Best K-Dramas of All Time

K-dramas span sweeping historical epics, tightly plotted thrillers, heartfelt slice-of-life stories, and genre-bending fantasy—often within the same series. This list gathers standouts across eras, networks, and genres, so you can pick what fits your mood and still experience the range that makes Korean television distinctive.

Each entry includes a brief, fact-forward snapshot so you know what it’s about, who’s in it, and where it originally aired or now streams. Titles are written exactly as they’re known in English distribution, and where a series is better known by an alternate English title, that’s noted in the description.

‘Crash Landing on You’ (2019–2020)

This romance follows a South Korean chaebol heiress who accidentally paraglides across the DMZ and lands in North Korea, where an army officer hides and protects her. It stars Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin and originally aired on tvN, with global streaming on Netflix.

Created by Park Ji-eun and directed by Lee Jung-hyo, the series balances cross-border espionage elements with everyday village life. Filming included international locations such as Switzerland used for pivotal sequences.

‘Goblin’ (2016–2017)

Also known as ‘Goblin’, this fantasy centers on an immortal protector seeking to end his curse and the human bride destined to help him. Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, and Yoo In-na lead the cast, and it aired on tvN.

Writer Kim Eun-sook blends folklore with contemporary urban settings, while production is noted for coastal vistas and city backdrops. The soundtrack pairs orchestral themes with indie ballads tied to key episodes.

‘Reply 1988’ (2015–2016)

Set in a Seoul neighborhood, this ensemble family drama follows five friends and their households through school, work, and community rituals. It stars Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Ryu Jun-yeol, Go Kyung-pyo, and Lee Dong-hwi, airing on tvN.

Directed by Shin Won-ho and written by Lee Woo-jung, it uses period details and curated pop tracks to anchor each episode. The ‘Reply’ anthology format mixes mock-documentary framing with coming-of-age storytelling.

‘Mr. Sunshine’ (2018)

Set around the waning Joseon era and rising imperial interventions, this series follows a Korean-born U.S. Marine who returns to his homeland and becomes entangled with resistance fighters. Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Byun Yo-han star, and it aired on tvN with global streaming.

Created by Kim Eun-sook and directed by Lee Eung-bok, it integrates large-scale sets with historical costuming and multilingual dialogue. The production features extensive location work in Korea and carefully staged action sequences.

‘My Mister’ (2018)

This human drama pairs a struggling young woman with a middle-aged engineer who is dealing with family and workplace burdens, exploring how the two support each other. It stars Lee Sun-kyun and IU and aired on tvN.

Directed by Kim Won-seok and written by Park Hae-young, the series is known for quiet, character-driven scenes and careful sound design. Its supporting cast portrays three brothers and a web of colleagues and neighbors.

‘Signal’ (2016)

This procedural thriller connects detectives across time through a mysterious walkie-talkie that transmits between a profiler in the present and a cop in the past. It stars Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, and Cho Jin-woong and aired on tvN.

Inspired by real cold cases, the show weaves multiple timelines to re-examine unsolved crimes. Direction emphasizes grounded police work, with cases spanning abductions, serial assaults, and institutional cover-ups.

‘Descendants of the Sun’ (2016)

A special forces captain and a volunteer surgeon meet and reconnect while deployed to a disaster-stricken, fictional country. Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo star, and it aired on KBS2.

Co-written by Kim Eun-sook and Kim Won-seok (screenwriter) and directed by Lee Eung-bok, the series blends military operations, medical crises, and diplomatic tensions. Overseas filming used built sets to depict a Balkan-inspired environment.

‘Kingdom’ (2019–2020)

This period thriller merges palace intrigue with a fast-moving plague that reanimates the dead during the Joseon era. Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doona, and Ryu Seung-ryong lead the cast, released globally as a Netflix original.

Adapted from the webcomic ‘The Kingdom of the Gods’ by Kim Eun-hee and Yang Kyung-il, it features precise choreography and practical effects. Cinematography emphasizes natural light, night sequences, and large-scale crowd movement.

