You’re lucky if you’re a Korean show fan looking for something new to watch on Netflix. We’ve scoured the streaming service’s vast content library and found ten top-notch shows loved by critics and audiences alike. These series are not only great for practicing your language skills, but they are also highly engaging and binge-worthy.
Learning a new language can be daunting, but immersing yourself in the culture and language is one of the best ways to improve. However, depending on where you live, it may be difficult to find native speakers to practice. Fortunately, you can hear native speakers converse and better understand how the language is practiced by watching Korean dramas on Netflix.
Whether you’re in the mood for a gripping drama, thrilling action, or sweet romance, there’s something for everyone among these Korean Netflix shows. From historical dramas to crime thrillers, these series offer various genres.
All the series listed are currently available on Netflix in the US, so you can start streaming them immediately. So if you’re ready for a new binge-worthy series, look at our top picks for the best Korean shows on Netflix.
Squid Game (2021-present)
- Tomatometer: 95%
- Genre: Thriller, Drama, Survival
Squid Game is a must-watch for anyone interested in the best Korean dramas on Netflix. It set records when it premiered in 2021, becoming the number one show on Netflix’s top 10 in 94 countries, including the US and UK. The show centers around contestants on a game show that recruits people in debt and offers them a tempting prize, but at a deadly cost. The series is a brutal yet thrilling drama with a heart and is already up for a second season. It is available on Netflix in the US and UK.
My Name (2021)
- Tomatometer: 100%
- Genre: Crime, Suspense, Thriller
My Name is a must-watch crime drama series streaming on Netflix in the US and UK. The series follows a woman determined to avenge her gangster father’s death. To do so, she joins a gang and infiltrates the local police force under a fake name, where she pairs with a young narcotics detective. The series is characterized by its film noir-like style and hard-hitting fight scenes, making it a perfect choice for fans of crime dramas. With a 100% Tomatometer rating, My Name is a highly-rated and critically acclaimed series worth watching.
Mr. Sunshine (2018)
- Tomatometer: Audience score – 94%
- Genre: Political Drama, Historical Drama, Romance
Mr. Sunshine is a historical and political drama series streaming on Netflix in the US and UK. The series follows Eugene, a man born into slavery in the 1800s Joseon but escapes to the United States and returns to Joseon as a U.S. Marine. He meets and falls in love with the granddaughter of an aristocrat who has betrothed since childhood to a nobleman.
The series is a captivating and sweeping story that centers around the star-crossed love of the main characters and is woven together with historical events and political intrigue. Though it noted that the historical events depicted in the series should be taken with a grain of salt, it is a great way to learn about Korean history while enjoying an edge-of-your-seat dramatic series. With an audience score of 94%, Mr. Sunshine is a popular and well-liked series among viewers.
Crash Landing On You
- Season: 1
- Tomatometer: Audience score only – 98%
- Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
If you’re a fan of romantic dramas with a touch of comedy, Crash Landing On You is a must-watch. This charming and heartfelt series follows a South Korean heiress who accidentally gets blown over the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and into North Korea, where a handsome soldier takes her in. The show was a massive hit in Korea and abroad, becoming the third highest-rated K-drama in cable television history. Catch all episodes on Netflix, and also available on the UK version of Netflix.
Our Blues: A Heartwarming Journey on Jeju Island
- Genre: Emotional Drama
- Cast: Ensemble Premiered in 2022
Our Blues captivated audiences with its realistic portrayal of the day-to-day lives of Jeju Island residents. With its bittersweet moments, this understated series drew comparisons to hit shows such as “This Is Us” and “Love Actually.” With a wide cast of characters, the show beautifully captured life’s big and small moments. Available on the UK version of Netflix.
Signal
- Genre: Crime, Thriller, Suspense, Fantasy
- Cast: Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, Cho Jin-woong
- Tomatometer: Audience score only – 100%
The Signal is a dark and suspenseful crime drama that follows a criminal profiler in 2015 who finds a walkie-talkie that allows him to communicate across time with a police detective from 1989. The show follows the solving of a cold case, and the profiler, Park Hae-young, is added to a newly formed hard case team.
