Life of a Kpop & Kdrama Addict

Recent Kdrama Recommendations

Hi!!

School is almost starting so I'll start to get busy but don't worry! I won't be gone for a long time like my last hiatus :) How have you guys been doing lately? I've been doing pretty well, mostly sorting out all the drama that has happened in my life.

What I've learned through my personal experiences and kdramas is that you should never, ever lie to anyone and most importantly, to yourself. I feel like we are at that stage in life when we begin to doubt ourselves and even though we know what we are capable of, we are afraid to take a step forward and sometimes, we forget to be truthful. What I mean by don't lie to yourself is: never tell yourself you're not good enough. You KNOW that you are. You KNOW you are strong and you KNOW that you can pull through everything. Just how your heart monitor goes up and down for you to live, life as to go up and down too. That way,  you become the person you are now. Don't regret what you did in the past. Because at that moment in time, you made the decision that you thought was best. Maybe looking back it wasn't such a great decision. But don't beat yourself up because of that. It's okay to make mistakes. It's okay to move on. It's what makes you a person.

I think kdramas these days are really focusing on self-love and accepting that no one is perfect. We all strive to reach the standards of conventional beauty, both inner and outer. We are told to act a certain way, look a certain way, and be a certain way. We are told we have to go to the best colleges, or the best jobs. But does that attain true happiness? 

Here are some of the recent Kdramas that I really liked that also focused on these themes:

1) Age of Youth Season 2

Season 1 was such a great korean drama that I really hoped for Season 2. And that's what they gave! But better. I was slightly disappointed that there was a cast change for one of the girls but I feel like the new actress really played the character well and made me forget that there was even a cast change at all. Boy, was I blown by this series. The four main girls in the house are all college students who are struggling with their pasts. They all have their equal share of pain and suffering they've yet to come to terms with. Through each other, they find out how to accept their biggest fears and enemies of their past. It's a great slice of life drama and romance that I'm sure alot of people can relate to. Rating: 8.5/10

2) Laughter in Waikiki

I had put off this drama a while because it didn't appeal me from the start. But I heard so many great reviews for this drama that I had to watch it. Thankfully I did. I don't remember laughing and crying that hard for a drama in a long time. The drama revolves around three friends who run a hostel and while they run it together, they each chase after their own dreams, starting from the very bottom. It's really nice to see how strong of a bond they have and through it all, they learn more about themselves and find love. I think I mostly watched this drama for the baby though. She's WAY TOO CUTE. Rating: 8.5/10

3) Misty

WOW. All I can say is that. There are no words that can describe how emotionally powerful this drama is. The lead actress should be enough of a reason why to watch this drama: Kim Namjoo. The overall plot deals with a Korean news anchorwoman who goes through many obstacles such as rumors, murder, seduction, and politics in order to keep her position. This is mostly a drama about women empowerment (yassss) and how one woman tries to pursue her dreams in a worlds seemingly against her. There are so many evils in the world that one must overcome in order to reach a position that high, yet she does it with not only confidence, but also pride, dignity, and class. Rating: 9.5/10

I'm now going to list the rest of the dramas and the ratings that I gave. 

4) Live - 9/10 (While we criticize modern day police, this is the story from their perspectives. Police are people too. Beautifully orchestrated by Jung Yumi and Lee Gwangsoo. At first I was like, "LEE GWANGSOO?!?!?!" but wow I think because of Running Man I forgot how WELL Gwangsoo can play a character. He isn't called Asia's Prince for nothing)

5) Miss Hammurabi - 8.5/10 (I've been into Courtroom dramas these days. Judge vs Judge was so good too but Miss Hammurabi took it to another level. Also, L was really good at acting. For my skeptics out there, don't worry about this drama.)

6) Mister Sunshine - 8.5/10 (I felt like the story was dragging a litttllle bit)

7) What's Wrong With Secretary Kim - 9.5/10 (this sounds cliche but it made me believe in love again XD)

8) Gangnam Beauty - 10/10 (I may be a little biased because this was one of my favorite webtoons turned into a drama and although it didn't bring out all of the messages from the webtoon, it did an AMAZING job of attacking our current society's beauty standards and how we are all victims of it. Also, girl power. Last of all, Do Kyungsuk. Enough said)

9) Because This is My First Life - 10/10 (this drama may be a little too slow for some people but it really helped me overcome my insecurities and taught me so much about life. The overall message is that it's okay to make mistakes because at the end of the day, we are all living this life for the first time. Honestly, if it weren't for this drama, I don't think I would have the healthy mindset as I do now.)

10) While You Were Sleeping - 10/10 (WOW. The scenery, the music, the actors were just SO PERFECT. This is one drama I don't think I can forget. Also, SUZYYYYY and JUNG HAEINNNN <3 can we have a drama with them?)

11) Something in the Rain - 8/10 (The beginning was soooo good and then cliches started happening but it's okay because Jung Haein <3)

12) I'm Not a Robot - 8.5/10 (CAN I BE AJI 3?!?!?! I personally liked their relationship better as robot and master than human to human or is it just me?)

13) Are You a Robot Too? - 8/10 (Where can I find a Nam Shin? The robot, I mean)