| K-DRAMA SERIES |
|
HOW MUCH I LIKE IT vs. HOW I RATE IT (of 10) |
Air City (2007)
에어시티 |
 |
Hot guys. Cold plot.
(5 / 5) |
Bad Couple (2007)
불량커플 |
 |
Great start out of the gate, then slows. Lost interest after episode 6.
(6 / 6) |
Bad Family (2006)
불량가족 |
 |
Love it. Heart-warming and hilarious, but not cheesy. Diverse and funny supporting cast, and Kim Myung Min is a hoot. (9 / 9) |
| Coffee Prince Store #1 (2007) 커피프린스1호점 |
 |
Proof that popular does not always equal mediocre. At times cheeky, at times poignant. Standout soundtrack. (9 / 9) |
Dal Ja’s Spring (2007)
달자의봄 |
 |
Fresh and fun, once you get past Chae Rim’s makeup. Adorable main couple, amusing side characters, easy to zip through. (9 / 8 ) |
Delightful Girl Chun Hyang (2005)
쾌걸춘향 |
 |
High comedy factor with strong chemistry between the leads. Jae Hee is wonderful, and the director is sharp and skilled. (9 / 8 ) |
| Exhibition of Fireworks (2006) 불꽃놀이 |
 |
Started great, went downhill. Kang Ji Hwan is the only good thing here. (5 / 4) |
Fantasy Couple (2006)
aka Couple or Trouble
환상의커플 |
 |
Flawed but enjoyable. Its humor overdoes the slapstick, but the Hong sisters writing team do a good job keeping the plot moving. (7 / 7) |
Flowers For My Life (2007) aka I Came In Search of Flowers
꽃찾으러 왔단다 |
 |
Criminally underrated. Lovely, witty with a touch of dark humor. (10 / 10) |
Friends (2004)
프렌즈 / フレンズ |
 |
Joint collaboration between Korea and Japan. Pleasant, with gorgeous leads Won Bin and Fukada Kyoko, but unexceptional. (6 / 6) |
Full House (2004)
풀하우스 |
 |
Overrated (plot becomes tired and repetitive in the last quarter), but enjoyable. (7 / 6) |
Goong (2006)
aka Palace or Princess Hours, 궁 |
 |
Beautifully executed but slow. Overrated but entertaining. Mediocre acting at best. (6 / 6) |
Goong S (2007)
aka Palace S or Prince Hours, 궁S |
 |
Disappointing start and poor acting. Still, picked up toward end, inversely to its ratings. (5 / 5) |
Gourmet (2008)
식객 |
 |
Strong acting and solid direction. (And FOOD PORN!) Shows signs of becoming an all-around success. (? / ?) |
Hello! Miss (2007)
aka Hello Baby
헬로! 애기씨 |
 |
Light and jokey, but not much emotional depth. Lee Da Hae has done better. (5 / 5) |
Hong Gil Dong (2008)
쾌도 홍길동 |
 |
Action, comic gags, romance, political intrigue, betrayal — but lacks subtlety. The tone is uneven, but Kang Ji Hwan is wonderful. (7 / 7) |
Hyang Dan Jeon (2007)
aka The Story of Hyang Dan, 향단전 |
 |
Fun blending of folktales and modern humor in a fusion romantic comedy. A silly, Shrek-like goof. (8 / 7) |
The Last Scandal of My Life (2008),
내 생애 마지막 스캔들 |
 |
Hilarious, touching, well-acted. Never a dull moment. (9 / 8 ) |
Lovers (2006)
연인 |
 |
Started strong but quick descent into weepy melodrama. By the end I couldn’t stand it. Oh! The! Tragedy! (3 / 6) |
Mixed-up Investigative Agency (2007)
얼렁뚱땅 흥신소 |
 |
Quirky, offbeat, extremely well-plotted. A comedy romp, treasure hunt, and mystery rolled into one. (9 / 9 ) |
My Girl (2005-06)
마이걸 |
 |
Fantastic fun, speedy pace. Super chemistry between the endearing lead couple.
(9 / 8 ) |
My Name Is Kim Sam Soon (2005)
내 이름은 김삼순 |
 |
Poignant and funny, worth the hype.
(9 / 9) |
My Sweet Seoul (2008)
달콤한 나의 도시 |
 |
Halfway between indie and trendy. Plotting is loose, but refreshing atmospheric feel and lovely directing. (? / ?) |
| Only You (2005) |
 |
Bleh. I can’t remember why I bothered. Han Chae Young is pretty, but Jo Hyun Jae is wasted. (3 / 3) |
Que Sera Sera (2007)
케세라세라 |
 |
Took a few episodes to fall in love, but boy did I. Intense and unapologetic. Not for the casual watcher. (8 / 9) |
Soulmate (2006)
소울메이트 |
 |
Hilarious, witty, trendy, with a fabulous soundtrack and surprisingly tight plotting. Extra points for skillfully executed narrative and use of chronology. (10 / 10) |
Strongest Chil Woo (2008)
최강칠우 |
 |
Hilarious and outrageous, both intentionally and unintentionally. A “good” drama this is not, but it’s good entertainment. (? / ?) |
