EXCLUSIVE: Janice de Belen Shares Her Favorite K-Dramas Of All Time
"The Heirs" and "My Love from the Star" top her list!
"The cute boys (I'm not gonna lie)," Filipino actress Janice de Belen admits they're some of the reasons why she's hooked on K-Dramas. Fans like her understand how these Korean heartthrobs have the power to pull you into a seemingly endless vortex—next thing you know, you've already watched several of a certain actor's dramas and, perhaps without you realizing it, you've suddenly become an avid watcher. That's typically the first factor that draws one in until you discover countless more reasons why their shows are extremely addictive.
But aside from that, Janice is impressed by how these shows get creative with their manner of storytelling, so masterfully executed that even simple plots get surprising, out-of-the-box twists. "They do have stories that are out of this world but they make it work, and they are not afraid to try," she adds.
It was in 2014 when Janice discovered the world of K-Dramas, and she has since been so immersed in the South Korean culture. Back then, she had a major opportunity to interview Korean heartthrob and The King: Eternal Monarch star Lee Min-ho on the now-defunct weekly entertainment news and talk show Buzz Ng Bayan. As big of a deal that was, however, she shares, "I wasn’t very happy with the interview outcome because I had no idea who he was. So feeling ko I might as well watch his drama that was ongoing, so at least I would know who he was." At the time, Lee Min-ho's hit drama series The Heirs (or The Inheritors), which premiered in South Korea in 2013, was set to air in the Philippines via ABS-CBN.
The Heirs is the first-ever K-Drama she watched. And as they say, there's nothing like the first time so, years later, it still remains as one of her favorites of all time. She loved it so much it became the gateway to this dynamic world she never realized existed. "I've watched The Heirs about more than 100 times. It's what played on my TV while I was sleeping for about a year," Janice reveals.
An actress herself, she has certain standards that have to be met for her to get hooked on a series. She's open to exploring different genres, but what must be present in them at all times are great cast members. She explains, "If the story is good but the acting is bad, I can’t watch it, maybe because I'm an actress, and in anything I watch, that’s what I watch out for. If the first 30 minutes do not catch my attention, I stop. For me, the first 30 minutes are very crucial."
Over the years, Janice's collection of K-Dramas has grown, and so as her list of favorite South Korean actors and actresses. She acknowledges the acting chops of many Hallyu stars, but those who have truly captured her heart include Song Joong-ki, Lee Min-ho, Kim Soo-hyun, Lee Jong-suk, Lee So-hyuk, Park Shin-hye, Hwang Jung-eum, Jun Ji-hyun, Son Ye-jin, and recently, Kim Hee-ae (The World of the Married star who was named the Best Actress for TV at the recently-concluded 56th Baeksang Arts Awards).
Her fangirling has reached the level of even visiting filming locations in South Korea. She had been to the set of My Love from the Star, the bookstore featured in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin), as well as Nami Island which is an iconic filming spot seen on Winter Sonata. When the COVID-19 health crisis is over and traveling is safe again, South Korea tops her list of destinations she wants to visit. "I can’t wait to walk in Myeongdong," she shares.
Janice echoes the dream of every K-Drama fan—that is, to relive those memorable scenes by being in the exact locations where her favorite actors filmed. She says, "We will probably not get to see the actors but subconsciously, you want to have the magical experience that you see in K-Dramas."
Like many Filipinos, during the lockdown, Janice also spent a lot of time watching K-Dramas. She re-watched some of her favorites and checked out new trending titles, too, such as The World of the Married and Itaewon Class.
So, what are on her binge list now? She's currently watching The King: Eternal Monarch and Born Again. Those she plans to watch next include Prison Playbook, Hotel del Luna, and It's Okay to Not be Okay (which will be released this month).
If you're a K-Drama fan yourself, we're sure you're curious about Janice's top picks that have left a lasting impression on her. Someone like her with years of experience binge-watching these shows sure knows a great drama when she sees one.
This K-Drama expert points out, "For me, when I say 'favorite,' it’s something that I can watch over and over again and not lose interest."
What's your favorite K-Drama of all time?
Check out Janice de Belen's favorite K-Dramas of all time in the gallery below:
Take note, this list is in no particular order, except for numbers 1 and 2 which Janice really considers her top two picks.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
Janice's Favorite K-Dramas Of All Time
Janice's Favorite K-Dramas Of All Time
12. "Romance is a Bonus Book"
It stars one of her favorite Korean actors, Lee Jong-suk, who's currently enlisted in the military and is scheduled to be discharged on January 2, 2021. Here, he stars as Cha Eun-ho, a successful author and a publishing company's youngest editor-in-chief. He has a long-time friend, Kang Dan-i (portrayed by Lee Na-young), a former advertising copywriter who becomes unemployed and is a divorcee. She joins his publishing company, and as they go through challenges both in their personal and professional lives, they realize they have feelings for each other.
