Hundreds of Korean dramas are produced every year but only a few of them succeed in catching people’s attention. Therefore, if you want to have a taste in Korean dramas without getting lost, why not try out these twelve films?
1. My Love From Another Star (2014)
Drama lovers will never forget the year of 2014 when “You Came From The Star“ became such phenomenon in Asia. The plot, which tells story about an alien who landed on Earth in the Joseon Dynasty and fell in love with a top actress in modern era 400 years later, has been considered to be “fresh” and “entertaining” when using many modern filming techniques to create lively scenes.
The lead female in the drama, Jeon Ji Hyun, became one of the very few actresses to have stolen the show from male co-star Kim Soo Hyun.
Oh, and one more thing. There's a saying that says, "The longer you live, the more you learn." This is indeed true with our 400-year-old alien. You will learn many meaningful lessons from this beautiful creature.
2. Secret Garden (2011)
Considered to be one of the best Korean dramas for both “Cinderella” and “body switching” motif, “Secret Garden” is a big rating success as it describes not only the luxurious world of the rich but also the difficulty that the poor have to encounter in life and how they overcome it.
Bonus for you are these adorable moments. Aren't they cute?
3. Painter Of The Wind (2008)
This is a historical drama about a talented young painter who disguises herself as a boy to search for her father's murderer. Don’t scroll down and ignore this film just because it talks about history - it's really a beautiful and entertaining story.
The pictures look elegant and beautiful. The arts in this drama managed to attract people with paintings, without simply making them bored or tired. Plus, there is a sad love story between a young student and a man who is her dad’s best friend. This plotline will make you feel regretful and filled with sorrow.
4. Grudge: The Revolt Of Nine-Tailed Fox (2010)
Born of a human father and a fox mother, an innocent girl has the ability to use powers and struggles to control them. Unfortunately, she is later killed by a couple knowing that her liver would save their child’s life. Strange things happen after that as the fox mother, who is desperate after her daughter’s death, starts to take revenge on the cruel couple.
Many people do not take notice “Grudge: The Revolt of Nine-Tailed Fox” for two reasons: there is no love line, nor are there any famous stars. Still, the film caught my attention from the very first time I saw it. To me, the film is all about emotional maternal love that the nine-tailed fox has for her child.
5. Master's Sun (2013)
What would happen if one day, you realize that you are capable of seeing ghosts? To Tae Gong Shil, this becomes a serious problem. Ghosts usually haunt her as some want her to fulfill their wishes, others do it just make her scared.
Gong Shil begins to suffer a pathetic life when she becomes an outcast, experiencing insomnia and being haunted by ghosts all the time. One day, she realizes that the ghosts are banished whenever she touches the company president, Joong-won, the most stingy man she's ever known. They are destined to meet and fall in love in a very weird way and their life begins to experience significant changes as ghosts do not give up disturbing them.
6. It's Okay, That's Love (2014)
The film is about love story between a playful-yet-OCD, best-selling mystery fiction novelist, Jang Jae Yeol, and an arrogant psychiatrist, Ji Hae Soo.
Due to their strong personalities, the two of them argue constantly and the tension builds when they have to live in the same house. However, the more they bicker, the more feelings they have towards each other and as soon as they fall in love, Jae Yeol’s mental illness worsens and starts to threaten their life together.
7. That Winter, The Wind Blows (2013)
A gambler and con-man pretends to be the long-lost brother of a blind heiress, but these two damaged people come to find the true meaning of love after meeting each other.
If I were to pick a color that describes the drama, I would go with grey. The film has edgy camera angles that are beyond perfection. It was a big success and became a fever throughout Asia in 2013. Even though the drama brings about the feeling of melancholy, viewers admit they cannot stop watching it because the performances of all the characters were so real and emotional.
8. Master Of Study (2010)
There are many school dramas that were are produced over the past five years, but the reason why I choose “Master Of Study” to put in the list is because it has inspired many teenagers to follow their dream, including me. The story tells about an abrasive lawyer whose responsibility is to liquidating Byung Moon High School. As he starts his job, he sees his own troubled past in the problematic students who live their lives without dreams. This lawyer decides to help the school by establishing a special class which teaches five delinquent students. Love in the drama is considered to be soft, which is fit for viewers at all ages.
So, what do you think about the list ? Check back next week for part two with many more interesting films...
