When a movie or show with a unique plot becomes popular, many production companies from different countries reproduce it in their own style. This is common nowadays.
The same is true in the case of Korean dramas. They are also inspired by some American and British shows. Even Korean movies have been remade by Bollywood and Hollywood. The remakes may be good or bad.
Shows That Are Remake Of Kdramas
While some Korean dramas are inspired by or are based on dramas and TV Series from other countries, there are also a few that have been remade by other countries like China, Thailand, and Japan.
If you are eager to know about these dramas and want to give a try to their remakes, here is the list. Even if you don’t like the remakes, it is okay because they are specially made for the audience in that country.
1. Kill Me, Heal Me
Hangul: 킬미힐미
Year: 2015
The story is about an heir to a business who has severe dissociative identity disorder. He asks a psychiatrist for help to get his life back under control, but she ends up falling in love with one of his personalities. Her brother looks into him and his family.
Main Cast (Characters):
- Ji Sung as Cha Do Hyun
- Hwang Jung Eum as Oh Ri Jin
- Park Seo Joon as Oh Ri On
- Kim Yoo Ri as Han Chae Yun
No. Of Episodes: 20 (65 min. each)
Streaming Options (region-specific):
The drama was remade in China under the name “Seven Of Me” starring Zhang Yi Shan, Elvira Cai, Zhang Xiao Qian, and more.
2. Who Are You: School 2015
Hangul: 후아유: 학교 2015
Year: 2015
Eun Byul has a nice home in Gangnam and goes to a private school there. Meanwhile, her twin sister Eun Bi is living in an orphanage. Then, one day, Eun Byul disappears without a trace. Later, Eun Bi loses her memories and switches identity with Eun Byul.
Main Cast (Characters):
- Kim So Hyun as Lee Eun Bi / Go Eun Byul
- Nam Joo Hyuk as Han Yi An
- Yook Sung Jae as Kong Tae Kwang
- Lee Pil Mo as Kim Joon Seok
No. Of Episodes: 16 (60 min. each)
Streaming Options (region-specific):
The drama was remade in Thailand by the same name and in China by the name “When We Were Young.”
3. Misaeng: Incomplete Life
Hangul: 미생
Year: 2014
Geu Rae has been playing go since he was a kid. He tried to become a professional go player, but failed. He starts working in a company on the recommendation of a friend. He tries his best at his new job and doesn’t let his humanity slip away.
Main Cast (Characters):
- Im Si Wan as Jang Geu Rae
- Lee Sung Min as Oh Sang Shik
- Kang So Ra as Ahn Young Yi
- Kang Ha Neul as Jang Baek Ki
No. Of Episodes: 20 (80 min. each)
Streaming Options (region-specific):
The drama was remade in Japan under the name “Hope – Kitai Zero no Shinnyu Shain” and in China under the name “The Ordinary Glory.”
4. Two Weeks
Hangul: 투윅스
Year: 2013
The story of a man who is wrongly accused of a crime and given only two weeks to prove his innocence and save his daughter’s life. He must find the truth in a corrupt system before it’s too late. The clock is ticking, and danger is around every corner.
Main Cast (Characters):
- Lee Joon Gi as Jang Tae San
- Kim So Yeon as Park Jae Kyung
- Ryu Soo Young as Im Seung Woo
- Park Ha Sun as Seo In Hye
No. Of Episodes – 16 (68 min. each)
Streaming Options (region-specific):
The drama was remade in Japan by the same name, starring Miura Haruma, Yoshine Kyoko, and Higa Manami.
5. Voice
Hangul: 보이스
Year: 2017
After his wife dies, Detective Moo Jin Hyuk works with professional voice profiler Kwon Joo, whose father also died, to solve a different crime while looking for the serial killer who killed their family members.
Main Cast (Characters):
- Jang Hyuk as Moo Jin Hyeok
- Lee Ha Na as Kang Kwon Joo
- Baek Sung Hyun as Shim Dae Shik
- Son Eun Seo as Park Eun Soo
No. Of Episodes: 16 (60 min. each)
Streaming Options (region-specific):
The same drama also went by the name “Voice: 110 Emergency Control Room” in Thailand and Japan.
