There are many reasons why K-Dramas have become a staple amongst drama fans and global viewers. One of them is the storyline. Unlike many other genres of dramas, K-Dramas' ability to present a full-fledged storyline in a compact format has often been regarded as brilliant and amazing.
Regardless of the genre or amount of episodes, for the most part, when it comes to delivering a relatable, interesting, and engrossing storyline from start to finish, in just 1 season, K-Dramas are known to take the crown in this aspect.
However, there are some series that despite how interesting they are, sort of fall short when it comes to their ending. Many storylines are like a build-up towards a climactic ending that leaves a satisfactory note in the minds of the viewers. The impact of a good ending makes the whole viewing experience worthwhile, especially when you are watching a 1-hour, 16+ episodes series.
While there are many dramas that beautifully wrap up their stories, either with a happy or tragic ending, there are some that just leave viewers in a state of limbo, guessing what would happen next and there are others whose endings just feel so rushed, there are notable missing pieces in the puzzle that is its story.
Here are some of the interesting K-Dramas that we believe have a very inconclusive ending.
1. "The World Of The Married"
"The World Of The Married" is one of the highest rated K-Dramas in history. Its gripping storyline, suspenseful and dramatic twists and turns, jaw-dropping shocking and climactic moments, and the brilliant acting from its casts all serve as some of the key reasons for the impeccable success of the series. Unlike many dramas, there wasn't a slow build-up with this series as right from the first episode, we were already thrown into the action and all we had to do was sit on the edge of our chairs and watch as the drama ensues.
The story didn't lose track in both pace and suspense as right till the last episode we were all in a state of intrigue and wonder. However, where it falls short is in its very last couple of minutes. We finally see Jin SunWoo and her son living a stable and okay life without Lee TaeOh. They seemed to have reconciled with some of their friends and at this point, they have evidently moved on from all the drama and are doing better together.
However, the sudden reappearance of Lee TaeOh tries to throw them off their newfound balance again. While this might been yet another infusion of a shocking moment to further pique the interest of the viewers, by creating a scenario for forgiveness and reconciliation between Lee TaeOh, who has clearly hit rock bottom and Jin SunWoo who seems happier now, it however serves as an arc that created some plot holes at the very end of the drama.
We could say that perhaps the writers knew that a reconciliation between them, especially how toxic they both were (more Lee TaeOh than Jin SunWoo though) to each other, would be a pill that many viewers would not swallow as between the couples, many were already rooting for Jin SunWoo and Kim YoonGi to get together. Even though this might seem sugar-coated or somewhat expected if the series ended where they had a meal together and they both walked their separate ways, that would have been the perfect ending for the series. However, the suicide prank to test the love Jin SunWoo had for Lee TaeOh was a bit too strange and lead to raised eyebrows about the direction the ending would take.
We see the son run away and then we are cut to what is either a couple of months or years later, a sudden knock on the door and a blurred young man walks in as Jin SunWoo is in an emotional state upon seeing him. As viewers, we can aptly deduce that the figure was her son whom she's seemingly been looking for since the incident. However, it raises so many questions like 1) How did she try to find him? 2) whatever happened to his father? 3) Was there any form of reconciliation or closure between Jin SunWoo and Lee TaeOh in the time-lapse? 4) Where did the son go to and what made him eventually come back? While we would always rate and highly recommend this drama, the ending in our opinion does fall a bit short of giving a proper conclusion to the story.
2. "Vagabond"
We gladly join the host of wishful fans who are desperately calling for a second season of the action thriller series "Vagabond". "Vagabond" was a story that had many hooked right from the get-go.
Playing on the classic victim-to-hero troupe, we were all in tow, following along in the tumultuous journey of Cha DalGun as he sought to not just bring justice to those who killed his nephew but also save the world from the corrupt hands that ruled it. While towards the end of the series, one could predict that it would have a 2nd season, especially with its introduction of new characters and scenarios that continue to hamper our hero's pursuit of justice, the fact that there hasn't been a 2nd season yet, makes it a good reason to add it to this list.
