Romantic-comedy drama recommendations
by javabeans
Since I’ve had a lot of requests for drama recommendations following You’re Beautiful, I thought I’d put this up as its own post. I may be spotty with some of the other genres out there, but I’m ALL about the trendy drama! The following is a list of my recommendations (and some that are not recs but merely possibilities) for trendies that have a similar tone and vibe to You’re Beautiful.
I’m sure many of you have seen many (maybe even all) of the dramas on this list. But some others who haven’t racked up as many drama-watching hours may want a guide to help them navigate the many, many offerings out there.
First, we’ll start with the other the Hong Sisters dramas…
DELIGHTFUL GIRL CHUN-HYANG (2005)
What it’s about: Modernized reworking of classic Korean folktale of a Romeo and Juliet-esque couple from Joseon times. Jae Hee and Han Chae-young are forced together at a young age, then fall in love as they mature.
Why you might like it: Jae Hee, Jae Hee, Jae Hee. Brilliant comic timing and heartfelt emotion. The situations are laugh-inducing and it’s a lot of fun; the couple bickers their way throughout but you can feel the love between them. Trademark Hong Sisters jokes — every episode ends with a sageuk parody that plays off the traditional folktale with a modern sense of humor.
Why you might not: This is my favorite Hong Sisters drama, but remember that it’s their first. If you’re watching it after seeing their others, keep in mind that what was fresh and new in 2005 may now seem common. Also, some people hate the second leads, particularly the male (even if it is a yummy Uhm Tae-woong!). Maybe it helps to remember that he’s based on the evil, possessive magistrate from the folktale.
MY GIRL (2005)
What it’s about: A girl who’s gifted at telling lies is hired to impersonate a long-lost granddaughter of an old, ailing rich man. Her warm, bubbly personality clashes with the old man’s cold, businesslike grandson, so naturally they fall in love.
Why you might like it: Super chemistry between Lee Da-hae and Lee Dong-wook. (Also: Lee Junki.) Lots of comedy, cute romantic moments, quotable lines.
Why you might not: I loved Lee Da-hae’s bubbliness, but some found her too much. The last few episodes get a little too angsty, and the big conflict is a little contrived. Still, it’s one of the better/best offerings in the trendy drama genre. If you liked You’re Beautiful, this is the first drama I’d recommend.
FANTASY COUPLE (2006)
What it’s about: Reworking of American film Overboard. A privileged, snobby heiress loses her memory, and the blue-collar worker she mistreated decides to get his revenge by pretending she’s his girlfriend. He brings her home and puts her to work.
Why you might like it: It’s less angsty than the other Hong Sisters dramas. Han Ye-seul completely reinvented her image with a great rich-bitch characterization; she doesn’t hold back and really goes for it. Quirky side characters like loopy Kang-ja add a fun touch. A subplot actively mocks Autumn Love Story.
Why you might not: The Anna & Chul-soo relationship is funny and cute, but not overtly romantic (perhaps this is a plus for some). I consider the directing to be the weak link, and while it isn’t outright bad, it veers into the slapstick. The writing is better than the iffy directing.
HONG GIL DONG (2008)
What it’s about: Fusion sageuk reimagining of Joseon hero Hong Gil Dong, a Robin Hood-like crusader for the poor. “Fusion” means that while the setting is in the 1600s, it has a modern sensibility and sense of humor.
Why you might like it: Kang Ji-hwan is awesome. He starts out a lazy, swaggering, troublemaking rascal, but that’s because Hong Gil Dong is an illegitimate son and therefore was unable to fulfill his dreams. His pairing with a cheery Sung Yuri is great, and she changed a lot of people’s minds about her acting, formerly deemed subpar. Jang Geun-seok plays a cool-headed prince. There’s comedy and wackiness, but also political machinations and a royal coup plot that adds complexity.
Why you might not: I liked the ending and wrote my big explanation in the finale recap, but many did not agree. Because this has more weighty plot matters, the humor scales back and the conspiracy takes over in the last third. I think it gets downright slow toward the end, before it picks up in the run-up to the finale. The humor is a little slapstick for my taste.
And then the rest, in no particular order:
FULL HOUSE (2004)
What it’s about: A girl’s debt-ridden friends sell her house for the money. She comes home from vacation to find that a surly movie star has moved in. Homeless and alone, she works as his maid to earn her keep.
Why you might like it: Rain and Song Hye-gyo are cute as a bickering couple, and this was one of the early “contract romance” dramas. It was huge in the ratings and is probably one of the most-watched early Hallyu dramas.
Why you might not: Don’t think too hard, or the logic might collapse (even the premise doesn’t quite hold up — your friends sell your house and you don’t fight back?). This is one of those “shut your brain off and enjoy” dramas; particularly toward the end, the plot stops making total sense in its efforts to keep the couple apart. The romance is cute but not necessarily romantic. Still, it’s an easy, mostly fun watch.
MY NAME IS KIM SAM-SOON (2005)
What it’s about: Like Bridget Jones, the lead is a 30-year-old who isn’t the typical pretty skinny girl that most guys go for. She’s loud, hot-tempered, and likes to eat. Her boss is a cold, unfeeling type with whom she agrees to a contract romance in order to get his mother off his back about marriage.
Why you might like it: It sounds typical, but the execution makes this great; it was a huge phenomenon and broke 50% ratings. At times funny, at times heartwarming, the writing is solid and Kim Sun-ah and Hyun Bin work great together. You should really see this drama if you’re a fan of rom-coms.
Why you might not: Maybe the hype has turned you off? I do think it gets built up too much, but it’s a very solid drama.
GOONG (PRINCESS HOURS) (2006)
What it’s about: Modern Cinderella story with a twist, in that Korea is imagined as a monarchy; a handsome prince is the source of every young girl’s fantasy. A normal girl is forced to marry the prince because of a decades-old pact between their grandfathers. She is brought into the palace, where she starts out clumsy and out of place as she is trained to be a princess. The awkward couple gradually falls in love.
Why you might like it: Beautiful visuals, gorgeous soundtrack, amazing costumes. Yoon Eun-hye shot to stardom, as did Joo Ji-hoon, and this drama was a huge phenomenon with its young fanbase. The intriguing twist (an imagined Korean monarchy) adds interest to the opposites-attract romance. A gentle, caring second male lead makes for a good love triangle as Yoon Eun-hye is caught between the nice prince and the cold one.
Why you might not: The extension surely hurt the pacing of the later episodes, and this drama got downright sloooow. The political conspiracy was drawn out and sucked fun out of the latter half. The ending (which is a puzzler) feels sloppy. But the other elements are strong enough that it’s well worth a look.
WHAT’S UP FOX? (2006)
What it’s about: A 33-year-old woman has a one-night stand with a guy 9 years her junior — her best friend’s brother. At first they agree to ignore it, but they start to fall for each other and she fights the attraction because the age gap is such an obstacle, particularly when she’s being courted by a handsome, charming doctor her own age.
Why you might like it: This comes from the writer of My Name is Kim Sam-soon, and like that drama, the writing is solid and the acting very strong by leads Go Hyun-jung and the adorable Chun Jung-myung.
Why you might not: It has a mellower, low-key vibe with a realistic air, and it isn’t as outrageous or outright comical as some other rom-coms. The chemistry is great, but some people have a problem with the age gap. (I think they make it work.)
SOULMATE (2006)
What it’s about: A light, humor-filled drama about the modern dating world, told through the relationships of six main characters. Each person has a different dating philosophy, demonstrated by how they view the concept of soulmates. (Is fate something that comes to you, or are you in charge of making your own?)
Why you might like it: Super, super editing and plotting. The storytelling plays with nonlinear structure, and in earlier episodes, one half of the episode tells something from the main girl’s perspective, while the other half takes the guy’s perspective, and we see how the two halves fit together by episode’s end. Clever writing, great dialogue. Lots of fun. It’s short and sweet at 12 episodes, and was completely written in advance of its broadcast.
Why you might not: I love this drama to pieces, but it may be a little slick and fast for some others. It’s a little risque and definitely not as chaste as most kdramas, but I think that’s a welcome thing.
BAD FAMILY (2006)
What it’s about: When a family is killed in a car crash, the only survivor is a little girl who suffers amnesia. Her uncle hires a “fake family” to act as her family to help her recover until he can get to the bottom of the car accident.
Why you might like it: Hilarious! The fake grandpa flirts with his fake daughter-in-law. The fake uncle starts to like his fake niece. They all have to juggle their regular lives outside their family performance. Comedy abounds and Kim Myung-min, in a rare comic performance, is fantastic as an uneducated ex-gangster; Nam Sang-mi is in one of her more adorable roles. Heechul plays a runaway hired to be the fake brother. This drama isn’t as romance-heavy (although there is romance), and is more about the wonderful shenanigans of the fake family as they go from fighting all the time to forming actual bonds.
Why you might not: I remember hating the first episode, which was boring. But after that, I fell in love!
DAL JA’S SPRING (2007)
What it’s about: Perhaps inspired by the j-dorama “office lady” genre, this series features the romantic foibles of a 33-year-old professional woman who’s unpracticed in dating; Lee Min-ki becomes Chae Rim’s romance coach.
Why you might like it: Funny, sweet, adorable. Chemistry is great, Dal Ja is lovable, and Lee Min-ki is perfect. Lots of pop-culture parodies and funny situations. Best of all, it explores friendships and working relationships in addition to the romance.
Why you might not: It was extended by two episodes, and while I almost don’t even notice, it does slow a teeny bit. Chae Rim’s makeup and hair takes a little getting used to. But definitely worth a watch.
COFFEE PRINCE (2007)
What it’s about: (As if I have to even tell you!) A tomboyish girl who is regularly mistaken for a boy takes a job at a cafe whose concept is to hire only good-looking guys. She falls for her boss, who falls for her too — while thinking she’s a boy.
Why you might like it: Gong Yoo’s portrayal of conflict is complex and nuanced. Jeremy in You’re Beautiful took a comic bent, but Gong Yoo’s exploration of his feelings is wrought with emotion. Yoon Eun-hye dove into this character and made it her own. The other “princes” are great to watch, and the director injects a breezy, refreshing air to the atmosphere. Fantabulous music selection.
Why you might not: The extension hurt the ending, and the tension drops off toward the end. Otherwise, this is one of the shining highlights of the trendy kdrama.
THE STORY OF HYANG DAN (2007)
What it’s about: What Shrek did for the Western canon of fairy tales, Story of Hyang Dan does for traditional Korean folktales. A modern comic spin takes us through multiple folk stories while centering the plot around the one about Chun-hyang and Mong-ryong (which is the basis for Delightful Girl Chun-hyang). However, this drama twists the tale to speculate what would happen if Chun-hyang were a selfish brat and Mong-ryong fell for her servant girl instead.
Why you might like it: You like irreverent, humorous reworkings of classics, and/or light-hearted fusion sageuks. Choi Shi-won (Super Junior) and Seo Ji-hye have cute chemistry, and this is low-commitment at a mere two episodes. Modern parodies (Love Actually, Prison Break) are included among the folktale allusions (Iljimae, Shim Chung).
Why you might not: This is not a serious drama at all. It’s purely a short, entertaining goof. But cute and sweet all the same.
WHO ARE YOU? (2007)
What it’s about: A dad dies in an accident and is granted 49 days by a sympathetic Grim Reaper to come back using the body of a young man in a coma. He gets three hours a day to do for his daughter what he wasn’t able to do while he was alive. The body he “borrows” belongs to a cold businessman, and the three-hour body-jacking episodes turn the unsuspecting businessman’s life upside-down.
Why you might like it: Yoon Kye-sang is awesome. He does the body-switching surprisingly well, and his relationship to his ghost inhabitant develops with unexpected warmth.
Why you might not: The romance is funny and sweet, but mostly because of Yoon Kye-sang — Go Ara is rather flat. The drama gets off to a silly start, but get past the first few episodes and you may discover a gem.
LAST SCANDAL OF MY LIFE (2008)
What it’s about: Cinderella with a twist. An ordinary ajumma with a cheating husband and a kid runs into her first love, who is now a movie star (and faking his age as much younger). The movie star is horrified at how she’s let herself go over the years, but as they spend more time together when she is hired as his housekeeper, he sees past that and starts to fall for her again.
Why you might like it: Funny, fast-paced, and sweet! Rom-coms are often stronger in plot than in acting, but the benefit of having veteran actors is that they can ACT! Jung Jun-ho is fantastic as the pampered movie star, and Choi Jin-shil is winning as the ajumma.
Why you might not: If you’re still saddened over Choi’s death, you may not feel comfortable watching her last work. I personally think it’s a great way to remember her. If you don’t like the idea of watching an ajumma in love, well, you’re missing out!
BOYS BEFORE FLOWERS (2009)
What it’s about: Korean version of Japanese manga/anime/drama Hana Yori Dango. Poor girl gets a free ride to an exclusive, uber-rich high school ruled by the bored, privileged “F4” clique. She offends the leader, who makes it his mission to terrorize her and eject her from the school. Surprisingly, she stands up to him and fights back, and he falls for her.
Why you might like it: The premise is great. Lee Min-ho burst on to the scene with a star-making performance as the mean F4 leader, and the whole country fell in love with his character. He made the drama worth watching for me.
Why you might not: Out of all the dramas on this list, this is the one that I most hesitate to recommend (and it comes with a lot of caveats). Poor writing wasted the great source material. Often, it was riddled with poor acting. Poor directing. Middling musical selections were overused and badly applied. The production was so fraught with accidents that the live-shoot system exhausted everyone involved, and the time contraint really shows. Crazy, illogical plotting and a second half that drags make this a frustrating watch — but an addicting one. On the other hand, I don’t regret watching it, and the fandom craze was hella fun.
Other possibilities that I won’t/can’t vouch for, but that others surely will:
My Love Patzzi (2002): Jang Nara has two awesome guys chasing after her and the interactions are cute, but I don’t think you can take this drama seriously; it’s a real lightweight. It’s an update of the Korean Cinderella (Kongji & Patzzi), where the person everything thinks is the good girl is actually fake, and the rude, troublemaking girl is actually the one you root for. At 10 episodes, it’s a fast series.
Attic Cat (2003): One of the first dramas to have a couple cohabitate (or, as I call it, using the forced proximity device). If Jung Da-bin’s death interferes with your enjoyment of her roles, you may not want to watch. Like with many stories when the couple lives together, there are contrivances to get one of them to leave, then return, then leave again, which you may find tiresome.
Capital Scandal (2007): A little slapstick with the humor, this drama places leads Kang Ji-hwan and Han Ji-min in 1920s Korea at the time of Japanese imperialism.
Bottom of the Ninth with Two Outs (2007): The baseball motif works with the story of a 30-year-old single woman and her romance with her best friend. Low-key and naturalistic with strong dialogue, it may be refreshing for some or too slow for others.
City Hall (2009): Don’t listen to me, listen to the fervent praise of all the die-hard City Hallers! Strong, mature chemistry between Kim Sun-ah and Cha Seung-won make this one enjoyable if you’re hankering to see something more than the typical chaste trendy-drama kisses and hand-holding.
Brilliant Legacy (Shining Inheritance) (2009): Romance with plenty of dramatic, makjang elements. One of the year’s highest-rated dramas and a hitmaker, catapulting careers for Han Hyo-joo, Bae Soo-bin, Moon Chae-won and Lee Seung-gi.
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Tags: 1 show to rule them all, Bad Family, Coffee Prince, Dal Ja's Spring, Delightful Girl Chun-hyang, Fantasy Couple, Full House, Goong, Hong Gil Dong, My Girl, My Name Is Kim Sam-soon, Soulmate, The Last Scandal of My Life, What's Up Fox
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101 djeedjes
November 28, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Wow, that's a great list.
I haven't watched some of them...by choice, because i don't like the lead actors or the story...but I think I've watched 75% from the list! and I'm going to watch City Hall and Brilliant Legacy, soon!
I agree with some other recommendation : 18vs29, Sweet 18...and why you don't include Bad Couple? Too much drama than comedy? I like it though.
Btw, will you make a melodrama recommendations' list too? Please? ;)
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102 ber
November 28, 2009 at 11:16 PM
@75- I admit Full House has many flaws but despite that it holds a very special place to me. Full House was my first kdrama and I watched it when I was only fourteen years old. *time sure flies fast*. It may not be the best or good written drama; it was still enjoyable and fun to watch (for me that is). It was the first time for me to experience anticipating for the new episode to come out. If it wasn't for Full House, I wouldn't have been introduced to korean dramas so I'm thankful for that ;P
anyway, since you're beautiful has ended, i was planning on watching other dramas to help me in my YAB therapy. LOL. I have watched almost all dramas in the list. and is planning to watch the Whats up Fox? and Shining Inheritance. Thanks for the list JB! :)
and also I think HANA YORI DANGO (jdrama) is good drama to recommend. It is DEFINITELY way better than BOF. :) Hana Kimi JAPAN is good too but sometimes too anime-ish. :D or It Started With A Kiss/ ISWAK, sometimes draggy but one of the best taiwanese dramas out there (still praying for JGS to play the lead role in the Korean version, he would be sooo perfect for it!<3)
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103 Porcelain
November 28, 2009 at 11:17 PM
And I wonder where did my time go... I drown in K-dramas! I think watch more than 2/3 of the list up here... Some favs ever... My Lovely Samsoon, Goong, Coffee Prince, What's Up Fox, My Last Scandal...
Great compilation JB!
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104 jyssandra
November 28, 2009 at 11:27 PM
other category of k-drama
is "PARTNER" its defferent from other k-drama its suspense, romance,comedy too.
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105 mean
November 28, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Way to go JB!!! I will surely try to see all of this... when i thought i 've seen it all, nah.. still i have long way to go!
Now don't know which one to start?!!!!! yahooooo!
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106 alodia
November 28, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Great list! Thanks JB!
My take:
Delightful Girl Chun-Hyang - my mom likes it, but I'm just not a big fan of Han Chae Young...
My Girl - I'm also not amused with LDH, but it's enjoyable. And I hate it for the same reason, the last few episodes are too angsty it feels like the nice mood it has on the beginning flipped over.
Fantasy Couple - a good one. nothing great. can be forgettable too. but will love Kang Ja (Boo Mi of City Hall) forever. It's funny, but not really romantic at all (and yup, it can be a plus anyway)
Hong Gil Dong - I MUST give it a try! I promise I will!
Full House - no thank you, i'm just not into the SHK and Bi type of acting
My Name Is Kim Sam Soon - my first kdrama. my all-time top kdrama. i loved it even before knowing how popular it is/was. love love love Kim Sun Ah's portrayal.
Goong - premise looks really really good and i feel bad for not watching it... but i'm also not into the YEH type of acting
What's Up Fox? - love it! a big fan of Kim Do Wo (writer). It makes me love Ms. Go even before she became the great Mi Shil!
Soulmate - ???
Bad Family - i can't wait to watch this, yeah first ep is really boring, but i know it gets better moving forward.
Dal Ja's Spring - love the story. Even if i'm not a Chae Rim fan, i could care less. it's a great drama. I love the message. Woman Power at its best!
Coffee Prince - hmm... yeah it's nice... glad i watched it... but again i'm not so keen with YEH... i don't feel the ending... and i expected so much from Gong Yoo and i think it hurts my watching pleasure.
Story of Hyang Dan - the mention of Shrek made me want to put it on my to watch list
Who Are You - awww, the underrated wonderful drama. yeah Go Ara's acting is flat, but forgiveable coz of the warm storyline (and YKS's smile)
Last Scandal of my Life - i hated the fact that i procrastinated watching it... i'm not very keen with Choi Jin Shil even if i know how good she is... (even before her death) but somehow after sneaking bits and pieces from my mom's watching, i think i will love this (just looking for time to watch it)
Boys Before Flowers - oh no! pass... pass... pass... not really my cup of tea...
My Love Patzzi - Jang Nara? I'll listen to her songs, but nothing can make me watch her act.
Attic Cat - a classic, i think da bin's a very good actress, but yeah, her death can be quite disturbing
Capital Scandal - ???
Ninth with Two Outs - hmm, i always ignore this but it seems that this is something i will like (adding on my to watch list)
City Hall - i need not say anything... a drama beyond words (lol we spent almost half a year already praising this drama - and we still do) JB, the mention of "City Halllers" just made me smile. It made my day (and I'm sure the days of the many City Hallers hanging around your blog too)
Brilliant Legacy - pass...
It looks like what makes me like or hate a drama depends on my personal opinion of the acting of the leads (and mostly of the lead actress). I strongly consider storyline of course, but the lead actress' acting ability, or the lack of it, is usually what makes or break a drama to me. (argh! my to-watch list is getting longer and longer and longer... but thanks to the recommendations!)
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107 glencorajane
November 28, 2009 at 11:45 PM
hi, thanks for the recommendations!
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108 zashibear
November 28, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Since I was feeling kind of sad now that YB has ended. I decided to review my fave Hong Sisters early work. Delightful Girl Chunyang, and totally enjoyed seeing it once more. Now I want to do a review of the others in your list. But must agree, FH hold a special place in my heart. MNKSS and Goong too. But there are lots more in the list that should be included like Sweet 18 ( I enjoyed that one too. )
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109 Quaggy
November 29, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Wonderful list, Javabeans. I've seen most and now have a couple of new ones (Bad Family & What's Up Fox) to add to my ever-growing Must Watch pile.
I was so glad to see Bottom of the Ninth, Two Out make the list. It's a flawed series, but its moments of brilliance shone so bright, it’s easy to forgive it its faults. The basic outline is pretty simple: Facing financial difficulties, childhood friends Bong Nan Hee (the amazing Park Soo Ae) and Byun Hyung Tae (Lee Jung Jin) move into together much to the dismay of their significant others and doubt of their skeptical friends. In terms, plot I found Nan Hee’s relationship with her younger, baseball playing boyfriend to be boring and Hyung Tae’s love life to be even worse (and extremely repetitive) and we aren't even going to bother talking about some of the B storylines. Keep your finger on the fast forward button. But those are the flaws.
The great thing about this series is Nan Hee and Hyung Tae’s relationship, which starts out as a close, unflinchingly loyal relationship and transforms itself into something more. It’s more like a newlywed comedy, since it’s all about two people learning how to share a life together, but since they aren’t a couple in a romantic sense, the UST is there too.
It’s the little things about this show that made it such fun to watch:
The way that Nan Hee and Hyung Tae slowly starting adopting each others mannerism the longer they live together.
It’s the look on Nan Hee’s face when she discovers that not only is Hyung Tae in the bushes outside their apartment hiding from her mother (who still doesn’t know about her daughter’s new apartment is actually Hyung Tae’s), so are her boyfriend and Hyung Tae’s latest flame.
It’s the entire scene when their circle of friends find out about their living arrangements. (Park Soo Ae and Lee Jung Jin are so in sync at this point it's hilarious.)
It’s how during a major melodramatic moment between Nan Hee and her boyfriend complete with tears and proclamations of love, Hyung Tae gives up trying to remind the boy to take off his shoes and just does it for him.
It’s how throughout the series Nan Hee just starts randomly singing just because she's happy.
It’s how I dismissed Nan Hee’s new, young, slu-*ahem* provocatively-dressed coworker as annoying, mean and even as the possible antagonist in the first episode, only to have her turn out to be one of the funniest, most open-hearted characters and an absolute joy to watch.
And, without giving too much away, it’s the second kiss in the last episode, the one by the door, which manages to be both sweet and hot at the same time.
If that doesn't capture your interest, there's Smile (aka Smile, You) that currently airing (and being recapped) and whole slew of others. And, seriously, if you haven't watched Coffee Prince yet, what are you waiting for?!
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110 Icarusfalls
November 29, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Great recommendations! I've seen almost all except for Bad family and Last Scandal of my Life. I stopped the former after watching the first episode which I didn't like and never started the latter as it sounded like a weepy melodrama!! =.=" I guess I'm going to watch these now.. ^_^
My personal recommendation is
Family's Honor/Glory of the Family: family drama by definition and heavier on the romance than comedy but it is just soo cute that I'm thinking of rewatching it
What it's about: Classical cliche story of snobby cold rich male meets virtuous female who changes him. However, it has more depth than that as it includes various other couples and stories.
Why you might like it - It is adorable and cute especially near the end. Park Shi Hoo (Iljimae) is just so dang yummy. The acting and chemistry between the cast is great. It has things in it for all generations and all types of people. It has multiple story lines (and love lines) that are interesting.
Why you might not like it - It starts out slow and is a fairly long drama (50-ish episodes). This is frustrating as you want the couple to "GET TOGETHER ALREADY" ! It has dramatic parts that are sometimes too dramatic and unrealistic. It has multiple story lines (and love lines) which takes time away from the 'main' couple..
Still even with its cons it is such an intersting and cute series that I'm thinking of watching it again... ^_^
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111 Cherry
November 29, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Thanks for this. I'm relatively new to k-drama and finding a new (and good!) series to watch can get frustrating.
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112 Meix2
November 29, 2009 at 12:27 AM
OMG- I've watched all of those dramas except Brilliant Legacy (Got really bored about half way in and couldn't care how it finished)... So there's where all my life gone!
Would certainly agree with JB's list for Rom-Coms, although as everybody has pointed out- the ranking is all down to personal taste. Fantasy Couple, Full House, Soulmate, Da-Ja, Who Are You and BOF didn't do much for me... fun to watch but I found them nearly instantly forgettable.
MNIKSS, Coffee Prince and CityHall were exceptional. Another one I thought was good was 'What star are you from' which I watched a couple of years back. But it has been awhile so my opinion might be tainted by my kdrama watching inexperience (i.e. along the lines of FullHouse- it was good to watch first time as it was only like my 3rd ever Kdrama- but on second viewing several years and several kdramas later, it was crap (relatively)).
I really think that lately Story of Man and City Hall has set the standards. I think I would have elevated YAB to stratospheric status if I had not watched those two before it. Romantic kiss scenes just don't seem to be a)Romantic and b) kissing, anymore since CH.
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113 le meera
November 29, 2009 at 12:35 AM
LAST SCANDAL WAS AWESOME! God, such great actors!
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114 ockoala
November 29, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Number 1 surprise: JB's fave Hong sister work is Chung-hyang (I enjoyed the chemistry of the leads a lot myself).
Number 2 surprise: how many City Hallers are here. Just the most exciting and engaging drama I have ever watched. I also think that the writer must be atoning for one of the worst kdrama endings ever in Lovers in Paris by delivering the most amazing fan servicey my smile went on for days ending in City Hall. Just thinking about the last episode makes me grin like a mad fool.
@ 75 Unny
I also hated Full House for the same reasons as you, but I know lots of folks who love it so drama watching really is such a personal experience. But when I watched Full House, I was so tempted to smash the DVD to bits, but I couldn't because I had to return it! But I can see why folks may love it. I don't even put it in the same category as City Hall, it's like apples and oranges. And I'm an orange girl.
Thanks for another super post, JB!
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115 Icarusfalls
November 29, 2009 at 12:45 AM
I am so a City Hall-er for life!! It is AWESOME!!! AWESOME!!! AWESOME!!!!
I am so in love with it that the song "Kurae naru midja" is my ringtone!!!! Just get past the first 4 episodes and you'll be HOOKED!! HOOKED, I tell you.. for life.. !!!!
/rant
Also, I would totally back 9 ends 2 outs. It is very good! Coffee Prince and Soulmate are of course just phenomenal..
@jtinma - I loved Buzzer Beat as well. It's a good watch for those intersted in jdramas like Love Generation and Long Vacation (both of which are to die for!!!)
@BOF recommendation - I didn't finish it! =.=" Couldn't stand it even though Lee Min Ho is one of my fav upcoming actors who is soo yummy.. he wasn't enough to make me like the bad writing, directing, and acting.. I would not recommend it personally... but to each their own..
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116 Icarusfalls
November 29, 2009 at 12:49 AM
I just realized I sound like a mad raving rating idiot in the last post! =.="
@Meix2 - I so believe you are right about City Hall spoiling us for the rest of the kdramas.. I always feel like chemistry (esp. the kisses!) is lacking between the main leads in all other dramas since watching City Hall. Dramas I found worthy pre-City Hall, now seem to be kid's play.. =.="
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117 i was passing by
November 29, 2009 at 12:54 AM
i loved coffee prince and dalja's spring.they were cleverly written and well presented.
i also enjoyed goong, like most people i fast forward the political consciparacy parts though.
about full house i agree with JB. if you dont think much it is an enjoyable watch.
the thing about hong sisters' dramas it starts so well that it raises ( my )expectations a lot but the later parts cant keep up with the level of expectation.
i enjoyed my girl but the ending was a flop no matter how i look at it.
i felt the same way about YB. it was by far the best drama i watched this year (should i say MFL and BBF . two huge disappointment) but the last episode of YB was so below the first parts that it is annoying.
i could never finish choonhyang and i attempted more than once. same with sweet 18.both start nice and get too draggy in the middle but i will try again .
kim sam soon was good but doesnt live up to all hype.
iwould love to have a jdrama recommendation as well
i watched HYD
Hana Kimi
mei chan no shitsuji
atashinchi no danshi
absolute boyfriend
i want to watch a jdrama now and i dont know which drama to watch this time.
any suggestions?
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118 MC
November 29, 2009 at 1:02 AM
i love WHAT'S UP FOX! my oh my. i didn't know what pushed me to buy the dvd and watch it but i did. and i loved it! the chemistry really is undeniable between the two. i was like squealing inside for the two leads to finally get together. oh. the memories of watching that series is just pure joy. i love it.
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119 onemorepls
November 29, 2009 at 1:09 AM
I absolutely love MY Girl. My very first Kdrama. And DELIGHTFUL GIRL CHUN-HYANG is my second favorite drama all for Jae Hae, nothing else matter. I didn't realize they were from the same writer at the time. Luv It. They are not on my list of favorite cuz the list will get change in time as I watch more and more. But those two will remain special.
Great list. Couldn't begin to tell you how many times I've rewatched My Name is Kim sam-Soon, What's Up Fox, and whenever I need woman power my nail got painted black (Dal Ja's Spring) kekeke. And of course City Hall no comparisone.
My sister have also recommended Last Scandal but I hesitated for the longest time. Since you recommended also and I just realize it's from the same writer and director of Smile,You I will definetly watch it now. Just love Smile,You to pieces right now.
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120 Pink Fox
November 29, 2009 at 1:11 AM
Definitely S O U L M A T E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All time fav! n YAB!
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121 QT
November 29, 2009 at 1:56 AM
Full House is must watch drama ! ^^ YB & Goong is also a drama dat must be watched xP
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122 ivy_factiva
November 29, 2009 at 1:56 AM
seriously speaking, i didn't enjoy Delightful Chun-Hyang. It felt very draggy. When I finally finished, I was thinking "whew! what a waste of my life" Personally, I think they didn't really take enough time to develop the protagonists' romance for my liking. And before I am really convinced, they nose-dived into conflicts and misunderstandings one after another. sigh. The "conflict" they created ... well it just didn't make much sense to me. Perhaps I'd have enjoyed it more if I knew what the original folktale was about, and see their creativity in modernising the story. I didn't mind the cheesy parts though. Haha, had a good laugh during the paradies of MISA and Winter's Sonata etc.
so far, my favourite k-drama rom-coms are
Dal Ja's Spring
9 End 2 Outs
My Name is Kim Sam Soon
Others that I enjoyed immensely despite some flaws
Fullhouse
Goong
You're Beautiful
Oh, on those who've talked about Jdramas, yes I totally agree Hana Yori Dango and Hana Kimi were really enjoyable, though the spinoff movies and SP for the respective series were just unbearable ... Long Vacation & Love Generation are classics! There are lots of nice romance dramas, but I find it hard to classify them as Romantic Comedies... PRIDE is my favourite drama series of all. Takuya Kimura is oozing with charisma. I also enjoyed Slow Dance, Love Revolution, Beach Boys, Nobuta wo Produce.
Well, looks like there's a lot for me to catch up on. There are tons of dramas on the list that I've yet to check out. it's gonna be my "project" for the holidays. :D
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123 sugarpunch
November 29, 2009 at 2:00 AM
oh yes... I agree with you on 14 of these dramas.
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124 Aries
November 29, 2009 at 2:17 AM
Thanks for the recommendations, JB! Among the list, the ones I haven't seen are Soulmate, Bad Family, Who Are You?, and Brilliant Legacy. BL has been in my to-watch list for months, and I'm now adding Soulmate and Bad Family thanks to your recommendations.
My personal favourites from your list, including those you haven't watched, are Dal Ja's Spring, City Hall, Capital Scandal, Fantasy Couple, MNIKSS, My Girl and What's Up Fox? (in decreasing degrees of love, but I do love them all!). Dal Ja's Spring tops the list because the balance of romance, friendships and working relationships was almost perfect. City Hall would have topped the list if not for the few cringe-worthy scenes where Mi Rae (Kim Sun Ah) tried to 'act cute' - I absolutely couldn't stand those scenes, and luckily they occurred only a few times.
@112 Meix2 and 116 Icarusfalls:
Yes, City Hall has definitely raised the standards for romantic kiss scenes!! Every k-drama kiss I've watched since then (and actually, pre-City Hall with the exception of Hotelier if my short memory serves me right) have seemed lackluster in comparison, LOL. Even the highly-raved kiss scene in IRIS paled by comparison because I simply couldn't feel the same intensity/chemistry between LBH and KTH.
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125 bjharm
November 29, 2009 at 2:41 AM
Seems comedy/romance themed more than anything else, witch suit me fine as that is my fav type .
I well add successful Story of a Bright girl with Jang Nara.
Why well because it was the first of the light comedy romances that made it into the Mega hit status, breaking the run of those tear jerker melodramas.
I not saying it the best you will see, but themes from it are the basics of all the like shows made after it, so in many ways it is the blueprint of the Comedy/Romance.
As I say it may have flaws, Jang Nara acting while she gives 110% is rather on the raw side, but as she was one of the top pop princess at the time in korea her appearance in the show gave it the public attention..like perhaps an idol drama.
That added to coming out at the right time, when viewers where just getting tired of all the unhappy ending of the melodramas, it gained very high ratings like 43% for its run, making it the very first of is kind to make it to the mega hit stage.
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126 achie8275
November 29, 2009 at 2:45 AM
Here I am again (I can't resist :) ) . Eventhough, "You're Beautiful" finished it final run, I came back to check you're recommendation as I don't know what to do with the empty spot left by the high and mighty YB and sure enough -- You listed them to my delight. After reading your list. I think of you as my internet friend :) which is a weird description even from me. I said that because I have this weird feelings we have the same taste. I've watched most of what you listed (its really weird and I'm getting goosebumps right now!). The way you described each one of them is the exact same feelings i felt watching them (and I am not even korean and I mean that in a very good way). Basing from you're list my top 3 rom com KDrama would be:
YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL
For non-stop fun in each and every episodes. Great acting, directing, screenplay and unbealivable soundtract. Its the top of the cream. Brought out the sweet 16 feeling out in me again. :)
GOONG
This drama will always be special for me as it is the first KDrama I've watched with my sister and got me addicted.
MY NAME IS KIM SAM SOON
I like Kim Sun-Ah a lot. And since I can really relate to her not only in age but in character, this drama is one of my favorite.
As for JDorama that some of you listed here. I also like:
NODAME CANTABILE
Hilarious indeed!!!! great chemistry, believable musical performance from the actors.
GOKUSEN
ahhhh...Yankumi is one heck of a teacher. I only like the first season. It got redundant with 2 and 3 season though.
HANA KIMI
another gender bender based on a japanese manga. It was one of my favorite and still is.
PROPOSAL DAISAKUSEN
Its a rom com that was considered average but since I'm a sucker for romance, I really went for it. Loved the sountrack too and the ending is really made up for it. its sooooo romantic.
HANA YORI DANGO
This was and will always be my favorite version amongst the rest. Great chemistry, great acting, believable storyline, well-paced, nice soundtrack by arashi and as always the one that really gets me is the happy-ever-after-ending.....Loved it soooo much!!!!
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127 nycgrl
November 29, 2009 at 2:50 AM
In terms of pure Rom-Com I pick "My Girl". Its the one I can rewatch because the chemistry between the leads, acting and situations are hysterical. Who can forget the hospital scene when LDH meets the grandpa for the first time and the "beep...".
Also as someone else mentioned I like "Country Princess" as well but mostly because I love Bae Doo Na and her quirky zany character.
I'm going to check out "What's Up Fox" when I can come up for some air since the plot sounds interesting, probably won't disappoint in the acting department and I find Chun Jung Myung really adorable.
I couldn't finish "Last Scandal of My Life" or "Capital Scandal" since I couldn't get into either one. Capital Scandal bored me even into episodes 8 and the only reason I preserved so long was because people kept saying it was great. I figured if I found it boring even into ep 8 I should just give it up. Last Scandal of My Life I might have seen 3 episodes. I didn't find the plot interesting enough and though I love Choi Jin Shil's work, I couldn't relate to the character at all.
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128 ybfan
November 29, 2009 at 2:52 AM
I've watched about 70% from the list. but here, i also recommend this:
Sweet 18 :
cast: Han Ji Hye & Lee Dong Gun & Lee Da Hae
What it’s about: Lee Dong Gun is a prosecutor who nearly hit his 30. His grandfather is the head of traditional family arranged his marriage with HJH, a high school girl who is immature and rebellious.
it was funny and cute. i love HJH so much. but like always, there's some draggy parts. especially at the last episodes. but it still was fun to watch ^^
HJH & LDG become a couple after this drama, but unfortunately they had clash early this year... :(
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129 Rovi
November 29, 2009 at 2:58 AM
@94, I can't watch dramafever, i live outside US, and pertaining to my comment, I mean the recaps here in dramabeans, I'm literally stuck in ep.11
Out of topic comment...
I am watching out for Kim Sun-ah to do a sageuk (just like Go Hyeon-jeong, becoming infamous Go Mi-shil)
Note: just noticed that GHJ's 2 last dramas has her surname GO...
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130 nana
November 29, 2009 at 3:09 AM
thats funny. i've seen everything on your list and it made me realize that none of the romantic comedies are in my top 5 favorites.
flowers for my life
i'm sorry i love you
ruler of your own world
story of a man
someday
looks like the sad dramas are the ones that stick with me the most. but someday isn't sad and it does have alot of comedy in the first half so i guess that might fit in with the theme. and the drawings are pretty good, too.
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131 ybfan
November 29, 2009 at 3:19 AM
and from those list, what i love and think remarkable are:
you're beautiful - i think this win 1st place in my heart
coffee prince - cute, great acting and chemistry, good script
fullhouse - funny and very cute. great OST
bad family - hillarious. i love it so much
fantasy couple - hilarious. damn, i become addicted to jajangmyun
my love pattzi - actually my 1st korean romantic comedy i've watched, i still enjoy it
what i dont really like:
my girl - i found LDH so overacting, and i cringed everytime i saw her
goong - i think the storyline is good, but the problem is everywhere, music background, acting?, it was too slow for me
those i dont list actually means i enjoy it very much, just not as remarkable.
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132 michi
November 29, 2009 at 3:22 AM
woah! i have seen most of dramas in your list, JB!
i'm currently rewatching Last Scandal coz I needed something fun after rewatching the brilliant and intense Dr. Jang in White Tower.
among those in the list, my very faves are Goong (which really got me hooked into K-drama) and Bad Family (where I discovered the brilliant actor, Kim Myung Min!)
I admit that Bad Family is a bit boring in the first episode but it just keeps getting better and better. It's totally hilarious and touching at the same time.
@Celest - ditto on the mad dancing by Kim Myung Min! LOL
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133 snail
November 29, 2009 at 3:25 AM
Thanks for the list JB!
I'm watching Soulmate now, you're right it's different from the usual K-drama plot. But somehow I get the same feeling like when I watch J-dorama Love Shuffle. Can't wait to finish the whole series :) :)....
Wonder if anybody have watched Romance Zero. I find it to be a hilarious and addictive drama.
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134 alert
November 29, 2009 at 3:35 AM
Tq JB for the list. I have seen most of the drama, but there are some that are still on my to watch list. And looking at the list brings back some joyful fun.. as some of the dramas serve a lot of "Firsts" to me.
Like many others, Full House was my first Kdrama (I was into Jdrama before), so despite it lacks of substance, I've going to give it the merit it deserved for introducing Kdrama to me. I wasn't even going for heavy, dramatic stuff back for my first drama, so Full House is just perfect for its warm, funny and cozy feelings. I can get depressed easily over dramas, so I was looking for something that can cheer me up. And Full House was simply that! And I love the Three Bears song too! LOL! And I'm still going to recommend it for Kdrama first timers haha.
And I was introduced to D-Girl Chung Hyang later and it was the first ever drama that made me curious over a lead actor, as I went crazy over the adorable Jae Hee.. and started to watch all his dramas (yes, including the Witch). And all Hong sisters dramas too (except Fantasy Couple - yet to watch that). I'm into fun, quirky, crazy romcom so I'm all in even if dramas are a bit slapstic. Haha. Coffee Prince was the first drama which I really enjoyed the OST. And on BOF, it also deserves merit for the mere crazy fandom it created. I bumped into Dramabeans during those spoiler-craze BOF time, so I really do appreciate what BOF did to me - introducing the wonderful site of Dramabeans!
And You're Beautiful remains the only drama that bring me out from the lurkerdom and into the roses-full world of fandom.. LOL!
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135 kris
November 29, 2009 at 4:00 AM
Hi
My favourites so far You're Beautiful, Coffee Prince, Kim Sam Soon, City Hall and Someday by Kim Min Joon, Lee Jin Wook and Bae Doo Na. Have you seen this before?
Someday is a romance drama but it was shown on cable only. I don't think it has much romance comedy scenes, however it is very refreshing and heartwarming drama series, and very different from other types of typical kdramas.
Strongly recommended series!
