Best Shows of 2021

Great lead performances by Lee Je Hoon and Tang Jun Sang as an odd couple uncle & nephew running a business of sorting through the deceased person's belongings. A tight core cast ensemble helps this novel premise that sticks to a procedural format for most of its run. Each episode brings a fresh story all of which feature terrific writing. The tearjerking highlight though is when the focus turns to Tang Jun Sang's Geu Ru adoption backstory. 

An odd but fascinating show with some of the best music, both score and soundtrack, of the year. Lee Young Ae is the ace title character, a brilliant investigator with questionable personal hygiene and some self-destructive tendencies. She leads a crew with some fine supporting acting work by Kwak Sun Young, a mostly mute Baek Sung Chul and Jo Hyun Chul. The antagonists are the real delight though as Lee Hong Nae is stellar as serial killer K's number two and half of an enchanting supporting romance and Kim Hye Joon breaks out as effervescent K, a brilliant but unhinged vigilante. 

The only show that hasn't ended its run on the list but it has been such a charmer and is far enough along that it merits a spot. There are few better cast ensembles than this with stellar supporting portrayals from Park Jin Joo, Seo Jung Yeon, Park Won Sang and Ahn Dong Goo. Bonus points are awarded here to the casting director that found Song Ha Hyun who plays the childhood version of Choi Ung and is not just adorable, but perfectly mimics Choi Woo Shik's performance. It also boasts a terrific OST led by V's "Christmas Tree". The high point of the production is Choi Woo Shik who creates a marvelous lead character who alternates between a desire for a quiet, easy life and a passion for his art.

Look past the lousy marketing that billed this show as a crudely humorous glorification of binge drinking because this is a remarkable modern take on how young adults encounter disillusionment and disempowerment instead of the financial rewards and professional success they expect as they begin their careers. There's some wonderful guest spots by Kim Ji Suk and Jung Eun Pyo and an emotionally devastating appearance by Han Ji Hyo. But it's the bond between the three main characters played by Lee Sun Bin, Han Sun Hwa and Jung Eun Ji that raises this show to great heights. Each member of the trio is fresh and unique and multifaceted and funny and strong. Hopefully one of the big streaming platforms adds this asap.

Just a warm, coming-of-age tale of a group of friends encountering first loves, athletic disappointments and accomplishments and life in a small town. The performances by this ensemble of teens outshines almost all the adult supporting cast (who frankly only sporadically add much enjoyment) and the narrative steers its way through teasing collisions with cliche only to cleverly spring fresh spins through school, sports and parenting storylines. 

Although the five main characters and actors get most of the attention, this production has an unbelievable roster of supporting and guest actors. It's hard to imagine any show will have as good a quartet of supporting roles & actors as Shin Hyun Bin, Ahn Eun Jin, Jung Moon Sung and Kwak Sun Young. Medical storylines make good drama, but it's the depth of each character and the relationships between them that puts this show in rare company. As a whole, season two may not be as consistently good as season one, but the first four episodes are the best in either season. 

Without this cast and this crew behind the camera, "You Are My Spring" was likely headed for "just another show" status. But the photography and direction were top shelf and the acting was stellar including Kim Dong Wook who had the best performance of any actor in 2021. Not many shows can competently mix rom-com and a serial killer mystery like this and it also boasts a strong OST. The narrative started stronger than it finished and it didn't manage to steer totally clear of some relationship tropes which bumps it down a couple notches.