Soompi & Viki Staff Talk: What Is Your Favorite C-Drama?

Having discussed many K-dramas for Soompi & Viki Staff Talk, some of our staff take on a new topic this time as we share what our favorite C-dramas are.

Here are our picks!

Yeon: “When I Fly Towards You”

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As a rom-com fan, I’ve been increasingly exploring the vast world of C-dramas over the past few years and have discovered many gems, but I think the one that I love the most is “When I Fly Towards You.” It’s a very heartwarming romance about the bubbly Zai Zai (Zhang Miao Yi) and the aloof Zhang Lu Rang (Zhou Yi Ran), telling their story from high school through early adulthood. If you’re like me and prefer dramas with minimal conflict and toxicity, “When I Fly Towards You” is such a sweet and comforting drama that is definitely worth checking out!

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Winnie: “Love for You”

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I’ve watched a lot of C-dramas, but my favorite C-drama recently is “Love for You.” The original Chinese title actually means “Wild Dog and the Bone,” and I think that’s what makes this story so special. Chen Yi (Song Wei Long) is like a wild dog, always acting tough to survive, while Miao Jing (Zhang Jing Yi) is like the bone that gives him a reason to keep going. They both pretend to be strong in a difficult world, but in the end they only really have each other. I really love how their relationship slowly grows with so much trust and understanding instead of big dramatic moments. It’s a touching romance that has continued to stay with me even after the finale!

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Sala: “The Untamed”

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One of the first C-dramas I ever watched was “The Untamed,” and it was an exceptional drama to introduce the expansive world of C-dramas. “The Untamed” follows a resurrected Wei Wu (Xiao Zhan) as he rekindles his bond with Lan Wang Ji (Wang Yi Bo), working together to resolve the truth behind mysterious murders and the dark leaders orchestrating the evil events. In addition to being impressed by actors Xiao Xhan and Wang Yi Bo in their breakout roles, the drama captivated me with the complex storytelling, intricate styling, and beautiful settings. “The Untamed” is a must-watch if you love a story full of action and suspense—and the moving bond between characters is the biggest selling point of the drama!

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Julia: “Speed and Love”

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My favorite is “Speed and Love,” a fun C-drama that has a little bit of everything—romance, action, and racing. It follows a young woman searching for her adopted older brother, only to find him living a completely different life as a race driver and boxer. From there, the story takes you into a world full of fast cars, unexpected twists, and romance. What I like most about this drama is that it never feels slow. The racing scenes keep things exciting, but the characters and their relationships are just as fun to watch. “Speed and Love” is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a drama that’s easy to get into and keeps you wanting to watch until the end.

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Jinny: “Go Go Squid!”

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“Go Go Squid!” is a classic that first got me into watching C-dramas. Although esports is more of a common theme in C-dramas, it felt very fresh when I first watched this rom-com, which is about pro gamer Hang Shang Yan (Li Xian) and programming student Tong Nian (Yang Zi). I love how Shang Yan is so cool, reserved, and passionate about his team and dreams, while Tong Nian is adorable and brings so much charm and energy to the story. The chemistry between the leads makes this drama especially memorable for me, and it remains one of my nostalgic favorites. If you’re looking for your first C-drama to watch, I’d happily recommend “Go Go Squid!” to start off!

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Somni: “Go Ahead”

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One of my favorite C-dramas is “Go Ahead,” which I first discovered when a friend told me it was the original series behind the K-drama “Family by Choice.” What I love most is watching Li Jian Jian (Tan Song Yun), Ling Xiao (Song Wei Long), and He Zi Qiu (Zhang Xin Cheng) grow up together like siblings although they are not related by blood. Their little family feels warm and ordinary in the best way: sharing meals, teasing each other, arguing over silly things, and always coming home to the same people. As they grow older and their complicated pasts begin to catch up with them, the story becomes more emotional, but it never loses that sense of warmth.

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Soompi & Viki Staff Talk: What Is Your Favorite Reunion Romance K-Drama?

