7 K-Dramas With Main Characters Suffering From Phobias
How do you deal with your irrational fears?
If you suffer from any kind of phobia (which we all probably do to some degree), you must be intrigued to see how K-dramas tackle this part of human existence. We love characters we can relate to.
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But even if you don't have irrational fears, following a lead with a phobia has to hook you from minute one. It gives him or her a unique trait and drives their arc and character development. No wonder, shows with this trope tend to be very engaging and fan-favorite. Here are seven examples.
Clean with Passion for Now (2018)
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Where to watch: Netflix, Viki
Jang Seon-kyul is rich and lucky in life, but he suffers from severe mysophobia (fear of germs), which makes him obsessed with cleaning. He even started his own cleaning service. When the company hires a new cheerful and messy employee, being around her helps Seon-kyul overcome his fear.
Perfume (2019)
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Where to watch: Prime Video, Viki, kocowa+
Min Jae-hee is an unhappy, suicidal, middle-aged housewife who is delivered a magic perfume one day. The perfume makes her young and beautiful again, and Jae-hee starts working as a model for a successful fashion designer who suffers from PTSD, trypophobia (fear of holes), and a whole lot of other phobias and conditions.
A Good Day to Be a Dog (2023)
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Where to watch: Netflix, Viki
Han Hae-na is cursed to turn into a dog whenever she is kissed, which happens after a surprising encounter with her co-worker. Now it is the co-worker Jin Seo-won who is the only one who can break the curse. The problem is that he has a severe phobia of dogs.
Forest (2020)
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Where to watch: Viki
Kang San-hyuk is a rescue worker haunted by a past, forgotten trauma that makes him afraid of fire. Jung Young-jae is a successful surgeon who is also tormented by her past and struggles with a phobia of water. As the two are drawn into a mystical forest, they begin to explore each other and themselves.
She Was Pretty (2015)
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Where to watch: Netflix, Max, Prime Video, Disney+, Viki, kocowa+
In his childhood, Ji Sung-joon suffered a trauma that left him with a phobia of rain. Miserable and unattractive, he found a true friend in the popular and beautiful Kim Hye-jin. Now, years later, the friends reunite to discover how much their lives have changed. Now Sung-joon is the popular and successful one and Hye-jin is a total failure.
I'm Not a Robot (2017)
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Viki
Kim Min-kyu is a genius and extremely rich man who has to live a secluded life due to his severe allergy/phobia of physical contact with other people. One day, a new android robot is sent to him for testing, and it changes his whole life.
Secret Garden (2010)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Viki, kocowa+
This is a modern take on the Cinderella story. Only Cinderella is a fiery stunt actress, and her prince is a rich CEO who suffers from severe claustrophobia, and they switch bodies in the process.