Updated on Jan 6, 2022

These Are The 37 Best K-Dramas And Movies On Netflix Right Now

Okay, but have you seen It's Okay Not to Be Okay?

by Emlyn Travis

BuzzFeed Staff

by Ab'ha Ahad

BuzzFeed Contributor

tvN

Starring: Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, and Oh Jung-se

Genre: Drama, romance

What it's about: Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun) is a psychiatric caretaker who is known for never staying in the same city for longer than a year. While working a shift at a hospital, he meets Ko Moon-young (Seo Yea-ji), a children's book author who is infamous for her merciless nature. Moon-young becomes fascinated with Gang-tae after discovering that they've met in the past, which leads her to follow him back to their childhood town. Alongside Gang-tae's autistic older brother Sang-tae (Oh Jung-se), the trio begin to heal their unresolved pasts.

OCN

Starring: Jo Byung-gyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong, and Yeom Hye-ran

Genre: Fantasy, thriller, mystery, based on a web-toon

What it's about: Fighting evil by moonlight...serving noodles by daylight? Meet the Counters, a team of talented demon hunters who work at the Unnie's Noodles by day and destroy evil spirits that escape from the afterlife by night. When comatose teenager So Mun (Jo Byung-gyu) becomes the newest addition to their team, the Counters embark on an adventure full of action, adventure, and heart. The show was recently renewed for a second season too, so make sure to catch up before then!

tvN

Starring: Park Bo-gum, Park So-dam, and Byeon Woo-seok

Genre: Romance, slice of life, coming of age

What it's about: Record of Youth tells the story of a group of young adults who dare to reach for their dreams in the entertainment industry. Sa Hye-jun (Park Bo-gum) is a hardworking model who dreams of one day becoming a famous actor. Ahn Jeong-ha (Park So-dam), a fan of Sa Hye-jun, is a kindhearted yet lonely makeup artist who dreams of one day having her own salon. Won Hae-hyo (Byeon Woo-seok), Hye-jun's best friend, is a model-turned-actor who dreams of one day controlling his own career. With powerful performances and relatable struggles, you'll quickly find yourself rooting for the characters as they overcome trials and tribulations to achieve their dreams.

tvN

Starring: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Jung-hyun, and Seo Ji-hye

Genre: Romantic comedy, drama

What it's about: Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) is a rich entrepreneur who is just trying to enjoy a lovely spot of paragliding when a tornado blows her off course and causes her to ~crash land~ (get it?) in North Korea. There, she is rescued by Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin), a captain in the North Korean army, who helps her hide and vows to help her return back to South Korea. There's a reason why this was one of the most popular shows of 2020 — it's hilarious, charming, and tugs at your heartstrings at all the right moments!

KakaoTV

Starring: Ji Chang-wook and Kim Ji-won

Genre: Romance, romantic comedy

What it's about: Lovestruck in the City takes a traditional romance K-Drama and turns it on its head, because the show's six main characters are all aware that they're filming a documentary about love. Told through first-person interviews, the members share their past dating experience. With the ability to watch and comment on each other's interviews, the group slowly discovers that they share a lot more in common than they had previously known and might not be strangers after all.

Kim Yo-han, So Joo-yeon, Yeo Hoe-hyun, and Jo Hye-joo all laugh together as they look at the sunset

tvN

Starring: Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Seon-ho, and Kang Han-na

Genre: Drama, romance

What it's about: Based in the fictional Korean equivalent of Silicon Valley, Start-Up centers on the lives of a group of young adults who are developing their own start up companies. As a child, Seo Dal-mi (Bae Suzy) received love letters from a secret admirer named "Nam Do-san" and has been in love with him ever since, so it feels like fate when she joins his start up company Samsan Tech. The only problem? The "Nam Do-san" of her past is actually Samsan Tech's mentor Han Ji-pyeong (Kim Seon-ho), and the real Nam Do-san (Nam Joo-hyuk) must pretend to be the man of her childhood dreams!

JTBC

Starring: Im Si-wan, Shin Se-kyung, Choi Soo-young, and Kang Tae-oh

Genre: Romance, slice of life, sports drama

What it's about: Hardworking and honest Oh Mi-joo (Shin Se-kyung) is a movie translator who loses her job after standing up for herself to her professor. Calculating and curious Ki Seon-gyeom (Im Si-wan) comes from a famous family and is a sprinter on the national team. The two initially meet in a very unconventional way, only to later discover that they'll be working together as Seon-gyeom requires a English interpreter for his international press tour. Watch for Shin Se-kyung and Im Si-wan's fantastic chemistry, stay for the witty dialogue and heartfelt moments.

