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In recent years, Korean dramas have gained global popularity. Below is our list of five shows you'll want to revisit time and time again.
Just like manga and Japanese animation Korean dramas have gained significant popularity beyond Korea’s borders. Featuring mixes of action, sci-fi, and horror genres, these shows now boast sophisticated scripting that can compete with major Hollywood productions. Below are five essential series to watch.
Mr. Sunshine (2020) directed by Lee Eung-Bok - streaming on Netflix
This narrative follows the life of Eugene Choi, a young boy who lived through the events of the Korean Expedition in 1871. Fleeing from enslavement, he managed to board an American naval vessel. Years afterward, this individual came back to his native land not just as someone who left but now as a seasoned soldier during a period when Korea was embroiled in numerous conflicts with invading forces. Mr. Sunshine portrays South Korea enduring one of its toughest historical eras. The filmmaker aimed to highlight the engrossing quality of the show through detailed settings and attire that accurately reflect the times. This effort transports viewers right back into the past.
My Name (2021) by Kim Jin-Min - accessible on Netflix
Following the tragic killing of her father, Yun Ji Wu pursues vengeance. Realizing her family’s connection to one of South Korea's dominant criminal organizations, she must abandon her past to join the police force and uncover those responsible. Netflix Initially, you find yourself deeply engaged in the investigation, meticulously examining every episode for the subtle hints strategically placed by the director. Each scene moves swiftly and is executed flawlessly, complemented by a distinctive musical score and a highly ominous atmosphere. As the narrative unfolds, an unsettling feeling grows as you realize certain crucial pieces of the puzzle are absent when trying to unravel the enigma surrounding Ji Wu.
Reply 1988 (2018) directed by Shin Won-Ho - streaming on Netflix
Streamed on Netflix, this show brims with '80s nostalgia. The narrative revolves around five childhood buddies—Deok Seon, Seon Wu, Dong Ryeong, Taek, and Jeong Hwan—who along with their families inhabit a close-knit neighborhood in Seoul. As they approach adulthood at eighteen, the plot captures their everyday experiences within an evolving South Korea gradually opening up to global influences. Through these personal moments and emotional journeys, viewers gain insight into each individual’s transformation, fostering strong connections with the characters swiftly. Reply 1988 is a way of reliving the melancholy of your early years, your first love, the anxiety of exams and the first steps into adult life.
I’m not a robot (2017) by Jung Dae-Yoon - streaming on Netflix
The affluent CEO of a South Korean startup, Min-Kyu, suffers from an aversion to physical touch. His world gets shaken up when an unusual entity appears—a human-like robot with which he begins to have peculiar emotions. K-drama aims to shed light on human trauma. For Min-Kyu, this condition serves mainly as a shield against the outside world. Although the show has science fiction elements, its central focus is on human psychology. It offers a means to delve deeper into the origins of our deepest fears and learn how to confront them with courage.
Pinocchio (2018) by Jo Soo-Won - accessible on Netflix
Driven by a media initiative portraying his father as responsible for a deadly incident, Ha-Myeong chooses to pursue journalism. Partnered with an unconventional colleague, this young man uncovers a realm marked by insincere grins, rampant corruption, forcing him into deception. This narrative blends elements of both drama and romance. Pinocchio This serves as an excellent criticism of South Korean media during the early 2000s. The narrative centers on the dual identity experienced by the protagonist. He faces a choice: conform to the system that compels him to manipulate facts for his organization’s benefit, or rebel against it, risking antagonizing those who hold power over his career prospects.
