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Amnesia/Mental Variance/Coma/Brains

***SPOILERS***

I originally made this list in order to avoid dramas with amnesia, but I found that many of my favorites contained bouts of amnesia. I've begrudgingly accepted amnesia as an overused plotline (seriously, Koreans should outlaw white trucks, as they seem to cause 75% of the amnesia victims; and what is it about Koreans that a slight tap on the head invariably results in amnesia?!).

Conversely, I'm drawn to dramas with characters who live with brain dysfunctions such as prosopagnosia (I have a special list just for that), OCD, or other neural conditions that challenge daily life. I'm especially engaged with short-term memory loss (like Devilish Joy) where the character has to journal his life in order to understand it (been there; done that); if you have any K-drama recommendations for those, I'd appreciate them.

P.S. I'm beginning to think I should have made a list strictly for dramas that did NOT contain amnesia. It might have been shorter.

bojojoti Sep 15, 2024
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  • Shining Inheritance

    301. Shining Inheritance

    Korean Drama - 2009, 28 episodes

    7.5

    Amnesia.

  • Shizuka-chan to Papa

    302. Shizuka-chan to Papa

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    Possibly autistic. "Keiichi, a frequent diner, who struggles to communicate."

  • Shoot for the Stars

    303. Shoot for the Stars

    Korean Drama - 2002, 16 episodes

    Mental Illness. Dyslexia.

  • Shoot My Heart

    304. Shoot My Heart

    Korean Movie - 2015

    Schizophrenia.

  • Shopaholic Louis

    305. Shopaholic Louis

    Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

    7.5

    Amnesia.

  • Since I Met U

    306. Since I Met U

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    Mental illness.

  • Skate Into Love

    307. Skate Into Love

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 40 episodes

    8.0

    Subdural hematoma of the brain. This aspect was dealt with superficially, and a time skip of two  years ignored the recovery process.

  • Sm:)e

    308. Sm:)e

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 24 episodes

  • Smile Code

    309. Smile Code

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 34 episodes

    8.0

    Trauma; alexithymia (emotional blindness, an inability to  recognize one’s emotions; causes difficulty in relationships and attachments).

  • Smile, You

    310. Smile, You

    Korean Drama - 2009, 45 episodes

    Mental Illness.

  • Smoking Gun

    311. Smoking Gun

    Korean Drama - 0000, 16 episodes

    Amnesia.

    [“Smoking Gun” is an espionage action thriller about a former South Korean agent with memory loss and a North Korean secret agent who is trying to kill him as they carry out an intense chase in order to stop a terrorism plot.]

  • Sold Out on You

    312. Sold Out on You

    Korean Drama - 2026, 12 episodes

    Chronic, severe insomnia.

  • Star With a Secret

    313. Star With a Secret

    Korean Drama - 2020, 5 episodes

    6.0

    Haphephobia (fear of being touched by people).

  • Still 17

    314. Still 17

    Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes

    8.5

    Coma for 13 years.

  • Still, Marry Me

    315. Still, Marry Me

    Korean Drama - 2010, 16 episodes

    Neurological Disorder.

  • Story of My Family!!!

    316. Story of My Family!!!

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

  • Stranger

    317. Stranger

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    "Hwang Shi Mok underwent brain surgery as a child to curb his violent temper, which left him devoid of emotions. Hwang becomes a prosecutor known for his piercing intelligence and logic, but he is ostracized because he lacks empathy and social skills." 

    Alexithymia.

  • Stranger Season 2

    318. Stranger Season 2

    Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

    Alexithymia (emotional blindness).

  • Strangers from Hell

    319. Strangers from Hell

    Korean Drama - 2019, 10 episodes

    Trauma; paranoia.

  • Summer Rose

    320. Summer Rose

    Chinese Drama - 2025, 82 episodes

    Bipolar disorder.

  • Sweat and Soap

    321. Sweat and Soap

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 9 episodes

    7.5

    Hyperosmia (sensitivity to smells).

  • Sweet Dreams

    322. Sweet Dreams

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 49 episodes

    Trauma.

  • Sweet Sweet

    323. Sweet Sweet

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 22 episodes

    7.5

    Brain Damage. Aphasia (impaired speech).

  • Sweet Trap

    324. Sweet Trap

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes

    Hyperosmia; Alzheimer's Disease.

  • Tale of Arang

    325. Tale of Arang

    Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes

    8.0

    Amnesia. When Arang is awakened, she doesn't remember her life as Lee Seo Rim.

  • Tell Me What You Saw

    326. Tell Me What You Saw

    Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

    Trauma; Photographic memory.

  • Thank You

    327. Thank You

    Korean Drama - 2007, 16 episodes

    Alzheimer's Disease.

  • The Best Thing

    328. The Best Thing

    Chinese Drama - 2025, 28 episodes

    Insomnia; migraines.

  • The Birthday Mystery

    329. The Birthday Mystery

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 9 episodes

    Panic disorder, mental illness.

  • The Call

    330. The Call

    Korean Movie - 2020

    Mental Illness.

  • The Confidence

    331. The Confidence

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 40 episodes

    Sociopath.

  • The Double

    332. The Double

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes

    9.0

    [Supporting character Jiang Jing Rui has the ADHD-like characteristics of impulsivity, intense emotion, and awkwardly honest speech. He's also able to bring tremendous focus to bear on one particular task: the game of Go.] https://kisskh.at/list/1ep20p74, kabocha

  • The Eternal Love Season 2

    333. The Eternal Love Season 2

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 30 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • The First Frost

    334. The First Frost

    Chinese Drama - 2025, 32 episodes

    8.0

    Sleepwalking due to trauma.

  • The Fox's Summer

    335. The Fox's Summer

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 21 episodes

    OCD; mental illness.

  • The Fox's Summer Season 2

    336. The Fox's Summer Season 2

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 23 episodes

    OCD; mental illness.

  • The Girl Who Sees Scents

    337. The Girl Who Sees Scents

    Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes

    6.0

    Coma. Amnesia. Brain translated scents into visuals (synesthesia).

  • The Great Hypnotist

    338. The Great Hypnotist

    Chinese Movie - 2014

    Mental illness.

  • The Hours of My Life

    339. The Hours of My Life

    Japanese Drama - 2014, 11 episodes

  • The Journey Across the Night

    340. The Journey Across the Night

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 26 episodes

    Schizophrenia.

  • The Kidnapping Day

    341. The Kidnapping Day

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    9.0

    Amnesia.

  • The King of Pigs

    342. The King of Pigs

    Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

    Mental illness.

  • The Kodai Family

    343. The Kodai Family

    Japanese Movie - 2016

    Mind reading; telepathy.

  • The Last Empress

    344. The Last Empress

    Korean Drama - 2018, 52 episodes

    Brainwashing.

  • The Love by Hypnotic

    345. The Love by Hypnotic

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 36 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • The Love Lasts Two Minds

    346. The Love Lasts Two Minds

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • The Man Who Can't Get Married

    347. The Man Who Can't Get Married

    Korean Drama - 2009, 16 episodes

    Mental Illness. OCD.

  • The Masked Lover

    348. The Masked Lover

    Taiwanese Drama - 2017, 19 episodes

    Coma.

  • The Master's Sun

    349. The Master's Sun

    Korean Drama - 2013, 17 episodes

    7.5

    Amnesia; trauma.

  • The Memorandum of Kyoko Okitegami

    350. The Memorandum of Kyoko Okitegami

    Japanese Drama - 2015, 10 episodes

    Short-term Memory Loss, Amnesia. 

  • The One and Only

    351. The One and Only

    Korean Special - 2011, 4 episodes

    Coma.

  • The Perfect Match

    352. The Perfect Match

    Taiwanese Drama - 2017, 22 episodes

  • The Plan Man

    353. The Plan Man

    Korean Movie - 2014

    Mental Illness. OCD. Anxiety Disorder.

  • The Potato Lab

    354. The Potato Lab

    Korean Drama - 2025, 12 episodes

    7.5

    ML had OCD and neurodivergent tendencies.

  • The Price of Confession

    355. The Price of Confession

    Korean Drama - 2025, 12 episodes

  • The Prince Who Turns into a Frog

    356. The Prince Who Turns into a Frog

    Taiwanese Drama - 2005, 20 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • The Princess and the Werewolf

    357. The Princess and the Werewolf

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes

    8.0

    Amnesia. Su He fell off a cliff and lost her memory for five years.

  • The Prisoner of Beauty

    358. The Prisoner of Beauty

    Chinese Drama - 2025, 36 episodes

    9.0

    Trauma; fear of the dark (had to sleep with candle burning).

  • The Quiz Show

    359. The Quiz Show

    Japanese Drama - 2008, 12 episodes

  • The Science of Falling in Love

    360. The Science of Falling in Love

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes

    Globophobia (fear of balloons).

  • The Secret of  Love

    361. The Secret of Love

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 30 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • The Sleepless Princess

    362. The Sleepless Princess

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 35 episodes

    Insomnia.

  • The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

    363. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

    Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

    Antisocial Personality Disorder; amnesia.

  • The Spirealm

    364. The Spirealm

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 78 episodes

    8.5

    Coma.

