Well, as a K-drama enthusiast who loves watching them, I feel like the shows being made today are becoming increasingly commercialized. They’re being made for global audiences, which is great, but don’t you think they’ve stopped experimenting the way they used to?
It’s been around 5–6 years since I started watching K-dramas, and a lot has changed during that time. But the K-drama formula? It’s becoming repetitive. Same script, just different faces.
A CEO with a traumatized childhood and a poor female lead whose family owns a chicken shop? Lovers from a past life? The same script, copy-pasted over and over again.
So, here are some OG and experimental K-drama recommendations from one K-drama lover to another. Maybe you’re someone who has been watching them for years, or maybe you’re just getting into them. Either way, these shows deserve a spot on your watchlist.
1. True Beauty (2020-21)
Well… I have my personal biases when it comes to this show. I love, love, LOVE True Beauty. It’s one of the funniest, most emotional, and wholesome K-dramas I’ve ever watched. True beauty is like a comfort show that has everything: friendship, love, betrayal, trauma, fun, and a little bit of cringe. But honestly, the cringe is what makes it cute, though!
If you have already watched the show, you know what i am talking about and here comes the million dollar question: Are you Team Su-ho or Team Han Seo-jun?
2. Vincenzo (2021)
Oh, man! What a storyline! I loved the plot, the actors, the suspense, and, most importantly, the big reveal of the villain. It’s one of the most memorable villains the K-drama industry has given us.
Well, now I love mafias and lawyers. And FYI, the K-drama industry takes courtroom dramas very seriously. It’s practically a whole genre of its own. I’ve watched a bunch of them!
3. Pinocchio (2014)
I think Pinocchio is a very underrated show, and I’m not sure if many people have watched it.
Well, it was my first K-drama, and since I’ve always wanted to study journalism, the show hit close to home for me.
The story begins when a fire breaks out in a factory, and several firefighters die while trying to control it. A young boy loses his father in the aftermath, and his entire family’s life falls apart, partly because the media tries to protect the real culprit.
It’s a compelling story. Is it about revenge? Is it about the truth? Or is it about discovering what journalism is actually supposed to be?
At its core, it’s a constant battle between ethics and survival. And that’s what makes it such a different and thought-provoking watch.
4. The Penthouse (2020-21)
Hmm… The Penthouse.
First of all, it’s a really lengthy show. It has three seasons, but trust me, it’s so interesting. The suspense will keep you hooked, especially in the first two seasons. The third season? Well, we can argue about that.
But the storyline is wild. There’s so much happening that you’ll genuinely get confused about what’s going on. Who’s alive? Who’s dead? Who’s betraying whom? And what on earth is going to happen next?
It’s dramatic, chaotic, and filled with thrill. If you enjoy shows that keep you guessing, give it a try!
5. Celebrity (2023)
Celebrity is a pretty well-known K-drama, though I’m not sure how many of you have watched it.
But seriously, WATCH IT.
It’s fun to watch, and I liked it. Nothing else, just liked it. The male lead was hot. Although, to be fair, the male leads in pretty much every drama I’ve mentioned so far have been HOT.
I remember watching him in The Heirs as a sweet little boy, but bro, he was amazing in Celebrity!
A treat for the eyes, obviously, but the story is good, too. The female lead is an influencer, and there’s a mystery surrounding her. Is she dead? Is she alive? What actually happened to her?
Well, I’m not telling you. Watch it and find out for yourself!
Special Recommendations: Business Proposal and Tale of the Nine Tailed
Yes, I know these two belong to the very same universe of the copy-paste formula we were just talking about. But hear me out: they have something special about them.
We collectively love Business Proposal, and I know I’m not alone in this.
The iconic dialogues? The chemistry? The sheer chaos? Lines like “You know what’s common between my love for you and this credit card? They both have no limits,” and “I will make sure you never forget.” And, of course, my favourite: “Samantha and Rachel!”
They made me scream and cry at the same time. And Honestly, we all love such a rom-com?
And if you haven’t watched Tale of the Nine Tailed yet, please do. It’s a fun watch.
So, there you go. Some K-dramas that remind me why I fell in love with binge watching them and become a Kdrama Paglu.
Maybe the industry is changing. Maybe global audiences have influenced the way stories are told. And maybe commercial success has become a bigger priority.
But I still believe there’s room for stories that take risks, experiment with genres, and leave us thinking about them long after the final episode.