The Walking Dead. Empire. Game of Thrones. Orange is the New Black. American Horror Story.
Sure, all of these TV shows have us biting our nails as we wait for what comes next, but have you ever wanted to watch something different?
As the Hallyu wave continues to spread to all corners of the world, Korean drama, a foreign yet intriguing form of television drama, has gone along with it. Through recommendations, or accidental clicks on the Internet, many people are introduced to this drama genre each and every day.
Just like American drama, Korean dramas debut on television frequently. Instead of searching through the endless list of Korean dramas on a popular subbing website, give these three popular dramas a try.
1. Boys Over Flowers (꽃보다 남자)
Boys Over Flowers is a must for any Kdrama newbie. In fact, when I was new to Korean drama, this was one of the first few I watched. To this day, it still remains as one of my ultimate favorites.
Based on a Japanese manga of the same name, Boys Over Flowers is the manga's fifth television adaptation, yet it is probably the most popular.
After saving a student from sudden death, Geum Jan Di (Ku Hye Sun) suddenly receives a scholarship for Korea's Shinhwa High School, one of the most privileged high schools in the country. At the school, she becomes involved with the notorious F4, a group of handsome and rich males that run the campus. Jan Di's brash personality catches the eye of F4's leader, Gu Jun Pyo (Lee Min Ho).
Though many twists in the plot may come off as cliché, the adorable couples in this series will have you squealing with joy.
2. Dream High (드림하이)
If you are already immersed in the trending genre known as Korean pop, I'd recommend starting with Dream High first. While providing enough drama to make anyone cry, the main characters are also top names in the Korean pop industry, making this drama a musical as well.
In order to pay off her father's immense gambling debts, Go Hye Mi (Suzy) enrolls into Kirin High School in order to become a Korean pop idol. Along the way, she meets five other teens with the same ambitions.
If you find yourself with nothing to do after finishing this musical drama, Dream High's sequel, Dream High 2, provides the same amount of music and drama as its predecessor.
3. You Who Came From the Stars (별에서 온 그대)
You Who Came From the Stars includes the perfect mix of romance, sci-fi, and historical context that any Kdrama fan would love.
After traveling from a distant star to Earth during Korea's Joseon Dynasty 400 years ago, Do Min Joon (Kim Soo Hyun) believes that he is immune to the emotions and actions of humans on planet Earth. Once actress Cheon Song Yi (Jun Ji Hyun) moves into the apartment next door, he finds himself a victim of the human theory of love.
If you're ready to scream, gasp, and cry all at the same time, I recommend this Kdrama. It sure took me on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Good luck as you find what Korean dramas are best for you, and have fun. Once you start watching Kdrama, there's never a way out.
