[This list is still being populated with dramas I've watched - it's taking a bit longer than expected.]
And so it begins. This is the perpetually growing list of all the dramas I’ve seen over the last several years. Hit the individual series links for detailed reviews, or check out my massive post of mini-reviews!
Wondering what the hell I’m thinking rating dramas with hearts? Check my ratings page to get the skinny on how I grade stuff.
Special Features:
Multiple interviews
“Scent of a Woman Special” featurette
Full episode of Healing Camp featuring Lee Dong-wook
Specs:
U.S. Region 1, NTSC
YA Entertainment
$59.99, SRP
6-discs
16 hours, plus 118 minutes for special features
Korean audio
English subtitles
See the full packaging spotlight at AsianPopShock!
Special Features:
“Behind the Scenes” featurette
Interviews
Specs:
U.S. Region 1, NTSC
YA Entertainment
$59.99, SRP
7-discs
20 hours, plus 78 minutes for special features
16:9, anamorphic widescreen
Korean audio
English subtitles
See the full packaging spotlight at AsianPopShock!
Special Features:
“Behind the Scenes” featurette
Interviews
2-part interview with Kim Hyun Joong
Specs:
U.S. Region 1
YA Entertainment
6-discs
16 hours, plus 109 minutes for special features
16:9
Not rated
Korean audio
English subtitles
See the full packaging spotlight at AsianPopShock!
Special Features:
Cast interviews
“Behind the Scenes” featurettes
Sneak peek of Prosecutor Princess
Specs:
U.S., Region 1, NTSC
YA Entertainment
6-discs
Approximately 16 hours
16:9, anamorphic widescreen
Not Rated
Korean audio
English subtitles
See the full packaging spotlight at AsianPopShock!
First aired: August 11, 2010
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those who like a touch of fantasy in their romantic comedies; bonus for fans of cute, older secondary couples.
As much as I love the Hong sisters (Hong Gil Dong), Shin Min Ah (My Mighty Princess), and Lee Seung Gi (Brilliant Legacy), I was a little late to the party on My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho. I have no idea why I didn’t pick it up immediately as it definitely hits almost all my favorite drama elements, but I’m actually glad I ended up holding off for YA Ent.’s DVD box set, as it allowed me to quickly marathon the entire series from the comfort of my sofa. And when I say marathon, I mean marathon. Once I started, I absolutely couldn’t stop and spent the better part of two days laughing, crying and flailing about over countless scenes of utterly adorable behavior.
I’d love to to post full-length reviews for every drama I watch, but honestly, that’s probably just never going to happen. Instead, I try and at least put together these mini-reviews designed for both the writer and reader afflicted with drama ADD.
Some minor spoilers might appear, but I don’t think there’s anything that would a ruin a show for anyone.
Ando Natsu
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those who enjoy female-centric coming of age stories that focus on artisan (traditional Japanese confections, in this case) career paths and/or foodies.
Atashinchi no Danshi
Rating: Liked
Recommended for those looking for a lighthearted romantic comedy with multiple possible pairings akin to reverse-harem manga (think Ouran High School Host Club minus the high school and all but one host).
Bambino
Rating: Barely befriended
Recommended for Matsujun and/or hardcore foodie fans who enjoy male-centric coming of age stories.
Bara no Nai Hanaya
Rating: Fling(ed)
Recommended for those interested in family dramas and romances where hidden agendas play a major part; bonus for fans of Katori Shingo who does a surprisingly solid job in a heavy dramatic role.
Beautiful Life
Rating: Fling(ed)
Recommended for fans of stories where love almost conquers all and for those who like watching romances with a box of tissues nearby; bonus for fans of excellent ending sequences.
BOSS
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those searching for a procedural with a twist featuring stellar writing and an exceptional ensemble cast lead by a fabulous actress, who openly embraces not being a twenty-something.
Boys Before Flowers
Rating: Fling(ed)
Recommended for fans of poor girl/rich boy relationship dynamics, extremely pretty people, and outrageous but entirely entertaining situations; must be able to overlook major breaks in continuity from original story.
Capital Scandal
Rating: Married (and had its babies)
Recommended for fans of romantic screwball comedy dynamics (think Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant) mixed with 1930s era Korean political intrigue.
