Best K-Dramas
I try and keep this list updated as much as I can of my favourite shows in order (at least some of it anyway)
The dramas here are mostly ones that left a lasting impression or ones that I can easily go back to and rewatch (and I don't tend to rewatch dramas unless I really liked it since most of the time I'd rather use that time to watch something new rather than rewatch stuff)
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1. Reply 1988
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
This will always be my favourite drama, I am yet to find another drama that is as good as this. The whole show was so captivating, the romance was a bit slow but I didn't mind that because each episode had little life lessons to teach and I honestly went through a rollercoaster of emotions when I binged this. It's funny, it's sad, it'll make you cry at times, you'll root for the characters, you might not like some but in the end sympathise with them. It's worth the watch.
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2. Age of Youth
Korean Drama - 2016, 12 episodes
When I first watched this, it was a very new concept to see for me especially in K-dramas. It was just so real. I really like this slice of life genre and you really root for the girls and each of their stories. I relate so much with Eun Jae in this show because she likes to keep to herself and was shy and we both studied Psychology. I also like how all the girls are so different from each other in terms of personality and lifestyle but they had a good friendship and bond.
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3. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
This drama is so heartbreaking but so good. This is show is basically about a girl in the modern world who gets transported back in time into the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea and encounters several princes. Her relationship with the princes was so cute and touching especially with Baekhyuns character Wang Eun the 10th Prince, it was so childlike and like a sibling relationship. You get to know each of the princes well and how they are in this battle to be the King, some aren't interested and others want to secure their place. I also liked how IU's character wasn't all that helpless in this and used her knowledge from the modern world about make-up and soaps to her advantage which really helped her character survive in the Goryeo Dynasty.
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4. Crash Landing on You
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
This was just squad goals and I love her relationship with the North Korean soldiers. It's just such an interesting storyline and enjoyable for everyone
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5. Flower of Evil
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
This drama is still ongoing (on ep.8) but I had to include this here already. It's well-paced, not too slow (which is what loses my interest in these types of crime dramas), we've already found out so much and it keeps you on your toes about things which I really like. I love Lee Joon Gi so much in this show, like seeing his relationship with Moon Chae Won's character and their daughter is so wholesome
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6. Goblin
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
The storyline had a lot of depth and interesting backstories plus the OST for this show is just so good, same with the visuals and location. I loved the comedic moments in the show and the chemistry between the leads
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7. Arthdal Chronicles Part 1: The Children of Prophecy
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
I feel like I don't hear enough people giving credit to this show, so I had to add it to my list. I know there were a lot of comparisons with this show and Game of Thrones which I get but you should really give this a try if you haven't already. I was also a bit hesitant with this show too but I fully got into it and I was surprised with how much I liked it. There are some strong female characters and the 'evil' character Tagon isn't that bad of a person, like you can't fully hate him as a character which I found refreshing in a show because the bad characters are usually all bad with no good.
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8. Arthdal Chronicles Part 2: The Sky Turning Inside Out, Rising Land
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
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9. Arthdal Chronicles Part 3: The Prelude to All Legends
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
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10. My Mister
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
When I decided to watch this show, I thought it would just be a filler show for me, but man it really grew on me so fast. I really didn't expect to love it so much but the show makes you love the characters and makes you feel for them so much and you get to understand each of their pain. It was really heartwarming. Definitely would recommend!
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11. Kingdom
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
This will leave you on edge so much just because you wonder how they will survive this hoard of zombies in this time period where your best weapon is a sword, there wasn't much guns during this time period and the ones they did have aren't as fast and advanced as the ones we have now. The zombies are so scary in this show because they turn so easily and they're fast
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12. Prison Playbook
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
This feels like a very slow-paced drama in the sense that it felt like a slice of life show. (which it is). There is so much heart in this drama and the humour felt subtle but it was really funny. It's just such a beautiful drama and I love how it was told in such a heartwarming way.
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13. Dr. Romantic
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
I was already hooked on this show after the first episode I mean, the chemistry was so good and Yoo Yeon Seok definitely knows how to kiss which was refreshing from the usual fish kiss they do in K-Dramas. I loved the story so much although I get tired of the evil characters in dramas really easily especially when they're just so unlikeable but I mean it was still bearable in this show.
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14. Chicago Typewriter
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
This is such an underrated drama. The storyline and backstory were so unique and interesting to me. Plus, Yoo Ah In with long hair and the glasses was such a good look for him.
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15. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
One of my favourite college romance stories. It felt so much more genuine and real and the chemistry between the leads was definitely there I mean they even dated after the show (although they're not together anymore now). I loved their bickering romance, it made it feel like an actual couple and made them more childlike which I mean they are still young so it really worked. I would've loved to see a second season for this because it was that good.
