On Episode 64 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, the Drama Trio is on deck! Jess is joined by friends Caitlin from NoSleep4Dramas Blog & Podcast and Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast to review Meet Yourself, starring Liu Yi Fei and Li Xian. Jumping straight into spoiler talk, Jess, Caitlin, and Liliana talk through this calming slice-of-life 2023 C-drama hit, discussing the slow burn that nearly took Jess clean out, the recommended way to watch this show so the pacing works, the character arcs for the giant ensemble cast, the strong themes of the show (grief and carpe diem), the stunni ..read more

On Episode 61 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess kicks off Season 5 with an Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode! It’s a solo pod, as Jess answers all your burning questions submitted via the socials. Questions like: When and how did you start watching Asian dramas? How did you start podcasting? What’s the longest binge session you’ve ever had? Along with tough tasks like: Top 10 K-dramas, Top 10 C-dramas, Best Underrated Dramas, and more. You’ll also get a little insight into Season 5 and what you can expect to see on the newest season of the podcast! Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spot ..read more

On another special Episode 60 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Sarai from the Kdrama Cafe Podcast head to 17th century Joseon with a review of My Dearest (part 1 and 2), starring Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun-Jin. Jess and Sarai deep dive on this 2023 historical epic, discussing the sweeping story of survival and love, “Gone with the Wind” comparisons, the show’s commentary on Confucian ideals, gender roles, and sexual purity, the character arcs and the tour-de-force performances from Ahn Eun-Jin and especially Namkoong Min, the supportive female relationships plus the love story at ..read more

On another special Episode 59 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by friends of the pod Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast and Sammie from the Korean From Context and the BL Buddies Podcast to review Doona!, starring Bae Suzy and Yang Se-Jong. Jess, Liliana, and Sammie have a hell of a time talking through this 2023 Netflix K-drama, discussing the pacing and 9-episode runtime, the webtoon author-turned-screenwriter, Bae Suzy’s (chain-smoking) performance, the chemistry between the leads and bold claims of the best K-drama kissing, the lonely, trauma-filled life of an idol, the ..read more

On Episode 58 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Lola from Lola Pops Off About Kdramas wrap up the mini Spooky SZN with a review of Revenant, starring Kim Tae-ri, Oh Jung-se, and Hong Kyung. Jess and Lola deep dive on this 2023 thriller, discussing how they don’t usually watch the horror genre, the best and worst parts of the show, the stellar performances from Kim Tae-ri and Oh Jung-se (and how attractive he is??), the complexity of what ghosts represent, and more! **Trigger warning: This episode and show contains content about suicide. GUEST: Lola Instagram: @lolapopsoffaboutk ..read more

On Episode 57 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Rico continue the mini Spooky SZN with a not-so-scary-but-very-violent review of Moving, starring Ryoo Seung-Ryong, Han Hyo-Joo, Jo In-Sung, Kim Sung-Kyun, Ko Yoon-Jung, and Lee Jeong-Ha. Jess and Rico discuss this Disney+ original, talking through its stacked cast (the return of Jo In-Sung!), interesting and mysterious plot, the amazing character development (everyone gets a backstory!), the fitting musical score (reminded us of Hans Zimmer and Ludwig Göransson), the performances (my heart, Ryoo Seung-Ryong), the theme of parenthood, act ..read more

On Episode 56 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Rico continue the mini Spooky SZN with another ATC crossover episode to review of Ballerina, starring Jun Jong-Seo and Kim Ji-Hoon. Jess and Rico discuss this Netflix original film from writer-director Lee Chung-Hyun, talking through its derivative nature, the revenge plot and the performances, the action scene editing à la Christopher Nolan, the cinematography and bisexual lighting, Kim Ji-hoon’s thirst trap scenes, what’s missing from the movie, and more! Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, a ..read more

On Episode 55 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Sarah from Kdrama This and the Afternoona Asks Podcast kick off this mini Spooky SZN with a review of D.P., starring Jung Hae-In, Koo Gyo-Hwan, Kim Sung-Kyun, and Son Suk-Ku. Jess and Sarah discuss both seasons 1 and 2 of this dark military drama, talking through the amazing performances from Hae-in and Gyo-hwan, Sarah’s experience at the Jung Hae-in fanmeet, the haunting and unflinching look at the South Korean military, the violence and humiliation behind the most memorable deserter vignettes, the bold and uncomfortable themes and ..read more

On the season 4 finale Episode 54 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Robyn from The Kdrama Playbook review Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, starring Lee Joon-gi, IU, Kang Ha-Neul, and so many more. Jess and Robyn discuss this widely lauded 2016 sageuk drama, talking through the toxic love stories and hard tonal shift, how the show seems to want us to blame the FL for the royal bad behavior, comparisons to the original Scarlet Heart C-drama, the memorable scenes that stick out from the rest, underwhelming facial scars, Baekhyun’s downright bad acting (and puppets), the possibility ..read more

On Episode 53 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast review The Untamed, starring Xiao Zhan and Wang Yi Bo. Jess and Liliana discuss this well-regarded 2019 historical drama, talking through the BL danmei bones of the story and how China prohibits such stories, the innuendo and hidden meaning throughout, the acting from the leads, the confusing parts of the plot, the themes of the show, such as mob justice and toxic groupthink, swoonworthy moments, and more! GUEST: Liliana Tea & Soju Asian Drama Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple ..read more