Kdrama Chronicles Part 1 – The Dramas That Shaped My Perspective

Welcome to my Kdrama Chronicles! As a dedicated fan of Korean dramas, I’ve spent countless hours getting lost in the mesmerizing worlds of romance, mystery, fantasy, and more. From heart-fluttering love stories to edge-of-your-seat thrillers, Kdramas have a unique way of captivating audiences with engaging plots, well-crafted characters, and stunning cinematography.

Kdramas for television have superior scripts with original plots, unforeseen twists, great direction, incredibly talented actors, and fantastic original songs. They’ve made me laugh, kept me glued to the edge of my seat, had me pausing to think through the plot points along the way to not miss anything or stop with amazement as I realized what’s being shown, grabbed my heart, and kept me completely immersed.

They can make you smile on a bad day, soothe and comfort your heart, and provide insight into a different culture and way of living. They cover almost all genres, from Fantasy, Action, Medicine, History, Law, to Thriller, entertaining many audiences. For me, they have always been a stress buster and secret shifter. It might sound like an exaggeration, but I need dramas to find peace in living the manipulative reality. Life will never be like a drama or a movie, things won't go as smoothly as they are in them, but all we need is hope for better things, and Korean dramas give me hope.

In this blog, I’ll take you through my watchlist, sharing the Kdramas that have left a lasting impression on me. Whether you’re a seasoned Kdrama enthusiast or new to the genre, I hope my experiences and recommendations inspire you to dive into these incredible shows.

My journey with K-dramas started during the initial year of COVID-19 when the world came to a standstill. Since then, I've delved into various genres, each with its own unique charm and storytelling style. Here are some of the K-dramas that have left a lasting impression on me:

Startup

"With sand on the ground, she could swing as high as she wanted. I wish I could fall on soft sand, too. Then I’d feel less scared running a business. But when I fall, I fall on the cold, hard ground."

The drama Start-Up is centred around a compelling quote and is set in a fictional South Korean version of Silicon Valley, where young dreamers strive for success in the startup world. The show offers a motivating portrayal of entrepreneurship, particularly through the concept of a sandbox environment designed to support new ideas.

Seo Dal-mi, one of the central characters, embodies the spirit of perseverance. Despite not pursuing an academic path, her entrepreneurial background and belief in her father’s dreams drive her success with SamSam Tech. Her journey illustrates how a supportive environment can foster entrepreneurial skills and challenge conventional expectations. The drama also explores the struggles of Han Ji-pyeong, an orphan whose financial and emotional challenges are poignantly depicted. His story highlights the difficulties faced by orphans, adding depth to the narrative. Nam Do-san, a character whose past mistakes impact his confidence, resonates deeply with me. I initially watched the drama after seeing a YouTube short where Do-san's struggle with academic expectations and personal doubts mirrored my own experiences. His journey reflects the universal challenges of overcoming self-doubt and pursuing one’s passion.

Additionally, the portrayal of female characters like Dal-mi and In-Jae as successful CEOs is inspiring for women entrepreneurs. Start-Up provides an insightful look into the startup industry and delivers an encouraging and heartwarming story that motivates viewers to chase their dreams.

Itaewon Classes

"Those three years were too long, and the only way I could bear the hell was thinking about revenge."

Itaewon Class was a drama that had been on my watchlist for a long time. After my exams, I finally had the opportunity to watch it. Having previously been inspired by Start-Up, I was eager to explore more motivational dramas, and Itaewon Class caught my attention.

The drama centres on Park Sae-ro-yi, whose dream of becoming a police officer is shattered after an incident where he attempts to kill Jang Geun-won, the son of Jangga Group's founder, Jang Dae-hee. This act is driven by the desire for revenge after Geun-won, who had caused the death of Sae-ro-yi's father in a hit-and-run accident, remains unpunished. Determined to surpass the Jangga Group, Sae-ro-yi embarks on an entrepreneurial journey, starting with the opening of a pub in Itaewon. Throughout his struggle, Sae-ro-yi faces numerous challenges, but he is supported by his manager, Jo Yi-seo, whose marketing skills prove invaluable, and by his loyal co-workers. Sae-ro-yi's positive mindset and entrepreneurial spirit are evident in his ability to remain calm, even when his company faces setbacks. He is a source of motivation for his team, encouraging them to stay focused on a positive vision. His influence is so strong that he even manages to inspire change in a former gangster.

A particularly evocative moment comes when his friend reflects, "Everyone is given the same amount of time. But I realized that the depth of the time he and I had spent is completely different.” This quote highlights a key theme of the drama: the importance of how we choose to spend our time. In a world where many people give up or procrastinate, the drama emphasizes the value of using time wisely. Yi-seo, who initially struggles with emotional emptiness, learns about kindness and understanding through her relationship with Sae-ro-yi. She becomes a steadfast partner, someone who doesn’t require constant validation from Sae-ro-yi. Her willingness to support him, even during his darkest moments, illustrates the impact of having a supportive life partner. The right person can make even the most painful experiences more bearable and worthwhile.

The drama concludes with the character development of each main figure, showing how they have grown and evolved. Sae-ro-yi's success is driven by a powerful sense of purpose, rooted in his desire for revenge, but ultimately guided by a vision that he nurtured from the start.

Itaewon Class teaches several valuable lessons, one of which is the importance of a strong vision and the perseverance to see it through. You can explore more lessons from this drama in the link: Lessons

Welcome to Samdal-ri

"Like migratory birds setting out in winter on a long journey to find warmth, protected by our youth as our armour, we ventured out in pursuit of our dreams."

Cho Eun-hye, also known as Cho Sam-dal, is a successful fashion photographer who suddenly finds her career in jeopardy due to a false bullying scandal spread by a jealous junior. From a young age, Sam-dal had always dreamed of escaping her hometown of Samdal-ri for a glamorous life in the city. Her best friend, Jo Yong-pil, would often hear her lament, "There are so many planes leaving Jeju, so why am I not on one of them?" Now, she has achieved that dream, living a luxurious life in Seoul, surrounded by celebrity friends. However, despite her success, she always felt an underlying sense of dissatisfaction.

Although her childhood friends left Samdal-ri to pursue their careers, Sam-dal's family was the only one to settle in Seoul, making her parents proud of her accomplishments. But when the scandal hits, she returns to her village, where she finally feels at peace, able to be her true self. This return to her roots allows her to reconnect with who she truly is. While her photography career in the city was focused on capturing "models" and popular faces, back in Samdal-ri, she began to tell deeper stories through her lens, thanks to the support of Yong-pil.

The story highlights the harsh reality of the Korean entertainment and fashion industry, where a single scandal, whether proven or not, can destroy an entire career. It doesn't matter if you've been working for a year or a decade; the scrutiny from netizens and the public can be overwhelming. While redemption is possible, for some, it leads to a painful end. Sam-dal's return to her hometown illustrates the profound relief that comes from having a place where you can truly be yourself. Welcome to Samdal-ri is a comforting, healing, and heartwarming drama that feels like coming home.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

"Life may seem like a burden to you at times, but if you choose to be among others, just like you did for me, someone will carry you on their back."

I discovered this drama after falling in love with the genre portrayed in Welcome to Samdal-ri. Drawn to the similar theme of a city dweller moving to a village, I decided to give it a watch.

The story revolves around Yoon Hye-jin, a dentist who finds herself at odds with her superiors at work. On her late mother's birthday, she visits the serene seaside village of Gongjin, seeking solace after her life takes a turn for the worse. In a spontaneous decision, she opens a dental clinic there. However, her reserved and somewhat aloof nature hinders the clinic's success. Over time, as she begins to spend more time with the villagers, especially with the help of Hong Du-sik—who is adored by everyone in Gongjin—Hye-jin slowly starts to open up. She gradually adapts to her new environment, forming close bonds with the locals. Du-sik, who is always seen as cheerful and upbeat, hides deep regrets in his heart. Through the support and camaraderie of the villagers, he too finds a sense of peace and resolution.

This drama beautifully illustrates that sometimes, letting go of the past is essential for mental clarity and inner peace.

Summer Strike

"From this moment on, I'm not going to do anything. I'm going on a strike from life."

