With summer in the rear-view window and autumn drawing nearer, you might know that from next Monday, the 16th of September, to next Wednesday, the 18th, South Korea will be celebrating one of their most important holidays: the Chuseok!
Chuseok (or Hangawi), also known as Korean Thanksgiving Day or the Korean Autumn Harvest Festival, is always celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Lunar Calendar. It marks a period in which everyone goes back home to spend time with their families, eat good food, and pay respect to their ancestors.
Disclaimer: I’m far from an expert on Chuseok! If you want to learn more about the holiday, I’d recommend checking 90 Day Korean, The Korean Heritage, and The Korea Herald.
Why Should We Be Thanking the Stars For K-dramas?
But since Chuseok is all about saying thanks and paying respect to the ones who have come before us, this week I wanted to share with you some of the K-dramas that I’m grateful for.
What I’ve always found fascinating about K-dramas is how relatable they can be and how varied they are within the range of stories they offer. In a K-drama, you can find people doing all sorts of jobs, in families of all shapes and sizes, and living completely different kinds of lifestyles. I often relate to K-drama characters easily, as they are often people struggling with their jobs, their family, and their love life. Some of these characters feel so real that it’s cathartic to witness their growth.
After all, if they can grow, then so can I. If their lives can get better, so can mine.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who sees it this way. Even researchers and doctors have started studying the psychological effects of K-dramas. The Forbes magazine has mentioned Dr Van My Ta Park’s studies and, beyond those, you can find all sorts of papers from researchers and students all around the world about the benefits of K-dramas or the representation of mental healing and bullying in specific shows.
All K-drama fans have probably heard of Jeanie Y. Chang’s How K-Dramas Can Transform Your Life: Powerful Lessons on Belongingness, Healing, and Mental Health. Jeanie (or Noona’s Noonchi) is a licensed mental health professional who has drawn from her experience as both a therapist and a K-drama viewer to explain to a general audience how K-content can influence our mental well-being, dissecting how these stories explore human struggles, resilience, and identity.
So, there are several reasons why I should be grateful for my good ol’ K-dramas. If you’re asking yourself what K-dramas I would like to thank the universe for this Chuseok, ask no longer! Here are three underrated K-dramas that have inspired, supported, and brightened up my days.
Miss Hammurabi (2018)
Written by Moon Yoo-seok, who is a judge himself, Miss Hammurabi (2018) tells the story of Park Cha Oh-reum (Go Ara), an idealistic young judge who is assigned to the 44th Civil Affairs Department at the Seoul Central District. We follow her as she works with the experienced chief judge Han Se-sang (the marvellous Sung Dong-il) and the methodical Lim Ba-reun (Kim Myung-soo).
The series achieved excellent ratings nationwide, and it was well-received by both audience and critics alike for a simple reason: it offers a realistic view of the Korean legal system and honestly portrays the struggles of ordinary people.
The beauty of Miss Hammurabi lies in its ability to flesh out the different shades of social issues that we face every day. Reality is never black or white. Miss Hammurabi explores the human side of the law, discussing how morally complex our lives truly are and keeping a strong hold on a sense of compassion and empathy. The show successfully and truthfully raises awareness while conveying a message of hope and optimism.
Incredibly thought-provoking, endlessly endearing, and thoroughly entertaining, the show portrays the best and the worst in society while developing solid character arcs that focus on personal growth and the natural progression of both platonic and romantic relationships. Oh-reum is an inspiring female lead, and her dynamic with Ba-reun is fascinating to watch. Their opposite personalities ignite change and growth in both characters, and as their bond evolves, it’s beautiful to see how supportive and healthy their relationship is.
With its sincere and human dialogue and compelling storylines, you can’t help but relate to the characters in Miss Hammurabi. Whether you’re a young woman or a retired man, the script simply resonates in a way that is almost impossible to find anywhere else.
You can watch Miss Hammurabi on:
Run On (2020)
There are a million reasons why I fell head over heels in love with Run On.
If you are a cinephile, you’ll love that Run On not only made dozens of references to film history but also incorporated and celebrated the movies in its storyline. Cinema plays a strong part in this 2020 K-drama: Oh Mi-joo (Shin Sae-kyeong) is a film translator, and her passion permeates the show. After meeting the former national sprinter Ki Seon-gyeom (Yim Si-wan), who has been struggling to navigate his new life outside of sports, the pair have to learn how to express themselves and truly convey their feelings and ideas. Meanwhile, Seo Dan-ah (Choi Soo-young) is a strong-minded CEO whose life is shaken when she meets Lee Yeong-hwa (Kang Tae-oh), an art student who loves films. Their personalities couldn’t be more different, but it’s the unique bond that they develop that allows them to grow.
Run On features a strong cast of well-rounded characters who go through a solid and satisfying character arc. Individually, each character has their own personality and, in their own way, they explore themes of self-discovery and self-confidence. Besides that, by portraying two completely different yet equally captivating relationships (Mi-joo/Seon-gyeom and Dan-ah/Yeong-hwa), the show creates a deeper, more varied romantic narrative. The bonds between these two couples feel authentic, as their relationships are all about mutual respect and gradual understanding.
Flawless narrative structure, sharp dialogue, and subtle comedy create a show that welcomes you into its world. Without any exaggerated melodrama or unexpected twists, Run On takes you on a journey of connection, the importance of communication, and emotional healing.
And the cherry on top is the stunning cinematography and perfectly chosen colour palette that complements the script and sets the introspective atmosphere of the show.
I thank the stars every day for Run On because this is a K-drama that challenged stereotypes and gender roles, emboldened me to stand up for myself and appreciate change, and reminded me of how important it is to find and explore my own path in life.
You can watch Run On on:
Tomorrow (2022)
Adapted from Llama’s webtoon of the same name, Tomorrow is equally heartwarming and heart-wrenching. This is the story that threads together not only the main four characters, but also of every guest character they cross paths with. The one that sets this tale in motion is Choi Jun-woong (Rowoon), a young job seeker who has been struggling to secure a full-time position. While he’s trying to save a man from ending his life, he ends up in a coma. Now in a half-human, half-spirit existence, Jun-woong is invited to join a team of grim reapers who work to prevent suicides.
Even though we’re talking about grim reapers here, this is a story about living. As the Risk Management Team meets all sorts of people, struggling with all sorts of social, personal and mental issues, we are reminded of the importance of hope and compassion and the value of life, and encouraged to find our own path towards healing.
All the characters are complex and fascinating beings, whose development you look forward to witnessing. The wait is worth the payoff: they go through rewarding, fully fledged character arcs. More than just individuals, it’s the interconnectedness between them that ignites change and keeps us hooked.
The production design is superb, the cinematography is beautiful, and the VFX are well done. With a thought-provoking plot that seamlessly mixes fantasy and human drama, Tomorrow finds different ways of approaching difficult yet vital themes. The result is a show that offers a healthy dose of empathy, understanding, and courage to carry in our hearts, regardless of the problems that might come our way.
You can watch Tomorrow on:
Of course, the list doesn’t stop there. After all, who would I be without the heartwarming Hospital Playlist (on Netflix)? Or the incredible social commentary and resilience of Itaewon Class (also on Netflix)? Or the reflection on ageing and family of The Light in Your Eyes or Navillera (both on Netflix)? The exploration of marriage of Familiar Wife (on Viki)? The strength and humanity of Extraordinary Attorney Woo or Daily Dose of Sunshine (also Netflix)?
To the cast and crew of these (and all the other) K-dramas, thank you very, very much! And have a wonderful Choseok wherever you are!
What are the K-dramas you’re grateful for? Share your list in the comments!
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