Pride month special! 'Reply 1997', 'Itaewon Class': Unmissable K-drama shows that train the spotlight on LGBTQ+ community

While Western shows have adapted LGBTQ+ representation as part of the narrative, the Korean industry, too, is gradually including it in their shows. From focusing on same-sex couples to small pride moments, these K-dramas are worth a watch to know how Asians are slowly but surely normalising LGBTQ individuals and relationships!

This hit sequel to ‘Reply 1988’ surprised fans with a small subplot focusing on the LGBTQ+ community. When the main lead, Joon Hee confides in his BFF Shi Won that he is gay, it is a legendary moment in K-dramas. This is also when he realises his love for Shi Won’s childhood bestie Yoon Jae. However, after seeing him play a gay character on screen, several questions were raised about actor Hoya’s sexual orientation.

The topic of same-sex couples has been handled sensitively in his underrated romance drama starring Lee Jong Suk and Lee Na Young. It will make your heart flutter in its early episodes when the main lead talks about being cheated on by his ex-girlfriend. However, he further adds that he doesn’t mind the past as he had no chance with her, referring to his ex who is now happy with her new female partner. The acceptance of the lesbian couple is quite a powerful scene here.

Besides a refreshing plot, the show won hearts of the audience with its LGBTQ+ character, a transgender chef, played by Lee Joo Young. It focused on how different characters helped Park Seo Joon aka Sae Ro Yi to open his dream bar-restaurant and defeat his enemies, including Lee Joon Young's character. The rare representation speaks volumes about the changing times.

Starring popular actor Choi Han Kyul with Go Eun Chan in a beautiful relationship, where the latter pretends to be a male in order to work in a café with Choi Han Kyul. In time, Choi Han Kyul starts developing feelings for Go Eun Chan that leads to him questioning his sexual preference, which he accepts in the end. He soon realises that gender is not an issue and kisses Go Eun Chan while still believing that she is a male. The focus is on normalising love beyond gender restrictions.

Apart from the focus on the lead character, a subplot between Seol aka Kim Go Eun’s neighbour Kong Joo Yong with his secret boyfriend, caught everyone’s attention. The couple is met with problems and challenges to keep their relationship a secret from their family and friends. Later, Kong Joo young is seen leaving his family behind to stay with his boyfriend. However, their secret becomes public when discussed among Hong Seol and others.

The plot of the series is based on a political marriage between Ryu Ho Seon and Choi Hwa Jin in the Joseon Dynasty. However, during their wedding, Ho Seon finds out that he has actually married the bride’s brother Choi Ki wan (Lee Se Jin). While they try to annul the marriage, his ailing mother opposes making them maintain the relationship. Later, Ho Seon falls for Ki Wan and tries to court him.

The storyline of the romance drama revolves around an app that lets people know whether someone near them is in love with them. It had a slight bend in the narrative around same-sex couples when the second lead actor Jung Ga Ram aka Lee Hye-young is believed to be in love with Jo Jo (Kim So Hyun). However, the app creates an alert when he is around another male student who pushes him into the bathroom to confront him. He also gets an alert when he passes by a group of male students.