TDrama to Watch: Just You (2013)

Just You (2013)

Grade: B

39 Episodes, 40 minutes each
Viewing Platform: Netflix

Cheng Liang Liang is a happy-go-lucky, clumsy, slightly messy, naive girl who believes the best in everyone and every situation. She is working at a local advertising company, about to celebrate her best friend and coworker's engagement to another coworker when the new owner/boss arrives and shuts down the festivities. He declares there is now an anti-offfice romance policy, and anyone in violation of the policy will face termination. Liang Liang can't stand Xi Yi's interference with true love, so she and her friends concoct a plan: make the fastidious new boss fall in love with her so he is forced to withdraw his policy! But what happens when Liang Liang realizes all the time spent wooing her boss is actually magnifying his good qualities? Will the employees start to quit in order to pursue romance when Liang Liang falters? What happens when Xi Yi's ex, the girl behind the “no romance at work” policy, comes back into his life?

*I loved the cheesy action, cartoon-like sound effects, and heart-pounding “will they kiss or not?” moments in this drama. It's not quite up to Kdrama standards, especially when the music cuts out and starts in again at random moments, but there are a lot of fun elements in this show. The primary reason this drama didn't earn a higher grade is because it is JUST TOO LONG. There is a lot more character development, but the plot's pace suffers as a result. The character development also slowed down the romantic progress between Liang Liang and Xi Yi, which was annoying, and I did not understand why Xi Yi's parents were separated in the first place. I thiiiiink his mom had to be on the run for writing a fraudulent check that his dad cashed in order to try and dig themselves out of debt, but after the set 3 year time period ran out, he still hadn't paid off the debt, so she had to stay on the lamb? Then 20 years later she forgives him for missing out on raising her only child – that was very hard for me to believe. I did like the second male lead's motivation, though. The writers even have him come out and state that supporting Liang Liang's choices in love is how he showed his love for her; his sacrifice was cast in a noble light instead of the typical masochistic light. If you can handle an extremely long drama, this one is pretty good, with a decent ending and a great on-screen kisser (Aaron Yan from “Fall In Love With Me”).*

ChDrama to Miss: My Amazing Boyfriend (2016)

Chinese drama  

My Amazing Boyfriend (2016)

Grade: C+

28 episodes, 40-45 minutes each

Tian Jing Zhi is a second female lead actress, vain about her beauty yet perfectly willing to lead a slightly less than luxurious lifestyle. Some of her money goes toward digging wells in Africa so villagers can have clean water to drink. After her latest boyfriend breaks up with her, Jing Zhi is in a terrible car accident, with the driver and passenger in the truck involved dying at the scene – a truck transporting a mysterious dormant body from a local museum. What happens when Jing Zhi shows up unscathed in the hospital with the museum piece missing from the scene of the accident? And what is going on with the mysterious man who followed her home and her heart racing at the sight of him? Will Jing Zhi discover the truth behind her latest boyfriend dumping her?

*While this drama had a great start, with plenty of lighthearted cartoon drawings added to better illustrate a character's mood and decent background music, it kept a dark feel throughout and had a terrible, vague ending. The first couple episodes had so many similarities with the kdrama “My Love From Another Star” I thought it was going to be a total rip off, but eventually this drama did distinguish itself from the kdrama. There was a lot of violence and murder, plus it's hard to get over the scenes where we have to watch the characters drinking the immortal man's blood. (I also hated his haircut and did not find him attractive or charming). The girl's character was kind of annoying, including her voice, and I ESPECIALLY disliked how the actors were often dubbed over, with the new audio not quite syncing up with the movement of the actors' lips. It wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't watch this again.*

SFilm to Maybe Watch: Our Sister Mambo (2015)

(Singapore Film) 

 Our Sister Mambo (2015) 

Four sisters, all with names inspired from their father's favorite actress, are still living at home while trying to find their place in the world. The mother is delightfully obsessed with Korean dramas, as well as intent on finding her daughters good husbands. Mambo surprises everyone when she decides to quit her job as a lawyer to pursue her true passion: cooking. Will Mrs. Wong allow Mambo to pursue her dreams, or will her practical side become an overbearing burden on their family? What happens when the youngest daughter June starts dating the son of Mrs. Wong's office enemy? How will Mambo's dinner invitation to her sister Grace's love interest, the divorcee with a child, go over with the family? Will Rose ever settle down?

