My hits, Misses, and Everything Between in 2012

It seems like for the most part my drama picking skills have been a bit off this year. Most of the dramas that I was really hyped to watch weeks before their premiere ended up being disappointments for me, while shows that I was on the fence about blew my socks off. The list of missed shows in this last twelve month period is lengthy, and I know I can always catch up on them later, but there is something about watching a show when it’s current that can’t be replaced.

For the most part I watched K-Dramas this year, but I did manage to watch dramas from China, and Thailand. I have started some J-Dramas but have only watched a few episodes and so, I don’t know enough about them to include them in my list this year.

I watched a lot of shows this year but have only included the ones that premiered in 2012. I separated the shows that I watched this year into three categories.

Disappointing- I was let down by something essential like the chemistry or plot.

Pleasing- the show was good and any flaws that I noticed didn’t ruin the entire show for me.

Impressive- I was really impressed with the plot, acting and so on of the show, and it was not only good, but could be added to my own personal hall of fame.

A Gentleman’s Dignity-  Impressive

Some didn’t like because the characters weren’t always morally correct, even though we all love our drama wonderlands, real life isn’t simple and people are never perfect like they are when every action they take is scripted. I loved AGD because it was more like real life. Honestly the cast of this show was really solid. 
Every episode opening had me laughing out loud- literally, and the antics that these four guys got up to was quite entertaining. Again, some people didn’t like that they were like 'horny teenagers' even though they were in their forties, but what is acting your age? Do you act responsibly around your brothers and sister or friends that you’ve known since you were kids?? If you do, wow, that sounds kinda boring, but for me work is work and play is play. Let the good times roll! :D

The chemistry between the guys which I think in a way was more important than that of their chemistry with the girls, was great. They really played off of each other very well. The chemistry between the girls was also something that was done pretty well, which led to the feeling of all these couples making up a big family that lives and supports each other. although they did behave a little foolishly, I think this show was all about friendship and making a family with the ones you love. Great show.

AGD also featured Lee Jung Hyun of CNBLUE, in his first drama appearance. He really did a good job for a first try, most times there is so much stiffness that even though you’re rooting for the idol to do well, they just kinda fall flat, but Jung Hyun did a good job, have to give him credit.

   

Arang and the Magistrate- Impressive

 Arang and the Magistrate- Impressive. This one really surprised me. I was thinking, ‘here we go again with another Shin Min Ah supernatural show’, and had thoughts of skipping it entirely. Fortunately I decided to just watch the first couple of episodes, and was floored by the imagery, lore, plot, costumes and not to mention that Lee Jun Ki’s acting skills have improved since the last drama that I watched him in. AatM took supernatural KDramas to the next level not only with the mystery of who killed Arang but also with the creeping suspense as it all unfolded.

The chemistry between the Min Ah and Jun Ki was really good. The sexual attraction felt real and the romance seemed natural and made sense.

The OST was pretty and eclectic with the normal lovely ballads and instrumentals and then fast-paced rap thrown in during the fight scenes. Some didn’t like the rap choice, saying that it was distracting, but that was one of the things that I really liked. Not only was it refreshing to hear something like that, but c’mon, rap songs usually get you pumped and ass-kicking on a major level requires you to be pumped- made sense to me ^.^ Even the secondary couple was cute. Usually, even if I liked a show, I know that any re-watch will have me skipping the scenes with the second pairing because their problems or progress inevitably annoy me, but this time it was so cute, they brought a smile to my face each time either one of them appeared on screen and then together they were so cute
The ending was NOT what I was expecting at all but for once it surprised me in a great way.... well done. 

  Big-  Disappointing

I had such high hopes for this one for three reasons. Lee Min Jung: she did a great job in Smile, You and I was wanting another opportunity to see her acting skills. Gong Yoo: so sexy, it’s just not right and he’s a pretty good actor too. The Hong Sisters: hadn’t really let me down before and I was looking forward to watching what they came up with. I know that you don’t always get what you hope for but I really didn’t get anything. Big that I completed because I just couldn’t believe that I didn’t like it.

The story was sloppy with so many holes in it, it was like Swiss cheese.The chemistry was strained, as if Gong Yoo and Min Jung weren’t sure when their characters were supposed to go from tolerating to liking each other. Suzy’s character was immature, annoying and a user. Lastly nothing in the story really worked out or was resolved. The Hongs must have written themselves into a corner and couldn’t figure out how to turn themselves around.

Not a good show but if you want to see a few scenes where Gong Yoo is shirtless skim through the first couple of episodes and take a gander but no need to go too far because even that dried up, along with the magic of the show.

 Cheongdamdong Alice ep 6-  Pleasing

I realized that including this show I have seen three shows and one movie starring Moon Geun Young, and even though the show hasn’t finished, there is just something about her acting that draws me in. The concept wasn’t anything that new and refreshing but they way that they are putting all the elements together is nice. The typical “good and self-righteous” poor girl who is actually having regrets about NOT being money-grubbing. Even though this is a RomCom, the themes in this show are mature. It has already touched on the topic of gold-digging, the strain money problems can place on relationships and the crazy side of consumerism. All this while making it feel fun. Surprisingly, the characters aren’t one dimensional even in the first few episodes. I think this show has great potential and that is why I am placing it in the Pleasing pile for it’s depth and quirky characters. With any luck, it will become Impressive by the end.

 Full House 2 ep 8 - Pleasing/Disappointing

 

I wrote a First Impressions for this show. I’m putting it in the pleasing pile for this year since I started watching the show only because  I wanted something fun to fill in the gaps of time between May Queen. I got more than I bargained for this show is pretty funny to the point of being down-right silly. It’s the perfect in between show because I wasn’t expecting anything but a really bad show.

Obviously this isn’t a GOOD show. The acting, clothing and plot are pretty ridiculous, BUT sometimes a big hunk of cheese is just what the doctor ordered. 

*NOTE: The manager in this show is the same guy who plays Hae Joo’s uncle in May Queen. Didn’t know it was the same guy at first, even though I was watching the shows at the same time. The guy’s a pretty good actor.

 Ghost/Phantom-  Pleasing

 

This was my first cop/suspense KDrama, there were enough twists and surprises to keep my full attention each week.  Each week I was biting my nails to see what would happen next. So Ji Sub looked pretty good in all those suits and my favorite high school teacher was pretty cool as the arrogant bad guy. It was nice to see him in a bad guy role since he was just so freaking nice in Dream High.
There was hardly any romance in this drama, but I liked that, if the writers had tried to fit in a romance with all the crazy stuff going on I think it would have dragged the action down.
 I can't say that this will be a all time favorite but I am happy that I took the time to watch this show.
*NOTE: GO of MBLAQ made his drama debut, and he did a pretty decent job.

 Haeundae Lovers ep 9-  Disappointing

I was really thinking that this one would be a bit of fluff that wouldn’t require me to think, only see the characters fall in love. At first it seemed that that was exactly what was going to happen, but then it turned into this misunderstanding-fest. I got tired of the back and forth of the two leads and the petty evil people, and couldn’t really go further. There were just too many people making dumb decisions in this drama for me.

I Do I Do ep 6- Disappointing

 

This was another drama that I had high expectations for, mainly because Kim Sun Ah is one of my favorite actresses. The pairing between her and Lee Jang Woo didn’t work for me, not because of the age difference, but because of Jang Woo's acting. I just couldn’t really believe him. The plot was predictable from the first episode and I just didn’t have the patience to sit through it.
I ended up spending the rest of the year watching some other very worthy dramas. I'll probably finish this one since I love Sun Ah so much, but I'm not sure when.

The interaction between Jang Woo and his on-screen dad Park Yeong Gyu was basically the only bright spot for me. They were cute and funny together.

 Innocent Man-  Pleasing/Impressive

This was a show that I wasn’t sure that I wanted to watch until the end of the first episode. I am a fan of Song Joong Ki’s good looks, but have mostly seen him in Running Man, since he barely had a chance to show his skills in Obstetrics and Gynocology. Not only did I end up impressed with his acting and the acting of the entire cast, but the dialogue and plot were very well done as well. Keeping me on my toes each week with unexpected plot twists, and honestly surprising me the the character development. This show was truly very good.

