Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo - 달의 연인 보보경심 려
29th August 2016 - 1st November 2016
This drama is pretty average in my opinion. There was a lot of hype for this drama since IU was one of the lead. Granted that the actors and actresses involved here are novices compared to the actors and actresses of the dramas I will recommend later on, but this drama is quite decent. I wasn't really moved to the point that I want to watch the entire episode for the second time; but who knows I might in the future. I love IU and Lee Joon-gi (이존기) and thought that they both played their characters well. I also love how beautiful the sets are and the traditional costumes.The story is about a modern era girl (IU) who went back in time during the Goryeo Dynasty. She woke up in a new body of a girl called Hae Soo. While living in the past, she encounters the princes of the Wang family. Hae Soo was quick to befriend the princes and developed deeper feelings with the mysterious 4th prince, Wang So (Lee Joon-gi). This story surrounds around friendship and the intense rivalry among the princes to sit on the throne.
Let's fight ghost - 싸우자 귀신아
11th July 2016 - 30th August 2016
This drama is pretty good but it gave me a good scare! The chemistry between Kim So-Hyun (김소현) and Ok Taecyeon (옥택연) was great. This drama is a good comedy/horror/thriller which will leave you longing. But fear not, the drama has a well-connected storyline that will answer all uncertainties. It reminds me of Oh My Ghost from my 2015 list but with a completely different storyline.
Park Bong-pal (Ok Taecyeon) has an ability to see ghosts and uses this ability to work as an exorcist to banish ghosts in order to make enough money to take away his ability to see ghosts. One day, he was called to a haunted school and encountered Kim Hyun-Ji (Kim So-Hyun), a feisty middle high-school student who became a wandering spirit. The two accidentally kissed and Hyun-Ji discovered that Bong-pal holds the secret as to why she is a spirit. In order to be freed from endlessly wandering the earth as a ghost and to ascend to the next life, Hyun-Ji convinces Bong-pal to allow her to live with him and the two become ghost fighting partners.
Park Bong-pal (Ok Taecyeon) has an ability to see ghosts and uses this ability to work as an exorcist to banish ghosts in order to make enough money to take away his ability to see ghosts. One day, he was called to a haunted school and encountered Kim Hyun-Ji (Kim So-Hyun), a feisty middle high-school student who became a wandering spirit. The two accidentally kissed and Hyun-Ji discovered that Bong-pal holds the secret as to why she is a spirit. In order to be freed from endlessly wandering the earth as a ghost and to ascend to the next life, Hyun-Ji convinces Bong-pal to allow her to live with him and the two become ghost fighting partners.
W: Two worlds - 더블유
20th July 2016 - 14th September 2016
I had high hopes for this drama when it first aired. Actress Han Yoo-Joo (한효주) is one of my favourite female actresses, especially after watching her earlier drama Spring Waltz (봄의 왈츠) back in 2006. Actor Lee Jong-Suk (이종석) is also a no-brainer when it comes to Korean drama. He has been in numerous dramas in the past and the most notable of all is when he was paired with Park Shin-Hye in the drama Pinocchio (피노키오). Moving on....
The start was very amusing. Han Yoo-Joo and Lee Jong-Suk portrayed their characters very well especially when it comes to their unpredictable couple status. This drama is so intense in a sense that there is absolutely no way of knowing where the director and screenwriters are taking the story. This was both the good and bad point of the drama. Bad because the story just became way too complicated in the middle and everything got tangled up. It's unfortunate that the last two episodes felt rushed. Good because it made the viewers interested and curious as to how the ending would result. I got hooked throughout the 16 episodes! (SPOILER ALERT) For me personally, I would have just left the "crazy dad" story completely and stick to a simpler plot, but hey I guess that's one of the charms of the drama.
Oh Yeon-Joo's (Han Hyo-Joo) is a surgeon whose father is famous webtoon writer. The father mysteriously went missing while writing the last chapter of his webtoon "W". When Yeon-Joo went to look for his father in his office, she was stunned to see a scene of Kang Cheol (Lee Jong-suk), the main character of W, dying on her father's computer. While reading a note left behind by her father, a hand from the monitor pulled her in. She finds herself on the rooftop of a building next to a bleeding man. She managed to save him and realised that the person she saved was Kang Cheol. She then found out that she can only leave the webtoon based on Kang Cheol's change in feelings. When that happens, the phrase 'to be continued' will appear and Yeon-Joo will be teleported back to the real world. The longer Yeon-Joo stays in the webtoon world the more she falls in love with Kang Cheol, who she also wants to save from her father, who badly wants to get rid of KangCheol and end the webtoon series.
The K2 - 더 케이투
23rd September 2016 - 11th November 2016
I like the story of this drama, however, I was not a fan of the pairing between Ji Chang-Wook (지창욱) and Yoona (임윤아). There was something missing between them and I just can't pinpoint what it was. Lack of chemistry maybe?
Chang-Wook expressed in his recent interviews that The K2 will be his last action drama due to the fact that his body has suffered so many injuries while filming numerous amount of action dramas. I really wanted to support him in this drama and he did really amazing! His action scenes were great, just as much as his acting. I know Chang-Wook is a great actor and I can't wait what the next year will bring him. Yoona, on the other hand, is still a rookie in acting. Regardless of this new pairing, they still managed to end the drama well.
Kim Je-ha (Chang-Wook) is a former mercenary soldier for Blackstone. While in Iraq, he got framed for the murder of his lover. As a result, he ran away and became a fugitive. He returned to South Korea and by chance, got offered to work as a bodyguard by Choi Yoo-jin (Song Yoon-ah), the owner of JSS Security Company and wife of the presidential candidate, Jang Se-Joon (Jo Sung-ha). He accepted the job and was assigned to guard Go Anna (Yoona), the hidden daughter of Jang Se-Joon. Anna lived a very lonely life since the death of her paternal mother. She started relying on Je-ha, who shows concern for her and protects her at all costs.
Kim Je-ha (Chang-Wook) is a former mercenary soldier for Blackstone. While in Iraq, he got framed for the murder of his lover. As a result, he ran away and became a fugitive. He returned to South Korea and by chance, got offered to work as a bodyguard by Choi Yoo-jin (Song Yoon-ah), the owner of JSS Security Company and wife of the presidential candidate, Jang Se-Joon (Jo Sung-ha). He accepted the job and was assigned to guard Go Anna (Yoona), the hidden daughter of Jang Se-Joon. Anna lived a very lonely life since the death of her paternal mother. She started relying on Je-ha, who shows concern for her and protects her at all costs.
Mirror of the witch - 마녀보감
13th May 2016 - 16th July 2016
Mirror of the witch is a good drama that I enjoyed watching during my semester break. I was very impressed with the female lead Kim Sae-Ron (김새론) after finding out that she was only 16 years old! I seriously did not find anything wrong with her pairing with the lead actor Yoon Dong-Gu (윤동구) despite their century and a half age gap. I'm seriously impressed. If you're into historical/horror/thriller drama then I'd recommend this 100%.Queen Shim (Jang Hee-jin) is unable to have a child and sought help from a shaman named Hong-Joo (Yum Jung-ah) to give birth to a prince. Hong-Joo told Queen Shim to deceive a young shaman named Hae-ran who possessed special abilities enabling her to sleep with the king so she can become pregnant. Hong-Joo then used black magic to transfer the fetus to the Queen and then kill Hae-ran. Unfortunately, Hae-Ran found out everything and cursed the Queen's baby before dying.
Queen Shim later gave birth to twins, Crown Prince Soon-Hwae (Yeo Hoe-Hyun) and princess Yeon-Hee (Kim Sae-rRon. Because of the curse, the Queen had to abandon the princess. Shaman Choi Hyun-Seo (Lee Sung-Jae) looked after the princess in an isolated house surrounded by talismans. A young scholar named Heo Jun (Yoon Shi-Yoon) encountered the isolated princess Yeon-hee and since then he remained by Yeon-hee's side in order to help her break the curse.
