K-Drama Challenge 2023
My finished 2023 list. I loved doing this, it pushed me to watch things I'd been avoiding, and I discovered some hidden gems and new favourites. The highs were Kill Me, Heal Me, Stranger, and The Defendant. The low was absolutely The Real Has Come, which I would have dropped like a hot potato if it weren't for this challenge. My worst k-drama experience to date, but the highs made up for it, thankfully!
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1. The Glory
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
#1 One or More Tropes used in The Heirs
Delinquents!
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2. The Glory Part 2
Korean Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
#1 As above!
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3. Alchemy of Souls
Korean Drama - 2022, 20 episodes
#2 Subeverts a trope:
Childhood sweethearts getting together
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4. Kill Me, Heal Me
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
#3 Was referenced in another drama
This is referenced in episode 8 of Kokdu: Season of Deity
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5. The Heirs
Korean Drama - 2013, 20 episodes
#4 Wheel of Chance: Tteokbokki
Tteokbokki appears a few times but most noticeably in Episode 11.
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6. Dr. Romantic
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
#5a Truck of Doom
Two major instances, not being specific to avoid spoilers
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7. Dali and the Cocky Prince
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
#6b A drama chosen by the Wheel of Chance: PPL - Makeup/Skincare
The FML uses the pink stick cosmetic thingie a lot!
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8. Memorist
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
#7h Wheel of Fortune: Mansion
Thirty Nine {Private Pyeongchang Mansion No. 150}
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9. Doctor John
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
#8 Main lead started as a child actor
Lee Seyoung
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10. The Devil Judge
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
#9 Starring a well known supporting actor
Both Jang Youngnam and Ahn Naesang
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11. Defendant
Korean Drama - 2017, 18 episodes
#10 Actor from your first drama
Uhm Ki Woon from my first drama, I am not a robot
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12. Through the Darkness
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
#11 Actor who has won Baeksang
Kim Namgil won 2010
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13. Dear X Who Doesn't Love Me
Korean Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
#12 Starring an actor who is part of a kpop group
The wonderful Doyoung from NCT is one of the leads in this - sadly even he couldn't save it :(.
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14. The Law Cafe
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
#13 Two of the main or support cast have been co-stars on multiple occasions
Lee seung ki and Lee se young
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15. Love in the Moonlight
Korean Drama - 2016, 18 episodes
#14 OST by an artist who has been nominated for or won a MAMA Award for Best OST
Gummy – "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds"
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16. Once Upon a Small Town
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
#15 Multi generational cast
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17. See You in My 19th Life
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
# 16 One of the main cast shares your zodiac sign
Ha Yoonkyung is also a Libran
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18. Can You Deliver Time? 2002
Korean Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
# 17 College Alma Mater plot point
The story follows a daughter traveling back in time and trying to find her mother's alma mater
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19. Scripting Your Destiny
Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
#18 A dream interpretation
Conception dream Ep 7
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20. Stranger
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
#19 Minimal or No Romance
No romance in this masterpiece!
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21. Crash Course in Romance
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
#20 Main or supporting characer that is an athlete
FML is a former athlete
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22. Blind
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
#21 Featuring disguises or false identities
The whole story is this category in a nutshell
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23. The King of Pigs
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
#22 Features a character seeking revenge
Revenge, revenge and more revenge.
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24. Alchemy of Souls Season 2: Light and Shadow
Korean Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
#23 Includes an animal pet
The King's turtle
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25. The King: Eternal Monarch
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
# 24 A drama I've always wanted to watch but for some reason haven't watched yet
I'd read so much about this being a "basket case" that although the premise interested me, I was put off - I finally decided to watch and was really pleasantly surprised, I loved it!
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26. Black Knight
Korean Drama - 2023, 6 episodes
#25 A poster I liked at first sight
I am a sucker for post apocalyptic/dystopia, and I love Kim Woobin
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27. Taxi Driver Season 2
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
#26 From a screenwriter or director whose works you have previously enjoyed
Oh Sang Ho, also screenwriter for Taxi Driver and Fabricated City
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28. Life on Mars
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
#27 Found by searching existing recommendations
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29. Soundtrack #1
Korean Drama - 2022, 4 episodes
#28 Inspired by a review, recommendation or comment on r/KDRAMA or r/kdramarecommends
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30. Drama Special Season 13: Let's Meet in an Unfamiliar Season
Korean Special - 2022, 1 episode
#29 A drama suggested by a fellow KDC participant
(My link was wrong, will update)
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31. Island
Korean Drama - 2022, 6 episodes
#30 Title Is a direct translation of Korean title
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32. The Heavenly Idol
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
#31 Episode that recieved less than 2% overall viewership rate from Nielson
Has only 3 episodes over 2%
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33. Drama Special Season 8: The Reason We Can’t Sleep
Korean Special - 2017, 1 episode
# 32 A single episode drama
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34. The Real Has Come!
Korean Drama - 2023, 50 episodes
#33 A long form drama
50 long long long episodes, so glad this is over, torture
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35. Drama Special Season 9: The Expiration Date of You and Me
Korean Special - 2018, 1 episode
#34 A drama with less than 500 watchers on MDL
494 watchers at time of watching, January 2023.
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36. City Hunter
Korean Drama - 2011, 20 episodes
#35 A drama that is at least 10 years old
Inspired by my enjoyment of King Eternal Monarch and because I loved The Healer, which has a similar premise to City Hunter, I thought I'd give this a go. It was kind of dated and cringey in places, but it was a fun watch.
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37. Cool Doji Danshi
Japanese Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
#36 A drama which fits a challenge from previous years
2021 #26 a non Korean drama