Such a hot mess, but a blast to watch. The fandom frenzy was sometimes more fun than the show itself.

It served up just the right amount of crack at every turn. By all accounts this should have been a disaster, but the sum of its parts is better than you’d think—you’ll be screaming at your screen while reaching for the next episode.

It’s the classic Candy Cinderella tale laced with just enough makjang elements to make it addictive. Nothing new, but a good family drama with a fresh-faced foursome in a compelling love square.

As a supernatural procedural and a comedy, it’s pretty good, but the overall story lacks direction. Kim So-hyun as the kickass schoolgirl ghost is pretty much the reason to watch, though don’t expect much from the romance.

Centered around a lifelong friendship turning to love and a mother’s slow descent into Alzheimer’s, there are shining moments in the thoughtful writing and strong directing. There isn’t much actual plot, but it’s an introspective watch with heartwarming relationships.

This mellow rom-com proves that conflict can exist without crazies or baddies. Simple but sweet.

Cute earnest story about a couple whose marriage and divorce are just stops along the road to finding love.

Full of sweetness and heart, if lacking in some other areas. Messy execution can dull the shine from the coming-of-age poignancy, but the feel-good nature has a way of warming the cockles.

Light campus drama that feels a little juvenile, but the music is moving and Joo-won shines, as always.

Halfway through, this was set to be an all-time favorite—thoughtful, sweet, intriguingly dark. But the story lost focus and the production was thrown into backstage turmoil late in the game, fizzling out disappointingly.

This slice-of-life campus drama was such a nice change of pace, and I really adored the flaily, awkward heroine. But the hero was left so opaque, the romance practically abandoned, and then we were all confused.

Visually breathtaking and characterized by sweeping grandeur, though a bit lacking in soul.

A juvenile romance that’s just a little too immature for the characters involved—it reads more for a tween audience than a teenage one. It’s not very convincing in its emotions, but at least the cute romantic bits provide some levity and charm. Not worthy of anybody in it, really.

Marvelous start and stellar acting counter the heavy angst, but the frustrating plot slows to a near-crawl.

What began as a whimsical twist on a classic fairytale devolved into lots of soulful staring. Had enough plot for eight episodes, but at twenty, it stretched my patience thin, despite my love for the cast.

This show blew my mind. It excited me on a week-to-week basis in a way I haven't been in a long while, and the format paralleling two timelines in every episode was an effective way to build tension in both timelines. The sci-fi plot was innovative and cleverly executed, but the reason this drama was so emotionally stirring was the desperate love story of two brothers at its center, going to any lengths to find each other.

It isn’t flawless, but it did everything I wanted it to and then some. Action, intrigue, humor, heart.

This show has ruined me. Now I want every drama to be as badass and heartfelt. Damn you, City Hunter!

Offbeat comedy with a wacky, unpredictable hero. Features loose plotting and a light feel, though second half gets heavier.

Quirky characters and compelling main pairing, but it never hooked me completely.

Thoughtful rom-com hit that became a cornerstone for Hallyu. At times cheeky, at times poignant. Standout soundtrack.

Will forever be in love with Choi Han-gyul. The end.

Ranges from slapstick to tearful to dramatic; worth watching for Rain’s and Oh Yeon-seo’s crack-up performances as middle-aged men stuck in beautiful young bodies. It’s too bad that only half the story was engaging (hers), while the other half suffered from mopey writing (his).

I kind of want to give this a D just to be thematic, but it was actually a pretty watchable medical drama. As a blockbuster disaster drama, it left a lot to be desired. I wanted the big earthquake to be bigger, and I didn’t want to spend the bulk of the drama stuck inside a hospital, that’s for sure.

Fresh and fun, with dashes of insight into modern (career-)womanhood, rife with Heroine’s romantic and professional foibles. Adorable main couple, great supporting cast, easy to zip through.

Good

Light on emotional heft, but angstless in a good way. Fun rapport between the agency family, breezy romance, and well-used cameos keep things zippy.

An example of a good movie adaption that’s light and quick on its feet, but it never really shot me in the heart.

Oof. A heavy hitter emotionally, though not in angst-ridden or melodramatic ways. It depicts the heartbreaking moments in everyday life, told in phenomenal performances by dramaland veterans. Sometimes hard to watch, but often rewarding.

Perfectly captures that dry, deadpan way that older people talk about monumental life-altering things like they’re ordering breakfast. Quietly moving, shockingly real, and comically mundane. Celebrates friendship like it truly really matters.

Addictively paced prison break thriller about a prosecutor on death row that’s really easy to get sucked into. The performances from Ji Sung and Eom Ki-joon carry this one, especially since the plot is so straight and simple.

High comedy factor with strong chemistry between the leads, playing teenagers forced to marry who fall in love later. Jae Hee is wonderful, and the directing is sharp. A sentimental favorite.

Credit where it’s due: This drama tapped into something special and took the country (and parts of the world) by storm. Plot wasn’t much to speak of, but it had that crackling romance, endearing military bromance, and charming Song Joong-ki. Not my cup of tea, but I recognize that it had a magic touch.

What little plot there was was just window dressing for the romance, so I found all the overseas medical/military trappings to be uninteresting and pointless. But as a contemporary romance it had chemistry and witty repartee spades.

Wish I could un-watch. Do they make a pill for that?

Not one that I’ve found.

This is a romance drama dressed in doctors’ gowns, with a plot so thin it’s hardly there at all. But it also flows lightly and easily, making it a crowd-pleaser with a cast of mostly likable characters and a few who are fun to hate.

Breezy drama about doctors who do more dating than doctoring. Which I wouldn’t have minded if I liked the romance more. I just never got why everyone was trying to change the heroine, when I liked her badass and prickly.

Main pairing is cute beyond words, and the sports stories are surprisingly engaging. But the best thing about it? That camera. Made every shot moody, crisp, and stunning.

This craptastic show is tons of fun to mock, with amazingly bad directing and laughable dissonance between intent and execution. And there’s no denying the idea itself was intriguing. But taken straight, as a drama? More pain than fun.

Adorable friendships, great handling of youthful foibles and the shark-infested showbiz waters. A showcase for its idol cast; if only they were better actors, it could’ve been even better.

A feel-good drama about chasing your dreams, full of sing-offs and dance-offs. Earnest in the best way.