Hot off the heels of a stellar year, K-Dramas were breaking all sorts of viewership records in 2017. From fantastic thrillers and time traveling to comedies and romance stories that highlighted some serious social issues, K-Dramas really leaned into the “something for every fan” notion.
So whether you are new to K-Dramas, or a long-time fan, here are eight must-watch K-Dramas from 2017.
Strong Woman Do Bong-soon
Do Bong-soon (Park Bo-young) was born with superhuman strength passed down from the women in her family. While Bong-soon struggles to find a job as a video game developer, her strength helps her secure a position as a bodyguard to Ahn Min-hyuk (Park Hyung-sik), the CEO of a gaming company. As Bong-soon helps her new boss track down someone making dangerous threats, she strives to capture the attention of her childhood crush, rookie police detective Guk Doo (Ji Soo), who’s searching for an insidious kidnapper.
Cast: Park Bo-young, Park Hyung-sik, Ji Soo, Seol In-Ah and Kim Won-hae
Watch On: Viki
Prison Playbook
Je-Hyeok (Park Hae-Soo) is the best relief pitcher in Korea. Days before he is dues to fly to the U.S. to join the Boston Red Sox he is convicted of using excessive force while defending his sister from sexual assault and sent to prison. There he meets childhood friend and teammate, Lee Joon-ho, who gave up on his baseball career after a car accident and is now a prison guard. As Je-Hyeok learns to navigate his new world, he befriends fellow inmates Yoo Jeong-woo (Jung Hae-in), and more.
Cast: Park Hae-soo, Jung Kyung-ho, Krystal Jung, Jung Hae-in, and Park Ho-san
Watch On: Netflix
Just Between Lovers
When the S Mall collapsed killing 48 people inside, it also tied the fates of three young people together. Ha Moon Soo (Won Jin-ah) was there with her younger sister, Lee Kang Doo (Lee Junho) was there waiting for his father, and Seo Joo Won (Lee Ki-woo) was helping out his father. Ten years later a new construction project is set to kick off at the former site of S Mall, bringing back painful memories for these three survivors. As they cross paths, can they help each other face their trauma and ensure the same thing doesn’t happen again?
Cast: Lee Junho, Won Jin-ah, Lee Ki-woo, Kang Han-na, and Kim Hye-joon
Watch On: VIKI or Netflix
Go Back Couple
Choi Ban Do (Son Ho-jun) and Ma Jin Joo (Jang Na-ra) met, fell in love, and got married during their university days. Now at 38-years-old, this “old married” couple has replaced love with hate, and passion with disappointment. Riddled with regret, the couple travels back in time and finds themselves as 20-year university students. Can they forget the past and live a new life?
Cast: Jang Na-ra, Son Ho-jun, Jang Ki-yong, Han Bo-reum, and Ko Bo-gyeol
Watch On: VIKI
Stranger
As a child, Hwang Shi Mok (Jo Seoung-woo) underwent brain surgery, curbing his violent temper and leaving him devoid of emotions. Now a prosecutor, Hwang is known for his piercing intelligence and logic as well as his refusal to take bribes. While investigating corruption he meets Lieutenant Han Yeo Jin (Bae Doo-na) at the crime scene of a stabbing victim. They join forces to root out corruption at the prosecutors’ office and solve a serial murder case.
Cast: Jo Seoung-woo, Bae Doo-na, Lee Joon-hyuk, Yoo Jae-myung, and Shin Hye Sun
Watch On: Netflix
Voice
Moo Jin-Hyuk (Jang Hyuk) was a popular detective who solved major cases, but after his wife was murdered by a serial killer his life spiraled out of control. Kang Kwon-Joo (Lee Ha-na) worked at an emergency 112 call center but goes to the U.S. to become a top voice profiler after hearing her police sergeant father murdered. Years later detective Jin-Hyuk and Kwon–Joo are forced to work together to solve some terrible crimes Can the two finally catch the serial killer responsible for the deaths of their family members?
Cast: Jang Hyuk, Lee Ha-na, Oh Hyung-ho, Son Eun-seo, Baek Sung-hyun, and Kim Roe-ha
Watch On: Netflix
Chicago Typewriter
Bar owner Yu Jin Oh (Go Kyung-pyo), sniper Jun Seol (Im Soo-jung), and writer Han Se Joo are three resistance fighters during the 1930s Japanese occupation of Korea. Almost 80 years later the trio of writer, ghostwriter, and fan are reincarnated in the 21st century as they rush to uncover the truth about their past lives and learn how to cope with how it will affect their present.
Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Im Soo-jung, Go Kyung-pyo, Kwak Si-yang, and Jo Woo-jin
Watch On: VIKI
Because This Is My First Life
Socially awkward and apathetic Nam Se Hee (Lee Min-ki) is a single man who spends his days at work or at home with his cat. Yoon Ji Ho (Jung So-min) is a single woman who’s given up on dating due to her financial struggles. Currently, between projects and homes (due to her brother marrying his pregnant girlfriend) Ji Ho rents a room from Se-hee. To save money, the two housemates get married, but soon face unexpected complications as things fall apart around them.
Cast: Jung So-min, Lee Min-ki, Esom, Park Byungun, Kim Ga Eun, and Kim Min-seok
Watch On: Netflix and VIKI
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