On Episode 81 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, the Drama Trio is on deck with Nas from the Swoon Diaries Podcast to review The Double, starring Wu Jin Yan and Wang Xing Yue. Jumping straight into spoilers, Jess, Caitlin, Liliana, Nas talk through this 2024 sleeper hit. The group talk through this cast, the amazing acting and cinematography, the revenge plots and the deliciously vicious villains, Nas’s first experience watching a C-drama, and of course, answer big questions from the listeners...

On Episode 80 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and friend Caitlin from NoSleep4Dramas Blog & Podcast finish off Spooky SZN 2024 with a review of I Saw the Devil (2010), starring Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik. Jess and Caitlin discuss this unsettling and depraved movie, talking through the director, writer, cast, and performances, the cat and mouse storyline, the true crime that inspired the movie (shout out to Mimi Mizicko from Korean True Crime Podcast!), slightly different takes...

On Episode 79 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guests Natalia and Jessie from the Certified Noonas Podcast review The Host (2006), starring Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, Bae Doona, and Ko Ah-sung. Jess, Natalia, and Jessie discuss this monster movie from the phenomenal director Bong Joon-ho, talking through this stellar cast and performances, the Steve Buscemi-designed creature (yes, for real), the black comedy elements and political satire, the true story that inspired...

On Episode 78 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guests Jenn and Marisa from The KThree review Memoir of a Murderer (2017), starring Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Nam-gil, and Seolhyun. Jess, Jenn, and Marisa discuss this mystery thriller, talking through the other movies it reminded us of like Memento and Shutter Island, the portrayal of Alzheimer's, the lackluster performance from Seolhyun, the scenes that thrilled us or made us scratch our concave heads (IYKYK), and more. GUEST: The KThree –...

On Episode 77 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and friend of the pod Nas from the Swoon Diaries Podcast kick off Spooky SZN 2024 with a review of Train to Busan (2016), starring Gong Yoo, Ma Dong-seok, Choi Woo-shik, and Jung Yu-mi. Jess and Nas discuss this heart pounding and heartfelt horror flick, talking through a brief history of zombie cinema, what makes Train to Busan so critically acclaimed and special, the amazing performances, especially from child actress Kim Su-an, the...

The Season 5 finale is here! On Episode 76 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Mina from the Kpop Bookshelf Podcast review SKY Castle, starring Yum Jung-Ah, Lee Tae-Ran, Yoon Se-Ah, Oh Na-Ra, and Kim Seo-Hyung, among many others. Jess and Mina talk through this drama from 2018, discussing the show’s incredible writing and performances from its cast, why it’s in the top 5 most highly rated K-dramas ever, its satirical portrayal of South Korea’s education system, our favorite characters,...

On Episode 75 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast review It's Okay, That's Love, starring Jo In-Sung and Kong Hyo-Jin. Jess and Liliana talk through this romance from 2014, discussing the show’s incredible writing and performances from its cast, its groundbreaking portrayal of mental illness and topics like mental health, trans issues, and consent, the chemistry between the leads, the animosity from fans of It's Okay to Not Be Okay, a breakdown...

On Episode 74 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by Daebak royalty Miguel AND Rico to review seasons 1 and 2 of the J-drama Alice in Borderland, starring Yamazaki Kento and Tsuchiya Tao, among many others. Jess, Miguel, and Rico team up to cover this 2020/22 Netflix drama, discussing the ultra violence, if K-dramas are more or less violent, comparisons to Squid Game, the themes and messages of the show, the coolest shots, our favorite characters and scenes, the best games and...

On Episode 73 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, the Drama Trio is on deck! Jess is joined by friends Caitlin from NoSleep4Dramas Blog & Podcast and Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast to review Eternal Love of Dream (aka Three Lives, Three Worlds, The Pillow Book), starring Dilraba Dilmurat and Vengo Gao. Jumping straight into spoilers, Jess, Caitlin, and Liliana talk through this ultimately disappointing 2020 sequel to Eternal Love (aka Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms). After coming...

On Episode 72 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Grace from the Afternoona Asks Podcast review the sageuk from yesteryear The Princess’s Man, starring Moon Chae-won and Park Si-hoo. Jess and Grace talk through this epic, ANGSTY romance from 2011, discussing the show’s writing, its accurate portrayal of real historical events, the cast and the scandal that rocked Park Si-hoo’s career, the hella melodramatic OST, the chemistry between the leads, a breakdown of the show and all its...

On Episode 71 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guests Curtis from the InfatuAsian Podcast and Brandon from the Pocha Playlist Podcast review the underrated K-drama Our Blues, starring Lee Byung-hun, Kim Hye-ja, Shin Min-a, Lee Jung-eun, Kim Woo-bin, and so many more. Jess, Curtis, and Brandon talk through this delightful and stressful 2022 show, discussing the all-star ensemble cast, the cinematography and OST (hello, BTS’ Jimin!), the show’s excellent writing and handling of taboo...

On Episode 70 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Pam from @pam_dramaholic on Instagram review the emotional K-drama Tomorrow, starring Kim Hee-seon, Rowoon, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Yun Ji-On. Jess and Pam carefully pick their way through this triggering 2022 show, discussing this super cool cast, Rowoon’s filmography and acting talent, the show’s religious themes, the context for cardboard collecting, lax sentencing for drunk perpetrators, and comfort women, the most memorable and...

