Dorama of the Year 2012-I Winter - Saigo kara Nibanme no Koi (2012)

No masterpieces. By tradition, choosing betwen Japanese decent works, and I liked Saigo kara Nibanme no Koi (2012) the most of them. 

1. K-POP - The Ultimate Audition (2012)  [K-POP 최강 서바이벌] (Finished 1/14) Tags: Music, Comedy, Romance Ji Seung Yeon dreams of becoming a hip-hop legend and unexpected events set her on the path to achieve just that, although there is an added obstacle - she has to dress up as a boy in order to join a male idol group. In the process, she meets Kang Woo Hyun, the leader of the popular idol group, M2, who captivates fans with a killer smile that masks his rude and selfish personality.  I usually don't include male idols and especially with a trap, but included for romance tag... and, obviously, did not like it at all, suits worst expectations.   Overall Rating: 5/10

2. The King 2 Hearts (2012) [더킹 투하츠] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Military, Comedy, Romance, Drama Kim Hang A is a legendary top female instructor working for North Korea’s elite special forces unit. With stamina, training tactics, and strength in all areas, she is the perfect female soldier; however, she has never fallen in love. Pure and candid, Kim Hang A’s goal is to fall in love and get married. Lee Jae Ha is the prince of South Korea’s monarchy. His personality reflects his royal position, with refined humor and a handsome face; however, he has little interest in pursuing politics. Though he seems perfect on the outside, Lee Jae Ha is actually very materialistic and blunt about his own desires. One day, calamity strikes the South Korean royal family, and Lee Jae Ha finds himself on the throne in the midst of negotiations between North and South Korea for ending the war. As part of the negotiation process, he and Kim Hang A find themselves betrothed to each other. Can these two learn to settle their differences for the sake of Korea? Such bs politically arranged fantasy concept... and fake relations is one of the worst concepts for me, so dropping it early.   Overall Rating: 5/10

3. Love Rain (2012) [사랑 비] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Romance, Drama, Family, Melodrama Suh In Ha is a sensitive artist who falls in love at first sight with fellow college student, Kim Yoon Hee. The two of them develop feelings for each other, but before they can do anything about it, In Ha's best friend, Lee Dong Wook, professes his love for Yoon Hee. Not wanting to ruin his friendship, In Ha takes a backseat and watches as the girl he loves grows farther away from him. Fast-forward to present day Seoul where In Ha's son, Suh Joon, meets and falls in love with Ha Na, Kim Yoon Hee's daughter. The children are completely different from their parents in personality, but fate pulls them together. Not fond of childhood preludes, so equally not fond of parents story prelude. Wohoo, twice more waste of time and love triangles! And I don't know a single Korean dorama that would not benefit from cutting to 10 episodes.   Overall Rating: 5/10

4. Shut Up: Flower Boy Band (2012) [닥치고 꽃미남밴드] (Finished 4/16) Tags: Music, Romance, Youth Byeong Hui is the crazy, free-spirited leader and vocalist of the popular underground rock group, Eye Candy. Joining him are mood-maker Ji Hyeok, chic Hyeon Su, playboy Ha Jin, silent Do Il and baby-faced Gyeong Jong. These boys rule their school until a redevelopment plan forces the delinquent-ridden school to close down. They're all assigned a transfer to Jung Sang High, but debate whether it's even worth returning to high school at all. However, due to an outside confrontation with Jung Sang's current ruling band, Strawberry Fields, Eye Candy decides to attend Jung Sang out of spite and rule the school once again. First episode was more like a prelude, 2nd gave a setup and cliffhanger, watched others futher by inertia, but it does not get better or even remotely interesting after 2nd episode. That and my dislike for male idols make me stop.   Overall Rating: 6/10

5. Can Love Become Money (2012) [사랑도 돈이 되나요] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Business, Comedy, Romance A romantic drama about what happens when young and successful CEO Ma In Tak offers to pass on a 10 billion won inheritance to his future wife. Rich vs poor, fake relations and lots of lies... it just could not work out for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10

