"Pyramid Game" was easily one of the best K-Dramas of 2024 so far. It impressed viewers from all over the world with its simple yet effective plot and all the rising actresses in the cast delivered stellar performances, etching the K-Drama in our minds.

It hasn't been long since "Pyramid Game" ended, and we're already suffering from "missing Pyramid Game" syndrome. So, if you're looking for some riveting, well-written, thrilling K-Dramas to fill the void of "Pyramid Game", check out these K-Dramas that you may like!

 

K-Dramas Like "Pyramid Game" To Add To Your Watchlist

1. "All Of Us Are Dead"

Cast: Yoon ChanYoung, Park JiHu, Cho YiHyun, Lomon, Yoo InSoo, Lee YouMi & more

"All Of Us Are Dead" is a K-Zombie thriller that explores more complex themes like loss of innocence, human nature, the dangers of mob mentality, survival and sacrifice, actions and their consequences, and the importance of trust, self-discovery, hope, and friendship.

It is more action-packed than "Pyramid Game" (it is a zombie thriller, after all), but it revolves around similar ideas and will definitely engross you. Once again, the cast, full of rising and rookie actors, do a fantastic job of bringing the story to life with conviction, which contributes majorly to the immersion of the story.

The action choreography is top notch and the pacing is also just right. "All Of Us Are Dead" is coming back with a season 2 soon, so now would be the perfect time to binge-watch the first season and get ready for season 2.

Watch "All Of Us Are Dead" here.

 

2. "Night Has Come"

Cast: Lee JaeIn, Kim WooSeok, Choi YeBin, Cha WooMin, Ahn JiHo, Jung SoRi

What happens when the Mafia game we all love and enjoy becomes a real game of death and survival? "Night Has Come" is a mystery thriller where students from Yooil High School are forced to play a real-life Mafia game on a school trip, putting their lives on the line.

Yes, the cast in this K-Drama is also full of rising and rookie actors who are proving their mettle as the future of the industry with remarkable performances, enough to keep you at the edge of your seat throughout the show.

The psychological warfare and tension in "Night Has Come" is at par with "Pyramid Game" and can often even exceed it because the stakes are higher. This is also a K-Drama dealing with school violence and the politics and power play among the students appear as a microcosm of society. "Night Has Come" is deeply intriguing and at times, quite disturbing. However, if you enjoy K-Dramas like "Pyramid Game", trust us, you do not want to miss this one.

Watch "Night Has Come" here.

 

3. "High Cookie"

Cast: Nam JiHyun, Choi HyunWook, Kim MuYeol, Jung DaBin

Arguably one of the best-written K-Dramas on this list, "High Cookie" is a must-watch. It is a dark thriller about the pressures of modern society and how easily it can push someone over the edge. In a world that is unrelenting and unforgiving, a magical cookie can make all your dreams come true. Is it hope or greed that makes one reach for such magic? "High Cookie" is an addictive meditation on this question that never fails to impress.

As you'd expect from the cast, the acting is outstanding, to say the least. The nuances of how twisted human nature can be and what brings them to that point, is beautifully portrayed by these amazing actors, who truly enrich the viewing experience.

"High Cookie" is set in a high school, much like the other K-Dramas in this article, and dives into themes like academic pressure, classism, bullying and so on. However, the tone of this K-Drama is much darker and bleaker than the rest.

Watch "High Cookie" here.

The unsung heroes of the K-Drama industry are undoubtedly the writers, whose contributions are immensely significant but can often be overlooked. In particular, female K-Drama writers, who have been pillars of the industry for years, definitely deserve more attention.

The creators of our favorite K-Drama characters' destinies, these writers are the backbone of the finished product we see on screen, and their work can transform a good K-Drama into a fantastic, groundbreaking piece of art.

March 8 is celebrated as "International Women's Day" all over the world, and while it is not the only day when we should shine the spotlight on all the amazing, talented, magical women around the world, it is certainly one where you simply cannot forget to do so.

So, in honor of International Women's Day, let's take a look at some immensely talented female K-Drama writers whose work contributed to female empowerment in recent years!

Note: This list is not a ranking.

 

1. Kim EunSook - "The Glory"

A stalwart of the Korean entertainment industry, Kim EunSook is a force to be reckoned with. Her latest work, "The Glory", led by Song HyeKyo, highlights the strength and fortitude of the main character, Moon DongEun, as she rises up against abuse, sheds the constraints of societal expectations, and seeks vengeance on her own terms. In creating such an impactful character, Kim EunSook imparted strength and courage to her female viewers, urging them to take back and stand in their own power.

 

2. Kang EunKyeong - "Gyeongseong Creature"

At the core of "Gyeongseong Creature" is a story about a mother and her daughter fighting for each other against inhumane oppression. Kang EunKyeong delicately imbued this element of tenderness in stark contrast with sharp female rage, elevating the drama to a whole new level. Yoon ChaeOk (Han SoHee) and Choi SeongSim (Kang MalGeum) are definitely well-written characters, but so is the primary antagonist Maeda Yukiko (Claudia Kim), and that is where the skill of Kang EunKyeong shines.

 

3 & 4. Park HyeRyeon & Eun Yeol - "Castaway Diva"

One of the most inspiring tales of resilience, perseverance, and purpose to come out in recent years was "Castaway Diva", written by two female K-Drama writers - Park HyeRyeon and Eun Yeol (picture not available). Led by Park EunBin as the centre of the drama's universe, Seo MokHa, "Castaway Diva" showed the joys of female friendship through MokHa's relationship with Yoon RanJoo (Kim HyoJin), and how such an enduring connection can heal hearts. The writers equipped both women with the skill to reach for their dreams and effortlessly allowed them to support each other in their endeavors while growing as human beings, giving us the most feel-good story ever!

 

5. Kim EunHee - "Revenant"

Kim EunHee has long established herself as a master storyteller, so this list could never be complete without her. Gu SanYeong (played by Kim TaeRi) in "Revenant" is an incredibly complex, layered, and unconventional character who forces the audience to look beyond the surface. She struggles with inner conflict and her own moral code, the wounds of having an absent father while dealing with the dangers he left behind. She stumbles but is steadfast and is the architect of her own salvation. Such a powerful female character is one for the history books, and we have Kim EunHee to thank for that.

 

6. Jeong SeoKyeong - "Little Women"

Are we surprised that one of the most iconic female-led K-Dramas of recent times was written by a woman? "Little Women" is a testament to sisterhood that stands the test of modern society. Each of the three Oh sisters represents a distinct shade of femininity - InJoo (Kim GoEun), a matriarch, the protector; InKyeong (Nam JiHyun) - a driven and ambitious career woman, the truth-seeker; and InHye (Park JiHu) - a young creative, free-spirited and self-assured. Writer Jeong SeoKyeong masterfully unveils the nuanced facets of each character's femininity, captivating viewers and compelling them to delve into the profound intricacies of the narrative.

Let's all thank these incredible female writers for their fantastic work this International Women's Day, and we look forward to what they have in store for us next!

If you're a K-Drama fan, you will have noticed the pretty scenery of your favorite show. While a majority of series are filmed in Korea, there are some that take viewers international, venturing out to foreign filming locations. While the United States is a popular destination, not all filming sites are based in America.

Production teams also look towards Europe for potential filming sites. As a whole, Europe is extremely large with a wide array of people. Many dramas filmed there embraced the various cultures and landscapes that Europe had to offer. Central-eastern Europe is popular, with "Descendants of the Sun" being filmed in Greece and "Are You Human Too?" filmed in Czech Republic. However, production teams and staff have also filmed all across Western Europe, showing love and interest to the entire continent. You have probably watched a drama filmed in Western Europe, and you might not even know it!

So here is a list of K-Dramas filmed in Western European countries.

Note: the terms western, central and eastern Europe have different delimitations depending on concepts.

 

1. "Shopping King Louie" - France

"Shopping King Louie" was a hilarious drama starring Seo InGuk, Nam JiHyun, Yoon SangHyun, and Lim SeMi. The MBC series followed the romance story between Kang JiSung/Louie (Seo InGuk) and Ko BokSil (Nam JiHyun). Louie learns about the meaning of true love after meeting BokSil.

The iconic drama was filmed in the romantic country of France. While many might immediately think of the capital city Paris, the filming for the drama takes place outside.

Instead, the production crew decides on a a chateau outside of Paris named Château de Bourron. The location is a charming castle hotel, surrounded by moats in white water, and classified as a historic monument! The filming site might not be within Paris, but the vibes are immaculate and give off an air of elegance and grace.

 

2. "The Package" - France

This JTBC drama stars the likes of Lee YeonHee, CNBLUE's Jung YongHwa, Choi WooShik, Park YooNa, and Yoon Park. It tells the story of a travel tour guide in France, leading a group of tourists on a package tour. All the travelers have their own stories and do not wish to get close to one another. However, they begin to open up and let down their walls as they travel more together.

"The Package" was filmed in France for a majority of the drama. The production team went to various locations and showed viewers the charm of Paris and the Northern part of the country. The went to locations like Auvers-Sur-Oise (in relation with the painter Van Gogh), Mont Saint-Michel, Honfleur, Deauville, Saint-Malo, etc. The country of France is well-highlighted in this romantic comedy.

 

3. "The K2" - Spain

"The K2" was a memorable K-Drama featuring Ji ChangWook, Girls' Generation's YoonA, Song YoonAh, and Cho SeongHa as its main leads. The drama follows Kim JeHa (Ji ChangWook), a former solder for hire who is referred to as K2. The tvN series is filled with an endless amount of action, that you might need to get checked for high blood pressure.

But for some parts of the heart-racing drama is the beautiful backdrop of Spain. The drama was partly filmed in the Western European country, with a few scenes being shot in the streets of Barcelona. There were moments of reprieve in between all the action scenes to take in the beauty Spain had to offer.

 

4. "The Legend of the Blue Sea" - Spain

"The Legend of the Blue Sea" starred the legendary Jun JiHyun and Lee MinHo. The SBS drama depicts the story of a mermaid's long-lasting love story. The drama draws inspiration and borrows motifs from an old folktale about a mermaid. The series is touching as the two main leads confront the past and work to make a future together.

"The Legend of the Blue Sea" was filmed partly in Spain, particularly in Barcelona, Girona and A Coruña. The backdrops of these scenes were absolutely gorgeous, taking viewers on a literal trip abroad and into the world of the SBS drama. After the series concluded, the locations featured became hot spots for fans of the cast, and most especially the show.

 

5. "Saimdang, Memoirs of Colors" - Italy

"Saimdang, Memoirs of Colors" is a historical romance that transcends time and space. The SBS series stars Lee YoungAe and Song SeungHeon as its main leads. The story depicts a Korean art history lecturer's discovery of a diary belonging to historical figure Shin Saimdang (Lee YoungAe). In reading the diary, she discovers the secrets behind a mysterious portrait.

For some parts of "Saimdang, Memoirs of Colors", the scenes were filmed in Italy, specifically Bologna and Tuscany. Through those parts, we follow lead actress Lee YoungAe, as she travels through the Italian streets. The backdrop of these scenes are breathtaking and make you want to hop on the next flight to Italy.

 

6. "Memories of the Alhambra" - Spain

"Memories of the Alhambra" had its original run on both Netflix and tvN. The iconic drama starred Park ShinHye and Hyun Bin as its main leads. It depicted the story of investment company CEO, Yoo JinWoo (HyunBin). He visits Granada, Spain for business and ends up staying at the hostel run by Jung HeeJoo (Park ShinHye). They become tangled up in a strange, yet thrilling affair.

Overseas filming for the drama took place in several cities including Granada, Barcelona, Girona, and Terrassa. Not only did the characters pose in front of scenic views, but the production crew brought viewers to small, street-side cafes and cozy hidden streets. "Memories of the Alhambra" make Spain look magnificent and a prime travel destination!

Where was your favorite drama's filming location? Let us know in the comments!