TV & Film
Can’t get over Crash Landing on You and Itaewon Class? Fear not, here are some K-drama recommendations to help you get past that hangover. Prepare yourself for more kilig, action, tearjerkers and drama with these love stories.
Full House (2004)
Starring: Song Hye-kyo, Rain, Han Eun-jung and Kim Sung-soo
Enemies to lovers, roommate AU, love square, celebrity and ordinary girl—this classic packs timeless rom-com fantasies in one full house. It’s a feel-good show with unlikely scenarios that will make you laugh, cry, or blush.
Healer (2014)
Starring: Ji Chang-wook, Park Min-young and Yoo Ji-tae
Healer is not for the faint-hearted. This fast-paced action-romance will have you on the edge of your seat as a night-courier, a tabloid reporter, and famous journalist expose what happened to a pro-democracy radio station.
Reply 1988 (2015)
Starring: Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Go Kyung-pyo, Ryu Jun-yeol and Lee Dong-hwi
This slice-of-life drama takes a look at childhood friends in the late ‘80s as they navigate youth, adulthood, love, and everything in between. Heartwarming and relatable, this coming-of-age tale keeps you guessing on who ends up with who until the very last episode.
Mr. Sunshine (2018)
Starring: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung and Byun Yo-han.
Do not go into this drama expecting a conventional happy ending. This cinematic historical drama portrays the romance of a Korean U.S. soldier and a noble lady-slash-rebel during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Together with a Korean yakuza, a hotelier, and a noble man with no ambition, they grapple with the realities of their society as one painful event unfolds after the other.
When the Camellia Blooms (2019)
Starring: Kong Hyo-jin, Kang Ha-neul
A naive but upstanding police officer does all he can to protect and empower the love of his life: A single mom who industriously runs her bar in a neighborhood haunted by a serial killer. In this suspense-rom-com, ready to be swooned as romance blooms.
It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014)
Starring: Jo In-sung, Gong Hyo-jin, Sung Dong-il, Lee Kwang-soo and Do Kyung-soo
It’s Okay, That’s Love tackles mental health while building a believable love story between a psychiatrist and a radio DJ with OCD. It doesn’t shy away from the bad and the ugly parts of mental health, but the lovable characters and witty dialogues are sure to keep you hooked.
Emergency Couple (2014)
Starring: Song Ji-hyo and Choi Jin-hyuk
Emergency Couple sees an estranged couple crossing paths as doctors in the emergency room of one of Seoul’s top hospitals. Get ready for hilarious antics as they try to work through their issues and help their patients at the same time.
Her Private Life (2019)
Starring: Park Min-young, Kim Jae-wook, and Ahn Bo-hyun
To those who find their spare time consumed by musicians, actors, and fictional characters alike, this one’s for you. Her Private Life follows the adventures of a museum curator as she tries to keep her love for an idol group member a secret from her boss and her co-workers.
Heartstrings (2009)
Starring: Jung Yong-hwa and Park Shin-hye
Heartstrings has all the elements of a classic K-Drama: A cold but secretly sweet male lead, a deceptively indifferent female lead, and a love that blossoms from endless bickering. Heartstrings is a classic feel-good drama in its simplest form, one that will never get old.
You’re Beautiful (2009)
Starring: Jang Geun-suk, Park Shin-hye, Jung Yong-hwa, and Lee Hong-gi
You’re Beautiful features another classic K-Drama trope of a girl pretending to be a boy and men surrounding her falling at her feet. With catchy music, witty dialogue, and nonstop jokes, You’re Beautiful might just be the perfect introduction to the world of K-Dramas. Beware though, the second lead syndrome is strong in this one as you watch three different relationships grow at the same time.
Stairway to Heaven (2003)
Starring: Choi Ji-woo, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Tae-hee, and Shin Hyun-joon
Most heart-wrenching drama? Stairway to Heaven takes the cake. An orphan about to be reunited with her childhood sweetheart loses her memory in an accident caused by her jealous stepsister. After they meet again, get your tissues—and hearts—ready for this classic.
My Girl (2005)
Starring: Lee Da-hae, Lee Dong-wook, Lee Joon-gi and Park Si-yeon
Before he was the Grim Reaper in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016), Lee Dong Wook was in the romcom My Girl honoring his grandpa’s dying wish to meet his long-lost granddaughter. He strikes a deal with a female con artist who he hires to play the part. But what happens when he falls in love with his new fake cousin?
Because This Is My First Life (2017)
Starring: Lee Min-ki and Jung So-min
After becoming housemates, a boy and girl agree to get married to save money. Soon, secrets and past wounds come to light. Because This Is My First Life explores the stories of adults championing different views on love, loss, and life and includes a refreshing twist.
Are You Human? (2018)
Starring: Seo Kang-joon and Gong Seung-yeon
Are You Human? is more than a story about an estranged mother creating a robot version of her son. Only the robot’s female bodyguard knows this secret. Though jealousy and greed take center stage in the drama, it also shows a new perspective of humanity, proving that we don’t need a heart to show compassion—or even to fall in love.
Extraordinary You (2019)
Starring: Kim Hye-yoon, Rowoon, Lee Jae-wook, Lee Na-eun, Jung Gun-joo, Kim Young-dae and Lee Tae-ri
What if you found out you were a comic book character—and not even the main lead? Dan Oh suffers two lives: Stage, where the author pairs her with Baek Kyung, and shadow, where she’s free to be with Haru. Extraordinary You shows how you are the protagonist of your own fate.
From love stories to comedies, K-dramas have it all. Whether you’re unwinding by watching your fave scenes or bingeing an entire season in a night, there’s always room for one more episode.
Header photo sourced from https://koreandramaland.com/listings/sinjeon-ri-breakwater/
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