Best Korean Dramas of 2019 (April-June)

Here, I am again with the list of my favorite or Best Korean Dramas of 2019 for the months of April to June. This rating is totally based on my preferences so if you don’t agree with them Suck it! Just like the list for the first quarter of the year dramas will be included for judgment depending on the number of episodes a drama airs in the period of April-June. So without any further ado lets dig in.

Best Korean Dramas of 2019

 

Historical

The Nokdu Flower

Title: The Nokdu Flower

Korean:녹두꽃 – 사람, 하늘이 되다

Network: SBS

Episodes: 48

Cast: Cho Jung-Seok, Yoon Si-Yoon, Han Ye-Ri, Choi Moo-Sung, Park Hyuk-Kwon

Reason to Watch: Brotherhood

The drama is set during the Donghak Peasant Revolution which took place from 1894-1895. Jung-Seok and Si-Yoon are half-brothers who care about each other like real brothers. But both have different views about improving their country and society they are living in. When war breaks out both ends up on the opposing side. Meanwhile, the war breaks out when the peasants start a revolt against the violent suppression they have been under. At this time the Japanese forces using the revolt an excuse enter Joseon and take control of the King and his subjects.

The drama is directed by Shin Kyung-Soo the same man who directed Six Flying Dragons. You will see many familiar faces if you have seen SFD although the fights scenes are not on the same level as SFD. It was good to see Si-Yoon again after the hiatus/cancellation of 1N2D and he performed very well his character who starts as a left-winger who turns into a left extremist who is quite similar to his right-wing extremist counterparts. Cho Jung-Seok is amazing as always, there is some romance but it more about the brothers and the revolt more than anything else.

Honorable Mention:

Sadly, The Nokdu Flower doesn’t have much competition as nothing else from this genre is released. You could make a case for Joseon Survival but it is really bad, there is also Arthdal Chronicles we will talk about it later.

Nokdu Flower Premiere Week Recap

 

Comedy

 

My Fellow Citizens

Title: My Fellow Citizens

Korean: 국민 여러분

Network: KBS2

Episodes: 36

Cast: Choi Si-Won, Lee Yoo-Young, Kim Min-Jung

Reason To Watch: Conman Politician with “American Gestures”

The drama is about a conman Jung-Kook (Choi Si-Won) who has never been arrested. He meets and starts dating Mi-Young (Lee Yoo-Young) who is a police officer but she hides her identity from Jung-Kook. Both of them get married and on their way to honeymoon, Mi-Young reveals her identity to Jung-Kook. To make things worse one of Jung-Kook’s victim’s daughter (a gang leader)comes in his life looking for revenge. The gangster lady (Kim Min-Jung) wants Jung-Kook to run for congress and then help her pass a law which will bring her a lot of money.

If you are familiar with Choi Si-Won you know he is famous for his”American Gestures” and he shows plenty of them here. The story is not amazing but it is very good. But what makes this show amazing is the supporting characters. This is funny mostly because of the supporting characters and the cast that performed them. Watching Yang Dong- Geun (Rapper YDG) playing the maknae of the team and treated as the one was a treat to watch. The same goes for the love triangle between a hottie, a geek and a single mother. Just watch it for the side characters and have a laugh riot.

Honorable Mention:

Special Labor Inspector Mr. Jo: Just like My Fellow citizens the side characters of this drama are the best part about this drama. But unlike the above drama, this one takes it itself a little more serious a few time. Also, it is a little more oriented towards the central character. And for these reasons, I chose My Fellow Citizens over this but I would suggest you watch both of them if you like comedy.

My Fellow Citizens Premiere Week Recap

 

Drama

 

The Banker (Personal Favorite)

Title: The Banker

Korean:더 뱅커

Network: MBC

Episodes: 32

Cast: Kim Sang-Joong, Chae Si-Ra, Yoo Dong-Geun

Reason To Watch: Gives J-Drama Feeling

This drama is about a No Dae-Ho (Kim Sang-Joong) who works as a branch manager for Daehan Bank in a small town. His branch is shut down even after showing good results. While he gets promoted as an auditor and starts working in the central headquarters. There he works to find out the reason for shutting down his branch as he fights against the corruption.

This was my favorite drama for this quarter of the year because of its storyline and the performance by Kim Sang-Joon. It is a remake of Japanese drama Nozaki Shuhei Auditor of Bank, which could be the reason it is different from usual Korean dramas. If you are looking for romance or action this one is not for you. This one will be of you like if you have enjoyed the drama Naoki Hanzawa.

Honorable Mention:

Aide: Very good cast, good story but seems uncomplete. Can’t wait for the second season.

 

Crime

Doctor Prisoner

Title: Doctor Prisoner

Korean: 닥터 프리즈너

Network: KBS2

Episodes: 32

Cast: Nam Goong-Min, Kim Byung-Chul, Choi Won-Young

Reason to Watch: Nam Goong-Min

This drama is about a surgeon Na Ji-Ye (Nam Goong-Min) with excellent skills who is charged with a medical accident which he did not cause. He loses his job, his freedom, a few years later he starts working as a chief of a prison medical clinic. From there he starts his revenge on the people who were responsible for his demise using his medical skills.

