Cover The best K-dramas of all time (Photo: Instagram / @hwarang_kdrama)

Grab your popcorn, cancel your plans and get comfortable, as these classic K-dramas are sure to keep you wanting more

With intricate plot lines and brilliant casting lineups, it’s no wonder South Korean dramas have become increasingly popular over the years.

The 2000s ushered in a new era for the Korean entertainment industry—thanks to the Korean wave in the 90s—with K-drama series such as Winter Sonata and My Name is Kim Sam Soon gaining popularity both locally and internationally. Today, K-dramas can be found on almost all major streaming sites and it’s something we can’t get enough of.

K-dramas have come a long way since the 2000s and it won’t be slowing down anytime soon. That said, with a myriad of series to choose from, it can get intimidating to pick one to watch—especially if you’ve never watched one before. So, we have compiled a list of the most iconic drama series to add to your watchlist.

Read more: 5 best Hyun Bin K-dramas and movies to binge-watch this weekend

1. Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth

Set during the Silla Kingdom (57 BCE to 935 CE), this historical drama tells the story of a group of young Hwarang warriors. While training to protect the kingdom, we see them discover their passion, love and friendship for each other. The 2016 drama features a star studded cast, including Itaewon Class’s Park Seo-joon, Shinee’s Choi Min-ho and BTS’s V.

2. Search: WWW

Search: WWW revolves around a trio of friends, Bae Ta-mi, Cha Hyeon and Song Ga-kyeong in their late 30s who work in competitive web portal companies. Through the series, we see them support each other through life’s ups and downs from marital issues to office politics. The popular drama stars A Tale of Two Sisters’ Im Soo-jung, I Can Hear Your Voice’s Lee Da-hee and The Throne’s Jeon Hye-jin.

3. When the Camellia Blooms

Crush’s Gong Hyo-jin plays single mother Oh Dong-baek in this 2016 romance thriller drama. Living in a small town, she runs bar and restaurant Camellia while taking care of her son. Meanwhile, police officer Hwang Yong-sik (played by Kang Ha-neul) returns to the town to track down a serial killer while falling in love with Oh.

4. True Beauty

This 2020 drama follows Lim Ju-kyung (played by Moon Ga-young), a high school student struggling with self-esteem issues due to her appearance. She uses makeup as a way to transform herself every day. We see her navigate life together with her friends Lee Su-ho (Cha Sun-woo) and Han Seo-jun (Hwang In-youp). Through its exploration of self-acceptance, societal beauty standards and the impact of superficial judgements, the series beautifully navigates the challenges of adolescence while highlighting the importance of inner confidence and authenticity.

5. My Mister

Highly praised for its realistic portrayal of human struggles, the 2018 series follows engineer Park Dong-hoon as he faces challenges at work while coping with a failing marriage. During this time, he encounters Lee Ji-an, a part-timer at his workplace who is burdened by debts and personal struggles. We follow as their lives intersect while they navigate their respective hardships. The series explores themes of empathy, forgiveness and hope, and stars Coffee Prince’s Lee Sun-hyun and singer-songwriter Lee Ji-eun (also known as IU).

6. The World of the Married

Adapted from the British series Doctor Foster, the series follows respected doctor Ji Sun-woo and her husband Lee Tae-oh. Her seemingly perfect world begins to unravel when discovers that her husband is having an affair with a younger woman. The narrative takes unexpected turns throughout the series, keeping us on the edge of our seats. Themes of betrayal, revenge and infidelity are explored in the drama. The production stars My Name’s Han So-hee, Queenmaker’s Kim Hee-ae and Emergency Declaration’s Park Hae-joon.

7. What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim

Based on Jung Kyung-yoon’s novel of the same name, this rom-com stars Itaewon Class’s Park Seo-joon as Lee Young-soon, a vice-chairman of a major corporation, and Healer’s Park Min-young as secretary Kim Mi-so. After having a professional relationship for nine years, the duo starts getting romantically involved once Kim decides to quit her job.

