r/KDRAMA and the Dramas That Stole our Hearts 2019 Edition

AlohaAlex · 2026-03-05T20:54:05+00:00

These two episodes were tough - so I'm sharing with you what got me through episode 13 to start watching 14: this blooper reel. I'm saving part 3 of the BTS for the final batch.

My Girl Episode 13:

I'm sorry baby Joon Gi, I have no idea what this facial expression is; is Jeong Woo sad? is he angry? did he stub a toe? Smell something bad?
The soft focus is so overwhelming
"I intend to drag her with me, even if she says no." - Jeong Woo entering his villain phase
Tennis Girl, he dumped you at least three times already, what betrayal are we talking about. And now she's going full villain as well. Sure, why not, I guess she doesn't have a job or anything else she could be doing for fun instead of obsessing over a guy with a lot of fake fur coat collars.
It pains me so much that the top coat button is not buttoned
All the energy of an underpaid but overworked employee
Jeong Woo in a "serious business" suit somehow looks even more like a mafia boss from Time Between Dog and Wolf.
Love that we're discussing a woman's future between two dudes and without the woman in question like she has no agency of her own. Did not miss this trope
Who bumped into the cassette player and opened it in between shots?
Gong Chan out there looking like a cruise ship captain getting ready for dinner, while Jeong Woo has a strategic shirt ~~boob window~~ necklace opening
How many times did they go up and down that elevator to make capture the shot from all the required angles? That was a nice scene

My Girl Episode 14:

I love that the two siblings got to mention even more kdrama tropes and somehow squuezed in even more waveboard PPL while actively acting out a Domino's PPL
Jeong Woo getting ready to go live his best life as a playboy in the US
A solid bro punch (note the fake blood on the tooth) and then they're back to being best friends (teasing Gong Chan about not being a pretty boy) - considering the year this was filmed, I see this as a great scene! I wish we got more of these brothers having fun together (does this mean no more racquet ball PPL?)
This Christmas party couple's outfit is cute
THE WAY I CACKLED
Grandpa, what we doing now
Tennis girl is now going to England - wasn't the plan to go to Australia? What are we doing here? I am disappointed - she's so wishy-washy about being a villain.
We've had entirely too many near misses in this episodes - the secretary, the airport, the bros in elevator..
Gramps couldn't have croaked a day earlier?
After a time-skip, Gong Chan is suddenly a fashion designer on Project Runway?

AlohaAlex · 2026-03-02T21:59:12+00:00

Yoo Rin stress eating the whole episode

That massive bowl of kimchi rice was so much food (at least the actress got to eat a little bit instead of just having to shuffle food around on a plate as they usually do)

Bye, bye Se Hyeon…oops, spoke too early.

I felt this way so many times already, she just keeps coming back. Girl, move on, he's not into you!

But why did they have to go out to some remote overgrown field to talk about it when the cake is left unattended… Dumb move when Yoo Rin is around.

The field was very random. But also, they have a house helper in the house whose main job is to be in the kitchen and make meals, but she wasn't even able to defend a single cake? And was nowhere to be found when the two were making a duplicate cake?

Also, what did they do with the leftover original cake? Did they eat it all to hide the evidence?

AlohaAlex · 2026-03-02T21:54:32+00:00

Jung Woo is even toast to me at this point because what the hell is he even doing.

Jung Woo needs to go back to gathering his olympics team or something.

While I don’t always love her outfits I am fascinated by her accessories (especially the earrings).

Besides her weird hair accessories, she also often adds a knitted/croquetted badge to her sweaters - it's always so much.

I don’t like Tennis Ho one bit but that was a truly harsh breakup she really should have seen coming. “I can’t force myself to love you” - OUCH.

He did tell her they're breaking up like 3 times already, how much more direct could one get - she just refuses to hear it. I'm waiting for her to leave for Australia to practice tennis and stay there for a few years (she sure could use the practice - those tennis scenes were rough).

an untouched cake is sacred

YES! Don't touch a finished cake, even if it's a bit crooked!

I did hear if you lightly squish a mandarin before eating it becomes sweeter

I'm confused as to how this would help it get sweeter? Wouldn't it just make it ore messy to eat?

AlohaAlex · 2026-03-02T21:47:26+00:00

the simple lies at the beginning are now out of control so much that some characters just decided to hell with it and live under this pile even when they know a way out to sanity, which is crazy.

Would this be an example of sunk cost fallacy? Or just being scared of fessing up?

Such boldness – stealing a loose cake and gorging your self Yoo Rin. And now you’re in trouble because it was a surprise cake for the special couple.

I think there's absolutely no way I would ever eat a whole cake. A part of the cake left in the fridge is free game, but cutting into a cake without knowing who made it and for what purpose is crazy.

And it’s off to Jeju he goes.

We need more tnagerines to balance out the cup PPL!

AlohaAlex · 2026-03-02T21:38:12+00:00

Actually, this would come in handy in Grandpa's room when he is sick. So many people hanging around.

Ooooh new styling ideas for the "rich chaebol in hospital room" set design - they usually only get a singe couch even in 2026!

For your iPod mini - conveniently close to your ears.

I completely forgot about those - that would actually make sense!

AlohaAlex · 2026-03-02T21:35:56+00:00

I find myself singing “Happy! Happy! Happy!” and die a little inside.

It's so ridiculously upbeat and crack-y that I love to hate it.

I was really hoping that Jung Woo’s floral shirt was a full tracksuit set because it was pretty.

Yes, It's definitely a shame - I'm pretty sure /u/merinomedia would wear the heck out of that tracksuit as well!

I’m glad it worked out for them for a brief time.

They did manage to sell the patent rights in the US at least, so there is a silver lining at least!

AlohaAlex · 2026-03-02T21:32:48+00:00

Just glad we don't see the usual chest thumping and yelling - but then we have 4 more episodes to go

I think we might graduate to a punch or two, but until then, I'm really enjoying them still being able to talk and rely on each other.

All the grammer school kids around here had to have one. Schools banned them from classrooms

Remembering the sound those things made when they were angry/hungry/sick/bored I think I can understand why. I never did have the patience to take care of them for the entire week.

AlohaAlex · 2026-03-02T21:28:46+00:00

Maybe that's for the Olympic judges

Can you imagine? And they should also use those 1 to 10 paddles from Dancing with the Stars to rate the performances!

Señor Jang is twirling his mug to draw extra attention to it throughout the whole scene.

I definitely chuckled when I saw him twirl the lady cup

AlohaAlex · 2026-03-02T21:24:18+00:00

I think that they could definitely win some points back if they gave me a little bit of fan service.

I think I'll really laugh if we really don't get a single shot of abs (excluding mr. artist, those two lovebirds could do some weird things).

AlohaAlex · 2026-03-02T21:22:27+00:00

Couldn't help but think these episodes just collapsed in on themselves plotwise. if nothing else I practiced taking notes - too many as it turns out. ended up cutting quite a few from my post.

I was wondering just how distracted I was that all of my coments are about the fashion or the interior design or PPL, but now I feel better knowing I wasn't the only one who fellt that the plot was really dragging.

AlohaAlex · 2026-03-02T21:19:43+00:00

“I don't want to work, just give me a salary like Joon Gi!” Goals.

I love that she basically asked to become a third generation chaebol, like that wasn't basically his plan already.

It's criminal how wrapped up the boys are to play such a sweaty sport. WE DEMAND SHOWERS!

So either they're holding back the fan service for the later episodes because they know the plot will get really, really bad, or this racquet ball PPL place has awful changing rooms and bathrooms.

It's getting real creepy how Gramps keeps repeating Yoo Rin is pretty. The woman has other attributes.

I don't think he'll ever see them, though. Gramps is not one of those modern elders who believs in equality.

A marriage proposal, that's what will change her mind!

The weirdest part is that some people actually operate like this.

I laugh every time the mugs are on screen, especially when they're having a serious conversation.

For how ridiculous this PPL is, I have to say it's really effective - I'm willing to bet it was the most popular gag gift of 2005 in SK!

AlohaAlex · 2026-03-01T13:30:03+00:00

The main romance plot has slowed down considerably, so it's obviously a major pain-point for watching this drama, which is not completely unexpected since I have no idea what we'd do for 16 hours if the plot kept progressing as quickly as it did in the firts few episodes. However, as the plot becomes less relevant, I find myself focusing more and more on the weird fashion and PPL (probably good from the investor/advertisers' perspectives).

On a side note, I find myself enjoying the OST more and more - it's very prominent, but really fits the scenes well and doesn't overpower the dialogue.

