If you haven’t already succumbed to the Korean drama craze (cough, Squid Game), what have you been up to? Second, the year 2021 is as good a time as any to begin. Nothing beats a K-Drama for increasing my emotions and fangirling inclinations. I’m not sure what kind of power these dramas have. A Korean-language program will undoubtedly give a good laugh, a good cry, a good scare, or a pleasant dose of butterflies in your stomach (thanks to all the drop-dead-gorgeous stars). Yes, the time and effort required to read subtitles is totally worth it.

While there are plenty of great K-Dramas worth your time from prior years, this year’s roster features some fantastic new additions to the canon. From funny romantic comedies to series that study psychiatric trauma, you’ll find something to your preference. Here are some of the best Korean dramas to watch this year.

The Squid Game

Squid Game, the K-drama of the year (yes, we’re calling it that) and Netflix’s biggest debut hit ever, has enthralled Netflix binge-watchers (and Twitter users) all over the world, and with good reason. A sadistic tournament centered on a severely indebted group of people guarantees winners the large sum of money they need to pay off their (sometimes life-dependent) debts. When it comes to preying on people who will go to lengths to make ends meet, it’s a game of life or death.

Greetings, my name is

This dark thriller about a revenge-seeking lady is new to Netflix, but it’s already at the top of our list of the most stressful and interesting Korean dramas. Han So-hee portrays Ji-woo, a woman who joins a crime ring to find her father’s killer, but ends up joining the Korean police force under a false name.

Aficionados of the night sky

This fantasy love story between Hong Chun-gi and Ha Ram, a painter and an astrologer, takes place during the famous Dan dynasty. Ha Ram was blinded as a child, yet by tracing the movement of the sky at night, he can predict the future. Of course, they fall in love, but the royal court’s Prince Anpyeong and the vindictive Prince Sooyang, who is hell-bent on becoming the next king, interfere with their romance.

Nevertheless

Nonetheless is based on a popular webtoon series and follows Han and Song, two stereotyped “I don’t believe in love” types who fall in love. It accomplishes what K-dramas have recently excelled at: blending the fairytale aspects of falling in love with the realities of modern-day dating. It’s a must-see for everyone interested in dating in 2021.

Home is where the heart is

Isn’t it a little creepy? This program has a lot of promise. In this post-apocalyptic horror series, Cha Hyun-soo moves to a new hamlet after a terrible family tragedy. Everyone in his immediate proximity begins to fall prey to monsters almost as soon as he arrives (and turning into monsters themselves). While stuck in his new apartment complex, Harry joins forces with his unbitten neighbors to combat the monsters. This episode is also based on the webcomic “Sweet Home” by Kim Carnby and Hwang Young-popular chan.

Past the Pale

Are you in search of a good scare? One will be provided through this program. Two officers from the Manyang Police Substation discover a murder that reminds them of a long-ago cold case, leading them on a dangerous search for a reborn serial killer. Of course, there wouldn’t be a K-drama without the two main characters’ secrets, and they’re especially juicy in this series.

College of Law

A professor (and former prosecutor) and his students become engaged in a case when a lecturer at the top Hankuk University Law School is found dead during a supervised mock trial session. Relationships are put to the test, regulations are breached, and students are left reeling when their professor is jailed as a suspect. It’s a classic whodunnit that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.

The Mysterious Counter

In this science fiction series, demon hunters known as ‘the Counters’ disguise themselves as noodle restaurant employees in order to imprison evil spirits while remaining undiscovered. They all have their own combat specialties, just like the Power Rangers, and this joyful, basic film is all about collaboration.

Korean dramas are incredibly captivating. Despite the fact that several television networks have altered their narrative lines in recent years, a few clichés persist. Whether you like them or not, here are the top 10 elements you’ll find in every K-drama. Read information at KissAsian.

A sweet female protagonist who isn’t without flaws. The female protagonist is bound to feel inadequate, despite her endearing exterior and loving heart. Whether it’s a chubby body, a lower-class upbringing, or simply because she’s from under the sea (so she has a fish tail – so what?), there’s going to be something that creates a barrier in the plot.

A wealthy and stunning male protagonist who hangs out with a posse of equally hot brothers. The typical male protagonist begins the play as a cruel, stupid, and spoiled youngster, but by the conclusion, he has matured into a good guy (usually thanks to the charming-but-flawed female.) Two films that highlight this personality are Boys Over Flowers and You’re Beautiful.

Kisses that are awkward, too long, and too static. Kissing scenes in Korean dramas last FOREVER, and great work is put into making them as dramatic as possible, usually with evocative music or arc shots in which the camera moves around the stationary actors in a circular motion. Everything is summed up in this video:

An arrogant, critical mother-in-law who is determined to ruin her son’s relationships. You’ll almost likely have an overbearing mother who worships the ground her son walks on if you have a wealthy, gorgeous male protagonist. They are typically deceptive and dislikeable, yet because of the drama they contribute to the plot, they are frequently some of the most intriguing characters.

It is he who rides on the backs of others. When the leading lady discovers some unforeseen and surprising information at some point in the plot, she will either drink too much soju, injure her ankle, or pass out. You can bet your bottom dollar that her love interest will take her away and give her the most romantic ride of her life at this point. Among the most enjoyable are Pinocchio, The First Shop of Coffee Prince, and I Can Hear Your Voice.

Someone who is afflicted. Of all, no Korean drama would be complete without tragedy, and having a character engaged in a car accident is one of the most typical ways to do this. Alternatively, contracting a life-threatening disease. For example, if you have amnesia (an all-time favourite). Some of the best hospital scenes can be found in Master’s Sun, Oh My Venus, My Love from the Star, and Doctors’ epic combat scene.

The arms are snatched. The K-wrist grab, ah, the K-wrist grab, ah, the K-wrist grab, ah, the K-wrist grab, ah This cliché is frequently employed in circumstances where the female heroine is compelled to go somewhere she does not want to go. The main lady will fall for him regardless of the male’s predisposition for violence. The Heirs really increased the ante when they used not one, but two wrist grips at the same moment.

Back hugs are the way to go since regular hugs are so last decade. Back hugs are a staple of practically every K-drama, and they signal a critical turning point in the relationship between the main characters. Back hugs can take a variety of forms, such as “don’t go” hugs, “accidental” embraces, and “apologetic” hugs, but they all elicit a spectrum of emotions in the spectator.

Changing one’s physical appearance. Body changing, ala Freaky Friday, is another famous cliche in which two significant characters — usually of opposite genders — mysteriously swap bodies. Films like Big, Secret Garden, and Please Come Back Mister have effectively used the body/gender-swapping storyline.

An emotional roller coaster. Despite the stereotypes, most K-dramas do an excellent job of including a variety of tonal variances. These tragicomies are typically a roller coaster of emotions for both the protagonists and the spectator, combining laughter and spectacle with tears and tribulation. Read more information here https://kissasian.cx/.