My Top 20 K-Dramas
This list may change as I continue watching dramas. As the title suggests, it only includes Korean dramas.
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1. While You Were Sleeping
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
I find myself thinking about how cute Suzy and Lee Jong Suk were in this drama. I believe their chemistry worked well for this drama. Plus...they are both very funny. The comedy that was included in this drama was put at the right moments. It wasn’t awkward and one of this “we’re trying to make it funny but don’t know how so let’s try this...” moments. I felt like it was genuine humor. The kind you need to break up the “tough” moments. Very strategic. Also, the storyline itself was very well written. It didn’t drag. It moved at such a pace where you were on the edge of your seat but not holding on for dear life because it was too fast.
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2. Chicago Typewriter
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
What a masterpiece!!! This drama was so unexpectedly amazing!!! I cannot get over how beautiful this drama was. It was funny, captivation, emotional, intricately detailed.... JUST WOW... And Hwi-Yeong... was downright handsome. Seriously.... I am a sucker for romance... but this drama was not heavily focused on the romance...which strangely I loved. I loved how it was there, but not the most important detail. It was sweet.
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3. Shopping King Louie
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
I could watch this again and again. It's so good. The humor, the emotions, the sweetness. It's the full package. And the OST is out of this world!
This is a drama I would recommend to rookie k-drama fans as well as veterans who haven't gotten the claws on it yet.
Seo In Guk did a brilliant job portraying Louie, and I am beyond words with how amazed I am at his acting skills. And not only that, but his ability to go from humor to tears so quickly...just wow!!
The compatibility between the two lead actors worked well with this drama. Satisfaction guaranteed!
This drama just shot straight up my top 10 list!
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4. When the Camellia Blooms
Korean Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
OMG! This drama was more than I thought it was!! I thought it was going to be another drama about the FL not being accepted because of taboo things (single mother, orphan, etc.). However, it was more than that. A serial killer drama? Totally didn't expect that! It was so well done.
Most crime dramas don't freak me out, because the killer is revealed rather quickly (or I figure it out faster than I should). WTCB was so well produced and written...I was literally shocked. What was funny was that I thought it was the true killer for a while, but then my opinion changed (it can't possibly be him/her). This drama spooked me...that was a first. But in the creepiness of the killer, the love story was just wow.
And just wow. Haneul's character was absolutely adorable!! Seriously though!! Who wouldn't fall for that man?!?!
I will say, though, her ex.... I want to slap a fool!!
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5. True Beauty
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
This was beyond my expectations.
Honestly, going into it, I didn't realize I would like it as much as I did. I started watching it because it was comedy, and I need something funny (after watching so many depressing dramas in a row). I didn't know this drama was going to be more than it's comedy. It had a story. It had serious moments (things high schoolers deal with). I liked it because it was serious yet funny. It didn't break my heart.
The comedy, in my opinion, wasn't over done. It was well placed and extremely humorous. Cringey at times, but wow! I absolutely loved the story. Parts from Episode 14-16 irritated me a bit, but it was understandable. Still hurt. But again, the depressing parts weren't left to linger.
And man!! CHA EUN WOO..... dude!! I fell hard for him in this drama.... Moonbin move over... Cha Eun Woo coming through!! I didn't necessarily have SLS with this drama, but I absolutely loved him. Seriously thought, I thought Hwang In Yeob did a fantastic job playing Han Seo Jun.You just can't help but fall for him a little.
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6. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Three words: NAM JOO HYUK. Need I say more???
Such a beautiful story! So satisfying. And for once a realistic depiction of a certain situation. I just love this drama so much!!!
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7. The Legend of the Blue Sea
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
Not everybody loves fantasy, but I love me some mermaids. Seriously, I'd be a mermaid if I could. Or Aquaman...well woman... Such a great story. I love the flashbacks to their "previous" life. I find it to be attention grabbing. Especially when those flashbacks agree in the beginning. It's like they set up the episode for you. And oh my word...her adjustment to the human world is hilarious. I can't help but love this drama. It hits you right in the feels at the appropriate times. And Ken singing "Fool" yummy.
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8. Thirty but Seventeen
Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes
Wholesome. Heartwarming. Lovely. Funny. Emotional. Satisfying. There are more adjectives but I'll stop there. This is one I could re-watch again and again and again. So so so happy. And the male lead is beautiful to boot. And Ahn Hyo Seop was hilarious. And the story line!!! WOW WOW WOW!
