The K-drama industry as a whole places a strong emphasis on visuals; however, not every production successfully achieves this. While vibrant colors and high saturation can make a drama look lively, some productions choose a more nuanced approach, ensuring that the story on the page and the story on the screen align more coherently. For those who appreciate great cinematography, here are five K-dramas with exceptional visuals to analyze.
“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay”
“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” is a story about healing the invisible wounds that have silently burdened you throughout your life, allowing you to finally break free from the trauma.
This K-drama primarily follows three characters: Moon Gang Tae (Kim Soo Hyun), a kind-hearted and empathetic caretaker at OK Psychiatric Hospital who struggles to form deeper relationships; his brother, Moon Sang Tae (Oh Jung Se), who was born with autism and faces daily challenges due to societal prejudices against neurodivergence; and lastly, Go Moon Young (Seo Yea Ji), an antisocial woman who is also one of the nation’s most popular children’s book authors.
The story begins when Moon Young and Gang Tae cross paths, and the former becomes obsessed with the latter. Upon discovering their past connection, Moon Young starts following Gang Tae, leading the trio to spend significant time together and heal each other’s decades-old wounds.
One thing “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” excels at is its transitions between scenes, where scene A gradually merges with scene B until scene A is entirely gone, leaving only scene B on the screen. Even if you overlook the cinematographic elements, this drama’s elegant visuals — such as the inclusion slow-motion animation, the artwork for the children’s books, the set design, and Moon Young’s outfits — are a compelling reason to turn on “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.” Another aspect that makes this drama iconic is its atmosphere, which is both empty and eerie yet strangely comforting at times.
“A Killer Paradox”
The 2024 hit K-drama, “A Killer Paradox,” tells the story of Lee Tang (Choi Woo Shik), who has recently returned from his mandatory military service. Though Lee Tang currently works at a convenience store and lives with his family, his dream is to move to Canada and build a better life for himself. One day, after clocking off work, he gets into an argument with a stranger on the street and accidentally kills him. Initially, Lee Tang panics and runs away, but, guilt-ridden, he decides to confess his crime. However, upon realizing that the victim was a serial killer, his guilt fizzles out.
What began as a one-time accidental murder soon becomes a pattern. With all of his victims being bad people who seem to deserve their untimely demise, Lee Tang does not feel guilty for his crimes. So, the question is, will he get caught?
Based on the webtoon of the same name, “A Killer Paradox” is a thriller K-drama with a unique plot. While the show starts strong in the first four episodes, it loses momentum in the second half, yet it is enjoyable throughout. In terms of cinematography, it still stands out among this year’s K-drama releases. One of the most notable aspects of “A Killer Paradox” is that the camera angles, camera movement, and even the soundtrack at times resemble that of an old-time Hollywood action and thriller movie.
“My Liberation Notes”
“My Liberation Notes” is a slice-of-life K-drama that gained popularity due to its quaint and demure atmosphere and lifelike plot. The story revolves around three siblings — Ki Jung (Lee El), Mi Jung (Kim Ji Won), and Chang Hee (Lee Min Ki) — who live in a remote town and commute to Seoul every day for work, frustrated by their meaningless lives.
The oldest sibling, Ki Jung, is extremely picky and critical of her suitors. However, as she is not as young as she once was, she worries about finding a partner and is now ready to fall in love with literally anyone. Mi Jung, the second sister, believes that no one loves her, and due to this lack of external love and validation, she doesn’t love herself either. This lack of confidence has made her overly sensitive to others’ opinions of her. Lastly, there is Chang Hee, who is deeply concerned about his financial situation and believes that if only he could get a car and enough money, he could turn his life around once and for all. However, their monotonous lives take a turn when a mysterious alcoholic man (Son Suk Ku) moves to their small town.
Besides the entire drama having a rather somber atmosphere that helps the viewers feel the melancholic and pessimistic emotions of the characters, “Our Liberation Notes” also uses some genius camera work, including but not limited to push-and-pull camera roll, out-of-focus shots, and motion blur.
These camera techniques show the psychological turmoil that the main leads are going through.
“Daily Dose of Sunshine”
Based on the webtoon “Morning Comes to Psychiatric Wards,” “Daily Dose of Sunshine” is a medical drama set in the fictional Department of Psychiatry at Myungshin University Hospital. The plot follows Jung Da Eun (Park Bo Young), a professional nurse working in the department, and her interactions with her colleagues and the patients under her care. Though the romance is not the primary focus of this drama, the story also touches on Da Eun’s romantic life.
The first thing that immediately catches the eye is the psychiatry department itself; it is colorful and vibrant, which makes sense as it would be beneficial for the patients’ mental health and uplift their spirits. This drama also features some truly beautiful and unique scene transitions that could make even Marvel envious.
“Strangers From Hell”
Directed by the same director behind “A Killer Paradox,” “Strangers From Hell” is a mind-bending horror thriller based on a webtoon. “Strangers From Hell” tells the story of Yoon Jong Woo, a young man in his twenties who moves from the countryside to Seoul after his friend offers him a job at a small company. With limited funds, Jong Woo chooses to stay at a communal residence called “Eden,” an affordable place where he must share space with several mysterious individuals, all of whom seem to share a secret.
When the term “cinematography” is mentioned, many people immediately assume the media being discussed is aesthetically pleasing. However, that’s not always the case, and “Strangers From Hell” is a prime example. What makes this K-drama iconic is not only the superb acting of Im Siwan, Lee Dong Wook, and the supporting cast, but also the set itself, which acts as a character. It evokes the same feelings of suffocation in the viewers that Jong Woo experiences. Without giving away any spoilers, it can be said that this drama masterfully uses camera work to instill anxiety, while the ingenious screenwriting makes you question every character — and sometimes even yourself.
Hello Soompiers! Are there any K-dramas whose cinematography you love? Don’t forget to mention them in the comments section below!
Javeria is a binge-watching specialist who loves devouring entire K-dramas in one sitting. Good screenwriting, beautiful cinematography, and a lack of cliches are the way to her heart. As a music fanatic, she listens to multiple artists across different genres but believes no one can top the self-producing idol group SEVENTEEN. You can talk to her on Instagram @javeriayousufs.
Currently watching: “I Hear the Sunspot,” “Our Beloved Summer,” and “Love Next Door.”
Looking forward to: “Squid Game Season 2,” “Good Boy,” “Dear Hyeri,” and “Reborn“
