Kingdom
Korean Title: Kingdeom; 킹덤 Release date: January 25, 2019 Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Thriller, Zombie Broadcast: Netflix Episodes: 2 seasons with 6 episodes each Cast: Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doo-na, Ryu Seung-ryong This is a Korean drama produced by Netflix that tells the story of the rising of the late king and the mysterious plague that begins to spread making people act like zombies. The crowned prince that is played by Ju Ji-hoon must face a new type of enemy to uncover the villain and save his people. This drama which takes place during the Joseon Dynasty was adapted from the webcomic with the title Burning Hell Shinui Nara by Kim Eun-hee and Yang Kyu-il. The drama consists of two seasons. An interesting fact about this production is that the drama went overbudget amounting to each episode costing more than 1.78 million dollars. Before Ju Ji-hoon took the role, Song Joong-ki was cast for the leading role but declined it. Kingdom is written by the popular drama writer Kim Eun-hee who is especially known for her last work, Signal.
How To Publish Love?
Korean Title: Romaenseneun Byeolchaekburok; 로맨스는 별책부록 Release date: January 26, 2019 Genre: Romance, Comedy Broadcast: tvN Episodes: 16 Cast: Lee Jong-suk, Lee Na-young The drama, starring Lee Jong-suk and Lee Na-young, tells the story of a genius writer and the youngest editor-in-chief in the publishing world, Cha Eun-ho (Lee Jong-suk) who will be met by a female employee named Kang Da-ni (Lee Na-young ) in the same company that was once known as a popular copywriter company. Because of her secret case a long time ago, Kang Da-ni lies about her background to be employed in the publishing company. This drama is very much awaited because of Lee Na-young’s return to the television screen after the last 2010 drama she starred in, The Fugitive: Plan B.
The Crowned Clown
Korean Title: Gwanghae, Wangyidoen Namja; 광해, 왕이 된 남자 Release date: January 2019 Genre: Historical, Drama, Comedy Broadcast: tvN Episodes: 16 Cast: Yeo Jin-goo, Lee Se-young The Crowned Clown was adapted from the drama titled Masquerade which was inspired by the story of the prince and the beggar. This drama is a remake of a popular Korean film with the same title that was released in 2012. The Crowned Clown tells the story of a clown who resembles a king and replaces the king who was running away from the chaos that occurred in the middle of the Joseon period. Yeo Jin-goo will play two roles in this drama, namely the king Lee Hun and the clown Ha Sun. As he replaces the king, Ha Sun slowly falls in love with the queen Yoo So-woon (Lee Se-young) mesmerized by her beauty.
Item
Korean Title: Aitem; 아이템 Release date: January 2019 Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Supernatural Broadcast: MBC Episodes: 16 Cast: Ju Ji-hoon, Jin Se-yoon, Kim Kang-woo, Kim Yoo-ri Item is a fantasy drama about two people who try to uncover the mystery with supernatural power. Ju Ji-hoon acts as a diligent prosecutor named Kang Gon who tries to save his beloved niece Da In (Shin Rin-ah) with the help of Shin So-young (Jin Se-yeon), a highly skilled criminal profiler. Whereas Kim Kang-woo acts as Jo Se-hwang who is the villain and works as a successful businessman but is a psychopath and will kill any person who would hinder his agenda. This drama is going to be Ju Ji-hoon’s second drama in 2019 after his last drama project in 2015 Mask. The drama is a reunion for the two actors Ju Ji-hoon and Kim Kang-woo who were previously acting together in the historical film, The Treacherous, that was released in May 2015.
Hatch
Korean Title: Haechi; 해치 Release date: February 2019 Genre: Historical, Drama, Adventure Broadcast: SBS Episodes: 16 Cast: Jung Il-woo, Go Ah-ra, Kwon Yul After completing his military service, on December 2, 2018, this drama will be Jung Il-woo’s first drama after returning to the entertainment world. This drama is a sageuk fusion with a story inspired by a mythological creature named Haechi, a guardian of justice. With a background during the Joseon Dynasty, four people from various types of citizens gather to make Prince Lee Geum become the King and reform Saheonbu. The four people are Lee Geum, played by Jung Il-woo, Yeo-ji played by Go Ah-ra, Park Moon-soo (Kwon Yool) and Dal-moon.
