In recent years, Korean dramas have become an obsession. These shows, whether they are the most ironic Korean dramas or Squid Game, which was dubbed in many languages, have been at the center of many discussions because they are easy to watch in one sitting and typically only have a few seasons compared to their Western counterparts. The streaming age has created a truly globalized world of content and what people can consume daily, despite the one-inch barrier of subtitles. Streaming services have also responded to the growing demand for movies and television shows in other languages by catering to this demand.
As a result, many people have favorite Korean dramas. However, it is undeniable that some of these television shows have evolved into classics over time. Regardless of whether a person is a fan of the show or not, their influence is profound. These television shows have demonstrated that they can stand the test of time and attain the status of "classic," whether they are one of the original shows that brought Korean television to the attention of the general public or a show that has received praise in recent years. This is exactly what the following twenty shows have done over the years.
1. She Was Pretty
Hwang Jung-eum and Park Search Engine Optimization Joon are two extremely enchanting leads, and with science, for example, theirs, the show will undoubtedly be a fan-com loaded up with humor and heart. After all, She Was Pretty has everything: jovial banter, natural miscommunications, a palpable sense of will-they-or-won't-they tension, and a compelling love triangle that culminates in a heartwarming conclusion. However, past that, there's additionally a definitive message that genuine magnificence is what's within.
2. It's Okay to Not Be Okay
It's Okay to Not Be Okay was incredibly moving when it came out in 2020, and it took the K-drama fandom by storm. Moon Gang-tae and Ko Moon Young are the characters in this tale. The first is a psychiatric facility worker who provides supportive care. She is compassionate and kind to everyone, and she takes pleasure in the little things in life. The latter is a well-known author of children's books who seems to have everything under control. However, he is suffering from unresolved trauma, which causes him to be rude and arrogant. They both develop an ability to accept and care for one another as their relationship grows stronger.
3. Business Proposal
The well-known Korean drama trope of the rich and poor reappears once more in Business Proposal. A worker at a renowned Korean food organization goes on a prearranged meet-up with her companion and claims to be her. Be that as it may, when she understands the Chief of her organization is sitting opposite her, it gets into an entirely different tricky situation. At work, she can imagine and stow away for such a long time, and when she's at last gotten, a sentiment shows up.
4. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
The well-known Korean drama trope of the rich and poor reappears once more in Business Proposal. A worker at a renowned Korean food organization goes on a prearranged meet-up with her companion and claims to be her. Be that as it may, when she understands the Chief of her organization is sitting opposite her, it gets into an entirely different tricky situation. At work, she can imagine and stow away for such a long time, and when she's at last gotten, a sentiment shows up.
5. Crash Landing on You
There are a lot of good reasons why Crash Landing on You is one of the most popular dramas released thus far. It recounts the narrative of a rich lady President who, after an oddity skimming mishap, winds up tracked down in North Korea by a commander in the military. He takes care of her in his house and the two of them fall in love even though they know they don't belong together.
6. Descendants of the Sun
There are a lot of good reasons why Crash Landing on You is one of the most popular dramas released thus far. It recounts the narrative of a rich lady President who, after an oddity skimming mishap, winds up tracked down in North Korea by a commander in the military. He takes care of her in his house and the two of them fall in love even though they know they don't belong together.
7. Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Yoo In-shik is the director of the 2022 legal drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo. The way that the show includes a mentally unbalanced primary person filling in as a lawyer at a significant law office itself shows exactly how the narrating is developing with evolving times, and that the makers mean to talk about bias and society through a holding and thrilling story.
8. Extraordinary You
The protagonist of Extraordinary You learns a secret: She is in an imaginary world. She's a person in a manhwa or a Korean webtoon. She meets one of the unnamed characters as she sets out to alter her destiny. The two wind up developing nearer, however, this doesn't come without significant ramifications for their accounts.
9. What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?
Park Seo-Joon demonstrates once more that he is capable of playing any role. He brings a delightful energy to the role of Lee Young-Joon, which is hilarious and amusing on its own. Whether he's difficult Ramyeon interestingly or changing into a grounded individual, his personality curve entrances the crowd. Beyond that, the show is filled to the brim with cute and light interactions between the leads.
10. Strong Girl Do Bong-soon
First and foremost, Strong Girl Do Bong-soon's plot is amazing and addictive. It gets several points for having a strong female lead (literally) and having her carry the show with her physical comedy and acting talent. Park Bo Youthful and Park Hyung Sik are lovable together. You can't help but laugh and cry at their puppy love romance, their witty banter, and their overall dynamic.
11. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Kim Bok-Joo is a weightlifter who has consistently surpassed assumptions and is headed to accomplishing her fantasy about winning a gold decoration for her country. However, as a young lady, she wants to have an ordinary life loaded with sentiment and heartache. She is even willing to give up lifting steel and losing weight when she falls in love with Jung Jae-yi, a fitness doctor. Because she has her childhood best friend and talented swimmer, Jung Joon-hyung, rooting for her success, their puppy love is cut short.
12. My Love from the Star
The only genre in which Korean dramas use all of their arsenal to deliver the most heartbreaking stories is fantasy romance. The creators of My Love from the Star made an admirable effort to convey an unconventional love story. Both Kim Soo-Hyun and Jun Ji-Hyun are sublime entertainers, and they do outright equity to their jobs as the smart extraterrestrial and the awkward entertainer.
13. The Legend of the Blue Sea
Try The Legend of the Blue Sea, a romantic comedy about a mermaid trying to navigate the human world and the conman she falls for, if you're in the mood for a lighthearted fantasy. Think The Little Mermaid, however with more wrongdoing and droll involved.
14. Love Alarm
This drama is based on the digital comic of the same name. It is about a mysterious developer who makes an app that tells users if someone close to them is romantically interested in them. How could something go wrong?
15. Crash Course in Romance
It is a 2023 South Korean TV series coordinated by Yoo Je-won, and featuring Jeon Do-yeon and Jung Kyung-ho. It is broadcast on TV from January 14 to Walk 5, 2023, each Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST) scheduled opening for 16 episodes. It is likewise accessible for spilling on Netflix in chosen regions. The series was a business hit and became quite possibly one of the greatest evaluated shows in Korean satellite TV history. When a woman tries to enroll her daughter in the class of a famous math teacher, she ends up in the competitive world of private education and possibly in a relationship with that teacher.
16. Twenty-Five Twenty-One
It is a 2022 South Korean TV series coordinated by Jung Ji-hyun and featuring Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Ji-yeon, Choi Hyun-wook, and Lee Joo-Myung. The series portrays the heartfelt existence of five characters traversing from 1998 to 2021.[2] It debuted on TVN on February 12, 2022, and is broadcast each Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST) for 16 episodes. It is accessible for spilling on Netflix.
The series was a business hit and became perhaps one of the greatest evaluated shows in Korean digital TV history. Baek Yi Jin and Na Hee Do break up, but they stay with each other until the end. Their most joyful time, which gave the show its name, 25 21s, had reached a difficult conclusion. They break up now at a crossroads, disappointing the show's viewers.
17. Mr. Sunshine
An unfortunate kid naturally introduced to a house worker's family goes to the US during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo episode. He soon grows up to be an American military officer who discovers a sinister plan by foreigners to colonize Korea while returning to his home country and falling in love with the daughter of an aristocrat.
18. Our Beloved Summer
Our Adored Summer (Korean: ) is a romantic comedy television series from South Korea. Charged as "Studio N's most memorable unique series",[2] it is coordinated by Kim Yoon-jin with a screenplay by Lee Na-eun, featuring Choi Charm shik, Kim Da-mi, Kim Sung-Cheol, and Roh Jeong-oui.[3] The series is a story about growing up with a previous couple who are compelled to meet up again when a narrative they shot in secondary school becomes a web sensation. It debuted on SBS television on December 6, 2021, and circulated on Mondays and Tuesdays at 22:00 (KST) till January 25, 2022. It is accessible for spilling on Netflix.
Yeon-soo decides not to go with him to Paris after much thought. Be that as it may, they choose to proceed with a far-removed relationship. Not long before leaving for Paris, Choi Ung chooses to take one final gander at the dad who deserted him and relinquishes the past.
19. Forecasting Love and Weather
This show is light, comfortable, charming, and fun to watch. It successfully combines the seriousness of a procedural show with the lightheartedness of a rom-com. Song Kang oozes charisma and chemistry in every scene he appears in as Lee and Park Min-young does an excellent job portraying Jin, who is cold and reserved.
20. Nevertheless
This show is light, comfortable, charming, and fun to watch. It successfully combines the seriousness of a procedural show with the lightheartedness of a rom-com. Song Kang oozes charisma and chemistry in every scene he appears in as Lee and Park Min-young does an excellent job portraying Jin, who is cold and reserved.
