PICK: 5 New Korean Dramas to Watch in January 2022

Edited by Hong Hyun Jung
Translated by Esther Lee

What dramas will we be able to watch in January of 2022? Although the new year is starting off with fewer dramas than December of last year, brand-new shows like Our Beloved Summer and The Silent Sea are getting ready to come our way with their colorful stories and fascinating characters.

tvN Ghost Doctor (1/3)

Overview: Ghost Doctor is about an arrogant genius surgeon (Rain) and a rich senseless resident doctor (Kim Bum) who end up getting stuck in one body.

The story between two characters with opposing personalities is a recurring theme in comedy dramas. However, Ghost Doctor presents a rather different picture by including a paranormal spirit possession incident into its main plot. The key takeaway of this drama is the spirit possession of the reckless and inept resident doctor who accidentally invites a genius surgeon’s soul into his body. This will be Rain’s first drama comeback in 2 years since his 2019 series Welcome 2 Life and he will show off his bickering bromance with Kim Bum in this exciting upcoming drama. Kim Bum is also expected to show his comedy acting talents as he will be taking this brand-new role that is completely different from the characters he played before.

MBC Tracer (1/7)

Overview: Tracer follows a fierce team manager who got newly added to the fifth division of the National Tax Service, a.k.a “the landfill of human resources.”

There will be another drama with an unusual character following Vincenzo, Taxi Driver, and The Devil Judge. Set at the National Tax Service, Tracer is expected to deliver a satisfying punishment to those who hide their dirty money. Im Si Hwan will showcase his charisma as Hwang Dong Ju, the brave and intelligent team leader who joins the Seoul Regional Office’s Investigation Bureau. Son Hyun Joo, Go Ah Sung, and Park Yong Woo will add to the show’s fun by playing characters with distinct personalities. Now that MBC has saved its reputation with The Red Sleeve’s success, all eyes are on its upcoming drama, Tracer, and whether it will deliver us the satisfying suspense.

SBS Through the Darkness (1/14)

Overview: Through the Darkness �tells the story of Korea’s first criminal profiler, who had to look into the minds of those who committed motiveless crimes.

Through the Darkness is based on a nonfiction book written by Professor Kwon Il Yong, Korea’s first criminal profiler. Unlike other crime dramas, which focus on the act itself, this upcoming drama focuses on the person who pursues the evil criminals. As much as it has a heavy theme, the drama is heightening anticipation with its star-studded cast line-up, including Kim Nam Gil, Jin Sun Kyu, and Kim So Jin. Considering that it revolves around the man who looks into the minds of criminals, many are anticipating that it will become the Korean version of Mindhunter.

TVING Internal Medicine Director Park (1/14)

Overview: Internal Medicine Director Park revolves around a physician named Park, who runs his own hospital. Although he became the doctor he always wanted to be, he agonizes between the art of medicine and his business skills in a clinic with barely any patients.

Internal Medicine Director Park is TVING’s first drama in 2022. The same network has previously aired many much-loved dramas like Come to the Witch’s Restaurant, Yumi’s Cells, and Work Later, Drink Now. It is based on a webtoon of the same name written by a doctor with 20 years of experience and talks about how reality can be harsh to a doctor who newly opened his business. The original webtoon gained popularity for its funny yet unprecedented depiction of internal medicine professionals and the reality they face in and out of their professions. Lee Seo Jin made headlines with his new look as the doctor because he appeared bald in many promotional materials, looking nothing like the smart and gentle actor that we’re familiar with. Lee Seo Jin and Ra Mi Ran’s collaboration as a married couple in the upcoming drama is already getting people very excited.

Netflix All of Us Are Dead (1/28)

Overview: All of Us Are Dead centers around a group of high school students who are trapped in their school that became ground zero for a zombie virus outbreak.

Netflix is ready to present another zombie apocalypse drama following Kingdom, which took its story in the long-gone Joseon Dynasty. This time, the series will set its horrific event at a school. All of Us Are Dead is based on a webtoon of the same name by Joo Dong Geun, who received great feedback for his brilliant artworks and vivid writings. He was also dubbed “one of the best Korean zombie graphic novel writers” for his works. The series adaptation is currently rated R for its “horrifying scenes of amputated zombies attacking people.” During an interview with Cosmopolitan, Squid Game’s Lee Yoo Mi hinted that she would appear as the villain in the upcoming drama.

Edited Hong Hyun Jung: I am a K-content guide who publishes various articles for people to enjoy Korean movies and dramas deeper and richer. I’ll introduce you to the works that you can laugh, cry and sympathize with.

Translator Esther Lee: I’ll be providing you with up-to-date, reliable Korean entertainment news. Enjoy!