Nine: Nine Times Time Travel

Title: Nine: Nine Times Time Travel (say that nine times fast) 4.5 stars
Rating: PG-13
For...marriage! The is a couple in here that pledges to love each other, and then kissing and cuddling etc. Also, the marriage isn't in a church so if you don't like the whole I love you, you love me let's get married by pledging to each other...well, that is in here.
 Also there are a few bloody graphics that have to do with surgery like blood spurting in the middle of a surgery, someone getting killed in a phone booth so blood and glass.
A foreigner screaming wrapped up in a towel in one scene towards the beginning.
Repeated fire scene where someone is minorly wounded, and believed to have killed another character.
Brief off screen rape scene, which is confirmed to have happened.
Punching scenes (trust me you want to get in there and do it too).
Drug using is addressed with a minor character, also an attempted suicide by drugs in a time travel scene.


Okay, so enough with all of this said you should WATCH IT!!!!!!! (Seriously!) Even with a terrible thing happening in a phone booth...the first thing I did when I got to Korea and saw a phone booth was run inside and take pictures and think of Nine: Nine Times Time Travel.


I started watching this drama when I had a cold and knew nothing about taking screen shots sooooo I am going to have pinterest help us out a little.

I started watching it because I had loved Lee Jin Wook's performance in The Three Musketeers, and I really wanted to see what other things he had done.

It was love at first episode, actually when he spoke English in the first 5 minutes, his English is really good. (At least from this English Teacher's perspective.) From there it grew rapidly, into a face paced drama, with just the right amount of romance, and suspense that had me watching this drama as if it were a serious part time job that I couldn't bear to be away from.

One of the things I love about 9x's is that it allowed something most time travel stories don't allow characters to do. He crossed his own timeline, in fact, he messed only with his own timeline, and it was amazing, incredible, devastating, beautiful, and perfection to see how it all played out. The writing and acting of this drama were incredible blend.

Watching this drama it asked quite a few important questions. How could fixing the lives of those you love...ruin yours? Oh....sooooooooooooooo many ways.
What happens if you are the only one who remember's the past.
Is the past, really better the way it happened?
What if the people you love, aren't the people you think they were...

There was just the right amount of romance, the right amount of tragedy and the best friend a man could ever ask for.

The couple is sweet and you are cheering for them through all of the up's and downs, and main character that has gripping your chest as your heart bursts along with his...with agony and joy...and so many more things.

Three Little Maids: The Total Sum

On our features page we mentioned 'Three Little Maids' and 'Two Little Maids Remain' posts but have yet to actually introduce them, which I am here to do today.

The titles are derived from a Gilbert and Sullivan song in The Mikado, their comic opera set in Japan.  Aside from the fact that all of us are adults and long past school-age, it aptly represents our group drama watch-alongs and discussions; when we’re squealing in unison over fantastic characters and plot points (as in the case of The Three Musketeers) or booing lousy decisions (coughMoonLoverscough). 

Three little maids from school are we
Pert as a school-girl well can be
Filled to the brim with girlish glee
Three little maids from school

Everything is a source of fun
Nobody's safe, for we care for none
Life is a joke that's just begun
Three little maids from school

Three little maids who, all unwary
Come from a ladies' seminary
Freed from its genius tutelary
Three little maids from school
Three little maids from school

One little maid is a bride, Yum-Yum
Two little maids in attendance come
Three little maids is the total sum
Three little maids from school
Three little maids from school

From three little maids take one away
Two little maids remain, and they
Won't have to wait very long, they say
Three little maids from school
Three little maids from school

Three little maids who, all unwary
Come from a ladies' seminary
Freed from its genius tutelary
Three little maids from school
Three little maids from school

Our tastes are widely varied.  We all love historical dramas, but our favorite subgenres differ: I prefer harem and palace dramas (Empress Ki, Scarlet Heart cdrama, Ice Fantasy), Unni likes hers with a lot of tragedy and romance mixed (The Princess’ Man, Damo, The General and I) and the Empress loves historical adventure dramas (Empress Ki, Warrior Baek Dong Soo).  For contemporary dramas, while we all love action dramas (City Hunter, Healer); Unni prefers rom-coms, especially girls masquerading as boys (You’re Beautiful), whereas the Empress and I tend to prefer mysteries and psycho thrillers (White Christmas, Liar Game).

In a few days you'll be able to see us in action, so to speak, when I post our discussion of what dramas we watched in February.  Prepare for randomness, snark, and a wide variety of opinions.


See you then!

WWW ~ February 2017

How have you all been enjoying the bizarre February weather?


KOREAN:
~ Tomorrow With You
Empress: Y'know, I haven't been disappointed by a Shin Min Ah drama yet...and I wouldn't mind another Lee Je Hoon drama...I hadn't seen such a ridiculous description until now, which is too bad. I had heard time travel and romance and was looking forward to it. I still mean to watch at least the first 2 episodes to see what it's like. XD
Ambassador: Shin Min Ah is nowhere near enough to pull me into such a crazy sounding storyline... but if the Empress likes it, she'll drag me into watching it sooner or later.
Unni: *giggles* I'll probably wait for one of these two to convince me to watch it....or wait for Pinterest to give me screenshots.


~ Perfect Wife
Empress: This sounds possibly really depressing...I don't think I'm putting it on my list...XD
Ambassador: SUNG JOON would be the main reason I would check this out.  I can't tell if this is supposed to be an ahjumma romance or not but either way, it's not likely to tempt me, not even for him.
Unni: *banging head madly into wall*


~ Romance Full of Life
Empress: LOL. At that point, dude, switch careers. XD I would say NOPE, but if it's ONLY 3 episodes...maybe... XD
Ambassador: 3 episodes and Yoon Shi Yoon.  Probably at some point I'll pull it up.
Unni: Um..................this just sounds like kinda cute......some weekend maybe.


~ Super Family
Empress: .....I am underwhelmed. No thanks....
Ambassador: NO.  It sounds like one of those long Monday melos and I generally dislike those.
Unni: No xie xie....


~ Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Empress: I was like NO, YOU CAN'T JUST REMAKE WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY AND HAVE ANOTHER SUPER STRONG GIRL but then I saw some cute promo pics and bother, I like all 3 of the leads, and it might be adorable. So I am not putting it past myself to watch it. XD
Ambassador: I like all three of the lead actors from other things but I didn't think that the synopsis was enough to tempt me.  At first, anyway.  THEN, I saw the part about her becoming his bodyguard and I cracked up and yes, I'll probably watch it, at some point.
Unni: *BOUNCES UP AND DOWN* I am on a strong woman streak....this sounds delicious! *waves hand madly*


~ My Only Love Song
Empress: Heh. Time travel is in again, huh? Nobody wants to stay in the present after 2016? Unless I hear something raving about it later, this isn't really enough to intrigue me.
Ambassador: There isn't much information about this yet but Lee Jong Hyun of CN Blue is in it and so is the villainous brother of Park Ki Woong from Bridal Mask.  As long as my list is right now, I feel that if I added one more drama I'm not passionately interested in, it will be the straw that broke the camel's back, er, list.  So no.
Unni: I'll probably wait for screen shots...it's a little interesting.


