7 K-Dramas With Characters Who Suffer From Prosopagnosia aka Face Blindness
For such a rare condition, prosopagnosia sure has a lot of screen time.
Surprisingly, prosopagnosia - a condition where a person struggles to recognize faces and identify people - has become a popular plot twist in K-dramas. Many South Korean showmakers use this unique condition to add layers of shock value and suspense to their murder mysteries and even love plots.
If the concept of face blindness fascinates you, here are seven K-dramas that masterfully incorporate this intriguing trope.
The Idle Mermaid (2014)
IMDb rating: 6.5/10
Where to stream: Prime Video, Viki
Mermaid princess Aileen is captivated by the human world and finds herself falling for a renowned chef, Kwon Shi-kyung. Determined to be with him, she swipes a magical potion that transforms her into a human. However, she soon learns she has only 100 days to secure true love, a daunting task given Shi-kyung's face blindness and his arrogant demeanor.
Rich Man (2018)
IMDb rating: 6.7/10
Where to stream: Hulu, Viki
Lee Yoo-chan, a brilliant programmer and the CEO of a major IT firm, struggles with prosopagnosia, which has turned him into a rather aloof and detached individual. However, when he crosses paths with a spirited young job seeker, she captivates him in a way that no one else has.
Color Rush (2020-2022)
IMDb rating: 6.8/10
Where to stream: Viki
This two-season BL web series takes place in a world where some people, like the protagonist Yeon Woo, live in a gray world until they encounter their destined person. Upon meeting Yoo Han, Yeon Woo experiences a startling 'color rush,' flooding his world with vibrant hues, and gets scared. However, Yoo Han has his own condition to worry about. He can’t recognize faces.
The Secret Life of My Secretary (2019)
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Where to stream: Prime Video, Viki, Kocowa, WeTV, Roku
Do Min-ik, a boss at a major corporation, develops prosopagnosia following a violent attack. Determined to uncover his assailant, he enlists the help of his loyal secretary. As they work closely together, Min-ik unexpectedly starts to fall for the woman, adding a romantic twist to their quest for the truth.
The Beauty Inside (2018)
IMDb rating: 7.5/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Prime Video, Viki, Kocowa, Tubi, iQIYI
Han Se-gye is a top actress with a unique supernatural challenge: every month, she turns into a completely different person for one week. Seo Do-jae, the CEO of the company she models for, has face blindness, a secret he keeps from everyone. Surprisingly, this condition could be a blessing in disguise for their looming relationship.
My Holo Love (2020)
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Where to stream: Netflix
Han So-yeon, a successful woman grappling with face blindness, which makes her social interactions challenging. Her life takes a turn when she acquires a unique AI prototype named Holo, modeled after its creator. As Holo becomes her ideal daily assistant, So-yeon must resist the growing attachment to the robot.
100 Days My Prince (2018)
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IMDb rating: 7.7/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Prime Video, Viki, iQIYI, WeTV, Roku
This sageuk centers on the love story between a crown prince who suffers from amnesia and a humble girl harboring a big secret. While neither of the leads struggles with prosopagnosia, the condition affects one of the secondary characters, and that influences the storyline in unexpected ways.