Korean dramas, also known as Kdramas, have become increasingly popular around the world in
recent years. One of the reasons for their success is the diverse range of genres available. From
romantic comedies to historical dramas, there is something for everyone. In today’s blog, I will try
to show you around my personal favorite shows, and we will explore some of the different genres of
Kdramas and what makes each genre unique.
1. Romcom (Romantic Comedy)
First, let’s take a look at the romantic comedy genre. Kdramas in this genre typically center around
a romantic relationship between two characters and the obstacles they face in their journey toward
love. These dramas often have lighthearted and comedic moments that balance out the more serious
situations. A good example and recommendation of a Kdrama in this genre is „True Beauty.” This
drama follows the story of a high school girl who was bullied because of her appearance until she
discovered make-up. She tries to hide her real face in front of her friends since she is afraid to be
bullied again. Nevertheless, she meets a popular guy who sees beyond the make-up and falls in love
with her true self and her “imperfections“. I could watch “True Beauty“ over and over because it
never gets boring. Romcoms are one of my favorite shows to watch and I have watched a lot of
them
2. Historical
The historical genre is another popular type of Kdrama. These dramas take place in historical
periods and often feature characters who are royalty or hold high positions in society. The storylines
in these dramas often include political intrigue, battles, and relationships between characters. A well-known example of a historical Kdrama and my all-time favorite is “Moon Lovers: Scarlet
Heart Ryeo.” This drama takes place in the Goryeo dynasty and follows the story of a Korean girl out of the 21. Century, who gets teleported hundreds of years into the past – the Goryeo dynasty. She gets involved with the royal family and forms emotional connections with all 8 princes.
3. Medical and Realistic
There are also medical Kdramas that focus on the lives of doctors, nurses, and other medical
professionals. These dramas often deal with medical cases and the ethical dilemmas that arise in the
medical field. A popular example of a medical Kdrama is „Dr. Romantic“ This drama follows the
story of a hospital with talented doctors. It describes topics like friendship, mentorship, love, and
the human side of medicine. They often are torn between the duty to save lives and the personal
sacrifices they must make in order to do so.
4. Mystery
One of the less popular Kdrama genres is the mystery genre, which typically involves a crime that
must be solved. These dramas often feature detectives or other law enforcement officers as they try
to uncover the truth behind a crime. A well-known example of a mystery Kdrama is “Penthouse“ or
“Flower of Evil”. “Flower of Evil“ follows the story of a detective whose perfect little family life
starts to take a turn when she begins to unmask the dark secrets of her husband. I honestly still have
not watched this show, but it got praised a lot in the media. “Flowers of Evil“ is definitely on my
watchlist!
5. Fantasy and Sci-fi
There are also fantasy Kdramas that incorporate elements of magic and supernatural creatures into
the story. These dramas often have an otherworldly feel and follow characters as they navigate the
fantastical world they find themselves in. A great example of fantasy Kdramas are “Hotel de Luna“
and “Doom at your service“. “ Doom at your service“ is about a terminally ill woman, who makes
contact with a man who is known as doom. Since the doom makes everything he touches disappear,
the woman asks him to make her life disappear too, but things get complicated as he starts to
develop feelings for her.
6. Horror Fiction
Finally, my favorite Kdrama genre – Horror Fiction. These dramas often deal with themes of
possession, survival, and the paranormal. One of the most popular shows is „All of us are dead“. It
is a 12-episode series and is about a group of high school students, that battle a zombie outbreak in
their school and are trying to survive. This Kdrama got a lot of international attention and ranked
1st on the Netflix Global Top 10 in the first week it got aired. I have watched a lot of zombie movies
and series and had a lot of fun watching this particular show. I would recommend it!
In conclusion, Kdramas come in many different genres, each with its own unique story, characters,
and themes. Whether you are a fan of romance, history, medicine, mystery, fantasy or horror, there
is a Kdrama out there for you. The diversity of genres in Kdramas is one of the reasons they have
become so popular around the world and continue to captivate audiences.