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The Year in Review, Part 1: The Best of 2007

by javabeans


A month ago, I asked y’all, How was 2007 for you? I was thinking of the year-end wrap-up I would be writing, and wanted to see how you thought the dramas were this past year. I’ll be rolling out my year-in-review posts over the next few days (because one post just isn’t enough!).

I also am THRILLED to be presenting a couple guest bloggers, Thunderbolt and Dahee Fanel, whom I’ve asked to join me in this 2007 retrospective. (I’ll be putting up their reviews in the following posts.) Not only are these ladies extremely well-versed in the art of Ye Olde K-Drama, they’re both also chock-full of witty, interesting, opinionated insights about ’em. We’re also not afraid to contradict each other and are perfectly fine with having dissonant opinions. I hope you’ll enjoy their thoughts as much as I do.

As an added plus, they’ve both seen a bunch of the dramas I missed, so we’ll be able to cover a wider breadth of material. As none of us could be accused of brevity, between the three of us, we’ve have got 2007 covered. Possibly a couple times over.

SONG OF THE DAY

Bubble Sisters – “사랑을 찾아서” (Looking for love) from the OST of Mixed-up Investigative Agency.
[ Download ]

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Is the following a comprehensive list? By no means. Did I leave out dramas that, for some reason or another, many people may feel belong on the list? Oh, absolutely. But this isn’t my “objective, analytical, logical list of 2007’s best dramas.” It’s a jumbling of the ones I watched and enjoyed and were the top of MY list. I didn’t have anywhere near the necessary amount of time required to watch ALL the series that are widely regarded as the best of the year — but that’s what Thunderbolt and Dahee Fanel are for!

 
Onward…

As I expected, the results of the poll in the above-linked post were overwhelmingly in Coffee Prince‘s favor. Considering the Coffee Prince mania this summer, that came as no surprise, and I don’t begrudge the series its widespread popularity. In its case, I think the hype was deserved, or at least completely understandable, and I’d venture to say the series has done the most for the trendy drama genre since Samsoon swept the nation in 2005.

But for today’s purposes, Coffee Prince will have to take its place in line, because my favorite romance of the year was the one from cute, lovable, funny, heart-warming DAL JA’S SPRING, starring Chae Rim and Lee Minki:

Lee Kyung Hwa – “기적 같은 사랑” (Miraculous love) from the OST.
[ Download ]

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At first glance, Dal Ja’s Spring had the potential to veer into tired cliches and familiar plots. In the first episode, I thought with a groan that we were getting another My Name Is Kim Samsoon clone. A 30-something spinsterish type (Chae Rim‘s Dal Ja) who’s successful in her career but lousy in love hooks up in a “love contract” with a younger, cool, handsome, self-assured guy (Lee Minki‘s Tae Bong). Yes, the couple does fall in love, but the Samsoon similarities come to a swift conclusion one mere episode into the series — which sets the tone for how Dal Ja’s Spring takes lots of familiar romantic-comedy tropes, then spins them cleverly so that the familiar scenario you thought you were gonna get turns out to be something different altogether.

In my initial post on the series, which was one of the first entries on this blog, I compared both kdramas and their heroines (Samsoon and Dal Ja) to that quintessential 30-ish singleton, Bridget Jones — “but while Samsoon was more a literal adaptation of the character, my one-liner description for Dal Ja’s Spring is more Bridget Jones in an existential crisis.”

By “existential crisis,” I refer to the welcome tendency of the series to address aspects of Dal Ja’s life outside the romantic. The main romance naturally takes up a sizable part of the storyline, but the rest of the series explores Dal Ja’s career, her notions of friendship and family and personal fulfillment, and how romance fits into all that. The stories given to the supporting characters are nicely worked in, providing a touching look at the people inhabiting her world, teaching Dal Ja life lessons through their examples as well. Dal Ja deals with trying to find the right balance in her life — which is why the series is, at its core, all about her. I don’t think it’s a huge spoiler to say that although her romantic storyline reaches its culmination in the last episode, the series bids us adieu not from the couple’s perspective but ultimately Dal Ja’s alone.

But that’s not to say the romance isn’t a huge factor. Dal Ja’s Spring owes its winningness in huge part to Lee Minki’s dashing turn as Kang Tae Bong. Okay, okay, I concede that for the first half of the series (perhaps more), Tae Bong is rather too perfect. He’s a lovely combination of all the stuff of women’s fantasies — he’s strong and assured, but he knows how to listen, and yields when necessary. He leads and guides Dal Ja into paths of self-actualization, but he’s not afraid of appearing unmasculine by allowing Dal Ja her lead as well. He’s charming, but he can be honest and give Dal Ja the cold truth when the situation calls for it. Yes, he’s nearly perfect. But thankfully, the series DOES take time to delve into Tae Bong’s own issues, which allows for some personal growth on his end as well.

All in all, Dal Ja’s Spring may not be a series that breaks new ground, but for what it is — an engaging, consistently appealing and well-paced romantic comedy — it’s a winner.

 

FLOWERS FOR MY LIFE

Flowers for My Life (aka I Came In Search of Flowers) is as close to being a perfect drama as I could expect. Normally, when you look at a drama described as “moving,” “poignant,” “heart-felt,” “engaging,” “meaningful,” and “beautiful,” you run the risk of invoking that other dreaded descriptor — boring. I confess I don’t have a lot of patience for boring (which explains why I tried watching many dramas this year, and dropped a bunch of them after a few episodes. The exceptions — the ones I stuck with despite knowing deep down they probably wouldn’t improve — pained me). And if you have this impression of Flowers, I don’t know how to convince you otherwise (I probably can’t), but let me try: IT’S NOT BORING. Flowers is witty, subversively funny, sarcastic, morbidly hilarious, and subtle.

Right off the bat, the series shows its eccentric sense of humor. Main character Hana is a stoic Wednesday Addams type, unafraid of anything, unmoved by anything, unattached to anything — except money. As the daughter of a mortician, she’s grown up fully acquainted with death, playing with dead people instead of dolls (“What’s the difference? Dead people and dolls are the same in that they both don’t talk”). She comes up with the idea to woo a rich dying man, with no qualms over her actions — hey, if she makes the guy so happy before he dies that he wants to leave her his wealth, isn’t that a win-win?

Because of the story’s setting in a funeral home and its focus on death, the most obvious comparison is the HBO series Six Feet Under. I suppose when you’re dealing with an inherently dark topic, the way to make it interesting is to see the funny in it. And Flowers embraces its death motif, not with wariness or anxiety, but with matter-of-fact understanding that death is a part of life.

It’s like Hana’s funeral-director father says to Cha Tae Hyun‘s hapless, bumbling, good-natured Ho-sang, explaining that the word for “living” came from the term used to light a fire:

“We light the candle we were given by fate, day by day. But that wick differs for each person. Somebody’s wick burns out soon, and another’s goes on much longer. Only heaven knows if our fire burns out today, or tomorrow. It seems unbelievable to lose [a minor character] this way, but she must have left because she’d burned up the fate heaven had given her.”

The series is quirky and offbeat, much like its main character, wonderfully played by veteran film actress Kang Hye Jung. In fact, the acting is top-notch at all levels, from Cha Tae Hyun’s upbeat (and laughably cowardly) Ho-sang to the fully supportive and non-manipulative, non-evil second leads Kim Ji Hoon and Gong Hyun Joo, and supporting cast. Life lessons are learned, many times via death (there’s a funeral in nearly every episode), but sometimes merely by the two main characters stumbling along.

The series is also stunningly shot in the scenic Chun Cheon area, with interesting shots that add complexity to moments and scenes without being obtrusive. The director has a terrific artistic sense, managing to find really clever, smart ways to shoot even the simplest of scenes. Hands down best directing — the only other series that might rival it this year is Devil. (Legend was action-packed, large-scale, and used fancy effects, but it wasn’t nearly as thoughtful with its shots.)

I don’t suppose it’s a major spoiler to reveal (as we find out in episode 1) that Cha Tae Hyun’s character is diagnosed with terminal cancer. But this is no Autumn in My Heart! It’s much more a light-hearted comedy of errors than it is a tearjerker melodrama — although I admit I shed plenty of tears. But they weren’t sad tears in depressing moments — they were brought on by how exceptionally well this series deals with human relationships of all varieties: parent-child, lover-to-lover, friend-to-friend, enemy-who-becomes-an-ally… There’s no self-pity or wallowing; Cha Tae Hyun accepts news of his illness with pluck and thoughtfulness:

“That day, I realized that people who do their best to be loved leave behind love even after they’re gone. People who do their best to be happy leave happiness behind when they’re gone. What will I leave behind?”

Because death is such a frequent occurrence in the series (although it’s usually the death of a stranger, whose funerals our characters prepare), when it does come, it’s not with a spirit of dramatic, earth-rending tragedy. Instead, death highlights just how beautiful it is to live and, once a loved one leaves, to keep their memories in our hearts with fondness.

Hana: “I want to remember every single moment, but I’m afraid I’ll forget even one.”
Nam Kyung: “You won’t forget. Although we can forget things in our heads, I’ve found we don’t forget things kept in our hearts.”

 

QUE SERA SERA

Que Sera Sera is not your average kdrama. I said early on, and I still believe, that Que Sera Sera may not be for everyone. Although it’s got plenty of understated humor, it’s also mature, intense, hard, with a streak of cynicism a mile wide. And yet it’s not a depressing drama. It’s not even pessimistic at the core. It’s just… different. It treats its characters with a liberal dose of realism, instead of glossing over their personalities to conform them to traditional ideals of what a romantic hero or heroine should be. Are they appealing characters? I think so (some more than others — Jung Yumi‘s Eun Soo is, in my own words (is it pretentious to quote myself?), “delightfully weird,” and Jung herself is amazingly good). Are they flawed characters? Oh, hell to the Y-E-A-H.

I don’t think it’s a show that’s meant to be a popular, widespread hit — but it’s one that inspires fierce loyalty in its fandom. Some of the fondest memories I have of Que Sera Sera are the numerous thoughtful, heated, intelligent discussions and analyses it spurred, here and at soompi. I also got numerous hits and links from Korean fans (more than Coffee Prince, I believe), which is testament to its status as a drama that evoked hardcore fans.

What’s so good about Que Sera Sera? First off, the writing. It’s quite dialogue-heavy, which I noticed right away given how much longer it took me to do QSS summaries (they routinely took me three times as long as Witch Amusement, which was a series I was recapping at the same time). The dialogue is strong and eloquent and witty. The look of the drama isn’t exactly pretty, but its grittiness gives it a raw quality that works very well with the tone of the show. A glossy, richly saturated color palette would’ve felt all wrong.

Horan – “눈부신 날들” (Brilliant days) from the OST. [ Download ]

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Second, the music. Most series have serviceable soundtracks that fit the mood of the drama and are cute and fun. Only a few, like Soulmate and Coffee Prince, are standouts on their own, too. The musicians featured include both Alex and Horan of Clazziquai, Yi Sung Yol, W, My Aunt Mary.

Third, the all-around strong acting. As I mentioned, Jung Yumi is excellent. She’s one of those rare breeds, the kind of person who must’ve been meant to be an actor, who does it for love of the craft and to whom fame and celebrity are afterthoughts. She just seems so natural. Whether it’s her acting or the way her character was written, she quickly stands out as the breakout talent. Personally, I think the story of QSS is Tae Joo’s story (some people may disagree), but her Eun Soo is a complete breath of fresh air. Second leads Lee Kyu Han and Yoon Ji Hye are similarly solid, portraying similarly intense characters. No matter how you may feel about the characters, nobody was a weakling. (I liked them all, even Yoon Ji Hye’s Hye-rin — whom I gather many did not like — because she was a strong female who knew what she wanted, even if she was misguided.) More than manipulative or evil characters, I hate the weaklings.

And while I wouldn’t go so far as to call Eric a revelation, I will say he was ballsy and fearless. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been privy to so many actors’ tantrums and antics and self-conscious neuroses (oh, actors, how they bring the crazy), but in any case, one of the things that most impresses me is when one sheds his vanity and gives it all up for the sake of the role. Eric took on the challenge of portraying a cold, arrogant asshole, at times pushing Tae Joo to the boundaries of irredeemable. Some may have found his actions too much to forgive; as for me, I think he does a remarkable job of bringing the humanity to such a flawed man. Tae Joo’s in-your-face braggadocio translates to the series as a whole — and you know how people say that confidence is sexy? Well, Que Sera Sera is damn sexy. It struts, and swaggers, and challenges you.

