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Angela Barnes: We’re back baby 🎉 Sunday 1 Feb 9pm 🌍

thenerdyunhealthybrit

This is how I learn they do a rehearsal before the show? Based off their change of clothes.

I had always assumed since it was topical and about the week and improv that they film the episode straight away otherwise the humour lands less.

I only thought the only think pre-planned or rehearsed was the stand up routines

dangermousie

2025 cdrama year in review - a very subjective post

This is only going to cover cdramas that aired in 2025; if I watched it but it was made in a different year, it’s not on the list. As always, very subjective. Also, a bunch of potentially interesting dramas are going to drop in the remaining sliver of December and I was gonna wait for at least Speed and Love and The Vendetta of An but patience has never been my strong suit so here we go. (I guess I might update this at the very end of December if I feel like it)

Brace yourself, this one is a doozy - I have watched in part or in full 106 cdramas this year.

thenerdyunhealthybrit

Note to self, don't read it half asleep. Otherwise you will misread "Lessons in Love (Japan)" as "Lesbians in Love (Japan)". At least it woke me up with intrigue, followed by disappointment.

dangermousie

I feel like they did start with promoting the drama because I remember when the posters and trailer dropped. And then they kept changing the release window - I think it was originally meant to come out in July then they moved it to September. Then the stuff with her agency came out and nothing. No one knew if that September window was still happening.

It could be worse, I remember cdramas that got nothing and were quietly dropped in full.

I like it when they drop in full, that means they can’t be yanked before they are downloaded 😂

thenerdyunhealthybrit

I'm not against it, but when they do - I do question why. Are they trying to bury it? Is it bad? On the off-chance it isn't - I find it can be a real treat.

thenerdyunhealthybrit

Original Title: Vatanım Sensin English Title: Wounded Love (Translated: You are my Country) Airdate: 26th October 2016 - 7th June 2018 Country: Turkey Genre: Period Drama Seasons: 2 Episodes: 59 Runtime: 2 hours 30 minutes (on average, they vary)

Vatanım Sensin is a period drama, set in the early 20th Century, starting in the last years of The Ottoman Empire and mainly set in the Turkish War for Independence.

I can’t actually reveal too much of the plot without spoiling it for those who don’t want to be spoiled. But I will say this, the main character is loosely based on Mustafa Mümin Aksoy.

I’m gonna put an undercut for the next bit, which is gonna go in detail or what the show is about, and the first episode. The first two episodes honestly set up the plot, but the first episode sets up everything. So if you don’t want to be spoiled.

But before anyone moves on, I just want to add that I haven’t completed S1 but I throroughly enjoy this show. From the history aspect, it’s one I had no idea about, but find very interesting. The shots, the location and costume aesthetic is just…magnificent. Plus the show’s soundtrack is just iconic. What I love a lot about it is that it sounds like a high budget movie quality soundtrack. And boy does it evoke emotions from you.

Keep reading

thenerdyunhealthybrit

I put a lot into this. Maybe I should continue this in a series of recommending TV. I would love to do it with my Korean makjang Dailies - because they are soapy goodness. Way more than US soaps. But I can't acknowledge they are not for the faint hearted. The best ones do get good until 20-40 episodes in and then it's a serotonin high around halfway through and a sprint to the end.

But also if I were to recommend TV shows and do recaps. I don't know if for consistency if a series recap is an answer or a 1st episode recap.

what-breaks-my-heart

As for First Man. I don't know what kind of character Eunjung will play but she will probably be dumb for 20-40 episodes if it's like the writers previous works.

I hope they give her something different to do, because I only found Jaein and Eunjung interesting once she did the fake amnesia stuff. I didn't care for the designer L stuff.

I still think she's a bit limiting at times but with the right material she can deliver. Roles where her character has fire.

I like Yoon Sunwoo - he's admittedly also a little limiting at times. But he's very good at playing the "love interest" to the female-driven story while also standing on his own.

A classic MBC daily will have the protagonist being dumb as bricks until something big happens to them lol that is very much excited.

thenerdyunhealthybrit

I need her to be less dumb than Jaein because she could see Seri and Gichan making out and having sex in front of her and would believe that they tripped and their clothes fell off while giving each other CPR.

