Amnesia/Mental Variance/Coma/Brains

***SPOILERS***

I originally made this list in order to avoid dramas with amnesia, but I found that many of my favorites contained bouts of amnesia. I've begrudgingly accepted amnesia as an overused plotline (seriously, Koreans should outlaw white trucks, as they seem to cause 75% of the amnesia victims; and what is it about Koreans that a slight tap on the head invariably results in amnesia?!).

Conversely, I'm drawn to dramas with characters who live with brain dysfunctions such as prosopagnosia (I have a special list just for that), OCD, or other neural conditions that challenge daily life. I'm especially engaged with short-term memory loss (like Devilish Joy) where the character has to journal his life in order to understand it (been there; done that); if you have any K-drama recommendations for those, I'd appreciate them.

P.S. I'm beginning to think I should have made a list strictly for dramas that did NOT contain amnesia. It might have been shorter.

bojojoti Sep 15, 2024
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  • "Watashi wo Moratte": Tsuioku Hen

    1. "Watashi wo Moratte": Tsuioku Hen

    Japanese Drama - 2024, 8 episodes

  • 100 Days My Prince

    2. 100 Days My Prince

    Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

    8.0

    Amnesia.

  • 19th Floor

    3. 19th Floor

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 30 episodes

    Coma.

  • 49 Days

    4. 49 Days

    Korean Drama - 2011, 20 episodes

    Coma.

  • A Beautiful Mind

    5. A Beautiful Mind

    Korean Drama - 2016, 14 episodes

    8.5

    Empathy stunted.

  • A Gentleman's Dignity

    7. A Gentleman's Dignity

    Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes

    7.5

    Amnesia.

  • A Good Day to Be a Dog

    8. A Good Day to Be a Dog

    Korean Drama - 2023, 14 episodes

    7.5

    Cynophobia (fear of dogs).

  • A Korean Odyssey

    9. A Korean Odyssey

    Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes

    8.0

    Memory stolen.

  • A Love So Romantic

    10. A Love So Romantic

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 32 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • A Robot in the Orange Orchard

    12. A Robot in the Orange Orchard

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 30 episodes

    8.0

    Mental Illness. Haphephobia (fear or dislike of touching or being touched).

  • A Thousand Days' Promise

    13. A Thousand Days' Promise

    Korean Drama - 2011, 20 episodes

    Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, Neurological Disorder.

  • A Time to Remember

    14. A Time to Remember

    Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes

    Hyperthymesia.

  • About Is Love

    15. About Is Love

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 30 episodes

    8.0

    Haphephopia (fear of being touched), OCD.

  • About Is Love Season 2

    16. About Is Love Season 2

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes

    6.5

    Haphephobia (fear of being touched); Mysophobia (fear of germs).

  • Agency

    17. Agency

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    Mental illness.

  • Alchemy of Souls Season 2: Light and Shadow

    18. Alchemy of Souls Season 2: Light and Shadow

    Korean Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

    9.5

    Amnesia.

  • Alice

    19. Alice

    Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

  • Alice, the Final Weapon

    20. Alice, the Final Weapon

    Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    PTSD, masochism, trauma.

  • Amanza

    21. Amanza

    Korean Drama - 2020, 10 episodes

    8.0

    Coma (part-timer was in a coma and joined the ML's mental animated adventures). Mental Illness.

  • Amidst a Snowstorm of Love

    22. Amidst a Snowstorm of Love

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 30 episodes

    8.0

    [Protagonist Lin Yiyang has a lifelong obsession with one thing: billiards. Then he sees female protagonist Yin Guo from the outside of a bar window, and he acquires a second obsession. In his youth, he had problems with dysregulated emotions, impulsive speech and actions, and gauging his impact on others. As an adult, he's silent out of fear of committing harmful speech - and has a collection of lighters with which he fidgets. Though he's awkward, intense, and hyperfocused, luckily for him he catches Yin Guo's eye. And she's also single-mindedly obsessed with billiards, so in that way they're kindred spirits.] https://mydramalist.com/list/1ep20p74, kabocha

  • An Oriental Odyssey

    23. An Oriental Odyssey

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 50 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Ancient Detective

    24. Ancient Detective

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Are You the One

    25. Are You the One

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes

    8.5

    Amnesia.

  • Arsenal Military Academy

    26. Arsenal Military Academy

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 48 episodes

    8.5

    Guest character An Wen forgot her memories daily and kept a journal to remember the people she liked.

  • Ashes of Love

    27. Ashes of Love

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 63 episodes

    9.0

    Mind block: "Before her death, Zi Fen foresaw that Jin Mi would encounter a fatal love trial and fed her daughter an 'Unfeeling Pill' to prevent her from developing any romantic feelings. Zi Fen also instructed the leaders of the Flower Realm to keep Jin Mi's identity a secret and had her kept locked in a water boundary within the Flower Realm."

