What to Watch Next (September)

Even before putting everything in chronological order, I can see that this month is going to be so exciting. I already have many dramas on my list, but I'm ready to add even more!

A quick glance at the upcoming dramas says we'll have a lot of crime happening in September. Is it your cup of tea?

What is the most anticipated drama for you?

Starring:  Go Hyun Jung, Jang Dong Yoon, Cha Seong Ha, Lee El

Synopsis: Jung I Sin is a serial killer with the nickname of the Mantis. She brutally murdered 5 men 20 years ago. Her son, Cha Su Yeol, has loathed his mother for his entire life. He now works as a police officer. One day, a murder case takes place. It seems to be a copycat crime copied from Mantis. To catch this culprit, Cha Su Yeol enlists the help of his mother, Jung I Sin. (Mydramalist)

I'm always down for a mystery drama. Finding out the murderers and seeing their motivations is interesting, so this drama should be good too. At least from the premise.

Another thing that gives me hope is that the director in this drama worked on Black Out last year, and I absolutely loved it! If it's a bit like that, I will be happy to watch this.

This is a remake of a French online series, La Mante, so if you know something about it, it would be interesting to hear! Let's leave it spoiler-free, though!

My Youth

Starring: Song Joong Ki, Chun Woo Hee, Lee Joo Myung, Seo Ji Hoon

Synopsis: Sunwoo Hae was a popular child actor who shone in his youth. He barely made it through the turmoil and now lives peacefully as a novelist and florist. Meanwhile, Je Yeon grew up in a wealthy family without any worries, but her family suddenly fell into ruin. She now lives more fiercely than anyone else around her. She is driven by reality and only looks for success in her life. Suddenly, Seong Je Yeon appears in front of Sunwoo Hae. They were each other's first love, and they helped each other get through the darkest times of their lives. They reunite after 10 years. The appearance of Je Yeon also reminds him of his past. (Mydramalist)

Airs: September 5th

Starring: Park Min Young, Park Hee Soon, Joo Jong Hyuk

Synopsis: Three con artists with different backgrounds team up for a daring and adventurous scheme of revenge against the villains of this era. Yun I Rang leads the group as a confident and charismatic leader with a 4-dimensional way of thinking. James, a veteran con artist with a sense of humour and wit, showcases a versatile skill set as a master scammer. Myung Gu Ho, the youngest member of the confidence team, with a pure and upright character, brings out the adorable charm of a playful and affectionate youngest member. (Mydramalist)

The first time I saw the teaser on TikTok, I was impressed by Park Min-young's appearance. It seems a bit different from her usual roles, and I'm so ready to see her as a con-artist!

It will be intriguing to see how the screenwriter will transfer the comedy to the screen, as he did a lot more of more serious crime dramas, such as Cheo Yong and Criminal Minds. For now, it looks like the director will be the one bringing fun with Destined With You and Kiss Sixth Sense under his belt.

I didn't notice at first, but Mydramalist connect this drama with the Japanese one - The Confidence Man JP. Both will have heist as their main topic, and the same name (In Korean, the title is Confidence Man KR).

Maybe there will be some relation to it in the drama. Cameo of the actors from the Japanese version? Or something else to show the connection. Might as well see what the jdrama is all about.

Tempest

Starring: Jun Ji Hyun, Kang Dong Won, John Cho, Kim Hae Sook, Lee Mi Sook, Park Hae Joon, Oh Jung Se

Synopsis: Mun Ju is a seasoned diplomat and former ambassador to the United States. When she uncovers political manoeuvring behind a high-profile assassination linked to both South and North Korea, Mun Ju is drawn into a dangerous web of secrets. Meanwhile, San Ho, an elite mercenary with an obscured past and unknown nationality, operates in the shadows. Together, they navigate a treacherous world of power, deception, and buried conspiracies—where uncovering the truth could mean risking everything. (Mydramalist)

Airs: September 10th

Starring: Kim Go Eun, Park Ji Hyun, Kim Gun Woo

Synopsis: Ryu Eun Jung, a woman with a candid personality, attracts people effortlessly. Her best friend and lifelong rival, Cheon Sang Yeon, has been by her side since elementary school. Despite coming from a wealthy background and being exceptionally talented, Sang Yeon was the source of Eun Jung's jealousy, yet they remained close, even if they sometimes hated each other. Over the years, they drift in and out of contact. One day, Sang Yeon unexpectedly shows up in front of Eun Jung, asking her to accompany her to her euthanasia as she has terminal cancer. (Mydramalist)

This is going to be Soulmate, but in a drama version, right? If yes, I'm going to cry a lot.

