Mark your Calendar: Upcoming K-Dramas that should be on your Watchlist
The worst part of life is waiting. The best part of life is having a Korean Drama worth waiting for.
Well, the last three months of 2020 are surely going to be worth our time because the line-up of K-Dramas that are releasing is impressive. Whether it be dramas based on webtoons , ones starring K-pop idols (hurrah!!) or the presence of mainstream drama actors in original short web series – there’s something for everyone. A few interesting aspects to look forward to are the number and length of episodes and streaming medium. Short web series format is becoming popular. With a new web platform like KakaoTV bringing original series that target the younger audience, get ready for some exciting times ahead.
Love Revolution
Cast: Park Jihoon, Lee Ruby, Kim Younghoon Premiere Date: 1st September 2020 No. of Episodes: 30 Streaming on/Network: Kakao TV, Viki Rakuten, iQIYI International
Based on the original webtoon of the same name, Love Revolution is the story about a lovable 17-year-old student Gong JuYoung who falls in love with a rather aloof Wang JaRim at first sight. Gong JuYoung is a teen brimming with aegyo, loyalty and charm. Will he manage to impress Wang JaRim or fail miserably? The story also covers various other angles such as friendship and hurdles in the lives of teenagers.
This is one drama I’ve been looking forward to ever since it was announced. I’ve been patiently counting the days and waiting… and waiting. The K-pop fanatic, webtoon addict and teen inside me are screaming in delight. I cannot wait to see Park Jihoon (former Wanna One member) and Kim the only visual I need in my life Younghoon (The Boyz) together as friends in a drama.
Amanza
Cast: Ji Soo, Lee Seol Premiere Date: N/A No. of Episodes: 10; Each episode is of fifteen minutes duration. Streaming on/Network: Kakao TV
Amanza is an adaptation of the popular webtoon ‘Big See’ created by Kim Botong. The story narrates the journey of a young man diagnosed with terminal cancer. Ji Soo plays the role of Park Dong Myung.
Amanza will take us through the emotions and struggles of Park Dong Myung. The distress of his treatment and awareness of how he has never lived his life until the diagnosis makes him rely on his imagination and subconscious memory to seek answers and find comfort.
You can read the webtoon here.
Record of Youth/ The Moment
Cast: Park Bo-gum, Park So-dam, Byeon Woo-seok Premiere date: 7th September 2020 No. of Episodes: 16 Streaming on/Network: tvN and Netflix
Another highly anticipated drama, Record of Youth, brings the dreams and struggles of individuals and reality of the modelling industry on screen. Park BoGum plays Sa HyeJoon, a successful model aspiring to become an actor. Park So-dam brings the character of Ahn JungHa, a makeup artist, to life. Byeon Woo-seok plays the role of Won HaeHyo, a model and actor.
I am thrilled to see two powerful actors coming together as a lead pair. Based on the trailer, I’m positive that the story and screenplay is going to bring out the best of their acting skills.
18 Again
Cast: Kim Ha Neul, Yoon Sang-hyun, Lee Do Hyun, Noh Jung Eui, Ryeoun Premiere date: 7th September 2020 No. of Episodes: 16 Streaming on/Network: JTBC
18 Again takes us through the life of a miserable soon-to-be divorced Hong Dae Young (played by Yoon Sang-hyun) who turns back in time and becomes 18 again. He changes his name to Go Woo Young (played by Lee Do Hyun) when he turns back in time. On the other hand, his wife Jung Da Jung (portrayed by Kim Ha Neul) starts focusing on her career after raising her 18-year-old twins.
This story is based on the 2009 Hollywood movie 17 Again starring Matthew Perry, Zac Efron and Leslie Mann.
The cast list brought a smile to my face. We know Kim Ha Nuel and Yoon Sang-hyun are experienced actors who will surely do justice to their roles. But there were a lot of familiar faces, especially upcoming actors, and seeing them come together for a drama is exhilarating. Since I watch a lot of original web series, I was happy to see Ryeoun, who is popular among the younger crowd, as part of the cast. Choi Bo Min from Golden Child, and Wi Ha Joon, who gave us major SLS feels in Romance is a Bonus Book, are also a part of the cast.
The School Nurse Files
Cast: Jung Yu-Mi, Nam Joo-hyuk Premiere Date: 25th September 2020 No. of Episodes: 6 Streaming on/Network: Netflix
The School Nurse Files is an adaptation of the novel ‘School Nurse An Eunyoung’ by South Korean author Chung Serang. The story revolves around Ahn Eun-young, a school nurse with an extraordinary power to see jelly monsters, which are made from the residue of human desire, and fight them using a toy gun and knife. When the school she works in is in danger, she combines forces with Hong In Pyo, a Chinese language teacher from the same school, to get rid of the jellies. Jung Yu-mi plays the role of Ahn Eun-young and Nam Joo-hyuk essays the role of Hong In Pyo.
From what the trailer shows us, this Netflix Original fantasy drama will surely be an action packed one interlaced with comedy.
Start Up
Cast: Bae Suzy, Nam Joo Hyuk, Kim Seon Ho, Kang Han Na Premiere Date: 10th October 2020 No. of Episodes: 16 Streaming on/Network: TvN, Netflix
Start Up tells us the story of four individuals in the world of startups.
Each individual has a reason for starting a company. While Seo Dal Mi (played by Bae Suzy) dreams of becoming big like Steve Jobs, Nam Do San (enacted by Nam Joo Hyuk), a mathematics genius wants to prove himself.
Kim Seon Ho plays Han Ji Pying, an individual who enters the world of startup companies to pay off his debt. Kang Ha Na brings the role of Won In Jae, a chaebol heir who wants to prove herself independently.
Tale of the Nine Tailed
Cast: Lee Dong Wook, Jo Bo Ah, Kim Bum Premiere Date: 7th October 2020 No. of Episodes: 16 Streaming on/Network: tvN, Viki
Tale of the Nine Tailed revolves around Lee Yeon (played by Lee Dong Wook), a guminho (mythical nine-tailed fox), who settles in the city as a human, Nam Ji Ah (played by Jo Bo Ah) a television producer who produces a show on urban myths, and Lee Rang (role essayed by Kim Bum) who is known to be the most dangerous guminho of them all.
More than Friends
Cast: Ong Seong-Wu, Shin Ye-eun, Kim Dong-jun, Pyo Ji-hoon, Baek Soo-min Premiere Date: 18th September 2020 No. of Episodes: 16 Streaming on/Network: JTBC
More than Friends is a story of two friends Lee Soo (played by Ong Seong-Wu – a former Wanna One member) and Kyung Woo Yeon (enacted by Shin Ye-eun) who’ve had a crush on each other for a decade but remained friends due to misunderstandings and missed opportunities.
From the teaser I can sense a strong Second Lead Syndrome (SLS), which is sure to make our hearts ache for days together.
Live On!
Cast: Hwang Min Hyun, Jung Da Bin, Choi Byung Chan, Yeonwoo, Noh Jong Hyun, Yang Hye Ji Premiere Date: November 2020 No. of Episodes: 8 Streaming on/Network: JTBC
Live On! is a high school romance drama. Baek Ho-Rang (played by Jung Da-Bin) is a high school student whose beauty makes her popular in school and on social media. She joins her high school’s broadcasting club to solve a problem she encounters. The head of this club, Go Eun-Taek (played by Minhyun – former Wanna One member and current NU’EST member), is a perfectionist.
The Mermaid Prince: The Beginning
Cast: Moonbin, Chae Won-bin, Hwiyoung, Moon Sang Min, Yoo Na Gyeol Premiere Date: November 2020 No. of Episodes: 10 Streaming on/Network: Lifetime
If you have watched The Mermaid Prince, you’d still be fangirling over the dreamy Woo Hyuk played by Moonbin from ASTRO because, same! The Mermaid Prince: The Beginning is a prequel that takes us through the high school life of Woo Hyuk. The romance in this prequel is said to be a contrast to the original series. Woo Hyuk as a teenager is mischievous, which is very different compared to his character in the original drama.
HwiYoung from SF9 also plays an important role in this prequel. Former Hello Venus member Yoo Na Gyeol will also be essaying a role in this drama. K-pop fans, it’s time to rejoice!
True Beauty
Cast: Moon Ga Young, Cha Eun Woo, Hwang In Yeob Premiere Date: 2nd December 2020 No. of Episodes: 16 Streaming on/Network: tvN
Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, True Beauty is a story about a high school girl Im Joo Kyung (role essayed by Moon Ga Young) who is insecure about her appearance and uses makeup to transform herself. However, she keeps this a secret. She meets Lee Soo Ho (played by Cha Eun Woo – member of ASTRO) who has a secret of his own. Hwang In Yeob plays the role of Han Seo Joon.
Honestly, while I’m interested in this particular drama as a whole, I’m most excited to see Hwang In Yeob portray Han Seo Joon. This rookie actor is not only blessed in the looks department, he shows a lot of promise with respect to acting as well.
You can read the webtoon here.
Lovestruck in the City
Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Kim Ji-won, Kim Min-seok, So Joo-yeon, Ryu Kyung-soo, Han Ji-eun Premiere Date: 22nd December 2020 No. of Episodes: 12; 30 minutes each Streaming on/Network: Kakao TV & Netflix
Lovestruck in the City is a short form drama that tells us the love story between the passionate architect Park Jae Won (played by Ji Chang-wook) and the free-spirited Lee Eun Oh (played by Kim Ji-won). From the teaser, I’m assuming there are two more equally interesting love tracks in this drama.
I’m most excited to see the chemistry between Ji Chang-wook and Kim Ji-won. This pair is not only a refreshing change but they look good together. My expectations are sky high after seeing the posters and preview. They already look good together in the posters and preview so my expectations are sky high.
To the Beautiful Us
Cast: Kim Yo Han, So Ju Yeon, Yeo Hoe Hyun Premiere Date: 28th December 2020 No. of Episodes: 24 Streaming on/Network: Kakao TV & Netflix
To the Beautiful Us is a remake of the Chinese drama A Love So Beautiful. The remake marks the acting debut of Kim Yo Han, member of the idol group WEi. The story revolves around Shin Sol Yi who shows her affection for Cha Heon at any given opportunity. Cha Heon is a quiet studious boy who likes Shin Sol Yi but doesn’t express himself. Their journey together from school days to adulthood will be shown in the drama.
For me, A Love So Beautiful is THAT drama I go back to and watch often and never get tired of. So, the remake of this drama is definitely big news for me and I’m looking forward to it. It would be hard not to draw comparisons but at the end of the day, I want the remake to be as good as the original. Fingers crossed!
