10 Underrated K-Dramas with Premature Endings

Article Overview

K-dramas like Squid Game and Business Proposal have gained global popularity for their engaging stories and short episode length, making them easy to binge.

However, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo's have received backlash for their unsatisfactory endings and lack of closure. The cancellation of Joseon Exorcist, as well as the negative reviews for A Piece of Your Mind and Memories of the Alhambra, further emphasize the significant influence audience criticism has on the outcome of K-dramas.

K-dramas are gaining worldwide recognition for their captivating narratives and compelling stories, but unfortunately, some of these stories have been prematurely concluded. The global audience has embraced dramas like Squid Game, Business Proposal, and D.P., thrusting the genre into the limelight. One of the key factors contributing to the popularity of K-dramas is their concise length, typically spanning only 16 episodes, which makes them ideal for binge-watching. Despite the brevity, K-drama writers skillfully develop intricate storylines and create memorable characters that resonate with viewers.

As streaming platforms like Netflix incorporate Korean dramas into their offerings, the genre is poised to further surge in popularity. However, the increased global attention on K-dramas has also resulted in criticism for certain series. Due to viewer backlash, many K-dramas have been axed or prematurely terminated. Even shows that garnered praise during their airing succumbed to criticism when their endings failed to deliver a satisfying culmination. It became evident that some K-dramas required at least another season to tie up loose ends effectively.

10. Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol

Following the journey of a struggling pianist in a small village, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol fell short due to its unexpected plot twist. Originally intended to be a love story between the pianist, Goo Ra-ra, and a mysterious man, the show took a dramatic turn with a last-minute revelation of a life-threatening illness. This sudden twist, without any prior setup, left viewers questioning its purpose. Despite its charming romance between Ra-ra and Woo-joon, the introduction of the illness seemed out of place and unnecessary, leading to criticism of the show's writing.

9. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo's

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo was a K-drama about time travel, where a modern-day woman named Go Ha-jin was transported back to the Goryeo Dynasty. In this era, she became entangled in political intrigues and fell in love with the initially cold-hearted fourth prince, Wang So. The series concluded with Ha-jin finding a way back to the present, with Wang So promising to reunite with her. Sadly, the audience never witnessed this reunion, as the show ended there. With no announcement of a second season, the chances of the couple reuniting seem unlikely.

8. Joseon Exorcist

Joseon Exorcist faced an untimely demise, being axed after only two episodes due to audience backlash. The series aimed to offer an alternate historical narrative centered around the rulers of Joseon and their battles against malevolent spirits that plagued the kingdom. While the show sought to present an alternative version of history, it still aimed to maintain accuracy by featuring real-life figures like King Taejong and his sons, who played prominent roles. However, when these characters were portrayed committing actions inconsistent with Korean history, the show faced severe scrutiny. Viewers in Korea and China highlighted numerous historical inaccuracies, including the incorporation of Chinese elements in a historical Korean setting, ultimately leading to the show's cancellation.

7. Cheese in the Trap

Cheese in the Trap, a K-drama adaptation of a webtoon, revolved around the complex relationship between two university students, Hong Seol and Yoo Jung. Despite their stark differences, they embarked on a romantic journey. However, Jung's manipulative and privileged persona made him an unlikable partner for Seol, who was attending university on a scholarship. After a heartbreaking accident drove them apart, an unexplained time jump occurred in the finale. This unique ending was exclusive to the show, as the webtoon was incomplete at the time of production. Throughout the time jump, Seol and Jung's reconciliation was never depicted. Seol had penned numerous emails to Jung, all of which went unread until the very end when he finally opened one. While the romance may not have met the typical K-drama standards, this unresolved conclusion left the audience yearning for a satisfying and happy ending.

6. A Piece of Your Mind

A Piece of Your Mind faced an early termination due to unfavorable feedback. Instead of the originally planned 16 episodes, the series concluded after just 12 episodes. The narrative revolved around Moon Ha-won, an AI programmer grappling with the aftermath of his past romance. His encounter with Han Seo-woo, a sound engineer, sparked a blossoming love story. However, viewers felt uncomfortable with the central theme of Ha-won's obsession with his childhood friend and first love, who had already married someone else. This aspect, coupled with the slow pace and convoluted plot, resulted in a wave of negative critiques, ultimately leading to the premature conclusion of the drama.

