17 Fresh And Upcoming K-Dramas That Should Be On Your Radar Now

"Forest" (Airing date: January 29 - March 19, 2020)

A “healing” drama starring Park Hae-jin and Jo Bo-ah which tackles the story of two people whose lives changed after they were forced by circumstances to live together in a mysterious forest that harbors secrets about their childhood. Park Hae-in plays Kang San-hyeok, a handsome and smart member of a special rescue team who does not remember his childhood while Jo Bo-ah is Jung Young-jae, an enthusiastic surgical resident.

"Itaewon Class" (Airing date: January 31, 2020 - March 22, 2020)

This series about a struggling restaurateur stars "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim" lead actor Park Seo-joon as Park Sae-ro-yi. Sae-ro-yi was expelled from school and is an ex-convict simply trying to live a better life, pursuing the dream of his late father who was killed in an accident. His road to success is met with many obstacles, caused by his biggest competitor in the food business, Jang Dae-hee (portrayed by Yoo Jae-myung).

"Hyena" (Airing date: February 21 - April 11, 2020)

Get ready for a ride, as respected Korean actors Kim Hye-soo (as Jung Geum-ja) and Joo Ji-hoon (also from Netflix’s “Kingdom,” as Yoon Hee-jae) clash in this drama. It tells the story of these two lawyers who work for the top 1% of society. Both will do anything to win their cases. The show focuses on how the law can be manipulated just to benefit the rich and the powerful.

"Hi Bye, Mama" (Airing date: February 22 - April 2020)

In her grand TV comeback after getting married to actor-pop star Rain and becoming a mother, Kim Tae-hee plays the role of Cha Yu-ri, a ghost who has been dead for five years. She left behind a husband and a young daughter. To experience being a human again, she has to carry out a reincarnation mission for 49 days. Her husband Jo Kang-hwa, played by Lee Kyu-hyung, is a skilled surgeon who remarried after overcoming the pain of losing his wife. After five years, his dead wife reappears.

"When the Weather is Fine" (Airing date: February 23, 2020 - ongoing)

Branded as a healing and romance drama, the show stars Seo Kang-joon and Park Min-young as former classmates. Park Min-young is the aspiring professional cellist who left her small town to pursue her big dreams in Seoul. However, unpleasant experiences in the city makes her go back to her hometown and she crosses paths with Im Eun-seob, played by Seo Kang-joon, a former classmate and a local bookshop owner.

"Memorist" (Airing date: March 11, 2020 - ongoing)

This is about two different people with two different approaches in the police force. Yoo Seung-ho is Dong Baek, a detective who has an extraordinary ability to peer into the memories of whoever he touches. He gets into a lot of trouble with his actions. Enter Han Sun-mi, played by Lee Se-young, a genius profiler who has solved difficult cold cases. The two are brought together to help find a serial killer who transcends their abilities.

"Hospital Playlist" (Airing date: March 12 - May 28, 2020)

This drama tells the story of five doctors who remained close friends since med school and found themselves working at the same hospital as well as sharing a love for music. Cast members include Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung and Jeon Mi-do. This is a project of screenwriter Lee Woo-jung and director Shin Won-ho who will undoubtedly reprise the magic of their tandem from their critically and commercially successful shows “Reply” series and “Prison Playbook.”

"A Piece of Your Mind" (Release date: March 23, 2020)

If you can’t get enough of Jung Hae-in, this is the drama to catch! He essays the role of Ha Won, an artificial intelligence programmer who meets Seo Woo, played by “I Am Not a Robot” actress Chae Soo-bin, a classical music recording engineer. As the two begin a journey together, they are set to learn that even two different halves can still make something whole.

"Meow, The Secret Boy" (Release date: March 25, 2020)

The fantasy drama stars Shin Ye-eun as Kim Sol-ah and Kim Myung-soo as Hong-jo. It has a short but really interesting synopsis: Sol-ah brings home a cat, unaware that the cat can turn into a human being.

"The King: Eternal Monarch" (Release date: April 2020)

Hallyu king Lee Min-ho plays Lee Gon, a Korean emperor, who tries to seal the doors to a parallel world opened by demons. The demons were unleashed by a deity into the human world. Kim Go-eun (from “Goblin”) is detective Jung Tae-eul who tries to protect the people and her loved ones. Together, the two will try to avert a crisis.

"Contract Friendship" (Release date: April 6, 2020)

Yet another CLOY alumnus is set for another brand new K-Drama. Lee Sin-young, who played as one of Captain Ri’s North Korean soldiers, is Park Chan-hong who is friends with Heo Don-hyuk, played by Shin Seung-ho, in their high school. They’re friends but they lead totally different lives. Popular high school girl Uhm Se-yoon, played by Kim So-hye, enters the picture as someone who has a crush on Chan-hong. This is based on a webtoon.

"When My Love Blooms" (Release date: April 2020)

K-pop fans will rejoice with K-drama fans! GOT7’s Jinyoung is starring in this drama along with Lee Bo-young, Yoo Ji-tae and Jeon So-nee. The drama will showcase the love story of a college couple who reunite many years later after their lives have changed completely.

"Shall We Have Dinner Together? (Release date: May 4, 2020 - June 23, 2020)

We fell in love with Seo Ji-hye as CLOY’s Seo Dan but is popular actor Song Seung-hoon ready to fall for her in this new drama? The drama is about a young woman who went through a rough time after a breakup with someone she’s still in love with. She unexpectedly meets a man at a restaurant while both of them are dining alone. They were mistaken for a couple and ended up having dinner together for one time and decided to have dinner together weekly. They strike an unusual friendship.

"Psycho But It's Okay" (Release date: June 2020)

This drama is the highly anticipated comeback of Korean superstar Kim Soo-hyun after serving his military duties. He stars opposite Seo Ye-ji. It’s a story about Moon Kang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun) who works in a psychiatric ward and deals with patients and unexpected situations. Seo Ye-ji plays the role of a popular children’s book author who has an antisocial personality disorder.

Photo Credit: Photos from Naver and AsianWiki

"Love Alarm 2" (Release date: August 2020)

After the success of “Love Alarm,” Netflix is set to come out with its season 2. The drama tells the story of three young people living in the age of a just-released app called Love Alarm. The app allows users to know who has romantic feelings for them nearby. The first season ends on a cliffhanger where lead female protagonist Kim Jojo, played by Kim So-hyun, was caught in between two childhood friends Hwang Sun-oh, played by Song Kang, and Lee Hye-jeong, played by Jung Ga-ram, who both fell for her.

Photo Credit: Photo from tvN

"18 Again (2020)" (Release date: TBC)

Are you missing Lee Do-hyun from “Hotel del Luna?” Don’t worry, the actor is set to star in a drama based on the Hollywood film “17 again,” starring Zac Efron. He even plays the Korean version of Zac’s character. The cast includes Kim Ha-neul who plays Jung Da-jung, a husband who returns to his younger and prime days, 18 years ago, before his divorce. Lee Do-hyun is Jung Da-jung’s 18-year-old self.

Photo Credit: Photo from MyDramaList

"School 2020" (Release date: August 2020)

Part of the “School” anthology, the drama centers on the life of students at a vocational high school. Starring Produce X 101 and X1’s center Kim Yo-han, the drama follows the story of Kim Tae-jin, a taekwondo player who would be forced to quit because of a serious ankle injury. Kim Sae-ron reportedly received the offer to play the series’ female lead character, Na Geum-young.

Photo Credit: Photos from @y_haa.n and @ron_sae