These Dramatic Days: A Kdrama & Asian drama Podcast

Jen

Talking Korean dramas (K-dramas) and Taiwanese (Tw-dramas)! Join me for thoughtful chats about all things drama related including actors, romance, themes, social issues, cinematography, filming locations, popular culture and books & films that dramas reference. Fluent in Mandarin and learning Korean, I also translate some of the interviews and explain Taiwanese and Korean cultures :)

  1. May 30

    Watch List May 2026: Gold Land, Perfect Crown, We Are All Trying Here & The Absolute Value of Romance

    Today Jen talks about 3 dramas on her current watch list for May and 1 controversial drama that recently finished up. I talk about 'Gold Land,' and why I thought Park Bo Young and Kim Sung Cheol were the perfect leads for this dramas despite an initial hestitation to watch them. I also discuss how the Kdrama, 'We Are All Trying Here,' provides catharsis and insight about the disappointments of life, as well as how 'The Aobsolute Value of Romance,' provides fun, light-hearted entertainment with Boys Love comedy. Finally, I talk in depth about all the good things, the bad things and the controversial things about the drama, 'Perfect Crown.' Opening and closing song credits: Massobeats - Lush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQdjwNFTuI My Current Watch List and time jumps: Intro (0:00) Gold Land (9:56) We Are All Trying Here (22:48) The Absolute Value of Romance (40:15) My Watched List and times jumps: Perfect Crown (50:04) Chat with me about Dramas: Youtube: These Dramatic Days Podcast Twitter: Thsdramaticdays Forum: @JenL on Janghaven Instagram: thesedramaticdays

    Watch List May 2026: Gold Land, Perfect Crown, We Are All Trying Here & The Absolute Value of Romance

  2. Apr 6

    Kdrama Deep Dive: To My Beloved Thief [Eps 1-16]

    Have you ever fallen in love with a thief or swapped bodies with a prince? It's been awhile (because I was sick), but we're back with a deep dive of the fantasy historical romance, To My Beloved Thief. We talk about how the main characters of this drama were all so likeable and well rounded. I also look into the history of the real character of Hong Gil Dong. After this, we talk about the main reasons why the romance in this drama felt so deep and heart fluttering, despite the fact that sometimes the romance could be quite subtle. Because the script for this drama was so good, we analyse the ending and discuss this drama had the perfect romantic ending, even though there was no wedding scene. Before the end of the episode, we also talk about To My Beloved Thief in relation to the drama, Moon River, and discuss the great chemistry and friendship between Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min. Opening and closing song credits: Massobeats - Lush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQdjwNFTuI Podcast Notes (Things I mentioned to check out): -Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min's pretty Singles magazine shoot: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gfeJFhpGJE0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6kfkF5cbMU&t=441s -Some of Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sangmin's other promotional content for to My Beloved Thief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6B_U78YPnI&t=3s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO3876BO6O0&t=32s -To My Beloved Thief Behind the Scenes of the Flower Field Shoot: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVIU7iCj9oj/?igsh=YTEzbzNidDZjOG04 -Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min's romantic skit at the 2025 KBS Drama Awards: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVsyggaDzBG/?igsh=Ymx4MnN2aTJlbWEz Dramas/ Films that remind me of To My Beloved Thief for further watching: -Mr Queen [Korean Drama] -Alchemy of Souls [Korean Drama] -Moon River [Korean Drama] Chat with me about Dramas: Twitter: Thsdramaticdays Forum: @JenL on Janghaven Instagram: thesedramaticdays for Korean dramas These.Dramatic.Days for Taiwanese Dramas Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thesedramaticdays

    Kdrama Deep Dive: To My Beloved Thief [Eps 1-16]

  3. Jan 28

    Kdrama Chats: 2025 Wrapped - The Neutral & Unsatisfying Dramas of 2025

    It was meant to be the last podcast episode for the year, but Jen was overseas, so it's a late wrapped episode for 2025. Jen talks about the 34 of the K-dramas and Tw-dramas that she finished in 2025 and discusses her theory about why some people kept saying it was a 'bad' drama year. She talks about her Kdrama stats and ranks the Asian dramas she watched into 4 categories: Unsatisfying, Satisfying, Recommended and Life Changing. Because she got through so many dramas in 2025...This episode is only about the Neutral (Satisfying) and Unsatisfying dramas of 2025. We'll be back with an episode about the Recommended and Life Changing dramas of 2025 soon! Opening and closing song credits: Massobeats - Lush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQdjwNFTuI Asian Dramas in 2025 Unsatisfying Kdramas of 2025 The Potato Lab Buried Hearts Heavenly Ever After The Scandal of Chun Hwa S-Line When the Phone Rings Neutral or Just Satisfying Kdramas & Tw Dramas of 2025 Melo Movie Last Summer Would you Marry Me? The Art of Negotiation Hyper Knife My Dearest Nemesis Dear Hong Rang Newtopia Our Unwritten Seoul Head Over Heels Oops I'm in Jail Past Kdramas that I watched in 2025 Pachinko Season 2 My Country: The New Age Vigilente Stranger S1 Stranger S2 Chat with me about Dramas: Youtube: These Dramatic Days Podcast Twitter: Thsdramaticdays Forum: @JenL on Janghaven Instagram: thesedramaticdays .

