10 Best K-Dramas of All Time, Ranked
There are so many nice Korean dramas which have flooded streaming companies, loads of which fall into just a few fan-favorite genres, corresponding to historic, comedy, melodrama, romance, and fantasy. Many of these Korean dramas have spiked in recognition on account of their endearing romances, high-stakes plots, and emotional rides. Then there are the classics, the place the hype for Korean dramas initially began.
But of all of the Korean dramas which might be being produced, the market has been fully flooded and overrun. This is an effective factor, of course. This means extra selection, extra uniqueness, and extra dramas to fall in love with. But this will also be intimidating for brand spanking new viewers (and even informal ones). Where does one begin or start? Which Ok-dramas have the appropriate romance? Which ones are literally well worth the watch, since they depend on comparable tropes? No worries, we have you lined. Here are the perfect Korean dramas to this point which might be undoubtedly well worth the watch.
10 ‘While You Were Sleeping’ (2017)
Created by Park Hye-ryun
Journalist Hong-joo (Suzy Bae) has premonitions in her desires. Then someday, she wakes as much as uncover she has new neighbors throughout the road. Her new neighbor is none aside from the person she has been seeing in her desires: Jae-chan (Lee Jong Suk). After assembly Hong-joo, Jae-chan additionally begins having odd premonitions, together with his first one involving Hong-joo falling to her loss of life. Together, with Han Woo-tak (Jung Hae-in), they attempt to forestall these premonitions from turning into actuality.
While You Were Sleeping was common at its preliminary launch, and for good motive. It starred the profitable musical artist Suzy Bae, recognized for her different roles (Uncontrollably Fond, Dream High, Gu Family Book), and Jong Suk, one other common actor recognized for his spectacular performances in numerous dramas (Doctor Stranger, W, The Hymn of Death). Both actors are recognized for his or her versatile performances and infrequently on-screen chemistry with the opposite leads. Romantic, suspenseful, and heartbreaking unexpectedly, While You Were Sleeping is the drama to look at a minimum of as soon as in your life; it has attractive cinematography, a heartfelt soundtrack, and fantastic on-screen chemistry between the 2 greatest heartbreakers of the scenario.
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9 ‘Fated to Love You’ (2014)
Directed by Lee Dong-yoon and Kim Hee-won
After being mysteriously intoxicated, each successor Lee Gun (Jang Hyuk) and secretary Mi-young (Jang Nara) get up in mattress with one another the following morning. Shortly after this encounter, Mi-young finds out she is pregnant, with the kid being Lee Gun’s. Both should cope with the results and determine to get married. However, marriage just isn’t as straightforward because it appears, particularly when different individuals are added to the equation.
Fated to Love You is an actual heartbreaker of a drama; it would carry viewers to tears. Though it’s stuffed with widespread TV tropes (unintended being pregnant, automotive accident, rivals to lovers), it executes these efficiently, creating an emotionally tense drama. Not to say, with a captivating second male lead (Choi Jin Hyuk), it is laborious to not really feel torn on the romance and on-screen chemistry between the primary solid of characters. Prepare to begin sobbing and dying of laughter as you watch Fated to Love You.
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8 ‘Full House’ (2004)
Directed by Pyo Min-soo
Due to her terrible, sketchy associates, Han Ji-eun (Song Hye-kyo) loses her father’s home to well-known actor Lee Young-jae (Rain). The two strike a deal, and Ji-eun leads to a contract marriage with Young-jae, although issues show to be tough as the 2 fall for one another.
Full House is an instantaneous basic; it stars Song Hye-kyo who’s well-known within the Ok-drama world. After all, she has starred in loads of fan favorites, corresponding to Descendants of the Sun, Autumn in My Heart, The Glory, and That Winter, The Wind Blows. It’s a straight rivals-to-lovers love story, the place viewers can not help however chuckle on the performances between Hye-kyo and Rain as they run into bother when with one another. Through the misunderstandings and heartache, viewers will love watching one of Hye-kyo’s greatest performances.
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7 ‘Boys Over Flowers’ (2009)
Directed by Jeon Ki-sang
After saving a pupil from suicide, poverty-stricken Jan-di (Ku Hye-sun) is invited to attend Shinhwa High, a prestigious college meant for the rich and profitable. However, Jan-di shortly learns concerning the F4, the highest 4 prestigious males within the college whose job is to make college students’ lives hell. Due to her decided and resilient nature, Jan Di faces off in opposition to F4’s boastful chief, Jun-pyo (Lee Min-ho), and their lives develop into interlinked as they fall for each other.
Though a bit outdated for its time, Boys Over Flowers is the go-to collection for brand spanking new followers and informal viewers on the lookout for a straightforward Korean drama to rewatch. It has the whole lot a typical Ok-drama fan enjoys, together with second lead syndrome, amnesia, heartache, rags to riches, and the evil mother-in-law. Not to say, the love triangle is one of the perfect seen in Ok-dramas, that includes the charming Kim Hyun-joong and Lee Min-ho because the respective leads on this title. With a fascinating storyline, that is the start of most Ok-drama followers.
Watch on Netflix
6 ‘Healer’ (2014-2015)
Directed by Lee Jung-sub and Kim Jin-woo
Jung-hoo (Ji Chang-wook), often known as Healer, is an unlawful night time courier who has been assigned a brand new job: to guard Young-shin (Park Min-young), a younger web reporter. However, whereas defending her, Jung-hoo additionally falls for her, which creates a tough scenario of hidden identification.
