“I love this drama so much that I have it tattooed on me.”

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What it's about: Take a nostalgic trip back to the late '80s through the lives of five Seoul families and their teenage kids in this lighthearted drama series.

Starring: Lee Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Ryu Jun-yeol

Fan Review: "It’s a really special drama. Lightning in a bottle. Just magic chemistry between the entire cast. I have watched it twice on my own, but loved it the most when watching with my tween and seeing how much she loved it, too. I can make myself tear up if I think about it too long! The ending leaves you with an ache, no? Life lessons, laughs, tears, heartache, and love — just lovely." —PrizeReputation7

What it's about: A paragliding mishap drops a South Korean heiress in North Korea — and into the life of an army officer, who decides he will help her hide.

Starring: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye

Fan Review: "It’s the best K-drama I’ve seen. Interesting story, fascinating setting, fabulous characters with great chemistry, and a nice balance of intrigue and romance. Hyun Bin is just so damn swoon-worthy. I can’t wrap my head around people not liking it. Yes, it’s cheesy at times, and the stakes get a little repetitive, but that’s all K-dramas, pretty much. The plot, acting, and production value are top-notch. I envy people who get to experience it for the first time. It’s a keeper. Watch it and enjoy!" —bananapineapplesauce

What it's about: A high school becomes ground zero for a zombie virus outbreak. Trapped students must fight their way out — or turn into one of the rabid infected.

Starring: Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun

Fan Review: "I really liked it. It clicked for me. It has been a long time since I was emotionally invested that much in the characters. I was genuinely sad when Episode 11 was over. I was really, truly sad. That happens not often. Don't know why, but that show and especially the characters and their connection hit a nail for me." —anonymous

What it's about: With the aid of unexpected friends, a gifted but introverted student confronts bullies and violent foes — unaware of how dangerous his world will become.

Starring: Park Ji-hoon, Choi Hyun-wook, Hong Kyung

Fan Review: "I’ve watched 100+ K-dramas over the past six years. Weak Hero is in my top five of the best dramas I’ve ever watched, so I hope that’s saying something. There won’t be a single moment you’re bored or not left on edge. You’ll go through an entire rollercoaster of emotions whilst also being led through an incredibly coherent and strong storyline. The characters also have a lot of substance and well-developed backgrounds. I’d say everyone needs to watch Weak Hero at some point in their lives." —ArcanusFlos

What it's about: In Jeju, a spirited girl and a steadfast boy's island story blossoms into a lifelong tale of setbacks and triumphs — proving love endures across time.

Fan Review: "Probably one of the best dramas I have ever seen — so raw, so realistic, so emotional. I wish I hadn't watched it, just so I could experience it again for the first time. I’m jealous of everyone who hasn’t seen it yet." —pianoavengers 

What it's about: A spirited queen tries to rein in her rowdy sons in order to make one of them the next king of Joseon, while her competitors vie to snatch the throne.

Starring: Kim Hye-soo, Kim Hae-sook, Choi Won-young

Fan Review: "Such a great work of art. As a parent, I cried so many damn times. The challenges of teaching four different children how to grow up in a world that just doesn’t want them for all the reasons. 10/10 would binge again and again." —Direct-Emotion-7861

What it's about: During a visit to his motherland, a Korean Italian mafia lawyer gives an unrivaled conglomerate a taste of its own medicine with a side of justice.

Starring: Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-been, Ok Taec-yeon

Fan Review: "This was the show that pulled me back into K-dramas. It was so addictive, I felt like I was on a drug trip when watching it (live). The show has a very specific absurdist humor that you’ll either like or not. It gave me feelings of Kung Fu Hustle x Tarantino. Despite the comedy, there’s a nihilistic undertone to the show that explodes at the end. The writer wrote this when he was in despair and rage at the state of the world, and he employed humor to make the nihilistic message more palatable to the audience." —mischiefmanaged687

What it's about: After waking up in the body of a 19th-century queen, a chef must navigate the royal court and find a way back to the present — and his own life.

Starring: Shin Hye-sun, Kim Jung-hyun, Bae Jong-ok

Fan Review: "One of my all-time favorites. Shin Hye-sun gives a stellar performance, and she should’ve won awards. There’s also a ‘dancing’ scene that I’ve rewatched so many times, and it still has me in stitches." —dapplegrey123

What it's about: In a time when dreams seem out of reach, a teen fencer pursues big ambitions and meets a hardworking young man who seeks to rebuild his life.

Starring: Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Ji-yeon

Fan Review: "I love this drama so much that I have it tattooed on me. I saw it multiple times, and I adore every minute of it. I remember, however, that the first time I watched it, it took five to six episodes to fully get into it. But I would say yes, always, every time." —scolshrmpz

What it's about: A young boy who ends up in the US after the 1871 Shinmiyangyo incident returns to Korea at a historical turning point and falls for a noblewoman.

Starring: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok

Fan Review: "Greatest K-drama of all time. It can get a bit slow and is not the usual rom-com K-drama, but it is truly a masterpiece. Apart from the male and female leads, the show has many other leading characters, and their chemistry/bonding with each other is quite a treat to watch. This is one of those shows that you won't be able to forget for a long time." —zeee6999

What it's about: Every day is extraordinary for five doctors and their patients inside a hospital, where birth, death, and everything in between coexist.

Starring: Cho Jung-seok, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho

Fan Review: "It's wholesome, heartwarming, and frankly, friendship and career goals. It's filled with clever wit, layers of meaning with little clues that you find upon multiple watches, and lots of genuine kindness. The relationships are beautiful. For me, the friendships were the highlight over the romance. I've watched 90 dramas, and this is one of three that I've rated at 10/10." —Thoughtful-Pig

What it's about: A powerful sorceress in a blind woman's body encounters a man from a prestigious family, who wants her help to change his destiny.

Starring: Lee Jae-wook, Go Youn-jung, Hwang Min-hyun

Fan Review: "My first and my absolute favorite. I end up rewatching it every fall. The transition from S1 to S2 is a little jarring, but stick with it! It's the best K-drama evvvverrrr!!! I even got my no-nonsense sister to watch it, and she was hooked." —IrishSnow23

What it's about: A 70-year-old with a dream and a 23-year-old with a gift lift each other out of harsh realities and rise to the challenge of becoming ballerinos.

Starring: Park In-hwan, Song Kang, Na Moon-hee

Fan Review: "I loved Navillera so much, and it deserves more appreciation. Such a great and well-done drama from beginning to end. It's different from what I usually watch (I tend to go for fluffy rom-coms), but it was so rewarding and moving to follow the character's journey. It's the kind of drama that sticks with you and makes you want to go around telling everybody they need to watch it because indeed they do." —SnowWhitae

What it's about: Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits — with deadly high stakes.

Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Yim Si-wan

Fan Review: "I really enjoyed the third season, I'd probably go 1 >= 3 > 2. I loved the characterization of everyone, and the melodramatic tone was fantastic. I am also a bit biased toward storytelling in that realm of thought and presentation. I know many didn’t like the ending so far. Granted, I always feel haters have the loudest voices, and I think that's a shame because many may have had the expectation of some spectacular finale or whatever, and that's just not the way the show was ever going. It's hard to put into words how impressed I am with how emotionally invested I felt with each character. Especially with how similar Gi-hun and the Frontman are, and his end actions in the latter half of the final episode." —Derplaser

What it's about: A big-city dentist opens up a practice in a close-knit seaside village, home to a charming jack-of-all-trades who is her polar opposite in every way.

Starring: Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho, Lee Sang-yi

Fan Review: "This was the first K-drama I’ve watched and by far my favorite. It has a certain charm with the side characters and stuff. And, in my opinion, the romance between them isn’t too slow but isn’t too fast. You get bits and pieces of romance blooming between the two without the show's pacing going way too fast. I recommend it 100%!" —anonymous

What it's about: Years after surviving horrific abuse in high school, a woman puts an elaborate revenge scheme in motion to make the perpetrators pay for their crimes.

Starring: Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon

Fan Review: "The absolute satisfaction I got from this show was amazing. So many loathsome characters and amazing story beats. The best thing about it is that it ends in such a complete way. They don't try to pull any shenanigans to prolong her story. Also, the actress who plays Yeon-jin absolutely ate that up." —Electric_Nachos

What it's about: Two housemates get married for financial convenience, but discover nothing is simple when it comes to demanding in-laws — or facing their growing bond.

Fan Review: "It’s in my top three, if not my favorite of all time (very much a comfort watch). It’s got a great cast, engaging plot, and the music is wonderful. On top of the main couple’s great chemistry, all of the supporting characters have interesting storylines that are worth watching for as well." —leyeri

What it's about: While strange rumors about their ill king grip a kingdom, the crown prince becomes their only hope against a mysterious plague overtaking the land.

Starring: Ju Ji-hoon, Ryu Seung-ryong, Bae Doona

Fan Review: "I will highly recommend Kingdom even if you don't like historical dramas. It's high-octane and very thrilling. It does have the historical political stuff, but it's mixed in with the zombie action, so I don't think it will bother you much. It's really a fast-paced action thriller more than it is a historical political drama. Not to mention it's one of the best zombie thrillers I've seen." —TotoroTheGreat

What it's about: Brilliant attorney Woo Young-woo tackles challenges in the courtroom and beyond as a newbie at a top law firm and a woman on the autism spectrum.

Starring: Park Eun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Kang Ki-young

Fan Review: "This show is worth it. The cases actually impact the character development of each character and enhance the storytelling. We also get some romance and beautiful friendships throughout the show. The politics of North and South Korea come into play, too, which is interesting to see. And I love how the lawyers learn from the clients and see new perspectives. Trust me, this show is more than a legal procedural." —Reasonable_Leek8069

What it's about: Fifteen years after being stranded on a remote island, an aspiring singer reenters society — stopping at nothing to pursue her dream of becoming a diva.

Starring: Park Eun-bin, Kim Hyo-jin, Chae Jong-hyeop

Fan Review: "It's my favorite K-drama of the year so far. My Demon or Welcome to Samdal-ri might top it, but so far, they have a long way to go. It's got great music, a pretty positive message, and shows many of the issues in current Korea that most other shows tend to ignore. The leads are great, and even the supporting actors get you invested." —rayshinsan

What it's about: In disguise as her friend, Ha-ri shows up to a blind date to scare him away. But plans go awry when he turns out to be her CEO — and makes a proposal.

Starring: Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong, Kim Min-gue

Fan Review: "This is such a comfort watch. Like, there’s no villain, even the only character who objected to the relationship, Haraboji, was such a cutie that I couldn’t hate him at all. And the chemistry between the leads is too good. And the second lead stole the show for sure." —Status_Ambassador_76

What it's about: In a world that is less than kind, a young woman and a middle-aged man develop a sense of kinship as they find warmth and comfort in one another.

Starring: Lee Sun-kyun, IU, Goh Doo-shim

Fan Review: "Easily the greatest TV show/series I have ever seen and won't likely be surpassed by anything anytime soon. It's like 21 hours or so of this brilliant character study of two people who come from two different backgrounds and have nothing in common but are very similar in the way they are living their lives, or lack thereof. It's just amazing to see the level of skill and time the director/writer/cinematographer dedicates to exploring the characters and showing how they go about their daily lives, even with their burdens... [It's] a super dark and gritty show that celebrates the best aspect of people and is ultimately sending a very hopeful and inspiring message." —anonymous

What it's about: With the help of a gutsy female detective, a prosecutor who has lost the ability to feel empathy tackles a murder case amid political corruption.

Starring: Cho Seung-woo, Bae Doona, Jeon Hye-jin

Fan Review: "If you like complex, beautifully woven plotlines full of characters that exist in the gray area between good and evil, and atmospheric cinematography, wonderful writing, and acting, then I would say yes. It does take a while to build, but the director was fantastic as the tension builds continually through the entire story." —Charissa29

What it's about: "An extraordinary road to emotional healing opens up for an antisocial children's book writer and a selfless psych ward caretaker when they cross paths."

