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...

On Episode 57 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Rico continue the mini Spooky SZN with a not-so-scary-but-very-violent review of Moving, starring Ryoo Seung-Ryong, Han Hyo-Joo, Jo In-Sung, Kim Sung-Kyun, Ko Yoon-Jung, and Lee Jeong-Ha. Jess and Rico discuss this Disney+ original, talking through its stacked cast (the return of Jo In-Sung!), interesting and mysterious plot, the amazing character development (everyone gets a backstory!), the fitting musical score (reminded us of Hans...

On Episode 56 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Rico continue the mini Spooky SZN with another ATC crossover episode to review of Ballerina, starring Jun Jong-Seo and Kim Ji-Hoon. Jess and Rico discuss this Netflix original film from writer-director Lee Chung-Hyun, talking through its derivative nature, the revenge plot and the performances, the action scene editing à la Christopher Nolan, the cinematography and bisexual lighting, Kim Ji-hoon’s thirst trap scenes, what’s missing from...

On Episode 55 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Sarah from Kdrama This and the Afternoona Asks Podcast kick off this mini Spooky SZN with a review of D.P., starring Jung Hae-In, Koo Gyo-Hwan, Kim Sung-Kyun, and Son Suk-Ku. Jess and Sarah discuss both seasons 1 and 2 of this dark military drama, talking through the amazing performances from Hae-in and Gyo-hwan, Sarah’s experience at the Jung Hae-in fanmeet, the haunting and unflinching look at the South Korean military, the...

On the season 4 finale Episode 54 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Robyn from The Kdrama Playbook review Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, starring Lee Joon-gi, IU, Kang Ha-Neul, and so many more. Jess and Robyn discuss this widely lauded 2016 sageuk drama, talking through the toxic love stories and hard tonal shift, how the show seems to want us to blame the FL for the royal bad behavior, comparisons to the original Scarlet Heart C-drama, the memorable scenes that stick out...

On Episode 53 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast review The Untamed, starring Xiao Zhan and Wang Yi Bo. Jess and Liliana discuss this well-regarded 2019 historical drama, talking through the BL danmei bones of the story and how China prohibits such stories, the innuendo and hidden meaning throughout, the acting from the leads, the confusing parts of the plot, the themes of the show, such as mob justice and toxic groupthink, swoonworthy...

On Episode 52 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Sarah from Kdrama This and the Afternoona Asks Podcast review Do You Like Brahms?, starring Park Eun-Bin and Kim Min-Jae. Jess and Sarah discuss this underrated 2020 musical drama, talking through the slow-burn romance between two introverts, comparisons to other musical K-dramas, the Asian stereotype that the show seems to tackle, the impossible-to-love SFL, the inside baseball of the classical music scene, clichéd and overplayed...

On Episode 51 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Rico rage against the monsters on a review of Sweet Home (season 1), starring Song Kang, Lee Jin-Uk, Lee Si-Young, Lee Do-Hyun, and more. Jess and Rico talk through this 2020 action-horror drama, discussing the SAG-AFRA and WGA strikes and how they relate to Netflix and K-dramas, the famous director and the all-star cast, how Rico is not a zombie OR monster person, the Hollywood special effects (shout-out to Baby Yoda!), Song Kang as a...

On Episode 50 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Carol from Kdramas Musings are back again to review Love Like the Galaxy, starring Zhao Lusi and Wu Lei (aka Leo Wu). Jess and Carol (influenced in large part by Caitlin from @nosleep4dramas) discuss this beautiful 2022 historical drama, talking through the insane cinematography and musical score, the acting from the leads, the best scenes and moments (post-breakup Ling Buyi PLEASE), the many impressive themes of the show, such as...

On Episode 49 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Carol from Kdramas Musings to review Coffee Prince, starring Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun-Hye. Jess and Carol return to this iconic gender-bender from 2007, talking through the groundbreaking, ahead-of-its-time nature of the show, how formative and meaningful the project is to the cast, Gong Yoo (I mean…), the best scenes and moments, dated or questionable aspects of the show, an assessment of relationships, trust,...

On Episode 48 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guests Nas and Ori from the Seoul Sistahs Podcast to review Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo, starring Nam Joo-Hyuk and Lee Sung-Kyung. Jess, Nas, and Ori lift heavy as they swim their way through this beloved 2016 show, discussing the renaissance era of 2016 K-dramas, the careers and chemistry of former lovers Joo-Hyuk and Sung-Kyung, how the drama stacks up against other sports dramas, the questionable casting of model...

On Episode 47 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Mina from the Kpop Bookshelf Podcast to review Full House, starring Rain and Song Hye-Kyo. Jess and Mina talk through this pioneer 2004 K-drama hit, discussing Rain and Hye-Kyo’s performances and chemistry, the premise that made the cohabitation and contract marriage tropes K-drama staples, the “best friends” from hell, the worst portrayal of a pregnancy in K-drama(?), the dated 2000s tech and fashion and...

On a special Episode 46 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Rico are back on an ATC crossover episode to review the very first movie for the podcast, Past Lives, starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro. Jess and Rico discuss this A24 film from first-time writer-director Celine Song, talking through the themes and messages of the movie, including In-Yun and destiny, the tropes that might be familiar to K-drama fans, the strength of the dialogue and acting, the scenes that had us...

On Episode 45 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest hosts Caitlin from @nosleep4dramas and Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast finish up their review of Till the End of the Moon, starring Luo Yun Xi and Bai Lu. Continuing with spoiler talk, Part 2 kicks off discussing the theme of nature vs. nurture for Tantai Jin’s character, each era of the show and the best moments from each (like the crow wedding or the boat dance scene), some audience complaints about Susu’s character, more...

On Episode 44 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Caitlin from @nosleep4dramas and friend of the pod Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast to review Till the End of the Moon, starring Luo Yun Xi and Bai Lu. Jumping straight into spoiler talk, Part 1 sees Jess, Caitlin, and Liliana gush and fangirl over this 2023 C-drama hit, discussing the performances from Yun Xi and Bai Lu, the well-written plot and character arcs from FIRST TIME screenwriters, how Yun Xi’s...

On Episode 43 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Jenny from the Pocha Playlist Podcast to review You’re Beautiful, starring Park Shin-Hye and Jang Keun-Suk. Jess and Jenny laugh through a discussion of this iconic Hong Sisters gender-bender from 2009, talking through the ludicrous (but still Shakespearean) plot, how Park Shin-Hye and Jang Keun-Suk’s characters are written and played, the second lead love lines in the A.N.JELL group, the live concert footage and...

On Episode 42 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest comedian Grace Jung from the K-Drama School Podcast to review Go Back Couple, starring Jang Na-Ra and Son Ho-Jun. Jess and Grace talk through this 2017 time-traveling melo-comedy, discussing the powerhouse that is Jang Na-Ra, the second-chance romance and if we agreed with it, how the drama could have been way different had it not been broadcast on KBS, Jang Ki-Yong’s second male lead, the sanctity of motherhood,...