And least with Bong Seonhwa and Jung Dajung you could see why they were dumb and latching onto the cheating husband. Because of their lack of parents growing up, and their children they latch onto the idea of family and the perfect upbringing because they want to give their child what they lacked so they don't see the signs and anything else.

what-breaks-my-heart

Also, A Graceful Liar is starting strong. I've not been bored by the episodes yet. I'm not frustrated by the characters. The unlikable characters are there to fill their purpose but there's still someone to root for in the grey set of characters.

People are saying it's everything Red Shoes should've been.

People are saying it's better than Red Shoes? HOLD ON I need to watch it!

thenerdyunhealthybrit

I never completed Red Shoes - nothing against the show. But I had war flashcards of Secrets of Women and Kang Jiyoo was the most useless, vanilla FL. And the actress was in Red Shoes.

And I kept hearing mixed things so I wanted to wait and then forgot about it. I remember later hearing that the best thing was the mother. But still mixed things. People saying if you watch it with the mother as the hero, it's much better than if you watch it with the daughter as the hero.

what-breaks-my-heart

Apparently the Daily that will follow up The Woman who swallowed the Earth will be written by the same writer of The Second Husband and The Third Marriage.

Now I always joked that the next project will be called The Fourth Wife or The Fourth Child.

No far off, apparently it's title (which could change) is The First man.

Anyway, I really enjoyed their previous works in recent years are my top Dailies despite some repeating tropes (cheating, hidden rich family - regular stuff). But I'm curious to which actors will be recycled in their work.

More Seo Hyun Joo drama let's fucking gooooooo.

I know not everyone enjoyed The Second Husband or The Third Marriage but I personally inhaled both drama.

Going back to the First actually makes me more intrigued. I wonder what kind of crazy premise she's going to pull off this time around. All those batshit crazy things in her recent works got me SEATED.

Please let this upcoming drama be good!!!!

thenerdyunhealthybrit

For me The Second Husband and The Third Marriage were peak Makjang dailies in an era where they are kind of a dying breed.

At one point, I was binging 10 a day or 5 a day.

And to get 30 episode extensions or significant extensions that aren't because of pre-emptions is impressive.

what-breaks-my-heart

I still remember when they announced the 30-episode extension. I was so excited!

On a related note, it felt like Seo Hyun Joo was pacing The Third Marriage for another extension (probably not as many as The Second Husband but around 10 to 15 episodes) but it didn't go through hence the slightly weird rushed pacing towards the end.

thenerdyunhealthybrit

Maybe. But The Third Marriage did get that 10-episode extension. Which I kind of prefer. I felt with The Second Husband...now I don't know how far along they were filming when they got the extension but it felt like there wasn't a clear plan or arc. And they had to create scenarios to keep Jaekyung and the villains since they had started exposing and wrapping things up already.

At least it's not Im Sunghan. When she worked at MBC she got a 30-episode extension in one of her Dailies and then tried to demand a 50-episode extension to make the episode count to 200. She claimed she needed the 50 episodes to wrap things up.

I wish KBS did proper extensiond because when I watch their dramas you can clearly see their writers need it most of the time.

MBC Makjangs having that extra 20 episodes makes a huge difference when you compare it to KBS Makjangs.

what-breaks-my-heart

So I found more information on the next MBC Daily. Sounds like the leads have already been cast and it's going to be Ham Eunjung and Yoon Sunwoo. I'm surprised that Eunjung is booked already. And Yoon Sunwoo's casting makes me laugh because The Third Marriage recycled Oh Seungah when she finally got the lead role - still nice to see him booked.

No plot information but I'm seated. The Second Husband and The Third Marriage were both masterpieces in my opinion.

But also how are you going to top:

- Fighting in a kitchen with a bloodied mackerel.

- Marrying the man you Love's uncle so you can become your ex-husband's mistress's mother-in-law.

- Marrying your biological mother's husband. The husband marrying a mother-daughter duo.

- And of course, while your mother is on the run from the police, hide her in your in-laws house where everyone hates you and have her living in a dog kennel/carrier in the conservatory to eavesdrop and spy.