Shopping King Louis - 쇼핑왕 루이
21st September 2016 - 10th November 2016
This drama is so pure and innocent, which is why I love it. It is my first time watching Seo In-Guk (서인국) and Nam Ji-Hyun (서인국) lead in a drama. They were actually adorable together. I love how Ji-Hyun worked really hard to speak in that "Gangwondo-accent". I also love how this drama portrays kindness and human affection in the most absolute manner.
This drama is about a romantic comedy about Louis (Seo In-guk), a rich heir who always spends money to buy everything he desire. One day, he woke up in the middle of Seoul while wearing a strange ripped-off luxury jacket and without memory of who he is. He met Bok-Shil (Nam Ji-hyun), a pure and energetic woman from the countryside who decided to help him since Louis was wearing her lost sibling's jacket. She is at first astounded by his spending habits. In the process of teaching him to only buy bare necessities or inexpensive small kindnesses that lighten up one's day; she also learns that bare necessities are not same for everyone as they depend on everyone's own values that shape their life and thus their shopping patterns. Both have innate innocence which bring them to care for each other..leading to undeniable love.
My wife is having an affair - 이번 주, 아내가 바람을 핍니다
28th October 2016 - 3rd December 2016
This drama is actually hilarious despite the sad theme surrounding it. I absolutely loved this short drama and wished it had more episodes. I can't even recall how many times I shed a tear or two while watching this drama. It just melts my heart. I am a serious fan of Song Ji Hyo (송지효) and absolutely loved her acting in this drama. Lee Sun-Kyun (이선균) is also an amazing veteran actor whose acting captured my heart. I felt like I was sharing the pain with them even though it's only a drama. I also loved the office couple between Lee Sang-Yeob (이상엽) and BoA. They're soo cute and adorable and Sang-Yeob is such a cutie! I also have to mention the 7-year old actor Kim Kang-hoon, who played Jihyo and Sun-Kyung's son, for his charming acting. This is seriously a must watch!
The drama is about Do Hyun-Woo (Lee Sun-Kyun) who has worked as a PD for the past 10 years. He learnt that his wife is having an affair and doesn't know what to do. Do Hyun-Woo, who tries to protect his marriage, talks with anonymous people through online social networks for advice. Can he save his marriage or will he have to learn to live a new life opposite from what he has been used to?
Reply 1988 - 응답하라 1988
6th November 2015 - 16th January 2016
Let me start off by saying, I LOVE THIS DRAMA. Everything is perfect! Although this drama started airing in 2015, I refrained myself from putting it on my 2015 list because I wasn't really a big fan of the Reply-series and did not pay much attention of the drama until it was nearing its end. Just like the rest of the Reply series, Reply 1988 is a family-centred drama that involves a group of young friends living in the 1980's. This drama portrays a typical Korean family at that time. I enjoyed the set of the drama because it showed me what it was like living in the 80's. I cannot fault this drama. The storyline, the set, the actors and actresses, everything is perfect! A definite must watch!
Duk-Sun (Hyeri), Jung-Hwan (Ryoo Joon-Yeol), Sun-Woo (Ko Gyung-Pyo) and Dong-Ryong (Lee Dong-Hwi) are high school students and Taek (Park Bo-Gum) is a go player. These five people have been friends since they were little kids. They all grew up together their families are also very close to each other. They always hang around Taek's room and spend time together.
Duk-Sun’s family is poor and they live in a semi-basement house. Nevertheless, Duk-Sun has a bright personality and enjoys singing and dancing. She always gets into fights with her older sister Bo-Ra (Ryoo Hye-Young).
Jung-Hwan’s family became rich overnight. Jung-Hwan is crazy about soccer.
Sun-Woo is a model student at school, good son and a good brother at home. Sun-Woo’s mother has raised Sun-Woo and his younger sister alone after Sun-Woo’s father passed away.
