If you feel like something new and you're SICK TO DEATH of what's on TV, try some sweet but insightful Korean shows that will warm your heart and make you think! I promise you; they're not Hallmark! (Not that there's anything wrong with that! 😂)
You may think K-Dramas are just Romance...but they are soooo much more. They often touch on serious topics like the North Korea-South Korea divide, and give you a look into how they view the heartbreaking split of what so many wish was one beautiful country.
They also love a good right-left, up-down in other ways; this universe vs that universe...modern day vs the past...etc.
One more thing I love is that the women are always tough cookies in Korean drama. A lot of storylines are centered around women kicking ass and taking names, no matter whether they're a high level executive or a single mother raising kids in really difficult circumstances.
DISCLAIMER #1: The trailers are not very good; don't pick a show based on a trailer.
DISCLAIMER #2: The title translations are sometimes bad/comical. Ignore!!
DISCLAIMER #3: Korean shows MUST be watched with subtitles! No dubbing!
Dubbing sucks in ANY language but the Korean language is like music to your ears once you watch a few of these. (Trust me, I never thought I would love it, and now I'm trying to learn it!)
And again, when it comes to the titles. Oy. I laughed at "Crash Landing on You" for months until I watched it and realized it wasn't silly in the slightest. I'm so thankful I didn't miss this intense, (sometimes comical) thought-provoking show.
Here are the Korean shows I've binged in the last few months, in the order I watched them:
(This list is ongoing and updated weekly!)
My Holo Love
The King - Eternal Monarch (My all time fave. ❤️)
It's OK to Not Be OK
Crash Landing on You
Something in the Rain
Start Up
Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol
The King's Affection
What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?
Itaewon Class
Our Beloved Summer
The Silent Sea (So good but not a K-Drama; more serious)
Hometown cha-cha-cha
My Shy Boss
Reply 1988
Pachinko (This is a book adaptation. More of an epic. Fantastic.)
Oh My Venus
Business Proposal
25 21
Romance is a Bonus Book
She Would Never Know
Her Private Life
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
(Oh dear god this is almost as good as The King! Gong Yoo? Are you KIDDING me?! le swoon)
Little Women
Extraordinary Attorney Woo (absolutely smitten with this one)
Love in Contract
Forecasting Love and Weather
Singles Inferno I (Reality TV. Just fun.)
Good Job
True Beauty
Singles Inferno 2 (Reality TV. Just fun.)
Mr Queen
I have also watched Squid Game and Parasite (film.) Didn't love either. Both are well written, acted, and directed (obvs with Parasite winning all those Oscars, though I'm not sure why) as most Korean TV/films I've watched...but both left me with a baaaad taste in my mouth. On the other hand, typical K-Drama makes me old-fashioned happy...and doesn't give me nightmares. LOL
So if you decide to dive in, let me know what you think!
PS - Don't take my word for it! Check out what Cosmo has to say!