List of Popular K-Dramas 2000 – 2014

Very often I am desperate for recommendations on the next Korean drama to watch. Thought I would share a list, from my top 10 kdramas to the ones you watch to pass time. Added a ratings widget so you can now rate your favorite dramas.

A Ratings Powerhouse is what I call kdramas that are daebak (with high ratings over 20%) when it was aired in Korea. 

Help spread the k-drama love by turning this into a group effort. If you would like to contribute your thoughts on a certain drama, contact us with a short writeup and we can include it directly in the post below.  

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Must Watch
Title：You From Another Star / You Who Came From The Stars /  별에서 온 그대 
Episodes: 21
Air Date and Genre: Dec 2013 – Feb 2014, Romantic Comedy / Fantasy
Starring:
Kim Soo Hyun as Do Min Joon
Jun Ji Hyun as Chun Song Yi

Synopsis: Do Min Joon is an alien that came to earth centuries ago. In present day Korea, he moves in next door to Chun Song Yi, a popular hallyu actress and hilarity ensues.

Comments: My top 10 kdrama list usually includes classics but You From Another Star is a fairly new drama which had all the right ingredients that make kdramas so endearing. In fact, it had such a successful run that beer and fried chicken sales went up largely due to Chun Song Yi’s obsession with food delivery. I gotta say props to their product placement skills.

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Just Another Drama
Title：The Heirs 
Episodes: 20
Air Date and Genre: Oct – Dec 2013, Romantic Comedy
Starring:
Lee Min Ho as Kim Tan
Park Shin Hye as Cha Eun Sang

Synopsis: Cha Eun Sang works for Kim Tan’s family, which is why she was able to enroll in the prestigious Jeguk high school. Can she survive alongside ultra-rich kids and their extravagant displays of wealth and power?

Comments: Boys Before Flowers Repeated. Oddly enough, the heroine Cha Eung Sang turned out to be my least favorite character.

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Must Watch
Title：My Girl / 마이걸 / Ma-i-geol
Episodes: 16
Air Date and Genre: December 2005, Romantic Comedy 
Starring:
Lee Dong Wook as Seol Gong Chan
Lee Da Hae as Joo Yoo Rin
Lee Joon Ki as Seo Jung Won

Synopsis: Joo Yoo Rin is a happy-go-lucky girl whose father keeps getting into trouble. In order to pay her father’s debts, she is constantly desperate for money. She meets Seol Gong Chan, a stingy, well-to-do businessman and they enter into an agreement where Yoo Rin pretends to be Gong Chan’s long lost cousin to fulfill Gong Chan’s grandfather’s dying wish.

Comments: Practically 10 years old but this drama remains to be one of my all time favorites. There’s a Philippine version of My Girl starring Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson if you feel like re-visiting their story.

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My Name is Kim Sam Soon – a classic and a ratings powerhouse!

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Must Watch
Title：My Name is Kim Sam Soon / My Lovely Kim Sam Soon / 我的名字叫金散顺 / 내 이름은 김삼순
Episodes: 16
Air Date and Genre: Jun 2005, Romantic Comedy
Starring:
Kim Sun Ah as Kim Sam Soon
Hyun Bin as Hyun Jin Hun
Jung Ryu Won as Yoo Hee Jin (main girl in Princess Ja Myung Go)

Synopsis: Kim Sam Soon is a 30 year old baker who is scared that she will stay a spinster for life. She just got dumped by her boyfriend and her new goal is to find someone new. She meets Hyun Jin Hun, the rich owner of a restaurant and he becomes her boss. Desperate to appease his mother, Hyun Jin Hun talks Sam Soon into dating him as a cover.

Comments: I had my reservations at first because I had never heard of Kim Sun Ah or Hyun Bin before. Kim Sun Ah had to dress down and gain weight to play the role of Kim Sam Soon and I love her! She’s a great character, down-to-earth, quirky and pretty.

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Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Must Watch
Title：All In / 올인 / Or-In
Episodes: 24
Air Date and Genre: January 2003, Action Drama
Starring:
Lee Byung Hun as Kim In Ha
Song Hye Gyo as Min Soo Yeon
Ji Sung as Chae Jung Won

Synopsis: Loosely based on the true story of Cha Min Soo, All In is a dramatic tale of two men brought up under contrasting childhoods who ultimately wager everything they have into one final gamble. The protagonist Kim In Ha is a troubled orphan turned mobster who falls in love with Min Soo Yeon. 

