South Korean Dramas I have loved
These dramas have engaged me on an emotional level. The directors have played with my feeling and I have; laughed, cried, gnashed my teeth in frustration or stared gooey eyed as I ship the couples.
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1. 3-Iron
Korean Movie - 2004
This drama shook me.
All the components are like the haunting background music they come together seamlessly. -
2. A Gentleman's Dignity
Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes
Loved every aspect of this LOL drama. The actors were terrific and captured my interest and laughter every episode. PS the prologues were brilliant.
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3. A Man and A Woman
Korean Movie - 2016
This movie portrays the loneliness that can occur in marriage and a chance encounter that opens up all of the passion and intimacy that is craved. The two actors are superb at conveying emotions with just their body language, The cold, white snow is like the silent spaces in their dialogue as each character makes decisions that will affect themselves and their families.
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4. Alchemy of Souls
Korean Drama - 2022, 20 episodes
Lots of good special effects and martial arts but the main reason is both of the actors are very good.
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5. Avengers Social Club
Korean Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
Brilliant! Such a great depiction of women breaking out of their normal character and seeking revenge on significant males who are behaving badly. I loved the realism of them not getting everything right and their perseverance to a satisfying conclusion.
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6. Blueming
Korean Drama - 2022, 11 episodes
The actors are very natural in their responses and the 'human-ness' of their love is beautiful to watch at the end I sat for a while just recalling scenes.
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7. Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies
Korean Movie - 2015
Take two beautiful female leads combine them in a sex toy business and get set for a hilarious movie.
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8. Chicago Typewriter
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Thoroughly enjoyed the weaving of present day story with past life story.
Using the novel writer as the basis to explore the past, introduce a ghost character who is linked to an ancient typewriter and is the instigator of their shared past life experience, throw in a fan girl who was a dangerous sniper in her past life, add appropriate and memorable music, fabulous cinematography and top notch acting - enjoy.
Very clever script, editing and set designs round out this well produced drama. -
9. Chief Kim
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
The setting is sober corporate and the characters are fabulous, the pacing is frenzied and the plot twists will leave you spinning.
All of my emotions were engaged at the different shifts in the fortunes and failures on screen. A huge amount of LOL moments and the writers and actors nailed the timing. -
10. Coffee Prince
Korean Drama - 2007, 17 episodes
This was incredibly engaging and entertaining. The acting was terrific. I loved all the main leads but the chemistry between Choy Han Gyul and Go Eun Chan is magic. Excellent comedic timing and lovely character nuances brought this drama into a very high level for me. I could not stop watching and crammed it into 2 days. I was sad it ended I could have followed their relationship for a lot more insights.
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11. Dali and Gamjatang
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Loved it!
The review by Anushka says all that I would like to comment on so I would just urge you to watch this very well put together drama with the cutest couple imaginable. -
12. Een lente nacht
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
The people depicted were very real and relatable so kudos to the whole ensemble.
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13. Encounter
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
One of the directors is Park Shin Woo and I am a fan of his work. I think the actors shine; their line delivery, timing, subtle actions all help to show the slow build up to a deep, lasting love. Add in beautiful art, lines of poetry, well chosen music, photography and Park Bo Gum's smile - what is not to love.
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14. Frightening Cohabitation
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
I loved this mythical creature romcom. It is well acted/edited/directed. The FL is delightful and funny and sweet and the ML depicts this jaded fox that has had to live for such a long time his senses and interests have become numbed. Enter the romance and enjoy the ride. I will watch this again it was very entertaining.
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15. Healer
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
Wow! I would rate this higher if I could. The acting is mesmerising. The male lead Ji Chang Wook (as Park Bong Soo) morphs his character seamlessly. With only minimal props he can assume different personas. The female lead Park Mi n Young (as Ji An) is so very lovely and I felt just as protective toward her as the Healer does.
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16. Heart to Heart
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
I was totally immersed in this drama and feel that because of all the layers it is definitely rewatchable. The actors and their complex characters are slowly revealed in a well thought out and satisfying way. I love that the FL is not 'made over' to suit the romantic ideal.
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17. History of the Salaryman
Korean Drama - 2012, 22 episodes
Pure entertainment in every episode and some of the funniest moments I have had the pleasure to watch in a South Korean drama. I will definitely watch this again and I don't need to add much more because some of the reviewers have all ready nailed it.
