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Best Dramas 2016

December 29, 2016

Every year is a good year for dramas, and that’s what makes it so hard to narrow it down to the best. Nonetheless, I’ll give you some of the hottest dramas of 2016 that, if you haven’t watched them, make sure you do.

Goblin: The Lonely and Great God

This is an end-of-year drama that is still airing and making many waves within the drama fandom. I was especially excited to see Kim Go Eun (Cheese in the Trap) in another drama. The relationships blossoming in the drama are comical and somewhat dramatic, but you root for them anyway. I’m a little concerned about that ending though!

Summary: A fabled “goblin” attempts to end his life by marrying a human priestess, but things get complicated when he starts to actually fall for her, and in turn, finds a new reason for wanting to stay alive.

Moonlight Drawn by the Clouds
This historical drama was such a hit with its gender-bending twist and cute romance between a woman dressing as a male eunuch and the crown prince. This was my first introduction to Park Bo Gum who has such a charming smile.

Summary: Can a disguise be an obstacle to true love? Hong Ra On (Kim Yoo Jung) is a young woman during the Joseon Dynasty who disguises herself as a man named Sam Nom to support herself by ghostwriting and giving relationship advice to lovelorn men. A love letter that Ra On writes for a client brings her in contact with Lee Yeong, who is the Crown Prince Hyo Myeong (Park Bo Gum), the first son of King Sunjo (Kim Seung Soo) and heir to the throne, as well as his trusted guard Kim Byung Yeon (Kwak Dong Yeon). Through a series of events, Ra On gets sold into the Royal Palace as a eunuch and is assigned to work for Royal Consort Soo Ki (Jun Mi Sun) and Princess Young Geun (Heo Jung Eun). Ra On becomes embroiled in a political power struggle with Queen Kim (Han Soo Yeon) and her father, Prime Minister Kim Hun (Chun Ho Jin), who somehow manage to keep King Sunjo in a perpetually weakened, hallucinogenic state. Prime Minister Kim is grooming his grandson, Kim Yoon Sung (Jinyoung), to take over the throne but that would put the young scholar in direct competition with his childhood friend, Lee Yeong, to become the next king. Jo Ha Yeon (Chae Soo Bin) is a minister’s daughter who has her eyes set on Lee Yeong, but how will he deal with his emerging feelings for Ra On, whom he believes is a male eunuch? With Ra On and Byung Yeon by his side, can Lee Yeong fight the power-hungry ministers to claim his rightful place in history?

Ice Fantasy
Chinese dramas often have beautiful sets and clothing. This one is no exception. Who can resist handsome white-haired men and gorgeous and fearsome women?

Summary: Feng Shao Feng (Prince of Lan Ling) and f(x) member Victoria Song star in an epic fantasy about love, war and deception. After a vicious battle between the Empire of Snow and the Fire Tribe leaves most of the royal family dead, Prince Ka Suo (Feng) reluctantly accepts the throne. This leads to turmoil with his half-brother, Yin Kong Shi (Mandopop singer Ma Tian Yu), who now decides to become the Fire Prince, leading the tribe that works against his brother. Meanwhile, Ka Suo also loses the woman he loves, Li Luo (Song), the fearless envoy for the guards he was not allowed to marry because she wasn’t of royal birth. Years ago, the battle destroyed Ka Suo’s family, love and empire; now, another war threatens to end the last relation he has left. Adding to the tension is the Fire Prince’s mother, Lian Ji (Faith lead lady Kim Hee Sun), an invincible supreme being who causes chaos for fun, and the Fire Tribe’s royal daughter Yan Da (critically-acclaimed actress Zhang Meng), a stubborn girl with a dangerous interest in Yin Kong Shi.

Uncontrollably Fond

Uncontrollably Fond (Lightly, Ardently)
Admittedly, I watched a couple of episode and then stopped. This isn’t because I disliked the show, but it’s ending will make you cry. I like happy, conclusive endings. Despite the potential for tragedy in this drama, people had positive words to say about it.

