So, you’ve finally decided to dive into the world of K-Dramas? First of all, welcome to the club, chingu
You’re about to experience a rollercoaster of emotions, from screaming at your screen during plot twists to ugly crying at 3 AM because you can’t believe what just happened.
But here’s the thing: with so many amazing dramas out there, you might be wondering:
- Which Korean Drama is best for beginners?
- Which K-Drama should I watch first to not get bored?
- What is the first best K-Drama to watch if I want to become a true fan?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you!
Whether you want heart-fluttering romance or feel-good slice-of-life vibes, this list of 20 must-watch K-Dramas for beginners will give you the perfect starting point.
Why Start with Beginner-Friendly K-Dramas?
Starting with the right drama is like finding your first K-Pop bias. It sets the tone for your entire fan journey. Beginner-friendly K-Dramas are usually:
- Easy to follow (no overly complicated plots)
- Packed with relatable emotions and universal themes
- Filled with iconic scenes you’ll see referenced all over fan pages
Ready to find out where to start with K-Dramas? Let’s jump in.
20 Must-Watch K-Dramas for Beginners
We’ll give you each beginner Korean drama with a mini-review, why it’s perfect for beginners, and some quick facts.
1. Crash Landing on You (2019)
When a South Korean heiress crash-lands in North Korea after a paragliding accident, she meets a stoic North Korean soldier who tries to help her return home. As they dodge military suspicion, their unlikely romance blossoms in the most impossible circumstances. This is a perfect blend of romance, suspense, and heartfelt comedy.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Gorgeous visuals, relatable humor, and lead chemistry so good it sparked a real-life romance.
- Director: Lee Jung-hyo
- Platform: Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: This was the most-watched tvN drama at the time of its airing and was inspired by a real-life incident of a South Korean actress drifting into North Korean waters while boating.
2. Descendants of the Sun (2016)
A soldier and a doctor fall in love in a fictional war-torn country, constantly torn between duty and desire. Their romance unfolds against the backdrop of danger, medical crises, and breathtaking scenery. The drama became a cultural phenomenon across Asia.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Cinematic storytelling, iconic OST, and a love story full of tension and tenderness.
- Director: Lee Eung-bok
- Platform: Viki, Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo’s chemistry was so strong, they ended up getting married in real life (though later divorced).
3. Itaewon Class (2020)
After a personal tragedy and an unfair prison sentence, Park Sae-ro-yi sets out to open a bar-restaurant in Itaewon and take down the powerful conglomerate that ruined his life. Along the way, he builds a found family of unique misfits.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Inspiring underdog story with unforgettable life lessons and diverse representation.
- Director: Kim Sung-yoon
- Platform: Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: The webtoon it’s based on was written by the show’s scriptwriter — no wonder it felt so authentic.
4. My Love from the Star (2013)
Do Min-joon, an alien stranded on Earth for 400 years, is just weeks away from returning home — until he meets a quirky, superstar actress who changes his plans (and his heart). Filled with humor, romance, and a sprinkle of sci-fi, this drama is a legend.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Adorable bickering, an addictive love story, and scenes you’ll see referenced everywhere in K-Drama fandoms.
- Director: Jang Tae-yoo
- Platform: Viki, Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: After this aired, fried chicken and beer sales in China skyrocketed thanks to Jun Ji-hyun’s famous “chimaek” scene.
5. Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (2017)
Bong-soon looks small and sweet but has superhuman strength passed down through generations of women in her family. She gets hired as a bodyguard for a charming game company CEO while also trying to stop a series of local kidnappings.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Equal parts hilarious, romantic, and action-packed — plus a female lead who’s literally a powerhouse.
- Director: Lee Hyung-min
- Platform: Netflix, Viki
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: Park Bo-young did many of her own stunts despite her petite size.
6. Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) (2016)
Kim Shin, a centuries-old goblin cursed with immortality, searches for his human bride — the only one who can end his life. When he finally meets her, their journey becomes an epic tale of love, loss, and friendship.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Beautifully shot, with a legendary bromance and unforgettable emotional highs and lows.
- Director: Lee Eung-bok
- Platform: Viki, Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: Gong Yoo originally turned down the role but changed his mind after reading the script.
7. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
City dentist Yoon Hye-jin moves to a small seaside village and clashes with “Chief Hong,” a multi-talented local who seems to know everyone and everything. Their slow-burn romance unfolds among heartwarming community stories.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: A healing drama that feels like a cozy blanket — perfect for unwinding after a long day.
- Director: Yoo Je-won
- Platform: Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: The seaside village is a real place called Pohang, which saw a tourism boom after the drama aired.
8. Reply 1988 (2015)
Set in late-80s Seoul, this slice-of-life gem follows five childhood friends and their families as they navigate growing up, first loves, and everyday struggles. It’s nostalgia and warmth wrapped into one.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Relatable themes, wholesome humor, and one of the best portrayals of family in K-Drama history.
