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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.

Flower of Evil

Lee Joon Gi shows us a little of his dark side in this thriller drama.  Baek Hee Sung is a loving husband and doting father, but he hides a dark secret from his past.  Cha Ji Won is a violent crimes detective who is married to Hee Sung.  She is shocked and disappointed when a new case she is assigned to starts to lead her back to her husband as a key suspect.  Can she find the truth behind this tangled case and will her marriage be able to survive once she has the answers?  Flower of Evil manages to encompass several genres such as romance, crime, and thriller into one exciting drama.

18 Again

18 again is a romantic drama about getting a second chance to chase your dreams and find out what is really important in life.  Hong Dae Young has been married for almost 20 years and has twin children who are in high school.  Supporting his family has been his main priority for his whole adult life, but suddenly it all seems pointless.  His wife, Jung Da Jung, wants a divorce and he hardly knows his children.  In a moment of desperation, he makes a wish to go back, and just like that he is “18 again”.  This drama focuses around family issues and relationships, as Dae Young tries to make up for the bad decisions he has made and put the pieces of his family back together.  

Stranger/Secret Forest 2

Stranger 2 continues to follow the characters of Prosecutor Shi Mok and Detective Yeo Jin.  This season, both characters have been promoted to positions that take them away from field work and knee deep in politics.  They have both been appointed to a committee that is tasked with restructuring investigative processes.  Both the Prosecutors and the Police Department believe they should have authority over investigating cases and each one blames the other for abuses of power and mis-handling of cases.  In the midst of this battle, a series of apparently unrelated cases come to light that cast further suspicion on both departments.  Shi Mok and Yeo Jin will work together to uncover the actual truth and make sure that those at fault are held responsible, even if those people turn out to be their superiors.  

Kingdom Season 2

Kingdom Season 2 is back to give us more zombies!  Continuing right where season 1 ended, zombies and plague threaten the capital.  The Crown Prince and his band of followers make their way toward the palace to take back his rightful position as King.  In the meantime, the queen and her family have placed their hope in the birth of an heir who could claim his birthright.  But as the plague makes some surprising adaptations and seems to be gaining size and strength, time is running out for all of them.  While this drama does include plenty of gore, it also does an amazing job of melding together the historical with horror to create a unique and exciting series.  Season 2 wraps up the fight for the palace but also leaves the ending open for another season.  Season 3 has not yet been confirmed, but many expect that it will happen.

It’s Okay to Not be Okay

Ko Moon Young is a successful children’s book author, with an edgy style.  Diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder, her manager tries to keep her from interacting with fans as much as possible.  But when Moon Young meets Moon Gang Tae, a caretaker at a psychiatric hospital, she is surprised by interest in him.  Gang Tae is smart, handsome, and a skilled caretaker who is the primary guardian to his older brother, who is autistic.  His brother is also a huge fan of writer Moon Young.  As their lives become entwined, the 3 of them discover the meaning of true family and love.  This romantic drama shows the power of love to heal the broken areas of our lives.