My mates!
It’s formally EOY season, which is after we look again on our drama years, and determine which dramas have been worthy of our love, and which dramas we perhaps shouldn’t have spent as a lot time on, as we did. 😁
As earlier than, we’ll be seeing as much as 2 visitor posts per week, and this may unfold into January 2025, and my annual year-in-review will come out in early 2025, after all of the visitor posts have been revealed.
This fashion, by placing all our experiences collectively, we get a extra wholistic view of Dramaland in 2024. Fairly nice, sure? 🤩
Sean is kicking us off this yr (thanks, Sean! ❤️).
Our resident time-and-space bender is not only superb at watching dramas at warp pace, whereas nonetheless managing his many real-life obligations, he’s even forward of the sport, on the subject of the EOY posts!
In truth, he’d began writing his, lengthy earlier than I truly introduced our annual EOY mission, over on Patreon! 🤯
As all the time, Sean’s drama accomplishments this yr are many and assorted, which implies that greater than possible, you’ll study quite a lot of dramas that you just may’ve by no means heard of in any other case. 😁
Sean additionally writes about administration and management on his personal weblog, which you’ll be able to go to right here.
I hope you guys take pleasure in!
~ KFG ❤️
You Are About to Enter the Twilight Zone
That is my eighth yr watching Asian dramas, proper throughout the board.
In newer instances I’ve observed that Cdramas are shortly closing the hole with Kdramas. Jdoramas have continued of their standard vein and Taiwanese dramas proceed to transition, coping with extra severe subjects.
Thai dramas are additionally altering. They’re changing into “glossier,” and we’re attending to see different sorts of dramas and never simply Lakorns. Filipino dramas are on the rise however, at this level, I a lot choose their movies over their dramas.
As we all know, all nations have in the reduction of on the size of their reveals. Often, some nonetheless roll out an extended present (besides China).
Nevertheless, I’ve discovered that the shorter Kdrama format of 8, 10, 12 episodes has uncovered the weak spot of some productions that also insist on 16, 20 or 24 episodes. Viewers are savvy on the subject of filler episodes.
China is lastly releasing many dramas from the COVID period and a few of these are what’s resulting in closing the Kdrama hole.
China additionally has many minisode dramas. These are reveals with episodes which can be sometimes 10-Quarter-hour in size. A few of them are fairly good and lots of actors minimize their tooth in such dramas or take trip to catch their breath.
Regardless of my efforts to chop again on the variety of reveals, my viewing stats for the yr throughout 156 dramas are:
- Accomplished: 86
- Dropped: 70 (for greater than half I had watched 50% or extra)
- Pre-2024: 32
- By Nation: Ok: 61, C: 62, J: 25, TW: 1, Th: 5, HK: 1 P: 1
- Longest: 183 episodes
- Shortest: 6 episodes
So, for this put up, I’m going to deal with what I think about the perfect in every class after which, from these choose my primary present for 2024. However first…
A Little Bit About Me
For many who don’t know, I reside in Western Australia, the oldest landmass on the planet, and the second largest state of any nation. This implies the panorama will not be solely historic but additionally lovely from prime to backside.
Essentially the most various plants is right here, our wildflowers are beautiful, stretching so far as the attention can see.
We’re additionally dwelling to the Black Swan, many various species of kangaroos and wallabies, together with emus and all kinds of parrots and cockatoos. And, sure – I see our fauna daily, together with snakes and spiders, JJ. I reside and work in a big out of doors zoo.
I’m at the moment the CEO of a neighborhood authorities that has grow to be a improvement “sizzling spot.”
The district I handle is prime agricultural land. Each mining and inexperienced renewables value billions are muscling in on what is called the “farming golden triangle” and peri-urban notes are growing as we’re solely an hour and twenty minutes from the State capital, Perth.
2024 has been busier than ever. I’ve been within the Supreme Court docket offering options to disputes, partaking with state and nationwide politicians (ministers of the crown, shadow ministers and different parliamentarians), collaborating within the Power Transition for the State, growing plans for the long run, main multi native authorities tasks (together with one housing improvement that may allow 450 houses for staff throughout the Wheatbelt).
Kdrama watching and Asian drama watching usually has allowed me to maintain my sanity, though some reveals make me really feel like I’m watching one thing in an alternate universe.
Righto then, right here we go along with my varied award winners…
Finest Comedy
Knight Flower got here alongside on the proper time, early on and promising a lot for the drama yr forward.
Should you weren’t a fan of Honey Lee earlier than this, you can be after watching Knight Flower.
