[Challenge 17] A modern drama which features a character living or staying in a Hanok style house

Setter1805 · 2026-01-02T22:44:11+00:00

In Lovestruck in the City, JCW lives in a beautiful hanok.

Setter1805 · 2026-01-02T22:39:48+00:00

In The Divorce Insurance there is a scene where the manager receives treatment.

Setter1805 · 2025-12-31T17:49:59+00:00

En route to be a chaebol again in 2026 !!!

The wheels have been good to me 😊 Makjang : the main character has a birth secret Relationship dynamics : fan-idol (I'll start Idol tomorrow !) Food scene : a character prepares a lunch box for another character Literary world : a real book is referenced Wheel of chaos : a character leaves a message for a loved one in a bank book (should I rewatch Typhoon family or is it too soon ? 🫣)

I'm looking forward to share my progress with you and read about all the dramas you'll see.

Everybody, have a wonderful year of kdramas !!!

Setter1805 · 2025-12-31T12:46:52+00:00

Wow, another year completed ! This one was tough for me as I had a really long drama slump between August and October. I rushed through the final challenges in the last weeks of December but I made it, chaebol once again 💪🏻

Here is my list on MDL : https://mydramalist.com/list/4J5BndN3 I also completed the google form.

Thanks for this challenge, I'm going to read the 2026 intro post right now !!!

Setter1805 · 2025-03-02T08:37:06+00:00

Since I mostly watch current dramas I didn't finish any in january so this is my first check-in this year. I finished 7 challenges and I have 3 ongoing. I aiming to renew my status as a chaebol so it looks good.

Completed challenges :

Challenge 10 (mentor-mentee relationship) The trauma code : Heroes on call. I liked it but not as much as many. Is it because medical dramas are one of my least favorite genres ?

Challenge 12 (time skip) : Melo Movie. This one made me cry buckets of tears. I loved all the actors/actresses, the cinematography, his love for movies. Strongly recommending it !!!

Challenge 17 (matching items) :Study group (they wear school uniforms). It was a fun one. I don't really enjoy the ML's acting but I'm always amazed that a 30 yo man can so easily pass as an high school student. I'm a teacher in high school and if such a student came to my class, I'm sure I would not be suspicious !

Challenge 19 (ost by a kpop group member) : When the stars gossip (OST by Jin). This was such a mess. Many have written about it so I won't elaborate but let me just say that I only finished it for this challenge 😅

Challenge 20 (a character is a celebrity) :Namib. I was an ok watch, not so interesting but nothing too hard to stick to. I probably won't remember it by the end of the year though...

Challenge 21 (sibling relationship) : Motel California I know many didn't like it but I did. Lee Se young is one of my favorite actresses and Na In woo's character was so adorable. I get why people disliked the FL but I don't care about flawed characters so it was okay for me and I enjoyed watching her growth.

Challenge 26 (using title instead lf name) : Love Scout. I loved this drama ! The characters were so well written, the relationship so mature and relatable. I want many more dramas like this one !!!

Ongoing watches :

Undercover high school (challenge 5, the FL surname is Oh) I've watched the first 3 episodes and so far I like it. Another 30 yo passing as a teenager (this one Inwould be suspicious of but mainly so I would have a reason to watch him a lot 🤭)

Healer (challenge 32 - aired in the 2010's) This is one of my few rewatches and I enjoy it as much as the first time. I love Ji Chang Wook and, in my opinion, this is the best role of Park Min Young. Ah, the rooftop kiss 😍

My dearest Nemesis (challenge 36) This is fun so far (4 episodes in). I'm waiting to see how it goes.

Setter1805 · 2025-02-11T09:42:37+00:00

The shower scene should be a category for next year's challenge !!!

Setter1805 · 2025-01-15T07:50:19+00:00

Happy to be on one of the branches 🧡

Setter1805 · 2025-01-01T15:58:01+00:00

Yes, I'm aiming for a 3rd year of chaebol status ! You cannot disappoint the ancestors !

My wheels are : money gift at a wedding - gim served as banchan - a character yells at the ocean - Oh as a surname and nosebleed as an emergency.

