Korean series have become a worldwide phenomenon in the past few years. Here is our selection of 5 series to watch again and again.
Just like
manga
and
Japanese animation
Korean dramas have gained significant popularity beyond Korea’s borders. Featuring a mix of action, sci-fi, and horror elements, these shows now boast scriptwriting that can stand toe-to-toe with major Hollywood productions. Below are five you should definitely watch.
Mr. Sunshine
(2020) by Lee Eung-Bok – available on Netflix
This series tells the story of a young boy, Eugene Choi. During the Korean Expedition of 1871, he boarded an American military ship to escape slavery. Many years later, the young man would return to his homeland a soldier, as Korea is torn apart by foreign invasions.
Mr. Sunshine
shows a Korea living through one of the most difficult periods in its history. The director tried to emphasise the immersive nature of the series, with vivid sets and costumes faithful to those of the period. The result is a real leap back in time.
My Name
(2021) by Kim Jin-Min – available on Netflix
Following the tragic death of her father due to murder, Yun Ji Wu pursues vengeance. Realizing her family’s connection to one of South Korea’s leading criminal organizations, she decides to abandon her past to join the police force and uncover those responsible for her loss.
Netflix
original, you quickly become invested in the investigation, scanning each episode for the few clues the director scattered within. The scenes are fast-paced and directed to perfection, with an original soundtrack and a very dark setting. Throughout the story, you can sense that something is not quite right. There is a key element missing to solve the mystery hovering around Ji Wu…
Reply 1988
(2018) directed by Shin Won-Ho – accessible on Netflix
Streaming on Netflix, this show brims with ’80s vibes. The narrative revolves around Deok Seon, Seon Wu, Dong Ryeong, Taek, and Jeong Hwan—five lifelong buddies whose households reside in a quaint neighborhood within Seoul. As they approach adulthood at eighteen years old, the plot delves into their everyday experiences amid an evolving South Korea that’s progressively embracing global influences. Through these relatable life events and emotional journeys, viewers get deeply connected to each character’s evolution, making it simple to form strong bonds with them.
Reply 1988
is a way of reliving the melancholy of your early years, your first love, the anxiety of exams and the first steps into adult life.
I’m not a robot
(2017) by Jung Dae-Yoon – accessible on Netflix
The affluent CEO of a South Korean startup, Min-Kyu, suffers from an aversion to physical touch. His world gets shaken up when a peculiar entity appears. It’s a human-like robot with which the young man begins to have unusual emotions.
K-drama
aims to illuminate the depths of human trauma. To Min-Kyu, this ailment serves as a shield against the outside world. Although adorned with science fiction elements, the true essence of the story revolves around human psyche. It offers a pathway to delve deeper into the origins of our deepest anxieties and learn how to confront them bravely.
Pinocchio
(2018) by Jo Soo-Won – available on Netflix
Obsessed by a media campaign framing his father as causing a fatal accident, Ha-Myeong decides to become a journalist. Working alongside an odd partner, the young man discovers a world of fake smiles, where corruption is omnipresent and he end up having to lie. Halfway between drama and romance,
Pinocchio
This serves as an impeccable analysis of South Korea’s media landscape during the early 2000s. At its core, the narrative centers on the dual existence experienced by the protagonist. He must decide whether to assimilate within the system, necessitating distortion of reality for corporate gain, or stand firm against it, risking estrangement from those in power who hold sway over his career prospects.
