3 K-Dramas With the Longest-Running Episodic Season
The biggest appeal about Korean dramas is that they typically only last for one season or up to 16 episodes. Just as some K-dramas break the rule and have fewer episodes and short seasons, some K-dramas surpass the episode count. On most occasions, these K-dramas are considered sitcoms or are rooted around a family storyline. Even non-K-drama fans will be stunned to learn how many episodes aired in one season and tagged as the “longest-running” in history.
‘Hearts of Nineteen’ has a whopping 167 episodes in one season
Hearts of Nineteen is a binge-worthy longest-running K-drama with romance, comedy, and needed drama. Yang Gook-hwa (Ku Hye-sun) moves to Seoul from the country to marry the well-respected son of a family. When she arrives, she finds out he died in a car crash. Gook-hwa takes the opportunity to make a new life in the city. An affluent family takes her in. Heart of Nineteen has different storylines but focuses on Gook-hwa and her growing relationship with Park Yoon-hoo (Seo Ji-seok)
The drama aired in 2006 and ended its run in 2007. Within one year on the air, it released 167 episodes total. Instead of making separate seasons, K-dramas or sitcoms air a new episode every day of the week.
On Reddit, one fan commented, “I don’t know why, but I’m so glad they don’t. Especially for daily dramas or sitcoms, which have new episodes 5 days a week in Korea. A show that takes 9 months to air fully in Korea would take 6-7 years with just 1 episode/week to air in the US.” Fans do not have to wait a tense-filled week to see the storyline continue.
‘Heaven & Earth’ tackles love, stepparents and new romances
Heaven & Earth focuses on Jung Mu-young (Park Hae-jin). Mu-young was left in the care of Kim Tae-shik (Jung Han-yong) and his wife, Park Myung-ja (Jung Ae-ri). His mother promises to come back one day but never does. Mu-young is treated as part of the family but still causes ruckus and rebellion.
He meets Seok Ji-soo (Han Hyo-joo) with a good family and kind heart. Afraid of his feelings, he creates a distance between them. Years later, Jin-soo works for Myung-ja’s sister. She also learns her single father has fallen in love with her. K-drama fans will recognize actor Park for his role in the short drama Seven First Kisses. Heaven & Earth makes the list as one of the longest-running K-dramas with 167 episodes in one season.
‘Likeable or Not’ is the longest-running K-drama worth watching
The late 2000s took the cake for the longest-running K-dramas. In 2007 Likeable or Not premiered 172 episodes in one season until 2008. The storyline centers around Na Dan-poong (Han Ji-hye) and Kang Baek-ho (Kim Ji-seok). They first meet at a food tasting event at a market hosted by Dan-poong’s company.
While Baek-ho falls in love with Dan-poong, she is engaged to marry his high school friend. When fate intervenes, they get a chance to fall in love. But, Dan-poong’s brother and mother are adamant about not letting them get married. Over time, Likeable or Not shows each character’s growing relationships and a heartwarming storyline.