Dong-Ryong likes dancing and hanging out with his 4 friends. He gives up going to a university due to his poor academic score.
Taek is a famous go player known as God. Since he dropped out of school, Duk-Sun, Jung-Hwan, Sun-Woo and Dong-Ryong are his only friends.
Duk-Sun’s family is poor and they live in a semi-basement house. Nevertheless, Duk-Sun has a bright personality and enjoys singing and dancing. She always gets into fights with her older sister Bo-Ra (Ryoo Hye-Young).
Jung-Hwan’s family became rich overnight. Jung-Hwan is crazy about soccer.
Sun-Woo is a model student at school, good son and a good brother at home. Sun-Woo’s mother has raised Sun-Woo and his younger sister alone after Sun-Woo’s father passed away.
Dong-Ryong likes dancing and hanging out with his 4 friends. He gives up going to a university due to his poor academic score.
Taek is a famous go player known as God. Since he dropped out of school, Duk-Sun, Jung-Hwan, Sun-Woo and Dong-Ryong are his only friends.
Lucky Romance - 운빨로맨스
25th May 2016 - 14th July 2016
Another fave of mine this 2016. Extremely hilarious and deserves more attention than it got. The story of this drama is really unique which I love. You seriously have to watch it to know what I'm talking about. The storyline is pretty easy to follow, thus the reason why I don't want to write more. As usual, Ryu Jun-Yeol ( 류준열) can play an adorable role while Hwang Jung-eum (황정음) can hit the crying scenes on the spot. I love the simplicity of the drama and how it shows that a storyline doesn't have to be complicated for it to become a big hit.
The drama centres on the romantic and comedic interactions between Shim Bo-Nui, a woman who has blind faith in superstitions and fortune-tellings, with Je Soo-ho, CEO of a Game developer company who is a scientific and logical man.
This drama was the talk of the town early this year and for a good reason. I'm not really a fan of dramas that involve soldiers and lots of fighting but this was nothing like that. I also love how beautiful the drama sets are especially the beach in Greece. This was Song Joong-Ki's (송중기) first drama after he got released from military service. Just about every female had a twinkle in their eyes when they saw Joong-Ki's massive change since he left for millitary. He went from an innocent flower boy to a savvy hunk within those 2 years of absence. The lead actress Song Hye-Kyo (송혜교) is also a household name in Korea for her popular dramas in the past. This was also her first comeback drama since her 2013 "That winter the wind blows" drama. I also have to mention the pairing between Jin Goo (진구) and Kim Ji-Won (김지원) they were such a cute scene stealer couple! This is a serious must watch from this year!
A soldier and a doctor believe they've found true love in each other until they realise the difference in their jobs may cause a rift too big to close. Will they overcome this hurdle or will it only drift them apart from each other?
The drama centres on the romantic and comedic interactions between Shim Bo-Nui, a woman who has blind faith in superstitions and fortune-tellings, with Je Soo-ho, CEO of a Game developer company who is a scientific and logical man.
Descendants of the sun - 태양의 후예
24th February 2016 - 14th April 2016
This drama was the talk of the town early this year and for a good reason. I'm not really a fan of dramas that involve soldiers and lots of fighting but this was nothing like that. I also love how beautiful the drama sets are especially the beach in Greece. This was Song Joong-Ki's (송중기) first drama after he got released from military service. Just about every female had a twinkle in their eyes when they saw Joong-Ki's massive change since he left for millitary. He went from an innocent flower boy to a savvy hunk within those 2 years of absence. The lead actress Song Hye-Kyo (송혜교) is also a household name in Korea for her popular dramas in the past. This was also her first comeback drama since her 2013 "That winter the wind blows" drama. I also have to mention the pairing between Jin Goo (진구) and Kim Ji-Won (김지원) they were such a cute scene stealer couple! This is a serious must watch from this year!A soldier and a doctor believe they've found true love in each other until they realise the difference in their jobs may cause a rift too big to close. Will they overcome this hurdle or will it only drift them apart from each other?
