Here’s a list of 15 best K-drama since 2020, based on popularity, critical acclaim, and viewer ratings:
BEST K-DRAMA SINCE 2020
Squid Game
“Squid Game” is an immensely popular South Korean survival drama series that premiered on Netflix in 2021. While it technically falls outside the “since 2020” criteria, I’ll include it here due to its significant impact and widespread acclaim.
The series follows a group of financially struggling individuals who are invited to participate in a mysterious survival game with a massive cash prize at stake. As the games progress, the contestants must compete in deadly versions of children’s games, facing moral dilemmas and betrayals along the way.
“Squid Game” explores themes of socioeconomic inequality, desperation, and human nature under extreme circumstances. Its intense storyline, compelling characters, and thought-provoking commentary on society have captivated audiences worldwide, making it one of the most talked-about and binge-worthy K-dramas in recent years.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” is a South Korean romantic drama series that aired in 2020. The series stars Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Ye-ji, and Oh Jung-se in the lead roles. Here’s a brief overview:
The story revolves around Moon Gang-tae (played by Kim Soo-hyun), a psychiatric caregiver who has dedicated his life to taking care of his older brother, Moon Sang-tae (played by Oh Jung-se), who has autism spectrum disorder. Their lives take a turn when they encounter Ko Moon-young (played by Seo Ye-ji), a popular children’s book author with antisocial personality disorder.”It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” received praise for its unique storyline, strong performances, and beautiful cinematography. It garnered a dedicated fanbase both domestically and internationally, solidifying its place as one of the best K-dramas since 2020.
Crash Landing on You
“Crash Landing on You” is a popular South Korean romantic comedy-drama series that aired in 2019-2020. While it doesn’t technically fall within the “since 2020” criteria, I’ll include it here due to its continued popularity and impact. Here’s an overview of the series:
The story follows Yoon Se-ri (played by Son Ye-jin), a successful South Korean businesswoman who accidentally paraglides into North Korean territory during a storm. There, she meets Ri Jeong-hyuk (played by Hyun Bin), a North Korean army officer who helps her hide and eventually assists her in returning to South Korea.As Se-ri navigates the unfamiliar and dangerous territory of North Korea, she develops a close bond with Jeong-hyuk and his comrades. Meanwhile, in South Korea, Se-ri’s family and friends are searching for her, leading to a complex web of relationships and challenges.
The World of the Married
“The World of the Married” is a South Korean television series which is best K-drama since 2020. It is a remake of the British series “Doctor Foster.” Here’s an overview:
The story follows Ji Sun-woo (played by Kim Hee-ae), a successful doctor who seems to have it all—a loving husband, a teenage son, and a thriving career. However, her seemingly perfect life is shattered when she discovers her husband Lee Tae-oh (played by Park Hae-joon) is having an affair with another woman, Yeo Da-kyung (played by Han So-hee).As Sun-woo grapples with the betrayal and seeks revenge, the series delves into the complex dynamics of marriage, infidelity, and the repercussions of betrayal. Sun-woo navigates the tumultuous aftermath of her discovery while facing societal expectations and personal demons.
Hospital Playlist
“Hospital Playlist” is a South Korean television series that premiered in 2020. Here’s an overview of the series:
“Hospital Playlist” follows the lives of five doctors who have been friends since medical school and now work together in the same hospital. The main characters are Ik-jun (played by Jo Jung-suk), Song-hwa (played by Jeon Mi-do), Jun-wan (played by Jung Kyung-ho), Seok-hyung (played by Kim Dae-myung), and Jae-hak (played by Kim Kap-soo).The series focuses on the personal and professional lives of these doctors as they navigate the challenges of their careers, relationships, and the complexities of working in a hospital setting. Each episode delves into different medical cases, while also exploring the friendships, romances, and personal struggles of the characters.
Itaewon Class
“Itaewon Class” is a South Korean television series that aired in 2020. Here’s an overview of the series:
“Itaewon Class” follows the journey of Park Sae-ro-yi (played by Park Seo-joon), a determined and principled young man who seeks justice for his father’s wrongful death. After a confrontation with the son of a powerful CEO, Sae-ro-yi is expelled from school and his life takes a drastic turn.Determined to achieve his father’s dream of opening a successful restaurant, Sae-ro-yi starts his own bar-restaurant in the multicultural district of Itaewon in Seoul. Along the way, he encounters a diverse group of individuals who become his allies and friends, including Jo Yi-seo (played by Kim Da-mi), a highly intelligent and ambitious social media influencer.
Start-Up
“Start-Up” is a South Korean television series best K-drama series since 2020. Here’s an overview of the series: “Start-Up” revolves around the world of tech start-ups and entrepreneurship, focusing on the dreams and challenges of young individuals striving to succeed in the competitive business world. The story follows four main characters:
- Seo Dal-mi (played by Bae Suzy)
- Nam Do-san (played by Nam Joo-hyuk)
- Han Ji-pyeong (played by Kim Seon-ho)
- Won In-jae (played by Kang Han-na):
As the characters navigate the challenges of launching and growing their start-up companies, they also grapple with personal and romantic relationships, rivalry, and betrayal. The series explores themes of ambition, friendship, love, and the pursuit of one’s dreams.
Vincenzo
“Vincenzo” is a South Korean television series that aired in 2021. Here’s an overview of the series:
“Vincenzo” follows the story of Vincenzo Cassano (played by Song Joong-ki), a Korean-Italian lawyer and consigliere for the Italian Mafia, who returns to South Korea after a conflict within the organization. Upon his return, Vincenzo becomes embroiled in a battle against a corrupt conglomerate, Babel Group, that is attempting to evict residents from a building owned by the Mafia.Along the way, he navigates the complex dynamics of power, revenge, and justice, while also confronting his own past and identity.
18 Again
“18 Again” is a South Korean television series that aired in 2020. Here’s an overview of the series:
“18 Again” tells the story of Hong Dae-young (played by Yoon Sang-hyun), a 37-year-old man who finds himself magically transformed into his 18-year-old self (played by Lee Do-hyun) following a mysterious incident. Along the way, he discovers the importance of family, friendship, and staying true to oneself.The series received praise for its touching storyline, relatable characters, and heartfelt performances from the cast.
Penthouse: War in Life
“Penthouse: War in Life” is a South Korean television series that premiered in 2020. Here’s an overview of the series:
“Penthouse: War in Life” is a suspenseful and dramatic drama set in a luxurious penthouse apartment building called Hera Palace, where the residents are wealthy and influential individuals. The story revolves around the lives of several families who reside in the building, as they become entangled in a web of secrets, scandals, and revenge plots.As the series unfolds, the characters engage in power struggles, manipulation, and betrayal, as they vie for control and dominance within the competitive world of high society.
Mr. Queen
“Mr. Queen” is a South Korean television series that aired in 2020-2021. Here’s an overview of the series:
“Mr. Queen” is a historical fantasy comedy that follows the story of Jang Bong-hwan (played by Choi Jin-hyuk), a modern-day chef who works at the Blue House (the South Korean presidential residence). Through a mysterious twist of fate, Bong-hwan’s soul gets trapped in the body of Kim So-yong (played by Shin Hye-sun), a noblewoman from the Joseon Dynasty during the reign of King Cheoljong (played by Kim Jung-hyun).As Bong-hwan adjusts to his new life as So-yong in the past, he finds himself caught up in the political intrigues and power struggles of the Joseon court.”Mr. Queen” blends elements of romance, comedy, and historical drama, as it explores themes of identity, love, and gender roles.
Run On
“Run On” is a South Korean television series that aired in 2020-2021. Here’s an overview of the series:
“Run On” is a romantic drama centered around the lives of athletes, interpreters, and others involved in the world of sports and translation. The story follows four main characters:
- Ki Seon-gyeom (played by Im Si-wan)
- Oh Mi-joo (played by Shin Se-kyung)
- Lee Yeong-hwa (played by Choi Soo-young)
- Seo Dan-ah (played by Kang Tae-oh)
As the characters navigate their careers and relationships, they confront personal and professional challenges, confront their own desires and fears, and strive to find meaning and fulfillment in their lives. The series explores themes of love, ambition, friendship, and the pursuit of one’s dreams.
True Beauty
“True Beauty” is a South Korean television series that aired in 2020-2021. Here’s an overview of the series:
“True Beauty” is based on a popular webtoon of the same name and follows the story of Lim Ju-kyung (played by Moon Ga-young), a high school girl who struggles with low self-esteem due to her appearance. Ju-kyung is skilled at makeup and uses it to transform her appearance, becoming known as the “goddess” of her school.When Ju-kyung transfers to a new school, she encounters Lee Su-ho (played by Cha Eun-woo), a handsome and popular student who discovers her secret. As Ju-kyung navigates the challenges of high school life and romance, she forms friendships with other students, including her bubbly and outgoing classmate, Kang Soo-jin (played by Park Yoo-na), and her kind-hearted childhood friend, Han Seo-jun (played by Hwang In-yeop).
My Unfamiliar Family
“My Unfamiliar Family” is a South Korean family drama series that aired in 2020. Here’s an overview of the series:
The story revolves around the lives of three siblings—Kim Eun-hee (played by Han Ye-ri), Kim Jin-sook (played by Choo Ja-hyun), and Kim Ji-woo (played by Shin Jae-ha)—and their respective families. Despite being siblings, they struggle to understand and connect with each other due to their busy lives and individual struggles.As the series unfolds, secrets from the past come to light, and the characters navigate their relationships with each other, their parents, and their significant others. Themes of family, forgiveness, and self-discovery are explored as each character confronts their own insecurities and desires for connection.The series delves into issues such as communication barriers, generational differences, and the importance of understanding and acceptance within families.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” is a South Korean romantic comedy-drama series that aired in 2021. Here’s an overview of the series:
The story revolves around Yoon Hye-jin (played by Shin Min-a), a dentist from Seoul who moves to the seaside village of Gongjin after facing setbacks in her career and personal life. In Gongjin, she encounters Hong Doo-shik (played by Kim Seon-ho), a handyman known for his various odd jobs and warm personality.As Hye-jin settles into her new life in Gongjin, she forms a bond with Doo-shik and becomes involved in the quirky and tight-knit community of the seaside village. The series blends elements of romance, comedy, and slice-of-life as it explores themes of love, friendship, and the importance of finding happiness in the simple moments of everyday life.
