Chelsea’s Currently Watching

January 28, 2023January 27, 2023 ~ A Very Bookish Girl ~ Leave a comment

Another post I haven’t done in a very long time. A wrap up of what is currently on my watch list, which sometimes can be very long. Since I’m trying to participate in more watching challenges on MyDramaList I figure talking about them here will also help to push me to watch them more. Some of these I recently started, while some of these I feel like I have been trying to finish for a VERY long time.

Yes, I was watching Alchemy of Souls, Yes it was before the second season started, actually probably before it was even popular enough for them to decide to do the second season, and yes I still have yet to finish the original season yet. Usually I am not one for historical dramas, but I think the magical element is what is able to keep me so hooked on this one. I was more than halfway done so it would not take much for me to finish this, but then I would have the whole second season to watch as well. I will go back to this soon because I originally started for Minhyun so I of course will continue for him as well, even if he is the doomed second male lead.

The last time I did one of these posts I mentioned Dawon, one of the loves of my life. So of course naturally I would watch the show that was his acting debut., Doom At Your Service Problem is, because I love him so much and enjoy his acting so much I just keep rewinding any portion that he is in and watch it over and over again. This makes it very hard to actually get anything watched and takes a lot of time! But I have head just so many great things about this drama, as well as Dawon’s acting, that I really need to go back and sit down and finish this one out as well. I’m not that far in so I have a whole lot of the story to get to on this one.

The hype on Attorney Woo was SO STRONG. To be completely honest I do not know why I fell off and haven’t finished this one yet, because I really was enjoying it. I can totally understand why it blew up and so many people watched it. It’s another that I am more than halfway done with so just a couple episodes and I could finally add it to my finished list!

I honestly think I started this drama because I got it confused with the one that Kang Daniel was supposed to be in, but I got so far that I really got in to the plot and it was kind of too late to turn around. Plus, B1A4 Jinyoung is like super handsome so it’s still a win for male leads. But I know that I had just left off at the point where the plot was really starting to develop and it was getting a little more complicated. So thankfully, when I go back in to finish watching I won’t have too much to try and remember to actually be able to fully get back in to the storyline

Now this drama, this is a TikTok made me watch it drama. I kept seeing clips about one of the main couples from this show and I just had to go and watch it for myself. Finding it was kind of hard because it was “cancelled” in Korea so they have aired it in a different country instead and don’t plan to put it on any sites that a typical Korean drama would be on, which is a shame but I understand with how serious school bullying is there. It just blows my mind that the actor that has been brought to light as a bully portrayed someone in this dram while also touching on serious subjects of bullying as well. When that episode happened my mind wanted to explode because I was so shocked that it could touch on that subject and the actress had no thoughts that uh oh my past might come to haunt me. I hopefully can end up finishing this one soon.

To be honest I did not go in to this drama thinking it would be something I would enjoy. I purely started watching this drama for two reasons. One, it kept showing up on my main page on Netflix so it was always staring at me just begging me to watch it. Two, Lee Min Ho. I mean, need I say more? He’s such.a highly loved actor and I honestly don’t think I have watched anything else with him as an actor in it, so why not the drama that keeps begging to be watched on my Netflix. I was at about the halfway point of this one, but I feel like if I remember correctly it was starting to get a little boring, and that’s an issue I have a lot of the time. So hopefully when I return to this one to finish it I don’t find it boring and can really make it to the end of the show.

