2020 was a heck of a ride. As a result of all the self-isolating, I found myself watching a lot of K-dramas- more than usual, which is a lot. Some of the dramas I watched in 2020 made it to my list of all-time favorites while there were also a couple that made it to my list of all-time worst, but I won’t get into those ones. Without further ado, here are my top 7 K-dramas of 2020!
1. “HOSPITAL PLAYLIST”
The humour, the heart, the romance, and friendship – it had it all and it made me feel so complete by the end of it. It’s from the same writer and director of the Reply series, which I also thoroughly enjoyed, so I think it only makes sense that this one stole my heart! The friendship and love stories with all the characters were all engaging and I can’t forget to mention the incredible OST. The group of friends who form a band all learned how to play instruments in real life and even had a live concert on YouTube last year.
Where you can watch it: Viki
2. “HYENA”
This one was a no-brainer for me. “Hyena” is a drama that completely caught me off guard in the sense that I didn’t expect for it to be as good as it was. I had turned it on by chance and found myself getting immersed in the roles of Joo Ji Hoon and Kim Hye Soo. The chemistry between the two leads was intensely on fire and although there was quite the age gap between them, you hardly noticed.
Where you can watch it: Netflix
3. “CRASH LANDING ON YOU”
This one was an obvious pick. Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin had such amazing chemistry in the series that there were rumours of the two dating in real life (which we later found out was true). I have to admit, I didn’t love any of Park Ji Eun’s previous dramas, but she won me over with this one. I loved the OST, the cast, the crew of North Korean soldiers, and did I mention Hyun Bin?
Where you can watch it: Netflix
4. “18 AGAIN”
I loved Lee Do Hyun in this role. As a rookie actor who hasn’t gotten a lot of exposure, he really owned this role and shined. In 2020, his few appearances on “Running Man” made him a household name in the variety world and people were able to see his humorous side. The best part about “18 Again” is that it reminded me of some good classic feel-good rom-coms. It’s a light-hearted and easy watch with a very predictable and happy ending, which we can all appreciate especially in times like these, amirite?
5. “ITAEWON CLASS”
Park Seo Joon is a boss. His charm, presence, and acting abilities always seems to win over viewers no matter what role he takes on. He’s one of those actors who I can trust to pick a good role and so far in his acting career, I’ve never been disappointed. “Itaewon Class” had al the best elements that made it unforgettable – the main lead, OST, and “Dan Bam” squad. A lot of this series went against conventional K-drama norms, which made it so fun to watch. Although I’m a sucker for the romance, the story of Park Sae Ro Yi and his bar becoming successful was what drove the story.
Where you can watch it: Netflix
6. “STOVE LEAGUE”
I freaking LOVED this drama. And I don’t even like sports. Even withoutt he lovey dovey romance, “Stove League” managed to keep me engaged with the heartwarming stories of all the baseball players. You really want the best for this team and it brings out a lot of emotional goodness. It’s a given that Namgoong Min is an exceptional actor, but I was also really impressing by the supporting cast- Park Eun Bin and Jo Byung Gyu held their own and they really won me over. If you’re into heartfelt underdog stories, this one will hit home!
Where you can watch it: Viki
7. “TRUE BEAUTY”
I cheated a bit for this one because it didn’t finish in 2020, but it’s just that good that I had to include it on this list. Hwang In Yeob, Cha Eun Woo, and Moon Ga Young have been taking the world by storm for their respective roles and chemistry on screen. The make-overs, humour, and love triangle in the story is enough to win your heart as well as make everything a little less stressful in your life.
Where you can watch it: Viki
Other K-dramas that came into my radar: “Record of Youth,” “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay,” “I’ll Go To You When The Weather Is Nice,” and “My Unfamiliar Family”
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