Looking for your next binge-worthy Korean drama? Get ready to be hooked as we dive into the world of the most addictive Korean dramas you won’t be able to resist.
Whether you’re a K-drama enthusiast or new to the genre, this curated list is bound to keep you entertained and craving for more.
Join us as we list kdramas that are so addictive you wouldn’t be able to stop watching and let us know if we missed a great kdrama that should be added to this list.
Table of Contents
My Name
This action thriller follows a woman who joins a drug cartel to avenge her father’s death. She soon learns that the cartel is not what it seems, and she must fight her way out.
The drama is led by Han So Hee, Ahn Bo Hyun, Park Hee Soon, Lee Hak Joo and more.
The star-studded cast puts on an amazing performance, its been named one of the most binge-worthy Netflix K-dramas ever made.
Love Alarm 1 And 2
The hit series is one of the first Netflix kdramas ever made. The drama is led by Kim So hyun, Jung Ga Ram, Song Kang, Go Min Si and more. It tells the story of a girl caught in a love triangle due to an app that can tell you when someone likes you which leads to a lot of misunderstandings and issues.
The drama shot Song Kang to fame and he’s since been able to become a Hallyu star. The drama is widely considered to be very addictive by the fans who’ve seen it.
Sweet Home
“Sweet Home” is considered one of the biggest Netflix kdrama hits of all time and follows the story of Cha Hyun-soo (Song Kang) who leaves his house and goes into an apartment following an unforeseen family tragedy.
Monsters start to arrive shortly after that. Realizing that monsters are hiding everywhere outside, the residents of the flat are stuck within the structure. Hyun-soo and the other occupants of the building defend themselves inside with the intention of enduring as long as they can. The drama is currently filming for its 2nd and 3rd seasons after the huge reception for its first season.
The cast included Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Si Young, Lee Do Hyun, Park Gyuyoung, Go Min Si, Kim Nam Hee and more.
D.P.
Accredited as one of the best Netflix dramas both domestically and internationally, “D.P.” focuses on the story of soldiers who work in Deserter Pursuit. The D.P. unit is responsible for tracking down and apprehending deserters from the South Korean military.
The cast of “D.P.” includes Jung Hae In, Koo Kyo Hwan, Kim Sung Kyun, Son Suk Ku, and more. It has gained massive critical acclaim from both viewers and critics alike. Its currently rolling out teasers for its highly anticipated 2nd season which will air in late July. Its not too late to binge-watch this amazing drama that tackles intense subjects about the Korean military.
The Penthouse Series- With A Focus On Season 1 And 2, Not 3
If you’re looking for a Makjang that’s so addictive you cannot stop watching, this is the drama for you.
The hit SBS series “Penthouse” describes the lives of affluent families that reside in the 100-floor luxury penthouse known as Hera Palace. All of the people that live in Hera Palace are motivated by ambition and greed, and they will do whatever it takes to maintain their standing and protect their families.
It includes a star-studded cast and was a massive hit in terms of ratings and popularity among fans. While the drama is known for being nonsensical and with an over-the-top plot, exaggerated emotions, and larger-than-life characters, it is a makjang which is what made it so special.
The 1st and 2nd season are considered fan-favorites, not so much the 3rd one. It’s the type of kdrama that you cannot stop watching once you start. It’ll definitely hook you with its ridiculous but fan premise and amazing actors.
Itaewon Class
Based on a webtoon of the same title, this drama follows the journey of an ex-convict who opens a bar-restaurant and seeks to take down a powerful food corporation. It tackles themes of ambition, justice, and resilience, making it a gripping watch.
It currently sits as one of the top-rated cable channel dramas of all time. The drama’s message and plot were hailed among fans and critics for being very inspiring. The drama is known for being addictive and very engaging as many said they were so intrigued and engrossed in the main character’s fight for revenge.
The cast of “Itaewon Class” includes Park Seo Joon, Kim Da Mi, Yoo Jae Myung, Kwon Nara, and Ahn Bo Hyun.
Its Okay Not To Be Okay
The hit kdrama follows Ko Moon-young, an antisocial children’s book author who moves to her hometown to pursue her love interest Moon Gang-tae, a psych ward caretaker, who has dedicated his life for taking care of his autistic older brother Moon Sang-tae.
The drama is led by a star-studded cast that includes Kim Soo Hyun, Seo Ye Ji, Oh Jung Se and Park Gyu Young. The themes of the drama and its focus on bringing awareness to mental health issues as well as the stunning performances and chemistry by its actors made it one of the most memorable kdramas made in recent memory and an addictive one at that.
Squid Game
Probably the biggest Netflix drama to date across the board, no list of the most addictive kdramas ever made would be complete without the 9-episode massive hit series “Squid Game.”
“Squid Game” is a series that tells the story of individuals who participate in a mysterious survival game with a prize of 45.6 billion won and risk their lives to become the final winner. It was released in September 2021 and became a global sensation.