Finally! Something that I am actually actively watching. This is something that I am watching with one of my good friends right now, and we have been watching an episode and then discussing it afterwards together. So far we are really enjoying it and the concept is pretty interesting since it hasn’t really been done before. This may just be my first Rowoon drama that I actually finish! Honestly though, his character so far is annoying as well and I would be so fed up with him if he acted like that in the real world

Review: The Guardians

August 16, 2020 ~ A Very Bookish Girl ~ Leave a comment

The Guardians 파수꾼

Original Air Date May 22, 2017 – Jul 11, 2017
Country: South Korea
Total Episodes: 32
Genre: Thriller & Suspense

When both the police and the prosecution give up on a case, the victim’s family has no choice but to fight for the truth themselves. In a world where justice does not always prevail, these individuals strive to right the wrong. The Guardian is about such group of people whose worlds turned upside down by the sudden loss of their beloved ones. The main character, Jo Soo Ji, loses her one and only daughter after she falls from a building. To make it worse, it was not an accident but a homicide. She finds out that the killer is a young boy whose father is a very influential being. After the loss of her daughter, Soo Ji decides to only live for her late daughter and to keep the promise they made. Through their full control over the CCTVs, hacking phones and computers, and strong motivation to punish those that the law could not, the Guardians become the protectors for the weak.

So this is going to be my first official review on a drama, so hopefully I can do well with it. After finishing this show I had to give myself a little bit of a break just to be able to process everything that happened in this show.

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This drama is filled with suspense starting right from the beginning. Our main character is Sooji who has lost her daughter and is now willing to do whatever it takes to get justice for her littler girl. Unfortunately, the murderer has strong connections and feeds on the corrupt administration that is currently in place. With the help of some unknown people, Sooji disappears for a year and begins to work unknown to the police to get that justice. I can’t really speak too much more on this without taking away the entire mystery aspect of what was going on during this show.

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Now, for the reason that I started this show in the first place. Kim Kibum, aka Key from SHINee, is one of the main roles in this drama. Brought together is Sooji, Kyungsoo and Bomi share an equally horrible past life and have all been brought together by one mastermind to realize their own personal vendettas from these past traumas. These storylines are what kept me hooked the entire time. Not only were they working on getting their own justice, throughout the show they were working to get justice for other people that were unable to do so for themselves as well. Wanting to know who done it and what was going to happen to get justice.

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Then we have Jang Do Han, a view from the other side. A Prosecutor that is slowly trying to work his way higher, and at possibly something else?? I have to say, Kim Young Kwan’s acting in this drama was brilliant. He really made me have a multitude of conflicting emotions on his character throughout the entire show. Honestly even after the ending I’m still not sure how to feel.

The ending is VERY open ended. So if that is something you do not life then I would suggest avoiding this. Things all come to a conclusion, whether they were good or bad, but some things we are left in the unknown about, or at least that’s how I took it. Overall I liked the storyline of the show and how things progressed. At some parts things seemed a little sloppy and rushed, but at other parts things just worked. In the end, I would recommend this to someone that enjoys thrillers, and needs a break from the romance of most shows.

Overall I ended up rating this drama 8/10. It kept me wanting to continue watching after the end of every episode. I NEEDED to know what happened. While I may not have been happy with absolutely everything, it still made for a very good show. If you are in to Asian dramas and have yet to check this one out, I would add it to your list and give it a go.

Chelsea’s Currently Watching

August 2, 2020 ~ A Very Bookish Girl ~ Leave a comment

Hello again! I’ve been spending a lot of my free time, and time when I should be sleeping, watching a lot of Asian dramas and variety shows. I’m having a hard time with just focusing on one at a time so I have quite a few going instead of just one or two. I figured I would share what the ones I’ve been the most invested in with you all. Once I finish some I’d like to do reviews as well!

Itaewon Class

This one has been on my currently watching list the longest. I’ve made it through the first 5 episodes, which is almost an entire third of the show! But I’m not sure if it’s the fact that I just really dislike some of the characters that’s keeping me from continuing, because I love Park Seo Joon and have watched a LOT of his prior dramas.

Goblin

I know I’m really behind on the times when it comes to watching this drama, but I’m only about a year and a half in to watching Asian dramas, so I have a lot of things to catch up on while they continue to give us new shows! I’m 6 episodes in to this one but I’m also watching it with a friend so I don’t watch it as fast as I probably would when I watch alone, because I am really enjoying it so far and super interested to see how it goes

Extraordinary You

If you know me in the slightest, you know my massive love for Lee Dawon who is a vocalist for the group SF9. So of course it’s a no brainer that when Rowoon from SF9 was cast in Extraordinary You I just had to watch it to support it. With 32 episodes I expected there to be a long journey. The last episode I watched was 18, and I have to say, this show is so good I don’t want to finish it because I don’t want it to be over. I’m basically right in the middle of all the drama that is happening, and know there is more to come, but it’s just such a beautiful show I’ll be so sad when it’s over. I had the amazing opportunity to speak with Rowoon during a fan sign with SF9 and his laugh when I mentioned how much I didn’t want to finish this show and have nothing left still rings in my ears. Although he did say to please support SF9 and his future dramas, as if I wasn’t already planning to do that!

Shopping King Louie

To be 100% honest, I only started this drama because of Seo In Guk and how much I love his music. I’m only 1 episode in as well, but there’s only 16 in this series so it’s a typical length for a Korean drama. Nothing crazy has happened, and I’m sure I will get to the plot eventually, but I am really enjoying everything that I’ve been given so far!

Mystic Pop Up Bar

Another Sungjae drama! (He’s in Goblin as well) I have to say, I barely knew anything about BtoB before this year because I’m terrible, but I do really love their maknae Sungjae and his acting. This is one that Taylor and I are watching together, and I absolutely LOVE the fantasy elements of this. We’re 4 episodes in to 12 for the entire series, and I cannot wait for us to get to watch more!

Hotel Del Luna

I didn’t realize until now how many Fantasy related dramas I’ve been watching. This one is yet again another really hyped drama, but after watching the first episode I can see why. You may be asking “Chelsea, you’ve only watched the first episode?” and the answer to that is yes. Both Taylor and I are watching this together with another one of our friends so being able to have time for all three of us to sit down and watch a show together is kind of difficult around all of our work and personal schedules. But do not worry! I thoroughly enjoyed the first episode and cannot wait for us to get the chance to watch more!

TOO Mystery: Zombie War

Currently my only Variety show AND actively airing show that I am watching. This is just following the rookie group TOO while some of them become infected as zombies and the rest of the group works to find a cure for them. I’m not sure how many episodes we will get, but so far there have been 6 (2 a week) and I am having so much fun. I’ve ulted TOO so to get to see them interact and play games and have fun is just so nice for me.

The Secret Life of My Secretary

Ahhhh and now it’s time for my current binge project. I started this show just yesterday and am already ready to start episode 9 of 32. Sometimes when they break the episodes in 2 pieces so we get more it makes me feel a little upset where one episode ends off, and I’m finding that with this show. But other than that I am super happy with things and just know there are going to be some sticky situations coming. I started this after finishing The Guardians earlier this week where I fell in love with Kim Young Kwang and his acting. So naturally after seeing he was in this drama from last summer I started to watch it, and have become very engrossed in it.

Have you watched any of these shows? Are any of them on your To Watch List?? Let me know below, or if you have some suggestions for some shows for me to check out let me know as well, I am very much a rookie when it comes to Asian Dramas! I also clearly can’t stick with just one and would love to add more to my watching list.

K-Drama Friday!

August 30, 2019September 1, 2019 ~ Taylor ~ Leave a comment

The first K-Drama Friday on the blog in a long time but I have managed to finish a drama and I am currently 94% of the way through another. Today, I want to talk about the drama that I finished early this month.

Abyss

“Abyss is about a man and a woman who tragically die and are given another chance at life through soul-reviving marbles in a magical abyss.
Go Se Yeon was a tough, accomplished, and an unrivaled beautiful female prosecutor who worked in the Seoul District public Office but gets into a fatal accident and dies. However, due to the mysterious magical marble—Abyss—Go Se Yeon is revived, but now in a totally different appearance. Go Se Yeon now possesses a common appearance based off of how “good” her spirit was in her previous life.

