Korean Dramas That Even Movie Lovers Should Find Satisfying (As of Nov. 2022)

I am fundamentally a movie fan. Because of that, I have watched many Korean films, but like many other movie fans, I arrogantly assumed that Korean dramas were not worth watching, despite never having seen one. However, due to the pandemic, my opportunities to go to the cinema decreased dramatically, so I decided to try watching a Korean drama, and it turned out to be incredibly entertaining. The plots are excellent, the actors are all skilled, and the actresses are beautiful. You can also tell that a lot of money is spent on sets and art direction. I immediately realized that my previous perception was completely wrong. Korean dramas are overflowing with a charm that is different from movies.

This article selects 31 titles from the approximately 180 Korean dramas I have finished watching as of now (November 23, 2022), having been completely immersed in them for the past two years. I struggled and struggled, and couldn't narrow it down to 30, so there are 31. I especially want those who have never watched a Korean drama to use this as a reference to take that first step into the world of Korean dramas. I did not include works from more than 10 years ago because they felt a bit dated in terms of customs and culture. They are listed in Japanese alphabetical order, not by ranking.

Crash Landing on You

2019 / Original Title: Sarang-ui Bulsichak
Screenplay: Park Ji-eun
Director: Lee Jeong-hyo
Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Jung-hyun, Seo Ji-hye
Streaming, etc.: Netflix

Watching this drama got me hooked on Korean dramas all at once. It combines the unique situation of the division between North and South Korea with romance and suspense, keeping me on the edge of my seat while also making me cry. Both the lead actors and the side stories are charming.

The Red Sleeve

2021 / Original Title: Otsomae Bulgeun Kkeutdong
Screenplay: Jung Hae-ri
Director: Jung Ji-in, Song Yeon-hwa
Cast: Junho, Lee Se-young, Kang Hoon
Streaming, etc.: U-NEXT

At first, Korean historical dramas were also hard to get into. There are unique terms specific to historical dramas, and just understanding those was difficult. This work is a naive romance between the Joseon King Yi San and a court lady. It is a beautiful historical drama that depicts an independent woman.

Squid Game

2021 / Original Title: Ojing-eo Geim
Screenplay: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Oh Young-soo, Jung Ho-yeon, Wi Ha-jun, Heo Sung-tae, Kim Joo-ryoung, Lee Yoo-mi
Streaming, etc.: Netflix

After all, since it won an Emmy, I have to introduce it. Especially since it was made with the global market in mind and actually won. The pop and kitschy art direction, the grotesque and simple survival game. It really is interesting, after all.

Itaewon Class

2020 / Original Title: Itaewon Keullasseu
Screenplay: Gwang Jin
Director: Kim Sung-yoon
Cast: Park Seo-jun, Kim Da-mi, Yoo Jae-myung, Kwon Nara, Lee Joo-young, Ryu Kyung-soo
Streaming, etc.: Netflix

Unfortunately? It was remade in Japan, but the weight of the actors is completely different. The setting, which shows the ambition and revenge of young people, requires the strong personalities of actors like Park Seo-jun and Yoo Jae-myung. A masterpiece that won over male fans to Korean dramas.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

2022 / Original Title: Isanghan Byeonhosa U Yeong-u
Screenplay: Moon Ji-won
Director: Yoo In-sik
Cast: Park Eun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Joo Hyun-young, Kang Ki-young, Jeon Bae-soo, Baek Ji-won, Jin Kyung, Joo Jong-hyuk, etc.
Streaming, etc.: Netflix

A drama about a lawyer who is on the autism spectrum but has a super-brilliant brain that never forgets what she has seen once. Above all, the acting of Park Eun-bin, who plays the protagonist Woo Young-woo, shines. A masterpiece that depicts the serious issues of people with disabilities through a unique worldview.

Vincenzo

2021 / Original Title: 빈센조 / Vincenzo
Screenplay: Park Jae-bum
Director: Kim Hee-won
Cast: Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-been, Ok Taec-yeon, Yoo Jae-myung, Kim Yeo-jin, Kwak Dong-yeon, Jo Han-chul
Streaming: Netflix

The protagonist is a Korean-Italian mafia member who is also a lawyer. It is a so-called Korean noir, but it is a drama that packs in various elements. The acting of the two leads is outstanding, and the other actors are also wonderful. It is a thrilling masterpiece of a drama.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

2021 / Original Title: 갯마을 차차차
Director: Yoo Je-won
Screenplay: Shin Ha-eun
Cast: Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho, Lee Sang-yi, Kim Young-ok, Jo Han-chul, Gong Min-jung, Lee Bong-ryun, In Gyo-jin, etc.
Streaming: Netflix

A human drama set in a small port town. It is a heartwarming story centered on a dentist who moved from the city and a handyman trusted by the townspeople, depicting their interactions with the local residents. I am not usually a fan of sentimental stories, but this one is great.

