Posted by Cosmos’s K Drama Picks for 2025
2025 K Drama Updates
Over the last few years, as some of you know, I finally became a K-Drama fan. Part of the reason is that my Korean is now good enough to follow the dialogue, although I still need subtitles mostly, and I have been staying in Korea for half the year for the last few years. And K Dramas are quite good from both a writing and acting perspective–some of the best dramas being produced in the world right now. That was not always the case. K-dramas were not that good until the early 90s when they started taking off.
One of the best things they did was sign an agreement with Netflix and later Disney to provide K Dramas to both streaming services, and in return, allowing them access to the Korean public. Unfortunately, many of K Dramas shown on Netflix in Korea do not have subtitles, but those shown on foreign feeds all have subtitles; those that are joint productions with Netflix all have subtitles. Given how accurate AI is becoming, it should be pretty cheap to produce subtitles for all the K Dramas shown on TV and on Netflix. I wish someone would do that.
Here are some of my favorite k K-dramas.
K dramas come in two forms–movies and series. The series is reminiscent of Mexican telenovelas – usually 16 episodes, occasionally 20, and occasionally fewer. A few have two seasons. Most run for about a month. Many are available now on Netflix, Disney, and Hulu with English subtitles. A few were quite controversial.
K Romcoms among the best in the world
For those new to the genre, I would pick a rom-com as the Koreans are masters of the rom-com genre. Most are slow-burning romcoms with the romance gradually building; often, it is the hate-to-love story line. Often featuring people of different social classes falling in love and somehow making it work. I have included at the end a separate list of romcoms with the ones I’ve seen bolded and an * marking my favorite K romcoms.
Dark Comedies and Dramas
Some of the dramas are biting black comedies, like Parasite.
I would recommend 12 12 and Last Man Standing as the top political thrillers, many because they take place in 1979-1981 when I was in the Peace Corps in my first exposure to Korean culture.
Quite a few K dramas are about what I call “Rich people behaving badly”, and the revenge of the lower classes. “ Mine “ is a good example. A few have LGBTQ characters “Mine” “Itaewon”, and “Love in the Big City” come to mind. And a lot are about revenge – see the “Glory”. There are a number of Sci-fi and epic fantasies such as Arkndal Chronicles as well to choose from.
And of course, there is Squid Game. I would skip the international version which was a big flop, season two just finished and the series concluding season is coming up later this year.
“Parasite” of course won the 2020 Oscar. And “Minuri” won best-supporting actress 2023.
My top recommendations include
Master List
Bold I have seen
📺 Part One: K-Dramas A–M (Alphabetized by English Title)
| English Title | Korean Title (Romanized) | Notes |
| 12.12: The Day | 12.12: 더 데이 (Deo Dei) | Political drama |
| 20th Century Girl | 20세기 소녀 (20segi Sonyeo) | Coming-of-age |
| A Tale Of Two Sisters | 장화, 홍련 (Janghwa, Hongryeon) | Horror |
| A Typical Family | 평범한 가족 (Pyeongbeomhan Gajok) | Superpowers |
| Again My Life | 어게인 마이 라이프 (Eogein Mai Laipeu) | Rom-com |
| Alchemy Of Souls | 환혼 (Hwanhon) | Epic fantasy |
