if you liked [insert k-drama] you should read...
a list of book recommendations based on the vibes/tropes of my 5 favourite k-dramas
As teased in my august recs post, in honour of the release of Ivy Owen’s Scandalized, (which features a hero who is a k-drama star) I have decided to write a list of book recommendations based on the vibes/tropes of my favourite k-dramas. I only started to watch k-dramas earlier this year (*gasp* the shame!!!!) but when I started I simply couldn’t stop. As we live through the age of the dearth of the rom-com in north america (more on that in a future post) k-dramas seem to perfectly scratch the itch of the uber tropey, goofy, screwball rom-com that, particularly with the world as it is currently *gestures to burning dumpster fire that is the planet* we all seem to need. I will also note that there is also something to be said about the stimulating imagery, the slow-burn plots, and the fact that they require subtitles for me to understand that allows k-dramas to fully jive with my adhd riddled brain (Here is where I admit that I only lasted four episodes into Succession before falling off, and the same goes for 1883, Pitch and Mindhunter (none of these are bad shows per se, just ones that I stopped watching and couldn’t get back into and don’t really know why)). Anyway, that’s my long-winded way of saying that if you haven’t tried watching a k-drama yet, you should give one a chance! Maybe even one of the ones on this list…
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018) - A narcissistic executive has his world shattered when his secretary of nine years quits, leading him to try everything he can to ensure she stays by his side (tropes: office romance, sunshine & grump, second-chance)
Books to read if you liked What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim…
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata (contemporary M/F)
Huge Deal by Lauren Layne (contemporary M/F)
Scoring off the Field by Naima Simone (contemporary M/F)
The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath (historical M/F)
Crash Landing on You (2019) - A South Korean businesswoman and heiress goes paragliding and is swept up in a sudden storm, causing her to crash land in the North Korean portion of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), where she meets an army captain from the Korean People’s Army who helps her hide (tropes: opposites attract, star-crossed, forced proximity, fake-relationship, bodyguard)
Books to read if you liked Crash Landing on You…
A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare (historical M/F)
Gone Too Deep by Katie Ruggle (contemporary M/F)
Unloved by Katie Regnery (contemporary M/F)
Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) - Autistic lawyer Woo Young-woo is a highly proficient attorney who is forced to navigate the ableism of the workplace and the practice of law after joining a large successful firm (tropes: cinnamon roll hero, workplace romance) (please read this recent article which discusses the autism rep of the series: Extraordinary Attorney Woo is autistic representation at its best and its worst )
Books to read if you liked Extraordinary Attorney Woo…
Always Only You by Chloe Liese (contemporary M/F, own voices autism rep)
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang (contemporary M/F own voices autism rep)
A Girl Like Her by Talia Hibbert (contemporary M/F own voices autism rep)
A Delicate Deception by Cat Sebastian (historical pan F/ bi M)
Business Proposal (2022) - Shin Ha-ri agrees to go on a blind date in place of her best friend, but upon arrival realizes that her date is actually the CEO of the company she works for, Kang Tae-moo. While managing to hide her place of employment, Ha-Ri finds herself entering into a fake-relationship with Tae-moo so that he can appease his grandfather and avoid having to keep going on blind dates (tropes: office romance, mistaken identity, fake relationship)
Books to read if you liked Business Proposal (this one was hard because it’s such a mashup of tropes, so these recs are somewhat scattered/piecy and don’t fully encompass that the show does!)…
Faking Mrs Wright by Claire Kingsley (contemporary M/F)
Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas (historical M/F)
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur (contemporary F/F)
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (contemporary M/M)
5. Our Beloved Summer (2021) - A former couple are forced to come together again when a documentary they shot in high school goes viral (tropes: second chance, lovers>enemies>lovers, opposites attract)
Books to read if you liked Our Beloved Summer…
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren (contemporary M/F)
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (contemporary M/F)
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (contemporary M/F)
Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy (contemporary M/M)
Hopefully one of these books makes its way to your to-read list, or one of these k-dramas catches your eye as your next watch!
Until September,
Georgia