From Secret Garden To Signal: 5 K-Dramas That Deliver Heartbreaking Plot Twists

In recent times, K-Dramas have witnessed a surge in popularity, partially due to their usual brevity, typically spanning just a season or two. Within this limited episode count, these dramas manage to deliver riveting storylines, captivating romances, and heart-wrenching plot twists, resulting in an unforgettable narrative. While the romance genre dominates the realm of popular K-Dramas, there are also a few noteworthy options in the thriller and sci-fi categories that cater to viewers seeking more action-packed storytelling. Some of the best twists in K-Dramas are those that leave behind a trail of broken hearts and bittersweet memories. Below, we list a few of them.

1. ‘Secret Garden’

In this K-drama, Gil Ra-im, a stuntwoman haunted by a tragic past, is mistakenly identified as her stunt double by Kim Joo-won, a wealthy and youthful president of a luxury department store. Initially, he's both captivated and repelled by their stark social contrasts but eventually uncovers deeper layers to her character. As the story unfolds, viewers learn about Gil Ra-im's painful loss of her firefighter father in a devastating fire. Simultaneously, an enigmatic incident from Kim Joo-won's past resurfaces, shrouded in mystery, involving repressed memories and claustrophobia. The revelation of this traumatic event through a poignant flashback tests the resilience of their burgeoning relationship.

2. ‘It's Okay To Not Be Okay’

Ko Mun-yeong, a children's author with antisocial personality disorder, develops a deep fascination with Moon Gang-tae, a man constantly on the move, seeking work in different psychiatric wards. Accompanied by his autistic brother, Moon Sang-tae, Gang-tae is initially reluctant to embrace Mun-yeong, but they eventually form a heartwarming friendship. All three share the tragic loss of their mothers, who were murdered during their childhoods. As their intertwined past unfolds, it reveals unsettling details of the fateful night both women died, setting the stage for a series of heartrending revelations.

3. ‘Signal’

In ‘Signal,’ the past and present converge through a walkie-talkie that connects a detective from 1986 to a criminal profiler in 2015. Throughout the series, the detective assists in solving future cold cases for the profiler, who in turn aids in resolving past open cases. While the show doesn't employ traditional time travel, the characters contend with significant consequences as they try to reshape both the past and the future. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes deeply personal when one of their cold cases centres on the mysterious disappearance of the detective.

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4. ‘Goblin’

Also known as ‘Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,’ the series ‘Goblin’ commences with the unjust execution of a highly decorated military general, Kim Shin. As retribution for his actions while alive, he is cursed with immortal servitude, forced to witness the deaths of his loved ones while he endures. The only one capable of breaking this curse is a young woman who emerges 900 years later, fated to be the goblin's "bride."

This supernatural K-Drama, tinged with elements of a fairy tale romance, delves into themes of reincarnation, intricately weaving together the past, present, and afterlife of each character in surprising ways. With the grim reaper as a central figure, heart-wrenching deaths are an inevitable part of the narrative.

5. ‘It's Okay, That's Love’

In ‘It's Okay, That's Love,’ the K-drama (law korean dramas) effectively explores diverse mental health conditions through its array of characters. Each character's journey is emotionally resonant, but the most poignant revelation emerges when we grasp the profound influence of Jang Jae-yeol's traumatic childhood. While it's evident from the beginning that he grapples with OCD, the truly shocking revelation pertains to a young man who continually shadows him, uncovering the deeper layers of his complex past and adding an unexpected twist to the narrative.

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