K-Dramas, like all kinds of media, have a variety of facets to them. Some may appeal more to the romantic and idealistic side of life, while others keep you at the edge of your seat in anticipation. Every drama has a story to tell, but which drama tells the story of society?

Here are some K-Drama recommendations that will not only give your entertainment, but the opportunity to contemplate life and develop an understanding of the world around us (if... that's the kind of thing you like to do... and it's not just me being a weirdo...)

Penthouse 3

High society. Something that most of us are not born into. Their life may be all glitz and glam from the outside, but even a piece of coal coated with silver shines. We may wish to live the life of luxury one day, but can we handle its dark side as well? Following its success for the past two seasons, Penthouse 3 promises an action-packed plotline that shows us the other side of the highbrow society.

Follow the story of three mothers and their families snowballing down a street filled with greed and desire here on Viu.

Navillera

Asian values prioritises practicality over passion — why go for a job you like if there's no guarantee that it'll pay well? Why not go for a stable, but mediocre job? While some may be attracted to the latter for its relatively worry-free career progression, some are ripped apart from their passion for the sake of supporting their families. At the end of your life, how does one navigate an unpursued passion? Time waits for no one, but no one has to sit and watch time pass them by.

Follow the story of a ballerino in his prime, and an aspiring but aged ballerino who just wants to live and leave without regrets here on Netflix.

My ID is Gangnam Beauty

South Korea is the world's plastic surgery capital. When your job and social prospects depend on your appearance, it's hard not to get embroiled in the rat race of materialism and superficial beauty. For some, superficial beauty is all that they've ever known. For others, superficial beauty is all that they've dreamed of. But in the end, it's what's on the inside that matters.

Follow the story of a university freshman who just wants a fresh start in life, but is bogged down by the trauma society has inflicted on her in her formative years here on Viu.

Move to Heaven

Tomorrow is not a promise. When someone passes suddenly, their entire lives, their stories, comes screeching to a halt. Although the dead can no longer physically share their stories with the living, their belongings from when they were alive can help to paint a picture of who they were.

Follow the story of a jaded, cynical ex-convict as he learns to appreciate and cherish life working alongside his nephew here on Netflix.

SKY Castle

Seoul National University, Korea University and Yonsei University. These three come together to form SKY, three most prestigious universities in Korea. Some believe that the worst graduate from any of these universities would still have a better chance at employment than the best graduate from other universities. As such, it's no surprise that parents and students alike are desperate to get into any of the SKY universities. But at what cost?

Follow the story of four families as they fight for their university-aged children to make it into any of the SKY here on Viu.

It's Okay to Not Be Okay

Mental illness and neurodiversity have long been grossly misunderstood by society, so much so that those with these conditions dare not speak out. Some do not even recognise their symptoms well enough to seek professional help. Although part of the romance genre, It's Okay to Not Be Okay tackles mental health and neurodivergence respectfully and educates viewers on these issues.

Follow the story of a psychiatric ward caretaker, his brother who is on the autism spectrum, and a children's book writer with antisocial personality disorder as they navigate life and self here on Netflix.

Second 20s

"A year from now, you will wish you had started today." This quote by Karen Lamb speaks volumes to so many of us who may be facing quarter or mid-life crises. Sometimes we stop to wonder if this is the life we really want to live. Are there any unrealised ambitions in your life that you've put on hold because you're afraid of what others might say, or because you think that it's too late to make a change?

Follow the story of a middle-aged university student just trying to fulfill the dreams she had give up on because of an unplanned pregnancy in her youth here on Netflix.

Dramas can offer an idealistic escape from the stresses of the real world, but they are also a powerful medium for reflection and education. It is our hope that these dramas can value-add and encourage us to live our lives courageously and compassionately.