Anyone else notice a trend of US shows that are becoming Kdramas? Just off the top of my head we had Criminal Minds, Entourage, Suits, and Drop Dead Diva. Really makes a girl think… what other US shows would we like to see get the Kdrama treatment? Heres a  list of my Top Five Shows I’d like to see transformed. 

The 4400

What appears to be a comet slows, hovers and stops, then bursts forth to reveal 4,400 people who were presumed dead or missing over the past 50 years. They look exactly the same as the moment they disappeared, but some of the returnees now have special powers. After one of the 4,400 commits a murder, a special division of the Homeland Security Department is formed to monitor them.

• While they did actually turn The 4400 into a season-spanning tv show, it originally started out as a multi-episode mini-series. This has mystery, an intriguing premise, and the chances for lots of character actors to shine while being helmed by a pair of charismatic leads. I think it would interesting, given the last 50 years in Korean history, to see the sort of people who would populate this world.

Psych

Shawn Spencer happens to possess some uncanny powers of observation thanks to his father, Henry, a former police officer who taught his son to remember even the smallest details of his surroundings. When Shawn is accused of committing a crime that he actually solved, he convinces the cops that he’s a psychic — and with the reluctant help of best friend Gus, Shawn starts solving cases for a skeptical but increasingly impressed police force.

*It’s all about the bromance, and just in luck for Kdrama makers, in the terms of Psych, it really is all about the bro and not about the mance. We watch to see these two goofballs be smart ass and hilarious. I would love, love, love to see this made into a Kdrama and mentally am casting it as we speak.

….I’ve heard it both ways.

Veronica Mars

Veronica Mars used to be the popular girl with the cool friends and the jock boyfriend. A series of personal and family traumas have made her an outcast – albeit one with a sarcastic side and a snarky sense of humor. Now, she helps her private investigator father dig into the lives of the rich and famous in the messed-up town of Neptune, Calif.

*One main storyline, we’re in, we’re out, just how Kdrama likes it. I’d love to see the Korean version of Veronica, see what they could do with it. Of course, it would probably be watered down a good deal, or at least would be shown on one of those fringe cable networks — one of the ones who don’t mind the gritty. Perhaps if this were the case they’d let us keep our gritty Veronica too.

Wonderfalls

A 20-something Niagara Falls souvenir-shop worker finds her life is changed forever when inanimate animal figures – toys, cartoon images etc. – begin talking to her. Their cryptic messages set into motion a chain of events that invariably lead her into the lives of others.

*This is a smaller show, have you seen it? It was one of those ones that say they were canceled before it’s time but the story wrapped up nicely and, even better, ended. This has a lot of the hallmarks of a Kdrama, whimsical premise, unattainable yet attainable guy, a wannabe girlfriend, and a cast of great side characters. Sure they’d make Jayne a little more sweet and drop the sarcasm and bitter wit we came to love, but I’d still sign up for this.

White Collar

The third time turns out to be the charm for criminal Neal Caffrey. He has been eluding FBI agent Peter Burke for years, a run that finally comes to an end with his capture. But after the resourceful prisoner escapes from a maximum-security facility, then is nabbed once again by Burke, Caffrey suggests a different end-game: In return for freedom, he’ll help the Feds catch long-sought criminals. Though skeptical, Burke soon realizes that Caffrey’s instincts and insight are a rare commodity. Caffrey’s trusted friend and co-conspirator with ties to the criminal underworld, Mozzie, also becomes a useful source for Burke and the FBI.

*When I heard that Suits was being remade into a Kdrama, all I could think of was, ‘Man, I wish it were White Collar’. This show as fun, it was sexy, and who doesn’t like seeing a trixter being forced to do good while using his bad boy sklls? (If there is a person out there, keep your hands down, I’d like to still be friends.) This would be a great show for a big main lead who could be all smug and sexy…any takers? Anyone?

 

So this was my list of shows that I’d like to see be made into Kdramas! On the short list, Buffy, The West Wing, and The Librarian. What’s on yours?