Dramarookies: Recent Episodes
Svetlana, Ahana & Evita-Marie
Three friends hoping you’d take a break and listen to our K-Drama reviews. New episodes EVERY THURSDAY. Starting on 8.10.20.
우리가 돌아왔어요! ✨👉👈🙆
With all-new episodes and a new format. We are sorry to have gone under the radar for so long and we sure missed recording episodes and chatting with you guys. Here's to new possibilities, major life changes, and new kdramas!
New Episodes Every Thursday!
A suspenseful story that asks the key question, “What if we could identify psychopaths in advance?” A crazed serial killer’s ruthless murders have left the entire nation gripped with fear, and chaos reigns. Justice-seeking rookie police officer, Jung Ba Reum, comes face to face with the killer. While he survives his dangerous encounter with the psychopath, Jung Ba Reum finds his life completely changing before his eyes. Listen to Svetlana's review.
Mama Mia, this was one ROLLERCOASTER RIDE! We honestly had a blast watching 'Vincenzo' and reviewing the same. Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong-ki) is a lawyer, who works for the Mafia as a consigliere. Because of a war between mafia groups, he flees to South Korea. In South Korea, he gets involved with Lawyer Hong Cha-Young (Jeon Yeo-been). She is the type of attorney who will do anything to win a case. Also starring Ok Taecyeon and Kwak Dong‑yeon in lead roles. Listen to our review of this drama.
Dramarookies reviews the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards. Some controversial wins, some heart-warming wins, and some left us agape! Listen to our review as we break down the best and worst dramas and debate on the nominations and the winners.
Ahana reviews 'Into the Ring' starring Nana, Park Sung-hoon, Yoo Da-in, Han Joon-woo and Ahn Nae-sang. Koo Se-Ra comes from a poor background, but she still manages to have a bright personality. She supports herself by taking part-time work. Koo Se-Ra is famous in her local ward office for constantly filming civil complaints. Seo Kong-Myung works as a fifth-grade public officer. He sticks to his principles no matter what and he does his job well. Other people do not like him due to his unfriendly personality. He gets involved with Koo Se-Ra. Listen to Ahana's review!
UWU overload. Feels MAX. Shim Deok Chool has had a life long dreaming of performing ballet. He is 70-years-old and retired from his job as a post office employee. Lee Chae Rok is a 23-year-old man. While growing up, he played different sports like baseball, swimming, and soccer, but he wasn't talented in any of those activities. He then became interested in ballet. This deeply moving story of hope casts a small light in a world that is oh so dark and grim. Starring Song Kang and Park In Hwa in lead roles, listen to Evita's review of 'Navillera'.
Solomon’s Perjury is about a high school that is turned upside-down after a student dies. The death is quickly ruled a suicide as the school and police look to move on. But the students believe something more is going on and take it upon themselves to uncover the truth. Starring Kim Hyun-Soo, Jang Dong-Yoon and Seo Ji-Hoon in lead roles. This 2016 drama holds relevance now, more than ever. Listen to our review of the same.
Sisyphus: The Myth tells the story of a genius engineer named Han Tae-sul, who tries to uncover the truth behind his older brother Han Tae San's death, and a mysterious woman called Kang Seo-hae, who travels back in time to help him save the world from imminent danger. Starring Park Shin Hye and Cho Seung-woo in lead roles. Listen to Ahana's review of the same!
Between climbing the social ladder, navigating first loves, and actual schoolwork, high school students have enough to contend with. "Black Mirror" meets "Mean Girls" in this Netflix Original drama, Love Alarm starring Kim So-Hyun, Song Kang and Jun Ga-Ram in lead roles. Listen to Svetlana's review of the same.
Bullying is present in most (if not all) Korean schools to some extent. In this Kulture Study episode, we examine the various tropes of school violence, bullying, and education classism that affect Korean society. Is the school violence shown in K-Dramas a reflection of society or is society imitating art. We also look into the socio-economic reasons for bullying and why Asian societies produce smart kids but deeply flawed and emotionally damaged adults.
