Korean dramas for beginners

Korean dramas have built a huge international following, but the first step can feel daunting. There are thousands of titles, episode lengths vary, and genres blend in ways that can surprise newcomers: a romance might suddenly turn into a thriller, and a medical drama can be as much about friendship as surgery.

The good news is that most K-dramas are complete stories. A typical series runs for a single season of around twelve to twenty episodes and has a proper ending, which makes them very satisfying to start. The ten picks below are among the easiest ways in, covering romance, comedy, crime and even zombies.

Crash Landing on You (2019)

Crash Landing on You2019 · Show Watchlist

A wealthy South Korean businesswoman is caught in a paragliding accident and lands on the wrong side of the border, in North Korea, where an army officer hides her. Starring Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, it mixes romance, comedy and tension with a supporting cast that steals many scenes. It's often the first K-drama people recommend to friends, and for good reason: it shows off almost everything the genre does well.

Reply 1988 (2015)

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Set in a modest Seoul neighbourhood in the late 1980s, this tvN series follows five families and the group of teenage friends who grew up together there. Directed by Shin Won-ho, it moves slowly and warmly, focusing on everyday life, family and first love. The episodes are long, so treat it as a comfort show to savour rather than binge. It's perfect for anyone who loves gentle, nostalgic ensemble stories.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)

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Park Eun-bin plays Woo Young-woo, a brilliant young lawyer on the autism spectrum who joins a major Seoul law firm. Each episode centres on a new case, which makes it easy to dip into, while a longer story about her life and relationships runs underneath. It is funny, kind and full of affection for its heroine. Fans of legal procedurals will feel right at home.

Hospital Playlist (2020)

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Five doctors who have been friends since medical school now work at the same hospital, and they still play in a band together. From the same director and writer team as Reply 1988, it's less about medical emergencies than about friendship, work and growing older. It runs for two seasons and is one of the most calming shows on this list.