A classic trope that is commonly used in K-dramas, reunion romance features the love story of main characters that first meet when they are young but are separated until they meet again years later. For this edition of Soompi & Viki Staff Talk, some of our staff discuss our favorite K-dramas featuring the reunion romance trope.

Here are our picks!

Yeon: “Dream to You”

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A very recent K-drama that has already become one of my favorites, “Dream to You” is about the reunion of film director Woo Soo Bin (Hwang In Youp), who returns after achieving his dreams, and reporter Ju Yi Jae (Hyeri), who has forgotten her own. Although Yi Jae is upset at first when they reunite, they rekindle their romance as they chase the mutual dream they had to let go in high school. What I love about this romance is how Soo Bin and Yi Jae help each other heal and grow in so many ways as they work to overcome obstacles in their personal and work lives. It’s such a beautiful love story that truly captures the essence of what makes the reunion romance trope so great!

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Sala: “Motel California”

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When it comes to reunion romance, “Motel California” comes to my mind. In “Motel California,” Lee Se Young portrays Ji Kang Hee, a rural girl who grew up in a motel called Motel California. After spending a fateful night with her first love and childhood friend Cheon Yeon Soo (Na In Woo), she escapes her hometown to make a name for herself in the city. What really sells the drama is the moments of waiting for their heartfelt reunion as well as Na In Woo’s portrayal of Cheon Yeon Soo yearning for his first and only love. It’s an emotional reunion that really pulls at the heartstrings!

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Winnie: “Last Summer“

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I think a drama that is the perfect example of a good reunion romance is “Last Summer,” which tells the story of childhood sweethearts Baek Do Ha (Lee Jae Wook) and Song Ha Gyeong (Choi Sung Eun) who reunite after a long time apart. They grew up as next-door neighbors, sharing everyday moments and memories of youth. Years later, a lot has changed when Do Ha returns as a successful architect and decides to live with Ha Gyeong for the summer. It’s the kind of slow-burn romance that draws you in little by little, and their endless bickering filled with romantic tension ensure that there is never a dull moment.

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Deanne: “Love, Take Two”

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“Love, Take Two” blends a mature second-chance romance with the quiet healing found in everyday life. The drama follows Lee Ji An (Yum Jung Ah) and Ryu Jeong Seok (Park Hae Joon), former lovers whose lives have taken separate directions but unexpectedly intertwine again as they navigate single parenthood and the search for a new beginning. Their renewed relationship develops gradually, allowing old wounds to soften and long-buried emotions to resurface. The balance between their romance and the evolving dynamics with their children creates a narrative that feels both intimate and deeply human.

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Jinny: “Family by Choice”

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“Family by Choice” is a heartfelt reunion romance about Kim San Ha (Hwang In Youp), Yoon Ju Won (Jung Chaeyeon), and Kang Hae Jun (Bae Hyeon Seong), who grew up like family, as they reunite after a decade apart. Although San Ha and Ju Won were like siblings when they were young, when San Ha returns as an adult, he can no longer hide his suppressed emotions for Ju Won. This begins a unique but special love story that has made it become one of my favorite K-dramas!

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Somni: “My Youth”

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What makes “My Youth” so special is how the reunion between Sunwoo Hae (Song Joong Ki) and Sung Je Yeon (Chun Woo Hee) isn’t just about rekindled romance—it’s about healing, acceptance, and quiet courage. When they meet again after years apart, both carry the invisible scars of time: Hae is facing an irreversible illness that forces him to confront his fragility while Je Yeon, once full of ambition, begins to question what truly matters in her life. Watching them rediscover tenderness amidst pain and vulnerability reminds me that love isn’t just about staying together but about seeing and accepting each other completely even when everything else fades.

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Soompi & Viki Staff Talk: What Is Your Favorite Romance K-Drama To Watch In Summer?

Summer is in full swing! For those who are looking for a drama perfect to watch in this warm weather, some of our staff members discussed our favorite romance dramas with summer vibes.

