Most K-drama addicts fall for the handsome-looking male leads of our favorite Korean dramas, especially if they play the character of a powerful and rich CEO, sporting dark-colored branded suits, or a flirty and spoilt university student who changes after falling in love with the female lead. However, there’s something about the neat and fierce military look of the male leads that make us admire them so much. Doing action-packed scenes in their attention-grabbing military uniforms, fighting with the terrorists or corrupt officers with guns and grenades, army men appeal to us in a whole different way! Although there is only a handful of military K-dramas produced by South Korea, they are worth our time.
Here are our top six picks on the best military K-dramas that showcase the brutal and gruesome side of wars and reveal the struggles involved in keeping the common men safe and sound.
6. The King2Heart (2012)
Director: Jeong Dae Yun, Lee Jae Gyoo
Screenwriter: Hong Jin Ah
Cast: Lee Seung Gi, Ha Ji Won, Jo Jung Suk, Yoon Je Moon, Lee Yoon Ji, Choi Kwon
Total Number of Episodes: 20
Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki
King2Heart is one of the most touching military K-dramas you can ever watch that’s theme ranges from political action-thriller to a star-crossed romance between two polar apart individuals and an intense revenge thriller. It follows the story of Kim Hang Ah, an exceptional female instructor under North Korea’s exclusive special forces unit, who is unbeatable when it comes to training tactics, stamina, and strength. However, with no dating experience, her pure heart wants to fall in love and marry the man of her dreams.
On the other hand, Lee Jae Ha is the crowned prince of South Korea who looks perfect on the outside with his royal and handsome image. However, in reality, he is a spoilt and materialistic person who is blunt about his own feelings. Amidst the negotiations to end the rivalry between the two countries, the royal family ends up arranging the betrothal of Jae Ha and Kim Hang Ah. However, the differences between the two of them make it hard for them to accept each other.
5. Search (2020)
Screenwriter: Goo Mo, Go Myung Joo
Director: Im Dae Woong
Cast: Jang Dong Yoon, Krystal Jung, Yoon Park, Lee Hyun Wook, Moon Jung Hee, Choi Yoon Je
Total Number of Episodes: 10
Where to Watch: Viki
A military thriller K-drama, ‘Search’ has been set in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, revolving around a specialized search party formed for the discovery of the truth behind unsolved murder and strange disappearance cases. The group enlists a conscript sergeant Yong Dong Jin and his keen-nosed sniffer dogs along with the promising soldier Son Ye Rim who has been trained in the U.S.
However, when the search for the cause begins, they realize that whatever they are looking for might not be a human. The mystery, suspense, and thrilling parts of the drama flavored with a little romance are what makes it an interesting watch.
4. D.P. (2021)
Director: Han Jun Hee
Screenwriter: Han Jun Hee, Kim Bo Tong
Cast: Jung Hae In, Kim Sung Kyun, Koo Kyo Hwan, Son Seok Koo, Hong Kyung, Jo Hyun Chul
Total Number of Episodes: 6
Where to Watch: Netflix
‘D.P.’ is one of the main reasons why the Korean entertainment industry should never stop making military K-dramas! It’s indeed a masterpiece wrapped up within just six episodes! It is a series adaptation of the webtoon, ‘D.P Dog Day’ by Kim Bo Tong, that centers on a private soldier named Jun Ho, a confused man currently enlisted for his mandatory military service of the country. However, when he is unexpectedly appointed as one of the members of the team of military defectors arresting, his life gets a purpose.
He has to capture deserters and is asked to get a hold of more serious cases like finding the reason behind the sudden disappearance of some soldiers without notice. The show tackles a number of important and heavy issues like bullying, suicide, domestic violence, and poverty that might bring out a frenzy of emotions in you. Season two of this drama has already received the green signal, so what are you waiting for!
