The 30 Best Korean Dramas On Netflix

Wondering what the best Korean dramas on Netflix are? With so many to choose from, how are you supposed to know where to start?

That's where this post comes in. I've handpicked the 30 best Korean dramas on Netflix for your viewing pleasure.

Whether you’re feeling more Crash Landing on You or Healer, you’ll find something new to watch in this post!

A Bit About Korean Dramas On Netflix

K-dramas are another force in the globalisation of Korean popular culture, getting fans around the world hooked on slow-burn romances and dramatic plotlines.

Some of the most well-known K-dramas are romances. But if that’s not what you’re into, K-dramas are diverse, and you can dive into historical or action K-dramas instead.

There’s no need to fiddle around with subtitle files anymore or frantically search for websites to watch K-dramas, as many of them are now available fully subtitled on Netflix. One thing is for sure, regardless of what you choose to watch, expect drama!

K-dramas first expanded outside of Korean borders around the early 1990s as they became big in China and Japan. It was actually a K-drama – Winter Sonata – that was seen to be one of the first examples of the Korean Wave, due to the unprecedented popularity of the male lead with Japanese housewives.

Fair warning, you’ll be seeing a lot of delicious food in K-dramas, so I recommend you get your hands on some chimaek (Korean fried chicken and beer).

You’ll definitely be craving it if you’re watching My Love from the Star, as it actually so popular it started a chimaek craze in Korea and China when the show was airing!

Anyway, without further ado, here are the best Korean dramas on Netflix.

Best Korean Dramas On Netflix: Romantic Dramas

1. Crash Landing on You

This 2019 romantic drama stars famous actors Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin as lovers who connect despite the differences between North and South Korea.

After release, Crash Landing on You endeared itself to viewers with its story of romance between Yoon Se-ri, who crashes into North Korean territory whilst paragliding, and Ri Jeong-hyeok, a local.

This is an unmissable drama and you’ll be hard pressed to find a K-drama recommendations list without it.

2. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

Much like the name of this series might suggest, this is a heart-warming romantic drama that discusses mental health.

Of course, you can expect some K-drama twists, turns, and mystery (as you go through this list, you’ll certainly start to realise why they’re called dramas).

3. Twenty-Five Twenty-One

Broadcast in 2022, this coming-of-age romantic drama endeared itself to viewers with its sensitive handling of themes such as youth, not giving up on your dreams, and cultural and societal changes throughout the times.

The drama occurs in the midst of the Asian financial crisis, with South Korea being one of the most affected countries. Hee-do and Baek Yi-jin’s experiences during a troubled time in Korea’s contemporary history has made this a hit with both domestic and global fans.

4. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

When it comes to K-dramas, the sheer domestic and international success of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha often goes understated.

The show is popular for good reason, with sharp humour, a strong romance plotline, and the charming backdrop of the seaside village of Gongjin.

If you fancy a romantic comedy between two opposites (a perfectionist dentist escaping Seoul with a local handy man), this’ll be right up your street.

5. Business Proposal

This 2022 K-drama starts off a little awkwardly. Blind dates are common in Korea, and are usually arranged through a third party.

Well, imagine if the person you ended up going on a blind date with… turned out to be your boss. This a romantic comedy that’ll definitely lift your spirits.

6. One Spring Night

This 2019 drama revolves around the budding yet complicated relationship between librarian Lee Jeong-in and pharmacist and single father Yoo Ji-ho.

This is a romantic yet tense drama, and has been praised for its more realistic approach to romances which oscillates between melodrama and slice of life.

7. My Love from the Star

Remember how I mentioned chimaek in the introduction to this article? Well, this is the K-drama that started the whole craze.

Written by Park Ji-eun, the same mastermind behind Crash Landing on You, My Love from the Star was an enormous hit when it came out in 2013.

The unconventional romance between alien Min-joo and actress Song-yi inspiring millions of fans around the world to start eating friend chicken (you’ll see why).

Korean Dramas On Netflix: Thrillers

8. Squid Game

With biting social commentary underpinning a dystopian plotline revolving around a show involving contestants with financial hardship looking to win money, Squid Game broke numerous streaming records and won many awards.

What made Squid Game’s plots and twists so gripping is the contest involves the contestants playing popular Korean children’s games, with very serious circumstances for failure. Squid Game will have you biting your nails!

9. The Glory

This is a juicy revenge-based psychological thriller that was made for Netflix in 2022.

Bullied at school, Dong-eun enacts a thrilling plan of revenge after becoming an elementary school teacher at the school of her lead bully’s child.

The Glory has excellent cinematography and a plot that will keep you gripped.

10. Mask Girl

If you’re wanting to be at the edge of your seat, then the suspense in this 2023 offering starring former After School member Nana will have you gripped!

Kim Mo-mi is your standard office worker during the day, but at night, she is a camgirl who hides her appearance with a mask. This one is definitely not easy watching, and touches on some difficult themes.

Korean Dramas On Netflix: High School/University Drama

11. Boys Over Flowers

Take yourself all the way back to 2009, and you’ll find an absolute classic K-drama in Boys Over Flowers.

Adapted from Yoko Kamio’s 1992 manga of the same name, it tells the tale of Jan-di, the daughter of a dry cleaner, and the trials and tribulations as she gets in with an elite group of male students at a very prestigious school.

With Lee Min-ho playing the male lead, it won’t be long before you realise why this one’s a classic!

12. Inheritors

This 2013 K-drama (also known as The Heirs) is a slick teenage drama revolving around the lives of extremely wealthy high school students.

The show boasted plenty of stars in the cast (including a lot of K-pop stars) and this helped it become popular in countries like Japan and China. 

13. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo

This 2016 drama centres around Kim Bok-joo, a young woman who is chasing her dream of becoming a weightlifter. Bok-joo is ambitious and attends a university specialised in athletics.

This K-drama wasn’t a runaway hit, especially if viewing ratings are anything to go by, but it was very popular with the younger generation.

Best Korean Dramas On Netflix: Historical

14. Mr. Queen

The plot of this drama definitely matches the title.

Oscillating between the modern day and the Joseon dynasty, Mr. Queen’s main character is free-spirited chef Jang Bong-hwan, who suddenly finds himself in the body of Joseon dynasty queen consort Queen Cheorin.

With a blend of fantasy, romcom, and historical drama, you’ll certainly be well entertained watching this one.

15. Mr. Sunshine

Fancy learning a bit more about Korea’s history? This 2018 drama is set against the backdrop of Korea’s fight for independence against Japan.

It tells the tale of Eugene Choi, who with the help of a Christian missionary, escapes difficult conditions in Joseon Korea and flees to the USA.

Choi later returns as a member of the US military, and becomes embroiled in conflict between Korea’s fight for freedom from Japan and his position as a member of the military.

16. Under the Queen’s Umbrella

Historical dramas are huge in Korea, and this 2022 K-drama is another that takes place in the Joseon dynasty.

The Joseon dynasty was hugely important in Korean history, and K-dramas can be a helpful (yet fictional) way of familiarising yourself.

Queen Im Hwa-ryeong is elegant and conducts herself with dignity, but finds herself having to embark on a journey to stop her mischievous sons from being troublemakers and become virtuous princes.

Best Korean Dramas On Netflix: Hospital Drama

17. Hospital Playlist

No K-drama recommendation list would be complete without a hospital drama! This is the story of five doctors who first became friends in medical school and all work in different departments in the hospital.

Despite the difficulties of working in such a demanding environment, the friends’ bond over their love of music. This is a beloved, light-hearted, and emotional drama where the bond between the five friends is a pleasure to watch.

18. Descendants of the Sun

This is another massively acclaimed military-hospital-romance drama in the vein of Crash Landing on You.

Airing in 2016, lead actors Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo were elevated to superstardom following the immense popularity of the show, especially in neighbouring countries.

When captain Yoo Si-jin falls in love with doctor Kang Mo-yeon in a hospital, sparks fly, but reality soon sets in, as Si-jin is often called to take care of military duties. This one is definitely a must watch.

Best Korean Dramas On Netflix: Crime/Legal Drama

19. Signal

Airing in 2016, Signal is a criminal drama with a particularly unique approach, taking inspiration from real-life crime cases.

Back in 2015, Park Hae-young, a criminal profiler, comes across a walkie talkie. On the other end of the walkie talkie is Detective Jae-han, who speaks to Hae-young from the past and helps him solve unsolved cold cases. 

20. Stranger

This drama was broadcast in 2017, and hasn’t stopped being worth watching since. This gripping crime drama gained critical acclaim for its plot, suspense, and mystery.