~ 109 Strange Things (webdrama)
Empress: I am curious. Which is more than be said for the previous dramas. And I've enjoyed the last few webdramas I've seen. I might go for this one. XD
Ambassador: Color me interested enough to check it out.  It could be highly amusing.
Unni: This sounds iiiiiiiiiiiinteresting


CHINESE:
~ The Starry Night, The Starry Sea
Empress: Heh. Okay, that sounds a little different from the usual. I like that. I also like the title. However, magical Chinese dramas tend to not be things I watch. So...I kind of doubt I'll get to it....XD
Ambassador: YES, because it's William Feng and Bea Hayden and had enough internet buzz that I'm interested.  (Also, I'd watch pretty much anything for William Feng Shaofeng, so there's that.)
Unni: I just watched the opening credit scene because you get a peek at the drama.....I am not sure...it seems jussssssssssssssssssssssst a little more on the too weird side for me, they are cute though.


~ The Glory of Tang Dynasty
Empress: Intriguing. If it was a Korean drama I think I'd be more likely to dive into it...it would depend on what else I heard about it.
Ambassador: Hmmmm, I don't know.  I'm inclined to say yes- palace and harem dramas are my kryptonite- but, I'll have to wait and see what it looks like.
Unni: This sounds interesting, we'll see how it all goes down.


~ Love Just Come
Empress: aww...it sounds sweet...but somehow not something that catches my attention....
Ambassador: Good for her, but nope, not going on my list.
Unni: This sounds cute...the subject is interesting. I might look at it...we shall see.


~ The Legendary School: Three Lives, Three Worlds Tao Hua Yuan
Empress: *dies* This sounds kind of adorable...I tend to be wary of magical dramas...but depending how it was done this could be really fun. XD
Ambassador: Chinese urban fantasy is usually hilarious and fun and this looks like no exception.  I'll be keeping an eye on it.
Unni: We'll see how busy I am.


~ Detective Samoyeds
Empress: HEE. I still want to watch Joseon X-files. But...between medic, ballistics enthusiast, and analytics expert...in the Tang Dynasty...XD I am very intrigued.
Ambassador: YES.  The plot and characters sound like too much fun to stay away.  (The title cracks me up though... does Samoyed mean something different in China?  Because all I can think of is fluffy white dogs.  Unless they're simply referring to the idiom 'like a dog with a bone' for the way they operate... but why choose Samoyeds?)
Unni: Subject matter interesting, everything else...no thank you.


~ Till Death Tear Us Apart
Empress: I like the title a little bit...but the rest doesn't grab me...
Ambassador: I don't thiiiiink so.  Just doesn't pique my interest.
Unni: Not up my ally of interest.


~ Long For You
Empress: .....aliens, immortals, reincarnation...somehow I'm not terribly intrigued....
Ambassador: Finally the cdrama adaptation of You Who Came From the Stars.  Noooope, not interested.
Unni: Also a pass here. I couldn't get into the K one how could I get into the C one?


~ Full Love
Empress: Poor kids...this all sounds depressing...naw...
Ambassador: Ooh, Hawick Lau and Alina Zhang Meng make it tempting, but the plot removes that temptation.  Probably not watching.
Unni: *tip toes around drama* I'll pass.


~ Qin Empire Jue Qi
Empress: Third installment. Because one 30 episode show was not enough...XD When I have endless time I will watch them all in proper order.
Ambassador: I'm putting this on my list of dramas to watch when researching particular historical eras.
Unni: I'll let these two fill me in on these unless I become fascinated with Chinese history


 A January cdrama I missed:
~ The Legend of the Condor Heroes
Empress: That sounds possibly interesting...but when there are others in the series that I haven't seen yet...
Ambassador: The latest in the Condor Heroes franchise.  I started the one from 2008 and loved the chemistry in that one, but I'm not so sure I'll try this one.
Unni: I started watching one of the Condor Heroes once upon a time... I found it a little weird....so no.


TAIWANESE:
~ Art in Love
Empress: no....XD
Ambassador: George Hu isn't enough for me to watch this one.
Unni: This sounds like one of the less interesting Taiwanese dramas


HONG KONG:
~ Romance for 7 Days
Empress: heh. This is not the Hong Kong drama that will draw me away from my massive list.
Ambassador: Naah, not enough to interest me.
Unni: No thank you!


~ Tiger Mom Blues
Empress: okay, while "tiger mom" makes me laugh, the rest of this makes me cringe...
Ambassador: Lordy NO.  The title is cool but I don't usually like family dramas.
Unni: Not really interested, there are far more interesting things in life.



Which of these dramas will YOU be watching?

WWW ~ January 2017

A new year, a whole new set of Asian dramas to look forward to!  Welcome to the first WWW of 2017!  We have some good kdramas; some weird cdramas mixed with good cdramas; half the time I don't even know with twdramas because sometimes I think, "Oooh, this sounds cool," and the rest of the time I think, "WHO WOULD WATCH THAT IT SOUNDS DEADLY DULL," but we have a couple for you to check out; aaaand no HKdramas.


KOREAN:
~ Fireman AKA 'Naked Fireman'
Empress: I'm dying...I just cannot understand...I...what...*cracks up again*
Ambassador: City Hunter's gloriously tragic prosecutor LEE JOON HYUK, and since it's SK the modeling storyline can't be TOO BAD and I can look past the title- I'm interested enough to watch it... but I'm still cackling.
Unni: NO. *headdesk* NO!


~ Chief Kim
Empress: ....Nam Goong Min makes me a little curious...but not curious enough to watch it at the moment.
Ambassador: Nam Goong Min and Nam Sang Mi sounds like an interesting combo.  The writer wrote Blood and God's Quiz- which I liked but wasn't terribly compelling- so given that + what this plot is so far, naaaah.  Far too many 2016 dramas for me to catch up on first.  The director did Page Turner, Empress.
Unni: Intersting but I am not really jumping up and down. I have better things.


~ Missing 9
Empress: Kang Ha Neul had me curious....Jung Kyung Ho Had me also curious but in a totally different way because he didn't seem like he'd fit the original story...then I found out the writer of Bad Guys was involved and it had possibly switched from comedy to thriller - I am absolutely going to check it out, and see if anything good manages to come from the mess that was this drama's making. 
Ambassador: Nooooot really.  I was interested when it was called Picnic and was going to be a kpop band on a desert island- because I adore Swiss Family Robinson stories.  Then when it was renamed Gaia but the same plot and also KANG HA NEUL, I was definitely intrigued but I'm not any longer.  I'll check it out if the buzz is good but otherwise I'll focus on finishing my backlogged 2016 dramas.
Unni: Okay, I've seen clips and I go between being fascinated and horrified but I am sitting on the fence.


~ Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People AKA Rebel Hong Gil Dong
Empress: I have been forever meaning to watch one of the many Hong Gil Dong stories...this might be finally the one I watch. I was actually less interested in it when Ji Sung was considering it, but now that he's safely in Defendent where I wanted him, I can be excited for this one again. XD
Ambassador: YESSSSS.  I'VE BEEN KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THIS DRAMA AND CAN'T WAIT.  YOON KYUN SANG AS HONG GIL DONG AND KIM SANG JOONG AS HIS FATHER.
Unni: I AM ALWAYS UP FOR THESE KINDS OF STORIES!!!!!


