With the summer days ahead, some may have their calendars filled to the brim, but many of aren’t as lucky. Therefore, I’ve taken the time and dedication to show off the top 8 dramas that should fill your summer days!

If Korean dramas aren’t necessarily your forte, I also included a couple of Japanese or Taiwanese dramas that might tickle your interests. The dramas will be listed by the ranking of “should be watched” to “MUST BE THE FIRST THING YOU DO.” Now without further ado, let us begin the list!

8. Switch Girl

Technically this drama first started airing on December 24th 2011, but it’s close enough, right?

Synopsis: This a Japanese drama that was created from the popular manga by Aida Natsumi titled “Switch Girl!!” A high school student named Nika is a popular, fashionable, and pretty high school student that presents the image of being close to perfect. What her schoolmates doesn’t know, however, is that when she gets home she takes a complete 360 and turns into a disgusting, slobby, disgrace-of-a-girl - a complete switch girl. Her secret had stayed a secret for the longest time until she’s finally found out by her new class mate, and love interest, Arata.

Main Characters: Kiriyama Renn (Hanazakari no Kimitachi), Nishiuchi Mariya

Reasons Why I Like It: I’ve always been a fan of the manga, so it’s only natural that I would watch the drama as well! Mariya displays the character of Nika absolutely perfectly, and was a wonderful actress chosen for the role. The drama follows the manga almost exactly, so I was happy that they didn’t screw up the great manga.

7. Absolute Boyfriend

Synopsis (Taiwanese version): Riiko is a girl with no luck in love that stumbles upon a online website that allows her to create the perfect boyfriend. She fills out the entire form for fun, and creates her idea of the most perfect boyfriend, only to be surprised the next morning when her “package” arrives.

Main Characters: Koo Hye Sun (Boys over Flowers), Jiro Wang (It Started With A Kiss), Xie Kun Da

Reasons Why I Like It: Jiro has gotten incredibly hotter over the years! It’s also nice to see Koo Hye Sun in different settings. The whole plot of it all is definitely really unique and interesting as wel.

6. Time Slip Dr. Jin

Synopsis: “Jin Hyuk is a genius neurosurgeon with a cold and severe attitude in his interactions with other people due to his personal pursuit of perfection. Through a mysterious power, Jin Hyuk finds himself transported back in time 150 years. He begins treating people there, but the lack of necessary implements and rudimentary medical knowledge of the period forces him to seek new ways to aid the sick. Through this challenging process, Jin Hyuk eventually becomes a genuine doctor.”

Main Characters: Song Seung Hun (My Princess), Park Min Young (City Hunter), Kim Jaejoong (Protect the Boss)

Reasons Why I Like It: I haven’t watched this drama yet, but the plot has definitely landed a place on my to-watch list. It’s a little on the low ranked side because I don’t believe I’m not all that into medical/ancient times dramas. This plot also reminds me a little bit of Rooftop Prince. (Which will also have their appearance later on the list)

5. I Love Lee Tae Ri

Synopsis:Min Soo is a 14-year-old teenager who wakes up one morning to discover that he has been transported into the body of 25-year-old Eun Dong. When he goes to work as an assistant to wealthy heiress Lee Tae Ri, his sweet innocence helps to bring the woman out of her emotional shell after being dumped by her first love. Will Eun Dong be able to discover love in his new identity or will he be able to return to his younger self?

Main Characters: Kim Kibum, Park Ye Jin (Mr. Idol), Yang Jin Woo, Jubi

Reasons Why I Like It: I haven’t watched this yet, but I definitely want to watch a drama with Kim Kibum starring in it!

4. Dream High 2

Synopsis: Dream High Season 2 follows the first season at Kirin School of Arts that has been taken over by Oz Entertainment that transfers their own idols over the to school only to have havoc reap over.

Main Characters: Kang Sora (Sunny), 2AM’s Jinwoon, JJ Project’s JB, Ailee, T-ara’s Park Jiyeon, Sistar’s Hyorin

Reasons Why I Like It: I was quite a fan of Dream High Season 1, so it’s only a given that I’d check out the second season. Although I did like the first season better, I definitely loved the actors/actresses of the second one better (especially JB, JR, Ailee, and Jinwoon!)

3. Big

Synopsis: 18 year old Kang Kyung Joon goes through a series of events to manage to get his soul trapped in the body of 30 year old Seo Yoon Jae.

Main Characters: Lee Min Jung (Boys over Flowers), Shin Won Ho, Gong Yoo (The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince), miss A’s Suzy (Dream High)

Reasons Why I Like It: The 18 year old boy is the cutest thing in the world! Shin Won Ho is also, hands down, one of the best actors I’ve ever seen. His ability of voices, facial expressions, emotions, and overall acting is simply amazing!

2. Rooftop Prince

Synopsis: Joseon era’s prince, Lee Gak, is transported 300 years into the future in Seoul 2012 after his wife, the Crown Princess, is murdered. His journey is accompanied by Song Man Bo, Do Chi San, and Woo Young Sul. Though soon he bumps into somebody that is destined to alter both his future and past, Bak Ha.

Main Characters: Yoochun (Sungkyunkwan Scandal), Han Ji Min (Padam, Padam), Lee Tae Sung (Mischievous Kiss), Jung Yoo Mi (Dong Yi)

Reasons I like it: The plot is one that is incredibly creatively structured, and the actors/actresses brings it to complete perfection. Also, the entourage of Song Man Bo, Do Chi San and Woo Young Sul are definitely the cutest things ever.

1. King 2 Heart

Synopsis: Lee Jae Ha is the highly egoistic crown prince of South Korea that doesn’t care about politics and only about his fun and freedom. As time continues on, he falls for Kim Hang Ah, a North Korean special forces agent.

Main Characters: Ha Ji Won (Secret Garden), Lee Seung Ki (My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox)

Why I LOVE it: The plot is completely perfect! Almost every drama I’ve watched consists of some weak main character, but Kim Hang Ah is one of the strongest female roles I’ve seen in a long time! The plot is full of twists and turns that will always keep you entertained to the fullest.

For reference of those whom don’t know where to watch some dramas, places I can always count on to supply my dramas are mysoju.com, viki.com, dramafever.com, and dramacrazy.net.

What is your must-watch drama of 2012…so far?