5. Memories of the Alhambra

Memories of the Alhambra faced criticism due to its suspenseful ending, which provided little hope for a second season. The plot revolves around Yoo Jin-woo, a CEO, who embarks on a journey to Spain in search of the elusive creator of an immensely popular augmented reality game. As the story unfolds, Jin-woo finds himself entangled in the captivating realm of the game alongside Jung Hee-joo, the owner of a hostel in Spain. Though the sci-fi romance received favorable ratings, its conclusion left viewers yearning for more. Jin-woo voluntarily allowed his character to be terminated within the game, thereby leaving the audience in a state of suspense, pondering whether his real life also met the same fate, as hinted throughout the series. Although there were suggestions of Jin-woo's possible survival, these lingering questions remained unanswered by the end of the show.

4. My Name

The narrative revolves around the quest for vengeance by a woman named Yoon Ji-woo in a K-drama titled "My Name." This series captivated viewers with its captivating portrayal of a determined female protagonist. Moreover, the noir thriller theme of the show resonated well with the audience, resulting in high ratings. "My Name" distinguished itself by avoiding any shortcuts or unnecessary complications that could disrupt the plans of the main characters. Instead, it concluded on its own terms, leaving Ji-woo triumphant and resolute in reclaiming her life. However, despite the satisfying conclusion of the first season, the show has generated substantial demand for a second season due to its immense popularity. The potential for further exploration of Ji-woo's journey post-vengeance lends itself to unanswered questions that a second season could potentially address.

3. Twenty-Five Twenty-One

The conclusion of Twenty-Five Twenty-One left the audience with more inquiries than answers, leaving the romantic storyline unresolved. This series delved into the blossoming connection between Na Hee-do, a talented teenage fencer, and Baek Ye-jin, a former chaebol from a bankrupt, affluent family. The ending depicted their separation and pursuit of individual paths. Although glimpses of their subsequent lives were provided, such as Hee-do retiring from the world of fencing and Ye-jin embarking on a career as a news anchor, little else was revealed. It was hinted that Hee-do and Ye-jin may still hold affections for one another, yet nothing transpires from these implications. The initial portrayal of their romance was so captivating that viewers became disheartened by their ultimate non-union.

2. The Devil Judge

Set in a post-epidemic dystopian Korea, The Devil Judge was an ambitious drama that delved into the disturbing consequences of a live court show gone awry. Kim Ga-on, selected as a junior judge for the program, found himself ensnared in a power struggle that unfolded on set. Both the formidable head judge, Kang Yo-han, and the influential elite of Korea sought to exploit the show for their own self-serving agendas. Initially exploring themes of corruption and the extent to which individuals are willing to pursue justice, the storyline took a convoluted turn in its latter half, introducing elements of human experimentation and frequent acts of betrayal. While the series garnered praise for its exceptional performances and thought-provoking critique of unchecked authority, the conclusion proved unsatisfying due to its rushed and perplexing nature, likely a result of the show being trimmed from 20 episodes to 16.

1. Itaewon Class

Itaewon Class garnered positive feedback for its compelling narrative centered around a determined young man seeking retribution against the chaebol responsible for his father's demise. Upon his release from prison following an altercation with his father's murderer, Park Seo-ro-yi embarks on a quest for vengeance, amassing a formidable group of allies along the way. Despite Seo-ro-yi's triumphant conclusion, some viewers found the finale rushed and marred by an incongruous love triangle. A hastily introduced kidnapping subplot injected additional drama, leaving some audience members discontented with the character arcs of key individuals. While generally regarded as a well-executed K-drama, Itaewon Class falls slightly short in terms of character development and plausibility, leaving room for improvement in its denouement.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the premature endings of K-dramas. On one hand, I understand the frustration of not getting a satisfying conclusion to a story I've invested time and emotions into. It can be disappointing to see a show that starts off strong but then fizzles out in the end. On the other hand, I also appreciate the fact that K-dramas are often able to wrap up their stories in a concise and efficient manner. Unlike some Western shows that can drag on for multiple seasons, K-dramas typically have a limited number of episodes, which means that they can avoid the problem of becoming repetitive or overstaying their welcome.

Overall, I think the pros and cons of premature endings in K-dramas are pretty evenly balanced. While it's always disappointing to see a show end before its time, I also appreciate the fact that K-dramas are able to avoid some of the pitfalls that can come with longer-running shows.