If you’re new to the K-drama realm, be prepared to face a huge problem: Which one should you start with?
Thankfully, this is a happy problem to meet, and there are plenty of K-drama fans who will be most glad to help you out!
There’s no perfect answer as to which K-drama is the best to start with. There are just so many wonderful Korean dramas, ranging from rom-com to thrillers. But if we had to round up a few of the favourites in K-drama history, here are some to get you initiated into the K-drama fandom!
1. Boys Over Flowers (2009)
One of the old-school classics, Boys Over Flowers is one of the most popular K-drama shows, and can be credited as THE drama that sucked countless people into Korean dramas and culture.
The 2009 drama centres its story on Jan-Di, a working-class girl who finds herself in a school reserved for the ultra-rich and elite. There, she gets embroiled in the affairs of the school’s alpha males – a clique of friends known as F4.
At first, she stands up to their spoilt, tyrannical behaviour, causing her to become a target for bully in their eyes. However, romance soon enters the picture as F4’s leader Jun-Pyo falls in love with the strong-headed lass.
2. My Love From Another Star (2013-14)
What do you get when a superstar actress becomes the next-door neighbour of a centuries-old alien?
It’s an interesting premise that serves as the foundation for one of the most original and popular K-dramas of all time.
With love triangles, hysterical and absurd situations aplenty, and superpowers thrown into the mix, this is a drama that will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. On top of that, the drama is helmed by a star-studded cast of Jun Ji Hyun and Kim Soo-Hyun, giving you more reasons to watch!
3. Crash Landing On You (2019-20)
A record-breaking drama series, Crash Landing On You topped the viewership ratings of cable TV in Korea, emerging as the third highest-rated drama in cable TV history. Treading the line between realism and fantasy, it is a story of star-crossed lovers, executed with equal parts rom-com, action, and suspense.
When a South Korean heiress (Son Ye-jin) finds herself in the forests of North Korean territory following a paragliding mishap, a North Korean soldier (Hyun Bin) finds himself in a conundrum. But, instead of turning what was supposed to be an enemy in, he helps her return home, only for their relationship to deepen and become a full-blown romance.
4. The World Of The Married (2020)
Probably this year’s most talked-about drama yet, The World of The Married is a wild ride from start to finish. Betrayal between a married couple spirals off a roller coaster of events, centred on revenge, grief, redemption, and healing.
The numerous plot twists and stellar acting by the top actors and actresses will sweep you up emotionally and maybe even teach you a thing or two about relationships.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, this drama took over the place of the highest-rated cable TV drama, and has snagged awards like Best Director and Best Actress at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Aside from being a popular pastime, watching Korean dramas has also become a wonderful way to learn. You can learn about another culture and language while enjoying thrilling stories, right in the comfort of your own sofa!
Perhaps, one day you will want to experience Korean dramas in their original form – without the subtitles or dubs. Here at Sejong Korean Language School, we are here to help you achieve your Korean language learning goals, with Korean language courses for all levels. Let’s learn Korean together and enjoy more Korean dramas together!