Three months into 2020, and we’re on the cusp of some great things. Here’s a list of this year’s most anticipated Korean dramas coming up that we have our eye on over here.
From super natural eye balls to zombie apocalypse, there is a little bit of something for everyone. Though not a lot of romantic comedies as of yet. Did all other producers take one look at Crash landing on You and melt into the ground in a puddle of insecurity? Chin up PDs.
THE MOST ANTICIPATED KOREAN DRAMAS OF 2020
11. SSANGGAB CART BAR
(Alternate title: Ssang Gap Pocha)
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Starring: Hwang Jung-eum & Yook Sung-jae
Plot: Based on a webcomic by Bae Hye-soo, Wol-joo (Hwang Jung-eum) is a small business owner unlike any other. She runs a mysterious food cart only open after dark that’s frequented by both the living and the dead.
Comments: This sounds like Cheers, but for dead people. (YouTube the Cheers theme song and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about).
10. MEMORIST
Genre: Romance, Mystery
Starring: Yoo Seung-ho & Lee Se-young
Plot: Based on a webcomic by Jae Hoo, in Memorist a detective (Yoo Seung-ho) with the ability to read a person’s memories by touching them gets involved in a serial murder case.
Comments: Here at Drama Milk, we’re always in the mood for a good supernatural crime drama. (V – On the reals! Especially if it’s quirky!)
9. THE SCHOOL NURSE FILES
Genre: Supernatural
Starring: Jung Yoo-mi & Nam Joo-hyuk (He’s in everything this year!)
Plot: Ahn Eun-young (Jung Yoo-mi) is a school nurse who keeps her school safe by eradicating ghosts and exorcising evil spirits with the help of handsome teacher Hong In-pyo (Nam Joo-hyuk). Catch this one on Netflix!
Comments: A school nurse and an exorcist? Get you a girl that can do both.
8. RUGAL
Genre: Action
Starring: Choi Jin-hyuk, Park Sung-woong, Jung Hye-in, and Han Ji-wan
Plot: Based on a webcomic (ENG version) by Rilmae . In this adaptation, Kang Ki-bum (Choi Jin-hyuk) is a top-notch detective that’s been tasked with investigating a criminal organization by the name of Argos. When he comes home one night, men sent by Argos murder his wife and child, then rip out both of his eyeballs (V – good lord!). After waking up in the hospital, Ki-bum finds out he’s been framed for his family’s murder (V- of hell naw!). With the help of Rugal— another clandestine organization that happens to be good— and special bio-engineered eyes, Ki-bum vows to bring down Argos.
Comments: At this rate, Choi Jin-hyuk’s going to become the king of intense revenge dramas. We can’t wait to see how the plot unfolds.
7. HERE
Genre: To be announced
Starring: (Literally everyone!): Lee Byung-hun, Han Ji-min, Shin Min-ah, and Nam Joo-hyuk (I told you he was booked and busy.)
Plot: Not much is known about this drama, but it will reportedly depict the lives of people working for an international non-profit.
Comments: Wow! Like Rugal, there are some heavy hitters here. Who knows what all this star power and raw talent will bring?
6. ALICE
Genre: Romance, Mystery, Fantasy
Starring: Joo Won (Fresh outta the military!!) & Kim Hee-sun
Plot: Emotionless detective Park Jin-gyeom (Joo Won) stumbles upon a hotel where time travelers stay before embarking on their next journey. There he meets a mysterious physicist (Kim Hee-sun) who seems to hold the key to time.
Comments: This sounds like Hotel del Luna, but for time travelers instead of ghosts.
5. WELCOME
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Starring: Kim Myung-soo (aka L) & Shin Ye-eun
Plot: Based on a webcomic by Go Ara, Sol-A (Shin Ye-eun) has always wanted to draw webtoons for a living. Imagine her shock when she takes home a stray cat with the ability to turn into a man. A very gorgeous man.
Comments: So…homegirl takes home a stray and it turns into L? Alright guys, we’re taking a ride down to the SPCA.
4. A PIECE OF YOUR MIND
(Alternate title: Half of Half)
Genre: Romance, Slice of Life
Starring: Jung Hae-in & Chae Soo-bin
Plot: A kind-hearted artificial intelligence programmer (Jung Hae-in) and a homeless sound engineer (Chae Soo-bin) come into each other’s lives for the better.
Comments: With dramas like Are You Human Too?, I’m Not a Robot, and My Absolute Boyfriend all airing within the past two years, we wonder what stance A Piece of Your Mind will take on if it’s ever okay to french a robot. (V – does that eyeball one count as a robot drama? Asking for a friend.)
Also, this is the second drama featuring A.I. that Chae Soo-bin has been in. Is she trying to tell us something?
