“Little Women” (작은 아씨들)

“Little Women” is a female-led K-drama that’s a loose adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel of the same name. And I mean really loose. The central characters share some of the personality traits as the book’s sisters. And a primary theme in both revolves around the class distinctions between the wealthy and the poor. But this Korean version has its own tale to tell. The show doesn’t vilify the rich so much as it presents scenarios where good people are tempted to commit a crime, because they have nothing left to lose.

“Yumi’s Cells” (유미의 세포들): Season 2

The second season of “Yumi’s Cells” picks up where season one left off. After Yumi and Woong’s breakup, she ventures into a new relationship with an exceedingly attractive colleague named Ba-bi. They go on sweet dates and slowly fall in love. But when things seem too good to be true, Yumi almost anticipates their breakup. That’s what she has come to expect from men.

“Yumi’s Cells” (유미의 세포들): Season 1

Yumi is a woman in her early thirties, who had spent most of her twenties with a man who used her financially, cheated on her and then left her after seven years together. She viewed those as wasted years and, in some ways, is correct. Doting on a partner who doesn’t value you is nothing to be proud of. But there’s also something to be said for learning from negative experiences.

“The King: Eternal Monarch” (더 킹: 영원의 군주)

“The King: Eternal Monarch” was Lee Min-Ho’s comeback drama after finishing his mandatory military service in 2019. Beautifully shot and well acted by the lead actors, the series nonetheless is a bit of a hot mess when it comes to the meandering plot.

“Goblin: The Lonely and Great God” (쓸쓸하고 찬란하신 도깨비)

There are few things in life that would be more difficult than to watch generations of loved ones grow old and die, while you live on for centuries without them. Such is the case with Kim Shin, a dokkaebi (goblin). For more than 900 years, he has been cursed to live a life of loneliness as atonement for all the enemies he killed during his days as an unbeatable general. Yes, his victims would’ve slain him if they had the opportunity. But, as God says in the narration, they were all precious creations, as well.