The only drama I need in my life.

If there is anything you want to know about me, it’s that I love a good k-drama. Ever since I got into Korean dramas, other shows just don’t compare.

What is a k-drama anyway? Korean dramas are television shows made in South Korea. They usually have 16 episodes that are an hour long, and many last only one season. However, recently a few k-dramas have been 8-12 episodes, and some have more than one season, like Kingdom.

Depending on the genre, a good k-drama is unique, interesting, creative, and hooks you in from the first episode!

The storyline, writing, directing, and most importantly the acting is always done so well, that I can’t help but become interested in the characters and story.

Another cool addition to k-drama’s is the original soundtrack! Am I the only one that listens to them after the drama is over?

As a matter of fact, it was k-drama’s that made me become so fascinated with Korean culture in the first place. My interest didn’t start after the worldwide popularity of Squid Game, it happened in early 2022 after I decided to watch the horror thriller All of Us Are Dead.

But not all k-drama’s are worth watching. There are a few that don’t catch your attention right away. That is why today, I have created a small list of some of my favorite k-drama’s that I’ve seen.

Next time you don’t have anything to watch? Check out this list!

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All of Us Are Dead

When I watched this k-drama on a random Saturday night, I had no idea that it was what would be the start of it all. The start of my love for k-drama’s!

This k-drama is more of a horror-thriller and is based on a webtoon that was published between 2009 and 2011. It’s about a group of high school students who try to survive and get through a zombie outbreak that rapidly occurs after one student gets bitten by a mouse.

I loved it so much! It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, and I thought everyone did a great job, especially Yoon Chan-Young who plays one of the lead characters. Cho Yi-Hyun also slayed her role too!

It’s a lot of gore, blood, and action throughout the drama, so if that seems unfavorable then you shouldn’t watch it. I felt like it was really interesting to see how they tried to survive among the outbreak, and it got me thinking what I would do if zombies all of a sudden started to take over the country!

There are only 12 episodes, and the best part is there will be a season 2 coming out next year!

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo

I never knew how much I love a romantic story until I watched a romantic k-drama.

In many stories, the way they show romance is so beautiful and refined, I love it. The feelings between the two leads takes time, so as soon as the characters admit they like each other or finally hold hands, I blush alongside them!

Weightlifting Fairy was my favorite k-drama for a while. It stars Lee Sung-Kyung and Nam-Joo Hyuk as the main leads. If you’re looking for charming characters in a sporty, cute, lighthearted, and funny show, this one checks all those boxes!

The story revolves around college student Kim Bok-Joo, who is ambitious and skilled at weightlifting. Bok-Joo develops a crush on Jung Jae-Yi, a doctor and also the older brother of Jung Joon-Hyung, a talented swimmer that attends the same college as Bok-Joo.

While Joon-Hyung tries to help Bok-Joo with her crush on his brother, the teasing and friendship leads to Joon-Hyung eventually falling in love with Bok-Joo, and she does as well.

The story ultimately shows how these athletic college students go after their dreams, but also touches upon topics like depression, burn out, and family dynamics.

I had the biggest crush on actor Nam Joo-hyuk while watching this show. I also found myself laughing out loud at many of the scenes and got butterflies at all the cute moments.

Fun Fact: The two leads from this k-drama were actually dating in real life!

My Name

I have to say, this k-drama is underrated.

If you are looking for a quick show to finish over the weekend, this is the one. My Name is a revenge thriller that stars Han So-Hee, Park Hee-Soon, and Ahn Bo-Hyun. Once you start it, you can’t stop! It pulls you in from the first episode and only has 8 in total.

To explain briefly, My Name is about Yoon Ji-Woo who seeks revenge on her father’s murder, she becomes a police officer under a different name but is under the work and trust she puts in a crime boss, Choi-Moo Jin.

I loved the intensity of each episode and the acting of the entire cast, especially Han-So Hee. It was so cool to see the action scenes and there is a huge plot twist that caught me off-guard.

What I found really amazing is that the characters were written by a woman, Kim Ba-Da. I say this because, So-Hee’s character had a lot of depth and personality, something that I think can lack in most thriller stories where women are involved.

I would love to say more, but I won’t. You need to see this drama if you love a good crime-thriller story!

Twenty-Five Twenty-One

If you want to know what my favorite k-drama is, it’s this one.

I recommend having a box of tissues nearby because this story really pulls at your heartstrings! When it was over, I couldn’t stop thinking or talking about it! My friend and I were going back and forth about the story, and it took me one week to get over the show.

It’s a romantic and coming-of-age story that takes place from 1998 to 2021 and is about the very determined Na Hee-Do who strives to be the best fencer possible, she comes across hard-working Baek Yi-Jin who tries to help his family out of a financial crisis.

The drama talks about life and its struggles, working hard, loving and losing, first love, friendship, so many great things! I found myself like many others, getting attached to the characters and becoming invested in the story. This drama also had some really good songs!

I think what made me really love this k-drama was how real it was. I could relate to the characters and what they were going through in some instances. This drama also had some beautifully written lines, and the performances of the entire cast was some of the best acting I’ve ever seen. (Not exaggerating)!

It stars Kim Tae-Ri who absolutely slayed her part and our favorite Nam Joo-Hyuk along with Bona, Choi Hyun-Wook, and Lee Joo-Myung.

I’m not sure if everyone will really love this k-drama because you do have to be patient. There are 16 episodes, and each are an hour long, but I never skipped anything because it was that good.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

If you love different courtroom cases being solved in each episode, whales, a dreamy soundtrack mixed with some romance and drama, then this is the k-drama for you!

Woo Young-Woo is a highly intelligent young lawyer that has autism. When she is hired at Hanbada, a huge law firm in Seoul, her creative thought process and photographic memory impresses the legal team and clients she works with. Although Young-Woo has looming troubles and is seen to be “different” than others, she still strives her way to the top!

This drama has a really talented ensemble cast with Park Eun-Bin playing the role of Young-Woo along with Kang Tae-Oh as Joon-Ho her love interest.

There were some really interesting topics they talked about in each episode. It showed how most people perceive individuals that have conditions like autism, even when they are capable of doing anything. Park Eun-Bin portrayed the role of Young-Woo in a brilliant and sensitive way.

I honestly would do anything to watch this from the start again. Every part of the story was interesting, and I loved seeing Young-Woo succeed! I believe there will be a second season of this k-drama.

Soundtrack #1

This k-drama only has 4 episodes and was simple and romantic. It stars Han So-Hee and Park Hyung-Sik.

I found this drama to be very aesthetically pleasing. Each shot was beautiful. The lighting, camerawork, and little moments were so subtle and sweet.

It’s about two longtime best friends who move in together and start making music. Hyung-Sik’s character, Seon-Woo is the one who always had feelings for his best friend, Eunsu.

I watched this last summer, and it was relaxing and easy to follow along. As mentioned before, the way they show romance in a k-drama is beautiful and enchanting, and this one was nothing short of it!

Hometown Cha Cha Cha

This k-drama is also one of my all-time favorites. It’s sweet, funny, romantic, and was calming to watch. The story also carries a healing and beautiful message.

The story is about Yoon Hye-Jin, a successful dentist from Seoul who after a life-situation, goes to the small seaside village of Gongjin. She decides to open up her own clinic there and encounters Hong Du-Sik, also known as Chief Hong, who does a variety of odd jobs around the town. As the two get to know each other, so does the romance! The drama also shows the lives of the other residents in Gongjin.

Moreover, Chief Hong carries some kind of secret, and it’s what makes you want to keep watching to find out what it is! The drama stars Shin Min-Ah and Kim Seon-Ho as the main leads. I loved their chemistry and the way they portrayed their characters. This drama also has a really fun soundtrack!

The entire vibe of the drama is comforting and pleasing to watch. Near the ending, I did shed some tears with how things positively turned out for Chief Hong. Ultimately, this slice of life k-drama is a high recommendation from me!

Lovely Runner

What would you do if you can go back in time to change your future? That is what happens in this creative and original romantic-fantasy k-drama!

Im Sol wears a watch that belongs to Ryu Sun-Jae, a popular idol in the present day. After a tragic incident, she’s suddenly transported to high school. Sol has the chance to change her fate, but can she really change her future or are some things just meant to be?

There is so much that happens in each episode within this drama, all from the beginning! It was very interesting to see how the events unfold. All I can say, is that this story is unpredictable. What kept me watching was seeing how things would turn out for Sol and Sun-Jae.

I became a fan of Kim Hye-Yoon who plays the role of Im Sol. She did an amazing job and was so believable in every scene! Byeon Woo-Seok takes on the role of Ryu Sun-Jae.

This k-drama ended up being very popular this year and I can see why! It’s a must watch for everyone, and although each episode is an hour, it really goes by fast with how interesting it is.

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Well, there you have it everyone. A list of my favorite k-drama’s I have seen so far.

Indulging in a good k-drama is something I like to do when I want to relax. It may not be for everyone, but I love watching them when I have the time. If you haven’t seen a k-drama yet, I hope this post can be your chance to finally watch one!

Also, if you know any other k-drama’s that are worth watching, let me know in the comments below!