Honourable Mention: Age of Youth
Age of Youth, the sleeper hit of 2016, stars five rising actresses as roommates who are all different but strike a deep friendship. The show follows the highs and lows of their lives.
The only reason Age of Youth didn't quite make the list is that it gave me tonal whiplash, particularly towards the end. However, the show is light and fun with a deep emotional punch, and the second season (a rare unicorn in Korea) will start next week, which I'm looking forward to. It's perfect if you want a more mature school story, with a bunch of lovable girls at the helm.
5. Reply 1988
While you could choose any of the three seasons of the Reply series, I'm choosing Reply 1988 in particular. It's set in an intimate neighbourhood in Seoul, where all the families are incredibly close.
Reply 1988 is one of the drama tvN is most well-known for, and for good reason. The explosion in popularity came from the little stories told with a big heart. The episodes were way too long at two-hours a piece, and therefore the drama felt horribly slow, but the characters are one in a million and worth the patience.
4. School 2013
Take any old school. Add two teachers who care. Add the bully no-one wants to deal with. Add a pair of friends who've been torn apart, and you have a recipe for a great school drama.
This revival of the KBS School series lives up to it's predecessors with the episodic look on the problems of normal students. I wasn't prepared for the tragic lengths this series went to. The broken bromance at the centre was definitely the highlight, with breakout performances from real-life friends Lee Jong-suk and Kim Woo-bin, but everything else was just as good.
3. Drinking Solo
Drinking Solo is set in Noryangjin, and focuses on the lives of the teachers and students of a certain institute, and how they work around their loneliness.
As a spin-off production from the the Let's Eat franchise, you can expect a quirky ensemble with fine tastes. Many people found the obnoxious main character to have put a downer on the show, but I loved him and his journey to becoming a better person. The show hit so many sweet-spots; the romances and friendships felt so true to life. Drinking Solo is an easy-breezy watch with a fun cast.
As a spin-off production from the the Let's Eat franchise, you can expect a quirky ensemble with fine tastes. Many people found the obnoxious main character to have put a downer on the show, but I loved him and his journey to becoming a better person. The show hit so many sweet-spots; the romances and friendships felt so true to life. Drinking Solo is an easy-breezy watch with a fun cast.
2. Misaeng
Misaeng is about the life of Jang Geu-rae, struggling to hit into working society after playing baduk his whole life, and how he finds a job at One International and fights to make a place for himself.
Sure, Misaeng totally deserved the top spot on this list - I admit it. The directing and writing was flawless, paired with fantastic performances from the cast, notably Im Shi-wan who gave everything to his character. The only reason it isn't higher is that, firstly I haven't finished it yet, and secondly the office terms go over my head.
Sure, Misaeng totally deserved the top spot on this list - I admit it. The directing and writing was flawless, paired with fantastic performances from the cast, notably Im Shi-wan who gave everything to his character. The only reason it isn't higher is that, firstly I haven't finished it yet, and secondly the office terms go over my head.
The CEO of a failing cosmetics company seeks out his struggling ex-girlfriend as his last hope, and convinces her to try and become Miss Korea.
This is a show about humanity's desperation, and how people will do anything if it'll stop them from sinking. I haven't seen Lee Yeon-hee put as much into a character as she did here, and Lee Seon-kyun was delightful - but Lee Sung-min is the one who tore my heart out. Even though it's a little slow, there was never a dull moment in Miss Korea for me.
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