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K - dramashave been rising in popularity since the 1990s , andseveral definitive Korean TV shows from the 2000s are essential for beginnersto watch . atomic number 19 - dramas are beloved for their intriguing storyline and gifted actors , and there ’s no better way to be introduced to them than beginning with the classic . WhileNetflix original special K - dramaslikeSquid Game , Kingdom , Sweet Home , andAll of Us Are Deadhave helped external interview become aware of the subgenre , Korean TV shows were democratic before the meteorological wage hike of these shows .
Classic Korean dramas from the 2000s play a significant role in the career of popular South Korean role player like Lee Min - ho , Ju Ji - hoon , and Gong Yoo as that ’s when most of them were start out out . It ’s essential forbeginners to the thousand - dramasub - genre to watch the classic , as they proffer a look into how Korean TV shows are structure and how far they ’ve number since then . From romantic K - drama likeBoys Over Flowersto full point drama likeQueen Seondeok , there are a lot of Korean TV establish to comfort novel consultation into the subgenre .
10Iljimae (2008)
The South Korean Version Of Robinhood
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Il Ji Mae is set during the Joseon Dynasty and follows Ryung , a seemingly useless gangster by day and chivalrous robber by nighttime , who targets corrupt officials to aid the poor . know as Iljimae , he leaves plum tree branches as his signature . The tale intertwines romanticism and risk with characters Bong before long and Eun Chae .
define in the Joseon Dynasty , Iljimaefollows Lee Gyeom , a nobleman who is betrayed by his uncle , the king . old age later , Gyeom who now goes by Yog - Gb seeks to avenge his sis by finding the sword that serves as a clue to his fellowship ’s slaying . In rescript to do so , he masquerades as an iljimae at night and steals from the rich with the hopes of finding the one clue he needs to help him in his design .
There are passel of K - dramas staring for beginners of the genre , but there are also those that would be good for someone already conversant with it .
Iljimaeis essentially the South Korean rendering of Robinhood . It ’s action at law - pack and has no slow here and now . Despite the K - drama ’s similarities to the tale of a thief who steal from the rich to give to the wretched , Ilijimaeis in a course of its own . While the first few sequence open lento , the don and Word story and the amatory subplot more than make up for the K - drama ’s shortcomings .
9Winter Sonata (2002)
A Love Story With The Complications Of Amnesia
Winter Sonata : This quixotic dramatic event pith around a fair sex who encounters a humanity resembling her gone first sexual love , leading her to question her impending marriage . As past and present emotion intertwine , the series explore themes of love , release , and remembering , set against a background of wintry landscapes .
Joon - sang and Yoo - jin arechildhood friends whose relationship turns into romance . Unfortunately , Joon - Panax quinquefolius have into an stroke and sustains injuries , which means that he ca n’t remember some things that happened prior to his accident . When the two meet again , Yoo - jin is engaged , but she holds off getting married after she learn her puerility sweetheart , Joon - sang , who is also in a relationship .
With its great histrion , heartwarming story , and intense love trigon , Winter Sonata is the perfect introduction to romantic potassium - dramas .
Winter Sonataisn’t a plain old love storey , which is n’t surprising , as most wild-eyed K - dramas usually aren’t . The amnesia storyline advance the series and thickens the plot of ground . Winter Sonatahas a timeless soundtrack that contributes to why the potassium - drama is so memorable . With its great thespian , heartwarming narrative , and intense erotic love triangle , Winter Sonatais theperfect introduction to romanticist K - dramas .
8My Girl (2005)
A Perfect Story Of Fake Forbidden Love
In this Korean drama , Seol Gongchan , a flush heritor , search to fulfill his grandfather ’s last regard by enlisting the help of Joo Yoorin , a fair sex resemble his lost aunt . As Yoorin integrates into his family , an unexpected and forbidden attracter evolve between her and Gongchan .
Due to her father ’s gambling debts , Joo Yoo - rin is forced to do work hard in Holy Order to take care of herself . When she meets Seol Gong - chan , they get into a declaration that has her pretending to be his sick granddaddy ’s long - lose granddaughter . In a surprising turn of events , Gong - chan ’s grandfather makes a full recovery and the two are drive to last under the same cap . Things get complicated when they begin to rise feeling for each other .
My Girlis a perfect level of phony taboo love that keeps audience on their toes as they apprehensively wait for the two protagonist ’ lie to be discovered . It has a sweet love life storythat ’s infused with humor and a slight bit of mystery . DespiteMy Girlbeing secrete nigh 20 years ago , it still remains popular with buff of romanticist K - dramas .
7Full House (2004)
The Marriage Contract Trope
Full House follows the life story of Han Ji - eun , a naïve author , who recruit a contract marriage with actor Lee Young - jae after losing her home in a scam . Set against their evolving personal dynamic , the serial explores paper of resilience , beloved , and the complexness of innovative kinship .
A classic take on the contract marriage trope , Full Housefocuses on Han Ji - eun , a scriptwriter whose best friends trick her into believing she won a vacation only for them to sell her house after she leaves . It turns out the new owner of her house is Lee Young - jae , a renowned actor she cope with on a sheet . With nowhere else to go , Ji - eun is force to stay with Young - jae and work as his maid to buy her house back . When Young - jae decides to get his ex - girlfriend back , he catch intoa six - calendar month union contract with Ji - eun , who he begins to fall for .
Full Housewas wildly popular when it first air , and for unspoilt reason . The yard - dramatic event is queer and sport some affecting moments between the two protagonists . While the man and wife contract trope is overused , Full Housedid it in a way that is n’t too cliché . It ’s the thoroughgoing intromission to romantic K - dramas as it shows just how gratifying they can be .
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6Sad Love Story (2005)
A Tale Of The Ups And Downs Of Love
Sad Love Song follows Hye - in , who , after being misdirect about her true love Jon - young ’s lot , begins a new life story alone . Years afterwards , with restored eyesight , she give back to Seoul , now a singer engaged to her manufacturer Gun - woo . This series explores themes of erotic love , death , and suspense .
write by Lee Sung - eun , Sad Love Storytellsa spellbind story of the ups and downs of love . Hye - in is a unreasoning player who is in erotic love with Jon - young . Their lives take a turn of events when they are split up : Jon - youthful goes to Seoul , while Hye - in folio for America . After pass age believing that the dearest of her life go , Hye - in , who can now see , returns to South Korea but does n’t know that her fiancé ’s good friend is the same military personnel she loves .
Sad Love Storyplayed a significant role in the Korean Wave as it inclose international audiences to kibibyte - dramatic event . The love life level between Hye - in and Jon - youthful is perfectly evidence , even though it is predictable and full of clichés . The romantic kibibyte - dramatic event has the ability to get out audiences in from its very first instalment and keep them glued with its intense scenes . WhileSad Love Storyhas some sad minute , as is implied in the claim , it also boast felicitous scenes that balance out the K - play .
Il Ji Mae is set during the Joseon Dynasty and follows Ryung, a seemingly useless gangster by day and chivalrous robber by night, who targets corrupt officials to aid the poor. Known as Iljimae, he leaves plum tree branches as his signature. The narrative intertwines romance and danger with characters Bong Soon and Eun Chae.
5Stairway To Heaven (2003)
The Storytelling Takes Audiences On An Emotional Rollercoaster
staircase to Heaven : This amatory play follow the intertwine lives of Cha Songjoo and Han Jeongseo , who get up like sib after losing a parent . Their bond is test by folk green-eyed monster and rigor , as Jeongseo confront mistreatment from her stepmother and stepsister , while voyage a making love triangle .
In disconsolate romance thousand - dramas , the august gestures of love associated with the genre are replaced by emotional storyline guaranteed to move audience .
The yard - drama is brightly writtenand takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster . Stairway to Heavenis utterly heartbreaking and can be a lot for founding father to K - dramas . Nevertheless , it ’s still an essential show to keep an eye on because not every one thousand - drama has a felicitous ending , andStairway to Heavenis a will to that .
4Coffee Prince (2007)
A K-drama That Was Ahead Of Its Time
Set in a bustling coffee tree workshop , this romantic dramatic event stick to Eun - chan , a charwoman who mask herself as a man to batten down a job . tortuousness ensue as her managing director , unaware of her true indistinguishability , develops romantic feelings , lead to a tangled World Wide Web of emotions and identities .
Gong Yoo ’s breakout role , Coffee Princesees Ko Eun - chan , a 24 - year - honest-to-god woman who is misguided for a guy rope because of how she set . Han - gyul is a chip of a spoilt rich man who has never held a task before in his liveliness . After the woman he have a go at it deny his advances , Han - gyul hires Eun - chan to venture to be his boyfriendso that he can hold back going on blind dates his nan arranges for him .
Coffee Prince isa K - drama that was ahead of its time when it premiered because ofhow it deal the topic of gender fluidity . Each character in the K - play was dead cast and to the full developed , which hit them even more relatable . The theme of having an individuality crisis is something that a lot of masses can relate to , and Gong Yoo does a great job of showing his character ’s struggles . WhileCoffee Princehas some funny moments , it also invoke other emotion like angst and regret , making it a must - determine K - drama classic for tyro .
3Queen Seondeok (2009)
A Biopic Of The Real Queen Of The Silla Empire
Queen Seondeok is a South Korean historical drama television series that tells the story of Queen Seondeok of Silla , who ruled the kingdom in the 7th hundred . The series explore her rise to power , her struggles to maintain unity among the three kingdoms of Goguryeo , Baekje , and Silla , and her relationships with those around her .
Also know asThe Great Queen Seondeok , the period K - dramacenters aroundthe story of Queen Seondeok ’s ascension to the stool . Born a twin , a young Princess Deokman is sent aside by her sire due to a prophecy . When she find out her tangible identity element , Deokman sets out on a path of revenge and becomes the first distaff ruler of Silla .
Queen Seondeokis a biopic of the material nance of the Silla Empire . The dramatic event is catch from commencement to finishand afford a glimpse into how Korea was head for the hills during that geological era . Queen Seondeokis a timeless K - dramatic play with two powerful lead that do an incredible line of work of bringing the historical tale to life . Although the cat valium - drama infuses a lot of historical facts , it does so in a brilliant style that can keep a beginner to Korean TV display engaged .
Winter Sonata: This romantic drama centers around a woman who encounters a man resembling her deceased first love, leading her to question her impending marriage. As past and present emotions intertwine, the series explores themes of love, loss, and memory, set against a backdrop of wintry landscapes.
2Jewel In The Palace (2003)
Based On A True Story
Set in the Joseon Dynasty , this historic play stick to Jang - geum , an orphaned kitchen doer who use her skill and determination to become the first distaff physician in the regal court . The serial explores her journeying against societal norm and the challenges posed by those around her .
Starring Lee Young - ae as Seo Jang - genus Geum , Jewel in the Palacefollowsthe Ascension of the Lord of her character from a royal cook to the king ’s physician . Before and after take on the title , Jang - geum faces a luck of confrontation from naysayer . But her hard oeuvre and tenaciousness help her subdue the hurdles she faces . Jewel in the Palace ’s retaliation plot , palace dramatic play , and hefty narration are enough to keep father to honey oil - dramas immersed .
kilobyte - dramatic event often have a blend of various genres , secure that most shows have a least a bit of comedy to keep things lighthearted and fun .
In this Korean drama, Seol Gongchan, a wealthy heir, seeks to fulfill his grandfather’s last wish by enlisting the help of Joo Yoorin, a woman resembling his lost aunt. As Yoorin integrates into his family, an unexpected and forbidden attraction develops between her and Gongchan.
Jewel in the Palaceis an unconventional K - drama because it is base on a true storey . The fact that it has a basis in realism is probably its big durability , as it realistically depict the challenge women went through during the Joseon era . While the 54 sequence can deter audiences who are new to 1000 - drama , the show ’s dramatic play and acting are so good that watching them does n’t feel like a pull .
1Boys Over Flowers (2009)
The Perfect Introduction To Romantic High School K-dramas
Boys Over Flowers is a 2009 South Korean television series based on the Japanese manga of the same name . The show follows Geum Jan - di , a courageous but impoverished girl who receive a encyclopedism to attend a prestigious high school . There , she encounters the infamous F4 , a group of wealthy and influential boys , leading to complex relationship and social conflicts . The series stars Koo Hye - sun , Lee Min - ho , Kim Hyun - joong , Kim Bum , and Kim Joon .
Based on Yoko Kamio ’s Nipponese manga series , Boys Over Flowers , the K - dramastars Lee Min - hoand Koo Hye - sun as the primary admirer . The 2009 Romance language 1000 - drama follows Geum Jan - di , a high school day student who transfers to the esteemed Shinwa High School , where she is bullied by the plenteous scholarly person there . Jan - di view the eye of Gu Jun - pyo , the heir to Shinwa Group , who at first torments her but then afterwards begin to fall for her .
With its piquant storyline , sexual love triangle , and twist , it ’s no wonder that 16 years after it premier , Boys Over Flowersis still considered a K - dramatic event masterpiece .
Full House follows the life of Han Ji-eun, a naïve writer, who enters a contract marriage with actor Lee Young-jae after losing her home in a scam. Set against their evolving personal dynamic, the series explores themes of resilience, love, and the complexities of modern relationships.
Boys Over Flowersis the perfect creation to romantichigh schooling K - dramas , as it features all the tropes used in the genre . Not only are the lead actors capital , but the story of the productive boy who falls for a poor girl is habit-forming . With its engaging storyline , love triangle , and turn of events , it ’s no wonder that 16 age after it premiered , son Over Flowersis still considered a K - dramatic play masterpiece .
Sad Love Song follows Hye-in, who, after being misled about her true love Jon-young’s fate, begins a new life alone. Years later, with restored eyesight, she returns to Seoul, now a singer engaged to her producer Gun-woo. This series explores themes of love, death, and suspense.
Stairway to Heaven: This romantic drama follows the intertwined lives of Cha Songjoo and Han Jeongseo, who grew up like siblings after losing a parent. Their bond is tested by family jealousy and hardships, as Jeongseo faces mistreatment from her stepmother and stepsister, while navigating a love triangle.
Set in a bustling coffee shop, this romantic drama follows Eun-chan, a woman who disguises herself as a man to secure a job. Complications ensue as her manager, unaware of her true identity, develops romantic feelings, leading to a tangled web of emotions and identities.
Queen Seondeok is a South Korean historical drama television series that tells the story of Queen Seondeok of Silla, who ruled the kingdom in the 7th century. The series explores her rise to power, her struggles to maintain unity among the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, and her relationships with those around her.
Set in the Joseon Dynasty, this historical drama follows Jang-geum, an orphaned kitchen worker who uses her skills and determination to become the first female physician in the royal court. The series explores her journey against societal norms and the challenges posed by those around her.
Boys Over Flowers is a 2009 South Korean television series based on the Japanese manga of the same name. The show follows Geum Jan-di, a courageous but impoverished girl who receives a scholarship to attend a prestigious high school. There, she encounters the infamous F4, a group of wealthy and influential boys, leading to complex relationships and social conflicts. The series stars Koo Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum, and Kim Joon.
