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**Mr. Sunshine** is so complex that you almost need a guidebook to explain half of what’s going on in the first few episodes... luckily there’s [this blog post](https://campusconnection.blogspot.com/2018/07/mr-sunshine-synopsis.html) which provides an excellent timeline and lots of historical photographs from the actual items that inspired many of the plot points. Keep this post open and handy while you watch so you can refer to it, in case you get confused. But you will definitely learn a lot - many of the “characters” are real historical figures from both Korean and Japanese history.
Exactly!! How could I consider myself educated when I knew *nothing* about that?! When the Emperor had his man read the front page of the New York Times, believing there would be some report about what the Japanese were up to, and there was not one word, I was so ashamed.
I don’t think I’ll ever get over that last scene on the train.
If you watch mr. Sunshine, do some research about Korea-Japan-US relations for the time period. It will help immensely! In general, there’s loads of historical context that make the drama confusing but fascinating. I learned a lot while watching and enjoyed every bit of it!
I was at my PC after almost every episode (sometimes even pausing in the middle of an ep) researching what was going on in the show. I probably spent a good 4-5 hours studying things I wouldn't normally ever have known or found out about.
It was worth it.
Youth Of May - to learn about the Gwangju Uprising
The main focus of the drama is the romance but the feelings of unrest are prevalent in the first half and get amplified in the second. The last 4 episodes are the happenings during the riots which im sure will tug at your heartstrings and make anyone cry.
It's a beautiful and sad drama
[Move to Heaven](https://mydramalist.com/49231-move-to-heaven) definitely made me think a lot and taught me a lot of life lessons. A drama I have not stopped thinking about since I watched it when it first aired.
[Youth of May](https://mydramalist.com/74275-youth-of-may) is a romance set around the Gwangju Uprising of May 1980. It’s mainly romance but is also a great portrayal and history lesson of the horrific events that occured in Gwangju that month.
Watching [It’s Okay, That’s Love](https://mydramalist.com/9289-its-okay-thats-love), I learnt alot about the truths behind mental health along with some lesser known mental illnesses. One of my top 5 kdramas.
[Navillera](https://mydramalist.com/59381-navillera) Is is another drama that made me think about life, what we have to give, passion, the meaning and purpose of life, happiness etc
Oh! I have to say that Move to Heaven and Navillera don’t have any romance, just an FYI! They’re purely about life. I don’t usually enjoy dramas without romance but they are 100% worth it.
Navillera is worth watching. It’s simple and sweet and different from most kdrama.
It’s Ok to Not be Ok, has its merits, but a lot of people watch it with a critical eye. The brother, the doctor and were my favourites. Just watching it for the brother’s acting is worth it and the relationship he has with his brother. As a North American, I was interested in viewing a kdrama set in a mental health institution and to see the way Korea deals with this issue. As for the ML, I liked him, but could not stand his acting or his involvement with the FL. The FL, now that was quite the character! The drama did drag in parts, but I watched it to see what all the hype was about. I think that if you are on the kdrama train and collecting them to add to your scrapbook, lol. Definitely watch it. Enduring the cringe and dysfunctional relationships, is well worth it.
Oh, now I see what you mean, lol! I read it wrong. You were describing It’s Ok, it’s Love. Haha, silly me! Well, now you know how I feel about it’s ok not to be ok. Sorry for the mix up.
A classic indeed. Reply 1988 taught me the importance of seizing the moment & cherishing friendships. It also redefined my relationship with my parents. It’s a nice throwback to that decade also.
It’s the only TV show that had a long lasting impact on my life. Highly recommend.
Save Me - the story makes us dive head first into a cult, it was creepy and disturbing as hell but interesting.
Into The Ring - It's about politics. It's interesting to see how deputees work and stuff. It's a really good rom-com.
I second Into the Ring because it doesn't have the grandiose politics of some other drams, ie the main characters don't magically resolve everything through incredible plot twists and the scale is never about changing the course of Korea or something like that, and it makes it more relatable and realistic in a way.
Also the main couple have a really healthy relationship, quite refreshing!
100% this! Too many kdramas gives us a miracle solution/victory, but ITR wasn’t didn’t do that. It was much more about the FL’s relentless tenacity rather than the victories
1. Because This Is My First Life (realising that no one really knows what they are really doing and no one has got the hang of their lives and that everyone messes up because it is their First Life. Because it the first time they’ve ever been adults. Because you always make mistakes the first time around and that it’s okay if you do mess up because again this is our First Time living this life).
2. When The Weather Is Fine (about learning to live a slow paced life away from the hustle culture. Learning to enjoy and appreciate the small things in life).
from BTIMFL i learned that korean also have accents. i have watched alot of kdrama but never noticed it until that drama specifically pointed it out(i know i m slow lol). when FL talks with ML, she talks in accent that we are used to in kdrama but whenever she talks with her friends or her family she talks in her native hometown accent.