 

COFFEE PRINCE

What can I say about Coffee Prince that hasn’t already been said? As one of the biggest drama sensations of the year — it wasn’t the highest-rated, but it was one of the most talked-about — it seems everyone’s already got an opinion.

I feel like the backlash has hit — just as it was cool to love it during its initial broadcast, it’s now cool to say, “Psh, Coffee Prince isn’t THAT great.” That’s too bad. I really, really liked Coffee Prince — without irony, without qualification. It is a great trendy drama. It’s one of the best in recent years. It plays with cliches but doesn’t get mired in them. It takes a fantastic twist on a familiar storyline, and above all, trusts its story to carry the series — story, not star vanity, not melodramatic plot twists, not even sensationalism given what could have been a salacious topic (gay relationships).

Speaking of which, Coffee Prince‘s treatment of homosexuality was both refreshingly modern and sensitive. No room for pearl-clutching here. It doesn’t necessarily push an agenda; rather, it’s open-minded and unjudgmental and lets the story unravel without moral interludes or Evil Masterminds jerking the plot around. For the most part, the writers explore the characters’ relationships and problems naturally without resorting to shenanigans.

The acting: Obviously, the success of the drama owes tremendous debt to its two leads, Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye, but the series was smart about all its casting, not just its leads, down to the most marginal characters, who are all given more story time than they would in a more traditional series. I’ve never thought Yoon Eun Hye was a standout acting talent — she has star quality in spades, but I was hesitant on the acting front — and I wouldn’t say she’s reached the heights of her potential just yet. But she does put herself completely into her character, and her take on Eun Chan earned her well-deserved attention. As I mentioned above, I dig when an actor puts the project above their personal vanity, and I respect that she gave up all pretense early on of trying to maintain a “pretty” image while acting as a boy. That kind of vanity would’ve made for a laughably half-assed Eun Chan, and it’s to her credit that she went for it, all the way. But it was Gong Yoo who impressed me most in the way he portrayed Han Gyul’s confusion, self-loathing, and acceptance of his feelings for Eun Chan. His emotions came through so raw and pained that it was almost unsettling to watch him for his intensity.

Now that the initial luster has worn off, I can say that Coffee Prince isn’t perhaps a perfect 10 — many, many people have pointed out the obvious tapering of dramatic tension after episode 12, which is not coincidentally also around the time that its talented director Lee Yoon Jung was strong-armed into extending the series. The extension was only by one episode, but when a series has enjoyed overwhelming success that is in part due to its carefully calibrated, gradual rise in intensity, you don’t mess with that carelessly in the home stretch. As I consider the last episode perhaps the weakest of the entire series, I wonder what the series would’ve been like if the writer and director had had their way and confined the story to the original sixteen episodes. But episodes 6 through 12 were just wonderful, all wrought with nerves and anticipation and hope and anxiety, showing us just how good this oft-maligned trendy-drama genre can be.

 

MIXED-UP INVESTIGATIVE AGENCY

(Why hello again, Mr. Lee Minki.)

As for the funny? Mixed-up Investigative Agency not only stirs up the rather stale kdrama comedy template with its unconventional, refreshing, witty sense of humor, it also features a surprisingly intricately plotted mystery. Now as you know (from the numerous times I repeat myself, natch), I loves me my romances. Mixed-up Investigative Agency is not only light on the romance, it quite actively makes it a point NOT to center around romance. I wasn’t sure how I’d react to this — but my worries were premature, because Mixed-up is a GREAT comedy.

The characters (and actors) have wonderful rapport with one another, the bantering is smart and clever, and the plot — a mystery mixed into an action-adventure treasure hunt — is airtight. The screenwriter — writer of the much-lauded Alone In Love — reportedly spent years working on this script, and her success from Alone in Love gained her the industry recognition to enable this to be produced, despite all expectations that it would not be a smash ratings hit. And it was not — but as a “mania drama” (a cult hit), the drama earned its share of rabid, appreciative fans.

For being so funny, Mixed-up is actually also a great drama. As a series that’s so goofy and quirky and aggressively off-kilter, it’s remarkably moving as well. It sneaks in moments of true pathos just when you’re not expecting it, like a frazzled mom might hide chopped-up bits of broccoli under the more-tasty meat dishes in hopes that the kid won’t notice the nutrition being sneaked into his body. Well, I did notice, but it’s okay, I don’t mind. It’s good for me. Thanks Mom.

As long as I’m giving away hypothetical acting awards (Kang Hye Jung for Flowers, Jung Yumi for Que Sera Sera), let me hand one over to Ms. Ye Jiwon, who is fantastic as the fortune-teller of questionable talents, Hee-kyung. She’s fiesty and playful and intense and emotional, all rolled into one teeny package. Ryu Seung Soo as Yong-su starts out in what seems to be a simple, easy character, but he surprises you with hidden depths and manages to wring your heart well into the series. And Lee Minki dives into his role as the hot-headed Mu-yeol with gusto. I wouldn’t have expected this kind of role from him after he met with such success as the handsome, confident Tae Bong in Dal Ja’s Spring, but he practically throws himself into Mu-yeol’s weird, awkward quirks. Like I said, extra points for disregarding vanity.

A lot of dramas tend to start strong and weaken, even the good ones (see Coffee Prince), but Mixed-up Investigative Agency is so well-planned and -paced that the series ramps up consistently to its climactic last episode. It takes a lot of guts (and courage? stubbornness? chutzpah?) to hold back when you’re a struggling drama with super-low ratings, but Mixed-up doggedly maintains its faith in the story and the writing, and delivers an entirely satisfying ending.

 

Honorable mention: HYANG DAN JEON

Hyang Dan Jeon (The Story of Hyang Dan) perhaps doesn’t exactly belong in the “best of the year” list, but I thought it deserved a little bit of recognition after flying so low under the radar. As a two-episode miniseries, it’s short and sweet and delivers a quick punch of rollicking romantic comedy.

I’ll also say that despite my general dislike of all things Super Junior, after watching Hyang Dan, I totally get the Choi Siwon love. The boy has charisma oozing out his pores. Ew. That wasn’t meant to sound so gross and vaguely unhygienic.

In any case, part of the reason Hyang Dan works for me is because it knows just how seriously to take itself (or NOT take itself). It’s a total goof and it knows it. The drama takes a famous story from historical lore and gives it a twist (akin to, say, making a story in which Prince Charming marries Cinderella’s stepsister instead, or Juliet falls for Mercutio) — and then takes it a step further by adding cheeky modernizations. It’s as much a true “historical drama” as Shrek is a real fairy tale.

I.S. – “Juliet.” Speaking of modernized twists on the traditional… [ Download ]

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Sometimes a drama has all the makings of greatness, but falls far flat of its expectations and/or potential. (Legend, you coulda been great.) Then on the other hand, sometimes a drama seems like it’ll be a throwaway, but somehow it becomes much more than the sum of its parts. It’s like the parts meet together in a spark of chemistry and elevate it with its energy and sheer charm. Hyang Dan is one of those.

 

….and scene.

Phew.

Obviously, there are glaring omissions from my list. Although I watched at least an episode or two of most of the big dramas, I didn’t watch enough to draw fully informed conclusions for many of them — i.e., Thank You, Devil, Time of Dog and Wolf, Conspiracy in the Court, White Tower, Surgeon Bong Dal Hee… But thankfully, Thunderbolt and Dahee Fanel are around to weigh in on some/most of those. Their posts coming up next! And then, since I’ve covered my Best of 2007, I’ll wrap up with The Rest.

RELATED POST

Tags: 1 show to rule them all, Coffee Prince, Dal Ja's Spring, Flowers For My Life, Mixed-up Investigative Agency, Que Sera Sera, Story of Hyang Dan, year in review, year in review 2007

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nice picks i agree with them.. they are my faves too. esp dalja, cp and eia. hyang dan was really good for me too. que sera sera was well done for me (yes, not for all) i liked 9in and 2outs. that story was poignant for me. about friendship and love. though slow to bloom it was nice. slow and easy.
capital scandal, rocked it!! one of the best of year for me, same writer as CP but i believe that one was better written hehehe i liked surgeon bong too and thank you is ok for me. i enjoyed daily dramas and sitcoms too. unstoppable marriage is fun. kimchi smile im loving so much. unstoppable high kick (il woo, kim bum!!)

didnt understand conspiracy as much, didnt love time between dog and wolf (i love jung kyung ho there though),

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thank you javabeans!!! i've just watched Dal Ja's Spring (for the nth time) the other day as my own Christmas treat, and i'm glad that your review of the series reinforced my love for the series! can't wait for the other reviews!!!

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Dal Ja's spring was probably my favorite drama this year also, it had so much and i loved everything about it! And i have to admit i am a huge Lee Min Ki fan now, even though i've seen him in Rainbow Romance, it was his acting in this drama which made me a big fan. I've started watching his new drama Mixed Up Investigation Agency, and i have to say im liking it so far and i know ill enjoy it. I always look to ur blog to find the best dramas, and i just love your writing style. I have to say with some dramas, i was more interested in your summary then i was with the drama...lol

I think i will come up with a favorite drama's list for myself. I have to say that i did find a lot of good dramas this year, even though i just started watching them last year, i have to say i've really enjoyed 2007's dramas!

Thanks for a great year, and i will follow you in 2008 as well!..lol

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Nice. I enjoyed your longgg~ entry. Phew, I guess you put a lot of thoughts in these posts to wrap up 2007. I took you advice watch "Flower for my life", but I guess it's not for everyone. XD It's not boring, just not my fav. To me, QSS is so so. You're right.

But as for the rest, I'm rooting for you. I feel that Coffee Prince, at the end, all the juicy was kinda fading away. I was going with the hype, but at the end I couldn't put coffee prince in my fav list. But Dal Ja's is definitely my fav, you've said it all.

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Very insightful! I enjoy reading your take on dramas, it allows for a different perspective and appreciation.

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I love dramabeans. :) I love the way this blog makes people appreciate Korean pop culture.

I remember the first time I ever visited this site. It was a fun and K-drama filled year Dramabeans! :D

Keep it up!

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thanks! i really enhoyed your wrap-up thing.
and because i am really bored during this season, im going to watch the others that didnt appeal to me but you said were good! ^^

ps. the way you write is freaking awesome! i love it!

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Uh...the song by Bubble Sisters is an entirely different song from House Rulez...I mean nice song...but I'd like the Bubble Sisters song too please if ya don't mind. =]

Happy Holidays.

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i enjoyed reading that list. looking forward to the guests' posts coming up. like you, "i loves me my romances" as well, and i usually do not stray from the genre for my kdrama watching. so of the things in your list, i've only seen "dal ja's spring," (which i thought was so sweet and had interesting minor characters but not that great IMHO) "story of hyang dan" (which i thoroughly enjoyed) and most of "coffee prince," (whose last ep i haven't even watched. i've dl'ed it and the subs, but it's just sitting there on my hard drive. i had eagerly anticipated the release of eng subs but after i'd read your ep summary, i kinda forgot to watch it) i appreciate reading your episode summaries for the rest, but while you write convincingly, i haven't watched any of the others. could it be that i am not so much into the trendy dramas? (i have another year coming up to test that theory.)

anyway, keep 'em coming. your blog entries are always an interesting read.

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WOW! That was a very insightful and interesting post! I fully agree with you about Dal Ja's Spring and Mixed-up Investigative Agency.

Dal Ja's Spring was absolutely refreshing. I love the way her thoughts wrap up every episode. Kang tae bong is certainly the man of every woman's dream. Haha. Mixed-up was just great fun, right down till last minute of the final episode. It never failed to perk me up.

Being a Coffee Prince fan, I thought it was awesome even after episode 12. Perhaps I'm biased. Heh. I loved how every character in the show had a story. It makes all the characters come alive! :)

All in all, the dramas above are indeed the best few of this year, to me that is. I can wait to read Thunderbolt's and Dahee Fanel's reviews too! Anyway, it's been really enjoyable reading your blog, almost everyday, throughout the entire year. Keep writing! :)

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wow... was it yesterday that i posted a response and listed the first 4 dramas as being my favs?? well, i couldn't had explained it better as you did, now i'm waiting for your guest writers...Yahoo!!