On Episode 69 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and friend of the pod Nas from the Swoon Diaries Podcast review the vintage K-drama Autumn in My Heart, starring Song Seung-Heon and Song Hye-kyo. Jess and Nas laugh and cry their way through this classic and tragic 2000 show of yore, discussing the “Endless Love” series, the origins of so many tropes, setting as a character, and the creation of a recognizable OST, HOW INSANELY HOT SONG SEUNG-HEON IS, the phenomenon that is Won Bin (the SML...

On Episode 68 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and friend Caitlin from NoSleep4Dramas Blog & Podcast review season 1 of the crime K-drama Stranger, starring Cho Seung-Woo and Bae Doona. Jess and Caitlin talk through this amazing 2017 drama, discussing the stellar cast, how it had Jess’s head spinning and confused (in a good way), the (platonic) chemistry between the leads, the most memorable and impressive scenes, the reveals that had us stunned, and more! GUEST: Caitlin ...

On Episode 67 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Becky from @dont_sue_rebecca on TikTok review the slice-of-life K-drama Because This Is My First Life, starring Lee Min-ki and Jung So-min. Jess and Becky talk through this underrated 2017 drama, discussing comfort-watch nature of it, the relatability and authenticity in the characters, the amazing ensemble cast, the chemistry between the leads (and THAT KISS), the progressive themes of feminism, consent, and belongingness, “500...

On Episode 66 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Carol from Kdramas Musings team up to review Autumn’s Concerto, starring Vanness Wu and Ady An. Jumping straight into spoiler talk, Jess and Carol talk through this melodramatic 2009 Taiwanese drama hit, discussing the hysterical OTT plot beats and tropes (like the amnesia, for starters), the iconic cast and how outrageously hot Vanness is PLEASE, the nostalgia for these types of stories and toxic male leads, red flag moments...

On Episode 65 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Sarah from Kdrama This and the Afternoona Asks Podcast review a bit of a melodramatic K-drama—The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, starring Seo In-guk and Jung So-min. Jess and Sarah talk through this 2018 drama as best they can because FOR ONCE Jess couldn’t rewatch the drama! They discuss the changes from the original 2002 J-drama, the undercurrent of incest, the chemistry between the leads, the stay-away-toxic-red-flag of Seo In-guk’s...

On Episode 64 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, the Drama Trio is on deck! Jess is joined by friends Caitlin from NoSleep4Dramas Blog & Podcast and Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast to review Meet Yourself, starring Liu Yi Fei and Li Xian. Jumping straight into spoiler talk, Jess, Caitlin, and Liliana talk through this calming slice-of-life 2023 C-drama hit, discussing the slow burn that nearly took Jess clean out, the recommended way to watch this show so the pacing works, the...

On Episode 63 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Lola from Lola Pops Off About Kdramas review a bit of an underrated K-drama—Run On, starring Yim Si-wan and Shin Se-kyung. Jess and Lola go for a light jog through this 2020-21 comforting slice-of-life drama, discussing the magic in its dialogue and larger explorations of self-love and failure, how adorably childlike Si-wan’s character is, the central couple (like did they actually have sexual chemistry?), thoughts on Shin Se-kyung...

On Episode 62 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Bina from @binahearts on Insta start Season 5 off with a review of what Bina jokes is the best K-drama of all time—True Beauty, starring Moon Ka-Young, Cha Eun-Woo, and Hwang In-Yeop. Jess and Bina deep dive on this 2020-21 rom-com, discussing its enduring appeal, how it made its young cast overnight stars, a (loving) roast of Cha Eun-woo as an actor, the major second lead syndrome phenomenon for Hwang In-Yeop, the best parts of...

On Episode 61 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess kicks off Season 5 with an Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode! It’s a solo pod, as Jess answers all your burning questions submitted via the socials. Questions like: When and how did you start watching Asian dramas? How did you start podcasting? What’s the longest binge session you’ve ever had? Along with tough tasks like: Top 10 K-dramas, Top 10 C-dramas, Best Underrated Dramas, and more. You’ll also get a little insight into Season 5 and what...

On another special Episode 60 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Sarai from the Kdrama Cafe Podcast head to 17th century Joseon with a review of My Dearest (part 1 and 2), starring Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun-Jin. Jess and Sarai deep dive on this 2023 historical epic, discussing the sweeping story of survival and love, “Gone with the Wind” comparisons, the show’s commentary on Confucian ideals, gender roles, and sexual purity, the character arcs and the tour-de-force performances...

On another special Episode 59 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by friends of the pod Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast and Sammie from the Korean From Context and the BL Buddies Podcast to review Doona!, starring Bae Suzy and Yang Se-Jong. Jess, Liliana, and Sammie have a hell of a time talking through this 2023 Netflix K-drama, discussing the pacing and 9-episode runtime, the webtoon author-turned-screenwriter, Bae Suzy’s (chain-smoking) performance, the chemistry...

On Episode 58 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Lola from Lola Pops Off About Kdramas wrap up the mini Spooky SZN with a review of Revenant, starring Kim Tae-ri, Oh Jung-se, and Hong Kyung. Jess and Lola deep dive on this 2023 thriller, discussing how they don’t usually watch the horror genre, the best and worst parts of the show, the stellar performances from Kim Tae-ri and Oh Jung-se (and how attractive he is??), the complexity of what ghosts represent, and more! **Trigger...