After the horror that was trying to decide my favorite musical artists, I decided to break down dramas into their respective countries. Plus, I basically get to recommend more dramas. Win-win (for me)! But anyway, onto the top 5 k-dramas! If you aren’t familiar with them, click the title to read the synopsis.
5. Who Are You?
Despite the totally impossibility of the premise of this drama (a cold/awkward man is possessed by girl’s goofy dead father at certain times), the drama is obviously unique, as well as quite well done. It focuses a lot on family relationships of all types, and the characters actually develop over time. There’s of course drama about stolen paintings and inheritance, but it’s very secondary to the connections between the characters. There are obviously a lot of (thank the lord, not cheesy) sad parts, but the overall feeling of the drama is very warm and happy. And Yoon Kyesang gets a gold star for pulling off two totally different characters flawlessly.
4. 9 End 2 Outs
I think this drama is hit-or-miss for many people. It isn’t fast paced or full of drama. In fact I will be the first to admit that it downright drags at times. But I think that’s what I like about it: it moves at a realistic pace. Lifelong friends don’t suddenly become lovers, the hurt from breakups doesn’t suddenly heal, and sometimes, it takes a while to come to understand yourself and your loved ones. This is definitely a romantic comedy, but I think it sends across a good message that getting older is not necessarily a bad thing, and it’s something that can give perspective. Which, I think, is a sorely needed message in kdramas.
I have such a thing for May-December romances. There are some other decent ones out there, but this one remains my very favorite. The premise of the plot is not too original: successful 30-something woman hires boyfriend to get back at ex, then things get real. But there is such a unique charm to this drama. I’ve never loved all the characters of a drama before, but I feel for everyone in this one, even the supposed “bad guys.” There is not one perfect person, but there is no one totally bad one either. You sympathize with Dalja’s career troubles, and her desire to find a “prince,” while rooting her on to see the one guy for her right in front of her face. I could go on about this drama forever.
2. Shining Inheritance/Brilliant Legacy
Why is this drama so good? I literally watched this entire drama in one sitting. I was completely hooked. It’s a modern day Cinderella story, but I like that the “prince” needs to become a good man first. All of the main actors work so well with each other, most of all the main two. Their emotions are nearly tangible, and it was hard not to get completely sucked in. Perhaps the thing I like most about this drama is the (more or less) realistic portrayal of life with a sibling with a disability. I have a younger brother with a disability as well, so I could relate to the complex mix of emotions Go Eunsung felt towards hers.
This the tearjerker to end all tearjerkers. You will cry for hours after finishing this thing. It’s very different from the usual romantic melodrama, mostly because of how deep it is. It’s not about two people falling in love after they overcome their horrific pasts and learn to blah blah blah. They are both totally broken people, and you can’t help but feel absolutely sorry for them. The two characters do learn a lot from each other and come to change over the short time that they know each other. A man who feels he was thrown away and seeks revenge finds a new path. A girl whose entire existence is to silently serve her unrequited love begins to live for herself. There is no stereotypical happy ending. There can’t be. But the tragedy of the characters makes you look at life so differently.