Here are our picks:

Sala: “Summer Strike”

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“Summer Strike” is undoubtedly one of my favorite summer romances! The underrated drama follows the story of Lee Yeo Reum (Seolhyun) who quits her job and travels to a small-time village to do “nothing.” There, she meets Ahn Dae Bum (Yim Si Wan), a shy village librarian. With its vivid green imagery and scenic summery landscapes, “Summer Strike” is the perfect drama if you’re in the mood for some warm romance and relatable moments of not wanting to stress about anything this summer. Full of heartwarming moments between the village cast and even a little bit of thrill to chase the heat away, “Summer Strike” is the perfect comforting watch for summer vacation!

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Somni: “Last Summer”

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There’s no better drama to binge-watch on a long summer night than “Last Summer.” Starring Lee Jae Wook and Choi Sung Eun, the drama tells the bittersweet story of two childhood friends whose lives intertwine every summer vacation before they reunite years later as adults. What I love most is how it captures the nostalgic feeling of looking back on a season—and a person—that changed you forever. The beautiful seaside scenery, relatable lines, and heartfelt performances make every episode feel nostalgic and personal, and there is also some comedy to keep the drama light. Just like the title suggests, it’s really the perfect drama to watch in the summer!

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Julia: “Melo Is My Nature”

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“Melo Is My Nature” is a quirky comedy about three friends working in the entertainment industry. What I love most about “Melo Is My Nature” is the writing. It has so many lines that make you stop and think while also being genuinely funny at the same time. The characters all face different challenges that they work to overcome, but it never tries too hard to make them feel dramatic. It simply shows people getting through life one step at a time, and with many scenes set outdoors in summertime, it has the perfect vibes for a summertime binge-watch.

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Jinny: “Lovely Runner”

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An iconic K-drama hit, “Lovely Runner” is the ultimate feel-good K-drama to binge-watch in summertime. Starring Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, the drama perfectly captures the excitement of youth through its nostalgic storyline—filled with bike rides, school festivals, and the butterflies of first love. Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon’s chemistry brings every moment to life, making you laugh, swoon, and root for them from beginning to end. Although the drama spans across different seasons, “Lovely Runner” is the kind of heartwarming escape that’s made for long, lazy summer days.

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Winnie: “Twinkling Watermelon”

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One of my favorite summer dramas is “Twinkling Watermelon,” which is about Ha Eun Gyeol (Ryeoun) who travels back in time to when his parents were in high school, with his parents’ teenage years played by Choi Hyun Wook and Shin Eun Soo. At first, I thought it was just a fun youth romance, but it ended up being so much more. The story is warm, emotional, and full of moments that make you smile without even noticing. I also really loved the friendship, family relationships, and the music, which give the whole drama such a fresh summer feeling. It can make you laugh one minute and cry the next, but everything feels very natural.

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Yeon: “Coffee Prince”

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I think the ultimate summer romance drama is “Coffee Prince,” an oldie but goodie. In this classic K-drama, Choi Han Gyeol (Gong Yoo) mistakes Go Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye) to be a guy. She is hired to work at his cafe and also as his fake boyfriend so he can ward off unwanted blind dates. The fresh, young cast at the time and summery vibes of the cinematography make this a drama I come back to every summer. Combined with the sweet tension of the romance built upon a major secret, it’s a drama that’s pretty hard not to fall in love with!

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Soompi & Viki Staff Talk: What Is Your Favorite K-Drama From 2016?

For K-drama fans, 2016 was an absolutely golden year with so many dramas that are still talked about to this day! As a decade has passed now, we took this chance to look back on some of our favorite K-dramas from 2016 for this edition of Soompi & Viki Staff Talk.

Here are some of our staff’s responses to this very difficult question:

Somni: “Descendants of the Sun”

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A true icon of 2016, “Descendants of the Sun” remains one of the most unforgettable K-drama experiences that I’ve had so far. Starring Song Joong Ki as the soldier Yoo Si Jin and Song Hye Kyo as doctor Kang Mo Yeon, the drama perfectly blends romance, action, and emotional storytelling set against high-stakes humanitarian missions. Equally captivating is the chemistry between the sub couple Seo Dae Young (Jin Goo) and First Lieutenant Yoon Myung Joo (Kim Ji Won), whose intense, slow-burn romance adds another layer of depth. Rewatching the series now, it still delivers the same thrill, butterflies, and tears even a decade later!

