Korean dramas, aka K-dramas, are taking the world by storm. If you're unfamiliar with them, K-dramas are television series in Korean language, made in South Korea. Stories range from mythical creatures living together under one roof to the tale of a night courier searching for the truth. They're charming and riveting—spend one evening watching K-dramas, and you'll soon be hooked. With streaming services investing more and more in content from talented South Korean creators, the years to come are sure to bring more quality K-dramas. In the meanwhile, if you're looking for stories that feature the same culture, heart, intrigue, and excellent writing as your favorite programs, these listens are sure to please.
A National Book Award finalist, Pachinko is, without a doubt, a modern classic. This epic novel unravels a magnificent tale of four generations of a poor Korean immigrant family in 20th-century Japan. It's also a universally relatable story with powerful k-drama elements. Min Jin Lee's stunning narrative, which delves into topics including colonization, war, love, and sacrifice, is made all the more engrossing by the immersive performance of Allison Hiroto.
Daniel K. Isaac's performance in Love in the Big City elevates this already heartwarming story into something truly outstanding, adding glimmers of humor, charm, and depth. This unforgettable story follows Young, a lonely queer man who happens to be the sole caretaker for his ailing mother. As he comes of age amidst such difficulties, he encounters all the ups and downs of life while also experiencing the magnificent joy that existence holds in spite of it all.
If what you're looking for is an audiobook about young love with all the glamour and excitement of the K-pop scene, XOXO has you covered This charming, dreamy contemporary romance, narrated to perfection by Greta Jung, brings a light-hearted love story between a classically trained cellist and a K-pop idol to vivid life. Transporting listeners from Los Angeles to the streets of Seoul, XOXO is the kind of irresistible story that you won't be able to pause.
In Frankly in Love, David Yoon crafts the sweet story of Frank, a Korean American teenager straddling the culture line and discovering all the pitfalls of young love. When he fears his parents won’t approve of who he’s actually dating because she's white, Frank asks his family friend, Joy Song, to pretend to be his girlfriend. But his plan to appease his family becomes complicated. Accompanied by Raymond J. Lee's beautiful performance, Yoon's writing pops and shines, creating a listen that's fresh, powerful, and so very entertaining.
A story about finding yourself, Heart and Seoul is sure to appeal to fans of K-drama who yearn for stories of connection and family. Alongside the incredible performance of Greta Jung, whose narration transports us all the way to South Korea, this listen tells a tale familiar to many, following a Korean adoptee, 25-year-old Hara Wilson, who has grown up feeling like an outsider in her white family. When her father dies, Hara decides to travel to Korea to search for her birth mother, and instead, finds a forbidden romance that could crumble everything she longs for.
K-dramas are known for featuring entertaining stories that center intriguing plots, fascinating personalities, and wholesome romance. You’ll find all that and more in Susan Lee's Seoulmates. Hannah Cho finds herself in the middle of a problem. Her ex-boyfriend wants her back, and her former best friend—who might just become something more—has returned home, leaving Hannah with an impossible choice. The delightful performances of Hannah Choi and Raymond J. Lee are an added bonus to this made for K-drama romance, a story of growing up and growing into yourself.
This audiobook is perfect for K-drama fans who like their shows with a touch of the scandalous. The Noh Family quickly captivates you with a story about a girl who finds out she has an extended family from her father's side, but then it hooks you with the big reveal as she realizes that they were kept a secret for good reason. Hannah Choi returns with another incredible performance that highlights all the best aspects of Shim's YA novel—drama, secrets, mystery, spectacle, and a plethora of characters worthy of love and hate in equal measure.
Of course, we can’t forget that when it comes to K-drama, contemporary settings are certainly not the rule. There's a huge catalog of historical K-dramas out there, and if you're a fan, The Red Palace by June Hur is a tale that will remind you of all your favorites. Michelle H. Lee's gentle narration keeps listeners engrossed in this 1758-set story, which follows a young woman who gets involved in a murder investigation after her closest friend and mentor ends up being the prime suspect.
If you're in the mood for a steamier romance, Temporary Wife Temptation offers a story about two glamorous people who agree to enter into a marriage of convenience. But when sparks fly and things heat up, their undeniable chemistry may lead to more than they bargained for. Through the voices of Kurt Sanchez Kanazawa and Juliet Ann Maura, the mounting tension between Garrett and Natalie reaches a fever pitch, tracing the story of a young man taking a fake wife to pacify his meddling grandmother all the way to its unexpected climax.
This list wouldn't be complete without a nod to another major K-drama subgenre: urban fantasy. She might look like an ordinary, if exceptionally beautiful, teenager, but Gu Miyoung has a dangerous secret—she's a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox. And she must devour the energy of men to survive. Wicked Fox is an inventive, vibrant story and mesmerizing, fast-paced listen. Acclaimed narrator Emily Woo Zeller's performance could not be a better match for Kat Cho's brilliant writing.
