Period dramas to slice of life stories, romantic comedies to slow burn romances, K-dramas are a gift that only keeps giving.
From an emperor and his tragic love story, a young tycoon’s love contract to the innocence of first love and its myriad shades, here’s a list of six recent Korean dramas that had drama enthusiasts and fans hooked not only for their storylines, but for their performances and hummable soundtracks.
The Red Sleeve
This sageuk delves into the tragic love story between Crown Prince Yi San/King Jeongjo (Lee Jun-ho) and his concubine the Royal Noble Consort Deok-im/Seong Ui-bin (Lee See-young). A self righteous young court maid rejects the handsome lovelorn crown prince’s request to be his concubine. But as circumstances and situations lead to the inevitable they may not have the happily after they hope for. Though inspired by documents and eulogies written by King Jeongjo for his favourite concubine, the drama does take creative liberties to fictionalise events and timelines, but its strength lies in its emotive storytelling. The versatile Lee Jun Ho who took home the Baeksang award for his brilliant portrayal of the crown prince/emperor touches a chord as he brings his character’s anguish, and inner turmoil to the fore. The chemistry between the leads is enough to leave you infatuated and research this love story of time gone by.
Watch it on Rakuten Viki
Twenty Five Twenty One
A teen fencer dreams to play for her country, defeat her rival and experience true love and heartbreak meets an idealistic and hardworking young man. The story of Na Hui-do and Baek Ye-jin tugs at your heartstrings as they together chart the course of life with the promise to become ‘great together’. This coming of age story of young love, friendship, hopes and dreams makes you laugh, shed tears as it makes you nostalgic of the days gone by. Kim Tae-ri as the reckless impulsive Hui-do gives a crackling performance; the actor scooped the best actor trophy at the Baeksang awards while Nam Joo-hyuk’s stellar performance has immortalised Baek Ye-jin as the man for all seasons.
Watch it on Netflix
Business Proposal
He is a CEO who has no time for love and the frivolities of life. She is a food researcher in his company who is enthusiastic about life and infatuated with a friend. Their paths cross and they find themselves in a contractual relationship in this adaptation of the popular web toon of the same name. What could be a recipe for disaster, actually is the perfect dish served with all the romantic cliches and cheesy lines, and is accompanied with the perfect condiments of humour, romance and misadventures. This Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Sejeong, Kim Min-kyu and Seol In-ah starrer is not to be missed.
Watch it on Netflix
Sh**ting Stars
Set against the competitive world of showbiz stars wars, anti fans, fake news and clickbait headlines it follows the life of popular matinee idol Gong Tae-sung (Kim Young-dae) and the PR head in a star management firm Oh Han-byul (Lee Sung-kyun). As reel and real life collides, this drama takes you on a rollercoaster of misadventures as the many characters juggle love, life and legal suits.
Watch it on Rakuten Viki
Tomorrow
An adaptation of the popular webtoon, the Grim Reapers are assigned with a special task to prevent humans from killing themselves and entering the spirit world. The “risk management” team headed by Goo Ryeon (played by Kim Hee-sun) and her ally meet a man Choi Joon-woong (Rowoon) who is stuck between the two realms of life and death and is the newbie assigned to the tasks. Tomorrow has garnered rave reviews for its sensitive and empathetic handling of mental health and issues related to suicide.
Watch it on Netflix
My Liberation Notes
The Yeon Siblings ( Lee El, Lee Min Ki & Kim Ji-won) are caught in the monotony of life—as one hopes to find love in middle age, the other is dealing with professional issues, whilst the youngest can’t fathom the emptiness that envelops her. However, the arrival of a mysterious man Mr Gu (Son Seok-koo) breaks them out of their inner reverie. My Liberation Notes mirrors life on the fast track from ambition, loneliness, stress—the show takes an unfiltered look at life in the real world.
Watch it on Netflix
