It’s formally EOY season, which is once we look again on our drama years, and resolve which dramas had been worthy of our love, and which dramas we possibly 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 it will unfold into January 2025, and my annual year-in-review will come out in early 2025, after all of the visitor posts have been printed.
This fashion, by placing all our experiences collectively, we get a extra wholistic view of Dramaland in 2024. Fairly nice, sure? 🤩
If you happen to missed our earlier posts, you possibly can test it out right here: Sean, Deni+JJ.
Right this moment, I’m happy to announce that Natalia’s sharing her drama 12 months!
Final 12 months, I informed you guys about Natalia’s forthright honesty, and this 12 months, I’ll add to that by saying that Natalia’s subsequently additionally fast to let a present know if it’s not working for her – by dropping it. 😁
Sure, Natalia has a little bit of a repute over on Patreon, as a serial dropper (pun sort of unintended, however seems to be fairly good, sure? 🤭), and I had a lot run studying about her 2024 drama adventures, whereas prepping this submit. 😁
If you happen to like Natalia’s type and wish to know what she considered dramas final 12 months, you possibly can try her submit right here!
I hope you guys get pleasure from!
~ KFG ❤️
Previous mates, new mates, greetings.
One other 12 months has handed; I imagine it was my fifth 12 months actively following the beautiful (Ok)Fangirl and her ardour for Ok Asian drama.
For these of you who don’t know me but, my identify is Natalia and I dwell in Athens, for now. Transferring round has been sort of a routine for the previous twenty years, however as years go by I really feel that I get to outdated for touring.
Easy (and simpler) issues please me extra, nowadays.
And this is applicable additionally to the dramas I watch, I believe. I used to love rather more difficult, demanding stuff. Now I simply need a consolation watch to unwind within the night, more often than not.
2024 was the 12 months I made a decision to maintain notes of dramas I watch (or drop), and I did, by month.
So, my notes say that this 12 months I’ve began watching 57 dramas, together with Shogun on which I’m torn whether or not it’s Asian or not (Sean is fairly clear on what he thinks about that, cf. his personal EOY submit). Of these, I’ve accomplished 17, together with Shogun.
Shogun was nice, by the best way.
Anyway, that implies that I dropped lower than 40 dramas (there are some I’m nonetheless watching from these 57, like In Blossom, Blossom and Blossoms in adversity, I child you not).
Lower than 40 dramas means lower than 70%. Which ought to imply (by my very own serial-dropper requirements) that 2024 was an incredible 12 months.
It doesn’t actually, although, as a result of the exhibits I cherished cherished weren’t that many. Or had been 2023 exhibits. Which brings me to my first part, on:
Honorable 2023 mentions
I began 2024 with 2023’s Oh No! Right here Comes Hassle! (Taiwan). It was an incredible begin. This present made it to my prime 10 of all time and taught me one of many two Chinese language phrases I always remember: “Bang wo!” – that’s “assist me”, that each one the supernatural beings attempt to make the lead character do.
The opposite Chinese language phrase I’ve discovered after watching so many dramas is “Sha!” 🔪 however I wager this isn’t one thing that may come in useful subsequent time I’m in China. I hope.
I watched 3 extra 2023 dramas this 12 months (all three from China), and I preferred all of them, so much.
Three Physique was a captivating adaptation of a captivating sci-fi novel. I’m so trying ahead to the second half that I hope they may produce, in some unspecified time in the future.
Pretend It Until You Make It featured such a relatable, real-life OTP. Good leads, too.
And the premise of The Spirealm was glorious, despite the fact that the execution (specifically appearing and voice appearing) was so and so at instances.
I like to recommend all three (the primary and third solely if you’re into sci-fi or fantasy/horror, respectively).
I might thus like to offer out two belated “greatest” awards: Finest Drama, to Oh No! Right here Comes Hassle! / Finest Actress, to the superb Wang Zi Wen, starring as Earth’s biggest villainess in Three Physique, though Chen Jin, enjoying the identical character, the fatidic Ye Wen Jie at her older age, was equally spectacular.
