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15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now
Image credit: Netflix, jTBC, SBS, tvN

Over the past five years, Netflix has created a surprisingly great lineup of addictive Korean shows, offering everything from heart-fluttering romances to edge-of-your-seat thrillers (and we're not even talking about Squid Game here).

Each series on this list is definitely a must-watch because of its unique plot, unforgettable characters, and the ability to make viewers feel a whole range of emotions – perfect for K-drama fans looking for their next binge-watch.

1. "The Glory" (2022)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 1Moon Dongeun, a victim of brutal school violence, meticulously plans her revenge for years against her tormentors, including the ringleader Yeonjin; her scheme unfolds as she becomes the elementary school teacher of Yeonjin's child, strategically entangling the lives of her abusers and their families to exact retribution.

2. "D.P." (2021)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 2Private Ahn Junho and Corporal Han Hoyeol are part of the Deserter Pursuit unit in the South Korean military, tasked with capturing deserters; their mission exposes them to the harsh realities and the often tragic reasons behind the soldiers' decisions to flee, challenging their morals and understanding of duty.

3. "All of Us Are Dead" (2022)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 3Trapped in their high school during a zombie outbreak, a group of students fights for survival against the undead and the military's drastic measures, while their bonds and will to live are tested in the face of escalating violence and despair.

4. "Sweet Home" (2020)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 4Cha Hyunsoo, a reclusive teenager, moves into the Green Home apartment complex just as its residents are thrust into a nightmare of monstrous transformations; together, they must defend themselves against these horrors while grappling with the meaning of humanity.

5. "Move to Heaven" (2021)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 5Geuru, a young man with Asperger's syndrome, and his ex-convict uncle Sanggu become trauma cleaners, uncovering the untold stories of the deceased, leading them on a journey of emotional discovery and reconciliation with their own pasts.

6. "The Fabulous" (2022)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 6Four friends, navigating the glamorous but cutthroat world of the fashion industry in Seoul, face challenges in love, friendship, and their careers, all while striving to achieve their dreams without losing themselves along the way.

7. "The Silent Sea" (2021)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 7In a future where Earth faces desertification, a special team is sent on a critical mission to the moon to retrieve a mysterious sample from an abandoned research station, but they encounter unexpected dangers and a deadly secret that threatens their survival.

8. "Business Proposal" (2022)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 8Shin Hari, pretending to be her friend for a blind date, finds herself face to face with her company's CEO, Kang Taemu, who proposes a contractual relationship; the ruse leads to comedic situations and a blossoming romance under the guise of a business arrangement.

9. "Alchemy of Souls" (2022)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 9In a world where sorcerers can change souls, a young woman's soul is trapped in a blind assassin's body, and together with a disgraced nobleman, they embark on a quest to restore her sight and unravel a conspiracy involving dark magic and the kingdom's fate.

10. "The Uncanny Counter" (2020)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 10So Mun, a high school student with disabilities, is recruited into a group of demon hunters known as Counters, who chase evil spirits that prey on humans; armed with new powers, he uncovers mysteries about his past and battles the demonic threats endangering his world.

11. "Crash Landing on You" (2019)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 11Yoon Seri, a South Korean chaebol heiress, accidentally paraglides into North Korea, where she meets and falls in love with Ri Jeonghyeok, an army officer, which sparks a risky and heartwarming effort to return her safely to the South amidst political tension.

12. "Itaewon Class" (2020)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 12Park Saeroyi, determined to fulfill his father's dream, opens a bar-restaurant in Itaewon and battles against a food conglomerate for success and revenge, encountering allies and foes in his quest for justice and a more equitable society.

13. "The King: Eternal Monarch" (2020)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 13Emperor Lee Gon of the Kingdom of Corea discovers a portal to an alternate universe's Republic of Korea, where he meets detective Jung Taeeul; together, they confront a diabolical foe seeking to disrupt the balance between their worlds.

14. "Vincenzo" (2021)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 14Vincenzo Cassano, a Korean-Italian mafia consigliere, returns to Korea to recover hidden gold within a complex, but he ends up fighting against a corrupt corporation with unconventional methods, finding justice for the oppressed and discovering his own moral compass.

15. "Hospital Playlist" (2020)

15 Best K-Dramas of the Past 5 Years to Watch on Netflix Right Now - image 15Five doctors, who have been friends since medical school, work together in a hospital; through their daily lives, both in and out of the hospital, they share their joys, sorrows, and life challenges, deepening their bonds and commitment to their patients and each other.