Beyond Evil

2021 / Original Title: 괴물
Screenplay: Kim Su-jin
Director: Shim Na-yeon
Cast: Shin Ha-kyun, Yeo Jin-goo, Choi Dae-hoon, Choi Sung-eun, Cheon Ho-jin, Choi Jin-ho, Nam Yoon-su
Streaming: Netflix, Amazon Prime, U-NEXT, etc.

It is a psycho-suspense drama that includes some grotesque scenes, but the unique direction, where every character looks suspicious at first, was outstanding. In particular, the eeriness and shadiness of the great actor Shin Ha-kyun, who plays the detective, is a performance only he could deliver.

Alchemy of Souls

2022 / Original Title: 환혼
Screenplay: Hong Jung-eun
Director: Park Joon-hwa
Cast: Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, Hwang Min-hyun, Yoo Jun-sang, Shin Seung-ho, Oh Na-ra, Jo Jae-yoon, Kang Kyung-heon, Yoo In-soo, Arin
Streaming: Netflix

Although it has a dark fantasy and period drama setting that beginners to Korean dramas might not usually pick up, once you start watching, you get hooked. Each character is unique, and it is not a stereotypical period drama. It is planned to be completed in 30 episodes, but Season 1 consists of 20 episodes.

Prison Playbook

2017 / Original Title: 슬기로운 감빵생활
Director: Shin Won-ho
Screenplay: Jung Bo-hoon
Cast: Park Hae-soo, Jung Kyung-ho, Sung Dong-il, Ye Soo-jung, Krystal, Lim Hwa-young, Kim Kyung-nam, Ahn Chang-hwan, Lee Kyu-hyung, Jung Hae-in
Streaming: Netflix, Hulu, U-NEXT, etc.

I gave up on this a few times halfway through. Since most of the scenes take place inside a prison, it doesn't get interesting right away. It is too plain. However, once you get past that, it is a truly flavorful human drama. It is worth the effort to endure and watch it (laughs).

Reply 1988

2015 / Original Title: Reply 1988
Screenplay: Lee Woo-jung
Director: Shin Won-ho
Cast: Hyeri, Park Bo-gum, Ryu Jun-yeol, Go Kyung-pyo, Sung Dong-il, Lee Il-hwa, Ahn Jae-hong, Ra Mi-ran, Kim Sung-kyun, Choi Moo-sung
Streaming: Hulu, U-NEXT, etc.

A drama depicting the lives of ordinary people in Seoul during the excitement of the Seoul Olympics. While it may be a source of nostalgia for Koreans, it might feel rather fresh to Japanese viewers. There are no dramatic incidents, but it is a human comedy that grows on you like dried squid.

It's Okay to Not Be Okay

2020 / Original Title: It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Director: Park Shin-woo
Screenplay: Jo Yong
Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, Oh Jung-se, Park Gyu-young, Kim Joo-hun, Kim Chang-wan, Kim Mi-kyung, Jang Young-nam, Kang Ki-doong, Park Jin-joo
Streaming: Netflix

The psycho children's book author played by Seo Yea-ji was intense. It has a gothic atmosphere but isn't overly fantastical; it's a suspenseful drama. The great actor Oh Jung-se, who plays the autistic older brother, is excellent as always. A slightly twisted story about 'family'.

Bloody Heart

2022 / Original Title: Bloody Heart
Screenplay: Park Pil-joo
Director: Yoo Young-eun
Cast: Lee Joon, Kang Han-na, Jang Hyuk, Cha Soon-bae, Heo Sung-tae, Park Sung-yeon, Park Ji-bin
Streaming: Disney+

Aside from Jang Hyuk, the cast is low-profile, and I haven't heard any public buzz about it at all, but the story is thrilling, and I don't think there are many historical dramas with such beautiful cinematography, composition, and color. I think this is a hidden masterpiece.

Work Later, Drink Now

2021 / Original Title: Work Later, Drink Now
Screenplay: Wi So-young
Director: Kim Jung-sik
Cast: Lee Sun-bin, Han Sun-hwa, Jung Eun-ji, Choi Si-won, Kim Jung-min
Streaming: Mnet, BS Fuji from 12/21

Single women in their late 20s living in the city. The drunken antics of these three are scarier than any mediocre horror movie. It makes you laugh out loud, but eventually, it tugs at your heartstrings—a unique comedy/human drama about lovable women.

