Start Here: The Best Korean Dramas for First-Time Viewers

So you’ve heard the hype. Maybe your best friend won’t stop raving about K-Dramas. Maybe you saw one random scene on TikTok and thought, "Wait… this looks amazing."

Now you're curious — but also overwhelmed. There are so many dramas out there. Where do you even begin?

Right here.

We’ve put together a no-stress guide to the best Korean dramas for beginners. These aren’t just popular — they’re easy to love, emotionally engaging, and wildly binge-worthy. Whether you want romance, comedy, thrillers, or a little bit of everything, these 12 handpicked K-Dramas are perfect for your first K-Drama journey.

1. Crash Landing on You

Genre: Romance / Comedy / Drama

A South Korean heiress crash-lands in North Korea and falls for a quiet, kind-hearted soldier.

Why it's perfect for beginners: Big emotions, lots of laughs, and a forbidden romance that’ll hook you fast. Classic K-Drama gold.

2. Itaewon Class

Genre: Revenge / Business / Drama

A young man builds a restaurant empire while taking on corporate corruption — and his old enemies.

Why you’ll love it: Motivating, modern, and full of underdog energy. It’s impossible not to root for Park Sae-Ro-Yi.

3. What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim

Genre: Romantic Comedy

A narcissistic CEO is shaken when his loyal secretary suddenly decides to quit — and he realizes he might love her.

Beginner-friendly because: It’s light, funny, and has unforgettable chemistry. Easy to binge in one weekend.

4. Twenty-Five Twenty-One

Genre: Coming-of-Age / Romance / Slice of Life

Set during the 1998 financial crisis, this story follows a young fencer chasing her dreams — and the boy she falls for along the way.

For the feels: Heartwarming and heartbreaking in all the right ways. It’ll stick with you long after it ends.

5. Vincenzo

Genre: Crime / Dark Comedy / Legal

A Korean-Italian mafia consigliere returns to Seoul and ends up battling corrupt corporations — with plenty of stylish vengeance.

Why new viewers love it: Action, humor, and anti-hero flair. Think The Sopranos with a K-Drama twist.

6. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

Genre: Fantasy / Romantic Comedy / Action

A petite woman with superhuman strength gets hired as a bodyguard by a quirky game CEO.

Watch it if: You want adorable romance, funny chaos, and just a touch of crime-solving action.

7. Hospital Playlist

Genre: Medical / Slice of Life / Friendship

Five longtime friends who work at the same hospital navigate life, love, and the power of music.

Why it's great to start with: It’s calm, warm, and full of real emotion. Like Grey’s Anatomy, but cozier and with way less drama.

8. Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)

Genre: Fantasy / Romance / Drama

A 900-year-old immortal seeks a bride who can break his curse — but falls in love instead.

Why beginners should watch: Gorgeous visuals, a powerful love story, and iconic K-Drama moments.

9. Business Proposal

Genre: Romantic Comedy

A woman goes on a blind date pretending to be someone else — and ends up meeting her CEO.

Perfect for: Rom-com fans who want something light, funny, and seriously addictive.

10. My Name

Genre: Action / Thriller / Noir

A woman joins a crime ring to avenge her father's death, then infiltrates the police.

Best for thrill-seekers: Fast-paced, gritty, and led by a fierce female protagonist.

11. Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Genre: Legal / Slice of Life / Drama

A brilliant young lawyer on the autism spectrum navigates her career with empathy, logic, and unexpected charm.

Why it’s a must-watch: It’s thoughtful, uplifting, and easy to fall in love with from episode one.

12. Queen of Lies

Genre: Revenge / Romance / Mystery

A woman re-emerges after years of silence, ready to take revenge on the powerful men who betrayed her — but love gets in the way.

Why even first-timers love it: Slick writing, intense storytelling, and a lead who commands every scene.