8. The Heirs

One of the most highly anticipated K-dramas in the 2010s, this series stars multiple A-list actors including Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye and Kim Woo-bin. The series follows a trio of students who have found themselves in a love triangle. As they belong to families with different backgrounds, they learn how to fight against traditional norms held by chaebol families.

9. The Moon Embracing the Sun

Garnering popularity since its release, this historical drama is set in the Joseon era and based on Jung Eun-gwol’s novel of the same name. The series follows King Lee Hwon who pines for his childhood sweetheart, Wol. With romance, sword fights and a thrilling storyline, this drama is sure to keep you entertained through all of its 20 episodes.

10. Signal

This 2016 thriller-fantasy series is sure to keep you on your toes. Based on the 2000 film Frequency, the series follows criminal profiler Park Hae-yeong and detective Lee Jae-han as they solve a mystery from the past. The popular series also features a stellar cast, including Taxi Driver’s Lee Je-hoon, Juvenile Justice’s Kim Hye-soo and Deep Rooted Tree’s Cho Jin-woong.

11. Dream High

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above (Photo: dreamhigh_official.15 /Instagram)

This high-school drama took the world by storm when it was first released in 2011. The popular series sees a group of students enrolling to Kirin High School of Art in hopes of becoming idol stars. The group get closer as they learn the meaning of friendship, love and life. Dream High stars Hotel Del Luna’s IU, Start-Up’s Bae Suzy, Its Okay to Not Be Okay’s Kim Soo-hyun and Vincenzo’s Ok Taec-yeon.

12. Healer

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Healer_kdrama/Instagram)
Above (Photo: Healer_kdrama/Instagram)

Starring Smile Again’s Ji Chang-wook, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim’s Park Min-young and When Love Bloom’s Yoo Ji-tae, this K-drama follows the story of a decades-old incident involving a group of five friends. The incident brought together the “healer” (Ji), reporter Chae Young-shin (Park) and famous journalist Kim Moo-ho (Yoo). Throughout the series, we see the trio embark on a quest to uncover the truth about past and current murders while constantly blurring the lines between truth and reality.

13. Princess Hours

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above (Photo: _hyoonies_/Instagram)

Princess Hours is a passionate romance story between two lovers, Crown Prince Lee Shin of Korea (Ji Ji-hoon) and his bride, Chae-kyeong (Yoon Eun-hye). The latter is a high school art student who was made to marry the Crown Prince, according to her grandfather’s will. Throughout the series, we see Chae-kyeong learning to adapt to her new life in the palace. The story takes place in a fictitious world, where modern-day Korea is a constitutional monarchy.

14. My Love From The Star

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above (Photo: mylove.fromthestar /Instagram)

This 2013 K-drama tells the story of Do Min-joon (Kim Soo-hyun), an extraterrestrial alien who landed on Earth in 1609. 400 years on, Do is still on earth and has fallen in love with famous actress Chen Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun). The duo starts a loving relationship and start to experience life’s ups and downs together.

15. Winter Sonata

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above Winter Sonata (Photo: winter_sonata.clips /Instagram)

The second part of season-themed drama series, Endless Love, this 2002 K-drama follows Jung Yu-jin (Choi Ji-woo) and Kang Joon-sang (Bae Yong-joon). The duo met in high school and soon after, Kang gets into a car accident and passes away. Years later, Jung runs into a man who looks just like Kang. The series quickly gained popularity after its release and had garnered a large female following.

16. My Name is Kim Sam Soon

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above (Photo: k_shimy /Instagram)

This K-drama series is no stranger to Hyun Bin fans—after all, the South Korean star had gained widespread recognition for his role as Hyun Jin-heon in this drama. The 2005 romantic comedy series follows the story of Kim Sam-soon (Kim Sun-a). As Kim’s life takes a turn for the worse, she meets Hyung Jun-heon. Throughout the series, we follow the duo as they go through life together.

17. Stairway to Heaven

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above (Photo: 2mc_bright.r /Instagram)

This romance K-drama follows childhood sweethearts Jung Seo (Choi Ji-woo) and Song Joo (Kwon Sang-woo). When the duo gets separated, and Jung suffers amnesia, Song takes it upon himself to make her remember again.

In case you missed it: 7 best bromances from the top-rated K-dramas

18. Full House

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above (Photo: kdramas.col/Instagram)

A romance K-drama, Full House centres around Han Ji-eun and Lee Young-jae as they learn to love and live with each other in a loveless marriage. The series stars The Glory’s Song Hye-kyo as Han, a free-spirited woman; and Ghost Doctor’s Ji Hoon-jung as Lee, a selfish actor.

19. Secret Garden

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above (Photo: fantasy_flick /Instagram)

Another Hyun Bin classic, this 2010 fantasy rom-com series sees Hyun star as rich CEO Kim Joo-woon. The drama follows Kim as he falls in love with a stunt woman, Gil Ra-im (Ha Ji-won). The series takes a comedic turn when the duo magically switch bodies.  

20. Boys Over Flowers

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above (Photo: boysoverflowers0fficial /Instagram)

One of the most recognisable K-dramas from the 2000s, Boys Over Flowers is based on a Japanese manga of the same name. The series revolves around a group of rich boys, F4, and a lower income girl. The immensely popular series stars The Heirs’ Lee Min-ho, Hearts of Nineteen’s Koo Hye-sun and Law School’s Kim Bum.

21. Mr Sunshine

This historical romance drama takes place in the late 19th century, before the Japanese occupation of Korea. The series follows Eugene Choi (Lee Byung-hun), a young boy who escapes to the US during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo (Korean Expedition). Years later, he returns to Joseon as a United States Marine Corps officer and falls head over heels for an aristocrat’s granddaughter, Go Ae-shin (Kim Tae-ri).

Don’t miss: A K-drama itinerary to Seoul: 5 must-visit filming locations

22. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above (Photo: goblin_kdramaa /Instagram)

Better known as Goblin, this 2016 series stars Squid Game’s Gong Yoo, Cheese in the Trap’s Kim Go-eun, and Secret Garden’s Yoo In-na. The Korean series follows a dokkaebi, a Korean goblin played by Gong. Accused of being a traitor, he was doomed to immortality as a goblin. The only way to save himself is through Ji Eun-tak, a human bride played by Kim.

23. Crash Landing on You

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above (Photo: ajay_lodha.143/Instagram)

Attracting a new wave of Korean drama fans, this Netflix K-drama series was an instant hit when it was released in 2019. Here, we follow Secret Garden’s Son Ye-jin as she portrays a wealthy CEO who lands in North Korea after a paragliding accident. There, she makes friends with army captain (Hyun Bin) who helps her hide.

24. Reply 1988

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above (Photo: reply1988kr/Instagram)

Taking us back to the late 1980s, this nostalgic series is set in Seoul and focuses on the lives of a five families and their children. The series tells a story about the ups and downs of the friendship between the quintet during their turbulent teen years. The 2016 series stars Lee Hye-ri, Go Kyung-pyo, Ryu Jun-yeol, Park Bo-gum and Lee Dong-hwi.  

In case you missed it: Hyun Bin, Gong Yoo and more: 10 Korean celebrities who served in the military

25. Descendants of the Sun

Tatler Asia
(Photo: Instagram)
Above (Photo: dots_kdrama/Instagram)

This endearing Korean wartime drama sees captain Yoo Si-jin (Song Joon-ki) and his squad in a strife-torn region of Uruk. Throughout the series, we see Yoo fall in love with first lieutenant Yoon Myeong-joo (Kim Ji-won). The 16-episode drama was a major hit and has received multiple awards including the Grand Prize award at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards.

26. Coffee Prince

The 2007 drama follows the romance between a tomboyish woman and a young food empire mogul. The series was an instant hit, thanks to its unique plot and stellar casting, featuring a list actors such as Train to Busan’s Gong Yoo and K-pop girl group Baby Vox’s singer Yoon Eun-hye.

27. Strong Girl Bong-soon

One of the highest-rating K-drama series of all time, this 2017 romantic comedy stars Oh My Ghost’s Park Bo-young as Do Bong-soon, a woman born with superhuman strength. The hit series also stars The Heirs’ Park Hyung-sik and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo’s Ji Soo.

Topics