*Indian films are the only ones I've watched where the actors slip in and out of English dialogue – this film switches between English, Cantonese, and Chinese, with a handful of Korean phrases just for fun. It's a little bit difficult to keep up with it, since the English phrases do not have subtitles while the lilt in their voices, the vocal pattern, is decidedly Chinese. It was a clean film, but it also lacked tension – nothing bad happens to anyone. Aside from the mother's disapproval, the family had very few altercations, keeping the feel quite calm. Basically, it's a bit on the dull side, but sometimes that can be a nice break. I might watch it again.*

Kdrama to Miss: Prosecutor Princess (2010)

Prosecutor Princess (2010)

Grade: C+

16 Episodes

Spoiled, materialistic Ma Hye-ri agrees to study law after her father threatens to kick her out and make her own living. Unfortunately, she doesn't make a good first impression when her boss finds out she skipped an important training meeting to go skiing and attend a luxury handbag and shoe designer launch party. At the resort, Hye-ri has her purse stolen, loses the shoes she bid for, and bungles prosecutor Yoon Se-jun's efforts to capture an evasive suspect. She does meet an interesting man, the lawyer Seo In-woo who offers to let her stay in his suite after Hye-ri loses her hotel reservation. Soon after, Hye-ri discovers the prosecutor training and overseeing her cases is none other than Yoon Se-jun, and he knows Hye-ri is the reason his suspect, a man he'd been chasing for nearly three years, was still at large. Hye-ri is soon ostracized and given little to no case work because no one will take the naive, fashionable prosecutor seriously. What happens when her mysterious benefactor In-woo appears, offering more help and guidance? Will Hye-ri be able to win the approval of her co-workers and her father? And why is In-woo so interested in Hye-ri if he knows she has feelings for someone else, even offers to help her win that man's heart?

*Hye-ri's character has a bit of a “legally blonde” vibe at first, what with the cute skirts, frilly office décor and airhead-like optimism. It was difficult to like the materialistic girl, even after a few flashbacks reveal she was once very fat and had all the emotional issues that go with it. It wasn't believable though, what with the comical, almost cartoon-like fat suit she wore while trying to express a serious, difficult period in her life. The music was annoying as well, repetitive and banal, and the plot was SO SLOW. I had a difficult time finishing this because it was just so boring. It wasn't as bad as “Nine: Nine Time Travels” but it was close. The love interests were confusing as well. I'm starting to think it's better to write love stories as clearly defined “A likes B, but C likes A” - not this nebulous “I think I have feelings for him, I've acted like I do for more than half the show, but maybe I actually like the guy that was helping me win the first guy's affections...” I won't watch this again.

KFilm to Miss: Enemies In-Law (2015)

Enemies In-Law (2015)

Han Chul-soo causes an accident on the freeway evading police who are after his criminal parents, but instead of fleeing, he saves Park Young-hee from burning wreckage. Young-hee is the daughter of a police officer, she and her sisters are police officers, and Chul-soo's parents are the only culprits Young-hee's father would like to catch before his retirement. Chul-soo vows to become a police officer himself, much to his parents' dismay, in order to prove himself worthy of Young-hee. What happens when Young-hee and her sisters close in on a serial killer and the killer knows it? Will the outlaws and officers have to work together to keep their family members safe?

*As exciting as the premise may sound, it is based on the tired Romeo-Juliet trope, and I actually stopped the film in the middle to go do other things because I was so bored. The thief parents had some amusing antics, tricking their way past police and guards, but it didn't make up for the lackluster plot. I also didn't like the serial killer's profile: a thieving, raping, murdering criminal, and the movie shows too much of those details. It's despicable, yet at the same time, with all the talking about it in the movie, it loses most of its shock value by the end. That subject matter should never feel commonplace, because it is horrific. I didn't like this movie, and I wouldn't recommend it.*

InFilm to Watch: Bodyguard (2011)

Bodyguard (2011)

Bodyguard Lovely Singh comes to work for the wealthy politician and businessman Sartaj; he had saved Lovely's mother before he was born. Sartaj's daughter, Divya, is annoyed at her father's order for the bodyguard to accompany her everywhere, including college, so she comes up with a plan to mess with the good-natured Lovely. Divya calls Lovely's cell phone using a blocked number, and he doesn't recognize her voice on the phone, so she pretends to be a secret admirer. Divya's friend Maya tries to warn her – this kind of game will only lead to pain – and soon the humor in tricking the loyal bodyguard fades as Divya's love for Lovely grows. Will Divya's father approve of her feelings? What happens when those seeking vengeance against Sartaj put Divya and Lovely in danger? Will Lovely ever find out Divya's true feelings?

*This film is great for anyone who enjoys absolutely terrible CGI, hilarious fan service moments like pressurized water aimed at just the right angle to tear off a ripped man's shirt, and gratuitous violence complete with ketchup-like fake blood. The dance numbers felt more like music videos randomly inserted into the film, but they were still enjoyable. There was a twist at the end I did not see coming, and while eventually there is a good ending, I've never liked the “a few years later” plot device. Also, Divya's character seems especially immature, particularly with her idea to prank the annoying bodyguard, and it makes it hard to believe she can so deeply love him after a few silly phone calls. Lovely's character is sweet, though, and I liked the music, so I might watch this again.*

KDrama to Watch: Another Oh Hae Young (2016)

Another Oh Hae Young (2016)

Grade: B

18 Episodes, 70 minutes each

+2 Bonus “Making Of” episodes

Sound producer Park Do-kyung decides to have his revenge on his ex-fiancee and ruins her man's business, all with a simple suggestion for a large investor Do-kyung happened to know to pull out his money. In the meantime, Do-kyung starts to have visions of a girl he's never met. A few weeks later he runs into the girl, stunned that she actually exists, and even more surprised once he notices that the visions seem to be showing his future with her. The mystery girl's name? Oh Hae Young – the exact same name as his ex-fiancee. Do-kyung then discovers he's made a terrible mistake: he is responsible for destroying THIS Hae Young's marriage by bankrupting HER fiance, not his ex-fiancee's man, all because the two Hae Youngs went to the same high school! What happens when both Oh Hae Youngs find out what Do-kyung did? Will the Hae Young in the visions change Do-kyung's life for the better, or will he die alone, full of regret?

*This Korean drama is currently the MOST successful cable television series of all-time in Korea, but I did not love it. I actually found the love story between the secondary characters much more compelling – the one between Do-kyung's older sister and his best friend since childhood. The characters were strong, plus the actors for those two have a large on-screen presence that really takes away from the main couple. I didn't like some of the cinematography either – lots of screen jumps that were just too rapid (especially since I have to keep an eye on subtitles). There were also several times I could not distinguish between a “vision,” a flashback from the past, and a quick look back from earlier in a “day.” Usually there is a certain type of screen effect or special lighting to make it obvious, but the shots were too similar. The plot does have an interesting supernatural element, but the only explanation, that his love/regret is SO GREAT it tears through the fabric of time, didn't quite work for me. I didn't really like the actress that played the second Oh Hae Young, either. Overall, it's a pretty cute show, with some slow, sad, self-imposed misery in parts but also some great comedic moments. I might watch it again.*

Web KDrama to Watch: Noble, My Love (2015)

Noble, My Love (2015)

Grade: B+

20 Episodes, 15 minutes each

Optimistic veterinarian Cha Yoon Seo works hard in her rural practice, trying to make ends meet and pay off student loans. One stormy night she has a run-in with a mysterious, attractive stranger. She finds the handsome man drenched from the downpour and nearly unconscious, clutching his bleeding torso on the steps of her animal hospital. He pleads with her to not call the police, so she stitches him up herself. The following morning CEO Lee Kang Hoon leaves before Yoon Seo wakes, leaving a business card behind. What happens when Yoon Seo doesn't call the handsome, eligible CEO to ask for compensation? Will Kang Hoon be able to get the poor but beautiful and spunky business owner off his mind? What will Yoon Seo have to say about his interference in her life?

*This is a pretty cute show, full of all our favorite kdrama tropes: the eligible, arrogant and handsome chaebol can't get the unusual poor but pretty girl off his mind, and in the process he comes across as totally possessive and crazy, simply because he doesn't know how to express his feelings very well. There's a disapproving mother, a female frenemy, a love rival, and some sibling issues thrown in for good measure. There are a few cheesy cartoon-like elements, like when the animals are given thought bubbles, or when the main characters blush, but I like that sort of thing! I really liked the actor who played Kang Hoon's assistant – he was like the wise, unseen hand that helped make things happen. The last couple episodes were a bit slow, but it does have a good ending and plenty of funny moments throughout. I'd watch this again.*

TDrama to Watch: [Drunken to] Love You (2011)

Taiwanese Drama [Drunken to] Love You (2011)

Grade: A-

30 Episodes, about 40 minutes each

Lin Xiao Ru's plans to spend her annual vacation in Las Vegas are derailed when her pilot boyfriend of 4 years suddenly cancels on her with only the statement that someone needs him more than she does for explanation. The distraught Xiao Ru ends up drinking all night with a stranger: successful interior designer Song Jie Xiu, who had attempted to propose earlier that day to his supermodel-turned-actress girlfriend of 8 years. With a ring in his pocket and two broken hearts between them, the intoxicated pair wake the next morning to find themselves legally married! Jie Xiu's girlfriend Tang Ai Wei discovers the marriage, but in order to keep her very first movie role, she asks the two to remain married until filming is completed. Meanwhile, Xiao Ru finds out the reason her pilot left was to take responsibility for the flight attendant he impregnated. What happens when Jie Xiu steps in to help Xiao Ru save face, gives her a shoulder to cry on, then goes out of his way to “lend” her some happiness? Will Xiao Ru grab hold of the happiness she's found, or will she surrender to Ai Wei, since Jie Xiu wasn't Xiao Ru's to take in the first place? How will Jie Xiu's estranged mother feel about the arrangement? Will the orphaned Xiao Ru ever find her own mother?

*For a Taiwanese drama, this was a VERY good show, on par with most Korean dramas and an even better plot than some, despite “cheesy” elements and tropes. The intro has cute animation and music (if you can get past the lyrics about "doing it" all night...), the fairly lighthearted script has decent pacing, plus there is great chemistry between the leads. Rainie Yang is a super cute actress with clothes I would love to own, and I really liked her character, aside from the tendency to be more self-sacrificing than necessary. Joseph Chang reminded me a little bit of Keanu Reeves as far as his looks, and my favorite acting moment is when the serious Jie Xiu finally allows his mother to hug him – he tolerates it for a few moments, but then he starts rolling his eyes and shaking with annoyance the more she fawns over him, until she lets go and he walks away in a huff. Hilarious! 

I will say this is definitely an ADULT show, as it covers topics such as abortion, premarital sex, and even rape, but they handled these topics without a lingering nasty feeling to it - not more than a PG-13 rating's worth. I definitely liked it much better than the **first show, “Fated to Love You” - better pacing and no awkward “several years later” separation between the characters. I'd watch this again!*

**This is supposed to be the second installment in a three-part series, with “Fated to Love You” (2008) as the first, but I could find no clear information about a third installment. Fun fact: I recognized FOUR actors from “Fated to Love You” in this show, and now I know why!

KFilm to Watch: The Huntresses (2014)

The Huntresses (2014)

Three female bounty hunters from the Joseon era work together to earn a living. Pocket sundials, expert archery, disguises, hang gliders, weaponized yo-yos and daring acrobatics keep these huntresses in business. There is the talkative, crazy, married Hong Dan; the tough and solemn Ga Bi; and the sweet, inventive leader, Jin Ok (Ha Ji-won from “Secret Garden”!). The girls stumble across a plot to overthrow the king while out on a hunt, complete with a mysterious artifact that reveals the enemy strategy. What happens when Jin Ok freezes at the sight of the noble responsible for her father's demise? Will the huntresses be able to save their country, and themselves?

