What comes to mind when you hear about K-dramas in North Korea?

It sounds unfamiliar, right? Because the only vibe and thought we get when we hear about K-dramas is the South Korean TV series sector.
However, we should that even though North Korea is a Totalitarian country, they have an entertainment industry, and they produce movies and TV series as well.

The point is that, although we are aware that the Korean interrelation topic is a delicate issue because both countries have not decided on unification, the South Korean entertainment industry has continued to promote an ‘envisioned’ interrelationship between both countries through their dramas. We can see these dramas as an opportunity for South Korea and the rest of the world to see into North Korea.

Over the years, there have been numerous TV series produced in South Korea that feature North Korea. Unlike what most people will think, these K-dramas are not just focusing on the conflicts between the two countries, but we get to see things like romance, love triangles, politics, and more in these K-dramas.

Apart from Sageuks, which are based on the pre-modern era of Korea. Here is a list of six South Korean modern dramas that feature North Korea.

Crash Landing on You

This is arguably the most popular South-North Korean TV series of all time. It’s a 2019 drama that tells the story of a South Korean heiress who accidentally found herself in North Korea after a paragliding mishap where she met a North Korean Army officer who helped her to hide.
This K-drama focuses on love across borders and it’s so adorable.

Doctor Stranger

It is a South Korean TV series aired in 2014. It is the story of Park Hoon, who was sent to North Korea as a child with his father to perform surgery and prevent the Second Korean War. However, he became stuck with his father in North Korea and soon lost his father. He is finally able to escape back to South Korea, where he aims to avenge his father and find his lost love.
The TV series is about revenge and romance

Korean Peninsula

Aired in 2012, the Korean Peninsula tells the story of Seo Myung Joon, a South Korean scientist who falls in love with North Korean Scientist Im Jin-Jae while developing an alternative energy source together.
The drama centers on romanced and a visioned unified Korea

 Snowdrop

The TV series aired from 2021 to 2022
Snowdrop is set in 1987 when a mass protest took place to end the dictatorship in South Korea at the time. Eun Yeong-ro a female student, hides Soo-ho who she found covered in blood. It turned out that Soo-ho was a North Korean spy.
The story centers on romance, power struggle, and politics. Although it had a sad ending and faced a lot of backlash, it was a hit.

 City Hunter

City Hunter is a South Korean series aired in 2011.
Lee Yoon-sung set out to avenge his father and other South Soldiers who were betrayed by top politicians in the country after being sent on a deadly mission to North Korea.
The series is a mixture of romance, politics, and revenge.

Money Heist Korea- Joint Economic Area

Money Heist Korea is set in a fictitious reunified Korean peninsula named Joint Economic Area where thieves overtake the mint of a unified Korea.
The drama centers mainly on the reunification and cooperation of both countries.

South Korean dramas about North Korea have existed for a long time. Although most of them are based on fiction, it is a sign that a reunified Korea might still be possible, since Korea was a unified country during the pre-modern era.

In case you’ve not, it will be nice for you to binge-watch these series while we await a reunified Korea.