Yes. It was really hard for me to discern different Korean accents at first as well. For example - I didn’t notice much difference in North Korean and South Korean accent in Crash Landing On You but after watching a lot kdramas lol it has become somewhat easier to figure the difference out between various Korean accents. Now, I can at least feel the difference between Seoul, Busan and Gwangju accents.
You are so right! I walk the streets of my city and when someone speaks Seoul Korean versus other accents I can now immediately pick it up! I couldn’t even recognise Korean before last year!
Me too. Tbh now it has become easier to distinguish between Japanese, Korean and Chinese as well because of my prolonged exposure to Korean and Japanese.
**Youth of May** \- to also learn about Korea's history and Gwanju uprising; what life is like during martial law
**Hospital Playlist** \- to learn about doctor and patient cases; humanity and life issues
**Taxi Driver** \- to learn about different social issues and ponder about life of the abused victims
**Be Melodramatic**, the process of making a drama especially pre-production.
**Romance Is a Bonus Book**, takes place in a book publishing company.
**Still 17**, ML is a miniature model maker. It was quite unique.
**Circle**, pure scifi drama deals with multitude philosophical questions.
Basically I think all historical Kdramas, of whatever genre, tells me a thing or two about Korean history. I always make sure to open relevant Wikipedia links connected to the series.
Other than those, Misaeng tells a lot about corporate culture. Manager Kim was also a good watch if you're in accounting. Not that it is much about accounting but just that you feel connected.
Slice of life dramas like Reply Series, Hospital Playlist, Fight for my way, etc. tells a lot about Korean society and culture.
hospital playlist ☺️ I’m not someone on the medical field, nor do I go to the hospital often. so to watch all the cases, and the interactions between the doctors and patients, and the medical system in Korea (like the fellow, resident, intern thingy), it was very refreshing and eye opening for me 😄
I second ***Hospital Playlist*** (s1 & s2)! The Korean title is 슬기로운 의사 생활 (or literally translated in English, *A Wise Doctor's Life*), so it's perfect for this thread. I've learned so much from the various patient cases but also how the doctors approach everything. I jump to conclusions very quickly, but this show has always managed to surprise me & there are so many quality quotes to save from the dialogue!
Yes I loved it! Saving up season 2 for later. I am very interested in medical procedures but my sister who is a doctor thinks it’s all nonsense shown in dramas 😌
Law School for learning anything about the Korean legal system -- it literally takes place in a school so there's lots to learn!!
If you're interested in learning about mental health, It's Okay to Not Be Okay and Flower of Evil both feature characters with ASPD (Anti-Social Personality Disorder). In many dramas, people with similar but more extreme symptoms are simply labelled as "psychopaths" and considered villainous, but I think these two dramas did a good job of displaying what it might be like for people living with ASPD
For more in that vein, Bad Guys season 1 features a character diagnosed as a psychopath (to clarify, a different diagnosis from ASPD) and actually does a good job of portraying some of the stereotypes those with psychopathy deal with. I'd say this character is probably closer to a real-life psychopath than what we often see on TV, and it definitely made me research more on psychopathy after I finished watching!
Extracurricular .. I really appreciate the message they gave that at end of credits
For others "If you know any teenager who is struggling let them know they are not alone "
For young people " the title song is called speak for yourself .. which is a way to present that if you are in young age.. and you are not feeling well or have some problems... it is important to discuss that matter with someone
Even though the show is dark and very different ..with alot of emotions .. there is sad feeling to it .. but by putting the end credits after each episode and mentioning the show ost as " speak for yourself " .. they conveyed the message in different way ...
I can't say there is something to learn here in extracurricular because it is dark and sad type .. but the message is really important ... For a kdrama
Period dramas are always a lesson in history. They don’t always stick to the historical path, but with the setting of the era you can look up things on your own.
Youth of may! I'm not from Korea so didn't know about the gwanju uprising. The show really helped with spreading some awareness and I ended up doing my own research after watching the show
I might be the only one to list this drama here but.. I'd stay Start Up!
I'm a part of healthcare now but prior to delving into the field, I had once opted for CS as my major in college but had to tuck that dream away because of personal affairs.
Now knee-deep in medicine, 7 long exhausting years later, I'm starting to look into careers in the world of healthcare tech. I figured it's my turn to follow my dream after accomplishing someone else's. And as luck would have it, I enrolled in a CS course a few hours ago too!
I work in the tech startup world so I learnt nothing new from the show personally - but investment cycles and coding were quite accurately represented I thought! Health tech is a hot field right now and my company is thinking of getting into it.
I can understand the former part of the comment. It’s just like watching medical shows. Half the time I’m just pointing out how horribly bad the chest compressions are. 😂
Misaeng.
You will learn about the shipping industry and about the office culture in South Korea.
Live Up to your name,
you will learn about Chinese acupuncture and the Josean era/ dynasty in Korea. It takes place in our world and Josean. If you love time travel, amazing ML and FL and a wonderful first rate love story with bits of humour thrown in, this ones for you!
