Beginner's Guide to K-Drama - 2022
I'm not gonna lie, I was late to the k-drama party; because it was only in 2019 when my love for k-dramas began. I've tried a couple of recommendations before but none of them could make me want to finish an episode. I found them all too boring.
If you're ready for a reality TV show, highly recommend this! Rain and Ro Hong-chul travels around Korea in their motorbikes and they show us all the good food and local eateries to enjoy. I loved this. It was wholesome and if I'm being honest, I've also listed down some of the places I potentially want to visit when I go back to Korea!
Which is why I decided to list down 10 TV shows that can help kickstart your k-drama journey! If you want to jump into the bandwagon, these shows are personally the ones I've watched and these are where it all began. I hope you enjoy them all as much as I did!
This was where it all started. I finished the entire season in just two days! It's a story about a girl who went paragliding and ended up in North Korea. Even though it's a love story between a North Korean soldier and a South Korean woman, it became even more interesting because it kind of gave a glimpse of how life is in the North. Super duper recommend this show!
A fantasy k-drama about a hotel located in Seoul but only caters to ghosts. You'd think this show would be corny, I did to to be honest, but they told the story so well! If you're into magical realism, the afterlife and reincarnation, this is a good place to start!
Another show that gripped my heart and made me cry the entire season! All this guy wants is a successful resto-bar business but you know, some people can get jealous and will do whatever it takes to bring down their competition. Of course, the story line isn't that simple, as each of the characters have a deeper backstory which makes this even more interesting.
A romantic comedy. Lee Young-joon's secretary announces her resignation but he will not have it. He does everything he can to keep her and while doing so, they both develop feelings for each other. One of the cutest k-drama shows I've watched! They make quite a pair and will make you swoon the entire season!
Such a feel good show. Yoon Hye-jin, a dentist, moves to the countryside and meets a handsome handyman who is a jack-of-all-trades. A city girl and a country boy love story. This show will melt your hearts.
TW: Suicide. This is a more serious show. It gives us a window into the world of the elite. It shows how some families and parents will do anything to get their kids to get into the best schools. This made me realize a lot of things and was honestly an eye opener for me.
A makjang k-drama. Meaning: storylines that are extremely dramatized and exaggerated to make things intense and exciting. This is by far the longest k-drama I've watched. It's 3 seasons! The storyline is out of this world but it's exciting and you're just going to want more. Another story about wealthy families who will do anything for their children. They also have secret lives and a murder mystery is involved as well.
Well I guess the title is a dead giveaway. Infidelity, affairs. That's about it. I don't want to expound further as I might give away more than I should. If you're into that stuff, you're going to want to watch this!
Historical k-drama. What I love about watching Korean dramas is that somehow, they manage to include a part of their history into the story and still make it extremely interesting. A doctor from the Jeoson era time travels to the future and crosses paths with another doctor. Throughout the entire season, we see them grow and learn about life and what it really is to be in their profession.
1. Crash Landing On You
This was where it all started. I finished the entire season in just two days! It's a story about a girl who went paragliding and ended up in North Korea. Even though it's a love story between a North Korean soldier and a South Korean woman, it became even more interesting because it kind of gave a glimpse of how life is in the North. Super duper recommend this show!
2. Hotel Del Luna
A fantasy k-drama about a hotel located in Seoul but only caters to ghosts. You'd think this show would be corny, I did to to be honest, but they told the story so well! If you're into magical realism, the afterlife and reincarnation, this is a good place to start!
3. Itaewon Class
Another show that gripped my heart and made me cry the entire season! All this guy wants is a successful resto-bar business but you know, some people can get jealous and will do whatever it takes to bring down their competition. Of course, the story line isn't that simple, as each of the characters have a deeper backstory which makes this even more interesting.
4. What's Wrong With Secretary Kim
A romantic comedy. Lee Young-joon's secretary announces her resignation but he will not have it. He does everything he can to keep her and while doing so, they both develop feelings for each other. One of the cutest k-drama shows I've watched! They make quite a pair and will make you swoon the entire season!
5. Hometown Cha Cha Cha
Such a feel good show. Yoon Hye-jin, a dentist, moves to the countryside and meets a handsome handyman who is a jack-of-all-trades. A city girl and a country boy love story. This show will melt your hearts.
6. Sky Castle
TW: Suicide. This is a more serious show. It gives us a window into the world of the elite. It shows how some families and parents will do anything to get their kids to get into the best schools. This made me realize a lot of things and was honestly an eye opener for me.
7. The Penthouse Wars
A makjang k-drama. Meaning: storylines that are extremely dramatized and exaggerated to make things intense and exciting. This is by far the longest k-drama I've watched. It's 3 seasons! The storyline is out of this world but it's exciting and you're just going to want more. Another story about wealthy families who will do anything for their children. They also have secret lives and a murder mystery is involved as well.
8. The World Of The Married
Well I guess the title is a dead giveaway. Infidelity, affairs. That's about it. I don't want to expound further as I might give away more than I should. If you're into that stuff, you're going to want to watch this!
9. Live Up To Your Name
Historical k-drama. What I love about watching Korean dramas is that somehow, they manage to include a part of their history into the story and still make it extremely interesting. A doctor from the Jeoson era time travels to the future and crosses paths with another doctor. Throughout the entire season, we see them grow and learn about life and what it really is to be in their profession.
10. Hungry & Hairy
If you're ready for a reality TV show, highly recommend this! Rain and Ro Hong-chul travels around Korea in their motorbikes and they show us all the good food and local eateries to enjoy. I loved this. It was wholesome and if I'm being honest, I've also listed down some of the places I potentially want to visit when I go back to Korea!
Well that's about it. I have more shows on my list but I thought I'd keep it at 10 for now and share the ones I think would be a great way to start your k-drama journey!
