New Dramas Coming Your Way In Summer 2019

There’s a load of new dramas on the way to improve your summer this year! You’re bound to find something to enjoy, no matter whether your plans include binging inside with the air conditioning on or relaxing after a long day of work or school by catching up on a new favorite.

Check out what the world of Korean dramas has in store for the summer months below!

“60 Days, Designated Survivor”

Starring: Ji Jin Hee, Lee Joon Hyuk, Heo Joon Ho, Kang Han Na, and more

A remake of the popular U.S. series “Designated Survivor.” The drama tells the story of the head of the Ministry of Environment Park Moo Jin (played by Ji Jin Hee) who unexpectedly leads the country for 60 days after a terror attack kills the president and all others ahead of him in the line of succession during the State of the Union Address.

“60 Days, Designated Survivor” premieres on tvN on July 1.

“Love Affairs in the Afternoon”

Starring: Park Ha Sun, Lee Sang Yeob, Ye Ji Won, Jo Dong Hyuk, and more

Based on the hit Japanese drama “Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon,” this story follows the trials and tribulations of adults experiencing forbidden love in extramarital affairs.

“Love Affairs in the Afternoon” will premiere on Channel A on July 5.

“Watcher”

Starring: Han Suk Kyu, Seo Kang Joon, Kim Hyun Joo, and more

A psychological thriller about a police officer who witnesses corruption (Han Suk Kyu), a police officer who witnesses a murder (Seo Kang Joon), and a lawyer who witnesses a lie (Kim Hyun Joo). They join forces to uncover corruption within the police force and find out the hidden evils of the system.

“Watcher” premieres on OCN on July 6 and will be available on Viki.

Watch a teaser below!

Watch Now

“Level Up”

Starring: Han Bo Reum, Sung Hoon, Danny Ahn, B1A4’s Baro, and more

A restructuring expert (played by Sung Hoon) and a gamer (played by Han Bo Reum) team up to save a bankrupt game company.

“Level Up” begins on July 10 on MBN, and you can look forward to watching it on Viki.

Check out a teaser below!

Watch Now

“Hotel Del Luna”

Starring: IU, Yeo Jin Goo, Jung Dong Hwan, Shin Jung Geun, gugudan’s Mina, Block B’s P.O, and more

An elite hotelier (Yeo Jin Goo) ends up becoming the manager of Hotel Del Luna where he meets the beautiful but ill-tempered boss (IU), and the two pair up to run the hotel.

“Hotel Del Luna” begins on July 13 on tvN, and will be available on Viki!

“Mr. Temporary”

Starring: Yoon Kyun Sang, U-KISS’s Jun (Lee Jun Young), Choi Kyu Jin, Han So Eun, Kim Myung Ji, and more

A lawyer goes undercover as a temporary teacher to find out the truth behind a mysterious murder that happened in an elite high school.

“Mr. Temporary” premieres on OCN on July 17 at 11 p.m. KST. It will be available on Viki!

“Doctor Detective”

Starring: Park Jin Hee, Lee Ki Woo, Bong Tae Gyu, and more

A “doctor detective” (Park Jin Hee) who specializes in occupational health searches for the truth that the major company TL Group wants to conceal about industrial accidents, occupational diseases, and more.

“Doctor Detective” premieres on July 17 on SBS. It will be available on Viki!

“Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung”

Starring: Shin Se Kyung, ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo, Park Ki Woong, Lee Ji Hoon, and more

A fictional historical drama set in the Joseon Dynasty that tells the story of women who were frowned upon for writing historical records. Shin Se Kyung takes the role of Goo Hae Ryung, a brave and bright intern historian, while Cha Eun Woo plays lonely Prince Yi Rim who has no romantic experience.

“Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung” begins on July 17 on MBC.

“Justice”

Starring: Nana, Choi Jin Hyuk, Son Hyun Joo, Park Sung Hoon, and more

“Justice” will tell the story of a lawyer who makes a deal with the devil to seek revenge, and a man who willingly becomes evil for his family. The two men collide in an investigation of the world of VVIPs in Korea after the disappearances of several actresses.

The drama premieres on KBS on July 17, and it’s coming to Viki!

“Doctor John”

Starring: Ji Sung, Lee Se Young, Lee Kyu Hyung, Hwang Hee, Jung Min Ah, and more

Doctors who work with pain management try to figure out the unknown causes of pain experienced by patients with chronic illness.

“Doctor John” begins on July 19 on SBS, and it will be available on Viki.

“Golden Garden”

Starring: Han Ji Hye, Lee Sang Woo, Oh Ji Eun, Lee Tae Sung, and more

This mystery romance drama tells the story of Eun Dong Joo (played by Han Ji Hye) attempting to truly live her life to its fullest.

“Golden Garden” begins on July 20 on MBC, and it will be available on Viki.

“Moments of 18”

Starring: Ong Seong Wu, Kim Hyang Gi, Shin Seung Ho, Kang Ki Young, and more

An examination of the lives of inexperienced youth, “Moments of 18” looks at what life is like at the precarious age of 18 years old when passing moments can leave deep impressions.

“Moments of 18” premieres on July 22 on JTBC, and it’s coming to Viki!

“Melo Is My Nature”

Starring: Chun Woo Hee, Jeon Yeo Bin, Han Ji Eun, Gong Myung, Ahn Jae Hong, and more

Three female best friends in their thirties attempt to navigate dating and the struggles of their daily lives.

“Melo Is My Nature” begins on July 26 on JTBC, and it will be available on Viki.

“My First First Love” Season 2

Starring: Ji Soo, Jung Chaeyeon, B1A4’s Jinyoung, Choi Ri, Kang Tae Oh, and more

A romantic coming-of-age drama about love, friendships, and the dreams of five college students.

“My First First Love” returns for a second season on Netflix on July 26.

“Welcome 2 Life”

Starring: Rain, Lim Ji Yeon, Kwak Si Yang, and more

A selfish lawyer (played by Rain) helps people who want to take advantage of the law, but one day he gets sucked into a parallel universe and begins to live a completely new life as an upright prosecutor.

“Welcome 2 Life” airs on MBC beginning in late July, and will be available on Viki!

“I Wanna Hear Your Song”

Starring: Yeon Woo Jin, gugudan’s Kim Sejeong, T-ara’s Jiyeon, Song Jae Rim, and more

A timpanist who has lost all memories of a murder embarks on a journey to recover the truth as she meets a mysterious tone-deaf man.

“I Wanna Hear Your Song” premieres on July 29 on KBS, and it will be available on Viki.

“When the Devil Calls Your Name”

Starring: Jung Kyung Ho, Park Sung Woong, Lee Seol, Lee El, and more

A star songwriter named Ha Rip (Jung Kyung Ho) sold his soul to the devil in exchange for money and success. When he discovers that his success was given to him by stealing the talent and life of a young girl, he sets out to make things right.

“When the Devil Calls Your Name” begins on tvN on July 31.

“Graceful Family”

Starring: Im Soo Hyang, Lee Kyu Han, Park Young Rin, and more

A melodrama about an heiress (played by Im Soo Hyang) to a chaebol family whose mother was murdered 15 years ago and a third-rate lawyer who will do whatever is necessary for money. They meet and dig into the truth of the past and her family’s mysterious secret.

“Graceful Family” is planned for an August premiere on MBN.

“A Day Found by Chance”

Starring: SF9’s Rowoon, Kim Hye Yoon, Lee Jae Wook, Lee Tae Ri, APRIL’s Naeun, and more

Students realize that they are actually characters in a manhwa (Korean comic) and try to go against its plot. This drama is based on the fantasy school romance webtoon “July Found by Chance” (literal title).

“A Day Found by Chance” airs on MBC in September.

“Mung Bean Chronicle”

Starring: Kim So Hyun, Jang Dong Yoon, Song Geon Hee, Kang Tae Oh, and more

A man named Jeon Nok Du (played by Jang Dong Yoon) disguises himself as a woman in order to enter a mysterious all-female community, while a woman named Dong Dong Joo (played by Kim So Hyun) who’s training to become a gisaeng (female courtesan) wants anything but that future.

“Mung Bean Chronicle” is slated for a September premiere on KBS.

“Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency”

Starring: Gong Seung Yeon, Park Ji Hoon, Kim Min Jae, Seo Ji Hoon, and more

A king makes a request to Joseon’s best dating agency Flower Crew to protect his first love. Upon his request, the matchmakers at the agency risk their own lives to transform the lowly woman Gae Ddong into the most noble woman.

“Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency” begins on JTBC in September.

More to look forward to

There are many more highly anticipated dramas in the works for this fall or the second half of 2019, including Ji Chang Wook and Won Jin Ah‘s “Melting Me Softly,” Lee Dong Wook and Im Siwan‘s “Strangers from Hell,” Lee Min Ki and Lee Yoo Young‘s “Everyone’s Lies,” and more.

Which summer 2019 drama are you the most excited about?