Late to the drama party but never late to the commentary

My first blog post of 2026 is a rather trivial one. With so much unhappiness going on, I thought I’d keep it light. So let’s jump right in.

The thing is this: I am not much of a television buff. When faced with the choice between doing chores, creating something, or being lazy on the couch, the latter is almost never an option. I have to be under strict doctor’s orders, exhausted beyond reason, or maybe just a little depressed to sit down in front of a TV on purpose.

And last month, that’s exactly what happened. I couldn’t lift a finger due to sickness. So I forced myself to rest and decided to finally watch a series on Netflix. While browsing, a preview caught my eye.

I’m not saying I’m a picky watcher, but I do have a very short attention span. Because I’m aware of this, if something catches my interest right away, you can bet I’ll at least watch the preview. Crash Landing on You popped up as a recommendation. I’m not sure why, though I do search for foreign films every now and then, but I didn’t hesitate and pressed play. It was an immediate hit for my brain.

Like every book I’ve intentionally picked up, I couldn’t stay away from it. I couldn’t turn the TV off. I was going to bed at three in the morning every day, binge-watching episodes that were, well, much longer than I expected, but worth it. I became so invested that I inevitably looked up the writers and actors, only to discover that this K-drama originally aired in 2019.

Normally, Netflix recommends newer programs to me, so I hadn’t even bothered to check the date at first. But I guess I was just immediately hooked — and mildly offended that it took them six years to send this my way.

But this post isn’t about those little frustrations; it’s about praising the show. As a writer, I can’t overlook a captivating storyline. This was my first K-drama ever, and I was genuinely impressed by how the story kept me engaged until the very last second. I must have watched it twice by now — some scenes more than others. It was funny, sad, romantic, educational…

I loved every character and their individual arcs. The acting by the leads was superb. The chemistry was crazy (and of course, I found out actors Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin married later in real life). The villains were compelling. And the soundtrack music — oh, the music. So emotional, intentional, and perfectly placed. Honestly, I didn’t know Koreans could drama like that!

Needless to say, like after finishing any great book, I was devastated when it ended. I wanted more. I wanted to know what happened to every living character after the final scene. I found myself thinking about them now and then, as if they were real — which, to me, is the ultimate sign of well-crafted storytelling. And always hilarious when I get that invested in fictitious characters. 

I’m still a little upset that I was late to the party, but I’m glad I found it at all. I had something to look forward to during my less-than-stellar holidays season of 2025. And, as a storyteller myself, I’m inspired by and live for these sort of well-told stories.