Dramas I think are at least worth trying.
Shows of various quality and genres that I think are either impactful on some level, inspiring, entertaining, engaging, or at the very least original and thought-provoking even when they're not 'perfect'. Disclaimer : TO ME. Subjective list.
-
1. My Mister
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
realistic, drama, workplace, poverty, trauma, family, siblings, friendship, infidelity, forgiveness, unconditional/platonic love, healing, some (healthy and less healthy) romance but not between the leads, now that Lee Sun Kyun is gone this is even more meaningful and tragic
-
2. Life
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
realistic, medical, drama, illness, disability, trauma, grief, family, siblings, friendship, healing, slight romances
-
3. Navillera
Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
realistic, drama, family, unconventional friendship, childhood dreams, forgiveness, healing, alzheimer, ballet, married couple, no romance happens between the young ML and the female character but may be up to interpretation what happens afterwards
-
4. Signal
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
semi-fantasy, thriller, drama, teamwork, siblings, friendship, tiny romance but complicated (this one's special for me, my first drama ever + watched with my partner !)
-
5. The First Shot
Chinese Drama - 2024, 32 episodes
realistic, thriller, drama, action, drugs, dark themes, teamwork, friendship, found family, slight romance
-
6. Good Manager
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
comedy, workplace, teamwork, various friendships, family, no romance actually happens but there is interest between ML2 and FL
-
7. School 2013
Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes
realistic, drama, youth, growth, violence, forgiveness, friendship between f/f, m/f and m/m, family, teacher-student bond, no romance
-
8. Live Surgery Room
Chinese Drama - 2024, 28 episodes
semi-realistic, medical, very idealistic, grief, trauma, autistic/ocd ML (?), selfless ML, forgiveness, teamwork, life, hope, growth, very deep and healing friendship between the two MLs, family, unconditional love, very vaguely hinted romances but up to interpretation (adapted from a novel which does contain romance between ML1 and a nurse + ML2 and another female character)
-
9. Miraculous Brothers
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
fantasy, drama, cult, trauma, writing, siblings, deep friendship, family, forgiveness, growth, hinted romances here and there
-
10. Stranger
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Season 1 and 2.
realistic, thriller, drama, friendship, alexithymia, great platonic partnership between ML and FL
-
11. Lost in the Shadows
Chinese Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
realistic but some suspension of disbelief needed, thriller, drama, child trafficking, family, unconditional love, growth, no romance
-
12. The Long Season
Chinese Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
realistic, thriller, drama, life, extremely sad, family, friendship, siblings, trauma, grief, romance
-
13. Three-Body
Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes
hard sf, drama, philosophical, not for casual watch : either you're intellectually and emotionally very engaged or you will be bored to tears, unique and indescribable, sad and intense, fascinating characters, broken idealism, lots of different themes, beautiful unusual friendship, married couples but no actual romance, many issues imo but many good things as well
-
14. The Bad Kids
Chinese Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
realistic, thriller, drama, youth, unreliable narrator, friendship, insanity, growth, family (or lack thereof), married couples and some vague romances (but not very healthy)
-
15. It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
realistic, drama, unhealthy romance main plot, autism, mental illness, healing, growth, forgiveness, siblings, family
-
16. Under the Skin
Chinese Drama - 2022, 20 episodes
Just the first season.
realistic, thriller, forensic art, psychology, teamwork, great friendship and partnership, forgiveness, growth, healing, no romance
-
17. The Guest
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
fantasy, horror, drama, demons, exorcism, catholicism and shamanism settings, truly platonic trio m/m/f, very deep friendship, no romance
-
18. Weak Hero Class 1
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
realistic, drama, youth, violence, friendship, fighting, trauma, growth, no romance
-
19. Like a Flowing River
Chinese Drama - 2018, 47 episodes
realistic, drama, just life, multiple romances, work, family, some friendship here and there
-
20. The Fiery Priest
Korean Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
thriller, comedy, fighting, catholicism setting, teamwork, friendship, healing, growth, no romance
-
21. Black Out
Korean Drama - 2024, 14 episodes
realistic, thriller, drama, psychologically violent, friendship/partnership, family, no actual romance
-
22. Chimera
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
realistic, thriller, drama, teamwork, friendship, hinted romantic interest but nothing more, family, questionable ending
-
23. Circle
Korean Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
sf/fantasy, thriller, drama, aliens, questionable plot but tight realisation and pacing, siblings, friendship, questionable ending, hinted romances
-
24. Unnatural Fire
Chinese Drama - 2025, 38 episodes
realistic, thriller, drama, arson investigation setting, psychological issues, teamwork, family, childhood friendship, strong m/m/f friendship with vaguely hinted potential romantic interests towards FL that are up to interpretation, no other romance, questionable ending
-
25. Youth of May
Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
realistic, drama, mainly romance, siblings, family, SADNESSSSSSS, selfless FL, good values
-
26. Hot Stove League
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
realistic, drama, workplace, sports, family, friendship, siblings, trauma, grief, healing, no romance that I can remember
-
27. Reply 1988
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
realistic, family, youth, life, mostly romance, some friendship, joy, sadness, growth, simplicity, N.O.S.T.A.L.G.I.A (too much send help)
-
28. Misaeng: Incomplete Life
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
realistic, drama, workplace, growth, teamwork, friendship, very hard psychologically, alcoholism, married couple but no other obvious romance (that I can remember)
-
29. Memory
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
realistic, drama, workplace, alzheimer, family, grief, some romance (married couple and other)
-
30. Defendant
Korean Drama - 2017, 18 episodes
thriller, drama, family, siblings, some romance I guess more or less (not with the ML)
-
31. My Country: The New Age
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
historical, drama, sadness, more drama and more sadness, war, side romances, very strong friendship, family
-
32. Duel
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
fantasy/sf, drama, terminal illnesses, cancer, trauma, doesn't really make sense, deep friendship, siblings, family, no romance