Squid Game took the world by storm earlier this year. It relied on the well-known Battle Royale tropes and was a series full of suspense and tension for both characters and viewers alike. Much like Train to Busan and Parasite before it, the series fed into the growing interest in South Korean popular culture products. Chief amongst these products, other than K-pop, are K-dramas.
K-dramas have been around for a long time, long before the current interest. They are the telenovela or soap opera equivalent, but in recent years, more money has been poured into them and more independent studios have been allowed to take greater risks with their story-telling. For those interested, more than going from Squid Game to classics like Boys Over Flowers, the following titles would be a better, more modern entry-point.
A Business Proposal (2022) - Stream On Netflix
Currently available on Netflix, A Business Proposal has so many of the classic romance K-drama tropes, that it is a great starting point. Fully aware of how it is making use of these tropes, the drama has another drama happening within it.
Based on a popular webtoon, it is a comedy of errors with romance and mistaken identity that viewers of series like Bridgerton are sure to enjoy. The main character works for the very rich male lead, a common set-up, and ends up entangled with him via being sent on a blind date with him instead of her best friend. From this point forward, shenanigans and love ensue.
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung (2019) - Stream On Netflix
For those interested in trying out a historical drama, Rookie Historian is a great starting title. It is not as old as Sungkyunkwan Scandal, but not as overtly modern as the different take on Korean period dramas, Mr. Queen. The series introduces viewers to the tropes of Korean historical dramas while having a modern spin by giving its female characters more agency.
Viewers can't help but root for the four female historians trying to make it, each with their reasons. With the backdrop of the intrigue of the royal court and a forbidden love blooming between an unwanted royal heir and one of the female historians, this drama's narrative ebbs and flows at its own pace.
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017) - Stream On Netflix Or Viki
Korea's approximation to a superhero story, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon is a great watch whether the viewer is aware of the parodied tropes or not. The titular character, Do Bong Soon, is part of a line of women that have supernatural strength. In the modern world, this is more of a burden than a gift, and Do Bong Soon spends most of her time hiding it.
That is until she is seen using this strength against a group of thugs by the male lead, An Min-Hyuk, who then employs her to work for him as his bodyguard. From here, the love story begins against the backdrop of a serial kidnapping case that Do Bong Soon takes it upon herself to solve.
Goblin (2016 - 2017) - Stream On Netflix Or Viki
K-dramas do not shy away from the supernatural and Goblin is a great and unique, example. It tells the story of Kim Shin, a modern-day goblin who needs to marry a human bride, Ji Eun Tak, to end his immortal life - a familiar romantic narrative. A love story that spans centuries, Goblin was very well-received when it was airing and it is still an amazing story to watch unfold.
Not only is the acting superb, but the freshness of the story is benefitted from its supporting cast, including a grim reaper who goes to on become one-half of one of the most beloved bromances in K-drama history. The series is also stunningly beautiful visually, as it combines several centuries and fantastical backdrops to fully immerse the viewer in the experience.
Hotel Del Luna (2019) - Stream On Netflix Or Viki
For a switch-up from Goblin's dynamics, there's Hotel Del Luna. The series is centered around the idea that restless souls live in this hotel before being able to fully move on. They may spend centuries in the hotel if that is what it takes, but they are well looked after until the time comes.
The hotel is owned over several time periods by Jang Man-Wol, the female lead, who must learn to love again to move on. Selected for this is the human hotel manager, who falls in love with Man-Wol despite knowing he is helping her move on to the afterlife. It's a beautiful, doomed love story with a stellar cast and gorgeous costuming.
Hospital Playlist (2020 - ) - Stream On Netflix
For anyone looking for a medical show, there are K-drama medical shows by the dozen, but this one is particularly good. Focusing on five best friends from medical school, the series follows them now that they are accomplished doctors in their own right, all working in different departments at the same hospital.
Throughout two seasons, a rare feature in K-dramas, viewers watch as the characters grow and develop. Not only do they face their daily struggles as doctors, but they all must deal with the cards life gives them. From children to divorces to family issues, these five friends are there for each other through thick and thin, always ready to elicit a smile in each other and the audience.
Signal (2016) - Stream On Netflix
There are also many thriller K-dramas. Signal is a particularly gripping title, with only one drop of magical realism added to the story to make it truly interesting. Set between two separate time periods, a walkie-talkie connects a policeman in the past to one in the future, allowing them to solve cases together from both times.
However, as time continues to pass, changing the past begins to affect the future negatively and the story becomes a race against the clock to not only solve the cases coming to each detective but also to save the original policeman's life. A gripping story told solely because of the one supernatural element, it leaves viewers waiting more.
Vincenzo (2021) - Stream On Netflix
Netflix's Vincenzo made a splash last year. While it is meant to be a legal drama, as so much of it takes place in the courtroom, Vicenzo truly crosses genres. With an already outrageous premise of an Italian mafia consigliere that was adopted from South Korea and is returning to obtain gold hidden under a building, the story somehow only gets zanier as it continues.
It is self-referential with its actors, but not to the extent that viewers unfamiliar with their work would be unable to follow along. It is a great series for viewers who like intrigue, mystery-solving, thrillers, and heists, Vincenzo has something for everyone, with great villains, side characters that become family, and a solid, steamy romance on top of it all.
Itaewon Class (2020) - Stream On Netflix
Itaewon Class is an underdog story against a backdrop of corruption. One of 2020's best Netflix dramas, it did very well when it came out, and continues to be loved today. The typical story of the everyman versus the conglomerate occurred off-screen and resulted in the main character, Sae-Ro-Yi, being jailed. The story starts once he's left prison and has to deal with the rest of his life.
His father has passed away and he decides to open up a bar-restaurant to honor him. But the past will always catch up to you. So even though he makes new friends, the conglomerate group's founder is still after him. Viewers can't help but root for Sae-Ro-Yi's fortunes to change and for him to prevail over everyone that is intruding in his life.
Mr. Sunshine (2018) - Stream On Netflix
Mr. Sunshine is fairly unique in the world of period K-dramas. Set in the early 1900s, with Korean activists fighting for their independence as a large part of the cast, it ends with the Japanese occupation. The costuming and backdrops to fit the period significantly strengthen the series.
A love story set against such a particular moment in history would be interesting in and of itself, but making the characters front and center of a lot of the political intrigue taking place results in a fast-paced, immersive series. The viewer can't help but continue to watch until the inevitable end. And the audience gets to see Squid Game's Lee Byung-hun in the titular role.