Today, we're taking a break before Season 15 of Hospital Playlist for a special summer episode! Joanna, Sung-Hee, and special guest Ernabel Demillo discuss the K Dramas they've recently finished, what they're watching now, the shows they're most excited about, and Joanna's unforgettable trip to the Philippines. We discuss:
The shows we mention throughout the episode: We Are All Trying Here, You and Everything Else, My Royal Nemesis, Phantom Lawyer, Agent Kim Reactivated, Sold Out on You, The Husband, East Palace, Miss Granny, Off Campus, and upcoming dramas including Knock Off, Scandal, See You at Work Tomorrow, Tantara, and Grand Galaxy Hotel.
Why You and Everything Else may be the most emotionally devastating—and one of the best—series of the year, with an unforgettable portrayal of female friendship and outstanding performances by Kim Go-eun and the entire cast.
Why Sung Hee and Ernabel recommend sticking with We Are All Trying Here, even though it's a difficult series to get into during the early episodes.
Joanna's enthusiastic recommendation for Agent Kim Reactivated, an action thriller featuring So Ji-sub that combines intense action with compelling character development and friendships.
The many highly anticipated upcoming dramas featuring stars including Ji Chang-wook, Son Ye-jin, Song Hye-kyo, Gong Yoo, Seo In-guk, Nam Joo-hyuk, and Kim Soo-hyun.
Joanna's emotional trip to the Philippines to fulfill her mother's final wish by placing her ashes with her parents, while also celebrating her son's college graduation.
Joanna's visit to Corregidor, where she learned more about her grandfather's World War II service and imprisonment after the fall of the Philippines.
Joanna's adventures in the Philippines, including visiting Manila, Antipolo, Bacolod, Sipalay, surviving a typhoon, and experiencing both volcano and weather alerts during the same trip.
Joanna's memorable KDramaChat dinner in Manila with listeners and the incredible Filipino meal at Lore by Chef Tatung in Bonifacio Global City.
Filipino cuisine, its Spanish and Chinese influences, and why Joanna describes it as a paradise for lovers of pork, seafood, garlic, vinegar, and coconut-based dishes.
The hosts' discussion of travel, jet lag, and Joanna's tips for recovering quickly after long international flights.
A preview of what's ahead for KDramaChat as Season 15 begins with Hospital Playlist next week.
K Drama Chat is a weekly podcast where we take one Korean (K) Drama each season and and recap and analyze each episode. K Drama Chat is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Pandora.
Such fun episode.
ReplyDelete*I am sitting here, figuratively putting my feet up, and enjoying all the praise for “You and Everything Else”. I mentioned this back in April when I finished it. But now that more have seen it, this show went straight to my top 15%. And if they have done one thing differently (or more precisely if they have avoided doing one thing), I would have probably given it even 5 stars, which I rarely give. I ended up giving it 4.5.
The 2 leads were brilliant. I wanted Park Ji-hyun to win, because she is the least famous of the lot.
*Joanna, there are only 7 kdrama that I have given 5 stars out of almost 80. “We Are All Trying Here” is one of them, but I advise you to drop it.
Personally, I loved it from E01, and I think the male lead as annoying as he is, he is one of the best written male characters.
I LOVED that scene at the train crossing in E01 and rewatched it so many times.
Such an interesting conversation! Not the cliched stuff.
With My Mister, I understand holding on to E3, or 4. But this one is 12 episodes, and I don’t think it changes that much. You just get to know the ML more and start to see things differently.
However, if you can’t even concentrate on the episode, I say just drop it. There are plenty of other shows.
*Agent Kim: PLEASE don’t choose this show. Not even for one off. This is an absolutely paper thin show that lacks any depth imo. It is fun for sure, but instead of 10 episodes should have been only 5. And the whole secondary line is baggy and just adds dead weight to it, and I am so happy that tomorrow is the last episode. I think I will forget it the minute the last credits roll.
*I don’t think the men of this blog have action series high on their lists. Do you remember “Kingdom”? You ladies ended up liking it more than Malcolm (who kept making fun of it lool), and myself.
Can I just add that I am loving the artwork on the episode's title
DeleteHi Seven Seas,
DeleteI tried to do "Agent Kim" but I felt the writing was not so great, so I dropped it.
Seven Seas, you are dead on about the "men of this blog" not being interested in a action series! When I heard Joanna say that, I thought, "Does she even know us?!" I'm fine with an action series provided it is well written and acted and makes you think. I'm thinking of maybe My Name as an example. I agree with Jeff, Agent Kim's writing is nothing special. Its silly and unserious. Its a fun watch, but you are not going to be left thinking about this series.
DeleteJeff,
DeleteIt wasn't great writing It is half baked story that has more holes than a sieve. BUT, I didn't mind this . I knew what I was getting into and just had some good fun with action and, surprisingly decent humour.
Also, you saved yourself some time, because the series should have been 5-6 episodes at most (a movie would have been even better). By the end, everything was repetitive.
