So, being reminded by Gokusen, I decided to compile a little list of my J-drama and K-drama recommendations. I'm a very, very picky watcher, and it takes a lot for a drama to keep me interested. Anyways, here's the list, including my top 10 faves, because I've seen a lot of dramas. Today's will part one: K-dramas.
1)
Cain and Abelstarring So Ji Sub, Han Ji Min, Shin Hyun Joon, and Chae Jung AhnI'm not that big of a fan of So Ji Sub, but he totally won me over with this series. I started watching this because I love Han Ji Min since her days in
Da Jang Geum with Lee Young Ae. It's based on the Biblical story, and it's very well written and acted, with romance, lots of action and suspense. It's a great series, and the only one where I didn't skip through a single episode. It has really risen to become my top favourite K-drama.
2)
Golden Bride starring Lee Young Ah, Choi Yeo Jin, Song Chang Ui, Song Jong Ho, Kim Heechul Honestly, watching this series was how I got into Super Junior and Heechul. I love family dramas, and this is by far the best I've scene. It can be a little draw out at 64 episodes, but the plot is really good and unique and interesting. The cast also has great chemistry, and Heechul is pretty good in this, too.
3)
Da Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace)
starring Lee Young AeThis was my first Korean drama, and I loved it! It was very detailed and it had a great plot. Plus, Lee Young Ae is a great actress. It's very long, and I'm pretty sure everyone has sceen it by now, but nonetheless, if you haven't, you should. (Sadly, no link.)
4)
Yi San starring Han Ji Min, Lee Seo JinYes, another long drama and yet another period drama, but as I've said before, I like Han Ji Min. I really enjoyed the pace of Yi San, and it wasn't too overdramatic. I came to love the characters, especially King Jeong Jo. It's a nice series to watch if you enjoy period dramas.
5)
Queen of Housewives starring Kim Nam Joo, Lee Hye Young, Oh Ji Ho, Yoon Sang HyunI love plots about families and people, so this was a real hit for me. It's a more mature type of plot, but has both drama and comedy at a nice balance with each other. And it wasn't
too over dramatic like other series. It's something fun to watch with your Mom, if your Mom likes Korean dramas.
6)
Full House starring Rain, Song Hye KyoThis was what made me a Song Hye Kyo fan. She's such a funny and lovely character in this story, and I loved the fact that she wasn't a stick-thin actress. Plus, she's absolutely adorable in
Full House, and her chemistry with Rain is excellent. A funny, cute little drama that really perks you up.
7)
Shining Inheritance starring Han Hyo Joo, Lee Seung KiI just started watching this series, and it's already become a fave of mine. Hyo Joo is excellent in this, and once again, it falls into Jia's types of dramas, having a touch of the family element. It also has a nice balance between humour and drama. It's still currently airing, but should be done soon, and I can't wait to see how it unravels.
8)
The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince starring Yoon Eun Hye, Gong Yoo, Kim Jae WookI don't really watch the romantic types of series, but the plot was really different cute and it turned out to be a very interesting little story. The chemistry between Eun Hye and Gong Yoo was very nice, and Kim Jae Wook really made his mark with this series. A fun type of story, not too out there.
9)
Nonstop (Season 5 & 6)
starring Tablo, Han Hyo Joo, Lee Minwoo, Kim Heechul, Kim Kibum, Hwang Bora, Park Heebon, etc. The only sitcom on the list, but I
love this series. So many of my favourite people are here: Tablo, Heechul, etc. Season 5 and 6 of Nonstop were the only ones I watched, but they were the ones I enjoyed the most. Season 5, however, was the best in my opinion. The chemistry and plot line was really good. There's links here and there for both seasons, which you can find floating around on Youtube. A really good cute little comedy series, kind of like
Friends.
10)
Goong starring Joo Jin Hoo, Yoon Eun Hye and
Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang starring Han Chae Young, Jae HeeBoth series are the more popular K-drama series, and they were a two-way tie for me. I liked them for fun, but found them both to be a little over-dramatic. It's good for a girlie day, plus really nice eye-candy.
Those the really good dramas I've seen, and I've seen a lot of them. I didn't particularly like things like
Winter Sonata,
Spring Waltz,
Stairway to Heaven, etc, because I found them
waaaay too overdramatic. I worked my way through
Stairway to Heaven, and I swear to god, the ending drove me insane that I wanted to stab things. Worst drama ending
ever. Shakespearean in the worst kind of ways. I also prefer stories revolved around families with a suspenseful edge, hence my love of
Cain and Abel and
Golden Bride.
I suggest if you have free time and haven't seen some of these titles, do check them out. Especially
Cain and Abel. I followed this series for a while, and it was so good, my life feels a little empty without it. It's a nice suspenseful series that's not too drawn out, and it's really a good overall drama that almost anyone can watch.