Trigger warning: not every K-drama on this list has a happy ending.
What makes these shows stand out is not just the powerful acting or the beautiful cinematography, but the stories they tell – stories that remind us of our own experiences with love, friendship, and the challenges we face in life; it's this connection that keeps you coming back episode after episode, ready to laugh one moment and cry the next.
1. "My Mister" (2018)
In the midst of life's pressures, a stoic middle-aged engineer, Dong-hoon, forms an unlikely bond with a young part-time worker, Ji-an, who is struggling with her own hardships; together, they face personal dilemmas, office politics, and the challenge of keeping Ji-an's secret of eavesdropping on Dong-hoon's life, leading to mutual healing and profound changes in their lives.
2. "Move to Heaven" (2021)
Geu-ru, a young man with Asperger's syndrome, and his ex-convict uncle, Sang-gu, take over the family business of arranging items left by deceased people, uncovering untold stories and emotions of the departed, which challenges them to confront their own past and wounds while connecting deeply with the bereaved families.
3. "Hi Bye, Mama!" (2020)
After dying in a tragic accident, Cha Yu-ri, a mother turned ghost, is granted the miraculous opportunity to return to life for 49 days, striving to reclaim her place in the world of the living with her husband and their daughter, only to discover the complexities of moving on for those she left behind.
4. "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" (2016)
A 21st-century woman, Ha-jin, finds herself transported back in time to the Goryeo Dynasty in the body of Hae Soo, becoming entangled in the lives and conflicts of several princes, including a tumultuous romance with the future King Gwangjong, amidst power struggles and palace intrigues.
5. "Just Between Lovers" (2017)
Lee Gang-doo and Ha Moon-soo, survivors of a tragic building collapse, cross paths years later as they both grapple with the physical and emotional scars of the accident; together, they embark on a healing journey, finding solace and love while working on a construction project that forces them to confront their traumas.
6. "Misaeng" (2014)
Jang Geu-rae, a former Go player whose professional dreams are dashed, struggles to adapt to and succeed in the competitive corporate world of a trading company, relying on his Go strategies and forming bonds with his coworkers, which helps him face the harsh realities and challenges of office life.
7. "Mr. Sunshine" (2018)
Eugene Choi, born a slave in Joseon and escaped to the United States, returns to Korea as a US Marine Corps officer at the turn of the 20th century; he becomes involved in the country's fight for independence and falls in love with an aristocrat's daughter, Go Ae-shin, who is secretly part of the righteous army.
8. "Navillera" (2021)
A 70-year-old retiree, Shim Deok-chul, reignites his long-suppressed dream of learning ballet, forming an unlikely friendship with a 23-year-old troubled ballet dancer, Lee Chae-rok, who helps him prepare for a performance, while both confront personal struggles and societal expectations.
9. "Uncontrollably Fond" (2016)
Superstar actor-singer Shin Joon-young and documentary producer No Eul, who were painfully separated in their youth, are reunited years later under difficult circumstances; Joon-young, now terminally ill, and No Eul, facing her own challenges, navigate their complex feelings and the twists of fate that brought them back together.
10. "The Light in Your Eyes" (2019)
Kim Hye-ja, a hopeful young woman, finds herself inexplicably aged into her 70s overnight due to a mysterious watch, leading her to cross paths with Lee Joon-ha, a man who has given up on his dreams; together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and understanding the true essence of time and life.
11. "Oh My Geum-Bi" (2016)
A young girl, Geum-Bi, who is diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, is left in the care of her estranged father, Mo Hwi-chul, a small-time con artist; together, they learn about family and love as Geum-Bi teaches her father responsibility and courage in the face of her declining health.
12. "Marriage Contract" (2016)
To save her daughter, Kang Hye-soo, a single mother with a terminal diagnosis, enters into a contract marriage with Han Ji-hoon, a wealthy but emotionally scarred restaurateur needing a legal guardian for his mother; through their business arrangement, they discover healing, love, and the true meaning of family.
13. "Save Me" (2017)
When Im Sang-mi and her family move to a small town, they are ensnared by a religious cult; years later, Sang-mi's desperate plea for rescue leads her high school classmates to embark on a perilous mission to save her from the increasingly sinister cult.
14. "Come and Hug Me" (2018)
The son of a serial killer, Chae Do-jin, and the daughter of one of his victims, Han Jae-yi, share a tragic past and a complicated present as they try to overcome societal prejudice, familial opposition, and their own nightmares to reclaim their love and find peace.
15. "Angel's Last Mission: Love" (2019)
Dan, an optimistic and carefree angel, is given a final mission to find true love for Lee Yeon-seo, a blind ballerina who has lost faith in love and herself; as they grow closer, they defy heavenly laws and face challenges that test the bounds of love and sacrifice.
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