Hulu's collection has expanded significantly in recent months, particularly with regard to foreign movies and TV shows. While many titles leave monthly, some stay for years, and the arrival of Korean dramas and films has provided Hulu viewers with a new reason to renew their subscriptions every month.
Many people seem to have no access to Korean-language-focused streaming platforms such as Rakuten Viki, and not all Netflix titles are available in all regions. Even while Hulu does not have as extensive a repertoire, it is continuously attempting to bring more South Korean content. Fans of Korean films or television dramas will be pleased to know that Hulu offers a good variety of content.
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (Drama)
The popular rom-com What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim follows the story of Lee Young-joon, vice president of a large corporation. He is knowledgeable, successful, and exceptionally narcissistic. Lee Young-joon relied heavily on his secretary, Kim Mi-so, for nine years, as she is incredibly efficient at her job. However, everything changes when Mi-so decides to resign from her secretary position.
Throughout the series, the viewers witness the development of Young-joon and Mi-soo’s relationship, filled with comedic and heartwarming moments. The chemistry between the lead actors, well-written dialogues, and character growth are some of the key elements that contribute to the Korean drama's popularity and appeal.
Shadow Detective (Drama)
Shadow Detective follows Kim Taek-rok, a seasoned detective preparing for retirement. He receives alarming calls from someone confessing to killing his colleague. As suspicions arise, Squad Chief Kook Jin-han investigates Taek-rok but eventually believes in his innocence. Together with movie-like detectives Lee Sung-a and Son Kyung-chan, they strive to uncover the mysterious caller’s identity.
This gripping South Korean crime thriller boasts a profound script, a dedicated cast, and skilled camerawork, immersing the audience with its intense and three-dimensional storytelling. Shadow Detective takes fans on a thrilling journey, skillfully navigating through suspense and intrigue that led to a successful sequel season.
While You Were Sleeping (Drama)
While You Were Sleeping weaves an intricate tale of fate and the power of dreams. Three young individuals discover they possess the unique ability to foresee future events while they sleep. Nam Hong-joo is a woman with premonitory dreams while Jung Jae-chan is a prosecutor with a strong sense of justice. Their paths collide when they both have a shared dream about a tragic event.
As the plot unfolds, the characters grapple with the moral dilemmas of their extraordinary gifts. They are faced with the challenge of deciding whether they should act on their visions and try to alter the future or not. This drama skillfully combines elements of romance and fantasy. It takes the audience on an emotional journey filled with suspense, heartache, and hope.
Big Mouth (Drama)
MBC TV
Big Mouth is a mystery crime drama with a hint of comedy, featuring Park Chang-ho, a talkative lawyer with a mere 10% winning rate. Mistaken as the genius swindler Big Mouse during a murder case, he faces life-threatening consequences.
His wife Go Mi-ho, a wise and brave nurse who supported his legal career, sets out to clear his name. This series adeptly tackles class politics and incarceration issues, revealing a compelling story with captivating lead actors. With engaging twists and thrilling moments, Big Mouth keeps viewers hooked until the end.
May It Please The Court (Drama)
No Chak-hee, an ambitious attorney at a law firm, faces a setback when a case jeopardizes her promotion in May It Please The Court. She decides to become a public defender instead and starts sharing an office with Jwa Si-baek, a talented but mysterious fellow defender.
While No Chak-hee and Jwa Si-baek don’t get along, they team up to solve a serial murder case involving wealthy elderly victims. The gripping mystery keeps viewers guessing about the killer's true identity. The blend of dark themes, class confrontations, humor, and a touch of romance makes May It Please The Court a top-notch legal series.
Descendants of the Sun (Drama)
Descendants of the Sun is a gateway drama for many romance enthusiasts since it avoids many tropes in the genre. Yet it still delivers a powerful performance from the main leads. While it does have a few sappy sequences, when combined with a patriotic action theme, it offers the golden combination any K-drama fan could wish for.
The drama follows special forces officer Yoo Shi Jin (Song Joong-ki), and surgeon Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo). They meet unexpectedly after an encounter with a gang in the nearest hospital. Unfortunately, due to Shi Jin's untimely army drafts, the couple only had a few brief encounters and were unable to spend much time together. However, time reunited them, suggesting that fate intends for them to be together despite the numerous complications.
I Saw the Devil (Movie)
Fans won't be disappointed with most South Korean thriller films, and director Kim Jee-woon provided one of the grimmest take on the genre. 2010's I Saw the Devil is an incredibly explicit film with depictions of raw violence as it didn't hold back from showing the world through the eyes of a vicious serial killer.
The story highlights the atrocities performed by Jang Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik), a terrifying psychopath who has committed numerous murders of men, women, and children. Authorities have been on the hunt for him for quite some time, but they haven't been able to get any closer to him. However, at some point, he targets the daughter of a retired police chief and kills her in a horrifying manner. Her fiancée, Soo-hyun (Lee Byung-hun), also a secret agent, learns about the killer and vows vengeance, even if it means turning himself into a monster.
Uncontrollably Fond (Drama)
Korean dramas are notable for more than just their cheesy and passionate exchanges; they also feature strong narratives and deeply emotional consequences. Uncontrollably Fond takes a fresh look at the rom-com genre, hooking you in from the first episode and keeping you wondering as you progress through the plot. If melodramas are your thing, you'll fall head over heels for this series.
Shin Joon Young (Kim Woo Bin) and Noh Eul (Bae Suzy) were lovers in their youth, but they had to split up due to unforeseen circumstances. Years passed, and Joon Young rose to prominence as an actor and singer, while No Eul began directing and producing documentaries. When their paths intersect again, they discover that they have both changed dramatically over the years. Is it possible for these two to rekindle their relationship?
Parasite (Movie)
Parasite is a brilliant piece of art that grows on you as you learn more about South Korean societal issues. The film is mostly about class struggle, and it does one hell of a great job of conveying it, with a terrific blend of humor and a noteworthy premise that made it an ambitious masterpiece with four Oscars.
The Kim family, comprised of four members, Chung-soong, Ki-taek, Ki-woo, and Ki-jung, had spent their entire lives living in a shabby apartment in South Korea's lower-working-class commercial district. However, when Ki-woo, the son, accepts a tutoring position at The Parks' luxurious home, he plans to use the situation to his advantage. The Parks eventually hire the entire family without knowing their hidden agenda while replacing the previous servants, and their deception does not end there.
Connect (Drama)
Korean dramas based on webtoons have always been popular with viewers, and Connect is no exception. When you combine that with director Takashi Miike's expertise, you get a gritty and dark Korean drama that you don't see very often. Connect takes a new road down memory lane and develops an exciting plot without pulling its punches.
The story follows Ha Dong-Soo (Jung Haein), who is, like a handful of humans in the show, born with superhuman abilities, as they can heal non-lethal wounds. Unfortunately, he gets abducted by organ traffickers and loses his eye before escaping with his life. However, his eye has been implanted in Oh Jin Seo (Go Kyung Pyo), a serial killer, and Ha Dong-Soo witnesses everything he does. Soon after, he sets out on a mission to catch the killer before he takes any more innocent lives.
The Host (Movie)
The Host is another masterwork by Bong Joon Ho, who would go on to direct Parasite. The film evokes practically every emotion in the viewer, including dread, thrill, grief, and even delight at moments. In fact, the film crams all of these feelings into the first few minutes but then diverges dramatically with a groundbreaking introduction of a creature.
The plot revolves around Gang-du, a clueless man in his 40s whose wife abandoned him years ago and who is now struggling to raise his little daughter. While he is still content with his current life owning a snack shop on the Han River's side, the abrupt appearance of a squid monster alters his life forever. When the monster snatches his daughter and vanishes, Gang-du is compelled to join forces with his unemployed brother and a sister who is on the national archery team. They work together to track down the beast, hoping the young girl will make it through.
Oh My Venus (Drama)
Oh My Venus is a traditional romance K-drama in which the main characters meet due to their life-related circumstances and fall in love after getting to know each other better. It may sound like a norm, but many Korean dramas have similar concepts, but what makes them truly fantastic is how they fill each episode with quality humor and romance, and Oh My Venus fits right in.
The plot centers around Kim Yeong-Ho (Seo Ji Sub), a personal trainer for Hollywood stars who returned to Korea owing to unanticipated circumstances, and Kang Joo Eun (Shin Min Ah), a 33-year-old lawyer who has become an overweight woman who was once the beauty of her school. When she reaches out to Yeong-Ho to help her get back in shape, their story of romance begins to take form.
Pieta (Movie)
Korean films have an exceptional way of attracting audiences and then subverting their expectations, whether through an up-close depiction of societal issues or an unexpected ending, with Pieta falling into the latter category. Pieta is a story of love, loss, revenge, and atonement, and it is apparent in every scene of the film, not just on the surface.
Kang-do is a heartless man with no family whose job is to collect debts for loan sharks who charge ten times the interest on the money they lend. However, his profession requires him to be ruthless, even to the point of causing harm to the debtors, yet he completes the job. One day, a mysterious woman appears at his doorstep, claiming to be his long-lost mother, and despite his denials, she follows him everywhere. This sudden change in Kang-do's life places him in unexpected circumstances, causing him to question his way of life.
The Legend of the Blue Sea (Drama)
Even if Hulu did not bring any Korean dramas to its streaming service, it wouldn't lose any K-drama viewers as long as it streams The Legend of the Blue Sea. It is one of those introductory dramas for newcomers that makes you fall in love with the concept of these shows and binge-watch everything you can find in a short period. The drama is nothing short of a masterpiece with its touching and lighthearted tale, especially with Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji Hyun delivering stellar performances.
Heo Joon Jae is a highly skilled con artist who spends his days tricking wealthy people and avoiding getting caught. However, during one such incident, he is pursued by the victims and meets Shim Chung, who is a mermaid. After escaping with her and realizing that they are destined to be together owing to a link from their past lives, he must learn to live with her while also coping with his own problems.
One Dollar Lawyer (Drama)
We're all familiar with how the law works in Korean dramas, and One Dollar Lawyer takes it a step further by carrying out a satisfying premise to keep viewers engaged. It is well-balanced with comical and intense situations, and the cast was simply outstanding in their performances, and you can't imagine someone other than Namkoong Min playing the leading role, Ji Hun.
The plot revolves around Cheon Ji Hun, an exceptional attorney who is upright and only accepts 1000 won as payment for every one of his cases. He argues in court with expensive lawyers and their wealthy clients, making them look foolish with his unconventional approach to law. Meanwhile, Baek Ma Ri (Kim Ji Eun), a recent graduate of a prestigious training institute, aspires to be a successful lawyer like her grandfather, but her life is turned upside down when she meets Ji Hun.