  4. 07/28/2025

    Watch List Jul 2025: Law and the City, Head Over Heels & S-Line

    Today Jen talks about 3 dramas on her current watch list for July. We discuss the beauty and depth of 'Law and the City,' a slice of life drama that follows the friendship and lives of 5 lawyers working in the Seocho law offices. We talk about how this series focuses not on episodic cases, but on the lawyers' experiences and feelings of working in a system that often asks them to make decisions against their own integrity and morals. We also talk about the supernatural teen highschool romance, 'Head Over Heels' and look at all the elements that make this series fun including the series' focus on Shaman magic, evil ghosts, a wholesome romance and a countdown on the male lead's life! Finally, we end by talking about the psychological drama, S-Line that has been in all the recent memes. Even though the story seems ridiculous and funny, the concept is unique and the drama explores a lot of extreme scenarios. Join us for a fun chat on all these series! Opening and closing song credits: Massobeats - Lush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQdjwNFTuI My Current Watch List and time jumps: Intro (0:00) Law and the City (2:26) Head Over Heels (20:30) S-Line (39:52) Chat with me about Dramas: Youtube: These Dramatic Days Podcast Twitter: Thsdramaticdays Forum: @JenL on Janghaven Instagram: thesedramaticdays

    Watch List Jul 2025: Law and the City, Head Over Heels & S-Line

  5. 05/10/2025

    Focus on Lee Jae Wook: Dear Hong Rang, Alchemy of Souls, Extraordinary You & more

    Since it's Lee Jae Wook's birthday month, Jen is talking all thing Lee Jae Wook! We introduce him as a person and look closely at all his projects, including his debut project 'Memories of the Alhambra', our favourite series, 'Dodosolsollalasol' & 'Move to Heaven' and fan favourites such as 'Extraordinary You' and 'Alchemy of Souls.' Jen dissects a number of his dramas, films and cameos and shares lots of random facts about him (Did you know Lee Jae Wook was in a movie with Megan Fox?!) Finally, we talk about all his upcoming dramas from 'Dear Hong Rang' to 'Endurance doctor.' So whether you're already a big fan or new to the Lee Jae Wook fandom, this episode is a fun ride for all! Opening and closing song credits: Massobeats - Lush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQdjwNFTuI Introduction to Lee Jae Wook: Intro (0:00) Lee Jae Wook's profile (3:38) Lee Jae Wook's Filmography: Memories of the Alhambra (9:12) Search WWW & The Battle of Jangsari [Film] (11:48) Extraordinary You (13.02) When the Weather is Fine (17:57) Dodosolsollalasol (21:10) True Beauty [Cameo] (28:25) Move to Heaven (31:30) Kiss Sixth Sense [Cameo] (35:50) Alchemy of Souls (41:28) Kill Bok Soon [Film] (53:43) Death's Game (58:50) The Impossible Heir (01:02:00) Lee Jae Wook's Upcoming Kdramas: Dear Hong Rang (01:09:44) Last Summer (01:11:09) Perfect Job Endurance Doctor Chat with me about Dramas: Youtube: These Dramatic Days Podcast Twitter: Thsdramaticdays Forum: @JenL on Janghaven Instagram: thesedramaticdays  Mental Health Support & Hotlines: International Support (24/7) Befrienders Worldwide: Website: https://www.befrienders.org/ Offers global support via affiliated centers in many countries. Australia Lifeline Australia (24/7): 13 11 14 Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Malaysia Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (24/7): 03 7627 2929 Website: https://www.befrienders.org.my/ New Zealand Lifeline New Zealand (24/7): 0800 543 354 Website: https://www.lifeline.org.nz/ Free Text Support: Text 1737 (Need to Talk?) – free, 24/7 Philippines National Mental Health Crisis Hotline (DOH-NCMH): 1553 (24/7, toll-free) Mobile: 0917 899 8727 or 0966 351 4518 Landline: (02) 7989 8727 Website: https://www.facebook.com/ncmhcrisis South Korea Mental Health Centre Crisis Line (24/7): 1577 0199 Lifeline Korea: 1588 9191 Website: http://www.lifeline.or.kr/ United States 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7): Call or text 988 Website: https://988lifeline.org/ United Kingdom Samaritans UK (24/7): 116 123 Website: https://www.samaritans.org/

