My New Year resolution this year is to organize all dramas that I have watched from the beginning of the craziness. I have my Goodread account to record my reading accomplishment 😂, I'll make this blog to record my dramas watching accomplishment craziness. Hey to be happy we have to celebrate even a small, simple, mundane thing like finishing a drama. I intended to finish all of this in December (see no post in December), but I just didn't realize I have watched so many dramas all these years. Writing all of them is indeed so overwhelming. Honest, it is almost like poking my eyes and my brain out. And now is January, I only manage writing the Korean dramas. There are Japanese, Taiwanese, Chinese dramas also, but I will try (in my damn hardest) to write them in installment.
Writing this means I re write my life story. K drama has taken a big chunk of my life, we cannot be separated. I start to watch K drama around 2000. When there's no internet or even VCD or DVD, every limited excuse of minimum resources, still K drama still finds its way to my life. It has been there through my playful junior high school, stress-full but last for a life time memorable senior high school, eye opening first and sophomore collage years, and the hectic last year of college years and the fresh graduate work life, though time is not always on its side real life event and work notwithstanding, I seem always finding the time to watch K drama. While I learn every day that people are meant to come and go in our lives, I also learn that K drama along with people whom it brought stay, accompanied me through thick and thin.
It always put me in awe for those truly K drama addicts out there for everything they have ever done in the name their love for K drama. From watching K drama in class while waiting for a test, put all day-and-nighters 3 days in row for drama, or call a sick for watching drama, till you got your laptop with you while you are having a labor caused your drama watching can't be interrupt even for like giving birth. They are just crazy, I salute them. Truth to be told, I'm never ever as crazy fun as them. I don't watch drama while working or if I remember I have 24 hours shift the next day, I don't pull all-nighter, I don't watch drama on commuter bus or in long stop waiting for something. But my life is not complete without K drama. I feel something missing and lonely if I don't watch any drama in a week. Ottokajo?
Now, it feels like having a friend that I have grown up together. At the earlier of drama watching it did feel like infatuation. Every drama watching is like playing in the park, all is fun. Every character is charming (in its own way), every story is interesting, and I lived by the rule I had to finish every drama that I started. Fueled by the curiosity of young child upon finding something new, I watched brainlessly everything I could get my hands on (with the condition of limited source of the yesteryears).
Life goes on and I grow up and get mature, suddenly I get grumpier and pickier. No drama can go pass without going through my scrutiny eyes. There is always a critic to be written about for every drama. Like human, no drama is flawless. Despite the flaws, like old lover couple, you accept the flaw more less like something you will miss when it is gone, but the motto right now becomes Too many drama, so little time. At first I was patient enough to wait till 6 episodes to drop a drama or chose to continue watching, then 4 episodes was enough, then 2 episodes and then 1. Hey life is too precious for lousy drama.
Before dramas only meant fun and escape time, now dramas means also things to ponder and contemplate. When I look someone watching drama while stuck in traffic jam, my mind goes thinking: Has day been hard on her? Is her life as lonely as mine? What is she running from? And as part of growing old together, I often ask myself if K drama really shape my point of view of world and life as the way I have right now? (Shamefully simplistic and rather naive, and just realize that fact after 30 years). Looking at myself and looking at other K drama lovers, in real life or in internet community, I sometime ponder is there any certain characteristic that make some people can be so addicted to K drama while other just become seasonal watcher and many, as the opposite, allergic to it? Though perhaps the answer is as simple as "What the heck are you talking about?"
Years of K drama (and other Asian dramas) watching experiment has accumulated long list of drama recommendation (to watch it or not). Friends, who just recently know me and also like to watch drama, sometimes are puzzled that I almost can answer all their questions about K drama, its actors, the gossip around it and also the scandal. Well, if only they know, how many hours and years that I have been through to amass such of collection of information. If they have the habit like the ones that I do, checking K drama news portal first thing in the morning, refreshing for gazillion times the watch on line portal website, spending hours to download dramas, and writing and reviewing a drama, they will not wonder about me anymore. They won't think I watch everything, well I don't. It is natural that K drama addict becomes grumpier and pickier as the years gone by and their drama list grow.
So here is it the list of dramas that I have watched, it can be from Korea, Taiwan, Japan, or Mainland China, but mostly Korea. The idea comes from friends who often ask me what they should watch next. It is tough question to answer, because there are a lot of factors to considerate if I want to give the right suggestion. And most of my friends think my taste in drama is rather sinister, so more likely I give suggestion based on the one who asks the question than based on my personal preference. Believe me there is a thing called K drama consultant and professional watcher of which many of addict want to achieve someday. I take my hobbies seriously! 😝😛 And I think it is such a waste if I let all those information and knowledge just linger in my head and then vanish into thin air.
So here is it the list of dramas that I have watched, it can be from Korea, Taiwan, Japan, or Mainland China, but mostly Korea. The idea comes from friends who often ask me what they should watch next. It is tough question to answer, because there are a lot of factors to considerate if I want to give the right suggestion. And most of my friends think my taste in drama is rather sinister, so more likely I give suggestion based on the one who asks the question than based on my personal preference. Believe me there is a thing called K drama consultant and professional watcher of which many of addict want to achieve someday. I take my hobbies seriously! 😝😛 And I think it is such a waste if I let all those information and knowledge just linger in my head and then vanish into thin air.
Below are the list of drama that I have watch (every one of it I watch it till the last drop of episode either way it just doesn't make it). At first I wanted to write the dramas that I managed to watch all the episodes except the last two/one episodes (I wonder why that happens? It only takes two hours more, but as I said before time is precious for K drama addict, so many dramas, so little times!), but God Gracious even the full finish watched dramas already that many!
The list of K dramas that I have watched (will be updated):
20th Century Boy and Girl
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 32 episodes
Genre: Romance drama
Actor: Kim Ji-seok, Han Ye-seul
sPlotlight:
Such a plotless, but heartwarming drama. It gave me the feeling like when I watched last year drama, Weightlifting Fairy, Kim Bok-ju. This is one of friends-turn-to-lovers themed drama, done right. And I Love all the couples in the drama, all three of them. They are cute and endearing on their own way. Too bad, it didn't work well in the rating. Sad for this is the first time Kim Ji-seok played as the main lead. Better next time oppaya 😃
20th Century Boy and Girl
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 32 episodes
Genre: Romance drama
Actor: Kim Ji-seok, Han Ye-seul
sPlotlight:
Such a plotless, but heartwarming drama. It gave me the feeling like when I watched last year drama, Weightlifting Fairy, Kim Bok-ju. This is one of friends-turn-to-lovers themed drama, done right. And I Love all the couples in the drama, all three of them. They are cute and endearing on their own way. Too bad, it didn't work well in the rating. Sad for this is the first time Kim Ji-seok played as the main lead. Better next time oppaya 😃
90 Days, Time To Love
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2006
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Kang Ji-hwan, Kim Ha-neul
sPlotlight:
I remember my dislike to Kang Ji-hwan character Hyun Ji-seok as I do usually to any cheating husband character in any drama. Hyun Ji-seok is purely egoistical character from end to end. He is the one who chose to leave Go Mi-yeon (Kim Haneul) after asked her to run away and married him. Reason? His father's disapproval which he has known beforehand it exist that leading to his father suicide. After nine years, she is married woman; he is a married man with a child. He finds out he got cancer and had 90 days to live on, he decides to wind up his past romance with his first love, Go Mi-yeon, abandoning his wife and child also ruining someone else marriage. Reason? Because after 90 days, he doesn't have to deal with the aftermath like other people who must continue their life? Because his marriage has been loveless that will be such a waste to spend on his remaining 90 days? Loveless my a*s, like he didn't know that before he decided to marry his current wife. Life is about choices that you made and how you deal with the consequences of your choices. Fueled by my disliking I made through 16 episodes, I guess deep down I realize that being self-centered and egoist is part of every one of us as human, that what make Hyun Ji-seok character resembles real human not just 2 dimensional character I loathe so much in drama.
A Story of a Man/The Slingshot
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2009
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Revenge drama
Actors: Park Young-ha, Kim Kang-woo, Park Si-yeon, Ahn Mi-na.
sPlotlight:
I can't recall the main character, Kim Shin (Park Young-ha) as part of the story besides he is the one who seeks revenge. At the end the thing that stays and highlights my memory of Story of A Man is Kim Kang-woo making such a delicious villain (Chae Do-woo), you don't want him to win but you root for him nevertheless. You hate him but also pity him at the same time. And his twisted relationship with his sister Chae Eun-su (played by Ahn Mina) which is obsessive and sparkled with bit of Electra complex makes this drama not only your typical revenge drama but also psychological. The best example of well written antagonist character.
A Wife's Credential
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2012
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Human drama
Actors: Kim Hae-ee, Jang Hyun-sung, Lee Sung-jae, Lee Tae-ran
sPlotlight:
If my list of favorite drama can be prolonged to more than 10, this drama definitely would be in it. A Wife's credential is no ordinary drama, the plot is about the struggle of a house wife, Seo-rae (Kim Hae-ee) to rise a child in modern society. She wants her child to have good strong virtue, not just good in academic and have successful life. The different object and perspective of child rearing brings problems in her marriage with Sang-jin (Jang Hyun-sung). Sang-jin thinks that having good academic record to ensure a high paying and stable job in the future is the main object of child upbringing. Started with problem in child rearing, it escalates to more problems in their marriage. As good wife, Seo-rae tries to keep calm and handle the problems herself, hoping to keep her marriage stay afloat. But she can only tries so much until she needs to find solace, that is Kim Tae-oh (Lee Sung-jae). He is a dentist and his wife, Mrs. Hong (Lee Tae-ran), is headmaster of a famous academy to which Seo-rae pursues to help her solving the problem of different perspective in child rearing with her husband. And the drama begins and plenty dark humor to amused my sinister sense of humor.
A Love to Kill
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2005
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Writer: Lee Kyun-hee (Will It Snow For Christmas? Nice Guy, Sorry I Love You)
Writer: Lee Kyun-hee (Will It Snow For Christmas? Nice Guy, Sorry I Love You)
Actors: Rain, Shin Mina
sPlotlight:
I don't remember much of this, I watched it long time ago. I can only tell that it is a MELOdrama about a love that cannot be with somebody dies at the end. Rain plays a body guard of an actress, played by Shin Mina. He actually has a hidden motive to get revenge for his comatose brother from her who caused her brother attempted suicide leading to his current condition. She left his brother to engage to some rich man. But on the way to revenge he falls in love with her. She finally finds out the condition of her ex-boyfriend and feels guilty but she also finds herself changed of heart, falling in love with her ex-boyfriend's brother. So what to do?
Age of Youth
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2016
Episode: 12 episodes
Genre: Friendship, Slice-of-life
Writer: Park Yeon-sun (Alone in Love)
Actors: Han Ye-ri, Park Hye-soo, Park Eun-bi, Ryu Hwa-young, Han Seung-yeon
sPlotlight:
Now, I understand why I feel like I recognize the tone and the mood while watching this drama. It has the same writer who wrote Alone in Love, one of my top ten dramas of all times. It may tell story about youth, hence the title, but it carries so much meaning in such lovely contemplative way, just like I love it. At first I thought it would be showcase a friendship between 5 young women with Sex and The City or I Need Romance 3 vibe kind of thing. That would be felt like too superficial for me. Thanks God it didn't turn out that way. Cheers for that!
Age of Youth 2
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 14 episodes
Genre: Friendship, Slice of life
Writer: Park Yeon-sun (Age of Youth 1)
Actor: Han Ye-ri, Park Eun-bi, Choi Ara, Han Seung-yeon, Ji Woo, Son Seung-won, Kim Min-suk
Spotlight:
It represents the friendship I couldn't have. It brings me back into the youth that I wish I could have been. It got the romance that I could only dream of. I think the sign of a youth drama is done well is when it makes us want to go back to those old times, despite the pain of growing up that we are familiar with.
Age of Youth 2
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 14 episodes
Genre: Friendship, Slice of life
Writer: Park Yeon-sun (Age of Youth 1)
Actor: Han Ye-ri, Park Eun-bi, Choi Ara, Han Seung-yeon, Ji Woo, Son Seung-won, Kim Min-suk
Spotlight:
It represents the friendship I couldn't have. It brings me back into the youth that I wish I could have been. It got the romance that I could only dream of. I think the sign of a youth drama is done well is when it makes us want to go back to those old times, despite the pain of growing up that we are familiar with.
All about Eve
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2000
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Romance
Actors: Chae-rim, Kim So-yeon, Jang Dong-gun
sPlotlight:
It is example of a classic K drama that everyone should watch just to validate their resume as true K drama addict. :p I kid you not. The rivalry drama trophy. Watching Sun-mi (Chae-rim) and Young-mi (Kim So-yeon)'s rivalry from parent's attention, academic achievement, childhood crush, career and love is so deliciously addicting. Good that the writer-nim leaves no sense of confusion on which part we must root for. Sun-mi is written as kind-hearted, loving girl who is likely being the victim in everything mischievous deed done by Young-mi, the arrogant, greedy, ungrateful adopted sibling. I gritted my teeth watching Young-mi doing all the bad things and everything that she can to satisfy her greed and hoping she stumbles from her position. When you think it is impossible to not to hate her, you realize that she is the little kid who is abandon by her abusing alcoholic father, having someone attempting to rape her, and sold to gangster to be a prostitute to pay of her father debt, ahh the di-le-ma.
It is example of a classic K drama that everyone should watch just to validate their resume as true K drama addict. :p I kid you not. The rivalry drama trophy. Watching Sun-mi (Chae-rim) and Young-mi (Kim So-yeon)'s rivalry from parent's attention, academic achievement, childhood crush, career and love is so deliciously addicting. Good that the writer-nim leaves no sense of confusion on which part we must root for. Sun-mi is written as kind-hearted, loving girl who is likely being the victim in everything mischievous deed done by Young-mi, the arrogant, greedy, ungrateful adopted sibling. I gritted my teeth watching Young-mi doing all the bad things and everything that she can to satisfy her greed and hoping she stumbles from her position. When you think it is impossible to not to hate her, you realize that she is the little kid who is abandon by her abusing alcoholic father, having someone attempting to rape her, and sold to gangster to be a prostitute to pay of her father debt, ahh the di-le-ma.
All In
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2003
Episode: 24 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Song Hye-gyo, Lee Byung-hun
sPlotlight:
I love, love, love Song Hye-gyo, she is the epitome of Korean beauty but her eyebrows and red lipstick make up in this drama is the most vivid thing I remember about All In. So 90-ties, so horrideous. Anything is Lee Byung-hun is a gambler, trying to make living in Las Vegas. And someone is trying to be a nun.
All That Glitters
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 54 episodes
Genre: Family drama, Romance
Writer: Bae Yoo-mi (I Have a Lover)
Actors: Kim Hyun-jun, Lee Yoo-ri, Kim Suk-hoon
sPlotlight:
My favorite 50 something episode drama. Another drama about rivalry between two women who are switched at birth. Han Jung-won (Kim Hyun-jun) is born from a family full with debt and switched to be risen in rich house hold. Hwang Geum-ran (Lee Yoo-ri) is born from rich and educated family and switch to be risen in low educated and poor house hold. They find out about it when they are grown up, Han Jung-won becomes a successful book editor and Hwang Geum-ran becomes a saleswoman in bookstore, and they start to resent everything that happen because the switched. I really love the romance between Han Jung-won and Song Seung-joon (Kim Suk-hoon) that is so mature with no childish jealousy, love it! And how can I resist story about Book??
Alone in Love
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2006
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance, Adaptation
Source: Renai Jidai by Hisashi Nozawa
Writer: Park Yeon-sun (Age of Youth)
Actors: Kam Woo-sung, Son Ye-jin
sPlotlight:
Sometimes you realize a drama becomes something that would last for a life time is that even you forget the drama story line, yet you still remember the feeling you had felt while watching the drama. That's what I got when I watched Alone in Love, everything seem in slow pace, not in the rush, the characters were given times and places to ponder about their life, so the audience. Oh I love it. The story is about a married couple who had been through a divorce and how they grow as a character and a couple because of it. They got back together again of course, it is out of the question. It is quite simple, nothing dramatic but how the story unrevealed is what matter the most.
Angel's Eyes
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Gu Hye-sun, Lee Sang-yoon, Kang Haneul, Nam Ji-hyun
sPlotlight:
One drama where Gu Hye-sun redeems her atrocious acting. And Lee Sang-yoon just becomes himself, being gorgeous and looking educated smart with dimples in tow. Seriously he plays every so often this kind of character, not that I'm complaining. Kang Haneul and Nam Ji-hyun play the young version of Gu Hye-sun and Lee Sang-yoon, respectively. They are even cuter than the adult version, he becomes her eyes and her lover. Gawd, I cried when Kang Haneul cried. Reminding me Kim Soo-hyun in Will It Snow for Christmas.
Answer Me 1994
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2013
Episode: 21 episodes
Genre: Family drama, Slice-of-Life
Actors: Go Ara, Jung Woo, Yoo Yeon-seok, Baro, Do-hee, Kim Sung-kyun
sPlotlight:
It is the last favorite of Answer Me series, but trust me all the dramas from Answer Me series is worth watching. The love line in this one is between a little sister and adopted older brother living in the same boarding house run by little sister's parents. They get attached to each other while they grow up together. It will be the drama with career defining character for Yoo Yeon-seok as Chilbongie, the third wheel character in the love triangle. Oh the bischep! Chilbongie!
Answer Me 1997
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2012
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Family drama, Slice-of-life
Actors: Seo Il-guk, Jung Eun-ji, Hoya
sPlotlight:
Now come the most favorite one of Answer Me series for me. It is also the first one of the series. The love line is between childhood best friends, Seo In-gook as Yoon Yoon-jae as the smart, quiet boy in school and Jung Eun-ji as Sung Shi-won, the loud, boy band's crazy fan girl, with not-so-much-brain girl next door. Maybe this drama just hit all the right spots of friend-turns-to-lover story for me so it becomes my favorite of the series.
Answer Me 1988
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Family drama, Slice-of-Life
Actors: Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-geum, Ryu Jun-yeol, Go Kyung-po, Lee Dong-hwi
sPlotlight:
And what comes in between is Answer Me 1988. I keep mentioning the love line in sPlotlight for Answer Me, because really it becomes that differ one to each other. All the friendship, and family aspect are all the same, all well written. For Answer Me 1988, the love line is between one girl and three of her best friends. Lol. It is changing as the girl grows up. Though the end result is not my favorite one. Tee Hee
Argon
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 8 episodes
Genre: Work place drama
Actor: Chun Woo-hee, Kim Joo-hyeok
sPlotlight:
It has the right amount of case procedural dose and mixed with character development and personal stories. From experience, it always turns into not so good drama when K drama tries to focus too much on case procedural aspect and forget what it is good at like building a good character development and personal story. I look at you Criminal Mind. Chun Woo-hee is so believable as maknae, rookie, but eager to learn reporter. I hoped it has more than 8 episodes. I want to say yes for season 2. But Rest in Peace Kim Joo-hyeok 😦😢
Attic Cat
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2003
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Kim Rae-won, Jung Da-bin
sPlotlight:
Hmmm.... It is a story about cohabitation hijinks romance between man and woman, while the woman has to live on the rooftop of the building. What else can I say, the heroine maybe poor but at least she still got the splendid scenery a view from the top. Anything else I forget. Lol
Autumn in My Heart
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2000
Episode:16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Director: Yoon Seok-ho (Winter Sonata, Spring Waltz, Summer Scent)
Actors: Song Hye-gyo, Song Seung-hoon, Won bin
sPlotlight:
I think everyone who wants to claim her/his self a K drama addict, she/he has to watch at least one of four 'seasonal' dramas. They are the dramas which launch Hallyu wave. Yoon PD directed all of them beautifully. Just remember the makjang cliches that run rampant in all four of them. In Autumn in My heart, it is the faux-cest that ends with truck of doom.
Baby Faced Beauty
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Romance, comedy
Actors: Jang Nara, Daniel Choi
sPlotlight:
Jang Nara casting is spot on for the baby faced beauty candy type new employee. I, who is going through first-hand experience of a baby faced person being discriminated, felt the problems showed at the drama became insignificant. Just try harder next time drama ☺
Bad Guy
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 17 episodes
Genre: Revenge drama
Actors: Kim Nam-gil, Kim Jae-wook, Han Ga-in, Jung So-min
sPlotlight:
I don't really remember the plot, but I remember it is a good revenge drama. Kim Nam-gil's character tries to get revenge from Kim Jae-wook's chaebol family by masquerading Kim Jae-wook's character, a rich bad boy, run away from his rich family, who seems not giving a fu*** about anything. Kim Jae-wook really shone in this drama. His fans should watch this.
Because This is My First Life
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance, slice of life
Actor: Lee Min-ki, Jung So-min, Esom
sPlotlight:
I have a problem when they made the female lead so placid and lifeless, and they even managed to take away her job. Because at the beginning, they showed us how much she has done for her job, but then they just wrote it off, like the job doesn’t matter much for her. And the male lead, he was supposed to be quirky. That character of his is what attracts me to the drama, but at the end, he is just this swoony, normal guy, like other male lead in K dramas. And their love line, I was not that interested. The drama’s only saving grace for me are the contemplative writing style and slice of life theme and CEO Ma and Soo-jin couple which is so adorable. Wee…
Because This is My First Life
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance, slice of life
Actor: Lee Min-ki, Jung So-min, Esom
sPlotlight:
I have a problem when they made the female lead so placid and lifeless, and they even managed to take away her job. Because at the beginning, they showed us how much she has done for her job, but then they just wrote it off, like the job doesn’t matter much for her. And the male lead, he was supposed to be quirky. That character of his is what attracts me to the drama, but at the end, he is just this swoony, normal guy, like other male lead in K dramas. And their love line, I was not that interested. The drama’s only saving grace for me are the contemplative writing style and slice of life theme and CEO Ma and Soo-jin couple which is so adorable. Wee…
Beethoven Virus
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2008
Episode:18 episodes
Genre: Drama
Actors: Kim Kyung-min, Jang Geun-seok, Lee Ji-ah
sPlotlight:
I will always remember this drama as Nodame Cantabile wanna be drama. Though right now, there's really a Korean drama adapted from Nodame Cantabile (Tomorrow Cantabile) which I don't watch it because Korean is bad at doing drama adaptation from other countries. It is just I can't help it. But you can replace Tamaki Hirosi with Kim Kyung-min if that even makes more sense. I guess it doesn't. *srugh*
Bride of the Century
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Lee Hong-ki, Yang Jin-sung
sPlotlight:
The story is about two girls who look alike, if not the same. One is good, one is bad. The bad one is trying to replace herself with the good one in her wedding day, because based on Bride of The Century tale the first bride of the family of Lee Hong-ki's character is going to die. Basically she wants to cheat the tale, so she doesn't die, but her replacement will. Then she will come back as the same person after her replacement died, deceiving her husband and his entire family. More than the absurdity of the premise, the tale and the scheme plot, what more absurd for me is how people (at least in dramas ) still believe there're two or more people look exactly alike without sharing the same genetic information. You know Mendel is turning in his grave watching K dramas.
Bubblegum
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance drama
Director: Kim Byung-soo (Vampire Procecutor 1, Nine: Nine Time Travels)
Director: Kim Byung-soo (Vampire Procecutor 1, Nine: Nine Time Travels)
Actors: Lee Dong-wook, Jung Ryeo-won, Lee Jong-hyuk
sPlotlight:
Lee Dong-wook's and Jung Ryeo-won's costumes. 'Nuff says.
Lee Dong-wook's and Jung Ryeo-won's costumes. 'Nuff says.
Can Love Become A Money
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2012
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Romance drama
Actors: Yeon Jeong-hun, Uhm Ji-won, Wang Bit-na
sPlotlight:
I don't quiet remember the plot, I watched this because I love how smoldering hot Yeon Jeong-hun as vampire prosecutor, at this drama he becomes hot asrh hole rich guy who likes money so much. The love line is between him and Uhm Ji-won's character. She is an employee hired by the family of Yeon Jeong-hun's character who want part of his money. Her duty is to spy on him, though he has already known he has been spied by her. Then hijinks begin.
Can We Get Married
Country: South Korea
Released Year:2013
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actors: Sung Joon, Jung So-min
sPlotlight:
The story is about a couple played by Sung Joon and Jung So-min, who are preparing their wedding day. They have to overcome various problems arise in wedding preparation. We all know how stressful wedding preparation is, not to mention family with different background from both sides meddling in. The premise is quiet simple but the execution of Can We Get Married is excellent.
Can You Hear My Heart
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 30 episodes
Genre: Romance, melodrama
Actors: Hwang Jung-eum, Kim Jae-won, Namgoong Min
sPlotlight:
The male main lead (Kim Jae-won) turned deaf because an accident in his childhood, but he pretends that he still can hear. The female main lead (Hwang Jung-eum) is a bright girl, but she pretends to be mentally handicapped. The mother of the male main lead pretends to love her adopted son (Namgoong Min), only to use him for revenge. Namgoong Min’s character who is actually the female main lead character’s lost brother pretends to not know she is his sister. Lots and lots more pretending. And I will pretend Namgoong Min is the ultimate main lead.
Can’t Lose
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 18 episodes
Genre: Romance
Actors: Choi Ji-woo, Yoon Sang-hyun
sPlotlight:
As you know, I’m sucker for lover’s reunion trope, so yes, suck me in Drama! Watching this drama, I figure out why I’m still single, because I really don’t have that much of energy to argue about every little thing in life for that long, vast, and passionate. I probably have given up before the relationship even begins. LOL A marriage surely is for the strongest ones! 😆
Can’t Lose
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 18 episodes
Genre: Romance
Actors: Choi Ji-woo, Yoon Sang-hyun
sPlotlight:
As you know, I’m sucker for lover’s reunion trope, so yes, suck me in Drama! Watching this drama, I figure out why I’m still single, because I really don’t have that much of energy to argue about every little thing in life for that long, vast, and passionate. I probably have given up before the relationship even begins. LOL A marriage surely is for the strongest ones! 😆
Capital Scandal
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2007
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Period drama, Romance
Actors: Kang Ji-hwan, Han Ji-min, Ryu Jin
sPlotlight:
The story takes place in time Japan occupation on Korean peninsula. Han Ji-min's character is a Korean independence fighter who doesn't care about appearance lest about romance and Kang Ji-hwan's character is a carefree, flower boy (man), womanizer who doesn't give a flick about Korean independence movement until he meets her, of course.
Chicago Typewriter
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance drama
Actors: Yoo Ah-in, Im Soo-jung, Go Kyung-pyo
sPlotlight:
Seriously, the lavish display of book shelves is one that hook me into the first 14 episodes of this drama. Until those two last episodes that are daebak. I knew that plot twist was coming, but I couldn’t help myself from falling either. All you need is to be patient enough to watch 14 episodes to feel that satisfying ending, because the OTP (Yoo Ah-in & Im Soo-jung) romance is underwhelming. They are best friend at best, no lover. I kept commenting:“Girl you get in the way, just move!” every time the bromance between Yoo Ah-In and Go Kyung-pyo started to brim and there was her. And Go Kyung-pyo as a typewriter ghost is love. How can he not be? He turned the mundane eating ramyeon activity into something worth experience in life. I’m sold!
Chuno: The Slave Hunters
Country: South Korea
Released Year:2010
Episode:24 episodes
Genre: Fiction Sageuk
Actors: Jang Hyuk, Oh Ji-ho, Lee Da-hae, Lee Jong-hyuk
sPlotlight:
Abs! Abs! Abs! Choco abs. Jang Hyuk, a slave hunter with choco abs is chasing Lee Da-hae, a slave with pristine skin, who gets help from Oh Ji-ho, a yangbang turns to slave with dimples and choco abs.
Cinderella's Sister
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Moon Geun-young, Seo-woo, Chun Jung-myung, Ok Taecyeon
sPlotlight:
Sibling rivalry between a depressed, bitter girl and her manipulative stepsister.
Circle
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 12 episodes
Genre: Science Fiction, mystery
Actors: Yoo Jin-goo, Kim Kang-woo, Ahn Woo-yeon, Gong Seung-yeon
sPlotlight:
Half way through the drama, I kept wondering why the writer(s) made everything looks so complicated like it could justify Circle to be sci-fi drama and brought more mysteries. I don't like when people make thing complicated. Lol. The premise is much simpler than the execution. It is about a technology to converse memory to video like file then to store it to computer, erase it or edit it, and the process of reinventing, maintaining, and destroying the technology The origin of the technology is unknown (Nope, they are not giving us the answer till the end). But still I like the message the drama tried to send: Memory is one person's prerogative whether he/she wants to keep it, forgets it or ‘modifies’ it, it is up to him/her, no one have the right to that beside the owner. The process of erasing people’s memory can end up taking the responsibility from people to learn from their mistakes. Because at the end Memory is what makes a man. 😁
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 12 episodes
Genre: Science Fiction, mystery
Actors: Yoo Jin-goo, Kim Kang-woo, Ahn Woo-yeon, Gong Seung-yeon
sPlotlight:
Half way through the drama, I kept wondering why the writer(s) made everything looks so complicated like it could justify Circle to be sci-fi drama and brought more mysteries. I don't like when people make thing complicated. Lol. The premise is much simpler than the execution. It is about a technology to converse memory to video like file then to store it to computer, erase it or edit it, and the process of reinventing, maintaining, and destroying the technology The origin of the technology is unknown (Nope, they are not giving us the answer till the end). But still I like the message the drama tried to send: Memory is one person's prerogative whether he/she wants to keep it, forgets it or ‘modifies’ it, it is up to him/her, no one have the right to that beside the owner. The process of erasing people’s memory can end up taking the responsibility from people to learn from their mistakes. Because at the end Memory is what makes a man. 😁
Coffee House
Country: South Korea
Released Year:2010
Episode: 18 episodes
Genre: Romantic comedy
Director: Pyo Min-soo (The World That They Live In, Full House)
Director: Pyo Min-soo (The World That They Live In, Full House)
Actors: Kang Ji-hwan, Pak Si-yeon, Ham Eun-jung, Jung Woong-in
sPlotlight:
A romance between a quirky writer and his successful publisher business lady. How can I resist a story about the love for books? Or I just love he chooses her, over a young, cutesy girl.
Coffee Prince
Country: South Korea
Released Year:2007
Episode:17 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Gong Yoo, Yoon Eun-hye, Lee Sun-kyun
sPlotlight:
This is also one of classic must watch drama for a K drama addict. It is about a handsome, rich, childish chaebol (Gong Yoo) tries to break free from his family by setting up a café with him as a barista where he meets a girl dressed as a boy, barista in trainee (Yoo Eun-hye) and then falls in love. The OSTs are amazing!
City Hall
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2009
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Writer: Kim Eun-sook (Goblin, Descendant of The Sun, Secret Garden)
Actors: Cha Seung-won, Kim Sun-ah
sPlotlight:
Beside the actors, a truly K drama addict must know a famous K screenwriter which is Kim Eun-sook. She churns out one hit drama to one hit drama from time to time. I like her than Hong sisters actually since it is like she knows what audience want from her drama. But she tends to be hit or miss for me. One thing to consider is that although I like the overall drama, her written main character sometimes comes out so irritating, grating my nerve to the max, mostly it is the reason why I drop her drama, not because the story, but the characters. But City Hall is one of her drama that the characters come of just fine. The story.. . Just trust Kim Eun-sook to write an engaging story, any story even about a city hall in suburb town.
