Given the rise of Halyu and Korean explosion, K-Dramas have become very popular in recent times. No matter who you are, from where you belong, or which language you speak, K-Dramas have shown their influence everywhere. Plots of dramas were never so interesting and likable. You can see people binge-watching several episodes of dramas very often now without feeling even an ounce of boredom or reluctance. The names of some of the all-time favorite dramas are mentioned in the list below. All the dramas on this list are very interesting and can keep you hooked to it for the entirety of the show.
25. Reply 1988 (2015-2016):
Cast –Hyeri, Ryu Jun-Yeol, Park Bo-gum, Go Kyung-Pyo, Lee Dong-Hwi
Overview – This show is considered by many critics as a very charming, slice of life retro drama. The drama revolves around the struggles of five friends who grew up together in Ssangmun-dong, a very small neighborhood in Seoul. The plot starts in the year 1988 through 1989 and then skips directly to the years 1994 and 1995. Though the ending was a bit weak overall the drama felt very balanced and whole, and the cast was very endearing and devoted.
24. Secret Garden (2010-11):
Cast – Hyun Bin, Ha Ji-Won, Yoon Sang-Hyun, Lee Jong-Suk, Son Ye-Jin
Overview – Secret Garden is considered to be one of the most beautifully made Korean dramas of all time. Every angle of this drama, starting from the plot to the acting to the OSTs was picture perfect and would make you see it again and again. In this drama, you see how the complicated lives of four individuals get entangled together. You will be able to relate the story to that of Cinderella but in a more realistic and rationalized light.
23. Pinocchio (2014):
Cast – Lee Jong-suk, Park Shin-Hye, Kim Young-Kwang, Lee Yu-Bi, Yoon Kyun-Sang
Overview – The script had an equal mix of heart, humor and idealism. The story portrays the lives of reporters, who are practical, hard-working and righteous. Ideals and moral values are the focal points in this drama. The family bonding shown in the drama will melt you into a puddle. This drama is considered to be a very warm drama that had a good plot resulting in it garnering good ratings.
22. Mr. Sunshine (2018):
Cast – Kim Tae-ri, Lee Byun-hun, Yoo Yeon-seok, Byun Yo-hun, Kim Ji-won
Overview –This drama has the record of being the 4th highest rated cable TV series. Its cinematography and storytelling got critically acclaimed. The plot revolves around a boy who is born into slavery but later joins the Marine Corpse. Then we see how he gets involved in trying to keep his nation from getting invaded by foreign forces. Due to a subtle change of the plot from the mainstream the drama is appreciated more by the viewers.
21. Hwarang: The Poet Warrior (2016):
Cast – Park Hyung-sik, Park Seo-joon, Go Ara, V, Choi Min-ho
Overview – Here you can see an ensemble of few of the leading actors of Korea. The story gives us the insight of a king’s life and how much he has to go through in order to maintain his throne and name. It also puts in front of us the unfair way the less fortunate people have always been treated by the powerful people no matter what decade or century we are in.
20. Healer (2014):
Cast – Ji Chang-wook, Park Min-young, Yoo Ji-tae, Kim Mi-kyung, Do Ji-won
Overview – Though this drama could not get a huge success in its home country but it acquired a huge fan base internationally. The drama revolves around three main characters, an illegal night courier, a reporter and a journalist, who come together in order to fight against evil and to deal with the conflict between truth and fate.
19. Kill Me, Heal Me (2015):
Cast – Ji Sung, Hwang Jung-eum, Park Seojoon, Kim Yoo-ri, Oh Min-seok
Overview – Elements like child abuse, and dissociative identity disorder is a major part of the plot of the drama. Here you will witness that each and every human body is very strong and is ready to go through anything in order to survive. In this drama, you will see how the lead male character will go through so many difficulties just to survive and escape from his multiple personality disorder. Another aspect of the drama that will completely blow your mind is the way a single person will portray seven different personalities and that too with so much perfection. The drama is really heart-warming to watch, and should be on your watch list.
18. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016):
Cast – Lee Sung-kyung, Nam Joo-hyuk, Lee Jong-suk, Kyung Soo-jin, Lee Jae-yoon
Overview – A very slice of life drama, that follows the story of a group of student athletes, who are all fighting to fulfil their dreams. Through this journey, these students grow up and experience new things in life. Though it could have a long-lasting effect among its viewers in Korea, but it got international recognition.
17. Suspicious partner (2017):
Cast – Ji Chang-wook, Nam Ji-hyun, Choi Tae-joon, Kwon Nara, Kim Hyeong-gyoo
Overview – Prosecutors are supposed to take care of the law and justice of the society. In this drama, you will get to see a variety of prosecutors and lawyers, some of them are ready to give up their careers and dreams to serve justice, whereas, some of them are ready to make up lies in order to fulfil their selfish intents. Among all the turmoil, and problems you will get a life lesson which states that no matter what you have to do or give up you should always stand with justice. The plot though simple, had a beautiful flow to it which attracted attention.
16. W – Two Worlds (2016):
Cast – Lee Jong-suk, Han Hyo-Joo, Lee Tae-hwan, JeongYoo-jin, Kim Ui-Seong
Overview – Connecting two worlds, i.e., one is the real world from where our lead female character belongs and the other is a world within a webtoon created by an artist (the female lead’s father) from where the lead male character belongs. When these two different people from two different worlds meets, they fall in love even though a huge chaos continues surrounding them and their worlds.