16 Best K-Dramas Of The 2020s So Far, Ranked

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K-dramas are consistently improving, and the 2020s have been a particularly strong decade for the genre. While Korean media first gained popularity in Asia and Eastern Europe in the 1990s, it’s become even more widespread in the 21st century. Thanks to platforms like Netflix, K-dramas are now a mainstream favorite for audiences in North America.

While classic K-dramas from the early 2000s and 2010s were known for their dramatic storylines, the genre has evolved with its growing popularity. The over-the-top, soap opera style of those earlier shows has been replaced with more realistic and complex plots. This has led to a wave of truly excellent K-dramas in the 2020s, marking a period of exciting new developments for the genre.

16. When The Phone Rings

2024

Many K-drama thrillers follow a pattern where the female character needs to be rescued by the male lead. The drama When the Phone Rings initially seems to follow this trope, starting with Hong Hee-joo (Chae Soo-bin) being threatened with a ransom demand. However, Hee-joo takes matters into her own hands, rescues herself, and then uses the incident to plan a divorce.

Hee-joo wanted to leave her unhappy marriage, but a surprising turn of events – the return of her kidnapper – actually brings her and her distant husband closer together. The drama, “When the Phone Rings,” does a great job of showing the imperfections of its characters, making them feel real and complex. As a result, the love story feels genuinely earned and heartwarming, rather than forced or predictable.

15. The Glory

2022

Initially, The Glory presents a disturbing tale of school bullying. However, it soon becomes a complex story of revenge. While the severe bullying experienced by Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) makes the K-drama a painful, yet predictable watch – inspired by real events – the show ultimately offers a satisfying, albeit fictional, outcome as Dong-eun dedicates her life to getting even with those who hurt her.

It’s satisfying to watch wrongdoers face justice, but even more rewarding to see Dong-eun overcome her past and build a better future. While it can be difficult to watch at times, The Glory is a compelling story about getting what you deserve.

14. Our Blues

2022

Many Korean dramas feature scenes set on Jeju Island, often for romantic getaways or vacations. However, Our Blues offers a more thorough exploration of what life is really like for the people who live there. The show’s stunning visuals of the island are particularly impactful because they highlight the characters’ personal struggles and emotional pain.

Few K-dramas do as good a job as Our Blues at giving each character a fully developed story. The show tells individual stories that eventually connect and come together in a moving finale. This makes Our Blues a series full of heartfelt and meaningful moments.

13. True Beauty

2020

Despite some past issues, the 2020 K-drama True Beauty is considered one of the best teen romances ever made. The show features a fantastic cast, with Cha Eun-woo delivering a heartfelt performance as Lee Su-ho and Moon Ga-young brilliantly playing the main character, Lim Ju-kyung.

The story centers around Ju-kyung, who lives a double life. At school, she’s seen as a beauty thanks to her makeup, but at home, people focus on her appearance without it. As she gets closer to Su-ho, they both begin to heal: he starts to overcome past trauma, and she gains confidence in herself.

12. Juvenile Justice

2022

Courtroom dramas usually pit a noble prosecutor against a clearly guilty defendant, often with a surprise reveal that the defendant is actually innocent. But the K-drama Juvenile Justice takes a different approach, centering on young criminals who are guilty of the crimes they’re accused of.

This K-drama offers a realistic look at the causes of youth crime, particularly the shame and judgment surrounding the juvenile justice system. Instead of relying on typical dramatic twists, it provides a powerful and honest portrayal of real life, including the imperfections of the justice system.

11. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

2021

While many K-dramas feature memorable romances, the love story between Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho) and Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a) in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is particularly heartwarming. What sets it apart from other K-drama couples is that their story isn’t built on drama or tragedy; instead, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a feel-good story about finding love in a cozy small town.

Set in a charming seaside village, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha boasts beautiful scenery and a widely acclaimed soundtrack. Like all good stories, it has its ups and downs, surprises, and heartwarming moments. But with its picturesque location and lovable characters, it’s the ideal show to relax and enjoy.

10. All of Us Are Dead

2022

The K-drama All of Us Are Dead was a big hit, and has been renewed for a second season – something that doesn’t happen often with Korean shows. It’s based on a straightforward idea: a high school becomes ground zero for a zombie outbreak, trapping the students inside. While the story is simple, it’s the carefully crafted details that really make All of Us Are Dead stand out.

With a shocking twist and a truly unsettling villain, All of Us Are Dead is a seriously gripping series. It’s also a great zombie story with a captivating plot and plenty of scary moments, making it perfect for horror fans.

9. Lovely Runner

2024

For a large part of the show Lovely Runner, it seems like a standard K-drama romance between Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok) and Im Sol (Kim Hye-yoon). However, their love story is actually built on time travel and a complicated idea of destiny.

This captivating K-drama follows the lives of Sun-jae and Sol from their teenage years into adulthood, weaving back and forth between different time periods. Initially, their story appears destined for heartbreak, but the power of true love and determination proves stronger than fate.

8. Twenty-Five Twenty-One

2022

While many historical Korean dramas focus on periods like the Joseon dynasty, Twenty-Five Twenty-One stands out as one of the popular shows set in the 1990s. The story centers around Na Hee-do, a talented young fencer played by Kim Tae-ri, and her developing romance with Baek Yi-jin, played by Nam Joo-hyuk. Interestingly, the series begins with these two as strangers, despite having once been in love.

What really sets the K-drama Twenty-Five Twenty-One apart is the way its story is told – through the memories Hee-do’s daughter uncovers while reading her mother’s diary. While it’s sparked some debate, many consider Twenty-Five Twenty-One to have a satisfying conclusion and is highly recommended.

7. Happiness

2021

Okay, so I was a little hesitant going into Happiness – a zombie K-drama mixed with a mystery and a romance? It sounded… risky! But honestly, it totally worked. It was a surprisingly perfect combination of all those things. The story is set in the near future, and this weird new virus, called Lytta, is turning people into these really aggressive, basically mindless, creatures. It’s intense!

Detective Jung Yi-hyun, played by Park Hyung-sik, and special agent Yoon Sae-bom (Han Hyo-joo) are among the few who step up during a crisis. While battling to save the people trapped inside a locked-down apartment building and uncover the source of a dangerous virus, they discover that zombies aren’t their only problem.

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2025-12-24 04:11