Works starring actors Seo Inguk Kim Mu-yeol PARK JI HOON SO JI SUB (from top left, clockwise) are recommended to help ease post-holiday blues. /THE FACT DB

[THE FACT| Reporter Choi Soo-bin] The time has come to return to daily life after a long four-day holiday. As much as the break was welcome, the after-effects vary. Some sigh at the thought of going to work, while others find that the stress accumulated during the holiday doesn't easily disappear. Some feel a sudden sense of loneliness at home after the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

What's needed at times like this is a 'drama prescription' tailored to each individual's symptoms. If you dread going to work, an office romance that adds a touch of romance to your work life is in order. If you've accumulated holiday stress, opt for action and "saida" (refreshing, satisfying) content to blow away your frustrations. For the emptiness that follows the bustling holiday, laughter and warm family bonds are perfect. <THE FACT> has selected this year's dramas by symptom to help ease post-holiday blues.

Netflix original series 'Monthly Boyfriend', tvN Saturday-Sunday drama 'Secret Love', tvN Monday-Tuesday drama 'My Favorite Employee' and 'See You in My First Life' (from top left, clockwise) charge up the romance for office workers facing work with sweet office romances. /Netflix, tvN

◆ Symptom 1: Just thinking about going to work makes me sigh... Recharge your romance with office romances

First up is the Netflix original series 'Monthly Boyfriend', which garnered attention for its casting of actors JISOO (Black Pink) and Seo Inguk. The drama is a romantic comedy that fulfills the fantasy of webtoon PD Mira (played by Ji Soo), who is tired of real life, by subscribing to and experiencing virtual dating. In 'Monthly Boyfriend', a virtual dating subscription service, Mira enjoys various dates with partners she's always dreamed of, from third-generation chaebol Choi Si-woo (played by Lee Soo-hyuk) to campus senior Seo Eun-ho (played by Seo Kang-joon).

The excitement that begins in the virtual world spills over into the real workplace. Mira gradually grows closer to her colleague Park Kyung-nam (played by Seo Inguk) and even enjoys thrilling office dates in the latter half. The charm of 'Monthly Boyfriend' lies in the sequential appearance of actors with different appeals, such as Lee Soo-hyuk and Seo Kang-joon, Seo Inguk, in a fantasy-like romance that makes you forget the harsh reality for a while. It's a 10-episode series available for full viewing on Netflix.

tvN Saturday-Sunday drama 'Secret Love' presents a premise where people who used to investigate workplace misconduct fall in love. The charismatic audit team leader Ju In-ah (played by Shin Hye-sun), who harbors a secret, and the audit team ace No Gi-joon (played by Gong Myung), who was demoted to investigate workplace misconduct, develop a relationship from a superior-subordinate dynamic to lovers as they uncover cases together.

The two enjoy thrilling situations, like having dates in their car before work and secretly exchanging glances at the office. Enjoying the excitement of a secret romance between a prickly boss and a forward junior employee might add a little romance to your commute. It's a 12-episode series available for viewing on TVING and Wavve.

tvN Monday-Tuesday drama 'See You in My First Life' depicts the realistic love and growth of office workers. The drama is an office romance where 7-year veteran office worker Cha Ji-yoon (played by PARK JI HYUN), who suffers from everyday ennui, and her prickly boss Kang Si-woo (played by Seo Inguk) become each other's irreplaceable best and rediscover both work and love. The two grow closer through work and develop into lovers, showing the excitement of a secret office romance by secretly holding hands and exchanging glances while pretending not to know each other at the company.

However, the drama also incorporates realistic workplace concerns. Following the stories of Cha Ji-yoon and Kang Si-woo as they search for the work they truly want, those tired of repetitive work life will naturally reflect on their own work and lives. The charm of 'See You in My First Life' lies in its blend of sweet office romance and the realistic growth of office workers. It's a 12-episode series available on TVING and Wavve.

tvN Monday-Tuesday drama 'My Favorite Employee' adds "deoksim" (fan passion) to the office worker's fantasy. The drama is an office growth romance of rookie employee Nam Da-reum (played by Kim Hye-jun), who becomes an employee of her "bias" after trying to meet them. Nam Da-reum, a long-time fan of the idol group D.N.X, quits her job at a large corporation to pursue her passion and joins the fashion platform company 'Apelo', founded by Lee Chan (played by Cha Woo-min) and Kang Ha-gi, to work with her "bias."

In the process, she opens her heart to Kang Ha-gi (played by Kang Hoon), who has supported her through difficult times, and the two develop a relationship from CEO and employee to lovers. Nam Da-reum's work life, where she does what she loves, works in the same space as her "bias," and has a supportive lover, is truly a collection of fantasies that are difficult to experience in reality. It's a 12-episode series available on TVING and Wavve.

SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Taxi Driver 3', Netflix original series 'The Bequeathed', SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Flex x Cop 2' and 'Chief Detective 1958' (from top left, clockwise) blow away the stress accumulated during the holidays with thrilling action and "saida" developments. /SBS, Netflix

◆ Symptom 2: Marriage? Employment? Frustration from nagging... Relieve indigestion with action and "saida" content

SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Taxi Driver 3' is a representative "saida drama" that blows away frustration. The drama is a private revenge agency where the mysterious taxi company Rainbow Transport and taxi driver Kim Do-gi (played by Lee Je-hoon) complete revenge on behalf of unfair victims. In its third season, following seasons 1 and 2, it continues to deliver satisfying retribution using crimes that resonate with reality.

The drama's charm lies in the catharsis derived from ensuring that villains pay for their crimes. Kim Do-gi's transformation into various "bu-kae" (alter egos) to infiltrate the villains' ranks in each case provides enjoyable entertainment, while the moments when the Rainbow Transport family works together to resolve the victims' grievances offer thrilling pleasure. It's a 16-episode series available for full viewing on SBS and Netflix.

Netflix original series 'The Bequeathed' also relieves frustration with its unsparing retribution. Based on a webtoon of the same name, the drama depicts events that unfold as the fictional government agency, the "Teacher's Rights Protection Agency," is deployed to a crumbling educational environment. It directly addresses issues that are difficult to find solutions for in reality, such as school violence and the erosion of teachers' rights, and resolves them without hesitation.

The drama provides vicarious satisfaction and catharsis, which are hard to experience in reality, through the actions of supervisors who sometimes confront those who don't communicate with them in more powerful ways. The chemistry between Choi Kang-seok (played by Lee Sung-min), who spares no support for the supervisors to work without burden, and Na Hwa-jin (played by Kim Mu-yeol), who engages in fiery action at the forefront, is also a must-watch point. Following their actions, you'll forget the frustration that has accumulated throughout the holidays. It's a 10-episode series available on Netflix.

SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Chief Detective 1958' blows away stress with overwhelming action. Based on a webtoon of the same name, 'Chief Detective 1958' tells the story of former special agent Chief Kim (played by SO JI SUB), who lived as an ordinary office worker and family man, moving again to find his missing daughter Min-ji (played by Seo Soo-min).

The biggest charm of 'Chief Detective 1958' is Chief Kim's unsparing actions as he stops at nothing to get his daughter back. In addition, Sung Han-soo (played by Choi Dae-hoon) and Park Jin-cheol (played by Yoon Kyung-ho) add enjoyable humor to the weighty narrative by bickering but joining forces at crucial moments. The non-stop action, from hand-to-hand combat to gunfights, is also a highlight. It's a 10-episode series available on SBS and Netflix.

SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Flex x Cop 2' provides "saida" through thrilling investigations that only a chaebol detective with everything can deliver. The drama features Jin Yi-soo (played by Ahn Bo-hyun), who went from a spoiled third-generation chaebol to a detective in the violent crimes unit, catching criminals in his own unique way. In season 2, a new violent crimes unit chief, Joo Hye-ra (played by Jung Eun-chae), joins and works with Jin Yi-soo.

