
The year 2020 has been quite a year for most of us, but it's also been a year for some serious binge-watching of K-dramas thanks to being cooped up in our homes due to the lockdown.
If you haven't joined the boat, you're missing out in several ways because K-dramas have become a worldwide phenomenon thanks to their interesting storylines and intense plot twists. They're so addicting, and it's worth adding to your pop-culture diet this holiday season.
So if you plan to be a pop culture connoisseur for the year 2021, we've listed some of the best K-dramas you can binge-watch over your long holiday break.
Oh, and there's something for everyone! You're welcome.
Available in: Netflix
Stars: Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Seon-ho, and Kang Han-na
The show centers around a group of young professionals who are eager to start their own business. Seo Dal-mi (Bae Suzy) and Nam Do-san (Nam Joo-hyuk) are chosen to join Sandbox, along with Dal-mi's sister Won In-jae (Kang Han-na). The three are pitted against one another in a contest to be the best. Little does Seo Dal-mi know that someone from her past (hello, Kim Seon-ho) has her back throughout her journey.
Available in: Viu
Stars: Lee Dong-wook, Jo Bo-ah, and Kim Bum
If you're up for something a little scary (think The Ring), well, you might want to tune in to the Tale of the Nine Tailed. Aside from some scenes that will bring you goosebumps, the story revolves around Lee Yeon (Lee Dong-wook), a mythical fox known as a “guminho,” and a documentary filmmaker Nam Ji-A (Jo Bo-ah), who were once lovers.
Available in: Netflix
Stars: Park Bo-gum, Park So-dam, and Byeon Woo-seok
The show centers on three ambitious individuals from different social classes who work in the cutthroat world of show business and fashion. Sa Hye-joon (Park Bo-gum) and Won Hae-hyo (Byeon Woo-seok) are models who'd like to transition into the entertainment industry. They befriend a makeup artist named An Jung-ha (Park So-dam), and the trio faces a variety of obstacles that threaten them in achieving their dreams.
Available in: Netflix
Stars: Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi, and Kwon Na-ra
The series tells the story of Park Sae-royi (Park Seo-joon), who opens up a restaurant in Itaewon after having been in jail for beating up Jang Geun-won (Ahn Bo-hyun), the son and heir of a popular restaurant franchise. Park Sae-royi's goal is not only to franchise his restaurant DanBam but also make it a household name to overthrow his nemesis'.
Available in: Netflix
Stars: Park Seo-joon, Go A-ra, Park Hyung-sik, Choi Min-ho, and Kim Tae-hyung
The series starts with Queen Ji So of the Kingdom of Silla keeping her young son Sam Maek-jong (Park Hyung-sik) hidden outside the capital and safe from their enemies. As Sam Maek-jong comes of age, nobles and citizens have all grown impatient for her to cede power. To break the power of the nobles, Queen Ji So created a new elite group called Hwarang to protect Sam Maek-jong and the throne. Little does she know that her son joins the elite force.
Available in: Netflix
Stars: Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Ye-ji, and Oh Jung-se
The series centers around a caretaker at a psychiatric ward, Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun), who crosses paths with a children's book writer Ko Moon-young (Seo Ye-ji). Gang-tae has been living with his autistic brother and frequently moves from town to town. As it turns out, Gang-tae's brother is a big fan of Moon-young, who is known to have an anti-social personality disorder. After a series of events, the three lives become intertwined, leading them to share more things in common than they think.
Available in: Viu
Stars: Lee Joon-gi, Lee Ji-eun, Kang Ha-neul
During a solar eclipse, a 25-year old 21st-century woman named Go Ha-jin (Lee Ji-eun) is transported back in time during the Goryeo Dynasty. She wakes up in the body of a woman named Hae Soo in the year 941. She initially falls in love with the gentle warm-hearted Prince Wang Wook (Kang Ha-neul) but later falls madly in love with the fearsome Prince Wang So (Lee Joon-gi). As the story develops, Hae Soo finds herself in the middle of palace politics and rivalry among the many princes fighting for the throne.
Available in: Viu
Stars: Kim Ha-neul, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Lee Do-hyun.
Based on the Hollywood movie of the same title, 18 Again tells the story of Hong Dae-young, an ordinary jobless middle-aged man who wishes he could go back in time to fix his life. At that moment, his body changes into that of an 18-year-old person, while his mind is still that of his 37-year-old self. Now that he regained his younger body, he changes his name to Ko Woo Young (Lee Do-hyun) and begins to live a new life and woos his former wife, Jung Da-jung (Kim Ha-neul).
While being stuck at home can be quite boring, it can also be a good thing because you can be proactive about things you've been putting off far too long -- that includes getting in the K-drama train!
So sit back, relax, and enjoy the holidays with this list. We're sure by the time you finish this list, and you'll confidently say annyeonghaseyo and giving out finger hearts to your loved ones in no time.