Top 10 Best TV Dramas by the "Golden Writer" Kim Eun Sook

"Behind the Scenes Drama" quickly became one of the top TV series, attracting a large number of viewers every week since its premiere. As the show progressed, viewers were increasingly intrigued as it revealed the dark side of South Korea’s entertainment industry. The clashes between film producers, screenwriters, top stars, and their management companies were unveiled. The show also exposed the ugly truths in the entertainment world, where TV networks paid bribes to producers to replace products in advertisements. This created a dilemma for the audience, as they could no longer distinguish between authentic and fake products.

According to Naver, the series provides a realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by those pursuing a career in film. It delves deep into complicated relationships and confrontations between stars, managers, screenwriters, and producers. Viewers praised Kim Eun Sook for her boldness in exposing the darker side of the Korean showbiz, including actors willing to use any means to become famous, and the powerful who manipulate advertisements and media. In Vietnam, the rights were acquired by TVM Corp. and aired on HTV3.

DETAILS:

Director: Shin Woo Chul

Cast: Kim Ha Neul, Park Yong Ha, Lee Beom Soo, Song Yoon Ah

Year Released: 2008

"The Female Mayor" is a South Korean drama that aired in 2009, starring Kim Sun-ah and Cha Seung-won. It was broadcast on SBS and later acquired by TVM Corp. to air on HTV3 in Vietnam. Kim Eun Sook explored political themes in "The Female Mayor" with a humorous and romantic twist. The series finale reached a high rating of 19.6%.

The story follows Shin Min Rae, a low-ranking civil servant who, despite facing numerous challenges, rises to become the youngest female mayor of a city. She is paired with Jo Gook, a highly intelligent government worker with ambitions of becoming the President of South Korea, but unexpectedly finds himself assigned as the deputy mayor of the small city of Inju, where Shin Min Rae works. The two clash due to their differing personalities and social perspectives, but eventually, they find a way to be together. According to Naver, viewers praised Kim Sun Ah's performance, appreciating her portrayal of a relatable and kind-hearted female mayor.

DETAILS:

Director: Shin Woo-chul

Cast: Kim Sun A, Cha Seung Won

Year Released: 2009

Secret Garden is a renowned South Korean drama, starring two of Korea's biggest film stars, Hyun Bin and Ha Ji Won, alongside Yoon Sang Hyun, Kim Sa Rang, Lee Jong-suk, and Yoo In-na. The drama garnered numerous awards at the SBS Drama Awards and the prestigious 47th Baeksang Arts Awards, including Best Drama and the Daesang (Grand Prize) for Best Actor, awarded to Hyun Bin. Secret Garden became a national sensation in Korea in 2010, thanks to the Hyun Bin craze, and it also gained immense popularity in various countries, consistently ranking among the top foreign dramas.

The drama falls under the romantic comedy and fantasy genres. Hyun Bin plays Kim Joo Won, a second-generation business tycoon, who becomes infatuated with Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won), a stuntwoman specializing in action scenes. After drinking a mysterious potion in a secret garden, the two unexpectedly swap bodies, leading to a series of comedic and heartwarming situations.

DETAILS:

Director: Shin Woo Chul, Kwon Hyuk Chan

Cast: Ha Ji Won, Hyun Bin, Yoon Sang Hyun, Kim Sa Rang

Year Released: 2010

A Gentleman’s Dignity is a South Korean romantic comedy-drama that aired in 2012 on SBS. This was Jang Dong-gun's first television role in 12 years. The series was written by Kim Eun-sook and directed by Shin Woo-chul, a team well-known for their work on popular dramas such as Secret Garden, Lovers in Paris, and Behind the Scenes.

The story revolves around four men in their 40s navigating friendship, love, and career. After an incident in high school, these men—who come from different backgrounds and have varying interests—become lifelong friends, sharing in both the joys and struggles of life. When the script was being developed, Kim Eun Sook carefully crafted the characters, perfectly matching them with the star-studded cast, including Jang Dong Gun, Kim So Ro, Kim Min Jong, and Kim Ha Neul. At the SBS Drama Awards, Kim Eun Sook was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her limitless creativity and contribution to spreading the Hallyu wave worldwide.

DETAILS:

Director: Shin Woo-chul, Kwon Hyeok-chan

Cast: Jang Dong Gun, Kim Ha Neul, Kim Su Ro, Kim Min Jong, Lee Jong Hyun

Year Released: 2012

The Heirs is a South Korean drama starring Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye. It is considered a “reimagined” version of Boys Over Flowers, focusing on the lives of wealthy heirs who inherit vast fortunes from birth. Despite their wealth, they face the pressures of a life that restricts their freedom, causing them to yearn for true love and affection.

