The Best Korean Dramas on Netflix and Viu for Your Weekend (2023)

Do you want to become a seasoned professional in K-drama? Refresh Your Asian Pop Culture With These Hilarious Korean Dramas On Netflix

The melodrama, intriguing mythology, social culture, and hot oppas with better skin than most women are just a few of the reasons why Korean dramas are so successful on Netflix and Viu. If you're not already on the K-Drama train, get ready to hop on with our handy guide to some of the best Korean dramas on Netflix and Viu. And if this view makes you hungry for Korean food, check out our guideThe best Korean restaurants in the city.!

For more information, see:The best educational TV shows and cartoons for children.

1. The strange encounter

The plot:In the fictional Jungjin, four counters (demon hunters) serve bowls of noodles during the day and hunt down evil spirits that possess humans at night. When they lose one of their own, the divine superiors choose high school student So Mun (Jo Byung-gyu) as their replacement. Together, the new team comes together to hunt down demons, deal with their own personal struggles and backstories, while uncovering a horrifying truth about the mayor's redevelopment plans for the district.

Why we love:There's plenty of humor and emotion in this Korean drama that shamelessly masquerades as the South Korean version of Ghostbusters, but with god-like superpowers. What ultimately drew us in and held us back were the comedic antics and banter of the Accountants, and So Mun's kind-hearted outlook on life. We also maintain the family link between So Mun and the Counters, proof that a family does not require that its members be biologically related. And while the charm and dialogue drag a bit in the middle (the original writer left the show over creative differences), the ending is still satisfying. Even better, rumors say that we can expect a second season in 2022, as this hilarious k-drama was a hit!

2. History of the Nine Tails

The plot:A 1000 year old boyGumiho(Nine-Tailed Fox), played by Lee Dong-wook, works with the Afterlife Immigration Bureau to track down and eliminate supernatural beings that threaten modern mortals. He is also waiting for the love of his life, who turns out to be Nam Ji-ah (Jo Bo-ah), an ambitious TV producer who is looking for his parents who were kidnapped by demons.

Why we love:The idea of ​​a lifetime of love (and a handsome man waiting for you through it all) appeals to the most sentimental corners of our hearts. But the biggest draw is the mythology that inspires this Korean drama on Netflix and the premise that love and happiness may not be easy, but they are always a choice. As a side note, Lee Dong-wook's modern wardrobe is also a plus.

3. Crash landing on you

The plot: land on youis an unlikely love story between a glamorous business tycoon and heiress and a North Korean soldier, which begins when she literally falls on the armed North Korean border after a paragliding incident.

Why we love:Would a K-drama list be complete without Hyun Bin? We don't think so! CLoY (as it is affectionately known by fans) is loosely based on a true incident in which a South Korean actress and her friends accidentally dove into disputed waters and chatted with North Korean fishermen. The story slows down in the middle, but the action sequences keep you coming back for more. CLoY is also credited with his authentic interpretation of life in North Korea.a claim backed by North Korean defectors who watched the show.The writing team also includes a defector!

4. Mystic Popup Bar

The plot:In revenge for her sins, the energetic Weol-ju (Hwang Jung-eum) is ordered to settle the grudges of 100,000 souls, a task she completes with the help of her laid-back partner Boss Gwi (Choi Won-young) and the innocent Han Kang-bae (Yook Sung-jae), who, by the way, can make anyone confess their deepest feelings with just a touch.

Why we love:Girl power is important here on the Sassy Mama team and Weol-ju's vivacious nature makes us root for her at all times. This Korean drama on Netflix is ​​a comedy, silly and light-hearted, but the twist in the middle will melt your heart. We also love how colorful this is without looking too cheesy.

5. Vicente

The plot:Park Joo-Hyung (Song Joong-ki) is adopted by an Italian family at the tender age of eight. He was renamed Vincenzo Cassano and eventually became a lawyer and consigliere for the Mafia, as well as Don Fabio's right-hand man. When Don Fabio's biological son tries to kill Vincenzo, he flees to Seoul and sets to work to recover 1.5 tons of gold secretly hidden in the basement of Geumga Plaza, illegally taken over by the Babel Group. How he works with Hong Cha-young (Jeon Yeo-been), a lawyer from the competing firm, and the other tenants to fight the Babel Group is the rest of the story.