6. My Shining Girl (2012) [자체발광 그녀] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Comedy, Romance Jeon Ji Huon starts working as a scriptwriter in a broadcasting company, KBN. At her new workplace, she meets Noh Yong Woo, a PD who used to be her boyfriend and Gang Min, a difficult to work with a snobby top star. To prove her worth in the eyes of her ex and new coworkers, she tries to persuade Gang Min to cooperate with KBN. Work drama with the main advantage being short length, because I don't see any others.   Overall Rating: 5/10

7. Empresses in the Palace (2012) [甄嬛传] (Finished 1/76) Tags: Historical, Drama, Melodrama, Political A young woman born of the Eight Banners' family marries the Emperor. After surviving many murderous scandals and betrayals, she prevails as the most powerful woman in the Emperor's harem, the Empress Dowager. In the process, she transforms from a kind-hearted, clever girl to a power-hungry, manipulative woman. Palace harem intrigues are deadly boring... again.   Overall Rating: 5/10

8. Fashion King (2012) [패션왕] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Romance, Drama, Melodrama Great fashion has to start somewhere. And for aspiring designer Kang Yeong Geol, that somewhere is in a humble stall at the Dongdaemun Market, a crowded fashion district in Seoul known for its cheap clothing and wannabe designers. Yeong Geol is a little timid about pursuing his dreams to become a famous designer, until he meets Lee Ga Yeong, a confident young woman who shares his aspirations. Anna Choi, a brassy woman who will let nothing stand in the way of what she wants, and privileged hunk Jung Jae Hyeok create a double love triangle. Fashion is a poor setting for me, but in this case it's purely dreadful.   Overall Rating: 5/10

9. Secret Angel (2012) [秘密天使] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Romance, Supernatural L, an angel who’s endlessly fascinated with the human world, gets into trouble when she unthinkingly saves the life of Han Shi Yeong, a man who was meant to die. To make up for her mistake she must guard him on Earth for one hundred days and keep him safe from Hwan, a death god who is required to collect his soul. Both supernatural beings must contend with the knowledge that whichever one of them fails by the end of the hundred days will be erased from existence, and the longer they stay on Earth the further their powers fade and the more human they become. Supernatural, suicide, terminal condition. Three red flags means strike out.   Overall Rating: 5/10

10. Rak Prakasit (2012) [รักประกาศิต] (Finished 1/14) Tags: Romance, Drama, Family Nid is a working woman who asked for a job as a secretary at Puchit's farm, but instead was assigned to be a manager working in the farm. As a boss and an employee working together almost everyday, Nid and Puchit eventually became close. Lek, Puchit's little sister who has an anxiety disorder, couldn't accept the fact that her only brother has love for someone else other than her. She would try every way to chase away Narissara from her beloved brother. Despite Lek's irrational behaviors, Niphon, another employee in the farm, would always stay by her side and take care of her. However, the self-centered Lek looked down at him because he's just an employee, just like how she looked down at Narissara. How will the love between Puchit and Narissara be solved? The usual banality remade countless times.   Overall Rating: 5/10

11. God of War (2012) [무신] (Finished 3/56) Tags: Military, Adventure, Historical, Drama This drama is a about a man who was born to the slave class during the Goryeo Dynasty, overruling the feudalist government that had been in power for over 60 years and becomes the most powerful man in the country. The beginning is good, but as it often happens with sageuk, beginning is better than the rest of it. Two next episodes are wasted just to show how tough slavery is, and way up from gladiator battles is already shown. It does not feel like a masterpiece and I'm sure it waters down on the way even further.   Overall Rating: 6/10

12. Fondant Garden (2012)  [翻糖花園] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Food, Business, Comedy, Romance Po Xi Huan is a Taiwanese-Korean second-generation chaebol from a Korean company who does not wish to inherit his family business. His Taiwanese cousin, Yen Han Xiang, would gladly take over the company, but he runs the family business division in Taiwan. Han Xiang is a little annoyed that his younger cousin is uninterested in taking over the business yet might inherit over him. Xi Huan meets Mi En, a talented pastry chef who has caught the eye of Han Xiang and gradually falls in love with her. Chen Ai Lin is the daughter of the owner of a pastry conglomerate in Taiwan and also Mi En’s college best friend, who is in love with Han Xiang. Sort of hoped that food would not that much in focus, but, alas.   Overall Rating: 5/10

13. Saba Doru (2012) [さばドル] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Music, Comedy, Drama The story revolves around the 38-year-old Usa Shijimi, who is a high school classical literature teacher. Her students are mean to her, but they don’t realize that she has another identity. Outside school, she lies about her age to be active as the super popular 17-year-old idol Watanabe Mayu, whom the students adore. I've seen better switch personality works, this one does not work well for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10

14. Take Care of Us, Captain (2012) [부탁해요 캡틴] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Romance, Drama The drama began filming with location shoots in Australia and unfolds around the character growth, careers, and romances of those working at an airport. Kim Yoon Sung is the talented pilot of a passenger airline who gets saddled with a new co-pilot, Han Da Jin, in her attempts to become a pilot. The pair gets caught in a love triangle with Kang Dong Soo who is an air traffic controller at Incheon International Airport with seven years of experience under his belt. He’s prickly and cool but possesses a cute, playful side that sometimes crops up. This exotic workplace drama failed to capture interest, so there's zero will to go on.   Overall Rating: 5/10

15. My Husband Got a Family (2012) [넝쿨째 굴러온 당신] (Finished 1/58) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Life, Drama Cha Yoon Hee, a successful TV drama producer, fears having in-laws and seeks a man with no family ties. She meets Terry, a kind doctor who was adopted as a child, and believes her marital life is set. However, her happiness is shattered when Terry finds his birth parents, who turn out to be her next-door neighbors, complete with three sisters-in-law and the usual array of in-laws. Usual big family slop variation.   Overall Rating: 5/10

16. Yellow Boots (2012) [노란 복수초] (Finished 1/108) Tags: Romance, Drama, Melodrama Sweet Yun Hwa becomes the unwitting stepsister of Yu Ra. Though Yun Hwa would love nothing more to be sisters with Yu Ra, the latter will have nothing of it, due to a sticky situation in which her long-term crush, Yun Jae, just happens to be Yun Hwa’s doting boyfriend. In a tragic instant, Yu Ra takes everything Yun Hwa ever had: a promising future, a loving boyfriend, and the comfort of her family. Another scam of revenge, now with over a hundred episodes.   Overall Rating: 5/10

17. Hungry! (2012) [ハングリー！] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Food, Romance, Drama Eisuke is a former bassist of a rock band who gave up his music dreams to carry on the tradition of his family’s French restaurant. The show will involve a love triangle as Kuninaka and Takimoto play rivals for Eisuke’s heart. Maris is Eisuke’s older girlfriend, who works at a bank. She is shocked to learn that Eisuke has abandoned his music to devote himself to the restaurant, leading her to uncertainty about their relationship. Chie is a 20-year-old college student who comes from a farming family. Although she initially had a bad impression of Eisuke, she begins to develop feelings for him after tasting his cooking. Tokio is the owner of a competing French restaurant. In the past, he was fond of the restaurant that Eisuke’s mother ran, but after she passed away, he deceived Eisuke’s father and bought out the restaurant’s chefs and staff. Knowing of Eisuke’s ability as a chef, Tokio views him as a rival. Eisuke’s friends, who were part of his band ROCKHEAD, are both helping Eisuke with his restaurant. Everything here is with a heavy focus on food, so goes to trash bin.   Overall Rating: 5/10

18. I Love You So Much (2012) [粉愛粉愛你] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Romance Xia Le Di was an arrogant, self-absorbed socialite before her father's bankruptcy left her penniless. She believed that it happened because his competitor stole "Mona Lisa," a revolutionary makeup technology that his company developed. She vowed to get it back. She went undercover at JEALOUS, the rival company, working as an assistant to Chang Yu Jie, the heartless operation manager/lead makeup artist. While she focused her investigation on him, her romantic interest wandered to his charming half-brother Chang Shao Feng. But unbeknownst to her, the half-brother was the real culprit behind the theft. Revenge with sour and simplistic Taiwanese taste.   Overall Rating: 5/10

