There comes a time in everyone’s life when they are so sick and tired of reality and the miserable existence of work, relationships and food(the vicious cycle) that they need an out. Everyone does at one point of time. While looking for an out as a teen I stumbled upon the fantastical world of k-dramas. If you haven’t seen it atleast once, well you haven’t really lived. Atleast the millennials out there. I say this why? Because as much as the chessy dramas with pretty similar plot lines exist, they still leave you with a smile and a sigh at the end of every season. I have watched over 55 such dramas and every single one of them would have the same effect on me, (Memories of Alhambra or Vagabond; this is not about you though- TEASE). If you are or were a literature student of a movie buff or well any person in general then you must be familiar with the concept of dramatic structure(arc in colloquial language). This idea was put froth by Aristotle. He said that a play should imitate a single whole action. It should have an introduction, a rising action, a climax, a falling action and a resolution. And tell you what, the k-drama people are down to the very T to this very concept. So for those who are looking for an out or those looking for the best K-dramas to start, let me give you the list my favorite dramas and why?
- Extra-Ordinary You: Starring Rowoon, Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jae-wook in the lead this literally extraordinary story line takes place in the world of comic books. The protagonist finds herself actually being a stock character in the main story line with deadline wants to change her fate. She finds another stock character to help her but later realizes that they have a longer history of their own. I have personally watched some of the episodes more than 10 times and trust me, it still makes me swoon. Netflix original.
- W: Starring the muse of an artist Lee Jong-suk and Han Hyo-joo, the story is again from the fantasy genre, this time it’s clash between two world; one is the real world and the other is a inside a webtoon. The story progresses as the the two word starts to collapse within each other and brings the bigger threat of a terrible killer lose who cannot be killed. There are some really great plot twist and funny scenes that make you binge it in one go. Available on Netflix.
- Descendants of the Sun: this drama received so much love and appreciation all across the globe. Starring Song Joong-ki, Sing Hye-kyo, Kim Ji-won and Jin Goo in the lead. The story revolves around the sensitive missions of two soldiers and two doctors(one private and one army doctor), the secrets, lies and one big arms trafficking. I love the scene when the guys gets a parcel and the girls find it was sent by the air hostesses with whom they went on a date when they were broken up as a couple. Still leaves me laughing every time I watch it. Oh or the scene when the girls are bickering about one guy from their past med school who played both of them and the guys casually discuss if they should just torture him of blow him with a bomb. This drama is worth every second spent watching it. Go now to watch it on Netflix.
- Hotel Del Luna: This fantasy drama starring IU and Yeo Jin-goo is one of the best and most interesting stories I have watched. It does not have one boring episode. The story revolves around the owner of the mystical guest house of the moon is a special hotel just for ghosts or passing souls and the new manager being trickled into taking this job. The entire cast does a brilliant job of being tired, bored, somber, funny all in the same frame it keeps you wanting to come back for new incidents. Switching from the history of the hotel and the owner while keeping us engaged in the love that blossoms between the lead cast. The beautiful elements of the local folklore and the dramatic set shows that this is a very well thought and directed drama.
- Guardian: The Lonely and Great God: Watch this and you will not be thinking of anything else but this drama. Oh My God but this is one of my favorite dramas of all time. Starring Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook Yoo In-na and Yook Sungjae in the lead, this is the funniest and most smile inducing drama of all time. The story revolves around a decorated military general(Gong-Yoo) from the Goryeo dynasty who was betrayed by the king and killed but is cursed by God for the people he killed serving as the military general. This eternal punishment will only be over when he finds his bride who can take the sword out of his chest and free him. What follows is the childish and absolutely funny turn of events between Kim Shin and his very young bride while a side story of a Grim Reaper and his love. And his love is…( I cant tell you that, ruins the surprise, but its amazing how the story unfolds). Spoilers: When the goblin is getting ready to be summoned by his bride and asks the reaper for fashion advice; EPIC. Catch this on Netflix
- Hwarang: The poet Warrior Youth. This drama has way too many beautiful people in the cats. Starring Park Seo-joon, Park Hyung-Sik, Go Ara, V( same as BTS), Choi Mi-ho (from SHINee), Do Ji-han, Cho Yoon-woo, Seo Ye-ji, Kim Tae-hyung; I KNOW so much beauty. Before I go into the description is a spoiler: The Sword Dance is just too good especially the practice scenes, funny Af. The story line thou is that in Silla, a small kingdom that seems to be in danger from other neighbors. So the queen decides to crate a soldiers team of beautiful youth who come from noble and aristocratic families which would stay loyal to the throne. What it leads to is a comradeship, beautiful friendship, love and animosity, some heartfelt deaths and final surprising climax. You are going to enjoy the entire ride, trust me. Catch this on Netflix
- Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo: Another drama with a long list of beautiful cast starring IU, Lee Joon-gi, Kang Ha-neuol, Baekhyun, Nam Joo-hyuk, Ji Soo, Hong Jong-hyun and Yoon Sun-woo. The story is another transportation story when during a solar eclipse, a young girl (IU) is about to drown and magically gets transported from 21st century to the Goryo Dynasty. She wakes up as a cousin of the wife of one of the many princes of the Wang family. She gets caught up and evens turns the entire lives of all the princes(half of whom fall in love with her; I know, I know but its very very sweet and cute). This has one of the saddest endings for a K-drama and definitely the most heart wrenching death of the cutest couple ever. Available on Viki.
- Love in the Moonlight: I will first recommend you to watch the dance performed by Park Bo-gum and Lee Jun-hyeok on Youtube. That is probably the funniest dance video I watched in along time and gosh that smile at the end(swoooon, uff). Okay as for the plot line, this one is a rise of a young prince, who had watched his father succumbing under the dominance of the ministers and wants to rid his country of such dirty politics. This is accompanied with the sweetest hate turned love between the prince and his girl-in a disguise eunuch Hong Ra-on. Can I just say that girls watch this one just for Park Bo-gum’s Smile. You will thank me later for those blushes and dreams.
I did not add any story line revolving around the dirt than poor girl and the sexy rich Chaebol because that is what people usually associate with K-drama. The above dramas have substance and actually end up making you feel happy and satiated.
Hope you enjoy them and comment below if there are some other dramas that I missed mentioning that have great substance.
Love Sanskriti.
Thought Express 