What To Watch
Must-Watch K-Dramas, Korean Movies, and Shows
Welcome to your K-era.
By Sara Delgado and Erin Corbett
Jan. 9, 2026
Best K-Dramas, Korean Movies, and Shows on Netflix - Netflix Tudum
Long gone are the days of K-dramas being an obscure guilty pleasure. Content coming out of South Korea has become a phenomenon of its own, attracting legions of loyal fans who eagerly anticipate their next watch — in fact, more than 80% of all global Netflix members have streamed Korean titles.
Whether your K-era is just beginning or you’ve reached expert level, our growing library of Korean movies and series offers a variety of genres to choose from. There are heartwarming romances (have tissues nearby for When Life Gives You Tangerines), intense competition shows (Physical: 100 is no joke), captivating thrillers, sci-fi fantasies, and so much more.
Read on for some of our recent favorites — no matter which one you start with, you’re sure to get hooked.
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Alchemy of Souls
If you enjoy longer watches, Alchemy of Souls is the show you’ve been looking for. (It features two parts, spanning 30 episodes in total.) A period K-drama with a side of fantasy, it follows the story of mages who have the ability to move their souls across bodies using a forbidden magic spell that gives the series its name. Yep, people actually change bodies in this drama, which means things get complicated very fast, but it’s oh-so-entertaining. Think Game of Thrones level character charts, but make it K-drama — and a tad more romantic.
All of Us Are Dead
What do you get when you mix high school students and zombies? The gem that is All of Us Are Dead, another webtoon adaptation you can stream on Netflix. Set in the fictional city of Hyosan, the series follows a group of teenagers stranded in school (and fighting for survival) after a zombie outbreak takes over the country. With a dash of high school romance and a lot of suspense, All of Us Are Dead will have you glued to the screen across its 12 episodes, ending with a major cliff-hanger. Be sure to catch up now before the show comes back for Season 2.
Bloodhounds
Real-life besties Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi star as fictional besties Kim Geon-woo and Hong Woo-jin in this action-filled crime drama, so expect brotherly banter galore. Both former Marines turned boxers, their paths cross after a fated fight brings them together. With a common past and similar financial problems, the two instantly click and end up joining forces to take down private loan sharks after getting conned themselves.
Business Proposal
Looking for a feel-good office romance that you can watch over and over again? Look no further than Business Proposal. This show will have you kicking your feet like a teenager while watching. (Don’t fight it.) It stars Ahn Hyo-seop as Kang Tae-moo, the rich CEO of a food company with a perfectionist nature, and Kim Se-jeong as Shin Ha-ri, a researcher working for the company. A fake date brings them together, but the love story that follows is very much real. And what’s better than one love story? Two, of course. Enter the budding relationship between Kim Min-kyu and Seol In-ah’s characters, the show’s second leads.
Cashero
In this series, money equals power — literally. Based on the Kakao webtoon of the same name, the superhero series stars Lee Jun-ho as Kang Sang-ung, a down-to-earth civil worker who suddenly gains powers. The only catch: his abilities ebb and flow relative to the amount of funds he has — a balance he learns to track with the help of his longtime girlfriend Kim Min-suk (Kim Hye-jun), who happens to be a razor-sharp math whiz. Soon, he’s approached by the head of the Korean Coalition of Superheroes to help fight the mysterious “Criminal Association” and defend everyday peace.
Celebrity
The perfect amalgam of thriller and romance, Celebrity has to be one of the most addictive K-dramas of the past few years. The series follows Seo A-ri (Park Gyu-young), a former rich girl turned door-to-door saleswoman who decides to become a social media influencer lured by the prospect of wealth and high status — but all that glitters is not gold. Money, fame, power, love, and murder all converge in this gripping show. And if that was not enough to get your attention, Kang Min-hyuk (who plays love interest Han Jun-kyoung, successor to the largest cosmetics company in Korea) and Park’s chemistry might change your mind.
