The Best Korean Dramas on Netflix Right Now

From intriguing political thrillers to charming romances, there’s something for every Korean drama fan (or novice) to stream on Netflix

*Korean dramas "Designated Survivor," "Chief of Staff" and "Little Women" (Netflix)*

From action-packed thrillers like "Squid Game" and "All of Us Are Dead" to romantic comedies like "Business Proposal" and "Crash Landing on You," it seems the world can’t get enough of K-dramas these days. Netflix, for its part, has recently announced its plans to invest a whopping $2.5 billion in South Korean content over the next several years, so it looks like the K-drama craze won’t be dying anytime soon.

But with so many Korean TV shows already available on Netflix, it can feel overwhelming to sort through dozens—if not hundreds—of K-dramas on the platform and figure out which ones to watch. So here we’ve made the job much easier by curating the top K-dramas to stream on Netflix, in no particular order. To ensure that we’re providing you with the best recommendations, we’ve thoroughly vetted all of these series (which simply means that we’ve watched every single K-drama on this list from beginning to end…sometimes more than once).

So order some chimaek (for those who don’t know, that’s Korean shorthand for chicken and beer) and start streaming the titles on this list. And be sure to check back soon for more K-dramas to watch, as we’ll be updating the list frequently!

"Twenty Five Twenty One" (2022)

This riveting coming-of-age comedy-drama follows the lives of five friends as they struggle to realize their dreams in the devastating aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis (known as the "IMF Crisis" in South Korea). Set to a fantastic soundtrack and replete with '90s cultural references, "Twenty Five Twenty One" drew praise from critics and audiences around the world for its relatable characters, beautiful storytelling and realistic portrayal of love, friendship and universal human struggles. Get ready for a wild rollercoaster ride though—the series will make you laugh, cry and maybe reflect on your own life choices. Sure, you’ll be an emotional wreck afterwards, but at least you’ll have gleaned so many important lessons from this show.

"Stranger" (2017)

With an airtight script, stellar acting and well-paced suspense, "Stranger" (also known as "Forest of Secrets") is the epitome of a perfectly executed Korean crime drama. Seasoned actor Cho Seung-woo ("The Classic," "Sisyphus: The Myth," "Divorce Attorney Shin") plays a brilliant but stoic prosecutor who investigates a high-profile murder with the help of a fiery and loquacious police officer (played by international star Bae Doona of "Sense8," "Cloud Atlas" and "Kingdom" fame). As the unlikely pair dig deeper into the case, they unearth clues indicating that their own organizations may have been involved. This masterpiece in detective fiction nabbed top honors at the 2018 Baeksang Arts Awards, was named as one of the best TV shows of 2017 by The New York Times and inspired another hit Korean crime thriller, "Beyond Evil."

"Memories of the Alhambra" (2018)

In this unusual sci-fi fantasy thriller, Hyun Bin stars as Yoo Jin-woo, the CEO of an investment firm who travels to Granada, Spain to meet with the inventor of a revolutionary augmented reality game. But when the game’s creator goes missing, Yoo discovers that the older sister Jung Hee-ju (Park Shin-hye) happens to own the hostel where he’s staying at. Together, they set out to find Hee-ju’s brother but get caught up in a string of mysterious events as the line between reality and fiction becomes increasingly blurred. We found this one to be a bit eerie and disturbing, but it’s definitely worth a watch for its novel AR concept!

"Green Mothers' Club" (2022)

"Green Mothers’ Club" is quite possibly the most underrated K-drama ever made, with the most misleading teaser ever made. This weighty drama centers on five mothers who do everything they can to support their elementary kids’ education while trying to navigate their messy personal lives and keep up appearances. It takes a searing and painfully honest look at motherhood, the challenges that many Korean women face today, and the struggles of raising children in South Korea’s highly competitive society (a key reason why the country has the lowest birth rate in the world). While the show is probably not everyone’s cup of tea, you’d be hard-pressed to find another K-drama that tackles so many different social issues with such nuance in the span of just 16 episodes.

"SKY Castle" (2018)

Here's another series that illustrates just how far many overzealous Korean parents will go for their kids’ education. In this satirical melodrama, tragic events unfold at SKY Castle, an elite residential community inhabited by wealthy families who’ll stop at nothing to ensure their children’s success, sometimes with devastating consequences. (The community’s name itself is a nod to South Korea’s most prestigious universities: Seoul National University, Korea University and Yonsei — or "SKY," for short.) There are a lot of outrageous scenarios and over-the-top behavior in this dramedy, but its sharp critique of South Korea’s pressure cooker society must’ve resonated with domestic audiences — it still ranks as one of the highest-rated cable TV shows in the country’s history.

"Extraordinary Attorney Woo" (2022)

In this heartwarming and wholesome series, powerhouse actress Park Eun-bin shines as Woo Young-woo, a brilliant rookie attorney on the autism spectrum who works at a top law firm and encounters prejudice and discrimination in all sorts of situations due to her disability. Each episode sees Woo using her unique and creative way of thinking to tackle difficult legal cases, changing how those around her view her in the process. Despite not having autism spectrum disorder herself, Park delivers a mind-blowingly remarkable performance as the charming titular character, for which she earned a slew of domestic and international accolades. You’ll find yourself rooting for the quirky but lovable Attorney Woo every step of the way as she bravely navigates workplace challenges, forms relationships with other people and talks (a lot) about her love of whales.

"The King’s Affection" (2021)

Before Park Eun-bin stole our hearts as Attorney Woo, she assumed another difficult role as a fearless Joseon-era king (yes, king, not queen), proving that there’s probably no character that she cannot pull off. After giving birth to twins — which were considered to be a bad omen, at least in the show — the crown princess secretly sends her daughter Dam-i (Park) away from the palace to save her life. Years later, when Dam-i’s twin brother the crown prince is killed, their mother convinces Dam-i to take his place. Afraid that others might find out her true identity, Dam-i acts aloof towards everyone she meets, but she eventually falls for her handsome tutor (played by K-pop heartthrob Rowoon). The first K-drama to win an International Emmy, "The King’s Affection" is a great intro to Korean historical dramas. Palace intrigue, gripping action sequences, a swoon-worthy romance between the two leads — this show has it all.

Read the full article on TheWrap.