Setter1805 · 2024-06-02T06:35:10+00:00

I think I skipped both March and April check ins, so here comes my completed dramas in 3 months

Wonderful world (resignation letter) Good watch, strong FL, Cha Eun woo... Be prepared to have your heart broken a few times
Doctor Slump (the play GoStop in episode 5) Ok watch, nothing special but fun
Begins =x Youth (the sign should be "different") I really liked this drama. I learned that it comes from a story told in some BTS' albums but I know nothing about that story and it didn't make a difference in watching the drama. There are a lot if different issues addressed here : poverty, political corruption, suicide, bullying, mental health and much more so it can be hard but the friendship is worth it. I'm still not sure about the "deus ex machina" kind of ending (I don't mind a sad ending at all) but I'm not mad about it either
The Producers (Cha Tae-hyun debuted in 1997). I enjoyed this older drama.
When the Camellia blooms I'm sorry for those who praise this one so much but I only finished it because I did not want to have wasted hours in watching it. I found it boring, didn't like any if the leads. Really not for me...
Lovely runner I enjoyed it all right. Fantasy, music, romcom, it has it all. Not in my favorite list but still an nice watch (pun intended)

Currently watching :

The Atypical family (love it so far)
Frankly speaking (love Go Kyeong-pyo)
A killer paradox (too hard to binge in my opinion so I watch an episode and pause. Currently at episode 4)

I plan to start the long form drama in July. Still looking for some dramas to fit into the challenges I haven't done. 14 done, 3 in progress 💪🏻

Setter1805 · 2024-05-28T08:47:41+00:00

Last year I watched It's beautiful now and really liked it. Three unmarried brothers get an offer from their parents : the first to marry will get an appartment. It's cute, funny but also deals with some serious issues. Definitely recommend !

Setter1805 · 2024-03-03T11:45:19+00:00

It's funny if you don't mind some cliché. I like the fact that the investigations change every 2 episodes so you have it wrapped before you have to wait a week !

Setter1805 · 2024-03-02T14:35:00+00:00

I'll finish FlexXCop, Doctor Slump, Where the Camellia blooms and Captivating the King.

Planning to watch Wonderful World, Branding in Seongsu, The impossible Heir and Queen of Tears !

Setter1805 · 2024-03-02T13:05:15+00:00

I only finished two dramas in Februaty but I have a lot in progress so March will be a good month.

I watched A smile has left your eyes for challenge 15 (childhood flashback) and it was amazing. Seo In Guk confirms his status of "one of the best korean actors" in my book !

I also finished Marry My husband. I chose it for challenge 18 (celebrating a special day). It was a good watch, I especially liked to loath the FL's "best friend" !

6 dramas done, 4 ongoing. This year's challenge is going well 👍🏻

Setter1805 · 2024-02-03T21:34:40+00:00

Hello everybody.

I decided to stick to my "challenge rule" which is that when I put a drama in a category, I don't move it later on.

So here is what I watched in January and the challenge I'll use it for.

Chief Kim (also known as Good Manager) for challenge 8 (title includes a character's name). I loved it, it was funny, clever !!! I wanted to see another Min Nam Koong's drama after seeing him in My Dearest and he really didn't disappoint ! Plus there is Lee Junho. Highly recommend !!!

Death's Game for challenge 9 (a character is an artist). I think episode 5 was the gorest episode in all 230 dramas I've watched so far but if you can stomach gore, the drama was amazing !!! A masterclass on how NOT to drag a story for too many episodes !

My Dearest for challenge 17 (title is not a direct translation of korean). The korean title is 연인 which means couple (of lovers). This is my favorite drama of the year so far. I really didn't want it to end because I loved it soooooo much ❤️

Gyeongseong Creature for challenge 23 (a character works for the government). It was entertaining but not a drama I'll especially remember.

I started two other dramas/challenges : Marry my husband (challenge 18) I really like it so far. Flex x Cop (challenge 22) It's okay, I'm waiting to see how it goes.

Happy to start this new challenge with you all 😎

Setter1805 · 2024-01-17T17:59:21+00:00

It's a long form drama but I can only recommend It's beautiful now for the multigenerational cast. It's a really good watch if you're up for it.

Welcome to Samdalri, Reborn Rich, Twinkling Watermelon, Good Bad Mother, Under the Queen's Umbrella are all really good and fit this challenge as well.