Celeb to Binbo Taro
Rating: Liked
Recommended for those who enjoy rich girl/poor boy stories, but with the added complication of three adorable children (his).
City Hall
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those who like a healthy dose of angst and politics mixed in with their romantic comedies; bonus for fans of Kim Sun Ah and Cha Seung Won, both of whom look hella beautiful throughout (though Kim’s perm is kind of a creature unto itself for the first half).
Damo
Rating: Married (and had its babies)
Recommended for wuxia fans who love strong female leads and epically complicated romantic relationships that involve themes of class, loyalty, duty and vengeance; must also be OK with tragedy.
Dream High
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those who wish weekly shows like Glee had a little more in common with the original Fame film; bonus for JYP fans (his role is hilarious and played to a “T”.
Gokusen
Rating: Loved
Recommended for fans of strong female leads whose personalities can turn on a dime from shy and unassuming to utterly ass-kicking; also for fans of ikemen.
Hana Yori Dango
Rating: Fling(ed)
Recommended for fans of teen romances with a poor girl/rich boy dynamic and the pluckiest of female leads (and who doesn’t love Inoue Mao?); bonus for fans of ikemen (Matsujun, Oguri Shun, Matsuda Shota, Abe Tsuyoshi).
Hana Yori Dango Returns
Rating: Liked
Recommended for fans of the original series.
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (a.k.a. Hana Kimi)
Rating: Loved
Recommended for fans of warm and fuzzy high school romances complicated by hidden genders and populated with extremely attractive students.
Hong Gil Dong
Rating: Loved
Recommended for fusion drama fans who want their sageuks to include plenty of humor tempered with action sequences, political intrigue, romance, and vengeance quests; bonus for fans of epic love triangles.
Hotaru no Hikari, Seasons 1 & 2
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those interested in very female-centric stories, workplace romances and josei manga; bonus for those who enjoy female leads who show legitimate (though somewhat slow) and believable growth.
Innocent Love
Rating: Ended before it began
Recommended for fans of Horikita Maki, well-acted melodrama, and heavier themes (murder, incest, suicide, etc.).
Jin
Rating: Married (and had its babies)
Recommended for fans of both visually stunning jidaigeki and medical series along with those intrigued by the concept of a time travel inducing fetus.
Jotei
Rating: Liked
Recommended for those who like strong female characters and exploring the worlds surrounding alternative careers intrinsic to Japanese nightlife.
Kamisama Mou Sukoshi
Ratings: Fling(ed)
Recommended for those who enjoy heavier, reality-based themes mixed in with their fantasy romances (Ex.: handsome celebrity falls for ordinary girl); bonus for fans of Kaneshiro Takeshi and Fukada Kyoko.
Ketsuekigatabetsu Onna ga Kekkon Suru Hoho
Ratings: Liked
Recommended for those who enjoy love stories and short series where each episode focuses on a new character; bonus for those interested in blood type theories.
Kimi wa Pet
Rating: Married (and had its babies)
Recommended for those looking for “older” female leads (late 20s, early 30s) and unlikely, yet uplifting romances with the ability to change the most stubborn of personalities; bonus for fans of adorably gawky-era MatsuJun.
Konkatsu!
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those looking for romances about the complications of orchestrated romantic meetings and difficulties of finding love after you’ve reached a certain age.
Kurosagi
Rating: Barely befriended
Recommended for those who enjoy super-skilled lead characters that use hustlers’ tricks to punish evildoers; bonus for Yamapi and Horikita Maki fans.
Legend
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those who enjoy grand, sweeping sageuks but wish they had more elements of fantasy.
Love Generation
Rating: Fling(ed)
Recommended for those who enjoy 90s era “trendy” dramas (this is definitely one of the best) and the stellar combo of Kimura and Takako.
Love Shuffle
Rating: Loved
Recommended for fans of ensemble comedies and those who like to root for multiple couples throughout the course of a series.
Lunch Queen
Rating: Loved
Recommended for foodies and those who enjoy comedies with a touch of romance and family dynamics.
Magerarenai Onna
Rating: Liked
Recommended for those interested in a drama focusing on a woman’s journey to find happiness and the strength of her lifelong friendship with a woman who seems like her polar opposite.
Maou
Rating: Liked
Recommended for fans of heavier themes and lifelong vengeance quests anchored by strong dramatic performances; bonus for K-drama fans who want to dive into J-dramas.
Mary Stayed Out All Night (a.k.a. Marry Me, Mary)
Rating: Fling(ed)
Recommended for fans of love triangles that make choosing the “right” romantic pair far more difficult than it should be; bonus for those who enjoy musical elements credibly tossed into their dramas.
Massagu na Otoko
Rating: Fling(ed)
Recommended for those who enjoy slow building relationships and anti-badboy leads; bonus for Sato Ryuta fans.
Mei-chan no Shitsuji
Rating: Loved
Recommended for fans of delicious crack who are willing to let go of logic and reason and embrace the theme of ultra rich girls attending school with their devoted (and handsome) butlers.
Mischievous Kiss
Rating: Fling(ed)
Recommended for those looking for plucky, charmingly sweet heroines who aren’t Pollyannas and fans of the manga; bonus for SS501 fans.
Mop Girl
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those who love ensemble casts of quirky and lovable characters and procedural style shows with supernatural touches.
Mother
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those looking for a serious, brilliantly acted human drama about the bond between a lonely woman and the child she comes to care for as her own.
Mr. Brain
Rating: Liked
Recommended for fans of mystery procedural shows and brilliant but emotionally disconnected lead male characters; bonus for fans of Mizushima Hiro who takes on a rather ridiculous (but adorable) secondary role as a rookie detective.
My Little Chef
Rating: Liked
Recommended for foodies and those who like quiet, but skilled female leads who don’t necessarily change as much as cause change in those around them; bonus for fans of Abe Hiroshi.
My Lovely Sam-Soon
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those looking for lead characters who are a little bit wonky but utterly lovable and for those who love seeing delicious desserts; bonus for young Hyun Bin fans.
My Girl (J-drama)
Rating: Liked
Recommended for fans of heartwarming family dramas, particularly those that explore the relationship between fathers and daughters.
My Girl (K-drama)
Rating: Liked
Recommended for those who like enjoy romances that focus on poor girl/rich boy dynamics; bonus for fans of secondary leads that give first leads a run for their money.
My Princess
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those who enjoy Roman Holiday and other romances where love must conquer obstacles like duty and fortune (or loss – not lack – thereof); bonus for fans of adorableness because there are plenty of super cute moments littered throughout.
Nagareboshi
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those looking for a romance that grows slowly over time – bonus for those who enjoy human dramas featuring the strong bonds between family members.
Ninkyo Helper
Rating: Liked
Recommended for those who like to blend dramatic themes and admirable performances with highly entertaining, often hilarious crack; bonus for yakuza-lite fans.
Nobuta wo Produce
Rating: Liked
Recommended for those in search of high school coming of age stories that focus more on the complexities of friendship and growing up than on romance.
Nodame Cantabile
Rating: Married (and had its babies)
Recommended for fans of slapstick comedy, romance and ridiculous characters, and extremely good music (of the classical variety).
Osen
Rating: Loved
Recommended for foodies and those looking for elements of comedy mixed with insights into traditional Japanese food culture; bonus for fans of Yu Aoi.
Pasta
Rating: Fling(ed)
Recommended for fans of misanthropic alpha-male leads and mentor/mentee relationships; bonus for foodies.
Personal Taste
Rating: Liked
Recommended for those who enjoy dramas where the lead couple is thrown into cohabitation and all the hilarious complications that inevitably arise.
Pride
Rating: Married (and had its babies)
Recommended for fans of contract relationship antics, Kimutaku, and Takeuchi Yuko, with a side of high-intensity emotions that go along with sports stories.
Rookies
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those who love delinquents, comedy, stories that explore the bonds of friendship, and baseball; bonus for fans of ikemen.
Remote
Rating: Loved
Recommended for fans of quirky and occasionally creepy episodic procedurals that feature leads with plenty of sizzle; bonus for fans of Domoto Koichi and Fukada Kyoko.
Ryusei no Kizuna
Rating: Married (and had its babies)
Recommended for fans of vengeance tales and mysteries that manage to remain upbeat through scenes of oft ridiculous (but totally enjoyable) situations.
Shinya Shokudo
Rating: Loved
Recommended for people who enjoy food, short stories, and/or dramas where each episode focuses on a new character and centers on one particular theme (in this case, a particular Japanese dish); bonus for fans of existential literature and philosophy.
Stand Up
Rating: Liked
Recommended for those looking for a PG-rated high school sex farce minus pretty much all the sex but including the awkward and often hilarious moments that go along with it; bonus for fans of ikemen.
Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Rating: Married (and had its babies)
Recommended for those who enjoy romantic fusion sageuks where the friendships between the main characters are as key to the story as the central romance.
Tamra Island
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those who enjoy fusion sageuks like SungKyungKwan Scandal, beautiful settings, and hilarious secondary characters; bonus for Jung Juri fans.
Teppan Shoujo Akane
Rating: Liked
Recommended for those who’ve always wondered what it would be like if you combined a female-centered coming of age story with shounen manga style antics and Iron Chef situations; bonus for Horikita Maki and foodie fans.
Tokujo Kabachi!!
Rating: Liked
Recommended for fans of “case of the week” shows mixed with a touch of slapstick-style humor and just a hint of romance; bonus for Arashi and Sakurai Sho fans.
Tokyo Dogs
Rating: Loved
Recommended for fans of buddy-cop shows with tons of humor mixed in with scenes of action; bonus for fans of Oguri Shun and Mizushima Hiro.
Trick
Rating: Married (and had its babies)
Recommended for fans of mismatched romantic leads and shows that bridge the gap between The X-files and Moonlighting.
Tsubasa no Oreta Tenshitachi
Rating: Liked
Recommended for short story fans who are interested in seeing early dramatic (and very strong) performances from some of today’s most sought after lead actresses.
Tsuki no Koibito
Rating: Fling(ed)
Recommended for those looking for somewhat unconventional romances featuring characters who are in the thirties; bonus for those in search of phenomenal “confession” scenes.
Winter Sonata
Rating: Barely befriended
Recommended for Bae Yong Joon fans and those who love melodramatic romances; bonus for drama newbies interested in seeing one of the biggest Hallyu wave series.
The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those looking for an unconventional romance featuring a relationship between an intelligent woman in her thirties and a young man ten years her junior.
Yamada Taro Monogatari
Rating: Liked
Recommended for fans of comedies that explore young friendships and “fish out of water” syndrome.
Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (a.k.a. The Wallflower)
Rating: Loved
Recommended for those looking for the opposite of a Pygmalion story (where the subject changes her charges more than the reverse) and for fans of slapstick humor laden romances.
Yaoh
Rating: Liked
Recommended for those who like humorous dramatizations of Tokyo nightlife and host culture; bonus for fans of Matsuoka Masahiro and Kitamura Kazuki.
Zettai Kareshi
Rating: Fling(ed)
Recommended for those looking for a sweet, lighthearted workplace romance, with plenty of humor and quirks (hello, robot love interest); bonus for fans of Mizushima Hiro.
Special Features:
Interview with Park Shi Hoo
Interview with Kim So Yeon
Brilliant Legacy sneak peek
Specs:
U.S., Region 1, NTSC
YA Entertainment
6-discs
Approximately 16 hours
16:9, anamorphic widescreen
Not Rated
Korean audio
English subtitles
See the full packaging spotlight at AsianPopShock!
Special Features:
Kim Sun Ah interviews and commentaries
Specs:
U.S. Region 1, NTSC
YA Entertainment
7-discs
20 hours
16:9, anamorphic widescreen
Not rated
Korean audio
English subtitles
See the full packaging spotlight at AsianPopShock.
Special Features:
“Behind the Scenes” featurette
Interviews
Gag reel
Specs:
U.S. Region 1, NTSC
YA Entertainment
8-discs
21 hours, plus 141 minutes of special features
16:9, anamorphic widescreen
Not rated
Korean audio
English subtitles
See the full packaging spotlight at AsianPopShock!
