2006 MID YEAR K-DRAMA TOP 10 - READERS' CHOICE (TWITCHFILM.NET)
Last year's First Edition of our Annual Awards saw a total of 8 people voting in the Drama category. This year, to spice up things a little, I invited many more: we go from the usual Soompi Secret Task Force and JSAddicts (more than a dozen), a few Twitch regulars (another half dozen), and a couple of friends of mine from offline (Thanks!). Of course as those who participated in the poll come from all sort of places and age range varies incredibly (from some Soompiers probably in their teens to a couple of friends of mine touching their 40s), but that's the cool thing about these things: we all can have fun picking out the year's highlights, and then open a little the debate. I want to thank everyone who participated -- and while we're there, sorry for making you wait so long, most of these were sent in early to mid June -- and of course you're invited for the Year End Special, with the REAL Top 10. Note that people had the option to vote for shows that are still broadcasting, which is why you see things like Jumong on the list. Thanks to Min-Hee, Taka, Dahee and Cyberman for adding a few comments as well (which were taken from their Top 10 lists). Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines:
[Note: 10 Points for No. 1 down to 1 Point for No. 1]10.043 Points
The Ballad of Seo Dong (Seodongyo), SBS directed by Lee Byeong-hoon/ starring Jo Hyeon-jae, Lee Bo-yeong, Ryoo Jin
Cyberman: It started out slow but gathered up steam around episode 30, and got going pretty good for a while. Acting was uneven at time but saved by the veterans.
Taka: You know, it started so bad I often wanted to stop watching, but as you were so confident about Lee Byunghun I continued. Well, that was a good idea. The string of episodes between 34 and 36 are some of the best TV all year-round.
09.043 Points
Hello, God!, KBS2 directed by Ji Yeong-soo/ starring Yoo Geon, Kim Ok-bin, Lee Jong-hyuk
Min-Hee: Despite losing itself in the second half, and selling the original short, this was a good show. Touching and well acted.
08.049 Points
Shin Don, MBC directed by Kim Jin-min/ starring Son Chang-min, Jeong Bo-seok, Seo Ji-hye
Cyberman: The execution of this show is so awesome and the script so audacious, I think this one's going to be hard to top.
Min-Hee: Fantastic sets, incredible acting, and I cried all afternoon after finishing this. Unforgettable.
Taka: Best Sageuk since Hur Jun. Son Changmin is magnificent here.
07.050 Points
Dr. Gang, MBC directed by Park Seong-soo/ starring Yang Dong-geun, Han Ga-in, Lee Jong-hyuk
Dahee: This drama should have a big warning sign tacked on to the beginning of each episode: Beware. Yang Dong-Geun's acting is addictive. See, without that warning, I ended up falling for this drama simply because of him. Well, okay, that's not really fair - this show certainly has its moments of magic, such as when the little yellow chicks are thrown up into the air in an early episode, Dongmakgol-style. But it didn't seem to fulfill its potential. Then again, I've only seen five episodes, so what do I know? With the hope that it will become the magical show that it keeps promising to be, I'm waiting it out, and nominating this for slot number three.
06.090 Points
Jumong - Prince of the Legend, MBC directed by Kim Geun-hong, Lee Joo-hwan/ starring Song Il-gook, Han Hye-jin, Kim Seung-soo
Cyberman: This show is already off to a flying start and the 4th episode picks up the pace again.
Taka: As a fellow Sageuk fan, I must say this is impressive. And Kyun Miri is hot.
05.106 Points
Princess Hours, MBC directed by Hwang In-roi/ starring Yoon Eun-hye, Joo Ji-hoon, Kim Jeong-hoon
Dahee: I have to say this here and now: Newbies who have the same amount of acting capacity as a stick are annoying. And unfortunately, this drama is led by a veritable amoeba of such newbies. Still, it certainly looks good, and the veterans did well, as always. I must admit that I enjoyed a few of the comedic scenes, but overall, the molasses-slow plot and aggravating melodrama did not sit well with me. Remind me again why there's going to be a season two?
Cyberman: Much much better than I had expected. The young cast at time fell down but overall quality of the show was pretty high.
