The most attractive Korean TV series in the first half of 2017

The small screen of Korea in the first half of 2017 promises to be a "mixed pot" full of "spices" of humor, romance, adventure, action, and science fiction for Korean movie lovers to freely choose from.

2016 can be said to be a breakthrough year for the Korean drama genre when this genre is gradually regaining its position after a long period of being stuck with old patterns. We can mention the works that caused a "fever" thanks to new content and famous casts such as Descendants of the Sun, Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, Legend of the Blue Sea or Goblin Love.

Although 2017 has only started a few days ago, the broadcast schedules of Korean TV channels are already “crowded” with works that have caused a stir since they were still projects on paper. Let’s take a look at the notable works that will “break ground” in 2017.

1. Missing Nine

The opening act of the year is MBC’s Missing Nine. Since its announcement, Missing Nine has attracted attention thanks to its compelling and dramatic content about the survival story on a deserted island of 9 people in the same company after a plane crash.

Returning home after 4 months missing, employee Ra Bong Hee (Baek Jin Hee) is the only survivor and becomes an important witness, opening up unexpected details of this terrifying time.

The film stars Jung Kyung Ho, Choi Tae Joon, Lee Sun Bin, and EXO member Chanyeol. Missing Nine will air on Wednesdays and Thursdays on MBC in January 2017.

2. Saimdang, Light's Diary

Without even discussing the content, the cast list of Saimdang, Light's Diary alone is enough to make fans eagerly await a grand historical blockbuster right from the beginning of the year.

The drama marks Lee Young Ae's return to the small screen after 14 years since the incredible success of Dae Jang Gum. She will play dual roles as Shin Saimdang, a Joseon-era female artist, and Seo Ji Yoon, a history professor at a university in modern Korea who accidentally finds an ancient diary and gets drawn into a mysterious story.

In addition to Lee Young Ae, the film also features the famous actor Song Seung Hun as the male lead and the supporting characters played by Oh Yoon Ah and Jang Seo Kyung. The film was produced in a way that filming and post-production were completed before airing, unlike the traditional "rolling" method of filming and airing as it goes. The film began airing on January 25th in the Wednesday and Thursday evening time slot of SBS, competing directly with Missing Nine.

3. Defender

After being "bored" with the medical theme through two dramas Doctors and Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim, in 2017 SBS decided to open with a courtroom drama - Defendant.

Ji Sung plays Park Jung Woo, a prosecutor who wakes up one night with no memory and finds himself on death row awaiting execution. Park Jung Woo tries to regain his lost memories to prove his innocence with the help of beautiful lawyer Seo Eun Hye, played by Yuri from the idol group SNSD.

In addition to the two main male and female characters, the film also features Um Ki Joon, Oh Chang Suk, and Kim Min Suk. Defendant is scheduled to air on Monday and Tuesday nights on SBS, starting January 30, 2017.

4. While You're Sleeping

After finishing his role in the romantic, fantasy drama W-Two Worlds, Lee Jong Suk continues to appear in another TV series with equally "ghostly" content.

While You're Sleeping is a supernatural romance about a woman (Bae Suzy) who has the ability to see unfortunate events in the future through her dreams. Lee Jong Suk plays a righteous prosecutor who tries to prevent her nightmares from coming true.

Lee Jong Suk seems to be a lucky actor to have collaborated with many beauties, from Lee Bo Young (in I Hear Your Voice) to Park Shin Hye (Pinocchio), Han Hyo Joo (W-Two Worlds) and now Suzy, the rising idol actress and girlfriend of Lee Min Ho. This is considered a couple that will cause a "fever" on the small screen because of their popularity when appearing in the same work.

The film currently has no specific broadcast schedule and is expected to air in the midweek evening slot of SBS.

5. Whisper

Whisper is another legal drama on SBS this year. This is the work that marks Lee Bo Young's return after three years of rest to give birth.

Interestingly, Whisper will air right after Defendant, a legal drama starring Lee Bo Young’s husband, Ji Sung. In the drama, Lee Bo Young will play Shin Young Joo, the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Department’s investigation team, who will confront powerful forces to expose the violations of the most powerful corporation in the country.

The film is written by the screenwriter of the 2015 corruption-themed film Punch (Kim Rae Won, Cho Jae Hyun) and began airing on SBS in mid-March 2017.

6. My Sassy Girl

The historical drama inspired by the famous movie My Sassy Girl is a project that received special attention in mid-2017.

Actor Joo Won plays Gyun Woo, a handsome, cold and intelligent young man who falls in love with the beautiful but trouble-making princess Hyemyung (Oh Yeon Seo). The two are expected to create an attraction no less than the film versions of Cha Tae Hyun and Jun Ji Hyun. This will most likely be Joo Won's last film before he enlists in the army in 2017.

The film was filmed and post-produced completely before airing. In addition to the “handsome man, beautiful woman” main actors, the film also has the participation of a supporting cast with equally eye-catching appearances including Kwak Hee Sung, Lee Jung Shin (CNBlue), Shim Hyung Tak, Jung Da Bin.

The film started filming in August and is expected to be released in May 2017.

7. Man to Man

After the success of Cheese in the Trap, Park Hae Jin started 2017 with a notable work on cable channel JTBC called Man to Man.

In Man to Man, Park Hae Jin will play the role of a security guard whose job is to follow and ensure the safety of a famous star played by Park Sung Woong. The plot of Man to Man will focus on the friendship between these two characters in a humorous style. Park Hae Jin's bodyguard character is also revealed to have a mysterious background and strange behavior.

The remaining cast of the film includes female lead Kim Min Jung, supporting actors such as Yeon Jeong Hun, Chae Jung An, Tae In Ho and especially the guest appearance of Descendants of the Sun actor Song Joong Ki. The film is expected to air on JTBC in the first half of 2017.

According to TNO