Starring: Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, Oh Jung-se

Fan Review: "It's a bit dark and very emotional. Actual trauma plays a very big role in this show. It is one of my favorite dramas. It also has a very artistic, dark fairytale vibe. The visuals and imagery used are stunning and sometimes unsettling. A bit like if Neil Gaiman, Tim Burton, and Guillermo del Toro decided to make a K-drama, but added a bit of occasional cuteness." —bluebell435

What it's about: A chance meeting between a pharmacist and a librarian leads them to reevaluate their lives and sparks romance in this heartfelt drama series.

Starring: Han Ji-min, Jung Hae-in, Kim Jun-han

Fan Review: "It’s becoming one of my favorite dramas, honestly. Maybe it’s because I have a soft spot for both Jung Hae-in and Han Ji-min, but their chemistry was undeniable. The storytelling was great. From the beginning, Han Ji-min was headstrong about what she wanted. It’s a drama that makes you feel every emotion. Pain, longing, anger that wants to make you throw remotes, happiness, and melancholy. The original soundtracks (particularly the last one) were beautiful. The cinematography was great, too. And the ending was absolutely wonderful." —penomecos

What it's about: Finding life in all that’s left behind, a detail-oriented trauma cleaner and his estranged uncle deliver untold stories of the departed to loved ones.

Starring: Lee Je-hoon, Tang Jun-sang, Hong Seung-hee

Fan Review: "I binged it in one day just a few days ago, and I enjoyed every second of it. I'm usually stingy with giving high ratings, but it received a 9.5 from me... [It] can be both sweet and painful, and is definitely emotional. It makes you FEEL. If you need a good cry, watch this show. And it's not the devastated type of crying but the 'I'm so deep in my feels right now, I need to let it all out'-type of crying. The show deals a lot with death, grief, understanding, forgiveness, and what one leaves behind in a wonderful way. I loved it." —Ideasforgoodusername

What it's about: Faced with ruthless foes with a violent thirst, two young boxers band together — risking life and limb to bring justice and protect their loved ones.

Starring: Woo Do‑hwan, Lee Sang-yi, Jung Ji-hoon

Fan Review: "Halfway through it and absolutely loving it. In general, I’m not a huge fan of too much action or bloody shows, and this has a lot of both, but it’s balanced and very well executed/choreographed, so it doesn’t feel bland or repetitive. Love the background music as well. The selling point has been the friendship/bromance so far. It’s very sweet." —TurtlePower2029

What it's about: Following her father's murder, a revenge-driven woman puts her trust in a powerful crime boss — and enters the police force under his direction.

Starring: Han So-hee, Park Hee-soon, Ahn Bo-hyun

Fan Review: "It's a really good undercover action story with a badass female lead and a great supporting cast (that villain, tho!). The action for a TV series is absolutely nuts. Tension is real. Also, Han So-hee's best performance. And the original soundtrack slaps HARD." —WinterAnt

What it's about: Gyeongseong, 1945 — and Seoul, 2024. A pair adrift in time fight for survival against monsters born of human greed.

Starring: Park Seo-joon, Han So-hee, Claudia Kim

Fan Review: "I really enjoyed it, even though I am not a fan of horror. The horror elements had purpose — they weren't just there to amuse people who like gross stuff. It uses a horror lens to explore the actual atrocities committed at that time, and how people on both sides lived through it." —Mme-T-Defarge

What it's about: The queen of department stores and her small-town husband weather a marital crisis — until love miraculously begins to bloom again.

Starring: Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Park Sung-hoon

Fan Review: "I loved it. I think that the characters were great and compelling. The beginning has some dark humor, but after the first few episodes, everyone settles into their roles, and it just unfolds beautifully. The romance is great as well, with excellent chemistry between the leads. The side characters are top-notch as well. You could tell this is from the same writer that wrote Crash Landing on You, since there is hardly any filler content. Everything just clicks." —Karsa_Witness

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