Why we love:We're always in the mood for a good anti-hero, and Song Joong-ki's baby face and dexterous movements will have you defending his every move, even when he turns violent or downright sadistic. There's plenty of humor and romance along the way (this is a K-drama, after all!), andVincenzoIt has enough happy endings to make you overlook the sometimes questionable character writing.

6. Hospital Playlist

The plot:five good friends Five Doctors.hospital playlistchronicles their individual lives, careers, and friendships, all overshadowed by the births, deaths, and events at Yulje Medical Center. In the midst of all this, they restart their ridiculous quintet, with hilarious results.

Why we love:There's something poignant about watching the group comfort themselves after a hard day's work, and their antics as a band made us think of our high school band, which didn't last long but was still fun. It's not just about doctors saving lives, nurses are also an integral part of healthcare.Popular Instagram hunk and real life doctor Mike Varshavki aka Dr. Mike even gave an honest review on his Youtube channel!Be warned, each episode of this Korean drama is long and the first few episodes may test your patience, but it's worth persevering.

7. Sweet home

The plot:Cha Hyun-soo (Song Kang) moves into an extremely dirty apartment complex whose residents are just as confused as he is. As they slowly turn into crazy monsters, it's up to Cha Hyun-soo to save the day.

Why we love:While it sounds like your typical post-apocalyptic monster joke (hello, unflattering CGI monsters!),sweet HomeIt's a good K-drama to sink your fangs into. Each character struggles with trauma or some kind of emotional baggage, and the strong acting from the cast brings that struggle to the fore. The plot twists of this Korean drama on Netflix also get approval!

8. It's okay not to be okay

The plot:Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun) lives with his autistic brother Sang-tae (Oh Jung-se) and they often move from town to town after their mother's murder. Gang-Tae's job as a janitor at a hospital psychiatric ward eventually introduces him to Ko Moon-young (Seo Yea-ji), a famous children's book author who suffers from antisocial personality disorder. Discovering that their pasts overlap, the trio comes together and begins the arduous journey of healing each other's emotional wounds while uncovering painful secrets in the process.

Why we love:Outstanding acting and a heartwarming story make this Korean drama a heartwarming movie on Netflix, so keep your pockets open. Seo Yea-ji also does a great job of portraying the dual personality of her character: a manic and powerful writer who hides a traumatized and vulnerable inner child, while Oh Jung-se has been praised for her authentic portrayal of an adult. autistic.It is good not to be goodThe K-drama is also a must-watch because it brings up various mental health issues and discusses them with grace and sensitivity.

ninth kingdom

The plot:A zombie plague has devastated Korea's Joseon Dynasty and strange rumors are spreading about the king. Now it's up to Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) to deal with the chaos and save the people from it as the plague spreads rapidly.

Why we love:Zombies, real conspiracies, dark secretsmia 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Need we say more?Kingdomis Netflix's first original Korean drama and we recommend taking a day to watch it. Grab your attention as there are only six episodes in each of the two seasons, and each one is dense and packed with detail.

10. About time

The plot:Choi Michaela (Lee Sung-kyung) has two talents: she sings like an angel, and she can also see a person's entire life as a clock on her forearm. She is in a minor car accident where she meets Lee Do-ha (Lee Sang-yoon), the heir to a wealthy conglomerate and the man who stops her life when she is with him. Her love story forms the painful ups and downs of this K-drama.

Why we love:It's an old case of opposites attracting, but it's also interesting to see how the chemistry between the main cast blossoms as their characters grow over the course of the series. And while we all need a cheesy romance from time to time, it's the question that makes this somewhat tedious Korean drama a worthwhile investment: If you knew the exact moment you died, what would you do differently with your life?

11. Vive

The plot:What does it take to become a police officer? That's what this Korean Netflix drama tries to answer, following the lives of various police officers who work to bring criminals to justice.

Why we love:No glorifying policing here (we're looking at you, Bad Boys II). Instead, this K-drama offers a highly realistic look at the daily lives of rookie and veteran cops alike, shedding light on their careers and family struggles, and how much the job can cost them. The supporting characters aren't fillers either; Each one enters and exits the story in significant ways, adding a lot of depth to the overall story.

12. 18 again

The plot:Un remake de Zac Efronagain 17, This Korean drama follows 37-year-old Hong Dae-Young (Yoon Sang-Hyun), who is bored with his job, family, and life. But when a magical wish transforms him back into his 17-year-old professional basketball self, Dae-Young is excited to start a whole new life. But is this second chance really all it seems?

Why we love:While remakes aren't exactly our thing (say hello if you love original content as much as we do!),18 againoffers many exciting lessons that are relatable to. This Korean drama on Netflix is ​​simple and easy to watch, which is great when you want to unwind after a long day at work.

13. Deposit

The plot: Signwill look familiar to any viewerfrequencywith Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel. In itfrequency, Jim Caviezel is a New York City homicide detective who stumbles upon a radio frequency on his late father's (Dennis Quaid) ham radio. Then father and son communicate through time to solve a series of unsolved serial murders without interrupting the space-time continuum.SignThe premise is pretty much the same, except that the criminal cases featured on the show are based on real life in South Korea. The two protagonists are not a crime-fighting family, but cops from different eras who are connected via a simple walkie-talkie transmission.

Why we love:Supernatural elements aside, this Korean drama written by veteran screenwriter Kim Eun Hee will have you holding your breath every time. Clever writing is complemented by an entertaining soundtrack, unexpected ending, and minimal gore, if that's not your thing.

14th Guardian: The lonely great god

The plot:Also know asElf, this K-drama on Netflix is ​​the fifth highest in the history of South Korean cable television. It revolves around a century-old goblin played by Gong Yoo (you know him as one of the leads inTrain to Busan), who was punished for walking the earth helping those most in need. In addition to hilarious interactions with his nephew (Yook Sung-jae) and Grim Reaper (Lee Dong-wook) and rescue missions, he's also on a personal quest to find his bride-to-be, the only woman who can draw the sword from her. chest and end his immortality.

Why we love:The funny moment between the leprechaun, his nephew and the grim reaper will keep you on your toes. But ultimately, it's the simplicity of the message that makes us love this K-drama enough to keep watching it: everyone deserves kindness and love, and sometimes sacrifices are necessary for the greater good.

15. Strange

The plot:Hwang Si-Mok is a brilliant prosecutor, but his lack of empathy and people skills sets him apart from his peers. While investigating a murder, he teams up with police lieutenant Han Yeo-jin to solve the murder mystery, a daunting task given the overwhelming corruption and conspiracy surrounding him. This k-drama has won multiple awards and the second season premiered in August 2020.

Why we love:Bold leads, brilliant scripts, and more twists and turns than a roller coaster make this Netflix Korean drama worth watching. Another pleasant surprise is the excellent chemistry between the leads; The story keeps the relationship professional without resorting to boring romantic tropes - always a win in our opinion!

16. Cover

The plot:This Korean drama depicts the lives of wealthy families living in Hera's palace. It slowly reveals the mysteries, love triangles, and cover-ups surrounding a mysterious girl who falls to her death in Ivy's Palace.

Why we love:We love the amount of drama that is featured in each episode. The lifestyle of the rich.the lidThey are filled with murder, betrayal, bullying, and every other melodramatic theme you can think of, making for an addictive Korean drama.the lidIt's not on Netflix (boo!), but you can stream it on Rakuten Viki or Viu!

17. Squid Game

The plot:Hundreds of debtors and the poor were invited to participate in children's games to win untold sums of money. The footprint? All but one must die, and whoever stands last wins.

Why we love:With the squid game quickly taking over the pop culture and social media world, we just had to see what the fuss was about! It turned out to be incredibly emotional, with amazing performances and plot twists that would keep you hooked from start to finish. The show gets pretty gory with the blatant depictions of violent deaths, so watch out. Watch until the end and it will leave you with food for thought.