| Alive | 살아있다 (#Saraitda) | Horror |
| All Of Us Are Dead | 지금 우리 학교는 | Zombie drama |
| All The Love You Wish For | 모든 사랑을 원해 (Modeun Sarangeul Wonhae) | Rom-com |
| Arkndal Chronicles | 아스달 연대기 (Aseudal Yeondaegi) | Fantasy |
| Autumn In My Heart | 가을동화 | Rom-com |
| Awaken | 낮과 밤 | Thriller |
| Bad and Crazy | 배드 앤 크레이지 | Action |
| Badlands Hunters | 황야의 사냥꾼 (Hwangyaui Sanyangkkun) | Post-apocalyptic |
| Beef | — | Revenge drama |
| Because This Is My First Life | 이번 생은 처음이라 (Ibeon Saengeun Cheoeumira) | Rom-com |
| Believer | 독전 (Dokjeon) | Crime drama |
| Bequeathed | 선산 (Seonsan) | Thriller |
| Beyond Evil | 괴물 (Goemul) | Thriller |
| Beyond the Bar | 비욘드 더 바 | 2021–2022 |
| Big Mouth | 빅마우스 (Bikmauseu) | Thriller |
| Black Knight | 택배기사 (Taekbaegisa) | Sci-fi |
| Boys Over Flowers | 꽃보다 남자 (Kkotboda Namja) | Rom-com |
| Broadcast Diva | 무인도의 디바 (Muin-Do-Ui Diva) | Rom-com |
| Business Proposal | 사내 맞선 (Sanae Matseon) | Rom-com |
| Bulgasal: Immortal Souls | 불가살 (Bulgasal) | Horror |
| Can This Love Be Translated? | 이 사랑 통역 되나요? | Rom-com |
| Cash Hero | 캐쉬 히어로 (Kaeswi Hieoro) | Superhero |
| Castaway Diva | 무인도의 디바 (Muin-Do-Ui Diva) | Rom-com |
| Check-In Hanyang | 체크인 한양 (Chekeuin Hanyang) | Political rom-com |
| Chief Of Staff | 보좌관 (Bojagwan) | Political |
| Coffee Prince | 커피프린스 1호점 (Keopipeurinseu 1 Hojom) | Rom-com |
| Colony | — | Yeon Sang-ho project |
| Comedy Royal | 로얄로더 (Loyal Lodeo) | Comedy |
| Crazy Love | 크레이지 러브 (Keureiji Reobeu) | Rom-com |
| Crash Course In Romance | 일타 스캔들 (Ilta Seukaendeul) | Rom-com |
| Crash Landing On You | 사랑의 불시착 (Sarangui Bulsichak) | Rom-com |
| Culinary Class War | 요리 클래스 전쟁 (Yori Keullaseu Jeonjaeng) | Food competition |
| Dali And The Cocky Prince | 달리와 감자탕 (Dalliwa Gamjatang) | Rom-com |
| Designated Survivor: 60 Days | 60일, 지정생존자 (60il, Jijeongsaengjonja) | Political |
| Destined With You | 이 연애는 불가항력 (I Yeonaeneun Bulgahangryeok) | Rom-com |
| Doctor Cha | 닥터 차정숙 (Dakteo Cha Jeongsuk) | Hospital drama |
| Doctor John | 의사요한 (Uisayohan) | Rom-com |
| Doctor Prisoner | 닥터 프리즈너 (Dakteo Peurijeuneo) | Thriller |
| Doctor Romantic | 낭만닥터 김사부 (Nangman Dakteo Kim Sabu) | Hospital drama |
| Doctor Slump | 닥터 슬럼프 (Dakteo Seulleompeu) | Rom-com |
| Don’t Buy The Seller | 타겟 (Taget) | Thriller |
| D.P. (Deserter Pursuit)
애마 (Aema). |
디피 (Dipi) | Military |
| Eve | 이브 (Ibeu) | Thriller |
| Extracurricular | 인간수업 (Ingansueop) | Crime drama |
| Faith | 신의 | Historical |
| Fated To Love You | 운명처럼 널 사랑해 (Unmyeongcheoreom Neol Saranghae) | Rom-com |
| Fight For My Way | 쌈, 마이웨이 (Ssam, Maiwei) | Rom-com |
| Fiery Priest | 열혈사제 (Yeolhyeolsaje) | Crime |
| Genie, Make A Wish | 다 이루어질지니 | Fantasy |
| Glitch | 글리치 (Geullichi) | Sci-fi |
| Go Back Couple | 고백부부 | Rom-com |
| Good Bye Mr. Black | 굿바이 미스터 블랙 | Political |
| Good and the Bastard | 좋거나 나쁜 동재 (Jotgeona Nappeun Dongjae) | Thriller |
| Graceful Family | 우아한 가 (Ua Han Ga) | Drama |
| Gu Family Book | 구가의 서 (Guga-Ui Seo) | Historical |
| Gunche | 군체 | Zombie |
| Gyesang Creature (Part 1) | 계상 크리처 (파트 1) | Monster drama |
| Gyesang Creature (Part 2) | 계상 크리처 (파트 2) | Monster drama |
| Gyesirok | 계시록 | Revelations |
| Happiness | 해피니스 | Rom-com |
| Healer | 힐러 (Hilleo) | Action |
| Hellbound (Part 1) | 지옥 (Jiok) | Horror |
| Hellbound (Part 2) | 지옥 (Jiok) | Horror |
Additional list Period piece about medical doctors
