thefangirlverdict

Early Access: Uncle E2

E2. I think I might be settling in for a good run with this show. This episode, it still feels like we're mostly in set-up, but by the time we end the hour, it feels like we're in position for a lot of delicious feels headed our way, and I'm ready for it.

There is some stuff I don't love, like the (not terrible but still there) toilet humor that Show serves up in the beginning of the episode. I get it; Show just wants to lean into Hyuk's more crass side, to show just how NOT a good fit ...

Teaser for MBC drama 'Tomorrow'

This drama sounds like it could be interesting, if done well.

It deals with the difficult topic of suicide, and is told from the perspective of a crisis management team, whose job is to save suicidal people. Watching the teaser, it kinda-sorta reminds me of D.P., a little bit, because in D.P., there's also a team chasing down people - who may or may not end up harming themselves.

I believe the show is titled 'Tomorrow' because our crisis management team needs to convince these peo...

Kim Woo Bin's coming back to Dramaland!

Ok, ok, so technically, we've already had news of him joining Our Blues, but since Our Blues is an omnibus sort of deal, and he's in just one of several stories in that omnibus, I kind of consider this his actual, proper, drama comeback.

It's a Netflix original drama going by the title "Courier" and Woob's the lead, with Esom playing opposite him. He plays a legendary courier, in a dystopian ...

The Red Sleeve to air a special episode for Lunar New Year!

This won't be an actual continuation of the story, though, but rather, a revisit of the show, with behind-the-scenes footage, bloopers, and interviews with the cast.

It'll still be fun, though, for those who've finished the show and are missing it already?

I, on the other hand, am still watching the show, so I'll have to save it for after I'm done with my watch! 😅Also, right now I'm more like, "Ooh, more Junho goodies? YES PLEASE!" 🤩😁

The special episode will air on...

Community guest post series: Sean's post going live!

Hey everyone!

Sean's post will be going live in less than 11.5 hours, as I type this! 🥳That would be 8am, my time, on 18 Jan!

Also, I thought you all might like to know that MC's post has now been  viewed 373 times so far, since it went live on 11 Jan! Woot! Nice work, MC! 🤩

Here's what the rest of the schedule is looking like:

20 Jan: Shahz

21 Jan: Je...

Small update to my Junho post!

..Because, I'd really wanted to showcase his living room dance practice, but couldn't find a clip that showed that part, which is why I used screenshots in the end.

Today, my YouTube algorithm came through, and I've just added this clip to the post! I thought I'd share the update here too, because many of you would have probably already viewed the post.

I love how precise his moves are, particularly for “I’m Your Man.” I think he makes it look better, without the belt. SUCH ...

Early Access: Happiness E7

E7. One of the things I really like about this show, is how our story keeps on moving, with fresh developments and surprises, in such a consistent manner. With everyone being shut in at the apartment complex, it feels like there are a limited number of developments that our story can take, and yet, this hour felt fresh and in some ways, surprising as well. That's really well done, I thought.

I am loving how Show is balancing it's chosen tone when it comes to Sae Bom and Hyun. We get a m...

A shot of Junho, just because.

I'm working hard at my Junho appreciation post, you guys! 😁

And, I love this photo of him, because he looks so relaxed - and yet so sexy, at the same time. 😍😍😍 Flail. 

I recently learned that he's Xexymix's ambassador, along with the rest of 2PM (that's a Xexymix T-shirt he's wearing in the shot), and I am therefore inordinately pleased by the fact that I happen to have a collection of Xexymix active wear. (I really like their leggings!) 

For t...

First teaser for upcoming drama Thirty-Nine!

I'm mainly looking forward to this one because it's Jeon Mi Do!!! 🤩🤩😍😍 I LOVED her, so much, in both seasons of Hospital Playlist, and I'm so curious to see her in a different role!

Also, now that I've come around to Son Ye Jin's appeal after CLOY, I'm game to have her on my screen again too.

Rounding out the cast, we have Kim Ji Hyun (who played Seon Ah in Hometown Cha Cha Cha), Lee Moo Saeng (One Spring Night), Yeon Woo Jin (whom I remember best as the male lead in M...

Early Access: Uncle E1

E1. So when I first read this show's synopsis, I knew that I'd be drawn to the heartwarming theme of a loser uncle coming into his nephew's life, and becoming the father figure and hero that he needs. Plus, it's Oh Jung Se in the lead role, which is a huge draw for me as well. What's not to love about Oh Jung Se getting the spotlight for a whole drama, right?

At the same time, even though I didn't have a super clear idea of what I was expecting, I still felt rather surprised, by certain...

PSA: Junho fanmeeting ticket details - You can attend online!

Huge thanks to Michele, for letting me know that Junho's having a fanmeeting really soon, on Sunday, 23 January 2022, and that aside from on-site tickets, there are also online tickets available for $45. 

