What a vintage year for South Korean dramas 2021 was: Seo In Guk and Park Bo Young reunited in “Doom at Your Service,” there was K-pop-themed fun in “Imitation” and “So I Married The Anti-Fan,” and Park Ji Hoon and Kang Min Ah tugged at our heartstrings in “At a Distance, Spring is Green.” Check out this list for all these and plenty more great K-dramas from 2021!

BEST KOREAN DRAMAS of 2021

Set in the Dan dynasty, this is a love story featuring ghosts, demons, and gods. Hong Chun Gi (Kim Yoo Jung), a painter of extraordinary talent, is born blind due to a curse but later gains vision. She is accepted into a prestigious art school despite societal views on such pursuits for a woman. In contrast, Ha Ram (Ahn Hyo Seop) is an astrologer with an opposing fate: born with sight, he later loses his vision in a childhood accident. He is able to carve the trajectory of the night sky and see into the future.
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The two meet and fall in love, but are sucked into the political games of the royal court, particularly involving two princes: Prince Anpyeong (Gong Myung) and Prince Sooyang (Kwak Si Yang). What games do these two have in mind for the lovers, and what is the fate that the stars have in store?

Lovers of the Red Sky

For Your Eyes Only 👁‿👁  

After wandering the earth for the past 999 years, Shin Woo Yeo (Jang Ki Yong) now stands on the brink of seeing his greatest dream come true. Having spent the last thousand years collecting human energy in his precious bead, this thousand year old gumiho is finally ready to shed his fox form and become fully human. Or at least he was until one unsuspecting student by the name of Lee Dam (Hyeri), ruined all his plans.

Working as a college professor, Woo Yeo never imagined that a single university student would be capable of waylaying all of his plans for becoming human. But when a late-night encounter with Lee Dam and one of her drunken friends causes him to drop his precious bead, that’s exactly what happens. While trying to help her inebriated friend home, Lee Dam accidentally swallows Woo Yeo’s fox bead. Knowing full well that swallowing a fox bead will ultimately kill a human, Woo Yeo has no choice but to confront Lee Dam with the truth. With no real idea how to solve their current predicament, Woo Yeo suggests they live together, until they can figure out a solution.&nbsp;

Unable to find a way out of this predicament on her own, Lee Dam agrees to Woo Yeo’s unusual request. But will living together really help them find the answer they seek, or will it just bring with it an entirely new set of problems?&nbsp;

Based on the webtoon of the same name by Na, “My Roommate is a Gumiho” is a 2021 romantic comedy drama directed by Park Joon Hwa and Nam Sung Woo.

My Roommate is a Gumiho

How To Tame A Fox Team

Tak Dong Kyung (Park Bo Young) is a person who is down on her luck. She lost her parents a few years ago in an accident and lives most days consumed by her job as a webcomic editor. Misfortune is never far from her — she soon finds out that her boyfriend is an adulterer, next learns she’s suffering from a terminal brain tumor. One night, she decides that she's had enough. Determined to put an end to her misery, she drunkenly shouts to the heavens and wishes for the world to be doomed.
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Her call for help summons Myeol Mang (Seo In Guk), a mysterious entity who acts as an intermediary between the gods and humans. Destruction comes charging through her front door in the form of this character whose name means "Doom". He offers to make her wish come true if she is willing to pay the ultimate price. Dong Kyung agrees. According to the terms of their contract, she has 100 days to live her life to the fullest before the grim reaper comes to take her soul.
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However, things are never as simple as they seem. Myeol Mang slowly finds himself growing fonder of this perplexing human woman and the boundaries between the mortal and immortal realms become increasingly unclear.
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“Doom at Your Service”, also known as “One Day Destruction Entered the Front Door of My House”, is a 2021 South Korean drama series that was directed by Kwon Young Il. Starring A-list Korean actors, the memorable roles played by the stellar cast complements the exciting premise of every episode, contributing to its high ratings.

Doom at Your Service

My heart goes Doom 💕

In Korea during the first half of the 1700s, Yi San (Lee Junho) is an aloof and perfection-loving young prince. His father’s killing haunts him, although it leaves him in the position to take the throne once his grandfather – the cruel and ruthless current king responsible for Yi San’s father’s death – dies. He has resolved to become a benevolent monarch who will reform the law when he eventually takes the throne, but the way his father was killed has scarred him emotionally.
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At court, he meets a young woman named Sung Deok Im (Lee Se Young). Yi San falls in love with her and tries to convince her to become his official concubine. But Sung Deok Im is strong-willed and free-spirited. She is also intelligent enough to understand that becoming a royal consort to the future king is a prestigious role, but one that would restrict her freedom and likely bring her little in the way of joy. But Yi San’s love for Sung Deok Im is true, and she starts to understand that forming a union with him could ultimately benefit his troubled realm.

The Red Sleeve

💞Love Finds A Way 🛣

One of the three hallowed mountains of Korea, Mount Jiri has been attracting visitors to its majestic grounds long before the park surrounding it was created. Founded in 1967, Jirisan National Park is the oldest and largest of the country’s national parks, managed by a dedicated team of rangers who have devoted their lives not only to protecting and preserving the park, but the countless visitors who trek through the extensive grounds every year. Among these rangers is the incomparable Seo Yi Kang (Jun Ji Hyun). Considered by many to be the best of the best, Yi Kang’s knowledge of the park and skill as a tracker has saved countless lives. At her side stands Kang Hyun Jo (Joo Ji Hoon), an ex-military lieutenant who decided to become a ranger after experiencing a horrific incident on the Jiri mountain. Though he may be only a rookie, his military experience makes him an exceptional ranger and a reliable partner for Yi Kang. Reporting to Jo Dae Jin (Sung Dong Il), the head of the Haedong Branch Office, Yi Kang, Hyung Jo, and the very practical Jung Goo Young (Oh Jung Se), make up an impressive team of rangers who daily risk their lives to save others. But when mysterious rumors start floating around about the mountain’s unexplored regions, the strength of each member of this intrepid crew is put to the test. Will their skill be enough to unravel the mysteries of Mount Jiri, or will the untamed wilds of the mountain prove to be too much?

Jirisan

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

The handsome son of a wealthy family, Yeo Joon (Park Ji Hoon) had what most people could only dream of having. A first-year economics student at a prestigious university, Yeo Joon seems to be perfectly at ease, living up to everyone’s expectations of him. But what his charming exterior portrays is far different from what he keeps hidden on the inside. Hurting beyond belief, what Yeo Joon needed more than anything is a friend. Unfortunately, finding a true friend is a lot easier said than done.

Assigned to work together on a class project, Yeo Joon inexplicably finds himself drawn to his partner, Nam Soo Hyun (Bae In Hyuk). A third-year student in the same program, Soo Hyun is a straight A student who has no time for spoiled little rich kids. Despite their rocky beginning, Yeo Joon and Soo Hyun eventually begin to accept each other for who they are, and very slowly, a bond of friendship begins to grow between them. Polar opposites in every way, Yeo Joon and Soo Hyun have little in common but their friendship is real, providing them each the strength they need to take on the challenges they both face in life.

But their friendship is put to the test when Kim So Bin (Kang Min Ah) enters the scene. Will Yeo Joo and Soo Hyun’s unlikely friendship crumble when love begins to bloom?

Adapted from the webtoon of the same name by Ji Nyoong, “At a Distance, Spring is Green” is a Viki Original 2021 slice of life drama directed by Kim Jung Hyun.

At a Distance, Spring is Green

🌿  Spring is Green Team 🍃

Lee Ma Ha (Jeong Ji So) dreams of K-pop success. She is a member of the all-female group Tea Party, but the act enjoys very little in the way of success, regardless of how much effort she and her groupmates put in. Her only claim to fame is the fact that she looks like a slightly younger version of the chart-topping solo singer La Ri Ma (Park Ji Yeon), a fact that the entertainment industry media is often very keen to point out.

Tea Party takes part in a reality TV show that pits K-pop groups against one another in tests of sporting prowess. But during the filming, Lee Ma Ha accidentally causes an injury to a member of the hit all-male group Shax. One of the Shax members, Kwon Ryok (Lee Jun Young) takes a deep dislike to her, blaming her for the accident and irritated by why he feels is a crass attempt to mimic La Ri Ma.

But, as fate would have it, their paths cross again all too soon – as they are both selected to appear in a new drama series. Kwon Ryok appears determined to settle the score – but another K-pop star, Lee Ma Ha’s childhood friend Lee Yu Jin (Jeong Yun Ho) resolves to protect her.

“Imitation” is a 2021 Viki Original South Korean drama series – adapted from a popular web-based comic by Park Kyung Ran – that was directed by Han Hyun Hee.

Imitation

Idols Team

Dedicating his life to the pursuit of justice, rookie police officer, Jung Ba Reum (Lee Seung Gi), is an honest man with an honest heart. Working at a local substation, Ba Reum is a steadfast officer who, together with his partner, Go Moo Chi (Lee Hee Joon), is always willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Finding true fulfillment in his work, Ba Reum is happy with the life he has made for himself. But when the nation is rocked by the ruthless murders of a crazed killer, his peaceful life takes a very dark turn.

Gripped by fear, the nation slowly sinks into chaos as a psychopathic serial killer runs amuck. Always one step ahead of the authorities who chase him, the only sign the cops have of the killer’s presence is the grisly trail of chaos left behind. Determined to find this killer and bring them to justice, Ba Reum and Moo Chi eventually track them down. Standing face to face with the killer, Ba Reum manages to survive the deadly encounter but their meeting would change his life forever.

Determined to understand what drives a person to such violent extremes, Ba Reum and Moo Chi begin a quest to understand how psychopathic behaviors develop. But their quest for the truth begins to raise some very poignant questions. Questions that lead them to wonder, where does one draw the line between far and too far?

An action-packed thriller, “Mouse” is a 2021 crime mystery drama directed by Choi Joon Bae and Kang Cheol Woo.

Mouse

🐭 The Mouseketeers Team 🐭 

Kim Yu Mi (Kim Go Eun) might seem like an ordinary office worker, but underneath that plain exterior lies something truly exceptional. All humans on the planet are being kept running by a complex network of cells that largely goes unnoticed. Day in and day out, 24/7, the cells within the human body continuously work towards keeping their human alive and well, helping us function in our everyday lives.
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Each of Yu Mi’s cells controls her emotions, feelings, and actions. After a painful breakup, Yu Mi’s love cells fall into a deep coma. While her surrounding cells work tirelessly to revive their fallen counterparts, Yu Mi spends her days stuck in the dismal grind of everyday life. With a broken heart and no romantic prospects, Yu Mi’s love cells remain in a comatose state, until the sudden appearance of Goo Woong (Ahn Bo Hyun).
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Goo Woong is an emotionally stunted game developer that has no idea how to express his feelings or emotions, but after meeting Yu Mi, he finds himself wanting to try. With the help of her co-workers Ruby (Lee Yu Bi) and Seo Sae Yi (Park Ji Hyun), Yu Mi’s love cells gradually start to revive themselves.
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When both Yu Mi and Goo Woong’s love cells work overtime, the duo find themselves drawing closer. But will the cells be enough to bring two hearts together forever?

Yumi's Cells

The On Fire Penguins Team 🔥🐧

KBS2

Born a princess and raised a soldier, Pyeong Gang (Kim So Hyun) is a woman with big dreams and limitless ambition. Determined to become the first Empress of Goguryeo, Pyeong Gang will stop at nothing to make her dream come true. Clever and level headed, Pyeong Gang is well aware of the obstacles that stand in her way and she’s more than capable of taking them on. With meticulous planning, she sets out to make her dream come true. But things take an unexpected turn, the day she meets On Dal (Na In Woo).&nbsp;&nbsp;

A peace-loving man, whose only goal in life is to live in harmony with those around him, On Dal is the exact opposite of the ambitious princess. A peaceful calm amidst the turbulent storms of Pyeong Gang’s life, the warrior princess soon finds herself falling for gentle On Dal. Equally in love with the princess whose heart he now possesses, On Dal finds himself forsaking his principles in order to keep her safe. An endeavor that proves increasingly difficult, as players from all sides converge in a lethal battle for the throne.

Forced to match both wits and strength against some of the most powerful men and women in Goguryeo, Pyeong Gang’s vie for power could very well cost her everything. Does she have what it takes to make her dreams come true or will the price she realizes she must pay prove to be too much?

Based on the novel “Princess Pyeonggang” by Choi Sagyu, “River Where the Moon Rises” is a 2021 historical romance drama directed by Yoon Sang Ho.

River Where the Moon Rises

Godin Media

Superstar celebrity Hoo Joon (Choi Tae Joon) meets his match in spunky magazine reporter Lee Geun Young (Choi Sooyoung) at the opening ceremony of a new nightclub. After witnessing his rude behavior and accidentally throwing up on him, Geun Young is fired from her job.
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Outraged, she assumes that Hoo Joon must be the mastermind behind her dismissal and stages a one-person protest outside his talent management agency. News travels fast in the world of entertainment and she soon gains a notorious reputation as Hoo Joon’s ultimate “anti-fan”.
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Capitalizing on this debacle, an opportunistic reality TV producer offers jobless Geun Young a chance to appear on a reality TV show with Hoo Joon. The new show will be based on the concept of a star having to live with his greatest “anti-fan”.
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In a tough financial situation and running low on funds, Geun Young reluctantly agrees to participate in this show. Hoo Joon’s cooperation in this endeavor, however, remains to be seen. While initially disgruntled, Hoo Joon’s popularity with the public takes a turn for the worse and he ultimately accepts this offer as well in the hopes of boosting his image and recovering lost popular affection.
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The couple set out to make each other’s lives difficult on the TV program. However, sparks fly and they realize that they may be more compatible than they initially thought themselves to be. Is there hope for romance to blossom on such a public stage? After all, they are filming a reality TV show…
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“So I Married the Anti-Fan” is based on a 2010 novel of the same name by Kim Eun Jung.
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“So I Married the Anti-Fan” is a Viki Original South Korean drama released in 2021 and directed by Kang Cheol Woo. With famous actors and even K-pop star Hwang Chan Sung of 2PM being cast for this well-known Kdrama, the show’s storyline is sure to get you hooked.

So I Married The Anti-Fan

🥀Hatefully Yours 🙃

Kang Yo Han (Ji Sung) is the “Devil Judge” – the head judge of the highest court in the land. In a dystopian South Korea of the future, his word is the law, but his courtroom is also a television studio, and the court has become the ultimate TV reality show, with viewers invited to participate in a live, self-styled “people’s court.” Here, greed and corruption are apparently exposed for all the nation to see, and punishments meted out accordingly. A divisive figure, the public is unsure as to whether Kang Yo Han is a true popular hero or a malicious force sowing the seeds of chaos in his court.

Meanwhile, Jung Sun Ah (Kim Min Jung) is a tough, intelligent, and ambitious woman with a hunger for power. She has formed a bitter rivalry with Kang Yo Han and has risen from poverty to become the director of a corporate social responsibility foundation. She wields considerable behind-the-scenes power, maintaining close ties with politicians and business leaders alike – and is hellbent on promoting her own vision of the future. She is also gunning for the “Devil Judge” himself – hopeful of uncovering her rival’s darkest secrets.

Into this turbulent world step two childhood friends on a quest for true justice: a rookie orphan judge called Kim Ga On (Jinyoung) and a police officer named Yoon Soo Hyun (Park Gyu Young). Do they have what it takes to take on the scheming Jung Sun Ah...and the “Devil Judge?”

“The Devil Judge” is a 2021 South Korean drama series that was directed by Choi Jung Gyu.

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