19. Mam Gaem Daeng (2012) [แหม่มแก้มแดง] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Drama Ana, May, Pat and Art are four friends studying in London, nearing graduation. Pat soon finds out that his rich family have engaged him to a girl he does not like, and is expected to marry, upon his return to Thailand . The friends struggle to come up with a strategy to break the engagement and finally tell Pat to call his family and declare that he already has a wife. When Pat calls, his scary and strict older brother, Nadol, answers the phone. Nadol does not immediately fall for Pat's excuse and demands Pat breaks up with his wife. In the fluster of the stern questioning, Ana suggests to Pat to say that the wife is pregnant. Nadol replies he is flying to London to clear up the situation. Pat begs Ana to play the role of his wife. At first she refuses, but later she changes her mind and accepts for several reasons: first, she is now broke and Pat's offer of money is very tempting, and second, Ana knows that May has a huge crush on Pat and wants to help break off Pat's engagement in Thailand. When Nadol and Ana meet, sparks fly. As the charade continues, Ana has to maintain the image of the faithful pregnant "wife" to Pat, while Nadol struggles with the notion that he has fallen for his brother's wife.  What a cringe. For the first time feeling that actors don't deserve these locations.   Overall Rating: 5/10

20. Twelve Men in a Year (2012) [일년에 열두 남자] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Life Yoon Jin Seo plays Miru, a 29-year-old magazine writer, who takes on a new romance column and launches headlong into a project where she dates twelve men, one for each astrological sign of the year. Horrible astrology antics.   Overall Rating: 5/10

21. Man from the Equator (2012) [적도의 남자] (Finished 2/20) Tags: Romance, Drama, Melodrama Jang Il, the smartest in the school, and Seon U, the strongest kid in Yeosu, are best friends. Influenced by Jang Il, Seon U starts studying and working hard towards his dream. However, all of a sudden, Seon U's guardian, Gyeong Pil, dies a mysterious death, and Seon U becomes blind while investigating the case. Su Mi witnesses the scene in which Jang Il attacks Seon U but remains silent on it and waits for the right moment. Ji Won, who is a volunteer reader for visually impaired people, meets Seon U by chance, and they fall in love. Despite his strong feelings for Ji Won, however, Seon U breaks up with Ji Won so she can have a better life. 13 years have passed. Jang Il becomes a special prosecutor. Seon U becomes a young CEO of Royal Tree, an investment trust company. Ji Won works as a VIP party planner at a five-star hotel. And Su Mi becomes a hyper-realism painter. They have all gone their separate ways. However, fate draws them back together. Why it always has to be freaking revenge...   Overall Rating: 5/10

22. Rak Ork Akard (2012) [รักออกอากาศ] (Finished 1/14) Tags: Comedy, Romance Jai is a country sort of girl who is pretty bold while Jaokhun is a stuck up rich city guy. He is very shy and can’t stand being the center of attention because of a past experience and is still ridiculed by Matt for it. Jai is delivering something to the city and runs into Jaokhun, where they didn’t get off to a good start when Jaokhun almost kills her with his car making her drop her last piece of pork. His girlfriend, Amy, is also cheating on him with his rival, Matt. Jai still isn’t over her ex boyfriend, Goh, and keeps thinking about him. For his friend’s reality show, they want Jaokhun to go undercover and go to the country, however, they know he wouldn’t agree to it so Matt made a bet with Jaokhun, if Jaokhun can live in the country side for a month, he will do prostrate bow at Jaokhun’s feet & will stop making fun of Jaokhun, but if Jaokhun cannot live in the countryside, Jaokhun was to give Matt a prostrate bow at his feet. Determined to stop Matt’s bullying, Jaokhun lied to his mom that he wants to go to England to continue learning, but he’s actually going for his friends Kong & King’s reality show. Now, a spoiled rich boy has to live in the country for a month without even knowing that he’s on national television. All this toxicity and shouting and conflicts make my head bursts. No idea how it can be watched.   Overall Rating: 5/10

23. Salamander Guru and the Shadow Members (2012) [도롱뇽도사와 그림자 조작단] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Comedy, Drama, Sitcom Genius hacker with social phobia, Min Hyeok, whose father is a computer genius, played with a computer like a toy from when he was little. He grew up learning hacking skills through his dad, who was terminally ill and ran an illegal gambling place for his family’s future. After his dad passed away, Min Hyeok was adopted abroad. He immersed himself in playing with the computer and developed social phobia. When he turns 20, he returns to Korea and starts chasing the guy X who drove his dad to death. Following clues from his memories, he finds Salamander Guru’s fortune-telling house and meets Seon Dal and Won Sam. To find Salamander Guru, who knows the secrets of X, Min Hyeok has no choice but to help the fake gurus. With his brain and excellent hacking skills, Min Hyeok controls Seon Dal behind a mirror and finds the codes his dad left by recalling his childhood memories one by one. Min Hyeok, who has been secretive with social phobia, gradually becomes more open while living with Seon Dal and Won Sam. It was police murder investigation action alongside some miserable scammers, can't even call it comedy.   Overall Rating: 5/10

24. Another Brilliant Life (2012) [另一种灿烂生活] (Finished 1/30) Tags: Romance, Drama Liu Da Ming is a famous superstar while Guan Yu is a grassroots youth whose lives are switched after an accident. Guan Yu is mistaken to be Da Ming and lives the life of a celebrity while Da Ming becomes a noodle shop waiter. This experience allows both of them to understand each other's hardships, giving them greater confidence in solidifying their own goals and a renewed understanding of life, love and happiness. Body transfer is one of cheesiest concepts, and I see nothing substantial here to back it up.   Overall Rating: 5/10

25. Likit Fah Cha Ta Din (2012) [ลิขิตฟ้าชะตาดิน] (Finished 1/35) Tags: Romance, Drama, Family Din is a hotheaded child. He has everything in his life: money, education, large house, and parents. Din is a nonchalant and disobedient child. Fahkrajang is an orphan adopted by a poor family, yet he seemed to be happy and satisfied with his life. Teresa's father and Din's mother met while on a trip in Thailand. They fell in love with each other. When they both went back home, it turns out that Teresa's father is getting married. Jang's mother found out that she was pregnant so she went to live in a different town and had her baby. After she had her baby, she found a place in a small town and left her baby. Later on she got married to Din's father and they had Din. While Din was growing up, his mother was never there for him because she would go to the small town to see Jang. Later on the father found out about Jang and he came to live with them. Watch this drama to find out what happens to Jang and Din as they enter into each others lives. Dialogues here are usually as if either from preschool children or from idiot mouths. Same unwatchable as always.   Overall Rating: 5/10

26. Hero (2012) [히어로] (Finished 2/9) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural Set in the near future, the country of South Korea has gone bankrupt. In the fictional city of Mooyoung, irregularities and corruption have now become rampant. By chance, Kim Heuk Cheol receives superhuman strength, and he fights against the corruption plaguing the city of Mooyoung. Yang Dong Geun is still my favorite Korean actor, plus korean dorama became famous with fantastic settings and special effects if I understand correctly, so this series deserves a glance or two. Well, it's nice, but superpower action is far from my favorite genres, so not enjoying it.   Overall Rating: 6/10

27. Risou no Musuko (2012) [理想の息子] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Comedy, Youth, Drama Suzuki Umi raised her son Daichi singlehandedly while she worked. Daichi is a high school student and mummy’s boy who has been raised as the perfect, obedient son. He loves his mother and is a high achiever who tries desperately to please her while getting rid of the men who come to woo her. One day, Umi starts on a new part-time job. However, it is at the cafeteria of an all-boys high school that is notorious in the area for its troublemakers. Determined to protect his mother from them, Daichi quits the prestigious preparatory school that he has been attending without seeking Umi’s permission and decides to put himself in that school. However, the adorable, high-achieving Daichi is like a meek lamb thrown into a den of wolves. Did not feel anything familiar or hitting any spot. Not liking the concept and how it goes, not seeing comedy. Characters are still one-dimensional tropes.   Overall Rating: 5/10

28. My Natasha (2012) [我的娜塔莎] (Finished 2/40) Tags: Military, Historical, Romance, Drama, Political In 1941 one of the Chinese troops, led by Pan Tiande, was defeated by the Japanese, and arrived in the Soviet Union by contacting the Soviet army. Officer Natasha was then responsible for their training. During the following military actions Pang's patriotism and bravery deeply moved Natasha, and they fell in love together. After the founding of New China Pang decided to serve the country as a mechanic worker, and Natasha became a soviet mechanic specialist after college. When they were preparing for the wedding, Natasha was ordered to return to the USSR. The departure was very dramatic. Later, Natasha wrote to Pang that she had settled down on the border, trying to be as close as possible, waiting for him to come one day.  Too much cringe for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10

