Top Ten Tuesday: Korean Dramas

Wooh, this is exciting! I'm doing my first Top Ten Tuesday post this week, and I've come up with so many ideas of what to post about that I couldn't really pick which one to make a Top Ten Tuesday list about. But I thought I'd begin with one of my favourite things in the world; Korean dramas!

I've been watching Korean dramas since I was 13, maybe, and they've drastically changed the way I watch TV. I've grown up watching western and Filipino TV, and both have their ups and downs. Western shows can be refreshing sometimes but predictable or try too hard to be refreshing and original *cough* Glee *cough* (sorry, fans!), and if you think western TV shows are predictable, multiply that by 100 and add cheesiness and that's what Filipino dramas are like.

On the other hand though, Korean dramas have the perfect balance. They can be refreshing, funny, cute, preditable and dramatic but not overly so and sometimes even succinctly teach you something about life. With those criteria in mind, I'll give in my personal Top Ten Korean Dramas of all time! The Korean dramas that you should have to watch before you die! I provided the Wiki links to each Korean drama, so just click on it to get a better idea of what each are about.

10. Princess Hours (2006), Heartstrings (2010) and The Man In The Vineyard (2006) - tie!

 

 

Yes. I can be pretty indecisive. I couldn't even decide what to put as my first university preference when I was applying last year! So I decided to give a tie between Princess Hours, Heartstrings and The Man In The Vineyard. So, why the tie? The three give you a light overview of what Korean dramas are exactly about. What makes Korean dramas, Korean dramas. They're (generally) about the quest for romance, picturesque setting and lighthearted humour. I'm not a big romance girl when it comes to movies and TV shows (I prefer comedy), but such shows show that no matter who you are, you can find love. It's just that one of both parties have to open their eyes to it, let their guard down, not take expectations seriously and appreciate the purity of it. Then you will find love. And that love comes when you least expect it. So stop waiting, because when stuff like this come by surprise, it's so much better! (Funny because I could say the same for the main guy in Heartstrings, who finally ended up with the main girl after previously starring in the same kdrama but didn't end up together!)

9. Dream High (2010)

Yes. This show is that good that it actually made it to my Top Ten Tuesday this week and that it they even got requests to make a Dream High 2 because it was that popular. But popular doesn't always mean good, so what makes Dream High that worth it anyway? Well, the thing I really liked about Dream High is that it is a musical (they sing contemporary K-pop and western songs) but not in the way the Glee or Highschool Musical did it where they would literally break into song everytime something new happens. It also teaches the ups and downs of success, and in the end teaches how to retain integrity and still be successful through true honesty and perseverence. It also makes you wish your school was like theirs!

8. Three Dads, One Mom (2008)

With the ongoing saturation of ideas of love and romance in the media everywhere, sometimes you just need a small break from romantic storylines. And this drama definitely does it. It does have some romance in it (of course), but that's not the main mover of the storyline. Okay, I know the title sounds a but weird at first (Three Dads, One Mom... wtfreak), but basically the real story of this is about a married couple who aren't able to have children, so the husband asks his three best mates for sperm donation so his wife can get pregnant. Unfortunately, the husband dies in a freak car accident, the wife thinks the sperm that got her pregnant is really, and the three best mates are left wondering who the real dad of her child is! It's bloody hilarious, cute and heartwarming all in one, showing you how much love for your family and friends can really get you to do.

7. Super Rookie (2005)

Judging from what some of the people are wearing in the picture above, you've probably guessed that it's a kdrama about work. Well, yes, it is actually! Again, if you're sick to death of romance and love being the main runner of the storyline, watch this show. It's more of a comedy rather than a romance or drama story. So, what is it about exactly? Well, it's about this guy called Kang Ho who, let's just say, lacks a bit in the smarts department, applies for a job at a really huge business company and due to a computer glitch, gets 100% in the employment entrance exam. Kang Ho does suffer a lot from the bosses for this reason, but along with Kang Ho's ridiculous optimism, charisma and perseverence makes one hilarious kdrama that actually teaches you that no matter who you are, if you work hard and keep looking up, you'll succeed in life.

6. Coffee Prince (2007)

Fun fact: this was the very first Korean drama I've ever watched. Yes. And it's funny how despite the fact that I've watched so many Korean dramas since then, Coffee Prince is still on my list. I find it to have quite an odd storyline, actually. So it's basically about a poor family with this girl (who looks like a boy) applying for a job at the local coffee shop then finding love. Except everyone thinks she's a boy except for her mum and her sister. The numerous journeys shown in the show will make you realise that Coffee Prince is one of those TV shows that make you super bummed when you finish watching it.

