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“King the Land” is a cookie cutter classic romantic comedy.  In a day when so many rom-coms are throwing in every genre they possible can, I respect this drama for the decision to stick to the traditional rom-com style.  The bad news for fans is that if you don’t like straight-forward romantic comedies, there really is no point in watching. It is cheesy, cliche, and totally predictable. And there is no mystery, conflict, or dramatic plot twists to grab your attention. But for those of us who like this genre, there is a lot to appreciate.  The cast is great, the love story is sweet, and the lead couple’s chemistry is sizzling.   I give “King the Land” a 9 out of 10 ramen.

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“Our Blooming Youth” is a historical romance with a gender bender element.  It has the usual greedy, power hungry villains and lots of political intrigue.  Many of the plot elements are fairly predictable but it is still fun to watch the story unfold.  This drama kind of rides the line between a serious saguek and a more casual historical rom-com.  Unfortunately, picking a lane may have made the story elements stronger.  There is also a splattering of fantasy that gives the drama a bit of originality, but its very understated. At 20 episodes, the plot moves pretty slowly and the romance is very slow burn. If you enjoy historical dramas, this one has some nice moments and it’s fun to see Park Hyung Sik back in royal garb.  I give “Our Blooming Youth” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“The Golden Spoon” is a fantasy drama that examines the struggles between the rich and the poor and the disadvantages that poverty puts on our lives. As a long-time kdrama fan, I loved this drama for its out-of-the-box approach and its unpredictable plot twists.  The story is creative and complex.  But that complexity can make it confusing at times.  This is one that requires some careful attention, but I found my efforts worthwhile. The cast did a nice job, the villains are thoroughly unlikeable, and the intricate web of family and friend relationships gives the story a rich texture.   I give “The Golden Spoon” a 9 out of 10 ramen.

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“Summer Scent” is a classic emotional rollercoaster melodrama.  It is the third installment of the popular drama series “Endless Love”.  I really enjoyed the first half of this drama, but it definitely suffered from a super slow plot development over an unnecessary amount of episodes.  On the plus side, the leads are both strong actors who paint a beautiful picture of fated love.  As with all the “Endless Love” dramas, the scenery is breathtaking and the landscape is used to help create the appropriate mood.   I give “Winter Sonata” an 7 out of 10 ramen.

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“See You in My 19th Life” is a fantasy rom-com that revolves around past lives and the idea of fate in love.  The plot is unique and interesting, and the relationships between the characters are sweet.  The large number of characters related to the main lead, between both her past and present lives, can overwhelm the central theme, making the drama itself feel clunky at times. But if you like a good blend of fantasy and romance and don’t mind some glaring plot holes, this one does a nice job. I give “See You in My 19th Life” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Winter Sonata” is a classic emotional rollercoaster melodrama.  It is the second installment of the popular drama series “Endless Love”.  Unlike it’s predecessor, this drama manages to take you through all the feels without dipping into absolute depression.  You should expect to spend the 20 episodes of this drama feeling both touched by the characters and extremely frustrated with them. This one is very slow paced and relies on a constant push and pull that may get tedious for some.  On the plus side, this series is visually stunning and the lead male, Bae Yong Joon, is really wonderful. I found the story heartwarming and emotionally rewarding.  I give “Winter Sonata” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Crazy Love” is a dark romantic comedy with a mystery twist.  This one is quirky and chaotic, but I kind of loved it for that.  The leads have a nice chemistry and the romance story is fairly straight-forward, without a lot of unnecessary relationship drama.  The mystery of who tried to kill Go Jin is full of lots of interesting surprise plot twists that continue to build throughout the drama.  And all the crazy humor aside, this series is not all fun and games.  It has some serious messages about the impact of our words and actions on those around us.    I give “Crazy Love” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“Crazy Love” is a dark romantic comedy with a mystery twist.  This one is quirky and chaotic, but I kind of loved it for that.  The leads have a nice chemistry and the romance story is fairly straight-forward, without a lot of unnecessary relationship drama.  The mystery of who tried to kill Go Jin is full of lots of interesting surprise plot twists that continue to build throughout the drama.  All the crazy humor aside, this series is not all fun and games.  It has some serious messages about the impact of our words and actions on those around us.    I give “Crazy Love” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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“That Winter, the Wind Blows” is a classic melodrama about love, grief and betrayal.  This drama is not as depressing or heavy-handed as some of the other dramas in this genre.  It also branches out with several interesting side-plots rather than only being about the love story.  But there is still plenty of angst and forbidden love.  The acting and lead chemistry is excellent and the cinematography is beautiful.  If you enjoy a drama that takes you through a series of emotional ups and downs without totally ripping your heart to pieces, this one fits the bill.   I give “That Winter, the Wind Blows” an 8 out of 10 ramen.

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