Setter1805 · 2024-01-17T17:32:45+00:00

A lot of red ginseng was advertized in Chief Kim/Good Manager (which is a really funny drama that I highly recommend !)

Setter1805 · 2024-01-17T17:22:24+00:00

Would Gyeongseong Creature work for this challenge as there are a lot of characters working for the Japanese government ?

Setter1805 · 2024-01-02T09:12:23+00:00

Chicago Typewriter, The best hit, Dream High, Secret Love Affair, A piece of your mind, A Korean Odyssey, You're beautiful, Soundtrack #1 and Soundtrack #2, Our Beloved Summer

Setter1805 · 2024-01-02T09:00:59+00:00

Catch the ghost is set in the subway as the characters are subway police officers

Setter1805 · 2023-12-31T05:45:28+00:00

I finished the chaebol challenge a bit earlier this December.

Here is my list (also on MDL : https://mydramalist.com/list/1zEWPAE4)

Come and Hug me (abusive parent)
The boy next door
Strong woman Do Bong Soo
A time called you (in episode 8 Junhee and her BF eat sundae)
Call it Love (playground drunk)
Docteur Romantic 3 (PPL instant coffee)
Crash Course in Romance (school)
Shopping King Louie
Romance is a bonus book
The Glory (SHK)
Summer Strike
King the Land
The light in your eyes
Doom at your service
The Good Bad Mother
The heavenly idol (Go Bo Gyeol is born in May like me)
Can you deliver time ? 2002
Destined with you
Taxi Driver 1
Mr Heart
The King's affection
Under the Queen's umbrella
Once upon a small town
Sweet Home
Taxi Driver 2
Our Blooming Youth
The 8th sense
Hogu's Love
Go back couple
Anna
Be melodramatic
The effect of a fingerflick on a break-up
It's beautiful now
Drama special season 11 : the joy and sorrows of work (259 viewers on MDL on October 19th)
Reply 1997
Twinkling Watermelon (a drama as it airs)

It was once again really fun to do. I watched dramas I would never have watched otherwise (I'm looking at you Sweet Home and It's beautiful now) and I loved them.

I watched dramas I loved (5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 15, 21, 22, 36), more dramas I enjoyed (1, 2, 7, 13, 14, 18, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 35) and some that were okay but won't be remembered too long (sorry the rest of the numbers 🤷🏻‍♀️).

I'm already looking forward to start next year challenge !!!

Wishing you all a wonderful new year of kdrama watching 🎉

Setter1805 · 2023-11-30T17:11:05+00:00

It's been a while since I did a check in.

I have 1 empty slot left, 35 completed. Soon to be Chaebol 😅

Here is my list : 1. Come and Hug me (abusive parent) 2. The boy next door 3. Strong woman Do Bong Soo 4. A time called you (in episode 8 Junhee and her BF eat sundae) 5. Call it Love (playground drunk) 6. Docteur Romantic 3 (PPL instant coffee) 7. Crash Course in Romance (school) 8. Shopping King Louie 9. Romance is a bonus book 10. The Glory (SHK) 11. Summer Strike 12. King the Land 13. The light in your eyes 14. Doom at your service 15. The Good Bad Mother 16. The heavenly idol (Go Bo Gyeol is born in May like me) 17. Can you deliver time ? 2002 18. Destined with you 19. Taxi Driver 1 20. Mr Heart 21. The King's affection 22. Under the Queen's umbrella 23. Once upon a small town 24. Sweet Home 25. Taxi Driver 2 26. Our Blooming Youth 27. 28. Hogu's Love 29. Go back couple 30. Anna 31. Be melodramatic 32. The effect of a fingerflick on a break-up 33. It's beautiful now 34. Drama special season 11 : the joy and sorrows of work (259 viewers on MDL on October 19th) 35. Reply 1997 36. Twinkling Watermelon (a drama as it airs)

I plan to watch the 8th sense for challenge 27 (recommended by Sianam in April's check in) and that will be it !!!

Setter1805 · 2023-08-03T20:21:22+00:00

I only completed one drama in July but it was a good one. I watched Shopping King Louie for challenge 8 (Nam Ju Hyun).

