September, the time for fall leaves, pumpkin spice, and of course, NEW DRAMAS! Come find out all the great dramas that are going to air in the next four weeks as well as what The Fangirls are going to be watching.
Arthdal Chronicles Part 3: The Prelude To All Legends (Sept. 7th)
Synopsis: The last installment of the fantasy drama set in the early days of the Korean Peninsula.
Kmuse: It goes without saying that I am going to watch this. I need to find out what happens to all these amazing characters.
Karie the Maknae: Maybe, someday, I’ll be tempted by Arthdal. Today is not that day.
Drama Geek: Tanya!!! After watching the teaser I’m worried they don’t have enough time to tell the rest of the story. I’m sure tvN will just have two hour episodes. LOL. I am really excited for the conclusion of this drama.
MiataMama: Looking forward to the conclusion this story – so many fascinating characters!
Kdrama Jen: I will definitely be watching!
Clkytta: I’m prepped and ready for this show to be back on!
Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency (Sept 16th)
Synopsis: Before Lee Soo became a king, he was an ordinary blacksmith in the countryside. His life suddenly changed at the age of 23. This was when Lee Soo became the King of Joseon. Meanwhile, Lee Soo’s first love is Gae Ddong. He loved her before he took the throne. King Lee Soo wants to marry Gae Ddong, but, because of her humble background, it is virtually impossible. To marry Gae Ddong, Lee Soo hires the Flower Crew Matchmaking Agency. The agency consists of 3 handsome men: Ma Hoon, Do Joon and Go Young Soo and they are the best matchmaking agency in Joseon. King Lee Soo asks the Flower Crew to make Gae Ddong a noblewoman. (MyDramaList)
Kmuse: I am a huge fan of Gong Seung Yeon (Circle) so that will probably tip the scales so I at least give it a four episode chance.
Karie the Maknae: Unless it’s outright hilarious, I don’t think this drama is for me.
Drama Geek: Um…. a gaggle of flower boys in hanbok, yes please! I also really like the two leading men, and they don’t always get the girl, so I am totally into this one. Kdrama Jen… are you out there? First Impression with me?
Kdrama Jen: This is my kind of drama! I will be watching!
MiataMama: I’m all about sageuk-lite, so this looks like the perfect fit for me AND is a timely replacement for when Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung finishes!
Clkytta: I have a distinct distrust of saeguks. If it’s saeguk-lite I may watch it, but if they go getting all historical and such, well, I’m out.
When The Camellia Blooms (Sept 18th)
Synopsis: “When the Camellia Blooms” is a romantic thriller-comedy about the realistic, passionate love between three couples. The drama will follow the story of a woman named Dong Baek and show how her life is tangled up with a good man, a bad man, and a cheap man. (MyDramaList)
Kmuse: I’ll give it a try because I really want to support Kang Ha Neul and I love Noona romances. That said, visually this just isn’t working for me. I’m hoping the story pulls me in since I am very excited he finally has a leading role.
Karie the Maknae: KANG HA NEUL! KANG HA NEUL! KANG HA NEUL!
Drama Geek: I have to admit that Kang Ha Neul’s styling is turning me off a bit. I will try it because I like both leads and I love noona romances.
Kdrama Jen: I will give this four episodes for Kang Ha Neul.
MiataMama: Why, oh why, did it have to be a
Clkytta: Holds a gold watch in front of Miatamama and waves it back and forth. Noona romances are the best, you want to watch this because it’s a stellar cast… I’ll give this one a try.
Secret Boutique (Sept 18)
Synopsis: “Secret Boutique” is a story of woman power and the corrupt upper echelon as it searches for power and survival using money. (MyDramaList)
Kmuse: Now this is what I call a teaser that pulls you in. I’m really curious to find out what this drama is about and how these powerful women are going to fight it out. Also, Kim Jae Young is absolutely stunning in his stills that have been released.
Karie the Maknae: I’ll happily listen to my kbesties chatter about it, but I’m not drawn to this type of drama.
Drama Geek: I’m on the fence. I love a drama about powerful women, but I’m not sure if I’m interested. I’ll probably wait to see if there is any chatter about it.
Kdrama Jen: This looks like it might be a revenge drama. If so, I will be giving this a try.
MiataMama: Nope.
Clkytta: I’ll wait and see what everyone else thinks. It may be too serious for me.
The Running Mates: Human Rights (Sept 18th)
Synopsis: “Running Investigator” shines light on the lives of those who have their human rights infringed upon from the perspective of an inspector for the Human Rights Commission, who has neither the right to investigate nor prosecute. (MyDramaList)
Kmuse: I’m looking for escapism lately so probably won’t tune in.
