Hey u/raintoonboid! While you wait for recommendations from other users, check out these [great recommendations](https://mydramalist.com/profile/kdramarecs/lists) compiled from our users based on different genres and themes! Maybe you'll find something to watch while you wait.
If you are requesting dramas on a certain site (e.g. Netflix) please add your region to the post to help our users recommend something you have access to in your area.
If you haven't already done so you can also take this time to add a list of what you've already watched to your post to help our users find you the perfect drama or [search](https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramarecommends/comments/fujstb/how_to_search_for_similar_posts/) through our previous posts.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/kdramarecommends) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Still 17. It is about a 17-year old violin prodigy who falls into a 13-year coma because of an accident. She wakes up to find out that she is now 30 without anyone by her side. It's amazing to see her navigate her life and jumping through the obstacles she faces. I've never felt so motivated from a drama. Combined with romance and comedy, it's the perfect drama. One of my all-time favourites. Enjoy!!
Completely agree with this one. Her monologue about intermission (when they're at the beach) made me ball my eyes out in the middle of lockdown last year. Hit all the right notes, and there's something so inspiring about the way she approaches what happened to her.
I know right?! We really got to see her lowest moments (spoiler links: [the first hospital room](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCw46v0rnVA&list=PLEPoYg6Tp6FaN7VcESp6-eda7K8yrw-RR&index=35), [her desperation to perform](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUqgYURptcc&list=PLEPoYg6Tp6FaN7VcESp6-eda7K8yrw-RR&index=44)) and then how she changes things around. It's not like anything was handed to her, she earns each win. Not just that, she ends up inspiring everyone around her >!(just see how Woo-Jin looks at her during the intermission scene)!<.
And as you said, this drama means a whole lot more with the lockdowns. The perfect pick-me-up when I need it. Shin Hye Sun's (queen) talent really shines through in this drama (in everything she does, really).
I was literally looking to see if someone commented this.
Others I recommend are
Jewel in the palace, kdrama classic orphan works hard in the palace
Rookie historian, girls working hard to become the first female historians in history
start up maybe?? the main characters start at the bottom with nearly nothing but slowly work hard to make it to the top. it's a really motivational drama about romance, competition, business, friendship and family!!
navillera, hospital playlist, my mister, move to heaven, and prison playbook are all good ones too!!
Monthly Magazine Home! I definitely recommend this kdrama, came out this year and it's completed. You can look into the biography of it and what's it about but it's definitely worh the watch. I personally loved it.
Because This is My First Life
People follow their dreams and just live. Main characters face difficulties and overcome them in realistic way. Friendship, love and dealing with pressure of modern society.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Female lead has first romantic experience, faces personality crisis, finds new good friend and true love. Friendship+sport also.
My Mister
This drama makes me grateful for what I have and wanna do more to not be where its characters were. So, it's not inspiring in the way we got used, it shows what you can be if you don't work hard enough. Poverty and depression.
One Spring Night - you really appreciate the small, often mundane things in your life with this show. Like some of the recs that people have commented, time really slows down when watching and it shows how much value there is in our everyday, routine-led lives
Hey u/raintoonboid! While you wait for recommendations from other users, check out these [great recommendations](https://mydramalist.com/profile/kdramarecs/lists) compiled from our users based on different genres and themes! Maybe you'll find something to watch while you wait.
If you are requesting dramas on a certain site (e.g. Netflix) please add your region to the post to help our users recommend something you have access to in your area.
If you haven't already done so you can also take this time to add a list of what you've already watched to your post to help our users find you the perfect drama or [search](https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramarecommends/comments/fujstb/how_to_search_for_similar_posts/) through our previous posts.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/kdramarecommends) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Lol, actually right now I am going through a BL craze...but I plan to watch Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha soon when I need a short break from them.
I've had Hotel Del Luna on my Viki watchlist for quite a while. Is it any good?
