10 New Korean Dramas You Must Watch In November 2021, Including Melancholia & Hellbound

Korean dramas in November 2021

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While we are busy ending off the final year assignments and projects on hand, the beginning of a new month is the perfect time to start on a new drama. Here are 10 Korean dramas in November 2021 that will help you take your mind off of your work. 

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1. Melancholia

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Image credit: tvN 

Main Cast: 

• Im Soo-jung as Ji Yoon-soo
• Lee Do-hyun as Baek Seung-yoo

Melancholia focuses on the story between Ji Yoon-soo and Baek Seung-yoo. 

Yoon-soo is a passionate mathematics teacher at a private Korean high school, while Seung-yoo attends the said high school. Although he performs poorly in school now, Seung-yoo used to be a math prodigy who attended a prominent university at the age of 10. 

A sex scandal involving the two starts to spread, and it adversely affects their relationship.

Catch the teaser of Melancholia here:

Video credit: tvN drama

Korean title: 멜랑꼴리아
Genre: Romance
Airs on: 3rd November 

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2. Happiness 

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Image credit: tvN 

Main Cast: 

• Han Hyo-joo as Yoon Sae-bom
• Park Hyung-shik as Jung Yi-hyun
• Jo Woo-jin as Han Tae-seok

Set in an apocalyptic world, Happiness revolves around the story of those who are confined to their apartments due to the spread of an infectious disease.

Yoon Sae-bom, played by Han Hyo-joo, is sharp and quick-witted. Jung Yi-hyun, played by Park Hyung-sik, is a detective who used to be Sae-bom’s high school friend.

The pandemic results in the ordinary lives of these people crumbling into pieces. The drama explores manifold issues, such as the psychological impact of isolation, as well as the hierarchical and unjust nature of society.

The mystery thriller drama could not be more timely since we are currently living in a pandemic. 

Watch the teaser for Happiness here:

Video credit: tvN drama

Korean title: 해피니스
Genre: Thriller, action
Airs on: 5th November

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3. The Red Sleeve 

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Image credit: MBC

Main Cast:

• Lee Jun-ho as King Jeong-jo / Yi San 
• Lee Se-young as Sung Deok-im
• Kang Hoon as Hong Deok-ro

The Red Sleeve is a historical drama set in the 18th century, and it centres on King Jeong-jo and his concubine Sung Deok-im.

King Jeong-jo used to be known as Prince Yi San, but following the death of his father and grandfather, he had to ascend the throne. 

Before becoming king, Yi San had fallen in love with Sung Deok-im. Now that he is a king, he wants her to fill the position of his concubine. 

Deok-im is fully aware of the responsibilities and restrictions that come with a royal role. Although Deok-im hopes to live an independent life, she eventually agrees to become King Jeong-jo’s concubine as she begins to see it as a way to salvage the distressed kingdom.

Catch the teaser of The Red Sleeve here:

Video credit: MBCdrama

Korean title: 옷소매 붉은 끝동
Genre: Historical, romance
Airs on: 5th November 

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4. Let Me Be Your Night 

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Image credit: @sbsdrama.official

Main Cast:

• Jung In-sun as In Yoon-joo
• Lee Jun-young as Yoon Tae-in

Let Me Be Your Night follows two protagonists, Yoon Tae-in and In Yoon-joo. Tae-in is the lead singer of an idol band that is popular worldwide. However, he struggles with a sleepwalking condition.

With the help of Yoon-joo, a physician, Tae-in tries to overcome his condition without attracting public attention. But little does he know that Yoon-joo is not actually a qualified doctor.

Watch the teaser for Let Me Be Your Night here: 

Video credit: SBS NOW / SBS 공식 채널

Korean title: 너의 밤이 되어줄게
Genre: Romance, comedy
Airs on: 7th November

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5. Secret Royal Inspector Joy 

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Image credit: tvN

Main Cast:

• Ok Taec-yeon as Ra Yi-eon
• Kim Hye-yoon as Kim Jo-yi
• Lee Jae-kyoon as Park Tae-seo

Secret Royal Inspector Joy is about two main characters, Ra Yi-eon and Kim Jo-yi, who solve mysteries and expose the corruption that surrounds the province where they live.

Yi-eon, played by Ok Taec-yeon, becomes a secret royal inspector after he passes the state examination. Although his dream is to lead a simple life, he is tasked with an important and confidential mission as a secret royal inspector. 

Jo-yi, played by Kim Hye-yoon, is a modern lady ahead of her time. She wants to normalise the idea of divorce as she wants to leave her husband, who is addicted to gambling. 

In the midst of her divorce, Jo-yi meets Yi-eon, and they work hand in hand to solve cases and uncover mysteries. 

Catch the teaser of Secret Royal Inspector Joy here:

Video credit: tvN drama

Korean title: 어서와 조이
Genre: Historical, comedy, mystery
Airs on: 8th November

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6. Now, We Are Breaking Up

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Image credit: SBS

Main Cast:

• Song Hye-kyo as Ha Young-eun
• Jang Ki-yong as Yoon Jae-guk
• Choi Hee-seo as Hwang Chi-sook
• Kim Joo-heon as Seok Do-hoon

Now, We Are Breaking Up focuses on the love story between Ha Young-eun and Yoon Jae-guk. 

Young-eun, played by Song Hye-kyo, is an intelligent and competent design team leader in a leading fashion company. Although her career is thriving, her romantic relationship is the complete opposite. 

The story becomes interesting when Young-eun meets Jae-guk who works as a freelance photographer in the fashion industry. Jae-guk has it all – he is smart, affluent, and attractive. However, these traits are not what captivate Young-eun as there is something more to Jae-guk in her eyes.

Watch the teaser for Now, We Are Breaking Up here: 

Video credit: SBS Catch

Korean title: 지금, 헤어지는 중입니다
Genre: Melodrama, romance
Airs on: 12th November

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7. School 2021 

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Image credit: @kbsdrama

Main Cast:

• Kim Yo-han as Gong Ki-joon
• Jo Yi-hyun as Jin Ji-won
• Choo Young-woo as Jung Young-joo
• Hwang Bo-reum Byeol as Kang Seo-young
• Kim Kang-min as Ji Ho-sung
• Seo Hee-seon as Go Eun-bi

School 2021 focuses on the dreams, growth, and friendships between a group of vocational high school students. 

Gong Ki-joon used to dream of becoming a taekwondo athlete, but he had to quit due to an injury. After his father’s business collapses, Ki-joon decides to work and study at the same time.

One day, a student named Jung Young-joo transfers to the vocational high school that Ki-joon attends. Not only does she know Ki-joon, but she also has a personal story that no one knows about. 

Catch the teaser of School 2021 here:

Video credit: KBS Drama

Korean title: 학교 2021
Genre: Youth, romance
Airs on: 17th November

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8. Hellbound

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Image credit: Netflix 

Main Cast:

• Yoo Ah-in as Jung Jin-soo
• Park Jung-min as Bae Young-jae
• Kim Hyun-joo as Min Hye-jin
• Yang Ik-jun as Jin Kyung-hoon
• Won Jin-ah as Song So-hyun

Hellbound was adapted from the Korean webtoon of the same name, and it is set in a troubled and chaotic society.

A group of supernatural beings, also known as the executors of hell, invade the society and sentence people to damnation. Naturally, the society falls into a state of disorder, and a religious group called the “New Truth Society” sees this as an opportunity to get on the good side of the public. 

While the religious group thrives, another group of individuals gather to piece together fragments of the hellish occurrence.

Jung Jin-soo, played by Yoo Ah-in, is the chairman of the New Truth Society. Standing on the opposing team are Min Hye-jin, a lawyer, and Jin Kyung-hoon, a detective who works towards tearing down the facade of the New Truth Society.

Watch the teaser for Hellbound here: 

Video credit: Netflix Korea 넷플릭스 코리아

Korean title: 지옥
Genre: Horror, supernatural, mystery
Airs on: 18th November

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9. One Ordinary Day 

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Image credit: Coupang Play 

Main Cast:

• Cha Seung-won as Shin Joong-han
• Kim Soo-hyun as Kim Hyun-soo

One Ordinary Day tackles the issues caused by a flawed legal system. Kim Hyun-soo, played by Kim Soo-hyun, is identified as a potential murderer. As a result, his ordinary life as a university student changes overnight.

Shin Joong-han, played by Cha Seung-won, is the lawyer in charge of Hyun-soo’s murder case. Although he is an incompetent third-rate lawyer who barely passed the bar exam, he is the only lawyer who is willing to help Hyun-soo. 

However, the battle against a brutal legal system is no walk in the park as Joong-han and Hyun-soo begin to recognise legal loopholes.

Catch the teaser of One Ordinary Day here:

Video credit: 쿠팡플레이 Coupang Play

Korean title: 어느 날
Genre: Crime, law, mystery
Airs on: 26th November

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10. Show Window: The Queen’s House

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Image credit: Channel A

Main Cast:

• Song Yoon-ah as Han Sun-joo
• Jeon So-min as Yoon Mi-ra
• Lee Sung-jae as Shin Myung-seop
• Hwang Chan-sung as Han Jung-won

Show Window: The Queen’s House is a mystery melodrama that follows the story of Han Sun-joo, whose seemingly perfect life is in the envy of others.

Sun-joo doesn’t lack anything in life, and she fulfills her roles of a wife, mother, and daughter to the best of her abilities. However, her fairytale-like life comes to a halt when her husband, Myung-seop, has an affair with a woman named Mi-ra.

It’s difficult to dismiss Mi-ra’s charm and charisma as she is the centre of attention wherever she goes. Naturally, Sun-joo sees Mi-ra as a threat, and the story becomes more intense as the two of them engage in a war of nerves. 

Watch the teaser for Show Window: The Queen’s House here:

Video credit: 채널A

Korean title: 쇼윈도: 여왕의 집
Genre: Mystery, thriller, romance
Airs on: 28th November

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Korean dramas to watch in November 2021 

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November is packed with many new dramas of diverse genres, such as crime, melodrama, and comedy. Rest assured that you will not be disappointed by what these 10 Korean dramas in November have to offer you. Meanwhile, you can have a look at the dramas that are airing in October.

Also check out: 

• 7 Korean dating reality shows 
• 8 best makjang dramas
• 20 thriller Korean dramas
• 21 Korean dramas about mental health
• 10 Korean medical dramas to binge-watch

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Cover image adapted from: SBS, tvN and MBC