Back in 2023, Hospital Playlist fans rejoiced when the production of a spin-off was announced. After all, the original series had offered such a warm and comforting story that we’d say yes to any opportunity that could take us back to that little bubble of joy and music. Entitled Resident Playbook, we had high hopes…
Reviews
Way Back Love Review: A Sincere Portrayal of Youth & Grief
When the darkness of loss and the brightness of youth collide, the immeasurable pain that emerges can be a tricky thing to navigate. That’s the challenge behind every scene of TVING’s Way Back Love, a miniseries that aired in April 2025 and received international distribution through Viki and Viu. Directed by Kim Hye-young and Choi…
The Art of Negotiation Review: “A Good Pitch Needs Drama”
K-dramas are well-known for their rom-coms, melodramas, and makjang revenge. But every now and then, we’re pleasantly surprised by a drama that dares to break tradition. I believe that JTBC’s The Art of Negotiation is one of these series, daring to transform a corporate universe that might seem dull and stale into a thrilling exploration…
When Life Gives You Tangerines Review: A Timeless Masterpiece
Despite its characteristic slow-motion, sweeter-than-honey romances, and makjang storylines, K-dramas often have the singular ability to empathetically portray the ups and downs of life. K-dramas can make life — with all its challenges and struggles — shine bright. We recognise ourselves in its characters and we’re compelled to follow them as they fight and stumble,…
The Witch (2025) Review: A Wistful Battle Between Science & Superstition
Do you know that sort of story that doesn’t really stand out, isn’t innovative in any way, and/or might even be a bit simplistic, but, for some reason that you can’t really define, charms you into following it from beginning to end? That might be a good way to describe Channel A’s The Witch (2025),…
K-foodie Meets J-foodie: The Joy of Food & Friendship [+ Restaurant List]
In January 2012, TV Tokyo aired Yakitori and fried rice in Monzen-nakacho, Koto, which is the title of the very first episode of The Solitary Gourmet. Starring Matsushige Yutaka as Inogashira Goro, a merchant who loves eating, The Solitary Gourmet is an adaptation of Kusumi Masayuki and Taniguchi Jiro’s manga of the same name. Goro’s…
Melo Movie Review: When Brotherhood Shines More than Romance
To some, a soft, sweet, and moving exploration of loneliness and grief. To others, a lacklustre attempt at a romantic drama. Despite the hype, Netflix’s Melo Movie has faced a mixed, lukewarm reception that left it out of Netflix’s Global Top 10 (unlike its Netflix original predecessors). So why does the show work? And why…
Love Scout Review: A Charming and Mature Reimagining of a Classic Rom-Com
In the chaotic world we live in, fiction can often serve as a safe haven and a source of inspiration. Heartily offering both, it’s easy to see why SBS’s Love Scout has become such a hit in South Korea. A delightful, mature and rewarding rom-com, Love Scout uses a familiar secretary-boss premise as a foundation…
The Trauma Code Review: Netflix’s New K-drama is Just What the Doctor Ordered
Open Netflix. Search for “Asian Medical TV Shows”. Just from Korea, you’ll probably find Life, Daily Dose of Sunshine, Chocolate, Brain Works, Hospital Playlist and a whole lot of “Doctors”: Dr Romantic, Doctor Slump, Doctor Cha, Ghost Doctor, Doctors, Good Doctor, Doctor John, Doctor Stranger, Doctor Prisoner. So when Netflix (almost randomly) dropped The Trauma…
When the Phone Rings Review: What Makes It Shine — and What Falls Short
Everyone has heard of MBC’s When the Phone Rings, the latest K-drama to take over Netflix’s Top 10 Lists, Instagram feeds, and K-drama online forums. Whether or not you’ve watched it, I’m sure you’ve seen someone making a comment or a guess as to where its intriguing narrative would lead them. When the Phone Rings…
