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Express Tribune
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
10 KDramas so addictive you'll finish them in a flash
There's something uniquely satisfying about a K-drama that grabs you by the collar and doesn't let go. While slow-burn romances and long-haul sagas have their place, sometimes you just want to hit "next episode" without hesitation—and these dramas deliver exactly that. They're fast-paced, emotionally gripping, and filled with enough twists, action, or heart to keep you glued to your screen. But don't mistake speed for shallowness—each of these series is rich in character development and storytelling finesse, proving that a thrilling pace doesn't mean cutting corners. From psychological thrillers and fantasy epics to swoon-worthy rom-coms, here are ten K-dramas so addictive you'll finish them in a flash. 1. Touch Your Heart (2019) This romantic comedy stars Yoo In-na and Lee Dong-wook, whose sizzling chemistry carries over from their previous pairing in Goblin. The story follows a disgraced actress who must work as a secretary at a law firm to prepare for an upcoming role. There, she meets a cold and meticulous lawyer who slowly begins to warm to her chaotic charm. It's lighthearted, charming, and delightfully brisk—perfect for when you need a quick hit of joy and romance. 2. Little Women (2022) Kim Go-eun, Nam Ji-hyun, and Park Ji-hu lead this intense, stylish reimagining of Louisa May Alcott's classic—but with a deadly twist. The story centers on three impoverished sisters who become entangled in a web of conspiracy, wealth, and betrayal involving Korea's richest family. Each episode unravels secrets at a sharp clip, balancing mystery and emotional depth with suspense that makes it almost impossible to stop watching. 3. Strangers from Hell (2019) Dark and deeply unsettling, this psychological thriller features Im Si-wan as a naive young man who moves into a creepy boarding house and slowly descends into paranoia. Lee Dong-wook stuns in a chilling role as a mysterious neighbor with sinister intentions. The atmosphere is claustrophobic and the tension escalates quickly—each episode drags you deeper into a nightmarish spiral you can't look away from. 4. Alchemy of Souls (2022–2023) This sweeping fantasy drama offers a world of magic, soul-swapping, and forbidden love. It stars Lee Jae-wook and Jung So-min, later replaced by Go Youn-jung, as central characters whose lives intertwine through fate and power. With rich world-building, high-stakes action, and deeply emotional moments, this series moves at an exhilarating pace without ever skimping on character or detail. 5. Lovestruck in the City (2020–2021) Told in a unique documentary-style format, this romance stars Ji Chang-wook and Kim Ji-won as two lovers navigating heartbreak and reunion in a bustling urban backdrop. Each episode is concise but packed with emotion, exploring themes of love, regret, and growth in a refreshingly modern way. The quick format makes it dangerously easy to binge, and the storytelling feels both intimate and cinematic. 6. Strong Girl Bong-soon (2017) Park Bo-young plays the irresistibly lovable Bong-soon, a petite woman born with superhuman strength. When she's hired as a bodyguard by an eccentric tech CEO played by Park Hyung-sik, chaos and romance ensue. Blending action, comedy, and romance in perfect proportion, the show never drags—each episode is filled with lovable characters, quirky hijinks, and a serial killer subplot that keeps the stakes surprisingly high. 7. Weak Hero Class 1 (2022) In this gritty and emotionally intense school drama, Park Ji-hoon stars as a brilliant but physically small student who uses his brain to fight off bullies in a violent high school environment. It's short, sharp, and devastatingly good, packing a full emotional punch in just eight episodes. Every confrontation feels earned, and the fast-moving plot doesn't waste a single second. 8. While You Were Sleeping (2017) This fantasy legal thriller pairs Bae Suzy and Lee Jong-suk in a story about a woman who sees tragic future events in her dreams—and the prosecutor determined to stop them. The series blends romance, action, and courtroom drama with a supernatural twist, making it a well-balanced binge that's thrilling yet heartfelt. Each episode unravels more of the mystery, making it hard not to watch just one more. 9. My Name (2021) Han So-hee breaks type in this gritty revenge thriller as a young woman who joins a criminal organization to avenge her father's murder. She later infiltrates the police force under a new identity, setting off a tense, high-stakes cat-and-mouse game. Brutal fight scenes, double-crosses, and emotional weight keep the show moving at breakneck speed, making it one of Netflix's most intense and satisfying Korean dramas to date. 10. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017) Known globally as Goblin, this beloved fantasy drama stars Gong Yoo as an immortal being cursed with eternal life, and Kim Go-eun as the high school girl fated to end his suffering. The story weaves together past and present, life and afterlife, with breathtaking visuals and an unforgettable soundtrack. While it's emotionally dense and poetic, the pacing is fluid, and the drama never loses momentum, making its 16 episodes feel far too short.
South China Morning Post
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Who is Lee Kwang-soo, Running Man founding member and star of many films and K-dramas?
Lee Kwang-soo is back in the spotlight with not one but two major dramas currently on screens. Advertisement The Korean actor shows his range in workplace comedy The Divorce Insurance – streaming globally on Amazon Prime – alongside Lee Dong-wook and in the twisty Netflix thriller series Karma , in which he shares the limelight with Shin Min-a and Park Hae-soo. Lee has been a draw on big and small screens for well over a decade but he is far from your typical leading man, not least because, at over 190cm (6ft 2in), he towers over most of his co-stars. His height drew attention when he was at school, with offers to play sports such as basketball and volleyball. In high school he began modelling, and took an interest in acting. Gong Seung-yeon and Lee Kwang-soo in a still from Karma. Photo: Jihyeong Seo/Netflix However, after the theatre troupe he had joined fell apart, he became disillusioned and quickly enrolled for his military service – compulsory in South Korea. Advertisement
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prime Video's Korean Rom-Com ‘The Divorce Insurance' Stars Make the Case for Life After Heartbreak: ‘Choices That We Make to Become Happier'
Prime Video is diving into uncharted waters with its new Korean rom-com series 'The Divorce Insurance,' which introduces the provocative concept of insuring against marital dissolution. The series poses the question: 'Is there an insurance policy to keep you happy for the rest of your life?' The series follows an insurance company's product development team as they create a divorce insurance product designed to address one of modern society's most pressing concerns. Set in an office environment, the show centers on the passionate actuary Ki-jun and his team's journey to develop this innovative product. More from Variety How to Watch 'Novocaine' Online Stagecoach Festival to Be Livestreamed by Amazon Music, With Immediate Rebroadcasts 'Panchayat' Sets Season 4 Bow at Prime Video as Hit Indian Comedy-Drama Marks Fifth Anniversary (EXCLUSIVE) Boasting an all-star Korean cast, the series features Lee Dong-wook ('Harbin') as No Ki-jun, an insurance actuary who has experienced three marriages and divorces. His personal experience serves as inspiration for creating the divorce insurance product to help others like himself. Lee Joo-been ('Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area') portrays Kang Han-deul, an insurance underwriter whose quirky personality shines through as she undergoes her own transformation following divorce. She joins Ki-jun's team and gradually develops courage while navigating a new relationship with him. The ensemble also includes Lee Kwang-soo ('Karma') as risk surveyor An Jeon-man, whose outwardly cool demeanor masks his timid nature, and Lee Da-hee ('Island') as Jeon Na-rae, a financial mathematician who initially views life purely through an investment lens before her perspective begins to shift. In an interview with Variety, Lee Dong-wook addresses the potentially controversial premise. 'I do understand that this concept of divorce insurance could spark conversation or maybe controversies,' he acknowledges. 'But the message that we want to deliver through our show is not just about divorce being a good thing or a bad thing. We just want to tell the story that divorce is just a part of your life.' He underscores the show's core message: 'Life goes on even after you're divorced. It's not the end of your life. It's not the end of the world. Your life is not a failure just because you've been divorced.' The show's premise has received largely positive reactions, according to Lee Joo-been. 'Most of the people showed positive reactions when I told them about the premise. They would go like 'Oh, is there a product like that? If there is one, I'd like to get one,'' she reveals. 'I was even surprised to see that most people reacted positively.' Lee Da-hee, whose character helps quantify the financial aspects of divorce, hopes the show will challenge negative perceptions. 'When I think about divorce, there's a lot of uncertainty and fear associated with it. But I think if there was a product like this in the market it might help people muster up the courage to get married and think about marriage and divorce more positively,' she explains. She continues, 'In our society, there is a negative perception about divorce. I just want to tell people that divorce doesn't have to be bad. Just like Dong-wook said, it can be the beginning of your new life.' Known for his comedic skills, Lee Kwang-soo brings his signature humor to the series through improvisation. 'I don't know which of my many improvised scenes have made it into the show, but the director just loved me improvising and ad-libbing overall,' he says. He highlights one recurring improvised moment: 'There's this one ad-lib that appears in almost every episode. It's a banter between myself and Lee Dong-wook and it's like a series, because it keeps appearing over and over again.' Despite the potentially heavy subject matter, Kwang-soo appreciates the show's approach. 'I really loved how our show doesn't deal with divorce in a serious and dark way, but in a light-hearted and positive way,' he says, highlighting a line from the series that encapsulates its essence: 'Both marriage and divorce are choices that we make to become happier.' 'The Divorce Insurance' is streaming now on Prime Video. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
South China Morning Post
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Amazon Prime K-drama The Divorce Insurance: Lee Dong-wook leads workplace romcom
Lead cast: Lee Dong-wook, Lee Joo-bin, Lee Kwang-soo, Lee Da-hee Advertisement However, this first small-screen outing for the director experiences a few growing pains in its early episodes as he looks to match his madcap style to the traditional K-drama formula of the series' script. The show is built around a simple and amusing concept with plenty of potential for social observation – an actuary looks to resuscitate his flagging career by pitching a 'divorce insurance' product to his company. Divorces are sad, messy and expensive, but a fact of life for many people although few expect it to happen to them. In a country that is struggling with low marriage and birth rates the show's theme may appear to make light of the phenomenon, but it is easy to see a path to the typical K-drama happy ending here.