*A little on the bloody side, but otherwise an entertaining movie. Some of the music gave the film a “Charlie's Angels” vibe, despite being set in the Joseon era. There was a little humor, a little romance, but mostly action and fighting. Not bad considering I don't normally enjoy period Korean pieces. Some of the special effects were a bit cheesy, but I'd still recommend watching it.*

InFilm to Miss: Singh Is Kinng (2008)

Singh Is Kinng (2008) 

The klutzy, unlucky Happy is a menace in his local village, constantly creating chaos and new property damage every time he “helps” a neighbor. Meanwhile, the famous gangster king Lucky is in trouble with Australian authorities, and the news causes his villager father to have an asthma attack. The villagers tell Happy it was a heart attack, leading him to believe it is imperative for Lucky to come home. Will Happy be able to convince Lucky to return, or will the villagers finally be rid of their menace? What happens when Happy meets the girl of his dreams along the way? Will Happy be able to change the gangsters' hearts?

*This film has a lot of gun violence and raunchy dance numbers, complete with casino chorus line girls in next to no clothing. Usually the lengthier running times for these films lends itself to writing deeper characters, but the lead female has next to no personality. Lots of hip-hop and rap influenced music, which is not my taste and I don't think it complements Indian culture very well. I won't watch this again, and I don't recommend it.*

KDrama to Miss: Me Too, Flower! (2011)

Me Too, Flower! (2011)

Grade: C+

15 Episodes

Police officer Cha Bong-sun completes her tasks as she should but ultimately is restless and unhappy. She even finds out she has depression, after attending a work-mandated psychological screening. One day, the youthful, exuberant Seo Jae-hee nearly runs over Bong-sun on his scooter. They run into each other again later, where she observes the young man working as a car valet at a high-end department store – a low-paying job with few prospects. Jae-hee teases Officer Cha, but then he overhears her leave a message on the therapist's voice mail. She feels worthless and unlovable. Will Jae-hee's heart be moved for this sad, lonely officer? What happens when Jae-hee's female business partner finds out he might have feelings for the female officer? And what will Bong-sun's non-blood related, gold-digging step-sister have to say about the entrepreneur in disguise?

*This drama really had a promising beginning, with plenty of tension between the main love interests for the first few episodes, but it soon fizzled out. There was a lot of American music, which felt out of place, and then the rest of the soundtrack was slow and sad – fitting for the feel of the drama, but not my favorite. The characters just weren't all that likable, most of their struggles were annoyingly self-inflicted (I think Bong-sun and Jae-hee break up three separate times over the course of the show, for arbitrary reasons they come up with), and the ending was too tidy. It felt like the writers ran out of material for plot so they wrote how every character ended up simply for filler. Definitely not the worst Kdrama I've watched but kind of boring. Also, kind of a weird title that had nothing to do with anything. I wouldn't watch it again.*

KDrama to Miss: Can We Get Married? (2012)

Can We Get Married? (2012)

Grade: D+

20 Episodes

After dating for three years, teacher Hye-yoon and small toy company employee Jung-hoon declare their intentions to marry. Hye-yoon's widowed mother only approves of the match once she discovers Jung-hoon's parents are wealthy, but his parents disapprove of Hye-yoon once they realize she does not live up to their standard of living, unable to gift them with extravagant in-law presents. Then Hye-yoon's mom disapproves because of the way they are treating Hye-yoon and because they plan to give all their wealth to charity, not their only child. Meanwhile Hye-yoon's sister Hye-jin starts the official divorce process with her husband of seven years, finally having enough of his serial adultery once the latest mistress confronts and challenges Hye-jin. Jung-hoon's cousin, chef and restaurant owner Ki-joong, breaks up with his girlfriend of five years, the girl who first introduced Hye-yoon and Jung-hoon, claiming he doesn't believe in it, only to get engaged for a business alliance. Will anyone get married in this atmosphere of posturing, social pressures, and insecurities?

*This was basically a plain old boring American soap opera, in Korea. No supernatural spin, just normal life and normal shortcomings, pride, arguments – SO MUCH YELLING – and misunderstandings. The only story line I enjoyed was the single 50-year-old aunt who lived at home with Hye-yoon and finally found love with a younger man after a test ride on a motorcycle. I would have watched a series entirely about that character. The music was boring, too. Really, I was just annoyed with how petty and mean everyone was to each other, as well as all the sleeping around. Lots of swearing, pre- and extramarital affairs with virtually no regret – none of the usual build up I expect and enjoy in kdramas. Don't waste your time. I won't watch this again or recommend it.*

InFilm to Watch: Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015)

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015)

In a retelling of the classic tale “The Prince and the Pauper,” average, happy-go-lucky stage actor Prem Dilwale has a dream to someday meet and woo the princess Maithili, after witnessing her charitable endeavors once in earlier years. Meanwhile, the somber and doleful prince of Prem's own land, Vijay Singh, has his coronation coming and an engagement to that same princess Prem adores, all while dealing with family turmoil. The prince has 3 half-siblings, one half-brother and two half-sisters, who want nothing more than the prince's demise after what they perceived as unjust treatment of their mother from the queen when they were all children. Just days before his coronation, Vijay is thrown off a cliff and sent into a coma. What happens when the head of security catches a glimpse of Prem, the perfect princely doppleganger, at a local market? Will Prem finally meet his beloved princess and mend the broken ties between the prince's relations, or will Prem meet the same fate as the prince?

*This movie is close to 3 hours long, but the setting and costumes are absolutely stunning. I even enjoyed the many musical numbers, possibly because they were shorter than most musical numbers – only one or two minutes – and spread throughout the film, rather than 10 solid minutes of a dedicated song and dance every few scenes. There is a scene that shows a defenseless, frail 80-year-old man being hanged, which is very sad and disturbing, and it doesn't seem like the villains are punished for their despicable acts. The palace scenes are gorgeous, though, and it has a decent pace for such a long film. I'd watch this again, even though there is NO KISSING, but definitely skip the scenes with the poor guard being killed.* 



Here are a couple music videos to watch from the movie - the first one, "Jab Tum Chaho," is the princess replying to Prem what she dislikes about the prince. Basically she calls him out for making the relationship one-sided, with him in charge, always getting his own way. And the way the singer's voice trills is mesmerizing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib75N9WDOd8 

The second video, "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo" Title Song, is a magnificent culmination of everything this film has to offer: gorgeous sets, intricate dance numbers, and amazing costumes.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPk9bSvQQoc 

InFilm to Watch: Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015)

Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015)

Lower middle-class Prem Prakash Tiwari owns a small cassette tape shop in the local market in the year 1995, living at home with his parents and aunt, with little ambition to do anything with his life. He is a high school dropout and his family struggles to make ends meet, until one day Prem's father comes up with a plan to arrange a marriage for Prem to a well-educated middle class woman. She has credentials and plans to become a teacher, thus providing more stable income for their whole family. Prem is reluctant, and even more so when he meets his bride, Sandhya, and sees she is overweight. What happens when an acquaintance makes a bet with Prem's family over who will win the local wife-carrying race? Will the new couple be able to accept their arranged marriage, or will the immature Prem ruin his chances at a loving relationship?

*I liked the transformation Prem experiences as he grows to appreciate his wife, show his vulnerable side, and as she too learns to support and love him. There is a scene where she slaps Prem (a well-deserved hit for calling her a fat cow in public while drunk), but he immediately slaps her back. That was hard for me to watch, since in America it is culturally unacceptable for a man to strike a woman, ever. Prem was chastized and beaten by his father afterwards, but there didn't seem to be as much shock over his behavior as I was expecting. It was also interesting how relatable this film was on several levels, since most people are virgins in the Indian culture when they marry, just like in the LDS culture. (It doesn't show anything, just a little kissing). I would say this film is close to a mild PG-13, simply because of some of the subject matter which included talk of suicide and marital relations. I might watch this again.*

TDrama to Watch: Fated to Love You (2008)

Taiwanese Drama

Fated to Love You (2008)

Grade: B

24 episodes, about 75 minutes each

Meek office worker Chen Xin Yi has a very kind nature that everyone takes advantage of, giving her extra work and menial tasks to do instead of her own job. She doesn't think much of herself, and even her boyfriend ignores and mistreats her. Chen Xin Yi is determined to make that relationship stick, though, so she buys the two of them passage on a romantic cruise. Meanwhile, CEO Ji Cun Xi has plans to woo and propose to his ballerina girlfriend on the same cruise. There is also a father-son duo that sneaks on board in an effort to drug and blackmail Ji Cun Xi – the CEO just bought their small island factory and has plans to lay off everyone, destroying their island's economy. What happens when the ballerina girlfriend doesn't show, Chen Xin Yi takes some powerful cold medicine and wanders into Ji Cun Xi's room, and Ji Cun Xi is tricked into drinking the islander's secret fertility moonshine? Will the “sticky-note girl” be able to handle life attached to an arrogant, temperamental CEO? Or will she find a different destiny?

