REVIEW: Korean Dramas [part 1]
I used to question my friends who spent their times watching Korean dramas like literally e v e r y d a y when it came to holiday, like, what's in it? Then I got the answer six or five months ago when my friend told me to give a drama a try, and the result was:
They're toxic!
Seriously, don't ever watch a single episode of high-rated K-dramas because you might not able to stop yourself from getting in front of your laptop seven hours a day.
And also, this is another friendly reminder before you go further.
Don't ever start watching a drama before it's completed! Just don't. Otherwise you would end up going insane waiting for the next episode because the ending of every episode IS MOSTLY CLIFFHANGER which is powerful enough to leave you dying mentally.
I've warned you.
I've been through this kind of feeling.
(all of the synopses are taken from Wikipedia or AsianWiki)
Number of episodes: 16 + 3 specials
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
Starring: Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, Yoo In-na, Yook Sung-jae
Release date: Dec 2016 - Jan 2017
IMDb rating: 8.9/10
My personal rating: 9/10
This was my first shot for K-dramas, and also the last day I'm having a healthy mind. Fantasy is not my genre to be honest, but this is a new way to enjoy the things I didn't like!
Kim Shin is a goblin and protector of souls. He lives with an amnesiac grim reaper who is in charge of taking deceased souls. He doesn't want immortality anymore (his age has already reached 900 years!), but needs a human bride in order to end his long life. Meanwhile, Ji Eun-tak is a high school student who despite her painful reality, remains optimistic. She summons the goblin by chance and through various encounters, ended up falling in love with him. Sunny is an owner of a chicken wing shop, and is a bright and attractive girl who is loved by all men. Everything changes when the grim reaper and Sunny meet.
Number of episodes: 16
Genre: Coming of age, Sports, Romantic-comedy
Starring: Lee Sung-kyung, Nam Joo-hyuk, Lee Jae-yoon, Kyung Soo-jin
Release date: Nov 2016 - Jan 2017
IMDb rating: 8.6/10
My personal rating: 9.4/10
Why 9.4/10?
Because the cuteness of the two lead roles is overload! It's not just a typical cheesy rom-com drama, you have to discover the truest chemistry between Sung-kyung and Joo-hyuk first to get what I mean. And Lee Jong-suk also takes part in this drama, he's one of my favourites Korean actors (even he was only a cameo). From the plot point of view, Goblin is way more exclusive. But if you're looking for lighthearted dramas, this should be on your list! It's also funny and entertaining. I often had to pause it because I kept howling with laughter alone in my room. A must-watch!!
Good news for you: Sung-kyung and Joo-hyuk are dating in real life after doing this drama and it's confirmed two months ago. Another reason why you must watch this drama!!
It's a coming-of-age story about a group of college athletes who are fighting for their dreams, experiencing and finding love in the process, and growing every step of the way.
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
My personal rating: 7.5/10
It is very popular among teenagers whose lives have been drowned into K-dramas world. I believe every single one has already watched this drama, even the newbies. But regardless of its popularity, if someone asked me for recommended dramas, I wouldn't mention it.
The story is overly dramatic, and the fairytale portion is too much. Ignoring the fact that it involves many famous actors and actresses like Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye, Park Hyung-sik, and Kim Ji-Won, it is disappointedly overrated. Too many episodes and weak climax make this drama boring. Family-and-school-life-friendship kind of thing is not my cup of tea. This is why I'm not interested in School and Reply series too.
The series follows a group of rich, privileged, and high school students as they are about to take over their families' business empires, overcoming difficulties and growing every step of the way.
Kim Tan is a wealthy heir to a large Korean conglomerate called Jeguk Group. He was exiled to the U.S. by his brother Kim Won, who tries to take control of the family business. While in the States, he meets Cha Eun-sang, who went there to look for her sister. Despite being engaged to Yoo Rachel, a fellow heiress, Kim Tan soon falls in love with Eun-sang.
But their acting should be appreciated. Suddenly bursting into tears in the middle of the speech or while being angry is a hard thing to do.
Starring: Lee Jong-suk, Park Shin-hye, Kim Young-kwang, Lee Yu-bi, Lee Pil-mo
Release date: Nov 2014 - Jan 2015
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
My personal rating: 9/10
This is the drama where I was starting to idolize Lee Jong-suk. The romance itself takes many parts in the story, but the aim of this drama is not emphasizing the romance until the two become one.
I was about to give it a higher rating but there's one thing I don't like about this drama: the kissing scenes. I never liked Park Shin-hye's kissing, though. But because Lee Jong-suk is a best one at it, so it doesn't seem bad at all.
