Korean Dramas To See
Friday, December 11, 2015
Here are all the Korean Dramas that I would recommend. And this is not a list of popular Korean Dramas. This is a list of the dramas that I really liked and would recommend. I will keep on adding the dramas to this list in the future as well. The dramas are listed in the order that I recommend you to watch them.
Heartstrings
Alternate Title(s) : You have Fallen for Me
Story : Lee Gyu Won (Park Shin Hye) is a bright personality girl who is studying traditional music. Lee Shin (Jung Young Hwa [CNBLUE]) is the most popular boy in the University and the member of a Band. Shin and Gyu Won meet as usually and start with fights. But Gyu Won starts slightly falling for Shin, and at the same time she comes to know about Shin’s secret. Shin is having a very strong one-sided love for Jung Yoon Su, The Dance Teacher in the university. Gyu Won try telling Shin that nothing will come out of this one-sided love. Shin tells her that he know that she likes him but she should just not concern with whom he likes. At the same time, Jung Yoon Su gets back together with her ex-boyfriend Kim Suk Hyun (these two had a painful breakup in the past but still had feelings for each other). Seeing them together Shin is a bit heartbroken. But Guy Won tries to console him and scold him for being so pitiful. Later Guy Won tells Shin that she will stop liking him. But after she has decided to stop liking Shin, Shin is slowly starting to like her…
Why Watch : This Drama has a unique ability to touch people’s souls. I don’t know what it is, but I feel there is a magic in this one. It is not loud and do not have many comic moments. But it’s so touching. Also, the romance is nothing dramatic. It feels like taken out of real life. Like how a normal campus couple will be. And all the characters are really lovable. Plus, Park Shin Hye’s acting is really good as usual. And I still consider Guy Won to be the best character Park Shin Hye ever played. Also, the music and OST of Heartstrings is really good.
(Also, this was the first Korean Drama I ever saw, and it got me addicted to Korean Dramas. After Heartstrings I saw many KDramas, yet Heartstrings remains to be my most favorite one).
Genre : Drama, Romance, University, Music, Heart Warming, Cuteness, Slice of Life
Number of Episodes: 15
Year the Drama Aired: 2011
The First Shop of Coffee Prince
Alternate Title(s) : Coffee Prince
Story : Go Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye) is a hardworking tomboy. She is often mistaken as a boy because of her clothes and short hair. But she takes that to be an advantage and do all the odds and ends job to feed her family, which consist of a squanderer mother and a high-school student younger sister. Choi Han Gyul (Gong Yoo) is the heir of a Coffee Powder Business. (Choi Han Gyul’s older cousin is Choi Han Sung(Lee Sun Kyun), and his girlfriend for the past 10 years is Han Yu Ju (Chae Jung An). Choi Han Guyl is having a secret crush on Han Yu Ju for years.) One day Go Eun Chan meets Choi Han Gyul, and Choi Han Gyul mistakes Eun Chan to be a boy. They get pretty much of good acquaintance. When Han Gyul’s grandmother asks him to manage a coffee shop, Han Gyul plans to hire Eun Chan as a waiter. But his plan is to hire only male employees and name the shop ‘Prince Café’. So to get the job, Eun Chan keeps on hiding the fact that she is in fact a female. But slowly Eun Chan and Han Gyul start to have feelings for each other. This is really a trouble for Han Gyul, since he think that Eun Chan is male, and he do not want to be gay.
Why Watch : Totally utterly adorable. The story flow is so natural and the chemistry of the cast is too good. Also, Eun Chan makes the best tomboy in the world. And the love in the drama makes us fall in love. It’s pure cuteness + so natural love. You will feel sad when the drama finish because it got finished. I wish it had more episodes and go on forever.
Genre : Romance, Cuteness, Comedy, Gender-Bender
Number of Episodes: 17
Year the Drama Aired: 2007
Boys Over Flowers
(I will not complicate by going to extra details and say the story in a simple way)
Story : Gu Jun Pyo (Lee Min Ho) is the heir of the biggest business group in the country. He is a bully in the school. But the reason he does all that is probably because he is bored and lonely. Because in fact deep inside, Jun Pyo is an adorable fool. He is sincere when it comes to love and friendship. Now, the energetic and lively Guem Jan Di (Ku Hae Sun) joins the same school as Jun Pyo (because of various reasons, won’t go in to details there). And trying to protect her friend, Jan Di gets in to an argument with Jun Pyo. This makes Jun Pyo bully her and in the middle of the bullying and Jan Di’s fighting back, Jun Pyo ‘mistakes’ (please take note ‘mistakes’) that Jan Di has a crush on him. Well when actually the one Jan Di do have a crush on is one of Jun Pyo’s best friend, Ji Hoo (Kim Hyun Joong). Jun Pyo is in full happiness thinking that Jan Di likes him. But later he finds out the truth that Jan Di likes Ji Hoo. Jun Pyo feels sad. However, Ji Hoo leaves the country to follow the girl he likes, and Jan Di is left with Jun Pyo, who is trying to win her love. And Jun Pyo being a bit of a sincere fool is willing to wait for Jan Di for hours in a snow storm. Because of Jun Pyo’s sincere love, Jan Di slowly falls for him. But it’s not that easy for them, since Jun Pyo is the most rich in the country and Jan Di’s family is poor.
Why Watch : Boys Over Flowers is actually a big thing in east Asia. This was a Japanese Manga originally, and has been made in to live action Dramas in Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese. And this is one of the best stories ever. Mostly because of the character of the main lead, Jun Pyo (Domiyoji Tsukasa in original Japanese), we can’t help but like this adorable fool bully. He is one of the most well constructed characters ever in fiction. Also, I like the love story of the leads. Because Jan Di was in love with Ji Hoo, but cannot help but fall for Jun Pyo because of his foolish sincerity. That is sort of capturing. Also, the plot is the usual of rich boy – poor girl. But the way it’s shown is really good, and hence we will really like it. Plus, Boys Over Flowers is simply too humorous. We can’t stop laughing at the first few episodes.
Genre : Romance, High School, Comedy.
Number of Episodes: 25
Year the Drama Aired: 2009
Cheese In The Trap
Story : Hong Seol (Kim Go Eun) is a normal university student who finds it hard to manage with tuition fees and other study pressures. Yoo Jung (Park Hae Jin) is a senior in her department. Yoo Jung is handsome and polite and popular with everyone. But only Seol feels that he is not what he seems to be. She feels there is a dark and evil side to him who can meanly hurt others and not feel guilty about it. But that was the case of last year. For some reason, when a new semester starts, Yoo Jung is trying to get more close to Seol. He is asking her out for lunch and stuff. Seol is confused about her feelings for Jung. Still she agrees to date him.
After that Beak In Ho(Seo Kang Joon), Jung’s ex-best friend shows up back in Seol. Beak In Ho, and his twin sister Beak In Ha, were two kids Jung’s father took in to his home when their parents and grandpa had passed away. The 2 had grown up with Jung as family. Yet now, In Ho now hates Jung. Because In Ho was a pianist but his hand got crushed in a fight. And according to In Ho, Jung was the one responsible for his hand’s destruction. He even tell Seol about this.
Seol do really like Jung. But his personality is weird as always and he gives punishment to people who bother him in the meanest way. Still Jung loves Seol and would go to any level to protect her. Soul is a bit torn between the good and evil side of Jung.
Why Watch : Did you notice that this 2016 Drama jumped up to the 4th position in my list. (I just finished watching it). And it is so worth it. I loved the Webtoon of this Drama always. And the Drama has done justice to the Webtoon, or we can even say that the drama made it better in a way. This story is not anything like a conventional Korean Drama. Because we can never find a Protagonist like Jung in any other story. His good side and bad side is what keeps us interested and in the end make us love the drama(webtoon too). Also, it portrays a university lifestyle and friendships and normal dating in a realistic way. Especially the dating and relationship, it starts of slow and awkward, as any other ‘real world’ couple.
Genre : Romance, Psychological, University
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2016
Dream High
Story : (It’s basically the story of how a few bunch of students in the path of realizing their dreams.) Go Hye Mi (Bae Suzy [Miss A]) is a narcissist girl who was once a big name in Classical Music Area. But her father’s business fails and he flee the country. Hye Mi and her younger sister are caught by the loan sharks. The boss of the Loan Sharks tell Hae Mi to participate in the audition of Kirin High School for Music and Dance, from which many of K-pop Idols graduated/is studying, so as Hye Mi become a K-pop Idol soon and pay the debt back. Hye Mi who looked down up on popular music and considered Kirin High as crap school, is forced to attend the auditions. She attends the auditions with her lackey Yoon Beak Hee (EunJung [T-Ara]). At the auditions, Hye Mi gets failed and Beak He is passed. Hye Mi breaks out a chaos on this and yells out that Beak Hye is nothing compared to her and she is just a bad singer and she should not get passed. Yoon Beak Hye who considered Hye Mi as her god till that day, gets deeply hurt and decides that she will take revenge.
But even when Hye Mi failed the audition, the chairman wants to give her, and other 2 students another chance. The other 2 students are : 1 - Hyun Shi Hyuk, who goes by the name Jin Guk (Taecyeon [2PM]). He is the illegitimate son of a politician and currently he has run away from home and living on his own. He has a bit of a past with Hye Mi since they met when they were children. 2 - Song Sam Dong (Kim Soo Hyun) who is a total country bumpkin with messy hair and country accent talks. He falls for Hae Mi at first sight. He comes to Kirin and slowly gets more modern in looks, and is really close with Hye Mi.
Other 2 important characters of this Drama are Kim Pil Suk and Jason. Kim Pil Sook (IU), is a really fat girl with the voice of an angel. She gets in to Kirin because she sings really really good. But she cannot really fit in because of her looks. But she secretly has a crush on Jason (WooYoung [2PM]), the best and most popular student in the year. Well, it’s because Jason treats her really sweetly. But Jason treats everyone really sweetly, and is just a caring and good person, and likes Pil Suk just as a friend. These two eventually becomes a couple in the end.
Why Watch : It starts off slowly, but after about episode 5 or 6, you get pulled in to the story and it gets better and better. It is really inspiring, it could actually give you the spirit to go after your dreams and pursue them with much more dedication that before. And, I really like Kim Pil Suk and Jason’s cute love story. It’s a bit unusual and totally adorable.
Genre : Drama, High School, Music, Romance, Friendship, Slice of Life
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2011
Flower Boy Next Door
Story : Because of a trauma from past, Go Dong Mi (Park Shin Hye) do not like to go outside from her home. She lives just inside her house, alone, and avoiding any contact with any person as much as possible. She works from home as a book editor, and mostly just gets the food and provisions delivered to her home. But she has got a small crush on the guy who lives in the apartment across, and secretly peeks at him every day through her window. One day, this guy’s cousin brother, Enrique, who is a celebrity video game creator catches Dok Mi sneak peeking at their house. Enrique (Yoon Shi Yoon) who has a childish and lively personality goes to Dok Mi’s house to fight with her, but fails to get her come out of the house. Dok Mi’s neighbor, Oh Jin Rak (Kim Ji Hoon), has a secret crush for Dok Mi and thinks that she is an innocent person with a pure personality. He even helps her avoiding coming out from her house. But opposite to Jin Rak, Enrique thinks that Dok Mi should come out and be with people more. So he tries to get her outside the house… And Dok Mi starts to relay on Enrique for emotional support for various things.
Why Watch : It’s a slow and innocent story that tells about a bunch of good human beings. Do not watch if you don’t have a soft and innocent heart. Because this story is so fragile and innocent, and sweet. It even gets a bit slow somewhere. So if you like total high end entertainment, comedy, action and drama, then this one is not for. This story is like a feather that softly touch your heart.
Genre : Heart Warming, Romance, Drama
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2013
Missing You
Alternate Title(s) : I Miss You
Story : Lee Su Yeon (Kim So Hyun) and Han Jung Woo (Yeo Jin Goo) meets each other when they are 15 years old. Lee Su Yeon is the daughter of an accused murderer and hence everyone in school avoids her. Before he knew the truth Jung Woo was friendly with her, but after knowing her story, he freaks out and try to avoid her. Later he repents and these two becomes best friends. They go on with their daily lives as best friends. They are about to fall for each other, that the ill fate strikes up on them. Jung Woo gets kidnapped and while trying to save him, Soo Yeon gets kidnapped along with him. In the captivity, Soo Yeon gets raped in front of Jung Woo’s every eyes. He gets panicked, and when there is a time for escape, he runs away leaving the frail and beaten Soo Yeon back. He later pleads to his dad to save her by telling the location of the place, but no one ever does anything. Soo Yeon who has now lost hope of her life, gets taken in by Kang Hyun Joon, a 12 year old boy who happens to be Han Jung Woo’s step-uncle. Kang Hyun Joon is fleeing from Han Jung Woo’s father’s attacks for money. Kang Hyun Joon and his care-taker takes Soo Yeon along with them to abroad.
15 years later, Han Jung Woo (Park YooChun [JYJ]) has now become a police officer, and is still trying to find his love, Soo Yeon. He is now living with Soo Yeon’s mom as her son, and does everything to get to the bottom of the things that happened 15 years back. Then Soo Yeon (Yoon Eun Hye) and Hyun Joon (Yoo Seung Ho) comes back to Korea, but they have different name and personalities now. Moreover, Hyun Joon as an obsession over Soo Yeon, and also, a thirst for revenge, which results in many murders.
Why Watch : It’s painful. It takes your heart and shred it in to pieces. Also, it’s really really exciting. It makes you gripped in to the story and not let you hit the pause button. Also the characterizations are excellent. Also, beautiful dialogues in the first phase. The whole of first phase, of 15 years old is awesomely good. (The story gets a bit slow towards the end though)
Genre : Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Slice of Life, Painful, Psychological
Number of Episodes: 21
Year the Drama Aired: 2012-13
Reply 1997
Story : The story is a flashback to the year 1997, when the K-pop culture first started in Korea. It’s a story of a bunch of High School friends in their everyday life and problems. Sung Shi Won (Eunji [A-Pink]) is a normal high school girl crazy about the first idol group HOT. Her childhood friend, Yoon Yoon Jae (Seo In Guk), is the most intelligent and diligent student in school, and he has a formed a crush for her. But they have lived so much like siblings and best friends that Sung Shi Won can’t reciprocate his feelings yet.
Why Watch : It’s one of the best, the best directed drama ever. It’s funny, it’s nostalgic, and also teaches you a lot of things about life sometimes.
Genre : Drama, Slice of Life, Comedy, Romance, High School, Friendship, Coming of Age
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
Healer
Story :‘Healer’ (Ji Chang Wook) is a mysterious errand service/courier service guy for special shaded services. He does anything. He is an expert in the job, and does any dangerous or illegal job as long as it does not involve hurting or killing a human. Of course hiring him is as expensive as well. Since he is a wanted criminal he stays hidden. And his only communication to the outside world is his partner hacker, a middle aged lady, who talks with him only through phone, and he has not even seen her face. One day he gets hired by Kim Moon Ho (Yoo Ji Tae), a really famous reporter. And the mission Healer gets is to get the hair, or nails or any body part of Chae Young Shin, for DNA check. Chae Young Shin (Park Min Young) is a bright personality, cool girl, who is an Entertainment Reporter. She was adopted by her parents when she was younger. Healer gets her nail fragments for Kim Moon Ho, and the results come positive. And Kim Moon Ho again hires Healer to spy on Chae Young Shin to know more about her. So Healer disguises himself as weak and coward, Park Bong Soo, and joins to work with Chae Young Shin as her junior. Chae Young Shin, also gets protected by ‘healer’ in his real self a few times, and they are developing a special relationship. Che Young Shin has not even seen Healer’s face, but her heart is beating faster for him. At the same time, she and Park Bong Soo becomes really good friends.
But these three, Chae Young Shin, Healer and Kim Moon Ho is connected with each other of a few incidents from the past, which include 5 best friends who ran a pirated radio service in 1980s.
Why Watch : This drama was a surprise blast for me. I was watching dramas that were medium good for so much time, and did not expect much when I started to watch ‘Healer’. The romance blew me off. And this shot up to top 10 in the list. It’s a really good romance, between Healer and Chae Young Shin, with many of heart fluttering moments. The chemistry is awesome and there are many skinship and good kisses. Also, Park Min Young as Chae Young Shin is too cute and lovable that I wish I was a boy to just get to date her. K
Genre : Romance, Mystery, Action, Adventure
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2014-15
Kill Me Heal Me
Story : Cha Do Young (Ji Sung) has D.I.D (Dissociative Identity Disorder / Multiple Personality Disorder). 5 Other personalities, beside himself lives inside him. Cha Do Hyun is a gentleman type person with a warm heart and a strong sense of responsibility. So he lives suffering because of his mental disorder, trying to take responsibilities of all the messes his other personalities leave behind. The most troublesome personality inside Cha Do Hyun is Shin Sae Gi, a total opposite to Cha Do Hyun, and is a cool guy who has a violent streak. Because of Shin Sae Gi's actions Cha Do Hyun ends up coming back to Korea. There he meets Oh Ri Jin (Hwang Jung Eum), a young psychiatrist. Shin Sae Gi, who has never shown any interest in women before, declare his love for Oh Ri Jin. It seems that Oh Ri Jin is Shin Sae Gi's first love. Cha Do Hyun had lost his memories from age 7-8 because of an accident. But Shin Sae Gi has those memories. Does Oh Ri Jin exist in those memories??
Oh Ri Jin then figures out Cha Do Hyun has D.I.D and tries to help him, while dealing with Sae Gi, who tries to make her choose between Cha Do Hyun and him. Also encountering the other 4 personalities...
At the same time, it seems that Oh Ri Jin's non-blood-related twin brother Oh Ri On (Park Seo Joon) has something to hide as he is secretly researching about Cha Do Hyun and his chaebol family's past.
Why Watch : It capture you, the story. It's such a good mystery mixed with the psychological aspect of D.I.D. After you start watching you just can't stop watching. You won't get bored in any of the 20 episodes. It's exciting to the core, a new kind of story, also romantic so as funny.
Story : Cha Do Young (Ji Sung) has D.I.D (Dissociative Identity Disorder / Multiple Personality Disorder). 5 Other personalities, beside himself lives inside him. Cha Do Hyun is a gentleman type person with a warm heart and a strong sense of responsibility. So he lives suffering because of his mental disorder, trying to take responsibilities of all the messes his other personalities leave behind. The most troublesome personality inside Cha Do Hyun is Shin Sae Gi, a total opposite to Cha Do Hyun, and is a cool guy who has a violent streak. Because of Shin Sae Gi's actions Cha Do Hyun ends up coming back to Korea. There he meets Oh Ri Jin (Hwang Jung Eum), a young psychiatrist. Shin Sae Gi, who has never shown any interest in women before, declare his love for Oh Ri Jin. It seems that Oh Ri Jin is Shin Sae Gi's first love. Cha Do Hyun had lost his memories from age 7-8 because of an accident. But Shin Sae Gi has those memories. Does Oh Ri Jin exist in those memories??
Oh Ri Jin then figures out Cha Do Hyun has D.I.D and tries to help him, while dealing with Sae Gi, who tries to make her choose between Cha Do Hyun and him. Also encountering the other 4 personalities...
At the same time, it seems that Oh Ri Jin's non-blood-related twin brother Oh Ri On (Park Seo Joon) has something to hide as he is secretly researching about Cha Do Hyun and his chaebol family's past.
Why Watch : It capture you, the story. It's such a good mystery mixed with the psychological aspect of D.I.D. After you start watching you just can't stop watching. You won't get bored in any of the 20 episodes. It's exciting to the core, a new kind of story, also romantic so as funny.
Genre : Mystery, Psychological, Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes : 20
Year the Drama Aired : 2015
Delightful Girl Choon Hyang
Alternate Title(s) : Sassy Girl Choon Hyang
Story : Choon Hyang (Han Chae Young) is an intelligent and hardworking high school student in a small town, and Mung Ryung (Jae Hee) is the new trouble maker transfer student from Seoul. They just get along fine as friends. That is when out of a few funny situations, Myung Ryung accidently spend a night with Choon Hyang in one bed (nothing happens, they just sleep), and this story of their night together is spread around the whole school and town. Mung Ryung’s father with a strong sense of responsibility says that, Mung Ryung and Choon Hyang should get married. The two friends try their best to avoid the marriage by planning and plotting together. (Also, Mung Ryung has a crush on another girl for a long time). But after many of their failed attempt, they agree to get married making a condition with each other that once they get in to university, they will re-consider the marriage. And Choon Hyang helps Mung Ryung study for the University Entrance Exams and all. Mean while Choon Hyang falls for Mung Ryung, but she decides to leave him since he loves his old crush, or so she thinks. Once Choon Hyang leaves, Mung Ryung try his best to find her since he miss his ‘best friend’, and takes a few time in realizing that his feelings for her is not friendship, and sense or responsibility, but love. At the same time, Byun Hak Do, a wealthy man who has one-sided feelings for Choon Hyang is trying to split these two up.
Why Watch : The first few episodes are too hilarious. And the love story is dramatic and strong that can move your heart. And I just like the fact that while being a married couple, the two teenagers became friends. Rather than someone couple, who are just awkward with each other, these two are pretty friendly and get along like siblings. (Also, if anyone fell for the beauty of Min Seo Hyun, Ji Hoo’s first love in Boys Over Flowers, you can see her as the lead in this drama)
Genre : Romance, High School, Comedy
Number of Episodes : 17
Year the Drama Aired : 2005
Descendants of the Sun
Story : Captain Yoo Si Jin (Song Joong Ki), the captain of South Korean Army Special Unit Forces, meets Dr. Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo), and both of them takes an interest in each other. But Yoo Si Jin’s work makes the commoner Kang Mo Yeon uneasy, and their relationship does not go further. However, soon Mo Yeon is sent as medical relief team to Urk, where Yoo Si Jin is also posted. Meanwhile, Yoo Si Jin’s subordinate friend, Sergeant Seo Dae Yong (Jin Goo), is having problems with his love life as his girlfriend, Yoon Myung Joo (Kim Ji Won) is a higher rank officer than him, and Myung Joo’s father objects their relationship.
Why Watch : For first thing, it is unlike any other Korean drama ever made. It’s like a Hollywood natural disaster movie, but with Korean romance involved. The feelings are kept honest and simple. Not too much cheesy. But forget all that… The biggest reason to watch this if Song Joong Ki. If he is not an enough reason, then I don’t know what is.
Genre : Adventure, Calamity, Romance, Army
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2016
Gu Family Book
Story : Kang Chi (Lee Sung Gi) is a half human Half-mystical being. But he does not have any idea that he is not human, since a bracelet on his hands prevents any magical power to show out. He lives happily without any care of the world in a big Inn, with his adoptive father, and the owner of the Inn whom he respects like a father. He and the Inn Owner’s daughter, Chong Ju (Lee Yu Bi), has mutual feelings for each other. But one day, a selfish nobleman kills the Inn Owner and takes his daughter in to captivity.
Kang Chi who is left alone hangs around a guy (he thinks it’s a guy) Dham Goon, becoming pretty good friends. Later he finds that Dham Goon is a girl, Dham Yeo Wol (Bae Suzy [Miss A]). And also that he is a half a mystical being. The fact that he is not human leaves him distressed and confused. But his friend, Yeo Wol stays by him and tells him firmly that he is still Kang Chi no matter what. This helps Kang Chi a bit to cope up. But he still wants to find the ‘gu family book’ which will help him to become a human. However, the first important thing is to take the revenge for his family. And when everyone in the world fear, despise or do not accept Kang Chi for who he is, only Yeo Wol is willing to stand for him, and help him.
Why Watch : Its’ just a really nice love story of Kang Chi and Yeo Wol. It’s just a bit magically sweet love story. Also the whole mystical being thing makes the story really interesting. And another reason for watching – Lee Seung Ki, of course.
Genre : Romance, Fantasy, Historical, Adventure, Action
Number of Episodes: 24
Year the Drama Aired: 2013
Another Oh Hae Young
Alternate Title(s) : Another Miss Oh
Story : When Oh Hye Young (Seo Hyun Jin) was in High School, there was another girl in her class with the same name. The problem is that this other Oh Hye Young(Jeon Hye Bin) was really amazing. She was pretty, had a nice personality, Was good at studies, and was really really popular. So that girl was ‘pretty’ Oh Hye Young, and our Oh Hae Young was ‘just’ Oh Hae Young. Oh Hye Young had lived her high school life getting compared to the amazing Oh Hae Young.
Now when they are older, their life get entangled again as, Oh Hye Young’s marriage gets broken because of the other Oh Hae Young’s ex-boy friend, Park Do Kyung (Eric Mun), who miss-understand that, Han Tae Jin (Lee Jae Yoon), Oh Hae Young’s boyfriend is getting married to his ex-girlfriend, the pretty Oh Hae Young.
In short, it’s the story of how two women’s life gets entangled because of the same name.
Why Watch : Good story, good execution. Touching at right places. Story flow is good, and keeps our intrest till the last. And by the way, totally awesome kiss scene.
Genre : Romance, Comedy, Fantasy
Number of Episodes : 18
Year the Drama Aired : 2016
Jealousy Incarnate
Story : Weather Forecaster Pyo Na Ri (Gong Hyo Jin) has had a crush on her senior, Reporter Lee Hwa Shin (Jo Jung Suk) for 3 years, but he never likes her back. However, when Hwa Shin gets in to a situation, he finds Pyo Na Ri helping him and worrying for him. He does not realize that he is starting to like her until his best friend Go Jung Won (Go Kyung Pyo), and Pyo Na Ri starts dating. Then Hwa Shin starts to feel jealous.
Why Watch : Gong Hyo Jin and Jo Jung Suk are two of the best ever actors in Korean actors all taken together. There is a naturality to their acting that none of the others can bring. And so when these tow were coming together to do a drama, I had high expectations and it did not go in vain. The story is also, simple but executed perfectly. It is intresting till the last minute of the last episode and does not getting dragging or boring anywhere. It’s funny, romantic, and had that natural acting that made things perfect. Defiantly one for the best dramas of 2016.
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 24
Year the Drama Aired: 2016
Marriage, Not Dating
Story : Gong Gi Tae (Yeon Woo Jin) wants to stay single and not marry. Joo Jang Mi (Han Groo) wants to get married to her boyfriend Lee Hong Dong. Hoon Dong is Gi Tae’s best friend, and he seeks out Gi Tae’s help to avoid Jang Mi. Gi Tae and Jang Mi comes to know each other like this, and Jang Mi and Hoon Dong breaks up in a really messy way. And Gi Tae feels that as messy Jang Mi is, if he introduces her to his family as his girlfriend, he can avoid the talks of his marriage, and his family will never accept her. Jang Mi accepts to help Gi Tae out of sheer goodwill. And the main point is that she does not even have to act to mess up situations. She just has to be normal and things will get messed up by themselves.
Why Watch : Hilarious. And it actually keeps your interest from start to end. It takes out all the uncomfortable situations in a marriage talks and problems in dealing with In-laws etc and gives it a comical twist. And the main point is what I said above. That Jang Mi do not ‘act’ as a bad daughter-in-law material. She is born as bad daughter-in-law material, well that is in typical sense of how a ‘good’ ‘disciplined’ daughter-in-law should be.
Genre : Comedy, Romance
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
It’s Okay, That’s Love
Story : Jang Jae Yeol (Jo In Sung) is a celebrity writer, and Ji Hae Soo (Gong Hyo Jin) is an established psychiatrist. The story follows various of her patients and her room-mates as well. Jae Yeol has a bit traumatic past with his step father being abusive, and his brother in prison. And Yae Yeol is really good friends with a fan of his books – a teenage boy, Han Kang Woo (D.O. [EXO]). Han Kang Woo is an aspiring writer and Jae Yeol try to help him out and stuff. Yae Yeol and Hae Soo becomes a couple, and Hae Soo slowly discovered all psychological problems in Jae Yeol, like how he sleep in a bathtub, and can’t fall asleep unless he is not in a bath room. And after a while she notice Jae Yeol getting really worried and concerned over Kang Woo, and investigate further to know that, Kang Woo do not actually exist, and is just Jae Yeol’s imagination.
Why Watch : The psychological problems faced by the people are shown really well here. It affects you, but it does not hit you that painfully. In the middle of all the pain, it keeps things in balance. Also, the surprise about Kang Woo just takes the things to another level. It also shows a really realistic and mature relationship between the male and female leads. It’s a very maturely portrayed drama.
Genre : Slice of Life, Psychological, Romance, Drama
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
Queen In Hyun’s Man
Story : Kim Bong Do (Ji Hyun Woo) is a Joseon era scholar who is the right hand man in protecting Queen In Hyun from plots to kill her. Out of concern for his safety a giseng who loves him, gives him a talisman telling that it will protect him. Bong Do does not believe much but accepts the talisman anyway. Later, when he is attacked and as the sword slashes in to him, he travels through time and arrives in year 2012 unhurt. Choi Hee Jin (Yoo In Na) is a still struggling actress, who gets her first big major role in a historical play thanks to her ex-boyfriend. She is playing Queen In Hyun in the historical drama. She meets up with Kim Bong Do accidently, and he tells her everything about himself. Later Bong Do finds that, he can travel back to his era by reading out the enchantment from the talisman. Bong Do seeks help from Hee Jin and lays out plans to save himself and Queen In Hyun in the past, by travelling back and fourth in time. It works fine for a while, but Hee Jin and Bong Do falls for each other, and then things start going twisted as the talisman gets slashed by a sword.
Why Watch : The amount of fantasy element used here is too high. The whole world gets changed when the talisman is slashed. As audience, your mind will take a bit time to adjust over the sudden whole change. Also, the love story is intense. And Choi Hee Jin’s personality is too cute to die for.
Genre : Romance, Fantasy, Comedy, Cuteness
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
Oh My Ghostess
Alternate Title(s) : Oh My Ghost
Story : Na Bong Sun (Park Bu Young) is a kitchen assistant in an Italian restaurant. She is a person who has the ability to see ghost since she was a kid, and because of this, she had always lived in fear and has an introverted personality. She also has the tendency to say ‘I’m sorry’ to every little things, for things that are not even her fault. Jung Sun Woo (Jo Jung Suk), the Chef of the restaurant Na Bong Sun works in finds this attitude of her irritating. He one day just go all out and scold her for that. Na Bong Sun who always had a crush on Sun Woo, thinks that he is right and tries to resign and leave from the restaurant. But then she gets possessed by a virgin ghost.
The virgin ghost (Lee Seul Gi), is a spunky naughty ghost who thinks that the reason she had to remain as ghost was because she died a virgin. Because unusually, she cannot remember anything about herself, her life or how she died. She can pass on to the afterlife only if her unfinished business is fulfilled. But the problem is that if you do not fulfill your unfinished business and leave the world within 3 years of your death, you will turn in to an evil spirit. So Ms. Ghost always possesses the body of hot women and tries to seduce men. But man with low virility just passes out before sex, because of her ghost’s energy. Because miss ghost is always making men faint like this, the psychic Suhbingo is trying to capture Ms. Ghost. While trying to escape from Suhbingo, Ms. Ghost possess and hide inside Na Bing Sun’s body. But apparently Na Bong Sun’s body’s frequency matches with Ms. Ghost’s frequency, and hence Ms. Ghost gets trapped inside Na Bing Sun’s body without being able to come out. And with the total opposite personality of Na Bong Sun, she turns around the minds of the restaurant workers and the chef. Ms. Ghost also happens to stumble up on her own family from when she was living and regains her memory and remembers that her name is Shin Soon Ae. And co-incidentally the restaurant chef Jang Sun Woo, is a man with a high virility, who will not faint by a ghost’s energy. Soon ghost Shin Soon Ae, in Na Bong Sun’s body begs around Chef asking him to do ‘it’ with her just once.
Why Watch : It’s actually entertaining from start to end. We would not feel like hitting the pause button even once while watching this. A good script, with enough details, with good direction and genuine actors. Also, I think they still used Lee Seul Gi’s voice (dubbed) for Park Bu Young in the parts where Na Bing Sun is possessed. That made the possession feel so real and spunky. (Because we have seen other works where 1 person transform to another person, there although the actors tried their best, it did not feel this real. Here we could feel that it was Lee Seul Gi inside Park Bu Young)
Genre : Romance, Fantasy, Comedy, Cuteness
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
Rooftop Prince
Story : In Joseon Era, while child Crown Prince Lee Gak’s wife selection process is about to come. The Younger sister, Bu Yeong was supposed to be selected as the new wife, but her sister, Hwa Yeong, in jealousy burns her younger sister’s face with an iron making it look like an accident. And Hwa Yeong becomes the princess instead. Years pass and Prince Lee Gak (Park YooChun [JYJ]), Princess Hwa Yeong and younger sister Bu Yong becomes adults. But suddenly one day, Princess Hwa Yeong’s dead body is found inside the palace pond. And no one knows why or how she died. Prince Lee Gak hires 3 men, Song Man Bo, Woo Yong Sool, Do Chi San, to investigate the death of the princess. And while encountering a dangerous situation in the investigation, the 4 of them somehow travel through time and falls in to year 2012. They falls in to the rooftop house of Bak Ha (Han Ji Min), a hardworking woman with a slight nasty temper. She gets to know the 4 are from Jeoson era, and try to accommodate them in to her house and life. But the 4 guys are having really difficult time to adjust to the modern day life. But they figure out that most of the people in past has re-incarnations in the present day. Prince Lee Gak’s reincarnation, Yong Tae-Yong has gone missing since his brother secretly pushed him off from a boat. Yong Tae Yong’s family mistakes Prince Lee Gak as Tae Yong. Prince Gak thinks that maybe playing as Tae Yong will help him solve the mystery of Princess’s death and figure out a way to go back to his time.
Why Watch : It’s too funny to watch the Joseon era men trying to figure out many daily things of modern day life. How they just get lost at first. And how Bak Ha treat them without respect. And it has a nice love story as well.
Genre : Romance, Mystery, Comedy, Fantasy, Cuteness
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
Cheer Up
Alternate Title(s) : Sassy Go Go
Story : An Elite High School Sevit High, has two rival clubs. The street dance club, Real King, lead by Kang Yeon Do (EunJi [A-Pink]) is really enthusiastic about dance. But the club is consisted full of students who are totally bad at studies and the bottom scorers. The Cheer leading club, Beak-Ho, has their club room neighbors. Beak-Ho is a Cheer Leading club for name-sake only, and consists of the top students of the school, and they use their club hour for extra studies. Beak-Ho is lead by the school’s topper and Vice-president of students’ body, Kim Yeol (Lee Won Keun). The two clubs are often at arguments and fights. And Kim Yeol and Kang Yeon Do an interesting ‘rival, but some chemistry’ thing going on. That is when the school decides to disband Real King.
And Yeon Do’s best friend Kwon Soo Ah takes an evil turn and betrays Yeon Do. To get in to an IVY League University Soo Ah, needs some extracurricular activity to put in her application form. The school decide to unite Real King and Beak-Ho and form a Cheer Leading club, so that Soo Ah, can use it in her application form. Because of the pressure from various situations, Yeol and Yeon Do decide to unite Real King and Beak Ho and make the Cheer Leading team.
Why Watch : The drama depicts the problem of modern day High School life in Korea. (The similar problems are discussed by the Drama ‘Angry Mom’ aired in 2015. Yet, Cheer Up mixes it in fun, romance and friendship and portray in a much better way. We see the pressure put on students to get better marks, and the corruption of teachers and principal of the school…How marks are manipulated. How bribes are the bases to grade a student etc… Still, the story has a naughtily interesting romance plot, and usual love triangles. Also depicts the High School Friendships in a really good way. Totally worth a watch. This could be one of the best Dramas of 2015.
Genre : Friendship, Romance, Coming of Age, Slice of Life, High School
Number of Episodes: 12
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
Who Are You: School 2015
Story : Go Eun Byul (Kim So Hyun) and Lee Eun Bi (Kim So Hyun) are twins who somehow got separated. Lee Eun Bi lives in an orphanage in Tongyeong, whereas Go Eun Byul lives in Seoul with her loving mother, who adopted her. Lee Eun Bi lives her life getting bullied by her classmates, lead by a mean girl, Kang So Yeong. Go Eun Byul is confused about her feelings for her childhood friend, Han Yi Ahn (Nam Joo Hyuk), since her best friend Lee Shin Ji also seems to have a crush on him. But Go Eun Byul has other worries to ponder on, and hence she push away Han Yi Ahn’s feelings for her. Go Eun Byul, knows about the existence of Eun Bi, while Eun Bi does not know that Eun Byul exists. One day the bullying goes out of the way, and Eun Bi decides to kill herself. This happens while Eun Byul is in Tongyeong for a school trip. Eun Byul tries to save Eun Bi who jumps in the river. Eun Bi is saved, but Eun Byul goes missing.
Eun Bi who is taken to the hospital, has lost her memories, and people mistake her for Eun Byul. Eun Byul’s mother takes her home and treats her well. Eun Bi as Eun Byul gets friendly with Han Yi and Gong Tae Kwang (Yook Seug Jae), a classmate Eun Byul was not really close too before. When Eun Bi’s memories come back, she realize that she is not Eun Byul and she tells the mother and tries to leave. She feels that its because of her that her sister died. But Eun Byul’s mother stops Eun Bi from leaving and tell her to be her daughter and live as Eun Byul for the rest of her life. Eun Bi agrees. Gong Tae Kwang soon figures out that the girl in their class in not Eun Byul, but he supports Eun Bi, and starts to fall for Eun Bi. However, Eun Bi is starting to like Han Yi Ahn, since he loves her and takes care of her a lot. But Eun Bi feels a bit sorry since the one Han Yi Ahn loves is Eun Byul. And then, the bully girl Kang So Yeong transfers to their school. She is totally suspicious about Eun Bi’s identity and tries her best to bully her again and flash the fact that Eun Bi is not Eun Byul… Then, the real Eun Byul comes back….
Why Watch : Kim So Hyun’s acting is always something to watch. Here, she is double. The story is solid with real extreme bullying which makes us feel cringed. And hence it feels so good to see the bully, Kang Seo Yeon finally getting zipped up so coolly like that by Eun Byul at the end.
Genre : High School, Romance, Friendship, Adolescent Problems, Slice of Life
Number of Episodes : 16
Year the Drama Aired : 2015
Splash Splash Love
Story : Jang Dhan Bi (Kim Sul Gi), a High School Third Year student is stressed out of studies and life. Because of the stress and fear she bunks the Final exam, and run away from school in the rain. She wishes if she can just disappear to somewhere, and then see a puddle behaving a bit strange. She falls in to that puddle and ends up in Joseon Period. She falls in to the middle of the rain ritual held by the king and the courts men.
The people are shocked when Dhan Bi suddenly appears. The King (Yoon Do Joon [B2ST]) asks her if she is a daemon or ghost… She innocently says she is just a ‘Go-Sam’, the slang of ‘High School Third Year Student’. Apparently Go-Sam also means ‘eunuch’. Dan Bi is interrogated by the king and he find that she knows more mathematics than any of the people at that time knows. So Dhan-Bi/Go-Sam is taken in to the King’s care, and disguised as a ‘eunuch’ (They even think she is a ‘eunuch’ since she said she is a ‘Go-sam’). The King starts to learn basic mathematics and science from her. Soon Dan-Bi and the King start to develop feelings for each other. Then Dhan Bi finds that the king is in fact ‘King SaeJong – The Great’, the most revered King of Joseon - The one who made Korean alphabet and supported many scientific discoveries.
Why Watch : It’s just 2 episodes, but it’s filled with all the necessary elements to make a good and entertaining drama. Romance, Comedy, interesting situations. And it’s finally nice to see Kim Sul Gi as the lead of something. She makes things too lovable and comic and cute. And the way they just call her ‘Go-sam’ is too funny. The romance is enough heart touching and fluttery. The story has such an interesting twist in the end by the name King SaeJong presents ‘Go-sam’ with…
Genre : Fantasy, Romance, Historical
Number of Episodes: 2
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
Sharp S1&S2
Alternate Title(s) : Banolim/반올림
Story: Lee Ok Rim (Go Ara) is 15 years old. She likes imaging and has bright personality. She is very frank about her feelings. She also knows that she is pretty and uses that. At home she is the second child who is placed between an older sister who studies well and a twin younger brother. Ok-Rim has a boyfriend Yoo Ah In who is studying painting in high school. Ok Rim also has a long time male friend named Jang Wook. Between Yoo Ah In (Yoo Ah In) and Jang Wook (Suh Hyun Shik) she is not sure about her feelings.
Jang Wook is stubborn, shy, but cool. Since moving next door to Ok Rim, they have become best friends and knows all of her secrets. Like boys around his age, Jang Wook likes soccer and gets into mischief. He is also warm and because of that Jang Wook is popular among his peers.
Yoo Ah In is a sophomore in high school studying painting and Ok-Rim's boyfriend. He makes jokes and is sociable, but does not talk about what is really on his mind. Ah In started painting late, but with intelligence and persistence he has won the several contests. Ah In is mature and smarter than his girl friend Ok-Rim, so he controls their relationship. But, there is rival Jang Wook and Ah In tries his best to hold onto Ok Rim's affections.
Why Watch : Can I say that this is the best teenage drama made ever?? It really might be. Unfortunately many people do not know much about this drama since it is an old drama. And it’s not really available to watch online too. But I caught a few episodes of the drama in Youtube and watched… And yeah, it actually might be one of the best teenage stuff made ever. It conveys adolescence and all the troubles, mischief and problems of first love that comes along with it in a real way.
And another thing, you can find some of the popular actors of present time in really really young version in this drama…( eg:- Yoo Ah In, Go Ara, Lee Min Ho (Yeah, THE Lee Min Ho, he plays a small role in this drama), Kim Si Hoo (of ‘Love Rain’ and movie ‘Steel Cold Winter’ etc))
Genre : Teenage, Coming of Age, Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: S1: 64
S2: 50
Year the Drama Aired: S1 : 2003-05
S2 : 2005-06
Playful Kiss
Story : For a few years, Oh Ha Ni (Jung So Min) had a crush for the top elite student in their school Beak Seung Jo (Kim Hyun Joong). But he is simply out her league, since she is one of the bottom-most students. Yet she try to propose by writing a love letter, Seung Jo just corrects the spelling mistakes in the letter and gives back to her publically insulting her saying he do not like dumb girls. Ha Ni is all embarrassed and ashamed. But then, in a small earth quake, her house falls down. Her father’s childhood friend offers to take her and her father in to their house. They go to the friend’s house only for Han’s horror to know that Beak Seung Jo is the elder son of that house. Now they have to live in the same house, while Ha Ni still has a crush on Seung Ju despite everything, and Seung Jo keep on treating her coldly. On top of that, Seung Jo’s little brother Eun Jo, who worship his brother dislike Ha Ni and treat her like a stupid dumb girl trying to disrupt his brother’s life. But the boys’ mom who had always wanted a daughter just adores Ha Ni and trying to fix up Seung Jo and Ha Ni together.
Why Watch : Well the first few episodes are really cute. And Ha Ni and Eun Jo, and the mom are really adorable till the end. However, Seung Jo’s arrogance kinds irritate you after a while. This was a major Japanese Manga, and was made in to various languages dramas. So I would prefer if you watch Taiwanese version than Korean version. Korean one had better visuals and cuteness and stuff. But Seung Jo’s character does not have that plain arrogance in Taiwanese version.
Genre : Romance, Comedy, Cuteness, High School, University
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2010
To the beautiful you
Story : Gu Jae Hee (Sulli [f(x)]), a girl, disguise herself as a boy and comes and joins an all boys High School in Korea. She does this because when she was in America and used to feel conscious about herself because of racism from her classmates she had found courage in the words told by Kang Tae Joon (Choi Min Ho [SHINee]), a Junior High Jump champion. He jumped through high loops easily, as if flying and told out ‘Miracle is another name for hard work’. Jae Hee could work towards her dreams and find courage again because of these words. And then she hears that Kang Tae Joon is going to retire from sports life because of an injury. She can’t take that. So she disguise herself as a boy and joins the same school as Tae Joon, with a aim to help him to be back on high-jump again. Co-incidentally, she gets the same room as Tae Joon and they become roommates. Tae Joon soon figures out that Jae Hee is a girl, but he keeps that knowledge to himself. Tae Joon slowly starts to like Jae Hee. Also, Cha Eun Gyul (Lee Hyun Woo), another classmate who is really close friends with Jae Hee innocently falls for Jae Hee, even if he thinks that Jae Hee is a boy. He tries his best to fight away his feelings. But in the end he ends up confessing before Tae Joon.
Why Watch : Cha Eun Gyul is too cute and lovable. He makes us go ‘awwwwww’. Also, the ‘miracle is another name for hard work’ leaves up with a bit of inspiration.
Genre : Romance, Comedy, High School, Gender-Bender, Cuteness
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
You’re Beautiful
Story : Go Mi Nyu (Park Shin Hye) is a gentle young nun in training. One day suddenly the manager of the Idol Group, A.N.JELL, comes seeking for her to ask her a favor. He tells her that her twin brother Mi Nam, had been selected in to A.N.JELL, but had suffered a bit of problem in a plastic surgery, and had to go to US for another surgery to get his original appearance back. The Manager begs with Mi Nyu to act as Mi Nam for some time so as to save his neck, and so as Mi Nam do not lose his place in the group. Mi Nyu agrees, and the gentle and soft-spoken, and utterly cute nun in training, cuts her hair and dress herself in boy band member clothes, and joins A.N.JELL. The other 3 members of A.N.JELL are pricky and narcissist – Hwang Tae Kyung (Jang Guen Suk), warm and caring – Kang Shin Woo (Jung Young Hwa [CNBLUE]), childish and cute – Jermy (Lee Hong Gi [F.T.Island]). In few days/weeks, all these 3 boys fall for Min Nyu.
Why Watch : It’s just a light hearted watch. Nothing much complex in it. Good for beginners. (As for me, I was shipping Min Nyu with Shin Woo till the end. But of course, Shin Woo gets to be the poor 2nd lead that loses the girl. L )
Genre : Romance, Comedy, Music, Gender-Bender, Cuteness
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2009
Goong
Alternate Title(s) : Princess Hours, The Imperial Household
Story : Imagine if the royal family and kings and princes were still alive and ruling in 21stcentury. That is the idea in the story. The normal High School Girl, Shin Chae Kyung (Yoon Eun Hye) suddenly finds out one day that her grandfather had promised her marriage with the Crown Prince to the old King. She is suddenly engaged and married to the Crown Prince Lee Shin (Ju Ji Hoon). Shin Chae Kyung who lives such a free life that day has big trouble to adjust with the palace life. Moreover her husband, Prince Shin is in love with another girl, Min Hyo Rin (Song Ji Hyo). And Prince Shin’s cousin brother, Lee Yul (Kim Jeong Joon), who was once the crown prince before his father passed away, finds out that Chae Kyung’s marriage had just been promised with ‘crown prince’, and hence he was the original candidate. He feels Shin stole Chae Kyung from him, and still keeps on liking Chae Kyung.
Why Watch : A somewhat okay love story. But the set used and costumes etc are really pretty. Also, Yoon Eun Hye playing Chae Kyung is really cute. And Yul…ah…he is to die for handsome.
Genre : Romance, High School.
Number of Episodes: 24
Year the Drama Aired: 2006
Adolescence Medley
Alternate Title(s) : Puberty Medley
Story : Choi Jung Woo (Kwak Dong Yeon), an average student moves down again to one of a remote village. After having to move city and transfer schools 7 times, his motto is to not make friends and not get close with anyone so as it is not painful when he leaves. He stays invisible here as well. But he finds out that he is going to transfer school again in a weak. So when he ends up in a bit of a trouble with the School’s Tough Guy Yeok Ho (Choi Tae Joon), with the nick name ‘brown bear’, he stirs up some trouble thinking that he will be moving school anyway. And also, to take revenge on the class rep, Yang Ah Yeong (Lee Sae Young) about something he misunderstands, he asks her to be his girlfriend. Strangely she accepts that. That leaves Jung Woo a bit confused, but he thinks he would not be there after a weak anyway, and it would be fun. But unfortunately, his parents cancel the move and he has to stay in the school. That leaves Jung Woo in a difficult situation.
Why Watch : It’s really funny and innocent at first, but as story goes on it teaches us a bit about what it means to be a brave human. It has some good coming of age elements. Plus the whole scenery of the country side is too beautiful. Also, its just 4 episodes long. So if you need a quick watch, it’s good.
Genre : Coming of Age, Romance, High School, Comedy, Slice of Life
Number of Episodes: 4
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
I Need Romance
Story : The story follows the love, and sex life of 3 women who are best friends. And unlike other Korean Drama, these portray modern day women in a more bold way, having free thoughts about their love and sex life. - 1st Woman : Sunwoo In Yong (Jo Yeo Jeong) is a cute type woman. She breaks up with her boyfriend for 10 year, Kim Sung Soo (Kim Jeon Hoon) after he cheats on her. But their long relationship do not let then me away from each other, they keep having feelings for each other. – Woman 2: Kang Hyn Joo (Choi Song Hyun) was always a book worm and studious student, so she is still a virgin. She gets abandoned by her groom on the wedding isle, telling she is not hot enough. She gets hurt and now is trying to lose her virginity with any random guy. She meets warm natured Doek Soo, who gets hurt by the fact that she just wanted him for sex. That results in a good love story – Woman 3 : Park Seo Yeon (Choi Yeo Jin) is a female Casanova that sleeps around with all the guys she can find. In the middle she gets in trouble with one guy’s pregnant wife and, also gets herself slightly serious about Jun Ho, a photographer with whom she has a bit of love hate relationship. But still to the end, she prefers to remain coolly single.
Why Watch : A good portrayal of a 10 years long relationship. The long process of the cheating and the breakup is shown really in a different and touching way. It’s a love story worth watching. Also, it’s just a bit funny and charming and a tiny bit racy.
Genre : Romance, Cuteness, 18+
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2011
Monstar
Story : Seol Chan (Jung Jun Hyung [B2ST]) is a popular Idol group member, but because of some problems he is sent back to school to attend the daily life of a student. Since it’s a bother, he chooses to sit near someone who is neither a fan nor an anti-fan. So he sits near, Se Yi (Ha Yoon Soo), the new transfer student from New Zealand, who does not even know Seol Chan. Seol Chan’s childhood friend Sun Woo (Kang Ha Neul) is in the same class, Seol Chan had broken up with Sun Woo because of a misunderstanding in the Past. And Sun Woo had liked Se Yi from the time they were children. There is another character, Kim Nana (Dahee), a dark and mysterious girl who sits in the back benches, and does not talk with anyone. Rumors even go to the extent that she is member of a gang and girlfriend of an underworld guy. But in reality, she is just a mentally hurt girl from a bit bad family background. Also she has a really powerful voice and a really good singing ability. She has a crush on Sun Woo, which she does not express since she is usually silent and a bit cynical. There is also, fat girl Eun Ha with a low self esteem but bright personality, and bully Cha Do Nam, and the guy who gets bullied Park Kyu Dong. All these 7 group together to form a school band named Colour Bar, and compete with the School’s elite orchestra with popular music.
Why Watch : Now, this feels like real High School. Unlike Boys Over Flowers or Heirs, where the actors look too old to be High School Students, Monstar actors do seem young enough to be in High School. The whole drama gives out a good High School vibe. And Kim Nana’s one side love story with Sun Woo kind of stays in our memory even after finishing the drama.
Genre : High School, Music, Romance
Number of Episodes: 12
Year the Drama Aired: 2013
White Christmas
Story : Soo Shin High School is situated deep inside the mountains. The school accepts only top 1% students in the country, and its full time studying and again studying in the school. The only time the students gets a breather is at 10 days holiday for Christmas. That year, as everyone goes home for holiday, seven students stays back in the school along with their teacher. The reason these students stays back is because they all got a mysterious letter with a poem, that is more or less like a suicide note or murder threatening. The students who pretty much hate each other for various reasons try to solve the mystery of the letter. An injured man arrive at the school, telling he got in to an accident because of the snow. The teacher and students take the man in. The guy turns out to be a psychiatrist. He begins to try to explore in to the students emotions and pasts… And suddenly one day, the teacher is found dead. And the students are left alone with someone who wants to find out if people are born as monsters, or made in to monsters because of situations in life.
Why Watch : This is THE BEST exciting stuff I have ever seen. It’s too much psychological journey. Too thrilling. I don’t even have words to praise this one. You will just get gripped, and will watch all 8 episodes in straight one go. Too good direction, plot, and script.
Genre : Adventure, Mystery, Psychological, High School, Coming of Age, 18+ (coz of psychological aspects)
Number of Episodes: 8
Year the Drama Aired: 2011
Painter of the Wind
Story : The story follows the life of Shin Yoon Bok (Moon Geun Young), a painter with excellent talent. With the body of a girl, and a heart of both of a man and woman, Yoon Bok lives dressed as a male. The story tells about Yoon Bok’s journey in becoming one of the best painters of Joseon era. Also it tells Yoon Bok’s painful first love with Jung Hyang (Moon Chae Won), a giseng, whom Yoon Bok loved with a man’s heart. Also about Yoon Bok’s unique teacher student relationship with Dhan Won (Park Shin Yang), the best painter in that era, which eventually makes the female in Yoon Bok to fall in love. But it’s mostly about that passionate thirst towards paintings and the world of paints and re-creating life in parchments.
Why Watch : According to popular comments and publicity, ‘Dae Jang Guem’ is the best Historical Drama ever. I did agree with that and thought Dae Jang Guem to be the best Historical Drama ever, till I came across ‘Painter of the Wind’. Painter of the Wind has every good aspect of a well directed Historical Drama. Plus the characterization of Yoon Bok who has a male and female heart at the same time, just takes it to another level. Also, it was too intriguing to watch the development of the paintings. It holds as much reverence as Dae Jang Guem, and is shorter than Dae Jang Guem making things not-boring.
Genre : Historical, Ethnic, Romance, Drama, Art, Gender-Bender
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2008
Dae Jang Guem
Alternate Title(s) : Jewel in the Palace
Story : The story tells about the life and journey of the first Royal Physician of Joseon Era. Jang Guem’s (Lee Yong Ae) life start off roughly with her parents passing away. She gets in to the palace as a palace maid and works in the royal kitchen. Jang Guem goes through many phases in life and gets sent out to Jesu island for exile. From there she study medicine and comes back to the palace, as a Royal Infirmary Nurse. From there she gradually becomes the Royal Physician.
Why Watch : It’s too well directed, and holds a reverent power. Each and every character holds that ethnic vibe and power. One of the most revered Historical Drama ever. This drama is still considered as the best Historical Drama ever.
Genre : Historical, Ethnic, Food, Medical, Romance, Drama
Number of Episodes: 54
Year the Drama Aired: 2003
Lucky Romance
Story : Shim Bo Ni(Hwang Jung Eum), is told by a fortune teller that she has the worst luck and worst destiny. That all the people she loves will eventually die. After her parents death, and after how her sister gets in to a vegetative state after an accident, Bo Ni is forced to believe in this. She does everything possible (even does most bizarre actions told by the fortune teller) to prevent her bad luck to affect other people. But when hopes of her sister waking up seems negligible, the fortune teller tells Shim Bo Ni, that if she spends a night with a guy who was born in the year of Tiger zodiac sign (according to Chinese years), her sister can be saved Bo Ni tries to seek out men who were born in Tiger Zodiac sign year. And apparently, the guy was not far from her. Her new boss, Je Soo Ho (Ryu Jun Yeol) is born in the year of Tigar Zordiac sign.
Why Watch : It’s just no-nonsense and pure romance. Hwang Jung Eum magic is there. But the best part of the drama is how the romance is full on, with no ‘why is it happening this way’ moments, and only filled with butterflies in stomach type Goosebumps romance moments.
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes : 16
Year the Drama Aired : 2016
W
Alternate Title(s) : W- Two Worlds
Story : Oh Yeon Joo (Han Hyo Joo), mysteriously fall in to the world inside the webtoon her father writes, and saves the lead character of the webtoon, Kang Chul (Lee Jung Suk). After saving Kang Chul, Oh Yeon Joo, comes back to the real world.. She does not understand what is going on. But inside the webtoon, Chul is now searching for the girl who saved him. And Yeon Joo realize that without even her father drawing the webtoon, the story moves on it’s own. According to her father, Kang Chul is the one who makes it like that, and he is unable to do anything about that. The scared writer, Oh Sung Mo, is now trying to kill Kang Chul by drawing everything he can, but somehow always fails in killing Kang Chul. Oh Yeon Joo who has now seen Kang Chul as alive breathing person, firmly believe that it’s wrong to kill Kang Chul, as it will be murder. She tries to save Chul, and gets pulled inside the webtoon again. And Chul is curious about the identity of the girl who comes to save him…
Why Watch : Honestly, it was a bit difficult for me to wrap my head over the whole going inside the webtoon, and webtoon character coming outside to real world concept. The fantasy element goes a bit too far somewhere. However… It a really new concept and new angle of story. And even if it was a slight bit hard to digest, the story was awesomely good, and hats off to the writer for the imagination.
Genre : Romance, Fantasy
Number of Episodes : 16
Year the Drama Aired : 2016
Uncontrollably Fond
Story : Shin Joon Young (Kim Woo Bin), the most successful actor in South Korea, finds out that he is soon going to die. But then he meets again with his first love No Eul (Suzy), who is a Television Producer now. They start working together in a Documentary. Joon Yeong has previously behaved in really asshole way to No Eul. But now, he is trying his best to make her like him, by openly hitting on her. And he is trying to correct his past mistakes he did towards her before he die.
Why Watch : Hm..well you know from the star that it is going to be a sad ending. But it is still a good watch. The romance is good. And Kim Woo Bin charm is definitely there. I feel if the lead was not Kim Woo Bin, this story would not have been this good. He brings out his magic and saves the drama and makes it a worth watch.
Genre : Romance, Comedy, Tragedy
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2016
Moonlight Drawn By Clouds
Alternate Title(s) : Love in the Moonlight
Story : Hong Sam Nom (Kim Yu Jung) is the best advisor and expert in the matters of love in all of Hanyang. Hong Sam Nom, helps people write love letters and guides them in the right path in love. However, Hong Sam Nom, who is a cool guy, is actually a girl, Hong Ra One, living disguised as a boy. One day, life twists in a way that Sam Nom, is noticed by the problematic crown prince, Lee Yeong (Park Bo Geum). From then on, Sam Nom’s life get a bit bumpy. Not only he gets sold off to the palace as an eunuch, when he gets in to the palace, the naughty crown prince gives all his effort in making sure that Sam Nom actually do become an eunuch and do not fail out in exams. And like this the girl, Sam Nom, becomes the personal Eunuch for the Crown Prince. And thus begin a really sweet love story…
Why Watch : Well, it’s sweet. And kinda funny. And Park Bo Geum is really charismatic in this one. I did feel something, don’t know what, but that something was missing. Still it was really a good one.
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes : 18
Year the Drama Aired : 2016
SungKyunKwan Scandal
Story : Kim Yoon Shik (Park Min Young) is an intelligent girl who has to disguise herself as a boy to work and feed her family. She mainly does home works, and write guide books for SungKyunKwan Students. (SungKyunKwan is the foremost educational institution in Jeoson Era). Lee Sun Joon (Park YooChun [JYJ]), a student with strict moral characteristic catches Yoon Shik helping someone to cheat at the entrance exams of SungKyunKwan and gets impressed with her intelligence. He does a bit of cheating himself to get her accepted to SungKyunKwan, thinking Yoon Shik is a boy. Yoon Shik is really scared that people will find that she is a girl and she will get punished. But she have no other choice but to enter SungKyunKwan. Yoon Shik gets assigned the same room as Lee Sun Joon, and another mysterious guy who goes by the nick name ‘Ghor Oh’ (Crazy Horse). Ghor Oh is, Moon Jae Shin (Yoo Ah In), a practically delinquent and who loves like a tramp because of some incidents in the past. These 3 are joined by Jae Shin’s best friend, Gu Yong Ha (Song Joong Ki), cunning, slightly dangerous, naughty but charismatic Casanova. And these 4 gets the nick name ‘Jalgum Quadrent’, and they stand up against the bulling from the students council president, Ha In Soo, and by the king’s order tries to find a secret book named ‘Geum Dueng Ji Sa’ which is hidden somewhere inside SungKyunKwan.
Why Watch : Main reason to watch : Song Joong Ki. The rest is all sub-reasons. I saw Song Joong Ki for the first time as Gu Yong Ha of SungKyunKwan Scandal, and totally fell for him. Gu Yong Ha is Song Joong Ki’s best character ever. Although this is a sub-character, the characters just capture us. Other reasons to watch are, a pleasant love story, and mildly exciting plots. And for starter to historical dramas, it will be really good to start with simpler ones like SungKyunKwan Scandal.
Genre : Historical, Romance, High School, Gender-Bender
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2010
The Village – Achiara’s Secret
Story : Han So Yeon (Moon Geun Young) comes to a small town in South Korea seeking for her sister, with whom she has got separated from childhood. She hope she can find her sister there, but what she finds instead on the first week of her return is a rotten human skeleton in the forest. The village, named Achiara, has always been a quiet village. But the discovery of the skeleton, sets the silent village buzzing, as people try to find the reality behind the corpse. And Han So yeon, along with the village police officer, Park Woo Jae (Woo Seung Jae) and a politician’s son Seo Ki Hyun (On Ju Wan) try to seek the truth.
Why Watch : This drama may not be every body’s cup of tea. It’s kind of dark and disturbing. But if you can handle dark and disturbing, go for it. It’s good. Better than many of the soap romance dramas.
Genre : Mystery, Crime, Psychological, Dark.
Number of Episodes : 16
Year the Drama Aired : 2015
Cantabile Tomorrow
Alternate Title(s) : Tomorrow’s Cantabile
Story : Cha Yoo Jin (Joo Won), is an introverted arrogant person with an exceptional talent in western classical music. He is a prodigy in violin and piano. But his dream is to become an orchestra conductor. But he cannot go abroad to study properly. He has a phobia of airplanes and ships, because of trauma of an accident he had when he was a kid. He used to think he will have nothing he will find an interest in his country, and lives his life with no excitement or aim. Then he meets Seol Nae Il (Shim Eun Kyung). With the interesting and unusual name (Nae Il means tomorrow), she has an unusual personality as well. Nae Il with and immature behavior is exactly like a small child. She is so disorganized to make her home look exactly like a dumpster. She is a piano major in the university, and she likes to play piano for fun. She has even composed a song herself named ‘fart song’. She does not like to follow the music sheet to play the songs and like to play in a fun way whatever way she wants to. Her dream is to be a kindergarten teacher and she do not like, or more like totally avoid any competitions or classes by strict teachers. But soon Joo Jin and some other professors at the university discovered how extra ordinary Nae Il’s talent is. That she is really a great pianist. But Nae Il did not want to come out to the world, and would like to continue playing just for fun. Mean while Ca Yoon Jin and Nae Il’s life also gets mixed in with a group of other students who form a special orchestra.
Why Watch : Well there is a lot of places where there is over-acting by a few cast. And in the first few episodes, Cha Yoo Jin’s character can make you irritated. But the drama can kind of grow in to you. Around at the end, it touches your heart with Nae Il’s innocent fears and her trauma. It feels like a genuine question and process which we might all have experienced while growing up.
Genre : Drama, Coming of Age, Music, Friendship, Romance, University
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
The Moon That Embraces The Sun
Alternate Title(s) : Moon Embracing Sun
Story : When 15 and 13 years old, Crown Prince Lee Hwon (Yeo Jin Goo) and Yeon Woo (Kim Yoo Jung) meets by co-incidence in the palace. The Prince falls for the girl. However, his older step-brother prince Yang Myung (Lee Min Ho [93 born]) also has a crush on Yeon Woo for a while. Yeon Woo’s brother Heo Yeom becomes Crown Prince’s teacher, and through that prince’s and Yeon Woo’s love strengthens. Soon Yeon Woo is chosen as the bride for Prince Hwon The King’s mother do not want Yeon Woo to be the prince’s bride. The King’s mother hires a shaman and puts on a curse on Yeon Woo to get her killed. Yeon Woo falls sick and dies shortly. Crown Prince is heartbroken. Yeon Woo’s body is buried. However, the shaman who put the curse on Yeon Woo, could not actually kill her, she had a secret plan. She goes to the grave, and dug out the body of Yeon Woo, who becomes alive again. But she has lost all her memories now. The shaman takes Yeon Woo, and Yeon Woo’s servant girl and leaves the city. Years pass. The old king passes away and Lee Hwon (Kim Soo Hyun) is now the king. He has married the girl the ex-King’s mother had chosen for him. But he do not hold any love for the queen and do not gets in to any marital relationship with her. And then, he meets Yeon Woo (Han Ga In) again. They do not recognize each other. King feels she resembles dead, Yeon Woo, but Yeon Woo is dead. And Yeon Woo do not have any memories of the past.
Why Watch : Another good drama to start with when watching Historical Drama. Though the main love story did not actually interest me that much, the characters were lovable and good. This is worthy to watch at least to see the young version of Princess Min Hwa. She is the overload of cuteness. Also, Kim So Hyun makes a charismatic king. ‘The Moon That Embraces The Sun’ was one of the most ‘popular’ historical Korean drama ever.
Genre : Historical, Fantasy, Romance
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
Six Flying Dragons
Story : The story is about the formation of the country Jeoson, and how six people played their role in the formation of the country. The drama depicts the six important characters as six ‘dragons’. The first dragon is Lee Song Gye (Chun Ho Jin), the founder and first king of Jeoson. The second dragon, Sambong Jeong Do Jeon (Kim Myung Min) the one who was the planner behind the new country. The third dragon, Lee Bang Won (Yoo Ah In), Lee Seong Gye’s son and the 3rdKing of Jeoson, who played a major role in formation of Jeoson. Fourth dragon, Lee Bang Ji/Ddag Sae (Byun Yo Han), Jeoson’s best swordsman. Fifth dragon, Boon Yi (Shin Sae Kyung), the commoner girl who fights for farmers rights. And sixth dragon, Moo Hyul (Yoon Kyun Sang), the sweet natured swordsman who supports Lee Bang Won, and later protects King Saejong/Lee Do.
The story is also about the journey of Lee Bang Won. The journey of him from a young innocent boy to an adult who end up killing his own kid brother and teacher for the greed of the throne…
Why Watch : It’s perfectly done. As in it’s not just for entertainment. It shows things more in a realistic way, because romances in here do not end in a happy ending. And hence it feel better actually. Because it keep it to that ‘real’ level. Also, the major factor to watch this drama is the character of Lee Bang Won. The transformation of Lee Bang Won is what makes this drama great. It gives the drama a high level psychological aspect.
(Yeah you can get a bit bored in between when things go to too political stuff. However, if you keep watching till the end, you will be gripped…)
Genre : Historical, Psychological, Romance
Number of Episodes: 50
Year the Drama Aired: 2015-2016
A Gentleman’s Dignity
Story : It tells the story of 4 best friends who are stepping in to their 40s. They are, Kim Do Jin, Im Tae San, Choi Yoon, and Lee Jung Rok.
Confident playboy, Kim Do Jin (Jang Dong Gun) meets High School Teacher Seo Yi Soo (Kim Ha Neul) and falls for her. But Yi Soo just finds his constant attempts to woo her as a bit creepy. She is in fact has a crush on Im Tae San (Kim Su Ro), Kim Dong Jin’s friend and Seo Yi Soo’s best friend, Hong Sae Ra’s boyfriend. But Kim Do Jin is just shamelessly and confidently trying to woo Yi Soo constantly. Im Tae San’s kid sister, Im Maeari, has a long crush on their friend Yoon (Kim Min Jong), who is a widower. Despite having more than 15 years difference in their age, Maeari follows around declaring her love for him. Yoon never accepts her love out of curtsy towards his best friend, Tae San, and also because of the huge age gap. Mean while the 4th friend Lee Jung Rok (Lee Jong Hyuk), is married to one of the most richest and powerful woman in Seol, yet he is a big time cheater in the marriage. Jung Rok is full time playboy and has many girlfriends. His wife knows all this, but he is to scared to leave the wife, and she can control him and pull him around like a toy. And then arrives a teenage boy, Colin (Lee Jong Hyun [CNBLUE]), from Japan. He happens to be the son of one of the girls who used to be really friendly with these 4 boys when they were in university. And he is there to find out who in these four is his dad!
Why Watch : It’s a bit unusual love story with no non-sense way. Kim Do Jin is just all out shamelessly wooing Yi Soo, its plain interesting, that confidence. The whole romance and plot is a bit different from the usual Korean Drama pattern. Also, the intro to each episode is pretty hilarious.
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
Bridal Mask
Story : The story happens in 1930, when Korea was oppressed under Imperial Japanese Rule. Lee Kang To (Joo Won), is a police officer in the Imperial Police Force. He is the only Korean in the Police Force, and he has reasons to be so. He has given up the love for his nation, and become a total lap dog for Japanese and can do even the cruelest things to fellow Koreans. Lee Kang To is hated by every Korean and he is considered as a national disgrace. Even his mother thinks the same. Only Korean who still loves Kang To is his mentally sick brother. Lee Kang To is now busy trying to catch a criminal ‘Bridal Mask’ (Gaksital in Korean) who has become a national hero. Bridal Mask is a guy in white Korean Hanbook, with a bridal mask on his face. He appears suddenly and helps out Koreans and does things to humiliate the Japanese force. Lee Kang To puts his full energy to find and capture Bridal Mask.
Kimura Shunji (Park Ki Woong) is the younger son of the Chief of police. He is a kind natured man, who is an elementary school teacher and teaches Korean Kids. He has kept feelings for his first love, Esther, a girl he met when he was younger. Shunji is Lee Kang To’s best friend.
Oh Mok Dan (Jin Se Yeon), whose original name is Boon is the daughter of freedom fighter, Dam Sa Ri, and is a brave girl who has a strong patriotism. She is still waiting for her first love, Young Master Lee Young, whom she had met as a teenager and parted with. Lee Young in fact happens to be Lee Kang To. And Oh Mok Dan/Boon is actually Esther whom Shunji is on love with.
On the course of finding Bridal Mask, Kang To finds that Mok Dan is Boon who is his first love, but Mok Dan fails too recognize Kang To to be Lee Young, and hates Kang To as any Korean does. Then, because of various situation, Lee Kang To finds out the identity of Bridal Mask, and have to take over the role of Bridal Mask and help the people of Korea.
Hence the Bridal Mask kills his older brother, Kimura Shunji gets a hatred in his heart for Bridal Mask and joins police force to catch Bridal Mask. From there on the kind hearted Shunji turns to be a mean and hateful Japanese Police..
Why Watch : Really good character developments. Each details of the characters, their emotions, the complexities of the personalities is expressed really well. Also, the drama does not butter up a story like many K-dramas do. It shows enough violence and blood, and raw human rage and hatred. Also, Lee Kang To’s and Kimura Shunji’s characters are extremely detailed and good. Both have their own charm in their own way.
Genre : Action, Historical, Mystery, Excitement, Romance.
Number of Episodes: 28
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
Let’s Eat (Season 1 & 2)
Story : Season 1 : Yoon Jin Yi (Yoon So Hee), a bright girl with an extra ordinary optimistic character moves in to a small apartment after her family business goes bankrupt. Her neighbors are Lee Soo Kyung (Lee Soo Kyung), a divorcee with a personality to never trust anyone, and a very big foodie; and a mysterious guy, Gu Dae Young (Yoon Doo Joon [B2ST]), who does not seem to do pretty much of anything, than wander around talking lies to girls on phone. When Jin Yi becomes really friends with Gu Dae Young, Lee Soo Kyung becomes suspicious and tries to save young Jin Yi from the ‘suspicious guy’. But it all turns out to be a misunderstanding and in the future these 3 agrees to be dinner buddies and eat dinner together every day, and share groceries, so as to save cost of living.
Season 2 : Gu Dae Young’s luck has run out because of some problems at his work place and he has come down to his old town, where he used to live. He rents an apartment and starts living there. There are only 2 other residents in the apartment. He becomes pretty good friends with the grandma from the first floor. But, Beak Soo Ji (Seo Hyun Jin), The writer girl who lives in the same floor as Dae Yung, for some reason, just hates him. She makes it really evident by making his life a big trouble. Later the revelation comes that Beak Soo Ji, was Dae Young’s classmate in elementary school. She was really fat when she was young and had the nick name ‘Beak Tae Ji’ (Beak Pig). While in elementary school Soo Ji had a crush on Dae Young, who uses that crush to improve the profit of his mom’s snack bar by making Soo Ji eat more and more there. Beak Soo Ji had got a major trauma and her first heartbreak in elementary school when she had found out the truth about Gu Dae Young. Hence she hates him now. But she makes an agreement with Dae Young now that if he helps her marry her crush Lee Sang Woo(Kwon Yool), she will not bother Dae Young and help him instead.
Why Watch : Well, it’s simply worthy enough to watch Gu Dae Young’s character. That character is unlike any other character. Non-stop smart talks, and eloquence and ability to turn everyone to his way by his talks. That’s indeed an interesting character. Another reason is the food. Yumm… BUT KINDLY NOTE : Do not watch this drama on an empty stomach. You will die because of craving. Also, it’s a good combination of a family feel, comedy and mystery.
Genre : Heart Warming, Food, Romance, Comedy, Mystery
Number of Episodes: S1: 16, S2 : 18
Year the Drama Aired: S1 : 2013-14, S2 : 2015
Heart To Heart
Story : Cha Hong Do (Choi Kang Hee) is overly conscious about her problem of extreme blushing, and hence life a loner life, confided in to her home only. Her only blood-relative, grandmother who raced her died 7 years ago. She has not even graduated High-School because of her inability of facing people. So in order to make a living, she disguise herself as an old lady, and adopts the name of her grandmother and goes to work in other houses as a house maid.
Still Young Do in love with Officer Jang Do Soo (Lee Jae Yoon), for the past 7 years. Jang Do Soo is a kind natured police officer who had helped Young Do 7 years back. When Hong Do feels that she might lose Officer Jang because of her inability to face him, she decides to seek professional help. She seeks out Psychologist Ko Yi Suk (Chun Jung Myung), a young and famous doctor. But unlike young Do had expected, Ko Yi Suk turns out to be arrogant, prick, psyco and selfish… Out of circumstances Ko Yi Suk and Young Do starts working together, and then one night, somehow they end up sleeping together.
Why Watch : Good romance, good acting and good psychological aspect. It’s similar to ‘Flower Boy Next Door’ in a way as the girl has the problem of inability to face people, so people with low self esteem can easily relate to the story. And the whole trauma from past thing is all touching. However, it also reminds me a bit of ‘coffee prince’. Because of that realistic and lovable romance with a lot of kisses, hugs and skinship. The sex scene is to die for sweet and lovable.
Genre : Romance, Heart Warming, Psychological
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
My Name is Kim Sam Soon
Alternate Title(s) : My Lovely Sam Soon
Story : Kim Sam Soon (Kim Sun Ah) is a 30 year old woman. She is a patisserie by profession, and slightly chubby, with an really really ‘normal’ non-girlie personality. She has a complex about her comical name Sam Soon, and her long time dream is to change her name. Then Sam Soon breaks up with her boyfriend when he cheats on her. After that she is hired by Hyun Jin Hun (Hyun Bin), a 27 year old rich owner of a restaurant. Jin Hun is still trying to recover from the fact of his girlfriend suddenly leaving him. To avoid his mother forcing him to get married, Jin Hun ask help from Sam Soon and prented that he is dating Sam Soon. On the course of this pretence relationship the two develop feelings of each other. But just a while after that, Jun Hun’s ex-girlfriend, Yoo Hee Jin (Jung Ryeo Won) comes back. And following her comes Yoo Jin’s friend and doctor, Henry (Daniel Henney). Henry, who is in love with Yoo Jin can’t stand Jin Hyun being angry to Yoo Jin, and tell him the truth that Yoon Jin had left him because she was sick… Now though Jin Hun choose to stay beside Yoo Jin, his heart is always with Sam Soon.
Why Watch : The drama was a major hot of its time. And it deserves to be. It’s display emotions in a sweet and real way, and has some really unforgettable characters. We can relate to Sam Soon so much and will keep feeling ‘hey she is so much like me’. Also, unlike any K-drama, this one has handled English conversations in a good way, without killing or messing up the English. (And the drama has long English conversations, giving that one of the four main characters, Henry is an American).
Genre : Romance, Drama
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2005
My Girlfriend is a Gumiho
Alternate Title(s) : My Girlfriend is a Nine Tailed Fox
Story : Cha Dae Woong (Lee Seung Gi) is a really care-free youth with the dream of becoming an actor. Even though his grandfather and aunt are trying to set him right and be a bit responsible, he is always avoiding them and running away. One day, trying to escape from his grandfather Dae Woong ends up in an old temple. The legend is that a gumiho (a mystical nine tailed fox with the ability to transform in to the form of a human) lives in that temple trapped inside a painting. Because of gomiho’s lure, Dae Young accidently releases the gumiho. In the fright of the release, Dae Young runs out and falls down a cliff. When Dae Young is on the verge of death, the gumiho (Shin Min Ah) saves his life by transferring her fox bead to him. When Dae Young wakes up the gumiho asks him to take care of her from then on. Dae Young does not believe that she is a gumiho at first, but when he does, he is in fear. But he has to take care of her, else, she will take her fox bead back from him which can kill him. So Dae Young starts taking care of gumiho, whom he names as Gu Mi Ho. But Dae Young who feared her at first is slowly starting to think that Mi Ho is really cute.
Why Watch : Entertaining, and a nice story. Also, good Computer Graphics effects when Gumiho’s nine tails are shown. Also, Lee Seung Gi charm as always.
Genre : Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2010
Secret Garden
Story : Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin) is a typical narcissist CEO of a mall. One day, he meets the stunt woman Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won). And from that day onwards, the image of that hardworking, middle-class woman who was fighting even with an injury is not leaving from his heart. He tries to express his feelings for her, but Gil Ra Im does not accept his love, nor is she sure about it. But then a miracle happens. On a trip, they get lost in a forest and meet a strange person inside the woods. They buy flower wine from that person. After drinking that, the next day, they find that their souls have switched with each other’s body. Kim Joo Won and Gil Ra Im try to continue each other’s personal life as the same with each other’s help. Then one day they switch back, then again after some days switch in to other’s body again. They find out that they switch like that when it rains.
Why Watch : It was one of the most popular dramas of it’s time. It’s entertaining. And has good characters. And if you watch till the end, the love story can make you cry.
Genre : Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2010-11
Angel Eyes
Story : Teenager Dong Joo (Kang Han Neul) always had a crush on this girl he see in a house, when he goes out to deliver porridge of his mom’s porridge business. The girl stands alone at the garden of the house chanting out the speech about stars and constellation. He accidently meets her again on his school trip to planetarium. He helps her out when she messes up her speech a bit. But something about her does not seem right. Later he shockingly finds out that she is blind. But she, Yoon Soo Wan (Nam Ji Hyun) and Dong Joo became friends. Dong Joo’s loving family also thinks Soo Wan as one of family member and loves her really. Dong Joo and So Wan propose to each other and start dating, with small heart fluttering first kisses and all. But because some unfortunate events and circumstances, these two are torn apart. Dong Joo leaves with his sister to USA after his mother’s dead, and all contact with Soo Wan gets cut. Soo Wan recives her eye transplantation surgery and gets out from blindness.
Twelve years after, Dong Joo (Lee Sang Yoon) comes back to Korea. He is a surgeon now, and goes by the name Dylan. And Soo Wan (Ku Hye Sun) works as an emergency rescue service. But she does not recognize Dong Joo when they meet since she has never ‘seen’ him before. Moreover, Soo Wan is now engaged to another doctor, Kang Ji Woon.
Why Watch : K-dramas again steel us with that sincere way of storytelling, and a bunch of good natured characters and universal love. And as usual the younger versions’ story of leads r too good (It’s always like that. Capture us with younger versions and then secure the interest till end).
Genre : Romance, Medical, Slice of Life, Slightly Painful (at times)
Number of Episodes : 20
Year the Drama Aired : 2014
I hear your voice
Alternate Title(s) : I can hear your voice
Story : Jang Hae Sung and Park Soo Ha shares a common past, where Jang Hye Sung witnessed Park Soo Ha’s father’s murder. Teenager Jang Hae Sung (Kim Soo Hyun) reported the murder, and gave her statement in the court as the murder witness. Because of this, the murderer Min Joon Gook, threaten that when he gets out of the prison he will kill Jang Hye Sung. Park Soo Ha who was a kid back then, promises that he will protect Hye Sung. 14 years pass and Jang Hye Sun (Lee Bo Young) is now starting her job as a public defender. Because of her past experiences, she is sort of cold and cynical now. Park Soo Ha (Lee Jong Suk) who is a High School student now, has gained a peculiar sense after the accident/murder of his dad. He can hear other people’s thoughts if he look in to their eyes. He is still searching for Jang Hye Sung whom he had promised to protect. Hye Sung is also Soo Ha’s first love. When he finally meets her, his expectations about her are fallen since she is all cold and cynical. But Hye Sun comes to know about Soo Ha’s gift to hear people’s thoughts, and then these two try to work together to solve many cases together. Then the murderer, Min Joon Gook comes out from the prison, and he wants to kill Jang Hye Sung.
Why Watch : A bit thrilling. The unusual romance of a 18 year old boy and 29 year old woman, which did not feel awkward at all. It was in fact cute and had all that flutter moments. The cases are all exciting. But the main factor is because of the villain, Min Joon Gook. He is so evil, and bad till the very end that we will get gripped to the story just to hate that evil guy till the end.
Genre : Adventure, Mystery, Fantasy, Romance
Number of Episodes: 18
Year the Drama Aired: 2013
I Remember You
Alternate Title(s) : Hello Monster
Story : Criminal Psychologist Lee Hyun (Seo In Guk) returns to Korea after getting an email from an unknown person who seems to be challenging him with a murder. Lee Hyun, joins with the police force in investigating the chain murder cases, in hope of finding any links of the past. Lee Hyun’s father was also a psychologist who worked with police department and talked to criminals. And Hyun has had an encounter with a psycho serial killer, Lee Joon Young(D.O. [EXO]). Hyun was always a genius kid, and hence his father was scared if Hyun would turn out to be a monster like Lee Joon Young. Lee Joon Young also, manipulate Hyun’s dad’s thoughts and makes him fear for Hyun’s personality. Hyun’s dad is scared and start to confide Hyun in a basement room of his house. One day, Lee Joon Young escape from prison and kills Hyun’s dad, and takes Hyun’s younger brother Min with him.
Years later, now, Lee Hyun is investigating the chain murders with the police department because he found a painting in the murder site which was similar to what Min drew with Min’s signature symbol on it.
And Cha Ji Ahn (Jung Na Ra), is a female police officer, who had been stalking Lee Hyun for years. She had lost her father because of Lee Joon Young and thinks that Lee Hyun might have some connection to Lee Joon Young. But while working together Hyun and Ji Ahn comes closer, and starts to develop feelings for each other.
Then there is Lawyer, Jung Sun Ho (Park Bo Geum), who always happens to be around the cases and the police department. He seems a bit dark and mysterious… He could be the serial killer, or Min, or both…
Why Watch : A really good Psychological Thriller. And D.O.’s character, psychopath serial killer Lee Joon Yeong is such a freaky character. The character will stay in your mind forever with that evil eyes and intelligent talks… Spooky!!! (PS : the older Lee Joon Yeong is not even quarter as good as how D. O. plays it. D. O. makes it feels really creepy and scary. Great work by D. O. )
Genre : Mystery, Thriller, Psychological, Romance
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
You’re all surrounded
Story : Out in a small gang fight of a bunch of High School teenagers of a small town, Kim Ji Young and Oh Soo Sun, meets and ends up in small bickering relationship. Even in this, they might have slight feelings for each other. But then Ji Yong’s mother, dies, and a series of problems follows and Ji Young disappear from the place. In the present day, in Seoul Ghangnam Police station, 4 new rookie police officers enters. 1 - Eun Dae Gu (Lee Seung Gi), with an exceptional IQ, and slight introverted character. 2 – Oh Soo Sun (Go Ara), with her still energetic and comic personality. 3 – Park Tae Il, handsome and chic and 4 – Ji Gook, geeky and talkative. These 4 are to work under Seo Pan Seok (Cha Seung Won), a straight laced, officer, with a nasty temper. They start on working the cases together, but then Eun Dae Gu might have a secret, that he is in fact Kim Ji Young, tying to find his mother’s murderer.
Why Watch : Fairly Entertaining. And kind of cute sometimes.
Genre : Action, Romance, Mystery, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
The Innocent Man
Alternate Title(s) : Nice Guy
Story : Kang Ma Ru (Song Joong Ki) was a good and nice guy, who was a medical student. His girl friend was Han Jae Hee (Park Si Yeon), a young reporter. One day, Jae Hee accidently ends up killing someone. Ma Ru tells her that he will take the blame of the murder. Like this Ma Ru goes to prison. He had expected Jae Hee to wait for him, but Jae Hee betray him and marry a wealthy old man who is a widower with a daughter almost as old as her. When Ma Ru comes out of prison, he is angry about the betrayal of Jae Hee. At first he just does not have an aim in life, and lives just for making money by working as a male host and all. But later when he feels Jae Hee’s arrogance and attitude has gone overboard, he decides to bring her back to her senses by taking revenge. He approces, Jae Hee’s young step-daugher, Seo Eun Gi (Moon Chae Won), a cynical girl. Slowly Seo Eun Gi falls for Kang Ma Ru, and Kang Ma Ru is distressed about the fact that he has to hurt Eun Gi.
Why Watch : The story might be just too typical. But the way it’s told is not. There is something different about it. Like the fact that it’s never mentioned in it that Ma Ru is going to take revenge. He just approach Eun Gi. The motive of it or reasons for things are not explicit. Also, Ma Ru do not want to hurt Jae Hee, he just want her to make her realize that she is wrong. And there is so much intensity in the story, and really a lot of pain. This is yet another drama that can take your heart and shred it in to pieces.
Genre : Revenge, Romance, Slice if Life, Painful
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
The Princess’s Man
Story : This is more like a Romeo – Juliet story of Joseon Era. Prince Suyang wants to become the king. But the Prime Minister Kim Jong Soo is a big obstacle in his path. So just to challenge him, Prince Suyang sends out a marriage proposal for his daughter Lee Sae Ryung (Moon Chae Won) with Kim Jong Soo’s son, Kim Seung Yoo (Park Shi Hoo). But Sae Ryung thinks that the marriage proposal is real. So when she enters the palace to see her cousin, the princess Kyung Hae, and she hears that Kim Seung Yoo is the new teacher for the princess, Sae Ryung request the princess to let her meet him. So Sae Ryung pretends to be the princess and attends the class. Seung Yoo and Sae Ryung meet, and Seung Yoo thinks that Sae Ryung is the princess. Later the king, proposes the marriage between King Jong Soos son and Princess Kyung Hae. Kim Seung Yoo who thinks Sae Ryung is the princess is really happy about the marriage. Kim Seung Yoo and Sae Ryuung again meet a few times and have fallen for each other. Later, Kim Seung Yoo finds out that Sae Ryung is not the princess. Sae Ryung, judging by the relationship of both of their fathers lies to Seung Yoo that she is just a palace maid. Seung Yoo accepts her and they agree to be lovers. But that is when Prince Suyang plans a coup to gain the thorn. He kills all the ministers who are against him. He wipes out the whole of Kim Jong Soo’s family. Kim Seung Yoo scurvies miraculously, and now he is filled with range and wish to take revenge from Prince Suyang, who has now become the king. He goes to try to kill Suyang, and then is startled to find that his lover, Sae Ryung is Suyang’s daughter. He misunderstands and starts hating Sae-Ryung as well. But Sae-Ryung is still filled with love for Seung Yoo.
Why Watch : Intense romance. Even in the middle of hardships and hatred, the romance survives. The best part is where Seung Yoo hates Sae Ryung and kidnaps her, but she tries to save Seung Yoo and becomes his shield from an arrow shot to him. Those moments makes us gasp.
