Perhaps none can be more compelling to watch than programs that explore sharp and insightful thematic ideas and go beyond entertainment. Such shows present stirring topics that speak on a profound level and intriguing characters that evoke real-life emotions to the audience.
So far, here are some of the most thought-provoking Korean dramas of the year, in random order:
1. The Glory
“Don’t bully another student because you wear better clothes, because you ride in a better car, or because you live in a better house.”
Netflix’s The Glory (2022-23) explores the gravity of psychological impact of school bullying and violence, which is sadly an alarming issue in South Korea and the world, thus raising public awareness through its gripping storyline and challenging audiences to pay close attention to students’ lives at homes and in schools.
The drama centers on the fictional character named Moon Dong-eun who suffers from unimaginable childhood abuse and trauma that she spends years carefully plotting to ruin the lives of her high school bullies who tormented her body, mind, and soul. It simply reflects revenge on the fact that there are wounds and scars in life that run so deep and permanent.
However, in the end, she sets herself free as the culprits face the consequences of their action.
No of episodes: 16 | Cast: Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Jung Sung-il, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, Cha Joo-young, Kim Hi-eora, Kim Gun-woo | Screenwriter: Kim Eun-sook | Director: Ahn Gil-ho | Network: Netflix
2. The Good Bad Mother
“I promise to be a better mom. I won’t tell you not to be sad about not having a dad. I won’t say that your grades are all that matters in life. I won’t ignore your talent for drawing. I won’t turn away when I know that you want to eat more. I won’t hold back my tears when I see you in pain. I’ll help you get up when you fall. I’ll embrace you when you’re afraid. I’ll say ‘good job’, ‘thank you’, and ‘I love you’ every single day. And I won’t leave you so soon.”
JTBC’s The Good Bad Mother (2022) tackles good and bad parenting, and the psychological distress and trauma a child suffers from harsh discipline, illustrating how it impacts one’s outlook on life and relationships.
The drama follows a mother and her son whose relationship is based upon control and rules. Although the son managed to become a prosecutor upon his mother’s obligatory request, he grows up emotionally distant from her until one day he suffers from amnesia due to an accident, behaving like a young child again.
The turn of events allowed the mother to right her wrongs and raise her son again, this time tuning in to his real needs and wants rather than hers, healing together.
No of episodes: 14 | Cast: Ra Miran, Lee Do-hyun, Ahn Eun-jin, and Yoo In-soo | Screenwriter: Bae Se Young | Director: Shim Na Yeon | Original network: JTBC | Available on: Netflix
3. Queenmaker
“Justice without power is useless, and power without justice is mere violence.”
Netflix’s Queenmaker (2023) digs into the corrupt world of politics and the unethical practices of election—a gripping political showdown that involves a mental game, exposure of crimes, lies, and social manipulation to earn a government position.
This drama also depicts women leadership and empowerment, and how women can be powerful agents of change. It revolves around a powerful fixer turned campaign manager who uses her skills to transform a human rights lawyer into the next mayor. Although the two women have different strong opinions, they fight together amid threats and dangers to achieve the same end goal.
No of episodes: 11 | Cast: Kim Hee-ae, Moon So-ri | Screenwriter: Moon Ji-young | Director: Oh Jin-seok | Network: Netflix
4. Duty After School
“There are no individuals or me on the training ground. There’s only us.”
TVING’s Duty After School (2023) highlights the dark side of humanity in times of war and the realistic human behaviors that arise when personal agenda of survival gets in the way of the original mission, causing tragedy in the end.
This military-sci-fi series follows senior high school students who are issued by the government with a mobilization order to join a military drill and fight extraterrestrial monsters using their desperation to earn points for the university admission.
Following them in their quest for war reflects how irresponsible adults can be when they use teens as tools and lure them to carry guns using grades or their dreams; how cruel adults can be when they take advantage of the innocence of minors; and how heartless adults can be when they abandon kids to survive on their own and just let them suffer psychological trauma.
The ending portrays the fact that the real war indeed lies within us—humanity’s self-centeredness, a grim reminder of the true stories of school shootings and gun crimes across the world and how brutal it can be.
No of episodes: 10 | Cast: Shin Hyun-soo, Lee Soon-won, Im Semi, along with several young actors | Screenwriter: Yoon Soo | Director: Seong Yong-il | Original network: TVING | Available on: Viu, Viki
5. Taxi Driver 2
“If we don’t help someone in front of us who needs our help, what is the purpose of our existence?”
SBS’ Taxi Driver 2 (2023) unearthes relevant issues in society from child trafficking to victims of religious cult practices, some based on true stories. The various cases illustrate how law can sometimes be slow or negligent to attain justice for the weak and the underprivileged but quick to circumspect when money is involved from the powerful.
This crime-revenge drama follows a secret team that fronts as a taxi company and a special forces soldier turned taxi driver who help victims of injustice seek revenge on criminals who get away with their evil deeds. Every case story is riveting at the same time, moving, and presents a triumphant ending.
No of episodes: 16 | Cast: Lee Je-hoon, Kim Eui-sung, Pyo Ye-jin, Jang Hyuk-jin, and Bae Yoo-ram | Screenwriter: Oh Sang-ho | Director: Lee-dan | Original network: SBS | Available on: Viu
6. Celebrity
“Nothing’s more entertaining than watching the hell someone else is in. This is all anonymous. This is social media. A world you can beat up anyone you want.”
Netflix’s Celebrity (2023) addresses the dangers of “influencer culture” phenomenon among celebrities surrounding fame, money, power, desires, as well as fears and pains, and the dark side of social media where netizens fake happiness and murder each other with words of hatred.
This thriller drama centers on the fictional character named Seo Ari, a door-to-door seller who becomes a top celebrity overnight, navigating the world of social media influencers and getting entangled in a web of lies, envy, and cutthroat competition.
From the number of likes to followers, this intriguing yet eye-opening drama reflects how people have become slaves of delusion, how social media has become a source of misinformation, a space for spilling tea, mocking people, spreading hateful comments, and watching people fall from character assassination, and so on.
No of episodes: 12 | Cast: Park Gyu-young, Kang Min-hyuk, Lee Chung-ah, Lee Dong-gun, Jun Hyo-seong | Screenwriter: Kim Yi-young | Director: Kim Cheol-kyu | Network: Netflix
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