dramas that hold a special place in my heart ♡
this is purely subjective, you can click on each title to see my reasons <3

MY LIBERATION NOTES (2022)

The entire story itself reminds and resonates with everything in my life. Come to think of it, just like the characters, I have to travel back and forth from university, which takes me 1-2 hours to travel, I also miss out on opportunities because I live so far away, and, of course, because of being introverted. There's nothing new or thrilling happening. It's just the same routine and that's making our lives boring. No drama has ever been more relatable to me than my liberation notes. Everything about it made me realize that I am not alone in what I feel and experience in my life. i also felt like what my mind and heart wanted to tell someone were spoken by the character's internal monologues, especially mijeong's.Besides, I was always impressed by how it depicts reality using metaphorical concepts. It creates a new reality from which the original appears unreal. It seemed as if I was watching a long poem. Every dialogue they spoke was a true masterpiece. (+ This drama includes 40+ OSTs, all of which are Chef's Kiss <3)

START-UP (2020)

I've watched a lot of dramas (with a variety of themes, including medical, legal, crime, sports, politics, etc.), which might've changed the direction of my career. However, only the concept of this kdrama changed me... changed everything. To be honest, I was thinking that if I hadn't watched this drama over three years ago, I might have pursued a different path. I would never have met my current friends. My life would have turned out differently. Before watching this drama, I was thinking about pursuing another type of engineering. I've always been interested in technology, but the program I'm taking right now was like never in my choice. After watching it, it changed me. It made me want to experience what the characters experienced in the drama. Well yes, here I am, I am currently studying electronics engineering. Anyway, this drama isn't just about technology/electronics, it also shows mixed of emotions about life, dreams, business, romance, and friendship.I'm not going to be dramatic, but the show was a breath of fresh air and a spark of hope. Despite all of our challenges, this drama is such a breather, and it has encouraged many individuals (including myself!) to step outside of our comfort zone and pursue our aspirations. Whatever it takes.

A TIME CALLED YOU (2023)

What is the kdrama that made me cry so much? Crying like almost every episode? It is "a time called you". I honestly have no idea why it made me weep so much. There are many dramas out there that made people cry a lot (like hymn of death, hi bye mama, uncontrollably fond, it's okay to not be okay, etc.), but those didn't make me shed a tear. they're good dramas though, don't judge me. This drama basically just brought me pain I've never even experienced, and it made me cry a river. This kdrama was an adaptation of the Taiwanese drama "Someday or One Day," which is my favorite Taiwanese drama. Even though I know most of what's going to happen in a time called you, everything still feels new and fresh to me. I want to recommend both of these dramas to others, but a time called you has low ratings and bad reviews. Most people say it's confusing, and they think the plot is awful. But, no, the plot is clear if you pay attention to every detail while understanding their feelings.To be honest, if I could watch it without any memories, I would watch it over and over. I truly enjoyed and appreciated the story, actors, cinematography, and OSTs! (Recommended song: Gather My Tears by  Seo Ji Won)

DEATH'S GAME (2023)

To be honest, it's really rare for my favorite actors to appear in a single show (most of my favorite actors are like 40+ lol). However, imagine having your top two favorite actors and two ex-favorite actors in the same show! it finally happened for me. (I am talking about Kim Jae Wook, Kim Ji Hoon, Lee Do Hyun, and Lee Jae Wook). If only there was someone whose favorites were the same as mine, I would talk about them endlessly every day! Aside from the fact that my favorite actors were present, I'd want to discuss the storyline. Choi yi jae's hardships are incredibly painful and heartbreaking. Imagine yourself at the lowest point in your life and unable to tell anyone about your problems... and you feel like the only option is to give up. You can't think of any other solution because you see yourself as a failure, as nothing. And the "death" that used to scare you is now the opposite; you believe "death" is your last hope. However, I want to recommend this drama to people. Especially to the people who is experiencing those experiences.I'd also like to share with them these words spoken by Yijae: "I only realized after dying that life in itself was an opportunity. And the pain that I thought engulfed my whole life was only a small part of it."I also would recommend "daily dose of sunshine" to everyone, it focuses on mental health (and is also one of my favorites!).

WHEN THE WEATHER IS FINE (2020) & A PIECE OF YOUR MIND (2020)

these aired together at the same time when the pandemic hit in 2020. i could still remember those days when i'm so active in kdrama stan twitter. and there's this day where i cannot forget. while watching these two ongoing kdramas together, i remember it was raining that day. it was so cold and it was dark outside... after watching them, i was like sharing my thoughts on twitter and talked with my moots there. it's as if all these happened only yesterday. everything feels so nostalgic. i miss everything about it, everything that happened when it was airing. i really love these two dramas, it brings so many happy memories.

CINDERELLA AND THE FOUR KNIGHTS (2016)

This is a typical romantic comedy and cute drama! Not the best, but it's included here since it introduced me to watching ongoing kdramas. I watched this in 2018 and have since enjoyed watching ongoing kdramas (which I used to dislike because of cliffhangers). I don't even recall why it made me want to watch ongoing dramas; perhaps it's because after watching it, i tried to search like more dramas like that? a chill, cute kdrama and doesn't need a brain to watch lol. The story is not the worst, but it went downhill in the last several episodes. But it still holds a particular place in my heart. It was cute and lovely.