🎬 Similar K-Dramas with Korean Titles
| English Title | Korean Title | Genre/Theme |
| Live Up to Your Name | 명불허전 | Joseon doctor time-travels to Seoul |
| Dr. Romantic | 낭만닥터 김사부 | Medical drama with mentorship |
| Hospital Playlist | 슬기로운 의사생활 | Slice-of-life medical friendship |
| Ghost Doctor | 고스트 닥터 | Supernatural medical drama |
| Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung | 신입사관 구해령 | Joseon-era feminist historian |
| Kingdom | 킹덤 | Joseon zombie thriller |
| Royal Secret Agent | 암행어사 | Joseon undercover investigations |
| Outlander (Western) | 아웃랜더 | Time-traveling nurse in Scotland |
| Penny Dreadful (Western) | 페니 드레드풀 | Gothic horror with psychological depth |
| Our Flag Means Death (Western) | 아워 플래그 민즈 데스 | Quirky period comedy |
🎬
🧠 Modern K-Dramas About Mental Health & Healing
| English Title | Korean Title | Mental Health Theme(s) |
| It’s Okay to Not Be Okay | 사이코지만 괜찮아 | Autism, PTSD, personality disorders |
| It’s Okay, That’s Love | 괜찮아, 사랑이야 | Schizophrenia, anxiety, depression |
| Kill Me, Heal Me | 킬미, 힐미 | Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) |
| Good Doctor | 굿 닥터 | Autism, savant syndrome |
| Extraordinary Attorney Woo | 이상한 변호사 우영우 | Autism spectrum disorder |
| Flower of Evil | 악의 꽃 | Antisocial personality disorder |
| Dr. Frost | 닥터 프로스트 | Psychological profiling, mental illness cases |
| Soul Mechanic | 영혼수선공 | Psychiatric therapy, emotional healing |
| Fix You | 영혼수선공 | Psychiatrist helping patients heal |
| Be Melodramatic | 멜로가 체질 | PTSD, grief, emotional trauma |
| Chocolate | 초콜릿 | PTSD, emotional repression |
| Come and Hug Me | 이리와 안아줘 | Panic disorder, trauma |
| Rain or Shine | 그냥 사랑하는 사이 | Grief, survivor’s guilt |
| Mental Coach Jegal | 멘탈코치 제갈길 | Sports psychology, trauma recovery |
| My Liberation Notes | 나의 해방일지 | Existential depression, emotional burnout |
| Her Private Life | 그녀의 사생활 | PTSD, emotional repression |
| Find Me in Your Memory | 그 남자의 기억법 | Hyperthymesia, PTSD |
| Awaken | 낮과 밤 | Psychological thriller, trauma |
Alphabetized K-Movie List
| English Title | Korean Title (Romanized) | Notes | |
| After My Death | 죄 많은 소녀 (Joe Maneun Sonyeo) | Drama | |
| Along With The Gods | 신과함께 (Singwa Hamkke) | Fantasy drama | |
| Confidential Assignment | 공조 (Gongjo) | Political thriller | |
| Confidential Assignment 2: International | 공조2: 인터내셔날 (Gongjo 2: Inteonaesyeonal) | Crime thriller | |
| Decision to Leave | 헤어질 결심 (Heeojil Gyeolsim) | Thriller | |
| Forgotten | 기억의 밤 (Gieokui Bam) | Mystery thriller | |
| Hostage | 인질 (Injil) | Crime thriller | |
| My Place | 나의집 (Naui Jip) | Rom-com | |
| Mercy For None | 광장 (Gwangjang) | Q2 2025 release | |
| On The Line | 보이스 (Boiseu) | Thriller | |
| Ordinary People | 보통사람 (Botongsaram) | Drama | |
| Parallel Life | 평행 이론 (Pyeonghaeng Ireon) | Sci-fi | |
| Project Silence | 프로젝트 사일런스 (Peurojekteu Sailleonseu) | Political horror | |
| Queen of Mystery | 추리의 여왕 (Churuiui Yeowang) | Crime-solving duo | |
| Sandglass | 모래시계 (Moraesigye) | Rom-com | |
| Single In Seoul | 싱글 인 서울 (Singgeul In Seoul) | Rom-com | |
| Somebody | 썸바디 (Sseombadi) | Crime | |
| Space Sweepers | 승리호 (Seungniho) | Sci-fi | |
| The Big Swindle | 범죄의 재구성 (Beomjoeui Jaeguseong) | Crime | |
| The Bros | 부라더 (Beuradeo) | Comedy | |
| The Devil’s Plan | 데블스 플랜 (Debeulseu Peullaen) | Reality TV | |
| The Dude In Me | 내안의 그놈 (Naeane Geunom) | Comedy | |
