10 K-dramas every beginner should watch at least once

best K-drama for beginners, K-dramas for beginners

If your social media feed has suddenly become filled with people crying over fictional heartbreaks, obsessing over umbrella scenes, or calling a green tracksuit “trauma”, chances are you have officially entered the K-drama zone. Over the last two decades, Korean dramas have transformed from a regional television phenomenon into a full-fledged global obsession, introducing viewers to everything from swoon-worthy romances and pulse-pounding thrillers to healing slice-of-life stories and emotionally devastating plot twists. And the most interesting part? You only need one good show before falling completely into the rabbit hole. Here we bring you a list of some of the best K-drama titles for beginners.

The beauty of K-dramas lies in their variety, which is exactly what makes them some of the best K-drama titles for beginners. One moment, you are laughing at the chaotic energy of Twinkling Watermelon (2023) and the next, you are emotionally invested in the forbidden romance of Crash Landing on You (2019). If fantasy is your thing, Hotel Del Luna (2019) mixes ghosts, glamour and heartbreak with ease, while Queen of Tears (2024) turns a troubled marriage into one of the most talked-about romance stories in recent years. Then there is Squid Game (2021), the survival thriller that practically took over the internet and proved that Korean storytelling could dominate global pop culture overnight.

For viewers looking for something more emotional and grounded, shows like My Liberation Notes (2022) and It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020) explore loneliness, healing and human connection in ways that linger long after the credits roll. Their relatable themes and compelling characters make them some of the best K-drama titles for beginners who want to explore stories beyond romance. Meanwhile, standout modern hits like When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025) demonstrate why Korean dramas continue to win over new audiences worldwide.

Whether you are searching for romance, comedy, mystery, horror or a story that will completely wreck your emotions before putting them back together again, K-dramas have a way of making every feeling feel bigger. Our best K-drama titles for beginners offer a little bit of everything, making it easier to find a show that matches your taste. So, if you are finally ready to discover what the hype is all about, consider this your beginner-friendly starter pack into one of television’s most addictive worlds.

From romance to thrillers: 10 best K-drama titles for beginners

1 /10

Crash Landing on You (2019)

Directed by: Lee Jeong-hyo

Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye

Episodes: 16

IMDb rating: 8.7

Synopsis: South Korean heiress Yoon Se-Ri (Son) crash-lands in a North Korean village after a paragliding mishap. Her destiny changes when army officer Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun) rescues her and eventually falls in love with her. As the lovers aspire to be together, several cross-cultural differences stand in the way of their blossoming love.

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2 /10

Hotel Del Luna (2019)

Directed by: Oh Choong-hwan

Cast: IU, Lee Do-hyun, Yeo Jin-goo, Shin Jung-keun, Bae Hae-sun

Episodes: 16

IMDb rating: 8.1

Synopsis: Del Luna, a mysterious Korean hotel, is home to CEO Jang Man-wol (IU), who is tied to the property for eternity due to a past mistake. Chung Myung (Lee), a thousand-year-old firefly, is her loyal guard. However, the playful dynamic between Man-wol and Chung begins to change with the arrival of the hotel’s new manager, Chan-sung (Yeo).

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3 /10

It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)

Directed by: Park Shin-woo

Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Ye-ji, Oh Jeong-se, Jang Young-nam

Episodes: 16

IMDb rating: 8.6

Synopsis: Psych ward caretaker Moon Kang-tae’s (Kim) autistic elder brother (Oh) insists on meeting the latter’s favourite writer Ko Moon-young (Son). After getting to know each other, Kang-tae and Moon-young grow close and fall for each other. However, when the duo’s tragic past comes to light, their bond is tested.

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4 /10

Squid Game (2021-2025)

Directed by: Hwang Dong-hyuk

Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Gong Yoo, Jung Ho-yeon, Wi Ha-joon, Oh Yeong-su

Episodes in season 1: 9

Episodes in season 2: 7

Episodes in season 3: 6

IMDb rating: 8

Synopsis: On a mysterious island in Korea, 456 debt-ridden people are recruited to play a series of games. The participants risk their lives to play multiple levels of children’s games that end with a deadly twist. The one making it alive in the end wins a sum of 45.6 billion won as a reward.

Awards won: Six Primetime Emmy Awards in 2022, including Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Hwang Dong-hyuk and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Lee Jung-jae.

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5 /10

My Liberation Notes (2022)

Directed by: Kim Seok-yoon

Cast: Kim Ji-won, Son Suk-ku

Episodes: 16

IMDb rating: 8.2

Synopsis: Yeom Mi-jeong (Kim) commutes to Seoul to escape her monotonous life in Sanpo, Gyeonggi-do. On her way, she is joined by the mysterious Mr Gu (Son), who works at Mi-jeong’s father’s factory. Will the duo be able to find freedom and fulfilment in Seoul? Or, will they return to their lives in Sanpo?

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6 /10

Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023)

Directed by: Cha Young-hoon

Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hye-sun, Shin Dong-mi

Episodes: 16

IMDb rating: 8

Synopsis: A scandal forces successful Korean photographer Jo Sam-dal (Shin) to leave Seoul. Seeking a change, she returns to her hometown, Samdalri, and meets her friend Jo Yong-pil (Ji), now a weather forecaster. Soon, Sam-dal starts exploring the village with Yong-pil, while reminiscing about childhood memories. Meanwhile, Yong-pil heals her past scars.

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7 /10

Twinkling Watermelon (2023)

Directed by: Song Jong-hyun

Cast: Ryeoun, Choi Hyun-wook, Seol In-ah

Episodes: 16

IMDb rating: 8.9

Synopsis: High schooler Eun Gyeol (Ryeoun) is a CODA boy with a flair for music. When mysterious circumstances transport him back to the 1995s, Gyeol gets a chance to meet his father Ha Yi-chan (Choi) as a healthy school-going teen. Determined to cherish their time together, Gyeol forms the band Watermelon Sugar with his father and begins an adventure of a lifetime.

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8 /10

Queen of Tears (2024)

Directed by: Kim Hee-won and Jang Young-woo

Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon

Episodes: 16

IMDb rating: 8.2

Synopsis: Hong Hae-in (Ji-won) is the heiress of Queens Group and the wife of Baek Hyun-woo (Soo-hyun), the company’s legal director. While the duo act like a happily married couple, they loathe each other behind closed doors. What happens when a crisis forces them to work together?

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9 /10

Mr. Plankton (2024)

Directed by: Hong Jong-chan

Cast: Woo Do-hwan, Lee Yoo-mi, Oh Jung-se, Kim Hae-sook

Episodes: 10

IMDb rating: 8.1

Synopsis: Plagued by misfortunes, Hae Jo (Woo) decides to go on the final journey of his life. On his way, he meets his ex-girlfriend Jo Jae-mi (Lee), now a runaway bride. What happens when circumstances force Hae Jo and Jae-mi to accompany each other on the journey?

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10 /10

When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025)

Directed by: Kim Won-seok

Cast: IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, Park Hae-joon

Episodes: 16

IMDb rating: 9

Synopsis: Oh Ae-sun (IU), a spirited young girl from Jeju, dreams of becoming a poet despite her challenging circumstances. With faithful fellow Jeju resident Yang Gwan-sik (Bo-gum) by her side through thick and thin, the two navigate life’s hardships together.

Also read: IU and Park Bo-gum talk about their dynamic roles in When Life Gives You Tangerines

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Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.