K-Dramas are a huge part of Korean entertainment, but which ones are the absolute best that everyone knows? Gallup Korea has compiled a must-see list of the best dramas that viewers voted for.
When anyone talks about Korea, it is no surprise that K-dramas come up at some point. With so many emotional romances, spectacular thrillers and cultural period pieces, the whimsy of K-Dramas has consumed many. However, with so many dramas available, which ones are the most popular? According to Gallup Korea, these survey results show a list of 10 dramas that viewers voted for as the best of all time. See which one of your favorites made the list.
10. Empress Ki
Despite being tenth, Empress Ki is a drama that really climbed up the ranks and wowed viewers. Released in October 2013 on MBC with 11.8% of votes, the unforgettable period piece starring Ha Ji Won and Ji Chang Wook was known for its intriguing plot revolving around the deep love the emperor has for Lady Ki, whom she marries to pursue her political ambitions.
9. Jang Bo Ri is Here!
Released in September 2014 with 12.4% of votes, Jang Bo Ri Is Here was a light-hearted drama that mixed unpredictable circumstances starring Oh Yeon Seo. The plot twist was classic– a foster mom reunites with her wealthy birth family after 20 years. As you can expect, the comedic scenarios were endless and entertained audiences everywhere.
8. My Daughter Seoyoung
The 2012 television series My Daughter Seoyoung starred Lee Sang Yoon and Lee Bo Young in over 50 episodes’ worth of adventures. The drama touched on various difficult subjects, mainly the reconciliation of a father who left his daughter. The tough but moving storyline helped it receive 12.2% of the votes for the best drama.
7. Descendants of The Sun
With over 12.3% of votes, another unforgettable romance was none other than KBS2 Descendants of the Sun, starring Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki. Being on the front line is no joke, but everyone ate up the realistic romance that was occurring on the battlefield. With terrorism, war and checkered pasts plaguing the main characters, the tango between action and love was on every screen in 2016.
6. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
With a stellar cast, otherworldly storyline and beautiful music score, tvN’s Guardian: The Lonely and Great God was an artistic and tastefully romantic K-drama. Not only did it highlight how handsome Gong Yoo can be, but it also showcased a new side of actress Kim Go Eun. The story of an ancient God falling in love with a rowdy schoolgirl befriending a Grim Reaper made the wacky story addictively charming and scored high on this list with over 12.6% of votes.
5. SKY Castle
Despite the series highlighting a dark but real twisted part of Korean society, viewers couldn’t get enough of the accurate portrayal of hierarchies in JTBC’s SKY Castle. The criminally good drama had Yum Jung Ah acting for her life and was one of the most discussed dramas in 2018. The constant reflection on social standards made the story worth seeing till the end and landed a perfect spot in the middle of this list with 13%.
4. Queen of Tears
Despite the controversy surrounding star Kim Soo Hyun, his performance alongside Kim Ji Won in tvN’s Queen of Tears made a long-lasting impression and earned 13.1% of votes. The romance was exciting, realistic, yet whimsical and made-for-TV. The unexpected circumstances and tribulations of the two married protagonists kept viewers glued to their screens in 2024, awaiting the budding romance to fully bloom.
3. The Glory
The Glory is one of those series on Netflix that leaves you jaw-dropped every episode. The loosely based real story of the series highlights school bullying and one woman’s insatiable thirst for revenge. The cast, including Song Hye Kyo, displayed standout performances and put many talented new faces on the map in 2023 during the pandemic. It successfully garnered 14.8% of the votes.
2. Extraordinary Attorney Woo
The endearing story of ENA’s Extraordinary Attorney Woo touched the hearts of many in 2022. An autistic lawyer, played by Park Eun Bin, overcomes prejudice, breaks barriers, and shows her worth through her hard work, tenacious spirit, and lovable quirks. The award-winning performance opened the eyes and minds of Koreans towards people with disabilities. The reactions were so positive, it is no surprise the series reached second place on this list. Another pandemic success story with over 16.4% of votes.
1. Reborn Rich
What may shock some, the JTBC hit drama Reborn Rich, originally a web novel, was voted number one at 16.6% for a plethora of reasons! Starring Shin Hyun Bin and Song Joong Ki, the 2022 tragic drama features revenge, mind games, and politics. The antics of a chaebol conglomerate trying to cover a tax evasion scheme left fans shocked by how the other side lived and their twisted mindset for money. The greedy tactics were addictive to see, and the final episode recorded 26.9% nationwide ratings.
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Which one of these dramas is your favorite? Were you surprised to see any unexpected titles on this list? Don’t forget to follow ZAPZEE for more original content and enjoy more of your favorite K-Dramas for FREE Amasian TV.
