Francine

Dramabuds!

#139 in TV Reviews · 🇸🇬 #171 in TV Reviews · 🇮🇳

About the show

Join Francine as she turns a constructive and critical eye on the shows she's watched. Welcome to Dramabuds, a podcast for all the reviews, recaps, and rants on your favorite Kdramas.

Newest episodes

130 | Q1 Recap + Transit Love/EXchange 3

Apr 24, 2024 21 min

Dramabuds is back to talk about her (very) unproductive Kdrama year so far + the third season of TRANSIT LOVE/EXCHANGE, the Korean dating show that’s been driving her crazy for months. How did the new PD team switch things up, and does Season 3 live up to the iconic Season 2 cast and stories? 🍿 Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Transit Love 2 https://spoti.fi/410F3IT TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:23) Q1 Recap (6:11) Transit Love 3 Thoughts (14:52) S2 or S3: Which is Better? (19:26) Final Thoughts

129 | 2023 Year-end Awards!

Jan 3, 2024 35 min

Goodbye 2023, hello 2024! Our last episode on 2023 dramas is our annual awards for the best performances, best directing and music, funniest, saddest, most disappointing, and our overall rankings for the year 🏆 Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: My Dearest https://spoti.fi/44IQAx4, https://spoti.fi/46pLKXs The Guest https://spoti.fi/499ao03 Castaway Diva https://spoti.fi/47gkAm9, https://spoti.fi/48yXhnN Call It Love https://spoti.fi/3L9qywC Daily Dose of Sunshine https://spoti.fi/3SxfEou One Spring Night https://spoti.fi/43Tw3pp TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:32) Best Actor (6:02) Best Actress (8:52) Best Supporting Actor & Actress (10:58) Best Squad (12:45) Best Chemistry & Couple (15:33) Best OST & Best Score (17:41) Best Director (19:15) Funniest Drama, Most Tears, Most Disappointing (22:29) Top 15 (23:50) Top 10 (25:18) Top 5 (29:16) All-time Favorite Kdramas (32:50) Final Thoughts

128 | Fourth Quarter Recap: Daily Dose of Sunshine, My Dearest, Soundtrack #2, Death’s Game, etc. + Kpop Talk: EXO, RIIZE

Dec 27, 2023 48 min

Before we say goodbye to 2023, Francine recaps the dramas she watched from October to December, with her final thoughts on the dramas she shared her first impressions on. Bonus segment, only on today's episode: she dives into her 10-year love for EXO’s discography and her new Kpop obsession, RIIZE 🧡 Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: The Guest https://spoti.fi/499ao03 Save Me https://bit.ly/3FKU9sx Daily Dose of Sunshine https://spoti.fi/3SxfEou My Dearest Rant https://spoti.fi/44IQAx4 My Dearest Midpoint Recap https://spoti.fi/46pLKXs Castaway Diva https://spoti.fi/47gkAm9 Lightning Round https://spoti.fi/3TochRi TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:40) Finished Ongoing: Daily Dose of Sunshine, My Dearest (8:09) Finished Ongoing: Love Attack, Castaway Diva, Soundtrack #2 (13:30) Dropped + Currently Watching: Death’s Game, Hot Stove League (19:31) Kpop Talk: EXO Renaissance + Discography Ranking (29:02) Kpop Talk: RIIZE Rabbit Hole, the Seunghan Situation (37:49) Kpop Talk: Seunghan-Sohee Bias Line (46:17) Final Thoughts

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All episodes

130 | Q1 Recap + Transit Love/EXchange 3

Apr 24, 2024 21 min

129 | 2023 Year-end Awards!

Jan 3, 2024 35 min

128 | Fourth Quarter Recap: Daily Dose of Sunshine, My Dearest, Soundtrack #2, Death’s Game, etc. + Kpop Talk: EXO, RIIZE

Dec 27, 2023 48 min

127 | Lightning Round: Soundtrack #2, Maestra, Welcome to Samdal-ri, My Demon (First Impressions)

Dec 13, 2023 20 min

To build her currently watching list up again, Francine tries 4 ongoing dramas and shares her very quick thoughts on the first two episodes of Soundtrack #2, Maestra: Strings of Truth, Welcome to Samdal-ri, and My Demon! Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Love Triangles https://spoti.fi/4a4wXUf TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:24) Soundtrack #2 (4:30) Maestra: Strings of Truth (8:32) Welcome to Samdal-ri (15:16) My Demon (18:54) Final Thoughts

