Top 10 Best Dramas(popular and underrated) New Drama Viewer

I am of firm belief that this is the best Korean drama(period)I`ve ever seen. One of two dramas on this list with whose writer I`d like to have a word and pick his/her brain. It`s Okay,That`s Love is the only show I look back on and can find no faults whatsoever. In fact, I`ve rewatched it three times and I only become MORE enamored with it. I absolutely adore how the whole cast managed to swerve almost every trope that comes with romcoms, while still staying true to the formula. I love every character, their stories and how fleshed out they are. This drama is proof that characters and conflicts can be anything but boring and I`ve at no point while watching this, had the urge to see how much time there`s left. As if that`s not enough, the OST for this drama is WORK OF ART. It`s personal, original and memorable.Despite this(the music, the writing, how respectfully they`ve managed to present mental disorders and THAT SATISFYING EDING), the hidden weapon of this drama is how realistically it portrays a relationship. Our protagonists, Ji Hae-soo and Jang Jae-yeol, are real people.They act as adults. Their relationship moves relatively fast, which I appreciated, since we skipped this unneeded Will they, won`t they trope dramas love to incorporate up until the last episode. The struggles they face(miscommunication,conflict of interest,different stances...)are actually real problems couples have to deal with often. There`s no love triangles, rich families keeping them apart...It`s a depiction of two mature adults who TALK about their issues calmly and come up with solutions. And that, my friends, I haven`t seen since...well, ever in the dramaworld. Each and every cast member on this project should feel PROUD for having been a part of it and this is the kind of story I wish I had written myself.

(It`s also the only 10 I`ve ever given and probably will give)

They often say "Classics exist for a reason". And while in the world of drama, that is more often than not, untrue(I`m looking at you, CLOY), in the case of Coffee Prince, it`s the truest statement. Because this drama, a pioneer in many things, manages to do what dramas seldom can:It creates a feeling of belonging. Of a FAMILY. Oh, and one of the best juxtapositions between two couples I`ve ever seen. When I mentioned how I`ll include dramas with cliché tropes, does that really count if the drama in question basically STARTED them all?For the longest time, I`ve hesitated to watch this for many reasons that now seem so,  so silly. I`ve also rewatched this blast from the past more times than I`d like to admit and most importantly:If you`re unsure with which Korean drama you should start your career as a drama watcher, I RECOMMEND THIS ONE!

Ah yes, the old airheaded female lead and tsundere male lead. Why did I put this here...Oh wait. Because this drama is so much more than that. A story that originated in manga form(which is extremely nonsensical and toxic at times) was successfully transformed into one of the best new Japanese dramas yet. That`s what happens when you have a talented cast of actors and writers on board. Characters that seem cookie-cutter suddenly become great and original(no weird tsundere tropes to be seen here, folks), plot that was cliché even in the early 2000s suddenly has some merit and most of all, there`s heart in this. Every actor gives his all to deliver some romcom greatness. And succeeds. This is a drama meant for all those who thought Itazura na Kiss is just fine, as this is what Itazura na Kiss wanted to be.

If anyone is a fan of law shows, dramas(anything), it`s this girl right here. And if you`re like me, you`ve always wondered if there was a way to have a corrupt protagonist who`s cunning and strong enough to destroy anything in their wake. And while we got something like that(Lawless Lawyer) I still craved something more original and SOMEONE whom I can analyze more. And then, Hyena is what I came across accidentally. And I haven`t looked back ever since. Geum Ja, th e savage, yet upfront female lead, IS the most compelling female character I`ve seen this far in a drama. PERIOD. Morally corrupt, no idea between right and wrong and yet hers and the quiet development of romance between her and Yoon Hee-jae(her competitor and victim really) is MARVELOUS. It`s enemies to lovers excellence. And more than that, though some aspects of her thinking change, this isn`t the type of drama where the female lead completely changes to a damsel in distress halfway through. Geum Ja stays strong, at times unsympathetic, but she fundamentally stays as herself. Oh, and the cases are interesting, the OST is full of energy and the cinematography is beautiful.

My frame of thinking while realizing how good and rightfully hyped this drama is, is admittedly very similar to my number 3 on this list. This story has been told before. In fact, it has been told so much in every media form, that it should`ve been just forgettable to me. And yet. It`s good, buckaroos. It`s very, very good. Itaewon Class starts off with a bang. From its first scene, you KNOW it`s a drama you`ll keep on watching. And what an easy watch it is. Because in reality, I`ve finished this drama in a bit more than a day. That`s basically unheard of for me. When it comes to it, though, rather than breaking it apart and finding what worked for me, I like to see this drama as an earnest amalgamation that succeeded despite the odds stacked against it. Oh, and it stars Park Seo Joon in his best role to date, so there`s that too.

A voyeuristic fantasy. If I had to use a simple phrase to describe the nuanced approach to One Spring Night, it would be that. Because it`s shot in a way that makes me feel like I`m imposing on people`s private conversations and situations. Like eavesdropping. Like a naughty child. And like I mentioned before, this is the second drama whose writer and producer I`d like to interview. Because their vision is beautiful. To be completely honest, this is one of  the more polarizing picks on this list, because of how slow it can be for some people. It`s definitely not an easy watch for most, though I finished it fairly quickly. I also decided to watch it going blindly in, so that`s how I`d also recommend you to watch and see if it piques your interest. Keep in mind, it`s melancholic, it`s too ordinary at times, but the ambiance it evokes is unmatched. In a cozy, thinking-about-your-life kind of way. Oh, and the OST is my personal second best.

A controversial take: Student-professor stories can work, dramas!If it`s done like Hajimete Koi wo Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi or A Story to Read on the First Day You Fall in Love. This is a tale of first loves, of self development and the most adorably clueless female protagonist I`ve ever seen, played by Kyoko Fukada, one of the most talented Japanese actresses working today. It`s an airheaded drama that`s weirdly believable. Because it tastefully plays with ideas and forbidden romances, unlike some others. It`s delightfully fluffy, feel good and perfectly lovable.

And another one*DJ Khaled`s voice booms*. Erm, yeah, this is a drama that will leave you scarred and labeled by its existence. As I`ve mentioned in the review itself, it`s as if Parasite was a drama. Secret Love Affair is dark, grimy and filled with unlikeable and morally neutral characters. And in spite of this, it`s a work of art that goes under most people`s radar and is greatly underappreciated by most. It`s a story of corrupt rich and an individual`s wish to survive in such a world.This is a drama that will be either loved or hated. And it`s one who acted as a reason for most of my heated debates with other drama lovers. It isn`t easy to watch nor easy to understand, but it will leave you with a tingly feeling of intrigue and intensity you won`t be able to shake off.

IT`S INTENSE

A comedy for weird misfits, is what this is. Let me tell you, I have no children, I`m not pregnant...I`m not even in a relationship!And even still, I found this drama insanely funny. This is one of those comedies you don`t have to find relatable(eugh) to be funny. It`s short, sweet and strangely educational. As I am no fan of slapstick, opting for dry, typically British humor instead, this is still weirdly engaging. So don`t be scared of it and give it a chance!

Do I even have to say anything?If you don`t know, I almost feel like Mr. Queen was that hyped drama of 2020. It was EVERYWHERE. On portals, forums, social media...So, did it deliver?Yeah, big time. Never have  I wished a drama had more episodes to explain even more of its intentions. It`s a rightfully heralded project. Acting is top-notch for a reason, the comedy, while not hitting all the marks, is miles better than most in its category. The plot is wildly camp and interesting and the ending is a hot topic for discussion. Can it get any better?