KOREAN DRAMAS WORTH BINGEWATCHING

by - June 18, 2017



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 Annyeong everyone!
So I still have a South Korea trip hangover even though it has been about 4 months already since we went there (I’m going to blog about this too!). I’m obsessed with their 10-Step Skincare Routine, makeup, hairstyle and of course, k-drama! (Kinain na ko ng sistema! Or should I say, k-drama? Haha!) In the meantime, I’m spending my days learning the language and bingewatching dramas left and right and decided to come up with a list of dramas that would totally be worth the stay-in-bed-for-24-hours type of day!
Some of the dramas listed go as far beyond as 2013. Yes, that’s pretty much a long time and nowhere near as new but I never got a chance to watch dramas because of my busy schedule at school and only had the time to catch up on the shows last year (Mianheyo!). I’m also a little biased because I prioritized the dramas of my favourite k-stars such as Lee Jong Suk and Park Shin Hye (expect to see them a lot on the list).
So here it goes:
1.       Suspicious Partners, 2017
Status: Ongoing
Genre: Law, Comedy, Romance, Thriller
Cast: Ji Chang Wook (Oppa!!!), Nam Ji Hyun, Choi Tae Joon, Kwon Na Ra
Summary: Bong Hee is a judicial apprentice at the Judicial Research and Training Institute under Prosecutor No Ji Wook. One night, her ex-boyfriend, Jee Hoon, was found dead in her house and she was arrested for murder. Ji Wook took the case under Jee Hoon’s father’s wishes but Bong Hee was released due to lack of evidence. After this incident, Ji Wook quits being a prosecutor and starts his own law firm while Bong Hee won’t stop for nothing until the true murderer is found and locked away for good so she can clear her name.

 Episodes: As of today, the series has 24 out of 40 episodes out. Episode 25 and 26 will air on June 21! The last episode will air on July 13.

What do I think? Go watch it guys! The story pretty much keeps your toes on the edge especially with the killer on the loose. I don’t want to spoil you guys but I would give anything just to be hugged by Chang Wook! Medyo napaisip nga ako na sana nag-law ako pero I doubt may Chang Wook ako na makikita pagpasok hahaha!


2.       Ruler: Master of the Mask, 2017
Status: Ongoing
Genre: Historical, Melodrama, Political, Romance
Cast: Yoo Seung Ho, Kim So Hyun, L, Heo Jun Ho
Summary: In the 1700s, the Pyungsoo group under Dae Mok tries to accumulate wealth and power by controlling officials and the King; and by privatizing water over Joseon. When the King dies to protect his only son, Lee Sun – the Crown Prince, tries to gain the trust of the people to avenge his family, keep the woman he loves safe, and completely destroy the Pyungsoo group once and for all.
Episodes: Similar to Suspicious Partners, 24 out of 40 episodes are already out. Episodes 25 to 26 will air on June 21 and the last episode will air on July 13.

What do I think? Kim So Hyun is so adorable! Bagay talaga sa kanya mga roles sa historical drama! The character build up is quite interesting for me as they take different paths to reach one goal. Again with the spoiler but it’s definitely a must see! The series isn’t short on its kilig moments as well.




3.       Fight For My Way, 2017
Status: Ongoing
Genre: Business, Comedy, Life, Romance
Cast: Kim Ji Won, Park Seo Joon, Ahn Jae Hong, Song Ha Yoo
Summary: Ko Dong Man used to practice taekwondo back in school but now he makes a living as a contract employee. On the other hand, Choi Ae Ra gave up her dream to become an announcer and now works in the information desk at a department store. This is a drama that tells a story of two people chasing their dreams in life despite facing the harsh reality that tries to bring them down.
Episodes: 8 out of 16 episodes are out. Episode 9 will be out tomorrow, June 19, and the last episode will air on July 11.

What do I think? I love how they started the drama with developing the characters first before they bring in the romance. I also like how both characters come out very strong and how the drama is close to reality! Although it might be too early to talk since the drama is not yet finished, I can only see that this will get better and better episode after episode!