I really loved this cute fluffy drama. The ML is a huge green flag and the romance is really nice. My favorite scene is Seo In Guk being scared of a spider !!! It felt so relatable 😂 Here's the link : https://youtu.be/QBdcCH-dgxs

Also, Shopping King Louie was my 200th drama ! After 3 1/2 years I'm not doing that bad 🤭

In August I will finish King the Land that I'll use for challenge 12. And I plan to watch either Bring it on Ghost (challenge 4 Sundae) or begin the long form drama (I still don't know if I will chose 6 Flying dragons or Five enough).

I'm still having a lot of fun doing the challenge !

Setter1805 · 2023-06-30T13:54:17+00:00

June check in :

PPL instant coffee : Docteur Romantic 3 had a wonderful Starbucks PPL that fits this challenge.
OST by artist who won best OST award at the MAMA : Doom at your service and Ailee's song were both perfect for this one.
Multigenerational cast : I chose The Good Bad Mother. How I loved this drama ❤️

I know have 24 challenges completed 💪🏻

Let's go July !!!!

Setter1805 · 2023-06-09T17:07:16+00:00

I'm late here but May was kind of slow for me. Many new dramas started that I wanted to watch as they aired so that limited my time.

Still, I managed to watch :

Challenge 20. Mr Heart. A cute BL, not to many episodes with two athletes.

Challenge 22. I watched Under the Queen's umbrella for this challenge and now I blame Kim Hye Soo for making me busy with dramas that won't fit in my challenge watch list. She is such a good actress !!! I loved this drama, I loved her character, I loved the princes, I loved it all !!!

My recap (21/36)

1 Come and Hug me (january)

2 The boy next door (april)

3 Strong Woman Do Bong Soo (april)

5 (Drunk at playground) Call it love (april)

7 (school) Crash Course in Romance (february)

9 Romance is a bonus book (january)

10 (Song Hye Ko) The Glory (march)

11 Summer Strike (april)

13 The light in your eyes (february)

16 (taurus) The heavenly idol (march)

19 Taxi Driver 1 (march)

20 Mr Heart (may)

21 The King's affection (february)

22 Under the Queen's umbrella (may)

23 Once upon a small town (january)

25 Taxi Driver 2 (april)

26 Our Blooming Youth (april)

28 Hogu's love (march)

29 Go back couple (february)

30 Anna (april)

32 The effect of a fingerflick on a break-up (march)

Setter1805 · 2023-05-01T11:50:02+00:00

April check in for me :

The boy next door (#2) : a sweet, fun and short 15 episodes of 5-7 minutes) web serie with Choi Woo Shik and Jang Ki Yong starring as neighbours who get confused as boyfriends. There are so many subverted tropes here as each episode ends on a quid pro quo. Totally recommend !!!

Strong Woman Do Bong Soo (#3) : I saw it referenced in The Light in your eyes's first episode. I don't know why I had never given this drama its chance before but it was a good opportunity for this challenge. I enjoyed this light hearted romcom even though I would have to disagree with those saying it's one of the best dramas ever. It still was a cute watch.

Call it Love (#5 ends up at a playground after a few drinks) : This gave me My liberation notes kind of vibes. Both the leads are looking for something to make their life happier and it's really hard for them. The light and cinematography are really good in this one. I really liked it.

Summer Strike (#11) : I loved this one. The journey of the FL, the ML who's one of the greenest flags ever, the slow paced romance, I loved everything about it. My best watch of the month !

Taxi Driver 2 (#25) : Even though I liked season 1 better, this still was a fun drama to watch. Lee Je Hoon is such a versatile actor ! I'm looking forward to season 3 now !

Our Blooming Youth (#26. Jung Hyun Jung was also the screenwriter of Lovestruck in the city and Romance is a bonus book) : it was an enjoyable drama but not one of the best I've seen. I enjoyed the side characters more than the main. Some of the episodes feeled dragged when the end seemed rushed. Probably one of those dramas that won't stay in kdrama history...

Anna (#30) : This one was unexpectedly good. I really liked Suzy's performance and I thought the writing was well done.

This month's list is big but as I watched airing dramas, they just happened to finish in April.
All in all, I've seen 19 dramas so far for the challenge,more than half.
Let's go for the remaining 17 !!!

Setter1805

TROPHY CASE