February Watched
- Feb 27
- 13 min read
As you can see, February was quite a productive month for me drama-wise, even though I still can't catch up with the airing dramas. Maybe someday!
All the dramas I'm writing about:
What's your opinion on these dramas? Maybe you found something new you might want to watch?
First impression: Feels like a simple, cute romance.
Last impression: PAPAGO AND OTHER TRANSLATORS EXIST, PLEASE USE!
Synopsis: Joo Ho Jin is a multilingual interpreter with extraordinary language skills, including English, Japanese and Italian. He begins to work for star Cha Mu Hee as her interpreter. She has bright charms and is always confident. The emotions of a celebrity and her interpreter get lost in translation as they travel the world filming a TV show. Will love find its own language? (Asianwiki/Mydramalist)
This is a well-filmed drama with great scenery and amazing actors, but the script did not deliver...
The writing was messy, and some of the interesting facts about Cha Mu Hee were only revealed, like 20 minutes before the end of the last episode.
We never actually get to know Ho Jin's messy family; the brother is barely seen, and we don't get to know him. At the same time, the mother he had been estranged from for a decade becomes his bestie after 5 minutes of meeting.
The romance wasn't that great. Cha Mu Hee seems very desperate for love and is a borderline stalker of Ho Jin. She needs to know everything about him, and she embarrasses herself too many times in this drama just because of that.
Mind you, the stalking and this infatuation start the second time they meet.
The way they dealt with Cha Mu Hee's mental illness was terrible. She went to a psychiatrist twice, and love healed all the rest.
The most K-drama-like explanation, but I thought we've been past that phase.
Unlike Mu Hee, Do Ra Mi was a more entertaining character, and it would have been nice if they explored her more. However, Mu Hee is still bearable, though embarrassing. On the other hand, Ho Jin is a very unlikeable and annoying male lead.
There were some great moments between them, but they were more like fleeting moments before another round of frustration.
If your favourite trope is miscommunication, you will probably love this drama!
There are a lot of people fawning over Hiro, the second male lead, but the realisation that he fell in love with her was so out of nowhere. Also, most of the time, he was rude and tried to make everything 10 times harder for no reason.
A lot was lacking in the story, as well as romance (and this is a romance drama). Ho Jin and Mu Hee never sold me as a true couple.
However, they get a bit of a bonus point for scenography; every place looked amazing in the drama. OSTs of the drama were also pretty fun and catchy.
6.5/10
First impression: I really enjoy the setting and how everything is explained.
Last impression: Finally, a real ending, not a cliffhanger for next season.
Synopsis: Set in the 1970s, Baek Ki Tae is an ambitious man who thirsts for wealth and power. Jang Gun Yeong is a prosecutor with animalistic instinct and fearsome tenacity. Facing a major incident, Jang Gun Yeong throws his life to stop Baek Ki Tae. The people around them include Lobbyist Choi Yu Ji, Investigator O Ye Jin, Bae Geum Ji and Chief Secretary Cheon Seok Jeong. (Asianwiki)
The inclusion of historical settings at the start of episodes was a very good decision for the drama. It's still a fiction, but it's nice to see that world, and ours, come together.
This also helped in getting to know some of the characters and their circumstances, but with others, we still needed more. For example, Baek Ki Tae and his family should have had more screentime. What do they actually mean to Baek Ki Tae? Establishing that would make his meeting with his younger brother more emotional for the viewers in the last episode.
It's usually just told to us that he really cares about his sibling, and that he's a good brother.
The drama has only six episodes, so it's hard to put everything in there, but this felt like an important bit for our main character. Especially, if you want to have those emotional scenes, where they might feel betrayal or sadness.
If you enjoy action, thrillers, and political dramas rather than character-focused dramas, this should be on your list. It was interesting to see how Ki Tae would get out of one situation or the other.
The biggest mistake, however, in this drama seemed to be the prosecutor, Jang Geon Young.
This drama was so serious, and he would appear with his slapstick comedy. He was just so out of place. I also hope Ye Jin, his colleague, sees a better man than Geon Young she could thirst over in season 2.
The ending was great; it felt like a real season ending, one story completed, but there are still a few things unanswered. They might dive deeper into Woo Do Hwan's character, or so everyone hopes, but there were a lot of complaints about his screentime.
8/10
First impression: The start is strong!
Last impression: It went downhill pretty quickly.
Synopsis: "In a society where justice has vanished, a phone call is all it takes." A private revenge drama about the veiled taxi company Rainbow Transport and taxi driver Kim Do Gi, who seeks revenge on behalf of the wronged victims. (Mydramalist)
It's not going to be a very popular opinion, but this wasn't that good.
The second season similarly did not move much from the first, but it can be excused that the writer wanted to show the vision he had from the start (he got switched on season one at the very end).
However, this one felt repetitive; no stakes were added only for the criminals. They can now die while Kim Do Gi and his team have the biggest plot armour.
Of course, they're not going to kill their main characters, but have the viewers worry a bit more.
The storylines were okay, but in this season, there is no one big mission, only the episodic ones. However, it was nice to see them include previous storylines in the later episodes, for example, the idol episode. After that, the biggest girl group in the show became Elements, which is funny. It was also interesting to see how Rainbow Taxi became a thing, but they dragged it out.
The editing was a bit weird, too. For comedic relief, they would add a silly sound or a random animation which takes you out of the serious situation. We should now be worried or at least tense, but now it's just embarrassing.
Doesn't help that they used AI at one of the scenes, too...
The characters stay completely the same, another reason why it got so boring. They don't have any upgrade in their skills (only Ahn Go Eun, who learnt how to drive), their personalities are completely the same, not even a bit of change.
There are series with the same concept and tons of seasons that can keep the viewer. Let's take "Bones" as an example, also episodic, but every season has some kind of growth in characters, something beyond the mystery of the crime.
Their friendships change to relationships, some characters actually die, and we go through grief because we know they won't be coming back.
While "Taxi Driver" can't even decide if they want Kim Do Gi and Go Eun become a couple, I'm not even talking about deaths.
If you liked the previous season and want the same formula, have a go and watch the third season. If you expect something new from this... Maybe in another season.
Spoilers to the last episode: The scene where they just stood NEAR the car while the bad guy was holding a gun pissed me off so much. Get behind the car or something! Somehow, it's better to stand there and cry that you got shot.
6/10
First impression: It feels different from the recent law dramas, especially with the judge being so eccentric.
Last impression: It was a very heart-warming drama...
Synopsis: Kang Da Wit is a legal influencer with a flawless work ethic and a clean-cut image, boasting hundreds of thousands of followers on social media. As he is about to embark on a brilliant path to success, he gets caught up in an unexpected incident, steps down from his judgeship, and begins a new chapter as a public interest lawyer. Park Gi Ppeum is the complete opposite of Kang Da Wit. She finds comfort in fulfilling her mission as a lawyer: defending human rights, realising social justice, and helping good citizens. (Soompi)
This was one of the shows that balanced sad stories with humour pretty well. And finally, a drama which had a great start and a great ending!
"Pro Bono" is fiction, so we shouldn't expect a very realistic outcome, but the endings for some cases were too out of a fairytale, while other parts had this koombaya moment, where we all hold hands and a bad man gets what he deserves.
It's trying to be light and show a good, happy ending, but sometimes it just wasn't that realistic. However, the journey to that was quite enjoyable.
The characters are fun. Kang Da Wit has his own charisma and quirks, so he's not boring to watch. To balance him out, there is a very idealistic group of people - a pro bono team. They showed a world that we all would love to live in, a very just and without discrimination, while Da Wit stays realistic, sometimes it doesn't work out the way we want it to.
This drama has its flaws, and some people might find some characters frustrating, but the journey was interesting, emotional and uplifting. The characters might grow on you with time.
9.5/10
First impression: It's an interesting concept...
Last impression: This has potential.
Synopsis: Depicts the events that unfold as the Hwanggung Market, a marketplace for buying and selling goods, takes root in the only remaining apartment complex after a devastating earthquake. (Mydramalist)
This had an interesting start, plot and premise. It is set in a near future where everything crumbled (literally), and now people have to survive however they can. We're shown one of the markets that now exists and how Hee Ro wants to take revenge for her friend.
