K-dramas have become a global obsession, thanks to the rise of streaming platforms.
Two decades or more ago, only South Koreans knew what K-dramas were, but gradually, with stories that span heartwarming romance, chilling thrillers, and even supernatural adventures, K-dramas have evolved into a cultural force.
Here are 20 of the best K-dramas of all time:
20. The Legend Of The Blue Sea (2016)
Fantasy | Comedy | Drama Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Min-ho
Inspired by a Korean folktale, this romantic fantasy drama offers a mermaid’s quest across oceans to reunite with her love, who happens to be a charming con artist. With elements of reincarnation, past lives, and fate, the show masterfully weaves a love story that transcends time. It won multiple awards, including the SBS Special Fantasy Drama Award.
19. Arthdal Chronicles (2019)
Drama | Action | Adventure Rating: ★★★★☆ Cast: Jang Dong-gun, Kim Ok-vin
Set in the mythical land of Arth, this epic fantasy K-drama explores power struggles, love, and the rise of civilizations. Drawing inspiration from Korea’s legendary Dangun, it’s often likened to Game of Thrones.
18. Boys Over Flowers (2009)
Romance | Drama Rating: ★★★★☆ Cast: Lee Min-ho, Koo Hye-sun)
A working-class girl is thrust into a world of wealth and privilege at an elite school. This iconic drama helped launch the Korean Wave (Hallyu) worldwide and remains a fan favourite for its classic romance and coming-of-age themes.
17. What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim (2018)
Romance | Comedy | Mystery Rating: ★★★★☆ Cast: Park Seo-joon, Park Min-young)
Secretary Kim wants to resign but her narcissistic boss suddenly realizes how much he needs her. Filled with humour and heart, this office romance explores healing past traumas and discovering true love.
16. Hotel Del Luna (2019)
Fantasy | Comedy | Drama Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: IU, Yeo Jin-goo
This series is about a cursed hotel for ghosts, a mysterious owner stuck in purgatory, and a human manager with a new lease on life. This gothic fantasy drama is a visual and emotional treat.
Historical | Horror | Thriller Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Ju Ji-hoon, Ryu Seung-ryong
In Joseon-era Korea, a plague turns the dead into zombies. As a prince fights political corruption and undead horrors, Kingdom reinvents the zombie genre with rich storytelling and stunning cinematography.
Romance | Drama | Comedy Rating: ★★★★☆ Cast: Song Seung-heon, Seo Ji-hye)
Two strangers bond over meals in the aftermath of heartbreak. What begins as a platonic arrangement blossoms into something deeper in this heartwarming tale of love and second chances.
13. The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)
Fantasy | Romance | Drama Rating: ★★★★☆ Cast: Lee Min-ho, Kim Go-eun)
In a world where parallel universes collide, a king and a detective uncover love and betrayal across dimensions. Despite mixed domestic reviews, this drama became a global streaming hit.
Sci-Fi | Fantasy | Mystery Rating: ★★★☆☆ Cast: Joo Won, Kim Hee-sun
Time travel, love, and mystery combine in this gripping tale of a detective who discovers an organization that allows people to meet their deceased loved ones in the past.
11. The World Of The Married (2020)
Drama | Thriller Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Kim Hee-ae, Park Hae-joon
One of Korea’s highest-rated cable dramas, it explores betrayal, revenge, and the unravelling of a seemingly perfect marriage with intense performances and emotional complexity.
10. Crash Landing on You (2019–2020)
Genre: Romance, Drama Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin)
A South Korean heiress crash lands in North Korea after a paragliding accident and meets a high-ranking officer. Their unlikely love story blooms amid political tension, family secrets, and breathtaking landscapes. The emotional depth, chemistry, and heart-stopping plot twists make this a fan favourite worldwide.
9. Goblin: The Lonely and Great God (2016)
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook)
This beautifully shot series follows a goblin cursed with immortality who seeks a human bride to end his eternal life. With humor, heartbreak, and philosophical reflection on life and death, Goblin is as thought-provoking as it is visually stunning.
8. Descendants of the Sun (2016)
Genre: Romance, Action, Medical Drama Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo
A soldier and a doctor fall in love while serving in a war-torn country. Their relationship is tested by distance, danger, and duty. This blockbuster hit received international acclaim and helped propel Hallyu to new heights.
Genre: Historical, Drama, Romance Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri)
Set in the early 1900s, Mr. Sunshine tells the story of a Korean boy who returns to his homeland as a U.S. Marine. A tale of patriotism, forbidden love, and sacrifice unfolds with rich cinematography and storytelling.
6. My Love From The Star (2013–2014)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Romance, Comedy Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Jun Ji-hyun
An alien who landed on Earth 400 years ago falls for a top actress in modern-day Korea. This K-drama blends humor, suspense, and fantasy, making it one of the genre’s most iconic love stories.
Genre: Crime, Comedy, Drama Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-been)
A Korean-Italian mafia consigliere returns to Korea and finds himself entangled in a war against corruption. With slick humour, sharp wit, and some jaw-dropping action, Vincenzo is as charming as it is chaotic.
Genre: Drama, Youth, Business Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi
An ex-convict opens a bar in Itaewon, seeking revenge on a powerful corporation that ruined his family. The show tackles themes of resilience, diversity, and ambition, with a strong and inclusive cast.
3. Reply 1988 (2015–2016)
Genre: Slice of Life, Family, Youth Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Hyeri, Ryu Jun-yeol, Park Bo-gum)
Set in a nostalgic 1980s Korean neighbourhood, this heartfelt drama explores friendship, family, and first loves. With its relatable characters and emotional storytelling, it’s one of the most beloved dramas in Korea.
2. It’s Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)
Romance | Drama | Comedy | Psychological Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Ye-ji, Oh Jung-se, Park Gyu-young
A children’s book author who’s emotionally distant crosses paths with a kind-hearted psychiatric hospital caregiver. As their worlds collide, an unusual and healing romance begins to unfold. Beneath the surface lies a chilling mystery tied to childhood trauma, making this one of the most unique and emotionally layered K-dramas to date.
1. Squid Game (2021–2024)
Action | Drama | Mystery | Thriller Rating: ★★★★★ Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun)
Hundreds of cash-strapped contestants accept a strange invitation to compete in deadly children’s games. The prize? A life-changing fortune. But every round comes with lethal stakes. A global phenomenon that redefined Korean television, Squid Game captured the world’s attention with its social commentary, shocking twists, and raw emotional depth.