Summary: Kim Woo Bin (Heirs) and Suzy (Architecture 101, Gu Family Book) have sizzling chemistry in this romantic melodrama that has become one of the most eagerly anticipated K-dramas of 2016. Kim Woo Bin stars as the conceited Hallyu star Shin Joon Young. Suddenly separated at a young age from No Eul (Suzy), he’s grown into an arrogant superstar. No Eul in the meantime has grown up to become a scrappy television producer, jumping at any opportunity for money. The two are reunited as adults, and forced to work together in the hopes that No Eul can tame Joon Young’s flippant attitude and get enough money to support her younger brother in the process. However nothing is as it seems, with too many secrets to count surrounding the duo’s past and present, true love might just not be enough.

Descendants of the Sun
This was on my “supposed to watch list.” When it first came out on DramaFever, I was constantly bombarded with articles and comments about how great of a drama it was. Even to this day, you’ll find people who look back on it fondly.

Summary: It’s love at first sight for special forces Captain Yoo Shi Jin (Song Joong Ki) when he meets a beautiful doctor (Song Hye Kyo) who treats his wounds. Over before it can truly begin, the two separate due to their opposite values – one being a soldier who takes lives, and the other a doctor who fights to save them. Almost a year later, a fateful reunion takes place in Uruk, causing them to work together. Can Shi Jin and Mo Yeon overcome their biggest hurdle, or was it never meant to be?

Scarlet Heart: Ryeo
I’ve reviewed this drama already. I mentioned how this drama will rip your heart apart, but still make you want to watch. I keep it on this list because, despite the chaotic emotions it creates, it’s a wonderfully told story. Scarlet Heart: Ryeo actually struggled for ratings in South Korea, but appears to be a hit among fans who streamed the series.

Summary: Lee Joon Ki (Arang and the Magistrate) and Lee “IU” Ji Eun (Dream High) star in a dangerous romance across time in what sure to be one of the biggest historical epics of the year. Hae Soo (IU) is a 21st century woman who gets caught in a solar eclipse and is transported to the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th century for nearly 500 years. Suddenly, Hae Soo finds herself in the royal palace, where she comes across Fourth Prince Wang So (Lee Joon Ki). A man as feared as he is handsome, Wang So is based on the real-life fourth king of the Goryeo Dynasty and makes others tremble but wins over Hae Soo’s heart. However, he is not the only one in the palace with eyes on the throne, and a political battle of deception, secrecy and lies ensues between Wang So and all the other princes. Adding to the drama are Eighth Prince Wang Wook (Heirs star Kang Ha Neul), who is less than willing to wait in line behind seven other members of the royal family, and Third Prince Wang Yo (Beloved alum Hong Jong Hyun), whose right to the crown actually precedes Wang So’s.

W
W is a drama starring Lee Jong Suk (Pinocchio) and features some fantasy elements. This was another talked about drama, and it’s still planted firmly on my to watch list because the hype surrounding it and because of Lee Jong Suk.

Summary: Is it possible live in the same place at the same time but in a completely different dimension? Oh Yeon Joo (Han Hye Joo) is a second-year cardiothoracic resident doctor. Her father, a famous comic book creator, suddenly disappears one day and then Yeon Joo herself is kidnapped by a strange man covered in blood and taken to a different dimension. Kang Chul (Lee Jong Suk) is a former Olympic gold medalist in shooting and self-made millionaire. How will his world intertwine with Yeon Joo’s other-dimension universe? Is Kang Chul the only person who can help Yeon Joo escape from a parallel universe?

Why are there so many Korean dramas on this list? Those are the most popular and the ones that are most likely to be streamed. It’s unfortunate I know. I prefer to see more Chinese and Taiwanese dramas, and this being a Japanese-heavy site — who wouldn’t want to see their favorite manga in live action form? Maybe in 2017 we’ll see more dramas from other countries to give South Korea a run for their money!

Which dramas topped your list? What dramas do you think should be on this list?

1 Comment

I loved Age of Youth (or Hello, my Twenties as it’s called on Netflix). Great Korean drama with relatable characters and binge watch material for definite. There are a few plot holes which frustrated me at the end, but most of the main storylines are wrapped up nicely. All the girls staring in this are likeable and you find yourself rooting for them all. They all have secrets, it’s just a matter of how and when those will come to light.

Shojob1tch Dec 29, 2016