5 K-Dramas with brilliant beginnings and messiest endings: When The Phone Rings to Memories of the Alhambra
We’ve all been there, three episodes into a new K-drama and already texting friends that we’ve found our next all-time favourite, cancelling plans to squeeze in just one more episode, and defending the show to anyone who’ll listen because the chemistry is electric, the plot is clever and the soundtrack has been on repeat for days. Then somewhere around episode six or eight, something shifts, as a…
1. When the Phone Rings (2024)
The first few episodes of this K-drama offered a thrilling political marriage, a mysterious phone call, and a woman who held the strings. However, things went awry when Hee-joo's revenge mission took her to a war zone, transforming the thriller into a love story.
2. Dynamite Kiss (2025)
This romantic comedy began with a kiss on Jeju and a charming male lead. However, midway through the series, the writers packed the story with loan sharks, kidnappings, fires, and a love triangle, leading to an abrupt amnesia-inducing accident in the final episode.
3. Memories of the Alhambra (2018)
The dream casting of Hyun Bin and Park Shin-hye couldn't save this drama from falling into a repetitive loop of sword fights against the same undead knight in dark alleys. Park Shin-hye's character was sidelined, and the ending left more questions than answers.
4. Queen of Tears (2024)
This big-budget K-drama started with potential, featuring a country boy trapped in a family of billionaires and a heartfelt reunion. However, the addition of an uncatchable villain, constant plot twists, and a memory loss storyline ultimately led to a frustrating and unsatisfying conclusion.
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