*I saw the Korean version of this show first, but I think I like the original Taiwanese version better. It's a lot longer, so there is more time for deeper, more meaningful character development. Ji Cun Xi really has the chance to grow and mature, and while there is some “fast-forwarding,” it doesn't feel like a “cheat.” I didn't like the extra screen time the ballerina girlfriend received; it felt like the writers were really trying to justify her behavior, exploring her past, when she was absolutely responsible for *spoiler alert!* Chen Xin Yi's miscarriage, no matter what drove her to do such a despicable thing. Ji Cun Xi had no reason to keep going back to the ballerina, no matter how “broken” she was. Aside from that, and how some of the scenes were almost too goofy, this was a high quality production for a Taiwanese drama. As long as you don't mind the initial, risque premise (promiscuity leading to an unexpected pregnancy and a resulting shotgun wedding), then this is a fun, albeit long, show to watch. I might watch this again.*

KDrama Web Series to Watch: Click Your Heart (2016)

Click Your Heart (2016)

Grade: B

7 episodes, about 15 minutes each

Kwon Min Ah is a high school transfer student with incredible bad luck that seems to follow her everywhere. Will dating at this school finally end her “curse”? What happens when she chooses to pursue the school's star baseball player Kim Ro Woon? What happens when she hears a love confession from her childhood friend Lee Da Won? What happens when she decides to date the school's tough bad boy Baek Ju Ho? What happens when she falls for the charismatic school Kpop dancer Kang Chan Hee?

*This show mimics the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books in that the audience gets to see Min Ah pursue four different boys in four separate story lines. It is cute and unexpected, and a really quick watch for just a small dose of Kdrama. Of course, not much character development can happen in this style of show, but it was entertaining. I might watch this again.*

List of KDramas and Their Grades

To make your next drama selection a little easier, I have sorted all the Korean dramas I've watched into one list, ranked by grade. They are in no particular order aside from grade at this point, but when I update this list, I will put new entries on the bottom of the corresponding section. 

And here's a link to a list of all the films I've watched if you're in the mood for something quick! 
List of Foreign Films

A

Secret Garden (2010), A+

My Fair Lady (2009), A+

You're Beautiful (2009), A+

Lie to Me (2011), A

My Princess (2011), A

Healer (2015), A

Greatest Love (2011), A

Dramaworld (2015), A
Kill Me, Heal Me (2015), A
Touch Your Heart (2019), A

Flower Boy Ramen Shop (2011), A-

Playful Kiss (2010), A-

The Master's Sun (2013), A-

My Love from Another Star (2014), A-

Big (2012), A-

My Lovely Sam Soon (2005), A-

Hyde, Jekyll, Me (2015), A-

Oh My Venus (2015), A-

Falling in Love with Soon Jung (2015), A-

My Unfortunate Boyfriend (2015), A-

Heartstrings (2011), A-
TDrama Drunken to Love You (2011), A-
Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog (2012), A-
Jealousy Incarnate (2016), A-

B

Protect the Boss (2011), B+

My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho [Nine-TailedFox] (2010), B+ 

To The Beautiful You (2012), B+

Rooftop Prince (2012), B+

Personal Taste (2010), B+

Coffee Prince (2007), B+

Heirs (2013), B+

Dream High (2011), B+

Cunning Single Lady (2014), B+

Good Doctor (2013), B+

Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010), B+

Full House Take 2 (2012), B+

Bride of the Century (2014), B+

Tomorrow's Cantabile (2014), B+

Noble, My Love (2015), B+ 

TDrama Refresh Man (2016), B+

TDrama Who's The One (2011), B+

Descendants of the Sun (2016), B+

Goblin: The Great and Lonely God (2016), B+

Web Drama Go Ho's Starry Night (2016), B+ 
Oh! My Lady (2010), B+
Hotel Del Luna (2019), B+