As for the coffee prince backlash...it was expected, at least i did. Most people criticizing, probably watched the series after the hype and with expectations comes disappointment... I started watching it without expecting much... Knowing Gong yoo from "Hardtack Teacher and Sugar Candy" and Yoon Eun Hye from "Goong" (wich i think was fun but overrated)...Thats probably why i was stunted by Coffee Prince's originality...

I think for one to be able to appreciate anything, you shouldn't expect anything... Not placing the bar either low nor high...I might be persuaded by someone to watch something, but i'm not going about with that person's perspective...No, because I find it ruins everything....

Dal Ja's was definetly, without contest my favourite this year... I loved, loved, loved it...I still can't believe such a simple plot got me hooked...and yes i try to catch at least one episode a day... can't get enough of those wacky characters...

Que sera sera and Flowers, stood out for me as the most original. Once again going without expecting much, I got more than i ever thought... Loved, loved how the theme of death was used in the latter...Not overly dramatic, not cheesy, just realistic... And you are right Javabeans, QSS was hella sexy... More in the characters attitude than in the actual physical act... The script just hoozed sexiness in a very "raw", edgy way...

Loved it...

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waaa..I've been waiting how would you recap the poll's result..and yes a post won't enough! :D

Your choice of K-dramas is my inspiration, I always tempted to watch any dramas you've talked about, eventhough we don't share too similar taste, your recommendation are always become my guide to choose k-drama I'm going to watch.

I'm looking forward the next posts!

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I started watching Que Sera Sera and decided to drop it after the first episode... I found myself HAUNTED by that episode and dying to know what happened next for a whole week, so I continued viewing it, but as you said, it is a very tough drama, I'm still only at episode 6 and I'm scared at the thought of continuing it, but I shouldn't... I really should just forge on and finish it.

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awesome awesome great insightful witty post. have i mentioned awesome?

i agree with a lot of what you said, but i realize that its largely because ive read so many of your posts and .... well, you post the most about what you like. (but i'm glad, because theyre q-u-a-l-i-t-y.)

looking forward to other perspectives, but wanted to extend a huge 'thank you' because this blog really kind of renewed my faith in korean dramas and pushes me to watch/observe k-culture and dramas that are def worth the time.

thank you!

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Thank you for the wonderful post. It was well written and very thoughtful. I haven't been completely mesmerized by a series since My Name is Kim Sam Soon and Alone in Love, and unfortunately 2007 didn't offer me anything I simply HAD to watch till the end. But Dal Ja's spring was nice. I really liked how Coffee Prince handled Gong Yoo's confusion, but other than that, it was just all right. Que Sera Que Sera wasn't my cup of tea-- the main female lead drove me absolutely crazy; I just wanted to reach into the screen and give her a hard slap. Oddly enough I did not feel like this toward Hye-Rin or the male lead, who were just as flawed. I had some problems with the kind of messages the show seemed to deliver too. But I think Que Sera Que Sera had a GREAT soundtrack, and you posted my favorite song off the album :).

Again, thank you for such a thoughtful and well-written post. I enjoyed reading it a lot!

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QSS was it for me this year. The music, sexual tension, and acting were excellent. I just want to give props to Eric. His acting was straight up awesome. So many dramas have had the "bad boy" characters, but Eric took that cliché to next level. I hated him, yet I totally understood how Eun Soo was just completely infatuated with Tae Joo no matter how horrible he was to her.

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actually it was your writins that nudged me 2 watch DalJa's and CoffePrince--> which i didnt finish..;P...BUT i totally agree with u about QSS {Num Two in my list..=)} keep up d gud work!! I enjoyed much , and anticipating d duo..Hepi new Year!!

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Hi there... Just want to let you know again how truly amazing your website is.. :) As for me, out of all the kdramas I've watched, Dal Ja's Spring is on top of my list...
Happy New Year to you!!! I hope you'd continue blogging your kdrama obsession 'til next year.. :)

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QSS was absolutely my favorite series, I could not wait to read your summaries of the episodes and see them myself.
But I do agree that the series was not for everyone but I loved it.
The cast was brilliant especially Eric who impressed me.
But Eun Soo was absolutely amazing, she had this inner strength that myself would want to have.
Thank you for all your hard work blogging ^^

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Once again thank you for your wonderful writing that kept me entertained in more ways than one this year. I have not watched all the dramas u have mentioned other than the feverish following of Coffee Prince :) but I am certainly going to check them out. Maybe you should tie up some kind of deal with MBC, you gave their dramas more international publicity than any other advertisements could! I am looking forward to more great kdramas next year...but not before consulting Dramabeans...Fighting!

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I agree with your first 2 Beans.. Dal Ja's Spring and Flowers For My Life were really awesome dramas. Both dramas were well executed, poignant and most of all, meaningful in all aspects...

But the best for me this year will still be 9 end 2 outs and Capital Scandal.. Not sure if you've finished both dramas, but they're just the ones for me, my cup of tea and did not disappoint in any way. Thank You follows behind, one of the best melodramas I've seen since MISA, and no doubt great performances from Jang Hyuk and Gong Hyo Jin.

I guess I'm probably one of the minoriy who DID NOT follow up with the Coffee Prince and QSS craze. Sure I heard a lot of recommendations and good comments, but still Coffee Prince just appealed to me as an average, or a lil more than average trendy drama (buy YEH's performance was SUPERB!) while QSS just bored me..

But anywayz, thanx for the recap Beans, Dahee and Thundie..
And lastly, may 2008 be a great year for all of ya! ^_____^

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Awesome recaps and insights into these dramas! From your list, I've seen Dal Ja's Spring, Flowers for my Life and Coffee Prince. They are all really stand-out dramas for this year, and I especially loved Coffee Prince. There was just something about it that really drew me into the story and into the lives of the characters, I loved it!

Dal Ja was a fun and fresh drama as well, Dal Ja's character was too cute, especially with her inner monologues throughout the series, and the numerous pop culture references throughout!

