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,...

On Episode 41 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Samantha from the Korean From Context and the BL Buddies Podcast to review The Heirs, starring Lee Min-Ho and Park Shin-Hye. Jess and Sammie talk through this painfully 2013 high school love story, discussing the male leads and their old-school red flag toxicity, the novelty of filming the early episodes in California (plus the bean powder, crack house, balcony stares nonsense), the lacking plot from renowned...

On Episode 40 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by revenge-story cynic Miguel to review the The Glory, starring Song Hye-Kyo, Lee Do-Hyun, Lim Ji-Yeon, and so many more. Jess and Miguel team up for a revenge over a decade in the making, discussing the themes and messages of the show, how it portrays all kinds of bullying, the scandal with director Ahn Gil-Ho, the strength of the cast, zaddy Jung Sung-Il, the best scenes and lines, and SO MUCH MORE in spoilers! Rate and...

On Episode 39 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Paroma from the Dramas Over Flowers Podcast to review Youth of May, starring Lee Do-Hyun and Go Min-Si. Jess and Paroma talk through this star-crossed lovers story set in a historically significant time period, discussing the experience of watching, the amazing script, the director’s approach to the material, the characters and their arcs, a scene lifted from the classic Hindi movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,...

On Episode 38 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by Laura and Kathy from the MIA2K Podcast to review Dream High, starring Kim Soo-Hyun, Bae Suzy, and Ok Taecyeon, IU, and so many more. Jess, Laura, and Kathy lovingly roast this iconic 2011 idol drama, discussing the acting from all the rookie players, the appeal of the show (despite its flaws in cinematography, writing, sound mixing, etc.), the whole JYP propaganda of it all, the heartfelt (but cheesy) themes and best character...

On Episode 37 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guests Jenn and Marisa from The KThree review Healer (2014), starring Ji Chang-Wook and Park Min-Young. Jess, Jenn, and Marisa return to this pre-2015 action-romance, talking through how Jenn and Marisa found the drama on this rewatch, how Jess has fallen madly in love with Ji Chang-Wook (finally!), the themes of identity, trust, and belonging, the amazing K-drama ahjumma Kim Mi-Kyung, the few dated aspects of the show, a laundry list...

On Episode 36 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Lola from Lola Pops Off About Kdramas officially kick off Season 4 with a review of My Love from the Star (2013), starring Jun Ji-Hyun and Kim Soo-Hyun. Jess and Lola deep dive on this pre-2015 Hallyu wave juggernaut, discussing the difference between their first watch of the drama and this rewatch, its chicken and beer legacy, how delightful Jun Ji-Hyun was and is as the FL, the dated aspects of the show (like Kim Soo-Hyun’s...

On a special Episode 35 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by the ladies from the Seoul Sistahs Podcast to wrap up a review of Alchemy of Souls Parts 1 and 2. In the part 2 spoiler section of the review, Jess, Nas, and Ori talk through the characters and their arcs (if they even had one), swoon through some of the best romantic scenes, rail against some of the worst bits of writing and plot (buzzwords include: problematic, weak, issue, bad), compare Jung So-Min versus Ko...

On a special Episode 34 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by the ladies from the Seoul Sistahs Podcast to review Alchemy of Souls Parts 1 and 2, a journey almost as long as the drama itself. In the part 1 non-spoiler section of the review, Jess, Nas, and Ori have a robust discussion, talking through what they generally liked and disliked about the show, the stunning cinematography and world building, a brief history of Hong Sisters dramas, a rundown of other fantasy K-dramas,...

On another special Episode 33 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by pen aficionado and Utada Hikaru’s #1 fan Miguel to review the very first J-drama for the podcast, First Love, starring Mitsushima Hikari and Satoh Takeru. Jess and Miguel are back for some more ‘90s nostalgia in this 2022 J-drama hit, discussing the themes and messages of the show, major criticisms of the show, the stunning cinematography and feels-inducing soundtrack, scenes that had us freaking out and having...

On a very special Episode 32 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Carol from the Kdramatics Club to do a Final Say review of the very first C-drama for the podcast, Love Between Fairy and Devil, starring Dylan Wang and Esther Yu. Jumping straight into spoiler talk, Jess and Carol gush and fangirl over this 2022 C-drama hit, discussing Dylan Wang’s performance, the well-written plot and character arcs, the Moon Supreme costuming that had them obsessed, a laundry list...

On Episode 31 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guests Mina from the Kpop Bookshelf Podcast and Kathy from MIA2K Podcast to review Extraordinary Attorney Woo, starring Park Eun-Bin. Jess, Mina, and Kathy talk through this 2022 K-drama hit, discussing Park Eun-Bin’s performance, the ASD stereotypes that complicated the groundbreaking and positive representation, the pros and cons of the romance with Kang Tae-Oh’s character, an examination of the “villain” characters,...

On Episode 30 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Minal from the Crash Landed on Kdramas Podcast to review Little Women, starring Kim Go-Eun, Nam Ji-Hyun, Park Ji-Hu, and many more. Jess and Minal discuss this 2022 dark thriller, talking through Kim Go- Eun’s stellar performance, the themes of corrupting capitalism and money, what the show says about motherhood, why the showrunners chose the American classic of Little Women to adapt, an exploration of the main...

On Episode 29 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Caitlin from @nosleep4dramas to review the perfect spooky szn drama, Flower of Evil, starring Lee Joon-Gi and Moon Chae-Won. Jess and Caitlin discuss this 2020 crime melodrama in detail, talking through Lee Joon-Gi’s creeptastic performance, the intense internal struggles of our main characters, the plots twists that we liked and disliked, the 2005-ish tropes spun slightly different, and the final two episodes that...

On Episode 28 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Alex from the Hallyu Been Podcast to review the first historical drama for the pod, The Crowned Clown, starring Yeo Jin-Goo, Kim Sang-Kyung, and Lee Se-Young. Jess and Alex ramble their way through this amazing 2019 sageuk, discussing the impressive performance from lead Yeo Jin-Goo, the strong (and ever so precious) romance, the good and bad of the political machinations, the cinematography, the musical score,...

On Episode 27 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Mina from the Kpop Bookshelf Podcast to review Mr. Sunshine, starring Lee Byung-Hun, Kim Tae-Ri, Yoo Yeon-Seok, and many others. Jess and Mina truly deep dive on this 2018 epic, exploring the major themes of identity, belonging, classism, and more, the history and culture of the time, what America feels like in the hands of Lee Byung-Hun, and reveling at the acting performances throughout, characters and the...

On Episode 26 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guests Laura and Kathy from the MIA2K Podcast to review Love All Play, starring Park Ju-Hyun and Chae Jong-Hyeop. Jess, Laura, and Kathy deep dive on this 2022 sports romance drama, discussing the chemistry between the leads, “Potato Boy” Jong-Hyeop’s infectious smile, the basic plot and tired tropes of the show, the OST, impactful themes and character arcs, swoonworthy moments, and more! GUEST: Laura and Kathy ...

On Episode 25 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Rico dole out a bit of mafia justice to review Vincenzo, starring Song Joong-Ki, Jeon Yeo-Bin, and Taecyeon. Jess and Rico talk through this 2021 crime/dark comedy drama, discussing the crazy shifts in tone throughout the show, pacing, chemistry between the leads, Taecyeon’s performance and character motivations, fun facts about the production, the violent ending, and more! Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on...

On Episode 24 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guests Nas and Ori from the Seoul Sistahs Podcast to review While You Were Sleeping, starring Bae Suzy, Lee Jong-Suk, and Jung Hae-In. Jess, Nas, and Ori giggle their way through a discussion of this 2017 show, touching on the chemistry between Suzy and Jong-Suk, similarities between other projects from the showrunners, the numerous plot holes, the OST, Jess’s crazy dreams, and more! GUEST: Nas and Ori Seoul Sistahs...

On Episode 23 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Curtis from the Infatuasian Podcast to review Prison Playbook, starring Park Hae-Soo, Jung Kyoung-Ho, and many more. Jess and Curtis have a fun talk about this 2018 K-drama, discussing the portrayal of prison in Korea, their disappointment in the pacing and episode length, the funniest moments in this slice-of-life drama, an uncomfortable age-gap relationship, and more! GUEST: Curtis Infatuasian Podcast:...