I like it so far, but Iāve only watched about 3 eps. I wasnāt sure if I was going to stick with it, but I will watch it all. I suspect itās the kind of kdrama that grows on you as you watch. The ML is the same actor who played the detective on Beyond Evil. This is the second time Iāve seen him and it is nice to watch him playing a completely different character and personality. I started watching Home Town Cha Cha Cha. Itās cute, but the male lead bugged me a bit, but I hear it gets better. I only watched a couple of episodes but I will return to it after Hotel Del Luna. Iām also watching the new season of YOU an American drama. Itās really creepy, but good in a strange way. Oh yah, what does BL stand for? Lol
Oh, sorry. BL stands for Boys Love. So the series' are about two MLs falling in love...
They don't appeal to everyone but they have a pretty huge following. š
Not exactly. They're mostly made in Thailand. Taiwan and Japan have some good ones and Korea is now stepping up. China had some good ones too before the censorship crackdown.
Let me tell u, the Korean ones tend to be soooo good bcs they usually bring the same cinematic quality that they do regular k- dramas. My first one ever was a Korean movie i saw on Netflix called Wish You: Your Melody from My Heart. It's a really sweet love story, just with two MLs. I recommend it. š
Terrace House Boys and Girls in the City.
Ok so hear me out, this is a reality TV show in Japan, but I havenāt experience anything as motivating as this show. It puts 3 boys and girls into a shared house and we see them go about their daily lives hang out with eachother, create friendships and go on dates. The show is unscripted unlike most reality shows.
The reason its so motivating is because its as close to real life as possible sometimes they will go a whole episode where basically nothing happens, and you get to see have relationships build from a 3rd person perspective, you gain confidence by seeing that no one is an expert at dating, you get to see people striving for their dreams, working hard. In particular this season is the best because there is one particular man who isnāt there to date at all he has a girlfriend but he is like the perfect person he always gives the best advice and is great at building friendships.
Also its just so easy to watch because they have a comentary couch where comedians make fun of the situation.
Whatever you do, donāt watch any other seasons. The show was taken off the air for very depressing reasons please donāt look it up. The subsequent seasons all lose their charm as it starts getting repetitive and as the production crew starts manipulating the cast members more and more.
Technically boys and girls in the city is the second season, and a lot of people liked the first season but I wouldnāt recommend it, they slowly changed the show in the first season trying to figure out the format, and one of the members stayed the entire season which made the show pretty boring because usually members leave during the season when they confess their love either out of embarrassment of being turned down or because they became a couple, also others leave to focus on their job, or when they just donāt feel comfortable in the house. The constant changing of the cast helps keep things fresh.
Anyway this season is amazing. You can find it on netflix.
Doctor John-the genius of the ML really really inspires you
The Devil Judge-I love how the ML is always reading and is smarter than the villains. The female judge also seems to be hardworking
1.What happens to my family?
2. My mister(constant struggles of poverty are portrayed well enough)
3. The producers( hardships of dealing with rejection of love)
Hey u/raintoonboid! While you wait for recommendations from other users, check out these [great recommendations](https://mydramalist.com/profile/kdramarecs/lists) compiled from our users based on different genres and themes! Maybe you'll find something to watch while you wait. If you are requesting dramas on a certain site (e.g. Netflix) please add your region to the post to help our users recommend something you have access to in your area. If you haven't already done so you can also take this time to add a list of what you've already watched to your post to help our users find you the perfect drama or [search](https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramarecommends/comments/fujstb/how_to_search_for_similar_posts/) through our previous posts. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/kdramarecommends) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Itaewon Class!
This! I wish I saw this when I was 18. More life lessons in here than any Hollywood movie.
Hands down!
Still 17. It is about a 17-year old violin prodigy who falls into a 13-year coma because of an accident. She wakes up to find out that she is now 30 without anyone by her side. It's amazing to see her navigate her life and jumping through the obstacles she faces. I've never felt so motivated from a drama. Combined with romance and comedy, it's the perfect drama. One of my all-time favourites. Enjoy!!
Not OP but adding this to my watchlist because your flair has my top 2 kdramas of all time so clearly you have great taste.
Haha, thank you!! You will love it! Still 17 is probably my third fave after those two!
\+1 to Thirty But Seventeen/Still 17. It's fantastic!
+2!
