The K-drama craze is real in every aspect of your life. Life Korean drama series has one of the most popular categories in the various realms of K-drama. There are lots and lots of people out there who are obsessed with beautiful South Korean drama series and spend long hours watching their favorite ones. There are various genres when it comes to Korean dramas ranging from fantasy, law, food, manga, and slice-of-life. With the growing ages, K-dramas or every other TV show or movie has started to affect our lives in some way or another.
South Korean creators have always done a fantastic job in portraying every genre out there. The same has been done with the slice-of-life genre, and now we have a long list of K-dramas that are based on the genre of life. There the characters tell you the story of our daily problems rather than showing some suspense-filled climax. And that’s what makes them the most refreshing, natural, and demanding genre out there.
Here, we have gathered and discussed the best K-dramas based on the life genre that you definitely need to have on your watchlist. Let’s have a look inside.
Reply 1988
If you are looking for some real life-changing experience, then the whole “Reply” series is one of the best choices for you. The series is popularly known for its genre of “Life,” and with that, it has paved the way for many others out there. The whole plot of the series emphasizes the need and importance of family, friendship, love, and dreams in one’s life. It is one of the most relatable K-drama series you can find out there.
Written by Lee Woo Jung, the story of the show beautifully and effectively depicts the daily lives of groups of friends with some terrible scenarios going on with each of them. As the series progresses, we get to see various ups and downs in relationships and how every character in there goes through a serious stage of development. Throughout the series, you will never get bored and will end up relating to each scene happening in there. Therefore, it is a must add to your watchlist.
- Starring: Ryu Jun-yeol as Kim Jung-hwan, Go Kyung-pyo as Sung Sun-woo, Lee Hye-ri as Sung Duk-seon, Park Bo-gum as Choi Taek.
- Director: Shin Won-ho.
- Premiere Period: November 6, 2015, – January 16, 2016.
- Watch on: Netflix.
- Number of Episodes: 20 + 1 special with a running time of 90 to 110 minutes each.
My Mister
My Mister is one of those K-drama series one can watch again and again without getting enough of it. It is one of the most loved South Korean series out there and has been highly rated by both audiences and critics.
The plot of the story revolves around Park Dong Hoon, who is a man in his 40s highly stressed with his work and family. The other lead is Lee Ji An, a young woman who has never had peace in her life. She has lost hope and has experienced many traumatic situations. Both of them meet each other in a workplace, and it doesn’t take long for them to form a very unusual but beautiful bond between them as they are very capable of understanding each other.
Indeed, Lee Ji An’s side of the story is really dark and heartbreaking. Despite all the struggles and hardships she is going through, she manages to seek a resolution and starts growing. She takes up baby steps and develops relationships with people who genuinely care about her. And, to not mention the fact that relationships always make your life a bit better. Moreover, the drama emphasizes the beauty and importance of building a relationship step-by-step. Relationships that will help you cope up with many difficult situations.
It is true that the drama is going to be a roller-coaster ride of different emotions, but it will be worth it.
- Starring: Lee Sun-kyun as Park Dong-hoon and Lee Ji-eun (IU) as Lee Ji-an.
- Director: Kim Won-seok.
- Premiere Period: March 21, 2018 – May 17, 2018.
- Watch on: Netflix.
- Total Number of Episodes: 16 with a running time of 90 minutes each.
Move To Heaven
If you are going through a dull phase of your life, then this South Korean drama can refill the energy meter for you. Move to Heaven is one of the most popular series out there, which encourages you to reflect on your life, your loved ones, the pain of death and gives you the chance of self-introspection.
Taking you on the journey of different emotions, the series changes your perspective towards your life completely and grants you a renewed way of looking at things. The plot of the show makes you realize the importance of your loved ones in your life and also teaches you to respect and appreciate them. We meet trauma cleaners professionals in the show who are specialized in the field of detoxicating, cleansing and removing any potential materials and hazards from a trauma scene.
The gripping stories of people who lost their lives in the show teach us different lessons about life.
- Starring: Tang Joon-sang as Han Geu-ru and Lee Je-hoon as Cho Sang-gu.
- Director: Kim Sung-ho.
- Premiere Period: May 14, 2021.
- Watch on: Netflix.
- Total Number of Episodes: 10 with a running time of 44 to 62 minutes each.
Also Read: 31 Best Horror Korean Dramas To Watch
Start-Up
Start-up is one of the most inspiring and refreshing life Korean drama series popular for its passion-filled plot. The show teaches the importance of passion for the well-being of our life. The primary message of this drama is that you can achieve anything you want to if you have a strong passion for the same.
