Do you like rom-coms that tug at your heartstrings and leave you laughing and crying at every twist and turn? Then do I have a list of shows for you!

I’ve never had a problem watching movies and shows that required that I read subtitles. I know that it’s a huge issue for some people, but since I read very quickly and have a huge interest in foreign media, specifically anime and K-Dramas, I really don’t mind it at all. I started watching K-Dramas (or Korean Dramas) when I got into college, but I’d been watching anime easily since middle school so I was no stranger to the world of East Asian television shows.

When you first start watching shows or movies from another country, you are bound to experience some level of culture shock. There are certain things that translate strangely into English if you don’t know the intention behind the phrase, there are certain things that are implied due to cultural norms, and things like that that you need to get used to when first watching K-Dramas. But once you get into it, these dramas are some of the most fantastic pieces of cinema that I’ve ever experienced and I highly suggest you give them a chance.

Goblin

Goblin is a fantastic K-Drama to watch if you’re looking for something that will make you laugh, cry, and binge watch the entire show in one sitting. It follows Kim Shin, a man who was made immortal against his will hundreds of years ago. The only way that he can finally die is to find his bride, the one person who can finally release him from the prison he’s been put in.

Simultaneously we follow a Grim Reaper, who’s job is to help the dead and dying transition over to the other side who ends up living with Kim Shin in his home and the antics that the two immortals get up to together while interacting with the human world.

10/10 would recommend.

Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Scarlet Heart Ryeo is a historical drama that will make you cry huge, disgusting tears. It follows Go Ha-Jin who in a strange series of events finds herself in the body of Hae Soo a girl who lives in medieval Korea among the 10 princes all vying for the throne.

10/10 would recommend but prepare yourself to ugly cry.

Strong Girl Do Bong Soon

Strong Girl follows a young adult, Do Bong Soon who was born with superhuman strength and the CEO who hires her as a bodyguard. This drama is primarily a comedy and suspending some disbelief is important when watching. But it is absolutely one of my favorites and far too adorable to pass up!

I am Not a Robot

I Am Not a Robot is a drama about Kim Mingyu, a young, reclusive CEO who has a debilitating allergy to humans and the research team trying to sell their lifelike robot they’ve created. However, just as they are about to unveil the robot to Mingyu, she breaks and the team is forced to ask the face model for the robot to step in, hilarity ensues.

Coffee Prince

Coffee Prince is an oldie but a goodie, featuring Gong Yoo, the same actor who plays Kim Shin in Goblin. This drama was a breakthrough in Korea for LGBTQ representation on television and set a precedent for future shows. It follows the journey of Go Eun-Chan, a tomboyish woman who needs a job and poses as a man to work at the coffee shop Gong Yoo’s character owns. Not only is this story about coming of age and figuring out yourself as a person, it also explores queer relationships and what that means for the status quo in Korea.

Master’s Sun

Out of all the dramas I’ve suggested so far, Master’s Sun is one of the more heart wrenching and spooky. Tae Gong-shil has a horrible life, she can see ghosts and due to this, they all seek her out to help deal with their unfinished business. This would all be fine and good except for the fact that she is terrified of them and it’s preventing her from functioning as a normal person. This goes on until she accidentally runs into Joo Jong-won, the CEO of a major mall in Korea, and touching him makes the ghosts disappear. I’m sure you can infer what happens next.

For any other K-Drama watchers, have I forgotten any of your favorites? If so what are they?