r/kdramarecommends

I'm looking for a new drama to watch with my husband. We watched our first Kdrama together. That was Mr. Sunshine, and we both loved it. We appreciated that it was based on real history, the thriller aspects, the humor and bromance, and the deeply meaningful political/social issues addressed.

Husband tends to enjoy war and history materials in general. I am a bit squeamish so prefer something that is not too violent. I'd say Mr. Sunshine was about max violence for me.

Thanks for any recommendations!

Here is everything we have watched together and his response:

Mr. Sunshine - loved

Goblin - liked very much

Crash Landing on You - liked

Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 - hated

Pachinko - liked very much

Mr. Queen - loved

When the Phone Rings - lost interest after the first part

Achemy of Souls, both seasons - liked very much

Edit: Thanks everyone for some excellent suggestions!

(Sorry for bad English)
Hi, I am looking for funny and/or absurd K-drama that can make you laugh a lot.

I have not watched a lot of drama, but my favorite drama is Welcome to Waikiki. I liked it because it was very funny, I was having tears a lot of time. Also the character were kinda relatable so that was good. It’s a good show to restart many time.

Another one I am currently watching is Chicken Naugget. The way they are serious for a kinda weird situation make me laugh. So I would like similar drama as them. Thank you.

All the drama I’ve watched :

1. Business proposal
2. Welcome to Waikiki
3. My demon (dropped)
4. Mr Queen (currently watching)
5. Welcome to Waikiki 2 (Currently watching)
6. Chicken Nugget (Currently watching)
7. The sound of your heart (Currently watching)
8. Love, Marriage and divorce

I'm looking for Korean dramas that are a bit odd in the best way. I love shows with unusual concepts, quirky humour, and creative storytelling, but I still want there to be a proper plot. I'm happy with any genre, whether it's fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, action, supernatural or comedy, as long as it feels genuinely original.

Some of the closest examples are Pegasus Market, Glitch, The School Nurse Files, The Sound of Your Heart, Legend of the Kitchen Soldier, Behind your Touch, Death's Game, Moving, Glitch, and Hi-Five. They all have their own strange charm and fully commit to the premise, while still telling an engaging story.

I also watched Chicken Nugget because it sounded exactly like my sort of thing, but I ended up dropping it. The premise was brilliant, but I felt like there just wasn't enough story to keep me interested. On the other hand, Welcome to Waikiki wasn't really for me either. I don't mind silly humour, but the second-hand embarrassment was a bit much.

Basically, I'm after dramas that make you think, "What on earth am I watching?" but in a good way, rather than feeling random for the sake of it. Bonus points for found family. I don't mind romance, but also don't typically watch stuff for the sizzling romance/chemistry between leads and I adore idiot x idiot dynamics in friendship/family.

Complete watch history (from memory, so I might have forgotten some):

• Tale of the Nine Tailed (Seasons 1 & 2)
• Tomorrow
• Hotel del Luna
• Love Reset
• Genie Make a wish
• Mystic Pop-up Bar
• The Uncanny Counter (Season 1+2)
• Moving (I really liked the relationship between FL and ML here, even though it was very subtle/ not even full romance)
• Hi-Five
• Crash Landing on You
• Goblin (too slow paced for me, I can't remember if I finished it)
• Prison Playbook
• Death's Game (actually quite amusing, watch it if you haven't)
• Oh My Ghost Clients
• Behind Your Touch
• Abyss (Idk why I stopped watching this one, I don't like I liked how female lead suddenly started falling in love with male lead when he became pretty)
• Korean Odyssey (I really idk why I stopped watching this one)
• Brain works
• Bad & Crazy
• The Fiery Priest
• Vincenzo
• Brain Works
• Ghost Doctor
• Missing: The other side (I really love both seasons)
• Pegasus Market
• D.P.
• Midnight Runners
• From Now On, Showtime!
• Seoul Busters
• Hotel del Luna
• Psychopath Diary
• Zombie Detective (only zombie drama I have been able to stomach)
• Taxi Driver (too repetitive)
• The School Nurse Files
• Glitch
• The Sound of Your Heart
• Legend of the Kitchen Soldier
• Chicken Nugget
• Welcome to Waikiki
• Gaus Electronics
• Spirit fingers (I don't like the plot, watched purely because I read the manwha and loved the male lead lmfao)
• Sell Your Haunted House (currently watching)

I may have forgotten a few, but those are the main ones. I would appreciate any recommendations, thank you!

Edit:

Some others that I've watched, but had forgotten I had watched until reading the replies, very sorry:

• Lovely Runner
• True Beauty
• Light shop - I think I watched an incomplete version of it as I couldn't find the full version or something?
• The good bad mother
• Strong woman Bong soon (But haven't watched Strong woman Nam-soon as I didn't enjoy the first season that much, but it was okay)
• Cashero (liked this one)
• My Roomate is a gumihno
• Kill it
• Strangers from Hell
• I've read the manwha for sound of magic, but not the kdrama yet
• It's okay to not be okay
• Queen of Tears
• Extraordinary you
• Big mouth/Mouse
• While you were sleeping

Hi everyone!

I am looking for recommendations for feel-good romance Korean dramas with happy endings.

My favorite type of romance is when the male lead falls first or falls harder and is obviously devoted to the female lead. I love healthy relationships, great chemistry, funny banter, and couples that actually spend time together after they start dating. I also prefer little to no love triangles, and I would like the romance to stay at the center of the story. Fantasy is completely fine as long as the overall tone is uplifting and the ending is happy.

Here are some dramas I have loved and why:

- Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha: This is probably my favorite Korean drama. I loved the cozy small-town setting, the mature romance, the humor, and how comforting it felt. The chemistry between the leads was amazing, and I loved how healthy and supportive their relationship was.

- What's Wrong with Secretary Kim: I loved the comedy, the chemistry, and how completely devoted the male lead was to the female lead. I also liked that the romance stayed at the center of the story and we got to spend a lot of time watching them as a couple.

- Strong Woman Do Bong-soon: Min-hyuk is one of my favorite male leads. He is supportive, protective, funny, and completely in love with Bong-soon from very early on. I would love another male lead with that same energy.

- Her Private Life: I loved the healthy communication between the leads, the chemistry, and the fact that there was very little unnecessary drama once they got together.

- Crash Landing on You: I loved the romance, chemistry, and supporting cast. The only reason it is not exactly what I am looking for right now is because it was a little heavier than the mood I am in. I am hoping for something lighter and more comedic.

Complete watch history:

- What's Wrong with Secretary Kim
- Business Proposal
- King the Land
- Her Private Life
- Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
- Because This Is My First Life
- My Demon
- My Roommate Is a Gumiho
- Goblin
- Crash Landing on You
- Our Beloved Summer
- Strong Woman Do Bong-soon

I would also love any underrated recommendations that fit this style. Thank you!

The requirement is very simple.

I'm looking for dramas where the FL becomes shy/flustered/awkward around the ML as she either knowingly or unknowingly develops feelings for him.

The main plot doesn't even have to be romance, as long as it includes this trope. I find those interactions very funny. Also I don't mind the ML acting flustered around the FL, as long as the FL acts the same. One example I will give is one of my favorite dramas, 'My Father is Strange' with Jung So Min and Lee Joon couple.

Watchlist: https://mydramalist.com/list/Lp6QmAa4

I'm looking for recommendations for emotionally intense dramas where I can get attached to the characters and watch them develop over a longer story. I love dramas that involve survival situations, found-family dynamics, justice/revenge, corruption, or supernatural elements like ghosts, spirits, or the afterlife. I'm open to any genre as long as the characters and their relationships are a major focus and the story has meaningful emotional stakes.

My favorite shows that have these elements are: 

• It’s Okay to not be Okay
• My Name
• The Glory
• Taxi Driver
• Move to Heaven
• Hotel De Luna
• Mercy for None
• Celebrity
• Mask Girl

I love these shows because the characters feel real. There's conflict and tough decisions to make, and the relationships between the characters are just as important as the plot. I especially like found family dynamics, morally gray characters, and stories where people have to rely on each other to survive or overcome difficult situations.

I'm not really interested in fluffy rom-coms where romance is the entire plot or slow slice-of-life dramas with very low stakes. I don't mind romance, but I prefer it to be part of a larger story rather than the main focus.

