This post is thanks to MeriJ, who suggested the topic “K-Roms Your BF/Husband Might Be Willing To Watch With You.” I’ve also come across many drama fans who do sincerely wish that their significant others would share in their passion and watch dramas with them.
And since many of us are spending a lot more time at home these days because of the pandemic, and also because we recently had a great time helping Amethystwaves shortlist dramas to watch with her mom, I thought it’d be a good time to attempt to answer the question:
Dear kfangurl,
What are some dramas that the man in my life might be willing to watch with me?
Are ya taking notes? 😉
Dear everyone who has a man in your life whom you’d like to get on the drama train,
I can’t guarantee that the dramas I talk about today will definitely appeal to the man in your life, because, as I’ve come to learn, all men are different, heh. But, I do hope that this post will at least give you some ideas.
Note: I’m writing this under the assumption that the man in your life is not yet as enlightened as the men in our drama community, who, as far as I can tell, are as adventurous in their drama picks as the next fangirl, and are game to try just about any genre. If this enlightened male drama fan is you, YAY you, and please stick around and give us your input to everyone else who might have a boyfriend, husband, dad, brother, son or son-in-law that they’d like to get on the drama train.
A couple of guidelines that might help
Really? Dramas aren’t all the same?
I’m guessing that if the man in your life isn’t super open to dramas, that they probably have the idea that dramas are mostly romance chick-flick soap opera type things.
When I first got to know one of my good male friends and we got to talking about dramas, he was shocked to hear that there are kdramas about vampires (more on that later), and that not everything is a soap opera. In that moment, he seemed a lot more interested in dramas than before, so I’m guessing that helping the man in your life see that there’s a lot more to enjoy in dramas than “chick-flick” “soap opera” type things, will help.
Here are some broad categories that I think the average non-drama initiated man might find interesting.
Action: Lots of men find shows with an action bent fun to watch, so picking a drama with some thrills and spills might be a good way to go.
Comedy: Drama comedy tends to be of the pretty broad variety, so if that matches with your man’s sense of humor, picking a comedy for his first drama might work.
Sports: If your man is into sports, or likes watching sports, then a drama that’s in a sports setting might be a great way to get him interested in watching dramas.
Underdog: Rooting for the underdog is a pretty universal theme; it’s easy to cheer for the good guy to triumph against the bad guys, and can make for pretty immersive drama watching.
Sageuks or period shows: I feel like sageuks or period shows present such a different world than the world that we live in, that it could give a newbie lots of interesting tidbits to explore.
Fantasy: In a similar vein to sageuks or period shows, a good fantasy drama would also likely have lots of interesting elements to keep your man interested.
40 SHOW SUGGESTIONS
Wow! I had no idea I would come up with 40 shows, when I started on this post. That’s.. a lot. So I’ve listed the shows in alphabetical order, to make it easier for you to find the show on this list again, if you need to.
Arang and the Magistrate
Arang’s got a great fantasy world, so I think that would make the watch feel more interesting for your man. Additionally, it’s quite funny in its set-up, coz Arang is a ghost, and our male lead is a magistrate who absolutely hates that he can see ghosts. I was very tickled at all the bits where he’s trying to pretend that he can’t see her. All of these elements make the show feel like much more than just the central romance. Also, it’s about Arang’s search for identity, so there’s that, too.
Review is here.
Are You Human Too?
Robots! Secrets! Drama! A wonderfully hilarious journey, with the right ironic lens.
Flash Review is here.
Bad Guys
Gritty action, reluctant teamwork, gruff brotherhood. It’s just the stuff to appeal to a male viewer, I would think. 🙂 Note: there’s no romance in this one.
Review is here.
Bridal Mask
Admittedly, it’s been years since I saw this, but when I watched it, I loved it. A stirring tale of a villain-turned-vigilante-hero and his journey of redemption. Show includes a strong star-crossed bromance. And you can pretty much ignore the token romance.
Review is here.
