Normally every month brings new Korean dramas for us to savour but this March seems especially flooded with many drama premieres and all seem very interesting for a variety of reasons. Good thing is, there is something for everyone, if you are choosy with the genre and the actors. Best way to keep a track is to make a list and hopefully the following list would be helpful:

Memorist 

On: tvN

Starting On: 11 March

Slot: Wednesdays & Thursdays

Stars: Yoo Seung Ho, Lee Se Young

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy

This is a straight up detective drama but with a twist — the hero has the supernatural ability to read others’ memories when he touches them. The heroine is a genius profiler. They both join hands to find a serial killer. I guess these super powers are not exactly new in dramaland but since it’s based on a webtoon, I’m hoping for something exciting and good. Plus, the lead actors, Yoo Seung Ho and Lee Se Young, are another factor to get excited for.

Hospital Playlist

On: tvN

Starting On: 12 March

Slot: Thursdays

Stars: Jo Jung Suk, Kim Dae Myung, Jung Kyung Ho, Yoo Yun Suk, Jun Mi Do

Genre: Medical, Drama

A medical drama! I would have surely moved away after hearing the genre but how can one not watch a show with this incredible cast and the creative team behind masterpieces like Answer Me franchise and Prison Playbook. The show is about, well, doctors. I’m sure it will be warm, all heart, bittersweet, adorable, touching and a lot more. So excited!

Kingdom Season 2

On: Netflix

Starting On: 13 March

Slot: All episodes aired together

Stars: Joo Ji Hoon, Bae Doo Na, Ryu Seung Ryong

Genre: Historical, horror, fantasy

I have yet to see the first season of this acclaimed horror-historical drama which tells about a mysterious disease causing turbulence in Joseon and the crown prince who investigates it. It is a pre-produced show which is divided into 2 parts with 6 episodes each. Joo Ji Hoon is also appearing right now in another drama, Hyena, in a modern look of a hotshot lawyer.

Find Me in Your Memory

On: MBC

Starting On: 18 March

Slot: Wednesdays & Thursdays

Stars: Kim Dong Wook, Moon Ga Young

Genre: Melodrama, Romance

In definitely a very different role from his previous show, Kim Dong Wook stars as an anchorman with hyperthymesia, which means he has autobiographical memory. Obviously, the heroine is on the other side of spectrum. Moon Ga Young plays an actress who has forgotten the most important moments of her life. It might look like your typical melodrama but the writer of Queen In Hyun’s Man and Nine gives me hope for an engrossing and interesting ride.

365: Repeat The Year

On: MBC

Starting On: 23 March

Slot: Mondays & Tuesdays

Stars: Lee Joon Hyuk, Nam Ji Hyun, Yang Dong Geun

Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Mystery

We don’t see time travel a lot these days in dramaland. But the new MBC show is taking not one but 10 people back in time, 1 year back to be exact. But as told by numerous fictional materials, it’s not good to play with time and destiny and hence they all face mysterious events. I’m glad the show has not revealed exactly what. Aside from the intriguing plot, I’m looking forward to see Nam Ji Hyun (she is so charming!) and Lee Joon Hyuk. Also, the show is based on a Japanese novel, so surely we can expect many interesting things.

A Piece of Your Mind

On: tvN

Starting On: 23 March

Slot: Mondays & Tuesdays

Stars: Jung Hae In, Chae Soo Bin, Lee Ha Na

Genre: Romance, Comedy

With a lot of high stakes in many shows mentioned so far in the list, this one comes as a breath of fresh air with its simple, easy-going vibe. The drama is a love story between an artificial intelligence programmer with a kind heart and a classical recording engineer with a bright personality. I love Jung Hae In. I love tvN rom-coms. I love slice-of-life. So yes, I’m tuning in for this! The writing is by the screenwriter of On the Way To The Airport.

Welcome (OR Meow, the Secret Boy)

On: KBS

Starting On: 25 March

Slot: Wednesdays & Thursdays

Stars: L, Shin Ye Eun

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy

It’s about a graphic designer who aspires to be a webtoon artist. Things become interesting when she brings home a cat who has the ability to transform into human form. The drama is based on a webtoon. The drama looks cute!

Eccentric! Chef Moon

On: Channel A

Starting On: 27 March

Slot: Fridays & Saturdays

Stars: Eric, Go Won Hee

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Another addition to the romantic comedy genre! Eric as lead surely raises expectations for the hotness factor of a drama. The story sounds a bit like Hollywood film Overboard (1987) which also has a K-drama adaptation in the form of Fantasy Couple (2006). Go Won Hee plays a famous fashion designer who loses her memory and ends up in a village where star chef, played by Eric, resides. The village setting adds to the appeal of the show.

The World of the Married

On: JTBC

Starting On: 27 March

Slot: Fridays & Saturdays

Stars: Kim Hee Ae, Park Hae Joon

Genre: Drama

Kim Hee Ae — the powerhouse actress alone is enough to anticipate this show, marking her return to dramaland after 4 years. The drama stars her as a doctor whose perfect and peaceful life with her husband and son is shattered after the husband, played by Misaeng‘s Park Hae Joon, betrays her. It comes from the writer of Revolutionary Love.

Rugal

On: OCN

Starting On: 27 March

Slot: Saturdays & Sundays

Stars: Choi Jin Hyuk, Park Sung Woong

Genre: Action

Another webtoon adaptation in the list, Rubal is about an elite detective who loses his family and eyesight due to a criminal organisation called Argos. He is then recruited by NIS for a special team called Rugal and is given artificial eyeballs with special ability. This team sets out to bring down the various criminal organisations. The story sounds intense but can be a good action thriller.

Nobody Knows

On: SBS

Started On: 2 March

Slot: Mondays & Tuesdays

Stars: Kim Seo Hyung, Ryu Duk Hwan

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

This show has already premiered, and it is about a detective who lost her friend after a serial killer murders her 19 years ago. Presently, when the killings begin again, she chases the murderer. Dramaland thrillers are full of serial killer plots and this one doesn’t add a lot to the genre. But it is led by a strong actress and if made with right direction and tight writing, it can be a good viewing.