suggested reading: 12+ or 15+
If you’ve decided to read this, you could be one of two types of people. A recruit who recently discovered the wonderful world of Korean entertainment, whether it was through your peers, a Korean pop bias, or just for a diversion from your boredom. Or, a veteran that’s searching for the latest, up-to-date Korean dramas that spark their interest. Regardless, these reviews will include favorites as well as underrated dramas.
5. Backstreet Rookie
My Rating: 10/10
Backstreet Rookie is a comedy based around part-timer, Jung Saet-Byul, and her pursuit to make her manager, Choi Dae-Hyun, fall in love with her after their encounter when she was in high school. Despite her charm and beauty, she was also known for her expert fighting skills, which was beneficial in positive and negative ways. Jung Saet-Byul is a bold expert in marketing, but regardless of her talent, she quit a better job for a part-time job at the convenience store owned by Choi Dae-Hyun to follow her ambition of dating him. As she helps save his family business, there are many moments where her actions are exaggerated to the point where it will without a doubt make you laugh. Although, she also runs into a predicament when she discovers that he has a wealthy, well-rounded girlfriend who he treasures undeniably. Since Saet-Byul’s parents passed away when she was younger, she struggles to support herself and her sister, who is an aspiring idol trainee.
The final episode was aired on August 8 after a schedule of two full episodes weekly, regardless of the negative comments when it was first released. The audience rating has also been kept at an astounding 4.8 stars out of 5. I strongly recommend this drama to anyone bored with the typical dramas with a love triangle and cheesy backstories as well as those who would love a good rom-com. Personally, this is one of my current favorites to keep me entertained during quarantine and a great drama to start.
4. Eulachacha Waikiki (Welcome to Waikiki)
My rating: 9.5/10
Eulachacha Waikiki is based around a comedy about three men who run a rented guesthouse but end up getting involved with a single mother and her baby. Kang Dong-goo is a cynical man in the process of becoming a movie director. His blunt character and cheesy smile kept the guesthouse somehow intact. Lee Joon Ki is an aspiring actor stuck in mainly minor roles. Bong Doo-shik is a scriptwriter having a difficult time gaining popularity, but he is overall a sweet and timid guy. Then, there’s also Han Yoon-ah who is struggling to get by. She also tends to make mistakes, causing accidents. Dong-goo’s sister is Kang Seo-jin. She speaks freely and doesn’t put up with any nonsense from her brother’s friends. Lastly, there’s also Dong-goo’s ex-girlfriend Min Soo-ah who ends up staying at the guesthouse during difficult times.
This show is an over the top comedy style drama. Throughout the show, the characters go through some ridiculous situations, sometimes even making holes in the ceiling. There is no doubt that you will chuckle a lot during every episode because the humor and Lee Yi Kyung’s priceless emotions can make even the most annoyed people crack a smile. Although there’s no real climax to this drama, it’s just too funny to stop. Plus, it won’t be scary to watch this alone at night.
3. Sweet Revenge
My Rating: 9/10
Also known as Revenge Note, Sweet Revenge revolves around the high school life of Ho Go Hee (Kim Hyang-gi). If you’re a big fan of the Korean pop idol, Cha Eun-woo, like myself, watching this quick drama will make you squeal throughout the show. Or, if you don’t have too much time to relax, this is the perfect refresher because it only has 11 refreshing episodes, each 30 minutes long. Right from the beginning, it pulled me right in because of my weakness for high school dramas.
During Hyang-gi’s first year in high school, she runs into various challenging hardships such as heartbreak, family issues, and bullying. Thankfully enough, her brother’s best friend, the outstanding Eun-woo, was always watching out for her and a shoulder for her to lean on. There was also another classmate, Shin Ji Hoon, who cared about her, and also a secret app called Revenge Note. The app would somehow cause misery to whoever’s name she put down with a series of revolting events. Yet, the background story between Goo-hee and Eun-woo was also mentioned rarely and it was a pity that Eun-woo’s one sided-love was left unaddressed.
2. Extraordinary You
My rating: 1000/10
Based on a webtoon, this Korean drama is based around the characters in the manga. It might sound odd at first, but it gets progressively better. In the beginning, it starts off like any high school drama with the main lead, Eun Dan-oh, who knows all the popular boys. As she passes the halls, everyone stops and stares. She’s also the only daughter of a wealthy family with everything she’s ever wanted. Until everything changes. She begins to realize that the world didn’t revolve around her. It was her classmate, Yeo Joo-da. Joo-da was the complete opposite of her and the typical manga hero, poor but also energetic and kind. Her family situation isn’t great so she has many part-time jobs. Joo-da also gets in a love triangle with two of the most popular guys at her school. As the story progresses, Dan-oh discovers that she can’t control what she says and does when she runs into the main characters of the manga. Although like our world, no one knows that their lives and actions are predetermined for them in the manga until Dan-oh discovers the manga on the shelves of their school library.
Discovering that she was a supporting character, she also meets a dashing extra named Haru. Since he was just an extra, he had no lines or role, but Dan-oh decided to change it. Naturally, this had consequences.
Overall, this drama was captivating. Once they aired the next episode every week, I would watch it instantly because the cliffhangers were perfect. They caused me to count the days before the next episode was uploaded. Like any show, there were many frustrating scenes throughout, but it is definitely worth it to finish watching.
1. Angel’s Last Mission
My rating: 10/10
In the world of angels, Kim Dan (right) was given one last mission of helping Lee Yeon-seo (left) find love as punishment for saving her from death. Yeon-seo is a talented ballerina and grew up in a wealthy family. An “accident” during her performance caused her to go blind, which was when everything began to go downhill. After years of being blind, constant donors being deemed unfit, and a horrible tragedy, she was finally able to see again. After Kim Dan becomes Yeon-seo’s personal assistant, their relationship begins to grow into something more than expected. She also attempts to return to her position as the heir of a ballet conservatory and the prima ballerina. However, not all her cousins are thrilled to have her back.
Personally, I enjoyed this drama because not only is L from Infinite acting as Kim Dan, but there was the perfect mix of comedy, family competition, romance, and action. Furthermore, the actors were amazing at portraying different emotions, especially Shin Hye-sun, who played Lee Yeon-seo. If I could, I would even erase my memory to watch it again.
Discussion Questions:
- What K-drama appeals the most to you? Why?
- What kinds of storylines do you like to see in a show?
