Dear December: All the swoons and laughter

"Love Your Enemy" kdrama is perfecting the enemies-to-lovers trope. I'm into the kdrama within the first few minutes of the first episode! "When the Phone Rings" surprised me, but in a good way.

It’s finally December! *screams excitedly* The cozy weather, golden holiday vibes, and a warm cup of tea just call for kdrama marathons, don’t they? I’ve been catching up on some kdramas this month, namely “Love Your Enemy” and “When the Phone Rings.” Who’s in the mood for intense kdrama? (Not to mention intense chemistry!) Maybe some good old enemies-to-lovers trope?

Let’s get to it!

“Love Your Enemy” – Opposites attract with a dash of chaos and cute flashbacks

If you’re into hate-to-love relationships, this kdrama might also be your jam. The story revolves around the two Ji Wons: Seok Ji Won and Yoon Ji Won, whose families have hated each other ever since their grandfathers had fallen in love with the same woman. You’re probably thinking, “‘Romeo and Juliet’, is that you?” Not quite. I have only watched the first two episodes, but it seems there’s more to Ji Won and Ji Won’s hatred for each other.

Ever since they were young, the two have been very competitive: sports, classes, running for President of the Student Council – You name it and they’re most probably at each other’s neck about it. The flashbacks were truly comical and enjoyable. 🫰🏼 They reminded me of Park Shin Hye and Park Hyung Sik in “Doctor Slump.” Fast forward to their adulthood and we get:

• Yoon Ji Won (the female lead), who has mellowed from “Mad Dog” back in their high school years to your regular high school gym teacher.

• Seok Ji Won (the male lead), who has come back from Dubai, irked and not convinced that Seok Ji Won has forgotten who he is.

Seok Ji Won comes back and finally agrees to handle the transfer of the school where Yoon Ji Won works – the very same school that Yoon Ji Won’s grandfather (and Seok Ji Won’s grandfather’s nemesis) is the chairman of. This is an insult to the Yoons, of course. How does Yoon Ji Won handle this? More so, how does she handle Seok Ji Won when he returns?

I love “Love Your Enemy” because it’s light enough to make you laugh and heartwarming enough to make you care about the characters. Those flashbacks of young Ji Won and Ji Won? Pure gold. If you’re missing the classic enemies-to-lovers trope with enough antics and sweetness to make you kick up your feet and scream, this drama delivers with a punch. ♥️

“When the Phone Rings” – A kdrama that will keep you on your toes… with your heart hammering against your chest (in a good way, okay? 😁)

Looking for something more intense and dramatic? “When the Phone Rings” had me intrigued and, not gonna lie, falling in love from the very first episode. The premise seems simple: The female lead, Hong Hee Joo, is suddenly kidnapped and the kidnapper calls her husband. The only thing is that Hee Joo’s husband, Presidential Spokesperson, Baek Sa Eon, doesn’t even care what the kidnapper does to Hee Joo. His response to the tense phone call? “Call me when there’s a corpse.”

That is crazy! 😱 As each scene unfolds, we get more and more of the story behind Hee Joo and Sa Eon’s marriage: It was arranged, as most affluent families in kdramaland are predisposed to do. The catch: Sa Eon was originally engaged to marry In A, the older sister of Hee Joo. However, In A ran away the day before the wedding. Desperate, Hee Joo’s mother tells her to take In A’s place and marry Sa Eon. And the rest, as they say, is history.

What makes this kdrama so gripping is how it slowly peels away the layers of our main leads’ stories: how their families have known each other forever, the reason why Hee Joo is mute, why Sa Eon agreed to marry Hee Joo, and so much more. Each episode just hooked me in, and I was (and still am!) eager to watch more. Too bad this is ongoing. Oh, well. They do say that patience is a virtue. 😝

Another winning element here is Hee Joo and Sa Eon’s chemistry. We get moody, gruff, cold Baek Sa Eon and seemingly meek and mild, almost a doormat Hong Hee Joo. And yet. And yet when they’re together, whether Sa Eon is furious or Hee Joo is finally standing up for herself… 🔥

“When the Phone Rings” is the kind of kdrama that will leave you wanting more. Watch this is if you’re looking for something moving and thrilling, but with enough dose of fire and sweetness.

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Calling all kdrama lovers: Check out these fun kdrama merch!

Speaking of kdramas, what’s better than watching your favorite series? Showing off your fandom pride with adorable merch, of course! 😁 Whether it’s a mug that says, “I fully support kdrama & chill” or a tote bag that proudly states, “Chaebol in Training”, there’s something for everyone. Including you. 🙂

You can browse around my newly opened shop for some cute finds, from tote bags to ref magnets that feature our beloved kdrama-related things (yes to “just one more episode” stickers!) and even cozy blankets or hoodies for your kdrama marathon sessions. These are perfect gifts for both yourself and your kdrama besties. 😌🛍️

Check them out here, the Ramyeon and Kdrama shop, and let me know which ones you’re eyeing!

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That’s it for me this week! Let me know if you’ve watched either “Love Your Enemy” or “When the Phone Rings.” Which one are you adding to your watchlist? Don’t forget to share other kdramas that you’re watching, whether old or new — I need recommendations, too! 😁 Happy December, and happy watching! 🫶