What we get to expertise in Knight Flower is a younger widow who turns into the harbinger of crime every evening – that’s to say, she pronounces her presence first after which carries out her personal model of justice.
We get to see some hilarious moments and occasions similar to her tiger portray duplicate to switch the one she stole.
Then we now have this fabulous relationship between her and Lee Jong Gained (who’s okay in Brewing Love – however not a patch on his function in KF). All of the whereas, her father-in-law will not be what he appears.
Honey Lee has all the time been a very good actress and a high quality comic. She has had a busy yr, with The Fiery Priest Season 2 additionally on our screens.
As with every present that Honey is in, there’s all the time an in joke and we see this in episodes 9 and 10 of Fiery 2 the place she is dressed up as Cho Yeo Hwa from Knight Flower.
It’s additionally value monitoring down the behind the scenes and out takes from Knight Flower, simply to see how concerned {and professional} Honey is together with her drama tasks 🐝
Finest Authorized Drama
Good Companion is great viewing. Whether or not it’s proper from the upbeat opening credit by way of to each case.
The appearing is prime notch. We get to see Jang Na Ra and Nam Ji Hyun take every story to the subsequent stage. We get to see develop between the 2 feminine leads an amazing friendship, primarily based on an evolving mutual respect.
In truth, the relationships between Cha Eun Gyeong, Han Yu Ri, Jung U Jin and Jeon Eun Ho are what makes this present, together with their delicate therapy of shoppers and the difficult divorce instances they cope with.
My ultimate remark: wasn’t it nice to see Kim Joon Han (as Jung U Jin) play a pleasant character as an alternative of a scumbag.
Finest Motion Thriller
What a pleasing shock A Store for Killers turned out to be.
What we now have is an motion primarily based thriller that serves up a very good thriller, a secret buying facility that has all of the instruments assassins want, underpinned by a relationship between an uncle, who desires to stroll away from being an murderer, and his niece who has no concept concerning the kind of enterprise he runs.
At its core, this story was full-on leisure with superb showdowns between the store killers and their former employer – very Tarantino.
In different phrases, A Store for Killers is the perfect factor Lee Dong Wook has achieved since Contact Your Coronary heart ❤️ – my apologies to those that favored the Story of the 9 Tailed Dramas 😁
Finest Crime Drama
I wasn’t certain of Flex X Cop at first. The primary two episodes have been so-so from my perspective. Then in the course of the third episode, Flex hit its straps.
In brief, we now have a rich younger man who’s at odds together with his stepmother and needs to be a cop, a detective, no much less.
He additionally, after a household falling out, strikes into in his mum’s home throughout the road from the detective who investigated her dying when he was a toddler and who tried to consolation him on the time.
Flex strikes from a publicity stunt by the younger movie star fake cop to hitch the police power to at least one the place, on account of his well-used connections, he makes use of his relationships and information to unravel lengthy standing crimes.
After all, he types a really constructive relationship together with his lieutenant who simply occurs to be the daughter of the detective that lives throughout the street.
Oh, and for those who don’t just like the sound of this one, check out Crash 💥
Finest Office Drama
There have been a lot of superb office dramas this yr and for me it got here down to 3: Good Companion, You Are My Lover Pal and You Are My Secret.
Nevertheless, You Are My Lover Pal is the winner as a consequence of its adept deal with banking methods, processes and auditing. It additionally explains the on-line buying business fairly effectively. I additionally loved the romance a bit of bit greater than that in You Are My Secret.
By way of the leads, our FL, Tang Yang proves her value repeatedly. She possesses nice integrity and runs rings round her superiors.
Against this, her lifelong good friend, Jiang Shi Yan is a younger, sensible on-line buying CEO who’s each progressive and caring.
All through, there are a lot of will they, received’t they moments. Each households dismiss them ever getting collectively as they all the time are there for one another, a part of the furnishings, because it have been.
Aside from the principle couple being the bees knees, the second couple, as KFG factors out in her evaluate of this present, are simply as nice collectively and share a beautiful, geeky, cosmic odyssey. I simply cherished how they have been allowed to be an clever, delicate couple.
Many discovered the third couple difficult however I favored them. Each are mates of the leads and just like the mother and father, by no means as soon as entertained the thought of the leads being collectively.
Finest Historic Drama
Shogun 2024 is taken into account not solely a masterpiece however has outlined how East and West could make an Asian drama collectively.
I do know some received’t agree re its Japanese drama standing nevertheless it was breathtaking, the appearing was so, so good and the extent of cultural accuracy was off the charts.
