References to Western Literature Mentioned in Five (5) Korean Dramas

Korean dramas often spark curiosity beyond the screen—whether it’s real events, food, or references to Western literature woven into the plot. 

These five dramas use real books as emotional and thematic markers to deepen character development and highlight Korea’s blend of global influences. For me, these literary references make the stories richer and inspire me to explore the books behind them; I wonder if they do the same for you.

(1) The Lucifer ~ Inside the Mind of a Dark Genius

• People of the Lie: The Hope for Healing Human Evil, a book written by M. Scott Peck.

The drama uses “People of the Lie...” to frame its exploration of human malice, self-deception, and moral corruption. Peck’s psychological insights become central to the protagonist’s investigation, shaping the entire narrative.

(2) Born Again ~ 3 People Reincarnated, Love Triangle Recreated

• Emily Brontë’s gothic classic novel about obsession and fate, Wuthering Heights.

The story mirrors “Wuthering Heights” through themes of longing, fate, and emotional obsession. Three souls connected in the 1980s are reborn to repeat a tragic love triangle across lifetimes.

(3) My Love From the Star ~ A Cosmic Romance Phenomenon

• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, a children’s novel by Kate DiCamillo.

The drama references “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” to highlight Do Min Joon’s emotional evolution from detachment to love. Like Edward, he learns through loss, vulnerability, and connection what it truly means to care.

(4) The Nice Guy – I Just Want To Live Happily Ever After

• The Sun Also Rises, is a classic novel written by the Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway.

A gentle-hearted heir trapped in a violent family clings to the hope symbolized by Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises”. The quote about the rising sun becomes his reminder that a peaceful life might still be possible.

(5) Notes From The Last Row ~ A Mentorship Turns Into Psychological Warfare

• The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Referencing "The Sorrows of Young Werther" signals the drama’s focus on obsession, unrequited longing, and emotional unraveling. The mentor-student relationship spirals into a tense psychological battle echoing Werther’s intensity.

Condensed from content published via PopGeeks.com.

The Legend (2007 K‑Drama): Epic Fantasy, Reincarnation & the Four Gods Prophecy

The Legend (2007) blends historical fantasy, political intrigue, and reincarnation mythology into an epic story about Dam‑Deok, the destined King of Jyushin. Rooted in the legend of Dangun and Gwanggaeto the Great, the drama follows the heavenly prince Hwan‑woong’s ancient tragedy and the prophecy that a true king—born under the king’s star—will rise 2,000 years later. As Dam‑Deok grows up amid ruthless palace factions, the Four Gods begin to awaken, confirming his identity and pulling him into a dangerous web of betrayal, supernatural forces, and karmic echoes from a past life.

Reincarnated figures from the ancient conflict return: Suzini, warm‑hearted and spirited, carries the power of the Red Phoenix, while Seo Gi‑Ha, raised and manipulated by the Hwacheon Clan, becomes the vessel of the destructive Black Phoenix. Dam‑Deok must navigate political enemies, a rival groomed to take his throne, and a tragic love bound to catastrophic destiny. As the prophecy unfolds, the fate of Jyushin—and the world—depends on whether he can confront both human treachery and the lingering consequences of a love triangle that once destroyed a kingdom.

Main Characters:

• Hwan-woong-->Dam-Deok (played by Bae Yong-Jun)

Dam-Deok (teen) (played by Yoo Seung-Ho)

• Seo Gi-Ha (played by Moon So-Ri)

Seo Gi-Ha (teen) (played by Park Eun-Bin)

• Suzini (played by Lee Ji-A)

Suzini (teen) (played by Shim Eun-Kyung)

• Hun Go (played by Oh Gwang-Rok)

• Yeon Ho-Gae (played by Yoon Tae-Young)

⭐ See detailed review at PopGeeks

Old But Gold Binge-Worthy Korean Drama: The Lucifer (2007)

While patiently waiting for new releases of Korean dramas to reach the American audience, I continue combing through old Korean dramas and finding lots of hidden gems. It's the best treasure hunt ever! 

• The Lucifer (aka “The Devil”) is a 2007 Korean drama, 20 episodes, categorized as Legal drama, Police Procedural, Thriller, Suspense, Revenge, Action, Legal Drama, Police Procedural, Crime, Mystery, Romance, and Fantasy. Streaming on KOCOWA+.  

"The Lucifer" (aka “The Devil”) is the second installment in a revenge trilogy, following “Resurrection [aka Rebirth, Revenge, or Life Again ] (2005)” and preceding “Don’t Look Back: The Legend of Orpheus (2013)” (literal title “Shark”).

Where to Watch

• Memorable Quote: “'People of the Lie' by M. Scott Peck.” … “When the trumpet of judgment stops to play and the new day dawns, the Gates of Hell shall be closed.” (Episode 20)

SUMMARY: The lives of a detective, a psychic librarian, and a mysterious lawyer collide in a series of tarot card-linked murders.

• Read my detailed review on PopGeeks.com.

TRAILER/TEASER:  KBS WORLD TV. “[ENG Sub] The Lucifer (마왕) Trailer.” YouTube, 10 May 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81OiedBK4Jc.

Other K-Drama Trilogies:

• The Yi Sun-sin Trilogy
• The Vengeance Trilogy
• The Friend Trilogy
• The Lovers Trilogy: In Paris, In Prague, In China's Hainan Island

***

Hulu Original Korean Drama ~ Tempest (2025)

Tempest (2025): Genre: Action, Romance, Political Thriller, Conspiracy Drama; No. of episodes: 9 

A high-stakes political thriller centered on a former UN Ambassador whose life spirals after her husband’s mysterious assassination.

Main Characters:

• Seo Mun-Ju (played by Gianna Jun)

• Chae Kyung-Sin (played by Kim Hae-Sook)

Seo Munju was a highly respected UN ambassador with a successful career and clear aspirations of her own. She probably could have run for president. But at her husband’s request, she stepped away from her post so she could support his plan to run for president. Though the sitting president warned her that her husband’s ideas—especially reunifying North and South Korea—were dangerous, she chose to be loyal to her husband.

Before the campaign could begin, her husband was assassinated during a speech at a church. Seo Munju tried to shield him from the shooter and nearly died herself. But a bystander, Baek San-ho, tackled the gunman and saved her life. Before committing suicide, the assassin claimed her husband was a spy. A spy? Clearly, a false accusation. There was no way that her husband was a spy. But how can she prove it? Her husband and the shooter are dead. Where does she begin?

It turns out that Baek San-ho, the man who saved her, is a former special agent. He saved her, but can he be trusted? Seo Munju decides to start with him. Or rather, he makes sure that she decides that she can trust him. As their relationship develops, he reveals evidence suggesting a larger conspiracy, including suspicious phone calls and footage linking the assassin to Seo Munju’s brother-in-law. Her own brother-in-law? He may have killed his own brother? Realizing she was in danger, Seo Munju agreed to work with Baek San-ho to uncover the truth behind her husband’s death.

OFFICIAL TRAILER: Hulu. “Tempest.” YouTube, 20 Aug. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEz4SuMI1-Q.

♦

Korean Movie: The Berlin File (2013), Action, Spy Thriller

The criminal underworld believes in equal opportunity.  If anyone wants to participate in organized criminal activity, the door is open.

In the case of The Berlin File, the door that opened is now closed because of secrecy needed to conduct an illegal arms exchange taking place between a North Korean, a Russian, and an Arab, in a hotel room in Berlin, Germany. 

Before the transaction can be completed, agents from the Mossad (Israeli intelligence) burst into the room. They tell the North Korean he can leave; they only want the Arab and the Russian guys. 

The North Korean spy tries to leave the scene but a South Korean NIS agent chases after him. He manages to escape but the NIS agent still plans to pursue him. South Korea needs to find a bank account that belonged to the late Korean leader Kim Jung-il. The funds will be used by other countries that aid North Korea. NIS believes the North Korean spy has information about the money. 

Unfortunately, the spy is being betrayed by his own countrymen. They also want to gain access to Kim Jung-il's bank account for their own political agenda and plan to frame him as a traitor. He needs to try to escape from his North Korean comrades. the South Korean NIS, and the other international spy agencies like the Israeli Mossad and the American CIA who are thrown into the “mix”.

He wants to escape with the woman he loves.

Can he escape? Where will he go?

Main Characters:

• North Korean spy Pyo Jong-Sung (played by Ha Jung-Woo, “Narco Saints”)

• South Korean NIS agent Jung Jin-Soo (played by Han Suk-Kyu, “Tree With Deep Roots”).

"The Berlin File" (2013) - #Kdrama #Koreanmovies #Action #Spy #Thriller #moviegems
Exposed during an illegal arms trade gone wrong in Berlin, a North Korean agent tries to flee! But a South Korean agent is on his trail.https://t.co/4zvRO6hfUe via @amazon @goshoppingbees pic.twitter.com/IYOexV1Zo3

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) April 30, 2024

Healer (2014) K-Drama TV Series Still Popular!

Healer is a Korean drama series that was released in 2014. Even though it is almost 10 years since its release K-drama fans on social sites all around the web are still buzzing about it. No doubt it's because of the three (3) main characters. As soon as you meet them, you instantly become their cheerleader.  Healer can be categorized as a suspense/thriller, action, and romantic comedy. It is so popular that the story will be adapted into a webtoon version. 

There were 3 main characters, but without a doubt, Ji Chang-Wook was the star of this show. He is a very versatile actor. In Healer, he is very athletic, and a skilled martial artist who is almost like Superman. He even disguises himself as a timid mild-mannered reporter named Park Bong-soo, similar to Clark Kent (Superman's disguise). 

By contrast, in The Sound of Magic (2022) he plays a mysterious magician who can convince any unbeliever to believe in magic. Plus he sings! From action star to a musical? If you want to watch him in a historical period drama, he played a lead role in Empress Ki (2013). That's versatility.

Healer is 20 episodes, currently streaming on Viki.com. Over 86,000 viewers in this audience have given the series a rating of 9.7 out of 10 stars. I agree.

11 BEST Korean Dramas Recreated Into WEBTOON Adaptations – KpopPost