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Everyone seems to be falling in love with the same South Korean drama cliches, from amnesia to childhood best friends to hot young CEOs. Netflix has caught on to this trend and has a large collection of some of the best Korean movies and TV shows on Netflix. for you to watch. These include romance, action, horror, and political drama.
If you’re new to subtitles or aren’t quite ready to subscribe to an Asian drama streaming service like Viki or KOKOWA, Netflix’s selection of Korean dramas is a wonderful way to test the waters. If you’re just getting into K-dramas, Netflix is a great place to get a feel for what South Korean TV is capable of.
The popularity and impact of Korean movies and TV shows on Netflix can be attributed to its ability to transcend cultural boundaries and resonate with a global audience. The relatable characters, compelling narratives, and meticulous production values have captivated viewers, fostering an appreciation for Korean storytelling techniques and themes. We have listed down for you the best Korean movies and TV shows available on Netflix for streaming.
Moreover, the accessibility of Korean content on Netflix has played a pivotal role in introducing international audiences to the richness of Korean culture, language, and societal dynamics. Watch Korean Netflix in UK and enjoy the best Korean movies and TV shows on Netflix in 2023!
1. Squid Game
Squid Game is a violent but exhilarating drama series with heart, and it is the show that brought Korean entertainment to new living rooms around the world thanks to Netflix. When it premiered in 2021, it broke records by quickly rising to the top of Netflix’s list of most popular shows in 94 countries, including the United States and United Kingdom. The protagonists are contestants on a game show that lures in the financially vulnerable by promising them a huge payout if they can win, but the price they pay to do so is their own lives. Squid Game, which has been extended for a second season, is one of the best Korean dramas on Netflix and should not be missed by fans of the genre.
| Genre: | Action, Drama, Mystery |
| Director: | Hwang Dong-hyuk |
| Stars: | Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Ho-yeon |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.0 / 10 |
2. My Name
A young woman, aged 17, is so intent on exacting vengeance after witnessing the murder of her father that she goes to the violent drug lord for whom her father had worked. After four years of training, she is ready to carry out the plan. She will pretend to be a police officer in the narcotics unit to find the person who killed her father and, more importantly, to show her loyalty to the criminal organization that has taken her in.
| Genre: | Suspense, Crime, Thriller |
| Director: | Kim-Jin-Min |
| Stars: | Hee-soon Park, Ahn Bo-Hyun, Han So-hee |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.8 / 10 |
3. Hellbound
What would take place if enormous demons began killing people in the streets and “condemning them to hell” in front of the eyes of everyone? Badly! I don’t even know where to begin! Do you have any idea of the struggles that the human race has had to overcome? Netflix’s second ponderous and horrifying 2021 story is Hellbound, which examines this basic notion with a harsh and ruthless analysis of faith and contagious societal hysteria. The story is set in the year 2021 and is about a religion that has gone bad. Hellbound is a slower and more solemn affair than Yeon Sang-smash ho’s Korean zombie movie, Train to Busan, but it shares his talent for using genre storytelling to confront unanswerable (and incomprehensible) issues without flinching. The film was directed by Yeon Sang-ho, who also directed Train to Busan.
| Genre: | Crime, Drama, Fantasy |
| Director: | Yeon Sang-ho |
| Stars: | Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hyun-joo, Park Jeong-min, Won Jin-ah, Yang Ik-june |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.6 / 10 |
4. Mine
Mine follows in the footsteps of other recent Korean shows that have provided a scathing depiction of the lives of the country’s super-wealthy (see: The Penthouse and Sky Castle, neither of which are unfortunately on Netflix, yet), focusing on a powerful chaebol family and, more specifically, on its two daughters-in-law who are trying to carve out their identities and reclaim what is rightfully theirs in a patriarchal society. Watch for a binge-worthy, twisting plot with great lead actors Lee Bo-young and Kim Seo-hyung, who very much reminds me of Tilda Swinton in I Am Love with her exquisite elegance and grace, and who are evocative of the characters in Succession, Downton Abbey, and Big Little Lies.
| Genre: | Drama, Mystery |
| Director: | Lee Na-jung |
| Stars: | Lee Bo-young, Kim Seo-hyeong, Ja-Yeon Ok |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.8 / 10 |
5. Crash Landing on You
Crash Landing on You, about a North Korean soldier and a South Korean heiress, is one of Netflix’s most popular Korean dramas. A young, gorgeous, and extremely wealthy woman named Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) decides to go paragliding one weekend. When a cyclone catches her, it carries her over North Korea. To avoid being captured by North Korea, Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok hides and safeguards Se-ri (Hyun Bin).
