I am back again. I already told you this honesty series is far from over and this time, it's about those popular and widely loved K-dramas I didn’t bother to start. 

Because this one is not about starting and stopping. This is about dramas I looked at, heard about, saw everywhere, and still said, “Not today.”

Again, before anyone sharpens their think pieces, this is my opinion. If your fave is here and you loved it, I love that for you sincerely.

Now come with me. 

Alchemy of Souls

Now hear me out because I know you were probably not expecting this one, but this drama suffered from excessive hype for me. I didn’t even start it, and I already felt tired because every corner of the internet was screaming about it and once that happens, my interest just packs off. 

Then, just when season 2 was about to be released, and I was considering watching the first season mainly because of the female lead, she got changed, and at that point, I just gave up because I’m very emotional about character attachment, and once I invest in someone, I don’t like emotional replacements. I won’t lie, though. Now that the hype has calmed down and people are talking about it more rationally, I might try it someday.

Descendants of the Sun

You see this one? I was late! As in very late to the party. I only found out about this gem when I fell in love with Song Joong Ki in Vincenzo, and by the time I considered watching this, real life had already interfered. Knowing how things played out between the lead actors outside the drama made it hard for me to fully buy into the romance. My heart just couldn’t do it, and honestly, sometimes it’s not about the drama being bad; it’s just about timing, and unfortunately, this one missed me.

Squid Game

This one is simple. The hype was overwhelming, and when I eventually tried to watch it, it just didn’t click. I understood the social commentary, and I got the message, but the execution felt too graphic for my personal taste. It wasn’t discomfort that made me think; it was discomfort that made me want to stop eating my snacks. Impactful? Yes. For me? No, so what did I do? Quietly step aside and let it go. 

When Life Gives You Tangerine

This one pains me a little because it’s exactly the kind of drama I would normally love because it’s soft, emotional, and character-driven. My problem was spoilers. I saw them, read them, and I understood the emotional weight ahead and realized I wasn’t mentally ready for that kind of pain. There are dramas you watch casually, and there are dramas you prepare your soul for. This one felt like an emotional commitment I couldn’t sign at the time, but maybe in the future. 

Dear Hongrang

This was another case of being late to the party because by the time I was ready, everyone had already moved on and discussions were over, and spoilers were everywhere, and I wouldn’t have minded the lack of communal excitement because not as I cared but the spoilers already spoiled my chances. I might still watch it someday, but the moment has passed.

Let me put this disclaimer: Boycotting a drama doesn’t mean it’s bad; sometimes it just means it didn’t meet you at the right time, the right mood, or the right emotional capacity.

And that’s okay. Anyway, expect another one because this is far from over. 

Now your turn. Which popular K-Drama did you deliberately avoid and why?