Thanks to Netflix, Korean dramas and movies can now reach a much larger audience. Recently, many people have been talking about Itaewon Class, Crash Landing on You, and Kingdom. But as we all know, Netflix offers so many more great K-dramas that you can binge-watch on weekends or while staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s tough to choose, but here are my top recommendations, K-dramas that aired from 2017 until now, all of which I’ve finished watching. FYI, dramas marked with an N are original Netflix series. Netflix releases these dramas just one or two hours after they air on their original broadcast networks in Korea (I forgot the exact time).
So here we go, 15 Best K-Dramas to Binge-Watch on Netflix, coffeecaramello Edition!
(1) Hello, My Twenties! 2 (2017) : Also known as Age of Youth. The first season aired in 2016, but I have to include this drama on the list since it’s one of my favorites, and season two was released in 2017. 🙂
For me, this drama is a hidden gem in the K-drama world—a coming-of-age story you must watch. It follows a group of girls in their 20s as they navigate the realities of life, each with different backgrounds and past experiences. It’s not as lighthearted as it seems, but it’s still an enjoyable drama for binge-watching.
Strong Point: Storyline, Characters. Check out my post: Age of Youth 2 || watch on netflix
(2) Beautiful World (2019): A powerful drama about a family whose son is seriously injured due to school violence. It sheds light on how power is used to cover up the truth, exposing themes of obsession, image, and pride.
Will the truth be revealed? The emotional depth of this drama had me feeling so many things. Be sure to have tissues ready!
Strong point: Acting, Plot, Lesson Learned. Watch on netflix
(3) Because This is My First Life (2017): A charming romantic drama. While it follows a typical romance plot, the way it’s presented is refreshing. A cold, commitment-averse man meets an ordinary girl with financial struggles, and by chance, they end up living together. As they spend time together, they slowly fall in love.
This is definitely one of the best dramas featuring Jung Somin, along with Father Is Strange.
Strong: Romance, Script, OST, Jung Somin. Watch on Netflix
(4) Chief of Staff 1&2 – N (2019): A gripping political drama. It’s about a man working in the National Assembly who is determined to gain more power. To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of political dramas, but Chief of Staff had me hooked to the point where I watched it twice. The plot is so unpredictable—you can never guess what’s coming next. The series is divided into two seasons, each with 10 episodes.
Strong point: Acting, Storyline, Plot, Characters. Check out my post: Chief of Staff || Watch on Netflix
(5) Designated Survivor: 60 Days – N (2019): Yup, that’s right! It’s the Korean remake of the American series Designated Survivor. The story follows a former professor who becomes the Minister of Environment. But after an explosion kills the officials, including the President, he is unexpectedly thrust into the role of acting President.
What makes it interesting is that he’s a man with no political ambitions—just a regular professor. Watching how he navigates his 60-day term as president is captivating. One thing’s for sure, though: don’t trust anyone!
Strong point: Acting, Storyline, Plot. Watch on Netflix
(6) Fight For My Way (2017): A heartwarming drama about the dreams and love story of Ko Dongman (Park Seo Joon) and Choi Aera (Kim Ji Won). They’ve been best friends for years, but eventually, they realize they have deeper feelings for each other.
Park Seo Joon truly shines in this role, playing a character with so much strength and charm. As always, he’s impressive in bringing the character to life.
Strong Point: Acting, Love & Friendship, Characters. Watch on Netflix.
(7) Live Up to Your Name (2017): This drama tells the story of an Oriental doctor who time-travels from the past to the present. He arrives in Seoul and meets a doctor, and they eventually fall in love. While the premise may sound cliché, the unique plot and strong performances from the actors make it a drama worth binge-watching at home.
FYI, the main character, Heo Im (played by Kim Nam Gil), is based on a real-life historical figure (source: AsianWiki).
Strong Point: Acting, Plot || Watch on Netflix.
(8) LIFE – N (2018): To be honest, I started watching this drama because of the lead actors (Lee Dong Wook, Cho Seung Woo, Woo Jin Ah, Lee Kyu Hyung) and the fact that the writer is the same person behind Stranger (Secret Forest), which I really loved.
Although I think this drama is underrated, the conflict is gripping. It’s not easy managing a hospital, and the hospital politics are intense. The love story serves more as an additional flavor to the plot, which is really about the complex dynamics within the hospital.