29. A Wife’s Credentials (2012) [아내의 자격] (Finished 16/16) Tags: Romance, Drama, Family, Melodrama In modern society, children’s school grades have become a qualification outstanding wives ought to have. This drama depicts a housewife’s struggle to help raise her child’s grades within the cut-throat education system in South Korea while accepting herself as a human who can fall in love. Seo Rae is an accepting housewife with a child, married to Sang Jin, a rich and highly educated man. However, she is shocked to find out that her niece is accepted to an International junior high school and decides to get Han Gyul, her son, admitted as well. As her son enrolls in prep classes, his grades begin to improve. But when she takes him to a dentist named Tae Oh, she falls in love with him. Now, she finds herself standing at a crossroads, with the possibility of either an affair that can ruin her life or a future with her true love. Wow, finally kdrama follows more of jdrama root with something else in the center rather than copypaste another romance triangle full of toxic encounters. Sound work was also so great from the start. But then it became a mundane love square divorce drama and even soundtrack vanished. Very sad outcome, mostly due to abysmally long 16 episode scale for such simple story.   Overall Rating: 6/10

30. The Secret History of Princess Tai Ping (2012)  [太平公主秘史] (Finished 1/45) Tags: Historical Contrary to history, Princess An Ding Si, the first born of Wu Ze Tian, was not killed but smuggled out of the country. After she grew up, she returned to take revenge on her mother for sacrificing her in her plan to become the first Empress regnant of China. The princess assumed the identity of her younger sister and became the famous Princess Tai Ping, the youngest and the most beloved child of Empress Wu Ze Tian. She used her mother's blinding love for Tai Ping to gain control of the court and to advance her ambition of becoming the ruler of China herself. Chinese palace intrigues always happen to be paragons of boredom and artificial antics.   Overall Rating: 5/10

31. Foolish Mom (2012) [바보엄마] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Comedy, Drama, Family, Melodrama Kim Yeong Ju is the brilliant editor of fashion magazine ESTILLO, but her personal life is not as cheerful as people think. Her husband, law professor Park Jeong Do, cheats on her with another woman, so Yeong Ju lives only for her daughter Park Dat Byeol. All this while hiding a terrible secret from her family and co-workers, although her siblings are aware of it. Typical melodrama with typical tropes.   Overall Rating: 5/10

32. Renai Neet (2012) [恋愛ニート～忘れた恋のはじめ方] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Comedy, Romance Rin works in the sales promotion department at a publisher, though she is treated as unreliable by both her superiors and her subordinates. One day, she and her friend Nanako go their friend Miho’s “divorce ceremony,” where they meet three men: a dentist named Naoya, a flavorist at a major food company named Kota, and a handsome young man named Shunpei. The story focuses on the relationships between these 6 characters. Anything starting with a bet inevitably fails, in my experience. Sadly, it's another confirmation of this rule.   Overall Rating: 6/10

33. Taira no Kiyomori (2012) [平清盛] (Finished 34/50) Tags: Action, Adventure, Historical, Political The story follows the 12th-century general and politician, Taira no Kiyomori. Taira no Kiyomori (1118–1181) was born as the first son of Taira no Tadamori (Head of the Taira clan). During his youth, Kiyomori helped clear the sea of pirates in the area of Seto and then helped break down the noble system to build up a samurai-dominated period. Through the Hogen Rebellion (July 28-August 16, 1156), Taira no Kiyomori gained the trust of Emperor Go-Shirakawa. He then used this trust to eventually attain the position of Daijo Daijin (Chancellor of the Realm). Why drop near end? Because I got completely sick of it. There were lots of irritations from the start - focus on seafaring, infantile MC, very strange motivation of advancing the warriors as a whole to higher status, lots of strange actions too. Kept watching to see how MC becomes wise, but it never happened. What made me drop was all the esoteric stuff that suddenly poured in episode 34.   Overall Rating: 5/10

