10 Okay-Dramas Each Newbie Ought to Watch First
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Korean television dramas have become a global phenomenon, captivating audiences from around the world. If you’ve heard friends raving about K-dramas or noticed them dominating streaming platforms but haven’t yet taken the plunge, you’re not alone. The sheer volume of available content can feel overwhelming for newcomers trying to figure out where to begin.
The good news? There’s never been a better time to start exploring this rich entertainment landscape. Korean dramas, commonly called K-dramas, offer something for virtually every taste—from heart-fluttering romances and laugh-out-loud comedies to edge-of-your-seat thrillers and deeply moving family sagas. What sets K-dramas apart from Western television is their typically self-contained format, with most series running between 16 and 20 episodes and telling a complete story with a definitive ending. This means you can commit to a single season without worrying about years of unresolved plotlines.
Whether you’re looking for an escape into fantasy worlds, a cozy romance to warm your heart, or an adrenaline-pumping thriller, this carefully curated list of ten classic and contemporary K-dramas will serve as your perfect starter kit.
‘Crash Landing On You’ (2019)
Crash Landing On You stands as one of the most successful Korean dramas of all time and remains a defining entry point for new K-drama viewers around the world. The series follows the extraordinary love story between a wealthy South Korean businesswoman and a North Korean army officer after a paragliding accident leaves her stranded across the border. This premise alone sets the stage for a romance that transcends political boundaries and cultural divides.
The drama became one of tvN’s highest-rated series ever and held the title of the network’s most-watched drama for five years, until it was surpassed by Queen of Tears in 2024, according to Korean news outlet The Fact. Oh, and the lead actors were married in real life soon after this drama aired. Nothing like watching a couple fall in love on and offscreen.
Where to watch: Netflix.
‘Goblin’ (2016)
Also known as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Goblin is a fantasy romance that achieved massive success both in South Korea and internationally. The story centers on Kim Shin, a 1,000-year-old immortal goblin who is searching for his destined bride, the only person capable of ending his cursed existence.
This compelling premise weaves together centuries of Korean history with modern-day Seoul, creating a narrative that feels both timeless and contemporary.
Starring Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun, the drama blends romance, fantasy, comedy, and historical elements, making it an accessible introduction to the genre-mixing style that defines many K-dramas.
Where to watch: Viki, Prime Video.
‘Boys Over Flowers’ (2009)
Boys Over Flowers played a major role in expanding the global reach of K-dramas during the height of the Korean Wave, the cultural phenomenon that saw Korean entertainment spread rapidly across Asia and eventually worldwide. The drama follows Geum Jan-di, a working-class girl who transfers to the elite Shinwa High School and becomes entangled with the school’s wealthy and powerful students, including its richest heir.
The series popularized many classic K-drama tropes, including the rich-boy-poor-girl romance and love triangles, and helped launch the international careers of stars such as Lee Min-ho. Despite its age, it remains a foundational watch for understanding early global K-drama culture.
Where to watch: Viki
‘The Heirs’ (2013)
The Heirs, also known as The Inheritors, is one of Lee Min-ho’s most popular dramas and a staple teen romance in K-drama history. Set at an elite high school attended by students from wealthy families, the story follows a chaebol heir who falls in love with a poor girl while exiled in the United States. The term “chaebol” refers to the large family-owned business conglomerates that dominate the Korean economy, and these wealthy heirs frequently appear as romantic leads in K-dramas.
The two later reunite in South Korea as classmates, where their relationship becomes complicated by family expectations, social class, and a love triangle. For newcomers, The Heirs provides a quintessential example of the aspirational romance that drew millions of international viewers to Korean entertainment during the 2010s.
Where to watch: Viki
‘Business Proposal’ (2022)
Business Proposal is a fast-paced romantic comedy that became one of 2022’s biggest K-drama hits, demonstrating that the genre continues to evolve while honoring beloved conventions. The story follows Shin Ha-ri, a food researcher who agrees to attend a blind date in place of her wealthy best friend in order to sabotage the meeting. The plan backfires when the date turns out to be her company’s new CEO, Kang Tae-mu, who unexpectedly proposes marriage.
The drama is known for its exaggerated humor, office romance tropes, and popular second-lead love story, making it an easy and entertaining starting point for beginners.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Strong Woman Do Bong Soon’ (2017)
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon blends action, romance, and comedy through its unique premise, offering something refreshingly different from typical romantic fare. The drama stars Park Bo-young as Bong-soon, a woman born with superhuman strength that is passed down through the women in her family.
This supernatural element adds a playful twist to the romantic comedy formula.
She is hired as a bodyguard by Ahn Min-hyuk, a wealthy and eccentric gaming company CEO who is being threatened by an unknown attacker. While the central romance develops, the series also follows a darker crime storyline involving a serial kidnapper, creating a balance of humor and suspense.
Where to watch: Viki
‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’ (2021)
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a romantic drama set in the seaside village of Gongjin, offering viewers a peaceful escape from the hustle of urban life. The series begins when Yoon Hye-jin, a dentist from Seoul, moves to the small town and meets Hong Doo-shik, a local handyman who takes on various odd jobs around the village. The contrast between her city sophistication and his laid-back village lifestyle creates both comedic moments and opportunities for genuine character growth.
As Hye-jin adjusts to a slower pace of life, her relationship with Doo-shik gradually develops into a warm and gentle romance. The drama is widely praised for its comforting tone, community-focused storytelling, and emotional character arcs.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Secret Garden’ (2010)
Secret Garden is a classic romantic melodrama that became one of the most recognizable K-dramas of the early 2010s, establishing conventions that continue to influence the genre today. The story follows Kim Joo-won, a wealthy and arrogant department store CEO, and Gil Ra-im, a hardworking stuntwoman, whose lives become entangled through a series of misunderstandings.
After a mysterious incident, the two characters unexpectedly swap bodies, leading to comedic situations and emotional growth. The body-swap premise allows both characters to literally walk in each other’s shoes, gaining new perspectives on class, gender and identity.
Where to watch: Viki
‘All of Us Are Dead’ (2022– )
All of Us Are Dead offers a darker entry point into K-dramas through its high-stakes zombie thriller premise, proving that Korean television excels in genres beyond romance. The series follows a group of high school students trapped inside their school during a sudden zombie outbreak, forcing them to fight for survival without adult help. This setup creates intense, claustrophobic tension as familiar school hallways transform into deadly battlegrounds.
Alongside the intense action, the show explores familiar high school dynamics such as friendships, crushes, and bullying, which are transformed into life-or-death situations. The drama became a global hit on Netflix, and with a second season expected in 2026, it remains a timely watch for new viewers.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ (2025)
When Life Gives You Tangerines is a multi-generational family drama directed by Kim Won-seok, known for Misaeng and My Mister. The series follows the lives of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik from childhood through adulthood as they build a family against the backdrop of Jeju Island’s modernization. This sweeping narrative spans decades, offering viewers an intimate look at how personal relationships intertwine with historical and social change.
Told through a non-chronological narrative, the drama explores love, sacrifice, and generational change over several decades. This storytelling approach, jumping between different time periods, rewards attentive viewers with deeper emotional resonance as connections between past and present become clear.
Per South China Morning Post, the series “masterfully bridged past and present, blurring the line between nostalgic reverie and pressing reality” calling it “one of the very best K-dramas of all time – and quite possibly the most Korean of them all.”
Where to watch: Netflix