#Kdrama rec

[koreandramarec]

JUNG SO MIN

Currently in Love Next Door

1 ~ The smile has left your eyes

Starring Seo In Guk, one of my favorite Korean drama. I was very moved by the male character and his complexity. Their relationship is captivating, with a moving/sad story that will sweep you off your feet. Jung so min became my favorite actress through this drama.

(You can see a cameo of this couple, in Abyss)

2 ~ Because this is my first life

Starring Lee Min Ki, a drama with no headaches, a light-hearted story about a fake wedding. You'll see the male character open up over time. An endearing story that makes for happy evenings.

3 ~ Alchemy of souls 1

Starring Lee Jae Wook, I don't particularly like historical dramas, but this one transports you with its cinematography. The female character is very funny and will still take you through many emotions.

? - What is your favorite drama of Jung So min ?

[kdramacrybaby]

Love Next Door (2024)

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Synopsis: Bae Seok-ryu was living the dream life in America - or so everyone thought until she suddenly showed up in her old hometown in Korea, having quiet her job and left everything behind. There she runs into her old childhood friends, Choi Seung-hyo and Jeong Mo-eum, now all grown and working their dreams as an architect and an EMT. Seok-ryu refuses to talk about why she left her life in America behind, wanting to just move forward and find a new dream to pursue.

Episode info: 16 episodes / Runtime around 75 minutes

Lead cast: Jung So-min (Bae Seok-ryu), Jung Hae-in (Choi Seung-hyo), Kim Ji-eun (Jeong Mo-eum), Yoo Ji-on (Kang Dan-ho)

Link to watch: You can watch on Netflix or Dramacool

Drama rec masterlist | Drama rant thread (beware of spoilers)

This drama started out so good - the perfect rom-com with childhood friends meeting again later in life, now at a time when they can finally start acting on the feelings they've had for each other in secret; young adults trying their best to come to terms with how their dreams might not be what they first wanted them to.

It's cute and funny, and while it does stay that way throughout, it eventually felt like they started repeating themselves.

Which also leads me to the main frustration I have with this drama - miscommunication. This entire drama is built around people just absolutely refusing to sit down and have a rational conversation with each other. I'm not saying people aren't allowed to have some things they don't want to discuss, or be worried about how people will react - that's all fine and normal, miscommunications are a part of life that way. They are supposed to be adult people in their 30s, but act like teenagers.

Every single conflict in this drama stems from nobody talking to each other. They misunderstand something, fight about it and eventually resolve it - then learn absolutely nothing and go on to do it again. And again. It's to the point where I couldn't even enjoy the actors doing a good job, because their lines just made me so annoyed.

I want to like this drama so much, because it is doing a lot of things right - it does have that typical rom-com feel to it that I really like. But I got so frustrated watching these characters have no growth at all.

And the second couple is just so weird to me. I can't say too much without spoiling, but while I see what they were going for, it just ended up being kind of creepy. Had the roles been reversed, with her being the single parent, it would not have been a romance story at all. At least if you ask me.

I know I'm complaining a lot, but that's only because I'm so disappointed. This could have been so good! But it just falls so flat.

If you do enjoy rom-coms you can give this a chance, if you don't mind the low stakes and miscommunication drama - I can see some people like this drama for what it is.

[gojoluvs]

Mimi what Kdramas do u watch, bc where are you getting these spicy scenes from???

oh geez im gonna have to pull out my notes app for this, some of these don’t have any spicy scenes tho!

my top 10 are def

1) Queen of tears (this one is so good its like forever yours but if Y/N was the mean one)

2) Daily dose of sunshine

3) Love to hate you

4) Marry my husband

5) Celebrity

6) Lovely runner

7) Whats wrong with secretary kim

8) Business proposal

9) A love so beautiful

10) King the Land

[etoiile]

to all people who watch kdramas:

im korean but i have never watched more than 5 episodes of a kdrama and it was with my family. ive realized that ive come to know a lot of japanese words and phrases from watching anime and seeing as im korean, im hoping to do the same with kdrama!!

THAT BEING SAID!! i need recommendations!!

i typically gravitate towards light fluffy romance and comedy with fashionable feminine characters and beautiful masculine men lol but im open to trying wtv you think is good! but im really easily scared so if there's a thriller/horror/mystery element i probs cant watch it 😭😭

any rec is appreciated <33 thanks sm!!

[abyssal-ali]

Hii, so I just found the kdrama rec list that you made in like 2023, and I'm in ✨desperate✨ need of a calm, comforting rom com drama, like Hidden Love or Falling into your smile. (Especially the latter, I'm in love)

I've been really into the soft love stories lol and I'm busy watching Tale of the Nine Tailed, on the second last episode and I am definetly going to need something lighthearted after this. I've already watched Business Proposal and Love 020, so I think I'm still relatively new.

