10 of the best new K-dramas to watch in May 2024: Song Kang-ho in Uncle Samsik on Disney+, The 8 Show on Netflix
- After a slow April K-drama fans have a lot to look forward to, including Uncle Samsik, in which Song Kang-ho plays a wily fixer, and Connection starring Ji Sung
- The Midnight Romance in Hagwon features Wi Ha-joon as a rookie instructor, while in The 8 Show, Ryu Jun-yeol plays a contestant in a warped reality TV show
After a relatively quiet April, the K-drama schedules will be packed with new shows next month, ranging from romance, fantasy and historical drama to action and high-concept thrills.
We preview 10 of the best K-drama series debuting in May.
1. Frankly Speaking
Lead cast: Go Kyung-pyo, Kang Han-na, Joo Jong-hyuk
2. The Atypical Family
Lead cast: Jang Ki-yong, Chun Woo-hee
Suffering from ailments ranging from depression to smartphone addiction, soon Gwi-joo the depressed time traveller and his family lose their powers.
3. The Midnight Romance in Hagwon
Lead cast: Jung Ryeo-won, Wi Ha-joon
4. Dare to Love Me
Lead cast: Kim Myung-soo, Lee Yoo-young
Lee Yoo-young (Insider) stars in the romcom Dare to Love Me as Kim Hong-do, a designer with a temp contract at an apparel company. She is ambitious and works herself to the bone but, though her efforts are never recognised, never gives up on her dream.
Shin Yoon-bok (Kim Myung-soo, a member of the K-pop group Infinite) is a scholar who has been carrying on his family’s traditions. He lives in a village that recreates the era of Joseon dynastic rule over Korea but, dreaming of becoming a writer for web comics, moves to Seoul, where he soon meets Hong-do. (KBS2, May 13)
5. Crash
Lead cast: Lee Min-ki, Kwak Sun-young, Heo Sung-tae
6. Uncle Samsik
Lead cast: Song Kang-ho, Byun Yo-han
Song plays the titular character, a wily fixer in 1960s Korea who teams up with idealistic young man Kim San, played by Byun Yo-han (Mr. Sunshine), who dreams of changing the country. (Disney+, May 15)
7. The 8 Show
Lead cast: Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Woo-hee, Park Jung-min
The group must live in a filmed studio set and have the chance to win and split a 44.8 billion won (US$33 million) prize, but the catch is that their necessities must be paid for from the pot, at 1,000 times their usual price.
8. Bitter Sweet Hell
Lead cast: Kim Hee-sun, Lee Hye-young, Kim Nam-hee
When Young-won is suddenly embroiled in an unexpected incident, it puts her family in danger and she bands together with Sa-gang to protect it. (MBC, May 24)
9. Connection
Lead cast: Ji Sung, Jeon Mi-do
10. Dreaming of Cinde Fxxxing Rella
Lead cast: Pyo Ye-jin, Lee Jun-young