2021 was an interesting year for me as I started my drama watch enthusiastically but my viewing slowed down a lot as the second half of the year started. All in all, I finished a total of 5 dramas (though I’m currently watching a few more), and sadly, my blogging got affected too. I really hope that 2022 would make me more active on the blog and fulfill my drama goals. Happy New Year my dear readers! Wishing you a great year ahead!

Dramas I Loved

Navillera

This motivating story, about a 70 year old retired mailman who always dreamed of doing ballet, is such a unique experience that’s inspiring, touching and heartwarming. The main theme of pursuing your passion, regardless of age, is effectively portrayed. It’s a warm and touching portrait, showing us that it’s never too late to follow your heart and find and do the things that make your soul happy. Each character imprints its unique identity in our minds. Blessed with impeccable performances, the show has gorgeous cinematography and breathtaking dance performances. Park In Hwan is the soul of the drama and his camaraderie with Song Kang is all heart and amazing.

Rating: 9.5/10

Read full review here.

Mr. Queen

Mr. Queen is such a hilarious ride! Poking fun at the historical drama tropes with our hero being transported to the Joseon era, the drama is simultaneously funny and heartfelt. It’s one of the rare times when I didn’t get bored with the palace politics. The characters are well written and colorful. Mr. Queen keeps you engrossed with its fast pace and one entrancing narrative line after another. Above everything else, the main romance is the main factor that made this a beautiful experience for me — classy, amusing, sexy and stirring. Even if I wasn’t a fan of the ending completely, I can see why it was like that. Shin Hye Sun steals the show with her brilliant and uninhibited performance. Kim Jung Hyun is swoony and their chemistry is simply perfect. Packed with fun, laughs and giddy romance, Mr. Queen is an ebullient ride.

Rating: 8.5/10

Read full review here.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

This show is GORGEOUS! The beautiful seaside setting and the carefree, sweet and simple vibe is magical. The show is a feel-good experience through and through. The main leads are just so cute! They start as a bickering couple but soon start falling for each other. I love that despite this classic trope, the bickering is mild and some attraction starts from the first frame. The chemistry between Kim Sun Ho and Shin Min Ah is beautiful. All the characters are colorful and are given their own significant arcs. The show probes the mystical aspects of ordinary life. The soundtrack is lovely too. An easy and sweet ride with lots of heart!

Rating: 8.5/10

Dramas I Liked

Vincenzo

It is a stylish take on the revenge trope, but it’s accompanied with substance. Led by an unconventional hero, Vincenzo shows him getting entangled in the affairs of a building and its residents, leading to his fight for social justice against a huge conglomerate. The show takes its own time to set the stage and the players but once things are put into gear, there is no let up. The tone of the show is wacky with a mix of emotional drama, violence, thrills and screwball comedy, with some sprinkling of romance. Credit to the show to color each and every character with distinct personality — everyone stands out and delivers amazing performance. The drama does suffer from over the top and annoying content initially because of the wide array of some characters. It also depicts gory violence which becomes too dark at times. All in all, the drama is a vibrant adventure with slightly blurred lines between right and wrong method for justice.

Rating: 8.5/10

Read full review here.

The Silent Sea

This show is like a breath of fresh air. It is a space based sci-fi and set in the future where there is severe lack of water. It is basically a mystery thriller in which a team is sent to moon to recover a mysterious sample. The drama is slowly paced which helps in increasing its tensed atmosphere. There is an unease and ominous feeling as the characters navigate the mysterious research station on moon. Thrills are great, but the drama deftly infuses it with emotions. Bae Doo Na is amazing as always and the show has a great ensemble. The sets are great and the drama gives the lesson about the drastic effects of global warming. I would not call it truly engrossing because it takes time to tell its story and the pace suffers because of it. But definitely a new and intriguing concept in dramaland.

Rating: 8/10

2021 dramas I plan to watch

Mad For Each Other, Hospital Playlist 2 (half done), Hello? It’s Me!, Mine, Great Real Estate, Yumi’s Cells, Happiness, My Roommate Is Gumiho, She Would Never Know.