Best Korean Dramas (50 Must Watch)
by itaws88 | created - 01 May 2017 | updated - 22 Mar 2019 | PublicMy favorite *** not in any particular order
- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
Ha-jin travels 1000 years back in time and lands in the era of Goryeo Dynasty as a young girl named Hae-soo. She, now trapped in another person's body, becomes involved in a power struggle against various vicious contenders to the throne.
Stars: Lee Joon-gi, IU, Kang Ha-neul, Nam Joo-hyuk
Votes: 11,554
2. Heirs (2013)
55 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
After a chance encounter in LA, two teens from different social backgrounds reunite at an exclusive high school attended by Korea's über rich.
Stars: Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-Hye, Kim Woo-bin, Kim Ji-won
Votes: 13,446
3. Kill Me, Heal Me (2015)
60 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A love story between the son from a wealthy family who has 7 personalities Cha Do Hyun (Ji Sung) and Oh Ri Jin (Hwang Jung Eum) who becomes his secret psychiatrist.
Stars: Ji Sung, Hwang Jeong-eum, Park Seo-joon, Choi Won-young
Votes: 6,010
4. Healer (2014–2015)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
Kim Moon-Ho is a popular reporter. One day, he learns the truth of a case that took place in the past. He intentionally approaches people who are related to the case and helps them. While doing so, he agonizes over the truth and beliefs.
Stars: Ji Chang-wook, Park Min-Young, Tae-Mi, Kim Mi-kyung
Votes: 11,002
5. My Love from Another Star (2013–2014)
Not Rated | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Do Min-Joon, an alien that came to our planet 400 years ago, will be able to return to his planet in 3 months, but when he meets famous actress Chun Song-Yi, all the centuries he spent distancing himself from humans come to an end.
Stars: Jun Ji-hyun, Kim Soo-hyun, Park Hae-Jin, Yoo In-na
Votes: 15,945
6. The Master's Sun (2013)
62 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
Tae Gong Sil has the ability to see ghosts, but their constant demands for help make her life impossible until she meets Joo Jong Won, a handsome CEO who measures everything by money, since when she touches him, the ghosts disappear.
Stars: Kong Hyo-jin, So Ji-seob, Seo In-Guk, Kim Yoo-ri
Votes: 5,508
7. Haereul poomeun dal (2012)
TV-Y | Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Set against the backdrop of a Korean traditional palace, this fantasy drama tells the poignant love story between a king and a female shaman.
Stars: Han Ga-in, Kim Soo-hyun, Jung Il-woo, Kim Min-seo
Votes: 3,330
8. Boys Over Flowers (2009)
TV-14 | 70 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Poor girl attends the elite Shin Hwa High and is bullied by the leader of F4 (the four richest boys). He becomes attracted to her; however, she has a crush on his best friend. Whom will she choose?
Stars: Ku Hye-Sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum
Votes: 14,434
9. You Are Beautiful (2009)
60 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
Go Mi-Nyu, a girl about to become a nun, is asked to cover for her indisposed twin brother, Mi-Nam, who's on the verge of becoming a k-idol. To do so, she disguises herself as a boy and joins A.N.Jell, a really popular boy band.
Stars: Park Shin-Hye, Jang Keun-suk, Jung Yong-hwa, Hong-ki Lee
Votes: 5,311
10. Goong (2006)
TV-Y | 60 min | Comedy, Romance
Love, tradition, and politics collide when a spirited young art student is betrothed to the crown prince of South Korea.
Stars: Yoon Eun-hye, Ju Ji-hoon, Song Ji-Hyo, Jeong-hoon Kim
Votes: 2,959
11. Mischievous Kiss (2010)
66 min | Comedy, Romance
Fate brings polar opposite high school classmates (one obsessively attracted to the other, the other indifferent to all advances) to live under one roof. Is romance possible?
Stars: Jung So-min, Kim Hyun-joong, Lee Tae-sung, Jung Hye-young
Votes: 4,208
12. Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)
TV-Y | 70 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
In the Joseon era, Kim Yoon-hee masquerades as a boy to earn a living as a book transcriber. Her family's dire circumstances and the encouragement of a noble's son finally drive her to attend Sungkyukwan University, forbidden for females.
Stars: Park Min-Young, Park Yoo-chun, Yoo Ah-in, Song Joong-ki
Votes: 1,893
13. Rooftop Prince (2012)
65 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Crown Prince Lee Gak transports 300 years into the future following the death of his wife; in 21st century Seoul, he meets Joo Se-Na, a woman with an uncanny resemblance to the deceased princess.
Stars: Choi Woo-sik, Han Ji-min, Lee Tae-ri, Park Yoo-chun
Votes: 3,012
14. Mai geol (2005–2006)
60 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
With a perpetually indebted father, Joo Yoo Rin learned to lie on the spot and get herself out of tricky situations, which gets Seol Gong Chan, a rich heir to a company, to hire her to impersonate his long lost cousin.
Stars: Lee Da-hae, Lee Dong-wook, Lee Joon-gi, Park Si-yeon
Votes: 1,758
15. Shining Inheritance (2009)
70 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
After losing her father Go Eun-sung's stepmother kicks her and her autistic brother out of the house. Shortly after her brother is kidnapped. Eun-sung now has to look for her brother while also trying to find a job in order to survive.
Stars: Han Hyo-joo, Lee Seung-gi, Moon Chae-won, Bae Soo-bin
Votes: 996
16. My Princess (2011)
65 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Kim Tae-hee plays Lee Seol, an ordinary college student who finds out she's a princess and the great grand daughter of the Korea's last Emperor. But life can be complicated for a princess in this funny, quirky melodrama.
Stars: Song Seung-heon, Kim Tae-hee, Park Yejin, Ryu Soo-young
Votes: 921
17. Cunning Single Lady (2014)
55 min | Comedy, Romance
Ae-Ra is broke and seeks revenge after learning that her ex-husband Jung-Woo, whose business struggled during their marriage, has now made a fortune.
Stars: Lee Min-Jung, Joo Sang-uk, Kim Gyu-ri, Seo Kang-Joon
Votes: 1,078
18. All About My Romance (2013)
63 min | Comedy, Romance
A conservative government party member falls for the fiesty young leader of an upstart liberal party in this Korean romantic comedy.
Stars: Shin Ha-kyun, Lee Min-Jung, Park Hee-soon, Chae-Ah Han
Votes: 95
19. Protect the Boss (2011)
TV-Y | 65 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
After a long stretch of unemployment No Eun Seol lands a job as secretary to Cha Ji Heon the youngest son of a rich family. However her secretary duties go beyond the ordinary, helping her boss cope and function in normal society.
Stars: Ji Sung, Kim Young-ok, Ahn Nae-sang, Choi Kang-hee
Votes: 736
20. The King 2 Hearts (2012)
65 min | Action, Drama, Romance
The crown-prince of South Korea is forced to work alongside a female North Korean military officer. Political and emotional complications lead to an uneasy marriage engagement.
Stars: Lee Seung-gi, Ha Ji-Won, Yun Je-mun, Lee Sung-min
Votes: 1,518
21. Goddess of Fire (2013)
Drama, History, Romance
A historical drama about Yoo Jung, also known as Jung Yi: the first female potter in the Joseon Dynasty, and regarded as the dojo of Shintaro porcelain. 'Yoo Jung' is based on the real ... See full summary »
Stars: Moon Geun-young, Lee Sang-yoon, Kim Bum, Keon-hyeong Park
Votes: 133
22. My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho (2010)
60 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Chae Dae Wong, an aspiring actor, unwillingly releases a Gumiho, a legendary nine-tailed fox, from her centuries-old prison. He runs away terrified and ends up injuring himself badly, but she saves his life and asks to stay by his side.
Stars: Shin Min-a, Lee Seung-gi, No Min-woo, Park Soo-Jin
Votes: 3,642
23. Lie to Me (2011)
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Jealous when her friend steals and marries her first love, a woman lies that she too is married. The lie ensnares a hotel president who goes along with the lie for his own reasons. Will the lie become reality?
Stars: Kang Ji-hwan, Yoon Eun-hye, Sung Jun, Jo Yun-hie
Votes: 1,522
24. Fated to Love You (2014)
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Romance
A touching Korean drama filled with comedy about a girl who finds happiness, friendship and love in the most unexpected way!
Stars: Jang Hyuk, Jang Na-ra, Choi Jin-Hyuk, Choi Woo-sik
Votes: 3,059
25. Shinui (2012)
60 min | Drama, Fantasy, History
When the queen-to-be of medieval Korea is badly wounded, Captain Choi Young uses a wormhole to "heaven," which is actually 21st-century South Korea, to bring back the spoiled Dr. Yoo Eun-Soo who becomes a pawn in a game of human chess.
Stars: Lee Min-ho, Kim Hee-seon, Yoon Kyun-Sang, Park Se-young
Votes: 3,123
26. The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince (2007)
55 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A tomboy, mistaken for a lad, maintains the deception for the sake of employment. The situation becomes complicated when her male boss begins to develop feelings for this "boy."
Stars: Gong Yoo, Yoon Eun-hye, Lee Sun-kyun, Chae Jeong-an
Votes: 6,539
27. Dong Yi (2010)
TV-Y | 60 min | Adventure, Drama, History
Story a simple maid that rises high in the royal harem as a consort and, ultimately, mother of the Korean king.
Stars: Han Hyo-joo, Lee So-yeon, Kim So-yi, Julia Lim
Votes: 2,135
28. Love in the Moonlight (2016)
60 min | Comedy, Drama, History
The unlikely love story between a crown prince and his eunuch.
Stars: Park Bo-gum, Kim Yoo-jung, Kwak Dong-yeon, Chae Soo-bin
Votes: 4,204
29. She Was Pretty (2015)
60 min | Comedy, Romance
When Ji Sung-Joon was young, he was ugly. As he grew up, he began to have an attractive appearance. When Kim Hye-Jin was young, she was pretty. As she grew up, she became ugly. Ji Sung-Joon tries to find his first love.
Stars: Hwang Jeong-eum, Park Seo-joon, Ko Jun-hee, Choi Siwon
Votes: 6,317
30. Secret Love (2013)
Drama, Romance
The story revolves around four people, who live with secrets, and the trials they face on their journey to find love and exact revenge.
Stars: Hwang Jeong-eum, Ji Sung, Bae Soo-bin, Lee Da-hee
Votes: 1,495
31. The Girl Who Sees Smells (2015)
60 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Detective Tae Ho lost his younger sister to a barcode-murder case and lost his ability to taste, smell, and feel pain. He then meets Oh Cho Rim, the only witness to the murder case who possesses a special sense: she can see smells.
Stars: Park Yoo-chun, Shin Se-Kyung, Jin-Seo Yoon, Min Nam-koong
Votes: 1,479
32. The Innocent Man (2012)
60 min | Drama
Kang Ma-Ru is a promising medical student, until he takes the blame for a crime he didn't commit. When he finds an opportunity for revenge, he takes it, using Seo Eun-Gi. Ma-Ru soon ... See full summary »
Stars: Song Joong-ki, Moon Chae-won, Park Si-yeon, Lee Kwang-soo
Votes: 2,278
33. Descendants of the Sun (2016)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Comedy, Drama
This drama tells of the love story that develops between a surgeon and a special forces officer.
Stars: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, Kim Ji-won
Votes: 21,855
34. Hyde, Jekyll, Me (2015)
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Koo Seo-Jin (Hyun-Bin) has two different personalities. One of his personalities is cold like Hyde and the other is sweet like Jekyll.
Stars: Hyun Bin, Han Ji-min, Kim Do-yeon, Lee Hyeri
Votes: 1,448
35. Oh My Venus (2015–2016)
60 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A lawyer in her thirties coming out of a long relationship decides to regain her figure and health after meeting a renowned personal trainer who obsesses with leading a healthy lifestyle after suffering a serious injury in his childhood.
Stars: So Ji-seob, Shin Min-a, Jung Gyu-woon, Yoo In-young
Votes: 6,522
36. Secret Garden (2010–2011)
60 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A rich young CEO falls for a poor stuntwoman despite class differences, cultural traditions and the man's firmly objecting mother.
Stars: Ha Ji-Won, Hyun Bin, Yoon Sang-Hyun, Kim Sa-rang
Votes: 7,681
37. Mask (2015)
Drama, Romance
Ji-sook facing a hard time because of her father's debts and begin chased by moneylenders. When a series of things happen Ji-sook have to live with Eun Ha's identity (a Woman from elite family) because she look exactly like a Eun Ha.
Stars: Soo Ae, Ju Ji-hoon, Yeon Jeong-hun, Yoo In-young
Votes: 466
38. The Prime Minister and I (2013–2014)
Not Rated | Drama, Romance
At 42-years-old, Kwon Yool (Lee Beom Soo) is South Korea's youngest prime minister ever. On top of his reputation of being an honest man of the utmost integrity, he's also a widower who ... See full summary »
Stars: Im Yoon-ah, Lee Beom-su, Go Gyu-pil, Kim Ji-wan
Votes: 436
39. Full House (2004)
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Romance
In a bid to reacquire her childhood home, a free-spirited woman agrees to a sham-marriage with a selfish actor. Their daily lives are complicated by overlapping love triangles and comic misadventures.
Stars: Song Hye-kyo, Rain, Han Eun-jeong, Kim Seong-su
Votes: 3,858
40. Kwaegeol Chun-hyang (2005)
60 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Chun-hyang is smart and sassy and becomes involved with good looking Mong-ryong. His first love Chae-rin enters the picture. An older man, Hak-do, pursues her. Will they find their way back to each other?
Stars: Han Chae-young, Ahn Suk-hwan, Jae Hee, Uhm Tae-woong
Votes: 534
41. Mary Stayed Out All Night (2010)
65 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
Wi Mae Ri is the cheerful, pragmatic girl who finds herself reluctantly being set up in an arranged marriage by her father. In order to avoid it, she enlists help from an indie rocker Kang Moo Kyul who pretends to be her husband.
Stars: Moon Geun-young, Jang Keun-suk, Kim Jae-Wook, Kim Hyo-jin
Votes: 858
42. City Hunter (2011)
TV-Y | 60 min | Action, Romance, Thriller
Lee Yun-seong was trained by his father's best friend in order to get revenge on the government for killing everyone in his father's unit.
Stars: Lee Min-ho, Park Min-Young, Kim Sang-jung, Chun Ho-jin
Votes: 6,654
43. You've Fallen for Me (2011)
65 min | Drama, Music, Romance
A series of misunderstandings causes Lee Shin, the cocky leader of "The Stupid" and Lee Gyu-won, a student majoring in Traditional Korean Music to start on the wrong foot. Until she sees him performing live, and is immediately captivated.
Stars: Jung Yong-hwa, Park Shin-Hye, Song Chang-ui, So Yi-hyeon
Votes: 2,114
44. Angry Mom (2015)
70 min | Comedy, Drama
When Jo Kang Ja learns that her daughter is being intimidated by some classmates, she decides to enroll in high school as an undercover student to teach the bullies a lesson.
Stars: Kim Hee-seon, Kim Yoo-jung, Ji Hyun-woo, Ji Soo
Votes: 670
45. Can You Hear My Heart? (2011)
65 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance