The 2013 spring drama lineup is as far away from boring as I am from cooking (hint- how do you turn on a stove and what is that weird room with the refrigerator for?). This drama season is heaping on the anticipation- for starters Lee Seung Gi is returning to dramaland, Kim Tae Hee is poised to play the potential role of a lifetime, and the team behind Queen In Hyun’s man is making another time travel epic. Color me impatient for the first episodes.
There are five dramas in particular that have my fan girl tendencies at full alert. Some of the following dramas have me more curious than certain while others are making my fingers itch at the place I think they will be in my year end review. I hope you enjoy-and tune in. Cheers.
Gu Family Book aka The Writing of Nine Houses (MBC)
Genre: Fantasy melodrama
Starring: Lee Seung Gi, Suzy, Yoo Yun Suk, Lee Sung Jae
Premieres: April 2013
What it is about: Our hero is a half gumiho half human, Kang Choi Ki (played by Lee Seung Gi) who is trying desperately to become human. Choi Ki learns of his origins from the titular Gu Family book.
Why you should watch it: Lee Seung Gi. Okay, my love for LSG aside this drama has an interesting plot- a half gumiho half human male (Gumiho’s are traditionally female) striving to fit into the human world. Directed by the same man that brought us Secret Garden and a Gentleman’s Dignity I have high hopes for this drama.
Nine: Nine Times Time Travel (tvN)
Genre: Fantasy melodrama
Starring: Lee Jin Wook, Jo Yoon Hee, Park Hyung Sik, Oh Min Seok
Premieres: March 2013
What it is about: Park Sun Woo (Lee Jin Wook) works as a reporter. He receives nine items that allow him to travel twenty years back in the past-nine times only- in order to solve a cold case.
Why you should watch it: Other than the obvious reasons- always watch shows that include at least two words two times in the title- this drama is brought to you by the screenwriter and director who gave us last years Queen In Hyun’s Man . Plus the story gives us an upfront definite time travel mechanism- and a count of nine times and nine times only. So long magical cell phone!
Jang Ok-jung, Live For Love (SBS)
Genre: Sageuk
Starring: Kim Tae Hee, Yoo Ah In, Hong Soo Hyun, Jae Hee
Premieres: April 2013
What it is about: The other woman in the Queen In Hyun story, the lady Jang Ok Jung rose to become one of the most celebrated concubines of her time.
Why you should watch it: Kim Tae Hee, who in my opinion is hit and miss in dramas is taking on a role that promises to be anything but boring (I am curious to see how well she pulls it off). I am rooting for her; after all she gave an awesomely plucky performance in My Princess. Another reason to watch is for Yoo Ah In, who was superb in Sungkyunkwan Scandal.
That Winter, The Wind Blows (SBS)
Genre: Melodrama
Starring: Jo In sung, Song Hye Kyo, Kim Bum, Jung Eun Ji
Premieres: February 13, 2013
What it is about: A man known as the best gambler in the Cheongdam neighborhood lives a meaningless life. His parents left him at an early age and he lost his first love. Meanwhile, a woman is the heir to a large corporation, but she is lonely. With a rough childhood and the loss of her eyesight, she has also had to face her father’s death. Sheltering herself from the storm, she keeps everyone at arms length.
Why you should watch it: The director and screenwriter previously worked with Song Hye Kyo on Worlds Within. Plus Kim Bum plays Zo In Sung’s right hand man- with the promise of an epic bromance.
IRIS 2 (KBS)
Genre: Action Thriller
Starring: Jang Hyuk, Lee Da Hae, Lee Beom Soo, Oh Yeon Soo, Kim Yeong Cheol, Yoon Doo Joon, Im Soo Hyang, Lee Joon, Kim So Yeon, Yoo Min
Premieres: February 13, 2013
What it is about: Blowing things up and looking cool.
Why you should watch it: Blowing things up and looking cool. Another action packed thriller from the Iris team, this drama may not have the best plot out there but it is sure to pack a stylistic and visually stunning punch. Sometimes we all just need to sit back and watch the explosions.
Lore In Stone Cities 
out of the 5 i like the first 3 they sound like something i would watch and like you on the first one my #1 reason to watch it would be LSG,lol but not sure on the suzy part. I love your description of iris 2 “Blowing things up and looking cool.”,lol
I am with you on the Suzy part, as soon as I heard she was cast I had mixed feelings on her ability to pull off the role. I guess time will tell.
Yea they should have gotten a more experienced actress but let’s what happens.
The middle three definitely have me intrigued (though I’m a little hesitant on TWTWB, just because it could easily be so, so, so sad). I think the “Gu Family Book” is almost too awesome sounding so I’m trying not to get too excited so I don’t jinx it. (This is how my mind works.)
With Iris 2… I haven’t watched the first one so it’s like a class I haven’t qualified for yet. Or something.
TWTWB is almost guaranteed to be a tear fest- and I am on the same boat. After I Miss You and Nice Guy I am reluctant to indulge in the next melo. Yet I am too curious to stay away 🙂 If the tears become too much I am already planning to flee to variety land, or some other place of non tear filled awfulness 🙂
Good plan! 😀 (I’m starting to wonder if this year’s drama-theme is “tears”. ;))
I wish I could stop time, catch up years of missed dramas, then watch all the upcoming dramas lol! I’ll probably start but as the plot thickens will have to drop the not so good ones… Sometimes I wonder when I’ll ever get a full night sleep! Haha. Really enjoying your site! Btw. You got a new follower!
Thanks! And I am right with you- if only I had a drama time machine…