Welcome to Kdrama and Ramen!

“Snowdrop” is a slow-moving and tragic historical drama placed in the 1980’s. It is loosely based on the story of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”.  Each of the 16 episodes are 90 minutes full of intense political strife and subtle, slow-burn romance.  While the acting and cinematography are both outstanding, there are some issues with pacing and underdeveloped characters.  There was plenty of controversy surrounding this drama, with petitions that went as far as the Blue House.  The concerns revolved around the romanticizing of spies and the political climate of the time.  These complaints led to endless re-writes for the production team, which may have caused some of the undeveloped plots and characters.  Both the long play time and the intensity of the general story make this one a poor option if you are looking for a lightweight binge drama.  But if you enjoy  the melodramatic feeling of a poignant romance, this one is beautiful to watch and heartbreaking in its pure and honest emotions.   I give “Snowdrop” an 9 out of 10 ramen.

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“Dear.M” is a sweet college romance drama.  The story is simple and predictable, but the journey is no less enjoyable, if you are a rom-com fan.  It hits all the right notes, with some heart-fluttering romance, bonding moments of true friendship, and the kinds of doubts and jealousy that give the drama just enough tension to hold your interest.  The added mystery plot is a fun little extra that gives the story a bit of suspense.  I give “Dear.M” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Cafe Minamdang” is a unique crime drama that combines absurd comedy with an engaging psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes.  Despite the fact that the main character is a “shaman” there aren’t many real supernatural fantasy elements. They are mostly just some talented grifters with all the right information. The over the top comedy scenes made for some larger than life characters who were both funny and endearing.  And Seo In Guk’s absolute charm really carries the main parts of this drama, with his perfect comedic timing and razor wit. Whether fighting or flirting, he and Oh Yeon Seo have a  fun chemistry.  If you are a Seo In Guk fan, you should definitely make time for this one.  I give “Cafe Minamdang” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Thirty-Nine” is an emotional life drama that shows you right from episode 1 that this will end in a funeral.  You know going in that there will be tears, but the journey along the way has some funny and beautiful moments that make it all worthwhile.  It is a drama about love, loss, and friendship.  Don’t expect a light-hearted rom-com.   But if you don’t mind a few tears, this story is well-told and the characters are realistic and vivid.  I give “Thirty-Nine” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Tracer” is a smart and incredibly complex revenge drama.  The complicated financial concepts and ever-changing list of suspects will require more than just passing attention.  Also, the writers don’t really bother throwing in lighter side stories to give your brain a rest.  There is a very casual hint at romance, but mostly this is all about the main story. And I am sure it will come to no surprise to fans, that Im Si Won was terrific in this role!  If you like your dramas intense and sophisticated, this one is for you.     I give “Tracer” a 9 out of 10 ramen.

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“From Now On, Showtime!” is a quirky and unique fantasy mystery drama.  It balances absolutely silly comedy with adventure and heartwarming stories to make it a very enjoyable watch.  I was surprised by the diverse range of genre, even venturing into historical drama with a series of flashbacks to the leads’ past lives. Although this one combines ghosts and crime, there isn’t really any violence or gore to speak of, so even if you are a bit squeamish, there’s nothing to worry about here.  If you enjoy fantasy drama, this one is worth taking a look at.   I give “From Now On, Showtime!” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Moonshine” is a fun historical rom-com that focuses on life outside the palace and how political feuds affect the lives of the people they rule. If you enjoy the more light-hearted historical dramas, this one is sweet and interesting.  The plot is a bit messy at points, but the story is enjoyable nonetheless.  Lee Hye Ri is great as the wonderfully strong heroine who isn’t afraid to take matters into her own hands.     I give “Moonshine” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“All Of Us Are Dead” is a thriller zombie drama full of high school angst and young love.  It goes without saying that as with any zombie show, this one is full of blood and gore.  And Netflix is known for turning up the gore factor in order to attract young, international viewers.  But there is more to this series than just bloody zombies.  The story arcs are interesting and touching, as the students explore young love, friendship, and their hopes and fears for the future. There is currently a sequel in the works for this one, although a premiere date is yet to be announced.  In the meantime,    I give “All Of Us Are Dead” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Jinxed at First” is a romantic comedy that gets progressively darker as the series goes on.  The concept of a lucky shaman who foretells the future was interesting and showed a lot of potential in the beginning.  But unfortunately the writing and plot development were kind of a mess. It was at once too heavy to be considered a sweet, light-hearted rom-com and too random and all over the place to be a good romantic drama.  Of course, this drama does have some bright spots with a unique storyline and a large cast of familiar faces.    I give “Jinxed at First” a 6 out of 10 ramen.

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