Each character in the story gives us some important life lessons which are much needed for us living our daily lives. The show portrays the experience of entrepreneurship and the motivation one’s needs to keep going when the situation turns tougher to manage. The series became everyone’s favorite gradually, and we grew up to form a special bond with every character in the show as the sweet halmeoni, everyone’s comfort character Han Ji-pyeong, Nam Dosan, and Seo Dalmi.
Every individual in the show has taught us that with passion and purpose in life, one can achieve anything they are rooting for.
- Starring: Kim Seon-ho as Han Ji-pyeong, Bae Suzy as Seo Dal-mi, Nam Joo-hyuk as Nam Do-san, and Kang Han-na as Won In-jae.
- Director: Oh Choong-hwan.
- Premiere Period: October 17 – December 6, 2020.
- Watch on: Netflix, Viki.
- Total Number of Episodes: 16 with a running time of 72 to 85 minutes.
Itaewon Class
Itaewon Class is one of the globally recognized South Korean drama series for its fantastic plot points and, of course, for its amazing cast performance. It is one of those life Korean drama series with whom you will feel an absolute connection.
In the story, we meet the main character named Park Sae Roy, who has gone through many traumatic experiences since his childhood. His father was brutally murdered in a hit-and-run incident. He was expelled from school and was sentenced to spend three years behind bars. The cause of all of these adversities in his life was the owner of one of the biggest chains of restaurants in Korea. After he completes his jail sentence, he vows to avenge his father and all those years he lost because of them. And, he opened his own restaurant named Dan Bam as his first step.
Indeed, the whole series will leave you in tears but will lift your spirits up at the same time. We see Park Sae Roy experiencing death, mourning, betrayal, loss, and pain for several years of his life. But we also see him finding his way out of the darkness and getting a hold over all his problems. He undergoes great suffering but overcomes all of them with great success.
- Starring: Park Seo-joon as Park Sae-ro-yi, Kim Da-mi as Jo Yi-seo, Kwon Na-ra as Oh Soo-ah, and Yoo Jae-myung as Jang Dae-hee.
- Director: Kim Sung-yoon.
- Premiere Period: January 31, 2020 – March 21, 2020.
- Watch on: Netflix
- Number of Episodes: 16 with a running duration of 70 minutes each.
Mr. Sunshine
Mr. Sunshine is a very beautiful historical South Korean drama series that will definitely give your life a complete renovation. Looking for an escape from your daily boring life? Then this is your cue to add this drama to your watchlist.
The drama has everything a viewer will need for getting the essence of life and every other genre too. There is a wonderful portrayal of strong female characters who are wielding rifles to protect their country. The portrayal of romance in the show is beautifully done and will make you feel butterflies in your stomach. Plus, cinematography and costume designing has stolen many hearts from all around the globe. The multiple plot lines, including action, adventure, romance, history, keep you well-engaged throughout the show.
Overall, you will get the taste of every genre you are craving for.
- Starring: Lee Byung-hun as Eugene Choi, Kim Tae-ri as Go Ae-shin, Yoo Yeon-seok as Goo Dong-mae, Kim Min-jung as Lee Yang-hwa, and Byun Yo-han as Kim Hui-seong.
- Director: Lee Eung-bok.
- Premiere Period: July 7, 2018 – September 30, 2018.
- Watch on: Viki, Netflix.
- Total Number of Episodes: 24 with a running time of 1 hour 20 minutes each.
Hospital Playlist
Hospital Playlist is another life Korean drama series that is globally popular for its exclusive plot and powerful cast performance. The series explores the lives of five best friends who are doing their everything to bring out the best of their profession as a doctor.
At Yulje Medical Centre, we meet five doctors who have been together since medical school and now are working at the same hospital. The plot of the show revolves around different aspects of their lives, including romance, friendship, and the patients that they deal with every day. The show portrays a very realistic and natural representation of what every character goes through. We also get a deep insight into their personal lives and the struggles and dilemmas they cope up with, and also their professional lives.
Altogether, the series teaches us many valuable life lessons.
- Starring: Kim Dae-myung as Yang Seok-hyeong, Jo Jung-suk as Lee Ik-jun, Jung Kyung-ho as Kim Jun-wan, Yoo Yeon-seok as Ahn Jeong-won
- Director: Shin Won-ho.
- Premiere Period: March 12, 2020 – September 16, 2021.
- Watch on: Netflix.
- Number of Episodes: 24 with a running period of 72 to 121 minutes each.
Navillera
Navillera is a South Korean drama series that will make you smile and smile a lot with a new determination towards life. Based on a webtoon with the same name written by Hun and Ji-min, the show is one of the best life Korean drama series you can find out there.
