Summary
Whether one isnew toK-Dramasor a long-time binge-watcher, there are a LOT of shows available to watch across multiple streaming services, so it can be hard to know what to watch next. One reliable indicator of quality is Rotten Tomatoes scores, where a perfect 100% rating signals a reasonable consensus that the TV show or film is worth watching. With so many options now available,knowing which series has achieved this rare distinction can save you timeand ensure a satisfying experience without fear of a shock mid-season cancelation or frustrating cliffhanger series ending.
Korean TV shows are a style unto their own, and as such, they tend to span the spectrum of genres. Asshows likeSquid Game,Sweet Home, andAll of Us Are Deadhave brought K-Dramas into the mainstreamfor international audiences (and, for reference, none of these have 100% RT scores), these highly acclaimed and loved series are among the best. Discover some of South Korea’s most diverse and compelling storytelling, and fall into the charm of the perfect K-Drama.
(2022)
(2024)
(2021)
(2019)
(2023)
Disney+ (Eng dub)
Netflix
The Best K-Dramas Of All Time, Ranked
K-Dramas have been enjoying a lot of success and fan adoration as of late, and these are the best K-dramas of all time.
Parasyte: The Grey
Cast
“Parasyte: The Grey” imagines a world where alien parasites begin taking over human hosts, blending horror with psychological drama. The story follows a young man who forms a symbiotic relationship with his alien parasite, leading to a morally complex journey as they confront other parasites threatening humanity. This adaptation adds a unique twist, focusing on the grey areas of survival, identity, and the essence of being human.
Parasyte: The Greyis a thrilling live-action spin-offof the beloved manga,Parasyte, that seamlessly blends horror and sci-fi. Written and directed byTrain To Busandirector, Yeon Sang-ho,the Korean adaptation ponders on deep philosophical questions about the meaning of identity, humanity, morality, and survivalwhile staying true to its more gory roots. The K-Drama challenges viewers to consider what it means to be human when faced with parasitic entities that blur the line between human and monster.
Jeon So-nee’s portrayal of the conflicted Su-in is riveting, as she struggles with balancing her human instincts with the alien presence. Although the depiction of Su-in in theK-Drama diverges from the Parasyte mangain certain ways, it by no means detracts from the energy of the K-Drama. With such an intriguing blend of genres and standout performances,it’s easy to see whyParasyte: The Greyhas 100% on Rotten Tomatoesand why it was one of the most watched non-English shows on Netflix for two weeks upon its release.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows the life of Woo Young-woo, a young attorney with autism spectrum disorder, who navigates the challenges of the legal profession in South Korea. The series portrays her brilliant legal mind and unique approach to cases, highlighting her struggles and triumphs both in and out of the courtroom. Park Eun-bin stars in the titular role, delivering a poignant and nuanced performance.
What most endeared viewers to the K-Drama was that its heart-warming story doesn’t treat Woo Young-woo with the usual stereotypes and tropes common with portrayals of the autistic community.
In a world that often treats neurodiversity with misunderstanding, prejudice, and harmful stereotypes,Extraordinary Attorney Woois the antidote.The series follows Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin), an extremely talented and bright autistic lawyer, as she enters her first job at a law firm. What most endeared viewers to the K-Drama was that its heart-warming story doesn’t treat Woo Young-woo with the usual stereotypes and tropes common with portrayals of the autistic community. She struggles in certain areas of her life, and needs support, but when she shines, she’s an absolute star.
In addition to its sensitive and nuanced representation of neurodiversity,Extraordinary Attorney Wooalso highlighted numerous modern societal issues and disability rights. Few K-Dramas have dared to tackle these types of issues, particularly with the care and empathy that Attorney Woo does. This delightful and lightly romantic legal K-Drama is a must-watch show for anyone. And clearly, critics agree, as its 100% Rotten Tomatoes score is a testament to its kind and fair depiction of autism, and its empathetic performances.
Doctor Slump
Doctor Slump is a South Korean romantic medical comedy-drama that initially aired in 2024. Two former high-school rivals, Nam Ha-neul and Yeo Jeong-woo, find themselves reunited after pursuing careers as doctors but were forced to leave their professions after unfortunate circumstances. Out of luck and out of jobs, the two live together in a small studio apartment and must learn to get along.
South Korea makes a lot ofexcellent medical K-Dramasand hyper-competitive student K-Dramas, but few address what happens when the star pupils' lives take a downward slump.DoctorSlumpblends these styles and tropes well into anenemies-turned-lovers romantic K-Drama, andexplores the pressure to perform, and the lofty expectations placed upon many young South Korean people. The K-Drama also delves into issues concerning mental health and the effects of burnout, and highlights the stigma attached to those who seek help.