Cinderella and the Four Knights (2016), B+

Boys Over Flowers (2009), B

Creating Destiny (2009-10), B

A Gentleman's Dignity (2012), B

I Can Hear Your Voice (2013), B

Oh My Ghostess (2015), B

Flower Boys Next Door (2013), B

Clean With Passion For Now (2018), B

Producer (2015), B

Fated to Love You (2014), B
Fated to Love You - Taiwanese (2008), B
Click Your Heart (2016), B 
Another Oh Hae Young (2016), B
My Little Lover (2016), B 
Web Drama Momo Salon (2014), B
Web Drama Spark (2016), B 
One Percent of Something (2016), B
Marriage Not Dating (2014), B
I'm Not A Robot (2017), B
The Legend of the Blue Sea (2017), B
Suspicious Partner (2017), B
Jugglers (2017), B

Jdrama An Incurable Case of Love (2020), B

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022), B

Business Proposal (2022), B

Love Cells (2015-16), B-

The Virtual Bride (2015), B-

It's Okay, That's Love (2014), B-

Faith/The Great Doctor (2012), B-

Pasta (2010), B-

Coffee House (2010), B-

Full House (2004), B-
TDrama Murphy's Law of Love (2015), B-
The Sound of Your Heart (2016), B-
JDrama Good Morning Call (2016), B-
Let's Eat (2014), B-
My Horrible Boss (2016), B-
Strong Girl Do Bong-Soon (2017), B-
What's Wrong with Secretary Kim? (2018), B-
Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter (2018), B-
Her Private Life (2019), B-
Melting Me Softly (2019), B-
Emergency Couple (2014), B-

Lucky Romance (2016), B-

Rich Man, Poor Woman (2018), B-

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021), B-

Hospital Playlist (2020-2021), B-

Revolutionary Love (2017), B-

The Man's Voice (2021), B-

Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency (2019), B-

Anything below a B- I wouldn't watch again or recommend, but the synopsis can help you decide for yourself.

C

JDrama 99 Days With the Superstar (2011), C+

Memorist (2020), C+

Warm and Cozy (2015), C+
My Secret Romance (2017), C+
Me Too, Flower! (2011), C+
Pinocchio (2014), C+

Manny (2011), C+

Cheongdam-dong Alice (2012), C+

Shut Up Flower Boy Band (2012), C+

Prosecutor Princess (2010), C+

Goong/Princess Hours (2006), C+

Dream Knight (2015), C+ 

Madame Antoine (2016), C+

Web Drama My Runway (2016), C+

TDrama When I See You Again (2016), C+
She Was Pretty (2015), C+

Chinese Accidentally in Love (2018), C+

100 Days My Prince (2018), C+

Heartbeat (2023), C+

My Sassy Girl (2017), C

So I Married the Anti-Fan (2021), C

JDrama Happy Marriage!? (2016), C
Pretty Man/Bon Ami (2013), C 

City Hunter (2011), C

Shining Inheritance (2009), C

Dr. Jin (2012), C

Nine: Nine Time Travels (2013), C

Mary Stayed Out All Night (2010), C
Web Drama After School: Lucky or Not 2 (2014), C

ChDrama Love 020 (2016), C

Cheese in the Trap (2015), C-

I'm Sorry, I Love You (2004), C-

Gu Family Book (2013), C-
Seonam Girls High School Investigators (2014), C-
TDrama Bromance (2015), C- 
Color of Women (2012), C- 
My Shy Boss (2017), C-

Vincenzo (2021), C-

Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022), C-

D

Because This Is My First Life (2017), D+

Mad for Each Other (2021), D+

Dodosolsollalasol (2020), D+

Evergreen/That Man, Oh Soo (2018), D+
Can We Get Married? (2012), D+
Summer Scent (2003), D

Beauty Inside (2018), D

12 Signs of Love (2012), D-

F

In Need of Romance (2011), F

Mine (2021), F