Korean Drama Series on Netflix: What to Watch

I don’t know about you, but since quarantine started a year ago I’ve completely fallen in love with K-drama.

Prior to 2020, it had probably been a decade since I watched a South Korean TV series from start to finish. But with cabin fever kicking in two weeks into lockdown and Netflix’s excellent algorithm roping me in, I started watching “Crash Landing on You.” And when it left my heart feeling 10 times bigger when I finished, I immediately craved the kilig and escapism only K-drama brings.

For a few months, I willingly flung myself down the K-drama rabbit hole.

Now, with new quarantine rules keeping us strictly locked down at home, some of us might need a pick-me-up. Apart from doing your home workout or losing yourself in nail-biting books, why not watch marathon-worthy K-dramas on Netflix?

We’ve listed a few of the latest and greatest ones below.

1. Vincenzo

From an 18^th century scholar in 2010’s “Sungkyunkwan Scandal” and a dashing army captain in 2016’s award-winning “Descendants of the Sun,” actor Song Joong-ki now plays the titular suave Korean-Italian mafia lawyer, “Vincenzo.”

Adopted by an Italian mafia boss when he was a child, Vincenzo becomes a lawyer and the mafia family’s consigliere. After unfortunate circumstances, though, he’s forced to fly back to South Korea to recover a former client’s hidden gold only to be met with resistance from a powerful conglomerate.

Perfect for: fans of action with a dash of romance.

2. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

Your favorite handsome alien from 2014’s hit drama “My Love From the Star,” Kim Soo-hyun is back in the romance drama “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.”

He plays the role of Moon Gang-tae, a caregiver and younger brother to Moon Sang-tae, who has autism. They’re joined by (the goddess) Seo Yea-ji, a mysterious children’s book author. As circumstances connect them, the trio learns to find healing and comfort within each other.

With a plot as beautiful as the actors, get ready to be completely immersed in this drama.

Perfect for: fans of a slow-burn romance.

3. Sweet Home

Warning: this drama is not for the queasy.

If you’ve never heard of this series before, don’t let the title deceive you. There’s nothing remotely sweet in this drama that perfectly blends action, horror, and philosophy in one gruesome package.

Adapted from a webtoon, “Sweet Home” is a post-apocalyptic show that follows Cha Hyun-soo, played by Song Kang, and his neighbors in a rundown apartment complex. With people turning into all kinds of gruesome monsters, they have to learn to trust each other to survive.

Perfect for: people waiting for Kingdom’s special episode.

4. The Uncanny Counter

Another drama adapted from a webtoon, “The Uncanny Counter” stars Jo Byung-gyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong, and Yeom Hye-ran as the Counters. They’re a group of demon-hunters that works at a noodle shop by day and destroys escaped evil spirits at night.

With a unique plot and great chemistry between the actors, this action-packed and magical show is the perfect drama to binge for fantasy lovers. The best news? It’s already been renewed for season 2!

Perfect for: people who loved the fantasy aspect of “Hotel del Luna.”

If you’re looking for something set in a high-stakes environment, we also have recommendations for medical K-dramas. Let’s just hope the lockdown won’t get extended long enough for you to run out of these addicting Korean series to watch.