The story seems to always be the same: it's hard for most people to accept tragedies of the past, and that is probably the reason why tear gas going at 24 frames per second like 화려한 휴가 (May 18 ) and 태극기 휘날리며 (Taegeukgi) still gets made. But the best way to remember the legacy of a past tragedy, while at the same time erasing at least a little bit of the residual pain, is black comedy. Bong Joon-Ho is the perfect example, with his 살인의 추억 (Memories of Murder) and 괴물 (The Host) speaking wonders about the power of laughing -- however dry it might be -- in the face of adversity. Im Sang-Soo is another, brilliant case, while the new kid on the block, Park Gwang-Hyun of 웰컴 투 동막골 (Welcome to Dongmakgol) added a welcome "North Koreans are people, too" spin to the proceedings. But how about TV? 경성스캔들 (Scandal in Old Seoul) did try to offer another side of the colonial era, far removed from dichotomies painting you either as an independence fighter or a traitor. But, sure enough, it eventually returned into the warm and smelly embrace of trendy drama tropes. But fear not, because we finally have a contender.

경숙이, 경숙아버지 (Gyeongsuk & Gyeongsuk's Father) started its life in theater, getting two encore runs thanks to its tremendous popularity and Jo Jae-Hyun's leading role, but it was peculiar that its TV adaptation ended up being produced by Hong Seok-Gu, he himself one of the most talented alumni of the Dramacity canon. His was the brilliant black comedy 저수지 (Reservoir) from 2007, which is a good appetizer for this, but even those well acquainted with his work will be surprised by this little gem. With Jung Bo-Seok playing an irresponsible, selfish prick of a father leaving his family to save his bacon during the Korean War, and super-talented Shim Eun-Kyung playing his daughter Jo Gyeongsuk, this 4 episode special mixes very dark and wicked comedy with tragedy in such a breezy, eclectic way that you wonder if you're really watching a Korean TV Drama, particularly considering how polished all this looks. Family love during the Korean War has never been this intelligent. Nor this funny.

With Jung Bo-Seok playing an irresponsible, selfish prick of a father leaving his family to save his bacon during the Korean War, and super-talented Shim Eun-Kyung playing his daughter Jo Gyeongsuk, this 4 episode special mixes very dark and wicked comedy with tragedy in such a breezy, eclectic way that you wonder if you're really watching a Korean TV Drama, particularly considering how polished all this looks. Family love during the Korean War has never been this intelligent. Nor this funny.

This drama portrays the life of the 19th king of Goguryeo, Hwanwoong, who was sent from the heavens to make the world a better place. He falls in love with Saeoh and gives her the joojak necklace; however, Kajin becomes jealous since Saeoh has given birth to Hwanwoong's son. She takes the baby and throws him off a cliff. Saeoh, thinking that her son had died, is overcome with grief and turns into the black joojak to destroy the world. Hwanwoong is the only one who could stop her. Afterwards, Hwanwoong returns to the Heavens and prophecizes that 2000 years later, the true Joo Shin king will come to Earth. With the help of the four gods, he will rebuild Joo Shin.

Hwang Jin Yi, a famous 16th century Gisaeng, is the most legendary courtesan of the Joseon Dynasty. She was noted for her exceptional beauty, charming quick-wit and extraordinary intellect.

The movie sheds new light on the life of Hwang Jin Yi, who made her art blossom even when her love was put to test. It also depicts the tragic life of Hwang who faces hardship due to her social status.

The drama about the life of Jumong's grandson, Moo Hyul, who later became Daemusin.

Shin Yoon Bok is a talented painter who disguises herself as a boy to search for her father’s murderer and meets a master painter who guided her into being a great painter. Kim Hong Do is the man who teaches Yoon Bok how to paint and they develop a strong friendship of mentor and disciple.

Kang Chil Woo is a lowly officer during the Joseon era. Chil Woo is not a very smart and one of his life long goals is to become a midlevel officer. However when night falls, he is no longer that low level officer but instead a top assassin in an assassination organization. He gives out punishment to criminals and gives justice where needed. So Yoon and Chil Woo have a tragic love story. Yeon Doo is the daughter of a fallen yangban who owns a textile shop. She falls in love with Chil Woo after he rescues her from thugs who were harassing her.