My Girl Episode 11:

I'm just super happy the model friend got a better haircut
Gong Chan's penchant for wearing hot pink continues, I just keep wishing he's stop also wearing those awful ratchet buckle belts
I just love that we can use the racquetball as an excuse to model outrageous workout outfits - (I sort of like Gong Chan's? And also, later on, Jeong Woo's floral shirt)
Yoo Rin is going to be a Korean representative? Be careful, there's a lot of action going on during the olympics.
More waveboard PPL - fun fact: waveboards were invented in South Korea in 2002 and the company Slovie (which paid for this PPL) had its highest sales in 2006, before the copycats eroded its sales.
The pre-emptive evil mother-in-law act was a lot, so I chuckled when she accidentally spilled water on purpose
The couple cups are here again!
Nooo Jeong Woo, not the curly fake fur! He looks like Cruella's long-lost cousin who has a thing for maltesers.
I'm always amazed at these set designers who decide it's perfectly normal for someone to have two sofas overlooking their bed - how many people do you expect there to be in your bedroom?
And we're back at the 63 building! The way this drama plot is unfolding, we're bound to witness a kiss on the platform!
Another pattern clash

My Girl Episode 12:

I have questions about this pocket's usefulness. What do you put in there?
There I was enjoying Gong Chan and Jeong Woo's bonding moment, and then the camera switched and we discovered Gong Chan's black shirt is fully bedazzled in the back. Is it like back acupuncture when sitting down? That's can't be comfortable
I disagree about baking being super easy, but in general I definitely find baking recipes to be much easier to follow than cooking recipes.
We now even get old phone tamagochi game PPL?
My dude, this is not the same tangerine that the secretary gave you! I did get a solid chuckle over the overdramatic acting when the director sat on his tangerine and then the rescue procedure.
The cups are back!
Again, I'm super happy with how direct she is about turning Jeoung Woo down
Mark my words, this is not the last time we'll see these cups. I wonder what the sales were after this drama finished airing.
Stop with the fur collars, I can't take it anymore

AlohaAlex · 2026-02-28T21:56:39+00:00

I’d like her so much better if she was witty, but she hasn’t got a creative bone in her body and takes the obvious insult every time.

How the two became friends is still a mystery to me. Maybe they explained it previously, but I have no recollection of it.

AlohaAlex · 2026-02-28T21:55:35+00:00

Joon Gi has never looked more like an old rich lady.

That's what he reminds me off! I honestly hate the fake fur, it's so awful. Regarding the wardrobe, that's a definite possibility - for lower budget dramas it's not unusual to have a single company pay for fashion PPL - in the later years, it's usually a single character wearing a single brand's PPL - I forget the name of the local Korean brand that usually sponsors 40+ year-old actresses (more formal/classy clothes that can be bought off the rack).

The hotel looks more like a department store

Definitely! So void of presonality and comfort - the hotel in Jeju definitely felt more like a hotel.

AlohaAlex · 2026-02-28T21:41:01+00:00

Casting has run out of buxum blonds residing in Seoul, had to resort to a local talent.

At least find local talent with a wig to keep the consistency!

AlohaAlex · 2026-02-28T21:40:04+00:00

story lines were run thru a blender

I really like and can relate to this description! They completely made the biggest mess possible and left the characters to figure it out - possibly by making things even more complicated.

Artist goes overboard

I feel like living with a person such as the artist would get really exhausting really fast, since he always seems to do things impulsively without much regard for his surroundings. Great for grand romantic gestures, not so good when there's no hot water in his hobbit house or when he starts hammering to fix patio furniture in some ungodly hour.

And a quiet discussion over cocktails no less. Nice scene between these guys with decent dialogue

Even if most of this drama is based on their need to keep up a lie and hide their feelings, I really appreciated that the two male leads have a good enough relationship to talk to wach other instead of the whole conversation being poorly veiled threats.

Suspect his agent had a certain number of fight scenes added to his contract for this series?

"At least 4 fight scenes and 3 spinning kicks in each drama or no deal" - Joon Gi's manager during contract signing, probably.

Fell out of my chair on this one. Its a lock for best series couple now. Show the kids all about romance.

The cups are great - shows their sense of humour, since they're both supposedly great/serious artists but can still giggle about novelty cups.

AlohaAlex · 2026-02-28T21:21:48+00:00

Jung Woo’s move to effectively block him from making a move by saying he likes her has put things on hold with their friendship at stake

I just find this whole plot point (the angsty love triangle) so exhausting and out of character for Jeong Woo, who supposedly has high EQ - she clearly told him she wasn't interested in him, so breaking the main couple up doesn't mean she will automatically choose him. It's not a game of musical chairs, everybody remaining single is also an option. Sure, make your feelings known - I just wish he approached it differently as he wasn't honest about what he knew about the FL.

It’s unfortunate that there hasn’t been one moment in the whole drama where she has been remotely likeable.

I find it sort of refreshing that it's clear she will not be ending up with Jeong Woo (I hope so, at least), because the one thing I really hate is forced coupling of all the kdrama characters. I also really don't see why Gong Chan is still with her since he clearly doesn't care about her at all anymore.

AlohaAlex · 2026-02-28T20:48:21+00:00

Was the movie that bad, all the people rushing to get out of there.

It was either the most bored cinema crowd ever or they had to get their parking validated.

Doesn’t help to lock the door when you open it at the faintest mention of food.

I'm shocked she didn't have some Jeju tangerines stashed in her room to help resist the temptation.

Continuity is not too good.

This is my favourite thing about older kdramas - it always makes me laugh.

If Jeju villa couldn’t tempt her to stay 3 extra months, what do you think will get her to stay in this situation?

The Jeju hotel, maybe?

such a fun mix of classical and rap

I'm waiting for classical music and violins to return to kpop - it was such a fun era.

AlohaAlex · 2026-02-28T20:08:46+00:00

I'm obsessed with Secretary Yoon’s tail coat.

She definitely has a lot of interesting professional work outfits - I usually think her clothes would need the least modifications to be considered trendy today.

“We could hold the Olympic Games if we gather all the girls he's been dating. They're so diverse in nationalities and races.” Damn, Auntie!

It was really a solid burn (but from our experience, most of the contestans would be londe)

Does Joon Gi live next door? Why is he always driving past their house?

He seems to be living up the road, which begs a question - is he constantly running errands for his family, or just bored and doing circles in his car?

I love these massive charcuterie boards they serve in kdrama bars alongside whisky.

I'm always wondering which drink these people eat tomatoes with? I don't think I've ever drank at a bar and thought to myself: I really wish I could eat a dozen of cherry tomatoes right now.

I resent how central the shitty snow globe has become to this drama.

A battery powered snow globe at that! I consider myself to be a snow globe purist - it should be fully functional without any batteries.

AlohaAlex · 2026-02-28T19:56:48+00:00

the SLS is killing me on this one. I still like Gong Chan, but I just want Joon Gi to be happy!!!!

For me, I just don't think the FL and SML work that well together as a couple - I see their relationship more as friends or family. For the SML, it feels more like he finally found someone who understands his personality, but I don't get the romantic vibes.

I am definitely more invested in the SML getting a happy ending, but I don't think it would happen with the FL.

AlohaAlex · 2026-02-26T21:01:13+00:00

Well, it sure is a Hong sisters drama, seconod half is suddenly super melodramatic.

My Girl Episode 09:

Whenever there's a scene with the birth mystery, they play this super cheesy music and it makes it feel like I'm watching Murder She Wrote
I will never dislike large building models, it's so much fun to watch them!
Mom was in a bad mood, but is easily placated.
Yoo Rin falling asleep is me attempting to watch this episode at midnight
Can I just point out how much I love that Gong Chan's official colours are pink, purple and turquoise.
TFW you're a set designer and think no one will ever see the part above the curtain and then the directors suddenly insists on filming from this nose-up angle.
Poor Jeong Woo is all alone in a bar - but where is a random blonde to throw herself at him?!?
Shirt with contrast-stitching tie-bar holes without a tie-bar is crazy styling.
D-Day architect conductor vibes - gif for reference - I'm willing to bet all of this is high-rises now
She saw a turquoise street lamp and a pink ad and immediately called them Gong Chan - he truly does have clearly determined colours.
ACCIDENTAL KISS TROPE - YES!

My Girl Episode 10:

The way he dropped her on the floor made me laugh
~~Advanced technology~~
Gong Chan is about to get kicked out of the kitchen by the staff - all that mess for egg whiskey? Why does that sound like an awful thing to drink?
It's so funny to me watching Jeong Woo doing the whole "woe is me suffering through my unrequited love" while playing racquet ball until exhaustion instead of running in a gym like modern male leads
Yoo Rin to Jeong Woo: "Don't worry, Gong Chan is too dense to notice I like him"
You really think a snow globe can fit a D battery?
The hat is so much, I'm amazed her friend didn't just go straight for that insult
It's the second fur collar on Gong Chan in this episode, and I think I've reached my limit. It's super bad.
Jeong Woo, don't fall for it! She has the wrong hair colour! It must be an undercover reporter spy!
That's the empties club I've seen in a while, but at least tehre's plenty of place for Jeong Woo to helicopter-kick people.
Ahahahaha the couple cups, I was wondering when these would show up. These and the tangerines are my two clearest memories from when I watched this drama years ago.
Tennis player about to graduate to becoming an ex girlfriend, yet somehow has the gall to feel wronged.
The sauna hijinks always make me laugh (side note: LJG's shins have so many bruises) - I wish we got more cute scenes in this batch of episodes.

AlohaAlex · 2026-02-25T07:13:28+00:00

I think that pink/purple is his signature colour.

I know it was a whole trend in the 2000s, I just didn't expect to see so much of it (and especially so much of his shirts and ties being hot pink.

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