‘Boys Over Flowers’ and More: Five Iconic K-Dramas That Made a Difference

Never in a month of Sundays will these K-dramas run out of glory for me; these, with their distinctive blend of narrative, inciting reflection, and a focus on contemporary issues, were rich reservoirs of implicit knowledge that may have contributed to the ability to alter how some things are interpreted for the better. Some of these, such as the epic Boys Over Flowers, also fueled the Hallyu wave and became cultural landmarks; some were radical in the way they presented unfamiliar subjects, employed inventive cinematography, or perhaps tackled tropes unconventionally. They are appreciably more in essence; they made a difference, and their splendor still manages to fill us in.

Coffee Prince (2007)

To revamp his family’s café, chaebol heir Choi Han-kyul (Gong Yoo) hires exclusively handsome men to serve customers. In the process, Yoon Eun-hye’s Go Eun-chan, a tomboy erroneously classified as a man, gets placed there; she keeps up deceit to retain her job but lands in a soup when Han-kyul starts feeling something for her (unaware of reality).

Coffee Prince was an anomaly in its defiance of gender stereotypes and articulate display of a woman’s assertiveness while taking on critical concerns in Korea. It was ahead of its time with its portrayal of a Hoyden heroine, juxtaposed with numerous K-dramas relying on feminine makeovers to draw attention. Its questions about gender binary, female identity, machismo, and patriarchy perhaps made Coffee Prince set a precedent, which is why it is still relevant to date.

Boys Over Flowers (2009)

In the posh Shinhwa high school, Geum Jan-di (Koo Hye-sun) of average means gets entangled with the formidable F4, led by the overbearing spoiled brat Gu Jun-pyo (Lee Min-ho). Boys Over Flowers has been credited as a forerunner in Korean high school drama, driving the propagation of the Hallyu wave and launching the storied career of superstar Lee Min-ho. But with aplomb, the drama ultimately shook the status quo and brought about a cultural shift; it inspired Korean men (and Asian men, for the record) to emulate their appearances. They started adopting the “Kkothminam“—the flower boy or pretty-boy image—dabbling with metrosexual fashion, sporting vibrant clothes, including cruise looks in pastel hues and floral prints, as well as wearing makeup.

Boys Over Flowers was criticized for its Cinderella story—a portrayal of bullying, power play, and class differences. I see things differently, though. The story is great in its depiction of true love and friendship. It originates with a love-hate connection, yet, come to think of it, that has to do with how emotional instability manifests itself in childhood as a result of parental estrangement or the existence of egocentric conflicts with the one you love.

Self-absorbed individuals are more prone to adverse responses in this aspect. Extreme circumstances could result in a sense of contempt for the other person until love begins to take hold. Probably the rationale why Jun-pyo has a thing for Jan-di. He is the obnoxious teenager attributed to his isolated childhood and lousy upbringing. In response to Jan-di’s steadfast resistance to Jun-pyo’s harassment and indifference to his fame, he turns to her further, and his initial hate translates to love. Disregarding the socioeconomic divides—the intricacies of their relationship, their unconditional love, and not forgetting the boys’ profound friendship—speaks to the soul and jogs memories many a time.

Good Doctor (2013)

Park Si-on (Joo Won) is an autistic prodigy who was accepted into a specialized school and was proven to have a photographic recall with incredible spatial intelligence. He has six months to show off his competence as a resident in pediatric surgery before commencing his official employment as a doctor. While Si-on gets flak for his emotional and cognitive state during the probation period, he transcends societal bigotry by tapping into his skills and succeeds thereby.

The K-drama is evocative, hinting at hope. The plot promoting consciousness about autism and how the socially challenged may contribute to society led Good Doctor to heaps of praise. Its insight and underlying innuendos are intended to inspire: regardless of who or how you are or the circumstances in which you find yourself, do dream and never let go, but be willing to put your nose to the grindstone, for perseverance is irreplaceable and inevitably reaps recompense.

My Love from the Star (2013-2014)

One of the few healing K-dramas, My Love from the Star, is vivid and even insightful in its depth. Do Min-joon (Kim Soo-hyun), from the stars, sweeps Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun) off her feet in this gorgeous Korean fantasy—an epic heart-fluttering romance that exceeds theatrical grandeur. The titular hero, Min-joon, an omnipotent alien who has been stranded on Earth, is dismayed to discover Hallyu star Song-yi residing next door. He gets entwined with Song-yi’s turbulent life and repeatedly saves her, with only three months left until he makes it back to his world.

The effective high-speed cinematography and computer-generated shots of the action propelled the show to new heights. According to the Korean archives, with process photography, Min-joon’s teleporting and time-freezing were recorded. The crew filmed the bullet-time images via specialized cameras and installed a 180-degree arc of GoPro cameras to capture the effect of stopped people.

One of My Love from the Star‘s myriad accomplishments was its role as a cultural cornerstone. In a CNN Travel piece, it turns out that the show, where Seong-yi enjoys “chimaek” (a mix of “chicken” and “maekju,” Korean beer), catalyzed a chimaek fest in Ningbo, China, causing massive crowds outside Korean fried chicken stands. It also emphatically influenced the Korean market through booming overnight sales of the apparel, accessories, and beauty products used by Jun, the global recognition of the Korean language, and Korean tourism in that its shooting spots evolved to be popular draws.

It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014)

Zo In-sung co-starred with Gong Hyo-jin in the medical drama as the celebrated writer and radio host Jang Jae-yeol—pompous and witty yet with a mental condition. He is confined to slumbering in his bathtub, given his past and obsessive-compulsive disorder. A tense exchange in an interview makes him and Doctor Ji Hae-soo (Gong) acquaintances, and another event leads him to cohabit with her. The two begin at loggerheads but grow into lovers in no time. The issue is adapting to Jay-yeol’s untreated schizophrenia.

At the APAN Star Awards (2014), Zo received the coveted Daesang (“Grand Prize”) for a top-of-the-line performance. Likewise, the drama was revered for discussing the intolerance and societal slander endured by people with mental health problems. It disturbs me to consider that society generally regards people with mental health issues as outliers, resulting in a lack of their ability to open up. That makes things worse. It’s essential, invariably, to share your thoughts—your state of mind. That’s what It’s Okay, That’s Love is all about. In my mind, it’s a blue-chip story that can genuinely help if you pay enough attention to it.