Images via HITZ and Gulf News
About a week ago, we at HITZ asked you for that one K-Drama you’d suggest to your non-K-Drama watching friends, and boy were the number of responses out of this world!
Receiving almost 250 suggestions, we have done you the liberty of narrowing down the best of the best from your answers, in a nifty, little list. So, let’s countdown right into in.
Here are THE 10 K-Dramas you just must check out.
#10 Winter Sonata
Image via Han Cinema
Year released: 2002
MyDramaList* rating: 7.7
What’s it about: When Yoo Jin loses Joon Sang in a tragic car accident, she is distraught. Ten years later, she gets together with her childhood friend. However, everything becomes foggy when she meets a guy who looks exactly like her dead first love. Now, the time has come for her to make a choice.
Why you’ll like it: It's THE K-drama of its time, and possibly one that started a K-drama fascination for many.
#9 Welcome To Waikiki
Image via Han Cinema
Year released: 2018–2019
MyDramaList rating: 8.2–8.6
What’s it about: Three very different men—one with bad luck who dreams of becoming a director, an eccentric actor who performs to make ends meet, and a freelance writer who barely does anything—open a guesthouse, called Waikiki, in Itaewon. They have zero clue how to run it, but in the hopes to work on a movie together, they do what they can for the money.
Why you’ll like it: It’s so funny, we swear you’ll be laughing till it hurts!
#8 Taxi Driver
Image via Han Cinema
Year released: 2021–2023
MyDramaList rating: 8.8–8.9
What’s it about: The story of a deluxe taxi driver who gets revenge on behalf of the plights of his customers.
Why you’ll like it: Lee Je-hoon is so hot and that’s nuff’ said.
#7 Kingdom
Image via Han Cinema
Year released: 2019–2020
MyDramaList rating: 8.8–8.9
What’s it about: Set in the Joseon period, a king falls ill to smallpox and is rumoured to have died. On a quest to find out what happened to his father, the crown prince sets out to a village plagued by a mysterious, scary disease.
Why you’ll like it: Well spoiler alert, it’s the undead. Who doesn’t like that?
#6 Hometown Cha Cha Cha
Image via Han Cinema
Year released: 2021
MyDramaList rating: 8.7
What’s it about: Yoon Hye-jin is a dentist in a big city. But when she meets some hurdles at her current job, she quits and moves to the seaside village of Gongjin. There, she opens her own clinic and meets the curious and ever-helping Hong Du-sik.
Why you’ll like it: Homcha (short-form fans use) is really that wholesome feeling comfort show. Ask anyone.
#5 Dr. Romantic
Image via Han Cinema
Year released: 2016–2023
MyDramaList rating: 8.7–9.0
What’s it about: Kim Sa-bu is a top surgeon at a large hospital in Seoul. Disagreeing with the methods used there, he leaves to lead a small hospital by the countryside. He coaches students, nurses, staff, and doctors alike, as they tackle the most challenging cases together.
Why you’ll like it: Their expertise at solving medical cases are so next level, you’d be hooked fosho!
#4 Prison Playbook
Image via Han Cinema
Year released: 2017
MyDramaList rating: 9.0
What’s it about: Days before he flies to the US to join the Boston Red Sox, baseball pitcher Kim Je-hyeok becomes a convict overnight after being sent to prison for defending his sister from sexual assault.
Why you’ll like it: An action thriller that'll definitely keep you at the edge of your seats!
#3 Crash Landing On You
Image via Han Cinema
Year released: 2019
MyDramaList rating: 9.0
What’s it about: When famous fashion company owner Yoon Se-ri finds herself trapped in North Korea after a devastating paragliding accident, she meets Ri Jeong-hyeok, a respectable military captain. While finding means to escape, she discovers the hardships and differences living in North Korea and falls in love along the way.
Why you’ll like it: A ‘forbidden’ love story. #seated
#2 Goblin
Image via Han Cinema
Year released: 2016
MyDramaList rating: 8.8
What’s it about: Kim Shin is a military general from the Goryeo Dynasty but is framed as a traitor and killed by his master, the young King. Years after his death, he is cursed by the almighty to stay immortal forever and endure the pain of seeing his loved ones die as punishment.
He becomes an immortal goblin, helping people with his powers. The only way to end his immortality is by finding the Goblin's bride, who can see and remove the sword in his chest. One day after almost 900 years, he saves a pregnant woman who is destined to die. She gives birth to his future bride, named Ji Eun Tak.
Why you’ll like it: There’s magic, some funny bits, and a killer storyline!
#1 Reply 1988
Image via Han Cinema
Year released: 2015
MyDramaList rating: 9.1
What’s it about: This tells the story of five families and their five teenage kids living in a small neighbourhood in Seoul. The middle child of a poor family, one with a one-track mind for soccer, a perfect student and son, a not-so-well-to-do geek who knows a lot about girls, and a genius baduk (Go) player who drops out of school. The five lean on each other to survive their challenging teen years and set a path for their futures.
Why you’ll like it: You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll never get over it…
So many good shows, and a whole list to keep you preoccupied.
If you’re a non-K-Drama person, we’ve given you 10 reasons to become one, and if you’ve already seen these shows, watch them again!
*MyDramaList is a community-driven destination for Asian drama and film fans.