It seems to be all feast or famine in Dramaland lately. A bunch of The Fangirls are currently in a famine due to the lack of interesting dramas going on in this current airing batch. But will that all change when the fall shows begin? Come join us as we view all the upcoming drama teasers and decide what we will be watching.
This Life is Our First
*Synopsis: Nam Se Hee is a single man in his early 30’s. He has chosen to not marry. He owns his home, but he owes a lot on his mortgage. Yoon Ji Ho is a single woman in her early 30’s. She does not own a home and envies those that do. She has given up on dating due to her financial struggles. Yoon Ji Ho begins to live at Nam Se Hee’s house. They become housemates. (Starts 10/9/17)
KMUSE: I am a fan of Lee Min Ki so this is a must watch for me. It has been so long since he has starred in a drama. I also am hoping that the OST is amazing since I already love this first song.
Kdrama Jen: I loved Lee Min Ki in Dalja’s Spring and Shut Up Flower Boy Band. It has been a while since I have seen him on my screen, so I definitely want to check this one out! I also saw some cute behind the scenes footage of him trying to act with a cat, so I have a good feeling about this one. I also enjoy cohabitation dramas, so I am hoping there is good chemistry between our leads. I have to agree with Kmuse. I am looking forward to the OST because the two songs I have heard have caught my attention. This is a yes for me!
CLKYTTA: Cohabitation is one of my favorite tropes! The teaser interested me and I’ll give it a try. The OST really does sound good!
CLSunbae: The concept reminds me of Full House and the snail graphics remind me of Jung So Min’s character in Playful Kiss. I love the cohabitation trope and I’ve loved Lee Min Ki since Shut Up Flower Boy Band. I wish he was in more stuff, so I’ll definitely check this out. That being said, I got a little bored watching the preview. Hopefully it’s a little faster paced. But even if it’s not, this could be one of those slow-burn romances that’s perfect with a cup of hot cocoa on a snowy night.
Dramarookie: I’m with Sunbae. The preview was a little too mellow for me. But I loved Jung So Min in Playful Kiss, so I will definitely give it a try. And who doesn’t love all the awkwardness of two strangers shacking up together!
Drama Geek: The preview has a nice breezy feel that still manages to give off possible silliness to come from the cohabitation. I fell in love with Jung So Min in Father is Strange so I’m excited to see her in a different role. And if their onscreen chemistry is anything like what they showed off for their promo pics, this should be a good pairing.
Telzeytalks: The flyer getting picked up by the wind and landing in front of a person fated to see it, reminds me of the beginning scene of Just Like Heaven. It seems kind of dreamy so we’ll see if it turns out that way. Having just seen Jung So-min in Father is Strange, I’d like to see her in something else.
Haidi: Like everyone else, I’m a fan of the cast. They have great potential. The trailer though, it did nothing for me. I’ll probably give it a few episodes to decide for sure.
Revolutionary Love
*Synopsis: Byun Hyuk is a son from a wealthy family who runs a large company. He lives a happy life without any specific goals. He is confident around women and he is also naive, with a warm heart. Byun Hyuk begins to live in a studio in a poor area. He hides his background.
Baek Joon lives in the same area. She works part-time jobs to make ends meet. Baek Joon graduated from a good university, but she was unable to land a job at a company and began taking part-time jobs. She is positive and full of justice, but her life changes when Byun Hyuk appears. (Starts 10/14/17)
KMUSE: Oh please let this be a rom-com. And please let it just be romantic hijinks without any serial killers, tragic illnesses, etc. I need some fluff in my life.
Kdrama Jen: This could be really cute or it could be another worn out storyline. I am planning to give it a try, though.
CLKYTTA: I am also skeptical about this one. I need a good old fashioned rom-com because I don’t have time for the more serious tropes in my life right now.
CLSunbae: Oh, Choi Si Won is in this!? I’m down. *sits back* *waits patiently*
Dramarookie: It bodes well that they took the worn out drama trope of spraying down the male lead and turned him from hot stuff to pathetic puppy. Choi Si Won looks adorable. And I really liked a little known drama Kang Sora did called Ugly Alert. Did anyone else see it? She was a strong, independent working woman in that one, too. I think she can handle this role.
Karie the Maknae: I’m eager for this one just because SIWON!! I loved his character in She Was Pretty — he was able to give what could have been a very shallow character some excellent depth. I’m with KMuse, too. I think it sounds like a fantastic premise for a rom-com. Looking at my full schedule, though, I’m gonna wait until this one is done airing before I start it.
Drama Geek: Um, Si Won is back from the military and he’s in something where he’s a bit of a doof. Yeah, I’m in all the way. I’ve also still been waiting for Kang Sora to get a drama where I like the pairing and the writing is good. So crossing fingers on both.
Telzeytalks: This is the one I am looking forward to the most. Here’s hoping it will be funny, because I fondly remember Kang Sora and Siwon being funny. I remember Kang Sora as the one bright note in Doctor Stranger, with she and Lee Jong-suk teasing each other. There were hilarious shipping wars. She was great in Miseang but didn’t have much to work with in Warm and Cozy, so here’s hoping she gets a good script this time. Siwon tickled my funny bone in both King of Dramas and She’s Pretty. He was supporting actor, but I enjoyed him a lot more than the main leads. He showed some good depth in Oh My Lady as the spoiled rich guy who suddenly finds out he has a child. I think these two actors could be a lot of fun together.
Haidi: Siwon. Definitely. The end.
Avengers Social Club
*Synopsis: Features three women from different walks of life coming together for revenge: a fish store ajumma who envisioned a better life for herself, a housewife who grew up an orphan, and a chaebol’s daughter who was raised like a delicate greenhouse flower. They’re an unlikely trio who would never otherwise meet, but they join forces to carry out their individual acts of revenge. Although they start out as co-conspirators, along the way they’ll build a strong friendship. (Starts 10/11/17)
KMUSE: I don’t know if I will have enough time in my schedule to watch this one, but I really want to give it a try. Enjoyable actresses and a possibly interesting plot has caught my eye.
Kdrama Jen: The premise is intriguing. I love a good revenge plot and a bunch of angry women might be just what the fall line-up needs. I am interested, but can’t commit to watching just yet.
CLKYTTA: I’ll put it on the list for later, but it looks too serious for me right now.
CLSunbae: I want to give it a try but for a really stupid reason. As a middle-aged ahjumma, I need to see some ladies over 15 on my screen so I can feel like I’m still a human.
Dramarookie: Nope. Not my thing. Sometimes you just know.
Drama Geek: I love Ra Mi Ran so I might try this just for her. But it will probably be one I wait until after a few weeks worth of episodes have aired.
Telzeytalks: I don’t usually like revenge stories because they are zeroed in on negative emotions. It is nice to see something besides teenagers, so if it gets good reviews, I’ll try it later.
Haidi: This looks intriguing to me. I’m in but sounds like I’ll be watching it alone. I’ll let everyone know how it goes. 😉
The Package
*Synopsis: The entire drama will take place on a guided tour in France. The drama is described as a warm travel drama about very different people who have nothing to do with each other, forced to be together and make connections as they encounter unexpected events as a tour group. As all the characters take a break from their real lives to go on this package tour, they’ll open up to one another . (Starts 10/13/17)
KMUSE: Visually the teaser makes this drama look really pretty. Not sure if I am feeling it enough to watch though. Might wait to hear if any off my Kfriends likes it before I attempt to watch.
Kdrama Jen: It looks pretty, but I am not drawn in enough by the plot to add it to my list.
CLKYTTA: I’ll watch the first episode and see how it feels.
CLSunbae: Feels gimmicky. So they’re traveling through France. And??
Dramarookie: I’m all about the travel, so beautiful shots of Europe with impressionistic music in the background appeal to me. That probably won’t keep my attention for a whole drama, but let’s just say it’s a maybe.
Drama Geek: This will be on my wait and see list. If there is enough buzz then I’ll check it out.
Telzeytalks: There doesn’t seem to be much to pull you in on this one except for the French scenery and Jung Yong-hwa. He made us feel it in You’re Beautiful, and did a good job in Three Musketeers. If he can be proactive the way he was in that one and not try to be aloof as he was in Heartstrings, this could be good.
Haidi: *yawn*
Black
*Synopsis: “Black” tells the story of a grim reaper named Black and a woman named Kang Ha Ram who can foresee death. Together, they go against the rules of the heavens and fight to save someone’s life. However, after falling in love with Ha Ram, Black breaks rules and gets erased from the memories of the world. (Starts 10/14/17)
KMUSE: Reapers are almost always interesting in Korean entertainment. I am not sure if this one is going to continue that trope tradition. I will probably try Black but am totally OK with dropping it the first week if it doesn’t grab my attention.
Kdrama Jen: I usually enjoy dramas with fantasy elements, so I am going to at least start watching this one.
CLKYTTA: I’m with the other fangirls on this one, I’ll give it a try and I won’t be sad if I have to move on.
CLSunbae: I’m going to give this a try because I loved the death character so much in Goblin. But I’ll probably be extra critical of it for the same reason.
Dramarookie: Why do I shy from the angst? Am I shallow?
Karie the Maknae: I love this kind of fantasy — the dark rule-breakers who have to live with the consequences of their actions and somehow overcome. I’m in.
Drama Geek: I’m not a fan of this actor and the teasers haven’t hooked me. This will go on the wait and see list too.
Telzeytalks: Grim reapers in kdramas are kind of a novelty, especially if they come with some well-thought out mythology. The supernatural theme gets my interest, and my husband sympathized with Song Seung-heon in When a Man Loves, so we will probably give this one a try.
Haidi: The trailer gives me an impression that this is a very dark show but the description has peaked my interest. I’m going to watch this but I’ll have my Xanax on hand, just in case.
While You Were Sleeping
*Synopsis: A supernatural romance about a woman who can see the future in her dreams, and a prosecutor who fights to stop these future events from happening. The heroine has dreams about unfortunate events that will happen to other people, and the hero is a prosecutor who runs around trying to prevent her tragic visions from coming true. (Starts 9/27/17
KMUSE: There is never going to be a world where I don’t watch a Lee Jong Suk drama. I even finished Doctor Stranger (true fan status) so I am in for the long haul.
Kdrama Jen: Are you kidding? All you have to say is Lee Jong Suk and I am there. I have watched every LJS drama and movie, so I will definitely be watching this!
CLKYTTA: I think it’s a given that I’m watching this one. I’m not the biggest Suzy fan, but Lee Jong Suk is worth at least 5 episodes.
CLSunbae: Word on the extra points for finishing Doctor Stranger, KMUSE! We’re next level fans. So yeah, I’ll be tuning in because of Lee Jong Suk.
Dramarookie: More angst, so even LJS can’t fix that for me.
Karie the Maknae: Lee Jong Sook was absolutely adorable in I Hear Your Voice. I’m interested to see how this one goes. Also, I keep hearing about Suzy, but I haven’t seen her in any dramas yet. I hope this will be a good introduction.
Drama Geek: I LOVE this writer and I have faith that no matter what, it will at least have interesting characters littered throughout the show. I’m hoping Lee Jung Suk can make me believe he’s a totally different character since this is third go with this writer.
Telzeytalks: Lee Jong-suk was great in I Hear Your Voice and has been very popular since. I can’t imagine a show with this title without Sandra Bullock, but I will probably try it.
Haidi: I’m fascinated by Suk’s character. It’s going to be interesting to see him in such a melodramatic role. Suzy, of course, is selling it as the troubled female protagonist. I’ll be tuning in for this one, too. (I gotta quit my jobs at this rate!)
Go Back Spouses
*Synopsis: Choi Ban Do and Ma Jin Joo are both 38-years-old and a married couple. Choi Ban Do has been burdened with being the breadwinner and Ma Jin Joo is a housewife with low self-esteem. Even though they loved each other when they married, they now hate each other. They both regret marrying at such a young age. The couple travel through time and find themselves as 20-year-old university students, when they met for the first time. (Starts 10/13/17)
KMUSE: Meh. This one is a skip.
Kdrama Jen: I want to at least watch the first episode. It is yet another time travel-like dramas, but it has a bit of a twist, so I am intrigued.
CLKYTTA: I wasn’t feeling this one. If I hear it’s good I may pick it up later.
CLSunbae: I was kind of meh as I read the synopsis but the preview was better than expected. I don’t like watching marriages fall apart — I get to see enough of that irl, thankyouverymuch, but this could be cute. I’ll give it a try with a jaundiced eye.