I feel like this year's dramas are going with some devastating topics, and this is one of those dramas. We had When Life Gives You Tangerines, Our Movie, Our Unwritten Seoul, and now You and Everything Else...

On one hand, emotionally, it becomes a bit exhausting. On the other hand, they are great dramas with amazing actors.

As we see, this will be no different in the latter aspect, at least. It was so long since I've seen Kim Go Eun in anything, and maybe Park Ji Hyun will have a role where I don't hate her much.

Starring: Kim Da Mi, Shin Ye Eun, Heo Nam Jun

Synopsis: Depicts the shining friendship and entangled love story of two women who were bus attendants in the 1980s. It contains the heartbreaking first love of a man destined to be the fate of the two women, and the melodrama, growth, humanity, and comedy of the shining youth destined to be brilliant. (Mydramalist)

If "You and Everything Else" is going to break my heart probably a hundred times, I expect this drama to pick the pieces and heal it.

Yes, the synopsis says, heartbreaking first love, but I don't care about that; these two from the posters alone seem like besties. Their friendship cannot be destroyed like this!

I also enjoy when dramas/movies show a job that we would barely see anywhere. Watching dramas set in the 80s or 90s, I've seen bus attendants doing their jobs, but I can't believe we will see this profession on screen. What kind of interesting situations will the director focus on?

Though from what I've seen in trailers, this is going to be a very fun ride (probably not focused on the buses).

Shin's Project

Starring: Han Seok Kyu, Bae Hyeon Seong, Lee Re

Synopsis: A comedic drama that tells the story of CEO Sin, who mediates disputes for people who are on the edge of a cliff with a 0% chance of winning. CEO Sin is a character who runs a fried chicken restaurant in a small town while keeping a secret hidden behind a veil and clashes with villains with his 'verbal skills' and body. The drama will focus on CEO Sin's process of solving various incidents around him, despite his attempts to ignore them. (Mydramalist)

Airs: September 15th

To The Moon

Starring: Lee Sun Bin, Ra Mi Ran, Jo A Ram, Kim Young Dae

Synopsis: Sheds light on the lives of young people who are becoming increasingly impoverished due to unstable employment environments, absurdities in the workplace, and increasing household debt, unlike the affluent world overflowing with delicious food, stylish clothes, and shoes. It tells the story of people with ordinary desires going on a special journey. (Mydramalist)

Airs: September 19th

Walking on Thin Ice

Starring: Lee Young Ae, Kim Young Kwang, Park Yong Woo

Synopsis: It depicts the story of an ordinary housewife, Kang Eun Su, who turns to crime by selling drugs that she accidentally finds while struggling to pay for her terminally ill husband's medical expenses. Lee Gyeong is an art instructor who teaches after-school classes at the middle school that Kang Eun Su's daughter attends. He becomes a drug dealer and partners with Kang Eun Su as they experience an unexpected incident together. (Mydramalist)

Airs: September 20th

First Lady

Starring: Eugene, Ji Hyun Woo, Lee Min Young

Synopsis: It depicts a political conspiracy and family secrets centred around an unprecedented situation in which Hyun Min Cheol, who was elected president, demands a divorce from his wife, Cha Su Yeon, who was set to become the first lady. With 67 days left until the presidential inauguration. After their victory in the presidential election, the relationships of Cha Su Yeon, Hyun Min Cheol and Sin Hae Rin become extreme amidst the ruthless power game and suffocating family conflict. (Mydramalist)

Airs: September 24th

Starring: Jeon Yeo Been, Jin Young, Seo Hyeon Woo, Jang Yoon Ju, Joo Hyun Young

Synopsis: Kim Yeong Ran comes from a poor family, and her life has been difficult due to financial struggles. She comes upon a chance of a lifetime that can change her life completely. She enters into a contract marriage with the owner of the Gasung Group, who has a limited time to live. She must survive for 3 months under a false identity, avoiding those who are after the owner's huge inheritance. (Mydramalist)

I will always eat up the contract marriage trope, no matter how many times I've seen it already. This does seem a bit different from others, in a way that the female lead has to change her whole identity (what to expect when marrying a chaebol).

What I'm most interested in about this drama is that it is supposed to be a thriller as well as a romance. Makes me wonder what I should expect from it.

More thriller than romance? Probably.