Park Hyung-sik and Park Shin-hye have an electric chemistry inDoctor Slumpthat really drives the show. The actors first appeared together in the 2013 K-Drama,The Heirs, but their maturity and growth as performers since then is evident in this show. WhileDoctor Slumpis a light romantic comedy K-Drama, it also doesn’t shy away from making a statement.
9D.P. (2021)
Starring: Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun, Son Suk-ku
D.P.may be quick to get through, with only six episodes and two seasons, butit’s not always an easy watch. After a string of hit K-Dramas, starring inPrison Playbook,Something in the Rain, andOne Spring Night, Jung Hae-in started taking risks with the roles he took on. Some of these risks didn’t pay off, like his role opposite BlackPink’s Jisoo as a North Korean agent inSnowdrop. ButD.P.is one that has worked out well for the actor, as evidenced by the perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.
D.P.touches on many raw subjects for Korea, and in doing so, it can be hard to watch at times.
The dark and realistic K-Drama centers on a division of the Korean military police who are assigned to catching deserters. In South Korea, a period of military service is mandatory for young men, but with widespread bullying and hazing within its ranks, some will flee from their duties.D.P.touches on many raw subjects for Korea, and in doing so, it can be hard to watch at times. Butthe standout cast gives some brilliant performancesthat will make you want to keep watching, and theK-Drama’s realistic endingmakes the experience even more worthwhile.
Crash Landing On You
Crash Landing on You is a romantic drama series that follows a South Korean heiress who accidentally lands in North Korea after a paragliding incident. She encounters an army officer who, despite the political tensions, aids her in concealment, forging an unexpected connection amidst their contrasting worlds.
Crash Landing On Youis K-Drama royalty. It was the second-highest-rated series in Korean cable TV history, andthe show’s finale crashed China’s Weibo streaming platformdue to so many people trying to view it. The show’s success even led to a massive boost in sales for the fried chicken chain featured throughout. And the adoration is well-earned.Crash Landingwas one of the first K-Dramas to depict a mostly authentic view of daily life in North Korea, and the touchy topic is treated with respect, empathy, and nuance.
The appeal ofCrash Landingextends beyond its unique setting and sensitive portrayal of North Korea.Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin’s on-screen chemistry is palpable, so it was no surprise to later find out that the actors became romantically involved following the show, and have since married. The show’s blend of sharply written humor, drama, romance, action, and suspense, make it the perfect K-Drama with the perfect RT score.
I Visited North Korea And Crash Landing On You Got This Major Thing Wrong
There’s a lot of anti-foreigner propaganda in North Korea so I wasn’t sure if my experience would mirror the romantic K-Drama Crash Landing On You.
A Killer Paradox
Based on the webtoon, A Killer Paradox is a comedy crime-thriller film that follows a man who goes on the run after accidentally killing a serial killer. As a detective pursues him, he continues to accidentally take out more villains in society.
A Killer Paradoxdeserves far more attention than it has received.The K-Drama featuresParasitestar, Choi Woo-shik, and the star ofD.P.and the low-keyMy Liberation Notes, Son Suk-ku, in a take on the detective cat-and-mouse style narrative. However, the show transcends such characterizations and goes in an unexpected direction. The K-Drama is dark but also has elements of comedy, and weaves an unusual narrative that will keep you going back for more.
It’s hard to discuss too much aboutA Killer Paradoxwithout spoiling some of the best, most gasp-inducing reveals. The K-Drama follows Woo-shik as Lee Tang, who works at a convenience store and dreams of visiting Canada, but has been feeling aimless since completing his military service. His life takes an unexpected turn when he gets into a violent altercation and ends up killing someone who ends up being a serial killer. Things escalate from there, andLee Tang finds himself entangled in a mysterious new world.
Little Women
Three sisters, struggling with financial hardships, become embroiled in a complex conspiracy involving influential elites. As they navigate this treacherous world, they confront moral dilemmas and the bonds of family loyalty, challenging their unity and resilience against the backdrop of greed and power dynamics.
AlthoughLittle Womenwas extremely loosely based on the Louisa May Alcott coming-of-age novel, the K-Drama bears very little resemblance to the book. The production and direction take some wild swings at the fence, and the result is a visually stunningly, mind-bending ride of twists and turns and a descent into the clutches of a manipulative, wealthy family. This is probably not so surprising, however, given thatit was written by frequent Park Chan-wook collaborator, Jeong Seo-kyeong,and the director ofCrash Landing,Vincenzo, andQueen of Tears, Kim Hee-won.