The drama never really explains what is happening outside the market, which was a big minus for me. There is no talk about those cannibals outside the walls. How did Hee Ro get to this market when it seems so dangerous?
Hee Ro, Tae Jin and some other main characters have their own backstory, but of course, because this is a short drama, we never have in-depth analyses of it. Just brief mentions of what happened to them. It does make it hard to connect with the characters, what they need from the market, and why they are staying here.
The plot also barely gets anywhere. Yes, the revenge plan happens, and Hee Ro learns what happened to her friend, but it all feels undeserved, even though she tried to work some things out.
This is also a film, but it's a shorter version of the drama. The drama doesn't feel finished, so I can't imagine how the film goes.
6/10
First impression: "You're not like the other girls" in 2026???? Cliche!
Last impression: She did not punch that scumbag...
Synopsis: Sato Hokomi is a 29-year-old single woman with a sincere and honest personality. Because of her family and past experience, Hokomi decides to avoid men who are trashy and will make her cry. At that time, she meets Kuzuya Kairi, who is kind and friendly. She feels like it is fate to meet him. Kuzuya Kairi works as a photographer by day and a bartender at night. He is a mysterious person who experienced a big trauma in his past. Being influenced by Kuzuya Kairi and determined that she wants to change herself, Sato Hokomi takes up boxing. (Asianwiki)
The first episode might be a bit too much with humour and all, but the second one will make you think the drama is actually hilarious in its own way. To then later become more dramatic and sad, which is not bad, but very frustrating.
Some of the plot points were quite predictable, but it's not the worst thing.
It also has one of the worst tropes - breaking up at the end. As always, this had no purpose except to make it a bit more dramatic near the end.
The main characters are admirable, even if Kairi can be annoying at times; it was nice to see his journey through trauma. Everyone can learn from Hokomi to never give up, as she reached everything she wanted with her strong work ethic.
Together, Kairi and Hokomi don't really have that much chemistry. It's understandable why Kairi fell in love with Hokomi, as she pushed out his best version, and Hokomi has this family curse, but there was still something missing. A spark, maybe? I don't think she would have been better off with a second male lead either.
Before starting the drama, you should know that this focuses more on boxing than romance.
Also, why does Hokomi have this terrible hairstyle??? I can't take her seriously.
6/10
First impression: A bit silly but easy to watch.
Last impression: What a disappointing ending!
Synopsis: Qi Yue, a carefree rich girl, learns about her future son, Qi Shuo. To change her fate, Qi Shuo travels back in time to guide her. Under her son's transformation plan, she gets into the same university as her future husband and relentlessly pursues him. (Mydramalist)
Very silly from start to finish, even acting shows that, but it's not that bad if you're here just to have fun and enjoy the journey.
The editing is very bad; some things were never brought up again after one scene. Our girl, Qi Yue, has no memory of assault or trauma; she's here only to get Lu Xiao.
After embracing the stupidity, the trio grows on you. It only got a bit weird when Qi Shuo fell in love with his godmother... Still questioning the choices even if they're not related, but he could've let her go (which he tried), but still went on a date with her.
The ending was a bit nonsensical.
Mild spoilers: Yes, the son was always known to leave, and that is fine, but I wished they prepared Qi Yue for it better. Lu Xiao knew all along that the son was not going to be born if he stayed with Qi Yue, but never informed her of anything.
Communication throughout the drama was not a thing, as characters who are living in the 21st century they often forget there are phones.
Some of the time-skips were unnecessary as nothing actually changed. It will say two years have passed, but everyone is at the same point, except that now, leads are getting married.
I would rather recommend "Love Buzz", which has a similar concept, but it's only 30 minutes long. My wish to see a longer version of it led me to "I Belong to Your World".
There are a million issues with the drama, but with my brain off, it was very entertaining and easy to watch.
7/10
First impression: I just got to know these flawed characters, but I already understand and want to know them even better.
