8 Korean Dramas Not To Miss In 2017, Starring Nam Joo Hyuk, Krystal Jung & More

K-dramas, say what you will about them, but these television shows are definitely a big part of many of our lives.

There’s definitely an appeal because of (ahem) drop-dead gorgeous Korean actors and actresses; remember how popular Descendents of The Sun were when it was first released in 2016. I have friends who watched it just to drool over the good looking leads, Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo.

So, here are eight dramas that are premiering in 2017 and looks just as promising to watch and ogle at the stars!

1. Defendant

I’m starting off with Defendant simply because it has already finished airing on Korean channels on 21 March 2017. A public prosecutor wakes up one morning with amnesia and finds himself imprisoned with a death sentence, and he works to regain his memory in order to clear his name.

With leads such as Girls’ Generation’s Kwon Yuri and Um Ki Joon from Dream High, the ratings for this drama are pretty impressive with over 20% of viewership in the last few episodes.

2. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

A drama with a strong female lead! Do Bong Soon has super strength, a trait passed along to women in her family, and she ends up becoming a bodyguard for a chaebol (family owned business conglomerate) heir.

The female lead is Park Bo Young, known for her role in A Werewolf Boy alongside Song Joong Ki, and K-pop singer Park Hyung Sik formerly from ZE:A.

3. Man To Man

Remember My Love From The Stars? Oh boy, I loved that drama, and I felt so bad for Lee Hee Kyung’s unreciprocated feelings. Well, this time Park Hae Jin is starring as a lead in Man To Man, playing an elite black ops agent whose task is protecting a celebrity. Watch as a bromance between the two develops.

4. My Sassy Girl

The super popular movie from 2001 is finally getting a remake into a television series! The plot is changed too, of course, with the story now taking place in ancient Korea.

The leads for this drama aren’t big names, but fans of the original movie will definitely be eagerly awaiting the first episode, set to be aired on 29 May 2017.

5. Circle

Most Korean dramas are too overly focused on the love story, and it can get a bit boring sometimes. I’m glad that Circle is a drama that’s about to break the cookie cutter stories.

A sci-fi drama that switches between two narratives in the present and future, aliens arrive on earth and humans attempt to take advantage of them.

With leads including K-pop Lee Gi Kwang and Yeo Jin Goo from Moon Embracing The Sun, I’m interested in watching how this drama will pan out.

6. The King Loves

Another star studded cast, Girls’ Generation’s Im Yoona and ZE:A’s Im Siwan will play leads for this drama. The young prince played by Im Siwan has ambitions plans for his kingdom, and the drama explores how his relationship with a childhood friend and a beautiful woman changes his life.

At first glance, this appears to be yet another romance historical drama, but hopefully there’ll be more depth to the storyline.

7. While You Were Sleeping

Whenever I see that Lee Jong Suk is acting in a new drama, I get super excited. The past dramas that starred him have unique stories in shows such as Pinocchio and W. While You Were Sleeping is no different.

Also starring in this drama is Miss A’s Suzy, she acts as a woman who experiences prophetic dreams about accidents and other unfortunate events, while Lee Jong Suk’s character does everything he can as a prosecutor to stop them from coming true.

8. Bride Of The Water God 2017

If you’ve watched Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, you’ll know all about the charismatic lead, Nam Joo Hyuk. Get ready for more of him in Bride of The Water God 2017, along with celebrities such as Krystal Jung from K-pop girl group f(x) and actress Shin Se Kyung.

Set to air in the second half of 2017, this drama is a modern spin off of the manhwa version of Bride of The Water God, where the most beautiful girl in a village suffering from a drought is sacrificed to be the wife of a water god to appease him.

Which of these K-dramas are you looking forward to? I’m unabashed to say I’m excited for all, and ready to camp out in my room all day and night to catch these shows.