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K-dramas always have the ability to sweep us off our feet. The captivating stories that we devour and often binge-watch in one sitting sometimes become a mirror of real-life incidents. There is a unique, intriguing factor that works when a K-drama is based on real-life incidents or is inspired by real-life incidents.
This adds a layer of depth and resonance to it. K-drama has masterfully tapped into this and given us a plethora of gripping dramas. These K-dramas range from thrillers to action to slice of life.
These stories are not just retellings but often a powerful exploration of societal issues, human nature, and the enduring spirit in the face of adversity. So, be prepared to get moved by the stories that took incidents that have happened in real life and created a masterpiece with them.
These adaptations and inspired stories are extremely compelling. They have the unique ability to blend factual accounts with the artistry of storytelling. So, let’s dive right in.
10 gripping K-dramas based on true stories
1) The Glory
The Glory itself is one of the most intriguing K-dramas; however, if we consider the fact that it is based on real-life incidents, then it becomes even more grim. The Glory shows the viewers the harsh realities that bullying can have on people.
The way The Glory has depicted school bullying and the dark aspects of it is truly chilling. From using physical assault to using hot curling rods to bullying students only for the purpose of entertainment, it shows the sick mentality of these students. Many might not know that The Glory is based on real-life incidents.
During a press conference, the writer of The Glory, Kim Eun Sook, described how she got inspiration for the series from her own daughter's words about bullying. Her daughter's words inspired her to dive deep and research more into the world of school bullying, which further revealed information, especially the stories from the real-life victims of bullying.
2) Through The Darkness
Through the Darkness is based on a non-fiction book written by Kwin Ill-young. Kwon Ill-yong was the very first profiler in Korea. Hence, he has been a part of the solving of numerous cases. Through the Darkness brings out his story in a nuanced manner.
With grim realism, this drama is extremely binge-worthy and will get you hooked from the very first episode. The depiction of the earlier days of the implementation of the criminal behaviour system has been done perfectly in this drama.
A distinct focus has been given to the depiction of the behaviour of the criminals in this series. It is not just a regular drama involving criminals; the reality behind this drama makes it even more intense.
3) Queen Of Tears
Queen of Tears broke the internet last year with the intriguing storyline and the breathtaking visuals. The extravaganza that we saw in this drama was not just a matter of fiction. The storyline of Queen of Tears has been inspired by the real-life Samsung heiress Lee Boo Jin.
The storyline has numerous similarities with Lee Boo Jin and her ex-husband Im Woo Jae’s story. Though the drama does incorporate and get its inspiration from the real-life story, not everything is based on it. Queen of Tears has several grim and dark moments, which make the story even more interesting.
4) Reply 1988
Sometimes, even when a small aspect of a drama is inspired by or based on real-life characters, it adds exceptional depth and intrigue to it. For Reply 1988, one of the characters also took inspiration from a real-life Go player, Lee Chang-ho. He was the inspiration behind Choi Taek’s character.
In the drama, Choi Taek’s character has been played by Park Bo Gum. He has done a commendable job in bringing out the true essence of the inspiration of the character.
Choi Taek has been able to capture Lee Chang-ho’s techniques and style. Did you know he even studied Lee Chang-ho’s techniques to bring out further perfection for his role?
5) When Life Gives You Tangerines
The ‘it’ K-drama of this year, When Life Gives You Tangerines, has perfectly depicted the real-life struggles in such a heartfelt manner that it left a lasting impression on the viewers.
Who wouldn't want a devoted and loving husband like Yang Gwan Sik, right? Well, it might be surprising that the drama took some real-life inspiration for Yang Gwan Sik’s character.
The series has been inspired by the haenyo community and one diver in particular, Hong Kyung-ja. Hong Kyung-ja’s story is very similar to how we see Ae-sun’s. From losing her mother at a young age to struggling to make ends meet and also marrying her childhood love.
6) The Hymn of Death
Yoon Shim-deok and Kim Woo-jin were not just fictional names ine K-drama. It is based on real-life incidents. Yoon Shim-doek and Kim Woo-jin were a real-life couple. Their tragic love story became the inspiration for The Hymn of Death.
Lee Jong-suk and Shin Hye-sun have done a commendable job in portraying the characters. The K-drama resonates with the viewers on a deeper level. Especially if we consider the emotional aspect of it.
The complex relationship between Yoon Shim-deok and Kim Woo-jin offered a moving story highlighting their compassion, artistic passions, and the ultimate tragic decision.
7) Juvenile Justice
A tough judge gets appointed at the juvenile court. She has a strong dislike for young offenders. She takes on the task of going against her traditional methods and punishes the young criminals in her own way.
The K-drama took inspiration from South Korea’s Juvenile Act. The grim moments of the series, especially the cases that she deals with, depict the various ways young offenders’ actions impact society. The show makes us question whether young offenders should be punished severely or given a chance to reform.
8) Signal
The main intriguing factor about this K-drama is the fact that it is based on true crime cases. These incidents happened in Korea. The real-life criminal incidents that gave a backdrop for the series depict the dangerous and chilling world of crime.
Though there are numerous supernatural elements, they add to the overall intrigue of the drama. The themes of justice and the impact of the past on the present have been delved into deeply in this series.
Signal keeps you on the edge of your seat and will get you hooked from the very first episode. The race against time as the cases unfold and the mysteries get connected is truly intriguing, especially considering how these cases have taken inspiration from real-life incidents.
9) Taxi Driver (2021)
Taxi Driver provides one of the most unique and intriguing storylines. This fast-paced crime series is based on some of the most heinous and dangerous real-life criminal cases that happened in Korea. Each episode of this series focuses on the different clients that get catered to.
These clients have suffered through injustice. Throughout the series, we see justice being served to those who needed it. The lines between justice and vengeance often get blurred. One such case that inspired Taxi Driver is the Cho Doo-soon Case. The K-drama handled the depiction in a deft and intriguing manner.
10) Fight For My Way
Fight For My Way brings forth the heartfelt story of Ko Dong-man and Choi Ae-ra. Ko Dong-man and Choi Ae-ra grew up together and are best friends. Dong-man was once a taekwondo prodigy. However, he had to give all that up because of an incident. He is trying his best to get back to his days of glory.
On the other hand, Ae-ra works at a departmental store information desk and dreams of becoming a news anchor. The drama follows the two of them along with two of their best friends as they face numerous challenges, such as societal pressure and the ups and downs of their personal lives as well.
They start to learn that even without the fancy backgrounds, they deserve to be the main characters of their own lives. Now, the aspect of inspiration, Fight For My Way, is based on the story of Choo Sung-hoon and his wife, model Yano Shiho. Though many of the fans might not know this, however, the real-life inspiration does add a layer of intrigue to the drama.
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