As a child, Ha-Myeong grew up in a family with his firefighter father, mother and older brother. A fire at a waste facility though destroys his family. His mother dies a short time later and Ha-Myeong ends up being scooped out of the ocean by an unknown man. The man that pulls Ha-Myeong out of the ocean is the grandfather of In-Ha. In-Ha's grandfather believes Ha-Myeong is his eldest son Dal-Po, who died 30 years ago. Ha-Myeong is then adopted by In-Ha's grandfather and his name is changed to Dal-Po. In-Ha and Dal-Po now live together as uncle and niece, although they are in the same age range.
In-Ha has a Pinocchio Syndrome. Whenever she lies she gets the hiccups. In-Ha and Dal-Po get along well until Dal-Po learns that In-Ha's mother is the reporter that covered the waste facility fire that destroyed his family. Dal-Po tries to distance himself from In-Ha, but he also develops feelings for her. Years later, Dal-Po and In-Ha's family are now living in Seoul. In-Ha attempts to become a reporter like her mother. Dal-Po is also driving a taxi to support their family. One day, Dal-Po meets In-Ha's mother and decides to become a reporter so he can reveal the truth behind his father's death.
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Starring: Lee Jong-suk, Han Hyo-joo
Release date: July - Sept 2016
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
My personal rating: 11/10 !!!!!
THIS DRAMA IS UNBELIEVABLY A HOLY GRAIL.
It is not easy for me to rate a drama 10, but the number now reaches 11. I've watched 20 K-dramas the moment I'm writing this, and W is still my number one (but I think the one I'm currently watching right now will replace it, wait until I'm finished and I'll do the review for you). The characters, the plot, the acting, are all marvelous!
It's an action-packed drama with romance and is rich of fantastic plot twists. You WOULD NEVER be capable of guessing the ending even when you've reached the 13th episode! All of your high imaginations about it WOULD BE CRASHED DOWN the moment you discover how it truly goes.
It's almost full of cute love story half the total episodes, then it goes up and down, up and down, and you would experience a rapid roller coaster of emotions. In its cute-love-story moments, I believe you would be out of breath seeing Lee Jong-suk's performance! He's never looked that sexually attractive in his all previous dramas. No English word could ever define the view of him winking at you!! My eyes were not okay with this.
And an advice for you:
Prepare for sleepless day(s) because it's very hard not to click on the next episode. My favourite episode is Episode 7, and I dare you not to like it too (you can't, by the way).
Overall, this drama really leaves you speechless. If you're looking for serious dramas with a hint of romance, then this should be on your list. A very very very must-watch!!
p.s:
you should listen to its soundtrack titled "Where Are U".
Starring: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, Kim Ji-won
Release date: Feb - April 2016
IMDb rating: 8.6/10
My personal rating: 9/10
This drama is famously known for being the golden gate for K-dramas to be successful as ever. Many sources said after this drama was aired, the percentage of international streaming had spiked up.
Though its plot has military background, I think it's not suitable enough to be categorized as an action drama. Basically it is very romance. The acting and chemistry between every character are legend! No wonder why the "Song Song couple" are getting married in real life on October soon! I am very happy with this.
But, to be honest, the plot isn't that catchy. If it isn't about the characters' incredible chemistry, I doubt that it would be as damn hell popular as now. As I continued to the next episode I always wanted to drop this drama because it was starting to get boring, but I ended up just went forward to the not-boring parts.
To sum it up, it's still highly recommended! Try this.
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Number of episodes: 16 + 1 special
Genre: Fantasy, Thriller, Action, Romantic-comedy
Starring: Park Bo-young, Park Hyung-sik, Ji Soo
Release date: Feb - April 2017
IMDb rating: 8.4/10
My personal rating: 9.8/10
I give it a high rating because despite its simple plot, it's super funny and not boring at all! Another cute lighthearted drama since Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo released. The romance, comedy, and action are balanced, and the two lead roles are extremely cute. The action scenes are also not the heavy ones (not as heavy as W). The proportion of this drama is just perfectly on its place!
I really love the sparks between Park Bo-young and Park Hyung-sik. They should gain that "Park Park couple" label in real life. Please go dating!
They're toxic!
Seriously, don't ever watch a single episode of high-rated K-dramas because you might not able to stop yourself from getting in front of your laptop seven hours a day.
And also, this is another friendly reminder before you go further.
Don't ever start watching a drama before it's completed! Just don't. Otherwise you would end up going insane waiting for the next episode because the ending of every episode IS MOSTLY CLIFFHANGER which is powerful enough to leave you dying mentally.
I've warned you.
I've been through this kind of feeling.
(all of the synopses are taken from Wikipedia or AsianWiki)
1. GOBLIN (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
Starring: Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, Yoo In-na, Yook Sung-jae
Release date: Dec 2016 - Jan 2017
IMDb rating: 8.9/10
My personal rating: 9/10
This was my first shot for K-dramas, and also the last day I'm having a healthy mind. Fantasy is not my genre to be honest, but this is a new way to enjoy the things I didn't like!
Kim Shin is a goblin and protector of souls. He lives with an amnesiac grim reaper who is in charge of taking deceased souls. He doesn't want immortality anymore (his age has already reached 900 years!), but needs a human bride in order to end his long life. Meanwhile, Ji Eun-tak is a high school student who despite her painful reality, remains optimistic. She summons the goblin by chance and through various encounters, ended up falling in love with him. Sunny is an owner of a chicken wing shop, and is a bright and attractive girl who is loved by all men. Everything changes when the grim reaper and Sunny meet.
2. WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY KIM BOK JOO
Genre: Coming of age, Sports, Romantic-comedy
Starring: Lee Sung-kyung, Nam Joo-hyuk, Lee Jae-yoon, Kyung Soo-jin
Release date: Nov 2016 - Jan 2017
IMDb rating: 8.6/10
My personal rating: 9.4/10
Why 9.4/10?
Because the cuteness of the two lead roles is overload! It's not just a typical cheesy rom-com drama, you have to discover the truest chemistry between Sung-kyung and Joo-hyuk first to get what I mean. And Lee Jong-suk also takes part in this drama, he's one of my favourites Korean actors (even he was only a cameo). From the plot point of view, Goblin is way more exclusive. But if you're looking for lighthearted dramas, this should be on your list! It's also funny and entertaining. I often had to pause it because I kept howling with laughter alone in my room. A must-watch!!
Good news for you: Sung-kyung and Joo-hyuk are dating in real life after doing this drama and it's confirmed two months ago. Another reason why you must watch this drama!!
It's a coming-of-age story about a group of college athletes who are fighting for their dreams, experiencing and finding love in the process, and growing every step of the way.
3. BIG
Number of episodes: 16
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Starring: Gong Yoo, Lee Min-jung, Shin Won-ho, Bae Suzy
Release date: June - July 2012
IMDb rating: 7/10
My personal rating: 7.5/10
I really love the ideas of this drama, really, but somehow some parts are just too boring. It goes exciting at the beginning, a little bit boring at the middle, and horrible, confusing ending. I don't get enough elucidations from the ending. When someone says it has a horrible ending, people often say "maybe you're the one who's not being realistic". Well, I highly appreciate realistic plots, but this one is just too dangling. Maybe the script writer really should've explained this more because many people broke their heads over this ending.
Gil Da-ran is a high school teacher, and is engaged to a kind and handsome doctor, Seo Yoon-jae. It is a fairy tale until one month before the wedding, when Yoon-jae inexplicably becomes distant. At the same time, Da-ran meets an 18-years-old transfer student from the USA, Kang Kyung-joon, who's got an attitude towards everyone except Da-ran. Kyung-joon gets into a fateful car accident with Yoon-jae and both of them drive over the guard rail and into the deep water. Yoon-jae tries to save Kyung-joon but in the process, Yoon-jae ostensibly dies and Kyung-joon ends up in a coma. Kyung-joon soon wakes up finding himself in Yoon-jae's dead body.
Yes, it's about body swapping.
I also read so much about issues with the drama because the young guy was considered 'underage' for the main actress so they gave Gong Yoo a scene where it should've been better if it was him. I hate the character Jang Mari too. She's like the Rachel in The Heirs. But unlike Jang Mari, one way or another I can't growing hatred against Rachel. Jang Mari is unreasonably silly and immature for me.
But aside from that, I profoundly adore Gong Yoo and Min-jung's acting. The chemistry is good. You could give it a look if you're curious, then.
Starring: Gong Yoo, Lee Min-jung, Shin Won-ho, Bae Suzy
Release date: June - July 2012
IMDb rating: 7/10
My personal rating: 7.5/10
I really love the ideas of this drama, really, but somehow some parts are just too boring. It goes exciting at the beginning, a little bit boring at the middle, and horrible, confusing ending. I don't get enough elucidations from the ending. When someone says it has a horrible ending, people often say "maybe you're the one who's not being realistic". Well, I highly appreciate realistic plots, but this one is just too dangling. Maybe the script writer really should've explained this more because many people broke their heads over this ending.
