Slice-of-life Korean dramas
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1. I'll Find You on a Beautiful Day
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
This is the most slice-of-life feeling drama in my opinion. A story of healing and of light and warmth in the cold and dark.
Starring Park Min-young & Seo Kang-joon.
Break out star: Lee Jae-wook
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2. Something in the Rain
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
A story on the working life & of going against the grain with your choice in partner.
Starring: Son Ye-jin & Jung Hae-in, the slice-of-life king
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3. Un Frammento della Tua Mente
Korean Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
A story of healing and imperfect people.
Starring: Jung Hae-in & Chae Soo-bin
Breakout star: Park Joo-hyun, 2020 is her year with Extracurricular, her voice is so distinctive
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4. Tune in for Love
Korean Movie - 2019
[Movie] A story of timing with soft, gentle, nostalgic feels.
Starring: Jung Hae-in & Kim Go-eun
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5. One Spring Night
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
[Something in the Rain 2, honestly I didn't get far into it] Another Noona romance, apparently it's more family orientated.
Starring: Han Ji-min & Jung Hae-in
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6. Romance is a Bonus Book
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
A story on divorced single mothers trying to get back into the workplace. Becomes more intertwined with her younger successful male best friend.
Starring: Lee Na-young & Lee Jong-suk
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7. Because This is My First Life
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
A story on the modern day working woman & their different ideals, dreams, thoughts and struggles.
Starring: Jung So-min & Lee Min-ki
Breakout star: Lee Som & Kim Min-seok
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8. Incomplete Life
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
A story on trying to enter the workforce. I think it wasn't very relatable for me though, the importance of seniority is very culturally different.
Starring: Im Siwon (ZE:A), Kang So-ra, Kang Ha-neul, Byun Yo-han. Only thing I've seen Siwon in and I still consider him to be one of the best 'idol-actors'.
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9. Reply 1988
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
A story on childhood friendships, family & first loves. [Reply 3rd edition, of the 3 it's amazing how good it is for it's small setting]
Starring: Lee Hyeri (Girl's Day), Park Bo-gum, Ryu Joon-yeol, Go Kyung-pyo etc.
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10. Reply 1997
Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes
A story on growing up & fangirling. [Reply series 1st edition and my personal favourite]
Starring: Jung Eunji (Apink), Seo In-guk, Hoya (Infinite), Eun Ji-won (Sechs Kies)
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11. Reply 1994
Korean Drama - 2013, 21 episodes
[Reply series 2nd edition, I could not get to the end, everyone looked to old with bad hair which was the point but...]
Starring: Go Ara, Jung Woo, Yoo Yeon-suk, Baro (ex-B1A4)
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12. Hospital Playlist
Korean Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
By the Reply series creators but of successful professors in a hospital who've been friends for decades.
Starring: Jo Jong-suk, Jeon Mi-do, Yoo Yeon-suk, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung
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13. Prison Playbook
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
By the Reply series creators but set in a prison.
Starring: Park Hae-soo & Jung Kyung-ho
Supporting: Krystal (f(x)), Jung Hae-in, Kim Kyung-nam & of course Sung Dong-il
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14. My First First Love
Korean Drama - 2019, 8 episodes
A story on youths moving in together for various reasons and experiencing love, friendships & struggles.
Starring: Ji Soo, Jung Chae-yeon (DIA & I.O.I), Jung Jin Young (ex-B1A4)
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15. Because It's The First Time
Korean Drama - 2015, 8 episodes
A story on youths and young love, inspired My First First Love. [I knew it! They are too similar.]
Starring [and basically all breakout stars]: Choi Minho (SHINee), Park So-dam, Kim Min-jae, Lee Yi-kyung, Jung Yoo-jin
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16. School 2013
Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes
A story on navigating all school has to offer with friendships, family, peer pressure, family pressure, and studying, lots of studying.
Starring: Lee Jong-suk & Kim Woo-bin (real life besties), Park Se-young, Jang Na-ra & Choi Daniel
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17. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
A story on athletic youths working hard for their dreams & first loves.
Starring: Lee Sung-kyung & Nam Joo-hyuk (who were dating at the time so their chemistry is spectacular)
Breakout star: Lee Joo Young
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18. Miss Hammurabi
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
If I was a judge it would be relatable and therefore slice-of-life. It did have the right vibes though. It was as serious as Go Ara & Sung Dong-il can possibly be together.
Starring: Kim Myung-soo (Infinite's L), Go Ara, Sung Dong-il (Reply series dad)
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19. Meow, the Secret Boy
Korean Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
A story on introverted cat people vs extroverted dog people.
Starring: Kim Myung-soo (Infinite's L) & Shin Ye-eun
Breakout star: Seo Ji-hoon, though apparently I've seen him in a few other dramas and didn't notice
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20. Because I Want No Loss
Korean Drama - 2024, 12 episodes
A woman with ambition who doesn't want to lose out in life pursues her career and needs some help.
Starring Shin Min-a & Kim Young-dae