JULY 2025 WRAP UP

Caitlin Connolly
Jul 30
8 min read

Updated: Aug 31

July is keeping up with what I have been averaging for the year 2025. At least I am consistent. I wish I had completed more dramas in this month because I didn't start anything new and was working on clearing my current watchlist. I made progress but I still need to clear about 3 dramas before I think I have cleared my current watchlist enough. BUT WE MADE PROGRESS and cleared dramas off my current watchlist that I should be faster at getting off of it. I also snuck in some dramas that I started and completed in July as well as binged a Cdrama that I needed to watch for a review episode coming up on the podcast. SO OVERALL, I declare that July was a good month for me even though I still completed the same number of dramas that I did for the year of 2025.

DRAMAS/MOVIES I COMPLETED IN JULY

I didn't record a bunch of podcast episodes in July so, most of what I completed in July were dramas that I needed to get off my current watchlist. I did still record 1 podcast episode which I will be releasing in August. August is going to have a lot more podcast recordings that I need to complete dramas and other things for as well as prepare for. I still plan to spend August clearing off more dramas off my current watchlist. I completed some fantastic dramas in July and 1 drama that I wish was better and I had different expectations for.

Marry My Husband (Jdrama) (AMAZON PRIME): I LOVED that this version was darker than the Kdrama version. I definitely liked this version more especially since it took out the one part of the Kdrama version I didn’t like. This drama had great chemistry with leads. It had great acting especially the villains. This Jdrama had some comedy but overall had a lot more serious tone which I appreciated. I loved the OSTs. The villains were more insane and darker, and I love a good villain. I loved the changes that this version did which made it uniquely their own. I had a few minor issues with the drama, but I could ignore those and give it a 10/10. I hope that Japan keeps these collabs up because they are fun to watch.

RATING: 10/10

Karma (Kdrama) (NETFLIX): This is nearly a perfect drama for me. The twists & connections were insane! The cliffhangers were a lot of fun. It took a couple of episodes to get into, but the ending was SUPER satisfying. Also, you will hate almost everyone in this drama, very few people are likable. When everything was revealed, it blew my mind how everything was connected by the end. TW: gore & violence

RATING: 9.5/10

The Prisoner of Beauty (Cdrama) (VIKI): I can see why people are saying this cdrama is their drama of the year. I loved the lead couple. I loved how they complimented each other and their banter. I loved how smart the FL was. I loved how the male lead had a hard exterior but had a kind heart. I loved their relationship and how they opened up eventually together. The ending seemed rushed, and it was too easy to get rid of the villains BUT FANTASTIC DRAMA! A review of this cdrama with a guest host is coming to the NoSleep4Dramas Podcast in August so, look forward to that.

RATING: 9/10

A Life for a Life (Cdrama) (IQIYI): The Cdrama was good but could have been great. It has GREAT acting & cinematography! The pacing was off. It moved too slowly. I expected the plot to be different. It was more of a character driven story than I thought it would be. I wanted a cat & mouse story. I LOVED the complicated relationships.

RATING: 7.5/10

We Were Liars (American Show) (AMAZON PRIME): This was a quick watch. Because it was about a rich family, I sort of predicted some twists but others I did not. I also predicted parts of the ending but not all of it. It still had some good twists and great acting. I also didn’t fully agree with the main character and her attitude at the very end but OVERALL great series that kept you guessing until the end.

RATING: 9/10

NEW AUGUST 2025 DRAMAS I AM EXCITED FOR

I really didn't think I was going to be looking forward to a bunch of dramas in August since there is literally 1 crime Kdrama coming out in August. CLEARLY ASIAN DRAMALAND HAD OTHER PLANS! Now some of these dramas on this list for August (especially the Kdramas) I am on the fence if I am actually going to watch them. I might check them out and then might not continue but we will have to see. I at least want to give them a shot because I still want variety on my current watchlist and not be watching crimes 100% of the time. I just might drop them because I know the genre might not be for me. Other Asian Dramas On this list I have been looking forward to them since they were announced AND WE ARE FINALLY getting them in August. So, I got a good list of Dramas I am looking forward to in August. I know there are even more dramas out there that I am excited for that are rumored for August, but they aren't on this list because I need confirmed premiere dates.

