Best kdramas I've come across..
Hi!! I've been a kdrama fan since 2017. But as someone who has limited time on their hands I prefer quality over quantity. Thus I tend to not always go with the flow and watch the famous or hyped dramas and instead try to navigate my way personally.
So here is a list of the my most beloved dramas that I would recommend for anyone. Let me know whether you agree with me. Happy drama watching!!
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1. Jewel in the Palace
Korean Drama - 2003, 54 episodes
This drama aged like fine wine. The very first and the one of the very best for me. The plot may sound like the typical ideal story of a hardworking girl overcoming obstacles to become successful but the magic is in how this story is told. It has one of the most grounded yet ambitious love stories ever, and the realism and sincerity of this story cannot be found in kdramas today.
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2. The Crowned Clown
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Absolute gem of drama which deserves more attention. Yeo Jin Goo's dual acting performance is top notch. Loved the queen, and their chemistry together. I was so moved by complex and nuanced Haksan, who was the most unique and memorable character. Has the best cinematography and the most mesmerizing visuals ever!!
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3. My Dearest
Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
Romance with beautiful dreamlike heart fluttering scenes to heartbreaking realities of the real world. Packed with beautiful visuals, OSTs, and heroic action scenes it's the total package. The highlight for me was Namkoong Min, whose character is not your typical ML. He started growing on me slowly and ended up portraying the epitome of love. This drama has two parts and 21 episodes in total, and be warned, it can be a hard watch at times. But you will not regret this.
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4. Flower of Evil
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Mystery, thriller, romance, family, past trauma all woven together perfectly to make one heartwarming tale in the end. Best performances of Lee Joon Gi and Moon Chae Won I've seen. Especially love the FL, who is a brave, smart detective but also a loving, caring wife and mother. The villain is also hot but menacing enough for me do dislike.
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5. Reply 1988
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
Started this because of the reviews and recommendations by friends, and the rest is history. The first episodes didn't engage me at once but you should give it some time and eventually this drama will come to hold a special place in your heart. Best slice of life drama. PS- didn't have 2nd lead syndrome at all as I looved Taek..
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6. Tomorrow
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Started this for Rowoon but was hooked in no time. Very unique premise with surprising emotional depth. It takes you on a challenging journey about difficult topics like suicide, death and afterlife. But each story leaves you with a profound appreciation for life. I cried loads watching this, probably the most I have ever for a drama.. But to compensate for that all the grim reapers are servinggg!!
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7. Under the Queen's Umbrella
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Instead of the typical palace politics or romance , this drama mainly focuses on a mother and her five sons who happen to be the queen and the grand princes , with each of them causing different types of problems for her. And this mother being the queen makes things more difficult and chaotic as she also has to deal with palace politics, rivalries of other queens and their children and hidden conspirators. It makes you feel so many emotions as it has a bit of them all be it political conspiracy, romance, bromance, comedy or death of a child.
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8. Kill Me, Heal Me
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
Won't say much about this here except that I love it as I have already written a review for this one, which you can find here..
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9. The Devil Judge
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Started this one for Ji Sung and was invested. It has a kind of unsettling dark and gritty tone where our titular judge shines bright. Found the other ML to be quite annoying at first though. Great performances by the main cast, villains included. Has a nice buildup and a very satisfying finale.
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10. Move to Heaven
Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
This is a short drama that delivers a heartwarming story about family, friendship, love and death beautifully. Amazing acting by the leads and leaves you with tears in your eyes for many reasons.
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11. The Glory
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
The best performance of Song Hye Kyo!! Revenge stories and school bullying are not my favourites, but this is the exception. The way she bring down each of them is very well deserved and satisfying.
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12. Extraordinary You
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
This drama defines eye candy, full of characters that are easy on the eyes, very cute lead actors with great chemistry giving you butterflies, beautiful OSTs and dreamlike scenes. It is a fantasy drama with both a school and historical setting. It may not hold its ground against the other dramas here, based on the plot or acting and in my feeling it is not to be taken very seriously but to be enjoyed.
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13. The Tale of Nokdu
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
A cross dressing drama, but the opposite of the popular trope where the boy dresses as a girl. This boy is pretty as a female and cute and manly as a male. Loved the couple and their love story with them helping each other to grow out to be the best versions of themselves. Has an underlying conspiracy story with action and a handsome villain as well.
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14. Girls' Generation 1979
Korean Drama - 2017, 8 episodes
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15. To the Wonder
Chinese Drama - 2024, 8 episodes