Of the show, Janice says, "['Romance is a Bonus Book'] is a really cute and feel-good show."
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11. "Innocent Man" (or "Nice Guy")
Song Joong-ki's character is Kang Ma-ru, a medical student who seemed to have a bright future until he falls in love and gets betrayed by Han Jae-hee (portrayed by Park Si-yeon). She's an ambitious woman who turned her back on Ma-ru to be with a rich CEO. Heartbroken, his life becomes miserable and he now works as a bartender and gigolo. He meets Seo Eun-gi (portrayed by Moon Chae-won), who happens to be the daughter of the abovementioned CEO. Ma-ru uses Eun-gi to take revenge on Jae-hee.
Although Janice admits that this story has flaws, she enjoyed this K-Drama because it had good actors. She thought the project suited Song Joong-ki, and that he had good chemistry with his co-actors.
10. "Crash Landing on You"
"Crash Landing on You" is the trending series that sparked the K-Drama fascination of many Filipinos. This is a story between a South Korean heiress named Yoon Se-ri (portrayed by Son Ye-jin), who accidentally crash-lands in North Korea, and a North Korean military officer named Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok (portrayed by Hyun Bin). With their countries in conflict, these lovers find themselves crossing boundaries (literally!) to reach a happily ever after.
Just as everyone loved "Crash Landing on You," Janice thought it was a well-produced show as well. She thinks the show pushed the limits, both in terms of creativity and logistics, and it worked because it enjoyed phenomenal success.
Photo Credit: Drama Milk
9. "While You Were Sleeping"
The three characters in this series—field reported Nam Hong-joo (portrayed by Bae Suzy), rookie prosecutor Jung Jae-chan (portrayed by Lee Jong-suk), and police officer Han Woo-tak (portrayed by Jung Hae-in)—all have acquired the ability to see the future through their dreams. They use this ability to prevent unfortunate events from happening and stop the corrupt ways of lawyer Lee Yoo-beom (portrayed by Lee Sang-yeob).
Janice shares that she always looks forward to the shows of Lee Jong-suk, because he's such a great actor. And his portrayal in "While You Were Sleeping" is no exception. "He seems to know how to pick the projects that best suit him," she says.
Photo Credit: Seoulbeats
8. "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" ("Goblin")
In this series, Gong Yoo is Kim Shin, a military general from the Goryeo Dynasty who is framed as a traitor. Because of all the murders he has committed, he was cursed by the almighty to become an immortal goblin whose punishment is to carry the heavy burden of seeing his loved ones pass away one by one while he continues to live on. Now 939 years old, he meets high school student Ji Eun-tak (portrayed by Kim Go-eun), who can see ghosts. She happens to be the legendary "Goblin's bride," and is the only one who can end the Goblin's immortality. However, when they fall in love with each other, that's when things start to become even more complicated for their relationship and their fates.
"I loved the story," Janice quips. This is the first K-Drama of Gong Yoo that she watched, and she really appreciated his talent and on-screen charm from hereon. She adds, "I also enjoyed the bromance between him and Lee Dong-wook."
Photo Credit: Soompi
7. "She Was Pretty"
It was through this show that she discovered Korean actor Park Seo-joon. This rom-com series features Park Seo-joon as Ji Sung-joon, the youngest deputy chief editor in Korea who's assigned to work at "The Most" magazine's publishing company. There, he meets intern-turned-junior editor Kim Hye-jin (portrayed by Hwang Jung-eum), who isn't as beautiful and smart as she used to be, making her less confident about herself. Regardless, in the process of them working with each other, Ji Sung-joon falls in love with her, not realizing she was his first love after all.
A light and fun K-Drama, it gave Janice an enjoyable viewing experience overall. There were a lot of scenes that made her laugh. And thanks to this show, she discovered Park Seo-joon and the secondary male lead, Choi Siwon.
