Korean dramas, or K-dramas as they're often called, have taken the world by storm, but if you've never sat down to watch one, this list is your perfect starting point; these shows are like a rollercoaster of emotions, with stories that can make you laugh one minute and cry the next.
What makes these K-dramas stand out is how they manage to mix really good storytelling with unforgettable characters, and whether it's the hero you can't help but root for or the villain you love to hate, you'll find yourself getting attached to them as if they were real people; it's this connection that keeps fans coming back for more, episode after episode.
1. "Crash Landing on You" (2019)
Yoon Seri, a South Korean chaebol heiress, finds herself in North Korea after a paragliding accident; she meets Ri Jeonghyeok, a North Korean army officer, who decides to protect her and secretly helps her return to South Korea, developing a deep bond and love amidst the dangers of discovery and the complexities of their countries' politics.
2. "Mr. Sunshine" (2018)
Eugene Choi, born into slavery in Joseon and escaped to the United States, returns as a US Marine Corps officer to his homeland, where he becomes entangled in a love triangle with an aristocrat's daughter and a freedom fighter, against the backdrop of the Japanese occupation.
3. "Mr. Queen" (2020)
A modern-day South Korean chef's spirit gets trapped in the body of a Queen in the Joseon dynasty, leading to comedic and dramatic situations as he navigates palace life, royal politics, and a budding romance with the King, all while trying to find a way back to his own time.
4. "My Mister" (2018)
The story unfolds around Donghoon, a middle-aged engineer who forms an unlikely friendship with Jian, a young part-time worker at his company who is dealing with her own financial and personal struggles; their relationship becomes a source of comfort and understanding as they deal with their respective life challenges.
5. "Our Blues" (2022)
Set on Jeju Island, this drama interweaves the lives of several characters, each dealing with their own struggles, including love, family, and personal growth, showcasing the island's community as they support each other through life's ups and downs.
6. "It's Okay Not to be Okay" (2020)
Moon Gangtae, a caretaker at a psychiatric ward, and Ko Moonyoung, a children's book author with antisocial personality disorder, form a healing relationship as they confront their traumatic pasts and learn to cope with their emotional scars, finding love and solace in each other.
7. "Prison Playbook" (2017)
A star baseball player's life is turned upside down when he is sentenced to prison after an unfortunate incident; inside, he meets various inmates and guards, forming friendships and navigating the challenges of prison life while learning important life lessons.
8. "The Red Sleeve" (2021)
The love story between King Jeongjo and Sung Deokim, a court lady who chooses her personal aspirations over becoming the queen; their romance unfolds against the backdrop of palace intrigue and the challenges of royal life in the Joseon Dynasty.
9. "Vincenzo" (2021)
Vincenzo Cassano, a Korean-Italian mafia lawyer, returns to Korea to recover hidden gold within a plaza; he becomes a dark hero as he uses villainous tactics against corrupt entities, forming unexpected alliances and discovering love along the way.
10. "A Tale of the Nine Tailed" (2020)
Lee Yeon, a nine-tailed fox who once ruled as a mountain god, is now a city-dwelling gumihoo seeking to reclaim his lost love; he crosses paths with Nam Jiah, a television producer who resembles his past love, leading to a battle against supernatural forces.
11. "Goblin" (2016)
Kim Shin, an immortal goblin seeking to end his eternal life, needs a human bride to remove the sword impaling him; his life becomes intertwined with Ji Euntak, a cheerful high school student who claims to be the goblin's bride, and they navigate love, destiny, and death alongside a grim reaper with a forgotten past.
12. "While You Were Sleeping" (2017)
Nam Hongjoo, who has dreams of future events, and Jung Jaechan, a prosecutor, together with police officer Han Wootak, discover their dreams are interconnected; they use this knowledge to prevent disastrous events, unraveling mysteries and finding love along the way.
13. "Touch Your Heart" (2019)
Oh Yoonseo, a popular actress whose career is in jeopardy, works undercover as a secretary for cold-hearted attorney Kwon Jungrok to research a role, leading to comedic mishaps, mutual understanding, and an unexpected romance.
14. "A Business Proposal" (2022)
Shin Hari, posing as her friend, goes on a blind date to scare away her friend's suitor, only to discover he is Kang Taemoo, the CEO of her company; what starts as a deceptive encounter turns into a complex, comedic romance filled with misunderstandings and genuine affection.
15. "Hometown Cha Cha Cha" (2021)
A big-city dentist, Yoon Hyejin, moves to the seaside village of Gongjin, where she meets Hong Dusik, a jack-of-all-trades with a mysterious past; their initial bickering turns into love as they become involved in the lives of the townspeople.
16. "The King: Eternal Monarch" (2020)
Emperor Lee Gon of the Kingdom of Corea seeks to seal the gateway between dimensions, which leads him to Detective Jung Taeeul in the Republic of Korea; their fates become intertwined as they work to protect their loved ones and the peace of their worlds from a sinister enemy.
17. "Alchemy of Souls" (2022)
Set in a fictional land where souls can be switched, a powerful sorceress's soul becomes trapped in a physically weak body; she encounters a young noble who wants to change his destiny, leading to magical adventures, battles, and a quest to restore her soul to its rightful place.
18. "Healer" (2014-2015)
A skilled "night courier" with a mysterious past is drawn into a complex conspiracy involving a group of friends from the 1980s; he protects and falls for a reporter, uncovering truths that link their families and resolve long-standing injustices.
19. "Her Private Life" (2019)
Sung Deokmi, a professional curator with a secret life as a fan of an idol, and her boss, Ryan Gold, develop a relationship that starts as a ruse to ward off scandal but grows into real love, exploring the balance between personal passions and professional duties.
20. "My Roommate is a Gumiho" (2021)
A 999-year-old gumiho, Shin Wooyeo, accidentally has his fox bead swallowed by a university student, Lee Dam, leading to them living together as they seek a solution before the bead breaks inside her, threatening both their lives, while navigating their growing feelings for each other.