City Hunter
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Action, Romance
Actors: Lee Min-ho. Park Min-young, Lee Joon-hyuk
sPlotlight:
I think it is Lee Min-ho's drama that reinventing his career as an actor. People think the drama is Boy Over Flower, but I think City Hunter is the one. He always plays the 'safe character' but somehow I never root for any of character he plays. Even in City Hunter where he is all kick-ass, charismatic yet vulnerable Blue House employee in disguise trying to get revenge, I get second lead syndrome, rooting for Lee Joon-hyuk's character, a up standing, uncompromising public prosecutor who always get his way blocked by the city hunter because He Is Lee Min-ho! What else do we need....
Cruel City/ Heartless City
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2013
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Noir, Action, Revenge
Actors: Jung kyung-ho, Nam Gyu-ri, Yoon Hyun-min
sPlotlight:
This is one, I think one of the most underrated drama. It is gritty and thrilling. Jung Kyung-ho as Baksadeul, a drug lord wanna be, living in underground world, is so hot and mesmerizing. That voice of his... Grrrr.
Cunning Single Lady/ Sly and Single again
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Joo Sang-wook, Lee Min-jung
sPlotlight:
It has one of my favorite romance theme, which is about a breakup couple who tries to find their way back into love. Joo Sang-wook's character is a nerdy computer programmer who once failed at setting up a tech company, finally finds the light of the day successfully becomes tech mogul. Lee Min-jung's character was his wife who supported him when he couldn't support himself and found herself getting tired of it, chose to divorce him until she meets again him again when he already becomes a rich man. What else does she have to do except back to him.
Dal Ja's Spring
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2007
Episode: 22 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Chae-rim, Lee Min-ki
sPlotlight:
Chae rim plays a thirty something woman who beside has a successful career, still feels anxiety because she still can't find the love of her life till Lee Min-ki comes along. I don't really like noona-romance but this one is okay. I think what I like the most about this drama how it tackles life issue and anxiety of women in her thirties something of their life.
Descendant of The Sun
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2016
Episodes: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Writer: Kim Eun-sook (Secret Garden, Goblin, On Air)
Actors: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-gyo, Jin-goo, Kim Ji-won
sPlotlight:
Forget about the premise, the life of a soldier and a doctor, a country torn by war and earthquake. Forget about it! It is all about the romance, the flirting and the beauty of Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-gyo, and for nothing else matter!
Delightful Girl Chun-hyang
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2005
Episode: 17 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Writer: Hong Jung-eun, Hong Mi-ran (Hong Sisters) (Warm and Cozy, Big, My GIrl)
Actors: Han Chae-young, Jae Hee, Uhm Tae-woong
sPlotlight:
Chun-hyang is one of Korean folklores that get adapted over and over again. So you who interested in Korean culture or anything Korean must familiarize yourself with this. This drama is good start for that. The center of all Chunhyang stories is a girl named Chunhyang (Han Chae-young) who is at low social rank or poor condition has a romance with a boy named Myongryeong (Jae-hee) who has a higher social rank or richer than her. One day they break up, she has a force relationship with someone (Uhm Tae-woong) who is said he can make her life better (high social rank or better economically). Then Myongryeong comes back again to take away Chunhyang from the forced relationship and live happily ever after with her. All of the stories have to show all those three phase in Chunhyang-Myongryeong relationship to close the deal. I think what makes the story so well love by Korean people is that it showcases a love story between two people from different social rank, to show them love is social rank blind :D
Discovery of Love
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romantic comedy
Writer: Jung Hyun-jung (I Need Romance 1 & 2)
Actors: Eric Mun, Jung Yumi, Sung Joon
sPlotlight:
This is also a story about a couple get back together again. Jung Yumi's character now is dating Sung Joon's character. Their families have already met and planned a wedding soon. Until Eric's character, Jung Yumi's ex-boyfriend, comes along and shakes everything up. Beside Jung Yumi's annoying character, this drama is worth to watch.
Dong Yi
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 60 episodes
Genre: Historical Sageuk
Actors: Ji Jin-hee, Han Hyo-joo, Bae Soo-bin
sPlotlight:
The story of palace maid named Dong Yi who moves rank to become a concubine after marrying King Sukjong. The drama picks a historical fact of Josean dynasty that is the conspiracy behind the the death of queen Inhyeon and its relation to Queen Jang Hui bin execution. That one is also a piece of Korean history that is adapted over and over again in various forms. I remember after watching the drama I spent sometimes reading and searching a bunch of Korean history solely for curiosity. Lol. Oh SK and its soft power.
Doctors
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2016
Episodes: 20 Episodes
Genre: Medical Romance
Actors: Park Shin-hye, Kim Rye-won
sPlotlight:
How its thin plot, that makes it charming?
Dr. Frost
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 10 episodes
Genre: Mystery Thriller, Case Procedural
Actors: Song Chang-eui, Jung Eun-chae
sPlotlight:
You know I love psychological thriller, and this drama intends to be one but somehow it comes as flat. For someone who is considered rather flat to cold, I still think Dr. Frost still can emote, which it eventually defied the basic premise of the drama. Don't you like being at the end of the spectrum K drama? You can't just being smart, you have to be geeenius. So I expect you to be just so when it comes to emotion.
Drinking Solo
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2016
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy, Slice-of-Life
Actors: Ha Seok-jin, Park Ha-sun, Key, Gong Myung
sPlotlight:
This one is a sleeper hit. I love how they showcase the solitary life issue living in big city. Watching it is like finding companion facing the same problems. It is a remedy. It is really comforting. And Funny. And Key is da bomb!
Duel
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 16 episode
Genre: Sci-fi, thriller
Actor: Yang Se-jong, Jung Jae-young, Kim Jung-eun
sPlotlight:
It should have been a solid sci-fi drama, which is rare in K drama-scape. It has the solid bases for science fiction narration, from human cloning moral dispute, organ harvesting, cell’s memory, stem cells’ for cancer treatment, active and passive immune system in preventing cancer development, to science behind human aging. The directional tone and the pace of the drama are quite good. The acting: Should I say Yang Se-jong is on blast, so good playing all three characters. Thanks casting director to have a faith in him by casting him to play such roles with such a short filmography. He deserves a baeksang for best new comer, 2017! It has the balance between the science fiction facts narration and emotional undertone from the characters. Don’t you cry watching Sung Hoon cries defending the right to have decent life as human clone?? But somehow it doesn’t come across as a quite engaging drama. Is it because the script is not good? Not lively enough? Not funny enough? It is the script, it must be the script. Hah!
East of Eden
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2009
Episode: 56 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Song Seung-hoon, Yeon Jeong-hoon, Park Hae-jin, Lee Da-hae
sPlotlight:
The story about two boys switched at birth by one of the boy's mother because she wants to seek revenge to the other boy's parents. Lol, even the The premise is so makjangish. When the boys have grown up, they meet each other and compete in everything. I watched the drama for Song Seung-hoon, I finished it for Song Seung-hoon.
Emergency Couple
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episode: 21 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Song Ji-hyo, Choi Jin-hyuk, Lee Pil-mo, Clara
sPlotlight:
Another story about break up couple back together again. Like I said before this kind of story is my thing. The background setting this time is in emergency unit at the hospital and the couple is the intern. They were a married couple before they got accepted to medical school, not knowing it is The Same medical school. Oh problems! He didn't realize she got the knack to become a good doctor, she wonder why didn't he think about to become one since before?? Or life would have been easier.
Ex-Girlfriend Club
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 12 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Byun Yo-han, Song Ji-hyo, Ryu Hwayoung
sPlotlight:
He (Byun Yo-han) falls in love with his best friend (Song Ji-hyo) but doesn't have the time to deal with it because he has three ex-girlfriends and their problems to deal.
Falling For Innocent
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Jung Kyung-ho, Kim So-yeon, Yoon Hyun-min
sPlotlight:
I (Jung Kyung-ho) have your dead boyfriend's heart, literally, so I can't help falling for you (Kim So-yeon) innocently.
Fashion 70's
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2005
Episode: 28 episodes
Genre: Period, melodrama
Actors: Chun Jung-myung, Lee Yo-won, Joo Jin-mo, Kim Min-jung
sPlotlight:
There are two girls who grew up together as a child. One day a war broke up and they got separated. Parents of one of the girls adopted one of the girls (Kim Min-jung) when their own daughter (Lee Yo-won) was lost on the war. The two girls meets again when they have already grown up. And friendship be damned, when your rich parents, your dream, and your lover are at stake, you've got to go all the way!
Feast of God
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2012
Episode: 32 episodes
Genre: Melodrama, Food Porn
Actors: Joo Sang-wook, Sung Yu-ri, Lee Sang-woo
sPlotlight:
It is a foodporn show about Korean culinary, anything else is beside the point!
Forest of Secret/Stranger
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Mystery, thriller, legal drama
Writer: Lee Soo-yeon
Actors: Bae Doo-na, Jo Seung-woo, Lee Joon-hyuk, Shin Hye-sun, Yoo Jae-myung
sPlotlight:
Off you go to my favorite top ten dramas list. I never thought I would have a legal drama in the list, but this one is the exception. Jo Seung-woo turns one stoic, emotionless character into one the most adorkable character ever, Hwang Shi-mok. The drama has two of the most well written female characters, Han Yeo-jin (Bae Doo-na) and Young Eun-soo (Shin Hye-sun). For that reason, I'll probably tune in for the next project of this writer-nim. Tight plot and great directional tone made the drama feels like 16 hours movie. Thank you for the amazing work! 🙇🙇🙇
Friends, Our Legend
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2009
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Melodrama, action
Actors: Hyun bin, Kim min-joon, Seo Do-yeong, Wang Ji-hye
sPlotlight:
I forget the overall plotline, but it is about best friends who drift apart as they grow up. So many misunderstanding, betrayal, and different job preference, but the same love object, heh ;D turn bromance to bronemy. You think it is hurt when your boy/girlfriend doesn't love you anymore, try to feel the moment when your best friend becomes not as close as before. :P
Four Sisters' Story
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2001
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Chae Rim, Han Jae-seok
sPlotlight:
Lol it long, long time ago. I watched this drama from rental VCDs. Let me remember this, ha, ha, ha. I think the story is about the life of four sisters with different personality, and the sibling rivalry among them. Two of the sisters compete for the love of the same man. Ahh LOVE must be the source of their problem, oh the world problem!
Full House
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2004
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Director: Pyo Min-soo (The World That They Live In, Coffee House)
Actors: Rain, Song Hye-gyo,
sPlotlight:
It is one of dramas that incited my Hallyu fever. :D I like Song Hye-gyo in Autumn in My Heart, but I Love her in Full House. I love her costumes, I love her hairdo, I love her makeup. Rain, I don't follow him much, after or before Full House but his hair and him in low cut V neck shirt (did I just write low cut v neck? :D ) is unforgettable. The house is inhibited by an aspiring writer (Song Hye-gyo) and a childish hallyu star (Rain). It is ‘full' of cohabitation romance hijinks sprinkled with marriage contract issue. What's not to love?
Giant
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 60 episodes
Genre: Period, Melodrama
Actors: Joo Sang-wook, Lee Beom-soo, Hwang jung-eum, Park Sang-min, Jeong Bo-seok, Park jin-hee
sPlotlight:
One word: Epic. Park Sang-mi (brother no.1), Lee Beom-soo (brother no.2), and Hwang Jung-eum (little sister) play sibling whose parent was killed by Jeong Bo-seok's character. The entire series depict their struggle to get revenge from their parent's killer. But how is it when their lovable little sister is falling in love with the killer's son (Joo Sang-wook). Dun, dun, dun. The series is just epic. Joo Sang-wook's soulful, torture eyes in Giant made me fall in love with him for the first time and forever. Jeon Pil-yeon character played by Jeong Bo-seok is one of the best K drama villains, up there together with Lady Mishil from Queen Seon-deok. Love to hate him.
The Lonely Shining Goblin
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2016
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Writer: Kim Eun-sook (Descendant of The Sun, Secret Garden)
Actors: Goo Yong, Kem Go-eun, Lee Dong-wokk, Yoo Ina
sPlotlight:
Kim Eun-sook has worked her writing skill up to notches. Before, the romance has been one that carried her dramas, but in Goblin the mythology story is one that really pull the audience, week after week, wring every tears. The bromance between the Goblin (Goo Yong), one who remembers and reads the future, and the grim reaper (Lee Dong-wook), one who forgets and reads the past, is so good. Every character has an important role in the story and they are interrelated. Watching her previous dramas, I always feels like doing brainless but fun activity, but this time when watching makes me ponder about Fate and God existence, it is weighted the experience and makes impression. Maybe because it air in cable tv (TvN), the PPLs are so notoriously explicit, they become the source of such a lot of tongue on the cheek jokes.
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2016
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Writer: Kim Eun-sook (Descendant of The Sun, Secret Garden)
Actors: Goo Yong, Kem Go-eun, Lee Dong-wokk, Yoo Ina
sPlotlight:
Kim Eun-sook has worked her writing skill up to notches. Before, the romance has been one that carried her dramas, but in Goblin the mythology story is one that really pull the audience, week after week, wring every tears. The bromance between the Goblin (Goo Yong), one who remembers and reads the future, and the grim reaper (Lee Dong-wook), one who forgets and reads the past, is so good. Every character has an important role in the story and they are interrelated. Watching her previous dramas, I always feels like doing brainless but fun activity, but this time when watching makes me ponder about Fate and God existence, it is weighted the experience and makes impression. Maybe because it air in cable tv (TvN), the PPLs are so notoriously explicit, they become the source of such a lot of tongue on the cheek jokes.
Goong/ Princess Hours
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2006
Episode: 24 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Yoon Eun-hye, Joo Ji-hoon, Song Ji-hyo, Kim Jeong-hoon
sPlotlight:
This drama and Coffee Prince are two dramas that Yoon Eun-hye's fans must watch because after that her dramas are questionable? She played a school girl who is betrothed to a prince of imaginary Korean monarchy (Joo Ji-hoon) by her grandfather. What else a school girl can do but to move to forbidden palace and entrapped there. MORE so she also has to prepare herself to become a princess and to marry a prince not so charming who already has a ballerina girlfriend (Song Ji-hyo). Meanwhile another prince charming (Kim Jeong-hoon) has eyes for her too. Yesss, another first world problems.
Goong S/ Prince Hours
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2007
Episode: 20 episides
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Seven, Heo Yi-jae, Park Shin-hye
sPlotlight:
It is the failed attempt by MBC to reproduce Goong success in previous year. Right now, one who gets suddenly invited to the palace is a prince (Seven), hence the ‘Prince' hours. It features the common prince's problems which are too many pretty girls (Heo Yi-jae, Park Shin-hye) trying to be his wife, too many princes trying to steal the throne, and so on, and so on. But maybe to become a prince in ‘hours' is not as hard as to become a princess in ‘hours', is behind the failed attempt, who knows.
Guardian Angel
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2001
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Song Hye-gyo, Kim Min-jong
sPlotlight:
I almost forgot I have watched this drama. But then I remember since I have watched all Song Hye-gyo's dramas, since I love her (Achievement!). In it she is playing a mother for a child who isn't her child. But nevertheless she still has to face a single mother stigma living in South Korea. And she has a love line with Kim Min-jong's character.
