funcurve
  • Gaming
  • Anime
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Reviews
  • About Us
  • Gaming
  • Anime
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Reviews
  • About Us
funcurve

7 Must-Watch Korean Dramas of 2015 — by Genre

By Angela on January 5, 2016 in Drama
  • 29.1K
    Shares

2015 was a prolific year for Korean drama, not just in sheer number of dramas produced, but also in the diversity of themes and genres. Creative and offbeat concepts ranging from multiple personalities, to supernatural powers, to vampires, drew a lot of interest long before the dramas even aired. As we welcome 2016, it’s time to have a look back at some of the not-to-be-missed dramas of 2015 in their respective genre.

But before we get started, let us explain the criteria of our selection. First, a top drama for us is usually comprised of an intricate story, memorable characters with depth, a talented cast, and air-tight execution. Unusual premises, savvy dialogues, and beautiful cinematography add brownie points; lapses of logic, overused tropes, and extended downtimes majorly detract from the experience. Secondly, dramas that began in 2014 and finished in 2015 are considered while dramas that aired in 2015 but won’t wrap up until 2016 are not. With these expectations set, let’s jump in.

Healer — Best in Action Adventure

healer cover

Healer is a thrilling spy adventure drama where a night courier, a famous reporter, and a tabloid journalist join hands to uncover the buried secrets among a group of friends from over a decade ago. There are many things that Healer does right: scripting, acting, and character building. But what truly separates Healer from the rest is how those elements are stitched together to tell a flawlessly paced, action-packed story that makes you feel like there’s never a dull moment.

healer 38 healer 11

healer 06 healer 16

Kill Me Heal Me — Best in Psychological

kill me heal me cover

Kill Me Heal Me tells the story of how a psychiatrist helps a multiple personality disorder chaebol reconnect with the dark secrets of his past that made him the way he is. While it may seem like just another rom-com with overly exaggerated medical conditions on the surface, Kill Me Heal Me is surprisingly heart-wrenching and deep — certainly one of the most touching dramas of this year. Thanks to Ji Sung’s exceptional acting in portraying the emotional complexities of the various archetypes, the drama’s colorful personalities are now iconic characters loved by many.

kill me heal me 12 kill me heal me 10

kill me heal me 17 kill me heal me 27

Oh My Ghost — Best in Rom-Com

oh my ghost cover

A refreshing take on the taboo topics of ghost and seduction, Oh My Ghost hilariously demonstrates how a virgin ghost possesses a clumsy kitchen assistant to seduce the handsome chef. Oh My Ghost quickly emerged as one of the best romantic comedies of the year with its diverse themes involving food, identity, murder, and of course, ghost. In particular, the sparkling chemistry between Park Bo Young and Jo Jung Suk is so endearing that it’ll make you cry deeply, laugh hysterically, and fall in love with their adorable characters.

oh my ghost 01 oh my ghost 02

oh my ghost 10 oh my ghost 14

Pinocchio — Best in Melodrama

pinocchio cover

Pinocchio takes us along a thrilling journey in separating fact from fiction through the eyes of four rookie reporters. It’s got all the right ingredients for a promising melodrama: a novel disorder of not being able to lie, a cast of eye-candy actors who can actually act, a sweet romance, and a chilling revenge theme. The success of Pinocchio rests in the meticulously thought-through plot sequences in exposing the web of lies, and the realistic depictions of the reporter profession that make the drama believable.

pinocchio 18 pinocchio 04

pinocchio 29 pinocchio 22

Punch — Best in Legal Drama

punch cover

Punch explores how modern day prosecutors cope with the constant clash between ideals versus reality, and scrutinizes the paths they choose in response to temptations and survival. In this labyrinth of power struggle, each character has a distinctive yet essential purpose; the good guys, the bad guys, and the morally ambiguous ones wrestle between justice and personal gain. Punch’s intricate, suspenseful game of chess keeps you guessing till the very end who’s going to come on top.

punch 12 punch 26

punch 20 punch 08

The Girl Who Sees Smells — Best in Fantasy

the girl who sees smells cover

The Girl Who Sees Smells may have struck gold by weaving the outlandish premise of a girl who can visualize smells into a serial crime drama. It unexpectedly and masterfully interlaces murder mystery with bizarre comedy as our heroes track down their joint enemy, the barcode killer. However, the most memorable character in The Girl Who Sees Smells is the exceptionally haunting villain who brings chills down your back with his every appearance.

the girl who sees smells 02 the girl who sees smells 03

the girl who sees smells 06 the girl who sees smells 01

Who Are You: School 2015 — Best in Teen Drama

who are you: school 2015 cover

For a teen drama, Who Are You: School 2015 surprised me with an exceptional blend of gripping mystery surrounding a set of twin sisters, and adorable high school romance. The young actors, especially Kim So Hyun, convincingly channel their characters’ divergent personas, making them that much more unforgettable. But the biggest delight of the drama is its ability in building suspense, tension, and curiosity with impeccable timing.

who are you: school 2015 02 who are you: school 2015 05

who are you: school 2015 23 who are you: school 2015 21

Now that you’ve read our top-picks, what’s your favorite drama of 2015? Let us know in the comments section.


  • 29.1K
    Shares
  • 29.1K
    Shares
actionadventurecomedycrimefantasylegallistsmelodramapoliticspsychologicalromancesupernaturalteen drama

Enjoy our posts? Find out when there's more:

  • The latest reviews
  • More fun reads

You May Also Like

15
What Do You Think?

avatar
8 Comment threads
7 Thread replies
0 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
9 Comment authors
Anonymousscholastica Belinda wrickettstsuyoi_hikarimae_iNix Gwirelle Recent comment authors
avatar

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

newest oldest
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

That good i am happy

Reply
5 years ago
scholastica Belinda wricketts
Guest
scholastica Belinda wricketts

it’s super wow I luv it

Reply
6 years ago
tsuyoi_hikari
Guest
tsuyoi_hikari

I will put I Remember You for the Crime & Legal drama instead. The plot was unexpected and you keep guessing together with the characters. At first glance, you thought the drama is about Hyeon & Jian but it is actually more on the story of Hyeon & his long lost brother Min — the audience was in for a nice surprise in the middle of the drama. I love when dramas give me surprises like this.

Reply
6 years ago
Angela
Author
Angela

Yep, agree that I Remember You would have been a great choice for Crime as well. The only reason I went with The Girl Who Can See Smell over I Remember You is because of the final resolution with he criminal. I Remember You feels like it’s not yet finished…

Reply
6 years ago
mae_i
Guest
mae_i

Reply 1988 is good too.. thou it’s still on going.. The girl who sees smell is really good too.. as well as I remember you

Reply
6 years ago
Angela
Author
Angela

We actually have a I Remember You review coming out very soon, so stay tuned! Reply 1988 is definitely on our to-be-watched and to-be-reviewed bucket list!

Reply
6 years ago
mae_i
Guest
mae_i

yes will definitely read that review for IRY thanks :-) and do one for Reply 88 too

Reply
6 years ago
Angela
Author
Angela

Our I Remember You review is published today and we’re currently working on Reply 1988!

Reply
6 years ago
Nix Gwirelle
Guest
Nix Gwirelle

WHO ARE YOU: SCHOOL 2015 >///////< ^O^

Reply
6 years ago
Lax
Guest
Lax

Kill me heal me is the best till date! Ji sung is one of the best actors. flawless as Yo Na and as shin se gi! not many can pull it off :)

Reply
6 years ago
Melpha Laeda Tabunan
Guest
Melpha Laeda Tabunan

SHE WAS PRETTY is also a hit.

Reply
6 years ago
Angela
Author
Angela

We actually have a review of She Was Pretty coming out soon in January. Stay tuned!

Reply
6 years ago
Angela
Author
Angela

Our She Was Pretty review has been published a couple of weeks ago, be sure to check it out!

Reply
6 years ago
Miminana
Guest
Miminana

This list is very accurate! I couldn’t agree more with your choices.

Reply
6 years ago
Angela
Author
Angela

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

Reply
6 years ago
  • Gaming
  • Anime
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Reviews
  • About Us

© 2022 Funcurve. All rights reserved.

wpDiscuz