Esther Yu's Love Game in Eastern Fantasy domestically beats Zhao Lu Si's The Story of Pearl Girl
Hello, my name's Maggie, but on here, I go by Strangerkid. This is my very first article, so I hope you readers will enjoy. Now a little backstory:
I started watching Kdramas in the year 2020 due to Covid. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but now I can't seem to get out and I don't want to! I have seen many dramas since then and can easily say my top 10 favorite dramas of all time, but this is not what the article is about. I have put together a list of Kdramas that I recommend that have come out in the years 2020 and 2021 so far.
It's Okay to Not Be Okay
"You can never get out once you are trapped in the past because you can't even see the door. So don't forget any of it. Remember it all and overcome it, if you don't overcome it, you'll always be a kid whose soul never grows." | |
It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2020) is one of the most balanced and well paced dramas I've watched. The writer has skillfully employed comedic relief interspersed with heartbreaking and anxious moments. The writer has also really taken the time to lay the foundations for the story and provide a natural progression of relationships and character growth. This has given viewers the time to really invest in all the characters, their struggles, their vulnerabilities, and the romance.
I've cried, giggled, and laughed out loud in pretty much every episode. Spectacular cinematography, storytelling, directing, OST, and acting. The visuals of this drama are such that I'd be happy just watching it on mute and still enjoy it. The main leads make a spectacular pair and their acting has been top notch. Normally, I really hate the 'staring at each other' in Kdramas, but these two have the most expressive eyes that I seriously feel that when they look at each other, I'm interrupting something very intimate. Their chemistry is insane! This director and the actors know how to show what the characters are thinking and feeling just from a close up and slight change of expression of their face/eyes. No need for words! When they smile, you smile, when they cry, you cry! I've really been on an emotional rollercoaster.
Hospital Playlist
"When your brain and heart are saying two different things, your heart is right. Just follow your heart, then you won't regret it." | |
Hospital Playlist (2020) is one of the most realistic dramas out there. The actors of this series had full control over their characters so that the characters' personalities became very close to their own, and this is the main reason why the series is so believable for the viewers.
One of the most interesting things is that even if you don't like medical dramas, this is still recommended so much. You'll love it for sure. It's actually a guidance for every single thing you need to know as an adult: friendships, relationships, dealing with a job, the importance of family, and so many other things. About the genres, we can say Hospital Playlist is a package of comedy, romance, drama, and musical.
The wonderful choice of the songs they play and sing during the drama with their band made it so much more adorable. Which makes for an outstanding soundtrack, totally addicting. So many characters with different personalities, but all are unforgettable due to their amazingly strong acting. Sometimes you just can't believe how in the world they are not living that life and yet playing it so believably. Beautiful dialogues, from the quotes and life lessons to the jokes, each are perfect. The friendship among the whole hospital staff is so beautiful... but the friendship between the main characters is LEGENDARY and you might even watch and envy them because you want that group of friends so bad, but that's normal, don't worry, just join the club. :)
And lastly, each of the couples' chemistry and the romantic relationships are totally heart melting. Well, this is not a drama with too much kissing or romantic scenes, but even a single romantic sentence exchanged between the characters will make your heart flutter.
Extracurricular
"Dreams are expensive." | |
Extracurricular (2020), first of all, Kdramas are famous for their sadistic endings but this series had a satisfactory ending while keeping windows open for the second season.
This drama series shows the many mistakes and problems a group of teenagers face after they make some really desperate and wrong choices, so the writers had to create the picture for their viewers, with respect to South Korean teenagers. Four high schoolers who have different backgrounds and different reasons for doing those things. They see the world differently but they happen to deal with it quite similarly. All ages, especially adults and youngsters, should watch this series. There's a lot to see and to learn to understand why some kids do this stuff. The situations might be different but their circumstances are quite the same. The lead roles showed extremely great performances even though they're still new to the industry of acting. Overall, this series is amazing. I highly recommend it to everyone. There is so much to say yet I can't find the exact words to explain how great this series is.
365: Repeat the Year
"Nice to meet you for the first time in this life." | |
365: Repeat the Year (2020) is a brilliant show. The best thriller ever. A must watch show as others say. It's so good that it keeps on raising your heartbeat higher. From the first episode until the last, it keeps your curiosity up, wondering about what will happen next, and it never gives you a second to be bored.
Wonderful plot along with a superb cast, each one suits their characters so well. It will keep you hooked and never give you a chance to assume what will happen next. You will go crazy trying to understand what will happen at the end and how everything unfolds. When you start assuming answers and are convinced about them, the story will take another path. The main characters are so amazing and will surely take a place in your heart. It also gives you so many heart touching and happy moments seeing how they do things together.
