14 binge-worthy K-dramas on Netflix that’ll keep you entertained all summer long
Posted on
Because whether you’re a veteran K-drama fan or have only watched Squid Game, there’s something for everyone on this list!
Summer is in full swing and there are two types of days we crave during this season:
- Going out and about to enjoy the sunshine and good company.
- Staying inside under the AC while binge-watching some TV shows.
And don’t get me wrong, both are great ways to spend the summer! But if you ever happen to find yourself preferring the latter option, I have you MORE than covered!
That’s right, here’s a curated list of K-dramas across all genres that you can (and WILL) binge this summer. And don’t worry, you can put your faith in my recommendations – I am and have been an avid K-drama watcher for almost 10 years, so you know that I’m well-educated in this topic. Now that we have that mutual understanding, read these recommendations carefully, save these on your watch list, and prepare to be occupied (on your couch) all summer long. Happy watching!
Bloodhounds
Genres: Crime, Action, Revenge
Seasons: One
Episodes: 10
Bloodhounds has got to be my favourite K-drama released in 2023 and is up there in my list of top 10 best K-dramas I’ve ever watched. I know, BOLD statement, but it’s warranted!
This show is action-packed, devastating, and satisfying all at once and hooks you in right from the start. Not only that, the main characters, Geon-woo and Woo-jin, are the ultimate partners in justice that capture your heart in an instant. If you’re a sucker for a good dose of revenge in your TV shows and movies, good news – you’re going to binge this one so intensely you’ll completely lose track of time. And when it’s all over, you may experience some serious post-K-drama depression – you’ve been warned!
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo
Genres: Romance, Comedy, Sports, Coming-of-Age
Seasons: One
Episodes: 16
Weightlifting Fairy is one of those light-hearted shows that you can watch over and over and just never get sick of it. You’ll find yourself having a good laugh, experience a little second-hand embarrassment, and have you saying “AW!” countless times.
To give you a taste of what you’re in for, it follows Kim Bok-joo, a rising star in professional weightlifting, as she stumbles through life being a naïve university student – from doing whatever it takes to impress her crush, to defending herself from the bullies of the school (those gymnasts had me fuming!), to maintaining her fragile friendships, you’ll tell yourself ‘I’ve definitely been here before’. But it’s all in good fun and it’ll become the show you didn’t know you needed.
Under the Queen’s Umbrella
Genres: Historical, Comedy
Seasons: One
Episodes: 16
When I tell you this show had me crying with tears of sadness and joy non-stop, that is 100 percent the truth. And don’t think you’re safe from that reaction either, because Queen Hwa-ryeong and her sons will just have that affect on you. And THE Queen, THE mother, THE creator herself is such a complex main character that is so highly intelligent, strong, and outright the definition of ‘girlboss’, that you’ll just be in absolute awe of her the whole time.
In summary, if you’re looking for a K-drama with a strong female lead and an interesting plotline, this is the one to binge (with some tissues close by, of course!).
Hospital Playlist
Genres: Medical, Romance, Comedy
Seasons: Two (on-going)
Episodes: 12 episodes per season
Okay, think the sitcom, Friends, but make it a medical K-drama where the main characters are in their 30’s or 40’s and are all highly respected doctors.
Hospital Playlist depicts the trials and tribulations of life through the five main characters inside and outside of the hospital and shows us the reality of working in the medical field in unique ways. Even though there are some tough themes addressed throughout the show (yes, you will shed some tears), you find yourself appreciating every single character and how they manage to navigate those moments in realistic ways. You learn to love the different dynamics between the five main leads, and you truly witness what the pinnacle of friendship looks like, and that’s what I (and you’ll) love about this show.
Sky Castle
Genres: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Comedy
Seasons: One
Episodes: 20
This award-winning K-drama poses the question: Would you do everything and anything to ensure your children succeed in life? The four women in Sky Castle sure would.
Sky Castle starts and ends in a dramatic fashion, so you won’t have to worry about a slow-moving, uneventful plot. You explore the lives of four housewives and their distinct families that all live in a gated residential area, designed only for the wealthy. The show centres around what these determined women are willing to do to achieve the perfect family unit they’ve always wanted, which includes ensuring their husbands succeed in their professions, and that their children become top students who will go to elite universities. And at times, they may go a bit too far to achieve their goals…But I’ll let you decide if that’s the case.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Genres: Legal, Romance, Comedy
Seasons: One
Episodes: 16
So, if you’ve seen The Good Doctor, this K-drama has a similar premise, but make it about the legal world!
Our main character, Attorney Woo Young Woo, is an autistic young woman who is navigating a world where she doesn’t often feel like she belongs. Despite having a photographic memory and achieving countless academic accolades, she’s been constantly looked down upon by her peers (and really anyone), due to being ‘different’. But what I love about this show is that you gradually realise there are people in her life who are genuinely rooting for her, which leads to some serious character growth – so much so that it brings tears to your eyes!
Extracurricular
Genres: Crime, Coming-of-Age, Psychological
Seasons: One
Episodes: 10
One word to describe this show: TWISTED. And this has two meanings because it’s twisted in the sense that the show’s premise is quite dark and unhinged, but there are also so many twists and turns within the plot that it’s hard to predict what’s coming! And honestly, that’s the best part.
