Hallyu hit us hard last year. Now that we’re spending more time at home, we’re watching more K-dramas than ever. Some of us have even lost sleep binge-watching them.

Part of the reason why K-dramas are so compelling is cause they’ve got so much more to offer than just kilig moments and mindless entertainment. If you let yourself be immersed in the story (this is easy if you’re watching on a bigger screen), their narratives can inspire and move us to be better. So, because it’s finally 2021, take your cue from your favorite K-dramas and take on these New Year’s resolutions.

“I will finally get out of the friendzone.”

Don’t be like Kyung Woo Yeon and Lee Soo from More Than Friends, who were too scared to confess their feelings to each other and wasted TEN YEARS in the friendzone. Instead of waiting a decade to take your friendship to the next level, go tell them what’s in your heart.

“I’m gonna give the squad the love they deserve.”

If there’s one thing that 2020 taught us, it’s this: we have no idea what the future has in store, so we should make every moment count. Though Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo is a romcom, we were especially charmed by Kim Bok Joo and her BFFs’ friendship. If their squad reminds you of your barkada, let your friends know how much you care — even if only virtually, for now.

“I will stop putting my needs last.”

Sometimes, self-care means drawing boundaries and learning to put yourself first for a change. And like Kim Mi-so in What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, that could also mean walking away from things that aren’t good for you anymore.

“I’m gonna have more fun with my look.”

Now’s the best time to experiment with your look! If it doesn’t turn out the way you want, it’s not like anyone’s going to see you, and if you end up looking amazing, you can follow True Beauty heroine Im Ju-kyung’s lead and post your beautiful mug on the ‘gram.

“I will stop comparing myself to my peers.”

If you’re at a point in your life when everyone else around you seems to be so much more successful than you, don’t let it get to you. Like the gang in Fight for My Way, don’t get daunted by what seems like a long distance between you and your goals. With hard work and some fighting spirit, you can make your dreams a reality.

“I’m not gonna listen to the haters.”

Here’s the cold hard truth: no matter what you do, there are always going to be people who’ll criticize you. So you may as well do what you want! That’s the lesson we learned from My ID Is a Gangnam Beauty protagonist Kang Mi-rae.

“I will do my part to make the world a better place.”

In Descendants of the Sun, we watched soldiers and doctors giving their all to help people. Now, we’re not saying that you have to follow our protagonists’ footsteps and risk your life in a war-torn country, but you can do your part in your own community, whether it’s volunteering, donating, or raising awareness.

“I will stop settling for ‘good enough’.”

Eun Dan-oh from Extra-ordinary You was so inspiring because she decided to forge her own destiny against all odds. She taught us that we shouldn’t be complacent and make life happen, not just let life happen to us. If you’re not happy with your life, you can (and should) do something about it.

You can start now by changing the way you enjoy your K-dramas!

With a Samsung Smart TV, you’d be taking your K-drama viewing experience further, making it more immersive than ever. Just imagine seeing your favorite storylines on a bigger screen — no more squinting your eyes to see the details or straining your ears to hear the audio! And if you get yourself a Samsung Smart TV now, you’ll get a free one-year Premium subscription to Viu so you can watch uninterrupted and ad-free.* So this year, let’s stop settling for “good enough”. It’s 2021 — it’s time to level up your passions.

To learn more about Samsung’s Smart TVs, visit the official Samsung website.

*Promo duration is from January 1 to March 31, 2021. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-107928 Series of 2020