Thanks, I’ll definitely check them out. I enjoyed some Japanese series in the past on local channels, but they’re long gone or shown without subtitles. Always looking for original, non-formulaic dramas, and other than Doc Martin on PBS, I don’t watch anything these days.
The shows I would recommend for newbies ..... different types of shows.
Secret Garden - One of the best Korean shows ever. Tropes include “girls like the arrogant guys”. Body switching.
Rooftop Prince - Time travel sends prince to modern time where he meets the dopplegangers or reincarnations of his murdered fiance and her sister.... Very funny in many places because the guys from the past each wear their own colors, some called them Joseon [era] Power Rangers.
Dream High - think Glee without the gay... light-hearted fluff. If you like that kind of thing.
49 Days - Girl in coma is told by the reaper that she has 49 days to gather the tears of 3 people who truly loved her (excluding family) or she will die (before her time). In bhuddist culture they say your spirit hangs around for 49 days before it moves on.
.........
and you’ll need at least one show where girl pretends to be a boy :p
“You’re Beautiful” (another translation was ‘She’s a handsome man’) PLUS: Park Shin-hye! or “Coffee Prince” would do well. PLUS: Yoon Eun-hye!