Much as we hate to admit it, this pandemic has given us lesser things to look forward to. Good thing all seems to be bright and rosy in K-drama land as productions continue for a handful of series to be aired in the second half of the year. Here are upcoming dramas that will hopefully remind us of how it is when all is right in this world.
‘Flower of Evil’
Cast: Lee Joon-gi, Moon Chae-won, Jang Hee-jin, Seo Hyeon-woo
Release date: July 29, 2020
Where to watch: Viu, Viki
Lee Joon-gi stars as Baek Hee-sung, a man with a dark secret who pretends to be a loving husband and father. Moon Chae-won is Cha Ji-won, Hee-sung’s detective wife who grows suspicious of his husband. Hee-sung’s ordinary life turns in disarray when he becomes a murder suspect and the couple are forced to confront his past.
Among the upcoming dramas I’ve read about, “Flower of Evil” probably has the most intriguing plot. TVN has released a new teaser for the drama, showing Lee Joon-gi in platinum blonde hair as opposed to his real character with dark hair. Is it a flashback or does he have a dual personality? We then see the couple hugging and a montage of intense drama and action scenes. Watch the new teaser below:
‘Record of Youth’
Cast: Park Bo-gum, Park So-dam, Byeon Woo-seok
Release date: September 2020
Where to watch: Netflix
“Record of Youth” will be Park Bo-gum’s last drama before enlisting in the military this year, so I am hoping that he will redeem himself from the massive fail that is “Encounter.” Seriously, this guy can act, and he deserves a project that will showcase that.
Park Bo-gum is Sa Hye-joon, a model who dreams of becoming an actor, while Park So-dam is An Jung-ha who works as a make-up artist. There is nothing much revealed yet about the plot as the first teaser merely shows slices of life and a potential love angle between Bo-gum and So-dam’s characters. What I expect is a coming of age series similar to “Fight for My Way” but set in the glamorous world of fashion. Watch the teaser below:
‘Tale of the Nine-Tailed’
Cast: Lee Dong-wook, Jo Bo-ah, Kim Bum
Release date: September 2020
Where to watch: TBA
“The Tale of the Nine-Tailed” is described as an “urban fantasy” drama about a “gumiho” or nine-tailed fox who settles down in the city and a female producing director who chases him. For those unfamiliar with the concept of gumiho, it is a mythical creature often found in folktales and legends of Korea. It is said to have the ability to transform to seduce humans and eat their liver or heart.
Lee Dong-wook stars as Lee Yeon, a gumiho whose job is “to clean up the mess left behind by those who disturb the world of the living,” according to Soompi. Sounds familiar? Is this the Grim Reaper’s after life?
More than its plot, I am excited to see Kim Bum back on the small screen. He will be playing Lee Yeon’s half brother Yi Rang and is described as the most dangerous gumiho there is.
‘Start Up’
Cast: Nam Joo Hyuk, Bae Suzy
Release date: October 2020
Where to watch: TBA
“Start Up” is a drama about the world of start-up companies. Think Seoul’s equivalent of Silicon Valley. Bae Suzy is Seo Dal-mi, who drops out from college to start her own company. Meanwhile, Nam Joo-hyuk plays Nam Do-san, a founder and CEO of a failing start-up company.
As both actors are known for their good looks, media outlets are already describing this drama as a “visual explosion.”
So there you go, K-drama lovers are definitely up for a treat in the second half of 2020. Let’s just hope that the production staff and cast remain healthy and COVID-free so we can enjoy watching while we stay home.