  • The Starry Love

    365. The Starry Love

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes

    8.5

    Male lead is implanted with a brain inhibitor that prevents him from remembering certain important factors.

  • The Trick of Life and Love

    366. The Trick of Life and Love

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 32 episodes

    Amnesia. 

    "Domineering CEO Ning Cheng Ming has a reputation for being a professor from hell. After a mysterious car accident, he is saved by Li Qian, a person that he hasn't seen in years. They were enemies."

  • The Uncanny Counter

    367. The Uncanny Counter

    Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

    8.5

    Amnesia.

  • The Undateables

    368. The Undateables

    Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes

    8.5

    Aquaphobia (an irrational and intense fear of water).

  • The Veil

    369. The Veil

    Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • The Victims' Game

    370. The Victims' Game

    Taiwanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    Asperger's Syndrome; Autism.

  • The Wind Blows

    371. The Wind Blows

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    Alzheimer’s disease.

  • The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion

    372. The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion

    Korean Movie - 2018

    Amnesia. 

    "10 years ago, Ja Yoon escaped from a government facility in the midst of an inexplicable incident by herself and lost all her memory."

  • The Wolf Princess

    373. The Wolf Princess

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes

    7.5

    Dissociative Identity Disorder; Multiple Personalities.

  • This Is Not What I Expected

    374. This Is Not What I Expected

    Chinese Movie - 2017

    7.5

    OCD.

  • Three Star Bar in Nishi Ogikubo

    375. Three Star Bar in Nishi Ogikubo

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

    Ageusia (the complete loss of the sense of taste, characterized by an inability to detect the five basic taste qualities: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami)

  • Time Between Dog and Wolf

    376. Time Between Dog and Wolf

    Korean Drama - 2007, 16 episodes

    8.0

    Amnesia.

  • Timetable

    377. Timetable

    Korean Drama - 2024, 5 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Timing

    378. Timing

    Korean Drama - 2020, 4 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • To Get Her

    379. To Get Her

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 30 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • To Heal the Heart

    380. To Heal the Heart

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 4 episodes

  • Tomorrow

    381. Tomorrow

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    Coma.

  • Twilight

    382. Twilight

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes

    "Liu Xia, a psychological counselor, collaborates with Shen Qin to develop an AI psychological testing system."

  • Two Faces of My Girlfriend

    383. Two Faces of My Girlfriend

    Korean Movie - 2007

    Dissociative Identity Disorder. Mental Illness.

  • U-Turn

    384. U-Turn

    Korean Special - 2008, 4 episodes

    7.5

    Amnesia.

  • Ugly Duckling Series: Pity Girl

    385. Ugly Duckling Series: Pity Girl

    Thai Drama - 2015, 5 episodes

    Short-term Memory Loss.

    "After falling from a tree 6 months ago Alice now suffers having "goldfish memory." 

  • Under the Microscope

    386. Under the Microscope

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 14 episodes

    Asperger's Syndrome.

  • Unexpected

    387. Unexpected

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 23 episodes

    Telepathy.

  • Unmet: A Neurosurgeon's Diary

    388. Unmet: A Neurosurgeon's Diary

    Japanese Drama - 2024, 11 episodes

    Brain damage: unable to recall memories after accident and can't retain daily memories.

  • Unusual Idol Love

    389. Unusual Idol Love

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Use for My Talent

    390. Use for My Talent

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes

    Mysophobia.

  • Voice of Silence

    391. Voice of Silence

    Korean Movie - 2020

    Speech disorder.

  • W

    392. W

    Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

    9.5

    Memories erased.

  • Waking Love Up

    393. Waking Love Up

    Chinese Drama - 2011, 40 episodes

    Amnesia.

  • Walk Into Your Memory

    394. Walk Into Your Memory

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes

    Amnesia: An Ning, a chef with the ability to see others' memories, helps her boss, Long Hao Qian, recover a year’s worth of lost memories. 

  • Warm Hug

    395. Warm Hug

    Chinese Movie - 2020

    Mental illness; OCD.

  • Warm Meet You

    396. Warm Meet You

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes

     "Opposite gender touch allergy." 

  • Watashi no Tadashi Oniichan

    397. Watashi no Tadashi Oniichan

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 8 episodes

    Insomnia.

  • We're Not Trash

    398. We're Not Trash

    Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    Bipolar disorder, mental illness, depression.

  • Weak Hero Class 1

    399. Weak Hero Class 1

    Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    9.0

    It's possible Yeon Si Eun is neurodivergent due to his analytical nature and his repressed social skills. He likely suffers from PTSD, depression, trauma, and abandonment issues. 

  • Well Dominated Love

    400. Well Dominated Love

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes

    OCD. Amnesia.

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