Here are the Korean Dramas I have watched since 2010 based on my personal ratings. I have rated each drama and movies based on 4 star (****) Rating system. 4 * being the best and 1 Star being the not the best.
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Korean and Asian Dramas Rated:
Best Asian Drama (Strongly Recommended) : 4 Stars **** (Best)
These are the Asian dramas that personally moved me, it had it all. Great story line, good acting, enough to keep interest until the end of the story.
City Hunter: (Korean Drama, 2011)
Rating:****
My most favorite Lee Min Ho’s series. This drama has Lee Min Ho as City hunter, who is taking revenge for his father without killing anybody. His adopted father hell bent on taking revenge for his best friend at any cost. There is political thriller with romance, humor and Korea’s Blue house where president resides.
Bridal Mask: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating: ****
It is based on a novel and one of my favorite drama which made me fan of Joo Won. The story follows a man named Lee Kang-to, a Korean police officer commissioned by the Japanese Police to betray his own country and aid the Japanese in the annihilation of the Korean rebellion. During his mission, he encounters a notorious masked man who dons a traditional Korean bridal mask to fight for Korea’s independence by assassinating Japanese key officers.
Moon That Embraces the Sun: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating: ****
I started watching this drama with no exceptions as I did not know any actors when I first watched it and it was completely Joseon era story. However, this drama surprised me with great kid/teen actors and made me a fan of Kim Soo Hyun. Story of 2 young lovers, curse and shamans, politics, friendships, love scorned and love achieved all makes it a wonderful drama.
Ojakgyo Brothers: (Korean drama, 2011-12)
Rating: ****
One of the best family drama that I have seen. Unlike other Kdrama, there is no rich and jerk guy who gets tamed. It is about family and four brothers and their lives. Family is not rich, nor upright, they have faults and issues but that makes this a best humanist drama. It is 58 episodes long but surely worth it, watch at least 7 episodes before giving up as it is slow story but it is surely worth it. Another gem by Joo Won.
Queen In Hyun’s Man: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating:****
Park Boong Do (Ji Hyun Woo) is a scholar who had supported the reinstatement of Queen In Hyun when Jang Heebin’s schemes resulted in her being deposed and replaced as King Sukjong’s queen consort. He travels 300 years into the future of modern Seoul and meets Choi Hee Jin (Yoo In Na), a no-name actress who is expecting a career renaissance through her role as Queen In Hyun in a TV drama.
49 Days: (Korean Drama, 2011)
Rating:****
Shin Ji Hyun was enjoying absolute bliss as she was about to marry her fiance, Kang Min Ho, but her perfect life is shattered when she goes in a coma after an accident. She is given a second chance at life by a reaper, but it comes with a condition: she has to find three people outside of her family who would cry genuine tears for her. Ending crippled me but it is still good drama to watch nonetheless.
IIjimae: (Korean Drama, 2008)
Rating:****
Set during the Joseon Dynasty, Iljimae acts as a useless gangster in the marketplace by day but at night he is a chivalrous robber who robs corrupt government officials to give to the poor. Eun Chan meets Iljimae once by chance, and their sweet love story begins. However, her love puts Iljimae in a dangerous situation because an Imperial Guard also loves her.
Full House : (Korean Drama, 2004)
Rating: ****
Full House with Rain was very popular Kdrama but I got to see it just recently and I can’t say they were wrong. It made me fan of Rain as an actor. The story is typical enough for Kdrama, jerk rich actor Rain buys a house which Heroine’s greedy friends sells off without her knowledge and she gets in to fake marriage contract with Rain only to fall in love.
Roof Top Prince: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating:****
I like Yoochun so I was eager to watch it. It has time travel, modern era and lot of comedy and fun scenes with, bad siblings, revenge and sweet romance, 4 drop dead gorgeous guys, what not to like! There are lot of hilarious moment when 4 hot guys from Joseon era tries to learn modern way of brushing, using elevator and earning money.
Just you: ( Taiwanese Drama, 2013)
Rating: ****
This is my most favorite drama because of cute leading pairs and message for love and forgiving that makes me feel uplifted even with a one evil character in it. Qi Yi is a boss from hell. He is worst than a control freaking dictator. He is the saboteur of office romances. Cheng Liang Liang was tasked by her coworkers to break down the boss’ defense and have him lift the anti-office-romance rule.
Mars: (Taiwanese Drama, 2004)
Rating: ****
Han Qi Luo, an extremely shy art student went to the same college as Chen Ling,a popular play boy. They both are haunted by past traumatic events of their own and began to heal together slowly. However, each of them had a secret past that needed to be addressed and overcome before they could accept and love one another freely.
