Small-Town Murders, Cooking Romances, And More: What To Watch After "Link"
Packed with mystery, romance, and comedy, “Link” tugged at heartstrings from start to finish. The drama follows the linked connection between executive chef Eun Gye Hoon (Yeo Jin Goo) and his employee Noh Da Hyun (Moon Ga Young). He feels all of her emotions from happiness to sadness and everything in between. However, as the story progresses they are connected by much more sinister events: kidnapping and murder.
If you miss watching this drama — whether it be the intriguing and suspenseful mysteries, salivating cooking shots, or the swoon-worthy romance — here is a curated to-watch list for you. Here are the best dramas to watch if you’re missing “Link.”
If you’re missing Yeo Jin Goo
“Beyond Evil” and “The Crowned Clown”
One of the most satisfying things about “Link” is watching Eun Gye Hoon work to uncover the truth behind his sister’s disappearance. If you’re missing Yeo Jin Goo and looking for a drama that’s equally as intriguing and suspenseful, then you can’t go wrong with “Beyond Evil.” In the drama, he plays metropolitan detective Han Joo Won who is transferred to a small town and is intent to solve a cold case of a woman who was kidnapped and murdered 20 years prior. Unlike Eun Gye Hoon, Joo Won is much more closed off and cunning. As the drama unfolds, you discover how far he is willing to go to solve the case. It’s a heart-clenching drama that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Watch the first episode below:
If you’re a new fan of Yeo Jin Goo and want to see him showcase many different sides of his acting, start watching “The Crowned Clown.” Here he plays two characters: the ruthless and half-mad king Lee Heon who is terrorizing his kingdom, and a poor clown named Ha Seon who travels around and impersonates the king. When Lee Heon falls ill, his advisor discovers Ha Seon and asks him to take Lee Heon’s place on the throne while he recovers. Yeo Jin Goo wows viewers with his versatility by playing polar opposite roles. It’s just as thrilling and intense as “Link,” and there’s even a sweet and sorrowful romance — much like Eun Gye Hoon and No Da Hyun — between Ha Seon and Queen Yoo So Woon (Lee Se Young).
Watch the first episode below:
If you’re missing Moon Ga Young
“True Beauty” and “Tempted”
If you love Moon Ga Young but want to see her star in a more lighthearted drama, try watching “True Beauty.” Here she stars as the ever-lovable Lim Ju Gyeong who uses makeup to hide her bare face since she had been bullied in the past for being unattractive. Leading a double life of sorts at her new school where no one has seen her without makeup, she learns to overcome her insecurities and falls in love along the way. In true K-drama fashion, there is a love triangle between Lim Ju Gyeong, Lee Su Ho (Cha Eun Woo), and Han Seo Jun (Hwang In Yeop), but it’s so well-written that you will find yourself torn on who you want her to end up with.
Watch the first episode below:
If you want to see an entirely new side of Moon Ga Young that’s different from the courageous and empathetic Noh Da Hyun, watch “Tempted.” Here she plays the ice queen Choi Soo Ji whose mission is to get back at those who have wronged her.
The drama is based on the French novel “Dangerous Liaisons,” which was also adapted into a movie titled “Cruel Intentions.” Here she acts as the antagonist, conspiring with Lee Se Joo (Kim Min Jae) and Kwon Si Hyun (Woo Do Hwan) to break Eun Tae Hee’s (Joy‘s) heart. While her motivations are selfish and hard to root for, Moon Ga Young portrays her with so much depth that by the end of the drama, you can understand her — even if you disagree with her actions.
Start watching the drama below:
If you like small-town dramas with a slice of murder
“I’ll Go to You When the Weather is Nice” and “When the Camellia Blooms”
While it’s not necessarily known for its murder subplot, if you adore a bit of intrigue and suspense paired with romance, watch “I’ll Go to You When the Weather is Nice.” The story follows the slow-burn love story between Mok Hae Won (Park Min Young), a cellist who becomes unemployed and moves back to the countryside for the winter, and Im Eun Seob (Seo Kang Joon), her neighbor who has secretly been in love with her since high school. Meanwhile, the past murder is something that lies between Mok Hae Won, her aunt (Moon Jung Hee), and her estranged mother (Jin Hee Kyung). Rather than involving the entire town in the case like “Link,” this drama showcases how one choice can impact a single family. It’s riveting and heartbreaking but well worth the watch.
Watch the first episode below:
If you want a warm and very low-angst romance alongside your murder mystery, then watch “When the Camellia Blooms.” This romantic drama follows the story of Dong Baek (Gong Hyo Jin), a humble bar owner and single mother, who falls in love with the dorky and passionate Hwang Yong Sik (Kang Ha Neul). However, things are not always as bright and cheery as they may seem — a killer looms in the background with their sights set on Dong Baek. Employed as a cop, Hwang Yong Sik works hard to reveal the murderer while also showering Dong Baek with the love she deserves. It’s suspenseful and sickeningly sweet all at once, so it’s the perfect drama to cure your post-drama blues.
If you like cooking romances
“Chocolate” and “Degree of Love”
Let’s face it, despite its cute and romantic scenes, “Link” did not shy away from putting Eun Gye Hoon and Noh Da Hyun in uncomfortable moments to test their relationship. While angst isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, it can be satisfying to watch how two characters choose to overcome their hardest moments together. And when you pair angst with heartwarming cooking scenes and delicious food cinematography, you get “Chocolate.”
This drama follows the angst-ridden romance between chef Moon Cha Young (Ha Ji Won) and neurosurgeon Lee Kang (Yoon Kye Sang). They meet once as children, but unfortunate events set them on different paths until they reunite as adults at a hospice ward. Much like “Link,” this drama will likely have you reaching for tissues the more you watch, but it’s beautifully written. In the end, it feels like eating a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter day.
Similarly, “Degree of Love” is all about overcoming internal and external obstacles to find love. The story follows a noona romance between drama writer Lee Hyun Soo (Seo Hyun Jin) and chef On Jung Sun (Yang Se Jong). They meet online before their respective careers take off and subsequently fall into a whirlwind romance before breaking up because Lee Hyun Soo decides to focus on her career. When they reunite years later, they must learn to overcome their differences to finally be together. Just as Eun Gye Hoon and Noh Da Hyun always did their best to understand each other, Lee Hyun Soo and On Jung Sun have a compelling and realistic relationship where they learn to open up and compromise to make it work. Plus, there are some seriously satisfying food shots in this drama.
Check out the drama below:
Hey Soompiers! What drama are you watching to fill the void after “Link”? Let us know in the comments below!
kaityv is a freelance writer and editor. In her spare time, she enjoys watching K-dramas and listening to BTS, Red Velvet, and other super talented artists.
Currently watching: “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” and “Big Mouth”
All-time favorites: “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon” and “Do You Like Brahms?”
Looking forward to: “Love According to the Law” (literal title) and “Little Women” (literal title)
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