2015 Jaybird Awards
I know we’re a good way into 2016 already- but I had a fair few 2015 dramas that I needed to catch up on because I was so far behind! So here it is (finally). The 2015 Jaybird Awards! I will admit, I haven’t even come close to seeing all the K-Dramas that were released in 2015, but I did my best to hit the big ones (and some of the smaller ones). However, here in the Land Down Under, it is quite difficult to get our hands on a lot of series, as we don’t have access to a lot of content on great streaming websites (cough, Dramafever, cough). I mean come on, it’s just Australia- we’re not trying to stream from Narnia. Anyway, I did my best, and you’ll find a complete list of the 2015 K-Dramas that I watched this past year (and are thus in contention for awards) at the end.
Best Drama:
‘Healer’ was really a standout in K-Drama this year. It was a beautiful blend of action and romance- with sizzling chemistry between the main leads. The plot was racing and addictive, with the mystery elements revealed gradually- just enough each episode to keep you desperate for more. Ji Chang Wook and Park Min Young were compelling as our main couple, and the support was just as strong as the leads. Yoo Ji Tae left nothing to be desired- completely owning the justice-driven reporter. From start to finish the series was riveting, and ‘Healer’ can also boast one of the most satisfying K-Drama endings. And we all know how rare those are.
Runner Up: Kill Me, Heal Me
Best Actor:
Ji Sung (Kill Me, Heal Me)
When it comes to acting in 2015- Ji Sung was definitely the one to beat. From the minute ‘Kill Me, Heal Me’ came to a close, everyone knew that it was going to be an almost impossible feat to top Ji Sung’s performance. It’s risky to take on the role of a man with Multiple Personality Disorder, as it’s not really taking on one role- more like seven. Ji Sung brought each personality to life in a completely unique, believable way, in a wonderful display of acting ability. A task that would be daunting to any actor, he handled with apparent ease and confidence, and shaped the drama through his performance.
Best Actress:
Park Bo Young (Oh My Ghostess)
Similarly to Ji Sung, Park Bo Young had the task of taking on more than one role in a single drama. After quite an absence, Park Bo Young made her return to the small-screen- and what a return it was. She was dynamic both as the flirtatious ghost and the withdrawn introvert the ghost was possessing. Her natural charms came bursting from both her characters, leading to fiery chemistry between herself and Jo Jung Seok. Park Bo Young was completely believable and completely captivating all drama long.
Runner Up: Kim Hee Sun (Angry Mom)
Best Support:
Park Seo Joon (Kill Me, Heal Me)
Perhaps one of the biggest cases of Second Male Lead Syndrome this year was Park Seo Joon. He was charming, charismatic and adorable as Oh Ri On in the sensation ‘Kill Me, Heal Me’. He displayed great versatility and depth, as well as his wonderful ability to evoke an emotional response from an audience- no one’s heart was left unaffected by his one-sided love affair. His outstanding acting gave the lead actors a solid base to work around, and allowed the stars to really shine- without having his own light diminished.
Runner Up: Choi Siwon (She Was Pretty)
Best Couple:
Park Yoo Chun and Shin Se Kyung (Girl Who Sees Smells)
The chemistry between Park Yoo Chun and Shin Se Kyung was unbelievable in this drama. It was adorable and sweet, but also inherently believable. The characters came together in such an unforced, natural way, that it felt wonderfully real. While both stars gave exceptional performances on their own, it was scenes of them together that really stole the show. The couple’s ability to work together and communicate gave them a great edge over other K-Drama couples, and they were simply enchanting to watch develop. It was hard to believe Park Yoo Chun wasn’t actually falling head over heels for Shin Se Kyung.
Runner Up: Park Bo Young and Cho Jung Seok (Oh My Ghostess)
Best Villain:
Namgung Min (Girl Who Sees Smells)
Namgung Min gave a delightfully terrifying performance as the psychopathic killer in ‘Girl Who Sees Smells’. He was able to easily shift between ruthless killer and charismatic chef so seamlessly that it was a little unsettling. Namgung Min’s spectacular performance added a real sense of fear and urgency into the drama, and left us with a conclusion that felt that much more satisfying due to his stellar performance throughout.
Runner Up: Lim Ju Hwan (Oh My Ghostess)
Best Ensemble:
When it comes to spot-on casting and loveable ensembles, the ‘Reply’ franchise is hard to beat. For the third time running we’re given a group of wonderfully endearing characters, played by a group of wonderfully talented actors. ‘Reply 1988’ hosts one of the bigger casts of 2015, and it says a lot about both the writer and the actors that not one character felt miscast. Every actor was able to make you completely believe their character, and completely fall in love with them. The relationships between the characters are complicated and interwoven- creating more storylines, and more love for the group as a whole.
Runner Up: Angry Mom
Best Idol Gone Actor:
U-Know Yunho (I Order You)
Both Yunho and DBSK bandmate Max Changmin have scored some pretty serious flack for their acting. However, in ‘I Order You’ Yunho really throws himself into character and does a wonderful job. He handles the romance with ease, and even does a brilliant job in pulling off the heavier, more emotional scenes. Also, he really only wins over Prince Choi Siwon- because if we’re all honest, Choi Siwon is basically an actual actor now. Nevertheless, fantastic performance U-Know Yunho.
Runner Up: Lee Jong Hyun (Orange Marmalade)
Worst Idol Gone Actor:
Cha Eun Woo (To Be Continued)
Okay, I know this was his debut performance (both as an idol and an actor), but it was a little bit painful to watch. Poor Cha Eun Woo was completely unable to express the necessary emotion in a scene, and came across as wooden and robotic. Very pretty, but very expressionless. He really tried his best, but he should probably just stick to singing and dancing (which he does beautifully) rather than acting. Perhaps his inability to act would have been felt less had he been given a more minor role in the drama, but alas…he was given the lead. Eek.
Runner Up: Yugyeom (Dream Knight)
Least Convincing Couple:
Dasom and Ryu Soo Young (Virtual Bride)
The drama was never going to be outstanding, and that’s okay. But here, the leading couple is written so sporadically that it’s almost laughable. The two characters jump so quickly from hate to love that it gives you a bit of emotional whiplash. Granted, there was a bunch of cute going on between the main leads- but it wasn’t a believable relationship in the slightest.
Runner Up: Yeo Jin Goo and Seolhyun (Orange Marmalade)
Show Carrier:
Hyun Bin (Hyde, Jekyll, Me)
Another actor taking on more than one role, Hyun Bin displayed great acting ability in the rather highly criticised ‘Hyde, Jekyll, Me’. He was basically flawless as the two personalities of Goo Seo Jin, and had the added task of carrying the romance on his own- as his partner, Han Ji Min, played a rather flat, lifeless character. It was Hyun Bin’s wonderful acting that kept the drama as engaging as it was. Sung Joon also gave a good performance- but the bulk of the drama landed on Hyun Bin’s shoulders, and he did an excellent job in carrying it along.
Runner Up: Choi Siwon (She Was Pretty)
Biggest Disappointment:
Given the zippy chemistry between Hwang Jung Eum and Park Seo Joon in ‘Kill Me, Heal Me’, we were all expecting great things from ‘She Was Pretty’- as they would actually be a couple in this drama. I think we were all left feeling a little disappointed. The drama itself doesn’t hold a great deal of interest, as beyond our main couple discovering each others’ true identity- there’s no conflict. The romance also lands a little flat, with a few cute scenes but not a lot else. The sole redeeming feature of this drama was Choi Siwon absolutely slaying in his role as Kim Shin Hyuk.
Runner Up: My Unfortunate Boyfriend
Jaybird's Choice:
When it comes to the drama I personally enjoyed most this year, it was definitely ‘Angry Mom’. It wasn’t perfect by a long shot, but it was inherently entertaining. The series had an addictive (if slightly depressing) plot, and intriguing characters played by fantastic actors. The darkness of the drama meant that the love and friendships felt that much more earned, and that much more rewarding. Every character was meticulously mapped out and had amazing depth, and the writers cleverly and creatively unveiled how each character became the person they were. ‘Angry Mom’ had a plethora of brilliant actors, but the younger actors particularly showed amazing talent.
Runner Up: Healer
2015 K-Dramas:
