"Older women would come up to me and say, 'Oh, he was a heartthrob!'"
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You’ve heard the buzz. Maybe a coworker couldn’t stop talking about a show that made them cry for three episodes straight. Perhaps your social media feed keeps showing clips of impossibly romantic scenes with subtitles you can’t read. Or maybe a friend insisted you absolutely have to watch this Korean show, but when you opened Netflix, you felt completely overwhelmed by the options.
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re in exactly the right place.
Korean dramas—affectionately called K-dramas by fans worldwide—have exploded in popularity over the past decade, and for good reason. These shows offer something genuinely different from Western television: tightly plotted stories that typically wrap up in a single season, emotional depth that isn’t afraid to make you feel things, and production values that rival major films. But with thousands of shows to choose from spanning decades of television history, knowing where to start can feel impossible.
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That’s why we’ve put together this beginner-friendly guide. Think of it as your curated entry point into a world of entertainment you didn’t know you were missing. We’ve organized these ten classic K-dramas by genre so you can pick based on what you already know you enjoy. Whether you’re a romance enthusiast, a thriller junkie, or someone who just wants something cozy to watch on a Sunday afternoon, there’s a perfect starting point waiting for you.
'Crash Landing On You' (2019)
If you only watch one K-drama from this list, many fans would tell you to make it this one. Crash Landing On You is one of the most successful Korean dramas of all time and remains a defining entry point for new K-drama viewers. The premise is part of the appeal: a wealthy South Korean businesswoman gets caught in a paragliding accident and crash-lands in North Korea, where she’s found by a North Korean army officer. What follows is a love story that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
The drama became one of tvN’s highest-rated series ever and held the title of the network’s most-watched drama for five years, until it was surpassed by Queen of Tears in 2024, according to Korean news outlet The Fact. For newcomers, this show demonstrates everything K-dramas do well: high-concept premises executed with emotional sincerity, beautiful cinematography, and characters you’ll genuinely root for.
Time commitment: 16 episodes, approximately one hour each.
Where to watch: Netflix.
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'Business Proposal' (2022)
Looking for something lighter and funnier? Business Proposal is a fast-paced romantic comedy that became one of 2022’s biggest K-drama hits, and it’s perfect for viewers who want to laugh while they swoon.
The story follows Shin Ha-ri, a food researcher who agrees to attend a blind date in place of her wealthy best friend in order to sabotage the meeting. The plan backfires spectacularly when the date turns out to be her company’s new CEO, Kang Tae-mu, who unexpectedly proposes marriage. If this sounds delightfully absurd, that’s because it is—and the show leans into that absurdity with charm.
Time commitment: 12 episodes, approximately one hour each.
Where to watch: Netflix.
'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha' (2021)
Sometimes you don’t want drama in your drama. Sometimes you want something that feels like a warm hug after a long day. That’s exactly what Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha delivers.
This romantic drama is set in the seaside village of Gongjin. The series begins when Yoon Hye-jin, a dentist from Seoul, moves to the small town and meets Hong Doo-shik, a local handyman who takes on various odd jobs around the village. As Hye-jin adjusts to a slower pace of life, her relationship with Doo-shik gradually develops into a warm and gentle romance.
What sets this show apart is its community-focused storytelling. You won’t just fall in love with the main couple—you’ll fall in love with an entire village of quirky, lovable characters. The drama is widely praised for its comforting tone, community-focused storytelling, and emotional character arcs. If you’ve ever fantasized about leaving city life behind for somewhere quieter, this show will speak directly to that dream.
Time commitment: 16 episodes, approximately one hour each.
Where to watch: Netflix.
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'Goblin' (2016)
Also known as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Goblin is a fantasy romance that achieved massive success both in South Korea and internationally. The premise is unlike anything you’ve seen in Western television: the story centers on Kim Shin, a 1,000-year-old immortal goblin who is searching for his destined bride, the only person capable of ending his cursed existence.
Starring Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun, the drama blends romance, fantasy, comedy, and historical elements, making it an accessible introduction to the genre-mixing style that defines many K-dramas.
Time commitment: 16 episodes, approximately one hour each.
Where to watch: Viki, Prime Video.
'Secret Garden' (2010)
Secret Garden is a classic romantic melodrama that became one of the most recognizable K-dramas of the early 2010s. The story follows Kim Joo-won, a wealthy and arrogant department store CEO, and Gil Ra-im, a hardworking stuntwoman, whose lives become entangled through a series of misunderstandings.
Here’s where it gets interesting: after a mysterious incident, the two characters unexpectedly swap bodies, leading to comedic situations and emotional growth. Body-swap storylines might sound cheesy, but Secret Garden uses the premise to explore how two very different people come to understand each other’s lives and struggles.
Time commitment: 20 episodes, approximately one hour each.
Where to Watch: Viki
'All of Us Are Dead' (2022– )
All of Us Are Dead offers a darker entry point into K-dramas through its high-stakes zombie thriller premise. If you enjoyed shows like The Walking Dead or movies like Train to Busan, this might be your perfect starting point.
The series follows a group of high school students trapped inside their school during a sudden zombie outbreak, forcing them to fight for survival without adult help. But don’t mistake this for a simple horror show—alongside the intense action, the show explores familiar high school dynamics such as friendships, crushes, and bullying, which are transformed into life-or-death situations.
The drama became a global hit on Netflix, proving that K-dramas can compete with any international content in the action-thriller space. With a second season expected in 2026, it remains a timely watch for new viewers who want to be caught up before new episodes drop.
Time commitment: 12 episodes in season one, approximately one hour each.
Where to watch: Netflix.
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'Strong Woman Do Bong Soon' (2017)
Want action with your romance? Strong Woman Do Bong Soon blends action, romance, and comedy through its unique premise in a way that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
The drama stars Park Bo-young as Bong-soon, a woman born with superhuman strength that is passed down through the women in her family. She is hired as a bodyguard by Ahn Min-hyuk, a wealthy and eccentric gaming company CEO who is being threatened by an unknown attacker.
Time commitment: 16 episodes, approximately one hour each.
Where to Watch: Viki
'Boys Over Flowers' (2009)
Boys Over Flowers played a major role in expanding the global reach of K-dramas during the height of the Korean Wave—the term for the spread of Korean pop culture internationally that began in the late 1990s.
The drama follows Geum Jan-di, a working-class girl who transfers to the elite Shinwa High School and becomes entangled with the school’s wealthy and powerful students, including its richest heir. The series popularized many classic K-drama tropes, including the rich-boy-poor-girl romance and love triangles, and helped launch the international careers of stars such as Lee Min-ho. Despite its age, it remains a foundational watch for understanding early global K-drama culture.
Time commitment: 25 episodes, approximately one hour each.
Where to Watch: Viki
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'The Heirs' (2013)
The Heirs, also known as The Inheritors, is one of Lee Min-ho’s most popular dramas and a staple teen romance in K-drama history. Set at an elite high school attended by students from wealthy families, the story follows a chaebol heir who falls in love with a poor girl while exiled in the United States. The term “chaebol” refers to large South Korean family-owned business conglomerates—you’ll encounter this word frequently in K-dramas.
The two later reunite in South Korea as classmates, where their relationship becomes complicated by family expectations, social class, and a love triangle. The drama features a large ensemble cast of now-famous actors and helped define the glossy teen K-drama era.
Time commitment: 20 episodes, approximately one hour each.
Where to Watch: Viki
'When Life Gives You Tangerines' (2025)
When Life Gives You Tangerines is a multi-generational family drama directed by Kim Won-seok, known for Misaeng and My Mister. This is the newest show on our list, and it’s already being discussed as one of the greatest K-dramas ever made.
The series follows the lives of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik from childhood through adulthood as they build a family against the backdrop of Jeju Island’s modernization. Told through a non-chronological narrative, the drama explores love, sacrifice, and generational change over several decades.
Per South China Morning Post, the series “masterfully bridged past and present, blurring the line between nostalgic reverie and pressing reality,” calling it “one of the very best K-dramas of all time – and quite possibly the most Korean of them all.”
Time commitment: 16 episodes, approximately one hour each.
Where to watch: Netflix.
