships kept me involved in the story. The leads were absolutely cute; they fell in love in the blink of an eye at a certain point (unrealistic for sure, but that’s not what you should be looking for with this drama). Characters were rather stereotypical (the grandfather, the jealous grandchildren, the friends and family, even the Do Han was a bit annoying at times), but I really loved that they didn’t turn the second female lead Chae Won into an insufferable person. She was just classy and elegant all along, and that only, makes the drama stand apart. The flow of the drama reminded me a bit of A Business Proposal. It’s just the same vibe that I appreciate so much. So, if you’re looking for a cute not-so-complicated romance, go for it!

What Comes After Love ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 6 | Channel: Coupang Play

Cast: Lee Se Young & Kentaro Sakaguchi
Plot: Hong is a Korean student in Japan. There, she meets Jungo and they fall in love. But they eventually break up due to different thoughts about love and practical problems. Five years later, they meet again in Korea. 

Review: When I think about angsty romances, that’s exactly the kind of dramas that I expect to watch. What Comes After Love is a ‘tense’ romance – in the sense that you will wonder whether the leads will rekindle the flame or not until the very end – that I didn’t know I needed to see. The chemistry between the leads is marvelous which really plays in the delivery of their feelings and love. It’s clear that they’re a perfect match, yet circumstances sometimes can break people apart. The plot is simple, straightforward and pure. There are only 6 episodes, but it was the perfect number for me to poetically portray the love story between 2 souls from different cultures who met at the right – and wrong – time. Honestly, I suffocated as much as the leads when they were apart, and enjoyed their happiness as much, if not more than them. The cinematography of the drama, the link with the seasons, poetry and literature really supported the story-telling and made the drama even better. 100% recommended!

When the Phone Rings ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: MBC, Wavve, Netflix

Cast: Yoo Yeon Seok & Chae Soo Bin
Plot: Baek Sa Eon is the youngest presidential spokesman. He got married to Hong Hee Joo 3 years ago. The latter had an accident when she was little and has mutism. The two of them married for convenience, but they have barely spoken to each other in 3 years. Their married life suddenly changes when Hong Hee Joo is kidnapped by an unidentified man.

Review: This drama is truly deserving of its hype! The plot essentially relies on twists and cliffhangers that give a fast pace to the story and made me want to click the next button every time an episode came to an end. You will surely find yourself gasping and in shock at the revelations made throughout the entire drama. Apart from the captivating intrigue, I liked the fact that you have several narratives that evolve in parallel. The big focus is on Sa Eon and Hee Joo’s relationship, but parts are also dedicated to Sang Woo’s investigation, the identity of Hee Joo’s kidnapper, and the secret that lies in Sa Eon’s family. All of these nurture the main story and influence the leads’ relationship. Once again, this makes the drama super addictive. Apart from that, there’s fire chemistry between Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin which makes their romance really credible. You want to see more of their sweet scenes every time. And trust me, their love story is chef’s kiss, their lines are so cheesy but will make anyone melt. The cinematography, especially the scenes focusing on sign language, is also top-notch. My only comment would be that the first half of the last episode was quite random and came out of nowhere, but we’ll forgive their boldness. 100% recommended!

Wonderful World ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 14 | Channel: MBC

Cast: Kim Nam Joo, Cha Eun Woo, Kim Kang Woo & Im Se Mi
Plot: Eun Soo Hyun is a psychology professor and renowned writer. One day, her son dies unjustly. Worse, the criminal responsible for his death isn’t punished by the law. So, she decides to punish him herself. In the process, she meets several people who suffer from similar pain. They heal each other.

Review: I can’t believe it took me a whole year to finish this drama because it’s actually really good. That’s mainly the reason why I didn’t want to drop it. I’m a fan of shows that put me in dilemmas and make me think. And Wonderful World was perfect for that. If you consider that the female lead loses her child after he’s been hit by a car and left for dead, wouldn’t you want revenge? Especially if the murderer showed no remorse. Now, if you learned that a woman had killed your father, wouldn’t you want to avenge him? Who’s right and who’s wrong in that situation? That’s the kind of questions the drama forces you to ask. Even better than revenge itself, Wonderful World is an investigation drama in which the main protagonists are chasing after the truth and aim at uncovering a vast political conspiracy. It’s obviously a melodrama, so prepare your tissues, but be also ready to get mad and feel betrayed. I honestly don’t know how the female lead managed to stay kind and stoic after everything she’s been through, but this just shows how much of an heroine she is. Finally, I think it’s worth mentioning that it’s definitely Cha Eun Woo’s best performance so far. He’s really showing a broader range of emotions. All in all, if you like melodramas, revenge plots and being emotionally mistreated, this show is for you!