JTBC review: History, Korean Dramas, and Major Player in Korean Television

JTBC (Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company) has firmly established itself as a prominent force in the South Korean television industry. 

Founded in 2011, this nationwide pay television network is a subsidiary of JoongAng Holdings, a major media conglomerate with roots extending back to the original Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation (TBC).

What Does JTBC Do Exactly?

JTBC is a South Korean television company. 

It’s like ABC, NBC, or CBS in the United States, but you usually have to pay to watch their channels.

They make lots of popular Korean dramas.

Think of these like longer, more complex TV series with multiple episodes that tell a whole story. Famous JTBC dramas include “SKY Castle,” “The World of the Married,” and “Itaewon Class.”

JTBC has a well-respected news department.

They provide updates on current events, similar to how CNN or other news networks do.

They also show other types of programs. JTBC airs variety shows (think funny talk shows or game shows), documentaries, and more.

JTBC’s Influence on the Korean Drama Industry

JTBC has played an important role in shaping the Korean drama landscape. 

Its daring productions, often tackling mature themes and unconventional storylines, for example, Snowdrop, have continually pushed boundaries

Critical and Commercial Acclaim 

Several  JTBC dramas have achieved both critical and commercial success. Notable examples include Sky Castle, The World Of The Married, Itaewon Class, and Reborn Rich, just to mention a few.

20 of the Most Highly Rated Korean Dramas from JTBC

Here are some of the most highly rated Korean dramas from JTBC. 

The Atypical Family

The Atypical Family delivers a unique blend of fantasy and romance, following the struggles of Bok Gwi-Ju (Jang Ki-Yong) and his quirky, superpowered family. With the unusual ability to revisit only happy memories, Gwi-Ju finds himself battling depression, which gradually erodes his powers. His family also faces the loss of their abilities due to modern-day issues like insomnia and smartphone addiction. The arrival of Do Da-Hae (Chun Woo-Hee) brings unexpected changes as she becomes entangled with the family, adding warmth and intrigue to their lives. This drama offers a heartfelt exploration of resilience, family, and self-discovery with a whimsical supernatural twist.

Doctor Slump

Doctor Slump is a romantic-comedy about two former rivals who meet again when life isn’t going well for either of them. Yeo Jeong-Woo (Park Hyung-Sik) was always a top student and is now a successful plastic surgeon, but a strange medical accident turns his life upside down. At this low point, he reconnects with Nam Ha-Neul (Park Shin-Hye), an anesthesiologist who once rivaled him in school. Ha-Neul has worked hard her whole life, but she feels empty and wants a change. As they support each other through their struggles, a sweet romance begins. This drama mixes humor, healing, and love.

Itaewon Class

Itaewon Class follows Park Sae-Ro-Yi (Park Seo-Jun), a young man driven by revenge after his father dies in a crash caused by a wealthy bully. Refusing to apologize for standing up to injustice, Sae-Ro-Yi faces expulsion, prison, and countless obstacles. After his release, he opens a restaurant in Itaewon, determined to bring down the powerful CEO Jang Dae-Hee and his corrupt business. With the help of social media star Jo Yi-Seo (Kim Da-Mi), who has her own feelings for him, Sae-Ro-Yi fights for his dreams against all odds in this intense, inspiring story.

King The Land

King the Land tells the story of Gu Won (Lee Joon-Ho), the heir of a wealthy family’s hotel empire, who finds himself in a fierce inheritance battle. Though sharp and charming, he struggles with social connections, especially romance. Enter Cheon Sa-Rang (Lim Yoon-A), a cheerful hotel employee who cherishes the hotel from her childhood. As she faces challenges and grows through her work, a romance begins to blossom between her and Gu Won, blending warmth and charm against a backdrop of luxury and family rivalry.

Reborn Rich

Reborn Rich follows Yoon Hyeon-Woo (Song Joong-Ki), a loyal employee of the powerful Soonyang Conglomerate, who is betrayed and killed after being falsely accused of embezzlement. Shockingly, he wakes up in the body of Jin Do-Jun, the youngest grandson of the family that wronged him. Armed with a second chance, he sets out to take revenge and claim control of the company. This intense drama blends suspense, intrigue, and the thrill of revenge in a high-stakes corporate world.

Sky Castle

SKY Castle delves into the lives of four wealthy families living in the elite SKY Castle neighborhood. The wives—Han Seo-Jin (Yum Jung-Ah), Lee Soo-Im (Lee Tae-Ran), No Seung-Hye (Yoon Se-Ah), and Jin Jin-Hee (Oh Na-Ra)—are fiercely dedicated to advancing their husbands’ careers and ensuring their children’s academic success. Beneath the luxurious surface, secrets, ambitions, and intense pressures unfold, revealing the lengths they will go to achieve perfection. This satirical drama explores the dark side of privilege and the fierce competition in South Korea’s upper class.