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136 Georgina
November 29, 2009 at 4:19 AM
Hello~ I've been reading your blog for a while but this is the first time I post -- should have done so sooner just to thank you for your awesome awesome work!
First off, I watched Soulmates because you were recommending it. It was awesome, and I totally loved it. I wasn't expecting to like it so much, and as many other fans I wish they made a second season.
I have watched most of the dramas you recommend on this list but I am very very surprised you didn't add 9 Ends 2 Outs. I totally adore this drama and the chemistry and relantionship and acting of the two lead characters was brilliant.
Out of the Hong sisters dramas, My Girl is my favourite drama -- mainly as you said due Lee Da Hae and Lee Dong-Wook. I must agree the ending was a bit disappointing and draggy but yeah, I had lots of fun watching that drama.
Delightful Girl was the first k-drama I ever watched! ( and done a lot of watching since then too XD) I was totally addicted to it and I loved it .. but mainly because I had not seen any other dramas before. I actually enjoyed the first part of the drama but later on it was very draggy ( imo) and the second leads were just outright annoying. I wouldn't even list it as a favourite of mine now, but since this was my first, it's kind of special.
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137 vira
November 29, 2009 at 4:21 AM
am going on an indefinite break. no other dramas for me for now. YB will always have a spot in my heart as All In, Phoenix, Full House and The World That They Live In has. don't even want to watch Iris anymore.
i miss the fun and excitement that YB has given me.
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138 Marj
November 29, 2009 at 4:38 AM
Ahh, thanks dramabeans! I'll sure as hell check out the one or two dramas I haven't watched from this list - or maybe even re watch those I liked the best, now that You're Beautiful's finished T.T
Coffee Prince - HELL YES. I can never get enough of this drama. Yoon Eun Hye's best work so far. The story was different and fresh, & Gong Yoo is such a hottie.
My Girl was the very first Kdrama I watched.. and that started the whole craze. Now I've had a bit more experience with dramas, I have to say that it isn't the best out there - but it was a great place to start at and it will always hold a special place in my Kdrama-loving heart. Very funny, very cute.
:)
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139 Madita
November 29, 2009 at 5:08 AM
1. City Hall
- Best kiss scene ever and great happy-ending with a little surprise. Best romantic drama I ever watched, everthing was just perfect. Acting of Kim Sun Ah and Cha Seu Wong is the best.
2. A love to kill
- Even I did not like the pathetic endin and the main actress, it impressed me for days. So dramatic, wowww.
3. Coffee Prince
- Goong Yoo did it.
4. Smile You (currently airing)
- So sweet and times so hilarious. You can fall in love with beta-males.
5. Fantays couple
- Much better then U.S. version with Kurt Russel and Goldie Hawn (Overboard). I loved it.
6. Taiwanese Drama : It started with a kiss & They kiss again.
- They introduced me asian dramas and made me fall in love with Korean Dramas
7. Tamna- The Island
It was so refreshing, so different from the main drama plots, I liked it, enjoyed watching it and fall in love with Im Ju Hwan.
These are the ones I can immediately remember, but there a lot of more dramas I enjoyed a lot while whatching.
Thanks for the great topic.
Attic cat , Dalja spring and Bad family caught my interest, I am going to watch them too :)
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140 mecheko
November 29, 2009 at 5:09 AM
Love your list..about 65% ofit i have watched and rewatched...but now i think i really have to watch Bad Family again..wonder where i put them??? watched until the 3 episode and then i stopped...don't really know why actually,it was pretty entertaining and Hee Chul as the fake brother is cute! City Hall... maybe... love Kim Sam Soon though.
So, from the list there..i would probably say my Fav would be Coffee Prince (i'm really crazy for Gong Yoo... start to get in his fan group during this drama). Next would be You Are Beautiful, Goong (though i FF it quite a lot... i watch mostly during JJH and YEH and also when ever i can see Kim Jung Hoon), MNIKSS, Chun Hyang, My Girl (love the bubbly Lee Da Hae but it does seem to much sometimes and Lee Dong Wook) and Hong Gil Dong (i rewatched this again because of Jang Geun Suk but Kang Ji Hwan wins over him again and again).
If you want to get the same kind of sweet, cute, romance J-Drama, i would recommend (the same as the others above me...) Hana Yori Dango! The best of all the versions (including i'm a real fan of Arashi and Matsumoto Jun). Others that i love are Proposal Daisakusen (the SP is so much better), Love Generation, Nodame Cantabile, Gokusen (1st season only), Mukodono (1st Season only), Hanazakarino Kimitachi e (or Hana Kimi), Pride, Itazura na Kiss, Love Revolution and Zettai Kareshi.
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141 bleu
November 29, 2009 at 5:29 AM
Soulmate- I broke my own rule "never watch the sama kdrama more than once" for this one. I think because of the drama's great GREAT soundtracks.
What's up Fox - Chun Jung Myung was really REALLY great. I used "like you" from the OST, as my ringtone for 2 years straight! and if that doesn't show how much I loved this drama, I don't know what else can ^^
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142 sophia
November 29, 2009 at 6:10 AM
Javabean - I discovered your site about 6 months ago, when I was a newbie into the world of K-Drama. K-Dramas are like nothing I’ve ever seen before, British television is all gritty and a bit to “real” for my liking, unless it’s a period piece like Jane Austen, which I adore. Hmmm wonder what that says about me?
My first K Drama was “A Love to Kill” with Rain and it was all high angst and drama and I freaking loved it! On reflection it was ridiculously over the top and even a little silly and now I think….jeez will the chick ever STOP crying and was it really necessary for EVERYONE to die at the end???? But at the time it was new and exciting. As the months have gone on and I’ve watched all sorts for drama’s the bigger more famous one’s at first, to smaller lesser known but better quality I’ve come to realise that high angst and drama doesn’t necessarily mean good.
I’ve become so grateful to this site, because I can now say I’m a bonifed toddler in the world of K-dramas, I’ve a lot to learn, but through your recommendations I’ve been guided through a lot of the crap and found the diamonds in the rough. It’s been a real pleasure watching some of drama’s suggested and through you I found one of the genuinely original drama’s Que Sera Sera – what a cracking one that turned out to be!
My one complaint I would have about K-Drama’s is the women, I find them quite one-dimensional, and I mean they can’t all be virginally innocence’s or psychotic bitches from hell can they? Maybe it’s the drama’s I’m watching or how Korean society view women, but seriously even the woman in “the last scandal of my life” who had been married for several years had a sort of naivety about her which I found quite odd. – The one exception to the rule for me would be “La dolce vita” which I found very interesting and character’s quite refreshing.
Anyway, that’s my two cents – thanks again for this wonderful site which is now on my favourite list and has been for quite a while. Please continue to recommend and give your thoughtful insight to the world of K-Drama’s.
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143 floydeur
November 29, 2009 at 6:41 AM
my all time favourite has to be coffee prince, because it was the very first kdrama that i watched it's in entirety without fast forwarding and having any frustrating, long-drawn, 'wft' thoughts that accompanies a lot of kdramas. i'm still listening to the soundtrack 2 years down which is awesome. in any case, it was THE drama that introduced me to korean culture and it was THE DRAMA that brought me to this fantastic site dramabeans due to sarah's incomparable summaries. i don't just speak for myself, but for rest of the non-korean lurkers that were hooked on to dramabeans ever since coffee prince!
