So if you're looking for a good laugh, a good cry, a good scare, or a good dose of butterflies in your stomach (thanks to all the drop-dead-gorgeous stars), a Korean-language show will probably give you your fix. And, yes, they are absolutely worth the minimal effort it takes to read subtitles.
While there are libraries full of essential K-Dramas from years past that absolutely deserve your attention, this year's roster has brought some really good new options that belong to the canon.
While there are libraries full of essential K-Dramas from years past that absolutely deserve your attention, this year's roster has brought some really good new options that belong to the canon.
From silly romantic comedies to series that explore psychological trauma—you'll definitely find something to your liking. Here are some of the best Korean dramas of 2020.
Crash Landing On You
Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) is a successful CEO who owns her own makeup and clothing brand, which she built without the help of her estranged family. Because of her success, her father considers her as the top contender to take over his own company instead of her two older half-brothers (hell yes).
Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) is a successful CEO who owns her own makeup and clothing brand, which she built without the help of her estranged family. Because of her success, her father considers her as the top contender to take over his own company instead of her two older half-brothers (hell yes).
But when she goes paragliding one day, a storm takes her over the North Korean border, where she meets a soldier named Captain Ri Jung Hyuk (Hyun Bin).
Itaewon Class
Park Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo-joon) is someone who always stands up for what he thinks is right. But when his father dies in tragic car accident, he makes a bad turn and winds up in jail. After vowing to avenge his dad and fulfill his dreams, he is able to open up a bar in Seoul hotspot Itaewon.
Itaewon Class
Park Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo-joon) is someone who always stands up for what he thinks is right. But when his father dies in tragic car accident, he makes a bad turn and winds up in jail. After vowing to avenge his dad and fulfill his dreams, he is able to open up a bar in Seoul hotspot Itaewon.
Now he just has to work on making it a hit, with the help of cool girl Jo Yi-seo (Kim Da-mi). Though his childhood crush Oh Soo-ah (Kwon Nara), who works for his competitor, may get in the way.
Hi Bye, Mama!
Cha Yu-ri (Kim Tae-hee) died in a tragic accident five years ago, and now wanders the earth as a ghost looking after her family. But one day, the deities decide to bring her back to life. Now, she has exactly 49 days to reclaim her place in her family, or else she'll be forced to move on from the earth and into the afterlife.
Dr. Romantic 2
Yes, this is a sequel, but you don't have to watch Dr. Romantic to dive into this series (but you can, obviously, because both are great). Three years after the original series, Kim Sa-bu (Han Suk-kyu)—also known as Dr. Romantic—recruits new surgeons to join his team at Doldam Hospital.
Hi Bye, Mama!
Cha Yu-ri (Kim Tae-hee) died in a tragic accident five years ago, and now wanders the earth as a ghost looking after her family. But one day, the deities decide to bring her back to life. Now, she has exactly 49 days to reclaim her place in her family, or else she'll be forced to move on from the earth and into the afterlife.
Dr. Romantic 2
Yes, this is a sequel, but you don't have to watch Dr. Romantic to dive into this series (but you can, obviously, because both are great). Three years after the original series, Kim Sa-bu (Han Suk-kyu)—also known as Dr. Romantic—recruits new surgeons to join his team at Doldam Hospital.
He hires social outcast Seo Woo-jin (Ahn Hyo-seop), and confident 2nd year fellow Cha Eun Jae (Lee Sung Kyung). Together, they deal with the corruption in the hospital, try to stick to their principles, and may or may not find some romance along the way.
To All the Guys Who Loved Me
Seo Hyun-Joo (Hwang Jung-Eum) is the leader of a webcomic planning team, and she's hyper-focused on her career, with no plans of finding a partner anytime soon. But just as she declares she wants to remain single, two men confess their feelings for her.
To All the Guys Who Loved Me
Seo Hyun-Joo (Hwang Jung-Eum) is the leader of a webcomic planning team, and she's hyper-focused on her career, with no plans of finding a partner anytime soon. But just as she declares she wants to remain single, two men confess their feelings for her.
There's pharmaceutical company CEO Hwang Ji-Woo (Yoon Hyun-Min), and popular webcomic writer Park Do-Gyeom (Seo Ji-Hoon)—who grew up like brothers, but now have to compete for their crush's affections.