As a fan of K-dramas, I’ve watched many Korean series over the years, and some of them stand out more than others. Korean cinema has become increasingly popular with the advent of streaming platforms that have both new, original, and classic K-dramas in their library.

While some of these TV shows are well-known, others are hidden gems that are worth watching for anyone who considers themselves a fan of K-dramas.

Although there are a plethora of Korean TV shows ranging across several genres that will appeal to different audiences, several titles are essential viewing as they provide an example of the kind of quality and storytelling that is usually included in K-dramas. From romantic series to fantasy K-dramas, there’s no shortage of must-watch TV shows for audiences to delve into.

10

Mr. Queen (2020)

Genres: Historical Drama, Comedy, & Romance

Released in 2020, Mr. Queen is undoubtedly Shin Hye-sun’s best K-drama. The period drama, which focuses on a chef who travels back to the Joseon era and wakes up in the queen’s body, is a revolutionary concept that adds to the show’s enduring appeal. What Mr. Queen does so well is how it combines several genres that look like they might not work on paper, but nonetheless do.

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Many K-dramas have modern settings, but historic period shows like Mr. Queen and Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth are among the best K-dramas going.

Mr. Queen is hilarious, but it’s also emotional and can tug at the heartstrings, especially when So-young and Cheoljong begin to fall in love. What makes Mr. Queen one of my all-time favorite K-dramas lies in Shin Hye-sun’s performance. The way the actor seamlessly adopts Jong Bong-hwan’s mannerisms is a joy to watch.

From the way she walked to how she flirted with the court ladies, Shin Hye-sun flawlessly portrayed how a man in a woman’s body would act. Amid So-young’s predicament is court politics that are endlessly thrilling. Mr. Queen has everything from love to action, but its best asset is the way it keeps comedy at its center.

9

Descendants Of The Sun (2016)

Genre: Romance

Descendants of the Sun is a highly popular K-drama that won over viewers both locally and internationally. The series, which stars Song Joong-kin as Yoon Su-jin, an army captain, and Song Hye-kyo as Dr. Kang Mo-yeon, tells a story of lovers who are drawn apart due to the circumstances they find themselves in.

Descendants of the Sun wasn’t only popular with audiences, but critics as well, who praised the series for the emotional love story and chemistry between its lead characters. The romantic K-drama is memorable and worth watching as it delves into a love story that is fated to fail due to the differences between Su-jin and Mo-yeon.

Descendants of the Sun is emotional yet thrilling, and has one of the best K-drama couples to ever grace the small screen.

Despite Su-jin being the exact opposit of Mo-yeon as he takes lives while she saves them, their love story endures inspite of the challenges they have to face. Descendants of the Sun is emotional yet thrilling, and has one of the best K-drama couples to ever grace the small screen.

8

The Glory (2022)

Genre: Drama


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The Glory

Release Date

2022 – 2023-00-00

Network

Netflix

Directors

An Gil-ho

Writers

Kim Eun-sook


  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Song Hye-Kyo

    Moon Dong-eun

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Lee Do-Hyun

    Lee Gil-seong



One of the most riveting TV shows of the past five years, every K-drama fan should give The Glory a chance. The series, which stars Song Hye-kyo, sees her character embark on a journey of revenge after being bullied in high school. The concept of vengeance isn’t something new in the world of K-dramas.

The Glory is loosely based on a true story.

The Glory, however, does it in such a masterful way that it’s easy to root for Moon Dong-eun and hope that she gets the justice she deserves. Every scene in the revenge K-drama is captivating, particularly when it comes to how determined Dong-eun is to make the people responsible for her pain pay.

But perhaps The Glory’s greatest strength is that it deals with an issue that many can relate to, which is bullying and the impact it has on its victims. The revenge K-drama takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster ride, but is also cathartic because Dong-eun’s bullies do end up paying for their sins in one way or another.

7

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)

Genre: Romance & Comedy

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a binge-worthy, slice-of-life K-drama that will instantly draw you in with its intriguing characters. What makes Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha a great show is that it’s such a simple series that doesn’t have an overloaded story. Instead, it relies on its cast and setting to provide audiences with an unforgettable experience.

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Heartwarming feel-good K-dramas have the unique ability to lift spirits with their humorous moments, wholesome friendships, and sweet romances.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha wasn’t only a hit in South Korea, but it resonated with audiences internationally when it was added to Netflix. It became one of the most-watched K-dramas on the streaming platform, which in itself isn’t surprising as it has one of the sweetest and heartwarming love stories, which is made even better by an exceptional main and supporting cast.

6

My Name (2021)

Genres: Drama & Action

While My Name only has eight episodes, the K-drama ensures that each one of them leaves an impact. Starring Han So-hee as Yoon Ji-woo, My Name helped establish the actor as one of the best in the K-drama scene. The series, which focuses on revenge, is action-packed from start to finish and includes a mystery that draws viewers in.

My Name will undoubtedly catch your attention from its first scene, as it’s impossible to tell who the bad guy is. The K-drama offers a thrill because audiences have to find out the truth along with Ji-woo. The show’s plot twists, perfectly choreographed action scenes, and the conflict between the police and a crime syndicate add to its appeal.

5

Fight For My Way (2017)

Genres: Romance & Comedy

With the number of heavy and dark K-dramas available, Fight for My Way provides an escape with its sweet love story and emphasis on friendship. One of Park Seo-joon’s best shows, Fight for My Way not only embraces the beloved friends-to-lovers trope but also elevates it with its incredibly talented cast.

The K-drama is hilarious, particularly when Dong-man and Ae-ra begin to fall for each other and have to grapple with their foreign feelings.

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K-dramas often feature a blend of various genres, ensuring that most shows have a least a bit of comedy to keep things lighthearted and fun.

Fight for My Way is a K-drama that is easy for audiences to lose themselves in. It’s funny, yet touching as it take will you on the thrilling adventure that is Dong-man and Ae-ra’s love story. While Dong-man and Ae-ra are the central couple in Fight for My Way, Seol-hee and Joo-man are just as enthralling.

4

Weak Hero (2022)

Genres: Drama & Action


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Weak Hero

Release Date

November 18, 2022

Network

Netflix, wavve

Directors

You Su-min


  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Lee Jun-young

    Geum Seong Je

  • Cast Placeholder Image



When Weak Hero Class 1 was released in 2022, it flew under most people’s radars. However, that changed when it was added to Netflix ahead of the release of its sophomore season. Weak Hero is a rare K-drama that has no bad episodes. Everything in the show is executed perfectly, from the fight scenes to the heartwarming friendship that develops between its characters.

Weak Hero Class 1 was Park Ji-hoon’s breakout role, earning him recognition both domestically and internationally, which isn’t surprising as he perfectly nailed his character’s mannerisms.

Weak Hero Class 1 was Park Ji-hoon’s breakout role, earning him recognition both domestically and internationally, which isn’t surprising as he perfectly nailed his character’s mannerisms from his infamous glare to his unusual fight skills. Underneath the action sequences in Weak Hero is a story about friendship and found family, which makes it a little different from other coming-of-age K-dramas.

3

SKY Castle (2018)

Genre: Drama


SKY Castle (2018)


SKY Castle



Release Date

2018 – 2019-00-00

Writers

Kim Seo-hyung, Moon Bomi




SKY Castle is one of the most compelling K-dramas ever due to how it depicts the lengths that the rich will go to in order to ensure that their children have successful futures. The TV show is both funny and enlightening as it shines a light on how competitive the Korean education system really is.

SKY Castle leaves a lasting impression because it doesn’t shy away from showing how flawed its characters are. No one in the series is perfect, and that adds to the show’s allure. With its incredible cast, plotting, and the never-ending competition between Jin-hee, Seung-hye, and Mi-hyang, SKY Castle truly is a remarkable K-drama that will have you hooked from its very first scene.

2

Squid Game (2021)

Genres: Thriller & Action


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Squid Game

8/10

Release Date

2021 – 2025

Network

Netflix

Showrunner

Hwang Dong-hyuk

Directors

Hwang Dong-hyuk

Writers

Hwang Dong-hyuk


  • Lee Jung-Jae Profile Picture

    Lee Jung-jae

    Seong Gi-hun / ‘No. 456’

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Wi Ha-jun

    Detective Hwang Jun-ho



Squid Game was released during a time when Netflix had just gotten into producing original K-dramas. The thrilling series played a huge role in putting the streaming platform on the map as one of the best sources of engaging K-dramas. Squid Game quickly became a global sensation and will probably remain so in the upcoming years.

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These 10 K-Dramas Rival Even The Best American Masterpiece TV Shows

South Korea has introduced some great K-dramas throughout the years, a few of which hold up well against the best American TV shows.

If you like high-stakes TV shows that also have important themes, then Squid Game should be on your K-drama watchlist. The series is incredibly brutal, but also doesn’t shy away from criticizing the capitalist system. While the second and third seasons of Squid Game debuted to mixed reviews, the action-packed K-drama is one of the most relevant shows of our time.

1

Goblin (2016)

Genres: Fantasy & Romance


Goblin (2016) - Poster


Goblin

Release Date

December 2, 2016


  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Jo Hyun-sik

    Batch 21 Grim Reaper

  • Cast Placeholder Image



Goblin has been hailed as one of the greatest K-dramas, and it’s easy to see why it deserves the praise it’s received. With two of South Korea’s biggest actors, Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun, starring in the series, Goblin was one of the most highly anticipated K-dramas of 2016. Goblin is a great example of how K-drama creators have mastered the art of combining genres.

The romantic series is one of the most visually stunning K-dramas on the small screen, and it’s made better by the chemistry between its lead actors.

Goblin balances fantasy, romance, and comedy, which adds to the appeal of the K-drama as it has elements that fans of these genres can enjoy. The romantic series is one of the most visually stunning K-dramas on the small screen, and it’s made better by the chemistry between its lead actors, the compelling love story between a human and a goblin, and the memorable soundtrack.



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