Little Women

2022 / Original Title: Little Women
Screenplay: Chung Seo-kyung
Director: Kim Hee-won
Cast: Kim Go-eun, Nam Ji-hyun, Park Ji-hu, Wi Ha-joon, Uhm Ji-won, Uhm Ki-joon, Kim Mi-sook, Kang Hoon, Jeon Chae-eun, Gong Min-jung
Streaming: Netflix

A wild, suspenseful story about getting dragged into trouble after a large sum of money embezzled by a senior colleague suddenly ends up in your possession. The contrast between the rich and the poor is also a major theme in Korean dramas. The plot twists and turns, pulling the audience in along with the characters.

Hot Stove League

2019 / Original Title: Stove League
Screenplay: Lee Shin-hwa
Director: Jang Dong-yoon
Cast: Namgoong Min, Park Eun-bin, Oh Jung-se, Jo Byeong-kyu, Son Jong-hak, Lee Joon-hyuk, Kim Do-hyun, Son Young-gyu, Yoon Sun-woo, Lee Je-hoon
Streaming: Amazon Prime, U-NEXT

The story of a general manager tasked with rebuilding a weak professional baseball team. There's nothing else quite like this premise. Namgoong Min plays the GM who rebuilds the team with various unconventional ideas, with that look in his eyes that makes you wonder what he's really thinking.

Snowdrop

2021 / Original Title: Snowdrop
Screenplay: Yoo Hyun-mi
Director: Jo Hyun-tak
Cast: Jung Hae-in, Jisoo, Yoo In-na, Jang Seung-jo, Yoon Se-ah, Kim Hye-yoon, Jung Eugene
Streaming: Disney+

Featuring a North Korean agent who infiltrates South Korea as the protagonist, this is a thrilling drama and love romance that could only exist because of the division of the Korean Peninsula. The premise of taking hostages in a women's university dormitory was suffocating.

Descendants of the Sun

2016 / Original Title: Descendants of the Sun
Screenplay: Kim Eun-sook, Kim Won-seok
Director: Lee Eung-bok, Baek Sang-hoon
Cast: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, Kim Ji-won
Streaming: U-NEXT, dTV

A massive hit drama in Asia. It features a setting unique to South Korea, involving peacekeeping activities abroad. It depicts the romance and dramatic developments between a captain played by Song Joong-ki and a doctor played by Song Hye-kyo. As an older guy, I find Kim Ji-won in her military uniform quite charming.

W -Two Worlds-

2016 / Original Title: W
Director: Jung Dae-yoon
Cast: Lee Jong-suk, Han Hyo-joo, Kim Eui-sung, Lee Tae-hwan, Jung Eugene, Heo Jeong-do, Lee Si-eon, Kang Ki-young, Cha Kwang-soo, Park Won-sang
Streaming: U-NEXT

Parallel worlds are a common setting in Korean dramas, but this work is an imaginative fantasy and suspense story that moves between a webtoon and the real world. Of course, its absurdity is exactly what makes it interesting. Han Hyo-joo's ethereal presence is outstanding.

When the Camellia Blooms

2019 / Original Title: When the Camellia Blooms
Screenplay: Im Sang-choon
Director: Cha Young-hoon
Cast: Gong Hyo-jin, Kang Ha-neul, Kim Ji-seok, Kim Kang-hoon, Son Dam-bi, Lee Jung-eun
Streaming: Netflix

A human drama about a single mother who moves to a rural town, her conflicts with the local residents, and stories revolving around mothers and children. It is also a comical love story and an eerie suspense thriller. Gong Hyo-jin is very unique.

When the Weather Is Fine

2020 / Original Title: I'll Go to You When the Weather Is Nice
Director: Han Ji-seung
Screenplay: Han Ga-ram
Cast: Seo Kang-joon, Park Min-young, Moon Jeong-hee, Lee Jae-wook, Kim Hwan-hee, Im Se-mi
Streaming: Amazon Prime, Abema, TELASA, etc.

A love story so quiet and delicate that you wouldn't think it's a Korean drama. The acting by the cast, including Seo Kang-joon and Park Min-young, was subtle and wonderful. Perhaps this kind of drama might not actually appeal to typical Korean drama fans.

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

2016 / Original Title: Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
Screenplay: Kim Eun-sook
Director: Lee Eung-bok, Kwon Hyuk-chan, Yoon Jong-ho
Cast: Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, Yoo In-na
Streaming: Netflix, Disney+, U-NEXT, etc.

A dark fantasy depicting a Goblin who has been granted eternal life. This is one of the patterns that Korean dramas excel at. Of course, you shouldn't look for realism from the start. It is a sad yet suspenseful masterpiece.

Navillera

2021 / Original Title: Navillera
Screenplay: Lee Eun-mi
Director: Han Dong-hwa
Cast: Park In-hwan, Song Kang, Na Moon-hee, Hong Seung-hee, Jo Sung-ha, Jung Hae-kyun, Shin Eun-jung, Kim Tae-hoon
Streaming: Netflix

The premise is about a 70-year-old man who starts ballet. This is the drama that has made me cry the most recently. It is not a story where the protagonist easily learns to dance ballet; it is a heartbreaking, heartbreaking drama that weaves in various conflicts and problems unique to the elderly.

Happiness

2021 / Original Title: Happiness Screenplay: Han Sang-woon Director: Ahn Gil-ho Cast: Han Hyo-joo, Park Hyung-sik, Jo Woo-jin, Lee Joon-hyuk, Park Joo-hee, Yewon, Park Hyung-soo No streaming available.

Basically, this is a drama classified as horror, which I am not good at. The idea that you become a vampire if you are bitten by an 'infected person' is another pattern that Korean works are good at. In addition, the situation of being trapped in an apartment building makes for a tense story.

Big Mouth

2022 / Original Title: Big Mouth
Director: Oh Choong-hwan
Screenplay: Jang Young-chul
Cast: Lee Jong-suk, Yoona, Kim Joo-hun, Ok Ja-yeon, Yang Kyung-won, Kwak Dong-yeon
Streaming: Disney+

A thrilling suspense. There are many scenes in prison, but I never got bored. However, there were too many subplots, and perhaps because there wasn't enough time, the final episode felt like a digest, and it was a shame that (the face genius) Yoona died.

Stranger

2017 / Original Title: Secret Forest
Director: Ahn Gil-ho
Screenplay: Lee Soo-yeon
Cast: Cho Seung-woo, Bae Doona, Lee Joon-hyuk, Shin Hye-sun
Streaming: Netflix

It is said that there are no misses with Bae Doona, and everything she stars in is a hit. This work is a bizarre suspense featuring a cold-hearted prosecutor who lost his emotions due to brain surgery. Bae Doona gives a passionate performance as an unconventional female detective. There is no romance.

My Love from the Star

2013 / Original Title: My Love from the Star
Director: Jang Tae-yoo
Screenplay: Park Ji-eun
Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Jun Ji-hyun, Park Hae-jin, Yoo In-na, Ahn Jae-hyun, Shin Sung-rok, Na Young-hee
Streaming: Amazon Prime, U-NEXT

A fantasy/romance about an alien. It is, of course, absurd, but one shouldn't look for realism in something like this. The beautiful Jun Ji-hyun from the movie 'My Sassy Girl' plays a selfish actress. It is a role that fits her perfectly.

"My Mister"

2018 / Original Title: 나의 아저씨
Screenplay: Park Hae-young
Director: Kim Won-seok
Cast: Lee Sun-kyun, IU, Go Doo-shim, Park Ho-san, Song Sae-byeok, Lee Ji-ah, Jang Ki-yong, An Seung-gyun, Kim Young-min
Streaming: Netflix

Perhaps this drama is the one that moved me the most. It depicts the sad and poignant emotional connection between a dull middle-aged man played by Lee Sun-kyun and a deeply unhappy woman played by IU. It is understated, but likely the best human drama.

"Mine"

2021 / Original Title: 마인
Screenplay: Baek Mi-kyung
Director: Lee Na-jung
Cast: Lee Bo-young, Kim Seo-hyung, Lee Hyun-wook, Ok Ja-yeon, N, Jung Yi-seo, Jung Hyun-jun
Streaming: Netflix

While melodramatic stories about wealthy families are a specialty of Korean dramas, I don't care for the ones that lack class. This drama is a melodrama, but it is also a story about women's independence. Lee Bo-young and Kim Seo-hyung are dignified and excellent.

"Mr. Sunshine"

2018 / Original Title: 미스터 션샤인
Director: Lee Eung-bok
Screenplay: Kim Eun-sook
Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung, Byun Yo-han, Kim Kap-soo, Choi Moo-sung, Lee Ho-jae, Kim Eui-sung, Kim Byung-chul
Streaming: Netflix

A historical drama set on the Korean Peninsula during Japanese colonial rule. Perhaps it doesn't get much attention despite featuring actors popular in Japan like Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-ri because of the parts that depict the Japanese as cruel. It is truly thrilling and interesting, though.

"My Liberation Notes"

2022 / Original Title: 나의 해방 일지
Screenplay: Park Hae-young
Director: Kim Seok-yoon
Cast: Kim Ji-won, Son Suk-ku, Lee El, Lee Min-ki, Lee Ki-woo
Streaming: Netflix

It is not difficult to understand, but every word is profound and sometimes even philosophical. I think it is a very wonderful story that yearns for liberation from a stifling daily life. People say the final episode is unsatisfying for drama fans, but I like that lingering feeling.