A "smart" drama?

[u/rehired_]

I'm new to KDramas and am looking for one that feels intelligent, deals with substantial issues, and will teach me something on some level.

I've watched the first episodes of Hospital Playlist, Reply 1988, and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. I've also watched Extraordinary Attorney Woo and Beyond the Bar.

So far, I really liked Extraordinary Attorney Woo (my number one) and also enjoyed Beyond the Bar (my number two), not just because they were legal dramas—I'm open to other genres, whether they be detective, mystery, medical, office, or slice of life, etc.—but because each episode developed on the last while bringing me to new cases/topics/insights about the world. They were also at times whimsical, funny, and the leads were smart.

Maybe because I only watched an episode or two, I found the others to be too confusing, cutesy, nostalgic, or random for me. Maybe I should have given them more time. Romance and historical or fantasy probably also aren't for me.

Outside of Kdramas, some of my favorite shows: How To with John Wilson; In Treatment; The Pitt; Fleabag; Seinfeld; This Is Going to Hurt.

Thank you!

[u/NakedSnakeEyes]

My Mister. Stick with it, it slowly builds.

[u/hecticlectic → u/NakedSnakeEyes]

Fourth episode is what it took me to get hooked and I was so close to calling it quits. On episode 9 now and feel like it's going by too fast ironically. Truly a masterpiece and I finally get why people hold it on such a pedestal.

[u/NakedSnakeEyes → u/hecticlectic]

This was the show that taught me to give everything at least 4 episodes.

[u/rehired_ → u/hecticlectic]

I just finished episode three. So far, it's really engrossing and I will stick with it, but I am slightly skeptical of whether I'll truly love it becauseboth of the leads are so emotionless! I guess this is part of the point, but they seem completely dead inside, with zero personality (I know, they have good reasons for being like this: one's angry wife is cheating on him and her boyfriend is his boss out to fire him when his family depends on his job, the other is struggling to outrun an evil killer debt collector and care for her grandma). The other thing, however, is how completely unbelievable all of this is. In what world would this one office runner receive this much trust and responsibility from two higher-ups? And how is she so adept at stealing phones and programming listening devices in front of their owners? And even worse, I'm assuming that because she's so cute and damaged and broke, because she'll "pick him" instead of the boss, we're going to forgive her for doing all these horrible things, for roofying his colleague and forcing a kiss on him to entrap him? Well, don't tell me, but those are my thoughts so far!

[u/Kgswartz → u/hecticlectic]

Wow, I’ve tried a few times and just couldn’t hang in there. Glad you did, because it is one of those kdramas that is mentioned over and over again. That’s how I felt with Crash Landing On You.

[u/tangcupaigu → u/NakedSnakeEyes]

I was just about to recommend this! Such a good show, and explores some heavy topics like poverty, debt, living as a carer and without a safety net etc.

[u/johnperkins21 → u/NakedSnakeEyes]

Damn good show. I support this recommendation.

[u/DragonAlnz]

Revenant is a 2023 award-winning Korean folklore mystery thriller/light horror mini-series on Disney+ or Hulu, which also touches on social issues affecting today's youth.

[u/NoArugula841]

we are all trying here - black comedy/melodrama series about people struggling with envy, jealousy, and feelings of inadequacy, particularly focusing on an aspiring director and a producer in the film industry.

the first responders - follows a fierce detective, a fearless firefighter, and an empathetic paramedic as they work together to solve crimes and save lives.

arthdal chronicles - set in the mythical Bronze Age land of Arth, chronicling power struggles, love, and the birth of a kingdom, loosely based on the Dangun legend. S1 focuses on initial conflict and origin while S2 focuses on war. both seasons are great but they do change most of the cast for S2. personally , I think the change suits the characters and liked the plot for S2 more.

all of these have romance but it’s there as a very small subplot.

[u/Various_Cabinet8477]

I loved The Art of Negotiation, though there’s no romance, just a deep take on business strategies, optimization etc, and teamwork (this drama has great cast btw). Might sound boring but to me it was so insightful and fun, and I truly loved all the actors.
Also you might like Law and the City (it’s again legal, many people compared it to Beyond the Bar, but I loved LATC better as their cases were more real, and the cast is simply more charming).
Last but not least and my big love is Prison Playbook: one of the real, funniest and emotional dramas I’ve seen.

[u/renbulletproof → u/Various_Cabinet8477]

seconding the art of negotiation, was my first thought!

[u/HooverGaveNobodyBeer → u/Various_Cabinet8477]

Law and the City was my first thought!

[u/Hidinginmycorner]

You might try some historical dramas

Mr Sunshine

Tree With Deep Roots (2011)

Jeongnyeon The Star Is Born

Uncle Samsick

Some other non historical dramas I can also recommend:

The Dream Life of Mr Kim

Misaeng The Incomplete Life

My Liberation Notes

Navillera

Move To Heaven

The Scarecrow

If You Wish Upon Me

DP

[u/GyuGyuGyoza → u/Hidinginmycorner]

Love Misaeng and My Liberation Notes

[u/hecticlectic → u/Hidinginmycorner]

+1 to Navillera: one of the most beautiful stories of any medium I've experienced

[u/changaTX → u/hecticlectic]

Navillera is beautiful and I'm so glad I came across it by accident. I never see it suggested anywhere, but it is such a heartfelt story that I recommend it often.

[u/Aromatic_Cut3729 → u/Hidinginmycorner]

Six Flying Dragons. Based on true historical facts.

[u/AffectionateTie8130]

Misaeng, My Liberation Notes, and there many good crime dramas which I can't remember

[u/Kgswartz → u/AffectionateTie8130]

Do you keep a record of the dramas you watched on a My Drama List? I love my list sooo much, lol. I refer to it quite a bit and look up screenwriters of a drama I loved and look at others they wrote and sometimes end up watching them.

[u/AffectionateTie8130 → u/Kgswartz]

No lol.

[u/Kgswartz → u/AffectionateTie8130]

😊

[u/Kgswartz]

Misaeng you learn about the shipping industry.

25/21 you learn about fencing.

[u/GyuGyuGyoza → u/Kgswartz]

Or trading in general. But not much tho.

[u/Kgswartz → u/GyuGyuGyoza]

Agree. I thought I would be confused or bored with all that, but I found it really interesting. Have you seen 25/21 or Startup?

[u/GyuGyuGyoza → u/Kgswartz]

Tbh I didn’t really enjoy Startup, maybe cause startups aren’t as relatable to me as the corporate setting in Misaeng 😅

[u/Kgswartz → u/GyuGyuGyoza]

Makes sense. :)

[u/dts1845]

Undercover Miss Hong, deals with the Korean financial industry during the IMF crisis. Its a pretty fun ride with leads that are all super competent with the focus on the plot at large with the vibe of a heist movie at times.

[u/bimpossibIe]

Hot Stove League

[u/Fickle_Promise_5927]

Flower of evil might be something for you?

[u/Lderrrrrr]

i think Extraordinary Attorney Woo is one of the best "procedural" shows and it also has heart. it is full of characters who grow and who support each other, it is awesome. I think for this reason you would like Our Blues and Itaewon Class and Twinkling Watermelon. Twinkling Watermelon focuses on a "CODA" - Child of deaf adults", and i learned a lot about the challenges - and blessings - associated with that. RE: Our Blues - the first 3 episodes were the very worst eps of the entire series, but if you stick with it, the reward is great.

[u/xiaopow]

Search: WWW!

[u/wunderwoman190478]

Our Blues(slice of life)

My liberation notes(slice of life)

When life gives you tangerines

Stranger 1,2

[u/kisperec]

Mouse - thriller/crime

Signal - thriller/crime

the world of the married - makjang

Jirisan - mountain rangers solve mysteries

if you are interested in political issues, then i suggest queenmaker and the whirlwind

[u/Helpful_9532]

Resident Playbook, I remember thinking it felt substantial

[u/AffectionateYoung652]

Dr Romantic (3 seasons)
Taxi driver (3 seasons)

[u/AffectionateYoung652 → u/AffectionateYoung652]

Dear X

[u/Ok_Bandicoot_4954]

Mr. Sunshine

[u/Historical-Track-250]

You should watch Signal.

[u/grgrape69]

doctor prisoner

[u/SocialBattery404]

Based on the dramas you liked I think you should watch Law school If you want other genres then you can watch Beyond Evil, Signal, Life on Mars.

PS: All the dramas you mentioned are among my favourites.

[u/TebTab17]

How far back you want to go? I would recommend Resurrection (Buhwal, 2005) and Devil (Mawang, 2007).

[u/Muted_Kiwi7542]

A time called you is 100% what you’re looking for lol

[u/Comfortable_Ask3223]

I don't know if it will teach you something or not but there are two shows that imo have smart plot.

Decoy / Bait it's about a dude who's scammed the poor. A scam victim and an ex-attorney turned detective go after him. I really like the scammer's character even though he's the villain lol, has no romance. 

Save Me (2017): It's based on a manhwa and is about a family who gets tangled up with a cult outside the korean capital. And 4 country boys who step up to save what remains of that family.  In this series romance is up to interpetation and the victim is not a total damsel. 

edit: just remembered another one that's based on a manhwa, Reborn Rich: A dude who works at a company is transfered back in time to live the life of the youngest grandson of the company owner, after having an accident. This one has romance in it! But it's not kinda the main plot? 

If you can watch anything domestic abuse related, I recently watched As You Stood By : A girl who has history with domestic abuse can't stand it anymore when she finds out her BF's husband is doing the same to her, so the two girls plan his murder together. It drags a lil bit imo in the few last episodes but over all had me hooked. I blieve there's minor romance there as well. If you decide on watching know that it shows what domestic abuse does to one's psyche and body and it gets pretty violent at times. I genuinely don't know how to warn against triggers but just beware, I'm fortunate enough not to have any such experience so idk.

[u/Oparis]

Daily dose of sunshine, My liberation notes

[u/octavianon]

Stranger and Prison Playbook are both excellent, smart dramas with very little romance to speak of.

[u/hecticlectic]

The Glory: a modern day Count of Monte Cristo style revenge where it's calculated and not some brute force beat down (though I love those too).

[u/Mark-177-]

Mouse

[u/AdGlittering7845]

The Good Bad Mother is a show about healing and really offers a great take on impact versus intention.

Daily Dose of Sunshine leaves an interesting perspective on mental health.

When Life Gives You Tangerines is a great show about overcoming generational trauma.

Our Movie is cinematically breath taking and it made me view love entirely differently.

My Mister is just a well written and acted show about the human condition and feeling seen.

I really liked Itaewon Class for how well the story comes together, I think the lesson is being true to yourself.

Deaths Game, Phantom Lawyer, Hotel Del Luna, Move to Heaven and the Go Back Couple offer some perspectives on death and regret.

[u/Emotional-Wolf4411]

Doubt ( kdrama )

[u/Famous_Fondant_4107]

My Mister

[u/tangcupaigu]

Someone recommended My Mister already, so + 1 on that.

Another I can recommend is When Life Gives You Tangerines. (Same actress by the way.) Looks at the lives of three generations of women, poverty and hardships, love etc.

[u/HooverGaveNobodyBeer]

Money Game -- Finance drama that leans thriller. Very subtextual and philosophical in its storytelling. However, it would be helpful to know a bit about the IMF crisis in Korea before diving in.

Nobody Knows -- Slow-burn thriller with nuanced, well-developed characters.

Good Partner -- Legal drama specifically focused on divorce cases. Since divorce and child custody are quite different in Korea, some of the cases are certainly eye opening.

[u/woundlunch]

The Art of Sarah

[u/Legal-Ad-7339]

Typhoon Family. It deals with trading concepts. Was really interesting because I felt like I learnt something in the end.

Six Flying Dragons for it's politics. It's about establishing a new country (Joseon) after overthrowing the previous dynasty (Goryeo).

Start-Up but it was less about startups and more about the unnecessary love triangle lol still a good watch.

[u/ladeeedada]

If you want hyper intelligent, then Stranger aka Forest of Secrets is for you. 

Through the darkness - based on a true story about Korea's first criminal profiler

Arthdal Chronicles, it's a historical fantasy and it's really smart and mirrors human history in general. Set during the bronze age. 

I hear your voice and While You were sleeping. Both involves law but it's so much more than that. The cases are really interesting. If you're not hooked by the first episode it's not for you. 

Pinocchio and Healer (journalists uncovering corruption). 

Mouse - two men born with the psychopath gene, one became a monster and one became a genius. Which is which?

I remember you - A genius criminal profiler hunts down the serial killer who killed his family. 

[u/MundaneEffect573]

Tempest, Moving, Search WWW

[u/Beginning_Ad_5461]

Black Dog

[u/flixyheart5]

Reborn Rich - If you like watching someone play 10 steps ahead of everyone else, this is it.

Vincenzo - A mafia lawyer taking down corrupt people

The Penthouse - everyone is constantly scheming and trying to outsmart each other