Heart to Heart
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actors: Chun Jung-myung, Choi Kang-hee, Lee Jae-yoon
sPlotlight:
Choi Kang-hee plays a shut-in girl who tries to get a cure after she has a crush with a kind police officer (Lee Jae-yoon). But in the way to recovery, she meets a shrink (Chun Jung-myun) who falls in love with her whom she eventually falls in love too. Yes, rests assure there are a lot of breaches of patient-shrink relationship contract like there are in many other K dramas. I still can't wrap my head around how easy she overcome her social anxiety problem, let alone the cure is a medicine named Love. ™
Hello! Miss
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2007
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Lee Da-hae, Lee Ji-hoon, Ha Seok-jin
sPlotlight:
Lee Da-hee plays a mistress of yangbang descendant. She tries to preserve her ancestor's traditional family house in country side. Raised in once a yangbang family, she is equipped with all skills and virtues expected from a noble lady, but lack of skill to make money that is desperately needed for the preservation. One day a chaebol (Lee Ji-hoon) comes to buy that family house, but of course she cannot sell the house (What her ancestor are gonna say to her?? How unfilial of her!), can she? And who expect the chaebol is the offspring of a servant who once served her family. Dun, dun, dun.
Her Lovely Heels
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episode: 10 episodes
Genre: Romance drama
Actors: Hong Jong-hyun, Han Seung-yeon
sPlotlight:
This drama didn't impress me much, hence not recall the plot, but it is short drama (only around 15 minutes per episode) so I could manage to finish it. If it is a normal 60 minutes drama per episodes, it doesn't have a chance to stand more than first episode to get my attention to watch. The female main lead is bubbly office girl, the male main lead is a stiff cold her senior in the office (or it is Hong Jung-hyun who is that stiff :P ) And at the final episode he confess his love to her with a pair of high heels in hands. The End.
Hong Gil Dong
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2008
Episode: 24 episodes
Genre: Fusion Sageuk
Writer: Hong Jung-eun, Hong Mi-ran (Hong Sisters) (Delightful Girl ChunYang, Warm and Cozy, My GIrl)
Actors: Kang Ji-hwan, Sung Yu-ri, Jang Geun-seok
sPlotlight:
This is also one of Korean folklore that you K drama addict must familiar yourself with. It is got adapted, over and over again though sometimes the title is not Hong Gil-dong but the essence of story is still the same which is the the hero who advocates the common people's interest against the authority figure through sometimes questionable means. More less to say Hong Gil-dong is the robin hood of Joseon. This drama can be a starter.
Hotelier
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2001
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Song Hye-gyo, Bae Yong-joon, Song Yoon-ah, Kim Seung-woo
sPlotlight:
This one is also I can't quiet remember the plot. It is about… a hotel hotel takeover. Lol. Kim Seung-woo is the hotel manager. He has a "complicated' relationship with Song Yoon-ah, another hotel manager. The person who is in charge of hotel take over is Bae Yong-joon. The complicated relationship is solved when Song Yoon-ah meets Bae Yong-joon and Kim Seung-woo meets Song Hye-gyo, the hotel owner's daughter. And everyone ends happily ever-after. I remember I root for Song Hye-gyo-Bae Yong-joon's ship though. Lol.
I Have a Lover
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 50 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Writer: Bae Yoo-mi (All That Glitters)
Actors: Ji Jin-hee, Kim Hyun-joo, Park Han-byul, Lee Kyu-han
sPlotlight:
This is also a story about a divorce couple finds their way back together again. Ji Jin-hee and Kim Hyun-joo was a married couple who grow a distance after their only daughter died. She became stiff and cold. And he became indifferent. He got another woman who reminds him her wife once before Park Han-byul (who doesn't like her she is so drop dead gorgeous, tall, and curvy), And she got herself amnesiac (lol) then also met a man (Lee Kyu-han) who cares for her like her husband once before. On the way to amnesiac, Kim Hyun-joo finds long forgotten herself who is warm and cheerful and also finds another Kim Hyun-joon. Hah! Kim Hyun-joon basically plays two characters, twin sibling. She is soooo good playing these two characters. You can easily tell which one is who. And the drama is also so good wring my emotion. Just define the guilty pleasure of watching makjang drama, all the hair pulling, yelling at the screen session. Be damned husband, cheater, get your sorry ass off my screen, ya ain't gonna get my sympathy.
I Need Romance Season 1
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy, Friendship
Writer: Jung Hyun-jung (I Need Romance 2, Discovery of Love)
Actors: Jo Yeo-jeong, Kim Jeong-hoon, Choi Jin-hyuk, Choi Yeo-jin
sPlotlight:
The story is actually about three women who are close friends and each of their love line. But the central romance is a love triangle between Jo Yeo-jeong, Kim Jeong-hoon and Choi Jin-hyuk. Jo Yeon-jeong is a hotel employee and Kim Jeong-hoon is a movie director. They are already in romance relationship for years, but he never asks her for marriage. She keeps wonder why until she finds out he sleeps with one of his actresses. So she dumps him, and finds herself a man (Choi Jin-hyuk). Choi Jin-hyuk is the hotel owner's son, younger than her, gentle and caring. But… Kim Jeong-hoon comes back, begs for forgiveness, and proposes her. And she comes back to him. Okay…. Don't ask why she chooses Kim Jeong-hoon over Choi Jin-hyuk who is cuter, gentler, more well off, more caring, and more important ain't no cheater. Just watch for yourself, maybe you can find the reason and explain to me. Some drama ending just don't make any sense. *shakeheads-gowatchingDiscoverychannel"*
I Need Romance Season 2
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2012
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy, Friendship
Writer: Jung Hyun-jung (I Need Romance 1, Discovery of Love)
Actors: Lee Jin-wook, Jung Yumi, Kim Ji-suk
sPlotlight:
This is one of my favorite dramas. The story is about friends-turn-to-lover between Lee Jin-wook (Hello Lee Jin-wook! *Winks*) and Jung Yumi. He was her boy-next-door best friend. She is his ex-lover-now-roommate best friend. She knows all about him like he knows all about her. Currently he has this steady girlfriend and while she has been in and out relationship. She wonders why it seems she can't settle with one boyfriend, every so often he sits her down and gives her love advices. Until she meets Kim Ji-suk, she thinks this is it, it is the guy. But then Jealousy incarnated. Swear God, if Lee Jin-wook is not Lee Jin-wook and he is not her long time best friend, I'll root for her with Kim Ji-suk. He always plays this second lead with such a gusto with perfect comic timing so I can't help but laughing and caring.
Individualist Ms. Ji-young
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 2 episodes
Genre: Slice of life, romance, drama special
Actors: Min Hyo-rin, Gong Myung
sPlotlight:
"People. Relationship. Social life. Small misunderstanding and bothersome emotional disputes. It's a waste of energy. People force others out of line. Selfishness is hidden behind empathy. Foolish humanism. None of it is real. It's all hypocrisy. Today, I succeed again in protecting myself from it all." - Na Ji-young.
I-Feel-Her! - Pohonphee.
Individualist Ms. Ji-young
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 2 episodes
Genre: Slice of life, romance, drama special
Actors: Min Hyo-rin, Gong Myung
sPlotlight:
"People. Relationship. Social life. Small misunderstanding and bothersome emotional disputes. It's a waste of energy. People force others out of line. Selfishness is hidden behind empathy. Foolish humanism. None of it is real. It's all hypocrisy. Today, I succeed again in protecting myself from it all." - Na Ji-young.
I-Feel-Her! - Pohonphee.
It's Okay, It's Love
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Writer: Noh Hee-kyung (That Winter, The Wind Blows, The World That They Live In)
Actors: Gong Hye-jin, Jo In-sung, DO, Lee Kwang-soo, Sung Dong-il
sPlotlight:
Noh Hee-kyung is one K drama writer that her works I anticipate. Though I don't always love them, but when it is good, it is good. They always got this melancholic, contemplative atmosphere in them. The story is about the life of eccentric-later-on-schizophrenic writer played by Jo In-sung. Because some childhood trauma, he creates an imaginary friend played by DO. In one of his schizophrenic attack which spurs the need for him to be hospitalized, he meets a woman psychiatric played by Gong Hye-jin. Of course this drama also needs warrant for a breach of patient-psychiatric relationship contract. But thank God, there's Sung Dong-il plays his main psychiatric. If not I leave you Show, because that's just sending the wrong message. And yes get involve romantically with patients does not only give the doctor/professional disadvantage, but also the patient. So the drama basically tries to capture how to live with people with psychiatry problems, if someone sets a mind to have a relationship with them what to prepare, what to expect, how to handle if one of the attack comes or how to prevent or to minimize the attack. It is not easy, but it is possible.
Jejoongwon
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 36 episodes
Genre: Period drama
Actors: Yeon Jung-hoon, Han Hye-jin, Park Yong-won
sPlotlight:
The story of first modern medical school and hospital in Korea. Don't you know Yeon Jung-hoon has the knack of making me rooting for the villain second lead? Note: Villain. It is like he is the only one who knows how to make villain character vulnerable so the audience can feel empathy for him. The main lead can only become pale in comparison.
Jewel In The Palace/ Dae Jang-geum
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2003
Episode: 54 episodes
Genre: Historical sageuk
Director: Lee Byung-hoon (Dong Yi)
Director: Lee Byung-hoon (Dong Yi)
Actors: Lee Young-ae, Ji Jin-hee, Han Ji-min
sPlotlight:
This is also the Hallyu wave starter. A long time K drama addict must have watched this if only for a couple of episodes. I watched it twice. The story spans from Dae Jang-geum as a child, then a maid, then a cooker, to Dae Jang-geum as a king's physician, and also a king's adviser. Meanwhile you can appreciate the beauty of Korean cuisine and of course Lee Young-ae's elegant beauty. What I like is that she moves rank not because she gains king's favor by becoming his woman, but because king put respect on her for her skill, wisdom, and professionalism (if there's one on that time). And her subtle but unbending romance with Ji Jin-hee's character is enviable. .
Last Scandal of My Life
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2008
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Jung Joon-ho, Choi Jin-sil, Jung Woong-in
sPlotlight:
Choi Jin-sil plays a divorced mother with asrh-hole ex-husband, left her in debt without alimony. She is forced to go back to single life and has to feed for herself and her child after for a long time being a stay home mother. Then one she meets Jung Joon-ho's character, a man-child, trying to stay famous, hallyu star. But nonetheless, he was her ex high school boyfriend. So she works for him to clean his house, to do his laundry, to cook his meals, and also to deal his man-child attitudes with her housewife's wisdom. She stays in his house of course. The danger of cohabitation in K drama is the two people taking part in cohabitation have the risk of falling in love to each other.
Let's Eat season 1
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy, Food porn, Slice-of-Life
Actors: Yoon Doo-joon, Lee Soo-kyung
sPlotlight:
When a serial killer seems to stalk you down, you can only calm yourself down with food porn.
Lie to Me
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Kang ji-hwan, Yoon Eun-hye
sPlotlight:
This is also left no impression to me. I guess I have finished this. It is a story about a civil servant (Yoon Eun-hye) who lies to be married to a chaebol (Kang Ji-hwan). A marriage rumor becomes a marriage fabrication becomes a marriage contract then a real marriage: Only in K drama.
Love Story in Harvard
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2004
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance drama
Actors: Kim Tae-hee, Lee Jung-jin, Kim Rae-won
sPlotlight:
Rivalry between Kim Rae-won, a Harvard grad lawyer and Lee Jung-jin, a Harvard grad lawyer for Kim Tae-hee's affection, a Harvard grad doctor. Did Harvard University get copyright compensation for this? :P Writing this I realize how Kim Rae-won gets older like a fine wine.
Lovers in Paris
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2004
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Writer: Kim Eun-sook (On Air, Goblin, Secret Garden)
Actors: Park Shin-yang, Kim Jung-eun, Lee Dong-geun
sPlotlight:
A love triangle between Park Shin-yang, a stern successful businessman, Lee Dong-geun, a carefree, Park Shin-yang's younger brother and Kim Jung-eun, a plucky, candy-type, Park Shin-yang's part time, house keeper. Actually I remember Kim Jung-eun's character is a little bit annoying, a typical Kim Eun-sook's bright personality female lead. Gil Ra-im in Secret Garden is okay, Kang Mo-yeon in Descendant of The Sun is fine, Song Yoonah's character in On Air or Kim Eun-tak in The lonely, Shining Goblin is annoying but bearable, and Cha Eun-sang in Heirs is hella annoying, I can't stand it. And beware the crappy of ending, when you have invested so much :P
Marry Stayed Out All Night/ Marry Me, Marry!
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Jang Geun-seok, Moon Geun-yeong, Kim Jae-wook
sPlotlight:
If it is only for Jang Geun-seok's and Moon Geun-yeong's crazy hair! Kim Jae-wook can just stand and looked beautiful. I got the feeling Kim Jae-wook is traumatized every time he steps out his zone to do some acting gig. Then the projects turn crappy. So he doesn't do much acting albeit there's a talent underneath that beautiful face. Ha, ha, ha. Hmm I think the title should be Marry Stayed IN All Night because she is a K drama addict like all of us. Maybe it can save the drama.
Marriage, Not Dating
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episodes: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Yeon woo-jin, Han Groo
sPlotlight:
A single, plastic surgeon, Yeon Woo-jin is tired of various blind dates set by his mother. So he hires Han Groo to be his fake girlfriend. His mother knows her son's stunt and asks them to marry instead of dating. Watch this drama is so much fun, much fast, funny banter, and a lot of slapstick comedy which Han Groo is so good in it.
Marriage Contract
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2016
Episodes: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Lee Seo-jin, UEE
sPlotlight: .
A young single mother (UEE) got brain cancer and meets second generation chaebol (Lee Seo-jin). All the melodrama tropes are out in the loose, scare you not since everything well executed. Don't worry about someone dies at the end, since everybody dies :p eventually. Lesson learn from the drama that one! And btw who can resist those dimples of Seo Jinnie oppa!
Maids
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Fiction Sageuk
Actors: Kim Dong-wook, Oh Ji-ho, Jeong Yu-mi, Lee Si-ah
sPlotlight:
Jeong Yu-mi is a full of pride, smart, daughter of Yangban family. Kim Dong-wook is a bright, prospective, up standing, son of Yangban family. They make a perfect couple, approved by both families. Until her family is accused of treason. Her entire family is killed and she is robed from her position to become a maid. Lee Si-ah, her frenemy, wants to make sure her life a living hell, forces Jeong Yu-mi, the maid to serve in her household, and marries her childhood boyfriend. But there's Oh Ji-ho, another slave in the household, to offer helping hands. What sparkle from this drama is its dark humors, serve my humor taste well. Sometimes the humor is so sardonic put me in a glee. The romance is just so, so since I wanted Kim Dong-wook and Jeong Yu-mi end up together, overcome all the obstacles and the other OTP's, Jeong Yu-mi and Oh Ji-ho, romance is felt only lukewarm. But oh well maybe there are just not meant to be, no matter how hot and passionate they are, when fate get in the way, what else they can say, but good bye.
Medical Brothers/Doctor Brothers
Country: South Korea
Released year: 1997
Episodes: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Lee Young-ae, Jang Dong-gun
sPlotlight:
Although it is a story about two brothers competing as doctors in one hospital, what I remember about the drama is the romance between Jang Dong-gun and Lee Young-ae. Both of them are a doctor. They are a long time sweet heart. But people said he is overbearing, I said he is an ass, full of himself, and she is such a calm and patient girlfriend. Many times I wonder why she can just dump him, since she is smart, pretty, and a doctor. It is not because Jang Dong-gun is such a beauty too :P hmmm
Misaeng
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Workplace drama, Slice-of-Life
Director: Kim Won-seok (Signal, Sungkyunkwan Scandal)
Actors: Im Si-wan, Lee Sung-min, Kang So-ra, Kang Haneul, Byun Yo-han
sPlotlight:
Don't expect romance from this drama, but sure the story is so engaging. Im Si-hwan is perfect cast for Jang Gue-rae, his small posture, naïve and innocent face, his acting just embodied what young struggling intern should be, you can't not feel for him. Lee Sung-min is just great as Oh manager. Oh manager is overall well written, well developed character.
