By Jae-Ha Kim
Kocowa.com
December 11, 2020
Many of us K-drama fans joke about how we would binge our shows 24/7 if we could. But who has that kind of time? That’s when vacations and holidays come in handy! The Christmas holiday means long weekends and more time than ever to settle down with a big bowl of popcorn (or ramen!) and binge to our hearts content.
K-DRAMAS TO WARM YOUR HEART:
This series about an alien (Kim Soo-Hyun) who eventually falls in love with a spoiled movie star (Jun Ji-Hyun) — who may the reincarnation of his first love — is about as perfect a K-drama as there can be. And, it made a bonafide international star of our male lead. Beautifully told, the story weaves in bits of his centuries old past, which explains why he has had to remain alone (and lonely) during his time on earth. At first glance, the female lead seems simple minded and selfish. But she loves him with all her heart. The ending isn’t fairytale happy, but it provides hope for them (and the viewers).
Prior to his military enlistment in 2017, Ji Chang-Wook filmed “Suspicious Partner” as a gift to his fans. He plays a prosecuting attorney, while Nam Ji-Hyun portrays a fledgling lawyer in this legal rom-com. When her ex-boyfriend enters her apartment unbeknownst to her — and is murdered — she becomes Suspect No. 1. This K-drama has some good cases that the pair will solve. It also has just enough tension to keep us wondering whether the main couple will get together. Just kidding! Of course we know they will end up together! But it’s a fun show to binge. And I’m not going to lie. Ji Chang-Wook is one of the best kissers in K-dramas and his interactions with Nam Ji-Hyun will warm up anyone, no matter how cold it is outside. For real.
K-DRAMAS THAT WILL SCARE YOU … A LITTLE:
“KBS Drama Special: White Christmas”
Don’t be fooled by the title. This is not a Korean remake of the heartwarming 1954 Bing Crosby film of the same name. Set at an elite high school that only accepts the best of the best students from all of South Korea, “White Christmas” tells the story of seven students who remain at school during Christmas vacation — their only break from school — to solve the mystery of why they each received menacing letters from an anonymous source. Snowed in and trapped — with only a teacher as their chaperone — this 2011 series packs quite the punch in its eight episodes.
Don’t judge me, but I initially didn’t want to watch this 2013 series, because I hate being scared. (Ironically, one of my all-time favorite films is the zombie-laden “Train to Busan.”) But once you get used to otherworldly beings jumping out of the dark, you will become invested in their stories — many of which are heartbreaking. As for the relationship between a cold and rich owner of a department store (played by So Ji-Sub) and the hot mess of a woman (Gong Hyo-Jin) who can communicate with ghosts, of course they will fall in love. But even though they are so mismatched and he isn’t very likeable in the beginning, their relationship will grow on viewers.
K-DRAMAS WITH MYSTERIOUS POWERS:
This 2019 story within a story has a fascinating concept. Kim Hye-Yoon figures out that life as she knows is it is all a lie and that she — and all her high school friends — are characters in a manhwa (Korean comic book). Unhappy at being cast as “the friend” to the female lead in the story, she works hard at changing the direction of her fictional life. Why? Because what’s fiction to the comicbook writer is still her real world.
Not for nothing, but is anyone else verklempt about Lee Jong-Suk‘s military enlistment ending on Jan 2, 2021? I am anticipating his comeback next year. But in the meantime, I highly recommend rewatching this 2013 K-drama, where Lee played a high school student who can read people’s minds. With his special gift, he helps an attorney (played by Lee Bo-Young) who — in her youth — had helped his family. The two work together to solve seemingly unsolvable crimes. He develops a schoolboy crush on her that may or may not be reciprocated. And yes, I know there’s an ick factor right there, but watch it and keep track of his age progression.
Happy holidays, everyone! Let me know in the comments below what you’re looking forward to watching during these winter months.
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