This month I watched some unexpectedly outstanding dramas. 19 challenges completed.
Disclaimer: I have not looked up some details for dramas yet so there may be categories they fit that I haven’t listed.
Obstetrics and Gynecology Doctors (2010). Fits challenges 1 (Kensington Hotel Yoido), 2 (umbrella), 3 (noraebang), 5 (shaman), 10 (claw machine), 17, 18, 25, 35. Iconic FL character is an OB doctor who finds herself pregnant out of wedlock. She could not have less shame about her situation or care less about the judgement of others - what an amazing strong female character. Super green flag ML is not the father and does not care that she’s pregnant with another man’s child. There is the overarching main plot, plus episodic stories that cover the gamut of issues that come up in OB, including abortion, unwanted pregnancy, genetic anomaly, coping with unexpected child disabilities, death of infant, maternal illness, adoption, medical emergency, poverty, and more. Some of the medical stuff is surprisingly accurate. This drama was a hidden gem for me and I already know I’ll watch it again.
Insider (2022) Fits challenges 2 (ML cuts own hair), 10 (Hwatu, poker), 15 (FL’s childhood), 19 (Macau), 23 (prosecutors, prison employees). Kang Ha Neul shows his acting skills in this one. It was such a treat to watch his performance. This is an excellent drama but it is also very intense. ML is a prosecutor trainee sent undercover into a prison but later abandoned by his superiors for reasons. He survives in prison by becoming a gambler and poker expert. He meets FL, who wants his help in her revenge plot. Her reason for wanting revenge is very, very dark. The revenge plot is really excellent and well executed, with tension throughout every episode. If seeing something horrible happen to a child is triggering for you, do not watch this. Otherwise, definitely watch it.
Ghost Doctor (2022) This was my randomly selected challenge, but it also fits challenges 3 (underwater), 4 (health supplements), 5 (drop honorifics), 17, 25. ML is an arrogant and accomplished surgeon who is left comatose after an accident; his spirit leaves his body and he has to cope with being a ghost. FL is ML’s first love from their med school days, however she suddenly dumped him; years later he’s still bitter but also still in love with her. SML is a resident doctor of questionable skill and the only one who can see the ML, who can also take over SML’s body. Side characters are other ghosts whose bodies are in comatose state in the hospital. It was well written, well acted, and an engaging story that pleasantly surprised me.
One drama was everything I hoped it would be, and more:
Heart to Heart (2015) Fits challenges 2 (old woman with handcart gathering cardboard, designated driver), 5 (drop honorifics), 14 (FL Choi Kang Hee debuted 1995), 18 (death anniversary), 23 (police detective). This one went straight to my all-time top 5 kdrama list. FL is a shut-in who can only leave her home wearing a helmet. She also gets an extremely red face when she feels stressed or emotional. She is secretly in love, from afar, with SML, and she decides to seek treatment so she can declare her feelings. ML is the star psychiatrist she seeks treatment from. He is a massive asshole whose life goes into free fall right when FL seeks him out. At first, I wasn’t sure how people could rave about this drama when the ML was such a horrible person and seemingly unredeemable. I had strong feelings of “wtf am I watching” in the first episode. Things started to turn by episode 3 and became a runaway freight train of outstanding love story. The first thing the leads do when they start to have feelings is >!leap into bed!<, which was a huge surprise. The FL is a strong, bold, and sharp-witted character despite the serious mental illness causing her handicap. She is not the shrinking flower type, and ML loves her for that and accepts her as she is. The way they are unconcerned about the judgement of others over their weird relationship is special to watch. One of my least favorite tropes is key to the plot though it actually works in this story so I overlooked it. The OST is really good as an extra bonus. It was hard to find this drama, and I’m not sure if the site where I watched it was legal (probably but not 100% certain) and I had to use a VPN as it isn’t available in my country.
Not everything I watched was good:
Father, I’ll Take Care of You (2016). This 50 episode drama fits at least 4 (Coffee Bay coffee shop), 5 (resignation letter, hanbok), 9 (aspiring opera singer and aspiring magician, opera singer), 15 (ML and SML childhood scenes), 18 (new year, lunar new year, wedding), 19 (to New York), 22 (villain, love rival for SML’s affection), 24 (family new year meal), 28 (4 generations). The question isn’t who does have a birth secret, it’s more like who doesn’t have a birth secret? There is so much yelling and hitting that I had a hard time getting through this drama; mostly the ML and his story kept me going. I also loved the teen who really hated his (horrible, for different reasons) parents and was very upfront and extreme about it. Two main stories: 1) A tragic event is the pivotal point in the lives of many of the characters in the family, and the drama is the unwinding of that past along with the present repercussions; 2) A (different) tragic event is the pivotal point in the lives of some of the characters in the family, and the drama is the unwinding of that past along with the present repercussions. There are 2 good main romances and a boring side plot romance, teens figuring themselves out (many good scenes), parents being parents (generally badly), and workplace drama. There is so much fainting in this drama that I started to wonder if there is a genetic neurological or cardiovascular anomaly that causes fainting in Koreans. I don’t recommend this drama, which is unfortunate as the base story is excellent. Too much yelling, hitting, and judgmental stupidity.
Rich Man (2018) Fits challenges 3 (riding bus), 4 (vitamins), 5 (resignation letter), 9 (painter), 15, 17, 18 (wedding), 19 (to Namhae), 22. It is not bad but it’s bland. ML is the genius founder of a Silicon Valley-style and tech bro-style tech company who can’t recognize faces due to childhood psychological trauma. FL has a seemingly eidetic memory which is her only skill; she gets an intern job at ML’s company.
I’m still poking away at Fiery Priest, My Father is Strange, My Fellow Citizens!, Wedding Impossible, and My Lovely Runner. Dropped Queen of Divorce, what a disappointment.
, Hello May! 
This month I checked off 10 challenges, bringing up my total to 32/36 challenges completed. Still going for the total 60 challenges counting with the others for the wheel of chance. 
