20 Timeless Korean Dramas Every New Fan Should Watch

Each drama on this list is a must-watch because they've got everything: stories that make you laugh one minute and cry the next, characters who feel like real people you might know, and moments so sweet they'll stick with you long after you've finished watching.

1. Coffee Prince (2007)

Choi Han-kyul, a wealthy, carefree bachelor, hires Go Eun-chan, whom he mistakes for a man, to pretend to be his gay lover to escape matchmaking efforts; as they work together in a coffee shop that only hires male employees, their relationship deepens, challenging Han-kyul's perceptions of love and Eun-chan's secret becomes harder to maintain.

2. Her Private Life (2019)

Sung Deok-mi, a professional art curator with a secret life as a fan site manager for a pop idol, crosses paths with her new boss, Ryan Gold, who initially suspects her of being romantically involved with the idol but ends up posing as her boyfriend to fend off scandal, leading to real romance and mutual understanding of each other's secrets and passions.

3. Queen In-Hyun's Man (2012)

Kim Boong-do, a scholar from the Joseon era who discovers a talisman that allows him to travel 300 years into the future to 21st-century Seoul, meets Choi Hee-jin, an aspiring actress playing Queen In-Hyun in a drama, and as they fall in love, his time-traveling creates complications that threaten their relationship and his existence.

4. My Girl (2005)

To fulfill his grandfather's wish to see his long-lost granddaughter before he dies, Joo Yoo-rin, a woman skilled in lying, is hired by Seol Gong-chan to pose as the missing relative, entangling them in a web of deception, love, and family secrets as they both deal with the consequences of their lies.

5. Laughter in Waikiki (2018)

Three struggling men running a failing guesthouse in Waikiki find themselves in a series of comedic misadventures when a single mother and her baby unexpectedly move in, turning their lives upside down as they tackle the challenges of childcare, financial struggles, and personal growth, all while dreaming of revitalizing their guesthouse.

6. Misaeng (2014)

Jang Geu-rae, a former baduk player who failed to become a professional, navigates the cutthroat corporate world as an intern at a trading company, facing the harsh realities of office politics and the struggle to prove his worth despite his lack of qualifications, finding mentorship and friendship in unexpected places.

7. Reply 1988 (2015)

Set in the year 1988, the series follows the lives of five friends and their families living in the same neighborhood of Ssangmun-dong, Seoul, capturing their personal growth, family dynamics, and the changing times with a nostalgic look back at the simplicity and warmth of neighborhood life.

8. She Was Pretty (2015)

A beautiful girl, Kim Hye-jin, experiences a reversal of fortune and becomes unattractive, while her childhood friend, Ji Sung-joon, transforms from an awkward boy into a handsome, successful editor; when they reunite at a fashion magazine company, their reversed fortunes lead to misunderstandings, comedic situations, and eventually romance as they rediscover each other's true selves.

9. My Name is Kim Sam Soon (2005)

Kim Sam-soon, a talented baker dealing with heartbreak and job loss, lands a position as a pastry chef in a restaurant owned by the arrogant yet charming Hyun Jin-heon; a contract relationship ensues, filled with bickering, misunderstandings, and the blending of sweet and bitter moments, mimicking the ups and downs of life and love.

10. Hospital Playlist (2020)

Chronicles the lives of five doctors who have been friends since medical school and now work together in a hospital, sharing not only their professional experiences but also their personal lives as they deal with patients, their own relationships, and the joy of everyday moments, underscored by their shared love for music in a band they formed.

11. You're the Best Lee Soon Shin (2013)

After the sudden death of her father, Lee Soon Shin, the youngest of three sisters and considered the least successful, faces financial difficulties; her life takes a turn when a gruff talent manager convinces her to pursue acting, revealing her hidden talents and leading to a journey of self-discovery, familial reconciliation, and unexpected romance.

12. Jang Bori is Here (2014)

A young girl, Jang Bori, who was separated from her family and raised by a traditional Korean hanbok maker, grows up to discover her true identity; she embarks on a quest to reclaim her rightful place in her biological family, overcoming obstacles and rivalry in the world of Korean traditional clothing.

13. While You Were Sleeping (2017)

A woman with the ability to see unfortunate events in her dreams meets a prosecutor and a police officer, who discover they have similar prophetic abilities; together, they work to prevent these visions from coming true, unraveling larger conspiracies and finding love along the way.

14. My Father is Strange (2017)

A family's life is turned upside down when a young idol star shows up claiming to be the son of the family patriarch, leading to comedic and dramatic entanglements, secrets unveiled, and the bonds of family tested and ultimately strengthened.

15. My Golden Life (2017)

A woman discovers she was switched at birth with a wealthy heiress; as she tries to integrate into her biological family's high-society world, she faces dilemmas of identity, familial loyalty, and love, questioning the true meaning of happiness and success.

16. My Only One (2018)

A woman's life is shattered when she discovers her father is a fugitive, leading her to hide his identity as they rebuild their lives; along the way, she encounters love, challenges, and the quest for forgiveness, with family ties and self-worth at the core of her journey.

17. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017)

Born with superhuman strength, Do Bong Soon dreams of creating a video game with herself as the lead character; she becomes a bodyguard for a CEO with a stalker, and her abilities lead her to become entangled in a serial kidnapping case, challenging her powers and heart as she falls in love.

18. What's Wrong With Secretary Kim (2018)

A highly skilled and devoted secretary decides to quit her job, causing her narcissistic and workaholic boss to realize his feelings for her; as they navigate their new relationship dynamic, secrets from their shared childhood begin to surface, complicating their romance and professional lives.

19. Master's Sun (2013)

A woman who can see ghosts after an accident meets a cold and selfish CEO who, when touched by her, makes the spirits disappear; their encounters lead to solving the unresolved grievances of the dead, uncovering dark secrets, and healing their own emotional scars.

20. Healer (2014)

A skilled "night courier" with a mysterious past is hired to protect a tabloid journalist; as they delve into a decades-old incident involving their parents, they uncover a web of conspiracy and corruption, finding love and redemption in their quest for truth and justice.