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The last few months have been less than exciting for K-drama fans, with mostly middling shows like Bora! Deborah (available on Prime Video) and Black Knight (on Netflix). However, things have been looking up since end-June, with releases like Revenant (starring the brilliant Kim Tae-ri and streaming on Disney+ Hotstar), See You in My 19th Life (on Netflix) and Heartbeat (on Prime Video). Additionally, Amazon miniTV is all set to launch Hindi-dubbed Korean content on their platform. Netflix will also have Hindi dubs of new shows. Dubbed K-dramas have been available on platforms like MX Player for a few years now, but the technical quality of the dubbing left a lot to be desired. With bigger players entering the field, it’ll be interesting to see if the already-popular genre can give Hindi equivalents a run for their money.
Streaming on Netflix from July 28
The eagerly awaited second instalment of this drama continues to tell stories about young men performing mandatory military service. D.P. stands for Deserter Pursuit (D.P), and this team is tasked with tracking down soldiers who go AWOL during military service. While the star of the series remains Jung Hae-in, the first season’s breakout star was Koo Gyo-hwan as the irreverent Han Ho-yul. The series was commended for “its unflinching look at the harsh reality of South Korean military service.”
Streaming on Netflix from July 13
While the ‘cold CEO falls in love with his earnest employee’ trope seems to be a K-drama staple at this point (What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, Business Proposal… the list is long), this one relies on the charm of K-pop legends Lee Jun-ho of 2PM and Im Yoon-ah of Girls Generation (the word on the street is that they're dating off-screen as well, although the rumours have been denied by their agencies). Lee plays Gu-won, the son of a chaebol who has a prickly relationship with his father and whose arch nemesis is his step-sister. Im plays Sa-rang (which means “love” in Korean), a hardworking young woman who has no posh credentials, but is determined to face all the challenges she faces with good cheer. Along with the formulaic romance, there’s a wholesome sub-plot featuring Sa-rang’s friendship with her two besties.
Streaming on Netflix from July 17
Another Girls Generation member comes to Netflix this month: Choi Soo-young plays a police officer in this drama, which is based on a webtoon. Also in the cast is Jeon Hye-jin, who played the police chief Choi Bit in the second season of Stranger and was one of the leads of Search: WWW, which has one of the most enjoyable portraits of female friendships you’ll see. The storyline of Not Others follows a bickering mother and daughter for whom things take an unexpected turn when new men enter their lives.
Streaming on Netflix from July 29
The first season brought together demon hunters and noodles, which, as it turns out, makes for a great combination. The highly anticipated sequel that hits Netflix this month brings the gang of “counters” (demon hunters) back to our screens, with a new director. The cast includes Kim Se-jeong (remember Business Proposal?), Cho Byeong-Kyu and Yoo In-soo (most recently seen in Alchemy of Souls).
Streaming on Netflix from July 26
When a town that has been crime free becomes the scene of a murder, it’s a case for detective Oh Jin-seong, played by Na In-woo (you might remember him as the second lead in the delightful Mr. Queen). Among the suspects is the detective’s younger brother and Jin-seong’s first challenge is to clear his brother’s name. Jin-seong manages to do this, but tragedy strikes again when his brother is killed in an unexpected attack.
Streaming on Netflix from July 31
Combining mystery and romance, My Lovely Liar is about a woman who can sniff out lies and a man who claims he’s been falsely accused of murder. Leading the cast are Kim So-hyun (who was particularly charming in The Tale of Nokdu and Bring it On, Ghost) and Hwang Min-hyun (you saw him most recently in Alchemy of Souls. And yes, he does have a striking resemblance to Cha Eun-woo). A better reason to look forward to this drama is director Nam Sung-woo, whose credits include My Roommate is a Gumiho, 100 Days My Prince, Because this is My First Life and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo.
Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar from July 5
In this drama’s first season, veteran detective Kim Taek-rok (Lee Seung-min) found himself framed for a murder that he hadn’t committed and battling early signs of dementia. By the end of its run, Taek-rok was starting to get panic attacks and eventually had to be suspended. Season 2 picks up a year and a half later, when Taek-rok returns to find he has been assigned to the department of Women and Juvenile Affairs. The desk job isn’t what Taek-rok was hoping for, but he hopes that his last years with the police will be calm as a result of this position. He is, of course, entirely wrong. After all, his blackmailer 'Friend' is still out there.
Alongside the new shows, these older dramas will also be on a platform near you.
Streaming on ZEE5 from July 7
Also known as Welcome, this fantasy rom-com features a graphic designer in her mid-twenties whose life changes when she brings home a cat that can take human form, specifically that of a handsome man named Hong-jo. As he tries to keep his identity a secret, the pair’s relationship develops in unexpected ways.
Streaming on ZEE5 from July 14
When high-schooler Kim Dan-oh finds out one day that she is merely the supporting character in a comic book, she decides to take her destiny into her own hands by changing the narrative and finding the love of her life.
Streaming on ZEE5 from July 21
A young Park Hoon and his father are captured and taken to North Korea. He eventually flees to South Korea and establishes himself as a top surgeon. However, he gets entangled in a sinister political plot in his quest to find his missing lover.
Streaming on ZEE5 from July 28
Kim Min-kyu is severely allergic to human beings (really, his skin breaks out in rashes when he comes in physical contact with anyone). His life is thrown for a loop when he comes across a young woman pretending to be a state-of-the-art robot.
Streaming on Amazon miniTV from July 7
This show follows Do Hae-yi, a bright young student who struggles to make ends meet for her family. When she joins the university cheering squad, she discovers the joys of campus life and meets a host of interesting people. Could a romance be on the cards?
Streaming on Amazon miniTV from July 7
Set in the thoracic surgery department of a hospital, this medical drama revolves around Dr. Park Tae-soo, who will do whatever it takes to secure a heart transplant for his ailing mother.
Streaming on Amazon miniTV from July 7
The series follows a group of doctors who aim to uncover the truth behind industrial accidents and diseases, particularly those that are hushed up by the powers that be. It also sheds light on the real-life occupational hazards that plague South Korean citizens.