34. Korean Peninsula (2012) [한반도] (Finished 1/18) Tags: Action, Military, Romance, Political Seo Myung Joon is a South Korean scientist who falls in love with North Korean scientist Im Jin Jae while developing an alternative energy source together. But when Myung Joon unexpectedly becomes the president of a reunified Korea, political tensions rise as a massive struggle for limited natural resources continues to divide the country.  If you think like me that concept is cringy, well, the real thing is actually even worse and totally lost in fantasy. Overall Rating: 5/10

35. Seinaru Kaibutsutachi (2012) [聖なる怪物たち] (Finished 8/8) Tags: Thriller, Drama, Medical Shiba Kengo is a pure-hearted young surgeon who is dedicated to his work. He gets transferred from a prestigious university hospital to a financially troubled hospital, but there, he meets a capable and cool-headed chief nurse named Kasugai Yuka, who teaches him the reality of the medical world. The pure Kengo must face various obstacles and challenges as he tears off the “masks” of respected professionals – doctors, nurses, and educators – and uncovers their true natures. It's actually medical detective not marked properly or I'd not include it at all. Not my thing even though not bad one.   Overall Rating: 6/10

36. 21st Century Family (2012) [21세기 가족] (Finished 8/8) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Family, Sitcom Here comes the story of a heart-warming and down-to-earth modern family! Duk Hwa, a former celebrity who married a hot wife who is 20 years younger than him. Keum Pyo, a first-born daughter in her second marriage after a failure of her first. Eun Pyo, a second daughter who's down-to-earth and born to love a man. Dong Pyo, a bigmouth phony-baloney living his restless youth. These outrageous members reveal their stories as their family feud unfolds. Finished it just because could not believe it was just 8 episodes. It must have been either terrible to cancel continuation or switch for higher quality shorter content. Humor is rather low quality, but it's still a valid attempt into humor. Characters are nice. There's basically no plot, so can't recommend it.   Overall Rating: 6/10

37. Mook Liam Petch (2012) [มุกเหลี่ยมเพชร] (Finished 1/14) Tags: Action, Romance Petch is a perfect, confident, and flirtatious rising businessman owner of Star Diamond, the largest diamond company. Mookda is an international policewoman with special training in Aikido who disguises herself as a nonsensical, troublemaker secretary to investigate the stolen diamond Adorella. As crazy as Mook is, Petch cannot help falling in love with her. Heist plots are very far from real life, and Thai drama make it just laughable and pathetic.   Overall Rating: 5/10

38. Beijing Love Story (2012) [北京爱情故事] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Romance, Drama Three classmates in college, Cheng Feng, Wu Di and Shi Xiao Meng have different family backgrounds and characters, but aspiration and common interest brought them together. After graduation, the problems of love and career appeared one by one.  Another concept based on a stupid bet... the outcome is evident.   Overall Rating: 5/10

39. 13-sai no Hello Work (2012) [13歳のハローワーク] (Finished 2/9) Tags: Comedy, Sci-Fi Matsuoka plays the role of Ogure Teppei, a 35-year-old policeman who dreams of being promoted to the First Investigation Division. One day, he suddenly slips back in time to 22 years earlier, at the height of Japan’s economic bubble. There, he meets his optimistic 13-year-old self (played by Tanaka Taketo). In order to help himself find the job and life that he hoped for, he has his younger self try out different kinds of work. It is said that more than 15 jobs will be presented in the drama. Yokoyama plays a Tokyo University graduate who looks up to Teppei as an older brother. Kiritani plays a college student who works as a special teacher for prep school. Other cast members include Fubuki Jun and Furuta Arata. Time travel concepts are generally too cringy for me. Good actors is all this drama can boast, plot is trash.   Overall Rating: 5/10

40. Love Forward (2012) [向前走向愛走] (Finished 2/22) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Drama "Love Forward" is a cheerful and chic romantic comedy about two friends from wildly different backgrounds who always have each other's back. Zheng Ai Xing is street smart, outspoken and constantly one step ahead of debt collectors—but absolutely clueless when it comes to matters of the heart. Meng Jing Jing, on the other hand, is a runaway rich girl who grew up in a cold but wealthy family and is determined to create a life for herself based on more than just money. Together they're an entertaining, lovable pair searching for Mr. Right.  Very simplistic and silly as one girl is searching for money and another one for love, but there is some comedy, so not among the worst.   Overall Rating: 6/10