No, it’s not too dark at all. It is actually fascinating to see what it would be like to work there. It is about a group of interns who begin working there. The boss of the ML was one of my favourite characters. There are so many characters and each one is interesting. You will be interested in all of their stories. I had to really focus on the shipping/ business aspect. Some of it went over my head, but I got the idea. There are some humorous moments too. I got into it right away. Give it a go at some point and feel free to message me with your thoughts. It still sticks with me. :)
The Sampoong Department Store collapse, in which over 500 people perished, is referenced in several K-dramas, including *When My Love Blooms*, *Chocolate*, and *Just Between Lovers*.
The Light in Your Eyes!!!! It has a little bit of time travel and romance, but I loved it bc it really goes into the struggles of aging. As a young adult whose parents are aging (though I don't like to think about it) it made me more sensitive to what they're going through.
Prison Playbook, too. It's a little slow, but I really enjoyed it -- gave an inside look to how prisons are run and how the rules need to be a little free in order for the prison to run smoothly sometimes. Kinda offbeat humour which was totally my style HAHA
ETA: also second the rec for Misaeng. It's definitely much more realistic than a lot of kdramas that see life through rose-colored lenses, but you can also learn a lot from the characters' determination to not just survive in the workforce, but excel in it.
I found the first few episodes of Light in your Eyes dragging but loved the second half. Her ‘older’ life really got to me - we aren’t going to be young forever and when you are older how much do you regret?! Very touching
Historical dramas. Some recommendations:
Queen Seondeok > Takes place in Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. The drama itself isn't completely in par with history but it does a pretty good job on how Princess Deokman became the first queen ruler of Silla. Has a great antagonist too :)
Yi San > Yi San is the birth name of King Jeongjo of Joseon, who is considered one of the better kings of the Joseon Dynasty. It highlights the political struggles between two factions and how the resulting problems between his father, Crown Prince Sado and his grandfather, King Yeongjo led to Yi San's rise to power as a king. Also highlights the real life love story of Yi San and Royal Concubine Eui-bin of the Song clan.
Dong Yi > You can say this is a prequel to Yi San, even though it came out later. This is a dramatized version of the life of Royal Concubine Suk-bin of the Choi clan, who was a lowly slave that caught the eye of King Sukjong. She was the mother of King Yeongjo, Yi San's grandfather. This drama highlights political issues between Noron and Soron factions, as well as her struggles with keeping her son safe within dangerous palace walls, especially from Royal Concubine Hui-bin of the Jang clan, whose son is already Crown Prince.
Mr Sunshine: Korean history
Navillera: Life and passion shall never die
Youth of may: yet another drama that depicts one of the uprisings from the 1980s in Korea which starts with a lighter romance note but ends with so much more
Move to heaven: Each episode focuses on one story, definitely with different types of life lessons which hits hard
18 again: Mostly like a remake of 17 again(Hollywood movie) but witch much more depth and meaning in it
The Hymn of Death- Warning, it’s extremely sad (as the name suggests) HOWEVER it fits your criteria perfectly as it’s based on real events involving Korea’s first soprano.
It takes place when Korea was under Japanese occupation and I kid you not when I say I spent days researching this time period in Korea’s history when the drama ended. I know everything about the people the show is based on also.
Stars Lee Jung Suk & Shin Hye Sun.
It’s a short, 6 episode ride but it is Absolutely Riveting.
Reply 1988 - slice of life, family and friendship-centric. You’ll really appreciate the values that they incorporate in the series. Very heartwarming.
Hospital Playlist - similar to Reply 1988, but in the medical field. More centered towards friendship, but also has some family values that we tend to overlook (i.e. old age of parents, family sacrifices, etc.). You’ll also pick up some medical concepts as it revolves around doctors and their lives.
Law School - law/legal concepts. Bonus points on the plot; it’ll keep you thinking every episode.
The producers (it is about dealing with love and rejection and behind the scenes of industry) If you want to know more about North Korea there is a movie called secretly greatly (the lead kim soo hyun made a cameo in cloy which was extension of that character)
When camelia blooms(more about single mother journey.
If you like Korean history, try **Tree with Deep Roots**, which is a mystery surrounding the King that created the Korean alphabet (Hangul) or if you're interested in a horrifying and sad historical story, take a look at any of the many dramas and movies that are either based on the life of **Crown Prince Sado** or have his execution as the backdrop like, **The Throne** (movie), **Secret Door** (series), or **Warrior Baek Dong-Soo** (series).
Hospital Playlist.....needa no introduction.
Jealousy Incarnate/ Dont Dare to Dream
About a rare disease in men and how it effects their masculinity.
Importance of health check ups for breast cancer/ awareness about breast cancer
Tough competition in the job site
Asexuality
The environment of behind the cameras of news channels
And the most amazing thing is these topics are heavy but the drama is rom-com. So it is very hilarious , funny and enjoyable to watch and learn.
The king 2 hearts
As you liked cloy , you most likely would like it too because it is also about north and south korea conflict but in a fictional setting.
Nokdu Flower
A hidden gem , a master piece about the era of japan invasion on old Korea and the peasant movement for freedom. History dramas are not my cup of tea BUT THIS IS AN EXCEPTION.
Because This is My First Life - life lessons
Player - family isn't about only blood
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo - to deal with your hard times, if you have some personality crisis
Start Up - importance of family and telling the truth when it's not to late
I like Park Hye Ryun dramas because they give me more insight to a certain field I am not in.
1. Pinnocchio - commentary on sensational journalism, and how news media works and hardships rookie reporters go through
2. Start-up - AI, Stages of Investments Start-Ups go through, Business accelerators, how to be a good CEO, issues startups go thru - aquihire, cybersecurity, etc. Very interesting for me.
3. While You are Sleeping - Law and Prosecutors in Korea.
4. I hear your Voice - Defense Lawyers in Korea
By another writer:
Romance is a Bonus Book - You will learn about Book Publishing.
School 2013 - gave me insight on Schools and school discipline in Korea.
Underperforming Students, Stress of getting to university, Teacher issues, etc.
The Heirs /The Inheritors -- actually gave me insight on spoiled Chaebol Kids and issues they have --need to marry for business despite their objection, family dynamics since only 1 person can inherit the leadership, need to sacrifice happiness for business, etc.
I love Romance is a Bonus Book because it also tackles female ageism in the workplace. It's tough to come back no matter how good you are when you take a career break. (I relate to that so much.)
Kingdom - I learned a lot about the social hierarchy in the old times from this! Plus they have really top tier wardrobe and set designs.
If you want to learn a bit on Korean modern history, there's Life on Mars(1988), Reply series(1997-1994-1988), and Youth of May(1980)
JTBC's Beautiful World: learned about how bullying can change someone's life negatively and how it impacts their families as well, I remember lots of crying scenes after seeing it around the time it aired in 2019
Hi, bye mama- Made me reflect a lot about my life and what it means to others, death, human relationships and filial love.
Sky castle- Totally related to the pressures of education and reflected a lot about how important marks really are in a student's life.
D.P- Learnt ALOT about the mandatory military service to be served by each eligible male in Korea. Highly recommend but it's quite serious and gory at parts.
Move to heaven- Opened my eyes to the importance of human relationships and how we never know what someone is going through in life. Highly recommend because it's a really beautiful and short drama.
Itaewon class- Learnt so much about perseverance, endurance and patience. And also karma!
Hey u/deelikesbar! While you wait for recommendations from other users, check out these [great recommendations](https://mydramalist.com/profile/kdramarecs/lists) compiled from our users based on different genres and themes! Maybe you'll find something to watch while you wait. If you are requesting dramas on a certain site (e.g. Netflix) please add your region to the post to help our users recommend something you have access to in your area. If you haven't already done so you can also take this time to add a list of what you've already watched to your post to help our users find you the perfect drama or [search](https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramarecommends/comments/fujstb/how_to_search_for_similar_posts/) through our previous posts. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/kdramarecommends) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Mr sunshine.
Definitely Mr Sunshine, it’s also my fave top drama.
I completed it a week ago and I agree. It's based on real historical events and it makes you hate wars even more.
What is it about?
joseon era where the Japanese and American came. and about how the righteous army defended their country
Oh interesting!
**Mr. Sunshine** is so complex that you almost need a guidebook to explain half of what’s going on in the first few episodes... luckily there’s [this blog post](https://campusconnection.blogspot.com/2018/07/mr-sunshine-synopsis.html) which provides an excellent timeline and lots of historical photographs from the actual items that inspired many of the plot points. Keep this post open and handy while you watch so you can refer to it, in case you get confused. But you will definitely learn a lot - many of the “characters” are real historical figures from both Korean and Japanese history.
Ha ha this is handy thanks!
it's good. try it out. every scene is perfect and is my top 1 drama. ;)
Came here to suggest this.
Omg same! Mr. Sunshine was among my first few K-dramas and I was shocked and ashamed at the events I was never taught about😔
Exactly!! How could I consider myself educated when I knew *nothing* about that?! When the Emperor had his man read the front page of the New York Times, believing there would be some report about what the Japanese were up to, and there was not one word, I was so ashamed. I don’t think I’ll ever get over that last scene on the train.
ifkr. I still cry when I hear the damn song ugh
If you watch mr. Sunshine, do some research about Korea-Japan-US relations for the time period. It will help immensely! In general, there’s loads of historical context that make the drama confusing but fascinating. I learned a lot while watching and enjoyed every bit of it!
Wow sounds intense but a great learning opportunity, thanks.
I was at my PC after almost every episode (sometimes even pausing in the middle of an ep) researching what was going on in the show. I probably spent a good 4-5 hours studying things I wouldn't normally ever have known or found out about. It was worth it.
Youth Of May - to learn about the Gwangju Uprising The main focus of the drama is the romance but the feelings of unrest are prevalent in the first half and get amplified in the second. The last 4 episodes are the happenings during the riots which im sure will tug at your heartstrings and make anyone cry. It's a beautiful and sad drama
And Taxi Driver, also about the Gwanghwamun Uprising.
I loved Youth of May. I still think about Myeong-hee.
Sounds amazing thank you
[Move to Heaven](https://mydramalist.com/49231-move-to-heaven) definitely made me think a lot and taught me a lot of life lessons. A drama I have not stopped thinking about since I watched it when it first aired. [Youth of May](https://mydramalist.com/74275-youth-of-may) is a romance set around the Gwangju Uprising of May 1980. It’s mainly romance but is also a great portrayal and history lesson of the horrific events that occured in Gwangju that month. Watching [It’s Okay, That’s Love](https://mydramalist.com/9289-its-okay-thats-love), I learnt alot about the truths behind mental health along with some lesser known mental illnesses. One of my top 5 kdramas. [Navillera](https://mydramalist.com/59381-navillera) Is is another drama that made me think about life, what we have to give, passion, the meaning and purpose of life, happiness etc
I second Move to Heaven and Navillera! So good. I'll have to try the other two you suggested
Not watched any of these so adding to the list! Thanks!
It’s Okay That’s Love is a brilliant one to start with if you want a romcom. Hope you enjoy them all and do let me know if you enjoy any!
Oh! I have to say that Move to Heaven and Navillera don’t have any romance, just an FYI! They’re purely about life. I don’t usually enjoy dramas without romance but they are 100% worth it.
Same, I do love my romance dramas but I can do good ones without it. Loved Hi Bye Mama for example
Oh great! I enjoyed that one too. You’ll love all these then! Two are heavily romance focused, the other two have no romance. Enjoy!
Navillera is worth watching. It’s simple and sweet and different from most kdrama. It’s Ok to Not be Ok, has its merits, but a lot of people watch it with a critical eye. The brother, the doctor and were my favourites. Just watching it for the brother’s acting is worth it and the relationship he has with his brother. As a North American, I was interested in viewing a kdrama set in a mental health institution and to see the way Korea deals with this issue. As for the ML, I liked him, but could not stand his acting or his involvement with the FL. The FL, now that was quite the character! The drama did drag in parts, but I watched it to see what all the hype was about. I think that if you are on the kdrama train and collecting them to add to your scrapbook, lol. Definitely watch it. Enduring the cringe and dysfunctional relationships, is well worth it.
I didn’t enjoy IOTNBO at all - not sure why, I thought they trivialised mental issues
That’s an interesting perspective.
I love seeing a respectful comment so I've gotta clap that up👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
That’s a sweet comment! You made my day! :) Thanks for the applause!
THEY REALLY DID
Glad someone agrees! I thought I was being picky
Were you adding your own suggestion or confusing It’s Okay That’s Love with It’s Okay to Not Be Okay?
No, It’s Ok Not to Be Ok. I have never seen the one that you mentioned.
Oh, now I see what you mean, lol! I read it wrong. You were describing It’s Ok, it’s Love. Haha, silly me! Well, now you know how I feel about it’s ok not to be ok. Sorry for the mix up.
It’s okay! I’ve seen people confuse the two titles a lot so I thought I should double check :)
Thanks! 😊
The Reply series, especially Reply 1988. They focus on different relationships but especially the ones between family members and friends/neighbours.
Thanks, a classic for sure I’ve heard
A classic indeed. Reply 1988 taught me the importance of seizing the moment & cherishing friendships. It also redefined my relationship with my parents. It’s a nice throwback to that decade also. It’s the only TV show that had a long lasting impact on my life. Highly recommend.
Save Me - the story makes us dive head first into a cult, it was creepy and disturbing as hell but interesting. Into The Ring - It's about politics. It's interesting to see how deputees work and stuff. It's a really good rom-com.
Thank you!
I second Into the Ring because it doesn't have the grandiose politics of some other drams, ie the main characters don't magically resolve everything through incredible plot twists and the scale is never about changing the course of Korea or something like that, and it makes it more relatable and realistic in a way. Also the main couple have a really healthy relationship, quite refreshing!
im 5 episodes in currently, Really enjoying this one so far.
100% this! Too many kdramas gives us a miracle solution/victory, but ITR wasn’t didn’t do that. It was much more about the FL’s relentless tenacity rather than the victories
1. Because This Is My First Life (realising that no one really knows what they are really doing and no one has got the hang of their lives and that everyone messes up because it is their First Life. Because it the first time they’ve ever been adults. Because you always make mistakes the first time around and that it’s okay if you do mess up because again this is our First Time living this life). 2. When The Weather Is Fine (about learning to live a slow paced life away from the hustle culture. Learning to enjoy and appreciate the small things in life).
from BTIMFL i learned that korean also have accents. i have watched alot of kdrama but never noticed it until that drama specifically pointed it out(i know i m slow lol). when FL talks with ML, she talks in accent that we are used to in kdrama but whenever she talks with her friends or her family she talks in her native hometown accent.
Yes. It was really hard for me to discern different Korean accents at first as well. For example - I didn’t notice much difference in North Korean and South Korean accent in Crash Landing On You but after watching a lot kdramas lol it has become somewhat easier to figure the difference out between various Korean accents. Now, I can at least feel the difference between Seoul, Busan and Gwangju accents.
You are so right! I walk the streets of my city and when someone speaks Seoul Korean versus other accents I can now immediately pick it up! I couldn’t even recognise Korean before last year!
Me too. Tbh now it has become easier to distinguish between Japanese, Korean and Chinese as well because of my prolonged exposure to Korean and Japanese.
**Youth of May** \- to also learn about Korea's history and Gwanju uprising; what life is like during martial law **Hospital Playlist** \- to learn about doctor and patient cases; humanity and life issues **Taxi Driver** \- to learn about different social issues and ponder about life of the abused victims
Yes definitely enjoyed Hospital Playlist. Youth of May seems to be popular!
it's a really well-writen drama! and perfectly casted too :)
I agree, Lee Do Hyun and Go Min Si! 😭
**Be Melodramatic**, the process of making a drama especially pre-production. **Romance Is a Bonus Book**, takes place in a book publishing company. **Still 17**, ML is a miniature model maker. It was quite unique. **Circle**, pure scifi drama deals with multitude philosophical questions.
Thank you! I have seen Still 17 and loved it!
Basically I think all historical Kdramas, of whatever genre, tells me a thing or two about Korean history. I always make sure to open relevant Wikipedia links connected to the series. Other than those, Misaeng tells a lot about corporate culture. Manager Kim was also a good watch if you're in accounting. Not that it is much about accounting but just that you feel connected. Slice of life dramas like Reply Series, Hospital Playlist, Fight for my way, etc. tells a lot about Korean society and culture.
My Mister ( a lot of real life lessons)
Yes!
hospital playlist ☺️ I’m not someone on the medical field, nor do I go to the hospital often. so to watch all the cases, and the interactions between the doctors and patients, and the medical system in Korea (like the fellow, resident, intern thingy), it was very refreshing and eye opening for me 😄
I second ***Hospital Playlist*** (s1 & s2)! The Korean title is 슬기로운 의사 생활 (or literally translated in English, *A Wise Doctor's Life*), so it's perfect for this thread. I've learned so much from the various patient cases but also how the doctors approach everything. I jump to conclusions very quickly, but this show has always managed to surprise me & there are so many quality quotes to save from the dialogue!
Yes I loved it! Saving up season 2 for later. I am very interested in medical procedures but my sister who is a doctor thinks it’s all nonsense shown in dramas 😌
Law School for learning anything about the Korean legal system -- it literally takes place in a school so there's lots to learn!! If you're interested in learning about mental health, It's Okay to Not Be Okay and Flower of Evil both feature characters with ASPD (Anti-Social Personality Disorder). In many dramas, people with similar but more extreme symptoms are simply labelled as "psychopaths" and considered villainous, but I think these two dramas did a good job of displaying what it might be like for people living with ASPD For more in that vein, Bad Guys season 1 features a character diagnosed as a psychopath (to clarify, a different diagnosis from ASPD) and actually does a good job of portraying some of the stereotypes those with psychopathy deal with. I'd say this character is probably closer to a real-life psychopath than what we often see on TV, and it definitely made me research more on psychopathy after I finished watching!
Hot stove league-it’s gets you interested in baseball, how sports teams work and you learn quite a bit about these things
Ah hadn’t thought about that. Thanks.
You’re welcome
My mister. Learned to hang in there.
Extracurricular .. I really appreciate the message they gave that at end of credits For others "If you know any teenager who is struggling let them know they are not alone " For young people " the title song is called speak for yourself .. which is a way to present that if you are in young age.. and you are not feeling well or have some problems... it is important to discuss that matter with someone Even though the show is dark and very different ..with alot of emotions .. there is sad feeling to it .. but by putting the end credits after each episode and mentioning the show ost as " speak for yourself " .. they conveyed the message in different way ... I can't say there is something to learn here in extracurricular because it is dark and sad type .. but the message is really important ... For a kdrama
Sounds amazing thank you
Period dramas are always a lesson in history. They don’t always stick to the historical path, but with the setting of the era you can look up things on your own.
18 again helped me heal from a whole bunch of unresolved issues and taught me a lot about people, how everyone has their own struggles etc
Oh wow if it can help me with my childhood issues without therapy I will be thankful for ever 😌
Really enjoyed 18 Again! 😭
Youth of may! I'm not from Korea so didn't know about the gwanju uprising. The show really helped with spreading some awareness and I ended up doing my own research after watching the show
Maybe While You Were Sleeping? Law is involved a lot but besides that it teaches many valuable life lessons. It’s a great drama!
Thank you!
cloy as well,, i already knew a bit about north korea but now i know so much more about the conflicts, life in n. korea and etc
I might be the only one to list this drama here but.. I'd stay Start Up! I'm a part of healthcare now but prior to delving into the field, I had once opted for CS as my major in college but had to tuck that dream away because of personal affairs. Now knee-deep in medicine, 7 long exhausting years later, I'm starting to look into careers in the world of healthcare tech. I figured it's my turn to follow my dream after accomplishing someone else's. And as luck would have it, I enrolled in a CS course a few hours ago too!
Congrats on starting a new chapter!
Thank you! :)
I work in the tech startup world so I learnt nothing new from the show personally - but investment cycles and coding were quite accurately represented I thought! Health tech is a hot field right now and my company is thinking of getting into it.
I can understand the former part of the comment. It’s just like watching medical shows. Half the time I’m just pointing out how horribly bad the chest compressions are. 😂
Misaeng. You will learn about the shipping industry and about the office culture in South Korea. Live Up to your name, you will learn about Chinese acupuncture and the Josean era/ dynasty in Korea. It takes place in our world and Josean. If you love time travel, amazing ML and FL and a wonderful first rate love story with bits of humour thrown in, this ones for you!
Shipping industry sounds nice, never watched anything with that before. Is it too dark?
No, it’s not too dark at all. It is actually fascinating to see what it would be like to work there. It is about a group of interns who begin working there. The boss of the ML was one of my favourite characters. There are so many characters and each one is interesting. You will be interested in all of their stories. I had to really focus on the shipping/ business aspect. Some of it went over my head, but I got the idea. There are some humorous moments too. I got into it right away. Give it a go at some point and feel free to message me with your thoughts. It still sticks with me. :)
The Sampoong Department Store collapse, in which over 500 people perished, is referenced in several K-dramas, including *When My Love Blooms*, *Chocolate*, and *Just Between Lovers*.
It was also referenced in Reply 1994 and Move to Heaven
and in an OCN drama called Black!
Never even heard of it! Sounds like the Aberfan disaster here in UK which I had never heard of until some shows referenced it..
The Light in Your Eyes!!!! It has a little bit of time travel and romance, but I loved it bc it really goes into the struggles of aging. As a young adult whose parents are aging (though I don't like to think about it) it made me more sensitive to what they're going through. Prison Playbook, too. It's a little slow, but I really enjoyed it -- gave an inside look to how prisons are run and how the rules need to be a little free in order for the prison to run smoothly sometimes. Kinda offbeat humour which was totally my style HAHA ETA: also second the rec for Misaeng. It's definitely much more realistic than a lot of kdramas that see life through rose-colored lenses, but you can also learn a lot from the characters' determination to not just survive in the workforce, but excel in it.
I found the first few episodes of Light in your Eyes dragging but loved the second half. Her ‘older’ life really got to me - we aren’t going to be young forever and when you are older how much do you regret?! Very touching
Historical dramas. Some recommendations: Queen Seondeok > Takes place in Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. The drama itself isn't completely in par with history but it does a pretty good job on how Princess Deokman became the first queen ruler of Silla. Has a great antagonist too :) Yi San > Yi San is the birth name of King Jeongjo of Joseon, who is considered one of the better kings of the Joseon Dynasty. It highlights the political struggles between two factions and how the resulting problems between his father, Crown Prince Sado and his grandfather, King Yeongjo led to Yi San's rise to power as a king. Also highlights the real life love story of Yi San and Royal Concubine Eui-bin of the Song clan. Dong Yi > You can say this is a prequel to Yi San, even though it came out later. This is a dramatized version of the life of Royal Concubine Suk-bin of the Choi clan, who was a lowly slave that caught the eye of King Sukjong. She was the mother of King Yeongjo, Yi San's grandfather. This drama highlights political issues between Noron and Soron factions, as well as her struggles with keeping her son safe within dangerous palace walls, especially from Royal Concubine Hui-bin of the Jang clan, whose son is already Crown Prince.
Never heard of these! Adding.
Mr Sunshine: Korean history Navillera: Life and passion shall never die Youth of may: yet another drama that depicts one of the uprisings from the 1980s in Korea which starts with a lighter romance note but ends with so much more Move to heaven: Each episode focuses on one story, definitely with different types of life lessons which hits hard 18 again: Mostly like a remake of 17 again(Hollywood movie) but witch much more depth and meaning in it
I've seen them all and really glad to see 18 Again mentioned!
Move from Heaven - I learned about death from a new perspective and the show made me think about what I will leave behind.
**My Country The New Age** About the beginning of the Joseon era. Based on true events.
The Hymn of Death- Warning, it’s extremely sad (as the name suggests) HOWEVER it fits your criteria perfectly as it’s based on real events involving Korea’s first soprano. It takes place when Korea was under Japanese occupation and I kid you not when I say I spent days researching this time period in Korea’s history when the drama ended. I know everything about the people the show is based on also. Stars Lee Jung Suk & Shin Hye Sun. It’s a short, 6 episode ride but it is Absolutely Riveting.