JTBC

Starring: Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi, and Kwon Nara

Genre: Drama, found family, slice of life

What it's about: Park Saeroyi's (Park Seo-joon) life is forever changed after a fatal accident kills his father and sees him wrongfully thrown in prison for three years. Once he's released, he opens DanBam, a restaurant located in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul, with the intention to become the best bar in the area so that he can get his revenge on the food conglomerate Jangga. As his business expands so does his friend group, which includes his best friend from his school days Soo-ah (Kwon Nara) who now works for Jangga, and the cold social media blogger Jo Yi-seo (Kim Da-mi).

JTBC

Starring: Hwang Jung-eum, Yook Sung-jae, and Choi Won-young

Genre: Based on a web-toon, found family, fantasy, mystery

What it's about: Weol-ju (Hwang Jung-eum) is in a bit of a predicament: in order to pass on into the afterlife, she must solve the problems of 100,000 souls. But how does one find lost souls, you might ask? Well, by opening up a pop-up bar, of course! Alongside Chief Gwi (Choi Won-young), a former afterlife detective turned bar manager, the duo help customers by visiting their dreams and taking their troubles away. Their job, however, gets a little easier when they meet Kang-bae (Yook Sung-jae), a young outcast with the special ability to make people confess their true feelings by touching them. Mystic Pop-up Bar is *seriously* underrated and is endlessly endearing.

Netflix

Starring: Ju Ji-hoon, Ryu Seung-ryong, Bae Doo-na, Kim Sang-ho, Kim Sung-kyu, and Kim Hye-jun

Genre: Horror, political drama, thriller, historical

What it's about: If you haven't started watching Kingdom yet, then you're in for an experience. The zombie thriller already has two seasons available to stream on Netflix and a special on the way this year, so you've got plenty to sink your teeth into (too much?) when it comes to this show. Set during the Joseon Dynasty, Kingdom centers on prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) who is sent on a quest to investigate a mysterious disease that has begun to take over the kingdom. Supported on his journey by a group of friends, Lee Chang must stave off political coups, try to discover a cure, and fight for his life against the speedy undead. Kingdom is the kind of show that will keep you on the edge of your seat (and also likely up all night too because of its zombies)!

Netflix

Starring: Song Kang, Lee Jin-wook, Lee Si-young, Lee Do-hyun, and Kim Nam-hee

Genre: Horror, action, drama, based on a web-toon

What it's about: Speaking of horror, if you're a fan of Kingdom and looking for something spooky then you need to check out Sweet Home. After his family is killed in an accident, heartbroken Cha Hyun-su (Song Kang) moves into a new apartment and begins to plan his own death. His plans change, however, when the people in his apartment complex begin to transform into horrific monsters based on their darkest desires. Joining forces with the remaining survivors in the complex, Hyun-su must fight off monsters and ward off the monstrous voices inside his head.

MBC TV

Starring: Shin Se-kyung and Cha Eun-woo

Genre: Historical, romance, comedy, drama

What it's about: Just like its title states, intelligent and independent Goo Hae-ryung (Shin Se-kyung) becomes one of four women to be trained as a palace historian. It's there that she meets Prince Yi Rim (Cha Eun-woo of Astro!), a handsome royal who is hidden away from the public and spends most of his time writing popular romance novels under the pseudonym Maehwa. Despite continuously being criticized and talked down to because of her gender, Hae-ryung and her fellow female historians work to not only destroy societal standards, but also bring political corruption to light too. We love to see it!

tvN

Starring: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung, and Byun Yo-han

Genre: Historical, action, drama

What it's about: I know I've talked about Mr. Sunshine before, but I truly believe this K-drama is a must-watch. Without spoiling too much, Choi Yoo-jin (Lee Byung-hun), aka Eugene Choi, fled from Korea as a child. As an adult, he returns as a United States Marine Corps officer during the US expedition to Korea in 1871. After meeting and developing feelings for Go Ae-shin (Kim Tae-ri), an aristocrat's granddaughter and sharpshooter, Eugene finds himself involved in a fight to save Korea from colonization by Japan.

tvN

Starring: Ji Chang-wook, Im Yoon-ah, Song Yoon-ah, and Jo Sung-ha

Genre: Action, political drama, thriller

What it's about: When former soldier Kim Je-ha (Ji Chang-wook) is offered a job as a bodyguard by the owner of a major security company, he accepts it as part of a long-term plan to get revenge on a politician who framed him for murder. Under the code name K2, Je-ha is assigned to guard Go An-na (Im Yoon-ah of Girls' Generation!), the lonely daughter of a presidential candidate, and sparks quickly fly between the two of them. But will Je-ha be able to keep An-na safe and enact his revenge at the same time? Or will he have to pick between the two? You'll have to watch to find out!

SBS TV

Starring: Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye, and Kim Woo-bin

Genre: Romance, teen drama

What it's about: Inheritors, also known as The Heirs, is widely considered one of the most iconic K-dramas of all time. And for good reason! The show centers around the lives of ultra-rich teenagers who attend Jeguk High School. Kim Tan (Lee Min-ho) is the future heir of the Jeguk Group and is already engaged to fashion company heiress Rachel Yoo, but his path takes a new course when he meets Cha Eun-sang (Park Shin-hye). Unlike her fellow student body, Eun-sang works multiple part-time jobs and only attends Jeguk High School on a scholarship. As Tan begins to fall for Eun-sang, he must decide what's more important: his family's business or love?

tvN

Starring: Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, and Jeon Mi-do

Genre: Medical drama, found family, comedy

What it's about: Are you a fan of medical shows? Then you need to check out Hospital Playlist. The show's five main characters — Lee Ik-jun (Jo Jung-suk), Ahn Jung-won (Yoo Yeon-seok), Kim Jun-wan (Jung Kyung-ho), Yang Suk-hyung (Kim Dae-myung), and Chae Song-hwa (Jeon Mi-do) — have all been best friends since medical school 20 years ago, and all work together at Yulje Medical Center. Although they all work in different fields, they always make the effort to support one another through both the good and bad times. Hospital Playlist is emotional, uplifting, and will 100% make you want to desperately be a part of their friend group!

Netflix

Starring: Ji Soo, Jung Chae-yeon, Jung Jin-young, Choi Ri, and Kang Tae-oh

Genre: Romantic comedy, slice of life, coming of age

What it's about: When Han Song-i (Jung Chae-yeon of DIA!) is left homeless after the death of her father, she moves in with her childhood best friend Yun Tae-o (Ji Soo), who has always harbored a quiet crush on her. But, much to his surprise, he quickly finds out it's not just Song-i who's moving in — two of his other friends quickly make themselves comfortable in his home too. Things get even more complicated when Tae-o's friend from college, Seo Do-hyeon (Jinyoung of B1A4!), develops feelings for Song-i too. Told over the course of two seasons, My First First Love is filled with a perfect mix of romance and heartwarming moments shared between best friends.

tvN

Starring: Do Kyung-soo, Nam Ji-hyun, Kim Seon-ho, and Han So-hee

Genre: Historical, political drama, romance

What it's about: Set in the Joseon dynasty, Yul (D.O of Exo!) has been in love with Yi-Seo (Nam Ji-hyun) since they were children. When his father's successful coup leads Yul to believe that Yi-seo has died, he grows up to become the coldhearted, uncaring crown prince of Joseon. On the way to a ritual, the prince is attacked and, in his attempt to escape, hits his head on a rock and loses his memory. He is later discovered and nursed back to health by a commoner named Hong-shim who is really — drumroll, please — Yi-seo! Her family tells Yul that he is Hong-shim's husband to prevent her from being punished for being unmarried. As a result, the two begin to fall in love without knowing each other's real identities.

CGV Arthouse

Starring: Kim Go-eun and Jung Hae-in

Genre: Slice of life, romance, comedy

What it's about: This film is all about timing, timing, timing! Told over the course of a decade, Tune In For Love centers on the slow-burning (emphasis on the 'slow') love story between Cha Hyun-woo (Jung Hae-in) and Kim Mi-soo (Kim Go-eun). The two first meet as teenagers on Hyun-woo's first day free from juvenile prison, and quickly form a fast friendship working at the local bakery together. Throughout the years the two meet at different stages in their lives and nearly get together, but despite their chemistry the timing is always off. Will fate ever step in and help these two star-crossed lovers out? You'll have to ~tune in~ to find out.

Lotte Entertainment

Starring: Yoo Ah-in and Park Shin-hye

Genre: Horror, action, adventure

What it's about: Oh Joon-woo (Yoo Ah-in) is home alone in Seoul casually playing video games when the zombie apocalypse breaks out across the country. With no service in his apartment building, he must learn to survive all on his own. As both loneliness and literal zombies start to creep in, Joon-woo is about to reach his breaking point when he discovers a fellow survivor (Park Shin-hye) living in the apartment building across from his. Can the two make it out #alive?

tvN

Starring: Lee Na-young and Lee Jong-suk

Genre: Romance, drama, slice of life

What it's about: After her divorce leaves her struggling financially, single mother Kang Dan-i (Lee Na-young) tries to reenter the job market after 10 years and is met with great resistance and judgement. Once a prolific copywriter, she's now heavily criticized for the empty gap in her résumé that she spent raising her child. When she eventually does land a job, it's as a temporary worker at her childhood friend Cha Eun-ho's (Lee Jong-suk) publishing company. Together, the tow begin to juggle both professional and personal struggles as their feelings for each other begin to grow deeper.