Princess’s Man: (Korean Drama, 2011)
Rating: ****
A tragic love story between the daughter of Prince Suyang and grandson of Kim Jong Seo. Like the characters and storyline, even though story has shade of sadness, romance and triumph at the end. It made me fan of Park Si Hoo.
The Greatest Love (Korean Drama, 2011):
Rating:****
“The Greatest Love” depicts a sometimes comical, sometimes sad, sometimes sweet and sometimes maddening love square between a popular actor, a washed up former pop idol, a successful former pop idol, and a doctor of traditional Asian medicine. This story grew on me, as I watched more episodes, great drama.
My Girlfriend is Gumiho: (Korean Drama, 2010)
Rating:****
Cha Dae Woong accidentally releases a Gumiho, a legendary fox with nine tails that eats the livers of humans. When he finds out that she is a Gumiho, he ends up doing crazy things to prevent the girl from eating his liver. I like cuteness of love story, as Gumiho tries to learn and fall in love, especially Hoi, hoi scenes.
Autumn’s Concerto: ( Taiwanese Drama, 2009)
Rating: ****
Ren Guang Xi, a cocky law student, seems to lead the perfect life with rich parents and being talented hockey player. But in reality, his lonely life lacks joy, laughter until he meets Liang Mu Cheng,who is poor bento seller but passionate and happygoing. A harmless bet brings the two together and Guang Xi slowly changes as Mu Cheng teaches him how to give and love. Tragedy strikes when Guang Xi loses his memory. His mother begs Mu Cheng to leave him and the latter has no choice but to do so. Little does she know that she already has Guang Xi’s child. They meet after 6 six years, when he is engaged to be married with someone else.How will the couple make up for six years of lost time?
Marry Me Mary/ Mary Stayed Out all Night: (Korean Drama, 2010)
Rating: ****
I like this drama series starring JSK and Moon Geun young is refreshing story, at least to me, in Kdramas where main lead is rich jerk, here we have both male leads relatively normal and one also poor. Friendship, love square and believable story line with crazy parents made a interesting watch. Story seems realistic and JSK is charming as ever he was in You’re Beautiful.
Hana Kimi: (Japanese Drama, 2007)
Rating: ****
One of the funniest Japanese drama us based on the popular comic of the same name by Nakajo Hisaya. I had seen the Korean Version of drama called “To Beautiful You” first even though Japanese manga and series came first. So, I had to check out the original version of the drama and I was not disappointed to watch this series with funny moments and made me a fan of Japanese drama.
Arang and Magistrate: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating:****
The drama is based on famous folklore. The story is about a girl who died has a chance to come back from ghost to find out who she is, and she gets help from Lee Jun Ki, who can see Ghost and has his own reasons to help her first.
Dal Ja’s Spring: (Korean Drama, 2007)
Rating: ****
I decided to see this drama, after being recommended by other Korean drama bloggers such as dramabeans and others. I would say, I was surprised and liked this 22 episodes romantic comedy series which stars Chae Rim and Lee Min Ki and supporting characters are engaging along with office politics. Lee Min Ki should come more in drama.
Nine: Time Travel Nine Times (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating: *****
I saw this drama in early 2014. It is one of the intelligent drama about relationship, fate and time travel that will make you think. Unlike other kdrama time travel, here time travel is main plot in the drama. Romance between lead couple is cute and believable. If you like intelligent drama that is entertaining at the same time.
Good Asian Drama ( Recommended) : 3.5 Stars and 3 stars ***1/2 (Good)
These drama might have great potential, but it lacked the greatness that 4 stars drama held until the end. Still watchable and recommended to watch.
Secret Garden (Korean Drama, 2010-11)
Rating: ***1/2
Secret garden has it all, from shiny tracksuits to cappuccino foam kisses, the SBS fantasy romance Secret Garden provided some of the hottest topics and most heartrending small screen moments of 2010. Body swapping, love between rich lonely guy and poor stunt woman is entertaining to watch.
I Need Romance (Korean Drama, 2011)
Rating: ***1/2
Those who complain that Korean drama is too lacking in passion should see this drama. Of course this series is touted as Korean version of American drama “Sex and the City”. It has 3 girl friend’s life story as they go through love, heartaches together. This series was great and spanned more “equal’s that were not as good as the original. Cute Choi Jin Hyuk is there as second lead.
King of Baking, Kim Takgu (Korean Drama, 2010)
Rating: ***/12
This was one of the highest rating Korean drama that has as high rating as 40-50% and most watched in Korea, so I had to check it out. It has two cute guys Yoon Shi Yoon and Joo Won (bad guy in here). The story is about 2 step brothers and baking with heart break, redemption and complicated family relationship with 30 episodes long.