Jin Yi-soo's method of unhesitatingly using the vast wealth and connections of his chaebol family in investigations remains the biggest weapon of 'Flex x Cop 2'. In addition, the constant clashes between the unpredictable Jin Yi-soo and Joo Hye-ra, who skillfully handles him, create a fun "tiki-taka." The stories of the two solving cases in bizarre ways rarely seen in traditional crime dramas are the biggest charm of 'Flex x Cop 2'. It's a 14-episode series available on SBS and Disney+.

Netflix original series 'Wonderful World', TVING original series 'The Legend of the Cooking Soldier', KBS2 weekend drama 'Love Prescription', and ENA Monday-Tuesday drama 'Duty After School 4: Sabotage' (from top left, clockwise) fill the emptiness after the holidays with cheerful laughter and warm family bonds. /Netflix, TVING, KBS2, KT Studio Genie

◆ Symptom 3: Feeling empty without laughter... Break the silence with comedy and family dramas

Netflix original series 'Wonderful World' fills the silence that follows the holidays with the boisterous activities of unique superpowers. The drama is a superpower comedy adventure where quirky neighborhood residents who accidentally gained superpowers in 1999, at the turn of the century, struggle to protect the world from villains who threaten peace.

The biggest charm of 'Wonderful World' is the process of "fumbling" characters, who seem far from being heroes, becoming superheroes by chance and forming a team. Centered around Eun Chae-ni (played by Park Eun-bin), these individuals with distinct personalities clash at every turn but join forces in moments of crisis, creating cheerful laughter. In addition, the retro sensibility of the late 1990s and the stories of warm neighbors add to the heartwarming atmosphere. It's an 8-episode series available on Netflix.

TVING original series 'The Legend of the Cooking Soldier' fills the void with delicious food and cheerful military life. Based on a webtoon of the same name, the drama is a military fantasy drama depicting the transformation of Private Kang Sung-jae (played by PARK JI HOON), who wields a chef's knife instead of a gun and an apron instead of a bandolier, into a legendary cook.

The drama has been highly praised for faithfully recreating the charm of the original work, which combines the unique military setting with mysterious game fantasy elements. It adds laughter by incorporating familiar game elements such as status windows and quests into various aspects of military life. Despite unpredictable scenes, the actors' serious and skillful performances blend perfectly with the comedy. It's a 12-episode series available for full viewing on TVING.

ENA Monday-Tuesday drama 'Duty After School 4: Sabotage' (hereinafter referred to as 'Duty After School 4') is responsible for laughter with its realistic portrayal of military life. The 'Duty After School' series depicts stories unfolding in a military unit where various people, from good to bad and strange, gather. Since its debut in 2022, it has continued to season 4 thanks to its realistic depiction of military life and the performances of its unique characters.

In this season as well, characters with strong personalities, including Sergeant Park Min-seok (played by Kim Min-ho), who has become a sergeant, clash and get entangled in even the smallest matters, creating unpredictable situations. The excellent chemistry of the actors, built up over multiple seasons, doubles the laughter. It's a good idea to binge-watch the entire series from season 1 to season 4 and get immersed in the charm of the noisy second company. It's a 12-episode series, with 10 episodes aired, available on TVING.

KBS2 weekend drama 'Love Prescription' is expected to warmly fill the void left by the departed family members. The drama depicts the story of two families, who were like enemies, resolving their long-standing grudges, healing each other's wounds, and becoming one family.

With families from different generations intertwined, there isn't a single quiet day. Although they sometimes bicker over trivial matters and hurt each other, the image of a family reaching out to each other again offers warm comfort. The romance between Gong Ju-ah (played by Jin Se-yeon) and Yang Hyun-bin (played by Park Ki-woong) that blossoms within it also adds to the enjoyment. It's a 50-episode series available on Wavve.

subin7134@tf.co.kr
[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]