The series narrates the story of a 70-year-old retired mailman named Shim Deok-chul suffering from Alzheimer. He decides to relive his life-long dream of learning ballet. His decision is, of course, not quite pleasing for his family, but when there is passion, one can achieve anything.
He meets a 23-year-old financially struggling ballet dancer named Lee Chae-rok. Because of his not-so-stable economic condition, he was thinking of giving up on ballet, but his meeting with Deok-chul changed everything.
Deok-chul’s determination to fulfill and live his dream not only tells us the story about his determination but also makes us realize that there is no age, gender, or social status for fulfilling your dreams that makes you happy. The series portrays the day-to-day realities of the difficult condition of Alzheimer.
- Starring: Park In-hwan as Shim Deok-chul, Song Kang as Lee Chae-rok, Na Moon-hee as Choi Hae-nam, and Hong Seung-hee.
- Director: Han Dong-hwa.
- Premiere Period: March 22 – April 27, 2021.
- Watch on: tvN and Netflix.
- Number of Episodes: 12 with a running time of 61 to 70 minutes each.
Melo Is My Nature
We meet three women in the story in their 30s doing their best to just make it through their life. The South Korean drama is one of the highest-rated ones as the audience related a lot to it and were firmly impressed by its cast performance too. The series has a very unpredictable storyline and what makes it unique is that it doesn’t follow the general norms of conventional K-dramas.
Three best friends Im Jin Joo, Lee Eun Jung, and Hwang Jan Joo are constantly working and hoping to achieve their dreams and also finding love on their journey. Though, the path is anything but smooth. They are each other’s support and partners no matter what situation they are in.
We, as viewers, get to experience this beautiful bonding between them and the kind of emotional support they provide to each other. The series helps us to realize the importance of good friends in our lives and also gives us the inspiration to run after our dreams because the paths are never smooth.
- Starring: Jeon Yeo Bin as Lee Eun Jung, Chun Woo Hee as Im Jin Joo, and Han Ji Eun as Hwang Jan Joo.
- Director: Lee Byeonh-heon and Kim Hye-young.
- Premiere Period: August 9 – September 28, 2019.
- Watch on: Netflix, Viki, Apple TV.
- Total Number of Episodes: 16 with a running period of 1 hour 5 minutes each.
Also Read: 31 Best Law Korean Dramas Series To Watch
When the Camellia Blooms
One of the greatest stories of resilience. The South Korean drama is one of the most amazing examples of owning one’s narrative and creating your own story that you want to about yourself. The show makes its viewers realize that your identity correlates directly to your mental health. And we get to understand this through the main character of the show named Dong Baek.
The story of the show follows Dong Baek, who is walking on the path of self-discovery, which is metamorphically compared to a camellia flower which is known to bloom very slowly. Being a single mother, an owner of a bar frequently visited by varieties of men, and a victim to regular bully by neighboring women is never a cakewalk. Though things start to change in her life when she finds a man who she adores a lot, He makes her believe in herself.
The drama is all about discovering one’s own strengths and skills. It teaches us that one needs to own and claim their talents to be able to claim their happiness.
- Starring: Kang Ha-neul as Hwang Yong-sik, Kim Ji-seok as Kang Jong-ryul, Gong Hyo-jin as Oh Dong-baek, Ji Yi-seok as Jessica, Oh Jung-se as No Gyu-tae, Yeom Hye-ran as Hong Ja-young.
- Director: Cha Yeong-hoon.
- Premiere Period: September 18 – November 21, 2019.
- Watch on: Viki and Netflix.
- Total Number of Episodes: 40 plus 4 special episodes with a running time of 35 minutes each.
Incomplete Life
Incomplete Life was one of the most successful series is in South Korea. It was heavily appreciated for its plot and effective cast performance. Plus, the real-life depiction of the daily routine of office workers was something that made it really popular among every working individual who is going through the same situation.
The story of the show revolves around a Go board game player Jang Geu Rae who does everything but ends up not becoming a professional in the field. And, at the end of the day, he needs something to meet his needs which leads him on a very rocky way of finding a job. With most of his life spent playing Go, he lacks real-time workplace experience, which makes his job hunt process very hard. Though through some good connections and his luck, he manages to get in as an intern in a trading company, but the cost of fitting in needs him to make some big adjustments.
The use of accurate dark humor is one of the most popular elements of the series. The show portrays the lives of different kinds of office workers who go through several kinds of situations under the demanding atmosphere of the workplace. So, if you, too are losing hope and have lost all the motivations, then this should definitely be on your watchlist.
- Starring: Kang So-ra as Ahn Young-yi, Im Si-wan as Jang Geu-rae, Kang Ha-neul as Jang Baek-gi, and Byun Yo-han as Han Seok-yool.