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9. The Beauty Inside
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
I can't believe this drama was sitting in my "plan to watch" list for so long. I should have watched this a heck of a lot sooner. This was so incredibly beautiful. Breathtaking. Inspiring. Hilarious. And did I mention beautiful. I would definitely call this a wholesome drama. It did not contain any unnecessary drama. No weird mothers. No irritating second leads. Just beauty and comedy from the first minute. And have I mentioned how much I like the secretary Joo Hwan? His help to Seo Do Jae was just hilariously beautiful! And the ending!!! I can't get over how beautiful the ending was!!
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10. Oh My Venus
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
What an amazingly cute story. The cute factor. The humor. The emotions. I haven't cried that hard since Goblin! UH! SOOOOOO GOOOOD!!!! The humor wasn't over the top either. Is was placed in the right spots and not over done. So cute. Makes me wonder if someone will like my dimples as much as he likes hers....
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11. I Hear Your Voice
Korean Drama - 2013, 18 episodes
I was concrned starting this drama... age gaps don't bother me, but what bothers me is when one of the leads is still in high school. And knowing that before I started this drama, caused me to have a lot of hang ups with it before starting. And boy...I should never have let that bother me.
This was an excellent drama. I am embressed as always with LJS's acting skills. And his ability to show different sides of his characters.
This drama was not what I was expecting; it was much better!
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12. Her Private Life
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
I'm a K-pop fan. So this drama immediately drew me in because I could relate so much. I live in Korea, and whenever Koreans find out about my secret hobby it's always a mixed response. Sometimes, I am ashamed to reveal my love for this genre of music. This drama just made me realize I'm not the only one out there that feels like she has to hide her passions. I know this was incredibly fiction. But always stories are based on some semblance of truth. Also, I loved how beautiful the story in this was. The hate to love story of our main cast. The Love Ryan Gold had for her and the support he gave her in her "hobby". I loved how she was able to meet her idol, because I could only live vicariously through her. Because that'll never happen in real life. Nope. Nope. Love this beautiful drama. And the music!!
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13. Crash Landing on You
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
WOW WOW WOW!! So emotionally gripping. Like wow!
This is a must watch. It was funny, sad, entertaining, and beautiful. And HYUN BIN!!! OH WOW! PLUS the comrades just made the drama even more special.
Need I say more?
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14. W
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
I might possibly have an obsession in Lee Jong Suk.... I just can't help myself. I found this drama enthralling and captivating. If I can watch an entire drama in just two days...they did something right!
This is definitely and "edge of your seat" kind of drama. Like hold on to your hats people!!
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15. Pinocchio
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
So this drama is a bit depressing. Definitely not one to watch when you, yourself are depressed. BUT I always say keep going. Keep watching. Especially this one because it gets better.
It was a little strange around episode 12. I thought it was wrapping up, so when the drama kept on, all I could think was , how? And then the surprise you with an enemy you least expected. WOW!
I did enjoy this drama a lot. The underlying messages. The character developments. The OST. So beautiful!
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16. Love in the Moonlight
Korean Drama - 2016, 18 episodes
I have a thing for men who cry. Especially male actors who do a very good job with crying scenes. It doesn't take much for me to cry, but when I male actor pulls off a crying scene--successfully-I am forever a fan of the drama. That was this drama. Park Bo Gum surprised me in this drama with his acting skills. I also enjoyed the story line. I am not one to watch historical dramas, but I really liked this one.
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17. My Love from the Star
Korean Drama - 2013, 21 episodes
Humor plus unexpected murder mystery plus fantasy/scifi....YES PLEASE.
Plus Kim Soo Hyun is like seriously a beautiful man!! And a brilliant actor
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18. My ID Is Gangnam Beauty
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
I'm really not one for "beauty" dramas. But I love how this drama focused on the inner beauty and not the outer beauty. Even though the main character received a face job, she learned the value of not placing on "score"on outer beauty. Because that doesn't always mean the person is a good person. I loved the message. Plus it was such a cute, and sweet drama and romance. And yeah...CHA EUN WOO!!!!
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19. The K2
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
I seriously loved this! Edge of your seat amazing thriller. Cute scenes between ML and FL. What more could you ask for? Oh! and a satisfying ending!
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20. Abyss
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Um. YES! This was amazing!! I love storylines like this. Cute romance thrown in with murder mystery. Thanks and more? Seriously, I want more! Park Bo Young and Ahn Hyo Seob are perfect together in this drama. Such a different way to bring people back to life. Kept the drama interesting and appealing. Such cute!