January Watched
- Sky
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
The first month of the year is almost over, so here's all the dramas I've managed to watch! January has been quite productive for me in the K-drama department.
Did you enjoy these dramas more than I did?
First impression: Everything is happening so fast
Last impression: What route did we want to take?
Synopsis: Mild-mannered Tae Jung is wrongfully imprisoned for a heinous crime. He soon discovers that a mysterious figure named Yo Han orchestrated his downfall. Fueled by vengeance, Tae Jung sets out to make Yo Han pay. (Hulu)
The start of the drama was great, yes, everything was happening quickly, but it all made sense, and it made the viewer curious about what was to come.
Tae Jung was an interesting character, very mundane, trying to live his life, and this plot of him getting accused of murder is tense. However, it becomes unrealistic in prison. He tries boxing for the first time and trains as much as he can, but realistically, would he be able to fight people who have been doing it for their whole lives?
It's possible to suspend your belief for this, but later in the drama, it gets harder.
He gets stabbed, beaten, and experiences every kind of violence you can think of, but a few days later (if not the same day), he will be okay again. The plot armour is real.
After a few quite strong episodes, we get some kind of death race for two episodes. It was completely unnecessary and added nothing to the plot. There was a better way to introduce more rich guys into the drama than this, especially when one of the villains never came on screen again.
The ending was okay.
There was a need for the prison guard to be more involved in the case, but Tae Jung is an all-rounder; he does all the detective work, fights villains, knows about all the technology, etc.
A delivery driver, wanna be florist, knows all those things and more.
Doh Kyung Soo did well as a villain; there was a lot of hype surrounding him, which is probably why the drama got as popular as it did. It would have been great if he weren't as cartoonishly evil.
A movie, "Fabricated City," is the original story with the same premise, just some different plot points. So if you're like me and didn't enjoy drama much, maybe it's time to watch the film.
5/10
First impression: I love Baek Ah Jin. I get that she's evil, but...
Last impression: This needed more episodes.
Synopsis: Baek A Jin grew up enduring domestic violence, forcing her to hide her emotions and survive by reading and manipulating others. Outwardly, she appears generous and kind, but when her ambitions are threatened, her darker nature emerges. With beauty and talent, she rises to become a top actress. By her side is Yun Jun Seo, her lifelong confidant and the only person she trusts. Yet the man who once supported her becomes the one who brings about her downfall. (Mydramalist)
The start was great: darker theme drama, manipulation, amazing acting on top of an entertaining story.
It was refreshing to see a character such as Baek Ah Jin.
We rarely encounter these complex female characters that the community can analyse. Where did it all go wrong with her? Was it her mother's death? Or was it always like that?
The story started to go wrong as soon as In Gang died. It would have been way better if she had manipulated her audience, her fans, instead of marrying a random rich guy. That way, the scale of manipulation would get bigger, and the story wouldn't go around in circles.
If they still wanted to do the 'marrying the rich guy' storyline, this should have been 16 episodes at least. There was a great deal that remained unexplained.
As much as acting was great, some characters should've had some growth or at least had a personality. Yun Seo was a complete blank slate. At least he tried to stop her a few times, but it doesn't mean he is not a 2D character.
Even Baek Ah Jin didn't have that much change. She did become more unstable at one point, but there needs to be some work done here, too.
This was a good drama, and there are things we can analyse, but so much felt left out.
8/10
First impression: In love by the first episode is a bit... At least it's funny.
Last impression: Snooze fest
Synopsis: Kong Ji Hyeok works as the leader at a baby products company. One day, a team member, Ko Da Rim, suddenly kisses him. This places him in a difficult position because she is a married woman. Meanwhile, Ko Da Rim is a single woman who lies about her background to get hired. She now works under Kong Ji Hyeok, and her only interest is to become a permanent employee there, but she begins to have feelings for Kong Ji Hyeok. (Mydramalist)
After reading the synopsis, you can easily grasp that it's going to be a silly rom-com. Clichéd, but doesn't mean it's bad!
Well, at least that's the first thought after an episode or two.
If you continue with the drama, it becomes less and less entertaining and more all over the place. It's not fun at this point.
The drama suffers from a bad ending, and it really makes you wonder what was going through the writer's head. There should have been around 10 episodes, because it was clear that nobody knew the direction of the last 4 episodes.
Some company drama is fine, but the situation should have concluded earlier. The second male lead was okay at first, but shows no personality, growth or anything.
If everyone is questioning why the second female lead is still chasing him, you know there is a problem. She deserves much, much better. Maybe she should just find another man, so the second lead can find out that he has feelings.
The main couple was very cute throughout the drama. They had good chemistry, great kiss scenes and comedic timing, but alone they can't carry the show when the plot becomes more loose.
It was a disappointing watch. If you are planning to still see it, stop as soon as the main leads start dating. Nothing else matters.
6.5/10
First impression: Feels a bit like "Money Heist", even the professor is here.
Last impression: Confusing and all over the place.
Synopsis: Code name “J” is a veiled criminal planner who is extremely smart. He has a 100% winning rate in his crimes. Jang Jung Hyeok is a corrupt detective who is obsessed with money. Cha Gi Tae once worked as the head of a financial crime team at the NIS (National Intelligence Service), but he does not hold that job anymore. Due to J's planned crime, which took place 5 years ago, Cha Gi Tae’s life has become a mess. Due to the crime from 5 years ago, Han Su Hyeon’s life was completely ruined. She is now the best counterfeit bill artist and waits for the moment she can take revenge on J. (Mydramalist)
This was over-the-place drama, a bit of criminals, a bit of childhood lovers, a bit of police work. The confusing editing didn't help it either. At times, I would forget whether we were in the past or present because everyone looked exactly the same, with minimal changes in clothing.
Yoo Ji Tae, who played J, was the one saving the drama, but it wasn't enough.
If you want a similar but better work from him, I would suggest "Money Heist: Korea" or "Mad Dog"; in both dramas, he's a scheming criminal, and both of these have better storytelling and more likeable characters.
In these kinds of stories, where you have to root for the criminal, the viewers need to know who they are rooting for. This drama doesn't have a lot of episodes, so they didn't put any focus on the characters; everything was thrown out for the plot, which wasn't good either.
It doesn't help that the drama was also predictable, and Lee Min Jung's (female lead) performance was very weak, especially during emotional scenes...
Some episodes were 30 minutes long, while others reached 50 minutes, and it just shows how all over the place it is.
3/10
First impression: A bit crazy, but it seems enjoyable.
Last impression: People who read the webtoon probably are pissed right now.
Synopsis: Kang Sang Ung, a public servant with superhuman strength, gains power based on the amount of cash he possesses. His girlfriend, Kim Min Suk, is practical and efficient but supports him despite his power inefficiency. Meanwhile, Byeon Ho In, a lawyer and leader of a supernatural organisation, and Bang Eun Mi, a telekinetic powered by calories. Together, they aim to protect their normal lives from villains who seek to destabilise the world. (Mydramalist)
The start had potential, it was funny, it makes you interested in how Sang Ung will deal with this kind of power. Even that montage where he's getting stronger, it's still good, and you can see the growth.
However, this suffers from the same problem as "Villains": only 8 episodes, which are quite short (this drama has hour-long episodes, but some are 40 minutes). There is no depth to the side characters, and everything happens too fast.
The villains are also very mid. I don't know how the webtoon goes, but Jo Anna should have been the only villain in this drama.
Then there is time to get to know side characters, there is time to analyse and deal better with villains, while also getting some hints that she's not the only one doing bad stuff - a whole family is in this.
Again, some moments show that the drama has potential, as it is funny, has very good actors and the characters seem likeable.
But nothing of sorts, sadly, was achieved.
Side note: It still pisses me off that he doesn't grab all the coins that are on the ground after he's done fighting. The biggest pet peeve.
5/10
First impression: It really has my attention, from Jeon Do Yeon's acting to understanding what kind of character Baek Dong Hun will be.
Last impression: This was a great thriller.
Synopsis: An Yun Su works as an art teacher. She has peaceful and ordinary days, but her life suddenly changes. Her husband is murdered, and she is accused of killing him. While in prison, a mysterious woman named Mo Eun approaches her. Mo Eun is called a 'witch' by the other prisoners because she can see through others and easily know what they think and feel. An Yun Su and Mo Eun both have secrets, and they make a dangerous deal. (Mydramalist)
This had my attention from the start. I was curious about the killer and what is going to happen to An Yun Su, also, the cliffhangers this show left a lot of times??? Netflix is good at making them, so the viewers binge-watch the show.
Throughout the drama, the storyline stayed steady, and everything was well thought out.
Some people were left a bit frustrated with the ending, but even if it was a bit weird, it made sense. However, Mo Eun's story was more intriguing and very well-written.
Baek Dong Hui didn't become a highlight of this drama, which, on one hand, is nice (let the women lead), but on the other hand, it would be interesting to see more of his inner conflict, where he has to admit that An Yun Su might not be a killer.
An Yun Su is quite a frustrating character, but having this anxiety-ridden person who makes stupid decisions is a good balance with Mo Eun, who is completely emotionless.
It was a good thriller where you don't know what will happen next.
9/10
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