A new wave of dramas is hitting our screens this week! With six new shows from practically every genre, we’re spoiled for choice now that the Chuseok holiday is over.
Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency
Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: JTBC
Genre: Fusion sageuk
Episode count: 16 episodes
Reasons to watch: Seo Ji-hoon and Gong Seung-yeon lead humble lives and are betrothed, but on their wedding day, Seo Ji-hoon suddenly disappears. It’s not a case of cold feet though, he was kidnapped and installed on the throne to be a puppet king. Though Seo’s become king, he can’t forget his first love. But marriage seems impossible as Gong is the exact opposite of what a queen is expected to be: a course, tough fighter. The solution: enlist Joseon’s best matchmaker, Kim Min-jae, to give Gong a royal makeover. Kim and his crew are facing a huge task, but the biggest complication may be the fact that Kim Min-jae also has feelings for Gong Seung-yeon. Will she choose the matchmaker or the king? I’m looking forward to seeing her decision and to seeing a Joseon twist on the classic makeover storyline.
When the Camellia Blooms
Time slot: Wednesday & Thursday
Broadcaster: KBS
Genre: Romance
Episode count: 32 episodes (35 minute episodes)
Reasons to watch: Gong Hyo-jin and Kang Haneul make their drama comebacks in When the Camellia Blooms as a fierce single mom and a bubbly police officer respectively. Gong Hyo-jin’s faced prejudice from the people around her her whole life, first for being an orphan and then for being a single mom. As a result she’s ever the pragmatist. When the sweet optimist that is Kang Haneul comes into her life, his warmth and belief that love is all you need start to soften her pragmatism. But not many people are rooting for them, and in addition to societal barriers (the noona romance aspect, Gong’s single motherhood status) Gong’s ex-boyfriend Kim Ji-suk may prove to be a big stumbling block. Despite being married and a father himself, he’s still nursing some unresolved feelings for his old flame. Let’s see if the drama proves Kang Haneul (and the Beatles) right. Maybe all you need is love after all.
Secret Boutique
Time slot: Wednesday & Thursday
Broadcaster: SBS
Genre: Political thriller
Episode count: 16 episodes
Reasons to watch: Kim Sun-ah stars as a woman determined to shake off her humble background in order to rise to the top strata of society. Starting as a bath house attendant, Kim gained the trust of a chaebol matriarch, Jang Mi-hee. Kim parlayed that trust into a position as a maid in Jang’s home. Using her wits and beauty, Kim Sun-ah managed to establish herself as the president of a boutique law firm. But she has yet to achieve her ultimate goal: to topple Jang Mi-hee from her place at the top of the pecking order. Kim Sun-ah’s mission masks some deep-seated scars and an all-encompassing need for revenge–even if revenge may mean her own downfall. If you like dramas that examine questions about human nature and explore whether there’s an end to people’s greed for money and power, this might be the show for you.
Running Investigators
Time slot: Wednesday & Thursday
Broadcaster: OCN
Genre: Human, social critique
Episode count: 16 episodes
Reasons to watch: Taking a step away from their usual primetime fare of thrillers and horror, our latest OCN offering focuses its spotlight on a type of protagonist not often in the dramaland spotlight: human rights investigators. Lee Yo-won and Choi Gwi-ha headline as investigative partners for the Human Rights Commission. Lee likes to follow the rules and maintain strict boundaries. This creates some misunderstandings as people mistake her manner for a lack of empathy. Choi Gwi-ha plays against type as a big softie who has always empathized and sided with the powerless. While the partners aren’t adversaries, they certainly don’t get along, but despite their differences, Lee and Choi are united in their desire to uncover human rights violations and to battle abusers.
Vagabond
Time slot: Friday & Saturday
Broadcaster: SBS
Genre: Action, melo, thriller
Episode count: 16 episodes
Reasons to watch: Lee Seung-gi and Suzy reunite in this blockbuster drama about a dangerous hunt for truth and justice. One day passenger flight crashes, killing the passengers on board–including Lee Seung-gi’s beloved nephew. When Lee Seung-gi uncovers evidence that the crash was not what the government is making it out to be, he channels his grief and rage into uncovering what the government would rather hide away. Suzy first meets Lee directly after the plane crash. As a black ops agent, Suzy ends up grappling between following her conscience versus dealing with the reality in front of her. Shin Sung-rok rounds out the trio as a team leader within the National Intelligence Service. When he meets Lee Seung-gi, they get off on the wrong foot but the two eventually form a strange alliance with each other. After all, when you’re surrounded by lies and conspiracies, today’s enemy is tomorrow’s ally.
Pegasus Market
Time slot: Friday
Broadcaster: tvN
Genre: Comedy
Episode count: 12 episodes
Reasons to watch: Kim Byung-chul devoted his life to his career and company. He gave his youth and passion, but in return, instead of a promotion, he’s sent to oversee a failing supermarket. His demotion sets Kim off and he puts into motion a very petty serious revenge scheme to sabotage the business. Much to the befuddlement of his new right-hand man, Lee Dong-hwi, he hires a thoroughly motley crew and makes some strange business decisions. Much to Kim Byung-chul’s befuddlement and frustration, every effort he makes to sabotage the supermarket just brings more success. Who knew it could be so hard to fail? With a cast chock-full of scene stealers and strong character actors, I’m hoping this will be both funny and a touching watch.