Healer is a one-of-a-kind drama; it performs off the hidden identification trope exceptionally effectively, creating not solely an exhilarating drama, but in addition a suspenseful one. While romance is a key function, it additionally focuses quite a bit on the story it’s attempting to inform and the secrets and techniques that start to unfold with every passing episode. Though Park Min-young and Ji Chang-Wook have grown significantly as actors, their performances and on-screen chemistry will make viewers chuckle and fall in love with their charismatic characters.
Watch on Kocowa
5 ‘Autumn in My Heart’ (2000)
Directed by Yoon Seok-ho
After an accident that switches Eun-suh (Song Hye-kyo) and Shin-ae (Han Chae-young) at beginning, Eun-suh and Joon-suh (Song Seung-heon) develop up collectively as siblings. Years later, when the 2 are youngsters, each households be taught that Shin-ae and Eun-suh have been switched at beginning when Eun-suh wanted a blood transfusion on account of an accident. After this realization, each ladies return to their organic households, and their lives are reversed. Eun-suh and Joon-suh meet once more down the street, this time falling in love with one another, although Eun-suh quickly learns that she has leukemia.
Autumn in My Heart is an emotionally devastating Ok-drama. While quite a bit of Ok-dramas are inclined to lean on the emotional aspect, nothing competes with the emotional depth that Autumn in My Heart has. The energy this drama has over viewers will also be attributed to its stunning OST, which reminds viewers of the tragic story that’s unfolding. Be ready to be immersed in a fantastically tragic love story, the place there is no such thing as a comfortable ending.
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4 ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’ (2016)
Directed by Kim Kyu-tae
Ha-jin (IU) is simply beginning to recover from a breakup when she makes an attempt to save lots of a drowning child. While he’s pulled aboard, Ha-jin sinks, drowning, when she involves the floor for air. Only this time, as she takes in her environment, she realizes she is not within the fashionable period. Rather, she is now a girl named Hae-soo, and she or he has woken up within the Goryeo period. There, she is surrounded by the princes of Goryeo, some of which develop emotions for her, together with that of the 4th Prince, Wang So (Lee Joon-gi).
While being a time journey Ok-drama, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is one other tragic love story happening through the Goryeo interval. While most historic dramas are advanced, Moon Lovers is a bit totally different; certain, there are the complexities of the varied princes, however it’s nonetheless a posh and tragic love story at coronary heart. Featuring powerful, darkish, and scarred characters like Wang So, it is laborious to not benefit from the rivals-to-lovers romance between Hae-soo and Wang So. Viewers will hope for a cheerful ending, however sadly, this drama explores the tragedy inside a aggressive kingdom.
3 ‘Goblin’ (2016-2017)
Directed by Lee Eung-bok and Kwon Hyuk-chan
Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) is an immortal goblin who helps others. Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun) is a nineteen-year-old who can see spirits and summon the goblin at will. Though they lead very totally different lives, Kim Shin begins to unravel the thriller behind Eun-tak, who may simply be the one to save lots of his soul from everlasting damnation.
Goblin is one of the perfect Ok-dramas to return out in recent times. It has the whole lot from comedy, bromance, historic fantasy, romance, and of course, tragedy. The comedic duo of Dong-wook and Gong Yoo will make viewers chuckle at each scene, whereas Gong Yoo and Go-eun’s chemistry is one to swoon over. With mesmerizing cinematography and a wonderful soundtrack, Goblin is an unforgettable drama that may lead viewers to tears.
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2 ‘Descendants of the Sun’ (2016)
Directed by Lee Eung-bok and Baek Sang-hoon
After capturing and hospitalizing a thief, Yoo Si-Jin (Song Joong-ki) meets Doctor Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo). Hitting it off instantly, the 2 attempt to date, however notice that their variations are far too nice, so that they go their separate methods. Then someday, they meet once more in a rustic ravaged by warfare.
Descendants of the Sun was wildly common when it was first launched, with many instantly hailing it among the many greatest Ok-dramas of the twenty first century. Fans wouldn’t cease speaking about it, and for good motive; it is a drama that has excessive stakes, protecting viewers on the sting of their seats. The mixture of suspense and romance makes for an entertaining and drama, with an unforgettable romance.
Descendants of the Sun
- Debut Date
- February 24, 2016
- Number of Seasons
- 1
- Genre
- Ok-Drama
- Studio
- KBS, Next Entertainment World
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1 ‘Crash Landing on You’ (2019-2020)
Directed by Lee Jung-hyo
After a paragliding accident, South Korean heiress Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) finds herself on the Northern border. Captain Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) is stationed on the border, and he chases Se-ri; together with her life in his fingers, he guarantees to assist her disguise.
One of the perfect love tales in recent times, Crash Landing on You relies loosely on a real story. It’s a wonderful story of two folks from reverse sides of a border falling in love regardless of the politics and variations. It’s heartwarming, it is thrilling, and it is a unhappy story that highlights the tragedy of main two very totally different lives. Crash Landing on You is the story of real love in its purest type, one that’s well worth the sacrifice and braveness. It’s a love story that may change viewers emotionally.