Next on Omona's to-watch list: upcoming Kdramas in July 2023
We're halfway through the year, Omona! This summer, two popular Kdramas are coming back: D.P. 2 and The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch. But there's also a romcom with Kim So Hyun and a mother-daughter comedy with Sooyoung! Have a lovely summer!!
Opinions are mine and should be taken lightly as they are just my first impressions. Other thoughts are welcomed!
Previous post: Kdramas in June
I marked trailers with English subtitles with an asterisk (*)
Click to viewShadow Detective 2*
Release date: 5 July on Disney+, Hulu
Runtime: Saturday, 8 episodes
Cast: Lee Sung Min, Jung Jin Young, Kyung Soo Jin, Lee Hak Joo, Kim Shin RokPlot: Unfolds the ultimate counterattack of veteran homicide detective Kim Taek Rok, who has returned to investigate the secret mastermind behind the blackmailer 'Friend'.
Add to watch-list or skip? I don't remember there being a Shadow Detective 1 tbh! Lee Sung Min is an excellent actor, that's all I'll say!
Strangers*
Release date: 17 July on ENA, Hulu
Runtime: Monday & Tuesday, 12 episodes
Cast: Jeon Hye Jin, Choi Soo Young, Ahn Jae Wook, Park Sung HoonPlot: Follow the story of a mother lacking countermeasures and a cool daughter living together - yet seemingly unrelated.
Add to watch-list or skip? Honestly this looks kind of fun? I enjoy mother-daughter dramas. Sooyoung chooses interesting projects tbh!
Longing for You
Release date: 26 July on ENA
Runtime: Wednesday & Thursday, 14 episodes
Cast: Na In Woo, Kim Ji Eun, Kwon Yool, Bae Jong Ok, Lee Kyu Han, Jung Sang HoonPlot: A murder case occurs in Woojin, a town blessed with no crime. Detective Oh Jin Seong, known for being cheerful, joins the investigation team when his younger brother Jin Woo is identified as a suspect in a murder case. Jin Woo is eventually cleared of false accusations, and the culprit is revealed. Jin Seong's performance earns him preferential treatment at the Gangnam Police station, but his brother is suddenly attacked by someone on a rainy night and dies unexpectedly. Jin Seong starts chasing after the true culprit of the murder case while facing his own family's desires and secrets.
Add to watch-list or skip? The only trailer I found is the above and isn't giving us a lot to go off on. For now, I'll skip.
D.P. 2*
Release date: 28 July on Netflix
Runtime: Friday, 6 episodes
Cast: Jung Hae In, Koo Kyo Hwan, Kim Sung Kyun, Son Seok Koo, Kim Ji HyunPlot: Season 2 of D.P.: Private soldier Jun Ho is a confused youth who served in the military normally like other Koreans. One day, he suddenly becomes a member of the military defector arrest team. As such, he is tasked with capturing deserters and must grapple with the more troubling cases of why some soldiers feel they have no other choice but go absent without official leave.
Add to watch-list or skip? Yes! The previous season was great, so I have been looking forward to the second season! Will have to mentally prepare myself for the cases, though.
The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch*
Release date: 29 July on Netflix, TVN
Runtime: Saturday & Sunday, 12 episodes
Cast: Cho Byeong Kyu, Yoo Joon Sang, Kim Se Jeong, Yeom Hye Ran, Ahn Suk Hwan, Yoo In SooPlot: Evil spirits from the afterlife arrive on Earth in search of an immortal existence. The story follows a group of counters who are tasked with catching these malevolent entities. The show is based on a webtoon that has been ongoing since 2018 and has been popularly serialized on various online portals.
Add to watch-list or skip? I enjoyed the first season and I love Sejeong, but considering Cho Byeongkyu's bullying rumours not sure if I'll be picking this up. Has his name been cleared?
My Lovely Liar*
Release date: 31 July on TVN
Runtime: Monday & Tuesday, 16 episodes
Cast: Kim So Hyun, Hwang Min Hyun, Seo Ji HoonPlot: Mok Sol Hee has a special ability that allows her to distinguish whether people are lying or not. She hates her ability and views it as a curse. Because of her special ability, she is unable to trust anyone. Mok Sol Hee gets involved with a murder suspect who insists he is innocent, but nobody believes him.
Add to watch-list or skip? Ah, the lying ability trope is back! This seems like a classic filler drama and although I like Sohyun, I'll skip this one.
Sources: Drama information via AsianWiki & MyDramalist | Trailers via Disney+ Philippines, palaiskdrama, Studio Genie, Netflix K-Content, Kdrama Zone | gif via seawherethesunsets on Tumblr
Which dramas will you be picking up this July, Omona? And what are you watching now? Any recs? I haven't been able to get into dramas for a while..