My Top 7 Drama's of 2019

Hello

안녕하세요 

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは 

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

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I've decided that now I'm getting more into Asian dramas I would do a list like I do with K-pop releases, this was originally going to be a Top 10 but I decided to make it a Top 7 because as you can see from my collage I've not watched many that were released this year. Please remember that this list is my personal opinion and if I rank a drama lower than you would doesn't mean I deserve hate back just because I opinions and likes differ.

Let's get this countdown started shall we!

N0.7

Coming in at No.7 we have My Absolute Boyfriend starring Yeo Jin-Goo as Zero Nine, Bang Minah as Um Da-Da and Hong Jonghyun as Ma Wang Joon.

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My Absolute Boyfriend is a South Korean science fiction romantic comedy television series written by Yang Hyuk-Moon and directed by Jung Jung-Hwa, the series is also based on the Japanese manga series Absolute Boyfriend by Yuu Watase. 

My main love for this drama was that it has an open ending so you as the viewer can decide who Da-Da ends the drama smiling at, hinting that they are the person she ends up with. I enjoyed the cast, especially Yeo Jin-Goo, I have since become a big fan of his and been checking out his other dramas, I'm currently in the process of watching Hotel Del Luna and loving him. Overall I really enjoyed this drama, even though at times characters annoyed me, it also gives the viewer a new view on how we view both love and our lives.

No.6

Coming in at No.6 we have Love Alarm starring Kim So Hyun as Kim Jo Jo, Jung Ga Ram as Lee Hye Yeong and Song Kang as Hwang Sun Oh.

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Love Alarm is a South Korean romance drama series based on the webtoon of the same name by Chon Kye-young.Thankfully we have had the announcement that we're getting a second season of Love Alarm, because that cliffhanger ending to season 1 had me screaming, I literally felt like Brian Joo when he found out that Seventeen had only 2 bathrooms to share between the 13 members. The cast and script were spot on, I can't wait to see how the series will continue and how the characters change and grow.


No.5

Coming in at No.5 we have Her Private Life, starring Park Min Young as Sung Deok Mi, Kim Jae Wook as Ryan Gold and Ahn Bo Hyun as Nam Eun Gi.

 
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 Her Private Life is a South Korean romantic comedy TV series, based on the Korean novel Noona Dot Com, written by Kim Sung-yeon and published in 2007.

I loved watching Park Min Young and Kim Jae Wook work together, their chemistry on the drama was amazing, I loved them so much together that I would be happy if they announced they were really dating. As a 31 (soon to be 32) K-pop and drama fangirl, I could really relate to this drama and it reminded me age doesn't matter when it comes to something you love and enjoy, I even fangirled at the very last moment when Min Young turned to the camera and spoke to the viewers knowing what they were thinking, saying "Are you fangirling right now? I hope that everyone will become a successful fan". I was really in a dilemma at what should be in 5th and 4th place but I think I placed well on my opinions.

No.4

Coming in at No.4 and just pipping Her Private Life to the slot is He Is Psychometric, starring Park Jinyoung as Lee Ahn, Shin Ye-eun as Yoon Jae-in, Kim Kwon as Kang Sung-mo and Kim Dasom as Eun Ji-soo.

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He Is Psychometric is a South Korean TV series that was created by Studio Dragon, written by Yang Jin-ah and directed by Kim Byung-soo.

The series focuses on psychometry which is also known as token-object reading as well as psychoscopy, which is a form of extrasensory perception aka ESP aka a sixth sense. A person with psychometric abilities is said to be able to see memories from touching an object.

I was blown away by both Jinyoung and Shin Ye-eun, they were amazing in their lead roles, I was surprised by how dark the drama really was, which is normally the genre I tend to like and enjoy more, I love thrillers where we have to guess who is the culprit etc. This drama had me laughing, crying and in suspense which is what I think a thriller and crime drama needs and I was shocked when the culprit was revealed.

No.3

Coming in at No.3 we have Well-Intended Love, starring Xu Kai Cheng as Ling Yi Zhou, Simona Wang as Xia Lin, Ian Yi as Chu Yan, Huang Qian Shuo as Wen Li, Liu Jia Xi as Jia Fei, Charry Qi as An Ran and Yang Hao Ming as Nan Jin Tian.

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Well-Intended Love is a Chinese romance drama series and is also known as How, Boss Wants To Marry Me. The series was confirmed to be getting a second season pretty much straight away with the original cast returning to reprise their roles.

