The Nigerian experience is physical, emotional, and sometimes international. No one knows it better than our features on #TheAbroadLife, a series where we detail and explore Nigerian experiences while living abroad.
Melody (27) got interested in Korean culture through K-dramas and K-pop. That fascination led to a master’s scholarship in South Korea. In this story, she shares the experiences, difficulties, culture shocks, how three years in Korea have changed her, and how she misses Nigeria’s signature chaos.
Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?
I currently live in South Korea. I left Nigeria in 2022.
What inspired you to leave?
I came here to do my master’s.
But why South Korea?
I have been interested in South Korea for a very long time. Of course, it started through K-dramas and K-pop. I found the language fascinating, and I started studying it.
I decided I wanted to pursue a master’s in International Studies with a focus on Korean Studies. And where better to do that than in Korea? So I started looking at study opportunities and got a scholarship.
Was that your first time leaving Nigeria?
Yes, that was the first time I ever left Nigeria.
What was it like arriving in this country that you’ve been fascinated with for so long?
It was like a dream come true. I was very happy. There were a couple of minor niggles, but I feel like the happiness overshadowed any negatives.
I lived in Nigeria for the first 24 years of my life, and staying here in Korea for just three years has completely changed the way my brain works. Getting to see how effective things can be in terms of transportation and quality of life is eye-opening. I’m not trying to throw Nigeria under the bus, but it’s just so different.
I visited Nigeria last year, and I was shocked by the state of the airport. But regardless of its shortcomings, going back to Nigeria always warms me. Here in Korea, it sometimes feels like nobody cares about you, but Nigerians are friendlier. I’m not saying Koreans aren’t friendly; they need to have a reason to talk to you, like being in the same school or going to the same church. I don’t even really know my neighbours yet.
It’s a bit different from older Koreans, though. They are more approachable and more willing to engage in conversations with strangers, unlike the younger ones, who will never approach you first. If you do approach them, though, most of the people I’ve met are really nice.
Anyway, I realised I missed the people in Nigeria. Even the food. I really missed yam. And to an extent, I would say I miss the small gbas gbos that happen in Lagos. My first time on a bus when I got back, they started fighting in the bus and I was just like, “I have missed this.” Everything is so calm in South Korea.
Were you fluent in Korean when you first arrived?
No, I was not. I’d done a bit of self-study before coming. I had also taken classes at the Korean Cultural Centre in Abuja. But I still experienced a bit of a language barrier when I first arrived.
The first year of my scholarship programme included one year of Korean language training. But most of my classmates are also foreign nationals, so we would communicate in English.
The language barrier really became a problem when I actually started my master’s. It’s one thing studying the language, it’s another thing studying in the language. Sometimes I felt like crying during my first semester. I had to do extra studying because I’m basically translating from Korean to English and then trying to understand it back in Korean. It was really difficult for me at first.
Aside from academics, how did the language barrier affect day-to-day life?
It wasn’t a problem. My understanding of the language was enough to get through daily life easily. Also, the country is set up so you barely have to speak to anyone to get anything done. And even if you do, and you’re missing some vocabulary to say what you want, there are translation apps you can use.
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How was the experience settling in socially?
I’m not very good at making friends. So most of the friends I made were either schoolmates or from church. There were other Nigerians who got the same scholarship, and we made a group chat and tried to stay connected. That made it easy to feel settled.
What are your plans for the future?
I don’t have any plans set in stone. I’m currently job hunting, but I’m also considering pursuing a doctorate degree. I’m just trusting God’s guidance and instruction for my life.
What would be an ideal job for you?
I’ve been applying for roles in marketing, social media management, and overseas sales. But I’m open to any job that fits my skills.
Do you see yourself returning to Nigeria permanently at some point?
Nigeria will forever be home to me. I have family and friends in Nigeria. But about coming back to settle permanently, I honestly cannot say right now. Of course, I’ll always visit.
How do you have fun in South Korea?
Well, I got interested in swimming, so I’ve started taking swimming classes. I also go to the gym. Or sometimes I’ll go to a café. I like going to the beach, visiting museums, and sightseeing. But I think my favourite fun activity is travelling. I really love travelling. Apart from the actual travel, I even love just planning trips.
When you say travelling, do you mean within South Korea?
Within Korea and also trips out to other countries. Being in Korea has given me opportunities to travel that I never had in Nigeria. From here, it’s much easier to get visas, especially to other Asian countries.
Interesting. What countries have you visited?
I’ve been to Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Maldives, and Qatar.
Nice. Which was your best trip?
I went to Malaysia and the Maldives on the same trip. In 2024, when I started taking these trips, I went as part of a group, but on this trip, it was just a friend and me. It was sort of a vacation, and we did a lot of activities. We went island hopping, did water activities like snorkelling, and visited museums. The Maldives was so beautiful it felt surreal. I’d never seen bodies of water look that clear. That trip was just so fun, I can barely express it in words.
The Qatar trip was interesting too. It was my first solo trip, so I was a bit worried, but it ended up being great. On my first day, I went on a safari trip, and I met some Nigerians and people from other countries, too.
Sounds like you had a great time. What culture shocks did you experience when you first arrived in South Korea?
I did a lot of research, so I was already quite familiar with the culture before I came here. But a few things did surprise me. For example, timing, let’s just say I was used to “African time.” If an event is scheduled to start at 2 PM, I’m aiming to get there at 2:30 or even 3 PM. But it’s not like that here. If they say it’s 2 PM, it’s starting at exactly 2 PM.
Another shock was the weddings. Back in Nigeria, when you attend a wedding, you know that’s all you’re doing for that day. Here, they have strict time slots for the weddings, so it’s very short, very quick. But what I find most fascinating is the gift-giving. They don’t buy gifts; they just give money.
They have these counters, and as you come in, you go there, put the money in an envelope and hand it over to the people there. Then they’ll give you a ticket. If you don’t gift money and get the ticket, you can’t eat at the wedding. It’s very different from how we do weddings in Nigeria. But I think I prefer the system here, because the newlyweds can use the money to buy whatever they need.
One more shock was the public displays of affection (PDA). There is a lot of that here, and I feel the K-dramas lied to us about that. You don’t see a lot of it in those shows. The main characters might not kiss until the very end. But coming here, I was like, you guys should get your room. What’s wrong with all of you?
You sound like you’ve had an amazing time in Korea, but what has been your worst experience?
I was once hanging out with a Korean friend and another friend from Myanmar. We were at a mall, and we saw this massage chair open for use. Before we walked up, we saw a white couple testing it. And when we got there, they told us foreigners weren’t allowed. We pointed out that we had just seen two foreigners test it; they appeared to relent. They let my friends test it, but when I wanted to, they wouldn’t let me.
I still think about that experience once in a while.
Sorry that happened. Have you experienced other instances of racism and discrimination?
Nope. But to be fair, I’m a really open-minded person, and unless it’s really in my face, I wouldn’t notice stuff like that.
Okay. What has been your best experience so far?
I’ve had a lot of great experiences. I could start from the day I arrived here. I left Nigeria with one wheeled travelling bag and one Ghana-must-go bag. When I arrived, I had to catch a train. Going to the train station, I had difficulty dragging the Ghana-must-go while wheeling the box. And a Korean woman just came and assisted me in dragging the Ghana-must-go until I got to the elevator taking me down to the boarding platform.
When I got out of the elevator, the train was almost leaving. An older couple saw me struggling and came to help. The man was running and dragging the Ghana-must-go until he lost his slippers. It all just felt so welcoming. Like that was literally my first day in Korea, and people were helping me like that. That was a very memorable experience for me.
On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in South Korea, and why?
I think I’m going to give it seven. Ten is for God, nine is for me… I’m just joking.
I’m going to give it a strong eight. My life here is way better than it was in Nigeria. Even in terms of opportunity.
I love the travel opportunities being here has given me. And South Korea has literally been a home away from home for me. Most people I’ve met here have been welcoming. Life here is not that hard. Things work. There’s constant electricity, transportation works, healthcare works, and so does everything else. It’s not a ten yet because I’m still searching for a job.
Do you want to share your Abroad Life story? Please reach out to me here. For new episodes of Abroad Life, check in every Friday at 12 PM (WAT).
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It’s 2025, and if you still haven’t gotten into Korean dramas (a.k.a. K-Dramas), I’m side-eying you….hard. These shows have gone from guilty pleasures to global obsessions, and for good reason.
There’s a K-Drama for everyone: supernatural thrillers, medical dramas, slow-burn romances, legal face-offs, high school chaos — you name it. With rich storytelling, unforgettable characters, and soundtracks that live rent-free in your head, K-Dramas aren’t just shows; they’re experiences.
So, we asked 40 Nigerian superfans to share their all-time favourites. Yes, the list is ranked, but honestly? Every single one is a banger.
A former ping pong player becomes a funeral director and finds out that she has a special ability to talk to dead people. The dead often ask her to grant their last wishes, but whenever she refuses, her day becomes filled with bad luck.
“The first thought I had when I watched this show was, ‘No job is easy o.’ How can the dead that you didn’t kill have power over you? But the plot makes an interesting watch.” — Ben, 22.
A rebellious teen with a troubled past meets a kind-hearted doctor, who sees her potential. Fast forward a few years, and she’d be transformed into a badass neurosurgeon. When fate brings them back together in the same hospital, love is almost gone.
“Aside from the fact that I was instantly drawn to the actors from the beginning of the drama, love as a theme will always do it for me. The characters were beautifully written and executed. Soft, easy and mature love is my delulu fuel.” — Fisayo, 28.
A stuntman’s life is flipped upside down when his young nephew dies in a mysterious plane crash. But when Dal-Geon spots someone he knows was on that flight walking around alive, he dives headfirst into uncovering the truth. He joins forces with a law enforcement agent with her own secrets. Together, they expose a dark web of government lies, espionage, and danger that goes all the way to the top.
“I like it because it’s different from the typical K-Dramas, which are usually about love. It’s action-packed and makes you think about life.” — Ola, 24
The heir to a powerful merchant family in Joseon, vanished as a child. But his strong-willed stepsister never stopped searching for him. Everything changes when he suddenly returns 12 years later with no memory and a strange new energy. The stepsister suspects something is off, but she also finds herself unexpectedly drawn to him.
“I love how it explores complex themes like identity and family dynamics in a historical setting. The cast is amazing. They bring so much depth to their characters. Dear Hongrang makes me feel invested in the characters’ stories and emotions. The drama’s themes of identity, love, and family dynamics resonate deeply, and I find myself reflecting on the characters’ experiences.” — Eniola, 19.
When an introverted teen moves into a sketchy apartment complex after a personal tragedy, he’s hoping for peace and quiet. But he gets a terrifying monster apocalypse instead. People across Korea start turning into grotesque creatures based on their deepest desires. Now, he and his reluctant neighbours must fight to survive and not turn into monsters themselves.
“Sweet Home is a cool K-Drama because it mixes scary monsters with deep emotions. The main character is fighting his own dark side while trying to protect others. It’s exciting, sad, and full of action. It’s a horror movie with heart.” — Loki, 23.
Dr. Romantic is like Grey’s Anatomy, but Korean, moodier, and ten times more dramatic. It follows the story of the reclusive surgeon, Teacher Kim (a.k.a. Dr. Romantic), who now runs a humble hospital far from the politics and chaos of the big city. Under his watch, it’s all about saving lives, learning humility, and standing up to the corrupt medical system. When two hot-headed young doctors get sent to his hospital, they’re forced to unlearn everything they thought they knew.
“It makes me feel ‘safe’ in a way. It’s my comfort drama. I have re-watched each season, nothing less than five times. Coincidentally, I downloaded a few episodes of Season 3 yesterday, and it feels like I am watching it for the very first time.” — Cynthia, 28.
Bong Soon may look innocent, but she’s superhuman — born with insane strength passed down from generations of women in her family. When she gets hired as a bodyguard by a charismatic gaming CEO, things spiral into a whirlwind of crime-fighting and workplace romance.
“Though this show is funny, it’s one of the K-Dramas with elements of feminism. I like that.” — Bolu, 26.
An immortal goblin is cursed to live forever until his bride pulls an invisible sword from his chest and ends his life with it. His search for his destined bride leads him to a sweet high school student who turns his world upside down.
“This is the first K-Drama about the supernatural that I loved. I watch it almost every five months.” — Mary, 24.
Hwarang follows a group of elite, young warriors secretly assembled to protect the Silla Kingdom. Among them is a mysterious commoner with a hidden past. As they train, fight, and fall in love, secrets unravel and loyalties are tested.
“One of my favourite things about K-Drama is when it assembles a vigilante group. You’ll get thrilling sword fights and showmanship. This series delivers on that.” — Tope, 27.
A superstar baseball player ends up behind bars for beating up someone while defending his sister. A crash course in prison life follows, full of unexpected friendships, crooked guards, and reformed (and not-so-reformed) inmates.
“I first felt rage when I began watching this show, because I feel that people shouldn’t be punished for defending someone who’s wrong. Then later, I warmed up to the story when it got to prison life.” — Joseph, 28.
Set in a small neighbourhood in Seoul, Reply 1988 follows five childhood friends as they stumble through the chaos of adolescence, crushes, awkward family moments, and wholesome bonds.
“I love the friendship between the five main lead characters and the subtle lessons you could pick out from this drama. If you understand humour and storytelling and are ready to laugh like a banshee, I suggest you check this series out.” — Oluwatobilola, 28.
This slice-of-life gem follows five best friends who met in med school and now work at the same hospital. They’re doctors by day, bandmates by night, and certified emotional support humans all the time. Through surgeries, heartbreaks, awkward confessions, and spontaneous jam sessions, they show us what it means to truly ride for your people.
“It’s a great take on adult friendship and relationships. They also explored love, cheating, conflict resolution and even child care. Shows on friendships are my favourite.” — Omolewa, 25.
A sweet and goofy high schooler becomes a makeup pro to escape years of bullying about her appearance. With her new skills, she transforms into a literal goddess at her new school. No one knows what she looks like without makeup until a mysterious classmate accidentally discovers her secret and falls for the real her anyway.
“I loved it because of the blend of humor and romance. But beyond those, I liked how it portrayed self-acceptance. No one can love you better than yourself and until you love yourself, you will not be able to accept love from other people.” — Eri, 21.
When a rich and independent lady gets swept up by a freak tornado while paragliding, she accidentally lands in North Korea. There, she’s discovered by a stoic and principled North Korean army officer who decides to hide and protect her against all odds.
“The romance was top tier. I’m a lover girl, and they portrayed it perfectly. It was the first K-Drama to make me cry my eyes out. It was so good that I won’t be going back to it cause I don’t want to cry again.” — Ella, 24.
Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik grew up together in 1950s Jeju, South Korea. Ae-Sun is a fierce, free-spirited book lover with big dreams of becoming a poet. Even though her family’s poverty keeps her from school, she wears her heart on her sleeve and never backs down. Gwan-Sik, on the other hand, is quiet, hardworking, and utterly devoted to Ae-Sun, loving and respecting her with all he’s got.
“It made me see my parents, especially my mum, in a much different light as an adult, just doing life for the first time. It helped me be kinder to them. I could also relate to the young protagonists on what it’s like navigating life as young adults, having dreams and losing dreams.” — Mofiyinfoluwa, 23.
The story revolves around the heir to a massive business empire, who’s sent to live in the US but returns to Korea to take charge of his family’s company. Along the way, he meets a girl from a poor background who is trying to make her way in the world. Their worlds clash, sparks fly, and a complicated romance begins with plenty of drama, jealousy, and power struggles thrown in.
“I’ve watched it too many times to count. No other K-Drama has really made me feel the way this does. At this point, it’s like a rite of passage for everyone who starts watching K-Dramas at the start of the 2010s.” — Princess, 25.
After a tragic injustice ruins a guy’s life and lands him in prison, he’s laser-focused on building a restaurant empire in Itaewon and taking down the powerful family that destroyed him. With a ragtag crew of misfits, including a fierce businesswoman and a loyal chef, he battles corrupt corporations and his own past demons.
