Netflix Goes Nostalgic

Recently, Netflix brought in a bunch of old k-dramas dating back from 2009 to 2015. It’s a blast from the past with the return of flip phones and Korean actors with thick side-swept “mangs” (men bangs). Also, expect a minimum of 16 episodes, instead of the current crop of 12.

The following are some of them, with noteworthy gems such as Boys Over Flowers, You Are Beautiful, Secret Garden, My Love From The Star and The Master’s Sun, to name a few.

You Are Beautiful (2009, 16 episodes)

Starring: Jang Keun-suk, Park Shin-hye, Lee Hong-gi, Jung Yong-hwa

When an idol band member has to take a short leave of absence, his twin sister (Park) reluctantly poses as her brother to take his place in the band. A novice nun, she soon finds herself in a quandry when she falls for the band’s lead vocalist (Jang). Fun to watch with good chemistry and performances, the show launches Jang and Park as heartthrobs both in South Korea and internationally. Also, great soundtrack.

Boys Over Flowers (2009, 25 episodes)

Starring: Ku Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho

The ultimate underdog story, with a schoolgirl (Ku) from a poor family standing up to bullying from members of an elite clique in her school, and eventually falls for its rich spoiled leader (Lee). Ku, who is iconic here with her signature bob, has won several awards for her role. She retreated from the showbiz scene after a nasty public divorce from fellow Blood actor Ahn Jae-hun in 2019. You can also watch her in Netflix’s Angel Eyes, a tear-jerker about a first responder who learns some hard truths about how she came to regain her sight.

Secret Garden (2010, 20 episodes)

Starring: Hyun Bin, Ha Ji-won, Yoon Sang-hyun, Kim Sa-rang

Typical rich guy (Hyun) falls for poor girl (Ha) plot is given a fantasy twist when the leads exchange bodies. This classic gives rise to what is later known as the Hyun Bin Syndrome, where the Crash Landing On You (Netflix) actor’s iconic performance here quickly gains him phenomenal fame and heartthrob status. No less inspiring is Ha Ji-won, who kicks ass as a stuntwoman. With all around great performances and soundtrack, Secret Garden is not to be missed. Although they’re not in a scene together, watch out for a cameo from Hyun Bin’s future wife, Son Ye-jin.

Rooftop Prince (2012, 20 episodes)

Starring: Park Yu-chun, Han Ji-min, Lee Tae-sung, Jeong Yu-mi, Choi Woo-shik, Lee Tae-ri, Jung Suk-won

A Joseon era prince (Park Yu-chun) with unfinished business leaps 300 years into the future with his three aides, and lands on the rooftop house of a woman (Han Ji-min) who resembles someone he knows from his princely past. He also finds out that he has a doppelganger in the form of a corporate heir. Fans of Netflix’s Bon Appetit Your Majesty will enjoy this fantasy drama with its humorous hijinks and antics as Joseon meets 21st century, crowd-pleasing “cross-cultural” romance between cocky royal and feisty female lead, relentless villains for nail-biting suspense, and cerebral boost from its central theme of reincarnation. Park, who won a prestigious TV award for this drama, can also be seen in The Girl Who Sees Scents, another oldie released recently by Netflix. 

My Love From The Star (2013, 21 episodes)

Starring: Kim Soo-hyun, Jun Ji-hyun (Gianna), Park Hae-jin, Yoo In-na, Shin Sung-rok

Long before Kim Soo-hyun became a superhero son-in-law who saves the day in the popular Queen Of Tears (Netflix), he was Do Min-joon the alien stranded on Earth for 400 years who eventually falls for self-centred star Cheong Song-yi (Jun Ji-hoon). Will this ET phone home to cancel his trip back to his planet? A must-watch classic, this drama further thrusts Kim and Jun to superstardom, and even spawns My Love From The Star Tours in Seoul where fans can visit famous filming locations. 

The Master’s Sun (2013, 17 episodes)

Starring: So Ji-sub, Gong Hyo-jin, Seo In-guk

Like young Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense, odd-jobber Tae Gong-shil (Gong) Hyo-jin sees dead people, and the only person who can help put a stop to that is Joo Joong-won (So Ji-sub), an arrogant CEO who also has issues of his own, namely his dead girlfriend and ghosts haunting his mall. While Gong-shil aims to stay close to safe-haven Joong-won, the latter would rather run a mile away from her, even though he needs her help with his ghost problem. Will Joong-won eventually overcome his aversion to her and appreciates Gong-sihl’s ? The Master’s Sun enjoyed double-digit ratings in Korea when it debuted, which was no mean feat. With a slew of engaging “horror” stories and backstories, colossal chemistry between the leads, and memorable soundtrack, one can see why.