10 K-Dramas That Turn 10 Years Old This Year
From unforgettable first loves to clashing couples who were once in love but turned into sworn enemies, there are many memorable dramas that aired 10 years ago! There was love that healed to love that hurt as well as those who turned their relationships into contract alliances. Here are 10 dramas which turn 10 years old this year and continue to remain top favorites amongst fans.
“Healer”
When an aloof night courier named Seo Jung Hoo (Ji Chang Wook) is given the task of tracking a young aspiring journalist named Chae Young Shin (Park Min Young), little does he realize how this assignment could change his own life. The two not only share a common past but get involved in an investigation related to past incidents which have a strong bearing on their own lives.
“Healer” has a high recall value and remains an all-time favorite amongst fans for its storyline, and of course, for the charms of its lead couple. Ji Chang Wook and Park Min Young serve us a dishy romance as well as giving us some of the best on-screen kisses of all time.
Start watching “Healer”:
“It’s Okay, That’s Love”
A sensitive love story between a moody novelist named Jang Jae Yeol (Jo In Sung) and an empathetic psychiatrist named Ji Hae Soo (Gong Hyo Jin), “It’s Okay, That’s Love” touches an emotional chord. Jae Yeol has had childhood trauma, which has resulted in him developing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) among other conditions. Hae Soo herself is dealing with emotional baggage as well. The two support and heal each other, embarking on a journey of empowerment.
“It’s Okay, That’s Love” broke ground for its tactful handling of mental health issues. The drama is nowhere heavy, and it uses humor and delicately drives home a pertinent point—that it’s all right to not be okay!
Start watching “It’s Okay, That’s Love”
“Doctor Stranger”
Park Hoon (Lee Jong Suk) is a genius surgeon who grew up in North Korea and flees to South Korea soon after his father’s death. His sole aim in South Korea is to make money to find the woman he loves, Jae Hee (Jin Se Yeon), and bring her back to safety. But it’s easier said than done, as the pursuit takes him halfway across the world.
“Doctor Stranger” is a high-octane action drama. Lee Jong Suk endears as the charismatic Park Hoon, and you root for him through the many obstacles he encounters, all for the sake of love.
Start watching “Doctor Stranger”:
“Cunning Single Lady”
Na Ae Ra (Lee Min Jung) and Cha Jung Woo (Joo Sang Wook) met, fell in love, got married, and divorced soon after. The cause was that he was unable to succeed, and she was tired of working herself to the bone. A few years later, Ae Ra, who is hard-pressed for work, gets a job at a mega successful IT company. The founder and CEO of the company is none other than Jung Woo. When the estranged couple comes face-to-face, they need to navigate a sea of emotions which range from animosity, bitterness, and the love which continues to linger.
“Cunning Single Lady” is a fun love story, and Lee Min Jung and Joo Sang Wook are totally in sync as a couple who are at loggerheads with each other.
Start watching “Cunning Single Lady”:
“Emergency Couple”
Another drama of marrying in haste and repenting at leisure is “Emergency Couple.” Sparks fly between a slightly older Jin Hee (Song Ji Hyo), a dietician, and the young medical student Chang Min (Choi Jin Hyuk). The two decide to get married, thinking that love shall overcome all the challenges that life throws their way. But their divergent backgrounds, parental opposition, and financial struggles end the honeymoon phase, and they go their separate ways. Years later, the two meet yet again, this time at a hospital as medical interns, and the sparks fly once again. But it’s a case of once bitten, twice shy.
“Emergency Couple” is a fun and breezy watch. Song Ji Hyo and Choi Jin Hyuk don’t give one dull moment, making this show one uproarious affair.
Start watching “Emergency Couple”:
“Fated to Love You”
An unanticipated one night stand between a wealthy chaebol and a bashful office worker results in severe complications for the two. Lee Gun (Jang Hyuk) realizes his inebriated encounter with Kim Mi Young (Jang Nara) has resulted in her getting pregnant. They get into a contractual marriage, and love is not part of the bargain. They part ways after a tragic incident, only to meet years later. Mi Young is now a popular artist and has a new friend in Daniel Pitt (Choi Jin Hyuk), while Lee Gun is a shadow of his former self. When they meet once again, can they forget their painful past?
“Fated to Love You” is an emotional rollercoaster which serves you enough love and drama. Jang Hyuk and Jang Nara’s slow-burn love story keeps one invested.
Start watching “Fated to Love You”:
“Angel Eyes”
Dong Joo (Lee Sang Yoon) is a surgeon who had been unable to get over his childhood sweetheart Soo Wan. Soo Wan is blind and keeps away from people. Dong Joo was her best friend and also her eyes to the world. They were separated under tragic circumstances, and Dong Joo has been relentlessly looking for her. When he does find her, the reality is different. Soo Wan (Ku Hye Sun) has gotten her sight back, is a paramedic, and is engaged to be married to a doctor. It seems like she has no memory of Dong Joo, or does she not want to recognize the man in front of her?
“Angel Eyes” is Lee Sang Yoon’s show all the way. His portrayal of Dong Joo is intense and endearing. Though Ku Hye Sun’s character gets exasperating at times, you’ll be busy rooting for the patient and loving Dong Joo.
Start watching “Angel Eyes”:
“Hotel King”
Cha Jae Wan (Lee Dong Wook) is the suave manager of the super luxe Hotel Ciel. His is a story of inspiration, rising from the streets to becoming one of best in the hospitality business. But it all came at a heavy price. His sole aim is to take revenge on his father, the owner of Ciel, Ah Sung Won. But when Ah Sung Won dies, his daughter Mo Ne (Lee Da Hae) arrives to take over the near bankrupt hotel. Though Mo Ne is suspicious about the incidents taking place at the hotel, she finds herself falling for the intriguing Jae Wan. As the two fight the irresistible attraction, the conflicted Jae Wan has to face some harsh truths.
It is hard to resist a show when you have Lee Dong Wook calling the shots. A regular revenge drama, it is the scorching chemistry between him and Lee Da Hae which wins all the way. Plus, there are several shirtless scenes of Lee Dong Wook flaunting his abs.
Start watching “Hotel King”:
“Pinocchio”
Choi Dal Po (Lee Jong Suk) and Choi In Ha (Park Shin Hye) grew up together, and both aspire to become journalists. But their goals are very different. Dal Po wants to unearth the truth of his past after fake news reported by an ambitious journalist destroys his family. In Ha, on the other hand, idolizes her mother, a broadcast journalist who is too busy to care for her. It’s her way of seeking her absent mother’s approval, but the only hitch is that In Ha cannot lie. She suffers from “Pinocchio syndrome,” which triggers hiccups whenever she lies. Little do these two realize that a common factor binds them.
“Pinocchio” is a tense revenge drama, and the love story is incidental. And Lee Jong Suk and Park Shin Hye give us some memorable moments as they begin their quest for the truth.
Start watching “Pinocchio”:
“Discovery of Love”
It is love at first sight for Han Yeo Reum (Jung Yu Mi) and Kang Tae Ha (Eric Mun) when she first meets him on a train. Five years into their relationship, the cracks surface, and they are unable to reconcile their many differences. The couple breaks up and go their separate ways. Years later they meet again, and Yeo Rum is already in a relationship with someone else and has moved on. But Tae Ha has not found closure and realizes that he had never gotten over his feelings for Yeo Reum.
“Discovery of Love” is one of the many underrated dramas and deserves a watch. The plot is simple, and both the love and heartbreak are relatable. The characters have a well-narrated arc, and there is consistency in the narrative.
Watch “Discovery of Love”:
Hey Soompiers, which one of these is your favorite drama? Let us know in the comments below!
Puja Talwar is a Soompi writer with a strong Yang Yang and Lee Junho bias. A long time K-drama fan, she loves devising alternate scenarios to the narratives. She has interviewed Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook to name a few. You can follow her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.
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