Korean dramas that are set in a wealthy and high society are very enticing to watch. To witness the lengths these families are willing to go just to keep a secret hidden and respect for the family in place is almost exhilarating, which keeps you at the edge of your seat.
There are many such shows that showcase the particular life of such families. One such show, ‘Heirs,’ is also based on the same plot. Cha Eun Sang, played by Park Shin Hye, is a high schooler who is not getting any break anytime soon.
She tries to locate her sister, who left their family in the United States. In the process, she meets Kim Tan, played by Lee Min Ho. When she goes back to Seoul, she gets this opportunity to school in an elite private school filled with rich kids.
She decided to go there and was completely surprised to meet Kim Tan there again. From the get-go, he makes his thoughts and intentions very clear and begins to win her affection.
The drama was written by Kim Eun Sook; it became so popular that it made the writer famous. If you have not watched this show, then check it out here.
If you have already watched this show, then in this list, we will have a look at 15 dramas like Heirs. The list is in no particular order, and you need to find out what best suits your interests and go for it.
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The Penthouse: War in Life
Kim So Yeon, Eugene, and Lee Ji Ah star in this Korean drama. The three of them are luxurious women who reside in a lavish complex that is specifically catered to the higher-ups in society.
Their kids all go to an elite school where Kim So Yeon’s father is the chairman. They are bent on doing anything to keep their social image and reputation out of any stain, and they will go to any lengths, even if it means killing someone.
These high societal families begin to get involved in things that are way above their jurisdiction and to survive, they are forced to lie to each other to save themselves. The Penthouse took Makjang to a different level, and it is an unpredictable Korean drama.
It has three seasons, and when you look at the storylines surrounding each character, you’ll see that all of them are filled with unexpected twists and turns. To see the conclusion where the villains get what they deserve was satisfying at the very end.
The show also maintains the suspense and revelations in each episode, which makes the plot fresh and exciting. The emotional baggage that the characters showed was something that can be expected from people residing in ultra-rich societies.
The makers and writers made the script colorful, and the characters kept it alive. Overall, The Penthouse deserves a watch.
Sky Castle
This Korean drama is based in a neighborhood building known as SKY Castle. In this castle, there are four families who are capable of doing anything and are willing to go to any length to make sure their children go to a top university.
The cast of the show includes Oh Na Ra, Yum Jung Ah, Yoon Se Ah, and Lee Tae Ran, and some new actors who became famous after the success of this drama.
SKY Castle gives a glimpse of many rich international families that are trying to crack the competitive education space in South Korea for their kids. The show also displays the hardships and problems that students face before and after getting into this epitome of educational hubs.
The writers have made sure to make the plot granular with multiple stories between parents and their children and other aspects of wealth, competition, and jealousy. All of these emotional hooks make the series enjoyable, and there are very few boring moments in the show.
The characters in the series are complex on paper. The actors who filled the shoes are very skilled and make sure to make everything natural and authentic on the screen. SKY Castle is a good watch for anyone from the education sector.
Boys Over Flowers
Gu Jun Pyo, played by Lee Min Ho, has all the qualities and characters that one man needs. He is charming, good-looking, and popular among his friends, but he’s a bit arrogant.
Geun Jan Di, played by Ku Hye Sun, gets transferred to his school, and because of Jun’s attitude, he treats her badly and bullies her and even asks his classmates to also bully her.
But an event occurs in his life, and he realizes that this hate is not actual hate but true and genuine feelings for her, feelings of affection and likeness. He explores the ways to win her heart, but it’ll be tricky for him, given how their interaction initially began.
It’s a classic drama that became an international hit and gave fame to the actors in the show. This is said to be the starting point of the hype around Korean Shows. There was something different and unique about a complete high schooler falling for a poor girl who was totally new in the school.
The classic scenes, themes, performances by both the lead actors, the background music, and all of these things are still parodied today.
The World of the Married
Ji Sun Woo, played by Kim Hee Ae, is a doctor, and his wife’s name is Lee Tae Oh, played by Park Hae Joon. They have a son, and their family, at least on paper, looks solid.
Yes, it only looks solid. As the story progresses, she finds out that her husband is having an affair. She is thrown several lies and betrayals from many people whom she trusts, but the betrayal has now made her not trust anyone anymore.
She tries hard to find out the truth and take revenge on her husband. The World of the Married is said to be one of the most viewed Korean dramas of all time.
The captivating theme of the affair, betrayal, life, revenge, and deceit was too hard to stay away from the viewers. And to add to that, the show has exceptional actors, Kim Hee Ae as the main character, there’s isn’t much that can go wrong.
If you’re in search of a Makjang show that happens with elite and top-class wealthy people, then definitely check it out.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Moon Lovers is a very popular drama; despite being a historical show, it is similar to Heirs. The plot is sharp, and the writing of each character is fierce and intense. Here, the rich guy is a prince, and the ordinary girl is the poor one.
The male characters, like the female lead, and the struggle for power and greed among the family members resemble the scenes in the Hiers.
It’s an emotional take that his have on showcasing emotions, conspiracy, assassination, and dirty plot people create to step ahead in the power race. The plot of the show opens with our main female characters as modern 21st-century women.
Go Ha Jin somehow goes back in time to the 10th century CE in the Goreyo Dynasty era. She messes with the lives and rivalries of the current princes and the politics happening in the kingdoms and palaces.
The show has a unique aspect to it. The idea of time traveling, kings and queens, and dynasties is very fascinating to watch. The lead actors have done an amazing job of portraying the shocking feeling that feels true to life.
The whole setup looks of high quality, and the music, co-actors, and background costumes all look very ancient, which suits the theme of the show aptly. All in all, it is a great watch for someone who wants to watch kings and queens in this modern era.
Romance is a Bonus Book
Romance is a Book that has a very similar plot to The Heirs, but here, the plot is a bit more emotional and heartwarming. The life of the main female character, Kang Dan, is very similar to that of Eung Sang.
This drama uplifts the emotional tine, uplifts your vibe, and brings positive energy to your day. It has a motivational vibe to it, plus this show will be applauded by all the book lovers out there.
The plot of the show focuses on Cha Eun Ho, who is a famous author and editor at a publishing house. Kang Dan-I was an accomplished copywriter, but to support her family, she gave up her profession.
Eun Ho meets Dan-I while saving her from an accident, and in the process gets heavily injured. Both of them connect and become close friends and share a good bond.
Fast forward, currently, Dan-I has no job and is totally unemployed with no income or home and is again trying to get back to professional life.
But as you may have guessed, life is hard for a single mother who left this year ago and is now getting back into space. It is a good show that caters to the human emotions and truth behind the struggles of a single mother.
Run On
Run On is not a cliché drama like other Korean shows. It is well penned and portrayed with powerful characters, and each of them has good development in their personality as the story progresses.
One female character, Seo Dan Oh, is the heir of huge wealth, which is the same as what we saw in Heirs. The starry cast, skilled portrayal by the actors, and heart-lightening plot make it deserve a spot on this list.
The plot of the drama focuses on a simple springer, Ki Seon Gyeom. He gives up his career to help a junior who is being bullied. He is very rich but likes to reside in solitude. He gets acquainted with Oh Mi Joo, who is a cheerful translator with a bold persona.
On the other side l, Seo Dan Oh is the CEO of a sports company and the true heir of the Seomyung group. But due to her gender, her brother is named the next heir. She starts to fight for her rightful place but meets Lee Young Hwa, who is a skilled university artist.
All of the characters are somehow connected with each other. To know what happens, you should definitely check this show out.
The main props are to the writers of the show. Reading about it may give you a complicated vibe, but the screenplay is so simple and straightforward everything just clicks from the first scene.
Reply 1988
The plot of Rich 1988 is the same Heirs with rich and poor complex and high school students. But the show’s overall vibe and portrayal are very different from Heirs.
The cast of Reply 1988 is great and represents the set of complete characters with a tint of romantic theme. It is one of the dramas on this list that will give you an array of emotions and make sure that you enjoy each episode to the fullest.
The plot of the show is based in the year 1988, as the name suggests. It follows the daily doings of five friends and their respective families.
The middle child’s name is Sung Duk Soon, and she is infamous for getting the 999th position in her school. Then we have our Baduk player, Choi Taek, who is a lovely girl with a genius mind and a simple life.
Sun Woo is the president of the student council, and their rich friend is Jung Hwan, who loves basketball and sarcasm. Lastly, Ryu Ring Ryons is the most mature and carefree in the group.
The plot mainly surrounds these character’s family, their life, and struggles in general. The writers have given many scenes that are fresh, plus an additional advantage with so many characters is that the plot never looks dull or tiring.
There is always something happening with the main leads, which keeps the drama exciting and maintains the curiosity of the viewers.
Crash Landing on You
The drama Crash Landing on You has similar characters belonging to rich, wealthy families with the theme of rich and poor, but the screenplay is a bit different than that of Heirs. Just like what we witnessed in Heirs, the female main character, Yoon Se Ri, has a challenging relationship with her family, especially her siblings.
Then there is a similarity in KimTan – Yoo Rachel’s plot with the male characters, Ri Jeong Hyuk and Seo Dan, the fiance selected by his family. The cast of Crash Landing on You has some stars who keep the whole storyline uplifting.
The plot of the show focuses on Yoon Se Ri, a heiress and a skilled businessman. She meets Ri Jeong Hyuk, who is an elite soldier in North Korea. Now, you must be wondering what is the problem.
The problem is Se Ri is a South Korean citizen, and that is not an ideal place to be after a paragliding mishap. Now, she is very poor and is living off with Ri Jeong Hyuk and is trying to get back to her home in South Korea before anyone finds out the truth.
The plot of the show is different; it keeps punching you with twists, laughter, and romance in between. All of it blends perfectly to give a great show that is light and easy to glide through.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is a drama that will help you in healing. In this aspect, it is different from Heirs, but in others, it is the same. In this show, we see a rich guy and a poor girl set up.
The character of the female lead is written with more depth and sharpness, making it a bit fierce. In this drama, we see women quarreling for a man, which is totally contrary to The Heirs.
It is one of the top-rated Korean dramas on this list with an amazing plot and characters, which all give a hidden message of maintaining mental health.
The story focuses on a psychiatric caretaker, Moon Gang Tae, who, along with Moon Sang Tae, her autistic older sibling, keeps migrating from one place to another after the demise of their mother.
When they returned to their own city after many years, they met Ko Mun Young, who is a popular children’s book author. All of the characters are scarred heavily, hidden deep inside.
They begin on a journey where they heal those scars by confronting them and finding happiness within. It’s a good show that has a powerful message in it. The writing of each character is done thoughtfully. The actors also made sure to portray the feeling of depth with utmost skill and authenticity.
Memories of Alhambra
It’s a fantasy drama with the same theme going for it. Park Shin Hye is a poor girl who is struggling to make ends meet. The storyline is different, with a beautiful screenplay and cinematography.
The drama has thrilling scenes, which makes it a must-watch for the audience. To add to all this, we have Hyun Bin, who plays the character of the male lead. Uniqueness begins with the plot, which is based on the gaming industry.
Yoo Jin Woon is the CEO of an investment company, and he is also a skilled game developer. We see him getting a letter from an anonymous source regarding an AR game. Being an enthusiast, he goes to Granada to meet the maker of the game.
But events unfold, and the maker of the game disappears. The owner of the hotel where he stays is Jung Hee Joo, played by Park Shin Hye. Strange events start to happen as the line between the gaming world and real life blurs.
To find out what happens next, definitely check this show out. It is one of the shows with the most unique plotline on this list. A new-age gaming set with mysteries all around makes it a fresh and curious watch for the viewers.
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, a.k.a. Goblin, is one of the most critically acclaimed dramas on this list. It has its roots in the fantasy setup, and it has the same rich and poor plot with a romantic element in it.
The character’s development is well-written, and the cinematography of the show makes it a beautiful watch. The drama has good rivalries and bromance among the male characters with witty comic scenes and dialogues.
The plot and the actor’s performances make it an overall well-balanced show. The plot of the show follows the story of Kim Shin, played by Gong Yoo. He is a general in the Goreyo Dynasty.
Unfortunately, he is framed for being a traitor, and to make it worse, he and his entire family are being murdered. Due to his countless sins (he killed many people), God punishes him by converting him into an immortal Goblin and curses him that he will see his loved ones die one after another.
There is only one way to save him: if his bride takes out the lodged sword from his chest, then he can be saved. To end this misery, he begins the search for his bride. In his journey, he helps people along the way.
Just by reading this plot, it’ll create a spark within you, which makes it a must-watch, in my opinion. The themes of gods and goblins with a blend of betrayal, love, and greed make it a no-brainer.
To see Ging Yoo in a different role is always a positive for the fans. Overall, it is a great watch that deserves more attention.
Start-Up
Start-Up is another which is very similar to Heir with its poor girl and rich guy theme. Here, the rich guy is behind the second lead syndrome. Poor girl, or Seo Dal Mi’s sister, is the second-gen chaebol, so we can say that both of them combined form a trope.
The plot of the show is based on a fictional place known as Sandbox, which is just like Silicone Valley. The show follows the characters who are trying to become the next big entrepreneurs in the Sandbox.
There is drama in the families, which is clearly shown in the episodes. This is a motivational show that will inspire you to become the next big entrepreneur who will bring change for good.
For some audiences, the character of Nam Do San is a bit irritating on screen, but that is all part of the plot. On the other hand, the character of Han Ji Pyeong will leave you in awe, and it is a great character that plays an anchor role in the continuation of the story.
If you have seen ‘Silicon Valley’ it will feel like a total ripoff. Now, don’t get me wrong, it is a good ripoff with a Korean to it. You will love the show if you like to watch business-related shows.
Legend of the Blue Sea
Legend of the Blue Sea is also another K-drama that is very similar to Heirs. In this drama, we see the rich guy is a funny conman, and our poor girl is a sweet mermaid who cries pearls.
We see Lee Min Ho here, too, as a lead man with the same power struggle that we witnessed in Heir. It is one of the most popular shows on this list, with a fresh story, unique characters, many funny scenes, and instances that will make you laugh out loud.
The plot of the show focuses on the main lady and Joseon mermaid (Shim Cheong), who follows the love that she lost in modern Korea. She meets Joo Je, her incarnated love, who is a con artist and dupes wealthy men by plotting fake scams.
The story shows the route of love as they challenge their friendship and confront the reason that made them separate centuries ago. It is now one of the funniest shows on this list, which will be exciting and will deliver the plot in a funny, absorbable manner.
100 Days My Prince
100 Days My Prince is heavy on resemblance with Heir. It is heavy on the rich guy and poor girl theme with a bit of an unpredictable twist.
It has a historical theme, but the story is light and sweet, with the characters making sure to keep the audience smiling. The show has family struggles and greed for power, like many other shows on this list.
The plot of the show focuses on Ye Sul, who is a prince, but he loses his memory and is now a low-status man. He marries Yeon Hong-shim, who is also a low-status woman residing in Songjoo village.
Because of a rule from the prince, one has to marry the single people in the country to lessen the difficulty of drought and scarcity. The story is filled with mysteries, and as the plot moves forward, the secrets begin to come out.
This show is very funny. The blend of humor, drama, acting, and unique tale makes it a very compelling watch. It should definitely be checked out if you like this type of show.
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