The exhibition explores how changing the past affects the future. The show is well-written, has great acting performances, and offers a healthy dose of suspense. Fans of Broadchurch and Sherlock will enjoy this show, which is also available on the UK version of Netflix.
If you’re a fan of crime dramas like Broadchurch and Sherlock, you’ll want to add Signal to your watchlist. This South Korean show, originally aired in 2016, has a unique twist that sets it apart from other crime dramas: the main character, a criminal profiler named Park Hae-young, discovers a walkie-talkie that allows him to communicate with a police detective from 1989.
The show’s premise is intriguing from the start, and it only gets more captivating as the story unfolds. The time-travel element adds a layer of complexity to the crime-solving, as the characters must navigate the butterfly effect of changing the past. But it’s not just the plot that makes Signal worth watching; the acting is top-notch, with particular praise going to the lead actors, Jo Jin-Woong and Lee Je-hoon, for their performances.
One thing that sets Signal apart is its attention to character development. Each member of the cold case team, including Park Hae-young, has an arc and backstory explored throughout the series. The writing is also well-done, with a balance of tension and emotion that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Kingdom
- Genre: Political Drama, Period Drama, Horror, Zombies
- Cast: Joo Ji-hoon, Ryu Seung-ryong, Bae Doona, Kim Sang-ho, Kim Sung-gyu, Heo Joon-ho, Jun Suk-ho
The Kingdom is a South Korean series that premiered in 2019 and is currently available on Netflix. The show is a masterful blend of genres that keeps you guessing at every turn. It is a political drama set in 16th-century Korea, following the story of a sick king and his son, the crown prince, who is determined to uncover the truth about his father’s illness. But it’s also a horror series with a terrifying twist: the Kingdom is plagued by an outbreak of zombies.
The show is based on a webtoon of the same name, and it’s a perfect blend of genres that keeps the viewer guessing till the end. The historical setting is richly detailed and immerses the viewer in the world of 16th-century Korea, while the political intrigue will keep you on the edge of your seat. And then there are the zombies, which provide a thrilling and terrifying element that elevates the show to a new level.
The acting is excellent, with particular praise going to Joo Ji-hoon for his portrayal of the crown prince, who is determined to protect his Kingdom and his people from the zombies. The cinematography is also noteworthy, with the show’s visuals providing a stark contrast between the grandeur of the palace and the grime of the zombies.
With two seasons available to watch, Kingdom is a must-watch series that keeps you guessing until the end. So if you’re looking for a show that offers a unique blend of political drama, period pieces, and horror, look no further than Kingdom.
Single’s Inferno
- Genre: Reality, Dating Shows, Survival
- Cast: Unknown
- Tomatometer: Audience score only – 46%
Single’s Inferno is a must-watch for fans of reality TV. The show combines Survivor and Love Island elements, as singles are left to survive on a deserted island. If they find a romantic partner, they get to leave the island and go to a luxury paradise. However, those who can’t find a date are left to compete with each other and fend for themselves on the island. Despite some negative reviews, the show’s premise is unique and may be enjoyable for those who enjoy reality dating shows with a survival twist. The show is available on the UK version of Netflix.
Twenty Five Twenty One
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Cast: Unknown
- Tomatometer: Audience score only – 95%
Twenty Five Twenty One is a heart-wrenching romantic drama about young people and one of the best Korean dramas on Netflix. The show follows five characters and their love lives from the 1990s to the 2020s, complete with high school drama, first loves, and lessons learned. It’s a lovely, sweet show that is easily among the best Korean dramas on Netflix. If you are a fan of romance and drama, this show is a must-watch. It is also available on the UK version of Netflix.
All of Us Are Dead
- Genre: Teen Drama, Horror, Zombies
- Cast: Unknown
- Tomatometer: 87%
All of Us Are Dead is a hit zombie show about teens trapped in their high school. The students slowly realize they’re stuck in ground zero of a zombie outbreak after a science experiment goes wrong, and no one is coming to pick them up after class. It’s gross, gory, and compelling, even occasionally thought-provoking. For horror fans, it’s fun. Fans of Battle Royale and The Walking Dead will enjoy this bloody thriller. The show is also available on the UK version of Netflix.