Wondering what to watch this year? Maybe try these 12 top K-drama recommendations for 2024. This year we created a watch list of Korea’s top K-dramas. The list may help you learn more about Korean culture, social asperations, and life. Watching K-dramas to Help with Cultural Integration Settling into a new cultural becomes easier with shared cultural knowledge. Since Korean pop-culture exists separately than other countries, you have to catch up. Catching up on local pop-culture means committing to the research. One of the easiest ways to do this includes binge watching Korean dramas. Pop-culture provides an easy way to start a fun conversation and build relationships. As someone who moved to the Lower 48 without watching US TV or listing to US popular music, trust me that you need to do this. Fitting into society was painfully difficult to build friendships until I caught up on pop-culture. It turns out that many casual relationships begin with a shared understanding of current culture. When I moved to South Korea I did not make the same mistake. I paid close attention to pop culture related to my age group and it help my transition a lot. In 2023, Lanae Rivers-Woods thought it would be fun to create a pop-culture starter guide that the South of Seoul community can follow along with over the year. Some people might start this journey once they arrive in South Korea, while others might choose to begin this journey in the months before their relocation. South of Seoul K-Drama Recommendations In response to this goal, in 2023 we lead an Arts & Entertainment Initiative including K-drama recommendations for those just getting into the genre. The recommendations in this post include the top dramas in recent years. Consider them a K-drama primer that will quickly take you down the rabbit hole. Once you complete this list, we encourage you to dig deeper into the K-drama history and find more dramas to watch from the past as well as current dramas. Watching K-Dramas with English Subs Interestingly, since you may need English subtitles for your K-dramas you may run into streaming issues in South Korea. A variety of websites popular with K-drama fans can’t actually stream in South Korea without the help of a VPN. While living in Korea, we recommend the following online sites for K-Dramas while living in South Korea: With some creativity like a great VPN, you may find other options for watching K-dramas with English subs on free sites. Keep in mind, not all VPNs work and sometimes they quit working for a while when sites find new ways to detect them. Since many of the options may not be entirely legal, we will leave these alternative choices up to you. Although we figure most folks know what K-dramas are these days, not everyone does. Some people may not so let’s dig deeper into the K-drama genre as we start your recommendations. Looking for more detail on K-dramas, check out our blog here: Foundational Korean Dramas for 2024 Feel free to mix and match the order of these dramas to fit your taste. We create the list based on months to create a framework to build pop-cultural knowledge over time. January: “Strong Girl Bong-Soon” The endearing romantic comedy “Strong Girl Bong Soon” follows Do Bong Soon’s life. Despite being born with superhuman strength, she navigates love, life, and the difficulties of being a modern-day heroine. February: “Alchemy of Souls” The fantasy drama “Alchemy of Souls” delves into the ethereal journey of young mages who are forced to confront their darker destiny as a result of a forbidden spell known as “alchemy of souls,” which permits souls to change bodies. March: Mr. Queen Modern day head chef, Jang Bong-hwan, wakes up in the body of So-yong, Queen Cheorin in the Joseon period after a near-death experience. He cooks for Queen Sunwon to win her favor, trying to get back to his body in modern-day Korea. However, he quickly learns that So-yong is hiding something and that the King is not what he seems to be with a dark and suspicious side. April: Twenty Five Twenty One In present day, Kim Min-chae (daughter of Na Hee-do) runs away to her grandmother’s house and discovers her mother’s diary. In 1998, Na Hee-do, a member of Seonjung Girls’ High School’s fencing team, is disbanded due to the IMF crisis. She moves to Taeyang High School and joins the National Fencing Team. Baek Yi-jin’s family struggles, leading him to become a sports reporter. May: My Demon The show is about a devilish heiress to a company, Do Do-hee and a demon named Jeong Gu-won who loses his powers for a while. They agree to get married and find happiness during this short-term loss of his powers. June: Black Knight In this story, a good man agrees to go on a dangerous journey with the woman he loves. The love story goes back more than 200 years. When it comes to his love, Moon Soo-ho is willing to risk everything for it. Jung Hae-ra, who works as a ticket agent but has never been outside of Korea. July: Strong Girl Nam-Soon Born in Mongolia, Gang Nam-soon went missing when she was a child. As an adult, she goes to South Korea to find her parents. In the Gangnam area, she finds her mother, Hwang Geum-joo, a billionaire businesswoman, and her grandmother, Gil Joong-gan. The women become involved in a drug case investigated by Detective Gang Hee-sik about a company called Doogo, which is run by Ryu Shi-oh. August: Song of the Bandits The story takes place in the 1920s, during the rough time of Japanese occupation. After the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905, the Korean military and police were disbanded, and other harsh measures were put in place. As a result, many people from Joseon crossed the Tumen River to Gando, which was then part of China (Qing), to find work or to fight for Korea’s independence. This story is about people who go to Gando, a place where there are no rules, and they work together to protect the Korean country. The story builds up to the Gando attack. September: Cafe Minamdang The show follows a former police officer who became a shaman and his coworkers as they deal with strange events. It also tells the story of the people who go to a sketchy café called Minamdang. October: Hellbound Hellbound is a supernatural series set in South Korea during 2022-27. An angel delivers prophecies condemning individuals to Hell, followed by supernatural monsters causing destruction. The series follows two organizations, the New Truth Society and the Arrowhead group, who gain power through fear. November: The Good Detective In Incheon, South Korea, the story revolves around detectives who hide and uncover truths. Kang Do-chang, a 18-year-old detective, uses personal connections and knowledge to investigate cases. Oh Ji-hyuk, a 9-year-old detective, uses proof and criminal thinking. Despite his wealth and past experiences, he remains silent about his feelings. Jin Seo-kyung, a five-year-old reporter, enjoys her job at a newspaper. The story highlights the challenges faced by detectives in uncovering truths. December: The Glory Moon Dong-eun, who used to be bullied, plans to get back at her bullies after getting a job as a homeroom teacher at the elementary school where the bully leader’s child goes to school. Some scenes are based on an event that occurred in Cheongju, where a group of middle schoolers forced a friend to pay money for about a month by beating and burning her with objects over and over again. Additional Drama-Related Blogs If you find yourself falling in love with dramas like so many before you, you may also enjoy these other South of Seoul Blogs: KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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Learn more about 3 of Korea’s top male actors and the fun ways they connect to South of Seoul and Pyeongtaek. A silly way to learn more about male Korean actors and living life in South Korea. Introducing 3 Top Male Korean Actors Korean entertainment has been taking the world by storm in recent years, and a big part of that success can be attributed to the talented male actors who have captivated audiences around the globe. I moved to Korea before the global obsession with K-dramas started, but I also respect it since I love a good drama. From charming leading men to complex and nuanced characters, these actors have proven their versatility and range time and time again. As a result, these actors have gained widespread popularity for their performances and have cemented their place as some of the most beloved figures in Korean entertainment. Before we jump into learning about these talented actors, let’s talk about why I’m even bothering to write about this topic. I just love seeing how art and life collide, especially in South Korea, where filming doesn’t happen far away but all around us. Connecting K-Dramas to Life As international residents in South Korea, we often have the chance to get up close and personal with the K-drama life in ways we never could if we didn’t live here. And maybe even in ways we never could in our home countries. For example, if you live in smaller areas of the US, you may never have access to a film set. So for me, it’s cool to see the magic happen. I search out the melding of art and real life as much as possible. Mixing K-dramas and real life might include participating in filming, watching live filming when I come across it in the wild, visiting open drama sets, or touring cafes where dramas are filmed. It’s fun to see the mix between art and real life. Riffing on this theme of cultural connections, I made a game for myself. I thought it would be fun to see if I could find a connection to South of Seoul life in Pyeongtaek and Korea’s top male actors. It seemed like one of those things that should be impossible. I decided to let the internet tell me who the top actors were, so I couldn’t make it easy on myself. So I used a website to pick Korea’s Top 3 Male Actors, and then I looked over their K-dramas and found their connections to my community or me. As it turns out, it wasn’t that hard! Honestly, you should try this. It’s pretty fun. #1 Lee Min-ho When it comes to male Korean actors, it is impossible to have a list without mentioning Lee Min-ho. This talented actor rose to fame with his role in the hit drama “Boys Over Flowers” and has since become one of the most popular actors in South Korea. His good looks and acting talent have made him a fan favorite, and he has received numerous awards for his performances. Some of Lee Min-ho’s most notable works include “The Heirs,” “City Hunter,” and “The Legend of the Blue Sea.” In these dramas, he has played many characters, from wealthy and privileged young men to skilled crimefighters. Lee Min-ho’s versatility as an actor is one of the reasons he is so highly regarded in the industry. In addition to his acting career, Lee Min-ho is also known for his philanthropic work. He has participated in various charity events and has donated to various causes, including disaster relief efforts and children’s hospitals. The South of Seoul Connection Lee Min-ho turned out to be the easiest connection of all. Lance Ward and I participated as extras in Episode 1 of “The Legend of the Blue Sea.” This was a wild opportunity that meant we spent all night in a mall with about 200 other foreigners. The opportunity came in the form of a random text message. I even briefly appear during the escalator scene. Being an extra in a drama can be a fun thing to do while living in South Korea. #2 Song Joong-ki Song Joong-ki is another actor who has made a name for himself in the Korean entertainment industry. He gained widespread fame with his role in the hit drama “Descendants of the Sun,” in which he played a captain in the Korean Special Forces. His performance in the drama earned him numerous awards, including the Grand Prize at the KBS Drama Awards. Since his breakout role in “Descendants of the Sun,” Song Joong-ki has continued to act in various dramas and films. Some of his notable works include “Arthdal Chronicles,” “The Innocent Man,” and “Asadal Chronicles.” His acting skills and good looks have made him a fan favorite, and he has won numerous awards for his performances. In addition to his acting career, Song Joong-ki is also known for his philanthropic work. He has participated in various charity events and has donated to various causes, including disaster relief efforts and children’s hospitals. The South of Seoul Connection “Arthdal Chronicles” was filmed on the Netflix drama set in Osan City. Touring different open drama sets makes shows come to life. You can visit the filming. You can read more about such open drama set locations here: #3 Lee Jong-suk Lee Jong-suk is a talented actor who has gained popularity in the Korean entertainment industry for his roles in various dramas and films. He made his acting debut in the drama “School 2013” and has since become one of the most sought-after actors in South Korea. Some of Lee Jong-suk’s most notable works include “Pinocchio,” “While You Were Sleeping,” “Doctor Stranger,” and “I Hear Your Voice.” In these dramas, he has played a wide range of characters, from young and naive to experienced and skilled. Lee Jong-suk’s versatility as an actor is one of the reasons he is so highly regarded in the industry. In addition to his acting career, Lee Jong-suk is also known for his philanthropic work. He has participated in various charity events and has donated to various causes, including disaster relief efforts and children’s hospitals. The South of Seoul Connection The Lee Jong-suk drama “Doctor Stranger” was partially filmed in Pyeongtaek. You can find Pyeongtaek shooting locations for Dr. Stranger and other K-Dramas here: Other Top Korean Male Actors Lists Of course, you certainly need to do more research into who is the top male actor in South Korea. Some fun lists to look through include: Running through lists like this can help you build a visual vocabulary for understanding the advertising you see around South Korea and even choosing future dramas you might like to watch. Reasons Why I Play Games Like This I don’t just play these sorts of cultural connection exercises just for blog posts. I do it to build my own conceptual understanding of where I exist within a new culture. It’s a habit I started long before moving to South Korea when I moved from Alaska to the Lower 48. Seeing how my life in Alaska interacted with the Outside (like the fact a TV show was based on my town) helped me feel like a part of the new culture I entered. Want to Learn More About K-Dramas? South of Seoul volunteers put together a list of 12 k-dramas that create foundational knowledge. If you watch all of these, you have a strong understanding of what’s been popular over the last 2 decades. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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