Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast How I Met My KDrama
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Cohabitation Trope, Hopeful Storytelling, and Kdrama Structure with Paroma | 11 Nov 2025 | 00:39:21 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E26 / Paroma from the Dramas Over Flowers podcast and professional fangirl joins me to talk about her journey into Asian media, her recommendations, and the unique joys of Kdramas. 🌼 Paroma shares the story behind how Dramas Over Flowers podcast came about with its cross-cultural perspectives. 🎉 We explore Paroma’s Kdrama origin story as well as how tropes like cohabitation and found family in the workplace win us over. 🫶We also delve into dramas that treat serious subjects with warmth and optimism and discuss endings. Currently watching:
✋ Spoiler warning! Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows:
Dramas Over Flowers Podcast: Dramas Over Flowers Substack: https://dramasoverflowers.substack.com Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Rewatchable Kdramas and Favorite OSTs with Maxine | 23 Oct 2025 | 00:33:01 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E25 / Maxine Wright, supply chain professional, master gardener, avid podcast listener—and, of course, passionate Kdrama fan—joins me to talk about her favorite dramas and how her journey started during the pandemic. ⭐ We explore how Kdramas connect us with our emotions, the joys of discovering underrated gems, and why Maxine seeks out older and less mainstream series between the new hits. 🎵 Maxine lists her favorite re-watches and classic OSTs, and she also shares her unique way of searching for Kdramas that surfaces new recommendations. Currently Watching: Maxine:
Sara:
⚠️ Light spoiler warning! Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows:
Links: Lipstick: Wine Lip Tint Chateau Labaotte https://www.yesstyle.com/en/tcuc.USD/coc.US/info.html/pid.1132160255 Maxine’s TikTok: @wrightstuff20 Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Favorite Friendship Kdramas with No Romance (mostly) - Spoiler free! | 16 May 2025 | 00:26:32 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E17 / It’s another roundup episode this week, this time about dramas with a strong theme of friendship and no (or extremely little) romance. ✨ I dig into the friendship/found family combo that’s often present in workplace dramas and slice-of-life shows and a few mystery/crime dramas as well. 📝 Quick note: this is the last episode for season 1. I’ve loved connecting with you about Kdramas and will be back after a summer break with Season 2! 👍 Spoiler Free episode. Enjoy! Dramas mentioned in this episode:
Watching/Planning to Watch:
Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| JDramas: Japanese Romance, Mystery, and Slice-of-Life Stories for Kdrama Fans | 09 May 2025 | 00:13:12 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E16 / Loving Kdramas but ready to branch out? I took a break from Kdramas to shine a spotlight on some Japanese dramas I loved. I share some of my favorites: twisty mysteries, workplace dramas, and fast friendships. Did you know Jdramas are getting easier to stream? Netflix, Viki, and Amazon are adding fresh Japanese dramas—so it's a great time to put a few on your watchlist. ✅ Spoiler Free episode, except for one trope mention, which has a warning. Chaptermarkers are timestamped. 🗞️ Off the Record 👗 Why I Dress Up for Love * 🤵♂️ Turn to Me, Mukai-kun ❤️🩹 First Love 🦚Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle 🎻 Quartet * At the time of recording, I couldn’t confirm if Why I Dress Up For Love would actually be available on Netflix, but it is available there now. Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Spotlight: Like Flowers in Sand | 02 May 2025 | 00:49:39 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E15 / Brett Battles is back to talk with me about Like Flowers in Sand, a brilliantly layered Kdrama that’s so much more than a sports story. In this spotlight episode, we gush about:
➡ Use the chapter markers to find the non-spoiler and spoiler sections. Links: Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Healer, Competency, and the Bodyguard Trope with Aimee Robinson | 14 Apr 2025 | 00:56:03 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E14 / Aimee Robinson, paranormal and time travel romance author and Kdrama fan, joins me to talk about her favorite Kdramas, focusing on thriller/mystery shows–especially those with a bodyguard trope. 🎯 We explore Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ psychological triggers, like status, competition, gossip and discuss why they make Healer such a satisfying drama. 🥇And we list some of our favorite heroes and heroines who excel in competency. ⚠️ Spoiler warning! Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows:
▶️ Currently Watching/Planning to Watch: Aimee: Love and Sword, Snowfall, Moonlovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Goblin (AKA: Guardian: The Lonely and Great God), Extraordinary Attorney Woo Sara: Queen of Mystery Aimee’s website: https://www.aimeerobinsonromance.com Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Spotlight: Why King the Land Deserves More Love | 07 Apr 2025 | 00:44:36 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E13 / Kristi Rose and Amy Boyles join me to take a look at King the Land, a romcom that doesn’t get enough attention–at least that’s our opinion. 😠💕 We dive into the enemies to lovers trope that blossomed into a steadfast relationship, and we break down why we were absolutely rooting for Gu Won and Sa Rang, played by Lee Jun Ho and Im Yoon Ah. 🏢🎭 Beyond the romance, we unpack the drama’s deeper themes—ambition, authenticity versus pretense, and the tough realities of working in the service industry from the ground up. We also laugh a lot and recall our favorite scenes. 👑 So if you’re looking for a romcom that brings romance, humor, and found family, but has a noticeable *lack* of white trucks of doom, serial killers, and amnesia, King the Land might be just what you’re looking for. ⏩ Use the chapter markers for spoiler free and spoiler sections. Currently Watching/Plan to Watch (with some spoilers): Amy: Goblin, Destined with You, Grosse Point Garden Society Kristi: The Potato Lab, When Life Gives you Tangerines Sara: The Potato Lab, Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle Amy Boyles: https://amyboylesauthor.com Kristi Rose: Kristi Rose: https://kristirose.net/ and https://kristirosebooks.com Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| The Joy of Light Entertainment with Sana | 31 Mar 2025 | 01:01:01 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E12 / Kdrama fan Sana joins me to talk about her unique Kdrama origin story as well as why they appeal to viewers around the world. 🖼️ Sana shares how she found Kdramas through a museum visit, and then we discuss favorite shows. ✅ Sana also gives us a fantastic list of recommendations, broken down by genre. 🚫 Spoiler warning! Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows:
Sana’s Recommendations Quintessential Kdramas:
Serious Period Pieces:
Love Stories:
Medical Show:
Slice of Life
Zombies:
Time Travel:
Thriller:
Superhero:
Currently Watching/Planning to Watch: Sana: My Dearest Nemesis, Buried Hearts, Undercover High School, When Life Gives You Tangerines, Flex X Cop Sara: Quartet Sana’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kdramasaysmama/ Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Stefne Miller: Finding Community in Kdramas and Kpop + When The Phone Rings Thoughts | 24 Mar 2025 | 00:48:14 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E11 / Stefne Miller, founder of Army Project 529 and Kdrama fan, joins me to talk about some of her favorite dramas and how they’ve impacted her life as well as the international community that’s formed with the rise of the Hallyu wave around Kdramas and BTS. ☎️ And then we get into our thoughts on When The Phone Ring—what worked for us (so, so well!) and how sometimes a drama just hits you with a white truck of doom in the homestretch. 🚫 Spoiler warning! Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows:
Stefne’s recs:
Current Watching: Stefne: Trama Code, Melo Movie, When Life Gives You Tangerines Sara: The Potato Lab Links: Stefne’s TikTok: StefARMYProject529 Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Emotional Kdramas (aka . . . Kdramas to make you cry), Workplace Romance, and the Joy of Lists | 17 Mar 2025 | 00:27:45 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E10 / Nas from the Swoon Diaries Podcast joins me to talk about her favorite Kdramas, focusing on those emotional stories that pull at our heartstrings. 🏢 We also chat about the office workplace trope, exploring why the setting is a staple of Kdramas and why chaebol romances and found family vibes are often paired up. 📝 Additionally, we dive into the joy of list-making, discussing how many Kdrama fans (including Nas and myself!) love to organize our viewing experiences and keep track of favorite shows. And be sure to check out The Swoon Diaries Podcast, if you haven't already. It's fantastic! ⚠️ Spoiler warning! Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows:
Currently Watching: Nas: Love Scout, Queen Who Crowns, He is Psychometric Sara: Off the Record, Why I Dress Up For Love Podcast: Swoon Diaries Podcast Instagram: @SwoonDiariesPod https://www.instagram.com/swoondiariespod/ Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Historical Dramas and Korean Folklore with Claire Kohler | 10 Mar 2025 | 00:31:09 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E9 / We’re talking Joseon era dramas, nine-tailed foxes, and Korean food in this episode! 🪄💗 Claire Kohler, Kdrama fan and author of historical romantasy and steampunk murder mysteries, joins me to talk about historical Kdramas, irresistible tropes like Girl Disguised as a Guy and Forbidden Love, and genre-blending in dramas. 🐉 🥘 Claire also shares her love of Korean culture, including Korean food as well as Korean folklore, which she’s incorporating into her books. ⚠️ Spoiler warning! Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows:
Current Watching/Rewatching: The King’s Affection, When the Phone Rings, Claire Kohler: https://www.clairekohlerbooks.com Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Healing Dramas, Subtitles, and White Trucks of Doom with Brett Battles | 03 Mar 2025 | 00:34:28 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E8 / Brett Battles, thriller author and Kdrama fan, joins me this week to talk about Kdramas with emotional depth and a healing vibe. 🚛 We also delve into subtitles vs. dubbing as well as some tried and true tropes, like white dump trucks of doom. ♥️ 🌊 If you’re looking for new titles to add to your watchlist, check out Brett’s recs for heartfelt dramas, which for some reason are often set in seaside town. 😉 ⚠️ Our conversation touches on the following shows, mostly discussing the general set-up of shows, but there are a few spoilers for older shows.
Brett’s website: NoSleep4Dramas podcast with mention of Like Flowers in Sand: https://www.nosleep4dramas.com/post/top-10-kdramas-of-2024 Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Slice of Life Kdramas for Your Watchlist | 09 Oct 2025 | 01:10:20 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E24 / Christina from YA Girls Kdrama Podcast, teacher and passionate Kdrama fan, joins me for a slice of life genre celebration! If you love the daily rhythms, cozy feelings, and relatable conflicts found in slice of life Korean dramas, this chat is for you. Are we rebranding “slice of life” into “warm hug dramas?” Yes, we totally are! 🫶 We talk about what slice of life means for Kdrama fans—why we love these dramas, what makes them unique, and how they give us hope and comfort. We talk about the feelings these dramas evoke and how they often reflect real life with warmth, sincerity, and optimism. 🌿We list our favorite slice of life Kdramas and Jdramas by theme, hitting the broad categories of workplace, romance, found family, creative (music/books), and healing. Our recommendations range from iconic shows like Hospital Playlist and My Mister to under-the-radar gems! ⚠️ Light spoiler warning! Our conversation touches on a few spoiler-y things about some of the shows. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00:25 Meet Christina 00:02:17 Currently Watching
00:08:51 What is a Slice of Life Kdrama? 00:14:24 Workplace Slice of Life 00:25:15 Romance Slice of Life 00:39:14 Family/Found Family Slice of Life 00:52:27 Creative creative (Music/Books) Slice of Life 00:59:25 Healing Slice of Life 🔗 Links YA Girl’s podcast: https://pod.link/1630700998 YA Girl’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/yagirl_kdramapod/?hl=en Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Aa9kGxNPx9 YA Girls Kdrama Podcast on Favorite Dramas, Tropes, and Ramyeon Scenes: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2435348/episodes/17814816 Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Jess from Daebak K-Rambles on Rewatchable Kdramas plus Recs for Every Taste | 24 Feb 2025 | 00:56:32 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E7 / Jess, host of Daebak K-Rambles podcast, joins me to talk about her favorite rewatchable Kdramas. Jess shares her encyclopedic knowledge of Kdramas and gives us recommendations for every taste. Seriously, so many recs! We also talk about why Kdramas hook watchers as well as the trend of multiple seasons, controversial endings, and age gaps. If you haven’t listened to the Daebak K-Rambles podcast, where have you been? It’s one of my favorite Kdrama podcasts, so check it out if you haven’t already. 🚨 Spoiler warning! Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows:
Light Romance Recommendations:
Darker/Weighty Show Recommendations:
Crime
Gateway Dramas
Currently Watching:
Links: Daebak Krambles podcast: https://daebak-krambles.com/ Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| The Kdrama Phenomenon: Reasons Behind the Rise of Korean Content | 17 Feb 2025 | 00:23:10 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E6 / Are you up for a nerdy deep dive into why Kdramas have such a broad appeal? If you are, let your geek flag fly and come along for my one-hundred percent personal theories on the rise of Korean content. ✅ This is a spoiler free episode. Enjoy! Links to podcast episodes mentioned:
Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Kdrama Character Growth Arcs with Brian Meeks | 10 Feb 2025 | 00:42:07 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1 E5 / Brian Meeks, who is an author as well as a fan of 3-D printing and pickleball, joins me to talk about his favorite Kdramas this week. ⚠️ Mild spoilers for the show mentioned below.
Brian’s books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0073XZH78 Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Enemies to Lovers Favorites with Kristi Rose | 03 Feb 2025 | 00:49:01 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1E4 / Kristi Rose, pediatric therapist and author of romance and mystery novels, joins me to talk about her passion for the Enemies to Lovers trope, the art of blending genres, character development, and the intense emotional storytelling in Kdrama.
Kristi Rose: https://kristirose.net/ and https://kristirosebooks.com Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Nostalgia in Crash Landing On You | 27 Jan 2025 | 00:13:48 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1E3 / Ever wondered why Crash Landing on You feels so nostalgic? Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Why Kdramas Are So Irresistible with Amy Boyles | 20 Jan 2025 | 00:33:35 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1E2 / Amy Boyles joins me to chat about our love for Kdramas and how they influence our writing and storytelling, discussing everything from tropes to cliffhangers to side characters and we try to answer the question of why Kdramas are so addictive. 🚫Spoiler warning! Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows: Squid Game
Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Five Favorite 2024 Kdramas | 13 Jan 2025 | 00:26:26 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S1E1 / It’s the first of the “five favorite” episodes with a look back on some of my favorite Kdramas of 2024. Did I have some quibbles with some of these dramas? Yes, but these were some of my overall favorites. Shows mentioned: When the Phone Rings Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Trailer: How I Met My Kdrama | 06 Jan 2025 | 00:04:16 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. ✨ Every Kdrama fan has that magical moment when they discover the world of Korean dramas, but we all know how hard it is to find fellow Kdrama watchers IRL. How I Met My Kdrama podcast provides a place where we can share our origin stories as well as recommend shows we couldn’t stop watching. Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Comfort Watches and Palette Cleansers with Shannon from Banchan: Bite-Size K-Drama Podcast | 25 Sep 2025 | 00:42:10 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E 23 / Shannon Bloom, children’s librarian, knitter, cat lover, and host of Banchan: Bite-size Kdrama Reviews podcast, joins me to talk about manga Kdrama adaptations, unforgettable friend groups, and watching challenges. 🪭 Shannon shares her Kdrama origin story (including a roommate’s historical drama obsession) and how her love of fantasy and romance books interplays with her for Kdrama addiction. 🫖 Then we list comfort watches and share under-the-radar favorites that deserve more love—plus, what Kdrama made us do in real life! ⏱️Timestamps: [00:00:34] Meet Shannon [00:01:35] Currently Watching [00:06:36] Shannon's First Kdrama [00:12:21] Drama Recommendations 💚 Mild spoiler for some dramas, be we give you a warning within the episode
Links: Shannon’s Podcast: https://pod.link/1839465628 Shannon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banchankdramapod/?g=5 Kdrama subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/KDRAMA/comments/1hqdoix/rkdrama_challenge_2025_introduction_post/ Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| YA Girls Kdrama Podcast on Favorite Dramas, Tropes, and Ramyeon Scenes | 11 Sep 2025 | 00:39:07 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E22 / Maddie, Christina, and Elle from the Ya Girl’s Kdrama Podcast bring the energy and the laughs to this episode! ❣️ We explore first Kdramas, favorite and iconic couples, as well as the drama they wish more people would watch. ✏️🍜 Plus we talk about keeping track of dramas and our favorite ramyeon scenes. ✋ Light spoiler warning! Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows–and there’s a lot of them. A few have spoilers. Shows mentioned:
Links: YA Girls podcast: https://pod.link/1630700998 YA Girls IG: https://www.instagram.com/yagirl_kdramapod/?hl=en KDrop podcast: https://pod.link/1764429119 KDrop IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.kdrop_kpop_pod/?hl=en Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Aa9kGxNPx9 ⏱️ Timestamps [00:00:39] Meet Ya Maddie, Christina, and Elle [00:04:43] Currently Watching [00:12:32] First Kdramas [00:15:52] Favorite Kdramas Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Glass Heart: Even More JDramas for Kdrama Fans | 28 Aug 2025 | 00:29:32 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E21 / Japanese dramas are a hot topic lately, so I’m back with a round-up of even more Jdramas for Kdrama fans. 🏯 I explore some differences between Jdramas and Kdramas. 🐝 And then I list some Jdramas that are getting lots of buzz along with some that are more under-the-radar. 🟢 Spoiler Free episode. Enjoy! ⌛ Timestamps: see chapter markers for timestamps. 🤍 Glass Heart Links: Previous episode about Jdramas: Ep 16: https://howimetmykdrama.buzzsprout.com/2435348/episodes/17080470-jdramas-japanese-romance-mystery-and-slice-of-life-stories-for-kdrama-fans Murder on the S.S. Cleopatra Special Edition: https://sararosettbooks.com/collections/murder-on-the-s-s-cleopatra Mystery Books Podcast - Murder on the S.S. Cleopatra Behind the Scenes https://mysterybookspodcast.buzzsprout.com/1311757/episodes/17721380 Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Joyful Entertainment with Naa from Kdrama Bingo | 16 Aug 2025 | 00:37:14 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E20 / Naa, small business owner, creator of Kdrama Bingo, and devoted kdrama fan, joins me to talk about all things Kdrama joy! ✨ Naa is passionate about building “communities of joy” through playful fandom and shares how she started Kdrama Bingo as well as her favorite dramas. ☕️ We explore comfort watches and discuss the full spectrum of Kdramas from heavy and thought-provoking to light and funny. 🤝 We share favorite tropes (cohabitation, enemies-to-lovers) and delve into Kdrama as a soft power tool. Plus, Naa shares tips on how to find your fandom both on and offline. ✅ Spoiler Free episode. Enjoy! ⏰ Timestamps: [00:00:33] Meet Naa [00:01:36] Kdrama Bingo [00:02:40] Currently Watching [00:06:31] Naa's Kdrama Origin Story [00:08:16] Naa's Favorites and Recommendations [00:35:55] Kdrama Bingo App Dramas mentioned:
Website: http://kingogames.llc/ Instagram: @kdramabingo Facebook: @kdramabingo Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Paranormal, Fantasy, and Magical Kdramas with Shea MacLeod | 31 Jul 2025 | 00:45:28 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E19 / Like a bit of magic in your Kdramas? Shea MacLeod is here with lots of recommendations for you that run the gamut from light to dark in genres ranging from rom com to mystery to horror. 🔮 We explore the joys of discovering Kdramas with supernatural elements, what makes Kdrama fantasy so unique from a Western perspective, and how Shea’s own background in paranormal fiction influences her drama watching. 🍸 Plus, Shea shares her soju-inspired cocktail creations! ⌛ Timestamps: [00:00:23] Meet Shea [00:02:20] Currently Watching
[00:06:59] Shea's Kdrama Origin Story and Recommendations 🛑 Spoiler warning! Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows:
Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Crime and Mystery Asian Dramas with Caitlin | 17 Jul 2025 | 01:10:07 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E18 / Caitlin from NoSleep4Dramas podcast and blog joins me for a crime and mystery Kdrama deep dive! This genre doesn’t get as much attention as some others, so we’re shining the light on our favorites. And, boy, do we have a lot! 🎯 We explore our crime tv-show roots, giving shout-outs to shows like Criminal Minds, Bones, and The Mentalist as well as our recs for current western crime shows:
🔪 Then we delve into the very rich world of Asian crime dramas. ✅ Mostly spoiler-free episode. Some minor spoilers, but we usually just mention the set-up and don’t go into the whole drama. Enjoy! ⏱️ Timestamps [00:00:37] Meet Caitlin [00:02:35] Currently Watching [00:08:33] Cailin's Kdrama Origin Story [00:09:59] Favorite Western Crime and Mystery Shows [00:16:01] Favorite Asian Crime and Mystery Shows Currently Watching:
Dramas mentioned:
Caitlin’s podcast: https://www.nosleep4dramas.com/podcast Caitlin’s blog: https://www.nosleep4dramas.com/ Other episodes mentioned: Chinese Crime Dramas: https://www.nosleep4dramas.com/post/favorite-chinese-crime-dramas Like Flowers in Sand: https://howimetmykdrama.buzzsprout.com/2435348/episodes/17072535-spotlight-like-flowers-in-sand Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Intro to Season 2 | 17 Jul 2025 | 00:03:13 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. How I Met My Kdrama is back with a second season. 🎉 I’m happy to be back with another season discussing Kdramas! This very short intro is to let you know about a few changes to the release schedule. Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| 2025 Kdrama Year in Review: Highs, Lows, and Favorites | 29 Dec 2025 | 01:23:55 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E30 / It’s that time of the year for recaps, backtracks, and wraps of the previous twelve months. This episode is all about the best (and sometimes worst) of Kdrama in 2025. Shannon from Bonchon Bite Sized K-drama Reviews joins me to talk through the highs and lows of Asian dramas. We chat about drama-watching stats, our personal high points of 2025 dramas, and the throw-back dramas we watched this year. Currently Watching/Waiting For: Shannon:
Sara:
Our 2025 Favorites: Favorite supporting characters Favorite couples Favorite found family Favorite (or least-favorite) childhood connection Favorite OSTs Drama you were surprised you liked Best fashion Best villains/worst villains Best crying scenes Fastest drop Most satisfying dramas Worst ending Favorite drama *not* from 2025 that you watched during 2025 Favorite friendships Favorite umbrella scenes Favorite ramen scenes Best Second Lead Syndrome Most over-the-top makjang moments Truck of Doom award Favorite swoony moments Most underrated dramas Best performances by an actor/actress Shannon’s Podcast: https://pod.link/1839465628 Shannon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banchankdramapod Comfort Watches and Palette Cleansers with Shannon https://howimetmykdrama.buzzsprout.com/2435348/episodes/17898269 Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Spotlight: Just Between Lovers | 26 Dec 2025 | 01:04:03 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E29 / Shannon, children’s librarian and podcaster (Banchan Bite Sized K-drama Reviews) joins me to talk about the Kdrama classic, Just Between Lovers, a drama we both absolutely loved despite its heavy topics of trauma and guilt. ❤️🩹 We explore what makes this drama so special: nuanced characters, found family galore, standout music, unconventional story choices, scruffy-handsome Lee Junho, and our takes on that ending. ✋ After a short non-spoiler section, we dive into Just Between Lovers, talking about anything and everything! Currently Watching and Other Shows Discussed:
Shannon’s Podcast: https://pod.link/1839465628 Shannon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banchankdramapod Comfort Watches and Palette Cleansers with Shannon https://howimetmykdrama.buzzsprout.com/2435348/episodes/17898269 Articles: Production of the drama: https://www.soompi.com/article/1090223wpp/just-lovers-pd-shares-decided-cast-2pms-junho-won-jin-ah https://www.koreaherald.com/article/1556450 Interview with screenwriter: https://cine21.com/news/view/?mag_id=102205 (in Korean) Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Underrated Gems and How Kdramas Inspired a Trip to Korea with Constance | 11 Dec 2025 | 00:42:08 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E28 / Constance, journalist, gardening writer, and nonfiction book reviewer—and of course, dedicated Kdrama fan—joins me to talk about favorite Kdramas and her trip to South Korea. ✈️ We explore Constance’s international background, her Kdrama origin story (including discovering Extraordinary Attorney Woo), why she finally traveled to Korea, and what keeps her hooked on Asian dramas. ✨ And we list our current watches, favorite Kdramas, discuss the “found family” trope, and explore the emotional resonance of Kdrama storytelling. 💚 Spoiler Free episode. Enjoy! Currently Watching:
Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows:
Link: The Birth of Korean Coolby Euny Hong https://books2read.com/u/mgqkpR (Affiliate Link) Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Spotlight: Hold My Hand at Twilight (Jdrama) | 04 Dec 2025 | 00:55:50 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S2 E27 / Caitlin from the NoSleep4Dramas podcast and blog joins me for a look at the Japanese drama Hold My Hand at Twilight. 🇯🇵 We explore the world of Jdramas and how they compare to our favorite Kdramas. We dig into the themes of creative ambition and the coming-of-age journeys. We also explore some of the things that frustrated us about this drama, and detail why we’d still recommend it because of its fabulous fall vibes and found family. 🏆 We list the shows that have us binging right now (Kdramas, Chinese dramas, and Jdramas), give quick recs—including Miss Incognito, First Lady, and Typhoon Family—and share why certain dramas just pull us in. Plus, we shout out found family stories and unique settings. ⚠️ Spoiler warning! Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows: Hold My Hand at Twilight (J-drama deep dive with spoilers!), Mysterious Lotus Casebook, Mobius, Miss Incognito, First Lady, Typhoon Family, Would You Marry Me?, Romantics Anonymous, Tokyo Tower, Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle, and more. Enjoy! Links: Caitlin’s podcast: https://www.nosleep4dramas.com/podcast Caitlin’s blog: https://www.nosleep4dramas.com/ Crime and Mystery Dramas with Caitlin: Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Why K-dramas Are Modern Jane Austen: Slow Burn Romance and Yearning Heroes with Belinda Kroll | 08 May 2026 | 00:41:29 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S3 E35 / Belinda Kroll, indie author and illustrator (cozy romantasy for Jane Austen fans!) and OG Kdrama lover, joins me to talk about slow burn romance, the Hallyu wave, and kimchi-making. 🎯 We explore the parallels between Kdramas and classic Jane Austen—yearning romances and the creative tension that comes from societal constraints. 🥇And we have a list of comfort-watch dramas. Plus we discuss tropes like the competent heroine, the yearning hero, the dreaded forced separation. ✅ Spoiler Free episode. Enjoy! Currently Watching:
Dramas Mentioned:
Links: Belinda Kroll’s website: https://worderella.com/ Sara Rosett's Jane Austen-inspired mystery series: Death in the English Countryside (Book 1 in the Murder on Location series): https://books2read.com/countryside/ Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Quirky Kdrama Recommendations | 16 Apr 2026 | 00:25:44 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S3 E34 / Ever struggled to pick your next Kdrama? I'm sharing my most unconventional Kdrama recommendations—a mash-up of books, movies, and classic tropes to help you (or a new drama-watcher) find the perfect show. 🤪 I think of it as my Bonkers Kdrama Recommendation Engine. This solo episode is packed with offbeat, creative ways to find your next favorite drama. 🍱 Whether you love literary classics, rom-coms, mysteries, or fairy tale retellings, there’s something here for you. ✅ Spoiler Free episode. Enjoy! 🎯 Do you have weirdly perfect, off-the-wall recommendations? I want to hear them. Tap this link to text me your quirky Kdrama recs—bonus points for unique inspiration. Currently Watching/Upcoming Shows Mentioned:
Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Favorite Gateway Kdramas with Reggie | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:58:09 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S3 E33 / Reggie, Kdrama fan and host of A Life of Learning podcast, joins me to talk about favorite Kdramas. 🏆 We explore why the one-season "done and dusted" format is so addictive, and how Kdramas stack up against western shows in terms of story structure, emotional payoff, and satisfying endings. 📊 We delve into the pros and cons of using buzz and online rankings to evaluate Kdramas and curate a watch list. 👏 And we list our favorite gateway and "heavyweight" Kdramas, overlooked gems, top tropes (including slow-motion falls, the dramatic U-turn, and product placement galore), and why rewatching is nearly impossible when the watch list is endless. ⚠️ Mostly Spoiler Free episode. Spoilers are called out. Our wide-ranging conversation touches on the following shows:
🔗 Links 10 Reasons We Watch Kdramas; https://pod.link/1516507572/episode/MTdjZTdkNDAtOThmMS00NTljLTlmMmMtOTQ5MDdlNmJkZjJi Beginners Guide to Kdramas Part I: https://pod.link/1516507572/episode/NmJkZmJhYjYtYjNiNS00MTcxLWI4M2ItNzRjMDRiODJmMTA0 Beginners Guide to Kdramas Part II: https://pod.link/1516507572/episode/N2E0NWQ2ZjMtMzBiOS00Zjg5LTgyYTMtNWQxNWU3OWViZDAx Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Turn to Me, Mukai-kun: A Slice of Life Japanese Drama (Spotlight) | 26 Feb 2026 | 01:17:49 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S3 E32 / Christina from the YA Girl’s Kdrama podcasts joins me to spotlight the heartfelt slice-of-life Japanese drama, Turn to Me, Mukai-kun. ⛩️ We explore the unique rhythms of Jdramas vs. Kdramas, sharing first-timer impressions, the cultural nuances of relationships, and what makes slice of life stories in both countries so universally relatable—and Christina shares how her recent trip to Japan colored her viewing. 🫶 We break down the show's memorable dating “eras,” the lovable (and awkward) characters, Mukai’s funny missteps on the way to love, friends-to-lovers done right, complicated female characters, and the bromance. 🫥 We also touch on why the themes of stigma, stereotypes, and individuality in Turn to Me, Mukai-kun make it a good comp for Something in the Rain and One Spring Night—but lighter in tone and with a nicer mom. 🍦🌈 Plus, we dive deep into the ice cream sundae and rainbow metaphors – IYKYK! 😉 ⚠️ Warning: there isn’t a non-spoiler section. We get right into the ice cream layer. Currently Watching:
Ep 24: Slice of Life dramas with Christina Ep 22: YA girl’s Kdrama interview YA Girl's Kdrama podcast: https://pod.link/1630700998 Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||
| Romantic Kdramas for Valentine’s to Fit your Mood 💝 | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:24:09 | |
💬 Get in Touch! Share your Kdrama origin story. S3 E31 / Romantic dramas come in all sorts of flavors. What are you in the mood for? From heart-wrenching angst to pure goofy chaos to sweet chocolate-inspired romances, I’m sharing a list of Kdramas by vibe so you can pick your perfect watch. Plus I give a quick "what I've been watching" round-up, including Idol I, Love Me, and Undercover Miss Hong, which has sooo many similarities to Good Manager, which is also known as Chief Kim. Has anyone else notice that? Just me? I've got recommendations for romantic Asian dramas for you in these categories:
Bonus for Valentine’s theme:
Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought: | |||