Blog Entries reposted from the my blog

K Drama Picks

https://wp.me/p7NAzO-2OC

Cosmos K Drama List

Themes

Master Movies Seen 1970- 2024

Our Blues K Drama Review

Favorite K Drama

Cosmos’s Fav k Drama

Cosmos’s Favorite K Drama

Since 2015, when I moved to Korea I have become a big fan of K Drama. They are perhaps the best in the world at romantic comedies. (“Crash Course in Romance” and “Crash Landing on You” a good examples). They also excel in movies about “Rich People Behaving Badly ”( Mine is the best one) and dark social commentary like “Parasite” (Oscar Best Picture), revenge dramas (Glory is the best example), and epic historical dramas set in Korea and China. (“Mr. Sunshine” is a good example) Another staple is high school coming-of-age films. (Millionaires First Love is a good one) .They also do political intrigue films pretty well ) Last Man Standing is good, and” Designated Survivor”), and decent SCIFi too. (“Silent Sea”, and Space Sweapers” are good). The crime and political dramas are quite intense and a bit too violent in my opinion although they are not “slasher” films per se. And of course, the Squid Game was a worldwide phenomenon.

Up until the early 80’s K dramas were not that good, Japanese (J Drama) were better. But since then K Dramas have taken over. For some reason, K dramas are more approachable to outsiders than J Dramas or C Dramas. An interesting factoid is that the writers are almost all women. and about 60 percent of the viewers are women, Korean men, in general, prefer sports or news programs.

More LGBTQ Characters

In recent years, many dramas have started featuring LGBTQ characters and non-Korean characters (called multi-cultural in Korean). The LGBTQ characters tend to be either female or transgendered, not too many male male gay characters. Itaewon Class had a good Trans character – a male transitioning to female, and “Mine” had both a lesbian couple and a bisexual male lead. This reflects the fact that LGTBQ status is still not as tolerated in Korea as it is in the US and Europe. Five years ago there were no LGBTQ characters, now there are quite a few. In Korea there are now gay nightclubs in Itaewon’s “homo hill” and the Hongdae student district, and there is an annual gay pride day which while not officially legal, is not illegal as it was a few years ago. Many K novels and stories also have LGBTQ characters these days.

Gay marriage is still not legal, but gay sex is no longer illegal or grounds for a divorce as adultery is also no longer illegal or grounds for a divorce. Younger Koreans are much more tolerant than older Koreans. The Christian Churches tend to be conservative and heavily influenced by American evangelical churches and are mostly anti-LGBTQ. About ten percent of adults have engaged in gay or lesbian relationships and perhaps 5 percent of the population are LGBTQ, with 2 percent transgendered. Transgendered people have to go to Thailand for surgery as the surgeries are illegal in Korea and Korean health insurance does not cover such treatments.

Rom-Com Slow Burn Dramas

The rom-com tends to be slow-burning dramas with few explicit sex scenes, almost all of them male -female although there are a few lesbian-themed ones now and then. Many of them follow the meme hate turning to love, although love at first sight K dramas are common, and many feature doomed romances between characters of different social classes.

Korean Badass Female Leads

Final point, I have always considered Korean women to be the most beautiful and sexiest women on the planet and I love watching them in K Dramas, particularly I like watching real “badass” lead characters, and I married my Korean dream girl See Dreamgirl re-published for details.

“Mr. Sunshine,” and “Gyesang Creatures” have such lead characters.

I have finally gotten enough Korean to mostly follow the dialogue without subtitles, but most of the K Dramas on Amazon, Disney, and Netflix have subtitles. I hope by the end of the year to be able to watch a K drama without subtitles. Nice language learning goal to have.

Here then is my list of K Dramas I have seen over the years.

First my top 20 list

Gyesang Creature K Drama Korean female badass character, monster movie, historical drama set at end of Colonial era

Captivating The King K Historical Drama A

Doctor Slump K Drama B good rom-com also deals with mental illness issues, political intrigue

Glory K drama A revenge drama

Crash Course in Romance K drama A- great rom-com

Chief of Staff K drama political drama

Shin Divorce Attorney K Drama -A great legal drama and political intrigque

The Eternal King K drama historical drama. alt history Sci-fi rom-com

Live Up to Your Name K drama A historical drama, sci-fi, rom-com slow burn romance

Castaway Diva b slow burn rom-com

My Love From The Stars sci-fi rom-com

Itaewon Class K Drama Trans character lead

The Last Man Standing K Drama political intrigue regarding the assasination of President Park based on true story

Venzano K Drama corporate intrigue, crime drama and slow burn romance

Mine K Drama great example of rich people behaving badly, LGBTQ characters

Strong Girl Namjoon sequel see post review female badass leads

strong girl Bong soon original A see post review female badass leads

Parasite K Drama Oscar Best picture - dark black comedy

When The Camelia Blooms K Drama great K rom-com

Squid Games K Drama Number 1 On Netflix game show but much more than that

Bing AI’s list of top K Dramas

If you’re looking for the best K-dramas to binge-watch, you’re in for a treat! Korean dramas (K-dramas) have taken the world by storm, offering a delightful mix of interesting storylines, intense plot twists, and addictive viewing experiences. Here are some top K-dramas across different genres:

Action/Thriller Korean Dramas:
Squid Game: A gripping thriller where characters in serious debt participate in deadly children’s games for a chance at a massive prize. Tug of War, Red Light, Green Light—watch out for the high stakes! 1.
Sweet Home: If you enjoyed movies like The Call and #Alive, this multi-season drama features gruesome monsters and follows a depressed loner in a new apartment complex 1.
Romance Korean Dramas(Fan Favorites):
Crash Landing on You: A heartwarming love story between a South Korean heiress and a North Korean soldier.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo: A historical romance with time-travel elements.
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin): A fantasy romance involving a goblin, a grim reaper, and a human woman 2.
Other Notable K-Dramas:
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon: A mix of romance, comedy, and action, featuring a super-strong female lead.
While You Were Sleeping: A supernatural romance with intriguing dream-related twists.
Descendants of the Sun: A love story set against the backdrop of military service.
My Love From The Star: A unique romance involving an alien and a famous actress.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo: A heartwarming sports-themed drama 2.

Remember, K-dramas can evoke a wide range of emotions—from sappy to heartbreaking to downright surprising. So grab your popcorn, find a cozy spot, and immerse yourself in the captivating world of Korean dramas! 🎬🍿

2024

Confession K Drama A-

Collectors K Drama B

The Spy Gone North B K Drama

Goodbye Mr. Black K Drama Did Not Finish

My Demon Love K Drama Did Not Finish

My Annoying Brother B

Me And Me K Drama B

Squid Game Season Two Did Not Finish – No longer K drama in my opinion

Gyesang Creature K Drama Korean female badass character

Somebody B

The Devil Plan Was Too Complicated To Follow

VIP K Drama B

Destined With You K Drama

Millionaire First Love K Drama A good intro to coming of age high school dramas

Hyena K Legal Drama A good political corporate intrigue film

Badlands Hunters K Post-Apocalypse Drama A good Sci-Fi

Captivating The King K Historical Drama A Good historical drama

Doctor Slump K Drama B

Taken K Drama Movie B

The Swindler K Drama Movie A

Don’t Buy The Seller K Drama B

The Dude In Me K Drama Is Cute A

Single In Seoul K Movie B

Lee Kiwon K Movie About NK Refugees In Belgium

Young Police K Drama B

Sweat And Sour B

Killer Paradox K Crime Drama

Queen Of Tears K Rom-Com

2023

Moving to Heaven started in 2022.

Lies Within started in the 2022 BK drama.

Trolly started 2022 B K drama a-

Glory K drama is A good revenge flick

Confidential Assignment K drama b

On the line k drama b

Weight Ton K drama b

Parallel SF K drama SF drama

Crash Course in Romance K drama A- great rom-com

One Spring Night K drama

The Bros K drama

Like for Likes K drama b.

Ordinary People K drama b

Veteran K crime comedy b K drama

Tiger in Winter K drama with a magical realism twist K drama

After My Death, another Korean teenage crime drama k drama

Confidential Assignment Two K drama

Nothing Serious K rom-com

Uncanny counter K drama

What’s wrong with Secretary Kim K's drama.

Chief of Staff K drama good political thriller

Mad for each other K drama

Along with the god’s K's drama

Time to hunt K drama.

Escape from Mogadishu political drama based on true story features North and South Koreans overseas forced to work together to ensure mutual survivor

The decision to leave K drama.

Adenoid K drama Sci-Fi

Hunt K drama

Confession K drama

My unfamiliar family K drama

Physical Another Squid Game K drama

Unblock Cyber crime K drama.

One Spring Night K drama rom-com

Holy Betrayal Documentary on Religious cults in Korea

Me me

Shin Divorce Attorney K Drama -A good legal thriller

The Eternal King K drama alt history sci-fi, rom-com

Live Up to Your Name K drama A sci-fi time travel rom-com

Kill Bosun K drama

Switch k drama

Beef K Drama set in LA

Queen Maker K drama

Black Knight K Drama

Miss and Mrs. Cop K drama

Unstoppable K drama

Mad for Each Other rom-com

Private Lifes K drama

Flower of Evil K drama

Glitch Korean series sci-fi

See You in My 19th Life K Drama did not finish it

Alchemy of Souls intriguing K Drama

Song of the Bandits historical set at the end of the Joseon dynasty

Dream K drama about the homeless World Cup

King Maker K drama about Kim Dae Jung’s early rise Disney A

Ballerina K crime revenge thriller b a bit too violent

Strong Girl Namjoon sequel see post review female badass characters

strong girl bong soon original A see post review female badass characters

Dona K Drama B

Ray of Sunshine K Drama A

The Worst of Evil Disney K Drama B

Villante Disney K Drama B

The Believer K Drama b

the Believer Part two K Drama B

Castaway Diva b good rom-com

comedy royal b

My Demon did not finish c

Don’t Buy the Seller -K Drama about a serial killer who lures victims through ads for used sales

Gyesang Creature K drama 6 episodes Great badass lead actress.

Havana K murder drama with an LGBT love affair theme

Bloodhounds K revenge crime drama

2022 Movies Seen

Black Money K Drama B

Extreme Job K Drama B

We Are All Going To Die K Zombie Drama A

Haibing 2017 The Thaw K Drama B

Our Blues K Drama A set in Jeju

Juvenile Justice K Drama B coming of age drama

Silent Sea K Drama B sci-fi

My Liberation Notes

My Love From The Stars good rom-com

Move To Heaven

Honest Candidate

Yaksha K Movie B

Blue Bayou Korean American Movie B

Uncanny Counter K Drama B

Cyber Hell B

Intruder K Drama B

Welcome To Wedding Hell K Drama B

Heist Korean Version B

Will You Be There? K Drama C Did Not Finish

Extraordinary Attorney Yoo A-1 great drama features an austic genius

Minmi ding Café C Did Not Finish

Remarriage And Desire K Drama B Another Drama About Rich People Behaving Badly.

Unfamiliar Family K Drama A

Carter K Drama Movie C

Designated Survivor K Drama A political intrigue

Model Family K Drama B

Little Woman K Drama B Korean re-make of a classic British 19th Century novel

Stranger 1

Stranger 2

Reflection Of You good rom-com

Made For Each Other good rom-com

Honest Candidate political satire

Signal K Drama

When The Camellia Blooms B good rom-com

Love Struck In The City B

Glitch Korean Sci-Fi B good SciFi

The Lies Within K Drama

2021

Space Sweepers K SF Drama

Itaewon Class K Drama Trans character male to female

Sense 8 is not a K drama per see but has a Korean lead actress

The Last Man Standing political thriller based on the true story of President Park's assasination

Sisispyus K Drama disappointing Sci-Fi

Venzano K Drama good crime drama, and slow burn rom-com

Glitch Good Sci-Fi

Parasite K Drama Oscar Best picture

Legends Of Alhambra K Drama

The Negotiator K Movie

No Exit K Movie

Crash Landing On You K Drama great K rom-com set in North Korea

Night In Paradise K Movie

DP K Drama

Con K Drama Movie

When The Camelia Blooms K Drama great K rom-com

Squid Games K Drama Number 1 On Netflix

Move To Heaven K Drama

Minuri Oscar winner set in U.S.

Hell Bound K Drama

Hostage K Drama Movie

Balgasal K SF

The Wanted

2020




Mr. Kim’s Convenience Store set in Toronto

Kim Ji Young K Drama




2019




49 Days Korean Movie B

Chun hyang (2000 Film) YS

The Assassin 2015 Korean Movie

2015

Kundu Korean Movie B

Classified File Korean Movie On Plane

2014

Memories Of Murder Korean Film

Typhoon Kore

2011

The King And I Korean Series

Life In North Korea Documentary From National Geographic

Morning Glory

the end