K-dramas, also known as melodramas, have seen a vast increase in popularity worldwide due to their unique combination of romance, emotions, sentimental themes, drama, and introverted feelings. They have emotionally charged their storyline, and these dramas also often use music in their storytelling. Be it a die-hard fan or someone who has just started watching his type of genre, take a look at the top 10 Korean melodramas that must be added to your watchlist.
1. Call It Love
Call It Love is a romantic melodrama released in 2023, starring Kim Young-kwang and Lee Sung-Kyung. It is about Woo-Joo, whose life starts to go downhill when she discovers about her father’s affair. When her father dies, she gets kicked out of her house by the mistress. She then plans to take revenge but ends up falling in love with Dong-Jin, who is the mistress’s son. The drama offers intriguing cinematography, an unusual love story, and a plot that emphasizes the family relationship.
2. Summer Strike
Summer Strike is a Korean drama released in 2022 by the writer Joo Young-Hyundai, starring Im Si-wan and Kim Seol-Hyun. The story is about people’s lives who start to discover who they are once they leave their hectic city lifestyle behind and relocate to a strange country to do nothing. Lee Yeo-Reum is someone who is voluntarily unemployed and Ahn Dae-Beom, is a librarian who has declared a life strike. What will happen when their paths cross?
3. A Piece Of Your Mind
A Piece of Your Mind is a South Korean romance drama released in 2020, starring Chae Soo-bin, Jung Hae-In, Kim Sung-Kyu, and Lee Ha-na. In the story Moon Ha-Won is an AI programmer, and also the founder of AH company. He is a very consistent person with a good heart and soul. Han Seo-Woo is a classical music recording engineer whose life is unusable without a house or family, but she is always positive. As they both start a relationship together, they help each become a better version of themselves.
4. When The Weather Is Fine
When the Weather is Fine is another favorite Korean melodrama starring Seo Kang-joon and Park Min-Young. Mok Hae-Won is a cellist who, after a series of unfortunate events, quits her job and goes back to Bookhyun Village, where she had lived as a high schooler. There, she meets Im Eun-Seob, her former classmate and neighbor, who owns Goodnight Bookstore. Trying to escape the bitter and harsh reality, they try to find warmth in each other, and together, they heal from their previous wounds. Eun’s ordinary life routine changes when they start their journey of rediscovery and making a deep connection.
5. My Liberation Notes
My Liberation Notes is a Kdrama released in 2022, starring Lee El, Kim Ji-won, Lee Min-ki, and Son Suk-ku. It is set in the fictional Sanpo Village, telling the story of three siblings trying to escape from their uncertain existence. Mr Goo is an enigmatic figure who arrives in their neighborhood. Chang-hee is the middle child who wants to run his home but does not have a dream and is always looked down upon by his family. Yeom Gi-Jeong is the eldest, who has a lot of tempers and wastes a lot of time traveling from Seoul to Sanpo. Mi-Jeong is the youngest, who is introverted and timid. She one day approaches Mr. Goo.
6. Something In The Rain
Something in the Rain, released in 2018, stars Jang So-Yeon, Son Ye-Jin, and Jung Hae-In. It was always Son Ye-jin’s comeback after five years. Yoon Jin Ah is a free-spirited woman in her 30s still waiting to find her true love. Her past experiences have left her heartbroken and just when she thought she couldn’t find anyone she meets Joon Hee. He is her childhood friend’s younger brother. She is taken aback by his epic transformation. This time, her gut feeling tells her she would indeed fall in love.
7. When I Was The Most Beautiful
When I Was The Most Beautiful is a drama released in 2020, starring Ji Soo, Hwang Seung-eon, Im Soo-Hyang, and Ha Seok-Jin. The story is about Oh Ye-ji, who is an art student whose dream is to be a ceramic artist. She goes to school as both a teacher and student, where she meets Seo Hwan and Seo Jin, brothers. She gets entangled in a love triangle between them. Hwan is an architectural designer who is in love with her, and Jin is a race driver.
8. The Interest Of Love
The Interest of Love is a Drama by Lee Hyuk-Jin, released in 2023, starring Jung Ga-ram, Yoo Yeon-Seok, Keum Sae-Rok, and Moon Ga-young. The story begins at Nara Bank’s branch in Yeongpo, which is celebrating its 99th anniversary, and focuses on the scandalous office affair. Ha Sang Soo is the charismatic senior head of the insulation team who is admired by all for his looks. Park Mi Kyung has a wealthy family background but faces relationship challenges. Ahn Soo Young is the fourth-year chief bank teller who yearns for progress. Lastly, Jung Jong Hyun is studying to become a police officer.
9. My Mister
My Mister is a drama released in 2018, starring Lee Ji-eun and Lee Sun-kyun. It tells the story of Lee Ji-an, a young woman who is struggling to stay afloat as she takes care of her deaf and sick grandmother and works a temporary job. She develops a bond with Park Dong-hon, her supervisor, who is manipulated by friends, colleagues, and his dysfunctional family. While and Ling’s lives weigh, they come together, forming a new relationship, keeping some part of their lives a secret, healing each other’s past.
10. The Heirs
The Heirs, also known as The Inheritors, is a drama released in 2013, starring Lee Min-ho, Kim Woo-bin, and Park Shin-Hye. It is set in a high school filled with wealthy and privileged kids. Kim Tan is the heir to Jeguk Group, a large Korean conglomerate. He gets sent to the US by Kim Won, his half-brother, who is trying to take control of the family business. In the States, he meets Cha Eun-sang who is there looking for her sister. He is engaged to Yoo Rachel, who is a fellow heiress, but falls for Eun-Sang.
