7 Award-Winning K-Dramas Coming to Netflix in December 2023

K-dramas are amazing, but how do you know which ones are the best of the best? When a K-drama has won a slew of awards and beaten out others, that's how. Check out these 7 absolute gems.

1. Mr. Sunshine

IMDB rating 8.7/10

Mr. Sunshine is a heartbreaking look into a dark chapter of Korea's past; the dreaded Shinmiyangyo, or US invasion of 1871. It also serves as a precursor to another historical tragedy, the Japanese occupation of Korea in the early 20th century. The story focuses on a young boy who survives the massacre and becomes an officer in the US Marine Corps. Returning to Korea, his loyalty is tested when he falls in love with a noblewoman and learns of the Japanese invasion plot.

Awards Won:

2018 APAN Star Awards

• Grand Prize (Daesang)
• K-Star Award, Actor
• Drama of the Year
• Best Supporting Actress

2018 Asia Artist Awards

• Grand Prize (Daesang)
• Artist of the Year (x2)

2018 The Seoul Awards

• Best Actor
• Best Supporting Actor

2019 Baeksang Arts Awards

• Best actor

2019 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards

• Best Creative

2. Twenty Five Twenty One

IMDB rating 8.6/10

This masterpiece of coming-of-age drama and romance focuses on a young girl who dreams of becoming a fencer. Years later, her story comes to light through her daughter's reading of her diary. Beautifully written and superbly acted, this is one not to be missed.

Awards Won:

2022 Asian Academy Creative Awards

• Best Drama Series

2022 Baeksang Arts Awards

• Best Actress
• Most Popular Actress

2022 Korea Drama Awards

• Best New Actress

2022 Korea Culture and Entertainment Awards

• Excellence Award, Actress

3. Under the Queen’s Umbrella

IMDB rating 8.5/10

The heartwarming story of a queen in the Joseon era who is determined to use any means necessary to raise her rebellious sons to be worthy princes, even gentleness and kindness.

Award Won:

2023 Baeksang Arts Awards

• Best New Actor – Television

4. Flower of Evil

IMDB rating 8.6/10

This show has it all. Murder, betrayal, secrets, lies, and one plot twist after another until you feel like the whole thing has been turned upside down. And every moment is perfectly written and beautifully acted.

On the surface, Ji-won has everything a modern woman could want in life: a fulfilling job at the police department, a loving partner and even a kid. But while investigating a series of mysterious murders, she begins to realize that her seemingly perfect husband is a prime suspect.

Awards Won:

2020 Asia Artist Awards

• Asia Celebrity
• Best Artist Awards

2021 Baeksang Arts Awards

• Best Director (TV)

5. When the Camellia Blooms

IMDB rating 7.9/10

When a single mother moves to a small town and opens a bar, she gets more than she bargained for. A series of challenges culminate in a serial killer choosing her as his next victim, and a police officer in love with her doing everything he can to win her heart while hunting the killer.

Awards Won:

2019 Korean Media Awards

• Best TV Show on Digital Terrestrial Television

2019 KBS Drama Awards

• Grand Prize (Daensang)
• Top Excellence Award, Actor
• Best Supporting Actor
• Best Supporting Actress
• Best Child Actor
• Best New Actress
• Best Couple Award (x2)
• Best Writer

2020 Korea Producer Awards

• Best Drama

2020 Baeksang Arts Awards

• Grand Prize (Daesang)
• Best Screenplay
• Best Actor
• Best Supporting Actor

2020 Korea Broadcasting Awards

• Best TV Drama
• Best Screenwriter
• Best Actor

2020 Seoul International Drama Awards

• Top Excellence Award for Korean Drama
• Best Screenwriter
• Outstanding Korean Actor
• Best Actress
• Outstanding Korean Drama OST

2020 Asia Contents Awards

• Best Asian Drama

2021 APAN Star Awards

• Top Excellence Award, Actor in Miniseries
• Best Director

6. Extracurricular

IMDB rating 7.6/10

A young man seems to be the perfect student, but what his teachers and classmates do not know is that he secretly leads a double life and is involved in the criminal underbelly. Soon his two worlds will collide.

Award Won:

2021 Baeksang Arts Awards

• Best New Actress (TV)

7. My Liberation Notes

IMDB rating 8.2/10

When three siblings and a stranger decided to escape from their ordinary lives, we are met with an amazing tale and four brilliant characters.

Awards Won:

2023 Baeksang Arts Awards

• Best Screenplay

2022 Korea Drama Awards

• Excellence Award, Actor

2022 Korean Broadcasting Writers Awards

• Best Writer (Drama Category)