4.       Man to Man, 2017
Status: Complete
Genre: Action, Romance, Thriller
Cast: Park Hae Jin (!!!), Park Sung Woong, Kim Min Jung
Summary: The drama starts with Kim Seul Woo being recruited by the government agency, NIS, as one of their ghost agents. He was sent to countless missions all over the world and is one of the best ghost agents in the industry. His latest mission brings him back to South Korea where he poses as a personal bodyguard for a famous actor named Yeo Woon Gwang and falls in love with Do Ha, Woon Gwang’s number one fan and manager. Slowly, he uncovers the truth about this mission and his organization.
Episodes: 16 (This series is available on Netflix)

 Little Miss Bimble Thinks: I absolutely ship Guard Kim and Woon Gwang to the highest level! Their budding bromance in this series is just something you can’t forget! (And mas ship ko sila kesa with Do Ha haha!) What I love most about this series is that you get to see a side of Hae Jin that you don’t normally see him doing in other dramas! (Or baka hindi ko lang kasi napapanuod yung iba pa niyang dramas haha) But if you’ve seen some of them, most of his roles are serious and not the comedic type. This just made my heart flutter! If you’ve seen this drama, you know what scenes I’m talking about! Oh! And Joong Ki (Descendants of the Sun) also appeared on Episode 9!!!


5.       W: Two Worlds, 2016
Status: Complete
Genre: Fantasy, Melodrama, Romance, Suspense
Cast: Lee Jong Suk (!!!!!), Han Hyo Joo, Kim Eui Sung, Lee Si Un
Summary: Oh Yeon Joo is a heart surgeon whose father is a famous comic book creator. One day, her father goes missing and she rushes to his house to look for him. Instead, she finds a strange man bathed in blood on top of a rooftop. She learns that she was dragged into Kang Chul’s world where she learns about her father’s creation while helping Kang Chul catch the culprit who killed his family.
Episodes: 16

What do I think? I seriously cannot contain my feels on this one. Many have mixed feelings about this drama saying that Jong Suk and Hyo Joo have no chemistry at all or the character build up went up the roof that the story didn’t make much sense in the end. Not that I don’t value their opinions but for me, personally, I loved this series. I believe that anyone who wants to start watching k-dramas should start with this one because of the drama’s twists and it doesn’t lack action as well. The romance is a bonus! (#4!! Hahaha)


6.       Goblin, 2016-2017
Status: Compete
Genre: Fantasy, Melodrama, Romance
Cast: Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun, Lee Dong Wook, Yook Sung Jae
Summary: In ancient times, Kim Shin is a famous general for being unbeatable. Because of the jealousy that rules over the young king, he ordered that Kim Shin be banished. He disobeys the king’s orders and caused the death of his own sister, friends, and even his loyal soldiers. The deity gives him a second chance to live and Kim Shin becomes an immortal – a Dokkaebi or Goblin. He waits for 900 years for his human bride to end his immortal life. While searching, he meets Ji Eun Tak – a high school student who can see and talk to ghosts.
Episodes: 16

What do I think? So much love for this beautifully written/directed drama! I can’t seem to stop listening to the OST as well. Super ganda and nakakatawa! Another drama definitely worth watching!




7.       Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, 2017
Status: Complete
Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Cast: Park Bo Young, Park Hyung Sik, Ji Soo, Lim Won Hee
Summary: Do Bong Soon was born with superhuman-like strength that has been passed down to all the women in her family. One day, she passes by a group of thugs hurting a bus driver and decides to step in. There she meets Min Hyuk, the CEO of a gaming company called Airsoft, who happens to drive by and was amazed by Bong Soon’s strength. He hires her as a bodyguard because of the threats he has been receiving lately. Meanwhile, crime against women have been rampant in her neighborhood where Kook-Do – a police officer who happens to be Bong Soon’s childhood friend and crush, tries to solve and pulls Bong Soon and Min Hyuk in the process.
Episodes: 16

What do I think? The cuteness of this drama and Bong Soon completely won me over! Park Bo Young is such an adorable actress and being paired with Hyung Sik just adds to it! (Sorry Min Min and Bong Bong shipper over here!) I also like the fact that dramas are starting to embrace the female as a lead, and not just someone who supports the male character.





8.       Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, 2017
Status: Complete
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Sports
Cast: Lee Sung Kyung, Nam Joo Hyuk, Kyung Soo Jin, Ahn Kil Kang
Summary: Kim Bok Joo is a promising collegiate weightlifter while Jung Joon Hyung is a collegiate swimmer plagued with the thoughts of past, thus earning disqualifications for false starts. The two bump into one another and Bok Joo accidentally brings home Joon Hyung’s handkerchief. She returns it to him causing him to be angry upon knowing that she washed and ironed it for him. Their relationship starts when they both finally recognize one another as classmates when they were younger.
Episodes: 16

What do I think? Similar to SWDBS, I like how women are not only in casted to help develop the character of the male lead. This drama is really one of my favorites for going out of the norm. Also, these two are just meant to be together! Real or not, I totally ship them both!



