The Greatest Korean Dramas On Netflix Proper Now17 min read

Abstract

• Ok-dramas on Netflix are gaining recognition in Western tradition, due to subtitles and the worldwide explosion of Ok-Pop.
• Not all Ok-dramas are dramatic – some have romantic or suspenseful parts that preserve audiences hooked.
• The very best Ok-dramas on Netflix cowl a spread of genres, from authorized procedurals to historic zombie thrillers.

The very best Korean dramas on Netflix underscore simply how widespread South Korean popular culture has turn out to be. Alongside the worldwide explosion of Ok-Pop, Ok-drama collection and films have gotten an increasing number of entrenched in Western tradition as effectively. Simply as Ok-Pop listeners do not essentially want to grasp the Korean language to benefit from the nation’s music, subtitles have made it potential for audiences to binge as many Korean exhibits or films as they need.

Many viewers within the West are doubtless already conversant in a few of the greatest Korean films on Netflix, like Practice to Busan and Okja. Nevertheless, not all Netflix subscribers could also be conscious that there are dozens of Ok-dramas already on the streaming service, simply ready to be found. Regardless of the identify, not each Ok-drama is a dramatic present, although most of them do have some type of romantic or suspenseful parts that attracts audiences in and leaves them on the sting of their seats. These are 25 of the very best Korean dramas on Netflix proper now.

For extra streaming suggestions, you should definitely try the greatest films on Netflix and the greatest TV exhibits on Netflix.

A Authorized Procedural Ok-Drama

Woo Younger-woo is an autistic lawyer who graduated on the high of her class at Seoul Nationwide College. The titular Extraordinary Legal professional Woo stands out from her neurotypical friends due to her typically blunt and awkward social graces. Nevertheless, her photographic reminiscence and sheer intelligence give Woo an edge in each authorized case she tackles all through the single-season present’s 16 episodes.

Other than being a notable development within the mainstream illustration of these on the autism spectrum, Extraordinary Legal professional Woo is among the greatest Korean dramas on Netflix for being a balanced authorized procedural unafraid to sort out moral dilemmas. It is a particular must-see for viewers searching for Ok-dramas with badass feminine leads.

24 Kingdom (2019)

A Historic Zombie Ok-Drama

Kingdom ranks extremely among the many greatest Korean dramas on Netflix for combining two of probably the most oversaturated genres in South Korea – zombies and the Joseon period – but arriving at one thing actually recent and memorable. Although it appears unusual to combine Sixteenth-century Korean historical past with supernatural zombies, Kingdom confirmed how the 2 genres might completely play off one another in 2 seasons and 12 episodes.

Whereas the medieval setting lays the muse for the zombies to be based mostly on Asian mythology, the zombie plague in flip highlights the overt class battle and political maneuvering typical of Joseon period exhibits. Kingdom additionally has a few of the greatest costumes and units in Ok-drama historical past.

23 Twenty-5 Twenty-One (2022)

A Romantic Ok-Drama

As a coming-of-age romance, Twenty-5 Twenty-One is – at first look – only a conventional Ok-drama that focuses on one more unlikely love story. Nevertheless, it truly cleverly reveals the advanced lives of 5 people from 1998 to 2021, and Twenty-5 Twenty-One‘s 16 80-minute episodes rightfully deserve a spot alongside the very best Korean dramas on Netflix.

Instructed throughout two generations, Twenty-5 Twenty-One is a enjoyable, touching “riches-to-rags” story that breaks away from Ok-drama conventions with out alienating probably the most long-time Ok-drama audiences. Twenty-5 Twenty-One can be one of many highest-rated exhibits within the historical past of South Korean cable tv.

22 Queenmaker (2023)

A Political Ok-Drama

Surprisingly, not based mostly on any particular true story, Queenmaker nonetheless authentically captures the cutthroat world of mayoral politics in Seoul, South Korea. Impressed by the very actual politics, glamor, and generally violence that marks the election season in Seoul, Queenmaker follows public picture professional Hwang Do-hee as she campaigns for human rights lawyer Oh Kyung-sook – the “Rhino of Justice” – to turn out to be the following mayor.

For 11 episodes, Do-hee, Kyung-sook, and their staff not solely face Korea’s biggest politicians but in addition put their lives in peril, within the hope of a greater future for Seoul and themselves. Queenmaker is among the greatest Korean dramas on Netflix for viewers searching for a near-perfectly crafted trendy political epic.

21 Hellbound (2021-)

A Supernatural Thriller Ok-Drama

There are numerous supernatural Ok-dramas on Netflix, however none of them are fairly like Hellbound. The premise is that “angels” seem to sure individuals to decree the particular time and day they are going to die, at which level a number of hulking anthropomorphic “demons” manifest to actual the decree, burning the individual alive and presumably sending them to Hell.

Impressed by Korea’s actual, large megachurches, cult leaders use this unexplained phenomenon to dramatically elevate their numbers and authority over the general public. Extremists commit misguided violent acts pushed by the prophecies. But, all hope is just not misplaced, as there are nonetheless those that proceed to hunt the reality about Hellbound‘s demons and decrees.

20 Mr. Queen (2020-2021)

A Time Journey Ok-Drama

Time journey is one other widespread trope in Ok-drama, and Mr. Queen is among the greatest Korean dramas on Netflix for the way in which it places a decidedly recent spin on an overused plot machine. In Mr. Queen, Jang Bong-hwan is among the head cooks on the famed Blue Home. After getting in bother at work and discovering himself in a near-death expertise, Bong-hwan is out of the blue transported to the Joseon period.

The large twist is that Bong-hwan not solely travels by way of time, but in addition leads to the physique of Chorin, the Queen of Joseon. Bong-hwan should discover a option to return to his physique within the current – whereas falling in love with the king.

19 Vincenzo (2021)

A Crime Thriller Ok-Drama

Vincenzo Cassano, also called Park Joo-hyung, was simply 8 years outdated when he was adopted by the top of the Cassano crime household, Don Fabio. Vincenzo rose to the ranks and have become Don Fabio’s consiglieri and right-hand man, however when Don Fabio dies, Fabio’s organic son makes an attempt to kill Vincenzo.

He then flees to Seoul to unearth the 1.5 tons of gold he has stashed below a constructing, which he finds illegally overtaken by the Babel Group. Utilizing the talents he discovered as a profession felony and authorized advisor to his Italian crime household, Vincenzo works to take down the Babel Group and reclaim what’s rightfully his.

18 Narcos-Saints (2022)

A Crime Thriller Ok-Drama

Within the nation of Suriname – the unique identify of Narcos-Saints – civilian entrepreneur Kang In-gu is recruited by the authorities in an operation to seize Jeon Yo-Hwan, the Korean drug lord who controls the complete South American nation. Rapidly, In-gu learns to turn out to be an secret agent for the Nationwide Intelligence Service of Korea, getting nearer and nearer to Yo-Hwan all through Narcos-Saints‘ 6 episodes.

Among the many greatest Korean dramas on Netflix for individuals who cherished Narcos and Narcos: Mexico, Narcos-Saints can be based mostly on a real story. In actual life, the mentioned drug lord’s identify is Cho Bong-haeng, who managed Suriname from the late ’90s to the early 2000s. In the meantime, the civilian who caught Cho Bong-haeng stays nameless for his security.

17 Mystic Pop-Up Bar (2020)

A Supernatural Ok-Drama

To atone for a heinous crime she dedicated 500 years in the past, the hot-tempered Weol-ju was cursed to settle the grudges of 100,000 souls, inflicting her to turn out to be the proprietor of the Mystic Pop-Up Bar.

Becoming a member of Weol-ju in working this magical pojangmacha is the Crown Prince Yi-hon, a former Afterlife Police Company officer who was in love with Weol-ju, and was allowed to work because the bar’s supervisor to be at her aspect. The third workers member of the Mystic Pop-Up Bar is Han Kang-bae, a younger man who could make anybody he touches confess the reality. Undoubtedly among the finest Korean dramas on Netflix, Mystic Pop-Up Bar is a enjoyable supernatural collection steeped in Korean mythology.

16 My Identify (2021)

A Crime Thriller Ok-Drama

After witnessing the demise of her gangster father as a toddler, Yoon Ji-woo turns herself right into a killing machine to hunt revenge in My Identify. Whereas on an undercover mission for her father’s gang, Ji-woo turns into a police officer below the pseudonym Oh Hye-jin, the place she uncovers unsettling truths about why her father was killed.

Other than being among the finest Korean dramas on Netflix, My Identify can be among the many most compelling crime noir collection in streaming historical past. Taking part in out over 8 episodes, Ji-woo’s revenge plot, her tragic romance, the gritty South Korean underworld, and the extraordinarily bloody struggle scenes in My Identify have all the weather of a traditional noir story.

15 Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019)

A Historic Ok-Drama

Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung is among the greatest Ok-Dramas on Netflix proper now. The collection in query aired in 2019 for a complete of 40 episodes. The TV present is ideal for anybody who’s into historic exhibits as a result of it is set means again within the Joseon Dynasty, a time frame that lasted from round 1392 to 1897.

One of many greatest Ok-Dramas for freshmen, the collection follows Goo Hae-ryung, a girl who begins working as an intern as a authorities historian. It is a distinctive place for her as a result of, on this time interval, girls who tried to realize data and energy had been considerably regarded down upon.

14 My First First Love (2019)

A Romantic Ok-Drama

My First First Love is definitely among the finest Korean dramas on Netflix in the meanwhile, and it was launched on the streaming service in 2019. The collection is a reboot of a Ok-Drama that aired in 2015, My First Time, and is a enjoyable collection to observe for anybody that likes romance and drama.

The steamy Ok-Drama My First First Love follows 5 associates who all discover themselves dwelling in the identical home for a wide range of totally different causes. Being in such shut quarters results in their lives intersecting in new and sudden methods and results in a ton of drama, romance, and a few budding friendships.

13 Reminiscences Of The Alhambra (2018 – 2019)

A Sci-Fi Thriller Ok-Drama

Reminiscences of the Alhambra aired from December 2018 by way of January 2019 for a complete of 16 episodes. Among the finest Korean dramas on Netflix, Reminiscences of the Alhambra begins and is generally set in Spain, however some episodes within the latter elements occur in South Korea.

The collection follows Yoo Jin-woo, a businessman who travels to Spain to satisfy the mysterious creator of an AR recreation. There, he meets and falls for Jung Hee-joo, the proprietor of the hostel the place he is staying. The 2 of them turn out to be twisted up in a thriller stranger than they might have ever dreamed of.

12 When The Camellia Blooms (2019)

A Romantic Thriller Ok-Drama

A complete of 40 episodes aired for When the Camellia Blooms. What makes it among the finest Korean dramas on Netflix is its distinctive plot, which is a mix of traditional k-drama rom-com with thriller parts. The collection follows a girl named Dong-baek. Dong-baek is a single mom who opens a bar named Camellia within the city of Ongsan.

Her life turns into difficult when a police officer comes into Camellia and falls for her, decided to win her affection regardless that Dong-baek is not . Sadly, Dong-baek’s standing as a single mom makes their potential relationship difficult. The actual twist is {that a} killer terrorizing Ongsan additional complicates issues for them.

11 Half-Time Idol (2017)

A Ok-Pop Ok-Drama

Undoubtedly, Ok-Pop is a world phenomenon. Teams like Pink Velvet, BTS, and BLACKPINK have turn out to be extremely common with audiences all around the world. There are even quite a lot of Ok-Pop idols that star in several Ok-Dramas, so it is no shock that among the finest Korean dramas on Netflix is all about Ok-Pop idols.

The collection follows a music producer who steps again from the leisure trade for some time. He returns to the trade and finds a gaggle of trainees working in his firm and decides to take them below his wing to debut them as a co-ed Ok-Pop group.

10 Oh My Ghost (2015)

A Supernatural Ok-Drama

Oh My Ghost follows a younger girl named Na Bong-sun who is not precisely all that common or assured. Because of the powers that her grandmother had, Na Bong-sun can be in a position to see ghosts.

At some point, Bong-sun life adjustments when she turns into possessed by a spirit named Shin Quickly-ae who believes that she’s not in a position to transfer on to the afterlife as a result of she did not have any romantic relationships whereas alive. Shin Quickly-ae decides to make up for misplaced time and attempt to treatment that whereas in Na Bong-sun’s physique in order that her spirit might be launched. It is among the finest Korean dramas on Netflix for supernatural k-drama followers.

9 Crash Touchdown On You (2019 – 2020)

A Romantic Ok-Drama

Among the finest Korean Dramas on Netflix in the meanwhile, Crash Touchdown on You is extremely concerned, with every installment working about an hour and fifteen minutes in size. All in all, it is a charming dramedy that has considerably excessive stakes and a wholesome degree of intrigue.

Crash Touchdown on You follows foremost character and South Korean heiress Yoon Se-ri, who experiences a terrifying paragliding accident that forces her to make a crash touchdown in North Korea. There, she meets a member of the North Korean military named Ri Jung-hyuk, whom she falls for whereas he helps her to cover all through 16 episodes.

8 Divorce Legal professional Shin (2023)

A Authorized Ok-Drama

Divorce Legal professional Shin is among the greatest Korean Dramas on Netflix proper now. With every of its 12 episodes lasting about an hour, Divorce Legal professional Shin is an attention-grabbing look ahead to these uninterested in the standard Ok-drama fare.

Showcasing nice Korean drama friendships, the story begins when Lee Search engine marketing-jin approaches divorce lawyer Shin Sung-han to be her illustration in her difficult divorce proceedings. Whereas the collection is an ensemble effort, it largely follows the lifetime of Shin as the varied dramas of his sphere of associates unfolds, making his life all of the extra difficult.

7 Chocolate (2019 – 2020)

A Romantic Ok-Drama

Chocolate is a Ok-drama that started airing in November 2019 and is extensively thought-about among the finest Ok-Dramas on Netflix. Chocolate completed its run in 2020 and consists of 16 episodes, every working a little bit over an hour in size.

That includes a heartfelt plot and a proficient pool of actors, Chocolate follows a person named Lee Kang who dreamed of changing into a chef however ended up changing into a neurosurgeon as an alternative. Moon Cha Younger is a younger girl who as soon as met and tasted a dish that Lee Kang had cooked, which impressed her to turn out to be a chef. When the 2 cross paths as friends, they slowly develop nearer and nearer.

6 Love Alarm (2019 – 2021)

A Romantic Ok-Drama

Love Alarm aired for a complete of 14 episodes and two seasons. The 2 seasons are fairly brief, so it will not take lengthy to get caught up, and this Korean drama is simply enjoyable to observe because it’s boosted by the charismatic solid.

In Love Alarm, the likable characters cope with a well-liked app that alerts all of its customers if there’s somebody inside a 10-meter radius who has romantic emotions for them. That makes it so there’s potential for a touching love story at virtually any second, whereas additionally using the relatability that comes with downloading an app for romantic functions.