Personally, I have always been interested in other cultures. Not that I don't love my own culture, but when you are bi-racial it's difficult to pick which one you fit into the best. I love my white father and the culture he grew up with, but I also love the culture of my Hispanic mother and her family.
Being bi-racial is what prompted my interest in history and different cultures. I listen to all kinds of music, German rock, Bachata, British pop, French pop, Celtic music, and classical. I've recently begun watching foreign movies. This is how I came across Korean Dramas. I was working my way through a Chinese fantasy I wasn't very fond of when I saw a commercial for a Taiwanese drama.
While watching this my husband and I was joking about the commercial for a Korean Drama called The K2, because he opens the trunk of a car, checks for a round in the chamber of his pistol, changed a perfectly clean white shirt for another perfectly clean white shirt, checks the chamber again then gets in the car. We had a good laugh, but when my Taiwanese drama was over I decided to give it a try. Needless to say, I haven't stopped watching dramas since; therefore, here are the top five dramas that have made me a fan for life.
1. "The K2"- 2016
Director: Kwak Jung-Hwan; Writer Jang Hyeok-Rin
Network: tvN; Episodes: 16; Genre: Action/Romance
Cast: Ji Chang-Wook (Kim Je-Ha), Yoona (Go Anna)
Kim Je-Ha is a former mercenary who just wants to live a quiet life in his home country. When he witnesses an attack on a Presidential hopeful, to cover it up they plan on making him collateral damage. Je-Ha becomes involved with the family and the candidate's illegitimate daughter who has lived in seclusion for most of her life.
The action in this show is crazy. Ji Chang-Wook worked so hard for this role he vowed not to do another action show for a while. Though he is currently serving his conscription in the military now. Yoona was heavily criticized for her acting in this role, but I think it had more to do with the characters personality than her lack of acting skills. The soundtrack for the show was on point, dramatic when it needed to be, sweet when it called for it. I had to have more after this.
2. "Goblin"- 2016-2017
Director: Lee Eung-Bok, Writer: Kim Eun-Sook
Network: tvN, Eps: 16 Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Cast: Gong Yoo (Kim Shin) Kim Go-Eun (Ji Eun-Tak) Lee Dong-Wook (Grim Reaper) Yoo In-Na (Sunny)
In this one, Kim Shin was an unbeatable general, but after being betrayed and killed by his king he becomes an immortal being called a Goblin. Thinking revenge is the answer, he hunts down those who betrayed him. But after 900 years immortality has lost its luster and Shin seeks the Goblin's Bride, the woman who can end his long life. The only problem is she makes him want to live.
This was one of the funniest, tear-jerking show's I have ever watched. The dynamic between Shin and the Reaper is the best part of the show. It got mixed reviews because the age difference between the characters, she is 19 he is 900, but all together, everyone had good chemistry and it made for a good show. This one had the best soundtrack hands, down. I have yet to find a show with a soundtrack as epic as this, and they use it in the best way.
3. "City Hunter"- 2011
Director: Jin Hyeok, Writer: Tsukasa Hojo (manga) Hwang Eun-Kyung, Choi Soo-jin
Network: SBS, Eps: 20 Genre: Action/Romance
Cast: Lee Min-Ho (Lee Yoon-Sung) Park Min-Young (Kim Na-Na)
Based on a Japanese manga of the same name, when a group of black ops soldiers was betrayed by their own country to hide a failed mission, a survivor kidnaps his friend's son and raises him to exact revenge on the men who gave the order. Lee Yoon-Sung was trained to kill the men who betrayed his father, but he has his own way of doing things, not wanting to continue the cycle of revenge and protect the woman he cares for.
This drama has some great action as well. It's interesting to see the different ways the main character exposes the corruption of the men who have now all become prominent members of business or government. Plus, the dynamic between Yoon-Sung and his lady love, Na-Na.
When he tries to help it always blows up in his face. The soundtrack can be a bit repetitive in this drama, it would be the only drawback, besides the weird ending. I would be geared up for the second season, but that's not likely. Lee Min-Ho is currently serving his conscription in the military.
4. "The Moon Embracing the Sun" - 2012
Director: Kim Do-Hoon, Lee Sung-Joon, Writer: Jung En-Gwol (novel) Jin Soo-Wan
Network: SBS, Eps: 20, Genre: Period/ Romance
Cast: Kim Soo-Hyun (King Lee Hwon) Han Ga-In (Wol/ Heo Yeon-Woo)
After being selected to be the Crown Prince's wife, young Heo Yeon-Woo comes down with a mysterious illness that takes her life. Devastated by the loss Crown Prince Lee Hwon is forced to marry the second choice.
Almost ten years later, the now King Lee Hwon meets a young Shamanes, Wol, who reminds him of his lost love. By a twist of fate, she becomes his human talisman, a shaman who sits while he sleeps to absorb his bad energy so that he may produce an heir. After much confusion, Wol remembers she is really Heo Yeon-Woo, whose death was faked to save her from the Kings conspiring grandmother who wanted the new Queen to stay in her family line.
This is a tear jerker if I ever saw one. The beginning is cute with a little mystery, but the remaining episodes have you thinking "How could anyone endure so much?" It has plenty of drama, including a crazy Queen, a love triangle, lies, betrayal and shaman magic. It's intriguing, a little long-winded, but totally worth the watch. Kim Soo-Hyun is also completing his conscription in the military for the next year.
5. "Warrior Baek Dong Soo" - 2011
Writer: Lee Hyun-Jik, Kim Hong-Sun; Writer: Lee Jae-Hyun (Comic) Kwon Soon-Gyu
Network: SBS; Eps: 29; Genre: Period/Adventure
Cast: Ji Chang-Wook (Baek Dong-Soo) Yoo Seung-Ho (Yeo Woon)
When a Crown Prince tries to question the power of his father's council member, he is framed for a revolt. To cover it up, the King sacrifices another man, declaring him and his wife and just born child to be executed. Through the sacrifice of his father's friend the baby Baek Dong-Soo is saved but disfigured from a long birth.
As a child, he struggles in make-shift splints. Once he is able to walk on his own he begins warrior training with Yeo Woon, who becomes his best friend. In training, Dong-Soo goofs off, though he is one of the best fighters they train. When he is betrayed by Woon, he dedicates his life to becoming the best swordsman Joseon (young Korea) has ever seen.
This is a long story, and some parts can seem to drag, but the drama is great. Ji Chang-Wook's acting is eclipsed by Yoo Seung-Ho, whose characters struggle between the fate he believes is meant for him, and his duty to his friends made the story for me. There are many other important characters and other storylines that all intertwine and it makes for a good drama.
These are the five dramas that made me a fan for life. I have watched countless other dramas from the new ones to years old. It is what prompted my love for Kpop music and my love for the language. If you happen to want to decide to try it for yourself I would definitely suggest one of these.
