1x13 | Arthdal Chronicles (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Today’s episode is 1/2 a Kdrama review and 1/2 an info dump on the crazy world of ARTHDAL CHRONICLES (2019). Francine discusses her love for morally grey characters, her absolute adoration for PD Kim Won Suk’s works (yet again), and the reason why seasonal formats for Kdramas are a terrible idea.

1x12 | Stranger & Stranger 2 (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Today’s episode of Dramabuds features Francine’s latest Kdrama obsession, STRANGER (2017 & 2020). It’s less of a recap and more of an endless stream of praise for this amazing show, its excellent writing, and the actors that brought this murder-mystery-thriller ride to life (feat. more praise for Cho Seung Woo, as a sequel to the previous episode on LIFE, 2018).

1x11 | Signal (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

With a unique time bending concept that has confused and intrigued audiences for years and years, SIGNAL (2016) is still one of the best Kdramas out there. On today’s episode, Francine talks about yet another work from her favorite Kdrama director and about the many aspects that makes it a masterpiece to this very day.

1x10 | Dr. Romantic & Dr. Romantic 2 (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

On today’s episode of Dramabuds, Francine talks about her journey with the DR. ROMANTIC series (2016 & 2020), which is less of a journey and more of a rollercoaster ride. She talks about her least favorite protagonist, her newfound appreciation for certain actresses, and her hopes for the series’s future (*manifests another Kim Hye Soo cameo in Season 3*)

1x09 | Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

With a brand new year comes a brand new episode of Dramabuds! Today, Francine talks about the absolute classic, the tragedy among all tragedies: MOON LOVERS: SCARLET HEART RYEO (2016). It’s a polarizing show, with its many good and many bad points, but you can’t deny the impact it made on the Kdrama community (and the pain everyone felt in that ending).

2020 SPECIAL | Year-end Recap and Awards

Surprise, it’s the Dramabuds Awards! On today’s special episode of Dramabuds, Francine looks back on all the Kdramas that made this year just a little bit better. From some of the best to some of the worst, this episode is all about appreciating the Kdramas that took over her life.

1x08 | Hospital Playlist (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Let’s end the year by talking about the Kdrama that saved this year: HOSPITAL PLAYLIST (2020), made by the much-acclaimed Shin-Lee PD-Writer duo. This episode also features another guest on the show, Francine’s friend Louie (please forgive the rambling, the fangirling, and the spoilers for Reply 1988 and Prison Playbook because we have no self-control)

1x07 | Life (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Today’s episode of Dramabuds features LIFE (2018), a medical drama for those who want less “medical” and more “drama.” It’s a show that talks about hospital management, the morality of doctors vs. businessmen, and the grey area where both sides are neither wrong nor right.

1x06 | Stove League (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

On today’s episode of Dramabuds, Francine discusses STOVE LEAGUE (2019), this year’s winner of Best Drama in the Baeksang Arts Awards (a well-deserved award!). It’s a sports anime in Kdrama form, and all its fans will be eagerly waiting for a season 2 with the Dreams.

1x05 | Start-Up (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

This show recently took the Kdrama community by storm, so today’s episode is an unscripted rant session on START-UP (2020), featuring the very first guest on Dramabuds: Francine’s sister, Ilene.