Daebak K-Rambles Podcast: K-drama Reviews

On this Episode 119 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess, Caitlin, and Liliana kick off Spooky SZN 2026 by crowning the best K-drama thrillers since 2020—and handing out superlatives for dramas like The Glory, Flower of Evil, and Death’s Game to Karma, Somebody, Light Shop, and D.P.

But what actually makes a K-drama a thriller? Does it need to keep you guessing, make you anxious, or leave you screaming? The trio gets into the increasingly broad definition of the genre while debating the best thriller since 2020, best psychological thriller, most disturbing drama, best ending, biggest plot twist, best villain, most underrated and overrated thrillers, and more. Plus: Is Squid Game overrated? Why does nobody talk about Karma, Light Shop, or Connection anymore? And does The Worst of Evil deserve all the hype?

The trio also reveals the K-dramas they would defend to the death, the ones they would never watch again (“I need to bleach my brain”), the shows everyone else loves but they simply cannot get behind, and their No. 1 blind spots—the thrillers they really should have watched by now. Whether you're looking for your next K-drama thriller recommendation, debating the best Korean thrillers of the 2020s, or just here for the discussion, join us for favorites, hot takes, controversial opinions, shocking twists, traumatizing endings, and a whole lot of “WHAT DID I JUST WATCH?!”

GUEST: Liliana

• Tea & Soju Asian Drama Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple
• Instagram: @teaandsojupod
• TikTok: @teaandsojupod  

GUEST: Caitlin

• NoSleep4Dramas Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple
• Website: nosleep4dramas.com
• Instagram: @nosleep4dramas
• TikTok: @nosleep4dramas  

Intro Music Credit: "Golden Coconut Club" by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.

*No portion of this work may be used to train large language models or similar Al systems without written permission.

Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 8!

On Episode 118 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and drama bestie Miguel review the 2024 K-drama What Comes After Love, starring Lee Se-young and Kentaro Sakaguchi.

Jess and Miguel dive into the quietly devastating romance of What Comes After Love, unpacking a breakup story that feels less like a traditional K-drama romance and more like a post-mortem of a relationship. From a whirlwind romance in Japan to a painful reunion five years later, the duo explores how loneliness, miscommunication, emotional distance, and the inability to say what needs to be said slowly fracture a relationship that once felt like forever.

The episode also digs into the drama’s nonlinear storytelling, yearning, and painfully realistic portrayal of love and regret, with comparisons to Before Sunset, 500 Days of Summer, and La La Land. Jess and Miguel question whether the ending truly earns its hopeful conclusion—or should have just welcomed us to Seb’s~

Whether you're looking for a spoiler-filled What Comes After Love review, ending explained, relationship analysis, character breakdown, or simply want to process a K-drama romance so quietly crushing that it makes you question whether eternal love exists at all, this episode has you covered.

Intro Music Credit: "Golden Coconut Club" by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.

*No portion of this work may be used to train large language models or similar Al systems without written permission.

Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 8!

On Episode 117 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Sarah from Kdrama This and the Afternoona Asks Podcast tackle one of the most controversial parts of being a K-drama fan: dropping dramas. What makes us give up on a K-drama, and when does a drop become a hate-watch?

Jess and Sarah break down their philosophy on dropping dramas, from being completionists to accepting that life is too short to finish a K-drama you’re no longer enjoying.

The duo dig into the patterns behind the drop—messy humor, overly angry villagers, boring plots, frustrating characters, ugly leads—and the special agony of dropping a drama starring an actor you love (sorry, Seo In-guk, Ji Chang-wook, and Lee Jae-wook). Plus, they discuss K-dramas everyone else seemed to love but one of them absolutely did not, including The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, Reply 1994, Extraordinary You, and Dr. Romantic.

Not every drop is intentional, so Jess and Sarah also revisit the dramas they meant to finish, including Run On, Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938, and Twinkling Watermelon, as well as the shows they probably should have dropped but stubbornly kept watching. Finally, the Drop List goes beyond K-dramas with C-drama drops like The Untamed, Forever and Ever, You Are My Glory, and A Journey to Love.

So grab your unfinished-watchlist shame and join us for a deep dive into why we drop K-dramas, which K-dramas we dropped, and when it’s time to stop watching.