And Flowers was touching, sweet, thoughtful and funny!

I haven't seen the others you've mentioned, but I think after reading your reviews, I will give them a try :)

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"Thank You" was the drama of the year for me^^
but i also enjoyed "Dal Ja's", "Que sera sera", "MIA", "Coffee Prince" and "Flowers for my life"...

2007 was a great year!

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Of all I only had time to finish Coffee Prince, was watching Mixed Up whenever I can but I think I missed out a lot....

I have to say this - i won't be watching any of this if not for your blog...so THANK YOU and HAPPY NEW YEAR ^ ^

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I love reading your blog and your take on a few of the dramas this year!

Totally agreed with you on Dalja's Spring. It was a refreshing change from tearjerkers that I have seen in the past.
I enjoyed watching a few other series like QSS(which I thought I wouldn't like but eventually caved in), Surgeon Bong Dalhee, HIT, Devil, War of Money, How to Meet a Perfect neighbor, Time of Dog and Wolf, Coffee Prince.

Have also seen Legend, which was interesting, but couldn't get over the age of the characters vs the actors'... Nontheless I probably would have enjoyed it more if the action scenes weren't too hazy, there was just way too many camera movement.

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Thanks so much javabeans for all your objective commentaries (as always... oh why can't popseoul take a leaf from yr book?it makes for so much more meaningful discussion) and the beautifully precise words u use to describe them. I really appreciate it and also all those swift commentaries on Coffee Prince when it aired it was like the whole world camping out here and at soompi and youtube to get the first take of the epi in English. Keep up the good work and God bless you always!

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I absolutely LOVE all of your posts -- they're insightful, complete, and so compelling to read. Some of them even influenced me to check out some of the dramas, such as Coffee Prince, since I wasn't pulled in by the hype as well (:

I must agree that Dal Ja's Spring was such a nice drama. I wasn't expecting much from it, and honestly speaking, only watched it as I was lacking in dramas to watch, but it really did surprise me. Chae Rim as Dal Ja didn't come off as "ahjumma" as I would have expected -- in fact, she was young and vibrant, which was really fresh. It also introduced me to Lee Min Ki, who is SO GORGEOUS and a great actor.

Drama of the Year for me would probably be Coffee Prince, but I must say that Dal Ja's Spring was definitely a nice one as well.

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Thank you for a wonderfully heartfelt end-of-year critique. Ah, your writing is just absolutely inspiring. I'm not surprised that CP took the top spot. But out of curiosity, is it possible for us to know which drama garnered the second highest votes? I imagine that the votes were widely spread out among the remaining choices. Can't wait to read the posts by your guest bloggers.

DJS was the first drama that i've watched in 2007 while MIA was the last. They could not be anymore different though equally as loved. DJS shows how thirty-something single life is not one to be dreaded but celebrated, for all the lessons lived and learned. It satisfied the romantic in me without making me cringe from the overdose of saccharine flavoring. MIA is brave, pioneering and true. It delivered the package as promised: unpretentious, well-made, and destination-accurate despite taking severe beatings during the journey. While MIA may not be glossy, it is so much more endearing to me because of its sincerity. I was touched by its humanity. MIA was damn funny and entertaining. It was woot!

QSS was just so "in-your-face". I watched it after the original airing. Reading your posts and the comments here afterward made me realized in awe that : "Wow, there are many other people out there who live and breathe K-dramas. So it's okay to admit my addiction and not seek therapy." I love its grittiness and unapologetically rawness. It was a little dark for me but nonetheless admirably unique.

Coffee Prince was fun. The viewing experience was unlike any other. I was glad that it was THE trendy drama of 2007. It has substance and style. The production is hands down top-notch. Surprisingly to have lots of heart once we've teared open the pretty outer wrapping. Gong Yoo was awesome. When Coffee Prince was good, it was like WOAHHHHH.

I've managed to watch only a handful of dramas in 2007 (with subtitles from the unrivaled WITH S2 team). One thing that stood out from these dramas was how fearless in spirit and execution the good ones were. They were written with flair, directed with abounded creativity, and acted wholeheartedly against-type. They made me think of K-dramas in a totally different light. Because of them, i found this awesome blog. And have enjoyed the ride ever since.

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tealeaf wrote: “Wow, there are many other people out there who live and breathe K-dramas. So it’s okay to admit my addiction and not seek therapy.”

Ditto. Thanks, javabeans, for the always insightful, funny, endearing, and memorable ride. Life just wouldn't be the same without you. Looking forward to 2008!

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I started watching Dal Ja's spring on a whim because I had nothing better to watch. There was this dread inside me that it was like every other Chae Rim drama, a B-C list drama with her acting cutesy. And after watching Lee Minki acting very awkward and unsure in x-man, there was no way that he could pull off a charming male lead. However, to my surprise I was hooked after watching the first episode. I admit though, that I was a little bored with Whee Son Joo's storyline but overall I feel sorry that I deleted it from my computer without saving a copy of it. It unexpectedly turned out to be my drama of the year, next to QSS of course.

I didn't enjoy Flowers for my Life though. Perhaps I didn't get the jokes, but I found it to be a bit too slapstick and the characters to be caricatures. I also tried to join in the Coffee Prince craze but never could get into it. It may be because I was watching Hanazakari Kimitachi e (Hana Kimi) at the same time which is basically about a girl cross dressing in an all boy's school (basically the same storyline for CP). I manage to make myself try it and watched till episode 13 but I found that I just didn't care about the characters and never did finish it, not even a glimpse of the ending. I like Yun Eun Hye as an entertainer, shes lively and bubbly but I recall I didn't enjoy her in the runaway hit Goong either. I did like waffle Sun Ki (the cute friend in Dal Ja's) and all the other guys in the coffee shop, they are adorable. I have nothing against Gong Yoo, hes a mighty fine looking man, but he just doesn't compel me. Not in One Fine Day, nor in Coffee Prince. I can't seem to place it, but he lacks a certain charisma that draws you to a guy.

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3 KBS dramas and 3 MBC dramas. No SBS for Sarah? =D
Thank you for sharing this review. I don't think I've ever been this excited to read a post on the internet...Anyways, the only SBS drama that I can remember watching this year was Bad Couple. LOL. It wasn't that great..oh well.

