Top 30 Best Korean Dramas of All Time That You Should Watch

Korean Dramas. Photo: KnowInsiders

Every year more than 60 k-dramas are released and watched across the globe. In the past decade, many great shows have been produced that have a huge fan base of their own.

Korean dramas are key in shaping the Hally (Korean wave) trend in fashion, culture, and travel destinations. Korean culture has been spreading worldwide thanks to Korean webtoons, K-pop and K-dramas. The content is great for all audiences as most are G-rated, while at the same time having a very attractive cast.

Top 30 Best Korean Dramas of All Time?

1. Hotel Del Luna

2. While You Were Sleeping

3. Kill Me, Heal Me

4. Crash Landing on You

5. Moon Embracing the Sun

6. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

7. Sungkyunkwan Scandal

8. Scholar Who Walks the Night

9. Itaewon Class

10. The Heirs

11. My Love from Another Star

12. Vincenzo

13. Strong Woman Bong Soon

14. Descendants of the Sun

15. Boys Over Flowers

16. Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022)

17. Weightlifting Fairy Kim BokJoo

18. Reply 1994

19. Prison Playbook (2017)

20. When The Camellia Blooms

21. Healer

22. Pinocchio

23. Gu Family Book

24. Empress Ki

25. Dong Yi

26. Goblin

27. Secret Garden

28. SKY Castle

29. Master of the Mask

30. The K2

*****

Which Are The Best Korean Dramas of All Time?

1. Hotel Del Luna

Photo: Phụ kiện Panda

Located in downtown Seoul, the peculiar Hotel del Luna has existed for several millennia catering to lost souls. Its CEO, Jang Man Wol, is cursed to run the establishment for all of eternity as punishment for a sin she can't remember. The only way to free herself from her penance is to find someone who's committed a crime far worse than hers.

2. While You Were Sleeping

Photo: Hulu

Those that like legal dramas will like While You Were Sleeping. It is a story about the lives of three characters. A restaurant worker, a rookie lawyer, and a police officer. The restaurant worker has been having strange dreams from a young age about future events. Soon she meets the lawyer and police offers and realizes that they all have similar dreams of future events. How are they connected? They must work together to find out the reason for their abilities.

3. Kill Me, Heal Me

Photo: Việt Giải Trí

One of the best Korean dramas of all time that not a lot of people know about is Kill Me, Heal Me. This is a story about a rich businessman who suffers from multiple personality disorders after going through some traumatic events. He goes to a psychiatric resident and asks for her help in treating his mental illness. Think of the movie Split but less dark. Since he has a huge company to run, he needs to be careful to not let his secret come out. The personalities might get a bit distracting but there are plenty of funny moments (one of his personalities is a 17-year old female K-pop fanatic).

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4. Crash Landing on You

Photo: World-Of-Drama-Passion - Skyrock.com

This is a modern spin on Romeo and Juliet. It is about a South Korean billionaire and CEO who meets a North Korean Special Forces Unit Captain when she “crash” lands in North Korea after getting stuck in a hurricane as she was paragliding. There are many twists and turns throughout the drama as they start to fall in love while running away from an evil North Korean officer.

5. Moon Embracing the Sun

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The K-drama is inspired by a novel of the same name by Jung Eun-gwol. The show Best Drama and Best Actor awards in the television category at the 48th Baeksang Arts Awards which is a very prominent award show in South Korea.

Lee Hwon is the crown-prince in the Joseon era and he fell in love with Yeon-woo, a commoner. The Queen Mother secretly orders to kill Yoon-woo but she’s saved by someone who takes her away.

Yoon-woo loses her memory due to all of this and Lee Hwon is forcefully married to someone else. After eight years the fate brings both of them together again, Lee Hwon is now the king, and Yoon-woo becomes a shaman.

6. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

Photo: Vietcetera

If you still have’t recovered from the second lead syndrome in Start-Up, then Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha will make up for it. This rom-com series stars Kim Seon-ho as the lead and Shin Min-a, who is making her return to the rom-com genre.

