Dramabuds!

Not clickbait, sorry 🥲 The most buzz worthy show with the highest ratings ever from tvN is over… FINALLY. How did everything go wrong for a drama with a stellar cast, excellent PDs, and a writer famous for her iconic works? Short answer: bad writing is bad writing, and not even the best leads could save this. Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (3:18) (too much) Plot and (too many) Characters (11:01) For Hong Hae-in Lovers Only (20:24) Writer PJE was never THAT good (26:17) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

Dramabuds is back to talk about her (very) unproductive Kdrama year so far + the third season of TRANSIT LOVE/EXCHANGE, the Korean dating show that’s been driving her crazy for months. How did the new PD team switch things up, and does Season 3 live up to the iconic Season 2 cast and stories? 🍿 Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: https://spoti.fi/410F3IT TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:23) Q1 Recap (6:11) Transit Love 3 Thoughts (14:52) S2 or S3: Which is Better? (19:26) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

Goodbye 2023, hello 2024! Our last episode on 2023 dramas is our annual awards for the best performances, best directing and music, funniest, saddest, most disappointing, and our overall rankings for the year 🏆 Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: My Dearest https://spoti.fi/44IQAx4, https://spoti.fi/46pLKXs The Guest https://spoti.fi/499ao03 Castaway Diva https://spoti.fi/47gkAm9, https://spoti.fi/48yXhnN Call It Love https://spoti.fi/3L9qywC Daily Dose of Sunshine https://spoti.fi/3SxfEou One Spring Night https://spoti.fi/43Tw3pp TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:32) Best Actor (6:02) Best Actress (8:52) Best Supporting Actor & Actress (10:58) Best Squad (12:45) Best Chemistry & Couple (15:33) Best OST & Best Score (17:41) Best Director (19:15) Funniest Drama, Most Tears, Most Disappointing (22:29) Top 15 (23:50) Top 10 (25:18) Top 5 (29:16) All-time Favorite Kdramas (32:50) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

Before we say goodbye to 2023, Francine recaps the dramas she watched from October to December, with her final thoughts on the dramas she shared her first impressions on. Bonus segment, only on today's episode: she dives into her 10-year love for EXO’s discography and her new Kpop obsession, RIIZE 🧡 Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: The Guest https://spoti.fi/499ao03 Save Me https://bit.ly/3FKU9sx Daily Dose of Sunshine https://spoti.fi/3SxfEou My Dearest Rant https://spoti.fi/44IQAx4 My Dearest Midpoint Recap https://spoti.fi/46pLKXs Castaway Diva https://spoti.fi/47gkAm9 Lightning Round https://spoti.fi/3TochRi TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:40) Finished Ongoing: Daily Dose of Sunshine, My Dearest (8:09) Finished Ongoing: Love Attack, Castaway Diva, Soundtrack #2 (13:30) Dropped + Currently Watching: Death’s Game, Hot Stove League (19:31) Kpop Talk: EXO Renaissance + Discography Ranking (29:02) Kpop Talk: RIIZE Rabbit Hole, the Seunghan Situation (37:49) Kpop Talk: Seunghan-Sohee Bias Line (46:17) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

To build her currently watching list up again, Francine tries 4 ongoing dramas and shares her very quick thoughts on the first two episodes of Soundtrack #2, Maestra: Strings of Truth, Welcome to Samdal-ri, and My Demon! Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Love Triangles https://spoti.fi/4a4wXUf TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:24) Soundtrack #2 (4:30) Maestra: Strings of Truth (8:32) Welcome to Samdal-ri (15:16) My Demon (18:54) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

Dramabuds is back with a quick episode about love triangles (in the year 2023?!?!?), how Francine never falls for second lead syndrome, and her thoughts on Castaway Diva and other dramas with famous love triangles. Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Castaway Diva First Impressions https://spoti.fi/47gkAm9 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:23) Prolonging the Inevitable (3:47) Love Triangles that Worked (7:42) Second Leads = Glorified Supporting Character (9:22) Trust the Billing (12:48) Castaway Diva Final Thoughts (16:42) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