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My Rating: Must Watch
Title：Dream High
Episodes: 16
Air Date and Genre: 2011, Musical Rom-Com
Starring:
Kim Soo Hyun as Song Sam Dong
Bae Suzy as Go Hye Mi

Synopsis: Go Hye Mi aspires to be an opera singer but due to financial troubles, she sets out to audition for a spot at Kirin Art High School instead. She then meets a group of students with similar goals and we are taken through their journey towards reaching their dreams.

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Dream High 2

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama or downright boring?

My Rating: Downright Boring
Title：Dream High 2
Episodes: 16
Air Date and Genre: 2012, Musical Rom-Com
Starring:
Kang So Ra as Shin Hye Sung
Jin Woon as Jin Yoo Jin

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City Hunter

My Rating: Pretty Good
Title：City Hunter
Episodes: 20
Air Date and Genre: 2011, Action / Revenge
Starring:
Lee Min Ho as John Lee
Park Min Young as Kim Na Na

Synopsis: Based on the manga City Hunter, John.Lee plots revenge against those that were involved in his father’s death.

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Midas

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Must Watch
Title：Midas
Episodes: 21
Air Date and Genre: 2011, Business Drama
Starring:
Jang Hyuk as Kim Do Hyun
Lee Min Jung Lee Jung Yeon

My Rating: Must Watch
Title：My Girlfriend is a Gumiho / My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox
Episodes: 16
Air Date and Genre: 2010, Romantic Comedy / Fantasy
Starring:
Lee Seung Ki as Cha Dae Woong
Shin Min Ah as Gu Miho

Synopsis: Cha Dae Woong unwittingly sets Gu Mi Ho free. She is a nine-tailed fox sealed within a painting for five centuries. Mi Ho saves Dae Woong from a near-fatal accident and has to stay close to Dae Woong until he can return what is hers.

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King of Baker, Kim Tak Goo – a ratings powerhouse! 

My Rating: Must Watch
Title：King of Baking, Kim Tak Goo
Episodes: 30
Air Date and Genre: 2010, Epic Drama 
Starring:
Yoon Shi Yoon as Kim Tak Goo

Synopsis: Kim Tak Goo is the illegitimate son of the president of Samhwa Enteprises. Sharing his father’s passion for baking, Tak Goo inherited and even surpasses his father in skill and talent as he proves to be a genius in the field. However, there are many hurdles to to tackle as he makes his way to the top.

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Shining Inheritance – a ratings powerhouse! 

My Rating: Must Watch
Title：Shining Inheritance
Episodes: 28
Air Date and Genre: 2009, Romance Drama 
Starring:
Lee Seung Ki as Sun Woo Hwan
Han Hyo Joo as Go Eun Sung

Synopsis: Sun Woo Hwan is spoiled rotten yet he is heir to his grandmother’s food business. Go Eun Sung is a bright hardworking girl who lost everything after her dad faked his death to escape debt. Due to a chance encounter, Eun Sung meets Woo Hwan’s grandmother and is invited to their house to live. Can she help Sun Woo Hwan change for the better?

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Rank # 6 City Hall

My Rating: Must Watch
Title：City Hall / 시티홀  
Episodes: 20
Air Date: 2009 Romantic Comedy
Starring:
Cha Seung Won as Jo Gook
Kim Sun Ah as Shin Mi Rae

Comments: This drama focuses on a small town in Korea where Shin Mi Rae and Jo Gook work for the government. It’s quite refreshing to see a rom-com fit into politics and to get to know the characters of Jo Gook and Shin Mi Rae who strive to fulfill their duties as public servants.

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Rank # 7 Smile, You

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Must Watch
Title：Smile, You / 你笑了 / Geudae, Useoyo / 그대, 웃어요
Episodes: 45
Air Date: 2009 Family Drama / Comedy
Starring:
Jung Kyung Ho as Kang Hyun Soo
Lee Min Jung as Seo Jung In

Synopsis: Grandfather Kang, works as a driver for the Seo family. On the day of Seo Jung In’s wedding, her family goes bankrupt and she is abandoned by her newly-wed husband. These crazy circumstances lead to the meeting of Seo Jung In and Grandfather Kang’s grandson Kang Hyun Soo. This drama is about the daily lives of the Seo and Kang family.

Comments: Jung Kyung Ho is such a versatile actor, portraying the comedic and sweet Kang Hyun Soo in Smile, You as opposed to the tragic sword-fighting Prince Hodong in Ja Myung Go.

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Rooftop Prince

A Man Called God

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Just Another Drama
Title：A Man Called God / 被称为神的男人 / 신이라 불리운 사나이
Episodes: 24
Air Date and Genre: Mar 2010 (Sat and Sun on MBC), Action / Revenge 
Starring:
Song Il Gook as Michael King

Synopsis: Michael King is an international assassin and he has connections worldwide. This time around, the job is personal because his ultimate goal is to avenge the death of his parents.

