The Phony Ones

I can’t say I’m an expert when it comes to K-Drama series because I haven’t seen a lot as compared to most K-drama addicts out there; but I guess I have seen a fair share of this phenomenon.

A little background, I’m in my 20s and I have heard and seen a number of K-Drama series since grade school days. There are few that I have seen during grade school and high school years and a couple, I guess, during college. Then this hiatus continued until early 2017, from then on I have watched more.

If I were to be asked what are my criteria in selecting a series to watch, I would answer – (1) from my friends’ recommendations, (2) genre (although I do not have a particular genre) and (3) actors and actresses involved.

Among all the K-Drama series that I have seen so far, here are my recommendations (in a slight particular order):

1.      Reply 1988 (2015)

Number of episodes: 20

Starring: Lee Hyeri, Park Bogum, Go Kyungpyo, Ryu Junyeol and Lee Donghwi

Where to watch: Netflix

There are five main characters, who are also neighbors, in this series and the story focuses on their friendship, families, romance, and growth, basically their lives, not to mention the 1988 setting and Korean culture it has shown.

It has the right amount of romance, drama, comedy and thrill. The story is quite slow-paced but take a deeper and closer look at the content. The way the story is delivered and laid down in this manner helped its viewers understand, absorb and appreciate the main plot and the corresponding life lessons, especially the family related ones.

I have seen this series twice and I still felt the same awe, while watching it again, and the same nostalgia, after the last episode. I will not forget the last episode and the last scene (having goosebumps while writing this) because this drama made me feel that I am with them throughout their story and that as it ended so is their company with me.

In terms of the technicalities of dramas, Reply ’88 is visually pleasing from the setting, the color, the MUSIC and of course the actors. The actors, from the ones acting as parents to the cute child ones, are so good on their roles which made the delivery of the story more effective.

Overall, watching this series is one hell of a crazy ride, because it’s too real and relatable, plus the lasting nostalgia and confusion after the last episode.

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2.      What Happens to My Family? (2014)

Number of episodes: 53

Starring: Yoo Donggeun, Kim Hyunjoo, Yoon Park and Park Hyungsik

Where to watch: Youtube

I watched this series because I became a big fan of Park Hyungsik. I wasn’t expecting too much but, boy, I did not know that this is going to be a pretty good one, considering that it has 53 1-hour long episodes and I only know Hyungsik among the casts. I swear, this is a must-watch!

The series is about this family (obviously) the father, his children and their own stories plus other branch of this family. Same with Reply ’88, this series has the right mix of every emotion you’ll need – love (in different forms), humor, pain and curiosity.

I am currently rewatching this series for the second time, no regrets, it is still this sweet the second time around.

I did not mind the length of this series because it is too entertaining, although I had to be mindful of the painful scenes. I would agree with most commentaries on WHTMF, “one minute you are laughing, the next minute you are crying.” No complaints though, because it is worth it.

I have to say, the story and the main plot is quite cliché, common and predictable but it did not suck, because delivery and timeline is well written and it is something that we should all be reminded of from time to time, not to mention the great acting the actors did. Again, they can make you laugh and cry and they feel so real. By the end of the show I loved not only Hyungsik but the rest of the casts as well.

This is another must-watch because of how real and relatable this drama is. Everyone, I am calling out everyone, should see this series as it can touch any family’s core while making you laugh with the company director-secretary love story.

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3.      Hwayugi or A Korean Odyssey (2017)

Number of episodes: 20

Starring: Lee Seunggi, Cha Seungwon and Oh Yeonseo

Where to watch: Netflix

Cinematography-, acting/actor- and story-wise, this series is a bomb. It’s a fantasy series based on a classic Chinese novel. The story revolves around a girl with “sixth sense” and the supernatural entities (deities and demons) she has encountered, mainly the Monkey and the Bull Kings. Their main purpose is to eliminate evil in the human world. It’s a complicated story to summarize, but the series delivered it well.

I believe that the main plot of this series can be analogous to the real world in terms of the good and bad deeds, karma, god, heaven and hell concepts. I find this analogy meaningful because it generally applies to our world right now. Aside from this analogy, I like the fact that this is a romance series, but it is not too emphasized, although the story revolves around this. I like the frenemy relationship of the two kings as well as the stories of the side characters. Humor is also well inserted.

As mentioned above, cinematography is great since this is a fantasy series. Actors are all well-rounded ones, especially the two kings.

If you are looking for a good fantasy, romance, light comedy K-drama series with real life application, please include Hwayugi.

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4.      Goblin or Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016)

Number of episodes: 16

Starring: Gong Yoo, Kim Goeun, Lee Dongwook, Yoo Inna and Yook Sungjae

Where to watch: Netflix

Goblin, another fantasy, romance, drama, comedy series, made me go back to the K-drama realm in 2017.

This drama tells the story of this immortal guardian and his mortal bride and the struggles they faced within their love story. The concept of reincarnation is present and the twists are commendable. There are also notable side stories and unforgettable friendships. I like how each character, despite the differences jived well.

Visually speaking, Goblin is too pleasing from every angle, not to mention the good-looking actors and actresses, who are also very good in their roles. Soundtrack is also very catchy and beautifully incorporated.

I believe, most K-drama watchers have already seen Goblin, but for the new ones try starting with Goblin since this worked for me because this is absolutely a breathtakingly unique series.

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I realized that there are two categories in my recommendations, one is the realistic ones and the other the fantasy ones. I should say, I prefer the realistic/relatable ones over the fantasy concept. Both Reply 1988 and What Happens to My Family are very holistic – complete package. As for the fantasy ones, Goblin’s complexity and concept are actually quite similar to Hwayugi, but watch them both as they have different impact.

Special Mentions:

1.      Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017)

Starring: Park Boyoung and Park Hyungsik

This one is too cute and fun to watch. If you are looking for an entertainingly light romantic comedy, try this series.

2.      Lovers in Paris (2004)

Starring: Park Shinyang and Kim Jungeun

Before all these series mentioned above, I have seen Lovers in Paris through my young eyes and I can’t explain more. It’s a must watch classic K-drama series.

I have made these recommendations based on their story and overall impact – the values they have shared with me. I hope I can impart with you the same values as you run through my recommendations. 끝