Can Love Become Money (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating: ***1/2
I found this drama by accident and I was pleasantly surprised with this drama. The story is about CEO Ma in Tuk who is cold, rich and puts money above everything. There are few people that come to him for working, relationship all want betray him, is love and trust possible for them? It stars Yeon Jung Hoon who is from Vampire Prosecutor.
You’re Beautiful: (Korean Drama, 2009)
Rating:***1/2
Tae Kyung and On Yu are in search of a new member for their idol group, A.N.JELL. However, Mi Nam suffers an injury at the last moment. So Mi Nyu, his twin sister, is asked to step in for her brother. The rest of the drama follows the behind-the-scenes life of an idol group.
To Beautiful You: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating:***1/2
The series centers on Goo Joo Hee (Choi Seol Ri), a Korean girl who lives in the United States. One day, she sees a track and field competition on TV, and becomes attracted to one of the high jump competitors, Kang Tae Joon (Choi Min Ho). Tae Joon suffers an accident that could potentially end his career. However, Tae Joon attends an all-boys high school and Jae Hee must disguise herself as a boy to enter to help her idol.
My Lovely Sam Soon: (Korean Drama, 2005)
Rating:***1/2
Kim Sam Soon (Kim Sun Ah) is a baker who has a talent in making pastries and cakes. By sheer coincidence, Jin Hun needs a baker for his restaurant Bon Appetit and Sam Soon is unemployed. Sam Soon is hired as the restaurant’s chief baker and, they started to have feeling for each other and Sam Soon agreed to post as Jin Hun’s girlfriend so his mother would leave him alone. Things got complicated when Jin Hun’s ex-girlfriend Yoo Hee Jin came back from the States intending to win him back.
You Who Came From The Stars: (Korean Drama, 2013-14)
Rating:***1/2
A romantic comedy drama about an alien man who landed on Earth 400 years ago during the 17th-century Joseon Dynasty period, falling in love with a modern day actress. I love both Kim Soo Hyun and Jun Ji Hyun from previous movies and drama roles. What I like about the series is love story, murderous Shin Sung-rok, who is cold and aloof as he kills off people including his own brother, and now he is after Cheon Song Yi, can Do Min Joon can save her and himself? I loved watching the series.
Gu Family Book: (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating:***1/2
Born half-animal and half-human, Choi Kang-chi gets into all kinds of awkward and perilous situations in his personal mission to turn into a full human in this spectacular action-packed period drama! Despite not being a human, Kang chi shows lot of human characteristic and has interesting sub plot of espionage going on as well. I loved it.
Hope for Dating: (2 Part Mini series, 2013)
Rating:***1/2
This is only 2 episode long drama series, starring BOA (SM entertainment), Choi Daniel and Siwon. BoA plays woman who gets dumped in love by bad guys again and again, her friend gets help from love expert. Instead of love expert, she gets Daniel Choi who is friend of a love expert. There is a cutie Im Siwan who also falls in love with Boa. I liked the series and it is short enough to finish it one day.
IRIS: (Korean Drama, 2009)
Rating: ***1/2
This is 2009 drama starring Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-hee, Jung Joon-ho, Kim Seung-woo, Kim So-yeon and T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun) of Big Bang. This is spy and espionage drama that does not have any dull moment, it was one of the most expensive drama to be filmed at cost of 17 million US $. It created also spin off series IRIS II and Athena Goddess of War and movies. The drama stars South and North Korean intelligence agency NSS, DPK and mysterious organization called IRIS who is behind many wars and killings.
Zenkai Girl (Japanese Drama, 2011)
Rating: ***1/2
Devoted to becoming an international lawyer, Ayukawa Wakaba is full of ambition. Her hard work pays off when she lands a job at an international law firm, but to her disappointment, the first prestigious assignment that is given to her is to babysit the boss’ 5 year old daughter, Hinata. Wakaba loathes kids and nursing, but unwillingly takes on the job as she is fixated on wealth and success.
Shining Inheritance/ Brilliant Legacy:(Korean Drama, 2009)
Rating:***
When Go Eun Sung’s father died, her step-mother, Baek Sung Hee, took away all of her assets and her younger brother, Eun Woo, suddenly disappears without a trace. Despite this, Eun Sung preservers and works really hard to fulfill her dreams. When the CEO of a food company, Jang Sook Ja, suffers amnesia and can’t remember who she is Eun Sung takes her in. However, Eun Sung does not know that she is the grandmother of Sun Woo Hwan, the man who she switched bags with at the airport.
