Entertainment
10 K-Dramas Better Than ‘Crash Landing on You’
The world has changed since the advent of South Korea culture in 2020. Additionally, in the United States, K-Dramas have begun an endless cycle of popularity in Western pop culture. Netflix was one of the first streaming platforms that caught onto the potential of K-Dramas, first with the acclaimed Squid Game, and then simultaneously conjoining with Korean TV broadcast releases, such as what happened with Business Proposal.
Titles such as Crash Landing On You were internationally distributed on the streaming platform, which made more Western viewers interested in the beauty of K-Dramas. However, some K-Dramas are really underrated and should be viewed and engaged with as much as the popular ones out there. Furthermore, Collider is giving out a compilation of K-Dramas that are better than Crash Landing On You, so you can begin streaming them right away. Without further ado, cook some delicious Korean food at home, sit on the couch, and begin deep diving into these wonderful K-Drama titles.
10
‘It’s Okay Not To Be Okay’ (2020)
Some K-Dramas are well-done but lack the emotional depth that draws viewers in. This is not the case for the very popular K-Drama It’s Okay Not To Be Okay. Even if it is a pretty recent one, this K-Drama has it all: excellent portrayals from both main leads, a storyline that pulls your heartstrings, stunning cinematography, and characters that feel very realistic, which brings more emotion to the viewer in the first place.
It’s Okay Not To Be Okay tells the touching story of a community health worker, named Moon Gang Tae, portrayed by Kim Soo-Hyun, and a popular children’s book writer, named Ko Mun Young, portrayed by Seo Yea Ji. They meet while Moon Gang is working his usual shift at the psychiatric ward, and Ko Moon has come there to read to the children hospitalized there. The catch is that Ko Moon suffers from an antisocial personality disorder and denies love from other people. Slowly, Moon Gang opens their heart, and they fall in love, not without emotional obstacles in the way. When the series was released, its popularity soared to the point that a Filipino remake of the same name was created. One of the most touching stories in a K-Drama, It’s Okay Not To Be Okay is a series that will make you go through a healing process, just like the characters, and needs to be viewed attentively till the very end.
9
‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’ (2016)
One of the most beautiful performances from the famous Korean actress IU, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is a K-Drama that makes you emotional yet completely entranced by its intricate storyline. What makes this series so compelling to its viewers is the beautiful scenography and cinematography, as well as the enthralling performances from both main leads. Additionally, its stupendous soundtrack will make you want to watch it over and over again.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo tells the story of a woman named Go Ha Jin (IU), who, after inadvertently falling into an enchanted lake, travels back in time to the Korean Goryeo Dynasty of the year 918. When she arrives there, she is in the body of 16-year-old Hae Soo, who is living in the house of the eighth Prince Wang Wook (Kang Ha-neul). As she desperately tries to find a way to get out of this world, she also meets the ostracized fourth Prince, named Wang So (Lee Joon-Gi), and gets inadvertently pulled into the political and emotional turmoil between the princes. I definitely recommend watching this K-Drama because it’s truly a beautiful story that will keep you hooked till the end.
8
‘Descendants Of The Sun’ (2016)
K-Dramas that touch war as a theme are rare for me to watch, but when my sister recommended me Descendants Of The Sun, the plot convinced me. She was right, as this K-Drama is one of the most touching and profound ever seen. It follows the tear-jerking story of the captain of the Korean Special Forces, Yoo Shi Jin (Song Joong-ki), and Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye-kyo), a doctor working at the Haesung Hospital in Korea. When she is sent to work in the fictional country of Uruk, which is at war, to assist and to cure Yoo Shi’s soldiers who end up injured.
This K-Drama does not have a single issue. It has a perfect storyline, characters that make you relate to them so much, despite the situation that they are in, and a beautiful score. The portrayal by the main leads is something that will make you remember this K-Drama for a very long time. It just touches your heart to the point that you can’t forget about it.
7
‘Hotel Del Luna’ (2019)
Another unforgettable K-Drama, Hotel De La Luna is a K-Drama that exceeded every viewer’s expectations. It has all those supernatural elements that make the fantasy genre so unique: spirits, magic, ghosts, and much more, which ensures this K-Drama is one of a kind. Its visuals are something that you won’t get enough of, as you’ll want to keep watching it to the end.
Additionally, all the cast do a phenomenal job, but especially its main female lead, IU, who portrays Jang Mal-Wol, the eccentric owner of this ghastly hotel. This series follows her story, as Jang Mal is the owner, bound to it by a powerful curse that forces her to keep the place running. The only way for her to get rid of this curse is that she has to let go of all her resentful personality, open up, and fall in love. One day, she meets a human named Goo Chan-Sung (Yeo Jin-goo), who then later becomes the hotel’s manager after his father forged a deal with Jang Mal. So, the couple’s troublesome and emotional relationship unfolds between these walls, giving viewers a compelling love story that they won’t forget very soon.
6
‘Bad And Crazy’ (2021)
Now, onto an action K-Drama that has become very popular internationally, Bad And Crazy. This K-Drama is very underrated in its home country, as it gained more attention internationally, drawing in Western audiences. However, Bad And Crazy has a great blend of well-done action fight sequences, phenomenal chemistry between the two male leads’ characters, and awesome comedic one-liner delivery.
Bad And Crazy tells the story of a corrupted but brilliant cop, Soo Yeol (Lee Dong-Wook), who built his way up to the position of officer by surrendering to what his superiors requested of him, often ignoring justice and rightful ways in the process. One day, suddenly, a figure enters his life: an eccentric yet very righteous motorcycle rider, K (Wi Ha Joon), who beats him up every time he has the chance to. The catch? K never appears on any CCTV cameras when Soo Yeol requests to look into him, so everyone thinks he is crazy, even when the chance to be promoted appears. So, Soo Yeol tries to form an unlikely partnership with K to be seen better by his superiors again. This K-Drama will definitely appeal to whoever has thrillers and crime as their favorite genres, and its storyline is truly compelling.
5
‘Strong Woman Do Bong Soon’ (2018)
One of the most beloved K-Dramas out there, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon is a K-Drama that will pull your heartstrings but also keep you on edge. The beautiful love story between the characters and the crime subplot ensure that viewers are engaged with the material till the very end. Furthermore, its soundtrack is also very well-done, as it features great songs to listen to.
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon tells the story of Bong Soon (Park Bo-Young), an eccentric yet good-hearted woman who has super strength, which was given to her by her ancestors, so each member of her family has the same quirk. This power can be used only for the greater good, because if not, the power will be taken away. After bravely standing up against gang bullies, Bong Soon meets the childish yet brilliant An Min Hyeok (Park Hyung-Sik), CEO of Ainsoft, which is a famous video game developing company, who offers her a job as his bodyguard, and falls in love with her at first sight. Furthermore, her neighborhood is targeted by a serial killer who kidnaps women, and her childhood best friend, Officer In Guk Du (Kim Ji Soo), is investigating the case. This K-Drama skyrocketed in popularity because of the powerful chemistry between the two main leads, and the story just gets better on each rewatch. Simply a 10/10 K-Drama if you are looking for a rom-com with a splash of action and thriller elements.
4
‘Boys Over Flowers’ (2009)
Now onto one of the most famous K-Dramas of all time. Boys Over Flowers was originally based on a 1992 Japanese manga named Hana Yori Dango, written by Yoko Kamio. Its huge popularity spawned the release of an anime, an audio drama, a movie, and a musical in its home country between 1993 and 1997, and various remakes around the world afterward. The first remakes were three Thai series, Meteor Garden, Meteor Rain, and Meteor Garden II, released between 2001 and 2002. Between 2005 and 2008, Japan also did various TV dramas based on all issues of the manga. In 2009, Korea also adapted it with the name of Boys Over Flowers, as its popularity contributed to the first Hallyu Wave, meaning when Korean culture becomes popular in Western countries. Afterward, a Chinese drama adaptation, Meteor Garden, was released in 2018, alongside another Thai one named F1 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers, which are the most famous internationally, along with the Korean one. It features the classic poor girl/rich boy trope with the two main leads having different economic backgrounds, people trying to separate them (his parents), and her changing his heart from bad to good.
This K-Drama follows the story (same as the manga) of Geum Jan-Di (Ku Hye-Sun), who wins a scholarship to the prestigious Shinwa School, where only the rich and elite can attend. There, she stumbles onto the famous and feared clique of boys named F4, clashing against its leader, troublemaker Gu Jun-Pyo (Lee Min-Ho), to defend her friend being bullied by them. Slowly, she gets entangled in a love triangle with Jun-Pyo and another F4 member, the kind-hearted Yoon Ji-hoo (Kim Hyun-joong). This K-Drama will put you in a difficult position: you will be defending Ji-hoo one episode, and soften your heart towards Jun-Pyo the next. The chemistry of each couple in this love triangle will fascinate you to the point that you won’t know which one to root for in the first place. Simply an iconic K-Drama of the 2000s, which will inspire you to watch all its other remakes (which I also highly recommend)!
3
‘The Heirs’ (2013)
Another iconic K-Drama of the 2010s, The Heirs, also known as The Inheritors, is one of those K-Dramas that you need to savor each episode before it’s over, because it’s truly a masterpiece. Its characters will become so important to you by the end of the series. It does have some classic clichés of the poor girl/rich boy trope again, just like Boys Over Flowers, so if it’s not something you like, this isn’t the show for you.
The Heirs focuses on the story of Kim Tan (Min-Ho), who is a wealthy heir to his family’s conglomerate, named Jenguk Group, and Cha Eun-Sang (Park Shin-Hye). He was exiled to the USA by his half-brother because he wanted to overtake the family business instead of Kim Tan, and always saw him as a rival, despite Kim Tan trying his best to rekindle his brotherly relationship with him. Furthermore, his family arranged an engagement to another heiress named Yoo Rachel (Kim Ji-Won). While in the States, he meets Eun-Sang because she was looking for her sister, and he falls in love with her at first sight. Furthermore, this is also one of the most popular Min-Ho roles. This story is tear-jerking, wonderful, and very well-done, as the chemistry between the two main leads is something that will keep your attention till the very end.
2
‘Strangers From Hell’ (2019)
Now onto another K-Thriller that blends psychological thriller and horror all in one, Strangers From Hell, based on a Korean webtoon of the same name, written by Kim Yong-Ki. In total honesty, this K-Thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. It is disturbing, as it tackles heavy themes such as cannibalism, psychological manipulation, loss of identity, mental deterioration, and much more. It gives a claustrophobic feel to the viewer, as they think they are trapped in the series’ location at the same time as the protagonist, going from sane to mad alongside him.
This stunning and wounded K-Thriller tells the story of a 20-year-old man named Yoon Jong-woo (K-Pop group singer Im Si-wan), a graduate student and aspiring crime writer, who moves to Seoul for the duration of his short, unpaid internship. Since he does not have money, he settles into the Eden Residences. There, he finds creepy neighbors and a new (serial killer and obsessive) friend in a dentist named Seo Moon-Jo (Dong-Wook). Slowly, the truth about the Eden Residences and its inhabitants is revealed, turning Yoon Jong into an insane psychopath to survive, giving up on normalcy. Strangers From Hell is a K-Thriller that you shouldn’t watch alone if you are not a fan of the genre (don’t make the same mistake I did), and during the day, if you can, because it will give you lots of jump scares as the story unfolds.
1
‘Tale of the Nine Tailed’ (2020)
The second most popular K-Drama for Dong-Wook, Tale of the Nine Tailed is something that will fascinate you yet make you want to look up the backstory of the fantasy creature in it. It’s an enthralling story, which focuses on a 1000-year-old gumiho, which is an East Asian folktale creature, named Lee Yeon (Dong-Wook), who works with people from the afterlife to find and destroy supernatural threats to the human world. On one of his jobs, he encounters the beautiful Nam Ji-Ah (Jo Bo-Ah), who finds out about his supernatural nature, and is also looking for her parents, who disappeared mysteriously after a car accident she had with them at a young age.
This K-Drama has the beauty of intersecting with different Korean myths and supernatural creatures, so you have to prepare yourself to keep up with each of them, and it will make you want to inform yourself after watching each episode. Each member of the cast did phenomenal performances, but the ones that shocked me the most were those of Dong-Wook and Kim Bum, who portrayed one of the troublemaker villains of the series, Lee Yeon’s half-brother Lee Rang. The chemistry between the main leads was wonderful! Furthermore, the banter and fights between Lee Yeon and Lee Rang were so entertaining to watch.
- Release Date
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2020 – 2023-00-00
- Network
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tvN
- Directors
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Kang Shin-hyo
- Writers
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Han Woo-ri
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Kim Hee-jung
Ji-A’s mother
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