2020 was a rough year for everyone, but it was a year full of amazing K-dramas that made us laugh, cry, and hope for a better future. From super romantic stories about a crash landing to a heartwarming friendship between doctors, there was something for everyone. Let’s take a look back on all of the wonderful K-dramas that brightened up 2020.

Hot Stove League might have flown under your radar, but you don’t need to be a baseball fan to appreciate the story. The Dreams are a professional baseball team who have been last place in the league for several seasons. New general manager Baek Seung-soo (Namkoong Min) steps in to transform them despite having zero experience managing a baseball team. While the heartwarming underdog premise might sound familiar, the intriguing character of Baek Seung-soo prevents it from being typical. Furthermore, the show won Best Drama at the 65th Baeksang Arts Awards!

Crash Landing on You was a spectacularly addictive tale of love and friendship across the two Koreas. The border-defying romance between Yun Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) and Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) provided us with the perfect escape from reality. Both heartbreaking and hilarious, it provides everything you want from a drama. Full of incredible chemistry and funny characters, this is the stuff that can change a non-K-drama fan’s mind. In addition, it provided some insight into what life in the closed-off nation might look like. 

Popular series Dr. Romantic returned for its second season and it didn’t disappoint! The return of Teacher Kim (Han Seok-kyu) and familiar faces at Doldam Hospital brought more interesting medical stories. This time around, Teacher Kim mentors Seo U-jin (Ahn Hyo-seop) and Cha Eun-jae (Lee Sung-kyoung), helping them with their struggles and building their skills. Dr. Romantic S2 brought back some nice nostalgia as well as some romance amidst the touching stories.

Itaewon Class was the underdog revenge story of the year. You couldn’t help but root for Park Saeroyi (Park Seo-jun) who was terribly wronged by the father and son of food corporation Jangga Group. Park Saeroyi steadfastly sticks to his plans of beating them with his own restaurant and company. Plus, Itaewon Class also had the most diverse cast of the year. Touching upon some prejudices not often discussed in K-dramas, the story had a whole lot of heart as you cheer on Park Saeroyi and his DanBam family.

Hyena pits two rival lawyers against each other who also have very intense chemistry. Jung Geum-ja (Kim Hye-soo) is a street-savvy lawyer with many tricks up her sleeve while Yoon Hee-jae (Ju Ji-hoon) is a hotshot lawyer from a family of judges and prosecutors. They’re a bit morally gray as they defend their wealthy clients. These main characters are refreshingly different from stereotypical “perfect” or “genius” characters we often see in K-dramaland. Flawed yet likeable, these lawyers do pursue the truth, justice, and love.

Hospital Playlist was the feel-good drama surrounding five doctor friends we sorely needed. Full of comedy, stories about their lives within and outside the hospital they all work in were heartwarming and entertaining. The strong bond of friendship is apparent as we see the group in the past and present. Its messages about life and love gave off a lovely therapeutic effect. With a nostalgic OST to boot, it was a delightful opportunity to hear some of the talented actors sing. Can’t wait for more camaraderie and fun from the upcoming second season!

The first season of historical zombie series Kingdom was so epic, stunning, and satisfying. And it got even better with the second season! All of the action comes to a head as Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) faces his opponents and the ever-growing hordes of zombies. Full of thrills, gore, and twists, this season was scintillating from beginning to end. The show also made The New York Times’ Best TV Shows of 2020 list! Can’t wait for more and definitely excited for Kingdom: Ashin of the North.

Depicting complex tales of love and betrayal, The World of the Married became the highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history and generated much buzz. The twisted story shows the seemingly perfect marriage between doctor Ji Seon-u (Kim Hee-ae) and filmmaker Lee Tae-o (Park Hae-joon) fall apart as Seon-u discovers Tae-o’s extramarital affair. While the engrossing series focuses on infidelity and revenge, it’s also a psychological thriller. You can’t tear your eyes away from the characters’ lives spiralling out of control. Furthermore, The World of the Married won Best Director and Best Actress at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.

The King: Eternal Monarch marked the grand return of popular actor Lee Min-ho who stars as Emperor Lee Gon of the Kingdom of Corea. Featuring a love story that crosses parallel worlds, this show provided a welcome escape from our real world. Lee Gon seeks to prevent havoc from occuring in the parallel worlds and confronts his sinister uncle. With dreamy cinematography and interesting dual characters, The King: Eternal Monarch was an entertaining watch enjoyed by many fans.

Extracurricular made an impactful premiere with its dark yet unusual tale of a high school student running an illegal business. Forget all of the high school dramas you have seen thus far, Extracurricular tackles taboo topics and touches upon various social issues. Main characters including Oh Ji-soo (Kim Dong-hee) and Park Gyu-ri (Park Ju-hyun) choose a path of crime and face the harsh consequences. While breaking free of typical high school drama expectations, the show captivates and leaves you with many thoughts.

It's Okay to Not Be Okay is the only other K-drama to make The New York Times’ Best TV Shows of 2020 list (in addition to Kingdom). This series expertly crafted a moving romance while addressing mental health in a beautiful dark fairy tale-esque journey. Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, and Oh Jung-se each portray their magnetizing characters dealing with deep-rooted trauma and growing from it. While relaying the message that it’s really okay to not be okay, the show gives us fun and romance to enjoy as well.

Stranger S2 brought back righteous duo Prosecutor Hwang Si-mok (Cho Seung-woo) and Senior Police Inspector Han Yeo-jin (Bae Doo-na). This time around, the pair deal with some changes and find themselves at opposite ends as the prosecution and the police butt heads. Despite the fight over investigative authority, our main characters continue to confront injustice and corruption. Stranger S2 successfully weaves a complex storyline that is well-written and well-acted. 

The School Nurse Files is a delightfully quirky series about school nurse Ahn Eun-young (Jung Yu-mi) and the curious world of jellies she is privy to. She’s joined by teacher Hong In-pyo (Nam Joo-hyuk) as they try to protect students from harmful jellies. Ahn Eun-young is an eccentric and reluctant hero who fights jellies with unconventional tools, but the coming-of-age story is familiarly heartwarming. Definitely, a creative show that will show you something you’ve never seen before and leave you with a smile on your face. 

Record of Youth depicted the lives of model turned actors Sa Hye-jun (Park Bo-gum), Won Hae-hyo (Byeon Woo-seok), and makeup artist An Jeong-ha (Park So-dam). They’re young, hopeful, and go through many trials as they pursue love and their dreams. It offers a relatable look at what youths struggle with today from family conflict to mistreatment at the workplace. Record of Youth feels homey and delivers heartwarming messages that comfort. 

Catch all of these amazing K-dramas and more, on Netflix!

Image Courtesy of Netflix

Spend the jolliest time of the year by bonding with your family over these 7 shows on Viu for FREE this December!

This festive season, Viu has prepared something special to bring warmth and smiles to all Singaporeans. Enjoy the best of Asian dramas and variety shows, from highly anticipated titles like True Beauty and Mr. Queen to past fan favourites, such as Goblin and My Love from the Star.

True Beauty – one of the most anticipated webtoon adaptations this year, this lighthearted romantic comedy tells the story of a popular and beautiful high school student Lim Ju Gyeong (Moon Ga Young). Watch as she meets Lee Soo Ho (Cha Eun Woo), a charismatic boy with emotional wounds from his dark past. As they exchange secrets and fall in love with each other, can Soo Ho help Ju Gyeong overcome her insecurities and embrace her natural self? Be prepared for a case of the second lead syndrome as Ju Gyeong becomes acquainted with the handsome but tough-looking Han Seo Jun (Hwang In Yeop)! 

What happens when a man from the modern age finds himself waking up in the body of Queen Cheorin (Shin Hye Sun), in the Joseon dynasty? Queen Cheorin is married to King Cheoljong (Kim Jung Hyun), a figurehead who appears nonchalant but is in fact only hiding his true feelings in order to avoid conflict. Brace yourself for plenty of belly-aching laughter as you join Queen Cheorin in her unlikely shenanigans. How will her dynamics with King Cheoljong play out as she gets thrown into unexpected situations?

When the Weather Is Fine is a story about forgiveness, healing, and love taking place around a small bookstore in the countryside. Cellist Hae Won (Park Min Young) is an ordinary woman with good character who has closed the door to love after a few unhappy experiences. Feeling jaded about her life in Seoul, she decides to move back to her hometown – Bookhyun Village, where she meets Im Eun Seob (Seo Kang Joon) who runs a bookshop named "Goodnight Bookstore“. Little by little, the two find warmth in each other amidst the coldness of winter. Will the pair fall in love in the idyllic South Korean countryside?

Is it better to live forever or finally be able to die? A decorated military general during the Goryeo Dynasty who was cursed to remain immortal, a goblin (Gong Yoo) is condemned to a lonely existence. He longs to meet his prophesied bride who can set his soul free. Soon, he becomes accidental roommates with a grim reaper (Lee Dong Wook) and meets Ji Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun), a high school student who is able to communicate with the dead. This holiday season, relive the romance, comedy and the adorable bromance between Gong Yoo and Lee Dong Wook in this fantasy drama – Goblin! 

My Love From the Star follows the romance between an alien and the biggest Hallyu star in Korea. Do Min Joon (Kim Soo Hyun), who landed on Earth 400 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty, possesses a near-perfect appearance and enhanced physical abilities. Holding a cynical view of human beings, he meets Cheon Song Yi (Jun Ji Hyun), a spunky, blunt and seemingly self-absorbed actress struggling with her career. Finding himself slowly entangled in Song Yi's crazy and unpredictable situations, Min Joon and Song Yi eventually fall in love. Be swept of your feet in one of the all-time best-loved Kdramas that also features beautiful wintry landscapes – just what we need to satisfy our wanderlust.

Based on a webtoon, Secret Zoo follows Kang Tae Soo (Ahn Jae Hong), a junior lawyer who is tasked to revitalise a failing zoo. Seeing this as a chance to make a name for himself in the company, Tae Soo is eager to prove his worth. The problem? The zoo does not actually have any animals, and he has only three months to turn its fortune around. With the zookeepers' help, he comes up with an unorthodox idea: to have the zookeepers dress up as animals and put on a show for guests. When a video of him drinking Coca-Cola while wearing a polar bear suit goes viral, the zoo’s popularity instantly skyrocketed. But how long can Tae Soo and the zookeepers maintain this charade? Let the goofy zookeepers lift your spirits in this feel-good holiday movie!

Mi Young (Uhm Jung Hwa) makes and sells twisted breadsticks while her husband Seok Hwan (Park Sung Woong) works as a computer repairman. One day, Seok Hwan wins an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii and the couple excitedly embarks on their first-ever overseas trip together. However, things take a turn for the worse when they find themselves sharing the same flight with terrorists and secret agents, during which they are taken hostages with the other passengers on the hijacked plane. Get ready for plenty of laughter in Okay! Madam as Mi Young and Seok Hwan save the day in the most unexpected way possible!

This year-end, all K-pop fans can catch the biggest Korean music festival and awards live on Astro. Customers can enjoy the biggest K-idols and K-stars live in:

‘2020 MBC Korean Music Festival’, co-hosted by Yoona and Jang Sung Kyu from Girl’s Generation, accompanied by popular Korean actor, Kim Seon Ho, featuring the best K-pop music and performances on December 31, at 8.05pm on Oh!K (CH 394 HD).

‘2020 KBS Entertainment Awards’, featuring popular KBS stars such as Yoo Jae Suk, Jun Hyun Moo, Kim Seon Ho, Ravi VIXX, Lee Yu Ri and more, in the annual year-end award festival on December 27, at 2.45pm via KBS World (CH 392 HD / CH 391).

'2020 MBC Drama Awards', hosted by Kim Sung Joo, celebrating the best of Korean TV dramas throughout 2020 in categories such as Best New Actors, Best New Actress, The Best Drama, Best Couple Award, and more on December 30, at 8.05pm via Oh!K (CH 394 HD).

‘2020 KBS Drama Awards’, hosted by Jo Bo Ah, Lee Sang Yeob and Do Kyung Wan, popular Korean personalities, honouring some of the most outstanding TV drama series and actors on December 31, at 7.30pm via KBS World (CH 392 HD / CH 391).

Additionally, K-pop fans can also cheer for their favourite K-idol and K-dramas in these exciting music festival and award premiering on the same week as Korea:

‘2020 SBS Gayo Daejun’, with the biggest Korean hits and performances by BTS, one of the most popular Korean boy bands, on December 31, at 9.30pm on ONE (CH 393 HD).

‘2020 SBS Entertainment Awards’, hosted by Shin Dong-yup, SBS’s founding comedian featuring popular K-pop stars such as Kim Hee Chul (Super Junior), Lee Seung Gi, Cha Eun Woo (Astro), Kim Dong Jun (ZEA) and many more, on December 26, at 4.30pm via ONE (CH 393 HD).

2020 has been a tough yet a year of great change for the music industry. As the end of 2020 is around the corner, lets recap on some incidents that happened in the KPOP industry this year, including news on military enlistment, come back, marriages, break up and others. 

Kang Daniel and TWICE’s Jihyo relationship came in an end in November 2020 after dating for more than 1 year. The reason for their break up was because they were unable to meet up often due to their hectic schedules. The couple revealed their relationship to the public in September 2019. The couple had received a lot of attention from the global fans but unfortunately, they were also attacked by some malicious comments. 

Rapper Swings belatedly admitted about his breakup with actress Im Bora. The couple has been dating since 2017 but breakup rumours about them arose when they were found deleting all photos taken together on social media. Swings admitted to the breakup in October while Im Bora decided to remain silent. 

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One of them is the member of the legendary group, TVXQ's Chang Min who announced his marriage with his non-celebrity girlfriend. He carefully delivered the happy news through a handwritten letter in June. The couple started dating back in December 2019. The wedding ceremony that was supposed to be held in September was postponed slightly later to October. 

Unfortunately, there was also news about divorced. Former U-KISS member Eli conveyed the sad news through his Instagram. He shared that he had been staying separately from his family and pray for his son and wife (Ji Yeon Su)’s happiness. In December 2015, Eli revealed that he had been married with racing model, Ji Yeon Soo for over a year since June 2014. 

CLICK B’s member, Kim Sang Hyuk also announced divorce after a year of marriage with online shopping mall CEO, Song Da Ye as they could not overcome their differences. Veteran singer Lee Sun Hee had also ended her 14 years marriage with her husband in May. 

2020 has also seen several stars who left us for a while for military enlistment to fulfil their duty. From Winner’s Kim Jin Woo and Lee SeungHoon to EXO’s Suho, to Zico, and more had enlisted this year. 

However, artists such as CNBLUE’s Kang Min Hyuk, HIGHLIGHT’s Yoon Doo Jun, BTOB’s Seo Eun Kwang, MinHyuk and Lee Chang Sub, SHINee’s Onew and Key, Exo’s Xiumin, Yoon Ji Sung and more had been discharged from the military as well! 

With that, CNBLUE had reorganized the band into a 3 members band and made a successful comeback. BTOB had also formed a unit Btob 4U consisting of Eun Kwang, Chang Sub, MinHyuk and Peniel. SHINee’s Key had also made his return to tvN’s Amazing Saturday alongside Han Hae after discharging from the military service. 

Gummy and Jo Jung Suk welcomed their first daughter back in August. A month after giving birth, Gummy resumed her activities by participating in the drama “Do You Like Brahms” OST. She also made a guest appearance on KBS 2TV Yoo Hee Yeol’s Sketchbook and had captivated the viewers with her unchanged singing ability and stage manner. 

Singer Bada had also become a mum after giving birth to her daughter in September. In November, she appeared in MBC’s entertainment program “Radio Star” and confessed that she had trouble breathing due to bleeding during childbirth.

Original article: Starnews 

There are quite a number of unfortunate incidents as well but let's hope that 2021 will be a better year for all! Take care and stay safe! 

1) It's Okay to Not Be Okay

A fox never forgets its soulmate! A male nine-tailed fox, Lee Yeon (Lee Dong-Wook), has lived hundred of years while waiting for the woman he loved. Nam Ji-ah (Jo Bo-ah) is the PD of supernatural documentaries. Watch how fate and destiny bring Lee Yeon to his soulmate once again!

Check out our exclusive interview with the cast here!