We all have been fond of Korean dramas but have you ever thought as to why are Kdramas- Remakes or Originals, more popular worldwide than any other oriental drama. Kdramas never lose their essence and attention worldwide.
As I was researching the popular Korean adaptations of Chinese dramas, to my dismay I was encountered with more Chinese remakes of Kdramas and instead more Korean remakes of Taiwanese dramas. Well, let that be.
So far what I have obtained is that the Korean drama industry is much more well established than any other industry in the east. The productions, star casts, and more importantly the limited amount of episodes, grab audiences' attention. In comparison to Chinese dramas, Kdramas are short and sweet to binge over. People find them relatable, fun to watch, informative (now the trend is changing), unique storyline, pleasing to eyes, and clean to watch. Lastly, k-pop idols in dramas are a major attention grabber for audiences.
For now, I am going to tell you the top ten popular remakes of Chinese and Korean dramas and which wins the battle of popularity amongst the two.
1. Korean Remake- Moon Lover-Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Genre: Historical, Romance, Fantasy, Melodrama, Time travel
Ratings: IMDB - 8.7/10, liked by 97% of Google users.
This is a South Korean adaptation of the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin. It aired from 29th August to 1st November 2016. Starring IU (Lee Ji Eun) and Lee Joon-gi as the main characters. Total 20 episodes and 2 special episodes, with the duration of approximately 30 minutes each.
Chinese Original Version- Scarlet Heart
Genre: Political, Romantic Comedy, Costume and Period
Ratings: IMDB- 7.9/10, liked by 89% of Google users.
Broadcasted in 2011, Scarlet Heart was a Chinese television series. Starring; Kevin Cheng. Liu Shi Shi, Nicky Wu. Total 35 episodes with a duration of approximately 40 minutes each.
Netizens prefer not to compare the two as both seem to be much more different -cinematographically, production-wise and in the presentation of culture and traditions as well.
2. Korean Original Version- She Was Pretty
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Workplace Drama
Ratings : IMDb- 7.7/10, Rakuten Viki users- 9.5/10, liked by 89% Google users.
Broadcasted in 2015. Starring Park Seo Joon and Hwang Jung-um, with a total of 16 episodes of approximately one hour duration.
Chinese Remake- Pretty Li Hui Zhen
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama
Ratings : IMBd-5.4/10, Rakuten Viki users- 9.1/10, liked by 91% Google users.
Starring Peter Sheng, Dilraba Dilmurat, and many more, this series was on air in 2017. With a total of 46 episodes of the duration of 40-50 minutes.
Netizens have so far preferred She Was Pretty over its Chinese version briefly on the basis of its production value; limited episodes, quality, and fun.
3. Korean Remake- A Korean Odyssey
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy; Horror
Ratings : IMDb - 8.1/10, Rakuten Viki users -8.1/10, liked by 92% Google users.
This Korean remake of Chinese drama was broadcasted from 2017-2018. Starring Lee Seung-gi and Oh Yeon Seo This series has a total of 20 episodes with a duration of approximately 1 hour.
Chinese Original Version- Journey To The West
The classic novel “Journey To The West” by Wu Chengs. With various Chinese television adaptations of the novel in 2013 and 2017.
Although the novel was adapted into a Chinese movie in 2013, people were even more aware of it when the Korean Odyssey was released. Won’t it be more fun to watch it as a drama? Detailed yet short.
4. Korean Remake- A Love So Beautiful
Genre: Romantic Comedy; Coming of age.
Ratings: IMDb-7.4/10, liked by 92% Google users.
Aired in 2020, Starring Kim Yo-han, So Joo-Yeon, Yeo Hoe-Hyun, Jo Hye-Joo. It has in total 24 episodes with a duration of approximately 30 minutes.
Chinese Original Version- A Love So Beautiful
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Ratings : IMDb- 8/10, liked by 97% Google users , Rakuten Viki - 9.4/10
Aired in 2017, starring Hu Yi Tian, Shen Yue, Gao Zhi Ting, Wang Zi Wei. Having in total 24 episodes with a duration of each episode approximately 40 minutes.
Again, netizens complained of lengthy episodes, poor picture quality, character adaptations, etc in the Chinese version but it was also liked by many, on contrary to it.
