I think it is fair to say that there is a large number of people out there who will never see a single Korean Drama, not even last year's Netflix hit, Squid Games, but that is where we come in. Bindhi and Kris come from different generations and backgrounds, but both share a love of Korean Dramas, and they are hear to share some of their favorites with you! Running the gambit from Historical Romance to Apocalyptical High-rises, they have a little bit of everything to choose from to help find the right K Drama for you.
Bindi's Picks
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?
What’s wrong with Secretary Kim is an addictive and sweet romance drama that leaves you on your toes. The comedic elements to this drama adds so much laughter that it had to be placed first. Plus, who doesn’t love the cocky arrogant boss and indifferent secretary trope? The misunderstandings Lee Young-joon has on why Secretary Kim wants to leave only leads to a brewing romance, and a whipped CEO. I love how much this bubbly drama’s plot doesn’t heavily focus on the problems of their past, but much rather the fun elements!
*Kris was genuinely jealous she didn't get to pick this one first. :D
The King: The eternal monarch
The King: The eternal monarch features an alternate universe plot, and an action-filled drama. At a glance, this may seem like your typical cheesy romance story, however the drama is SO much more. The complexity and well sought out plot leaves me wondering about things like doppelgängers, parallel universes, fate, and history in general. Almost every single moment is a full circle, and every moment leads to another, literally and figuratively. I also love the female lead, who is strong-minded and wise but shares moments of vulnerability. The King: The eternal monarch is a sophisticated romance story and is perfect for viewers that love a sense of mystery in their dramas.
Crash Landing on You
It all started in an accident where Yoon Seri collided with Ri Jeong Hyuk -quite literally- in North Korea. The drama has just the right amount of funniness, wholesomeness, and heart-wrenching circumstances. When successful businesswomen Yoon Seri has to hide out with North Korean Ri Jeong Hyuk, they don’t get along. However, as Yoon Seri starts to bring down his walls, their chemistry is unbelievable. I love this drama for it’s characters- like the funny ahjummas and Ri Jeong Hyuk’s soldiers- and the amazing actors and setting.
1% of Something
1% of something is a funny romance drama with a forced proximity trope. In order for arrogant and wealthy business heir Lee Jae-in to get his grandpa’s fortune, he must pretend to be in a relationship with Kim da-Hyun, who is an elementary school teacher. Kim da-Hyun has no idea who he is or why he needs to marry her while Lee Jae-In thinks she's after his money as she claims she doesn’t know his grandpa either. Full of misunderstandings, the couple must fake date in order to receive the fortune. The characters in this drama are well sought out and the plot is not too dragged, which is why I believe it deserves fourth!
Cinderella and the Four Knights
Cinderella and the Four Knights was the start of my Kdrama addiction. It was the first one I had ever watched and the pure, king-hearted but strong-willed lead female always stood out to me. When Eun Ha-won’s evil stepmother steals her college tuition, she is desperate for any money. Soon, a wealthy gentleman finds her and hires her to live with his 3 immature grandsons to whip them in shape. I love the drama for its hilarious moments and light-heartedness.
Honorable Mention:
Forest
Kris's Picks
Gogh, the Starry Night
An ultimately fluffy romance drama, about Go Ho and the unwitting harem of men seeking her attention. Everyone from her overbearing manager to the newest idol-like employee seems to be vying for any spare moment with Go Ho, who for her part, is just as unwitting as the men. When a wrench in the shape of her Ex-Boyfriend/new manager gets thrown into the mix, the games stop and the real competition begins. Only one of these suitors will walk away with Gogh’s heart, but which one?
Unlike most Kdramas that have a minimum hour run time, each episode of Gogh, the Starry Night is only about 20 minutes, and makes it an easy first drama if you are looking to get into a new style of show.
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
One of the things I love most about Kdramas is that the show is never really about one thing. A romance show is never just about the romance between the leads, there is usually another element thrown in to keep you entertained between the fluff. In the case of Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon, the extra element is matching the SUPER STRENGTH of our oh so tiny female lead, Do Bong-Soon, against a criminal snatching women away in the night, leaving her neighborhood on edge.
If the mystery of the missing women isn’t enough to peak your attention, then watch it for the hilarious love triangle between Do Bong-Soon, her childhood friend and longtime crush-In Gok-doo, and her new boss Ahn Min-hyuk. I watched originally, for the mystery, I stayed for the comedy and love. And the comedy is everywhere in this show!
She Was Pretty
Kim Hye-jin was once a beautiful girl from a rich family, Ji Sung-joon was once an unattractive boy with low self esteem, despite these differences they were the best of friends. Barely blossoming into their teenage years the two are separated. Kim Hyee-jin’s family loses their fortune, as well as her beauty, while Ji Sung-joon goes to study in America, and becomes an attractive and successful businessman.
Years later fate has found a way to return them to one another, but what happens when Ji Sung-joon cannot recognize the girl whose beauty he idolized as a young boy? Ashamed of her appearance, and afraid of ruining the perception of her first love, she asks her roommate to pose as her. Life only gets more complicated when Kim Hye-jin and Ji Sung-joon end up working together for a premiere fashion magazine.
With chances for love and misunderstandings abound, this comedy of errors keeps your heart light and your hopes high as you watch these characters try to find their place of happiness in the world.
Bad and Crazy
This show falls somewhere between police procedural and the 1999 movie (and 1996 book by same name) Fight Club. The story is about a corrupt yet aware detective who ends up creating a split personality within himself. While Su-yeol is competent at his job he suffers from questionable ethics. He will do whatever it takes to achieve success, hiding his ethical dilemmas behind his ambition. K, his split personality, is wholly righteous but also wholly crazy. K faces injustices with his fist, and is only driven by his desire to be a true hero. The real question is when two such volatile personalities share one body, who will be the dominant personality in the end?
Happiness
Yoon Sae Bom is not your average special agent. Blessed with quick wits, sharp reflexes and another special quality, she earns the opportunity to move into a new apartment in a coveted apartment complex as long as she can pretend to be married to high school friend Jung Yi Hyun. Jung Yi Hyun is a detective investigating the spread of a mysterious disease.
Together they find themselves trapped in their apartment building when the head of the main task force in charge of the control and spread of the disease, orders the complex to be sealed off from the rest of the city. Quarantine and disease reveal a social caste system, bringing out the best and worst of the apartment residents.
*During the time of Covid, this one hit really hard, so be wary.
Honorable Mention:
Goblin
Dating in the Kitchen
Weightlifting Kim Bok-joo
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