It has a drama that is born already a real hit
, gains fancam, trend on TikTok and thousands of comments praising each episode. And there are those that are released very shyly and are only commented on in the depths of dramaland. In my journey of
dorameiro
,
I have always liked watching the “B-side” of releases and discovered many gems along the way.
.
I’m not talking about bad series that were forgotten deservedly, but rather about true classics that time has hidden and that the public has let slip away. As a critic, I’ve seen everything: exaggerated dramas, forced performances, and a lot of crying without tears… but these are different and have captured me in a unique way.
Today, I share a personal list of
7 Dramas That Everyone Is Talking About
(some older, some more recent),
more than they should be watched at least once in a lifetime
. Will you agree with me?
After years living in Austria as a pianist, Jae-ha returns to Korea with a completely new identity. Cold, reserved, and marked by childhood traumas, he meets Eun-young, a cheerful young woman who brings back painful memories of a past he tried to forget. Then, the two embark on a journey of reconnection, forgiveness, and love.
Many people ignore “Spring Waltz” because they find it slow or outdated, but few dramas can turn images into poetry like this one. It is the fourth and last in director Yoon Seok-ho’s “Four Seasons” series, and perhaps the most sensitive of them all. I watched it for the first time without any expectations, and ended up with a peaceful heart—and a strong desire to listen to piano in the late afternoon.
Choi Kang-chi is the result of a forbidden love between a human and a mythical being known as a gumiho, the nine-tailed fox. Raised as an ordinary boy, he discovers his true origin when he becomes involved in a conflict that threatens his adoptive family. In search of the legendary “Gu Family Book,” which is said to be able to make him human, Kang Chi faces internal and external battles.
Many people turn up their nose when they hear “gumiho” and historical fantasy in the same sentence, but “Family Book of Go” is an epic disguised as a drama. The series skillfully blends mythology, action, and romance, a level of artistry we haven’t seen in many years. Lee Seung-gi is at the peak of his artistic performance, while Yoon Se-ah steals the show with one of the most tragic mothers in the history of dramas.
In a fictional South Korea where the monarchy still exists, the crown prince Lee Jae-ha is forced to participate in a military cooperation program with soldiers from North Korea. There, he meets Kim Hang-ah, an elite commander as strong as she is lonely. What begins as a clash between two opposing worlds turns into an unlikely love story that challenges borders.
Rei 2 Corações” is the type of drama that seems exaggerated in its premise, but delivers layers that few romances dare to explore, especially when it comes to North Korea. The series mixes politics, social criticism, and breath-taking romantic tension, but has not received the same recognition as its “rich cousin,” “Pousando no Amor.
Lee Yoon-sung is a brilliant young man trained since childhood to carry out a revenge mission against those responsible for a secret military operation that resulted in the death of his biological father. Working undercover in the technology sector of the Blue House (the presidency of South Korea), he lives between the pursuit of justice, but falls in love with Kim Na-na, a loyal bodyguard.
Before ‘Vincenzo’ and ‘Big Mouth’, there was ‘City Hunter’. An action, revenge, and romance drama that was unfairly labeled as just ‘another police drama’, but it deserved much more than that. Lee Min-ho delivers a superb performance as always, and the script is a delight to follow. It’s a shame that it got lost in time.
Kang Min-ho is a cold and ambitious executive, shaped by the betrayal that destroyed his family. After suffering a heart attack, he receives a transplant and undergoes an unexpected change: besides the new chance to live, something inside him begins to change, including the way he feels. As he gets closer to Soon-jung, the ex-secretary of his deceased rival, he discovers that perhaps the heart now beating in his chest carries an unexpected love.
“Fallen by Innocence” was released discreetly, but it delivers one of the most creative scripts I’ve ever seen in dramaland. The premise may seem absurd: a transplanted heart that “influences” the new owner, but the way it is handled on screen and in the script is quite interesting – and will make you reflect on humanity.
Yoon So-so is a tour guide who lives in France and leads a group of South Korean tourists on a travel package through the country’s historic cities. In the middle of the itinerary, seven strangers carrying their own stories, pains, and secrets end up connecting unexpectedly. Among them is San Ma-roo, a man recently left by his girlfriend, who sees the trip as a possible chance for a fresh start.
“O Pacote” is a type of drama that seems light, almost fleeting, but catches you by surprise. With stunning French scenery, it talks about encounters and leaves you passionate about both the filming locations and the characters. It was snubbed at the time of its release, perhaps because it did not follow any traditional formula, but that is exactly what makes it so special.
Yoo So-joon is a successful real estate businessman who hides a secret: he can time travel through the subway. Upon realizing that his future is marked by a tragic fate, he decides to marry Song Ma-rin, an impulsive and lively photographer, believing that this may change the course of events. But living between the present and what is yet to come becomes a burden.
“Tomorrow With You” is a poetry in the form of a romantic science fiction, but unfortunately, it was ignored by many people. Perhaps due to its slower narrative or the melancholic atmosphere that avoids clichés. But the truth is that few dramas address love with such maturity, showing how the fear of the future can destroy the present.
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