Lost in what to watch next? Check out our top eight Korean drama (K-drama) selections to spice up your life (aside from Park Seo Joon’s attraction to Seo Ye-Ji’s captivating aura, of course).

K-dramas have blossomed their way up globally in the entertainment industry with its great cinematography, distinct storylines, and irresistable casts. No matter what you are looking for—from a drive for revenge, a fuzzy-feeling romance, up to uplifting stories, these K-dramas are surely worth the try.

Justice and Injustice Served: Remember: War of the Son (2015)

Genre: Legal Drama, Thriller, Crime, Mystery, Suspense

If you’re looking for a tearjerker more intense that Miracle in Cell No. 7, this 20-episode drama is for you. Pull yourself together from trying not to cry or feel angry from the first episode down to its last. It will definitely keep you wanting for more. 

The story revolves on Jin Woo (Yoo Seung-Ho) on his journey to prove the innocence of his father who is taken advantaged of and falsely accused in a rape and murder case and sentenced to death. What makes it more interesting is that he has hyperthymesia, causing him to remember things vividly and detailedly that made him a lawyer at a young age of 22. Seung-ho’s acting skills are promising in this show.

One thing worth mentioning is antagonist and crime instigator Nam Gyu-Man (Namgung Min) as he sends chills to the spine with his realistic portrayal of a company heir who abuses power. Cases to be solved in between episodes are related to reality that will exhaust your patience with the uglier and darker side of law. 

With the balance of the villains and heroes’ victories, hinting uncertainty on which side will win, this drama will drive you crazy with its plot twists, chemistry, and ending that will make every second worth the watch.

Rating: 4.3/5

The more the merrier: Three Color Fantasy (2017)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy

This next entry is perfect for those who are having a hard time sticking around a single plot for a long time with its various colors of light and fuzzy romance, requiring little to no commitment as a drama fix. Three Color Fantasy is a six-episode drama that consists of three fantasy stories: “The Universe’s Star,” “Romance Full of Life,” and “Queen of the Ring.” 

• The Universe’s Star: Prepare to fall in love with the story of a teen reaper named Byul (Ji Woo) who is a hardcore fangirl of singer-songwriter Woo Joo (EXO’s Suho). As the gods demand her beloved idol’s soul, she has set upon on a mission to save him that creates more complications as she has been given a chance to live again.
• Romance Full of Life: Witness In Sung’s (Yoon Si Yoon) transformation from a dorky underdog and consistent failure to a confident man with his newly-claimed abilities after being a part of a secret medical experiment, realizing later that there is more than meets the eye. 
• Queen of the Ring: Feel the warmth with the story of ordinary girl Mo Nan Hee (Kim Seul Gi) who was given by her mother a magic ring that transforms her to be the ideal girl of her crush Park Se Gun (Ahn Hyo Seop), a popular and handsome student who is known for his preference for pretty girls. The events unfolded are worth the two-hour watch as it transcends the limit and standards for love.

This may be predictable and lacking in some parts, but the stories’ elements are remarkable. You have the liberty which story you’ll unfold first. This trilogy is perfect as a bite-sized escape if you have little time to spare as it serves you all the various degrees of romantic flavor.

Rating: 3.8/5

Hidden Gem and Quick Turner: Splash Splash Love (2015)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Time Travel, Comedy

This two-hour escapade is a top-notch intake for a full drama experience in a short amount of time, which is a perfect remedy for busy schedules and stacked deadlines. The effective delivery and pacing of different genres while it unfounds plot holes is the show’s strength, surpassing expectations and making you laugh your heart out and wish for more episodes. 

The story starts with a senior high school student Jang Dan-Bi (Kim Seul Gi), running away and wishing to disappear, due to the pressure of taking the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) because she is afraid to fail. Upon passing by the rain-formed puddle, her wishes came true, finding herself to be transported in the Joseon period. To spare her life from her unexpected entrance, she must use her knowledge to recover the drought as a gosam (in modern Korean it means highschool student; in older ones it is referred as a male eunuch) with the King Lee-do (Highlight’s Yoon Doo-Joon)—for the rain is also her way back to the present. 

This drama is a testament that the limited episodes are not a hindrance to give a well-paced storyline with its emotional, heart-whelming, and relatable characters. You’ll love their chemistry as well as lessons about education, love, history, and governance. 

This is the best decision you will ever make against the clock of stress. It may seem like a parody or a sappier take on “Moonlight Drawn by the Clouds and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo,” but you’ll see what makes the drama stand out from the mainstream that will win you over effortlessly.

Rating: 5/5

3F Combo (Family, Friendship, Fondness): Reply 1988 (2015)

Genre: Comedy, Family, Drama, Romance, Youth, Slice of Life

Out of all the Reply series, this third and final season will make you cry, laugh, smile, fall in love, and heartbroken in 20 episodes—all at the same time.

This revolves involves around the 180-degree view of life in the 80s and 90s of the five childhood friends Deok Sun (Lee Hye Ri), Jung Hwan (Ryu Jun Yeol), Choi Taek (Park Bo Gum), Sun Woo (Go Kyung Pyo), and Dong Ryong (Lee Dong Hwi) as they and their family go about different points of life from high school to adulthood. 

Romance may not be its first priority and highlight, but Jung Hwan and Duk Seon’s love story, labeled as one of the most heart-rending “second lead syndrome” for a reason, will tug your hearts as it leaves a lot of realizations and heartache about the unrequited side of love. Nonetheless, as you see how the story went by, you will find out who Duk Seon chose to be her husband is and understand why things turn out that way.

Moreover, the family and friendship-centered plot are heartfelt that would make you reminisce on “good old times.” There are a lot of takeaways as every character shares the same spotlight in the neighborhood. 

This drama is a new take  if you are highly interested in Korean history and culture—a highly must watch at that. “Squad goals” on and off-cam indeed.

Rating: 4.8 /5

Home of the Damned: Sky Castle (2018)

Genre: Satire, Drama, Dark Comedy

The four families living in the Sky Castle neighborhood have it all; from their high-paying jobs, luxurious houses, and even to their extravagant wardrobe. Despite their “perfect” lives, the families are willing to do everything just to ensure their children will get in South Korea’s top universities. They make their children’s achievements a competition to prove who has the upper hand. 

Sky Castle highlights the high expectations of parents in their children and the academic pressure it brings to them. The drama also discusses how parents make their children as puppets to keep family traditions. From bullying, abuse of power, and manipulating for one’s benefit, this is a top tier addition to one’s K-drama list.

If you’re interested in a dark, mysterious, and heavy drama show, this is a perfect choice for you. 

Rating: 5/5

Reality Check: Hospital Playlist (2020)

Genre: Medical Drama, Drama, Romance, Comedy

As the title implies, Hospital Playlist is not your typical medical K-drama. Unlike other medical dramas, the show focuses on the doctor’s struggles in dealing with life—through death situations and their life outside the operating rooms. The drama revolves around the five doctors who were all friends since they entered medical school 20 years back. 

Packed with humor, drama and romantic bits, the medical drama is a perfect stress-reliever. With its great storyline shown in all episodes, the doctors’ unique personalities will never fail to make you laugh and warm your heart with their friendship. 

Whether you’re into medical dramas or not, you will never regret watching “Hospital Playlist.”

Rating: 4.2/5

Journey to the Afterlife: Hotel De Luna (2019) 

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Romantic Comedy

Ever wondered where will you end up once you’re dead? A hotel that only caters to ghosts with unfinished business named “Hotel De Luna” is probably one of the stops before the final destination. Its story with the characters of Jang Man-Wol (IU) and Ku Chan-Song (Yeo Jin-Goo) are perfect for people who hold on to their past for so long. 

To pay for her sins she committed centuries back, Man Wol is condemned to run the hotel until given the permission for afterlife. After a long time of waiting, the cold and ill-tempered CEO is not making any progress until she meets Chan Sung, the new general manager of the hotel.

This drama’s unique storyline and the casts’ heartfelt acting makes “Hotel De Luna” definitely worth watching. 

Rating: 4.5/5

Old but Gold: Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016) 

Genre: Historical Drama, Romance, Fantasy, Melodrama

After drowning in an attempt to save a young boy, 25-year-old Go Ha Jin (IU) finds herself waking up in the Goryeo Dynasty. She then wakes up in the body of Lady Hae Soo, the cousin of the 8th Prince Wang Wook’s wife. Gradually, Hae Soo gets involved with the princes who grew fond of her lively and cheerful personality. 

If you think historical dramas are for skips due to its predictable storyline, you can cross Scarlet Heart Ryeo out of that list. This drama features South Korea’s biggest artists such as IU (Hae Soo/Go Ha-Jin), Kang Ha-Neul (Wang Wook), Lee Joon-Gi (Wang So), Hong Jong-Hyun (Wang Yo), Nam Joo-Hyuk (Baek Ah), EXO’s Baekhyun (Wang Eun) and Jisoo (Wang Jung). 

Be sure to have tissues near you for Scarlet Heart Ryeo will make you cry a bucket of tears; as you laugh and even fall in love on repeat in between episodes. Throughout the 20-episode drama, the handsome Princes of Goryeo is also a catch! 

Rating: 4/5

Whether you’re a fan of K-dramas or not, you can never go wrong watching these shows. As Oscar-winning Parasite director Bong Jo Hoon said, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”