The five best K-dramas to watch on Netflix
Out of all the genres of content, K-dramas have a different fan following. That is because there is something magical about a good K-drama that makes you feel that life is worth living. For some, it is the slow-burning romance; some watch it purely for the plot twist, and for the rest, it is the glowing, flawless skin we all aspire to have someday. But hey, whatever works for you. In the end, it is all about the fact that these subgenres started as niche fandoms, and today, they are full-blown global obsessions. And you know Netflix has the best selection of them.
What do K-dramas not offer? They have everything for every mood. Whether you are watching a heartfelt romance curled up in your bed, hugging a pillow, or waiting for a suspense to unfold at 2am while the steam blows out of your cup noodles, the range is unusual.
However, with Netflix dropping new titles every week, it is hard to keep track of what to watch next. And that is where we come in! To save you from doom scrolling on Netflix just to land on a perfect title of your choice, here is a curated list of K-dramas you should watch next.
Whether you are new to the subgenre or deep into the fandom already, these are some top picks to start or continue your addiction. The following list is curated not just based on popularity but a mix of critical acclaim, genre diversity and their overall impact on the K-drama industry.
The five best K-dramas to watch on Netflix
5. Crash Landing on You (Lee Jung-hyo, 2019)
They say love has no boundaries, but what if we say this love story did and it crossed them all? Crash Landing on You has to be one of the most talked about K-drama, not because of its beautiful picturisation, but the unbelievable yet believable plot it has. The story follows a South Korean heiress who crash-lands in North Korea during a paragliding accident. And when we say the premise is totally unrealistic, it does not take long before it turns into an emotionally rich story about love and loyalty.
Apart from the fantastic plot, the show’s leads, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, have done a great job making us believe that something like that is possible (even though it is not). So, if you are looking to watch something that shows the difference between the two Korean countries but with a beautiful love story brewing in the front, this show should be your next pick.
4. Signal (Kim Eun-hee, 2016-)
No one in the world is not intrigued by the concept of time travel. And though we all know it is pure fantasy, deep down, some tiny little part of us believes that it might have happened. If you cannot get enough of films and shows based on this concept, we have the perfect recommendation for you under the K-drama category. Signal is a show where time travel meets crime. It is a show about a detective from 2015 who finds a mysterious walkie-talkie through which he communicates with an officer from 1989. How cool is that?
But it also comes with its consequences because if you mess with the past, differences will be made in the future. Quite loosely based on some real-life events, the show is full of suspense and will make you want to hit pause to take a breath and process everything.
3. Kingdom (Kim Seong-hun, 2019-)
You must have seen historical dramas, and you must have seen shows with zombies, but what if you get a combination of both? And even though it brings together two of the most unrelated concepts, it feels so natural and gripping. It is set during Korea’s Joseon period and is the story of a crown prince who follows the trail of a strange plague that is turning people into monsters.
Imagine a mix of history and crazy political drama, all while zombies invade your land. Well, that is the Kingdom for you!
2. My Mister (Hae-yeong Park, 2018)
Everybody has a variety of friends with whom they bond on different levels. Some might be your childhood friends, some might be the trauma buddies you met at the workplace, and at times, they might be your neighbours. My Mister tells the story of one such duo, Lee Ji-an and Park Dong-hoon, who find comfort in each other’s company even though they come from different backgrounds.
The world of K-dramas is not all sunshine and roses. Some shows show people’s daily hardships and struggles. So, if you are in the mood for something raw, give My Mister a watch.
1. Extraordinary Attorney Woo (Moon Ji-won, 2022)
Some shows make you realise that if you work hard and believe in something, everything is possible. Extraordinary Attorney Woo is one such show that follows the story of a young lawyer who, even though she is on the autism spectrum, is brilliant. By navigating her job at a prestigious law firm, this drama thoughtfully shows the story of a person who struggles with daily conversation even though she possesses a high IQ.
Park Eun-bin portrays Woo Young-woo and has done an exceptional job. This show will make you smile through tears and fall in love with life all over again.