The Korean Wave is a huge phenomenon. However, the success of this section of Asian culture is easily explained because, according to University of British Columbia professor Don Baker, it speaks of universal things – topics that people can identify with outside of South Korea.
At the same time, the cinema still stands out brightly against the background of its Western counterparts – largely due to the special oriental flavor, the absence of genre boundaries and many trivial topics that have not yet managed to fill the audience’s teeth. . Dramas (pseudo-South Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong television series) have long been popular with the broad audience: in 2017, American viewers have already surpassed Korean viewers, and in 2020 the views of the corresponding genre on Netflix increased by 370% compared to last year. But the icing on the cake, of course, was the “Squid Game”, which connected the whole world to screens, “The Call of Hell” and “We Are All Dead”, which consolidated the success. Demand for South Korea is as high as ever, and it seems that local writers are not planning to leave the top (even the Korean adaptation of Paper House is among the plans). What to see to know them better?
“We’re All Dead” (2022)
Horror movie series with only 12 episodes. At a high school in the city of Hyosan, a new virus epidemic begins to spread that turns people into zombies, and the trapped high school students must fight their way to freedom. Otherwise, they will join the ranks of the monsters.
“In the Name of Vengeance” (2021)
Crime drama about high school student Yoon Ji-woo whose 17th birthday clearly fails. Because of his father’s activities, the police are chasing him, his classmates are harassing him at school, the teachers are already ready to get rid of a naughty student, and the unlucky father has not been seen at home for a long time. And just as the family reunion is almost done, he is killed in front of his daughter, and Yoon Ji-woo, torn by guilt and hatred, decides to take revenge.
“Mouse” (2021)
Thoughtful detective. An inexperienced police officer with a high sense of justice gets a job in homicide and joins the investigation into a dangerous serial killer case. His moral ideals and principles now face a tough test of strength.
“Hell’s Call” (2021)
The events of the dramatic thriller unfold in 2023, when different people get a prediction about their deaths, and at the exact appointed time, evil creatures come after them and brutally kill them. A cop who lost his wife a few years ago investigates one such case of public murder and learns that his daughter is a member of the popular New Truth religious organization, whose leader sees what happened as divine punishment. .
“Calm Sea” (2021)
A fantastic detective story about the future, where humanity is facing global desertification due to environmental pollution: reservoirs have disappeared and the population is getting water with cards. The government organizes an expedition to the moon to collect important samples from the lab, but then they discover something very different.
“Squid game” (2021 – …)
We think this show needs no introduction: “The Squid Game” became the most popular series ever on Netflix and won a Golden Globe (it’s the first South Korean drama to be nominated for an award in principle).
This is the story of a hundred players who accepted a strange invitation to participate in children’s competitions because they did not need money. A tempting $40 million prize is at stake, and the cast includes a bankrupt financier, a gangster, a terminally ill old man, a North Korean defector, a Pakistani immigrant, a deeply indebted divorcee and many more. But the risks are too high.
“Extra Activities” (2020)
An engaging detective thriller about Korean teenagers. A humble high school student earns a bright future by committing crime at first glance and finds an application where he organizes a prostitute protection service. The job worked perfectly until one day a classmate from a wealthy family discovered her secret.
“Day and Night” (2020)
The two try to unravel the chain of mysterious events connected with what happened in the city 26 years ago. A real hit in South Korea.
“Flower of Evil” (2020)
A Korean cocktail of suspense, detective, melodrama and crime. Cha Ji Won is a detective accustomed to solving complex cases, but also a wife and mother. Everything changes when she learns about her husband’s dark past.
“The Psychopath Diary” (2019)
A serial killer’s diary with detailed descriptions of crimes accidentally falls into the hands of a humble employee of a brokerage firm. And when the man loses his memory due to an accident, he decides from the pages that he is the “hero”.
“The Tramp” (2019)
Stuntman Cha Gun dreams of becoming an action star, but life has its own plans. One day, Korea’s entire national taekwondo team, including his nephew, dies in a plane crash and he decides to find out why. A mix of action, political intrigue, spy games and light romance.
“Zombie Kingdom” (2019 – 2020)
Historical drama and thriller about zombies in one series. At the center of the plot are the Joseon dynasty, which has not yet recovered from a devastating war, and its ruler, who died after a long illness but came back to life in the form of a carnivorous beast. This is the work of a royal adviser who brought a strange disease from a distant village and now has to hide the ruler from the people. The crown prince takes over the clarification of circumstances.
Zombie Kingdom was one of the first Netflix series of 2019, by the way. At the time, the platform allocated a record $2 million budget to shoot an episode, and the success of the series with viewers and critics convinced the world (including broadcast) that the South Korean market was coming.
“What happened to Minister Kim?” (2018)
An ironic melodrama about Lee Yong-jun, a wealthy heir who takes over the vice presidency of a family business. Handsome, smart, arrogant, but still planning to resign, he will not let go of his secretary and … invites him to marry.
“Stranger” (2017 – 2020)
A sophisticated detective thriller about corruption. Prosecutor Hwang Shi-mok underwent serious brain surgery even as a child, after which he forever stopped experiencing emotions that had helped him more than once in his job. He takes on a complex case when he learns that a former colleague has been murdered.
“The Signal” (2016)
Crime drama on the verge of fantasy. A detective from the present finds a strange radio that he can use to communicate with a detective from the past. Together, they begin to unravel complex criminal cases, including the legendary Hwaseong serial killer case.
“Parallel Worlds” (2016)
A fantastic melodrama about love that is not afraid of obstacles. This is a story about a strange and mysterious love between a rich man from the “W” comic and a girl with a real life.
“The Devil” (2016 – 2017)
Romantic drama with fascinating recruiter from “The Squid Game” (Gong Yu). The immortal demon has been living among humans for many years and is pretty tired of life, but he cannot leave this world like this – just by marrying an ordinary person. The chosen one from the demons is a schoolgirl who sees ghosts.
Weightlifting Fairy (2016 – 2017)
A touching sports melodrama based on the biography of an Olympic champion: the daughter of an outstanding athlete follows in the footsteps of her father. There is also a place for first love in the series!
“Descendants of the Sun” (2016 – 2017)
A dramatic thriller about the love story of a UN peacekeeper and a military doctor who find themselves in the capital of a foreign state in the middle of a war.
“Heirs” (2013)
A story about a group of privileged high school students who grow up knowing that in the future they will be in charge of their parents’ jobs. Their lives flow according to the intended course until love interferes with their plans. Teen drama with Korean stars and K-pop.
“Empress Chi” (2013 – 2014)
Ki Seung-nyan was born in Goryeo and became the empress of China’s Yuan Dynasty. In the “program” of the fight with a rival for the heart of the emperor and the confrontation of two monarchs for his position – in general, it will definitely suit those who love love triangles and political intrigues.
“Boys Over Flowers” (2009)
Chan-di is an ordinary girl from a family that runs a dry cleaners. By coincidence, he gets a chance to attend an elite school, but his wealthy and spoiled classmates are not happy with the new student. Classic Korean drama about love.
Source: People Talk
Errol Villanueva is an author and lifestyle journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for exploring the latest trends in fashion, food, travel, and wellness, Errol’s articles are a must-read for anyone interested in living a stylish and fulfilling life.
