Recommendations
Dramas you must watch in my humble opinion
Recommendations by Theme or Genre:
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1. Lovers
Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
"When I asked you if you ever hated me, you said this, 'The day you left me forever, I stared a long time as I hated you so much, but no matter how long I stared at you, I did not feel hatred for you. So I just hated myself.' And you asked me, 'As cruel as you are, did you even fathom how I felt?' I can tell you now, I could not even fathom. It is just that … my heart shattered into 1,000 pieces, and I wished you would not feel like me. I prayed desperately so."
Sweet, sweet misery (Oct 2023) -
2. Monster
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Beyond Evil is a masterpiece. It is artfully constructed and perfectly paced. The drama weaves a juicy and complex story tracing murders that go back 21 years. It's been quite a bit since I've watched anything like this. It really manages to raise the bar when it comes to gritty crime dramas. (May 2021)
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3. Nobody Knows
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Nobody Knows is an incredibly paced and well written drama. This is not your typical procedural crime drama where you have a new culprit every week. This drama artfully weaves a well constructed story about connections and the people involved. Episode after episode, Nobody Knows manages to keep upping the juicy suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. (Nov 2020)
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4. My Mister
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
This drama has so much heart. An unconventional story about two people trying to find happiness in an unforgiving world. (May 2018)
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5. Money Flower
Korean Drama - 2017, 24 episodes
An intense and riveting drama about a familial power struggle places Attoney Kang Pil Joo on a war torn path to avenge his family. (Feb 2018)
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6. Prison Playbook
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
This drama follows Kim Je Hyuk a renown pitcher as he gets convicted to a year in prison. During his stay, he will come into contact with a number of different personalities and stories along the way! This drama exquisitely navigates its audience through the side splitting and the heartfelt! (Jan 2018)
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7. Signal
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
What a well constructed and intense drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Lee Je Hoon, Jo Jin Woong and Kim Hye Soo deliver such incredible portrayals. I can’t recommend this drama enough! (May 2018)
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8. Healer
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
You just can’t get much cooler than Seo Jung Ho, bonefied errand boy, a good fighter, street smarts. You can’t get much better than Healer. It truly is the whole package: a bit of action, romance and good story-telling. (2017)
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9. Incomplete Life
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
This drama has extraordinary heart! Through sometimes featuring a very methodical and slice of life pace, it does an incredible job displaying the everyday wins and loses we face when working in corporate culture. Again and again I was blown away with how this drama left it’s impression on me. Jang Geu Rae makes such an adorable unskilled, under-qualified underdog. I found myself rooting for him and celebrating in his little wins and wanting to die in his embarrassment and failure. I so enjoyed watching his relationships and trust build with the Sales Three Team and his fellow interns. The way Misaeng depicts the mundane and everyday is quite touching. The drab everyday backdrop of the office environment highlights the magic of interpersonal relationships and how they develop and grow. Though this drama may not be for everyone, I greatly enjoyed it and found it incredibly rewarding! (May 2018)
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10. Bad Guys
Korean Drama - 2014, 11 episodes
In this dark, gritty dog-eat-dog world, a suspended detective will pull together an unlikely team of ex-convicts. (2017)
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11. Cruel City
Korean Drama - 2013, 20 episodes
This drama is so beautifully dark and moody. The lead protagonist is so interesting and complex. His acting ability in this role is top-notch and truly makes the drama great. (2017)
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12. Saiai
Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
I loved this drama, its lead couple and the main ost. Even though this drama didn't offer any mind-blowing plot twists, I loved this drama's heart. I became a little too emotionally invested with the main couple. (Dec 2021)
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13. Unnatural
Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes
I didn’t expect to get sucked in so deep to this procedural. Ishihara Satomi and Iura Arata do a really amazing job. (Mar 2018)
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14. 100-manen no Onna-tachi
Japanese Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
This drama has a bit of a darker, understated tone. I really enjoyed the mystery and learning more about the protagonist bit by bit. (Oct 2017)
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15. Quartet
Japanese Drama - 2017, 10 episodes
I adored this drama and how it manages to balance relatable slice of life with some beautiful life lessons along the way. The tone eases you in to a breezy and quirky story. I quickly fell in love with its deep characters and the heartfelt character arcs. This was perfection for me right now! (Jan 2019)
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16. Tokyo Tarareba Musume
Japanese Drama - 2017, 10 episodes
This drama delivers some touching life lessons about love. Focusing on three women in their 30s, this drama will delve into their love lives and their pursuit for happiness. (Apr 2018)
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17. Mondai no Aru Restaurant
Japanese Drama - 2015, 10 episodes
I loved how this drama explores female relationships and obstacles that women face. Quite well done! (April 2021)
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18. Ouroboros
Japanese Drama - 2015, 10 episodes
Two childhood friends set on avenging the murder of their teacher by walking two very different paths. One becomes a detective, while the other delves into the world of organized crime. As they join forces, they will seek the truth of past events. (2017)
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19. Rich Man, Poor Woman
Japanese Drama - 2012, 11 episodes
A successful prodigy meets a down on her luck woman in this drama. Through their meeting and friendship, how will they end up changing each other? This drama addresses some of the challenges millennials have finding their way after school. (2012)
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20. Hotaru no Hikari
Japanese Drama - 2007, 10 episodes
This drama is perfection. The lead female does any amazing job portraying a himono onna. She is sooooo endearing as she experiences love for the first time. (2007)
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21. Orange Days
Japanese Drama - 2004, 11 episodes
A touching drama about friendship. This is such a classic! (2007)
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22. Lost You Forever
Chinese Drama - 2023, 39 episodes
(Aug 2023)
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23. Hidden Love
Chinese Drama - 2023, 25 episodes
(Aug 2023)
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24. Go Ahead
Chinese Drama - 2020, 46 episodes
This was the first Chinese Drama that I’ve ever watched, and I absolutely loved it! I loved how this drama focuses strongly on this idea of created family. The core family is so endearing and heart felt. The relationship between the three main siblings was extremely touching. Li Jian Jian’s antics were always sooo funny to watch, especially how Ling Xiao and Zi Qiu do their best to keep her out of trouble. I would argue that this drama depicts one of the best trios written for Dramaland.
Though this drama at times can be a bit contrived and melodramatic, I can’t recommend this drama enough. Watch this for the family themes, and its take on created family is beautifully depicted throughout its run. (Jan 2021)