6. "Pinocchio"
Ki Ha-myung's (portrayed by Lee Jong-suk) father died in a factory explosion. Because of a misleading news by reporter Song Cha-ok (portrayed by Jin Kyung) that tainted the image and reputation of his father, Ha-myung's family becomes an outcast. Because of this, his mother jumps off the cliff with him, and he was miraculously rescued by an old man who, due to memory loss, believes Ha-myung is his older son Choi Dal-po. Assuming that name, he then meets the old man's younger son and his daughter (Choi In-ha, portrayed by Park Shin-hye). In-ha has a "Pinocchio syndrome" which causes her to hiccup every time she lies. Dal-po and In-ha grow up together and later become rivals as reporters, while romance is brewing between them. Then he finds out that the reporter he despises, Cha-ok, is the estranged mother of In-ha. Upon discovering this, she helps him uncover the conspiracies surrounding this issue in the news industry, while showing Cha-ok what it truly means to be a reporter.
Park Shin-hye is one of Janice's favorite Korean actresses. She's so talented she always manages to display such good chemistry with every actor she works with. This is the first Lee Jong-suk drama Janice saw, and she has loved him since.
Photo Credit: Netflix
5. "Valid Love"
Jang Hee-tae (portrayed by Uhm Tae-wong) and Kim Il-ri (portrayed by Lee Si-kyoung) meet at an all-girls high school, where he's a substitute biology teacher and she's a student. They develop feelings for each, but lose contact. Seven years later, they meet again, fall in love, and get married. But then, Hee-tae discovers she's having an affair with a carpenter she works with, Kim Joon (portrayed by Lee Soo-hyuk). As the married couple deals with challenges in their family, they realize what and who matter most in their lives.
For Janice, this K-Drama has a perfect combination of a good story and great actors to match. She also notes, "I especially loved the soundtrack of this show."
4. "Fated to Love You" (or "You Are My Destiny")
A wealthy heir, Lee Gun (Jang Hyuk), meets a naive office worker at a law firm, Kim Mi-young (Jang Na-ra) by accident. After taking a drugged drink separately, they find themselves in the same hotel room by chance and end up sleeping together. Because of this accidental one-night stand, Mi-young later finds out she's pregnant. So, she and Lee Gun hold a shotgun wedding. As time passes by and as they wait for the arrival of their baby, they become close and realize they've fallen in love with each other.
Janice's sister, Gelli de Belen, is also a huge K-Drama fan, so she recommended this to her. Janice loved how Jang Hyuk portrayed his character here. "I cried so much watching this," she says.
3. "Descendants of the Sun"
Another K-Drama starring one of her favorite Korean actors, Song Joong-ki, "Descendants of the Sun" follows the love story between Captain Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) of the South Korean Special Forces Unit and Dr. Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo), a cardiothoracic surgeon. They first meet by chance at the hospital she works in, and they begin dating shortly after. However, his work, which he can't tell her about due to the "highly classified" nature of his assignments, gets in the way of their relationship, so they decide to break up. They reunite in a mission in a place called Uruk, enduring an earthquake and viral endemic together, and start dating again. But Si-jin is sent to another mission after; he disappears and is assumed to be dead. A year after, while Mo-yeon is commemorating his death by volunteering with a medical team in Albania, she finds Si-jin there.
Although she admits she watched this by accident, she doesn't regret finishing this series, because it's through this that she got to discover Song Joong-ki. "Dito ko minahal si Song Joong-ki," Janice declares. "Great acting, great story and chemistry, and something very different."
2. "My Love from the Star"
Romance, fantasy, drama, and science fiction are impressively combined in this 21-episode series. It stars Kim Soo-hyun as Do Min-joo, a handsome-looking alien who landed on Earth during the Joseon period. When he saves a girl from falling off a cliff, he misses his chance to go back to his planet and is stranded on Earth for four centuries. The present-day Do Min-joo is a college professor whose fate gets entangled with his neighbor, Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun), who's a famous celebrity. As his path crosses hers more and more, he realizes she resembles the young girl he met and cared for in the past. They fall in love with each other, but it's almost time for him to go back to his planet.
Janice loved the chemistry between Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Soo-hyun. "They're both very good actors," she says. "['My Love from the Star'] made me laugh while crying."
1. "The Heirs"
As its title suggests, this series is about a group of rich high school students who are about to take over their families' companies. Kim Tan (Lee Min-ho) is the heir of the Jeguk group, despite him being the son of his father's mistress. He's listed as the second son of his father's legitimate wife, so he can be the legitimate heir. Although he's engaged to heiress Yoo Rachel (Kim Ji-won), another woman catches his attention, Cha Eun-sang (Park Shin-hye), who's the daughter of his family's live-in housekeeper.
Of her favorite K-Drama of all time, Janice says, "I loved the story, the technical visuals, and I was surprised by how good the actors were. Dito ko minahal si Lee Min-ho. For me, this is Lee Min-ho's best series."
Lead photos from Star Cinema and Unsplash
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