3 K-Dramas With Classical Music At The Center Of The Plot
If you are interested in classical music, make sure to watch these K-Dramas!
Laure, Kpopmap Editor 3 min to read ·
Published : Sep 9, 2020
SBS
Are you a fan of classical music? Some K-Dramas are on the theme of classical music with pianists, violinists, conductors, and more with grandiose concerts and operas.
For long time fans of K-Dramas, you might remember the drama "Beethoven Virus" with Kim MyungMin, Lee JiAh, and Jang KeunSuk broadcasted in 2008. The drama was about the lives of classical musicians. It was one of the first K-Dramas on this theme.
Here are 3 K-Dramas on classical music and classical musicians. This list focuses on more recent dramas.
The drama "A Piece of Your Mind" with Chae SooBin and Jung HaeIn touches on classical music. Chae SooBin's character is a recording engineer of classical music. She records classical musicians.
"A Piece of Your Mind" also talked about a pianist, his concerts, and how his traumas affect his play.
tvN
tvN
tvN
2- "Naeil's Cantabile" (2014)
Joo Won, Shim EunKyung, Park BoGum, Go KyungPyo and Bae YoonSik starred in the Korean drama "Naeil's Cantabile". It is the adaptation of the Japanese manga "Nodame Cantabile". The story is about a pianist and conductor acted by Joo Won and other characters are also classical musicians.
The new drama "Do You Like Brahms?" is starring Kim MinJae and Park EunBin. The drama is filled with classical music. He is a talented pianist and she is a violinist who is still studying. The secondary characters are also composed of talented classical musicians.
10 Actors Who Would Be Perfect In The K-Drama Adaptation Of Webtoon "The Mermaid I Loved" [VOTE]
Which Korean actor should take the role of a attractive mermaid and chaebol? Here is our dream cast for the K-Drama adaptation of the webtoon "The Mermaid I Loved" ("내가 사랑한 물고기").
Laure, Kpopmap Editor 5 min to read ·
Published : Mar 28, 2024
LookMedia / "The Mermaid I Loved" by Cosmic Bom Bom and Bubal on NAVER / KingKong by Starship
With all the amazing webtoons-based dramas that have been released in the past couple of years, we have only become more excited about upcoming K-Dramas linked with webtoons.
The webtoon "The Mermaid I Loved" is a special case because the story was first written as a script for a drama production. The drama production is on its way and the webtoon was pre-released. The drama's production company, Group Eight, thought that in releasing it first as a webtoon they could showcase some of the various deep sea adventures of the story and also help garner attention for the drama.
"The Mermaid I Loved" by Cosmic Bom Bom and Bubal on NAVER
The romance fantasy adventure webtoon “The Mermaid I Loved” ("내가 사랑한 물고기," literal translation, “The Fish I Loved”), written by Cosmic Bom Bom and Bubal (우주봄봄 and 부발), tells the story of a man whose intermittent transformations into a mermaid become increasingly uncontrollable as he experiences the emotion of love and spends time with a woman who he finds himself more and more attracted to. The season 1 of the webtoon ended on March 13th with 31 episodes.
Given the webtoon’s popularity, Group Eight is looking forward the positive effect the webtoon will have on the upcoming drama’s viewership. They have built a solid portfolio with dramas based on webtoons like "Taxi Driver", "My ID is Gangnam Beauty" and "A Good Day To Be A Dog". Among their awaited projects is the reboot of the popular drama "Princess Hours" (2006).
Currently, there are no actors cast for “The Mermaid I Loved”. Fans of the webtoon are waiting for the announcement of the cast. We can already think of actors and actresses who would be perfect for the roles!
"The Mermaid I Loved" by Cosmic Bom Bom and Bubal on NAVER
We at Kpopmap have thought up a cast of actors who would suit this drama amazingly.
1. Sim Kai (심카이), a mermaid and 3rd generation chaebol
Sim Kai is the lead male character. He discovered he was a mermaid 12 years ago and he pretends to be a human.
"The Mermaid I Loved" by Cosmic Bom Bom and Bubal on NAVER
"The Mermaid I Loved" by Cosmic Bom Bom and Bubal on NAVER
When he shares physical touch with a woman, his fish scales begin to appear and he transforms back into his mermaid form. Because of this, he avoids all contact with women and has been single his whole life.
But due to his handsome looks, he has a lot of girls chasing after him, so he hired YaNa to pretend to be his girlfriend. However, he can’t help himself from having physical contact with YaNa even if it means he won’t be able breathe.
"The Mermaid I Loved" by Cosmic Bom Bom and Bubal on NAVER
Kai is the son of the jewelry brand Inoroo, or 3rd generation chaebol, but he is not interested in the family business and instead prefers performing as a mermaid at the aquarium.
The actor must possess features suitable for long hair and a muscular physique to be able to portray a mermaid. He should exude charm and look dazzling in a suit, while also being capable of conveying a mix of cynicism, cuteness, and panic in his expressions. Comfort with underwater filming is also mandatory.
Moon SangMin, WEi's Kim YoHan, Baek SungChul, Kim MyungSoo (INFINITE's L), and Chae JongHyeop could be a good match.
LOOKMEDIA / Awesome Entertainment / WEi Official / Chae JongHyeop Instagram / KEYEAST
Not only would they look stunning with long hair and looks amazing in suits, but their facial features would perfectly match the character's. Beyond their physical attributes, all five actors possess the talent and ability to convey Kai through the right facial expressions. The genre of fantasy romance suits them impeccably. Each actor would bring their unique colors and charms to the character, making him stand out on screen. Additionally, we can anticipate excellent chemistry with the lead actress.
Vote for your pick in the poll below!
Moon SangMin
WEi's Kim YoHan
Baek SungChul
Kim MyungSoo
Chae JongHyeop
Please do not refresh any more. Press the "VOTE" button below.
2. Jung YaNa (정야나), an easy-going part-time student
"The Mermaid I Loved" by Cosmic Bom Bom and Bubal on NAVER
Jung YaNa (24 years old) is the lead female character. She is a student who works a part-time job and has an easy-going personality.
She accidentally kisses Kai when she meets him for the first time, and shocked to see him suddenly fall very sick, she calls the ambulance. She ends up more shocked when she sees him put his face into a dirty bucket of water used for cleaning.
"The Mermaid I Loved" by Cosmic Bom Bom and Bubal on NAVER
"The Mermaid I Loved" by Cosmic Bom Bom and Bubal on NAVER
The actress should possess a mix of cuteness and strength, capable of expressing a wide range of emotions, and especially comedy. The character experiences rapid and extreme changes in emotions, so the actress should be able to show these transitions convincingly. Additionally, she should look just like a regular student, but be able to become a stunning lady with expensive clothes.
Kang MinAh, WJSN's Bona (Kim JiYeon), Chae SooBin, Girl's Day's HyeRi, and Seor InA could be a good match.
H& Entertainment / King Kong by Starship / Creative Group Ing / GOLDMEDALIST
All five actresses have demonstrated their talented acting and are well-suited for a character like YaNa. Each of them possesses the ability to portray the youthful, cute, and fiery vibes of the female lead character. Comedy and expressive acting would not be an issue for any of them, so it would be a smooth portrayal of the character without overdoing it and making viewers laugh. No need to mention that they would all bring great chemistry with the lead actor! Being a romance, it is crucial.
Vote for your pick in the poll below!
Kang MinAh
WJSN's Bona
Chae SooBin
Girl's Day's HyeRi
Seor InA
Please do not refresh any more. Press the "VOTE" button below.
The webtoon is not available in English officially yet, but you can read it in Korean here.
"The Mermaid I Loved" by Cosmic Bom Bom and Bubal on NAVER
Let us know who you want to see cast!
Note: The aim of the vote is for Kpopmap readers to share their opinion about their preference for the cast. It is not affecting the cast of the production team.
Top 16 KBS Dramas With The Highest Ratings Since 2020 (2024 Update)
Check out which KBS dramas have the highest ratings in the history of the channel from 2020 to 2023!
Kay Sesoko, Kpopmap Editor 6 min to read ·
Published : Mar 4, 2024
· Updated : Mar 11, 2024
KBS
One of the biggest names in the Korean entertainment industry and especially in broadcasting and to many K-Drama lovers is none other than 'KBS'. KBS, the Korean Broadcasting System, has played a vital role in the growth of K-Dramas over the decades with continuously high-ranking K-Dramas placing in the best ratings list of 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Additionally, KBS has been known for producing some of the most iconic dramas adored by K-Drama lovers. Thanks to this, they also have some record ratings worth mentioning such as for the K-Drama "Bread, Love and Dreams" which aired in 2010 that reached a record 50.8% rating! Another of their K-Drama hits with sky-high ratings is "Descendants of The Sun" (2016) with a 38.8% rating.
Make sure to check out the KBS dramas with the highest ratings from 2015-2020 in this article:
"Royal Secret Agent" is the KBS drama with the highest rating (since 2020) at a 14% rating. Starring INFINITE's L (Kim MyungSoo), Kwon NaRa, and Lee YiKyung, many hailed the drama as one of the best historical K-Dramas out there. The drama turned its viewers into detectives who were just as invested in cracking the story as the characters and made for an immersive experience.
