From action-packed thrillers like “Squid Game” and “All of Us Are Dead” to romantic comedies like “Business Proposal” and “Crash Landing on You,” it seems the world can’t get enough of K-dramas these days. Netflix is investing a whopping $2.5 billion in South Korean content over the next several years, so it looks like the K-drama craze won’t be dying anytime soon.
But with so many Korean TV shows already available on Netflix, it can feel overwhelming to sort through dozens—if not hundreds—of K-dramas on the platform and figure out which ones to watch. So here we’ve made the job much easier by curating the top K-dramas to stream on Netflix, in no particular order. To ensure that we’re providing you with the best recommendations, we’ve thoroughly vetted all of these series (which simply means that we’ve watched every single K-drama on this list from beginning to end…sometimes more than once).
So order some chimaek (for those who don’t know, that’s Korean shorthand for chicken and beer) and start streaming the titles on this list. And be sure to check back soon for more K-dramas to watch, as we’ll be updating the list frequently!
“Twenty Five Twenty One” (2022)
This riveting coming-of-age comedy-drama follows the lives of five friends as they struggle to realize their dreams in the devastating aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis (known as the “IMF Crisis” in South Korea). Set to a fantastic soundtrack and replete with ’90s cultural references, “Twenty Five Twenty One” drew praise from critics and audiences around the world for its relatable characters, beautiful storytelling and realistic portrayal of love, friendship and universal human struggles. Get ready for a wild rollercoaster ride though—the series will make you laugh, cry and maybe reflect on your own life choices. Sure, you’ll be an emotional wreck afterward, but at least you’ll have gleaned so many important lessons from this show. — Regina Kim
“Stranger” (2017)
With an airtight script, stellar acting and well-paced suspense, “Stranger” (also known as “Forest of Secrets”) is the epitome of a perfectly executed Korean crime drama. Seasoned actor Cho Seung-woo (“The Classic,” “Sisyphus: The Myth,” “Divorce Attorney Shin”) plays a brilliant but stoic prosecutor who investigates a high-profile murder with the help of a fiery and loquacious police officer (played by international star Bae Doona of “Sense8,” “Cloud Atlas” and “Kingdom” fame). As the unlikely pair dig deeper into the case, they unearth clues indicating that their own organizations may have been involved. This masterpiece in detective fiction nabbed top honors at the 2018 Baeksang Arts Awards, was named as one of the best TV shows of 2017 by The New York Times and inspired another hit Korean crime thriller, “Beyond Evil.” — Regina Kim
“Memories of the Alhambra” (2018)
In this unusual sci-fi fantasy thriller, Hyun Bin stars as Yoo Jin-woo, the CEO of an investment firm who travels to Granada, Spain to meet with the inventor of a revolutionary augmented reality game. But when the game’s creator goes missing, Yoo discovers that the older sister Jung Hee-ju (Park Shin-hye) happens to own the hostel where he’s staying at. Together, they set out to find Hee-ju’s brother but get caught up in a string of mysterious events as the line between reality and fiction becomes increasingly blurred. We found this one to be a bit eerie and disturbing, but it’s definitely worth a watch for its novel AR concept! — Regina Kim
“Green Mothers’ Club” (2022)
“Green Mothers’ Club” is quite possibly the most underrated K-drama ever made, with the most misleading teaser ever made. This weighty drama centers on five mothers who do everything they can to support their elementary kids’ education while trying to navigate their messy personal lives and keep up appearances. It takes a searing and painfully honest look at motherhood, the challenges that many Korean women face today, and the struggles of raising children in South Korea’s highly competitive society (a key reason why the country has the lowest birth rate in the world). While the show is probably not everyone’s cup of tea, you’d be hard-pressed to find another K-drama that tackles so many different social issues with such nuance in the span of just 16 episodes.Regina Kim
“SKY Castle” (2018)
Here’s another series that illustrates just how far many overzealous Korean parents will go for their kids’ education. In this satirical melodrama, tragic events unfold at SKY Castle, an elite residential community inhabited by wealthy families who’ll stop at nothing to ensure their children’s success, sometimes with devastating consequences. (The community’s name itself is a nod to South Korea’s most prestigious universities: Seoul National University, Korea University and Yonsei — or “SKY,” for short.) There are a lot of outrageous scenarios and over-the-top behavior in this dramedy, but its sharp critique of South Korea’s pressure cooker society must’ve resonated with domestic audiences — it still ranks as one of the highest-rated cable TV shows in the country’s history. — Regina Kim
“Extraordinary Attorney Woo” (2022)
In this heartwarming and wholesome series, powerhouse actress Park Eun-bin shines as Woo Young-woo, a brilliant rookie attorney on the autism spectrum who works at a top law firm and encounters prejudice and discrimination in all sorts of situations due to her disability. Each episode sees Young-woo using her unique and creative way of thinking to tackle difficult legal cases, changing how those around her view her in the process. Despite not having autism spectrum disorder herself, Park delivers a mind-blowingly remarkable performance as the charming titular character, for which she earned a slew of domestic and international accolades. You’ll find yourself rooting for the quirky but lovable Attorney Woo every step of the way as she bravely navigates workplace challenges, forms relationships with other people and talks (a lot) about her love of whales. — Regina Kim
“The King’s Affection” (2021)
Before Park Eun-bin stole our hearts as Attorney Woo, she assumed another difficult role as a fearless Joseon-era king (yes, king, not queen), proving that there’s probably no character that she cannot pull off. After giving birth to twins — which were considered to be a bad omen, at least in the show — the crown princess secretly sends her daughter Dam-i (Park) away from the palace to save her life. Years later, when Dam-i’s twin brother the crown prince is killed, their mother convinces Dam-i to take his place. Afraid that others might find out her true identity, Dam-i acts aloof towards everyone she meets, but she eventually falls for her handsome tutor (played by K-pop heartthrob Rowoon). The first K-drama to win an International Emmy, “The King’s Affection” is a great intro to Korean historical dramas. Palace intrigue, gripping action sequences, a swoon-worthy romance between the two leads — this show has it all. — Regina Kim
“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” (2021)
After a falling-out with her boss, a hotshot dentist from Seoul (Shin Min-a) moves to a seaside village to open up her own practice, but a series of missteps puts her at odds with the local residents. Fortunately for her, she meets a happy-go-lucky jack-of-all-trades (Kim Seon-ho) who helps her adjust to the small rural community. “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” became the most-watched and most-talked about show in South Korea shortly after its release and unseated “Squid Game” from Netflix’s top spot in the country. Featuring a great soundtrack and a colorful cast of characters, the light-hearted, feel-good rom com will have you laughing out loud from the get-go. — Regina Kim
“Designated Survivor: 60 Days” (2019)
In this remake of the American political TV thriller, veteran actor Ji Jin-hee stars as Park Mu-jin, a conscientious government minister with little taste for politics who is suddenly thrust into the spotlight as the most powerful person in South Korea. When an explosion at the National Assembly (South Korea’s parliament) kills the president and many other top government officials, Mu-jin is forced to step in as the country’s acting president for 60 days, during which time he endeavors to find the culprit behind the attack and develops into a capable leader. Regardless of whether or not you’ve seen the original American version, this is one K-drama you won’t want to skip. — Regina Kim
Hellbound (2021)
Bleak, striking and unnerving, “Hellbound” makes a fine companion piece to another 2021 Netflix hit, Mike Flanagan’s “Midnight Mass.” Set in contemporary South Korea, the series sees the world turned upside down after giant molten supernatural beings appear, hunt down humans and, seemingly, very publicly condemn them to hell. The creatures and their punishments are terrifying, but the series’ true horror lies in the social consequences of their arrival; cults, evangelizing, pious finger-pointing, grotesque shaming and terrifying acts of judgment — the hallmarks of humanity at its most scared and desperate. There’s plenty to chew on in “Hellbound,” from the metaphysical to the philosophical, and there’s plenty left to ponder after the finale. Fortunately, Season 2 just rolled into production in August 2023, which means those unanswered plot questions might finally get some resolution, even if the existential ones never do. — Haleigh Foutch
“The Glory” (2022)
What if you could make your former school bullies pay for what they did to you years ago? That’s exactly what Moon Dong-eun (played by veteran actress and Hallyu star Song Hye-kyo) does in the 2022 revenge thriller “The Glory,” which was partly inspired by a real-life bullying case. Mentally and physically scarred after suffering horrendous abuse from her high school classmates, Dong-eun carefully plots her vengeance against her former tormentors, eventually destroying their lives one by one. Heavyweight screenwriter Kim Eun-sook — the mind behind numerous hit K-dramas like “Goblin,” “Mr. Sunshine,” “Descendants of the Sun” and others — shows why she’s the best in the game: with its meticulously crafted and well-executed storyline, the two-part series is at once dark, twisted, brilliant and — for anyone who’s been the victim of bullying — deliciously cathartic as well. — Regina Kim
D.P. (2021)
Based on the webtoon “D.P: Dog Days” by Kim Bo-tong, this heart-wrenching drama exposes the horrors that many South Korean men experience during their mandatory military service. Shortly after being conscripted into the army, Private An Jun-ho (Jung Hae-in) is recruited into the Deserter Pursuit (“D.P.”) unit, a team of soldiers tasked with hunting down and capturing deserters. As he and his partner Corporal Han Ho-yeol (Koo Kyo-hwan) chase after their targets, they come to realize why some of their fellow soldiers felt compelled to escape. Upon its release, D.P. earned much praise from domestic critics and audiences for its realistic depictions of military violence, but it also left many Korean men rattled, with some even commenting that watching scenes involving hazing and bullying brought back traumatic memories of their own time in the military. — Regina Kim
“Itaewon Class” (2020)
Hallyu superstar Park Seo-jun (“The Marvels,” “Parasite”) stars as Park Saeroyi, an ex-convict and high school dropout who overcomes overwhelming odds to become a successful self-made entrepreneur. Saeroyi vows to exact revenge on food corporation Jangga Group after its CEO and the CEO’s son cause his expulsion from school, as well his father’s death. He opens a pub called DanBam in Seoul’s multicultural district of Itaewon and recruits a motley staff of misfits to help him, including a gangster, a trans woman, a sociopath and a half-Black, half-Korean man. Together they work to grow the business into a leading restaurant chain. Based on the eponymous webtoon by Kwang Jin, “Itaewon Class” was lauded for its diverse cast and for boldly tackling issues like racism and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Combined with a killer soundtrack and an inspiring storyline, the show made multiple best K-drama lists in outlets like Time, Forbes and The Guardian and inspired Japanese and Taiwanese remakes. – Regina Kim
“Little Women” (2022)
In this very loose adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott novel, Kim Go-eun (“Goblin,” “Yumi’s Cells,” “The King: Eternal Monarch”), Nam Ji-hyun (“100 Days My Prince,” “Giant”) and Park Ji-hu (“House of Hummingbird,” “All of Us Are Dead”) star as three sisters living in poverty who go up against one of Korea’s wealthiest and most powerful families. From the series’ trippy opening sequence to its nail-biting climax, this psychological thriller by renowned screenwriter Jeong Seo-kyung (known for her work with legendary director Park Chan-wook) is full of some of the most shocking twists and turns you’ll ever see in a K-drama. The surreal and intricate plot, lush cinematography and compelling acting make this a truly one-of-a-kind K-drama masterpiece. — Regina Kim
“Chief of Staff” (2019)
Politics is a dirty game in every country, but South Korea does an especially good job of dramatizing it for the public’s entertainment. This highly acclaimed political thriller stars the iconic Lee Jung-jae (“Squid Game,” “Along with the Gods,” “New World”) as Jang Tae-jun, a crafty police officer-turned-chief legislative aide who devises brilliant strategies to help his rapacious boss Song Hui-seop (played by acting legend Kim Gap-soo) crush his adversaries and become the leader of his political party. Meanwhile, Tae-jun has lofty political ambitions of his own, but his time in the National Assembly tests just how far he’s willing to go to achieve them. There’s enough political scheming and backstabbing in this show to make your head spin, but “Chief of Staff” promises to be a thoroughly enjoyable watch if you’re able to keep up. — Regina Kim
Squid Game (2021)
If you’re one of the handful of people in the world who hasn’t seen “Squid Game” yet, this summary is for you. Lee Jung-jae scored the role of a lifetime as Seong Gi-hun, a down-on-his-luck gambling addict who, in order to secure a future for him and his daughter, joins 455 other debt-ridden contestants in a series of deadly games for a chance to win a hefty cash prize. The Emmy Award-winning dystopian survival thriller is Netflix’s most-watched series for a good reason — the non-stop excitement, eye-catching candy-colored set designs, top-notch acting and powerful storytelling all keep you glued to the edge of your seat until the brutally sadistic competition is over. And now we’re all eagerly awaiting the show’s second season. — Regina Kim
“Crash Landing on You“ (2019)
In this 2019 romantic comedy, a South Korean heiress (played by Son Ye-jin) accidentally paraglides into North Korea—and literally crash lands into the arms of a handsome soldier (played by Hyun Bin). As he tries to hide her from North Korean authorities, the two eventually fall in love. As absurd as this premise sounds, the delightful chemistry between Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin — being the veteran actors that they are, and now a real-life couple, too — makes this impossible love story entirely believable and absolutely fun to watch. A supporting cast of witty characters further bolsters the show’s charm. — Regina Kim
“Celebrity” (2023)
Wondering how to grow your own social media following? This K-drama might teach you a few tricks. Struggling cosmetics salesperson Seo A-ri (Park Gyu-young) suddenly finds herself whisked into the glamorous world of social media influencers. With her sharp sense of style, the backing of a talent agency and some sheer luck, A-ri skyrockets to social media stardom but also discovers the downsides of fame along the way. Jealous of A-ri’s meteoric rise, other fashion influencers scheme to take her down, resulting in her eventual downfall. But A-ri resolves to have the final word and exposes their dirty secrets to the public, revealing that the lives of these influencers are far different from what they seem on camera. While the show falters in some areas, there’s probably no other K-drama that feels more relevant in today’s digital age. It’s also a must-see for anyone who’s curious about celebrity suicides in South Korea, as it gives a glimpse into how the media and the public can take a huge toll on a celebrity’s mental health in one of the most hyperconnected countries in the world. – Regina Kim
“All of Us Are Dead” (2022)
No one does terrifying zombie thrillers quite like Korea, where these flesh-chomping monsters move frighteningly fast and do all sorts of crazy acrobatics. Viewers around the world got a satisfying taste of the K-zombie genre with the 2022 apocalyptic horror All of Us Are Dead. After a science teacher’s experiment goes horribly wrong and triggers a zombie virus outbreak at Hyosan High, the school’s students fight to stay alive as they attempt to dodge their infected classmates. The show’s insanely gory, heart-pounding madness—coupled with its clever yet subtle social commentary—will have you chomping at the bit to watch Season 2. — Regina Kim
“Hospital Playlist” (2020 – 2021)
This heartwarming drama follows the lives of five close friends who attended the same medical school and end up working at the same hospital. To cope with their stressful profession, they lean on each other for emotional support—and form their own rock band. Written and directed by the brilliant minds behind the acclaimed “Reply” anthology series, “Hospital Playlist” seamlessly interweaves hilarious, feel-good moments with heart-rending scenes to create a well-balanced show that focuses on human relationships. It serves as a reminder that while our jobs may give us a sense of purpose, it’s the time spent with our friends and loved ones that makes life worth living. Both seasons of “Hospital Playlist” were wildly popular among Korean audiences and overseas K-drama fans, even inspiring an upcoming spinoff. The series also contains a ton of classic Korean songs, usually played towards the end of every episode—a clever means to let Korean viewers reminisce on some great oldies while introducing international audiences to Korean hits outside of K-pop idol music. – Regina Kim
“Sweet Home” (2020 – )
Before “Squid Game” came along, the apocalyptic fantasy horror “Sweet Home” became the first Korean series to officially enter the Netflix Top 10 in the US. Song Kang (“Nevertheless,” “My Demon”) stars as Cha Hyun-su, a depressed teenager who moves into Green Home Apartments after losing his entire family in a car accident. Shortly after his arrival, however, horrifying monsters mysteriously start cropping up in and around his apartment building. Hyun-su and the other residents soon realize that the monsters are none other than their neighbors, who’ve transformed into grotesque creatures by giving in to their worst desires. As the strange phenomenon spreads across the globe, the residents of Green Home fight to survive—and hopefully avoid turning into monsters themselves. Adapted from a popular webtoon of the same name, the gripping series has been renewed for a third season, which is slated to premiere later this year. – Regina Kim
“Daily Dose of Sunshine” (2023)
Jeong Da-eun (played by award-winning actress Park Bo-young) is a caring and empathetic nurse who gets transferred from her hospital’s internal medicine department to its psychiatry unit. Initially, she struggles to adapt, but with the help of her coworkers and the head nurse, Song Hyo-shin (Lee Jung-eun of “Parasite”), she’s able to settle into her new role. But when a horrible tragedy befalls one of her patients, Da-eun’s own mental health starts to spiral out of control.
Based on a 2017 webtoon by Lee Ra-ha, this moving series explores mental health in a very candid and authentic manner, since the story was inspired by Lee’s own real-life experiences as a former psychiatric nurse. Though some of the scenes in the earlier episodes drag on for a bit, the show contains plenty of sage advice for improving one’s mental health and finding resilience. The last few episodes, in particular, are a must-watch for anyone going through a difficult time. – Regina Kim
“Castaway Diva” (2023)
After playing a Joseon-era king and an autistic lawyer, Park Eun-bin took on yet another challenging role—this time as Seo Mok-ha, a cheerful and optimistic girl who aspires to be a pop star like her favorite idol Yoon Ran-joo (excellently portrayed by Kim Hyo-jin). Desperate to escape her abusive alcoholic father, a young Mok-ha sets out for Seoul to audition for Ran-joo’s agency, only to encounter a tragic incident that leaves her stranded on a deserted island for 15 years. When she is finally rescued, Mok-ha tries to acclimate to modern society while continuing to chase her dream of becoming a singer. “Castaway Diva” is worth watching for Park’s incredible singing voice alone. She shocked viewers around the world when it was revealed that she actually sang all the songs in the show, proving once again that there is apparently nothing this multi-talented phenom cannot do. – Regina Kim