And when you recount that over-climactic and dramatic last few seconds, it even adds more reasons why it definitely should be here. In its ending. We see our hero on a mission trying to stop what seems like the visit of an important figure to a corrupt official. Everything seems to be going as planned, however, he is not able to take the killer shot. There was a noticeable change of expression in his face, a sense of intrigue that slowly turned to shock and sadness.
First of all, we would love to commend the director for this moment as it was a real cinematic experience that left us many in a pure and affixed state of suspense and wonder. The dramatic switching between the hero and the car, capturing his expressions as the passenger slowly got out of it and the scarf is softly carried away by the wind to reveal the face of the passenger, was simply brilliant. However, that was where it ended. We see our hero finally see his long-lost love again, but from a distance and just at the moment when he could have killed her.
This climactic high scenario flamed our interest and hope in a 2nd season of the series and like we mentioned earlier, the fact that after 4 years, we still haven't gotten it, makes the ending inconclusive.
3. "Adamas"
"Adamas" is one of those series that with its ending, gives viewers a high hope for a second season. In terms of popularity, it might have not been as popular as the other dramas in this listicle but its unique storyline and amazing acting by its cast made it one of the groundbreaking dramas of 2022. The drama produced various elements that had us hooked from the start to finish. With the prevalent question of who had the Adamas for the majority of the series, the question of who killed the twins' step-father and how would they unveil and uproot the evil that has encroached the society.
While their goal was certainly clear right from the start, the introduction of the various sub-plots into the story no doubt made it like coming across a magnificent tree, with long branches that all connect to the root. Every subplot had a connection to the main story and how beautifully built up the anticipation of how the Twins would accomplish their goal.
However, just as we enjoyed the suspense, amazing action sequences, and incredible dialogue, we feel it sort of falls flat at the end. And while that ending could've been developed to allude to a possible 2nd season, the story in itself was already coming to a proper end, with many of its plots perfectly wrapped up. The main villains were either dead or arrested, and the Adamas itself was found. However, there was a new scenario that piqued the interest of viewers, the "death" of Song Soo Hyun.
While we see him strangled to death by Team leader Lee and his body supposedly disposed of at sea, the final moments of the series raise questions about his demise and make us wonder if he is truly alive and if there is yet another Adamas, perhaps one whose value is greater than the rest and needed to be found. In our opinion, this series should've been a single-season series and its story wrapped up well.
However, there is a trend of series having 2nd and 3rd seasons now and even though there is no news of a 2nd season yet, with its ending, the series feels very inconclusive and leaves too much room for guessing and interpretations.
4. "Big Mouth"
"Big Mouth" was the quintessential kind of thriller drama that many loved. Its riveting and suspense-filled plots on politics, power, love, betrayal, freedom, and justice all served as the special ingredients that created a delectable serving of a series that was thoroughly satisfying. However, there is one sole reason why it is mentioned here and that would be the sneak mention of the Chairman's son. The one who was alluded to be a serial killer and was shipped off to the United States of America away from the Korean public eye in order not to cause more damage to the Chairman and the conglomerate.
If we were to connect the dots, we would rightly assume that Tak KwangYeon was framed as the serial killer and coerced to go to prison in place of the chairman's son with a promise that they would treat his ailing mother.
However, perhaps because of the guilt and hate he continued to receive especially when he knew he was innocent, he took to drugs to ease the pain and engaged in other nefarious behaviors. His sister also hinted at these same thoughts towards the end of the series. However, till the end of the series, even after trying to save Go MiHo (Park ChangHo's wife) it was almost like his story was swept under the wrong after his death, despite there being a clear connection between him and the Chairman.
Perhaps, this would be further fledged out in the 2nd season, if there is any and if the plot introduces the Chairman's son as he returns to Korea to claim his rights to the company following his father's death. However, as much as we got a bitter-sweet ending with the series, its story also felt a bit inconclusive as there were some vital pieces missing that would have made it whole and complete.
Do you agree with our sentiment? Which other dramas did you find somewhat inconclusive with its ending? Let us know in the comments section below.