Please do ignore this if you don't have any new ones!! 😇

Hi! I'm so glad you've enjoyed my recs 😊

I have watched several more dramas since I made that list (okay like 40) I just haven't updated this since 😂 I actually made a side blog just for more in-depth recs that I can DM you if you'd like 🤗

Looking for soft, fluffy romcom recs? Look no further!

C | Exclusive Fairytale | Romance, Youth, Family | 2023 | This is a super cute, fluffy, lowstakes childhood friends to lovers story that progresses from high school days to college and beyond. Plus, it has Jun from Seventeen | 10/10

K | Welcome to Samdalri | Comedy, Drama, Life, Romance | 2023 | Similar to Hometown Cha Cha Cha, this is a slow, small town lowstakes drama where a girl comes from a big city and falls in love with a green flag boy (played by Ji Chang Wook, of course) The side stories are adorable as well as the main leads'. | 8/10

K | King the Land | Comedy, Romance, Workplace | 2023 | An absolutely lovely green flag couple and their chaotic, fun friend group who all work for a chaebol hospitality group (which the ML is heir to). Just recalling it makes me want to rewatch it, honestly. | 9/10

K | Doctor Slump | Life, Romance | 2024 | A supportive family, realistic depiction of depression, a cute, mature, green flag couple, and lowstakes but interesting plot make for a very comforting drama. | 9/10

C | Love Between Fairy and Devil | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Wuxia | 2022 | This drama is e v e r y t h i n g. E2L leads, all the tropes, great side characters, plot, set/wardrobe/etc, with a happy ending but makes you go through all the feels. 1000% planning on rewatching. here begins my obsession with Wang Hedi (CW: a lil darker, more plot-heavy and angstier than the previous recs on here but still hilarious and cute!)| 30/10

K | Lovely Runner | Comedy, Fantasy, Music, Romance | 2024 | This drama had a hilarious, adorable lead couple, a hooking plot, a long happy ending, and great acting; what more could you want? The drama accurately depicts fangirl life in a respectful way, has what I've heard from disabled fans is pretty good disability rep, and handles darker themes decently but still keeps the drama light overall. | 9.5/10

K | My Demon | Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance | 2023 | This is funny, fluffy, and a bit angsty (don't worry it's still HEA!) Forced proximity x supernatural x star-crossed lovers x arranged relationship x...well, it's got a ton of my favourite tropes + one of the best theme songs and opening credits scenes. | 10/10

Hope one of these tickles your fancy and you enjoy it♡

[botherkupo]

Kdrama fans, I come with thouhjts yet again. Through the darkness was really good (at least if you enjoy crime thrillers). Like it was just really done well and the acting was fantasytic. I wouldn’t mind a season 2, but Im thinking they probably won’t since it felt wrapped up pretty nicely

But after that all that drama, I was like okay cheer up time. I need something fun fun

So I’m watching fiery priest again for like the 3rd time. It is def one of my favs. They’re all so stupid snd funny, and then you get thunked with emotions, and then you’re giggling out loud again. Beautiful stuff. Dramedy to the max

[myromancedramas]

My Master Lists

Hi welcome to my little blog :,) Here are my recommendation lists! I try to keep these updated but I'm not always punctual, forgive me. Let me know if you have any questions or trouble with the links!

My main is @softandorsweet <3

currently rewatching: Doom at your service

just finished: Love for Love's Sake

MY TOP 5 FAVORITES (see google doc list for plot descriptions and my full list of recommendations)

Romance Kdramas

DOOM: AT YOUR SERVICE (TW death, terminal illness, parent death, themes of su*cide)

TWENTY-FIVE TWENTY-ONE (TW anti-fatness, mild bullying, themes of depression)

HOMETOWN CHA-CHA-CHA (TW anti-fatness, themes of su*cide, ensemble character death)

YUMI'S CELLS (1 & 2) (TW anti-fatness)

 LOVE FOR LOVE’S SAKE (BL) (TW homophobia, su*cidal ideation, shown su*cide, death, blood)

Romance Thrillers Kdramas

VINCENZO (TW multiple characters death, murder, gun violence, homophobia, torture)

W: BETWEEN TWO WORLDS (TW themes of & su*cide, gun violence, parent death, homophobia, sexism, anti-fatness)

HEALER (TW parent death, murder, childhood abuse, kidnapping, themes of su*cide)

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING (TW childhood trauma, parent death, so much anti-fatness, homophobia, sexism, main character death, murder, slipping someone a drug, themes of & shown attempted su*cide, gun violence)

HAPPINESS (TW self h*rm, murder, zombies basically so lots of blood, classism, gun violence)

Thai Romance Dramas

NOT ME (BL) (TW physical altercations, gun violence, arson, kidnapping, commentary on ableism, racism, capitalism and more)

BAD BUDDY (BL) (TW physical altercations, blood, family violence, gun violence, unwanted public outing) 

MY SCHOOL PRESIDENT (BL) (TW mild manipulation, shove, slap, punch, homophobia, non con photo taking, unwanted public outing)

KINNPORSCHE (BL) (TW gun violence, murder, torture, kidnapping, mafia altercations, physical altercations, under the influence sex scene, dubious consent) 

THE ECLIPSE (BL) (TW homophobia, minimal physical altercations, outing someone)

Japanese Romance Dramas

MY LOVE MIX-UP (BL) (TW homophobia)

ALICE IN BORDERLAND (TW shown death, su*cide, extreme violence, sexual assault, severe psychological trauma)

CHERRY MAGIC (BL) (TW age gap)

SEVEN DAYS (BL) (TW cheating)

ONLY JUST MARRIED (TW fake marriage, unrequited love)

Taiwanese Romance Dramas

ABOUT YOUTH (BL) (TW family stress)

WE BEST LOVE (BL) (TW blackmail, dubious consent, manipulation, non con kiss, violence)

MY TOOTH YOUR LOVE (BL) (TW trauma, parent death, physical abuse, family abuse)

HISTORY 3: TRAPPED (BL) (TW gun violence, kidnapping, gun violence, blood)

BE LOVED IN HOUSE: I DO (BL) (TW manipulation)

Chinese Romance Dramas

PUT YOUR HEAD ON MY SHOULDER (TW anti-fatness) 

i wanted to include any warnings i noticed while watching these shows, as to reduce any harm to anyone taking my recommendations! these are still my favorite shows and have as many nuanced positives as nuanced negatives!

key: FL = female lead, ML = male lead, TW = trigger warning

message about south korean dramas: i think so many of us are drawn to kdramas for their depth and analysis of different forms of oppression and traumas. however, kdramas are lacking so much in so many ways thus the TWs. i recently found out that studio dragon, the largest production company in south korea is a monopoly company (bought out all smaller independent businesses and now has total control over most production in south korea). studio dragon alone has produced vincenzo, hometown cha cha cha, happiness, twenty-five twenty-one, yumis cells, my roommate is a gumiho, doom at your service, true beauty, start-up, tale of the nine tailed, flower of evil, it’s okay to not be okay, hi bye mama, my holo love, love alarm, hotel del luna, because this is my first life and way way more. plus they just signed with Netflix in the last year or two, and will only be continuing to expand. if you regularly watch kdramas there’s not much we can do, expect support the dramas that have become more inclusive. knowledge is power and having perspectives on why studio dragon is not perfect is more beneficial than living in the dark.

[gillianthecat]

I followed the trail of Kang Yoo Soek's filmography and found this shortest series (currently on Viki) called Growing Season. It may interest some of you because it turns out to feature two (2) (!) whole BL boys: the aforementioned Kang Yoo Soek (Shin Woo of Light on Me) plus a bonus Kim Kang Min (Ji Woo of To My Star).

It a slice-of-life university drama, following three young women who are working on a group project for their class on intimacy and sexuality. We see them deal with their relationships with men, with each other, and with their own sexualities and bodies. As far as I can tell it's completely heterosexual; I do get sapphic vibes from some interactions, but that's most likely my own projections.

It's a short series (KBL style) with twelve episodes of only about 20 minutes each. I'm currently on episode 4, and enjoying it so far, and find the women and their journeys engaging, though I'm not blown away. I do like their relatively frank discussions about sex.

The women are definitely the main characters, but our BL boys are two of the four featured men in their lives, playing a long term boyfriend (Kang) and a childhood friend (possibly -to-lovers?) (Kim). It's fun to see them in these very different roles.

[koreandramarec]

BACK TO "OLD" KOREAN DRAMAS

Hello my twenties / Age of youth

Lost in your twenties? This drama is for you. It follows the lives and struggles of five female college students who share a house. Its lightness and endearing characters make this drama a nugget. I identified with many of the situations. I recommend it if you want to have a good time!

PS: there are two seasons :)

[kdramacrybaby]

Doctor Slump (2024)

Genre: Medical, Romance, Comedy

Synopsis: Nam Ha-neul loses her job and is diagnosed with depression. Yeo jeong-woo loses everything in a surgery gone wrong and has to leave everything he knows behind. They both hit the worst slump of their lives. And that is when they meet again. Though they did know each other in school, they were fierce rivals and never got along. Now, they are the only ones who might truly understand what the other is going through.

Episode info: 16 episodes / Runtime around 6 minutes

Lead cast: Park Shin-hye (Nam Ha-neul), Park Hyung-sik (Yeo Jeong-woo), Gong Seong-ha (Lee Hong-ran), Yoon Park (Bin Dae-yeong)

Link to watch: You can watch on Netflix or Dramacool

Drama rec masterlist | Drama rant thread (beware of spoilers)

This drama was very comforting to watch. I was going through a pretty rough patch myself, and this drama had some moments that just really hit. Though you may not be as low as they are, I still think this hits several points that young adults go through as they grow up and realize being grown up is harder than you first think. Learning to seek the small moments of happiness all around us instead of letting yourselves get consumed by the hustle of trying to survive.

We have two people who have both hit the rock bottom of their lives, and no one in their lives truly understand just what they are actually going through. And though they are not feeling the same pain, they can both empathize with each other in a way their friends and family can't.

I really love how the drama never tries to compare their problems - they never make one out to be worse than the other. They both struggle and both need help, and so they help each other. It doesn't matter who's got it "worse", they support each other the best they can.

And I love love love how openly they communicate. Very rarely do they let misunderstandings cause trouble, and even if it does happen, they clear the air almost immediately. They do everything they can to support the other, but are not afraid to hold the other accountable if they cross a line.

Also the actors they picked are actually perfect, and their chemistry is off the charts. Even for the second couple, it is a perfect match. I loved them so much!!

It's somewhat like Fight For My Way, in a sense that they have to work to overcome their hardships and find new dreams to work towards. And I think you would like this one, if you've watched Hometown Cha Cha Cha and liked that. It gives me the same vibe.

There is one thing that bothers me a little bit though -it was actually a friend of mine who first pointed it out to me, and afterwards it became so obvious. Both of these main characters are shown to go to therapy and as a result both get some medication they need to take regularly for their mental health. Yet we see them drinking in almost every single episode - a lot of the times it's not just one drink either, they drink a lot. Considering both of them are supposed to be doctors, it just feels all kinds of weird tbh. And they never do address it properly, either.

That is also why the drama hit a little bit of a lull for me around the half-way point. They just seemed to forget for a couple of episodes what the drama was supposed to be about - but they do get back on track again. It felt a little superficial. And because it is a drama, all their troubles magically go away in the end, but I guess I can't complain too much because people want their perfectly happy endings.

All in all, I really did love this drama. It came at a time when I needed it, and it gave me some comfort. It's definitely one I'll watch again someday.

[hananet11]

When the Phone Rings - Fanfic Master list

I don't know about anyone else, but this show has me in an absolute chokehold already. Literally only two episodes in and I am praying they don't fuck it up and also that they absolutely fuck each other up.

Either way, I'm desperate for fanfic showcasing how absolutely gone these idiots are for each other. And also a few paragraphs specifically about Beak Sa Eon's HANDS.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please note these are only english fanfics, sorry!

As of 17/12/2024 I've also restricted this list to not include any cross-over fics, and have mostly stuck to completed/one-shot fics.

THANK YOU TO THE AMAZING AUTHORS PUMPING THIS STUFF OUT

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Explicit - Give in to the sexual tension already:

Lighting the Match to Swallow the Flame - By thefrenchmistake

Surrender and Undeniable - by femme11fatale

Hold me without hurting me, you'll be the first who ever did - By thefrenchmistake

Alternate Universe/Canon Divergence:

Get Home - By Kavute (Also on Tumblr at Mashumaru)

Never said the words - By Pennymgram

Please - By Me (Lol please guys someone write some more T-T)

Don’t Blame Me (love made me crazy) - By sleepingonthefloor

I’m proud of you - By hyenasbloom

A dress and dinner for Christmas - By hyenasbloom

the waiting game - By sleepingonthefloor

Closer - femme11fatale

Too Close to Deny - hyunnieluv

The Dress - hyunnieluv

Safe and Sound - By hyunnieluv

Push & Pull - By jingyiis

Inner thoughts/Baek Sa Eon losing his mind over Hong Hui Joo:

Sounds - by Envinyatar27

Unspoken - By femme11fatale

He Does Not Know How To Put Himself In Grace - By LadyWillow

the waiting game - By sleepingonthefloor

The Dress - hyunnieluv

Bonus - Jealous Baek Sa Eon:

Closer - femme11fatale

Beneath the Surface - femme11fatale

Tumblr:

HeeJoo getting what we all deserve at the end of Ep 2 - By urwritethanks (or posted on there, I'm not sure)

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I'll keep updating when I see any more fics, but for now, these are my sustenance.

[marvolos]

where are the cho hyunju fics pls give me cho hyunju fics rachel pls show mee i need more shes my wife i'll read whatever atp

[jupiter-86]

@dangermousie

You asked for some Beyond Evil fic recs? Obviously all Dongsik/Juwon, all post canon.

the bitter and the sweet - princesskay

Amazing, beautiful, a perfect sequel to the show in my opinion. I love it so much!!! Read this one if you don't read any others from this list!!!

Daydreams and Nightmares - knups

Fairly short but with great whump and hurt/comfort. Juwon gets injured (and loopy and emotional from the medication) and Dongsik takes care of him.

Three Dinners in Seoul - protos_metazu_ison

(also available in Russian btw) Dongsik visits Juwon in Seoul and everyone can see how different Juwon is with Dongsik. Getting together fic, very cute.

Every time we touch - StarlightBloom

Mutual pining, angst, fluff-- another good getting together fic.

If I think of more recs I'll send them your way. Enjoy!

[dykealloy]

Rec list please ✍️🏻

(with tropes and just a smidge of reason why the media is recommended <- both very optional of course)

oh boy. okay. Confession time, I've watched a ridiculous number of shows out of east Asia so this is a good opportunity to share some faves from recent memory. If there's going to be one running through-line with these recs it's that I love character-driven narratives which explore interesting interpersonal relationships (socio-cultural commentary is a plus).

In no ranked order, here's my top ten:

Hamster running the emotional gamut wheel (well-written stories about grief, closure and family)

Move to Heaven (2021) Korea, 10 episodes, Netflix Summary: Han Geu-ru is an autistic 20-year-old who works for his father’s business “Move To Heaven”, a company that specializes in crime scene cleanup, where they collect and arrange items left by the deceased and deliver them to the bereaved family. When Geu-ru's father dies, his guardianship passes to his uncle, ex-convict and underground MMA fighter Cho Sang-gu. Per the father's will, Sang-gu must care for and work with Geu-ru for three months to gain full guardianship and claim the inheritance. Eying money, Sang-gu agrees to the conditions and moves in.

This show knows exactly what it is and executes with excellent writing and characterisation. While it does have an overarching narrative, Move to Heaven is structured so that you're exploring a different person's story each episode, so it has a lot of flexibility to explore themes of grief and closure through different lives and relationships, and when I tell you this show can hit emotional beats... (<- may or may not have cried through most episodes on my first watch-through. Emotional terrorism). These stories are really beautifully portrayed and though there are effective comedic beats, there's this clear authenticity in not needing to undercut or distance oneself from the vulnerability of the subject matter.

Geu-ru and his uncle (Sang-gu) add a lot of needed levity, with Geu-ru's need for consistent, structured, methodical routines constantly clashing with Sang-gu's chaotic and combative approach to life. Sang-gu's character arc (though predictable) is just so satisfying. It's kinda hilarious seeing Geu-ru (and his father by extension) inadvertently poke more and more holes in Sang-gu's initial plan of "take the money and run" the deeper he incorporates himself into the space and purpose that his brother once took up, and it's very heartwarming to see these polar opposites slowly develop a respect and appreciation for one another.

Tropes: reluctant to responsible parental figure, tear-jerker

Oh No! Here Comes Trouble (2023) Taiwan, 12 episodes, GTV and iQIYI Summary: Pu Yi-yong was a typical 17-year-old student with a passion for drawing and a hereditary talent for calligraphy. After he wakes up from a bus accident that claimed his father's life and left him in a coma for two years, a 19-year-old Yi-yong must now find his place in the world again. This becomes more complicated when spirits begin approaching him and asking for his help.

This show actually has a lot of similarities to Move to Heaven e.g. exploring different side-stories each episode, focus on victims forgotten by society (the lonely, the homeless, the outcasts and the minorities), themes of grief and closure, polar opposite characters learning to work together, breaking me emotionally at some point. But Oh No! Here Comes Trouble differs in tone (distinct directing style), quirky humour (Taiwanese comedic style is just different and I love it in this show) and presentation (urban fantasy/mystery).

Yi-yong might be one of my all time favourite characters in media. From the outset he presents as this classic, one-dimensional, grumpy delinquent teen (e.g. resting-bitch-face syndrome, scrappy mullet, academically behind, no social grace and a tendency to accidentally hit people in the face with softballs). As fun as that is, the more you watch, the more this show challenges these assumptions. Yi-yong's mum (also an A+ character, god I love her) is a hairdresser, and often uses Yi-yong as her stylistic guinea pig. Yi-yong's not super intelligent, but he's compassionate (albeit at times reluctantly so). He really listens when people talk to him, whether they're trying to comfort him, give him advice, or asking him for assistance (though he often questions and expresses frustrations about his own ability to help other people). There's a humble gentleness to him.

Yi-yong was already struggling to juggle his dreams of becoming a comic artist with the practicalities of his life before he fell into a coma, then he woke up two years later, having completely missed the perceived "pivotal juncture" associated with the transition from youth to adulthood. Time moved on, and so have his peers, leaving an almost 20-year-old Yi-yong lost at sea with no paddle, no map and grieving the loss of his father. And now he has supernatural beings approaching him and insisting that he is the key to settling their unfinished business. To Yi-yong (and to popular east-asian social standards), Yi-yong is a loser. He's academically unintelligent, has no clear aspirations or discipline or future prospects, his family is far from wealthy, he's got zero social status, smarts or rank. Yi-yong is just as much of a forgotten outcast to society as these spirits are.

He does eventually get assistance in the form of Chen Chuying - a junior police officer (helping substantially with the mystery investigation side of things) and Cao Guangyan - former one-sided rival schoolmate and current med student who coincidentally moves next door (initially maintains the outsider perspective of Yi-yong as a hooligan until they get to know each other a little better, by which point Guangyan is already helping Yi-yong get back on his feet) who form a very well-rounded, loveable cast.

I wish I could talk more about this show, I am very fond of it. Please do watch it and if anyone wants to discuss it my dms are open.

Tropes: ragtag trio of idiots, urban fantasy, mystery, tear-jerker, reluctant hero

Get your pussy up get your money up (life is giving lemons and survival is the name of the game)

Honourable mentions here: Yeon Sang-ho popped off with Train to Busan in 2016 and South Korea has been throwing bangers into one of my favourite genre pools ever since. If you're interested in more zombie series I would strongly recommend checking out All of Us are Dead (2022), Happiness (2021), Sweet Home (2020) and Kingdom (2019).

A Shop for Killers (2024) Korea, 8 episodes, Netflix Summary: Jeong Ji-An tragically loses her parents as a young girl. Her reserved and mysterious estranged uncle, Jeong Jinman, acts as her sole guardian and care-taker, raising her with tough love and a survivalist mindset until she leaves for university. One day, Jung Ji-An hears that her uncle has suddenly passed away, and returns home, where she learns the truth behind her uncle's business and by extension, her past.

Ji-An is locked inside a building with no communication with the outside world, nowhere to go, and with assassins after her head (not ideal). Unbeknownst to Ji-An though, her late uncle Jinman prepared a thorough defense system for this very event, setting her up with home-terf advantage and a very dangerous fortress against this army.

Ji-An and Jinman's story is told mainly through flashbacks as Ji-An attempts to survive the raid on their home. Their dynamic is definitely a repeat of the stoic, initially cold father-figure type "I am neither your mum or your dad, and I can never be" to the orphan child that we've been seeing more recently of late. I'm not mad about it. It's a good formula. I won't go into the type of person Jinman is, or the nature of his work/business. Going in blind and slowly figuring this out with Ji-An was a big plus in terms of the viewing experience for me.

Tropes: reluctant parental figure, home alone antics

D.P. (2021) Korea, 12 episodes, Netflix Summary: Ahn Junho is enlisted to serve in the South Korean Army as part of his national service obligations. He eventually goes to the Army's Military Police. While getting used to life in the MP, Junho's street smarts lands him in the D.P. (Deserter Pursuit) unit. Junho is assigned with Corporeal Han Hoyeol to capture deserters, revealing the painful reality endured by each enlistee during their compulsory duty.

imo D.P.'s is at its most enjoyable when Junho and Hoyeol are working as detectives with limited time and resources. Hoyeol's presence especially adds needed levity. He's like the show's own eccentric little court jester (at least until season 2, where he becomes the show's own tortured little court jester). You don't know how much you're missing Hanyeol until he shows up and you're finally given some space to breathe.

This show's gotten a lot of praise for its realistic social commentary around the vicious cycle of bullying, hazing practices, corruption and abuse within the South Korean military. It's well written and fast-paced, and it definitely doesn't pull its punches. I probably wouldn't recommend this show were it not for the quality of its writing, its ability to balance the depressing subject matter with pockets of dark comedy and everyone's favourite dynamic duo Junho and Han Hoyeol. All the content warnings for this one.

Tropes: ptsd, abuse, brotherhood, idk man straight up not having a good time

Weak Hero Class (2022) Korea, 8 episodes, Viki Summary: Straight-A student and loner Yoon Sieun utilizes his wits and tools to defend himself from a boys school full of shit-heads. He slowly warms up to Ahn Sooho, the school's strongest fighter, and Oh Beomseuk, the new transfer Student.

Sieun is here to answer the age-old philosophical question: "Aren't you tired of being nice? Don't you just want to go apeshit?" Even though Sieun is physically lacking, he's very capable of baring his teeth and using his smarts to fight like hell. It's so cathartic to finally see a short, weak, bullied protagonist willing to go violently feral upon provocation.

This show's tone can get pretty dark and surprisingly violent. The true core behind why a lot of people love this show is Sieun and Sooho's friendship. Sieun starts off as a grumpy, glaring, withdrawn hermit with no interest in anything that isn't studying (honestly idk how Sieun keeps finding himself in these situations like. All the kid ever wanted was to hit the books). I won't spoil too much, but watching as Sooho slowly peels away that protective shell Sieun encases around himself is a thing of beauty. I strongly recommend you give the first episode a go (free on youtube).

Tropes: angst, bromance, badass bookworm, adults are useless, abusive parents

Detectives smashing you over the head repeatedly with gay subtext (not explicitly gay but if you have a brain and any semblance of a gaydar that thing is going to be going off like a geiger counter next to the elephant foot)

The Devil judge (2021) Korea, 16 episodes, Netflix and Viki Summary: Set in a dystopian version of present-day South Korea, the world is bereft of law and order and the court justice process has become like a reality tv show. Head Trial Judge Kang Yohan mercilessly punishes the guilty and corrupt, earning him the "Devil Judge" monicker. As bitter rivalry takes shape between Yohan and the highly ambitious Jung Sun-ah, who has risen from poverty to become a corporate social responsibility foundation director. Into this turbulent world enter two childhood friends on a mission for true justice and determined to discover the secret Yohan is hiding: rookie judge Kim Gaon and detective Yoon Su-hyun.

The Devil Judge tackles the concept of the anti-hero (battling evil with evil) and questions why these figures are idolized by the public. It also challenges the naive faith in the rule of law and whether or not the established systems should be upheld or not. The screenwriter has however made it very clear that he focused way more on the relationship between the characters than conveying his own message and boy oh boy is that reflected in whatever Yohan and Gaon have got going on (serious come-hither eyes, gratuitous physical touch, themes of power, justice and corruption, Yohan pressing Gaon up against the nearest hard surface on at least four separate occasions, etc.).

Kang Yohan, the titular anti-hero/main protagonist operates within a failed state and a corrupted judiciary. To a certain extent he knows the self-destructive path he walks is doomed to fail, but to right the system and take revenge, he's on the lookout for a someone that can out him as the Devil and become the messiah that Yohan himself cannot be. It does come off as very "anime" at times (theatrical presentation, tragic backstories, bad writing when it comes to women, naive characters and overly dramatic tone) but hey, if you have very few qualms with that, chances are you're going to have a blast.

Also the OST for this show absolutely fucks. It has no right being this good. Jung Se Rin really popped off. I have Enemy of Truth as a staple in a lot of my playlists.

Tropes: idealist vs jerkass pragmatist, anti-hero/vigilante, whump

The Worst of Evil (2023) Korea, 12 episodes Summary: Set in the 1990s, a former DJ starts selling a new powerful drug. Since the police know little about its origin, rural police officer Park Junmo is assigned to go undercover and infiltrate the criminal empire responsible for the drug trade between Korea, Japan, and China. Junmo later discovers that his wife, Yoo Euijung, also a detective, has volunteered to participate in this dangerous mission and seems to have a past with the underground drug king (and Junmo's boss), Jung Gicheul. The deeper Junmo entrenches himself as Gicheul's subordinate, the more unrecognisable he becomes to those closest to him.

Junmo could have let Gicheul die or slip away like several times in a row, indicates he has zero idea why he does this, then says the line verbatim "I look up to him and I like him and my body follows my heart". What am I supposed to take away from this. This show has everything. Early 90s homoerotic cigarette lighting, sodomy, incredible cinematography, betrayal, close-ups of Junmo's bloody face squished up against Gicheul's thigh. There's some scenes where Junmo is looking at both his wife and Gicheul framed in the same shot like the goddamn camera is daring you to question who he is more jealous of. My biggest complaint is that there was quite literally no need for a wife-stealing plot - the most compelling, messiest gay situationship was right there for the taking.

In episode 9 post-gang war hallway-slaughter, a blood-soaked Junmo hops up onto a table on all fours with a knife between his teeth, locks eyes with Gicheul then proceeds to slash a man's achilles tendon and if you listen closely enough you'll hear me in the background screaming YOU HAVE BECOME HIS DOG. 10/10 watch this show.

Tropes: mafia, undercover, bodyguard, make him worse, devotion and loyalty gone bad gone nuclear, maybe if they fucked nasty about it we wouldnt be in this mess

Beyond evil (2021) would also go here and has similar vibes to the above two, but I personally don't have much to say about it. Unhinged slutty old man, gay stuff going on over there, etc, etc. Citrinekay sums it up nicely here. Guardian (2018) would probably also go here. Definitely check these out if you enjoy/like the sound of these shows.