Gil Da-ran is a high school teacher, and is engaged to a kind and handsome doctor, Seo Yoon-jae. It is a fairy tale until one month before the wedding, when Yoon-jae inexplicably becomes distant. At the same time, Da-ran meets an 18-years-old transfer student from the USA, Kang Kyung-joon, who's got an attitude towards everyone except Da-ran. Kyung-joon gets into a fateful car accident with Yoon-jae and both of them drive over the guard rail and into the deep water. Yoon-jae tries to save Kyung-joon but in the process, Yoon-jae ostensibly dies and Kyung-joon ends up in a coma. Kyung-joon soon wakes up finding himself in Yoon-jae's dead body.
Yes, it's about body swapping.
I also read so much about issues with the drama because the young guy was considered 'underage' for the main actress so they gave Gong Yoo a scene where it should've been better if it was him. I hate the character Jang Mari too. She's like the Rachel in The Heirs. But unlike Jang Mari, one way or another I can't growing hatred against Rachel. Jang Mari is unreasonably silly and immature for me.
But aside from that, I profoundly adore Gong Yoo and Min-jung's acting. The chemistry is good. You could give it a look if you're curious, then.
4. THE HEIRS
Number of episodes: 20
Genre: Romance, Drama, Teen
Starring: Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye, Kim Ji-Won, Kim Woo-bin, Park Hyung-sik, Krystal Jung
Release date: Oct - Dec 2013Starring: Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye, Kim Ji-Won, Kim Woo-bin, Park Hyung-sik, Krystal Jung
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
My personal rating: 7.5/10
The story is overly dramatic, and the fairytale portion is too much. Ignoring the fact that it involves many famous actors and actresses like Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye, Park Hyung-sik, and Kim Ji-Won, it is disappointedly overrated. Too many episodes and weak climax make this drama boring. Family-and-school-life-friendship kind of thing is not my cup of tea. This is why I'm not interested in School and Reply series too.
The series follows a group of rich, privileged, and high school students as they are about to take over their families' business empires, overcoming difficulties and growing every step of the way.
Kim Tan is a wealthy heir to a large Korean conglomerate called Jeguk Group. He was exiled to the U.S. by his brother Kim Won, who tries to take control of the family business. While in the States, he meets Cha Eun-sang, who went there to look for her sister. Despite being engaged to Yoo Rachel, a fellow heiress, Kim Tan soon falls in love with Eun-sang.
But their acting should be appreciated. Suddenly bursting into tears in the middle of the speech or while being angry is a hard thing to do.
5. PINOCCHIO
Number of episodes: 20
Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy, FamilyStarring: Lee Jong-suk, Park Shin-hye, Kim Young-kwang, Lee Yu-bi, Lee Pil-mo
Release date: Nov 2014 - Jan 2015
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
My personal rating: 9/10
This is the drama where I was starting to idolize Lee Jong-suk. The romance itself takes many parts in the story, but the aim of this drama is not emphasizing the romance until the two become one.
I was about to give it a higher rating but there's one thing I don't like about this drama: the kissing scenes. I never liked Park Shin-hye's kissing, though. But because Lee Jong-suk is a best one at it, so it doesn't seem bad at all.
As a child, Ha-Myeong grew up in a family with his firefighter father, mother and older brother. A fire at a waste facility though destroys his family. His mother dies a short time later and Ha-Myeong ends up being scooped out of the ocean by an unknown man. The man that pulls Ha-Myeong out of the ocean is the grandfather of In-Ha. In-Ha's grandfather believes Ha-Myeong is his eldest son Dal-Po, who died 30 years ago. Ha-Myeong is then adopted by In-Ha's grandfather and his name is changed to Dal-Po. In-Ha and Dal-Po now live together as uncle and niece, although they are in the same age range.
In-Ha has a Pinocchio Syndrome. Whenever she lies she gets the hiccups. In-Ha and Dal-Po get along well until Dal-Po learns that In-Ha's mother is the reporter that covered the waste facility fire that destroyed his family. Dal-Po tries to distance himself from In-Ha, but he also develops feelings for her. Years later, Dal-Po and In-Ha's family are now living in Seoul. In-Ha attempts to become a reporter like her mother. Dal-Po is also driving a taxi to support their family. One day, Dal-Po meets In-Ha's mother and decides to become a reporter so he can reveal the truth behind his father's death.
6. W (TWO WORLDS)
Number of episodes: 16
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Suspense, ThrillerStarring: Lee Jong-suk, Han Hyo-joo
Release date: July - Sept 2016
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
My personal rating: 11/10 !!!!!
THIS DRAMA IS UNBELIEVABLY A HOLY GRAIL.
It is not easy for me to rate a drama 10, but the number now reaches 11. I've watched 20 K-dramas the moment I'm writing this, and W is still my number one (but I think the one I'm currently watching right now will replace it, wait until I'm finished and I'll do the review for you). The characters, the plot, the acting, are all marvelous!
It's an action-packed drama with romance and is rich of fantastic plot twists. You WOULD NEVER be capable of guessing the ending even when you've reached the 13th episode! All of your high imaginations about it WOULD BE CRASHED DOWN the moment you discover how it truly goes.
It's almost full of cute love story half the total episodes, then it goes up and down, up and down, and you would experience a rapid roller coaster of emotions. In its cute-love-story moments, I believe you would be out of breath seeing Lee Jong-suk's performance! He's never looked that sexually attractive in his all previous dramas. No English word could ever define the view of him winking at you!! My eyes were not okay with this.
And an advice for you:
Prepare for sleepless day(s) because it's very hard not to click on the next episode. My favourite episode is Episode 7, and I dare you not to like it too (you can't, by the way).
Overall, this drama really leaves you speechless. If you're looking for serious dramas with a hint of romance, then this should be on your list. A very very very must-watch!!
p.s:
you should listen to its soundtrack titled "Where Are U".
7. DESCENDANTS OF THE SUN
Number of episodes: 16 + 3 specials
Genre: Romance, Drama, ActionStarring: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, Kim Ji-won
Release date: Feb - April 2016
IMDb rating: 8.6/10
My personal rating: 9/10
This drama is famously known for being the golden gate for K-dramas to be successful as ever. Many sources said after this drama was aired, the percentage of international streaming had spiked up.
Though its plot has military background, I think it's not suitable enough to be categorized as an action drama. Basically it is very romance. The acting and chemistry between every character are legend! No wonder why the "Song Song couple" are getting married in real life on October soon! I am very happy with this.
But, to be honest, the plot isn't that catchy. If it isn't about the characters' incredible chemistry, I doubt that it would be as damn hell popular as now. As I continued to the next episode I always wanted to drop this drama because it was starting to get boring, but I ended up just went forward to the not-boring parts.
To sum it up, it's still highly recommended! Try this.
8. STRONG WOMAN DO BONG-SOON
Genre: Fantasy, Thriller, Action, Romantic-comedy
Starring: Park Bo-young, Park Hyung-sik, Ji Soo
Release date: Feb - April 2017
IMDb rating: 8.4/10
My personal rating: 9.8/10
I give it a high rating because despite its simple plot, it's super funny and not boring at all! Another cute lighthearted drama since Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo released. The romance, comedy, and action are balanced, and the two lead roles are extremely cute. The action scenes are also not the heavy ones (not as heavy as W). The proportion of this drama is just perfectly on its place!
I really love the sparks between Park Bo-young and Park Hyung-sik. They should gain that "Park Park couple" label in real life. Please go dating!
Bong-Soon was born with superhuman like strength. Her strength is hereditary and passed along only to the women in her family. Her dream is to create a video game with herself as the main character. One day, Bong-Soon helps out a bus driver who is being attacked by a thug. Soon, a small mob of thugs attack Bong-Soon, but she is easily able to wipe the floor with them. During this time, Min-Hyuk drives up to the scene of Bong-Soon beating up the group of thugs. Min-Hyuk is the CEO of video gaming company Ainsoft. He has recently received anonymous threats and even followed by an unknown person. Min-Hyuk believes Bong-Soon would make a great bodyguard with her amazing strength. Besides offering Bong-Soon high pay, he even offers her the chance of working in the planning department of his gaming company if she does well.
Meanwhile, crimes against women take place in the neighborhood where Bong-Soon lives. Detective Kook-Doo also lives in the same neighborhood. They have been friends since they were kids. Bong-Soon is also madly in love with him, but he has a girlfriend. Kook-Doo tries to solve the case and Bong-Soon is determined to catch the culprit after her friend was targeted. Under the help and training from Min-hyuk, she manages to control her strength to use it for good causes. Min-hyuk and Bong-soon find themselves and their relationship growing into something more.
Meanwhile, crimes against women take place in the neighborhood where Bong-Soon lives. Detective Kook-Doo also lives in the same neighborhood. They have been friends since they were kids. Bong-Soon is also madly in love with him, but he has a girlfriend. Kook-Doo tries to solve the case and Bong-Soon is determined to catch the culprit after her friend was targeted. Under the help and training from Min-hyuk, she manages to control her strength to use it for good causes. Min-hyuk and Bong-soon find themselves and their relationship growing into something more.
If you enjoy Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, you'll love this too.
that's all for Part 1.
I'll be back with the Part 2. Make sure you don't miss it.
Thanks for reading!
