Looking for the best Korean dramas of all time? The world of Korean dramas is a wonderful place. The South Korean entertainment sector is gradually gaining global clout as K-pop, Korean films such as Parasite and Train to Busan, and Korean television series sweep the world by storm.
The word Korean drama, or Kdrama, applies to practically any fictitious television series in South Korea, regardless of subject or genre. This contains everything from comedy to romance to sci-fi to horror. The majority of these TV shows are based on webcomics, a type of storytelling comparable to comic books that originated in South Korea.
What makes K-dramas so intriguing is their aim to appeal to a wide range of viewers. While it is true that this genre is dominated by cheesy rom-com, the truth is that K-dramas have a lot to offer. Some of the shows, in fact, can be rather dark and horrific. In any case, k-dramas know how to create excellent binge-worthy shows that leave an impression on viewers. If you want to start watching K-dramas, here’s a list to help you.
Best Korean Dramas Of All Time
1. Vincenzo (2021)
Park Joo Hyeong was adopted at the age of eight and left for Italy. As an adult, he is known as Vincenzo Cassano and works as a consigliere for a Mafia family. Because of feuding Mafia factions, he flees to South Korea and becomes involved with lawyer Hong Cha Young.
She is the type of lawyer who will go to any length to win a case. Now that he’s returned to his homeland, he gives an unparalleled conglomerate a taste of his own medicine along with his own version of justice.
2. Squid Game (2021)
If you haven’t seen Squid Game yet, this is a friendly reminder to do so as soon as possible. This series not only broke records, but it might have also played a significant role in kindling the K-drama craze. The story of Squid Game, which stars a superb cast, follows a group of contestants who were hand-picked owing to their debt crisis and acute need for money.
The participants are taken to an island and forced to play children’s games until one of them wins. The rest are slaughtered. The concentration of Squid Game on issues of corruption, wealth imbalance, and humanity vs. inhumanity has resulted in a series that leaves viewers with a lot to think about.
3. All of Us Are Dead (2022)
This one’s for the zombie fans. All of Us Are Dead is a horror K-drama about a zombie outbreak that starts at a high school and is manufactured by the school’s science teacher, Lee Byeong-chan (Kim Byung-chul). The episode has been compared to the famed Korean film Train to Busan because it takes a similar strategy to show how dangerous a zombie attack could be.
Nonetheless, this show offers unique elements that set it apart from other zombie series/films. All of Us Are Dead also addresses issues such as love, friendship, and identity crisis. Because it is centered on high school students, the show can be highly tense and emotional.
4. Crash Landing on You (2019)
This specific TV series has become a favorite among K-drama fans because it combines a realistic portrayal of North Korean and South Korean politics with an emotional story about two pairs of lovers. The story begins with Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin), a South Korean entrepreneur/heiress, being blown to the North Korean side of a Demilitarised Zone.
Following this, Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) saves and hides her. We see the corruption inside both societies as Se-ri’s half-brothers try to take over her company and her right to succession, while a corrupt North Korean official tries to expose Jeong-hyeok and later, wants to exact revenge on Se-ri. With regular border crossings, the story that unfolds is a beautiful but complicated love story.
5. The Glory (2022)
The Glory has a stellar cast and is based on genuine bullying tales. The drama, with Song Hye-kyo taking up the role of the protagonist, Moon Dong-eun, centers on how she was inhumanely bullied throughout her high school days by Park Yeon-jin (Lim Ji-yeon) and her pals, as well as her struggle to ultimately obtain revenge.
The scenes of bullying in The Glory are not for the faint of heart, since they may be rather gruesome. Furthermore, the show does not shy away from exposing the corrupt nature of the wealthy and the prevalence of bullying in South Korea.
6. Descendants of the Sun (2016)
Another series in which Song Hye-kyo plays the female lead, Doctor Kang Mo-yeon. Because of their opposing personalities and views, Mo-yeon and Captain Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) have a unique connection in Descendants of the Sun. Thus, the story depicts how the two part ways but eventually reunite.
The way Descendants of the Sun deviates from the dramatic nature of relationships and instead concentrates on leads with strong beliefs is what makes it worth watching. The fact that the heroes are self-sufficient and brave in their own right ends up motivating the audience. It is undoubtedly upsetting because of the inclusion of war-related topics, but it is also incredibly touching.
Also Read:
- 10 Best Military TV Shows To Watch In 2023
- 10 Best Knight Movies To Watch This Weekend
- Best TV Shows Of All Time That You Should Never Miss
7. The Silent Sea (2021)
The Silent Sea is a sci-fi horror series set in space that follows a crew as they investigate an abandoned research facility where a tragedy occurred. The crew enters Balhae station with the objective of retrieving significant samples that could lead to the manufacture of more water, a very necessary and expensive resource now and in the future. You can tell it’s going to be good because it stars Bae Doona and Gong Yoo.
8. Hellbound (2021)
A story about otherworldly beings who emerge out of nowhere and issue a decree condemning people to hell. These supernatural occurrences wreak havoc and allow the religious cult The New Truth to grow in power. However, a few people become skeptical of its operations and begin looking into its role in odd happenings.
9. King the Land (2023)
Goo Won, the King Group’s heir, exudes charm, intelligence, grace, and sophistication. However, he is troubled by the absence of recollections of his mother. He returns to King Hotel, determined to remember his history. Cheon Sa-rang, recognized for her beautiful smile and exquisite hospitality, has risen through the ranks at King Hotel’s renowned venue to a high position and the setting where she meets paths with Goo Won.
10. Twenty Five Twenty One (2022)
No list of Korean dramas would be complete without a heartfelt romance drama about young people, and Twenty Five Twenty One stands out as one of the best amid a plethora of excellent selections. From the 1990s to the 2020s, the show follows five characters and their love lives, complete with high school turmoil, first loves, and lessons learned. It’s beautiful, heartwarming, and probably one of the best Korean dramas on Netflix.
