Most K-drama addicts fall for the handsome-looking male leads of our favorite Korean dramas, especially if they play the character of a powerful and rich CEO, sporting dark-colored branded suits, or a flirty and spoilt university student who changes after falling in love with the female lead. However, there’s something about the neat and fierce military look of the male leads that make us admire them so much. Doing action-packed scenes in their attention-grabbing military uniforms, fighting with the terrorists or corrupt officers with guns and grenades, army men appeal to us in a whole different way! Although there is only a handful of military K-dramas produced by South Korea, they are worth our time.
Here are our top six picks on the best military K-dramas that showcase the brutal and gruesome side of wars and reveal the struggles involved in keeping the common men safe and sound.
6. The King2Heart (2012)
Director: Jeong Dae Yun, Lee Jae Gyoo Screenwriter: Hong Jin Ah Cast: Lee Seung Gi, Ha Ji Won, Jo Jung Suk, Yoon Je Moon, Lee Yoon Ji, Choi Kwon Total Number of Episodes: 20 Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki
King2Heart is one of the most touching military K-dramas you can ever watch that’s theme ranges from political action-thriller to a star-crossed romance between two polar apart individuals and an intense revenge thriller. It follows the story of Kim Hang Ah, an exceptional female instructor under North Korea’s exclusive special forces unit, who is unbeatable when it comes to training tactics, stamina, and strength. However, with no dating experience, her pure heart wants to fall in love and marry the man of her dreams.
The King2Heart
On the other hand, Lee Jae Ha is the crowned prince of South Korea who looks perfect on the outside with his royal and handsome image. However, in reality, he is a spoilt and materialistic person who is blunt about his own feelings. Amidst the negotiations to end the rivalry between the two countries, the royal family ends up arranging the betrothal of Jae Ha and Kim Hang Ah. However, the differences between the two of them make it hard for them to accept each other.
5. Search (2020)
Screenwriter: Goo Mo, Go Myung Joo Director: Im Dae Woong Cast: Jang Dong Yoon, Krystal Jung, Yoon Park, Lee Hyun Wook, Moon Jung Hee, Choi Yoon Je Total Number of Episodes: 10 Where to Watch: Viki
A military thriller K-drama, ‘Search’ has been set in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, revolving around a specialized search party formed for the discovery of the truth behind unsolved murder and strange disappearance cases. The group enlists a conscript sergeant Yong Dong Jin and his keen-nosed sniffer dogs along with the promising soldier Son Ye Rim who has been trained in the U.S.
Search
However, when the search for the cause begins, they realize that whatever they are looking for might not be a human. The mystery, suspense, and thrilling parts of the drama flavored with a little romance are what makes it an interesting watch.
4. D.P. (2021)
Director: Han Jun Hee Screenwriter: Han Jun Hee, Kim Bo Tong Cast: Jung Hae In, Kim Sung Kyun, Koo Kyo Hwan, Son Seok Koo, Hong Kyung, Jo Hyun Chul Total Number of Episodes: 6 Where to Watch: Netflix
‘D.P.’ is one of the main reasons why the Korean entertainment industry should never stop making military K-dramas! It’s indeed a masterpiece wrapped up within just six episodes! It is a series adaptation of the webtoon, ‘D.P Dog Day’ by Kim Bo Tong, that centers on a private soldier named Jun Ho, a confused man currently enlisted for his mandatory military service of the country. However, when he is unexpectedly appointed as one of the members of the team of military defectors arresting, his life gets a purpose.
D.P.
He has to capture deserters and is asked to get a hold of more serious cases like finding the reason behind the sudden disappearance of some soldiers without notice. The show tackles a number of important and heavy issues like bullying, suicide, domestic violence, and poverty that might bring out a frenzy of emotions in you. Season two of this drama has already received the green signal, so what are you waiting for!
3. Mr. Sunshine (2018)
Director: Lee Eung Bok Screenwriter: Kim Eun Sook Cast: Kim Tae Ri, Lee Byung Hun, Kim Min Jung, Byun Yo Han, Yoo Yeon Seok, Kim Gab Soo Total Number of Episodes: 24 Where to Stream: Netflix
A historical military drama, ‘Mr. Sunshine’ follows the story of a South Korean young boy named Eugene Choi, who flees to the U.S. after ditching his life as a member of the slaves’ family during the 1871 U.S. expedition. He comes back years later as a marine officer right when the country goes through a historical turning point. Unexpectedly, he ends up falling in love with a maiden named Go Ae-shin, who is the granddaughter of an aristocrat, the one who belongs to the righteous army.
Mr. Sunshine
However, Ae-shin’s marriage is already fixed by her family to a nobleman Kim Hui-seong. With the class difference prevalent between Eugene and Ae-shin, as well as her childhood betrothal, what could have been a very beautiful relationship turns into a complex love scenario. Meanwhile, Eugene discovers the schemes of the Japanese forces plotted to colonize Korea. Not only does ‘Mr. Sunshine’ has a talented and stunning actor lineup but also an engaging plotline, mesmerizing cinematography, multi-dimensional characters as well as comedy.
2. Crash Landing on You (2019)
Director: Lee Jeong Hyo Screenwriter: Park Ji Eun Cast: Hyun Bin, Lee Shin Young, Son Ye Jin, Seo Ji Hye, Kim Jung Hyun, Yang Kyung Won Where to Stream: Netflix Total Number of Episodes: 16
Featuring one of the most popular on-screen couples as main leads turned into a real thing, ‘Crash Landing on You’ is a rollercoaster ride that stretches from one end of South Korea to the other end of North Korea! It revolves around a successful and ambitious woman named Yoon Seri, who is not only a self-made businesswoman of a popular fashion brand but also the heiress of a large corporation. However, a paragliding accident leads her to an unexpected situation— falling straight from the sky into the premises of North Korea.
Crash Landing on You
Luckily, she comes across the North Korean military officer, Ri Jung Hyuk, who ends up giving her security during her time in North Korea. Moreover, he and his team of junior officers join the mission to help her go back to her home country in one piece. However, ending up in North Korea is not something that can be taken care of lightly, especially when a corrupt police officer has been tailing Ri Jung Hyuk! The series is getting an American remake, so it would be exciting to see how they pull off the concept of North Korean and South Korean rivalry!
1. Descendants of the Sun (2016)
Screenwriter: Kim Eun Sook, Kim Won Seok Director: Lee Eung Bok, Baek Sang Hoon Cast: Song Hye Kyo, Song Joong Ki, Jin Goo, Seo Jung Yeon, Lee Seung Jun, Kim Ji Won Total Number of Episodes: 16 Where to Stream: Viki, Netflix, We TV
You might already have seen it coming, didn’t you? If you are an avid K-drama fan, there is very little chance for you not to have watched the legendary ‘Descendants of the Sun’. Even if you aren’t a fan of military K-dramas, DOTS will be an amazing watch for you, considering it involves the theme of healthy romance, comedy, a strong bond of friendship, and action combined in one. The story revolves around a surgeon named Kang Mo Yeon, in her mid-thirties, who is both hard-working and talented but hasn’t been able to receive the recognition she deserves because of the hospital’s favoritism to an unskilled surgeon. She spends most of her time in the hospital and has no time to date.
Descendants of the Sun
However, her life takes a different turn when she comes across the charming special forces officer and the leader of the Alpha Team, Captain Yi Shi Jin. Despite his playful personality, he has a great sense of responsibility for his country and teammates, which makes him gain admiration from his superiors. The romance between the leads develops pretty slowly. However, the journey to it is indeed inspiring and powerful. That’s the beauty of DOTS— one of the best military K-dramas you can watch out there!
Big Mom is one of the most trending characters in One Piece, and her contribution to the anime increased massively during the Whole Cake Island arc as we look into some of her quotes. She is extremely powerful and currently holds the number one rank among the emperors of the sea. She ate the soru-soru no mi, which enhanced her abilities massively. She is above all the villains that have been introduced before the Whole Cake Island arc. Big Mom also has her significant presence in the Wano arc, and she currently teamed up with Kaidou to assist in his project New Onigashima.
One Piece is a Japanese manga-based anime written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The story is based on Pirates who dedicate their lives in search of the legendary treasure One Piece, which lies somewhere at the end of the sea. The treasure and its whereabouts are still unknown, and we got very few hints of that treasure in the Wano Kuni arc. The major protagonist of the series, Luffy, ate Gomu Gomu no Mi accidentally, which gave him the rubber-like ability. He is the captain of a pirate crew called Straw Hats and is currently challenging Kaidou in his own Territory, Wano. The series has over 1000+ chapters and episodes with a weekly releasing schedule.
Here are the best quotes from Big Mom from One Piece:
1. Mamma-Mamma
Yes, this is the most used phrase of Big Mom, and she usually uses this phrase whenever she comes up with a selfish plan or just before causing destruction. Big Mom is the one who doesn’t believe in Talk no Jutsu. She indeed believes in her action and focuses more on causing chaos. Mamma-Mamma phrase is enough to fear any well-known pirate. It is highly advisable to stay away from her as far as you can.
Big Mom
2. I Want Cake!!!
The wedding cake is the center of the Whole Cake Island arc. Directly or indirectly, the events met on the wedding cake, and this cake is the reason for the reveal of a very good mystery of Lady Caramel. She causes extreme chaos in her own territory for just a wedding cake and summons skilled guards from her huge Pirate crew. One of the guards, Katakuri gave a tough challenge to Luffy, and he was the secondary antagonist of the whole cake Island Arc.
Charlotte Linlin
3. Zeus-Come Here!!!
In the Wano arc, Nami provokes Zeus successfully by giving him good food. Zeus betrayed Big Mom and went to Nami. Even Nami accepted her by knowing that he could be useful in tough combats. Still, the fear of Big Mom haunts Zeus. As soon as the Big Mom got the hint of the betrayal of Zeus, she began searching for him and even threatened Zeus. This scene is one of the most entertaining scenes in One Piece’s Wano arc.
One Piece
4. Mugiwaraa no Luffyyyy!!!
Luffy challenged Big Mom many times in the series, and he is the main reason for the destruction of Lady Caramel’s photo frame. Luffy is Big Mom’s biggest enemy currently. Luffy pissed off Big Mom to the greater extent. We can hear Mugiwaraa no Luffyyy from her mouth many times throughout the series. So this is one of the best quotes from Big Mom.
Big Mom
5. No Candies? Destroy That Fishman Island
Fishman Island used to be in the protection of Whitebeard, but after his death in the Paramount war, the Island was captured by Big Mom pirates. The candy contract helps Fishman Island to regain the protection of the Emperor; however, when the supply of the candy stops, Big Mom sends her Pirates to destroy the Island. Thanks to Luffy, the Island was able to survive. Luffy even challenged Big Mom on a transponder snail.
Big Mom
6. You Can’t Defeat Me! I Am Big Mom
In a recent One Piece chapter, Big Mom clashed with the Law and Kid, and it seems that Law and Kid finally cornered him with their collective powers. Law used his most powerful power to burst on her, but Big Mom withstood that attack by quoting the above phrase. As the Big Mom is one of the emperors of the sea, defeating her or even injuring her is not a cup of tea for everyone.
Big Mom
This phrase is taken from a manga chapter and yet to be animated. Big Mom is still a mysterious character, and much about her whereabouts are still unknown.
“One Piece” is a beloved Japanese manga and anime series that chronicles the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew. Luffy, imbued with rubber powers from a mystical fruit Hito Hito no Mi, aspires to become the Pirate King. To achieve this, he seeks the ultimate treasure, the “One Piece,” hidden at the Grand Line’s end. Along the journey, Luffy gathers a diverse crew, confronts formidable foes, and uncovers world-altering secrets, all while promoting themes of friendship, freedom, and adventure.
