If you’re working from home and are enjoying every moment of it, congrats. I’m working from home and I’m enjoying it. And part of the reason I enjoy this WFH arrangement is because I can use the time I’ve saved on commuting and putting on makeup (here are “7 Things You Should Do To Switch Up Your Beauty Routine If You #WFH“) to watch Korean dramas. In fact, if I must say I’ve been pretty efficient about this—in the past month, I’ve finished watching five K-dramas and am currently watching three. Multi-tasking at its finest, aye?
And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one using this opportunity to catch up on K-dramas. But whether you’re just starting to work from home and need your K-drama fix, or don’t have that luxury but want to know what everyone else is watching, great news: we’ve asked the folks at Viu and Netflix to round up their most-streamed K-dramas in the past months so you can be in the know.
Scroll through the gallery so you know which ones to start streaming.
What it’s about: Suzy’s character is a part-time worker who is not society’s idea of a successful woman. She is also obsessed with finding her “pen pal” who helped her through a difficult time in her elementary school, not realising that her pen pal was made up by her grandmother who wanted her to have a friend to talk to.
Why you should watch it: I’m only two episodes in, and I have to admit, watching Suzy’s character try her hardest though she’s not the society’s idea of success is inspiring. Anyone who’s going through a tough time might find solace and inspiration from this drama.
What it’s about: A TV producer who is obsessed with finding supernatural forces comes across a nine-tailed fox who could be related to her in a previous life.
Why you should watch it: Honestly, some people might disagree with this highly controversial statement, but it’s similar to Goblin. I got so much Goblin vibes while watching it, and it’s not just because Lee Dong Wook stars in it. While the plot is very similar to his previous drama, it’s still quite an intriguing watch because you just want to find out, what the heck happened to the character’s parents.
What it’s about: A man who witnessed a crime is on the run from gang members who are trying to silence him. He discovers a village, but finds out that the people in the village are the dead whose bodies haven’t been found. He then helps them solve their murders so they move on to the afterlife.
Why you should watch it: The plot will intrigue you, and the plot twists will keep you on the edge of your seat. At first, I brushed it off as a Hotel del Luna wannabe, but other than the fact that it deals with the afterlife, it’s so different. Anyone who is a fan of crime shows would definitely enjoy this.
What it’s about: A suspected murderer with antisocial personality disorder takes on a new identity and marries a cop. Just when he thought he had settled into his new life, a murder happens and it’s exactly the same as the series of murder his late father was responsible for.
Why you should watch it: Just watch it for Lee Jun Ki’s stellar acting. But seriously, apart from that, the plot is gripping and at the end of each episode, you’ll find yourself anticipating the next one. You’ll definitely not drop out halfway.
What it’s about: A former top model finds himself struggling to regain his foothold and confidence, and meets a makeup artist who is his fan.
Why you should watch it: I was honestly on the fence about watching this one because the summary didn’t appeal to the crime genre fan in me, but one episode in and I found myself relating to everything the actors felt. It’s a coming-of-age kind of drama, but more for people who are at the crossroads of their career. Even if you’re not, you’d probably start recalling the difficulties you went through early on in your career.
What it’s about: A prosecutor and a detective teams up to solve a suicide case that could possibly be a disguised murder, and might be related to something even bigger involving the police, the prosecution and a large conglomerate.
Why you should watch it: If you watched Season 1, you would have been waiting impatiently for Season 2. The good thing about this drama is that it’s fast-paced and although you might get confused by the different stories/cases, you’ll eventually understand why new cases are introduced when older ones haven’t been solved. Apart from the fact that that’s just how life works, the cases are also related.
What it’s about: A man who has been suppressing his feelings after years of caring for his autistic brother meets a woman with antisocial personality disorder. They realise later that their fates have been entwined since they were kids.
Why you should watch it: Unlike most K-dramas that focuses either on murders or romance, this one touches extensively on mental health. You’d learn about the different conditions people have and be reminded that one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Oh, the fashion is amazing too.
What it’s about: A model high school student is trying to raise money for university by anonymously running an illegal prostitution ring. However, things start going wrong when he gets caught by his classmate who starts to blackmail him.
Why you should watch it: If you are in the mood for something dark, this is the drama for you. The story takes place in a school setting, but nothing about the show is light-hearted. Instead, you are taken into a world of crime and dark secrets hidden by students who are struggling with their own demons. It may sound intense, but it’s a good look into another side of Korean society that don’t always appear in the K-drama world.
Extracurricular is streaming on Netflix now.
What it’s about: A owner of a mysterious food-cart bar that opens only at night and her naive part-timer, helps to solve their customers’ problems by visiting their dreams.
Why you should watch it: Based on a popular web comic, Hwang Jung Eum is perfect as the hot-tempered and cursed immortal owner of the food-cart who needs to help 100,000 troubled souls. Joining her is boy group BtoB’s Yook Sung Jae, who stars as a clumsy but kind-hearted supermarket employee who is clairvoyant. There’s colourful characters, interesting stories, comedy, touching moments, and a heartwarming message. What’s not to love?
Mystic Pop-up Bar is streaming on Netflix now.
What It’s About: When Tae-pyeong (Ok Taec-yeon) looks into someone’s eye, he can see the exact moments right before they die. A girl is kidnapped and her disappearance may involve the notorious Midnight Killer. While Tae-pyeong helps the police with the investigation, he is stunned when he meets Detective Joon-young (Lee Yeon-hee) — the first person whose death he can’t foresee. Both work together frantically to stop the Midnight Killer.
Starring: Lee Joon-hyuk, Nam Ji-hyun, Kim Ji-soo, Yang Dong-geun
The Game: Towards Zero is available on Viu.
What It’s About: Sol Ah (Shin Ye-eun) works in a graphic design company with dreams of becoming a webtoon artist. She is sociable with puppy-like characteristics — she likes people and latches on to them to protect them. Sol Ah unwittingly brings a cat Hong Zo (Kim Myung-soo) home, not knowing it has the ability to transform into a human. Under the same roof, the two help each other navigate through life. Meow the Secret Boy is based on the popular webtoon series by Go A-ra.
Starring: Kim Myung-soo, Shin Ye-eun, Seo Ji-hoon
The Meow Boy is available on Viu.
What It’s About: Ji Hyeong-ju (Lee Joon-hyuk) is a police detective who endures the tough job out of sheer loyalty to his squad mates. However, he loses all motivation in life and spirals into despair when one of his colleagues passes away. Shin Ga-hyeon (Nam Ji-hyun), a popular webtoon artist, is the author of a thriller webtoon called Hidden Killer.
Her life is a repetition of investigations and turning those stories into art, but she has her best friend and boyfriend by her side. Then, a sudden accident throws her life into a period of darkness. When both Hyeong-ju and Ga-hyeon are at their absolute lowest, they each get a phone call from a mysterious person who gives them the option of repeating the past year. What will they choose?
Starring: Lee Joon-hyuk, Nam Ji-hyun, Kim Ji-soo, Yang Dong-geun
365: Repeat the Year available on Viu.
What It’s About: Detective Cha Young-jin (Kim Seo-hyung) at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is still haunted by the death of her friend who was murdered 19 years ago by the infamous Stigmata serial killer. When the latter strikes again, she begins her hunt for the killer.
Starring: Kim Seo-hyung, Ryu Deok-hwan, Park Hoon, Ahn Ji-ho
Nobody Knows is available on Viu.
What It’s About: Find Me in Your Memory is a romance revolving around two people with similar scars. Lee Jung-hoon (Kim Dong-wook) is a news anchor in News Live, the top news station in South Korea. He is diagnosed with hyperthymesia, a condition that gives him the ability to remember an abnormally vast amount of his life experiences in vivid detail. Yeo Ha-jin (Moon Ga-young) is a controversial rising actress who lost a chunk of her life due to memory loss. Watch as the two fatefully cross paths one day and fall in love with each other.
As of writing, the last two episodes are only available to paid users, but a representative from Viu told AsiaOne they will be available for free viewing, typically 72 hours after premiering.
Starring: Kim Dong-wook, Moon Ga-young, Lee Jin-hyuk
Find Me in Your Memory is available on Viu.
What It’s About: Baek Chan-mi (Choi Gang-hee) is a former legend at the National Intelligence Service (NIS), while Hwang Mi-soon (Kim Ji-young ) used to dream of being buried in the national cemetery as an ace agent. Meanwhile, Im Ye-eun (Yu In-young) just wants to be a proud mom to her child and never imagines leaving her desk job at the NIS. The three women are far from being star agents of the NIS, driven by their survival instincts rather than a sense of duty. However, they come together as a team of undercover agents and somehow manage to save the day in a comical, nonsensical, and even miraculous way.
As of writing, episodes one to eight are free to watch now, with newer episodes available first to paid users. However, a representative from Viu told AsiaOne that the upcoming episodes will usually be released for free viewing after 72 hours.
Starring: Choi Gang-hee, Yu In-young, Kim Ji-young, Yoon Seok-ho
Good Casting is available on Viu.
For quicker access to the new episodes and uninterrupted viewing, you can also sign up for a monthly subscription to become a premium member.
What’s it about: A Korean emperor during the time of constituional monarchy meets a detective in modern-day Korea upon crossing his parallel world. Played by Lee Min Ho, the emperor aims to close the door between the two worlds, while the detective, played by Kim Go Eun, tries to save lives.
Why you should watch it: Starring two fan favourite drama leads, this highly-anticipated series premiered on April 17 to high ratings. Written by Kim Eun Sook, whose projects include hit series Secret Garden (2010), Descendants of the Sun (2016) and Mr Sunshine (2018), it’s also a breath of fresh air as a fantasy romance drama that gels two unlikely worlds together, intertwined in a love story.
The King: Eternal Monarch is available on Netflix. New episodes out weekly.
What’s it about: A successful business man and a struggling single mother who were each other’s first love meet again in their 40s. You get glimpses of their past against their present, showcasing how things have changed for the two lovers.
Why you should watch it: This melodrama with a simple but captivating premise is a feels trip full of wistful, bittersweet moments complemented by beautiful cinematography.
When My Love Blooms premieres April 26 on Viu. New episodes every Sunday and Monday.
What’s it about: After experiencing a series of unfortunate events, a cello teacher (played by K-drama sweetheart Park Min Young) quits her job in Seoul and moves back to her hometown in the countryside. There, she bumps into an old high-school classmate (played by Seo Kang Joon) who runs a bookshop, and romance inevitably blossoms.
Why you should watch it: It’s a touching tale about healing, forgiveness and being able to work up the courage to open up and say things that couldn’t be uttered before.
When The Weather Is Fine is available on Viu. New episodes every Tuesday and Wednesday.
What’s it about: A family medicine doctor (played by veteran actress Kim Hee Ae) who seems to have it all – a successful career, blissful wedded life and caring friends – finds her world turned upside down when her husband (played by Park Hae Joon) and friends betray her, driving her to plot revenge.
Why you should watch it: Also known as The World of the Married, this show made headlines for its racy scenes (unconventional in Korean dramas), as it offers an intimate look into infidelity among married couples. It’s also a remake of the 2015 UK television series, Doctor Foster.
The World of The Married is available on Viu. New episodes every Saturday and Sunday.
What’s it about: Still haunted by the traumatic murder of her friend 19 years ago, and weighed down by guilt, Detective Young Jin (played by Sky Castle‘s Kim Seo Hyung) is determined to catch the serial killer who is still at large. When the murders begin again, so does her drive to put him behind bars once and for all.
Why you should watch it: If you’re craving a slow-burning crime thriller with a strong female lead, this show is right up your alley.
Nobody Knows is available on Viu.
What’s it about: Five doctors who attended the same medical university in 1999 are long-time friends working in the same hospital. It follows the day-to-day happenings inside the hospital while exploreing the dynamics between the doctors, patients, medical students and life and death itself.
Why you should watch it: Because of its star-studded ensemble cast. Also because this medical drama doesn’t focus solely on its cases, but also the chemistry and relationship between the doctors – which are just as compelling. It might also pique your interest to know that they started a band together.
Hospital Playlist is available on Netflix.
What’s it about: A female lawyer who would go to great lengths to win a case disarms the opposing lawyer (played by Kingdom‘s Ju Ji Hoon) – a proficient, elite one – by infiltrating his life and making him fall in love with her. Enraged but nonetheless impressed, this drama depicts the competitiveness between two rival lawyers as they tussle for victory and love.
Why you should watch it: Their chase for success and love will keep you hooked, and both leads are complex and intriguing in character. Them trying to outsmart each other also means a generous deal of plot twists; and if you think it’s your typical courtroom drama, it’s not, and is sprinkled with plenty of comic relief and entertaining bits.
Hyena is available on Netflix.
What it’s about: A prince has to figure out why a zombie pandemic is happening in his country, and how to control it, all while making sure he’s not killed by the forces that orchestrated the disease.
Why you should watch it: If you missed Season 1 of this show, don’t worry, it’s still on Netflix. Each season is only six episodes long and OMG, every episode is intense. If you’re into zombies, politics and royal treachery, this one will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you’re wondering how addictive this is, I finished watching all the episodes of Season 2 on Saturday, a day after it launched on Netflix.
Kingdom Season 2 is streaming on Netflix now.
What it’s about: A woman who died while giving birth to her child gets a second chance at life (literally) when the powers above bring her back to life. But she has a mission to accomplish within 49 days if she wants to stay with her daughter.
Why you should watch it: It’s funny, touching and dramatic all at once. And it’ll remind you how important family is and how unpredictable life is. Please have your tissues ready because you really don’t know when a tearjerking moment might appear.
Hi Bye, Mama! is streaming on Netflix now.
What it’s about: An ex-convict, whose father was killed in an accident, tries to put his life back together and follow in his father’s footsteps of opening a bar.
Why you should watch it: Honestly, you can’t go wrong with a Park Seo Joon drama. This drama will make you angry, but inspire you as you watch Park Sae-ro-yi working hard to turn his bar into a franchise and overtake a food company, whose CEO is linked to his father’s death.
Itaewon Class is streaming on Netflix now.
What it’s about: Despite its name, it’s not a love story. It follows the story of a top doctor who gives up everything to work in a small hospital following a traumatic incident. In this second season, he moves to another town and recruits doctors with troubled backgrounds.
Why you should watch it: If you still want to watch more medical dramas after Doctor John, catch the second season of Dr Romantic. Maybe start with season one if you haven’t watched that—you’ll see why it was renewed for a second season. Plus, Teacher Kim is the coolest doctor I have ever met or seen in a drama. You’ll see what I mean.
Full episodes of Dr Romantic 2 is available for free on Viu.
What it’s about: A rich heiress and business owner from South Korea who decided to try out her new product, a paraglide, ended up stranded in North Korea. She has to figure out how to get home while hiding from the authorities. Oh, she falls in love with a military captain so things get a lot more complicated.
Why you should watch it: This is not your typical love story (read also “15 Relationship Tips To Learn From Popular K-Drama Crash Landing On You“). OK, to some extent, it is. But it also gives you a glimpse of what it’s like to live in North Korea (to be taken with a pinch of salt) and is basically proof that you can get away with anything if you have money… kinda.
Crash Landing On You is streaming on Netflix now.
What it’s about: A brilliant doctor who was imprisoned for allegedly euthanising a patient goes back to the medical world despite getting the cold shoulder from his colleagues.
Why you should watch it: If you like medical dramas, you’ll love this. The drama also touches on rare diseases and conditions, so you’ll feel smarter after watching it. And honestly, Ji Sung in a drama? Just watch it lah.
Full episodes of Doctor John is available for free on Viu.
What it’s about: A director of a company develops face blindness after an accident and mistakes his secretary for an heiress. He falls in love with her and she hides the truth from him.
Why you should watch it: Like a rom-com that can make your heart flutter and ache? You’d love this. It reminds us a bit of What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim and She Was Pretty so if you enjoyed those, you’d love this too.
Full episodes of The Secret Life of My Secretary is available for free on Viu.
What it’s about: A hotelier (played by Yeo Jin Goo) suddenly finds himself recruited to work at a hotel for spirits who are on their way to the afterlife. There, he finds out how he is tied to the hotel.
Why you should watch it: The drama may be about ghosts, but save for a few scenes, it’s not scary at all. Rather, you might find yourself crying in every other episode as the spirits take you on their life journey, which make you treasure life all the more.
Full episodes of Hotel Del Luna is available for free on Viu.
What it’s about: An art curator for a museum leads a double life: off-duty, she’s the manager of a fan site for a K-pop idol/actor. Can she keep her private life a secret from the museum owner who doesn’t like fangirls and her new boss who seems to suspect she has something to hide?
Why you should watch it: If you’ve always been curious about what fan site managers actually do, you might get an inkling by watching this (of course, this is the glamourised version of the truth). Also, watch it to witness the chemistry between Park Min Young (here are “Matching Power Suits Worn By Park Min Young In Her Private Life To Conquer The Workplace“) and Kim Jae Wook.
Full episodes of Her Private Life is available for free on Viu.
This article was first published in Cleo ; with updates from the Singapore Women’s Weekly.