LikeA Killer Paradox, it’s hard to succinctly explainLittle Womenwithout giving some of its reveals away. Its incredible cast includesGoblinstar, Kim Go-eun, andAll of Us Are Deadrising star, Park Ji-hu in what could become career-defining performances, as well asSquid Gamestar Wi Ha-joon.The show’s intricate plot and multi-faceted characters make the K-Drama a standout seriesthat keeps its audience guessing until the very end.
This Korean Horror Movie Starring Lee Do-hyun & Kim Go-eun Is Perfect If You Like Supernatural K-Dramas
Fans of supernatural Korean dramas should watch Exhuma, a popular supernatural horror film starring Goblin’s Kim Go-eun and Sweet Home’s Lee Do-hyun.
5Daily Dose Of Sunshine (2023)
Starring: Park Bo-young, Yeon Woo-jin, Jang Dong-yoon
For the most part,Daily Dose of Sunshineis exactly that – a warm K-Drama that restores your faith in humanity. What makes the series worthy of its 100% Rotten Tomatoes score is the empathetic way that it treats those who work in and are patients at a mental health facility. LikeAttorney Woo, the K-Drama doesn’t shy away from the realities of mental health conditions, and likeDoctor Slump, it explores burnout and depression from different perspectives.
Yeon Woo-jin’s character is also a delight, bringing unexpected comedy and loads of compassion to his role as an erratic but well-meaning proctologist.
What’s particularly special aboutDaily Dose of Sunshineis that the first half of the show feels like a cozy, familiar K-Drama with many of the favorite tropes and themes. However, an unexpected moment quickly cuts through all that, andthe show turns its attention to addressing bigger and deeper issues. This shift in tone is done perfectly, and Park Bo-young carries the new direction effortlessly. Yeon Woo-jin’s character is also a delight, bringing unexpected comedy and loads of compassion to his role as an erratic but well-meaning proctologist.
Chicken Nugget
Chicken Nugget is a comedic film about a woman who accidentally transforms into a chicken nugget. Her father and admirer undertake a whimsical adventure to reverse the transformation and restore her true form. Released in 2024, the film explores themes of family and unexpected challenges.
Chicken Nuggetis… weird. There’s no other way of really describing this strange and legitimately hilarious K-Drama on Netflix.It follows the story of Choi Min-ah (Kim Yoo-jung) who has been mysteriously transformed into a chicken nugget,and her father (Ryu Seung-ryong) and crush (Ahn Jae-hong) team up to try to work out how to turn her back. And somehow, it gets weirder from there.
The K-Drama’s comedy is at times slapstick or situational, but often it’s just borne from the awareness of the show’s utterly ridiculous and wonderful premise. In some ways,it recalls the comedic style of the filmHot Tub Time Machine, where it’s aware of how strange the situation is, but it rolls with it anyway. Seung-ryong and Jae-hong are a perfect pair-up as well, bringing their own forms of unique weirdness to the K-Drama.Chicken Nuggetis an easy one to binge-watch on a lazy Saturday.
Crash Course In Romance
Crash Course In Romance is a South Korean drama that explores the intertwined lives of a former national athlete who now runs a banchan shop and a star mathematics instructor. As both characters navigate their respective challenges, the series delves into themes of romance, societal pressures, and personal growth against the backdrop of South Korea’s competitive educational environment.
Crash Course in Romanceis everything that a good quality romantic comedy K-Drama should be. It’s light, feels grounded in reality, it’s immersive, very binge-able, and it has a sprinkling of fantasy that K-Dramas are so adept at.Crash Coursedoesn’t delve too deep into heavy topics, but it acknowledges them. Much of the show is centered on celebrity math tutor, Choi Chi-yeol (Jung Kyung-ho), and through his private education academy, the show explores the pressure of schooling and getting good grades. However, the show doesn’t get so deep into these topics that it reveals some dark underbelly. There are plenty of other K-Dramas that do that.
In South Korea, private for-profit after-school institutions like The Pride Academy featured inCrash Course in Romance, are known as hagwons. They are often likened to cram schools.
The main focus of the K-Drama, however, is the blossoming relationship between Chi-yeol and Nam Haeng-seon (Jeon Do-yeon), a kindly older woman who runs abanchanshop.Crash Coursehas a less extreme version of the rich man-poor woman K-Drama trope, but Chi-yeol is far from the usualchaebolheir that’s usually at the center of such narratives. However, the series didn’t need a massive wealth gap to make its point, and it’s better for it. In the end,Crash Courseis just peak K-Drama.
