4 Korean Dramas That Have Been on My Watch List for FOREVER!

So many K-dramas. So little time. That’s my problem. I got addicted to Korean dramas almost 20 years ago. There are at least 4 Korean dramas that have been on my watch list for FOREVER!

♦ Why Certain Korean Dramas Are Still on My Watch List

There are 4 Korean dramas (listed below) that keep getting pushed to the bottom because:

• The latest releases include actors and actresses from these old K-dramas and I’m excited to see their newest work. Right now I am watching several series that were just released in 2024. I have to watch them. I have to! Don’t you understand? LOL.

• Also, they started making soap opera-type Korean dramas with 100+ and those shows have episodes uploaded daily. The storylines get you hooked and before you know it, you can’t miss a day without watching the latest episode. Currently, there are 3 of these 100+ episode series that I must watch every day. I must! Thank goodness the episodes are usually short, like 30-40 minutes.

♦ It All Started When …

Initially, when I started watching Korean dramas, there were two problems.

• First, there was not enough content on US streaming platforms to satisfy my appetite.
• Second, content started becoming available but it was not free and I could not afford the monthly subscription charge.

But then the streaming platforms started competing with each other and the heavens opened up. LOL. Now there is free content, free with ads, and paid content. It’s no longer just Netflix and Viki. You can download several apps free on whatever device you use (I use Amazon Fire TV and my laptop). Some platforms have combined efforts to attract customers: like Disney+ and Hulu; and Amazon Prime and KOCOWA+. You can access some of Viki’s content via ROKU.

Most platforms offer free content and then try to entice you to subscribe. Would you believe a platform offered a subscription as low as $1.99 a month? Hey! I said the heavens opened up! Did you think I was kidding?  Recently I added iQIYI because it had a K-drama series I could not find anywhere else. Now don’t laugh at me. Even though there is lots of content available for my viewing pleasure, there are still some movies and TV shows I want to watch that are “Not Available in Your Region”. I am beginning to hate those words. LOL.

♦ Add These 4 Korean Dramas to Your Watch List

All that being said, here are 4 Korean dramas that have been on my watch list for FOREVER! These show up on numerous watch lists published by others and are sometimes they are referred to as “Best Korean Dramas of ALL TIME”.  I have watched a few episodes but not the entire series. So I only got a taste. But no worries because these recommended Korean dramas are “old but gold” and are available on almost all of the streaming platforms. That’s how popular they are.

(1) SKY Castle (2018–2019)

PLOT: Ridiculously wealthy families live in a luxurious residential area known as SKY Castle. Ridiculously ambitious parents ~ mainly 4 moms ~ want their children to succeed academically so that they will be accepted as students for top universities, mainly SNU (Seoul National University). They will do ANYTHING to accomplish their goals, even if it requires EXTREME MEASURES. So what if you sacrifice your integrity or your morals? It’s for a good cause. It’s for our children’s futures.  Is it any wonder that their ruthless pursuit of success takes a psychological toll on both parents and children? Sadly, it’s only when faced with the consequences of their actions, that they ask the question: What is the true meaning of success and happiness in life? Not to mention the impact of the bad example these parents set for their children. Was everything they did really worth it?

(NOTE: A Kdrama that has a similar storyline is “Crash Course in Romance”. The moms in that series were crazy too!)

Main Characters:

• Han Seo-Jin (played by Yum Jung-Ah)
• Kang Joon-Sang (played by Jung Joon-Ho, “The Tale of Nokdu”)
• Lee Soo-Im (played by Lee Tae-Ran)
• Hwang Chi-Young (played by Choi Won-Young, “Hierarchy”, “Twinkling Watermelon”)
• No Seung-Hye (played by Yoon Se-Ah)
• Cha Min-Hyuk (played by Kim Byung-Chul)
• Jin Jin-Hee (played by Oh Na-Ra, “Alchemy of Souls”)
• Woo Yang-Woo (played by Jo Jae-Yun, “The Escape of the Seven 1 and 2”)

AWARDS:

2019 (55th) BaekSang Arts Awards ~ Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best New Actress

TRAILER/TEASER:

Asia, Netflix. “Sky Castle | Main Trailer [HD] | Netflix.” YouTube Video. YouTube, April 25, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6coIgyV9e0.‌

(2) Legend of the Blue Sea (2016–2017)

PLOT: An awesome fantasy romance that involves two different timelines. In the modern-day, a conman who swindles wealthy people has no clue of his past life. He was once a Joseon nobleman who once saved a mermaid. Talk about the stuff of legend and fairy tales. The nobleman fell in love with the mermaid but when certain humans found out she was a mermaid, they had other plans for her. Centuries have passed and … what? … mermaids still exist? Not only do they exist, but they have the power to erase memories. For hundreds of years, the mermaid has been searching for her lover and believes she has finally found him. She’s convinced of his identity. But the conman is not so sure about his past life identity or her. He needs to be convinced that they have a shared history and destiny. The modern-day is not different from ancient times. Their relationship is just like it was during the Joseon Era.  They still have to face adversaries who threaten their happiness.

Main Characters:

• Sim Chung / Se-Hwa (played by Gianna Jun, “Assassination”, “The Berlin File”)
• Heo Joon-Jae / Dam Ryung (played by Lee Min-Ho, “The King: Eternal Monarch”, “Pachinko 1 and 2”)
• Jo Nam-Doo (played by Lee Hee-Jun, “Badland Hunters”, “Blood Free”, “A Killer Paradox”, “Mouse”)
• Cha Si-A (played by Shin Hae-Sun, “See You in My 19th Life” “Don’t Buy the Seller”, “Welcome to Samdal-ri”, “Mr. Queen”)
• Tae-O (played by Shin Won-Ho)

AWARDS:

2016 SBS Drama Awards ~ Best Actor, Special Actor, Ten Star Award, Best Couple Award

TRAILER/TEASER:

Viki Global TV. “The Legend of the Blue Sea – Trailer 2 | Lee Min Ho & Jun Ji Hyun 2016 Korean Drama.” YouTube Video. YouTube, November 2, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_jt3EwBMwU.‌

(3) Descendants of the Sun (2016)

PLOT: A love story about a soldier and a doctor, in a fictional war-torn country called Urk. The soldier is in Special Forces and the doctor is a surgeon working at a hospital in Seoul. Both are top-notch in their respective fields. The military has deployed a team of soldiers to Urk for peacekeeping duties and the doctor has been sent there on a medical mission. Was it love at first sight? No. But the doctor can’t say she wasn’t attracted to the man in uniform walking towards her. Umm?  Should you really fall in love in a conflict zone? Shouldn’t you be too busy performing your professional duties? The soldiers are busy protecting and serving both their own country and the people of Urk. The medical team is busy treating injuries and illnesses and saving lives. There are priorities. But that’s the thing about love. No matter where you are, if you meet your soulmate, your relationship becomes a priority. Not that you will neglect your important duties. Your time will be devoted to performing your tasks and somehow you will figure out how to make the time for the one you love. So what you’re in a war zone. Even if life is uncertain, you should never miss the chance to be in love. Love is life!

To borrow a quote from the theme song for the popular movie “Titanic”: “Love can touch us one time, and last for a lifetime.”

Main Characters:

• Yoo Shi-Jin (played by Song Joong-Ki, “My Name is Loh Kiwan”, “Space Sweepers”, “The Grand Heist”, “Arthdal Chronicles”, “Sungkyunkwan Scandal”)
• Kang Mo-Yeon (played by Song Hye-Kyo, “The Glory 1 and 2”)
• Seo Dae-Young (played by Jin Goo, “My Lovely Angel”)
• Yoon Myeong-Joo (played by Kim Ji-Won, “Queen of Tears”)
• Lieutenant General Yoon (played by Kang Shin-Il, “Pandora”, “Pinocchio”)

AWARDS:

• “Best Couple Award” – 2016 KBS Drama Awards
• “Best Supporting Actor” – 2016 (5th) APAN Star Awards
• “Best Supporting Actor” – 2009 (30th) Blue Dragon Film Awards
• “Best Supporting Actor” – 2009 (46th) Daejong Film Awards
• “Best New Actor” – 2008 (31st) Golden Cinematography Awards

TRAILER/TEASER:

Viki Global TV. “DESCENDANTS of the SUN – OFFICIAL TRAILER | Song Joong Ki, Song Hye Kyo, Jin Goo, Kim Ji Won.” YouTube Video. YouTube, January 25, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTGwjDqtfzQ.‌

(4) Faith (2012) (aka “The Great Doctor”)

PLOT: A princess was attacked by assassins. She was the new bride of the king of Goryeo and he is desperate to save her. But the greatest doctor in the land tells him he does not have the skills to save her life. The king is told to go and pray on a mountain and when he arrives with his faithful guards they gorgeous mystical lights swirling around what looks like an entrance or a door. The swirling lights are a portal and if one goes through that portal, they will find a great doctor who can save the princess. The king orders his trusted warrior to enter the portal and bring back the doctor. As incredible as it may seem, the warrior travels through time and ends up in the 21st century. He finds a doctor capable of healing a princess and takes her back to the past. A female doctor? In Goryeo? What was he thinking? Three words to describe this K-drama series are: thrilling epic fantasy. Plus, it’s a beautiful romance between an ancient warrior and a modern woman.

(NOTE: A Kdrama that has a similar storyline is “Live Up to Your Name”. One doctor practiced oriental medicine and was from Joseon and the other doctor who was from South Korea believed only in modern medicine. The Joseon doctor traveled to the future and treated patients, and the contemporary doctor traveled back to the past and treated patients. Together they were “beautiful”.)

Main Characters:

• Choi Young (played by Lee Min-Ho, “Boys Over Flowers”)
• Yoo Eun-Soo (played by Kim Hee-Seon, “Bitter Sweet Hell”, “Tomorrow”, “Alice”)

TRAILER/TEASER:

Jiho Na. “Faith Teaser 신의 예고편 – Korean Drama.” YouTube, 21 Aug. 2012, youtu.be/IAyQQNMzELo?si=XKHYNvSDuNhAhRDy. Accessed 14 July 2024.