"Producer" concluded on June 20 with interesting endings for its main cast. The docu-drama initially highlighted what appeared to be a budding romance between Cindy (IU), a spoiled child star-turned-idol, and rookie variety producer Baek Seung Chan (Kim Soo Hyun).
The pair drew attention from viewers, yielding the nickname of The Umbrella Couple. However, as it series progressed, it became more apparent that Seung Chan was more interested in his senior at work and neighbor, Tak Ye Jin (Gong Hyo Jin). At this point, "Producer" plunged into a noona romance or a Korean drama where a younger man is interested in an older woman.
"Producer" included a plot device that is commonly used in noona dramas. As the series began to draw to a close, Seung Chan realized that he had several childhood encounters with Ye Jin. She was a teenager, but he harbored a boyhood crush on Ye Jin, quietly viewing her from afar.
The conclusion of the series will be explored in a separate article. However, here are other noona dramas to watch, now that "Producer" has ended.
1. "I Can Hear Your Voice"
The 2013 supernatural crime series, "I Can Hear Your Voice" exemplifies the potential of noona romances. Lee Jong Suk portrays Soo Ha, a 19-year-old student who seeks out Hye Sung (Lee Bo Young), an attorney who served as a witness to the murder of his father. Soo Ha falls in love with Hye Sung during his childhood and seeks her out as he is approaching the conclusion of his high school career.
Soo Ha possesses unusual supernatural powers which enable him to hear the thoughts of those who are around him. He doggedly pursues Hye Sung and has many angst-ridden moments in his attempt to deal with his feelings. Their romance is a forbidden love that Hye Sung initially resists Soo Ha's advances but is wholeheartedly drawn into a relationship with him.
2. "I Need Romance 3"
Sung Joon, who is currently starring in "High Society," portrays Joo Wan, a 26-year-old songwriter and radio DJ. Joo Wan returns to after living abroad for 17 years, with hopes of finding Shin Joo Yeon, his childhood crush.
Joo Yeon is (Kim So Yeon) a 33-year-old marketing director at a prominent home shopping network. She is jaded about love, after several failed relationships. Joo Yeon has a romantic encounter with Joon Wan before she discovers that he was the innocent the boy she used to call Sweet Potato.
"The Girl Who Sees Smells" star Namgoong Min also stars in this series, as Kang Tae Yoon, a workaholic who has some romantic interest in Joo Yeon. He also guards his heart against women, after breaking up with Oh Se Ryung (Wang Ji Won).
3. "A Witch's Romance"
K-pop solo vocalist-turned-actress Uhm Jung Hwa stars as Ban Ji Yeon, a 39-year-old reporter who was jilted by her fiance who felt her at the altar. She randomly encounters Yoon Dong Ha (Park Seo Joon), a 25-year-old part-timer who lost the love of his life to an unfortunate accident. Adapted from the hit Taiwanese series, "A Queen of No Marriage," the drama provides several tender moments between its main cast.
4. "High School King Of Savvy"
Seo In Guk, Lee Ha Na, and Lee Soo Hyuk star in the hilarious 2014 tvN series, "High School King of Savvy." Seo portrays Lee Min Seok, a high school ice hockey player who is thrust into impersonating his older brother, who is considered to be a genius in the business world. While there is a nine year age gap between the siblings, they can convincingly deceive those around them, including their family members.
Lee Ha Na stars as Jung Soo Young, a bumbling temporary worker, who is actively involved in Min Seok's plot of deception. She is significantly older than Min Seok but reluctantly continues their relationship, once she discovers his true age. However, Yoo Jin Woo (Lee Soo Hyuk) is ready to foil any chance of happiness.
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About the writer: Adrienne Stanley is a contributing editor for KDramastars. She is also a contributing writer for Kpopstarz, MTV Iggy and CJ Entertainment's KCON blog. Her passions include a love of K-pop and Asian drama. When she is not writing, she is hanging out on Twitter (@retrogirladdy).
