K-Dramafication

Last year, I stumbled upon the k-drama Fantasy Couple, a series adapted from the American film Overboard. I really enjoyed it and the plot remained fairly true to the original film. This got me thinking, "What other American films would I love to see adapted into a k-drama?"

Keeping with the trend of adapting late 80s Rom-Coms, I've narrowed down the list to three films that are worthy of k-dramafication.

#1 - Pretty in Pink

This is a film by John Hughes that originally starred Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, Andrew McCarthy, and James Spader. This movie is my all time personal favorite and I think it would transition well into the k-drama format. Let's explore:

• High school romance. Check.
• Girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Check.
• Best friend with a crush. Check.
• Boy from a wealthy family. Check.
• A budding fashion designer. Check.
• Rich vs. Poor school rivalry. Check.
• Dysfunctional family. Check.
• Music. Check.
• Betrayal. Check.
• Happy Ending. Check.
• A kiss. check.

I am at a loss for a possible female lead in this but I'd love to see Kim Woo Bin and Lee Jong Hyun from Gentleman's Dignity reunited.

#2 - Better off Dead

This classic 80s comedy stars John Cusack and it has the same quirky vibe that we saw in The Master's Sun - but without any ghosts. What makes it perfect for adaptation?

1. First, it would involve taking a normally handsome actor and making him look unattractive for the first quarter of the series. Then, he gets to have an amazing transformation into the new "hot" guy in town.
2. A lot of the action is focused on the male lead and his equally dorky close group of friends.
3. Popular vs. Not Popular
4. It isn't your typical love triangle.
5. The family unit is critical to the story and a great source of comedy.
6. It's a story about finding your inner confidence and realizing what is important.

I think the setting is flexible and an adaptation could just as easily be a college or office comedy. That being said, I'd like to see Park Ki Woong as the lead.

#3 - Can't Buy Me Love 

 

Before Patrick Dempsey became McSteamy, he starred in this comedy about a nerdy high school boy trying to fit in with the "cool" crowd.

There have been a lot of k-dramas in recent history that involve contract marriages and fake girlfriends so this one is a perfect candidate for k-dramafication. Our leading guy just wants to belong so when he sees an opportunity to help out the most popular girl in school, he jumps at the chance. In return for his help, she has to pretend to date him until he's accepted as part of the popular crowd. Naturally, just as he reaches the height of high school fame, he is exposed as a nerd in popular kid clothes.

I think that if there was to be an adaptation of this film into a Korean drama that Shim Chang Min is a great candidate to fill Patrick Dempsey's shoes. He looks young enough to pass as a high school student and he's got the acting skills.

Did I miss anything? Let me know.