There are several amazingK-dramasspanning different genres, from action to romance, and among those are some shows that everyone should watch at least once in their lives.K-dramas have become global sensationsover the past few years, with global hits likeSquid GameandCrash Landing on Youmaking them even more popular.
With the advent of streaming platforms,K-dramas are now more popular than ever, with Netflix, Disney+, and other streamers producing their own originals as well as airing licensed TV shows. Whether you are new to the genre or are a seasoned fan,some shows are essential to watch.
Strangers From Hell
Cast
Strangers From Hell is a South Korean psychological thriller series directed by Lee Chang-hee. The show follows Yoon Jong-woo, a young man who moves to Seoul for a job and ends up in a sinister, rundown apartment complex. As he encounters strange and unsettling neighbors, he becomes entangled in horrifying events, questioning the reality around him.
While K-dramas are usually associated with sweet love stories and slice-of-life premises, some, likeStrangers from Hell, have a dark tone. Starring Yim Si-wan and Lee Dong-wook,the thriller K-dramacenters around Yoon Jong-woo, a young man who moves into an apartment building and begins to experience strange things.
Like any dark psychological thriller worth its salt,Strangers from Hellhas audiences questioning the authenticity of what they are watching and keeps the suspense going throughout its 10 episodes.Lee Dong-wook is absolutely chilling as Seo Moon-jo, and his onscreen chemistry with Yim Si-wan is what propels the K-drama to greatness.
Fight For My Way
Fight For My Way is a South Korean television drama series that aired in 2017. Starring Park Seo-joon and Kim Ji-won, the show follows the lives of four young adults struggling to achieve their dreams in the face of societal expectations and everyday challenges. The series explores themes of friendship, ambition, and romance, offering a nuanced portrayal of the hardships and triumphs faced by its characters.
Starring Park Seo-joon, Kim Ji-won, Song Ha-yoon, and Ahn Jae-hong,Fight for My Wayplayed a significant role in helping establish the impressive careers of its main cast. The romantic K-drama centers around four friends in their twenties navigating their careers and personal lives. Dong-man and Ae-ra’s dynamic changes when they begin to fall for each other.
Fight for My Wayperfectly blends romance and comedyin a way that will have anyone swooning and laughing out loud. The K-drama’s cast has incredible chemistry, particularly Park Seo-joon and Kim Ji-won, who play the lead couple in the series. WhileFight for My Wayincludes many laughs, its friends-to-lovers storyline is what anchors the show.
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim follows Lee Young-Joon, an accomplished and self-assured vice-president of a large company, whose world is disrupted when his highly competent secretary, Kim Mi-So, unexpectedly resigns after years of dedicated service. The series explores the dynamics of their professional and personal relationships.
Workplace romances are a common subject matter in K-dramas, andWhat’s Wrong With Secretary Kimis a great example of how such a premise can be executed perfectly. When Kim Mi-so decides to leave her demanding job, her boss, Lee Young-joon, realizes that he can’t live without her. While Mi-so doesn’t initially see Young-joon in a romantic light, her feelings for him change.
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kimisn’t by any means an extraordinary K-drama. But if you love romantic stories, then it should definitely be on your watchlist. The series is fun, sweet, and enjoyable to watch with its workplace antics and nuanced characters.The best thing aboutWhat’s Wrong With Secretary Kimis undoubtedly Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young, whose characters balanced out each other’s different personalities.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a South Korean television series starring Shin Min-a as a pragmatic dentist and Kim Seon-ho as her free-spirited counterpart. The narrative unfolds in the seaside village of Gongjin, where personal and professional lives intersect in heartwarming and often humorous ways. Directed by Yu Je-won, the series explores themes of community, love, and personal growth amidst picturesque coastal scenery.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Chasees Yoon Hye-jin, a dentist who moves to a small town called Gongjin after quitting her job and getting on the wrong side of her boss, who blacklists her. While Hye-jin begins a new life in Gongjin, she falls for Hong Du-sik, a Jack-of-all-trades who helps her establish her new dental practice.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is an immensely enjoyable K-drama that has no bad episodes. Hye-jin’s steadfastness and seriousness work well with Du-sik’s laissez-faire attitude.Hometown Cha-Cha-Chais such a joy to watch because it ensures that every character in the series gets a chance to shine.The K-drama is funny, yet heartwarming, creating an unforgettable viewing experience.
Mr. Queen
Mr. Queen is a South Korean television series that tells the story of a modern-day chef, Jang Bong-hwan, who mysteriously travels back in time to the Joseon era and inhabits the body of Queen Cheorin, the wife of King Cheoljong. As the queen, he must navigate the complexities of royal life while trying to find a way to return to his own time.
Mr. Queentakes the concept of soul swapping and adds an element of depth to the common trope. The K-drama follows a chef living in modern-day Korea who wakes up in the body of a queen in the Joseon era. DespiteMr. Queenbeing an enjoyable K-drama,it wasn’t without criticism.
The show faced backlash for historical inaccuracies during its run and was forced to make some changes to its premise.
The show faced backlash for historical inaccuracies during its run and was forced to make some changes to its premise. Despite this,Mr. Queenis a refreshing addition tothe historical K-drama genre.Shin Hye-sun, in particular, did a brilliant job of portraying a woman in a man’s bodyand nailed all of her character’s eccentricities.
Descendants of the Sun
This drama series follows the romance between a dedicated soldier and a talented surgeon, whose differing worldviews test their relationship. Amidst challenging circumstances and life-threatening situations, they navigate the complexities of love, duty, and the unpredictable nature of fate.
Centering on Yoo Shi-jin, a captain in the North Korean army, and Kang Mo-yeon, a cardiothoracic surgeon,Descendants of the Sunhad a significant cultural impact and was revered by critics and audiences alike. Like any great romantic K-drama,Descendants of the Sun’s lead couple had amazing chemistry that raised the series to new heights.
Descendants of the Sunis a romantic series. However, it also includes several action scenes and perfectly utilizes its setting to create an entertaining narrative.The show has beautiful cinematography with a premise that highlights the difficulties of navigating a romantic relationship, especially as Shi-jin and Mo-yeon struggle to make things work.
14Reply 1988 (2015)
Available To Stream On: Netflix
Reply 1988follows five teenagers growing up in the same South Korean neighborhood in the late 80s. Each of the characters, who form a strong bond, has distinct characteristics that balance out each other’s personalities.Reply 1988is such a great K-drama because it evokes feelings of nostalgia for a long-gone era.
The show’s themes of friendship, growing pains, and identity are immensely relatable and add a slice-of-life feel to its premise.Reply 1988is one of those rare K-dramas that has no dull moments, as it’s easy for one to lose themselves in due to the entertaining dynamic among the five friends, which provides moments of humor to the show.
All Of Us Are Dead
All of Us Are Dead is a South Korean series that centers on a high school overrun by a zombie virus outbreak. The students, facing an unprecedented crisis, must navigate survival while combating the threat of becoming part of the undead horde.
One ofNetflix’s biggest original K-dramas,All of Us Are Deadwas another massive hit for the streamer afterSquid Game. The series sees a high school being invaded by zombies after an experiment with patient zeros goes horribly wrong. Amidst the zombie outbreak, a group of students bands together to survive.
All of Us Are Deadseason 2 is set to be released in 2026.
What makesAll of Us Are Deadstand outamong zombie K-dramasis that it uses its setting well.The enclosed spaces in the show add to the intensityand raise the stakes.All of Us Are Deadoffers a unique take on zombies, is action-packed, gory, and at times scary, making it a worthy addition to the horror genre.
Alchemy of Souls
Alchemy of Souls is a South Korean TV series set in the fictional Daeho kingdom, following the lives of mages whose fate is altered by the practice of soul-shifting. Directed by Park Joon-hwa, the series stars Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, and Hwang Min-hyun, weaving together themes of magic, mystery, and destiny as characters navigate their intertwined lives under the influence of powerful spells and political intrigue.
Written by the Hong sisters, who are known forHotel del Luna,Alchemy of Soulsisa fantasy K-dramathat centers around young mages attending a magical school to hone their skills. As they grow into their powers, they also have to grapple with forbidden magic called the Alchemy of Souls, which threatens to tear their society apart.
Alchemy of Soulshas rich lore and a complex magical system that even people who don’t necessarily watch fantasy shows will appreciate.The series is action-packed from start to finish, with twists, suspense, and a sweet love story that is made even better by the stunning cinematography.
Save Me
Save Me centers on Sang-mi, whose family moves to a rural village and becomes ensnared by a cult masquerading as a religious group. As her parents fall under the cult’s sway, Sang-mi struggles to escape their control. She enlists the help of four local young men, and together they embark on a perilous mission to uncover the cult’s true nature and save her family from its clutches.
Woo Do-hwan’s breakout K-drama,Save Me, is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition. The intense thriller follows Im Sang-mi, a teenager whose family becomes part of a cult after losing their son. With a talented cast and an engrossing premise,Save Meis worthy of the praise that it’s received from critics.
Save Meis an incredibly disturbing K-drama that can be difficult to watch. The way Baek Jun-ki takes advantage of Sang-mi’s family’s grief is absolutely chilling and will stay with you long after the credits roll. With its dark tone and uncomfortable subject matter,Save Meis an essential K-drama that everyone should watch at least once.
