2015 Jaybird Awards

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

‘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. 

Runner Up: Ji Chang Wook (Healer)

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:

Reply 1988

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:

She Was Pretty

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:

Angry Mom

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:

Angry Mom

Dream Knight

Fool’s Love

Girl Who Sees Smells

Healer

Hi! School Love On

Hyde, Jekyll, Me

Imaginary Cat

I Order You

Kill Me, Heal Me

My Unfortunate Boyfriend

Oh My Ghostess

Orange Marmalade

The Producers

School 2015- Who Are You

Reply 1988

She Was Pretty

To Be Continued

Twenty Again

Virtual Bride

Girl Who Sees Smells

Girl Who Sees Smells

8.5/10

Girl Who Sees Smells 

Genre:                                   Episodes: 16                                   Year: 2015

Romance

Comedy

Mystery

Synopsis:

3 years ago, Choi Moo Gak’s younger sister was murdered by the ‘Barcode Serial Killer’. After his sister’s death, he joined the police force, hoping to become a detective and catch his sister’s killer. Choi Eun Sol is the only witness of the barcode murders. However, she is in an accident right after she escapes the murderer, and slips into a coma. Six months later she wakes from her coma. She has no memory of her life before, but has gained the ability to see scents. To protect her, she is entered into witness protection as Oh Cho Rim, and Choi Eun Sol is recorded as deceased. Choi Moo Gak meets Oh Cho Rim by chance and Cho Rim helps him solve a petty crime. The two team up and begin investigating the barcode murders, aided by Oh Cho Rim’s unique ability.

Cast:

Park Yoo Chun (Choi Mu Gak)

Shin Se Kyung (Oh Cho Rim/Choi Eun Sol)

Yoon Jin Seo (Yeom Mi)

Namgung Min (Kwon Jae Hee)

Song Jong Ho (Dr. Chun Baek Kyung)

General Thoughts:

It’s a really, really enjoyable drama to watch. The plot moves at a zippy pace, and it was difficult to predict what was going to happen next. Sure, a couple of times I knew I was being led by the nose and making assumptions that the writers wanted me to make, but at the same time I couldn’t help feeling like ‘maybe, the writers WANT me to feel like they’re tricking me, and then they WON’T’. It was a nice change to not be able to see the ending clearly, and the drama definitely keeps you on your toes- those cliff-hanger episode endings!

A rom-com with more than just the 'rom' and 'com'

The characters were all brilliant. There were no outright dislikeable characters. Sure, there were bad characters and twisted characters, but it felt good to dislike them. The drama quite happily avoids characters that are dislikeable for their annoying, whiney, or stupid personalities- good job show! The casting was picture perfect- I love Bae Suzy (who was originally meant to be our leading lady), but Shin Se Kyung as Oh Cho Rim is just divine. She has a wonderful comedic sense that brings a lot of spark to the character that I’m not sure Suzy would have been able to deliver. Yoochun is divine as Choi Mu Gak, being able to be both appropriately stoic, and innocently hilarious.

Spot-on casting- good job team!

Our main couple is charming and funny, and it was enjoyable to see the relationship develop- it was also nice to have a little break from love triangles. The plot never lagged, and while we did go into some smaller (but still interesting) police investigations, the main storyline is present enough that it never felt like we were using episodes to wait for the main showdown (which was pretty awesome). The chance intertwining of our main characters lives was never overplayed or tried to be passed off as ‘destiny’. It was believable that three people involved in a tragedy (murderer, witness, victim’s brother) met again later in life, without knowing their past connections. Plot, characters, development, casting- it was all executed brilliantly.

Beautifully believable

What Was Great:

Quirky Couple:

We get a really refreshing main couple in this drama. The romance kicks in pretty quickly, which I’m pleased with overall. It gives our couple time to slowly realise their feelings, and avoids coming across as a rushed relationship. A lot of cute comes from the gradual process of Mu Gak and Cho Rim getting to know one another.

Two functional adults? How rare

It’s also a nice change to not have one character be the ‘main’ character. Cho Rim and Mu Gak are both equally important in the story, and the writers never influence the viewers to feel more for one character over the other. Even during disagreements, it is never presented in a way where one character is obviously right, and the other is obviously wrong. Hooray for two functional, realistic adult characters!

Both characters are equally quirky, making for a hilariously unforgettable couple. Cho Rim is sweet, bordering on loopy, but sweet- and in a brilliant display of writing, we get to see Cho Rim bring Mu Gak out of his shell without it coming across as unnatural or a complete character flip. The flashbacks of times he spent with his sister are a great way of showcasing that Mu Gak was always a bit weird and funny, but after her death he lost that part of himself. It’s delightful that the show manages to avoid having his feelings for Cho Rim as some creepy way of looking for a shadow of his sister in her- because that’s definitely a danger in a relationship like this. Their ability to function together is wonderful to watch- and as a viewer, you hardly ever feel frustration at our main couple for not expressing their emotions properly. Yay for no mass-miscommunication plotline!

What perfect comedy these two bring

Along with adequate communication, the writers beautifully set up these two people to complement each other. Right from the very obvious Mu Gak has lost his senses and Cho Rim has gained a new one, to one cooks and the other cleans. Unlike many K-Drama couples who have problems up to their eyeballs, Cho Rim and Mu Gak were constructed in a way where they worked together to solve their issues, which gave them a long-lasting, enduring feeling that other K-Drama couples lack. Their stubborn pettiness was also a total bonus. This comedic, crime-solving duo make for one adorably unforgettable couple.

Seeing Smells:

Mu Gak smells so pretty

It’s just such a random concept. I was a little hesitant to get into this drama because I was worried that it would take itself too seriously, and the main concept would come across as plain ridiculous. But then I saw the trailer and my fears were put to rest. It was cute and playful, and the show definitely didn’t take itself as seriously as I thought it might. Cho Rim’s ability never comes across as tacky or gimmicky. The writers successfully make it such a casual, normal part of Cho Rim’s life (as common as our own senses are to us), that it felt normal to us as viewers. It was delightful to have a heroine who had something special to offer to the story, beyond just her interesting or perky character. It was also a believable, effective method to kick-start the relationship between Cho Rim and Mu Gak- they both had a mutual need for each other in their workplaces.

Creepy Killer:

Villains in dramas totally give it that extra ‘oomph’. Here we have a fantastically executed villain. While we are in the dark on who they really are, there are so many hints and tid-bits that the viewers’ minds can really go crazy. I made a lot of assumptions on who our murderer was, and didn’t care in the slightest when I was wrong.

Love me some K-Drama villains

The writers managed to keep it veiled enough that it was a surprise when their identity was revealed, but dropped enough clues that it wasn’t an impossible conclusion to draw from the start. Surprisingly, finding out who the murderer is doesn’t slow the pace of the drama at all. It’s exhilarating to watch the detectives put themselves in danger in desperate attempts to grasp at some evidence, and our villain always feels like a threat. The murderer is acted SO well- being able to pull off both cold, calculating mastermind, and unbalanced, damaged psycho.

Not an innocent, god-like being: actually wants to kill the crazy

I also enjoyed how our villain impacted on our other characters a lot. Obviously his actions have had a devastating effect on our main couple’s lives, and it’s interesting to see them react to it. I cannot applaud this show enough for making Mu Gak and Cho Rim realistic, relatable characters. They both want the murderer dead, and Mu Gak wants to kill them himself. I love that this drama was able to move away from common K-Drama leads that are beautiful, unparalleled pictures of excellence, while never making them un-relatable or unlikeable. Alternatively, I find that this made our leads much more endearing and realistic. They had been hurt and were unwilling to forgive, and we as viewers were able to empathise with that.

The conclusion of the villain arch was executed perfectly. It was the heart-pounding, thrilling climax we were promised, and was not disappointing in the least. There was also enough time at the end to chuck in some nice cutesiness and wrap up our main cast nicely.

When heart-pounding and cutesy collide

Steady Plot:

Oh, how nice it was to not have a drama with any lags. Both the detective storyline and the love-line managed to keep steady (if not racing) momentum. There were enough events going on in the drama that the writers could take their time unveiling the main mystery without the drama becoming too drawn-out. It makes good use of its 16 episodes- giving enough time to initial set up, character/relationship development, going deeper into the main issue, final conflict, and resolution.

That finale though ♥

Devoting enough time to all these aspects makes it a very rounded, well-thought out show. Another bonus of this series is that it sticks to its own science. I don’t mind too much if the science in dramas is a little flawed, and ‘The Girl Who Sees Smells’ is definitely not based in the realm of strict scientific fact. However, once it presents an idea as the truth it sticks to it- and in the world of dramaland, that’s all I really ask. There were never any points in the drama where solutions were unjustifiably formed, or characters were able to escape a situation by using unexplored methods. Okay, the police work was sometimes a little sloppy (I mean, I’m sure some of those interrogations weren’t exactly legal), but I won’t lie- I didn’t come to this drama for its accurate representation of homicide investigations.

Don't look too hard at the science guys

What Wasn’t:

Vague Explanations:

The only real downside to this show was that we were not given a satisfactory wrap-up for our murderer's intentions. The situation itself is adequate, with the arrest, disappearance and final confrontation- but we were given no explanation to how one of our main characters ended up the way they did. Childhood abuse was touched-on, but was never further explained or confirmed.

Why won't you people tell me what the deal is with this?!?

The fact is, our murderer had such a unique way of killing people, and such a unique reason for doing so, that I really wanted to know how they got there. Simply implying that they’re a total psycho isn’t enough. The detailed, meticulous method was fascinating, and it was interesting that none of the victims had any apparent connections. I wanted to know how our murderer decided on a victim- what was so special about that individual’s life over any others that they wanted to own it? Why the barcodes? How did it all start? And while it was acknowledged that the first known Barcode Murder wasn’t actually the first victim, it was never adequately explored. Throughout the show, many interesting psychological questions were raised and thrown around that I was excited for the final explanation of our murderer. I was more than a little disappointed when it never came.

Re-watch?

Yes, yes, yes. The pairing of the main couple alone is worth a re-watch, but add in a compelling storyline and a solid villain performance, and there’s no reason to not watch it again. Definitely one of my all-time favourites.

Best couple ever. No lie.