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If you’re new to the world of Korean drama, it may be hard to know where to start, or which ones are worth your time. The list below are dramas that I think will help ease you into it, as they’re both popular and have easy to digest plots. I’ve categorized the Kdrama picks into separate genres, so there is something for everyone. Some of these are catalysts that spurred my passion for Korean drama, so maybe you’ll find luck with them too.
Rom-Com
Secret Garden explores an unlikely relationship between a poor stuntwoman and a rich heir, with an interesting twist — gender and body switching! This leads to hilarious situations, as well as a sweet love story as they slowly learn about each other…by being each other. Secret Garden is one of the first dramas that I watched, and it escalated my overall interest in Korean drama thanks to the unusual premise and excellent execution. It’s also great as an introductory drama because it’s comical without an overly complicated storyline.
Reply 1997 follows a group of close-knit friends from their high school happenings in the 90’s to their present day conversation. Of course, mixed in with humor and romance, this drama easily makes its way to the top of my recommendations. All the characters are so well written that you really fall for them, and it helps the viewer get pulled into the drama. Reply 1997 also focuses on a sense of nostalgia, which helps viewers relate to it and reminds them of their own youth.
Teen Drama
Angry Mom is about a no-nonsense mother who disguises herself as a student at her daughter’s school to uncover why her daughter has been acting strangely. She knows something is wrong, even though her daughter stays quiet. It may sound like a superficial comedy strictly focused on school and teens, but it’s got a surprisingly deep story centered around corruption within the education system and the importance of family. This, coupled with the care the writers took with each character, make the drama intriguing, fun, and easily digestible.
School 2013 is centered around a few students in a lower ranking class who are struggling with their school and home lives. Among these students is Go Nam Soon, the main character who has a poor relationship with another student, Park Heung Soo. The drama highlights their histories and their relationship, while tackling common issues such as academic pressure and bullying that all students face, making it a relatable drama for viewers of similar age groups.
Crime/Thriller
“Are monsters born or made?” This is the question that White Christmas aims to answer throughout its eight episode run. It’s about a group of students who are trapped at school during winter break, and with the addition of a doctor who is seeking refuge, they uncover the murderer living in their midst. The drama truly earns itself a name in the thriller genre. What makes it a great introduction for beginners is that the drama is both well written and emotionally compelling, making it easier to keep engaged if you’re new to Korean dramas.
This crime drama follows a group of investigators and members in an infamous drug ring. Heartless City portrays the love and pain of an undercover agent in her pursuit of the truth. Its noir, crime/thriller-themed plot may help beginners get invested into the story, especially if they are already fans of American crime shows or blockbuster movies. It’s a great way to ease themselves into the world of Korean drama through a familiar genre.
Melodrama
Man From the Equator follows the life of Sun Woo, after a tragic betrayal by his best friend, Jang Il. It starts off with the beginning part of their relationship and how they met, and follows them to adulthood, where they meet again. This was one of the first melodramas I watched, and I was instantly drawn to the character of Sun Woo, who is nothing but benevolent. His character, coupled with the intensity of the show, is a good representation of Korean melodrama. Viewers will see that emotional rollercoasters, extreme good and bad characters, and common troupes like family feud and revenge rule the screen.
Mask is about a girl who takes over the life of her doppelganger when she dies. Her doppelganger was rich, and in an arranged marriage with the heir of a large corporation. This drama’s villain was very compelling and captivating. His ruthlessness and lack of utter remorse made the drama memorable for me. Beginners may find themselves also attracted to this aspect, which helps to digest other themes they may not be used to, such as its heavier melodramatic parts.
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