My Country: The New Age - Trigger warning attempted suicide. (whumps list from @simply-whump here) Possibly my favourite show of all time, it absolutely ruined me in a way I havenât yet found words for. The bromance is epic (friends to enemies to Iâll fucking die for you). Thereâs brutal whump, two amazing leads who are both broken and more than a little unhinged, truly amazing characters all round, beautiful story with lots of heart-stopping moments, lots of action and character development. If you watch it, stock up on tissues. Youâll need all of them, but I promise itâll be worth it.
Goblin - Not your average boy meets girl and falls in love, bromance in the league of enemies to friends to something more (but not on a romantic level), perfect chemistry between the male leads (honestly they are so funny together), some truly hilarious moments balanced with some truly heartbreaking moments, enough whump to keep someone like me happy. If you liked it, check out Guardian (Chinese), Tale of the Nine Tailed (which has some cute nods to Goblin), Kokdu: Season of Deity
The Guest - This show was a punch to the gut, the perfect balance of haunting and beautiful. The bromance is lovely, as is the relationship between the three leads as they balance each other out. The whump is delightful (and anyone whoâs seen it will probably agree that the underwater scene is breathtaking) The story is compelling and addictive, everyone is broken beyond what is humanly possible, and the music will make you cry.
Kill Me, Heal Me - Trigger warning for suicide and child abuse. (@love-me-a-lotta-whump whump list here) Whump in pretty much every single episode, deals with the issue of multiple personality disorder and trauma. Ji Sungâs acting is crazy good - seriously, the guy plays 6 characters. The other main characters and the way they care for and support the lead is lovely, characters with entwined backstories, a romance that will make you cry, and a sweet sibling relationship that will also make you cry. If you liked it, check out Doctor John, Itâs Okay, Thatâs Love, Kokdu: Season of Deity.
The Devil Judge - Intense relationship between the two male leads - rivals to colleagues to enemies to bromance (romance up for debate). Everything is dark and shiny, thereâs a strong found family theme, good whump both physical and psychological. This one roped me in and before I knew it I was heavily invested and couldnât stop watching. If you liked it, check out Beyond Evil.
Just Between Lovers - (@love-me-a-lotta-whump whump list here) This one ⌠will tear your heart out. Romance that is raw and heartbreaking, characters with linked backstories, amazing whump, cute bromance, really lovely relationship between male lead and âgrandmotherâ, found family, and hard-hitting truths about life and death. Itâll kick you down, and then come back to finish you off.
Mad Dog - Trigger warning for implied suicide. (Whumps list from @whumpily-ever-after here) Bromance that evolves from enemies to big bro little bro, found family/team as family as a core theme, really great whump, fast-paced story that sucks you in, loveable side characters (and a second bromance that is really sweet), subtle romance that doesnât outshine the other themes. Iâve seen a few shows in this league, and this one is my fave of the lot. If you liked it (especially the found family theme), check out Healer, City Hunter, The Good Detective, Youâre All Surrounded, Triangle, or Bitter Blood (Japanese).
Flower Of Evil - (@love-me-a-lotta-whump whump list here) I donât normally go for husband-wife duos, but I was 100% on board with this one. Traumatised, misunderstood male lead, coupled with competent, fiercely protective female lead, bonus cute kid, lots of whump (both physical and psychological), and an interesting look at how society perceives 'psychopathsâ. If you liked it, check out Come And Hug Me.
School 2013 - Pretty huge trigger warnings for suicide and bullying. (@love-me-a-lotta-whump whumps list here.) I completely underestimated how much I would adore this show, and how many tissues Iâd require. Amazing bromance, amazing side characters, way too many intense emotions rolled into one. Even if you donât like school dramas, Iâd recommend trying this one - and once youâre done sobbing, go cry some more over this extra little gem the boys gave us. If you liked it, check out the Thai remake High School Frenemy, or At A Distance, Spring Is Green.
While You Were Sleeping - Trigger warning for attempted suicide. (Whumps list from @thewhumpyrabbit here.) Another drama that caught me by surprise and I ended up really loving. Great whump, great bromance, found family, and a non-suffocating romance. This one is a mix of all my favourite things. Tissues required. If you liked it, check out Mystic Pop Up Bar
Time Between Dog and Wolf - Trigger warning for attempted suicide. Bromance, whump, romance that didnât make me cringe - the ML in this one seriously goes through it! The ending is a little rushed, but otherwise itâs a solid watch with a lot going on.
Descendants Of The Sun - (@love-me-a-lotta-whump whumps list here ) Sappy romances, bromance, and whump. Itâs perhaps a little bit Hollywood at times, but it made me snorty-cry and I have no regrets recommending it alongside a tub of ice-cream and a block of chocolate (or two).
Lawless Lawyer - (Whump list from @love-me-a-lotta-whump here) This one has equal parts swagger and angst, some great whump, a subtle romance, found family/team as family, and a solid story. Also some great fight scenes ft. Lee Joon Giâs whip-like legs. If you liked it, check out Bad Prosecutor.
The First Responders - Trigger warning suicide (Whump list from @simply-whump here) I really loved all three mains in this one, and tbh the 'love triangleâ wasnât terrible. Great story, action, a bit of comedy, subtle romance, enjoyable bromance, nice whump. An underrated drama for sure. I just wish I could rec season 2, but alas, I canât for *reasons*.
Kokdu: Season of Deity - Suicide trigger warning (Whumps list from @staydandy here) Fair warning, Iâm in the minority with this one đ
But despite the criticism this show received, I really liked it. I enjoyed the characters, their growth, the story, the humour, and most definitely the whump. It ticked every box I hoped it would tick from the beginning to the end. So if you liked it as well, check out Goblin or Kill Me, Heal Me.
The Three Musketeers - Such a great version! I loved the plot with all its twists and turns, and that despite the inclusion of romance, the focus stayed on the relationships between the leads (multiple solid bromances) And, of course, the whump was also very, very nice. Entertaining from beginning to end.
Love For Loveâs Sake - Trigger warning suicide. (Whumps list from @staydandy here) Itâs not often I love a Korean BL, but I really adored this one. It was delightfully different, with loveable characters and a smattering of whump. Aside from the last couple of eps feeling a little rushed and slightly confusing in places, I enjoyed it immensely from start to finish.
Secret Relationships - Trigger warning for sexual assault and self harm. How can I describe this? I hated so many things but couldnât stop watching it. The characters made me want to scream. I wanted to tear my hair out. Some parts were downright disturbing. But by the end I was smiling and crying at the same time, and itâs for that reason I think itâs actually really brilliant. Bravo writers, you made me love and hate something at the same time. Bravo.