Korean Dramas For Beginners

Here is a list of some of the more famous Korean dramas that every beginner should know and watch. Of course there are many more popular dramas, but these are some of the top ones in my opinion.
No particular order.

1. Boys Over Flowers

Info here

2. Secret Garden

Info here

3. Full House

Info here

4. Goong

Info here
Side notes:
- The girl on the far left is Song Jihyo from Running Man.
- The main guy (the one with black hair) is currently dating Brown Eyed Girls member Gain.

5. You're Beautiful

Info here

6. Playful Kiss (aka Mischievous Kiss)

Info here

7. My Love From Another Star


Info here
Side note:
- Kim Soo Hyun = Perfection <3

8. The Heirs

Info here
Side Note:
- Kim Woo Bin <3

9. The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince

Info here
Side Note:
- I wasn't a huge fan of this drama but it's very popular and many people love it.

Honorable Mentions:
Reply 1997
Master's Sun
Good Doctor
Dream High
My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox
Heartstrings
School 2013
I Hear Your Voice

Liar Game: Kdrama vs. Jdrama

Liar Game was originally a manga that was released in 2005, which then was adapted into a Japanese drama in 2007 and had a season two in 2009 as well as a movie in 2010. It has recently been adapted into a Korean drama that started on October 20, 2014.
for more information on the show click here.

I listed some things I noticed about the Korean drama and compared it to the Japanese drama. These are of my own opinion and are based on the first two episodes I've watched of the Korean drama.

• ROMANCE - it looks like there will be more romance in the Korean drama. There was no romance in the Japanese drama, but there were little hints of the two leads liking each other.
• KDRAMA - portrayed the game as a variety show which made the show not as suspenseful as the Japanese drama. Another major difference is that the male lead looks considerably older in the Korean version.
• JDRAMA- competition hosted by rich people to see who the best liar is. (side note: the main guy wears a really ugly wig for a couple of episodes). The antagonist wears a mask which gives the show more suspense.
• I found that the game instructions weren't as clear in the Korean version. The Japanese drama had more visual instructions.
• The first game was the same for both dramas.
• Japanese main girl seems a lot more innocent and naive, as opposed to the Korean girl who seemed more realistic **potential spoiler alert- as she hesitated for awhile about giving the money to the teacher.
• The acting is very good in both dramas.

The Japanese version of Liar Game is probably one of my favourite Japanese dramas of all-time so I would highly recommend you watch it. The Korean drama is pretty good too, but I can't judge it fully as it has just started airing and I've only watched two episodes.

Korean Drama:

  

Japanese Drama:

The Korean drama can be found on Viki, here.

Manga Apartments in Japan?!

Recently a company named Slow Curve announced their new creation called "manga apartments", the main focus is to attract foreigners that are visiting Japan, offering them unlimited supply of manga. The apartment will cost less than $5,000 Yen a night (US $46.30), it will be fully furnished with various household appliances and most importantly it will be filled with 2,000 volumes of manga to line the walls of every room.

Slow Curve plans to open more apartments in Akihabara, Ikebukuro, and Nakano. Each location will cater to different audience, Akihabara flats will have the latest cutting edge manga news, Ikebukuro units will have mostly shoujo and josei manga, and Nakano apartments will be an homage to classic manga. The apartments will not accommodate with hotel services as it is trying to keep cost low but guests are expected to receive discounts at local restaurants, cosplay cafes and stores.

Slow Curve plans to find locations for these apartments with the help of Tokyo-based real estate-related company Tomareru. Currently, they hope to have these apartments ready for guests within the next three years.

Remember to start saving your money and book ahead of times if you want one of these manga filled rooms!! 

Source: ANN