The story takes place in a beautiful seaside village of Gongjin and follows two different people from two different walks of life. Sophisticated Seoulite, Hye-jin (Shin) arrives at the village and sets up her own dental clinic. There, she means unemployed jack-of-all-trades, Du-sik (Kim) and the two form a back-and-forth, up-and-down yet heartwarming romance.

Besides the charming leads, you will also be introduced to a lot of different characters with their own backstories. Prepare to take in the breathtaking scenery of Gongjin and embrace this healing drama.

7. Sungkyunkwan Scandal

Photo: SoundCloud

Here's a perfect series for period drama newbies! It creates a world that looks like Joseon, but it possesses a fresh, modern sort of feel. The story revolves around one girl who disguises herself as a boy to attend school. As schools in the Joseon era wouldn't accept female students, the brave girl takes the name of her sick brother. He can't attend the prestigious school, so she takes a risk and is eventually allowed to study there.

If you want to know the plot of this compelling story, you should discover it yourself. There's a bunch of funny and serious moments as well as plenty of romance!

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8. Scholar Who Walks the Night

Photo: Next Episode

How do you feel about watching an epic fairy tale? Scholar Who Walks the Night is basically a fusion of historical drama and fiction. The plot of the story centers on a scholar who uncovers the truth about an evil vampire who controls the royal palace. The scholar dedicates his life to finding the mysterious creature in order to free the country and its people from its control. However, such an important task requires the efforts of many. The scholar isn't the only one determined to save the people; a bookseller (who turns out to be a girl) and the crown prince join forces with him in the fight. The scholar eventually himself turns into a vampire by accident. However difficult it may be, he tries to hold onto his human heart.

Give this drama a try if you feel like watching a fantasy historical series. The critics say the series has lots of plot holes, but the magnificence of the story and the cast's excellent acting will certainly make you forgive the flaws.

9. Itaewon Class

Photo: ELLE

This drama depicts the story of an ex convict whose life has been turned upside down when he was expelled during his high school after punching a bully and later on his father is killed in an accident. He follows his father's steps and open a restobar in Itaewon. Together with his manager and staff, they did their best to reach success while battling against a food conglomerate.

10. The Heirs

Photo: Báo Thanh Niên

The Heirs is a popular Kdrama starring Lee Min Ho again with an awesome plot that keeps you excited after each episode. It will make you love, laugh & cry.

Kim Tan is the heir to Empire Group who is in the U.S. He meets Cha Eun Sang who is searching for her older sister. He feels himself falling for her. They reunite at an exclusive high school attended by Korea’s über rich.

11. My Love from Another Star

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“My Love from the Star,” features an ensemble cast starring Kim Soo-hyun, Jun Ji-hyun, Park Hae-jin, and Yoo In-na. This romantic comedy aired on SBS from December 18, 2013, to February 27, 2014, running for 21 episodes.

The story tells the romance of an alien, who arrived on earth 400 years ago in the Joseon Dynasty, and a top actress in the modern era.

This K-drama is quite simple, with perfect acting and an excellent plot. It is hilarious with a mix of heart-fluttering romance on a mysterious and action-filled background.

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12. Vincenzo

Photo: DramaPanda

This is the ultimate Korean underdog story about a lawyer who comes back to South Korea and joins a law firm that takes on a powerful corporation. Vincenzo is a consigliere for the Italian mafia which means he will be involved in a lot of hand-to-hand and even gun combat. However, his true skill is his mind and wit which will come in handy when dealing with some high net worth individuals. Those that like Korean gangster storylines with a hint of comedy will love Vincenzo.

13. Strong Woman Bong Soon

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SWDBS is a romantic comedy drama that includes some bromance. Starring cute Park Bo Young & Park Hyung Sik, this drama is a perfect watch.

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon kdrama

Do Bong Soon is an unemployed but strong woman. She is offered a job as a bodyguard by Ahn Min Hyuk, the handsome and somewhat childish CEO of Ainsoft. There is a serial killer too.

14. Descendants of the Sun

Photo: koreanny.com

It’s already too mainstream to discuss this drama because all Korean drama lovers must be knew, might even bored to discuss it.

As I already said above that I really like the romantic Korean drama which is also interspersed with action, and Descendants of the Sun is one of it.

With romance storyline similar to IRIS, where the lead woman (Song Hye Gyo) quickly accept the love confession from the lead man (Song Joong Ki) at the beginning of the story and began dating, but encountered many obstacles in the middle of the story and had to be in LDR (Long Distance Relationship) or even break up for a long time.

There’s also a love story between Kim Ji Won and Jin Goo which is more lovely compared from the main characters. In fact there are many people who said that the love story between these two (Kim Ji Won and Jin Goo) is better and more thrilling than the love story of the main character who is already mainstream.

15. Boys Over Flowers

Photo: SoundCloud

Boys Over Flowers is a classic & popular drama starring Lee Min Ho & is adapted in many other languages. In this drama, you will get to see friendship, romance & comedy.

Jan Di, a poor girl attends Shin Hwa High. There she is bullied by the leader of F4 (the four richest and most gorgeous boys), Joon Pyo. Joon Pyo becomes interested in Jan Di. But, Jan Di has a crush on Joon Pyo’s best friend, Yoon Ji Hoo.

16. Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022)

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Set in 1998, this coming-of-age drama follows its young characters as they’re forced to deal with the aftermath of the IMF crisis in Korea. At the center of the story are Baek Yi-jin and Na Hee-do, two individuals who fall in love three years after they first meet at the ages of 22 and 18. Now 25 and 21, their worlds collide in unexpected ways.

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17. Weightlifting Fairy Kim BokJoo

Photo: GUU

This South Korean television series starred Lee Sung-kyung and Nam Joo-hyuk in the title role. The show is a coming-of-age sports drama inspired by the life of Olympic gold-medalist Jang Mi-ran. It aired on MBC from November 16, 2016, to January 11, 2017.

“Weightlifting Fairy Kim BokJoo” tells the story of a group of college athletes who are fighting for their dreams in sports, experiencing and finding love in the process, and growing every step of the way.

The series has the sweetest and hilarious campus romance among other K-Dramas. The main female character attracts fans with her amazing and bubbly personality. Her combination with the main male lead creates perfect chemistry giving birth to this must-watch show.

18. Reply 1994

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Alternating between 1994 and 2013, the series follows six university students all residing in one boarding house in Seoul, where they encounter the daughter of the house's owner, Sung Na-Jung. While experiencing various cultural Korean milestones together, including the emergence of the K-Pop boygroup Seo Taiji and Boys, and the Sampoong Department Store collapse, these seven strangers soon learn to treat each other like family.

19. Prison Playbook (2017)

Photo: Emilia's Random Thoughts

A star baseball player's bright future hits a dire snag when he's sentenced to one year in prison after defending his sister from sexual assault. Forced to adapt to a life behind bars, he gets reacquainted with a former baseball player and childhood friend, now turned prison guard.

20. When The Camellia Blooms

Photo: BiluTV

With the highest single-episode rating of 24.03%, The Camellia Blooms became the highest-rated mini-series airing on South Korean televisions in 2019.

Currently, streaming on Netflix the show talks about a single mother- Oh Dong-Baek, who runs a bar named Camellia in a fictional town of Ongsan.

Six years later she is visited by her past lover confessing his love but its too late for him as Dong’s falls for a local police officer Yong-Sik.

A unique combination of romance, comedy, crime, and thrill made this drama gain huge viewership and praise among the critics.

21. Healer

Photo:

This drama is one of the best dramas in 2014-2015 and most recommended by K-drama lovers. I know that you are familiar Ji Chang-Wook as he stars in Empress Ki. Honestly, EK is also a recommended drama if you want to know the other side of Jang-wook. Also, if you like historical dramas, then this is for you.

On the other hand, Park Min Young plays the counterpart of Chang-Wook. I don’t have any doubt on Park’s acting since she is good especially on her latest drama A New Leaf. Although it didn't receive high ratings, it is one of my favorite legal dramas.

Healer is an action-romance-thriller drama that would surely satisfy your hungry imaginations. This is an absolutely fantastic drama of the year that is filled with thrills in every episode. Furthermore, the chemistry between the leads is not cheesy but heart-warming that will make you believe that they might be in a real relationship.

22. Pinocchio

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This is a story about a man who becomes a reporter to expose the industry as being corrupt and a girl who has Pinocchio Syndrome. Pinocchio Syndrome makes it impossible for her to lie without having the hiccups. She is also a reporter and the two end up becoming friends and more.

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23. My Girlfriend is a Gumiho

Photo: IMDb

“My Girlfriend is a Gumiho” is a 2010 South Korean romantic comedy television series which aired from August 11 to September 30, 2010, on SBS. The 16-episode series featured Lee Seung-gi and Shin min-ah as its main lead.

It is a hilarious yet touching love story of a man that falls for a Gumiho (nine-tailed fox). The lead male character released a Gumiho who he fears would hurt him, but then both of them started to have feelings for each other. The television show captivated fans with its exciting and catchy theme.

24. Empress Ki

Photo: Campus Connection

Empress Ki is a highly romanticized period drama that is loosely based on real historical events. The main character, Seung Nyang, was originally a slave in Goryeo. Pretending to be a man so she wouldn't be forced to go to China to serve the emperor, she grew up to become a strong woman and one of the activists who saved girls from being sent away as tributes. She soon falls in love with the King of Goryeo, as well as with a prince from Mongolia, the next emperor of China.

Empress Ki became an international hit. It was second-highest rated Korean drama after Jewel in the Palace.This historical series will certainly give you the urge to marathon it!

25. Dong Yi

Photo: subnhanhz

This historical K-drama is set in the late period of Joseon kings and tells the story of Dong Yi, who comes from the lowest class. She is a slave who becomes a top ranking concubine. Despite her dark past full of challenges, she manages to become the best person she can be. This is another long drama on the list, but you will certainly enjoy the playful chemistry between the two lead characters!

26. Goblin

Photo: VTV.vn

Goblin is about a modern-day goblin who no longer wants to live as an immortal. In order to stop being immortal, he needs to marry a human. He soon encounters a grim reaper who is unable to remember his past. After the goblin meets his bride, he realizes he wants to live and be with her. The stories span centuries and do a great job of creating complete mythologies around each character.

27. Secret Garden

Photo: This You Need

The story is about a rich boy (CEO) that falls in love with a poor girl (Stunt woman). The CEO is very arrogant and lives the perfect life but has short-term memory loss. The Stunt woman has no surviving family as both her parents have died. They meet accidentally and the CEO ends up falling for her. They later end up getting lost in a forest where they stumble upon a restaurant called Secret Garden where they end up drinking magical alcohol which makes them switch bodies.

28. SKY Castle

Photo: Creatrip

Sky Castle sits at the top of Highest rated Korean Drama in Cabel television with a 23.779% nationwide rating.

This satirical drama orbits around 4 wealthy families who live in SKY Castle. The parents being highly possessive about their children’s education they try to provide the best resources available for their education so they can be admitted to esteemed universities.

Although the show focuses on the wealthies the sensitive issues are highlighted smoothly making the drama relevant for all.

29. Master of the Mask

Photo: Kdrama Memories

Set in 18th century Joseon, Ruler: Master of the Mask tells the fictional story of a prince who has no choice but to wear a mask to hide his face from the Pyunsoo Group, the powerful hidden organization. The secret group tries to gain control over the country by privatizing Joseon's water. Obviously, it's forbidden for the prince to go far away from the palace, so he can't witness the life outside the walls. However, he takes a risk and manages to escape to the outside world. There he meets a woman he falls in love with, but under a disguise. Things get complicated as the shadow organization pressures the prince to execute the father of the woman he loves.

30. The K2

Photo: Tin tức

Far from your typical love story, this very drama provide political twist and the polemic behind every political reason. My salute to Yoona who perfectly captivated me with her acting as she portrayed the panic disorder side perfectly on this series. Ji Chang Wook ? He is as usual stunning. What I love is the story is strangely good *I hate politics* and the cast did their best to fulfilled the task that they need to do to create smooth flow for the story. The complexity is fruitful in the end because the path is clear for every character.

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