The dramas that moved us - It's time to take out those tissues as we head into week 3 of our K-Drama Day countdown with shows that tug at our hearts.

The dramas that moved us

Lifetime

Lee Dong Jin (Park Jin Young) is a data analyst at the top of his field, using his keen skills of perception to conduct research. But there's one thing he's never been able to figure out: why bad things constantly seem to happen to people around his high school classmate and former crush, Park Mi Jeong (Roh Jeong Eui). After the strange deaths of her father and several male classmates, Mi Jeong was labeled a "witch" by others and distanced herself from society, believing that she's cursed. A decade later, Dong Jin and Mi Jeong happen to cross paths once again, and Dong Jin is determined to get to the bottom of her "curse" once and for all. Can Dong Jin help Mi Jeong out of her isolation – even if he might be putting his own safety at risk? This drama was adapted from the webtoon of the same name by Kang Full.

The Witch

✨ Fans for Fans ✨ Team

Sa Gye (Ha Yoo Joon) was on top of the world as the vocalist and guitarist of leading K-pop band The Crown... until he's unexpectedly forced to leave the group. Seeking a fresh start, he decides to enroll in university, where he hopes to experience the normal life of a college student for the first time. There he meets Kim Bom (Park Ji Hu), a passionate and talented music student who gave up studying abroad after her mother's passing, and Seo Tae Yang (Lee Seung Hyub), a medical student with a deep love for music. Together with other students, they form a band called Two Sa Gye, and before long Sa Gye finds himself rediscovering his passion for music. As Sa Gye and Bom grow closer, they begin to develop feelings for each other, supporting each other as they work through their difficult pasts. Will Sa Gye find the new beginning he hoped for?

Spring of Youth

✨ Fans for Fans ✨

During a total solar eclipse, Go Ha Jin (IU), a 25-year-old woman from the 21st century, finds herself transported back to the Goryeo Dynasty where she awakens in the body of Hae Su, a 16-year-old girl. There, she finds herself entangled with ruling Wang family and the princes' rivalries as they fight for the throne. Hae Su develops feelings for the eighth prince Wang Uk (Kang Ha Neul), whose gentle countenance hides his deep ambitions and willingness to make ruthless choices. She also builds a relationship with the feared fourth prince Wang So (Lee Joon Gi), whose cruel and aloof reputation precedes him. However, Hae Su soon recognizes that his coldness is just a front to hide his pain, and helps bring out his true self, falling for him in the process. Will Hae Su's love end up changing history? This drama was adapted from the 2005 Chinese novel of the same name by Tong Hua.

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Former teenage sweethearts separated by uncontrollable circumstances, Sin Joon Young (Kim Woo Bin) and No Eul (Suzy) are reunited as adults – when the latter is commissioned to make a documentary about Joon Young. He is now a superstar actor and singer who's dead-set against filming his documentary and gives No Eul a miserable time. Gradually, he relents to the documentary and uses the time to try and win her heart back. Can they rekindle their once-passionate love? This 2016 South Korean drama series was directed by Park Hyun Suk and Cha Young Hoon.

Uncontrollably Fond

The Uncontrollable Lovebirds

Park Dong Hoon (Lee Sun Gyun), a middle-aged engineer, struggles with a deeply unhappy life, working under his college junior Do Joon Yeon (Kim Young Min) while supporting his unemployed brothers and mother. His wife's secret affair with Joon Yeon further complicates his miserable existence. When Lee Ji An (IU), a desperate co-worker drowning in debt and caring for her invalid grandmother, discovers Dong Hoon accepting an unexpected bribe, she attempts to exploit his vulnerability to improve her own circumstances. Despite her initial manipulative intentions, an unexpected connection forms between them as they both seek to escape their respective hardships. Caught in a web of personal struggles and corporate tensions, Dong Hoon and Ji An gradually develop a profound understanding that might help them heal their deep emotional wounds. This is a 2018 South Korean drama directed by Kim Won Seok that explores the complexities of human resilience and connection.

My Mister

The Lonely Team

Twenty four-year-old Jung Hee Wan (Kim Min Ha) lives as a recluse, having lost her will to live. Suddenly, she receives a visit from her childhood friend and first love, Kim Ram Woo (Gong Myoung). However, this is no ordinary visit: Ram Woo is now a grim reaper after he died six years ago, and he's come to let Hee Wan know that she only has one week left to live. With Ram Woo's encouragement, Hee Wan creates a bucket list of things to do in her final days alive, and the two begin to fulfill her final wishes. As Hee Wan and Ram Woo reconnect, they explore what life and death mean to them – and what love might have in store. This drama was adapted from the novel "A Week Before I Die" by Seo Eun Chae.

Way Back Love

✨ The Marvellous ✨ team

Oh Soo (Jo In Sung), a cold-hearted con artist who targets wealthy women, meets Oh Young (Song Hye Kyo), a blind heiress with a tragic past. Having lost his parents and first love, Soo sees Young as his next potential victim. However, Young, who has also experienced significant loss through her parents' divorce and estrangement, proves to be more complex than he anticipated. As they navigate their shared pain and emotional barriers, an unexpected connection begins to form between them. Can two individuals who have given up on love find solace and redemption in each other's arms? "That Winter, The Wind Blows" is a 2013 South Korean drama series directed by Kim Kyu Tae, based on a 2002 Japanese drama.

That Winter, The Wind Blows

The Winter Lovers Team

Weary homicide detective Yoo Jin Kook (Park Sung Woong) doesn’t have much to look forward to in life besides his younger sister, Yoo Jin Kang (Jung So Min), whom he’s fiercely protective of. While investigating a suspicious death, all signs point to the victim’s boyfriend, Kim Moo Yeong (Seo In Guk), a seemingly charming man with a dark side. But when Moo Yeong starts dating Jin Kang, Jin Kook becomes determined to end their relationship. Can he shield her from the looming threat, or is the real danger closer than he thinks? This 2018 South Korean drama, directed by Yoo Je Won, is a remake of the 2002 Japanese series of the same title.

Hundred Million Stars From the Sky

The Twinkle Twinkle Team 

Prince Yi San (Lee Junho) vows to become a benevolent monarch despite his cruel grandfather's reign. He falls for Sung Deok Im (Lee Se Young), an intelligent and spirited palace maid. Yi San aims to make her his concubine but Deok Im knows becoming a royal consort would restrict her freedom and rob her of joy. Undeterred by Deok Im’s misgivings, Yi San’s pure love slowly wins her over. Will their hard-earned love be able to withstand the turmoils of palace life? Based on the novel of the same name by Kang Mi Kang, this 2021 South Korean historical series was directed by Jung Ji In and Song Yeon Hwa.

The Red Sleeve

💞Love Finds A Way 🛣

Betrayed by his king, Kim Shin (Gong Yoo), a decorated military general from the Goryeo Dynasty, was forced to watch his family die before him. Saved by the Almighty, yet condemned to an eternal life as a goblin, Kim Shin uses his supernatural abilities to save humans, including the mother of Ji Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun), an optimistic high school student with a strange connection to the supernatural. When Eun Tak is repeatedly drawn to him, Kim Shin wonders if she might be the one he has spent an eternity searching for, the only one who can set his soul free, the Goblin Bride. Written by Kim Eun Sook, this award-winning 2016 South Korean fantasy romance series was directed by Lee Eung Bok and Kwon Hyuk Chan.

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

The Immortal Team

JTBC

Ten years after a tragic mall collapse that claimed 48 lives, Ha Moon Soo (Won Jin Ah), Lee Gang Doo (Lee Jun Ho), and Seo Joo Won (Lee Ki Woo) – find their paths crossing once again when a new construction project takes place at the site of the disaster. Moon Soo, now a detail-focused builder, works for Joo Won, the architect behind the new construction, while Kang Doo, struggling to make ends meet, takes a job on the site. As they confront old wounds and lingering trauma, can they find healing amid the pain? This 2017 Korean drama was directed by Kim Jin Won.

Just Between Lovers

The Fated Lovers Team

Beautiful, trendy, and intelligent, Ha Yeong Eun (Song Hye Kyo) is the epitome of a fashion industry icon. Content in both her work and her life, Yeong Eun is unfazed by others perceiving her pragmatic nature as cold. However, her life takes a turn when she meets Yoon Jae Gook (Jang Ki Young), a popular and charismatic freelance photographer who embodies perfection. Unable to ignore the feelings growing between them, Yeong Eun and Jae Gook fall quickly for each other. Yet, their romance faces challenges, showing that not all love stories have happy endings. A story that explores all the ups and downs of romantic love, this 2021 South Korean romantic series was directed by Lee Gil Bok.

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