My Girl
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2005
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Writer: Hong Jung-eun, Hong Mi-ran (Hong Sisters) (Delightful Girl Chunyang, Warm and Cozy)
Actors: Lee Da-hae, Lee Dong-wook, Lee Jung-ki, Park Si-yeon
sPlotlight:
This drama introduced me the beauty of Lee Dong-wook though. In My Girl, he hires Lee Da-hae to be his fake cousin to fulfill his grandfather dying wish. She desperately needs of money to pay her father's debt. Miraculously because his wish is granted, he comes back to life. The milk has been spilled, the old man doesn't die, so the pretense must go on. The longer it takes to pretend, the more they fall in love. But unless the truth is revealed, they can't be open about the relationship, lest married to each other. Cousin marriage is prohibited in SK. Can they just elope to someplace where cousin marriage is legal and live happily ever after?
My Love Eun Dong/ Beloved Eun Dong
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Joo Jin-mo, Kim Sa-rang
sPlotlight:
Joo Jin-mo is in desperate search to find his long lost first love girlfriend. He is a famous superstar though, for only he can make her notice him somehow and comes back to him. But unfortunately, she (Kim Sarang) was in an accident and went amnesiac on the way to meet him. That's why she becomes his question never answered. She is now a housewife, with one child and crippled husband. The husband loves her though, but goes on pretending that his wife is the cause of his disability and playing victim card. It helps when she doesn't remember a thing about the accident, until she meets Joo Jin-mo who remembers her.
My Lovely Sam-soon
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2005
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Hyun bin, Kim Sun-ah, Jung Ryeo-won, Daniel Henney
sPlotlight:
The place of this drama is there on the second batch of hallyu wave shelve together with Coffee Prince, My Girl, Goong, etc. Hyun Bin plays an owner of France restaurant. He is a second heiress of second generation chaebol, but then his older brother died, left him to inherit everything and traumatized with something. Kim Sun-ah plays a patisserie. She is a third daughter of a family, hence the name 'sam'. She has a problem with her name, she thinks it is ugly and it only makes the ugly self of her uglier. But all the cakes she made are delicious and beautiful. She works at Hyun bin's French restaurant where she learns to love herself to love someone.
My Secret Hotel
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Mystery, Romance comedy
Actors: Yoo In-na, Namgoong Min, Jin Yi-han
sPlotlight:
Yoo In-na plays a wedding organizer in Secret hotel, (why in the heck they named the hotel Secret Hotel?) one day her client is her ex-husband (Jin Yi-han) whom she was secretly married and secretly divorced. There's also a secret murderer runs free in the hotel kill one person after another. She and her secret ex-husband try to solve the mysteries of secret murderer in which point has brought them together. On the process they meet the mysterious Namgoong Min, the new Secret hotel manager. Would he be the real secret murderer?
My Princess
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actors: Kim Tae-hee, Song Seung-heon, Ryu Soo-young
sPlotlight:
Kim Tae-hee is ordinary college student who suddenly finds herself is a princess of imaginary Korean that is in turbulence whether it wants to restore the monarchy or not. Song Seung-heon plays a diplomat who is responsible for Kim Tae-hee's transformation to be a princess. One cannot just wake up and turn to be a princess overnight, can she? Unless she is Cinderella :p But he is also a chaebol heir who will lose his inheritance if she eventually becomes the princess of the monarch. What to do? Oh dilemma. Why can he just marry her?? He will get a woman and a whole of inheritance.
Nice Guy/ The Innocent Man
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2012
Episode: 18 episodes
Genre: Revenge, Melodrama
Writer: Lee Kyung-hee (Will It Snow For Christmas?, Sorry I love You, Thank You)
Actors: Song Jong-ki, Moon Chae-won, Park Shi-yeon
sPlotlight:
Oh such a sarcastic tittle. Song Joong-ki plays the nice guy at the title. Though through out the series, the song Joong-ki who is not so nice who carries the show. The nice Song Joong-ki only appears on few first episodes before his girlfriend's (Park Shi-yeon) betrayal. He replaces her to face jail time for a murder of someone who tried to rape her. When he is serving his time for her, she chooses to marry some rich man. Dude I love Park Shi-yeon's character so twisted. Knowing her betrayal, he still wants to get her back. So he uses Moon Chae-won, a cold, prickly, and calculating heiress of conglomerate to get close to her. But the amnesiac monster comes to catch Moon Chae-won. An amnesiac Moon Chae-won turns her to be a bright and warm girl whom Song Joong-ki falls in love with. But bright and warm personality won't help her keeping her conglomerate business at her side, the not so nice Song Joong-ki will. Don't you wish he falls in love with the cold, prickly, and calculating of her instead?
Nine: Nine Times Time Travel
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2013
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Mystery, time travel
Director: Kim Byung-soo (Vampire Prosecutor, Bubblegum)
Actors: Lee Jin-wook, Jo Yoon-hee, Park Hyun-sik, Jeon No-min
sPlotlight:
The time machine is nine incenses. Lee Jin-wook has nine chances to go back in time for as long as an incense is burning. With the first incense he thinks he can back to the past to fix things, but there's only one incense left, there's only one thing he wants the most which is going back to the past to make things like they were before.
Oh My Ghostess
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Mystery, Romance comedy
Actors: Park Bo-young, Jo Jung-suk, Kim Seul-gi
sPlotlight:
Park Bo-young plays an aloof, depressed girl. Kim Seul-gi plays a virgin ghost who wants to get laid so she can proceed to afterlife. The ghost needs the girl to seduce real man to get laid, the girl needs the ghost to.... Cure her depressed mood and social anxiety to get a man?? Really why can a man loves a girl for just the way she is? Without some personality changes, lobotomy or something 😈 So they collaborate to catch this one guy played by Jo Joong-seok, a chef of Italian cuisine. The problem arises when the ghost starts to have a feeling for the man and the man start to have a feeling for??? Actually the last is our problem since we can't quite sure whether he falls in love with the ghost or the girl. Dun. Dun. Dun. What did I said earlier.
Oh My Venus
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Shin Min-ah, So Ji-sub
sPlotlight:
I usually don't watch drama or movie that body/weight altering image becomes its central point. It is just it is too superficial, sorry, not sorry. There must be an exception like Doctors in medical theme and Oh My Venus in this kind of theme. Shin Min-ah and So Ji-sub are so cute together. Shin Min-ah is a lawyer who has body weight issue and So Ji-sub is a chaebol personal trainee. Oh wait did I just said chaebol? I think Korea is full of chaebols an geniuses, they turns to commoners.
Ohjakgyo Brothers
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 54 episodes
Genre: Family, Romance comedy
Actors: Joo won, Uee, Ryu Soo-young, Choi Jung-yoon, Yeon Woo-jin, Jung Woong-in
sPlotlight:
It is the story about four brothers and each of their love lines. Because the most popular of the three brothers (Joo Won, Ryu Soo-young, Yeon Woo-jin, and Jung Woong-in) is Joo Won, so yeah his love line with Uee takes most of the time. But really, weekend family drama is notorious with many characters occupied with their own story lines. It is its strength and its weakness. But for me, more often I wish it can be more focus on certain story line. There's a fast forward button though :D if one or more the story lines bores you out. It won't affect much with overall plot. Though Ryu Soo-young and Choi Jung-yoon is not the OTP but I'm interested with their love line more than Joo Won-Uee. As I said before I'm sucker for a story about a couple's reconciliation. So it is what happens to them. And can you imagine Yeon Woo-jin plays Joo Won's younger brother?
Oh My Lady
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Chae Rim, Choi Siwon
sPlotlight:
Chae Rim plays a single mother who works at Choi Siwon's house as a housekeeper. She is need money to win custody of her daughter. And Choi Siwon plays himself, immature, cocky hallyu star who at this point has to deal with his come-out-of-no-where toddler daughter. Basically he had non-marital relationship before, and he knows nothing about his daughter until, her mother left her to his care. You know what happen when you pristine, pure, innocent, oppa suddenly being found out that he has a child out of wedlock?? So yeah he has to hire Chae Rim to be his daughter's fake mother and living in together in his house.
On Air
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2008
Episode: 21 episodes
Genre: Workplace, Romance drama
Writer: Kim Eun-sook (Secret Garden, Goblin, Descendant of The Sun)
Actors: Kim Ha-neul. Lee Beom-soo, Park Yong-ha, Song Yoon-ah
sPlotlight:
It is consisted of two love stories between an actress (Kim Ha-neul) and his manager (Lee Beom-soo) and between a drama PD (Park Yong-ha) and a screen writer (Song Yoon-ah). Sometimes I think there's a reason why romance in an office is prohibited.
Once Upon A Time in Saengchori
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Mystery thriller
Actors: Ha Seok-jin, Kang Nam-gil
sPlotlight:
I forget the little plot twists, but the grand plot of drama is that bizarre events start to happen in one little suburb town named Saengchori. People go missing, then terrifying killings. People who are still alive start to suspect each other. But who suspect love is blooming too?
One Sunny Day
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episode: 10 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy, Web drama
Actors: So Ji-sub, Kim Ji-won
sPlotlight:
It is a just short and simple web drama that you can finish it in one day. It is basically just story about two (beautiful) people meet in one sunny day while they are travelling. I'm basically just ogling the beauty of So Ji-sub and the scenery background of scenes.
Saimdang's Light Diary
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 28 episodes
Genre: Historical sageuk
Actor: Lee Young-ae, Song Seung-hoon, Yang Sejong
sPlotlight:
From the beginning the idea of romancing the face on your national currency with someone beside her legal spouse is a bad idea. The story is like a beach without its waves, boring. And submissive type of woman is really out of date. I feel the drama is really tending on the verge on insulting my feminine side. Funny it is supposed to be about a woman model figure. But yeah because of that you, drama, deserve your declining, low rating. Now, go to corner for some self-reflecting time :P
Seven Day Queen
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Historical sageuk, melodrama
Actor: Park Min-young, Yoon Woo-jin, Lee Dong-gun
sPlotlight:
Sometime I think the writer is smoking a pot for such positivity in trying to make Yeonsangun as not a merciless, notorious king but just a king who is not easily swayed and can hold his ground. He is quite pitiable. Jang Nok-su is not one of evil bitch, femme fatale in Joseon history, but she is a doting lover. Her loyalty to Yeonsangun who is her boyfriend is quite admirable too. And the last, if you have followed K drama for so many years, have watched so many sageuk dramas, you probably have sensed the looming tragic ending from King Jungjong and queen Dangkyeong romance. But sure enough this writer successfully make the supposedly tragic ending becomes not so tragic any more. Yay! 👍👍👍
Soulmate
Strong Woman Do Bong-soon
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actor: Park Hyun-sik, Park Bo-young, Ji-soo
sPlotlight:
People say it is great, I think it is just so-so. The physical, in-your-face kind of jokes being employed in the drama don't suit me. I'm all for undercurrent, sinister, and dark humor. And a lot of PDA showed by Ahn Min-hyuk (Park Hyun-sik) and Do Bong-soon (Park Bo-young) in their office bother me like a lot. They are cute, I know, they still use jondaemal, I understand, but still there should be a limit because who knows when a relationship becomes sour? No relationship is all roses and rainbows, yes no? All and all who can escape from Park Hyun-shik love gaze trap?? No one, not me 😃
Tomorrow With You
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance, Time-travel
Actor: Shin Min-ah, Lee Ji-hoon
sPlotlight:
I kept waiting for the spark to burn till the final episode, waiting and waiting, until finally nothing happened. People were complaining about Lee Ji-hoon didn’t seem sincere enough, but I wished he put more restrain in showing affection, falling slowly and even slower for her, until he couldn’t help anymore and yet still feel conflicted. More tortured he is, the more juicy the drama becomes but alas all inside my head. :P It is worth for the fashion. All the Shin Minah’s and Lee Ji-hoon’s costumes are flawless. And expensive. Though she is supposed a starving photographer. Bahh
Tunnel
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Mystery, police case procedural, time travel
Actor: Choi Jin-hyuk, Yoon Hyun-min, Lee Yoo-young
sPlotlight:
The hijinks when your sonbae, your abonim and your aboji are younger than you. Ha, ha, ha. Lee Yoo-young as Prof. Shin Jae-yi is reinvented female character in K drama. Who said only male lead has the right to be stoic and emotionless? 😉 Tunnel is this close to become the next Signal but it is lack Time comeuppance that makes time travel genre becomes so trilling. So to the next time travel Kwangho-yah😀 If only Time and Fate are so kind in real life like how they are in Tunnel..
Two Outs in Ninth Inning/9 End 2 Outs
Voice
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Thriller, Police, Case Procedural
Actor: Jang Hyuk, Lee Hana, Kim Jae-wook, Baek Sung-hyun
Who Are You
White Christmas
Because it is already too long, and for the love of K drama, I shall continue this... 2, 3, 4, 5
Operation Proposal
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2012
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance, Time Travel, Remake
Source: Proposal Daisakusen by Shigeki Kaneko
Source: Proposal Daisakusen by Shigeki Kaneko
Actors: Yoo Seung-ho, Park Eun-bi
sPlotlight:
Yoo Seung-ho feel regret that he has never confessed his love to park Eun-bi in the day she is married to other man. So he chooses to travel back in time over and over again to regain all the missing chances to confess. Why people never learn after so many dramas, movies, and novels, that they can't fix the past, but they can always plan the future?
Page Turner
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2016
Episodes: 3 episodes
Genre: Coming of age, Drama Special
Actor: Kim So-hyun, Ji-soo, Shin Jae-ha
sPlotlight:
Beside medical theme, body/weight alternation theme, there is another drama theme that I never get The Feeling while watching it: the high school theme. Dramas with high school theme are likely to fall into too juvenile category for me. Well, there are exceptions for time to time, Page Turner is one of them. Kim So-hyun plays a geeenious teenage pianist who suddenly turns blind. Shin Jae-ha plays another pianist at the same high school with her who always becomes the second after her. And Ji-soo plays an optimistic, aspiring pole vault athlete who one day got himself an injury while performing and there's a chance he won't recover.
The optimistic Ji-soo thinks he can be anything he wants to be as long as he wants to try and works hard for it. During the time he can't practice as sport man, he explores another field like playing piano. He thinks he can be a geeeenius pianist in a matter of days just because he is the son of a have-yet-to-meet geeeenious pianist. So he asks Kim So-hyun to teach him piano, in the return he becomes her eyes while she is recovering. The drama emphasis the possibility of becoming everything that a teenage can ever dream of, and the process of learning to accept her/his short-coming to achieve everything, just because she/he wants it and works hard for it. Because believe me everybody works hard too, and there's always someone who smarter/prettier/more talented than you.
What many high-school-themed-drama screen writers like to forget is that a teenage can be, yes they are juvenile, superficial, short-minded, but contemplative too. They try to embody a teenage life but forget to be contemplative, adding meaning in things they are doing. That's what I expect from high school drama or every drama ever.
Paradise Ranch
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Shim Chang-min, Lee Yeon-hee, Joo Sang-wook
sPlotlight:
Changmin and Lee Yeon-hee were married when they were still young adult. Circumstances named immaturity and family's opposition made their marriage short lived. Years apart, they meet again, still weighted with their messy break up. He becomes a resort developer and she becomes an owner of a ranch that he wants to take over. Will they be back together again? They will be back together again, when they are slightly older, and their personalities are a little less immature, and he will be right for her, and she will be right for him. Ha, ha, ha.
Partner
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2009
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Workplace romance
Actors: Lee Dong-wook, Kim Hyun-joo
sPlotlight:
I got the urge to watch this again (more 7 years later!!), while watching Lee Dong-wook as Grim Ripper in The Lonely, Shining, Goblin. Lol. Both Lee Dong-wook and Kim Hyun-joo play lawyer. The different is that he is cocky and capricious and she is headstrong and takes her jobs seriously. The opposite sides attract.
Pasta
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy, Food porn
Actors: Gong Hyo-jin, Lee Sun-kyun
sPlotlight:
Chep! Chep! Chep!
Personal Taste
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Lee Min-ho, Sohn Ye-jin
sPlotlight:
The only Lee Min-ho's character whom I can get behind. And the only Lee Min-ho's drama that I followed diligently with heart and soul. City Hunter was only watched half-heartedly since I got bad second lead syndrome :P Or because I like Sohn Ye-jin. He plays an architect who tries to sneak a peek into her hanok's hidden architecture designed by her deceased father, a famous hanok architect. To be able to do that he chooses to pretend to be a gay so he can live together with her under one hanok's roof. Pink flamingo cropped pants not withstanding!
Pied Piper
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2016
Episodes: 16 episodes
Genre: Thriller, Case Procedural
Actors: Shin Ha-kyun, Jo Yoon-hee, Yu Jun-sang
sPlotlight:
The released schedule right after Signal is over is a bad decision. With the more or less same genre, Pied Piper becomes pale in comparison to Signal. While watching Signal, I feel emotionally invested; I don't feel the same way toward Pied Piper. The story is about Shin Si-kyung as negotiator, Jo Yoon-he as police woman, and Yu Jun-sang as a TV journalist, anchorman. Together they try to reveal one behind the pied piper.
Prosecutor Princess
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actors: Kim So-yeon, Park Shi-hoo
sPlotlight:
Kim So-yeon plays a girl who has everything easy for her. She is pretty and smart, the only one daughter from a quite well-off family. She chooses to be a prosecutor but still maintains her carefree, princess-way attitudes. She always only wants an easy life. But I guess courtroom dramas toughen her eventually. In the process she got help from Park Shi-hoo, a rich, gentleman lawyer with mysterious motives. Oh how sweet her life is!
Pride and Prejudice
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 21 episodes
Genre: Workplace romance
Actors: Choi Jin-hyuk, Baek Jin-hee, Lee Tae-hwan
sPlotlight:
Don't expect to watch a drama with similar plot with Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, I warn you. This is a romance story in public prosecutor office. Choi Jin-hyuk plays a senior promising prosecutor. Baek Jin-hee plays a junior intern prosecutor under his guidance. Lee tae-wan plays an investigator for a prosecutor team lead by Choi Jin-hyuk. The three of them miraculously live together under one boarding house. D-R-A-M-A. Now I still wonder why the drama was given the title Pride and Prejudice while has nothing to do with the infamous novel. I guess Choi Jin-hyuk's character has Pride in size of universe, hence The pride in the title. Baek Jin-hee has her Prejudice toward him, hence Prejudice in Pride and Prejudice. But I guess I never know.
Queen of SeonDeok
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2009
Episode: 62 episodes
Genre: Historical sageuk
Actors: Lee Ye-won, Go Hyun-jung, Uhm Tae-woong, Yoo Seung-ho
sPlotlight:
A sneak peek into Korean history: Mostly Korean historical (sageuk) dramas are taken place during Joseon dynasty, but some dramas choose to base their story from historical fact from a time period before Joseon dynasty which is The Three Kingdoms (Baekje, Silla, Goguryeo) of Korea period. Queen of Seondeok is one of the later. While Joseon has notorious patriarchal culture (which continues to this day), The Three Kingdoms period has some matriarchal culture influence (I figure like Tang dynasty in China) that gives chance to a woman figure to be a prominent ruler of a kingdom. Concur with that, the drama depicts the life of the first female reign in Korean history who is Queen of Seondeok. Going side way, actually the drama produces one of the evilest female villains in K drama history, Lady Mishil played by Go Hyun-jung. Love to hate her!
Rescue Me/Save Me
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 16 Episodes
Genre: Mystery, thriller
Actors: Taecyeon, Seo Ye-jin, Woo Do-hwan, Jo Seong-ha
sPlotlight:
The sinking of salvation boat feels abrupt, but our wishes are fulfilled! 😃
Rescue Me/Save Me
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 16 Episodes
Genre: Mystery, thriller
Actors: Taecyeon, Seo Ye-jin, Woo Do-hwan, Jo Seong-ha
sPlotlight:
The sinking of salvation boat feels abrupt, but our wishes are fulfilled! 😃
Rooftop Prince
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2012
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy, Time Travel
Actors: Park Yoo-chun, Han Ji-min, Choi Woo-shik, Jeong Yu-mi
sPlotlight:
A prince from the past (Park Yoo-chun), together with his rainbow soldiers, travel to the future to meet his lost lover's doppelganger (Han Ji-min) unceremoniously. In the future she has to deal with her price's fish out of water antics. In the past he has to deal his evil future queen (Jeong Yu-mi). Three of them, four with us, end with none of any sense.
Royal Family
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 18 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Jisung, Yum Jung-ah, Cha Ye-ryun, Jeon No-min
sPlotlight:
Two friends at orphanage, played by Jisung and Yum Jung-ah, meet again after they have grown up. Jisung's character is a lawyer who once before a murder suspect and Yum Jung-ah's character is a chaebol widower. Her deceased husband's family don't approve she inherits her husband money, so they plan to dispose her. When he was a murder suspect, it was her who sent a lawyer to defend him in trial. So now he determines to help her out from her position and becomes the sole owner of the chaebol family's wealth. But then their relationship becomes complicated, and she is not as innocent and kind as he thought she was.
Saimdang's Light Diary
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 28 episodes
Genre: Historical sageuk
Actor: Lee Young-ae, Song Seung-hoon, Yang Sejong
sPlotlight:
From the beginning the idea of romancing the face on your national currency with someone beside her legal spouse is a bad idea. The story is like a beach without its waves, boring. And submissive type of woman is really out of date. I feel the drama is really tending on the verge on insulting my feminine side. Funny it is supposed to be about a woman model figure. But yeah because of that you, drama, deserve your declining, low rating. Now, go to corner for some self-reflecting time :P
Secret Garden
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy, body swapping, fantasy
Writer: Kim Eun-suk (City Hall, Goblin, Heirs)
Actors: Ha Ji-won, Hyun bin, Yoon Sang-hyun, Kim Sarang
sPlotlight:
Hyun Bin plays an arsh hole like to wear sparkling blue jacket and Ha Ji-won plays a damsel in distress works as stunt-woman. One day they switch body. But how to switch their body back? That's a mystery that the drama has to solve.
Seven Day Queen
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Historical sageuk, melodrama
Actor: Park Min-young, Yoon Woo-jin, Lee Dong-gun
sPlotlight:
Sometime I think the writer is smoking a pot for such positivity in trying to make Yeonsangun as not a merciless, notorious king but just a king who is not easily swayed and can hold his ground. He is quite pitiable. Jang Nok-su is not one of evil bitch, femme fatale in Joseon history, but she is a doting lover. Her loyalty to Yeonsangun who is her boyfriend is quite admirable too. And the last, if you have followed K drama for so many years, have watched so many sageuk dramas, you probably have sensed the looming tragic ending from King Jungjong and queen Dangkyeong romance. But sure enough this writer successfully make the supposedly tragic ending becomes not so tragic any more. Yay! 👍👍👍
Shining Inheritance/Brilliant Legacy
Country: South Korea
Released Year:2009
Episode: 28 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actors: Lee Seung-gi, Han Hyo-joo, Bae Soo-bin, Moon Chae-won
sPlotlight:
Lee Seung-gi's character is a beta male man-child of a rich family who struggle to learn the family's business if he wants to inherit it. Han Hyo-joo's character is a struggling daughter who has to pay her faking death runaway dad's debt. Beside that, she has to take care her autistic younger brother after her step mother expels her from house and takes possession his husband insurance money. Han Hyo-joo then meets Lee Seung-gi's grandmother who thinks she got what it takes to teach her grandson how run the family business and to be grown up man.
Signal
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2016
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Mystery Thriller, Case Procedural
Director: Kim Won-seok (Misaeng Sungkyunkwan Scandal)
Director: Kim Won-seok (Misaeng Sungkyunkwan Scandal)
Actors: Lee Ji-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, Jo Jin-woong
sPlotlight:
This drama has found its way to be one of my favorite top ten dramas. A time machine walkie talkie sends signal from a detective from the past played by Jo Jin-woong to a present day detective played by Lee Ji-hoon. Starting with solving Lee Ji-hoon's older brother death mystery ends with the death who comes back to live to straighten his unresolved love line. Lol. So thrilling, so twisted, so much emotion mix into one. Me likely!
Sirius
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2013
Episode: 4 episodes
Genre: Action, Crime, Bromance, Drama Special
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2013
Episode: 4 episodes
Genre: Action, Crime, Bromance, Drama Special
Actors: Park Hyun-sik, Seo Jun-young, Ryu Seung-soo
sPlotligjt:
I watched this to fill drama slump in January 2017. It must happen from time to time, when season of new batch of dramas end and start almost at the same time. Short dramas like this are good for that purpose. This one is 4 episodes jammed full of drama. Some dramas may seem dragged to the end, so you wish it just ends every now and then, some dramas may seem so slow paced, you don’t mind left it for couple episodes without being afraid you may miss something important. This won’t be the case for Sirius. In four episodes, it manages to tell a story with so many story and psychological twists, also character development.
sPlotligjt:
I watched this to fill drama slump in January 2017. It must happen from time to time, when season of new batch of dramas end and start almost at the same time. Short dramas like this are good for that purpose. This one is 4 episodes jammed full of drama. Some dramas may seem dragged to the end, so you wish it just ends every now and then, some dramas may seem so slow paced, you don’t mind left it for couple episodes without being afraid you may miss something important. This won’t be the case for Sirius. In four episodes, it manages to tell a story with so many story and psychological twists, also character development.
The story is about twin brothers with different personality, one is aloof and one is the extroverted type of guy. Because of unfortunate family circumstances, their single mother has to choose one of them to keep living with her and the other to live in orphanage. Actually that is one of the reasons for the different personality or perhaps it is the reason why mommy dearest chooses one to the other, we never know. The mommy boy becomes the lovable teenage boy and the orphanage boy becomes the insecure teenage boy (both played by Park Hyun-sik). The family circumstance gets better, both of them start to live under the same roof again, but go to different schools. The insecure boy got bullied at his school, and the other comes to help, but end with tragedy that leads him to jail. Mommy dearest is too attached to the helpful loveable boy to let him go to prison, so she asks her other child to replace him. But the insecure boy try to be brave refuses the offer. So long story goes, mommy dearest got into drug to mend her guilty feeling and dies because of it. Time passes, teenage boys become grown-up men (both played by Seo Jun-young). Both of them try to deal with their mother death and broken bromance.
You can see the raw acting potential of young Park Hyun-sik here. I continues to watch Hwarang if only he is the lead 😛
You can see the raw acting potential of young Park Hyun-sik here. I continues to watch Hwarang if only he is the lead 😛
Something About 1%/ 1% of anything
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2016
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy, Remake
Source: Something About 1% by Hyun Go-woon
Source: Something About 1% by Hyun Go-woon
Actor: Ha Seok-jin, Jeon So-min
sPlotlight:
I guess it is true when you so madly deeply in love, the world is consisted just the both of you. 😉 Format is so simple just 35 minutes, and filled with the otp cuddling, kissing, being adorable to each other. Me LIKELY! Well done!
Soulmate
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2006
Episode: 22 episodes (@30 minutes)
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Shin Dong-wook, Lee Soo-kyung
sPlotlight:
The drama’s start was rather shaky. Over the top comedy is really not my thing. But after few episodes, the melo part of the story begins taking its shape. How they handled the idea about whether there is soul mate in someone’s life in the contemplative way, I really like it. The funny part was when I tried to look for the next episode after finishing the ‘13’ episode. The site, where I watch the drama, compacts 2 episodes in one video, but writes the drama has 22 episodes. I was pretty damned sure, they would meet again in the next episode. They are ‘soul mate’ after all. Well oh well.
Released year: 2006
Episode: 22 episodes (@30 minutes)
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Shin Dong-wook, Lee Soo-kyung
sPlotlight:
The drama’s start was rather shaky. Over the top comedy is really not my thing. But after few episodes, the melo part of the story begins taking its shape. How they handled the idea about whether there is soul mate in someone’s life in the contemplative way, I really like it. The funny part was when I tried to look for the next episode after finishing the ‘13’ episode. The site, where I watch the drama, compacts 2 episodes in one video, but writes the drama has 22 episodes. I was pretty damned sure, they would meet again in the next episode. They are ‘soul mate’ after all. Well oh well.
Splash Splash Love
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 2 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy, Drama Special, Time Travel
Actors: Kim Seul-gi, Yoon Doo-joon
sPlotlight:
A high school student struggle to face CSAT because the math she hates so much. Walking desperately after studying for CSAT, a puddle of water brought her to Joseon period to meet the young King Sejong. Later she becomes an eunuch who help the king to solve various problems by using her high schooler math ability and of course smart phone. 😆
Sorry I Love You
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2004
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Writer: Lee Kyung-hee (Thank You, Will It Snow For Christmas?, Nice Guy)
Writer: Lee Kyung-hee (Thank You, Will It Snow For Christmas?, Nice Guy)
Actors: So Ji-sub, Im Soo-jung
sPlotlight:
I forget anything about the plot. Anything, but the end. So Ji-sub plays someone with a bullet stuck in his head that makes him doing crazy things and leads him to his death. So yeah everybody dies at the end.
Ten season 1
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 9 episodes
Genre: Action, Thriller, Mystery, Case Procedural
Actors: Joo Sang-wook, Kim Sang-ho, Choi Woo-shik
sPlotlight:
It is about a special investigating unit in police department. It leads by Joo Sang-wook's character. He is a former instructor in police academy who becomes a field detective after his wife is killed by serial killer. The drama revolves around cases handed to the unit to be solved
Ten season 2
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2013
Episode: 12 episodes
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Case Procedural
Actors: Joo Sang-wook, Kim Sang-ho, Choi Woo-shik
sPlotlight:
Still continuing from first season, the lead of TEN team, Joo Sang-wook's character, suddenly disappears while chasing his wife killer. But while he is nowhere to be found, more evidence are found pointing that he might be the killer.
Second to The Last Love
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2016
Episodes: 20 episodes
Genre: Romance, Remake
Source: Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi by Yoshikazu Okada
Actors: Ji Jin-hee, Kim Hee-ae, Kim Seul-gi, Kwak Si-yang
sPlotlight:
That's how to getting old properly! 😁
Spring Waltz
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2006
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Director: Yoon Seok-ho (Autumn in My Heart, Winter Sonata, Summer Scent)
Actors: Han Hyo-joo, Seo Do-young, Daniel Henney
sPlotlight:
One of the seasonal dramas. Lol I don't remember a bit about the plot. I just remember Han Hyo-joo being pretty and how beautiful the background scenes are. Trust Yoo Seok-ho to make every drama beautiful though the plot is questionable.
Stairway to Heaven
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2003
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Choi Jin-woo, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Tae-hee, Shin Hyun-joo
sPlotlight:
It has Kim Tae-hee's character that I remember the most. Those evil eyes of her! The story is about childhood lovers who by circumstances were separated and meet again as adults only to fall in love again. Almost like Cinderella story of modern day. Choi Ji-woo is the Cinderella. In spite of getting two evil step sister and one evil step mother, she got one evil step sister and one loving step brother. Alas their roles are the same in separating Cinderella and the prince. Kwon Sang-woo plays the prince of shining armor. This Cinderella story has no happy ending even though they get together again.