Such an exceptional drama. It will really have a special place in my heart for sure. It will be one of my top favorites forever. It's such a memorable drama. If you haven't seen this series yet, please don't think about anything else, just go and watch it. I am sure you will be feeling just like I did, dying to know what happens next. I have no words to explain how I am feeling right now. The friendship between the characters is so great that you will surely wish for a season two.
Kingdom Season 2
 | "Open your eyes and ears now! The people of this nation are suffering. Now is the time to rise up, face reality, and do right by this country." |
Kingdom (2020) is crazy. When I started watching Netflix's first Korean original television series, I was completely taken away by the way mastermind scriptwriter Kim Eun Hee (of Signal fame) has intricately woven the plot.
Set in between the 15th and 16th century, in the Joseon Era, Kingdom portrays how easily the foundation of a huge empire can crumble down and create havoc amongst the people, in the wake of a terrifying plague gripping the country. What makes Kingdom shine brilliantly is its ability to keep the viewers hooked till the end, of not only one but two whole seasons. Credit has to be given to the mesmerizing cinematography which enchanted us via the magnificent and breathtaking sets. The way each shot lingers on a scene, giving time to the viewers to appreciate the exquisite landscapes of the countryside, villages, cities, royal palaces, is absolutely gratifying to a whole new level. Get ready to be pushed to the edge of your seats as you hold your breath in anticipation every time the zombies come snarling and hissing, ready to lunge at any visible targets.
Mr. Queen
"No Touch." | |
Mr. Queen (2020 - 2021) is my only favorite historical drama. To be honest, I actually don't like historical dramas because of two simple things: 1. easy backstabs and 2. sometimes it just gets boring. However, I gave Mr. Queen a chance when I found out Shin Hye-sun was one of the main characters (I love her acting).
Right from the very first episode, this show is like a hilarious rollercoaster ride. I loved how the balance of drama and comedy is maintained in the show, there is not a single moment where you feel bored. The lead actors and even the supporting actors, especially the court maid, royal chef, and Lady Choi, are so fun to watch. Shin Hye Sun is nailing her role as Mr. Queen, I already loved her in Angel's Last Mission. She has great comedic timing and watching her with Kim Jung Hyun aka The King is like the cherry on top. The chemistry between them is terrific, I love how the show makes you laugh even in the intense scenes.
Literally a stress buster, this show is something which every Kdrama fan yearned to watch. If you love to watch a show with humor and interesting drama, then Mr. Queen is the ultimate destination you have been waiting for! Check it out, you won't get disappointed at all.
Vincenzo
 | "Regret is the most painful thing you can experience in life ." |
Vincenzo (2021) is an amazing show and I was completely surprised by how much I enjoyed the show (but to be fair, I think many viewers also think that). Before I state my case, I would like to say that this drama is really awesome, however, in the first two episodes it's kind of slow and the plot seems a little unclear. BUT I swear, once you start episode 3, you won't be able to stop watching.
Personally, I enjoyed this Kdrama a lot. The plot is just so satisfying, there are so many moments in the drama which make me want to watch the scene over and over! The writers really know what they're doing. The characters are all built and introduced very well, even from the beginning. I think that both the main leads were written beautifully and were also portrayed perfectly by Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Been. Overall, the characters were very interesting and were all shown and emphasized very well, I enjoyed seeing them bond with one another as they were all hilarious but also intriguing to watch.
The story is very intriguing and clever, it allows the audience to become immersed in the drama from the beginning. This Kdrama really allows the audience to get thinking. So many plot twists, betrayals (and more) occur making the story interesting and keeping the audience hooked. The continuous fight between the protagonists and antagonists is so gripping to watch, especially as Vincenzo comes up with many creative and unique methods of defeating his enemies.
Move To Heaven
 | "It's a shame when you aren't capable of loving, not when in love, isn't it?" |
Move to Heaven (2021) is probably one of the best shows I have ever seen. I easily cried during 8 of the 10 episodes as I was deeply in love with the show. The show itself has many layers to it and I really enjoyed seeing the different points of view on death.
The series is all about emotions and feelings, especially empathy towards the deceased who are no more in the world yet they have left their own messages to their loved ones. The only thing we need to look for in their messages is by having empathy and the power to look through bits and pieces of their belongings. This series will make you respect the Trauma Cleaners, which is a profession that I didn't know existed until this series. I have built a huge respect for them. Get ready to cry your heart out because the story is so heart touching. You just can't resist crying.
The structure of story-telling was great, simple yet grand. The editing was really nice, CGs were top-notch, the effects were beautiful and last but not the least, the actors/cast, they were all amazing in their acting and made me feel like I am one of the characters in the story. All in all, I believe everyone in the world should watch this series to develop their empathy and to understand and have compassion towards each other. It is a very good lesson for all human beings to never give up on your life because there's nothing more precious than a human life.
Thank you for reading this far. I'm currently watching Racket Boys (2021) & Hospital Playlist Season 2 (2021).
What about you?
