There are 4 Korean dramas (listed below) that keep getting pushed to the bottom because:
Initially, when I started watching Korean dramas, there were two problems.
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.
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.
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!)
2019 (55th) BaekSang Arts Awards ~ Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best New Actress
Asia, Netflix. “Sky Castle | Main Trailer [HD] | Netflix.” YouTube Video. YouTube, April 25, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6coIgyV9e0.
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.
2016 SBS Drama Awards ~ Best Actor, Special Actor, Ten Star Award, Best Couple Award
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.
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.”
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.
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”.)
Jiho Na. “Faith Teaser 신의 예고편 – Korean Drama.” YouTube, 21 Aug. 2012, youtu.be/IAyQQNMzELo?si=XKHYNvSDuNhAhRDy. Accessed 14 July 2024.
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