Smiling Pasta:(Taiwanese Drama, 2006)
Rating: ***
The story begins with Xiao Shi day dreaming on her balcony, wishing for a successful love. She meets He Qun by chance. This marks the beginning of their intertwined destinies. It has love story, love contract, family and sibling relationship and great Italian cooking
Sangkygukan Scandal: (Korean Drama, 2010)
Rating: ***
This is Joseon era story where girls were not allows to study, our main poor main heroine, disguised as boy, enrolls in prestigious Sangkygkan University. There are cute and hot guys, treasure hunt, politics and of course cute Yoochun and romance. Love the series.
Winter Sonata : (Korean Drama, 2002)
Rating: ***
My first ever Korean Drama I watched so it has special place in my heart. It is melodrama so it is bit slow but it makes up for sweet romance that lasts over death, memory loss, questionable parentage after decade once the story starts. It was not the best K-drama to start with but I stuck through it and it was worth it.
Coffee Prince: (Korean Drama, 2007)
Rating: ***
This drama is loved by many, including some girl friends I know. I loved it very much as usual poor girl pretending to be a boy to earn money and guy falling in love with her and questioning his sexuality has been tried in countless Kdrama but this approach was fresh. It has comedic and fun moment, love square. The reason I gave only 3 stars is because I could not take all gross toilet humor and gross eating style in the beginning episodes.
Protect the Boss: (Korean Drama, 2011)
Rating:***
I watched it because it has JYJ’s Jaejoong in it.No Eun Seol finally gets a job as a secretary at a law firm after struggling with unemployment, only to fall in love with her boss, Cha Ji Heon, the immature youngest son of a Chaebol (Super Rich) family.
Boys Over Flowers: (Korean Drama, 2009)
Rating:***
I kept avoiding to see the series because of the over hype, I did not want to be disappointed as other over-hyped Kdrama. However, it was not bad and I enjoyed watching it and finished in 2.5 days all 24 episodes! This series is the one that made Lee Min ho Popular and flower boy name for any good looking Korean guys. It has 4 drop dead good looking guys, one poor but strong heroine and one evil mom.
King 2 Heart: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating:***
This drama is set in modern day where South Korea is governed by a constitutional monarchy. Lee Jae Ha (Lee Seung Ki) is a handsome and materialistic crown prince that doesn’t care about politics. He falls in love with Kim Hyang Ah (Ha Ji Won), a North Korean special forces agent.
Goong /Princess Hours: (Korean Drama, 2006)
Rating:***
Another Yoon Eun Hye drama, where she plays poor, normal girl who by chance get to get married to royal prince in modern era. Prince is love with some other girl and prince’s cousin who also attends same high school as prince and girl falls in love with her to complicate matters further. The series started out good but they stretched it too long to 24 episodes. Reason for not being in best is because drama stretched story 4 episodes too long.
Love Around: (Taiwanese Drama, 2013)
Rating: ***
Another series of Annie Chen and George Hu after Love Now. Radio DJ Liang Xiao Shu is outgoing, straightforward and speaks up against bad guys in her radio show. After finding out her boyfriend of three months is cheating on her, she is devastated. By a chance encounter she meets Zhou Zhen who comes from a former gangster family that has decided to go straight.
Pasta: (Korean Drama, 2010)
Rating: ***
It is series about Seo Yoo Kyung who started her career as a kitchen assistant and eventually works her way up to become a chef. Choi Hyun Wook is the top chef at La Sfera restaurant. Hyun Wook eventually worked his way up to become the most widely recognized Italian chef in Korea. Story has plenty of food, romance and rivalry.
Hana Yori Dango (Japanese Drama, 2005)
Rating: ***
This is a original version of “Boys Over Flowers) Story is about Makino Tsukushi who is a tough, hard-working, middle-class student at the prestigious escalator school Eitoku Gakuen. The elite school is ruled by the F4 or Flower Four, composed of playboys Nishikado Soujiro and Mimasaka Akira, introverted Hanazawa Rui and violent and bratty Domyouji Tsukasa.
Miss Korea: (Korean Drama, 2012-14)
Rating: ***
This 2013 Korean drama takes place in 1997, A cosmetic company is in dire financial shape so, Hyung-joon along with his fellow employees attempt to make 27-year-old Ji-young (Lee Yoon Hee) into Miss Korea, a nationwide beauty pageant winner. Back in their high school days, Ji-young was the most beautiful and popular girl on campus, but she now works as an elevator girl. Can she save the cosmetic company?
Master’s Sun: (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating: ***
I generally do not like getting scared by scary ghost but this was not bad, it had some scary part, but it was also love story with it. Joo Joong-won (So Ji-sub) is the stingy, cold and greedy CEO of Kingdom, a conglomerate. He meets the gloomy Tae Gong-shil (Gong Hyo-jin), who started seeing ghosts after an accident. Their lives take a new turn as they work together to deal with the terror and sadness brought about by the spirits, while delving into a kidnapping incident in Joong-won’s past.
Reply 1994 AKA Answer Me 1994: (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating: ***
Similar to Reply 1997, Set in 1994 and goes non-liner form from 1997 to 2013. The story has six university students from various provincial areas of South Korea (Jeolla Province, Chungcheong Province, and Gyeongsang Province) live together at a boarding house in Sinchon, Seoul, which is run by a couple with a daughter named Na-jung.
Smile, You: (Korean Drama, 2009)
Rating: ***
Story is about rich family whose life gets changed as they lose it all. The daughter is left by her husband right after marriage. As her family is then left with no other alternative but to move in with their longtime chauffeur’s family. The once rich and spoiled daughter and her family must now learn how to adjust to life as commoners. Can they do it? It has cute scenes between lead pairs and 45 episodes long.
The Heirs: (Korean Drama, 2013)
Ratings: ***
This drama follows a group of privileged, elite high school students as they are groomed to take over their families’ business empires. These wealthy students seem to have everything under control–except their love lives. Story sets in California for first few episodes then it returns to Korea and follows life of rich elite high school, very similar to Boys Over Flowers but this has much more mature story.
Good Doctor: (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating: ***
A medical drama about a man with autistic disorder, who has mentality of 10-year-old, overcomes bias and discrimination by the society and becomes a pediatrician by utilizing his exceptional abilities to cure illness. The drama makes you feel good about human relationship and people.
Miss Korea: (Korean Drama, 2013-14)
Rating: ***
The story takes place in 1997, when a cosmetics company is in bad financial shape. To save the company, Hyung-Joon (Lee Sun-Kyun) and other employees try to make Ji-Young (Lee Yeon-Hee) into Miss Korea. Can she save the company and find love? I did not know what to think of the series as it first aired but then I came to appreciate the story and documentary like setting.
Meteor garden : (Taiwanese Drama, 2001)
Rating: ***
This is Taiwanese version of “Boys Over Flowers”, story takes place in college, instead of high school. Yet another adaptation of a Japanese manga. Based upon Hana Yori Dango. It’s the story of a poor girl in a rich, private school who falls in with the four richest boys in school.
My Princess: (Korean Drama, 2011)
Rating: ***
Kim Tae Hee stars as a ordinary college student who turns out to be great grand daughter of last Joseon era emperor. Park Hae-young (Song Seung-hun), is put in charge of educating Seol on proper etiquette in order for her to fulfill her role. He falls in love with her even though her becoming princess means he will lose his inheritance.
Time Pass Asian Drama (Okay for One time) : 2.5 to 2 stars **1/2 (Okay)
These dramas were all right for one time watching or not bad but not great either but passable. Recommend to watch when you’re free or one time only.
Playful Kiss: (Korean Drama, 2010)
Rating:** 1/2
Based on the popular manga, Oh Ha Ni is a clumsy student who falls for the perfectionist, Baek Seung Jo. However, Seung Jo is indifferent towards her and rejects her love. Will she be able to move Seung Jo’s heart? It is popular series, but not one of the best I have watched unless it is your first kdrama experience.
Faith/ The Great Doctor: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating: **1/2
Modern era female plastic surgeon taken back to Joseon era to save queen by Lee Min Ho’s character who plays military commander Choi young. It is based on true historical events with many liberties taken to add fiction. Lee Min Ho’s hair style kept bothering me throughout the series. Chemistry between lead actors were not convincing enough for me.
Panda and Hedgehog:(Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating:**1/2
Go Seung Ji (Lee Dong Hae) is a patisserie who has been an orphan since young and behavior like a porcupine.He then meets and fall in love with an easygoing lady called Pan Da Yang (Yoon Seung Ah) who is the owner of ‘Cafe Panda’. I like super Junior and Dong Hae but this series was just allright. Yoong Seung was good and I remember from supporting role from moon that embraces the sun.
Dr Jin’s Time Slip: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating: **1//2
I am big fan of JYJ, so I had to watch it for Jaejoong, even though he plays second lead here. After surgically removing a foetus-shaped tumor from a patient’s brain, a mysterious power causes Jin Hyuk to travel 150 years back in time to the year 1860 during the Joseon Dynasty, when medical technology was still in its infant stages. He meets noblewomen who looks like his present time girlfriend.