Ahhh! I think I'm on the verge of purchasing a ticket, you guys. 😅

You can find the ticketing details here.

Also, just coz I can, here's a lovely photo of Ju...

Community stories guest post series: MC's post going live!

Hey everyone!

SURPRISE!! MC's post will be going live in less than 10 hours, as I type this, YAY!!! 🥳🥳

If you were keeping tabs on the various posting dates, yes, this is earlier than planned. 

Originally, MC's post was due to go up on 16 Jan, but she sent me her draft early, and I'm much slower getting my Junho appreciation post ready than I'd expected, so I'm swapping deadlines with her. My Junho appreciation post will go up on 16 Jan instead. T...

Early Access: Happiness E6

E6. We get more background, and more twists and turns, this episode, and it's all very effective in keeping the watch taut.

This episode, I'm dismayed to see that LTC Han's wife had gotten infected when the Chairman had turned, and attacked her, during a lunch appointment. That feels so.. random. That poor innocent woman was just doing her best to be nice to her husband's business associate by attending a business lunch, which, rightly has nothing to do with her - and she'd gotten infec...

Early Access: Bad and Crazy E2

E2. There really doesn't seem to be any middle ground, with this show.

When K is around, everything feels like a wild ride fever dream that's pumped full of adrenaline and thisclose to spinning out of control. When K isn't around, everything feels staid to the point of almost feeling boring.

..Which means that a large chunk of this episode felt borderline boring to me. I suppose this is what happens when you step off the rollercoaster that is episode 1, and walk ...

Catherine's Year In Dramas!

Getting this list in juuuust before the deadline, but I’ve enjoyed everyone else’s so much I wanted to contribute.

Quick introductions. I’m Catherine, I’ve been watching dramas since late 2019, and have been reading The Fangirl Verdict for almost as long. My gateway drama was Her Private Life, which I loved, even if much of the cultural context flew right past me. I next tried Romance is a Bonus Book and never looked back. Kfangurl’s reviews have been an incredible resource, h...

MC's doing a guest post for the main blog! (And you could too, if you'd like?)

Hey everyone,

MC has an idea for a guest post for the main blog, which I think is great, and I was wondering if anyone else would like to join MC, to make it into a mini series sort of a thing?

Here's what MC messaged me, last month:

hey fangirl i had an idea for a post that i could do, wanna see what you think about it -

basically not about my thoughts but more a community-thing where i would talk about the power of stories and invit...

Early Access: Happiness E5

E5. I realize that even though I can pick out logic stretches within this show, I'm taken enough, with the themes and ideas that Show's serving up, to actually not care so much, about the nitty-gritty details.

For example, this episode, it doesn't make sense to me that Building 101's gone unsecured for so long, especially since the outbreak has been so visible, on the grounds of the apartment complex. Also, it doesn't really make sense to me that the girl at the minimart would be able t...

More Junho: Updated apartment tour - & more cats!

Ok, ok. I know this is getting excessive, guys. I can't seem to help myself, when it comes to consuming - and now posting - Junho content. 😅 

I might have to turn that Pure Pretty post into a k-love post at this point, if I'm just going by how much squee watching these little videos gives me. 😍 And I haven't even begun my research proper yet - I'm just watching these things for fun right now! 😂

In this clip, which is an excerpt of Home Alone Ep 397, which aired in ea...

More Junho..

..because apparently YouTube has clued in to the fact that I have a growing interest in him. 😅😁

This one's a vlog where Junho gives a bit of an apartment tour, and I'm very taken by the facts that: 

1, he's a cat dad!! Awwww. And, the spotted cat is especially gorgeous! Beeeeautiful. I wish I could hold her. 😻😻😻

2, he's a musician! 🤩 D'UH. I know, I know, of course he is. I just.. don't know much of anything about kpop...

Aw.. Congratulations, Lee Yi Kyung!

I didn't even watch Royal Secret Agent, but I've always had a huge soft spot for Lee Yi Kyung (he's so hardworking, and he's so talented!), so I'm really happy for him, that he's won his first ever acting award, at the 2021 KBS Drama Awards. Yay! 🥳🥳

His acceptance speech is the most adorable thing - he calls his mom, on live TV! 😂 - and even though the video itself is unsubbed, the article translates the whole (short) thing, so you can appreciate his acceptance speech fully any...

Early Access: Bad and Crazy E1

E1. This first episode really vibes like some kind of fever dream, so I feel as if I'm maybe half drunk, as I write this. 😅

I'm going to have to concur with Kun, in that I think the most helpful lens - as far as I can tell, just 1 episode in - is a comic book one. Of course, a more serious lens might work too, like if you take Soo Yeol's interactions with Wi Ha Joon's character, who's listed as "K," and think of it as a mental illness sort of thing. But.. personally,...