Daebak K-Rambles Podcast: Kdrama Reviews

On Episode 80 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and friend Caitlin from NoSleep4Dramas Blog & Podcast finish off Spooky SZN 2024 with a review of I Saw the Devil (2010), starring Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik.

Jess and Caitlin discuss this unsettling and depraved movie, talking through the director, writer, cast, and performances, the cat and mouse storyline, the true crime that inspired the movie (shout out to Mimi Mizicko from Korean True Crime Podcast!), slightly different takes on the final scene, thoughts on the perhaps the tone-deaf revenge, fun facts, and more!

**Trigger warning: This episode and show contains content about violence, murder, and sexual assault.

GUEST: Caitlin

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 6!

On Episode 79 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guests Natalia and Jessie from the Certified Noonas Podcast review The Host (2006), starring Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, Bae Doona, and Ko Ah-sung.

Jess, Natalia, and Jessie discuss this monster movie from the phenomenal director Bong Joon-ho, talking through this stellar cast and performances, the Steve Buscemi-designed creature (yes, for real), the black comedy elements and political satire, the true story that inspired the movie, favorite scenes, a slew of fun facts, and more!

GUEST: Certified Noonas – Natalia and Jessie

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 6!

On Episode 78 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guests Jenn and Marisa from The KThree review Memoir of a Murderer (2017), starring Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Nam-gil, and Seolhyun.

Jess, Jenn, and Marisa discuss this mystery thriller, talking through the other movies it reminded us of like Memento and Shutter Island, the portrayal of Alzheimer's, the lackluster performance from Seolhyun, the scenes that thrilled us or made us scratch our concave heads (IYKYK), and more.

GUEST: The KThree – Jenn and Marisa

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 6!

On Episode 77 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and friend of the pod Nas from the Swoon Diaries Podcast kick off Spooky SZN 2024 with a review of Train to Busan (2016), starring Gong Yoo, Ma Dong-seok, Choi Woo-shik, and Jung Yu-mi.

Jess and Nas discuss this heart pounding and heartfelt horror flick, talking through a brief history of zombie cinema, what makes Train to Busan so critically acclaimed and special, the amazing performances, especially from child actress Kim Su-an, the themes and context that might escape the casual viewer, the most memorable scenes, and more.

GUEST: Nas

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 6!

The Season 5 finale is here! On Episode 76 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Mina from the Kpop Bookshelf Podcast review SKY Castle, starring Yum Jung-Ah, Lee Tae-Ran, Yoon Se-Ah, Oh Na-Ra, and Kim Seo-Hyung, among many others.

Jess and Mina talk through this drama from 2018, discussing the show’s incredible writing and performances from its cast, why it’s in the top 5 most highly rated K-dramas ever, its satirical portrayal of South Korea’s education system, our favorite characters, a breakdown of the show and all its most makjang elements, and more!

GUEST: Mina

On Episode 75 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast review It's Okay, That's Love, starring Jo In-Sung and Kong Hyo-Jin.

Jess and Liliana talk through this romance from 2014, discussing the show’s incredible writing and performances from its cast, its groundbreaking portrayal of mental illness and topics like mental health, trans issues, and consent, the chemistry between the leads, the animosity from fans of It's Okay to Not Be Okay, a breakdown of the show and all its most memorable scenes, THAT TWIST, and more!

GUEST: Liliana

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 6!

On Episode 74 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by Daebak royalty Miguel AND Rico to review seasons 1 and 2 of the J-drama Alice in Borderland, starring Yamazaki Kento and Tsuchiya Tao, among many others.

Jess, Miguel, and Rico team up to cover this 2020/22 Netflix drama, discussing the ultra violence, if K-dramas are more or less violent, comparisons to Squid Game, the themes and messages of the show, the coolest shots, our favorite characters and scenes, the best games and plot beats, our thoughts on THAT ENDING, and more!

**Trigger warning: This episode and show contains content about violence, suicide, and sexual assault.

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 6!

Follow us!

On Episode 73 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, the Drama Trio is on deck! Jess is joined by friends Caitlin from NoSleep4Dramas Blog & Podcast and Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast to review Eternal Love of Dream (aka Three Lives, Three Worlds, The Pillow Book), starring Dilraba Dilmurat and Vengo Gao.

Jumping straight into spoilers, Jess, Caitlin, and Liliana talk through this ultimately disappointing 2020 sequel to Eternal Love (aka Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms). After coming together to review the original Eternal Love on the Tea & Soju Podcast, the trio have trouble doling out praise in this much-anticipated watch, discussing the rampant pacing issues, confusing retcons from the first show, the displaced timelines in comparison to the source novel, the lack of character development, (sadly) annoying portrayal of our lovesick fox, and more frustrating writing that overshadowed the acting and chemistry from these beloved leads.

GUEST: Liliana

GUEST: Caitlin

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 6!

Follow us!

On Episode 72 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Grace from the Afternoona Asks Podcast review the sageuk from yesteryear The Princess’s Man, starring Moon Chae-won and Park Si-hoo.

Jess and Grace talk through this epic, ANGSTY romance from 2011, discussing the show’s writing, its accurate portrayal of real historical events, the cast and the scandal that rocked Park Si-hoo’s career, the hella melodramatic OST, the chemistry between the leads, a breakdown of the show and all its most memorable scenes, and more!

GUEST: Grace

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 6!

Follow us!

On Episode 71 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guests Curtis from the InfatuAsian Podcast and Brandon from the Pocha Playlist Podcast review the underrated K-drama Our Blues, starring Lee Byung-hun, Kim Hye-ja, Shin Min-a, Lee Jung-eun, Kim Woo-bin, and so many more.

Jess, Curtis, and Brandon talk through this delightful and stressful 2022 show, discussing the all-star ensemble cast, the cinematography and OST (hello, BTS’ Jimin!), the show’s excellent writing and handling of taboo or sensitive topics (like teenage pregnancy, depression, disability, and family reconciliation), the most stunning and emotional scenes, the best storylines, and so much more!

GUEST: Curtis

GUEST: Brandon

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 6!

Follow us!