These 8 K-Dramas Are So Bad, They’re Actually Good 

While many people still believe that K-dramas are all about romance, the Korean entertainment industry has taken a huge step forward and is now bringing some of the best action thrillers, horror, sci-fi, and mystery series to viewers' screens. However, this does not mean that all shows are equally good.

Anyone who's been watching K-dramas long enough knows that there's a corner of the industry you don't want to enter without warning. From incredibly silly plots to downright bad writing and production values, here are 8 shows that aren't good at all, but still make for great entertainment.

Missing 9 (2017)

If you look up this drama online, you will find disaster, mystery, and suspense in its genre, and it is true to all of these descriptors. However, the show that starts strong and lives up to its description for some time, ends up falling so far off the rails that you start to wonder if you're still watching the same thing.

That doesn't mean the show isn't entertaining. It still has a great cast of actors, and the chaos will not let you turn it off.

Oh My Ghost (2015)

The concept of a ghost possessing someone's body to take care of its unfinished business and move on to the afterlife is nothing new. However, Oh My Ghost takes it to another level of absurdity and makes the ghost's main goal to have sex through its vessel.

Of course, the show will be an uncomfortable watch for those who don't enjoy the explicit themes. However, as the plot unfolds, the story of a sex-obsessed teenage ghost in the body of a grown woman ends up as a murder mystery that will hold your attention.

Tale of the Nine Tailed (2020)

K-dramas like this one contribute to the stereotype of Korean shows and their romantic plots. There's nothing particularly bad about romance as a genre, but Tale of the Nine Tails makes it so cheesy and shoves so many clichés into the story that it's almost impressive.

The story itself isn't too bad, once you get the gist of it. Though predictable, it's well acted and can work well as a comfort show for someone who doesn't want to watch anything too serious.

Chicken Nugget (2024)

This is a comedy show that's not meant to be taken seriously, but that doesn't mean it's not ridiculous. The show follows a young woman who has managed to turn herself into a chicken nugget, and a man who is desperately trying to save her life in a world that is far too cruel and dangerous for food.

While this may sound too hard to comprehend, once you accept the nature of this series, you might actually start to enjoy it. After all, if anime can follow the most absurd plots and still be successful, why can't K-dramas follow suit?

Oh My Venus (2015-2016)

If you haven't heard horror stories about Korean beauty standards, this show is a perfect introduction to the topic. The entire plot is driven by a 30-year-old woman's desire to return to her teenage form and be more attractive to the people around her. Of course, the romantic lead, the celebrity personal trainer, is there to help her in this struggle.

Oh My Venus may be very triggering for those viewers who suffer from eating disorders or body image issues, but the witty dialogue, great acting, and chemistry between the leads make it hard to stop watching once you're hooked.

Flower Boy Ramen Shop (2011)

Overall, the K-dramas of the 2010s are much more melodramatic and close to soap operas, and this one is no exception. However, the complicated relationships and forced drama between the characters is what makes it so easy to get hooked.

Luckily for viewers who can't look away from the train wreck of chiched characters clashing together, there are only 16 episodes of this show, so it will be over fairly quickly. However, it will stay on your mind for much longer than that.

Meow, the Secret Boy (2020)

The Internet's widespread obsession with catboys may be a product of 2024, but K-dramas explored the concept long before that. Meow, the Secret Boy is a show about a pet cat that becomes human and falls in love with its owner.

Both hardcore romantics and those who enjoy the kinky side of things will find their way to enjoy this drama. However, this is definitely not the show you'll be talking about with your friends and family.

Liver or Die (2019)

If you like stories about dysfunctional families, this one is for you. The show has a nice premise and follows a man who decides to spend his golden years living for himself instead of for others. However, that is the only nice thing about it.

Although the acting is great, the characters are so poorly written and end up so selfish and egotistical that the viewer tends to enjoy the struggle and root against them, not for them. Every failure feels like a celebration, and fortunately there are just enough failures to keep everyone happy.