This is my very first blog here and the reason why I chose to write on Korean dramas is because I hold this topic close to my heart.
Around 5 months back I was a layman to anything related to Korea (K-dramas where not even in the picture). But now I have already watched around 20 Korean dramas, interested in learning Korean (Hangul) and my dream travel destination is also South Korea. Now, are you wondering what made me such a big fan of this “land of the morning calm”? I would like to answer in just two words “Korean Drama”.
Asian dramas are famous for their romantic angle, highly packed emotions, and of course fashion. But to me what matters the most is the storyline as it is what makes you go through all 16 to 20 episodes without snoozing.
Here I will share with you my exclusive list of must-watch Korean dramas with a promise that you would LOVE THEM ALL!!!
Let’s start with the most recommended ones-
1. Descendants of The Sun
Starring- Song Joong- ki, Song Hye- kyo, Jin Goo, Kim Ji- won
Genres- Romance, Melodrama, Action
This drama beautifully highlights the efforts of the South Korean Special Forces and the medical team in a war-torn country. With Captain Yoo Shi Jin (Song Joong-Ki) playing the lead and his love interest being Doctor Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye-Kyo), you can expect some good romantic scenes coming your way.
Also, its storyline is by far the best so be ready to shed some tears and then have a hearty laugh the very next moment. It is a power-packed watch with some cool action scenes, a lot of military feel, and too many white coats.
P.S- Song Joong- Ki and Song Hye- Kyo turned from reel life couples to real-life couples in 2017 but are now separated!
2. Pinocchio
Starring- Lee Jong- suk, Park Shin- hye, Jin Kyung
Genres- Romance, Drama, Comedy, Family
The power of news and how some false statements can entirely transform the life of a happy family is what you will see in this drama.
Dal Po (Lee Jong- suk) and In- Ha (Park Shin- hye) share a unique relationship that is based on love and respect. But their past conflicts make them walk on different paths. Dal Po along with his elder brother seeks revenge for his father’s death whereas In-Ha (lady love) tries to help him but with a drawback of Pinocchio syndrome.
Lee Jong-suk is as always adorable in this drama also and shows some heart wrenching strong emotions with real ease. Get ready for some goosebumps, tears, and laughs which will leave a long-lasting impact on you.
3. It’s Okay to Not be Okay
Starring- Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, Oh Jung-se
Genres- Romance, Drama
If human psychology is what intrigues you then this is one of the best K dramas on Netflix to be watched.
Kim Soo-hyun has got a knack to play strict roles with a lot of depth and this one also exhibits his same side of acting. Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun) is a community health worker with a past that pushes him to constantly relocate along with his elder brother. Meanwhile, his childhood crush Ko Moon-young (Seo Ye-ji) becomes a recognized children’s book writer with antisocial syndrome.
Here you can look forward to a lot of psychological syndromes, some real heart touching stories, and scenes that will fill your heart with empathy.
4. Master’s Sun
Starring- So Ji- sub, Kong Hyo- jin, Seo In- guk
Genres- Romantic comedy, Fantasy, Horror fiction, Mystery
Korean dramas are famous for the “rich boy” and “poor girl” falling in love plot and Master’s Sun is a perfect example of this scenario. It is a must-watch for anybody who is into the supernatural genre and wants to savor the new flavor of it.
All of it started from one stormy night when Gong-sil (Kong Hyo-jin) “the ghost attracter” met Joong-won “the ghost repellent” who is also a rich CEO, and their fate got entangled since then.
So Ji-sub is an absolute charmer in this drama, showing off his charismatic personality perfectly paired with a lot of sarcasm and the use of word “kkeojyeo”, which basically means “get lost” in Korean.
5. Revolutionary Love
Starring- Choi Si-won, Kang So-ra, Gong Myoung
Genres- Romantic-Comedy
How rich businessmen misuse their power and boost corruption in the world can be clearly seen in this drama with a lot of detail on tax matters and the internal functioning of organizations.
Byun Hyuk (Choi Si-won) is a black sheep in his wealthy family and is always looked down by his father. But with the entry of Baek Jun (Kang So-ra) in his life, the tables turn to make Byun Hyuk the biggest rival of his father.
This drama made me laugh a lot! The funny scenes were too many and Choi SI-won’s acting is commendable. Some of the biggest corruptions of the business world have been highlighted here which is being fought by three musketeers… see for yourself if they will succeed or not!
6. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo
Starring- Lee Sung-kyoung, Nam Joo-hyuk, Lee Jae-yoon
Genres- Sports, Romantic-Comedy
For all sports lovers who are looking forward to seeking some motivation and real sportsman spirit should definitely tune into this drama.
Bok-joo (Lee Sung-kyoung) is a weightlifting athlete and a complete tomboy who is also the pride of her weightlifting club whereas Joon-hyung (Nam Joo-hyuk) is a swimmer but with an unresolved past. Bok-joo and Joon-hyung overcome some of their major life issues together and turn into lovely couples from always fighting friends.
It is a lightweight drama with some inspiring scenes and a lot of fun. Nam Joo-hyuk looks cute and will charm you with his adorable smile.
7. Oh My Venus!
Starring- Shin Mina, So Ji-sub, Jung Gyu-woon
Genres- Romance, Drama, Comedy, Physical fitness
Another So Ji-sub starring drama in my list (indeed I am a big fan of his)!
Joo-eun (Shin Mina) also known as “Venus of Daegu” gets dumped by her boyfriend of 15 years and walks on a journey to achieve something entirely different from her professional life, which is to lose weight. Meanwhile, Kim Young-Ho (So Ji-sub) is a perfectionist and a very handsome personal trainer who enters Joo-eun’s life for her better good.
Joo-eun’s journey from fat to fit and how their love blooms during this transformation are fun to see!
8. Legend of the blue sea
Starring- Lee Min-ho, Jun Ji-hyun, Shin Hye-sun
Genres- Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
With a lot of medieval time feel and past connections, the story runs in the present where Joon-Jae (Lee Min-ho) is a conman with some interesting tricks up his sleeves and is unreliable when it comes to trust. His connection with the mermaid and how his greed for her precious ornament takes him on a journey to his past life is worth watching.
There won’t be any dull moment throughout the 20 episodes of this drama! You will laugh, cry, and feel the power of mermaid love (all the while wishing to have a similar love story for yourself too).
9. Inheritors
Starring- Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye, Kim Woo-bin
Genres- Romance, Drama, Teen
Also known as The Heirs, this is one of the best K dramas to watch if you are also a big fan (just like me) of Lee Min-ho and Kim Woo-bin.
Wealth, rivalry and parent issues are the main focus of this drama. Tan (Lee Min-ho) who is the son of a rich businessman resides in California where he is merely passing his time in leisure. One fine day he meets Eun-sang (Park Shin-hye) who somehow manages to reach California to meet her sister with the issue of low funds and mother's disapproval.
This one is an overall quite a long story with many things happening at once. Some of the best scenes are where Lee Min-ho and Kim Woo-bin are sharing the same screen, so do look forward to it.
P.S- Lee Min-ho looks more like a Japanese Anime character in this drama, anyone who has watched bleach might feel that he looks like Ichigo Kurosaki (at least that is what I felt…lol)
10. Uncontrollably Fond
Starring- Kim Woo-bin, Bae Suzy, Lim Ju-hwan
Genres- Romance, Melodrama
This one is a total heart wrenching/heartbreaking drama that will make you go through crying spells even long after you finish watching it. I watched it two weeks ago and still trying to push out its last scene from my mind that made me cry for two hours.
Sin Jun-young (Kin Woo-bin) is a top actor and a heartthrob for all the girls in South Korea but his heart is stuck on Eul (Bae Suzy) who was his classmate in school. His fight with an incurable disease all the while seeking justice for his lady love Eul will break your heart many times but still stick through it as this one is a worth watch!
Tadaaaa… So here was my exclusive k drama list for you! Hope you would enjoy watching each one of them.
Do look forward to my other blogs on K dramas, I would keep you updated regularly.
See ya in my next Blog!