5. Korean Remake- Youth, Climb The Barrier
Genre: Historical, Mystery, Romance
Ratings: N/A
Will be aired on 31st December 2021, starring Park Hyung-Sik and Jeon So Nee. With a total 16 number of episodes and the duration of each is 1 hour approximately.
Chinese Original Version- The Golden Hairpin
Genre: Historical, Mystery, Romance, Drama, Crime
Ratings: liked by 96% Google users
Aired in 2004, starring Kris Wu, Yang Zi, Chen Zheyuan. Total episodes 60.
The Korean remake is yet to be released, so we have to wait for it. The Golden Hairpin is liked by many - plot-wise, characters and castings.
6. Korean Remake- Mr. Queen
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Fantasy
Ratings: IMDb-8.8/10, liked by 98% google users, Rakuten Viki - 9.7/10
Aired in 2020, starring Shin Hye-sun, Kim Jung-Hyung. 20 episodes in total with two special episodes. With a duration of each episode of approximately 1 hour.
Chinese Original Version- Go Princess Go
Genre: Romance
Ratings: liked by 90% of Google users
A 2015 Chinese web series with a total number of 36 episodes of approximately 25 minutes duration each. Starring; Zhang Tian’ai, Peter Sheng, Yu Menglong, Guo Junchen, and Jiang Qilin.
Mr. Queen was sought to be a perfect remake for Go Princess Go. Although better in production and picture quality, and its involvement in controversy with the producers of the Chinese version, Mr. Queen was much more loved, nonetheless.
7. Korean Version- Boys Over Flowers
Genre: Drama
Ratings: IMDb-7.9, Rakuten Viki- 9.4/10
Aired in 2009, starring Lee Min-ho, Koo Hye-sun, Kim Hyun-Joong, etc. In total 25 episodes with a duration of approximately 1 hour each.
Chinese Remake- Meteor Garden
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Ratings: IMDb-8.1/10, liked by 98% of Google users.
Aired in 2018 with a total number of episodes 49 on Netflix. Starring Dylan Wang, Shen Yue, Darren Chen, Caesar Wu, etc.
Both versions were loved. Meteor Garden had some improvisations such as lesser violence as compared to Boys Over Flowers but again, elongation of episodes.
8. Korean Original Version- Age of Youth
Genre: Drama
Ratings: IMDb-8.3/10
Aired in 2016, starring Park Hye-soo, Ryu Hwa-young, Park Run-bin, Han Seung-Yeon, etc. It Has 2 seasons with 26 episodes each.
Chinese Remake- Youth
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Comedy, Youth, Drama
Ratings: IMDb- 8.2/10, Rakuten Viki- 9.3/10
Aired in 2018, starring Wang Yan Zhi, Katherine Yang, Esther Yu, Vian Wang, Haha He, Eden Zhao, Hu Wen Zhe, Cao Yu Chen, Li Jiu Lin, Aro Yang. With a total number of 26 episodes of duration 45 minutes each.
Not much difference in the original and remake versions except for longer episodes in the Chinese version. Characters were almost the same and a replica of the plot.
9. Korean Original Version- Queen In Hyun’s Man
Genre: Romance, Time travel
Ratings: IMDb - 8/10
Aired in 2012, starring Yoo In-na, Ji Hyun Woo, Kim Jin-woo, Kim Won-has, etc. A total number of 16 episodes.
Chinese Remake- Love Weaves Through Millennium
Genre: Time travel
Ratings: IMDb- 7.5/10
Aired in 2015, Starring Jing Boran and Zheng Shuang. 24 episodes in total.
Not much into the mainstream media but Queen In Hyun’s Man was much appreciated and enjoyed by people.
10. Korean Original Version- School:2015
Genre: Teen: Mystery
Ratings: IMDb-7.8/10
Aired in 2015, starring Kim So-Hyun and Nam Joo-hyuk. With a total number of 16 episodes.
Chinese Remake- When We Were Young
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama
Ratings: IMDb-8.4/10
Aired in 2017, starring Zhang Xue Ying, Joseph Zeng, Wang Bo Wen, etc. A total number of 32 episodes.
Plot changes in the remake version, not liked by many and were seen as a bit disappointing. The Korean original version was liked much more.