Karie the Maknae: I, too, am in need of fluff. This is not fluff. Perhaps another time (but most likely not).
Drama Geek: Interesting, I totally thought Kmuse and the Maknae would want to watch this. It has similar vibes to a few shows they’ve really liked lately. I am with them, not that interested.
Kdrama Jen: It looks like I will be watching this by myself. I think there are powerful stories here that need to be told!
MiataMama: This definitely not my type of drama – pass.
Clkytta: Walking on by… Too serious for me.
July Found by Chance (Sept 18th)
Synopsis: Eun Danoh is a 17 year old high-school student from a wealthy family who suffers from a lifelong heart condition that inevitably means she will not live past her teenage years. However, when Danoh realizes she is experiencing long gaps in her memory as well, she comes into the unhappy inheritance of another fact in her life: she is a character in a Korean webtoon and all of her actions are predetermined by the artist who draws her. To make matters worse, she discovers she is only a supporting character in the cast. With her newfound understanding of the world she inhabits, she is determined to find true love in her own plot-line and circumvent the author’s plans for her character by utilizing the flashes of storyboard she alone is able to see. (Mydramalist)
Kmuse: This sounds super cute and perfect for fall. I’m committed to watch and crossing my fingers for the best since I don’t recognize most of the cast.
Karie the Maknae: FLUUUUUUUFF!! I’m in.
Drama Geek: You speak directly to my writer’s heart. I’m in!
Kdrama Jen: I will try this one too!
MiataMama: I’m SO in for this one – bring on the fluffy, high school angst!
Clkytta: Jumps on the bandwagon. I’ll try this one!
Vagabond (Sept 20)
Synopsis: Cha Dal Gun is a stunt man who dreams of becoming a world famous action actor. He survives a plane crash which changes his life. He faces a hidden conspiracy behind the plane crash and digs up a national corruption case.
To support her mother and younger sibling, Go Hae Ri wants the stable job of a public officer. She becomes an NIS agent. She hoped to become a white agent, but she became a black agent. (MyDramaList)
Kmuse: I usually really enjoy this screenwriter (History of a Salaryman, Incarnation of Money, Empress Ki), so I am excited to see what he brings me next. It also doesn’t hurt that Lee Seung Gi looks amazing in the trailers!
Karie the Maknae: I’ve been all in for this drama since I saw the first teaser months and months ago.
Drama Geek: Please don’t suck, please don’t suck, please don’t suck. 😉
Kdrama Jen: I licked this cookie almost a year ago. This is definitely on my list!!!
MiataMama: Lee Seung Gi in an action drama?! Whoohoo! Plus, I’m one of those viewers who actually
Clkytta: I’ll watch the first couple of episodes.
Pegasus Market (Sept 20th)
Synopsis: “Cheap Cheonlima Mart” tells the story of employees at a falling-behind store where the staff is king, rather than the customer. While the manager tries to revive the mart, they’re up against the “human bulldozer” boss that aims to ruin the store.
Moon Seok Gu is a foolish shopkeeper who wants to make Cheonlima Mart the No. 1 retailer store. Although he seems a bit dim-witted, he dreams of becoming an employee at the headquarters of Daemae Group by reviving the mart.
Jung Bok Dong is a genius boss who tries to take revenge on Daema Group by destroying Cheonlima Mart. He was originally a board director at Daema Group and trusted by the CEO for his clear insight and fastidious personality, but he was suddenly demoted to being the boss of Cheonlima Mart. He tries to drive Cheonlima Mart to the ground by hiring people who have failed at life and are unlikely to be hired by anyone else. (MyDramaList)
Kmuse: I am a big fan of quirky dramas and the teasers make this look super quirky. I just hope that somewhere picks it up for subs since it doesn’t have a ton of pretty people with big names to promote it.
Karie the Maknae: I’m undecided.
Drama Geek: Oh wait! This is the drama I was thinking about when I made the comment about you two being interested. I’m probably going to pass on this one.
Kdrama Jen: I will probably pass on this one.
MiataMama: I’m going to wait and let my fellow fangirls test the waters on this one. It sounds like it has the potential to be a hidden gem, but I’m not really interested enough to dive and find out for myself.
Clkytta; Um, I’m not feeling this one.
Miss Lee (Sept 25th)
Synopsis: “Miss Lee” will follow the story of Lee Seon Shim, who starts out at the bottom of the food chain and suddenly finds herself becoming the CEO, as she toils to save her company from impending doom. Although Lee Seon Shim has little in the way of credentials and is initially stuck running all sorts of meaningless errands, her unique brand of optimism allows her to persevere and eventually become an inspirational, one-of-a-kind leader.
Yoo Jin Wook is a sharp-tongued realist, who has been through his share of hardship. Although his past experiences have left him jaded, cynical, and unfriendly, Yoo Jin Wook finds his passion reignited after Lee Seon Shim becomes CEO, and he winds up becoming her brutally honest—but helpful—mentor. (MyDramaList)
Kmuse: Hyeri… I’m out.
Karie the Maknae: The teaser is entertaining — the role switch could be fun to watch. I might give it four episodes, but it won’t be a priority.
Drama Geek: Putting a woman in power and still making her dim and running menial tasks? Yeah, totally not my kind of drama.
Kdrama Jen: I don’t think I will be watching this one.
MiataMama: I got bored reading the synopsis – this is not the drama for me.
Clkytta: I’m not watching this one, it’s not interesting me at all.
Love Is Beautiful, Life Is Wonderful (Sept 28th)
Synopsis: “Love is Beautiful, Life is Wonderful” is a drama about a cold man who doesn’t believe in marriage and a female student who has given up on dating, marriage, and having children while preparing to take the civil service exam. (MyDramaList)
Kmuse: Not feeling it yet. Maybe that will change with teasers but for now this is a skip.
Karie the Maknae: If I hear good things, I might give it a try.
Drama Geek: I’m with everyone else. I will wait for more info.
Kdrama Jen: I don’t think I will be watching.
MiataMama: Kind of a generic synopsis – I will wait for a teaser before I decide.
Clkytta: This sounds so boring. What’s the hook? There has to be a hook!
Melting Me Softly (Sept 28th)
Synopsis: It’s a story about a man and a woman who participated in a project to be frozen for 24 hours, only to be waken up 20 years later due to a mysterious scheme.
Once out of the freeze, the two experience a dangerous side effect from the project wherein they must maintain a core body temperature of 31.5 degrees Celsius (approximately 88.7 degrees Fahrenheit) to survive. Coupled with the warming of their hearts from romantic attraction, they find themselves in a sticky situation. (MyDramaList)
Kmuse: I don’t like the screenwriter that much so I am conflicted. I think the fact that it is Ji Chang Wook and the fact all the other Fangirls are watching it will win me over.
Karie the Maknae: A sci-fi romance? Ji Chang Wook? I’m conflicted AND interested.
Drama Geek: Do I need to say anything more than, “welcome back, my Chang Wookie”? Pre-military I did not suffer through K2 for him, but post is a different story. I also think the premise sounds appealing and the teaser was…. thawing. 🙂
Kdrama Jen: Oh, YESSSS!!! I DID suffer through K2. He owes me!!!
MiataMama: Squeeeeeeee! Ji Chang Wook!!! The month is going to draaaag by waiting for the premiere of this drama.
Clkytta: Popcorn is ready and I’m hoping for a shirtless scene!
The Tale of Nokdu (Sept 30th)
Synopsis: A romantic comedy based on the webtoon of the same name.
Jeon Nok Du is a man with extraordinary ambition to experience the big, wide world. With looks, brains, and athletic abilities, he is the epitome of perfection. After being swept up in an incident, he disguises himself as a woman to join a mysterious all-woman community and meets Dong Dong Joo.
Dong Dong Joo is a prickly gisaeng trainee. Along with her fiery personality, she is clumsy, has absolutely no sense of rhythm, and is tone-deaf, which makes all of her peers look after her. However, she is skilled with her hands as she can make anything if given the right tools. Unable to stand injustice, she speaks her mind. (MyDramaList)
Kmuse: I have been waiting forever for a reverse gender bender drama. It is almost never the guy dressing as a girl so I am excited to support this new trope.
Karie the Maknae: I’ll reserve judgment until I hear more from my kbesties. Gender benders tend to carry HUGE secondhand embarrassment, and I don’t deal well with that. HOWEVER, if the story is good enough, I’ll give it a try.
Drama Geek: I’m with Kmuse. Bring on the reverse gender bender!!! I’m already excited that in promo pictures he really looks like a girl. I didn’t recognize him when I saw the pic on Twitter and had to look it up.
Kdrama Jen: This looks like so much fun!! I’m in!
MiataMama: I’m curious enough to give this one a shot, but I’m not sure I’m committed to watching it long-term. We shall see. . .
Clkytta: Gender bender is in my top 5 favorite tropes, so I’m in!
Thanks for joining us and if you have any questions or comments, be sure to let us know in the comments.
Til our next dramatic moment,
The Fangirls
Dramas With a Side of Kimchi
Tale of Nok-du for the win! Can’t wait to watch it-hopefully it will be subbed. Otherwise, I may check out Flower Crew as I like Gong Seung Yeon, and Vagabond.