Well, enter Disney+’s original series Grid (그리드). It isn’t as outstanding as the aforementioned series. But it also isn’t as bad as the others as well. Instead, Grid is the rare time travel-infused drama series to find itself somewhere in between. Though its cast does as best as they can, even carrying many parts of the series itself, the story teeters on the edge and just avoids completely collapsing onto itself.
The tvN drama series Twenty-Five Twenty-One (스물다섯 스물하나) is a wonderfully nostalgic slice of life and coming of age portrait of a group of friends with the ever-changing world as its backdrop. The history that is being made around them is almost a character in and of itself as the characters navigate the tumultuous time that is the dawn of the 21st century and the always tumultuous time between adolescence and adulthood.
Disney+’s Rookie Cops (너와 나의 경찰수업 /You and My Police Class) is an interesting series. Centered around freshman students at a police university, the series is well positioned to tackle many different topics and themes such as coming of age and college life. Not to mention the pursuit of justice and happiness in a less than fair world. But the series somehow does not bring everything together in the most seamless way, holding it back from being something great. However, its charming cast carries the series on their shoulders to result in an ultimately satisfying, though somewhat unmemorable time.
Rain and Kim Bum are irresistibly charming and endearing in the tvN fantasy medical drama Ghost Doctor (고스트 닥터). You’ll get a lot of familiar K-drama themes from clashing of personalities, workplace politics and shady dealings to sweet romance, sincere friendships and a good helping of character growth. And it’s all wrapped up in a fun, whimsical package with the exciting and hectic backdrop of a bustling hospital in the middle of Seoul. On the surface it may seem like a paint by the numbers medical procedural. But at its heart (and in a way that only Korean dramas can do), it is an emotional and uplifting character-driven look at humanity and the bonds and connections that are forged in the most unexpected places.
Was it perfect? No. Was it everything I hoped it would be? Definitely not. Was it a refreshing change of pace from the typical Filipino teleserye? Absolutely. GMA Network and Regal Entertainment’s first full series collaboration Mano Po Legacy – The Family Fortune was a breath of fresh air.
SBS’ Let Me Be Your Knight (너의 밤이 되어줄게) is a lighthearted, but sincere story looking at connections, bonds and relationships with the always interesting world of K-pop as the backdrop. The always charming Jung In Sun is accompanied by the talented young men that bring to life the fictional band Luna. And together they make for a series that is easily enjoyable and unexpectedly satisfying.
A good ‘ol, stress-free rom-com can always be a welcome breather from all the dark psychological thrillers and crime dramas that fill the airwaves. Which is one reason the 2020 KBS series Men Are Men (그놈이 그놈이다 /To All the Guys Who Loved Me) is such an enjoyable and entertaining ride. Hwang Jung Eum leads a charming cast in a series that takes familiar themes and situations and blends them together into a refreshing package.
Studio Dragon’s tvN fantasy epic Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (불가살) is a melancholic, though breathtaking series. Led by a commanding performance from Lee Jin Wook, the excellent cast brings to life an intricate and bloody story that spans centuries. And all while touching upon the most human of emotions and relationships, making this story as relatable as it is captivating.
If possible, go into this series knowing as little as possible about it for maximum effect. So before getting into major spoilers about the series, the bottom line is the Studio Dragon-produced tvN/iQiyi original series Bad and Crazy (배드 앤 크레이지) is simply crazy good. Lee Dong Wook and Wi Ha Joon are absolutely electric as their performances and perfect chemistry power an unexpectedly fun, wild and fascinating action thriller. I did exactly that and it made the experience all the more satisfying and exciting.
Netflix has definitely gotten swept up in the Korean Wave as it releases its latest original series All of Us Are Dead (지금 우리 학교는 /Now At Our School). The zombie thriller-slash-high school drama series ticks all the boxes of both genres and them some. And while it can feel a bit bloated, the series is ultimately enjoyable, mindless fun.