There’s something special about underrated K-drama, they may not go viral, but their stories linger with you long after the final episode. Lately, keeping up with today’s K-drama feels like a challenge. Life has been overwhelming – constantly juggling responsibilities, emotions, and the reality of adulthood. It’s not always easy to find a moment of peace, let alone enjoy a drama in full. But I guess that’s just part of growing up. I hope all my efforts today lead me to the life that I’ve always imagined.
Despite the chaos, my love for K-dramas hasn’t faded. I haven’t watched anything new recently, but my watchlist is growing. One drama I’ve been saving for the right mood is “When Life Gives You Tangerines“. I know this drama would make me cry, so I’m saving it for the days when I want to cry myself to sleep.
I’ve also heard great things about “Resident Playbook“, which is like a spin-off to “Hospital Playlist“ – one of my all-time favorite comfort dramas. I’ve rewatched it at least three times, and trust me, I rarely rewatch shows. Then there’s “Dear Hongrang“ starring “Lee Jae Wook“—a blend of suspense and thriller that seems really gripping. Lee Jae Wook’s presence in historical K-dramas is something I absolutely love especially after watching him in “Alchemy of Souls“, which remains one of my favorite historical fantasy K-drama. The only problem? I don’t know when I’ll finally get around to watching all of these.
While I wait for the right time, I’ve found myself thinking about older dramas from when I was in my prime K-drama phase. Recently, I remembered one that hardly gets the recognition it deserves. Its plot and storyline were powerful, but it did not get the right amount of love and recognition. So, I’m here to share and celebrate these underrated kdrama gem, because sometimes, forgotten dramas leave the deepest impact.
Memorist
If there’s one drama I can never forget, it’s Memorist. This thriller kept me on the edge of my seat with twists so shocking and unpredictable that I still think about it today.
I watched Memorist solely because of Yoo Seung Ho. I really like him as an actor. There’s something about his presence that draws me in. While I haven’t seen all of his dramas yet, I genuinely look forward to his latest projects.
Synopsis
The story centers around Dong Baek, a detective with a unique ability: he can read people’s memories just by touching them. With his strong sense of justice, no-nonsense attitude, and striking looks, he’s gained fame in the police world. But his habit of throwing punches before asking questions often gets him into trouble.
Then there’s Han Sun Mi, a brilliant profiler with an impressive background. She passed the bar at twenty, holds a doctorate in criminal psychology, and is now a senior superintendent. She’s a genius at solving cold cases and is driven by a secret from her past.
Together, these two end up chasing a serial killer who’s always one step ahead. What unfolds is a thrilling and mind-bending battle that only gets more intense with each episode.
Thoughts
What I loved most about Memorist is how it just keeps getting better with every episode. Just when you think you’ve figured something out, the story takes a sharp turn that leaves you curious and completely hooked. It’s thrilling, engaging, and keeps you right at the edge of your seat.
The drama does a great job covering various crime cases – each one unique, yet subtly connected to the bigger picture. These links are well-developed, never confusing, and actually make you think. I found myself reflecting on the plot long after the episode ended. Every twist adds up cleanly to the final story, making the entire series feel intentional and tightly written.
And no, there’s no romance in this drama but the chemistry between characters still shines. The connection and tension between Dong Baek and Sun Mi will not disappoint you.
If you love crime, mystery, and psychological thrillers, I strongly recommend this drama. However, a small trigger warning: the show deals with heavy topics like death, abuse, patriarchy, elitism, and some gore. So be prepared. But trust me, it’s absolutely worth the watch.
Catch the ghost
The first time I saw our beloved Kim Seon Ho was in this drama, and honestly, I fell hard for him. I mean, how could anyone resist that smile and those dimples? Like many others, I wasn’t immune to his charm. Back then, he wasn’t as popular as he is now, but for me, Catch the Ghost felt like discovering an underrated k-drama.
Synopsis
It follows a rookie subway police officer named Yoo Ryung, who solves cases with her overflowing sense of justice and exceptional spatial perception. However, her impulsive actions often land her in trouble. She ends up teaming up with Go Ji Seok, a veteran cop, a man who prefers to avoid chaos and seeks a stable life. Yet somehow, he always finds himself cleaning up after Yoo Ryung’s messes. What she doesn’t know is that he holds a crucial key to solving the mysteries she’s chasing. Together, they tackle mysterious cases in Seoul’s subway system, all while Yoo Ryung secretly investigates the disappearance of her twin sister, adding a deeper emotional layer to the story.
Thoughts
This drama truly stands out because it masterfully balances lighthearted moments with serious criminal investigations. The writing is sharp, the plot twists are solid, and the flow between comedy, suspense, and romance feels completely natural. While the main mystery keeps you hooked, I loved how they tackled smaller cases along the way. It made the journey even more engaging.
If I had one wish, it would be to see the twin dynamic explored a bit more. Still, it doesn’t take away from the impact the story delivers.
So, if you felt like Memorist lacked romance, Catch the Ghost might just fill that gap since it comes under the same genre. It offers emotional depth, thrilling mystery-solving, and a romance that feels genuine and well-placed. A truly underrated k-drama that deserves more love.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow wasn’t a drama I had planned to watch. In fact, I got around to it almost a year after it had aired, only because a friend recommended it to me. But I’m so glad they did. It’s one of those dramas that quietly creeps into your heart with its unexpected charm, relatable stories, and raw emotions.
Even though Rowoon stars in it, I was surprised that Tomorrow didn’t do as well as expected. I hadn’t even heard of it until my friend brought it up. But I swear, this is so underrated k-drama. I remember tearing up just within the first couple of episodes. The characters’ pain, their helplessness, and the emotional weight of each storyline hit me hard.
Synopsis
At its core, Tomorrow is a fantasy drama with a meaningful twist. It explores the concept of suicide prevention through a supernatural lens. The story follows Choi Joon Woong, who finds himself in an accident and ends up joining the crisis management team at the afterlife monopoly Jungungoo. He works alongside grim reapers Goo Ryun and Lim Ryoong Goo, whose mission is to intervene in the lives of people contemplating suicide, and help them find a reason to live.
Thoughts
What makes this drama special is how boldly and respectfully it tackles difficult themes – bullying, unemployment, heartbreak, food disorders, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and most significantly, suicide prevention. Each episode focuses on a different case, offering insight into the characters’ inner battles. The stories are powerful and grounded, and they gently encourage you to think, feel, and reflect. In that way, it reminded me of “Extraordinary Attorney Woo“, not in plot, but in how each episode offers healing through empathy.
Despite its weighty themes, Tomorrow always leaves behind a glimmer of hope. Every story carries a message, however painful life gets, there’s still a reason to hold on. That balance of darkness and light is what makes the show so compelling.
For me, Tomorrow was more than just a drama. It was a quiet wake-up call. It reminded me that pain doesn’t make you weak, that struggles deserve compassion, and that life, no matter how hard, is still worth fighting for.
If you or someone you know is going through a tough time, this drama might offer the kind of comfort and perspective that stays with you long after you have finished watching it.
The forbidden marriage
I must say, The Forbidden Marriage is criminally underrated k-drama. Not many people know about it, and honestly, it deserves way more attention. Since I first saw Kim Yong Dae in “Extraordinary You“, I’ve been following his projects closely. So when I heard about this drama, I made sure not to miss it. And I’m glad I didn’t.
Synopsis
Set in the Joseon era, The Forbidden Marriage is a historical romance with a hilarious and heartfelt twist. The story follows King Lee Heon, who has been mourning the death of his beloved queen for seven long years. His refusal to remarry leads to the implementation of the geumhonryung edict, banning all single women in the kingdom from getting married. Naturally, this causes unrest.
Enters Ye So Rang, a clever and comical scammer who claims she can see the spirit of the late queen. After being caught and jailed for her lies, she pretends to be possessed by the queen’s spirit to save herself. What begins as a desperate act quickly escalates when she’s brought before the king, and she continues faking her way through an increasingly outrageous and tangled web of lies.
Thoughts
I found the genre to be full-packed with a unique blend of comedy, romance, suspense, and a touch of horror. It even dips into psychological elements, adding more depth than you’d expect from a rom-com. And although the drama is just 12 episodes long, which might feel short, it actually works in its favor. The pacing is sharp, the storytelling is tight, and there’s no unnecessary dragging. It wraps up the plot neatly, leaving you satisfied and entertained till the very end.
My absolute favorite part of the drama? Ye So Rang, the female lead. She steals the show with her over-the-top antics, quick wit, and laugh-out-loud moments. Even though she’s technically a scammer, you can’t help but root for her. She’s hilarious and brilliant, all at once. King Lee Heon himself is also fun to watch, surprisingly quirky for a monarch and their chemistry is just perfect.
What I really appreciated is how the drama never takes itself too seriously. While the plot has depth and suspense, the characters are light-hearted and charming. It’s the kind of show you watch when you need a break from heavy storylines and just want something fun but not shallow.
If you’re a rom-com lover or someone looking for a refreshing twist on the historical genre, The Forbidden Marriage is an underrated gem you shouldn’t miss.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the K-dramas I genuinely believe deserve more love and recognition. They may not have topped trending charts, but each one left a lasting impact on me whether through powerful storytelling, unforgettable characters, or the raw emotions they stirred. I hope this post helped you discover some underrated K-drama gems worth adding to your watchlist.
If you end up watching any of these, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Did you connect with them the way I did? Do you also feel they’re underrated and deserve more appreciation? Let’s talk in the comments. I’d love to know your experiences.
Currently, I have watched “Good Boy“, starring the incredible trio “Park Bo Gum”, “Kim Soo Hyun“, and “Lee Sang Yi“. I know I said earlier that I don’t really have time for dramas these days, but this action-packed series which is exactly the kind of dopamine boost I needed. Do view my review blog post.
Until then, happy watching!
