10 Best Korean Drama Of All Time

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, also better known as Goblin, is a fantasy love story about Kim Shin, an immortal goblin, who's 900 years old and cursed with such immortality. He is looking for his bride, the one to end his eternal suffering. The drama nicely incorporates romance, comedy, and supernatural themes. The chemistry between Gong Yoo and Kim Go-Eun (his bride) is electric, which makes their love story both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Visually, this series is a treat, with stunning cinematography and excellent soundtracks. This is among the must-see and one of the best Korean series.

This series redefined the military romance genre in K-drama. Descendants of the Sun revolves around the love story of Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki), a South Korean Special Forces captain, and Doctor Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo), a talented surgeon. Their relationship is tested by the harsh circumstances of their work in war-torn territories. The series is a complete rollercoaster of emotions and stands as one of the highest-rated Korean dramas of all time. Its portrayal of love amidst chaos and small heartwarming moments makes it worth watching.

My Love from the Star features Do Min-Joon (Kim Soo-Hyun), an alien who landed on Earth 400 years ago, and his unexpected romance with Cheon Song-Yi (Jun Ji-Hyun), a famous actress. As he grapples with his feelings for her, he must also leave Earth one day. The blend of science fiction and romance is a bold attempt and the series manages to keep you hooked till the end. The light humor and witty side characters make this series fun to watch. My Love from the Star has solidified its place as one of the best Korean TV series of all time and is hugely popular in South Korea. 

The series Reply 1988 revolves around five childhood friends living in a neighborhood in Seoul. Set in the late 1980s, the series brings to life their daily activities, family dynamics, first loves, and friendships, set against a significant backdrop of historical events. Evoking a sense of nostalgia for simpler times, the drama is a reflection of universal tastes of love, friendship, and sacrifice. It is a drama that, through powerful performances by the ensemble cast, is sure to tug at one's heartstrings across all generations. Any Korean will agree that Reply 1988 is on the list of the best Korean dramas of all time.

In Crash Landing on You, Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin), a South Korean heiress, accidentally paraglides into North Korea during a test run of her new equipment. There she meets Ri Jeong-hyuk (Hyun Bin), a North Korean officer who helps her hide from authorities. A heartwarming and hilarious cross-border love story leaves you smiling. The show balances the comedic and the serious, such as family loyalty and politics. It is definitely among the best K-dramas of all time due to its novel and engaging narrative.

Legend of the Blue Sea is a heartwarming and fun fantasy romance about Shim Cheong (Jun Ji-Hyun), a mermaid who ends up in modern-day Seoul after being captured by fishermen in her past life. She meets Heo Jae (Lee Min-Ho), a genius scam artist who becomes entangled in her world, and the drama begins. Jun Ji-Hyun's performance as a naive yet curious mermaid brings charm to the series and is a must-see. Legend of the Blue Sea will appeal to fantasy and romance enthusiasts.

Starring Lee Je-Hoon and Kim Hye-Soo, Signal is perfect if you are looking for a thrilling Netflix night that keeps you on the edge of your seats. One of the finest mystery-thrillers, Signal is about detectives from two timelines who communicate through a strange walkie-talkie to solve cold cases. While they go on uncovering truths about past crimes, they also face personal demons. This series stands out for its thrilling plot that intertwines suspense with emotional depth. Each episode gradually unveils new layers of each character's backstory. Its creative storytelling has made it one of the highest-rated Korean dramas of all time.

The Heirs is a good series to get a glimpse into what coming-of-age Korean dramas are all about. It follows the lives of privileged high-school students navigating love triangles, family expectations, and societal pressures. The main character Kim Tan (Lee Min-ho) fights between the legacy of his family and his feelings for Cha Eun-sang (Park Shin-hye) who comes from a humble background. This drama captures the essence of youthful romance intertwined with class struggles. The setting is glamorous and filled with a lot of heartwarming moments. The twists and turns make it an entertaining plot and binge-worthy. The Heirs is a very popular series among younger audiences in Korea.

Based on a popular manga series, Boys Over Flowers tells the story of Geum Jan-di (Ku Hye-sun), a poor girl who attends an elite school dominated by F4—a group led by the arrogant Goo Jun-pyo (Lee Min-ho). This iconic series is often credited with popularizing K-dramas internationally. Its classic rags-to-riches storyline with great actors made it popular worldwide. Despite being released over a decade ago, it is still one of the highest-rated Korean dramas of all time. If it is your first time exploring K-dramas, Boys Over Flowers is the perfect series to start with. 

Korean dramas aren’t just about romance and light-hearted comedy but also tackle complex themes with their rich storytelling. This psychological drama follows Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun), a caregiver at a psychiatric ward who meets Ko Moon-young (Seo Ye-ji), a children's book author with antisocial personality disorder. With a unique approach towards individual struggles, there is a lot of character development we get to see along the way. At the same time, the makers seamlessly blend lighthearted moments to relate with the cast. It’s Okay To Not Be Okay is one of the best Korean TV series of all time.

Conclusion

So whether you're going back to the beloved classics or trying out the newer K-drama sensations, the options are endless when it comes to discovering quality content. The best place to start is these ten best Korean dramas of all time. These best K-dramas of all time blend universal themes with unmistakably Korean elements. They explore strong and relatable human experiences, like love, loss, friendship, and ambition, that keep viewers stuck to their screens. Each K-drama feels familiar yet offers something pleasantly new. Whether you're a long-time fan of K-dramas or just starting to explore this captivating genre, these 10 best Korean dramas of all time are perfect for you. They provide a wonderful entry point into the vast world of K-dramas.