Six (6) Korean Dramas That Feature the Game of Baduk

This watch list is an add-on to the review previously published for the Korean movie, “The Divine Move” (2014). If you are interested in more Korean dramas that feature the popular game Baduk (also called “Go”), six (6) more recommendations are listed below, including “The Divine Move 2”.

• Check Out PopGeeks Review: The Divine Move: Who Knew Baduk Was Such a Deadly Game?

♦ (1) Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014)

• Genre: Comedy, Workplace or Office, Biographical
• My Drama List Rating: 8.6 out of 10 stars

STORYLINE: Jang Geu-rae, failed to achieve his dream of becoming a professional baduk (Go) player. So now he’s struggling to climb up the corporate ladder. He lacks education and experience but he has a strong work ethic and is quick-witted. He eventually gains the respect of his co-workers and is considered a valued team member. This series is based on the webtoon of the same name. Life is kind of like playing a game of baduk. You need to have a game plan and strategy to succeed.

Main Characters:

• Jang Geu-Rae (played by Im Si-Wan, “The King Loves”, “Emergency Declaration”, “Unlocked”)
• An Young-Yi (played by Kang So-Ra)
• Jang Baek-Ki (played by Kang Ha-Neul)
• Han Seok-Yul (played by Byun Yo-Han)

WATCH TRAILER:

Ani-Hongo. “MISAENG: INCOMPLETE LIFE (2014) – TRAILER.” YouTube Video. YouTube, March 20, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu_0AwQV1x8.

‌♦ (2) The Stone (2014)

• Genre: Action, Crime
• My Drama List Rating: 7.8 out of 10 stars

STORYLINE: Min Su graduated from the Korean Baduk Academy. Even though he is an exceptional baduk player, his skills have gotten him nowhere. Most of his time is wasted gambling. On the plus side, he usually wins every game. This is how he meets Nam Hae, a middle-aged, small-time crime boss who was so impressed with Min Su’s skills that he asked the young man to teach him privately. For the first time, Nam Hae found something and someone in his life that was more important than the criminal underworld. He wanted to encourage Min Su to enter a pro tournament and make a name for himself. But you know how it is in the crime world. It’s easy to get in, but not easy to get out. Nam Hae understands this and doesn’t want that kind of life for Min Su. Will he be able to help Min Su have a bright future as a legitimate champion baduk player?

Main Characters:

• Min-Su (played by Cho Dong-In)
• Nam-Hae (played by Kim Roe-Ha)
• In-Gul (played by Park Won-Sang)

WATCH TRAILER:

Dark Dreams. “The Stone (스톤) – Trailer – South-Korean Action, Drama [Eng Subbed].” YouTube Video. YouTube, June 4, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5aflLErOe0.

‌♦ (3) Reply 1988 (2015)

• Genre: Romance, Comedy, Youth, Coming of Age
• My Drama List Rating: 9.1 out of 10 stars

STORYLINE: This series explores the lives of five friends and their families living in the same neighborhood in Seoul. The community is close-knit, and the plot focuses on their daily life, challenges, and growth as the friends transition from childhood to adulthood. Their everyday lives are set against the backdrop of significant historical events that occurred during the late ’80s in South Korea. It was a volatile period. In “Reply 1988,” baduk is not “key” to the storyline. The scenes where the characters are playing are mainly for strengthening the relationships between the friends and bonding moments. Two of the friends are avid baduk players. The competition is friendly, but it reflects their different personalities. The game often serves as a backdrop for character development. Baduk is also used metaphorically for strategic thinking and decision-making, a comparison to how the characters make life choices and choose relationships.

Main Characters:

• Duk-Sun (played by Hyeri, “Moonshine”, “Monstrum”, “May I Help You”)
• Jung-Hwan (played by Ryu Jun-Yeol)
• Sun-Woo (played by Ko Kyoung-Pyo)
• Taek (played by Park Bo-Gum)
• Dong-Ryong (played by Lee Dong-Hwi)

WATCH TRAILER:

Viu Philippines. “Reply 1988 | Trailer with Eng Subs.” YouTube Video. YouTube, March 20, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-EMf3JdxUA.

‌♦ (4) The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful (2019)

NOTE: This movie has a prequel spinoff: “The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful”. Where to watch in USA: Apple TV.

• Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
• My Drama List Rating: 7.5 out of 10 stars

STORYLINE: In the 1990s, many gambling addicts in South Korea succumbed to the “GO gambling fever”. As a child, Gwi-Soo’s father was addicted and this addiction caused him to lose everything and everyone he loved. However, two teachers took him off the streets and taught him everything he needed to know to always win at baduk. It turns out, he was a gifted player and became known as “Ghost Fingers”. As an adult he loses teacher. But this time he plans to take revenge. What is sad about this movie is that the male lead had such incredible skills as a baduk player. But unfortunately, he was drawn into the dark world where the game is played for big money and people play like beasts instead of civil sportsman-like human beings. This quote sums up Gwi-Soo’s story: “The world is one of two things for you: either a playground or a living hell.”

Main Characters:

• Gwi-Soo (played by Kwon Sang-Woo, “Han River Police”)
• Teacher Ddong (played by Kim Hee-Won)
• Teacher Heo Il-Do (played by Kim Sung-Kyun)
• Busan Weed (played by Heo Sung-Tae)
• Loner (played by Woo Do-Hwan)
• Shaman Jangsung (played by Won Hyun-Joon)

WATCH TRAILER:

KoreanFilmBiz KoBiz. “The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful (2019).” YouTube Video. YouTube, November 1, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJQ3xeoSfvc.

♦ (5) The Glory (2022-2023)

Check Out PopGeeks Review: The Glory: Bullies Beware! Victims Come Back!

♦ (6) Captivating the King (2024)

Check Out PopGeeks Review: Captivating the King: Do You Play Baduk?