1. SMILE HAS LEFT YOUR EYES
This is, without doubt, my favorite kdrama. I loved everything about the story, how the leads kept my attention. The two, Seo In–Guk and Jung So–Min, were well matched. The chemistry was just perfect. I loved the hugs most, how they actually behaved like a couple when they got together, the physical contact, the OSTs. The conversations they had were just heartbreaking and vulnerable, and they never shied away from showing their love for each other. those cute moments he waited for her from work, or that heartbreaking “I Love You” text he received when his world was breaking apart.
The story is about a detective played by Park Sung-Wong as Yoo Jin-gook, who gets assigned to a murder case, and he becomes obsessed with finding the truth. Things turn complicated when his sister, played by Jung So-min as Yoo Jin-kang, falls in love with a man played by Seo In-Guk as Kim Moo-young, who is somehow involved with the murder.
I recommend this to anyone new to K-dramaland. This is a great first watch, or if you’re going through a kdrama lump, wherever everything just seems dry and boring or repeated. Are you in the mood for a little bit of tragic love, a healthy relationship, a tear-jerker, emotional depth, a little bit of red in ML, or do you simply want yourself some Seo In Guk and Jung So Min? Check it out.
2. Bepennah
I have watched several old Indian serials, and this is among my first three. I can’t guarantee you that it’s among the best out of India, but I know I had fun watching it. I always looked forward to the next episode. This series is a romantic thriller starring Jennifer Winget and Harshad Chopda, who find their respective spouses dead in a car accident, holding hands. This reveals a secret affair that shatters both survivors. Aditya reacts with intense anger while Zoya remains in denial. As they navigate their shared grief and betrayal, they eventually form a deep bond, fall in love, and must prove their innocence when a CBI inspector suspects them of murdering their spouses.
As most Indian serials expect the time lumps, of years between the storyline, expect the miscommunication, expect to be frustrated, but Aditya and Zoya will keep you coming back. Well, especially Harshad Chopda in that vest. When watching long indian serials, it’s always the chemistry between the leads that keeps you entertained, and these two don’t disappoint. The also won a favorite onscreen Jodi/couple for Bepennah.
3. The boy, the mole, the fox, the horse
This is the warmest hug I have ever seen. It’s an animation based on an illustrated book by British artist Charlie Mackesy about a boy on a journey to find a home. He is joined by a mole, a horse, and a fox. On the journey, they have these conversations about vulnerability, belonging, and kindness. The film is 30 minutes, but it will leave an impression on you.
What do you want to be when you grow up?” to which he famously answers, “Kind“.
4. Billionaires club
I mean, this is childhood gold. Every African has watched it and had nightmares. Looking back now, I just laugh, like, what exactly was I afraid of? It’s probably that baby crying sound; it sounded so real. This is one of Nollywood’s greatest prides with performances from the great Pete Edochie, Patience Ozokwor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Tony Umez, and Clem Ohameze.
The movie is about a man who wants to get rich quickly like his friend. It’s a journey of what he sacrificed, the consequences, life lessons, and religion. This movie goes deep into African juju, the traditional rituals that might seem overdone, but we know of actual real-life stories like that.
I absolutely recommend that anyone new to African cinema see how far we’ve come. Billionaires Club is one of the classics we pride in, and the us who grew up on this movie, it deserves a rewatch, see if it’s still as traumatizing.
5. Love at night
It’s among my best Chinese drama rom coms, and I know it’s all because of Liu Xue Yi’s dimples. This is one of those dramas you don’t watch because of the storyline, you watch because of the leads’ chemistry and overlook everything else. The series centers on Xu Qing You (played by Zhang Yu Xi), who discovers her fiancé of 10 years has cheated on her. The Meet-Cute: While drowning her sorrows at a bar, she meets Mo Ling Ze (Liu Xue Yi), a man she previously had a brief, unpleasant encounter with.
Both LiuXue Yi and Zhang Yu Xi are clearly comfortable with each other; their body language isn’t stiff, hence about to portray a believable couple. The chemistry was off the charts, no unnecessary breakup when they got together, they portrayed a mature couple who talked through misunderstandings, which I actually respect for a Cdrama. I actually don’t remember much about the secondary couple; the two leads are capable of keeping you in for all 30 episodes and have more than enough screen time together.
I recommend this to a lazy watcher, no heavy expectation about anything, but you want to watch something enjoyable. The acting is ok, nothing extraordinary, the female ward rode was to die for, a few funny moments, multiple couples to keep you entertained, and of course the visuals.