6. Good Doctor
Even though his friends and patients treat him badly, a young autistic savant with a genius-level memory and spatial skills gets a job as a pediatric surgery resident. He proves himself to be a great doctor who saves lives in the end.
The drama was remade in Japan and Thailand by the same name, and in China by the name “Fantastic Doctors.”
7. Signal
Hangul: 시그널
Year: 2016
Park Hae Yeong watches a girl being taken away 15 years ago. Hae Yeong is now a police cop and a criminal profiler. One day, he finds a walkie-talkie that links him with Detective Lee Jae Han from the past. Together, they solve a string of killings.
Main Cast (Characters):
- Lee Je Hoon as Park Hae Yeong
- Kim Hye Soo as Cha Soo Hyun
- Jo Jin Woong as Lee Jae Han
- Kim Won Hae as Kim Gye Cheol
No. Of Episodes: 16 (75 min. each)
Streaming Options (region-specific):
The drama was remade in Japan by the same name, in China by the name “Unknown Number” and in Thailand by the name “23:23.”
8. Oh My Ghost
Bong Sun works as an assistant chef. Because of her timid personality, she doesn’t have any friends. She can ghost because of her shaman grandmother. One day, she becomes possessed by a seductress ghost & gets noticed by her crush.
The drama was remade in Thailand under the same name, starring Pae Arak Amornsupasiri, Noona Nuengthida Sophon, and Gypsy Keerati Mahapreukpong.
9. Bring It On, Ghost
Hyun Ji studied for most of her life before she died at the age of 19. She is now a ghost and has wandered around the world for several years. She then meets Bong Pal, an exorcist college boy. They both listen to various stories from ghosts and sends them to the otherworld.
The drama was remade in Thailand under the name “Let’s Fight Ghost” starring Saint Suppapong Udomkaewkanjana and Orn Patchanan Jiajirachote.
10. Descendants Of The Sun
Mo Yeon is a pretty woman who works as a cardiothoracic surgeon. Her life is forever changed when she encounters Shi Jin, the captain of the Alpha Team who cares more about protecting anybody in need of help as well as his country.
The drama was remade in the Philippines by the same name, starring Dingdong Dantes, Jennylyn Mercado, and Rocco Nacino.
11. She Was Pretty
Hangul: 그녀는 예뻤다
Year: 2015
When young, the beautiful Hye Jin often rescued shy and unappealing Sung Joon from awkward situations. Years later, the tables have turned and the now handsome and dashing Sung Jun looks to return the favour to his first love.
Main Cast (Characters):
- Hwang Jung Eum as Kim Hye Jin
- Park Seo Joon as Ji Sung Jun
- Go Joon Hee as Min Ha Ri
- Choi Si Won as Kim Shin Hyuk
No. Of Episodes: 16 (60 min. each)
Streaming Options (region-specific):
The drama was remade in China under the name “Pretty Li Hui Zhen” in Thailand under the name “Me Always You” and in Japan under the same name.
12. Autumn Tale
Joon Suh & Eun Suh are siblings. They learn that she was switched with another girl at birth. The Yoon family leaves and Eun Suh is left living in sordid condition with her real family in Korea. Years after, Joon Suh returns to Korea and by chance, they are reunited.
Cast –
- Song Hye Kyo as Yoon Eun Suh
- Song Seung Heon as Yoon Joon Suh
- Moon Geun Young as Yoon Eun Suh [Young]
- Choi Woo Hyeok as Yoon Joon Suh [Young]
No. Of Episodes – 16
Watch On – Free Streaming Sites
The drama was remade in Thailand by the same name, in the Philippines by the name “Endless Love”, and in China by the name “Autumn Fairy Tale.”
Wrapping Up
So these were the TV shows that were remakes of Korean dramas. Some people prefer to watch the original, and some prefer remakes. If you want to watch the remakes, refer to this list of free apps to stream dramas.
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