May is a month of traditional family day here in Korea. Also, it is the month of Asian American Pacific Heritage Month in the US. In many ways, May is a very important month for everyone, and in celebration, KOCOWA+ is bringing you some new shows to add to your watchlist.
“My Perfect Stranger” – Available on May 1 (April 30 PT)
Starring: Kim Dong Wook, Jin Ki Joo
Hae Jun, played by Dong Wook, is a man with a cynical demeanor who works as an anchor at a news station. His unique personality can be attributed to his mother’s abandonment when he was young and his grandfather’s constant criticism, considering him the only flaw in their otherwise flawless family. Despite his grandfather’s ignorance, Hae Jun rises to success in his career as a righteous reporter. However, his world is turned upside down when he unexpectedly comes across a time machine, something he never thought could exist. Yoon Young, played by Ki Joo, leads an ordinary life as an editor at a publishing company until she discovers her mother’s lifeless body by a riverside. One day, her life takes a drastic turn when she gets struck by an invisible car near the same riverside and wakes up in the year 1987. The two gradually come to understand that the recurring coincidences between them carry a deeper significance beyond mere chance.
“Shooting the Star” – Available on KOCOWA May 5 (May 4 PT)
Starring: Jeon Do Yeon, Zo In Sung, Lee Seo Jin
“Shooting the Star” is a K-Drama classic with one of the best stars playing the leads. Ba Da’s sister, So Ra, played by Do Yeon, is naturally forthright and optimistic and never loses hope. Although she’s in a relationship with Do Hoon, played by Seo Jin, he betrays Ba Da and So Ra, causing Ba Da to lose his memory and forcing So Ra to work as a manager instead. Sung Tae, played by In Sung, is an actor who has difficulty memorizing scripts due to dyslexia. So Ra knows this well and tries to support him, sharing her daily life with him. Through this, Sung Tae develops feelings for her. With all the difficult circumstances, including Sung Tae’s scandal after becoming a star, distress caused by Do Hoon, and more, will So Ra overcome all these difficulties with her optimistic nature?
“Secret Korea”- Available on KOCOWA May 5 (May 4 PT)
<Secret Korea> is a travel information show that introduces both popular and hidden tourist gems in Seoul. 15 ambassadors who has lived in Seoul, experiencing Korean culture and history, visit popular sites of the city from Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Bukhansan Mountain, K-Star Road. The program also features artists like photographers, chefs, Webtoon writers, and fashion designers who are actively living in Seoul, highlighting the city’s charm as both a cultural hub and a vibrant city. They directly share an in-depth look into the past and present of Seoul with its rich stories. Through the program’s outstanding visual style, it provides a vivid and immersive experience of Seoul city.
“K-TASTE” – Available on KOCOWA May 5 (May 4 PT)
Who follows Instagram reels and YouTube shorts for Korean cooking recipe? Well you will get to see the full recipe right here. “K-TASTE is a cooking show that offers simple, effortless recipes of K-food and K-dessert that can be easily prepared at home. From traditional Korean dishes to K-doughnuts and K-cookies made with the ingredients that can originally be found in Korea. The program features 81 rare recipes, ranging from nutritious veggie side dishes to Korean royal family’s cuisine and energy-boosting health foods. Chef Yoo Jong Ha presents uncomplicated Korean recipes that can be made at home with basic ingredients and cooking utensils.
“One Fine Day” – Available on May 12 (May 12 PT)
Starring: Gong Yoo, Sung Yu Ri, Namkoong Min, Lee Yeon Hee
Geon played by Gong Yoo, his main job is as a fraudster, and he is best at lying. He was nicknamed yellow gun because he lived as a bully in the back alley and had a fist as fast as a gun. Geon lost his parents and went to Australia. Geon felt terrible about leaving his sister and had a hard time being separated from her. Ha Neul played by Sung Yu Ri has been waiting for her brother Geon for 15 years, living as Park Hye Won in her newly adopted house. Her long-awaited brother shows up, but he doesn’t seem to remember her. A tangled relationship between Geon and Hye Won and the people they love, begins.
“Bright Girl’s Success” – Available on May 19 (May 18 PT)
Starring: Jang Na Ra, Jang Hyuk
Despite Yang Soon’s (played by Jang Na Ra) parents being criminals, which makes her nothing to brag about, Yang Soon has always lived brightly, keeping her chin up. As Yang Soon moves to Seoul, she starts working as a housekeeper at the house of a cosmetics company owner and later meets Ki Tae played by Jang Hyuk. Ki Tae is supercilious, obstinate, and fiery and he is the only son whose father is the co-founder of the cosmetics company. After losing his parents in childhood, he grew up in the co-founder’s protection. Na Hee, the co-founder’s daughter, who loves Ki Tae and gets engaged to him. However, Yang Soon and Ki Tae continue to get entangled and form a relationship, so where will their turbulent and comical romance end?
“Smile Again” – Available on May 26 (May 25 PT)
Starring: Ji Chang Wook, Do Ji Won
Dong Hae’s (played by Chang Wook) mother is Anna who was adopted by a couple in America. She has a mental age of nine. Dong Hae dated Sae Wa when he was a short track speed skater in America, but he was dumped before their wedding. Dong Hae who came to Korea to see Sae Wa and also to find his biological father, changes his mind in interest to cooking and gets a job in the kitchen of a hotel. Of all places, that hotel belongs to Sae Wa’s in-laws. While everything seems to get worse for Dong Hae, he comes across Lee Bong Yi, and he opens up to her. The path of finding his biological father and building a career as a cook is a bumpy one. Will Dong Hae be able to uncover the secret about his birth?
From classic K-Dramas to a unique storyline of time traveling to solve a mystery murder case, which show is definitely making it into your watchlist? Leave us a comment below!