Chuno
A completely different world, of slaves and their masters, and the slave hunters hired to capture runaway slaves. Epic and stirring, with lots of fighting and brotherhood along the way. Not a romance, though the story contains a romance, if that makes sense. Jang Hyuk is magnificent and magnetic in this, and his fight skillz are glorious to behold.
Review is here.
City Hunter
Again, it’s been years since I saw this, but I liked it when I watched it. Intrigue, birth secrets, revenge plots, vigilante (anti?)hero and action to go with. This all ought to add up to make the romance go down better.
Crash Landing On You
Nothing like global hype to pique your man’s interest? This show made Netflix’s top ten shows streamed during lockdown. A peek into mysterious North Korea, handled with some comedy, action and drama on the side, on top of the usual South Korean setting. The central romance is amped up and cheesy, but lands so well, while reveling in its own tropes. There’s a reason so many non-drama fans have gotten sucked into this show.
Review is here.
Designated Survivor: 60 Days
Less of a political story, and more of an underdog story in a political setting. It’s so gratifying to see Ji Jin Hee’s timid Environment Minister step into his unexpected presidential shoes, and learn to grow into those shoes with integrity and courage, despite the odds stacked against him. There are little hints of romance in this, but the main story does not contain a romance.
Flash Review is here.
Fight My Way
Does your man enjoy MMA? Coz our male lead is a failed taekwondo athlete working to make good in the field of MMA, and that might be enough to get his attention. The romance is also handled very organically in this, and isn’t cheesy to watch, which helps.
Review is here.
Healer
Eeee!!! There honestly can’t be anyone who sees a character nonchalantly parkour off buildings on a regular basis, and not find it badass and cool. Healer is just so cool, that I think he’d appeal to your man and to you too. 😉 Show’s well-written, the backstory is cohesive, though a little ambiguous to start with, and the romance is very nicely handled. Plus, Park Min Young is as appealing as she is cute in this, so I don’t think your man could object.
Review is here.
Heartless City
Dark gangster noir, with badass lethal fight moves delivered with consistent laidback cool. Show is twisty and can feel hard to watch, but it sure is different. If your man prefers dark material, this could be your ticket. Plus, Jung Kyung Ho is iconic and amazing in this.
Flash Review is here.
I’m Not A Robot
More robots! This time, a cute fake robot, along with a real one, and the comedy that ensues from one pretending to be the other. You get a cute love story too, but the robot funnies should help to keep things entertaining, if your man isn’t immediately drawn to romance.
Flash Review is here.
Itaewon Class
A solid underdog story with a likable protagonist who feels easy to root for, and who feels aspirational too, at the same time, because of how loyal and pure-hearted he is. Warm found-family feels to be had, and a nice amount of diversity in the cast.
Review is here.
Kingdom
I admit I haven’t seen this. But I thought I should include this, because one of my male friends who famously doesn’t watch any kind of dramas (in any language) because he always has other things to do, actually came up to me and asked, “Have you seen Kingdom?!?” Turns out he’d watched it and liked it!
So yeah. Scary zombies and a sageuk world just might pique your man’s interest.
Laughter in Waikiki
Again, not one that I’ve seen, but lots of folks found this hilarious and heartwarming, and it’s got found-family themes too. Might be a contender, if your man enjoys comedies.
Let’s Eat
If your man is a foodie, then this might be a good pick. The food p0rn is great, and Doo Joon does a great job waxing lyrical about every dish. There’s also a theme of community, with singles within an apartment building coming together for food, but finding friendship as well. A little unevenly written, but heartwarming all the same.
Review is here.
Life On Mars
A fantasy sort of construct, great acting, found family, reluctant brotherhood, and an on-going mystery of exactly what is going on with our protagonist. Really nicely done, and you and your man ought to have a fun time comparing notes on what you think is really going on. Jung Kyung Ho and Park Sung Woong are so good in this. <3
Flash Review is here.
