OCTOBER 2025 WRAP UP

Caitlin Connolly
14 minutes ago
9 min read

October was a good month for me. Did I watch a lot of scary dramas to celebrate Halloween? No, I did not even though that was the plan at one point BUT I did complete some dramas for some podcast recordings and also got some other dramas off my current watchlist. My current watchlist is nowhere near clear or empty but I am slowly chipping away at it. In November, I have no podcast recordings scheduled so, my plan is to continue to get dramas off my current watchlist so, it can be as empty as I can get it by the end of 2025. There is 1 more Cdrama that I plan to complete before October is complete, but I will give you my mini review in my November Wrap Up blogpost and podcast episode because I will be completing it after this blogpost is posted. I can't believe we only have 2 more months of 2025 to go!

DRAMAS/MOVIES I COMPLETED IN OCTOBER

October was a mix of everything. It was a mix of currently airing dramas that I caught up on and completed and dramas that were completed already. It was a mix of dramas and anime. It was a mix of dramas from various countries such as Korea, China and Japan. It was a mix of genre from romance to crime. I loved some of the dramas and I also just thought some dramas were just okay. Hey, at least I didn't hate any of the dramas I completed. I had a mix of dramas that I was getting off my current watchlist and other dramas I started and completed for podcast recordings.

Mysterious Lotus Casebook (Cdrama) (iQIYI): I loved this cdrama. I had a lot of fun with the main trio. I loved the bromance especially between Cheng Yi and Joseph Zeng's characters. I didn't think there would be comedy in this drama but there was and it fit really well. I LOVED Cheng Yi's character. He was my favorite in the drama. I did think it was a little long - the drama could have trimmed off come episodes. I also would have liked a different ending. The ending made sense, but I wish it wasn't an open ending either. I am a sucker for this setup - a wuxia drama where a group of people travel around solving crimes. That means I might be a little bias with this cdrama but I still loved and can see why a lot of other people love this cdrama.

RATING: 9/10

Tempest (Kdrama) (DISNEY +/HULU): PLEASE watch this drama for the main couple & their chemistry. IT WAS AMAZING! I WISH THE DRAMA HAD DONE MORE WITH THEIR CHEMISTRY! The political part didn’t 100% make sense but if you didn't read too much into it, it was still enjoyable. Some of the “bad guys” I wish had different endings. I didn't mind the ending. I know other people hated the ending, but it was also not the ideal ending even for me. The ending made sense to me, but others won’t like it. There were A LOT of plot holes with this drama if you look into it and analyze it too much so, I suggest just watching this for entertainment and don't try and analyze it too much.

RATING: 8.5/10

Queen Mantis (Kdrama) (VIKI): This is a decent crime Kdrama but it could have been better. The STUPID cop trope was rampant and annoying. It had AMAZING acting! It had good twists. A part of the background of the main villain was NOT needed but it was part of the French show this Kdrama is a remake of. The kdrama still could have changed that from the French drama and really made be downrate this drama. I don't want to say what that background was because it is a HUGE spoiler for the Kdrama. Just FYI, this Kdrama is VERY dark and sometimes hard to watch. Also, it was setup for a potential Season 2 which some people might not like.

RATING: 8/10

Kaiju No. 8 Season 1 (Anime) (CRUNCHYROLL/AMAZON PRIME): I enjoyed this a lot. I loved the main lead. He added a lot of heart in this anime. I LOVED the found family. It was funnier than I anticipated and I loved that. I thought the comedy fit the anime well. The fight scenes were so cool. I wish Kafka had more moments with Mina. I need to go watch Season 2 now because I am curious what season 2 added to the story and if they gave more background to other members within the team.

RATING: 9/10

Hold My Hand at Twilight (Jdrama) (VIKI): I wanted to like this more than I did. I loved the cinematography/lighting. I loved the OSTs. I loved the messaging. I loved the found family. I felt like the FL at the beginning was portrayed too naive & childlike. It went too much in that direction and could have been balanced out more. The story was too drawn out and could have had less episodes. I wish we got more story with the male lead even though I know this drama really concentrated on the female lead. I had some issues with the ending as well and how all of that played out.

RATING: 7.5/10

NEW NOVEMBER 2025 DRAMAS I AM EXCITED FOR

So, October I was excited for practically nothing coming out, especially Kdramas. NOVEMBER THAT IS NOT THE CASE! I am going to have to pick and choose what I choose to start in November. I don't have the room on my current watch or the time to start everything I am excited for. I am glad I have a lot to look forward too thought. That is always exciting for me. I even have some dramas coming out in November that ARE NOT Kdramas which is always fun for me to talk about. What upcoming dramas in November are you excited for?

