K-dramas are highly bingeable Korean series that typically consist of around 16-20 episodes. Once Jenna Guillaume stared watching them, she became totally addicted.
K-drama, short for Korean drama, has completely taken over my Netflix algorithm – and I couldn’t be happier.
It started with one – Romance is a Bonus Book – which Netflix recommended to me presumably because I’d made my way through every single one of their English language rom-coms, and it had frankly had enough of me watching To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before yet again.
Before I knew it, a whole new side of Netflix had revealed itself to me, full of K-dramas that are both addictive and incredibly enjoyable.
If you’re unfamiliar with the world of K-dramas, they’re Korean series that, typically, last for one season consisting of around 16-20 episodes. They make for the ultimate bingeing experience, because each individual drama isn’t a massive commitment like an American series of seven or eight or 20 seasons might be. You can get the whole story, complete with a satisfying conclusion, in under 20 hours.
K-dramas run the gamut of genres, but one thing they tend to have in common is a strong focus on relationships. If you’re a rom-com fan like myself, they’re particularly appealing because they usually have an incredible romance arc full of fun tropes and swoon-worthy moments.
As for the need for subtitles – rather than being a barrier, I find they actually help me to focus on the show more than I would usually. I can’t scroll through Twitter like I do watching literally anything else, and as a chronic multi-tasker, it’s kind of wonderful to be forced to just do one thing at a time.
If you’re looking for a K-drama to try for the first time – or just want some recommendations if you haven’t watched everything already – here are some on Netflix that you should definitely check out.
My First First Love
Released as a Netflix Original, My First First Love is a coming-of-age story about rich college student Yoon Tae-o, who through various hijinks winds up with three friends crashing at his house. Their odd couple dynamics make for some great comedy, but it’s the love triangle at the heart of the show that is most compelling. The second part of the series has just dropped, so now is the perfect time to get on board.
Strong Girl Bong-soon
Do Bong-soon is a twentysomething who just wants to live a normal life, which is unfortunately impossible for her thanks to the superhuman strength that gets passed down in her family through the female line. She gets a job as the bodyguard for the young CEO of her favourite gaming company, and together they get caught up in a game of cat and mouse with a sadistic kidnapper. Like many superhero shows and movies, Strong Girl Bong-soon is extremely silly at times, but it’s also a lot of fun.
Romance is a Bonus Book
If you’re a fan of Younger, this is the K-drama for you. Kang Dan-i, in her late 30s, struggles to return to the workforce after time as a stay at home mother and a divorce that’s left her in financial trouble. She lies about her qualifications to get a job in the publishing house where her (younger, male, secretly-in-love-with-her) best friend is an editor. It’s very romantic and funny, and as a bonus (sorry not sorry) the whole series is basically a love letter to books.
Love in the Moonlight
If you can let go of historical accuracy, you’ll enjoy this highly fictionalised account of the life and love of Crown Prince Lee Yeong, set during the 19th Century Joseon Dynasty. The heroine is a witty writer who disguises herself as a eunuch serving the prince in order to survive (there are reasons for this). The first couple of episodes are a bit bumpy, but after that it’s hard not to be hooked on the court intrigue and the dreamy romance.
Suspicious Partner
Part murder mystery/crime drama and part workplace rom-com, Suspicious Partner is about aspiring criminal prosecutor Eun Bong-hui, whose world is turned upside down when she’s falsely accused of murder. Years later, with the help of her very handsome boss, she investigates a series of murders that seem connected to the one she was accused of. Dun dun dunnnn.
My ID is Gangnam Beauty
Kang Mi-rae is a shy girl who grew up being mercilessly bullied about her looks, so before she enters college she gets extensive plastic surgery. Through Mi-rae’s journey and the way she’s treated by different characters around her, plus some significant subplots, My ID is Gangnam Beauty explores gender dynamics, beauty standards, bullying and mental health in really interesting ways. It’s also very entertaining and moving.
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?
The plot sounds simple – a spoiled executive’s life is thrown into chaos when his loyal secretary of nine years resigns, but as it delves into her reasons for resigning and his reasons for not wanting to let her go, the show takes several twists and turns. Still, at its core, this is unashamedly a rom-com. And it’s a very good one.
Healer
Action-packed and intense, Healer is about a lonely criminal and an ambitious journalist who are brought together by a decades-old mystery concerning their parents that changed the course of their lives. There are secret identities, car chases, plenty of fight scenes and even a spot of parkour. And, of course, a killer romance.
Boys Over Flowers
This is one of the most iconic K-dramas of all time. Even though it feels dated now, it’s still worth watching. It’s about a poor high school student who stands up to a group of popular, rich guys who bully everyone around them. Their leader, Gu Jun-pyo, naturally finds himself attracted to her and begins to change under her influence. A Chinese series based on the same manga as Boys Over Flowers, called Meteor Garden, was also released on Netflix last year, if you really can’t get enough of this story.
