Recommended K-Dramas For Beginners
A mix of Korean dramas from various genres throughout the years. These dramas are selected based on their entertainment value along with other factors that would entice new viewers to watch and leave them with a good impression.
-
1. Avengers Social Club
Korean Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
- Comedy, Life drama
- Revenge plot
- A shorter drama - 12 Episodes (12 hours)
- Great characters
- Fun
- Especially recommended for older women
-
2. Strangers from Hell
Korean Drama - 2019, 10 episodes
- Horror
- A shorter drama - 10 Episodes (10 hours)
- High production value
- Great actors
- Great OST
-
3. Drama Special Series Season 1: White Christmas
Korean Special - 2011, 8 episodes
- Psychological, Thriller
- A shorter drama - 8 Episodes (8 hours)
- An older drama / classic
- Amazing character development
- Many big actors
-
4. The Heirs
Korean Drama - 2013, 20 episodes
- Romance, Melodrama
- An older drama / classic
- A good introduction into the common K-drama high school tropes
- Many big actors
-
5. School 2017
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
- Mystery, Comedy, Romance
- The entire School series is recommended (School 2013, School 2015, School 2017)
- The entire School series is a good introduction into the common K-drama high school tropes
- This one is fun and more light-hearted than the others in the series
- Breakout roles for new K-drama actors at the time
-
6. Healer
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
- Action, Romance, Comedy, Mystery
- Hidden identity plot
- A near perfect K-drama
- A classic
-
7. The K2
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
- Action, Romance
- Bodyguard plot
- Top-notch action
- Exciting
-
8. The Killer's Shopping Mall
Korean Drama - 2024, 8 episodes
- Action, Thriller
- A shorter drama - 8 Episodes (8 hours)
- High production value
- Great characters
-
9. Memories of the Alhambra
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
- Sci-Fi, Thriller, Romance
- Amazing special effects
- Unique, exciting plot
-
10. Goblin
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
- Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
- A classic
- A good introduction to sageuks (historical dramas)
- Great Characters
- Great Actors
- Amazing OST
- Fun
-
11. Touch Your Heart
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
- Romance, Comedy
- Spawned from Goblin (watch Goblin first)
- Workplace plot
- Insanely adorable
- Great actors
-
12. Crash Landing on You
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
- Romance, Comedy
- Military plot
- Super cute
- Fun
- Great actors
-
13. Secret Garden
Korean Drama - 2010, 20 episodes
- Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
- An older drama / A classic
- Extremely romantic
-
14. My Mister
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
- Melodrama
- A classic
- Great actors
-
15. Save Me 2
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
- Psychological, Thriller
- Educational - a harrowing depiction of how cults are formed
-
16. Tomorrow
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
- Fantasy
- Grim reaper plot
- Emotionally heavy
-
17. The Day of the Kidnapping
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
- Thriller, Mystery, Comedy
- Fun
- Unique plot
-
18. Terius Behind Me
Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes
- Action, Mystery, Comedy, Romance
- Spy plot
- Cute
-
19. Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
- Law, Romance
- Autism plot
- Quirky, unique
- Fun
-
20. Catch the Ghost
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
- Thriller, Mystery, Comedy, Romance
- Detective plot
- Fun
-
21. Oh My Ghostess
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
- Supernatural, Romance, Comedy
- Chef plot
- Fun
-
22. Cinderella and the Four Knights
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
- Romance, Comedy
- Cohabitation plot
- A good introduction to various common K-drama tropes
- Super cute
-
23. Snowdrop
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
- Romance, Suspense
- Spy plot
- Historical
- A good introduction to political tensions between the North and South
- High production value
- Great actors
-
24. Twinkling Watermelon
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
- Fantasy, Comedy, Romance
- Time travel plot
- Main features: music, sign language
- Fun
- Great characters