Hear me out – Korean drama’s (AKA Kdramas,) are just as juicy and dramatic as Arabic Ramadan TV releases. Most K-dramas have 16 episodes each season, with each episode being an hour long. And the plots, the people, the outfits – everything tbh, are to *die* for.

K-drama’s are a serious addiction, because once you get hooked on the first episode, you’ll be sat on your couch for hours binge-watching the amazing series. (Meaning, K-dramas are perf for Ramadan when you need a juicy show to keep you entertained and distracted.) 

We’ve rounded up 10 K-drama’s that have to be on your must-watch list. (Don’t get intimidated if you’ve never watched one before, we’ve even listed some quirk-ier options!)

[1]

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

 

Bok Joo is a rising weight lifting star who crosses paths with a competitive swimmer who she finds out later is her childhood friend. Quriky, romantic and comedic – this Kdrama is one of the best ones to start off with (especially if you’re a beginner!)

[2]

Oh! Master

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Our male protagonist is one of the greatest script writers in South Korea who only writes heart-wrenching, cruel, meticulously planned dramas. Our female protagonist on the other hand, is quite the fan-favourite. A popular actress who has the hearts of the public and thrives on romantic comedies, she couldn’t be more different to him!

[3]

Love Alarm

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Love Alarm shook up the internet when the second season was released this year. It’s set in a world where an app alerts people if someone in the vicinity likes them, Kim Jojo experiences young love between two best friends who fight over her. And not to mention that both male leads are *stunning*. 

[4]

What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?

 

 

This funny South Korean rom-com is a classic and must-watch for anyone who’s just started watching Kdramas. Plus, Park Seo-Joon is bae. 

[5]

Start-Up 

A group of millennials join what looks like Korea’s Silicon Valley and begin working together. Romance, drama, and plenty of childhood flashbacks which will make you tear up. But don’t worry – there’s a happy ending.

[6]

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

 

Wow. This TV show is just….wow. Seo Ye-ji is a popular children’s book author with an antisocial personality disorder, and she falls for a caregiver, Kim Soo-hyun. Not only are they a beautiful couple, but the series touches on mental health, and is *phenomenal*.

[7]

Crash Landing on You

 
 
 
 
 
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Get ready to cry for three days straight. No – really. This is one of the best Kdramas that you could watch (hands down.) The emotional but funny series shows a budding romance bloom between a wealthy South Korean businesswoman, and a rugged (read: hot) North Korean soldier. 

[8]

She Was Pretty 

Another ~ great ~ Park Seo-Joon series! This rom-com shows the beauty standards that Korea has set, and how the protagonist deals with them and her self-esteem while working at a magazine. (Yes, there is a makeover scene, which is so cliche but cute.) 

[9]

Hello, Me!

A 37-year-old woman meets her 17 year old self and her life instantly changes from there. A series that’s feel-good, insightful, comedic, and even has some swoon-worthy moments. Spoiler – this series involves tearjerking scenes.  

[10]

Stranger

This crime-thriller series follows two characters – Prosecutor Hwang Si-mok and Police Lieutenant Han Yeo-jin that come together to solve murder cases and soon realize that the road to justice is much more difficult than they had expected. The Stranger has already released two seasons and was mentioned under New York Times Best TV Shows 2017.

[11]

Squid Game

PSA: From now on, no movie list is complete without the mention of Netflix’s soon-to-be biggest show ever, Squid Game. This dystopian series revolves around 456 players who are in debt and join the game to win a grand cash prize.

[12]

Kingdom

Being Netflix’s first original Korean series, Kingdom is a period horror series that is just perfect with Halloween on its way.

[13]

Mine

This 2021 release explores the lives of rich and powerful women and their struggle to find their true selves and claim what is theirs in the world.