“I love it because in recent times (2021 to date), I’ve watched more office-centric K-Dramas because of my interest in workplace dynamics across different cultures. This movie symbolises what’s possible with sheer tenacity, discipline and having the best talents work with your organisation from inception. I also love the inclusion (DEI) undertone that was championed.” — Emmanuel, 30.
A spoiled young man with no interest in staying in college wants to become an actor. His life is flipped upside down when he accidentally frees a Gumiho, a mythical nine-tailed fox spirit. She’s adorable, kind of clueless about human life, and desperately wants to become human. Instead of fighting for his life, what follows is slow-burning romance.
“The series is a perfect mix of funny, sweet and emotional. It’s light, soft, romantic, old school and funny. It made me feel warm—the type to get you out of a shitty mood and have you smiling like a mumu.” — Adedolapo, 25.
A guy who looks after his older brother with autism at a psychiatric hospital meets a famous children’s book author with a traumatic past of her own. When their worlds collide, chaos meets control, and what follows is a slow, emotional unpacking of childhood wounds, mental health, and complicated love.
“I can’t deny the lasting impact It’s Okay to Not Be Okay had on me. It wasn’t just another drama—it was a revelation. It was one of the first Korean dramas I’d ever seen that flipped the script on how women are usually portrayed—not just in Korean media, but in many Asian dramas. The female lead wasn’t your typical soft-spoken, passive character waiting to be saved. The drama challenged the norm and still holds a special place in my heart.” — Daisy, 18.
This drama follows three siblings who are tired of commuting. The youngest sibling is pretending to be okay. The middle child talks big games but can’t seem to catch a break, while the eldest sibling still clings to hope despite disappointments.
“People mostly associate Korean dramas with fantasy and daydreaming, and sometimes, it is that, but not this film. It shows how life can just be routine for some people and how they try to find joy in that routine.” — Fati, 25.
This show looks into a luxury high-rise where the kids are elite, the parents are elitist, and someone is always plotting someone’s downfall. Between brutal class divides, cheating scandals, children being used as weapons, and at least one murder per season, this show is high-tension.
“I like shows that are intense and give me suspense. This show is on top of that list.” — Deborah, 17.
The show kicks off with the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl, involving seven morally bankrupt adults — from a K-pop CEO to a shady OB-GYN. They lie, scheme and sell their souls for clout and coin. And when it all starts unravelling, it gets dark and bloody.
“I loved this show for its twists and turns.” — Sola, 18
This is an office romance between a man, the heir of a big company, and a lady, the front desk worker in the building. Their work relationship has a difficult start, but as they become familiar with each other, they find themselves together.
“King the Land is goated to me for its romance.” — Favour, 17.
This show is tense from beginning to end. It follows Si-eun, the soft-spoken, top-of-the-class student who turns into John Wick when provoked. Si-eun’s character is what you call small but mighty. The guy’s brain is his deadliest weapon. He doesn’t fight with fists; he fights with sense, and honestly.
“My feelings went from pain to anger and heartbreak. But somehow, it still gave me hope, too. It’s one of those shows you finish and you’re just staring at your screen like, ‘What did I just watch?’” — Naya, 27.
Imagine finding out your walking red flag of a husband is cheating on you. Now imagine he’s doing it with your best friend. Then imagine they both murder you despite being terminally ill. That’s the life of Kang Ji-won.
However, the plot twist is that she reincarnates 10 years before her marriage and gets a second chance to change her fate. This time, she’s determined to flip the script and make her former best friend marry her husband instead.
“I love K-Drama because basically, it’s a safe option. It is just a drama and the suspense is not so bad, so I’m not really anticipating anything. And K-Drama romance is not as bad as American movies, with all their nudity.” — Eniola, 25.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a slow-burn romance with small-town shenanigans and personal growth. It’s about starting over, building community, and falling in love when you’re not even sure you’re ready.
“It was just a feel-good show. Love shouldn’t be difficult. You shouldn’t be guarded or jaded in a relationship. Love should not be something where you have a strategy; you should just go with your feelings.” — Feranmi, 26.
The protagonist, Woo Young-woo, is an autistic lawyer with a photographic memory and a high IQ who tackles challenges in and out of the courtroom as a rookie at a prominent law firm. At the law firm where social “norms” are everything, she’s not exactly welcomed with open arms.
“This made me feel the same way The Good Doctor did. It made me see disability or difference in another light, and taught me patience and to give grace to people with special needs.” — Praise, 28.
A babe with dreams of becoming the next tech guru drops out of university and takes up a part-time job. While figuring out how she’d make $90,000 to open her business, she meets a tech bro with whom she falls in love. But their relationship is threatened by a secret love interest.
“This one is fun. It will make you love tech and the world of capital sourcing or seed funding competitions. It covers product management, ownership, and creation. Then, there is young love and adulthood. It’s a good series.” — Jordan, 29.
A self-obsessed vice chairman believes the world spins on his schedule. His long-suffering, hyper-efficient secretary, Kim, has put up with his diva antics for 9 years, but one day, sis decides she’s done. But her boss? He spirals hard. Suddenly, the man who never cared about anyone but his reflection is begging and scheming to keep her around and maybe win her heart, too.
“I love everything about this show. It’s just so cute.” — Aisha, 24.
A 21st-century cheeky and free-spirited chef is trapped in a queen’s body in the historical days of the Joseon Dynasty. As the Queen gets familiar with her new life, she’s stuck in the past, navigating royal politics and palace drama.
“This movie makes me feel happy and also gives me another perspective on life. It entails comedy, romance and suspense. It’s so entertaining and thrilling.” — Dorcas, 18.
A half-human, half-vampire has been sleeping in a coffin for over 100 years, waiting for the one moment that will finally make him fully human. But he misses his chance just before he can fully transform. Now he’s stuck between worlds, not quite vampire or human.
“The vampire guy was so handsome and sacrificial. It makes me feel like life doesn’t always dance to our tunes, and we should be ready to embrace whatever it throws at us while using it to our advantage. It’s my favourite K-Drama.” — Toyosi, 19.
A jobless young man who ends up in a coma and becomes half-human, half-spirit gets recruited by a team of grim reapers. They’re not the soul-collecting kind, but a crisis management squad that saves people from dying by suicide. He helps strangers find hope again while figuring out his purpose.
“I love it because the plot is based on saving people who had lost hope in life and are inspired to continue living a good life. It made me feel at ease knowing that every challenge in life is just there for a while, not forever. It’s an emotional show for me.” — Priscilla, 18.
A low-born woman disguises herself as a man to escape slavery and fight for her homeland. But fate has other plans. In a twisty turn of palace politics and emotional warfare, she catches the eye of not one but two kings who have feelings for her. As she navigates love triangles, court betrayal, and national identity, she rises from servant to warrior to the empress, outplaying schemers, emperors, and destiny itself.
“In my opinion, this is the best K-Drama that’s set in ancient times.” — Peace, 28.
An insecure teenage girl tries to get her crush’s attention, whom she thinks is out of her league, but her efforts are futile—until one situation makes her and her father move in with a friend who turns out to be her crush’s father.
“I felt seen and not alone, that people on the other continent also have similar experiences to mine. Most especially because we didn’t have stories like that here.” — Pelumi, 28.
A special forces soldier and a no-nonsense surgeon fall madly in love. They try to make it work, but split due to ideological differences. Sometime later, a war breaks out in a chaotic foreign land, and the soldier is deployed there. But who also lands there to work? His ex, the surgeon. Amidst the war, thrown back together, they catch feelings.
“It made me understand the dynamics of a relationship, especially long distances and when your partner’s job puts them in the line of fire or high pressure, where life and death are separated by seconds. It made servicemen (not Nigerian police o) sexy and attractive to me.” — Lami, 27.
The Korean-born mafia consigliere, Vincenzo, was raised in Italy. When his adoptive mafia family turns on him, he flees to Seoul to recover hidden gold buried beneath a seemingly harmless apartment complex. But the building is now occupied by a group of weird but lovable tenants, and a corrupt, evil megacorp is threatening the gold. Now, he has to fight for it.
“I like seeing a good guy who is also a badass beat up the bad guys in movies and TV shows. The lead actor is so firm and charismatic. His fashion sense and poise are some of the best I have seen in K-Drama too.” — Joseph, 28.