Though Shogun received 18 Emmys (from 25 nominations), probably the most for any present, ever, the appearing was that good and extra. Anna Sawai is an appearing power to be reckoned with – she delivers, as she has in Pachinko and Monarch – Legend of Monsters.
Then there’s the fantastic Sanada Hiroyuk. My sons will all the time sit up and take observe when he’s in one thing as a result of he’s all the time that “Japanese man,” in each second present or film they watch. Sanada might be very pleased with the manufacturing he made occur.
I’m trying ahead to seasons two and three.
Finest Costume Drama
A dressing up drama is a time period Avenue X makes use of usually to cowl a spread of various reveals which may be historic or cultural in nature however actually have a legendary part.
Blossoms in Adversity does have extra of a historic context, pushing out the fabulous xianxia drama The Legend of Shen Li and the enthralling Kdrama – Fascinating the King.
Blossoms (there are simply as many reveals which have the identify blossom within the title as there are Fairy named dramas – which might be fairly complicated), is a really watchable and satisfying present.
One of many highlights is the arc concerning the town of exiles. The menfolk from Hua Zhi’s household are despatched there in shame.
Throughout their time their we get to see how they must reside their lives as an exile and the way such communities work, together with the arduous journey relations make with a view to see them.
Throughout this time, we additionally get to see how the ladies left behind make their manner in life, which was extraordinarily effectively achieved.
We get to see how our girls managed to choose themselves up and dirt themselves with every problem, as an alternative of present changing into darker and darker and overly oppressive.
It wasn’t till ## maybe a bit of bit spoilery## episode 33 that the leads have been pushed aside by the emperor. Up till then, they resolved issues amicably, which was additionally fairly refreshing for a CDrama.
The ultimate stretch of the present was maybe a bit of below achieved and a handy ending, nevertheless it wrapped up a very good present fairly properly.
Finest Sci-Fi Present
For my part, kdramaland is continuous its development to offer us a lot improved sci-fi reveals annually. Parasyte is not any exception to this.
Though some purists had a problem concerning how the story as a remake of the jdorama primarily based on the manga, I totally loved it.
This present is a top- notch manufacturing that does the sci-fi body-snatching style proud, with excellent performances all spherical.
On the coronary heart of this story is the varied relationships and what occurs to them as a consequence of exterior forces (the parasites).
The inner dialogue of the alien mind attempting to implement its will on Jung Soo In (Jeon So Nee – from Scripting Your Future) is an excellent exposition concerning thoughts over matter and using her alien talents to battle in opposition to the invaders.
I believe lots of you’d take pleasure in it.
Finest Supernatural Drama
The Decide from Hell or The Park Shin Hye Present, as I wish to say, was excellent.
I really like a personality who has a devil-may-care perspective, together with a persona that youngsters ought to by no means expertise.
Though I wasn’t too fussed concerning the romantic developments (as I felt there have been extra suited male leads), Bit Na’s unfolding beating coronary heart was effectively achieved.
Present was glorious in the way it created its personal mythology primarily based on Christian, Roman and Greek influences. Kdramas can sometimes skew these components and lose the plot. Nevertheless, Decide retains all of it splendidly in stability.
Decide will not be for the faint hearted. Bit Na’s justice of doling out punishment that mimics the crimes perpetrated by the offenders is, as Emile Durkheim would have identified, applicable for the society through which the offenders inhabited.
Finest Household Drama
Su Ji and U Ri is the winner right here – a each day Kdrama – 128 X 30 minute episodes. As a household drama, it rises above the 50 episode weekenders of the final two years. phl1rxd inspired me to proceed on with my watch and she or he was proper!
As with many each day and household weekend dramas, the leads are lengthy drama specialists. Often, they’ve stars getting again into the business or doing the precise factor and serving to a mission out.
The supporting forged of such reveals include dramaland stalwarts and brief drama regulars. That’s actually the case with Su Ji and U Ri – with Oh Hyun Kyung from When the Cellphone Rings.
The main focus is on the downfall and rise of Su Ji a really competent psychiatrist who has a relationship together with her colleague who’s the adopted son of her lengthy misplaced mom – you get the image – these reveals have shut hyperlinks with all concerned and pop corn moments aplenty that make your head flip 🤣
Finest Mini Drama
Mini dramas are sometimes made up of episodes which can be 5 – Quarter-hour in size. Though China specialises in all these dramas, there are Kdrama equivalents.
Love within the Tea Backyard is that this yr’s champion, a Cdrama with 24 x 15 minute episodes.
This present is filmed on location in a tea plantation, and in some methods, has Brewing Love vibes re the native interplay.
Present is cute, recognized for plenty of hugging and kissing between the leads. Beneath all of it, present does have the theme of a reliable advertising govt given the duty of reeling in a tea plantation CEO.
Each leads are good collectively and never a foul technique to spend six hours when you don’t have anything else occurring.
The Hidden Gem
Prepared, Set, Love is a really worthy winner. Though a Thai dystopian drama, it’s so effectively achieved.
In brief, we now have a world the place the women outnumber the lads 5 to at least one.
The protagonist Day (Belle Kemisara) was chosen to take part in a government-sponsored actuality competitors referred to as “Prepared, Set, Love” the place girls compete to win the love of one of many 5 gents.
Present is a commentary on actuality tv, declining start charges and letting others make decisions for us. Massive Brother is watching however love conquers all!
The Supertanker
This award, palms down, goes to The Auditors. Speak about a giant disappointment. Initially, I used to be excited as have been Deni and ABV and we had even agreed to do a mini group watch. As every week glided by, we made our feedback. In the long run, I couldn’t end it.
Responsible Pleasure Award
This award goes to The Normal’s Daughter, a Filipino drama from 2018 which is 183 episodes lengthy! It’s cleaning soap at its most interesting however has a coronary heart of gold. Performing royalty make up the forged they usually make a very good displaying.
Angel Locsin is a large favorite within the Philippines and she or he did win awards for her portrayal of the spy/murderer renegade utilized by her adoptive household to take revenge on the federal government.
Finest Romance
For me, Born to Run is the perfect romance of the yr. This present is a really grown up drama and offers with how difficult being dealt a foul hand in life might be.
Nevertheless, it’s the relationship between An Xin and Li Tian Yu that’s on the subsequent stage on this drama. In truth, it was a lot so for me, they knocked off the pedestal the pair from Will Love in Spring.
Born to Run’s nice power is displaying why reality is essential in relationships. This present doesn’t sugarcoat the troublesome topics and is sincere in its dealings between the leads.
I’ve extra to say about this excellent drama a bit additional down.
Favorite OST/Tune
No doubt that is Don’t You by the Brownie Band from that pleasant CDrama – I Know I Love You.
It is a nice music and one which I used to be capable of carry out a really tough rendition of. In truth, different tunes by the Brownie Band are additionally utilized in I Know I Love You.
The music itself is so magical. It has a romantic setting from the get go, calling up the legendary jinns of yesteryear and utilizing their energy or influences to assist paint that swoony interplay by the music’s protagonist.
Fabulous 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Finest Opening Credit
We now have had some superb opening credit from Cdramas this yr. In the principle, Kdrama opening credit have been okay. Nevertheless, Good Companion takes out this award with its snappy, upbeat tune, and to the purpose montage.
Finest Viewing Platform
Out of all of the viewing platforms: Viki, Netflix, Prime, Disney+ (Star), iQiYi, You Tube (Cdramaland galore) the one which managed to up its recreation this yr is Viki.
Viki has improved dramas it makes out there, together with its again catalogue. Of all the e-mail updates I obtain, Viki’s are way more interesting and centered on making you are feeling welcome 🤗
Finest Proposal for a New Drama
From the j3ffc manufacturing home comes the pleasant Darkish. It was by far the perfect proposal for an up and coming drama 🤣 Because the descriptor says: a drama imagined by j3ffc and truly edited by Ele.
I assumed then I’d share with you what I wrote on The Verdict:
@j3ffc @Ele – I loved Darkish immensely. The settings have been spot on – I may see them clearly in my thoughts’s eye. The characterisations have been superior. The buffyisms have been an actual deal with – takes me again fairly a manner. As for the way the story
unfolded – basic constructions with some high quality nods to a basic sneaking round
scene or two. To have Jang Nara, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Lee Se Younger within the one drama was excellent. Then to have a spot for Shin Min Ah is vastly appreciated 😊 As for Jang Piljoo – glorious 🤩🤩🤩
My favorite piece of music j3ffc, was Requiem for a Zombie. It’s one thing that lends itself to full orchestration. To offer Richie such a outstanding function that additionally captured Zombie Woman to a tee was icing on the cake for me.
Poor outdated Xander missed out once more – I all the time favored his character.
The Coda was a pleasant contact – I had visions of j3ffc in his cameo because the Donald P Bellisario sort creator the place he’s usually depicted at his typewriter. A
nd, sure you probably did carry a shiny spot to what was an superior day – 10/10 my good friend and should there be one other artistic endeavour from you at a while sooner or later 🏆🍾🍻
Rising Star
Hong Ye Ji from Lacking Crown Prince put in a stellar efficiency and is a worthy recipient of this award.
