Recs for Newbies
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1. Mystic Pop-up Bar
Korean Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
Netflix. Only 12 eps. One of my faves. Has a little bit of everything.
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2. Pousando no Amor
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Netflix. 16 eps. Grand, sweeping romance drama. The show that got me into kdramas.
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3. Honra Teu Nome
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Netflix. 16 eps. Modern and historical. Encapsulates the class stratification themes prevalent in the genre.
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4. Túnel
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Netflix. 16 eps. Glimpse into 80s Korea. If romance isn't really your thing.
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5. Lutando Pelo Meu Caminho
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Viki. 16 eps. Slice of life, friends to lovers, underdog sports story.
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6. Dentro do Ringue
Korean Drama - 2020, 32 episodes
Viki. 16 eps. Local politics, quirky characters, interesting camera angles.
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7. Curador
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
Viki. 20 eps. Basically kdrama Batman.
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8. Splash Splash Love
Korean Special - 2015, 2 episodes
Viki. 2 eps. Bite-sized time travel, cross-dressing tropey fun.
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9. Meu Amor das Estrelas
Korean Drama - 2013, 21 episodes
Viki. 21 eps. Epic rom com with all the trappings.
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10. A Fada do Levantamento de Peso, Kim Bok Joo
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Viki. 16 eps. Fun slice of life, coming of age rom com.
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11. Olá? Sou Eu!
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Netflix. 16 eps. High on hijinks, light on the romance, heavy on the pathos of wrestling with unmet expectations about life.
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12. Vincenzo
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
Netflix. 20 eps. Revenge story with a host of quirky supporting players to make things more fun and crazy.
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13. Em Busca do Smash Perfeito
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Netflix. 16 eps. Sweet and inspiring without being saccharine. Feel good drama to end all feel good dramas.
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14. Alquimia das Almas
Korean Drama - 2022, 20 episodes
Netflix. 20 eps. Historical fantasy worldbuilding with characters who can't help but fall in love with.
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15. Eu Não Sou um Robô
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
Viki. 32 eps (16 standard length). Guy thinks a human is actually a robot - perfect example of ridiculous plot that underscores grounded emotions and character development.
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16. Mulher Forte, Do Bong Soon
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Viki. 16 eps. All the tropes. Fun main couple.
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17. Uma Advogada Extraordinária
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Netflix. 12 eps. Quirky and delightful characters. Feel good. Procedural.
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18. Liga do Fogão
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Viki. 16 eps. For those who wish all those underdog sports movies were longer.
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19. Sorriso Real
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
Netflix. 16 eps. Easy watch, full of tropes but well executed, solid rom com
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20. Behind Your Touch
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
Netflix. 16 eps. Absurdist and funny, with a mystery that keeps you guessing
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21. Nosso Destino
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
Netflix. 16 eps. A little all over the place, but entertainingly includes many of the good/bad hallmarks of many a k-drama
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22. Melancia Cintilante
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
Viki. 16 eps. A lot of heart and hijinks.
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23. Diva à Deriva
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
Netflix. 12 eps. Likeable characters to root for as they overcome absurdly difficult life challenges
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24. A História do Contrato de Casamento de Park
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
Viki. 12 eps. All the fun, tried and true tropes a drama can handle
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25. Os Casamenteiros
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
Viki. 16 eps. Colorful and fun fusion saguek with a whole cast of quirky characters
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26. Flores no Deserto
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
Netflix. 12 eps. Slow and thoughtful and feel good
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27. Adorável Corredora
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes