While someK-dramaschoose to draw audiences in with their addictive, slow-burn narratives, others understand the power of a fast-moving pace. Considering just how manymust-see K-dramasare available for audiences to delight in, a quick-moving series can be greatly appreciated.
These K-dramas, ranging across various genres, combine gripping drama plots with compelling characters and thoughtful plot twists that’ll have audiences speeding through episodes and finishing a series in no time. Still, that’s not to say these K-dramas feel rushed or less rewarding than any slow-burn series.K-dramas likeMy Name,Goblin, andStrong Girl Bong-soonare packed with material, but move at a brisk pacewithout sacrificing the development of their characters or the impact of their more heartfelt moments.
Touch Your Heart
Cast
Touch Your Heart is a Korean romantic comedy series featuring Yoo In-na as a famous actress and Lee Dong-wook as a stoic lawyer. The story follows the actress, who takes on a secretary role at a law firm to prepare for a new role, leading to unexpected romantic and professional entanglements.
Goblinactors Yoo In-na and Lee Dong-wook reunite inTouch Your Heart, this time asa disgraced actor hoping to make a comeback and an accomplished lawyer, respectively. Yoo’s Oh Jin-shim must work as the secretary of Lee’s Kwon Jung-rok to gain field experience for an upcoming role she wishes to have. As a classic romantic comedy series,Touch Your Heartemploys many of the genre’s beloved tropes and doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Across its 16 episodes,Touch Your Heartdoes an excellent job of fleshing out its leading characters and their growing romance. With Kwon Jung-rok being somewhat of a boss to Oh Jin-shim, the series also explores the well-knownK-drama trope about falling in love with one’s boss.
Little Women
Three sisters, struggling with financial hardships, become embroiled in a complex conspiracy involving influential elites. As they navigate this treacherous world, they confront moral dilemmas and the bonds of family loyalty, challenging their unity and resilience against the backdrop of greed and power dynamics.
While it has very little in common withLouisa May Alcott’s novel of the same name,Little Women’s plot does center around the lives of sisters.The K-drama follows sisters In-joo, In-hye, and In-kyung, who never had much money growing up and merely relied on each other to get through life’s greatest obstacles. That is, until one day they get wrapped up in a conspiracy involving one of Korea’s richest families.
Thanks to the series' fleshed-out characters and well-written drama,Little Womenis a rewarding watch that successfully keeps hold of the audience’s attention until the very end.
Little Womenis a highly addictive series despite the lengthy runtime of each episode.There is an irresistible sense of suspensethat is gradually built upon throughout the series' 12 episodes. Thanks to the series' fleshed-out characters and well-written drama,Little Womenis a rewarding watch that successfully keeps hold of the audience’s attention until the very end.
Hell Is Other People
Hell Is Other People is a South Korean psychological thriller that centers on Jong-Woo, a young man who relocates to Seoul for a new job and moves into a run-down apartment complex. Directed by Lee Chang-Hee, this series unravels as Jong-Woo encounters unsettling and mysterious neighbors, gradually becoming entangled in the eerie happenings within the building. The show delves into themes of paranoia and the darkness of human nature.
Yoon Jong-woo’s (Im Si-wan) need for a place to stay opens him up to a strange world.Based on Kim Yong-ki’s webtoonof the same name,Hell Is Other People, or more simply,Strangers from Hell, follows Jong-woo after his financial struggles and relocation for work lead him to temporarily move into a cheap dormitory filled with abnormal residents.
Though Jong-woo is wary of his neighbors, he decides to stay until he makes enough money at work that’ll allow him to move out.Hell Is Other Peoplehas a fascinating premisethat moves at an effortlessly brisk pace. The behavior of the K-drama’s bizarre characters and unsettling happenings throughout the show prompt audiences to speed through the series out of curiosity alone.
Alchemy of Souls
Alchemy of Souls is a South Korean TV series set in the fictional Daeho kingdom, following the lives of mages whose fate is altered by the practice of soul-shifting. Directed by Park Joon-hwa, the series stars Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, and Hwang Min-hyun, weaving together themes of magic, mystery, and destiny as characters navigate their intertwined lives under the influence of powerful spells and political intrigue.
The Hong sisters, the celebrated duo of screenwriters behindHotel del LunaandMy Girlfriend Is a Gumiho, are behind the grand, fantastical world inAlchemy of Souls. The series takes place ina fictional country where the titular forbidden spell allows individuals' souls to switch bodies. One of these people is a former warrior (Go Youn-jung) who finds herself trapped inside the body of the servant of a nobleman (Lee Jae-wook).
Complications quickly arise from the body-swapping spell, producing a fast-moving plot that draws audiences in and keeps them thoroughly entertained. Aside from the captivating performances of the series' cast,Alchemy of Souls' budgetand production value are also deserving of admiration. The K-drama’s fictional world is brought to life with top-notch CGI and cinematography that highlights the characters' magical abilities.
Lovestruck In The City
Lovestruck In The City (2020) follows the lives of young urbanites navigating the complexities of romance and relationships in the bustling city of Seoul, South Korea. The series delves into the personal stories of each character, exploring their dreams, emotions, and the impact of love on their lives while capturing the vibrancy and dynamic nature of city living.
It’seasy for audiences to binge-watchLovestruck in the Cityand finish the series before they know it, thanks to the K-drama’s unique setup and realistic story. Differing from the other K-dramas mentioned,Lovestruck in the Cityutilizes an interview format, where its characters, each in their 20s or 30s, give their perspectives on romance. Audiences become familiar with the characters as they follow them along during their daily routines.
ThoughLovestruck in the City’s plot is fictional, the interviews with characters, frequent acknowledgment of the camera crew, and the occasional breaking of the fourth wall mirror the addictive qualities of a reality show.Lovestruck in the Cityhas a well-written story full of heartbreak and humor, and moves at an appreciated, quick speed.
Strong Girl Bong-Soon
Strong Girl Bong-Soon is a South Korean television series released in 2017, starring Park Bo-young as Bong-soon, a woman born with superhuman strength. She navigates the challenges of concealing her powers while working as a bodyguard for a CEO, played by Park Hyung-sik. The series delves into themes of justice, romance, and self-discovery, creating a compelling narrative that balances humor and action.
There’s a lot to love aboutStrong Girl Bong-soon, including its quick pace. The K-drama, which is also known asStrong Woman Do Bong Soon, iscentered around the titular character (Park Bo-young), who is born with a superhuman strengththat’s been passed down through the women in her family. Containing hints of a coming-of-age story,Strong Girl Bong-soonalso incorporates romance, comedy, and thrills within its plot.
The subplot surrounding a series of local kidnappings keepsStrong Girl Bong-soonmoving along at a nice pace, but neither the suspense nor the plot twists are rushed. The character development of Bong-soon is also realistic and handled well, as she gradually learns to embrace her Herculean abilities that once made her insecure.
Weak Hero
Weak Hero Class 1 is a drama film released in 2022, focusing on a gifted yet introverted student who faces bullies and adversaries with the help of newfound friends. As he navigates a perilous environment, the challenges reveal the increasing dangers of his world.
Fortunately, the important themes addressed inWeak Herodon’t get lost in its fast pace and multitude of action sequences.The series explores the effects of bullyingand the inevitable cycle of violence that many victims of bullying find themselves in. At the center of the K-drama’s tense plot is Yeon Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon), who is among the smartest in his class and is constantly picked on by his school’s toughest bullies.
Luckily, Si-eun forms a closeness with two of his classmates, and the trio winds up becoming an unexpected force against the school’s group of bullies.Weak Herois agreat K-drama for those who love animeor a gripping underdog story.The characters throughout the show are relatable, flawed, and easy to become invested in.
While You Were Sleeping
In this fantasy drama series, a young woman and two men are burdened with prophetic dreams that reveal future events. Together, they strive to prevent the impending misfortunes they foresee, encountering challenges as they navigate the boundaries between destiny and choice.
Fusing the makings of a thrilling legal drama with a fantasy romance series,While You Were Sleepinghas a bit of something for everyone to enjoy.The show centers around a trio of individuals with the ability to see the future in their dreams. Together, Nam Hong-joo (Bae Suzy), Jung Jae-chan (Lee Jong-suk), and Han Woo-tak (Jung Hae-in) work to prevent their disastrous dreams from becoming a reality.
Coupled alongside the fun exploration of the trio’s unique ability are the series of crimes Jae-chan, a rookie prosecutor, has to investigate. ThoughWhile You Were Sleepingcan be dark, there’s still a lot of fun to be had with the core trio and their efforts to make a change. The fast pace and compelling mysteries that are made different in most episodes allow audiences to finish the show relatively quickly.
My Name
My Name is a South Korean television series starring Han So-hee as Ji-woo, a revenge-driven woman who infiltrates a drug cartel to avenge her father’s death. As she rises through the ranks, Ji-woo must navigate the dangerous underworld of organized crime and confront her own morality.
Having only eight episodes,My Namewastes no time getting into its gritty action. Han So-hee leads the show asYoon Ji-woo,a young woman who is haunted by the mysterious and sudden death of her father. Determined to find out what happened to him, Ji-woo immerses herself in the local underworld. Played with much courage by Han, Ji-woo is an inspiring, tough protagonist on a single-minded mission.
There’s a lot packed intoMy Name’s eight episodes, but the intensity, shocking plot twists, and Ji-woo’s character development are never sacrificed for the sake of the K-drama’s momentum.
My Nameis action-packedand features one of the moremenacing villains seen in thriller K-dramas. Additionally, the series' fast-moving pace is handled extremely well. There’s a lot packed intoMy Name’s eight episodes, but the intensity, shocking plot twists, and Ji-woo’s character development are never sacrificed for the sake of the K-drama’s momentum.
Guardian: The Lonely And Great God
Guardian: The Lonely And Great God is a 2016 South Korean television series following the lives of a modern-day goblin and his human bride. Portrayed by Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun, the show delves into themes of immortality and destiny as the goblin seeks to end his eternal existence. The series blends romance, fantasy, and drama, winning acclaim for its unique storyline and strong performances.
Though audiences will certainly wish they had more time withGuardian: The Lonely and Great Godand its characters, it’s a K-drama that flies by.The fantasy K-dramabecame a cultural phenomenon in South Koreaduring its run, and there’s no doubt as to why. The series masterfully blends fantasy with comedy and romance, producing a love story that is enthralling and tragic.
The series centers around the titular character (Gong Yoo),a goblin who wishes to break free from his curse of immortality. However, his plan is interrupted when he begins to fall for Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun) —the one person who can help set him free.Goblin’s compelling story and well-established, whimsical world are easy to fall in love with and get through in no time.