- Director: Kim Won-seok.
- Premiere Period: October 17 – December 20, 2014.
- Watch on: Viki, Netflix.
- Total Number of Episodes: 20 with a running time of 65 minutes each.
Age of Youth
Age of Youth tells us the story of five roommates who are very different from each other and are pursuing different dreams. The drama portrays college life and with it also the genre of “slice of life”. And, it is one of the series to do both of them perfectly and effectively.
Each character in the show deals with some or other issues, and all of them find a way to help each other in whatever way they can. In the same way, they form an unbreakable bond overcoming the fact that they have hardly anything in common.
We, as viewers, see all the five college students going through their individual struggles but not letting them affect their studies or grades in any way. They understand the dilemma, but they also know that they need to secure their future ahead. From this, we get the biggest life lesson that we should always keep our personal life away from our academic/professional one.
- Starring: Han Ye-ri as Yoon Jin-myung, Han Seung-yeon as Jung Ye-eun, Park Eun-bin as Song Ji-won, Ryu Hwa-young as Kang Yi-na, and Park Hye-su as Yoo Eun-jae.
- Director: Lee Tae-gon as Kim Sang-ho.
- Premiere Period: July 22 – October 7, 2017.
- Watch on: Viki, Netflix.
- Total Number of Episodes: 26 with a running time of 70 minutes each.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
This Romantic drama is one of the most popular ones out there in the K-drama world. It was named “The Best International Shows of 2020” by The New York Times. And, also have bagged many nominations and wins at different award shows.
The plot of the show follows Moon Gang-tae, who works as a caretaker in a psychiatric ward. He meets Ko Moon-young, who is a famous children’s book writer and is also rumored to have been diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder. As the story progresses, Moon-young develops a romantic obsession with Gang-tae and follows him everywhere he goes. Slowly, her feeling is reciprocated by him, and they start to understand each other in a better way.
Together they heal each other’s deepest wounds and seek comfort from one another no matter how tough the situation becomes. The drama tells us the importance of relationships, trust, and love in our lives because one right relation can heal many things for one.
- Starring: Kim Soo-hyun as Moon Gang-tae, Seo Yea-ji as Ko Moon-young, and Oh Jung-se as Moon Sang-tae.
- Director: Park Shin-woo.
- Premiere Period: June 20 – August 9, 2020.
- Watch on: tvN and Netflix.
- Total Number of Episodes: 16 with a running time of 70 to 85 minutes each.
Also Read: 31 Best Historical Korean Dramas To Watch
49 Days
49 days is a story about love, trust, depression, and a rough past. Portraying the genres of romance, fantasy, and melodrama, the series makes the viewers realize the importance of relations, trust, and love in their lives. Because once you lose your chance, then getting a second one can cost us many brutal things.
The story of the show follows Shin Ji Hyun, who is living a perfect life and is about her marry her fiancé Kang Min Ho. But her perfect life turns upside down as she gets into a car accident which lands her in a coma. She is given a second chance at her life by a person called “The Scheduler,” but she also gets a condition to fulfill. The condition binds her to find three people outside her family who will shed genuine tears for her. For starting her quest, she borrows a body of a convenience worker named Yi Kyung for 49 days.
The story takes on a journey full of emotions and tragedies. All in all, the drama is a must-watch for you.
- Starring: Lee Yo Won as Song Yi Kyung, Bae Soo Bin as Kang Min Ho, Jung II Woo as The Scheduler, Nam Gyu Ri as Shin Ji Hyun, Jo Hyun Jae as Han Kang, Seo Ji Hye as Shin In Jung.
- Director: Jo Young Kwang and Park Yong Soon.
- Premiere Period: March 16 – May 19, 2011.
- Watch on: Netflix and SBS World.
- Total Number of Episodes: 20 with a running time of 1 hour 10 minutes each.
Also Read: Best Kdramas To Watch On Viki in 2021
Doctors
Portraying the genres of medical, drama, and romance, the show takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions and everything else. The drama series was a hit and received many positive ratings and appreciation. We get to learn a lot about life from Park’s character of a troubled teenager who fights her way to becoming a successful doctor.
The show narrates the story of Yoo Hye-jung, a headstrong high school girl with a very strong personality. She has developed a cold wall around her heart due to all the childhood traumas she has suffered. However, things change when she meets her mentor Jong Ji-hong who does everything to change her hopeless life into a hopeful one. She heals gradually from her scars and starts to rebuild everything.
- Starring: Kim Ro-won as Hong Ji-hong, Park Shin-hye as Yoo Hye-jung, Yoon Kyun-sang as Jung Yoon-do, and Lee Sung-kyung as Jin Seo-woo.