Prime Minister is Dating: (Prime Minister and I): (Korean Drama, 2013-14)
Rating: **1/2
This drama stars some of the actors I know and love from previous Korean Drama and movies such as Lee Beom soo (My wife is a gangster 3, Hong Dil Gong), Yoona (Girl’s Generation, Love Rain), Yoon Shi Yoon ( King of baking, Flower Boy Next Door, Me too Flowers). The story follows, Lee Boem Soo as youngest Korean President and single father of 3 kids, who clearly needs helps with kids. Yoona plays tabloid reporter, turned in to contract marriage with president. It started out well, end left me feel sorry for Yoon Shi yoon as second lead, age gap between leading pair, and ending with simple hand shake between lead pairs, it has its plus points.
The Pretty Man: (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating: **1/2
Dokgo Ma Te (Jang Geun Suk) is looking for his father and wants to make a lot money using his beautiful appearance. Kim Bo Tong (IU), an ordinary girl come from poor background who’s been in love with him for ten years. Can she make Dokgo Ma Te love her? It is based on Japanese Manga. It started well, but around 9th episode it dragged for me even though I like Jang Geun Suk drama generally but this one was not able to sustain my interest until the end.
Absolute Boyfriend (Japanese Drama, 2006)
Riiko is a girl unlucky in love. One day a strange-looking salesman gives her a business card for a website that sells “love figures” (androids designed for love-making). Love between a Robot and human can be possible? Watch it in Japanese Manga, which will make you root for Robot!
That Winter Wind Blows: (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating: **1/2
It based on Japanese drama “I don’t need love” and Korean movie “Love Me Not”. A gambler and con man (played by Zo) pretends to be the long-lost brother of a blind heiress (played by Song), but these two damaged people come to find the true meaning of love after meeting each other. It is melodrama, and has faux incest as lead couple who are not actually siblings but one pretends to be sibling.
Shark: (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating: **1/2
Shark is 2013 revenge drama from Korea. Han Yi-soo and Hae Woo are friends despite Yi soo father working for Hae Woo’s father as a driver. His father gets killed and when he is also attacked by Gaya hotel group, Hae Woo’s family. A wealthy Japanese guys adopts him with motive in his mind. 12 years late Yi soo with his new Identity comes back for revenge but he still has feeling for Hae woo, who is now married and prosecutor.
1% of anything: (Korean Drama, 2003)
Rating:**1/2
Kim Da-Hyun is a kind-hearted middle school teacher who helps an elderly man on the subway while commuting back home. The “old man” turns out to be Chairman Lee, a multimillionaire CEO of one of the largest conglomerate corporations in South Korea, She is written into his will and stands to inherit all of his fortunes. The Chairman’s two grandchildren will see none of the inheritance, unless they choose to sincerely woo, win, and marry Da-Hyun. This drama is old and it shows but it made me a fan of Kang Dong Won. This is slow and old Korean drama but I enjoyed it mostly due to Kang Dong Won.
I Need Romance 3 (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating: **1/2
While this is surely not as good as original one, this one I liked. It has noona romance like many Kdrama. 30 something woman who does not believe in love and 20 something man who believes in love with his whole heart have chance in love together? I enjoyed the lead pairs as well as supporting pair’s romance and their stories.
Level 7 Civil Servant:
Rating: **
The series is based on Korean Movie, “My girl friend is an Agent”. South Korean television series starring Choi Kang-hee and Joo Won as rookie spies who trained together, and later become NIS agents who must hide their real identities from each other even as they fall in love. It had a great potential but after 9th episodes it dragged and 10 yrs age difference between lead pair did not help. It is 2 star rating only because of amazing Joo Won.
Skip Beat: (Also Known as Extravagant challenge): (Taiwanese Drama,2011)
Rating: **
This Taiwanese series stars Siwon and Donghae from Super Junior. It is based on the Japanese manga Skip Beat. High school graduate Gong Xi starts working on multiple jobs in order to support Bu Po Shang whom she has one-side love. Bu PO Shang’s popularity quickly rises, eventually becoming one of the top idols in Taiwan. One day, Gong Xi catches Bu Po Shang flirting with his manager, and learns that he only used her so she can help him with his living expenses. Heart-broken and betrayed, Gong Xi vows to get revenge by becoming a bigger star than him.
Fireworks :(Korean Drama, 2006)
Rating:**
Shin Na Ra, a woman who is almost thirty welcomes her boyfriend of seven years back from his business trip. To support herself, Na Ra pretends to be her 20 years old sister in order to work as a cosmetic clerk at Mi Rae (the woman her ex-boyfriend fell in love with)’s shop but fate has brought In Jae to the shop to. Thus began their surprising journey of love, where In Jae is in love with Mi Rae too.
Marrying Millionaire: (Korean Drama, 2005-6)
Rating:**
Want to marry a millionaire? Add one ‘Average Joe’, be one of eight women selected, and money from the television network station and you can. It is sort of close to US reality show “Joe Millionaire” with Korean twist.
