The Best Korean Drama Series 2012

The Moon That Embraces The Sun (拥抱太阳的月

Review: Just finished watching the final episode of TMTETS, bitter sweet ending. Kim Soo Hyun was so cute and innocent when he acted silly and all. The beginning (first episode particularly) was a bit dull, but just bare with it so that you wouldn't miss out the back-story. Good news is, episode 2 and onwards were getting more and more interesting with great acting from that two kids who played young Hwon and young Yeon. I cried so hard watching episode 5!!! For those who are looking forward to see Jung Il Woo and Kim Soo Hyun, just hang in there until the 6th episode.

Title: 해를 품은 달 / Haereul Poomeun Dal
Also known as: The Moon Embracing the Sun / The Sun and the Moon
Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Period
Episodes: 20
Broadcast Network: MBC
Broadcast Period: 2012-Jan-04 to 2012-Mar-15 (Completed)
Air Time: Wednesday & Thursday 21:55

Cast:
Kim Soo Hyun as Lee Hwon
Han Ga In as Wol / Heo Yeon Woo
Jung Il Woo as Prince Yang Myung
Kim Min Seo as Yoon Bo Kyung

Synopsis:
The story of the secret love between Lee Hwon, a fictional king of Joseon, and Wol, a female shaman.


Dream High 2

Review: To be honest, I was very disappointed by how the relationship between the leads unfolded throughout the series as I really wanted Kang So Ra to be with Jin Yoo Jin. But looking at the bright side, there were few of my most favorite scenes like when the Kirin students held some sort of welcoming party for the underage idols moving into the hostel, and the part when they performed "B Class Life" on the stage, simply entertaining! I felt like I wanna see more of their hidden talents as the episodes grew, considering most of them are still new and fresh in the entertainment industry, except Jin Woon (2 AM) and Ji Yeon (T-ara).

Title: 드림하이 / Dream High
Genre: School, Drama, Comedy, Romance
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: KBS2
Broadcast Period: 2012-Jan-30 to 2012-Mar-20 (Completed)
Air Time: Monday & Tuesday 21:55

Cast:
Jung Jin Woon (2 AM) as Jin Yoo Jin
Kang So Ra as Shin Hye Sung
Im Jae Bum as JB / Jang Woo Jae
Park Ji Yeon (T-ara) as Lian / Lee Ji Kyung
Park Seo Joon as Si Woo
Hyo Rin (SISTAR) as Nana / Lee Jae Hee
Ailee as Ailee

Synopsis:
In Season Two, Kirin Arts High School has fallen from its top arts academy status into dire financial straits and is in danger of closing. This season follows a new group of students after the previous group graduated.

The school is taken over by OZ Entertainment Agency, who transfers their own idol stars over to the school to avoid the law that prohibits underage entertainers from performing after 10pm. Competition arises between the troubled students of Kirin and the newly transferred idols from OZ.


Shut Up Flower Boy Band （闭嘴，花美男乐队）

Review: Lovingly suggested by one of the readers here, and I thought, "Hey, no harm giving it a try right?". So there I went, started the first couple of episodes and I've got hooked up straight! It would take you to the kind of high school life that girls dream of having, with a bunch of pretty bad boys that keep your eyes open and never stop watching.

Title: 닥치고 꽃미남밴드 / Dakchigo Kkotminambaendeu
Previously known as: 꽃미남밴드: 안구정화 (Flower Boy Band: Eye Candy)
Genre: Youth, Romance, Drama
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: tvN
Broadcast Period: 2012-Jan-30 to 2012-Mar-20 (Completed)
Air Time: Monday & Tuesday 23:00

Cast:
Sung Joon as Kwon Ji Hyuk
L (Infinite) as Lee Hyun Soo
Lee Hyun Jae (Mate) as Jang Do Il
Kim Min Sook as Seo Kyung Jong
Yoo Min Kyu as Kim Ha Jin

Synopsis:
Eye Candy is a six member underground rock band led by Byung Hee. When the group transfers into the prestigious Jungsang High School, they find their rival, Strawberry Fields. This is a story about the two rock bands and how they deal with friendship, relationships, and their passion for music.


