…you start to recognize the voices being dubbed in with the English! I cannot get enough, and the quality and variety is stellar.
Under the Queen’s Umbrella—this mother’s heart is pushed to breaking, but somehow she soldiers on saving and healing the ones she loves. I will rewatch this. All Korean historical dramas are beautifully designed. The writing, particularly the characters, is wonderful. The actors carry forth the action with excellence. It made me pull out my copy of The Analects. I did a deep think on filial piety.
Love Next Door—light and sweet as meringue with the occasional deep punch of sorrow to keep the sugar honest. You end up loving the characters. I could have watched on and on, but it only has one season.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo—This is a brave and yet charming show that makes autism the feature. The main character is a talented attorney who has to overcome her difficulty as often as its exceptional gifts save the day.
Captivating the King—This is another Korean historical drama. It explores feminist possibilities, through a woman dressing as a man so that she can earn money to rescue Korean prisoners of war by winning at Go. She only loses when she chooses to, and she’s skillful about the why and whens of her adventures. She gracefully moves from the kings companion to his consort. It does have its nail biting moments though. Beautifully shot and acted.
Agency—a classic duel of wits and a meditation on the strengths and weaknesses of power. I love the female protagonist, an executive in an advertising agency. Her brave, principled and clever fight from the underdog position draws you in and keeps your attention to the last episode.
Daily Dose of Sunshine—as a public service announcement this show was just getting started and should come back to us. The premise of a psychiatric nurse who develops mental health issues of her own is well played. The clear introduction to mental health diagnoses with characters that make us root for them is a brilliant way to fight the stigma of mental health. If you add interesting plot twists and a love-triangle, you cannot beat it.
Castaway Diva—this somewhat surreal show pairs the painful topic of child abuse with a light and frothy Robinson Crusoe plot. You wouldn’t think it would work, but it does.
Crash Landing on You—this is many things, but one of them is a gentle and respectful call for the reunification of Korea. The plot weaves in and out of probability, but continually introduces us to characters stand their ground. There is light on both sides of the DMZ and their is dark on both sides. The love story starts rather ridiculously, but by the end you will want to give everything up to keep them together. Even the antiquated bitterness between the two Korea and the warring factions of the larger world.
Catch them all on Netflix.