A list of every drama I've seen: https://mydramalist.com/dramalist/16235310

i'm looking for kdramas with a silly goofy humour and strong romance such as lovely runner and true beauty (my ultimate favourite kdrama). i liked the silliness of the FL and really liked the protectiveness of the MLs. also really liked how both were not afraid to shy away from slightly darker themes as well.

i'm not after plot replicas but more vibe similarities. a lot of people recommend my id is gangnam beauty as a similar show to true beauty but i found the vibes very different, i found the FL's personality quite bland in comparison to the quirkiness of the FL in true beauty and lovely runner.

i also typically like more coming of age/teen dramas so school/university themed.

this is everything i have watched;

true beauty 100000000/10

lovely runner 100000/10

weightlifting fairy kim bok joon 12/10

sh**ting stars 10/10

business proposal 9/10

who are you: class 2015 9/10

extraordinary you 8/10

kdramas i didn't finish:

my id is gangnam beauty

doom at your service

I'm looking for crime, thriller, or psychological K-drama recommendations.

For reference, one of my all-time favorites is Mouse. It's easily in my top 3 dramas. I loved every single detail about it. Even though we already knew who the killer was, the writer still managed to make us question everything. And I never thought I'd end up crying over a serial killer.

I saw lot of good reviews about signal, tunnel, voice, nine puzzles, blind, save me etc. But I'm not sure if I'll like them or not.

I'm looking for something that's as good as Mouse, or at least comes close to it. Any recommendations?

The list of kdramas I've watched so far

1. True beauty

2. Lovely runner

3. Head over heels *

4. A business proposal *

5. Study group **

6. Spirit fingers

7. Strong woman do bong soon *

8. Idol I *

9. Hunter with a scalpel

10. Residents playbook ***

11. Dynamite kiss *

12. Buried hearts

13. 2521 *

14. Love next door

15. Perfect marriage revenge

16. What's wrong with Secretary Kim

17. Doctor Slump *

18. Crash landing on you *

19. My roommate is a Gumiho

20. Our beloved summer

21. Mr Plankton

22. Weightlifting fairy Kim bok joo **

23. The glory *

24. The trauma code ***

25. Tastefully yours

26. My sweet mobster *

27. The potato lab

28. Spring of youth

29. Love all play *

30. Celebrity **

31. Dreaming of a freaking fairytale

32. Doona *

33. Adult trainee

34. The red sleeve

35. The winning try **

36. Dali and the cocky prince

37. Maestra

38. In your radiant season **

39. If wishes could kill *

40. My royal nemesis *

41. Doctor on the edge

42. Mouse***

43. Full house

44. Tale of the 9 tailed

45. Sungkyunkwan scandal

46. 100 days my prince

47. Descendants of the Sun*

48. I can hear your voice

49. A love from another star

50. Pinocchio

51. Ruler of the mask

52. Boys over Flowers

53. Heirs

54. The Princess Man

55. Melody of love

56. Jewel in the Palace

57. Jewel in the crown

58. The wind of the palace

59. The great merchant

60. The great queen Seondeok

61. Horse doctor

62. Empress Ki

63. Ceramic artist

64. Moon embracing the sun

65. My girl

Hello, I am a first time KDrama watcher.

Example Drama I have watched: The Wonderfools

I liked that show because it took place in multiple work spaces, the characters were charming and funny, everyone had an arc and I liked the MC. Plus the romantic tension.

I am hoping for a KDrama that takes place in a workplace.

Im looking for something with comedy, and romance is OK as well. Hopefully something with a goal each episode, or a season arc. I love side characters or a dimwitted MC. I am new so I will take any recommendation.

Detailed Example: I am new to KDrama so shows with this are shows like Brooklyn 99, Parks and Rec, and The Office.

Hi everyone! Recently my friend put me onto Asian dramas and I’ve loved every second I’ve spent watching them with her and want some recommendations of what to watch with similar vibes. I’m fine with it being a movie or series and having a happy or sad ending. I’m mainly looking for romance recommendations as I love romance!

I’ve so far watched Doona and i really liked how she was mainly taking charge and being more aggressive. I also like how it showed a lot of their emotions and them talking it through. The only thing i didn’t enjoy too much was the ending as I felt it was a let down and wasnt very satisfying.

Another one I’ve watched with my friend was 18x2 Beyond Youthful Days and I have to say this one was a masterpiece. I absolutely loved everything about this movie and it had me sobbing!

Thanks everyone!

