Hello lovers! How have ya been?! How’s the lockdown going down? Hope y’all staying safe?
Now, a lot of my friends have been texting me, asking me to recommend cool Korean dramas that they have not seen, adding warnings that they have seen a lot 😅.
It’s funny coz I understand the feeling of having watched almost every trendy kdrama you don’t know which to watch anymore. So! I decided to do my best to recommend “unpopular” Korean dramas that are even more interesting than the “popular” ones you’ve seen. All you need is Netflix, a snuggle in bed and you would be cruising in one of your swellest rides from this lockdown!
Search WWW
Wierd name, I know.
But by the time you are done with the drama, you’d be impressed by how much sense it makes. It’s so brilliant it recently joined my all time K-drama fave list. It essentially revolves around fierce, badass, intimidating women whose personalities clash so thrillingly in their quest to stay atop of the internet search engine companies they spearhead.
The storyline is quite original, fresh and enlightening. I mean, which drama or movie have you seen shed light on what goes on in the huge companies running the search engine portals we use almost every single day?! (Hello Google!) Moreover, you’d expect men playing these fields. But nope. The women own it here and they are total savage guys! Plus the dialogue, God. This has to take the cake. It’s hands down one of the most intelligent and sharpest I have ever witnessed in all my long ass years of watching dramas/movies of any industry!
And the severely handsome lover-men and chic fashion? Drool. Don’t miss this hunnies! Do not!
Romance is a Bonus Book
Till now, I honestly don’t understand what was so immersive about the story of a divorced single mother in her 40s trying to re-enter the professional world to recover her lost mojo. I’m not a single parent neither am I divorced. I’m in my early 20s. A sucker for sappy romances and prince charmings. So how this drama’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, to the last episode managed to engage me so powerfully even in its understated flair, still puzzles me. It literally felt like time was flying each time an episode neared its end.
Well, all I can make sense of right now is one, The acting, especially of the female lead. It was so grounded, so touching, so relatable (funny, I know. Don’t ask!). Second? The writing. It’s gotta be the drama’s strongest pull! It was so sucking, thoughtful, lyrical, philosophic and uplifting. Third? The ingenious plotting.
Bonus part for this novel lover? A sleek publishing house was our place of work! I verily promise hunnies, this one’s a sneaky stealer you’d just find yourself loving, especially if you love the smell of books!
My Golden Life
This family drama was an emotional rollercoaster for me and I believe, for every other normal person who watched it. Be warned. The themes are not light at all. A far cry from the rich boy saves poor girl fluffy romance.
Issues as dark and heavy as poverty, depression, suicide, hopelessness, self-loathe, terminal illness, hatred, shame, resentment and betrayal were explored on a deep reaching level amongst family members.
I learnt here that a prince charming may be able to save a poor girl but not a sorrow laden Ji-an broken and marred by shame for ever choosing a rich family she had thought was hers over her poor family (especially her painfully-devoted yet helplessly impoverished father).
The writing was overwhelmingly deep and eye-opening. And the acting, particularly of the father and female lead, was completely stunning and Oscar worthy.
A must watch guys. An epic must watch. But with plenty of tissues by the side, okay?
Father is Strange
Another huge family drama with a lot of emotional tension and a similarly doting father. There are underlying dark themes, but drama was absolute fun in many other ways. The grownass siblings fight were always on full throttle; the major romances were both crackheadly quacky and painfully fluttery in their own rights; the prodigal son, Ahn Joong hee was so adorable you want to squash him hard against your chest; and the lawyer daughter, Byeon Hye yeong, was so charismatic, so unapologetic, so fierce you wanna sew her sass to your skin permanently.
The personalities are bustling, the fates are interesting and the warmth is one of cuteness overload. Don’t miss this wildly entertaining gem, peeps! It’s so fabulous it’s in my all time fav list too!
The Princess’ Man
Another all time fav. This Romeo and Juliet modelled forbidden saguek (traditional) love story was wholesomely gripping, thrilling, suspenseful, and intense. It narrates the epic love of Se ryung and Seung yoo, the children of two high-classed fathers who don’t see eye to eye. Se ryung’s father ends up killing Seung yoo’s father in a successful attempt to usurp the throne. Seung yoo finds himself blinded by thirst for revenge on the ruthless king that was his lover’s father. Hell literally felt let loose everyday and love was constantly torn between war. The whole showdown was something I lapped up without a single break. What a show!
Unfortunately it’s not on Netflix. Don’t know the frickin’ why. But you can stream or download all 16 episodes on dramacool9.co or kissasian.sh. Or on any other Asian/Kdrama streaming platform.
Something about 1%
This drama 100% focused on serving mushy relationship goals that tortures sweetly. With its straightforward and easily digestible romance, it had no problem quickly capturing my heart.
Pompous grandson, Jae in is forced to strike a dating deal with sweet but sassy children teacher, Da hye, to access his inheritance. Cliched, no doubt. But take it from me: It’s a special one. The late night strolls, phone calls and sleep ins were utterly heartwarming. The bickering and petty jealousy were hilarious. And the kisses? Electrifying! Our leading man was no doubt deft in that sensual dept.
A must watch if you need some light, frosty, vicarious, sweetilicious romance in your life right now!
Age of Youth 1&2
If you are the type that loves high school/college kdramas, this is totally for you. Age of Youth follows the life of 5 female university students living together in a share house. The drama makes for a delicious show with its perfect mix of personalities. We have the shy one, the crazy one, the sassy one, the serious one and the cutesy one. But make no mistake. Each of them are multifaceted and insecure in their own ways. And they individually go through thought-provoking, life-changing experiences you can learn from.
Join them in their cozy apartment as they wade through romance, heartbreak, love, cat-fights, self-growth, friendship and sisterhood together. I promise, it’d an forgettable ride you’d be out gushing to everyone about.
Reply 1988
Set in the year 1988, it revolves around five childhood friends and their family living in the same neighbourhood. I remember being so skeptical about seeing it because of the set period, the tacky clothes and the dull black and white palette. But guys, after testing the waters half-heartedly, I found my heart sinking each time an episode (which was sometimes as long as 1hr 30minutes) came to an end.
The show is slice of life hence narrated at quite a languid pace but each moment was so savoury and precious. The five besties gathering around was always such a delight. The best friend to lovers and Noona romances too were absolutely endearing. And the light it shed on some of the insecurities that not only teenagers but adults face as well was really cool. Just watch it. It’s rich in many ways: endless food, old school music, vintage costume, and wise scripting. And its depiction of the fleeting nature of youth is so bittersweet and nostalgic you won’t take your young years for granted anymore. A wholesome watch, indeed.
So what you waiting for?! Get started on one of these amazing shows. Except for The Princess’ Man, they are all on Netflix. Grab some popcorn, fill up a cute glasscup with some chilled juice and have a hell of ride.
You’re welcome and keep staying safe!!!💕💕
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