So, you’ve scratched the surface of the South Korean pop culture craze. You’ve tried at least ten brands of the ever-more alluring beauty products that come in such cute packages that you want to squeeze each time you get your hands on new ones. You’ve probably tried to memorize the lyrics of at least a couple of BTS, BLACKPINK, or Twice songs. To no avail, of course, as it’s in Korean, and your tongue just cannot make the shapes required to pronounce most of the sounds. You’ve also probably watched the now-mainstream Korean movies such as the Parasite and Train to Busan, or even a few lesser-known gems like Tale Of Two Sisters. Also, tried Korean foods (or added them to your daily menu), adopted a couple of fashion trends, and maybe even saved up for a trip to Seoul. But you still have the gnawing feeling of having missed something. And you’re right - you haven’t yet watched a South Korean drama or K-drama yet (or watched too little of them)! No worries, though, as we are here to resolve this blunder by presenting you a list dedicated to only the very best Korean dramas!
If you’re already acquainted with the K-drama phenomenon, scroll right down below to check out our list. If it’s your first time hearing about it - be seriously warned, as the series you’re about to glance at are positively addictive. With plots as thick as jam, amazing visual aesthetics, heartwarming and tear-jerking love stories, K- dramas will surely make your evening exciting. These shows also don’t shy away from heavy substance, as mental health and stark social commentary are often used as pivotal topics. So, without any further ado, skip right on to our list of the very best Korean dramas and pick your choice of the evening!
#1 Guardian: The Lonely And Great God
Guardian: The Lonely And Great God (Korean: 쓸쓸하고 찬란하神 – 도깨비) follows the story of a 939-year-old immortal goblin (who looks nothing like a goblin, truthfully) and protector of souls who’s in search for his bride that could end his misery forever. He meets a couple of vital characters during his quest, and as their fates intertwine, a deeper story reveals itself. A dramatic storyline pulls in anyone who tries this series, and it reflects its worldwide success.
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61points
#2 Crash Landing On You
Crash Landing On You (Korean: 사랑의 불시착) is a heartwarming story about a love that conquers any obstacles and divides. It follows a young and very successful Korean businesswoman who, while paragliding in Seoul, gets swept away and crash-lands right into the North Korean part of the DMZ (demilitarized zone). There, she meets a captain in the Korean People’s Army who helps her hide. One thing leads to another, and soon enough, they fall in love with each other. Full of tear-jerkers, romantic scenes, and at times positively hilarious events, Crash Landing On You is worthy of being on the top of our list.
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60points
#3 What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? (Korean:김비서가 왜 그럴까) is, in all its essence, a love story. But, as with any Korean series, love is something you have to work for, and a drama-thick plot often hinders the road to your destination. So, our leading duo, a vice-chairman of a major corporation Lee Young-joon and his secretary Kim Mi-so have to undergo plenty of challenges until they finally trust each other with their love.
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57points
#4 Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (Korean: 달의 연인 - 보보경심 려) is a fantastical story about a young 21st-century woman being cast back in time to the Goryeo Dynasty in 941. There she falls for a charming and gentle prince but doesn’t shy away from his outcast brother also, who hides his face behind a mask. As their relationships evolve, our protagonist gets caught in the middle of various political schemes and the princes’ rivalry.
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55points
#5 Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (Korean: 힘쎈여자 도봉순) follows the titular character who was born with superhuman strength. Her strength is hereditary but only passed to the women of the family. But, of course, as with anything hereditary, Do Bong-soon desperately wishes to be soft and feminine, and her superhuman strength hinders her goals, often putting her into comical situations. You’ll find everything you need in this drama series - kidnappings, humorous happenings, and drama-filled love stories.
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55points
#6 My Love From The Star
My Love From The Star (Korean: 별에서 온 그대) is a fantasy romantic comedy television series with 21 episodes all shown as one season. It tells a story of an alien who lands on Earth in 1609 during the Joseon Dynasty rule and finds his one true love some 400 years later. Besides a very entertaining plot and acting that garnered the series widespread popularity, My Love From The Star has also inspired plenty of fashion, makeup, and catering trends.
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54points
#7 Descendants Of The Sun
Descendants Of The Sun (Korean: 태양의 후예) was a hugely successful series praised for an elaborate plot, beautiful love story, and truthful cultural references. As with any noteworthy melodrama, this one also has a romantic plotline that’s both sweet and relatable, tear-jerking and heartwarming. However, the series isn’t that sweet at all - filled with action and wartime realities, Descendants Of The Sun was hugely impactful inside and outside South Korea.
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52points
#8 It's Okay To Not Be Okay
It’s Okay To Not Be Okay (Korean: 사이코지만 괜찮아) is a series exploring, on some level, mental illnesses - living and finding happiness with them. Seemingly every character of It’s Okay To Not Be Okay has issues of their own, but despite that are capable of living fulfilling lives and finding love. Characters of the drama help each other in healing their wounds and moving on with their lives. It’s Okay Not To Be Okay was heavily praised for its unique premise, stunning visuals, and great acting.
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51points
#9 Healer
Healer (Korean: 힐러) is one of the very few series on our list that might appeal to thriller fans. Of course, it has its romance and its drama, but the most important story here is an incident that occurred in 1992 and a slew of present-day murders. As a crew of eccentric characters tries to solve the mysteries uncovered, plenty of thrilling action and plot twists happen.
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#10 Hotel Del Luna
Hotel Del Luna (Korean: 호텔 델루나) shares an eerily similar premise to everyone’s beloved Spirited Away. Okay, at least the part where the action is centered around a hotel that’s invisible to humans and caters only to ghosts and spirits. Same with the staff - they’re stuck working in a hotel like in a kind of purgatory, which they cannot leave until resolving their grudges brought from the world of the living. Full of mysteries and secrets, Hotel Del Luna is a truly original and enjoyable series.
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49points
#11 While You Were Sleeping
While You Were Sleeping (Korean: 당신이 잠든 사이에) is a combination of the legal drama and fantasy genres, enveloped in a drama series guise. The leading trio of While You Were Sleeping is gifted with seeing the future in their dreams. Sometimes it helps them solve crimes; sometimes, it foresees a calamity that one or all of them will have to endure. The suspenseful, densely-packed plot proves to be very immersive, so start this series bearing that in mind.
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#12 W: Two Worlds
W: Two Worlds (Korean: 더블유) centers around the clash of two worlds: reality and an alternate universe inside the eponymous webtoon. And though this premise might already seem rich and confusing enough, wait until you hear about the unsolved murders, an Olympic performance, and accidental enterings into an alternate reality. W promises no happy endings, but if you wish for a conclusion, you’ll have to watch the series for yourself.
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#13 Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (Korean: 역도요정 김복주) is a coming-of-age sports drama, inspired by the life of Korean Olympic gold-medalist Jang Mi-ran. The series resonated very well with the younger audiences, and why shouldn’t it - its story was based on reaching your goals, finding love, and growing with each and every step along the way. And though it wasn’t as widely watched as the other series on our list, it gained a cult-like following and garnered audiences behind Korean borders.
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47points
#14 Mr. Queen
Mr. Queen (Korean: 철인왕후) is another series focused on time travel and casting their characters back into the age of dynasties; we’re starting to see a trend in here. This time, it’s a chef, Jang Bong-hwan, who’s thrown back in the Joseon period where he wakes up in the body of Queen Cheorin. Add in a couple more kings and queens, and the plot starts to get quite confusing and even pretty dark.
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46points
#15 Itaewon Class
Itaewon Class (Korean: 이태원 클라쓰) is a South Korean series based on a webtoon of the same name and follows an intricately tangled plot, with enjoyably-portrayed characters trying to unravel the happenings at hand. Murders, jail time, and bad business decisions are just a couple of challenges that the protagonist, Park Sae-ro-yi, meets in his path. Then, of course, comes love and messes it all up again.
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#16 The Legend Of The Blue Sea
The Legend Of The Blue Sea (Korean: 푸른 바다의 전설) is a series based on a Korean legend about a mermaid and a fisherman. Though most of the action is set in our days, with a mermaid falling for a charming con artist and following him throughout the seven seas, portions of it are juxtaposed with the original tale from the Joseon times. The series focuses on rebirth, fate, and unrequited love - all you could wish for in a drama.
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44points
#17 Oh My Venus
Oh My Venus (Korean: 오 마이 비너스) isn’t your typical ugly duckling story. Yes, a makeover (or rather, a total transformation) is there, but there’s also a Hollywood scandal, blackmailing, uncertain fates, and terminal diseases. As with any Korean dramas, a seemingly simple premise is most certainly jam-packed with turmoil and challenges.
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42points
#18 I'm Not A Robot
I’m Not A Robot (Korean: 로봇이 아니야) is a thorough exploration of human (and robot) relationships. As in real life - nothing comes easy to our protagonists. One of them is hindered by an unexplained disease that makes skin-to-skin contact lethal; the other is substituted with a droid for some time. Sounds crazy? Just watch it for yourself!
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41points
#19 Fight My Way
Fight My Way (Korean: 쌈 마이웨이) follows a foursome of underdogs and their journeys to success in careers they’re all equally under-qualified for. Of course, there’s romance involved, and this time it’s between two childish and naive characters, who have known each other since they were kids.
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37points
#20 Pinocchio
Pinocchio’s (Korean: 피노키오) plot is just chock full of drama. You won’t get any serene minutes watching this series. From family tragedies to changed identities and from one merciless character to another, Pinnochio is the best call for drama lovers. Oh, and don’t forget Choi In-ha - a young woman who hiccups every time she tells a lie, hence the series name Pinnochio.
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37points