Mary Kills People (Kdrama) [PREMIERES AUGUST 1, 2025]

This is the one crime Kdrama that is coming out in August 2025. So, naturally, it is on my list of dramas I am looking forward to in August. This a remake of the Canadian TV Series that goes by the same name. I have not watched it myself. The cast is good for this with Lee Bo Young, Lee Min Ki and Kang Ki Young. There is a rumor that Kang Ki Young is playing a villain again but that isn't confirmed. We know he can play a villain well so, I am excited to see if that is true. What really draws me to this drama though is the story. Lee Bo Young is playing a doctor who helps terminally ill patients end their life even though it is illegal. I bet I am going to cry a lot with this one, especially if they explore the patients' lives in any capacity.

Khemjira (Thai Drama) (IQIYI) [PREMIERES AUGUST 9, 2025]

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS DRAMA FOREVER! Ever since it was announced, it has been on my radar AND WE ARE FINALLY GETTING IT IN AUGUST! I am probably going to wait and watch this once it has completed airing because I don't think I can watch this week to week. It is a horror BL romance drama. The main character named Khem is born into a cursed family. If a boy is born into the family, they are destined to die before the age of 20. His mother gave him a girl's name which protected him until he turned 19. Now, he has to seek out Peem who is a Shaman to investigate his family's curse and hopefully avoid his family's curse. This definitely will have horror elements and Thailand does horror SO WELL! This cast are people I have never seen in a drama but that makes this drama more interesting to me. The plot is definitely what is making me excited to check this out.

The Echoes of Survivors: Inside Korea's Tragedies (Korean Documentary) (NETFLIX) [PREMIERES AUGUST 15, 2025]

Whenever Netflix comes out with a Korean crime documentary, I AM THERE! I love crime documentaries in general which probably doesn't surprise anyone. The other Korean crime documentaries that Netflix has put out, In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal and The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea are FANTASTIC! I am so glad we are getting another one because it has been a couple of years since the last one. Apparently, this documentary will not just cover religious organizations but other crimes as well. Some of these crimes we have seen addressed in Kdramas such as the Sampoong Department Store collapses which is rumored to be one of the cases explored in this documentary. If you are looking for a fantastic true crime podcast about Korean crimes, I love Korean True Crime.

Aema (Kdrama) (NETFLIX) [PREMIERES AUGUST 22]

This is one of the kdramas I am on the fence about. The trailer looks so fun and wild. I am so curious about this time period and the movie business in Korea at that time. THE CAST LOOKS AMAZING! I just don't know if the comedy is going to work for me. It is only 6 episodes so maybe I can stick it out. I at least want to try it out and see how it is.

Bon Appetit, Your Majesty (Kdrama) (RUMOR is NETFLIX) [PREMIERES AUGUST 23]

This is the other Kdrama I am on the fence about... I AM HERE FOR THE FOOD! That is pretty much why I am interested in this drama. I don't mind the cast, but they don't draw me in at all. The trailer also has comedy in it and again I don't know if I will like the comedy or not. I am just here for the food porn because it is about a chef who is whisked back to the Joseon Dynasty and has to cook for the king.

Twelve (Kdrama) (DISNEY +/HULU?) [PREMIERES AUGUST 23]

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS KDRAMA SINCE IT WAS ANNOUNCED! The cast is STACKED! The concept of the Zodiac in this drama sounds fascinating. I am MOST excited to see Park Hyung Sik as a villain in this. I have been wanting him to play a villain FOR SO LONG! I haven't seen all of his dramas so maybe he has played a villain before but Twelve will be the first time I will watch him play a villain. He has taken some interesting roles in 2025. Twelve also brings Ma Dong Seok back to Kdramaland and it has been at almost 10 years since he has been a lead in a Kdrama. He has been in a lot of movies though. I just hope this Kdrama is good. I am trying to not have too high of expectations.

OLDER DRAMAS I PLAN TO START IN AUGUST DUE TO PODCAST RECORDINGS OR OTHER THINGS: