Perfect watches when you want remember a simpler time (and yes, there are handsome princes and brave princesses). They can range from rom-com to political saga to even zombie thriller, with the customs of each time heavily affecting the story. Korea's historical dramas, also known as sageuk, take place throughout the country's history, including the well-known Goryeo (10th-14th century) and Joseon (14th-late 19th century) periods. Watch it on viki (opens in new tab) Historical Korean Dramas Mother is one of South Korea's most highly-rated series.

This show will ask viewers to think about what it means to be a mother/who gets to be one and will leave your eyes puffy from sobbing after every episode. Viewers will discover why Soo-jin is so drawn to Hye-na and they will grow into the quite unexpected mother-daughter pair we're all rooting for. Soo-jin sets out to travel from South Korea to Iceland (she is a bird researcher and has been given a grant to work at an institution there), but before she can make it to Iceland so many unexpected events happen. When substitute teacher Soo-jin (played by Lee Bo-Young of When My Love Blooms) discovers one of her students Hye-na (played by the brilliant Heo Yool) is being abused by her mother and her boyfriend, she impulsively decides to run away with the little girl. If you're not lunging for the 'Keep Watching' button, it's not enough. Think intense jealousy, blood feuds, lifelong revenge plots, deep misery, and life-or-death situations.

While many see 'melodrama' and think of women in beautiful gowns slapping each other (and yes, that does show up), we consider the genre as anything involving heightened emotions of the non-romantic variety. Watch it on netflix (opens in new tab) Melodrama Korean Dramas So she takes a position as a servant for Jang-uk (Lee Jang-wook), a noble who needs a teacher to help him unbind his magic. When she jumps into the weak body of Mu-deok (Jung So-min), she has to re-build enough strength to wield her powerful sword. Elite warrior Nak-su has evaded authorities by using a forbidden spell called 'alchemy of souls,' which allows her to switch bodies. Set in the fictional country of Daeho, this period fantasy takes place in the world of mages, who live as nobles and warriors among other mortals.

Watch all korean cable tv variety shows