- Director: Oh Choong-hwan.
- Premiere Period: June 20 – 23 August 23, 2016.
- Watch on: Netflix, Viki.
- Total Number of Episodes: 20 with a running period of 60 minutes each.
Prison Playbook
Prison Playbook is another extraordinary K-drama series portraying the genre of “Slice-of-Life”. The plot of the show has been set in a correction facility, and that itself makes it very unique from many other K-dramas out there. The story follows a famous baseball player Je Hyuk who badly beats up a man who was abusing his little sister. Though things don’t go his way, and he is put behind bars for taking a brutal action that sounded nonsense to most of us. The story progresses, and we see his life inside the prison, where he meets different people.
He meets his friend Lee Joo-ho who is a worker inside the same facility. Indeed, the whole series is quite dark, but it still managed to steal everyone’s attention and gained a very high viewership. By the end of the story, you will definitely get attached to every character in there, realizing how much trauma they have gone through.
- Starring: Park Hae-soo as Kim Je-hyuk and Jung Kyung-ho as Lee Joo-ho.
- Director: Shin Won-ho.
- Premiere Period: November 22, 2017 – January 18, 2018.
- Watch on: tvN and Netflix.
- Total Number of Episodes: 16 with a running time of 90 minutes each.
Just Between Lovers
Just Between Lovers is one of the most popular dramas when it comes to the life genres. Featuring the issues of trauma, guilt, phobia, and disaster, the series makes you learn to overcome your deepest fears and find a way out of them with the help of love, friendship, and trust.
We meet 15-year-old Lee Gang-doo aspiring to become a part of the Korean national soccer team, but a serious injury crushes all his dreams. He faces the cruelty of the world outside and at the same time also fights physical and emotional traumas. Then we come across 15-year-old Ha Moon-soo, one of the survivors of the accident, but her sleep is always plagued with nightmares. She is specialized in formulating architectural models.
Years later, a construction project was started at the same site of the accident. And the decision brings back hundreds of painful memories for Gang-doo, Moon-soo, and many others. Though, they don’t run off from their responsibility. They come together and help each other in overcoming their traumas and fears.
The series gives us the biggest lesson everyone needs, and that is of overcoming one’s fears and embracing insecurities.
- Starring: Lee Jun Ho as Lee Kang-doo, won Jin Ah as Ha Moon-soo, Lee Ki Woo as seo Joo Won, Kang Han Na as Jung Yoo Jin, Kim Hye Joon as Lee Jae Young, and Yoon Se Ah as Ma Ri.
- Director: Kim Jin Won.
- Premiere Period: December 11, 2017 – January 30, 2018.
- Watch on: WeTV, Viki, Hulu.
- Total Number of Episodes: 16 with a running time of 1 hour 13 minutes each.
Also Read: 31 Best Korean Family Drama Series That Are A Must Watch
SKY Castle
Portraying the genres of satire, drama, dark comedy, family, mystery, education, and psychology, the South Korean series is a must-watch for everyone. It is the second-highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history and was hugely appreciated for its fantastic portrayal of various life-changing genres.
Living next to each other in a luxurious private neighborhood of wealthy doctors and professors, we meet Han Seo Jin, Noh Seung Hye, Jin Jin Hee, and Lee Myung Joo. All the women out there are hoping for their children to get into prestigious universities, and for the same, they are working actively.
The series shows us the reality of the materialistic desires of the upper-class parents in South Korea and how they can cross any limits for ensuring the success of their loved ones even if its means to destroy the life of others.
- Starring: Yum Jung-ah as Han Seo-jin, Lee Tae-ran as lee Soo-im, Yoon Se-ah as No Seung-hye, Oh Na-ra as Jin Jin-hee, and Kim Seo-hyung as Kim Joo-young.
- Director: Jo Hyun-tak.
- Premiere Period: November 23, 2018 – February 1, 2019.
- Watch on: Netflix, Viki.
- Total Number of Episodes: 20 with a running time of 60 to 80 minutes each.
It’s Okay, That’s Love
The South Korean drama will make your life refreshes, realistic and take you on a journey filled with romance, deep wounds, and mental disorders. Well, quite everything you need to get your life together.
The story of the show revolves around Jang Jae-yeol, who is a bestselling author and a radio DJ. Despite being quite successful, his life has crumbled on his mental health side. His personality is playful and arrogant, but with it, he also is diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. He has suffered a rough past, and the trauma has landed him the deepest tunnel of darkness.
We meet Ji Hae-soo, who is a psychiatrist in her first year of fellowship. Her whole life, she has been only focused on her career and her job, which has made her sour about the idea of love and relationships.
Both the characters are quite the opposite of each other, and together they are healing each other. Despite all the bickering they do, they form a special bond as the story progresses. Eventually, they fall in love and decide to help each other with their insecurities and issues. There’s a lot to learn from them as they learn and heal together.
- Starring: Sung Dong-il as Jo Dong-min, Jo In-sung as Jang Jae-yeol, Gong Hyo-jin as Ji Hae-soo, Lee Kwang-soo as Park Soo-kwang, and Do Kyung-soo as Han Kang-woo.
- Director: Kim Kyu-tae.
- Premiere Period: July 23 – September 10, 2014.
- Watch on: Viki, SBS TV.
- Total Number of Episodes: 16 with a running period of 60 minutes each.
Because This Is My First Life
The Life Korean drama series is one of the most relatable ones you will find out there if you, too are struggling with your life choices. In the series, we meet Nam Sae Hee, who is an introverted computer designer with a poor background. Then there is an aspiring drama writer with the same poor financial conditions, Yoon Ji Ho. Both of them are struggling with their dreams and careers because of their poor financial stability.
Both of them are fed up with everything, and hence they decide to agree on a contract marriage which would prove beneficial for both of them. For Sae Hee, his parents would stop sending him on stupid blind dates, and for Ji Ho, she will be able to look for a proper job.
Both of the main leads of the drama are characters to which many could easily relate. Just like them, many out there are also struggling with their dreams. Similar to Ji Ho’s situation, many out there have attended the most prestigious universities are still struggling to get their life together. Therefore, this series is a real therapy for you if you, too are coping up with something similar.
- Starring: Jung So-min as Yoon Ji-ho and Lee Min-ki as Nam Se-hee.
- Director: Park Joon-hwa.
- Premiere Period: October 9 – November 28, 2017.
- Watch on: Netflix.
- Total Number of Episodes: 16 with a running time of 60 to 80 minutes each.
Also Read: 31 Best Food Korean Drama Series To Watch
Hit The Top
One of the best life Korean drama series featuring the genres of comedy, drama, youth, romance, and of cause slice-of-life.
The show follows a pop idol named Yoo Hyun-Jae who accidentally traveled ahead in time, i.e., from the year 1993 to 2017. His sudden disappearance from 1994 makes people presume that he is dead, and he begins to investigate the reason behind it while also balancing and adjusting his life in the future.
We meet Lee Ji-hoon, who is secretly registered as an idol trainee under Star Punch Entertainment. He is doing everything to manage his life out as his parents believe that he is studying for his civil service exams.
The story takes us on a journey of friendship, love, and passion.
- Starring: Lee Se-young as Choi Woo-seung, Kim Min-jae as Lee Ji-hoon, Yoon Shi-yoon as Yoo Hyun-jae, and Cha Tae-hyun as Lee Gwang-jae.
- Director: Yoo Ho-jin and Kim Sang-hoon.
- Premiere Period: June 2 – July 22, 2017.
- Watch on: Netflix, Apple Tv, Viki.
- Total Number of Episodes: 32 with a running time of 35 to 45 minutes each.
Twenty Again
Also referred to as Second 20s is a tvN Twenty Again is a South Korean drama portraying the genres of romance and comedy with a mix of heart-warming friendship. In the show, we meet Ha No-ra, who has a dream of becoming a dancer, but it gets crushed when she accidentally gets pregnant at the age of 19 and, therefore, has to quit everything and get into wedlock. For almost two decades, she suffered alone and also gets diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Plus, her married life, too, has gone downhill, and she is on the verge of getting a divorce.
Therefore, she decides to again restart her life from college, and the story turns into something different and beautiful.
- Starring: Lee Sang-yoon as Cha Hyun-seok, Kim Min-jae as Kim Min-soo, Choi Ji-woo as Ha No-ra, Choi Won-young as Kang Tae-oh,
- Director: Kim Hyung-shik.
- Premiere Period: August 28 – October 17, 2015.
- Watch on: Netflix, Viki.
- Total Number of Episodes: 16 with a running period of 60 minutes each.
Go Back Couple
A South Korea series about love, family, and regret. All in all, it teaches us some needed life lessons. The characters are damn relatable, and we are sure that many of us have gone through the same situation in different ways as the characters have in this heartwarming drama.
The story of the show revolves around Ma Jin Joo and Choi ban Do, who once were madly in love with each other, but then the connection started to fade away with time. The couple gets married at a very young age and has two young kids, but they are never at peace. With constant fights and arguments, they get fed up with each other. When they reach their lowest point, they find out that they have traveled back in time to the point where they were still in college.
They soon discover that they have the chance to re-do their past and hence avoid each other in all the conditions. But fate had other plans.