I was hooked on this drama from the very first episode and found it difficult to stop watching, there are shocking moments in this drama, one way to describe our leading male and female is as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, but with our female lead being more independent and stronger. I can't wait for season 2 and I'm definitely on the look-out for it's release date. Since this drama I've definitely become a fan of Xu Kai Cheng, Ian Yi, Huang Qian Shuo and can't wait for them to return to their roles.

No.2

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Coming in at No.2 we have Chief of Staff, starring Lee Jung Jae as Jang Tae Joon, Shin Mina as Kang Seon Yeong, Lee Elijah as Yoon Hye Won and Kim Dong Jun as Han Do Kyeong.

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Chief of Staff is a South Korean political television series, written by Lee Dae-il and directed by Kwak Jung-hwan.

I never thought when I started this show that it would be placing in 2nd place of my favourite dramas of 2019. Me and politics just don't go together, it all confuses me, after the first episode I was so confused as to what had happened. Never in a million years did I think after the first episode this drama would make me an emotional wreck that would continue into the 2nd season. Even though the political side of the show still confused me, I was often in suspense and second guessing whether to trust our male lead or not. The cast and script were amazing and I hope one day we will get a 3rd season.

Before I reveal what my No.1 spot goes to, let me mention and link you to the other dramas I watched and completed and maybe you can figure out who is in first place.

Japanese drama The Flower and the Beast (S2)

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Chinese drama I Hear You.

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Chinese drama Unrequited Love

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DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!

No.1

Coming in at No.1 is Kingdom, starring Ju Ji-hoon as Crown Prince Yi Chang, Ryu Seung-ryong as Cho Hak-ju, Bae Doo-na as Seo-bi, Kim Sung-gyu as Yeong-shin and Kim Sang-ho as Moo-young.

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Kingdom is a Netflix Original and is adapted from the web comic series The Kingdom of the Gods, which was written by Kim Eun-hee and illustrated by Yang Kyung-il.

I'm a big fan of the zombie genre and I watched this series within 24 hours, I was hooked from the start of the very first episode and can't wait to see how the 2nd series will be. I was constantly kept on the edge of my seat and holding my breath, the cliffhanger ending had me begging already for the next season but looks like I have to wait for March to get my teeth and claws into the next season.

Well that concludes my Top 7 Drama's of 2019, my goal for 2020 is to try and watch more current and new dramas this year to have a bigger choice to have in my list at the start of next year, as well as growing my drama watched list especially Japanese and Chinese.

What was your No.1 drama of 2019?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕
(Annyeong)
さようなら
(Sayonara)
再见
(ZaiJian)

Bye

Korean Drama - My Absolute Boyfriend

Hello

안녕하세요 

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは 

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

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My Absolute Boyfriend is a South Korean science fiction romantic comedy television series written by Yang Hyuk-Moon and directed by Jung Jung-Hwa, the series is also based on the Japanese manga series Absolute Boyfriend by Yuu Watase. 

The series aired on SBS TV from the 15th of May 2019, airing on Wednesday's and Thursday's in the 10pm kst time slot and concluding on the 11th of July 2019.

Main Cast:

Yeo Jin-Goo as Zero Nine

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Bang Minah as Um Da-Da

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Hong Jonghyun as Ma Wang Joon

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Supporting Cast:

Hong Seo-Young as Diana

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Choi Sung-Won as Nam Bo Won

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Gong Jung-Hwan as Ko Ji Seok

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Kwon Hyun-Sang as Hwang In Hyuk

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Cha Jung-Won as Bae Kyu Ri

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Kim Do-Hoon as Yoo Jin

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 Ha Jae-Sook as Yeo Woong

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Hong Seok-Cheon as Geum Eun Dong

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Choi Joo-Won as Hwa Ni

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The series was previously titled Romantic Comedy King, and was in talks to air on OCN but was later cancelled, while the lead roles of Um Da-Da and Ma Wang Joon were previously offered to Song Ji-Hyo and Chun Jung-Myung, who both respectively declined the roles.

The first script reading for the series was held on the 22nd of June 2018, with filming beginning that July. The series was also originally scheduled to air for 40 episodes, but was reduced by 4 episodes due to low ratings, the international broadcast however, remained at 40 episodes.

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There is some songs from the soundtrack that takes me right back into the drama, and here they are.

Lena Park - 별빛처럼 (Like A Starlight)

1theK (원더케이)

Kisum & Eunha(G Friend) - Mr. Stranger

1theK (원더케이)

Minah(Girls Day) and Ilhoon(BTOB) - 사랑이었다 (It Was Love)

1theK (원더케이)

Um Da-Da is a special effects makeup artist. She is secretly dating the popular actor Ma Wang Joon who is on the rise. As Wang Joon gets busy because of work and tired of their relationship, their seven-year-long relationship ends. And that is when Zero Nine, a humanoid robot who is programmed to be in love with his one and only girlfriend, appears in his life. An accidental kiss activates Zero Nine and he takes Da-Da as his girlfriend. As Da-Da and Zero Nine get closer and fall for each other, a mystery man tries to hard Da-Da by threatening her to break up with Ma Wang Joon, who secretly wants her back. Meanwhile, Diana, the original owner of Zero Nine, comes after them to take him back.

In the end, My Absolute Boyfriend is about the love with a robot who is humane and unstinting. Throughout the series, Zero Nine shows what true love is as he learns about love and becomes the absolute boyfriend.

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I felt myself getting conflicted non-stop with this drama, one minute I wanted it to work out with Ma Wang Joon and the next I wanted it to end with Zero Nine. I loved that the drama completed with an open ending so the watcher could make their own decision on who the mystery man was that we saw Da-Da smiling at in the closing scene. I know who I want to believe it is but I don't want to take away from that final scene.

This is my first drama with everyone within the cast, I kept seeing clips from Viki on their social media so decided to give it a try, I was left feeling pleasantly surprised, I really didn't think this would be a drama that I would enjoy. I did have a few moments where the emotions got the better of me and had me crying but other than that what I loved the most was the comedy.

From this drama I have become a huge fan of Yeo Jin Goo, I knew of him as I heard and seen the good reviews for him for his drama The Crowned Clown, I was in love with him and his character from the moment he was introduced. I love the innocence he brought to the series, he was also the main reason that I was often laughing, if I could have a humanoid robot as a companion, I would definitely pick Zero Nine. I honestly couldn't imagine anyone other than Yeo Jin Goo playing our friendly loving robot.

I spent a lot of the drama wondering why Hong Jonghyun's face was familiar as I hadn't seen any of his drama's or films, it wasn't till I restarted watching Busted, that I realised he's one of the special guest's in episode 2. With Ma Wang Joon, I don't think he was really tired of his relationship with Da-Da, I just think his heart was in the wrong place and his priority and number 1 love was himself, his career and how he's viewed by others. It's definitely a you don't know what you've lost till it's gone plot when it comes to him and Da-Da, I think once Da-Da realises she needs to put herself as priority and ends things with Ma Wang Joon he realises that the downfall of their relationship was himself and that he really needs and wants her part of his life as he owes all he has to her. I think Jonghyun did an amazing job as Ma Wang Joon, he really brought the character to life.

I have to give credit to Bang Minah, I thought she did really well, but at times I found Um Da-Da a little irritating, especially at the end, to me it seemed that everything Zero Nine taught her. Throughout the series you saw Um Da-Da telling others that when you love someone you share both the good and bad times together to help get each other through them, and I think this should stand whether they be a lover, friend or family. This I noticed in the last episode went out the window, instead of turning to those who love her to help her through the hard times she holds it all in, meaning she just plods along never actually dealing with the emotional things that she should. I think on a whole Um Da-Da struggles when it comes to her emotions, she believes she knows how to cope and deal with things, which Zero Nine shows there are more ways to share how she feels and cares for others.

After seeing Hong Seo-Young in Her Private Life, I was blown away by how versatile her acting can be, Diana is the stereotypical rich girl, thinks because she has the money she should get whatever she wants and desires no matter how poorly she treats others, at times even I felt scared of her which shows just how good of an actress Seo-Young is.

I absolutely loved Choi Sung-Won as Nam Bo Won, he added to the comedy as things got more serious with Zero Nine, he was definitely one of my favourite characters from the series, I loved how the series ended for him and I was even happier that he fell for another of my favourite characters.

I think overall the casts chemistry was amazing, I think that's why for me the series worked and was enjoyable. I would love to see a 2nd series to see how Da-Da overcomes her new path and how Zero Nine really affected Da-Da's outlook on love and life.

I would recommend this drama to others to watch, I think to really understand and enjoy this drama you have to take the time to sit and watch it and maybe it will also change the way you think about love and caring for others.

Have you watched My Absolute Boyfriend?

Did you like the casting and plot?

Would you recommend it to others?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕

(Annyeong)

さようなら

(Sayonara)

再见

(ZaiJian)

Bye