21. Lovestruck In The City
"Lovestruck in the City" is a sensible depiction of youngsters who seek sentiment and satisfaction while attempting to squeeze by in an occupied, serious metropolitan climate.
Park Jae Won is a genuine man, an energetic draftsman, and an admirer of city rear entryways. His side interest is gathering new leisure activities. A heartfelt on a basic level, he can't fail to remember a specific lady. This hoodlum of his heart, and his camera, has vanished, similar to a temporary midsummer night's fantasy.
Lee Eun Gracious is a common lady who briefly re-creates herself as the unconstrained and unique Yun Seon Ah. Spontaneously, she heads to parts obscure, where Jae Won experiences passionate feelings for her new character.
22. Run On
It is a 2020 South Korean TV series featuring Im Si-wan, Shin Se-kyung, Choi Soo-youthful, and Kang Tae-oh.[1] It broadcasted on JTBC from December 16, 2020, to February 4, 2021, and is accessible for streaming overall on Netflix.
Ki Seon-Gyeom was a popular national team sprinter in the past. He stopped playing sports because of a case. He then starts to function as a games specialist. Oh Mi-Joo, on the other hand, translates movie subtitles. She was excited when she first she her name as an interpreter during the end credits. She meets Ki Seon-Gyeom, who recently quit being a runner. She believes that they were meant to meet.
23. Uncontrollably Fond
Miserable powerless destitute individuals versus detestable strong rich legislators with dim privileged insights versus exceptionally appealing pop stars. ( Bae Suzy plays Noh Eul, Kim Woo-bin plays Shin Joon-young, Lim Ju-hwan plays Choi Ji-tae, and Lim Ju-eun plays Yoon Jeong-Eun.)
Miserable powerless destitute individuals versus detestable strong rich legislators with dim privileged insights versus exceptionally appealing pop stars. ( Bae Suzy plays Noh Eul, Kim Woo-bin plays Shin Joon-young, Lim Ju-hwan plays Choi Ji-tae, and Lim Ju-eun plays Yoon Jeong-Eun.)
24. Autumn In My Heart
A sensational romantic tale bound with misfortune and closure that will probably leave you sobbing, this 2000 series is one that I watch on rehash with my mom. The plot incorporates a ton of K-show sayings: rich man/unfortunate lady, babies coincidentally exchanged upon entering the world, are-they-or-aren't-they-kin who become hopelessly enamored and, eventually, a disastrous destiny that is shockingly out of line (yet definitive). Melody Hye-kyo (The Greatness) was only 18 at the hour of this show's delivery and she is brilliant as the female lead. As the grown-up version of one of the switched babies whose fate changes when she is reunited with her biological family, she exhibits subtle nuance. The first of Yoon Seok-ho's quartet of seasonal K-dramas is Autumn In My Heart. The others are Winter Sonata, Summer Scent, and Spring Waltz. Kocowa).
25. One Spring Night
Many fanatics of K-dramatizations are now mindful of the disgrace against single parents in South Korea. In this 2019 series, everybody in the show — including the hero himself — understands that his marriage choices are restricted … because he's a single parent. Quit worrying that Ji-ho (Jung Hae-in) has an extraordinary occupation as a drug specialist, cherishing guardians, and faint commendable looks that make ladies completely distracted. At the point when he meets Jung-in (Han Ji-min), there is a sluggish and stewing science. Ji-ho is the one man in her life who regards her as an individual. Her dad sees her as property to offer. Furthermore, when she parted ways with her sweetheart, he wouldn't be an ex and boomerangs over and over once more into her life. This series has beautiful cinematography, showcasing a moody Seoul that matches the characters' boredom.
26. Because This is My First Life
Ji-ho (Jung So-min) fantasizes about writing her own K-show. She is instead stuck negotiating product placements for shows written by other people. Her boss tells her to forgive him for the sake of their "work family" after a colleague tries to rape her. He dismisses it as a boys' game. Se-hee (Lee Min-ki) is an office specialist who claims a clean home that he can't bear to pay for without help from anyone else. The two become flatmates and go into a marriage agreement to get his pestering guardians away from him. However that piece is played for chuckles in this 2017 show, the content authors deftly represent the extra weight put on wedded ladies. Even in a fictitious marriage, Ji-ho believes she must please his family, who expect her to take care of the house and cook during vacations. Subplots about the #MeToo movement, stalking, parents breaking up relationships, and finally true love are introduced throughout the series.