As the drama progresses, we find Jin Joo as one of the most relatable characters in the series. Her daily hardships as a mother and a wife are way too realistic for us. We, as viewers, get some good insights about all the problems a mother and a wife have to go through, especially in Korea while their husbands are working all day out.
- Starring: Jang Na Ra as ma Jin-joo and Son Ho Jun as Choi Ban-do.
- Director: Ha Byung-hoo.
- Premiere Period: October 13 – November 18, 2017.
- Watch on: Viu and Viki.
- Total Number of Episodes: 12 with a running duration of 70 minutes each.
Also Read: 31 Best Friendship Korean Drama Series To Watch
Cheese in the Trap
Based on a webtoon with the same name by Soonkki, the South Korean drama series portrays the genres of life and romance. The plot of the show takes the viewers on the journey of life and the relationship of a group of university students.
The story revolves around a hard-working scholarship student named Hong Seol and a deceptive senior named Yoo Jung. The character of Jung is portrayed as a manipulative one who wears a façade of kindness but is ruthless in real. When this reality is discovered by Seol, her life gets difficult to a point where she has to take some time off from school. Though, she gets back to school through a scholarship that was actually meant for Jung. Things start to seem a bit weird when Jung behaves too nicely with her and eventually asks her for a date.
- Starring: Kim Go-eun as Hong seol, Seo Kang-joon as Baek In-ho, Park Hae-jin as Yoo Jung, and Lee Sung-kyung as Baek In-ha.
- Director: Lee Yoon-jung.
- Premiere Period: January 4 to March 1, 2016.
- Watch on: Viki, Netflix, WeTV, Apple TV.
- Total Number of Episodes: 16 with a running duration of 1 hour 5 minutes each.
Dr. Romantic 2
The SBS drama portrays the genres of medical, melodrama, romance, and friendship, and is one of the globally recognized one out there. The series is a must-watch for everyone and has received a lot of appreciation for its plot and cast performance.
We meet a triple-board certified surgeon who used to work at Geosan University Hospital, Seoul’s top medical hub. We find out that he has gone through some very traumatic incident that has affected him gravely, and he is drained out to a point where he is forced to completely change his identity and his life.
- Starring: Yoo Yeon-seok as Kang Dong-joo, Han Suk-kyu as Boo Young-joo, and Seo Hyun-jin to Seo-jeong.
- Director: Yoo In Shik and Lee Gil-bok.
- Premiere Period: November 7, 2016 – February 25, 2020.
- Watch on: Netflix, Viki.
- Total Number of Episodes: 36 with a running time of 60 minutes each.
Misaeng: Incomplete Life
Based on a webtoon series with the same name by Yoon Tae-ho, the South Korean drama series is one of the popular ones in the life Korean drama series category. The series was highly appreciated for its real-life portrayal of workplace stress. It recorded one of the highest viewership ratings for a cable network program in Korea.
We meet Jang Geu-rae for whom baduk, a board game, is everything. But he fails to make a professional career out of it, which leads him to leave his isolated existence and enter the real world with nothing but a high school equivalency exam on his resume. Through some of his connections and good luck, he gets hired as an intern at a large trading company.
Gradually, he starts to adapt to his workplace culture and learn new things in his life.
- Starring: Im Si-wan as Jang Geu-rae, Kang So-ra as Ahn Young-yi, Kang Ha-neul, and Byun Yo-han as han Seok-yool.
- Director: Kim Won-seok.
- Premiere Period: October 17 – December 20, 2014.
- Watch on: Netflix, Viki.
- Total Number of Episodes: 20 with a running time of 65 minutes each.
Dinner Mate
Portraying the genres of life, comedy, romance, and drama, the South Korean series is also refereed with other names like “Will You Have Dinner With Me” and “Would You Like To Have Dinner Together”.
The plot of the story revolves around a young woman who is going through a rough patch of her life after her breakup with a long-time boyfriend. She meets a man on Jeju Island who, too, had a painful experience with his first love. They return to Seoul and become friends. They love to try different cuisines. Though, the interesting part is that whenever they dine out, they keep their private to themselves, not even saying their names.
The drama is overall very refreshing and gets you hooked from its first episode itself.
- Starring: Song Seung Heon as Kim Hae Kyung, Seo Ji hye as Woo Do Hee, Lee Ji Hoon as Jung Jae Hyuk, son Na Eun as Jin Noh Eul, Ye Ji Won as Nam Ah Young, and Kim Seo Kyung as Lee Byung Jin.
- Director: Go Jae Hyun.
- Premiere Period: May 25 – July 14, 2020.
- Watch on: Viki and Netflix.
- Total Number of Episodes: 32 with a running duration of 35 minutes.
Pinocchio
Portraying the genres of romance, drama, comedy, and family, the South Korean series is one of the most expensive Korean drama even to be sold in China. It is very refreshing to watch, and that’s one of the reasons why it is so popular among everyone.
The plot of the show revolves around Choi In Ha, who is a perfectionist a broadcast journalist suffering from a condition known as “Pinocchio syndrome,” which has made it absolutely impossible for her to say a lie. We meet Choi Dal Pa, who has masked his sharp intelligence and memory with his shabby appearance. We come across a wealthy heir who has everything at his feet Seo Bum Jo and Yoon Yoo Rae, whose knowledge is great when it comes to fangirling. All of them are newbies in their career as a reporter and are trying to discover themselves and pursue their occupation in the same process.
- Starring: Lee Jong Suk as Choi Dal Po, Park Shin Hye as Choi In Ha, Kim Young Kwang as Seo Beom Jo, Lee Yoo Bi as Yoon Yoo Rae, Jin Kyung as Song Cha Ok, and Lee Pil Mo as Hwag Gyo Dong.
- Director: Jo Soo Won.
- Premiere Period: November 12, 2014 – January 15, 2015.
- Watch on: Netflix, WeTV, Viki, Apple TV.
- Total Number of Episodes: 20 with a running time of 58 minutes each.
Are You Human Too?
Portraying the genres of science fiction, romance, politics, and mystery, the South Korean drama series is known for its amazing plot and powerful cast performance. The show makes you realize the importance of relations and, most importantly, the significance of “being human” to you.
The show’s plot tells us the story of Oh Laura, who is a renowned scientist who was forcefully taken away from her son named Nam Shin. To make up for her loss, she started building various AI robots named after her son, such as Nam Shin I, II, and III. Years later, there is a murder attempt on Nam Shin’s life which lands him in a coma. In order to protect his position as the heir to a Chaebol, Laura sends one of her AI robots named Nam Shin III to fulfill his responsibilities for the time he remains in a coma.
There Nam Shin III’s bodyguard Kang So-bong becomes suspicious of his strange behavior and decides to get to its roots. However, she starts falling for him and saving his life from all the people who are trying to kill him.
- Starring: Seo Kang-joon as Nam Shin, Gong Seung-yeon as Kang So-bong, Lee Joon-hyuk as Ji Young-hoon, Park Hawn-hee as Seo Ye-na, Kim Sung-ryung as Laura Oh, Yu Oh-seong as Seo Jong-gil, and Park Yeong-gyu as Nam Gun-ho.
- Director: Cha Young-hoon.
- Premiere Period: June 4 to August 7, 2018.
- Watch on: Netflix, Viki.
- Total Number of Episodes: 36 with a running time of 35 minutes each.
Beautiful World
Featuring the genres of family and drama, the South Korean series is one of the must-watch out there. The plot of the show follows the story of a boy who becomes a victim of school violence and suffers a critical injury. As the story progresses, we see his family fighting for him and seeking justice in his name.
The whole drama is about a boy who is on the brink of death and his family who is on a quest to find the truth hidden below the thick layers of lies. It addresses extreme societal issues like bullying, coma, psychopath, high school violence, and many others.
- Starring: Choo Ja Hyun as Kang In Ha, Oh Man Suk as Oh Jin Pyo, Park Hee Soon as park Moo Jin, Cho Yeo Jung as Seo Eun Joo, Nam Da Reum as Park Sun Ho, and Kim Hwan Hee as Park Soo Ho.
- Director: Park Chan Hong.
- Premiere Period: April 5 – May 25, 2019.
- Watch on: Netflix and Viki.
- Total Number of Episodes: 16 with a running duration of 60 minutes each.
Goblin
If you are looking for one of the most life-changing K-drama, then Goblin is the best one out there in the world of Korean dramas. Goblin should be on your watchlist. The story of the show has beautiful layers and is very effective.
In the show, we meet a mystical goblin looking for a human bride who will play a medium of escape from his immortal life as a Goblin. Written by one of the most fantastic fantasy writers, Kim Eun Sook, it is one of the globally known K-dramas. The plot of the drama features a handsome grip reaper, a stunning lady who can see spirits, and an owner of a chicken restaurant who was a queen in her past life.
- Starring: Kim Go-eun as Ji Eun-tak and Gong Yoo as Kim Shin (Goblin).
- Director: Lee Eung-bok, Yoon Jong-ho, and Kwon Hyun-chan.
- Watch on: Netflix and Viu.
- Premiere Period: December 2, 2016, – January 21, 2017.
- Number of Episodes: 16 + 3 special episodes with a running time of 60-90 minutes each.
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