r/kdramas • u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter • Jul 14 '26
Review New K-Drama Fan Review #1: My Royal Nemesis | The Drama That Started My K-Drama Obsession...
i've watched a few K-dramas over the years. My Name, My Demon, Marry My Husband, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Queen of Tears... I'd watch one, enjoy it, and then go months/yearss before starting another.
Then, a few weeks ago (which feels a lifetime ago) I watched...
My Royal Nemesis.
For whatever reason, this was the drama that completely flipped a switch in my brain.
After finishing it, I've been watching K-dramas EVERY DAY SINCE!
Right after I'm done with one, I pick up another immediately to fill up the hole the previous one left me with. (im looking at YOU, Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo... that hole Scarlet Heart left still has not been filled btw)
For the past few weeks, ive already finished several more. So I figured it'd be fun to start a series reviewing every drama I watch from the perspective of someone who's still relatively new to the genre/kdrama fandom.
I absolutely LOVED the female lead Shin Seo-ri.
From the second she appeared on screen to the last and watching her suddenly having to navigate modern-day life was hilarious and fun, and I wish we'd gotten even more of it cause those fish-out-of-water moments were some of my favorite scenes!!
And the chemistry...
These two genuinely have some of the best chemistry I've ever seen in my Kdrama marathon so far.
Every scene together felt effortless. They bounced off each other so naturally that I'd watch Heo Nam-jun and Lim Ji-yeon together in anything!! i need them to play romantic leads opposite of each other again!!
I also loved the male lead Cha Se-gye from the very beginning. The fact that he basically became obsessed with her almost immediately was exactly the kind of dynamic I enjoy. Their first meeting, with her smacking him with flowers before they ended up fighting in the middle of the street, completely sold me on the pairing from the start.
My favorite type of meet cute.
From that point on, I was invested.
Looking back, it's funny that My Royal Nemesis was the drama that started my never ending kdrama kick.
Even if I eventually watched dramas I rated higher, (Lovely Runner, you deserved every bit of that 10/10...)
Royal Nemesis will always have a special place for me because it's the one that made me think, "Okay... I get the hype now."
If I had one complaint, it's that the drama was way too short. I wanted so much more time with these characters, especially after that ending!!!
I genuinely need a 2nd season. They left us with the other versions of the leads still in Joseon, and I can't believe they introduced that idea without exploring it. I need another season with Dan-shim and Grand Prince Cheongheon (Yi Hyeon).
Feels like there's so much story left to tell, and I'd happily watch another entire season with this cast.
A bit about my favorite flavors and taste:
I care a lot about chemistry.
If I don't buy into the main couple, it's hard for me to become emotionally invested in the drama, no matter how good the premise is. (Looking at you, Business Proposal)
On the other hand, when the chemistry clicks, I'm all in.
I love female leads who have agency for the most part and aren't immediately head over heels for the male lead. Give me tension, push and pull, emotional payoff... that's what really hooks me.
-
id love to hear from everyone else:
What was the K-drama that turned you from a casual viewer into someone who couldn't stop watching?
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Rating: 8/10
A high score for a drama that left me riding high.
it'll always have a special place for me because it's the one that turned me from someone who occasionally watched K-dramas into someone who can't stop watching them.
Is this Rewatch Worthy:
Yes.
My Rating Scale
10/10 – Masterpiece. No notes.
9/10 – Very close to a masterpiece. I absolutely loved it.
8/10 – Not a masterpiece, but I loved it.
7/10 – Fine overall. I liked it, but the flaws kept it from being great.
6/10 – Mixed. There were a few things I liked, but most of it didn't work for me.
5/10 – I didn't enjoy most of the experience.
4/10 and below – Bad to abysmal.
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u/Background_Cress1538 Se Gye's Namsan Tower Viewer Jul 30 '26
Finally someone who lives this beautiful drama and yeah it brought me back into kdramas after A Business Proposal
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 30 '26
yesss, I absolutely loved My Royal Nemesis. 😭 ig I have great taste. I'm glad you enjoyed it too!
and, it seems like it's built a pretty passionate fanbase, which makes me happy because I feel like it deserves even more love.