I'm ready for the makjang overload and campness.

Ham Eunjung as the protagonist in yet another daily revenge makjang? Girl found her niche and is cashing on it!!!!

Please please please let this upcoming project be as batshit crazy as Seo Hyun Joo's recent works. I need to see Eunjung playing an unhinged character.

p/s: In case I hadn't said it earlier, I am super grateful to have someone with whom I can talk about these daily revenge makjang. Bonus bonus point because you are super invested in them.

thenerdyunhealthybrit

Haha. Same here. I've been tweeting on Twitter about A Graceful Liar and Queen's House and found some people where we respond to our tweets because some Dailies are frustrating or have that period where I want to wait until things get good or less frustrating - like the affair parts of TSH, TTM and Queen's House. Or when everyone betrayed Jaein in QH.

I wish to be one of those good stan Twitter blogs for Dailies where I can screencap spoilers or recap the episodes. But that's a big commitment and most of the time when I watch I'm focusing on the drama.

what-breaks-my-heart

Apparently the Daily that will follow up The Woman who swallowed the Earth will be written by the same writer of The Second Husband and The Third Marriage.

Now I always joked that the next project will be called The Fourth Wife or The Fourth Child.

No far off, apparently it's title (which could change) is The First man.

More Seo Hyun Joo drama let's fucking gooooooo.

I know not everyone enjoyed The Second Husband or The Third Marriage but I personally inhaled both drama.

Please let this upcoming drama be good!!!!

thenerdyunhealthybrit

For me The Second Husband and The Third Marriage were peak Makjang dailies in an era where they are kind of a dying breed.

At one point, I was binging 10 a day or 5 a day.

And to get 30 episode extensions or significant extensions that aren't because of pre-emptions is impressive.

what-breaks-my-heart

Honestly I hated how Queen's House was sold as a double revenge but it just focused on Jaein's revenge. Which I get cause Dailies tend to be female centric - likely due to in the past the viewership for Dailies were more likely to be housewives. But I didn't see the point in the Kim Dohee/Kim Doyun stuff.

He did more for his revenge when he thought it was Jaein's mother than when he realised Gichan and Seri played a role in things.

The fake amnesia stuff diminishes his role - but I loved how it gave Yoonjae more to do. And I won't spoil it too much but they introduce a new character and he ends up doing more than Doyun. Like with 10 episodes left they introduce a new triangle. And some episodes Seo Joonyoung is just doing PPL.

I wouldn't care so much if his revenge wasn't sold in the plot synopsis early on.

Introducing a new character in the final episodes do be crazy. I remember how they did that in Two Sisters but at least it was halfway during the drama, not in the final episodes.

Something feels wrong with the drama but I'm not sure if something happened behind the screen that necessitates such wrongness.

Unlike Snow White's Revenge, I am hardly invested in this drama anymore. I just want to finish it to see it concludes.

thenerdyunhealthybrit

To be honest, I only even followed it for Park Yoonjae. I have seen Ham Eunjung in Dailies before (Suji and Uri, Love Twist etc) but felt she always plays the same kind of roles and is limiting. Not necessarily a bad thing - I never thought she had a bad role, but picked roles to her strengths. I had seen Seo Joonyoung in other Dailies, maybe Brave Yong Sujeong. He's also not bad.

Originally, I was gutted. Yoonjae wasn't the ML. Because I've enjoyed his previous works but do feel at times his characters got the short straw. So when I read he was the villain, I wasn't confident about his screentime. But his screen time increased, and he had subtle layers that prevented him from being a cartoon makjang villain like Seri. I saw Gichan as a villain who could be in the real world.

Also his chemistry with Eunjung was much better than Eunjung and Joonyoung's.

Overall I enjoyed Queen's House but it became a mess in the end. That new character introduced near the end - he's needed but doesn't need to be inserted as an extra love interest for Jaein. In the second half they really neglected Doyun and his family and the revenge for Dohee.

And honestly, the reveal about Jiho was the most disappointing thing. Because I always said when it happened that should be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Because Gichan covered up Seri killing Eunho because of his crimes but also because he had Jiho. So I was looking forward to him being angry because she killed his only bio son and tricked him with Jiho so she could get his money. But the reveal was so underwhelming. It should've been seismic but it was so minor.