126 | Love Triangles & Second Lead Syndrome (Chill & Chat)

Dec 6, 2023 17 min

Dramabuds is back with a quick episode about love triangles (in the year 2023?!?!?), how Francine never falls for second lead syndrome, and her thoughts on Castaway Diva and other dramas with famous love triangles. Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Castaway Diva First Impressions https://spoti.fi/47gkAm9 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:23) Prolonging the Inevitable (3:47) Love Triangles that Worked (7:42) Second Leads = Glorified Supporting Character (9:22) Trust the Billing (12:48) Castaway Diva Final Thoughts (16:42) Final Thoughts

125 | Happy 3rd Anniversary! / Castaway Diva (First Impressions)

Nov 15, 2023 27 min

We’re celebrating our 3rd anniversary by sharing our first impressions on CASTAWAY DIVA: writer Park Hye-ryun’s newest drama starring Park Eun-bin 💚 Enjoy this full circle moment of talking about old favorites (and old enemies) on the podcast! Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Musical Episode https://spoti.fi/3WmC0cb IDOL: The Coup Review https://spoti.fi/47q6PkM Writer Park Hye-ryun Dramas https://spoti.fi/49tSSDY TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (3:11) The Good: Pilot, Emotional Core (7:14) The Good: Potential Brainrot Ship, Ran-joo, Ki-ho (10:49) The Bad (13:58) The Park Hye-Ryun Redemption Drama?: Stakes + Unlikable Female Lead (21:03) Love Triangle? + The Verdict (25:33) Final Thoughts

124 | Daily Dose of Sunshine (First Impressions)

Nov 8, 2023 16 min

Today, we share our first impressions on DAILY DOSE OF SUNSHINE: a gem of a drama that does its best to educate about mental illnesses while still being hopeful and heartwarming ☀️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:07) Portrayal of Mental Illnesses (9:52) Instantly Lovable Characters (15:08) Final Thoughts

123 | Save Me (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Oct 30, 2023 24 min

For our second Super Special Spooky Episode, we review SAVE ME: a creepy psychological thriller Kdrama about a cult in a countryside town. Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Horror episode: The Guest https://spoti.fi/499ao03 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:51) Plot and Characters (8:21) Villains > Protagonists (13:46) Creepy Factor: Why do people fall for cults? (20:47) Final Thoughts

122 | Silly Little Romcoms (Chill & Chat)

Oct 25, 2023 22 min

We love our silly little romcoms, but not everyone means well when they say it. Today, Francine unpacks the phrase and some of the common issues she’s had with recent romantic comedies in Kdramas. Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Third Quarter Recap https://spoti.fi/46Z8ugD Crash Course in Romance First Impressions https://spoti.fi/3jpVttC Business Proposal Review https://spoti.fi/3vxvAK9 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (3:20) Silly Little Romcom (affectionately) vs. (condescendingly) (7:10) “It’s just a silly lil romcom” ≠ Can’t Be Criticized (10:12) The MM in RoMcoM Stands for Murder Mystery (12:51) “Unnecessary” Conflict vs. Just Fun & Vibes (16:38) Romcoms I Liked (19:55) Final Thoughts

121 | The Guest (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Oct 23, 2023 21 min

Looking for a thrilling Kdrama to binge this Halloween season? For the first of our Super Special Spooky Episodes, Francine reviews her first ever horror Kdrama: THE GUEST. No jumpscares here, so enjoy this drama (and this episode) before you sleep tonight 😈 Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: First Impressions Challenge Part 1 https://spoti.fi/45QY6a5 Third Quarter Recap https://spoti.fi/46Z8ugD TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:59) Plot and Characters: Yoon Hwa-pyung (Kim Dong-wook) (5:13) Plot and Characters: Kang Gil-young (Jung Eun-chae) (7:45) Plot and Characters: Choi Yoon/Matthew (Kim Jae-wook) (10:32) Plot- AND Character-driven Thriller (15:07) Horror Factor: Can I watch this at night? (19:31) Final Thoughts

120 | First Impressions Challenge: The Guest, Mad Dog, City Hall, Salon de Nabi

Oct 18, 2023 23 min

We’ve taken all your Kdrama recommendations, and Francine is kicking off her watch challenge with 4 dramas: The Guest Mad Dog (@DingooDramas on Twitter 💕) City Hall (@OnionMok on Twitter 💗) Salon de Nabi Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: First Impressions Challenge https://spoti.fi/45Uf1ZZ TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:24) The Guest (2018) (4:09) Mad Dog (2017) (8:21) City Hall (2009) (13:24) Salon de Nabi (2022) (21:19) Final Thoughts

119 | My Dearest Part 1 (Midpoint Recap)

Oct 11, 2023 34 min

The most devastating sageuk romance of 2023 is coming back, and Francine is more than ready to suffer (and love every minute of it) 💔 Here’s a full recap of the events of MY DEAREST PART 1, for those who need a refresher before we jump into the long-awaited Part 2! Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: In Defense of My Dearest Part 1 https://spoti.fi/44IQAx4 Currently Watching https://spoti.fi/3OKEgGH Arthdal Chronicles S2 First Impressions https://spoti.fi/45pv9So TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:43) Part 1 Recap: During the War (12:53) Part 1 Recap: After the War (25:13) Thoughts & Criticisms + Expectations for Part 2 (32:51) Final Thoughts

118 | Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun (First Impressions)

Oct 4, 2023 34 min

After 4 years of waiting, ARTHDAL CHRONICLES is back— with new faces for some of our favorite characters. How have the new actors portrayed the changes their characters went through in the 8-year timeskip? Has the first half lived up to the hype? Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Arthdal Chronicles S1 Review https://spoti.fi/44XEZKI TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (4:35) Tagon (9:02) Taealha (14:27) Eunseom (20:08) Tanya (25:14) Saya (29:18) General Comments + Verdict (33:07) Final Thoughts

117 | Third Quarter Recap: D.P. 2, Moving, King the Land, A Time Called You, Arthdal Chronicles 2 + more

Sep 27, 2023 33 min

July to September wasn’t a productive watching quarter for Francine, but recent dramas are keeping her optimistic for the rest of the year! Listen to this recap episode for her thoughts on: D.P. 2, Not Others, Mask Girl, Moving, Revenant, See You in My 19th Life King the Land, A Time Called You, Salon de Nabi, Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun (+ The Bear, Oppenheimer, Barbie) Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 EPISODES MENTIONED: Something in the Rain Review https://spoti.fi/43srthr One Spring Night Review https://spoti.fi/43Tw3pp Watch Challenge https://spoti.fi/45Uf1ZZ D.P. S1 Review https://spoti.fi/3DvZTWc Currently Watching https://spoti.fi/3OKEgGH Revenant & King the Land First Impressions https://spoti.fi/44B5ZAF See You in My 19th Life First Impressions https://spoti.fi/46yFn4x TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:27) D.P. S2 (7:58) Not Others (12:53) Mask Girl (16:52) Dropped: Revenant, SYIM19L, King the Land (18:29) Dropped: A Time Called You (20:47) Currently Watching: Salon de Nabi, Arthdal Chronicles (23:11) Other Media: The Bear (26:02) Other Media: Oppenheimer, Barbie (31:43) Final Thoughts

116 | Speeding Up & Fast Forwarding Kdramas (Chill & Chat)

Sep 20, 2023 20 min

Today, Francine talks about why she sometimes watches her Kdramas in 1.5x speed or fast forwards to skip scenes— and why she’s trying to kill the bad habit. No judgement here, even if you’re watching the Chipmunks remix of a Kdrama 😵‍💫 Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:32)Why I Speed Up & FFW (7:55) Disrespect to Creators vs. Consumer Freedom (13:03)A Product to Be Consumed + Normalize Having No Opinion (18:13) Final Thoughts

115 | Holding On vs. Dropping Dramas / LF: Recs for a Kdrama Challenge! (Chill & Chat)

Sep 13, 2023 27 min

🎶 Oh, I got better things to do with my time than you 🎶 Today, Francine talks about why some dramas are so hard to drop, even if they’re not as good as they initially seemed. Should you let them go or keep giving them a chance, hoping it gets better? (No hugot intended 👀) Also, she’s looking for Kdrama recs for a First Impressions challenge! Send your recs through Dramabuds’ socials or through the answer box on Spotify 👇 Currently on her list: Life on Mars, Delightfully Deceitful, Matrimonial Chaos, The Guest, & Salon de Nabi Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (6:12) Cast + PD/Writer (14:12) Potential, Faith in the Creators (20:50) Rules for my First Impressions Challenge! (25:11) Final Thoughts

114 | (In Defense of) My Dearest Part 1

Sep 6, 2023 23 min

What a devastating finale to MY DEAREST PART 1 and a cliffhanger that’s making viewers beg for October to come faster 😭 Today, Francine defends some of the main leads’ frustrating choices and gushes over the powerful character arcs that led to this tragic ending (for now). Full recap of part 1 will come right before the 2nd part airs! Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:45) Quick Recap (9:41) In Defense of Gil-chae (15:42) In Defense of Jang-hyun (21:42) Final Thoughts

113 | Moving (First Impressions)

Aug 30, 2023 26 min

MOVING is the biggest Kdrama this year, and we’re loving the Korean twist on the superhero genre! Today’s episode is a recap of the first half: the characters we love, the unique pacing, and the epic conclusion that we’re hoping for. Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (3:18) Episodes 1-7: Kids’ Stories (11:01) Episodes 8-11: Parents’ Stories (17:46) Bringing Magic Back to OTT Dramas (24:54) Final Thoughts

112 | Currently Watching: Moving, Not Others, Mask Girl, My Dearest (Chill & Chat)

Aug 23, 2023 30 min

Dramabuds is back! 💕 Today, Francine shares some life updates and her thoughts on all the dramas she’s currently watching and enjoying. Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (5:21) Moving (9:50) Not Others (19:02) Mask Girl (20:45) My Dearest (26:42) Final Thoughts

111 | One Spring Night (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Aug 2, 2023 32 min

The grand finale of Francine’s Jung Hae-in review trilogy features ONE SPRING NIGHT, one of the first Kdramas she ever watched and fell in love with 🥰 Today, she discusses how the writer-director tandem from SOMETHING IN THE RAIN made huge improvements in a year and created this timeless romance melodrama with so much rewatch value. Twitter: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Discord: https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Email: dramabuds.tkp@gmail.com 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (3:39) Plot and Characters (8:55) Less is More: Slow Directing, Toxic Parents (14:37) More is Also More: Supporting Characters (20:04) More is Also More: Real Conflict (28:52) Final Thoughts

110 | D.P. Season 1 (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Jul 26, 2023 22 min

Are you ready for D.P. Season 2 on July 28? 🤩 For anyone who needs a refresher on the Best Drama award-winning 1st season, today’s episode features a full recap of all 6 episodes and some thoughts on how this drama manages to be fun without diminishing its very serious themes. Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our Discord server to meet more Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:43) Season 1 Recap (10:33) Pacing, Buildup, & Emotional Devastation (16:36) Cool Factor vs. Social Commentary (20:52) Final Thoughts

108 | Revenant & King the Land (First Impressions)

Jul 12, 2023 21 min

Kdramas have been feeding fans of all types of genres: fantasy-romance (See You in My 19th Life), horror-thriller (REVENANT), and classic Cinderella story romcom (KING THE LAND). Today, Francine talks about the latter two, some thoughts on writer Kim Eun-hee’s other dramas, and what she’s looking for in a romcom. Listen to our See You in My 19th Life first impressions here: spoti.fi/46yFn4x Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:23) Revenant (10:49) King the Land (19:42) Final Thoughts

107 | See You in My 19th Life (First Impressions)

Jul 5, 2023 16 min

A new Kdrama cycle has just started, and Francine is kicking off a series of First Impressions with her quick thoughts on SEE YOU IN MY 19TH LIFE, a fantasy romance streaming on Netflix. Has the first half of the show lived up to its A+ pilot? 🫢 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:58) The Good: Pilot of the Year, Grief, Shin Hye-sun (8:37) The Bad: Ji-eum vs other 3, Plot Direction + The Verdict (14:41) Final Thoughts

106 | Second Quarter Recap: Doctor Cha, Anna, The Good Bad Mother, Something in the Rain + more

Jun 28, 2023 31 min

Things are starting to look up in Kdramaland recently, and today, Francine recaps the dramas she’s watched in the past 3 months. Here’s to a more exciting second half of the year! 🥂 Features the following shows: Anna; What’s Up; One Sunny Day; Something in the Rain; The Glory; The Good Bad Mother; Doctor Cha; Dr Romantic 3; Queenmaker; Race; One Spring Night + more Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:30) Reviewed + Completed (9:17) Finished 2023 Releases (17:58) Dropped + Currently Watching (20:07) Other Media (29:15) Final Thoughts

105 | Because This is My First Life & The Full-Time Wife Escapist (Second Chances/Jdrama Journey)

