While many people watch Korean dramas (K-dramas) as a way to relax after a long day, some of my favorite K-dramas have changed my life in more ways than one. These dramas have made me reflect on my ideals, opened my eyes to different worldviews, and taught me the most valuable life lessons that I continue to hold dear to my heart. So, if you are looking for a new K-drama to watch, here are my recommendations!
When life gives you tangerines
If you had to choose between sacrificing your dream career to be with your first love or never seeing them again to live a life of immense wealth, which option would you pick?
Get ready for the waterworks with this one.
Starring K-pop idol IU as Oh Ae-sun, witness how love endures through decades of hardship in this beautifully written drama, When Life Gives You Tangerines. On the tropical Jeju Island, Ae-sun is a rebellious young woman who aspires to become a famous poet. Wherever she goes, she is accompanied by the silent and introverted Yang Gwan-Sik (Park Bo-Gum), who has been in love with her since they were small children. When tragedy befalls and reality sets in, the young couple must make a life-altering choice that will determine their lives’ paths.
You might be wondering: why was this K-drama so life-changing for me? For starters, I usually despise watching shows with nonlinear storytelling because I tend to find them confusing. However, I kept seeing videos of this drama all over my FYP, and so I finally decided to check it out. Now, let me tell you, what I expected to be a mediocre and predictable romance drama ended up having me bawling my eyes out at two o’clock in the morning. Keep in mind, this is coming from someone who never cries while watching shows/movies.
I am a firm believer that everybody should watch When Life Gives You Tangerines at least once in their lifetime. No matter where you are in your life, you will likely find certain parts of the story to be relatable and heartbreaking. This drama will have you reflecting on your worldview and ideals, and you will begin to see parts of yourself in all of its complex characters. It’s beautifully written and heartbreaking, but trust me, you will love it.
Reply 1988
Take a trip through memory lane as five families navigate life and love in the small neighborhood of Ssangmundong.
In this perfect blend of comedy, family dynamics, and nostalgia, Reply 1988 captures the everyday experiences of teenagers and adults living in the 1980s. It focuses on the little things, such as entering a dance competition to win a cassette player or eating ramen with the friends you’ve known since childhood. It’s the type of show you would want to watch if you value coming-of-age themes and emotional storytelling.
What I love so much about this drama is that every character is so well-written, including its side characters. This drama makes you care about every person’s story, and it doesn’t seem as if there is only one main character. Not only that, but watching the characters perform menial tasks, such as watching TV or eating dinner, makes me feel as if I am a part of their neighborhood as well. Even though its characters are very realistic, watching this drama felt like the perfect escape from the real world.
Now, who should watch Reply 1988? While the correct answer is everybody, I believe this drama was created for those who enjoy reminiscing and reliving the past. Whether you have any past regrets or want to relive your past moments for the sake of who you once were, you won’t regret watching this.
Mouse
Are murderers created as a result of their environment, or are they born coldhearted, unable to be saved from the start?
Witness how Jung Ba-reum (Lee Seung-gi), a novice police officer, teams up with detective Ko Moo-chi (Lee Hee-joon) to arrest a psychopathic killer in this 20-episode psychological thriller.
When it comes to psychological thrillers that are jam-packed with plot twists, I feel as if they need to be executed a certain way; otherwise, they will come off as either predictable or outlandish. In my opinion, Mouse is one of the only thrillers I’ve ever watched that perfectly executes its plot twists, which have left me screaming at my TV and hugging my stuffed animals for comfort. Not only that, but it has one of the most complex narratives I’ve ever seen in all of fiction. It’s one of those shows that you have to either binge-watch or view without any distractions, otherwise you will miss out on many important plot points.
If you are a fan of thrillers or want to watch a show that keeps you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend watching Mouse. Mouse is such an underrated K-drama, and in my humble opinion, it is the best psychological thriller TV show out there. Even though I may not rewatch it for a long time, I always recommend this drama to those who enjoy suspenseful plots, amazing character development, and a drawn-out narrative.
As a college student, I’ve always found it hard to sit down and watch a TV show, since my mind is always jumping to the next tasks that need to be done. However, if I am heavily invested in a K-drama, I will spend every waking moment of my life thinking about the characters, and it will be the only thing I can talk about with my friends. This has been the case for me upon watching and rewatching these dramas, and to this day, I cannot stop recommending them. Anyway, if you need a new show to obsess over, why not watch my favorite K-dramas of all time?