Daebak K-Rambles Podcast: Kdrama Reviews

On episode 101 and the kick-off to season 7, Jess shares beginner-friendly Korean dramas! If you’ve never watched a K-drama—or you tried once and bounced—this episode is your starting point.
This isn’t a simple list of “the best” K-dramas. It’s a guide to which shows actually teach you how to watch K-dramas: clear genres, familiar tropes, strong emotional hooks, fast rewards, and stories that don’t require too much cultural homework to enjoy.
From global gateway hits like Crash Landing on You and Squid Game to comfort watches, thrillers, fantasy, and historicals that ease you in without overwhelm, this episode breaks down what makes a K-drama accessible—and which ones actually convert first-time viewers into fans. Beginner-friendly doesn’t mean simple—it means low friction, high emotional payoff.
Whether you’re brand new, K-drama curious, or recommending shows to a skeptical friend, this is your roadmap.
✨ No gatekeeping.
✨ No rankings.
✨ Just the right place to start.
Intro Music Credit: “Golden Coconut Club” by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.
Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 8!

Celebrate 100 episodes of Daebak K-Rambles with this special solo episode!
Jess counts down 100 iconic K-drama moments that made her laugh, cry, scream, and fall in love all over again. From Crash Landing on You and Goblin to Move to Heaven and The Red Sleeve, this nostalgic deep dive revisits the most emotional, funny, and unforgettable scenes in Jess' K-drama history.
Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to the pod, this is your ultimate K-drama nostalgia trip—a love letter to the dramas, both iconic and obscure, that shaped us, broke us, and live rent-free in our heads.
Intro Music Credit: “Golden Coconut Club” by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.
Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 7!

On Episode 99 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by Grace and Sarah from the Afternoona Asks Podcast to review 2018's I'm Not a Robot, starring Yoo Seung-ho and Chae Soo-bin.
Jess, Grace, and Sarah talk through this delightful rom-com K-drama, discussing the preposterous plot, the sincere and earnest love story, how prescient an AI robot actually is, the FL's agency, tiny orange (or pink?) dresses, fart gaslighting, steamy kitchen kisses, and SO MUCH MORE!
GUEST: Grace & Sarah
Afternoona Asks Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple

Instagram: @afternoonaasks

Instagram: @kdramathis

Instagram: @graceaxolotlequestions

http://www.afternoonaasks.com

www.kdramathis.com
Intro Music Credit: “Golden Coconut Club” by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.
Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 7!

On Episode 98 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess is joined by friend Nas from the Swoon Diaries Podcast to review 2013's That Winter, the Wind Blows, starring Jo In-sung and Song Hye-kyo.
Jess and Nas talk through this melodrama K-drama, discussing the horrendous, flawed characters, the unhinged plot filled with faux-cest, suicide ideation, and random stabbings, SNL Korea-spoofed scenes and tender moments, the questionable ending, and SO MUCH MORE!
GUEST: Nas
Swoon Diaries Podcast: Available on Spotify, Google, Apple
Instagram: @swoondiariespod
Twitter: @swoondiariespod
YouTube
Intro Music Credit: “Golden Coconut Club” by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.
Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 7!

On Episode 97 of the Daebak K-Rambles Podcast, Jess and all the Certified Noonas (Natalia, Jessie, Amanda, and Sky) review Always (2011), starring So Ji-sub and Han Hyo-joo.
Jess and the Noonas discuss this melodrama romance movie, talking through this cast (i.e., So Ji-sub lovefest and Han Hyo-joo praise), the complaints from Letterboxd reviewers, Rocky comparisons, favorite scenes, questions about rusty table-and-chair sculptures, stolen turtles, illegal MMA fights in Thailand, and more!
GUEST: Certified Noonas – Natalia, Jessie, Amanda, Sky
Website: certifiednoonas.com
Podcast: https://certifiednoonas.podbean.com

Instagram: @certifiednoonas
Twitter: @certifiednoonas

YouTube: @CertifiedNoonas

Intro Music Credit: “Golden Coconut Club” by Tearliner, from the Cheese in the Trap OST. Used with permission from the artist.
Rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, follow us on all the socials, and be sure to let us know what you want to see in Season 7!