A working-class girl gets a scholarship to an elite high school. She is picked on by Gu Jun Pyo, one of the richest and most popular students, who belongs to a group called F4, but she stands up to him. Instead of bullying her more, Jun Pyo finds himself attracted to her.
“Watching the show was like watching people in my secondary school back then, minus the billionaire kids part. I couldn’t even escape watching it due to the frenzy my classmate made about it. I ended up raving about it too.” — Folaranmi, 29.
An elite agent recruited into South Korea’s top-secret organisation is at the centre of this high-stakes action-thriller. Alongside his best friend and fellow agent, he dives into dangerous missions. Betrayal, hidden agendas, and a mysterious global group called “IRIS” pull him into an unexpected turn of events.
“First of all, I like that it has spy games plot twists where everyone has something to hide. 10/10 show.” — Francis, 25.
A crown prince is caught in a web of deadly royal secrets when he discovers that his father, the king, has been turned into a flesh-eating zombie. As the mysterious plague spreads across the kingdom, the crown prince must fight off zombies, power-hungry officials and betrayal at every turn.
“This is one of the most intensive zombie shows that I have ever seen. It’s painful that Netflix discontinued it.” — Akin, 26.
In a magical land, where people can literally switch souls, a badass assassin is forced to hide her soul inside the weak body of a blind servant girl. She’s a maid to a chaotic heir to a powerful magical family. He’s looking for someone to teach him how to master the forbidden magic that everyone’s been gatekeeping from him. But the only help he has is his maid.
“The first time I saw a K-Drama with magical powers was this show, and I really liked it. I went to the internet, digging for more K-Dramas with plotlines of supernatural and metaphysics.” — Babarinde, 30
Nigerian men troll Nigerian women for fawning over K-Drama men too much. But who complains when women from S.A, Kenya and other countries drool over Nigerian men?
I’m here to tell you K-Drama isn’t the trash you think it is, you just need to see the light, which is exactly what we’ve brought you today.
For romance tips
Can you cleverly and tenderly catch women in your arms when they trip? There’s “romanzzz” to learn Korean shows.
Recommendation: “Boys Over Flowers”
Premium investigation
Women make up the largest part of the K-drama fan base in Nigeria. There must be a reason why. Finding out what these women see in these shows may be the self-improvement you need.
Recommendation: “Law School”
A chance to learn new language
The world evolves every day. Your L1 and L2 are no longer enough in this new wave of globalisation. If you watch and learn well, you might even open a language school and turn it into a business.
Not every time you’ll be doing like Peaky Blinder boys. Is Tommy Shelby’s trauma fun to you? Lee Min Ho and co are less problematic men to emulate.
Recommendation: “King the Land”
You and K-Drama men are more similar than you think
In “Alchemy of Souls”, the king was moving like Nigerian men. First thing he did after shifting souls with the mage was go after the mage’s wife. What kind of bastard konji is that?
Recommendation: “Alchemy of Souls”
Your babe enjoys it
You can’t dislike what your babe likes. It’s an unwritten rule.
Recommendation: “Crash Course In Romance”
Fashion sense
Watch out for the villains especially; they always eat with their fits. Life is more than skinny jeans and baggy Balenciaga shirts.
Recommendation: “Wang Taozhi Woos Madam Lim”
For my people that love good boy love content, if you’ve been in need of recommendations. Sit tight because these six dramas will change your life and have you screaming, God, when!
KinnPorsche (Thai)
If you still haven’t seen KinnPorsche by now, what do you have against enjoyment? How much more convincing do you need? It’s a story about Kinn, a guy from a mafia family, who meets Porsche, a bartender, while fleeing for his life. Kinn asks Porsche to help him. Porsche being a smart guy decides to help him but for a price and I stan. This drama is packed with suspense, romance and a bit of violence, so viewers’ discretion, please. Also, maybe don’t watch this one with your parents, e get why.
Cutie Pie is a twelve-episode short rom-com that follows the life of Kuea Keerati, a university student engaged to Lian Kilen Wang, a CEO. Someone say God when, please. Kuea loves Lian but trusts a rich man like Lian to prioritise his work over his relationship. As someone who is very anti-love, this made me feel very mushy, just so you know what to expect.
Semantic Error (Korean)
Who doesn’t love a perfect love story between the shy, quiet nerd and the outgoing, overly friendly himbo? Chu Sang Woo is a talented computer science student. He managed to keep to himself until he got put in a group project with Jang Hae Young. This drama made me want to scream because why were they so cute?
Oh! Boarding House (Korean)
If you’re single and you watch this drama, just prepare to be jealous. Seol Won’s mother runs a low-cost boarding house. Since he’s out of work and she needs to go to her hometown, she entrusts the boarding house to Seol Won, which is how he meets Kim Cheol Soo, a teacher and his love interest. You know it’s a good drama when they find love in unconventional places.
Love Class (Korean)
Love Class is a sweet drama about finding love and community. Cha Ji Woo is a university student in love with a classmate Bae Yu Na. Unfortunately, she doesn’t feel the same way. One day a course demands that people pair up as “couples” to complete a project about love and Ji Woo finds himself paired with Lee Ro Ah, a guy. Like every good project partners to romantic partner trope, this will leave you feeling good for a long time.
First Love, Again (Korean)
First Love, Again is the type of boy love drama you’d watch when you’re in a drama slump. It has just six episodes, and unlike the rest of them on this list, it’s a fantasy drama. This drama follows the life of Yeon Seok, who was in love with Jeong Ha in his past life, except in this life, she reincarnated as a man.
Boys Before Flowers or Boys Before Money. If you think the answer is money, you’ve started failing.
Take the quiz:
Questions
This is a question
You got #{score}/#{total}
If it’s not African Magic, you don’t know it.
You got #{score}/#{total}
You’re not a k-drama fan, but you watch when you can.
You got #{score}/#{total}
We’re sure you speak Korean.
Warning: There are spoilers oh
All of Us Are Dead is a 12 episode long Netflix original zombie apocalypse TV show. If you enjoyed Squid Game, it’s not the same thing, but you’ll totally enjoy this show too. And maybe learn something about surviving in a zombie apocalypse if suffering is your kink.
1. Cheong-san
He immediately took on the role of a leader, thinking of new tactics to keep them all safe even after losing two people important to him. He was a little too stubborn and naive sometimes, but if you are ever stuck in a zombie apocalypse and you want to stay alive, find a Cheong-san.
2. Ms Park
She kept motivating the students when they had lost hope and was the only teacher that considered alerting the kids about the outbreak, although it was too little, too late. Ms Park even tried to save Na-yeon when she ran away. The kids really liked her. Too bad niceness doesn’t keep people alive.
3. Nam-ra
For slapping Na-yeon when none of us could, she deserves all the best things. This babe got infected and fought it as long as she could, using her newfound powers to save her friends when they found themselves in tight situations. She deserved better than she got.
4. On-jo’s dad
This man went through hell trying to save his daughter, even when he wasn’t certain that she would be alive. He got shot at, fought zombies and the Korean military, even went against the oath he took to save lives. He went through hell for his daughter right till the very end.
5. Gyeong-su
He was Cheong-san’s best friend, and they had one of the best friendships. His only flaw was that Na-yeon maltreated him, and he argued that she deserved to die. He saved her life and that of their friends, and how did she repay him? By turning him into a zombie.
6. Ho-cheol
This character probably had some Nigerian spirit because I would do almost everything he did. Baba was the only logical thinking character in the entire series. Telling the police officer to leave the kids was kind of dark though. He might have also abandoned the said police officer for wanting to save everyone, but he came back so yay! He had a very short screen time, but he made us laugh throughout and we are glad that he made it out alive.
7. Dae-su
Was he annoying sometimes? Yes, but he was also really sweet, and it’s just unfortunate that all the babes he liked turned him down, in a zombie apocalypse. He had some endearing moments though, like when he sang and helped raise spirits on the roof.
Bonus: Orangibberish
This guy was an extremely stupid character, but he made for good comic relief. He was busy doing influencer duties during a zombie outbreak and I almost wish they ate him tbh. Man’s was live streaming for people that were safe or just didn’t care, a big olodo.
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