Something In The Rain

Something in the Rain tells the story of Yoon Jin-A (Son Ye-Jin), a single woman in her 30s who feels unfulfilled despite her steady job as a supervisor at a coffee company. Her life takes a turn when she reconnects with Seo Joon-Hee (Jung Hae-In), the younger brother of her best friend. Recently returned from working abroad, Joon-Hee is no longer the boy Jin-A remembers, and their friendship begins to blossom into something deeper. This heartfelt romance captures the sweetness and challenges of falling in love unexpectedly.

Strong Girl Do Bong-Soon

Strong Girl Bong-Soon follows the quirky and endearing Do Bong-Soon (Park Bo-Young), a woman gifted with extraordinary strength—a trait passed down to the women in her family. Aspiring to create a video game starring herself, Bong-Soon’s life takes an unexpected turn when she uses her powers to stop a gang of thugs, catching the eye of An Min-Hyuk (Park Hyung-Sik), the CEO of a gaming company. Impressed, Min-Hyuk hires her as his bodyguard, leading to a series of comedic and thrilling adventures as Bong-Soon, Min-Hyuk, and her childhood friend Detective In Guk-Doo (Ji Soo) tackle a string of local crimes. This drama balances action, romance, and humor in a story about strength, dreams, and unexpected connections.

The World Of The Married

The World of the Married is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and vengeance that peels back the layers of a seemingly perfect marriage. Dr. Ji Sun-Woo (Kim Hee-Ae) is a respected family physician with a picturesque life—until her husband, Lee Tae-Oh (Park Hae-Joon), breaks her trust in the most devastating way. As her world shatters, Ji Sun-Woo’s warmth turns to steely resolve as she navigates the chaos and tangled lies that follow. Lee Tae-Oh, caught between ambition and reckless desire, dreams of fame as a director but soon finds himself trapped in the consequences of his choices. This intense drama explores the thin line between love and revenge, testing the resilience of a woman determined to take back control.

Snowdrop

Snowdrop is set in 1987 South Korea during a time of political unrest. It follows Lim Soo-Ho (Jung Hae-In), a mysterious Korean-German graduate student who, covered in blood, seeks refuge in a women’s dormitory. There, Eun Yeong-Ro (Kim Ji-Soo), an English literature student, helps him and they develop a romantic relationship. As their bond deepens, they become entangled in a web of political intrigue and danger. Meanwhile, Gye Bun-Ok (Kim Hye-Yoon), a telephone operator, pretends to be a university student but soon gets caught in a scandal. Lee Gang-Mu (Jang Seung-Jo), the principled leader of a national security team, pursues them as they navigate love, secrets, and betrayal in a turbulent era.

Sisyphus: The Myth

Sisyphus: The Myth follows a genius engineer, Han Tae-Sul, who uncovers the truth behind his brother’s mysterious death, setting off a dangerous journey. His savior, Gang Seo-Hae, a skilled warrior from the future, travels back in time to protect him and uncover hidden truths.

My Country: The New Age

My Country: The New Age is set during the transition from the Goryeo to the Joseon period, focusing on two friends, Seo Hwi and Nam Seon-Ho, whose differing ideals lead them to become rivals. As they navigate corruption, betrayal, and personal struggles, their friendship turns into an intense conflict.

Clean With Passion For Now

Clean With Passion For Now follows Jang Sun-Gyeol, a man with mysophobia who runs a cleaning company, and his unlikely romance with the carefree and messy Gil O-Sol. As their relationship develops, he gradually confronts his fear of germs while falling in love with her.

The Good Detective

The Good Detective follows two detectives in Incheon, South Korea: Kang Do-Chang, a veteran relying on personal connections, and Oh Ji-Hyeok, a methodical investigator who uses evidence and psychological insight. Together, they uncover hidden truths while facing their own personal and professional challenges.

My Liberation Notes

My Liberation Notes follows three siblings in Sanpo Village: Yeom Chang-Hee, who struggles with a lack of direction; Yeom Mi-Jeong, who longs for freedom but is held back by her introversion; and Yeom Gi-Jeong, who is frustrated with her life and work commute. Their lives take a turn when they meet Mr. Gu, a mysterious stranger who might hold the key to their liberation.

Law School

Law School follows the intense journey of law school professor Yang Jong-Hoon and his students as they become embroiled in an unprecedented case. The series delves into the lives of students like Kang Sol, who feels insecure due to her poor background, and Han Joon-Hwi, a top student with a hidden secret, as they navigate the complexities of law and justice.

