Pilot: Throwing It Back To 2016
Credits: @kdscnepacks on IG (tvN’s drama, Goblin: The Lonely and Great God, 2016)
On demand now: exploring the Korean craze in 2016 through the lens of an avid K-drama watcher.
So it’s 2026, and most of you would have seen the 2016 trend taking over your social feeds. Besides it being the year where all things trend-related started to go viral, I would love to revisit another peak: the dramatic rise of Korean dramas internationally (pun intended). Maybe you picked this up to find good recommendations outside of shows you’ve already watched, or maybe you would like a comprehensive introduction to what the craze with these series were all about. Well, whatever the reason, I can guarantee you’ll get your recommendations and introductions. (Maybe not comprehensive but definitely informative!)
Many of us would have heard of classics such as: Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin), Descendants Of The Sun, Legend of The Blue Sea, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and so much more… The commonality between those? All were K-dramas that premiered in 2016. Of course, these are simply the big names that anyone who has ever stepped into the world of Kdramas would have heard of, and while I will be touching on a few of them, I will also be sharing some of my hidden favourites. And coming from someone that has finished a hundred shows (yes, I do keep count). Before I binge-review them, let us explore a little behind the scenes on why 2016 in particular was the year for Korean shows altogether.
The PEAK of the era (or the beginning?)
It does not come as a surprise when I say that the Hallyu wave washed over almost every corner of the world in the 2010s. With K-pop breaking into the international market, almost anything and everything Korean was being welcomed, celebrated and promoted; including Korean television. (Also probably because many K-pop idols are actors too and people want to see more of them. Yes I was one of those people.) Although groups that joined the K-wave from dramas would like to argue that it was these shows which gave an insight to Korean culture, contributing more to the Hallyu wave instead. While both arguments have their merits on what exactly pushed the spread of Korean culture, this is one of the few times I would say that the fandoms on both sides actually ended up creating a much larger tsunami that drove the virality of anything Korean.
Though 2016 was a year full of good watches, I find that it was not THE year everyone hyped it up to be, with other years being more suited to be called the “peak”. Rather, it was from 2016 onwards that K-dramas started to surge in popularity internationally.
What exactly made 2016 such a pivotal year? The shows in 2016 were almost as melodramatic as their predecessors (albeit slightly less extreme, perhaps 1% lesser, than the ones in the 2000s), though I would say that what really differentiated them was the cinematography. Maybe it was better equipment, better character writing, or more natural moments that seem less forced and so on. What I noticed was definitely better camera quality and editing whereby the scenes give a more modern feel. Take the comparison of Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God), (2016) with Kill Me Heal Me (2015) for example:
[tvN’s drama, Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)
Credits: @kdscnepacks on IG (Goblin: The Lonely and Great God)
Funniest scene in MBC’s drama, Kill Me Heal Me:【TVPP】 Park Seo-Joon - Yona's Kiss, 박서준 - 요나의 뽀뽀 @ Kill me heal me
Credits: https://youtu.be/usa51kT6tLE?si=EQjAGSvdsWVytIM1
We can see that the vibe between the both of them are rather distinct, where Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God), feels more new and sleek and Kill Me Heal Me looks more like the clearer version of a 2000s show. Aside from these differences, what I noticed was the decrease in seemingly forced interactions, mostly void of the millennial-pause that 2015 and early 2016 dramas had. Moving on from the technical differences, the preference for shows 2016 onwards could also be attributed to the shifts in character qualities that people are drawn to. Where shows began to ditch the nonchalant, cool male lead vibes that many cliche dramas today still follow, and switch to a loser-in-love trope. (Your girl here loves chalant and funny men way more too). Of course, cliche does not necessarily mean the show is bad, just slightly more predictable but could still be executed really well.
The Binge Guide (Or Beginner’s Guide), 2016 Edition.
Now let’s actually get into what I find are super worthwhile watches in 2016.
1. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin)
Contains themes of death, scenes with blood and slight supernatural elements
Synopsis: Cursed immortal looking for a bride to end his life and meets someone who can see the dead.
This show set the bar much too high for other series in 2016. From visuals to plot development to comedic timing, every scene was as perfectly executed as it could get and was truly the turning point of cinematography in the Korean industry. With very few plot holes, stunning visuals, and good acting, Goblin was an extremely enjoyable watch and a great starting point for those who have yet to embark on their K-drama journey. Though if you’re adverse to sweet romance, this might not be the one for you.
2. Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth
Contains themes of death, scenes with blood and shirtless men
Synopsis: Amidst palace politics spear-headed by an over-ambitious queen who refuses to step down from the throne, Hwarang (literal translation: flower men), a group of warriors, gets trained to protect the kingdom.
Definitely one that is more action and comedy packed but still has a fair bit of awkward romance. Personally, with this being the very first K-drama I watched, the historical setting was quite confusing at the start but the plot and characters made up for it really well. This is one of the few shows that actually took each and every character plot line to weave into a proper ending that does not seem rushed or exist to tie up loose ends, as if everything somehow falls into place.
3. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Contains themes of death, scenes with blood and requires a tissue box
Synopsis: Hae Soo travels back in time to the Goryeo Dynasty and finds herself involved in the power struggle for the throne.
This was another confusing period piece that belongs more to the early 2016 group, though for its time was still considered a major hit due to how well the show tugged on viewers’ heartstrings, especially with the romance arcs. Not exactly one of my favourites in terms of the plot but definitely one that showcased how essential good acting and character building are to any show.
Honourable mentions
Contains themes of death, gore, and a zombie apocalypse
Synopsis: Seok Woo, his estranged daughter Soo An, and other passengers become trapped on a KTX train (high-speed train) heading from Seoul to Busan during a disastrous virus outbreak in South Korea.
While we are still on the topic of making heavy impacts within the cinematic landscape, Train to Busan is, no doubt, the actual peak of Korean films in 2016. Major achievements and awards aside, this film started the zombie craze that continued in the industry till today, with very few films coming close to what it achieved. (Not even its sequel, Peninsula, could compare). As gory as it can be for some viewers, this should definitely be on your watchlists for its touching storylines and its genuine insights on what makes ordinary people extraordinary, albeit in an apocalyptic universe.
2016 was literally THE year for Gong Yoo (Train to Busan, Goblin actor) and I can confidently say there is a very big reason why his shows do so well. He’s just a really REALLY talented actor.
Worthwhile to check out
(Pure comedy but rather messy and draggy plot)
(Is a really well-known one but not a personal favourite)
7. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
(More of a Strong Woman Do Bong Soon fan but this was not bad either.).
Watched the shows here already and are looking for more? Catch the next article for more recommendations and insights from an absolute show fanatic.
References
Goblin. (2016, December 2). Mydramalist.com. https://mydramalist.com/18452-goblin
Hwarang. (2016). Primevideo.com. https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Hwarang/0PVY8P5G9ZMBSYXZFELNMP6J26
Train to Busan. (2016, July 20). Mydramalist.com. https://mydramalist.com/11314-train-to-busan