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It’s October and the Hallyu will not quit. While the last month gave us thorough entertainers like Netflix’s Narco-Saints and Disney+ Hostar’s Grid, October brings the end of a masterful Little Women, and a whole bunch of new beginnings. From Netflix’s high-concept, sci-fi drama Glitch (complete with VR and aliens) to Disney+ Hostar’s reality dating show, which gives a Korean twist to Baggage, here is everything Korean you can stream this month.
When: September 23
Where: Disney+ Hotstar
Although Golden Spoon started airing in end-September, most of show’s social warfare unfolds over this month. Golden Spoon follows Lee Seung-cheon’s (Yook Sung-jae) deeply-conflicted life, one that is mired by abject poverty. When he gets the chance to switch lives with his rich friend, it feels too good to be true. Aided by a literal golden spoon, Seung-cheon gets three chances to decide which version of his life suits him better. Based on a 2016 webtoon of the same name, the show is directed by Hyun Wook-song (The King’s Affection).
When: September 23
Where: Disney+ Hotstar
Nam Koong-min and Kim Ji-Eun reunite after The Veil (2021) in this legal drama that follows Cheon Ji-hun (Nam) as an esteemed lawyer who helps those in dire need. Set against the backdrop of Seoul and the discrimination people of the lower classes face – a recurring theme in contemporary K-dramas – Ji-hyun is shown to be a dependable hero as he takes on the upper echelons of society. Directed by Kim Jae-hyun, the drama promises to balance the heavy subjects in its narrative with humour.
When: October 15
Where: Netflix
If you’re enjoying Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower pitting their sons against each other for the Iron Throne, this sageuk drama may be for you. Queen Hya-ryeong (Kim Hye-soo) is the reigning queen but her sons are considered unworthy of taking the king’s place. The threat of losing the crown looms upon her, with the king’s other sons waiting in line. The spirited queen begins shaping her heedless sons into future kings of Joseon, all the while fighting off competitors who wait for her to slip up. The show is written by Park Ba-ra and directed by Kim Hyeong-sik of About Time (2018) fame.
When: October 7
Where: Netflix
When Hong Ji-hyo’s (Jeon Yo-bin from Vincenzo) boyfriend goes missing, she finds herself asking a ludicrous question: Was he kidnapped by aliens? The fact that she can see a little green alien with a helmet only fuels this theory. Ji-hyo’s old school friend (Nana), who hosts an online show about aliens, teams up with Ji-hyo to investigate the disappearance. Directed by Roh Deok – who also co-wrote Extracurricular – the thriller-comedy leads the female duo down the strange world of UFO enthusiasts, conspiracy theories and religious cults. The first four episodes premiered at the Busan International Film Festival earlier this week.
When: October 3
Where: Rakuten Viki
Theia, the cheerleading squad at Yonhee University, is long past its glory days. When a poverty-stricken Do Hae-yi (Han Ji-hyun) joins the squad to make some extra cash, she isn’t expecting to make the friendships she does. The K-drama has a little bit of everything: Love, nostalgia, heartbreak and friendship. Apart from Han, the series stars Bae In-hyuk (who will also be seen in Under the Queen’s Umbrella) and Kim Hyun-jin, and is directed by Han Tae-Seob. According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode of the drama garnered an average nationwide rating of 2.3 percent.
When: October 5
Where: Disney+ Hostar
Pink Lie, Disney+’s first reality dating show, puts seven Korean strangers in the lavish Pink House for twelve days, as each tries to find a life-long partner. There’s a catch: Every participant is hiding a secret. In a society that is steeped in social order, Pink Lie’s participants will try to find a companion without knowing their background or affluence outside of the show. The show will be hosted by celebrity hosts Kim Hee Chul, Song Won Suk, Lee Sun Bin and YouTuber Ral.
When: TBA
Where: Disney+ Hostar
Just as Taek-rok (Lee Seong-min from Misaeng) is about to retire from an illustrious career in the police force, his life is upended. He wakes up from a black-out to discover he has been framed for a murder and is being blackmailed by the real murderer to re-investigate all his previous cases. Directed by Han Dong-hwa and debut writer Im Chang-Se, the crime-thriller also stars Descendants of the Sun fame, Jin Gu. Announced by Disney+ on September 13, the platform has only mentioned that the show will release sometime in October.