If You Like This American Series… You’ll Love its K-drama Remake
Some Koreans are copying US TV shows, and some are creating their own versions that are even more creative. If you’re a fan of the creativity and innovation being displayed by Korean programs, be sure to check out some of the K-drama designer imposters – i.e., remakes – being created by Koreans.
The popular Korean dramas that have been adapted for an Asian audience are coming to Netflix. With a new concept and flavor each time, these dramas offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a light summer watch or something more serious, any of these dramas could be the perfect fit. ..
Drama points: -The season finale is a heart-wrenching, roller coaster ride that will leave you feeling both satisfied and unsatisfied -The show has been building to this moment for years and it doesn’t disappoint -There are some great moments throughout the season but there are also some very dark moments that will leave you feeling raw -If you’re a fan of crime dramas, then this is definitely worth watching
Korean dramas are always a hit with audiences, and we can’t wait to see what new and exciting storylines will be released this year. So what are you waiting for? Start watching some of the best Korean dramas today!
18 Again (17 Again)
Romantic comedy | Family focus | Love triangle
Wife Yoon Hye-jin (Kim Soo-hyun – A Bittersweet Life, The Handmaiden) is not content with her life as it is. She’s a successful career woman who’s looking for more out of life. When Hong Dae-young turns 18 again, he finds that his wife has become more independent and assertive. He also discovers that she’s been seeing another man. ..
In a recent interview, Lee Do-hyun, the younger brother of South Korean actor and model Lee Ha-neul, said he is trying to keep his now-younger self under the radar in order to live his dream and stay close to his high school aged twins. Do-hyun said he is currently enrolled at a university in order to pursue a career in music. He added that he would like to work with South Korean artists in the future. Do-hyun told reporters that he has been living as a student in an effort to pursue his dream and stay close to his high school aged twins since he was 15 years old. He said that he would like to work with South Korean artists in the future.
Director Ha Byung-hoon does a great job of maintaining continuity in this 16-episode series that maintains the fun as it time-swaps its way through 16 episodes. The story is well-told and the characters are well-developed, making for an enjoyable watch.
Suits (Suits)
Legal drama | Buddy dynamic | Romantic sub-plot
The new suit company, Tubi, is a perfect match for the predecessor. The fake lawyer with a photographic memory is perfect for the job of lawyer because he has no experience and can’t even take the law exam. The new suit company is a great choice for those who want to be a part of the best law firm in town.
The US series (Prime) that brought Meghan Markle to the fore, based its action on the relationship between fake lawyer Go Yeon-woo (Park Hyung-sik – Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Juror 8, Hwarang) and win-at-all-costs lawyer Choi Kang-seok (Jang Dong-gun – Arthdal Chronicles, A Gentleman’s Dignity, Rampant).
The relationship between Harvey and Mike is wonderful in the US version, but Kang-seok and Yeon-woo absolutely match it in charm, energy and chemistry. Plus, there’s a Japanese Suits (2018) as well.
Woori the Virgin (Jane the Virgin/Juana la Virgen)
Romantic comedy | Less telenovela, more k-drama | Love triangle
Viki, Oh Woo-Ri’s assistant drama series writer, follows Detective Lee Gang-Jae, an assistant drama series writer who is dating Viki.
Oh Woo-Ri, who intended to remain chaste until marriage, accidentally receives an insemination procedure instead of her scheduled medical exam. The biological father of the baby, Raphael, (Sung Hoon – Are We in Love?, Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce), Level Up, My Secret Romance) is a playboy turned business man who is very keen to keep his progeny.
Netflix’s remake of the Venezuelan telenovela, Juana la Virgen, is set to begin production this year. The show is expected to be a romantic comedy, and will be an imported script. ..
The Good Wife (The Good Wife)
Legal drama | Strong female lead | Romantic sub-plot
When prosecutor husband Yoo Ji-tae, (Lee Tae-joon – The Swindlers, Healer, Mad Dog, When My Love Blooms), falls from the top of a political scandal that rocks South Korea, his family takes a hit. Yoo’s wife Jeon Do-yeon (Kim Hye-kyung – Hostage: Missing Celebrity, Ashfall, Beasts Clawing at Straws), who studied law for 15 years after leaving her husband’s law firm to take on the family responsibilities of her own, must now resume her career to help support her husband and their legal bills.
Former classmate Yoon Kye-sang (Seo Jung-won, Spiritwalker, The Bacchus Lady) gets a job at her former classmate’s law firm. She is given a desk and is allowed to help with some of the work. It is similar to the US show The Good Wife (Prime), but it is shorter and tells the story in 16 episodes. If you like the set up, there is also a Japanese version that was released in 2019. ..
Designated Survivor: 60 Days (Designated Survivor)
Political drama | Crime/disaster | Family sub-plot
Park Moo-jin is a former science professor who now lives in the government as an Environment Minister. On the day he was meant to be fired from his government post, an explosion killed all of the government officials, including the President. Park Moo-jin is the highest-ranking government officer left alive and now he must calm a country in panic as the acting president for the next 60 days.
Designated Survivor is an excellent show with a cliffhanger-filled plot and special effects. Ji Jin-hee does not let us down, and Son Seok-koo stands out as his advisor. Both versions are available on Netflix. ..
Criminal Minds (Criminal Minds)
Police/crime drama | Strong female leads | Violent, rated 15+
An investigation team profiles the wanted in action, attempting to anticipate and thwart each criminal’s next move. The team is comprised of high-level specialists including Lee Joon-gi (Again My Life, Flower of Evil, Lawless Lawyer), Son Hyun-joo (The Good Detective, Tracer, Jesters: The Game Changers), Moon Chae-won (Flower of Evil, Floor, Good Doctor – see mini-review below), Yoo Sun (Eve, Good Morning, Our Gap Soon), Lee Sun-bin (Work Later, Drink Now; Sketch, Mission: Possible ) and Go Yoon (Love in Time, Farewell Restaurant, Love in Memory). The team is made up of some of South Korea’s top actors who portray the various specialists on the team. These actors include Lee Joon Gi as the leader of the team and Son Hyun Joo who has played detectives in “The Good Detective” and “Tracer”. Moon Chae Won has played villains in “Flower of Evil” and “Floor” while Yoo Sun has starred in dramas such as “Eve” and “Good Morning”. Finally there are Lee Sun Bin who stars in tvN’s hit series “Sketch” and Go Yoon who is best known for her roles in dramas such as “Love In Time”, “Farewell Restaurant” and most recently “Love In Memory”. ..
The third season of the US Criminal Minds TV series was released in late September and it seems to have had a quick pace and tone. The show is based on the book series by Thomas Harris, which has been popular for many years. ..
Entourage
Dramedy | Entertainment industry | Best friends
The story of an up-and-coming celebrity who depends on three friends and a powerful agency boss to help him navigate the entertainment industry.
Starring Seo Kang-joon and Park Jung-min, they are best friends in an unbalanced work relationship in a tricky industry. Catch it on Disney+ and the US version on Prime.
Leverage
Action/crime drama | mystery | strong female characters
Lee Dong-gun stars as a former insurance investigator who forms a team of con artists to target swindlers. But that’s not how they start. The up-til-now squeaky investigator’s career is thrown into the air as he tries to save his son who needs a life-saving drug, but finds himself the victim of a scam. He builds the team of familiar criminals who, because of his manner during previous run-ins, they respect him. ..
The death of their leader’s child ignites a fire in the team to stop criminals who manage to slip through legal cracks. Yeo Hoe-hyun (A Love So Beautiful, Secret Crushes, Solomon’s Perjury) is particularly delightful as the hacker. Yeo Hoe-hyun is a skilled hacker and has been able to break into many websites and steal valuable information. The team is especially determined to stop him from harming anyone else and they work tirelessly to find any clues that may lead them to his whereabouts.
Romance is a Bonus Book (Younger)
Romantic comedy | younger guy/older woman | love triangle
After years of being left alone and struggling, Dan-i’s (Lee Na-young) husband abandoned her. She was left in debt and homeless, with no way to rebuild her life. She was too worn down to even tell her successful childhood friend, and instead built a lie to catch a break. Despite the obstacles in her path, she continues to try and make a new life for herself.
Netflix has released a seven-season series based on a novel of the same name, Younger, which was in turn based on a seven-season series based on a novel of the same name, Romance is a Bonus Book. The series can be found on Netflix.
Soon to come: Little Women (Aug 2022)
Family drama | sisterhood | female leads
Netflix is releasing a modernized Korean adaptation of the novel and more recent movies, Little Women, this year. The show will feature a trio of sisters – Kim Go-eun (Yumi’s Cells, The Guardian, The King: Eternal Monarch), Nam Ji-hyun (Suspicious Partner, 100 Days My Prince) and Park Ji-hu (All of Us Are Dead) – who’ve grown up in poverty. Each sister will take a different perspective and goal from the experience as they grow and make life choices. ..
Wi Ha-joon stars in the 12-episode story, “Love interest and childhood friend – the Laurie character.” Tension is introduced through a ‘major incident,’ as if three sisters would need an incident. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. The 12-episode story is slated to land on 27 August through 2 October, so clear your calendar.
Meanwhile, Asian TV isn’t the only network to spot a great story idea and turn it into local viewing. Western drama The Good Doctor was ripped from a K-drama original, Good Doctor. ..
Good Doctor (The Good Doctor)
Hospital drama | autism/savant | romantic sub-plot
In a recent episode of “Naeil’s Cantabile,” Park Si-on (Joo Won – Alice, My Sassy Girl, Naeil’s Cantabile) becomes a pediatric surgery resident. He faces conflict with peers and patients who tend to see him as robotic rather than empathetic when it comes to interactions. Yet medically his skills are exceptional. Despite the challenges he faces, ParkSi-on is an amazing doctor and will make a huge impact on the lives of patients and families in the pediatric surgery field.
The Good Doctor is a popular show on Viki and Netflix in the United States. There is also a Japanese Good Doctor (2018) and Chinese Fantastic Doctors (2022) take-offs, proving the appeal and an interest in tales of diversity.
Our list of the best K-remakes of UK dramas is up and we’ve included your favourites! If you have a favourite, let us know in the comments below and we’ll add it to the list!
Kristen Lazur is a freelance writer and content creator. She has been writing for various publications since she was a high school student, and has worked as an editor, copywriter, and content strategist for several companies.