Last impression: This was heartbreakingly good
Synopsis: Seo Jun Gyeong appears to have a perfect life, with a good job and attractive appearance, but is actually a very lonely person. She holds a secret that she is afraid to admit. Jun Gyeong ran away from her family 7 years ago, due to an accident that caused her family to collapse. To keep her secret from being disclosed, she struggles to live more fiercely and confidently. A man then appears in front of her. He is the only person to learn about her loneliness. (Asianwiki)
It's always nice to go into a drama without any expectations, and it just blows your mind.
"Love Me" is a slice of life and pretty slow drama. There were some funny moments, but similarly to real life, they fade away pretty quickly.
The moments were when the music stopped, and you just sit there in silence with the character, taking everything that just happened was perfect.
"I really believed... There would be next time. A next time where I could hand Mom a huge bouquet without thinking twice. A next time where we sit side by side on the grass and split a packed lunch. A next time... for small greetings like "Goodnight, Mom". I thought those simple next times... would still be waiting for us."
Every character in this drama is flawed, but that's what makes them realistic and relatable.
Seo Jun Kyung and Ju Do Hyun had amazing chemistry together, and they really seemed like a couple that's been together for years. Their story is very interesting, but the best part was Do Hyun learning to understand Jun Kyung, and even if they both make mistakes, it's alright between them.
The story with his son was also very cute.
At first, it was hard to imagine Seo Jin Ho finding love right after his wife's passing, but it came so naturally. It would have been great if the writers had let him suffer less.
My only complaint about the drama is Seo Jun Seo and Ji Hyeo On's storyline. I wished they had more build-up towards their romance, and after the time passage, I didn't really support them as a couple.
Ji Hye On was great as a girlfriend, in her career, while even now I'm rethinking if Jun Seo has learnt anything during the time.
This drama is not perfect, just like its character, but it was a very wonderful watch that struck my heartstrings. The stories felt realistic, and it was easy to connect with everyone.
10/10
First impression: I'm not fully convinced, but Choi Soo Young and Kim Jae Yeong keep me going.
Last impression: I should have dropped it....
Synopsis: Maeng Se Na is nicknamed the "lawyer for villains" for taking on unpopular criminal cases that face public criticism. She is secretly a 10-year devoted fan of the band Gold Boys. When her idol becomes embroiled in a bizarre murder case, she conceals her admiration, takes his defence, and uncovers an unexpected truth. (Mydramalist)
This drama has a lot of great reviews, but it's hard to see why.
The premise of the drama is interesting: there is a murder case, a great lawyer who is also a devoted fan, so we get both the law world and the idol world. It's easy to talk about issues that idols face, and the first few episodes did great on that.
However, the writers decided to focus more on comedic timing and romance...
There is an episode where a grown, educated woman known as Maeng Se Na cries and doesn't eat for days because her bias got caught in a dating scandal. And she only got better, not because she weirded herself out by this behaviour, but because his company posted a statement that they're just good friends.
"Idol I" did okay in talking about saseangs, and a few other troubles that idols go through, but why is this insane behaviour normalised?
Do Ra Ik is not the best idol either, but at least the viewers can understand where he is coming from: shouting and being rude to fans? Well, he has those saseangs stalking him. He's very indecisive, but also very hot-headed: Do Ra Ik's childhood was rough, and he never got a say in his wants.
The murder case dragged on for a long time, to the point where I forgot there was still no one in jail, but we were already having loving and sweet moments.
They could have brought Se Na's father's case as a very important thing. If she weren't working on Do Ra Ik, she's looking into it. That way it would have been more emotional when she stands beforethe judge to represent her dead father.
No interesting murder case, where the viewers left pondering who did it. Romance is there, but no sparks flying, just a fan finally happy that she's the one dating her idol, not someone else.
Most of the people got forgiven, too, so what was the point of watching and hating those villains?
4/10
sad to hear that idol i was disappointing, i was looking at some clip from that drama and it looked cute. love me sounds really good but family related heartbreak will probably keep me from watching it... well, the month's highlight for me was can this love be translated! i agree with most of your opinions about it but it was a 10 for me regardless hahah