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.

BbalanceD Jan 23, 2022
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  • 3-Iron

    1. 3-Iron

    Korean Movie - 2004

    10

    This drama shook me.
    All the components are like the haunting background music they come together seamlessly.

  • A Gentleman's Dignity

    2. A Gentleman's Dignity

    Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes

    10

    Loved every aspect of this LOL drama. The actors were terrific and captured my interest and laughter every episode. PS the prologues were brilliant.

  • A Man and a Woman

    3. A Man and a Woman

    Korean Movie - 2016

    9.5

    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.

  • Alchemy of Souls

    4. Alchemy of Souls

    Korean Drama - 2022, 20 episodes

    10

    Lots of good special effects and martial arts but the main reason is both of the actors are very good.

  • Avengers Social Club

    5. Avengers Social Club

    Korean Drama - 2017, 12 episodes

    9.5

    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.

  • Blueming

    6. Blueming

    Korean Drama - 2022, 11 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies

    7. Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies

    Korean Movie - 2015

    10

    Take two beautiful female leads combine them in a sex toy business and get set for a hilarious movie.

  • Chicago Typewriter

    8. Chicago Typewriter

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Coffee Prince

    9. Coffee Prince

    Korean Drama - 2007, 17 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Dali and the Cocky Prince

    10. Dali and the Cocky Prince

    Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Encounter

    11. Encounter

    Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Goblin

    12. Goblin

    Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Good Manager

    13. Good Manager

    Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Healer

    14. Healer

    Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Heart to Heart

    15. Heart to Heart

    Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes

    10

    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.

  • History of the Salaryman

    16. History of the Salaryman

    Korean Drama - 2012, 22 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Ho Goo's Love

    17. Ho Goo's Love

    Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes

    10

    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.

  • I'm Not a Robot

    18. I'm Not a Robot

    Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes

    10

    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.

  • It's Okay to Not Be Okay

    19. It's Okay to Not Be Okay

    Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Lovestruck in the City

    20. Lovestruck in the City

    Korean Drama - 2020, 17 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Mission 1: Possible

    21. Mission 1: Possible

    Korean Movie - 2021

    10

    Totally enjoyed this over the top spoof of a spy story.

  • Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

    22. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

    Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

    10

    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.

  • My P.S. Partner

    23. My P.S. Partner

    Korean Movie - 2012

    10

    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.

  • My Roommate Is a Gumiho

    24. My Roommate Is a Gumiho

    Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Nevertheless,

    25. Nevertheless,

    Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    10


    Where the drama gets interesting, for me, is in the psychological disparity between the actors intentions and actions.

  • One Spring Night

    26. One Spring Night

    Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes

    10

    The people depicted were very real and relatable so kudos to the whole ensemble.

  • Psychopath Diary

    27. Psychopath Diary

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung

    28. Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung

    Korean Drama - 2019, 40 episodes

    10

    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.

  • Stray Kids

    29. Stray Kids

    Korean TV Show - 2017, 10 episodes

    10

    Even knowing the outcome could not protect my emotions as they battle it out during 'missions' hoping to gain recognition for their skills.

  • Sungkyunkwan Scandal

    30. Sungkyunkwan Scandal

    Korean Drama - 2010, 20 episodes

    10

    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.

  • The Greatest Love

    31. The Greatest Love

    Korean Drama - 2011, 16 episodes

    10

    Great story. Fun characters. Tight plot. Terrific actors with great comedic timing. All adds up to pure entertainment.

  • The Handmaiden

    32. The Handmaiden

    Korean Movie - 2016

    10

    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.

  • Unintentional Love Story

    33. Unintentional Love Story

    Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    10

    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.

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