#beyond goodbye

🎬 Beyond Goodbye / Kalbinin Derinliklerinde (2024)

Böyle insanın ruhuna, yüreğine hitap eden Japon/Kore dizilerini çok seviyorum.

Yeah, I know it’s the end of the year, but I went ahead and started this side blog, complete with a section for my monthly watchlist anyway. I wanted a space where I could jot down quick thoughts on what I’m currently watching (and loving).

Currently Watching

The Tale of Lady Ok (🇰🇷) – After finishing the incredible Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born, I had this huge urge to watch another sageuk. I was so happy to find something new that’s so well-made. Even after just two episodes, the plot had me hooked — stories about the struggles of the lower class in historical settings always grab my attention, and this one doesn’t hold back. By the end of episode two, I found myself thinking about how the main character, ironically, might’ve been “freer” when she was enslaved. Once her status changed to something noble, she became bound by duties to others.

When the Phone Rings (🇰🇷) – Everyone’s obsessed with this show, and yep, count me in. It’s such a breath of fresh air at the end of a not-so-great k-drama year — a story about adults (with not-so-adult decisions haha), wrapped in a darker, sensual tone. The characters are flawed, complicated, and just so interesting to watch.

Fangs of Fortune (🇨🇳) – Total newbie to c-dramas here. I’ve only seen a couple of modern ones, and this is my first wuxia. But wow, I’m obsessed already. The plot is promising, the action scenes are amazing, and the sets and costumes? Chef’s kiss. Even though I’m usually neutral about fantasy, this show is winning me over.

Revenge of Others (🇰🇷) – Honestly, I started watching this solely because Shin Ye Eun is in the lead role. Normally, I avoid school dramas, but the thriller angle pulled me in. Plus, Shin Ye Eun is just (always) wonderful, so I’m sticking with it.

Watched

Juvenile Justice (🇰🇷) – I started this one back in 2023 but put it on hold for a while. The overall vibe was good, but I needed the right mood for such heavy themes like juvenile crime and cruelty. I came back to it this year and finished it — and I don’t regret it. It’s such a well-made show that dives deep into the law and intertwines the cases with the lead’s own tragic backstory. The acting was memorable, and I’d love to see a second season.

Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born (🇰🇷) – Probably my favorite drama of the year. I cried so much — literally had tissues ready for every episode. It had everything I love: a historical context about women’s theater (a topic I didn’t know much about before), my favorite Kim Tae Ri in the lead, the equally amazing Shin Ye Eun and Ra Mi Ran, an almost entirely female cast, and a story that’s deeply emotional. The theater performances were so captivating I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. Honestly, I’m shocked it didn’t get more love from international fans, though it was well-received in Korea.

Love in the Big City (🇰🇷) – The book this is based on was one of the first I read in Korean. I remember it as a beautifully written, honest, and realistic story, so of course, I had to watch the adaptation. And it didn’t disappoint.

The Trunk (🇰🇷) – Honestly, I found this pretty boring. It felt like the creators were trying to hint at some deeper meaning behind a simple story, but it didn’t land. It could’ve been a decent movie, but as a series, it felt empty and dragged out. That said, the house design was memorable, and the OST was nice.

Mr. Plankton (🇰🇷) – At one point while watching it, I was borderline obsessed, but looking back with a cooler head, I think it was just Woo Do Hwan and Oh Jung Se pulling me in. I love their acting styles and delivery. The plot, though? All over the place. In theory, it could’ve been a cool modern take on some classic Korean folktale about a morally gray lower-class antihero kidnapping a poor girl from a noble family. But it feels like Netflix tried to cram every melodramatic trope into one series to appeal to everyone — and, honestly, “for everyone” often ends up being “for no one.” Still, I don’t regret watching it.

What Comes after Love (🇰🇷🇯🇵) – I’m also studying Japanese, so I was intrigued by the setting involving both Japan and Korea, with characters speaking both languages. It’s a classic love story about unspoken feelings and how emotions change over time. The ending felt quite logical.

Beyond Goodbye (🇯🇵) – I watched this right after What Comes after Love because of Sakaguchi Kentaro. It might be your typical Japanese drama about reincarnation and fated connections, but it was beautifully shot and well-acted, so I’m happy with it.

Queen of Tears (🇰🇷) – I started this as it aired but dropped it, and honestly, I probably should’ve left it there. There was no chemistry between the leads (even though I like their acting individually), and the makjang elements couldn’t even justify the plot holes. Yet another case of trying to throw in every possible trope and failing to tie it all together.

The Frog (🇰🇷) – Should’ve dropped this after episode two. But I stuck with it for you, my dear Go Min Si.

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2024

Beyond Goodbye (2024, Japan)

Director: Hiroshi Kurosaki

Writer: Yoshikazu Okada

Mini-review: