A K-Drama Starter Pack for the Non-Romantic

Featuring a mysterious walkie-talkie that links the past to the present, "Signal" is one of the most beloved police dramas of the last decade because of its refreshing take on the genre and the top-notch performances of its three leads: Kim Hye Soo, Lee Je Hoon, and Jo Jin Woong. 

A political crime thriller full of red herrings, "Stranger" (Season 1) follows an investigation into the murder of a man who has bribed countless officials from multiple levels and branches of government. Led by stoic prosecutor Hwang Shi Mok (Cho Seung Woo) and feisty detective Han Yeo Jin (Bae Doona), this well-paced drama is full of twists and turns that will make you suspect everyone at some point.  

Historical political drama meets zombie thriller in the 2019 hit "Kingdom" (Season 1). The story follows Crown Prince Yi Chang (Ju Ji Hoon) as he investigates an outbreak of a mysterious plague that turns average citizens into rabid monsters while fighting to keep  his rightful place as heir to the throne. The hit series has led to a second season and a prequel TV movie "Ashin of the North" (2021).

International smash hit "Squid Game" is about a mysterious organization that selects individuals with impossible debt to participate in a series of children's games to have a shot at winning 45.6 billion won. The catch: only the winner gets to live. Features an amazing ensemble cast led by Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, and impressive newcomer Jung Ho Yeon.

A slice-of-life comedy drama featuring an ensemble cast of the most accomplished Korean actors and actresses over 60, "Dear My Friends" follows 40-year-old writer Park Wan (Go Hyun Jung) as she chronicles the stories of her mother, her aunts, and their families. There are  2 romantic side stories here but the overall plot is more invested in how your friends can become your family especially after you reach a certain age. Think "Golden Girls" but in Korea. Praise-worthy acting from everyone involved, especially the main quintet: Na Moon Hee, Kim Hye Ja, Go Doo Shim, Park Won Sook, and Oscar winner Youn Yuh Jung.

"The Uncanny Counter" is a comedy-drama about four "counters", or grim reapers who have been lent superhuman abilities by a group of spirits in order. Their main job is to stop demons who possess violent criminals that become more powerful by consuming the souls of their victims. Funny, colorful, and action-packed, the show features wonderful performances from the main actors: Jo Byeong Gyu, Yoon Joon Sang, Kim Se Jeong, and (my personal favorite) Yeom Hye Ran. The hit series has been granted a second season.

Born in South Korea, adopted into an Italian family, mafia lawyer Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong Ki) flies back to Seoul after falling out with his adopted brother following the death of his boss/father-figure. His mission is to retrieve gold hidden beneath the dilapidated Geumga Plaza before it is ultimately demolished by the evil Babel Group that constantly harrasses its tennants to move out. Teaming up with the feisty lawyer Hong Cha Young (Jeon Yeo Been), Vincenzo uses mafia tactics in his war against the conglomerate that thinks itself above the law. What sounds like a heavy premise is offset by the physical and witty comedy provided by the charismatic leads and supporting cast. There is romance between the leads (who share great chemistry nonetheless) but it is by no means the driving force of this story. They could have recasted this with two male leads as more of a bromance story and the outcome would be quite similar, but Jeon Yeo Been gives a unique, quirky flair to her character that makes her difficult to replace.

I know I said this wasn't a list for romantic K-Dramas but hear me out. There's romance but it's not what you think (the leads kiss a grand total of 3 times, twice in the first ep then once a little later). "Hyena" explores the world of corporate lawyers who serve the South Korean 1%. It's a dog-eat-dog world where the most conniving and least picky hyena reigns supreme. The hyena in question would be the brilliant renegade lawyer Jang Geum Ja (Kim Hye Soo). Sparks fly as she goes head to head with the by-the-book, elite lawyer Yoon Hee Jae (Ju Ji Hoon), whose ideals are constantly challenged as his world unravels around him.  The cases are challenging and the solutions that the leads come up with are intriguing. Romance doesn't drive this drama, but the chemistry between the leads is undeniable. 

"Live" is a slice-of-life, police procedural drama that tells the story of rookies and veterans at Hongil Station in Seoul, where there is no shortage of petty and violent crimes. The crimes featured examine the decisions that South Korean cops have to make especially in dangerous situations wherein the gray areas become even grayer. There are romantic storylines between the four leads but they never overshadow the cases. Wonderful acting, especially from Bae Sung Woo and Bae Jeong Ok who play the veterans Oh Yang Chon and Ahn Jang Mi, respectively. Also stars funny man Lee Kwang Soo and the angelic Jung Yu Mi (Train to Busan).

It's not everyday we see a drama that talks about underaged offenders and the judges who have to deal with their cases. "Juvenile Justice" stars Kim Hye Soo, who plays Judge Shim Eun Seok of a juvenile court in Seoul. Unlike her warm colleague and unofficial partner Cha Tae Joo (Kim Mu Yeol), Judge Shim is cold, mysterious, and most notably, she hates juvenile offenders with an unyielding passion. The drama progresses and explains her reasons little by little, through the cases that pass through her court. Amazing performances from the leads as well as Lee Sung Min and Lee Jung Eun (Parasite) who play the supervising judges.

If you need a feel-good drama that's not too heavy on the tears, crime, and lovey-dovey tropes, then this may be for you. "Racket Boys" is about an underdog middle school badminton team that dreams to make a mark on the national level and beyond. The rural setting and endearing ensemble cast, led by the talented Tang Jun Sang, allow for lighthearted moments but are never too cartoonish. A puppy love storyline exists between the leads, but it's very wholesome and innocent, and given far less importance than the struggle surrounding the national tournament.

Led by the charismatic actors Lee Jung Jae (Squid Game) and Shin Min Ah (My Girlfriend is a Gumiho), "Chief of Staff" is a political drama that follows the story of Jang Tae Joon, a chief aide to an assemblyman, as he uses political will and cunning to navigate the scandals that plague the National Assembly and the gray morality that he constantly has to tread. 

A supernatural family comedy-drama, "Hi Bye, Mama!" is the story of a ghost named Cha Yu Ri (Kim Tae Hee), who is miraculously given 49 days to live as herself again and connect with her loved ones, including her young daughter, who has never met her. Heartwarming, wholesome, tear-jerking, and full of colorful characters played by an amazing cast, I found this drama quite refreshing in that it gave a more nuanced depiction of grief and how families make different choices on how to pick up the pieces. 

Inspired by "Killing Eve" minus the Eve-Villanelle ship, "Inspector Koo"  depicts a cat-and-mouse game between the eccentric former detective Koo Kyung Yi and whimsical serial killer / vigilante known as K. Only 12 episodes long, this drama is fast-paced with many twists and turns, driven by a typecast-subverting performance from Lee Young Ae and the brilliant, scene-stealing charisma from Kim Hye Joon.

"Flower of Evil" starts off with a kissing scene, but it tells the story of a detective whose growing suspicion of her husband's involvement in a murder case throws their family life into a tailspin. Each revelation regarding her husband's dark past requires a re-evaluation of principles, but every piece added to the puzzle is more difficult to forgive than the last. Moon Chae Won gives a solid performance as Detective Cha Ji Won, but I think many would agree that all eyes are on Lee Joon Gi, who expertly plays the husband in question.