If you’re a savvy leisure fanatic, it’s unattainable to haven’t heard of one of many many Korean drama which have blown up over the previous couple of years. And when you have — and never watched any of them but — you’re most likely questioning, What’s the hype all about?
Nicely, why don’t you strive answering your curiosity by watching among the greatest Ok-dramas of all time? That will help you try this, right here’s an inventory of the most effective Ok-dramas from each style that may flip you from a Ok-drama beginner to a Ok-drama tremendous fan. And I guarantee you, after watching a couple of of those, you’ll notice how a lot you’ve gotten been lacking out on.
These reveals are positive to maintain you hooked with their dynamic storylines, good mix of number of components, creative cinematography, tuneful OSTs, and splendid performances that carry these dramas to life.
Thoughts you, it was extraordinarily troublesome to choose solely a handful of Ok-dramas. This isn’t an exhaustive listing, however a brief one that may get you began on Korean leisure. Additionally, I extremely suggest you to look at these dramas of their unique language (with subtitles in your most popular language) to not miss out on the nuances that give the true really feel of the sequence.
Satire
SKY Fort (2018)
Picture: Netflix
Forged: Yum Jung-ah, Lee Tae-ran, Yoon Se-ah, Oh Na-ra, Kim Search engine optimisation-hyung
Streaming platforms: Netflix, Viki
From elevating their kids to be prime performers to making sure their husbands stay distinguished barons, the respected moms of SKY Fort have quite a bit on their plate.
SKY Fort is an expensive neighborhood coveted by many however occupied by a couple of influential high-flyers. The occupants are status-obsessed elites who see their kids as trophies who will shine in society and uphold their household status by entering into the highest universities. And as every household pulls all of the strings it may possibly to retain its excessive social place, the drama reveals the extremes upper-class dad and mom can go to, even when it comes at the price of destroying others’ lives.
What to anticipate: SKY Fort is a masterpiece satire with a posh plot and a deft stability of thriller and comedy.
The present tackles many prevalent and delicate points like educational stress, psychological well being, dad and mom’ sky-high expectations, status-obsessed elites and their techniques, and extra. However to counterbalance the seriousness, the drama additionally contains appreciable humor.
Regulation
Extraordinary Lawyer Woo (2022)
Picture: Netflix
Forged: Park Eun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Kang Ki-young
Streaming platform: Netflix
If you happen to appreciated Freddie Highmore in The Good Physician, you’ll like Park Eun-bin in Extraordinary Lawyer Woo too.
One of the vital talked-about dramas of 2022, Extraordinary Lawyer Woo follows the story of a genius autistic lawyer, Woo Younger-woo (Park Eun-bin). Be it legal guidelines or minute particulars of on a regular basis life, her photographic reminiscence expands past that of a mean human thoughts’s capability. And her excessive IQ leads to distinctive and extraordinary problem-solving abilities that beat even probably the most celebrated legal professionals/prosecutors within the courtroom, regardless of her being a rookie.
However her ingenuity comes up towards her struggles with interpersonal relationships, which seeps into her love {and professional} life.
What to anticipate: Extraordinary Lawyer Woo is a superbly crafted authorized drama targeted on the portrayal of autism and the challenges within the lifetime of an autistic particular person.
What’s in it for authorized drama lovers? From piling instances to fierce courtroom fights, Extraordinary Lawyer Woo has all of it. With a targeted method to legal guidelines and legalities, and Woo obsessing over her love of regulation, you’ll stroll away studying a factor or two about Korean regulation.
Furthermore, to maintain issues lighthearted, the present contains chucklesome scenes and candy harmless romance between the leads that can make your coronary heart flutter.
Juvenile Justice (2022)
Picture: Swann Studio/Netflix
Forged: Kim Hye-soo, Kim Mu-yeol, Lee Sung-min, Lee Jung-eun
Streaming platform: Netflix
Juvenile Justice is the story of Shim Eun-seok (Kim Hye-soo), an elite juvenile decide, who holds the adamant perception that younger offenders’ punishment ought to befit the crimes they commit with a view to instill worry (of regulation) and realization of the results that include the harm they trigger. Her frustration stems from her place that the lenient regulation — which emphasizes rehabilitation of juvenile offenders quite than incarceration — is a method of escape even after they commit heinous crimes.
And because the powerful decide tackles advanced juvenile crime instances, she faces opposition to her unyielding cruel stance, together with the problem of balancing her detestation of younger offenders whereas holding the beliefs of rehabilitation-focused juvenile justice and punishment that her obligation calls for.
What to anticipate: Impressed by actual juvenile crime tales and portraying actual regulation, Juvenile Justice is a darkish and severe courtroom Ok-drama that goes deep into the extremely delicate subject of juvenile crimes and regulation.
Whereas the drama takes artistic license for dramatic impact, among the instances portrayed really occurred in actual life. And grappling these advanced instances is a tricky feminine lead, whose fierce eyes and stable efficiency alone are sufficient to provide you goosebumps.
Psychological
Mouse (2021)
Picture: Viki
Forged: Lee Seung-gi, Lee Hee-joon, Park Ju-hyun, Kyung Soo-jin
Streaming platform: Viki
When a psychopath serial killer “hunts” within the streets of South Korea, a sequence of ruthless, blood-chilling murders ensues and places all the nation in worry.
To sort out these crimes, rookie police officer Jeong Ba-reum (Lee Seung-gi) and Detective Ko Moo-chi (Lee Hee-joon) pledge to rid the nation of the killer. However as Jeong Ba-reum comes nearer to catching the felony and unfurling the thriller, he finds appalling truths that flip his life the wrong way up.
What to anticipate: Impressed by the true incident of the Elementary Faculty Homicide case in Incheon, South Korea, in 2017, this psychological drama thrives on the exploration of psychopathic behaviors.
And with a 19+ score for episodes 1 and a pair of, that is one present that doesn’t draw back from brutal murders, psychological torment and twists, and heart-wrenching crises. So, if that’s not your cup of tea, you would possibly need to skip this one.
Additionally, be ready to be blown away by mind-boggling plot twists that can hit you want thunderbolt.
Zombie thriller
Kingdom (2019)
Picture: Netflix
Forged: Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doo-na, Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim Hye-jun, Kim Sang-ho, Kim Sung-kyu, Heo Joon-ho, Jeon Seok-ho
Streaming Platform: Netflix
When his father’s mysterious sickness is intentionally saved a secret from him, Joseon Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) ventures out to satisfy the doctor who final handled his father, the king.
However the go to reveals a lethal plague is taking on the land, and the younger prince should shoulder the burden of the unsure destiny of his kingdom to guard it from his personal individuals who have was zombies.
What to anticipate: Any Strolling Lifeless followers right here? Here’s a watch-worthy drama for you.
Kingdom is a historic zombie thriller positive to grip your consideration with its intricately woven plot, putting visuals, sick swordplay, beautiful historic costumes, highly effective characters, and, in fact, zombies with a ravenous urge for food for human flesh.
And with power-drunk politicians planning nefarious schemes to retain their dominance over the dominion amidst the zombie mayhem, you’ll be able to bid goodbye to boredom till you full the sequence.
So, free your schedule, and preserve a bottle and a few snacks with you. As a result of when you sit down to look at this drama, you may be unable to withstand clicking on the “Subsequent Episode” button. And earlier than you realize it, you’ve gotten binge-watched all the two seasons and the Netflix particular episode (Kingdom: Ashin of the North).
Motion
Vagabond (2019)
Picture: Netflix
Forged: Lee Seung-gi, Bae Suzy, Shin Sung-rok
Streaming platform: Netflix
When Cha Dal-geon (Lee Seung-gi) loses his beloved orphaned nephew in a aircraft crash, the struggling stuntman prizes just one factor: reality.
However when the officers’ temporary explanations and unwillingness to additional discover the matter don’t fulfill him, he unofficially investigates the incident with the assistance of intelligence agent Go Hae-ri (Bae Suzy). And as he begins to uncover the thriller, his search unveils an enormous and sophisticated conspiracy.
What to anticipate: From high-scale conspiracies to secret murders, Vagabond is one action-packed bomb that can preserve you on the sting of your seat.
Starring Bae Suzy and virtuoso of versatility Lee Seung-gi as predominant leads, the drama is loaded with fast-paced motion, messy automobile chases, loud explosions, and heavy gunfire. And with excessive suspense and mind-boggling plot twists, the joys is endless.
However to stability the seriousness, the drama has ample lighthearted and humorous scenes that give comedian reduction among the many growing pressure.
My Title (2021)
Picture: Min Jeehee/Netflix
Forged: Han So-hee, Ahn Bo-hyun, Park Hee-soon
Streaming platform: Netflix
When her father is shot proper on her doorstep, vengeance-driven Yoon Ji-woo (Han So-hee) vows to catch the assassin, making it her sole mission in life.
Our powerful feminine lead seeks out Choi Mu-jin (Park Hee-soon) — her father’s greatest buddy and chief of an organized drug ring — and seals her loyalty to him by becoming a member of the identical underworld net her father was part of.
And as she tries to uncover the thriller behind her father’s dying, she discovers that her complete life was a lie.
What to anticipate: This action-packed thriller will take you into the world of drug cartels and darkish realities. And driving this thrill experience is a vengeful girl whose power-packed punches and fast-spinning kicks can depart even the hardest of males writhing in ache.
Additionally count on police chases, stunning reveals, soulful performances, and an incredible OST.
Enjoyable truth: Han So-hee did her personal stunts within the drama, certainly one of many the reason why this sequence is a must-watch.
Romantic comedy
Guardian: The Lonely and Nice God (2016)
Picture: Hwa&Dam Footage
Forged: Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, Yoo In-na, Yook Sung-jae
Streaming platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Viki, Voot, MX Participant
Cursed with immortality, 940-year-old Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) is a lonely goblin who has watched his family members die as he lives his immortal life as punishment for the troopers he killed in struggle. He awaits his prophesied goblin bride, who will pull out the sword from his chest and set him free from his curse.
Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun) is a highschool pupil who sees ghosts and is prophesied to be the goblin’s bride. She is a part-timer at a restaurant owned by Sunny (Yoo In-na). Sunny falls in love with a grim reaper (Lee Dong-wook), who can also be the goblin’s housemate.
The lives of those people intertwine, and with out the characters themselves realizing, they’re part of the larger play already determined by destiny.
What to anticipate: From budding tender romance to side-splitting comedy to alluring fantasy with a historic twist, this drama has all of it. If that isn’t sufficient, the bittersweet bromance of the goblin and the grim reaper, the sudden plot twists, and the heart-wrenching moments will certainly depart you hooked on this timeless masterpiece.
Crash Touchdown on You (2019)
Picture: Netflix
Forged: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Search engine optimisation Ji-hye, Kim Jung-hyun
Streaming platform: Netflix
What occurs when a famend South Korean CEO and a celebrated North Korean captain fall in love regardless of belonging to the enemy international locations? You get a drama like Crash Touchdown on You.
Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin), a profitable businesswoman with a cheerful character, crash-lands in North Korea. There she meets emotionally reserved Ri (Hyun Bin) and different North Korean officers who defend her from the authorities and assist her escape. However throughout her keep within the enemy nation, she falls in love with Ri. Will Yoon Se-ri return to her dwelling unhurt? Or will she select her love over her nation?
What to anticipate: A love story with a fast-paced plot and humorous scenes generously sprinkled all through the sequence.
This dynamic drama takes you on a romantic journey whereas preserving you on the fringe of your seat as love between the 2 characters, and concurrently the strain of accelerating life-threatening threat of Yoon Se-ri being found by North Korean officers, brew.
Medical
Hospital Playlist (2020)
Picture: Netflix
Forged: Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, Jeon Mi-do
Streaming platform: Netflix
Hospital Playlist is a slice-of-life drama depicting the on a regular basis lives of 5 docs — additionally shut buddies since medical college — working on the Yulje Medical Centre.
What to anticipate: Have you ever ever skilled that cozy feeling if you drink sizzling chocolate on a chilly winter morning whereas sitting within the heat embrace of the solar?
That’s how watching Hospital Playlist made me really feel.
If you would like a break from standard Ok-drama tropes like a hero with a traumatic/sophisticated previous, a depraved villain, soiled hospital politics, a revenge-driven plot, and a sophisticated love triangle, then that is your drama.
However simply because Hospital Playlist diverges from standard Ok-drama tropes doesn’t imply it’s monotonous and devoid of leisure. This can be a lighthearted sequence with a handful of significant and emotional moments and plentiful hilarious scenes. It’s a enjoyable watch not just for the common viewers however even for docs.
Furthermore, you may get a sneak peek into the lives of docs at elite hospitals, because the sequence has quite a few scenes the place actual docs nod on the accuracy of medical strategies and phrases and real looking portrayal of hospital procedures, docs’ lives, doctor-patient interactions, hospital struggles, and extra.
Dr. Romantic (2016)
Picture: Netflix
Forged: Han Suk-kyu, Yoo Yeon-seok, Search engine optimisation Hyun-jin
Streaming platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Viki
Nicknamed “Hand of God,” Grasp Kim is an exceptionally expert surgeon at an obscure and humble hospital named Doldam who can save even these on the point of dying. His solely ardour in life is treating anybody sick, be it a felony or a magnate.
Kim’s arch-enemy is Do Yoon-wan (Choi Jin-ho) — the Director of Geosan College Hospital (which additionally owns Doldam) — who places earnings earlier than sufferers. And due to this conflict in beliefs, Yoon-wan leaves no stone unturned to carry Grasp Kim to his knees and revoke his medical license.
Will Grasp Kim, alongside together with his squad of docs and medical workers from the tiny Doldam Hospital, win towards the highly effective Do Yoon-wan?
What to anticipate: From lifesaving chest compressions to nerve-wracking advanced surgical procedures, this medical drama is brimming with dramatic hospital scenes that preserve your adrenaline pumping.
What’s extra, the refined and candy romance, the advanced relationships between the characters, and the matter-of-life-and-death choices of the docs with the affected person on the operation desk are a lot to fill your drama cup.
Moreover, with medical scenes shot beneath the supervision of an emergency medication specialist, you’ll be able to relaxation assured concerning the accuracy and real looking portrayal of medical practices. And because the drama teaches the true worth of being a health care provider, ultimately, you’ll stroll away wishing you had been a surgeon.
Physician Stranger (2014)
Picture: Netflix
Forged: Lee Jong-suk, Kang So-ra, Park Hae-jin, Jin Se-yeon
Streaming platforms: Netflix, Viki
Park Hoon (Lee Jong-suk), a genius North Korean cardiothoracic surgeon, is determined to get out of North Korea. He and his girlfriend, Music Jae-hee (Jin Se-yeon), plan an escape from the nation. However Park Hoon solely manages to flee alone, leaving his love behind.
The genius defector begins working at Myungwoo College Hospital, one of many greatest in South Korea, whereas planning to reunite together with his love. However with out realizing it, he turns into part of the larger political play alongside Jae-hee.
What to anticipate: Physician Stranger is a multi-genre medical drama that blends espionage, romance, comedy, tragedy, and suspense. From brewing conspiracies to nerve-wracking surgical procedures to life-threatening encounters, this sequence has plentiful pressure to maintain you hooked until the top.
Furthermore, Park Hoon’s quirky character and the affectionate love between the leads give this medical sequence a lighthearted atmosphere.
