The Top 10 Best Kdramas on Netflix

Netflix Kdrama

Many people have been introduced to Kdrama thanks to the enormous success of the South Korean series Squid Game on Netflix. Kdrama, which is the common abbreviation for Korean drama (like K-pop is short for Korean pop music), is a genre that became wildly popular during the corona crisis. Since then, the library of the best Korean series on Netflix has grown bigger and bigger.

As you may have noticed, Korean series are very different from American or European series. Romance Kdrama on Netflix is very lovely and sweet, almost fairytale-like, while Korean crime series are very bloody and violent. 

Take a look at our top 10 of the best Korean series on Netflix, so you can decide which Kdrama - apart from Squid Game - you will put on your watch list!

10. A Time Called You (2023)

^{Image source: Netflix}
When you talk about K-drama, you're talking about A Time Called You. Get your tissues ready, because it is truly the biggest tearjerker of all the series on this list.

• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 12
• Genre: time travel, drama, mystery
  
  

What is A Time Called You about?

"Love," "time travel," and "loss" are the three terms that best describe A Time Called You. Without giving away too much, this series is about Jun-Hee who is trying to cope with the loss of her boyfriend Yeon-Jun in 2023. Somehow, she travels back in time to 1998, where she wakes up in the body of 18-year-old Min-Ju. To her great surprise, she meets Si-Heon, a boy from her school who looks exactly like her deceased boyfriend.

Want to find out how this story unfolds? Watch A Time Called You on Netflix now! Be warned: you probably won't be able to stop watching, so stock up on snacks in advance.

9. Bloodhounds (2023)

^{Image source: Netflix}
Immediately after the popular Korean actor Woo Do-Hwan was discharged from military service, he began filming the thrilling Korean series called "Bloodhounds." The series is based on the webcomic "Sanyanggaedeul" by Jung Cha.

• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 8
• Genre: drama, crime, action

What is the plot of Bloodhounds?

You follow the story of Kim Gun-Woo, a former marine with aspirations to become a professional boxer. He defeats an opponent named Hong Woo-Jin, also a former marine, with whom he then becomes close friends. When he discovers that his mother has fallen victim to illegal loan sharks, he is forced to leave his boxing career behind. The only way to clear his mother's debts is to work as a 'bloodhound' for the notorious loan shark Kim Myeong-Gil.

Curious to see how it unfolds? Check out this exciting K-drama now on Netflix!

8. Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023)

^{Image source: Netflix}
This delightful romantic tearjerker was filmed on Jeju Island, also known as the Hawaii of South Korea. Although the village of Samdal-ri does indeed exist, the footage was shot all over Jeju. Meet the Haenyeo (literally translated: sea women). These legendary women dive up to 20 meters deep (without oxygen tanks!) in search of sea urchins, octopuses, and other sea creatures to earn a living. You can recognize them by their black diving suits and floating buoys.

• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 8
• Genre: romantic comedy
  
  

What is Welcome to Samdal-ri about?

Successful photographer Cho Eun-Hye (also known as Cho Sam-Dal) returns to her hometown of Samdal-ri after a major scandal in which she was accused of abuse of power. Once back in the village, she encounters her childhood love, Cho Yong-Pil - a stubborn weatherman who does everything to protect the village's elderly.

Will Cho Sam-Dal manage to clear her name? And will she and Yong-Pil get back together - or can they not leave their painful past behind? Watch Welcome to Samdal-ri on Netflix now!

7. The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)

^{Image source: Netflix}
The creators of Korean dramas are known for mixing up all kinds of genres. And this series is no different. With The King: Eternal Monarch, you can enjoy a tasty combination of history, fantasy, humour and romance.

• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 16
• Genre: romantic fantasy
  
  

The Story of The King: Eternal Monarch

Many Kdramas are based on the Joseon Dynasty - a period of over 500 years, when Korea was ruled by kings and queens. In The King: Eternal Monarch, you’ll see what South Korea would’ve looked like as a monarchy in today’s modern world. 

The king named Lee Gon is looking for his father’s murderer. In doing so, he travels through a mysterious portal to a parallel universe and ends up in the Republic of Korea -  the South Korea we know today. 

During his search, he meets an exceptionally beautiful detective named Jeong Tae-Eul. At first, she doesn't believe he’s the king of Korea - which is totally understandable. But eventually, she falls madly in love with him.

Will Lee-Gon find his father's killer? And will their love survive the impossible circumstances that come with parallel universes? 

6. Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022)

^{Image source: Netflix}
With Twenty-Five Twenty-One we step into the time machine and go back in time. We end up in the 90's, where having a mobile phone was still a rare thing, and you had to rush to the nearest bookstore to be the first to read the latest issue of your favourite comic. Twenty-Five Twenty-One shows us the story of a group of teenagers, and how they rapidly grow up while facing all kinds of hardships.

• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 16
• Genre: drama, coming of age
  
  

What is the plot of Twenty-Five Twenty-One?

Na Hee-Do is a crazy, spontaneous and incredibly driven girl who wants to become the best fencer in the world. She lives alone with her mother, who has little time for her daughter due to her high-profile career. 

Hee-Do meets a slightly older handsome fella, called Back Yi-Jin. His family fell apart due to his father's bankruptcy. He’s very determined to reunite his family, but in order to do so he chooses the same demanding job as Na Hee-Do's mother.

Can their relationship handle the pressure of fencing championships and the hectic schedule of a journalist?

5. Business Proposal (2022)

^{Image source: Netflix}
We kick off our top 5 of the best Kdrama on Netflix with Business Proposal, a Korean romance comedy series based on a webtoon. Do you feel like binging an incredibly sweet, feel-good Kdrama? Then it’s a great idea to put Business Proposal on your watch list!

• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 12
• Genre: romantic comedy
  
  

What is Business Proposal about?

Arranged blind dates are still quite common among South Korea's wealthy families, but Jin Young-Seo just doesn't feel like it. Therefore, she asks her best friend Shin Ha-Ri to go on the arranged blind date for her. Ha-Ri agrees and does everything she can to be rejected by the guy. But it turns out her date is the handsome Kang Tae-Moon, CEO of Go Food - the company where Ha-Ri works. 

She tries to keep her real identity a secret, but Tae-Moon soon discovers she’s lying. To avoid disappointing his grandfather (who desperately wants Tae-Moon to get married), he signs a 'dating' contract with Ha-Ri. But can love, documented in a contract, ever be real? You'll see it on Netflix!

4. D.P. (2021)

^{Image source: Netflix}
Are you up for a more serious Kdrama? Then D.P. is definitely one to watch! D.P. is a rock-solid Korean (short) drama series that tackles painful topics such as bullying, abuse and humiliation in the Korean army.

• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 6
• Genre: military drama, action
  
  

What is the plot of D.P.?

In South Korea, all men between the ages of 18 and 28 must serve at least 18 months in the army. This Korean drama series shows the harsh reality of the Korean obligatory military service, where violent hazing and mental (and physical) abuse by superiors is sadly not uncommon. 

In D.P. you follow the story of An Joon-Ho, a quiet young man who joins the D.P. team (D.P. is an abbreviation for Deserter Pursuit). Because they miss their families, but also because of terrible bullying, some soldiers leave the army prematurely.

Desertion is of course forbidden, and it’s the duty of the D.P. team to search for these deserters and bring them back safely...

3. It’s Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)

^{Image source: Netflix}
Do you like fairytale-like, romantic Kdrama series - with a dark twist? Then the award-winning It's Okay To Not Be Okay is definitely a must-see! In fact, it was Netflix's most popular romantic Kdrama in 2020. Sounds promising, right?

• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 16
• Genre: romantic comedy
  
  

What is It's Okay To Not Be Okay about?

This Korean series is about Moon Gang-Tae, a selfless, insecure but sweet boy who works as a caregiver in a mental hospital. Gang-Tae lives with his autistic big brother, Moon Sang-Tae, who loves illustrating and drawing. Sang-Tae has an irrational fear of butterflies, which is the result of a traumatic event from the past. Because of this, the brothers have to move every spring - to escape these creepy insects. 

Gang-Tae meets a children's book author named Ko Moon-Young, who is difficult to read due to her personality disorder. She develops a slight obsession with Gang-Tae and follows him to the next village he moves to. As time passes, they discover that they’re bound together by their pasts.

Will this extraordinary trio manage to heal their wounds from the past together?  

2. Itaewon Class (2020)

^{Image source: Netflix}
Second on the list is Itaewon Class (based on the webtoon of the same name), one of the best Korean dramas I have ever seen. I must honestly say that I delayed watching it for a long time, but eventually I dove in - and it was more than worth it! In my opinion, Park Seo-Joon portrays one of the strongest main characters ever in this series - and there have also been plenty of tears shed.

• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 20
• Genre: drama
  
  

What is the plot of Itaewon Class?

As the name suggests, this series takes place in Itaewon - one of the most popular neighborhoods in Seoul. Park Sae-ro-yi seeks revenge on his father's murderer, which lands him in prison. After serving his time, he discovers that his crush has received a scholarship from Jangga Group - an organization led by the murderer's father. He does everything in his power to become more successful than Jangga Group, in order to avenge his father's murder.

Do you want to know if he succeeds? Then watch this amazing drama series on Netflix now!

1. Crash Landing On You (2019)

^{Image source: Netflix}
Crash Landing on You is an all-time favourite of almost every Kdrama fan and should therefore not be missing from your Netflix Kdrama watch list. This romantic Korean drama is about an impossible love affair and shows the obvious difference between North and South Korea. Fun fact: the protagonists are married to each other since 2022. So the sparks you see between them in the series are real!

• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 16
• Genre: romantic comedy
  
  

What is Crash Landing On You about?

Successful businesswoman, and Chaebol heiress, Yoon Se-Ri wants to test her latest line of extreme sportswear. But while paragliding, she suddenly gets caught in a tornado and makes an emergency landing in the demilitarised zone (DMZ) - a buffer zone between North and South Korea that is strictly guarded by both North and South Korean armies.

Army officer Ri Jeong-Hyeok comes across her and tries to help her, but she escapes and flees back to South Korea - or so she thought. As it turns out, she ran the wrong way, ending up in a North Korean village and bumping into the officer again. It seems impossible for Se-Ri to return to South Korea, but Jeong-Hyeok does everything he can to help her.

Buy your Netflix Gift Card at Startselect!

Looking to buy or renew your Netflix subscription? We’ve got you covered! Because at Startselect, you’ll have your subscription up and running in no-time. Buy the Netflix gift card of your choosing, activate it and start watching the best Kdramas on Netflix!  

Variable Netflix Gift Card

Digital code

£25.00-£200.00

Netflix Gift Card £50

Digital code

£50.00

{ "@context": "http://schema.org/", "@type": "Offer", "priceCurrency": "GBP", "price": "50.00", "url": "https://startselect.com/gb-en/netflix-gift-card-50/42081" }

Netflix Gift Card £25

Digital code

£25.00

{ "@context": "http://schema.org/", "@type": "Offer", "priceCurrency": "GBP", "price": "25.00", "url": "https://startselect.com/gb-en/netflix-gift-card-25/41248" }