~ Defendant
Empress: hahahahah YES. I haven't managed to get through Entertainment yet...Ji Sung was horrendously miscast in that...but I am still in awe of him from Kill Me, Heal Me. 
Ambassador: Ji Sung, Yuri, and Kim Min Suk in a prison break thriller.  ABSOLUTELY WATCHING IT.  Ji Sung is going to kill this role, I can already feel it.
Unni: Interested...maybe.


~ Saimdang, Light's Diary
Empress: I'm curious...time travel dramas either seem to be REALLY GOOD or really NOT (Queen In Hyun's Man is one of my favorite romances; Signal one of my favorite dramas...Moon Lovers...well...) so I might check it out if I can.
Ambassador: After I get done fuming that this drama apparently gets 30 episodes and SCARLET HEART RYEO ONLY GOT 20 then yes, I'll probably check it out at some point, but it's not at the top of my list.  Kim Mi Kyung is in it, and she tends to pick great roles (Ahjumma or Lady Kim, anyone?).
Unni: I'll probably check this out and either get in our get out, I saw ads for this one in Korea and it really caught my interest.


~ Voice
Empress: I have been liking the teaser trailers, and enjoyed a lot of the OCN dramas I've seen. AUGH, I'm still overwhelmed with 2016 dramas, and wanting to watch all of these does not bode well for my 2017 list...
Ambassador: It looks pretty intriguing, OCN usually has good dramas and this is Jang Hyuk + Yesung and Baek Sung Hyun as secondary/minor characters so it's definitely going on my list.  The idea of tracking a person by voice alone is fascinating.  Multiple times I've recognized an actor in a drama by their voice more than their face so I'm really interested in this one.
Unni: This sounds really interesting. I'll check it out and see where it goes.


~ Introvert Boss
Empress: This is an odd drama that I've somehow managed to see mentioned in so many places I felt like it was already airing.
Ambassador: Introvert vs Extrovert in a work place sounds hilarious but it's not something I immediately jump for.  Maybe at some point.
Unni: I keep hearing this is really cute, it reminds me a little of a Taiwanese drama I loved...I'll be checking this one out.


~ Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon
Empress: ...I am literally watching Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, which is adorable and has me howling but which I can't picture being repeated with Park Bo Young. WHY do dramas come in groups like this? I like Weightlifting Fairy just fine, and don't feel like watching another version. 
Ambassador: This one comes out at the end of the month or early next month and as a result there is little info on it yet but it sounds...odd?  *scratches it off list*
Unni: SIGN ME UP I AM ON A STRONG WOMAN STREAK. YES PLEASE AND THANK YOU!


~ Justice Team
Empress: Not much there, but 4 episode minidramas are nice to have around. (MINUS NUDE FIREMAN MODELS MAKES THEM EVEN NICER.)
Ambassador: Messed up synopsis but enough to persuade me to try 4 episodes and Lee Joon Hyuk again apparently.  I'm glad he finished his weekend makjang drama so he is taking on other projects now.  HUZZAH.
Unni: Yay for short dramas, I'll probably check it out for fun and see where it goes.


CHINESE:
~ Pretty Li Hui Zhen
Empress:  *CRINGES* AHem. We're gonna finish SWP. But no way am I touching a Chinese version with a ten foot pole. Siwon was the only redeeming feature. XD
Ambassador: HEH, China's She Was Pretty.  Well, since the Empress and I still have to finish watching SWP together and since we spend most of our time watching it yelling annoyance at everyone except for Siwon's character, NO.  I'm not sitting through the Chinese version.  There is only so much stupidity the human brain can handle before going insane or shutting down.  At least I now know how to torture some certain kinds of people... 'sit down and watch all 16 hours of this right now'.  (Obviously this does not apply to those who would like the drama.)
Unni: I couldn't finish the Korean one...how am I going to do the Chinese one?


~ The General and I
Empress: XD It could be describing any number of cdramas. I am intrigued by it (and the other any number)...but I am also buried under a mountain of kdrama...
Ambassador: The plot sounds pretty cdrama typical but I have a weakness for this kind of plot- especially when one is a prince-general and another is a strategist.  There are a lot of names I know in this one: Angelababy, Madina Memet, Sun Yi Zhou, Wallace Chung.  There's been a lot of buzz around it online.  *adds it to list*
Unni: Um.......I wasn't going to watch it...and then I did....this is seriously one of the best things ever.


~ Magic Star
Empress: This sounds like a video game...did I mention my impending suffocation by kdramas?
Ambassador: The plot sounds pretty standard wuxia.  I'd be more likely to check it out for the actors than the plot: the detestable villain and fun third lead from Tornado Girl/Whirlwind Girl 2... but still, it's not very likely you'll find me watching this one.
Unni: I love stars! I don't like magic....wuxia fighting I only like in historical drama's so far...soooo no.


~ Love, Life, & Lie
Empress: Whatever happened to Live, Love, Laugh...I am not intrigued. 
Ambassador: Ehhhh, too much standard rom com fare for me.
Unni: Bad motto for life.


~ Xun Zhao Qian Shi Zhi Lu
Empress: Okay, more intriguing..though I think I'd like to repeat what I said earlier about Time Travel...and maybe wait and see if the Ambassador ever gets around to it and what she thinks. XD
Ambassador: This though, makes my ears perk up.  Time travel mixed with a backstory mystery?  *adds it to end of list*
Unni: Not terribly interested.


~ Three Lives Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossom
Empress: Okay, based on a novel...a weird title that I actually completely love, unlike most "different" titles...it feels a bit melodrama, but sometimes I'm very much in the mood for that. 
Ambassador: I've been planning to watch this one for a long time.  The title is beautiful, I've heard good things about the novel and now the drama plot, plus it stars Yang Mi, Mark Chao and Dilireba Dimurat.  Count me in!
Unni: This is really interesting, I might have to check this one out.


~ The Chronicles of a Town Called Jian
Empress: This reminds me of The Devi/Mawang, which is a drama I am positive I will like, once I get through the first 2 episodes. (Right up there with Heartless City and My Beautiful Bride and Bad Guys.) If this is a Chinese version of that, I am intrigued. If it's tarot cards and supernatural happenings...nope.
Ambassador: Hmmm, it depends.  Generally I avoid anything with the use of tarot cards, but Asia tends to do that kind of thing differently, and the plot is just interesting enough that I might check it out.  Victoria, Yang Yang and Jiang Jin Fu star, and all three are good actors.
Unni: *sees magic* *backs away slowllllllly*


TAIWAN
~ Close Your Eyes Before It's Dark
Empress: I...haven't actually ever watched anything Taiwanese not a rom-com...well, I guess MARS was a little more on the dramatic/suspense side - and it creeped me right out a few times...so, while this is 7 episodes long and sounds exactly up my alley as far as dark, suspenseful, psychologically intriguing dramas go...I'm going to start it warily. XD
Ambassador: Sounds like a mix of one episode of Vampire Detective and White Christmas.  *sticks it firmly on list*
Unni: *sees what these two compare it to and run for cover*


~ The X Family 2
Empress: As is...nope. 
Ambassador: *squints at it*  Whatever a Fenglongtie is, I think I want one to put on my brothers.  That said, I didn't see any of the other 6-8 dramas in the series and I won't be watching this one.
Empress: *dying* yeah, maybe if we could get a few Fenglongties, I'd watch it.
Unni: Just no.....


