Past the ever-dramatic narratives, Ok-dramas have change into an avenue for cultural alternate, introducing international audiences to the richness of Korean customs, traditions, and societal values.
Whether or not it’s the style developments, mouth-watering delicacies, or social dynamics, Ok-dramas supply a window into Korean tradition, fostering a way of appreciation and curiosity amongst viewers worldwide.
Lots of matters are nonetheless a little bit of a sensitive topic in Korean tradition, equivalent to conversations across the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.
Nonetheless, because the reveals on this checklist of the most effective girl-love Ok-dramas, progress is coming to push these to the mainstream.
This text delves into the irresistible enchantment of Korean lady love TV reveals, exploring their charming narratives and empowering feminine leads.
Schoolgirl Detectives, jTBC (2014 – 2015)
The primary sequence on the checklist, Schoolgirl Detectives, relies on the novel of the identical identify by Park Haik and is notable for being the primary South Korean sequence to air a kiss between two ladies!
The present follows the thrilling adventures of 5 highschool college students who type their very own detective membership: Chaeyool, Sungyoon, Hajae, Yehee, and their chief Mido.
Collectively, they resolve mysteries of their faculty involving many delicate matters like bullying and even abortion.
Balancing their research and detective work, the ladies be taught useful classes about friendship, perseverance, and the facility of teamwork.
Collectively, they try to deliver justice to their faculty and make it a safer place for all.
Lily Fever (2015)
Subsequent up is a drama miniseries entitled Lily Fever, which has simply 9 episodes and might be accessed on YouTube with English subtitles.
The present explores the budding relationship between Jang Serang and Kim Kyungju, who meet by likelihood by means of a standard pal.
When Kyungju goes to this pal’s home searching for a misplaced merchandise, she’s made conscious of their houseguest, Serang.
From there, their relationship takes a shocking flip, blurring the strains between friendship and one thing extra.
Lily Fever explores the complexities of affection and self-discovery, difficult societal norms and reminding viewers that surprising connections can result in lovely transformations.
Boss in Love, Strongberry (2018)
If you happen to’re concerned with watching a brief, slice-of-life sort of story, then Boss in Love can be proper up your alley.
It’s actually extra a brief movie than a TV sequence because it’s solely about 16 minutes lengthy, nevertheless it positively nonetheless deserves its spot on this checklist if just for how cute it’s.
The story revolves round Seyoung, a hardworking lady who typically stays alone within the workplace and makes a behavior of working extra time.
Nonetheless, sooner or later her accomplice Hyemi pays her a go to and so they go on a date on the firm. That is disrupted when the brand new worker, Jooah returns.
Am I The Solely One With Butterflies?, Neez (2018)
We’ve received one other miniseries on the checklist with Am I The Solely One With Butterflies, a brief and candy net sequence that’s free to observe on Neez’ channel on YouTube.
It presently has simply two seasons and a complete of seven episodes which can be all underneath 10 minutes lengthy, so it’s positively a straightforward binge!
Like Boss in Love, Am I The Solely One With Butterflies is an workplace drama however this time, the worker harbors emotions for her supervisor.
The synopsis is advised from the angle of the worker, who talks about assembly her on the primary day of labor and wonders to herself if this may simply be a case of unrequited love.
Romantic Witch’s Starlight Sonata (2019)
The net miniseries format appears to be fairly fashionable with this style, because the 2019 present Romantic Witch’s Starlight Sonata follows this format as properly, with simply two episodes totaling simply roughly 10 minutes!
The sequence tells the story of Jeongyoon and Yejin — considered one of whom is a shy and timid witch who finds herself pining over her coworker who has fairly the other persona.
With a mixture of that “love spell” plotline, everyone knows and love, Romantic Witch’s Starlight Sonata tells a brief and candy story that can certainly go away viewers wanting for a full sequence!
Whats up Dracula, JTBC (2020)
Whereas Whats up Dracula can also be a miniseries in its personal proper, it’s actually two episodes which were mixed right into a single program of about 70 minutes lengthy — so one thing simple to observe in only one sitting!
It was a part of JTBC’s Drama Festa and aired in 2020.
All through the only installment, viewers meet 3 ladies and witness their private tales unfold.
Considered one of these ladies is An-na, an elementary faculty trainer nursing a damaged coronary heart after separating from her girlfriend of 8 years.
She suffers from despair however has been hiding her feelings from her mom after popping out to her as a lesbian.
My Expensive Buddy (2019)
Unrequited love is at all times painful to expertise and troublesome to recover from, and much more so when it’s between mates.
My Expensive Buddy is one other net miniseries that explores such a narrative all through its 4 episodes, whereas additionally diving into themes like consent, the boundaries in friendship, and dependence.
Yoohyun and Heeju are finest mates, however the strains are blurred when considered one of them begins to fall in love and Heeju confesses her emotions.
After initially rejecting her, Yoohyun ultimately begins a romantic relationship along with her regardless of her uncertainty, which solely finally ends up hurting them ultimately. Is there a contented ending for them?
Household Plan (2016)
Household Plan might be higher categorized as a brief movie or miniseries, seeing because it’s only one installment of underneath half-hour (obtainable to observe on YouTube)!
Ite follows the story of Jungmin and Yoonsung, two highschool mates because it unfolds throughout two timelines.
The primary is the previous, the place they fell in love as younger excessive schoolers and got here up with the whimsical concept to have a baby collectively that resembles them each.
The second timeline is the current, the place considered one of them is about to get married and is extra decided than ever to hold out the “household plan” from their youth.
Out of Breath (2019)
The net miniseries Out of Breath, which premiered in 2019, is a kind of well-told tales that basically solely wants a couple of episodes to really deliver a story to life – and on this case, it solely wanted 3.
The lead character Haeun is nursing a damaged coronary heart after her girlfriend leaves her for being too afraid to disclose that she’s homosexual.
After encouragement from her finest pal prompts her to attempt on-line courting, she meets Minseo, a proud lesbian who has simply returned from Australia.
Minseo slowly attracts Haeun out of her timid shell and helps her discover ways to love herself and be pleased with who she is.
Afraid Of (2019)
Afraid Of continues in the identical theme as Out of Breath, as (because the title might trace at) the central theme is accepting one’s true self and each going through and overcoming the concern that comes with accepting your individual sexuality.
Viewers will first meet Hyunah, a college scholar who has but to come back out as lesbian – each to these round her and even to herself.
In the future, a cute lady from her class that Hyunah has been harboring a crush on offers her her cellphone quantity.
This occasion units off Hyunah’s journey of self-discovery into her emotions and sexuality.
Blissful Ending (2016)
The subsequent sequence on the checklist takes a little bit of a distinct flip than a lot of the others!
Blissful Ending follows an anthology format all through its three episodes; whereas the tales should not linked to one another, they’re linked in theme: the pleased ending promised within the sequence title is obvious within the characters’ eager for it.
It’s within the second episode of Blissful Ending the place viewers meet Heehyun and Eunjin, a pair of finest mates the place the latter struggles to come back to phrases along with her emotions for the previous.
≥75℃ (2019)
≥75℃ (learn as Extra Than or Equal to 75 Celsius) is 5 episodes (totaling round simply half an hour) of pure fluff in a extremely chill, ambient setting and tempo.
Though it does generally learn as a queer story wrapped in a sensible commercial for a tea firm, it’s nonetheless a cute and considerably non-traditional tackle the “enemies to lovers” trope.
Set within the Winter Course Competitors of the Altdif firm, famend Tea Grasp Hong has taken dwelling the grand prize.
Nonetheless, her accolade is questioned by Songjoo, the pinnacle of promoting.
Watch ≥75℃ to witness how a small disagreement results in informal flirting over the right tea.
Actually Lily? (2019)
To shut off the checklist of finest Korean lady love dramas, Actually Lily? is solely a six-minute installment of fluff and over-the-top ridiculousness, nevertheless it’s additionally a witty and clever response to the conservative tradition and stigma round sexuality in Korea.
The brief clip options two ladies in a easy restaurant, simply having fun with their meal and one another’s firm.
Their peace is disrupted by two males who make impolite feedback about their relationship – however quickly come to remorse it as the ladies combat again in essentially the most hilarious means!
