'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Korean entertainment industry is filled with numerous high-rated K-dramas. These dramas captivate audiences with their unique blend of romance, suspense, and thrilling storylines.
From emotional love stories to intense, action-packed dramas, the high-rated K-dramas are the product of the seamlessly woven rich plot and effective character development.
What sets the high-rated K-dramas apart is their exceptional quality, combining heartwarming narratives with cutting-edge storytelling. Whether it’s a gripping survival game in Squid Games or the touching romance in Crash Landing on You, each drama offers something fresh while showcasing rich cultural elements.
Disclaimer: The article reflects the author's opinion and is not listed in any particular order.
Trending
Squid Games and other high-rated K-dramas you can not miss
The Korean entertainment industry has immense collection of high-rated K-dramas and choosing some particular is quite difficult. The Sportskeeda team, however, has cherry-picked the best five of them based on their viewership in different OTT. These dramas are-
- Squid Games
- The Legend of Blue Sea
- The Guardian
- Crash Landing on You
- All of us are dead
1) Squid Games ( 2021)
Released in September 2021, Squid Games is one of the high-rated K-dramas that became a Netflix sensation. Set in a dystopian backdrop, the drama provides spine-chilling horror and thrills in its nine episodes.
The Emmy award-winning K-drama follows a survival game show themed on innocent childhood games. Hundreds of participants are desperate to win a life-changing sum of 45.6 billion. The twist comes in the first episode's game, Red Light Green Light, where the participants understand the brutality of the game.
Apart from the game, the show focuses on the character development of Lee Jung-Jae, who played Seong Gi-hum, the gambling addict who portrayed one of the lead roles with numerous character flaws. Park Hae-soo and Jung Ho-yeon added the emotional emotional depth to the show.
Netflix is streaming this drama.
Read more: 8 things to remember about Squid Game season 1 before season 2 premiere
2) The Legend of Blue Sea ( 2016)
Legend of the Blue Sea, a fantasy K-drama, was highly successful both domestically and internationally, particularly in China and other Asian markets. Released in 2016, it recorded high viewership ratings in South Korea and became one of the most-watched Korean dramas of the year.
The Heirs star Lee Min-ho played the male lead role as Heo Joon-jae, a con artist using hypnosis as part of a con team. After a successful heist, Joon-jae escapes to Spain and encounters Shim Cheong (Gianna Jun), a mermaid who has come ashore.
She is clueless about the human world but has supernatural abilities, including immense strength and memory-erasing powers. With several original tracks, Legend of the Blue Sea is another high-rated K-drama where K-pop idol Krystal made a special cameo in the early episodes.
This SBS drama, with its light-hearted elements, has historical counterparts, murder mysteries, and warm chemistry between the two leads. It is accessible on Netflix and Viki.
3) The Guardian: The Lonely and Great God ( 2016)
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, aka Goblin, came out in 2016 and became a massive cultural phenomenon upon its release. The series achieved record-breaking viewership ratings in South Korea and won numerous awards, including the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards for Best Actor (Gong Yoo) and Best Drama.
This high-rated K-drama blends mythology, romance, and historical elements, intending its timeline from the Goryeo age to the modern day. Train to Busan actor Gong Yoo played the role of Kim Shin, the former general from the Goryeo Dynasty. He was cursed with immortality and an invisible sword on his chest.
Kim Go-eun played the role of a 19-year-old girl who is predestined Goblin's Bride. This high-rated K-drama portrays the deep emotional connection between a 939-year-old Goblin and Eun-tak, the schoolgirl, providing a heavy emotional rollercoaster with numerous twists.
Lee Dong-wook, another crucial character in this high-rated K-drama, plays the role of a grim reaper. His friendship with Goblin is another beautiful portrayal, marking this drama as a testament to bromance. Starting from a friendly- fight to support each other, their developing chemistry is unique and heartwarming.
Netflix and Prime Video are streaming this drama.
4) Crash Landing on You ( 2019)
Crash Landing on You, another rom-com Korean drama, was released in 2019. After its release, the drama ranked among the top-viewed shows on Netflix and won Best Drama at the 2020 Baeksang Arts Award. Known for its beautiful presentation of romantic elements, this high-rated K-drama included the political tension between North and South Korea while presenting the North Korean lifestyle.
The female lead, Son Ye-jin, acted as the wealthy South Korean businesswoman, Yoon Se-ri. The story begins with an accident. During a paragliding accident, she gets swept by strong winds across the heavily fortified North-South Korean border.
Later, she is discovered by Ri Hook, played by Hyun Bin, a North Korean army officer. Rather than reporting her, Hook hides Se-ri and helps her return to South Korea, setting the stage for a heartwarming yet tension-filled romance.
Beyond the central romance, Crash Landing on You offers a strong supporting cast, each contributing to the show’s charm. Seo Ji-hye as Seo Dan and Kim Jung-hyun as Gu Seung-joon provide an additional subplot that tugs at the heartstrings, while the North Korean soldiers under Jeong-hyeok’s command add moments of comedic relief.
Fans can binge-watch this high-rated K-drama on Netflix.
5) All of Us Are Dead ( 2022)
The Little Women actresses Park Ji-hu and Yoon Chan-young acted in All of Us Are Dead, another high-rated K-drama one must explore. Released in 2022, this drama is based on Joo Dong-geun's web series from 2009 to 20This K-drama, themed on the zombie outbreak, revolves around a group of students from Hyosan High School and their survival fights. Nam On-jo ( Park Ji-hu) and Lee Cheong-san ( Yoon Chan-young) played the next-door best friend tested during this turmoil.
Apart from the blood-and-flesh-eating zombie terror, the K-drama portrays the development of characters who learned how to survive using their skills. The choreography, especially in the action sequences, is top-notch, with fights and chases through the school’s hallways adding to the tension.
Netflix is streaming this high-rated K-drama.
Apart from these dramas, K-drama fans can explore The Master's Sun, My Love from Another Star, etc., due to their uncertain plot twists and amazing performances. All these high-rated K-dramas are testaments to Korean culture and language, capturing a huge audience worldwide.