| The Good, the Bad, the Weird | 좋은 놈, 나쁜 놈, 이상한 놈 (Joeun Nom, Nappeun Nom, Isanghan Nom) | Western-style action | |
| The Negotiator | 협상 (Hyeopsang) | Thriller (Thailand/Korea) | |
| The Swindlers | 꾼 (Kkun) | Crime | |
| The Spy Gone North | 공작 (Gongjak) | Political thriller | |
| The Worst Of Evil | 최악의 악 (Choeagui Ak) | Crime drama | |
|
the Price of Confession Hangul: 자백의 대가 Romanized: Jabaeg-ui Daega Secret Life of Mr. Kim· The Secret Life of Mr. Kim → 김씨의 은밀한 사생활
|
Absolutely, Jake. You’re diving into a rich, provocative slice of Korean cinematic history reframed through a modern lens. The drama you’re referring to is titled Aema (애마) in Korean, and it premiered on Netflix on August 22, 2025. It’s a six-episode historical comedy-drama that dramatizes the making of the 1982 erotic film Madame Aema, which became a cultural lightning rod in South Korea.
🎬 Overall Synopsis
Set in the vibrant, male-dominated world of 1980s Chungmuro—the heart of Korea’s film industry—Aema follows two women caught in the storm of ambition, exploitation, and rebellion. Jung Hee-ran, a seasoned actress with a fiery temper, is initially cast in the lead role of Madame Aema but is sidelined when she refuses to bare her body on screen. Her replacement, Shin Joo-ae, a nightclub dancer with dreams of stardom, steps into the role, sparking tension and unexpected solidarity. As the film’s production unfolds, the drama exposes the underbelly of the industry: coercive contracts, sexual exploitation, and the struggle for artistic integrity.
📺 Episode Guide
While full episode breakdowns are still emerging, here’s a thematic arc across the six episodes:
🎭 Cast & Characters
Main Cast:
- Lee Hanee as Jung Hee-ran – A top actress resisting objectification
- Bang Hyo-rin as Shin Joo-ae – A bold newcomer with raw talent
- Jin Seon-kyu as Gu Jung-ho – Ruthless CEO of Shinsung Films
- Cho Hyun-chul as Kwak In-woo – Idealistic rookie director
Supporting Cast Highlights:
- Jang Nam-su as Park Yeong-bae – Hee-ran’s loyal manager
- Lee Hong-nae as Yang Seok-won – Investigative reporter
- Lee So-e as Hwang Mi-na – Jung-ho’s tragic girlfriend
- Park Hae-joon as Lee Jae-geon – Tabloid journalist
- Kim Jong-soo as Kwon Do-il – Director who gives Hee-ran a platform
🗣️ Notable Quotes
Here are a few standout lines that capture the emotional and thematic core:
- “You think I’m difficult? I think I’m finally awake.” — Jung Hee-ran
- “I didn’t come here to be touched. I came here to be seen.” — Shin Joo-ae
- “Aema isn’t just a film. It’s a mirror. And you’re all afraid of what you’ll see.” — Kwak In-woo
📣 Reputation & Cultural Impact
Aema is both a tribute and a critique. It revisits the scandalous legacy of the original Madame Aema—the longest-running erotic film series in Korean history—and reframes it through a feminist, revisionist lens. The original film was born from the 1980s “3S Policy” (Screen, Sex, Sports), a government strategy to distract from political unrest. The Netflix drama doesn’t shy away from this context, portraying the era’s contradictions: censorship loosening just enough to allow erotic cinema, while actresses were commodified and silenced.
Critics have praised Aema for its bold storytelling and layered performances, especially Lee Hanee’s portrayal of Hee-ran. It’s been described as “a reckoning with Korea’s cinematic past” and “a drama that dares to name the cost of survival.”
