여러분, 안녕! 잘 지내서? 

Got any plans for the Christmas and New Year holidays? Are you traveling abroad? Going on a trip with friends? Or maybe just stay at home? Usually, the ones who stay home during Christmas and New Year are the introverts, right? Let me try to explain...

For introverts, being around a lot of people drains their energy quickly. It’s like the battery on your phone—after just one hour of use, the battery’s at twenty percent, and it takes forever to charge. How do I know this so well? Well, because I’m an introvert myself. The day I look forward to the most is a holiday, even if I’m just stay at home.

So, for those of you spending the holidays at home, I’ve got some Korean drama recommendations to make your break less boring. Don’t worry, you can totally binge-watch these since none of them have more than 10 episodes. For the ones I’ve already watched, I’ve marked them with a 💛.

1. Moving (10 Episodes)

Photo: IMDb

Casts: Ryu Seung Ryong, Han Hyo Joo, Jo In Sung.

Synopsis: Moving is a fantasy action K-drama adapted from a webtoon. It’s about a group of people with superpowers that have been passed down through generations. The drama is packed with action and awesome visual effects that make the story even more exciting.

2. Soundtrack #1 (4 Episodes)

Photo: IMDb

Casts: Park Hyung Sik, Han So Hee.

Synopsis: Soundtrack #1 is about two childhood friends who live together for two weeks. Seon Woo (Park Hyung Sik), a quiet photographer, and Eun Soo (Han So Hee), a cheerful lyricist, begin to notice changes in their relationship. Their friendship is tested, and romantic feelings start to emerge.

3. The Silent Sea (8 Episodes)

Photo: IMDb

Casts: Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, Lee Joon.

Synopsis: The Silent Sea is a K-drama set in the future with a space survival theme, where Earth is running out of water. A team is sent to the moon to collect samples from an abandoned research base. But as they dig deeper, they uncover a secret that could either save or destroy humanity.

4. Death's Game (8 Episodes)

Photo: IMDb

Casts: Seo In Guk, Park So Dam.

Synopsis: Choi Yi Jae (Seo In Guk) feels like his life has no hope. After losing his job, girlfriend, and money due to a bitcoin scam, he attempts suicide. However, because of his bad attitude, death punishes him by forcing him to reincarnate and experience painful deaths over and over again.

5. My Name (8 Episodes)

Photo: IMDb

Casts: Han So Hee, Park Hee Soon, Ahn Bo Hyun.

Synopsis: In My Name, Han So Hee plays Yoon Ji Woo, a young woman determined to seek revenge after her father is murdered. She disguises herself as a police officer and joins a criminal syndicate to uncover the truth behind her father's death.

6. The Sound of Magic (6 Episodes) 💛

Photo: IMDb

Casts: Ji Chang Wook, Choi Sung Eun, Hwang In Youp.

Synopsis: The Sound of Magic is a drama adapted from a webtoon about Yoon Ah Yi (Choi Sung Eun), a poor student who has lost faith in magic. Everything changes when she meets Ri Eul (Ji Chang Wook), a mysterious magician who lives in an abandoned amusement park and helps her believe in magic again.

You know what makes this drama super interesting to me? The color tone! Since it’s adapted from a webtoon, and the webtoon itself isn’t in full color, the color tone in the drama somehow really captivated me, haha.

7. Move to Heaven (10 Episodes) 💛

Photo: IMDb

Casts: Lee Je Hoon, Tang Jun Sang, Hong Seung Hee.

Synopsis: Move to Heaven is a K-drama about life, death, and family bonds. Geu Ru (Tang Jun Sang), a young man with Asperger's, has to team up with his uncle Sang Gu (Lee Je Hoon) to run their family’s trauma cleaning business. This drama is really touching, full of emotion and heartwarming moments.

It’s adapted from a book called The Things Left Behind. I actually have the book, and it’s not very thick, but I still haven’t finished reading it.

8. Mask Girl (7 Episodes)

Photo: IMDb

Casts: Lee Han Byeol, Nana, Go Hyun Jung, Ahn Jae Hong, Yeom Hye Ran.

Synopsis: Mask Girl tells the story of Kim Mo Mi, an office worker who’s insecure about her appearance. She becomes an anonymous streamer under the name "Mask Girl" and gains fame. However, her life takes a drastic turn after she gets caught up in a series of criminal events that make everything spiral out of control.

9. The Hymn of Death (6 Episodes)

Photo: Pinterest.com

Casts: Lee Jong Suk, Shin Hye Sun.

Synopsis: The Hymn of Death is a historical drama based on a true story. It’s about Yun Sim Deok (Shin Hye Sun), the first soprano in Joseon, and Kim Woo Jin (Lee Jong Suk), a genius drama writer. Their forbidden love story is full of conflict and ends tragically during the Japanese occupation.

10. Extracurricular (10 Episodes)

Photo: IMDb

Casts: Kim Dong Hee, Park Ju Hyun, Jung Da Bin, Nam Yoon Su, Choi Min Soo, Park Hyuk Kwon, Kim Yeo Jin.

Synopsis: Extracurricular tells the story of Ji Soo (Kim Dong Hee), a student who secretly leads a double life. To pay for his college tuition, he gets involved in a dangerous world of crime. When a classmate discovers his secret, his life starts to fall apart.

11. Chief Detective 1958 (10 Episodes) 💛

Photo: IMDb

Casts: Lee Je Hoon, Lee Dong Hwi, Choi Woo Sung, Yoon Hyun Soo, Seo Eun Soo.

Synopsis: Chief Detective 1958 takes us back in time with a mystery-filled detective story. In 1958, a young detective named Park Young Han (Lee Je Hoon) tries to solve various crimes happening around him. With the help of his equally skilled team, Young Han struggles to overcome social and political obstacles while tackling puzzling cases. This drama is not only packed with action but also blends in mysteries that keep you hooked.

12. What Comes After Love (6 Episodes) 💛

Photo: IMDb

Casts: Kentaro Sakaguchi, Lee Se Young.

Synopsis: What Comes After Love is a romantic drama that explores what happens after love fades. The story follows the journey of two main characters who experience a relationship full of drama and emotions. After their love is tested and they face various conflicts, they begin to question what really happens when love is gone. This drama combines a love story with a deep reflection on relationships, sacrifice, and complex feelings.

These short dramas are perfect for those of you who don’t have a lot of time but still want to watch something exciting, emotional, and with great production quality. So, no excuses for not watching, right? Instead of wondering what to do during the Christmas and New Year holidays, why not binge-watch the dramas I’ve recommended? Hehe.

Even though I don’t celebrate Christmas, I’ve always been curious about this holiday. Since I was a kid, all I knew about Christmas was that people celebrated it with a fireplace warming up the room and the world covered in snow. I always thought that in countries where most people celebrate Christmas, snow must be part of the celebration. You must know about White Christmas, right? Well, I always thought Christmas was like that. Turns out, I was totally fooled by my imagination! Hahaha. Even though Christmas falls in the winter, not every country gets snow during Christmas, hehehe.

Coinciding with Christmas, I was thinking of discussing what Christmas traditions are like in Korea. In Korean dramas, it seems like Christmas is the most awaited moment, and even many K-pop idols perform special stage for Christmas. Not only that, but some agencies also release Christmas songs sung by their artists. But what’s the reality like? That’s what I’m here to talk about. Oh, by the way, this article is based on sources from 90 Day Korean and Oriental Mart.

Christmas Tradition in Korea

Photo: 90daykorean.com

If you visit Korea during Christmas, you’ll definitely see a lot of Christmas decorations on the streets, in public places, and in homes. But, it turns out that the Christmas vibe in Korea is a little bit different from Christmas in Western countries. It’s kind of like, "Oh, it’s Christmas," and that’s it. The celebration isn’t as grand as in Western countries.

There’s actually a reason for that, 여러분. For many people in Korea CMIIW Christmas isn’t considered one of their traditional holidays that needs to be celebrated in a big way, unlike Seollal or Chuseok, which are their major traditional holidays. It’s kind of like Eid in Indonesia—many Koreans go back to their hometowns for Seollal or Chuseok. I thought this tradition of going home for the holidays was something unique to Indonesia, haha. But they do get a holiday for Christmas too.

Christmas is Like Valentine's Day in Korea

Photo: Pinterest.com

In Western countries, Christmas is a time for family gatherings. However, in Korea, it has become a day for couples. Koreans even refer to it as "Valentine's Day with Santa Claus" because, during Christmas, more couples go on dates and enjoy the winter season together.

Christmas Dishes in Korea

Photo: tarasmulticulturaltable.com

Because Christmas is not considered a major holiday that must be celebrated extravagantly in Korea, it's a bit difficult to find traditional Christmas dishes. Usually, only fast-food industries have special edition menus. However, some restaurants do offer special dishes to celebrate Christmas.

One of the classic Korean dishes that is a favorite during Christmas is tteokguk, a rice cake soup. This dish carries a meaningful philosophy! The clear broth symbolizes a fresh start, while the round-shaped rice cakes resemble coins, representing prosperity for the new year.

Favorite Places During Christmas

Photo: Pinterest/Jinse LEE

Because Christmas is considered a romantic holiday, many people in Korea visit amusement parks like Lotte World or Everland. But if you’re not a fan of amusement parks, don’t worry! You can visit the Myeongdong Cathedral Christmas Lights to see the cathedral beautifully decorated with Christmas lights. This annual event is very popular in Korea.

In addition to the Myeongdong Cathedral Christmas Lights, you can also enjoy ice skating at Seoul Plaza or admire the big Christmas tree at the Starfield Library inside COEX. FYI, Starfield Library is also one of the most beautiful libraries in Asia.

Typically, Koreans spend their Christmas holiday at resorts to enjoy the snow and other activities. Pyeongchang area is a popular choice due to its many beautiful ski resorts.

Korean Movies Recommendations for Christmas Break

Photo: IMDb

Just like Home Alone, which always accompanies our Christmas holidays, Korea also has some movies that you can enjoy during the Christmas break. Here are a few recommendations, and maybe one or two of these movies will catch your interest!

Woojoo's Christmas (2016)

Photo: KoBiz

Woojoo’s Christmas follows the story of Woojoo (Kim Ji Soo), a mother who, after losing her own mother, decides to leave the bustling city life and start anew in a small village with her daughter. There, she meets several women named Woojoo who have similar life stories. Together with two young Woojoos, played by Huh Yi Jye and Yoon So Mi, they create their own Christmas miracle.

A Christmas Carol (2022)

Photo: IMDb

Joo Il Woo and Joo Wol Woo (both played by Jin Young) are identical twins. After Wol Woo mysteriously dies on Christmas morning, Il Woo believes his death was unnatural and vows to seek revenge. With one clue — the background noise from his last conversation with his brother — Il Woo enters a juvenile rehabilitation center to track down the culprit.

New Year Blues (2021)

Photo: IMDb

Typically, the Christmas holiday coincides with the New Year's break, so I’ve also included a Korean movie with a New Year theme, starting with New Year Blues. This movie follows several couples who, as the year changes, are forced to evaluate themselves, their current positions, and the dreams they want to achieve. Starring Kim Kang Woo, Yoo In Na, Yoo Yeon Seok, Lee Yeon Hee, Lee Dong Hwi, Yoo Tae Oh, Sooyoung, and others, this movie explores various aspects of life and the courage to pursue dreams.

A Year-End Medley (2021)

Photo: IMDb

I’ve watched this movie and it’s absolutely amazing! A Year-End Medley is a star-studded movie with an ensemble casts that you’ve probably seen in other works. Even the older actors are familiar faces. The father of Gu Won (from King the Land) and the mother of Goo Jun Pyo (from Boys Before Flowers) also make an appearance! I’ll write a full review sometime, but for now, here’s a quick blurb.

A Year-End Medley tells the stories of several people who gather at a hotel towards the end of the year. Various tales of love, friendship, and new hopes intersect on New Year’s Eve. Set against the warm holiday atmosphere, the movie portrays how each character faces challenges and changes in their lives while finding happiness and peace as they welcome the new year.

K-pop Idols and Christmas

Photo: Pinterest/joy

Back when there weren't as many K-pop idols as there are now and second-generation idols often dominated the charts, there was one tradition that appeared every Christmas. Amidst the dramas and everything else, you probably know that K-pop groups from the same agency were like a big family, right? This sense of family often led the agencies to release Christmas-themed songs to show that their artists were harmonious, close, and truly family-like!

Some of these include Santa U Are The One from SMTOWN, This Christmas from JYP Nation, also Christmas Day and Christmas Time from Starship Planet. Not only that, there have also been collaborations between groups from the same agency, like Show Me Your Love by TVXQ ft. Super Junior and Beautiful Christmas by Red Velvet ft. AESPA.

Photo: Pinterest.com

Even on music shows like Music Bank, there were many collaborations during Christmas. Often, they would sing Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You. There was also a memorable performance by Park Bo Gum ft. Irene of Red Velvet, who performed Jingle Bell Rock when they were still hosting Music Bank.

But, the K-pop song that's most closely associated with Christmas even till today, in my opinion, has gotta be Miracles in December by EXO. The fact is, EXO actually released this mini album as a winter special. I'm not an Exo-L, but if you look at the tracklist of this album, there are a few songs that are perfect to listen to around Christmas, aside from Miracles in December, like Christmas Day (obviously) and The First Snow.

Photo: Pinterest/M I L A

Wow, this article is pretty long, huh? Honestly, I feel like this is the longest article I've ever written for this blog, haha. I'm just so excited to share info about Korean culture with you all based on what I know. I'm still reading up on things and watching YouTube to broaden my knowledge so I don’t miss anything when I pass it on to you guys.

And if there's anything you're super curious about regarding Korean culture but you're having a hard time finding sources or still don’t get the explanation, feel free to DM me! Let me know what topic you're dying to know more about. You can ask about anything, except politics, and I'll try to explain it to you in a chill way!

여러분, 안녕! 잘 지내서? 

During the pandemic, there was a Korean reality show that everyone was talking about and kept popping up on my social media. It’s called Single's Inferno. Ever heard of it? Or maybe you’re one of the hardcore fans? Basically, it's a dating reality show with a survival game twist. Twelve single contestants are brought together in this show, and their mission is to leave the island… all while trying to find love, of course. According to Wikipedia, the show has three seasons.

Even though there are a ton of beautiful and charming women on the show, there's one contestant whose popularity just skyrocketed. Seriously, everyone was in awe of her—men and women alike. It wasn’t just because she’s gorgeous; it was her alpha personality that made her such an icon for so many women out there. Her name is Song Jia.

I didn’t actually watch Single's Inferno, but I did follow Song Jia on Instagram, lol. She’s one of my role models. Song Jia is that type of alpha woman who’s independent, but she knows how to balance it by still showing her feminine side. After doing a little digging, I found a video from Fiercely Feminine talking about ways we can empower ourselves to be alpha women but still feminine—just like Song Jia. 

Beauty

Photo: Pinterest/Girls Era Archived

Even though there's that saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover," let’s be real—appearance still matters. We can’t deny it; people usually judge others based on how they look, especially when they first meet. You don’t have to be drop-dead gorgeous, but the key is to take care of what you’ve been given by God, right?

Song Jia is known for her feminine beauty, but her beauty leaves a lasting impression on everyone. I mean, if we’re talking in Indonesian terms, her beauty is the kind that doesn’t get boring, you know? So, how can we make our appearance leave an impression on others?

It’s actually pretty simple. You just gotta be open to experimenting and dive deeper to find your own aesthetic. What do I mean by that? Well, the "aesthetic" I’m talking about here is basically the visual style or look you choose for yourself, one that reflects your preferences, taste, or unique characteristics. Song Jia totally gets herself and knows what works for her, so she carefully picks makeup and accessories that align with her personality.

Mystery

Photo: Pinterest.com

Don’t ever open up too much to people, especially when it comes to personal stuff. If I look at Song Jia’s photos, she’s the type of woman who’s got this dominant, mysterious aura. She’s not the kind to just spill everything about herself, especially to people she hasn’t built trust with yet.

