Favorite South Korean TV Series & Films
Including different rating tv series with notes on genre and content of those I've watched, ending with high rated but as yet unwatched shows. Sidepoint: IMDB needs to do a better job of non-English Asian or non-Roman letter spelling named films/TV shows to be searchable.
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- StarsLee Min-hoChoi Joon-YoungSoji AraiBased on the New York Times bestseller, this sweeping saga chronicles the hopes and dreams of a Korean immigrant family across four generations as they leave their homeland in an indomitable quest to survive and thrive.Drama beginning in the early 20th century, centering on a Korean woman and her family's immigration and migration story that spans decades of conflicts, loss and love, in Korea, Japan and the USA.
- StarsAdam McArthurLee Je-HoonJung Young-jooWorking as trauma cleaners, both Gu-ru and Sang-gu uncover various stories of the deceased while experiencing different emotions and sentiments toward life, death and family.The story of a single father and his young adult son on the Autistic Spectrum, who work as "trauma cleaners". Bittersweet and moving, each episode tells the story of the one who passed away, as well as tells more about the father-son team's past and present life.
- StarsHyun BinSon Ye-jinSeo Ji-hyeThe absolute top secret love story of a chaebol heiress who made an emergency landing in North Korea because of a paragliding accident and a North Korean special officer who falls in love with her and who is hiding and protecting her.English title: "Crash Landing on You". A whole new meaning to long-distance love! This series has drama, intrigue and comedy in portraying the life of a young South Korean woman who accidentally lands in North Korea.
- DirectorShin Jae MyungKim Su-Jin-IHa YooStarsZo In-sungJu Jin-moSong Ji-hyoA historical drama set in the Koryo dynasty and focused on the relationship between a king and his bodyguard.English title: "A Frozen Flower". An Adult historical drama that's exciting, brutal and heart-breaking. A film, but an unforgettable experience recommended for those not faint of heart.
- StarsJu Ji-hoonBae DoonaKim SungkyuWhile strange rumors about their ill King grip a kingdom, the crown prince becomes their only hope against a mysterious plague overtaking the land.The best series I've seen with a mythical reason for flesh-eating monsters, plus the perk of a historical setting with beautiful wardrobe and edge of your set action. Recommended!
- StarsSong KangLee Jin-wookLee Si-youngHyun, a loner high school student who lost his entire family in a terrible accident, is forced to leave his home and has to face a new reality where monsters are trying to wipe out all of humanity. Now he must fight against all odds to try and race against the clock to save what is left of the human race before it's too late.Inventive creatures, funny characters and terrifying situations in an apartment block sheltering from an outbreak of turning people into monsters. Genuinely engaging and hilarious at times.
- StarsYoo Ah-inKim Hyun-jooPark Jeong-minUnearthly beings deliver bloody condemnations, sending individuals to hell and giving rise to a religious group founded on the idea of divine justice.English title: "Hellbound". Frustrating at times, but interesting too, on why and how certain people are selected for termination by supernatural beasts who apparently drag them to Hell.
- StarsLee Byung-hunKim Tae-riYoo Yeon-seokA young boy who ends up in the U.S. after the 1871 Shinmiyangyo incident returns to Korea at a historical turning point and falls for a noblewoman.English title, "Mr. Sunshine". Another much needed perspective on the challenges, conflicts and reality of Americans with eastern Asian origins. A strong, well-acted drama.
- StarsPark Jun-HeeHyun Woo YooKim Tae-JungA time-slip fantasy romance between Heon, the deposed Crown Prince who is trapped in the painting, Guem, a guard silently protecting the prince, and Eun Ho, a high school student who adores painting and living in the presentA BL (boys love) series this time realized in a light-hearted gay themed story of affection and slight angst featuring time travel from present day back to Korea's historic past.
- StarsPark Hae-sooJung Kyung-hoKrystal JungBaseball pitcher Kim Je-hyeok becomes a convict overnight after being sent to prison for defending his sister from a sexual assault, days before he was due to fly to the US to join the Boston Red Sox.English title, "Prison Playbook." A slow burn drama that picks up in action and finally delivers in spades.
- DirectorCheol-soo JangStarsSeo Yeong-hieJi Seong-wonMin-ho HwangA woman subject to mental, physical and sexual abuse on a remote island seeks a way out.English title, "Bedevilled". Hard to watch at times but also compelling. A psychological thriller in an idyllic setting on an island in South Korea. A modern day version of "A Frozen Flower", in its way.
- StarsJisu ChoiSteve Sang-Hyun NohSejin LeeA light-hearted time travel fantasy where three scholars from the Joseon era are swept forward to modern-day Seoul. After adapting to this new life with the help of a young female museum manager, they must decide on going back or staying.English title "300 Year Old Class of 2020". Another light-hearted time travel fantasy that's cute, funny and with a touch of romance. A short series and nice time passer.
- StarsKim Min-jaeGong Seung-yeonSeo Ji-HoonA king makes a request to Joseon's best dating agency "Flower Crew" to protect his first love. Upon his request, the matchmakers at the agency risk their own lives to transform the lowly woman Gae Ddong into the most noble woman.English title: "Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency." Another period piece featuring great wardrobe and beautiful settings. A light romantic comedy series of a team of male marriage makers.
- DirectorYong-hwa KimStarsHa Jung-wooCha Tae-hyunJu Ji-hoonAfter a heroic death, a firefighter navigates the afterlife with the help of three guides.English title: "Along with the Gods: The Two Tales". Great fantasy elements in this story of a recently deceased fireman trying to pass trials to reach heaven with the help of guardians spirits.