Awaken stars Namgoong Min, Kim Seol-hyun, Lee Chung-ah and Kim Chang-wan. The series, directed by Kim Jung-hyun and written by Shin Yoo-dam, revolves around two police officers as they dig up the secrets of mysterious events that occurred in a village 28 years ago. Listen to Evita's review of this gripping thriller drama.
Listen to Dramarookies review of JTBC's SKY Castle, the television drama set in the fictional Sky Castle neighborhood, tells the story of four wealthy Seoul families who use their children’s educational achievements for one-upmanship. When programming their children for success, nothing less than the best is acceptable, at least partly because it reflects poorly on them.
Sageuk, or Korean historical drama, is the meat and potatoes of K-Drama. The rich history of the Korean peninsula provides delicious fodder for fantastical, dramatic, and re-imagined re-telling's of history. In this episode of Dramarookies we explore some of the best of the sageuk genre and it's impact on storytelling.
To survive in a highly competitive environment, two rival attorneys with only high-class clientele tear apart anything that stands in the way of their ambition. Electrifying chemistry and refreshing plot, listen to Evita's review of Hyena!
Starring: Kim Hye-soo and Ju Ji-hoon
One of the highest rated Korean drama recently, Penthouse is a sensational, fast-paced drama full of evil characters that you love to hate, and definitely a must-watch in our opinion if you enjoyed similar dramas like Sky Castle, The World of The Married, Return and The Last Empress! Starring: Kim So Yeon, Eugene, Um Ki Joon and Lee Ji Ah in lead roles.
Listen to Svetlana's review of Search:WWW a story of 21st century women, who choose their careers over regressive societal norms. Cause love can also be found in the work that you do. Celebrate powerful women!
Starring: Im Soo-jung, Lee Da-hee, Hye-jin Jeon, Jang Ki-yong and Lee Jae-wook in leading roles.
A passionate architect loses his heart to a free-spirited woman and sets out to reunite with her on the streets of Seoul. Starring Ji Chang Wook and Kim Ji Won in lead roles.
Listen to Ahana's review of the same.
The body-swap/political comedy pushed boundaries with its examination of gender and social standards in South Korea. Starring Shin Hye-sun and Kim Jung-hyun in lead roles.
Veering off from his preset path, a track star follows his heart after a film translator steps into his life. Starring Shin Se Kyung and Im Siwan, listen to Evita's review of 'Run On', a rom-com melodrama that is both feel good and perceptive. And lest we forget the healthy relationships, comedic banter and LGBTQIA+ representation.
Porcelain, pale skin. Double lid eyelids with larger eyes. V-shaped jaw. Slim figure. This is Korean beauty standards. But where did it come from? Listen to our Kulture Study Episode on the 'Toxic Beauty Standards of Korean Dramas' as we deep dive and understand the genesis and after effects of this on a globalised world. Especially with Korean culture being such a hot property.
We are kick starting a new segment on our podcast called Mini Reviews, wherein the three of us pick a drama that we have watched on our own time and review it in a bite sized fashion. You'll are going to see how random and diverse our tastes are. Starting with Do Do La La Sol Sol a story about a rich naïve girl and a diligent worker trying to make ends meet cross paths and their fates fall in tune reviewed by Svetlana Rodrigues.
The Uncanny Counter! Based on the webtoon Amazing Rumor by Jang Yi and directed by Yoo Sung-Dung. Listen to our review of a group of people called "Counters" who hunt down evil spirits while working as employees at noodle restaurants . Starring: Jo Byung-gyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Sejeong and Yeom Hye-ran in lead roles.
Start-Up tells the story of young entrepreneurs navigating their way through big dreams, big love and big success. Despite its impressive run and break out star Kim Seon Ho. This Bae Suzy and Nam Joo Hyuk drama does have its drawbacks. Listen to our review to find out more
Episode 11 of Dramarookies reviews The Flower of Evil, meticulously planned aligning to its polished characters, Flower of Evil blossoms easily to viewers who prefer suspense filled stories. Lee Joon Gi makes a comeback to screen after 2 years opposite Moon Chae Won (Criminal Minds). Listen to our review to find out more!
Episode 10 of Dramarookies reviews 'Hi Bye Mama' starring Kim Tae-hee as a mother who comes back to life five years after her death and must win back her place in the land of the living. At first entertaining, the episodes soon begin to drag as the coincidences mount up, the action slows and the tears flow. Cathartic or catatonic? Listen to our review to find out more!
Shows involving time travel are always tricky to pull off correctly. From plot holes and convoluted lore to stories rife for contrivances and confusion, The King: Eternal Monarch begins with a fair amount of confusion before righting itself and becoming something wholly engrossing and highly enjoyable. Between parallel worlds and a love story anchoring everything together, this hugely popular Korean drama is helped by a returning K-Drama Royalty Lee Min-Ho who fronts this sci-fi series and helps add a lot of charisma.
The World of the Married took K-Dramaland by storm becoming one of the most talked about dramas of 2020, overtaking JTBC’s Sky Castle on digital mentions and cable viewership ratings. Based on the British series Doctor Foster- A Woman Scorned by Mike Bartlett, the drama sometimes confounding; other times it was saddening and there were times when it was extremely frustrating. Nonetheless, it was a highly satisfactory watch and worth all the attention. Starring Kim Hee Ae, Park Hae Joon and Han Seo Hee in lead roles. If you’re looking for a modern Makjang this is it.
Hi Rookies!
We are reviewing Hospital Playlist! Created by Lee Woo-Jeong and directed by Shin Won-Ho, this iconic duo that brings a story of five doctors who have since undergrad school remained close and share a love for music while working at the same hospital. Starring Jo Jung-Suk, Yoo Yeon-Seok, Jung Kyung Ho, Jeon Mido and Kim Daemyung. Reply and Prison Playbook fans unite because we think this drama is a must watch!
Extracurricular activities look good on a high school record, but not the kind featured in this darkly themed Korean drama. Was it worth the hype? Listen to our episode 6 review to find out!
Hello! In our fifth episode of Dramarookies we review the Park Bogum and Park Sodam starrer, Record of Youth. the drama chronicles the story of three people trying to make it in Korea's cutthroat entertainment industry. Is this drama a Record of Youth or Record of Fluke? Listen to our review to find out more.
Hello listeners! We are introducing a new segment called 'KULTURE STUDY' wherein we discuss the socio-economic impact of Hallyu culture on the world and understand more about the Korean culture as a whole. New episodes of this special segment will release on the last Saturday of the month. In our first episode, we examine the portrayals of women by identifying the tropes and common qualities of female leads in Korean dramas, the effects of these constructed female images on Korean society, gender roles, their roots in history, the interaction of the media portrayal of "badass" women and their societal role will be discussed.
In our third episode of Dramarookies, we are reviewing the most loved drama of 2020 internationally and in Korea, 'It's Okay To Not Be Okay'. Starring Seo Yeji, Kim Soo-Hyun and Oh Jung Se in leading roles, this tVN drama was a "healing romance" with topics of mental health representation, neurodiversity and societal prejudices being touched upon. With stunning visual treatments, this Time Burton -esque drama stole our heart but wasn't entirely faultless. IOTNBO is a story of three adults intertwining pasts having them face their childhood traumas and the set on a road to recovery. We discuss the use of darker themes, an unusual story line and the iconic comeback of Kim Soo Hyun!
In our second episode of DramaRookies, we are reviewing India's current favorite and Korea 3rd highest rated drama 'Crash Landing On You'. Starring Hallyu stars Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin as star crossed lovers, CLOY is about a South Korean chaebol heiress who, while paragliding in Seoul, South Korea, is swept up in a sudden storm and crash-lands in the North Korean portion of the DMZ. We discuss the use of classic K-Drama tropes, the bittersweet endings and the perhaps soft romanticisation of North Korea.
In our first episode of Dramarookies, we are reviewing 2020 smash hit 'Itaewon Class' starring Park Seojun, Kwon Nara and Kim Dami in lead roles, we discuss this bloodless revenge story, the chaebol versus commer archetype and the dreaded episode 7 curse.