5. Baker King (2010)

I first heard about this show when I went to the Philippines in 2010. It was just very new then. At first I was a little cynical because when the Philippines adapt Korean dramas and add Filipino audio in the talking, it's usually very irksome. But when we got back in Australia, my mum bought the DVD with the Korean audio from the Philippines and brought it back home. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to watch it until the HSC ended! And yes, I really did fall in love with the show! Again, romance isn't really the main thing in the kdrama, as it's more about finding your real family and reaching your dreams. It's full of humour (mainly due to the main guy's character) yet it has drama that's seriously enough to make you cry. I would actually say it's a bit like Super Rookie, but set in a bakery instead of an office. They are very similar.

4. A Wonderful Life (2005)

Yes. If you've noticed, yes. The main girl in this kdrama is the same girl in Baker King and Three Dads, One Mom. Not picking favouritism, though! The storylines are just that favourable for me! Anyway, why did A Wonderful Life make it in this list? I've previously talked about how I prefer it if the Korean drama doesn't have too much romance running into the storyline, but this particular kdrama literally has the perfect balance of both romance and family. Giving a quick run-through of the storyline, it's basically about a guy and a girl who have a one-night stand. The girl gets pregnant and they're immediately forced to get married (that's the way they do it in Asia). It shows the ups and downs of the married life as the two characters try to fulfill their dreams, careers and raising a child all at the same time. And as you keep watching, there's a real tear-inducing twist in the story that you have to keep watching it until the end to see how things work out. If you wanna watch a Korean drama with real lessons about love for family and romantic love too, watch this!

3. Boys Over Flowers (2009)

If you're familiar with the whole Korean drama phenomenon, you just know this kdrama would be on this list somewhere. I know you'd just know. I reckon Boys Over Flowers actually became one of the most popular Korean dramas out there, I'm surprised the Philippines haven't done a remake of it yet! Based on a Japanese manga which was adapted as TV shows in Japan, Taiwan and Korean, the show basically runs on the quintessential story of a love triangle. Usually, it's pretty obvious who the main girl will end up with, but there are definitely points in this kdrama where you can't tell who she'll end up with anymore. As quoted from the actual show itself, "You won't end up with your soulmate, but you'll end up with the one who loves you and you love the most". Who will that be?! Gonna have to watch it to find out! The good-looking guys in the show also add extra brownie points HAHA (by the way, the curly-haired guy in the show will straighten his hair in one episode and darn, he looks good!)

2. Full House (2004)

Another Korean classic (yes, they made a Filipino version and to be honest, it wasn't half bad but the original is still better!), Full House. And no, it's not a Korean adaptation of the American Full House with kid versions of the Olsen twins in it - love that show, though! So, why is this up here, taking the Top 2 spot? To be honest, it has a pretty quintessential story of boy-meets-girl. But the events happening around them, how the two even met (clue: they pretend they're married for a house deal), is quite funny. Due to the main girl, the show does have its funny bits, but the weird thing about this show is that it hooks you in so much to want to keep watching it because you really want the main guy and girl to end up together but so many things and so many people are holding them back. You kinda have to see it through and watch it to find out if they'll end up getting divorced or not at the end of their 'deal'.

1. You're Beautiful (2009)

Like I said previously, I can be quite indecisive and picking what my #1 Korean drama ever was extremely hard. Actually, I've watched more Korean dramas that I personally have liked and would recommend for others to watch that extends from the Top Ten I gave. But, why did I just suddenly decide to put You're Beautiful on the top spot??? It's funny because I keep mentioning comedy > romance, and this is mainly romance (it still has lots of funny bits, though). Anyway, the thing that makes this show my number one recommendation is that the storyline moves a lot. When you've watched a lot of Korean dramas, you realise that many of them stay in one particular event and take ages to drag on until they move on. You're Beautiful is like that, but they don't move too fast into things that you just get confused. To give a quick overview, the show is about a girl who pretends to be her twin brother by joining the band he's in after suffering some medical misfortunes. A lot happens next that I can't say any more but for you to just watch it. If you like shows like Boys Over Flowers and Coffee Prince, you will like You're Beautiful. Again, it's also one of those dramas that quickly became Korean classics that Filipinos have already copied it!And another fun fact: two of the main characters are in Heartstrings, and they finally end up together. Yay!

If anyone actually read through this. You must have been really bored. But other than that, good on you! When you find yourself lacking of hobbies and that you go on Facebook or Twitter or whatever too much, get into watching Korean dramas. It kills time when you have too much. I either buy them from Eastwood or the city (there's a shop selling Korean DVDs and CDs in Chinatown Sydney) or you can also go on websites like www.mysoju.com to watch them!

For more Top Ten Tuesday fun, wait next week! I don't know what to make a list of yet, and I don't think I should say and anticipate it for more surprise.