Top 10 K-dramas to check out on Netflix
January 5, 2023
With a wide selection of K-dramas on the rise, it can be overwhelming to determine where to start. To help you out, here are the top 10 K-dramas currently on Netflix that may cater to your preferences.
- “Crash Landing on You”
First on this list is a highly-rated romance drama known for its heartwarming scenes and unique plot. The heiress to a South Korean conglomerate, Yoon Se-ri, crash lands in North Korea when her paraglider gets caught in the wind. There, she meets Captain Ri and his soldiers who help her safely return to her life back home. This well-directed and well-executed drama explores the concepts of love, friendship and the importance of family, and you will find yourself emotionally attached to the characters as their addictive laughs and wholesome interactions draw you in.
- “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay”
Just as how the title reflects the ultimate message the writers wanted to bring across, we learn through the characters of Moon Gang-tae, an employee at a psychiatric hospital who does his best to take care of his autistic older brother, and Ko Mun-yeong, a lonely sociopathic children’s author, that it’s truly okay to not be okay. The intricate editing and beautiful cinematography smoothly transition between the dedicated tale of each episode, almost as if the series itself were a children’s storybook. This emotional and heartfelt drama addresses mental health issues when the characters confront their traumatic past and learn to heal from them. As a viewer, you will find yourself healing along with them, and perhaps learn to accept your flaws as you become more mature and confident.
- “Twenty-Five Twenty-One”
A nostalgic drama set between the 20th and 21st centuries, “Twenty-Five Twenty-One” follows the ambitions of a talented high school fencer and a young reporter whose family went bankrupt. As they support each other to achieve their dreams, they deliver the beautiful message of how precious it is to live in the moment and treasure shared, youthful memories. Although a simple and lighthearted drama, you may need to prepare the tissues for the rollercoaster of emotions you are bound to face.
- “Vincenzo”
In this entertaining action drama, the Italian mafia consigliere and lawyer, Vincenzo Cassano, returns to Korea to recover his fortunes as he fights the corrupted Babel Group alongside Hong Cha-young, a lawyer avenging her father’s unjust death. The strong female lead and satisfactory victories as Vincenzo uses his tactics to tackle the antagonist leave viewers feeling empowered to deal with life with a sense of justice. The well-directed storyline builds your anticipation for the next schemes in the following episodes.
- “My Name”
“My Name” is a dark and gory eight-episode thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat. It follows the journey of Yoon Ji-woo as she joins her father’s crime ring to hunt down his killer. She dedicates herself to avenging her father, even if it means she has to work as an undercover policeman and put her life at great risk. If you are ready for some gruesome, action-packed, emotional scenes, this drama is the perfect watch for you!
- “Extraordinary Attorney Woo”
Just as the title suggests, Attorney Woo Young-woo is extraordinary — she is a smart, autistic lawyer who creatively solves her cases; however, she struggles with social interactions due to her syndrome. With each episode following another law case story Woo and her co-workers work on, they portray how society should not only support rather than discriminate against physically or mentally disabled individuals, but also help those around them in need.
- “Alchemy of Souls”
Set during the Joseon era in the fictional kingdom Daeho, this fantasy action mixes historical and modern elements. The show revolves around the life of the infamous skilled assassin, Nak-su, as her soul gets trapped in the weak body of a blind girl, Mu-deok, when she performs the forbidden alchemy of souls: switching her soul with another individual. Unable to be the impressive assassin she was before, Mu-deok (Nak-su) works with the son of a powerful mage, Jang-uk, to gain back her power. Despite the complexity of the plot, there are still many moments of laughter between characters, combining elements of love, friendship and magic. All in all, this drama is a must-watch; the breathtaking scenes will take you on a magical ride.
- “Itaewon Class”
Based on the webtoon of the same name, “Itaewon Class” tells the story of an upright man, Park Sae-royi, whose hopes to become a policeman come short when he becomes an ex-con. After spending seven years in prison for the attempted murder of the son of Jangga Group, who killed his father in a car accident, Park opens a street bar in Itaewon in memory of the loving moments he shared with his father before he passed. He works with a coldhearted yet witty social media celebrity, Jangga Group’s illegitimate son, a gangster Sae-royi met at prison, a transgender woman, and a fluent Korean-speaker from Guinea who is looked down upon due to his inability to speak English. These characters bond as they take their chance to make better choices and achieve their dreams. The life lessons they teach, including that there’s more to life than revenge and that it’s never too late to set things right, inspire you to make good decisions in your own life.
- “All of Us Are Dead”
Korea is well known for its phenomenal and creative zombie dramas, and this drama lives up to that reputation. “All of Us Are Dead” begins with an outbreak of zombies at a high school, when a science teacher turns his son into a zombie so he could be stronger and fight against bullies. Following the main protagonist On-jo and her childhood friend Cheong-san, they do their best to stick to their classmates as a group and safely escape their situation. However, it’s not as simple as it sounds: when put in life-or-death situations, the true monster within them are released. This drama portrays how high schoolers could potentially react to a situation like this — will the students work together and make it out alive? Or will they turn against each other and become the real monsters? Even with the thrill of the drama, themes of friendship, family and love are highlighted. You will definitely feel a strong attachment to the characters as you passionately root for your favorite characters to make it out alive in the apocalypse.
- “The Uncanny Counter”
Last but not least, we have “The Uncanny Counter.” Being last on this list doesn’t mean it’s not a good drama — instead, this lighthearted action drama was surprisingly moving. So Mun, the main protagonist, lost his parents in a car accident and became disabled. After an old spirit possesses his body, he trains to become a counter who catches evil spirits. Mun and the other counters become a family, depicting how your family will always have your back and be there to support you, even if they’re not blood related.
It was difficult to consolidate my favorite Netflix K-dramas into a list of just 10, however, after much debating I came down to these 10. It may not be for all, but I’m sure at least one of them may strike your interest.