Breathtaking Dramas
In this list are some absolutely breathtaking dramas in my opinion. Listed due to their remarkable scripts, well-done character developments, spectacular cinematography and so forth.
Again, these are my personal opinions. I am no expert but I am an avid writer studying literature. I hope to think I have a good taste in script/plotlines despite being blindsided by being a hopeless romance...
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1. Perfect Marriage Revenge
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
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2. Hidden Love
Chinese Drama - 2023, 25 episodes
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3. The Uncanny Counter
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Another one sitting show. Brilliantly paced, fun and bright this show is another one that can't go by you. If you like action, supernatural, revenge, corrupt politics and more, you will absolutely love this show! This show really deserves the limelight. I mean side characters, main characters, plots, everything is done so well. I cried and laughed so many times.
This show transcends the word breathtaking in my opinion. As a writer, it reminds me what well-written scripts are like. It inspired me and will forever be a piece I will remember. (Adapted from a Webtoon I am away to go find it the now).
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4. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
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5. Goblin
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
This show will always be in a top spot for me... I think it was beautifully filmed, cast, and acted. The script was phenomenal; Kim Eun-Sook has become an absolute inspiration to me and I will never get over how she writes. I think this piece is a masterpiece and deserves so much more attention than it gets (which I know is a lot, but I firmly believe it deserves more). When I remember it, although my heartaches, I remember the brilliance of this show. It leaves me with lingering emotions and thoughts and yearning for more.
Heartachingly good, to say the least.
A fairy tale meeting modern media at its finest.
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6. Descendants of the Sun
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Another Kim Eun-Sook written drama. And another my heart has wrapped around and loved since the moment I put it on. My reaction to Goblin is extremely similar to this one. I loved this. The characters were great, their development fantastic and their stories intermingled so well and so perfectly I couldn't have imagined it another way.
This is a brilliant love story with heavy stakes and characters that wish to change the world or at least keep the peace. I am in love with all our leads and sides in this drama. Kim Eun-Sook is a mastermind at writing more than one love story into an already engaging and complicated plot. Highly recommend this to anyone who likes her other works (Goblin, Eternal Monarch, etc) and to those who like romances with high stakes, no fussy love triangles and more than one interesting character.
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7. It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
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8. Suspicious Partner
Korean Drama - 2017, 40 episodes
I finished this in one sitting. This show took my breath away, brought tears to my eyes and made me laugh so hard my chest felt like it was on fire. For the acting alone - this show deserves attention. For the script - it deserves love and for the whole thing - it deserves to be seen. I had not seen the plot twists coming and most of all it stayed on my mind for weeks. Even now I will randomly think of it. No matter how I remember it I am left smiling, remembering all the emotions I went through as I watched it and all the thoughts I had.
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9. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
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10. Itaewon Class
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Corporate Politics, Cover-Ups, Revenge and Pubs. It's satisfying and engaging. Diverse cast and sympathetic characters. Much like Uncanny Counter but without the supernatural aspect. Just a group of characters trying to keep their pub open as their boss seeks revenge and a spiteful yet dignified way.
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11. Come and Hug Me
Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes
Still watching... however, I was completely taken aback by it when I first put it on. Breathtakingly intruiging.
It inspired me to write a script.
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12. Queen of Tears
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes