My Kdrama picks

Annyeonghaseyo! 

This post is the second in a series of posts on kdrama. Previously published: What's the Kdrama craze

In this post, I wanted to share with you, my Kdrama recommendations. Oh! Yet another kdrama list I hear you say? I hope this one is slightly different. The many lists that I have read seemed too focused on romance, missing some wonderful Kdramas and instead, recommending clichéd stuff.

          Sure, kdrama is most famous for romance. But it is essentially an industry with a range of genres. And what you like depends on what type of drama you usually like. That's why I thought it's best to approach this by genres. I hope it provides inspiration for newbies, nostalgia for the veterans, and comradery for the rest of us inbetweeners. 

Here are my top recommendations under each genre. I've also given the MDL rating, the IMDB rating and the year of release for each. 

TLDR, 3 choice picks: Flower of Evil, Mr Sunshine and Crash Landing on You

***THRILLER***

Flower of Evil (9.1 on MDL, 8.8 on IMDB, 2020): A crime thriller done right 

          Lee Joon-gi acts his heart out as a psychotic man on the run who doubles as a loving family man. Moon Chae-won plays his wife, a detective in charge of catching his original identity. The first episode will get you hooked and there's twist after twist in this cinematographic experience. But the writing is cohesive without seeming forced and keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very start. There is one twist that I thought was too coincidental, which I think we can forgive. This is the writer, Yoo Jung-hee's first long form Kdrama and I'm looking forward to her delivering more amazing stories!  Here is the trailer. 

The natural chemistry between the leads has a lived-in feel to it, believably portraying a couple together for 14 years with none of the usual Kdrama mushiness. The OST has only 3 songs but has elements of intrigue as well as the tenderness of a loving family.

Signal (9.0, 8.6, 2016): A sci-fi crime drama from the past

          We follow three detectives as they solve various crimes. Except, one of them lives in the past and communicates with the present, through a walkie-talkie, and together they solve cold cases. From the writer of Kingdom (8.8, 8.4, 3019; popular sageuk zombie thriller), Kim Eun-hee, it starts slowly but pulls you in with tight writing, weaving small cases together into a larger picture. The story spans across timelines, changing the past and the present with ease and coherence. The crimes are compassionately portrayed, making it a chilling watch. Especially so because three of the four big cases the trio solve are based on true crimes, aaand the fictional fourth one was the least gruesome. Here is the trailer. 

***'SAGEUK' or HISTORICAL***

Mr. Sunshine (8.9, 8.8, 2018): An epic saga in turbulent Joseon

          Set in the troubled times of early 1900s, Joseon empire (Korea) is in decline while foreign powers are trying to gain control. We follow three men and two women, all originally from Joseon, in an epic love-hate relationship with their motherland: A slave boy turned American Captain, a butcher boy turned Japanese samurai, a noblewoman turned sharpshooter for the Righteous Army, her fiancé and the wealthiest man in Joseon, and the Joseon-Japanese owner of the Glory Hotel.

From the writer-director pairing of the later mentioned Guardian and DOTS, star writer, Kim Eun-sook and Lee Eung-bok, the brilliance of the show is in its poetic writing. The first English words the noblewoman learns are 'gun, glory and sad endings' which defines her as well as Joseon; her character is possibly a metaphor for Joseon. The cinematography turns each scene into a painting, supported by beautiful sets and soulful music. Acting is of course, wonderful, although, the brilliant Lee Byung-hun looks a tad too old for his role. Here is a trailer and a still from the show. 

Moonlovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (8.7, 8.6, 2016): Goryeo history and political games

          Set in AD 940s, the political game of thrones between the sons of King Taejo Wang Geon, founder of the Goryeo dynasty (where Korea gets its name from) is intriguing and partly based on historical facts. Lee Joon-gi beautifully captures the transformation of the misunderstood Prince Wang So, into a cruel king. Kang Ha-neul plays the second male lead in the love triangle as well as a formidable opponent to Wang So (although he is historical irrelevant). He sparks a wonderful chemistry with IU, the female lead, while Lee Joon-gi struggles for no fault of his. The OST has fun pop songs but a bit jarring in a period drama. Here is a trailer.

***ACTION***

Memories of the Alhambra (8.1, 7.8, 2018): Hyun Bin's action-packed gaming 

          Hyun Bin plays a CEO who is hacked by an AI game and can no longer tell the difference between reality and augmented reality. It has brilliant action sequences and a feel good bromance but the romantic storyline (with Park Shin-hye) seems force-fit and irrelevant. The show progresses into more action as he levels up in the game and the CGI is pretty good. The writing holds well until the very end, when it trips up into a disappointing ending. Watch the trailer here.

The ending is only slightly better than the writer, Song Jae-jung's previous project, W Two Worlds (8.5, 8.1, 2016; starring Lee Jong-suk) which also has a similar theme with the female lead pulled into a comic book. 

***COMING OF AGE***

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (8.8, 8.4, 2020): A relatable story of self-discovery

         A young athlete navigates sports college dreaming of being an Olympian. College friendships trigger nostalgia and the insecurities are relatable and endearing. At one point, Bok-joo needs to put on weight to qualify in the higher weight category while she also develops a new crush that suddenly makes her body conscious. She eventually finds the motivation to become an Olympian while also finding friendship that transforms into love. It's loosely based on Olympian gold medalist Jang Mi-ran's experiences in college. Here is silly a fan made video of Kim Bok-joo and her girl squad saying 'swag'.

***GENRE-BENDING***

It's Okay To Not Be Okay (9.1, 8.7, 2020): A unique take on emotional issues 

          A writer of some seriously twisted children's fairytales, with an antisocial personality gets obsessed with an extremely calm and composed carer at a psychiatric ward who lives with his autistic older brother. The story is how the three of them help each other heal from childhood trauma. 

I found the acceptance that 'calm and composed' isn't all that healthy, remarkable. The incredibly dark fairytales the show came up with for the writer are so unique. Here is one such story from episode 4. And Oh Jung-se's acting is brilliant, as the autistic brother. I'm disappointed that he figures in 'supporting actor' for the awards rather than the lead. The writer's toxic obsession drives her at first but once her emotional healing begins, the romantic storyline was unnecessary. 

When the Camellia Blooms (8.5, 8.0, 2020): Brilliant acting in this ode to motherhood

          It is genre bending because the main premise of the story is how a police officer, protects his love interest, Dongbaek, from a serial killer. But really, the story is about Dongbaek, a beautifully written character who is beaten down by life and ostracised as an unmarried mother, but can be fiercely protective. And Kong Hyo-jin wears this ultra-complex character like a glove, with demureness even while she's threatening. There are episodes dedicated to motherhood, particularly one about three single mothers that tugs at your heart. (In fact, there's only one father character in the show and he's shown in poor light.)

Set in a small town, the tight-knit community is inherently heart-warming with a solid supporting cast: Lee Jung-eun (of Parasite fame), Oh Jung-se and Kim Sun-young to name a few. Among all the stellar performances, Kang Ha-neul shines through. While most Kdramas feature successful and suave male leads, Kang Ha-neul plays an average small-town guy, awkward and simple, and very straightforward, who cries just as easily as he laughs. Here's a compilation of him being a lovable dork. It's also a noona romance.

***SUPERNATURAL***

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (8.9, 8.6, 2016): Magical wholesome entertainment

          A Goryeo-era military general is cursed to become an immortal Goblin or Guardian to pay for his sins and has been roaming the world for 939 years waiting for his moksha, through his fabled goblin bride. She turns out to be a lonely and sad high-schooler who can see ghosts. There is also the Grim Reaper who escorts ghosts into their afterlife, and doesn't have an identity or memories of his past. Yet he feels inexplicably in love with a young woman and all their lives get entangled.

The mega-budget is used well with Goryeo-era fighting sequences, magical effects for Goblin's powers, the beautiful cinematography, star cast (Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun) and easily among the best OSTs. The writer-director pairing behind Mr Sunshine and later mentioned DOTS brings together a wholesome show with warm stories, funny bromance, emotional heartbreaks and surprise twists. The acting is obviously good but it's the writing the carries the show through. Although, I felt, the chemistry between the leads is more protective affection than romance. I've leave you with the intro.

[The writer Kim Eun-sook's next project, The King: Eternal Monarch (8.1, 8.2, 2020 also starring Kim Go-eun, and Lee Min-ho), feels heavily inspired by this show in its the mystical element and the OST.] 

***INDUSTRY INSIDER***

Start-Up (8.1, 8.1, 2020): Plunge into the startup industry

          I don't know if this is a genre but this kdrama explains the inner workings of the start-up industry and all the terms you need to know to sound smart. We learn that behind any successful start-up is a desperately resourceful CEO, a genius techie and a great mentor at an incubation center. The love triangle between these three adds complexity to the drama. The story of their start-up itself is quiet interesting and the personal motivations are real-worldly for young twenty-somethings. The insights the writer, Park Hye-ryun brings is typical of her writing style and I was educated on the lives of rookie journalists in Pinocchio (8.4, 8.1, 2014; starring Lee Jong-suk and Park Shin-hye), and felt I got an inside view into the workings of the prosecution department in While You Were Sleeping (8.7, 8.4, 2017; also starring Bae Suzy, and Lee Jong-suk) and I Can Hear Your Voice (8.6, 8.1, 2013; starring Lee Bo-young and Lee Jong-suk), even though legal dramas are done to death in the Kdrama world. Here is a clip of the Hackathon in episode 5 of Start-Up.

***Finally, on to ROMANCE***

Crash Landing on You (8.9, 8.7, 2019): Mushy romance with star-crossed lovers

          It was my first Kdrama and essentially a full-on romcom where a South Korean heiress finds herself in North Korea after a paragliding mishap. But it showed me how heart-wrenching the writing can be, from star writer Park Ji-eun who has given prior hit romantic fantasy shows, My Love from Another Star (8.6, 8.3, 2013; starring Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Soo-hyun) and The Legend of the Blue Sea (8.4, 8.1, 2016; also starring Jun Ji-hyun, and Lee Min-ho), both of which also feature star-crossed lovers.

The lead pair's chemistry is undeniable and the actors, Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin started dating after the show. The depiction of North Korea received praise (although it also received criticism for turning a North Korean soldier into a hero figure). It's totally melodramatic, sweet and mushy; and beautifully done, that it will make you fall in love with Kdrama. Like this scene where Yoon Se-ri is lost at the local market and Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok finds her with a scented candle.

Descendants of the Sun (or DOTS; 8.7, 8.3, 2016): Simple romance, like comfort food

          There are two couples with different hues of romance. The bromance between the two males leads, who are soldiers in the special forces, is as cute as the rivalry between the two female leads who are surgeons/ doctors. Throw in uniforms, a war-torn country and saving lives, you get a brilliant kdrama on the commitment to the hypocritical oath. The first project from the writer-director pair behind Guardian and Mr. Sunshine, it's the writing and production that take the show forward. Without the usual Kdrama clichés, the chemistry between both pair feels real and the lead actors, Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo ended up dating. The show is so popular that it has been remade or dubbed into multiple languages, including Hindi. Here's a trailer.

***NOONA ROMANCE***

This is still romance genre but where the female lead is older than the male lead. I appreciate that Kdrama has this genre where the struggles of being an older woman are shown, and also allows for a longer career as leads.

Something in the Rain (7.9, 8.1, 2018): A realistic un-Kdrama-like romance

          A woman in her mid-30s, who is stuck in life with her career going nowhere and her relationship collapsing, finds companionship and support from the male lead. He also happens to be her best friend's younger brother, complicating it. Writer Kim Eun and director Ahn Pan-seok strive to bring a realistic, unmushy feel to the relationship and its growth. But what brings it together is the natural chemistry between the leads, Jung Hae-in and Son Ye-jin. The writer-director's second project, One Spring Night (8.3, 7.9, 2019), tries for a similar feel but fails without Son Ye-jin. The show also has a nuanced take on sexual harassment at the workplace. It is not as loved as other shows because it's not your regular kdrama, making it the lowest rated show that I recommend, but that's what I love about it. Having said that, it does drag a bit in the middle and could have been shorter. Here is a trailer. 

Romance is a Bonus Book (8.3, 8.1, 2020): A woman in her late 30s struggles to return after a career break

          A woman in her late 30s with an undying spirit, even though she is broke, divorced and on a 7-year career break, struggles to find a job to support her daughter. The male lead is actually a supporting character and he supports her without reservations, even when she marries/dates someone else, never imposing or possessive. The second male lead is also similarly respectful. Such healthy relationships are rarely portrayed in media. Regardless of the title and my emphasis on the male characters, romance is only a component of the story. Much of it is around how judgemental and daunting it can be when your skills are considered obsolete in a fast-moving world. Here is a trailer.

I hope you have found at least one kdrama you would like to watch. If you have stuck around till now, Kamsahamnida!