K-Drama Suggestions From One Fan to Another

The allure of Korean dramas, often known as K-dramas, has captivated audiences worldwide, transcending cultural and language barriers with their unique blend of storytelling, emotion and cultural richness. From heart-wrenching romances to intense thrillers, these shows offer a window into the complexities of Korean society, while also providing universal themes that resonate with viewers across the globe. K-dramas are known for their high quality, relatable characters and emotionally driven narratives. Once you start watching, you're hooked until the very end.

Whether you're a long-time fan or a curious newcomer, the world of K-dramas promises a journey filled with drama, laughter and tears, all wrapped up in a beautifully-crafted cinematic experience.

K-dramas and K-movies on Viki Rakuten and Netflix  

This list provides a large number of Korean dramas you can find on Netflix and Viki Rakuten. Viki Rakuten is a paid streaming service, similar to Netflix, where you can watch thousands of Asian dramas and shows.

• The Penthouse: War in Life, opens a new window (2021) If you're looking for a roller-coaster of emotions, this series is perfect. It has mystery, rage, revenge, crime and murder. This series is about a woman who attempts to enter high society by becoming the “queen” of a luxury 100 floor penthouse apartment in Gangnam.
• The Glory, opens a new window (2023) If you like feeling a roller-coaster of emotions, this series is perfect. It has mystery, rage, revenge, crime, murder and plot twists. This drama is about a woman slowly getting her revenge on her high school bullies by ruining their reputations and lives.   
• Squid Games, opens a new window (2021) A reality competition featuring deadly challenges based on children's games offers 456 players the chance to walk away with $4 million, but only one of them will make it out alive.
• True Beauty, opens a new window (2021) A girl who was bullied for being different and moved to another school, returns looking like a completely different person and meets two boys who fight for her love.  
• Queen of Tears, opens a new window (2024) The CEO of a department store falls into crisis after losing her baby and her relationship with her husband falls apart, but little-by-little love starts to bloom.  
• Marry My Husband, opens a new window (2024) A woman with cancer goes into remission but later walks in on her husband with another woman. After a fight with her husband, she falls on a glass coffee table and dies, only to go back in time to 2013 with all the knowledge of what will come. Now she has the opportunity to cheat death while planning revenge on her husband, all while falling in love with her CEO boss.  
• #Alive, opens a new window (2020) When a zombie virus roams the streets of a Korean city, a man locks himself in his apartment to hide from the infected until he discovers more survivors.
• All of Us Are Dead, opens a new window (2022) A high school in a small city has a zombie outbreak and the whole school is infected. Only six uninfected students survive and spend their time trying to discover what made this virus, how it's evolving and how it works.

Below are popular dramas in varying genres from mystery and action to historical, horror and more. 

Discover more Korean dramas and Asian films available to stream on  Kanopy, opens a new window and Hoopla, opens a new window.

This blog was written by a teen library intern. Learn how you can get involved at the library as a volunteer or explore job openings.