9.       Pinocchio, 2014-2015
Status: Complete
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Melodrama, Romance
Cast: Park Shin Hye, Lee Jong Suk, Kim Young Kwang, Jin Kyung
Summary: The idealistic Choi In Ha has her work cut out for her when she becomes a broadcast journalist, especially when she suffers from a condition known as “Pinocchio syndrome,” which makes her break out into hiccups whenever she tells a lie. Her rookie colleagues include Choi Dal Po, whose shabby appearance masks his true eloquence and sharp memory; Seo Bum Jo, a wealthy heir who has had everything handed to him in life; and Cha Hye Seung, whose fangirl knowledge comes in handy in covering the news. The 20-something newbie reporters pursue justice as they try to discover themselves in the process.
Episodes: 20

What do I think? I might sound biased here but I believe that Park Shin Hye has never been in a movie/drama that never made in the Top 10 or 20. She is such a chameleon and can play any role given to her! Aside from the kilig vibes sent by these two (and I really thought they are a match made in heaven! They even dated for a while!), I like how the flow of the story goes and how it sheds light on what reporters have to go through to get newsworthy information!



10.   Descendants of the Sun, 2016
Status: Complete
Genre: Action, Medical, Melodrama, Military, Romance
Cast: Song Hye Kyo, Song Joong Ki, Kim Ji Won, Jin Goo
Summary: Captain Shin Jin and Sergeant Major Dae Young are part of South Korea’s Special Forces. On their day off, they catch a thief who steals Dae Young’s mobile phone. They trace the culprit who they sent to a hospital and they meet Dr. Mo Yeon, a beautiful doctor in her 30’s. Captain Shin Jin falls in love and decides to ask Mo Yeon on a date but due to their jobs, their dates don’t go well and decided to end it. When the hospital’s chairman tries to seduce Mo Yeon and she rejects it, she and her team are sent to Urk where Mo Yeon meets Shin Jin once again and finally gets to know the real him and the danger that follows.
Episodes: 16 (Sobrang kulang!!!)

What do I think? Another blockbuster drama similar to Goblin! I literally couldn’t stop watching this and pretty much nearly caused a handful of accidents at home just because my focus was on my phone. I believe Season 2 is being produced at the moment? I don’t know if this rumor is true but it is said that the Song Song couple will no longer be part of it. I really hope that it’s not true! I also believe that Dae Young and Myeong Joo’s romance is so underrated and I would love to see more from them!!!




11.   Doctor Stranger, 2014
Status: Complete
Genre: Medical, Thriller, Drama, Romance
Cast: Lee Jong Suk, Park Hae Jin, Jin Se Yun, Kang So Ra
Summary: As a child, Park Hoon and his father, a well-known surgeon, was sent to North Korea to save an important life. Upon realizing that they can’t go back home, Park Hoon’s father began training him to become a doctor himself despite the lack of machines in North Korea. There, Park Hoon meets the love of his life: Song Jae Hee, but was abducted by the government because of treachery. He gets separated from Jae Hee and leaves her in the hands of the North Koreans. While on the other side of the border, he tries to find a way to bring Jae Hee to the South and decides to work in a hospital to earn money. There he meets Han Jae Hoon and Oh Soo Hyun and their intertwining relationship begins to unfold.
Episodes: 20

What do I think? Park Hae Jin and Lee Jong Suk in the same drama. Omo!!! I had so many theories at the back of my head while I was watching this series! Interesting enough, none fit the bill hahaha! But this is definitely a must watch for me! I love all things medical, especially surgeries (funny thing because I’m a Tourism Management graduate)!