3. KINGDOM (SEASON 2)
Genre: Historical, Horror
Starring: Ju Ji-hoon, Ryu Seung-ryong, and Bae Doo-na
Plot: Based on a webcomic by Kim Eun-hee, in this continuation of the first season, Kingdom 2 will follow crown prince Yi-chang (Ju Ji-hoon) on his quest to uncover who spread the zombie outbreak throughout his land.
Comments: A saeguk meets The Walking Dead? This is probably one of the most original ideas out there right now. (V- with season two around the corner, this is definitely on my bing list)
2. PSYCHO BUT IT’S OKAY
Genre: Romance, Psychological
Starring: Kim Soo-hyun & Seo Ye-ji
Plot: A man working at a psyche ward (Kim Soo-hyun) falls in love with a children’s book author (Seo Ye-ji) who suffers from antisocial personality disorder.
Comments: This will be Kim Soo-hyun’s first drama since The Producers! It sounds interesting, but we’re wary. We barely survived Kill Me, Heal Me. (V- plus, this title is crazy)
1. THE KING: ETERNAL MONARCH
Genre: Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance
Starring: Lee Min-ho & Kim Go-eun
Plot: Emperor Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho) and a detective (Kim Go-eun) from parallel universes team up to stop evil supernatural forces, and close the door bridging their two worlds.
Comments: DUN DUN DUN! In the criminal justice system, Lee Min-ho based offenses are considered especially heinous. Ha ha, but seriously…we can’t wait to see him team up with Kim Go-eun. Could this possibly top Guardian?
There are so many good dramas coming out this year. In fact, quite a few of the ones on this list will be out some time in March, so be sure to look out for them!
Which one are you looking forward to seeing the most?
Can’t wait for The King! Guys, I think you listed Yook Sungjae as his character (#11) and Jo Insung won’t be in HERE but he used to be in talks for that one.
I am surprised that Park So Dam/Park Bo Gum drama is not on you list
Thanks for the catch, Itsokay! And yes, I cannot wait for The King as well. And what is this Park Bo Gum drama???? I have completely missed that one! Off to google it.
Author
Yeah, it’s a shame Jo Insung won’t be in Here. I’ve been dying to see him in a new drama. Lee Byung-hun’s pretty talented too though! That’s him in the picture 🙂
Thanks for catching that accidental name swap. XD
Just googled the Park Bo Gum drama, and there isn’t much news on it yet, but it definitely sounds interesting 😮
I got your back! I’ve done it plenty of times 🙂
nice
Author
🙂
Why is Park shin hye movie not here
Also waiting for “something about us” Webtoon series..
Anyone know where you can watch Rugal?
Author
I just found out it’s going to be on Netflix on March 17th! I’m so excited!
Fantastic! On the American Netflix or?
Author
American Netflix. It could be in other countries too, but the article I read was American.
I’m wondering if Rugal has come out yet? It was supposed to air March 17th, but I cannot find it anywhere on Netflix :0
Author
I don’t see it on Netflix either. I wonder if it’s release has been delayed due to the corona virus 🙁
Anyone watching Memorist or 365: Repeat the Year? Do you recommend or avoid? Now that Hyena is ending, I need a new drama to watch until some of the listed shows start. Recommendations welcome!
Btw I tried watching Rugal, the first 2 episodes, but was unable to get into it. Should I give it another try?
I’m watching Memorist and find it quite interesting so far. I’d say you quickly get the premise, so it won’t take long to know whether it’s a show for you or not 🙂
Rugal did take an episode or two for me to get into but I am wonderfully entertained by it now that I’m a couple more episodes in and actually find myself looking forward to the release of new episodes! I might go so far as to say that I find it suits my taste better than Memorist – though it does have some elements that seem a little weaker in production value, but that just nitpicking 😉
Author
I was so serious about Choi Jin-hyuk becoming the King of revenge dramas. Can’t wait to start Rugal after this crazy work week.
Thanks, Alex! I’ll give Rugal another try.
Author
I’m dreading the final two episodes of Hyena! >.< I’m gonna miss the characters so much. Especially Geum Ja. She has got to be one of the sharpest, funniest, most interesting female leads ever.
If you want another drama with a sharp female lead Search: WWW is good. It just aired last year, and the first episode even involves a court case. You can binge it on Viki.
I agree that WWW was pretty good and female-centric. Woman of Dignity, another with strong and interesting female leads. I find that both Kim Sun-A and Kim Hye-Soo tend to play strong characters as well as choose good dramas… so I’m inclined to watch anything they are in.
Author
Agreed. Their acting style is also very engaging, so they’re always fun to watch.
I’m hoping this upward trend of strong, eccentric female leads continues.
Thank you for the list of drama in 2020. I want to watching Welcome and A Piece of Your Mind. Because I love romance genre