The drama took Asia by storm, reviving the school idol genre that seemed to have faded. Lee Min Ho plays Kim Tan, an 18-year-old heir to the Empire Group. While studying at a prestigious school in the U.S., Kim Tan is summoned back to Korea by his older half-brother to take over the family business. However, he is often overshadowed by Kim Won, his sibling. Kim Tan falls in love with Cha Eun Sang, a girl who grew up alongside Yoon Chan Young, and who, despite her circumstances, considers herself an “heir” to a much different world.

DETAILS:

Director: Kang Shin Hyo

Cast: Lee Min Ho, Park Shin Hye, Kim Woo Bin, Krystal, Kim Ji Won

Year Released: 2013

"Goblin" is a romantic fantasy drama that became the second highest-grossing show of all time on tvN (after "Crash Landing on You"). The plot revolves around the fateful and emotional relationship between Kim Shin, an immortal goblin, and the high school student Eun Tak. The series carries a bittersweet yet beautiful message about those who guide the souls of the deceased. It became a huge success, with the final episode reaching a rating of 18.680%, making it the fourth most-watched drama in cable TV history.

Thanks to its compelling script, "Goblin" won the Daesang (Television category) at the 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards. Writer Kim Eun Sook was honored with the Prime Minister’s Award at the Korean Popular Culture & Arts Awards and was voted the “Best TV Drama Writer” by TV Report. The main cast, including Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun, Yoo In Na, and Lee Dong Wook, also received numerous prestigious awards.

DETAILS:

Director: Lee Eun-bok

Cast: Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun, Lee Dong Wook, Yoo In Na, Yook Sungjae

Year Released: 2016

"A Love Story in Paris" is a drama that took Asia by storm, catapulting many actors to fame and even changing their lives. As one of the highest-rated Korean dramas during its broadcast, it left a lasting impression with its stunning scenes set in the romantic city of Paris. The show not only boosted tourism from Korea to France but also sparked a fashion trend, with Kim Jung Eun’s baggy cargo pants and Park Shin Yang’s wide tie becoming top sellers after the series aired.

The plot follows two men who fall in love with the same woman, only to later discover that they are cousins. To keep the story fresh, the producers cleverly set the opening episode in Paris, the world’s most romantic city, where the love story between Cinderella-like Tae Young and prince-like Ki Joo begins. Han Gi-ju, the chairman of GD Motors, lives in Paris after a divorce and hires Gang Tae-yeong, a housekeeper, to pretend to be his girlfriend at social events. Tae-yeong, a poor student in Paris to please her father, unknowingly becomes the object of affection for Yun Su-hyeok, Han Gi-ju’s cousin, sparking a rivalry for her heart.

DETAILS:

Director: Shin Woo Chul

Cast: Park Shin Yang, Lee Dong Gun, Kim Jung Eun

Year Released: 2004

"A Love Story in Prague" aired on SBS in September 2005, with a peak rating of 30.3%. Written by Kim Eun Sook, the drama explores the tumultuous romance between Yoon Jae Hee (Jeon Do Yeon), the daughter of the South Korean president, and an ordinary police officer, Sang-hyun. Viewers across Naver and major Asian forums were captivated by the beautiful scenery and landscapes of the Czech Republic, featured prominently in the series.

The story follows Jae Hee, who works as a diplomat at the South Korean Consulate in Prague, and Sang Hyun, who arrives in the city to search for his girlfriend Hye-joo, a South Korean student. Fate brings him together with Jae Hee. Young Woo, the son of a powerful corporation’s president, dislikes his family's business and pursues a law career instead. He is Jae Hee's ex-boyfriend, who left her five years ago with a promise to return within five days, but those five days stretched into five years. Their intertwined lives continue to evolve as all four characters meet in Prague.

DETAILS:

Directors: Shin Woo-chul; Kim Hyung-sik

Cast: Jeon Do Yeon, Kim Joo Hyuk, Kim Min Jun, Yoon Se Ah

Year Released: 2005

The Lover is a South Korean drama that concludes the "Lovers" trilogy by writer Kim Eun Sook and director Shin Woo Chul. In this series, Kim Jung Eun stars as Mi Joo, a cosmetic surgeon who falls for Gang Jae (Lee Seo Jin), the head of a criminal organization. Their unexpected love transforms them both, with the once-rough Gang Jae becoming a warmer person. Some scenes of the drama were filmed in China.

The story follows Ha Kang-jae (Lee Seo Jin), an orphan raised by a gangster leader, Kang Choong-shik. He grows up to become a trusted right-hand man. The two meet when Mi Joo mistakenly identifies Kang Jae as her sister’s ex-boyfriend, who abandoned her after discovering she was pregnant. Later, Mi Joo learns Kang Jae is in a relationship with their neighbor, Park Yu-jin (Kim Gyu-ri). Kang Jae also becomes involved in a potential land purchase for an orphanage, unaware that the land is at risk of being seized due to his father's debts.

DETAILS:

Director: Shin Woo Chul

Cast: Kim Jung Eun, Lee Seo Jin

Year Released: 2006