‘SKY Castle’ (2018–2019)

Centered on an elite housing community, this satire-tinged drama examines high-pressure education, private tutoring, and status anxiety among affluent families. It stars Yum Jung-ah, Lee Tae-ran, Yoon Se-ah, Oh Na-ra, and Kim Seo-hyung and aired on JTBC.

Created by Yoo Hyun-mi and directed by Jo Hyun-tak, it maps how parental decisions ripple across students and schools. The show’s structure interlocks family arcs with investigations into admissions corruption.

‘Hospital Playlist’ (2020–2021)

This medical slice-of-life follows five doctors who have been friends since medical school as they juggle surgeries, teaching, and band practice. Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, and Jeon Mi-do star, airing on tvN and streaming globally.

From director Shin Won-ho and writer Lee Woo-jung, it mixes case-of-the-week plots with long-form character development. The cast performs covers as an in-universe band, with official releases tied to episodes.

‘The Glory’ (2022–2023)

This revenge drama follows a former bullying victim who methodically infiltrates the lives of her wealthy abusers as an adult. Song Hye-kyo leads the cast with Lim Ji-yeon and Lee Do-hyun, released as a Netflix original.

Written by Kim Eun-sook and directed by Ahn Gil-ho, it uses a dual-timeline approach to track planning and fallout. The narrative details legal, social, and occupational leverage used to confront past crimes.

‘Vincenzo’ (2021)

A Korean-Italian consigliere returns to Seoul and clashes with a corrupt conglomerate while pursuing a hidden fortune under a commercial building. Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-been, and Ok Taec-yeon star, airing on tvN and streaming globally.

Directed by Kim Hee-won and written by Park Jae-beom, it mixes legal maneuvering with elaborate cons and action set pieces. The show incorporates multilingual dialogue and European-set prologues.

‘Itaewon Class’ (2020)

After an injustice derails his youth, a determined entrepreneur opens a bar-restaurant in Itaewon and builds a team to take on a powerful rival. Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi, and Yoo Jae-myung star, airing on JTBC and streaming globally.

Adapted from the webtoon of the same name, it depicts small-business operations, franchising battles, and branding strategy. The drama also explores workplace inclusion through its diverse staff.

‘My Love From Another Star’ (2013–2014)

An alien living among humans as a professor grows close to a top actress while preparing to leave Earth. Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun star, airing on SBS.

The series blends science-fiction elements with entertainment-industry storylines and campus life. Fashion choices and product placements were integrated into promotional tie-ins across Asia.

‘Prison Playbook’ (2017–2018)

A star pitcher lands in prison after an accident and learns to navigate inmates, guards, and prison hierarchy. Park Hae-soo and Jung Kyung-ho lead the ensemble, airing on tvN.

From the ‘Reply’ creative team, it uses episodic arcs to explore rehabilitation, contraband, and institutional routines. The show balances inmate backstories with staff perspectives inside a single facility.

‘Incomplete Life’ (2014)

Based on a popular webtoon, this office drama follows a former baduk prodigy who enters a trading company as an intern. Im Si-wan stars alongside Lee Sung-min and Kang So-ra, airing on tvN.

It examines contracts, presentations, and team dynamics across departments such as sales and resource procurement. Location shoots include real office districts and international business trips.

‘The Great Queen Seondeok’ (2009)

This historical epic traces the rise of the Silla queen and her political and military strategies amid court rivalries. Lee Yo-won, Go Hyun-jung, and Uhm Tae-woong star, airing on MBC.

The production features large-scale palace sets, battlefield sequences, and recurring council scenes. It integrates historical records with dramatized character arcs.

‘Jewel in the Palace’ (2003–2004)

Also known as ‘Jewel in the Palace’, this series follows a palace cook who trains in medicine and serves the royal court. Lee Young-ae and Ji Jin-hee star, airing on MBC.

The show showcases royal cuisine, medical procedures, and artisan crafts through episodic challenges. It spurred culinary tourism tied to filming sites and featured recipes reproduced in companion media.

‘The World of the Married’ (2020)

Adapted from a British source, this drama tracks a physician whose marriage unravels and sets off legal and social conflicts. Kim Hee-ae, Park Hae-joon, and Han So-hee star, airing on JTBC.

The series maps divorce proceedings, custody issues, and professional repercussions within a small community. It uses clinic and neighborhood settings to depict intertwined relationships.

‘Hotel del Luna’ (2019)

A mysterious hotel caters to spirits with unresolved business, overseen by a centuries-old owner and a newly recruited human manager. IU and Yeo Jin-goo star, airing on tvN.

Created by the Hong sisters, it features rotating guest cases and lavish themed rooms tied to specific hauntings. Production highlights include costume design and visual effects for supernatural transitions.

‘All of Us Are Dead’ (2022)

A sudden outbreak traps students inside a high school, forcing ad-hoc survival strategies as authorities respond. Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, and Cho Yi-hyun lead the cast, released as a Netflix original.

Adapted from a webtoon, it structures episodes around classroom escapes, rooftop holds, and quarantine zones. Practical gore effects and stunt choreography support close-quarters action.

‘Move to Heaven’ (2021)

This human drama follows a trauma-cleaning business run by a young man on the autism spectrum and his guardian. Tang Jun-sang and Lee Je-hoon star, released on Netflix.

Each episode centers on a client’s belongings and the process of cataloging, cleaning, and contacting next of kin. The series integrates procedural details of biohazard cleaning with family law and custody threads.

‘Reply 1997’ (2012)

Set in Busan, this ‘Reply’ entry focuses on a friend group and the early fan-culture scene around idol groups. Jung Eun-ji and Seo In-guk star, airing on tvN.

The narrative alternates between school-age days and a reunion framing device. Regional dialect, local food, and radio broadcasting are woven into the setting.

‘Reply 1994’ (2013–2014)

Centered on a boarding house in Seoul, this entry brings together students from different provinces adjusting to city life. Go Ara, Jung Woo, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Kim Sung-kyun star, airing on tvN.

Sports culture, early internet forums, and campus rituals form recurring backdrops. The production uses flash-forward teasers to conceal a central relationship reveal.

‘Healer’ (2014–2015)

A night courier with exceptional skills, a reporter, and a star anchor become entangled in a decades-old incident. Ji Chang-wook, Park Min-young, and Yoo Ji-tae star, airing on KBS2.

The series blends investigative journalism with covert operations and parkour-style chases. It features a hacker sidekick dynamic and newsroom politics.

‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ (2020)

A psychiatric caregiver and a children’s book author with antisocial traits confront trauma through unlikely companionship. Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, and Oh Jung-se star, airing on tvN and streaming globally.

The series incorporates fairy-tale motifs, animated storybooks, and therapeutic sessions. Production design features a distinctive author mansion and hospital wards.

‘Stranger’ (2017–2020)

Also known as ‘Stranger’, this legal thriller pairs a prosecutor with a police detective to uncover institutional corruption. Cho Seung-woo and Bae Doona star, airing on tvN.

Seasons track inter-agency task forces, evidence chains, and internal reforms. The show emphasizes meticulous procedure and dialogue-driven interrogations.

‘Flower of Evil’ (2020)

A craftsman with a hidden identity faces exposure when his detective spouse investigates linked cases. Lee Joon-gi and Moon Chae-won star, airing on tvN.

The narrative toggles between domestic scenes and case files with forensic details. It examines name changes, records manipulation, and victim advocacy.

‘Secret Garden’ (2010–2011)

A stuntwoman and a department store CEO swap bodies after an encounter at a mysterious site, complicating careers and families. Hyun Bin and Ha Ji-won star, airing on SBS.

The series showcases stunt work, film sets, and corporate succession plots. It mixes fantasy rules with legal and contractual stakes in the workplace.

‘Coffee Prince’ (2007)

A café owner hires a tomboyish barista he assumes is male, shifting dynamics among staff and customers. Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun-hye star, airing on MBC.

Set in a neighborhood coffee shop, it explores service training, menu development, and small-business challenges. The soundtrack features indie tracks associated with the café’s identity.

‘Winter Sonata’ (2002)

This melodrama follows first loves, memory loss, and family secrets across school days and adulthood. Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo star, airing on KBS2.

Its Hallyu impact included tourism to filming sites and merchandising tie-ins. Scenic winter backdrops and classical-influenced themes became signature elements.

‘Mr. Queen’ (2020–2021)

A modern-day chef’s spirit enters the body of a Joseon queen, disrupting court protocols and alliances. Shin Hye-sun and Kim Jung-hyun star, airing on tvN.

The show juxtaposes contemporary culinary techniques with royal kitchens and etiquette. Political councils, espionage, and palace staff hierarchies form recurring set pieces.

‘Happiness’ (2021)

Residents of a high-rise are sealed in during a contagion that triggers violent symptoms, forcing rationing and floor-by-floor negotiations. Han Hyo-joo and Park Hyung-sik star, airing on tvN.

It examines quarantine rules, building management, and emergency response logistics. The narrative uses apartment layouts to stage tactical movement and standoffs.

‘The Red Sleeve’ (2021)

A court lady and a crown prince balance personal feelings with duty in the royal court. Lee Jun-ho and Lee Se-young star, airing on MBC.

Drawing from historical memoirs, it focuses on court protocols, archival records, and ceremonial dress. The production emphasizes embroidery, calligraphy, and music within palace life.

‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’ (2022)

A rookie lawyer on the autism spectrum tackles civil and criminal cases at a top firm. Park Eun-bin stars with Kang Tae-oh and Kang Ki-young, airing on ENA and streaming globally.

Case files explore contract disputes, maritime incidents, and family law while addressing workplace accommodations. Visual motifs, including whales, reinforce the protagonist’s cognitive patterns.

‘Twenty Five Twenty One’ (2022)

A fencer pursues her sport through economic hardship and finds connection with a young man rebuilding his life. Kim Tae-ri and Nam Joo-hyuk star, airing on tvN.

Competition arcs cover selection trials, training camps, and media coverage. The show integrates broadcasting, journalism internships, and local community stories.

‘My Name’ (2021)

After a personal loss, a young woman enters a crime syndicate and infiltrates the police under an alias. Han So-hee, Park Hee-soon, and Ahn Bo-hyun star, released as a Netflix original.

The series emphasizes hand-to-hand combat training, undercover protocols, and chain-of-evidence stakes. Settings include dockyards, warehouses, and precincts used for tactical sequences.

‘The Good Bad Mother’ (2023)

An accident resets a prosecutor’s memory, leading to a renewed bond with his pig-farm-owner mother as a broader case unfolds. Ra Mi-ran, Lee Do-hyun, and Ahn Eun-jin star, airing on JTBC.

It portrays rural livelihoods, small-town networks, and legal battles against corporate wrongdoing. The drama interlaces courtroom strategy with family caregiving.

‘Queen of Tears’ (2024)

This series follows a high-profile couple from retail and media dynasties as they navigate corporate crises and marriage troubles. Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won star, airing on tvN and streaming globally.

From writer Park Ji-eun, it weaves boardroom maneuvers, hostile campaigns, and succession issues with family negotiations. Production features flagship department stores and provincial hometown settings.

‘D.P.’ (2021–2023)

This military drama centers on a deserter pursuit unit tasked with tracking down soldiers who have left their posts. Jung Hae-in and Koo Kyo-hwan star, released on Netflix.

Episodes explore investigative methods, jurisdictional boundaries, and the reporting chain within bases. The series examines hazing, mental health, and disciplinary proceedings in detail.

‘Beyond Evil’ (2021)

Two policemen from different backgrounds re-open a cold case when new incidents mirror older crimes in a small town. Shin Ha-kyun and Yeo Jin-goo star, airing on JTBC.

The show details forensic protocols, regional jurisdiction issues, and community ties that complicate investigations. Cinematography favors nocturnal patrols, rural roads, and municipal offices.

‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’ (2021)

A big-city dentist relocates to a seaside village and gradually integrates into its close community. Shin Min-a and Kim Seon-ho star, airing on tvN and streaming globally.

Village routines, local governance, and small-business services form the daily texture. Filming locations along the coast boosted tourism tied to recognizable landmarks.

‘My Liberation Notes’ (2022)

Three siblings living on the outskirts of Seoul confront commuting fatigue, family expectations, and personal stagnation. Kim Ji-won, Lee Min-ki, Son Suk-ku, and Lee El star, airing on JTBC.

The series focuses on workplace commutes, rural-urban dynamics, and social clubs formed around self-improvement. Dialogue-heavy scenes emphasize everyday logistics and community rhythms.

‘Through the Darkness’ (2022)

Set before the widespread adoption of profiling in Korea, this crime drama follows analysts building methods to understand violent offenders. Kim Nam-gil, Jin Sun-kyu, and Kim So-jin star, airing on SBS.

Episodes cover interview techniques, case linkage analysis, and cooperation between detectives and researchers. The show references early psychological frameworks and their application to investigations.

‘Strong Woman Do Bong-soon’ (2017)

A woman with unusual strength becomes a bodyguard to a game company CEO while helping local police with abduction cases. Park Bo-young and Park Hyung-sik star, airing on JTBC.

Plotlines include game development offices, security planning, and coordinated sting operations. Action scenes use wire work and physical comedy alongside case progress.

‘W: Two Worlds’ (2016)

A surgical resident is pulled into a webtoon universe where a former athlete fights to uncover a conspiracy. Lee Jong-suk and Han Hyo-joo star, airing on MBC.

The series alternates between real-world Seoul and a graphic-novel city, using clear rules for transitions. Production employs motion-graphics overlays and panel-style framing to reflect its premise.

‘Six Flying Dragons’ (2015–2016)

This historical saga chronicles political figures who shape the founding of a new dynasty, focusing on strategy and ideology. Yoo Ah-in, Kim Myung-min, and Shin Se-kyung star, airing on SBS.

Battle tactics, civil examinations, and bureaucratic reforms are depicted across shifting alliances. Large ensemble scenes and multi-episode debates anchor turning points.

‘Mother’ (2018)

A substitute teacher rescues a student from abuse and poses as her mother as they flee authorities and pursuers. Lee Bo-young and Heo Yool star, airing on tvN.

The narrative examines custody law, adoption procedures, and missing-persons investigations. Coastal hideaways, train stations, and safe houses provide recurring locations.

‘Arthdal Chronicles’ (2019–2023)

Set in a mythic ancient land, this fantasy charts rival tribes battling for power amid shifting alliances and prophecy. Jang Dong-gun, Song Joong-ki, and Kim Ji-won star, released as a Netflix-tvN project.

World-building includes constructed languages, costuming for distinct clans, and large backlot sets. The production stages cavalry charges, ritual assemblies, and council chambers to map political change.

‘While You Were Sleeping’ (2017)

A field reporter and a prosecutor experience precognitive dreams that warn them of upcoming incidents, prompting interventions. Bae Suzy, Lee Jong-suk, and Jung Hae-in star, airing on SBS.

Legal and newsroom settings structure case-of-the-week arcs tied to the visions. The series uses judicial procedures, warrant processes, and press ethics to drive outcomes.

Share your favorite picks and any must-watch additions in the comments!