If you’re still the type to overshare personal stuff, especially on social media, it’s time to switch it up, okay? Now, what if a man is trying to get close to you? You’re not gonna act all mysterious, right? You’ll just scare him off.

Well, if he runs away, let him go. That just means he wasn’t really interested in you, especially since he didn’t make an effort to earn your trust. If they wanna know more about you, they gotta work hard for it.

Being mysterious is actually a key to getting someone intrigued and wanting to learn more about you. All you need to do is drop little hints that’ll make people want to dig deeper and discover more about who you really are.

Feminine Body Language

Photo: Pinterest/Honey

Even if you wanna be an alpha woman, you still gotta show that feminine body language. Like, instinctively, men always want to protect. If you're an alpha woman with a more dominant masculine side, your relationships probably won’t work out. No matter how many times you try, it won’t succeed because you always think you can do everything on your own. That mindset comes from your dominant masculine side.

When talking to others, especially men, Song Jia always makes eye contact, which shows she’s comfortable with the person and feels confident. Sometimes, she also uses feminine body language that makes men want to protect her. She knows how to control her actions so she doesn’t come off too strong compared to others.

Feminine Rest

Photo: Pinterest.com

Even though her goal is to be an alpha woman and independent, Song Jia still lets the guys around her take the lead. She knows that if she wants to catch a guy’s attention, she has to give them the chance to show their interest and intentions.

By letting guys chase us, it lets them feel like they’re in the lead. Plus, we also need to control our independent side with graceful behavior. Not only does this trigger their natural instinct to protect us, but it also makes them feel empowered.

Taking Her Time

Photo: Pinterest/estaa

In line with the concept of feminine energy—resting, receiving, and flowing—Song Jia prefers to take a laid-back approach to romance, not rushing into things because she knows how valuable time is. Instead of showing all her personality right at the beginning of a relationship and coming off as too forceful, she prefers to let her partner get to know her over time.

Self-Worth and Confidence

Photo: Pinterest/Girls Era Archived

Song Jia knows her worth, and everything she does shows it—from the way she walks to the words she chooses before speaking. We should all be like that. Understanding each other’s value is key to building healthy relationships. And I don’t just mean romantic relationships, but all types of relationships.

When you know your worth, you unknowingly set realistic high standards. It’s not just about confidence; it also lets others know that you are valuable and that they are too.

Empowered Mindset

Photo: Pinterest/Girls Era Archived

And last but not least, Song Jia teaches us to adopt an empowering mindset, showing us how to control our thoughts and not get distracted by things that don’t matter.

There’s one line she says in one of her videos that really stuck with me: I honestly don't care much about what others think. My life revolves around me and me only. I don't see others. Even if someone dislikes me, I don't care. There are so many people in this world. What does it matter if one person dislikes me?

That quote from Song Jia is perfect for those of you who tend to overthink when you find out someone doesn’t like you and then end up blaming yourselves. Remember, we weren’t created to always meet other people’s expectations.

Song Jia's unwavering self-worth and confidence, coupled with her deliberate approach to relationships, showcase a woman who knows her value and isn't afraid to walk away from anything that falls short.

여러분, 안녕! 잘 지내서? 

Sometimes, there are moments when you’re just tired of watching K-dramas all the time, right? I totally feel you. Even though K-dramas are like my personal healing medicine, there are moments when I finish watching one and feel like I didn’t really get any energy from it.

With all the K-dramas being released every year, Korea also has reality shows that can be a fun break when you’re bored of the usual drama. So here are my pure recommendations—these are four K-reality shows you’ve gotta check out when you need something fresh apart from K-dramas!

Running Man

Photo: sunshinekelly.com

Who hasn’t heard of Running Man? It's a total legend! First aired back in 2010, Running Man has been faithfully keeping its fans entertained all these years. Over 20 years of Yoo Jae Seok and the gang running around trying to rip off each other’s name tags.