We’re celebrating our 3rd anniversary by sharing our first impressions on CASTAWAY DIVA: writer Park Hye-ryun’s newest drama starring Park Eun-bin 💚 Enjoy this full circle moment of talking about old favorites (and old enemies) on the podcast! Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Musical Episode https://spoti.fi/3WmC0cb IDOL: The Coup Review https://spoti.fi/47q6PkM Writer Park Hye-ryun Dramas https://spoti.fi/49tSSDY TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (3:11) The Good: Pilot, Emotional Core (7:14) The Good: Potential Brainrot Ship, Ran-joo, Ki-ho (10:49) The Bad (13:58) The Park Hye-Ryun Redemption Drama?: Stakes + Unlikable Female Lead (21:03) Love Triangle? + The Verdict (25:33) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

Today, we share our first impressions on DAILY DOSE OF SUNSHINE: a gem of a drama that does its best to educate about mental illnesses while still being hopeful and heartwarming ☀️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:07) Portrayal of Mental Illnesses (9:52) Instantly Lovable Characters (15:08) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

For our second Super Special Spooky Episode, we review SAVE ME: a creepy psychological thriller Kdrama about a cult in a countryside town. Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Horror episode: The Guest https://spoti.fi/499ao03 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:51) Plot and Characters (8:21) Villains > Protagonists (13:46) Creepy Factor: Why do people fall for cults? (20:47) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

We love our silly little romcoms, but not everyone means well when they say it. Today, Francine unpacks the phrase and some of the common issues she’s had with recent romantic comedies in Kdramas. Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Third Quarter Recap https://spoti.fi/46Z8ugD Crash Course in Romance First Impressions https://spoti.fi/3jpVttC Business Proposal Review https://spoti.fi/3vxvAK9 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (3:20) Silly Little Romcom (affectionately) vs. (condescendingly) (7:10) “It’s just a silly lil romcom” ≠ Can’t Be Criticized (10:12) The MM in RoMcoM Stands for Murder Mystery (12:51) “Unnecessary” Conflict vs. Just Fun & Vibes (16:38) Romcoms I Liked (19:55) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

Looking for a thrilling Kdrama to binge this Halloween season? For the first of our Super Special Spooky Episodes, Francine reviews her first ever horror Kdrama: THE GUEST. No jumpscares here, so enjoy this drama (and this episode) before you sleep tonight 😈 Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: First Impressions Challenge Part 1 https://spoti.fi/45QY6a5 Third Quarter Recap https://spoti.fi/46Z8ugD TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:59) Plot and Characters: Yoon Hwa-pyung (Kim Dong-wook) (5:13) Plot and Characters: Kang Gil-young (Jung Eun-chae) (7:45) Plot and Characters: Choi Yoon/Matthew (Kim Jae-wook) (10:32) Plot- AND Character-driven Thriller (15:07) Horror Factor: Can I watch this at night? (19:31) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

We’ve taken all your Kdrama recommendations, and Francine is kicking off her watch challenge with 4 dramas: Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: First Impressions Challenge https://spoti.fi/45Uf1ZZ TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:24) The Guest (2018) (4:09) Mad Dog (2017) (8:21) City Hall (2009) (13:24) Salon de Nabi (2022) (21:19) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

The most devastating sageuk romance of 2023 is coming back, and Francine is more than ready to suffer (and love every minute of it) 💔 Here’s a full recap of the events of MY DEAREST PART 1, for those who need a refresher before we jump into the long-awaited Part 2! Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: In Defense of My Dearest Part 1 https://spoti.fi/44IQAx4 Currently Watching https://spoti.fi/3OKEgGH Arthdal Chronicles S2 First Impressions https://spoti.fi/45pv9So TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:43) Part 1 Recap: During the War (12:53) Part 1 Recap: After the War (25:13) Thoughts & Criticisms + Expectations for Part 2 (32:51) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

After 4 years of waiting, ARTHDAL CHRONICLES is back— with new faces for some of our favorite characters. How have the new actors portrayed the changes their characters went through in the 8-year timeskip? Has the first half lived up to the hype? Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Arthdal Chronicles S1 Review https://spoti.fi/44XEZKI TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (4:35) Tagon (9:02) Taealha (14:27) Eunseom (20:08) Tanya (25:14) Saya (29:18) General Comments + Verdict (33:07) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

July to September wasn’t a productive watching quarter for Francine, but recent dramas are keeping her optimistic for the rest of the year! Listen to this recap episode for her thoughts on: D.P. 2, Not Others, Mask Girl, Moving, Revenant, See You in My 19th Life King the Land, A Time Called You, Salon de Nabi, Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun (+ The Bear, Oppenheimer, Barbie) Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Something in the Rain Review https://spoti.fi/43srthr One Spring Night Review https://spoti.fi/43Tw3pp Watch Challenge https://spoti.fi/45Uf1ZZ D.P. S1 Review https://spoti.fi/3DvZTWc Currently Watching https://spoti.fi/3OKEgGH Revenant & King the Land First Impressions https://spoti.fi/44B5ZAF See You in My 19th Life First Impressions https://spoti.fi/46yFn4x TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:27) D.P. S2 (7:58) Not Others (12:53) Mask Girl (16:52) Dropped: Revenant, SYIM19L, King the Land (18:29) Dropped: A Time Called You (20:47) Currently Watching: Salon de Nabi, Arthdal Chronicles (23:11) Other Media: The Bear (26:02) Other Media: Oppenheimer, Barbie (31:43) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

Today, Francine talks about why she sometimes watches her Kdramas in 1.5x speed or fast forwards to skip scenes— and why she’s trying to kill the bad habit. No judgement here, even if you’re watching the Chipmunks remix of a Kdrama 😵‍💫 Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:32)Why I Speed Up & FFW (7:55) Disrespect to Creators vs. Consumer Freedom (13:03)A Product to Be Consumed + Normalize Having No Opinion (18:13) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

🎶 Oh, I got better things to do with my time than you 🎶 Today, Francine talks about why some dramas are so hard to drop, even if they’re not as good as they initially seemed. Should you let them go or keep giving them a chance, hoping it gets better? (No hugot intended 👀) Also, she’s looking for Kdrama recs for a First Impressions challenge! Send your recs through Dramabuds’ socials or through the answer box on Spotify 👇 Currently on her list: Life on Mars, Delightfully Deceitful, Matrimonial Chaos, The Guest, & Salon de Nabi Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (6:12) Cast + PD/Writer (14:12) Potential, Faith in the Creators (20:50) Rules for my First Impressions Challenge! (25:11) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

What a devastating finale to MY DEAREST PART 1 and a cliffhanger that’s making viewers beg for October to come faster 😭 Today, Francine defends some of the main leads’ frustrating choices and gushes over the powerful character arcs that led to this tragic ending (for now). Full recap of part 1 will come right before the 2nd part airs! Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:45) Quick Recap (9:41) In Defense of Gil-chae (15:42) In Defense of Jang-hyun (21:42) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

MOVING is the biggest Kdrama this year, and we’re loving the Korean twist on the superhero genre! Today’s episode is a recap of the first half: the characters we love, the unique pacing, and the epic conclusion that we’re hoping for. Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (3:18) Episodes 1-7: Kids’ Stories (11:01) Episodes 8-11: Parents’ Stories (17:46) Bringing Magic Back to OTT Dramas (24:54) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message

Dramabuds is back! 💕 Today, Francine shares some life updates and her thoughts on all the dramas she’s currently watching and enjoying. Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (5:21) Moving (9:50) Not Others (19:02) Mask Girl (20:45) My Dearest (26:42) Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dramabuds/message