Welcome to Kdrama and Ramen!

“One the Woman” is not your average drama. It is a crazy mix of mystery, melodrama, comedy, and romance that is chaotic and ridiculous.  The mystery is fairly predictable and the melodramatic tropes are as over-the-top and unrealistic, as you might expect.  But the drama is just plain fun and Lee Ha Nee is hilariously engaging.  This drama is not meant to be taken too seriously.  But I think you do need to enjoy a bit of Chaebol family melodrama to really appreciate the humor here. I give “One the Woman” a 9 out of 10 ramen.

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“The Forbidden Marriage” is a silly historical romance with lots of comedy and lighthearted fun thrown in.  Although the plot does turn more serious in the second half, making it seem a bit more like a traditional sageuk.  But the characters and plot are fairly simple and make this an easy watch.  The theme of spirit channeling by the lead female may make this one seem like a supernatural/fantasy drama, but in reality she is simply a swindler and there is no actual ghost in the story at all. If you like upbeat historical dramas with a rom-com feel and don’t mind a bit of political intrigue thrown into the middle, this one is enjoyable and I liked it a lot. The romance between the King and his maid had a definite “The Red Sleeve” feel,  but with a more easygoing tone.   I give “The Forbidden Marriage” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Revenge of Others” is a high school mystery drama about school violence and revenge.  At times, it is intense and a bit bloody.  If teen angst and high school drama aren’t interesting for you, you won’t find much to like about this one.  The ending leaves a lot of unanswered questions, so if open ending aren’t your thing, be warned. On the positive side, the story is complex and very suspenseful. The surprises really never stop.  And the characters are each unique and interesting in their own way.  I give “Revenge of Others” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“May I Help You” is an emotional, supernatural drama.  It deals with themes like death, final goodbyes, and healing for those who go on after losing their loved ones.  The stories are meant to pull at our heartstrings and possibly require a tissue or two along the way.  So if you aren’t up to bittersweet and heartbreaking farewells, this one is probably not for you.  The pacing of this one is definitely an issue and the last couple episodes are rushed and a bit of a disappointment.  But the stories of the people she helps are unique and interesting, and the leads have a sweet chemistry.   I give “May I Help You” a 7 out of 10 ramen.

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“Alchemy of Souls” incorporates many of the themes you would expect from a historical drama;  a fight for the throne, birth secrets, and political intrigue and factions.  But it also brings the charm and beauty of a fairy tale fantasy.  This is a fight between good and evil, and what to do when those lines become blurred.  If magical fantasy is not your cup of tea, then the many scenes of spell casting and mythical storytelling probably won’t interest you.  And 30 episodes may start to seem a bit long if complicated politics and historical tropes bore you.  But if you enjoy both of these genres, this drama has lots to offer.  The cinematography is beautiful, the cast has great chemistry, and the world created by the Hong sisters is captivating. I give “Alchemy of Souls” an 9 out of 10 ramen.

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“Summer Strike” starts as a warm, slow-burn romance that turns into a darker mystery drama.  The transition seems a bit jarring, but if you enjoy this combination, it is worth watching.  While I’m not sure that it felt like the “healing” drama it was advertised to be, the story is interesting and the leads are sweet. I found the romance element much more captivating than the mystery plot, but if you don’t like your romance muddied up with more serious storylines, you might want a more straightforward love story.   I give “Summer Strike” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Reborn Rich” is a time travel drama that incorporates 1980’s and 90’s history with revenge and corporate greed. If you love a root for the underdog kind of revenge story, this one fits the bill.  Song Joong Ki is his usual charming self and Lee Sung Min is truly terrifying as the money-loving CEO who refuses to give up on outdated business practices like primogeniture. The suspense and plot twists are thrilling. But ultimately, this is a story about a greedy CEO and his power-hungry children and grandchildren, who will trample anyone who gets in their way as they fight their way to the top.  So, if you don’t enjoy business and political intrigue, it may not hold your interest, no matter how much you may love Song Joong Ki.   I give “Reborn Rich” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Live up to Your Name” is a time travel drama with a medical twist.  The comedy elements are fun and the romance is sweet.  If you have an interest in traditional medicine, this one is an interesting watch.  The story is unique and Kim Nam Gil is wonderful as the gifted, though sometimes clumsy, physician.  If you are looking for a serious, realistic hospital series, this is not it, although it does have its heartbreaking medical moments. But the heart of this drama is more about the characters and their relationships than the cases themselves.    I give “Live up to Your Name” a 9 out of 10 ramen.

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“Big Mouth” is a legal action drama that is exciting and unpredictable.  The cast is really great, the concept is daring and creative, and the plot twists will keep you guessing right up until the end.  Unfortunately this creativity led the writers to loose control of some of the plots in the second half of the series, causing several glaring plot holes and wasted characters. If you like suspense and are willing to keep your focus on the lead character and his story, this one is a great watch.  And being told to just keep your eyes on Lee Jong Suk for 16 episodes is hardly a hardship.  But if you are haunted by loose threads and dead-end stories, this one may be  disappointing at times. I give “Big Mouth” a 8 out of 10 ramen.

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