It’s officially June! I can’t begin to describe how I’ve been longing for this month to come. I think my desire for warm weather started about the same time that I came back from my honeymoon in Thailand and got a full taste of Korean winter – it’s cold yo! In Korea, June also signals the beginning of the end of the first semester of school. As a student that means a load of final research papers to write – and thus, a lot of work. Not looking forward to that part (though I’ve started, which is more than I can say for my undergrad). Lesson that I had to learn in my adult life – don’t procrastinate until the last minute. Start early so that you can procrastinate all along and intermingle your homework writing time with drama watching time! Yup, that sounds about right.

I’ve been watching and reviewing a lot of recent Korean dramas for TOAD – because they’re popular. But in my personal drama watching time lately I’ve been really into the Rich Guy/Poor Girl Cinderella concept. It’s quite the great escape from monotonous homework and frankly, sometimes the older dramas are better than the newer ones because they’re not trying so hard. Here’s 20 great Korean dramas that will make you want to leave behind your glass slipper.

20. Cheongdamdong Alice 청담동 앨리스 (2012)
Park Shi Hoo, Moon Geun Young, Han Jin Hee, Kim Seung Soo

19. Dong Yi 동이 (2010)
Han Hyo Joo, Jin Hee Ji, Bae Soo Bin, Lee So Yeon

18. Lover’s in Paris 파리의 연인 (2004)
Park Shin Yang, Kim Jung Eun, Lee Dong Gun

17. Flower Boy Next Door 이웃집 꽃미남 (2013)
Park Shin Hye, Yoon Shi Yoon

16. Mary Stayed Out All Night 매리는 외박중 (2010)
Jang Geun Suk, Moon Geun Young, Kim Jae Wook

15. Boys Over Flowers 꽃보다 남자 (2009)
Gu Hye Sun, Lee Min Ho, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum

14. Rooftop Prince 옥탑방 왕세자 (2012)
Park Yuchun, Han Ji Min, Jeong Yu Mi, Lee Tae Sung

13. My Name is Kim Sam Soon 내 이름은 김삼순 (2005)
Hyun Bin, Kim Sun Ah, Daniel Henney, Jeong Ryeo Won

12. Oh! My Lady 오! 마이 레이디 (2010)
Chae Rim, Choi Si Won

11. My Princess 마이 프린세스 (2011)
Kim Tae Hee, Song Seung Heon, Park Ye Jin

10. Lee Soon Shin is the Best 최고다 이순신 (2013)
I U, Jo Jung Suk, Yoo In Na, Son Tae Young

9. My Girl 마이걸 (2005)
Lee Dong Wook, Lee Da Hae, Lee Joon Ki, Park Si Yeon

8. Flower Boy Ramyun Shop 꽃미남 라면가게 (2011)
Jung Il Woo, Lee Chung Ah, Lee Ki Woo

7. Lie to Me 내게 거짓말을 해봐 (2011)
Yoon Eun Hye, Kang Ji Hwan, Sung Joon, Hong Soo Hyun

6. First Shop of Coffee Prince 커피프린스 1호점 (2007)
Yoon Eun Hye, Gong Yoo, Lee Sun Kyun, Chae Jung An

5. When a Man’s in Love 남자가 사랑할 때 (2013)
Song Seung Heon, Shin Se Kyung, Chae Jung An, Yeon Woo Jin

4. Full House 풀하우스 (2004)
Song Hye Kyo, Rain, Han Eun Jeong, Jang Yong

3. Secret Garden 시크릿 가든 (2010)
Ha Ji Won, Hyun Bin, Yoon Sang Hyun, Kim Sa Rang

2. Shining Inheritance 찬란한 유산 (2009)
Han Hyo Joo, Bae Soo Bin, Moon Chae Won, Jung Suk Won

1. Goong 궁 (2006)
Yoon Eun Hye, Ju Ji Hoon, Kim Jeong Hoon, Ji Hyo Song

So those are my personal top 20. That’s not to say that there aren’t other dramas that could be included in here – and heck I’m half tempted to make a rich girl poor guy list – because I love it when dramas flip things on their heads. Any suggestions for that list? But if you’re looking for a drama to check out – here’s a few good ones that might be worth your time. Ugh back to paper writing! >.<

Happy Drama Watching!!