Jun 21, 2023 24 min

For marriage of convenience & cohabitation lovers, Francine discusses the similar tropes—and her similar feelings—for a Kdrama (Because This is My First Life) and a Jdrama (The Full-Time Wife Escapist) together for the first time on the podcast 💍 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:37) Thoughts on Both Shows (10:52) Robotic Male Lead (14:20) Love Under a Contract, Progressive Themes (22:38) Final Thoughts

103 | My Dear Exes (Jdrama Journey)

Jun 7, 2023 20 min

Francine has discovered another slice-of-life gem in the Jdrama world: MY DEAR EXES/Omameda Towako and Her Three Ex-Husbands 💕 Highly recommended for anyone looking for a light and wacky drama with a lovable female lead, like the protagonists of Doctor Cha and Crash Course in Romance! Fun fact: this is written by her current favorite Jdrama writer, Sakamoto Yuji, who won the Best Screenplay award at Cannes Film Festival this year 👏 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:17) Pacing, Banter, Monologues, Criticisms (8:43) All-Time Top 5 Female Protagonist (16:30) Final Thoughts

102 | Dr Romantic 3 (First Impressions)

May 31, 2023 21 min

Is season 3 of DR ROMANTIC a worthy follow-up to one of Francine’s favorite Kdramas of all time? She weighs in on the first 10 episodes of DR ROMANTIC 3: the fresh spin on old themes, the new (and sometimes controversial) side characters, and the episodes that keep getting better and better. Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:41) The Good: Coming Home, Humanism (9:01) The Bad: Filler, New Characters (14:48) The Bad: Cha Jin-man (19:27) Final Thoughts

101 | The Good Bad Mother (First Impressions)

May 24, 2023 21 min

Is Francine’s Kdrama slump finally cured? Today, she shares her first impressions on THE GOOD BAD MOTHER, a tearjerker and an acting masterclass. It has some of the best written morally grey characters she’s seen in a while, even though some scenes are VERY hard to watch 🥲 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (3:48) The Good: Acting Masterclass, Moral Ambiguity (8:40) The Good: Conflicting Characters, Pacing (15:09) The Bad + The Verdict (19:41) Final Thoughts

100 | Dramabuds: The Musical Episode! (Ask Me Anything)

May 17, 2023 38 min

We’re celebrating the 100th episode of Dramabuds by talking about Francine’s ultimate love: musicals! She quickly recaps a bunch of musical dramas, the kind of music they feature, and pitches 3 of her dream musical dramas + casting 🫶 Thank you to everyone who has listened to the pod and shared it to other drama lovers! Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:57) Why I Love Musicals (8:33) Dream High (2011) (11:39) What’s Up (2011) (16:39) Monstar (2013) (19:39) Persevere Goo Hae Ra (2015) (21:34) Hospital Playlist (2020) (23:23) The Sound of Magic (2022) (25:47) My Dream Musical Dramas (33:13) Final Thoughts

98 | Suzume + Baeksang Reactions (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

May 3, 2023 44 min

Part 2 of our Makoto Shinkai Massive Movie Review is here, and we’re finally talking about SUZUME, his latest work! Beware of major spoilers in one segment, sorry 😅 Also includes quick (and maybe controversial) reactions to the winners of the recent Baeksang Arts Awards in the intro. Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro + Baeksang Reactions (10:48) Suzume: Synopsis and First Thoughts (18:06) MAJOR SPOILERS (23:19) Suspension of Disbelief, Urban Fantasy, Music (28:07) Emotional Depth (36:04) Daijin, Theories, Plot Vehicles, Length (41:41) Final Thoughts

97 | Makoto Shinkai Films (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Apr 26, 2023 50 min

Today, Francine enters the world of movie reviews?!?! This is Part 1 of a 2-episode recording with a guest where they gush over and rant about Makoto Shinkai’s 2 major films, YOUR NAME (2016) and WEATHERING WITH YOU (2019). Next week’s episode talks about SUZUME, his latest work! Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (3:54) Your Name (25:25) Weathering With You (49:49) Final Thoughts Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

96 | Call It Love (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Apr 19, 2023 24 min

CALL IT LOVE is proof that the romance melodrama genre isn’t dead! ❤️‍🩹 Today, Francine dives into the drama’s characters, her initial fears about the show, and how this slow melo managed to become her (current) fave drama of 2023. Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (3:14) Plot and Character (9:02) A “Revenge” Story? (12:18) Trust the Process (16:09) The Romance Melodrama Genre Isn’t Dead!!! (22:13) Final Thoughts

94 | [VIDEO] Kdrama Couples Tier Ranking (Ask Me Anything)

Apr 5, 2023 43 min

On today’s episode, Francine ranks 30 couples from some of her top rated Kdramas and explains why some of them are her Dreams Come True, while others make her go…… Why Why Why……… Here’s the link if you want to do this tier list too (and share your ranking on Twitter or Discord with us!): https://tiermaker.com/create/kdrama-couples-ranking-15618775 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (6:26) 1-5 (11:12) 6-10 (15:50) 11-15 (21:42) 16-20 (28:08) 21-25 (34:01) 26-30 (40:55) Final Thoughts

93 | 2023 First Quarter Recap: Love to Hate You, The Interest of Love, Call It Love + more

Mar 29, 2023 41 min

Lots of love and hate in today's episode of Dramabuds! Francine’s January to March recap is full of the dramas she’s gatekeeping (for now), the actors she’s personally blacklisting, and many more hot takes on the following dramas: Dream High; Recipe for Farewell; Payback: Money and Power; Love to Hate You; The Interest of Love; Crash Course in Romance; Divorce Attorney Shin; Call It Love; The Glory (+ an almost-full review of Daisy Jones and the Six???) Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:46) Reviewed + Completed (15:57) Finished Ongoing (21:22) Dropped (28:37) Currently Watching + Other Media (40:32) Final Thoughts

92 | Life’s Punchline (Jdrama Journey)

Mar 22, 2023 24 min

We’re officially starting our Jdrama Journey with LIFE’S PUNCHLINE, a 2021 drama about a failed comedy group and their biggest fan. Francine talks about their amazing cast chemistry, the Kdramas that tackle similar themes of failure & change, and all the dramas and idols that gave her comfort when she needed it the most 💖 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (3:48) Character-driven Shows (7:57) Chemistry & Comedy (11:21) Failure, Change, and Levity (14:17) When Fandom Changes Your Life (22:15) Final Thoughts

91 | Island (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Mar 15, 2023 27 min

Part 2 of ISLAND finished airing, and……… well. 🫥 Here is Francine’s very critical (but very affectionate!) review of the entire drama, and despite its many flaws, we can see just how much the cast and staff poured into trying to make this show work— even if it didn’t. Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (5:25) Writing and Pacing (11:10) Character Arcs (18:21) Shonen Anime + Video Games (22:24) The “Forced” “”Romance”” (25:06) Final Thoughts

90 | The Glory Part 1 (Midpoint Recap)

Mar 8, 2023 26 min

After months of waiting, Part 2 of THE GLORY is finally coming on March 10! Join Francine as she recaps the first half of the show and shares her thoughts on Part 1 and her expectations for the much-anticipated Part 2 🍿 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (5:17) Quick Recap (13:37) Part 1 Thoughts (21:33) Part 2 Expectations (24:46) Final Thoughts

89 | [VIDEO] Boys Planet 1st Voting (Ask Me Anything)

Mar 1, 2023 47 min

Korea’s most controversial survival show series is back, and it’s as overdramatic as ever 😵‍💫 On today’s episode, Francine talks about all her favorite trainees on BOYS PLANET, the ones that Mnet clearly wants in the group, and those that they’re trying to evil edit out of the show. She also hypes up the much better ongoing survival show that deserves all this attention and buzz instead: PEAK TIME ✨ Peak Time Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp/status/1626469779858145282 JTBC Music: https://www.youtube.com/@JTBCMusic PEAK TIME Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PEAKTIMEOFFICIAL Join our new Discord server to meet other Kdrama (and other Asian drama) lovers 💕 https://discord.gg/44gGwrSeN3 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (4:50) Star Level Test (16:10) K vs G Group Battle (33:48) Current Top 9 Picks (36:01) Peak Time!!!! (44:35) Final Thoughts

87 | Korean Dating Shows (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Feb 15, 2023 40 min

Are you tired of romcom Kdramas but still need a romance fix? Today, Francine reviews(?) two buzz-worthy Korean dating shows from last year: Single’s Inferno 2 and Transit Love/EXchange 2— with a brief segment on Terrace House, the Japanese reality show franchise that she once LOVED, back in the day 🥺 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (4:19) Single’s Inferno 2 (16:59) Interlude: Terrace House (24:02) Transit Love/EXchange 2 (37:54) Final Thoughts

86 | Jdramas on Netflix (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Feb 8, 2023 32 min

Goodbye(?), Kdramas— Francine is finally entering the world of Jdramas ✈️ She’s kickstarting her Jdrama phase with some new selections available on Netflix: ❄️ First Love: Hatsukoi 🍚 The Makanai: Cooking For The Maiko House 🎻 Quartet Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (2:49) First Love: Hatsukoi (11:34) The Makanai: Cooking For The Maiko House (19:04) Quartet (30:32) Final Thoughts

85 | January Releases: Payback, Crash Course in Romance, Strangers Again (First Impressions)

Feb 1, 2023 27 min

There are a LOT of things going on in each of the Kdramas we’re currently watching 😵‍💫 Here’s our first impressions on them, if you want to know if they’re worth checking out! You can stream Payback: Money and Power on Prime Video, Crash Course in Romance on Netflix, and Strangers Again on Viki 🍿 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (1:59) Payback: Money and Power (10:16) Crash Course in Romance (20:29) Strangers Again (25:40) Final Thoughts

83 | Island - Part 1 (First Impressions)

Jan 18, 2023 32 min

ISLAND is Francine’s most recent guilty pleasure Kdrama! She’s hopeful that part 2 (coming to Prime Video on February 25) will continue to get better and better, even if Part 1 wasn’t exactly the greatest 🫣 She also rants about the recent trend of splitting Kdramas into 2 “seasons” and how much she hates it, especially for this Kdrama. Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 francine TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) - Intro (6:35) - The Bad (14:25) - The Good (20:38) - 2-part Kdrama Releases + The Verdict & Recommended Audience (30:58) - Final Thoughts

82 | Under the Queen’s Umbrella (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Jan 11, 2023 44 min

(feat. Francine’s thoughts on the Single’s Inferno 2 finale and the final couples 🫣) UNDER THE QUEEN’S UMBRELLA is Francine’s top 3 drama of 2022— and possibly has one of the most satisfying endings she’s watched in a long, long time in Kdramas. Today’s episode is her overdue review of the show, her favorite character moments, and her mini-rant about why not all good endings need to be happy endings. Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 francine TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) - Single’s Inferno 2 Finale Reactions (5:36) - Intro (8:08) - Plot and Characters (16:01) - Sageuk for Sageuk Nonfans (like me!) + Pacing (23:57) - Character Spotlights (33:53) - Best Finale of 2022 (41:38) - Final Thoughts

81 | Goodbye, 2022: Year-end Awards

Jan 4, 2023 1 hr 4 min

Hello, 2023! Before we start another year of (hopefully) amazing Kdramas, let’s recognize some of Francine’s favorites from the 31 dramas she watched in 2022. Some winners are predictable, given the dramas she’s talked about loving this year, but there are some surprise winners in the mix too 🫣 She also talks briefly about some dramas that premiered in the last 2 weeks: The Interest of Love; The Fabulous; Big Bet; Island; and The Glory. Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 francine TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) - Intro + Recent Releases (7:09) - Best Actor (10:58) - Best Actress (14:18) - Best Supporting Actor & Actress (17:16) - Best Squad & Chemistry (23:17) - Best Score, OST, & Song (27:25) - Best Director, Most Disappointing (34:29) - Top 15 (38:28) - Top 10 (41:41) - Top 5 (49:58) - All-time Favorites (58:31) - Looking Forward to in 2023 (1:01:37) - Final Thoughts

80 | Fourth Quarter Recap: Weak Hero Class 1, Summer Strike, Single’s Inferno 2 (?!?!?), and more

Dec 21, 2022 47 min

4x11 | Fourth Quarter Recap: Weak Hero Class 1, Summer Strike, Single’s Inferno 2 (?!?!?), and more Today on Dramabuds, Francine recaps the dramas she watched (and dropped) in her unproductive October to November and her ongoing Kdrama slump 😢 Features the following shows: Little Women, Under the Queen’s Umbrella, Unicorn, Yonder, Weak Hero Class 1, Mental Coach Jegal, Reborn Rich, Curtain Call, Behind Every Star, Summer Strike, Love is For Suckers, Recipe for Farewell, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, Single’s Inferno 2 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 francine TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) - Intro (2:09) - Finished Ongoing: Unicorn, Yonder, Weak Hero Class 1 (9:52) - Mental Coach Jegal (17:19) - Dropped: Curtain Call, Behind Every Star (21:46) - Summer Strike, Love is For Suckers (31:27) - Currently Watching: Recipe for Farewell, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, Single’s Inferno 2 (37:17) - Non K-drama Media (46:53) - Final Thoughts

79 | Mother feat. Little Women (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Dec 14, 2022 27 min

4x10 | Mother feat. Little Women (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants) Today, Francine reviews MOTHER (2018), the highly-acclaimed thriller melodrama that won Best Drama in the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2018. She also briefly talks about how LITTLE WOMEN, by the same writer, wasn’t exactly the masterpiece drama that she was hoping it would be 😅 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 francine TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) - Intro (3:21) - Plot and Characters (7:23) - Thriller-Melodrama; What is a “real” mother? (12:14) - The “villains”; Losing steam, ending well (19:10) - Little Women: a disappointment, both separately and in comparison (25:28) - Final Thoughts

78 | Reborn Rich (First Impressions)

Dec 7, 2022 32 min

4x9 | Reborn Rich (First Impressions) Francine shares her thoughts on the first 6 episodes of Korea’s hottest new drama, REBORN RICH. With a star-studded cast and the writer of DESIGNATED SURVIVOR: 60 DAYS, she talks about whether or not she’ll continue tuning in, despite the promising premise and stellar performances. Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 francine TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) - Intro (3:27) - Eps 1-2: Slow Start (7:25) - Eps 3-4: Steady, Not Stellar (12:32) - Eps 5-6: Finally, Some Stakes! (22:09) - Writer of Designated Survivor: 60 Days (28:17) - The Verdict + Final Thoughts

77 | One Dollar Lawyer (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants)

Nov 23, 2022 30 min

4x8 | One Dollar Lawyer (Reviews, Recaps, and Rants) What could have been Francine’s top comedy Kdrama sadly fizzled out at the end… 😢 BUT on today’s episode, she talks about the highs and lows of ONE DOLLAR LAWYER and why the creators can’t entirely be blamed for the drama that it ended up being. (Also, she briefly talks about Hyena & Vincenzo and how ODL has managed to make her give wacky law dramas another chance.) Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 francine TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) - Intro (2:48) - Namgoong Min Star Vehicle (5:01) - Episodes 1-8: WAY better than expected (12:02) - Episodes 9-11: ………… (16:18) - Finale: What happened??? (21:43) - ODL vs. Other Wacky Law Dramas (27:49) - Final Thoughts

76 | Under the Queen’s Umbrella (First Impressions)

Nov 16, 2022 22 min

4x7 | Under the Queen’s Umbrella (First Impressions) Francine, raving over an ongoing historical drama??? 2022 is truly a Kdrama miracle ✨ Today, she shares her first impressions on UNDER THE QUEEN’S UMBRELLA. This stars her Actual Kdrama Queen, Kim Hye-soo, and is a thrilling and (relatively) progressive take on a sageuk, one of Francine’s least favorite genres 😮 Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 francine TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) - Intro (2:39) - The Good: Kim Hye Soo, the Queen & her sons (10:33) - The Good: humor, the King, a modern(?) sageuk (18:11) - The Bad, The Verdict (21:34) - Final Thoughts

75 | (In Defense of…) Goo Yeo Reum from Love is For Suckers

Nov 9, 2022 20 min

4x6 | (In Defense of…) Goo Yeo Reum from Love is For Suckers For the podcast’s 2nd anniversary, Francine is doing a classic Dramabuds episode: pure, unfiltered ranting 😀👍 She stands in defense of Goo Yeo Reum (played by Lee Da Hee), the female lead of LOVE IS FOR SUCKERS, and why we need female leads who are hot messes and who make reasonable mistakes, given terrible situations that keep the plot moving. (This also features a small segment talking about My Liberation Notes, and we SWEAR it all connects back to LIFS) First Impressions episode on Love is For Suckers (for context): https://spoti.fi/3SCyVkI Talk to us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/dramabuds_tkp 🌺 francine TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) - Intro & recap of first impressions (1:12) - Thoughts on episodes 7-8 (1:56) - This show is so messy (affectionately) (3:39) - It’s not bad writing just because you don’t like it (8:56) - Park Jae Hoon is not a saint (12:58) - Being the “giver” and the “taker” (14:31) - My Liberation Notes = worship couple is the template (17:31) - Let female characters be complex! (19:54) - Final Thoughts

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130 | Q1 Recap + Transit Love/EXchange 3

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Podcast details

Created by: Francine
Status: Inactive
Latest episode: Apr 24, 2024
Episodes: 115
Release period: Weekly
Avg. episode length: 42 min
Explicit: No
Language: English

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