Memories of the Alhambra
Is your man into gaming? Coz if he is, this might be a good pick. The concept of playing your game in a real-life setting is quite intriguing, and the visual effects are pretty excellent. Think of it as an adventure quest and ignore the so-called romance Show tries to serve up.
Flash Review is here.
Money Flower
A magnificent revenge drama that’s satisfying all the way to the end. Jang Hyuk’s male lead is masterful at moving the pieces around on his chess board, and it’s a thrill to watch him play his revenge game with a languid, masterful control. Show contains some lashings of romance, but is, at its heart, a revenge story.
Review is here.
Mr. Sunshine
I admit I haven’t finished this one, but it’s much loved, and highly praised. Set in a very different time and world than we’re used to, with a range of characters who are tragically interesting, I’m thinking your man might find this worth watching.
My Beautiful Bride
A show that’s heavy on the action, and also, heavy on the idea of enduring, unconditional true love, this might be a win for both you and your man. Kim Moo Yul is so very fantastic in this. So great at the action, and also, so great at showcasing his character’s emotions.
Flash Review is here.
My Girlfriend is a Gumiho
Fun fantasy hijinks! Shin Min Ah is a nine-tailed fox who clings to a hapless Lee Seung Gi and continually insists that he buy her meat, if he doesn’t want her to eat him instead. Ha. Cute, fun and funny, and also, unexpectedly heart-grabby by the end. Might be a good (and sneaky) way to initiate your man to the appeal of k-romance. 😉
Shout-out to Kay for reminding me about this show, in one of my recent posts!
My Country
Star-crossed brotherhood, and the search for belonging, for meaning, and self, make up the backbone of this show. There’s a love triangle, but it mostly serves to amp up the angst in the star-crossed bromance. Beautifully shot and very pretty to look at, Show is a stirring, emotional ride, if you’re not too fussed about suspension of disbelief. Jang Hyuk is can’t-look-away compelling in this, as supporting character Lee Bang Won, and steals just about every scene he’s in.
Review is here.
My Mister
Such a dark yet beautiful story of humanity and kinship. This is a masterpiece, and should appeal to even a non-drama fan. It’s arguable whether there is romance in this; I feel it was positioned as a platonic soulmate sort of thing, but others feel differently. Regardless, it’s viscerally moving.
Review is here.
Nirvana in Fire (China)
A magnificent drama on every level. Superbly written, acted and directed, this one ruined me for other dramas, for a long time. It’s kinda like Money Flower (though this one came first), just amped up in scale, scope and depth many times over. You do have to be prepared to pay attention to conversations, because a lot of tussling happens in the dialogue. But there’s actual fights, wars and bloodshed too, as you go along. It’s sweeping, epic, and cracky, with the excitement and thrills amped up over several stages in the story.
My dad is so absolutely not a drama watcher, but once my mom talked him into giving this a try, he soon got into it (it takes about 4 eps to get your bearings), and then he was watching multiple episodes back to back, every day. And he loved it.
Flash Review is here.
Prison Playbook
Nothing like a grim prison setting to pique your man’s curiosity? Prison Playbook is all about found family, community and bromance, and Show brings the feels, just as well as it brings the corny humor. Some romance is served up on the side, and doesn’t overpower the narrative. The characters all have a time to shine, and I feel like a non-drama fan shouldn’t have much trouble taking to this one.
Review is here.
Secret Forest
I have to admit, I haven’t seen this one yet, but it’s highly praised and very well regarded in the drama community, as a gripping, compelling tale. Serial murder, corruption, and the unexpected partners who team up to solve it all. Won the 2018 Daesang (Grand Prize) at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Signal
I.. haven’t finished this one either. It’s not an easy watch, but if your man is ok with serial murders, this might be a good pick. This show is also highly praised and well regarded. A walkie-talkie crosses timelines and allows officers in the present to communicate with the past, enabling them to solve cold cases. Won Best Drama at the 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards.
