August is chock-full of drama premieres! (14 NEW DRAMAS!!) And I’m interested in so many of them, I don’t know how I’ll manage to fit them all in my drama schedule! Here is a summary of new Korean dramas for everyone’s ease:

Love Next Door

Premiere Date: August 17

Network: tvN, Netflix

Stars: Jung Hae In (D.P.), Jung So Min (Alchemy Of Souls), Kim Ji Eun (Branding In Seongsu), Yoon Ji On (Serendipity’s Embrace)

Slot: Saturday & Sunday

Number Of Episodes: 16

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Synopsis: A woman attempting to reboot her life returns to Korea and becomes entangled with her childhood friend — with whom she shares a complicated history.

Thoughts: The drama I’m most excited about this month! I love the leads. I love the ‘friends to lovers’ trope. I love two sets of OTPs. I love the normal, simple vibe of the promos.

Romance In The House

Premiere Date: August 10

Network: JTBC, Netflix

Stars: Ji Jin Hee (Designated Survivor: 60 Days), Kim Ji Soo (Where Stars Land), Choi Min Ho (Kpop group SHINee; Drama The Fabulous), Son Na Eun (Kpop group APINK; Drama  Agency)

Slot: Saturday & Sunday

Number Of Episodes: 12

Genre: Family, Drama, Romance

Synopsis: After his business crashes, a man disappears from his family for 11 years. But when he makes a return as their wealthy landlord, a messy reunion ensues.

Thoughts: On the fence about this one but Ji Jin Hee in a light-hearted role is something I’m excited about.

Your Honor

Premiere Date: August 12

Network: ENA

Stars: Son Hyun Joo (The Good Detective), Kim Myung Min (Law School), Kim Do Hoon (Moving), Jung Eun Chae (The King: Eternal Monarch), Yoon Chan Young (Delivery Man), Heo Nam Joon (Sweet Home Season 2)

Slot: Monday & Tuesday

Number Of Episodes: 10

Genre: Drama, Crime, Thriller

Synopsis: The story of two fathers — one is a warm-hearted and righteous judge while the other is a cold-hearted crime boss — who turn monstrous to protect their children.

Thoughts: It looks very melodramatic but the cast is so powerful that I’m thinking of checking this out.

The Frog

Premiere Date: August 23

Network: Netflix

Stars: Kim Yoon Suk (The Chaser), Lee Jung Eun (Miss Night And Day), Yoon Kye Sang (The Kidnapping Day), Go Min Si (Sweet Home)

Slot: All episodes released together

Number Of Episodes: 8

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Synopsis: One tranquil summer, a mysterious woman checks into a vacation rental — triggering events that disrupt the lives of the owner and those around him.

Thoughts: This one sounds really intriguing and creepy.

No Gain No Love

Premiere Date: August 26

Network: tvN

Stars: Shin Min Ah (Hometown Cha Cha Cha), Kim Young Dae (Sh**ting Stars), Lee Sang Yi (Bloodhounds), Han Ji Hyun (Cheer Up)

Slot: Monday & Tuesday

Number Of Episodes: 12

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Synopsis: A woman asks a man to undergo a fake marriage in order to gain promotion in her workplace.

Thoughts: Another favorite trope here — fake relationship. And this one has two sets of pairings too — always something I love.

The Tyrant

Premiere Date: August 14

Network: Disney+

Stars: Kim Seon Ho (Hometown Cha Cha Cha), Cha Seung Won (Our Blues), Kim Kang Woo (Wonderful World), Jo Yoon Soo (The Killer’s Shopping List)

Slot: All episodes released together

Number Of Episodes: 4

Genre: 

Synopsis: The last sample of a program called Tyrant Program goes missing while being delivered. This leads to different people trying to find that last sample due to their different motives.

Thoughts: This sounds different, like most Disney+ Kdramas. But that doesn’t ensure a good ride. So I’m gonna wait for the reviews. The cast is solid though. And I’m excited for Kim Seon Ho’s comeback.

Perfect Family

Premiere Date: August 14

Network: KBS

Stars: Park Joo Hyun (The Forbidden Marriage), Yoon Se Ah (SKY Castle), Kim Byung Chul (Doctor Cha), Yoon Sang Hyun (18 Again)

Slot: Wednesday & Thursday

Number Of Episodes: 12

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Synopsis: A seemingly happy and perfect family begins to suspect each other when their daughter becomes entangled in a murder.

Thoughts: Another murder mystery in the list. This drama sounds interesting too.