However, let’s transfer to this 12 months’s exhibits. Right here’s a recap, by month:
January
I began 13 exhibits in January. I used to be satisfied that this 12 months I may beat Sean, Trent and ABV (all mates in Patreon, who appear to own supernatural powers in drama-watching, together with our new buddy, the beautiful Deb).
Anyway, one of the best one among the many dramas I really completed (that’s, a pathetic batch of 4 – not even near Sean, Trent, ABV or Deb) was undoubtedly Knight Flower (Ok).
I hadn’t watched Honey Lee in something earlier than, however she had such spunk in her portrayal of a ninja widow, I simply needed to love her. Once more, Sean has defined the the explanation why Knight Flower, and Honey specifically, are such an excellent watch.
On the draw back, boy was I disillusioned by Dr. Droop (Ok)!
It was double merciless, really, as a result of episode 1 was prompt love for me. Park Hyung Sik, Park Shin Hye, in highschool apparel (just for some flashbacks, although), I felt I used to be going house after many a few years.
It was like Heirs, with out having to place up with Lee Min Ho. However. Such a poor script and such poor directing of two so lovable actors. I’m nonetheless mad. However I really like you, you Parks.
February
February was a slower month. 4 dramas began, two accomplished, not dangerous.
A shout-out to A Killer Paradox (Ok).
Brief and efficient, sort of misplaced it a bit within the center, however Choi Woo-Sik saved it (he can save something, like a real superhero), and Kim Yo Han had a formidable outing as Roh-bin. Too dangerous these two usually are not in Squid Recreation, they might have been so good in it.
Then again. I’ve lengthy been a proud fanmom of Wu Lei (fanmom is fangirl for extra mature ladies with maternal, not romantic emotions in direction of younger actors that they’ve recognized since they – the actors – had been like 12).
However his outing as Lin Yi Yang in Amidst a Snowstorm of Love (C) was sufficient to momentarily flip me from a devoted fanmom right into a depraved stepmother. Momentarily, I stated. I nonetheless love you, LeiLei.
March
4 exhibits once more, however this time I solely completed Struggle of Religion (C).
Numerous constructive factors about this present. It retains you on the fringe of your seat, the appearing is nice, 30s Shanghai seems to be nice (minus some wardrobe points for westerners – these of you in Patreon could bear in mind me nagging about some crinolines going round in nightclubs).
However then once more, it has its justifiable share of propaganda and a few fairly illogical stuff occurs within the second half of the present. However nonetheless. Adequate. A particular shout-out to the graphic designer that made this:
By the best way, I ended up dropping Queen of Tears (Ok).
It wasn’t offended dropping like Dr. Droop. I simply misplaced curiosity in all this prolonged solid that stole display time from the present’s largest property, specifically, the main couple. Not that the supporting solid wasn’t good. I simply didn’t care about what occurred to them.
April
April was the month of “Solar Jae!!”
Pretty Runner (Ok) and its OTP stole my coronary heart because it did to so many others. I didn’t even thoughts the serial killer trope which usually is an enormous no for me. So, I simply need to submit this right here:
Could
The one Could present I accomplished was Prepared, Set, Love (Thai).
I loved it and appreciated its effort for social commentary (effort that fully failed within the different Thai drama I attempted to observe this 12 months, Grasp of the Home). However every little thing was sort of inexperienced, from the appearing to the writing to the directing.
Nonetheless, essentially the most attention-grabbing Could present for me.
June
I began 4 exhibits in June, accomplished 2. That’s 50%, like February, and I believe that’s my highest success charge…
I cherished Regeneration (C). It was my prime 2024 present till November.
The thought of approaching the identical character, Fei Ke (portrayed by Jing Bo Ran, doing an incredible job), by way of the eyes of a special particular person in each episode was sensible, I believed.
Too dangerous the ending was clearly censorship-adjusted. However to not the purpose of canceling my superb opinion of the present.
The opposite present I accomplished was The Double (C). I discovered it addictively ridiculous. It was loopy profitable – emphasis on “loopy”. Simply watch one episode, you’ll know.
July
July I used to be on holidays, so six dramas – 1 accomplished, and that was The Spirealm talked about above.
I dropped the well-beloved (by others) My Candy Mobster (Ok) and Miss Night time and Day (Ok) and I scoffed at how foolish Snowfall (C) was – I used to be foolish too, for anticipating one thing extra from a Chinese language vampire present.
The opposite two usually are not even value mentioning.
August
August was the one.
Are You The One (C) was love at first sight. Which is bizarre, as a result of that is actually not my kind of drama. I suppose I wanted a well-made, mild and fluffy love story with two succesful leads, Zhang Wan Yi and Wang Chu Ran.
Then again, I used to be very disillusioned by Love Subsequent Door (Ok) and I offended dropped The Frog (Ok). I believe I dropped that one the 12th time somebody requested the “tree that falls in the course of the forest” query. Burn that silly tree.
September
October
I attempted out 5 exhibits, I solely completed one, Kill Me Love Me (C) and that was as a result of one can’t simply take one’s eyes off of Liu Xue Yi. The present sadly made no sense in its second half.
November
After which got here November and Mr. Plankton (Ok). I wholeheartedly advocate this present to anybody who hasn’t watched it.
I used to be sitting bored at an airport ready for my delayed flight and I randomly pressed play. Subsequent factor I knew, I had watched the entire present in 3 days.
A plot with no holes; a reliable director; relatable characters; and superb solid, major and supporting.
Additionally, though we all know from episode 1 that Hae Jo, the character performed completely by Woo Do Hwan, is dying, the present nonetheless managed to have its mild moments and stayed nicely on monitor till the very finish. I want there have been extra exhibits like this.
December
Effectively, the one present I’ll end (one episode to go) is The Trunk (Ok).
It didn’t begin nicely – I offended watched the primary 2 episodes throughout a flight pondering to myself “what is that this nonsense” and regretting I hadn’t downloaded anything.
However after studying the primary two episodes notes in Patreon, I believed let’s watch a bit extra, and finally the leads received me over, although I’m not positive whether or not it was the present that received higher or the truth that Gong Yoo and Search engine optimization Hyun Jin are good, likable actors.
I can’t say the ultimate verdict was very constructive on the present although. To cite the Fangirl, the present tries too laborious to look intelligent (with out being silly in itself).
I even have dramas I’m now presently watching, like all these Blossoms, and Love Recreation in Jap Fantasy, and I do imply to take up When The Telephone Rings, in some unspecified time in the future, though it’s Squid Recreation time, so I is likely to be busy for the subsequent few days…
And now, it’s awards time!
Finest Drama – you have got guessed it, its Mr. Plankton. That features greatest script and greatest director. Second greatest, Regeneration.
Most Snug Watch – Are You The One. We want extra exhibits like this.
Greatest Disappointment – I believe it was Love Subsequent Door for me. Additionally, I want I may have caught with Queen of Tears. Somebody inform me what occurred in the long run – not right here, in Patreon’s deep dive!
Quickest Drop – I dropped Brewing love after ten minutes, or possibly much less.
Greatest Stinker – That will be The Not possible Inheritor.
Finest Actor – I’m torn between Woo Do Hwan and Choi Woo Sik. I’ll go along with the latter, as a result of he needed to defend a weaker drama and he nonetheless shone in it.
Additionally, an enormous shout-out to Li Xue Yi who completely nailed these scenes of bodily weak spot round episode 13 of Kill Me Love Me. First (and doubtless final) time I’ve seen this in a drama like that. I may really feel his deep mortification and despair.
Finest Actress – The stunning Miss Honey Lee.
My second greatest could be the equally pretty Lee You Mi (Mr. Plankton), with whom, I have to say, I had fallen in love in simply these ten minutes she was in Squid Recreation 1. I believe I cried extra for her there than every other within the solid.
Finest Supporting Actor – as soon as once more, Oh Jung Se (Mr. Plankton).
Finest Supporting Actress – I merely cherished Lee El (Mr. Plankton). She’s one of many actors I want I may watch extra typically.
Finest OST – I’ll say Kill Me Love Me, however then once more each time California Dreamin’ was on in Mr. Plankton, I couldn’t assist however assume that that is the best tune ever written.
