Welcome to Kdrama and Ramen

Here are my top 10 favorite kdramas of the first half of 2020 (January-June).  I took a little extra time to watch some that appeared on other people’s lists that I hadn’t watched yet.  Some made it and some didn’t.  But for me, these 10 are the best.  Hope you enjoy the list.  Before we know it, it will be time to evaluate the whole year.  In this time of COVID-19, I have been happy to have kdrama to keep me company.

Hospital Playlist

“Hospital Playlist” is another gem brought to us by the same director and screenwriter that are responsible for The Reply Series.  It is a medical drama with plenty of doses of comedy laced throughout.  The story follows five friends who met early in medical school.  The chemistry between the whole cast is amazing and each of the characters is engaging in their own stories.  “Hospital Playlist” is well-balanced and sincere.  My only complaint is that it ends with a “To Be Continued” in Season 2, coming in 2021. 

Itaewon Class

“Itaewon Class” is a groundbreaking kdrama in the way it addresses sensitive subjects like racial inequality and gender issues.  The cast is diverse and talented and the show focuses on subjects like love, revenge, and friendship. Park Sae Ro Yi had his life and dreams crushed when his father was killed in a hit and run and Sae Ro Yi was sent to prison for attacking the man who did it. 

Now,  years late, Sae Ro Yi is determined to get his life back.  He and a ragged crew of friends decided to open a restaurant.  If you like a feel-good success story with lots of drama along the way, this one is a great choice.  Whether you are a seasoned kdrama fan or just starting to become a fan, this drama should not be missed!

Crash Landing on You

“Crash Landing on You” has been extremely popular among kdrama fans.  This romantic drama is unique in that it is filmed half in North Korea and half in South Korea.  The story is about a rich heiress from South Korea who is involved in a paragliding accident that drops her into North Korea.  She meets and falls in love with a North Korean officer who agrees to help her find her way home.  The romantic chemistry is intense, and the friendships that form are heartwarming.  This is a great show for anyone who appreciates a touching romance with some beautiful scenery along the way. 

The King:Eternal Monarch

Lee Min Ho is back from his military service, starring in his first role in almost 3 years. ” The King:Eternal Monarch” is a fantasy romantic drama about a king who accidentally travels into a parallel universe.  If you are looking for a good romantic drama with a storyline that keeps you on your toes, this is the one to choose.  But this isn’t a fluffy rom-com.  It requires some attention to details, as they bounce back and forth between the universes.  Parallel worlds open the door for some great dual roles.  Woo Do Hwan was a definite fan favorite for his two completely different characters.

Romantic Dr. Kim 2

Romantic Dr. Kim has been a favorite of mine, so I was thrilled when they announced a sequel.  And even though I was sad to see the starring doctor roles change to new characters, I was not disappointed with Romantic Dr. Kim 2.  A group of talented young doctors find themselves working under the eccentric Dr. Kim at a small, country hospital.  Will his mentoring skills help them to develop into the doctors they have the potential to become?  This series focuses more on the doctors themselves than the patients or cases, although we do get to meet some of the patients along the way.  Romantic Dr. Kim 2 is a story about teamwork, love, and friendship in the face of challenging circumstances. 

I’ll Go To You When the Weather is Nice

I feel like “When the Weather is Nice” is a seriously underrated drama.  Some fans complained that it was too slow-moving.  But for me, this one felt like relaxing down into a warm bath.  It’s a sweet story, with great character development.  Park Min Young is a reserved young woman who leaves her busy life in Seoul and returns to her small hometown in the country.  Being hurt too many times, she is determined to guard her heart from any more pain.  But as she rekindles relationships with some of the people in her town, she gets a chance to do some healing and maybe even experience love.

When My Love Blooms

“When My Love Blooms” reminds me of “Love Rain”.  Twenty years ago, this couple found first love together, but life cruelly broke them apart.  Now, they meet again and are given a second chance to make their relationship work.  Ji Soo is a 40 year old single mother struggling to make ends meet.  Is it too late for her to finally find her true love?  The story shifts between their lives now and the story of how they first fell in love in college, played by two sets of actors.  For fans, this means we actually get two love stories for the price of one; now and then.  This isn’t a fast paced plot but the story of forgiveness and second chances is optimistic and encouraging. 

Extracurricular

This Netflix Original is definitely not your usual kdrama.  There are only 10 episodes, but it is intense from start to finish.  “Extracurricular” is the story of a high school student, Oh Ji Soo, who is on his own in the world.  He is a model student who pays his way by running a protection agency for prostitutes.  When Bae Gyu Ri, a rich classmate, finds out what Ji Soo is up to, she demands that he let her in on it.  But she continues to push the limits and put them into more and more danger.  So if they can’t find a way to break the cycle, they may not make it out alive.  If you like edgier dramas this one is a must-see.  The two leads are amazing and their story will keep you on the edge of your seat  all the way through. 

Hyena

Yoon Hee Jae and Jung Geum Ja are both lawyers.  But while Hee Jae has used family connections to work his way up the ladder in a top law firm, Geum Ja has has to take any small case she can get at her private law office.  Because of this, Geum Ja has learned to do anything it takes to win.  In this case, anything includes starting a relationship with Hee Jae to steal important case information.  When her victories start to get noticed by Hee Jae’s firm, the two are forced to work together.  And now Hee Jae is determined to find out how much of their relationship was actually a lie.  “Hyena” is a fast paced legal drama and Geum Ja’s character is a strong female lead who is a joy to watch. 

The World of the Married

Unfortunately, this drama doesn’t stream on either Viki or Netflix, but it was so highly reviewed that I went looking for it on other platforms.  “The World of the Married” is not your usual optimistic story of life and marriage.  Some fans claim this one is just more realistic.  I truly hope most of you don’t live in a reality quite this traumatic, but it does make for good tv. 

Ji Sun Woo is a woman who has it all.  She is a successful family doctor in a loving marriage, who is raising a son.  But one day she finds out that her perfect world was all just a big lie.  Her husband is having an affair with a younger woman and she is the last one to know about it.  Anger leads her down an extreme path of anger and revenge, and none of their lives will ever be the same.