On Episode 81 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, the Drama Trio is on deck with Nas from the Swoon Diaries Podcast to review The Double, starring Wu Jin Yan and Wang Xing Yue. Jumping straight into spoilers, Jess, Caitlin, Liliana, Nas talk through this 2024 sleeper hit. The group talk through this cast, the amazing acting and cinematography, the rev…

On Episode 80 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and friend Caitlin from NoSleep4Dramas Blog & Podcast finish off Spooky SZN 2024 with a review of I Saw the Devil (2010), starring Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik. Jess and Caitlin discuss this unsettling and depraved movie, talking through the director, writer, cast, and performances, the cat and …

On Episode 79 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guests Natalia and Jessie from the Certified Noonas Podcast review The Host (2006), starring Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, Bae Doona, and Ko Ah-sung. Jess, Natalia, and Jessie discuss this monster movie from the phenomenal director Bong Joon-ho, talking through this stellar cast an…

On Episode 78 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guests Jenn and Marisa from The KThree review Memoir of a Murderer (2017), starring Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Nam-gil, and Seolhyun. Jess, Jenn, and Marisa discuss this mystery thriller, talking through the other movies it reminded us of like Memento and Shutter Island, the portrayal of Alzheimer's, t…

On Episode 77 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and friend of the pod Nas from the Swoon Diaries Podcast kick off Spooky SZN 2024 with a review of Train to Busan (2016), starring Gong Yoo, Ma Dong-seok, Choi Woo-shik, and Jung Yu-mi. Jess and Nas discuss this heart pounding and heartfelt horror flick, talking through a brief history of zombie c…

The Season 5 finale is here! On Episode 76 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Mina from the Kpop Bookshelf Podcast review SKY Castle, starring Yum Jung-Ah, Lee Tae-Ran, Yoon Se-Ah, Oh Na-Ra, and Kim Seo-Hyung, among many others. Jess and Mina talk through this drama from 2018, discussing the show’s incredible writing and performances from it…

On Episode 75 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast review It's Okay, That's Love, starring Jo In-Sung and Kong Hyo-Jin. Jess and Liliana talk through this romance from 2014, discussing the show’s incredible writing and performances from its cast, its groundbreaking portrayal of mental illness and topics like…

On Episode 74 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by Daebak royalty Miguel AND Rico to review seasons 1 and 2 of the J-drama Alice in Borderland, starring Yamazaki Kento and Tsuchiya Tao, among many others. Jess, Miguel, and Rico team up to cover this 2020/22 Netflix drama, discussing the ultra violence, if K-dramas are more or less vio…

On Episode 73 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 Eternal Love of Dream (aka Three Lives, Three Worlds, The Pillow Book), starring Dilraba Dilmurat and Vengo Gao. Jumping straight into spoilers, Jess, Caitli…

On Episode 72 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Grace from the Afternoona Asks Podcast review the sageuk from yesteryear The Princess’s Man, starring Moon Chae-won and Park Si-hoo. Jess and Grace talk through this epic, ANGSTY romance from 2011, discussing the show’s writing, its accurate portrayal of real historical events, the cast …

On Episode 71 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guests Curtis from the InfatuAsian Podcast and Brandon from the Pocha Playlist Podcast review the underrated K-drama Our Blues, starring Lee Byung-hun, Kim Hye-ja, Shin Min-a, Lee Jung-eun, Kim Woo-bin, and so many more. Jess, Curtis, and Brandon talk through this delightful and stressful 2022…

On Episode 70 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Pam from @pam_dramaholic on Instagram review the emotional K-drama Tomorrow, starring Kim Hee-seon, Rowoon, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Yun Ji-On. Jess and Pam carefully pick their way through this triggering 2022 show, discussing this super cool cast, Rowoon’s filmography and acting talent, the s…

On Episode 69 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and friend of the pod Nas from the Swoon Diaries Podcast review the vintage K-drama Autumn in My Heart, starring Song Seung-Heon and Song Hye-kyo. Jess and Nas laugh and cry their way through this classic and tragic 2000 show of yore, discussing the “Endless Love” series, the origins of so many tr…

