Waiting For Squid Game 3? These Are The Best Korean Dramas On Netflix Right Now

Clear your schedule, grab your fave snacks and switch your phone to ‘Do Not Disturb’, because we guarantee you won’t be able to turn these captivating Korean dramas off. Whether you’re looking for crime, romance or even a thriller, the best K-dramas have become known for their addictive plots, intense twists and heartbreaking stories. Plus, the sometimes predictable plots and sappy romances are all part of the fun. 

If you’re new to Korean drama or looking for your next watch, this is the list for you. Here are the best Korean dramas streaming on Netflix right now.

Alchemy of Souls

This Korean fantasy series is one of the most popular K-dramas around. Set in the fictional country Daeho, the series follows young mages after their bodies are switched using a forbidden magic spell known as the ‘Alchemy of Souls’. The plot has a great blend of fantasy and romance, and the complexity of the storylines and characters is really addictive. With an 83% rating on Good Tomatoes and 8.7/10 on IMDB, you can’t go wrong.

Crash Landing On You

The premise of this high-stakes romantic drama is enough to pull you in, but the touching writing and performances will keep you binge watching until the end. The plot of Crash Landing On You follows successful South Korean businesswoman Yoon Se-ri who is blown off-course while paragliding and lands in the North Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). She’s discovered by a Korean army captain, who decides to help her. And, cue slow-build love story. The show is a charming, heartwarming watch, and has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

All Of Us Are Dead

All Of Us Are Dead is part teen drama, part zombie apocalypse, and I never knew these two mixed so well. The premise is that there is a zombie outbreak at a high school, and the trapped students are forced to fight for their lives. It’s a simple concept, but the show keeps you on edge throughout the 12 episodes with couch-gripping suspense, excellent character building and gripping, grim plot. Think The Walking Dead meetsThe Breakfast Club.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

If you’re a fan of Monk or The Good Doctor, or you just love nuanced, refreshing shows that challenge societal stereotypes, this is the show for you. Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows Woo Young-woo, a 27-year-old lawyer who is on the Autism spectrum, as she navigates her first job at a large Seoul law firm. The show has a real charm about it and does a great job blending humor, drama, and romance. It’s got a solid 100% rating on Good Tomatoes so you know you’re in for a good watch.

The Frog

This mystery crime thriller is a heavy, visually intense watch, but one you won’t regret diving into. It centres around Jeon Yeong-ha who has a holiday rental in a remote area just outside of Seoul. That’s when a mysterious guest turns up, and leaves in even more mysterious circumstances. The plot unfolds in a fascinating way that weaves through time, loss, character connections and dark secrets. You’ll be trying to piece it together until the end.

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Squid Game

Squid Game was many non K-drama fans' first foray into the world of Korean entertainment. The show took the world by storm when it was released in 2021, and it still has an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The plot revolves around Seong Gi-hun, who is divorced and in debt, who is invited to play a secret game to win a large cash prize. While the contest involves playing children’s games, the outcomes are deadly. Everyone who has told you to watch this show was not lying, it is excellent and seriously addictive. Season two is already streaming and season three has just been announced.

Mask Girl

Mask Girl is a few things: a dark comedy, an epic, a thriller, a revenge story, and a strange, unpredictable drama. It’s also an incredible watch, with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It follows Kim Mo-mi, who, sick of being disrespected for not being ‘beautiful’ enough, creates an online identity who is adored. Her ‘Mask Girl’ identity then sees her caught up in a chain of events that takes over her life, spanning decades. It’s an incredible watch, with Kim Mo-mi played by multiple actors, and the dark twists and turns just keep on coming.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

This series follows the classic ‘ambitious city girl moves to a small town and falls in love with a country boy’ trope, but it's actual perfection (aren’t they all?). There’s a reason Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha spent 16 weeks in Netflix’s global top 10 and has a 95% Rotten Tomatoes rating. We follow dentist Yoon Hye-jin who moves to a seaside village after her life starts to implode, and that’s when she meets local fisherman and handyman Hong Du-sik. If you love a good rom-com, this is a must-see.

Parasyte: The Grey

This body horror is an adaptation of popular manga series Parasyte, and won over fans and critics, scoring 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. In Parasyte: The Grey, mysterious parasitic creatures from outer space have begun to use human beings as hosts, killing them and shape shifting their heads. The series is seriously creepy and everything you want from a sci-fi series: great world-building, entertaining plot and eerie visuals.

Main image credit: Netflix