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2016 has been a golden year for K-dramas. A lot of masterpieces have been released this year and garnered a huge fan base for Korean dramas. Starting from past life connection to war backdrop, the year has released an abundance of TV series with hooking narratives.
Gong Yoo's Guardian: The Great and Lonely God became a masterpiece, released in 2016, while Legend of the Blue Sea, featuring one of the hottest Korean actors, Lee Min-ho, showcased a journey from the Joseon era to modern Seoul.
However, this list features some of the best 2016 Korean dramas that one can explore.
Note: The article reflects the author's opinion and is listed in no particular order.
Some of the best K-dramas released in 2016
Among several dramas, the Sportskeeda team has enlisted some of the best and they are-
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- Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
- "W" Two World's Apart
- Legend of the Blue Sea
- Love in the Moonlight
- Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
- Descendents of the Sun
- Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
1) Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
Guardian: The Great and Lonely God is one of the most talked about K-dramas from 2016, released at the end of that year. Also known as Goblin, the drama has blended fantasy, romance, and drama that captivates the audience from the very first episode, available on Netflix.
The series portrayed the narrative of an immortal goblin named Kim Shin. Gong Yoo played the role of Goblin, where he was looking for his human bride. On the other hand, Ji Eun-tak is a high school girl, portrayed by Kim Go-eun, to whom Goblin's quest for a bride ends.
To bring more hooking elements, the creators add another love story of the Grim Reaper, played by Lee Dong-wook and Sunny ( Yoo In-na). The series stands out due to its compelling narratives of dual love stories, which were unique at that time.
Apart from the love story aspect, this K-drama from 2016 has crafted each character with a backstory that gradually unveils how their past lives are intertwined.
Read more: 5 K-dramas to watch if you liked Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
2) 'W' Two Worlds Apart
W: Two Worlds Apart is another K-drama from 2016, featuring Lee Jong-Suk and Han Hyo-Joo. The story centers on a unique love story between a surgical resident and a webtoon character.
The series begins with the character Oh Yeon-joo, played by Han Hyo-joo, a doctor who gets pulled into the webtoon world created by her father, Oh Sung-Moo.
Kang Chul, the heroic protagonist of the webtoon, is portrayed by Lee Jong-suk. Yeon-joo meets Kang in the Webstoon world and becomes involved in a complicated murder mystery where the boundaries between fiction and reality fade.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including Kang Chul's life-threatening situations and the discovery of their true identities, the series concludes on a hopeful note.
The drama is streaming on Netflix.
Read more: From The Drunken Romance to Good Boy: 25 K-dramas Reported to release in 2024
3) Legend of the Blue Sea
Written by renowned writer, Park Ji Eun, The Legend of the Blue is another K-drama from 2016 that garnered a huge fan base. The K-drama offers several reasons to binge-watch it, featuring Lee Min-ho and Jun Ji-hyun.
The drama shows a mermaid from the Joseon era, inspired by a classic Joseon legend. Se Hwa, the name of the mermaid who finds herself in modern Seoul, is rescued by Lee Min-ho.
Se Hwa was on a quest to find her love, Kim Dam Ryung ( Lee Min-ho) who protected her in the Joseon era. With the development of the story, the audience witnesses all the connections between these two lead protagonists.
Whether it is Lee Min-ho's curly hair look or the strong female portrayal of Se Hwa, this K-drama has a lot of things to explore, available on Netflix.
Read more: 6 best upcoming romantic K-dramas of 2024: My Sweet Mobster, Red Swan, and more
4) Love in the Moonlight
Another 2016 K-drama that mesmerized fans with its unique plot and storytelling is Love in the Moonlight. It aired in August 2016 and continued to October that year, which was concluded in 18 episodes.
The drama is a delightful historical representation of the 19th-century Joseon era, based on the novel Moonlight Drawn by Clouds. The story revolves around Hong Ra-on (Kim Yoo Jung), a young woman who has spent her life disguised as a boy named Hong Sam Nom. To make herself safe, she took several jobs like writing novels, relationship advisor, etc.
Park Bo-gum plays the role of crown prince Hyomyeong, who is a young talented artist and struggles with his responsibilities. With the entry of Kim Yoon Sung, the grandson of the prime minister, the real identity of Ra-on is revealed, and the story becomes complicated with a love triangle.
This drama can be watched on Netflix.
Read more: 5 K-dramas to watch if you liked Crash Landing on You
5) Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
In November 2016, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo was released with 16 episodes on Netflix. The K-drama features Twenty-Five Twenty-One actors Nam Joo-hyuk and Lee Sung-kyung.
Based on the light-hearted romantic comedy, the drama explores the anxiety of youth. It centers around Kim Bok-joo, who is a weightlifting athlete, and lacks confidence in her appearance, while Jung Joo-hyung is a collegiate swimmer.
Apart from the great storyline, the drama has several cameos that make the fans hooked to the show. Also, this K-drama has blended the sports angle with teenage love, which makes it a stand-out piece in 2016.
6) Descendants of the Sun
Descendants of the Sun was aired in February 2016 and concluded with 16 episodes by April, streaming on Netflix. This K-drama is set in an imaginary land Urk, featuring Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki.
The female lead, Dr. Kang, ( Song Hye-kyo), an army doctor, meets Captain Yoo Si-jin ( Song Joong-ki) in a war. Set in a military backdrop, these two start to feel for each other.
The drama explores a beautiful love story between these two and the professional challenges, and secret missions that bring spice to their relationship. Along with it, Sergent Major Seo Dae-young and Yoon Myeong-ju's love story builds the subplot, offering hooking elements to the audience.
7) Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is another K-drama of 2016 based in a historical setting. This drama is adapted from Bu Bu Jing Xin, a Chinese novel. This K-drama concluded in 20 episodes, featuring IU, Kang Ha-neul, Lee Joon-gi, etc.
The drama focuses on the love story of Hae-soo ( IU) and Wang Wook who became power-hungry and eventually cheats on her. The narrative is noted for its emotional depth, eliciting strong reactions from viewers, as no character has a truly happy ending.
Despite the pervasive sadness, the series is praised for its compelling story, strong performances, particularly by Lee Joon-gi, and its exploration of love, power, and fate, making it a highly recommended watch for fans of historical romance dramas.
Fans can check out the drama at Viki.
Read more: Top 10 highest-rated historical Korean dramas from 2023-2024 according to MDL
Apart from these dramas, K-drama accolades can explore Doctors, Cinderella and the Four Knights, Shopping King Louie, etc.
Read more: Upcoming Korean dramas from tvN to add to your watchlist