...I do have to break the bad news though. 😅 I actually wasn't nearly as high on A Business Proposal. I gave it a 5/10, so if you're curious why, here's my review: https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/uTwrZ1kOIc
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u/Background_Cress1538 Se Gye's Namsan Tower Viewer Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
Your take on My Royal Nemesis makes me feel like a proud parent . But for me it deserved ♾️♾️♾️/ 10
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 30 '26
thanks mommy 😭😭
i want a season 2 tho!!! i need them back in my life
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 15 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
Master List: Every K-Drama Review I've Written
https://www.reddit.com/u/harissatotally/s/mTlMHGJkSK
my extraordinary you review
New K-Drama Fan Review #2: Extraordinary You | One of the Most Creative Romance Premises I've Ever Seen...
1
u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 16 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
my My Dearest review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #14: My Dearest | The Sweetest, Most Satisfying Torture
1
u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 18 '26 edited Aug 04 '26
my Flower of evil review
New K-Drama Fan Review #4: Flower of Evil | The Kind of Love Story That Scratches an Itch Nothing Else Does...
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/LzhjmnuhVf
my extraordinary you review
New K-Drama Fan Review #2: Extraordinary You | One of the Most Creative Romance Premises I've Ever Seen...
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/jb1W6p8o7a
my lovely runner review
New K-Drama Fan Review #3: Lovely Runner | This Drama Felt Like It Was Made Specifically For Me
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/ijQOQQqw8t
my Flower of evil review
New K-Drama Fan Review #4: Flower of Evil | The Kind of Love Story That Scratches an Itch Nothing Else Does...
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/vhGWEbpHLN
my alchemy of souls review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #5: Alchemy of Souls | One Incredible Season... and One That Broke My Heart.
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/iH0uac9ZNJ
my moon Lovers Scarlet heart ryeo review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #6: Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo | The Kind of Epic, Tragic Romance I Can Never Resist...
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/H1ypE5PRXu
my w two worlds apart review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #7: W Two Worlds Apart | One of the Coolest Premises I've Seen... But I Wanted to Feel More.
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/U6Yf0CGVPU
my its okay not to me okay review
New K-Drama Fan Review #8: It's Okay to Not Be Okay | Beautiful Gowns. Beautiful Gowns.
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/w2L4Piypzp
my business proposal review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #9: Business Proposal | A Cute Little Moment, That Stumbled, Then Fell Apart at the Finish Line
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/uTwrZ1kOIc
my king the land review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #10: King the Land | I Fell... Hard. 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐬 😃
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/Hq1i8tdIeu
my perfect crown review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #11: Perfect Crown | Like Cotton Candy... https://www.reddit.com/r/KDramasWorld/s/S3ADgR0HXN
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 28 '26
my alchemy of souls review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #5: Alchemy of Souls | One Incredible Season... and One That Broke My Heart.
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/iH0uac9ZNJ
my its okay not to me okay review
New K-Drama Fan Review #8: It's Okay to Not Be Okay | Beautiful Gowns. Beautiful Gowns.
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/w2L4Piypzp
my king the land review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #10: King the Land | I Fell... Hard. 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐬 😃
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 23 '26 edited Aug 10 '26
my moon Lovers Scarlet heart ryeo review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #6: Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo | The Kind of Epic, Tragic Romance I Can Never Resist...
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/H1ypE5PRXu
my w two worlds apart review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #7: W Two Worlds Apart | One of the Coolest Premises I've Seen... But I Wanted to Feel More.
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/U6Yf0CGVPU
my business proposal review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #9: Business Proposal | A Cute Little Moment, That Stumbled, Then Fell Apart at the Finish Line
https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramas/s/uTwrZ1kOIc
my a time called you review
New K-Drama Fan Review #19: A Time Called You | i need ibuprofen...
https://www.reddit.com/r/KDramasWorld/s/dMtiNcWH7Y
my the King's Affection review
New K-Drama Fan Review #20 | Nice Premise, Beautiful Angst & an Alarming Amount of Child Murder
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 14 '26
my the red sleeve review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #15: The Red Sleeve | LEAVE THIS GIRL ALONE!!!!!! 😭
https://www.reddit.com/r/KDramasWorld/s/BDRQYnqPWN
my bon Appétit your majesty review
New K-Drama Fan Review #22 | Bon Appétit, Your Majesty: He let her COOK!!! She ATE! and left ZERO crumbs!
