On another special Episode 33 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by pen aficionado and Utada Hikaru’s #1 fan Miguel to review the very first J-drama for the podcast, First Love, starring Mitsushima Hikari and Satoh Takeru. Jess and Miguel are back for some more ‘90s nostalgia in this 2022 J-drama hit, discussing the themes and messages of the show, major criticisms of the show, the stunning cinematography and feels-inducing soundtrack, scenes that had us freaking out and having coug...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 44 min•Season 3Ep. 33
On a very special Episode 32 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Carol from the Kdramatics Club to do a Final Say review of the very first C-drama for the podcast, Love Between Fairy and Devil, starring Dylan Wang and Esther Yu. Jumping straight into spoiler talk, Jess and Carol gush and fangirl over this 2022 C-drama hit, discussing Dylan Wang’s performance, the well-written plot and character arcs, the Moon Supreme costuming that had them obsessed, a laundry list of...
Dec 19, 2022•2 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 32
On Episode 31 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guests Mina from the Kpop Bookshelf Podcast and Kathy from MIA2K Podcast to review Extraordinary Attorney Woo, starring Park Eun-Bin. Jess, Mina, and Kathy talk through this 2022 K-drama hit, discussing Park Eun-Bin’s performance, the ASD stereotypes that complicated the groundbreaking and positive representation, the pros and cons of the romance with Kang Tae-Oh’s character, an examination of the “villain” characters, the b...
Nov 11, 2022•2 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 31
On Episode 30 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Minal from the Crash Landed on Kdramas Podcast to review Little Women, starring Kim Go-Eun, Nam Ji-Hyun, Park Ji-Hu, and many more. Jess and Minal discuss this 2022 dark thriller, talking through Kim Go- Eun’s stellar performance, the themes of corrupting capitalism and money, what the show says about motherhood, why the showrunners chose the American classic of Little Women to adapt, an exploration of the main charact...
Nov 03, 2022•1 hr 54 min•Season 3Ep. 30
On Episode 29 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Caitlin from @nosleep4dramas to review the perfect spooky szn drama, Flower of Evil , starring Lee Joon-Gi and Moon Chae-Won. Jess and Caitlin discuss this 2020 crime melodrama in detail, talking through Lee Joon-Gi’s creeptastic performance, the intense internal struggles of our main characters, the plots twists that we liked and disliked, the 2005-ish tropes spun slightly different, and the final two episodes that ma...
Oct 27, 2022•2 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 29
On Episode 28 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Alex from the Hallyu Been Podcast to review the first historical drama for the pod, The Crowned Clown , starring Yeo Jin-Goo, Kim Sang-Kyung, and Lee Se-Young. Jess and Alex ramble their way through this amazing 2019 sageuk, discussing the impressive performance from lead Yeo Jin-Goo, the strong (and ever so precious) romance, the good and bad of the political machinations, the cinematography, the musical score, the f...
Oct 20, 2022•1 hr 43 min•Season 3Ep. 28
On Episode 27 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Mina from the Kpop Bookshelf Podcast to review Mr. Sunshine , starring Lee Byung-Hun, Kim Tae-Ri, Yoo Yeon-Seok, and many others. Jess and Mina truly deep dive on this 2018 epic, exploring the major themes of identity, belonging, classism, and more, the history and culture of the time, what America feels like in the hands of Lee Byung-Hun, and reveling at the acting performances throughout, characters and the backstori...
Oct 13, 2022•2 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 27
On Episode 26 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guests Laura and Kathy from the MIA2K Podcast to review Love All Play , starring Park Ju-Hyun and Chae Jong-Hyeop. Jess, Laura, and Kathy deep dive on this 2022 sports romance drama, discussing the chemistry between the leads, “Potato Boy” Jong-Hyeop’s infectious smile, the basic plot and tired tropes of the show, the OST, impactful themes and character arcs, swoonworthy moments, and more! GUEST: Laura and Kathy MIA2K Podca...
Oct 06, 2022•1 hr 43 min•Season 3Ep. 26
On Episode 25 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Rico dole out a bit of mafia justice to review Vincenzo , starring Song Joong-Ki, Jeon Yeo-Bin, and Taecyeon. Jess and Rico talk through this 2021 crime/dark comedy drama, discussing the crazy shifts in tone throughout the show, pacing, chemistry between the leads, Taecyeon’s performance and character motivations, fun facts about the production, the violent ending, and more! Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all...
Sep 29, 2022•1 hr 30 min•Season 3Ep. 25
On Episode 24 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guests Nas and Ori from the Seoul Sistahs Podcast to review While You Were Sleeping, starring Bae Suzy, Lee Jong-Suk, and Jung Hae-In.Jess, Nas, and Ori giggle their way through a discussion of this 2017 show, touching on the chemistry between Suzy and Jong-Suk, similarities between other projects from the showrunners, the numerous plot holes, the OST, Jess’s crazy dreams, and more!GUEST: Nas and Ori Seoul Sistahs Podcast: ...
Sep 22, 2022•1 hr 42 min•Season 5Ep. 24
On Episode 23 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Curtis from the Infatuasian Podcast to review Prison Playbook , starring Park Hae-Soo, Jung Kyoung-Ho, and many more. Jess and Curtis have a fun talk about this 2018 K-drama, discussing the portrayal of prison in Korea, their disappointment in the pacing and episode length, the funniest moments in this slice-of-life drama, an uncomfortable age-gap relationship, and more! GUEST: Curtis Infatuasian Podcast: Available on...
Sep 15, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 23
On Episode 22 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guests Gbemi and Carol from the Kdramatics Club to review Search: WWW , starring Lim Soo-Jung, Lee Da-Hee, and Jeon Hye-Jin. Jess and the Kdramatics ladies have a hot discussion about this 2019 K-drama, talking through the portrayal of powerful women in the workplace, the potential queerbaiting, the ethics explored in the tech industry, the noona romances with boys Jang Ki-Yong and Lee Jae-Wook, and more! GUESTS: Gbemi and ...
Sep 08, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Season 3Ep. 22
On Episode 21 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and repeat guest Miguel kick off Season 3 with a review of Snowdrop , starring Jung Hae-In and Blackpink’s Kim Ji-Soo. In between the giggles and roasting, Jess and Miguel deep dive on this controversial 2022 Disney+ original K-drama, discussing Ji-Soo’s acting, the admittedly very good chemistry of the leads, the progression of the plot, the most frustrating aspects of the writing, the ending, and more! Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and...
Sep 01, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Season 3Ep. 21
On Episode 20 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guests Minal, Sangeetha, and Poonam from the Crash Landed on Kdramas Podcast to review Pachinko , starring Kim Min-ha, Lee Min-Ho, Youn Yuh-Jung, and Jin Ha. Jess and the Crash Landed ladies have a hot discussion about this 2022 American adaptation of the bestselling book, talking through the acting performances, the fundamental differences between the show and novel, the cinematography, and more! GUESTS: Minal...
May 12, 2022•1 hr 46 min•Season 2Ep. 20
On Episode 19 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Miguel to review Twenty-Five Twenty-One , starring Kim Tae-Ri and Nam Joo-Hyuk. Jess and Miguel deep dive on this popular and contentious 2022 K-drama, discussing Kim Tae-Ri and Nam Joo-Hyuk’s acting, the amazing writing, the framing device, the retro OST, the world events that pushed the plot forward, the romance, THAT ENDING, and more! Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all th...
May 05, 2022•1 hr 44 min•Season 2Ep. 19
On Episode 18 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Curtis from the Infatuasian Podcast to review Start-Up, starring Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-Hyuk, and Kim Seon-Ho.Jess and Curtis actually disagree on their assessment of this pandemic-era K-drama, talking through Nam Joo-Hyuk’s acting chops, “Good Boy” Kim Seon-Ho, the pacing, the fun OST, where the show could’ve improved, and more!GUEST: Curtis Infatuasian Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple Instagram: ...
Apr 28, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Season 2Ep. 18
On Episode 17 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Jenny from the Pocha Playlist Podcast to review Goblin, starring Gong Yoo and Kim Go-Eun.Jess and Jenny cry over a bouquet of buckwheat flowers as they discuss this iconic K-drama, talking through the fantastical star-crossed lovers plot, the excellent second-lead couple, the notorious age gap, the confounding supernatural lore, the OST that’s still wrecking us, and more!GUEST: Jenny Pocha Playlist Podcas...
Apr 21, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Season 2Ep. 17
On Episode 16 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Rico take a walk on the dark side on a review of Beyond Evil, starring Shin Ha-Kyeon and Yeo Jin-Goo. Jess and Rico talk through the crime drama, including the strength of the acting, the ever-thickening plot, what could have been done differently, Chevy product placement, maniacal laughing, and more! *CORRECTION: Writer Kim Soo Jin is actually a female, and she did not write Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo . Rate and subscribe...
Apr 14, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 16
On Episode 15 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Mina from the Kpop Bookshelf Podcast to review Navillera, starring Park In-hwan and Song Kang. Jess and Mina dance their way through this 12-episode drama, discussing the effortless chemistry between the leads, the comical dance doubles, underdeveloped side characters, the meaning of “Navillera,” Song Kang’s acting skills, and more! GUEST: Mina Website: https://kpopbookshelfpod.wixsite.com/blog Kpop Books...