Black Out

Premiere Date: August 16

Network: MBC

Stars: Byun Yo Han (Misaeng), Go Bo Gyeol (The Heavenly Idol), Go Joon (Oh My Baby), Kim Bo Ra (Finland Papa)

Slot: Friday & Saturday

Number Of Episodes: 14

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Synopsis: A young man is accused of murder in a mysterious case where no bodies were found. 11 years later, he embarks on a journey to uncover the truth of that fateful day. He teams up with a detective to find out the truth.

Thoughts: An atmospheric thriller set in a small town always sounds intriguing, be it a novel or a movie or a TV show. And this drama is actually based on a bestselling German mystery novel Snow White Must Die. The show also has a strong cast!

Cinderella At 2 A.M.

Premiere Date: August 24

Network: Coupang Play

Stars: Moon Sang Min (Wedding Impossible), Shin Hyun Bin (Tell Me That You Love Me)

Slot: Saturday & Sunday

Number Of Episodes: 10

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Synopsis: Love story of a woman who doesn’t believe in fairy tale endings and her boyfriend, a chaebol heir, who tries to change her mind.

Thoughts: I’m not a huge fan of exes-to-lovers trope because I love seeing leads falling in love. But it surely sounds fresh as the heroine doesn’t believe in happily-ever-afters and actually accepts the money given by hero’s mother in exchange for the break-up (that’s a first!). And I’m interested in seeing how the hero changes her mind.

DNA Lover

Premiere Date: August 17

Network: TV Chosun

Stars: Choi Si Won (Love Is For Suckers), Jung In Sun (Let Me Be Your Knight), Lee Tae Hwan (Thirty-Nine), Jung Yoo Jin (Curtain Call)

Slot: Saturday & Sunday

Number Of Episodes: 16

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Synopsis: It’s about a genetic researcher who is obsessed with finding the man who is genetically right for her.

Thoughts: This drama was originally supposed to premiere in June, but finally it’s airing this month. I love my contemporary romantic Kdramas with love squares or two couples. Especially when I like all or some actors in the cast. So yes, I’m excited for this one.

Bad Memory Eraser

Premiere Date: August 2

Network: MBN

Stars: Kim Jae Joong (Spy), Jin Se Yun (Born Again), Lee Jong Won (Knight Flower), Yang Hye Ji (Sweet Home 2)

Slot: Friday & Saturday

Number Of Episodes: 16

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Synopsis: A tennis player loses his self-esteem and confidence after an injury as his promising tennis career gets affected. He goes through a memory erasing process, which is aimed at him forgetting his past and helping him to regain his confidence.

Thoughts: The drama looks fun and cute, and the plot sounds fresh. Let’s hope it delivers plenty of romance and comedy!

Andante Of Love / Love Andante

Premiere Date: August 7

Network: TVING

Stars: Kwon Hyun Bin (The Red Sleeve), Song Ji Woo (Dreaming Of A Freaking Fairytale), Im Seul Ong (Ho Goo’s Love), Hwang Seung Eon (You Are My Spring)

Slot: Wednesday & Thursday

Number Of Episodes: 8

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy

Synopsis: The drama is set in a fictional contemporary future were North and South Korea have made peace. A joint area called Peace Village where people from both countries live is formed. A South Korean man and a North Korean woman are mistakenly assigned to live together and they fall in love.

Thoughts: This show did not get lots of promotion before its premiere. The plot sounds fresh even if at the core, it is like Crash Landing On You and The King 2 Hearts.

Queen Woo (Part 1)

Premiere Date: August 29

Network: TVING

Stars: Jun Jong Seo (Wedding Impossible), Ji Chang Wook, Kim Moo Yul, Jung Yoo Mi, Lee Soo Hyuk, Park Ji Hwan

Slot: Friday & Saturday

Number Of Episodes: 8

Genre: Historical, Drama, Action

Synopsis: After the sudden death of her husband, Queen Woo becomes the target of five tribes seeking to gain authority and princes who are after the throne.

Thoughts: I’m not really a fan of political sageuks (Korean historical dramas).

Pachinko 2

Premiere Date: August 23

Network: Apple TV+

Stars: Kim Min Ha (The Call), Lee Min Ho (City Hunter), Yoon Yeo Jung (Dear My Friends), Jung Eun Chae (The King: Eternal Monarch), Noh Sang Hyun (Soundtrack #2), Jin Ha (Pachinko)

Slot: Friday & Saturday

Number Of Episodes: 8

Genre: Historical, Drama

Synopsis: A multi-generational saga of war and peace, love and separation, and victory and judgment that spans Korea, Japan, and the United States.

Thoughts: I have this acclaimed drama in my plan list for such a long time but haven’t gotten around to see it yet.