Next on Omona's to-watch list: upcoming Kdramas in September 2022
Get ready, Omona, because september is here to bring you a lot of highly anticipated dramas! Stories of family, siblinghood, rags-to-riches, legal cases (lots of them!) that will put the drama in K-drama, but we'll also see some classic romance tropes like contractual dating, rivals to lovers, childhood friends to lovers... In other words, something for everyone!
Opinions are mine and should be taken lightly as they are just my first impressions. Other thoughts are welcomed!
Previous post: Kdramas in August
I marked trailers with English subtitles with an asterisk (*)
Click to viewCritical X*
Release date: 2 September, Wavve
Runtime: Friday
Cast: Kwon Sang Woo, Sung Dong Il, Im Se MiPlot: A hyperrealistic comedy-drama depicting the crisis of each generation living in the present era. It tells the story of a simpleton, Mr. A, who suddenly has to struggle to survive after being faced with a three-tier combo, being urged to resign, going from rags to riches, and facing the realities of aging.
Will I watch? What's with the recent theme of stonks stocks in Korean dramas? Anyway, dramas like this are generally not up my alley, so with an eye on other dramas coming up I will most likely skip this one. I'm happy to see Park Jin Joo employed though!!
Little Women*
Release date: 3 September, TVN, Netflix
Runtime: Saturday & Sunday
Cast: Kim Go Eun, Nam Ji Hyun, Park Ji Hoo, Wi Ha Joon, Uhm Ji Won, Uhm Ki JoonPlot: bout three sisters with a close bond who grew up in poverty. It is the exciting story of the sisters as they get embroiled in a major incident and face off against the wealthiest family in the nation.
Kim Go Eun plays the eldest sister Oh In Joo, who wants to protect her family with money. Growing up in extreme poverty, her only dream was to live as well off as other normal people, but a major incident completely shakes up her life.
Nam Ji Hyun takes on the role of the second sister Oh In Kyung, a news reporter who does not want to bow down to money and aims to always do what’s right. When a mysterious case from her early reporter days returns close to her, she starts digging for the truth.
Park Ji Hu transforms into Oh In Hye, the youngest overwhelmed by the love of her older sisters who work hard for her. Although she has never even used decent art supplies due to their family’s financial situation, she enters an art high school with her natural talent.Will I watch? Now that I'm over the creative interpretation of the original source material and have seen the excellent cast and promising production crew ( see this Omona post), I am very excited for this drama! It will be interesting to see the sisters operate in a moral grey zone - I have no idea where the drama will take us! I am hoping for some romance between Kim Go Eun and Wi Ha Joon though sorry I'm a simple girl
The Law Café*
Release date: 5 September, KBS2, Viu (This drama was supposed to air end of August, but is now airing in september! You might've seen it in my previous post)
Runtime: Monday, Tuesday
Cast: Lee Seung Gi, Lee Se Young, Kim Nam Hee, Kim Seul Gi, Oh Dong MinPlot: A law romance drama that depicts the story of Kim Jeong Ho, a former prosecutor who is now a building owner, and Kim Yu Ri, a lawyer with a 4-D personality. The story will focus on the events surrounding a law firm that also runs as a cafe.
Kim Jeong Ho is a former prosecutor and current building owner who used to be known as a "monster genius". Kim Yu Ri is a lawyer who has a beautiful appearance but is not hesitant to show her fiery personality when witnessing injustice.Will I watch? In the previous post for August, where I thought this drama would air end of August, I wrote: "Kim Seul Gi finally in a kdrama main role again? And with Lee Se Young? Heaven be praised! If you've been following these posts then you'll probably know I love a good romcom and legal drama, and considering the cast I will tune in!" Now that I've seen the teasers, I'll still check out the drama but it's a little bit more over the top comedy and tropey than I thought (nothing I can't handle though! Maybe it'll be like A Business Proposal, fun clichés). I do hope we'll also see some moving cases à la Extra-ordinary attorney Woo.
Once Upon a Small Town*
Release date: 5 September, Daum Kakao TV, Netflix
Runtime: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Cast: Joy, Choo Young Woo, Baek Sung CheolPlot: Han Ji Yool works as a veterinarian in Seoul. One day, he receives a phone call from his grandfather. His grandfather doesn’t mention specifics, but his voice sounds serious. Han Ji Yool decides to go to Heedong Village, where his grandfather lives and runs an animal clinic. There, Han Ji Yool meets police officer Ahn Ja Young. It turns out his grandfather is actually touring Europe. According to the note left by his grandfather, Han Ji Yool has to take over his grandfather’s animal clinic for a half year, while his grandfather is away.
Even when Ahn Ja Young was preparing for her test to become a police officer, she wanted to work as a police officer in Heedong Village, where she grew up. She is usually the first one to appear and provide help to residents in need. She helps Han Ji Yool solve inconveniences related to his daily life in the village and they develop a romantic relationship.Will I watch? I severely relate to Joy's character, being nosey and an unofficial complaint window at my job as well! From the teaser, the plot sounds a little bit flimsey, also in its portrayal of the countryside, but cute enough. If you're into a sweet romance with farm animals and pretty people, give it a go and tell me if you're liking it!
Narco-Saints*
Release date: 9 September, Netflix
Runtime: Friday
Cast: Ha Jung Woo, Hwang Jung Min, Park Hae Soo, Jo Woo Jin, Yoo Yeon SeokPlot: The life-saving journey of a Korean drug king in Suriname in South America and a businessman who was engaged in a secret operation by the NIS.
Will I watch? Of course Suriname is presented as a drug hellhole... Anyway, as you can tell this 6 episode mini-series is studded with a star cast and looks exciting enough for a tense, action filled drama.
Mental Coach Je Gal Gil*
Release date: 12 September, TVN
Runtime: Monday & Tuesday
Cast: Jung Woo, Lee Yoo Mi, Kwon Yool, Park Se YoungPlot: A sports drama about a former national athlete who quits sports after causing a scandal and becomes a mental coach to help former professional athletes who have retired and current athletes who have fallen into a slump.
Je Gal Gil is a former national Taekwondo athlete who is known for his hard work and dorky charms. After he causes an unprecedented accident in the athlete’s village, Je Gal Gil is permanently expelled and coined the unlucky Taekwondo prodigy. Once he overcomes his past trauma and regains his mental health, Je Gal Gil returns to the athlete’s village as a mental coach.Will I watch? Oooh anyone in for a sports drama? I might check out this drama if I have the time in between this intense drama line-up. The personal stories of these athletes and the intense pressure they must be experiences might be worth the watch!
Blind*
Release date: 16 September, OCN, TVN
Runtime: Friday & Saturday
Cast: Ok Taecyeon, Ha Seok Jin, Jung Eun JiPlot: Ryu Sung Joon, Ryu Sung Hoon and Jo Eun Ki become involved in a serial murder case involving jury members as the victims. These three individuals try to uncover the truth behind the deaths.
Ryu Sung Joon works as an enthusiastic detective. He is always determined to catch the bad guys. Due to his determination, his arrest rate is always among the top for detectives. His older brother is Ryu Sung Hoon and he works as a judge. Ryu Sung Hoon is a perfectionist and smart enough to have passed the bar exam with the top score and graduated at the top of his class at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. He is an upright man who does his best to impart a fair judgement. Jo Eun Ki works as a social worker. She has a warm heart and is full of justice. She always puts people first and tries to be a reliable guardian to children who come from poor backgrounds.Will I watch? How did I miss that Joy and Taecyeon would be starring in a crime drama together? I love that the team - that perhaps sounds a bit too perfect? - includes a social worker too, which invites the drama to look beyond the pure judicial side of the case. Might check this out!
Love in Contract*
Release date: 21 September, TVN
Runtime: Wednesday & Thursday
Cast: Park Min Young, Go Kyung Pyo, Kim Jae YoungPlot: Tells the story of a helper service that provides wives to single people needing partners to take to gatherings for married couples and school reunions. The story portrays Choi Sang Eun as she gets entangled with Jung Ji Ho, who is on a long-term exclusive contract for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and Kang Hae Jin, who signs a new contract for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Choi Sang Eun, is a woman possessing many great qualities and virtues. As the perfect partner, she chooses a career of helping single men who don’t want to get married instead of getting married herself. Jung Ji Ho who has been in a long-term contract with Choi Sang Eun for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for his fifth year. In addition for the reason behind his contract being a secret, Jung Ji Ho is a mysterious character whose occupation, hobbies, and personality are also shrouded in a veil of secrecy.
And Kang Hae Jin, a rich heir as the family’s youngest son and Hallyu star. Kang Hae Jin is Choi Sang Eun’s newest client for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and he will cause a great storm in her heart.Will I watch? Queen of romcoms Park Min Young is back! After Forecasting Love and Weather, which received mixed reviews on here if I remember correctly, she's trying a new romcom trope: contractual marriage! The drama looks fun and light and I might check it out if I'm in the mood for it and think that I will be able to overcome the inevitable love triangle.
May it please the court*
Release date: 21 September, Disney+
Runtime: Wednesday
Cast: Jung Ryeo Won, Lee Kyu Hyung, Jung Jin YoungPlot: It depicts the story of Noh Chak Hee, who has to defend a murderer, falling into the biggest dilemma of her life for 3 months.
Will I watch? Another legal drama? Yes! The teaser and the plot isn't giving me enough, so I might skip for other dramas.
Seasons of Blossom*
Release date: 21 September, Wavve
Runtime: Wednesday
Cast: Seo Ji Hoon, So Ju Yeon, Kim Min Kyu, Kang Hye Won, Yoon Hyun Soo, Oh Yu JinPlot: Oh, to be young and in love. Oh, to be wild and carefree. The springtime of life is intense, tumultuous, and at times, oh so confusing. Spring, summer, fall and winter -- love blossoms in all seasons.