Dramarookie: Sunbae and I are really in sync for this post. The synopsis sounded so depressing, but the preview had a fun vibe. Plus, the idea is kind of intriguing. Being able to go back to my college days with all the wisdom of my 30s, but none of the wrinkles. What would I do different?
Drama Geek: This is a reoccurring dream I have, except I end up in high school, not college. I am a bit burnt out on time travel dramas, but I’ve had a soft spot for Son Ho Jun ever since Reply 1994, so I think I’ll give it a try and just see how it goes.
Telzeytalks: So Jang Nara is 36 and going to play a 20-year old? Maybe I have just seen her in too many shows already.
Haidi: This looks fun. I’m in, for a while at least.
20th Century Boy and Girl
*Synopsis: The heartwarming romantic comedy is about the friendship and love lives of three single virgins born in 1983. Their romantic lives begin when the boy they liked in their youth shows up one day. They live in Oksu-dong in rundown apartments, and the warm human drama will be about neighborly affection, and the meaning of home, family, and friendship. (No official start date except October because of the strike.)
KMUSE: Unless I hear amazing things this is also a skip.
Kdrama Jen: Yeah. I think I will be skipping this one too.
CLKYTTA: Skip. Not my cup of tea.
CLSunbae: I’m a firm maybe. I like the actors in it okay and the concept is cute enough but I’m not sure it’ll be one that I obsess over. I’ll give it a try, though.
Dramarookie: Yes! The cute kids turning into antagonistic future lovers. Totally my thing.
Drama Geek: The teaser has me intrigued. I’ll probably check out the first few episodes.
Telzeytalks: I have gotten interested in Kim Ji-suk. He was a complete jerk in Personal Taste, but I saw the first few episodes of Romance 2012 where he was completely different, and a lot nicer guy than the main lead. Then he was the quirky brother in Another Miss Oh. So I think I will give him a try to see how he does as the main lead. Besides, haven’t they had enough dramas where three boys like the same girl? Isn’t it time to turn that around?
Haidi: The trailer just left me confused. Maybe I’ll try the show out later after others have had a chance to analyze it.
Mad Dog
*Synopsis: A realistic drama about the team “Mad Dog”, which catches scam artists that commit insurance fraud.
KMUSE: OOOH. Dark and angsty. I am a huge fan and I need something to take over my ethically dark drama spot now that Save Me is ending.
Kdrama Jen: I will wait until Kmuse texts me and tells me I must watch this one. I am not seeking dark and angsty right now.
CLKYTTA: Nope, I don’t do dark and angsty so I’ll just let the other fangirls fill us in on this one.
CLSunbae: Same. I’ll wait to see if others say this is a must watch.
Dramarookie: Hah! Saw Kmuse’s dark and angsty comment and it saved me the trouble of watching the preview. Thanks, K!
Karie the Maknae: This is definitely something I’d have to be in the mood for. It kinda sounds like a heavier version of Leverage or White Collar, both of which I loved the first few seasons of. SO….maybe?
Drama Geek: Kmuse, it looks like it’s just you and me again. I feel like the group misses out and some stellar acting when they won’t watch the dark and angsty ones. Kmuse and I do have a post planned in October where we highlight all our favorites.
For those of you who haven’t watched Save Me, you’ll want to take note of this actor’s name: Woo Do Hwan. He’s going to be one of 2017’s break out stars. Him, coupled with Yoo Ji Tae, and Mad Dog should be just what I need.
Telzeytalks: This looks like the kind of thing I can get my husband to watch with me. (Maybe insurance fraud won’t involve murders?) Yoo Ji-tae is the younger brother of the villain in Healer, the one who helps the main couple. We liked him. Ryu Hwa-young is the youngest sister from Father is Strange. She is billed third, so she probably isn’t in a romance with him. Drama Geek is vouching for the guy who is billed second, Woo Do-hwan. So I’m in.
Haidi: Nope. Not for me. Probably not ever.
There you have it. All the upcoming dramas and our thoughts. Which ones will you be tuning in for? Be sure to tell us in the comments and check back as we give some first impressions and recaps on several of the above shows.
Til next time,
The Fangirls
Dramas Of A Side of Kimchi