In its 20+ years on air, Running Man has had quite a few member changes. Before Song Ji Hyo joined, the female member spot was filled by Lee Hyo Ri. At first, Song Ji Hyo was just a guest, but she ended up taking over Hyo Ri’s spot when Hyo Ri got super busy and decided to leave the show.

Photo: bloganchoi.com

At the beginning of the show, one of the most iconic elements was the name tag ripping game, where all the members and guests would chase each other to rip off their opponent’s name tag. But over time, with changes in the production team, they stopped doing the name tag ripping game. The main reason? The members aren't as young as they used to be. But even without that game, Running Man is still hilarious.

Not long ago, I decided to binge-watch the show from the very first episode because I'd watched it before, but I skipped around in the episodes. Watching it from the start made me realize how different the old Running Man is compared to the newer version.

Photo: Pinterest.com

I only watched Running Man up to episode 559 because Kwang Soo decided to leave the show. Yup, I watched Running Man because of Kwang Soo. I don’t know what it is, but just looking at Kwang Soo makes me laugh automatically. He doesn’t even need to say anything, and I’m already cracking up. 😂

If you’re planning to watch Running Man, I’d recommend starting from the very first episode. There are so many memories, especially if you’re a second-generation K-pop fan (like me) or if you want to see what Korean reality shows were like back in the day. Plus, the old Running Man episodes just hit differently—they’re funnier for some reason. Maybe because they were still running around everywhere, doing all sorts of energy-draining challenges, and the Monday Couple (Gary and Ji Hyo) was still around. There are just so many sweet memories!

Busted

Photo: Pinterest.com

Once again, I’m watching this reality show because of Kwang Soo. Even though he took a break in season 2, he made a big comeback in season 3, which also turned out to be the last season of this show.

Busted is a reality show with a miniseries vibe. Even though sometimes there’s no script, it feels like the main cast is acting in a drama. The main focus of this show is solving murder cases, and the cast members play the role of private detectives.

Photo: Pinterest/Boon

Each episode has a different story, and there are always guest stars that you’ll probably recognize from dramas or other reality shows. Some of the guests I remember include Stephanie Lee, Kim Hye Soo, Rowoon, Song Ji Hyo, Wendy from Red Velvet, Seung Hee from Oh My Girl, and even members from Iz*one.

You definitely need to watch this show, especially if you’re an EXO-L, because Sehun is one of the main cast members. Aside from the hilarious Tom and Jerry-like chemistry between Jae Suk and Kwang Soo, Sehun’s chemistry with Se Jeong is just as fun. It’s not a romance kind of chemistry, but more like the hilarious bestie vibe that’ll make you laugh nonstop.

Master in the House a.k.a All the Butlers

Photo: Pinterest.com

There’s no Kwang Soo or Jae Suk in this show, but how do I even find this? Well, it all started because I totally fell for Cha Eun Woo after watching True Beauty. I went all in, digging up info about him, listening to Astro’s songs, and watching their MVs. That’s when I stumbled upon this show. At first, I wasn’t sure if I should watch it because I wasn’t familiar with the other members. But hey, I gave it a shot because Eun Woo and Seung Gi were on it.

Turns out, this show is just as fun as the other two I mentioned. Not only will it make you laugh so hard, but it also teaches you a lot of cool stuff. As the name suggests, Master in the House takes you on a journey to meet people who are considered 'masters'—inspiring figures who have a lot to offer. The guests aren't always celebrities; there are plenty of non-celebs who come on as well.

Some episodes I remember included a musical performance featuring three amazing 'masters' in the musical field with incredible voices. There was also an episode with Olympic athletes, a female boxer, and even a master in the field of investments.

The Return of Superman

Photo: Pinterest.com

I’ve got so many online nephews and nieces because of this show, lol! The Return of Superman is a reality show where dads take over the role of taking care of their kids while their wives are away for a set period. This show got some criticism when Sayuri joined The Return of Superman. I mean, it was a big deal because the show was originally all about dads and their kids, and then here comes Sayuri, who’s a single mom. But one step at a time, they kept airing the episodes with Sayuri in them.