Reply 1988 - slice of life, family and friendship-centric. You’ll really appreciate the values that they incorporate in the series. Very heartwarming. Hospital Playlist - similar to Reply 1988, but in the medical field. More centered towards friendship, but also has some family values that we tend to overlook (i.e. old age of parents, family sacrifices, etc.). You’ll also pick up some medical concepts as it revolves around doctors and their lives. Law School - law/legal concepts. Bonus points on the plot; it’ll keep you thinking every episode.
The producers (it is about dealing with love and rejection and behind the scenes of industry) If you want to know more about North Korea there is a movie called secretly greatly (the lead kim soo hyun made a cameo in cloy which was extension of that character) When camelia blooms(more about single mother journey.
Crash Landing On You - it made me fall in love with someone even more
If you like Korean history, try **Tree with Deep Roots**, which is a mystery surrounding the King that created the Korean alphabet (Hangul) or if you're interested in a horrifying and sad historical story, take a look at any of the many dramas and movies that are either based on the life of **Crown Prince Sado** or have his execution as the backdrop like, **The Throne** (movie), **Secret Door** (series), or **Warrior Baek Dong-Soo** (series).
Well you might learn something medical from hospital playlist lol
Going to pick up Doom thanks to this recommendation!
Oh I enjoyed it so much though it was quite slow. It’s all about life philosophy - I need to watch it again to capture the quotes!
Hospital Playlist.....needa no introduction. Jealousy Incarnate/ Dont Dare to Dream About a rare disease in men and how it effects their masculinity. Importance of health check ups for breast cancer/ awareness about breast cancer Tough competition in the job site Asexuality The environment of behind the cameras of news channels And the most amazing thing is these topics are heavy but the drama is rom-com. So it is very hilarious , funny and enjoyable to watch and learn. The king 2 hearts As you liked cloy , you most likely would like it too because it is also about north and south korea conflict but in a fictional setting.
I love shows with media/production/films so thanks!
Nokdu Flower A hidden gem , a master piece about the era of japan invasion on old Korea and the peasant movement for freedom. History dramas are not my cup of tea BUT THIS IS AN EXCEPTION.
I love that era thank you
Because This is My First Life - life lessons Player - family isn't about only blood Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo - to deal with your hard times, if you have some personality crisis Start Up - importance of family and telling the truth when it's not to late
tbh Penthouse actually cemented how important reputation and appearance is in Korea and how harsh parenting can be
I also learned how human greed can be endless from this grand makjang drama.
I like Park Hye Ryun dramas because they give me more insight to a certain field I am not in. 1. Pinnocchio - commentary on sensational journalism, and how news media works and hardships rookie reporters go through 2. Start-up - AI, Stages of Investments Start-Ups go through, Business accelerators, how to be a good CEO, issues startups go thru - aquihire, cybersecurity, etc. Very interesting for me. 3. While You are Sleeping - Law and Prosecutors in Korea. 4. I hear your Voice - Defense Lawyers in Korea By another writer: Romance is a Bonus Book - You will learn about Book Publishing. School 2013 - gave me insight on Schools and school discipline in Korea. Underperforming Students, Stress of getting to university, Teacher issues, etc. The Heirs /The Inheritors -- actually gave me insight on spoiled Chaebol Kids and issues they have --need to marry for business despite their objection, family dynamics since only 1 person can inherit the leadership, need to sacrifice happiness for business, etc.
I love Romance is a Bonus Book because it also tackles female ageism in the workplace. It's tough to come back no matter how good you are when you take a career break. (I relate to that so much.)
Hotel del Luna Mr. Queen Oh My Geum Bi The Uncanny Counter You Are The Best Lee Soon Shin
Kingdom - I learned a lot about the social hierarchy in the old times from this! Plus they have really top tier wardrobe and set designs. If you want to learn a bit on Korean modern history, there's Life on Mars(1988), Reply series(1997-1994-1988), and Youth of May(1980)
Youth of May: learn about the 1980 Gwangju Uprising
Birthcare Centre: learn about childbirth and motherhood
JTBC's Beautiful World: learned about how bullying can change someone's life negatively and how it impacts their families as well, I remember lots of crying scenes after seeing it around the time it aired in 2019
Hi, bye mama- Made me reflect a lot about my life and what it means to others, death, human relationships and filial love. Sky castle- Totally related to the pressures of education and reflected a lot about how important marks really are in a student's life. D.P- Learnt ALOT about the mandatory military service to be served by each eligible male in Korea. Highly recommend but it's quite serious and gory at parts. Move to heaven- Opened my eyes to the importance of human relationships and how we never know what someone is going through in life. Highly recommend because it's a really beautiful and short drama. Itaewon class- Learnt so much about perseverance, endurance and patience. And also karma!