And it was nice to see Lee Kwang Soo, Joong Ki’s Running Man buddy, doing a fabulous job not only bring the comedic relief but also showing that he’s not just a giraffe, that he can really bring on the tears too.

 K-POP Extreme Survival-  Disappointing

Can you say nepotism? This was the show that showcased K-Pop siblings and K-Pop stars. Some of the notable sibling links were Park Yoo Hwan brother to Park Yoochun of JYJ was the lead. Go Eun Ah sister to Mir of MBLAQ was the female lead and Song Se Hyun was a member of the group in the show, but is the brother of Song Seung Hyun (the hunk from My Princess and East of Eden). Most of the rest of the members in the show’s group are actually members of other K-Pop groups like BoM and  ZE:A.

I honestly can’t say this was a good show, I was really upset with the abrupt ending, and the cheesy conflicts and dialogue didn’t do much for me, but it was cute. There was some singing and dancing involved but nothing too exciting. If you really can’t find anything else to watch, maybe take a nap, you won’t miss much. However, this could be the beginning of fruitful careers for some of these young actors, so if you like to see how people mature and progress, you may want to give this one a look. 

King 2 Hearts-  Impressive

One of the first dramas that I watched this year from Korea, and it turned up being one of my favorites. I loved almost everything about this drama. At first I couldn’t wrap my mind around the Ha Ji Won and Lee Seung Ki pairing, since she is so kick-ass and he is like a overgrown child, but it really worked out. I think that just like his character Seung Ki matured through this role.

This show had so many ups and downs, I really loved the juxtaposition that the show has created for almost each character. Hang Ah was this almost innocent woman that was a bad-ass fighter. Jae Ha was the silly prince turned King that ended up surprising everyone when he showed his backbone. Jae Shin is the rocker chick that liked to play around, but when it came down to it she wanted to stand up for her country and family. Bong Gu was the childish but evil mastermind and old Kyu Tae was the loyalist that betrayed everyone. This show just kept getting better and better, and each week I was never quite sure where the story would take me, but I knew it'd be interesting.
I loved tuning in each week to find out just how Jae Ha and Hang Ah were going to get better and stronger as a couple.

Seriously loved this show from start to finish, and if you haven’t watched it, I suggest you go and do that after you finish this long review.

  

 May Queen-  Pleasing/Impressive

There is only one reason this drama is not wholly impressive and that is that the child actors that took up the first 8 episodes of the show, were so very good that some of the adult counterparts paled in comparison. I don’t know what sorts of foods those kids were eating but they were fantastic. Their chemistry and nuances… people would kill to have skills like that. If you haven’t watched the show, please feel free. 
It is a melodrama, and I normally don’t feel like crying my eyes out, but I just had to take my chances with this one, and boy am I happy that I didn’t miss out on this one. The  twists were a bit cliché and the foreshadowing was a bit overbearing  but for me, the character consistency made the show.

Fortunately, the writers didn’t decide to make bad people super good without growth, or turn the lead actress into a seductress when she had been a tomboy in her youth. Sometimes dramas change a characters personality simply because they fall for good person, but in the real world it’s a lot harder to become a different person. It doesn’t happen in a matter of weeks or just because your crush is a morally upright person. If the storytelling in this one wasn’t enough, that fact alone is a good reason to watch.

 Miss Rose-  Pleasing

I tried to watch this show a few times before I was successful mainly due to the theme song. I really hate it. But once I was able to get passed it and started to really watch, I was happy to have found this Taiwanese RomCom.

This show was cute from the interaction between Luo Si Yi and Gao Cheng Kuan, their friends and family to the kooky fortune teller that dared Si Yi to get married before one more year passed her by. There are some laugh-out- loud moments especially when Xiao Ke found out about her fiancé, and for the most part the show passed by quickly.

However, there was one major hitch that is held up the whole show- Si Yi couldn’t make up her mind whether to move forward with Cheng Kuan or stay out of his life. The whole sacrifice love for the other person routine was in full effect here. I wanted to pull my hair out at some points, it was like ‘make up your mind honey!’ for four or five episodes in the end. I think it’s worth watching but just be prepared for the flip-flopping.

