Here at KafeNook, I developed a review rating system that covers what I focus on when I watch a Kdrama. Rating Kdramas helps me to compare my thoughts and feelings from one Kdrama to another. It also provides a way for patrons at KafeNook to make decisions about what Kdrama to watch next.
What Goes Into the KafeNook Review Rating System?
To develop the KafeNook review rating system, I initially thought about using the standard 1-10 scale favored by other reviewers. Instead, I decided that a 1-5 scale would be sufficient as long as I’m clear on the elements that go into the ratings. It helps that I came up with five key items look at:
Thought Provoking: How much do I think about a Kdrama, both while viewing it and after I’ve finished watching it? If elements of the show stay with me for a long time (i.e. several days to weeks), that means the series has had a definite impact on me. Key factors that play into this include originality, emotional connection, humor, characterization.
Anticipation: While watching the series, did I anticipate viewing each new episode? Did I watch the series without watching other Kdramas in between? Did I looked forward to each episode to see what would happen next? A “yes” answer to these questions indicates that the show kept my attention.
Ending: Did I find the ending to be satisfying? I don’t necessarily need a perfectly, happy ending, but I do want a satisfying ending that either resolves the main arcs of the series or leaves just enough open for my imagination to fill in the rest.
Soundtrack: Does the music from the soundtrack play through my head, even after I’ve finished watching the show? I’m not talking about playing through my head in that annoying, I wish it would stop, kind of way. This is music that elevates and adds to the drama in only the best possible way.
Rewatchability: Would I watch the series again? Kdramas tend to be around 16 episodes at 16 plus hours longs. If I’m going to spend time watching something I’ve seen before, I better like it a lot.
I could add more categories like: performances, cinematography, set design, costumes, visual effects. The list goes on. All of these elements are important in a good Kdrama and I definitely factor them into my ratings. After all, if things like the performances or visual effects are lacking, I may draw out watching episodes or be less interested in rewatching the series.
KafeNook Review Rating System Scoring
Scoring occurs by giving one point is given in each category. A perfect score of 5 means that the show met all of my criteria (like Crash Landing on You). I deduct partial points in a given category as needing depending on how well I thought a series met that category. I’ll use my review of Her Private Life as an example:
Her Private Life Review Score: 4.7
- Thought-Provoking – .8
- I thought a lot about Her Private Life as I was watching the series and some afterwards but not as much as some of the other shows I’ve watched.
- Anticipation – 1
- I could not wait to watch each episode to see what would happen next.
- Ending – 1
- I found the ending to be very satisfying.
- Soundtrack – 1
- So many good songs on this soundtrack.
- Rewatchability – .9
- I would definitely watch again, but there are other shows I would watch again first.
KafeNook Ratings Sips
Because this is KafeNook, what better way to communicate the KafeNook review rating system than through sips. This can be sips of your favorite hot (or cold) beverage as you savor watching – or reading about – Kdramas.
Happy watching – and sipping!
