Videogames are always on the trend because there are always new games that come out every day. We all have played video games. They are fun and exciting, and to some people, even relaxing. However, dramas use these gaming elements interestingly, incorporating fantastical components, creating a line between real and virtual worlds, showing the character’s desire to achieve something, and going out of their way to gain victory over others. Some of these dramas also showcase the intricacies of the digital universe, working, and development of video games.
1. Memories Of Alhambra
It follows Yoo Jin Woo, the CEO of an investment company, has a degree in engineering and develops games. He travels to Granada, Spain, after receiving an email about an AR game about medieval battles in Alhambra to meet the creator Jung Se Joo. However, Se Joo has gone missing. Instead, he meets his older sister, Jung He Joo. She is a former classical guitarist and the owner of a hostel. Jin Woo resides in the hostel during his stay in Spain. Both of them encounter strange incidents as the natural world, and the world built by Se Joo mysteriously starts colliding.
2. Sweet Home
It follows Cha Hyun Soo, a high school student and a gamer. He is a loner who does not like socializing much. He refuses to talk with his family and stays in his room playing games. On an unfortunate day, his family dies in an unexpected car accident. Alone and orphaned, he moves to a smaller apartment. There, his uneventful life takes a turn when monsters start appearing out of nowhere and turning people into them. This mysterious phenomenon occurs in the whole country. Hyun Soo, along with other residents of the apartment, shield themselves and try to survive in difficult circumstances together.
3. Our Dating Sim
It follows two school friends, Lee Wan and Shin Ki Tae. They are best friends and always hang out together. Lee Wan has feelings for Ki Tae, and one day, he confesses his feelings, wanting a relationship. Shocked by the revelation, they end up on unhappy terms. They both lose contact after graduation. Years later, Ki Tae has become a team leader for a dating sim at a gaming company. He is excellent at programming, whereas Lee Wan has become an Illustrator. They both cross paths when Ki Tae’s company opens a post of illustrator for their new video game, and they meet each other once again.
4. Love Alarm
Love Alarm is a newly launched app that causes a huge buzz. It tells whether someone likes you within the range of 10 meters. It does not disclose personal details as to who likes you but tells how many do. Once someone likes you and comes within a radius of 10 meters near you, the alarm rings, signaling someone likes you. It follows Kim Jojo, an intelligent and diligent high schooler who lives with her aunt after the passing of her parents. She finds herself in a love triangle with Hwang Sun Oh and Lee Hye Yeong. Hwang Sun Oh noticing that his best friend, Lee Hye Yeong likes Jojo, kisses her, wanting to know whether he really likes her or not.
5. Crash Landing On You
It follows a wealthy heiress, Yoon Se Ri, who in an unexpected accident, lands herself in North Korea. She meets Ri Jeong Hyeok, a North Korean elite and captain of the Korean People’s Army, who helps her safely return to her home in South Korea. Although this drama is not primarily connected to video games, it has instances where characters play games like their life depends on it. Ri Jeong Hyeok has never played video games, so when he plays it for the first time in South Korea with his comrade, it provides comic relief to the viewers after hardcore scenes, especially in the latter half of the drama. His frustration, reluctance to admit defeat, and spending money on better items seemed relatable to many.
6. Her Private Life
It follows Sung Deok Mi, who works as an art gallery curator. She is a hardworking professional curator at day, but she hides a secret that she does not want to disclose to the world. She is a fanatic stan of pop idol Shi An, and wants to keep her fangirling life private. Ryan Gold is the new director of the art gallery. This drama is not focused on gaming, but adds depth to the character's likes and preferences. Ryan likes to play games in his free time and indulges in gaming activities as a side hobby. Deok Mi’s fangirling and Ryan’s hobby of playing games add depth to their personalities.
7. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
It follows Do Bong Soon, who has superhuman strength. This is transferred to her through her bloodline, which only the women in the family can inherit. Bong Soon aspires to become a delicate and cultured woman whom her crush likes. She wants to create a video game where she is the main character. Because of her incompetency, it is difficult for her to land a job, but her raw strength gets her hired at a gaming company, Ainsoft, for bodyguarding its CEO, Ahn Min Hyuk. This drama has many different elements in it, making it an enjoyable drama.
8. Memorist
It follows Dong Baek, a detective who has supernatural powers, having the ability to read people’s minds with a single touch. He, along with Han Sun Mi, investigates a cold serial murder case. His ability is a huge help in solving crimes. Both the individuals and their team are competent, and whatever is required, they must do it to find out the suspect. Here, the digital gaming platform comes when they must dive into the online gaming community to find secrets and come closer to finding the suspect for the serial murder case.
9. Women At A Game Company
It follows three women working for a mobile game company together to launch a game. Ki Hye is the team director and has not released a single game in seven years. Marshmell is the designer/illustrator of the team; it is her responsibility to design the game, and she is the liveliest among the trio. Lastly, Ah Reum is the main coder of the team and is impeccable at her job. She hides a secret from everyone under her glasses. Once she takes off her glasses, her rare beauty surprises everyone. She also likes cosplaying, and hides her hobby from everyone. This drama shows them working hard to launch a mobile game.
10. Yumi’s Cells
It follows Kim Yumi, an ordinary office worker. On the surface, her life might seem fine, but after a failed relationship, her love cells fall into a coma, and her other cells work hard to revive them. These cells are working every day, every time, to function in the daily actions of Yumi, her emotions, and feelings. She encounters Goo Woong, a game developer, who awakens her interest in love. These cells in her body control her actions, just like a videogame. Their command and feelings prompt her emotions.
