So you want to get into Korean content. 

Or maybe you’re already in it, deep in it, and you just need someone to tell you what to watch next because your list has somehow run dry, and that feels like a personal emergency.

We’ve been there. We see you.

We asked Kemmie Ola, founder of Hamkke, Nigeria’s biggest Korean culture hub and someone who has spent years living in this universe, to put together the picks she wishes she’d had when she started her journey, as well as her favourite all-time dramas, films, and music.  

Here’s her personal curated list featuring the best K-dramas and music artists, the underrated ones, and the ones that will quietly ruin you in the best possible way.

Best Korean Dramas to Watch

The Best Korean Drama to Watch If You’ve Never Seen One

You have to start somewhere, and starting in the wrong place can genuinely put you off the whole thing. Trust us, it happens. This is the one Kemmie gives to complete beginners, the drama that does the work of making you understand why everyone has been going on about this for years.

Crash Landing on You –  If you’re a romance buff, watch Crash Landing on You. It’s everything – the feels, some comedy, some tragedy, and VERY GREAT LOVE. The type that makes you wistful in the middle of the night.

When the Phone Rings – A special mention is when the Phone Rings: it’s got suspense, it’s got humor, it’s got intense eyebrows from the most serious main character to ever exist in a drama, it’s got sign language, and dramatic speechless rage. So, you know, perfect. And chaotic. I promise it’s great.

The Best Korean Drama for People Who Think K-Dramas Aren’t for Them

You’ve said it out loud. Maybe more than once. “I’ve tried it, it’s not really my thing.” And then someone recommends this one, and three days later, you emerge from your bedroom, looking slightly unwell and completely converted. This is that drama.

Vincenzo — This drama for me is Vincenzo. It’s a thriller with enough suspense to keep your heart racing and enough humor to keep your eyes on the screen. I still think all the actors in this were perfect for their roles. And trust me, you’ll get that last sentence when you see the big twist.

The Best Korean Drama to Watch When You Need to Cry

Sometimes you don’t want to feel better. You want to feel everything, loudly, with snacks nearby and zero plans for the rest of the evening. This is the one for those nights.

When Life Gives You Tangerines – You’ve probably stumbled on a reel about this one somewhere. It’s When Life Gives You Tangerines. It’s a trans-generational story that feels a little too warm and shows you how much life and love can cost us while blessing us simultaneously. It didn’t help me to find out that this story is based on the life of a real couple. I promise you’ll ugly-cry almost every episode.

The Korean Drama That Will Live in Your Head Long After It Ends

This is not the most talked about or the one with the biggest marketing push. The one that quietly gets under your skin and refuses to leave. You’ll finish it and just sit there for a moment. You’ll know.

Something in the Rain –  My pick for this would be Something in the Rain. I have seen this drama about 7 times now (I rewatch it every year). This drama is somewhat old (since 2018), and the actors’ faces have changed a little, but the warmth is still very much with me. It was a serene, healing drama that lingers with me to date. It’s one of those dramas where nothing was overdone, as some dramas tend to do. No dramatic shots, no excessive plot layering, no overused tropes, yet everything felt intentional and free-flowing. I could go on and on. Bottom line is this is a great drama, and I’ve never met anyone that hated/hates it.

The Most Underrated Korean Drama You Need to Watch Right Now

Kemmie has been recommending this one to anyone who will listen, and it still doesn’t have the audience it deserves. If you’ve already worked through the popular ones, start here.

Undercover High School: This drama, for me, would be Undercover High School. This choice may have more to do with the lead actor’s eyes and smile than with the actual plot, but I absolutely enjoyed the story. The telling of it was very simple with a great storyline that had some suspense but wasn’t overflogged. The big reveal was predictable, but still hit me as much as it would have if I had no idea where the story was going. I also love that the romance here was not forced or overemphasized. It happened seamlessly, without distracting from the drama’s actual theme.

Best Korean Movies to Watch

If you’ve only ever watched K-dramas, Korean cinema is a completely different experience and, honestly, a revelation. The pacing is different, and the storytelling is heartstopping. It asks more of you and gives you more back. Here’s where Kemmie would start you.

The Best Korean Movie for First-Time Viewers

Extreme Job: There are so many options for this, but I’ll go with an action-comedy Extreme job to start things off with excitement and fun. It’s a popular Korean classic. It was released around 2019, and it’s a story about a police crew using a chicken restaurant as the undercover location for their operations. It’s super difficult to cover their tracks while they investigate drug crimes in the area, and their struggle is hilarious to watch.

Now that you know what to watch, find out where to experience Korean culture right here in Lagos →

Seoul in Lagos: Where to Find Korea in Lagos

K-POP SECTION

Here is the honest truth about K-pop: it does not ease you in. One song leads to a music video, which leads to a live performance, which leads to a documentary, which leads to you having opinions about things you cannot fully explain to the people in your life. 

This would convert you to a full-time netizen, and you’ll finally understand the craze. Here’s where to start, and where to go once you’re ready for more.

The Best K-Pop Artist to Start With If You’re New

Most people get pushed toward the biggest names first and end up overwhelmed before they’ve even found their footing. Kemmie’s starter pick is different. It’s the one that lets the music do the work before the fandom gets involved.

D.O. (Kyungsoo) – D.O. (Kyungsoo) is the only artist I can think of right now. His voice, the lyrics, the simplicity in his depth, his entire artistry.  Everything is a delight. His calm voice is sure to take you on a journey, no matter which song of his you’re listening to.

Kemmie’s Current Favourite K-Pop Artists

Not a definitive ranking nor a hall of fame. Just the artists that are genuinely on rotation for her right now, on a regular week, on a regular commute.

Mark (from NCT): Mark is one of my absolute favorite artists ever. A brilliant rapper who also sings amazingly, this man is the ultimate K-pop boy next door. If you’re looking for chill RnB vibes or that energetic K-Pop/Hiphop mix, this is your guy. 

Lee Young Ji: Lee Young Ji is the girl you listen to for being extremely relatable, kinda like the girl in your class you really like and admire, but feel is too cool to be in your crew. She is a dynamic artist, talented rapper, and all-around entertainer.

Then you get to know her and find out she’s a chill, sensitive artist who writes really great songs and has the most soulful voice. If you want to listen to groovy music and rap that holds your attention and tells your story with a distinctive twist, Lee Young Ji is your girl.

Read Also: How Kemmie Ola Built a South Korean Community in the Middle of Lagos

The Niche Artists Worth Adding to Your Playlist

The ones your algorithm probably isn’t showing you yet, but should be. For when you’ve found your footing with the big names, and you’re ready to find your own taste within all of this.

Sunwoo Jung-a: An actual artist in every sense of the word. She’s eclectic, with a voice that could warm up the coldest room, and has songs in such a wide range of genres that I can’t help but be amazed every time. If you love music that sounds different but still feels like home, you should listen to this artist.

Hyukoh: A South Korean indie band by the name of the lead singer. The primary genre here is rock, but the main attraction for me is the vocals. Soulful, husky, gravelly… every song will have you closing your eyes and nodding along in seconds. If you love rock music, they should be on your playlist.

The Best K-Pop Boy Band to Start With

At some point, you’ll need to pick a group. It’s not a question of if. It’s a question of when, and whether you find them yourself or let someone who has already been through it point you in the right direction. Kemmie is pointing.

Seventeen: This is a 13-member boy group and, unarguably, one of the most talented groups in the entire K-pop industry. This group produces its own music, choreographs most of its songs, and has won most of the music awards across South Korea and Asia.

 All this while building another solid fanbase from their original variety show series, Going Seventeen. If it sounds like I’m fangirling, it’s because I am. I have no more words… listen to Seventeen. There’s music from every type of person in this group’s discography. You can listen to the hardest hip-hop and still get the softest ballad from this group. In summary, check them out.

The Best K-Pop Music for the Days You Just Need to Feel Something

Not the upbeat stuff. Not the choreography-heavy bops. The music that sits quietly with you on a long commute or a late night when you want something that understands the mood without making it dramatic.

Candy by Baekyun: Feels like the title reads: sweet, flirty, fun, but still calm

Move by Taemin: Low, sensual, and seductive. Makes you want to sway

I Miss You by Mamamoo: Soulful vocals, strong belting where it matters, perfect song to sing along to when you’re thinking about the one that got away

Good Goodbye by Hwasa: Nostalgic. Makes you feel like you’re missing something even if you don’t know what.

Untitled 2014 by GDragon: Makes you wistful, the  perfect song for late-night regrets and missing lost love

Breathe by Lee Hi: Feels like a warm blanket. Makes you want to breathe deeper, slower, and just pause

Me After You by Paul Kim: This is warmth, love. Every single lyric pulls you into a love story you’ll desire to be a part of by the end of the song.