7 Korean Dramas Recommended For Guys

If you’re a guy new to Korean dramas and don’t know where to start, here’s a list of my own personal favorites that you may find helpful. While not strictly “for guys” in the sense of being targeted to males, these Korean dramas all have a great mix of themes that can appeal to anyone — basically, none of them are too heavily focused on tearjerking melodrama or candy-sweet romance. I’ve also included some short trailers and clips to give you an idea of what each show is like. Enjoy!

Bridal Mask

An action-packed historical epic set in Seoul during the 1930s Japanese colonial era, this drama is full of raw energy. Joo Won pulls off an impressive acting range with a double identity: to some he is a traitorous Korean policeman who works for the Japanese, and to others he is the vigilante “Bridal Mask” (“Gaksital”) who fights for their independence. The drama’s setpieces feel wonderfully authentic, the action is swift and brutal, and the story is heart-pounding and rousing throughout. Watching this drama got me fired up and out of my seat several times, a testament to its high level of immersion.

Healer

An intriguing spy thriller where three people’s fates cross paths to uncover a dark secret from the past, Healer is a very solid drama from start to finish. It’s got smart characters who actually think logically, great camaraderie among the main cast, and cool moments galore. The pacing is also fantastic, as it never drags on any plot point for too long, instead always moving forward to uncover the next big reveal. At times it even felt a bit Marvel-esque, with stylishly filmed scenes interwoven with witty dialogue; it’s certainly a high quality drama where all of its elements just clicked.

It’s Okay That’s Love

Following the lives of several people as they cope with their own dysfunctions, It’s Okay That’s Love is one of the most touching shows that I’ve ever watched. It takes on the subject of mental health issues with maturity and sincerity, never using it as fodder for a cheap joke. I really appreciated how the emphasis was on acceptance and healing, and the drama didn’t use some fantasy cure-all to give everyone a happy ending. It’s also one of the only shows to actually make me cry; Jo In Sung‘s incredibly nuanced acting near the end of the drama still sticks with me to this day.

Liar Game

Based on a Japanese manga, Liar Game pits a group of people against each other in psychological battles as part of a twisted “game show”, all vying for a huge cash prize. Lee Sang Yoon as the male lead Ha Woo Jin is particularly memorable, as he keeps winning game after game using his cool calculations and ability to read people — that is, until he meets his match in his rival, the show host Kang Do Young (also played well by Shin Sung Rok). Their exhausting battle of wits is akin to watching a duel between Sherlock and Moriarty, and the surprises keep coming until literally the last second of the drama.

Marriage, Not Dating

A drama that most people probably haven’t heard of, I consider it one of my guilty pleasures. It’s a light-hearted, sitcom-style romp through a silly storyline where a fake romance to fool the parents turns real. The gags are simple yet unexpected, with smart cuts made to initially make you interpret scenes differently than what actually happens. It’s a genuinely funny and awkward drama that’s fun to watch with anyone.

Nine: Nine Time Travels

Park Sun Woo (Lee Jin Wook) is a news anchorman who finds nine magical incense sticks on a trip to Nepal, allowing him exactly nine chances to travel back in time to unlock the mystery of his brother’s death. This drama was as exciting as any well-written suspense thriller, because of the unique rules of its time travel and how Sun Woo deals with the complex ripple effects of his actions. While not without a few continuity issues (as with all time travel shows), Nine Time Travels had a satisfyingly intricate plot full of relatable characters and tense at-the-last-moment sequences — and the ending will have you digging through online theories for hours.

Oh My Ghost

What happens when a virgin ghost takes over your body and aggressively tries to “ahem” with the guy you like? That’s basically the premise of Oh My Ghost, but it turned out to be so much more. It has a lovable cast with great chemistry, a nicely done cooking theme, and even a chilling murder mystery. Somehow it all works, and I found myself laughing one moment and creeped out the next. Special mention needs to made of Park Bo Young, who really carried the drama with her wonderful acting and bubbly persona as the clueless, ghost-possessed kitchen assistant.

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