Not my absolute favourites, but still pretty darn good

A list of all the shows that aren't my favourites, BUT I'll still recommend to others. Each will have a few notes from me and a synopsis. Not in order.

My favourite shows are here.

SophieMadde aug 30, 2024
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  • A Prefabricated Family

    1. A Prefabricated Family

    Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes

    9.0

    "Despite not being biologically related, Kim San Ha, Yun Ju Won, and Kang Hae Jun share a close bond with each other. The trio spent their adolescence raised by Ju Won's father, Jeong Jae, and San Ha's father, Dae Uk, who did their best to give them a happy childhood as they healed from past trauma. Upon reaching adulthood, however, San Ha and Hae Jun sought out their biological families, leaving Ju Won behind. 10 years past and how will those years have impacted their relationships"

    This show is a remake of the chinese drama Go Ahead. Both are good in each way, but I'll say that the story is stronger in this remake. A lot of issues from Go Ahead has been adressed and it's overall a more smooth story. But it may feel a bit rushed since they've crammed a 40 ep story to 16. It's definitely worth the watch if you love found family, family relations and romance that makes you 'giggle while kicking your feet'.

  • Celebrity

    2. Celebrity

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    9.5

    "Fame. Money. Power. One young woman fights to become the next hottest celebrity in the glamorous yet scandalous world of influencers in Seoul."

    An intriguing (and kind of dark) commentary on social media from the consumer and the celebrity side. If you like thrillers and mysteries, this is for you.

  • Chicago Typewriter

    3. Chicago Typewriter

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    9.0

    "This drama follows the lives of two men and a woman through two eras: one during the 1930s Japanese occupation of Korea and the other in the 21st century. "

    A quite unique reincarnations story, where 3 people have both connections in the past and the present. I'll also say that one of the best thing about this show is both the OST and the music score itself. It elevates the story.

  • D.P

    4. D.P

    Korean Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

    9.5

    "Private soldier Jun Ho is a confused youth who served in the military normally like other Koreans. One day, he suddenly becomes a member of the military defector arrest team. As such, he is tasked with capturing deserters and must grapple with the more troubling cases of why some soldiers feel they have no other choice but go absent without official leave."

    Inspired by real events. A look on social issues in Korea when it comes to military. If you like action, military stuff, deep thoughts/issues and/or social commentary, this show is for you.

  • Daily Dose of Sunshine

    5. Daily Dose of Sunshine

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    8.5

    "Jung Da Eun works as a nurse. She is transferred to neuropsychiatry from the internal medicine department. This is her first time working in neuropsychiatry, so everything is difficult and awkward for her. Nevertheless, Jung Da Eun tries her best to deal with the patients and she grows as a nurse with the help of Chief Nurse Song Hyo Jin.  Dong Go Yoon works as a doctor and specializes in proctology. Watching Nurse Jung Da Eun and her pure ways, Dong Go Yoon realizes that he smiles when seeing her and is even healed by her. Meanwhile, Jung Da Eun is friends with Song Yoo Chan. He looks like a very bright person, but he holds pain inside that nobody knows about. "

    This show is very well-done when it comes to showcasing different mental disorders. And especially certain almost taboo topics. It's definitely an heavy watch. I personally couldn't stand one of the main characters and it heavily impacted my score but the show overall is heavily recommended.

  • Imawa no Kuni no Arisu Season 1

    6. Imawa no Kuni no Arisu Season 1

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    9.0

    "Arisu Ryohei—a listless, jobless and video-game-obsessed young man—suddenly finds himself in a strange, emptied-out version of Tokyo in which he and his friends must compete in dangerous games in order to survive."

    A solid action thriller with game aspects. The show is also heavy on psychological manipulation. So if you like more violent, kind of disturbed action shows? This is your show. Especially with S2.

  • Just Between Lovers

    7. Just Between Lovers

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    9.0

    "A major accident takes the lives of 48 people. The lives of the survivors, those who lost loved ones and those connected to the parties blamed for the tragic event are also marked forever. "

    We follow the main leads, who both was involved in an accident and it showcases how that event have shaped and affected them in adult years.

    Inspired by real events, this show is for the ones who like a  good romance story with a bit of tears.