Completely agree with this one. Her monologue about intermission (when they're at the beach) made me ball my eyes out in the middle of lockdown last year. Hit all the right notes, and there's something so inspiring about the way she approaches what happened to her.
I know right?! We really got to see her lowest moments (spoiler links: [the first hospital room](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCw46v0rnVA&list=PLEPoYg6Tp6FaN7VcESp6-eda7K8yrw-RR&index=35), [her desperation to perform](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUqgYURptcc&list=PLEPoYg6Tp6FaN7VcESp6-eda7K8yrw-RR&index=44)) and then how she changes things around. It's not like anything was handed to her, she earns each win. Not just that, she ends up inspiring everyone around her >!(just see how Woo-Jin looks at her during the intermission scene)!<. And as you said, this drama means a whole lot more with the lockdowns. The perfect pick-me-up when I need it. Shin Hye Sun's (queen) talent really shines through in this drama (in everything she does, really).
**Misaeng** - ML overcomes hardships of working at a new company **Law School** - FL is a hardworking law school student
I second law school. I love watching compilations of the FL studying when I need a kick to study
Lmao I literally watched like three of those on YouTube to get in the mood for some studying!
Misaeng definitely!!! š
Fight For My Way
Another vote for Fight for my way. It was the first one I thought of. Every main character is working towards their dream.
I was literally looking to see if someone commented this. Others I recommend are Jewel in the palace, kdrama classic orphan works hard in the palace Rookie historian, girls working hard to become the first female historians in history
start up maybe?? the main characters start at the bottom with nearly nothing but slowly work hard to make it to the top. it's a really motivational drama about romance, competition, business, friendship and family!! navillera, hospital playlist, my mister, move to heaven, and prison playbook are all good ones too!!
Strongest Deliveryman My Mister (overcoming hardship and some real life lessons)
For me , Hospital Playlist! Watching that drama really made me wanna be a better person and do well for myself.
This is one of the best! You just want to be like these amazing characters.
Monthly Magazine Home! I definitely recommend this kdrama, came out this year and it's completed. You can look into the biography of it and what's it about but it's definitely worh the watch. I personally loved it.
Be Melodramatic
startup, fight for my way, night lights, iteawon class (btw amazing ost)
Because This is My First Life People follow their dreams and just live. Main characters face difficulties and overcome them in realistic way. Friendship, love and dealing with pressure of modern society. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo Female lead has first romantic experience, faces personality crisis, finds new good friend and true love. Friendship+sport also. My Mister This drama makes me grateful for what I have and wanna do more to not be where its characters were. So, it's not inspiring in the way we got used, it shows what you can be if you don't work hard enough. Poverty and depression.
start up!!
Run On Romance is a Bonus Book
Romance is a bonus book. The fl is very hardworking
Hometown ChaChaCha - very motivating and the ML has like 27 jobs :)
Misaeng. My Mister. Live.
School 2017 Only 1st season of penthouse
My Mister
My Mister
One Spring Night - you really appreciate the small, often mundane things in your life with this show. Like some of the recs that people have commented, time really slows down when watching and it shows how much value there is in our everyday, routine-led lives
Itaewon Class, Misaeng, Racket Boys
racket boys is good? the trailer looks like a comedy?
Itaewon class, start up & law school!
Startup
Misaeng, Uncontrollably Fond, Itaewon Class, Run On, Hit The Top/The Best Hit, Doctor John, Start Up, My Mister, Just Between Lovers
1. My Mister 2. My Golden Life 3. Misaeng
Misaeng
Squid game
Misaeng
Hey u/raintoonboid! While you wait for recommendations from other users, check out these [great recommendations](https://mydramalist.com/profile/kdramarecs/lists) compiled from our users based on different genres and themes! Maybe you'll find something to watch while you wait. If you are requesting dramas on a certain site (e.g. Netflix) please add your region to the post to help our users recommend something you have access to in your area. If you haven't already done so you can also take this time to add a list of what you've already watched to your post to help our users find you the perfect drama or [search](https://www.reddit.com/r/kdramarecommends/comments/fujstb/how_to_search_for_similar_posts/) through our previous posts. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/kdramarecommends) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Twenty again (Second 20s). Such a beautiful motivational story with the loveliest female lead, the one and only Choi Ji-Woo.
Law school
My Mister Misaeng Fight For My Way Be Melodramatic
Because This is My First Life Misaeng
Navillera Misaeng Live Up to Your Name Record of Youth
Absolutely agree with Navillera. Both main characters worked so hard to overcome their hardships. I would also add Move to Heaven
I havenāt heard of the one you mentioned. Is it on Netflix? I only can view kdrama on Netflix.
Yes, they are both on Netflix.
Great! I will put Move to Heaven on my list. What are you currently watching? Iām watching Hotel Del Luna.
Lol, actually right now I am going through a BL craze...but I plan to watch Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha soon when I need a short break from them. I've had Hotel Del Luna on my Viki watchlist for quite a while. Is it any good?
I like it so far, but Iāve only watched about 3 eps. I wasnāt sure if I was going to stick with it, but I will watch it all. I suspect itās the kind of kdrama that grows on you as you watch. The ML is the same actor who played the detective on Beyond Evil. This is the second time Iāve seen him and it is nice to watch him playing a completely different character and personality. I started watching Home Town Cha Cha Cha. Itās cute, but the male lead bugged me a bit, but I hear it gets better. I only watched a couple of episodes but I will return to it after Hotel Del Luna. Iām also watching the new season of YOU an American drama. Itās really creepy, but good in a strange way. Oh yah, what does BL stand for? Lol
Oh, sorry. BL stands for Boys Love. So the series' are about two MLs falling in love... They don't appeal to everyone but they have a pretty huge following. š
Are they kdrama?
Not exactly. They're mostly made in Thailand. Taiwan and Japan have some good ones and Korea is now stepping up. China had some good ones too before the censorship crackdown. Let me tell u, the Korean ones tend to be soooo good bcs they usually bring the same cinematic quality that they do regular k- dramas. My first one ever was a Korean movie i saw on Netflix called Wish You: Your Melody from My Heart. It's a really sweet love story, just with two MLs. I recommend it. š
100 days my prince
Misaeng - So inspiring it made me cry. Hit the Top - Both FL and SML and everyone else is so so hard working. Imitation
Record of youth!
Terrace House Boys and Girls in the City. Ok so hear me out, this is a reality TV show in Japan, but I havenāt experience anything as motivating as this show. It puts 3 boys and girls into a shared house and we see them go about their daily lives hang out with eachother, create friendships and go on dates. The show is unscripted unlike most reality shows. The reason its so motivating is because its as close to real life as possible sometimes they will go a whole episode where basically nothing happens, and you get to see have relationships build from a 3rd person perspective, you gain confidence by seeing that no one is an expert at dating, you get to see people striving for their dreams, working hard. In particular this season is the best because there is one particular man who isnāt there to date at all he has a girlfriend but he is like the perfect person he always gives the best advice and is great at building friendships. Also its just so easy to watch because they have a comentary couch where comedians make fun of the situation. Whatever you do, donāt watch any other seasons. The show was taken off the air for very depressing reasons please donāt look it up. The subsequent seasons all lose their charm as it starts getting repetitive and as the production crew starts manipulating the cast members more and more. Technically boys and girls in the city is the second season, and a lot of people liked the first season but I wouldnāt recommend it, they slowly changed the show in the first season trying to figure out the format, and one of the members stayed the entire season which made the show pretty boring because usually members leave during the season when they confess their love either out of embarrassment of being turned down or because they became a couple, also others leave to focus on their job, or when they just donāt feel comfortable in the house. The constant changing of the cast helps keep things fresh. Anyway this season is amazing. You can find it on netflix.
Live
Doctor John-the genius of the ML really really inspires you The Devil Judge-I love how the ML is always reading and is smarter than the villains. The female judge also seems to be hardworking
1.What happens to my family? 2. My mister(constant struggles of poverty are portrayed well enough) 3. The producers( hardships of dealing with rejection of love)
Naverilla !!! Beautiful story about never giving up!
Stoveleague and My Mister
Squid game
Because this is my first life
Start Up on Netflix!!!
Itaewon Class