  6. 04/20/2025

    Watch List Apr 2025: The Art of Negotiation, Hyperknife, Buried Hearts, Trauma Code & more

    Today Jen talks about all the dramas she's been watching in April (and before April as well!) We discuss the work drama, 'The Art of Negotiation,' and weigh up on where it sits against Lee Je Hoon's other projects. We also talk about 'Hyperknife' and how it's a character study of two brilliant but psychotic neurosurgeons. We also look at the series' less than satisfying ending, as well as the less than satisying endings of 'Buried Hearts' and 'The Scandal of Chun Hwa.' We chat about the power of charming characters (and actors) in 'Trauma Code: Heroes on Call' and end with a discussion about the pricky relationships in 'Melo Movie.' Opening and closing song credits: Massobeats - Lush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQdjwNFTuI My Current Watch List and time jumps: Intro (0:00) The Art of Negotiation (3:15) My Watched List and times jumps: Hyperknife (11:35) Buried Hearts (23:23) The Scandal of Chun Hwa (39:10) Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (51:59) Melo Movie (57:55) Chat with me about Dramas: Youtube: These Dramatic Days Podcast Twitter: Thsdramaticdays Forum: @JenL on Janghaven Instagram: thesedramaticdays

    Watch List Apr 2025: The Art of Negotiation, Hyperknife, Buried Hearts, Trauma Code & more

  7. 03/23/2025

    Watch List Mar 2025: The Potato Lab, When Life Gives You Tangerines, My Dearest Nemesis & more

    Today Jen talks about all the dramas she's currently watching in March. We discuss how subjective comedy can be and weigh up on the quirky humour in 'The Potato Lab'. We also peel back the bittersweet layers of 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' and discuss how cathartic this series is for portraying both the disappointments and joys of life. After this, we talk about the fun rom-com, 'My Dearest Nemesis' and it's insight into modern hobbies and gaming culture. We touch briefly on the controversy of intimate scenes in 'Buried Hearts' and finish up by discussing 'Newtopia's' slow escalation into amazing and gruesome zombie scenarios. Opening and closing song credits: Massobeats - Lush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQdjwNFTuI My Current Watch List and time jumps: Intro (0:00) The Potato Lab (5:03) When Life Gives You Tangerines (14:33) My Dearest Nemesis (35:37) Buried Hearts (45:26) Newtopia (48:00) My Watched List & Future Watch List and times jumps: Watched List: The Scandal of Chun Hwa, Melo Movie, I'm Married But Chat with me about Dramas: Youtube: These Dramatic Days Podcast Twitter: Thsdramaticdays Forum: @JenL on Janghaven Instagram: thesedramaticdays  Read less

    Watch List Mar 2025: The Potato Lab, When Life Gives You Tangerines, My Dearest Nemesis & more

  8. 03/02/2025

    Kdrama Deep Dive: Love Scout [Eps 1-12]

    Have you ever noticed that your secretary is not only handsome, but also perfect at his job? That's right! In this episode Jen talks about the gentle office romance series, Love Scout. We discuss how this is one of Lee Joo Hyuk's rare romance dramas. We also talk about how this drama flips a lot of gender and work stereotypes, as well as how it's a combination of 2 well loved genres: Office romance and slice of life. Opening and closing song credits: Massobeats - Lush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQdjwNFTuI Podcast Notes (Things I mentioned to check out): -Korea Time article that 6% of women in Korea's 100 top firms are women: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/03/113_363762.html -Lee Joo Hyuk Viki interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgbSvXKN59M&t=235s -Lee Joo Hyuk and Han Ji min hugging when winning variety show games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5z5f3wXnRw Dramas/ Films that remind me of Love Scout for further watching: -What's Wrong with Secretary Kim [Korean Drama] -Extraordinary Attorney Woo Young Woo [Korean Drama] -Cinderella at 2am [Korean Drama] Chat with me about Dramas: Youtube: These Dramatic Days Podcast Twitter: Thsdramaticdays Forum: @JenL on Janghaven Instagram: These.Dramatic.Days for Taiwanese Dramas thesedramaticdays for Korean dramas

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About

Talking Korean dramas (K-dramas) and Taiwanese (Tw-dramas)! Join me for thoughtful chats about all things drama related including actors, romance, themes, social issues, cinematography, filming locations, popular culture and books & films that dramas reference. Fluent in Mandarin and learning Korean, I also translate some of the interviews and explain Taiwanese and Korean cultures :)

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