Cha Min was the highly intelligent heir to Korea’s top cosmetics company but was also a smart, humble, and a kind-hearted man. Although he has both the brains and an astounding amount of wealth, he considers himself unattractive and is insecure about his looks. Like Go Se Yeon, Cha Min gets into an accident and dies. Due to the mysterious magical marble—Abyss—he comes back to life with a different appearance as an exceedingly handsome man just as bright as his spirit he had in his previous life.

Go Se Yeon and Cha Min begin to work as a lawyer and an administrator at a private law firm and decide to investigate the magical incident. Romance blooms in the office as the two intertwine together to accept their same fate.”

Abyss is a drama that helped me to realize my love for crime dramas. Anyways, I loved this show but it took like a solid four episodes for me to love it. It stared off a little confusing but as it progressed, I just accepted that I wouldn’t know where the Abyss, the magic reviving marble, came from and why Cha Min ended up with it.

Besides that confusing bit, I loved everything about it. I cried, I laughed, I gasped. There is a . . . a something . . . about this drama that I will beg people to watch so that they can love it as much as I do. I think it is the smile of Cha Min and just the awkwardness that comes with Cha Min in a new, more attractive body.

Seriously, if you have not watched Abyss, it is on Netflix. I beg of you to watch it so I have something to talk to about the love I have for this show and about all the feelings that I still have.

July 19, 2019August 3, 2019 ~ Taylor ~ Leave a comment

While thinking of what to post for Friday, Chelsea reminded me that it was K-Drama day! While I have not been watching anything recently, I do have a couple I would like to watch in the near future. I also discovered I needed to update MyDramaList.com with all the shows I added to my Netflix watch list!

Perfume

Seo Yi Do is a top designer. Although he appears to be the perfect man on the outside, his personality leaves something to be desired. On top of that, he has about 52 phobias and 35 allergies.
Min Jae Hee is a middle-aged housewife, who has devoted her life to her family only to see it fall apart before her eyes. She discovers a miracle perfume that makes her look young again.After recovering her youth, she ends up walking the runway in one of Seo Yi Do’s fashion shows and signs with a top modeling agency to become a celebrity. Both of them get a second chance at romance in what is described as a fantasy romantic comedy.

I saw an ad for Perfume on YouTube and instantly asked Chelsea what it was and, like the goddess she is, she knew! So, onto the watch list it went.

I Hear Your Voice

Jang Hye Sung, a bold, sassy, thick-faced, comical, and a materialistic public defender who becomes a lawyer after overcoming poverty and painful memories from her childhood, comes to realization about society and justice after meeting Park Soo Ha, a 19-year-old boy who reads other people’s thoughts and Cha Kwan Woo, an innocent lawyer who lives a disciplined life. Jang Hye Sung is actually Soo Ha’s first love after she gave a decisive testimony on his father’s murder case 10 years ago and Soo Ha promised to protect her from the killer’s threats. Meanwhile, Cha Kwan Woo is Jang Hye Sung’s fellow lawyer, a cheerful and an idealistic former cop even though his character is a bit slow, he is nice and pleasant with a firm idea of his principles and justice. Together they will team up to find the justice in the courtroom and solve the toughest cases with less than 1% chance of winning.

This is a drama that I saw on Netflix and when reading the little synopsis, I knew it was something I could get into. It is definitely on my “next to watch” list.

New/Upcoming Drama Release Radar

July 19, 2019 ~ A Very Bookish Girl ~ Leave a comment

Since I’ve been on such the drama binge lately, I figured I would share some of my most anticipated new and upcoming drams. I track all of my watching over on My Drama List and do most of my watching on Viki, which I adore! Let’s get in to the dramas

Moment At Eighteen

To be completely honest, I’m not even really sure what this one is about. BUT the one thing that is going to have my glued to my screen on the 22nd is the fact that this will be Ong Seong Wu’s first main role in a television show post Wanna One’s disbandment, and considering he was my favorite member, I need to support him no matter what he decides to do. From my understanding this show will be a Slice of Life/Coming of Age story about a group of friends and things that they have experienced in their life. Although this isn’t something I typically lean for in my drama watching, I will for certain binge this entire thing as soon as I have subtitles.

