I am a Korean born and raised in Korea. Of course, I grew up watching Korean dramas. And I like Korean dramas. Originally, Korean dramas were produced in between 20 and 40 episodes because they were called mini-series. However, there was a tendency to talk about too many episodes to be called mini-series.
Recently, however, when it comes to mini-series, there are usually 16 episodes. Of course, there are 10 or 8 movies. There are five Korean dramas I want to recommend today. People who watch Korean dramas for the first time can also watch them lightly.
five popular Korean dramas
Crash Landing On You
First, it is a romantic comedy that can be seen lightly. The story takes place when a South Korean female entrepreneur was paragliding and crashed into North Korea. A romantic comedy about a South Korean heiress who accidentally crash-lands in North Korea and falls in love with a North Korean soldier.
It is difficult to think that it is an action drama with spies just because South Korea or North Korea is mentioned. (Not like the American drama ’24’ at all) Of course, it is true that there was a war on Korean territory more than 70 years ago. It was a disastrous war in which many people died, but the current confrontation between South and North Korea does not reach people living in the South that much. (Of course, I know that the view from the outside is different.)
The conversation slipped aside for a moment. Anyway, the drama is a romantic comedy, and the main characters of the drama are so loved that they actually got married. (They had been rumored to be dating three times before filming this drama) You can also watch this drama on Netflix.
Itaewon Class
A drama about a determined young man who opens a restaurant in Itaewon, a neighborhood in Seoul, and faces various challenges and obstacles as he pursues his dream.
This drama is a revenge play. The webtoon is the original. Webtoons take a while for the drawing style to adapt, but the characters are expressing it amazingly. When I said it would be made into a drama, I was worried about whether I could revive the emotion of the webtoon, but it was selected properly.
In order to avenge his father who died unfairly, he prepared 15 years to avenge a large company, starting from the bottom. It may seem childish, but I recommend that the actors watch it without worrying because their acting skills are very good. In particular, the male protagonist has excellent ability to push through what he has decided.
Itaewon, the background of the drama, is one of the areas where foreigners gather the most in Seoul. Foreign embassies are also gathered in the area. There is a big tower called Namsan Tower in Seoul and it is around the mountain. This is where the unfortunate accident occurred during the Halloween festival in October 2022. Another story leaked sideways.
The main character shows that he does not bend his will to keep his belief. It is also like the main character of the drama that he does not compromise with reality and does not bend. It is a well-made drama in which stories, actors’ acting, and music are all well harmonized. It is a drama that was released during COVID-19 and comforted many people. You can also watch it on Netflix.
Reply 1988
A heartwarming coming-of-age story set in the 1980s, about a group of friends growing up in a tight-knit neighborhood in Seoul. It is a drama that gives a glimpse of Korean society in the 1980s. Although he lived in a city, Korea was very active in communicating with its neighbors in the 80s. There were many occasions where we shared food and spent time together. It is the story of the main character and family who spend their school days at that time.
The Olympics were held in Korea in 1988. It is called the Seoul Olympics. I also remember the mascot called Hodori. This drama has many situations and episodes that people who grew up at the time can relate to. There’s also a figure that’s taken from a real figure.
There are also contents about Sampoong Department Store, which collapsed in 1988, and the “College Song Festival,” which was large at the time. And there are also remakes of songs that were popular at the time. In fact, this drama has two more previous series.
“Reply 1997”, “Reply 1994”
It was loved explosively by viewers who spent their school years around 1997 and 1994, and the most recently produced series was Reply 1988. At that time, there was an excellent prediction that something like “Reply 1950” (Korean War) might come out.
When you watch the ‘Reply’ drama, you play an interesting game with the director. It does not tell us until the last episode which of the main characters becomes a couple with whom. So, at the end of each episode, people posted a lot of posts predicting who would become a couple while watching scenes from the drama. (It was enough to draw attention.)
Hospital Playlist
A medical drama about a group of doctors and their daily lives working in a hospital, featuring strong character development and heartwarming friendships. It is a work made by the director who made the above recommended “Reply 1988.” The setting is that five doctors, who are alumni of college, continue their band activities while working as doctors.
While other Korean medical dramas deal with factors such as dark battles to occupy hospitals, the drama shows doctors focusing on their daily lives. There are so many small daily lives. And there’s no villain in particular to call a villain. There was also criticism that the setting was too far from the actual doctors working in hospitals. (Criticized it as a fantasy drama, not a medical drama)
The surgery scene comes out properly and the patient stories come out, but the performance and songs of the characters at the end are also very good. These are old Korean songs. It seems that the main characters have set it up as a song that they have heard since 20 years ago. It is also fun to see the main characters of the drama playing and singing themselves.
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If you want to receive calm emotion and healing while watching the drama, it is a recommended drama. You can also watch it on Netflix.
Kingdom
A zombie thriller set in the Joseon Dynasty era, about a prince who discovers a deadly virus that turns people into monsters, and must fight to save his kingdom.
It is said that there is a word called k-zombie. They are dramas such as “Train to Busan” and “Sweet Home,” and one of the representative works in them is “Kingdom.” I don’t really like zombie movies, but this drama was a little big.
During the Joseon Dynasty, we cannot help but be nervous for a moment, including the dark battle of the royal palace and the struggles of the main characters who struggle with zombies. Season 2 has been produced, and season 3 has yet to be produced. There is a Japanese cartoon about the Chinese Warring States Period with the same title, so let’s not get confused.
It is obvious that the drama paid a lot of attention to the costume. The details of the royal palace’s colorful clothes and the soldiers’ clothes are alive. It is said that a traditional Korean hat called “God” was once popular on Amazon. If you search for ‘Korea traditional hat’ on Amazon, it comes out.
In particular, this work was produced as Netflix original. It is said that the number of subscribers to Netflix has increased a lot to watch the drama at the time of its release. Of course you can watch it on Netflix.
conclusion
I chose about five dramas that I personally want to recommend. There are various other dramas besides this. If I have a chance, I will recommend each genre. I hope it will be helpful for people who are new to Korean dramas.