Strong Point: Acting, Storyline || Watch on Netflix.
(9) Prison Playbook – N (2019): Also known as Wise Prison Life, this is one of the best Korean drama series ever. It’s from the director and writer of the Reply series, so you know it’s going to be good. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the story is incredibly interesting and different—it’s very engaging.
The drama explores life in prison, something many of us can’t even begin to imagine. There’s a lot of friendship, and you can’t help but feel emotional about the prisoners’ backstories. The OST is fantastic, and it’s a heartwarming drama you definitely can’t miss.
And, of course, my favorite actor, Jung Kyung Ho, is in this one! It’s too bad I haven’t written about this drama before.
Strong Point: Everything + OST || watch on Netflix
(10) SKY Castle (2018): This is epic! The drama follows four women who live in a luxurious complex, and it’s all about their obsessive drive to shape their children into the perfect “prince” or “princess” in society. Their ultimate goal? To have their children accepted into one of the prestigious SKY universities.
For those who don’t know, SKY stands for Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University—the top three universities in South Korea. SKY Castle became the highest-rated cable drama in South Korea.
In South Korea, admission to one of the SKY universities is often seen as a key to determining one’s career and social status. Many of the country’s most influential figures in politics, law, medicine, engineering, journalism, education, and government have graduated from these institutions (source: Wikipedia).
Strong Points: Stotyline, Acting, Lesson Learned || Watch on Netflix
(11) Stranger – N (2017) : Also known as Secret Forest, this is a crime drama you can’t miss. Hwang Shimok (Cho Seungwoo) has limited emotions due to a past surgery, which makes him seem detached. As the story unfolds, we follow how Shimok and Yeo Jin (Bae Doona) tackle complex crime and corruption cases. It’s a gripping series and, in my opinion, one of the best in K-drama land.
FYI, Stranger Season 2 is coming soon in 2020, and I’m really anticipating it!
Strong Point: Acting, Storyline, Plot || Check out my post Secret Forest || Watch on Netflix
(12) Still 17 (2018) : Also known as Thirty but Seventeen, OMG, Yang Se Jong is in this! He’s one of the K-drama actors with such a nice voice (my opinion :D), and his acting is top-notch as well.
This drama is a pure love story, light yet deeply engaging. The twist comes from the trauma the main character experiences in the past, which adds complexity to the romance. Unexpectedly, this drama keeps you hooked all the way to the end.
Strong Point: Romance, Acting, Storyline || Watch on Netflix
(13) The Package (2018): This drama is about a package tour to Paris, where each traveler has their own story. For me, it’s one of the best dramas featuring Jung Yong Hwa. The scenery and views are stunning, and the cinematography is top-notch. You’ll feel like you’re right there in Paris with the characters. The travelers’ stories are touching, and it offers something fresh and unique in K-dramaland.
Strong Point: Theme, Storyline, Cinematography, Scenery, and Jung Yong Hwa. || Check out my Blog Post : The Package || Watch on Netflix
(14) When the Camellia Blooms N (2019): This is a romance featuring Gong Hyo Jin and Kang Ha Neul. It’s about Dongbaek, a single mom with her son, Pilgu, who lives in a neighborhood where people constantly gossip about her. Kang Ha Neul plays a police officer with a funny character who falls in love with Dongbaek.
I love that this drama has a village-like setting, rather than the usual city or modern backdrop. It feels so real, and the characters and the neighborhood are such a unique and awesome part of the story. By the way, Pilgu (Dongbaek’s son) is also an adorable character in the K-drama world. You can’t miss this one!
Strong Point: Setting, Storyline, Plot, Character and Kang Ha Neul 🙂 || Watch on Netflix.
(15) While You Were Sleeping (2017): This is definitely my favorite Suzy drama, and Lee Jong Suk shines here as well. There’s also Jung Hae In and Lee Sang Yeob in the mix, pretty great cast, right?
But beyond the star-studded cast, the premise and execution are spot-on. Suzy plays Hong Joo, who has the ability to see the future deaths of people in her dreams, and she tries to stop them from happening. She works closely with Jae Chan (played by Lee Jong Suk), and the chemistry between them adds so much depth to the story.
Strong Point: Storyline, Plot, Pretty Actors || Watch on Netflix
Great taste 🖤 I agree with almost every dramas you listed.