The Ultimate Guide: Top-rated Korean Shows to Binge-watch on Netflix

Summary

The best Korean shows on Netflix offer a wide range of genres, including dramas, action, sci-fi, and romantic comedies, making them accessible to a global audience.

Korean drama episodes have a longer duration, yet the series often wrap up within a few seasons, enabling viewers to indulge in binge-watching and enjoy gratifying conclusions. With a range of genres from emotional time travel mysteries to uproarious love stories, Netflix offers a Korean show to cater to every preference, making them globally acclaimed and celebrated works of fiction.

Currently, the finest Korean TV shows on Netflix offer a wide range of genres, including intense dramas, thrilling adventures, captivating sci-fi narratives, and delightful romantic comedies. For several years now, Korean dramas have been widely acclaimed and highly successful works of fiction on a global scale. Fortunately, with the advent of streaming, accessing the best K-dramas from anywhere in the world has become much easier, enabling extraordinary stories and talented actors to reach an even larger audience. Whether it's the immensely popular Squid Game or lesser-known hidden gems, Netflix boasts an impressive collection of top-notch Korean TV shows.

Typically, K-drama episodes tend to be quite lengthy, often spanning 60 or even 90 minutes. However, unlike many Western shows, successful Korean dramas are usually wrapped up within a few series instead of running for multiple seasons. This condensed format can be advantageous for those seeking binge-worthy titles. Within the realm of Korean dramas, there is an abundance of exceptional choices across various genres, including series that cleverly blend two or three distinct styles. Without further ado, here are the ten finest Korean shows currently available on Netflix.

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10 A Time Called You

Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi

Available seasons: 1

Cast: Ahn Hyo-seop (Koo Yeon-jun / Nam Si-heon), Jeon Yeo-been (Han Jun-hee / Kwon Min-ju), Kang Hoon (Jung In-gyu)

A Time Called You: A Captivating K-Drama Journey Through Time

9 Crash Landing On You

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Available seasons: 1

Cast: Hyun Bin Ri (Jeong-hyuk), Son Ye-jin (Yoon Se-ri)

The life of Se-ri, an immensely successful CEO from South Korea, takes an unforeseen twist following a paragliding mishap. Se-ri unintentionally lands in North Korea, finding herself trapped without any means to cross the border. Fortunately, she encounters a group of North Korean soldiers, one of whom empathizes with her situation and extends his aid. Se-ri's contagious energy and innocence, in stark contrast to Jeong-hyuk's seriousness, culminate in a delightful juxtaposition that sets the stage for an unpredictable tale of love. Crash Landing on You encompasses elements of classic love story conventions, incorporating the trope of "fake dating" within a captivating narrative reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, teeming with humor, charm, and heartfelt emotions.

8 Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Genre: Comedy, legal drama

Available seasons: 1

Cast: Park Eun-bin (Woo Young-woo), Kang Tae-oh (Lee Jun-ho), Kang Ki-young (Jung Myung-seok)

Woo Young-woo, an extraordinary attorney with autism, graduated at the top of her class and now embarks on a new chapter in her career. Joining a prestigious law firm as a trainee, she encounters both allies and adversaries along the way. While embodying the overarching narrative of Extraordinary Attorney Woo, the show also presents a series of episodic cases that showcase Woo Young-woo's exceptional legal prowess. With its captivating pace and compelling cases, Extraordinary Attorney Woo stands as one of the most exceptional legal dramas currently on television. Drawing on elements of comedy and touching love stories, this show is a true masterpiece.

7 The Glory

Genre: Drama

Available seasons: 1

Cast: Song Hye-kyo (Moon Dong-eun), Jung Ji-so (young Dong-eun), Lee Do-hyun (Joo Yeo-jeong), Lim Ji-yeon (Park Yeon-jin), Shin Ye-eun (young Yeon-jin)

The Glory, a TV-MA-rated show, delves into profound motifs and is renowned as one of the most somber and violent dramas available on Netflix. Embarking on the journey of Moon Dong-eun, a former victim of bullying during her schooling years, The Glory portrays her adulthood as she returns to her hometown seeking retribution against those who inflicted harm upon her in the past. Through a captivating narrative that weaves together Dong-eun's quest for revenge and flashbacks representing her arduous experiences in school, the show addresses the weightiness of bullying while offering a thrilling storyline filled with unexpected twists.

6 Sweet Home

Genre: Horror

Available seasons: 1

Cast: Song Kang (Cha Hyun-soo), Lee Jin-wook (Pyeon Sang-wook), Lee Si-young (Seo Yi-kyung), Go Min-si (Lee Eun-yoo)

5 Alchemy of Souls

Looking for a fresh take on the post-apocalyptic genre? Then Sweet Home is the perfect choice! Gone are the tired clichés of traditional zombie stories, as this thrilling series introduces a "monster apocalypse" with a unique twist. Join the introverted teenager, Cha Hyun-soo, as he navigates a city overrun by terrifying creatures following a life-altering tragedy. Packed with gripping action scenes and impressive visual effects, Sweet Home will keep you on the edge of your seat. What's more, the diverse and intriguing characters will draw you further into this captivating world. Having soared to success as one of the pioneering Korean dramas on Netflix, Sweet Home season 2 is eagerly anticipated, slated to premiere in 2023.

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Available seasons: 1-2

Cast: Lee Jae-wook (Jang Uk), Jung So-min (Mu-deok / Nak-su), Hwang Min-hyun (Seo Yu)

Alchemy of Souls Part 2 concludes the captivating tale with its enchanting blend of magic and thrilling action. Spanning across 30 gripping episodes in both seasons 1 and 2, Alchemy of Souls mesmerizes viewers with its meticulous worldbuilding and an array of compelling characters. Set in a realm where the extraordinary is commonplace, the story revolves around Mu-deok, a legendary warrior who finds herself in an unexpected predicament when her soul is mistakenly transferred into the body of Nak-su, a significantly weaker individual. In this new guise, Mu-deok embarks on an unexpected journey, serving as a humble servant to Jang Uk, the heir of a prosperous family. The visual beauty, richly portrayed characters, and intricate lore of Alchemy of Souls intricately weave together to explore themes such as honor, belonging, and destiny. With Alchemy of Souls Part 2, the enthralling narrative draws to its final chapter, leaving audiences captivated and craving for more.

4 Business Proposal

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Available seasons: 1

Cast: Ahn Hyo-seop (Kang Tae-moo), Kim Se-jeong (Shin Ha-ri)

3 Kingdom

Business Proposal is a delightful romantic comedy featuring a charming storyline and the incredible chemistry of one of the best K-drama couples. Shin Ha-ri, determined to experience rejection, agrees to go on a blind date in place of her friend, only to find out that her date is none other than her boss, Kang Tae-moo. Unbeknownst to Tae-moo, Ha-Ri is not only his employee but also pretending to be someone else. As if the situation isn't complicated enough, Tae-moo proposes a fake relationship to deter his father from arranging more blind dates for him. Prepare for a rollercoaster of laughter and heartwarming moments in this hilarious and entertaining show.

Genre: Horror, Fantasy

Available seasons: 1-2

Cast: Ju Ji-Hoon (Lee Chang), Bae Doo-Na (Seo-Bi), Ryoo Seung-Ryong (Jo Hak-Joo)

Kingdom exemplifies the potential for fresh and original zombie narratives. Taking place during Korea's Joseon period in the 16th century, the show loosely adapts the manga Kingdom of the Gods. The protagonist, Crown Prince Lee Chang, embarks on an investigation into a mysterious and spreading disease that has already afflicted the king. What initially appears as a political thriller exploring conspiracies within the kingdom takes a monstrous turn when Lee Chang witnesses the devastating impact of this virus on his father. Blending horror and fantasy, Kingdom exhilaratingly combines both genres, making it one of Netflix's finest Korean shows.

2 All Of Us Are Dead

Genre: Horror

Available seasons: 1

Cast: Park Ji-hu (Nam On-jo), Yoon Chan-young (Lee Cheong-san), Cho Yi-hyun (Choi Nam-ra), Lomon (Lee Su-hyeok)

1 Squid Game

Despite initially appearing as just another zombie show, All of Us Are Dead actually stands out as one of the most captivating series within the genre and one of the top-notch Korean dramas available on Netflix. The way the series builds up to the zombie outbreak is exceptionally well done, and the concept of focusing on a specific group of characters in a single location for multiple episodes is flawlessly executed. The compelling characters in All of Us Are Dead truly contribute to the show's greatness, and even though a second season has already been confirmed, the first season works perfectly as a standalone story.

Genre: Drama

Available seasons: 1

Cast: Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun, Park Hae-soo (Cho Sang-woo), Wi Ha-joon (Hwang Jun-ho), Jung Ho-yeon (Kang Sae-byeok).

Squid Game, the most-watched show in Netflix history, took the world by storm with its fascinating and unique narrative. The series follows a group of individuals who willingly partake in life-threatening games for the chance to win a massive cash prize. By turning beloved games into chilling and deadly competitions and featuring relatable characters facing financial hardships, Squid Game resonated with global viewers. With its straightforward concept, gripping episodes, and exceptional performances, Squid Game stands as one of the finest Korean shows on Netflix. For those who haven't experienced it yet, it is a must-watch, especially with the announcement of Squid Game season 2.