I'm looking for K-dramas like Bad and crazy, Bon Appetit your Majesty or When the phone rings.

Hello! Im a picky newbie looking for kdramas.

Im not a big fan of heavy soapy romance or the typical korean soapyness. I prefer action, mystery, thriller, fantasy with a side of romance

I really enjoyed bad and crazy, Bon Appetit your majesty (even tho its romance heavy the female mc is not very focused on that) and when the phone rings (again heavy romance but theres a lot of action going on - i also love a man being pathetic and smitten for a woman).

I also ABSOLUTELY LOVE AND ADORE time travel, alternative universes, sometimes historical stuff etc.

I also dont mind if the drama isnt korean or if its LGBTQ+!

Other kdramas ive watched and if ive liked them:

• Business Proposal - i liked it, its a cute classic.
• Marry My husband - love love loved the time travel concept and the general revenge.
• Extraordinary attorney woo - Havent finished it yet but i love the plot and the characters
• Home town cha cha cha - i've only watched a couple of episodes but its cute. Not my fave yet but still nice. It's a bit too focused on the romance.
• Vincenzo - DNF cuz it was pretty boring to me
• Splash Splash love - DNF bcuz it was way too cringe
• Hotel del luna - I'm trying to watch it but im not sure how to feel about the characters. Not very engaging so far.
• Perfect Marriage revenge - Started it but it was too soapy and cringe for me

Edited to fix typos and to add that I'm currently watching "My royal nemesis" and I'm surprisingly enjoying the romance a lot! A good Smitten ML has my heart. Cha Se-gye the man you are <3

Thank you in advance to anyone who responds!!

I've recently finished 'The King's Affection', which was my first historical k-drama. However, I noticed myself getting quite bored with the romance, it was just too cliché for me. What I liked most about this drama was especially the palace politics, I was really intruiged by the power dynamics within the palace.

Now I am looking for a k-drama that has a genius palace politics plot line. I don't mind a bit of romance, but I think it's a bit boring as the primary plot in the drama.

Also would be lovely if a woman is the main
character in power in the drama! I have seen/played Road to Empress (it's a historical c-drama gameplay of the only female emperor of Imperial China), which had a BIG focus on palace politics with a woman in power and I really loved that.

K-dramas I have really liked for their genius and quite complex plot line, but are not historical (since, like I said, I am new to historical dramas) are:
- Sky Castle
- Eve
- The Good Bad Mother
- Juvenile Justice
- Mine

My MDL!

Thanks in advance 🤍

This might sound weird, but I'd love some recs for dramas that induced some sort of asmr response in you

an example of this is The Best Thing (a cdrama actually) where the entire thing felt like those medical RP asmr videos lol I felt so sleepy watching it especially at night

the short kdrama Azure Spring also made me feel slightly similar recently

so yeah if there are any dramas (this is a kdrama community but I enjoy cdramas too) that made you feel this way, I'd love to hear about them!!

my full watch history: https://mydramalist.com/dramalist/haloum

I recently finished Teach You a Lesson and really enjoyed it. I love Korean crime dramas and movies, but I am currently preparing for an exam and only want to watch something during my one-hour break.

The problem is that I tend to binge-watch whenever the story is continuous or ends on a cliffhanger. I am therefore looking for dramas where each episode has a mostly standalone case or story, so I can watch one episode and stop.

My complete K-drama watch history:

1)Teach You a Lesson.

2. Juvenile Justice

Crime, mystery, comedy, slice-of-life, or any other genre is fine. I also watch anime, but I am currently looking for live-action Korean dramas.
Please recommend something engaging but easy to watch one episode at a time.

I like stories where the male lead is an ugly, awkward, lonely, or overworked guy who isn't popular, and he ends up falling for a more outgoing, attractive, or socially confident woman like in Honey sweet.

Examples I've already seen: Honey Sweet (movie) - liked the shy, stressed male lead and the wholesome romance.

Love Track: Onion Soup - liked the middle-aged overworked guy and the wholesome story

Accidental couple - loser guy falls for a big celebrity i loved this one.

I'm looking for something with more romance and preferably a longer runtime. I don't mind if the leads are older. Preferably a newer drama (but i know thats hard to find so if its older i dont mind too much) and has to have a somewhat happy ending

My drama list: https://mydramalist.com/dramalist/AriahitoFR