With K-Pop BTS creating headlines on American pop charts, maybe you heard “Butter” until now? —together with Selena Gomez’s Blackpink with filmmaker Bong Joon Ho’s Academy award smash Parasite (along with other beautiful films), we must pay attention to the Korean wave, or Hallyu. We can’t give everything of the blame on the Bangtan boys, “Ice Cream” girls, and director Bong; Netflix is also a big part of the craze. You can gain many new Korean dramas for beginners if you combine a disease outbreak that drives most people to stay at home with high-quality drama start watching.
We’ve produced a list of the greatest Korean dramas for beginners available on Netflix for genre newcomers to ease you in.
7 Korean Dramas for Beginners:
7. Because This Is My First Life
Because This Is My First Life Preview with English Subtitles:
- Director: Park Joon Hwa
- Writer: Yoon Nan Joong
- Cast: Lee Min Ki, Jung So Min, Esom, Park Byung Eun.
- IMDb: 8.1/10
- Release: 9 October 2017
- Genres: Korean Drama and Romantic Comedy.
- Platforms: Netflix and Viki.
Because This Is My First Life Plot:
Nam Se-hee, an economically prudent but socially uncomfortable man, is looking for a new companion. Se-hee is fortunate to find a renter in Yoon Ji-ho, a recently homeless author.
However, cultural and familial attitudes toward an unmarried man and woman residing together push Se-hee Ji-ho to lie regarding their landlord/tenant arrangement, leading to the couple’s phony engagement. Secondary characters have similar challenges, from ending a long-term romance to confronting sexual assault and broism at work.
6. Itaewon Class
Itaewon Class Official Trailer:
- Director: Kim Seong Yoon
- Writer: Gwang Jin
- Cast: Park Seo Joon, Kim Da Mi, Kwon Nara.
- IMDb: 8.2/10
- Release: 31 January 2020
- Genres: Korean Drama and Drama.
- Platform: Netflix and Viki.
About Itaewon Class:
Revenge is best consumed cold, and that’s precisely how Itaewon Class‘s central protagonist Park Sae-royi is dishing out in Itaewon Class. When his father is murdered by an automobile, Sae-royi is imprisoned for attacking the driver. Sad? Yes, but it gets even more profound. His father’s assassin is a fellow student and the successor to the Jangga Group, a wealthy, powerful, & corrupt food firm.
However, Sae-royi seems to have a long-term strategy: Begin with one step to knock down Jangga Group through his culinary conglomerate. Jo Yi-seo, a youthful influencer and marketing whiz, comes in. She and an old flame from Sae-royi’s past compete in a love triangle.
5. Love Alarm
Love Alarm Official Trailer:
- Director: Lee Na Jung, Kim Jin Woo, and Park Yoo Young.
- Writer: Seo Bo Ra, Lee Ah Yeon, Cha Eun Ho, Kim Seo Hee, and Kwon Ji Young.
- Cast: Kim Soo Hyun, Jung Ga Ram, Song Kang.
- IMDb: 6.8/10
- Release: 22 August 2019
- Genres: Romance
- Platforms: Netflix and Viki.
About Love Alarm:
This show belongs in the romantic drama hall of fame. Love Alarm features Kim Jo-jo, a beautiful and clever student still grappling with the loss and the trauma of her parents’ demise from her youth. To make matters even more confusing, two young men—one affluent, one poor—are captivated with Jo-jo and are willing to sacrifice their longstanding friendship to gain her love.
If that wasn’t enough, consider developing a cutting-edge dating website that alerts you if those within a 10-mile radius set romantic affection for you. We’ll top it all off with a cult-like suicide pact and a mystery app.
4. It’s OK Not to Be OK
It’s OK Not to Be OK Official Trailer with English Subtitles:
- Director: Park Shin Woo
- Writer: Jo Yong
- Cast: Kim Soo Hyun, Seo Dae Young, Seo Yea Ji.
- IMDb: 8.6/10
- Release: 20 June 2020
- Genres: Comedy and Romance Comedy.
- Platforms: Netflix and Viki.
It’s OK Not to Be OK will lead you on an adventure, it is one of the greatest Korean dramas of all time and if you are one of the beginners, this one is definitely for you.
It’s OK Not to Be OK Plot:
Moon Gang-tae, the main character, is a caretaker in his personal and professional relationships, first for his autistic brother Sang-Tae and then as a nurse at a psychiatric ward. Gang-tae has spent most of his life moving from city to city with his brother, attempting to escape the haunting and inexplicable memories (ill mental health) of his mother’s death.
When he connects people with Ko Moon-young, a renowned children’s bonus book successful writer with an antisocial personality disorder, his world is turned upside down. Moon-young follows Gang-take back to his hometown to start a relationship and satisfy her romantic infatuation with the caregiver.
3. Crash Landing on You
Crash Landing on You Official Trailer:
- Director: Lee Jung Hyo
- Writer: Park Ji Eun
- Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin, Seo Ji Hye.
- IMDb: 8.7/10
- Release: 14 December 2019
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Platforms: Netflix and Viki.
It’s not unusual for two lovable protagonists in a drama to fall in love. Still, no duo is as endearingly cute as K-drama idols Son Ye-jin with Hyun Bin, who begin as natural predators in this series and ultimately love each other.
Crash Landing on You Plot:
The story revolves around Son plays the ego heiress but also broad client CEO Yoon Se-ri, who does get swallowed up in a storm Hallyu wave while impacted by many factors just north of Seoul, is buggered past the demilitarized zone that differentiates North and South Korea, (which are still officially at war with each other), but instead, basically, crash territories in the North Korean part.
2. Oh My Ghost
Oh My Ghost Official Trailer:
- Director: Yoo Je Won
- Writer: Yang Hee Seung and Yang Seo Yoon.
- Cast: Park Bo Young, Jo Jung Suk, Kim Seul Gi.
- IMDb: 8/10
- Release: 3 July 2015
- Genre: Korean Dramas, Romance, Comedy, Drama.
- Platforms: Netflix and Viki.
Oh My Ghost Plot:
Na Bong-sun is a shy young woman who won her dream career as a kitchen associate for a chef she adores and is head over heels for. So far, so simple. Wrong.
There’s also the fact that the ambitious chef has terrifying meetings with ghosts due to her shaman family heritage and that she’s utilized as a vessel by a passionate virgin spirit called Shin Soon-Ae, who feels the only way to enter the hereafter is to sacrifice her virginity.
Viewers watch Bong-sun as she juggles work bro culture and an egotistical and even sometimes bullheaded boss, portrayed by drama OG Jo Jung-Suk.
1. Memories of the Alhambra
Memories Of the Alhambra Official Trailer:
- Director: Ahn Gil Ho
- Writer: Song Jae Jung
- Cast: Hyun Bin, Park Shin Hye.
- IMDb: 7.8/10
- Release: 1 December 2018
- Genre: Korean Dramas, Romance, Thriller, Action Fiction, Science Fantasy
- Platforms: Netflix and Viki.
Memories of the Alhambra is a must-see K-drama with a tinge of love story, fantasy, realism, and maybe some swoon-worthy romance. This K-drama is one of the historical dramas starring popular performers from South Korea’s entertainment industry. It is an emotional roller coaster that will keep audience members on the fringes of their seats.
Memories of the Alhambra Plot:
Yoo Jin-Woo, the CEO of a publishing company, is on a business trip in Spain when the narrative begins. When he arrives in Spain, he stays at a charming hostel managed by Jung Hee-Joo. The two gradually become embroiled in strange events involving a video game.
