Done with ‘Squid Game’? Here’s six more K-dramas you need to check out
- You might be wondering ‘what’s next?’ after finishing Netflix’s most popular show, but there’s plenty more to watch, from ‘Hospital Playlist’ to ‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’
- Mark your calendar for upcoming shows like ‘The King’s Affection’ and “Yumi’s Cells’
You’ve finished “Squid Game” - now what’s next? Photo: ReutersThe whole world is talking about Squid Game, which is set to surpass Bridgerton as Netflix’s most-watched show ever. You might feel a giant, K-drama shaped hole in your heart after finishing the series, but there’s still plenty more TV to check out while you hope and pray for season two. Here are six recent and upcoming K-dramas to add to your ‘must watch’ list.
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Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
This tvN series began airing on Netflix on August 28 and is still going strong, with its final episode scheduled for October 17.
The love story stars Shin Min-a as Yoon Hye-jin, a dentist who loses her job in the big city and moves to Gongjin, a fictional small seaside village, where she meets Hong Du-sik (Kim Sun-ho). Although his personality is the complete opposite of hers, they set off on a whirlwind romance.
K-drama fans will be happy to see that Kim Sun-ho finally gets a chance to be the leading male protagonist, especially after being sidelined in Start-Up with the role of good boy Han Ji-pyeong.
Hospital Playlist
Hospital Playlist released its long-awaited second season on Netflix in June and aired its final episode on September 16, ending a two-year adventure with five of our favorite doctors as they navigated work, parenthood and romance.
Yumi’s Cells
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God star Kim Go-eun stars in Yumi’s Cells as Kim Yu-mi, a woman dealing with the aftermath of a recent break up. Younger viewers will enjoy this lighthearted drama that includes animations of Yu-mi’s cells, similar to the concept from the Pixar film Inside Out, as they guide her in her day to day life.
The series aired its first episode on September 17 and will air the finale on October 30. You can find it online on streaming site iQiyi.
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Coming soon
The King’s Affection
A classic, historical romance, The King’s Affection is based on the Korean comic Yeonmo by Lee So-Young.
When the crown prince dies, his twin sister, played by Park Eun-bin, assumes the throne, pretending to be him. However, things get complicated when the princess develops feelings for her teacher, Jung Ji-woon, played by Ro Woon.
This is not an unfamiliar plotline, as many successful dramas have been based on women disguising themselves as men and falling in love in the process - take Coffee Prince or To the Beautiful You as a few examples. Only time will tell if The King’s Affection will follow in their footsteps to success.
Catch it on Netflix starting October 11.
Jirisan
Perhaps one of the most anticipated dramas of the year, Jirisan tells the story of Jun Ji-hyun (Gianna Jun), the most skilled ranger at Jiri Mountain National Park, as she guides new ranger Kang Hyun-jo (Ju Ji-hoon), who is hiding a terrible secret. The drama centres around the mystery of the mountain’s many visitors, including those who come to kill, and those who come to end their lives.
The show is directed by Lee Eun-bok, known for hits such as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, as well as Dream High and Descendants of the Sun, and is scheduled to premiere on TvN on October 23.
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Reflection of You
Jeong Hee-joo (Go hyun-jung) had a troubled childhood, but she eventually found success as a painter and essayist, living a lavish life with her rich husband and two kids. In spite of all this success, she can’t help but feel like she is wasting her life. Everything changes when she meets Goo Hae-won (Shin Hyun-been), an art teacher who lacks worldly means but is still full of life, and who reminds Hee-joo of herself in her younger days.
The series is set to premiere on October 13 and will be available on Netflix.