Best K-drama dads: Crash Landing to Itaewon Class – 5 fictional ‘appas’ we’re celebrating this Father’s Day

When it comes to fathers in Korean dramas, there are plenty in the running for “best dad”. On this list, however, we’re training the spotlight on the imperfect dads with flawed personalities but caring hearts. Here are five K-drama appas we’re celebrating this Father’s Day.

Pilgu’s dads in When the Camellia Blooms

Pilgu has two dads in the drama: his real dad, Jong-ryul, a baseball star married to a social media celebrity, and his “acting” dad, Yong-sik, the boyfriend of his mother Dong-baek.

Pilgu hates the attention and simply wants quality time with his mum, but the efforts that two dads take to win his approval melts our hearts. Jong-ryul goes as far as putting his marriage and career at stake for Pilgu, while Yong-sik, who understands the kid’s heart, takes Pilgu to play arcade games and protects Dong-baek.

Captain Ri’s dad in Crash Landing on You

In Crash Landing on You, Captain Ri’s dad was introduced to us as the high-ranking director general Ri Choong-ryeol, feared by his North Korean officers. As the upright Captain Ri became involved with South Korean Yoon Se-ri, we thought his father would disown him to keep his position and the family’s honour. At one point, the director general even arranged to have Se-ri kidnapped.

In the end, he always had his son’s best interests at heart. Not only did he grow fond of Se-ri as the woman Captain Ri liked, he sent men to back up his son in South Korea and used his power to defend him until the end.

Bok-joo’s dad in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo

Training to be a weightlifting legend, Kim Bok-joo struggles with adolescence, her first love and heartbreak, and a career slump in between. Thankfully, she has her appa Kim Chang-gul, a former weightlifter and owner of Bok Chicken restaurant, to guide her through it all.