What do you love the most about K-dramas? For me, it's the gripping storyline, the star-studded cast, the LSS-inducing official soundtrack, and amazing life lessons I learn after binge-watching a whole season in one sitting, lol.
Recently, I discovered another interesting trivia about K-dramas: Some of them have completely different titles from the ones we know. Most of the time, the titles locally used in South Korea are also used worldwide, like in the case of Vincenzo. For others, we get the literal English translation of the titles. And then we have those that are distinct from their local titles.
Curious about what these series are? Here's a list of popular K-dramas with other titles that you may not know yet:
1. Encounter (2018)
Also known as: Boyfriend
Who's in it: Park Bo Gum, Song Hye Kyo
Where you can watch it: Viu, iQIYI
The plot, according to Viu: "It all started with an encounter between a young, ordinary man and a woman whose life has been designed by her influential parents. May it be fate or sheer coincidence, it was a picturesque sunset-lit evening in Cuba that brought them together."
2. True Beauty (2020)
Also known as: Goddess Advent
Who's in it: Moon Ga Young, Cha Eun Woo, Hwang In Yeop
Where you can watch it: Viu
The plot, according to Viu: "Ju Kyung is bullied in school because of her looks. She can’t seem to fit into this small society called a school where physical appearance means everything. When she enters high school, she decides to transform herself with her makeup skills."
3. She Would Never Know (2021)
Also known as: Sunbae, Don't Put On That Lipstick
Who's in it: SF9's Rowoon, Won Jin Ah
Where you can watch it: iQIYI
The plot, according to iQIYI: "Based on a popular web novel of the same name published in 2017, it tells the sweet love story between a lovely senior and a bold junior who is sexy and sincere."
4. It's Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)
Also known as: Psycho But It's Okay
Who's in it: Kim Soo Hyun, Seo Ye Ji, Oh Jung Se
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot, according to Netflix: "An extraordinary road to emotional healing opens up for an antisocial children's book writer and a selfless psych ward caretaker when they cross paths."
5. Dr. Romantic (2016)
Also known as: Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim
Who's in it: Han Seok Kyu, Seo Hyun Jin, Yoo Yeon Seok
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu, iQIYI
The plot, according to Netflix: "An eccentric, triple board-certified virtuoso surgeon leaves a top job in Seoul and ends up at a provincial hospital, where he mentors young doctors."
6. Don't Dare To Dream (2016)
Also known as: Jealousy Incarnate
Who's in it: Gong Hyo Jin, Jo Jung Suk, Go Kyung Pyo
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu
The plot, according to Viu: "Life is hard and demanding for Pyo Na Ri, a temporary weather forecaster for SBC. She is determined to make her way to the top of the pyramid to win the job of everyone’s dream—the evening news anchor. In the process, she gets over her long-time crush, a heart-throb reporter, Lee Hwa Shin.
7. The Uncanny Counter (2020)
Also known as: Amazing Rumor
Who's in it: Jo Byeong Gyu, Kim Sejeong, Yoo Joo Sang, Yeom Hye Ran
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot, according to Netflix: "Noodle shop employees by day and demon hunters by night, the Counters use special abilities to chase down malevolent spirits that prey on humans."
8. My Love From The Star (2013)
Also known as: You Who Came From The Stars
Who's in it: Kim Soo Hyun, Jun Ji Hyun
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu, iQIYI
The plot, according to Netflix: "An alien who came to Earth 400 years ago is almost able to return to his own planet, but when he meets a famous actress, he doesn't want to go home."
9. Lovestruck In The City (2020)
Also known as: City Couple's Way Of Love
Who's in it: Kim Ji Won, Ji Chang Wook
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot, according to Netflix: "Heart stolen by a free-spirited woman after a beachside romance, a passionate architect sets out to reunite with her on the streets of Seoul."
10. Backstreet Rookie (2020)
Also known as: Convenience Store Saet Byul
Who's in it: Ji Chang Wook, Kim Yoo Jung
Where you can watch it: iQIYI
The plot, according to Netflix: "It tells an unpredictable 24-hour love story of the four-dimensional innocent girl Jung Saet Byul who was once a troublemaker, and the adorkable caring male store manager, Choi Dae Hyun, in the context of a convenience store."
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