Fashion King (时尚王)
Review: At last! I managed to wrap up all 20 episodes of "Fashion King" with my spare time *phew* I gotta admit that I was thrilled at the very beginning, as I was anticipated to see Yoo Ah In portraying more of his charisma and charm in this series, following his more prominent role in "Sungkyunkwan Scandal". I waited episode by episode, week by week, only to content myself with more and more disappointments. The storyline has grown to be so dragging, and I eventually lost my passion until the last four episodes, sparkles reignited and faded with a Hollywood-like ending.

Title: 패션왕 / Fashion Wang
Genre: Romance, Drama
Episodes: 20
Broadcast Network: SBS
Broadcast Period: 2012-Mar-19 to 2012-May-22 (Completed)
Air Time: Monday & Tuesday Night 21:55

Cast:
Yoo Ah In as Kang Young Gul
Shin Se Kyung as Lee Ga Young
Lee Je Hoon as Jung Jae Hyuk
Kwon Yu Ri (SNSD) as Choi Anna

Synopsis:
Fashion King tells the story of young aspiring designers in Dongdaemun Market as they dream of success, and the relationships, love, and challenges they face along the way. Kang Young Gul has never had any goals or dreams for a bright future until he meets Lee Ga Young. Together they work towards their dreams.


Rooftop Prince （屋塔房王世子）

Review: This is hilarious!!! I laughed so hard watching most of the episodes, especially episode 1 to 9. The story later preceded with sadness and anxiety which made me tear as hard as I laughed. Tae Yong and Park Ha, there was such a sweetly intriguing romance between two of them. Episode 19 touched me so deep that I couldn't help breaking down, drowning myself in a pool of tears... Eventually, all the mysteries unraveled with a heartfelt fairytale ending.

Title: 옥탑방 왕세자 / Oktabbang Wangseja
Also known as: Attic Prince
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance
Episodes: 20
Broadcast Network: SBS
Broadcast Period: 2012-Mar-21 to 2012-May-24 (Completed)
Air Time: Wednesday & Thursday Night 21:55

Cast:
Micky Yoochun (JYJ) as Lee Gak / Yong Tae Yong
Han Ji Min as Park Ha
Lee Tae Sung as Yong Tae Moo
Jung Yoo Mi as Hong Se Na

Synopsis:
A prince from the Joseon era, Lee Gak, is catapulted 300 years forward into the future in Seoul 2012 with his entourage, which includes Song Man Bo, Do Chi San and Woo Young Sul, when he tries to investigate the suspicious circumstances which surround the death of the girl he loved. In the present, he finds a girl who looks exactly like his beloved crown princess...


Love Rain (爱情雨)

Review: I really liked the 70's retro style at the beginning of this drama, where every moment was captured so beautifully with the setting of fairy-tale like background and romantic tunes. It took me quite a while to get use to the roles of Jang Geun Suk and Yoona though, from the retro 70's to the modern 21st century and to fall in love with the cute couple all over again. Every love scene was simply so sweet and enjoyable until complications and sacrifice came across the father and son, mother and daughter... Vacillating situation and it remained uncertain until the last episodes, and ultimately, the lovely story concluded with a sweet and warming ending.

Title: 사랑비 / Sa-rang-bi
Also known as: Love Rain
Genre: Romance, Melodrama
Episodes: 20
Broadcast Network: KBS2
Broadcast Period: 2012-Mar-26 to 2012-May-29 (Completed)
Air Time: Monday & Tuesday 21:55

Cast:
Jang Geun Suk as Seo In Ha in the 70's / Seo Joon (In Ha's son)
Im Yoon Ah (SNSD) as Kim Yoon Hee in the 70's / Jung Ha Na (Yoon Hee's daughter)
Kim Si Hoo as Lee Dong Wook in the 70's / Lee Sun Ho (Dong Wook's son)
Son Eun Seo as Baek Hye Jung in the 70s

