Korean Drama: Oldie but Goldie

When I was a little kid, I used to snuggle around my mum and sisters while they were watching television. Back at that time, when we still didn't have our own cellphones, we used to gather at the living room at specific air show time. One of our favorite programs is Korean drama. We would deeply immersed in the story although funny it is to recall the dubbing. 

Lately, Korean drama is massively welcomed by a lot of people in the different part of the world. I guests thanks to Netflix and many other sources that make everything accessible to watch it. In 2020 we have the hits Hi Bye Mama, Start-Up, Itaewon Class, Kingdom, Hospital Playlist, and many more. The concepts and plots are so varied now and undeniably amazing. 

But let me take you to early 20th century where the drama is just as stunning as now :

1. Jewel in the Palace (2003)

During the 54 episodes of historical drama about Seo Jang Geum's story, played by senior actor Lee Young Ae, you will be taken into diverse events inside the palace. This coming-of-age drama starts when Jang Geum, an orphan with concealed background, enters the palace as a young palace maid and apprentice cook in royal kitchen. Naturally talented, she is put in competitive circumstances with many pressures while adapting the new life. As she grows older, everything becomes more complicated. There are betrayal, murder, crime, scandal, dirty competition, underestimation and many more undesirable circumstances that Jang Geum has to deal with to stay in the palace. But there are also sparks of love between Jang Geum and Min Jung Ho (Ji Jin Hee) as well as keen interest of the King towards Jang Geum.

Why do you have to watch this movie? This based on true story drama has a very great plot and brings great tension and relief at the same time. The scandal and scheme that the protagonist has to face is very enticing and successfully drains your energy! However, to relief your stress after watching the conflicts, you will be served with a lot of appetizing traditional cooking scenes that shouldn't be missed. From the drama, you will learn about Korean culture and life in Joseon era, and certainly knowledge of Korean traditional food and herbs.

2. Stairway to Heaven (2003)

Do you want some melodramatic drama that will drain your tears? 

Stairway to Heaven was such a hit back then and would be a perfect choice for you. Han Jung Suh (Choi Ji Woo)'s life is changed after her mother passed away of eye cancer and her father remarries with another woman who brought along a daughter, Han Yoo Ri (Kim Tae Hee) and a son, Han Tae Hwa (Lee Wan). Her step sister is very jealous with Jung Suh especially the fact that Jung Suh has special bound with Cha Song Joo (Kwon Sang Woo), her childhood friend. Yoo Ri tries to stop Jung Suh meeting Song Joo who just comes back from America after 3 years by initially hits Jung Suh by car on her way to the airport. Meanwhile Tae Hwa, her step brother who helps her to survive, mistaken everything as something beyond sibling's affection. Everything gets more emotional with the vicious Yoo Ri who snatches away Song Joo and tries every ways to get rid of Jung Suh.

To be honest guys, even as a kid, I was dragged by hate every time I saw Kim Tae Hee appeared on the scene. She successfully plays her cunning role. The story becomes more interesting because of her acting in that respect. Meanwhile the obstacles for Jung Suh and Song Joo's love were really bring me into tears. Sometimes I thought, why is it so hard for them to be together? You should definitely watch the drama until the end of the episode because.. it's hard to explain but just prepare some tissues.

3. Full House (2004)

Funny, playful, silly, romantic, touching and simple. Full House was an exciting drama to watch for you who want to have a good laugh and be smitten. First encounter Han Ji Eun (Song Hye Kyo) and Lee Young Jae in a plane leads them into a very unpredictable commitment. They hate each other since the very second they have met. But destiny takes the actor, Young Jae, randomly chooses to have a contract marriage with Ji Eun who is apparently in debts and has no way to reject the offer. To make everything looks real from the perspective of media which never stops haunting Young Jae's life, both of them decided to live in inherited house of Ji Eun that has been bought by Young Jae.

It is indeed a perfect choice for you to have a good time in a playful romance story. The memorable soundtracks, the beautiful house, Tom and Jerry moments between the characters, the unexpected jealousy, the warmth and joy are a complete package presented in this drama.

4. Princess Hours (2006)

Who would have thought one day you are chosen as a princess? Not me, neither Shin Chae Gyong (Yoon Eun Hye). Living in a family who struggles financially, the carefree and peculiar high school student Shin Chae Gyong has a grandfather who unexpectedly made a pact long time ago with the past King of Korea. As the King was in debt of Chae Gyeong's grandfather, they both promised to marry their grandchildren to redeem it. Prince Lee Shin (Joo Ji Hoon) doesn't see it coming and instead he proposes his long time crush and best friend Min Hyo Rin (Song Ji Hyo). Reality bites, Lee Shin is forced to marry Chae Gyeong in sudden as the current king is in not good state. Barely know each other, they both awkwardly become husband and wife in status but live in different rooms. Everything becomes more tensed when one day, Lee Shin's cousin, Prince Yul (Kim Jeong Hoon) comes back after a period of exile in America.

Although the drama took a present time setting but it is very interesting as they combine it with the palace life. The love-hate story between Chae Gyeong and Lee Shin is maturely developed interestingly in each episode. You must definitely their chemistry. As a romance drama, this is the very first romance Korean drama that snatches my heart away. I laugh, I smile, I cry, I got mad, I feel hopeless as the story goes by. Remembering it was released in 2006, no matter how many times I watched the drama again, they are really in a very great and high-quality shot for me. This drama is never ever outdated. And is always perfect for me.