Category: Korean Drama

DryedMangoez recaps, reviews and commentary of Korean drama series.

Good Ol’ Review: “To My Star 2” Offers a Deeper Dive into Love and Relationships

Good Ol’ Review: “To My Star 2” Offers a Deeper Dive into Love and Relationships

Season twos of series can always be hit or miss. Sometimes, a second season can surpass the first. Most of the time, you can come out of the second season wishing they had just left it with the first. For the second season of To My Star (나의 별에게2 : 우리의 못다 한 이야기), it is the former. Season two unexpectedly adds detail and depth to the already strong first season. Powered by even more captivating performances from its lead actors Son Woo Hyun and Kim Kang Min as well as a bigger supporting cast and an expanded world, To My Star 2 easily makes for another emotional and engaging viewing experience.

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Good Ol’ Review: Excellent Cast Elevates Exhilarating and Thought-Provoking Season 2 of “Hellbound”

Good Ol’ Review: Excellent Cast Elevates Exhilarating and Thought-Provoking Season 2 of “Hellbound”

It’s been a long wait. But I can say it was well-worth it. Season 2 of Netflix’s Hellbound (지옥/Hell) is finally here. And it has no problem picking up right where it left off three years ago. Director Yeon Sang Ho returns (along with writer Choi Gyu Seok) to continue bringing his popular webtoon to vivid life.

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Good Ol’ Review: “To My Star” a Heartwarming and Thought-Provoking Series

Good Ol’ Review: “To My Star” a Heartwarming and Thought-Provoking Series

The first season of To My Star (나의 별에게) is a wonderful surprise. This romantic comedy-drama (though more on the drama side) about love and self-discovery has some unexpected depth and plenty of charm. Lead actors Kim Kang Min and Son Woo Hyun has strong chemistry that allows a well-written and well-paced narrative to slowly, but surely unfold toward a fulfilling conclusion. For now, of course, as a second season comes after these initial nine episodes.

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Good Ol’ Review: A Captivating Nam Yoon Su Leads Resonant, Meaningful “Love in the Big City”

Good Ol’ Review: A Captivating Nam Yoon Su Leads Resonant, Meaningful “Love in the Big City”

Love in the Big City (대도시의 사랑법) is a groundbreaking and thoroughly engrossing series that delves into the complex journey of Go Yeong, a gay man navigating societal expectations, family pressures and the search for true love. Based on the novel of the same name by Sang Young Park, who also writes this eight episode adaptation, the series takes great care in presenting an engaging, relatable and enlightening portrait of a young man who is both unique and familiar at the same time. And it ultimately leaves a lasting impression, both on the viewer and hopefully on Korean entertainment media as well.

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Good Ol’ Review: Season 2 of “Pachinko” Delivers Another Incredible Television Experience

Good Ol’ Review: Season 2 of “Pachinko” Delivers Another Incredible Television Experience

But Pachinko is an experience. An emotional, relatable and captivating experience that you won’t soon forget even as the final credits roll.

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Good Ol’ Review: Good Cast and Fun Angst Help Carry “Star Struck”

Good Ol’ Review: Good Cast and Fun Angst Help Carry “Star Struck”

Star Struck (스타스트럭) is an interesting and multi-faceted Korean BL drama that is, of course, held back by its format. Another story that may be better suited for a film-length feature rather than eight episodes of roughly 20 minutes each. Solid performances and good chemistry from its lead stars can only do so much to help carry the series’ stop and start narrative flow. But a good helping of complex angst still make it a worthy watch.

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Good Ol’ Review: “Tinted With You” Makes the Most of Its Short Time With an Engaging Story

Good Ol’ Review: “Tinted With You” Makes the Most of Its Short Time With an Engaging Story

Not many Korean web series are able to properly manage the short time they have. Tinted With You (물들여) manages to be one of the few series that does. A great cast brings to life endearing characters in a simple, though engaging story of love, friendship and the power of art across time.

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Good Ol’ Review: Strong Cast, Depth and Sincerity Make “A Breeze of Love” a Thoroughly Satisfying Experience

Good Ol’ Review: Strong Cast, Depth and Sincerity Make “A Breeze of Love” a Thoroughly Satisfying Experience

The title A Breeze of Love (일기예보적연애) couldn’t be any more perfect for this series. This Korean BL drama is indeed a breezy, wistful and warm series about a love, friendship and self-discovery. A charming cast, relatable story and welcome sincerity make for a very worthy watch and ultimately satisfying experience.

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Good Ol’ Review: Yoo Jung Hoon and Lee Ki Taek Elevate the Satisfying “Bon Appetit”

Good Ol’ Review: Yoo Jung Hoon and Lee Ki Taek Elevate the Satisfying “Bon Appetit”

Bon Appetit (본아페티) is a perfect example of both what makes Korean BL web series so engaging and so frustrating. First, it’s frustrating because these is a very thin line on which web series must balance their stories due to the format and time they are given to tell those stories. Plenty of great ideas suffer under those limitations. But these series also offer up some refreshing and truly engaging stories that you won’t see anywhere else. And sometimes, other aspects and details of the series are just so good that even those hurdles and missteps are able to be made up for. Bon Appetit manages to find that balance.

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Good Ol’ Review: Talented Cast Powers Thought-Provoking and Enjoyable “Jazz For Two”

Good Ol’ Review: Talented Cast Powers Thought-Provoking and Enjoyable “Jazz For Two”

When the show’s theme song that plays during the opening credits in the first episode’s first minute already delivers an inexplicably warm feeling and good vibes, you know you’re in for something special. And that’s exactly what Jazz For Two (재즈처럼) endss up being. This romantic, coming of age series manages to pack a lot of heart and emotion into its eight episodes. Tackling serious and sometimes difficult topics while telling a humble story of young love and friendship, Jazz For Two is a compelling and thought-provoking watch with a talented and charming cast to boot.

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