Synopsis:
"Love Rain" depicts a 1970's pure love and a love from the present day at the same time. It shows how the offsprings of a previous ill-fated couple, who met in the 1970s, managed to meet and fall in love. Seo In Ha and Kim Yoon Hee, a art student and a shy beauty, met and fell in love with each other during college in the 1970s but unfortunately their love was fated to never be. Now in the present 21st century Korea, Seo In Ha's son, Seo Joon (a liberal photographer) meets and falls in with the daughter of Kim Yoon Hee, Jung Ha Na, a cheerful and energetic girl who's personality is different from her mother's. Will their love for each other keep them together or will they have to face the same fate as their parents?


Queen In Hyun's Man (仁显王后的 男人）

Review: Thank you, guys! For recommending this to me ;) I actually took a month off from K-drama, before I was able to open up my heart for another time-travel romance comedy like "Rooftop Prince" again. First, I was not emotionally ready or prepared. Second, both of them just share too much similarities. I struggled a little when checking out the first episode, but fortunately, the storyline did not fail to impress me or should I say it was abso-freaking-lutely addictive, BEST time-travel-love-story ever!!! I got myself completely drawn into "Queen In Hyun's Man" as soon as I started the second episode. Yoo In Na was cute and I really like her true to heart acting.

Title: 인현왕후의 남자 / Inhyeon Wanghu-ui Namja
Also known as: Queen Inhyun's Man / Queen and I
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: tvN
Broadcast Period: 2012-Apr-18 to 2012-Jun-07 (Completed)
Air Time: Wednesday & Thursday 23:00

Cast:
Ji Hyun Woo as Kim Boong Do
Yoo In Na as Choi Hee Jin
Kim Jin Woo as Han Dong Min
Ga Deuk Hi as Jo Soo Kyung

Synopsis:
Kim Boong Do is a scholar who had supported the reinstatement of Queen In Hyun when Jang heebin's schemes resulted in her being deposed and replaced as King Sukjong's queen consort. He travels 300 years into the future of modern Seoul and meets Choi Hee Jin, a no-name actress who is expecting a career renaissance through her role as Queen In Hyun in a TV drama.


Dr. Jin (仁医)

Review: Still watching... I'm kind of in the dilemma whether to keep this in my recommendation list or not. I found the storyline quite dull after first quarter of the episodes, and the chemistry between Song Seung Hun and Park Min Young just wasn't engaging and touching enough... It's a shame 'cause I really like Song Seung Hun...

Title: 닥터 진 / Dak-teo Jin
Also known as: 타임슬립 닥터 진 / Time Slip Dr. Jin
Genre: Period, Medical
Episodes: TBA
Broadcast Network: MBC
Broadcast Period: 2012-May-26 to 2012-Aug (Completed)
Air Time: Saturday & Sunday 21:50

Cast:
Song Seung Hun as Jin Hyuk
Park Min Young as Yoo Mi Na / Hong Young Rae
Kim Jaejoong (JYJ) as Kim Kyung Tak
Lee Bum Soo as Lee Ha Eung

Synopsis:
Jin Hyuk is a genius neurosurgeon with a cold and severe attitude in his interactions with other people due to his personal pursuit of perfection. Through a mysterious power, Jin Hyuk finds himself transported back in time 150 years. He begins treating people there, but the lack of necessary implements and rudimentary medical knowledge of the period forces him to seek new ways to aid the sick. Through this challenging process, Jin Hyuk eventually becomes a genuine doctor.


To the Beautiful You (致美丽的你)

Review: Still watching... If you loved watching the Taiwanese version of "Hanazakarino Kimitachihe" aka "花样少男少女" or the Japanese version of "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e" aka "花ざかりの君たちへ", then I reckon you would never wanna miss out on this one, the Korean version named "To the Beautiful You"! I couldn't help but notice that, by pure chance, Cha Eun Kyul (Lee Hyun Woo) reminds me a lot of You're Beautiful's Jeremy (Lee Hong Ki). He's cute and funny, and I'm anxious to see how the love triangle plays out.