Mr. Temporary/Class of Lies

Hellooooooooo Yoon Gyun Sang. I absolutely fell for this giant in Clean With A Passion For Now and think he portrayed his character in that so amazingly. So of course this has been on my radar for some time, but it’s finally airing now!! There are already 2 episodes out and I know I need to get watching ASAP. This seems to be up there with He Is Psychometric for creepy/suspenseful vibes from what I’m picking up. Our main male lead is an extremely successful lawyer who takes a fall from grace when he takes on a case about a murder at a High School. To redeem his reputation he goes under cover as a temporary teacher to solve the case.

Growing Pain

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This drama honestly snuck up on me. I’ve been waiting for any imformation on this drama since last year when I fell in love with Fiction Guo as Si Tu Feng in the drama Accidentally in Love on Netflix and added this to my list as soon as I saw it. Growing Pains is a Coming of Age story following the lives of a family of four children basically just following them through life. This entire thing has aired which is FORTY episodes so I need to watch this as soon as I can because Fiction is calling my name.

Level Up

You’ll be surprised to know that I know nothing about the actors or actresses in this one and mainly hyped about the story when it comes to Level Up. It’s a business romance, and honestly that alone will get me. But this one revolves around a dying GAMING business and follows the Chief Development Officer as she teams up with the company director to try and create a game to save the company, and in the mean time creates love. I’m sold, that’s all I can really say when it comes to this one.

Go Go Squid

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Yet another one that I am beyond excited for just from reading the information on this drama. This follows a girl who has built an online persona by posting singing covers, but when it comes to interacting with the famous professional gamer she’s nothing but a hot mess. He’s also the cold heartless male lead that I’m sure I am going to LOVE watching his heart melt. This drama is about at the halfway point, so it could be perfect for binging to catch up to the currently airing episodes.

Weekly Drama Round Up

July 12, 2019July 12, 2019 ~ A Very Bookish Girl ~ Leave a comment

Hey guys! So I’m really not sure what I’m going to be calling this, but I figured I would share some of the dramas (and varietys) I’ve watched this past week and discuss a little bit about them. If this is something that you like I will try to keep up with it!

Suspicious Partner

This show focuses on a girl (Bong Hee) going through law school to become an attorney and ends up being falsely accused of murder. She is prosecuted by our male lead who’s main goal in life is to be a ruthless prosecutor, but when he finds evidence that leads him to believe she is innocent, he ends up revoking the indictment. Flash forward a few years Bon Hee is now a not so successful public defender who is still looking for someone who was a witness to the real murder, causing the murderer to begin targeting her.

I’ve just finished episode 19 of 40 and I’m really invested in the show. The romance between the two main leads is such a slow burn it’s killing me, but their moments are so precious together, I cannot wait for something to happen. I also like the story of the murderer and trying to see what is going on with that mystery and what will happen next. So far, this is a highly recommended drama from me!

The 100 season 3

The 100 in Korea is a bit different than The 100 that we are used to over here in the states. This show focuses on a music group and gives them 100 hours to prepare a completely idol made concert. This season is following the boy group Imfact. As of this morning I will be seeing these boys in August and getting to meet them, so I decided I needed to do some research and watch up on them. I am absolutely falling in love with this group and going to die when I get to sit in from of Jeup and LeeSang (The boys on each end)

Fall In Love With Me

Honestly, Taylor and I both watched the first episode of this together, and I cannot even fully begin to tell you what is supposed to be going on. I know this follows an advertising mogul who decides to take a break from the business and goes undercover to help out a smaller advertising firm. Like I said, we only watched the first episode and talk about CHEESEY. We weren’t really pulled in so we went back to our old faithful Love O2O and rewatched a few of those episodes instead. If you’ve watching this, and it gets better or worse, please let me know. Because I honestly am curious to know if I should drop this or not, since I’ve never dropped a drama before!