Best K-Dramas! (Korean Dramas)
For my money, the best TV series made today are from South Korea. Most series are one season and can range from 8-20+ episodes. Episodes often range from 65-85 minutes on average. Netflix has the widest range of K-dramas that I've seen so far, and the dramas listed here can be found on Netflix.
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- StarsLee Byung-hunKim Tae-riYoo Yeon-seokA young boy who ends up in the U.S. after the 1871 Shinmiyangyo incident returns to Korea at a historical turning point and falls for a noblewoman.Not just the best K-Drama I have ever seen, but one of the best TV series I've ever seen in 45+ years of watching TV. Absolutely engrossing historical romance drama!
- StarsLee Jae-wookHwang Min-hyunYoo Joon-sangSet in a fictional country called Daeho, it is about the love and growth of young mages as they overcome their twisted fates due to a forbidden magic spell known as the "alchemy of souls", which allows souls to switch bodies.Only Lord of the Rings surpasses this phenomenal fantasy series, and barely at that! Season 2 just came out to finish the series!
- StarsCho Seung-wooBae DoonaLee Jun-hyukWith the help of a gutsy female detective, a prosecutor who has almost lost the ability to feel emotions tackles a strange murder case amid political corruption.One of the best thrillers I have ever seen! Just how far and wide does corruption go when a simple murder unravels something far more sinister and complex!
- StarsSong Joong-kiSong Hye-kyoJin GooThis drama tells of the love story that develops between a surgeon and a special forces officer.Perhaps Korea's first international mega-hit tells the story of a romance between a special forces captain and a doctor stationed in a third-world country.
- StarsJo Jung-SukYoo Yeon-seokJung Kyung-hoHospital Playlist tells the story of five doctors who have been friends since they entered medical school in 1999.Even two seasons don't seem long enough! Hospital Playlist is like a warm blanket on a cold night about five doctors who get together once a month to sing songs. Compelling series that makes people re-think how doctors should treat their patients as well as each other!
- StarsHyun BinSon Ye-jinSeo Ji-hyeThe absolute top secret love story of a chaebol heiress who made an emergency landing in North Korea because of a paragliding accident and a North Korean special officer who falls in love with her and who is hiding and protecting her.One of my all-time favorite romances between a South Korean woman and a North Korean captain. Fascinating depiction of life in North Korea. North Korean defectors were instrumental in providing much information about North Korea.
- StarsKim Soo-hyunSeo Ye-jiOh Jung-seAn extraordinary road to emotional healing opens up for an selfish antisocial children's-book writer and a selfless psych-ward caretaker when they cross paths.Mesmerizing series about wounded souls desperately trying to find love and happiness while unraveling a deep, dark secret from the past!
- StarsChoi Woo-sikKim Da-miNo Jeong-eeA coming of age, romantic comedy revolving around ex-lovers who broke up with a promise never to meet again. But the documentary they filmed ten years ago gets the fame and they are by compulsion facing camera once more.When it comes to a series about "young love" this one is the best! How do two wounded souls find ultimate happiness? By healing themselves first!
- StarsGong YooKim Go-eunLee Dong-wookIn his quest for a bride to break his immortal curse, Dokkaebi, a 939-year-old guardian of souls, meets a grim reaper and a sprightly student with a tragic past.Simple, sweet, and one of the most captivating love stories I've ever seen! Truly impeccable series about forgiveness and letting go of the past.
- StarsHan So-heePark Hee-soonKim Sang-hoThe story about a woman who joins an organized crime ring and infiltrates the police as an undercover agent in order to find out the truth about her father's death.Han Soo-Hee turns in one of the most incredible performances I've ever seen--the daughter of a mobster looking for revenge upon the person who killed him. She does so by becoming a police detective with a hidden past.
- StarsJang Dong-gunKim Ok-binYoon Sa-bong"Arthdal Chronicles" depicts the birth of civilization and nations in ancient times. It is a story of mythical heroes--their struggle, unity, and love of people living in a virtual land called Arth.One of the most incredible historical/fantasy series I've ever seen! And it's not done yet with a 4th season on the way!
- StarsShin Min-aKim Seon-hoGina SuA big-city dentist opens up a practice in a close-knit seaside village, home to a charming jack-of-all-trades who is her polar opposite in every way.When it comes to opposites attract romances, this one is tops! A dentist finds herself in a simple seaside town where she meets "the Chief" and learns about what true happiness is!
- StarsPark Eun-binKang Tae-ohKang Ki-youngDue to her 164 I.Q., impressive memory and creative thought process, autistic 27-year-old lawyer Woo Young Woo graduated at the top of her class from a prestigious law school.Chances are that many people have already heard of this series, and it's every bit as good as its reputation! If you don't find yourself completely enamored by Woo Young Woo, then something is seriously wrong with you!
- CreatorGwang JinStarsPark Seo-joonKim Da-miYoo Jae-myungAn ex-con opens a street bar in Itaewon, while also seeking revenge on the family who was responsible for his father's death.Be a Diamond! Fight in the face of discrimination and adversity. Find out who your friends truely are, always doing right by people! These are just a FEW of the incredible themes of this series!
- StarsJo Byeong-gyuYoo Joon-sangKim SejeongNoodle shop employees by day and demon hunters by night, the Counters use special abilities to chase down malevolent spirits that prey on humans.Four superpowered Grim Reapers fight against corruption and evil spirits! Talk about fun!
- StarsAhn Hyo-seopKim SejeongKim Min-kyuIn disguise as her friend, Ha-ri shows up to a blind date to scare him away. But plans go awry when he turns out to be her CEO - and makes a proposal.What makes this series so compelling is the strong, female characters who stand up for themselves! This far more rare than you might think, coming from South Korea.
- StarsIm Si-wanLee Sung-minKang So-raThis a Drama series about a group of co-workers in their twenties who started their job at a big multinational company. This is a story about their everyday life, about their journey each day at the office.Fascinating series about the Korean corporate world. Korea is the most competitive country on Earth as we see four interns battling for a permanent position at a local company!
- StarsShin Hye-sunKim Jung-hyunSeol In-ahWhen a modern day chef gets trapped in the body of a queen in the Joseon era, chaos ensues.Watch the genius of Shin Hye Sun in this absolutely hilarious comedy of a modern-day chef suddenly thrust into the body of a Joseon-Era Queen!
- CreatorLlamaStarsKim Hee-seonKim Ro-WoonLee Soo-hyukMade half-human and half-spirit by accident, a young man is employed by a company of grim reapers in the underworld to carry out special missions.Grim Reapers who help souls cross over. One department is responsible for trying to prevent suicides. One of the most heart-warming and thought-compelling series I've ever seen! Have the tissues ready!
- StarsHa JunGo SooSoheeA village holds spirits of missing, deceased people. A search to find the missing bodies and discover the truth behind their disappearance occurs.A man comes across a small village where the spirits of souls live until their bodies are recovered, thus enabling them to move on. Some of the most profound and touching moments I've ever seen! Again, have the tissues ready!
- StarsAdam McArthurLee JehoonJung Young-jooWorking as trauma cleaners, both Gu-ru and Sang-gu uncover various stories of the deceased while experiencing different emotions and sentiments toward life, death and family.Absolutely enthralling series about an autistic young man who helps to pack up the belongings of the recently deceased and bring them to the closest relative. He's able to tell the story of the person by simply looking over the possessions! Very heart-warming!
- StarsLee JehoonKim Hye-suCho Jin-woongA cold-case profiler in 2015 and a detective in 1989 work together to solve a series of related murders spanning three decades using a special walkie-talkie to communicate with each other.Simply one of the most innovative thrillers I have ever had the privilege to watch.
- StarsHan Seung-YeonHan YeriPark Eun-binFive college students, from different walks of life end up living together in a fictional house share called Belle Epoque.Story of five college-aged women who live together, love each other, fight with each other, and help each other through life's trials!
- StarsPark Bo-youngJo Jung-SukLim Ju-hwanTimid Na Bong Sun gets possessed by the ghost of a confident young woman who seeks to solve her one unfinished business by hooking up with Bong Sun's boss, famous chef Kang Sun Woo.One of my first forays into Korean shows was this delightful series about a young, shy woman who is possessed by a spirit who is eager to find out how she died.
- StarsKim Nam-gilKim Ah-jungYun Ju-sangThe best acupuncturist of Joseon, Heo Im, finds himself traveling 400 years into the future, where he meets Choi Yeon Kyung, doctor in a modern hospital. Though impressed by her, differences in their methods and priorities make them clash.Two doctors, both from different eras. One is a cardiologist and the other is Joseon's most famous acupuncturist. Each learns the true meaning of being a healer and what's important.