The year is still young and already Korean drama fans anticipate the debut of several promising dramas. Whether they feature top stars, stars returning after a hiatus or storylines from popular webtoons, these dramas definitely appear on the radar. Here are 10 of the dramas lined up for early 2020 that have k-drama fans excited.
January
The Game Toward Zero
The Game Toward Zero is the story of Tae-pyeong, a man who can see the moment of someone’s death. This definitely provides an advantage when it comes to solving murder cases, but also complicates his relationships. Tae-pyeong, played by 2PM singer-actor Ok Taec-yeon, partners with a detective, played by Lee Yeon-hee to solve a serial murder case. The drama starts Jan. 22. It is Tae-cyeon’s first drama in almost three years, after completing his mandatory military duty, required of all able-bodied Korean males, 16 to 37.
Itaewon Class
On his first day at a new high school Park Sae-ro-yi, played by Park Seo-joon, tries to help someone being bullied, but the bully is a well connected corporate heir, played by Yoo Jae-myung, so he winds up getting in trouble. Standing up to the bully gets Park expelled from school and his father fired from a job at that corporation. A later interaction with another member of the same entitled family sends Park to prison. When he’s released, he sets out to destroy the family that ruined his life. The drama, based on the popular webtoon Itaewon Class by Jo Gwang-Jin, begins Jan. 31.
February
Tell Me What You Saw
Jang Hyuk stars as Oh Hyun Jae, a man who was once a top criminal profiler, but who chose to live in seclusion following the death of his fiancee. He teams up with Cha Soo-young, played by Girls Generation singer-actress Sooyoung, a rookie detective who has a remarkable ability to remember details. Jang Hyuk’s most recent drama was My Country, whereas Sooyoung appeared in So I Married An Anti-Fan. Tell Me What You Saw begins Feb. 1.
Hyena
Hyena pairs actress Kim Hye-soo, last seen in the drama Dr. Romantic and the film Default, with actor Ju Ji Hoon, who appeared in the drama Kingdom and the film Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days. Kim plays Jung Geum Ja, a lawyer who will do whatever is necessary to make lots of money, and Ju plays Yoon Hee-jae, a lawyer who also represents Korea’s elite. It’s not yet known what will draw these legal hyenas into a conflict or perhaps even a collaboration. The Netflix drama airs on Feb. 21.
If The Weather Is Good I’ll Find You
Park Min Young plays Hye-won, a reclusive cellist who does not trust anyone. When she moves back to her hometown, she meets a bookstore owner named Eun Seob, played by Seo Kang-joon. His uncomplicated approach to enjoying life helps bring her out of her shell. Park last appeared in the drama Her Private Life, while Seo appeared in the OCN series Watcher. This JTBC drama is set to air in February, but If The Weather Is Good I’ll Find You has no definite start date.
Hi, Bye Mama
Hi, Bye Mama will be Kim Tae-hee’s first drama in five years. In this fantasy drama she plays Cha Yoo-ri, a ghost, whose death scarred her husband and child. She wants to help ease their suffering and help them find peace, so she finds a way to return, even if only temporarily. Lee Kyu-hyung plays her husband, a man so heartbroken that he continues to mourn her five years later. This drama also cites a February release, but no definite start date.
March
The Married Life
The Married Life proves that the closest relationships can be the most dangerous. In The Married Life, Kim Hee-ae plays a doctor, whose life is close to perfect. She’s satisfied with her career and married to Lee Tae Oh, played by Park Tae-joon. They seem to be living happily until Lee, who dreams of becoming a director, betrays his wife and their perfect life starts to unravel. The JTBC drama is due to air on March 27.
Nobody Knows
Solving serial killer cases is again a drama staple for 2020, with Nobody Knows following suit. Kim Seo Hyung, plays a detective in this drama. She’s haunted by the death of a friend. Even though her friend died 19 years ago, she can’t forget and must catch the serial killer she knows was responsible. The SBS drama also stars Ryu Deok Hwan, Park Hoon and Ahn Ji-ho. Nobody Knows is slated to start some time in March.
Kingdom 2
The second season of the fantasy sageuk drama starring Ju Ji Hoon, Bae Doona and Ryu Seung Ryong, takes off where the first season ended, with a Joseon-era kingdom facing danger from both zombie hordes and internal political strife. The drama is scheduled for a March release with no definite date.
TBD
The King, Monarch of Eternity
The King, Monarch of Eternity stars Lee Min-ho in his first role following his discharge from military service. It is scheduled for the first half of 2020 with as-yet no definite airdate. The drama also stars Kim Go Eun and Woo Do Hwan. Lee plays Emperor Lee Gon, who tries to close the door to a parallel world that a demon has opened. Kim plays a detective. It doesn’t seem likely they exist in the same world but fate will bring them together to battle the forces of evil.