With the evolution and explosion of Korean dramas, one can realize how much they have changed and evolved in recent years. For all those who have been watching them for a long time, is felt, sometimes, the irrepressible need to remake a little nostalgic odyssey with some dramas that will always remain in history. But also for all those who discover this world, there is clearly a real pleasure and especially a nice discovery to go see some "old dramas" and dive into this little old-fashioned but, oh so nice, productions "of the time". Small selection, obviously far from exhaustive, of these old dramas to see or review.
2007, "Coffee prince", Netflix or Viki
When you're in the world of Korean dramas, who hasn't heard of "Coffee Prince" ? Released in 2007, and telling a story of love and friendships, this drama is cult. He has, like all productions, strengths and weaknesses, but he is really one of those who marked his time. We find among others, the famous Gong Yoo ("Last train to Busan", "Silent sea"…)), who already had some dramas to his credit but who clearly launched his career with this one. Her chemistry on screen with Yoon Eun Hye is very pretty, too bad we rarely see this actress. In addition, all the secondary characters are really extra, with beautiful friendships as a bonus. It addresses sensitive topics such as self-acceptance and homosexuality (extremely rare in its time). A drama that has not aged badly and that remains clearly in the era of time: 17 episodes, to discover. Small aside rewards: Several nominations and awards for actors at the 2007 MBC Drama Awards:
- Yoon Eun Hye : Award of Excellence – Actress
- Gong Yoo : Award of Excellence – Actor
The drama was nominated and rewarded at the 20th Korea PD Awards with the award for best drama. Synopsis: Go Eun Chan is a young girl who does not have an easy life. She does odd jobs to support her family. One day, she meets Choi Han Gyeol, the young heir to a large coffee company. When he meets Eun Chan for the first time, he immediately mistakenly mistakes her for a boy because of her tomboyish look and offers to become his "boyfriend", in order to ruin the arranged dates imposed on him by his grandmother by making it seem that he is attracted to men. However, unbeknownst to them, feelings arise from this "false" relationship which also gets bogged down in lies.
2009, "Boys over Flowers", Netflix or Viki
This is THE drama, Korean version of the manga "Hana Yori Dango" and which has been talked about so much. Highly anticipated following the release of the Taiwanese and Japanese versions, it was already the center of attention even before being broadcast. There are many young actors, little known at the time, including the famous Lee Min Ho who marked the minds and hearts in this production. Beyond that, all the other actors were perfect to complete this drama, despite many setbacks of shooting. It also had the particularity of broadcasting its episodes, as the filming progressed, a real challenge but a successful bet. Maybe a little annoying at first, you really have to give it a chance, and you'll leave for the 25 episodes without getting bored. It is a production for the pleasure of finding some actors who are still part of the world of entertainment today (Lee Min Ho and Kim Bum), the story also remains a pretty moral in the Korean fashion of the time: it's addictive. Small aside rewards: This drama won many awards in 2009 at the KBS drama Awards, the Seoul International Drama Awards 2009 and the 45th PaekSang Arts Awards: Best New Actor, Best New Actress, Best Couple, Best Drama, in short, there are countless awards obtained… Synopsis: After rescuing another student, Jan Di, a middle-class student, finds himself joining a high school with all the young people from the richest families in the country. They then meet the 4 most posh students of the institution, the F4, and quickly find themselves at war against them. But against all odds, she does not let go, and finally many relationships and adventures will come out of this perpetual confrontation between them.
