When I look back at 2013, drama-world programming was truly as weak as I thought it was at the time. I remember searching for something to watch among the currently airing shows and coming up short. So much so that most of the k-dramas I watched last year were older ones (or shows from Taiwan).  The surprising thing this year is how many good shows have aired so far in 2014. And, for me, the other surprising thing is the dramas I didn’t intend to watch are turning out to be my favorites of the year. I guess I don’t know myself very well. Or the descriptions for the shows aren’t very accurate.

New favorites I never intended to watch

• Cunning Single Lady
• You’re All Surrounded
• Angel Eyes
• It’s Okay, That’s Love

 New favorite I was skeptical about watching

• My Love From Another Star (started in 2013 most of it aired in January of 2014, so I’m counting it with the rest of the 2014s )

Intriguing and short

• Mimi

Oh, 2013. All shimmer and little substance

I haven’t even made a dent in watching all the series that have aired since January, that I’ve been hearing were enjoyable. Last year, the first six months of Korean dramas were pretty weak and the year didn’t wrap up much stronger either. I didn’t expect much from the highly promoted Heirs. Haven’t we already seen Lee Min Ho play the bad boy high schooler? Been there, done that. Are we supposed to keep believing that Park Hye Shin is still so innocent? Woo Bin as bad boy high schooler–again? I feel like he can do much more and this is his third time. We love him as that guy, but it’s the. third. time. Don’t get typecast Woo Bin.

Another 2013 tail ender, Pretty Man, started of strong and fizzled for me because of the lack of chemistry between IU and Jang Keun Suk, and because Lee Jang Woo was dazzling as David and did have chemistry with IU. The material was too easy for JKS.  The highlight of last year was clearly Master’s Sun.

With the first half of the 2014 top heavy with great dramas, I’m a little worried that the end will go out with a fizzle and the earlier good ones will be forgotten at awards time. Kinda like how Heirs got all that attention last year when Flower Boy Next Door that aired in January 2013 was woefully so overlooked.

Here’s hoping the fall will keep throwing us more great dramas for our ever-growing TW lists!