Title: 아름다운 그대에게 / Areumdawun Geodaeege
Also known as: To the Beautiful You / Hana Kimi / For You In Full Blossom
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Youth
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: SBS
Broadcast Period: 2012-Aug-15 to 2012-Oct-04 (Currently Showing)
Air Time: Wednesday & Thursday 21:55

Cast:
Choi Seol Ri (f(x)) as Goo Jae Hee
Choi Min Ho (SHINee) as Kang Tae Joon
Lee Hyun Woo as Cha Eun Kyul
Kim Ji Won as Seol Han Na

Synopsis:
The series centers on Goo Jae Hee, a Korean girl who lives in the United States. One day, she sees a track and field competition on TV, and becomes attracted to one of the high jump competitors, Kang Tae Joon. She begins to idolize the young athlete and eventually transfers to Korea to attend the same school that Tae Joon attends after he suffers an accident that could potentially end his career. There is a catch, however: Tae Joon attends an all-boys high school and Jae Hee must disguise herself as a boy to enter.



Faith (神医)

Review: Still watching... Yet another time-travel romance between two people from modern and ancient times, but I'm hooked!!! Their love transcends time and space...

Title: 신의 / Shin-eui
Also known as: The Great Doctor
Genre: Historical, Romance, Time Travel, Fantasy
Episodes: 24
Broadcast Network: SBS
Broadcast Period: 2012-Aug-13 to TBA (Currently Showing)
Air Time: Monday & Tuesday 21:55

Cast:
Lee Min Ho as Choi Young
Kim Hee Sun as Yoo Eun Soo
Yoo Oh Sung as Gi Cheol
Lee Philip as Jang Bin

Synopsis:
Yoo Eun Soo (Kim Hee Sun) is a 33-year old plastic surgeon in the year 2012. She was originally a general surgeon, but quickly found that it was an overworked, under-paid profession and jumped ship to plastic surgery. Her dream is to someday open her own practice. But one day, Choi Young (Lee Min Ho) kidnaps her and takes her back to the Goryeo era because needing her medical skills. Their love story spans centuries but also warring beliefs. He gave up on love to be an unflinching warrior.


Arang and the Magistrate (阿娘使道传)

Review: Still watching... Finally, something fresh and interesting that has nothing to do with time-travel.

Title: 아랑사또전 / Arangsaddojeon / Arang and the Magistrate
Also known as: Arang / Arang Magistrate Story / Arang: Magistrate’s Chronicle
Genre: Fantasy, Period, Mystery, Comedy, Romance, Action, Melodrama
Episodes: 20 + 1 special
Broadcast Network: MBC
Broadcast Period: 2012-Aug-08 (special), 2012-Aug-15 to TBA (Currently Showing)
Air Time: Wednesday & Thursday 21:55

Cast:
Lee Jun Ki as Kim Eun Oh
Shin Min Ah as Arang / Lee Seo Rim
Yun Woo Jin as Choi Joo Wal
Hwang Bo Ra as Bang Wool

Synopsis:
A nobleman named Lee Eun-oh comes to town searching for his mother after hearing a rumor that she is staying at the village. He has the special ability to see spirits, but pretends he doesn't because he gets annoyed when spirits come up to him asking for a favor.
Arang has lost all her memories when she became a ghost and is unable to rest in peace until she finds out how she ended up dead. However, after appearing to three magistrates, none of them survive from the fright of seeing her. When she finds out that Eun-oh is able to see her, she begs for his help.
At first, Eun-oh rejects her request, but after seeing Arang's hairpin, which is the same hairpin he gave his missing mother, he changes his mind. He believes that if he helps her, Arang will regain her memories and tell him about his mother. He exasperatedly (then affectionately) nicknames her “Amnesia” and as the town's newly installed magistrate, together they investigate the circumstances surrounding her death, which may involve the mysterious nobleman Joo-wal and have supernatural ramifications.