K-dramas have a way of exceeding expectations and captivating audiences with their unexpected brilliance. These hidden gems defy initial judgments, surprising viewers with unforgettable characters, mesmerizing performances, chemistry, and storytelling. With their addictive narratives and impeccable production, K-dramas continue to amaze, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who watch them. Here are five of those K-dramas that you didn’t expect to be good but totally slayed.
“Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo”
This drama is a cute friends-to-lovers story between a spunky weightlifting champ named Kim Bok Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) and a swimming prodigy named Joon Hyung (Nam Joo Hyuk). The two had met years before in elementary school. Now on campus, an easy friendship develops between them. They help, motivate, and encourage each other through their many issues and challenges. The story revolves around Bok Joo, who loves to tuck into food and is comfortable in her skin until she develops a crush on Joon Hyung’s older brother. The tomboyish Bok Joo gets self conscious about her appearance, trying to lose weight, which is sacrilege for any weightlifter.
When people first heard the synopsis of this series, it seemed liked another sports-related rom-com like any other. But no one could have anticipated the adorable chemistry between Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk. Their first love romance gave all the butterflies, and viewers could totally feel it through the screen. It made the series. Not to mention the epic one-liners continue to be incredibly memorable—”Do you like Messi?” It’s an unforgettable K-drama that is one of the best of all time, which never could have been imagined when it first came out!
Start watching “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo”:
“Prison Playbook”
Kim Je Hyuk (Park Hae Soo) is a famous baseball player whose life turns upside down just as he is about to sign up for a major league. A protective brother to his little sister, he beats up the man who abuses her and ends up in jail. His best friend Lee Joon Ho (Jung Kyung Ho), a corrections officer at the prison, helps him endure the difficult moments. Je Hyuk continues to practice baseball in prison in hopes of resurrecting his career once out. The show also focuses on his encounters with several people. Jung Hae In as Captain Yoo, a man wrongly framed for killing a soldier, comes across as cold but at heart is a good person. There’s Min Chul (Choi Moo Sung), a former gangster who regrets his past, and also Je Hyuk’s girlfriend Ji Ho (Krystal), who stands by him despite the odds.
It seems like a K-drama set completely in prison wouldn’t be that interesting, but this series was a total heart-stealer. The bromance, the side stories of the prisoners, and the love story of the main lead—all of it made for a heartfelt drama. If anyone would have said that a storyline featuring cons would win over our sympathies, it would have been hard to imagine, but the series managed to kill it in the ratings domestically in Korea, and eventually, it became quite the international success!
“My Mister”
Lee Ji An (IU) is a debt-ridden young woman who has never had it easy. Ji An is just trying to stay afloat on the turbulent ripples of her life. As she hustles between several part time jobs and looks after her ailing grandmother, she is constantly depressed. Overwhelmed with life, she feels as if there is nothing to look forward to, and the lingering wave of sadness keeps enveloping her. However, things change when she meets Park Dong Hoon (Lee Sun Gyun), an empathetic and optimistic office worker. He becomes her friend, philosopher, and guide. He helps her look at the bright side of life and give her the emotional support she seeks.
When news of “My Mister” first broke out, many were apprehensive at the decision to cast IU and Lee Sun Gyun together. People were weary about the age gap between the two stars and thought it was a bit distracting. Little did people know that it would not be the typical romance that most K-dramas show. At the root of it, this story is a beautiful depiction of a broken girl, who has gone through extreme hardships, meeting a working class man and both understanding each other. It is a beautiful story that uplifted those who watched it.
Watch episode 1 here:
“Taxi Driver”
SBS’s drama “Taxi Driver” involves a taxi driver by the name of Kim Do Gi (Lee Je Hoon), who is secretly a vigilante crime fighter. His main goal, as well as the goal of the taxi driving company he works for, is getting revenge on behalf of the oppressed and those who have been wronged. He has a support team who helps him plan and strategize the best possible way to make sure that the revenge scheme is grand and that the bad guys pay in the most painful way possible. The cases of the victims in the series are all based on real-life cases in South Korea that were very public!
Granted, having Lee Je Hoon in the casting news of anything would call for a great production, but “Taxi Driver” seemed like it would be like any other typical vengeance series. Also, having the main character be a taxi driver as his disguise, no one would have imagined the impact and success of this K-drama. Lo and behold, a few episodes in, the series skyrocketed in fame, and Lee Je Hoon and his crew managed to secure not only a second season but a third!
Start season one now:
“Just Between Lovers”
“Just Between Lovers” is the story of two individuals who have both been suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. Lee Kang Doo (Lee Junho) had dreams of becoming a soccer player, but an onsite accident at a mall kills his father and leaves Kang Doo with a grievous injury. He meets Ha Moon Soo (Won Jin Ah), a survivor from the same accident. Bound together by their shared sorrows, unprocessed grief, and struggles, these two lonely individuals form a deep connection. As they support each other, they also heal each other as they process their shared grief.
This series seemed like just another romance drama to start about two people who experienced the same traumatic event in their childhood, but no one could have anticipated the chemistry and build-up of emotions that this K-drama would bring. Seeing Lee Junho and Won Jin Ah light up the screen and bring the intensity with their love story and chemistry was nothing short of a masterpiece. This series will remain in my heart forever!
If you haven’t watched the series yet, check out episode one here:
Hey Soompiers, which of these K-dramas did you watch and love? Let me know in the comments below!
binahearts is a Korean-Canadian published author, content creator, and influencer whose ultimate biases are Song Joong Ki and BIGBANG, but has lately been seen obsessing over Hwang In Yeop. Make sure you follow binahearts on IG as she journeys through her latest Korean crazes!
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Content Source: www.soompi.com