Whenever you mention Que Sera Sera, I feel the need to reply.lol..Que Sera Sera is one of those series that marked my 2007. 2007 was soooooooo much QSS..I started crazy amounts of personal messages with Soompi members and it got to a point that I was looking forward to my personal messages at Soompi instead of a phone call/email from a friend/colleague that I know in real life. So much speculations and there were moments of shock/surprise/anger/pain online watching the show and then going crazy about those QSS moments online after the show ended with these QSS-ers at soompi, javabeans@wordpress and other sites that I visit. I remember consoling some QSS-er after something happened to Eun Soo and Tae Joo...even when I was shocked myself. I don't think I've ever watched a show being so over the edge wondering if any of these characters will suddenly do something outrageously painful to one another when they love each other at the same time. Ah..Jung Yoo Mi - She's a gem. I'm resenting MBC for not even nominating QSS in the acting department. Like you, I am handing out my own hypothetical acting awards to Jung Yoo Mi.

Flowers For My Life - This series has many memorable quotes and scenes. How many series do you have people having conversations (love confessions too!) from the coffin. I especially love this line and Nam Kyung's story: “If you think of him as being alive, I thought I should go along with it. What right do I have to treat him as dead when he lives so vividly in your heart? You’re the one who loves him, and you’re the one who’ll have to let him go.? Towards the end, Eun Tak's line : “Getting married and spending the rest of your lives together doesn’t always mean the love comes to a happy ending. But Hana, your love will have a happy ending. I believe that.”
To me, those are memorable lines.

Thank you Javabeans for maintaining this blog. I can always go back and relive those moments I spent on your blog. =D Always a pleasure to read.

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Thanks! I LOVE Oh Dal Ja's Spring!!!!!

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This would be my list for this year:
1. QSS
2. dal ja's spring
3. thank you
4. coffee prince
5. the devil

i loved QSS so much that i still have all the high quality hardsubed videos on my hard drive and do not plan to delete them any time soon. It was the first drama i watched while it was still airing, therefore my first time experiencing the anxiety of waiting for subtitles to be released. Actually, i found your blog because after i watched the first episode on a streaming site (yeah, i know...BAD ME) i googled the drama in hopes of finding the rest of the episodes and i was so excited to see that you had already summarized a couple of them. Now that i think about it, my first post on soompi was on the QSS thread as well. I LOVED reading your summaries after i watched the episodes with subs as well as the discussions the drama provoked on soompi. I remember what a torture it was to NOT read your summaries before the subs were released because I did not want to spoil it for myself.

Not only did my OBSESSION with QSS lead me to your blog and soompi, but it was also what led me to become more familiar with the subbing process, where to and how to download and watch the subs on my own, etc. This drama definitely took my kdrama obsession to another level. The characters were so complex and full of flaws but that made them even more real. Eun Soo's straight forwardness **remembers elevator scene: "that was fun....let's do it again, eh?"** was one of the main factors that attracted me to the drama. She was an "innocent" and "inexperienced" girl, but boy was she ballsy! The OST and direction were also wonderful. I still remember that scene of Tae Jo driving in his car and arriving at Eun Soo's apartment building while the song "Two Hands" played in the background. It was such a simple scene but the acting, directing and the OST made is so touching. I LOVE that drama! ^__^

But enough with my ranting! I just want to let you know that i enjoyed reading your blog since QSS and i look forward to another year of hopefully great dramas. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! :D

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Hello there :D
I loved Dal Ja's Spring so much that I started watching it again... I agree 100% with you :D
I love reading your blog, thanks again for your hard work!

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Ahhhhhh I love Dal Ja's Spring too! Every episode seems to end with a lesson learnt, sometimes even with a cliff-hanger! (I even bought the DVD...) Awww how about Time Between Dog and Wolf? It's worth an honourable mention. :) It's definitely my favourite drama of the year, followed by Dal Ja and Agency! I will try out the dramas that was mentioned above when I find the time to dl. :D (No mention of Legend? lol.. Lee Ji-ah was a refreshing face to the TV though!)

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Your site has definitely brightened our 2007 too. :)

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Just completed Fantasy Couple and Coffee Prince. They were OK, but nothing gripping. FC could have been better. Han Ye Seul was way stiff and neither male/female leads generated enough chemistry to keep me focused. Coffee Prince wins, by slight margin. Oh well, I guess there are worse ways to end the year. (Including me mixing up your blog and popseoul's via Firefox tabbing & commenting in wrong one....-blush- But I'm gonna blame it on the Tylenol)

Speaking of coffee, hope you had a good cuppa and give yourself a pat on the back!

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oh, i totally agree. although i haven't seen que sera sera, dal ja's spring and i came in search of a flower were underrated but soooooooooo good! coffee prince is a must as well. and i'm still in the middle of a sloppy inquiry agency on KBS world but i love it.

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I loved this post.

...just to let you know. haha. :D

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“Wow, there are many other people out there who live and breathe K-dramas. So it’s okay to admit my addiction and not seek therapy.”

WOW. I should show this quote to my friends! :D

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Lovely wrap up! My end-of-year activity seems to be drama-watching; every end of year I scrape together favours and relatives and present-dues to amass a huge addition to my dvd collection and for the last 3 weeks or so (to my family's horror and disbelief) I've been parked almost all day every day in front of the tv. I'm rewatching Dal Ja and Coffee Prince, still laughing and crying at the same places, even though the plot isn't new to me.

Eun-chan and Han-Gyul's cautious approach to their feelings for each other still kills me- it seems like each time I watch it I see something I'd never seen or forgotten I'd seen. I hate Taebong for being impossibly he-can't-be-real, but even so you really can't hate him. Dalja's Spring is a really "neat" drama for me; it feels like every episode is trying to tell you something, and it makes you listen without making you feel like you've been preached at.

I've even got me I Really Really Like You, 32 episodes with a subplot that got reallllly draggy at the end, to the extent that I was fast-forwarding past the bits I didn't like, or practically everything that didn't have Lee Minki in it. What you said, "he practically throws himself into Mu-yeol’s weird, awkward quirks" seems to be true of him in the roles I've seen of him so far - his self-centredness at the beginning really gets on your nerves, but the change in his feelings is so subtle and natural you can't pinpoint when it began but before you know it you feel it's there, and you feel it with him (surely a testament to the writers too!) And his growing dedication to his job as a bodyguard, how even when off-duty the people he protects are still his first priority, somehow there's that stoic professionalism, and by the end of the drama I felt so proud of him (no really) and so patriotic (towards Korea!!) that I wanted to cry.