Ohlala Couple ep 5-  Disappointing 

This show was funny and quirky and had the whole supernatural angle working for it, but for me, the treatment of the wife by not only her husband but also her in-laws and even her own kid really turned me off. I skimmed over the rest of the show  to the last episode and met more disappointment there. The ending really ruined it.

There were some promising moments of slap-stick  but there were moments where Kim Eun Jung's acting fell flat during the swap. Hyun Joon was actually a pretty good woman but I just kept seing Eun Jung and not a man trapped in a woman’s body.

Since I couldn’t totally immerse myself into the swap, everything else was just downhill for me. I ended up reading  caps for the show, because I didn’t want to waste the whole hour watching the show. Then to find out how it all ended… Disappointing.  Why would she go back to that household? I am not a fan of divorce but this was a problem bigger than his cheating...

I probably won’t even remember this show next year. Too bad too, since it could have been a lot better. 

Panya Chon Kon Krua-  Disappointing/ Pleasing

  

I actually find this drama a bit pointless. Every episode I’m just waiting for the moments between Mark and Kimberly because their interaction brings a smile to my face, but the story is clichéd and a little tedious. If this were another match-up, I don’t know if I would still be watching this show, I think their chemistry is really good and that’s really all the show has.

Too bad I’m not mature enough to really care. I like this show and I don’t care if it’s pointless and silly, I will continue to watch, because I can :P

 Qi Pao- Pleasing 

 
This is my first Anne T. lakorn, but I can definitely see why so many like and respect her. In this show she played two people May Lee and Pink, and I could tell the difference between the two women not only because one had a mole and long hair, but because she trully appeared to be two different women who happened to share the same face. Her love interest Smart played Ming Tian, and he wasn't bad but he has apathetic expressions sometimes. I could believe them as a couple, but for me the main thing driving this drama wasn't their romance but the who-done-it supernatural plot.
There were times when I really was upset with Pink's nosiness, but she was only trying to help the spirit of May Lee.
I think this may have been really great if there weren't so many moments of staring off into the distance for Pink and Ming Tian, but it was a good show and I'm happy to have seen a more mature lakorn.


 

  Queen In Hyun’s Man-  Pleasing /Impressive 

 

This show really knocked my socks off, the plot was clever and the romance so very sweet. This is one for the favorites list. Yoo In Na has been in a few dramas that I’ve watched such as The Greatest Love and Secret Garden but she never blew my socks off with her acting, and to be honest she didn’t do that in this show either. This show is all about the well thought-out plot and the chemistry that the two leads shared.

I read that they became a couple off-screen, and seeing how they steamed up my computer screen with each episode; I would call them crazy if they hadn’t. DO watch this show, if you’re looking for a story and chemistry driven drama. I doubt you’ll be disappointed on those two aspects.

Queen of SOP-  Impressive

This was really cute and romantic. I liked the fact that this drama filmed in all the actual locations. They didn’t try to fool us with a fake London set, and I’m grateful. Although there were some of the same old plot devices, I like the fact that there were enough new ones or twists on the old ones that the show isn’t melding into all the others that I’ve watched. 
This was also a drama where the lead couple decided to stick together and face challenges together. I know that sometimes you have to let people go their own way but sometimes Asian dramas take it too far, making most couples sacrifice their love in order to “save” the person they love, and I’m happy to say that this was a drama that relied on the power of trust to resolve problems.

 Raeng Ngao 2012-  Pleasing

 

I didn’t really get a chance to watch this show since I couldn’t find enough subs for it, so I read the recaps on darknesslakorns  and watched the scenes that seemed really interesting. I think this show had a really good lesson about parenting in it. Almost every character’s actions could be tracked back to the treatment and teaching of their parents. The relationships between the Moota and Moonin, and Nappa and Nappit were all results from their parents favoring and comparing one over the other.

Besides that, I was happy that Ken (the new one), was able to match up with Janie so well. I didn’t really feel as though they were veteran and rookie or that she was too old for him. They looked good together. I’m not sure this is a show that I would go back and watch once the subs catch up, but I do think it was worth the time I put in.

