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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

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Excellent MBC Mon-Tues Drama Kairos is the Dark Horse Tightly Plotted Thriller Sliding Under the Radar

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 16, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 15, 2020
Drama poster featuring three characters from "Kairos."

MBC has been bottom of the ratings barrel for so long that I’ve really stopped paying much attention to its ability to deliver dramas worth watching. Consider me even more impressed with recently premiered Mon-Tues drama Kairos, currently with 5-episodes aired. It’s so good, like a tightly plotted thriller I would expect to find on OCN mixed with the layer … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Ahn Bo Hyun, Kairos, Lee Se Young, Nam Gyu Ri, Shin Sung Rok

Emotional Complications Abound in Start-Up Episode 10 as the Leads Need to Balance Professional Goals with Personal Hang-ups

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 15, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 15, 2020
Couple sharing tender moments at night.

I love that the truth revealed in episode 10 of Start-Up doesn’t get glossed over but also doesn’t get unrealistically compounded. Dal Mi learns that her pen pal Do San was actually Ji Pyeong but her biggest issue is that all the comforts she grew up with were manufactured and she doesn’t know if her feelings for present day Do … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Start-Up

Pale Faces and Dark Pink Lipstick Distract in Comedic New Teaser for True Beauty

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 15, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 15, 2020
Diverse emotional scenes from a drama series.

If the premise of upcoming K-drama True Beauty (Goddess Descends) is about the power of makeup alone to transform an ordinary girl into a wondrous beauty then the makeup team for the cast has already failed. The second teaser is out and I’m wildly distracted by the terrible makeup job on all three leads Moon Ga Young, Cha In Woo, … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Cha In Woo, Hwang In Yeop, Moon Ga Young, True Beauty

18 Again is the Feel Good K-drama of 2020 with Breakout Star Lee Do Hyun and Heartfelt Performances by Leads Kim Ha Neul and Yoon Sang Hyun

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 15, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 14, 2020
Three characters promoting a drama series.

I haven’t written about jTBC drama 18 Again since it premiered but I’ve been watching weekly, addicted and totally won over by this underrated gem. The feels it delivers is similar to the second chances sincerity in Thirty But Seventeen and the catharsis of Knowing Wife, with the entire cast giving it their all and bringing to life this complete … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged 18 Again, Choi Bo Min, Hwang In Yeop, Kim Ha Neul, Kim Kang Hyun, Kim Yoo Ri, Lee Do Hyun, Lee Mi Do, Noh Jeong Eui, Ryeo Un, Yoon Sang Hyun

Both Male Leads Acknowledge Uncomfortable Truths as Episode 9 of Start-Up Builds the Sweetness and Drops the Shot of Pain

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 14, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 14, 2020
Two people in a flower-filled night scene.

Gosh, I’m seriously appreciate of how well crafted Start-Up is, the plot has hidden surprises in each episode and it always adds color and depth to the proceedings. Episode 9 didn’t reveal the truth of the Letters right off the bat, but let that build slowly so that the viewer is as anxious as Do San and as frustrated as … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Start Up

Namgong Min Offered Male Lead in MBC Spy Thriller Drama Black Sun

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 14, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 14, 2020
Four images of a young man in various outfits.

Normally I would say spread the wealth but eh whatevs this man has earned getting whatever lead roles comes his way. Namgong Min is being called the potential savior of MBC, the network toiling in the bottom of the barrel in drama ratings, buzz, and even cult hits. It’s like no one is watching anything from MBC. The network is … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Black Sun, Namgong Min

Song Joong Ki’s Agency Releases New Pictorial and He Pens Caring Note to Fans as He’s Busy Filming K-drama Vincenzo

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 14, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 13, 2020
Smiling individual in a cozy sweater.

This may be our first glimpse of what K-actor Song Joong Ki will look like in his upcoming K-drama Vincenzo. He’s smack in the filming right now and his agency History D&C released a batch of new stills for fans including a handwritten note on one picture where he sends his best wishes to his fans to stay warm during … Continue reading →

Posted in My Loves | Tagged Song Joong Ki

A Wintry Beach Outing Brings All the Warm and Fuzzies in Start-Up Before the Coming Heartbreak

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 13, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 14, 2020
Couples and family moments on the beach.

It’s now three for three in how much I love Suzy as long as she’s in a Park Hye Ryun penned drama. Dream High with Kim Soo Hyun is still one of my favorite OTPs, then While You Were Sleeping with Lee Jong Seok milked me for tears and smiles equally. Now in Start-Up, she’s just firing on all cylinders … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Nam Joo Hyuk, Start-Up, Suzy

Major DCInside Rumor that Lee Jong Seok and Song Hye Kyo Will Star in Next Hong Sisters K-drama in 2021 Titled Shining Ambition

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 13, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 13, 2020
Man in suit and woman in elegant dress.

Take it with a grain of salt but DCInside has been a veritable treasure trove of early casting news for the last decade and I always take note of the spoilers from the forum. A list of rumored/in the works K-dramas of 2021 leaked last week and the most exciting news is hearing Song Hye Kyo and Lee Jong Seok … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Hong sisters, Lee Jong Seok, Song Hye Kyo

Yoon Kye Sang Cast as Male Lead in 2021 K-drama You Are My Spring Opposite Seo Hyun Jin

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 13, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 13, 2020
Man in black cardigan at event.

Wahhhhhh, doubled excited now thank you drama gods! K-ent is reporting that K-actor Yoon Kye Sang has been cast as the male lead in 2021 K-drama You Are My Spring, which has the female lead out to Seo Hyun Jin. Two gorgeous and talented and age-perfect stars opposite each other in a healing romance, count me in! The drama is … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Seo Hyun Jin, Yoon Kye Sang, You Are My Spring

It’s Deja Vu to End Episode 12 of Tale of Gumiho and Next Week tvN Will Preempt to Ensure Better Production Quality for Final 4 Episodes

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 12, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 12, 2020
Group of stylish individuals in a photoshoot.

Production quality hasn’t been a problem with Tale of Gumiho, it’s a little cheesy and simplistic with the special efforts but it compensated by nice horror beats. The problem is the story hinges on people NOT talking, keeping important background information and doling it out in dribbles. At the end of episode 12 when Goddess of Underworld Ahjumma yelled out … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Tale of Gumiho

Ji Chang Wook and Kim Ji Won Playful and Adorable in First Stills for K-drama City Couple Way of Love

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 12, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 12, 2020
Happy moments shared by a couple.

The first stills are out for upcoming Kakao TV K-drama City Couple Way of Love: My Lovely Camera Thief and I love it! Leads Ji Chang Wook and Kim Ji Won totally deliver on modern day romantic vibes in both visuals and energy. This washes away the disappointing taste from their prior dramas, his in awkward Backstreet Rookie and hers … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged City Couple Way of Love, Ji Chang Wook, Kim Ji Won

TW-stars Chris Wu and Ivy Shao Confirm Long Rumored Relationship After Working Together on Two Dramas and One MV

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 12, 2020 by ockoalaNovember 12, 2020
Couple posing amidst tropical plants.

Awwwwwww, gosh I hope the romance makes make this one last. I normally just wish couples well and even if they break up I just hope it’s mutual and both move on nicely. But I really want Chris Wu and Ivy Shao to work out because they have both had their share of previous relationships and are beyond adorable together … Continue reading →

Posted in My Loves | Tagged Chris Wu, Dating, Ivy Shao

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Recent Posts

  • Veil of Shadows Ends Run with Low 5.2 Douban Ratings Continuing Director Guo Jing Ming’s String of Visual Over Substance Dramas
  • Period Politics and Romance C-drama Spring of the Blade with Xu Kai and Zhou Ye Faces Netizen Criticism on Billing Order, Male Lead Scenes, and Characterization
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  • Moon Sang Min and Shin Si Ah Cast in Youth Romance K-drama Don’t Cross Over the Wall
  • Park Eun Bin and Kim Jae Won Cast in Sageuk Romance K-drama The Wicked Queen




Latest Comments

  • HL on Veil of Shadows Ends Run with Low 5.2 Douban Ratings Continuing Director Guo Jing Ming’s String of Visual Over Substance Dramas
  • Craneshow on Period Politics and Romance C-drama Spring of the Blade with Xu Kai and Zhou Ye Faces Netizen Criticism on Billing Order, Male Lead Scenes, and Characterization
  • Ehhh? on Zhao Lu Si Reportedly Chooses Modern Romance C-drama As Beautiful as You Want as Her Comeback from Hiatus Project with Filming Slated for Summer 2026 Start
  • Arduinna on Veil of Shadows Ends Run with Low 5.2 Douban Ratings Continuing Director Guo Jing Ming’s String of Visual Over Substance Dramas
  • Somebody on Veil of Shadows Ends Run with Low 5.2 Douban Ratings Continuing Director Guo Jing Ming’s String of Visual Over Substance Dramas
  • Ten on Period Politics and Romance C-drama Spring of the Blade with Xu Kai and Zhou Ye Faces Netizen Criticism on Billing Order, Male Lead Scenes, and Characterization
  • Snails on Period Politics and Romance C-drama Spring of the Blade with Xu Kai and Zhou Ye Faces Netizen Criticism on Billing Order, Male Lead Scenes, and Characterization
  • Sissi on Period Politics and Romance C-drama Spring of the Blade with Xu Kai and Zhou Ye Faces Netizen Criticism on Billing Order, Male Lead Scenes, and Characterization
  • Sissi on Period Politics and Romance C-drama Spring of the Blade with Xu Kai and Zhou Ye Faces Netizen Criticism on Billing Order, Male Lead Scenes, and Characterization
  • Sissi on Period Politics and Romance C-drama Spring of the Blade with Xu Kai and Zhou Ye Faces Netizen Criticism on Billing Order, Male Lead Scenes, and Characterization
  • Leia on Veil of Shadows Ends Run with Low 5.2 Douban Ratings Continuing Director Guo Jing Ming’s String of Visual Over Substance Dramas
  • Gennita on Zhao Lu Si Reportedly Chooses Modern Romance C-drama As Beautiful as You Want as Her Comeback from Hiatus Project with Filming Slated for Summer 2026 Start

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