Korean Dramaland 2014: The Year of OTP reunions

In dramaland 2013, paranormal elements and supernatural entities were the ‘it’ thing in the small screen. This year’s ‘it’ thing is definitely something different because only this year had a surprising number of OTP(One True Pair) reunions. 5 reunions to be exact and we’re only in the first half of 2014.

The OTPs reuniting this year for Korean Dramaland:

Lee Da Hae - Lee Dong Wook (My Girl OTP) 

The Korean rom-com 'My Girl' first aired on 2005 and it went on to become a ratings hit for SBS. It has spawned 3 remakes, one of which is a Philippine remake with the same title, top billed by the popular loveteam Kimerald. The korean series was so popular at that time, it launched its leads Lee Da Hae and Lee Dong Wook into the so-called 'Hallyu' wave.

Aside from being a ratings hit, My Girl is also a very popular go-to recommendation for new Korean drama watchers. So, it didn't come as a shock when news of the 2 leads reuniting for a drama was met with popular response, not only for Korean fans but for international fans as well. We could very much give this couple the credit for starting the trend of OTP reunions for 2014.

Lee Dong Wook & Lee Da Hae in 'Hotel King'

Lee Da Hae and Lee Dong Wook reunited in weekend drama 'Hotel King' which is still currently airing every Saturday and Sundays on MBC. As for the ratings, Hotel King has steadily been in a single digit range and currently second place in its time slot.

Nam Sang Mi - Lee Jun Ki (Time between Dog and Wolf OTP)

Lee Jun Ki and Nam Sang Mi starred together in MBC's uniquely titled romance-action drama 'Time Between Dog and Wolf' and 7 years later they're reuniting for KBS's not-so uniquely titled romance-action drama 'Joseon Gunman'.

Out of all the dramas on this list, Joseon Gunman is the one I'm looking forward to the most. Not only is it an action/romance drama, it's also helmed by the PD who directed 'Princess Man', also an action/romance drama that had amazing visuals, stunning cinematography, invigorating soundtracks and an OTP(Moon Chae Won & Park Shi Hoo) who could rival any OTP.

Lee Jun Ki & Nam Sang Mi in Joseon Gunman

Joseon Gunman is set in the 19th century about a man named Park Yoon Kang(Lee Jun Ki), the son of the best swordsman in the country. When his father and younger sister gets killed, he trades sword for gun and embarks on his revenge mission. Joseon Gunman premieres on June 25.

Jang Nara - Jang Hyuk (Successful Story of a Bright Girl OTP)

Currently the oldest OTP reunion of 2014: 12 years after starring together in SBS's hit romcom Successful Story of A Bright Girl, Jang Nara & Jang Hyuk are reuniting for MBC's Fated To Love You, a remake of a 2008 Taiwanese drama with the same title.

This drama is not only highly anticipated because of their drama reunion but also because it marks the return of Jang Hyuk into rom-com territory after establishing himself as a lead action star in various action pieces i.e. The Slave Hunters, Tree With Deep Roots and Iris 2.

Jang Hyuk & Jang Nara in 'Fated To Love You'

Fated To Love You is about a chaebol heir(Jang Hyuk) and an ordinary girl(Jang Nara) forced to marry each other after their one-night stand results in an unexpected pregnancy. Fated To Love You is set to premiere on July 9. 

Choi Ji Woo - Kwon Sang Woo (Stairway to Heaven OTP)

The latest OTP to reunite for the small screen: Choi Ji Woo & Kwon Sang Woo, and currently the 2nd oldest OTP reunion of 2014 who barely edged out Jang Nara & Jang Hyuk. After 11 years since they starred together on SBS's highly rated melodrama 'Stairway to Heaven' they're reuniting for another SBS's melodrama 'Temptation'.

Frankly, I'm not looking forward to this drama at all. Melodramas are just not my cup of tea and I'm not a fan of both actors. Based from the premise, the story sounds a lot like Kwon Sang Woo's previous SBS's melodrama 'Queen of Ambition' which is best described as a ridiculous watching experience.

Temptation is about the story of a married man(Kwon Sang Woo) who is stretched to his limit in debt and receives "an offer he can't refuse" from a wealthy woman(Choi Ji Woo) who pays off his debt in exchange for his body. It's set to premiere on July 14.

Jung Yumi - Eric Mun (Que Sera Sera OTP)

Jung Yumi & Eric Mun are reuniting for KBS's summer rom-com 'Discovery of Romance'. They previously starred together on MBC's 2007 drama 'Que Sera, Sera' a series described as compelling and intense but also very violent and twisted. Well, then it's a good thing that they're reuniting for a romcom, with less angst and more romance.

Discovery of Romance is about an ex-boyfriend's(Eric Mun) reappearance in the heroine's(Jung Yumi) life, which forces her to reevaluate her romantic history and go searching for true love. The series is set to premiere sometime in August.