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need drama recs

Alyssa

Recommend your top dramas, random unconventional dramas you think no one likes, or a drama you recommend for anyone to watch! 

I'm a bit bored and don't know what to watch :p

Please and Thank you!

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angeliviki2022

KDramas I find myself always recommending:

  • At a Distance, Spring Is Green (2021) for the way it tackled difficult family issues, Park Ji Hoon's acting and the ML/SML bromance.
  • Coffee Prince (2007). I'm a sucker for gender bender (cross-dressing) shows and this one was incredibly well acted by the main leads and the supporting cast. ML only hires good-looking males in his new coffee house, so FL pretends to be man to work there.
  • Descendants of the Sun (2016). ML is in special forces. FL is a medical doctor. They're both stationed in a fictitious foreign country. Good mix of action, comedy and romance. Great scenery. Filmed in S. Korea and Greece.
  • The Forbidden Marriage (2022). In the first couple of episodes, the FL's shaman acting was a bit over the top and was not meant to be taken seriously. This historical show has comedy, romance, action, and mystery. The chemistry and rapport among the FL/ML, ML/SML and FL/SML were so good. Satisfying ending.
  • Reborn Rich (2022). A revenge drama done well with the right amount of fantasy. It helps that I'm of the age that recalls those historical moments that helped the ML succeed as Jin Do Joon. I found each episode compelling. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Do Joon and his grandfather.
  • True Beauty (2020) had a great cast of characters, esp. the three main leads. The chemistry and rapport among FL/ML, ML/SML and FL/SML were fantastic. I also enjoyed FL's sister and her relationship with the teacher, plus FL's relationship with her Dad who was always on her side. I have re-watched various episodes because I join every Watch Party on Viki.
  • Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022) was a poignant coming of age story with the back drop of competitive women's fencing. A story of friendship, love, hope, resilience and sacrifice.
  • Under the Queen's Umbrella (2022). I enjoyed every minute of this sageuk. For me, there was not a second that felt like it was dragging. Instead, it felt like watching two masters play chess where discarded pieces could very well be bodies dropping on the ground! But it was speed chess, no time to dilly dally lest your opponent gets the better of you. I esp. like the bromance between the Crown Prince and Grand Prince Sung Nam. Little romance.
  • Where Your Eyes Linger (2020). BL about an 18yo heir and his classmate who was hired as his bodyguard.
  • Cherry Blossoms After Winter (S. Korea, 2022) MLs live in the same home but rarely hang out. High school to college romance. BL
  • A Shoulder to Cry On (S. Korea, 2023) High school setting where the popular class president and a loner archery scholarship student meet. Can a real friendship begin from such an acrimonious start? BL
  • Our Dating Sim (S. Korea, 2023) High school best friends meet again in a workplace setting. Really cute flashbacks and loved their chemistry. BL
  • The Eighth Sense (S. Korea, 2023) College and surf club setting. Emotional LGBTQ+ drama as one of the MLs has trauma and depression. Camerawork seems shaky at times but is meant to make you feel as if you’re in the characters’ space. The scenes were imbued with symbolism using shades and colors. MLs had great chemistry. BL
  • Lovely Runner (S. Korea, 2024) I loved this show even though I normally shy away from time travel dramas. This one just pulled me in, hook, line and sinker. Both leads did a fantastic job, esp. the ML juggling his multiple roles as student-athlete, rock star, regular college student and celebrity actor/model. The FL was impressive as well, plus they had great chemistry together. I also loved the SML who had fun bromance moments with the ML. As much as I rarely re-watch shows, I know I will re-watch this one.
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angeliviki2022

JDorama recs:

Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo (2020) Also called An Incurable Case of Love, ML suffered a loss previously and is emotionally unavailable except to his patients. FL has had a crush on him for 5 years since she saw him save a life. She was inspired to become a nurse. On Viki.

First Love: Hatsukoi (2022) High school to working life. Fated love, Romance, Drama, Melodrama. On Netflix USA.

Shanai Marriage Honey (2020). Secret marriage in a workplace setting. I have re-watched this series as a pick me up. On Viki.

Good Morning Call (2017) Accidental cohabitation. High school to college. 2 seasons on Netflix USA.

From Me to You (2023) High School Romance, Life. On Netflix USA.

L♥DK (2014) and its sequel L♥DK: Two Loves Under One Roof (2019). Only the sequel is on Viki. I found the original on YouTube.

Minami-kun no Koibito - My Little Lover (2015) High school RomCom, Fantasy. On Viki

A Girl and Three Sweethearts (2016) RomCom in a Cafe setting. Cohabitation. On Viki.

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Thanu

I'm not a big drama watcher 😅, but would like to recommend,

  • Devil Beside you (Taiwan)
  • My secret bride (Thailand)
  • Kill me, Heal me (South Korea)

 I rarely watch C-dramas, so I don’t have any to recommend, but I hope you enjoy these! 

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angeliviki2022

CDramas and Thai Lakorns

• My Uncanny Destiny (China, 2023) Historical RomCom. FL and ML are Lords (Kings/Rulers) of their own cities. ML's father died, and he blames FL's family for the death. FL rules as a male. It is funny with lots of steamy kisses and action scenes.

• The Legendary Life of Queen Lau (China, 2022) Historical RomCom that's a bit campy. This show does not take itself seriously and neither should you. It is funny, has some drama as well as some political intrigue. ML and FL are in an arranged marriage.

• New Life Begins (China, 2022) Historical RomCom. ML is the 6th Lord and was sickly as a child so he tends to be quieter than his brothers. FL arrives into Xin Chuan as part of the marriage selection. She is quirky and hilarious, but also generous and kind. One of the best CDramas I've seen with wonderful sismance; the wives and concubines really supported one another. Slow burn romance with satisfying ending.

• Falling Into Your Smile (China, 2021) ML greatly dislikes FL as the replacement for one of his e-sports team members who has to retire due to injury. I don't like video games, but still enjoyed this immensely.

• Arsenal Military Academy (China, 2019). Republican era RomCom, Drama, Action. FL cross-dresses and assumes her brother's identity to attend an all-male military school. ML is her roommate who falls for her. SML also likes FL but FL only sees him as a friend.

• My Forever Sunshine (Thailand, 2020). FL has a crush on ML who starts to hate her. Mystery, RomCom, Drama (I would even say melodrama).

• My Husband in Law (Thailand, 2020) Smart FL has a crush on playboy ML. To avoid some gangsters, FL and ML have an arranged marriage. RomCom, Drama.

• Legally Romance (China, 2022). ML and FL were law school rivals but are now boss and employee. This is a RomCom with some fantasy, as the FL falls into a coma and relives her college days.

• She and Her Perfect Husband (China, 2022). Modern RomCom, law firm setting. FL is a top lawyer, while ML was a top investment trader. Contract marriage with the gentlest, most perfect husband. Slow burn romance.

• When I Fly Towards You (China, 2023). ML and FL are schoolmates and find that exchanging tutoring services (Math for English) helps them both succeed. FL’s crush on ML is evident to all, but no one knows what’s going on in introverted ML’s head. Love their friend group.

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Arclei

Top Dramas:

Unconventional Dramas: 

Anyone to Watch:

Hope you find something to watch! ^-^

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LotusRayne

Top dramas -

Joy of Life - also a drama I'd recommend anyone to watch. Fantastic acting, interesting storyline and some great fights. Also funny as hell

Sword Snow Stride - same screenwriter as for JoL plus much of the same cast. Likewise just a very interesting storyline with great fights and humour

The Spirealm - probably my favourite of the "death game" genre I've seen so far. Fast paced and engaging plotline, interesting cases and characters and just a very good drama

Nirvana in Fire - another drama I'd recommend anyone watch. Extremely interesting and I'm planning to re-watch this and the second season again next year ahead of (hopefully) the third season

Under the Skin - an investigation drama with some wonderful character development

The Long Night - one of the most interesting (and saddening) dramas I've ever seen


Unconventional -

Oh No! Here Comes Trouble - also one of my top dramas/ one I'd recommend to anyone. There is nothing else quite like this, it's quite the unique and beautifully written series

Girl From Nowhere - very, very unique

The Broken Us - a very well written and acted story of found family

Light of My Lion - a very nice family/ thriller drama

Q18 - I'd consider this as one of the sleeper hits/ hidden gems of 2024 personally (also one of my top dramas). Extremely interesting and thought provoking

Kukegurui - just extremely funny and creative

Navillera - a nice story of an unconventional friendship...there is also Tea Box(a Thai drama) with a somewhat similar storyline.


Anyone should see -

Quite a few of the above, really. Also -

One Piece - a very, very good manga adaption

The King of Pigs - quite fascinating and one of the best k-dramas I've seen

Story of Yanxi Palace - I love c-dramas but some of the older ones can be overly long and bloatd. This is not one of them, as not a moment is wasted in the entirety of 70 episodes. Deefinately a must-watch drama and one of the smartest,likeable and most resourceful heroine I've seen in a Chinese drama

Shogun - quite the fantastic historical/ political drama tbh. I hope Japan makes more like this

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