27. Happiness
Sae-bom (Han Hyo-Joo) is a world-class cop who fantasizes about residing in her own home. To satisfy her objective, she and her lifelong companion Yi-hyun (Park Hyung-sik) wed, with the comprehension that this is a marriage of comfort. Their wonderful high rise rapidly transforms into a horrible one when a flare-up makes contaminated inhabitants satisfy their thirst by drinking blood from their casualties. Dissimilar to the zombies in Gong Yoo's film Train to Busan, there is trust that the bloodsuckers can be relieved in this 2021 series. Sae-Bom, who has been nibbled yet gives no indications of disease, is resolved to save whatever number of individuals as would be prudent. It's her savage neighbors she fears more than the sullied casualties. In his most memorable post-military K-show, Park projects empathy and weakness. He imparts astounding science to Han. Watchers will pull for this couple's endurance (and relationship) from start to finish.
28. It’s Okay that’s love
Jo In-sung and Gong Hyo-jin star in this 2014 series about Jae-yeol, a renowned creator, and therapist Hae-soo. It's entertaining, heartfelt, and provocative, yet it likewise investigates how youth injuries illuminate adulthood. Does Kyung-soo of the K-pop gathering EXO more than stand his ground against these acting veterans? He plays Kang-charm, a secondary school understudy who becomes friends with Jae-yeol. Throughout the series, a lot of secrets, almost all of them tragic, are revealed. In any case, the one that stayed with me after such a long time is the story circular segment that integrates Jae-yeol and Kang-charm's past. In general, not many shows address mental health issues in a dignified manner. It's OK, That is Love hits the appropriate notes.
29. Reply 1988
The last series in the Answer set of three, this 2015-2016 creation is the most grounded and best, however the main episode is a piece slow. The female lead in Girl's Day is played by Lee Hye-ri. Her four closest friends are Park Bo-gum, Go Kyung-pyo, Lee Dong-hwi, and her real-life boyfriend Ryu Jun-yeol, one of whom she will marry. Set in 1988, when South Korea was planning to have the Mid-year Olympics, Answer 1988 grandstands a country that hadn't yet turned into a superpower. However the attention is on the youthful youngsters and their development, this K-show likewise wonderfully winds in the tales of their folks and the fellowships that tight-spot them together.
30. Boys Over Flowers
For many, this is the first K-drama they watch. I recognize that many dangerous storylines are introduced as practically ordinary. The content essayists are extremely gifted at playing with watchers' feelings, so we nearly fail to remember that the unquestionably gorgeous entertainers — hi Lee Min-ho! — play advantaged menaces, who barely care about beating or grabbing cohorts since they can. Recorded in 2009, the series has a dated vibe both underway and style. However, the rich boy/poor girl plot is well woven into the overall plot. Yes, we are yelling at Ku Hye-sun, the heroine, to get her act together and develop a spine. But on the other hand, we're pulling for the young men to perceive that being benevolent to the one young lady they're completely captivated with isn't the same thing as treating everybody well since it's the correct thing to do.
At the point when you consider the best K-shows, Phenomenal Lawyer Charm, Under the Sovereign's Umbrella, and Little Ladies might be on your radar. Yet, pause, those are all from 2022. To talk about probably the best K-shows ever, we want to return to the past to perceive how we arrived.
Experiencing childhood in the US, I didn't observe every one of the shows my cousins were tuning into each week in Seoul, since it was preposterous in those days. There was no Netflix, Viki, or Prime Video for real-time. Rather, I watched anything my folks leased from the nearby Korean merchant, who had cabinets loaded up with grainy (and in all probability unlawfully named) tapes that we rewatched before returning. The most established K-show I delighted in was Love and Desire, although we didn't see it for 10 years after its 1987 delivery. Helmed by Kim Soo-hyun — the author, not the entertainer — the 96-episode (!) series was hugely famous in Korea, with a cast that included future Foundation Grant victor Youn Yuh-jung (Minari).
Every one of us has our own #1 K-shows that are educated by our very own encounters (and access). For instance, the 1956 premiere of Death Row Prisoner, one of South Korea's earliest dramas, was never available to me. Thus, my picks are impacted by what I've seen, which are shown from 2000 forward.