- Director: Shin Won-ho
- Platform: Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: The “husband reveal” ending is still one of the most debated twists in K-Drama history.
9. Vincenzo (2021)
A Korean-Italian mafia consigliere returns to Seoul to recover hidden gold but gets entangled in a battle against a corrupt conglomerate. Expect thrilling takedowns, witty banter, and stylish anti-hero vibes.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Dark humor, creative revenge plots, and a cast of eccentric neighbors you’ll grow to love.
- Director: Kim Hee-won
- Platform: Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: Song Joong-ki learned Italian dialogue for the role.
10. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016)
Bok-joo is a college weightlifter with a big heart and bigger dreams. When she reconnects with her childhood friend (and now a competitive swimmer), sparks — and comedic moments — fly.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Youthful, wholesome, and relatable — a feel-good rom-com that will make you nostalgic for campus life.
- Director: Oh Hyun-jong
- Platform: Netflix, Viki
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: The story was loosely inspired by real-life Olympic gold medalist Jang Mi-ran.
11. Healer (2014)
By night, he’s “Healer,” an illegal night courier with insane martial arts skills. By day, he’s just trying to survive — until a reporter and an old conspiracy turn his life upside down.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Action-thriller meets slow-burn romance, with an irresistible lead performance from Ji Chang-wook.
- Director: Lee Jung-sub
- Platform: Viki, Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: Ji Chang-wook did many of his own fight scenes for authenticity.
12. Business Proposal (2022)
Shin Ha-ri goes on a blind date pretending to be her friend, only to discover her “date” is actually her company’s CEO. Cue fake dating, hilarious office antics, and swoon-worthy romance.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Pure rom-com fun with perfect pacing for binge-watching.
- Director: Park Seon-ho
- Platform: Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: The drama’s proposal scene became one of the most-memed K-Drama moments of 2022.
13. True Beauty (2020)
High schooler Lim Ju-kyung masters the art of makeup to boost her confidence, hiding her bare-faced self from her classmates. But her secret is threatened when she meets two very different boys.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Fun, colorful, and full of relatable themes about self-esteem and friendship.
- Director: Kim Sang-hyub
- Platform: Viki, Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: The show’s male leads had such strong visuals, fans called them “face geniuses.”
14. Hotel Del Luna (2019)
A supernatural hotel caters exclusively to ghosts, and its glamorous but cursed CEO, Jang Man-wol, has been stuck running it for centuries. When a new human manager arrives, their worlds collide in unexpected ways.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Stunning visuals, IU’s magnetic performance, and deeply emotional guest stories.
- Director: Oh Choong-hwan
- Platform: Viki, Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: The show’s costume budget was massive — IU wore over 100 different outfits.
15. King the Land (2023)
A cheerful hotel employee and a cold, wealthy heir clash over their different views on hospitality — until misunderstandings turn into mutual attraction.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Lighthearted, trope-filled romance perfect for stress-free watching.
- Director: Im Hyun-wook
- Platform: Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: This was one of JTBC’s highest-rated dramas in 2023.
16. Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)
Woo Young-woo, a rookie lawyer with autism spectrum disorder, uses her brilliant legal mind to solve cases while navigating workplace prejudice and personal relationships.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Unique and heartwarming perspective with plenty of clever courtroom moments.
- Director: Yoo In-shik
- Platform: Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: The whale scenes became a signature visual metaphor for the character’s moments of inspiration.
17. Start-Up (2020)
Set in South Korea’s tech start-up scene, the drama follows Seo Dal-mi’s dreams of becoming a CEO, torn between two men from her past and present.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Inspiring mix of romance, ambition, and beautifully shot cityscapes.
- Director: Oh Choong-hwan
- Platform: Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: The show sparked heated “Team Good Boy” vs. “Team Nam Do-san” debates among fans.
18. Boys Over Flowers (2009)
Poor but strong-willed Jan-di earns a scholarship to an elite school, where she clashes (and falls for) the leader of the rich and arrogant F4 boys.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Iconic K-Drama tropes, over-the-top drama, and a nostalgic blast for fans.
- Director: Jeon Ki-sang
- Platform: Netflix, Viki
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: This is one of the most remade Asian dramas — versions exist in Japan, Taiwan, and China.
19. The Glory (2022)
After surviving horrific school bullying, Moon Dong-eun dedicates her adult life to plotting revenge against her tormentors.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Intense, emotional, and impossible to stop watching once you start.
- Director: Ahn Gil-ho
- Platform: Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: The screenwriter, Kim Eun-sook, is famous for romance dramas — making this dark revenge story a big surprise.
20. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)
A caregiver at a psychiatric hospital crosses paths with a bestselling children’s author with a dark past, leading them on a journey of emotional healing.
- Why Beginners Will Love It: Deep themes, stunning cinematography, and a romance that feels truly earned.
- Director: Park Shin-woo
- Platform: Netflix
💡 K-Trivia Fan Fact: The fairy-tale animations were custom-created for the drama and later released as a real illustrated book.