It was quite unexpected from an unabashedly romantic comedy but yeah, he seems to make a character his own, and make you love him. In fact when I see Lee Minki's photoshoots (his own, and not as any character) it makes me feel weird because I'm not sure who he is (sadly) - a very good actor, for sure. Although this character may have been similar to Tae-wan in Be Strong, Geum-soon! I can feel the difference - it doesn't feel to me like he's playing the same character? They're both not the gentle suave type but still it's... different.

Now that I seem to be collecting Lee Minkis, I certainly can't wait to watch Mixed-up Investigative Agency! And I wonder where I might find Taereung National Village. For now, I'll be watching my (long-awaited) Beating Heart. Yay!!

2007 has been an awesome year of dramas for me - before I've always waited for the wide release before I know that the drama exists, and people's opinions of it but for the first time, with Coffee Prince, I watched them in real time, subless, I waited every week for new installments with hundreds of other people from all over the world and it's thanks in no small part to your blog, Javabeans, that made it easy, gave us a place to hang out and basically showed me that... it's a whole world out there. I hope the new year brings as much awesomeness for you as you've given us. 많이 많이 감사합니다!!

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I'm so glad that you rated Dal Ja's Spring first because I was so sure it would be Coffee Prince. DJS is very special to me for two reasons:
1) It led me to your blog. "Blogging My Kdrama Obsession." How can a loony kdrama addict not get hooked by that bait? Yours is the bestest k-blog. Hands down.
2) It led me to Lee Minki. Ten months and no signs of the fervor cooling.^^

Flowers for My Life seems to have really great lines (just judging from the few examples you gave above) and that is always a big draw for me. I was undecided between this or Que Sera Sera but FFML it will be next.

Thank you for a fantastic Best of 2007 review!

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Omg Thunderbolt @ 42 - I just left a comment on your review and w00t that's what Dalja's Spring did for me as well!!! Although I must admit, I loved Taebong on his own, and then I loved Bong-gi on his own, and then in a crazy burst of insomnia I finished one and immediately started on the other and then boom!! Lee Minki = pwn. I dunno if I like like him, but he makes every character he plays so special. I think Coffee Prince is still specialest to me (dropping everything in my life to watch it was kinda unforgettably nuts) but without Dalja, I hardly think I would've found CP the way I did

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First off, I have to say that I love your blog. I discovered this site during the CP days (read your recap of the drama and the novel) and I came back for the QSS comments (I love your recap of Epi 9). Now I'm just plained hooked.
Me, I'm an incurable romantic, so your choices in dramas I tend to favor over thrillers like Mawang and TODAW. I'm also terribly shallow when it comes to looks, I can't seem to get past episode 4 of SBDH. Sorry Thundie, Dahee.
I liked Dal Ja up to a certain point, then I just got plain irritated with her when she kept saying "I'm 33 years old..." at the end of almost every epi. Maybe it's because I'm on the higher end of the 30's and I couldn't sympathize, it just sounded so condescending after awhile. Some older woman/younger man relationships I could buy, this one didn't work for me...LMK did nothing for me...ehh.
Which leads me to why I'm not keen on EIA. But I think eventually I shall watch it just because you liked it.
Can't watch FFML...CTH looks like my uncle...yuk. Shallow, shallow.

I look forward to your choices for 2008.

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I'm really glad you included Que Sera Sera. It was one of my favorites this year!

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I just finish watching Dal Ja's Spring and it is really exciting. Im starting to be a fan of Lee Minki. And Im really trying to find a time to watch the mixed up investigative agency! Im way behind in watching kdrama. But I really thank, your blog for keeping me posted in what to watch first and keep inside my harddrive for future reference hehehe. I hope you review some movies, if you have time. Thank you for the reviews and HAPPY 2008!!! Hope to have more good drama next year.

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sharp! personally, CP and DJ made it for me.

and must say that hyang dan is just adorable! a low flyer indeed and arguably the best drama most have missed (how sad). it was its unexpected mix of cheeky parodies and quirky funny bits blended quite seamlessly into a traditional story that reeled me in. absolute fun!

if 2008 is anything like 2007 (as far as dramas go), i'm quite beside myself in anticipation! bring on the drama!!! :D

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Based on your review of Dal Ja's Spring, I just finished watching the series. I LOVED IT and was so sad when it was over. I think if I had seen DJ before I voted in the poll, I would have definitely picked DJ over Coffee Prince. Now that I'm done watching DJ, I feel mildly depressed. I think that happens when it is a really good show, you just don't want it to end.

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Here are misterX's picks for best 2007 dramas:

올해의 드라마 (Best Drama of the Year)

01. Conspiracy in the Court (한성별곡 正)
02. White Tower (하얀거탑)
03. Mixed-up Investigative Agency (얼렁뚱땅 흥신소)
04. Eight Days Mystery Of Jeong Jo Assassination (채널CGV 정조암살미스터리 - 8일)
05. Catch a Kangnam Mother (SBS 강남엄마 따라잡기)
06. Noona (MBC 누나)
07. Mawang (KBS 마왕)
08. Thank You (MBC 고맙습니다)
09. Time of Dog and Wolf (MBC 개와 늑대의 시간)
10. Que Sera Sera (MBC 케세라세라)

Source: http://www.mediamob.co.kr/misterx/blog.aspx?id=191028
translated by Jannah, jisubaddicts.com

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Thank you for sharing your reviews and insights on the best kdramas of 2007, but for me COFFEE PRINCE IS STILL THE BEST of 2007, eventhough i'm from the Philippines and CP is still airing here, i've already finished watching it in DVD and i've heared that it's doing great here. Eun Hye give justice to the role of eun chan, she's just awasome, i really liked her acting, it's new, witty and very refreshing. But, i will try to watch Dal Ja Spring, because i also like Chae Rim, loved her in All About Eve.

KEEP IT UP... chow

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