It’s always heartwarming to see people chase after their dreams even when the odds are stacked against them. A lot of courage is required to ignore naysayers and focus on what makes them happy. Seeing individuals put their happiness and dreams first gives us such positive, feel-good vibes. Check out some uplifting stories about characters who kept chasing after their dreams here.

Navillera is about 70-year-old Sim Deok-chul (Park In-hwan) and 23-year-old Lee Chae-rok (Song Kang) helping each other strive after their dreams. Entering the final chapter of his life, retired postman Deok-chul wants to learn ballet before it’s too late. He finds a teacher in Chae-rok who started ballet late compared to his peers and is struggling with harsh realities. Deok-chul’s enthusiasm for ballet reignites Chae-rok’s passion and they encourage each other’s dreams.

Do You Like Brahms? shows violin student Chae Song-ah (Park Eun-bin) experiencing difficulty finding her footing as she started later than her peers. Despite the fierce competition and discouraging comments from people around her, Song-ah continues to play violin because of her pure love for it. She learns that personal success should not be defined by other people’s expectations. Sometimes the journey of pursuing a dream is fulfilling in itself and can lead to other worthwhile adventures.

Fight for My Way centres on two long-time friends whose lives and careers aren’t working out the way they had hoped. Ko Dong-man (Park Seo-jun) is a former taekwondo champion who had to quit his dreams due to a painful incident. Choi Ae-ra (Kim Ji-won) aspires to become an announcer but is working as a department store employee in the meantime. While they don’t have super impressive resumes, these underdog friends encourage one another to not give up on their dreams.

Hello, Me! tells the story of Bahn Ha-ni (Choi Kang-hee) who leads a miserable life and feels unsuccessful. She has nothing to boast about in regards to her career, finances, love life, and basically everything at the age of 37. At the moment she’s ready to accept death, she’s greeted by her 17-year-old self. Being confronted by her spunky younger self, Ha-ni realizes she deserves more in life and makes positive changes. Even when you want to be done with life, there are more dreams and blessings for you to encounter

In Romance Is a Bonus Book, Kang Dan-i was a talented copywriter prior to getting married and raising her daughter. Unfortunately, life didn’t pan out the way she expected with her husband cheating on her and divorcing her. To add on salt to the wound, Dan-i is struggling to find a job and a home. Despite her difficult circumstances, Dan-i is resourceful and doesn’t give up on getting her career and life back on track. She’s a smart and diligent worker, and gradually gets recognized for her kindness and brilliant ideas.

Second 20s features Ha No-ra (Choi Ji-woo) who sacrificed her dreams upon becoming pregnant at the age of 19. Since then she has focused on being a good wife and mother. However, at 38 her life is turned upside down when her husband demands a divorce. She decides to finally live for herself and experience college for the first time. College life proves to be interesting with her son also entering as an incoming freshman, her husband starting to work at the same university, and her old high school friend being her professor.

Kkondae Intern’s Lee Man-sik (Kim Eung-soo) is hardly sympathetic in the beginning of the story as a condescending manager. However, he finds himself out of a job after losing his chance at a promotion. Man-sik is a smart and talented worker, and chooses not to give up despite his age not being appealing to employers. He’s not above starting from the bottom as an intern, determined to be a successful worker once again. In the process, he learns valuable lessons as he’s given a taste of his own medicine.

Which of these uplifting stories are among your favorites? Check them all out on Netflix!

Image Courtesy of Netflix

It’s been a slow start to 2021 in K-dramaland as we near the end of 2020 dramas and wait for new stories to begin. In February, we’re looking forward to some fantasy-mystery from the director of The Legend of the Blue Sea and The Master's Sun, more dedicated screen time with Song Joong-ki back on earth as a lawyer to an Italian mafia group, and a heart-warming romance between Choi Kang-hee and Kim Young-kwang. Check out some fantastic dramas to look forward to below. 

This fantasy-mystery series stars popular actors Cho Seung-woo AND Park Shin-hye. If you’re not already sold because of the ace main leads, the story is also very intriguing. Genius engineer Han Tae-sul (Cho Seung-woo) begins to unearth the truth about beings who are living amongst them and hiding their true identities. Gang Seo-hae (Park Shin-hye) enters the situation as she fights to save Tae-sul’s life because he is the key to saving the fate of the world. You can expect an epic story with lots of thrilling action as they battle a mysterious nemesis and try to save the world. 

Vincenzo is another star-studded series starring popular actor Song Joong-ki, rising star Jeon Yeo-been, Ok Taec-yeon, Kwak Dong-yeon, and more. Song Joong-ki portrays the titular Vincenzo Cassano who is a lawyer to an Italian mafia group. He leaves Italy and goes to Korea where he crosses paths with lawyer Hong Cha-yeong (Jeon Yeo-been). They seek to achieve justice as they fight against true villains by using methods utilized by villains. The world of crime and the world of law converge with a dark hero pursuing justice. 

If a rom-com is more your speed, you’ll want to check out Hello, Me! This fantasy romance series stars Choi Kang-hee as Ban Ha-ni, a 37-year-old woman experiencing a slump in all areas of her life. She is visited by her passionate 17-year-old self (Lee Re) who is not afraid of anything. It’s a story involving being comforted, growing, and experiencing love. You can look forward to funny and romantic moments with Ban Ha-ni interacting with the free-spirited, wealthy, and handsome Han Yu-hyeon (Kim Young-kwang). This will be a fun and heart-warming experience for sure.

Which February K-drama are you most excited for? Watch them all, only on Netflix!

Image Courtesy of Netflix