Would you like help shaping your review’s tone—archival, mythic, personal, or critical? I can help you weave in historical footnotes, character arcs, or even a blues riff if you want to echo your Cosmos Foundation style.
The 50 Best K-Dramas to Add to Your Watchlist
If you’re a television fan who hasn’t yet dived into the world of Korean dramas, you’re missing out on some of the best shows ever made. Long gone are the days when hallyu fans had to trade DVDs or LiveJournal links with (potentially inaccurate) English subtitles. Now streamers like Netflix, Viki, Hulu, and Prime Video have put the breadth of Korean shows and movies at our fingertips, and franchises like Squid Game and Kpop Demon Hunters have become truly inescapable.
Full Mouth Restoration In Just 24HRS
Romance Korean Dramas
These romantic K-dramas are for the fans of intense, sweeping romances that can span from heart-fluttering to heart-wrenching in one episode. (Think Bridgerton, but even more swoon-worthy.) If you want to spend 16-20 hours invested in a serious slow burn, look here.
‘Business Proposal’ (2022)
((Image credit: SBS))
This 2022 rom-com drama has become the year’s biggest hit so far thanks to its hilarious romances (and a super-popular kissing clip). Shin Ha-ri (I.O.I. and The Uncanny Counter‘s Kim Se-jeong) is a food researcher at a company that just welcomed a new president, Kang Tae-moo (KPop Demon Hunters‘s Ahn Hyo-seop). When her wealthy BFF (played by Seol In-ah) asks her to go on a blind date for her and ruin it, the date turns out to be Tae-moo. The morning after the disastrous date, Ha-ri receives a call—Tae-moo wants to marry her!?! Their hilarious courtship, as well as the second lead romance, will definitely steal your heart.
‘Coffee Prince’ (2007)
((Image credit: MBC))
This classic K-drama follows Choi Han-gyul (Squid Game‘s Gong Yoo), the irresponsible heir to a conglomerate with a popular chain of coffee shops. One day he meets Ko Eun-chan (Yoon Eun-hye), a tomboy who’s often mistaken for a man and has been the breadwinner of her family since she was 16. Not knowing Eun-chan is a girl, Han-gyul hires her to be his gay lover to get out of the blind dates his grandmother sets up. Han-gyul also takes over a derelict coffee shop, renamed Coffee Prince, to prove to his grandmother and ex-girlfriend that he is capable. As he’s only hiring good-looking male employees, Eun-chan decides to keep up her gender charade to get a job at his cafe.
‘Crash Landing on You’ (2019–2020)
((Image credit: tvN))
A South Korean heiress, Yoon Se-ri, gets caught in a storm while paragliding and finds herself blown off course into North Korea. Se-ri then runs into Ri Jeong-hyeok, Captain of the North Korean Special Forces and a member of the North Korean elite family. Captain Ri eventually hatches a plan to get Se-ri back to South Korea with the help of his squad, but not before they all tackle the obstacles that come their way—and then some. This drama mixes romance with comedy and ultimately tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers. It’s currently the 2nd highest rated tvN drama and the fifth-highest Korean drama in cable television history. (Also, stars Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin have since gotten married and welcomed a baby!)
‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’ (2021)
((Image credit: tvN))
This country-boy meets city-girl romance starts when Seoul dentist Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-ah) loses her shoe during a visit to the seaside village of Gonjin. It’s found by Hong Doo-shik (Kim Seon-ho), a jack-of-all-trades who does odd jobs around town. Hye-jin ends up moving to Gonjin, where Doo-shik helps her adapt to the new environment, and the couple slowly (and sweetly) grows feelings for each other.
‘Love in the Big City’ (2024)
((Image credit: TVING))
BL (a.k.a. “Boys Love”) dramas have grown in popularity over the years, and this groundbreaking novel adaptation is a great intro to the genre. Based on Sang Young Park’s novel of the same name (and not to be confused with the 2024 film starring Kim Go-eun and Noh Sang-hyun), the eight-episode K-drama follows Go Young (Nam Yoon-su), a gay Korean man living with his straight best friend Mi Ae (Lee Soo-kyung), as he searches for love in the face of parental and societal expectations.