And Seri was...well she was tame as a villain but so annoying. They didn't delve into enough about why she's bad. I wanted her to be so obsessed with Jaein. Copying her style and mannerisms etc. Obsessed with Jaein to the point she doesn't want Gichan because Jaein doesn't want him.

I felt that would've been more interesting. Instead she became obsessed with Gichan and wanting Jaein's things but on a superficial level. They missed a chance to go makjang crazy or explore Seri's obsession on a psychological level.

what-breaks-my-heart

Also do you only watch makjang dailies or KBS1 more family orientated ones?

I didn't watch Good Luck because nothing appealed to me when I read the plot. I recognised some of the cast because they were daily/weekend stalwarts - as villains or parents. But not enough to make me watch.

But the next one I might. It's called Marie and her three daddies. It sounds Mamma Mia esque. But Ryu Jin will be in it. As the ML's brother but then a teaser came out as he's a potential baby daddy and it just hit me that he's old enough to not only play fathers to adult children. But in kdrama and Dailyland old enough to play a father to an actor or actress in their 30s-40s.

I do check out the dailies from both KBS1 and KBS2, although I have been preferring the makjang from KBS2 more recently. It really depends on which one piques my interest honestly.

I did not watch Good Luck but I am planning on watching Marie and Her Three Daddies. I forgot what exactly from the trailer that got me interested but I am curious.

I just hope I can manage my time properly to catch up with all of my dailies and weekender and cdrama AND non-drama stuff I'm giving my time.

thenerdyunhealthybrit

Same here. I want to get back into Turkish dizis as well - which are a beast itself because one episode can ne 90 minutes or up to 3 hours.

But I want to watch some old Dailies as well, balancing that will old kdramas, current kdramas and work. Not easy.

And balancing with Dailies...I'm avoiding another affair-based revenge one for a while. I can't watch those too often ir consecutively because the period of the FL being naive and stupid can be long. I could never imagine going from The Sexond Husband to The Third Marriage without a break or watching them simultaneously.

what-breaks-my-heart

So I'm nearing the end of Queen's House and I'm enjoying the latest episodes, although there is one storyline introduced so late that is so unneeded.

Bit it's crazy how Kim Doyun is the ML but SJY is being pushed to the side. Again. I had a feeling about it with the amnesia plot sonce natural Kang Jaein would be spending more time with the Hwang family but even after that arc...

And look I don't blame the writers, PYJ is a staple of Daily dramas. Especially with KBS. He's pretty much always been the ML. And its clear the only reason he took on Hwang Gichan and the SML role was because of the chance to play a villain. So I don't blame them for giving him more. Especially cause he adds layers to him. Small shreds of humanity and guilt which he then buries for greed and selfishness. While Kang Seri is more of your typical makjang villain cartoonish but perfect for makjangs.

But it's just funny because I hear it's not the first time SJY has been pushed to the side in Daily dramas when he's cast as the male lead and is the male actor with the highest billing.

Mayhe he should fo back to MBC Dailies.

Ouch!

This reminds me of Snow White's Revenge. An interesting choice to be observed. Is this how KBS tries to add nuance to their ML?

Idk if they can beat how the ML was written in Miss Monte-Cristo. Although to be fair that drama was never about ML and SML; it was more about the leading lady executing her revenge plan throughout the drama, and the plan was crafted off-screen so the viewers didn't have to witness the protagonist trying to figure things out. It was well written and well executed. Highly recommended if you want a revenge that uses an eye for an eye approach.

thenerdyunhealthybrit

I think it's a shame how things panned out for the actor. Because the plot was about a double revenge when it started. And the Dohee stuff has felt like an afterthought.

what-breaks-my-heart

So they dropped a new teaser for our next KBS Daily. Unfortunately I can't find it subbed.

Honestly I gotta love how much the production value in Dailies have increased. It's not much but recent Dailies with their promos have a bit of a premium feel to them. It helps catch up with the regular kdramas because before the gap between Dailies - Weekenders - Regular kdramas felt significant.