- DirectorYong-hwa KimStarsHa Jung-wooJu Ji-hoonKim Hyang-giIn the afterlife, one guardian helps a man through his trials, while his two colleagues help a former guardian on earth.English title "Along with the gods: 49 Days". The sequel continues the story of two brothers seeking reincarnation. However, the stories of the guardian spirits assisting them become even more important. Great fantasy drama.
- StarsJisu ChoiSteve Sang-Hyun NohSejin LeeA light-hearted time travel fantasy where three scholars from the Joseon era are swept forward to modern-day Seoul. After adapting to this new life with the help of a young female museum manager, they must decide on going back or staying.English title, "300 year old Class of 2020". A light-hearted time travel fantasy with a touch of romance.
- StarsKang In SooSejin LeeJang Eui-sooOne warm day, the wedding of Ryu Ho Seon and the beautiful bride Choi Hwa Jin begins. But on the first night, the bride he expected is suspicious. It's not a woman, but a man. Choi Ki Wan, brother of Hwa Jin who disappeared before the wedding because of her hatred for political marriages, is sitting in the room with Ho Seon instead. He tries to reverse the marriage, but his ill mother opposes it. They pursue their union and should never be caught by anyone. A few days later, Kim Tae Hyeong, a senior at Ho Seon's school, comes to congratulate him. But he falls for Ki Wan and courts him, putting them in a difficult position. With the interests of the sick mother and Tae Hyeong who sends letters tirelessly, there is no time to rest. And one day, Hwa Jin reappears. How to get everything back in place? And what is this pain in their heart?A BL (boy love) series of a young man who fills in as bride when his sister runs away. Hijinks ensue as he tries to hide his "real" self from his new in-laws. Light-hearted fun.
- StarsJang Keun-sukYeo Jin-gooJun Kwang-ryulDae-Gil and King Yeongjo enter a match. Dae-Gil bets his life and King Yeongjo bets the entire Kingdom of Joseon on the outcome.English title: "Jackpot". A chronic gambler can't resist a bet whose outcome influences an entire kingdom and the fate of his son and the King's family. A spanning drama with plenty of action, intrigue and forbidden love.
- StarsMoon Geun-youngJang So-yeonYook Sung-jaeAchiara is a quiet, peaceful village with hardly any crime. But on her first day of school there, English-language instructor Kim So-yoon discovers a buried corpse. As the townspeople speculate on the identity of the dead person and the reason she was killed, So-yoon and policeman Park Woo-jae become determined to solve the mystery.English title: "The Village: Achiara's Secret". A young teacher finds a body on the first day of her new job. A whole graveyard of secrets are then to be found, as a serial killer continues his hunt. Drawn out at times, but still entertaining.
- DirectorBong Joon HoStarsSong Kang-hoLee Sun-kyunCho Yeo-jeongGreed and class discrimination threaten the newly-formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.English title "Parasite". Might be hated but it was only a good film which I liked and that the West picked up on because it reflected more their attention values. I've seen many better South Korean that were better IMO.
- DirectorJi-hoon KimStarsCha Seung-wonKim Seong-gyoonLee Kwang-sooA working class family move into a new condo purchased after 11 years of hard work. They throw a housewarming party to show his co-workers when overnight a heavy downpour creates an extremely deep sinkhole that engulfs the entire building.A dark comedic disaster film about an apartment block that drops into a sinkhole, and how some of the tenants survive to be rescued.
- StarsLee Jung-jaePark Hae-sooDylan BesseauHundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits with deadly high stakes: a survival game that has a whopping 45.6 billion-won prize at stake.Unwatched as yet.
- StarsJang HyukYu Oh-seongKim Min-jungMany great men come from humble beginnings. During the end of the tumultuous Chosun Dynasty, Chun Bong Sam is a poor peddler who inherits a run-down inn. Through hard work and perseverance against a corrupt bureaucracy, Bong Sam achieves great success and becomes a powerful merchant. Can he help shape the way that industry and business should be done in the emerging modern era?Unwatched as yet. Historical drama.
- StarsSong Joong-kiSong Hye-kyoJin GooThis drama tells of the love story that develops between a surgeon and a special forces officer.Unwatched as yet. Contemporary love story.
- StarsHa Ji-WonJi Chang-wookOh Gwang-RokA Korea-born warrior girl had to be a servant at the Mongol Yuan court but somehow overcame her low status to become an empress in another land.Unwatched as yet. Historical drama.
- StarsJang HyukOh Ji-hoLee Da-haeDae-gil is the leader of a group of slave hunters that are hired to find a runaway slave named Tae-ha, who was once a great warrior.Unwatched as yet. Historical drama.
- StarsCho Seung-wooPark Shin-hyeAndrew LeeAn unfathomable incident introduces a genius engineer to dangerous secrets of the world, and to a woman from the future who's come looking for him.Unwatched as yet. Scifi/fantasy.
- StarsJi Chang-wookLisa YamadaHwang In-YoupWhen she was little, Yun Ai dreamed of becoming a magician. But in reality, she's just a high school student who can't even afford new socks. After meeting a mysterious magician at a carnival, she decides to follow her dream.English title: "The Sound of Magic". Unwatched as yet. Fantasy/urban drama.
- StarsTaecyeonKim Hye-yoonJung Soon-wonSet in Joseon dynasty, it tells the story of a young gourmet who unintentionally becomes a royal inspector and a divorced woman who rushes to find happiness, as they team up to investigate and defeat corrupt politicians.Unwatched as yet. Historical light comedy drama.