Lighthearted fun romance (I am not escaping the lesbian fujoshi accusations)

Cherry Magic (2020) Japan, 12 episodes Summary: Adachi is a salaryman with low confidence and a tendency for self-deprecation, resulting in him often acting awkward around others, not being sure how to assert himself in the workplace, and constantly comparing himself to the company's golden boy - Kurosawa. Things become further complicated when Adachi finds out after his thirtieth birthday that he has suddenly gained the magical power to hear people's thoughts if he touches them. Adachi struggles with his newfound touch telepathy when he accidentally discovers Kurosawa is in love with him.

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard!? (Yes that is the full title, Japan you are killing me) is very sweet and wholesome and the humour hits and I believe in Kurosawa Yuichi supremacy. I know self-deprecating characters can be a downer for some people but Adachi comes off as very relatable and seeing him slowly gain more confidence in himself and his abilities is heartwarming. Great serotonin-booster. If you find this show's premise interesting there's a high likelihood you will enjoy it.

I didn't care so much for the second couple but if you're like me it's easy to skip through these scenes (you won't be missing anything).

Tropes: office romance, telepathy, pining

Semantic Error (2022) Korea, 8 episodes, Viki and Netflix (region-dependent) Summary: Cho Sangwoo is the epitome of an inflexible and strict rule-abiding person. When talented graphic design major Jaeyoung discovers Sangwoo is the cause for his delayed university graduation, he sets out to take revenge (by becoming Sangwoo's biggest, brightest daily annoyance). Jaeyoung finds himself in hot water when he inadvertently develops a crush, and junior computer science major Sangwoo is about to encounter some serious errors in his usual programming.

This is a classic polar opposites attract story, with Jaeyoung the loud, extroverted, brash foil to Sangwoo's reserved, withdrawn, morally black-and-white, logic-first persona. As much fun as it is to see Sangwoo's ordered world thrown into chaos, it's equally enjoyable to witness Jaeyoung jump from being obsessively committed to annoying Sangwoo, to being whipped for him (and the subsequent difficulties this causes for Jaeyoung - a popular, attractive, talented, bi artist used to getting his way - in trying to pursue a highly irritated and emotionally closed-off Sangwoo, who is being challenged with a side of himself he hasn't had to grapple with up until now). Also Jaeyoung has an incredibly hot lesbian best friend which was great. for me specifically.

An entertaining, cohesive story with great actors who have fantastic chemistry. What more can you ask for?

Tropes: enemies to lovers, opposites attract, university, pulling pigtails

Old Fashion Cupcake (2022) Japan, 5 episodes Summary: At the critical juncture of a mid-life crisis, Nozue, a 39-year-old office worker, is stuck in the dull, mundane grind of wake, work, sleep. But due to his age, he's convinced he's well past the point he can take risks by trying something new. As such, he continues to decline promotions at his job and romantic advances from potential partners. He confides one day in his 29-year-old subordinate, Togawa, making an off-hand comment about a desire to be like a young girl - capable of feeling excitement and joy in life again. In an attempt to inspire him to move forward, Togawa suggests an "anti-aging experiment" and the two of them go on a journey together to help Nozue feel young again.

First things first - a large portion of Togawa's proposed "ant-aging technique" involves frequenting dessert cafes and restaurants that are catered towards a younger female demographic and fuck me the food in this show always looks so goddamn good.

The boss/employee thing might turn people away from giving this a shot but what I really love about this show is that despite being Nozue's subordinate (and younger than him - which is a bigger deal in Japan), Togawa is extremely blunt and unafraid to tell Nozue exactly what he thinks (so long as Togawa believes it will ultimately benefit Nozue in the long run), and it's very clear that he does this because he has a strong sense of respect for Nozue (and because spoilers - Togawa is so down bad for his boss like okay boy DAMN. Go get your esoteric old man). This show is also great at conveying emotion and inner conflict without dialogue (I've enjoyed coming back for a re-watch and picking up on little nuisances in Togawa and Nozue's behaviour that I missed the first time around).

Overall this is a very cute, very wholesome coming of age/queerness story that reminds you that it's never too late to pursue what interests you, try something new, and enjoy life while you're at it.

Tropes: fingers in his mouth friday, pining, age gap, office romance, food as a love language

That's it! If you want more recs from a genre hit up my inbox, I had a fun time pulling this together and have many more in the chamber where that came from.

[myromancedramas]

made a cute kdrama tiktok <3

[kdramaxoxo]

If you're in the same K-drama Drought as me, I'm gonna recommend: ayaka chan wa hiroko senpai ni koishiteru

It's a Japanese GL that's super cute, super silly and very fluffy (no braincells needed!). It's not often that a GL gets the same runtime and budget as BLs and this one feels really well done. I mean...IT's JUST CUTE.