10 K-Dramas to Watch on Netflix.
One of the most talked about things on the internet globally is k-dramas the Hallyu wave bought. Korean series gave us character developments with new plot lines, second lead syndrome, heartbreaks, fantasy, period pieces, inspiring stories, workplace, supernatural, rom coms, and horror. You name it! We’re officially in the swoon-worthy, cosy K-drama era. We’re not going to pretend that some people think they’re overrated or hide the fact that they hate k-dramas. Anyways, can we skip to the good part? If you’re one of those people who love watching k-dramas, then this article is for you. Are you a beginner? We’ve got you covered as well. Here’s a list of the top ten k-dramas on Netflix.
1. Strong girl bong soon –
If you are a beginner, this is the right place to start. It is one of the best k-dramas on Netflix. The drama begins light-heartedly with a woman blessed with supernatural strength. But as the drama proceeds, they subtly tackle sensitive issues like domestic abuse and violence against women. The hero, Ahn Min Hyuk, played by Park Hyung Sik, carries a charming, intelligent and protective role.
Do bong soon, played by Park Bo-young, comes off as a cute, short and confused about life regular K-drama character. But her character contains depth where she has a long childhood crush, but she gathers the courage to move on. She doesn’t take her supernatural strengths lightly and secretly helps where she can. The main leads’ chemistry and workplace romance are another reason to watch this drama. The Korean series also has one of the best OSTs in k-dramas.
2. Thirty-Nine –
A story about having a mid-life crisis, meeting new people, and mostly friendship between 3 amazing women. The Korean series stands out from the regular ones as married women generally manage the household in k dramas by turning 40. This k drama takes a step back from the general societal notion. It allows these three women to grow, explore and discover their lives as they lean on each other no matter what.
Even though the story surrounds women who are 39 years old and are anxious about turning 40, people of all ages can relate to the characters. It shows youth to take life as it comes and concentrate on self-growth. People with a mid-life crisis build confidence by not getting afraid to start again or not feel pathetic about their life. For older people, it is more like a trip down memory lane. So, get your tissues ready, call up your friends, laugh, cry, eat and drink together as you watch thirty-nine.
3. Business Proposal –
The K-drama is a light-hearted romantic comedy. It is one of the best k-dramas on Netflix in rom coms. The story revolves around Shin Ha-ri, played by Kim Se-Jeong, who agrees to catfish the blond date of her best friend Jin Young-Seo, played by Seol In-ah. However, the blind date turns out to be her boss Kang Tae-moo played by Ahn Hyo-seop. However, Ha-ri’s fake identity is exposed after Young-Seo runs into Kang Tae-moo’s secretary Cha Sung-hoon played by Kim Min-kyu. The story stands as a light-hearted comedy even though Kang Tae-moo and Cha Sung-hoon, both childhood best friends, have considerable traumas in their pasts.
Soon friendship and relationship blossom between the four of them. The story also carries two different kinds of relationships and friendships and maintains the balance. It is also known for its workplace romance between main leads and neighbour romance between the second leads. Another reason to watch is there are no complicated love triangles in this Korean series. The goofiness and comedy timing of the series has made it one of the best k-dramas on Netflix.
4. Guardian –
The Korean series is the perfect package of fantasy, fiction, friendship, family, heartbreak, romance, comedy and OST. The plot line, the character development, and the cast are powerful. The story revolves around the life of Kim Shin, played by Gong Yoo and the people in his life. The story’s background starts in the Goryeo era, where Kim Shin is a righteous soldier who dies trying to protect his country. The more significant god, however, curses him to remain immortal as a Goblin for the lives he has taken as a soldier. Kim Shin dies after a young king betrays and stabs him with his sword. The curse of being immortal lifts after someone pulls out the sword from his chest.
Soon, after living for many centuries in different lives, he gets summoned by Ju Eun-Tak, played by Kim Go-Eun. Soon love blossoms between them. But, the Grim Reaper, played by Lee Dong-Wook, is ordered to take the life of Ji Eun-Tak, but Goblin steps in to protect her life. Their lives also get entangled due to Sunny, played by Yoo In-na. one of the reasons to watch this Korean drama is purely for the twists and turns in the story. Another is for the OST. The drama also won several awards for its screenplay and OST, making it one of the most popular and the best k-dramas. The Korean drama is a perfect binge-watch on a cosy rainy day.
5. Happiness –
The pandemic has brought incredible grief into every household. But let’s face it, we aren’t ready for COVID-19 storylines. The Korean drama Happiness acts as a new milestone in K-dramas, as it deals with and discusses the ups and downs of being stuck in your house in a pandemic in a sensitive manner. If you are someone who is grieving or struggling due to the pandemic and is ready to take a look inside, this drama is for you. The Kdrama is one of the best k-dramas of recent times as it deals with finding Happiness in little things in the middle of chaos. The story revolves around the lives of Jung Yi-Hyun, played by Park Hyung Sik and Yoon Sae-Bom, played by Han Hyo-Joo.
During a disease breakout, people turn into zombies. The storyline perfectly portrays how a pandemic can bring out the worst or the best in people. The show breaks out the standard of a regular zombie movie. It illustrates how the humans who temporarily or momentarily turn into zombies have to deal with the consequences of their actions later. It also discusses the difference between people who unknowingly hurt others vs people who intentionally hurt someone. The drama has a lot of hidden metaphors and ironies as well. The Korean thriller series is the perfect weekend binge-watch on Netflix.
6. It’s Okay to Not be Okay –
Like the title, the story depicts how it is okay not to be okay. The story revolves around the lives of Moon Gang-tae, played by Kim Soo-Hyun, Moon Sang-Tae by Oh Jung-Se and Ko Moon-Young by Seo Yea-Ji. Seo Yea-Ji is an antisocial children’s book writer with hidden traumas from the past. Moon Gang-tae and Moon Sang-tae are brothers, and the latter has autism. After losing their mother under mysterious conditions, they keep moving places. Moon Gang-tae takes care of his brother, struggles to make ends meet, and pretends to be always okay. Moon Sang-tae and Ko Moon-young don’t pretend to be okay but suffer from their past traumas. Ko Moon-young crosses paths with Moon Gang-tae, and their lives become entangled soon. A romance develops between them.
On the other hand, Moon Sang-tae decides to overcome his fears, become independent, and develop a budding friendship with Ko Moon-Young. The storyline deals with psychological issues, emotional abuse, past traumas and overcoming fears to enjoy life to the fullest. The Korean series stands out from regular dramas as it deals with sensitive issues tabooed by society and has received critics’ praises. One reason to watch this K-drama is its unique perspective on children’s stories. So, get ready to go on a healing journey on an emotional ride.
7. Hospital Playlist –
Hospital Playlist is a medical drama reflecting upon people’s lives and medical issues and how doctors help their patients. It explores romance, comedy and friendships between five doctors working at the same hospital. Lee Ik-jun, Ahn Jeong-won, Kim Jun-wan, Yang Seok-hyeong and Chae Song-Hwa meet in medical school and have been friends ever since. The group eats together and goes to karaoke whenever time permits. They soon form a music band of their own to release stress from their jobs.
Lee Ik-jun, played by Jo Jung Suk, is a single father, assistant professor in general surgery, and the lead guitarist and singer of the band. Ahn Jeong-won, played by Yoo Yeon-Seok, specialises in pediatric surgery and plays drums in the music band. Kim Jun-wan, played by Jung Kyung-ho, specialises in cardiothoracic surgery and is the lead guitarist in the music band. Yang Seok-hyeong, played by Kim Dae-Myung, specialises in obstetrics and gynaecology and plays piano in the music band. Chae Song-Hwa, played by Jeon Mi-do, knows to play the guitar and is a terrible singer in the music band. They all have unique personalities with their own life experiences and lean on each other when life gets hard.
The hospital playlist has a beautiful OST cast and screenplay, which makes you cry your heart out and comforts you. The Korean series won several awards, is one of the best k-dramas on Netflix and is ranked the ninth highest Korean drama in cable television history. Need a comfort show at the end of a hard day? This is it!
8. The King’s Affection –
The king’s affection stands out as the best period piece in k-dramas for portraying love, romance and friendships, stripping off gender biases. The Korean drama takes place in the Joseon era, where Dam-Yi, played by Park Eun-bin, disguises herself as Crown Prince Lee Hwi after she loses her twin brother. Rowoon plays Jung Ji-woon, on whom Dam-Yi has a crush. You might have heard of triangles in k-dramas, but this Korean series is a full circle.
It is a rare K-drama as it portrays subtle support for LGBTQIA set in a historical period. The drama is also rated one of the top 10 k-dramas of 2021. Another reason to watch this is for the beautiful OST. It is also one of a kind K-drama, as it is a women-centric historical Korean drama. The more I talk about this drama, the more I might give away the twists and turns. So buckle up cause this one is going to be a rollercoaster ride.
9. Itaewon class –
Itaewon class reminds us that everyone has hardships. Just because you hit rock bottom doesn’t mean your life is over there. The story revolves around the life of Park Sae-ro-Yi, played by Park Seo-Joon. He goes to jail at a young age in an attempt to kill Jang Geun-won, played by Ahn Bo-Hyun. He serves his time in prison and learns about the business world and Jangga Group’s founder Jang Dae-hee. Soon with his savings, he opens DanBam, a bar restaurant in Itaewon. However, his business doesn’t go as well as expected. Then he crosses paths with Jo Yi-seo, played by Kim Da-mi, a naturally intelligent and multi-talented girl. She decides to become the manager of DanBam, helping Park Sae-ro-yi reach his goals.
Park Sae-ro-yi competes with Jangga Group and reaches heights to become the number one in the food business in South Korea. He soon develops his recipe and becomes successful. As the story proceeds, the various elements of the relationship between Park Sae-ro-yi and Jang Dae-hee become clear. The Korean drama takes us through a rollercoaster ride of difficulties one must face in their career and love life. Tough choices and keeping relationships together as he grows becomes crucial in Park Sae-ro-Yi’s life as he has to start from scratch. If you ever feel lost in life, have hit absolute rock bottom, have no hope, and are searching for something inspiring, this drama is for you.
10. Hotel Del Luna –
The K-drama is of dark fantasy, romantic comedy and workplace romance. It is a women-centric drama as it revolves around the life of Jang Man-wol, played by Lee Ji-Eun (IU), the owner of Hotel Del Luna. Time stands still for her as she remains on earth and guides the lost souls who visit her hotel to heaven. Her life gets tied to the moon tree in the compound of Hotel Del Luna. Soon after she curses Gu Chan-sung, played by Yeo Jin-goo, to become her manager, her time begins again. Deities plan to send her to hell, but Jang Man-wol is reluctant. Go Chan-sung, a normal human being unlike Jang Man-wol, develops a liking towards her and the hotel.
The secrets and mysteries of Jang Man-wol and the souls in the hotel disclose. The series stands out as one of the best Kdramas as it depicts every character in a unique light, with an impressive plotline full of twists, heartbreaks and betrayals. The Korean series has a beautiful OST and has also won several awards. The show also has one of the most anticipated climaxes. The k-drama on Netflix is the perfect blend of horror, fantasy, romance and comedy. It is a beautifully sad and heart-warming drama that comforts your soul.
P.S. – Don’t forget tissues, comfort food and a cosy blanket.