Empress: Cheers to wherever BHB goes in the next year!
Ambassador: Hear hear, and we look forward to bringing you more reviews, WWWs, and other posts about the wonderful world of Asian drama!

HAPPY 2017!!

WWW ~ December 2016

And here we come to the last WWW of the year.  Keep your eyes out for a post about our Top Drama Faves of 2016!


KOREAN:
~ Hwarang: the Beginning
Empress: Psh, yes? I have been a loooong-term fan of the Hwarang, and was thrilled that a drama was going to be made. So far, it doesn't like it's going to be the Six-Flying-Dragons-version that I wanted, but I'm still definately going to see exactly what kind of version it is, and hopefully it'll still be great.
Ambassador: I've been looking forward to this since it was announced.  I'm keen to know more about the Hwarang.  This looks like it's going to take it to the level of cute idol drama set in history, and I was hoping for a more serious drama but it's really too early to tell one way or the other and I'm still greatly interested.  Especially with such names as Park Seo Joon, Park Hyung Sik, and SHINEE's Minho.
Unni: Um....YES!!!


~ Goblin
Empress: NAW, NOT INTERESTED, NOT MY THING, NOT A FAN OF THE WRITER, PLOT'S TOO WEIRD...and then  I kept seeing adorable pictues and watched the first two episodes, and... Korea has some fascinating legends, and so far this is a good blend of fantasy going cute instead of creepy. XD
Ambassador: I wasn't going to for a few different reasons: 1- it's not my kind of drama, 2- It's written by Kim Eun Sook and even though she did a good job with DOTS, she had a fantastic co-writer on that one and I still haven't wiped the bad K.E.S. taste from my mouth after Heirs.  But a close friend suggested I should so I'm going to at least try it.  Also, I'm keen to see Lee El again, after her stellar performances in White Christmas and Liar Game.
Unni: O.O *backs away slowly* Okay if anyone does ghost and goblin stories well, it’s Asia, they are really a thing here but no thank you. Ratings and ravings here are off the charts and I am like...no thanks....
Empress: See, that's what I said...but Korean goblins do not appear to be like Western-World goblins...so I'll see if it goes the wrong direction or not. XD


~ Solomon's Perjury
Empress: YES. I am half-way through the Japanese movie series, which got interesting as soon as the student started setting up the trial, and very much looking forward to a Korean version. You can't repeat White Christmas, but if this is anything similar, I will like it.
Ambassador: Sounds a bit like WC?  I'm definitely watching it for sheer curiosity's sake.  The female lead was a child actress in a few other dramas I've seen and she was good.  I'm interested to see how she transitions to older roles.
Unni: I don’t want stories about dead bodies right now...no thank you.


~ Seven First Kisses
Fairy/angel grants the wish of a girl who helped her out.  The girl wants a boyfriend, the angel gifts her seven amazing men to choose from.  Promo webdrama for Lotte Duty Free.
Empress: *grins* a) this method of advertising just...wow...why doesn't everyone do that? b) THIS IS HILARIOUS c) DUH I'm watching it and will spend the entire time cracking up.
Ambassador: Hmm.  Let's just take a look at the lineup of leads for it:
EXO's Kai
2PM's Taecyeon
PARK HAE JIN
LEE JONG SUK
LEE MIN HO
JI CHANG WOOK
LEE JOON GI
It's every fangirl's fantasy come true (makes me wonder who the brains are behind it) and I'm absolutely watching no matter how cheesy it gets.
Unni: I have a feeling I’ll end up screaming my way through this one...screams of laughter, embarrassment hiding, fangirling...whatever. My pillow will probably be stuffed in my face for half of this.


CHINESE:
~ Candle in the Tomb
Empress: O.o specialization in tomb configuration??? I did not know that was a thing. I'm kind of intrigued - if it's a psychological thriller, I'll go for it...if it's more spooky/supernatural...no thanks.
Ambassador: Archaeology, danger and friendship in a cdrama.  Sounds like something I'd like.
Unni: This one just creeps me out!!!!


~ Bu Liang Ren Season 2
Empress: Getting a sword is a very common theme, is it not? XD If there are literal kids in it, I'm kind of intrigued, but probably not intrigued enough to watch it any time soon.
Ambassador: Typical wuxia fare but I'm interested, some far future date.
Unni: Skipping, interesting but skipping.


TAIWANESE:
~ Miss in Kiss
Another installment in the Playful Kiss/It Started With A Kiss franchise.  Being touted as a remake of the original It Started With a Kiss TW drama.
Empress: I just rewatched Playful Kiss. XD I can't deal with another version right now. (Even though I actually liked it a lot more the second time through. Weirdly.)
Ambassador: Maybe?  After I watch the Japanese original and the Korean remake and the Taiwanese original.
Unni: I have hated every version of this story! I CAN’T DO IT!!!! But I am going to try again because I am living in Taiwan and see how it goes.


~ The King of Romance
Empress: I'm curious if it's supposed to be that she's actually Jade Girl or if she just thinks she is? It sounds like a twist on the usual love triangle...I'm up for fantasy but when we get angels-reincarnated-as-humans I'm a little skeptical. XD
Ambassador: I don't usually go for star-crossed lovers rom-coms but this one with the time and history undertones looks pretty intriguing.  Lego Li is a pretty popular actor with several tw-entertainment bloggers I follow, but I've not yet watched one of his dramas.
Unni: *bangs head into wall* We’ll see....


Which of these year-end dramas will you be watching?

WWW ~ November 2016

November's ridiculously late WWW... but at least it's still 2016?  I don't know about all of you, but I'm pretty ready for this year to be over.


KOREAN:
~ Oh My Geum Bi
Empress: While I have seen some good reviews of the drama so far...I'm really not feeling like watching a drama about a child dying...
Ambassador: Not really, no.  It sounds like a good story but not for my life right now.
Unni: I’ve heard a lot of really good things about this drama and the fact that it has small children in it has me tempted to try it.


~ Night Light
Empress: Not right now, but something about it tells me I'll check it out at some point. (I am curious. If it's about 3 unlikeable people, I won't watch it. But...XD Time Between Dog and Wolf could have sounded similarly stark and unlikable, but I adore that drama.)
Ambassador: YES, BECAUSE JIN GOO IN A LEAD ROLE.  Also Uee, whose acting I like.  The writer wrote Time Between Dog and Wolf, Empress, which also intrigues me.
Unni: Not my kind of drama really, so I am going to be skipping.


~ Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Empress: I was thinking no, partially on principle alone - that the drama was departing so sharply from its inspiration of Jang Mi Ran - but I have heard some very good things about it and if it continues to be good, I just might end up watching it. XD
Ambassador: I wasn't originally going to but I've been seeing clips on IG that are totally cute.  Also, Nam Joo Hyuk is one of the best young actors around right now.
Unni: Okay the name caught my name so I sat down and watched episode one and laughed my head off. Episode two had me laughing and fangirling and screaming at people either in sympathy or stupidity. I am hooked on this one.


~ Father I'll Take Care of You
Empress: ....I can't say I'm intrigued...
Ambassador: Not my cup of tea.
Unni: This one sounds a little miserable.


~ Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim
Empress: I am still trying to finish Doctors...so was going to say flat out NO...but I have seen some almost realistic pieces on Tumblr...it might go to the bottom of my list. XD
Ambassador: Probably not, not even for Seo Hyun Jin or Jin Kyung.  Too busy with other things.  It's getting really good ratings but I just have way too much on my plate.
Unni: I’ve seen random clips that make me sort of curious about this one, but this isn’t my typical drama. We’ll see if I play with this one or pass.


~ Legend of the Blue Sea
Empress: I haven't seen Lee Min Ho in anything truly watchable for quite a while. I want this to be good so badly. And so far I'm liking it. XD
Ambassador: HOW IS THIS EVEN A QUESTION???  IT'S LEE MIN HO.  IN A MERMAID DRAMA.  WITH A DUAL HISTORICAL/MODERN STORYLINE.  Yes, I'm watching.  Plus, it's the director of City Hunter and writer of My Love From Another Star.
Unni: I’ve started watching this one and have decided that I need to see more. I randomly love stories about mermaids...and it’s good to see LMH in something that I might enjoy once again.


~ Entourage
Empress: Naw...I was uninterested in the American version, and so far I've heard nothing inspiring whatsoever about this one...
Ambassador: I haven't seen the American drama of which this is a remake and I don't plan to see this either.
Unni: Interesting, it doesn’t sounds like something I am interested in committing to.


CHINESE:
~ Legend of Ace
Empress: I like that it's a story about the steward, and how he helps someone else achieve greatness...I don't know that I'd want to watch 40 episodes about it..
Ambassador: I'm mildly interested in this one.  'Power behind the throne' storylines can be pretty intriguing when done right.
Unni: Interesting, I won’t end up watching it though.


~ Simple Man
Empress: Somehow making a deal with a devil doesn't sound like accidental circumstances...I'm not in the mood for comic book devil-deal-making.
Ambassador: Sounds pretty standard comic book fare.  Marvel is the only comic book drama I've been interested in lately, so I probably won't try this.
Unni: Not my typical interest so I’ll be skipping.


~ The Princess Wei Young
Empress: It's so loooooong...it looks kind of gorgeous, though...I'm a bit on the fence. XD
Ambassador: YES.  I've been keeping an eye on it for a while.  Vanness Wu and Tiffany Tang and a great plot, if somewhat standard.  It's been generating a lot of buzz online so I'm planning to see it.
Unni: This actually sounds interesting. I might have to give this a try.


~ Best Lover
Empress: Innnnnnteresting blending...I may have seen too many fake-relationship dramas at the moment, because I'm not finding myself terribly drawn to this one.
Ambassador: It appears to be a Chinese/Korean crossover drama?  Korean stars, but a Chinese drama.  Zhou Mi is the main lead and if I watch it it would be for him but even that isn't likely unless I bizarrely find myself sick.
Unni: I am curious about this one simply because it has Zhou Mi in it and he’s been posting stills on his Instagram. But then again I have a hard time committing to any Chinese dramas sooooooooooooo.


~ Weapon Soul
Empress: LOL. Poor family and friends. I'm rolling my eyes too hard already to put it on my list. XD
Ambassador: Wuxia, yessss.  This one sounds so cliche, boy-fantasy-come-true but I'm going to try it at some point just for the fun of it.
Unni: Okay, interesting, but no thank you.


~ Shuttle Love Millennium
Empress: .....how does Queen In Hyun's Man fit in there anywhere...also I might be a little too much a fan of QIHM, because I can't seen anybody doing that story better. The other sounds more interesting, only because HA somebody would have to grow up in a hurry and it could be very amusing.
Ambassador: The storyline sounds hilarious.  I plan to check it out.  Also, Puff Guo was adorable as Heechul's onscreen wife in We Got Married Global edition or whatever it was called.
Unni: This sounds interesting, I might have to find out more...we’ll see.


~ Fox in the Screen
Empress: Okay, it's shorter...and sounds kind of awesome. From the trailer it might be too black-magic-fantasy for me, but if not, I'll watch it.
Ambassador: This storyline + comedy + fantasy.  YES PLEASE.
Unni: This sounds HILARIOUS!


TAIWANESE:
~ Behind Your Smile
Empress: "His goodwill is anything but benign." I'm somewhat curious...though my list might just be too long...
Ambassador: The way the synopsis presents the storyline feels a bit lame but this drama could be interesting.  I'll wait and see what online buzz has to say about it.
Unni: As my Taiwanese friends (who mostly all watch Korean dramas) say—Some of Taiwan's stories are just weird!


~ V-Focus
Empress: Okay, that sounds kind of awesome.
Ambassador: Bodyguards + enemies + Swiss Family Robinson = ABSOLUTELY.
Unni: I might have to try this one out. It sounds like it could be fun.


~ 700 Sui Lu Cheng
Empress: It sounds super sweet, but not what I want to watch.
Ambassador: Sounds like an adorable storyline but not my cup of tea.
Unni: AWW!!!! but no thank you.


CANTONESE:
~ My Lover From the Planet Meow
Empress: ....................I feel like these just keep getting weirder and weirder????? and while if this was a book I'd grab it and flip through it, I'm not sure I want to commit to an entire drama of it...I might watch for clips or something, just to see what on earth it's like. XD
Ambassador: I'm dying because it seems the latest installment in the You Who Came From Another Star franchise + the Space Kitties book anthology series.  I'll watch this out of sheer curiosity.
Unni: I AM LAUGHING...but no thank you, very kindly.


~ Dead Wrong
Empress: Almost, but not quite. There's a few others I'd be more interested in watching with similar themes.
Ambassador: Shades of the Count of Monte Cristo but not enough to draw me into adding this to my overcrowded list.
Unni: This just sounds too crazy to try and wrap my head around and I don’t need to throw in a language I am not learning.


~ Two Steps From Heaven
Empress: Night Light I think will be my drama on this theme...probably enough, and with slightly better morals, I'm thinking.
Ambassador: Nooooot interested, even for Edwin Siu.
Unni: Lovely, but no thank you.


~ No Reserve
Empress: "The hero of Canton, the man they call Jayne..." Wait, what? Ah. If the Ambassador likes it, I will check it out. XD
Ambassador: The storyline is quite interesting, plus Myolie and Edwin.  I'm adding it to my list.
Unni: Interesting I like the idea of it, but once again. Thank you, but no.


Which of these have you been watching?

WWW ~ Autumn 2016: Japanese

All of the WWW posts for the autumn/winter of 2016 are shockingly late - 2016 has been a wild year for us, and we apologize for the lateness.

Our dearest Unni is still extremely busy in Taiwan, but will add her comments when she can.


