Dramas to watch in Korean

1.“Itaewon Class” (이태원 클라쓰)



Watch it on: Netflix

Park Sae-ro-yi, who has just started going to a new high school, intervenes when he notices Jang Geun-won, the wealthy son of his father’s employer, bullying another student. This sets off a wild chain of unforeseen events involving death, prison, a new restaurant opening, and romance.

As you might guess from the name, “Itaewon Class” takes place in the Seoul neighborhood of Itaewon, which is known for its multi-cultural, international, and generally open atmosphere. The show is notable for featuring a more diverse grouping in its main cast than is usual for a Korean drama, including a biracial character and a transgender character.

Park Sae-ro-yi opens a bar-restaurant in Itaewon, so you’ll hear some language in the show related to food and the restaurant business, but as a learning tool, “Itaewon Class” might be best for picking up smaller bits of everyday language.

2. “My ID Is Gangnam Beauty” (내 아이디는 강남미인)


Watch it on: Viki | DVD

“My ID Is Gangnam Beauty” is the story of Kang Mi-rae, a girl who has plastic surgery before attending college. Her intention isn’t to become beautiful, but simply to look average so that she doesn’t stand out. But unfortunately, it isn’t that simple.

Before long, Mi-rae is encountering new obstacles to her desire to live a “normal” life, including altercations with the school’s most popular and conventionally attractive guy, Do Kyung-seok. “My ID Is Gangnam Beauty” is interesting both for its examination of societal beauty standards and for its wider meditation on different types of beauty and love.
3. “Romance Is a Bonus Book” (로맨스는 별책부록)


Watch it on: Netflix | DVD

Kang Dan-yi is reckoning with some difficult life changes. Not only has she recently undergone a messy divorce, but she’s having trouble re-entering the workforce, and nearly everything else is going wrong, too.

Eventually, she lies about her age and background in order to land a job as an intern at a publishing company where her longtime friend Cha Eun-ho, a successful writer, works as an editor. Bookish romance may ensue.
4. “Memories of the Alhambra” (알함브라 궁전의 추억)


Watch it on: Netflix | DVD

“Memories of the Alhambra” has an interesting plot hook that might pull in those looking for a K-drama that’s somewhat out of the ordinary: Augmented reality video games… in Spain! In this visually striking and offbeat drama, CEO Yoo Jin-woo travels to Granada to work on developing an AR game there.

The show features many aspects of AR gaming, including some truly entertaining sword battles. As the game begins to intersect with real life, the plot becomes more and more complicated.
5. “Cheese in the Trap” (치즈인더트랩)

Watch it on: Netflix | Viki

“Cheese in the Trap” is a campus drama based around the friendships and relationships of several college students. Hong Seol, a student from a poor background, finds herself navigating feelings towards a mysterious and wealthy older boy, Yoo Jung.

Without giving too much away, this drama might seem to fall into the romance category of “enemies to lovers,” as Yoo Jung sometimes appears mean and manipulative but begins to be unexpectedly nice to Hong Seol.
6. “Heirs” (상속자들)


Watch it on: Netflix | Viki

“Heirs” (also known as “Inheritors” in English) follows the complicated life of wealthy Korean young adults in their quest for love and self-discovery. The drama follows Kim Tan, a self-conceited Korean playboy, and heir to one of the most powerful chaebol families. Unable to abide by the strict rules of Korean society, his parents send him to the U.S., where he’s able to live a free, careless lifestyle and indulge in all temptations.

There, he meets Cha Eun-Sang, a Korean girl from modest descent, who crossed the Pacific in search for her older selfish sister. Their fates intertwine and as they get closer, Kim Tan’s jealous girlfriend forces Eun-Sang to leave, prompting the young heir to return to Korea to look for her.
7. “Descendants of the Sun” (태양의 후예)

Watch it on: Amazon Prime | Hulu | Viki | DVD

“Descendants of the Sun” is by far the most successful drama of the year 2016 and also one of the most fascinating Korean dramas ever made. The drama follows special forces officers Yoo Shi-jin and Seo Dae-young, whose unique skills in combat lead them to sensitive combat fields, from North Korea to Afghanistan.

On one of their rest days, they catch a motorcycle thief and injure him badly. As they stitch him and prepare to send him to the nearest hospital, the thief steals Dae-young’s phone. Upset, the men decide to confront him at the hospital, where they end up meeting Dr. Mo-yeon, who wrongly takes them for gangsters. It’s love at first sight for Shi-jin.





Bibliography:

“15 Awesome Korean Dramas to Jumpstart Your Korean Learning in 2020.” FluentU Korean,