by Rita Johnson
Korean dramas are taking the world by storm! These shows, also called K-dramas, often combine comedy, romance, and adventure into one amazing plotline that typically unfolds over 16 one-hour episodes. If you’re in need of a new show to watch or your watch list is looking a little empty, look no further! Here are 10 Korean dramas that you should watch:
Start-Up
Year: 2020
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Where to watch: Netflix
When Seo Dal Mi (Bae Suzy) quits her job to follow her dream of running her own company, she quickly realizes that it may be harder than it seems. Despite the challenges, Dal Mi’s passion leads her to Sandbox, a place that helps startup companies find investors and provides them with the tools to succeed. Forming a team with a struggling startup company, Dal Mi and her teammates, Nam Do San (Nam Joo Hyuk), Lee Chul San (Yoo Su Bin), Kim Yong San (Kim Do Wan), and Jeong Sa Ha (Stephanie Lee), fight to keep their company alive in a cutthroat business world.
The K2
Year: 2016
IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Where to watch: Netflix, Viki
This drama is sure to have you on the edge of your seat! When solider Kim Je Ha (Ji Chang Wook) is wrongly blamed for the murder of a young woman in Iraq, he begins to live his life as a fugitive. Soon, Je Ha gets tangled up with presidential candidate Jang Se Joon’s (Jo Sung Ha) private business, and he’s offered a position as a bodyguard with the promise that he can clear his name to keep him quiet. After being assigned to guard Se Joon’s daughter, Go An Na (Im Yoon Ah), Je Ha becomes conflicted about doing his job after learning dark, family secrets. Will Je Ha be able to protect An Na and clear his name?
Vincenzo
Year: 2021
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
Where to watch: Netflix
TW: Violence, Gore
Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong Ki) is a consigliere for the Italian mafia who isn’t afraid of anything. When his boss dies, and the mafia comes after him, Vincenzo heads to South Korea in search of gold that is buried in the basement of a building he owns. One small problem: one of the largest companies in South Korea, Bable Group, run by Jang Han Seo (Kwak Dong Yeon), has illegally possessed the building. With the help of the building’s tenants and lawyer Hong Cha Young (Jeon Yeo Been), Vincenzo fights to claim what’s his. This wildly popular K-drama will quickly become one of your favorite TV shows!
Search: WWW
Year: 2019
IMDb rating: 7.9/10
Where to watch: Viki
When Bae Ta Mi (Im Soo Jung) gets fired for her company’s wrongdoing, she scrambles for a new job. Ta Mi soon joins Barro, a portal company, and vows to make her previous company pay for firing her. With a brilliant team of people, Ta Mi’s fight to get Barro to become the #1 portal company is difficult. Add tense relationships with ex-friends, love interests, and government scandals into the mix, and you’ve got yourself an amazing Korean drama.
The Light in Your Eyes
Year: 2019
IMDb: 8.1/10
Where to watch: Viki
Kim Hye Ja (Han Ji Min) has a watch that can turn back time, but every time she uses it, she grows older. When Hye Ja uses the watch to prevent an accident, she suddenly becomes an old woman. Her dream of dating Lee Joon Ha (Nam Joo Hyuk) and growing old with her best friends, Oh Hyun Joo (Kim Ga Eun) and Yoon Sang Eun (Song Sang Eun), are crushed. As she tries to adjust to the fact that she’s no longer in her 20s, she’s forced to realize how older people are treated by their families and by society. With a twist at the end of the drama, you won’t be expecting, be sure to keep a box of tissues close by while watching this show!
Itaewon Class
Year: 2020
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Where to watch: Netflix
Another popular K-drama and for all the right reasons! Park Sae Ro Yi (Park Seo Joon) has been trying to get his life back on track after the death of his father, Park Sung Yeol (Son Hyun Joo), and spending time in prison. Sae Ro Yi vows to bring down Jangga Company, run by Chairman Jang Dae Hee (Yoo Jae Myung), as punishment for letting Chairman Jang’s son, Jang Geun Won (Ahn Bo Hyun), ruin his life. Sae Ro Yi forms a dream team with Jo Yi Seo (Kim Da Mi), Jang Geun Soo (Kim Dong Hee), Choi Seung Kwon (Ryu Kyung Soo), Ma Hyeon Yi (Lee Joo Young), and Kim To Ni (Chris Lyon) to help run his pub, DanBam. This drama is one you won’t want to skip!
Descendants of the Sun
Year: 2016
IMDb rating: 8.3 rating
Where to watch: Hulu, Viki
Captain Yoo Shi Jin (Song Joong Ki) of the Special Forces is used to completing his missions knowing that there’s a possibility he might not return. When he’s deployed to the country of Uruk with the rest of his unit, including his best friend Seo Dae Young (Jin Goo), he meets Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo), a doctor who’s been stationed on the base in Uruk. As the two grow close, they are faced with the dangers of a country at war. Arguably one of the best Korean dramas of all time, “Descendants of the Sun” will take you on an adventure of romance and friendship.
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim
Year: 2018
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Where to watch: Hulu, Viki
If you’re looking for a K-drama that combines comedy, romance, and the awkwardness of relationships, then this is the perfect show for you! Lee Young Joon (Park Seo Joon) is a narcissist who lets his role as vice-chairman of his family’s corporation go to his head. Young Joon lives each day with his secretary Kim Mi So (Park Min Young) by his side. She’s ready for his every call, even if it’s the middle of the night. When Mi So suddenly decides to quit her job, Young Joon does everything in his power to stop her, even going so far as to propose marriage. Will Mi So quit, or will Young Joon get to keep his beloved secretary by his side?
Something In The Rain
Year: 2018
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Where to watch: Netflix
After working abroad for several years, Seo Joon Hee (Jung Hae In) returns to Korea. When he reconnects with his sister’s best friend, Yoon Jin Ah (Son Ye Jin), his romantic feelings for her are reignited. Jin Ah reciprocates the feelings, and everything seems to go well until it doesn’t. Caught in the middle of views on age differences between couples, Jin Ah and Joon Hee try to navigate their relationship while facing disapproval from their friends and family. Savor the sweet moments and the ups-and-downs of relationships with Jin Ah and Joon Hee in this Korean drama!
Crash Landing On You
Year: 2019
IMDb rating: 8.7/10
Where to watch: Netflix
When a paragliding accident causes Yoon Se Ri (Son Ye Jin) to land in North Korea, she has to figure out how to get back to South Korea. North Korean military Captain Ri Jeong Hyeok (Hyun Bin) hides Se Ri at his house under the disguise that she’s his fiancée. With the help of his soldiers, Pyo Chi Su (Yang Kyung Won), Park Kwang Beom (Lee Shin Young), Kim Ju Meok (Yoo Su Bin), and Geum Eun Dong (Tang Joon Sang), Captain Ri formulates a plan to get Se Ri home safely. As the possibility of getting home dwindles for Se Ri, Captain Ri fights against other military officers to protect his family, his friends, and Se Ri. This romantic drama will quickly become of the best shows you’ve ever watched!