2. "Goryeo–Khitan War" - 13.8%
KBS
"Goryeo-Khitan War" is a 32-episode long and old-style historical drama that gained the hearts of a lot of viewers. It tells the story of the King of Goryeo named HyeonJong who united Goryo with various events including by leading the war with the Khitans. Starring Kim DongJun, Choi SooJung, and Ji SeungHyun, the drama ended with its highest rating at 13.8% (the drama started at 5%).
Note: this drama is a special drama to commemorate the 50th anniversary of KBS.
"The King's Affection" was hailed as a drama that gives you butterflies, as K-Drama lovers couldn't get enough of the sweet storyline and affectionate chemistry between the main couple. Add to that the visual beauty of this historical drama and the deal is sealed. Starring RoWoon and Park EunBin, the drama earned a rating of 12.1%.
4. "King Of Tears, Lee BangWon" - 11.7%
KBS
"King Of Tears, Lee BangWon" told the history of King TaeJong in a way that put a refreshing twist on the well-known history of the king. The drama was particularly enjoyed by history buffs for the way that it kept the already-known narrative exciting. Starring Joo SangWook, Kim YeongCheol, Ye JiWon, and Park JinHee, the drama made a rating of 11.7%.
5. "Woman of 9.9 Billion" - 11.6%
KBS
This is yet another drama that made a bold impression on K-Drama lovers. Many found the narrative thrilling and filled with suspense that had you on the edge of your seat waiting to see how it ended. Starring Cho YeoJeong and Kim KangWoo, the drama achieved a rating of 11.6%.
This drama earned praise for many elements from the cast's acting portrayals, to the cinematography, to the OST, and more. Fans couldn't get enough of the electric chemistry between the actors, too. Starring Kim SoHyun, Na InWoo, Lee JiHoon, and Choi YuHwa, "River Where The Moon Rises" earned a rating of 10%.
7. "Oasis" - 9.7%
KBS
This drama took a fresh approach to an educational lesson on Korean history. Many were impressed with the actors who gave the noir drama its depth. "Oasis", starring Jang DongYoon, Seor InA, and Choo YoungWoo, secured a rating of 9.7%.
"Bloody Heart" earned a rating of 8.9%. Starring Jang Hyuk, Lee Joon, and Kang HanNa, the drama was praised for the depth of its storyline and characters. With a riveting narrative, the characters each carried out their convictions in a convincing way.
"Police University" was a K-Drama filled with life lessons and sweet moments that brought a lot of fun to the screen. Starring Cha TaeHyun, JinYoung, and f(x)'s Krystal, the drama earned an 8.5% rating.
"Moonshine" did what a lot of dramas can't do easily. It mixed the complex world of politics with a romantic comedy aspect that made for a pleasant viewing experience. Fans were especially pleased with the emotional conviction of the actors, Yoo SeungHo and Girl's Day's HyeRi - earning the drama a 7.6% rating.
11. "Forest" - 7.4%
KBS
"Forest" gained a lot of praise for its beautiful setting and beautiful story. Many fans expressed that watching the drama had a healing effect on them and that they appreciated the sweet chemistry between the main characters, played by actors Park HaeJin and Cho BoAh, too. This earned the drama ratings of 7.4%.
"Curtain Call" was a fresh kind of period drama well-received by many fans. The drama carried a deep sentiment that appealed to viewers. Starring Kang HaNeul, Ha JiWon, and Go DooShim, the drama secured 7.2% ratings.
"The Law Cafe" earned the high ratings of 7.1%. Starring Lee SeungGi and Lee SeYoung, this law-and-order type drama had fans rolling with laughter at the witty antics and had their hearts fluttering at the romantic moments.
"Sell Your Haunted House" was complimented for its beguiling cast and the amazing way that it presented the horror genre to the K-Drama screen. Starring Jang NaRa and CNBLUE's Jung YongHwa, the drama secured a rating of 6.9%.
"Bad Prosecutor" gained a lot of praise for its thrilling action investigation storyline and comedy-filled scenes. The chemistry between the two leads was also unmatched. Starring EXO’s D.O. and Lee SeHee, the drama secured 6.3% in ratings.
16. "Cheat On Me, If You Can" - 5.8%
KBS
Many enjoyed this drama for its crime-novel-esque storytelling style and for the thrill of unraveling the mystery together with the main character. Starring Cho YeoJeong and Go Jun, "Cheat On Me, If You Can" earned 5.8% in ratings.
Which of these KBS dramas is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
6 Empowering Female K-Drama Writers To Celebrate On Women's Day
In honor of International Women's Day, check out some female K-Drama writers who empowered women through their works recently.
Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap Editor 4 min to read ·
Published : Mar 7, 2024
Netflix
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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