MBC TV

Starring: Jung Hae-in, Han Ji-min, and Kim Jun-han

Genre: Romance, family drama

What it's about: Lee Jeong-in (Han Ji-min) has the best luck of all time when she stumbles into a local pharmacy to purchase a hangover cure and meets absolute sweetheart pharmacist Yoo Ji-ho (Jung Hae-in) who works behind the counter. The two strike up a quick friendship that juuussttt begins to develop into something more... until Ji-ho reveals that he is a single father. And Jeong-in reveals that she's in a long-term relationship that's going nowhere. This drama is definitely a slow-burn but trust me, it's definitely worth it in the end!

Netflix

Starring: Yoon Hyun-min and Ko Sung-hee

Genre: Sci-fi, romance, drama

What it's about: Han So-yeon (Ko Sung-hee) is a shy, lonely young woman who maintains a reclusive lifestyle due to having face blindness disorder. Her world opens up when she becomes a beta tester for an AI called Holo, who she can see by wearing a pair of special glasses. Holo is modeled after its creator Go Nan-do (Yoon Hyun-min), but that's about where the similarities stop; where Holo is kindhearted and always trying to look after So-yeon, Go Nan-do is cold and calculating. At its heart, My Holo Love is a story about loneliness. It's definitely the kind of show that will tug on your heartstrings, but that's what makes it so good.

Netflix

Starring: Kim So-hyun, Jung Ga-ram, and Song Kang

Genre: Based on a web-toon, romance, comedy, sci-fi, teen

What it's about: The futuristic mobile dating app Love Alarm can detect if anyone in a 10-meter radius has a crush on you and lets you know by sending a notification. It can also reveal the total number of people who like you, but doesn't reveal their names. The app catches on like wildfire but with it comes a unique set of problems, especially for Hwang Sun-oh (Song Kang) the popular kid at school who discovers that his best friend Lee Hye-young (Jung Ga-ram) is crushing on the same girl as him: the cheery Kim Jo-jo (Kim So-hyun). With a unique premise and a second season slated to be released later this year, this is one drama you won't want to miss!

These Are The 37 Best K-Dramas And Movies On Netflix Right Now

1. Nevertheless (2021)

2. It's Okay Not to Be Okay (2020)

3. Hotel Del Luna (2019)

4. The Uncanny Counter (2020)

5. Record of Youth (2021)

6. Crash Landing On You (2020)

7. My Mister (2018)

8. Lovestruck in the City (2020)

9. A Love So Beautiful (2020)

10. Lawless Lawyer (2018)

11. Start-Up (2020)

12. Run On (2020)

13. Itaewon Class (2020)

14. Mystic Pop-up Bar (2020)

15. Kingdom (2019)

16. Sweet Home (2020)

17. Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019)

18. Mr. Sunshine (2018)

19. The K2 (2016)

20. Inheritors (2013)

21. Hospital Playlist (2020)

22. My First First Love (2019)

23. 100 Days My Prince (2018)

24. Tune In For Love (2019)

25. Her Private Life (2019)

26. Boys Over Flowers (2009)

27. #Alive (2020)

28. Romance is a Bonus Book (2019)

29. One Spring Night (2019)

30. My Holo Love (2020)

31. Love Alarm (2019)

32. When the Camellia Blooms (2019)

33. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)

34. Vincenzo (2021)

35. Vagabond (2019)

36. The King: Eternal Monarch (2021)

37. Memories of the Alhambra (2018)

Did your favorite K-drama make this list? Let us know what your favorites on Netflix are in the comments below!

These Are The 37 Best K-Dramas And Movies On Netflix Right Now

1. Nevertheless (2021)

2. It's Okay Not to Be Okay (2020)

3. Hotel Del Luna (2019)

4. The Uncanny Counter (2020)

5. Record of Youth (2021)

6. Crash Landing On You (2020)

7. My Mister (2018)

8. Lovestruck in the City (2020)

9. A Love So Beautiful (2020)

10. Lawless Lawyer (2018)

11. Start-Up (2020)

12. Run On (2020)

13. Itaewon Class (2020)

14. Mystic Pop-up Bar (2020)

15. Kingdom (2019)

16. Sweet Home (2020)

17. Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019)

18. Mr. Sunshine (2018)

19. The K2 (2016)

20. Inheritors (2013)

21. Hospital Playlist (2020)

22. My First First Love (2019)

23. 100 Days My Prince (2018)

24. Tune In For Love (2019)

25. Her Private Life (2019)

26. Boys Over Flowers (2009)

27. #Alive (2020)

28. Romance is a Bonus Book (2019)

29. One Spring Night (2019)

30. My Holo Love (2020)

31. Love Alarm (2019)

32. When the Camellia Blooms (2019)

33. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)

34. Vincenzo (2021)

35. Vagabond (2019)

36. The King: Eternal Monarch (2021)

37. Memories of the Alhambra (2018)

Did your favorite K-drama make this list? Let us know what your favorites on Netflix are in the comments below!

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