Culinary Class Wars
This cutthroat cooking competition turns up the heat for 100 contestants entering the kitchen for a shot at culinary fame. Among the competitors are 80 beloved “Black Spoon” underdogs who are brimming with talent, and 20 elite “White Spoon” celebrity chefs who face off in a series of dramatic challenges — and only one can come out on top. The first season of Culinary Class Wars was a runaway hit, so you’ll want to clear your plate for a second helping: Season 2 will bring sharper knives, bolder flavors, and even more kitchen drama when it premieres later this year.
Doctor Slump
If you liked Park Hyung-Sik in Strong Girl Bong-soon, then you’ll love him in Doctor Slump. The actor stars alongside fellow The Heirs alum Park Shin-hye as a pair of burned-out doctors (and former high school rivals) whose paths cross as they both hit rock bottom in their careers — for very different reasons. Forced to live close to each other, the two bring the enemies-to-lovers trope to a whole new level while taking viewers on a journey of healing and self-discovery, with a dose of commentary on work-life balance.
Dynamite Kiss
Starting a new job is already tricky in itself, but what happens when you got the job under false pretenses and your new boss is actually an old flame? This rom-com series stars Ahn Eun-jin as a single woman who pretends to be a married mother in order to start work at a baby products company. Jang Ki-yong plays the stoic leader of the brand — who once shared a memorable kiss with his new employee. What began as a small lie soon turns both their worlds upside down in this unexpected and unpredictable love story.
D.P.
If you’re a fan of Korean culture as a whole, then you’re probably familiar with the country’s mandatory conscription service — hi, K-pop and soccer fans! — but D.P. paints a picture most of us are unaware of. Based on the popular D.P. Dog’s Day webtoon by Kim Bo-tong, D.P. follows the story of Private Ahn Jun-ho (Jung Hae-in) and Corporal Han Ho-yeol (Koo Kyo-hwan), a forced-to-be duo put under the Deserter Pursuit unit of South Korea’s military police, whose main purpose is to hunt down AWOL soldiers. Across two seasons, D.P. tackles complex topics such as hazing and bullying in the military, all while delivering action-packed scenes and even some perfectly-timed comic relief.
The Fabulous
Much like Celebrity, The Fabulous is another K-drama that explores the glitz and glam of Korea’s fashion elite, but without the murderous twists. Starring SHINee’s Choi Minho and Chae Soo-bin, The Fabulous follows a group of friends in their late 20s living and working in Seoul’s cutthroat fashion industry — so be sure to expect Fashion Week extravaganzas alongside some steamy romances. (Honestly, the “F” in The Fabulous could also easily stand for “fun.”)
The Frog
Ordinary life can be blissful until an unexpected visitor comes. That’s the central premise of this slow-burn mystery crime thriller. With a star-studded cast, The Frog recounts two almost identical remote murder stories happening in two completely different decades, but with more than one connecting thread. Using nonlinear storytelling across its eight episodes, the series takes us on parallel journeys while also shedding light on societal issues such as unfairness in the criminal justice system.
Genie, Make a Wish
This fantasy series blends ancient magic and modern romance. Suzy plays Ka-young, an unfeeling woman who spends her quiet life trying to keep her psychopathic tendencies in check. She stumbles upon a magical lamp and awakens its mysterious spirit, Genie (Kim Woo-bin), from his thousand-year slumber — meaning that, of course, he promises to grant her three life-changing wishes. As the two learn more about each other’s worlds, they find themselves in a surprising whirlwind romance. The series, written by Kim Eun-sook (The Glory), sees the two beloved stars reunited onscreen for the first time in nearly a decade.
The Glory
This two-part drama, fronted by veteran actor Song Hye-kyo and fan-favorite Lee Do-hyun, will have you on the edge of your seat from minute one. After enduring years of ruthless physical and verbal abuse during high school, Moon Dong-eun (played by Song) starts plotting her decades-long revenge. In her thirties, she finds a way to infiltrate each of her former bullies’ lives, plotting their slow and sure demise. (And there’s nothing quite as cathartic as a revenge arc.)
A Killer Paradox
Based on a Naver webtoon comic of the same name, Parasite’s Choi Woo-shik stars as Lee Tang, a student turned accidental murderer (and then not-so-accidental vigilante), alongside My Liberation Notes star Son Suk-ku as Jang Nan-gam, the detective dead set on catching him. Are you in for a relentlessly gripping cat-and-mouse chase with plenty of twists and turns? This is it.
Lost in Starlight
If you’re looking for a romance that transcends space and time, Netflix Korea’s first original animated film, Lost in Starlight, will tug at your heartstrings. Set in Seoul in 2050, a chance encounter brings astronaut Nan-young (voiced by Kim Tae-ri) and musician Jay (voiced by Hong Kyung) into each other’s orbits, as they develop a wistful and sweet love. But when Nan-young is selected for the Mars exploration project, which has long been her dream, the couple must face the painful reality of a long-distance relationship across the universe — one that bridges Earth and Mars.
Mask Girl
If you require even more suspense, then Mask Girl is the show for you. The webtoon-adapted thriller, starring Lee Han-byeol and After School member Nana, follows the story of Kim Mo-mi, a conventional office worker by day who lives a double life. Desperate for fame since childhood, Mo-mi transforms into a camgirl by night, wearing a mask to hide her “ugly” appearance. After revealing a bit too much during a stream, she goes down a spiral that changes her life forever — in multiple senses, as bullying, vengeance, sexual violence, and murder all ensue. Mask Girl is not for the faint of heart, but the intrigue from the get-go makes it well worth the watch. (Pair your popcorn with some soothing tea for this one!)
Melo Movie
Melo Movie brings Park Bo-young (Doom at Your Service) and Choi Woo-shik (Parasite) together for a fated love story packed with film references that’ll delight any cinephile — but also reminders that life, alas, is not a movie. While Melo Movie centers on the story of film lover-turned-critic Ko Gyeom and assistant-turned-director Kim Mu-bee, from meet-cute to breakup and reconciliation. The limited series also tackles other tearjerker topics in the realm of love and loss, via the interconnected relationships of its secondary characters. Be ready to cry and laugh in equal parts.
Move to Heaven
If heartfelt content is your thing, then queue up Move to Heaven. The series stars Tang Jun-sang as Han Geu-ru, a young man with Asperger’s syndrome who takes over his father’s trauma scene cleaning company after his untimely death, and Lee Je-hoon as Sang-gu, Geu-ru’s estranged uncle who becomes his legal guardian and business partner after being released from jail. Working as trauma cleaners, the nephew-uncle duo present us with the tragic stories of the deceased whose keepsakes they help clean up, while also unraveling their own family mysteries.
My Demon
What’s better than a love story fronted by fan-favorite Song Kang (Nevertheless, Sweet Home, Love Alarm)? A love story fronted by Song Kang playing an angsty demon. In this juicy drama, Song plays Jeong Gu-won, a demon who’s lived on Earth for 200 years. When he gets involved with the icy heiress Do Do-hee (Kim You-jung), however, he finds himself in a bind — she’s mysteriously robbed him of his power unless he stays close to her. In order to protect his own existence, he finds himself having to protect Do-hee and pose as her bodyguard. But emotions begin to get in the way of their arrangement. The cast also includes notable familiar face Lee Sang-yi who you might recognize from last year’s Bloodhounds and 2021’s Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.
Physical: 100
For two seasons, Physical: 100 invited 100 athletes in peak physical shape from across Korea to compete in a series of grueling challenges to test their strength, endurance, and sheer willpower. The group of competitors — a mix of professional athletes, former military personnel, singers, and more — went head-to-head in a contest over the “ideal physique,” with the winner taking home 300 million won (roughly $230,000). The series returns later this year and on a grander scale, as Physical: Asia expands the arena beyond Korea. This season, the stakes are higher than ever and the competition even more cutthroat, as teams of athletes represent their respective countries and battle for the title of the strongest nation.
Revelations
This mystery-thriller follows a pastor and a detective, each driven by their own personal beliefs after suffering personal tragedies, as they pursue the suspect in a missing-person case. Pastor Sung Min-chan (Ryu Jun-yeol) believes that a divine revelation has called upon him to punish the culprit, while Detective Lee Yeon-hui (Shin Hyun-been) is haunted by the loss of her sister. From director Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan) — whose work often explores the themes of human nature and vulnerability — Revelations investigates the lines between religion and humanity, belief and reality, good and evil, and the lasting psychological impacts of trauma. The film is based on the 2022 comic of the same name by director Yeon and writer Choi Gyu-seok, who previously collaborated on the thriller series Hellbound.
The Silent Sea
Spanning eight episodes, The Silent Sea is a retelling of director Choi Hang-yong’s 2014 short film The Sea of Tranquility. The sci-fi thriller features a star-studded cast that includes Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, and Lee Joon as a crew that sets out on a perilous, high-stakes mission to the moon to find a valuable sample that could save life on Earth, where desertification has made resources more than scarce. During their mission, the crew deals with both external and internal complications that uncover hidden truths. The cinematography and special effects in The Silent Sea are as intriguing as its plotlines — and just as captivating.
Squid Game
When Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) entered the Squid Game as Player 456 in Season 1, he had nothing to lose. He saw an opportunity to pay off his debts, take care of his mother, and build a relationship with his young daughter. But by the end of his brutal journey, he was a changed man. Driven by a desire for vengeance against the game’s creators, Gi-hun returned to the Squid Game in Season 2 on a mission to end the competition for good. That chapter closed with him at his lowest, having suffered a great deal, which is where Season 3 picks up. Find out how Gi-hun’s story concludes and what choices he’ll make in the face of overwhelming despair when the final season premieres on June 27.
Sweet Home
Based on the highly popular webtoon of the same name, the apocalyptic Sweet Home mainly takes place inside the Green Home apartment complex and follows the lives of its neighbors as monsters break loose and rampage through the city. Song Kang takes the leading role of Cha Hyun-su, a teenager who moves into Room 1410 and plans to end his life –– before one thing leads to another, and he ends up infected and gaining superpowers that put him in a unique position within the group. Come for the horror, and stay for the intricate relationships that sprout between the residents — which will be further explored now that the third and final season is streaming.
The Trunk
If Season 2 of Squid Game left you wanting more Gong Yoo — IYKYK — then The Trunk should be your next watch. The show stars Gong as Han Jeong-won, a wealthy music producer who reluctantly enters a yearlong fake marriage in an effort to revive his past failed relationship. Enter Noh In-ji In-Ji (Seo Hyun-jin), the deputy director of a company specializing in temporary marriages who has lost hope in real love. What starts as your run-of-the-mill contract marriage story soon turns darker with the appearance of a mysterious trunk in a lake. The Trunk features revenge, unearthed childhood trauma, and more than a few murderous twists.
The Uncanny Counter
The Uncanny Counter meshes action and fantasy throughout its two seasons. The show follows the story of teenager So Mun (Jo Byeong-kyu). After suffering a near-fatal accident, Mun lives an ordinary life with his grandparents, but one day he comes in contact with a supernatural force and starts developing superstrength. The Counters are a group of noodle shop employees who double as hunters of paranormal evil spirits that escape from the afterlife and target humans. The Counters soon recruit Mun, and the adventures start. As its name suggests, The Uncanny Counter is everything but formulaic. Equal parts emotional and suspenseful, it’s the perfect light sci-fi watch after a long day.
When Life Gives You Tangerines
Prepare to fall in love with this decades-spanning romance. When Life Gives You Tangerines stars K-drama favorites IU and Park Bo-gum as Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, longtime friends and lifelong inhabitants of Jeju Island who see their love story blossom on screen. Their slice-of-life story begins in the ’60s with South Korea’s urbanization boom, and Jeju serves as the main backdrop for both the show’s character arcs and larger societal commentary.
Additional reporting by Natalie Morin
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