Genre : Romance, historic, painful
Number of Episodes: 24
Year the Drama Aired: 2011
Reply 1994
Story : The story happens is year 1994, in a boarding house, where students from various provinces are gathered. Na Yong (Go Ara), is the daughter of the owner of the house, with a loud personality and cuteness. All the other boys in the story is addressed by nicknames. Because Na Young in the future gets married to a guy named as Kim Jae Joon. Now the real mystery in the story is who among the 5 boys is Kim Jae Joon. The boys are : 1- Sseureki (meaning garbage), is Na Young’s older childhood friend, who was Na Young’s older brother’s best friend when they were young. Later when her older brother died, Sseuraki (Jung Woo) became like her older brother. They were always like family and fighting like cats and dogs. But some day, Sseuraki became a man in Na Young’s heart and she began to have a crush on him. 2 – Chil-Bong (Yooo Yeon Seok) is a pro base ball player, who is the only Seoul native in the group. He is refined and cool guy, and he starts to have one sided feelings for Na Jung, which he expresses out to her as well. 3 – Haitai is a normal guy, who tries to act cool and get girls. He is really good friends with Na Young. 4 – Samcheonpo, is a geeky guy who looks too old for his age. 5 – Binggure (Baro [B1A4]) is a soft and shy kind of boy with sweet personality. And there is also Jo Yoon Jin (Min Do Hee), a girl, a really tiny girl, who did not really tack much at first. Then she turned out to be diehard fan of K-pop idol Seo Taeji.
Why Watch : As Reply 1997, Reply 1994, is also well directed and has a lot of really nostalgic and heart touching moments. However, it came down in this list most probably because till the end, I was shipping Na Young with the second lead. And the story irritatingly gives a lot of hope to the second lead till the last second. And then the first lead gets the girl. That is sort of irritating. If else for that, this drama could have gone a lot up in this list. Reply series is worth it because all the family feel, and comedy, and nostalgia and life lessons.
Genre : Heart Warming, Romance, Comedy, Friendship.
Number of Episodes: 21
Year the Drama Aired: 2013
Reply 1988
Alternate Title(s) : Answer Me 1988
Story : The story depicts the daily life of 5 teenagers and their families, who all live in one neighborhood in nearby houses.
Sung Deok Sun (Lee Hye Ri), Sung Sun Woo (Go Kyung Po), Kim Jung Hwan (Ryu Jun Yeol), Ryu Dong Ryung (Lee Dong Hwi) and Choi Taek (Park Bo Gum) are friends since childhood. Because of her female friends’ suspects, Deok Sun thinks that Sun Woo likes her. She starts to have a crush on him as well. But Jung Hwan, who always fights with Deok Sun like cat and mouse, secretly has a crush on her. Externally he is rude and non-expressive to Deok Sun, but can’t help himself to watch out for her and like her. Choi Taek, who is a child prodigy, genius Baduk player is a guy who is clumsy leading a normal life. He is always taken care of Deok Sun like a child. He also has a crush on Deok Sun.
And then there is the family of these 5 who has their own everyday lives with little problems and little happiness.
Why Watch : You know I almost would not recommend this. I again got backstabbed by the Reply team. Rooted for the second lead guy till the end, and cried when the other guy got the girl. How much disappointed I would have been that I actually broke in to tears when the leads kissed, confirming their relationship. It was too cruel that the second guy had to lose the girl. It actually did not make any sense anyway. All those magical moments of romance was with the second guy. It did not make much sense that the first guy got the girl. So I totally would not have recommended this drama at all.
Still, the fact is if you exclude the romance, Reply series has yet again managed to create the nostalgia of old times and brought out a bunch of characters and their lives that would stay in our memories forever. The story and characters feels like taken out of our daily life… For that, I recommend this drama.
Still, I think Reply team should stop backstabbing us like this in the romance area. In Reply 1994 and Reply 1988, the guy who had all that chemistry moments with the girl lost the girl miserably. That’s unfair.
Genre : Heart Warming, Slice of Life, Comedy, Friendship, Romance
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
Secret Message
Story : Woo Hyun (T.O.P), a Korean documentary producer, comes to Japan to make documentary of people’s experiences in love. He gets a second hand phone, to which comes the message of a stranger. The stranger is Haruka (Uaeno Juri), A Japanese Girl. The phone used to belong to Haru, Haruka’s childhood friend and first love. Haruka has now come to Seoul to learn acting/drama. Through days, Woo Hyun and Haruka exchange phone messages, and becomes really close, despite their language differences and barriers.
Why Watch : It’s different. It’s mature. It’s artistic. It’s more like a movie. It’s more than what you usually expect. And again…it’s artistic. It touches some part of your soul in a special way. And I have fallen for Ueno Juri (I have seen her other works too. She is a natural talent) …
Genre : Romance, Slice of life
Number of Episodes : 18
Year the Drama Aired : 2015
49 Days
Story : Shin Ji Hyun (Nam Gyu Ri ) had everything in her life. A loving and wealthy family, a bring personality, a couple of really good best friends, and a really loving and caring fiancée. But one day, she suddenly meets with an accident and her soul comes out from her body. She meets the cool and modern death deity who calls himself ‘scheduler’(Jung Il Woo). He tells her that it was not yet her time to die, and she died out of a mistake. So he gives her one more chance to live. He tells if 3 people who is not blood-related to her cries genuinely for her, she can live again. Shin Ji Hyun, thinks this is a piece of cake, since she had such a cool life. She is allowed to use the body of another woman to make the mission possible. That woman is Song Yi Kyung (Lee Yo Won), a 28 year old woman in deep depression, who tries to kill herself frequently. She sleeps during the day and works at night in a department store. So during the day, Shin Ji Hyun possesses her body and goes out trying to collect the genuine tears. But she finds out the shocking truth that her fiancée is having an affair with his best friend. This was shocking enough for Shin Hi Hyun, but then she is even more in problem because none of her other friends will cry for her. So she starts to work as a waitress in one of her best male friend, Han Kang’s restaurant, to keep herself close to Shi Jin Hyun’s friends and family. Han Kang(Jo Hyun Jae) had always had a crush on Shin Ji Hyun which he never got to express.
Why Watch : Usual story, expressed in a good way. I hated the ending. But the story in whole was touching. Also, the love story of Song Yi Kyung with scheduler was intense and painful, so as to leave a mark in our heart.
Genre : Romance, Fantasy,Tragedy
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2011
Faith
Story : King Gongmin of Goryeo marries the Yuan Princess Noguk. While going back to Georyo from Yuan, they are attacked and queen Noguk suffers an injury. The troop had passed through a mountain where they had seen a magical portal, which the elders suspected to be the door to heaven. By the king’s order, General Choi Young (Lee Min Ho), goes in to the heaven’s door to find someone who can save the life of queen. He arrives in year 2012, and finds Yoo Eun Soo (Kim Hee Sun), a normal modern day woman, who is a plastic surgeon. General Choi Young takes Eun Soo back with him with force. Eun Soo arrives in past, and manages to save Queen Noguk. But she is now trapped in past. She just wants to go back to the future, but has no way. People name her ‘heaven’s doctor’ and reveres her. Also, since it’s his responsibility, General Choi Yong promises her that he will protect her while she is there and make sure to send her back to where she comes from. So Eun Soo stay there saving many lives with modern medicine.
Why Watch : They brings out the idea that Eun Soo was indeed the somehow related to the famous ancient surgeon Hwata. That concept brings out a nice touch. Also, for Lee Min Ho fans : for me, Faith is the next best work of Lee Min Ho, after Boys Over Flowers. Yes, I like Faith better than ‘Heirs’ or ‘City Hunter’.
Genre : Fantasy, Historical, Romance, Medical, Adventure, Action, Mystery
Number of Episodes: 24
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
Cheongdam-dong Alice
Story : Han Sae Kung (Moon Geun Young) lived a diligent life, believing in goodness and hard work. But her life continued to give her hardships. She later meets her old classmate and rival, Seo Yoon Joo who married a rich guy and is really wealthy now. She understands that Seo Yoon Joo married her husband just for money. After getting tired of her sick life, she decides to stop being so good, and try to be a bit selfish and try to find a rich guy to marry. She happens to meet Cha Seung Joo (Park Shi Hoo), who is a wealthy president of a luxury brand. But Han Sae Kyung had met him as Secretary Kim. Seung Joo had hidden his identity, and pretends to be a poor salary man, the secretary of actual Cha Seung Joo. Sae Kyung and Secretary Kim are starting to have flutters in heart for each other. Sae Kyung is determined not to fall in love with Secretary Kim, as she needs to find a rich guy, and Secretary Kim is not rich. But then, she likes him too much. One day, she accidently finds out that Secretary Kim is actually Cha Seung Joo, and he is really really rich. Han Sae Kyung is distressed, but she decides to make Cha Seung Joo her man. She first purposefully avoids and rejects Seung Joo, and hurt him just to make his feelings strong enough for her. She pretends to be shocked when she finds out he is Cha Seung Joo, and then after rejecting him finally ends up accepting him. After their relationship is going well, Seung Joo realize that Han Sae Kyung had planned with him.
Why Watch : The basic concept here is a bit logical and good. The concept is, when you love a person, it’s actually natural that you love all aspects of that person and money is actually included in that. Though personality and looks and stuff are important, the financial conditions of a person is as important when choosing a man/woman for yourself. The drama try to justify that aspect in a realistic way. That sets this drama apart from everything else.
Genre : Romance, Slice of Life, Psychological
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2012-13
Bring It On Ghost
Alternate Title(s) : Let’s Fight, Ghost
Story : Park Bong Pal (Ok Taek Hyun) have the ability to see ghosts. Not only can he see ghost. He can touch ghost too. She he can kick, punch and fight with a ghost. So he makes money by exorcism. That is just by beating the hell out of ghosts. But one day he meets Lee Hyun Ji (Kim So Hyun), the ghost of a High School Girl. While fighting, Hyun Ji and Bong Pal accidently kiss, on which Hyun Ji gets a small flash back of her past. Hyun Ji who have no memory of her living days then began to followed around Bong Pal in hope of finding her memories. They also agree to fight off ghosts together. In this course, these both began to get closer…
Why Watch : Well, I am a fan of Kim So Hyun. And she never fails our expectation ever. The story is kinda sassy and have a good happy ending. And yeah…it was sweet.
Genre : Romance, Comedy, Fantasy
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2016
The Three Musketeers
Story : The story is loosely based on Alexander Dumas’s Novel ‘The Three Musketeers’. Park Dal Hyang (Jung Young Hwa [CNBLUE]) comes to Hanyang in search of a job in military. There he accidently meets 3 men who introduce themselves as ‘The Three Musketeers’. The three man happen to be The Crown Prince, SoHyeon (Lee Jin Wook), and his two trusted friends, Heo Sung Po and Ahn Min Seo. Park Dal Hyang revel to the three that he has come in search of his first love, and gives them the letter from her. The first love girl, now happens to be the Crown Princess. This puts everything in a funny situation. After that the crown prince puts Park Dal Hyang in the duty to search for Ju Mi Ryung, who was Crown Prince’s first love, and who should be dead, but apparently is alive.
Why Watch : It’s a different sort of Historical Drama and has many funny situations that makes us chuckle. Maybe it may not suit every body’s taste. But it was a bit spunky and rebellious and at the same time exciting for me.
Genre : Historical, Adventure, Action, Comedy.
Number of Episodes: 12
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
Iljimae
Story : Lee Gyom’s (Yeo Jin Goo) father gets murdered and the kid Lee Gyom only see an emblem on the sword of the man who killed his father. He gets separated from his family, and suffers an accident which results him to loss memory. He gets found by a kind hearted commoner, who takes him as his son and names him ‘Young’ (Meaning dragon). Thirteen years later, Young (Lee Joong Ki) regains his memory, but now, his sister is also killed. He wants to take revenge. So he becomes a mysterious theif with nick name ‘Iljimae’, who robs the houses of noble men, and helping the poor. He becomes a public hero figure, but he is in fact searching for the sword that killed his father. Meanwhile, Eun Chae (Han Hyo Joo), a girl he had met as a child has started to have fated encounters with him again. Eun Chae has seen Young, but does not know that Yong is Iljime. But she has fallen for Iljime, whom she identifies as ‘Gyom’, the boy she met as a child. They have their love story, but till the end Eun Chae does not see Iljimae’s face, or recognize him as Young.
Why Watch : It’s like seeing a superhero story. Like alter-egos and main hero, and the heroine not knowing that the super hero, is in fact the normal seeing alter-ego.
Genre : Action, Adventure, Mystery, Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2008
Imaginary Cat
Story : Hyun Jung Hyun (Yoo Seung Ho) is a struggling Webtoon artist. The most important person in his life is his cat, Bok Gil (voice by: Han Yae Ri). He don’t have any interest in dating any one since his best friend and crush, Jung Soo In died years back. But then a new girl, Oh Na Woo(Cho Hye Jung) comes to his life. Na Woo is also a cat lover and she is still searching for her kitten Haru, whom she had lost years back. Because of similar fondness for cats, these two people get aquatinted. Na Woo likes Jung Hyun, but with Jung Hyun’s personality, he would not let her in to his life or heart. Then it’s reveled that Na Woo’s lost kitten Haru is in fact Bok Gil.
Why Watch : If you like animals, especially cats you should watch this drama. It’s lovable and will leave you with a tear. A bunch of good hearted characters and a really cute and lovable cat.
Genre : Heart Warming, Romance, Cat
Number of Episodes: 8
Year the Drama Aired: 2015-16
Because It Is The First Time
Story : Yoon Tae Oh( Choi Min Ho [SHINee]), Han Song Yi (Park So Dham), Seo Ji Ahn (Kim Min Jae), Choi Hoon (Lee Yi Kyung), Oh Ga Rin (Cho Hye Jung) – These 5 are best friends, and live in the same neighborhood. Tae Oh used to like Song Yi, but he has given up his like for her, and is trying to find another girlfriend. And he gets interested in a girl, Ryu Sae Hyun (Jung Eu Gene). Song Yi has a crush on Ji Ahn. And Ji Ahn likes Song Yi as well. Though they have a vib going on between them, they have not confessed yet.
Because of some misunderstanding Tae Oh think that Song Yi has a crush on him. And then Song Yi loss her house, and end up having to live in Tae Ho’s house. Tae Ho is disappointed when he finds that the one Song Yi likes is not him… Ji Ahn really likes Song Yi, but he is not sure if they should date, as they both are struggling for money and working all the time. That miscommunication between Ji Ahn and Song Yi creates some heartbreaks. Still in the end they end up dating.
Why Watch : Have you ever wished for the second lead guy to get the girl instead of the first lead?? Well, I am sure you would have at least once. Here in this drama it feels like the second lead gets the girl instead of the first lead. And it feels right. Not wrong in anyway. The lead is indeed Tae Ho. But all along we feel so touched with Ji Ahn and Song Yi’s love that we feel it’s not fair if Tae Ho get Song Yi, despite the fact that he is having all the first lead moments with Song Yi. (As in, in other K-Dramas, the usual first lead moments like living together, or consoling the girl when she is having sad moment etc, all these was with Tae Ho.)
Genre : Coming of Age, Heart Warming, Slice-of-life, Friendship, Romance
Number of Episodes: 8
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
Jungle Fish 2
Story : Beak Hyo An (Han Ji Woo) was the top student in her class, and such a good natured and diligent girl. One day, Hyo An suddenly dies. Her friends unite to try to find out about the truth of Hyo Ahn’s death. The group of friends are : Min Ho Su (Hang Jong Hyun), Seo Yul (Park Ji Yeon [T-Ara]), Ahn Ba Woo, Lee Rai (Shin So Yul) and Yoon Gong Ji. These 5 along with Hyo Ahn were in the same middle school and were really good friends. Now most of them have drifted apart. Min Ho Su who is also, Hyo Ahn’s boyfriend is unable to find why Hyo An suddenly died, but he was having some relationship issues with Hyo An before her death. Yul was really close with Hyo An before she started dating Ho Su. But Yul, who has a crush on Ho Su had drifted off from Hyo Ahn and Ho Su, despite being in the same High School as them. She has now become very focused on studies and is in a lot of stress because of pressure from her parents for top grades. Ba Woo, who had ended up not going to High School has his own problems. And Rai is suddenly pregnant while her boyfriend abandons her. She decides to keep the baby despite being a teenage mom. The cutely weirdo Gong Ji is a writer who writes about Zombies, whom people do not really appreciate that much. All of them together, try to find out why and how Hyo An died and stumbles up on some dirty secrets of the school authorities.
Why Watch : It’s a realistic and painful High School story, that portray the unjust world and pressures and problems faced by today’s youth. Well, if it’s not the kind of thing you like, do not watch. But if you like the ‘realistic adolescence problems’ like stuff, Jungle Fish 2 is a good watch.
Genre : Mystery, Slice of Life, Painful, Adolescent Problems, Coming of Age
Number of Episodes: 8
Year the Drama Aired: 2011
Jumong
Story : The historical Drama tells the story of Jumong, the king who established the ancient country ‘Goguryo’. The story happens in 37 BCE. Jumong is born out of wedlock from couple Lady YuHwa and General HaeMusu. Genral HaeMusus was a brave warrior who dreamed to unite the Korean Peninsula to one nation. He falls in to a trap and gets separated from everyone. Lady YuHwa and her son Jumong is taken in by Prince Geumwa, who later becomes the king. Jumong (Song Il Gook) grow up in the palace, as King Geumwa’s son. Jumong at first do not take any interest in politics or martial arts so as to not get in any danger with his brothers who hates him. His brothers, Daeso and Yongpo are born from the queen and thinks Jumong is a threat to them since the king loves him more. So they try to harm Jumong constantly. Jumong then meets Lady SoSunHo (Han Hye Jin), a smart and intelligent merchant. Also, he meets three followers Oi, Mari and Hyeoppo. In his later ventures he meets General HaeMusu, who teaches him martial arts. After HaeMusu gets killed Jumong takes the dream of his father to his hands. And Jumong, with the help of SoSunHo, Oi, Mari and Hyeoppo, begins his attempts in re-uniting the Korean Peninsula to one nation…
Why Watch : If this was a list of Historical Dramas this drama would be in first 5, along with Dae Jang Guem. It’s as powerful and well created and is one of the most popular and respected Historical Dramas ever. But it’s 81 episodes long. 81… No. No you won’t really get bored when watching it. And it does keep your interest from start to finish. But to watch 81 episodes might be a big task for many drama lovers out there. Only for that reason, this drama came down in the list of recommendation.
Genre : Historical, Ethnic, Action, Adventure
Number of Episodes: 81
Year the Drama Aired: 2006-07
Master’s Sun
Story : tae Gong Shil (Gong Hyo Jin) has the ability to see Ghosts. She is scared of them, but in the end ends up helping them out. She wish to at least get some break time from the ghosts which she never gets. Then she meets Joo Joong Won (So Ji Sub), the CEO of a mall. Surprisingly when she touches Joo Joong Won, she cannot see ghosts anymore. So she hangs around Joo Joong Won, to his annoyance, begging him to let her touch him just in emergency cases. These two together ends up dealing with many ghosts and solving the problems of ghosts. Then Tae Gong Shil realize that Joo Joong Won has a ghost attached to him. Joo Joong Won’s first love, Cha Hee Joo’s ghost always hangs around with him. Teenager Joo Joong Won (L [Infinite]) and Cha Hee Joo (Han Bo Reum) had met and fallen in love, which gave way to some unfortunates events which resulted in the death of Cha Hee Joo, and Joo Won to hate Hee Joo. Tae Going Shil and Joo Joong Won eventually try to solve the mystery of Cha Hee Joo’s death.
Why Watch : It mixes horror to comedy and romance. Entertaining and catchy.
Genre : Fantasy, Romance, Comedy, Horror, Mystery, Adventure
Number of Episodes: 17
Year the Drama Aired: 2013
Trot Lovers
Story : Choi Choon Hee (EunJi [A-Pink]) is a marathon runner with some singing talent. When her father run away from home after giving a lot of debt, she has no choice but to turn towards singing to make some money. Choi Choon Hee’s mother was a small scale non-popular Trot singer. But the entertainment agency president, President Jo, was a fan of her, and hence he wants to make Choi Choon Hee a singer of his agency. Singer, Jang Joon Hyun (Ji Hyun Woo), was once popular singer, but got in to a scandal because of Choi Choon Hee. So he hates Choi Choon Hee. However, President Jo, assigns Jang Joon Hyun to train Choi Choon Hee and be her sponsor and manager. He promise that if he manages to make Choi Choon Hee to a popular singer, he will let Jang Joon Hyun release a single album. But all Choi Choon Hee can sing are Trot songs. Jang Joon Hyun tries to give it a go and starts training Choi Choon Hee. They go like that depending on each other, and slowly growing to be friends or more like family. They fall in love enough to make sacrifices for each other’s success and life…
Why Watch : Sometimes, going back to that basic story line makes it really entertaining and romantic. The romance here is that old well done pattern and those ever so familiar feelings that we all tend to love at the end. Also, it makes us fall in love with Trot Songs. Especially that ‘hot-pepper’ song does not leave from your lips.
Genre : Romance, Music, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
Personal Taste
Alternate Title(s) : Personal Preferences
Story : Park Gae In (Son Yae Jin), lives in an old traditional Korean house, designed by her famous architect father. She used to live with her childhood friend, Kim In Hee. But Kim In Hee kind of steals away Han Gae In’s boyfriend, Han Chang Ryul. But they fail to get married as the marriage is ruined by Gae In suddenly entering the marriage hall. Kim In Hee is kicked out from Gae In’s home, and Gae In is in search of another room mate. Architect Jeon Jin Ho (Lee Min Ho), desperately trying to win an Arts Center project to keep his Firm safe, hears that the director of the Art Center’s favorite building is Sangongjae, the very house Gae In lives in. The house was never open for public view even if it was always considered a great architectural piece. So to win the project, Jeon Jin Hoo tries to find ways to go in to the house and find it’s secret. Jeon Jin Hoo tries to apply to rent the empty room which Kim In Hee had left. But Gae In only want female room-mates. However, Gae In and her friend, misunderstands Jeon Jin Ho to be gay. Thinking that Jeon Jin Ho is gay, Gae In lets Jeon Jin Hoo live in the house. And they become sort of friends.
Why Watch : If you see it now and compare it to other resent works, there is nothing special in this story. But in 2010, it was quiet okay work and was popular. And well, if you are Lee Min Ho fan go for it.
