No Money, More Netflix - KDrama Recommendations for those January Blues
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It’s that time of the year again when the sobering reality of the start of a new year has set in. You may have over-indulged and overspent, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your time at home. After all, no matter how bad things get, there is always a K-Drama you can watch to make you feel better. And sometimes, the classics give you that sense of warmth and familiarity you’ve been craving. So here are our Kdrama recommendations, new and old, for those January blues!
Doona!
If you love a challnge in the love department, look no further than Doona. This brand-new addition to our Netflix library comes with a surprising yet gripping performance from Bae Suzy. She plays Doona, a K-pop idol struggling with the realities and pressures of the music industry. Trying to escape her difficulties, she meets Lee Won-joon (Yang Se-joon), who treats her like an ordinary person, something Doona is entirely unfamiliar with. Unfortunately, because of her complicated past, Doona is not “what you see, is what you get. " She comes with layers of avoidance, mystery, and misguided anger. Yet the patience from Won-Joon seems to draw her in and give her the much-needed reflection she needs to take ownership of her life. Doona gives a more honest picture of what fame can do to a person, but how compassion and understanding can save them, too. It’s only ten episodes, but you’ll wish they had more.
Dramaic
Alchemy of Souls
You have come to the right place if you love historical dramas with romance and fantasy. Nothing will set your heart ablaze like this cinematic masterpiece that follows the lives of Young Master Jang-uk (Lee Jae-wook) and the assassin Nak-su (Go Yoon-jung). Jang-uk, although bright and talented, struggles to keep a master, something he needs to do if he ever wants a chance to unblock his powers. Nak-su, a notorious assassin, able to move from one body to another, practices sorcery, which is forbidden in the kingdom, called the Alchemy of Souls. Nak-su is injured from an encounter with mages in one fateful moment, causing her to shift into Mu-Deok's feeble body. Needing to find protection and gain strength before shifting again, Mu-deok comes into the presence of Jang-uk, who immediately recognises her as Nak-su. To keep her secret, he offers her the opportunity to be his servant if she can train him as his master to harness his powers.
This drama is so captivating that Netflix had two creative parts, with a whopping 30 episodes, so there is plenty of entertainment to keep you going for a while!
IMDB
My Love from a Star
Over here, we love classics, and this is a top-rated classic! The striking Kim Soo-hyun plays Do Min-joon, a 400-year-old alien who must return to his home planet or risk losing his life on Earth. As he gets ready for his departure, he meets his new neighbour, actress and former child star Cheon Song-Yi (played by Korea’s darling Jun Ji-Hyun), whose popularity continues to dwindle due to her entitled behaviour on set and rumours that she may have been the cause of her arch-rival Han Yoo-ra’s suicide. Min-Joon finds himself constantly saving her life as it becomes clear that the person behind Yoo-ra’s death has unfinished business with Song-Yi. A situation that leaves Min-joon torn between wanting to stay and leaving the planet to ensure his survival.
With some of the most iconic lines in Kdrama history, this fantasy drama will leave you crying with laughter as you fall in love with its captivating cast.
TvN
What is Wrong with Secretary Kim?
Oh man, how can you ever go wrong seeing KDrama sweethearts Park Seo-Joon and Park Min-young? This heartwarming rom-com follows Kim Miso, a loyal and reliable secretary to Vice President Lee Young-Joon. Nearing a decade of working for Young-joon, Kim Miso feels it is time to leave her job as she seeks other interests in her life. If you are somebody who has always been expected to care for others, you may be able to relate. Determined to keep Miso by his side, Young-Joon tries (dismally) to get her to stay until he finally realises his fear of losing her is steeped in his romantic feelings towards her. As with any Kdrama, nothing is ever that straightforward, and we learn the past of both characters that could keep them apart. If you want to laugh, swoon, and cheer on your faves, this drama is for you!
KPop Life
My Demon
We couldn’t round off this list without adding this compelling new drama! Our Prince of Netflix, Song Kang, is back, and just when we thought we couldn’t love him anymore, he came to capture our hearts again! This drama follows Jung Koo-won (Song Kang), a demon who preys on desperate people willing to make deals with the devil for temporary relief. Everything is exceedingly well for 200 years until Koo-won meets Do Do-hee, the CEO of a Mirae Group (played by the incredible Kim Yoo-Jung), who gets his powers in a twist of fate. The young heiress has lived a life of misery, losing both her parents as a child, and faces imminent death as her stalker edges closer to her. Koo-won helps Do Do-hee uncover the people plotting her murder by acting first as her bodyguard and then as her husband, all in exchange for Koo-won’s powers. It sounds like a perfect plan, except for the part where Koo-won starts falling for Do Do-hee. Immortal and mortal falling in love, what could go wrong? Hehe
It may be a long month ahead, but we assure you these dramas will make you forget all about 2023. What are some of the Kdramas keeping you company during dry January? If you’ve seen some of our recommendations, let us know your thoughts below 😉!
