One news that will have even the hardest of hearts skip a second is most probably ‘murder.’ I mean, we all dread it, and the news of it in the media feels like a reminder of humanity’s darkest fantasies or deeds.

However, when it comes to suicide, there is a peculiar silence or a rare mention, as if the loss of a life by one's own hand is less shocking or tragic.

If it may interest you, the World Health Organization (2022) claims that suicide is a general crisis that claims nearly 800,000 (Eight Hundred thousand) lives every year. This rough estimation shows how many people constantly end their own life, which not only affects families in society but shows how bad the mental health of the world’s population has gone.  

Over the years, K-dramas have obviously taken the job of creating awareness of social issues, health crises, and other vices that have plagued the world’s community. It has addressed issues like bullying and psychopathy, including creating awareness against suicide.

Since we are on the topic, let’s explore how K-dramas have been creating awareness against suicide in these dramas.

Save Me

Save Me is a series about a family who moves to the countryside and becomes involved with a cult, followed by a series of events.

This is one great show you should see because it was all shades of amazing, even without the romance trope. This drama sheds light on the struggle of people and their vulnerability when it comes to human predators. Out of the many social issues addressed in this drama, suicide was one, and if you do not mind a psychological thriller series, try watching this.

Death Game

Death's Game centers on a young man who attempts suicide after struggling to find a job for seven years. Death, however, is offended by his lack of concern for dying and chooses to punish him by making him play a game in which he must reincarnate and die 12 times before being sent to hell.

I love the fact that the major plot of this series was addressing suicide, and the lesson communicated was loud and clear. This series showed us the pains people go through, especially the family of the deceased after they are gone. This drama will make you scream, cry, reflect, anticipate, and all.

Tomorrow

In this series, a young job seeker who is unable to secure a job meets two grim reapers who have the task of preventing suicide through an accident. He works with them as the youngest contract worker in the crisis management team of Death Angels.

This is probably the best on the list or standing next to the one above. Tomorrow also focuses mainly on the suicide trope, but amazingly, it was not just one but several cases. Another drama to make you reflect and probably see the world differently than you have been seeing it, especially on the suicide topic.  

Drama Stage Season 3: Everyone is There

A high school student decides to commit suicide to end the bullying she goes through at school when a savior appears.

Although this one is not particularly a series but a one-act short play, we still had our lessons to learn. It shines light not just on the suicide crisis but on how vices like bullying can directly influence this decision and how much work society still needs to do to curb these excesses.

Although these are not all, it is good to see K-dramas breaking down stigmas and encouraging a supportive community by shedding light on these complex issues, of which suicide is a major part.

Have you watched any of these dramas, and what’s your opinion about the suicide crisis in the world?