MY FOREVER LOVE
This is a list of the best kdramas I have watched in a lifetime. Despite the plot holes present in some of them, they all have managed, without exception, to teach me something important about life. The protoganists growth journey either inspired a positive change in me, or helped me perceive life through a different lense.
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1. Mother
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
The bond portrayed between a mother and her daughter was one of the most beautiful human bonds I've ever grown attached to in a kdrama. I couldn't help but fall in love with them , and I ended up rewatching this kdrama 4 times.
Yoon bok's wide smile whenever she looked at her mother got to my heart every time, and stole something from it. Su jin's trembling voice and teary worried eyes whenever she looked at Yoon bok and felt the threat of losing her was so heartbreaking yet cathartic.
If I say that I love this kdrama to the bones,and it runs free in my head. -
2. My Name
Korean Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
I am a worshipper when it comes to powerful female protagonists, especially if their development arc goes from MISERY to resilience& brilliance. I am ADDICTED to revenge kdramas for this exact reason!
THIS specific kdrama stole my heart with its female protagonist growth arc in a MALE dominated world. Her determined character that didn't seem to break or surrender no matter what, was such a sublimation! Not forgetting the charming other characters that helped unfold the story. The writing was insanely satisfying!
Despite the unecessary romance trope that was depicted towards the end, I still love every
little bit of the story and the kdrama's OSTs are on my spotify favorite playlist. -
3. Yumi's Cells
Korean Drama - 2021, 14 episodes
This is the first kdrama in which I've seen a realistic portrayal of what love looks like in a relationship. LOVE as in the feeling we develop AFTER being with a person, after living with them, being aware of their qualities and flaws alike and finding ways to accept and embrace those imperfections the way we embrace their existence.
Unlike most kdramas, this one wasn't hang on the "BEFORE" phase, in which the two main leads idolize one another and the story gets dragged as they feel more eager to be in a relationship, nor is it centered on the chaos we feel when we are head over heels for someone.
Through the funny interactions of the quirky animated cells, the story helps us understand how love can be built, with a mixture of cherishment, admiration, attachment, and desire. It shows how love between a couple grows, with enough care and effort.
"We don't just fall for someone, we learn how to love them" and Yumi cells season 1 excelled in delivering this message. -
4. Yumi's Cells Season 2
Korean Drama - 2022, 14 episodes
A Bittersweet ending that seemed just perfect in my eyes. Unlike the first season where the story was all about "the love cell", and Yumi's quest for love. This season was about Yumi's quest for "self-love" and her journey in discovering how to become someone she, herself, loves and admires.
I especially loved how we were able to notice the change in Yumi's self-esteem and view of the world, through the change in her surroundings and overall appearance. Specifically in the relationship she had with her own house. I've always felt like objects can serve as powerful items to connect us to our past and remind us of the journey we've been through.In this case, this element was Yumi's house and the change it has gone through, to become
a reflection of who she became, compared to who she used to be.
This subtle symbolism shows us that her journey has been a success. -
5. Recipe for Farewell
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
I have a soft spot for writers, since they somehow manage to paint life using their pens a magical brush.
This kdrama is about this magic.. It includes the beauty of slow living, of food, and family. The unexpected moments of sweetness and sorrow that life decides to offer us when we least expect it.
It's about the life of everyday, but through the eyes of a writer.
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6. Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
I didn't watch this kdrama for the sweet moments of romance, in fact I found most of the romantic scenes cliche, sometimes even more cheesy than entertaining. But if there is something I've learned after watching it, it's to "Never give up on yourself, even when others decide to give up on you".
To me, the two main leads' relationship had a deeper purpose than simply "falling in love". It was more about friendship, companionship, trust, and encouragement. When they had nothing to lean on but their big dreams, and broken souls, they both leaned on each other's encouragement to help them believe in themselves. They both ended up achieving what they strived for from the beginning, and they both stayed loyal to their values till the end.
The female lead journey was an inspiration, truly a great example of resilience and hardwork. -
7. Reborn Rich
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Just like Itaewon class, this drama has left me in an awe with its charming growth arc of the ML. I love it the most when the protagonist is a legendary phoenix that manages to rise from his ashes and becomes not only stronger, but SMARTER, and guess what else? UNEXPECTED. It's like watching a step by step execution guide of "THE ART OF WAR" by Sun Tzu. Which is the main reason I die for revenge kdramas!
What I like the most in this kdrama is that the main character stays determined, and focused on his goal. Even when he seems to grow feelings for people in the process it doesn't seem to intervene with his plans or lower his IQ. The end was disappointing however, and left us in confusion. But the phenomenal excution of 15 episodes definitely kind of backed up the absurd ending and the cliche romance plot -
8. Itaewon Class
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
A masterpiece when it comes to depicting a "revenge" squad.
I like how instead of ruining his relentless vendetta strategy, or making him lose track of his goals because she caught feelings, Jo Yi Seo has rather served as a powerful piece of chess that facilitated the road for the team to declare their "CHECKMATE".
Her love for Sae Roy was more of an act, than a simple confession or desire to" be with him".
She was crazy, yet brilliant and it was a new thing to witness in a female lead instead of the stereotypical clumsy and kind FL.
The thing that stole my heart the most in this series, was the long-term plotted revenge that certainly took a lot of patience to excute. Because the revenge took its time, and was more of a smart play instead of a violent, emotion-driven vengeance. It ended smoothly, almost looking like karma playing itself.
Romance was a slow burn worth watching, despite the love triangle element being annoying and unnecessary, especially with another second male lead whose character seemed to be excessively shallow, superficial, and too obessed with the FL.
But overall, Park Sae Roy's journey and vision of things has taught me a lot, and this is the main reason this kdrama has found its way to my heart. -
9. Summer Strike
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
Enjoyed the main charater's growth arc. Wasn't necessarily fan of the side plot of the male lead, but their romance wasn't bad. I especially loved the friendship dynamic, the visuals, and the presence of nature.
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10. Move to Heaven
Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
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11. Navillera
Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes