April 23 celebrates worldwide tribute to books and authors. With that, here are Korean dramas you can watch if you have a soft spot in books and writers!
Not typically well-represented, still K-Dramas about books and authors might be the binge-watch schedule you are looking for. I’ve rounded up notable Korean dramas about this theme and where to watch them. Prepare to be swept away by these engrossing narratives.
Romance is a Bonus Book
- Streaming Site: Netflix
For people who genuinely like to read, Romance Is A Bonus Book is a perfect treat. In its 16-chapter run, it abundantly goes through the challenges of adult living, whether someone may be single or raising a family.
Featuring Lee Na Young and Lee Jong Suk, the series explores the world of writers and publishing company. It yields a tacit agreement on how this industry needs to be preserved despite the reality of the digital age.
Mostly woman empowering on the majority of its airing, it has managed to leave contemplative lessons about human interaction, friendship, and the concept of family and belonging for people who are not blood-related.
Topping up the engaging plot is the romantic story between two friends, who have transitioned from the love-that-was-there-all-along, to the-love-meant-to-be-there-always.
Chicago Typewriter
- Streaming Site: Netflix
tvN has always been home to dramas that are not afraid to experiment with stories. Such is the case for Chicago Typewriter, which started on a vague footing but emerged strongly in picturing a story that uses heartfelt emotion in fueling the fictitious period drama framework.
Chicago Typewriter defies creative boundaries as it switches the past and present timelines without losing the brilliant writing and fascinating characters that moved in the story. Sans the bleak opening week, when the chronicle motions to its trajectory, the absorbing enactment just hits all the bullet points of what I look forward to in a k-drama series – an innovative plot and committed cast.
It’s Okay That’s Love
- Streaming Site: Netflix
It might be the most unconventional modern romance drama we had ever seen. Given that sickness in K-Dramas usually involves amnesia or anything fatal, It’s Okay That’s Love hurled such an affecting and peculiar narrative.
Famed fiction writer Jang Jae Yeol (Jo In Sung) moves to the house that he rented out when his other space required renovation. There he meets two psychiatrists and a psychiatric patient with Tourette syndrome living in an entertaining and reckless fashion. It results in a deviation from his neat freak living due to his new housemates’ cluttered manner of existence.
The story’s charm escalates when he succumbed to an inevitable connection to pretty psychiatrist Ji Hae Soo (Gong Hyo Jin) in the house. Hae Soo, who is often teased because of her virgin status, carries a scar from when she was younger which has been causing her luckless romantic life.
Oh My Ladylord/ Oh Master
- Streaming Site: iQIYI
Cohabitation between a star screenwriter and top actress spins the charm of this MBC series. Add an engaging love triangle in the mix, and this Lee Min Ki, Nana and Kang Min Hyuk starter would definitely uplift your downbeat spirit.
Full House
- Streaming Site: Netflix
An aspiring scriptwriter and a famous actor are forced to cohabitate when the former’s friends sold the house she inherited from her father.
We get a contract marriage plot in this love story which pushed the romance between a man and a woman who seemed unlikely to fall in love with each other. Cohabitation and bickering are the main ingredients of this well-loved rom-com.
How To Be Thirty
- Streaming Site: iQIYI
From sweet to sane romantic narrative, the series is packed with pragmatic lessons specifically catering to single people.
Featuring the story of a webtoon writer Seo Ji-won who reunites with her first love Lee Seung-yoo, their picture-perfect romantic story failed to continue. While their mutual romance is true, the start of their relationship was built in a lie.
The King of Dramas
- Streaming Site: Viki
Set in the world of drama production, Lee Go-eun (Jung Ryeo Won) plays the role of a writer who has to work with Anthony Kim (Kim Myung Min) the very person who ended her career.
Narrating meaningful stories about bouncing back from life setbacks, The King of Dramas delved into the hard work braved by a creative team from conception to post-production.
Character-centered, the series brims with life lessons, especially for career people.
Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung
- Streaming Site: Netflix
Deftly flowing to cushion the expected heavy tones of the historical series, Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung sprightly began its adventure with bright notes. A needed preparatory element especially for new viewers who are not particularly fond of watching period dramas.
Commendably, while building the romance, the screenplay ensures to stay true in presenting its world from the perspective of Goo Hae Ryung. Additionally, its workplace drama set in Joseon provides a deeper understanding of the motivations and progressive minds of historians. Their firm belief to be vanguards of truth somehow leaves a lasting impression on the roles of historians in society.
At the end of it all, the drama achieved its goal to impart the message of driving ripples of change. Of making small differences to challenge the existing irrational laws of Joseon.
Stunningly imagined, Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung has merits that do not go away as the story progressed. It makes you feel inwardly delighted rooting for the hopes and dreams of its characters.
Photos: iQIYI | KBS2 | SBS | tvN *Updated April 23, 2022
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