Looking for the best Korean shows on Netflix? You’re in the right place. We’ve reviewed Netflix’s vast library of content and found 10 top-notch shows loved by critics and audiences alike.
If you want to learn Korean, one of the best things you can do is immerse yourself in the language – but depending on where you live, that might feel like a tall order. Fortunately, you can hear native speakers converse and get a better sense for how the language is used in practice with our top picks for Korean dramas on Netflix.
Whether you’re looking for gripping drama, thrilling action or sweet romance, there’s something for everyone among these Korean Netflix shows. And these shows aren’t just good for practicing your language skills – they’re also just plain great, totally binge-able series.
Let’s take a look.
Tomatometer: 95%
Genre: Thriller, drama, survival
The show that launched Korean shows on Netflix into living rooms worldwide, Squid Game is a brutal yet thrilling drama series with heart. It set records when it came out in 2021, reaching number one on Netflix’s top 10 in 94 different countries, including the US and UK.
The show centers around contestants on a game show that recruits people in debt and offers them a tantalizing prize – but that prize comes with a deadly cost.
If you haven’t watched Squid Game yet, it’s an absolute must-watch for anyone interested in the best Korean dramas on Netflix – and a second season is scheduled for release this year.
Tomatometer: 100%
Genre: Crime, suspense, thriller
This gripping crime drama follows a woman set on avenging her gangster father’s death. To do so, she joins a gang and infiltrates the local police under a fake name, where she’s partnered with a young narcotics detective. With a touch of film noir-like style and hard-hitting fight scenes, My Name is a treat for any fan of crime dramas.
Tomatometer: Audience score only – 94%
Genre: Political drama, historical drama, romance
Eugene, a man who was born into slavery in 1800s Joseon but escaped to the United States, returns to Joseon as a U.S. Marine. There, he meets and falls in love with the granddaughter of an aristocrat who has been betrothed since childhood to a nobleman. The exciting, sweeping story centers around their star-crossed love, woven together with historical events and political intrigue.
Though critics would warn you (correctly) to take this telling of historical events with a heavy grain of salt, it’s certainly a great way to learn a little about Korean history through a show that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.
Tomatometer: 100%
Genre: Romance, comedy, drama
If you’re looking for romance with a touch of drama, Crash Landing On You could be just the ticket. This charming, heartfelt, mostly light-hearted series follows a South Korean heiress who is accidentally blown over the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and into North Korea, where a handsome soldier decides to take her in until she can return home.
The romantic show was a huge hit in Korea and abroad, becoming the third highest-rated K-drama in cable television history – and you can watch it all on Netflix!
Tomatometer: N/A
Genre: Emotional, drama, ensemble cast
Another of the most-watched Korean dramas, Our Blues is a sweet and touching, understated series following the day-to-day lives of people living on Jeju Island.
While less over-the-top dramatic than some other popular K-dramas, this realistic, bittersweet series relies on a wide cast of characters to capture life’s big and small moments – think something along the lines of This Is Us and Love Actually.
Tomatometer: 100%
Genre: K-drama
If you’re looking for a lighter K-drama, Extraordinary Attorney Woo is a heartfelt, courtroom drama-style show that follows Woo Young-woo, a recent law school graduate on the autism spectrum, as she tries to make her way in the world of law.
The popular show is a great example of K-dramas for those looking to get into the genre, and it ranks in the top 10 most watched Korean series of the last few years.
Tomatometer: 98%
Genre: Political drama, period drama, horror, zombies
Based on a webtoon, Kingdom surprises and enthralls at every turn, well-deserving of its critical acclaim. At once a 16th-century period piece, a political intrigue, and a gory horror series, Kingdom follows a sick king and his son, the crown prince, who starts investigating the strange illness that has made the king sick only to discover that a deadly epidemic is ravaging the kingdom. A zombie epidemic.
Tomatometer: Audience score only – 57%
Genre: Reality, dating show, survival
Ignore the negative reviews. If you like reality TV, Single’s Inferno is a must-watch. The show is, in essence, Survivor meets Love Island. Singles are left to survive on a deserted island – but if they find someone to shack up with, they get to leave the island and go to ‘paradise,’ meaning luxury accommodation with everything they could want.
Those who can’t find a date are left to compete with each other and fend for themselves on the island. If you’re sold on the premise, you’ll enjoy the show. If reality dating shows with a sadistic twist aren’t for you, then keep scrolling.
Tomatometer: Audience score only – 98%
Genre: Romance, drama
No list of Korean dramas on Netflix would be complete without a heart-wrenching romantic drama about young people, and Twenty Five Twenty One sticks out as one of the best among a large selection of good options.
The show follows five characters and their love lives from the 1990s to the 2020s, complete with high school drama, first loves and lessons learned. It’s lovely, it’s sweet, and it’s easily among the best Korean dramas on Netflix.
Tomatometer: 89%
Genre: Teen drama, horror, zombies
Last, but certainly not least, we have All of Us Are Dead, the hit zombie show about teens trapped in their high school. The students slowly realize they’re stuck at ground zero of a zombie outbreak after a science experiment goes wrong – and no one is coming to pick them up after class.
It’s gross. It’s gory. It’s compelling and even occasionally thought-provoking. And, for horror fans, it’s fun. Fans of Battle Royale and The Walking Dead will enjoy this bloody thriller – just maybe don’t try to eat spaghetti or chili while watching. And good news! Another season is coming.
Immersing yourself in media is a fantastic way to start mastering some of the trickier elements of a new language, and these excellent, oh-so-watchable shows make it easy and fun.
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