My K-Drama Playlist Part 2 | Furlough Edition
As promised, here are the rest of my K-Drama playlist while on furlough. Reading through, you might notice most of them are not new but, they all gave me time away from over thinking my situation. It even felt like some of them were speaking with me. Comforting me with the supporting leads’ uplifting dialogues, challenging me with the antagonists’ stance and inspiring me with the protagonists' resilience and success.
Brushing up on your soft skills to be always ready once called back to work, keeping your self physically fit to avoid getting sick during the pandemic, and looking for ways to earn extra while not having an income are all what we should be doing sensibly. What I hope to share here are just little ways to avoid burn out and bit of entertainment.
The King.
Is about Korea in two parallel worlds, one with a kingdom ruled by a young king who took the throne at a very young age due to a tragic event caused by his greedy uncle, and the other- a democratic South Korea where a woman from the police force leads a simple life with her father and her good friends. A magical flute, an elegant white horse named Maximus, the “unbreakable sword”(my fave character😊), and star-crossed, or rather, parallel universe- crossed lovers are what's in the recipe this drama offers.
Its plot is a good brain exercise. Every episode felt like a puzzle piece that is essential to solve the mystery, thus, kept me on my toes and made me feel like a master whenever I figure out something in the story!
Designated Survivor: 60 days.
An adaptation of the American tv series, the story goes when the minister of environment was suddenly appointed as president of the country after a bombing incident killed the president and everyone else in line for succession at the National Assembly. For 60 days until the election, the scientist from KAIST will have to lead a country devastated by the recent incident, is still in peace negotiation with the north, and has to uncover the truth – the deeper story behind the bombing, while keeping himself sane.
As with most K-drama, they did their own take on this originally American political drama, basing only on the main plot and made everything else more relevant to their society. The drama tackled issues undaunted about their politics, the military and the media such as politicians manipulating the economy, or abusing the social media platform, misplaced idealisms, LGBT topic, etc. The theme was serious yet was still engaging and entertaining.
Master Kim is back! This is the season two of the medical drama led by the famous triple board certified doctor, Master Kim. The story picked up when the three doctors from the last season left, Dr Kang for his military enlistment, the whale doctor for an internship abroad and Dr Do back in the main hospital branch. Faced with the lack of fellows and residents while grappling with increasing trauma patients, the relentless corporate tug of war, at the same time dealing with his personal issues, we’ll see the romantic doctor here set Doldam Hospital in action with fresh talents he hand-picked himself and with new challenges thrown at him by his detractors.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo.
A romantic comedy about a college female weightlifter and male swimmer. A hilarious but romantic love story that also touched a few important issues teenagers are experiencing. Trauma, pressure from school and family, and depression overcame by love and acceptance from family, strong friendship, professional help and a ton of laughter.
My sister swears by this feel-good drama and I regret watching it only recently!
Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung.
Set in Joseon Dynasty, a feisty young woman who loves to read science and foreign books, and has no interest in complying with the norm set for women by the society of her era found her purpose on being one of the first female historians in the palace.
My favorite Korean dramas are mostly period dramas because of the combination of grandeur contrasted with the exposure of injustice of that era presented. That, added with a bit of romcom with a handsome prince slash secret romance writer at night made this an enjoyable series to watch.
My ID is Gangnam Beauty.
A teen drama that is about a woman who decided to go under the knife to change her appearance in order to avoid the bullying and the discrimination she has suffered since childhood.
The way the story was laid out, I think, was well thought of. They showed the effects of putting importance on the ridiculous standards on appearance in the story without ridiculing either the victim e.g. by not showing the kid's face pre surgery, or the antagonist by creating her back story – the reason why she became who she is.
Top Management.
A rather short series about a former idol trainee, who has the gift to see the future, and a k-pop idol group struggling to reinvent themselves.
It was a short series in a good way. In a 12-episode drama telling the funny misadventures of the idol group, SOUL with their newbie manager, we saw a glimpse of how talent agencies work and how idol trainees are behind the scenes - crazy show and practice schedules, special contract clauses, etc.
Hospital Playlist.
A story of friendship, family, dedication to work and music. Next to Kim Bok Joo, I consider this my healing experience as well! Without much help from funny sound effects, that I also fall so easily, I was laughing out loud. Just the characters being funny on their own and the actors playing them perfectly.
Five doctors who started their friendship in med school and were brought together by their love of music is, again, a new take on a medical drama, an already popular and common theme that has been flooding our screens lately.
Previous Furlough Edition posts:
Chicago Typewriter Review
What I Eat in a Day | Furlough Edition
How Do You Stay Positive During These Difficult Times? My DDF Colleagues answer
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