Extracurricular depicts a different side of South Korea that no other K-drama has really shown before, likely because it is quite confronting. You follow the main character, Ji-soo, a timid high school student who resorts to participating in an illegal business to pay off his tuition fees and live a life of freedom. His fellow classmates are also unknowingly affected by his crimes, and it doesn’t take long for things to take an unexpected turn. Watch at your own risk and expect to find yourself at the edge of your seat for hours on end!
Crash Landing on You
Genres: Romance, Comedy
Seasons: One
Episodes: 16
If you haven’t already watched this ICONIC K-drama, you’re missing out – big time!
Crash Landing on You is honestly the definition of a top-tier romance K-drama. We’ve got a Romeo and Juliette situation where the female lead, Se-ri, is a South Korean CEO, and the male lead, Jeong-hyeok, is a North Korean soldier. Not only that, but the chemistry between the two is REAL. That’s right, the main couple in the show ended up getting married in real life and fell in love on set! Plus, all the additional characters are so loveable in their way and the plot gets so intense that your heart will feel like it’s beating out of your chest!
Gather your rom-com-obsessed friends, munch on some popcorn, and get ready to be absolutely addicted!
Strong Woman Bong-soon
Genres: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy, Action
Seasons: One
Episodes: 16
This is another K-drama that ticks the box for a strong female lead…literally.
Picture this: a petite girl with a cute Velma (from Scooby-Doo) bob that possesses strength on par with the Hulk. To put this into perspective, Bong-soon lifts a tractor with one hand and carries two grown (and drunk) men on her shoulders like it’s a minor inconvenience. And moreover, the romance is so good it gets you giddy, the bromance has you even more giddy, and the adventures Bong-soon finds herself in are jaw-droppingly action-packed and so funny. Are you convinced? You’d be crazy not to be!
The Glory
Genres: Crime, Revenge, Suspense
Seasons: One
Episodes: 16
This K-drama is NOT for the faint of heart but carries an incredibly strong message: Harmful actions bear serious consequences, particularly when you mess with the wrong girl.
The Glory is based on a true story that unfortunately highlights the severity of bullying that occurs in high schools across South Korea today. The main lead, Moon Dong-eun, seems to have lived a life surrounded by malicious individuals from the beginning, and high school was no exception. She was bullied in and outside of school by a group of five rich kids, and it felt that she would never escape their torment. Once she did leave high school, however, she decided to dedicate her life, no matter how long it took, to give each bully a taste of their own medicine, and worse. And by the end of it, you’ll be Dong-eun’s number one cheerleader!
Descendants of the Sun
Genres: Romance, Melodrama, Action
Seasons: One
Episodes: 16
This is another classic romance K-drama that will give you butterflies in your stomach!
You’ve got a drop-dead gorgeous doctor and a charming soldier who has some serious chemistry straight off the bat! And by fate, they bump into each other several times, and the tension just keeps getting better and better with every glance, interaction, and embarrassing moment. But in all honesty, this show is an emotional rollercoaster, and you find yourself invested in not only the main couple but also the other couples in the show with chemistry equally off the charts!
Brace yourself for 16 episodes of intense romance, giggles, and a whole lot of good-looking soldiers who are always ready for combat. You’re. So. Welcome.
Remarriage and Desires
Genres: Revenge, Satire, Drama
Seasons: One
Episodes: Eight
I watched Remarriage and Desires on a random Tuesday during my university break a couple of years ago, and I honestly had no idea what I was getting myself into. And low and behold, it only took a single episode to have me obsessed!
This is because they don’t hold back on the drama from the first minute. I mean, there’s cheating, matchmaking services only for the ultra-rich, a villain so unlikeable you feel steam coming out of your ears, and a whole lot of satisfying revenge. And that revenge is carried out by the main character, Hye-seon, who wants the woman that up-ended her marriage and life to suffer the consequences of her incredibly cruel actions.
Prepare yourself for the cliffhangers, because it takes a lot of physical and mental restraint to not click the ‘next episode’ button in lightning speed!
You’re Beautiful
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Musical
Seasons: One
Episodes: 16
Ready to feel a dose of nostalgia? But seriously, watching this will take you back to the iconic Justin Bieber haircut, the boy bands of the early 2000s, and the questionable fashion choices. Not only that, the plot is like the movie, She’s The Man, but make it about a boy band instead of soccer. To elaborate, the female lead, Ko Mi-nyeo, is an aspiring nun who ends up disguising herself as her twin brother, Ko Mi-nam, who is a famous K-pop idol that experiences a botched surgery. Mi-nyeo must take her brother’s place until he recovers, because otherwise, Mi-nam’s hard-earned fame will go down the drain – so logical, right?! On top of that, his bandmates won’t have any idea of this ridiculous ruse.
Yes, it’s as hilarious as it sounds! So, if you’re looking for a show to lift your spirits, this’ll do it for you.
All of Us Are Dead
Genres: Horror, Thriller, Action
Seasons: One
Episodes: 12
Imagine this: It’s a normal day, you’re in high school, and as usual, you’re chatting to your mates about how hard life is in the cafeteria during lunchtime. But wait, why do you hear screaming from across the room?
That’s right, All of Us Are Dead is about a zombie outbreak that takes place at a high school and brings an unlikely bunch of students together to ensure survival. Of course, not all the characters are built to survive in a zombie apocalypse, so it’s up to some of the others to lead the way. Now I’m not usually interested in the zombie-horror genre, but this show is so well made in several aspects. From the moral dilemmas, the chemistry and conflict between characters during times of crisis, to the unpredictable plot, this is an absolute must-watch in my book.
