10 Japanese Dramas that Will Make Korean Drama Lovers Addicted to Watching Every Episode

Kapanlagi.com - The popularity of Korean dramas is indeed high, and its fans continue to grow over time. However, for long-time Korean drama enthusiasts, boredom may arise. Especially if within a certain period, Korean dramas that are released almost present the same storyline.

Now, to get a new and exciting storyline, even more fresh, it doesn't hurt to move on for a while to Japanese dramas. And, did you know, some of these Japanese dramas are not just popular, but they can also captivate Korean drama lovers and make them interested in watching. How is that possible?

1. WE MARRIED AS A JOB

credit via TBS

First, there is the drama WE MARRIED AS A JOB or in Japan, it is famous with the title NIGERU WA HAJI DA GA YAKU NI TATSU. This Japanese drama tells the story of a bachelor graduate named Moriyama Mikuri (Aragaki Yui) who has been unable to find a job.

Until finally, she decides to work as a housekeeper for Tsuzaki Hiramasa (Hoshino Gen). Who would have thought, this job actually leads her to a contract marriage proposal from Hiramasa.

This Japanese drama is very popular in the Land of Sakura, because it not only presents a romantic story that stirs emotions but also comedic elements that ignite laughter. The heavy and serious plot becomes a source of curiosity when watching WE MARRIED AS A JOB.

2. GANGSTER TEACHER

credit via NTV

Not less interesting is GANGSTER TEACHER. This drama, known as GOKUSEN in Japan, tells the story of a young teacher named Yamaguchi Kumiko (Nakama Yukie) who is very optimistic when entering Shirokin Gakuen.

She is expected to bring change to the school. Unfortunately, Kumiko is appointed as the homeroom teacher of class 3-D, one of the most troublesome classes at Shirokin Gakuen.

The students try to make Kumiko leave by causing trouble. Only because of her patient nature, they don't know that Kumiko is actually the granddaughter of a Yakuza leader.

Although it was released in 2002, this 3-season drama never gets boring. Various foolishness and heart-touching stories truly make GOKUSEN a must-watch Japanese drama.

3. ALICE IN BORDERLAND

credit via Netflix

Presented as an interesting offering during the pandemic, ALICE IN BORDERLAND has captured the attention of Korean drama enthusiasts. This drama tells the story of Ryohei Arisu (Yamazaki Kento), an unemployed man addicted to playing video games, to the point where he doesn't realize that Tokyo has become completely deserted.

Arisu and his friends are then forced to compete in a game in order to survive. Arisu also meets Yuzuha Usagi (Tsuchiya Tao), a young woman who plays a similar game alone. They eventually work together to solve the mysteries behind this new world.

Although it only consists of 8 episodes, this drama, famous in Japan under the title IMAWA NO KUNI NO ALICE, truly presents unique characters with their own quirks. This drama is even capable of giving you an 'apocalyptic' impression that you have never encountered before in a drama.

4. FOR YOU IN FULL BLOSSOM: IKEMEN PARADISE

credit via Fuji TV

Known as HANAZAKARI NO KIMITACHI E in Japan, FOR YOU IN FULL BLOSSOM: IKEMEN PARADISE tells the comedic story of Muzuki Ashiya (Horikita Maki), a girl who has just returned to Japan from California.

She falls in love with Izumi Sano (Oguri Shun), a pole-vaulting athlete who was forced to retire early due to an injury. Just because Ashiya wants to see Sano train again, she has to disguise herself and live in the boys' pole-vaulting dormitory. Ashiya is shocked when she is assigned to share a room with Sano.

Korean drama lovers know this drama, based on the comic titled Hana Kimi, as TO THE BEAUTIFUL YOU. This drama is light and very funny, but it can make you addicted to watching it episode after episode.

5. NOBUNAGA CONCERTO

credit via Fuji TV

Next, there is NOBUNAGA CONCERTO which tells the story of Saburo (Oguri Shun), an ordinary high school student who time travels to the Sengoku era (1549). He meets a king who looks just like him.

