Sum up the year with the Best of 2022 Korean dramas. I believe there are many hit dramas that pops up when you chance upon the title or you associate with various actors and actresses that gain massive popularity for their roles this year.

Breaking it down to top 3 genres; thriller, life and romance.

Thriller & Action

Big Mouth

This chemistry on screen is perfect between Lee Jong Suk and Im Yoona, even though the romance component is minimal yet strong. First drama by Lee Jong Suk after he was discharged from the military. SPOILER: If you are avoiding this due to the sad ending, you are making a big mistake because the story is amazing with a little regret.

Synopsis:
The drama started when Park Chang Ho, a lawyer known as “Big Mouth” in school being framed to be the “Big Mouth”, the mysterious swindler. He was sent to the prison without warning. His wife Go Mi Ho is a strong and independent individual, also a nurse. She vow to help to prove her husband’s innocents.

No. of episodes: 16
Genre: Mystery, Legal, Investigation, Thriller, Romance
Native title: 빅마우스
Original network: MBC, Disney+

Premiere: 29 Jul 2022

All of Us Are Dead

Even though this Netflix Original drama was aired way back in January, this drama is definitely the talk of the town during the Winter of 2022. The win from this will be the popularity gain by all the main characters starring in this horror drama that helped them securing multiple projects after this. The most awarding and guaranteed message for this is, they are coming with a sequel!

Synopsis:
Adapted from the webtoon by Joo Dong Geun.
Zombie virus spread like wildfire in the high school, students that survived are trapped in it with no way to exit. This virus soon extended to the entire city of Hyosan. Will the students survive it?

No. of episodes: 12
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Splatter film, Action, School
Native title: 지금 우리 학교는
Original network: Netflix

Premiere: 28 Jan 2022

Bulgasal: Immortal Souls

There’s something strange and creepy yet alluring charm to this drama. Can’t describe it bluntly on how I felt about it since there are many layers. It is one of my Best of 2022 purely because I still remember the story after so many months which is still captivating.

Synopsis:
The mysterious creature known as Bulgasal, they feeds off human blood and is cursed by being immortals. Dan Hwal turned into Bulgasal during the Joseon Dynasty while working as a military official. Min Sang Woon was once a Bulgasal but reincarnated as a human. She live her life secretly after her mother and twin sister was murdered by an unidentified murderer.

No. of episodes: 16
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy, Supernatural
Native title: 불가살
Original network: tvN, Netflix

Premiere: 18 Dec 2021

Alchemy of Souls

Without the first part, I will not be able to fully enjoying the part 2 now. This drama brought back the genre of historical fantasy dramas (which is somehow similar to Xianxia and Wuxia) to the Korean scene.

Lee Jae Wook might be popular from Extraordinary You, Hwang Min Hyun might be well known as NUEST and WannaOne member, Shin Seung Ho might be known through his role in D.P., Yoo In Soo might be known from his villain role in All of Us Are Dead, Arin might be known as the idol visual in Oh My Girl. Through this drama, they definitely gain more fans (especially international fans).

Synopsis:
The story begins with an elite assassin, Naksu, shifting her soul into a weak body of Mu Deok, a blind girl that became Jang Uk’s maid. Jang Uk is the sole heir to the Jang Family which is a noble mage family in the country. However, his ability to learn magic was locked by Jang Kang at birth.

No. of episodes: 20
Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Action, Romance
Native title: 환혼
Original network: tvN, Netflix

Premiere: 18 Jun 2022

Romance

Let’s switch up the mood real quick with Best of 2022 – romance dramas.

A Business Proposal

This is a no brainer to anyone who watch or even notice the Korean drama scene this year. The romance comedy not only have brilliant remake, it also have amazing cast line up. I would say Kim Min Gue and Seol In Ah stole the show for me and many, they are one of the ships that I’m hoping it will sail smoothly.

Synopsis:
Adapted from a web novel The Office Blind Date by Hae Hwa.
Everything started from one blind date. Shin Ha Ri is a single woman with office job, she helped her chaebol friend Jin Young Seo to attend a blind date which turns out to be Kang Tae Mu.

No. of episodes: 12
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Native Title: 사내 맞선
Original network: SBS, Netflix

Premiere: 28 Feb 2022

Soundtrack #1

Did not expect myself to be so drawn to it especially after being so convinced that Han So Hee and Song Kang (from Nevertheless,) match each other so well. Surprisingly, this short yet sweet Disney+ Original drama with their soundtracks really made me fall in love.

Synopsis:
Romance between Han Sun Woo, a charming rookie photographer and Seo Eun Soo, a bubbly but straightforward lyricist. Their bond of twenty years is nothing beyond friendship, but it took a strangely sweet turn while they are staying under one roof for 2 weeks. Their relationship is now stuck between love and friendship.

No. of episodes: 4
Genre: Romance, Music, Friendship
Native title: 사운드트랙#1
Original network: Disney+

Premiere: 23 Mar 2022

Yumi’s Cells 2

The second season’s production value elevates so much, especially on the animation side with all the cells interacting in real life. Being an ahgase, Actor Park Jin Young really shows a different side, a hopelessly romantic and perfect boyfriend in Yumi’s Cells 2 really sweep me up.

Synopsis:
Major changes took place after Yumi broke up with Gu Woong and landed a job in her dream department, Marketing. Yumi embarks on a new journey with her cells and slowly got closer to Yoo Babi who gave her the courage for career switch.

No. of episodes: 14
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Life
Native Title: 유미의 세포들 2
Original network: tvN, TVING

Premiere: Jun 2022

Life

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

This legal drama definitely stole the limelight during the period when it airs. Being the first ever drama to hit the best ratings under ENA. The main cast of this drama gains popularity and proven through their sharp increase in followers. Extraordinary Attorney Woo will be making a second season following the success of the first season.

Synopsis:
The drama is based on a 27 years old Woo Young Woo with Asperger’s syndrome but impressive memory and posses high IQ of 164. She graduates from Seoul National University as the top student from the batch. Yet she struggles when it comes to social interactions after becoming adult.

No. of episodes: 16
Genre: Legal, Mental Health, Romance
Native title: 이상한 변호사 우영우
Original Network: ENA, Netflix

Premiere: 29 Jun 2022

Tomorrow

This drama’s storyline is the best to me for 2022. Sharing some light on the growing concern across the world, mental issue that focuses on suicidal cases.

Synopsis:
Adapted from the webtoon by Llama. The drama is set in a crisis management team where they are objective is to save suicidal people. Fate brings Choi Joon Woong to meet Gu Ryeon, the team leader as well as Im Ryoog Gu a member of the team one night. And he became the newest member of the team after failing to find a job despite his good qualification.

No. of episodes: 16
Genre: Business, Fantasy, Life, Family, Mental Health, Friendship
Native title: 내일
Original network: MBC, Netflix

Premiere: 25 Mar 2022

Thirty-Nine

This might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but through this drama, I felt the warmth and the message that simplicity is really hard but being appreciative will get you closer.

Synopsis:
The drama is about three close friends who met in high school now turning 40 soon. Their every day life and stories are so different yet similar.

No. of episodes: 12
Genre: Life, Friendship
Native title: 서른, 아홉
Original network: JTBC, Netflix

Premiere: 16 Feb 2022

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