Must Watch Korean Dramas on Netflix
Have you run out of things to watch online? Is the world too dark to watch depressing series ? Well, K-Dramas are just what the doctor ordered! If you are looking for something that will leave you with a smile at the end of the day, look no further.
1. Descendents of the Sun : (Action / Romance) A special ops soldier falls in love with a doctor. Doctor doesn’t want to date the soldier since she saves lives while he takes lives. The series is shot in beautiful locations and tries to capture the challenges of men in the uniform and women doctors, working in war zones. Fun fact: the lead pair got married soon after this series. Ratings : 4.5/5
2. Arthdal Chronicles : (Drama / Historical fantasy) Non nudity Korean version of Game of Thrones. Originally begins as a battle of survival between Humans and Neanderthals, but later on progresses to question man’s greed to control and conquer nature. There are different kingdoms and their own sub plots to keep the story gripping till the last minute. This is one series which you cannot afford to skip and watch. Fun fact : Season 2 will be out soon. Rating : 5/5
3. Crash Landing on you : (Action / Romance) A South Korean heiress / successful businesswomen enters North Korean territory while paragliding during a storm. She becomes acquainted with some soldiers who help to smuggle her out of the country. Post her moving back to South Korea, the soldiers get a change to visit her country and get a taste of her life. Fun fact : It was not shot in North Korea, incase anybody was wondering. Ratings : 5/5
4. One Spring Night : ( Romance / Drama) : Single father falls for a woman who is in a committed but unfulfilling relationship of several years. It is a series for mature viewers, not a typical gushy teen romance with over the top situations. The story captures the stigma attached to single parents. Although the main characters are strong, the subplot of the sister’s abusive husband felt too drawn out. Ratings : 4/5
5. Something in the Rain : (Romance / Drama) : A 35+ year old single woman falls in love with a 25+ year old, who also happens to be her childhood best friend’s younger brother. Family drama with a sub plot of sexual harassment at workplace combined. The harassment bit could have been handled in a better manner though. Fun Fact : The Korean name for the show was Pretty Noona (elder sister) who buys me food. Ratings : 3.5/5
6. Romance is a Bonus Book : (Romance / Drama) : A 37 year old divorcee/single mother decides to look for job again after a gap of 7 years. After several rejections, she lies about her education to get an admin job in a publishing house where her childhood best friend works. Whole series is about book’s journey from conception to manuscript reading , editing, book cover design and printing. There is a love triangle too. Rating : 4/5
7. My Suspicious Partner : (Law & Order / Romance) A struggling law student gets wrongly accused of the murder of her ex-boyfriend who had previously cheated on her. The prosecutor turns to be her boss who finds a way to protect her from being charged for murder, at the cost of his own job as a government prosecutor. The series follows a series of murders linked to the one she was accused of. There is a love quadrilateral too. Ratings : 3.5/5
8. Cinderella and Four Knights : (Teen Romance) A poor girl mistreated by her stepmother is hired by a billionaire to live with his three grandsons to teach them manners and make them appreciate their grandfather. Her education will be fully funded by the billionaire provided she does all the tasks planned by him and doesn’t fall in love with any of the men, she resides with. Fun fact : the lead actress played Jessica in the oscar winning movie : Parasite. Rating : 3.5/5
9. Whats Wrong with Secretary Kim : (Workplace Drama / Romance) : Super efficient secretary suddenly quits her job after 10 – 15 years because she wants to settle down and get married. The boss offers to marry her so that she doesn’t quit her job. The boss is annoying at first but he grows on you later on. Rating : 4/5
10. My Love from a Star : (Fantasy/ Romance / Mystery) : An Alien who has lived on earth for 400 years finally gets a chance to go back to his planet. But he finds the girl who he fell in love with 400 years back when he landed on earth, in a reincarnated form as a short tempered TV actress. There is also a sub plot of a murder/suicide of another TV actress that the lead pair get involved in. Rating : 3.5/5
11. Legend of the Blue Sea : (Fantasy / Romance) : A mermaid comes to land and falls in love with a human. But she has to ensure that he falls in love with her too, otherwise her heart will stop beating. The present day tale runs along with flashbacks from their previous birth. The series tracks how the doomed couple will fulfill the incomplete destiny of their past life. Rating : 4/5
12. Strong Girl Bong Soon : (Mystery / Comedy) : A girl with superpowers she has inherited from her mom’s side (she is very strong ) gets a job as a bodyguard for a gaming website’s owner. There is a serial kidnapper on loose who is being sought after by a cop who happens to be Bong soon’s childhood crush. Rating : 3.5/5
13. Inheritors or Heirs : (Teen Romance) Korean version of Gossip girl. A maid’s daughter and millionaire’s illegitimate son start dating after bumping into each other in the US. Rich father objects and creates problems for them. Starts as a show set in the US but it ends up being more of a high school drama and love triangle based in Korea. Rating : 3/5
14. Itaewon Class : (Revenge Drama/Motivational) : A convict decides to seek revenge for his father’s death by ruining the business of the man whose son kills his father. The whole show is about starting a business from scratch to compete with the bigwigs of the industry. For a more detailed review for Itaewon class read this. Does contains spoilers: https://medium.com/@nehasaxena_56261/itaewon-class-a-class-apart-from-your-stereotypical-korean-content-a32985b157