Oh, that is the opening title for Kill Me Love Me:
The OST contains many different outstanding tracks, and naturally Liu Yu Ning, for the followers right here.
Finest Human Being – in fact Heung, in Mr. Plankton. Such a candy, unselfish particular person. If I can decide a second one too, it might be the foodie Empress in Are You The One.
Worst Human Being – I’ve to offer this to the despicable Shen Yu Rong in The Double.
The actor, Liang Yong Qi, did nice in portraying such a deep and sophisticated, however totally terrible, man. His was one of the best position in a drama that didn’t significantly excel in fleshing out its characters.
Most Badass Character – Undoubtedly Cho Yeo Hwa, Zorro/Widow in Knight Flower.
Finest Villain – I’ll say Zorro’s father in legislation. Such an evil particular person. Nevertheless, this 12 months there was scarcity of actually pleasurable villains.
Finest OTP – My coronary heart goes to Liu Mian Tang and Cui Xing Zhou in Are You The One.
Most Uncomfortable OTP – That simply needs to be the OTP in Pretty Runner. See image above. Now think about the neck ache. For his or her sake, I hope they didn’t need to shoot these scenes too many instances.
The second most uncomfortable OTP however for fully totally different causes could be the Emperor and Concubine Yang in Kill Me Love Me. Simply have a look at this. What had been they pondering.
Finest Sleeper OTP – it simply needs to be No In Ji and Han Jeong Gained in The Trunk. They began out completely unlikable and by the top I actually rooted for his or her couple. I believe that is because of the actors, but in addition to the …
…Most Slappable Character – Arms down, Lee Search engine optimization Yeon in The Trunk, performed by Jung Yun Ha. Ms Jung does an incredible job making the viewers actually really feel the urge to punch their television display.
She had robust competitors by Su Ronqing in The Princess Royal (no hate on the actor however his character and the way he portrayed him was in all probability the principal cause I dropped the present) and the Crown Prince Murong Xuan Lie in Kill Me Love Me.
Now, Kill me love me didn’t get an award on this class, however it actually does in…
…Finest “I ignore how problematic you might be since you are so stunning” Character – In fact, Liu Xue Yi as Murong Jing He. Simply have a look at this:
Murong Jinghe is problematic as a result of supply materials, but in addition to the terrible writing on this present. Nonetheless, Liu Xue Yi wins the award for Prompt Fangirl-Acquisition as nicely.
Prime Highlander Award goes to the beautiful Wu Jinyan: in The Double, she was buried alive and dug herself out of the grave. In Kill Me Love Me, she received buried underneath a mattress of flowers and stayed useless for every week earlier than waking up once more.
Please, if you’re too younger to know who the Highlander was, don’t say a factor. Getting older by a 12 months is already laborious as it’s.
Most Dramatic Drama Queen – I might assume Princess Wan Ning in The Double, however Murong Jinghe additionally made a formidable raucous moving into picnics and romantic boat journeys with a corpse.
Most Heartwrenching Demise – Yang Cai Wei in In Blossom, or moderately the unique actress enjoying her. Sadly, she swapped faces with Ju Jing Yi. Now, I really discover Ju Jing Yi cute, however her cuteness made her completely bizarre for this position.
Worst Title – Mr. Plankton will get that one. I noticed the reason of the title given within the present, however I nonetheless don’t purchase it. I imply, this isn’t Bikini Backside.
To conclude, Most When-will-you-be-on-screen-again award goes to Xiao Zhan as a result of nicely, it’s been too lengthy and I’m sort of fed up with all of the excessive trend stuff. So there you go, my most anticipated drama for 2024:
In conclusion
So, expensive mates. 2024 has come to an finish! Due to the Fangirl for internet hosting my EOY evaluate this 12 months too and for offering us with such a toxic-free setting. And because of all of you for being such good mates.
To every and everybody, could 2025 carry you pleasure and happiness, simply the best way you need. And for the couple of you that had some tough instances currently, my deepest, warmest needs to recover from them quickly.
~Natalia
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