The universe of Korean dramas is ever-expanding. With how rapidly the Korean wave is taking over the globe, it is no surprise that K-dramas, once extremely conservative, have now amended their ways and are striving towards inclusivity and representation. Following are some K-dramas that are notable for being genuinely ‘inclusive’.
1. Squid Games
Squid Games which broke records upon its release, is to date considered one of the most brilliant K-dramas ever made. As desperate contestants play games upon games for survival, the audiences are introduced to the intricacies and fallacies of Korean society. The show sheds light on the domination of the capitalist class (Il-Nam), the miseries of the downtrodden (Seong Gi-Hun), the ostracization of foreigners (Abdul Ali), and the oppression of North Korean defectors (Kang Sae-Byeok) in the Korean society.
2. It’s Okay To Not Be Okay
Very rarely does one find a sensitive and cautious portrayal of mental health, especially in shows/movies. This drama, however, is one of those few dramas that have beautifully intricated the complex issues of mental health and autism in its plot. The show features an autistic character Moon Sang-Tae and another character with Antisocial Personality Disorder, Ko Moon-Young. Unlike others, the show does not ridicule such issues. Rather it makes a point to deal with the characters’ years of trauma and heartache in the gentlest of ways.
3. Itaewon Class
Despite its release in 2020, the drama continues to be popular among general audiences even today. Many factors make the drama a must-watch- Park Seo Joon as the main lead, BTS’s V’s song ‘Sweet Night’, and the charged chemistry between the leads; however, the drama finds its mention in this article for a different reason. The drama ranks very high on ‘inclusivity’. It features a trans-gender woman Hyeon-Yi, who despite societal shunning and criticism, does not give up on her dreams. Issues of racial discrimination are also brought to the fore through the character of Kim To-Ni, who despite being of Korean descent is ostracized for not looking ‘Korean’ enough.
4. Our Blues
‘Our Blues’ is one of the fines K-dramas to be made in recent years. Many dramas before this one have tried to portray the multiple complex issues of child abuse, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and dysfunctional marriage but none have come close to the level of maturity with which ‘Our Blues’ tackles such issues. It takes the audience on a ride as it portrays the struggle of Yeong-Joo and Jung-Hyun (a pregnant teen couple), Young-Ok and her twin with Down Syndrome, and the complex relationship between Dong-Seok and Seon-Ah (who suffers from depression as a result of deep entrenched trauma).
5. Run On
Run On is a Korean slice-of-life drama that is praised for having a storyline and characters that soothe aching hearts. Movies and shows are always guilty of perpetuating unhealthy standards of relationships; however, this drama strives to perpetuate the idea of a romance that is healthy. The series doesn’t only deal with heterosexual relationships but also portrays a gay character in an extremely sensitive light. The drama does not engage in queerbaiting, rather it focuses on the real-life hardships and growth of LGBTQ+ characters.
6. Vagabond
Vagabond is an action-packed thriller drama. Right from the very first episode it has the audiences on the edge of their seat, yet it is also filled with moments of romance and camaraderie. Interestingly, this drama has a lot of scenes shot in Morocco. Yet, the drama doesn’t indulge in tokenization of the Moroccan minority. A series of foreign characters are included in the drama and none is exploited to make the leads look good. Thus, the drama manages to be diverse and inclusive besides having a gripping storyline.
7. So Not Worth It
‘So Not Worth It’ has been compared by many to be the Korean equivalent of the popular American sitcom ‘Friends’. It is perhaps the most light-hearted drama on this list. While the storyline is not exceptional, what makes the show stand out is its casting. Since the story is set in the backdrop of an international dorm, the audience can see characters from different nationalities interacting with one another. While many K-dramas have previously dealt with the issue of oppression foreigners face in Korean society, this drama refreshes the viewers with its focus on the developing bonds of love and relationship between such people.
8. Schoolgirl Detectives
Also known as ‘Seonam Girls’ High School Investigators’, this series is a breakthrough when it comes to inclusivity and diversity in Korean cinema. The drama is remarkable as it features the first on-screen lesbian kiss on mainstream Korean television. The drama is also one of the few dramas, that surrounds strong female characters and their journey. It depicts the journey of 5 female student detectives who embark on a mission to curb issues such as bullying, abortion, and suicide, in their school.
9. Just Between Lovers
‘Just Between Lovers’ is as beautiful as it is sad. The story traces the lives of survivors of a mall collapse. The unique selling point of the drama is its portrayal of disability. Kim Wan-Jin, a friend of the female lead, is in a wheelchair after an accident. Yet she is not the miserable, dependent, ever-weeping character that you would expect her to be. She is feisty, is a webtoon writer, and with her strong personality perseveres in the face of atrocities. The drama also deals with the issues of PTSD and Survivor’s Guilt. Despite the heavy themes, the romance between the leads is refreshing to witness, making the show a must-watch.
10. Be Melodramatic
Considered to be one of the best rom-com dramas in the Korean industry, ‘Be Melodramatic’, traces the story of three female best friends as they move forward in their lives, each with their troubles and tribulations. This female-centric story is commendable in its portrayal of the beauty of female friendships and the trials women face in almost every patriarchal society. The drama gets brownie points for featuring an openly gay character who lives with the ladies and thrives in his life. The drama’s plain acceptance of people’s choices sends a very strong message home.
