Top 5 Must-Watch Netflix Kdramas So Far in 2021
Korean culture has consistently gained global popularity, especially after Parasite made history by winning the best pictures at Oscars, becoming the first non-English language film to take the top prize. Korean television dramas are considered an indispensable part of Korean culture. Through actors’ exquisite acting skills and their perfect interpretation of the characters’ emotions, audiences can easily project their emotions and enjoy the show.
As we are entering the second half of the year, RCEM would like to share the most entertaining and high-rated Kdramas to watch on the streaming service—Netflix. In addition to romance and comedy, the genre that features “exorcism” and the touching stories of family and love have become more prevalent in Korea.
2021 High-rated Kdrama recommendation 1: “Vincenzo.”
Trailer: https://youtu.be/S12-4mXCNj4
Genre: Action Justice, Comedy | Cast: Song Joong-Ki, Jeon Yeo-been, Ok Taec-yeon | Highlight: “Black humor” narrative style
Since the beginning of broadcasting, Vincenzo has gained high popularity with a tight-paced storyline and high tension atmosphere, along with humor and jokes to relax the senses. Vincenzo, a Korea-Italian mafia lawyer, finds a new enemy, a ruthless conglomerate, to take down for justice.
2021 High-rated Kdrama recommendation 2: “The Uncanny Counter.”
Trailer: https://youtu.be/rI55SRM6uhs
Genre: Exorcism & Hot-blooded Action | Cast: Jo Byeong-kyu, Kim Se-jung, Liu Jun-sang, Yeom Hye-lan｜Highlights: Reached the highest record for drama programs on OCN TV
Even though The Uncanny Counter does not have a strong cast lineup, the superior acting skills and interlocking plots have brought unexpected development to the audience and won unanimous praise.
2021 High-rated Kdrama recommendation 3: “Hospital Playlist 2.”
Genre: Medical Friendship & Romance｜Cast: Cao Zhengxi, Liu Yeonxi, Zheng Jinghao, Jin Daming, Tian Meidu｜Highlights: the emotional development of their friendship
With a lighthearted pace and a humorous tone, the Hospital Playlist portrays the extraordinary life of the five doctors, who have been friends since they entered medical school in 1999, and their patients in the hospital. As doctors, they fight against death every day, but they never forget that warmth, miracle, and love do exist in the world.
2021 High-rated Kdrama recommendation 4: “Nevertheless”
Trailer: https://youtu.be/xJCTxUuu3js
Genre: Romance | Cast: Song Kang, Chae Jong-hyeop | Highlight: Based on the popular webcomic "Algoitjiman" by Jung Seo and amazing actor visuals
Nevertheless illustrates the sweet and heart-fluttering moments of romance drama, yet it showcases a realistic side to what modern dating looks like. Although Liu Nabi, the female lead, was traumatized by her first love and has lost all hope, she still falls for Park Jae-yeon, the male lead who does not want to invest in any of his relationships.
2021 High-rated Kdrama recommendation 5: “Move to Heaven”
Trailer: https://youtu.be/A-er_AJioOA
Genre: Family & Heart-warming｜Cast: Lee Je-Hoon, Tang Jun-sang, Hong Seung-hee ｜Highlight: Breaking Netflix’s streaming record, real-life story
Who cleans the belongings once we are gone? From the perspective of a trauma cleaner with Asperger's syndrome, Jeong-u, offers the audience lessons on life, death, family and friendship. Jeong-u believes that he can find the story of the deceased by collecting the important things that were left behind.
By Tiffany Lee.