Vagabond
Korean Title: Baegabondeu; 배가본드 Release date: April 2019 Genre: Action, Thriller Broadcast: SBS Episodes: 16 Cast: Lee Seung-gi, Suzy, Shin Sung-rok Vagabond is an action-thriller television series that tells the story of a man named Cha Geun (Lee Seung-gi) who is involved in a plane crash investigation and takes a deeper look into the corruption in his country. Cha Geun works as a stuntman with a professional black belt degree in various branches of martial arts. Meanwhile Go Hae-ri (Suzy), is a black agent and works as a spy and must hide her true identity. She is the daughter of Go Kang-chul, a lieutenant in the Navy. But after her father died, it is up to her to support both her mother and her sister. This drama is one of the most awaited in 2019, as the two main cast members have starred in a 2013 drama titled Gu Family Book and are loved by the audiences.
The Chronicles of Asdal
Korean Title: Aseudal Yeondaegi; 아스달 연대기 Release date: Early 2019 Genre: History, Fantasy Broadcast: tvN Episodes: 16 Cast: Song Joong-ki, Kim Ji-won, Jang Do-gun, Kim Ok-bin A historical fantasy drama that brings together two of the most popular actors, mainly known for their appearance in the popular KBS drama Descendants of The Sun. Set in the fictional city called Aseudal, this drama tells the story of power, conflict, and romance that take place in the city of Aseudal, the capital of the Joseon era. Song Joong-ki plays the role of Eun Sum, the leader of Aseudal, who has unique abilities but has the fate of carrying out disasters to the city. Kim Ji-won plays Tan-ya, who is the heir of the Wahan tribe. She has the ambition to become a politician although she lives under the highest honor. She is also Eun Sum’s first love. Other than these two, the production team has also announced that senior actor Jang Dong-gun and actress Kim Ok-bin have confirmed becoming a part of the cast of the drama. Actor Jang Dong-gun will play Ta Gon, a member of the warriors. While Kim Ok-bin will be playing a highly skilled war strategist and warrior.
Dazzling
Korean Title: Nooni Booshige; 눈이 부시게 Release date: Early 2019 Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy, Time-machine Broadcast: JTBC Episodes: 16 Cast: Han Ji-min, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Hye-ja, Son Ho-jun Dazzling is a drama that tells the story of Kim Hye-ja (Han Ji-min) who is 25 years old but she can travel through time and become a 70-year-old grandmother (Kim Hye-ja). Nam Joo-hyuk acts as Lee Joon-ha who wants to become a reporter. His character is someone who is eager to pursue his dreams, but suddenly he becomes the person who lives his life by wasting time. Son Ho-jun plays Kim Hye-ja’s brother, Kim Young-soo, who is very nosy. He works as a content creator and is expected to be a dimension enhancer character. This drama will show the interesting contrast of the life of Kim Hye-ja who runs out of time and Lee Joon-ha who wastes his time.
Touch Your Heart
Korean Title: Jinsimi Dahda; 진심이 닿다 Release date: 2019 Genre: Romance, Comedy, Law Broadcast: tvN Episodes: 16 Cast: Lee Dong-wook, Yoo In-na, Shin Dong-wook Finally, the couple that has been awaited since they were acting side by side in the drama Goblin. This time, the two play the main characters of the drama that has been adapted from a popular webtoon. This romantic drama tells the story of a top actress whose career begins to collapse due to a scandal with the grandson of a conglomerate. The actress named Oh Yoon-seo (Yoo In-na) disguises herself as a citizen under a new name Oh Jin-shim and starts working as a secretary of the lawyer Kwon Jung-rok (Lee Dong-wook). Kwon Jung-rok is a strict lawyer and always works on his cases perfectly. This drama is directed by Park Jun-hwa who also directed the popular dramas Let’s Eat, Because This Is My First Life and What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim.
When Camellia Blooms
Korean Title: Dongbaekkkot Pil Muryeob; 동백꽃 필 무렵 Release date: September 2019 Genre: Thriller, Romance, Comedy Broadcast: KBS2 Episodes: 16 Cast: Gong Hyo-jin Gong Hyo Jin, who is known to be very picky about the drama projects she takes on, always makes an impact when appearing on the screens, touching the hearts of the audience. Every story that she has participated in has been a success and she never disappoints her audience. When Camellia Blooms is a must watch drama, considering the story was written by the author of the popular Korean drama Fight For My Way. This drama is a triplet of thriller romantic comedy that tells the relationship of a woman and three men. A woman named Dong Baek (Gong Hyo-jin) is an orphan and a single mother who runs a beverage bar named Camellia. As for the rest of the cast, it will be announced soon. That’s the list of the top Korean dramas that are highly awaited and certainly won’t disappoint you. All of you drama lovers, make sure to watch them all and never miss an episode.