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Deanne: “Another Miss Oh”

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For those of us who were K-drama fans in 2016, “Another Miss Oh” was a drama we didn’t just watch—we sat with it, replayed scenes over and over again, and let it ruin our sleep schedules in the best way! Oh Hae Young (Seo Hyun Jin) isn’t the typical polished character we were used to at the time, which made her all the more memorable—expressive, flawed, and refreshingly real. Paired with Park Do Kyung (Eric), whose guarded nature gradually softens throughout the series, this drama gives us a love story that feels raw rather than idealized. For anyone craving a 2016 throwback, I definitely recommend “Another Miss Oh.” It’s a perfect rom-com that blends humor with pure emotion, capturing messy yet truthful love that lingers with you long after the final episode!

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Winnie: “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo”

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It’s hard to believe that “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo” is already celebrating its 10th anniversary! A decade later, the drama still feels just as fresh, heartfelt, and comforting as ever. What truly makes it unforgettable is the sparkling chemistry between Kim Bok Joo and Jung Joon Hyung, brought to life so effortlessly by Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk. Their playful bickering, heart-fluttering confessions, and soft, supportive moments capture the sweetness of first love in the most natural and adorable way, and their romance remains one of K-drama’s cutest love stories. So…”Do you like Messi?”

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Julia: “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo”

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As a 2016 throwback, “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” is a drama with a very loyal fandom that has only grown stronger over time. IU as Hae Soo appears bright and lively at first, but as the story progresses, the tone turns devastatingly sad. The character goes through intense character development as she endures repeated loss, which gives the drama its lasting emotional weight. Add to that a stacked lineup of actors playing Goryeo princes—each with distinct personalities and tragic arcs—and it’s easy to see why everyone who watches this drama gets so attached. This drama has become one of my lifelong favorites as it’s the kind of series that lingers deeply in your heart forever!

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Jinny: “Dear Fair Lady Kong Shim”

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“Dear Fair Lady Kong Shim” is a drama I loved in 2016 and still do ten years later! What I love about the series is the rare, warm charm that feels both chaotic and comforting at the same time. From the very first episode, the way Ahn Dan Tae (Namkoong Min) crashes into the life of Kong Shim (Bang Minah)—literally kicking the flowerpot she drops and becoming her rooftop tenant—sets up a relationship that feels organic and messy. The drama recently gained spotlight again as Bang Minah got married to On Ju Wan, who played Seok Joon Soo, late last year. An on-screen connection turned into a real-life love story gives K-drama fans even more reason to revisit the series!

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Sala: “Dr. Romantic”

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An oldie but a goldie, ”Dr. Romantic” is so iconic that they needed to bring the cast and story back not once but twice! With three seasons of binge-worthy goodness, “Dr. Romantic” is a classic must-watch K-drama that first aired in 2016, following the stories of the renowned Dr. Kim (Han Suk Kyu) along with realistic doctors working at a rundown hospital in the countryside. I love the heartwarming stories of doctors who sincerely care for their patients and also the phenomenal chemistry and teamwork between the hospital staff, helmed by Yoo Yeon Seok and Seo Hyun Jin in Season 1. The series delivers everything from emotional moments to laughter—so don’t miss out and start by watching the first season, the story that started it all.

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Yeon: “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God”

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We can’t talk about 2016 K-dramas without mentioning “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God”! This fantasy romance tells the emotional story of the immortal Goblin Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) and Ji Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun), the only bride destined to end his eternal life. It’s a tear-jerking romance that is impossible not to get invested in, but there are also plenty of comedic moments that bring smiles and laughter. The stunning cinematography and beloved OST also contribute to the drama’s lasting power that brings me back to watching it every year!

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