8 K-dramas with jaw-dropping cinematography
2. 'My Mister' (2018)
Above 'My Mister' (Photo: IMDB)
Starring: Lee Sun-kyun, IU
Bleak but beautiful, My Mister uses its dim lighting like an emotional thermometer. The greyness isn't just a vibe. Rather, it's a visual expression of burnout, loneliness and resilience. Industrial alleys, cramped homes and office cubicles are shot with the same care as a glossy K-pop video. Yet somehow, it all feels poetic. 3. 'Goblin / Guardian: The Lonely and Great God' (2016)
Above 'Goblin' (Photo: IMDB)
Starring: Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun
You know a show has cinematographic chops when a scarf flying through the air becomes iconic. Goblin leans into romance-fantasy visuals with cathedral lighting, slow-mo snowfalls and surreal transitions. There's always a gust of wind at just the right time, and every flashback looks like it's been colour-graded for maximum heartbreak. 4. 'Pachinko' (2022)
Above 'Pachinko' (Photo: IMDB)
Starring: Kim Min-ha, Lee Min-ho, Youn Yuh-jung
Technically an Apple TV+ production, but with a Korean soul, Pachinko is lush and layered. It was shot in Japan, Korea and the US, and absolutely stunning in every frame. Thanks to cinematographers Florian Hoffmeister and Ante Cheng, each timeline has its own colour language, with pastel memories and saturated heartbreaks. This is a visual epic that earns every sweeping camera movement. 5. 'Squid Game' (2021)
Above 'Squid Game' (Photo: Netflix)
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo
Weird, wild and washed in candy colours, Squid Game uses surreal set design and visual contrast to perfection. Neon pink stairs, creepy giant dolls and sterile white dormitories create an atmosphere that's part fever dream, part social commentary. It's not just stylised—it's psychological warfare in aesthetic form. Lee Hyung-deok was responsible for its eerie, child-like surrealism in the first season, while Kim Ji-yong took over for Season 2. 6. 'Arthdal Chronicles' (2019)
Above 'Arthdal Chronicles' (Photo: IMDB)
Starring: Song Joong-ki, Kim Ji-won, Jang Dong-gun
Arthdal Chronicles stands out for its ambitious world-building and high production values. The series boasts stunning cinematography that captures the mythical land of Arth with sweeping landscapes and meticulously designed sets. The visual storytelling enhances the epic narrative, immersing viewers in a richly imagined ancient civilisation.
See more: 10 most expensive Korean dramas to make 7. 'Flower of Evil' (2020)
Above 'Flower of Evil' (Photo: VIU)
Starring: Lee Joon-gi, Moon Chae-won
Flower of Evil employs a cinematic approach that elevates its suspenseful and emotional narrative. The series utilises thoughtful framing and lighting to accentuate the psychological tension between characters. The director's intention to highlight hidden contrasts is evident in the impactful visual compositions throughout the show. There's something about the cinematography that makes it even more of a must-watch. 8. 'Move to Heaven' (2021)
Above 'Move to Heaven' (Photo: IMDB)
Starring: Lee Je-hoon, Tang Jun-sang
Move to Heaven is lauded for its poignant storytelling complemented by exquisite cinematography. The series features beautifully composed shots that underscore the emotional depth of each episode. The visual aesthetics contribute to the show's heartfelt exploration of life, death and the memories left behind.
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Tatler Asia
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2. 'Reply 1988' (2015) Set in a 1980s Seoul neighbourhood, Reply 1988 follows five friends as they stumble through adolescence. The series is nostalgic but not cloying, portraying the boys' friendship with awkward charm and emotional restraint. What makes it stand out: Their connection isn't about grand gestures. It's built on everyday interactions—after-school snacks, late-night chats and the quiet reassurance that someone is always around. This is a study in how male friendships often thrive in silence. 3. 'Incomplete Life' ('Misaeng') (2014) A former baduk prodigy enters the corporate world without credentials or connections. What begins as a lonely uphill battle becomes a subtle, moving story of how professional relationships can evolve into something more meaningful. What makes it stand out: Friendship here is understated and expressed through late-night support, subtle mentorship and small acts of solidarity. It's a rare depiction of adult male friendships formed not in youth but through shared professional pressure. 4. 'Weak Hero' Class 1 (2022) and Class 2 (2025) What starts as a tale of survival transforms into a haunting exploration of teenage trauma and emotional codependency. In Class 1, three boys form an intense bond while facing school violence. Class 2 explores the aftermath—how friendship can curdle into guilt, anger and a desperate need for redemption. What makes it stand out: These series refuse to idealise male friendships. Instead, they dig into the emotional cost of loyalty and the quiet pain of boys who've never been taught to ask for help. 5. 'My Mister' (2018) At first glance, this might seem like a story about an unlikely cross-generational connection. But My Mister is just as much about the three middle-aged brothers who drink together, bicker endlessly and carry each other through emotional wreckage without ever naming it. What makes it stand out: It's a rare portrayal of male vulnerability that doesn't rely on breakdowns or confessions. Friendship is rendered through routine, patience and the unspoken agreement to keep each other going. 6. 'Hospital Playlist' (2020–2021) Five doctors who've been friends since medical school navigate the chaos of their personal and professional lives with levity and depth. They tease, argue and perform together in a band—but underneath the humour is a steady, unwavering support system. What makes it stand out: The series presents male friendships that are emotionally generous without becoming overwrought. It shows that emotional intimacy among men doesn't require crisis, just time and trust. These K-dramas resist the urge to simplify male friendships. They acknowledge the emotional repression, loyalty and social pressures that shape how men relate to one another, whether in high school corridors, corporate offices or hospital break rooms. In doing so, they offer something more nuanced: friendship as survival, as memory, as a kind of grace. NOW READ 10 fashionable '90s TV shows to inspire your wardrobe 10 books about travel that will spark your wanderlust Shy escapes: 9 quiet destinations for introverts who love to travel
Tatler Asia
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Way ahead of its time, Coffee Prince tackled gender identity and same-sex attraction (with a bit of 2000s K-drama chaos, of course). Gong Yoo plays a wealthy café owner who falls for his new hire, unaware she's a woman pretending to be a man to land the job. The story navigates his confusion and heartbreak with surprising tenderness. Modern viewer bonus: Gong Yoo's emotional vulnerability, Yoon Eun-hye's charisma and a soundtrack that holds up beautifully. There's also the coffee shop aesthetic that every indie café tries to copy. A nostalgic ode to family, friendship and the analogue days of dial-up and cassette mixtapes. Set in a small Seoul neighbourhood, this slice-of-life gem focuses on the messy, mundane and heart-melting parts of growing up. The parents are as beloved as the teens, and that's no small feat. Honestly, the ensemble cast's chemistry is pure gold (always high value, no matter what decade). Plus, you'll cry over things like a dad buying a new fridge. Bleak, beautiful and brimming with empathy. IU plays a debt-ridden temp worker and Lee Sun-kyun a weary engineer—two wounded souls who slowly find solace in each other, without a hint of romance. My Mister is a masterclass in quiet storytelling and moral nuance. There's no flashy romance (which deviates from your usual K-drama formula), just a devastatingly honest portrayal of adult loneliness and resilience. 4. 'Misaeng: Incomplete Life' (2014) Speaking of K-dramas that aged well, Misaeng: Incomplete Life is the most accurate depiction of South Korean office life ever committed to screen. Im Si-wan plays a former baduk player navigating corporate hell with wide-eyed realism. It's not flashy, but it's honest—and in an era of hustle fatigue, that's what hits hardest. Plus, watching people survive toxic bosses with dignity never gets old. 5. 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' (2020) It's a fairytale for adults that tackles mental health, trauma and the healing power of chosen family. Visually stunning, emotionally layered and anchored by standout performances, it's the rare modern K-drama that feels both poetic and precise . It's Okay to Not Be Okay puts a lot of emphasis on fashion, but that gothic styling and children's book metaphors will never go out of style. See more: Dressed to dominate: 6 ways K-drama heroines used fashion to showcase their power K-dramas that didn't age so well 1. 'Boys Over Flowers' (2009) It will always be a classic, but it's definitely not one of those K-dramas that aged well. Boys Over Flowers may be an iconic entry point for many K-drama fans, but it's also a masterclass in toxic masculinity. In 2025, it's hard to watch a heroine endure so much verbal abuse and casual humiliation and still call it romance. The male lead's behaviour borders on toxic, and the show's cartoonish treatment of class issues feels jarring now. We love a good makeover montage, but Boys Over Flowers is best left in your high school diary. In short, Lee Min-ho's Jun-pyo bullies the poor female lead into loving him, as the rich-kid fantasy glosses over violence, entitlement and too many perms. This is somehow both boring and problematic. Our heroine is ditzy, desperate and consistently demeaned by a genius male lead with the emotional range of a damp sock. The romantic message? Endure humiliation long enough, and he might marry you. The modern viewer cringe? It's the K-drama equivalent of 'he pulls your pigtails because he likes you'. 3. 'Secret Garden' (2010) There's body swap hilarity, but also a chaebol CEO (Hyun Bin) who stalks, gaslights and belittles a stuntwoman (Ha Ji-won) in the name of 'love'. It tries to be quirky, but lands in murky emotional territory. Hyun Bin's sparkly tracksuit became iconic, and the chemistry between the leads was magnetic. But the show's gender politics? Less so. Watching it again, the controlling male lead trope feels less romantic and more red flag. The whole premise hinges on problematic power dynamics, and while the fantasy setup is charming, its treatment of gender roles can be eyebrow-raising in retrospect. You'll also realise that the infamous sit-up scene is more awkward than endearing today. Also read: 8 unforgettable body swap K-dramas 4. 'You're Beautiful' (2009) A nun joins a boy band disguised as her twin brother. Hijinks ensue, but the gender jokes and campy slapstick don't quite hold up under modern scrutiny. You're Beautiful is still fun in a 'watch with wine and friends' way, but it's very much a product of its time. Every time you cringe, remember, it was 2009. Once the crown jewel of early Hallyu, Full House was every K-drama fan's gateway drug: slapstick comedy, enemies-to-lovers trope and a gorgeous house filled with absurd contract-marriage tension. Han Ji-eun (Song Hye-kyo) is a plucky aspiring writer who ends up living with superstar Lee Young-jae (Rain) after being tricked out of her house. Cue forced cohabitation, endless bickering and emotional tension. While undeniably nostalgic, Full Hous e now plays like a relic of a different era. Similar to Boys Over Flowers , it's not one of those K-dramas that aged well. Emotional manipulation served as romance, and women were treated more like plot devices than protagonists. The fashion is pure time capsule (low-rise jeans and cropped shrugs), and the storyline leans on tropes that today feel a touch regressive.
