Easing myself into 2021, or what I've been watching lately, Part 2

So, it took me so long to write about the books I enjoyed last year, as I'm out of practice, that I had to postpone the talk about dramas I've been watching and shipping lately until now.

Are you ready? Here we go!

1. Mr. Queen (2020)

Synopsis from Viki

Jang Bong Hwan is a male chef that has risen up the ranks to find a job cooking for the country’s top politicians in the South Korean presidential residences, the Blue House. He is something of a dreamer – but one day finds himself in the body of a young queen from Korea’s past, Kim So Yong. 

Kim So Yong’s husband is the reigning monarch, King Cheol Jong. However, he is only king in name – the late King Sunjo’s Queen, Sun Won, has taken advantage of Cheol Jong’s better nature, and is ruling the realm in his name. Queen Sun Won’s brother Kim Jwa Guen also has designs on power. However, Kim So Yong soon discovers that King Cheol Jong harbors secrets, and is not as gentle and meek as he seems...

Folks, this is exquisite and it's still ongoing series. First of all, the plot. An arrogant, talented male chef falls into coma after an accident, and wakes up in the body of a queen from Joseon era. Her husband is supposed to be a decadent womaniser and a total idiot, but nothing is as it seems. While Bong Hwan is panicking and trying to survive in this cruel new world, he is uncovering Cheol Jong real plans for the royal coup and revenge while the duo becomes allies. The twist is that the king used to hate his bride, but this new Só Yong fascinates him, while Bong Hwan's spirit starts merging with the queen's and developing very uncomfortable feelings. This is comedy and action and romance at the same time, and it's pure class!

Trailer

2. True Beauty (2020)

Synopsis from Wikipedia

True Beauty is a romantic comedy about a high school girl Lim Ju Gyeong, who rises to pretty girl fame after she masters the art of make-up from YouTube. She turns into a goddess because of her makeup skills, but would rather die than reveal her bare face to anyone. It tells her love story with the only boy that saw her without makeup, Lee Su Ho. Lee is an attractive and handsome boy who appears cold because of his dark past but is actually very caring. They grow when they meet each other sharing their secrets and finding love with each other, but can Su Ho make Ju Gyeong find her true beauty?

This is another ongoing series, and it's full of heart. Originally a webtoon, True Beauty is an ugly duckling story. She has massive skin problems and she is a total nerd and gets so bullied in her previous school that she nearly commits suicide. A move to another school and hours of work to master make up, and suddenly she is a gorgeous girl, popular but still very self conscious. After a series of accidents and mistakes she falls for the top student of the school, aloof and unapproachable. They met and bonded over comic books and he knows her without her makeup, and she also knows some of his secrets. Both are recovering after a trauma and he is very protective of her but also comically as naive about relationships and love as she is. There is a rival of course, and an evil girl, but the best thing about it is Ju Gyeong's family. They are loveable and constantly bicker and a total mess, but they would do anything for each other. This is really warm and cozy, peeps. Much recommended.

3. Cherry Magic! (2020)

Synopsis from AsianWiki

While still a virgin at 30, Adachi Kiyoshi gains a magical power – the ability to read other people's minds by touching them. At first, he’s overwhelmed by his new ability, and it’s not proving to be helpful to him.

But that all changes when he accidentally touches Kurosawa Yuichi, whom he learns has romantic feelings for him. 

This is a Japanese BL drama, folks, and it's super cute and adorable. I am dipping my toes more into Japanese culture now after watching old Gokusen and the original Boys Over Flowers, which made me understand it a bit more, and this short drama was fun! I am totally shipping Adachi and Kurosawa, their chemistry was off the charts. It's a sweet office romance, too cute to miss out on.

Teaser

4. A Love So Beautiful (2017)

Synopsis from MyDramaList

It starts off with high school classmates Chen Xiao Xi and Jiang Chen who are also neighbors. Xiao Xi, a cheerful girl who doesn't study much, is expressive about her admiration towards Jiang Chen, the popular guy known for his looks and high grades. Together with their fellow classmates the funny Lu Yang, athletic but loyal Jing Xiao, and cool swimming team member Wu Bo Song, they embark on high school life to university until their adult life.

I've heard mention of this drama before, and now that Korean remake is out, I had to watch original Chinese. Plus, I really liked this male lead actor in The Handsome Siblings and Go, Go, Squid! Again, this was a typical YA/NA romance, super cute and with a lot of chemistry. Expect to cringe and laugh and melt at the same time, it was 100% feel good drama.

5. A Discovery of Witches Season 2 (2021)

Synopsis 

Matthew and Diana are hiding in time in the fascinating and treacherous world of Elizabethan London. Here they must find a powerful witch teacher to help Diana control her magic and search for the elusive Book of Life. Matthew and Diana's romance faces a barrage of new threats; Diana’s unleashed magic takes a dark and frightening turn, while Matthew struggles to re-inhabit the dangerous life he led over four centuries ago. They must overcome deep personal fears and jealousies, bearing their darkest secrets to one another if they are to stay alive, stay together and find a way back to present day. While Matthew and Diana hide out in Elizabethan London, back in present day, Diana’s beloved aunts, Sarah and Em must take shelter with notorious witch hunter Ysabeau de Clermont at her ancestral home, Sept-Tours. Meanwhile, in Oxford, Marcus and Miriam take on Matthew’s mantle to protect Daemons Nathaniel and Sophie, whose pregnancy is advancing. And Gerbert, Knox, Satu and Domenico are determined to hunt down every clue they can to Diana’s and Matthew’s disappearance, and the secrets their allies are keeping from them.

For once, a European drama, heh? 😂 I binge watched all 10 episodes in 2 days on HBO Portugal. Freaking excellent production, costumes, imagery and acting. You know who was the best? Phillipe de Clermont. His presence stole the limelight in all the scenes. Beautiful. I am overwhelmingly grateful that so far both seasons did the books justice. Watch it, much recommended.

This is to for now. Let me know if you've watched anything noteworthy recently and share below in the comments.