12.   Doctors, 2016
Status: Complete
Genre: Drama, Medical, Romance
Cast: Park Shin Hye, Kim Rae Won, Lee Sung Kyung, Yoon Gyun Sang
Summary: Yoo Hye Jung was a tough bully in school with a prickly personality and always goes wayward. She had many scars from her childhood and through self-preservation, Hye Jung keeps her heart shut away from other people. However, she changes after meeting her mentor Hong Ji Hong who plays a key role in transforming her life from a helpless gangster to a compassionate doctor.
Episodes: 20

What do I think? I love love loooove this pairing! And I love how each character Shin Hye plays has sort of a twist to it. And Lee Sung Kyung!! Although you don’t get to see much of the surgeries here unlike in Doctor Stranger, I seriously love this series! And Shin Hye’s outfits are goalsssss!




13.   Love in the Moonlight, 2016
Status: Complete
Genre: Romance, Melodrama, Historical
Cast: Park Bo Gum, Kim You Jung, Jin Young, Chae Soo Bin
Summary: Hong Ra-On disguises herself as a man and counsels men on dating. Due to a love letter she wrote for a client, she meets Crown Prince Hyomyeong. Hong Ra-On is unaware that he is the Crown Prince and Hyomyeong is unaware that Hong Ra-On is a woman. The Crown Prince becomes interested in Hong Ra-On. His eunuchs become aware of this and attempt to get Hong Ra-On to become one of them.
Episodes: 18

What do I think? Eeppp! Sobrang nakakakilig at nakakatuwa, you guys! Especially with Park Bo Gum’s personality! Parang Coffee Prince lang hehe! Another gender bender drama but I love how the prince doesn’t mind it at all! Must watch!!!





14.   The Heirs, 2013
Status: Complete
Genre: Friendship, School, Romance, Comedy
Cast: Park Shin Hye, Lee Min Ho, Kim Woo Bin, Kim Ji Won
Summary: Kim Tan is the heir to the Empire Group but was sent to the United States as a form of exile by his older brother who schemes to have the company to himself. While in the United States, he meets Cha Eun Sang – a girl who is in search of her older sister who was supposed to get married. He feels himself falling for her, never realizing that she's the daughter of his family's housekeeper. When his fiancée, Rachel Yoo, arrives to bring him back to Korea, his heart is torn between love and duty.
Episodes: 20

What do I think? My feels are everywhere when I was watching this drama! First of all, Shin Hye, Min Ho, Ji Won, Woo Bin, Krystal, Hyung Sik in one drama is just too much for me hahaha! I also like how Shin Hye’s character comes out very strong and somewhat independent. Bagay talaga kay Min Ho ang role na heir sa isang company noh? Hahaha! Anyway, this is so kilig!




15.   Legend of the Blue Sea, 2016-2017
Status: Complete
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy, Drama
Cast: Lee Min Ho, Jun Ji Hyun, Lee Hee Joon, Shin Hye Sun
Summary: During the Joseon era, a newly appointed governor, Dam Ryung, meets a mermaid that was captured and Dam Ryung slowly falls for her. He frees her but with the cost of their lives. Fast forward to the present, Joon Jae is a con artist under the care of supervision of Nam Doo who adopted him when he was younger. While he was staying at a resort in another country, he meets Sim Cheong and the two run away from those who are hunting Joon Jae. They separate and reunite again in South Korea where their connection with the Joseon era resurfaces and slowly unfolds.
Episodes: 20

What do I think? I love Min Ho’s character here! It kind of reminds me of his role on City Hunter! (Another drama worth watching, btw!) I wish that they could’ve shown more of what he does hahaha. With the romance, I’m sort of 50-50 on that but there were kilig moments for sure! Medyo ang cute din ni Shin Wo Ho dito!! Hahaha. I also love the perspective of past lives affecting the present even in the slightest way.

So that’s all! If you’re wondering why some of the good dramas are missing from this list well it’s because I haven’t gotten the chance to watch them yet! (Huhu, I know guys. Mianheyo!) Hopefully I can watch these as soon as possible! Here are some of the dramas I haven’t seen but you might like:
·         Hwarang
·         Scarlet Heart Ryeo
·         Healer
·         You Who Came From the Stars
·         Bring It On, Ghost
·         I Hear Your Voice
·         The K2
·         Circle
·         Secret Romance
If you guys have any more drama suggestions, just leave a comment down below! I’d be more than happy to watch your favorites as well!
AND GUYS! Are you excited to see BRIDE OF THE WATER GOD?! For those who have TvN, I’m not entirely sure if we will be able to watch it the same time as South Korea but if you’re in South Korea well you’re in luck! Catch the show on July 3, 11:00 PM (South Korea Time) on TvN! Here’s a trailer for you guys!



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