The drama gained immense praise and critical acclaim shortly after its release and many fans report being so impressed with how fast-paced and compact the series was. Many also called it highly addictive, its definitely a gateway ‘drug’ to kdramaland.
If you haven’t seen yet it then you must definitely should. The drama is currently filming for its highly anticipated 2nd season with the addition of new cast members.
Crash Landing On You
This romantic drama tells the story of a South Korean heiress who accidentally lands in North Korea and falls in love with a North Korean soldier. It combines romance, comedy, and political intrigue, keeping viewers hooked until the end.
It’s the drama known for bringing Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin closer together. Their amazing chemistry as well as the rest of the star-studded cast makes its one of the most addictive kdramas ever made.
Goblin
A fantasy romance drama about a goblin cursed with immortality and his search for a human bride who can break the curse that has a lot of everything, romance, fantasy, comedy and more, its considered one of the best kdramas ever made.
Gong Yoo stars as Kim Shin, a 900-year-old immortal goblin who is in search for his bride, who is the only one who can remove the sword piercing through his chest. The drama also stars Kim Go Eun as Ji Eun-tak, the legendary Goblin’s bride; Lee Dong Wook as Grim Reaper / Wang Yeo; Yoo In Na as Sunny, a café owner with special abilities; and Yook Sung Jae as Yoo Deok-hwa, Kim Shin’s goblin servant.
The South Korean drama was extremely well-liked and received a lot of praise from both reviewers and viewers. It received tremendous accolades for its breathtaking photography, moving story, and the cast’s outstanding acting.
Signal
A crime thriller with a touch of supernatural, “Signal” follows the story of a detective who communicates with a detective from the past through a mysterious walkie-talkie. Together, they solve cold cases and try to change the course of history.
The drama has been hailed as one of the best-written kdramas in recent memory. The lead actors played by Lee Je Hoon, Kim Hye Soo and Cho Jin Woong put on some of their best performances and share great chemistry. The drama’s intriguing fast-paced plot makes it one of the most addictive kdramas to watch.
Vincenzo
“Vincenzo” marked Song Joong Ki’s return to TV for the first time in 3 years and tells the story of an Italian lawyer and Mafia consigliere Vincenzo Cassano, who moves back to Korea after a conflict with his organization members. In Korea, he gets involved with a tough lawyer Hong Cha Young. Together they work on bringing down villains using methods that could be considered unlawful.
Its led by Song Joong Ki, Jeon Yeo Bin, 2PM’s Taecyeon, and Yoo Jae Myung, Jo Han Chul, Kim Yeo Jin, and Kwak Dong Yeon.
The drama became one of the biggest JTBC hit dramas of all time and has been critically and commercially acclaimed. Its considered one of Song Joong Ki’s best dramas and performances to date.
The Glory Part 1 And 2
One of the newer kdramas on this list, “The Glory” is a 16-part series divided into two parts. Part 1 was released in late 2022 while part 2 came out in early 2023.
The drama brought immense attention to bullying in South Korea as it tackled some pretty harsh topics around teens and the Korean education system.
“The Glory” focuses on the story of a woman whose soul shattered due to suffering from violence in her childhood, she carefully prepares for revenge for her whole life, and of those who fall into the vortex. Its led by Song Hye Kyo, Lee Do Hyun, Lim Ji Yeon, Park Sung Hoon and many more.
Since its premiere , the show has had astronomical popularity, enthralling viewers with its provocative topics. Despite exploring difficult topics, the drama stands out for its flawless execution, top-notch acting, and compelling writing, leaving viewers in awe of its genius.
The World Of The Married
Considered one of the best dramatic kdramas ever made, “The World Of The Married” is about a married couple whose lives are turned upside down when the husband’s infidelity is revealed.
Its led by Kim Hee Ae as Ji Sun-woo, a doctor who is betrayed by her husband, and Park Hae Joon as Lee Tae-oh, a successful businessman who has an affair. It also stars Han So Hee in her breakout role that contributed to her becoming one of the biggest currently active Korean actresses.
The drama deals with infidelity and how it destroys a family. Its very emotionally charged, shocking and addictive, you wouldn’t be able to stop watching once you start.
SKY Castle
A satirical drama set in an elite residential area, “Sky Castle” delves into the lives of wealthy families obsessed with their children’s success in academics. It explores the dark side of education and social pressure in South Korea as the parents grapple with the consequences of putting their children under immense pressure.
The drama has the perfect mix between suspense, thriller, comedy romance and more. Its led by an amazing star-studded cast of established and then upcoming an coming Korean actors and is considered one of the highest rated cable channel Korean dramas of all time.
These were our top picks for the most Addictive Korean Dramas. Which of these Korean dramas resonated with you the most? Are there any other must-watch dramas that you would include in this list? Let us know!
