Intricate plots with realistic characters. These are the ones which have me still dwelling on them days after watching. Worth watching again simply because the plot demands it.

Plot Warmers

JTBC

Kim Hye Ja (Han Ji Min), an optimistic young woman aspiring to become a TV news anchor, experiences a shocking transformation when she suddenly turns into a 70-year-old. Simultaneously, Lee Joon Ha (Nam Joo Hyuk), a dedicated aspiring reporter, struggles with the harsh realities of his current life. When their paths cross, they embark on an unexpected journey that challenges their perceptions of time, dreams, and personal growth. As they navigate this extraordinary situation, Hye Ja and Joon Ha begin to uncover deeper insights about life's true value and the meaning of pursuing one's goals. This is a 2019 Viki Original Korean drama series directed by Kim Suk Yoon.

Radiant

The Dazzling Team 

Sohu TV

Qin Ming (Zhang Ruo Yun), an eccentric medical examiner with an unusual approach, struggles to keep assistants due to his challenging work style. When Li Da Bao (Jiao Jun Yan) becomes his new assistant, she surprisingly proves herself capable and unfazed by gruesome forensic work. Partnering with police detective Lin Tao (Li Xian), Ming and his team tackle mysterious crime cases through meticulous examinations and keen investigative skills. Together, they unravel complex mysteries that challenge even the most experienced investigators. This is a 2016 Chinese crime drama series based on the novel "The Eleventh Finger" and directed by Xu Ang.

Medical Examiner: Dr. Qin

Dr. Qin Forensic Team

Tencent

In a realm dominated by the formidable Wen clan, Wei Wu Xian (Xiao Zhan) forms an unexpected bond with the righteous Lan Wang Ji (Wang Yi Bo). Their discovery of the Wen clan chief's sinister plot leads them to challenge his schemes, but their efforts result in Wei Wu Xian’s mysterious disappearance, leaving their world in turmoil. Sixteen years later, Wei Wu Xian returns to a land plagued by mysterious murders and rekindles his alliance with Lan Wang Ji. Together, they must unravel the dark conspiracy behind the killings and confront the shadowy figure orchestrating the chaos. Can they solve the mystery and restore peace, or will the dangers of the past resurface to thwart their quest? This 2019 Chinese drama, based on the hit novel Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, was directed by Steve Cheng and Chan Ka Lam.

The Untamed

Bong Sang Pil (Lee Joon Gi), a former gangster turned lawyer, seeks revenge for his mother's tragic death by targeting powerful individuals who believe they are above the law. Using his street skills and legal expertise, he builds an impressive winning record. Ha Jae Yi (Seo Yea Ji), a principled lawyer whose license was suspended after hitting a judge during an unjust trial, joins Sang Pil's team to pay off her father's debts. Together, they take on a high-stakes case involving Cha Moon Sook (Lee Hye Young), a senior judge, and An Oh Ju (Choi Min Soo), a former gangster turned corporate CEO. As they challenge the most powerful figures in the city, Sang Pil and Jae Yi must navigate a dangerous legal and personal battle. This is a 2018 South Korean drama series directed by Kim Jin Min.

Lawless Lawyer

Jang Man Wol (IU), the thousand-year-old proprietor of the supernatural Hotel del Luna, is doomed to manage it until she finds someone who has committed a worse sin. When Goo Chan Sung (Yeo Jin Goo), a meticulous former hotel assistant manager, is forced to work at Hotel del Luna due to his father's past deal with Man Wol, their unlikely partnership begins. As Chan Sung brings order to the hotel that caters to lost souls, he may be the key to helping Man Wol break her eternal curse. This is a 2019 South Korean mystery-fantasy drama directed by Oh Choong Hwan.

Hotel Del Luna

🏨  Team Hotel Del Luna  🌕

Despite a well-regarded career at an elite hospital, surgeon Bu Yong Ju (Han Suk Kyu) decides to quit his job and relocate to a small town, where he takes up a job at Doldam Hospital and adopts the moniker “Teacher Kim.” There, he mentors two ambitious but flawed young doctors: Yoon Seo Jung (Seo Hyun Jin), who’s haunted by a tragic mistake, and Kang Dong Joo (Yoo Yeon Seok), whose life was changed by an encounter with Teacher Kim in his youth. Under Teacher Kim’s gruff, unconventional guidance, Seo Jung and Dong Joo’s medical aspirations will be put to the test as they overcome their personal demons and societal pressures to become true doctors – and potentially find love with each other along the way.

