There is more to Korean television shows, or K-dramas, than romance.
Unlike our local channels full of mostly romantic teleserye, K-dramas have ventured into different genres\u2014from action thrillers to police procedurals to medical dramas.
Yes, Korean TV networks and audience love their love stories. Practically every scripted series in recent memory has some romantic element in it. This kind of escapism, after all, is not limited to us. (We Filipinos sure do love our love teams: #JaDineForLife)
Love stories abound in K-dramas, but TV networks are now more experimental in the stories they tell on the small screen. They\u2019re not afraid to take risks, having even taken their cues from American entertainment. (Korean version of \u201cThe Good Wife,\u201d anyone?)
It\u2019s not a total leap to say that K-dramas can rival its Western counterparts. In fact, I\u2019m pretty sure that not a few can and do surpass some US series by miles. And because most K-dramas are 16 to 24 episodes, binge-watching is no great trial to anyone wanting to journey into the center of the Hallyu universe.
Here are Super\u2019s must-see K-dramas that go beyond the romance genre.
Medical drama: \u201cDr. Romantic\u201d
Think: Love child of \u201cHouse, M. D.\u201d and \u201cGrey\u2019s Anatomy\u201d
\u201cDr. Romantic\u201d \u2014SBS. CO. KR
\u201cDr. Romantic,\u201d which ended just this month, tells the story of a cantankerous genius chief of surgery and his motley crew of nurses and doctors who are trying to save lives despite the challenges they encounter in their underequipped provincial hospital. The show tackles a whole gamut of patient cases as well as different issues in the medical field\u2014from corruption in the hospital administration to ethics.
This show is full of complex characters and has a thrilling \u201ccase of the episode\u201d setup. Prepare yourself for complex personal story lines, gallons of blood and tons of medical jargon. Don\u2019t worry, though, like most K-dramas, there\u2019s still a touch of romance\u2014if the first episode is any indication.
Political thriller: \u201cThe K2\u201d
Think: \u201c24\u201d or \u201cPerson of Interest\u201d
\u201cThe K2\u201d \u2014\u201cTHE K2\u201d FACEBOOK PAGE
If adrenaline-pumping suspense is more to your taste, check out \u201cThe K2,\u201d about a disgraced soldier for hire who finds himself in the middle of a political war between an ambitious and power-hungry woman and her husband\u2019s political rival, the head of the government\u2019s ruling party.
Full of conspiracies, subterfuge and underhanded maneuverings, this series is fast-paced and action-packed. It has one of the most compelling antagonists in K-drama history, played to perfection by 43-year-old actress Song Yoon-ah. I\u2019m reluctant to call her a villain since the character\u2014a mix of vicious yet vulnerable and magnetic yet positively hateful\u2014was the true star of the show.
Magical realism: \u201cW\u201d
Think: \u201cFrankenstein\u201d meets \u201cRuby Sparks\u201d
\u201cW\u201d \u2014\u201cW\u201d FACEBOOK PAGE
\u201c\u2018Frankenstein\u2019 meets \u2018Ruby Sparks\u2019\u201d doesn\u2019t really do justice in describing \u201cW.\u201d Out of all the series I mentioned, this might be the most difficult to compare to a US show or film. It\u2019s also the most romance-driven of the three, but that doesn\u2019t make it any less brilliant, innovative and original.
\u201cW\u201d explores the possibility of a creation rebelling against its creator\u2014kind of biblical, now that I think about it. It tells the story of a fictional character in a \u201cwebtoon\u201d (online comics) who has become sentient\u2014able to think, act and feel\u2014and defies the intended story written by the artist-writer who made him. This genre-defying series is a thrilling ride with twists and turns, cliffhangers, sweet moments and a laugh or two.
These are but a taste of what Hallyu entertainment can offer, and K-dramas can be very addictive. You won\u2019t be able to stop watching\u2014not with one episode and certainly not with just one series.
Remember: Clear screens, full batteries, can\u2019t stop. Don\u2019t say I didn\u2019t warn you
All K-dramas mentioned are available for free streaming on the Viu app and website www.viu.com.<\/p>\n