GUEST: Sarah

• Afternoona Asks Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple

• Instagram: @afternoonaasks

• Instagram: @kdramathis

• http://www.afternoonaasks.com

• http://www.kdramathis.com

All K-dramas discussed within this episode:

Tale of the Nine Tailed, Descendants of the Sun, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, My Mister, Lost, My Liberation Notes, The Potato Lab, Sold Out on You, Brewing Love, Love Your Enemy, Genie Make a Wish, Hometown Cha Cha Cha, Summer Strike, Ms. Incognito, Dear Hyeri, In Your Radiant Season, Cinderella at 2am, Wedding Impossible, A Korean Odyssey, Hotel del Luna, The Greatest Love, Big, Alchemy of Souls, Can This Love Be Translated?, Warm and Cozy, The Master’s Sun, My Girl, Delightful Girl Chun Hyang, When the Stars Gossip, Thirty-Nine, Extraordinary You, My Roommate Is a Gumiho, Are You Human Too?, Encounter, Today’s Webtoon, Andante, Can We Get Married?, One Spring Night, Operation Proposal, Reply 1994, Run On, Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938, Bon Appetit, Your Majesty, Twinkling Watermelon, My Country: The New Age, Twelve, Boyfriend on Demand, See You at Work, Tomorrow, Jinxed at First, Motel California, Oh My Venus, The Midnight Studio, Heavenly Ever After, Tastefully Yours, Doona, She Would Never Know, Rain or Shine, Arthdal Chronicles, Abyss, Alchemy of Souls, Welcome to Samdalri, Filing for Love, The Manipulated, Sound of Magic, The Worst of Evil, The Impossible Heir, Last Summer, Doctor on the Edge, The King’s Affection, Tomorrow, Destined with You, The Matchmakers, Love All Play, Serendipity’s Embrace, In Your Radiant Season, Eye Love You, My Youth, Our Movie, The Nice Guy, Iljimae, Marry My Husband, Love Next Door, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, Dr. Romantic, The Last Empress, The Legend of the Blue Sea, Head Over Heels

All other C-dramas and J-drama discussed within this episode:

Forever and Ever, The Untamed, A Journey to Love, Last Samurai Standing (J-drama), Well-Intended Love, You Are My Glory, Miss the Dragon, The Legend of Fuyao

Intro Music Credit: “Golden Coconut Club” by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.

*No portion of this work may be used to train large language models or similar Al systems without written permission.

Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 8!

On Episode 116 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Moe from the Off By Purple Heart Podcast review the 2026 K-drama My Royal Nemesis, starring Lim Ji-Yeon and Heo Nam-jun.

Jess and Moe dive into why My Royal Nemesis became one of 2026's biggest romantic surprises, praising its self-aware humor, irresistible chemistry, and refreshingly earnest "he fell first—and harder" romance. From Joseon-era court intrigue and reincarnation to modern-day chaebol scandals, shamans, comets, and fate-defying love, the series confidently blends fantasy, comedy, and melodrama into one of the year's most entertaining K-dramas. 

The duo also discusses Heo Nam-jun's breakout performance, the Lim Ji-yeon’s seamless transition between regal Joseon speech and OTT modern comedy—while breaking down the emotional and confusing ending, unforgettable yearning, swoon-worthy romance, and MORE!

Whether you're looking for a spoiler-filled My Royal Nemesis review, ending discussion, character analysis, or simply want to gush over one of 2026's most charming fantasy romance K-dramas, this episode has you covered.

GUEST: Moe

• Off By Purple Hearts Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@offbypurpleheart
• Instagram: @offbypurpleheart https://www.instagram.com/offbypurpleheart/

Intro Music Credit: "Golden Coconut Club" by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.

*No portion of this work may be used to train large language models or similar Al systems without written permission.

Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 8!

On Episode 115 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Corinne from the Sex Love Literature Podcast review the 2026 K-drama Can This Love Be Translated?, starring Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung.

Jess and Corinne unpack everything that made Can This Love Be Translated? at best an average rom-com watch and at worst one of the year's biggest disappointments—from the Hong Sisters' gorgeous globe-trotting production and trademark quirky romance to a story one could argue is all style and very little substance. The duo discusses why the drama's central metaphor of "translating love" never fully develops and how lavish filming across Canada, Italy, and Japan can't compensate for a romance that struggles to earn its emotional payoff. Jess and Corinne also dive into the show's attempts at gothic comedy and psychological trauma, questioning whether the series mishandles themes of mental illness in favor of broad rom-com antics.

Whether you loved Can This Love Be Translated?, couldn't finish it, or are simply curious why one of 2026's most anticipated K-dramas proved so divisive, join for an in-depth review of its romance, symbolism, performances, filming locations, psychological themes, and where the series ultimately loses its way.

GUEST: Corinne

• Website: sexlovelitpodcast.com
• Podcast: Sex. Love. Literature.
• Instagram: @sexlovelitpodcast https://www.instagram.com/sexlovelitpodcast/

Intro Music Credit: "Golden Coconut Club" by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.

*No portion of this work may be used to train large language models or similar Al systems without written permission.

Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 8!

On Episode 114 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, the Drama Trio revisit one of the most iconic K-dramas of the 2000s—Princess Hours (Goong), starring Yoon Eun-hye and Ju Ji-hoon.

Jess, Caitlin, and Liliana dive into everything that makes Princess Hours such a fascinating time capsule: the wildly elaborate palace etiquette, early-2000s fashion, Harry Potter shaggy haircuts, and a love triangle that somehow manages to be both swoon-worthy and utterly maddening. From teddy bears functioning as emotional support to public scandals, political schemes, arranged royal marriages, and enough misunderstandings to power an entire year of K-dramas, Princess Hours constantly balances slapstick comedy with genuine loneliness and emotional yearning.

The episode also explores why Shin and Chae-kyeong's relationship remains so memorable two decades later. Is Shin a sympathetic romantic hero or simply a spoiled prince slowly learning empathy? Does the drama's arranged-marriage premise still work for modern audiences? Along the way, the trio discusses the show's themes of duty versus love, the pressures of perfection, the evolution of one of K-drama's most famous romances (+ its real-life inspiration of Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and Camilla), and why Goong helped define an entire generation of Korean drama fans.

Whether you're revisiting this classic K-drama or discovering it for the first time, join for a deep dive into palace politics, royal scandals, iconic kisses, and the enduring legacy of one of the most beloved Korean dramas ever made.

GUEST: Liliana

• Tea & Soju Asian Drama Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple
• Instagram: @teaandsojupod

GUEST: Caitlin

• NoSleep4Dramas Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple
• Website: nosleep4dramas.com
• Instagram: @nosleep4dramas
• TikTok: @nosleep4dramas  

Intro Music Credit: "Golden Coconut Club" by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.

*No portion of this work may be used to train large language models or similar Al systems without written permission.

Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 8!

Celebrating 5 years of Daebak K-Rambles Podcast with our biggest episode yet! Join Jess for a special solo anniversary episode as she ranks all 94 Asian dramas we've reviewed over the past five years—from beloved K-dramas to unforgettable C-dramas, J-dramas, and T-dramas. Which series earned an S Tier spot? Which fan favorites landed lower than expected? 

From Crash Landing on You, Goblin, Moving, When Life Gives You Tangerines, My Mister, The Heirs, Our Beloved Summer, Descendants of the Sun, Love Between Fairy and Devil, Meet Yourself, and dozens more, every drama we've reviewed is ranked from S Tier to the bottom of the list.

Whether you've been listening since Episode 1 or you're discovering Daebak K-Rambles for the first time, come celebrate five incredible years of reviews, discussions, and drama recommendations by seeing how every series stacks up.

5 years, 94 dramas, 1 massive drama tier list.

Intro Music Credit: “Golden Coconut Club” by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.

*No portion of this work may be used to train large language models or similar Al systems without written permission.

Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 8!

On Episode 112 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and friend Carol from Kdramas Musings return for Part 3 of the Hot Takes series—the ongoing public roasting of K-drama Land.

In this official Part 3, Jess and Carol dive into another round of controversial, spicy, and occasionally unhinged opinions submitted by listeners, Patreon supporters, and commenters from Jess's viral TikTok. They're discussing everything from Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Lovely Runner, What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, My Dearest, Hospital Playlist, Vincenzo, Hometown Cha Cha Cha, Itaewon Class, Mr. Plankton, and Alchemy of Souls to the state of modern K-drama storytelling itself.

The conversation also tackles hot-button topics including shorter K-drama episode counts, Netflix's impact on the industry, toxic male leads, second lead syndrome, romance tropes, love triangles, old-school K-dramas, zombie dramas, Season 2 fatigue, and whether today's actors have the same charisma as previous generations.

Did your favorite actor, actress, or K-drama survive the chaos? You'll have to listen to find out!

The Hot Takes series sees Jess and her guests share, debate, and discuss controversial, unpopular, and occasionally foul opinions from across K-drama fandom.

GUESTS: Carol

• Kdrama Musings Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple
• Instagram: @kdramasmusings
• TikTok: @kdramamusings

Intro Music Credit: “Golden Coconut Club” by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.

*No portion of this work may be used to train large language models or similar Al systems without written permission.

Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 8!

On Episode 111 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Caitlin from the NoSleep4Dramas Podcast & Blog review the haunting 2018 crime melodrama Come and Hug Me, starring Jang Ki-yong, Jin Ki-Joo, and Heo Jun-ho.

Jess and Caitlin talk through this drama that blends romance, trauma, and serial killer psychology into a slow-burn thriller and romance story with an unwavering focus on atonement and emotional endurance.

From its opening—lonely silhouettes, a haunting radio monologue about understanding others’ pain, and a heroine walking against the flow in the rain—the drama establishes its core thesis: love begins with empathy. What sets Come and Hug Me apart is the relentless question of nature vs. nurture (are monsters born or made?) while simultaneously showing two people choosing love and empathy despite being defined—and judged—by a past they didn’t choose.

With a chilling serial killer hellbent on turning love into weakness and violence into truth, dogged resistance proves that “wickedness is a choice,” not an inheritance. By the final episodes, Come and Hug Me evolves into a cathartic confrontation with the past, delivering emotional payoffs that center healing over revenge. 

For fans of intense K-drama thrillers like Flower of Evil with a deeply emotional core, Come and Hug Me remains one of the genre’s most underrated and devastating watches.

Highlights include: chilling copycat killers, explosive family reckonings, fragile love, and hugs. Lots of hugs.

GUEST: Caitlin

• NoSleep4Dramas Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple
• Website: nosleep4dramas.com
• Instagram: @nosleep4dramas
• TikTok: @nosleep4dramas
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoSleep4Dramas

Intro Music Credit: “Golden Coconut Club” by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.

*No portion of this work may be used to train large language models or similar Al systems without written permission.

Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 8!

On Episode 110 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Nas from the Swoon Diaries Podcast to review the underrated 2023 melodrama Call It Love, starring Kim Young-Kwang and Lee Sung-Kyung.

Jess and Nas talk through how Call It Love transforms a familiar revenge setup into something unexpectedly tender, introspective, and quietly devastating. From its opening—lonely silhouettes, a haunting radio monologue about understanding others’ pain, and a heroine walking against the flow in the rain—the drama establishes its core thesis: love begins with empathy.

The story follows a hardened, defensive woman shaped by abandonment and betrayal, and a gentle man whose kindness feels almost radical. Their dynamic anchors a slow-burn romance that resists spectacle in favor of emotional truth.

Call It Love stands out in the K-drama landscape with its refusal to glamorize revenge, exploring how vengeance offers no relief, just more emptiness. Meanwhile, the male lead embodies a quiet resilience, choosing endurance over retaliation, even when wronged. Their conversations—about loneliness, restraint, and the cost of honesty—are some of the most emotionally rich in recent K-dramas.

Highlights include: messy family ties, morally gray parents (including a strong contender for Worst K-drama Mom™), and questions of emotional boundaries—can you love someone connected to your deepest wounds?

GUEST: Nas

• Swoon Diaries Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple
• Instagram: @swoondiariespod
• Twitter: @swoondiariespod
• YouTube

Intro Music Credit: “Golden Coconut Club” by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.

*No portion of this work may be used to train large language models or similar Al systems without written permission.

Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 8!