Still, I must admit that I enjoyed it for what it was. I needed something brainless. Around 5.5-6/10
So, last night I have finally watched "Old Boy". This is an iconic film by Park Chan-wook (for many it is their favourite Korean movie).
ReplyDeleteWow! that was an experience. It is VERY brutal (I closed my eyes in many scenes because I could see what was coming. I just hear the screaming). It is very intense, and disturbing.
It is, however, a really good film and very engaging. It keeps your interest to the last scene (mind you, I guessed the biggest twist), and funnily enough raises a question (not thematically) similar to Parasite.
I really liked, and it is very memorable, but certainly behind "The Handmaiden" & "No Other Choice".
I need to sit on it, but, I don't think it will make my top 10 Korean movies.
OK, guys, AKA Men of Kdrama Chat, let’s hear from you all, with examples, of shows and types you’d like to see here that Joanna and Sung Hee haven’t yet covered?
ReplyDeleteRealizing that you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t like this podcast already, and that good writing is a must or none of us would be here, I can only list shows recommended to me by men. My start in K dramas came fom three guys, all engineers, that I’m still in touch with. They recommended Vagabond, Stranger 1 and 2, Descendents Of The Sun and Vincenzo, plus many shows that have been covered here.
I am glad someone finally asked! Here are the top three shows I would like Joanna and Sung-hee to cover:
Delete1. Something in the Rain
2. Something in the Rain
3. Something in the Rain
I'm newer to k-dramas than most here, and I'm not a "binger" so I tend to crawl through 'em, even the ones I really like -- in other words, I'm probably not the best to ask. My tastes tend to be fairly eclectic and all over the place, but generally I want something more interesting or quirky than the average "rom-com." I'm probably more of a comedy fan than many here, although I'm not sure if that genre is the best for weekly podcast discussion.
ReplyDeleteI just started "The East Palace" which I think would be a good pick -- I hope it holds up! The WONDERFools is also quite strange and enjoyable.
I did want to add that I really enjoyed these last few podcast episodes, keep up the great work!
I love the casts of both the dramas you mention, Jeff. They are worth watching for that aspect alone. :)
DeleteI was about to start "East Palace" until I heard season 2.
DeleteTo me multiple seasons series are the biggest downer.
I allow myself only 1-2 series at most, and I have already used 1 ticket. .
I've started East Place and so far, I love it! A very different role for Nam Joo Hyuk and you know me, I love the fantasy and supernatural series!
DeleteI need to get to The East Palace when I'm less distracted by work. I watched a little, and it's so beautiful in a creepy way. There's a deep dive video essay about it by 'Hana from Korea' that I listened to yesterday about the traditional Korean understanding of ghosts and the afterlife, and how it differs from the 'ghosts are bad' idea.
DeleteThe East Palace might suit a future single episode of Kdrama Chat perhaps?
I don’t think there is a major change required.
ReplyDeleteBy and large the choices are good including many of my top favourites.
I have been repeating like broken record my very firm belief that mysteries, action, and thrillers are poor choices for the Kdrama Chat format no matter how enjoyable they might be.
I have also given up on Chaebol series. The novelty has worn off, and I am not watching another series with them. Unless the subject is taken seriously ( a bit like the American TV show succession), but I am done with rich Chaebol loving poor girl.
Deep dive format is suitable for slice of life, or slice of life adjacent.
There is also a very important factor when choosing a series. What is the aim? Are we trying to find something fun to watch that was loved by most of us, or something that will sparks debates? (ideally both of course).
Debates require stories with grey areas, controversy, complex characters with contradicting actions, unclear or contradicting motives, etc.
In my opinion “Our Blues” is one of the best that fit that description. Park Hae Young series of course. “You And Everything Else” is another excellent choice imo.
Also I don’t see any need to alternate between heavy and “happy” series.
Joanna & Sunghee might think about tweaking the podcast though.
There is a room to increase the number of one offs. Or maybe doing some series with light touch instead of deep dive. Or, maybe covering a series in 2-4 episodes?
Just throwing ideas to make a room for the inclusion of more diversity without committing to several months talk about shallow series(even if they are highly enjoyable).
Thank you for the feedback. It's always tough to choose the show for the next season. At the end of the day, we want shows that have a lot of character arcs, lots of side stories, great acting, great music, and high rewatch value. We don't rule out any type of shows. And then of course, we both have to agree to it. As you have probably figured out, we spend endless hours discussing shows to analyze. Season 15 was a tough one for us, but now that we've chosen Hospital Playlist, we're super happy with our choice.
DeleteI'm watching S2 of my husband's (only) favourite Korean show, Better Late Than Single. I'm not usually a fan of this reality matchmaking stuff, but the 'eternal singles' are an interesting bunch and the 'cupids' (celebrity mentors) are great hosts.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise it's a Japanese show, 'When the Tshirt Dries', that has me hooked. Recommended.