Web-series seem to be on the rise on the Korean small screen, and this summer alone boast many outstanding dramas.
Alongside TV series, Korean web-series, which are broadcasted on platforms like Netflix, TVING, Coupang Play, etc have also been gaining massive popularity, establishing a position for themselves in the audience’s heart. Below are 3 of the most noticeable web K-dramas of the 2022 summer
Yumi’s Cells 2
The 1st season of “Yumi’s Cells” was released back in 2021 on tvN, and was so popular the original webtoon received a huge boost in readership. Now that the series has moved on to season 2, the female lead Yumi (played by Kim Go Eun) is embarking on a new relationship with her colleague Yoo Babi (played by GOT7 Jinyoung). However, compared to the 1st season, “Yumi’s Cells” season 2 is only available on the web streaming platform TVING, leading to less discussion surrounding the series, albeit everyone that has watched it, seems to have greatly enjoyed it.
In particular, the 2nd season is still as cute as ever with the combination of animation and cinematography, with “cells” representing Yumi’s emotions. The chemistry between Kim Go Eun and Jinyoung was also off-the-charts, making them a great couple.
It can be said that “Yumi’s Cell 2” did not at all disappoint after the success of the 1st season, and still manages to bring a gust of fresh air even though it’s a sequel. The only regrettable thing would be that it is broadcasted exclusively online, leading to a lower popularity that it deserves.
Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area
Adapted from the famous Spanish series “Money Heist” and boasted a star-studded cast with famous names like Jeon Jong Seo, Park Hae Soo, Yoo Ji Tae, Lee Hyun Woo, and more, yet “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area”, received more criticisms than praises.
After watching the first 6 episodes, many netizens complained that the plot of “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area” is the same, yet somehow less interesting than the original, while most characters fell flat and lacked depth compared to their Spanish counterparts. According to viewers, there were a lot of details completely brushed over, and the soundtrack was mostly disappointing.
Of course, some did praise the Korean adaptation for its clever integration of the Korean politics into the “Money Heist” verse, so for those who haven’t watched the original, “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area” would be a fun ride. They also mentioned that the 2 part of the series will have events kicked up more, and explore each character more deeply.
Anna
“Anna”, which follows a girl named Yoo Mi who assumed another’s identity and led a life based on lies, can be considered a breakthrough role for idol-actress Suzy. Despite airing exclusively on Coupang Play and boasting a not-so-popular cast, except for Suzy, the story, acting, and brilliant pacing of “Anna” drew in audiences, leading to strong discussions surrounding this series.
Suzy’s character Yoo Mi is neither a no righteous hero nor cunning villain – instead, she’s just a normal woman who craves power and luxuries, and uses lies to achieve her desires. Yoo Mi, or later Anna, is a completely different role from what Suzy has been used to, and the actress has truly dedicated her all to this character, making for a complex and convincing portrayal that viewers can’t help but praise Suzy for.
Most netizens seem to regard that Suzy’s acting has gone through a drastic transformation, as the idol-actress, who was once considered stiff and plain, can now embody an impressive range of emotions. In addition, the series is fast-paced, intense, and extremely gripping, making the audience unable to take their eyes off the screen. It is not an exaggeration to say that “Anna” might be Suzy’s most impressive acting performance as of date.
“Yumi’s Cell 2”, “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area”, and “Anna” are three completely different series, airing on 3 different platforms, which receive vastly different reactions. However, “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area” is under the harshest criticisms out of the three, and would need to make up a lot in their 2nd cour. Meanwhile, “Anna” is a great success for Coupang Play.