  

 

Rooftop Prince-  Impressive

Since this aired alongside K2H, that portion of the year was really great. While K2H provided a story with character development and “serious” drama, RP was the comedy and sweetness. Park Yoochun of JYJ is getting quite good, each drama his skills improve. The very first episode, we watch as he loses his wife, the crowned  princess and his crying scene moved me as well, I was surprised that he’s improved so much and so soon. Yoochun Fighting!!

Anyway, Yoochun was the arrogant prince, Lee Gak, who knew how to give orders but not take them, and Han Ji Min played Park Ha, the girl who could care less what he thought of himself as long as he could pull his own weight. With a case of accidental time-travel, murder, general deception from more than one player, and of course three very cute servants that hopped time with their prince, this was a mash-up of themes. What a ride it was too. There was some good meat on the bones of this drama, and the acting was very well done. A must-see, I think.

The main OST track even became one of my favorite songs, another drama that someone put time and thought into before just letting the actors prance around on screen like some that I could name *cough*  Big.

 Saam Num Neua Thong/3 Golden Men-  Impressive

  

Absolutely loved the ending, I’m a sucker for cuteness. Loved the interaction between the boys, their bro-mance felt real and easy. P'Belly- I can't find information about the actress in this role, but she kept the show going, for me, sometimes. Belly  was seriously one of my favorite supporting cast members in any Asian drama. Even though in a really great show, there would have been some character development for her, I really enjoyed the fact that she was only there for comedic relief. She supported Krit from the start and never did anything to mislead any one. Which, as most know, is really rare in a Asian drama. I think this Lakorn had an important lesson about how we can start and end love.
I would recommend this to someone who isn't scared to think a little when it comes to love. Someone who would like a cute story with some real depth.

Shut up Flower Boy Band-  Pleasing

This can’t be wholly Impressive for me because I never forgave the writers for killing Min Ki in the first couple episodes, but my crush aside, the story was good. The very cute boys weren’t bad either.
The show explored some of the fundamentals of friendship, and how strong that bond can be without the dragging the show down with long stretches of melancholia.  There were some good songs here as well. Sung Joon and Min Ki also sang songs for the OST, ‘Wake Up’ and ‘Not in Love’ repectively.
The acting was a little thin in some places but I think the director did a good job getting the boys and the shots to induce some teary eyed moments, and again I was not coming into this show thinking that any of the actors would wow me with their skills, I am just pleased that none of them were exceedingly flat throughout the run of the show.
  

Wild Romance-  Disappointing

This show tricked me a bit. At first it was funny and a bit slap-stick and then the serious issuses came out and we had a stalker on our hands, there were areas explored in this drama that I had never seen attempted before, such as a real fight between a man and woman. Even though the show wasn’t a lightness and sweet the way I thought, I was rolling with the punches as it were. However, I feel like this show missed out on being great or even truly good because Dong Wook and Lee Si Young failed to really connect on screen. I couldn’t feel the chemistry and so everything felt a little pointless.

There were three reasons that I watched this til the end. 1: the secondary budding relationship between her best friend and his manager did provide some much needed chemistry. 2: I just couldn’t stop until I knew who had been stalking Dong Wook’s character, I hate unsolved mysteries. 3: I kept thinking that somehow this couple would make some sense to me. I couldn’t figure out why they liked each other, besides the fact that the writers said that they did, and waited until the last seconds of the last episode trying to figure it out.

One of the most disappointing shows this year.



All in all it was a very good year for dramas. there are few that I won't be able to forget, and a few that I wish I could. 
There were a few dramas that I didn't even get a chance to watch such as 'Faith' (which I keep hearing missed reviews about), 'Missing You' ( a pairing that I'm anticipating, but scared after the 'Big' fiasco), 'Bridal Mask' and 'Reply 1997' (heard really great things about both series, but just haven't gotten around to pressing the play button. 
Then there were a few dramas that I purposely avoided, such as 'Panda and the Hedgehog' and  'To the Beautiful You' (because I thought they were going to be more stupid than cute), 'I Need Romance 2012' (since the first one disappointed me), and 'Love Rain' (because it looked as though the melodrama would become tedious), that for the most part I have no regrets in skipping and no plans to watch.
I hope everyone was able to enjoy dramas that they liked, loved and learned from this year, and I hope that next year will be even better.
Have a happy New Year. See you in 2013!! :)