Saburo is asked to take his place and begins to live as Oda Nobunaga, a samurai who wants to unite the country. This drama is suitable for those who are interested in enjoying the excitement of Japanese historical dramas.

Instead of wanting to return to the present, NOBUNAGA CONCERTO presents a different plot, where Saburo actually wants to live his life as best as possible in the past. Despite being a historical genre, this drama is able to make you burst into laughter.

6. SUNSHINY ASA

credit via NHK

Bringing the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate or around 1868, SUNSHINY ASA or in Japanese titled ASA GA KITA tells the story of Shirooka Asa (Haru) who was born as the second child of a wealthy merchant family in Kyoto.

Asa then moves to Osaka and runs various businesses, such as gemstone processing, banking, life insurance, and even establishing the first women's university in Japan.

SUNSHINY ASA is based on the true story of a strong woman in Japan, Hirooka Asako. How Asako's women empowerment story is portrayed is presented in detail in the drama.

7. FROM TODAY, IT'S MY TURN!!

credit via NTV

Returning to the story of school life, there is FROM TODAY, IT'S MY TURN!! which is equally interesting to watch. The drama, known as KYOU KARA ORE WA!!, tells the story of two transfer students named Mitsuhashi Takashi (Kaku Kento) and Ito Shinji (Ito Kentaro).

Instead of studying, these two students strive to become delinquents in their new school. Although they initially clash, Shinji and Takashi eventually become friends and the most respected delinquents.

This Japanese drama itself is based on an anime and manga. Although it may seem strange, FROM TODAY, IT'S MY TURN!! actually invites you to enjoy Japanese drama with a different genre while also gaining many life lessons from it.

8. UNNATURAL

credit via TBS

While those who haven't moved on with Korean medical dramas can watch UNNATURAL. Not just an ordinary paramedic story, this Japanese drama presents a mystery story that engulfs the Unnatural Death Institute (UDI).

The story involves a heart specialist, Misumi Mikoto (Ishihara Satomi), lab technician Shoji Yuko (Ichikawa Mikako), and a new medical record staff named Kube Rokuro (Kubota Masataka). They identify the truth behind an unusual death.

This Japanese drama is 11:12 with CIS, NCIS, Criminal Minds, and the like, making it truly interesting to watch if you like that genre. Although it often presents different cases in each episode, this drama is far from boring.

9. KISS THAT KILLS

credit via NTV

For those who like unconventional romance dramas, KISS THAT KILLS or TODOME NO KISS is a must-watch. This Japanese drama tells the story of Dojima Otaro (Yamazaki Kento) who works as a host. Due to his past experiences, Otaro believes that love will not make people happy.

Until suddenly, Otaro meets a mysterious woman (Kadowaki Mugi) who kisses him, and then kills him. Strangely, he regains consciousness. Not at the same time, but 7 days before the incident happened. During that time, he was being followed by a woman.

The uniqueness of KISS THAT KILLS is that each character has clear flaws but is able to develop well throughout the drama, so there are no characters left hanging until the end of the episode.

10. THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH US

credit via NTV

Last but not least, there is THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH US or commonly known as WATASHITACHI WA DOUKA SHITEIRU in Japanese. This Japanese drama tells the story of Yuriko, a single parent with a 6-year-old child named Hanaoka Nao.

Yuriko is a confectionery seller in a traditional Japanese store. There, she meets the store owner's child named Takatsuki Tsubaki and they eventually fall in love.

Unfortunately, one day Tsubaki's father is stabbed by someone, and Yuriko is accused as the culprit. Nao is kicked out and her mother dies. This causes Nao to hold a grudge against Tsubaki.

15 years later, Nao encounters Tsubaki again in a confectionery-making competition. Tsubaki is interested in trying Nao's confectionery and proposes to her without knowing her true identity.

Nao, who hides her true identity, takes advantage of this opportunity to prove her mother's innocence. Although this Japanese drama only consists of 8 episodes, all the stories are well-packaged until the end.

So, which one do you want to watch first, KLovers? Whatever your choice is, get ready to fall in love and become addicted to watching each episode until the end. Enjoy watching!

(kly/tmi)