  • Mouse

    8. Mouse

    Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes

    9.5

    "A suspenseful story that asks the key question, “What if we could identify psychopaths in advance?” "

    The less you know about this show the better it is. Just know that if you like ethical and morality discussions and/or mystery thrillers, this show is for you.

  • Move to Heaven

    9. Move to Heaven

    Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    9.0

    "Han Geu Roo is an autistic 20-year-old. He works for his father’s business “Move To Heaven,” a company that specializes in crime scene cleanup, where they also collect and arrange items left by deceased people, and deliver them to the bereaved family.
    When Geu Roo's father dies, Geu Roo's guardianship passes to his uncle, ex-convict Cho Sang Gu, who is a martial arts fighter in underground matches. Per the father's will, Sang Gu must care for and work with Geu Roo in “Move To Heaven” for three months to gain full guardianship and claim the inheritance. Eying money, Sang Gu agrees to the conditions and moves in."

    This show is quite heavy. It focuses a lot on death. So if you like deep thoughts and a look at life from other sides, this is for you. No romance.

  • Mr. Plankton

    10. Mr. Plankton

    Korean Drama - 2024, 10 episodes

    8.5

    The synopsis on MDL for this show is not great, if you ask me. So I'll say this:

    One man is getting told some life-changing news. One woman is getting ready to marry into a wealthy family with a lie. They both end up on an around the country trip, with the man kidnapping the woman (his ex-girlfriend). A decision that creates a lot of absurdity and rollercoasters of emotions.

    A great recommendation if you like complex characters, emotional growth, and unconventional love stories.

  • Mr. Sunshine

    11. Mr. Sunshine

    Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes

    9.0

    "Mr. Sunshine centers on a young boy born into a house servant's family who travels to the United States during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo (U.S. expedition to Korea). He returns to his homeland later as a U.S. marine officer. He meets and falls in love with an aristocrat’s daughter. At the same time, he discovers a plot by foreign forces to colonize Korea. "

    As someone who usually does not enjoy period dramas or shows in general taking place in a "past", this show is good. The truly shining part is the music score but the performances of the actors and actresses are phenomenal. Definitely worth a watch!

  • Quiet Sales

    12. Quiet Sales

    Korean Drama - 2024, 12 episodes

    9.0

    About the independence, growth, and friendship of the 'Bangpan Sisters', four women who started selling adult products door-to-door in a rural village in 1992, a time when “sex” was still taboo. It's a story of women who were ahead of their time when it was hard even to say the word 'sex', who somehow managed to bring a healthy dose of energy into the secretive world of couples and thrive on their own. (Remake of the British drama "Brief Encounters" ).

    A charming drama set in the 90s Korea with a few "taboo" subjects sprinkled in. It's fun and heartwarming. If you love dramas focused on friendship and  overcoming hardships, then you'll probably like this show.

  • Reply 1997

    13. Reply 1997

    Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes

    9.0

    "Set in the 1990s, the drama centers around a female high school student Shi Won, who idolizes boyband H.O.T, and her 5 high school friends in Busan. As the timeline moves back and forth between their past as 18-year-old high schoolers in 1997 and their present as 33-year-olds at their high school reunion dinner in 2012, where one couple will announce that they're getting married ."

    The whole reply trilogy is highly recommended. It starts with 1997 -> 1994 -> 1988. You don't have to watch them in order but there is certain easter eggs and inside jokes that you may miss if you watch in  a different order.

  • Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim

    14. Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim

    Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

    8.0

    "Kim Sa Bu was once a famous surgeon at the peak of his career at a major hospital. But he suddenly gives it all up one day to live in seclusion and work as a neighborhood doctor in a small town. He now goes by “Teacher Kim” and refers to himself as the “Romantic Doctor”". 

    You follow a few doctors who ends up on this more secluded hospital and working under Kim Sa Bu.

    Dr.Romantic is one of the most well done medical shows I've ever seen. The later seasons are better than S1, but the first season is a must watch to truly appreciate the later seasons.

  • Snow White Must Die

    15. Snow White Must Die

    Korean Drama - 2024, 14 episodes

    9.0

    "Two 19-year-old girls were brutally murdered. The bodies were abandoned and could not be found anywhere inside the warehouse, scattered with blood. The only suspect was their friend. He was drunk on the night of the incident. He doesn’t recall a single memory. No memories of committing a murder. No memories of not committing a murder either. The boy had become a young adult by the time he was released from prison in 11 years. He wished to pursue a quiet life… But another murder flips the village. A white bone carcass has been discovered. The real devil is hiding somewhere within the seemingly peaceful village. Who’s the real devil? "

    The show is based on the novel Snow White must die by Nele Neuhaus. It's a great show if you love thrillers, "who actually did it?" type of storylines, and smile inducing bromances.

  • That Night

    16. That Night

    Korean Drama - 2021, 8 episodes

    8.5

    "A drama that explores the criminal justice system from an extremely popular perspective through the fierce story of two men surrounding the murder of a woman. Hyun Soo, an ordinary college student, suddenly becomes the primary suspect in a murder case. Shin Joong Han is the only lawyer willing to help Kim Hyun Soo. Having just barely passed law school, Shin Joong Han's involvement in Kim Hyun Soo's case eventually takes his unremarkable life to new heights." 

    An interesting and a bit thoughtprovoking show about the whole sentiment "guilty until proven innocent". A remake of the british show Criminal Justice.  One of Kim Soo Hyun's best perfomances if you ask me.

  • Tomorrow

    17. Tomorrow

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    9.5

    "Choi Joon Woong seeks a job, but it's hard for him to get hired. One night, he witnesses a man trying to end his life and decides to stop him. He gets acquainted with grim reapers Koo Ryeon and Im Ryoong Gu, who belong to a crisis management team. Their purpose is to prevent people from committing suicide. After Joon Woong ends up in a coma and becomes half-human and half-spirit, he is employed by a company of grim reapers as the newest member of the crisis management team."

    A big tear-jerker and many of the stories I think about.

  • Twinkling Watermelon

    18. Twinkling Watermelon

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    9.0

    "In 2023, Eun Gyeol is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) high-school student, but he has a passion for music. During the day, he is a studious model pupil, but at night, he rocks out as a guitarist in a band. But when he stumbles across a strange yet alluring music store, he goes hurtling back in time to 1995.  Here, he comes face to face with his father, Ha Yi Chan – as a high schooler! Yi Chan takes Eun Gyeol for a lunatic when the latter calls him “dad”. Worse still, it looks like Yi Chan has a crush on an icy cellist named Se Kyeong – not his future mother, Cheong Ah!  In a bid to put things “right,” Eun Gyeol joins a band fronted by his future father. But will this be enough to help Eun Gyeol bring his future parents together... and will he ever get back to the 2020s? "

    This show has a lot of hype here on MDL, and it's understandable. The show is a nice and quite a feel-good show, while also having more heavy elements sprinkled in between. I was personally not a fan of the ending but the overall show is good. A good recommendation if you enjoy a coming of age story with some rom-coms element (and with a bit of sci-fi/fantasy sprinkle).

  • You Feng De Di Fang

    19. You Feng De Di Fang

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes

    9.0

    "Xu Hong Dou is a woman who has worked in the hotel industry for most of her adult life. She is every inch the big-city woman, but her life hits a sudden bump in the road. Her work starts to suffer. Rather than continue to soldier on in the city, she decides to take a break from the fast-paced urban lifestyle in a remote village. She heads out to the village of Yun Miao, near Dali, in Yunnan Province – in search of peace and quiet."

    This show is one of my personal comfort shows. It's very slow burn but the side characters and the leads are all worth it. You start to love the village together with Hong Dou. If you like a feel good and life focused romance drama, this is for you.

  • Youngest Son of a Conglomerate

    20. Youngest Son of a Conglomerate

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    9.5

    "Yoon Hyun Woo is a devoted, hard-working, and loyal secretary to the Soonyang chaebol family. He is ruthlessly betrayed and killed under the orders of an unknown member of the chaebol family. Miraculously he wakes up as a kid inside the body of the youngest member of the family – Jin Do Jun. Now with the knowledge of the future, he plans on taking over the company and punish the ones who betrayed him."

    The shining star of this show is the main lead, portrayed by Lee Sung Min. This show was big in Korea, and while Song Joong Ki has turned out to be a little POS , this show is still addicting and I recommend watching it. Especially if you like watching political, family dynamics and/or business related shows.

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