Before the year ends, let's take a look at the best K-dramas of 2020. Of course, Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin were among the hottest on-screen couples in their drama "Crash Landing on You." The production set, including its location, costumes, and makeup in the Netflix series "Kingdom," was applauded by many. Moreover, who would have thought that "The World of the Married" will catch the attention of audiences not just within the borders of South Korea, but worldwide?
The Korean entertainment started the year with an explosion. It kicked 2020 off with the award-winning director Bong Joon Ho's notable success with his film "Parasite." Even though the entertainment industry has been affected by the pandemic, Korean dramas and movies have been a source of light for many as it continues to expand and flourish across the globe.
Korean dramas truly made its greatest trend in 2020, exploring exciting new kinds of genre, with a twist of romance, thriller, and comedy. All of these are just a glimpse of what we had experience watching for the whole year. Let's get to know more of the well-known series that had stood out this year:
10. Start-Up
One of the most talked about dramas this year is "Start-Up." It stars singer and actress Suzy with rising stars Nam Joo Hyuk and Kim Seon Ho. Its a story of different people dreaming of becoming successful in their chosen field. It is a mini-Korean Silicon Valley in the heart of Seoul. It garnered attention for its unique kind of plot, focusing on the business side present in the evolving economy of Korea.
9. Hospital Playlist
A group of young doctors who happens to be friends with each other decides to stick together just to show their love for music. The emotional tales of illness and grief can be seen in this drama. It also features a one-of-a-kind friendship where they find comfort amidst the hardships of their job.
8. Itaewon Class
This drama gives so much strength to its viewers, a roller coaster of emotions that became a proof how the audience are greatly impacted by its story. It was also said that "Itaewon Class" became one of the most progressive shows everyone had ever watched on Korean TV.
The drama also features various non-Korean characters and talks about taboo such as transgenderism and bullying that were not seen on Korean small screen for so long. There were also romance and friendship. "Itaewon Class" also has a strong narrative of trying to get revenge at an evil corporate boss, it also has compelling and fresh ideas in the world of K-drama that gives importance to social injustices present in our society.
7. Kingdom
One of today's hit zombie series is confirmed to have its second season. Winter dived on the Joseon Kingdom, which is why it makes the heroes' lives more difficult to fight for their survival.
"Kingdom" has been recognized for its undeniably amazing production, from sets, costumes, locations, makeup, and even its actors. It was Netflix's first Korean original series.
6. Crash Landing on You
The biggest star on-screen couple of the year was Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin, who also worked together in the thriller movie "The Negotiation." The hit Korean series "Crash Landing on You" tells the story of two people living in two different worlds. Yoon Se Ri, a fashion executive heiress, and Captain Ri, the North Korean military officer - who crossed paths when a tornado shifts her parachute into a tree on the wrong side of the DMZ between South and North Korea.
5. The Penthouse: War in Life
Korean dramas will always have something to offer, "The Penthouse" has been receiving a lot of viewership and is already confirmed to have its second season due to high demand.
It tells the story of the uber-rich, living in a 100-storey ultra-luxury high-rise, who are against each other. This drama showcases the iciest stares, loudest arguments and some melodramatic scenes.
4. The World of the Married
It is about love and revenge K-drama masterpiece. A Korean remake of British TV series Doctor Foster.
Actress Kim Hee Ae has been recognized for her amazing acting skill for this drama. She played the role of a loving wife and mother whose life starts to unravel as she doubts her husband of having an affair.
After knowing that her husband has another woman, the story of revenge and regrets starts to arise, which became the most highly rated series of all time in South Korea this year.
3. Extracurricular
Another Netflix's series made it to the list, the thriller and edgy youth crime is a story of a not so ordinary young student named Ji Soo, who became involved in a crime - he protects the underages prostitues from dangerous clients.
"Extracurricular" gives the viewers the opportunity to explore violent and expletive youth culture in Korea.
The series will tell the story of the show runners who were not afraid of getting their hands dirty, just to show how dangerous society can be to women.
2. Hot Stove League
Before he appeared in the hit drama "The Uncanny Counter," actor Jo Byeong Gyu made an appearance as one of the casts of the entertaining baseball drama Hot Stove League. This Korean Moneyball drama starring Namgoong Min as Baek Seung Soo, he is the newly appointed general manager of the baseball team Dreams; ever since he handled the team, they started to rise and become one of the greatest baseball teams in the industry.
"Hot Stove League" looks like a high-class American drama (for focusing on the baseball team), but it managed to bring the right emotions for the viewers to be felt.
Sports, office rivalries, and secret agendas are present in this drama. With the humor and amazing skills of its cast, it will be enjoyable to watch.
1. The Uncanny Counter
Months before 2020 came to an end, Korean drama viewers received another great series that made it to the top of the list for its stunning combination of superhero action, humorous family dynamics and fun world-building.
It is a story about a group of people who have their own special powers, and call themselves "counters." Their job is to hunt and take down evil spirits that have come to Earth to pursue eternal life. These hunters disguise themselves as employees in a noodle restaurant.
"The Uncanny Counter" is breaking their own rating records in every episode, its amazing cats Jo Byeong Gyu, Sejeong, Yu Jun Sang and Yun Hye Ran are playing 2020's best on screen crew.
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Written by Shai Collins.