41. Bunshin (2012) [分身] (Finished 1/5) Tags: Mystery, Drama, Medical Two women who look identical search for the secret behind their births and, in the process, discover forbidden medical technologies and the mystery of life. This birth mystery investigation is ok, but got me weary and bored with just one episode, so just not for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10

42. Honjitsu wa Taian Nari (2012) [本日は大安なり] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Mystery, Comedy, Romance Yuka plays a wedding planner named Takako who has to deal with five weddings at the same venue on a lucky day, but on that morning, a threatening letter arrives demanding that all the ceremonies be canceled. She frantically tries to find the culprit while working to keep the wedding schedule without delay. Meanwhile, the secrets that each of the couples has been hiding come to light one by one.  I just so don't care about mysteries, and nothing here piques my interest in any way.   Overall Rating: 5/10

43. Stand By Me (2012) [守望的天空] (Finished 1/30) Tags: Business, Comedy, Life, Drama, Family Pu Tao is a tough girl who grew up depending on no one. Her father left her family, then later her mother left at a boarding school while taking care of her autistic brother. After no contact for 17 years, her mother leaves her with two autistic children and her father shows up. Handling the betrayal of her parents and learning to take care of two autistic children while dealing with her own family problems. Abominable. Zero comedy in first episode. All the usual Chinese drama flaws are aggravated here, plus new ones are added.   Overall Rating: 5/10

44. Hayami-san to Yobareru Hi (2012) [早海さんと呼ばれる日] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Drama, Family Kanai Yuriko is the daughter of a company executive and full-time housewife who had taken great pains to bring her up. Although she has always dreamt of marriage, she has led a sheltered life and is not able to do any housework. Yuriko marries Kyoichi, the eldest of four brothers, and the two of them should have lived their newlywed life on their own… or so she had thought. However, the disappearance of her husband’s mother results in her settling down in a household of men. She cannot get used to the family which has a different set of values and background, but her love for the family grows as she lives together with them, and she becomes an integral part of the family. The concept of becoming nanny for many males is not rare... and it never worked for me, maybe would work with some exceptionally outstanding characters, but they aren't usually put much effort in.   Overall Rating: 5/10

45. Wild Romance (2012) [난폭한 로맨스] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Sports On her dad’s birthday, a drunken Eun Jae clashes with Park Moo Yul, the "Red Dreamers" second baseman, over her loyalty to the rival "Blue Seagulls." Their brawl goes viral, jeopardizing both their careers. To control the damage, they pretend Eun Jae is Moo Yul’s bodyguard and that the video was a self-defense demo. Forced to keep up the act, Eun Jae becomes his real bodyguard—but they can’t stand each other. Sports, faking relations, bodyguards... too many red flags and silliness make it a huge swarm of irritations.   Overall Rating: 5/10

46. I Need a Fairy (2012) [선녀가 필요해] (Finished 1/100) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy, Sitcom In this sitcom fate introduces a fallen angel into the lives of a mother and daughter, who together are put through a variety of episodes. Feels like a collection of random non-funny gags, so was just a waste of time for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10

47. Saigo kara Nibanme no Koi (2012) [最後から二番目の恋] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Life Yoshino Chiaki is a 45-year-old single TV station drama producer. At this age, rather than love, you feel anxious about your future, such as your health and retirement... The future she envisioned when she joined the company, balancing work and family, is completely different from the present. I wonder if something will change if I spend some time here slowly... So, she casually checks out Kamakura, thinking that it might be a good idea to rent an old house with a friend in retirement, which is a trend these days. At that time, she meets Nagakura Wahei, a 50-year-old single man who works at the city hall in Kamakura, has a lonely child who lost his wife, and is at a turning point in his life, where he has recently felt a marked decline in his physical strength. Set in the ancient capital of Kamakura, this bright yet heartrending coming-of-age drama begins. What will the outcome be for these "adults" who have experienced many different love affairs? Will they be able to overcome the "trials of aging" and eventually reach a "splendid conclusion"?! Generally it's one of my favorite stories types. But this time I don't find females here outstanding, so I'm not enjoying it.   Overall Rating: 6/10

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