K-Dramas and K-Movies That Explore History and Immigration
Since its debut, the best-selling book-turned-TV series Pachinko has been generating a ton of buzz among audiences. Chronicling the epic journey of a Korean immigrant family across generations, the series has captured K-Drama watchers' attention with its beautiful story of hope.
For those enjoying Pachinko and are perhaps looking for similar titles to stream that explore themes of immigration and history, here are a few worth checking out.
Capital Scandal
The 1930s were times of independence movements, pro-Japanese forces, and pre-modern ethics in Korea. The nation's capital became a battleground for the country's youth. In Gyeongseong, Sunwoo Wan (Kang Jihwan), the playboy of the century, swears that he can get any woman to fall for his charms in just ten minutes. Instead, he crosses paths with an independence activist, Nah Yeokyung (Han Jimin). With her pre-modern ethics, she's the complete opposite of him. Still, he decides to bet that she will fall in love with him, and soon their life-changing fake relationship begins. Sunwoo learns that love means taking action to protect the people he cares about. His love for Yeokyung transforms into love for his country, while his wrath points toward Japan. Capital Scandal is available to watch on Viki.
Assassination
Can a group of Korean resistance fighters carry out an assassination before enemy forces hunt them down? Yeom Sekjin (Lee Jungjae) is a Korean resistance fighter during the 1930s Japanese occupation of Korea. He plans out the assassination of a Japanese commander and hires Ahn Okyoon (Jun Jihyun), a skilled sniper. Okyoon takes on the mission with her comrades Soksapo (Jo Jinwoong) and Hwang Duksam (Choi Dukoon) to fight for Korean independence. Unfortunately, the Japanese government sends contract killers Hawaii Pistol (Ha Jungwoo) and his partner Buddy (Oh Dalsoo) after Okyoon and her men. Can Okyoon carry out her mission when there is a traitor among them? This 2015 action movie is available on Viki and Apple TV.
Bridal Mask
After his father dies and his older brother becomes mentally impaired after being tortured for involvement in the independence movement, Lee Kangto (Joo Won) develops a hatred for Joseon and becomes a policeman. Since he is part of the Japanese group, he is despised by the Joseon people. But through his brother and his mother's death, Kangto develops anger toward the Japanese empire and becomes the second Bridal Mask (after his brother), wearing a white outfit, and begins fighting for the Joseon people. The woman that is in Bridal Mask's heart is Oh Mokdan (Jin Seyeon), but another man also has her in his heart. After Kimura Shunji (Park Kiwoong) witnesses Bridal Mask kill his older brother, he becomes a Japanese policeman and tries his hardest to capture the masked rebel. What will happen to this love triangle when these three risk their lives for their nation? Bridal Mask is available on Viki.
Minari
In the 1980s, Jacob Yi (Steven Yeun) decides to uproot his family, which includes his wife Monica (Han Yeri), son David (Alan Kim), and daughter Anne (Noel Cho), from a relatively comfortable life in California to a rural location in Arkansas. He dreams of creating a huge farm where he can grow vegetables that are popular in South Korea but are very hard to find in the United States. Monica's mother, Soon Ja (Yun Yuhjung), comes from South Korea to join them, laden with grocery goodies, minari seeds, and a penchant for playing cards. The family starts to devote itself to making Jacob's unlikely dream come true, even if the stresses of the relocation lead him to bicker. You can check out Minari on Hulu, Viki, and Amazon Prime.
Taxi Driver
Taxi Driver follows the life of Kim Dogi (Lee Jehoon). He has lived more honestly than anyone else as an officer in the special forces. Yet, when a serial killer murders his mother, he spends his days in agony. While feeling wronged and broken, Dogi meets Jang Sungchul (Kim Euisung), who recruits Dogi to work for the Rainbow Taxi company. Far from a regular taxi service, Rainbow Taxi is a secret organization that avenges victims that the law didn't protect. Here, Dogi becomes a star driver who delivers satisfying revenge.
Meanwhile, Kang Hana (Esom) is a prosecutor who investigates Rainbow Taxi. She is furious with their lawless behavior, but at the same time, she feels confused to see them solve cases that the law cannot. So, between those who believe that revenge embodies true justice and those who pursue the outlaws, Dogi seeks what justice truly means. This drama is available to watch on Viki.
Edited by Aleena Faisal