04.147 Points
Goodbye Solo, KBS2 directed by Hwang In-hyeok, Ki Min-soo/ starring Yoon Soyi, Cheon Jeong-myeong, Kim Min-hee
Dahee: Each character in this drama is alone. Alone in their problems, alone in their insecurities, alone in their dreams, alone in their sorrow. Yet as I watched, it was as though my empathy for them and my understanding of their emotions created a change in me so that, rather than me being by myself, watching people who are alone, I was suddenly suffering with them, and they in turn were suffering with me. This is not a drama about fictional people in a fictional place and time. Each and every character is as real to me as my mother, my friend, my neighbour. Perhaps it was simply the artistry of the writing and the acting that affected me so. But whatever it was, it touched me in a way few dramas do; it possessed that certain magic that I'm constantly looking for. An absolute must-see.
Cyberman: Only seen a few episodes but they were of high quality. Had I finished the show, I would have probably rated it higher than Bad Family.
Min-Hee: I only started watching Noh Hee-Kyung Dramas because someone kept shoving them down my throat [Ed. I wonder who that might be - X], but I'm hooked. Great characters, dialogue that you don't forget easily, and wonderful acting. Now I'll have to start watching all her older Dramas, damn you.
Taka: You know, with all the young actresses getting fixed through surgery... did Kim Minhee get her mind exchanged with some other actor? She's so good and cute in here I wanted to hug her. Loved Lee Jaeryong's bad ass gangster with a heart of gold. Usual magic from Noh Heekyung.
03.151 Points
My Girl, SBS directed by Jeon Ki-sang/ starring Lee Da-hae, Lee Dong-wook, Lee Joon-ki
Dahee: Pure, heady entertainment. It started off on a remarkably good footing, with its hilarious shenanigans and Lee Da-Hae's cramp-inducing acting, but inevitably it slowed down and fell back into the very cliches it had previously been making fun of. Still, this is great for putting you into a good mood, and some scenes just might make you cry a little. Thanks for making me smile and distracting me just a bit from the realities of the world.
02.163 Points
Bad Family, SBS directed by Yoo In-sik/ starring Kim Myeong-min, Nam Sang-mi, Im Hyeon-sik
Cyberman: I really really like this show. Not many shows bring tears to my eyes but this one did (that means I really like it.) Kim Myung-Min is awesome and so is Nam Sang-Mi. The veteran support cast was great too as was the little girl who played Narim. There were a few weak spots here and there but never too distracting.
Dahee: Honestly, this felt more like a sitcom than a drama. With its hilarious characters (aided by the great acting), episodic situations and heartwarming core, I was reminded of some of my favourite Korean sitcoms of the 90's. May I just say that Kim Myung-Min, with his side-splitting portrayal of the gangster with a soft heart, Oh Dal-gun, has become my new hero? He really carries this drama, even through the bad (the occasional sappiness and uneven footing). For putting a very, very big smile on my face, and for taking a different view of the idea of "family", I give this an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Taka: Just a good old Korean-style family show, with a few interesting twists. Funny, touching and well acted.
01.177 Points
Alone in Love, SBS directed by Han Ji-seung/ starring Kam Woo-seong, Son Ye-jin, Kong Hyeong-jin
Cyberman: Once again, I only watched a couple of episodes but was very impressed by the writing and the acting.
Dahee: Love. It's a tricky emotion to pin down, and many dramas have tackled the subject, to varying degrees of success. It's easy to fall in love, as many *ahem* lesser dramas out there readily show, but how easy is it to maintain it, to define it, to have the courage to follow through with it? Alone in Love faces these problems with both humour and heart, and thanks to the great acting (especially by Gam Woo Sung, although Son Ye Jin certainly takes centre stage in the last few episodes) and the thoughtful writing, it succeeds in catching both the viewer's heart and mind. I seriously considered nominating this for the number one spot, but my conscience wouldn't allow my personal taste to interfere. Still, I must give this as much of a standing ovation as I gave Goodbye Solo. Just divine.
Min-Hee: Great show! Son Ye-Jin and Gam Woo-Sung look great together, and I was particularly impressed by Lee Ha-Na. What a lovely character, and a lovely Drama too.
Taka: Gets that Nozawa feel just right. Finally Son Yejin strips herself of those boring melodramatic roles, and tries something a little more realistic. Very enjoyable.
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