Dr. Romantic

Romantic Doctors ♡

Sohu

Simon Bo (Wallace Huo), a brilliant criminal psychologist at The University of Maryland, possesses an extraordinary ability to penetrate the minds of the most mysterious and violent criminals. Working closely with his young assistant Jenny Jian (Sandra Ma), the daughter of a veteran police investigator, Simon serves as an analyst and advisor on the department's most challenging cases. As they collaborate to solve complex crimes, Jenny's deep sense of justice and Simon's emotional barriers create an intriguing dynamic. Together, they navigate the intricate psychological landscapes of criminal minds, pushing each other to grow both professionally and personally. Based on the novel "When He Comes, Close Your Eyes" by Ding Mo, this is a 2015 Chinese crime drama series directed by Zhang Kai Zhou.

Love Me If You Dare

Gone with the Shirt Team

After enduring tragedy and struggles as a child, Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won) made a successful career for herself as a stuntwoman, although she has little patience for nonsense. When she meets narcissistic and arrogant CEO Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin), she despises his attitude, but he feels strangely drawn to her in a way he can’t explain. Joo Won tries to win Ra Im over, but she rebuffs his advances, uninterested in the showy things he has to offer her. Their adversarial relationship takes an absurd turn when their souls swap, and they’re forced to act in each other’s lives while they try to find a cure for their conundrum – but neither of them could've expected that their body-switching would lead to falling in love.

Secret Garden

SG Team

After a near-death accident, Tae Gong Sil (Kong Hyo Jin) has been plagued by the ability to see ghosts, which constantly torments her. Her only refuge seems to be Jo Joong Won (So Ji Sub), a cold, arrogant, and materialistic CEO of a large shopping mall, whose touch somehow makes the ghosts disappear. Driven by her desperation, Gong Sil clings to Joong Won, who reluctantly agrees to hire her as his secretary in exchange for her help communicating with the spirit of his deceased girlfriend. As they navigate the supernatural world together, solving ghostly mysteries and helping restless spirits, their unusual partnership slowly evolves. Joong Won, initially annoyed by her presence, begins to open his heart to the strange woman, while Gong Sil finds not just protection but also an unexpected connection with the man who brings light back into her life.

Master's Sun

I See Dead People Team 

Tencent TV

Hao Ze Yu (Deng Lun), a former talent competition star whose fame quickly faded, finds himself at a crossroads a decade later. When he meets a supportive group including taxi driver Han Tong Sheng, his daughter Fu Zi (Sandra Ma), and Mei Li (Ni Hong Jie), his career prospects begin to change. Fu Zi, despite past criticism about her weight, becomes Hao Ze Yu's agent, and the trio forms a tight-knit support network aimed at reviving his entertainment career. As they work to restore his stardom, romantic complications threaten to disrupt their plans and challenge their budding friendship. Will Hao Ze Yu reclaim his former glory, or will unexpected love redirect his path? Based on a 2017 novel by Zi You Ji Guang, this is a 2019 Chinese drama directed by Liu Xin, completing the "Gentleman" trilogy.

Mr. Fighting

Fighting!

Choi Eun Seol (Shin Sae Kyung), sole survivor of her family’s brutal murder, loses her memory but gains an extraordinary ability: she can see smells. Renamed Oh Cho Rim by her new adoptive father, she teams up with Detective Choi Mu Gak (Park Yoochun), who lost his sister in the same incident and has since lost his sense of smell. He's determined to catch the killer, but his lack of senses hinders him. Cho Rim's unique gift becomes their greatest asset as they navigate a world of invisible clues, chasing a phantom killer. But as they draw closer, their intertwined pasts unravel, revealing secrets more dangerous than they imagined. Can they unmask the murderer before he finishes what he started?

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