korean drama recs :))

Genre/tags: Romance, Sports, Slice of Life

A bit slow-moving, but that's what I liked about it. The ML was adorable! The SML was adorable! The main romance was adorable! (and also healthy and comforting.) It took awhile to get through, but I'm glad I did. All around feel-good vibes with a touch of drama and some well placed humor.

Genre/tags: Slice of Life, Comedy, Prison, Bromance

As wholesome as prison can get. Favorite part of this drama was definitely the friendships between the ML and his cellmates + his prison guard best friend. Comedy was top notch. It's basically slice of life (and you know I love slice of life) but in a prison. Of course then it has its dark moments, as the setting as not exactly the most sunshiney of places, but the friendships always bring you back to a happier place.

Genre/tags: Friendship, Medical, Slice of Life, Slight Romance

Another squad show! I love squad shows. Nothing really happens in this show and I absolutely loved it. Plotless but somehow super entertaining and engaging?? Again top notch humor (probably has to do with the fact that prison playbook and hospital playlist share the same director and screenwriter). The friendships in this drama are absolutely adorable and so wholesome and will make you smile a lot.

Genre/tags: Action, Comedy, Crime, Mystery

Loved the characters! It was not so much the dynamics between them but the level of comfort the watcher develops with each of the characters. The comedy and comedic timing is absolutely gold and well balanced with the action and darker aspects of the drama. All the characters are crazy, and that's what makes them so great.

Genre/tags: Romance, Comedy, High School, Makeup

This is the HEAR ME OUT drama of the list. Yes, it can be dumb but I thought it was also hilarious. At least to me, the FL is likable and funny and enjoyable to watch. The SML is equally funny, so when they appear together chaos ensues, and I love chaos. It definitely could have been more successful in carrying out a deeper message, being relatable, and overall tackling the issue more forwardly, but it stuck to a lighter rom com vibe and that's okay.

Genre/tags: Thriller, Mystery, Female-centric, Rich People

I would never put this on my favorite dramas list but it's probably one of the most bingeable dramas I've ever watched. Some unnecessary subplots here and there, but overall it's very intriguing. Loved the focus on the strong female characters!

Genre/tags: Comedy, Law, Crime, Fighting Corruption

I know what you're thinking right now. "How could she rate THIS 10 stars?" To which I say it's probably because I actually enjoyed this drama from start to finish which is so rare for me. It's funny, it's interesting, and it's a nice balance of dark and lighthearted. The Geumga Plaza residents were wholesome as heck. The romance wasn't great, but I didn't mind it, and I was more focused on the bromance anyway lol.

Genre/tags: Slice-of-Life, Law, Romance

I just really loved the dynamics of the han bada team. It's episodic, so might not be everyone's taste, but somehow I flew through the episodes. I loved seeing how woo young woo approached each case.

Genre/tags: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, Small Town Setting

Cute! Sweet! My teeth ache! The romance was absolutely adorable, it was very rewarding to stick around for this drama. As I always mention, I love slice of life so that was a bonus. The ML is pretty charismatic. I'm only disappointed in how little I cared about the side characters, since usually in these kinds of dramas I look forward to the quirky, sweet side storylines.

Genre/tags: Romance, College, Body Image Insecurity

To be honest I might just be shocked that a BL can be this well acted and filmed lol. Very sweet, and it has that slow moving, healing vibe that I love. The main leads are adorable together; they have great chemistry and a nice growth journey in the drama. Bonus: Jo Hyuk Joon is also very charismatic as Hyeong Da Un.

Genre/tags: Friendship, Romance, Slice-of-Life, Comedy, Mystery

Friendship goals! Cute, heartwarming, funny, and a dash of suspenseful all in one drama. You'll fall in love with (most of) the girls and be rooting for them the whole way! This drama surprisingly focuses more on the individual storylines than exploring their dynamics. A few relationships between the main characters are explored, but not very many, and not very many group moments either. I still really enjoyed being able to see each character in depth.