Nevertheless

Nevertheless centers on Yoo Na-Bi, an art student who, after a painful breakup, decides to avoid love but finds herself drawn to the charming yet indifferent Park Jae-Eon. Despite his reluctance toward romantic relationships, Jae-Eon begins to fall for her, leading both to question their beliefs about love and connection.

Welcome to Samdal-ri

Welcome to Samdal-ri follows Cho Yong-Pil, a passionate weather forecaster from Jeju Island, and Cho Sam-Dal, a once-successful photographer who returns to her hometown after her career falls apart. As they reconnect after years apart, their relationship blossoms amidst the charm of their shared roots and the beauty of Jeju Island.

Heartless City

Heartless City follows Shi-Hyun, a former orphan turned ruthless gang boss, and Hyeong-Min, a determined detective, as they become entangled in a dangerous battle against drug cartels and corruption. The story delves into their pasts, exposing their connections to orphanages and the tangled web of crime and justice.

Man To Man

Man to Man centers around Kim Sul-Woo, a skilled secret agent who goes undercover as the bodyguard of Yeo Woon-Gwang, a famous actor known for playing villains. As Sul-Woo protects the actor, he becomes entangled in a web of intrigue, espionage, and danger, all while trying to uncover secrets hidden in plain sight. The series blends action, suspense, and humor as the two men navigate their complex relationship.

A Platform for Emerging and Veteran Talent

JTBC dramas frequently provide opportunities for up-and-coming actors to shine alongside seasoned veterans. This blend fosters dynamic storytelling and contributes to the industry’s overall talent pool.

Global Reach of JTBC

JTBC’s dramas have earned a devoted international following.  Their availability on global streaming platforms like Netflix and Viki has significantly broadened their appeal and cemented their role in the global Hallyu Wave (Korean cultural wave).

Expanding into the Film Sector

Though  JTBC’s primary focus remains on television dramas, the network has also made notable moves within the film industry:

Film Distribution 

JTBC has ventured into film distribution, handling releases such as the critically acclaimed film “Parasite.”

JTBC’s Investment in Production

Increasingly, JTBC is investing in film production, supporting both independent and commercial cinema. This signifies a growing ambition to become a significant player in the film industry.

The JTBC Brand

JTBC has crafted a distinctive brand identity within the Korean media landscape:

Bold and Innovative

JTBC is known for its penchant for challenging and thought-provoking content. Its dramas don’t shy away from complex social issues and frequently explore the darker shades of human nature.

High-Quality Productions

JTBC shows are consistently praised for their polished production values, captivating cinematography, and strong performances.

Respected News Division

JTBC’s news division holds a reputation for credible and insightful reporting. Its flagship program, ‘JTBC Newsroom,’ rivals the influence of news broadcasts from the main terrestrial networks.

The Future of JTBC

With its impressive track record of successful dramas, a commitment to news, and a foray into film, JTBC is well-positioned to maintain its influence in the South Korean media industry.  The company’s acquisition of Olympic Games broadcasting rights, along with a controlling stake in the US-based production house ‘wiip,’ signals potential for even further international expansion.

JTBC’s legacy is one of disrupting the status quo, pushing  creative limits, and delivering high-quality entertainment. As it continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to witness its further impact on South Korean drama, film, and the ever-evolving global media landscape.

FAQs and some Quick Facts About JTBC

Q: What does JTBC stand for?

JTBC stands for Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company.

Q: What kind of content does JTBC produce?

JTBC produces a wide range of content, including:

• Korean dramas (their most notable offering)
• News programs
• Variety shows
• Documentaries

Q: Is JTBC a free channel?

No, JTBC is a nationwide pay television network in South Korea. This means you typically need a subscription to access their channels.

Q: Where can I watch JTBC dramas?

Many JTBC dramas are available on popular international streaming platforms like:

• Netflix
• Viki
• You might also find some on JTBC’s own streaming platform.

Q: Does JTBC only operate in South Korea?

While JTBC is primarily based in South Korea, their dramas and news content have gained a significant international audience thanks to streaming platforms and their commitment to global expansion.

Q: Is JTBC considered a major broadcaster in South Korea?

Yes, JTBC is one of the four major generalist cable TV networks in South Korea. Their news division is particularly respected and held in high regard.

Q: How old is JTBC?

JTBC was founded in 2011.

Q: What are some of JTBC’s most famous dramas?

Some of JTBC’s most acclaimed dramas include:

• SKY Castle
• The World of the Married
• Itaewon Class
• Reborn Rich
• Strong Woman Do Bong-soon

Q: Does JTBC have a website?

Yes, JTBC’s official website is jtbc.co.kr (in Korean)