From left to proper: Baekhyun, Mun Ka-young, Chanyeol, D.O, and Sehun in ‘EXO Subsequent Door.’ Picture credit score: SM Leisure; Line.
K-pop is sensational, all issues fashionable and bigger than life, however the flip facet is a troublesome scene that’s all about excessive onerous work, picture constructing, and survival of the fittest. That’s usually the facet of the story narrated by K-dramas. They present how Okay-pop idols battle, how they reside, and all of the drama that goes behind the scenes when the cameras aren’t rolling. On the similar time, they make goals really feel inside attain– it could possibly be a dream of changing into an idol or falling for one, or getting swept up in an inconceivable romance. We’ve rounded up some quintessential Okay-dramas that seize all of those experiences.
You’re Lovely (2009)
When her twin brother, Ko Mi-nam, a Okay-pop idol, is injured, Ko Mi-nyeo (Park Shin-hye), an introverted, religious younger girl, is compelled to fake she’s Mi-nam and be a part of his band for a month. She accepts the problem, determined to seek out their mom, who’s been lacking for years, and begins residing with the band members—chief Hwang Tae-kyung (Jang Keun-suk), bassist Kang Shin-woo (Jung Yong-hwa of CN Blue), and drummer Jeremy (Lee Hong-gi of F.T. Island).
However issues show to be a handful for Mi-nyeo, particularly conserving her secret hidden, highlighting the extraordinary scrutiny and stress of residing within the public eye. In the meantime, Tae-kyung initially threatens her after studying the reality, however later softens up. On the similar time, Shin-woo and Jeremy develop connected to Mi-nyeo, oblivious to her secret. It’s a love story wealthy in emotional depth, with a fantastic OST that cemented You’re Lovely in Okay-drama historical past as a cult traditional.
Dream Excessive (2011)
This iconic collection introduced collectively an unforgettable solid, together with Bae Suzy, Kim Soo-hyun, Ok Taec-yeon (of 2PM), Hahm Eun-jung, Jang Woo-young, and IU, as six aspiring Okay-pop idols from Kirin Excessive Faculty. Their goals turn into a studying curve in discovering their strengths, weaknesses, and one another by means of the highs and lows of adolescence. Romance blossoms, friendships are solid, and the pursuit of stardom turns into a journey of self-discovery.
Such an insightful narrative, memorable characters, superb songs, and behind-the-scenes take a look at the aggressive Okay-pop world made Dream Excessive not solely a worldwide hit but additionally a cultural merchandise, incomes prestigious awards, together with the Particular Award for International Drama on the Worldwide Drama Competition in Tokyo (2011) and the Golden Rose on the Rose d’Or pageant in Lucerne, Switzerland (2012).
Reply 1997 (2012)
Reply 1997 is pure nostalgia. Jung Eun-ji shines as Sung Shi-won, a highschool pupil loopy about H.O.T, the enduring boy band from the ’90s Okay-pop scene. Alongside her 5 closest pals, together with Seo In-guk’s Yoon Yoon-jae, Shi-won’s life was one in every of friendship, past love, and idol worship in 1997. Years later, in 2012, Shi-won and her pals reunite, reminiscing about these days, when two of them shock the remainder, declaring they’re getting married.
The present is a love letter to the Nineties—capturing the period’s music, style, and fan tradition—with an genuine portrayal of first-generation Okay-pop idol teams like H.O.T and Sechs Kies—and have become a popular culture hit, reigniting curiosity within the pioneers of Okay-pop.
EXO Subsequent Door (2015)
Within the quaint neighborhood of Ji Yeon-hee (Mun Ka-young), a shy younger girl, issues are fairly regular till new tenants transfer subsequent door. To Yeon-hee’s shock, they’re Chanyeol, D.O., Baekhyun, and Sehun—the members of the Okay-pop sensation EXO. As they settle into their new dwelling, Yeon-hee turns into a part-time employee there and acknowledges Chanyeol as “Chan,” her misplaced childhood pal. Regardless of a rocky begin, when the reality is revealed, Yeon-hee reunites with him whereas additionally getting entangled in advanced feelings, significantly with D.O., who appears to be falling for her.
EXO Subsequent Door was a large hit in Korea, amassing tens of millions of views due to an ideal mixture of romance, comedy, and Okay-pop attraction. It’s price looking ahead to newcomers to Okay-drama in addition to longtime followers trying to revisit a feel-good Okay-drama.
Prime Administration (2018)
Starring Search engine optimisation Eun-soo, Ahn Hyo-seop, and Cha Eun-woo, the plot follows the within world of Okay-pop idols. Yoo Eun-sung (Search engine optimisation Eun-soo) is a former woman idol trainee who can foresee the longer term and turns into the supervisor of S.O.U.L, a struggling boy idol group.
The episodes reveal the realities of the Okay-pop trade—the inflexible choice course of, the tireless efforts of the employees, and the idols’ every day struggles, that are far faraway from the glamor of their performances. Prime Administration captures the lives of those that try to make it massive within the Okay-pop trade, and folks behind the scenes who work tirelessly to convey their skills to the forefront.
So I Married an Anti-fan (2021)
This drama highlights the tough world of leisure, the place picture is the whole lot and authenticity is tough to take care of. Okay-pop sensation Hoo Joon (Choi Tae-joon) and journal reporter Lee Geun-young (Choi Soo-young of Girls’ Generation) collide at a membership that drags their lives into a large number. Geun-young by chance vomits on Joon, which will get her fired, and she or he turns into his “anti-fan.” A producer seizes the chance, providing Joon and Geun-young a actuality present the place they’ll cohabitate as star and anti-fan. As taking pictures begins, they progressively uncover a facet of one another that challenges their preliminary perceptions—and sparks a romance.