Also Read: Top Seven K-dramas with the Best Friendship Storylines
3. Mr. Sunshine (2018)
Director: Lee Eung Bok
Screenwriter: Kim Eun Sook
Cast: Kim Tae Ri, Lee Byung Hun, Kim Min Jung, Byun Yo Han, Yoo Yeon Seok, Kim Gab Soo
Total Number of Episodes: 24
Where to Stream: Netflix
A historical military drama, ‘Mr. Sunshine’ follows the story of a South Korean young boy named Eugene Choi, who flees to the U.S. after ditching his life as a member of the slaves’ family during the 1871 U.S. expedition. He comes back years later as a marine officer right when the country goes through a historical turning point. Unexpectedly, he ends up falling in love with a maiden named Go Ae-shin, who is the granddaughter of an aristocrat, the one who belongs to the righteous army.
However, Ae-shin’s marriage is already fixed by her family to a nobleman Kim Hui-seong. With the class difference prevalent between Eugene and Ae-shin, as well as her childhood betrothal, what could have been a very beautiful relationship turns into a complex love scenario. Meanwhile, Eugene discovers the schemes of the Japanese forces plotted to colonize Korea. Not only does ‘Mr. Sunshine’ has a talented and stunning actor lineup but also an engaging plotline, mesmerizing cinematography, multi-dimensional characters as well as comedy.
2. Crash Landing on You (2019)
Director: Lee Jeong Hyo
Screenwriter: Park Ji Eun
Cast: Hyun Bin, Lee Shin Young, Son Ye Jin, Seo Ji Hye, Kim Jung Hyun, Yang Kyung Won
Where to Stream: Netflix
Total Number of Episodes: 16
Featuring one of the most popular on-screen couples as main leads turned into a real thing, ‘Crash Landing on You’ is a rollercoaster ride that stretches from one end of South Korea to the other end of North Korea! It revolves around a successful and ambitious woman named Yoon Seri, who is not only a self-made businesswoman of a popular fashion brand but also the heiress of a large corporation. However, a paragliding accident leads her to an unexpected situation— falling straight from the sky into the premises of North Korea.
Luckily, she comes across the North Korean military officer, Ri Jung Hyuk, who ends up giving her security during her time in North Korea. Moreover, he and his team of junior officers join the mission to help her go back to her home country in one piece. However, ending up in North Korea is not something that can be taken care of lightly, especially when a corrupt police officer has been tailing Ri Jung Hyuk! The series is getting an American remake, so it would be exciting to see how they pull off the concept of North Korean and South Korean rivalry!
1. Descendants of the Sun (2016)
Screenwriter: Kim Eun Sook, Kim Won Seok
Director: Lee Eung Bok, Baek Sang Hoon
Cast: Song Hye Kyo, Song Joong Ki, Jin Goo, Seo Jung Yeon, Lee Seung Jun, Kim Ji Won
Total Number of Episodes: 16
Where to Stream: Viki, Netflix, We TV
You might already have seen it coming, didn’t you? If you are an avid K-drama fan, there is very little chance for you not to have watched the legendary ‘Descendants of the Sun’. Even if you aren’t a fan of military K-dramas, DOTS will be an amazing watch for you, considering it involves the theme of healthy romance, comedy, a strong bond of friendship, and action combined in one. The story revolves around a surgeon named Kang Mo Yeon, in her mid-thirties, who is both hard-working and talented but hasn’t been able to receive the recognition she deserves because of the hospital’s favoritism to an unskilled surgeon. She spends most of her time in the hospital and has no time to date.
However, her life takes a different turn when she comes across the charming special forces officer and the leader of the Alpha Team, Captain Yi Shi Jin. Despite his playful personality, he has a great sense of responsibility for his country and teammates, which makes him gain admiration from his superiors. The romance between the leads develops pretty slowly. However, the journey to it is indeed inspiring and powerful. That’s the beauty of DOTS— one of the best military K-dramas you can watch out there!
Also Read: Best Noona Romance K-dramas Involving Younger Men and Older Women
