These sound promising, thanks! (And Mr Sunshine is on my list too, PP above. I thought it had some creative-team overlap with Kingdom, but from googling it seems maybe I was wrong but that it does have the same director as Sweet Home. Sweet Home made no sense, but we did enjoy it!) |
So I’m the PP who initially preferred Yoo Yeon Seok in Mr. Sunshine. I gave Hospital Playlist another go and I’m glad I did. At first I thought the band part was cheesy, but I grew to appreciate how the admittedly sappy songs tie into what the characters are going through in each episode. Plus I have a major crush on Jo Jung Suk, who plays Professor Lee Ik-Jun. ![]() But I agree about Goo Dong Mae. He was a character whose pain and struggles really came through. The actor did a fantastic job of making you feel for him. Mr. Sunshine really is a work of art, and I definitely place it in my own personal top 5 list of Kdramas I’ve seen. |
What are the other 4 on your list? |
Haha now I’m unsure being put on the spot LOL Below is my best ranking: 1) Crash Landing on You 2) Mr Sunshine 3) Descendants of the Sun (Song Joong Ki ![]() 4 & 5) I can’t decide between Itaewon Class, Vincenzo, and Hospital Playlist I also enjoyed What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung, and the first season of Kingdom. I’ve got lots more to watch, but that’s my best stab at rankings at the moment. |
I’ve seen and loved all the ones on your list except for Descendants of the Sun. Heard mixed reviews of that one so have not watched it yet. I also loved Healer and Goblin. |
If you’re into the zombie genre then I would highly recommend the new drama called “Happiness” that came out recently. It’s not too romantic and is really high on suspense and the very handsome Park Hyung Sik is the lead.
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For some non-romance Sell Your Haunted House (Ghost mystery) was entertaining and interesting Ghost Doctor is finishing now - but so far really good. A bit of a bromance If you want to watch Cloy couple before CLOY, rent Negotiation movie (thriller) |
Descendants of the Sun is terrible. Better to watch “Lovestruck in the City” or “Healer” both with the same lead. |
A few others we really enjoyed that are non-romance: The Uncanny Counter Vincenzo (a bit of a romance in the end, but very funny) Vagabond K2 (some romance, but also a lot of action) - I actually liked Healer slightly better, but that one is heavy on the romance We also loved Prison Playbook, but not sure how much kids or teens would appreciate the subtleties of interpersonal relationships between inmates, which is the main focus of this drama, and which makes it so special. |
I'm the PP who suggested DP, Hot Stove League, and Prison Playbook. I totally meant to include The Uncanny Counter but forgot. It's great! Bonus - a season 2 is supposedly in the works. |
I’m the PP who was asking about non-romances — just wanted to say thanks again, everyone!
A little closer to the CLOY topic, have people seen that Netflix has a drama with Son Ye-Jin that just started this month? It’s called Thirty Nine, the story of three friends that age. I’m only in episode 1 and don’t have a feel yet, but it’s oddly comforting to hear Son Ye-Jin’s (literal) voice again. I didn’t realize I’d gotten so attached to her voice over the many hours of CLOY. |
I’m watching Thirty Nine and enjoying it, but I tend to like dramas about female friendships (as a side note, I really enjoyed Dear My Friends on Netflix about older female friendships). Thirty Nine also has the actress who plays the main female doctor on Hospital Playlist. But word of warning, it is going to be a sad drama. |
Thirty Nine is exactly the kind of drama I usually enjoy, but I am just not feeling this one. |
lots of suggestions here |
I’m both bored with it and too attached to the three actresses not to keep going. My take is that it must be a writing/directing/editing issue, because the acting seems solid. I love the 3 actresses and one or two of the actors sooo much. |