She is just 22 however performed her principal half fantastically: comedy, motion, with maturity and drama. She is somebody to be careful for in future reveals.
Lacking Crown Prince was a terrific present for the primary 12 episodes. I believe 20 episodes was too many. I felt Author Nim actually struggled to get this present to the end line.
Finest Supporting Actor
There are simply, so, so many supporting actors to select from. Nevertheless, Kim Gained Hae is that this yr’s worthy recipient. What a improbable yr he has had: The Fiery Priest 2, A Virtuous Enterprise, Serendipity’s Embrace and Beautiful Runner – to call a number of.
For sure he’s the perfect factor about The Fiery Priest 2, reprising his function because the Russian gangster, Vladimir Gozhaev. He performs pivotal moments all through and his comedic prowess lands good.
At instances he’s virtually like Leo Getz from the Deadly Weapons motion pictures, besides he’s more proficient at enjoying undercover roles 😉
Finest Actor
So, who’re the perfect female and male actors for 2024. First up, I make no apologies for my determination right here as a result of I’m such a fan.
Jang Na Ra delivered in spades as Cha Eun Gyeong from Good Companion. From hardened divorce lawyer to a champion of those that fall by way of the cracks we get to see the seasoned lawyer, a susceptible mom, and a very good good friend.
Then there’s Jo Jung Suk in his enthralling function in Fascinating the King. No different male lead this yr comes near nailing their function they manner Jung Suk has. There isn’t a doubt when watching his efficiency he’s the king. He exudes kingship correctly.
Runner-up Finest Drama of 2024
Born to Run is an inspirational drama and a really worthy runner as much as Finest Drama of 2024. It’s a nice story, though with a lot unhappiness. There’s automotive accident, the dying of a nephew and marriage failure. Equally, there’s additionally one superb triumph after one other.
An Xin, the FL and centre of the story is a dancer who loses her legs.
Nevertheless, her mum Xiu Fang (performed by the good Xu Di – who was additionally Niao Niao’s grandmother in Love Like a Galaxy) turns into the inspiration for her daughter. She will get match, loses weight, features nice neighbourhood mates and opens a hen store.
An Xin’s aunty, the mom of her cousin Rouhoa, is emotional blackmail, dynamite. In truth, Xiu Li is probably the most horrible mum we now have ever seen in any present – sure, much more horrible than Kim Mi Yeon in that present that received’t be named), however an amazing piece of appearing by Chen Xiao Li all the identical.
A lot occurs on this drama. The dance routines, the beginning of a prosthesis enterprise by our heroine. Then there’s the ML, a former principal dancer who as her mum’s private coach, intersects with, after which falls in love with, An Xin.
Lots of the scenes between the leads, their dance rehearsals, are simply lovely. Ruohua, the cousin heading in the direction of a marriage actuality was so unhappy however masterful. Then the second the place Xiu Li lastly watches the video by her deceased son – was pretty much as good because it will get.
This present is value a glance.
Finest Drama of 2024
Effectively, right here we’re people. We now have come full circle. Knight Flower is my present of the yr. The rationale: Knight Flower was out of the blocks early and was an absolute delight from the start of its run by way of to the tip.
Present was additionally know as Evening Blooming Flower. So, the title we’re most acquainted with is a play on this title, hinting at good deeds being achieved.
Prime’s brief synopsis says:
A harmful romance between the Joseon model of a widow hero with a masks and an uptight officer begins. Park Su Ho was uptight however what we see is this excellent transformation as soon as he begins to work together with Cho Yeo Hwa. Conversely, we see an identical transformation with our heroine.
Cho Yeo Hwa working rings round Park Su Ho was a continuing supply of amusement. Likewise with their frequent assembly place. Nevertheless, what actually seals the deal is how they left messages for one another.
So easy however extremely efficient in its supply for these completely dedicated to this present.
Knight Flower has ended up on many various viewing platforms. I believe this in itself displays how the nice present actually is.
Seasons Greetings
Wow, what a trip it’s been. My 2024 drama viewing yr was extra various than ever, and it hasn’t completed but.
Thanks for taking the journey with me and taking the time to learn my contribution to the drama universe.
In case you have an interest, I’ve virtually completed my put up concerning how I bend area and time to look at the huge variety of reveals I do.
The plan, offering KFG agrees, is handy over a draft to her in February 2025. Why will it take so lengthy so as to add the ending touches – as a result of I’m taking 5 weeks go away at Christmas 😊
Talking of which, right here is to wishing everybody a Very Merry, Merry Christmas 🤶 🎅🎄
~Sean
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