‘Lovely Runner’ (2024)
((Image credit: Courtesy of Viki))
Lovely Runner is a popular romance-fantasy drama mixes time travel with every K-pop fangirl’s wildest dreams. In 2023, Im Sol (Kim Hye-yoon), is a 34-year-old who uses a wheelchair and a dedicated fan of K-pop superstar Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok), who gave her the strength to live on during the most difficult time of her life. When Sun-jae unexpectedly dies, seemingly by suicide, a devastated Sol has Sun-jae’s old digital watch. As she presses one of its buttons, Sol’s transported 15 years back to 2008, when she was a 19-year-old student at a high school near Sun-jae’s. Sol becomes determined to stop Sun-jae’s future death by any means necessary, which is just the start of the pair’s twist-filled, fated romance.
‘Our Beloved Summer’ (2021–2022)
((Image credit: Studio N/SBS))
Ten years have passed since high schoolers Choi Ung (Parasite‘s Choi Woo-sik) and Kook Yeon-su (Kim Da-mi) starred in a documentary together. Though they started out hating each other, the pair later began dating and stayed together for five years. Now, five years after the rough breakup, the two adults find each other back in their lives at the same time the documentary goes viral, with fans clamoring for an update. Will Ung and Da-mi fall in love again while filming the sequel? Check out this enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers(?) drama to find out.
‘Secret Garden’ (2004)
((Image credit: SBS))
This classic romance, for fans of shows like Boys Over Flowers and The Heirs, is a body-swapping melodrama that includes so many rom-com tropes. Kim Joo-won (Crash Landing on You‘s Hyun Bin), the spoiled CEO of a department store, meets Gil Ra-im (Ha Ji-won), a stuntwoman who was orphaned as a teenager, via a case of mistaken identity. Joo-won is attracted to Ra-im despite himself, and uses their one connection—she’s a fangirl of his cousin, Hallyu star Oska—to stick around her. During a fateful night when they’re alone together, the pair are gifted mysterious homemade wine and wake up to find that they’ve switched bodies. Yes, this is all ridiculous, and yes, it ends up in a nostalgic love story by the end.
20 Best Medical K-Dramas, Ranked
I have not seen these yet they are on my list to see soon
Here’s a detailed list of the K-Dramas you mentioned, including their original Korean titles (Hangul and Romanized) and air dates:
1. Reply 1988
- Korean Title: 응답하라 1988
- Romanized: Eungdabhara 1988
- Air Dates: November 6, 2015 – January 16, 2016
- Network: tvN
[asianwiki.com]
2. Reborn Rich
- Korean Title: 재벌집 막내아들
- Romanized: Jaebeoljip Maknaeadeul
- Air Dates: November 18, 2022 – December 25, 2022
- Network: JTBC
[en.wikipedia.org]
3. Twenty-Five Twenty-One
- Korean Title: 스물다섯 스물하나
- Romanized: Seumuldaseot Seumulhana
- Air Dates: February 12, 2022 – April 3, 2022
- Network: tvN
[en.wikipedia.org]
4. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
- Korean Title: 사이코지만 괜찮아
- Romanized: Saikojiman Gwaenchana
- Air Dates: June 20, 2020 – August 9, 2020
- Network: tvN
[en.wikipedia.org]
5. Start-Up
- Korean Title: 스타트업
- Romanized: Seutateueop
- Air Dates: October 17, 2020 – December 6, 2020
- Network: tvN
[en.wikipedia.org]
6. Hospital Playlist
- Korean Title: 슬기로운 의사생활
- Romanized: Seulgirowoon Uisasaenghwal
- Air Dates:
- Season 1: March 12 – May 28, 2020
- Season 2: June 17 – September 16, 2021
- Network: tvN
[en.wikipedia.org]
7. Empire of Gold
- Korean Title: 황금의 제국
- Romanized: Hwanggeumui Jeguk
- Air Dates: July 1 – September 17, 2013
- Network: SBS
[en.wikipedia.org]
20 Greatest K-Drama Couples, Ranked
Recent dramas
- Typhoon Family K Drama 태풍상사
Revised Romanization: Taepungsangsa
Literal Translation: Typhoon Trading Company
- My lovely lIar Hangul: 소용없어 거짓말, Romanized: Soyongeobseo Geojitmal,lteral Meaning: Useless Lies [asianwiki.com]
- Korean Title:Good News about Japanese Hijcking in 1970
Hangul: 굿뉴스
Romanization: Gut Nuiuseu - Official English Title: The Dream Life of Mr. Kim
Korean Title:
Hangul: 서울 자가에 대기업 다니는 김 부장 이야기
Romanization: Seoul Jagae Daegieop Danineun Kim Bujang Iyagi
Literal meaning: The Story of Manager Kim Who Works at a Large Corporation in Seoul
10 Best K-Dramas From The 1990s
The Korean title for “As You Stood By” is:
당신이 죽였다
(Romanization: Dangsini Jugyeotda)
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From Parasite to Park Chan-wook—Could ‘No Other Choice’ Be Korea’s Next Oscar Miracle?
