Newest K-drama to Watch in May-June

This year, the South Korean entertainment industry started with a series of excellent releases, one after another. Outstanding action-packed K-dramas such as "A Shop for Killers" or "The Killer Paradox," as well as tear-jerking ones like "Queen of Tear" or "Marry My Husband," have captured viewers' hearts. However, the excitement hasn't diminished as we enter May, with a slew of equally excellent series being premiered.

And here are the most worth-watching series at the moment.

1. Lovely Runner

The series follows the journey of Im Sol, a devoted fan of idol Ryu Sun-jae. Once a promising film director, Sol's dreams were shattered by an accident that left her paralyzed. She finds solace in Sun-jae's music, but her world crumbles again when he dies in a tragic accident. However, fate intervenes, and Sol wakes up in a classroom 15 years in the past, before both her and Sun-jae's accidents. Viewing this as a divine opportunity, Sol vows to change their destinies.

“Lovely Runner” successfully captivates audiences with its charming, refreshing atmosphere, brimming with the essence of youth. The series is available to watch for free on Viki.

2. Blood Free

“Blood Free” is a futuristic thriller that might just make your head spin in the best way possible. Humans have consumed animal meat for millions of years, but in this future world, meat consumption has become invalid, and the biotechnology company BF Group dominates the market with its lab-grown meat. The series revolves around the BF Group, showcasing it as one of the most powerful entities in the world. However, with great power comes significant threat. As doubts about the actions of BF's CEO arise both inside and outside the company, a series of dangerous incidents and death threats ensue. To protect the embattled CEO, a bodyguard is hired. But the question remains: will he really be able to shield her from all those who want her gone?

You can watch “Blood Free” on Disney+.

3. Uncle Samsik

“Uncle Samsik” was immediately praised as the "masterpiece of the year" upon its release. This Korean series had been highly anticipated by numerous viewers in mid-May because it marks the first television project of renowned actor Song Kang Ho, the star of the Oscar-winning blockbuster “Parasite”.

“Uncle Samsik” is set in Korea during the 1950s and 60s, depicting the ambitions and brotherhood of Samsik and Kim San, who survived through a chaotic period in Korean history. In the series, Song Kang Ho plays Park Doo Chil, nicknamed Uncle Samsik for feeding his family three meals a day even during wartime. The term "samsik" also means "three meals" in Korean. Meanwhile, Byun Yo Han portrays Kim San, a top student at the Korean Military Academy with dreams of changing the country.

The series also garnered attention even before its premiere due to the participation of Tiffany Young, a member of the legendary girl group SNSD. "Uncle Samsik" is now airing on Disney+ and releases a new episode every Wednesday.

4. Frankly Speaking

"Frankly Speaking" tells the story of Song Ki-baek, a 33-year-old announcer working for Ultra FM. Song Ki-baek is described as someone incredibly passionate about his job, willing to comply with any of his boss's demands to achieve his goal of becoming the official news anchor. There are also many rumors about Song Ki-baek's true identity, suggesting that he is the son of a wealthy conglomerate family and lives alone in a magnificent mansion.

However, his life changes due to a scandal involving a female colleague, who was attacked by her jealous husband live on air, inadvertently dragging Ki-baek into the mess. The ugly confrontation, broadcasted live and seen by the entire nation, catches the attention of On Woo-joo. Determined to have him on her show, she invites him despite his strong aversion to entertainment programs. Eventually, Ki-baek is forced to relent. This catches the interest of On Woo-ju, a writer for a variety show. Woo-ju decides to feature him on a love variety show and from here, a series of humorous and tear-jerking stories unfold due to Ki-baek’s condition. The show is available on Netflix.

5. The 8 Show

The show "8" follows the story of 8 strangers who agree to play a game where they're locked in a building. They earn money for each minute the game lasts. At night, they stay in separate rooms on different floors, buying essentials at high prices. During the day, they use some of their time to buy things for the group.

At first, they work together to maximize their time and earnings. But when they realize that higher floors earn more and have better rooms, conflicts arise. They also try to understand how more time is added to the game. "The 8 Show" reminds us of "Squid Game" and "The Platform," yet its standout feature lies in its humorous portrayal of dark themes and critique of evil. You can watch the show on Netflix.

6. The Midnight Romance in Hagwon

This K-drama revolves around the romance between two academy professors, Lee Joon Ho and Seo Hye Jin. Lee Joon Ho holds a position at a large company but resigns to return to the academy where he once studied.

Here, Lee Joon Ho reunites with his first love, Korean language teacher Seo Hye Jin. She becomes a star after the legendary event known as the "Miracle of Daechi." Just as Seo Hye Jin's life begins to stabilize, former student and troublemaker Lee Joon Ho returns, turning everything upside down.

The K-drama belongs to the slow burn slices-of-life genre and portrays the love interest dynamic between a younger man and an older woman. Early reviews are mixed. Some praise its nostalgic vibe, slow-burning romance, and strong female lead played by Jung Ryeo Won. However, some find the plot progression too slow, with little happening in the initial episodes. Comparisons are drawn to director Ahn Pan Seok's previous hit "Something in the Rain." Wi Ha Joon's debut as a lead in a romance drama has also excited fans. You can watch the show for free on Viki.

7. The Atypical Family

"The Atypical Family," a 2024 K-drama, follows the Bok family, each born with unique supernatural abilities:

• Bok Gwi-joo (Jang Ki-yong) can revisit happy moments from his past but can't change them.
• Bok Man-heum, the family matriarch, can foresee the future.
• Dong-hee, Gwi-joo's sister, can fly.
• Yi-na, the youngest, hasn't inherited any powers yet.

However, they start losing their abilities due to modern problems like depression, insomnia, obesity, and smartphone addiction. Gwi-joo struggles with alcoholism after his wife's death.

Do Da-hee (Chun Woo-hee) becomes involved with the Bok family. The matriarch believes Da-hee holds the key to restoring their powers, but Da-hee's true intentions remain unclear as she comes from a family with sinister plans.

The drama explores how the Bok family deals with losing their extraordinary abilities due to real-world issues and the impact of Da-hee's presence in their lives. It combines fantasy elements with sensitive portrayals of mental health struggles. Viewers have generally praised the drama's unique blend of fantasy and real-life themes, as well as the talented cast. However, some have criticized the portrayal of the overweight sister character as being insensitive. You can watch the show on Netflix.