Anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for a good Korean drama.
It’s the fashion, the romance, the good looking leads and story-telling! Not to mention, the acting is top notch.
These days, I have less interest watching Hollywood productions because I am tired of live-action remakes, sequels and recycled stories. Do we REALLY need a live-action remake of The Aristocats?! Didn’t we see how horrific Cats looked on screen?
I think many people enjoyed watching Squid Game in late 2021 because of its dark, original storytelling. The world created by Hwang Dong-hyuk with the show’s visually stimulating sets, bright costumes and nuanced characters served us all with some escapism. I also hope it allowed us to think critically of the world.
But while many people hyped up Squid Game, I can only hope people can jump even further into the world of K-Dramas and Asian dramas. As Bong Joon-ho famously said, "Once you overcome the one inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films."
That is why I am going to list out a couple of other K-dramas I’ve enjoyed in recent months, in hopes that people can find new content to watch. Thankfully, a lot of these shows are on Netflix.
True Beauty
OMG, was this really a year ago? Last year, when we were locked down in Toronto, I was watching this and enjoying it immensely. It stars Moon Ga Young as a high school student whose life changes as she learns make-up techniques. Growing up, she was made fun of for being “ugly.” After she moves to a new school, she falls in love with her classmate Suho (Astro’s Cha Eun Woo) who sees her behind the make-up.
This story warmed my heart because I love coming-of-age stories. And sorry, you might also get second lead syndrome! Hwang In Yeop is just so charming in this too.
Navillera
Navillera made me bawl like a baby. It’s a story about a ballet prodigy taking in an elderly man as his dance student. No betrayals or bloodshed in this story. Just pure heart. This show will make you contemplate the years you have on Earth and making the most of it.
Lead Song Kang is a really familiar face on Netflix. The man is booked and busy, and also appears on dramas like Love Alarm, Sweet Home and Nevertheless.
Kingdom
I watched Kingdom early in the pandemic, and perhaps it was a little too close to reality. If you like zombie thrillers like The Walking Dead or Train to Busan, this is worth the watch for the first two seasons. Not sure if I intend to continue if there's a third, because I think all good things must come to an end.
Hellbound
I had the privilege of seeing three episodes of Hellbound at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2021. And wow, is it really something! It’s incredibly hokey and funny for all the wrong reasons. Some may say it’s perfect for horror fans?
The show is directed by Yeon Sang-ho, the same guy who directed Train to Busan. It’s about a world where unearthly beings deliver condemnations, sending individuals to hell. The “hell aliens” then give rise to a religious group founded on the idea of divine justice.
The cults around the “hell aliens” are way more interesting than the actual scenes where people are sent to hell. Yoo Ah-in is incredible in this show, and that’s what kept me watching.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Talk about a wholesome, heartwarming drama! The show is about a dentist who moves to a small seaside town called Gongjin. There, she meets a jack-of-all-trades and handyman known as Chief Hong. They don’t always get along at first, but obviously they fall in love! But the drama also gives life to the residents of Gongjin, and the connections they have with each other. This drama will make you squeal with happiness or bawl. All the feels!
Our Beloved Summer
Synopsis: Years after filming a viral documentary in high school, two former lovers get pulled back in front of the camera and into each other's lives.
When this drama premiered, I was immediately hooked. The characters are 29 years old, a few years into their careers and trying to figure out love and life. While the romance is enticing, I related more to the stage in life the characters are in.
I also love when actors Choi Woo-shik and Kim Da-mi work together. They previously starred in the horror-thriller The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion in COMPLETELY different roles. Now they play lovers in Our Beloved Summer. It’s incredible what good chemistry can do here.