K-dramas: 2022, like past several years, was an eventful year for the lovers of Korean dramas around the globe. A recent data shared by Netflix revealed that 60 per cent of the global viewers consumed K-content on the streaming giant. The far and wide outreach of K-dramas have provided creators with enough space to experiment. Gone are the days when K-dramas were limited to romanticism. The new-age slice-of-life K-dramas leave you introspecting, questioning societal norms and hoping for more than just a love story. As the year 2022 gears to close its curtains, let’s take a look at some of the best K-dramas of the year.
My Liberation Notes
Plot: Three siblings, Yeom Chang-hee, Yeom Mi-jeong and Yeom Ki-jeong, struggle with the monotony of their daily lives. Spending majority of their time traveling from Gyeonggi-do to Seoul for work, they are treated as outcasts. Chang-hee feels the world looks down on him because he has a pitiful look in his eyes, while Ki-jeong has had her share of struggles in finding a suitable partner. The youngest one, Mi-jeong, however, is a strong-willed girl who has decided to get liberated from self-loathing. She finds true companionship in Mr Gu who is a mystery to the rest of the world.
Cast: Lee Min-ki, Kim Ji-won, Son Seok-koo, and Lee El.
Where to watch: Netflix
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Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Plot: Of lucid dreams and unwavering dedication, Twenty-Five, Twenty-One is about a group of teenagers whose friendship will warm your heart. Set during the times of IMF crisis, the drama follows Na Hee-do whose passion for fencing forces her to change school where she finds her fiercest competitor Go Yo-rim. On the other hand, life comes crumbling down for Back Yi-jin whose family goes from rags to riches due to the financial crisis. He is forced to take up small jobs to reach to his ultimate goal – journalism. While working at a book store, he meets Na Hee-do and they soon turn from enemies to lover. Spoiler: The ending will break your heart.
Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Bona, Choi Hyun-wook and Lee Joo-myung.
Where to watch: Netflix
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Plot: ‘The world isn’t the best place, but it’s not that bad.’ If you have a pure heart, things will come around for you, sooner of later. Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows lawyer Woo Young Woo, who boasts a high IQ, an impressive memory and a creative thought process. However, she suffers from autism, making everyday interactions difficult for her. Initially seen as odd and awkward, her mannerism is what wins her colleagues over, specially Lee Jun-ho. Another story line that runs parallel shows rivalry between two big law-firms, both chaired by women.
Cast: Park Eun-bin, Kang Tae-oh and Gang Ki-young.
Where to watch: Netflix
Thirty-Nine
Plot: In a world full of Gen-Z, this one is for the millennials. Three friends — Cha Mi-jo, Jeong Chan-young and Jang Joo-hee — in their late 30s stick by each other through thick and thin as they overcomes losses, while also making room for new love and friendships.
Cast: Son Ye-jin, Jeon Mi-do, and Kim Ji-hyu
Where to watch: Netflix
Shooting Stars
Plot: We love stars, in sky and on tv. While the stars in the sky orbit around the moon, the stars down here have a staff running around them. Shooting Stars show what the people working behind the showbiz go through. It also has a love story brewing between top star Gong Tae-song and PR executive Oh Han-byul.
Cast: Lee Sung-kyung, Kim Young-dae, Yoon Jong-hoon, Kim Yoon-hye, Lee Jung-shin, and Park So-jin.
Where to watch: Viki, Netflix
Pachinko
Plot: Based on a book of the same name, the show follows a Korean immigrant family across four generations as they leave their homeland for survival. Pachinko is a multigenerational story of “war and peace, love and loss, triumph and reckoning” told across three languages including Korean, Japanese and English. It also bagged a nomination for Critics’ Choice Awards.
Cast: Kim Min-ha, Lee Min-ho, Noh Sang hyun, and Jin-ha.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Business Proposal
Plot: Shin Ha-ri goes on a blind date in her best friend Jin Young-seo’s stead. Oblivious that Kang Tae-moo, whom she meets on the date, is the owner of her company. Shin Ha-ri passes some quirky comments which are now a part of pop culture. While Shin Ha-ri thinks her below the belt jokes will certainly be a turn off to Kang Tae-moo, the rich heir decides to marry her in order to avoid going on more dates. What follows is a chaotic set of events that change the course of Shin Ha-ri’s life. For better or worse? You will have to find out that on your own. A special mention to Yeong-seo and Cha Sung-Hoon’s love story.
Cast: Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong, Kim Min-kyu, and Seol In-ah.
Where To Watch: Netflix
Tomorrow
Plot: Deemed as an incredibly unique K-drama, it follows three Grim Reapers. They are the sole members of afterlife’s newly formed Risk Management Team. Their job is to prevent suicides and encourage people to live their designated life spans. They also aim to prevent overcrowding in underworld.
Cast: Kim Hee-sun, Rowoon, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Yoon Ji-on.
Where to watch: Netflix
Also read: Upcoming K-dramas in December: From Alchemy of Souls 2 to The Forbidden Marriage
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