Credit their fascinating storylines or the swoon-worthy production value, or just the fact that it offers an insight into a different culture, Korean dramas have become quite a rage in the past few months. If you are looking for some binge-worthy content, and are open to trying out K-dramas, here are our recommendations.
1. Squid Game
Squid Game, of course, had to be the first to be acknowledged, since even non-K-drama fans were aware of the Hallyu wave's power. The dystopian show was brutal and violent, depicting people who have been pushed to the point of desperation owing to debt. They are transferred to a distant island and promised a new lease on life: play a few children's games and make a fortune. They will, however, die if they lose. Lee Jung-ae portrayed Seong-gi hun, a man who is forced to participate in these risky sports. The show is the most-watched series on Netflix, and it is the most-watched programme in over 94 countries.
Platform: Netflix
2. Hometown Cha Cha Cha
Kim Seon-ho grabbed hearts as the lovable Hong Du-sik, a man frantically attempting to move on from his damaged past. Yoon Hye-jin, who is realistic and clear-headed, is the woman he falls in love with (Shin Min-a). The episode was praised by critics for being a pleasant, sweet show that followed all of the K-drama tropes of love and mush. The storyline was lauded, as was the connection between the key actors.
Platform: Netflix
3. Vincenzo
With the mafia drama Vincenzo, Song Joong-ki makes a comeback. He played the titular character, an eight-year-old boy who was adopted and transferred to Italy. He is a mafia member now that he is an adult. However, as things continue to spin out of control, he travels to South Korea, where he meets Cha-young, a lawyer (Jeon Yeo-bin). The unusual couple falls in love and joins together to bring down a corrupt organisation. The show was well-received, and it went on to become the ninth highest-rated drama on Korean cable television.
Platform: Netflix
4. Move To Heaven
The adventures of Geu-ru, a young man with Asperger's syndrome, and Sang-gu, who finds himself as Geu-ru's guardian are chronicled in this uplifting storey. As 'trauma cleaners,' a group of people who take out the last belongings of the deceased and find stories left behind, the two join hands. They also have the responsibility of delivering the deceased's storey to those who have been left behind, providing closure, farewell, and solace.
Platform: Netflix
5. SKY Castle
The experiences of four ladies and their families as they attempt to maintain the status quo among South Korea's upper crust are chronicled in this series. The story follows a mother's obsession with getting her daughter into a prestigious university by any means necessary. SKY Castle is a great blend of romance, soap opera drama, and comedy, so if you like human-interest stories, this is the K-drama for you.
Platform: Netflix
6. Crash Landing On You
Quite an obvious mention, isn’t it? This one seems to be the talk of the town. If romance is your genre of choice, Crash Landing On You won’t disappoint. It chronicles the journey of Yoon Se-Ri (essayed by Son Ye-Jin), an heiress to a conglomerate in South Korea, who lands in North Korea during a paragliding mishap. She crosses paths with Ri Jeong-Hyeok (played by Hyun-Bin), a North Korean army officer, who tries to protect her by finding her a safe place. Soon, Ri Jeong-Hyeok falls in love with Yoon Se-Ri.
Platform: Netflix
7. Vagabond
This television series is for all you action and conspiracy plot lovers. When Cha Dal-Geon (played by Lee Seung-Gi)’s nephew dies in a plane crash, his world falls apart. Certain clues establish that there is more to the incident that meets the eye. Together with Go Hae-Ri (played by Bae Suzy), an NIS agent working undercover at the Korean embassy, Cha Dal-Geon sets out on a journey of uncovering the truth, and ends up uncovering a far darker secret.
Platform: Netflix
8. When The Camellia Blooms
Single mother Dong-Baek (Kong Hyo-Jin) lives in a small town called Ongsan, and runs a bar, Camellia. She is often gossiped about by the locals as she is a single woman/mother running a bar frequented by men. However, this doesn’t irk local police officer Hwang Yong-Sik (Kang Ha-Neul) who is madly in love with Dong. Life takes a turn when Dong-Baek’s former lover returns into her life. As she tries to take the right call, a sinister plan is underway. A serial killer is on the loose, and Dong-Baek may be a target.
Platform: Netflix
9. Descendants Of The Sun
This 2016 drama revolves around a special forces captain (Song Joong Ki) and a doctor (Song Hye Kyo) who fall in love as they provide aid to the country dealing with a natural disaster and civil strife. This series has been translated to over 30 languages.
Platform: Netflix
10. Extracurricular
What would you do if your dark secret is revealed to a complete stranger and he starts blackmailing you? Find out in this series where Oh Ji-soo (played by Kim Dong-hee), who runs an illegal sex trafficking business to collect money to go to college, is cornered by his classmate Bae Gyu-ri (played by Park Joo-hyun). The latter is aware of Oh Ji-soo’s ‘business’ and blackmails him.
Platform: Netflix