A GUIDE IN STARTING YOUR KOREAN DRAMA SERIES BINGE-WATCHING EXTRAVAGANZA
- By Trixie Waasdorp
- 4 years ago in SHOWS & MOVIES
- 3 Comments
Amidst Filipino Director, Erik Matti’s post on Twitter for the comment he made about K-dramas, We are doing a crash course and a round-up on how you can start binge-watching K-dramas per category.
A word of caution though, we just hand-picked these titles. Every show still depends on your taste, so pardon us if we didn’t include your favorite. Read it all up after the jump.
The Enhanced Community Quarantine got us all binging on all series on Netflix, and while we love our usual western series, Korean dramas really got us curious! Recently, Itaewon Class, Hotel del Luna and Crash Landing On You have been appearing on everybody’s feed due to its interesting plots and tear-jerking scenes.
In a Facebook post, Korean drama fanatic Penny Wong grouped all Kdramas to watch by category so she can have an easy time choosing what to watch. She along with her sister, Fanny Wong was able to watch over 100 Korean series. However, since we know that this could be very overwhelming especially for those who are just starting, we picked the top three per category to give you a headstart on what to watch right now.
THE CLASSIC STARTERS
You may start off your K-drama immersion by watching Boys Over Flowers which stars Lee Min Ho, it follows the story of a working-class girl who gets tangled up in the lives of a group of wealthy young men in her high school. It earned high viewership ratings in South Korea and popularity throughout Asia.
Follow it with Coffee Prince, it is a Television series that you can now watch on streaming services like Netflix or Viu. The story revolves around the love life and dreams of four young people who meet together at a cafe. It stars Train to Busan lead actor Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun-Hye.
Next up, a Korean series that follows a story of an aspiring writer and an egotistical Korean actor entitled, Full House. A bit of trivia, did you know that Full House is a place built especially for the series. It is located in the Gwangyeok-si area of Incheon. This Korean Drama stars Song Hye Kyo and Rain.
THE ROMANTIC DRAMA
Once you have successfully got through the classic yet romantic Korean series. You may now jump to these three. Starting off with Descendants of the Sun. It tells the story of a special forces captain and a doctor who falls in love while providing aid in a country dealing with a natural disaster and civil strife. This series is filled with sappy scenes that took the drama world by storm. It stars Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo.
Up next, Goblin. It is a fantasy romance about a modern-day goblin who seeks to end his cursed immortal life and needs a human bride to do so. The story got more interesting when his life then becomes intertwined with a grim reaper who is unable to remember his past. It stars Gong Yoo, Lee Dong Wook, and Kim Go Eun.
Top it all off with the sensational Crash Landing On You which tells the story of two star crossed lovers, Yoon Se-ri, a South Korean Chaebol heiress, and Ri Jeong-hyeok, a member of the North Korean elite and the Captain of the North Korean Special Forces. This interesting series which stars Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin is a story that testifies love has no boundaries.
FOR ROMANTIC-COMEDY
, This tops our list, and we suggest that you start with The Weight Lifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo which stars Nam Joo Hyuk and Lee Sung-Kyung. Followed by What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?, which tells a story around the ambitious Vice Chairman of a major corporation, Lee Young-joon, and his highly capable secretary, Kim Mi-so. It stars Park Min Young and Park Seo Jo. Then finish your Rom-com dose with a dash of Touch Your Heart which stars Yoo In-na and Lee Dong-wook.
FOR SAEGUK
These are the series filmed in historical setup. So imagine a lot of Hanboks on this list. Start off with Ruler: Master of the Mask, which stars Yoo Seung Ho and follows the story of is about a Joseon prince forced to hide his face with a mask who fights against injustice in society by going up against a shadow organization wanting to privatize the waters of Joseon.
Next up, Love in the Moonlight. It is a romance drama focused on the Crown Prince Lee Yeong which is played by Park Bo Gum and a girl pretending to be eunuch who lived her life as a boy without knowing the reason until after 18 years of her life, played by Kim Yoo Jung.
Lastly, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, if you’re looking for a dose of good looking boys set in the Joseon era this series is for you. Imagine Boys Over Flower set in a historical era plus more. This is what you’ll be getting.
FOR COMING-OF-AGE
Reply 1988 revolves around the lives of a group of five friends in Ssangmun-dong, a small neighborhood in Seoul. Most of the series covered their struggles and memorable moments when they were 18 and 19 years old. It stars Park Bo-gum and Hyeri.
Heirs, it follows a group of rich, privileged high school students as they are about to take over their families’ business empires, overcoming difficulties and growing every step of the way. It stars Lee Min-Ho and Park Shin-hye
Dream High, tells the story of six students at Kirin Art High School who work to achieve their dreams of becoming music stars in the Korean music industry. It stars Kim Soo-Hyun and Bae Suzy.
THE NOT-SO-TYPICAL STORY
Kingdom, is a series set in Korea’s medieval Joseon period where a crown prince is sent on a suicide mission to investigate a mysterious outbreak that leads him to a brutal truth that threatens the kingdom. It is currently streaming on Netflix and stars Ju Ji-hoon and Bae Doona.
Itaewon Class tells the story of ex-convict Park Sae-ro-yi whose life has been turned upside down after his father is killed in an accident. It stars Park Seo-joon and Kim Da-mi. Top off this list with a drama series about wealth and fame in Sky Castle.
FOR HEAVY DRAMA
Chocolate, it follows the story of a man who abandons his childhood dream of opening his own restaurant and a woman who becomes a chef because of him. It stars Yoon Kye-sang and Ha Ji-won.
Innocent Man, this series stars Song Joong-ki, Park Si-yeon, and Moon Chae-won tells a story about a smart and promising medical student Kang Ma-ru (Song Joong-ki) who is deeply in love with his slightly older neighbor Han Jae-hee (Park Si-yeon), a television reporter who turns her back on Ma-ru, choosing money over love.
Uncontrollably Fond, is a story about classmates Shin Joon-young and Noh Eul who were separated during their teenage years due to an ill-fated relationship. It stars Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy.
We know it’s a lot, but it is definitely easier to start with the genre you like the most. This list is enough to keep you company until the Enhanced Community Quarantine has been finally lifted.
Trixie Waasdorp
Trixie Waasdorp Studied Bachelor of Arts in International Studies Major in European Studies at De La Salle University, she is fond of Korean dramas and loves to travel.