~ Beppin-san
Empress: 'must achieve the goal no matter what' and she wants to do embroidery and sewing? *reads rest of the summary* Okay, it sounds somewhat interesting...historically speaking...considering it's the Japanese side of WWII...but I'm not currently curious enough to watch it.
Ambassador: It sounds pretty interesting and also like it would be a great drama to watch for research, but I don't have time for it on any other grounds.
Unni: --


~ Hippocratic Oath
Empress: Medical dramas + me don't usually work, but I haven't tried a Japanese one...and if it's only 5 epidsodes, I might go for it. :)
Ambassador: Title + Keiko Kitagawa + plot is a powerful draw for this, and it's supposed to be only 5 episodes... I'll probably make time for it at some point. 
Unni: --


~ Pretty Proofreader
Empress: .............I really hope there's more to it than that...but given what's there, it would have to be something seriously fascinating to make me watch it.
Ambassador: Obviously there is some crucial part of this plot that has been left out of the synopsis, because there's barely anything to arouse interest here.  It has a few interesting actors but no.
Unni: --


~ Yuusha Yoshihiko to Michibikareshi Shichinin
Empress: ehhhh...being revived to re-save the world sound tremendously depressing, and mixing Buddha with Desutaku doesn't interest me.
Ambassador: I haven't tried any Japanese fantasy dramas yet (aside from anime) but this sounds... odd and... not interesting enough to tempt me.
Unni: --


~ Aibou: Season 15
Empress: More interesting than the previous ones...I think if I was looking for a another drama to watch, I might jump on this one. But...I'm kind of the opposite of looking for another drama to watch right now.
Ambassador: It sounds pretty interesting but not quite the right combination to tempt me to pile yet another drama onto my already overloaded list.  (Wait.  CAN you have an overloaded list?  If you can, mine is.)
Unni: --


~ Career
Empress: I like the idea. And I feel like Japan is pretty good at this genre. But again...my list...so long...
Ambassador: This sounds FUN with humor and some good opinion turnarounds coming up.  I enjoy underdog stories, so I'm adding this one to my list.
Unni: --


~ Chef: Mitsuboshi no Kyushoku
Empress: The kid angle intrigues me - the idea of a restaurant chef making food that children will actually eat sounds kind of fun. Mostly this reminds me that I need to get back to watching Master-God of Noodles... XD
Ambassador: Naaaaaah, not really into cooking dramas.
Unni: --


~ Doctor-X: Season 4
Empress: Okay, this sounds like a total nightmare...either it's completely fake, in which case bo-ring and I don't care, or it's real, in which case HORRORS, that kind of patient-care nightmare makes me sick. No.
Ambassador: I like power play dramas but in a medical melo setting..... no, don't think so. 
Unni: --


~ Medical Team: Lady Da Vinci no Shindan
Empress: ...I commend her quitting neurosurgery when she's hallucinating...and in general it sounds better than the last drama...but not better enough to make me watch it.
Ambassador: This one however is intriguing because there is just enough mystery involved.  I don't have time for it though.
Unni: --



~ Rental Kyuseishu
Empress: I'm intrigued. Rent-a-Hero? I think I will at least stick it somewhere on my list.
Ambassador: This sounds HILARIOUS and I'm adding it to my list.
Unni: --


~ The Last Cop
[Remake of German TV series "Der letzte Bulle" which first aired in 2010.]
Empress: Japanese remake of a German show...this could be intriguing. I don't know how many cop shows I can have on my list at one time...It's a maybe. XD
Ambassador: It looks like it will be comedy and could totally be tons of fun, but it'll go on the 'check out' list.
Unni: --


~ Suna no Tou
Empress: This sounds weird...and possibly treading the horror-line...but also just intriguing enough that it makes me super curious. I want to check it out.
Ambassador: Oooooh a psycho thriller.  Japan does psycho thrillers really well so I'm intrigued enough to try it.
Unni: --


~ Toge
Empress: http://mydramalist.com/20124-toge-shoushimin-kuranaga-haruyuki-no-gyakushu The poster definitely captures the feel of the summary, and there is the possibility it could be hilarious...but I don't think I'm interested enough to check it out right now. If I hear good things about it, I would try it. XD 
Ambassador: I'M DYING and I need to see it.
Unni: --


~ We Married as a Job
Empress: These situations are always so ridiculous...it's really hard to make marriage a thing people have to do...and I'm not really in the mood for another version of this. XD
Ambassador: Yet another 'marriage of convenience' drama.  Nope.
Unni: --



~ Cain to Abel
Empress: The title intrigues me - the drama's poster makes me think they got Cain and Abel and Adam and Eve a little bit mixed up...but the trailer also intrigues me and I am putting it on my list.
Ambassador: The title immediately snagged my attention, and the synopsis makes it sound like it will be brother against brother, which I usually love to watch.  Also, the main actor is a favorite of a friend, who watched him in the movie Grasshopper and she says he's quite good, so I'm definitely watching this.
Unni: --


~ Cold Case
[Remake of U.S. television series "Cold Case".]
Empress: Remake intrigues me because what about the story was good enough to be remade...but again with the number of cop dramas I have on my list. Maybe later...XD
Ambassador: COLOR ME INTRIGUED.
Unni: --


~ IQ 246
Empress: Okay...this is a different enough spin that I am seriously intrigued. Japanese Sherlock Holmes...I'm at least going to try it. XD
Ambassador: O.O  Sounds FASCINATING.  It's going on my list.
Unni: --


~ The Sniffer
[Remake of Ukrainian TV series "The Sniffer".]
Empress: ........Then again some remakes are just strange. Why would you make a show like this in the first place, let alone remake it? Though maybe if I could conceptualize exactly HOW being able to smell really well could possbly help you solve crimes, I'd be more interested. The Girl Who Sees Smells at least had enough of a fantasy spin that I could go along with it...XD
Ambassador: A) Japan seems to have a thing for 'Sherlockian dramas'- where crimes are solved by someone with unusual abilities
b) they also have a thing for remakes
All things considered, I'm interested.
Unni: --


~ Haikei, Minpaku-sama
Empress: *tries not to yawn* My list is too long...XD
Ambassador: Naaaaah, mind numbing family melodrama.  If I want that, all I have to do is look around me IRL.  Meisa Kuroki makes it tempting, but I just don't have time or interest enough.
Unni: --


~ Kuroi 10-nin no Onna
Empress: *howls* There's a solution, I guess....XD Like...they have more than an inkling of each other's existence and all plot together to murder him, or do they all get fed up with him at the same time and individually try to murder him, or...I...am not sure what to think of this. Why can't they leave him? If there was a character who was likable, I would watch it...but if it's about 10 adulterers and a nasty wife, I can't really see enjoying it.
Ambassador: Absolutely watching this.  It's very much my kind of drama.  So much.
Empress: *grins* It really is. Please tell me if there is someone I would like in it who would make me want to watch it. XD
Ambassador: Watch me excitedly email you after the second episode and drag you into watching it with me.
Unni: --


~ Ishikawa Goemon
Empress: I feel like I should watch some of the other similar ones I have on my list before this one, but...it can't hurt to put it the end, right? XD
Ambassador: Oooooh, another Goemon drama!  Count me in.
Unni: --


~ Unmei ni, Nita Koi
Empress: Eh...naw.
Ambassador: Mmmm, no.  Not enough time, not enough interest, not enough etc etc.
Unni: --


~ Chuushingura no Koi
Empress: I am intrigued. It's not too long, and it looks really interesting. XD
Ambassador: YES,  for THE PLOT and DAITO SHUNSUKE.  I wasn't terribly impressed with Emi Takei in the RK movies, but here's hoping she'll be good.
Unni: --


~ Suisho no Kodou
Empress: This is a better synopsis of some of the others...I'm intrigued...but still. Too many dramas about policemen/detectives/etc.
Ambassador: I don't knooow.  It could be interesting but it doesn't sound particularly gripping.  Probably not.
Unni: --


~ Sennyuu Sousa Idol Deka Dance
Empress: And here we see the effect of all those detective dramas... -__- Though okay, this is the kind of twist on it that intrigues me. Detective that wants to be a detective because of entertainment gets stuck in entertainment industry undercover? I think I'm at least going to put it on my list. XD
Ambassador: Probably yes, mainly for DAITO SHUNSUKE.
Unni: --



Which of these Japanese dramas are YOU interested in watching?

WWW ~ October 2016: Korean and Mandarin Edition

We're quite laaaate with this month's edition again.  Blame life. :D

The Unni will add her comments when she has time.  Teaching in Taiwan keeps her very busy.


KOREAN:
First of all, a September drama that I missed because I couldn't find an airdate at the time of my last WWW:
~ Woman with a Suitcase
Empress: Something about it intrigues me, but I don't really have time to start it right now. I will probably put it on my list and hope to get to it someday.
Ambassador: I want to check this out at some point because it's an interesting plot but mostly for Joo Jin Mo (the fantastic Wang Yoo from Empress Ki) and Lee Joon (great actor in a variety of roles), and a little for Jin Kyung and Jeon Hye Bin.
Unni: --


~ My Wife's Having an Affair This Week
Empress: Somehow I've ended up seeing a lot about it online, and the idea of a perfect wife with a loser husband who a) doesn't know how to talk to her, b) believes she is going to have an affair, and c) doesn't know how to stop her just...(the fact that she actually isn't having an affair in the beginning, he is just sure that she will does intrigue me a little bit. XD Not enough to watch a whole drama about it.)
Ambassador: Errr, NO.  Sounds like just the kind of romcom melodrama I cannot abide.
Unni: --


~ 1% of Anything
Empress: I've heard interesting things about the first drama version of this (http://wiki.d-addicts.com/One_Percent_of_Anything) and the fact that they've made 2 dramas off this novel interests me. (It'd be kind of fun to see the difference in interpretation from 2003 to 2016.) I don't know when I'll have TIME to look into either of them, but...
Ambassador: Noooooo.  Obviously there's something about the drama that should be more interesting than this synopsis makes it out to sound but aish, not going to spend time on it.
Unni: --


~ The Man Living In Our House
Empress: I was definitely interested when YSH was considering...with the current actors I'm still interested (the storyline just intrigues me XD), though I wish different people were playing different parts, ha. (C'mon, couldn't Lee Soo Hyuk have been lead this time? XD)
Ambassador: YESSS because two of the Model Avengers in a drama again: Kim Young Kwang and Lee Soo Hyuk.  LSH as second lead is usually great.  Also Kim Ji Hoon in a tertiary or minor role.  When the casting news for this one came out, I thought 'Guess I'll be watching Monday/Tuesday KBS dramas for the rest of the year.'
Unni: --


CHINESE:
~ Princess of Lan Ling 
(Sequel to Prince of Lan Ling)
Empress: I have to watch Ice Fantasy first... :)
Ambassador: Sounds fun.  I'll put it on my list to check out after I see Lan Ling Wang (FENG SHAOFENG FTW) but not before then.
Unni: --


~ Dr. Qin Medical Examiner
Empress: 'raw and often times gruesome details' turns me off....medical examiner and police detective would be interesting, but if they're going to spend the whole time cutting into dead bodies...no thanks. I don't know what China lets air on that front...
Ambassador: Mmm, depending on how high the 'gore' and 'gruesome' components are, this could be fascinating... so I'll put it on the 'keep an eye on' list.  Yes, I have lists for everything.  Don't judge.
Unni: --


~ The Battle at the Dawn
Empress: Somewhat intrigued...there's so much Chinese history I don't know...but MY LIST IS SO LONG. Maybe I'll wait to hear how good it is and then decide... :D
Ambassador: Sooo, early imperialist era??  Either way, THIS sounds FASCINATING and Liu Shishi.  Yep.  Watching.  Though not as it airs- I have enough of those on my plate right now.  *cough*
Unni: --


~ Memory Lost
Empress: XD I always like relationships across the divide...depending on how it turns out...I kind of want to watch this one. Yup. I miiiight stick it on my list. XD
Ambassador: Color me quite intrigued- especially with a police force called 'black shield'.  I'm adding it to my list.  Sounds like a kdrama to be honest.  Something like I Miss You... or am I thinking of the wrong name?  Empress, what say you?
Empress: Haha, the only similar thing is really a girl gets kidnapped and her boyfriend joins the police as a result - but it was the first thing that came to my mind as I read the description here. :D
Unni: --


~ When a Snail Falls in Love
Empress: Detective and criminal profiler...best partners in the force...Angel's Killer... The title cracks me up (When a Snail Falls in Love????), but I'm still kind of interested. XD
Ambassador: I'm guessing 'Angel's Killer' is supposed to be a serial killer... this could be interesting.  I'll check it out.
Unni: --


~ Bu Liang Ren
Empress: Eh...I feel like I've read similar descriptions so many times...nah....
Ambassador: Mmmm, probably not.  Wuxia is hit and miss for me and this one sounds average enough to miss.
Unni: --


TAIWANESE:
~ Oba
Empress: O.o I think this would depend entirely on the execution...so it depends on how it turns out whether I'll add it or not. XD
Ambassador: This sounds like a Taiwanese version of 'Miss Billy' (same author as 'Pollyanna'- it's a hilarious book)... in which case, I'm definitely watching.  Sounds like this is right up your alley, Unni.
Unni: --



What October dramas will YOU be watching?

WWW ~ September 2016

2016 has been a great year for dramas so far and September continues that by bringing us a new Ji Chang Wook role.


Korean:
~ Drinking Solo
Empress:  If anybody could make drinking alcohol alone interesting, it'd be Korea, but good grief. I can think of a lot of things that would require a lot less work to make interesting.
Ambassador:  Naaaah, sounds boring.
Unni:  Honestly, not really interested.


~ Fantastic
Empress:  It doesn't grab my attention, and there's a lot of other dramas that are doing that, so...
Ambassador:  Could be interesting, and Ji Soo is in it but I doubt I'll make time for it.  Way too many other things on my plate.
Unni:  I am not sure if I am ready to sign up for this, It sounds interesting but, death and love isn’t really something I am interested in watching right now.


~ Shopping King Louie
Empress:  The fact that Seo In Guk is in it tempts me. (He was unbelievably charming in Task Force 38, which I still need to review.) Other than that, though, there's not much about this to interest me. Then again, once C4K and MDBC have completely converted me into a lover of rom-coms, who knows what I'll watch. XD
Ambassador:  Normally I'd not touch this one but I miiiiight consider it because Seo In Guk is hilarious.
Unni:  This sounds really cute! I just might end up going for this one.


~ On the Way to the Airport
Empress:  Melodrama no, relationship exploration and attempting to answer that question yes...Liar Game reunion with those two leads YES. I want to see how they interact when not geniuses battling on a game show...XD
Ambassador:  Despite the bizarre sounding title I'm absolutely watching this because the two male leads are the male leads from Liar Game, my top favorite kdrama ever, and the premise is intriguing.
Unni:  I’ll probably wait to see screen shots of this before I invest...but it’s on the maybe list.


~ The K2
Empress:  It's all in how it's done, but adventure dramas are usually my thing, and Ji Chang Wook means I'm definitely watching it.
Ambassador:  Since the casting news first broke for this, I've eagerly been following its progress.  It's Ji Chang Wook, one of my top ten favorite actors ever.  There is no question about it, I will most definitely be watching it.  I'm actually going to watch it with my mom and sister as it airs.  Previously, my mother and I watched Healer together as it aired.  This will be my sister's first time watching a JCW currently airing drama.
Unni:  You can sign me up! This one just sounds really good! And the fact that JCW is in it...certainly doesn’t hurt at all.


China:
~ Love is More Than a Word
Empress:  ...if I wanted to watch a magistrate I'd watch Arang and the Magistrate. XD
Ambassador:  Either the synopsis writer needs a lot of help or this drama would bore me to tears.
Unni:  *bangs head into wall* No...please...stop.


~ Love 020
Empress:  ......Adapted from a novel tends to make me more interested, and guild wars and gaming experts sound somewhat intriguing, but...wow. This synopsis is SO DRAMATIC!!! I just can't take it seriously. I'm really not seeing it in my future. XD
Ambassador:  I'm laughing so hard at this synopsis.  It sounds cheesy and corny.  I'm tempted to check it out because Yang Yang and Zheng Shuang are both great actors who's work I enjoy but I doubt I'll ever make time for it.  EDIT: this drama is proving so popular that I'm now curious enough to try it.
Unni:  This sounds cute! But with the amount of dramas on my plate and to be honest my major interest is in Korean and Taiwanese, Chinese dramas tend to hurt my ears I have no idea why...just do.


~ My Little Princess
Empress:  *grits teeth* Okay, if just a summary puts me on edge, I wouldn't make it through a full drama.
Ambassador:  Noooope.  Too many misunderstandings and typical rom com craziness to make me watch it.
Unni:  UFDA!!! I think I got dizzy from just reading that one!


Hong Kong:
~ Brother's Keeper II
Empress:  If it ended with a question other than "How will they handle it?"...I'm just not really biting.
Ambassador:  I like Edwin Siu but the plot for this one isn't enough to make me watch it.
Unni:  Interesting, but I have dramas I’d rather watch or rewatch, so I’ll skip!


Which September dramas are on your TBW list?

The Moon Peeps Over the Horizon... FINALLY

Ambassador:
I promised a post listing specifically what I'm most excited about in the now airing drama Moon Lovers.

Moon Lovers AKA Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is the Korean remake of the hugely popular Chinese drama Scarlet Heart, adapted from Tong Hua's novel of the same name.  Although I haven't technically watched Scarlet Heart all the way through (lots of clips, MVs, read multiple people's recaps of the whole thing, and read the partial fan translation of the novel) it's my favorite Chinese drama- currently tied with Ice Fantasy.  It's a gorgeous piece of storytelling and filmmaking.  I had been aware sometime early last year or before that that Korea had bought remake rights for the drama but no move was being made on it yet.

So I was over the moon (yes,  pun intended) when the project was greenlit for production and casting and filming and then airing this year.  Eagerly I followed every single bit of casting news, from the stars who would personify the beloved characters in a different light (LEE JOONGI AND KANG HA NEUL?  WERE THE CASTING DIRECTORS READING MY MIND?), to the secondary characters.  I sent the Empress and Unni and other friends emails and messages full of news.  I stalked news sites.  I pounced on every behind-the-scenes picture from the script reading to the wrap party.  Every poster.  The day the first trailer came out (the long one that was shown to Chinese audiences) was a red letter day for me and my fellow dramaphiles.  Every trailer since then I've seen multiple times.  Same with the interviews.  The press conference.  And finally, several hours ago, the first two episodes of this glorious drama aired and I am waiting eagerly for them to be subbed.

So why specifically am I so excited about this drama?
~ The original story is well written and the plot and pacing are excellent.
~ I love harem dramas.
~ I adore reverse harem dramas- they're one of my favorites.  To quote the Empress: 'IT'S LIKE...A DOZEN PUPPIES IN LOVE WITH HER...AND TWO TIGERS FIGHTING OVER HER.'
~ Palace dramas are also a huge favorite of mine.
~ I love history and this is about a lesser known time in Korean history.  As a someone who is frequently frustrated by the lack of English Language materials on Korean history, this will be gold.
~ Lee Joonki playing the Fourth Prince- it is going to be amazing.
~ Kang Ha Neul playing the Eighth Prince - he's one of my favorite Korean actors and I love that his range of roles is expanding.
~ Hong Jong Hyun playing the scheming Third Prince - HJH can do dark and sinister but still intriguing /very well/.  In an interview, cast members described his character as 'someone who doesn't seem real' 'super evil' and 'someone who should be locked up' due to how bad the character is... and I'm eagerly looking forward to it.
~ HAREM POLITICS - queens and empresses and wives head to head.  Yesss PLEASE.
~ Nam Joo Hyuk and Ji Soo's bromance
~ Baekhyun playing the rascal prince - and ohhhhh what a hilarious rascal.
~ Yoon Sun Woo's ninth prince - who he described in an interview as 'cunning' and someone else in the same interview described as 'greedy'
~ Z. Hera's warrior noblewoman
~ Seohyun's last princess of one of the Three Kingdoms turned gisaeng
~ Jo Min Ki as Taejo - from what I've been able to learn of Taejo, he was a very smart and cunning manager of people and politics.  I'm eager to see this portrayal of him.
~ The aura of the drama from the trailers is exactly my top favorite kind of aura.  100%. 

My only quibble?  As it stands right now, we're only supposed to get 20 episodes.  People.  That is not enough.  We need at least 24 and 30 would be better.

Empress:
To this most excellent of summaries I have little to add...I have been intrigued by Scarlet Heart ever since I first saw pictures of the drama on tumblr (and was first amazed by the everlasting number of princes apparently involved), but despite later hearing about the Ambassador's interest, it ended up becoming one of many Chinese dramas in my drama queue. A Korean remake definitely piqued my interest, however, and once I saw who was being cast, I knew I was going to watch it. The piece by piece release of information, posters, stills, and trailers served only to absolutely fascinate me. I mean...come on:
- based on a novel (I'm always biased for dramas based on previously written stories...it comes from being a voracious reader.)
- actors involved (Lee Jun Ki dramas tend to go on my immediate to-watch list until I find reason to remove them, and Kang Ha Neul dramas are getting close to that place. Those two alone would make me watch this, let alone the rest of the cast involved.)
- quality of filmography/direction evident in what has been released so far
- sheer number of relationships going to be explored in this drama
I am preemptively in love with the entire drama and fully prepared for my heart to be drama-destroyed, though a part of me insists on hoping that the remake involves some form of happy ending for at least a few more characters than the Chinese version. XD


Our beloved Unni is actually in Asia at the moment, once more teaching English in Taiwan.  Should she find time soon to add her thoughts about this drama, this post will be updated.


Are you planning to watch Moon Lovers?  Why or why not?