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2010
Arang and the Magistrate
Story : Arang (Shin Min Ah) is a ghost who lost the memories of alive time. She is struggling hard to live and survive as a ghost. Kim Eun Oh (Lee Joong Ki) is the illegitimate son of a noble man, with the power of seeing ghosts. He is in a journey to search for his mother who went missing. He meets Arang and she request him for help in regaining her memories. He first ignores her and then he notice that Arang has a hair pin that belonged to his mother. So thinking that if Arang regains her memories, he begins to help her. In this process Arang makes Kim Eun Oh, the magistrate of the village. Later, they discover that Arang was the daughter of the last magistrate and her name was Lee Seo Rim. Lee Seo Rim was engaged to a nobleman’s son, Joo Wal. Joo Wal (Yeon Woo Jin) seems like a refined and warm person. However, there is a mystery hidden with him. He just might be responsible for Arang’s death. Meanwhile, Lee Seo Rim’s deadbody is found, and furious Arang goes out to seak the gods to ask him why was she dead. The Gods, Jade Emperor (Yoo Seung Ho) and Yama, gives her a chance to figure out the cause of her death and they makes her human again. Arang comes to earth as human, and along with Magistrate Kim Eun Oh, tries to uncover the secret of her death.
Why Watch : A good mystery and fantasy story. It brings out a few new and refreshing sides with points like how God Jade Emperor is a young handsome boy with a humorous side (Yoo Seung Ho rocks :D) And has many laughable situations.
Genre : Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Adventure
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
Modern Farmer
Story : The band Excellent Souls (ExSo) was once really popular, but now it’s all in ruins. Most of the band members have dispersed and are trying to find their living in different ways. Only the leader Le Min Ki (Lee Hong Ki [F.T.Island]) is holding on to the band. But he is broke, and loan sharks are after him. Then he gets a surprise gift, as his grandmother who pass away leaves a large amount of land in a village in his name. Lee Min Ki expect to sell the land and pay his debt, but the land is In such a remote area that it would not even give 2 Won per square meter. But the land is very fertile and good for farming. So he decides to make money by farming. He try to convince the other band members as well. Yoon Han Chul (Lee Si Eon) has recently discovered that he has cancer and just 1 more year to live. So he agree to follow Lee Min Ki. The youngest member, Han Ki Joon (Kwak Dong Yeon) also follow them because he likes the band to re-unite. Kang Hyuk (Park Min Woo) comes along just because he likes to have some fun. They go to the village, and from their starts their hilarious adventures and problems.
Why Watch : It’s unbelievably funny. Each and every villager are just something. Each have their own crazy characteristics and behaviors. And we feel like we are living inside that village. Too good of a comedy. But if you are looking for a good romance, then the main love story is not that much. Although we will like the second love story of Ki Joon and Hwa Ran. But comedy is 100% guarantee.
Genre : Comedy, Heart Warming, Cuteness
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
The Lover
Story : The story about four pairs who lives in live-in relationship/co-habitation.
Apartment 609 : Oh Do Shi(Oh Jung Sae) and Ryu Do Ri (Ryu Hyun Kyung), are long time couple in their 30s. They choose to live together than get married because of the financial instability. Because of the long time relationship, they are in the kind of relationship that they can understand each other even if they do not talk. A totally, bickering couple who might have lost all the initial sparks of the relationship.
Apartment 610 : The guy, Jung Young Joon (Jung Joon Young) is 21 years old and the woman, Choi Jin Nyo (Choi Yeo Jin) is 33. They have a 12 years age gap and have been living together for 9 months. Young Joon is totally dependent on Jin Nyo. They do love each other, but 12 years age gap can affect the future of their relationship.
Apartment 510 : Park Hwan Jong (Park Jong Hwan) and Ha Seol Eun (Ha Eun Seol) in their 20 has just started their relationship and moved together with the intentions to get married in the near future. But they don’t really seem to be that compatible with each other.
Apartment 709 : Lee Joon Jae (Lee Jae Joon) is an introverted guy who prefers to just stay home. He asked for a quiet roommate as he don’t want to interact with people much. Then comes the roommate, Takuya, a Japanese guy who is on a world travel. Takuya (Tarada Takuya) has a personality that brings out the introverted Joon Jae to interact more, and hence they become friends soon. And Joon Jae feels himself getting attracted to Takuya, despite the fact that Takuya is a guy.
Why Watch : This Web Drama brings out a new angle to Korean Dramas by discussing things like co-habitation and sex. Seriously it might surprise you if you have got used to the usual ‘no extreme adult scenes or talks’ line of usual Korean Dramas. The drama is of omnibus nature and does not have a constant story, but it tells the life and problems and interesting facts of co-habitation in a realistic way. Also, it way too funny. At times you can’t help fall on the floor laughing. And for me, the love story of Joon Jae and Takuya was as heart fluttering and intriguing as any male-female love story in Korean Dramas.
Genre : Romance, Slice of Life, Heart Warming, 18+
Number of Episodes: 12
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
She Was Pretty
Story : Kim Hae Jin and Ji Sung Joon were friends when they were children and had a special bond with each other. They were each other’s first love. And when Ji Sung Joon has moved to America, they even have had a parting kiss. Many years later, Ji Sung Joon comes back to Korea and wants to meet Kim Hae Jin again. But there is a problem, when they were kids, Sung Joon was fat and not so handsome boy, and Kim Hae Jin was extremely pretty. But now, when they have grown up, Sung Joon (Park Seo Joon) has grown up to be a handsome and dashing guy, but Hae Jin (Hwang Jung Eum) has become ugly with freckles and bushy hair. Hence Hae Jin gets a bit self-conscious and does not gets the courage to go in front of Ji Sung Joon. So instead, she sends her best friend and room-mate, Min Ha Ri (Go Joon Hee) to Sung Joon, to pretend that Ha Ri is Hae Jin. Ha Ri and Hae Jin manages to successfully convince Sung Joon that Ha Ri is Hae Jin. They part after meeting for one day.
After that, Kim Hae Jin gets a job and when she goes to the job, out of various circumstances she is placed in the Editing Team of a Fashion Magazine. To her horror she finds that the Chief Sub-editor is none other than Ji Sung Joon. Yet she is in not a position to quit the job. Since Sung Joon thinks she is another person with the same name, and not his Hae Jin, Hae Jin continues with the job. Sung Joon again meets Ha Ri accidentally, and they keep meeting each other. Ha Ri starts to fall for Ji Sung Joon. But Sung Joon is confused as Ha Ri, whom he thinks is Hae Jin, has less and less characteristics of Hae Jin he used to know and, the intern at his office, the ugly Hae Jin has more and more similarities with the Jae Jin he used to know.
Then there is also Kim Shi Hyuk(Choi Siwon[Super Junior]), the crazy Feature Editor who works for the magazine, who hates anything that is not fun. He thinks Kim Hae Jin is really interesting and fun and hence hangs out near her always…
Why Watch : It’s a basic and simple love story with the usual love triangle (or rectangle) elements. The special here is if you liked ‘Kill Me, Heal Me’, you will like this. Park Seo Joon had lost the lead girl Hwang Jung Eum in ‘Kill me Heal Me’. The second male lead and female lead of the previous drama, is main male lead and main female lead of this drama. It’s always nice to see that. (Another example of a pair of drama like this is ‘You’re Beautiful’ and ‘Heartstrings’, Park Shin Hye – Jung Young Hwa pair).
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes : 16
Year the Drama Aired : 2015
Mary Stayed Out All Night
Story : Wi Mary’s father tells her to get married to his rich friend’s son, so as they can live a more comfortable life, not having to worry about money. But Mary (Moon Geun Young) doesn’t want to get married to a guy whom she does not love. So in order to get away from the marriage talk, with her friends advise, she goes and have a fake marriage photo shoot with her recently made friend Kang Mu Hyul (Jang Guen Suk), who is a musician and tells her father that she and Mu Hyul got married. Her father who is adamant goes and registers Mary’s marriage with his friend’s son Jung In, and force her to choose between Mu Hyul and Jung In after meeting both of them for 1 moth. Mean while Mu Hyul who had commitment issues before gets attached to Mary and and starts to like her.
Why Watch : I like how the relationship develop between Mu Hyul and Mary. From friendship to care to love. And Mu Hyul has a good detailed character definition. (And by the way, I have always felt that most of the dramas from years 2010-11-12, had a sort of charm and magic that many resent works lacks. Dramas from these years have that comfort zone that we end up liking.)
Genre : Romance, Comedy, Music
Number of Episodes : 16
Year the Drama Aired : 2010
One More Happy Ending
Story : Han Mi Mo (Jang Na Ra), is an ex-member of a K-pop girl group which got broken up. She now run a marriage match making agency for divorced people. She ends up getting dumped by her boyfriend and the whole thing is witnessed by, Song Soo Hyuk (Jung Kyoung Ho). He even try to save her from the ocean thinking that she is trying to drown herself, when she was trying to retrieve her necklace. Then they find out that Song Soo Hyk is apparently Mi Mo’s new neighbor as well. But not only that, that Son Soo Hyuk and Han Mi Mo is surprised to find out that they were elementary school classmates. So on the day to celebrate Mi Mo’s heartbreak and their re-union, they get drunk and ‘almost’ gets married to each other…
Why Watch : It’s kind a cute. And funny. And yet mature in many places. Somewhat boring towards the end. But still very much funny and entertaining at the beginning.
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2016
Warm and Cozy
Story : On Beak Gun Woo’s (Yoo Yeon Seok) 18thbirthday, a girl comes to his birthday party seeking for his mom or him, and she claims to be his twin sister. She does not get to meet the mother, but she has a talk with Beak Gun Woo. The girl, Lee Jung Joo (Kang So Ra) shows him a photo where her father is standing with Gun Woo’s mother, and tells Gun Woo that she has the same birthday as Gun Woo, so it’s a possibility that they might be twins. Gun Woo tries to find the truth, but his mother tell that she do not know the man in the photo. Lee Jung Joo is sad since she had hoped to find her mother, and now it turns out that that hope was in vain. Gun Woo slightly consoles her and they part their ways promising that when they meet again, they could consider dating. Since that day, Lee Jung Joo’s first love was Gun Woo and she would always imagine him as a prince on a while horse. Years later, Beak Gun Woo is a chef and has established a restaurant in Jeju Island. And a bankrupt Lee Jung Joo comes to Jeiu Island, to at least sell or try to live in the house, her brother’s mistakes has left her with. But the house is too much in bad shape to live in or sold. Beak Gun Woo who misunderstands that Lee Jung Joo has a terminal illness, feels pitiful for her and takes her in to his restaurant. One day they both get drunk and in the heat of the moment, Gun Woo sells his restaurant to Jung Joo for a really small sum of money. But now, Gun Woo has nowhere to go. So they start living together in the restaurant…
Why Watch : It’s just a straight laced, sweet love story. The visuals of the drama are beautiful, since it’s shot in beautiful Jeju Island. The sea is so blue and clear.
Genre : Romance, Drama
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
Hi! School – Love On
Story : While trying to avoid him falling on her, untitled teenage death angel (Kim Sae Ron) accidently saves the life of Shin Woo Hyun (Nam Woo Hyun [Infinite]). And because of that she becomes a human. She takes a random name Lee Seul Bi and since she has nowhere to go, Woo Hyun and his grandmother takes her in to their home. She keeps the fact that she is an angel a secret and pretends to have a memory loss. Seul Bi starts going to school with Woo Hyun as well. In school, Hwang Seung Yeol (Lee Seung Yeol [Infinite]) takes an interest in her and starts trying to get closer to her. This makes Woo Hyun jealous. Woo Hyun’s grandmother then passes away. Leaving Woo Hyun and Seul Bi alone in the house. Problems start arising since a boy and girl in teenage is living together in one house. Woo Hyun and Seul Bi becomes a couple and Woo Hyun comes to know accidently that Seul Bi is an angel. But he do not want her to leave him, so he keeps the secret to himself… But it’s not that easy to keep Seul Bi’s identity as a secret from every one. Soon their classmates starts to find out.
Why Watch : It has got that whole high school feel with young actors and sweet story line. The relationship between Woo Hyun and Seul Bi is good since, they are more like family and relay on each other.
Genre : Fantasy, High School, Romance
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
Mimi
Story : 28 year old, introverted webtoon writer Min Woo (Shim Chang Min [TVXQ]) is being followed by a teenage girl’s ghost (Moon Ga Young). He can’t see her. But she is always there following him around with a sweet smile and loving eyes. Min Woo is suffering from memory loss. He cannot remember anything from just a certain period when he was in High School. He tries to recover his memories from that time. When they were in High School, Min Woo had met Mimi…and become friends and fallen in love. But their love did not get a happy ending…
Why Watch : This is in here because of it’s first episode. It’s just too much of a sweet and soft love story. The development of Min Woo and Mimi’s relationship is innocent and well portrayed. The rest of the drama do not stay much in your memory after watching. But the first episode and Min Woo and Mimi’s relationship stays forever.
Genre : Romance, Fantasy, Tragedy
Number of Episodes: 4
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
Panda and Hedgehog
Alternate Title(s) : Ms Panda and Mr Hedgehog
Story : Pan Da Yang (Yoon Seung Ah) is a hardworking and easygoing girl who is often nicknamed as ‘Panda’ because of her name. She wish to keep up the café her late parents has left her with. But the patisserie in the café is no good at all. So she try to fire him and hire a new one. Go Seung Ji (Lee Dong Hae [Super Junior]) is a talented patisserie with a slight prickly personality self-protecting reasons. Because of that his nickname is ‘Hedgehog’, which is ‘Goseumdochi’ in Korean, and ‘Dochi’ for short. Also, he has a bit troubled past. He was an orphan and eventually ended up in Detention Center for Underage Criminals. There he meets his mentor who taught him to bake. He still lives with that mentor, and calls him ‘grandfather’. Dochi starts working in Panda’s café, and because of his talent the café starts doing well. Choi Won Il (Choi Jin Hyuk) was Pan Da Yang’s childhood friend who comes back from America. He is a seriously innocent guy with a crush on Pan Da Yang. Slowly a love triangle develops between threes three. But Panda just likes both of the guys. So she say, ‘no fight and no competition. I will give chance to both of you equally and then I will decide’. And after that the find out that Dochi might actually have some relation to them from their childhood days. Dochi’s parents could be found…
Why Watch : It’s just an innocent thing to watch. Romance is simple. It’s sweet how the girl says she likes both of them and hence will give equal chances and then decide. But then the story has slight mystery element of Dochi’s past to keep an excitement. All the characters are lovable. And the cakes and cupcakes shown….yummmmm….. Mouthwatering.
Genre : Cuteness, Heart Warming, Romance, Comdey, Mystery
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
You’re the Best, Lee Soon Shin
Alternate Title(s) : Lee Soon Shin is the Best
Story : Her parents named Lee Soon Shin (IU) after Admiral Lee Soon Shin (a general who became a big factor in winning a war against Japan), in the hope that she will be strong and successful like Lee Soon Shin. But Soon Shin just gets embarrassed by her name in the interviews and never gets hired. She tries to live diligently, but always ends up as the worst going daughter in the house of 3 daughters. She even has a hopeless one sided crush for Park Chan Woo (Go Joo Won), her Sister Lee Yoo Shin’s (Yoo In Na) childhood/best friend. Good-natured and polite Park Chan Woo has a long time crush on his best friend Yoo Shin. But Yoo Shin who is a naughty outgoing girl, never see him as a man. Also Yoo Shin is always fighting with Soon Shin in the usual siblings’ fights. But the problem here is that Soon Shin unlike her sisters, was adopted. Her mother, who loves Soon Shin a lot, always hid this fact. But when her husband passes away, and she suspect that perhaps Soon Shin was her husband’s daughter from another woman, the mom’s feelings began to change and she slightly starts to hate Soon Shin.
In the middle of all this, because his ex-girlfriend challenges him, Shin Joon Ho (Jo Jung Suk) ventures out in the mission to make Lee Soon Shin a top actress. Shin Joon Ho is an ex-singer who has established the most well going Entertainment Agency. He is considered Midas in the field of Entertainment as whoever he takes in to his Agency is bound to do well. His ex-girlfriend and actress, Choi Yeon Ah tell him that he is doing well only because he takes in only those people who are excellent naturally and hence are sure to do well. She tells him if he can take someone too normal and slightly messy and make a star out of her, then she will acknowledge his talents. She then points out Lee Soon Shin who just happened to stand outside and shows an example of normal and says ‘someone like that’. Shin Joon Ho takes the challenge and scouts Soon Shin to his Agency. From there starts the journey of Lee Soon Shin in the path of being an actress. It eventually gets her face-to-face with her birth mother Song Mi Ryung (Lee Mi Sook) who was once Korea’s stop actress and still a very busy actress and a ‘diva’.
Why Watch : A nice romance, and heart touching and unusual story of a mother and daughter. We see a mother who is greedy for her daughter who does a lot of mean things and a daughter who hates her birth mother yet somehow has acknowledged her as her mother deep down.
Genre : Family, Romance, Heart-Warming
Number of Episodes: 50
Year the Drama Aired: 2013
The Girl Who See Smell
Alternate Title(s) : Sensory Couple
Story : Oh Cho Rim (Shin Sae Kyung), has the power to ‘see’ smell. She had suffered an accident 3 year back, which had resulted in a memory loss and this power. She lives with her father, and is always bright personality girl, who wants to become a standup comedian. She meets Police Officer Choi Mu Gak (Park YooChun [JYJ]), who had lost his sense of pain due to a trauma in past which involved his sister’s death. On Cho Rim helps out Officer Choi in catching a thief, with her power to see smell. From then on they decide to help out each other, in their separate goals. Hanging out like that, they stumble up on a serial killer case where the killer leaves a ‘barcode’ shaped slits in the victim’s wrist. The crime investigation department, Officer Choi and Oh Cho Rim tries to get to the bottom of this case. At the same time, both On Cho Rim’s and Officer Choi’s sister’s (Kim So Hyun) death happens to have relation with the barcode serial killer.
Why Watch : This is in here because of the psychopath murderer who leaves ‘barcode’ on the victims. For the logic he does that for and how first we suspect someone, and he ends up innocent and less suspicious person turns out to be the killer.
Genre : Mystery, Adventure, Romance, Comedy, Fantasy
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
Brilliant Legacy
Alternate Title(s) : Shining Inheritance
Story : This is the ‘Cinderella story’ of KDramas. Go Eun Sang (Han Hyo Joo) gets in to a typical Cinderella situation when her father passes away. Her younger brother gets lost and she is thrown out of the house by her step mother. Still Go Eun Sang try to live diligently by doing various works. One day she happens to help a grandmother whom she finds unconscious on the street. She takes the old lady home and takes care of her well. Little does she know that the old lady is the owner of a bog food company. The old lady takes a liking to Go Eun Sang. She was in distress as her own family is in no good state to manage her company or the house after her death. Her grandson Sunwoo Hwan (Lee Seung Gi) is a spoilt brat, with warm and caring nature hidden inside. Hwan and Eun Sang had met and have had a few fights because of a few misunderstandings.
To set her family right, grandmother brings Eun Sang to her home, and gives her a job in the restaurant managed by the food company. Grandmother announces to the family that if Eun Sang manages to raise the profit of the badly going restaurant by 20%, she will give all of her inheritance to Eun Sang. The family is shocked by this. Hwan is irritated and angry over this. He tells grandmother that if he manages to do the same before Eun Sang does, she has to give him and family the inheritance. Grandmother tells him that if he is going to work, he can, but he has to give up all the luxury he had lived in. His cards and car is taken away from him. So Hwan, has to get on bus every day, and eat with the employees. Together with Eun Sang he tries to save the restaurant.
Meanwhile Eun Sang’s step-mother hears about the whole situation and tries to interfere and make Eun Sang’s life more difficult. And Step-mother’s daughter Yoo Seung Mi(Moon Chae Won), happens to be Hwan’s junior in school whom he is really close with. Hwan really cares and loves Seung Mi like a sister. But Seung Mi loves Hwan romantically. Eun Sang also has a strong support, Park Joon Sae (Bae Soo Bin), who accidently met Eun Sang and became a really good friend. Joon Sae loves Eun Sang. But Eun Sang and Hwan is slowly falling for each other.
Why Watch : ‘Brilliant Legacy’ was really popular drama of it’s time, and has even surpassed the rating of its contemporary drama ‘Boys Over Flowers’. But judging from the present day, the story is quite okay. Usual. But keeps us entertained and exited. But watch for Lee Seung Gi. He was younger in this and looks really cute.
Genre : Family, Romance
Number of Episodes: 28
Year the Drama Aired: 2009
Twenty Year Old
Alternate Title(s) : Twenties, 20s
Story : Kim Hye Rim (Lee Da In) is just an ordinary 20 year old girl. After getting a messy flop on her crush, she accidently happens to meet Lee Ki Kwang (Lee Ki Kwang [B2ST]), the k-pop star. Lee Ki Kwang had been her best friend in middle school and the counter-part of her first kiss. Their relationship would have stepped out from friendship to love, if Ki Kwang’s hand had not unconsciously went to Hye Rim’s boobs during that first kiss. With that event these two had grown distant, and later Ki Kwang had become a celebrity and lost contact with her. But now, Ki Kwang approach Hye Rim again and they sort out the problems and becomes a couple. But they have problems to keep their relationship, as they have to hide the fact that they are dating. Hye Rim’s best friend is diehard fan of B2ST and Ki Kwang, so Hye Rim cannot even tell her the fact that she is dating Ki Kwang. Eventually the cat is out of the box, and people get to know about the relationship and a scandal breaks out. Ki Kwang’s reaction on this hurts Hye Rim, and eventually the couple breaks up. Both of them are in pain, tears and yearning because of the breakup… After a few hard times, in the end, the starts dating secretly again.
Why Watch : This is a tiny drama I happened to stumble up on. Though the actors acting in the drama is not perfect and direction lacks something in a slight bit, this story has a nice touch of honesty of life of 20 years old. It has a realistic sweet love story that can attract you.
Genre : Romance, Slice Of Life
Number of Episodes: 4 (30 mins each episodes)
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
Let’s go to the beach
Story : Jang Tae Poong (Lee Wan) is the illegitimate son of a big business man. He does not have much aim in his life and lives his life freely. He meets Yoon So Ra (Lee Chung Ah), a hardworking girl who wants to become a dolphin trainer. And because of some reasons they start working as the life guards at Tae Poong’s father’s beach resort. So Ra gets in to some talking terms with the resort’s president, Jang Tae Hyun, Tae Poong’s step brother. But she is much more comfortable with Tae Poong. They start of as small enemies and fights and bicker and soon becomes good friends.
Why Watch : I happen to watch this not-so-popular old drama and surprisingly liked it a lot. It’s always refreshing to watch a couple who actually gets in to good friendship before gradually fall in to love.
Genre : Romance, Friendship, Family
Number of Episodes: 14
Year the Drama Aired: 2005
Ma Boy
Story : Jang Gue Rim (Kim So Hyun) joins the new school of arts and music with the dreams of becoming a singer. The school is filled with Idols and Idol wannabes. The top stars of the school are Tae Joon, a boy group member and Irine, a top model. Jang Gue Rim who always had been a fan of Tae Joon is simply excited to be in the same class as Tae Joon. And then, she gets assigned to the same hostel room as Irine. But Irine seems cold and introverted and do not even talk to her. The other students in school say that Irine is normally silent and they have not even heard her voice. Then Jang Gue Rim finds out why that is so. Because Irine is in fact a boy. Irine, is Hyun Woo (Sun Woong) who happened to end up as a female model for various reasons. Out of request by Hyun Woo and his manager, Gue Rim agrees to keep Irine’s identity a secret. They continue to live in one room.
Why Watch : It’s a nice teenage love story. I wish if it was of more episodes though. If it were more episodes it could come up much more above in the list. It’s as good as ‘To the beautiful you’ or ‘You’re beautiful’. Just that the gender-bender is reverse than the usual here.
Genre : Romance, High School, Gender-Bender
Number of Episodes: 3
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
The Greatest Love
Story : Top star Dokko Jin (Cha Seung Won) had a heart transplant surgery years back. At that time during the surgery, his doctor was hearing a popular girl group song ‘My heart is beating dugun dugun’. Years later, the girl group is split up and the former member Gu Ae Jung (Gong Hyo Jin) is now a non-popular actress. Dokko Min meets Gu Ae Jung, and happens to hear the song ‘My heart is beating dugun dugun’. His heart beats faster when he hear this song looking at Gu Ae Jung. He fears that he is falling for Gu Ae Jung, and starts following her around to confirm this. After a while he figures out that it was probably because of the song that his heart started to beat faster. He tells this to Ae Jung in relief and tries to laugh off the whole situation. But then, now, he might have actually fallen for Ae Jung.
Why Watch : It creates a strange and interesting chemistry when Dokko Jin’s bizarre personality meets with Gong Hyo Jin’s natural way of acting.
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2011
Shut-up Flower Boy Band
Story : The story follows the journey of a band ‘Eye Candy’ from their no-body days to fame and stardom. The local band ‘Eye Candy’ is quiet popular just in the neighborhood. The leader of the band is crazy and wild Joo Byun Hee (Lee Min Ki). Byun Hee one day see Im Soo Ah (Jo Bo Ah) and declare her as his ‘muse’. Byun Hee’s best friend and band member Kwan Ji Hyuk (Sung Joon) and So Ah starts to live in houses next to each other by chance. One day Byun Hee suddenly dies in a traffic accident. Ji Hyuk slightly blames himself for Byun Hee’s death. Now Ji Hyuk is the leader of ‘Eye Candy’ and they again strive to get established. Ji Hyuk helps out and be with Soo Ah frequently, first because he thinks he should take care of Byun Hee’s muse, then simply because he likes her. But he express his feelings to Soo Ah who accepts him. But he has to hide their relationship from his friends, since his friends will not understand and will think Ji Hyuk stole Byun Hee’s girl. At the same time, the band’s guitarist Lee Hyun Soo (L [Infinite]) is having his own family and monitory problems. Yet he is the type that will not depend on others or show his pains. Slightly arrogant and cynical as well. The K-pop solo singer, Ye Rim see Lee Hyun Soo and gets interested in him, who was playing guitar with a wounded finger, who just arrogantly reply to her and do not talk politely to her despite her being a celebrity. Meanwhile Eye Candy gets to debut in K-pop world. That brings out pressure to the band members as they are not used to the lifestyle… Kwon Ji Hyuk and Soo Ah has to hide their relationship even stronger now. And Ye Rim has expressed her interest in Lee Hyun Soo, who keeps on ignoring her or as usual arrogantly replying to her.
Why Watch : It’s a good story about friendship and realizing dreams. The Lee Hyun Soo – Ye Rim love story is a bit interesting, even if it’s not the main one. But more than of romance, the drama is more about friendship. And it has got a different sort of feel to it than all the other K-dramas. More like an English series feel, than of a KDrama feel.
Genre : Friendship, Romance, Slice of Life, Music
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
Empress Ki
Story : Empress Ki was the first Korean Woman to become the Queen of Yuan Dynasty. The story follows the life of Ki Nyang (Ha Ji Won). She has to move to China after leaving her first love King Wang Yoo (Joo Jin Mo). She marries Emperor Huizong (Ji Chang Wook), who is a cowardly and weak person, and she helps him to gain strength and power to stand against the Prime Minister El Temur, who holds all the power.
Why Watch : Ha Ji Won shows the woman power again, with her strong character. Plus you will simply love the adorable and lovable Emperor Huizong.
Genre : Historical, Action, Adventure, Romance
Number of Episodes: 51
Year the Drama Aired: 2013-14
Nine : Nine Time Travels
Story : Park Sun Woo’s (Lee Jin Wook) past is filled with problems and tragedies. His father died after a fire accident and his mother went mentally unwell after that. Even his brother went on traveling around the world aimlessly after that. And now, Sun Woo is detected with brain tumor and told he has only a little time to live. He then accepts the feelings of Joo Min Young (Jo Yoon Hee), a cute junior girl in his work place, who used to have a crush on him for a long time. Sun Woo’s brother suddenly dies in the outskirts of Himalaya mountains. Sun Woo does not know why his brother went there. But along with his brother’s body, he gets a packet of incense. One day when he lights the incense, he goes back in time to his teenage days. Thinking that he can change his past and save his family, Sun Woo begins to use the incense sticks. However, things all do not go exactly so well. When he tries to help out his brother in past, his brother does not die and is alive in the present day; but suddenly Sun Woo’s girlfriend Min Young is his non-blood related niece.
Why Watch : The way changes in past makes the present change is mind boggling for the viewers. It’s yet another excellent fantasy themed story.
Genre : Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery, Romance
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2013
Liar Game
Story : Nam Da Jung (Kim Seo Eun) is a young lady, living in many financial difficulties, yet having a clear conscious about right and wrong. She is invited to a game show after she passes a honesty test. The Game Show, Liar Game is a reality show where people are supposed to handle a lot of money, and save their money and steal from other players with whatever means. The show idea was developed by Kang Do Young (Shin Sung Rok), who also happens to host the show. To help Da Jung in the game, her friend and lone-shark rookie, Jo Dal Go introduce her to Ha Woo Jin (Lee Sang Yoon), a genius ex-professor who just comes out from prison. Ha Woon Jin is an extra ordinarily intelligent guy becomes the key to win the game.
Note : The drama is adapted from a Japanese Manga, and there is a Japanese Drama of the same.
Why Watch : It can keep your interest. It’s exciting and full of surprise and shocking situations. Plus there are a lot of psychological aspects as well.
Genre : Adventure, Psychological, Mystery, Romance.
Number of Episodes: 12
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
Angry Mom
Story : Jo Kang Ja (Kim Hee Sun) had become a teenage mom, and now is the mom of 17 year old Oh Ah Ran (Kim Yoo Jung). Ah Ran is in bad terms with her mom lately, and accuse that it’s a mistake that her mom is her mom. Then Jo Kang Ja comes to know that Ah Ran is getting bullied at school. She tries to stand up and protect her daughter. But nothing she does seem to work to punish the bullies. So Kang Ja has no choice left. With the help of her old friend, Gong Ju, who is a gangster leader now, Kang Ja enters the High School as a student and try to find the people who bullied her daughter. But what she comes to know is more than some facts about High School Violence. The dirty secrets of School Authorities and the Minister for Education are reveled to her.
Why Watch : I should remind that the similar sort of problems are discussed in ‘Cheer Up’ in a lighter and more entertaining way, mixed with Romance and Friendship. So if you like romance, and lighter entertainment you should probably just watch ‘Cheer Up’. ‘Angry Mom’ depicts things in a more cruel way, making our heart ache… Also, it does not contain much romance (Except for the crush Ah Ran’s Bully, Go Bok Dong feels for Jo Kang Ja; and Ah Ran and Sang Tae’s negligible romance). It’s more of the story of a strong mother’s story. More than entertainment it is an eye opener towards the corrupt society.
Genre : Slice of Life, Mystery, High School
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
Love Cells
Story : Ma Dae Choong (Park Sun Ho) had been living a losers life without doing anything particular and have not beein in love or dated anyone in the past few years. One day, the last love cell in his body pops out of him and yells at him that it’s going to die soon if he does not start dating soon. Dae Choong’s pet cat Nebi gulps up and eats the love cell that had come out. Then the love call gets power and transforms the cat’s body to a young girl. The love Cell/Nebi (Kim Yoo Jung), stars helping Dae Choong to start dating again.
Dae Choong has a crush on the idol Seo Rin (Nam Ji Hyun), and with the help of Nebi he gets closer to Seo Rin. But Seo Rin’s friend, actor and Idol, Cheon Ji Woon (Beak Sung Hyun) also is in love with Seo Rin and is a obstacle for Dae Choong and Nebi. But then, what if Dae Choong just care for Nebi more than Seo Rin??
Also, there is this mystery guy with an evil aura (Kim Woo Bin), who always watch every move of Nebi and Dae Choong from distance…targeting them…
Why Watch : It’s simple and cute, yet interesting. It starts of as simple, and not that special…but eventually we get hooked in to the story. Got an interesting bunch of actors who have done a good job in acting their respective roles. In such a tiny drama there is even popular and established actors like Kim Woo Bin and Jang Hyuk, and of course Kim Yoo Jin. Even that combination of actors makes things interesting.
Note : There is a second season ‘Love Cells S2’. I tried watching that too, but did not find that as interesting as the first season. The first season is way better.
Genre : Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes : 15 (5 minutes episodes)
Year the Drama Aired : 2014
Divorce Lawyer in Love
Alternate Title(s) : The Divorce Lawyer is Dating
Story : 3 years back, Go Cheok Hee (Jo Yeo Jung) was the most successful Lawyer in Divorce Casses. She was known for being total cruel and going up to any level to win the case. All her subordinates hated her for her cruel and strict behavior, and gave her the nickname Chukky (from the horror movie series ‘Chukky’). Among her subordinates was her office manager Seo Jung Woo (Yeon Woo Jin), whom Cheok Hee treated really badly. The something happen which turns things over…
Three years after, Seo Jung Woo is now a lawyer and Go Cheok Hee, who got her license suspended, has to work under Seo Jung Woo as the office manager. Because of her old college senior, Bong Min Kyu (Shim Hyung Tak), who wants to hire her, owns the law firm where Seo Jung Woo works. Seo Jung Woo and Go Cheok Hee two hate each other to death, but have no choice but to work with each other… And eventually these two fall in love.
Why Watch : The personality of the heroine is different from any other Korean Drama. She is hateful and still sort of lovable. That sets the drama apart. And I especially liked the ending of the drama of how they say that even if they get married they don’t want to leave the fantasy that everything will be well after that. By knowing thousands of divorce cases, they know that they could fight and stuff… Still they will try to solve the fights…. That left a realistic impression and a notable difference from any other K-dramas.
NB : The character of Lawyer Bong Min Kyu is too lovable and adorable.
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 18
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
The Heirs
Alternate Title(s) : The Inheritors, The one trying to wear the crown, bears the weight of the crown – The Heirs
Story : Poor girl Cha Eun Sang (Park Shin Hye) meets rich boy Kim Tan (Lee Min Ho) on a trip to USA. Kim Tan falls for Eun Sang. But he is engaged to Yoo Rachel (Kim Ji Won). Tan comes back to Korea after En Sang leaves to Korea. Tan’s step brother Won (Choi Jin Hyuk) despise Tan since Tan is the illegitimate son. However Tan loves and respects his brother. Tan then, finds Eun Sang and follows her around. Eun Sang happens to join the same elite school as Tan. But she has to keep the fact that she is poor a secret in order to avoid getting bullied by the vicious spoilt rich kids. Tan tell her the solutions so as she does not get bullied is to become his girlfriend and let him protect her. Eun Sang does not agree. Mean while, the school’s bully and Tan’s ex-best friend Choi Young Do (Kim Woo Bin) also takes an interest in Eun Sang. Eun Sang’s childhood friend Yoon Chan Young (Kang Min Hyuk [CNBLUE]) is getting along fine with his girlfriend Lee Bo Na (Krystal Jung [f(x)]), who was Tan’s ex-girlfriend. And tan’s friend Lee Hyo Shin (Kang Ha Neul) has a crush on his tutor Jeon Hyeon Ju (Lim Ju Eun) whom Tan’s brother Won likes.
Why Watch : Why is Heir so down in this list?? Because I simply hated it most of the time. The story seriously lacks depth. It’s hazy and everyone is related to everyone, and too many characters played by a lot of big stars. It just feels a parade of big stars and does not touch your heart. ‘Heirs’ still made in to this list because of Park Shin Hye’s excellent acting and the natural charm of Kim Woo Bin as the bad boy. Also towards the end episodes it started to make some sense by making money the reason for various problems of the students.
Genre : Romance, Comedy, High School
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2013
Pinocchio
Story : A fire accident cause Ki Ha Myung’s father to pass away. Because of the selfish pressures and false news broadcasting from the reporters, Ki Ha Myung’s family is shattered. Ha Myung’s mother commits suicide, by jumping in to the sea with Ha Myung. Ha Myung’s older brother, Ki Jae Myung thinks that both of them died. Ha Myung is saved by an old man living in an island. The old man with slight dementia mistakes that Ha Myung is his son who had died in the sea when he was young. But the child had died many years back. Still the old man names Ha Myung, Choi Dal Po - after his son and thinks that his son has come back. The old man’s son Choi Dal Pyung and granddaughter, Choi In Ha comes back to live in the island from Seoul. Because of the old man’s health reasons and insisting, now middle aged Choi Dal Pyung has to call the kid Dal Po/Ha Myung as ‘Hyungnim’(older brother), and In Ha has gained an ‘uncle’ of her same age. In Ha and Dal Po grow up together as friends and In Ha call Dal Po ‘uncle’ only when her grandfather is around. In Ha has a problem. She has a psychological disorder of hiccuping when she lies. This problem is named as ‘Pinocchio disorder’ (A hypothetical disorder that was developed to support the story, not real). When they are teenagers, Dal Po (Lee Jong Suk) does realize his romantic feelings towards In Ha (Park Shin Hye), but he does not express it. When they graduate, they both become news reporters. In Ha is there to follow the path of her mother and realize her long dream to be a reporter. And Dal Po who hates reporters more than anything is there to expose the truth about his father’s death and correct the system if possible. At the same time, Han Myung’s brother Jae Myung (Yoon Kyun Sang) is also driven with revenge’s obsession and even willing to murder people for that.
Why Watch : I did find it just a bit typical and nothing extra-ordinary. Also, the romance falls a bit bland. But as usual, Park Shin Hye rocks and plays the character really well. And you can almost fall for Yoon Kyun Sang (playing Ki Jae Myung) with his warm smile and tormented sad eyes. And Lee Yu Bi is too cute.
Genre : Mystery, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Family
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2014-15
Hyde, Jekyll, Me
Alternate Title(s) : Hyde, Jekyll and I
Story : Go Seo Jin (Hyun Bin) is a rich heir and runs the Amusement Part, Wonder World. He is suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder). Hence Seo Jin is on constant check of his vitals and health quotients so as his other personality, Robin does not come out. Unlike Seo Jin, who is cynic and cold, Robin is really warm person who always help other people. Despite Seo Jin’s efforts, Robin comes out after five years. Seo Jin and Robin finds out that it’s because of Jang Ha Na (Han Ji Min), the owner of Circus Troup in Wonder World. Years back, Jang Ha Na was the trigger who first let Robin come out. Ha Na meets Robin and on Robin’s words believes that Robin is Seo Jin’s twin brother. Later she falls in love with Robin, and start to date Robin and then comes to know that Robin is a personality of Seo Jin. In the middle of all this Seo Jin’s doctor, Dr. Kang goes missing, and the kidnapper is Seo Jin’s old friend who has a long hatred for him because of something that happened when he was a child. Also, dr. Kang’s student, Dr. Yoon Tae Joo (Sung Joon), seems a bit shady and has something to hide..???
Why Watch : A nice lovable story and characters. We would love Robin…especially that smile with dimples.
Genre : Romance, Psychological, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
Misaeng
Story : The story follows the ordinary life and events in life of a bunch of Office Workers. Jang Gue Re (Yim Si Wan) used to be a prodigy in board game ‘baduk. But because of financial conditions he could not become a professional at it. He gets to be an intern with some recommendations. He gets tagged as ‘nakasan’ (someone who gets job with connections) and is out-casted by all the other interns. He gets placed in Sales Team 3. The other 2 members of Sales Team 3 are Team leader Oh Sang Shik, Manager Kim, two straight laced and honest, but stressed out and non-appreciated employees with sore really interesting personality. The other inters include Jang Beak Gi (Kang Ha Neul) who is an above average well behaved employee, the only girl and top performer among the Interns, Ahn Yong Yi (Kang So Ra), and sly and talkative Han Seok Yeol (Byun Yo Han)
Why Watch : If you ever have worked in an office, you will relate with this story. It feels like taken out of the normal life of office workers.
Genre : Drama, Slice of Life, Heart Warming
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
The Night Watchman’s Journal
Story : Kid Prince Rin gets ill with a mystical illness. To save his life, his father – The King, goes in search of a magical flower to Mt. Beakdu. There he gets in the middle of the fight between two tribes. The evil Youngshin tribe had kidnapped the shaman of Mago tribe and is about to offer her as a sacrifice to revive a powerful dragon. The Yongshin tribe worships the dragon as god and it’s said that the dragon will help them to rule the entire world. The king, fights with the Youngshin Tribe, changes the dragon in to a stone statue, banishes Youngshin Tribe’s leader Sadam (Kim Sung Oh), and saves the shaman. But the shaman was already cursed by Sadam, and the Shaman puts black magic on the king. The shaman then gets kidnapped by someone. The King who returns to capital with the magic flower, gets weird by the balck magic’s effect and he hills everyone, including his wife and then commits suicide. Prince Rin who survived is considered un-fit for the thorn because of his father’s actions, and sent outside the palace. Prince Rin’s step brother becomes the next king. Years pass, and Prince Rin (Jung Il Woo) grow up. He lives a cheerful and careless life, while hiding the fact that he can in fact see ghosts and sprits. Three good spirits have followed Rin always since the problems in past. 1 spirit of Song Negwan, the attendant who used to serve Rin as a child, another of Minister Jung Seung, a loyal minister who used to serve the last king, and Rang, a small girl. The Mago Shaman’s younger sister Do Ha (Ko Sung Hee) believes that her sister is alive and comes to capital searching for her. She meets Prince Rin and starts off with small fights. There is also, a noble man Kang Mu Seok (Yunho [TVXQ]) who does not believe in ghosts. They all meet Jo Sang Heon, the loyal servant of the last king, and someone who has the power to exterminate ghosts. Jo Sang Heon was the leader of a group named ‘The Night Watchmen’ who used to fight off ghosts. The group had dispersed along with the death of Rin’s father. Now, Rin along with Do Ha, Mu Seok and Jo Sang Heon wants to re-form the Night Watchmen’s group and fight off evil spirits and fight with Sadam, who retunes powerful as ever.
Why Watch : Sadam and the dragon god puts this drama in another level. Watch for the villain instead of the hero, and for some cool Computer Graphics of the Dragon.
Genre : Fantasy, Adventure, Action, Romance
Number of Episodes: 24
Year the Drama Aired: 2014
Scholar who walks the night
Story : Crown Prince Jung Hyun (Lee Hyun Woo) seems carefree and humorous. And he might seem unusual as he writes novels with a pen name ‘lustful student’. But he is in fact fighting a big battle for his and his descendant’s power. Because the power inside the palace is not controlled by the king, but controlled by Gwi (Lee Soo Hyuk), a powerful vampire who had lived inside the palace and controlled and terrorized the kings for centuries. Crown Prince Jung Hyun writes a memorandum describing method to kill Gwi. But before he can succeed his plan, Gwi kills him. Crown Prince Jung Hyun’s best friend is scholar Kim Sung Yeol (Lee Joong Gi), who had promised prince that he will fill full prince’s mission and kill Gwi. When Gwi attacks the guardian vampire, who had power enough to kill Gwi, The guardian vampire turns Kim Sung Yeol in to a vampire and dies. But a new if a new born vampire does not drink human blood within 24 hours of creation, he will die. Kim Sung Yeol’s lover offers her blood to Kim Sung Yoel, and dies in his arms telling him to make sure to live on and take revenge. Sung Yeol goes in to hiding after that to gain power enough to kill Gwi. After 100 years, Kim Seung Yeol is searching for the memorandum Crown Prince Jang Hyun had written. For that he meets book seller Jo Yang Sun (Lee Yu Bi). Jo Yang Sun is a girl living disguised as a boy, and a book merchant who is supposed to be good at getting any rare or difficult to obtain book. Yang Sun has written a novel herself which is about a good vampire named ‘Night Scholar’, who helps people. She meets Seung Yeol and takes on the task to find the lost memorandum. She also meets the current Crown Prince Lee Yoon (Shim Chang Min [TVXQ]) who seem to be having his own fight to stand against Gwi. And there is someone who has taken Crown Prince Jang Hyun’s pen name ‘Lustful Student’ and writes novels with that name. Seung Yeol and Yang Sun thinks they might find the memorandum if they find who the new ‘lustful student’ is.
