Are you perhaps one of those who believe that Korean dramas are strictly for the die hard romantics? Well, let me change that for you. Here are my top 10 recommendations and rest assured there’s something for everyone!
Buckle up to meet your favourite k- drama, but beware as it might become impossible to stop talking about it with your friends – p.s, you might get sucked into a binge-watching rabbit hole.
1. Prison Playbook
IMDb 8.2/10
Released in 2017, starring Park Hae-soo and Jung Kyung-ho , is an emotion-packed prison drama with mature themes of substance abuse. It follows the life of a basketball pitcher Kim Ji-Hyuk, who turns into a convicted felon overnight after defending his sister from sexual assault, how he’s living life as an inmate, juggling prison politics while having to survive and build friendship behind prison walls.
It dives deep into the politics that take place inside a prison, this is one of those dramas where the supporting characters’ stories are given just as much importance as the main, with moments of teary eyes to laughter, this drama will fill your hearts right up and wring it dry.
At an immersive 16 episodes, this emotional roller coaster of a drama gives us a meaningful insight on prison life with a break every so often with comedic respite.
2. The Frog
IMDb 6.8/10
Released in 2024, starring Kim Yoon-seok, Yoon Kye-sang, Go Min-si, and Lee Jung-eun, this is for all of those dark, psychological thriller fans out there. This series depicts the life of a mysterious woman Yoo Seong A, who one day showed up at a remote motel, seemingly ordinary at first but soon turns it into a miserable summer for the motel owner and the people he cares for.
This drama is a dark cat and mouse chase between the protagonist and antagonist up until the end. It will fill you up with anger and frustration but then turn it into relief with a sense of justice being served.
A short series of 8 episodes, but enough to leave a lasting impression on us and serve us with a very important message, don’t be a frog!
3. Daily Dose of Sunshine
IMDb 8.2/10
Released in 2023, starring Park Bo-young, Yeon Woo-jin, Jang Dong-yoon and Lee Jung-eun, with mature themes such as suicide, mental illness, self harm this drama follows Jung Da Eun in her journey as a nurse working in the psychiatric department. We are taken into her world where she deals with the patients under her care with compassion and attention to detail, trying to ease their struggle as much as she can also while dealing with personal distress.
The drama takes us through an array of patients all ranging from mild to absolutely severe, some showcasing self harm, the portrayal of how mental illness works in this series is extraordinary as it is a sensitive topic and impossible for many to describe.
At a comfortable 12 episodes, the series aims at giving a ‘daily dose of sunshine’ to its patients and hopefully it will leave you with a smile.
4. Doubt
IMDb 7.7/10
Released in 2024, starring Han Suk-kyu and Chae Won-bin along with Han Ye-ri, Roh Jae-won, Yoon Kyung-ho and Oh Yeon-soo. As a psychological thriller crime drama, this is a series based on a father daughter relationship, where its shown how grudges and miscommunication can impact a sacred bond, as the name suggests this series is based on mistrust and suspicion, following the life of teenager Jang Ha-bin and her dad Jang Tae-soo who is a criminal profiler, leaving us questioning the motive of each character and continuously judging our observation skills.
As the plot thickens, the lies grow and distrust between the two plunge deeper. The audience is left just as clueless with all presumptions being proved incorrect, this is a must watch if you want your detective skills put to a test!
At just 10 episodes, it will leave you doubting everything.
5. A Virtuous Business
IMDb 7.3/10
Released in 2024, starring Kim So-yeon, Yeon Woo-jin, Kim Sung-ryung, Kim Sun-young, and Lee Se-hee, as a comedy drama series we are taken back in time in a rural village during 1992, where 4 women Han Jeong-suk, Oh Geum-hee, Seo Young-bok and Lee Joo-ri, each met with difficulties in their personals lives come together and start a business that aims to empower women in a melodramatic way.
This series is a short and sweet reminder of willpower and perseverance, it’s a refreshing watch and acts as a breath of fresh air, this drama tackles important issues women had to face in the past and focuses on independence and feminism in a comedic way.
Perfect length of 12 episodes, this series is a perfect combo for a midnight bowl of popcorn.
Skipped the list?
Guys! I personally believe that finding new exciting things to watch can alter brain chemistry! It’s the equivalent to finding a pirate’s treasure! Okay.. maybe a little exaggeration on my part but think of it as a list that’s being passed as a secret note in a classroom to a friend from a friend and go give it a try!
Now in case you need further convincing to try these recommendations, every single series is highly rated on IMDb with the ratings conveniently mentioned, as someone who refuses to stick to one genre, this list is like Budae Jjigae (korean army stew) its a mix of everything delicious and more.
Insider tips!
Next time someone talks about mainstream series, you can show off by talking about these hidden gems! p.s these also happen to be some of my personal favs.
Written by – Rimpa Ash
About the author –
Hello hello! Two things I love the most? Putting pen to paper and sharing little bits about Korea, from its culture to food and everything in between. Here’s both of them combined for you by me, simply a guide for your next exploration, be it for a new k drama or a new kimchi recipe.I hope my words make you tingle with excitement and push you to try that next new thing. Just a cozy corner on the internet where we explore fascinating things together.