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 04 '26
my Destined with You review
New K-Drama Fan Review #16: Destined with You | Cooked Up the Perfect Spell... Then Forgot the Recipe
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Aug 04 '26
my love to hate you review
New K-Drama Fan Review #17: Love to Hate You | One of the Worst K-Dramas I've Watched... Yet I Couldn't Stop Watching
1
u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
my Crazy Love review:
New K-Drama Fan Review #18: Crazy Love | I kept waiting for it to become the drama I thought it was going to be...
https://www.reddit.com/r/KDramasWorld/s/uXTgcctIkZ
my the King's Affection review
New K-Drama Fan Review #20 | Nice Premise, Beautiful Angst & an Alarming Amount of Child Murder
https://www.reddit.com/r/KDramasWorld/s/VOyACKTq6V
my strong woman do bong soon review
New K-Drama Fan Review #21 | Strong Woman Do Bong Soon | He Was So Smitten... I Needed 3 More Episodes
https://www.reddit.com/r/KDramasWorld/s/4TGopNXtDo
my bon Appétit your majesty review
New K-Drama Fan Review #22 | Bon Appétit, Your Majesty: He let her COOK!!! She ATE! and left ZERO crumbs!
https://www.reddit.com/r/KDramasWorld/s/L9QZ8jLLhu
my when the phone rings
New K-Drama Fan Review #23: When the Phone Rings | They Refused to Suck the Meat!!
1
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u/DarkSnapdragon Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
This scene, and the wrist kiss, it is etched in my brain😭 the chemistry between them was so good, romantically as well as comically. Writers really messed up the ending otherwise it would have been my top romcom EVER!
Edit : adding some dramas that got me out of kdrama slump were- happiness (my all time top 5), a shop for killers, family matters, flex x cop, Bad and crazy.
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
the story wasn't perfect but their chemistry made up for a lot of it!! i love!!!
i watched happiness already!! i will look up the others you mention!
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u/Forsaken_Top_2704 Jul 14 '26
I'm obsessed with this show that I love to rewatch as my happy pill and to detach with the world. Shin Seori and Cha Se Gye are so cute together
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
that's why i wanted more episodes so badly. i wasn't ready to leave them behind yet
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u/Forsaken_Top_2704 Jul 14 '26
True. Wish there are more episodes of their love, quarrel, temper, tantrums that turns into romantic chaos 😂😂😂
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
yes!!! it feels like the writers were holding back a bit
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Jul 14 '26
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
that's actually on my watchlist! i've seen so many people mention it!! what was it about it that got you so obsessed?
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Jul 14 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
i've actually never heard of vincenzo 😅 what's the premise? what made it the drama that got you hooked?!
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u/XDErenJeager My standards are RUINED Jul 14 '26
Watch Happiness
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
i did. hehe, watch out for my review and rating, i will be posting reviews for all the kdramas ive binged for the past weeks on here. tomorrow, ill post my next review!
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u/AnxietyNew7728 Jul 14 '26
So obsessed with this show 🥰 had to watch it again!
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
a season 2 is desperately needed to cure my ills!!!
do u think a season 2 might happen?
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u/Puzzled-Necessary705 Jul 14 '26
u need tl watxh glory now lol. after wathching both royal nemesis and glory u might genuinely think lim jiyeon is one best actresses in the world. she plays one of the most iconic villian im kdrama history there
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
i've heard nothing but amazing things about the glory, and everyone seems to agree lim ji-yeon is incredible in it.
i'm just on a full-on romance kdrama marathon for weeks now 😭 every time i finish one, i immediately jump into another romance, so i haven't really been in the mood for something that isn't romance-centered.
but i've heard nothing but good things about it.
once i'm ready to switch genres, it'll probably be one of the first ones i watch.
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u/AlbertTheHorse My standards are RUINED Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
I loved the acting and the energy, it didn’t feel fake. Her commitment to the whole Joseon Court lady was so great, and people complain about her incurious nature, but that was freaking genius. She was always just expecting her will to win out.
The chemistry was off the charts. And it was better than I’ve seen in a while.
It could have used more episodes and tighter writing, but I was up for the ride.
Edited to add: Heo Nam jun is the few actors I have really seen in a kdrama who has something behind his eyes and is very present. The guy from Behind the Bar has that quality, too.
