What’s The Kraze: Now Watching
This week, The Kraze team talks K-Dramas past, present, and perfectly spooky for Halloween.
Kelly (Co-Editor-in-Chief): I’ve personally been going full cozy mode. Currently watching Something in the Rain for its low stakes storytelling and easy romance.
Jean (Photographer): Recently started two dramas that have started off with a bang in unexpected ways. Dear Hyeri leaves you as unhinged as the main lead. For once, I have no idea what will unfold, in the best way, with great male counterparts for each identity. The other, What Comes After Love, starts in Tokyo. Beginning in Japanese, the story moves smoothly to Korea and Korean and the fluffy sweetness at the start turns much deeper and more complicated as the leads are reunited.
Kelly: The concept of What Comes After Love sounds so neat!
Jean: Fun rom-coms came to an end with the last episodes of Love Next Door, which was cute due to the chemistry of the leads. Those who watched No Gain No Love might have missed the bonus two-episode spin-off Spice Up Our Love.
Courtney (Writer): I recently finished No Gain No Love starring Shin Mina (my fave!), Kim Youngdae, and Lee Sangyi, and I love it so much. Every rom-com K-Drama that Shin Mina stars in is magic! The on-screen chemistry between her and Youngdae is amazing. I haven’t watched The Penthouse: War in Life, Sh**ting Stars, or any other show that Youngdae stars in, but after watching him in No Gain No Love I have quickly become a fan of him and definitely need to check out his work.
Roxy (Chief Marketing Officer): I know it’s fall but one of my comfort K-Dramas has become Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. It’s just so cute in general, even with the trauma healing portions of the show. I love the small town vibe of it too and that the main characters are in their mid-30s.
Kelly: I was actually torn between finally starting Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and Something in the Rain, but I know I’d love Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha so I’m putting it off. Like I’ve put it off for the last three years haha. I guess this is a sign.
Courtney: I love Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha! Another great Shin Mina romantic comedy!
Rae (Editor): I am super excited for Love in the Big City to be released and am waiting until I am in Chicago next week to watch The Judge from Hell. As for Love in the Big City, I’ve been a huge fan of Nam Yoonsu since The King’s Affection, and I get excited every time he has a new project! Plus, I love how he confidently ignores all the haters surrounding this drama and stays true to himself without caving to demands or expectations that have been placed on him.
Rina (Writer): I’m [also excited for] Love in the Big City. It’s gotten a lot of backlash from the Korean general public and seems like it’s going to be the biggest Korean Boys’ Love of the year. It deals with some very heavy subjects for being a Korean BL series, and isn’t the typical fluff that people look for.
Jean: Adding Family by Choice. It’s about three kids who grow up as best friends because of fractured families. Really cute so far with Hwang Inyoup. Also A Virtuous Business from Netflix. [It’s about a] group of women in Korea who sell “adult products” to make ends meet. Both have had great starts!
Robyn (Social Content Manager): I’m excited to see Jinyoung (from GOT7) come back from the military in November and see his new dramas set to be released early next year. He has two dramas geared up named The Witch and Unknown Seoul. I’ve missed him so much to where I’ve rewatched The Devil Judge three times…
Kelly: You’re so valid for that.
Nia (Graphic Designer): I don’t think I’ve watched a K-Drama since The Glory and Ballerina last year, but I think that means it’s time for my annual Gapdong binge.
Kelly: I feel you. I haven’t watched anything since Extraordinary Attorney Woo but with winter approaching, my body is preparing for hibernation and binge-watching.
Cidney (Writer): Currently, I am watching Doom at Your Service, but the recent one I finished is Marry My Husband.
Jay (Marketing Director): I’m currently trying to get through Lovely Runner and Our Beloved Summer! I’m almost done with Lovely Runner and really like the story, but life is just getting in the way of me sitting down and finishing it. As for Our Beloved Summer, I got into it as a suggestion and while I’m only a little bit into the story, I’m always a fan of Choi Wooshik. A drama I’m looking forward to is the upcoming one starring IU and Park Bogum.
Kelly: Oh yeah, I’m intrigued too.
Jay: It’s been awhile since we’ve gotten an IU drama (and you know I’m a huge fan) and I think this is their first time acting together so I’m excited to see their chemistry!
Jean: If you want scary drama for Halloween, Gyeongseong Creature (season two is out on Netflix), Sweet Home, Jirisan, The Uncanny Counter, Mouse, Kill It, and Happiness.
Roxy: I’ll also advocate for Save Me. More of a thriller, but it’s about a girl stuck in a Korean cult and it’s hella creepy.
Rina: I just finished Night Has Come, which is perfect for Halloween since it’s a horror and has a little bit of a ghost element. The actors were really great, and although I’ve heard mixed reviews about it, it exceeded my expectations. It’s about a group of high school students playing a game of “Mafia” against their will on a retreat, and the plot twists truly keep you questioning all of the characters’ morals.