We all know the overwhelming feeling of having too many options. That includes movies, books, games, and everything in between.
When you start a new genre whether that’s anime or Korean dramas, you want to ease yourself into it, test the waters before diving in headfirst.
I know the feeling. I started by watching Boys over Flowers in 2010 and have been hooked on to kdramas ever since. You only really need that powerful first drama that’ll make you want to delve into the world of Korean dramas even more.
If you’re a complete beginner, there are plenty of K-dramas that are easy to watch, fun, and will have you kicking your feet. With intense cliffhangers, passionate romances, and all the good stuff, here are 10 Korean dramas you need to watch, from My Love from the Star to True Beauty.
Keep reading for suggestions.
Crash Landing on You (2019)
The first on our list of Crash Landing on You. This classic drama has received rave reviews from anyone who has seen it.
This beloved drama centers around our main protagonist Yoon Se-ri, a South Korean heiress who, while paragliding, accidentally crashes into North Korea due to a freak storm.
Following the unfortunate event, she meets Ri Jeong-hyeok, a stoic and honorable North Korean army officer who, despite his duty to report her, decides to protect her from the authorities.
Se-ri quickly learns to deal dangers of being in an unfamiliar country. She also later grows a close bond with Jeong-hyeok, who is torn between his loyalty to his country and his growing feelings for her.
Descendants of the Sun (2016)
Next up is Descendants of the Sun (2016), a series with romance, action, and heartfelt moments.
The story follows Yoo Si-jin, a special forces captain, and Dr. Kang Mo-yeon, a skilled doctor, who meet under intense circumstances while both are stationed in a fictional war-torn country.
The pair fall in love but their profession makes things complicated. Yoo Si-jin’s dangerous job puts him in harm’s way, while Mo-yeon grapples with her desire to help people in a place ravaged by conflict. It’s an intense but well worth a watch drama.
Boys Over Flowers (2009)
This drama is the one that started it all for me. Boys Over Flowers is about Geum Jan-di, a high school girl from a poor family.
One day, she’s sent to deliver laundry to Gu Jun-pyo, who mocks her – but she doesn’t back down. Jun-Pyo and his group, F4, continue to make fun of her at school, but Jan-di remains unfazed.
This confuses Jun-pyo, but at the same time, he’s intrigued by her. The more time they spend together, the more his feelings for her start to grow. This drama is definitely a must-watch.
My Love from the Star (2013)
My Love from the Star is a top-notch fantasy drama. It follows an alien named Do Min-joon, who has lived on Earth for 400 years, forced to conceal who he really is.
His life is turned upside down when he meets a stunning actress named Cheon Song-yi. As their life is intertwined, Do Min-joo battles with whether he can trust her enough to reveal his true identity. This is a fun fantasy drama.
True Beauty (2020)
This Korean drama is all about challenging beauty standards. True Beauty follows a high school girl who wears makeup to cover her imperfections after being bullied at her old school.
But as she moves away and meets new friends and a romance, how long can she keep her true identity a secret? This drama is one of my favorites, thanks to the strong male and female characters and the dynamic romance. It stars Moon Ga-young, Hwang In-yeop, and Cha Eun-woo.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016)
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is about Kim Bok-joo, a dedicated college weightlifter who excels in her sport but finds it difficult to balance her balancing life as well as her self-image.
She deals with love, friendship, and her athletic career, and she faces the challenge of staying true to herself. This series is also another favorite of mine.
The cast includes Lee Sung-kyung as Kim Bok-joo, Nam Joo-hyuk as Jung Joon-hyung, and Lee Jae-yoon as Jung Jae-yi.
Itaewon Class (2020)
Itaewon Class is a relatable drama about finding yourself in your 20s. The story revolves around the main protagonist, Park Sae-ro-yi (played by Park Seo-joon), a young man who opens a bar-restaurant in Itaewon.
Along the way, he hires a team of staff members and grows close with them. A significant part of the plot focuses on Sae-ro-yi’s battle against a powerful corporation, as he strives to overcome the odds.
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017)
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017) is about Bong-Soon. She’s no ordinary woman. She has superhuman strength, a power passed down only to the women in her family.
She gets hired as a bodyguard for Min-hyuk, the CEO of a video game company, and soon finds herself falling for him. But she’s also torn between him and her childhood crush, Guk-doo. This show is definitely worth watching. It’s so spicy and action-packed.
Reply 1988 (2015)
Reply 1988 (2015) follows five friends – Deok-Sun, Jung-Hwan, Sun-woo, Choi-tae, and Dong-ryong – living in the same Seoul neighborhood. The story focuses on Deok-Sun’s family, her close-knit friends, and the love triangle between her and two of the guys, Jung-Hwan and Sun-woo. Set in the late ’80s, it’s a nostalgic, heartwarming drama.
Secret Garden (2010)
Secret Garden is a cool K-drama about a cold-hearted CEO, Kim Joo-won, and a down-to-earth stuntwoman, Gil Ra-im, whose lives are thrown into chaos when they unexpectedly swap bodies. As Kim Joo-won navigates life in Ra-im’s body, he begins to fall in love with her. You must watch this.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020) is about Moon Gang-Tae, who works as a caregiver at a psychiatric hospital, and Ko Moon-Young, a famous author with a troubled past. When their paths cross, they both face their demons and secrets. All praise to Kim Soo-Hyun and Seo Ye-Ji for their powerful performances.
Kill Me, Heal Me (2015)
This kdrama is a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers. Kill Me, Heal Me is about Cha Do-Hyun, a wealthy man with seven different personalities. He hires psychiatrist Oh Ri-Jin to help him deal with his condition. As they work together, they uncover his traumatic past and grow closer.