Hwang Si-Mok is a prosecutor who has a sharp mind and strong logical skills, but lacks empathy and social skills. This is a show that is heavy on dialogue, and takes an extremely interesting and unique approach to K-dramas. This one is highly recommended viewing.

21. Extraordinary Attorney Woo

This 2022 K-drama starring Park Eun-bin tells the story of fresh attorney Woo Young-woo. Different from your usual legal drama, Woo is autistic, and initially she struggles to find a job at a legal firm.

Once she gets hired by a big firm in Seoul, her sharp memory and high intelligence make her a hit. Whether you’re a big fan of legal dramas or not, this drama was a massive hit in Korea and is an excellent watch.

Best Korean Dramas On Netflix: Horror

22. All of Us Are Dead

One for the horror and zombie lovers, this 2022 drama centres around a group of high school students who find themselves having to face something a little more complicated than homework… a zombie apocalypse.

The students have to think on their feet to survive, and be warned, things can get a bit gnarly in this K-drama.

23. Kingdom

Another historical entry on this list, but with a little twist. Lee Chang is the Crown Prince in Joseon era Korea who is trying to found out more about an illness the King is suffering from.

Before long things get complicated for Lee Chang, as the mystery illness happens to be a zombie epidemic, which he has to deal with as well as keep away political enemies from the throne. This 2019 horror drama was Netflix’s first original entry into the K-drama world.

Best Korean Dramas On Netflix: Drama

24. Itaewon Class

Itaewon is a famous neighbourhood in Seoul known for its bars, multiculturality, and for being the main LGBT area in the city.

Itaewon Class gives you the opportunity to see the neighbourhood up close without having to leave the comfort of your house, and tells the complex and dramatic story of Sae-ro-yi.

He opens a bar-restaurant with the help of Jo Yi-seo after being jailed for attempting to avenge his father’s death in an accident.

25. Move to Heaven

This 2021 original Netflix series follows the lives of Geu-ru and his uncle Sang-gu who has just been released from jail and is entrusted with the guardianship of Geu-ru following the death of his father.

Geu-ru is autistic, and works for a trauma cleaning company called ‘Move to Heaven’. Sang-gu joins Geu-ru at the company and they begin a process of learning more about each other.

Best Korean Dramas On Netflix: Slice Of Life

26. My Liberation Notes

First airing in 2022, this drama features three siblings who work in Seoul, yet make a long journey every weekend to help their parents.

Whilst there, they meet a mysterious stranger who nobody knows anything about. This is certainly on the more mysterious and contemplative end of the K-drama spectrum, and offers a very different experience from some of the others on the list. 

27. Reply 1988

Airing in 2015, Reply 1988 was the third K-drama in the Reply series that follows the protagonists (usually a group of friends) back and forth between their past and present selves.

The Reply series was hugely successful, with a simple slice of life plotline and moving character stories.  

Best Korean Dramas On Netflix: Fantasy

28. Alchemy of Souls 

This 2022 K-drama is set in the fictional land of Daeho, and brings a little bit of magic to the world of K-dramas.

Alchemy of Souls is about mages with intertwined fates due to the concept of soul shifting. It follows the trials and tribulations of Jang Uk and Mudeok as they take you through a journey of magic, plot twists, and a unique universe. 

29. Hotel Del Luna

Written by the same Hong Sisters that wrote Alchemy of Souls, you’re guaranteed another similar fantastical ride in Hotel Del Luna.

This is a drama about a hotel, but not just any hotel. Hotel del Luna is a supernatural hotel that can't be seen for what it is during the daytime.

Both the visitors and the staff at the hotel are ghosts, and many of the staff stay working there as they still have unfinished business.

This is a funny and unique K-drama and the dynamics between the extravagant Man-wol and the rational Chan-sung will have you wanting more.

30. Secret Garden

This is another blast from the past, originally airing back in 2010.

In what is an unlikely match up that could only occur in a K-drama, this drama revolves around stuntwoman Ra-im and the CEO of a prestigious department store, Joo-won.

Ra-im is tough and lonely, and Joo-won is arrogant, making things complicated enough for the two leads. However, things get even more complicated, as they start experiencing body swaps.

FAQs About Korean Dramas On Netflix

The Best Korean Dramas On Netflix

So there you have it – the 30 best Korean dramas on Netflix. I hope you've found some Korean dramas to add to your playlist.

Looking for more Korean content to watch? Check out my post about Korean movies on Netflix or this one about the best Korean TV shows for Korean learners.

Happy viewing!

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.