Deciding which to watch

With 5 new kdramas premiering this week, I really didn't know which to watch. Not to mention that I had a bunch of 2009 dramas that I need to catch up with. So I decided to watch all the first (and maybe second) eps. I've just finished 공부의 신//God of Study. It's the k-remake of the jdorama Dragon Zakura.

Yeah, another k-remake. One after another, and seems like more to come. Mawang aka Maou (adapted from the novel, not remade), Boys Over Flower, The Man Who Can't Get Married, God Of Study, Itazura Na Kiss (upcoming?), Zettai Kareshi (upcoming?)...

Ever since BOF, I've been really unsure about k-remakes. They tend to add details to the original, usually because they are allocated at least 50% more drama time than the jdorama. Sometimes such details fill up gaps (in the sense that they add plot developments in areas the audience desires, eg more romance, not in the sense that they make up for loopholes in the original, which are very rare) but sometimes, they vandalise the simplicity of the original with unwelcomed plot twists.

 

( Comparison under the cut )