Why Watch : This is yet another drama which you should watch for seeing the Villain then the hero. Gwi is amazing. That arrogance and that confidence and will do anything attitude is what makes him such a super cool villain. Watch for the Villain…
Genre : Fantasy, Historical, Romance, Horror
Number of Episodes: 20
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
Prosecutor Princess
Story : Me Hae Ri (Kim So Yeon) becomes a public prosecutor, a really respected position in Korea. But Ma Hae Ri’s appearance and dressing style is really different from the usual prosecutors. Ma Hae Ri is rich parent’s daughter, dressed from top to bottom in designer cloths and sparkling things. The other prosecutors do not appreciate her dressing style, but she tells them she dress like that because she appreciate herself. But let alone the dressing style, she is not even good at work, and slacks away a lot and do not have any emotional attachment to any of the clients. In that Ma Hae Ri’s life arrive, a mysterious Layer Seo In Woo (Park Shi Hoo). Seo In Woo seemed to have approached Ma Hae Ri for some ulterior motives. But innocent Ma Hae Ri does not realize anything and becomes really good friends with Seo In Woo. Seo In Woo helps her and gives advice to her and so on. He also try to help her to get together with her crush. Then one day, Seo In Woo suddenly disappear, and the motive he had for becoming Ma Hae Ri’s friend is bluntly reviled to Ma Hae Ri. She can’t take that blow. More because she had fallen in love with her friend, Seo In Woo. She can’t accept that Seo In Woo had become her friend to use her and now has left her. But more than that Seo In Woo is hurt, to have pushed that burden on to Hae Ri, since he loves her a lot as well.
Why Watch : Again a Drama where the leads sort of becomes best friends naturally. Even when Seo In Woo approaches Ma Hae Ri with motives, in the end his friendship and love becomes honest. That friendship was the reason that this drama got included in this list.
Genre : Romance, Mystery
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2012
Can You Hear My Heart?
Alternate Title(s) : Listen to my heart, Do you hear my heart?
Story : 12 year old Cha Dong Joo (Kang Chan Hee) lives happily with his mother, grandfather and step-father. One day the family go to a village for an event in the village school. There the family meets the best student of the school, 13 years old Bong Ma Ru (Seo Yong Joo). When Dong Joo wanders off in the middle of the event, he meets Little Mi Suk (Kim Sae Ron), an 8 year old girl. They sort of become friends.
Ma Ru’s dad, Bong Young Gyu is a mentally challenged person, and he likes the hair dresser of the village, Mi Suk. Mi Suk is a deaf woman and Little Mi Suk is her daughter. Little Mi Suk does not have a name yet. Little Mi Suk, want Bong Yong Gyu and her mom to marry. But Ma Ru who is already embarrassed of his dad does not want a deaf mother as well. But the reality is that Ma Ru is not actually Bong Yong Gyu’s son. Ma Ru is Bong Yong Gyu’s sister, Shin Ae’s son, and his father is Choi Jin Chul, Dong Joo’s dad.
One night Dong Joo while climbing out if his bedroom window witnesses his step father harming his grandfather, and pulling away his oxygen tube. On the shock of this Dong Joo falls from the second floor to the floor and hurts his head. While Dong Joo is in hospital, Dong Joo’s mom finds out that Ma Ru is her husband’s son. Meanwhile, Mi Suk, pass away in a fire accident in the factory of Dong Joo’s family because of Choi Jin Chul’s fault.
When Dong Joo wakes up, Dong Joo and his mom discover that he has lost his ability to hear. Precisely at that time, Ma Ru comes to Dong Joo’s mom to seek help regarding the fire incident. Dong Joo’s mom who knows Ma Ru is Choi Jin Chul’s son, as him to be her son and Dong Joo’s support from that day onwards. Ma Ru who is embarrassed of his house and family agree to follow her. Ma Ru is renamed as Jang Joon Ha and taken along with Dong Joo. From that day onwards, Joon Ha lives like Dong Joo’s guardian angel.
Dong Joo grows up and lives hiding the fact that he is deaf. Only his mother, his doctor and Joon Ha knows that Dong Joo can’t hear. With years Dong Joo learns to read people’s lips and understand what they are saying.
Years later Dong Joo (Kim Jae Won) comes back to Korea. And there he meets Little Mi Suk again. Little Mi Suk is named by her dad now, and she is Bong Woo Ri (Hwang Jung Eum). Woo Ri and her family is still searching for Ma Ru, who disappear years ago. Jang Joon Ha( Namgoong Min), who has become a doctor now, has also come back to Korea, but he want to stay by Dong Joo and Dong Joo’s mom, instead of going back to his family.
Why Watch : Well this drama might not be as good as the other in this list direction and quality vise (It’s somewhat good though). It is basically a bit melodramatic family drama. Still I have included this drama in recommendation because it has some magic to it. The magic of the struggle of a deaf boy, and his mother’s agony when her son lose hearing ability. Also, the relationship between the mother, and Ma Ru/Joon Ha is really a special kind of thing. There might be irritating parts and boring parts in this drama, yet the magic of all those struggle moments and good characters make it a worth watch.
Genre : Drama, Romance, Family
Number of Episodes: 30
Year the Drama Aired: 2011
Hong Gil Dong
Story : Hong Gil Dong (Kang Ji Hwan) is the illegitimate son of Prime Minister, Hong Sa Hyong. He has never received love from his father and never let to learn things. But Gil Dong was a genius and learned martial arts and letters from his teacher, a monk. Gil Dong lives a carefree life, so badly as he is notorious in market place. He meets Hoe Yi Nok (Sung Yu Ri), a slightly stupid, but bright personality girl, who is a travelling medicine merchant. Also his pass crosses with a mysterious young man (Jang Guen Suk), who happens to me the legitimate prince of Jeoson, whom everyone thought as dead. The prince is trying to be the king since he is the legitimate king and current king is a total psychopath.
Because of many events, Gil Dong’s life gets complicated and he has got no choice than to join with a bunch of Thieves. Then Gil Dong and the thieves join as a force and start working in a robin-hood style, stealing from rich people and giving the stolen good to the poor.
Why Watch : Kind of hilarious. Especially the support characters are really funny (the grandpa and the monk). Also, watch for Jang Guen Suk…The guy is BEAUTIFUL, in this drama. No. Not Handsome. Beautiful…Like a graceful woman. Too much pretty… And everyone dies in the end. But I really liked the dying scene… It was really touching. A really nice way of showing the end…
Genre : Comedy, Action, Romance, Historical/Fusion.
Number of Episodes: 24
Year the Drama Aired: 2008
Please Come Back, Mister
Alternate Title(s) : Come Back, Mister
Story : Kim Yeong Soo dies. Kim Yeong Soo is a 40+ man who was dedicated to his work in the luxury mall, and one day, trying to tie up the advertisement bill board, he falls from the rooftop of the mall and die. He reaches the afterlife along with another man, Chef Han Gi Tae. They both feel that they can’t accept death like this, and demand to be sent back.
So they are sent back. Kim Young Soo as a handsome Young man (Rain) and Han Gi Tae as a beautiful Young woman (Oh Yeon Seo).
Why Watch : One – Funny. Two – Funny. Three – Funny. It can make you roll on the floor laughing.
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2016
My Love Eun Dong
Alternate Title(s) : Beloved Eun Dong
Story : Park Hyun Soo (Junior[GOT7]) and Ji Eun Dong (Lee Ja In) met when Hyun Soo was 17 and Eun Dong was 13 years old. Because of circumstances they got along with each other and began to take care of each other. Since they were still young they could not express the growing love for each other. When Eun Dong’s grandmother passes away, Eun Dong and Hyun Soo is separated and loose contact with each other. 10 years later Hyun Soo (Beak Sung Hyun) and Eun Dong (Yoon So Hee) meet again. They become close and rekindle their love and become a couple, however there seems to be some mysteries about Eun Dong’s life which Hyun Soo has no idea about. One day, Eun Dong suddenly disappears.
Ten years later, Hyun Soo (Joo Jin Mo) has become a successful Actor with the stage name Ji Eun Ho. His life’s motive is to find his love Eun Dong again. For that he decides to write an autobiographical essay about his and Eun Dong’s love story. For that he hires a ghost writer, Seo Jung Eun (Kim Sa Rang). Soe Jung Eun is a married woman with a handicapped husband and a 10 year old son. But while writing Ji Eun Ho’s story about Eun Dong, she gets flashbacks of the memories she had lost in an accident 10 years back. Because Soe Jung Eun is actually Eun Dong…
Its basically a strong love story that lasted for 20 years.
Why Watch : As many Korean Dramas it capture us with the young actors. Seriously I am no fan of the older actors. Seriously don’t really like Joo Jin Mo or Kim Sa Rang. But loved Junior and Lee Ja in who play Hyun Soo and Eun Dong in 1995. Also I really do like Yoon So Hee who plays 23 year old Eun Dong. Except for the lousy older actors, the story is actually a bit sweet. A nice love story.
The best part is that even when they meet after 10 years, Hyun Soo and Eun Dong can still recognize each other. Because in real life it’s actually like that. No matter how much time pass, we can still recognize people we were close with. (In many dramas they make it like they can’t recognize each other at all. That’s absurd.)
Also, I really liked the character of Choi Jae Ho who is the husband of Seo Jung Eun/Eun Dong. The guy feels human... And Kim Tae Hoon, the actor playing Choi Jae Ho has done more than excellent work.
Genre : Romance, Slice of Life
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
Flower Boy Ramyun Shop
Story : Yang Eun Bi (Lee Chung Ah) is the daughter of a Ramyun shop and an aspiring High School Teacher. She meets Cha Chi Soo (Jung Il Woo) and mistakes that he is older than her and confess to him. But it happens that Cha Chi Soo is not just younger than her, but is in High School. She forgets about dating at once, but still gets raised heartbeats when he is near. Then her father suddenly passes away. And he leaves her with his student, Choi Kang Hyuk (Lee Ki Woo) who calls Eun Bi as ‘wife’ and try to take care of her as much as he can. This gets Cha Chi Soo jealous as he has fallen for her. There is also Kim Ba Wool (Park Min Woo), who is like a younger brother to Eun Bi, and Cha Chi Soo’s friend Woo Hyun Woo (Cho Yooon Woo). Along with these 4 boys, Eun Bi sets up her father’s ramyun shop again. And somehow all of these 5 ends up living together.
Why Watch : Just a light entertainment. There is nothing deep in it. But it’s enjoyable and quiet funny.
Genre : Romance, Comedy, Food, High School
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2011
Full House
Story : Ji Eun (Song Hye Kyo) owns a big house named Full House. She is left with only the house after her parents pass away. Her best friends, end up getting themselves in trouble when the male friend gets the female friend pregnant, and for the money for delivery expense, they decide to cheat Ji Eun. They send Ji Eun on a vacation. On the vacation Ji Eun encounters, the famous actor Lee Young Jae (Rain). When Ji Eun comes back, her house was sold off by her friends, who goes in to hiding after taking the money. To Ju Eun’s surprise the new owner of the house is Lee Yong Jae. Lee Young Jae lets Ji Eun stay in the house out of pity. Lee Young Jae had crush on his friend, Hye Won. But Hye Won rejects him constantly. To get Hye Won jealous and to get away from a scandal, Yeong Jae asks Ji Eun to marry him. They get married according to a contract, to get divorced later. And like this, Ji Eun and Young Jae starts to live together in the house ‘Full House’.
Why Watch : Just because this one was a top hit of its time, also one of the most talked about K-drama ever. It was one of the major milestones in Korean Dramas. Well, I still find many other dramas better than this. But if you are a Korean Drama fan, Full House is a must watch to complete the full course of Korean Dramas.
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2004
My Girl
Story: A native of Jeju Island, Joo Yoo Rin (Lee Da Hae) lives with her father, who is addicted to gambling. Because of her father's debts, Yoo-rin has become particularly skilled at lying and conning. When her father escapes the island to hide from his debtors, Yoo-rin is determined to support herself and clear up the debts. One day, she meets Seol Gong Chan (Lee Dong Wook), the sole heir to the L'Avenue Hotel fortune.
To grant his grandfather's dying wish, Gong Chan employs Yoo Rin to act as his grandfather's long-lost granddaughter. Offering a monthly salary plus a bonus, he asks her to do what she does best—to put on an act. Not wishing to lie to a dying man, yet desperate for the money, Yoo Rin takes the offer and starts playing the long-lost granddaughter. Through a strange twist of fate, however, finding his granddaughter makes the grandfather so happy that he makes a complete recovery. Since they have claimed to be cousins, Gong Chan and Yoo Rin are forced to live together under one roof, and as time passes, the attraction between them grows. However, love is forbidden for these two, who must pass as cousins.
Why Watch : It is actually really funny and enjoyable story.
Genre : Romance, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2005
Producer
Alternate Title(s) : The Producer, The Producers
Story : Beak Sung Chan (Kim Soo Hyun) is a rookie Program Producer who entered KBS. Ra Joon Mo (Cha Tae Hyun) is an established Producer of a not popular show, which is on the verge of getting cancelled. Joon Mo’s childhood friend is Tak Yae Jin (Gong Hyo Jin) who is the producer of Music Bank, one of the most popular program. Cindy (IU) is a K-pop solo artist who is one of the top most celebrities. She had started working at the age 13, and is a bit tired of work now. Beak Seung Chan likes Tak Ye Jin, and Cindy likes Baek Sung Chan. Tak Ye Jin and Ra Joon Mo who are best friends might have romantic feelings for each other which the have been suppressing for so many years.
Why Watch : Again…why is a popular drama so down in list? This drama… well, it confuses people’s romance enjoyment. We don’t know which couple to cheer on. It’s actually not a bad drama. It has good cast and an okay story. But I wanted Cindy to get Beak Seung Chan. Because if Ra Jun Mo and Tak Yae Jin finally get together, and Beak Seung Chan is the second lead, why does the 2ndlead also has to have a 2nd lead who loses the guy. But well, Beak Sung Chan is like the first lead as well, as the story mostly revolves around him. Then he loses the girl… Still, the direction of the drama is good and acting of all the actors is excellent. So worth a watch.
Genre : Drama, Romance, Friendship, Comedy
Number of Episodes: 12
Year the Drama Aired: 2015
9 Ends 2 Outs
Alternate Title(s) : Two outs in the ninth inning
Story : Hong Nan Hee (Soo Ae) is turning 30 and she had reached nowhere in life. Her dream is to be a writer, and she has not managed to do much about that. She do not want to work in any other field as well. Even in dating she cannot just get married anytime soon. On top of that her current boyfriend is 8 years younger than her, and a college student. She has to keep him a secret from her family and friends. But the boyfriend, Kim Jung Joo (Lee Tae Sung), in an innocent guy who loves Nan Hee with all his innocent heart. Nan Hee loves him as well. Byun Hyung Tae (Lee Jung Jin) is Nan Hee’s best friend for the past 30 years. They sometimes joke that if they stay single till a certain age, they should get married to each other. But still they just stay as friends because they are too much used to each other. Because of the problems with her family Nan Hee leaves from her home and because of some situations starts to live with Byung Tae. Byung Tae supports Nan Hee’s relationship with Kim Jung Joo, despite making fun of Jung Joo as childish. But it’s not as easy to keep maintain the relationship because of the huge age gap. Both Nan Hee and Jung Joo gets hurt and pained by their relationships problems and their love for each other. In these, Byung Tae stay and support Nan Hee. Finally Nan Hee and Jung Joo break up…And Byung Tae and Nan Hee goes on a trip together where they end up kissing each other. But they both do not want to lose each other as friends. So they promise each other to keep being ‘just friends’. But it is not that easy since they already like each other more than as friends.
Why Watch : If you are looking for total entertainment, this one probably is not for you. It is more like a slow and sincere ‘n honest journey. We can see two friends who openly discuss with each other about their relationships and their feelings for each other and mutually trying to resolve and decide what is right and wrong for them.
Genre : Friendship, Romance, Slice of Life
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2007
Jang Ok Jung, Living By Love
Alternate Title(s) : Jang Ok Jung - Live for Love, Jang Ok Jung – Living in Love
Story : The story tells the life of the historical figure Jang Hui Bin from a different angle.
Jang Ok Jung (Kim Tae Hee) is a girl born in commoner’s house and lived a difficult life. Then she falls in love with King Lee Soon (Yoo Ah In) without knowing that he is the King of Joseon. When she comes to the palace to find the guy she fell in love with, she find that he is in fact the king. Ok Jung feels he is too high up above her and unattainable. However the king who is deeply attracted to her keep trying to make her his. Even when he manages to make her his concubine, Ok Jung is hated by the queen In Hyun (Hong Soo Hyun) and Dowager Queen. Their actions make Ok Jung/Jang Hui Bin want to go up to a position where they can’t hurt her anymore, and she can take revenge against them.
Why Watch : Jang Hui Bin, the royal consort of King Sukjong is famous in history for her evil plotting and considered to be a villainous figure. Jang Hui Bin is an interesting figure in history because she is the only commoner who became the queen, and even when she was dethroned and later sentenced to death, her son still managed to become the king. In my opinion, she is a notable strong female in the history of Korea.
This drama shows Jang Hui Bin in a different light and makes her the good heroine instead, or at least shows what all hardships she went through in order to commit those plotting. And the story shows it in a really convincing way that makes us think perhaps Jang Hui Bin was misinterpreted as bad and evil in the history.
Moreover this drama is the love story of King Sukjong/Lee Soon and Jang Hui Bin.
Genre : Romance, Historical, Adventure
Number of Episodes: 24
Year the Drama Aired: 2013
Deep Rooted Tree
Alternate Title(s) : The Tree With Deep Roots
Story : The story shows the life of King SaeJong (Song Joon Ki & Han Su Kyu), who discovered Hangul, the Korean Alphabets. The story shows the hardships he faces from when he was younger, and how he later develops the Korean alphabets when many people tried to stop him from that.
The drama also show the story of Dol Bok (Jang Hyuk) and Dam (Shin Sae Kyung), two childhood friends who got separated and reunite when older.
Why Watch : It’s really interesting to watch how the alphabets are developed, how the aristocrats fear the newly developed letters. Also the villain in the story is a hidden one. He was in plain sight all along. Yet we fail to recognize him as the villain.
Genre : Historical, Action, Adventure, Romance
Number of Episodes: 24
Year the Drama Aired: 2011
She is Wow
Story : Ah Ra (Oh Hyun Kyung) and Jung Hwan (Park Sung Woong) celebrity couple lives a perfect life in the eyes of others. The media and the citizen of Korea think these two are the perfect couple without one flaw in their life. However the truth that, they are hiding whatever that might be a flaw in their image. They are hiding even their son Min Kyu (JinYoun [B1A4]), just because he is not good at studies and a total trouble maker. Then the couple falls in to an even grave situation as it’s found that Jung Hwan is in fact gay and has a boyfriend, Ji Sung Ki (Kwon Yool). In the middle of all this, Ah Ra goes and has an affair with their neighbor Che Gu Ya (Han Jung Soo). The couple tries to maintain the public image by hiding all the real facts.
Why Watch : I just watched this drama because I wanted to see something with JinYoung in it. The drams was never ever mentioned in any popular dramas list, hence I did not have much expectations from it, but it surprised me. It was hilarious. More than hilarious. I was rolling on the floor laughing watching this drama. It brought of the real life’s problems and life of a broken family and showed it in a really funny and satirical way. And we would really like JinYoung’s character too. This drama is totally a worth to watch one.
Genre : Comedy, Family, Romance
Number of Episodes: 12
Year the Drama Aired: 2013
God of Study
Alternate Title(s) : Master of Study
Story : Lawyer Kang Suk (Kim So Ro) Ho enters a school filled with bad students and delinquents. Kang Suk Ho proclaims that in 1 year’s time, he will make 5 of the students get accepted to Cheonha University, the most prestigious University in the country.
The five students her select are: the totally cynical to his core Hwang BaeK Hyun (Yooo Sung Ho), totally cute and sweet Na Hyun Jung (JiYeon[T-Ara]), hard working and good natured Kil Pu Lip (Go Ah Sung), guy with dreams of being a dancer Hong Chan Do (Lee Hyun Woo), fat and totally harmless kind Oh Bong Goo (Lee Chan Ho). These 5 students then undergo high end boot camp natured training for one year, involving all the secret tips to study better.
Na Hyun Jung always had a crush on Beak Hyun and follows him around calling him Seobang (meaning ‘husband’). Since she is just cute and childish, Beak Hyun never gives much importance to this, and have never felt any romantic feelings towards her. He is interested in Kil Pu Lip instead. However, as the 5 students spend more time together, Hyun Jung and Pu Lip becomes really close friends, and a difficult and painful love triangle is formed between Hyun Jung, Beak Hyun and Pu Lip.
Why Watch : It’s a good High School Drama. Three teenage stars in this became really popular now, so we can see your favorite star’s earlier work in this drama. The drama would be a good guide for people to learn the techniques for studying better. It tells many tricks to study better. There is romance in the drama, however it does not have a proper happy ending for the romance line, and takes a more realistic life like open ending. And that does not feel disappointing, it feels good in a way.
Genre : High School, Friendship, Coming of Age, Romance
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2010
Secret Love
Alternate Title(s) : Secret
Story : Kang Yoo Jung (Hwang Jung Eum) willfully takes the blame of the hit and run that her boyfriend, Ahn Do Hoon (Bae Soo Bin) did. She had got herself in to it not knowing that Ahn Do Hoon had actually committed the hit and run and was not wrongfully accused. The girl who died in the hiit and run case was the girlfriend and only love of rich and spoilt guy, Jo Min Hyuk (Jin Sung). Jo Min Hyuk, blinded by the rage of his girlfriend’s death, determines to make Kang Yoo Jung’s life a hell. Yoo Jung is sent to jail, and few days later she realizes she is pregnant with Ahn Do Hyun’s baby. She gives birth in the prison and raises her son San. But due to circumstances the baby gets separated from her. After she comes out serving her sentence time, Jo Min Huk, continues to follow her around and keeps hurting her in many ways.
However, Jo Min Hyuk soon realizes that Kang Yoo Jung is not the actual criminal. His view about her starts to change, and he begins to sympathize with her and takes an interest in her…
Why Watch : It’s sort of sad actually. It’s the most saddest drama I have ever seen if you exclude ‘I Miss you’ (That was sadder, but in a good way). This drama is sickeningly sad. A lot of things can make us cry. And somehow all that sadness make a good mix.
Genre : Romance, Sad, Mystery, Crime.
Number of Episodes: 16
Year the Drama Aired: 2013