Beginner's Guide to K-Dramas: 12 Series to Watch First, According to Reddit

If you are eager to start watching K-drama, you may quickly find yourself overwhelmed by all the shows out there. K-dramas cover every genre and do them all so well, it can be hard to know where to start.

Fear not, thanks to some helpful Reddit fans, we have created the definitive beginner's guide to K-dramas.

1. Crash Landing on You

IMDB rating 8.7/10 | Netflix

Ask any K-drama fan where to start your journey and they will point you to this one. A romantic drama with comedic elements, the plot revolves around a South Korean woman who accidentally lands in North Korea. A less-than-ideal situation, but she is soon protected and hidden by a charming North Korean soldier, and the two slowly fall in love.

2. Squid Game

IMDB rating 8/10 | Netflix

In case you've been living under a rock for the past two years, Squid Game (the series, not the new reality show) features various desperate people competing in deadly versions of children's games for a large cash prize. The gore may be a bit much for some, but it goes hand in hand with some real psychological terror.

3. Vincenzo

IMDB rating 8.4/10 | Netflix

A mafia lawyer with a heart of gold, what's not to love? After losing his parents in a tragic accident, he is adopted by the head of a prominent mafia family. It is thrilling to watch him use a mix of legal skills and less-than-legal means to achieve his goals. He is brilliant and the kind of leading man you can't help but root for.

4. My Love from the Star

IMDB rating 8.2/10 | Viki

This fantasy romantic comedy is a joy to watch. It has similar vibes to Crash Landing on You, in terms of true love against all odds being at its core. An alien has been living on Earth for 400 years, having missed his return flight home because he saved a young girl from falling off a cliff during the Joseon era. Now in modern times, he meets and falls in love with a beautiful actress.

5. Mr. Queen

IMDB rating 8.6/10 | Netflix, Viki

A womanizing chef is somehow transported back in time and into the body of Queen Cheorin during the Joseon period. If hilarious culture shocks are your thing, do not miss this one. It is light, fun, upbeat, and endlessly entertaining. It will also give you a glimpse into Korean history, which will help you better understand this beautiful culture.

6. Strong Girl Bong-soon

IMDB rating 8.2/10 | Netflix

Born with superhuman strength, Bong-soon would rather live a normal life and not depend on her ability. Her dream is to create her own video game, using herself as the inspiration for the main character. After a series of misadventures, she finds herself hired as the personal bodyguard of a top gaming CEO. This one is as hilarious as it is sweet.

7. Business Proposal

IMDB rating 8.1/10 | Netflix

Don't you just hate it when you go on a blind date as a favor to your friend, planning to dump the guy for her, and it turns out the guy is your boss? It could spell disaster, but in this case, it leads to a wonderful career opportunity. Expect wonderful characters and lots of laughs.

8. Hospital Playlist

IMDB rating 8.8/10 | Netflix

Five doctors and lifelong friends navigate work, relationships, struggles, family, and everything in between, all leaning on each other for guidance and support. This is a warm and cozy drama with wonderful characters who are relatable and a pleasure to spend time with.

9. Extraordinary Attorney Woo

IMDB rating 8.6/10 | Netflix

A brilliant young woman is denied a job at a law firm because she is autistic, but boy do they regret not hiring her. The title character, Young-Woo, has a photographic memory and a uniquely creative way of looking at the world, often drawing parallels to marine life. While this confuses many around her, she soon applies these skills to legal cases and outperforms her peers.

10. It’s Okay Not to Be Okay

IMDB rating 8.6/10 | HiTV, Netflix

A successful writer with antisocial personality disorder meets a caring and selfless psychiatric nurse. The more they learn from each other, the deeper their connection grows. And before they know it, love blossoms.

11. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo

IMDB rating 8.3/10 | Viki

Inspired by the incredible true story of Olympic gold medalist Jang Mi-ran, this movie will make you chase your dreams no matter what. Bok-joo will not let anyone stop her from pursuing her goals, and along the way she faces challenges and heartbreak, but also has the love of true friendship by her side.

12. Because This is My First Life

IMDB rating 8.1/10 | Viki, Netflix

Last but not least, this gem is about a guy who invites a girl to be his roommate because he thinks she is a man. They could not be more different if they tried, and yet the bond they forge while living together is just amazing to watch.