Orange Marmalade VS Webtoon

Orange Marmalade is one of the few vampire love stories I've actually enjoyed. To a point. I mean, Carry On by Rainbow Rowell was better in tens of thousands of ways. Anyhow, I read the webtoon and then found out last year that a drama adaptation was about to come out. Which version was better? Let's see...

NOTE: This post contains several important spoilers to the webtoon, although the drama section is virtually spoiler-free.

Shining Inheritance

Everyone knows Boys Over Flowers. But it's surprising how little international fans know about Shining Inheritance, which came out in the same year and pulled in staggering ratings. It was a mega-hit taht was extended by eight episodes and shot the leading actors and actresses to stardom.

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e

Now for something that never fails to cheer me up when I'm sad - Hana Kimi (full title, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e), my guilty pleasure. Although the show is completely absurd, it hits all the right spots for me from it's comedy to it's heartfelt moments. This is one of the few dramas I love in it's entirety, which means I watch it beginning-to-end all the time.

Top 5 Unconventional Japanese Romance Drama

Before I found Korean drama, I survived on Japanese romance drama. Eventually I ran thin and that was when I started exploring for new things, but here are a few shows which have never quite made any of my favourite lists before, but are definitely worth watching.

NOTE: Shows I'm constantly praising like Buzzer Beat are not here, this post is specifically for the shows I haven't mentioned before.

'Hana Yori Dango' (Japanese) VS 'Boys Over Flowers' (Korean)

Ah, Hana Yori Dango. I've mentioned before, but this was my first drama ever. While it isn't my favourite, it's still funny and cute and ridiculous so I often come back and rewatch snippets when I have the time. And then there's Boys Over Flowers - same title, different show - the Korean adaptation of a Japanese classic. Which is better? Well, I know which I prefer, but it's only fair that I balance the positives to the negatives of both before I make a conclusion.

Flower Boy Next Door

When I was first getting into drama back in late 2013, I started with all the popular romantic comedies, most of which starred Park Shin-hye. I was like, "Wait... Didn't I just see her in You're Beautiful? And wasn't he in Boys Over Flowers? Wow, Heirs is weird." After the torturous, angsty Heirs I found Flower Boy Next Door, which resonated with me far more than any other show I'd watched thus far. It still has a special place in my heart.

I Remember You

I Remember You, otherwise known as Hello Monster, came out last year and effortlessly climbed it's way onto my list of favourite shows - probably coming second to I Can Hear Your Voice.  Or first. I drift back and forth nowadays. Although it recieved lackluster ratings, it was a perfectly sharp and thrilling watch.

NOTE: There are some spoilers. I tried my best not to spoil anything important, but it's so damn hard! If you don't want any clues towards the bigger mysteries of the show, I suggest you watch the series first and then come back.

Some Time Travel Drama to Sink Your Teeth Into

God, I love time-travel drama, and I'm crazily excited for Tomorrow With You, a drama starring Lee Je-hoon which will air first-thing next year. In addition, Scarlet Heart: Goryeo is coming out soon, so with all the time-travel to look forward to I figured I'd make a list of other shows that will satisfy me - and perhaps you - until then.

Top 5 Older Woman / Younger Man Romance Drama

Noona romance is definitely my favourite subgenre of romance. Of course, it's only called that in Korea, and I have some Japanese shows to talk about as well, so I had to use a longer, more literal description with the title.

Gokusen VS Misaki Number One!!

Ah, Gokusen. It's still one of my favourites. It's a show about a teacher who kicks ass to protect her students - what's not to love? Well, I recently found a show called Misaki Number One!! and it's fairly new. It's about a hostess who becomes a teacher and brings her students together, and it bares many similarities to Gokusen. Naturally, my first thought was that was going to be a very sparkly copy, but regardless of whether it was or wasn't, I've definitely fallen in love with it.