best korean shows on netflix: Long gone are the days of K-dramas being an obscure guilty pleasure. Shows coming out of South Korea have become a phenomenon of their own, attracting legions of loyal fans who eagerly anticipate their next watch — in fact, more than 60% of all Netflix members watched Korean titles last year.
Read on for 5 of our recent favorites — no matter which one you start with, you’re sure to get hooked.
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best korean shows on netflix
1-The Glory
best korean shows on netflix: When a show becomes one of the most-watched non-English titles on Netflix shortly after its release, you know you’re in for a treat. 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.)
2-Mask Girl
best korean shows on netflix: 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!)
3-Celebrity
best korean shows on netflix: 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.
4-The Fabulous
best korean shows on netflix: 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.”)
5-Business Proposal
best korean shows on netflix: 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.
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