Strong Woman Do Bong-soon
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actor: Park Hyun-sik, Park Bo-young, Ji-soo
sPlotlight:
People say it is great, I think it is just so-so. The physical, in-your-face kind of jokes being employed in the drama don't suit me. I'm all for undercurrent, sinister, and dark humor. And a lot of PDA showed by Ahn Min-hyuk (Park Hyun-sik) and Do Bong-soon (Park Bo-young) in their office bother me like a lot. They are cute, I know, they still use jondaemal, I understand, but still there should be a limit because who knows when a relationship becomes sour? No relationship is all roses and rainbows, yes no? All and all who can escape from Park Hyun-shik love gaze trap?? No one, not me 😃
Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Fusion sageuk, Gender-Bender
Director: Kim Won-seok (Signal, Misaeng)
Director: Kim Won-seok (Signal, Misaeng)
Actors: Park Min-young, Park Yoo-chun, Yoo Ah-in, Song Jong-ki
sPlotlight:
The drama launched many of its residences to popularity, until someone did stupid thing. CoughYoochunchough. Like I said before Joseon dynasty is one dynasty with strong patriarchal culture, Sungkyunkwan, a university that has history dates to Joseon dynasty reign, doesn't allow a woman to be its student. Though, I argue it is not only in Korea where a woman is not allowed to enroll to any education institution during that time. Park Min-young, to help her family financially, takes the university entrance test as substitute. Of course, she has to disguise herself as a boy. The test is not the problem, she is smart and all, but the problem is when she gets accepted. The problem only gets worst when she has to live in dormitory full of boys, from the upright, role model student, Park Yooochun, the gruff, Yoo Ah-in, to the playful Song Jong-ki and even more so when she starts to fall in love with one of them.
Sweet 18/Little Bride
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2004
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actors: Han Ji-hye, Lee Dong-gun
sPlotlight:
An 18 years old high school student is betrothed by her grandparent to a grown up, prosecutor, first son of another clan family. Both of their families are an old traditional Korean family with long history before them, but different economy status at the present time. As the marriage unites them, their level of maturity, age gap, different personality and up-bringing background are clashed. So the story is about how the couple overcomes their differences. Non Korean viewers can learn something about what's meant to be the "first son" of an old traditional Korean family from this drama. Topic about the "burden" of being the first son is often featured in many K dramas or movies.
Tamra The Island
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2009
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Fiction sageuk
Actors: Seo Woo, Im Ju-hwan, Pierre Deporte, Lee Sun-ho
sPlotlight:
Tamra is the name for Jeju island at the Joseon period of time. At the time, Korea's exposure/contact to "western" part of the world is limited/prohibited by authority. One day a British aristocrat, who is interested in East Asian's culture, played by Pierre Deporte, is stranded at Tamra coast. He got help from a native Tamra islander, played by Seo Woo, who is a haenyo. Beside him, there is another foreigner who comes to Tamra from Japan, played by Lee Sun-ho, with task to bring back Pierre Deporte's character to Britain and some other secret business. There are not only foreigners, a Seoul resident, played by In Ju-hwan, is also coming to join the party at Tamra, the island. He is a king's envoy to investigate some corruption suspected happening in Tamra. He, who is full of himself and spoiled by city-life, pretends to be an outcast chastised by king to outwit the corruptors. And let's the party started!
Thank You
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2007
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Writer: Lee Kyung-hee (Will It Snow For Christmas?, Nice Guy, A Love To Kill)
Writer: Lee Kyung-hee (Will It Snow For Christmas?, Nice Guy, A Love To Kill)
Actors: Jang hyuk, Gong Hyo-jin, Shin Sung-rok
sPlotlight:
The struggle of single mother (Gong Hyo-jin) with a daughter with HIV, a senile grandfather, and abusing ex-boyfriend (Shin Sung-rok) and evil almost mother-in-law faces the stigmas of unmarried, single mother and HIV diseases. A doctor (Jang hyuk), motivated by the guilt of deceased wife infecting her child patient with HIV, from Seoul comes to save the day. You can see Shin Sung-rok's talent of playing villain roles start from here.
That winter, The Wind Blows
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2013
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Writer: Noh Ye-kyung (It's Okay, It's Love, The World That They Live In)
Actors: Song Hye-gyo, Jo In-sung, Kim bum, Jo Eun-ji
sPlotlight:
Everything is so beautiful in this drama, the cinematography, the cast assemble, the acting, the wardrobe, and the writing. But nothing beat the twisted and conflicted face of Oh Soo (Jo In-sung) whether to love or to scam the blind and emotional unstable Oh Young (Song Hye-gyo). But how can he not to fall for her since she is so pretty, so gorgeous, so petite and fragile, you just want to wrap your hand around her and save her from breaking.
The Devil
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2007
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Mystery
Actors: Shin Min-ha, Uhm Tae-woong, Joo Ji-hoon
sPlotlight:
I forget the plot. I just remember Uhm Tae-woong plays police detective who tries to solve murder cases. Joo Ji-hoon plays mysterious lawyer who somehow is suspected as a murderer. And Shin Min-ha plays a girl who can do tarot reading and help solve the murder case. She then is tangled in the cross fire between Uhm Tae-woong and Joo Ji-hoon.
The Legend
Country: Korea
Released Year: 2007
Episode: 24 episodes
Genre: Fusion sageuk
Actors: Bae Yong-jung, Lee Ji-ah
sPlotlight:
The last Bae Yong-jung's drama with him as a lead character (he is doing cameo in Dream High in recent year). And so many CGs! Don't trust CGs in drama because they always seem half-made. And the story, it is about.... God and godess.... Lol I'm completely forget.
The Good Wife
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2016
Episode: 16 episode
Genre: Workplace melodrama, Remake
Source: The Good Wife by Robert King and Michelle King
Actors: Jeon Do-yeon, Yoon Kye-sang, Yoo Ji-tae, Jun Suk-ho, Lee Geun-won
sPlotlight:
Life is a dillema. Being working mom or stayhome mom. Being Colleague or best-boyfriend. Being good prosecutor who can lose his wife or bad prosecutor who can keep his wife. Choose mom or choose dad. Sibling or law firm. Friend or back stabbing cheater. Friend or competitor. I think it is the best law themed K drama I have watched theeese far. The highlight still the relationship between the characters. I envy Jeon Do-yeon's costumes. Jun Suk-ho plays cunning prosecutor with his expression so smug, I can't help but giggle in delight!
The K2
The K2
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2016
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Action Romance
Actor: Ji Chang-wook, Im Yoo-na, Song Yoo-nah, Cho
SPlotlight:
Got to love Song Yoo-nah, and naked bathroom scene!
The Man Who Can't Get Married
Country: South Korea
Released Year:2009
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy, Remake
Source: Kekkon Dekinai Otoko by Mayasa Izaki
Actors: Ji jin-hee, Uhm Jung-hwa, Yoo Ah-in
sPlotlight:
Ji jin-hee plays the 40-something years old man who can't get married despite his good credential. He is a successful architect with his own architect company. But his personality though, he likes doing everything alone, get prickly often, so stiff and living by his schedule. Until he meets his match. Uhm Jung-hwa plays a doctor whose life revolves around her work. Though she is not as a weirdo as him, both pretty much enjoy their singleness. And who said two opposites attract? People with their fair share view of the world can do the romance dance 😀
The Moon That Embrace the Sun
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2012
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Fiction sageuk
Actors: Kim Soo-hyun, Yeo Jin-goo, Ha Ga-in, Kim Yoo-jeong, Jung Il-woo, Kim So-hyun
sPlotlight:
This is one over hype drama that I can remember after watching it at long time ago. The child portion of the drama is the only good part of the drama after that it flutters down. Yeo Jin-goo, Kim Yoo-jeong, and Kim So-hyun play the child characters tremendously. Kim Soo-hyun (the adult version of Yeo Jin-goo) plays a prince who must battle for his throne. He falls in love with a girl, played by H a Ga-in, who then brought to palace to be betrothed to him alas some conspirator brought her dead. She is replaced by other girl (played by Kim So-hyun in child version) whom then he must marry. They never consummate their marriage though because he can't forget the dead girl he first falls in love. But then the dead girl comes back to live as a royal shaman who doesn't really possess shamanic power. What the most ridiculous part of the drama is the price's attempts to avoid his marriage consummated. The replacement princess really has gone all the way to seduce him with longedly and adoringly stare of her. I really pity her and more often gasping desperately, really just get laid already you two!
The Painter of The Wind
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2008
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Historical sageuk
Actors: Moon Geun-young, Park Shin-yang
sPlotlight:
Moon Geun-young plays a gifted painter who must pretend to be a guy to enter royal academy for painting. Inside she meets her mentor, played by Park Shin-yang, whom later she falls in love with. I, who do painting as a hobby, really find this drama feast for the eyes, so many beautiful drawing!
The Princess's Man
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 24 episodes
Genre: Fiction sageuk
Actors: Moon Chae-won, Park Shi-hoo
sPlotlight:
This is the ultimate sageuk melodrama, so heart wrecking. Some piece of Korea history as reference, Moon Chae-won plays one of the daughters of Grand Prince Suyang. His story every so often being featured in dramas and movies, as he is being famous for producing a coup d'état against his uncle (still to young to become a king) and becoming King Sejo of Joseon. Moon Chae-won is engaged by her father (he thought it will give him advantages) to the son of the prime minister of that time Kim Jeong-seo who has a big influence as the king served by him still young, played by Park Shi-hoo. At first she doesn't approve the engagement, but then when she does, her father cancels it. Prince Suyang has a second thought, compare to become just a family of an affluence prime minister to gain a power, it is better to become a king, himself. So the story is about how the young couple gets together when their families becomes enemy against each other. So yeah it is more like Romeo and Juliete of Joseon. AAA+ highly recommended.
The Return of Iljimae
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2009
Episode: 24 episodes
Genre: Fiction Sageuk
Actors: Jung Il-woo, Kim Min-jong
sPlotlight:
Beside Hong Gil-dong who has Robin Hood's esque story line in K drama scape, there's Il-jimae. If Hong Gil-dong is based on folklore, Il-jimae is based on comic. There have been several adaptations from the comic. I have only watched one with Jung Il-woo and his glamorous mane of glory as Il Jimae. Il Jimae is the son of nobleman with a lowly servant. The mother and the son are being casted away by the family. After the son has been grown up, he is back to look for his father, only to find out his father rejection. The rejection turns to be the fuel of his struggle against corrupt authority to help common people. Leave that for another story, what I really remember from the drama is the love story between Kim Min-jong's characters with Il Jimae's mother. Kim Min-jong is an up-standing noble officer tasked to capture Il Jimae who eventually releases him because his love to Il Jimae's mother. Then he feels guilty about he can't keep up with his task, so the bitter sweet ending.
The Snow Queen
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2007
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Hyun-bin, Sung Yu-ri, Im ju-hwan
sPlotlight:
This has a Good Will Hunting vibe in it, or I thought it has. Hyun Bin plays a boxer, but underneath it all he is a math genius who choose to derail from his gift because he feels guilty about his best friend's suicide who also a math geniuuuse. Besides losing his best friend, he also loses his memory of his childhood crush (Sung Yuri) (?) whom he promises a meeting. He forgets about her, but she remembers him. They fall in love again though she changes into a prickly spoiled woman, and he changes into bitter and lonely, introverted man. The story tells about the journey of her character's growth and his math geniuuse potential fulfillment.
The Tale of Bookworm
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2014
Episode: 1 episode
Genre: Fiction sageuk, Drama special
Actors: Han Joo-wan, Ahn Nae-sang
sPlotlight:
I accidentally stumble upon this drama special at KBS World at Youtube. As a bookworm myself, the title just got me. The drama brought me to the world in which a bookworm (a book lover), a bookpig (a ‘living’ book), and a bookwolf (a book hoarder) exist. The drama gives a new spin on Hong Gil-dong folklore which I like it. I feel like I learn something new! Aha!
The Tale of Bookworm
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2014
Episode: 1 episode
Genre: Fiction sageuk, Drama special
Actors: Han Joo-wan, Ahn Nae-sang
sPlotlight:
I accidentally stumble upon this drama special at KBS World at Youtube. As a bookworm myself, the title just got me. The drama brought me to the world in which a bookworm (a book lover), a bookpig (a ‘living’ book), and a bookwolf (a book hoarder) exist. The drama gives a new spin on Hong Gil-dong folklore which I like it. I feel like I learn something new! Aha!
The Time We Were Not In Love
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy, Remake
Source: In Time With You (Taiwanese drama) by Mag Hsu
Actors: Ha Ji-won, Lee Jin-wook, Yoon Kyun-sang
sPlotlight:
Swear God, Korean is bad in remake. They are only good in remaking their self 😀. See 1% of anything. They always try to infuse Korea drama tropes in the remakes that end up ruining them. I LOVE In Time with You Taiwan version. It is a charming simple best friend turns to lover story, that they change it into one of hella of confusing love story and confusing character development.
The World That They Live In/Worlds Within
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2008
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Workplace romance
Writer: Noh Hee-kyung (That Winter, The Wind Blows, It's Okay, It's Love)
Director: Pyo Min-soo (Coffee House, Full House)
Actors: Hyun bin, Song Hye-gyo
sPlotlight:
Perhaps because for the love of the writer (Noh Ye-kyung), that can write such unusual drama and give the character, their human aspect. I always think my love for this drama is my personal preference against the odds and public perception named rating. Hyun bin with more weight in him becomes a veteran drama PD. Song Hye-gyo with her cute bowl cut hair becomes an assistant PD turns to new drama PD. Both of them become adorable on-off couple.
Thorn Bird
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Joo Sang-wook, Han Hye-jin. Kim Min-jung
sPlotlight:
It doesn't have any connection with Thorn Bird, the novel, whatsoever. The drama is full of makjang, but it is the debut of Joo Sang-wook as main lead, so I tried to bear it all. 😂 Han Hye-jin is not so famous actress, who wants to keep it that way because she raises her friend's child whom she claims to be her own child. Kim Min-jung is that friend. She is a successful PD who do anything if it gives her advantages and has a mother issue which the reason why I can't hate her even if she is that bitchy. She has a child with Joo Sang-wook who has a talent agency and film producer that he built it from the bottom, defying his chaebol status. He doesn't know about his child with her after she chooses to break up with him because he chooses to leave his chaebol family and keep quiet about their child. Then three of them meet again. Joo Sang-wook rejuvenate his love with Han Hye-jin but weighted with his history with Kim Min-jung who wants him back since he proves himself that he still can be successful with or without his family and of course the child.
Tomorrow With You
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance, Time-travel
Actor: Shin Min-ah, Lee Ji-hoon
sPlotlight:
I kept waiting for the spark to burn till the final episode, waiting and waiting, until finally nothing happened. People were complaining about Lee Ji-hoon didn’t seem sincere enough, but I wished he put more restrain in showing affection, falling slowly and even slower for her, until he couldn’t help anymore and yet still feel conflicted. More tortured he is, the more juicy the drama becomes but alas all inside my head. :P It is worth for the fashion. All the Shin Minah’s and Lee Ji-hoon’s costumes are flawless. And expensive. Though she is supposed a starving photographer. Bahh
Tree with Deep Root
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 24 episodes
Genre: Historical sageuk
Actors: Han Suk-kyu, Jang Hyuk, Shin Se-kyung, Song Joong-ki
sPlotlight:
It told the story about how Hangul is invented. Really, from all inventions that are invented by and in Sejong, the great, period, the hangul slays them all. Korean is beautiful language, and hangul is marvelous invention that makes everything easy. Taste the pain of learning hanja while it is not your first language. Great thing is always simple. Hangul is that beautifully simple. King Sejong is really that great. And Song Joong-ki, in his short four episodes appearance, is the highlight of the show.
