In no particular order, these are the dramas that I have enjoyed or obsessed the most regardless the actual quality.
Boys Over Flowers – There were so many terrible things about this drama, including horrible acting from the lead actress and the second lead actor, but there’s just something incredibly obsessive about this drama. It’s one of those “hate it while can’t stop watching it” kind of drama. Also, Kim Hyun Joon was my very first K-actor crush.
Coffee Prince – Overall, I think this is a good drama with some flaws, but I loved it while watching.
My Princess – The drama had great premise, but the actual plot and story line got messy. The secondary characters weren’t compelling, BUT, the chemistry between the two leads were off the chart.
Lie to Me – Again, another mediocre drama with great chemistry between the two leads. Sometimes, it’s about the heart and feelings and this drama had it in spades.
You’re Beautiful – In retrospect, I can’t say I’m a Hong Sisters fan, but I loved this drama. I don’t know why. May be something to do with Jang Geun Suk, again not someone I started out liking and ended up obsessing over him.
Secret Garden – people either love SG or hate it. While I recognize that there’s some questionable plot points and lack of logic, I don’t get the haters at all. I loved it and loved the OTP even if the male half was an a-hat for most of the drama.
Flower Boys Ramyun Shop – Overall, this is such a fun, light, not-so-serious drama with a bit of hotness thrown it to tug at the romantic soul in us. Again, another one of those dramas where I didn’t particularly like the lead actor (Jung Il Woo) and winded up being pretty impressed with him.
Me Too, Flower – This drama started out promising, but winded up having too many holes to make it a great drama. What saved it and put it on this list are the two lead actors who absolutely sold the characters. Another one of those off the chart chemistry.
The King 2 Hearts – This drama starts out a little slow and the overall point of the drama isn’t clear until several (5 or 6?) episodes into the drama, but once it hooks you, it really hooks you. There’s still some flaws here and there, but overall, more good than bad and some actually bordering on perfect elements. The acting by main and supporting actors, directing, the OST, the score, the cinematography… Also, the only drama that I can recall that really kept building the momentum with each episodes.
Queen In Hyun’s Man – Almost perfect love story with some drama and action in between to make the drama fun and exciting to watch. The most perfect OTP that I can recall.
Faith – Directing and editing aren’t great, the cinematography is a little flat, actions scenes are sub-par and even the storyline has too many holes, but this is a drama about faith and relationships and in that department, the drama delivers 100%. The OTP isn’t hot and sexy like in QIHM, but you can really see a slower, deeper love growing between them that feels incredibly organic and believable.
Answer Me 1997 (Reply 1997) – This is another drama about relationships, between friends, lovers, family set in 1997 and with clever continuous flashbacks between present and then that works very well to move and develop the story along. Very good acting by the younger cast, too.
In no particular order, these are the dramas that I could barely finish because towards the end, they bored me to tears.
Can’t Lose – It was okay, but the problems between the OTP just got repetitive and I just stopped caring what happened to them.
My Girl – ditto. Plus, I found the lead actress/character annoying and the lead male not hot enough to compensate for the annoyingness of practically every single character in the drama.
Goong – I thought the lead actress, Yoon Eun Hye was really good, but the plodding pace of the drama and again, the repetitive nature of the problems keeping the OTP apart just made this LONG drama really, really hard to finish. Also, the OTP never sold me on their love and romance and their right to be the OTP. I had to take weeks, possibly a month or two off before I could finish it. It may have worked better as an 18 episode drama.
Hong Gil Dong – I started off LOVING this drama… yes, in caps. I watched it after falling in love with Kang Ji Hwan in Lie to Me and loved how the drama started. The fusion saeguk, the quirky comedy, even the broody prince, but the drama tried to be too clever, winded up being boring for about 4 or 5 episodes and then had worst ending EVER and just killed any love I had for the drama. Also, I’ve come to realize that Hong Sisters dramas tend to start off strong and peter out.
Dr. Jin – Hot mess of WTFery.
Haven’t watched City Hunter?