Top 10 Korean dramas

Top 10 k-dramas

1.Crash Landing on You (사랑의 불시착)

"Crash Landing on You" is a popular South Korean television drama series that aired in 2019-2020. The series follows the story of Yoon Se-ri (played by Son Ye-jin), a wealthy South Korean heiress who accidentally crash-lands in North Korea while paragliding. There, she meets Ri Jeong-hyuk (played by Hyun Bin), a North Korean army officer who helps her hide and tries to find a way for her to return to South Korea.

As Se-ri and Jeong-hyuk spend more time together, they develop feelings for each other, but their romance is complicated by the political tensions between their two countries. The series is known for its gripping plot, stellar performances, and beautiful cinematography. "Crash Landing on You" has become a massive hit both in South Korea and internationally, and it has won numerous awards for its excellence in writing, directing, and acting.

2.Itaewon Class (이태원 클라쓰)

"Itaewon Class" is a South Korean television drama series that aired in 2020. The series is based on a webtoon of the same name and stars Park Seo-joon as Park Saeroyi, a young man who opens a bar in the Itaewon district of Seoul after being expelled from school and serving time in prison for assaulting a bully who attacked his father.

Saeroyi's bar, DanBam, becomes a popular spot in Itaewon, and he sets out to take revenge on Jangga Group, a powerful corporation that he believes is responsible for his father's death. Along the way, Saeroyi and his friends face various challenges and obstacles as they try to succeed in their business and take down Jangga Group.

"Itaewon Class" was well-received by audiences and critics alike for its compelling story, strong performances, and themes of friendship, loyalty, and perseverance. The series has been praised for its representation of diverse characters and its commentary on social issues, such as discrimination and corruption.

3.Descendants of the Sun (태양의 후예)

"Descendants of the Sun" is a popular South Korean television drama series that aired in 2016. The series follows the story of Captain Yoo Si-jin (played by Song Joong-ki), a member of the Special Forces of the South Korean military, and Dr. Kang Mo-yeon (played by Song Hye-kyo), a surgeon who works at a hospital in Seoul.

Si-jin and Mo-yeon meet in a hospital in Uruk, a fictional country in the Middle East, where Si-jin is on a peacekeeping mission. Despite their different backgrounds and personalities, they fall in love, but their romance is threatened by the dangerous situations they face in their respective professions.

"Descendants of the Sun" was a commercial and critical success, breaking records for viewership ratings in South Korea and gaining a huge international following. The series was praised for its well-written script, strong acting, and stunning cinematography. It was also recognized for its portrayal of the sacrifices and challenges faced by military personnel and medical professionals.

4.Goblin (쓸쓸하고 찬란하神-도깨비)

"Goblin" is a popular South Korean television drama series that aired in 2016-2017. The series follows the story of Kim Shin (played by Gong Yoo), an immortal goblin who has been living for centuries, and Ji Eun-tak (played by Kim Go-eun), a high school student who can see ghosts.

Kim Shin is cursed to live forever and is seeking a human bride who can help him end his immortality. Eun-tak, who is connected to Kim Shin through a mysterious fate, becomes his bride, but their romance is threatened by the Grim Reaper (played by Lee Dong-wook), a supernatural being who is tasked with guiding souls to the afterlife.

"Goblin" was well-received by audiences and critics for its unique and engaging story, beautiful cinematography, and strong performances. The series also gained attention for its soundtrack, which included popular songs by artists such as Crush and Ailee. "Goblin" has become a beloved classic in the K-drama genre, with fans praising its themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption.

5.Reply 1988 (응답하라 1988)

"Reply 1988" is a popular South Korean television drama series that aired in 2015-2016. The series is the third installment in the "Reply" series, following "Reply 1997" and "Reply 1994", and is set in the year 1988 in the Ssangmun-dong neighborhood of Seoul.

The series follows the lives of five families who live in the same neighborhood and their children, who are in their late teens and early 20s. The story is told from the perspective of Deok-sun (played by Lee Hye-ri), a young woman who is trying to navigate her way through life while dealing with the complexities of family, friendship, and first love.

"Reply 1988" was a critical and commercial success, receiving high ratings and praise for its nostalgic and heartwarming portrayal of life in 1980s Korea. The series was commended for its realistic and relatable characters, strong performances, and themes of family, community, and coming of age. It has become a beloved classic in the K-drama genre and is considered one of the best Korean dramas of all time.

6.Signal (시그널)

"Signal" is a popular South Korean television drama series that aired in 2016. The series follows the story of Park Hae-young (played by Lee Je-hoon), a young police profiler who communicates with Lee Jae-han (played by Cho Jin-woong), a detective from the past, through a mysterious walkie-talkie that transcends time.

Together, Hae-young and Jae-han work to solve cold cases and prevent crimes from happening in both the past and the present. Their efforts are complicated by the interference of a corrupt senior police officer and the danger posed by a serial killer who seems to be operating across time.

"Signal" was widely acclaimed by audiences and critics for its complex and well-crafted plot, excellent performances, and thought-provoking themes. The series was praised for its unique blend of crime thriller and science fiction elements, as well as its commentary on social issues such as corruption, justice, and the abuse of power. "Signal" has been cited as a masterpiece of the K-drama genre and has won numerous awards for its excellence in writing, directing, and acting.

7.Mr. Sunshine (미스터 션샤인)

"Mr. Sunshine" is a South Korean television drama series that aired in 2018. The series is set during the late 19th century and early 20th century, a period in Korea's history when the country was facing significant political upheaval and social change.

The story follows the life of Choi Yoo-jin, a young boy who is born into slavery and later becomes a U.S. Marine officer. After returning to Korea, Yoo-jin falls in love with Go Ae-shin (played by Kim Tae-ri), a noblewoman who is secretly a member of a resistance group fighting for Korea's independence.

"Mr. Sunshine" was praised for its epic and ambitious storytelling, as well as its stunning visuals and production design. The series was noted for its historical accuracy and attention to detail, as well as its exploration of themes such as patriotism, identity, and love. The drama featured a star-studded cast, including Lee Byung-hun, who played the role of Eugene Choi, a Korean-born U.S. Marine officer. "Mr. Sunshine" was a commercial and critical success and has been recognized as one of the best Korean dramas of all time.

8.My Love from the Star (별에서 온 그대)

"My Love from the Star" is a popular South Korean television drama series that aired in 2013-2014. The series follows the story of Do Min-joon (played by Kim Soo-hyun), an alien who has been stranded on Earth for 400 years and falls in love with a famous actress, Cheon Song-yi (played by Jun Ji-hyun).

Despite his otherworldly nature, Min-joon lives as a human and works as a professor, but he is constantly reminded of his alien heritage and the fact that he must return to his home planet soon. Meanwhile, Song-yi's fame and the pressures of the entertainment industry put her in the spotlight, causing her to face personal and professional challenges.

"My Love from the Star" was a massive commercial success and became a cultural phenomenon in South Korea and across Asia. The series was praised for its creative premise, engaging storyline, and strong performances, particularly by Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun. The series also became known for its use of humor, romance, and science fiction elements, as well as its soundtrack, which included popular songs such as "My Destiny" by Lyn. "My Love from the Star" remains a beloved classic in the K-drama genre and has continued to attract new fans over the years.

9.Secret Forest (비밀의 숲)

"Secret Forest," also known as "Stranger," is a popular South Korean television drama series that premiered in 2017. The series follows the story of Hwang Shi-mok (played by Cho Seung-woo), a prosecutor who has a rare condition that makes him unable to feel emotions. Shi-mok teams up with Han Yeo-jin (played by Bae Doo-na), a passionate police inspector, to investigate a high-profile case involving corruption within the prosecutor's office.

As Shi-mok and Yeo-jin delve deeper into the case, they uncover a web of intrigue and deceit that implicates powerful individuals in the government and business world. Along the way, they must navigate dangerous alliances and confront their own personal demons.

"Secret Forest" was widely praised for its gripping plot, well-drawn characters, and outstanding performances by its lead actors. The series was noted for its intelligent writing and its portrayal of the complex inner workings of the Korean criminal justice system. "Secret Forest" has won numerous awards for its excellence in acting, writing, and directing, and is considered one of the best Korean dramas of all time. A second season of the series was released in 2020.

10.Hotel Del Luna (호텔 델루나)

"Hotel Del Luna" is a South Korean television drama series that aired in 2019. The series follows the story of Jang Man-wol (played by IU), the owner of the eponymous hotel, which is located in a realm between life and death. Man-wol is a centuries-old spirit who is cursed to run the hotel, where she welcomes the souls of the dead and helps them resolve their unfinished business before they move on to the afterlife.

When Goo Chan-sung (played by Yeo Jin-goo) becomes the hotel's new manager, he is thrown into a world of supernatural wonders and learns the truth about Man-wol's past and the reasons for her curse. As Chan-sung and Man-wol work together to help the souls of the departed, they develop a deep connection that transcends the boundaries of life and death.

"Hotel Del Luna" was praised for its imaginative premise, stunning visuals, and strong performances by its lead actors. The series was noted for its blend of fantasy, romance, and drama, as well as its exploration of themes such as love, loss, and redemption. The drama's soundtrack, which featured IU's haunting ballads, also became a fan favorite. "Hotel Del Luna" was a commercial and critical success and has since become a cult classic in the K-drama genre.