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16. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Very comedic, when I first watched it I was like WTF?? her powers made the show more funny and then her relationship with Park Hyung Shik made it funnier because of his reactions to her. It was especially cute seeing him just gush over how cute Park Bo Young's characters is. The whole dynamic with Ji Soo and Park Hyung Shik's character was the best and also super funny. This show was kinda all over the place in terms of it being super funny at times but it also got really dark, and then it was all cute and fluffy. Honestly, it was like going on a rollercoaster ride trying to figure out what kind of genre they'll hit you with for the episode
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17. The King: Eternal Monarch
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
This show has a really interesting plotline, it does make you think what could Korea have looked like if history was different. It's interesting seeing this world and this alternate universe interact and how the other universe still kept their monarchy and our world doesn't.
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18. Who Are You: School 2015
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
The bullying in this show was so harsh like damn. *Spoiler Alert* but I'm still annoyed about her choosing Yi-Ahn over Sungjae's character Tae-Kwang. There was literally no romance there with Yi-Ahn and he only liked her because he thought it was her twin sister. Her and Tae-Kwang made more sense because they were closer in the show. Also, I was really surprised with how well Sungjae's acting is, my heart really broke for him
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19. Mr. Sunshine
Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
I usually don't like any romance with a huge age gap but this was an exception because it worked. The story was really interesting as it covered a period of time which hasn't been showcased a lot in K-Dramas so it was nice to see
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20. Fight for My Way
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Another really good romance drama with a bickering romance. I loved the chemistry between the characters and the overall vibe of the show
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21. It's Okay, That's Love
Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
I never really read the description for this show when I started it but man I really fell in love with the plot. I liked how it showed awareness to mental health which you don't see is your typical K-drama. Also D.O. on this show really shined, I did not know he could act so well
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22. Something in the Rain
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
I loved this more mature romance story. The overall vibe of the show was pretty calming especially with the OST but that's what I like about it, it felt simple even if things got a bit dramatic.
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23. Hello Monster
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
I dropped this like 10mins into the 1st ep but my friend kept telling me to continue since it was a good drama and I'm glad I listened to her because it really was. I watched it for Park Bo Gum and finished it loving Seo In Guk
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24. Life on Mars
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
Any drama I've seen with Jung Kyung Ho has never disappointed me. It's a supernatural detective show with the lead character travelling back in time and it gets trippy at times but I guess because its also tagged as a psychological drama
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25. Doctors
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
Honestly, Ji Soo stole the show for me, even though he was just a supporting character, I just loved his storyline. Looking back at this show, I didn't really feel that much chemistry from the leads and I'm not fond of age-gap romance stories either but I just love Park Shin Hye and her character was just so bad-ass in the show which I really liked
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26. Go Back Couple
Korean Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
This is a really heartwarming story about love and the breakdown of a marriage but also about coming together again. The plot basically shows a married couple and they're having issues and are about to divorce but then they get taken back in time to when they just met each other and learn to see how they once were as a couple and because of the issues they're currently dealing with (the divorce) they get to live out a life where they never were together and it's interesting to see the choices they make and what they want to change or keep the same
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27. The Heirs
Korean Drama - 2013, 20 episodes
This is a classic K-drama that everyone should watch
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28. Pinocchio
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
This was the first K-drama I ever watched so it has some sentimental value for me hence why I had to add it to this list. I always questioned how convenient it was for certain characters to show up when they were needed, then learnt that that's how a typical K-drama works. The plot is really intriguing, you really feel for the characters and you'll get angry and hate some
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29. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
This drama was darker than I expected it to be, going in I was expecting a happy romance but no I got something more. It gave a really eerie atmosphere but I don't know, there was something about it that I liked. The story was interesting and it made me wanna know more of the background of the characters. Plus it has Seo In Guk as the lead so...
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30. School 2017
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
This had such a cute romance between the characters and they just had great chemistry so that's what pulled me in. Hyun Tae Woon was so funny to watch when he got jealous, it was cute to see. I think overall it had all the components that I like in dramas: funny characters, cute bickering romance and the whole fighting against injustice all of which kept the show interesting for me.
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31. While You Were Sleeping
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
The storyline was interesting although at times confusing but that could just be me. I just loved the visuals and the OST so much
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32. W
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
It's such an interesting plotline where she goes into the comic book world. You should watch it if you haven't already
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33. Girls' Generation 1979
Korean Drama - 2017, 8 episodes
I feel like this is such an underrated drama and I didn't know the female lead was an idol going into this. It's just a nice story about first loves and friendship with some pretty harsh parents too
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34. You Drive Me Crazy
Korean Special - 2018, 4 episodes
This is just a short 4 ep drama but its a good filler drama about these two friends and how they deal with the fact they just slept together on one drunk night
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35. True Beauty
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes