We’re halfway through the year and not without amazing K-Dramas that kept us sane throughout lengthy lockdown-slash-quarantine periods! From a whirlwind romance between a North Korean captain and a South Korean heiress to a band of doctors whose friendship has stood the test of time, these South Korean drama series sure became the talk of the town for all good reasons!
Here, we list down five of the best K-Dramas from the first half of 2020—grab some yummy snacks now because these shows are super worth your sweet time:
Crash Landing On You
Okay, Crash Landing On You a.k.a. CLOY isn’t exactly a 2020 drama, having aired its pilot episode late in 2019, BUT it sure didn’t lose steam even after its finale back in February. As though the compelling plot that follows the forbidden love story of a North Korean and a South Korean was not enough to keep audiences watching, it features the iconic pairing of Hyun Bin as the dreamy Captain Ri Jeong-hyuk and Son Ye-jin as the smart and sassy Yoon Se-ri, setting hearts ablaze with their undeniable chemistry.
PS.
We compiled the filming locations of CLOY right here! Check it out now to plan your ultimate K-Drama pilgrimage!
Itaewon Class
An inspiring drama that captivated the hearts of many, Itaewon Class gives you a glimpse into the lives of misunderstood individuals who find home in the gritty and diverse district of Itaewon. It stars Park Seo-jun as Park Saeroyi, a vengeful and ambitious ex-convict who opens a bar-restaurant to battle a food conglomerate run by people that brought many troubles to his family. Itaewon Class stands out as one of the few trailblazing South Korean shows that bravely tackles social taboos like LGBTQIA+ issues, racism, and injustice.
The World Of The Married
Oh, the intrigue! Oh, the SCANDALS! This South Korean adaptation of a UK series titled Dr. Foster sure did send viewers to a frenzy, making cable network history in the country for having the highest viewership ratings of all time. The World Of The Married invites us to the messy life of Ji Sun-woo (Kim Hee-Ae), a doctor who seems to have everything a woman could wish for—a successful career, a happy family, and, well, gorgeous clothes to boot—until she is betrayed by her husband and other people she trusted.
Hospital Playlist
From the writer-and-director tandem that brought us the hugely successful Reply franchise comes Hospital Playlist. Reminiscent of the previous work of the minds behind the show, it treats viewers to 12 heartwarming episodes about family, friendship, and love, minus the over-the-top hospital politics that most medical dramas have. It also boasts an all-star cast, with Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, and Jeon Mi-do as five friends from med school who come together to start a band. Needless to say, the OST of this drama belongs on your playlist. *plays Jo Jung-suk’s rendition of “Aloha” for the nth time*
Dr. Romantic 2
Can’t get enough of medical dramas? Then we’re wrapping up our list with Dr. Romantic 2, which picks up three years following the events of Dr. Romantic—a widely popular drama that aired between 2016 and 2017. The titular character Kim Sa-bu (Han Suk-kyu) is back and he’s about to recruit a general surgeon. He crosses paths with a doctor with a troubled past (Ahn Hyo-seop, who won a Baeksang award for his role) and a suspended surgeon (Lee Sung-kyung) who’s struggling after making another mistake in the operating room. Together, the young doctors learn and grow—thanks to the unconventional approach of their new mentor Teacher Kim.
Make your K-Drama marathon a lot more fun with KKday’s Special Korea Snack Box—an exclusive package that brings together some of South Korea’s most popular snacks such as Choco Heim, Banana Milk, and more! Have it delivered* right at your doorstep or send it as a gift to a fellow K-Drama addict!
*Please expect delivery delays as courier services have adjusted their processes and schedules due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
*Featured image via JTBC