I wasn’t really interested in the show at first until William Hammington showed up and totally grabbed my attention. I remember thinking, “This baby is soooo cute!” and that’s when I started watching, but only the parts with William, haha. His little brother, Bentley Hammington, joined the show too, and I even found myself calming down William when his mom was giving birth to Bentley, lol.

Photo: Pinterest.com

After the Hammington siblings, I got even more online nephews and nieces thanks to Park Na Eun, this insanely beautiful mixed kid. Not only is she gorgeous, but Na Eun is also super smart. She was taught to speak three languages from a young age—Korean, English, and German—since her mom is German. Na Eun also has two little brothers, Gun Hoo and Jin Woo, who both make appearances on The Return of Superman as well.

Photo: Pinterest/Zen Seong

SHINee Hello Baby (Pinterest/Maria Carillo)

Actually, there are still two more reality shows I’ve watched, Hello Baby and We Got Married. But since these shows are quite old and it’s getting hard to find them for streaming nowadays, I’ll skip them. Even though Hello Baby and We Got Married were super popular back in the day.

To wrap up this article, I’ll share a little about Hello Baby and We Got Married because I’m not stingy when it comes to sharing Korea-related info, lol. Hello Baby is a reality show where a K-Pop group is tasked with taking care of a baby for a set period. They even have to live under the same roof with the baby. Some of the groups that appeared on Hello Baby include SHINee, SNSD, MBLAQ, and Sistar with Lee Teuk from Super Junior. If I got any details wrong, feel free to correct me!

KhunToria (Allkpop)

Meanwhile, We Got Married is a reality show where celebrities or idols are paired up and act as husband and wife. Back then, it wasn’t a big deal because K-Pop fans were chill about it and actually enjoyed watching their idols participate in the show. But if We Got Married were to air again with today’s generation, I’m not so sure it would work. The interactions between boy groups and girl groups just aren’t as interesting as they were back in the day.

Some of the We Got Married couples I remember are Jo Kwon from 2AM & Gain from Brown Eyed Girls (Adam Couple), Jung Yong Hwa & Seo Hyun from SNSD (Goguma Couple), Nickhun from 2PM & Victoria from f(x), Lee Teuk from Super Junior & Kang So Ra, Song Jae Rim (rest in peace) & Kim So Eun, Tae Min from SHINee & Na Eun from APINK, and Sung Jae from BTOB & Joy from Red Velvet (Bbyu Bbyu Couple). My favorite couple? Definitely KhunToria! They were such a perfect match. Even though Victoria is a year older, Nichkhun looked so mature. This couple really made me envious!

여러분, 안녕! 잘 지내서? 

So, after watching that video of Lee Se Young getting all worked up with Kentaro, switching between two languages, I decided to finally check out What Comes After Love. I’ve seen a lot of Lee Se Young’s dramas, but for some reason, none of them really grabbed me until now. Even The Red Sleeve? I only watched it because Lee Jun Ho was in it.

But like magic, Lee Se Young’s acting in What Comes After Love instantly made me want to binge-watch it. And the episodes are pretty short too, so I ended up finishing the whole thing in just two days.

A Sneak Peek at What Comes After Love

Photo: Pinterest/Choiajune

A Love Story Between Two Countries

Photo: pinkvilla.com

I’m not really a fan of doramas or anime. The only dorama I’ve watched is Hana-Kimi, and that’s only because it aired on local TV. Other than that, I mostly stick to anime. But even though this drama uses two languages, it didn’t confuse me too much because there are a few Japanese words I already know.

What makes this drama stand out from the rest is definitely the collaboration between the Japanese actor and the Korean actress. That’s one of the reasons so many people are watching it. I even ended up waiting for the whole drama to finish before I started watching! The choice to cast a Japanese actor really brought the story to life. Plus, the soft cinematography colors really helped strengthen the atmosphere they were going for.

Unstoppable Chemistry That’ll Hook You

Photo: Pinterest/aman

The main characters in this drama are super relatable to real life, and not every actor can pull off their roles this well. But Kentaro and Se Young? Totally different story.

