[2022 Year in Review] Bean of Hiddenness

by DB Staff

For our final post in the series, we’re talking Beans of Hiddenness — possibly the best category, because it’s all about that hidden gem or under-appreciated drama that you wish more people watched. If you missed our earlier segments, check out the Bean of Greatness, Bean of Disappointment, and Bean of Shame. And, of course, don’t forget to add your own Bean of Hiddennness in the comments, because this is a place ripe for drama discovery.

missvictrix: My Bean of Hiddenness goes right to Adamas — never was there a drama that deserved more attention than it got. With a stellar cast, convincing twists and turns, and a well-plotted story that never lagged, Adamas was one of my favorites of the year. It might be lacking in romance, but it makes up for it in buckets with a brother-bromance for the ages. Seriously, this drama is worth the watch even if it’s just for Ji Sung playing twins brothers — the hot-headed prosecutor and the calculating novelist. Ji Sung’s performance makes it achingly apparent not only how distinct these two identical-looking characters were, but how much they adored each other. It’s also a wild, entertaining ride that didn’t stop until the final frames. (And even then, I don’t know if it did?)

lovepark: Poor promotion, strange scheduling, and bungled broadcasters. There’s a whole slew of reasons why Tracer slipped under the radar, which is a darn shame since it was one of my favorites this year. It’s a classic underdog tale about a hotheaded protagonist seeking revenge, and along the way, he gets adopted by a ragtag team of eccentrics who offer him a helping hand. The acting is amazing from the phenomenal leads to the absolutely charming (and dastardly) supporting cast. The story is tight, the dialogue is witty, and the characters are multifaceted. If you’re looking for a fun show, you should definitely check out Tracer because more people should watch this hidden gem.

mistyisles: With a tight, four-episode run, an award-winning script, and phenomenal acting and directing, Wild Boar Hunting is practically the definition of a hidden gem. Given the sheer number of K-dramas released this year, I get why this one didn’t get much attention. I almost skipped over it myself! But I’m glad I didn’t, because — as I’m sure my weecaps attest — it quite literally took my breath away. It’s dark, haunting, slow-paced (but intentionally so, and not in such a way that it drags), and just the right amount of unsettling. Normally I’d find it difficult to like something so bleak, but something about this show just worked its way under my skin and has kept me thinking about it ever since.

DaebakGrits: I’m not sure how “hidden” Kiss Sixth Sense actually is, but I don’t recall it receiving a ton of love or fanfare on social media while it was airing. It wasn’t perfect, especially the ending, but it was one of the few dramas this year that I looked forward to watching every week — and in 2022, that counts for something. The romance had its squee-worthy moments, the office dynamic and marketing side plot was surprisingly fun and interesting, and the slight fantasy elements were unique and actually added value to the plot. Plus, I’m a sucker for couples that start off on the wrong foot and fall in love despite their initial impressions of one another. All in all, I think Kiss Sixth Sense deserved more love than it received at the time, making it a perfect recipient for the Bean of Hiddenness.

solstices: Initially starting out as an undercover sting operation gone awry, Insider soon unfolded into a complex game of cards, politics, and ever-changing alliances. It constantly blindsided its viewers with unexpected reveals, keeping us on our toes and ratcheting the suspense ever-higher with every episode. Plus, it used its humorous beats to such entertaining effect! Not only was Insider an unexpected surprise in terms of its story, but it also featured several hidden gems in its supporting cast — namely, Kang Young-seok and Choi Dae-hoon. Scene-stealer Kang Young-seok ignited the screen with his zestful charisma, and Choi Dae-hoon’s range was impressive as always (and made me rewatch Beyond Evil, heh). Arguably, lead actor Kang Haneul also fits this criteria — while he’s already an established actor, this role was a marked deviation from his usual fare, proving that he’s equally capable of taking on darker and grittier roles. As a whole, Insider was an intricate and thought-provoking drama, and I certainly found it well worth the effort of keeping up with its unpredictable tale.

Dramaddictally: My hidden gem this year was definitely Kiss Sixth Sense. I went into this drama with trepidation, worrying about just how bad it could possibly get. The lead’s super power is that she can see the future when she kisses someone — who would even dream up such nonsense? But as it turned out, the nonsense was fun and the kisses were hot! The leads managed to balance laugh-out-loud funny with serious steam — to heart-racing effect. The show also introduced an adorable side couple that I wanted more of, and my main complaint would be that their story got tossed out too soon. The final episode may have gone off the rails, but this thing was jam-packed with so much feel-good that I barely remember its faults. A watchable show about puckered-lip premonitions? I’m not sure even the heroine could have predicted it.

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[2022 Year in Review] Bean of Hiddenness