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Mystery, police case procedural, time travel
Actor: Choi Jin-hyuk, Yoon Hyun-min, Lee Yoo-young
sPlotlight:
The hijinks when your sonbae, your abonim and your aboji are younger than you. Ha, ha, ha. Lee Yoo-young as Prof. Shin Jae-yi is reinvented female character in K drama. Who said only male lead has the right to be stoic and emotionless? 😉 Tunnel is this close to become the next Signal but it is lack Time comeuppance that makes time travel genre becomes so trilling. So to the next time travel Kwangho-yah😀 If only Time and Fate are so kind in real life like how they are in Tunnel..
Twenty Again/Second Time Twenty Years Old
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actors: Choi Jin-woo, Lee Sang-yoon
sPlotlight:
Choi Ji-woo is a stay home mother who finds herself in the same collage with her son, studying. She chooses to go to school again after she divorces her asrhole cheating husband. While in school she meets her high school friend, who looks younger than his age, still handsome and miraculously still single. He, played by Lee Sang-yoon, becomes a lecturer in the collage and teaches her. He pretends not to remember her while being petty, she doesn't really remember him while acting cute, naive, and innocent younger self.
Two Outs in Ninth Inning/9 End 2 Outs
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2007
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actors: Su ae, Lee Jung-jin
sPlotlight:
This is friend-turns-to-lover type of story combined with cohabitation hijink. Whats not to love?? And the heroine (Su-ae) is novelist wanna be, brings the contemplative aspect to the story.
Valid Love
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Uhm Tae-woong, Lee Shi-young, Lee Soo-hyuk
sPlotlight:
Lee Si-young chooses to marry young to her high school teacher crush (Uhm Tae-woong). After several years of marriage, the couple still doesn't have a child, though she has things to keep her busy which is taking care her husband paralyzed younger sister, and to be everything her husband's family need her to be. The husband seems not mind with the no child situation, but her mother in law keeps pestering about it. Till one day she realizes how lifeless her life is and she feels enough with everything and finds refreshment in carefree young carpenter (Lee Soo-hyuk). Compare to her husband whose love seems a little stoic and lukewarm, her romance with the young carpenter seems sizzle and spark. The husband suspects his wife is having an affair. Considering his family situation (his mother dementia, his father cheating habit, and his jobless brother), he has an idea it is also taking part on her wife decision for having an affair. So with noble idiocy, he files a divorce petition. All the drama long, I can't help thinking isn't it her own decision to marry young, to forgo her youth life to be a young wife, why now it is a problem? It is a valid question to ask.
Vampire Prosecutor Season 1
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 12 episodes
Genre: Action, Mystery, Vampire, Case Procedural
Director: Kim Byung-soo (Nine: Nine Time Travels, Bubblegum)
Director: Kim Byung-soo (Nine: Nine Time Travels, Bubblegum)
Actors: Yeon Jeong-hun, Lee Young-ah, Lee Won-jong, Jang Hyun-sung
sPlotlight:
Yeon Jeong-hun is so hot as a vampire!
Vampire Prosecutor Season 2
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2012
Episode: 11 episodes
Genre: Action, Mystery, Vampire, Case Procedural
Actors: Yeon Jeong-hun, Lee Young-ah, Lee Won-jong, Lee Kyoung-young
sPlotlight:
Yeon Jeong-hun is so, so hot as a vampire! Multiple twice.
Voice
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Thriller, Police, Case Procedural
Actor: Jang Hyuk, Lee Hana, Kim Jae-wook, Baek Sung-hyun
sPlotlight:
I miss you Kim Jae-wook!!
Warm and Cozy
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2015
Episode:16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Writer: Hong Mi-ran, Hong Jung-eun (Hong Sisters) (Big, My Girl)
Actors: Kang Sora, Yoo Yeon-seok
sPlotlight:
I'm done with you Hong Sisters!
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2016
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Coming-of-Age, Romance
Actors: Lee Shin-kyung, Nam Joo-hyuk
sPlotlight:
Though Lee Shin-kyung is not believable as weightlifter (She is just so tall, and soo slim, with no muscles), but the story about her struggle as Kim Bok-joo is felt so real and hearth tugging. This is one of great coming-of-age drama for sure. Nam Joo-hyuk plays Kim Bok-joo's childhood friend who then turns as boyfriend. He is so, so tall, so lean, cute, and sweet. How can audience not fall in love with him along with Kim Bok-joo? 😍 And he is a swimmer in this drama, so a lot of shirtless scene, and he's swimming. Aww, I'm just....speechless, so beautiful. Ha, ha, ha. Not so focus on the competition, the drama chooses to focus on the athletes' daily life who also a college student which make them not so much regular college student. So breezy this drama is, no evil mother, no secret birth, no crazy ex-girlfriend, just LOVE
Who Are You
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2008
Episode: 17 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actors: Go Ara, Yoon Kye-sang, Kang Nam-gil
sPlotlight:
Do not false with the Who Are You, 2013 TvN drama which is a blerg! Kang Nam-gil is Go Ara's father who dies suddenly and left her with nothing, but debt. She blames him for life hardship she must face since young because he is good for nothing dad. Her father actually feels some guilt for her hard life, so his soul possess a cold, workaholic young businessman for couples of hours a day for 49 days so then he finish his business and goes to afterlife. Yoon Kye-sang, the possessed body, doesn't realize his body being possessed for sometimes. Go Ara also finds it is strange that unknown young man suddenly so eagerly wants to help her. It is only for sometimes until he finds himself in kind of strange situations and mounting bills for things he doesn't remember buying, even stranger the things are girly things. While possessing the rich young businessman, Go Ara's father tries to repay all things he couldn't buy when he was still alive. So yeah eventually he realizes something has been going on like his body being possessed. The three of them end up trying to solve mystery behind Go Ara's father death.
What Happened in Bali/Memories of Bali
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2004
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Actors: Ha Ji-won, Jo In-sung, So Ji-sub, Park Ye-jin
sPlotlight:
Jo In-sung is an irresponsible, arrogant, man-child, self-centered and playboy chaebol. He get obsessed with Ha Ji-won, a poor, hardworking, bitter girll, on while he has a arranged marriage with Park Ye-jin, a daughter of another chaebol family. Park Ye-jin, a level-headed, business centered rich girl, thinks marriage should be based not love only but also give her advantages, so she left her handsome, smart, but poor boyfriend, So Ji-sub. Being left behind, So Ji-sub befriends Ha Ji-won and finds their selves quiet similar, in situation and back ground. So Ji-sub feels attract to Ha Ji-won for their similarity and Ha Ji-won feels (strangely) attract to asrhole Jo In-sung for perhaps two opposite attraction? Basically she is two-timing both of the men right under the eyes of jealous evil chaebol girl, which of course it doesn't end up well. 😂
What's up Fox
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2006
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actors: Go Hyun-jung, Chun Jung-myung
sPlotlight:
Chung Jung-myung, a jobless, fresh out of mandatory military service, tries to win the heart of much older his noona's best friend, Go Hyun-jung, who sometimes helped to babysit him when he was still a child.
Whisper
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 17 episodes
Genre: Legal drama
Actor: Lee Bo-young, Lee Sang-yoon, Kwon-yul
sPlotlight:
Thanks God finally it ends! It is so torturous to watch romance written so stilted and awkward. I know Lee Bo-young and Lee Sang-yoon can do better playing a couple in love, hearty eyes, cutesy banter, lovey dovey act, but it is the writing that should be blamed. My false is fallen into this writer's trap. In the premise there would be some romance beside legal driven plot. But I didn't know it could be that awkward and stiff. Bleh. Writing romance definitely is not this writer forte. But now I'm fan of Lee Sang-yoon hair! So lustrous and thick, can I touch it? Can I? Can I?
Whisper
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 17 episodes
Genre: Legal drama
Actor: Lee Bo-young, Lee Sang-yoon, Kwon-yul
sPlotlight:
Thanks God finally it ends! It is so torturous to watch romance written so stilted and awkward. I know Lee Bo-young and Lee Sang-yoon can do better playing a couple in love, hearty eyes, cutesy banter, lovey dovey act, but it is the writing that should be blamed. My false is fallen into this writer's trap. In the premise there would be some romance beside legal driven plot. But I didn't know it could be that awkward and stiff. Bleh. Writing romance definitely is not this writer forte. But now I'm fan of Lee Sang-yoon hair! So lustrous and thick, can I touch it? Can I? Can I?
White Christmas
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2011
Episode: 8 episodes
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Actors: Baek Sang-kyung, Kim Young-kwang, Sung Joon, Hong Jong-hyun, Lee Soo-hyuk, Esom
sPlotlight:
Some serial murders are happening in the school for students with top qualities (geniuuus, tall, and handsome, rich) located in the feet of a mountain, in the middle of nowhere. It is a winter break that time so only several students left behind who then are suspicious to each other about who is actually the killer among them. Actually it is really good thrilling drama in which everybody can become the suspect, because everybody has too much brain to be cunning, so competitive as a motive, so attractive to be suspected, to little emotion to be ruthless killer.
Will it Snow for Christmas
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Writer: Lee Kyung-hee (The Innocent Man, A Love to Kill, I'm sorry, I Love You, Thank You)
Actors: Go Soo, han Ye-seul, Kim Soo-hyun, Nam Ji-hyun
sPlotlight:
I don't really remember the plot, but I do remember how mellow, tearjerker, this drama is. The drama is the we-seen-all-before story about a childhood lovers, played by Kim Soo-hyun and Nam Ji-hyun, because of some misunderstanding and circumstances, get separated. They meet again as adult to solve the misunderstanding and to overcome the unfortunate circumstances. Actually, I think Lee Kyung-hee is a writer who put more emphasize on emotion aspect of the drama than the story plot, it is all the same old brand new plot. But what makes me, and other audience stay tune with her dramas is the emotional roll coaster gained from the acting of the actors and the scene mood produced by director, so when she approved Suzy to play, the heroine in her drama said Uncontrollably Fondly, that was just a wrong move. She needs strong actors, and Suzy is serviceable, but emotive is definitely not her forte. If only you know how many times, I cringe from watching her trying to act cute. God Gracious, annoying to the max.
Witch's Court
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Revenge, legal drama
Actor: Jung Ryeo-won, Yoon Hyun-min
sPlotlight:
How could I finish this drama? *wonders* The romance is so lukewarm to none existed, despite the premise. The baddies is laughably bad. The cases are not interesting. The plot is resolved abruptly. The only saving grace for this drama is Ma Yi-deum, though not as dramatic as the character description, it is not as bad as Yoon Hyun-min's character, Yeo Jin-wook, that is so under developed, brought nothing to the story line. Sighs. My faith in big three main broadcasters seem to wane more and more.
Witch's Court
Country: South Korea
Released year: 2017
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Revenge, legal drama
Actor: Jung Ryeo-won, Yoon Hyun-min
sPlotlight:
How could I finish this drama? *wonders* The romance is so lukewarm to none existed, despite the premise. The baddies is laughably bad. The cases are not interesting. The plot is resolved abruptly. The only saving grace for this drama is Ma Yi-deum, though not as dramatic as the character description, it is not as bad as Yoon Hyun-min's character, Yeo Jin-wook, that is so under developed, brought nothing to the story line. Sighs. My faith in big three main broadcasters seem to wane more and more.
Witch Yoo Hee/Witch Amusement
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2007
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance comedy
Actors: Han Ga-in, Jae Hee, Kim Jeong-hoon
sPlotlight:
I can't quiet recall the plot. But it is the ‘reverse' drama, in which the heroine (Han Ga-in) is the one who is stiff and prickly, while the hero (Jae Hee) is more cheerful and conscientious. She is successful career woman. He is jobless, and under some circumstance he must work for her as housekeeper. Along the way, he also becomes her love and dating advisor. I think it was the reason why I managed to finish the drama.
Winter Sonata
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2002
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Melodrama
Director: Yoon Seok-ho (Autumn in My Heart, Spring Waltz, Summer Scent)
Actors: Choi Ji-woo, Bae Yong-joon
sPlotlight:
I think I have watched this drama more than three times? And I cried every times 😂 It is my favorite among the four seasonal dramas. I love the story about a couple who is separated for long, long times, and by Fate can meet and get together again. Maybe it is the reason why I love K drama, because so many of them having their story around that theme. Or it is my wishful thinking to have a childhood lover whom I can meet sometime, somewhere in the future. Ha, ha, ha. Just watch your beloved dramas Pohonphee !!
Woman of Dignity
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Human drama
Actor: Kim Sun-ah, Kim Hee-sun
sPlotlight:
All the cheating and women pinning against each other are really disturbing for me to watch, but the drama itself feels so riveting, I cannot stop watching. Woo Ahn-jin is so elegant and classy, I want to be like her when I’ve grown up. Lol. But then again do we, woman, have to be that pretty, that perfect, to feel content with ourselves? Ahh, I want to grow up as Woo Ahn-jin’s daughter instead. 😁
Woman of Dignity
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2017
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Human drama
Actor: Kim Sun-ah, Kim Hee-sun
sPlotlight:
All the cheating and women pinning against each other are really disturbing for me to watch, but the drama itself feels so riveting, I cannot stop watching. Woo Ahn-jin is so elegant and classy, I want to be like her when I’ve grown up. Lol. But then again do we, woman, have to be that pretty, that perfect, to feel content with ourselves? Ahh, I want to grow up as Woo Ahn-jin’s daughter instead. 😁
Wish Upon a Star/Stars Falling From the Sky
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2010
Episode: 20 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Actors: Kim Ji-hoon, Choi Jung-won
sPlotlight:
It is actually cohabitation drama, though ones who take part in said cohabitation are not only the OTP but also four other people who are the heroine's step siblings. The heroine, played by Choi Jung-won, is immature, living-as-she-likes girl who suddenly has to take care her teen to toddler siblings who were adopted by her benevolent parents. The parents died in accident, left her nothing but good name and four siblings to take care. I forget how eventually she gets to live under the same roof with her boss and crush, the hero (Kim Ji-Hoon). She is immature and he is a snob, man-child, both of them are forced to grow up by playing make-shift parents. It is really a heartwarming drama, the heroine's siblings are so adorable, and Kim Ji-hoon is a hoot!
You Who Come For the Star/ My Love from the Star
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2014
Episode: 21 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy
Writer: Park Ji-eun (The Legend of The Blue Sea, The Producers)
Actors: Kim Soo-hyun, Jeon Ji-hyun, Park hae-jin, Yoo In-na, Shin Sung-rok
sPlotlight:
Kim Soo-hyun plays an alien who crashes down to earth in Joseon period. He helps a girl from being murdered that causes him missing the last flight ‘home'. So he waits and waits, hopes and wishes for hundreds years for another flight from home to come across the planet of earth. In spite of a spaceship to take him home, he comes across the girl's doppelganger (Jeon Ji-hyun) who lives as present-day famous actress, though still needs his help Again.
You Are Beautiful
Country: South Korea
Released Year: 2009
Episode: 16 episodes
Genre: Romance Comedy, Gender-Bender
Writer: Hong Jung-eun, Hong Mi-ran (Hong Sisters) (Big, Warm and Cozy)
Actors: Jang Geun-seok, Park Shin-hye, Lee Hong-ki, jung Yong-hwa
sPlotlight:
It is a story about an idol band named Anjell with members consisted of the leader Jang Geun-seok, The face Jung Yong-hwa, The maknae Lee Hong-ki, and The flower boy Park Shin-hye. Yes, Park Shin-hye tries to disguise herself as a boy to replace her twin brother's position in the band. But who knows all other members of the band start to have a feeling for her. Pheromone doesn't lie, does it?
Because it is already too long, and for the love of K drama, I shall continue this... 2, 3, 4, 5
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