Will I watch? The nostalgia in the plot description... Apparently this is a very popular webtoon, centering on the first loves of teenagers. I will most likely skip this one because, even though it's cute, I've mostly outgrown this genre. But in case you're in spring vibes in autumn, give it a go!
The Golden Spoon*
Release date: 23 September, MBC
Runtime: Friday, Saturday
Cast: Yook Sung Jae, Lee Jong Won, Jung Chae Yeon, YeonwooPlot: Would you trade your poor but loving family for a life of riches? When Seung Cheon gets his hands on a magical spoon that allows him to switch lives with his rich best friend, he thinks it’s a no-brainer. But life-altering decisions are always accompanied by a sense of doubt, and with only three chances to change his mind, Seung Cheon has to decide which of his two possible futures is worth keeping.
Will I watch? Also based on a highly popular Korean webtoon, this marks Yook Sung Jae's return to Kdramas after his military enlistment. I am mostly excited for babyjenkski who gets to see her bias in a drama again, but since I also like a good fantasy drama, I will check this one out!
One Dollar [1000 Won] Lawyer*
Release date: 23 September, SBS
Runtime: Friday & Saturday
Cast: Namkoong Min, Kim Ji Eun, Choi Dae Hoon, Lee Deok Hae, Park Jin Woo
Plot: Cheon Ji Hun is a lawyer with an unusual style. His hair has a stylish perm. He charges only 1,000 won (about $1 USD) for his service, but he is one of the most skilled lawyers around. He fights against the most expensive lawyers and their rich clients, who try to get away with breaking the law.
Baek Ma Ri works as a prosecutor’s assistant after graduating from the Judicial Research and Training Institute. She is confident and posesses high self-esteem. Her grandfather is Baek Hyun Mu, who founded the famous Baek Law Firm and works at his law firm as a lawyer. Baek Ma Ri’s life goes smoothly, but her life changes after she meets Cheon Ji Hun.Will I watch? Yes I know it's another legal drama but have you read the plot? Watched the teaser? It's Namkoong Min, whose stoic delivery I loved in Hot Stove League, playing a Robin Hood type of lawyer! Adding this to my to watch list too...
The Empire*
Release date: 24 September, JTBC
Runtime: Saturday & Sunday
Cast: Kim Sun Ah, Ahn Jae Wook, Lee Mi Sook, Song Young Chang, Shin Goo, Oh Hyun KyungPlot: Depicts the vulgar scandals of Korea’s nobles of the robe (whose rank came from holding judicial or administrative posts) who dream of hereditary succession. Han Hye Ryul is the chief of the special division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. Han Hye Ryul is from a family of judicial workers who has had wealth and power for three generations. She is an ambitious figure who is not satisfied with her current position and aims to become a prosecutor general or someone higher up the ladder.
Will I watch? It's not a drama season without a (I assume) makjang about the rich, and this month it's The Empire! For lovers of the Penthouse perhaps a drama to watch?
There's not a lot of promo released for this drama, so here's a (nonsubbed) video of the first script reading.
Three bold siblings
Release date: 24 September, KBS2
Runtime: Saturday & Sunday
Cast: Lee Ha Na, Im Joo Hwan, Kim Seung Soo, Wang Bit na
Plot: Kim Tae Joo is the eldest of three siblings. She is warm-hearted and tolerant, but she also has a hot temper. She cuts off relationships with people whom she doesn’t like. One day, Kim Tae Joo meets Lee Sang Joon again after many years. They attended the same elementary school.Lee Sang Joon is a popular actor. He is sensitive, imaginative, and smart. He is also the eldest sibling in his family. Since he was a child, he has been loved by his family deeply. His family was once in debt, but, after Lee Sang Joon became successful, he paid off their debt and continues to support them financially. During filming for an acting project, Lee Sang Joon gets injured and goes to the hospital. There he meets his first love Kim Tae Joo, whom he knew when he was an elementary school student.
Will I watch? This is another long form drama following 'It's Beautiful Now' that will run until mid March next year - too much of a commitment for me to dive into, but maybe something others would like! By the way, from the plot description it's still unclear to me who the third sibling is lol.
Gaus Electronics*
Release date: 30 September, Seezn
Runtime: Friday
Cast: Kwak Dong Yeon, Go Sung Hee, Bae Hyun Sung, Kang Min AhPlot: It tells the story of a funny real-life employees at Gaus Electronics, conveying sympathy and laughter at the same time, containing the sorrows of office workers.
Will I watch? A lead role for Kwak Dong Yeon! And Kang Min Ah! A workplace drama! Will wait for more teasers but maybe it could be cute! I want another Misaeng tbh!
Source: kdramaladies on Tumblr | MyDramalist 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 | Showkim 1, 2 | The Swoon 1, 2, 3 | Viu Singapore 1 | soldado | KDramaworld 1, 2 | Zapzee Official 1 | KdramaZone 1, 2, 3, 4 | KBS drama 1
For 14/15 dramas listed here I managed to find teasers with English subtitles 😤 What are you watching Omona? What will you pick up in September? Any dramas you dropped lately? I didn't finish Jinxed at first...