Upcoming Korean Dramas for May 2021

There’s good news about Korean dramas for May 2021, because the lineup this month has some of the biggest titles of the year!

Top casts include Park Bo Young and Seo In Guk in the romantic supernatural Kdrama Doom At Your Service, Jung Il Woo and Kwon Yuri in the historical Bossam: Steal the Fate, and Jang Ki Yong and Hyeri in the romantic comedy My Roommate Is a Gumiho.

Bossam: Steal the Fate

Girls Generation Kwon Yuri joins Jung Il Woo in this historical costume drama set during the reign of King Gwang Hae about a man who accidentally steals a princess. Ba Woo (Jung Il Woo) is a poor man who makes a living through bossam, which is kidnapping widows for remarriage to men who engage his services. He captures Soo Kyung, not knowing that she is a princess of the Joseon court.

Jung Il Woo can do historicals, as we’ve seen from Haechi, Moon Embracing the Sun, and Night Watchman’s Journal. Yuri has had some high-profile dramas in recent years, even getting a second season for The Sound of Your Heart. Bossam: Steal the Fate has been picked up by Viki.

Release Date: May 1
Where to Watch: Viki

Imitation

Based on a popular webtoon, Imitation is an idol drama about Kpop idols. Lee Me Ha (Jeong Ji So) gains some recognition as a member of the idol group Tea Party. Me Ha looks like another famous idol, but her group struggles to become popular. She accidentally injures famous boy band member Hyuk of Shax (Choi Jong Ho of ATEEZ), which earns her the ire of his bandmate Ryok (Lee Jun Young of U-Kiss). Me Ha and Ryok are cast together in a drama and have to learn to work together. Lee Yoo Jin of the band Sparkling (Jeong Yun Ho of ATEEZ) has a crush on Me Ha and he tries to protect her from Ryok.

I’m looking forward to this drama since we haven’t had a big network idol drama in a while. Lee Na Young of IOI and soloist Minseo fill out Tea Party’s Roster, while T-ara’s Park Ji Yeon plays the famous idol that Lee Me Ha resembles. Hwi Young of SF9 is a member of Shax, and Choi San and Park Seong Hwa of ATEEZ round out Sparkling.

Release Date: May 7
Where to Watch: Viki

Mine

Even woman at the top of their game can be held down by the prejudice of society. Seo Hee Soo (Lee Bo Young) married into a chaebol family after a career as a top actress. Her sister-in-law Jeong Seo-hyeon (Kim Seo-hyung) married the eldest brother. She rebels when her identity is dictated to her by her husband and in-laws.

This drama has some powerhouse actresses headlining a powerful storyline about power and prejudice. How do the characters find freedom in high society circles where women are viewed as props for their families?

Release Date: May 8
Where to Watch: Netflix

Doom At Your Service

One of the most anticipated Korean dramas of May 2021, Doom At Your Service is a fantasy supernatural drama about a woman who is given a last chance at life. Tak Dong Kyung (Park Bo Young) is a hardworking web novelist who receives a terminal diagnosis. She curses her life and her curse summons Myong Mal, a messenger of the gods. Myong Mal offers Dong Kyung the chance to live her life any way she wants for 100 days. Dong Kyung finds the price may be higher than she realizes.

Park Bo Young’s remarkable ability to pick really good dramas has me really looking forward to Doom At Your Service. Seo In Guk appears to play the kind of character he does best, which is ornery and silver-tongued. The drama also has a stellar supporting cast in Kang Tae Oh, Lee Soo Hyuk, and Shin Do Hyun.

Release Date: May 10
Where to Watch: Viki

Racket Boy Band

The rural Haenim Middle School co-ed badminton team plays poorly and has little reputation. A new coach in former famous badminton player Ra Young Ja (Oh Nara) might change that. Ha Se Yoon (Lee Jae In) and Lee Han Sol (Lee Ji Won) are students who dream of winning their regional badminton championship and going on to play professional badminton.

We don’t have a lot of information about this drama yet, but it is sponsored by SBS and Netflix. This seems like the kind of drama that would have a wide appeal, as we’ve seen with other sports dramas like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, Sassy Go Go, and Thumping Spike. I expect a trailer and more photos to appear in the next few weeks.

Release Date: May 17
Where to Watch: Netflix

My Roommate Is A Gumiho

Shin Woo Yeo (Jang Ki Yong) is a 999-year-old nine-tailed fox who is a popular university professor. While trying to rescue her incapacitated drunk friend, Lee Daum (Hyeri of Girls Day) accidentally swallows Woo Yeo’s soul bead. Daum will die in a year if the bead cannot be removed and Shin Woo Yeo will no longer be able to turn human. Woo Yeo suggests they live together until they can find out how to remove the bead from Daum.

A combination of nine-tailed fox romance with a marriage contract drama, My Roommate is a Gumiho looks to be a fun romp of a drama. Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, this drama also has a recent Chinese version that is also on iQiyi.

Release Date: May 26
Where to Watch: iQiyi

Will you watch any of these Korean dramas for May 2021?

Do any of these upcoming Korean dramas for May 2021 appeal to you? Which ones are you anticipating the most?

Share your favorite in the comments with us below!