Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The 'Four Episode Concept' for Korean Dramas

I thought this is a good time to introduce my 'Four Episode Concept' properly.

The 'Four Episode Concept' is simple. It basically means that, when it comes to Korean drama, you can't know what the overall feel and quality of the series will be after one or two episodes. There is a good reason for that. It's the way Korean dramas are made and broadcast. Most of them have two episodes per week, each lasting one hour. This means that, in order to get ratings, the ultimate goal of dramas, viewers have to get interested in them during those two episodes.

In order to get viewers interested, the production team will attempt to pack the first two episodes with things that will get people to sit and watch, not necessarily things that are good or serve the story. As a result, we end up with many Kdramas having very different pilot episodes to what the rest of the series will be like. Sometimes the start is good and things deteriorate, sometimes we get mass-friendly starts that turn into great shows.


Big Mistake
Tell me again how our first two episodes fooled you into watching.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Korean Dramas 2012 - The Best Of

Kdramas 2012


In the last few weeks, I have given you The Good, The Bad and The Out of Date Korean Dramas of 2012 that I have watched.

Now comes the final part. The Best Of.

One thing you need to realize about me is that I rarely have favorites. There are so many good things in this world and this constant pressure to choose and limit ourselves is saddening. That said, Kdramas are a type of entertainment that is very consistent in what it seems willing and unwilling to do.

Many things cause problems that turn good dramas sour and ok dramas unbearable. Schedules, pressure from the producers, pressure from viewers, inexperience, fear to try something different and more. Personally, very few series entertain me enough for me to overlook some mistakes and really love the work. I like a lot of Korean dramas and I watch them as much as the next gal/guy, but most of them are the kind I would not watch twice.

This makes it possible for me to chose favorites here.

I give you my Best Of Korean Dramas 2012. Click on the titles for more info.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Korean Dramas 2012 - The Out of Date

Kdramas 2012


Part of my recently created Korean Dramas 2012 list composed by The Good, The Bad and The Best Of kdramas of 2012 are also these. The Out of Date ones. They are dramas I watched in 2012 that were not aired in that year.

Looking at this now, I realize it could also be named 'The Lee Beom Soo Drama Appreciation List'. I watched all of these because of him. 'IRIS' included. Surprisingly, I did not regret watching any of them, which just makes his role in 'Dr. Jin' even more painful. The first time a drama of his sucked (as fun as it was to watch).

The first drama bellow, the fantastic 'Giant' is also among my Best Of for this year. And its own year. And in general.

Let's get to it then. The Out of Date dramas viewed in 2012, by yours truly.

Click on the titles for more info.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Korean Dramas 2012 - The Bad

Kdramas 2012


For every manicure, there is a cracked nail. For every hand disinfectant, there is a paper cut. For every pleasant walk in the rain, there is a car splashing you with raw sewage as the cad whooshes by. And for every great Korean drama, there is a series that should fill the industry with utter shame.

Yep. You guessed it (no you didn't, I told you in the title). This is the list of my most hated dramas of 2012. My feelings for these works range from bitter disappointment to pure loathing. No sugar-coating here. Man/Woman-up or turn back.

Here they are. The Bad dramas of 2012. Click on the titles for more info.

Related Kdrama 2012 Posts: The Good, The Out of Date, The Best of.

 
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