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18. Ho Goo's Love
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
The comedy in this drama is outstanding I laughed uproariously, giggled often and cracked up a lot. Based on my enjoyment with every episode (great cliff-hanger endings) I am going to search out other dramas written by Noon Yan Joong.
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19. Ik ben geen robot
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
This drama gave me such a warm feeling I binge watched at times not wanting to leave until I knew what happened next. I felt all my emotions engaged and this was due to the great acting and directing also the two ML and MF had terrific chemistry. As the story unfolded I began to understand why the ML needed to believe in his robot and why his robot decided to make him believe in her.
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20. It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
The thought and care that has gone into this drama is breathtaking.
From the opening animations, camera work, complexity of the characters and outstanding performances from the ensemble I loved it - plus the best MF clothing ever. -
21. Kobold
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
This drama was outstanding for me. It has a level of complexity that really appealed. I felt for the characters and cried buckets over the painful parts. I was hooked right from the start the music and cinematography brought the standard to a high level. In the early episodes the laugh out loud moments were wonderful and the ML's especially good at the deadpan, fast delivery and comic timing.
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22. Lovestruck in the City
Korean Drama - 2020, 17 episodes
This drama has a terrific twist and pretends to be a documentary of youth and their relationships whilst taking you into their lives.
The drama has an odd vibe and it is definitely worth persisting through to the end. I got hooked and am glad I finished all the episodes it takes a very humane and realistic look at relationships.
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23. Mission Possible
Korean Movie - 2021
Totally enjoyed this over the top spoof of a spy story.
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24. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
I was hooked from the start with this drama. I ended up binge watching because at the end of each episode I HAD to know what is happening next. The direction and acting helped me to immerse myself in the plot. In the beginning the lightness and humour was adorable. As the storyline develops my allegiances were shifting as tragedies unfolded and weaknesses in the individuals came into play. I laughed, I cried (heaps - keep a box of tissues nearby) I got angry and disgusted and many more emotions because I cared what happened to these individuals.
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25. My P.S. Partner
Korean Movie - 2012
It is a fun, sexy, romp of a movie and the FL Yoon Jung (Kim Ah Joong) totally owns this role. The comedic timing is terrific and her portrayal as a modern, sexually expressive woman is refreshing.
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26. Nevertheless,
Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
Where the drama gets interesting, for me, is in the psychological disparity between the actors intentions and actions. -
27. Psychopath Diary
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
The black comedy may not suit everyone as it relies on absurdist humour creating awkward and hilarious encounters and reactions. It shows up regularly in every episode and I was grateful for this as it was a counterfoil to the truly horrible planned murders from our handsome and urbane psychopath, Seo In Woo.
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28. Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung
Korean Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
I know how much I loved this drama because the 40 episodes flew by and I could have happily watched more. The acting, the relationship and terrific directing kept this story zipping along with just enough hints to realise there is a bigger issue in the background.
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29. Stray Kids
Korean TV Show - 2017, 10 episodes
Even knowing the outcome could not protect my emotions as they battle it out during 'missions' hoping to gain recognition for their skills.
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30. Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Korean Drama - 2010, 20 episodes
Loved it! Binge watched the last part because I was so invested in the storyline , plot twists and characters. OK the costumes looked odd to me but I have not studied that era. Some of the lingering scenes lingered a little too long but overall the direction was terrific.
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31. The Greatest Love
Korean Drama - 2011, 16 episodes
Great story. Fun characters. Tight plot. Terrific actors with great comedic timing. All adds up to pure entertainment.
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32. The Handmaiden
Korean Movie - 2016
I was blown away by this film. The acting was excellent and splitting the story into two perspectives gave even more depth to the plot. I was drawn in to the brooding, almost claustrophobic atmosphere that underlies the darker aspects of the main characters. What made it so watchable was the con set up I was hoping for reprieve. Then came the twist and more of the background of perversion is revealed that makes the revenge all the sweeter. I loved the erotic scenes and the reading of erotic literature was awesome. I recommend this to anyone who can handle mature themes.
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33. Unintentional Love Story
Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
I was totally captured by the 4 main actors in this drama.
The two main leads were perfect as the main love interest. Each was given enough backstory issues to create the misunderstanding that almost topples their slow burn romance.
Their attraction is subtle and wonderfully depicted in their body language and facial expressions.