kdramas for film lovers
Korean dramas that I'd recommend to people who love film and are interested in different elements of it, like script, directing, cinematography or acting.
Some of them are still on my to watch list, but I highlighted interesting aspects of them.
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1. Something in the Rain
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
Beautiful cinematography with very interesting camera shots. They give the series an almost voyeuristic feeling, making the story feel much more intimate.
The story will not give the satisfactory feeling we often crave from this type of series, but felt more realistic. An interesting look into generational difference, defying societal expectations and the emotional consequences of standing up for yourself.
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2. Little Women
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
Interesting and wild take on Little women.
The camera work is wonderful, the story keeps you on your toes and the acting is superb.
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3. Crash Landing on You
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
A great example on how to make a wondeful series out of a ridicolous premise. Also great cinematography, and spectacular acting.
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4. Because This Is My First Life
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Wondeful reflections on writing and why create tv series. The acting is really good, the script is beautiful and full of hidden reflection on the shattered dreams of a specific korean generation
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5. Beyond Evil
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
TBW: Mystery murder in a small town. When a new detective arrives a body is found leading to a 20 year old serial murder
Why: Good cinematography and character work.
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6. Strangers from Hell
Korean Drama - 2019, 10 episodes
TBW: Man moves to Seoul and has really bad luck with his neighbours.
Why: Good acting and directing. Good build up of paranois, claustrophobic atmosphere. Intersting take on themes of isolation, insanity and social expectations
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7. Misaeng: Incomplete Life
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
TBW: group of young, new interns start their work in a large company and go through life
Why: Character arc, writing, realistic depiction of work culture
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8. Mr. Sunshine
Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
TBW: Korean-born US Marine goes back to Korea and discovers plan to invade his country of origin.
Why: Cinematography
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9. Squid Game
Korean Drama - 2021, 9 episodes
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10. Memory
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
TBW: Park Tae Suk is a lawyer who finds out that he has Alzheimer’s and puts his life on the line to fight one last case.
Why: Acting, script, cinematography
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11. Lost
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
TBW: At forty years old, Lee Boo Jeong has lost her way. She feels like she has reached the end of her potential and achieved absolutely nothing. Lee Kang Jae is twenty-seven, a man at the end of his youth, and though "afraid of nothing," feels afraid his life will never amount to anything.
Why: Indie drama with great script, direction, music, cinematography, acting. Great characterdevelopment.
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12. A Wife’s Credentials
Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes
TBW: This drama depicts a housewife’s struggle to help raise her child’s grades within the cut-throat education system in South Korea while accepting herself as a human who can fall in love
Why: Acting, criticisms of the korean eduaction system
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13. Stranger
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
TBW: A man with no emotions and a complicated past investigates corruption and joins Lieutenant Han Yeo Jin to root out corruption at the prosecutors’ office and solve a serial murder case.
Why: Character development, acting, directing
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14. Revenant
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
TBW: Ku San Young is busy working part-time during the day and studying to become a low-ranking public officer at night. One day, she receives some articles left behind by her late father. Since then, mysterious deaths take place around her.
Why: Acting, interesting take on horror, world-building
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15. The Glory
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
TBW: A high school student dreams of becoming an architect. However, she had to drop out of school after suffering from brutal school violence. Years later, the perpetrator gets married and has a kid. Once the kid is in elementary school, the former victim becomes her homeroom teacher and starts her thorough revenge towards the perpetrators and bystanders of her bullying days.
Why: Visual composition, writing
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16. Be Melodramatic
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
TBW: Three friends in the film and tv industry
Why: Acting, writing and meta commentary. Themes of grief and found family.
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17. Yumi's Cells
Korean Drama - 2021, 14 episodes
TBW: Having recently suffered a painful breakup, Yoo Mi’s love cells have fallen into a deep coma. While the surrounding cells work hard to revive their fallen compatriots, Yoo Mi spends her days stuck in the grind of everyday life.
Why: Loads of experimental writing
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18. I Hear Your Voice
Korean Drama - 2013, 18 episodes
TBW: Jang Hye Sung, a bold, sassy, thick-faced, comical, and materialistic public defender who becomes a lawyer after overcoming poverty and painful memories from her childhood, comes to a realization about society and justice after meeting Park Soo Ha, a 19-year-old boy who reads other people’s thoughts and Cha Kwan Woo, an innocent lawyer who lives a disciplined life.
Why: interesting scripwriting, acting.
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19. Into the Ring
Korean Drama - 2020, 32 episodes
TBW: Rom com around local politics and community activism
Why: Use of extreme wide angle lenses and creative camera work. Great acting
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20. One Day Off
Korean Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
TBW: Set in the 1990's, Park Ha Kyung teaches Korean literature at a high school. To escape her ordinary days, Park Ha Kyung decides to take one day trips on Saturdays. During her one day trip, she walks around, eats different foods, and meets various people
Why: Thought-provoking script with meta commentary on art and writing
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21. Secret Love Affair
Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
TBW: Star-crossed lovers romance. Sun Jae, a young piano prodigy and Hye Won, his older married mentor fall for each other, and change each other.
Why: Noirish cinematographic, camera work that emphasizes intimacy, great acting,
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22. At a Distance, Spring Is Green
Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes