Like Flowers in Sand (2023): started watching 23 November 2024 (6/12 episodes)
Chose to watch this show because I craved another slice-of-life series. It's set in the world of ssireum, a traditional Korean wrestling sport that I know nothing about. I have to say that, having watched 6 episodes now, I feel a bit underwhelmed. This series has only 12 episodes (so I'm already halfway through) and it has so many positive reviews that I hope it gets better. What I like is the photography and colours, the slow pace and the seaside village setting. It creates a really nice vibe, with the ahjummas and ahjussis chit-chatting/gossiping. There's a crime element which makes me want to see the mystery resolved. I also like to see more of the ssireum matches. I'm intrigued with the satba-gripping and hope they will explain more about the game and the skills one needs to be a good ssireum wrestler. But ... I'm less engaged with the main leads (Jang Dong-yoon and Lee Ju-myoung) as a couple. Kim Baek-du is a likeable character — simple-minded, sincere and somewhat childlike, with a kind heart — and Jang Dong-yoon totally nails his lead role. But the female lead character Oh Yu-gyeong/Oh Du-sik hasn't won me over (yet). She's just not so appealing to me, and I would have liked to see Jang Dong-yoon paired with another actress. I don't really find Jang Dong-yoon and Lee Ju-myoung convincing as a romantic couple. At first I wanted to put this show on hold but I think I like it well enough now to finish it, just disappointed that I'm not completely in love with it.
Love All Play (2022): started watching 27 November 2024 (2/16 episodes)
I was looking for a recommendation, if you like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo. And this sports drama (which I had never heard of) came up on a list. It's regarded as an underrated K-drama and garnered some favourable reviews. I'm not familiar with the leads, Park Ju-hyun and Chae Jong-hyeop, but I liked them right away. Park Ju-hyun reminds me a bit of Kim Hye-yoon from Lovely Runner. I also like badminton and I really enjoy watching sports dramas. With only 2 episodes in, I have high expectations for this. I know there will be romance, but I hope the show will take its time to properly develop the friendship of the leading couple and that the romance will happen naturally. I would love to see them being supportive of one another. Stay tuned for more updates or in any case my final notes for this show!
*Also currently watching: What Happens to My Family? and Go Ahead.