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Enz
April 20, 2012 at 8:49 PM
Same here.. Coffee prince will have a very special place in my heart always. It was my second k drama and I just fell for gong yoo so hard - that was two moths ago and am STILL mad for him. And it brought me to java beans. Now thanks to jb and blue and everyone here, I have a whole new world of kdramas ahead of me :). Can't thank you all enough.
5 years down, watching it for the first time, coffee prince still is fresh and everything about it, the directing, the acting, the script, the soundtrack is great
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144 Unny
November 29, 2009 at 7:08 AM
Thanks to the people who wrote about why they liked Full House :) I am able to see the drama with a little less bias now. Although I still don't like it generally, I do have to say it was rather cute at times. Plus the OST was good.
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145 epyc
November 29, 2009 at 7:29 AM
Dear JB, thanks for giving us this wonderful topic for sharing our kdrama love.
Rom-com is my favourite genre. What better way to ‘de-tox’ and ‘de-stress’ than watching a delightful rom-com. Here are my two cents and grades on the listed dramas:
“A+++” City Hall, City Hall, City Hall
Great dramas do not come by often, and I feel so lucky as a viewer to be served this mesmerising drama this year. Watching City Hall is like the bursting fireworks in Go Mi Nam’s head! Don’t get frightened off by the politics backdrop or give up if the first few episodes are not quite your thing, you will be rewarded once you settle in. If there is ever a perfect drama, this would be close to it because it is the combination of a truly outstanding script (just forget her less stellar previous works for a moment and savour the brilliancy in CH), the sizzling chemistry and intense romance played out by KSA and CSW, an all rounding superb supporting cast, well-paced plot development throughout all 20 episodes (which only gets better as each episode tops the previous one), excellent soundtrack, and a PERFECT ending! As said by @50 aqaurianunicorn, after you watch this... any other drama won’t be the same.
“A” Coffee Prince, You’re Beautiful, and My Name is Kim Sam Soon
I love these three dramas to bits. MNIKSS is my very first kdrama and will forever have a special place in my heart. What can I say about Coffee Prince? It was my number one drama until City Hall comes along. I simply love the refreshing and breezy feel of CP (just to quote JB’s description), and both GY and YEH gave us their career-defining performance. We are really blessed this year to have another excellent drama in YB. A most enchanting and cute love story between HTK and GMN, and their lovely ANJELL band mates and those surround them. This drama has somewhat the same shortcomings as other Hong sisters’ works: overwrought with emotion over a dragging (or seemingly forced) conflict. YB is in fact much better than others in this respect but the ending is kind of disappointing. I am so in agreement with nom_kitteh that they should refer to CH on how to make an ending work.
“A-“ My Girl, Last Scandal of My Life
My Girl is super, super fun. I think LDH’s overacting is in fact necessary and what makes this drama work. It would rate much higher if not for the prolonged grandfather conflict and the 2-year time jump. I love Last Scandal – another drama for mature audience with loads of charm. I didn’t have the heart to re-watch it because of the untimely passing of CJS, but perhaps I should just do so to remember her in her best.
“B+” Bad Family, Goong
Bad Family is strictly speaking not a rom-com but comedies are abound in this most heart-warming drama, and the romances are all so cute. KMM is fantastic in his rare comedic turn. I watch it without much expectation but, viola, what a happy ride it is to travel with that fake family. Goong is best watched with the pretension that the last 6 episodes do not exist (I think ockoala said this which is so very sensible). The parallel life of their going to high school and observing the palace etiquette is what makes this story fascinating. While none of the acting of the four main leads can be said as great, their youthful energy and good looks more than compensate.
Others
Who Are You? -YKS is enough reason to watch this! Can’t help thinking how much better it would be if another actress is casted in Go Ara’s role.
9 in 2 out, My Love Patzzi – Both are charming gems!
BoF – LMH is the only good thing about it, period.
Delightful Girl Chun-Hyang – I enjoyed watching the first half but it is so over melodramatic and draggy in the second half that I lost my interest. HCY is another turn off to me.
Fantasy Couple – Quite forgettable. I love Goldie Hawn’s original better. The acting of HYS and OJO is just so so and pretty lacking in the department of charisma.
Captial Scandal – Not my favourite drama. I find chemistry lacking in the main couple (although I love KJH and HJM individually). The second couple is the perhaps the best thing of this drama.
Brilliant Legacy – No offense to all the BL fans but I find it hard to finish this drama (and f/f a lot for the last 10 episodes). BSB and MCW surely outshine the main leads.
Full House - Seriously overrated but I had a good time watching it.
Those I can’t finish – Da Jal’s Spring (surprise, surprise, I don’t know why, I tried it twice but was not motivated to finish it on both occasions), Attic Cat
I’d like to recommend two rather underrated dramas here: Great Lawyer of Korea and Surgeon Bong Dal Hee although these two are not necessarily typical rom-com.
Lastly, could anyone tell me where I can watch Country Princess? I’ve been trying to find this one for ages but without luck. Bae Do Na – I’d watch anything she’s in!
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146 nycgrl
November 29, 2009 at 7:45 AM
^ I watched "Country Princess" on TV a while back and I haven't been able to find it anywhere else and I also second "Great Lawyers of Korea" for the superb lead actor's acting though I don't consider it a pure rom-com.
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147 jastinel
November 29, 2009 at 7:47 AM
Thanks Javabeans for adding City Hall to your recommended drama.
I`m a certified City Haller and we still spreading CH love everywhere.
I can see Inju Citizen here....wave....
To all K-drama addict, who will be a City Haller soon, you are very much welcome to join us in CH thread. Share your journey and lets all be happy in Inju City!
My Fave
MNIKSS
City Hall
Shinning Inheritance is also a good drama.
City Hall.....City Hall...BEST drama in 2009!
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148 zinaa
November 29, 2009 at 8:08 AM
Wow i agree with all your recommendations... OH am drama geek
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149 Sucker for Seok
November 29, 2009 at 8:20 AM
Ive seen all of them!!! What should i do, JB???????? Thanks for putting up the lost tho, maybe i should wathch them again before dying from missing YAB.
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150 mskmouse
November 29, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Thanks javabeans, for the great summaries! :)
As I read the comments, it really brought back fond memories. Full House got me hooked on to K drama and it used to be my favourite, until I watched MNIKSS. It was such a heartwarming drama! I loved every part of the drama, especially Kim Sun Ah. She portrayed the character to a T. A must watch K drama. Classic.
As for My Girl, perfect chemistry between the leads. I guess that's when many of us fell in love with Lee Dong Wook! Agree? :)
Dal Ja's Spring is also one of my favourite dramas. Chae Rim is such a good actress, a gem amongst the female actresses. Lee Min Ki did a good job too! Like what javabeans mentioned, this drama didn't just have the usual romance element, I appreciated the interactions amongst colleagues and depth of friendship portrayed in the drama.
Looks like I've missed a gem - City Hall!
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