Majo no Jōken : (Japanese Drama, 1999)
Rating: **
This drama aired in 1999. It revolves around Michi, a 26 years old high school teacher and 17 years old Hikaru and their love. As their relationship grows they realize that they both feel that they have lost themselves to the pressures of those around them, and it is this common bond that draws them dangerously close. What follows is a heart-wrenching story of forbidden love.
Innocent Man: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating:**
After watching Sungkyunkwan Scandal, I wanted to know more about Song Joong Ki, so I found Innocent Man. When Joong Ki goes to Jail for murder someone who he loves for, only to be betrayed by her. He comes back to take revenge on her. It is an interesting story, great for watching once.
Heartstrings/ You’ve Fallen For Me: (Korean Drama, 2011)
Rating:**
Set at an art university, the youth romance drama “Festival” depicts the sweat and tears of students who run towards their dreams of love and friendship. It includes modern as well tradition Korean music.
Love Rain: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating:**
Love Rain depicts a 1970’s pure love and a love from the present day. Girl’s Generation Yoona and JSK plays lovers in 70s, whose love does not work out, despite both loving each other. Now in modern time, their kids by fate meet and falls in love, do they succeed.
When a Man Loves: (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating:**
Han Tae Sang (Song Seung Hun) is a former gangster, but now a successful business man. He has a cold-blooded decisiveness and incredible drive. He then meets a younger woman named Seo Mi Do (Shin Se Kyung). Her personality reminds him of himself when he was that age. Han Tae-Sang begins to feel love for the first time in his life.
KPop Extreme Survival: (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating:**
This drama is about the story that surrounding the idol stars. Ji Seung Yeon (Go Eun Ah) dreams of turning into a legend of the hip-hop. she has to dress up like a man to join a men’s idol group. Ending was abrupt, as it was wrapped in 14 episodes, maybe 2 more episodes would have given better finishing.
Personal Taste : (Korean Drama, 2010)
Rating: **
I had seen Lee Min Ho’s other series such as City hunter and Boys over flowers, so I decided to see it. It was not at the same level and passable drama. Min Ho plays architect pretending to be a gay to get in to house to see architect plans of the house. The daughter of the house eventually falls in love with him to complicate matters.
Lie To Me: (Korean Drama, 2011)
Rating: **
I like both Yoon Eun-hye and Kang Ji-hwan, so I thought it would be fun to watch the series. Eun Hye lies to her friend that she is married to Ji Hwan. Lie and mistaken identity gets bigger and bigger and I could not take silly lies and plot lines after 9th episode, so I quickly fast forwarded to finish the series.
Me Too Flower: (Korean Drama, 2011)
Rating:**
A complex love story involving three women and one man. A tough female police officer who suffers from depression falls in love with a young multimillionaire whom she initially believed was a parking attendant.
Prosecutor Princess: (Korean Drama, 2010)
Rating:**
Ma Hye Ri is a woman with an excellent memory and ability to focus, but she is more interested in being fashionable and dislikes hard work. Through her conflicts with senior colleagues and struggles with difficult cases, however, Hye Ri gradually matures into a brilliant prosecutor with a sense of duty and justice. Park Shi Hoo is excellent
Secret : (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating:**1/2
I started watching when it got released and it started out very intriguing but story has lot of sad and crying moments where poor heroine goes through so much, it broke my heart. It is okay to watch one time, not bad for viewing once. It was great melodrama with some of good actors but story left bit depressed.
Coffee House: (Korean Drama, 2010)
Rating:**
Lee Jin Soo for Seo Eun Young, the owner of the biggest publishing company in Korea, and has a long-time friendship with her. Lee Jin Soo has lots of fans, especially female ones, and he seems to be the perfect match for any woman… but what no one knows is that he is actually a bit weird and sarcastic, has lots of strange habits, and holds a dark secret.
I Hear Your Voice: (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating:**
The drama is about a lawyer who is appointed by the state to represent a defendant who has “not even a 1% chance of being declared innocent.” Legal drama with murderer and teen who can hear what people think. I liked the drama in the beginning but towards the end I was dragging myself to finish the drama and nor I cared for 1o years age difference between leading pairs.
Dream High (Season 1): (Korean Drama, 2011)
Rating:**
Dream High tells the story of six students at Kirin Art High School who work to achieve their dreams of becoming music stars in the Korean music industry. Go Hye Mi is a student who had majored in classical music but has to give up her dream by entering Kirin Art High School to pay off her father’s debt.
Romance Town: (Korean Drama, 2011)
Rating:**
The story of domestic help who work for rich households. No Soon Geum is one of these housekeepers; She reaches a turning point in her life when she is hired as a maid for the rich and handsome Kang Gun Woo. There are stories of hired workers and their employers.
