Slice-of-life K-dramas beautifully capture the everyday lives of people, showcasing their struggles, relationships, personal growth, and often resonating deeply with viewers. Here’s a list of some cherished slice-of-life K-dramas:
1. “Misaeng” (also known as “Incomplete Life”) (2014): Chronicles the daily life of office employees, focusing on the struggles of a former Go player as he enters the corporate world.
2. “Reply” Series:
- “Reply 1997” (2012): Set in the ’90s, it focuses on the lives of a group of friends, their families, and their coming-of-age stories.
- “Reply 1994” (2013): Set in 1994, it showcases the life of students from different provinces living in a boarding house in Seoul.
- “Reply 1988” (2015-2016): Follows the lives of five families living in the same neighborhood, highlighting friendships, family bonds, and young love.
3. “Age of Youth” (also known as “Hello, My Twenties!”) & “Age of Youth 2” (2016 & 2017): Focuses on the lives of five university students living in a shared house and their personal and relationship struggles.
4. My Mister” (2018): Chronicles the heartwarming relationship between a middle-aged man facing personal struggles and a young woman dealing with life’s hardships.
5. “Hospital Playlist” (2020 & 2021): Follows the lives, friendships, and daily activities of doctors working at a hospital, highlighting the ups and downs of their personal and professional lives.
6. “Because This is My First Life” (2017): Explores the concept of marriage, personal convictions, and societal pressures through the lives of three couples.
7. “Fight for My Way” (2017): Chronicles the lives of four friends struggling to achieve their dreams amidst societal expectations.
8. “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo” (2016-2017): A heartwarming story of a young female weightlifter, her friends, young love, and personal growth.
9. “When the Camellia Blooms” (2019): Focuses on the life of a single mother who moves to a small town to start anew and her interactions with the townsfolk.
10. “Prison Playbook” (2017-2018): Chronicles the daily lives of prisoners and staff in a correctional facility.
11. “Itaewon Class” (2020): Follows the journey of a young man as he opens a restaurant in Itaewon, focusing on themes of revenge, love, and societal prejudices.
12. “Be Melodramatic” (2019): Centers on the lives of three women in their 30s as they navigate personal challenges, work-life, and relationships.
13. “Record of Youth” (2020): Chronicles the journey of young people in the modeling and entertainment industry as they strive to achieve their dreams.
Kdrama Recommendations 