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Prosecutor Princess

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Just Another Drama (cute tho)
Title：Prosecutor Princess / 检察官公主 / Geomsa Princess / 검사 프린세스
Episodes: 16
Air Date and Genre: Mar 2010 (Wed and Thurs on SBS), Romantic Comedy
Starring:
Kim So Yeon as Ma Hye Ri
Park Shi Hoo as Seo In Woo

Synopsis: Ma Hye Ri is the opposite of what you’d expect of a traditional prosecutor. She is quirky and a fashion aficionado. After graduating, Ma Hye Ri is assigned under head prosecutor Hang Jung Soo and she meets Lawyer Seo In Woo where she can test her luck in work and love.

Comments: Korean Legally Blonde

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Will it Snow for Christmas?

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Just Another Drama
Title：Will it Snow for Christmas? / 圣诞节会下雪吗 / 크리스마스에 눈이 올까요?
Episodes: 16
Air Date: Dec 2009 (Wed and Thurs on SBS), Drama
Starring:
Go Soo as Cha Kang Jin
Kim Soo Hyun as young Cha Kang Jin
Han Ye Seul as Han Ji Wan

Synopsis: Cha Kang Jin is constantly judged because he is the son of a barmaid. Although extremely talented and the top of his class, he frequently gets into fights to defend his mother. He meets Han Ji Wan, a strong-willed teenager that has the guts to stand up for what is right.

However, a tragic incident that Han Ji Wan could not accept causes her to run away from her family and Cha Kang Jin.

Comments: Strong beginning especially with Kim Soo Hyun as the younger male lead but the story takes a turn for the worst as it progressed.

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You’re Beautiful

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Pretty Good
Title：You’re Beautiful
Episodes: 16
Air Date: Oct – Nov 2009 , Romantic Comedy
Starring:
Jang Geun Suk as Hwang Tae Kyung
Park Shin Hye as Go Mi Nam / Go Mi Nyeo

Synopsis: A.N.Jell just hired a new male band member Mi Nam but he had to leave for the US. Hence, his twin-sister Mi Nyeo agrees to fill in for Mi Nam by joining the band as her twin brother.

Comments: If the plot is not outrageous enough, wait till you realized the main character is also an extremely peculiar obsessive compulsive neat freak. It is a bit teeny bopper but overall, a cute and a fun watch.

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Temptation of An Angel

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Downright Boring
Title：Temptation of an Angel / 천사의 유혹 / Cheonsaui Yuhuk
Episodes: 21
Air Date and Genre: October 2009, Revenge
Starring:
Han Sang Jin as Shin Hyun Woo (before)
Bae Soo Bin as Shin Hyun Woo (after)

Synopsis: Joo Ah Ran marries Shin Hyun Woo in hopes of destroying his family in order to avenger hers. After being cruelly plotted against by Joo Ah Ran, Hyun Woo undergoes surgery and comes back with a new face and identity.

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Swallow the Sun

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

Ratings: Pretty Good
Title：Swallow the Sun / All In 2 / 吞噬太阳 / 태양을 삼켜라
Episodes: 25
Air Date and Genre: 2009, Action / Revenge
Starring:
Ji Sung as Kim Jung Woo
Sung Yu Ri as Lee Soo Hyun

Synopsis: Kim Jung Woo is a penniless orphan. When he finally has the chance of a lifetime, he grabs the opportunity to work for business tycoon Jang Min Ho. Jang Min Ho takes advantage of Kim Jung Woo’s loyalty and leaves him to fend for himself. Feeling betrayed, Kim Jung Woo vows revenge. What will happen when Jung Woo discovers that the object of his hatred is actually his father?

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Boys Over Flowers – a ratings powerhouse! 
(viewership as high as 36%)

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

Ratings: Pretty Good
Title：Boys Before Flowers / Boys Over Flowers / 花樣男子
Episodes: 25
Air Date and Genre: 2009, Romantic Comedy
Starring:
Lee Min Ho as Goo Joon Pyo
Koo Hye Sun as Geum Jan Di

Synopsis: Geum Jan Di attends Shin Hwa High School where the F4 are high school royalty. Given her fiery temper and hatred for injustice, she clashes with Goo Joon Pyo who is the leader of F4.

Comments: I just wrote a similar plot line from The Heirs, also starring Lee Min Ho. Boys Before Flowers is the Korean version of a manga by the same name that has been made remade in Japan, Taiwan, etc. I used to go gaga over F4 – re-package it as a k-drama and we have another hit!

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Cain and Abel

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

Ratings: Just Another Drama
Title：Cain and Abel
Episodes: 25
Air Date and Genre: 2009, Drama
Starring:
So Ji Sub as Lee Cho In
Han Ji Min as Oh Young Ji

Synopsis: Cain and Abel is about brothers turned rivals due to jealously and hatred. Lee Cho In is a talented doctor but his brother Oh Young Ji plots for his downfall and they ultimately turn against each other.

Comments: It’s overly dramatic and tragic, which can get very frustrating if you know what I mean.

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The World That They Live In

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Just Another Drama
Title：The World That They Live In / World Within / 그들이 사는 세상
Episodes: 16
Air Date and Genre: Oct 2008 (Mon and Tues on KBS), Romance
Starring:
Hyun Bin as Jung Ji Oh
Song Hye Kyo as Joo Joon Young

Synopsis: This drama features the behind-the-scenes of television drama production. We are introduced to the personal and professional lives of the four main characters who work in the entertainment industry.

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East of Eden – a ratings powerhouse!
(episode ratings peaked at 35%)
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Pretty Good
Title：East of Eden / 伊甸園之東 / 에덴의 동쪽 / Edeonui Dongjjok
Episodes: 56
Air Date and Genre: August 2008, Epic Drama
Starring:
Song Seung Hun as Lee Dong Chul

Synopsis: Lee Dong Chul’s father was killed by Shin Tae Hwan. It was during times of political instability where money and power can make crimes disappear. Seeking justice, Dong Chul vows to avenge his father’s death.

However, a cruel twist of fate is played on the family of Lee Dong Chul and Shin Tae Hwan. Lee Dong Wook and Shin Myung Hun are born on the same day but were interchanged at the hospital. Shin Tae Hwan’s son grows up in the Lee family while Shin Myung Hun grows up under the care of his father’s killer.

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Family’s Honor

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Just Another Drama
Title：Family’s Honor / 家门的荣光 / 가문의영광
Episodes: 54
Air Date and Genre: October 2008, Family Drama
Starring:
Yoon Jung Hee as Ha Dan Ah
Park Shi Hoo as Lee Kang Suk

Synopsis: Dan Ah is from a traditional Korean family. The story revolves around her family’s encounters as well as Lee Kang Suk, a man from a rich family who will be pursuing Dan Ah.

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Gourmet

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Just Another Drama
Title： Gourmet / 食客 / 식객
Episodes: 24
Air Date and Genre: 2008, Romance / Cooking
Starring:
Kim Rae Won as Lee Sung Chan
Nam Sang Mi as Kim Jin Soo (main girl in Time Between Dog and Wolf)

Comments: This drama reminds me of Iron Chef where the judges can ramble on and on about food. I like food but not enough to watch cooking shows so this drama was quite average for me.

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Time Between Dog and Wolf

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

Ratings: Must Watch
Title：Time Between Dog and Wolf / 狗和狼的时间 / 개와 늑대의 시간
Episodes: 16
Air Date and Genre: 2007 Action Drama / Revenge
Starring:
Lee Joon Ki as Lee Soo Hyun / Kay
Nam Sang Mi as Soo Ji Woo
Jung Kyung Ho as Kang Min Gi

Synopsis: Lee Soo Hyun was orphaned after his mother was killed before his eyes. NIS Agent Kang Joong Ho raises Lee Soo Hyun as his own. Together, Lee Soo Hyun and Kang Joong Ho’s son Kang Min Ki join the government agency NIS.

During fieldwork, Lee Soo Hyun meets his mother’s killer again and anger pushes Lee Soo Hyun to go undercover and plan his revenge.

Comments: The first couple episodes were a bit boring but I’m so glad I picked up from where I left off. It’s a revenge story with an intricate plot, a must watch!

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Lobbyist

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Pretty Good
Title：Lobbyist (formerly known as Angel)/ 说客 / 로비스트
Episodes: 24
Air Date and Genre: October 2007, Epic Drama / Revenge
Starring:
Song Il Gook as Harry / Kim Joo Ho

Synopsis: Kim Joo Ho and his little sister become orphans after their father’s death. Without any relatives left in Korea, Joo Ho had to leave his childhood sweetheart Yoo So Young to live with his aunt in the United States. So Young’s family also migrates to the US. They eventually meet again as adult Harry and Maria.

However, Maria’s sister is killed before her eyes. This incident takes Maria down the road of vengeance, thus beginning the story of Harry and Maria, two main players in the weapons lobbying industry.

