The Best K-Dramas Of All Time, Ranked

K-Dramas have been enjoying a lot of success and fan adoration as of late, and these are the best K-dramas of all time.

Korean dramas, often referred to as K-dramas, have garnered immense popularity worldwide over the years. The captivating storytelling, talented actors, stunning visuals, and cultural richness depicted in these dramas have captured the hearts of audiences globally.

The impact of K-dramas on the international entertainment industry cannot be overlooked. The fusion of romance, drama, comedy, and sometimes fantasy in K-dramas creates an irresistible charm that keeps viewers engaged and emotionally invested in the characters and their stories.

From classic romances like “Boys Over Flowers” and “My Love from the Star” to intense melodramas such as “Goblin” and “Descendants of the Sun,” the diversity of K-dramas offers something for everyone. The intricate plots and well-developed characters make these dramas highly compelling, often leaving a lasting impression on their audience.

K-dramas have also been instrumental in promoting Korean culture, language, and fashion on a global scale. The iconic fashion statements and scenic locations portrayed in these dramas have influenced trends and travel destinations, further adding to their widespread appeal.

As the K-drama phenomenon continues to flourish, viewers can look forward to more groundbreaking series that showcase the unparalleled creativity and excellence of Korean television production.

BY AMANDA BRUCE AND GABRIELA SILVA UPDATED APR 8, 2024

25 years ago, K-dramas wouldn’t be seen by many international audiences, but South Korean television has gone international in a big way thanks to streaming services, and some of the best K-dramas of all time can be viewed all over the world. Just because a series is a K-drama doesn’t mean the show features solely dramatic storylines. The classification is given to series produced in South Korea, but they can run the gamut of genres from romantic comedy to thriller to fantasy, making for some drastically different content.

K-dramas are a huge trend that isn’t stopping anytime soon and for good reason. K-dramas have taken over streaming platforms like Netflix thanks to the popularity of shows like Squid Game, and fans are hooked, binging series after series. Some shows take romance and comedy to a new level that isn’t seen on American television, combining soapier aspects with slice-of-life story ideas. On the flip side, there are unique thrillers that have viewers’ hearts racing with each passing episode. The best K-dramas include a huge variety of television.

Forecasting Love And Weather (2022)

Stream on Netflix

Rom-coms are one of the most prevalent genres among K-dramas. This newer entry into the genre takes a unique approach to telling its story. It’s a workplace drama to an extent as it surrounds those who work for the National Weather Service of South Korea. It uses the weather conditions they experience and forecast as a metaphor for changing relationships though, which makes for a great way for the audience to connect the workplace themes in the episodes to the relationship drama playing out as well.

The series stars K-drama veterans Song Kang and Park Min-young as colleagues who fall for one another right after one of them gets promoted to be the boss in their division. Their characters also share a unique history in that their exes cheated on them and married one another – and both work in the same building. The drama and the weather themes make for a unique entry into the genre.

The Flower Of Evil (2020)

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The Flower of Evil will have audiences on the edge of their seats for this crime drama thriller. The show’s title is appropriate, seeing as it deals with the public image hiding a dark reality. A seemingly perfect family to the public eye might not be so after all. The husband has a bad secret that he keeps hidden from his wife, who’s a detective. When his wife is put to the task of investigating a series of murders, she is forced to come to the possibility that her husband might not be as perfect as he seems.

Part of what helped make the show so compelling is that the two leads, Lee Joon-gi and Moon Chae-won had worked together on other projects and had an existing chemistry to play on. Audiences and critics saw that and both actors were nominated for a slew of awards for Asian television.

Squid Game (2021)

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Unlike a lot of other K-dramas that aired in South Korea first, Squid Game exploded onto the international stage thanks to its global release on Netflix. It became the most-watched series in more than 90 countries following its release, cementing the international interest in K-dramas that had been building for 15 years.

The thriller follows several contestants as they vie for millions of dollars in lethal games meant to callback to games played in childhood. Full of twists, it kept the audience surprised right up until the end of the first season. Its popularity has seen Netflix develop a reality competition series using similar games (though not lethal losses). Squid Game also received 14 Primetime Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series and, because of its international release, replicated that success in prestigious award ceremonies all over the world.

It’s Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)

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The Netflix show, It’s Okay To Not Be Okay, became a hit sensation and received one of the highest rankings seen in a K-drama on IMDb. With a near-perfect score, the romantic television show is much more than what it seems. It earned a Best TV Movie Or Miniseries nomination at the 2021 International Emmy Awards.

A famous children’s book author lacks the ability to show or feel empathy. She soon meets a caretaker at a psychiatric hospital who has no time to delve into love due to personal responsibilities. A woman who has never felt love and a man who has no time for it fall into an unusual romance. Underneath it all is a chilling tale of a monster from her childhood coming back to haunt her. The cleverly crafted series has become one of the best K-dramas of all time.

Sweet Home (2020)

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Inspired by a webtoon that earned over two billion views, Sweet Home has become one of the most internationally popular K-dramas of the modern day. The apocalyptic series is a dramatic thriller of a K-drama that centers on the residents of an apartment building who find themselves trapped inside as monsters roam outside.

Sweet Home was the first South Korean series to land in the Netflix Top 10 in the United States, an impressive feat that other K-dramas hadn’t managed before 2020. Since then, it’s also appeared in the Netflix Top 10 in more than 70 countries around the world and saw K-drama veteran Song Kang win Character of the Year at the Seoul International Drama Awards. The third season of the series is set to release some time in 2024.

About The Authors :

Amanda Bruce(1470 Articles Published)

Amanda Bruce is a freelance writer in Florida who got her start penning features for the now-defunct Portrait Magazine. Additional bylines can be found at The Movie Network, The Things, Game Rant, and Comic Book Resources. She has been writing for Screen Rant since 2017.

Gabriela Silva(478 Articles Published)

Gabriela Silva is a List writer for Screen Rant with experience in all things television, film and pop culture. A graduate of Fordham University with previous years experience interning for Cliché Magazine. With her passion for movies,