India will soon be embracing monsoon, and for longtime K-drama fans, the melancholic season is incomplete without mentioning Something in the Rain. The romance drama stars Son Ye Jin and Jung Hae In, and delves into the relationship between an older woman and a younger man. It particularly explores the societal taboos attached to the age gap between the couple, as well as gender dynamics.
Something in the Rain tells the slow-burn love story between Yoon Jin Ah (Son Ye Jin), a district supervisor at a coffeehouse franchise in her mid-30s, and Seo Joon Hee (Jung Hae In), Jin Ah’s best friend Seo Kyung Seon’s (Jang So Yeon) younger brother and an animator in his late 20s. After Joon Hee returns from a work stint in the US, he gets reacquainted with Jin Ah, and sparks fly. As they take the big step of getting into a relationship, the couple has to face many adversities, including Jin Ah’s conservative mother.
Something in the Rain’s intricate storytelling and impeccable ensemble performance was the highlight of the series, as we got a realistic portrayal of how hard it is to be a woman in our judgemental society. Moreover, it was the tantalizing sensual chemistry between Son Ye Jin and Jung Hae In that worked like a charm. P.S. You can watch Something in the Rain on Netflix and Viki.
If you’re missing Something in the Rain, here are 7 must-watch K-dramas starring the cast:
1. Crash Landing on You – Netflix
If you loved Son Ye Jin and Jung Hae In’s chemistry in Something in the Rain, then get ready to be a blushing mess while watching Ye Jin with her real-life husband Hyun Bin in Crash Landing on You. The rom-com tells the star-crossed love story between a reserved North Korean army officer and a bewitching South Korean chaebol heiress (played by Son Ye Jin), who literally “crash lands” into the soldier’s arms in the enemy territory. In trying to secretly whisk the latter back to South Korea, romance blossoms between the unlikely pair. Crash Landing on You also stars Seo Ji Hye and Kim Jung Hyun, as well as Ye Jin’s Something in the Rain co-star Jang So Yeon as one of the army men’s kind-hearted wives.
2. D.P. – Netflix
Jung Hae In might be the “charming prince” of the rom-com genre, however, the talented actor got to flex his diverse acting range in D.P. The action military drama spans two seasons and follows a Private (played by Jung Hae In) and a Corporal, who team up to catch deserters. The eccentric duo embark on an adventurous journey, while providing commentary on the undesirable nature of the South Korean military. D.P. also stars Koo Kyo Hwan, Kim Sung Kyun and Son Suk Ku.
3. Forecasting Love and Weather – Netflix
Jang So Yeon’s heartwarming supporting stint as Seo Kyung Seon in Something in the Rain elevated Jin Ah and Joon Hee’s love story. In an equally uplifting role, you can watch So Yeon in Forecasting Love and Weather. The workplace rom-com focuses on the professional and personal lives of staff at the Korea Meteorological Administration, including a love story between an equipped weather forecaster and her free-spirited co-worker. Seo Kyung Seon plays the wife of a senior weather forecaster, who is estranged from her husband owing to his erratic work schedule. Forecasting Love and Weather also stars Park Min Young, Song Kang, Yoon Park and Girl’s Day member Yura.
4. The Midnight Romance in Hagwon – Viki
Another supporting character who won hearts in Something in the Rain is Wi Ha Joon as Yoon Seung Ho, Jin Ah’s younger brother and Joon Hee’s best friend. Interestingly, Ha Joon finally gets to play the romantic lead in The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, a noona romance directed by Ahn Pan Seok of Something in the Rain fame. The romance melodrama tells the love story between a hagwon instructor (private tutor) and a new lecturer (played by Wi Ha Joon), who is the hagwon instructor’s student from a decade ago. The series delves into their secret relationship while also magnifying South Korean academic pressure and politics. The Midnight Romance in Hagwon also stars Jung Ryeo Won, as well as other supporting cast members from Something in the Rain like Jang So Yeon, Gil Hae Yeon and Oh Man Seok. The latter two play Jin Ah and Seung Ho’s parents Kim Mi Yeon and Yoon Sang Ki in Something in the Rain.
5. Snowdrop – Disney+ Hotstar
Jung Yoo Jin adds more drama to Jin Ah and Joon Hee’s love story as Kang Se Young, Jin Ah’s popular colleague who harbours a crush on Joon Hee, in Something in the Rain. To see Yoo Jin in a bada*s avatar, watch Snowdrop, which sees the actress reunite with her Something in the Rain co-star Jung Hae In. The action romance drama tells the fateful love story between a North Korean agent and a university student, who along with her classmates is held hostage by the former and his team. Amidst a political upheaval and the South Korea vs North Korea showdown, feelings between the lead pair make things even more complicated. Jung Yoo Jin plays an ANSP (Agency for National Security Planning) agent, who teams up with her ex-fiance to take down the North Korean agent. Snowdrop also stars BLACKPINK member Jisoo, Yoo In Na, Jang Seung Jo, Yoo Se Ah and Kim Hye Yoon.
6. Behind Your Touch – Netflix
Jin Ah might be in a toxic workplace environment in Something in the Rain, however, she finds an ally in her understanding colleague Geum Bo Ra (Joo Min Kyung). If you’d like to see the talented actress in another K-drama, we recommend Behind Your Touch. The comedy suspense thriller fantasy drama is set in Mujin, a small town, and is centered around an adorable veterinarian who can see people’s past by touching their butt, and a hot-headed detective. The quirky pair reluctantly team up to solve minor crimes, before they find themselves tangled in uncovering the identity of the dangerous Mujin serial killer. Joo Min Kyung delivers a hilarious performance as the vet’s eccentric best friend. Behind Your Touch also stars Han Ji Min, Lee Min Ki and EXO leader Suho.
7. Itaewon Class – Netflix
Lee Joo Young who played Lee Ye Eun, Jin Ah’s youngest colleague, had a short yet meaningful role in Something in the Rain. The talented actress further showcased her acting skills in Itaewon Class. The coming-of-age drama is centered on the underdog owner of DanBam, a resto-bar in Itaewon, and the staff who come from different backgrounds and struggles of their own. The owner plans to seek revenge upon a chaebol CEO and his son for his father’s cruel death by making DanBam a success. Joo Young steals the show as one of DanBam’s staff members. Itaewon Class also stars Park Seo Joon, Kim Da Mi, Yoo Jae Myung, Kwon Nara, Ahn Bo Hyun, Kim Dong Hee, Ryu Kyung Soo and Chris Lyon.
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