The Best Record-Breaking K-Dramas of All Time You Must Watch on Netflix
Riya Kumari | Dec 06, 2024, 23:11 IST
If binge-worthy K-dramas are your love language, welcome to your new obsession. Romantic comedies are the bread and butter of Korean drama, and there’s nothing like watching gorgeous leads fall in love amid misunderstandings, hilariously exaggerated coincidences, and picture-perfect settings. Add record-breaking viewership ratings to the mix, and you've got a recipe for an unforgettable watchlist.
If you haven’t fallen down the rabbit hole of K-dramas yet, let me tell you—you’re missing out on a whole universe of feel-good, heart-fluttering chaos. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a curious newbie, these are the K-dramas you must watch on Netflix, Make sure to have tissues on hand—you’ll laugh, cry, and maybe fall in love (with the leads, obviously).
1. Descendants of the Sun
Why It’s a Record Breaker: This one wasn’t just a drama; it was a cultural phenomenon. With its swoon-worthy soldier-meets-doctor love story, Descendants of the Sun dominated viewership ratings and inspired an actual increase in tourism to its filming locations.
What You'll Love: Heart-stopping action, breathtaking romance, and Song Joong-ki being the ultimate dreamboat.
2. The Heirs
Why It’s a Record Breaker: Think Gossip Girl, but with chaebols (rich heirs) and a lot more heart. This star-studded series featuring Lee Min-ho and Park Shin-hye took over the world, amassing legions of fans internationally.
What You'll Love: High school drama, forbidden love, and all the rich-boy-meets-poor-girl tropes you secretly adore.
3. While You Were Sleeping
Why It’s a Record Breaker: Lee Jong-suk and Suzy star in this fantasy-meets-romance series that had audiences hooked from day one. Prophetic dreams, legal drama, and romance? Say no more.
What You'll Love: A unique storyline, adorable chemistry, and edge-of-your-seat suspense.
4. Doctor Stranger
Why It’s a Record Breaker: Lee Jong-suk strikes again! This medical drama with a heavy dose of romance and suspense had audiences captivated and broke records across Asia.
What You'll Love: Intense emotions, plot twists galore, and a love story that will have you rooting for the couple through thick and thin.
5. Pinocchio
Why It’s a Record Breaker: Another Lee Jong-suk gem (yes, he’s the king of K-dramas), this story about a reporter who cannot lie captured hearts and tackled important social issues.
What You'll Love: A beautiful slow-burn romance, compelling storytelling, and Lee Jong-suk being, well, himself.
6. My Love from the Star
Why It’s a Record Breaker: An alien who’s been on Earth for centuries falls in love with a famous actress? The premise may sound wild, but My Love from the Star became a global sensation, even leading to food trends inspired by the show.
What You'll Love: A quirky yet heartfelt romance, Jun Ji-hyun’s comedic genius, and Kim Soo-hyun’s stoic yet dreamy portrayal of the alien hero.
7. What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim
Why It’s a Record Breaker: Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young’s on-screen chemistry was the talk of the town in this workplace rom-com that took “office drama” to a whole new (hilarious) level.
What You'll Love: Laugh-out-loud moments, sizzling chemistry, and a refreshing take on romance between equals.
8. Suspicious Partner
Why It’s a Record Breaker: With its mix of legal drama, murder mystery, and romance, this show pulled off an impressive balance of tension and hilarity. Ji Chang-wook’s charm was just the cherry on top.
What You'll Love: Witty banter, suspenseful twists, and a romance that will leave you swooning.
9. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Why It’s a Record Breaker: A petite woman with superhuman strength? Yes, please. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon was as empowering as it was funny, and Park Bo-young’s adorable performance stole the show.
What You'll Love: A refreshing take on a female lead, laugh-out-loud moments, and the cutest love triangle you’ll ever see.
10. True Beauty
Why It’s a Record Breaker: High school drama with a side of self-acceptance? This webtoon adaptation became an instant hit for its heartfelt moments and jaw-dropping visuals.
What You'll Love: Hilarious misunderstandings, stunning leads, and a story that celebrates inner beauty.
1. Descendants of the Sun
Descendants of the Sun
Why It’s a Record Breaker: This one wasn’t just a drama; it was a cultural phenomenon. With its swoon-worthy soldier-meets-doctor love story, Descendants of the Sun dominated viewership ratings and inspired an actual increase in tourism to its filming locations.
What You'll Love: Heart-stopping action, breathtaking romance, and Song Joong-ki being the ultimate dreamboat.
2. The Heirs
The Heirs
Why It’s a Record Breaker: Think Gossip Girl, but with chaebols (rich heirs) and a lot more heart. This star-studded series featuring Lee Min-ho and Park Shin-hye took over the world, amassing legions of fans internationally.
What You'll Love: High school drama, forbidden love, and all the rich-boy-meets-poor-girl tropes you secretly adore.
3. While You Were Sleeping
While You Were Sleeping
Why It’s a Record Breaker: Lee Jong-suk and Suzy star in this fantasy-meets-romance series that had audiences hooked from day one. Prophetic dreams, legal drama, and romance? Say no more.
What You'll Love: A unique storyline, adorable chemistry, and edge-of-your-seat suspense.
4. Doctor Stranger
Doctor Stranger
Why It’s a Record Breaker: Lee Jong-suk strikes again! This medical drama with a heavy dose of romance and suspense had audiences captivated and broke records across Asia.
What You'll Love: Intense emotions, plot twists galore, and a love story that will have you rooting for the couple through thick and thin.
5. Pinocchio
Pinocchio
Why It’s a Record Breaker: Another Lee Jong-suk gem (yes, he’s the king of K-dramas), this story about a reporter who cannot lie captured hearts and tackled important social issues.
What You'll Love: A beautiful slow-burn romance, compelling storytelling, and Lee Jong-suk being, well, himself.
6. My Love from the Star
My Love from the Star
Why It’s a Record Breaker: An alien who’s been on Earth for centuries falls in love with a famous actress? The premise may sound wild, but My Love from the Star became a global sensation, even leading to food trends inspired by the show.
What You'll Love: A quirky yet heartfelt romance, Jun Ji-hyun’s comedic genius, and Kim Soo-hyun’s stoic yet dreamy portrayal of the alien hero.
7. What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim
Why It’s a Record Breaker: Park Seo-joon and Park Min-young’s on-screen chemistry was the talk of the town in this workplace rom-com that took “office drama” to a whole new (hilarious) level.
What You'll Love: Laugh-out-loud moments, sizzling chemistry, and a refreshing take on romance between equals.
8. Suspicious Partner
Suspicious Partner
Why It’s a Record Breaker: With its mix of legal drama, murder mystery, and romance, this show pulled off an impressive balance of tension and hilarity. Ji Chang-wook’s charm was just the cherry on top.
What You'll Love: Witty banter, suspenseful twists, and a romance that will leave you swooning.
9. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Why It’s a Record Breaker: A petite woman with superhuman strength? Yes, please. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon was as empowering as it was funny, and Park Bo-young’s adorable performance stole the show.
What You'll Love: A refreshing take on a female lead, laugh-out-loud moments, and the cutest love triangle you’ll ever see.
10. True Beauty
True Beauty
Why It’s a Record Breaker: High school drama with a side of self-acceptance? This webtoon adaptation became an instant hit for its heartfelt moments and jaw-dropping visuals.
What You'll Love: Hilarious misunderstandings, stunning leads, and a story that celebrates inner beauty.