The Manipulated (Kdrama) (DISNEY +/HULU) [PREMIERES NOVEMBER 5, 2025]

The MAIN reason I am excited for The Manipulated is I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE D.O. PLAYING A VILLAIN! I have always liked D.O. as an actor. I think he is very talented, but I have never seen him take on a Villain role AND I CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH HIM KILL IT! D.O. also has not done a drama since 2022 so, I am just excited to watch him in a drama again. OF COURSE, The Manipulated is a crime drama so, naturally I would be excited just because of that. It also is a remake of a pretty entertaining Korean Movie called Fabricated City so, I am excited to watch the Kdrama version of it. IT IS ALSO CONFIRMED FOR DISNEY PLUS AND HULU which is always nice to see.

Dear X (Kdrama) (HBO MAX) [Premieres November 6, 2025]

Now, I heard about Dear X at the beginning of 2025, so, I am happy to finally see it coming out. I feel like we have been waiting forever for this Kdrama. This is going to be a dark disturbing crime thriller drama AND I AM HERE FOR IT! I can't wait to see Kim You Jung take on this darker role. I also missed seeing Kim Young Dae and Kim Do Hoon on my screen. I think they can pull off these darker roles very well. I think it is hilarious that it is airing supposedly on HBO MAX which is owned by the same company that bought Dramafever back in the day and then just shut it down. Just for that same company NOW buying up Kdramas to air on their platform because it is now "popular". We will have to see if it actually airs on HBO MAX outside of Asia. I am hoping this one is good so, we will have to wait and see.

Dynamite Kiss (Kdrama) [PREMIERES NOVEMBER 12, 2025]

I KNOW - WHAT IS THIS?! Caitlin has an ACTUAL Rom-Com on her list to check out. There are 3 reasons why Dynamite Kiss is on my list to check out. I can't promise I am going to stick with it BUT I am at least going to check it out. I AM PRAYING SOMEONE WILL PICK IT UP AND AIR IT INTERNATIONALLY! My first reason is Jang Ki Yong. We know he is one of my favorite Korean Actors so, anything he stars in, I will at least check out. Also, he plays a CEO in this so SUITS - LOTS OF SUITS! Second, it is written by the write who did Mystic Pop Up Bar which I loved so, I think the writing will be good with this Kdrama. Third, I am watching A LOT of dark dramas, and the plot and setup seems like it will be fun. Even the proposed second couple sounds fun! The promo and stills of this drama seem really cute.

Last Samurai Standing (Jdrama) (NETFLIX) [PREMIERES NOVEMBER 13, 2025]

THE TRAILER FOR THIS JDRAMA LOOKED AWESOME! I also think the plot of this Jdrama sounded intense and fast paced. This story is about a large group of people gathered together to win a prize. They have to play a game and survive the game while killing their opponents. It is also a historical Jdrama which drew my attention because we don't get a lot of those. Apparently, it is based off of a novel and a manga. It also looks like it had a fairly high budget. I also like a bunch of the cast members so, I am curious to see them all fight against each other in this game.

Had I Not Seen the Sun (Tdrama) (NETFLIX) [PREMIERES NOVEMBER 13, 2025]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOREVER FOR THIS CRIME TAIWANESE DRAMA AND WE ARE FINALLY GETTING IT IN NOVEMBER!! First off, it stars one of my FAVORITE Taiwanese actors Tseng Ching Hua. If you have not watched Oh No! Here Come Trouble, Light The Night or The Victim's Game - GO WATCH THOSE RIGHT NOW! Taiwan does some AWESOME crime dramas. Second of all, this plot and drama is RIGHT UP MY ALLEY! It is about a man who turns himself in for a series of murders and admits to being this famous serial killer but never tells his motive. While in prison, he accepts 1 interview, and the interviewer somehow becomes involved with the crimes he committed and secrets that were never said. Also, the female lead is a great actress as well. The trailer for this drama looks AMAZING! I just can't wait for this drama. It can't come soon enough but WARNING, it will be dark.

Heroes Next Door (Kdrama) [PREMIERES NOVEMBER 17, 2025]

This just sounds like a fun time. It also is done by my favorite Kdrama network in Korea, ENA. Apparently, the story is a group of people who are all a part of this reserve special forces unit. Something happens in their neighborhood, and they band together to protect the neighborhood. IT IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A COMEDY! This sounds like the type of comedy I will like. It looks like it will have a lot of action as well. I also LOVE a lot of the cast and the fact that most of them are on the older side.

Taxi Driver Season 3 (Kdrama) [PREMIERES NOVEMBER 21, 2025]

LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST - WE ARE FINALLY GETTING SEASON 3 OF TAXI DRIVER! I love that we are getting another season of this Kdrama. I loved Season 1 and Season 2 so much! I am excited to revisit the core members of the crew and interested to see what new people join Season 3. For those of you who don't know, this is a DARK and VIOLENT Kdrama but has some of the best-found family I have ever seen. It also has some great comedy in it but overall is very dark and violent. Apparently, Yoon Shi Yoon is doing at least a cameo in Season 3. I am just so curious who the main villain will be and who else will show up in Season 3! ALSO, THIS POSTER IS AMAZING!

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