Over time, ‘Death’s Game’ became the talk of not just the Korean entertainment industry, but of the world. The show garnered immense praise and it’s difficult to keep calm to await Part 2. The show premiered on December 15 on Amazon Prime Video and deals with the theme of death and reincarnation. Apart from its unique storyline, it is the cast of the show that plays a major role in swaying the audiences.
The cast includes Seo In-guk, Park So-dam, Go Youn-jung, Kim Ji-hoon, Yoo In-soo, Kim Mi-kyung and Nam Kyung-eup. Special appearances from Lee Do-hyun, Sung Hoon, Jang Seung-jo, Lee Jae-wook, Kim Jae-wook, Siwon, Kim Kang-hoon, Oh Jung-se, Kim Sung-cheol and Ryeoun, was like a cherry on top.
Like ‘Death’s Game,’ there are many other K-dramas on OTT platforms that boast popular Hallyu ensemble; here’s a list of 5 of them.
‘Reply 1988’
Cast: Lee Hye-ri, Ryu Jun-yeol, Go Kyung-pyo, Park Bo-gum, Lee Dong-hwi
Streaming Platform: Netflix
While this cult-classic show was a break for the then-budding actors like Hye-ri, Jun-yeol and Bo-gum, it also features veteran actors like Song Dong-il and Lee Il-hwa. The award-winning series also stars Go Kyung-pyo, Lee Dong-hwi, Ryu Hye-young, Choi Sung-won, Kim Sung-kyun, Ra Mi-ran, Ahn Jae-hong, Kim Sun-young, Kim Seol, Choi Moo-sung and Yoo Jae-myung.
The narrative is based in 1988, where Duk-sun, Jung-hwan, Sun-woo and Dong-ryong are in high school and Taek is a go player. These five are tight-knit buddies and have been this way since they were children. The wholesome and hilarious show is a heartfelt neighbourhood story of these five friends, who are always hanging out with each other.
‘SKY Castle’
Cast: Yum Jung-ah, Lee Tae-ran, Yoon Se-ah, Oh Na-ra, Kim Seo-hyung
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
One of the highest-rated K-dramas ever, the multiple award-winning series also stars Jung Joon-ho, Choi Won-young, Kim Byung-chul, Jo Jae-yoon, Kim Hye-yoon, Kim Bo-ra, Chani, Park Yoo-na, Kim Dong-hee, Jo Byeong-kyu, Lee Ji-won, Yoo Jin-woo, Lee Hyun-jin, Jo Mi-nyeo, Jung Ae-ri and Kim Joo-ryoung.
This satirical drama revolves around the money-driven ambitions of upper-class parents, highlighting their relentless pursuit of family success, more often than not at the expense of others' lives. After a tragic event that occurs within the apartment complex where the story takes place, the destinies of these families intertwines, unveiling many new revelations.
‘Hospital Playlist’
Cast: Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, Jeon Mi-do
Streaming Platform: Netflix
The medical drama, which has a brilliant two seasons, also sees a cast of Shin Hyun-been, Jung Moon-sung, Ahn Eun-jin, Kwak Sun-young, Kim-joon, Kim Hae-sook, Kim Kap-soo, Moon Hee-kyung, Sung Dong-il, Kim Jun-han, Moon Tae-yu, Ha Yoon-kyung, Cho Yi-hyun, Bae Hyung-sung, Cho Seung-yeon, Park Ji-yeon and Lee Soo-mi.
The musical, relatable series takes us along the journey of five doctors: Ik-jun, Jeong-won, Jun-wan, Seok-hyeong, and Song-hwa. They all became close friends in medical school and are now working in the same hospital. While the show reflects on the realistic happenings inside a hospital, it also focuses on friendship, families, and the ups and downs of life.
‘Moving’
Cast: Ryu Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo, Zo In-sung, Cha Tae-hyun, Ryoo Seung-bum, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Jung-ha, Go Youn-jung, Kim Do-hoon
Streaming Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Regarded as of the best K-dramas released in 2023, the show boasts a talented cast playing superheroes. Giving them more power are Kim Hee-won, Yu Seung-mok, Shin Jae-hwi, Shim Dal-gi, Kim Jong-soo, Jeon Seok-ho, Park Han-sol, Moon Sung-keun, Kim Shin-rok, and Kim Gook-hee.
The story revolves around three children, Bong-seok, Hui-soo and Lee Gang-hoon, who look ordinary but have the ability to fly, have excellent athletic and healing power and unimaginable power and speed, respectively. Together, they get through dangers beyond their understanding. As they try to hide their superpowers from the world, their parents, who have hidden secrets, strive to shield them from being exploited.
‘Squid Game’
Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Ho-yeon
Streaming Platform: Netflix
The credit for the global recognition of the show has to be given to its cast. Along with the lead stars, the Golden Globe and Emmy-winning series also stars O Yeong-su, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi, Kim Joo-ryoung, Lee Yoo-mi, Lee Ji-ha, Lee Byung-hun and Gong Yoo.
The captivating series is about a contest where 456 money-desperate people are taken to an isolated island to play twisted, horrific versions of children’s games, each culminating in death, but a chance to win a ₩45.6 billion prize. They are made to wear green-coloured tracksuits and are kept under supervision all the time, and are locked up until there there’s only one player left.
If you haven’t watched these, then you’re missing out on some really binge-worthy shows.
