The Korean Wave is going strong as more and more people are getting hooked on KPop as well as the ever popular Korean dramas. This June, several new drama series will premiere. Here are 5 of those dramas we think you should watch out for.
Historical Korean Dramas Still In, But Crime And Comedy As Well
Korean dramas have always been known for its historical series (also called sageuk) which feature historical figures, events or makes use of historical backdrops. Nowadays however, production companies have also had success in comedy or variety series and in crime series. The recommendations include a good mix of the three genres.
1. My Sassy Girl: If you think the name sounds familiar, it’s because it is. This series is based on the movie of the same title which was released in 2001. The series however makes use of a historical backdrop to tell the love story of a scholar, Gyeon Woo and a sassy and high-spirited Princess Hye-myung. The story is set in the Joseon Dynasty era, and stars Joo Woon of Yong-pal as the scholar and Oh Yeon-seo of Please Come Back, Mister as the princess. It premiered on May 29, on SBS and airs every Monday and Tuesday on SBS.
2. Queen For Seven Days: Premiering on KBS2 is this historical series set in the Joseon Dynasty era. It tells the tragic love story of King Jungjong played by Yeon Woo-jin and his queen consort Queen Dangyeong, played by Park Min-young. Before becoming queen, she was Lady Shin and their love story starts when she enters the palace disguised as a boy and encounters the prince and his brother, the King. In history, the real Queen Dangyeong was dethroned just 7 days after she was crowned, thus the title. The series airs every Wednesday and Thursday on KBS2.
3. The Best Hit: This series is a situational comedy series, which delves into the lives of 20-somethings as they deal with the pressures of connecting with other peoples and of making something of themselves. Lead characters are Yoo Hyun-jae (Yoon Shi-yoon), a member of a 90s idol group who time travels to the present, Lee Ji-hoon (Kim Min-jae), a student torn between passing the civil servant exam and pursuing his dreams to be an idol. It airs every Friday and Saturday on KBS2.
4. Forest of Secrets (also known as Stranger): On June 10, Saturday, this new crime series will air on tvN. Forest of Secrets tells the gripping story of a steely prosecutor, Hwang Shi-mok played by Jo Seong-woo, and a “warm-hearted” police detective Han Yeo-jin, played by Bae Doona. The pair are investigating the murder of an influential figure and may end up discovering the secrets and truths of the prosecutor’s office.
5. Duel: OCN crime series mixes in a bit of science fiction in its story. Seasoned detective Jang Deuk-cheon (played by Jung Jae-young) is in search for the ones who kidnapped her daughter. His only clue in his search are the two men he saw at the crime scene, who have exactly the same face. The antagonists Sung-joon and Sung-hoon are played by Yang Se-jong. The series premiered on June 3, and airs every Saturday and Sunday.