Gomen ne, I never got around to listing the dramas I’m looking forward to this year (back in the EotY TV Show special), but I finally put together a list of the first-quarter dramas that have caught my eye. Here we go!

Love Shuffle (ラブシャッフル): I’m going absolutely bonkers for this one because of Matsuda Shota, Karina, and it’s swingin’ – literally – plot. This drama features four couples, which automatically means this will be a love story of sorts. However, the clincher is that these eight characters end up swapping partners with one another. The synopsis states that the characters switch it up in an effort to figure out if they really want to be with their current partners or not, blahblahblah, but all I know is that I’m very interested in watching Shota man-whore himself. Also, Kanjiya Shihori is in this, so I’m doubly excited for a little HYD reunion (she played Hinata Sara, the only girl who ever got to call Soujiroh “Jiro,” huuu).
 
 

Superstar Express (愛就宅一起): Okay, with a comedy/romance that features a main character – a grown man – whose intelligence is supposed to be that of an 8-year-old… let’s just say my curiosity is piqued. However, I don’t want to give it the stamp of disapproval before I see what’s going on with the man-child. Other than that, I’m looking forward to Taiwanese sweetheart Rainie Yang doing what she does best in the drama world: playing offbeat characters (in this case, an agoraphobic landlord). Boy band sensation Jiro Wang plays yet another character with a crazy weird name: Mars. Ahem, Mars. Well, I can safely say that totally beats “Michelin,” the name of his character in Rolling Love… The “superstar” aspect of the title has to do with the fact that Mars was once a successful actor, but is currently a broke down one, and he ends up seeking cheap-rent refuge in the nutty landlord’s building. Although, the non-English title means, “If You’re in Love, Then Be Together.”
 
 

Voice (ヴォイス ): Eita! Ikuta Toma! Alert, alert! I’m totally dreamboatin’ Eita at the moment, and I’m excited he’s finally landed a lead role. It doesn’t hurt that Toma is in the mix, and judging from how his face is intentionally mangled in the official banner, I’m assuming he plays the antagonist, which is a refreshing change of pace. Can’t always be Mr. Nice Guy, right? It looks like this is going to be one of those detective/suspense dramas where every episode ends with an, “I just blew your mind, oh yeah I did” cliffhanger. As someone who watched all of Liar Game and actually enjoyed the Saw meets Survivor plot (on the Fear Factor set), I think it’s safe to say I’m ready for any off-key notes that Voice may be beltin’ out.
 
 

Starlit (心星的淚光): When I saw the film Turn Left Turn Right for the first time (because you know Takeshi Kaneshiro as a sensitive violinist deserves multiple viewings), I was absolutely taken with Terri Kwan. In fact, she stole the show as the adorably bossy delivery girl hell bent on futzing up the main romance. Ever since then, I’ve been following her film career, but as for her dramas, I’ve never been able to sit through any, on account of a sheer lack of interest. This drama stars Jerry Yan as a pianist who has to deal with his money-grubbin’ mama, as well as with a car accident that left his hands injured. Kwan’s character apparently caused the accident a few years ago, and when the two characters leave Taiwan for various reasons and bump into each other in Shanghai, secrets start to surface. Chen Zhi Kai, of Corner with Love fame, plays the dapper, but boring lover, so by the looks of it, he’s going for another dissed-rich-boyfriend role. It’s shaping up to be a potentially insufferable melodrama, but I’m hoping it’s just enough for me to stomach because I really want to see Kwan shine in a television role for once.
 
 

Boys Before Flowers (꽃보다 남자 ): Okay, well, I don’t really need to say anything about this one, now do I? However, I will say that once upon a time, I looked forward to it. Now… I’m not so sure if I’m looking forward to watching anymore of it… Granted, the lead actor (Lee Min Ho playing Goo Joon Pyo, aka Domyouji Tsukasa) is good looking—like KimuTaku foine—but I think I’m way too attached to the Japanese HYD. One of the reasons why I love HYD so much is because I adore all of F4 equally, and I don’t feel the same way about this version. I’m not even feeling Yoon Ji Hoo (aka Hanazawa Rui), so I’m pretty much like F-it, if it’s only going to be F1. Oh well, you win some, you lose some… T_T
 
  
What are you guys watching right now and/or looking forward to? I’d love to hear what your 2009 k-drama picks are because I’m pretty clueless there.