5 Lesser-Known but Worthy K-Dramas You Probably Haven't Heard Of
Time travel, true friendship, and mysterious murders.
It seems that Korean TV series no longer need advertising. However, the most popular ones still tend to grab the viewers' attention.
We have chosen five interesting, diverse dramas that have not gained huge popularity, but definitely deserve attention.
1. My Perfect Stranger, 2023
Something extraordinary happens to Hae-jun: he finds a time machine and decides to change history. His mission is to solve the mystery of a series of murders that started in 1987.
But here's the problem: when he travels back in time, he accidentally takes a fellow traveler with him. However, she is only happy because she also has a goal – to prevent her parents from getting married.
In addition to the exciting plot, which combines sci-fi and detective intrigue, My Perfect Stranger stands out for its bright 1980s style and retro elements – for example, a time machine reminiscent of the iconic DeLorean, but in red.
2. Just Between Lovers, 2017-2018
Once upon a time, schoolgirl Moon-soo and aspiring soccer player Kang-doo were involved in the same accident, in which she lost her younger sister and he lost his father and his career dreams.
Many years have passed and they lead completely different lives. Moon-soo helps her alcoholic mother run a public bathhouse and makes architectural models to order. Kang-doo goes from one low-paying job to another. Both pretend that their traumas are long gone. But it is only after they meet that they begin to heal.
3. Mother, 2018
Mother is a psychological drama about domestic violence. A young woman, Soo-jin, an elementary school teacher, notices strange behavior in one of her students, Hye-na. It turns out that the girl lives in a destructive family and is subjected to violence by her mother and her partner.
Soo-jin tries to contact the guardianship authorities, but they do nothing. After another cruel episode in the girl's life, Soo-jin makes an impulsive decision and kidnaps the girl from the family.
4. Work Later, Drink Now, 2021-2023
Three best friends – a screenwriter, a video blogger and a yoga instructor – share joys and sorrows. And they also like to have a drink after a hard day at work. The drama is good for its cheerful humor, short episode length and how honest, funny and sincere it shows female friendship.
Despite the overall light mood, the tone of the series changes towards the middle, generously diluting comedy with drama. But this only adds to the realism of the drama, as friendship is learned through hardship.
5. White Christmas, 2011
On Christmas Eve, seven students and a teacher are spending the holidays at an elite boarding school in the mountains. Each of them receives an anonymous message predicting someone's death and decides to find out what's going on.
They are joined by a random guest – a psychiatrist who has been in an accident nearby. A blizzard blocks the roads to the school, communication with the outside world is cut off, and when the first murder occurs, the survivors are tested for their humanity.