Similar to Welcome to Samdal-ri and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Summer Strike also explores the charm of village life. It tells the story of people who begin to find themselves after leaving behind the complexities of city living and moving to an unfamiliar place to do nothing. As the title suggests, our main character, Lee Yeo-reum, decides to go on a 'strike' with her life after her career falls apart. Following the loss of her mother, Yeo-reum realizes she was never truly happy in the bustling city, where she had little time for herself or her loved ones. In a spontaneous decision, she packs only a few essentials and leaves the city to live a carefree life in a small village.

In this peaceful setting, she spends her days at the Angok Library, reading books, and getting to know the villagers. But Summer Strike isn't just a cute, calming story about an introvert finding peace. There’s a deeper layer involving the mysterious past of the house where Yeo-reum lives. The house once belonged to Ahn Dae-beom, a librarian at Angok Library and a math genius, who is haunted by the trauma of his sister’s death in that very home. Both Yeo-reum and Dae-beom, two introverts with troubled pasts, come together to unravel a murder mystery, supporting each other along the way. The drama also introduces Kim Bom, a troubled young girl living with her alcoholic father, grandmother, and brother. Initially cold and distant toward Yeo-reum, she gradually warms up, and by the end of the drama, they start living together like a family.

Summer Strike highlights the idea that you don’t need glamorous things to enjoy life. The simple desire to live, focusing on basic daily needs, can make life feel less burdensome. One of Yeo-reum’s dialogues, 'I still haven’t figured out how I should live my life. But I must live fully,' resonates deeply. It reminds us that everyone is confused at times, but that doesn’t mean we should live in frustration. This is your first life, so live it fully.

“I thought about what happiness is.I looked it up in the dictionary. Happiness is a state of being pleased, fulfilled, and content in life. I found that definition to be too long, so I decided to make it shorter. Happiness: The state of lacking nothing"    

– Lee Yeo Reum

Dr Cha

"I thought I was living an upper-class life that wasn’t lacking by any standard. But after coming back from the brink of death, it turns out all of that was meaningless."

Dr Cha is a medical drama that also serves as an empowering story for women, particularly focusing on the undervalued work of housewives. It reminded me of an essay I read during my Bachelor's study, titled "My Mother Never Worked," which emphasized how housework is often not recognized as real work. Many assume that household management is easier than office work, and this drama portrays a similar narrative.

The main character, Dr. Cha, had given up her medical career to raise her children, only to find that her family no longer valued her contributions. A life-changing incident—being diagnosed with liver failure—propels her to rethink her choices. In this life-or-death situation, she realizes that all her efforts for her family have gone unappreciated, and she starts rediscovering her passions. She remembers her love for medicine and decides to reenter the field by taking the entrance exam for a residency program at the hospital where her husband works as a director and her son as a colleague. During this journey, she also uncovers her husband’s affair with her former lover. The drama unfolds with humour and emotion, making it a must-watch for those starting late in life or seeking inspiration for personal reinvention. It beautifully portrays how it’s never too late to pursue your passions, even after life’s setbacks.

Still Seventeen

                                                                  Don't Think, Feel!

Like Dr Cha, Still Seventeen is another drama that proves it's never too late to start over. Shin Hye-sun, my favourite actress since I watched Still Seventeen, delivers an exceptional performance. The story revolves around Woo Seo-ri, a 17-year-old violin prodigy who is on the verge of studying in Germany. Gong Woo-jin, a shy boy with a crush on her, finally gathers the courage to confess his feelings when tragedy strikes—an accident that he blames himself for. While a friend of Seo-ri's tragically dies, she survives, but Woo-jin is unaware and believes his crush perished in the accident.

After 13 long years, Seo-ri regains consciousness from a coma, shocked to realize she has lost over a decade of her life. Not only has she lost her family and her violin skills, but she's also lost those vital years of youth. Meanwhile, Woo-jin has grown physically but remains emotionally frozen in time, haunted by the belief that his actions led to Seo-ri's death. Once a fun-loving boy, he's now a quiet and gloomy adult, stuck at 17 in spirit, just like Seo-ri. The way both characters remain trapped in their teenage selves, despite their physical ages, poignantly reflects the lingering effects of trauma and loss. This drama could easily be classified as a sad romantic story with a happy ending, but it also carries a powerful message: life doesn't stop, and even after significant setbacks, you can begin again—just like Seo-ri and Woo-jin.

To be continued.....