The Holidays Are Long! Recommended Korean Dramas to Binge-Watch During Chuseok

Cineplay reporters get busy as the holidays approach. Why? To catch up on work? To handle holiday-related tasks? While that’s not wrong, (we're working hard, boss) there’s another reason. It’s the struggle of deciding what to watch during the holidays. Especially with a long holiday like this Chuseok, one must ponder which shows they haven’t seen (or didn’t want to see) to make the most of their time off. So, as a result of this contemplation, Cineplay reporters have decided to strongly recommend the following works to our readers. If you have no particular plans this holiday, how about spending cozy time at home watching these dramas? This post introduces four Korean dramas.

Kim Ji-yeon - Netflix 〈You and Everything Else〉

A Long Holiday, Perfect for Savoring 〈You and Everything Else〉

It’s been a while. This is a drama I’ve been saving because I regret not being able to binge-watch it in one go. Unusually for an OTT series, it’s a lengthy 15-episode drama, and each episode, each scene, feels precious, making me stop after 10 minutes to reflect and then repeat the process.

Filled with scenes and dialogues that you want to savor, 〈You and Everything Else〉 is recommended for those spending time alone during the holiday to slowly binge-watch along with their diary. This is because the story of Sang-yeon, written from Eun-jung’s perspective, contains the stories of you and me.

〈You and Everything Else〉 explores the relationships between Eun-jung (Kim Go-eun) and Sang-yeon (Park Ji-hyun), as well as Sang-hak (Kim Jae-won) and Sang-hak (Kim Gun-woo), or the relationship between Eun-jung and the two Sang-haks and Sang-yeon, examining feelings of inferiority, self-hatred, friendship, and love. Following Eun-jung’s perspective, you will soon come to understand Sang-yeon, and as you reflect on Eun-jung through Sang-yeon’s feelings of inferiority and loneliness, 〈You and Everything Else〉 calmly conveys the profound truth that there are no absolute villains or heroes in the trajectory of life, and that everyone has their own story. 〈You and Everything Else〉 tells us that even those defined as ‘villains’ through my perspective are ultimately individuals with their own lives, enduring their own losses while sharing time with someone.

Joo Sung-cheol - Disney+ 〈Nine Puzzles〉

Agatha Christie, Edgar Allan Poe, John Dickson Carr… Enjoy the Holidays with the Recommendations from 〈Nine Puzzles〉

During long holidays, I always enjoyed mystery novels. If there are readers like that, this time I recommend a TV series instead of a book. Starring Son Seok-koo and Kim Da-mi, directed by Yoon Jong-bin, the Disney+ 11-episode series 〈Nine Puzzles〉 is about the only witness to an unsolved case, profiler Ina (Kim Da-mi), and the detective Han Saem (Son Seok-koo) who continues to suspect him, as they uncover the secrets of a serial murder case that has restarted with mysterious puzzle pieces.

If you’re a mystery novel enthusiast, there’s fun in the numerous famous mystery novels mentioned throughout the series. For example, in episode 3, when Ina first visits Han Saem’s house and sees Agatha Christie’s 〈The Crooked House〉 displayed, she says, “I guess it’s just not for me,” which will resonate with many fans. In episode 4, when Ina says, “Isn’t it possible that there’s no motive for the murder?” Han Saem responds, “While it may be hidden, there’s definitely a motive,” citing Edgar Allan Poe’s 〈The Murders in the Rue Morgue〉 as an example. In episode 5, John Dickson Carr, known as the ‘King of Locked Room Mysteries,’ is also mentioned. All of these are masterpieces of mystery novels, so it would be great to read them after watching the series.

Among the characters, the Ina character, who appears like the animated protagonist ‘Detective Conan,’ is particularly appealing. She appears as an emotionless psychopath, playing a very complex character that is hard to describe with the term ‘4D,’ being a ‘profiler who became a profiler by doubting herself.’ She forms an unexpectedly fresh chemistry with Son Seok-koo, who has also played detectives in other series like 〈Casino〉 and 〈Murderer O Dilemma〉.

On the other hand, the movie enthusiast Han Saem mentions the thriller 〈LA Confidential〉 in episode 8. He scolds Ina, saying, “Haven’t you seen 〈LA Confidential〉?” and references the last line spoken by the protagonist Kevin Spacey, “Rollo Tomasi,” adding, “Hey, you should watch such masterpieces.” If there are those who haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. Just with 〈Nine Puzzles〉, you can take away several recommended books and movies.

Choo Ah-young - 〈Bon Appétit, Your Majesty〉

Stimulating All Senses, Perfect for Chuseok 〈Bon Appétit, Your Majesty〉

Is there a work more perfect for gathering with family and friends during Chuseok than this? The drama 〈Bon Appétit, Your Majesty〉 features a unique setting of a Michelin 3-star chef time-traveling to the Joseon era, captivating global viewers with its entertainment value comparable to cooking shows like 〈Please Take Care of My Refrigerator〉 and 〈Black and White Chef: Cooking Class War〉. Additionally, the chemistry between the two lead actors, Lim Yoon-a and Lee Chae-min, filled with excitement, and the ironic humor that adds modernity to the historical drama enhance the fun. However, the standout ‘kick’ of 〈Bon Appétit, Your Majesty〉 is undoubtedly the food reaction scenes, which are highlighted by delightful absurdity. For example, the actors’ ecstatic expressions as they indulge in the sweetness of macarons and the poor-quality (?) CGI depicting the colorful macarons provide a unique enjoyment that only 〈Bon Appétit, Your Majesty〉 can offer. The absolute taste owner and the worst tyrant of the Joseon era, Yeonhui-gun Lee Heon (Lee Chae-min), also loses his mind over the dishes of ‘Chef of the Cell of Yeonga.’ In fact, 〈Bon Appétit, Your Majesty〉 is a work that is more enjoyable when watched with family or close friends rather than alone. Watching the stunning visuals of fusion food and the characters enjoying the food seems to fulfill all senses.

Sung Chan-eol - 〈Ms. Incognito〉

The Thrill of Revenge Drama Where Survival Equals Success

As this drama has not yet aired, I hope you see it as a drama I want to binge-watch during the holidays rather than a recommendation. 〈Ms. Incognito〉 depicts the process of Kim Young-ran (Jeon Yeo-bin), who is hired as a personal bodyguard for a conglomerate chairman, surviving for three months under the identity of ‘Busemi’ to help the chairman with his revenge. Bodyguard? Revenge drama? Survival? At first glance, it seems packed with action, but it’s not. On the contrary, this drama’s point lies in the tension arising from these bizarre human relationships. Chairman Gaseong-ho (Moon Sung-keun) proposes marriage to Kim Young-ran. With this marriage, all of the company’s assets will go to Kim Young-ran. Naturally, the chairman’s surrounding figures, especially his stepdaughter Gaseon-young (Jang Yoon-joo), cannot stand to see that. For three months until Kim Young-ran is appointed as chairman, she must disguise herself as a kindergarten teacher named Busemi and survive by any means necessary. The setup of a revenge drama where the protagonist must defend rather than attack to succeed immediately catches the eye. Moreover, the lead actors, including Jeon Yeo-bin, Jang Yoon-joo, Jin Young, Seo Hyun-woo, and Joo Hyun-young, are all reliable. With their acting skills and good taste in works, I recommend 〈Ms. Incognito〉 for binge-watching during the holidays, even before its release. The 12-episode drama will air every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM starting from the 29th. You can watch a third of the series during the holiday, so let’s give it a try and judge for ourselves.