2013, "Secret", Viki
This is a production with an actor that is still regularly found today in Korean productions, and one of the best of his generation: Ji Sung. This drama is really well directed and told in the Korean fashion of the time. Its quirky side, outdated in the way of filming and images, makes it a magnificent drama today. In addition, the rhythm is well followed, with twists, and perpetual low blows. The emotion is regularly strong, and his story is very well conducted and realized. Finally, the thread of the story that tells how an event can upset everything and how a merciless hatred can turn into love, is not necessarily common and can easily touch you. This drama is full of secrets, and shows how they can destroy lives. As for the actors… They all perfectly embody their four characters. In short, 10 years later, this series is still a nugget to discover. Small aside rewards: The screenplay is by Choi Ho Cheol, author who won the KBS screenwriting competition with this dramatic work. But we also have:
- Best Actress: Hwang Jung Eum
- Best Supporting Actor: Bae so Bin
- Best Supporting Actress: Lee Da Hee
- Popularity Award: Ji Sung
- And finally, award for the best couple: Ji Sung and Hwang Jung Eum
Synopsis: A devoted woman makes the ultimate sacrifice for her lover, only to finally discover that love does not always triumph. Yoo Jung ( Hwang Jung Eum ) is a gentle and positive person who has always been loyal to his buddy Ahn Do Hoon, (Bae so Bin) since high school, while he was taking care of his disabled father. But Do Hoon and Yoo Jung have a car accident. Rather than let her lover go to jail for hit-and-run, devoted Yoo Jung suffers the blame and jail time. Min Hyuk (Ji Sung) is a cold, distant and even temperamental heir. The woman who died in the car accident is none other than his girlfriend. Years later, he is engaged to Shin Se Yeon (Lee Da Hee), the daughter of an MP. Will Yoo Jung and Min Hyuk be able to heal their broken hearts and discover true love? (Viki)
2013, "Empress Ki", Netflix or Viki
We switch to the world of the Sageuk with the magnificent saga of 51 episodes, "Empress Ki", which is inspired by real historical facts and tells the story of the last empress of the Yuan Dynasty (1279 – 1368). With its magnificent cast, its flawless script and quality sets and costumes, this drama quickly became cult in South Korea. Once again, we find actors who have nothing more to prove and it is often a real pleasure to see them in older productions. We have here, among others Ji Chang Wook, but also Ha Ji Won that we know by his magnificent roles in dramas that we no longer present: " King2hearts", or " Secret Garden", but also more recently in " Chocolate " or " Curtain Call" released in 2022. The other main roles are just as well carried by Joo Jin Mo, Baek Jin Hee or Jin Yi Han, and make this saga an unforgettable moment. The 51 episodes can be scary, but honestly, the story is so well done, that we get caught and we do not get bored for a single second. In addition, this sageuk takes place over several years, with magnificent character evolutions, and very well worn. In short, a little historical gem to discover. Small aside rewards: Here again, no less than 19 nominations in 2013 and 2014 with 7 awards to the key: among others, Best Actress, Actor, Drama, New Actress, almost all the main roles have been at one time or another rewarded. Synopsis: The series revolves around Ki Seung Nyang, Goreyo's wife, who after many adventures and adventures, and despite her role as a woman of the court at first, ends up acceding to the throne and power. During all these years, we see the confrontations, the power struggle, the wars, but also beautiful very realistic romances such as with her first love, Wang Yoo, or with the emperor of the Yuan dynasty, deeply in love with her from the start.
2014, Netflix "Healer" or Viki
We finish with the drama of 2014, "Healer", which also managed to mark the spirits with the excellent, Ji Chang Wook who once again is remarkable in his role. At his side, the actress Park Min Young in his first dramas ("Healer" but also "City hunter") that we no longer present since with: "What's wrong with secretary Kim?", "Her Private Life", or lately "Love in contract". Jo Min Ja, the " Healer" partner in the series, is played by Kim Mi Kyung. She masterfully embodies the role of a hacker.We love it! This drama is a perfect combination of action, romance and thriller. The series is rhythmic, with humor but also much darker moments as Korean series know how to do, which have the gift of mixing genres in a fluid way. The romance is really beautiful and will know, as much to carry you away, as the actions that do not stop succeeding. And in addition, there is a real story behind that is discovered as you go. In short, a drama to discover. Small aside rewards: Another drama rewarded at its release, with 7 nominations in 2014 and 2015, and three awards awarded:
- Acting Excellence Award for Park Min Young
- Popularity Award for Ji Chang Wook
- Best Couple Award for both.
Synopsis: Seo Jung Hoo is a night courier, known as "Healer". For a fee and with the help of a genius hacker, he gives his clients everything they want, as long as it doesn't involve murder. His last job led him to meet a tabloid journalist, Chae Young Shin and the famous reporter, Kim Moon Ho. He will then begin to discover the secrets of his past in connection with the two journalists, putting them all in danger. (MyDramaList) And now, we hope that this small selection, far from being complete, has given you some ideas to see or review with pleasure all these Korean productions.If some of these works are old, they have lost none of their quality. Their discovery or re-discovery allows above all to see and become aware of the evolution of the world of Korean dramas. In the meantime, we just have to wish you one thing: Enjoy your viewing!
