K Dramas that We are Sleeping On

Thanks to the Korean wave, K dramas have gotten their well-deserved limelight. While K dramas are well-known for their popular romantic dramedies, I think we are missing out on some of the other genres. Take it from someone who has been watching K dramas for two decades when I say there is so much more out there to entertain your mind.

A long time ago, the teenage version of me was hooked on the "Cinderella story," where the poor girl needs rescuing by the rich, handsome prince, but the adult me is terribly bored and deeply unsatisfied by the same vanilla themes. I need complicated, dark, rich, and complex themes.

If you are feeling the same way or want to explore, then keep reading as I share my top-enjoyed K dramas that I feel deserve some love.

1. When the Camellia Blooms

   

   
   

   We start with a bang with the best comedy, thriller, and romance that is out there. A story centered around Oh Dong-Baek, a single mother who runs a bar in a small neighborhood. As though her life were not complicated enough, she is targeted by a notorious serial killer, falls in love with a younger

   man, and battles the stigmas surrounding a single mother running a bar. A wonderful and heartwarming story of resilience, offering the viewers a slice of everything.

   
   

2. City Hall

   One of my favorite K dramas with one of my favorite actresses and actors, Kim Sun Ah and Cha Seung-Won. This is a well-written story of a city hall officer who climbs from the role of secretary to the mayor to the position of mayor. I am not at all for political dramas, but this drama uses a lot of comedy, romance, and an intense chemistry between the main characters that keeps you engaged. I have never found politics more entertaining!

   
   
   
   

3. Hyena

   

   
   

   Let's amp the intensity up in this drama with one of the toughest female characters that I have seen in a long time. Jung Geum-Ja is a rough lawyer who decides to give up her private practice and join a prestigious law firm. An inspiring story of the rise of an underdog who beats her rivals inside and outside of the courtroom.

   
   

4. Crash Course to Romance

   Crash Course to Romance is a rare, mature, and realistic romance that sets it apart from other dramas. The drama is about a popular instructor at a private academy who experiences an eating disorder. He discovers that he can only tolerate food from a banchan store that is owned by the guardian of one of his students. An interesting love dynamic blossoms as they enter into a mutual agreement to exchange food for his tutoring services. Overall, heartwarming and swoon-worthy!

   
   

5. Jewel in the Palace

   

   
   

   Occasionally, I love a solid historical drama, and "Jewel in the Palace" will always have a special place in my heart. The drama is based on the true story of "Jang Geum," who rose from the royal kitchen to become the king's physician in the setting of the Chosun dynasty. A truly inspiring tale of a talented character overcoming her past and limitations to attain greatness.

   
   

6. The Good Manager

   If you are in search of a feel-good comedy where the bad guy is forced to turn over a new leaf, then you must watch this one. In this story, a corrupt accountant who works for gangsters decides to up his embezzlement game by joining a massive company as a manager. In his hilarious twist of fate, he ends up using his wit to challenge corporate corruption and become the savior of the underdog.

   
   

7. Wild Romance

   
   

   

   
   

   A female bodyguard is hired by a notorious baseball celebrity for protection from a dangerous stalker. Need I say any more? Surprisingly, the show provides a glimpse into Korea's passion for the game of baseball. A refreshing drama defying female stereotypes and beauty standards, providing hilarious comic relief. A short stop for romance, comedy, and mystery.

   
   

8. The Guest ("Son")

   I am always up for a good supernatural horror show, and this one ticks all the boxes. The story is about a clairvoyant taxi driver, a police officer, and a priest who experience a tragic loss through the same malicious dark entity. The three characters team up using their various gifts and resources to track and bring an end to to misery caused by the dark force. From the spooky camera angles to the energy-charged exorcisms of the demon-possessed, this drama keeps the hair on your skin standing up straight.

   
   

9. Gourmet

   

   This is the show that got my cousin brother hooked on K-drama. The show is centered on food and tournament-style competitions where two brothers battle it out to inherit a legacy of a traditional Korean restaurant that has been passed down through the generations. The storyline is rich with an intriguing story that organically introduces the viewers to the intricacies of Korean culture and cuisine.

   
   

10. Bad Guys

    Here comes the action! If you are looking for a similar concept to the movie "Suicide Squad," where a badass group of criminals is recruited by the government to take down other criminals, then this is the show for you. An action-packed drama with strong, compelling characters, each with their character development that unfolds while solving a mystery unravelling in the background.

    
    

11. Mad for Each Other

    
    

    

    
    

    Let's add the wholesome back in this romantic comedy. A true love and hate romance where the female character, with compulsion and trauma, encounters the male character with anger management issues. It answers the question of whether people struggling with mental health issues can have a healthy working relationship. Overall, a truly heartwarming and mature romance that explores the aspects of true love where two people hold space for one another in the best ways possible.

    
    

12. Fight For my Way

    A highly relatable drama on life about a group of four friends who go through the ups and downs of life and their struggle with survival. A beautiful story unfolds as each character pursues their dreams despite the challenges and repeated rejections. "Fight For My Way" makes for a light watch with its wholesome and relatable stories about love, friendships, and dreams.

    
    

13. Signal

    For my sci-fi lovers, here is a show where two detectives from the past and the present connect through a radio with a race against time to catch a serial killer. What's not to love? A solid thriller, with acting and action that keeps you guessing about the plot twists. I guarantee you that you won't see what is coming when you watch this show.

    
    

14. Stranger (The Forest of Secrets)

    

    A stoic male public prosecutor who seems emotionless and robotic. A highly intuitive and passionate female police officer. Can they overcome their differences and team up to solve a murder? In the backdrop of conspiracy and corruption, this dynamic duo overcomes the odds to bring down the hammer of justice on the culprit.

    
    

15. Eve

    
    

    

    
    

    Revenge is a dish served cold, and the storyline for this drama is as cold as it gets. The story is about one woman who seeks to bring down one of the most powerful and rich families in Korea through seduction, manipulation, and strategy. A drama with paints the complicated emotions of revenge quite vividly and reveals a deep romance that no one expects.

    
    

    There you have it! My top fifteen K dramas that offer a little something for everyone. I hope you enjoy it since some of them are binge-worthy!