My Kdrama Favorites
Kdrama Masterpieces and Ultimates ONLY
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1. Coffee Prince
Korean Drama - 2007, 17 episodes
Neverending rewatchability; an ensemble of charismatic young actors who punch it superior performances, pull at the heartstrings and get some laughs. Great romance between the main leads.
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2. Be Melodramatic
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
This drama tore me apart like no other. It really reminds you to love life, and care for those around you, all while making you laugh uproariously and cry your heart out
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3. Healer
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
This knocked City Hunter off the pedestal as my favorite Korean action show, and nothing has dethroned it since. It still leaves me in tears when I rewatch, and the chemistry between the leads is next level.
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4. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
An epic of gargantuan proportions
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5. Can We Get Married?
Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes
I watched this at just the right time in my life. It's mellow coming of age tale about adulthood and family; not usually my thing but it's done exceptionally well, with a lot of stories to tell and pacing that doesn't lose you.
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6. Extraordinary You
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
Kim Hye Yoon, you're a star! Also this show is ingenious and unique and a visual delight
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7. Just Between Lovers
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
This show is just the right about of soapy melodrama and real, heartbreaking tragedy, with sunlight sliver of innocent, adorable romance. Wonderful performances all around
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8. 38 Task Force
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
My favorite Korean revenge case-of-the-week procedural, which is high praise given its one of my favorite genres. Great casting and cinematography.
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9. Pinocchio
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
This show just hits so many of my beloved kdrama tropes: found family, corruption/revenge storyline, complicated mother/daughter relationships, catharsis.... it's excellent.
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10. Fight for My Way
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
The whole cast really pulls out all the stops here; the chemistry is great, and the struggles feel rooted in reality
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11. Ojakgyo Brothers
Korean Drama - 2011, 58 episodes
Uee's performance in this is so impressive and real and complicated, and you really grow with her through the story and begin to love the people around her, too
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12. The Innocent Man
Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes
The creme de la creme of Makjang
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13. Marriage, Not Dating
Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
One of the few shows I would advocate for ending in a threesome
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14. Age of Youth
Korean Drama - 2016, 12 episodes
The way this drama captured young womanhood and college life but also was a mystery/thriller?? And every note was in tune????
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15. Into the Ring
Korean Drama - 2020, 32 episodes
I truly loved the message of this show, and Nana's performance and the adorable romance were simply an awesome bonus
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16. What Happens to My Family?
Korean Drama - 2014, 53 episodes
My favorite family drama, mostly because the central conflicts felt full and real rather than annoying and cliche
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17. Run On
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
I loved the fandom response to this show, and enjoyed the philosophical slice of life and gorgeous cinematography
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18. Come and Hug Me
Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes
Every episode was an emotional rollercoaster. The relationship were all dialed up to the extreme, but somehow it stops short of cartoonish and stays emotional and affecting. I've cried through this many times.
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19. Ex-Girlfriend Club
Korean Drama - 2015, 12 episodes
This show lives rent free in my head forever; Byung Yo Han romcom again when???
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20. Reply 1997
Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes
It started the nostalgia kick, and it did it with such commitment and authenticity and vigor
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21. I'm Not a Robot
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
One of those shows that really shouldn't be as good as it is, but the central romance is just so mesmerizing. Chae Soo Bin is a chemistry machine and I adore her
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22. Queen of Mystery
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
A great mystery show that switches up the usual dynamics found in Korean detective dramas
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23. Mask
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
An underrated makjang
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24. Let's Eat
Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
A joy to watch, and it was before its time genre-wise
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25. Twenty Again
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
An excellently crafted second-chance-at-life drama... You really love and care for the main character and her happiness above all else
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26. Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
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27. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
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28. Doom at Your Service
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
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29. A Piece of Your Mind
Korean Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
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30. The Good Detective
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
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31. Flex X Cop
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
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32. The Master's Sun
Korean Drama - 2013, 17 episodes
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33. Hospital Playlist
Korean Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
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34. Hospital Playlist Season 2
Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
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35. Once Again
Korean Drama - 2020, 100 episodes
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36. The School Nurse Files
Korean Drama - 2020, 6 episodes
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37. One Spring Night
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
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38. Fated to Love You
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
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39. School 2017
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
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40. Wanted
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
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41. To My Star
Korean Drama - 2021, 9 episodes
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42. Love Class Season 2
Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
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43. While You Were Sleeping
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
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44. I Hear Your Voice
Korean Drama - 2013, 18 episodes
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45. Through the Darkness
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
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46. Live Up to Your Name
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes