The world of Korean dramas is a mystique and wonderful place. The South Korean entertainment industry is gradually gaining global clout as K-pop, Korean films such as Parasite and Minari, and Korean television series take the world by storm. The term Korean drama, or Kdrama, refers to almost any fictional television series in South Korea, regardless of subject or genre. This includes everything from comedy to romance to sci-fi to horror. Read on to know the best of K-dramas on Netflix.
The majority of these TV shows are based on webcomics, a type of storytelling similar to comic books that originated in South Korea. Fair warning: almost all Korean dramas have ridiculous plots, but that’s what makes them so good. All you have to do is learn to accept the strange and unexpected and enjoy the ride. Netflix has recently become the go-to source for the best Kdrama offerings for international audiences. Here are the best Korean dramas available to watch on Netflix, both original and not, to help you dive headfirst into this new and expanding area of television.
Best K-dramas on Netflix:
5. The Silent Sea:
Year of release: 2021
IMDB rating: 6.9/10
Director: Choi Hang-Yong
Cast: Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, Lee Joon, Kim Sun-young, Kim Si-a, Lee Moo-Saeng
Storyline: The Silent Sea is a sci-fi horror series set in space that follows a crew as they investigate an abandoned research facility where a tragedy occurred.
4. Nevertheless:
Year of release: 2021
IMDB rating: 7.1/10
Directed by: Kim Ga-ram
Cast: Han So-hee, Song Kang, Cheska Aguiluz, Yang Hye-Ji
Storyline: Following a difficult breakup, art student Yu Na-Bi (Han So-hee) has become a cynic who no longer believes in love. But when she meets the seductive Park Jae-eon (Song Kang), she can’t help but fall for his magnetic pull and flirtatious charm.
3. A Time Called You:
Year of release: 2023
IMDB rating: 7.8/10
Created By: Kim Jin-won, Choi Hyo-bi
Cast: Ahn Hyo-Seop, Jeon Yeo-been, Kang Hoon
Storyline: Based on the Taiwanese television series Someday or One Day, A Time Called You follows the bereaved Jun-hee (Jeon Yeo-been), who is transported back in time to 1998 and meets a man who uncannily resembles her deceased boyfriend.
2. Business Proposal:
Year of release: 2021
IMDB rating: 8.1/10
Director: Park Seon-ho
Cast: Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong, Kim Min-kyu, Seol In-ah
Storyline: Despite having other interests, Shin Ha-ri’s best friend Jin Young-seo (Seol In-ah) convinces her to accompany her on a blind date with Kang Tae-mu.
1. Under the Queen’s Umbrella:
Year of release: 2022
IMDB rating: 8.5/10
Directed by: Kim Hyung-sik
Cast: Kim Hye-soo, Kim Hae-sook, Choi Won-young
Storyline: A juicy historical drama about a group of people vying for the throne. Hwa Ryeong (Kim Hye-soo) is the main character in our story, a fiery queen attempting to groom her sons into young men worthy of the throne.