Dailies - at least the revenge makjangs aren't feeling too low budget. Even though they still film on recycled sets etc.

The teaser for A Graceful Liar has a style that is familiar for a KBS daily revenge makjang. I'm glad they are staying true to their identities.

Honestly I'd prefer if dailies remain focused on serving their niche target audience instead of trying to appeal more to the international audience. Miniseries getting the attention of international streaming platforms did not bode well (at least for me), and I've long dropped them.

And don't get me wrong, but dailies using the same recycled sets is part of their charms that keep me interested. These dailies trying to save cost as much as possible makes them rely more on the script and delivering the lines, instead of fancy effects or expensive promo. Or god forbid, casting an idol who cannot act just to get high rating.

If the writer's previous work (Game of Witches) is of any indicator, this drama is NOT for the weak. And I'm here ready with my popcorn.

thenerdyunhealthybrit

I don't think Dailies will ever appeal to the mainstream international audiences. Even Weekenders some struggle with unless they get an internationally popular actor.

People struggle with with the high episode count but also the slow build-up.

Even international audiences struggle with primetime Makjangs like Penthouse and Love and Marriage ft Divorce.

Many struggle when cheating is the main plot, especially if the ML/FL is the cheater and not the second lead. Or when all characters are grey.

And with Dailies many just can't cope in the beginning. No Daily is good from Day 1. I love my Dailies, even ones that have the rare good episodes in the beginning. But I only REALLY love and get hooked much later on.

what-breaks-my-heart

Hey, so I don't know if you watched this daily: Apugujeong Midnight Sun.

I want to watch it cause I think it's fascinating how the FL's personality and actions are that of a villain but she's the "hero" and lead and she ends up growing, redeeming herself once she decides to get revenge.

Also, it's Park Hana. I find she's rarely given meh characters. Like some Daily leads are so pathetic and too weak and attacked by the villains.

Anyway, I'm struggling to find English subs since Dramacool is no more. And decided to watch clips with no subs. Since MBC Dailys on YouTube are never subbed (1 point for the win with KBS).

From watching the clips, it dawned on me that the leads later were the second leads in Young Lady and Gentlemen.

The clips highlighted how wasted they were in the Weekender.

I remember beforehand rooting for Park Hana's character to have a redemption arc since she wasn't fully evil in the Weekender. And there were points to do that and I liked the chemistry between her and the FL's uncle.

But ultimately they decided to use her for angst right until the end and didn't go there.

Now, realising they were leads in a previous Daily and seeing their clips. God, they were so wasted. Especially Kang Euntaek. Park Hana had a meatier role throughout. They barely did anything with him as the supposed 4th main lead. They gave more stuff to the supporting roles.

I need some older Dailys subbed more for my favourite Daily actors but also AMS and Princess Aurora were written by the same writer. And that writer is famous for being a mess and hated. Because her shows would be record-breaking hits but also critically panned. Insanely makjang with plots and twists and killing off everyone. To the point that MBC fired her during AMS and banned from MBC.

-- I'm looking for a replacement Daily since after QH's I have nothing. I will watch Intimate Ripley - but will wait for more episodes. So I'm trying to find older ones. I finally finished The Brave Yong Soojong and the final episode was bad. Not terrible but underwhelming. Many stuff was wrapped up before so this episode should've had them wrap up the characters but instead...

This is my first time hearing about AMS. I only started watching dailies in 2021 so I'm relatively new to the scene.

KBS does win in that regard with their KBS World YouTube channel. Fortunately dailies remain a niche segment that KBS is reliable to be providing without having to kowtow to Western values and cinematography (I like Korean drama because they have similar values and struggles for me as an Asian).

Have you watched Meant to Be? I adore that drama especially because the characters are not stupid. The pacing doesn't feel draggy; neither it is too fast. A solid daily imo

thenerdyunhealthybrit

I've heard of Meant to be but I've not watched it.

With older Dailies. I tend to only watch if A) There are familiar actors, B) Familiar actors and the plot is interesting C) If it was very popular at the time. And most importantly D) I can find subs for it.

But there aren't many. I only got into Dailies recently. So 3 dailies on air at a time. 2 from KBS and one from MBC.

I did find some old SBS ones and old morning Dailies. Because there use to be more Dailies 10 years ago. I wanted to watch some morning ones and SBS ones because I can get obsessive and scientific. So I like to see if different channels have different vibes or styles with their Dailies. Like how KBS1 are more family orientated and KBS2 tend to be a bit more makjang or revenge focused. MBC these days are more slower paced, more building in the beginning but gets good and often more makjang. But I also find with MBC because they have 1 Daily at a time, their vibes alternate. So wild, revenge focused makjangs like The Second Husband (I think Witch's Game - not watched) and then family makjang - not crazy villains.

But I tried to find some morning aired Dailies because I wanted to see if the content was different, since it's on in the morning - I assumed storylines and plots would be tamer because of what they can show on TV at the time. And I tried to find some SBS Dailies. Only watched one with subs.

KBS are very good with their Weekend shows and Dailies. Even more so since Kocowa now exists. They still upload their current Dailies on YouTube with subs and some old ones. I don't know how far back they go. The oldest I've watched from them is 2015. And they even do it with some of their Weekend dramas - again I don't know how far back they go.

Unfortunately for SBS - they abandoned their Dailies before streaming took off. By that I mean for international audiences. MBC have never done it. What's frustrating is even their clips from shows aren't subbed either.

One very old Daily that I have found subs for is Temptation of Wife, which was a mega hit back in 2008. I remember it being referenced or spoofed in kdramas and variety shows. So I want to watch that.

But very old kdramas, I am picky. Just because the production value is so different compared to now.

Like I said, I want to find a Daily or two to replace the currently airing ones since they didn't interest me. And new Dailies take a while to get my teeth into.

what-breaks-my-heart

I cannot believe I forgot about my most favourite KBS daily revenge makjang! You should check out Miss Monte-Cristo. It didn't use the typical tug-o-war between the protagonist and the antagonist technique. Instead, the entire drama (save for the first 20 episodes) is essentially the protagonist executing her elaborate revenge plan against those who wronged her, one by one. So you feel progress and satisfied as the story goes. Highly recommended.

thenerdyunhealthybrit

I will check it out - and if on YouTube - even better. So far I've preferred MBC revenge malkjangs. Generally all revenge makjangs are frustrating at the beginning because oc the build up. And MBC's generally have a longer build up. But once the revenge starts it gets so good and significant progress is often made with characters (I'm biased cause I loved The Second Husband and The Third Marriage - maybe it's just the writer's makjangs). Whereas KBS kinda dips. The middle is often the issue. Some of their makjangs are frustrating because the writer ends up focusing too much on the villain too many wins and then the end is rushed. Or like Queen's House, the revenge starts a little late and when it does it's good but then gets lost in revenge and forgets character development.

Like I don't know if you caught up but there's an amnesia arc - and it's so good. I loved it but as a result the ML's storyline and development on that side stalls.

I also need some good KBS1 family style makjangs. Sometimes something a bit lighter but with makjang twists and drama is a nice break. Especially in contrast to revenge dramas when the revenge isn't happening yet.

what-breaks-my-heart

For KBS1 dailies, I did enjoy Be My Dream Family, Apple of My Eye, Udangtangtang Family and Suji and Uri.

thenerdyunhealthybrit

I watched bits of Suji and Uri. I watched it all but only some arcs I was really watching. I wasn't really a big fan of HEJ. It's not until Queen's House that I realised she can act. And I don't mean she's a bad actor. I just always felt she played the same kind of roles.

I watched My Merry Marriage for Park Hana. I don't think it was her best role. Nothing to do with her but the writing. She's good at playing "strong" characters. Her character wasn't weak but a bit naive. But again there were arcs I liked. With family dramas I am a bit of a sucker when the men become simps for single mothers or willing to love and be the father to a child that's not theirs.

The All-round wide had potential but was too slice of life and didn't care for any characters except the leads.

But when I watch Dailies I like one crazy makjang and pair it with a KBS1 style family makjang. So I cam take a breather if tje revenge makjang is taking too long to get to the revenge or is being frustrating.