Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (February 18, 2023)

OUR BLOOMING YOUTH: This is not quite the sageuk masterpiece that, say, “Red Sleeve” or “Mr. Queen” was for me, and it’s not as well plotted or directed as “Under the Queen’s Umbrella,” but it’s still very watchable and just surprising enough in its execution of tropes that it’s my current favorite live watch. The most important thing for me is that the romance has great promise (I don’t do sageuks that don’t have at least some romance), and the chemistry is absolutely there between the leads, even without the extended stares and swelling OST accompaniment (note to editor/director: you don’t need to do this. These two are sparky enough when they’re interacting, and especially when Jae-yi fumbles with hooking the belt around the CP). The sleuthing–and the trips outside the palace and friend bonding it necessitates–are a nice break from the all-scheming-ministers/all-the-time political drama that sageuks typically rely on to build suspense. Also, I love PHS in this role.

STRANGERS AGAIN: It’s frustrating when a show that had a fantastic premise, great actors, and writers capable of seeing hot button issues from multiple angles can’t seem to stick the landing. I feel like they’re trying too hard at this point to avoid writing the obvious story of compromise and re-discovered love between the leads. As for the second leads, because it’s a given that the moment a woman gets pregnant in a drama (not just a kdrama, but most any show produced anywhere in the world), even if she considers abortion and it makes sense for her, she’s going to have the baby, the second leads’ story feels painfully by-the-numbers. The only thing keeping me hanging on now is that I can’t stop staring and gaping at the ML’s beautiful, sad eyes.

HATE TO LOVE YOU: Finished it this week, and was very happy to see it broke the Netflix USA Top 10. It did what it did very well, and despite a weak second couple (such a missed opportunity there!), left me happy and satisfied. They did so many things right, from displaying physical and emotional intimacy in a realistic way (yes, couples who are in love continue to kiss and have sex after the first time) without it ever feeling cringey or gratuitous, to showing the oh-too-real-reality of misogynist double standards that never seem to die. Plus, even with those painful beats, the show will still a joy to watch.

TROLLEY: I can appreciate the show for what it was–a well written, tautly plotted, brilliantly acted drama–but I also can’t stop re-writing it in my head. I am definitely one who didn’t think making the ML a rapist enhanced the plot or storytelling at all. Everything else he had done seemed to be enough, because it all stemmed in some way from his misguided idea that he was a good person who made good decisions because his intentions were always good. That was so relatable and interesting to me, and still resulted in enough dramatic tension and conflict within his marriage to fuel both the…

Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching (February 18, 2023)
Source: Buzz Pinay Daily