Their chemistry is on point because they make every scene feel so real. They really nailed showing a relationship that’s full of doubt, but still holds onto a little bit of hope.

Love Ain’t Always Smooth Sailing

Photo: pinkvilla.com

Just like most Korean dramas, What Comes After Love starts off with the classic "love at first sight" for the main couple. Honestly, I don’t really buy into the whole love at first sight thing. How about you guys?

As Hong and Jungo’s relationship grows and they start acknowledging their feelings for each other, Hong decides to move in with Jungo. They enjoy the blissful early days of their relationship, just like we all do. But, of course, drama happens, and conflicts start to pop up.

Photo: Pinterest/minju's mp4

Feeling responsible for Hong’s life in Japan, Jungo takes on a bunch of freelance jobs, which ends up making Hong feel pretty lonely. But Hong’s patient and understands why Jungo’s working so much. That is, until one day, she just can’t take it anymore and decides to go back to Korea, leaving everything up in the air.

Their relationship really shows that kind of romance you see between two people in their 20s, who are still dealing with their egos, not wanting to open up, and pretending everything’s fine. Because their egos are so big, they just can’t find a way to fix the cracks in their relationship.

Hong’s Character: A Real Look at What Women Go Through

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A lot of people might think Hong’s being selfish because she can’t deal with Jungo’s busy schedule, even though he’s working hard to support her. But if you look at it from another perspective, I honestly think Hong’s character reflects the reality of a lot of women out there.

There are so many women who’ve been through something like what Hong’s going through and get labeled as selfish, when their partner might not even understand what they’re feeling. You know the feeling, right? Having a partner who makes you feel like you’re all alone. Doing everything by yourself, going to weddings alone, always having a hard time getting in touch with them... the list goes on.

And then, the moment you finally let out all those lonely feelings, you’re the one who gets called selfish. Doesn’t that hurt? I’ve been in a relationship like that before, so I totally get how Hong feels, and trust me, it’s not easy.

Love That Never Change

Photo: Pinterest/Yasmin

After their breakup, they’re brought back together five years later, and of course, things are a lot better for both of them. But what happens when their reunion actually creates a dilemma between them? Jungo feels that his love is only for Hong, while Hong can’t fully forgive Jungo, but there’s still that unresolved feeling in her heart. Plus, Hong’s already engaged.

Since they reunite when they’re both older and more mature, they’re able to handle the situation more like adults. Jungo even takes the initiative to clear up the misunderstandings between them, trying everything he can to fix things before he heads back to Japan.

This is when they realize they still care about each other. Jungo knows his love is only for Hong, but he’s not obsessed. Even when he meets Hong’s fiancé, Jungo makes sure to tell him not to let Hong feel lonely, like he did before.

Soundtrack That’ll Hit You Right in the Feels

Photo: Pinterest/zahraa

I’m not really sure how many soundtracks there are in this drama, but there’s one that keeps popping up all the time. I honestly thought the drama only had this one song!

It’s called Closer Than the Stars by Fromm. The lyrics are in full English, so for those of you who don’t quite get Korean, you can still feel the meaning of the song.

I love it so much, I play it on repeat. I even listen to it when I’m writing those heart-wrenching scenes in the novel I’m working on. This song just totally connects with Hong’s character. She believes Jungo loves her, even though he never says it. She also believes he’ll wait for her at the end of the road. That’s why Hong decides to go to him, step into his life—because she truly trusts him.

Photo: Pinterest/FRIENDLY

If you’re getting bored with those typical K-dramas that always have the same old love story, you should definitely check this one out. You probably already know the saying, "If it's meant to be, they'll come back." You know, the line your friends say when you break up, hahaha.

But for me, this drama teaches that sometimes we need a little break from the relationship we’re in to reflect on ourselves. Are those small mistakes we and our partner made in the past going to ruin our future together? If we decide to keep going, how will we handle the same issues in the future? We can’t just react the same way anymore because we already know the consequences. And if we choose to break up for real, is there still something left in our hearts? Are there misunderstandings that need to be cleared up?

What Comes After Love is a K-drama that teaches us to look at relationships and breakups from a more adult perspective.