Kmuse's Current Kdrama Hidden Gems

With so many drama options airing every week, it is hard to choose what to watch.  There are always those that have a ton of buzz (Fated to Love You) or A list actors (It's Okay It's Love) that are in the limelight.  But what of those that have great plots, yet somehow get lost in the shuffle?  That is why I, Kmuse, am here to point you in the direction of the current airing hidden gems.  

The Night Watchman's Journal

This drama is currently my absolute favorite flavor of drama crack!  If you can get past the crazy overuse of CGI in the first two episodes and make it to the adult storyline, then you will get to enjoy a fun romp through the magical history of Joseon.  Does it always make sense? Nope.  Do you sometimes feel like mocking all the characters ?  Yes, it is almost mandatory (with the exception of Jung Il Woo's who is wonderful with his cheestastic smirks and knowing glances).  But despite all those aspects, you will thoroughly enjoy a cult classic style story where you cheer for the good guys, boo at the bad guys (Kim Sung Oh in all his horrible campy villain glory), and laugh at the ghosts.  It is a must watch for someone who just wants to be entertained and maybe does not mind a story that does not always make a ton of sense.

Jang BoRi is Here

I can't believe that I am actually doing this, but I must recant to everyone that I told to skip this drama.  (Hanging my head in shame that I was both hasty to judge, as well as the for the fact that I am recommending a drama all about the cutthroat thug world of Hanbok sewing).  Yes you heard right. Behind the whole accidentally amnesia, losing and adopting of children, birth secrets (a turnip cart full of birth secrets), and goofy leading male antics, is the burning question of who will become the head seamstress of all Korea.  Because there can only be one!  It is Rocky in traditional Korean garb.  But don't be put off by the really odd background world, because every character in this drama does an amazing job of telling their story and making you invested in their lives.  It also contains one of my all time favorite villains, Min Jung.  The fake orphan, adopted daughter, social climbing psycho Min Jung is a bad guy that others should study and aspire to.  For once the evil character in a weekend drama is not over acted (at least not too much) and Min Jung's abilities to create lies at the drop of a hat are beyond impressive.  Min Jung puts every ounce of herself into every lie and you can tell that she has left reality so far behind that she believes her own trope.  By episode 42 I have to admit that I am watching for the joy of seeing Min Jung get what she deserves, which happens to be a lot of forceful slaps (could not happen to a more deserving person).  Oh and there is also the leading girl who has amnesia, lives as a Cinderella type life and becomes the genius of all things Hanbok (but I am really watching it for Min Jung). 

Endless Love

If you like epic historical dramas such as Giant and East of Eden, then this is the drama for you.  With a stellar cast and a pretty solid storyline (albeit a bit on the slow side so you have to be patient for the payoff) it keeps viewers engaged in a "who will she pick" roller coaster as we follow our leading lady Ae In (Hwang Jung Eum - Secret).  I recommend this drama with reservation.  If the heroine, Ae In, ends up with the brother I want her to end up with (the always sexy Jung Kyoung Ho - Heartless City) then all is good.  However if she ends up with the cowardly jerk brother (Ryu Soo-Young- 2 weeks) who is her first love I will downgrade this drama to the depths of "I summon you gold" level.  And for those of you who have followed my posts for a while, know that for me, there is no greater level of negative feelings for a drama that I can go too.  So if you are hesitant, wait a bit for my green light of approval, which is hopefully forthcoming.

Reset

When did Chun Jung Myung suddenly become so sexy?  I vaguely remember him being the young boyfriend in "What's Up Fox" where he was cute enough, but somewhat forgettable.  The years since I last saw him has obviously been spent maturing because he is super smexy as a genius prosecutor who uses hypnotism to get confessions (sexiest use of a pen that I have ever seen in a kdrama).  He runs across a young delinquent played by the always talented Kim So Hyun, (The Suspicious Housekeeper) who is the spitting image of the leading man's dead girlfriend.  With high school hookers, havey cavey legal practices, and lots of sexy pushing of Woo Jin's pen (you will know what I am talking about after watching episode 1) this drama is chock full of mystery and potential.  

 What Happens to My Family

This is actually a newcomer to my Hidden Gems post.  When I started writing, I had not even gotten around to watching any of this family drama, but by the end of this review, I had dramathoned all six available episodes (hence the lateness of this post.....oops).  I usually let family dramas go for a while before I start watching, since at 50 episodes we usually have to get through a lot of slow plot before we get to the meaty part of the drama.  However this time we are slapped upside the head with hilarious hijinks within the first 10 minutes.  Our heroine Kang Seo Wool (Nam Ji Hyun - Angel Eyes) is a country girl (you can probably call her a certified hillbilly) who saves a boy from drowning when she was 12.  Yoon Eun Ho (Seo Kang Joon - Nine, Heirs) promises to marry Seo Wool in twelve years once they are of age and will meet her in Seoul. Twelve years later Seo Wool travels to Seoul for her fiancee and nuptials.  Showing up at his house, she turns Eun Ho and his family's lives upside down.  With a very charismatic main couple and a fun family, this is a must watch drama.

If anyone has any questions as to where you can watch any of these dramas online, feel free to ask in the comments or post a message on The Crazy Ahjummas FB page.  I am always happy to help other kaddicts with their addiction.  

Kmuse

Follow us on Facebook for info on all our newest recaps, posts and to join in our kdrama discussions. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-crazy-ahjummas/336988683021748?fref=ts