Apr 07, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 15
On Episode 14 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Lia Riley from the Afternoona Delight Podcast to talk about the rom-com drama Strong Woman Do Bong Soon , starring Park Bo-young and Park Hyung-sik. Jess and Lia laugh their way through this lovable drama, discussing the fantastic chemistry between the leads, swoon worthy moments, the memorable OST, the tropes that had them in a vise-grip, the funky kidnapping plot line, Ji Soo’s bullying scandal, and mor...
Mar 31, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 14
On Episode 13 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Jeanie Chang aka Noona’s Noonchi to talk about the drama My Mister , starring Lee Sun-kyun and IU. Jess and Jeanie talk through the dark, melancholy drama, including an exploration of the Korean term jeong , workplace culture, failure, being a good person, community, empathy, happiness, and more! GUEST: Jeanie Chang aka Noona’s Noonchi Website: www.noonasnoonchi.com Noona’s Noonchi Podcast: Available on S...
Mar 24, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 13
On Episode 12 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Caitlin of @nosleep4dramas to talk about the romance drama Something in the Rain , starring Jung Hae-in and Son Ye-jin. Jess and Caitlin talk through the unique drama, including the mesmerizing central couple, the predictable and unpredictable plot beats, the worst mother figure ever in K-drama, umbrella symbolism, the OST, and more! GUEST: Caitlin - @nosleep4dramas Website: nosleep4dramas.com Instagram: ...
Mar 17, 2022•1 hr 50 min•Season 2Ep. 12
On Episode 11 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Rico kick off Season 2 with a review of When the Camellia Blooms , starring Kong Hyo-Jin and Kang Ha-Neul. Jess and Rico talk through the drama, including the exploration of single motherhood, trauma, abandonment, and prejudice and societal norms in a small town, the best parts of the sweet romance, a serial killer plot line that seems out of place, and more! Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all th...
Mar 10, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Season 2Ep. 11
On this special Episode 10 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, we had to talk about the worldwide phenomenon that is Squid Game , starring Lee Jung-Jae, Park Hae-Soo, Jung Ho-Yeon, and Wi Ha-Joon. Jess and special guest Miguel talk through the Netflix thriller, including the fascinating central theme, the most compelling characters, the predictable plot beats, the impact the show has had on the world, and more! Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on all the socials, and...
Oct 22, 2021•1 hr 38 min•Season 1Ep. 10
On Episode 9 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, it's the Season 1 Finale episode of our K-drama journey (and it took everything in me not to play Vitamin C's "Friends Forever"). Jess and Rico discuss their show watching habits, Rico talks through what he learned as a K-drama newb, and then they have some fun handing out superlatives like Best Character Intro, Character with the Best Job, Best Duo/Crew, Show You Wish Was a Feature-Length Movie Instead, and so many more! Thank you for t...
Aug 26, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 9
On Episode 8 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, we quit our demanding day job after nearly a decade of servitude on our review of What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim , starring Park Seo-Joon and Park Min-Young. Jess and Rico talk through the well-liked romantic comedy, including the problematic power dynamics between our main couple, the unlikeable character the charming Park Seo-Joon plays, the annoying subplots, and more! Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on all the so...
Aug 19, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 8
On Episode 7 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, we change out of our scrubs and pick up a guitar as we review of Hospital Playlist (Season 1) , starring Jo Jung-Suk, Yoo Yeon-Seok, Jung Kyung-Ho, Kim Dae-Myung, and Jeon Mi-Do. Jess and Rico discuss the beloved medical K-drama, including the delightful chemistry of this ensemble cast, their favorite characters and most memorable moments, the famous OST, the romances and flirtations our five friends have, and more! Rate and subscribe on...
Aug 12, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 7
On Episode 6 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, we go paragliding across the border on our review of Crash Landing on You , starring Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin. Jess and Rico cover the most recent K-drama to take the world by storm, including the preposterous premise, the strength of the star-crossed lovers’ chemistry, the portrayal of North Korea, the compelling secondary romance, and more! Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us kno...
Aug 05, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 6
On Episode 5 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, we belt “I Will Always Love You” on our review of The Bodyguard , aka The K2 , starring Ji Chang-wook and Lim Yoona. Jess and Rico talk about the pacing and the action, the sexual tension between ~certain characters, the screamo OST for throwing punches, what defines an “idol” drama, and more! Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know that you want a Season 2! Follow us! Patreon In...
Jul 29, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 5
On Episode 4 of the ATC Presents Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, we step into the comic book world on our review of W: Two Worlds Apart , starring Lee Jong-suk and Han Hyo-joo. Jess and Rico chat about the super intriguing plot, the chemistry between the leads, the epic OST, the quagmire of the comic world’s logistics, and more! Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know that you want a Season 2! Follow us! Patreon Instagram Twitter Facebook...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 4
