Welcome to Kdrama and Ramen!

“Sell Your Haunted House” is a supernatural mystery drama about a woman who gets rid of ghosts so a property can be sold by its owner.  This one is dark and creepy without ever getting too gory.  Each ghost comes with its own backstory that provides some heart to each episode.  The dark, understated cinematography sets the right mood without feeling heavy handed.  While romance is never a focal point, there are plenty of endearing relationships between the characters. This drama sets a nice balance between fantasy ghost stories and character driven plots.  I give “Sell Your Haunted House” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Yumi’s Cells” is a romantic comedy that takes a realistic look at some of the struggles and pitfalls of dating.  Half of the story is told through animated cells that dictate Yumi’s choices and feelings.  And while this concept is unique and entertaining at first, it can get a bit silly and redundant as the series goes on. The realistically flawed characters left me disliking each of the leads at some point, which surprised me.  And the inconclusive ending was a disappointment to me, since there is no concrete plan to make a third season.  That being said, I would be surprised if they don’t announce one soon, given the fan-based interest.  I give “Yumi’s Cells” a 7 out of 10 ramen.

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“Why Her?” is a law drama with a splash of romance.  However, I would say the drama is at it’s best as a revenge story.  There weren’t actually that many courtroom scenes and the romance was a bit flat.  But  it’s Oh Soo Jae’s efforts to expose the shameless chairman for all his illegal activities that really gives the drama it’s shape.  If you enjoy a good “justice at all costs” revenge style drama, this one is worth checking out.     I give “Why Her?” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Our Blues” is another slow-burn deep dive (pun intended) into character development and slice of life stories.  As always with this style, you shouldn’t expect lots of action or fast-paced plots.  The realistic tone of this series refuses to paint life in a warm, rosy picture.  Instead, we are pulled into the bittersweet emotions of characters who struggle and do their best, even when they fall short.  The beauty of this drama is in the humanness of the characters and the raw emotion this amazing cast brings to life.  The “omnibus” style means that the focus isn’t  limited to a few lead characters, but instead fans out over a whole group of interconnecting life stories.   I give “Our Blues” a 10 out of 10 ramen.

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“The Nokdu Flower” is a historical drama about the price of war, particularly from the perspective of the commoners who most often bear the brunt.  I looked for this drama when it came out back in 2019 but none of the major streaming sites were airing it.  So I was thrilled when I stumbled on it in the “new” releases on Viki.  If you are a fan of historical dramas, this one is historically accurate and features a talented cast.   The tone is dark and somber and the small bit of romance is subtle and not a major focus of the story. But the characters are moving and the setting, just on the cusp of the end of the Joseon period, gives it a unique flavor.    I give “The Nokdu Flower” an 9 out of 10 ramen.

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“Sh**ting Stars” is a sweet and uplifting romantic comedy.  This is  a light, easy to watch drama with lots of likeable characters.  The look into the world of entertainment agencies is surprisingly positive and interesting.  Relationally, this one hits on lots of levels.  There’s multiple romantic storylines, some strong friendship scenes, and adorably reluctant bromances.  If you enjoy a good romantic comedy, this one is perfectly pleasant.     I give “Sh**ting Stars” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Arthdal Chronicles” is a beautiful fantasy drama that creates another world.   It strikes a nice balance between romantic fantasy and historical intrigue.  If you are a fan of this kind of fantasy drama, this one is a must see.  It has high quality production, an intricate plot, and an amazingly talented cast.  Expect to have lots of names and information thrown at you at the beginning of this series.  It can get pretty confusing at first, but once the story becomes the focus, it is a lot easier to follow.  As most of you know, I have a rule against watching dramas before they finish, and this one has officially announced a season 2 in the works.  But after hearing rumors that the leads for the next season may be different, I decided to go ahead and watch this one now.  After seeing season one, it definitely ended with the assumption of another season, so if you don’t like dramas that leave you hanging, you may want to learn from my mistake and wait it out.  This also made rating this series tricky.  They have set up some amazing and complex storylines, which I loved.  But without an ending, I have no way of knowing how well they will bring all those elements together.   Having said that, I really enjoyed season 1 and can’t wait for the next.  Season 2 is scheduled to premiere some time early next year.   I give “Arthdal Chronicles” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“My Liberation Notes” is another slow, warm slice of life drama.  The plot winds its way through their lives at a lazy pace with plenty of character growth and development.  If you are looking for something upbeat and plot heavy, this is not a great choice.  This series is about getting to know realistically flawed characters  through their bittersweet journey of self-discovery and life choices.  Sometimes life isn’t glamorous or exciting, but happiness comes through the small and mundane joys of day to day life.  That is the message this show conveys, and it is beautiful and thought-provoking in its simplicity.   I give “My Liberation Notes” a 10 out of 10 ramen.

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“Tomorrow” is a dark, fantasy drama that covers a range of intense and difficult topics.  Not only does it deal with suicide, but also the kinds of trauma that might lead a person to consider suicide, such as physical and sexual abuse, infant loss, and bullying.  While the team does work to bring positive outcomes to the lives of these people, their problems and history are no less heartbreaking. But if you don’t mind the darker tone, the stories are interesting and well-developed and the cast has a fun chemistry. I give “Tomorrow” a 8 out of 10 ramen.

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