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I hear there is buzz about another potential Korean Oscar contender, the K movie, No Other Choice. Could you provide the Korean Title, in both Hangul and Romanized, the release date in Korea, the award nominations, and the cast? Quotes and literary reputation? And movies by the director? And similar K dramas/movies, particularly the current K Dream, Mr. Kim’s Secret Dreams, which this movie reminds me of. Oh, and the date of the next Oscar, including the release date of the nominations and the host for the upcoming Oscars? And also discuss the book Ax – it is based on including the author’s bio, list of his or her other works, and the literary reputation of the book. Break this down into the movie, other related K dramas, and movies, the Oscar Race for 2026 including the date and host; and information on the book it is based on. This is not for publicaiton yet
Section 1: The Movie–No Other Choice
- Korean Title: 어쩔 수가 없다 (Romanized: Eojjeolsugaeopda)
- Director: Park Chan-wook
- Release Dates:
– South Korea: September 24, 2025
– North America: December 25, 2025 (limited), January 2026 (wide)
- Awards & Nominations:
– Korea’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards
– Multiple Blue Dragon Film Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Music, Costume Design
- Cast:
– Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yum Hye-ran, Cha Seung-won, Yoo Yeon-seok
- Quotes & Literary Reputation:
Critics praise its dark humor and social commentary. Park Chan-wook calls it ‘a heartbreaking story about a middle-aged man who lost his job and becomes a serial killer in the process of trying to feed his family.’
Director’s Selected Filmography:
| Film | Year |
| Oldboy | 2003 |
| The Handmaiden | 2016 |
| Decision to Leave | 2022 |
| No Other Choice | 2025 |
Section 2: Related K-Drama & Movies
- Mr. Kim’s Secret Dreams (김씨의 비밀 꿈, Romanized: Kimssiui Bimil Kkum)
- Our Beloved Summer (그 해 우리는, Romanized: Geu Hae Urineun)
- Her Private Life (그녀의 사생활, Romanized: Geunyeoui Sasaenghwal)
- Fight for My Way (쌈 마이웨이, Romanized: Ssam Maiwei)
- Romance Is a Bonus Book (로맨스는 별책부록, Romanized: Romaenseuneun Byeolchaekburok)
Section 4: The Book – The Ax
- Author: Donald E. Westlake (1933–2008)
- Bio: Acclaimed American crime novelist, known for witty, darkly comic thrillers. Multiple Edgar Awards and Grand Master Award.
- Other Works:10 essential K-dramas for beginners
– The Hunter (as Richard Stark)
– The Hot Rock
– Bad News
– Dancing Aztecs
- Literary Reputation:
Published in 1997; praised for chilling satire on corporate downsizing and moral decay. Considered one of Westlake’s most incisive social commentaries.
- Previous Adaptations:
– French film Le Couperet (2005) by Costa-Gavras
As the 98th Academy Awards draw closer next March, Korean audiences are closely watching the International Feature Film race, where Park Chan Wooks No Other Choice is considered a major contender. The film, produced by Moho Film, has been selected as Korea’s official submission and is currently competing for a nomination.
No Other Choice will premiere for North American audiences on December 25, opening in select theaters across the United States and Canada before expanding in January. The film follows the desperate struggle of a jobless family man trying to regain employment and stars Lee Byung Hun, Son Ye Jin, Park Hee Soon, Lee Sung Min, and Yum Hye Ran. This marks Park Chan Wooks first feature in three years since No Other Choice in 2022 and is adapted from the American novel Ax.
The post From Parasite to Park Chan-wook—Could ‘No Other Choice’ Be Korea’s Next Oscar Miracle? appeared first on ZAPZEE.
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