On Episode 68 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and friend Caitlin from NoSleep4Dramas Blog & Podcast review season 1 of the crime K-drama Stranger, starring Cho Seung-Woo and Bae Doona. Jess and Caitlin talk through this amazing 2017 drama, discussing the stellar cast, how it had Jess’s head spinning and confused (in a good way), the (platonic…

On Episode 67 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Becky from @dont_sue_rebecca on TikTok review the slice-of-life K-drama Because This Is My First Life, starring Lee Min-ki and Jung So-min. Jess and Becky talk through this underrated 2017 drama, discussing comfort-watch nature of it, the relatability and authenticity in the characters, …

On Episode 66 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Carol from Kdramas Musings team up to review Autumn’s Concerto, starring Vanness Wu and Ady An. Jumping straight into spoiler talk, Jess and Carol talk through this melodramatic 2009 Taiwanese drama hit, discussing the hysterical OTT plot beats and tropes (like the amnesia, for starters)…

On Episode 65 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Sarah from Kdrama This and the Afternoona Asks Podcast review a bit of a melodramatic K-drama—The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, starring Seo In-guk and Jung So-min. Jess and Sarah talk through this 2018 drama as best they can because FOR ONCE Jess couldn’t rewatch the drama! They discuss the…

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-…

On Episode 63 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Lola from Lola Pops Off About Kdramas review a bit of an underrated K-drama—Run On, starring Yim Si-wan and Shin Se-kyung.Jess and Lola go for a light jog through this 2020-21 comforting slice-of-life drama, discussing the magic in its dialogue and larger explorations of self-love and fa…

On Episode 62 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Bina from @binahearts on Insta start Season 5 off with a review of what Bina jokes is the best K-drama of all time—True Beauty, starring Moon Ka-Young, Cha Eun-Woo, and Hwang In-Yeop. Jess and Bina deep dive on this 2020-21 rom-com, discussing its enduring appeal, how it made its young c…

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 w…

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…

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, di…

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…

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!),…

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…

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 …

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 seem…

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,…

On Episode 52 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Sarah from Kdrama This and the Afternoona Asks Podcast review Do You Like Brahms?, starring Park Eun-Bin and Kim Min-Jae. Jess and Sarah discuss this underrated 2020 musical drama, talking through the slow-burn romance between two introverts, comparisons to other musical K-dramas, the As…

On Episode 51 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Rico rage against the monsters on a review of Sweet Home (season 1), starring Song Kang, Lee Jin-Uk, Lee Si-Young, Lee Do-Hyun, and more.Jess and Rico talk through this 2020 action-horror drama, discussing the SAG-AFRA and WGA strikes and how they relate to Netflix and K-dramas, the famous dir…

On Episode 50 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Carol from Kdramas Musings are back again to review Love Like the Galaxy, starring Zhao Lusi and Wu Lei (aka Leo Wu). Jess and Carol (influenced in large part by Caitlin from @nosleep4dramas) discuss this beautiful 2022 historical drama, talking through the insane cinematography and musi…

On Episode 49 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Carol from Kdramas Musings to review Coffee Prince, starring Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun-Hye. Jess and Carol return to this iconic gender-bender from 2007, talking through the groundbreaking, ahead-of-its-time nature of the show, how formative and meaningful the project is to t…

On Episode 48 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guests Nas and Ori from the Seoul Sistahs Podcast to review Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo, starring Nam Joo-Hyuk and Lee Sung-Kyung. Jess, Nas, and Ori lift heavy as they swim their way through this beloved 2016 show, discussing the renaissance era of 2016 K-dramas, the caree…

On Episode 47 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Mina from the Kpop Bookshelf Podcast to review Full House, starring Rain and Song Hye-Kyo. Jess and Mina talk through this pioneer 2004 K-drama hit, discussing Rain and Hye-Kyo’s performances and chemistry, the premise that made the cohabitation and contract marriage trop…

On a special Episode 46 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and Rico are back on an ATC crossover episode to review the very first movie for the podcast, Past Lives, starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro.Jess and Rico discuss this A24 film from first-time writer-director Celine Song, talking through the themes and messages of the movie, in…

On Episode 45 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest hosts Caitlin from @nosleep4dramas and Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast finish up their review of Till the End of the Moon, starring Luo Yun Xi and Bai Lu.Continuing with spoiler talk, Part 2 kicks off discussing the theme of nature vs. nurture for Tantai Jin’s character, each era of …

On Episode 44 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Caitlin from @nosleep4dramas and friend of the pod Liliana from the Tea & Soju Podcast to review Till the End of the Moon, starring Luo Yun Xi and Bai Lu.Jumping straight into spoiler talk, Part 1 sees Jess, Caitlin, and Liliana gush and fangirl over this 2023 C-drama hit…

On Episode 43 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by repeat guest Jenny from the Pocha Playlist Podcast to review You’re Beautiful, starring Park Shin-Hye and Jang Keun-Suk. Jess and Jenny laugh through a discussion of this iconic Hong Sisters gender-bender from 2009, talking through the ludicrous (but still Shakespearean) plot, how Par…

On Episode 42 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest comedian Grace Jung from the K-Drama School Podcast to review Go Back Couple, starring Jang Na-Ra and Son Ho-Jun. Jess and Grace talk through this 2017 time-traveling melo-comedy, discussing the powerhouse that is Jang Na-Ra, the second-chance romance and if we agreed wi…

On Episode 41 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Samantha from the Korean From Context and the BL Buddies Podcast to review The Heirs, starring Lee Min-Ho and Park Shin-Hye. Jess and Sammie talk through this painfully 2013 high school love story, discussing the male leads and their old-school red flag toxicity, the nov…

On Episode 40 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by revenge-story cynic Miguel to review the The Glory, starring Song Hye-Kyo, Lee Do-Hyun, Lim Ji-Yeon, and so many more.Jess and Miguel team up for a revenge over a decade in the making, discussing the themes and messages of the show, how it portrays all kinds of bullying, the scandal w…

On Episode 39 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by special guest Paroma from the Dramas Over Flowers Podcast to review Youth of May, starring Lee Do-Hyun and Go Min-Si. Jess and Paroma talk through this star-crossed lovers story set in a historically significant time period, discussing the experience of watching, the amazing script, t…

On Episode 38 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by Laura and Kathy from the MIA2K Podcast to review Dream High, starring Kim Soo-Hyun, Bae Suzy, and Ok Taecyeon, IU, and so many more.Jess, Laura, and Kathy lovingly roast this iconic 2011 idol drama, discussing the acting from all the rookie players, the appeal of the show (despite its…

On Episode 37 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guests Jenn and Marisa from The KThree review Healer (2014), starring Ji Chang-Wook and Park Min-Young. Jess, Jenn, and Marisa return to this pre-2015 action-romance, talking through how Jenn and Marisa found the drama on this rewatch, how Jess has fallen madly in love with Ji Chang-Wook (fina…

On Episode 36 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and guest Lola from Lola Pops Off About Kdramas officially kick off Season 4 with a review of My Love from the Star (2013), starring Jun Ji-Hyun and Kim Soo-Hyun.Jess and Lola deep dive on this pre-2015 Hallyu wave juggernaut, discussing the difference between their first watch of the drama and th…

On a special Episode 35 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by the ladies from the Seoul Sistahs Podcast to wrap up a review of Alchemy of Souls Parts 1 and 2. In the part 2 spoiler section of the review, Jess, Nas, and Ori talk through the characters and their arcs (if they even had one), swoon through some of the best romantic scenes,…

On a special Episode 34 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by the ladies from the Seoul Sistahs Podcast to review Alchemy of Souls Parts 1 and 2, a journey almost as long as the drama itself. In the part 1 non-spoiler section of the review, Jess, Nas, and Ori have a robust discussion, talking through what they generally liked and disli…

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 …

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…