Marry Him If You Dare: (Korean Drama, 2013)
Rating: **/12
Another 2013 drama with Eun Hye, premises sounded intriguing that older version of Eun Hye’s Character comes to past from future to change her fate by making her marry a rich guy, played by CNBLue’s guitarist. However fate are unchangeable as more she tries, more things remains the same. End left me speechless and clueless though.
Miss Ripley: (Korean Drama, 2011)
Rating:**
Two very different men fall in love with Jang Mi Ri, a woman whose life is a complicated web of lies, propelled by her greedy desires that stem from an unfortunate childhood. I could not see how anyone fall in love with deceitful girl but it has interesting parts.
When Love Walked In: (Taiwanese Drama, 2012)
This series stars, idols stars, Calvin Chen, Zhou Mi (Super Junior-M) and Victoria from F(X). Young, talented, and handsome Qing Yu Jiang receives orders to look for Chairman Yuan’s long lost granddaughter, Shen Ya Yin
18 Vs. 29: (Korean Drama, 2005)
Rating:**
Yu Hyechan is 29 years old. Hyechan is married to Kang Bongman her old classmate. She has a car accident on the way for filing for divorce to the courthouse. When she wakes up at the hospital she has no memory of her life past age 18. As she recovers her memory she also starts to recover a relationship with her husband and begins to fall for him all over again……
I Do, I Do: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating: **
Drama stars, Kim Sun-a, Lee Jang-woo, Park Gun-hyung and Im Soo-hyang. It is about a successful shoe designer in her late 30s whose career is sidetracked when she accidentally gets pregnant by younger guy in one night stand and how it changes her career and plans. It had potential but story fizzles as drama progressed for me. Good for one time watching.
“I want my time back” Asian Drama (Skip it) : 1.5 to 1 stars *1/2 (Skip it)
There are some dramas which I wished I had stopped watching and I want my time back. These dramas I did not like or characters I did not enjoy despite good acting, some simply made me feel so sad and depressed. Not recommend save your sanity and your time.
Full House Take 2: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating: *1/2
Since the liked the Full House, I thought of checking out “sequel”, which is wrong term, as it is quite different and much inferior. A hapkido teacher named Jang Man-ok, poses as a stylist for top idol group TAKE ONE and moves into the Musician Lee Tae-ik huge house. A love triangle emerges as Lee vies against fellow band member Won Kang-hwi for Jang’s affection. I could not take the story and quickly browsed to finish it.
Cheongdam Dong Alice: (Korean Drama, 2012)
Rating:*1/2
Han Se Kyung (Moon Geun Young) is a talented young designer with a very positive character. She only does errands and chores rather than design at work. Meanwhile, the wife of the upper management in this company humiliates her. The wife is actually her former high school classmate who didn’t do better than her in school. The situation change until she met Cha Seung Jo (Park Shi Hoo), who is a president of a luxury brand shop in Cheongdamdong and he will change her life after that.
Secret: (Korean Drama, 2000)
Rating:*1/2
I came across this drama by chance, where Ha Ji Won plays a negative character, evil and greedy step sister. Story was interesting but did not held interest for long enough, had no comedic breaks in otherwise dull and sad story. Pass it if you can. There is 2013 version of Secret which is completely different actors and story.
Devil Beside You : ( Taiwanese Drama, 2005)
Rating: *1/2
Devil Beside You is adaption of manga Akuma de Sourou (The Devil Does Exist) by mangaka Takanashi Mitsuba. A girl writes a love letter to a boy. The wrong boy (a delinquent) intercepts the letter and blackmails her with it. The wrong boy later turns out to be her future step-brother (and love interest). Even though they were not related by blood, who will accept this step brother-sister relationship?
Currently Watching:
Tamra The Island
Strongest Chilwoo
Ice Girl
To Watch List:
More to watch list. So many dramas, so little time. These are the drama that are in my wish watch list, which I hope I get to it soon.
all in
city hall
stairways to heaven
cinderella’s sister
count of myeongdong
cruel palace
east of eden
empire of gold
empress ki
flower boy next door
flowe bou ramyun shop
flowers for my life
giant
high kick through the roof
hong gil dong
i miss you
i am sorry, I love you
swallow the sun
sword and flower
iris 2
jeon woo chi
jumong
let’s eat
monstar
may queen
only you 2005
oohala couple
padam padam
painter of the wind
que sera sera
queen of reversal
reply 1994
tree with deep root
two weeks
vampire prosecutor
sang doo, let’s go to school
save the last dance for me
scandal: a shocking and wrongful incident
scent of woman
secret investigation record
shut up flower boyband
the return of iljimae
warrior baek dong soo
what happened in bali