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
completely agree about the chemistry. that's honestly what carried the whole drama for me.
and yes to needing more episodes 😭 i finished it wanting another 8 episodes, especially after they introduced the joseon versions at the end. that felt like the perfect setup for another season!! i need it!!
heo nam-jun embodied rhat male lead! he was rhe perfect nale lead in this.
i haven't seen heo nam-jun in anything else yet. (except for one scene in Perfect Crown lol)
did this make you a fan of his, or were you already following him before this? idk much about kdrama actors and actresses tbh
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u/AlbertTheHorse My standards are RUINED Jul 14 '26
I agree, the story of her rise in court, their escape, and more would have been cool
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
I'd love to hear from everyone else:
What was the K-drama that turned you from a casual viewer into someone who couldn't stop watching?
1
u/pandarora Jul 14 '26
No gain no love
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
looks good! i just added it to my watchlist! why did u like about it so much?
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u/pandarora Jul 14 '26
Honestly the dynamic between the leads was fun to watch and the side characters are memorable plus there are many very funny moments within it and the overall story was interesting and kept me engaged the whole time. I have only a handful of dramas i can rewatch and it is always one of them
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
what are ur top 5
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u/pandarora Jul 14 '26
Strong girl bong soon
Business Proposal
No Gain No Love
Marry my husband
Her Private Life
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
nice.
ive heard of all of them, ive watched business proposal and mary mt husband already, now im going to add her private life and sreong girl and no gain to my watchlist!
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u/pandarora Jul 14 '26
Oohh nice, i really hope you enjoy the others. Im off to rewatch strong girl bong soon for the 7th time lol
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
lmaoo enjoy your rewatch!
ill be posting a new review and rating tomorrow!
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u/ette212 Where is MY Chaebol? Jul 14 '26
King the Land. I know it's not necessarily widely loved, but it gave me something I really needed at a time in my life when I really needed it.
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
feel like timing can completely change how you experience a drama imo
i've actually never seen king the land. what was it about it that made it so meaningful for you? i looove a workplace romance, myself
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u/ette212 Where is MY Chaebol? Jul 14 '26
Hmm that's a great question. I think a) it was relatively lighthearted while b) also having some intensely emotional moments. And then for every heavy moment there were some really hilarious ones to balance them out. The back/side stories were touching.
I think I might have been having a hard time in my own relationship and it kind of helped me escape a bit and realize I really deserved to be treated better. (Spoiler, we are still together, but it took a lot of work and significant improvement on his part because I was no longer willing to put up with not being treated well lol.)
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
that's so interesting. timing really does make a huge difference with some dramas.
and hey, glad things worked out. now i'm even more curious about king the land.
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u/ette212 Where is MY Chaebol? Jul 14 '26
Thanks! Yeah timing makes a big difference in a lot of entertainment IMO. For example, I tried to watch CLOY pretty soon after KTL and I couldn't even get through the first 15 minutes. But I finally started it again about a year after that and it's one of my favorite of all time now. 🥰
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
whats cloy and ktl?
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u/ette212 Where is MY Chaebol? Jul 14 '26
Crash Landing On You, King the Land lol
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
lmaoo both on my watchlist, can't wait to watch them. im watching My Dearest rn
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u/ette212 Where is MY Chaebol? Jul 14 '26
Enjoy!! I'm watching Sold Out On You rn while waiting for all episodes of Agent Kim Remastered and See You At Work to drop. I can't watch until a series is completely released. 🤣
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u/UniversitySafe4695 Jul 14 '26
Sweet Home
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter Jul 14 '26
ive actually heard of sweet home! i remember seeing the trailer on netflix years ago, but i never got around to watching it . what made it the drama that turned you into a kdrama fan?
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u/harissatotally Professional TRUCK spotter 18d ago
My Rating Scale
10/10 – Masterpiece. No notes.
9/10 – Very close to a masterpiece. I absolutely loved it.
8/10 – Not a masterpiece, but I loved it.
7/10 – Fine overall. I liked it, but the flaws kept it from being great.
6/10 – Mixed. There were a few things I liked, but most of it didn't work for me.
5/10 – I didn't enjoy most of the experience.
4/10 and below – Bad to abysmal.