Comments: We are introduced to the world of international weapons trading. This is not your typical Korean drama where the childhood sweethearts reunite as adults. Instead, this is a heavily-politicized drama that delves into the dangerously complex hierarchy of money and power in Korea.

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Snow Queen

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Just Another Drama
Title： Snow Queen / 雪之女王 / Noon Eui Yeo Wang / 눈의 여왕
Episodes: 16

Air Date and Genre: November 2006, Drama
Starring:
Hyun Bin as Han Tae Woong / Han Deuk Gu
Sung Yu Ri as Kim Bo Ra

Synopsis: Han Tae Woong is a mathematical genius. He becomes close friends with Kim Jeong Kyu, an overachiever who has to be the best in everything. He also meets Kim Bo Ra who unknown to him is Kim Jeong Kyu’s little sister. Han Tae Woong beats Jeong Kyu in a math competition and unable to face defeat, Kim Jeong Kyu commits suicide.

Filled with grief towards the loss of his friend, Tae Woong blames himself and chooses to give up his future. We see him again as a 25-year old, living life aimlessly until he meets his childhood friend Kim Bo Ra once again.

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Goong – a ratings powerhouse!
(highest episode rating 28%)

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Must Watch
Title：Goong / 궁 (宮)
Episodes: 24
Air Date and Genre: 2006, Romantic Comedy
Starring:
Yoon Eun Hye as Shin Chae Kyung
Joo Ji Hoon as Crown Prince Mu Won

Synopsis: In a fictional world where Korea is ruled by monarchs, Shin Chae Kyung discovers that she is actually betrothed to Crown Prince Mu Won. She is swept into the world of grandiose ballrooms, palace intrigues and torn between Crown Prince Mu Won and Lee Yul.

Comments: If you liked high school dramas like Boys Before Flowers, I highly recommend this drama about actual royalties in a high school setting.

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Queen of the Game

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Downright boring
Title：Queen of the Game / 게임의 여왕
Episodes: 20
Air Date and Genre: Nov 2006 (Sat and Sun on SBS), Drama / Revenge
Starring:
Lee Bo Young as Kang Eun Seol
Joo Jin Mo as Lee Shin Jun / Chase

Comments: I stopped watching after the 1st episode as I’ve had enough of revenge stories where the guy or girl wins the heart of the other only to destroy them.

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Pretty Good
Title：Goodbye Solo / 再见独奏 / 굿바이솔로
Episodes: 16
Air Date and Genre: Mar 2006 (Wed and Thurs on KBS), Romance
Starring:
Chun Jung Myung as Kim Min Ho
Yoon So Yi as Kim Soo Hee

Synopsis: This drama is about the lives of Kim Min Ho, Kim Soo Hee, Kang Ho Chul, Choi Mi Ri, Yoo Ji An, Oh Young Sook and Grandma Mi Young.

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Lovers
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Just another drama
Title：Lovers / 恋人 / 연인
Episodes: 20
Air Date and Genre: 2006, Action / Gangster
Starring:
Kim Jung Eun as Yoon Mi Joo
Lee Seo Jin as Ha Kang Jae

Synopsis: Kang Jae was taken in by gangster boss Chairman Kang and raised as a gangster. He develops a sour relationship with Chairman Kang’s son Seo Yeon who yearns for his father’s acknowledgement. Kang Jae and Seo Yeon both meet and fall in love with the happy-go-lucky cosmetic surgeon Yoon Mi Joo.

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Let’s Go to the Beach

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Just Another Drama
Title：Let’s Go to the Beach / 去海边吧 / 해변으로 가요
Episodes: 14
Air Date and Genre: 2005, Romance
Lee Wan as Jang Tae Pung
Lee Chung Ah as Yoon So-Ra

Synopsis: Jang Tae Pung and Jang Tae Hyun are stepbrothers. Jang Tae Pung has always been the fun-loving younger son whereas Jang Tae Hyun has always been mature and responsible. Jang Tae Pung is sent to the family’s resort to learn about the business but instead of training his younger brother, Tae Hyun assigns him to be a lifeguard.

Comments: If other shows have a food theme, this one has the beach theme. It’s a feel good drama with good looking guys. 

A Love to Kill

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Must Watch

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Lovers in Paris – a classic and a ratings powerhouse! 
(viewership as high as 57.6%)

Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?

My Rating: Pretty Good
Title：Lovers in Paris 
Episodes: 20
Air Date and Genre: 2004, Romantic Comedy
Kim Jung Eun as Kang Tae Young
Park Shin Yang as President Han Ki Joo

Synopsis: Kang Tae Young meets Han Ki Joo in Paris. Follow their romance as this is a classic rom com.

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Love Story in Harvard