This drama is a one-man show from start to finish, it is all about the performance of Nam Goong-Min. He is also helped by a very good storyline and very good performances by a few of the supporting cast. If you are a fan of Goong-Min then it is a must for you. If you enjoyed the drama Defendant (starring Ji-Sung) then you are going to like this one as well.

Honorable Mention:

Confession: I would have chosen this one over Doctor Prison if it was not for the performance by Goong-Min.

Best Korean Drams 2019 (Jan-March)

 

Horror/Thriller

POSSESSED

Title: Possessed

Korean: 빙의

Network: OCN

Episodes: 16

Cast: Song Sae-Byeok, Goh Jun-Hee, Yeon Jeong-Hoon

Reason to Watch: Bad Boys

Kang Pil-Sung (Song Sae-Byeok) is a foul-mouthed detective who has great instinctive skills. He meets Hong Seo-Jung (Goh Joon-Hee) who is a Psychic Medium. While looking into a murder case they get entangled with a spirit of a serial killer. The spirit keeps possessing a different person and continues to kill people. Pil-Sung and Seo-Jung join forces to stop the spirit and in the process fall for each other as well.

This was a great Horror-Romance series with an excellent villain. I was worried about the chemistry between the leading couple before the series but all my doubts washed away from episode 1. Not only the start was good but the ending was also very good which sometimes leads to the downfall of these kinds of dramas. Sae-Byeok mostly known for his comical roles in movies performed the role of Pil-Sung very well. Go Joon-Hee was mesmerizing as well. But the real winner was the villainous spirit and the different actors whose body gets possessed by the spirit (especially Yeon Jung-Hoon).

Honorable Mention:

Save Me 2: The Second season of Save Me was also quite good with a new story and different cast. Although, it was lacking in horror and was a bit less culty then the first season.

 

Fantasy/Action

Arthdal Chronicles

Title: Arthdal Chronicles

Korean: 아스달 연대기

Network: tVN

Episodes: 18, 12(Part 1&2) and 6 (Part 3)

Cast: Song Joong-Ki, Jang-Dong-Geun, Kim Ok-Vin, Kim Ji-Won

Reason to Watch: The Cast

Set in the fictional land of Arthdal during ancient times. The story is about people of different tribes. Eun-Sum (Song Joong-Ki) tries to protect his tribespeople and learns of his true origins in the process. While Ta-Gon (Jang-Dong -Gun) a hero to his people conquers different tribes and destroys his enemies within Arthdal as he tries to become the King of Arthdal.

I mean do I even need to give you a reason to watch this, just look at the great cast. Even Song Joong-Ki’s divorce couldn’t harm the ratings of the series. With the third part coming in September it gives you enough time to watch the first two parts (12 episodes). One negative about the series was my own high expectations about the drama. When I first saw the trailers of the drama I wanted it to be grand and epic as Tribes And Empires. Although not at that level this drama is still very good and enjoyable. Did I tell you about the cast?

Honorable Mention:

Disappointingly nothing good, Abyss was such a big disappointment.

Romance

One Spring Night

Title: One Spring Night

Korean: 봄밤

Network: MBC

Episodes: 32

Cast: Han Ji-Min, Jung Hae-In, Kim Joo-Han

Reason to Watch: Love

Lee Jung-In (Han Ji-Min) who has a long-time boyfriend meets a single father Yoo Ji-Ho (Jung Hae-In). Both of them fall for each other after their first encounter. This is the story of their struggle as a fight against their families and society.

This drama has a lot of the similarities with another drama Something In The Rain. This is because most of the team is same in both dramas including the director. Even though it has similarities this one is still totally different from SITR. So, you don’t have to watch/like one to like the other but it always helps.

Honorable Mention:

Her Private Life: Great chemistry between the leading couple. The lack of focus on the leading lady in the second half was a bit let down.

Angel’s Last Mission: Very good but they needed to cast someone younger than Lee Dong-Gun who was wasted in this drama. He needs a bit more meaty role to show his talent.

The Life of My Secretary: A very cute drama.

 

Variety Show

Mafia Game in Prison/ Prison Life of Fools

Although not a drama this is only included in this list because of my very huge bias towards “Genius Fool” Kim Jong-Min. In this show, he clearly shows his genius skills while acting like a fool. Other cast includes the likes of Lee Soo-Geun, Jung Hyung-Don, Hwang Je-Sung, JB(GOT7), Choi Ye-Na (IZ*ONE), Seungkwan(Seventeen) to name the few. The show is about finding the 3 mafia members among the cast members. The good thing is all the episode are subbed and could be found on the internet without any trouble. Just watch the first two episodes and you will be hooked.

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