Six Flying Dragons
Ahaha. Another show I didn’t finish. But, many drama fans love it and recommend it. A fictional, stylized take on the founding of the Joseon Dynasty, with political intrigue and action. Yoo Ah In is reportedly excellent in this.
Stove League
Does your man like baseball? Coz this story is pretty much all centered around baseball. You don’t have to love baseball to like this one, though. It’s a very solid little underdog story, of how the team that always ranks last in the league works to turn in things around, when a new General Manager comes on board. Note: there is no romance in this one.
Review is here.
Terius Behind Me
A fun and funny show, with spy and neighborhood ahjumma hijinks in equal measure. So Ji Sub is the loner undercover spy who ends up babysitting his neighbor’s young twins in an effort to investigate a case, and it’s cuteness overload, even while Show continues to move the spy story forward. Should be fun for both you and your man.
Flash Review is here.
The King’s Avatar (China)
I haven’t seen this one, but it’s on my list. If your man is into gaming, this might be a good pick. There’s reportedly no romance in this, but the gaming team dynamics is supposed to be very good stuff.
The Longest Day in Chang’an (China)
Beautifully shot, this show feels and looks more like a movie than a drama. This might make it more accessible to your non-drama initiated man. Plus, our protagonist is given an almost impossible task: to save the city of Chang’an from terrorist acts, before the day ends. There are lashings of romance in this one, but it’s not a major arc.
Flash Review is here.
The Three Musketeers
A fun and breezy fusion sageuk take on the age old tale of The Three Musketeers. Suspension of disbelief is required in varying amounts, but Show is a fun, rollicking ride that I think your man would enjoy.
Review is here.
Tree With Deep Roots
A stylized, fictional take on how King Sejong created hangul, and the obstacles he had to overcome, in order to achieve his dream of making literacy accessible to his people. An excellent show, with excellent performances by Han Suk Kyu and Jang Hyuk.
Two Weeks
A action-packed story with a boatload of heart, Lee Jun Ki‘s fugitive daddy on the run while trying to save his sick daughter, is just impossible not to root for. Quite excellent, on multiple fronts.
Review is here.
Vampire Prosecutor
Vampires! And so stylishly done too! Show is engaging, witty and well-written, and everything is served up in a slick, polished, elegant package. I don’t tend to love vampires or crime procedurals, but I really really liked this.
Review is here.
When The Camellia Blooms
There’s a serial murder in this, to keep things from being purely about relationships, so in this case, it might be a plus, for your man? The community feels are pretty great, and the OTP relationship has a dorky, quirky bent, which makes it feel refreshing and different. Bonus points for healthy relationship dynamics in this OTP.
Flash Review is here.
When The Devil Calls Your Name
A fantasy tale of a man who sells his soul to the devil for career success, and lives to regret it. Suspension of disbelief is required, but Show boasts some excellent performances by Jung Kyung Ho and Park Sung Woong. A little uneven at times, but if your man enjoys poignance, comedy and soul-searching, this might be your ticket.
Flash Review is here.
You From Another Star
From the same writer who gave us Crash Landing On You, this show does a lot of the same things right. Cheesy romance that actually works, in the midst of fun and funny hijinks, this time, with an alien falling in love with a top actress. Show brings the funny as deftly as it brings the feels, and should be fun for both of you.
Review is here.
IN CLOSING
I sure hope this list gives you guys some ideas in terms of dramas to pitch to the men in your lives. Remember, drama love is also like romantic love: it’s all about timing. So pick your time wisely, when pitching dramas to your man.
As always, if you guys have ideas, suggestions or other shows to recommend, please share them in the comments – coz sharing is caring. 😉
I hope this helps. Have fun!
Love! ❤
~kfangurl
May he end up loving dramas as much as you do! ❤️
POST-SCRIPT:
1. If you feel that I missed anything, or if you have your own insights that you’d like to share with the rest of us, do tell us about it in the comments!
2. Do you have a question of your own? Drop me a comment here or on the Dear kfangurl page, or send me an email!