The legend of the blue sea - 푸른 바다의 전설
16th November 2016 - 19th January 2016
When I saw the preview of this drama on facebook I was immediately hooked. I've been a fan of both Lee Min-ho (이민호) and Jun Ji-Hyun (전지현) for a long time now and I know that they're both incredible actor and actress. This drama is a comeback drama for both Min-ho and Ji-Hyun since their respective hit dramas from 2013 the Hiers and My love from another star. Even though this drama is only half-way its 20 episodes, I'm 100% sure that this will remain one of my favourites this 2016. I have nothing else to say but to watch this! It's very hilarious and has a unique storyline that you sure will love!This drama tells the love story between the son of a Joseon noble family named Kim Dam-Ryeong (Lee Min-ho) and a mermaid he named Se-Hwa (Jun Ji-Hyun). When Dam-ryeong was a kid, he was saved by a mermaid from drowning. Following the incident, they became friends and Dam-ryeong named her Se-Hwa, after his younger sister. They ended up falling in love, but one day Dam-ryeong was forced by his family to marry another girl. Devastated at the news, Se-Hwa decides to leave Dam-ryeong forever and erased all his memories of their love. However, fate brings them back together and they tried to escape from humans who were going to separate them.
The fates of Dam-ryeong and Se-Hwa become entwined with their modern day incarnations. Dam-Ryeong was reborn as Heo Joon-Jae, a charming con-artist. He meets Se-Hwa again (whom he later named Shim Chung) in Spain, and she was quickly besotted by him. Linked by dreams and mysterious artefacts, JoonJaee learns of Dam-Ryeong's world and his own fate.
Moonlight drawn by the clouds - 구르미 그린 달빛
22nd August 2016 - 18th October 2016
This drama is amazing!! From the moment I saw the trailer where Park Bo-Gum (박보검) was dancing Bombastic, I knew immediately that I had to watch this drama. I love how witty, hilarious and well written this drama is. It will not leave you confused nor disappointed. I've loved Bo-Gum ever since he played a role in Reply 1988 and Kim Yoo-jung (김유정) is a no brainer since she's a really popular child actress. Everything about this is great. From the beautiful historical sets to the fist clinching ninja fight scenes, ahhhhh butterflies! The chemistry between Bo-Gum and Yoo-Jung is amazing even off screen; I know because I've seen off-screen videos of them on YouTube >.< hahaha. This is my number #1 recommended drama of 2016, without a doubt! AHHHH JEONHA! haha
This story is about Hong Ra-On (Yoo-jung) who disguises herself as a man and works as a dating counsellor and a love story writer under the name "Sam-Nom". Due to a love letter, she wrote for a client, she meets Crown Prince Lee Yeong (Bo-Gum). Hong Ra-On is unaware that he is the Crown Prince and likewise, the Prince is unaware that Hong Ra-On is a woman. The Crown Prince becomes interested in Hong Ra-On and helped her became an eunuch not knowing her true identity.
Runner Ups:
This story is about Hong Ra-On (Yoo-jung) who disguises herself as a man and works as a dating counsellor and a love story writer under the name "Sam-Nom". Due to a love letter, she wrote for a client, she meets Crown Prince Lee Yeong (Bo-Gum). Hong Ra-On is unaware that he is the Crown Prince and likewise, the Prince is unaware that Hong Ra-On is a woman. The Crown Prince becomes interested in Hong Ra-On and helped her became an eunuch not knowing her true identity.
Runner Ups:
- Uncontrollably fond - Starring: Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy
- Signal - Starring: Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo and Cho Jin-Woon
- Doctors - Starring: Kim Rae-won, Park Shin-Hye, Yoon Kyun-sang and Lee Sung-Kyung
- Weightlifting fairy - Starring: Lee Sung-Kyung, Nam Joo-hyuk, Lee Jae-Yoon and Kyung Soo-jin
- Cinderella and the four knights - Starring: Park So-dam, Jung Il-woo, Ahn Jae-Hyun, Lee Jung-shin, Choi Min and Son Na-Eun