  • Assassin Academy

    28. Assassin Academy

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 18 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Assistant of Superstar

    29. Assistant of Superstar

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes

    Severe phobia of crowds.

  • At a Distance, Spring Is Green

    30. At a Distance, Spring Is Green

    Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

    8.0

    Depression; trauma; panic attacks.

  • Back from the Brink

    31. Back from the Brink

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes

    8.0

    Lu Mu Sheng pretended to have amnesia to thwart Su Ying's intentions.

  • Bad Family

    32. Bad Family

    Korean Drama - 2006, 16 episodes

    Amnesia from a car accident.

  • Bad Memory Eraser

    33. Bad Memory Eraser

    Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes

    PTSD. 

    "Lee Gun used to be a promising tennis player, but he was injured. After that, he lost all of his self-esteem, and his life completely changed. With the use of a memory eraser, his memory is erased, and he is reborn with maximum self-esteem and presence."

  • Bazaar Beloved Birds

    34. Bazaar Beloved Birds

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes

  • Be My Princess

    35. Be My Princess

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 30 episodes

    8.0

    Amnesia; mental illness.

    ML gets amnesia, believes himself to be someone else, and falls deeply in love. In typical drama fashion, he regains his memories, but they're all reset to before the time he met his love (of course they are; angst ahead), and he rebuffs her, believing her to have capitalized on his misfortune. 

  • Be with You

    36. Be with You

    Korean Movie - 2018

    Amnesia.

    "Soo Ah, before passing away makes an unbelievable promise to her husband, Woo Jin, to return one year later on a rainy day. Miraculously, she keeps the promise and reappears before her husband and son but all her memories have disappeared."

  • Beloved

    37. Beloved

    Chinese Drama - 2025, 16 episodes

  • Big

    38. Big

    Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes

    7.5

    Coma. Amnesia.

  • Birth of a Beauty

    39. Birth of a Beauty

    Korean Drama - 2014, 21 episodes

    7.5

    Amnesia (from surgery and pills).

  • Birth Secret

    40. Birth Secret

    Korean Drama - 2013, 18 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Blossoms in Adversity

    41. Blossoms in Adversity

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes

    8.5

    Little sister Shao Yao experienced trauma at a young age, which most people thought rendered her simple. She was shunned and isolated into separate living quarters. Of course, she grew up without social abilities under such circumstances. However, she was actually quite bright and taught herself medicine and poisons from books due to her hyper-focused interest. 

  • Born to Be Together

    42. Born to Be Together

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 14 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Boys over Flowers

    43. Boys over Flowers

    Korean Drama - 2009, 25 episodes

    9.0

    Amnesia.

  • Brain Man

    44. Brain Man

    Japanese Movie - 2013

    "The mysterious man known as "Brain Man" has outstanding memory, high intelligence and a perfect body, but doesn't seem to have human emotions."

  • Brain Works

    45. Brain Works

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    8.5

    Something for everyone: psychopaths, comas, amnesia... You name it; it's got it. I would have rated it higher, but all the smart people took stupid pills in the 15th and 16th episode, and the drama let me down. I was willing to overlook some shaky science, but I can't overlook supposedly brilliant people and capable police doing ridiculous things like following a serial killer without calling for back-up or letting others know their location when they all have cell phones.

  • Breakup Probation, A Week

    46. Breakup Probation, A Week

    Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    Coma.

  • Bring It On, Ghost

    48. Bring It On, Ghost

    Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

    7.5

    Coma.

  • Bromance

    49. Bromance

    Taiwanese Drama - 2015, 18 episodes

    8.5

    ML's father had amnesia.

  • Casting a Spell to You

    50. Casting a Spell to You

    Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

    8.5
  • Catch the Ghost

    51. Catch the Ghost

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    Autism.

  • Cheer Up!

    52. Cheer Up!

    Korean Drama - 2015, 12 episodes

    7.5

    Phobia of physical touch.

  • Cheese in the Trap

    53. Cheese in the Trap

    Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

    8.0

    Anger disorder; empathy stunted.

  • Circle of Love

    54. Circle of Love

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes

    7.0

    Amnesia.

  • Clean with Passion for Now

    55. Clean with Passion for Now

    Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

    7.5

    Mysophobia  (fear of germs).

  • Come and Hug Me

    56. Come and Hug Me

    Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes

    Panic disorder from trauma.

  • Consummation

    57. Consummation

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes

    Trauma.

  • Couple or Trouble

    58. Couple or Trouble

    Korean Drama - 2006, 16 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Crash Course in Romance

    59. Crash Course in Romance

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    7.5

    FL had brother with Asperger's Syndrome.

  • Crazy Love

    60. Crazy Love

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    8.0

    Faked Amnesia.

  • Day and Night

    61. Day and Night

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 32 episodes

    Nyctophobia (fear of the dark).

  • Dear Diary

    62. Dear Diary

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes

    OCD.

  • Dear Hyeri

    63. Dear Hyeri

    Korean Drama - 2024, 12 episodes

    Dissociative Identity Disorder.

    [Joo Eun Ho is an unknown announcer with 14 years of experience. She struggles to get the chance to have her name recognized by the public. She also has another personality, Joo Hye Ri, due to a deep wound in her heart.]

  • Dear Liar

    64. Dear Liar

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 27 episodes

    7.0

    Sociopathic (lying, manipulating, controlling, gaslighting).

  • Dear Prince

    65. Dear Prince

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 19 episodes

    Enochlophobia (fear of crowds).

  • Decoded

    66. Decoded

    Chinese Drama - 2016, 44 episodes

  • Defendant

    67. Defendant

    Korean Drama - 2017, 18 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Delivery Man

    68. Delivery Man

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    Amnesia.

    "Kang Ji Hyun boards Seo Young Min's taxi, but with a catch: she has no recollection of her past life and is unable to leave the vehicle."

  • Desperate Mr. X

    69. Desperate Mr. X

    Korean Drama - 2022, 6 episodes

    Depression; mental illness.

  • Devilish Joy

    70. Devilish Joy

    Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

    7.5

    Short-term memory loss.

  • Doctor John

    71. Doctor John

    Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes

    8.0

    Congenital insensitivity to pain (CIPA).

  • Don't Forget I Love You

    72. Don't Forget I Love You

    Chinese Movie - 2022

    Amnesia.

  • Doom at Your Service

    73. Doom at Your Service

    Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

    7.5

    Glioblastoma (brain cancer).

  • Dr. Brain

    74. Dr. Brain

    Korean Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

    An emotional journey that follows a brain scientist who is obsessive about figuring out new technologies to access the consciousness and memories of the brain.  

  • Dr. Cutie

    75. Dr. Cutie

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 28 episodes

    Insomnia. Sleep Disorder.

  • Dr. Frost

    76. Dr. Frost

    Korean Drama - 2014, 10 episodes

    "Dr. Frost became a professor in psychology at an early age. He is extremely bright but has difficulties sympathizing and connecting with others due to an injury to his frontal lobe as a child."

  • Dr. Romantic

    77. Dr. Romantic

    Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

    8.5

    PTSD.

  • Drama Special Season 8: The Reason We Can’t Sleep

    78. Drama Special Season 8: The Reason We Can’t Sleep

    Korean Special - 2017, 1 episode

    Insomnia.

  • Drama Special Series Season 1: White Christmas

    79. Drama Special Series Season 1: White Christmas

    Korean Special - 2011, 8 episodes

    Trauma, mental illness, self-harm.

  • Dream Garden

    80. Dream Garden

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

    8.0

    Psychological counselor.

  • Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty

    81. Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 40 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Duel

    82. Duel

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Eccentric! Chef Moon

    83. Eccentric! Chef Moon

    Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Eternal Love

    84. Eternal Love

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 58 episodes

    8.5

    Amnesia.

  • Even if This Love Disappears Tonight

    86. Even if This Love Disappears Tonight

    Korean Movie - 2025

    Anterograde amnesia.

  • Everyday I Love You

    87. Everyday I Love You

    Filipino Movie - 2015

    Coma.

  • Evil Minds

    88. Evil Minds

    Chinese Drama - 2015, 24 episodes

    PTSD.

  • Extraordinary Attorney Woo

    89. Extraordinary Attorney Woo

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    Autism.

  • Extraordinary Attorney Woo Season 2

    90. Extraordinary Attorney Woo Season 2

    Korean Drama - 0000

    Autism.

  • Extraordinary You

    91. Extraordinary You

    Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes

    8.5

    Gaps in her memory.

  • FAILing in Love

    92. FAILing in Love

    Korean Drama - 2019, 10 episodes

    Anxiety disorder.

  • Fairyland Lovers

    93. Fairyland Lovers

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 35 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Fall in Love

    94. Fall in Love

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 18 episodes

  • Falling High School Girl and Irresponsible Teacher

    95. Falling High School Girl and Irresponsible Teacher

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 9 episodes

    8.0

    Depression.

  • False Face and True Feelings

    96. False Face and True Feelings

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 26 episodes

    Fake amnesia.

  • Family Matters

    97. Family Matters

    Korean Drama - 2024, 6 episodes

    8.0

    Mind control.

  • Fated Hearts

    98. Fated Hearts

    Chinese Drama - 2025, 38 episodes

    8.0

    Amnesia of both the ML and FL. Ordinarily, I'd cringe and avoid, but the first bout of amnesia was well done and added layers of suspense. The second bout was less successful, but it was, thankfully, short-lived.

  • Fated to Love You

    99. Fated to Love You

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes

    7.0

    Twin sister had amnesia after a hit on the head. Another hit restored it!  

  • Filter

    100. Filter

    Chinese Drama - 2025, 32 episodes

    8.5

    Tetrachromacy.

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