While searching through Netflix I spotted 4 dramas that are worth checking out if you have some time this holiday! And who are we kidding, we all have a little bit of time right?
In this list we have a romantic comedy (Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung), the beginnings of a country (Arthdal Chronicles), a blood splattered beginning of a nation (My Country), and the bitter ending of one (Mister Sunshine) on the list! Something for everyone to check out.
All of these shows are currently available on Netflix. We recapped a few of them and put a link to each recap under the description!
1. Mr. Sunshine (Historical-Romance)
Mr. Sunshine was billed as a romance, but honestly, don’t watch for the romance part. You will be upset. Watch for a dramatized historical take on an important part in Korean history where the last Kingdom fell and Japan took over Korea.
This historical Korean drama is set in the early 1900’s and follows a noble woman and a slave turned American officer. The officer returns to Korea and helps the freedom fighters try and hold off the impending Japanese occupation of Korea.
From history, we know that they lost. So this is not a happy ending watch. It is a romantic one, though it is a tragic one as well. Worth watching if you are curious about history and especially that part of Korean history.
It is also an amazingly well made drama visually and has a cast of characters to either root for or loathe.
Watch on: Netflix
2. My Country (Epic-Romance)
This drama is another historical dramatization of a period in Korea. Though this is a take on the formation of the Joseon dynasty from the Goryeo Dynasty.
My Country is a flashy and very dramatic (too dramatic?) show that follows two best friends and the woman that they both love as they choose a side in this new Joseon Dynasty. One friend is on the warrior princes side, the other is on his families side who backs the current King.
I only watched the first 10 episodes of this show with mixed reviews. I think it really depends on your own personality and if you will let some of the jumps in logic that this show makes roll off or if they with bother you later.
Watch on: Netflix
Read our Recaps here!
3. Arthdal Chronicles (Fantasy-Romance)
One of my favorite crazy high fantasy shows of 2019. This show is a retelling of the beginning of Korea through a complex mix of characters and storyline which left so many people so utterly confused that they dropped it after the few few episodes. But the ones that stuck with it all fell even deeper and deeper under its spell. If only it wasn’t for that cliff hanger ending that sent millions to the internet to figure out what happens next!
There was supposed to be a second season, but the ratings where lackluster in Korea so that might never happen, such a pity. If you watch, then be sure to watch the video of the ending that the show had planned but has not had a chance to make.
Watch on: Netflix
Read our recaps here!
4. Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung (Historical-Romance)
The only straight romantic drama here and he only show on this list that we did not watch; though The Kthree raves about it so it should be good! Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung is about a woman who does not accept where her gender places her in society and strives to make a mark for herself as a historian.
She meets the sheltered prince, Prince Lee Rim, and the adorable romance begins. In this drama the male is the one who does not know anything, so it is a bit of a reversal on the typic tropes. Watch for the love story and a group of women taking their life into their own hands
Watch on: Netflix
If you like high fantasy, then check out Arthdal Chronicles, you might love it! Though if you are confused after the opening two episodes, that is normal. Everyone was. Keep watching and things will slowly start to make sense.
Let us know if you watched any of these and whether you liked them or not!
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Rookie Historian was sooooo goood!! Loved it!! Loved the characters esp the Prince (cutie)…Girl power (as much allowed). Even the stereotypical “mean girl” wasn’t a 100% b*tch. Comedy, yes…especially the Historians. Romance…yes..
Author
Oh, Yay! I need to binge this one!
Good for me since I have watched 2 out of the 4. 😊 The question is, should I watch Sunshine first or Rookie first.
V, you should finish “My Country”. At the end of the series, when the fate of the main characters is known, it reminds me of the characters in the movie “Hero”. I would love a happy ending but what they had was a more grounded one.
Author
Oh, I need to catch up on My Country! I have the last episodes to watch.
If you want a tragic watch then you can watch Mr. Sunshine first. Otherwise try Rookie first. 😉