These are the Best and Worst K-Dramas in 2020 and 2021, According to Experts
The year 2020 passed by like a breeze and unknowingly, the year 2021 is now also almost over. Apart from certain events that are dear to the heart, K-Dramas also helped every K-Drama lover out there to get through the COVID-19-stricken year.
In this list is the rundown of the best and worst K-Dramas in 2020 and 2021, according to entertainment industry workers and broadcasting companies.
'Hospital Playlist,' 'The World of Married' and More: Are They Good or Bad?
Because of COVID-19, the number of dramas being aired has significantly decreased. However, there are some that left a remarkable impression, which moved and touched the hearts of many viewers.
Among them is tvN's blockbuster medical romance drama "Hospital Playlist," which started ambitiously and received great love from viewers.
'Hospital Playlist'
tvN's "Hospital Playlist" ranks first in the "Best 2020 K-Drama," and it follows the story of five friends and fellow doctors who try to live their lives while juggling their passion for their profession.
Shin Won Ho and Lee Woo Jeong, the director and writer of the hit series, collaborated with the biggest South Korean stars Jo Jung Suk, Jeon Mi Do, Yoo Yeon Seok, Jung Kyung Ho and Kim Dae Myung in curating the masterpiece.
In particular, the final episode of the series recorded an average rating of 14.1% nationwide. In addition to that, the five doctors also proved they are also musically intelligent, building their own band "Mido and Parasol," which produced the OSTs "I Knew You'd Love" and "Aroha," which topped the music charts for quite a while.
'The World of Married'
The family melodrama "The World of Married" generated a lot of buzz in 2020, portraying the story of two couples who slowly drift away and fall out of love because of affairs, betrayals and mistrusts.
The JTBC drama's final episode broke its own record of an all-time high ratings with its nationwide 28.4% ratings.
The drama also delved into the true essence of love and the things, both good and bad, that may come with it, which aroused many topics and discussions online.
Apart from its brilliant actors Kim Hee Ae and Park Hae Joon, the drama also gave the spotlight to breakthrough actress Han So Hee, who was deeply loved and hated in the show.
Emmy-nominee "It's Okay to Not Be Okay," "Crash Landing on You" and "Itaewon Class" were also named Best Dramas of 2020.
'The King: Eternal Monarch'
SBS TV's "The King: Eternal Monarch" was deemed as the worst K-Drama of 2020. It is a romance drama that depicts the meeting of the Korean Empire Emperor anda literal Korean detective who wishes to protect someone's life.
Expectations were high as the SBS drama was written by Kim Eun Sook, the writer of hit drama "Goblin," which was a worldwide phenomena.
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"The King: Eternal Monarch" received harsh criticism from viewers and flak from cultural appropriation. The viewership ratings of the drama plummeted and left an unerasable stain on Kim Eun Sook's reputation.
'Backstreet Rookie'
Kim Yoo Jung and Ji Chang Wook's first drama project was ignored and named as one the worst K-Drama in 2020. Although it was one of the most highly anticipated dramas, it disappointed a lot as it was criticized a lot for its poor plot and dialogues.
Apart from the two mentioned dramas, the worst drama list includes KBS2's "Welcome," which experienced the humiliating ratings of 0%, tvN's "A Piece of Your Mind" ended early and "Hi Bye, Mama!" which fell short despite starring Kim Tae Hee.
'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha,' 'Hospital Playlist' and 'Vincenzo'
The year 2021 is and is still being decorated with amazing dramas with a wide array of interesting genres.
It also produced potential award-winning dramas that brought fun, laughter, comfort and healing to viewers.
tvN's "Hospital Playlist 2" is hailed as the best drama of the year 2021, maintaining its spot on the top.
'Hospital Playlist 2'
tvN's second season of the worldwide hit "Hospital Playlist" is hailed as the best K-Drama of the year 2021.
Continuing its legacy from the previous year, the drama enjoyed an all-time high viewership ratings record as it contained laughter, a small amount of tears, comfort and empathy through the stable and lauded acting skills of its actors.
Jo Jung Suk, Jeon Mi Do and the rest of the '99 Squad completed the drama with a well-received perfect ending. It showcased a universal emotion that everyone can resonate with, without the need for a villainous character.
In addition to that, the medical drama debunked fake theories, stigma and changed a lot of the public's perception on medical knowledge, which most commonly receive negative reactions from people.
'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha'
Another tvN masterpiece ranks high in the list of the best K-Dramas of 2021. Shin Min Ah's return to the small screen, and her first ever project with "Good Boy" Kim Seon Ho, "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha."
The romance comedy is a remake of the 2000s classic film "Mr. Hong," which follows the healing story of a stonecold dentist and an adorable all-rounder handyman who, despite their differences, find comfort in each other.
The drama, the main stars as well as the rest of the cast received positive feedback and enjoyed an unwavering high rating, completing a happy ending.
In particular, "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" also tops the global Netflix charts in 14 different countries including South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and Philippines.
'Vincenzo' and 'Racket Boys'
Two different stories and genres but both rose and were recognized as one of the best K-Dramas in 2021.
"Vincenzo," Song Joong Ki playing the titular role, tells the story of an Italian mafia lawyer who seeks revenge from the people who betrayed him. The final episode of the drama recorded a rating of 14.6% nationwide.
On the other hand, "Racket Boys" is a coming-of-age drama which focuses on young boys and girls who dream to be an idol in the badminton world.
Child actors Tang Joon Sang, Sang Sang Yeon, Choi Hyun Wook, Kim Kang Hoon and Lee Jae In decorated the drama with their refreshing visuals and acting skills.
Although 6% is not very high in terms of viewership, "Racket Boys" is still evaluated as a healing drama with a unique approach that charmed the viewers.
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In addition to that, SBS TV's "One the Woman" and KBS2's "Youth of May" are also included in the list, garnering three and two votes, respectively.
'Joseon Exorcist'
Embarrassingly enough, SBS TV's "Joseon Exorcist" is selected as the worst South Korean drama ever produced in 2021, not because of its plot and casting, but because of its historical distortion controversy.
It happened with a character that was portrayed as a person who founded the Joseon partnership with evil spirits that slaughter people, and pushing the narrative without historical evidence.
More than 5,000 complaints and petitions were received by the Korea Communications Standards Commission to discontinue "Joseon Exorcist." In the end, on March 27, days after the first release of the drama, the production team announced the drama's broadcast halt.
Producing director Shin Kyung Soo, scriptwriter Park Gye Ok, actors Gam Woo Sung, Jang Dong Yoon and Park Seong Hoon released apology statements.
'Lost'
Following that, Jeon Do Yeon and Ryu Jun Yeol's comeback drama "Lost," which is also an anniversary special of broadcast giant JTBC, was considered one of the most anticipated works in the second half of this year, yet plummeted.
"Lost" continuously recorded an all-time low rating, even lower than the initial expectations. It is evaluated as a work that was publicly liked and disliked simultaneously not because of the acting style, but due to its dark and deep story.
SBS TV's "Penthouse," flourished but was evaluated as one of the worst due to its absurd ending and acting skills that are "not worth watching." However, the drama still produced a new generation of veterans, known as the "Penthouse Kids," Kim Young Dae, Jin Ji Hee, Kim Hyun Soo, Han Ji Hyun and more.
Apart from that, KBS2's "Gentleman and Lady" and JTBC's "Sisyphus: The Myth" received one vote each.
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Written by Elijah Mully.