Both Jeong-hyeok and Se-ri feel something developing between them while he tries to aid Se-ri and sneak her back to South Korea. It’s no wonder that Jeong-hyeok and Se-ri make such a great onscreen couple as Romeo and Juliet because the two actors began dating shortly after filming on the drama. The best way to dive into the Korean romantic comedy genre is with Crash Landing on You. Also watch the best romantic shows on Netflix.
| Genre: | Adventure, Comedy, Romance |
| Director: | Lee Jung-hyo |
| Stars: | Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye, Kim Jung-hyunwrapped |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.7 / 10 |
6. Signal
It’s a dark and thrilling criminal drama with a unique twist that fans of Broadchurch and Sherlock will appreciate. In Signal, a criminal profiler from the year 2015 discovers a walkie-talkie that allows him to talk to a police detective from 1989. Park Hae-young, the profiler, is brought into a newly formed cold case team when their conversation leads to the successful resolution of a case; however, she soon learns that rewriting history inevitably alters the present and the future. Each character’s story is well realized, and the program as a whole is wonderful thanks to the excellent acting, superb writing, and palpable tension.
| Genre: | Crime, Drama, Fantasy |
| Director: | Kim Won-Seok |
| Stars: | Lee Jehoon, Kim Hye-su, Cho Jin-woong |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.5 / 10 |
7. Stranger
| Genre: | Crime, Thriller, Drama |
| Director: | Ahn Gil-ho |
| Stars: | Cho Seung-woo, Bae Doona, Lee Joon-hyuk, Yoo Jae-myung, Shin Hye-sun, Yoon Se-ah, Jeon Hye-jin, Choi Moo-sung |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.5/10 |
8. All of Us Are Dead
All of Us Are Dead is a zombie horror series based on the webtoon Now at Our School by Joo Dong-Geun, which follows a group of high school students as they try to survive an epidemic while still in school. After an accident releases a zombie virus in a South Korean high school, the government cuts off all communication with the outside world, leaving the pupils to fend for themselves. Students have to rely on one another and whatever they can find to survive because they have no supplies and can’t get aid. It’s a horror show at heart, but it also deals with some serious social themes. Since its release in January 2022, All of Us Are Dead has quickly become one of Netflix’s most popular shows due to its gory, intense, and well-crafted nature.
| Genre: | Action, Drama, Fantasy |
| Director: | Lee Jae-kyoo |
| Stars: | Park Ji-hu, Chan-Young Yoon, Yi-Hyun Cho |
| IMDb Rating: | 8/ 10 |
9. Start-Up
Seo Dal-Mi is determined to launch her own company, so she decides to forego her studies at a university and instead start doing part-time jobs. She has a desire to achieve success on the level of Steve Jobs.
Nam Do-San initially established Samsan Technology. He is quite good at mathematical calculations. Two years ago, he established Samsan Tech, but the business has not been doing particularly well since then. Nam Do-San winds up being Seo Dal-first Mi’s love for whatever reason. They are supportive of one another’s endeavors and growth.
| Genre: | Comedy, Drama, Romance |
| Director: | Oh Choong-hwan |
| Stars: | Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Seon-Ho |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.8/10 |
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10. The Silent Sea
Dive into space with “The Silent Sea,” a gripping sci-fi horror series. This crew embarks on a mission to an eerie abandoned research facility, seeking to secure precious water samples in a dystopian future. With Bae Doona and Gong Yoo leading the cast, expect a thrilling journey filled with mysteries and shocking betrayals, making it a must-binge among Korean series on Netflix.
| Genre: | Thriller, Mystery |
| Director: | Choi Hang-yong |
| Stars: | Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, Joon Lee |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.9/10 |
11. Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Set against the backdrop of the 1997 IMF crisis, “Twenty-Five Twenty-One” a teen series weaves a tale of ambition and resilience. Kim Tae-ri portrays Na Hee-do, a fencing prodigy navigating life’s challenges, alongside Nam Joo-hyuk’s Baek Yi-jin, determined to rebuild after the crisis. This teen series combines historical events with an engaging romance, offering a captivating glimpse into a pivotal moment in South Korea’s history.
| Genre: | Romance |
| Director: | Jung Jee-hyun, Kwon Do-eun |
| Stars: | Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Bona, Choi Hyun-wook |
| IMDb Rating: | 8.6/10 |
Also Read:
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12. Celebrity
“Celebrity” delves into the cutthroat world of Seoul’s influencer industry, starring Park Gyu-young as Seo Ah-ri, a social media sensation. Beyond the pursuit of stardom, a dark conspiracy unfolds, jeopardizing her life and celebrity status. This visually captivating South Korean mystery thriller provides a compelling look at the pressures faced by public figures amidst glamour and hidden dangers.
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Director: | Kim Cheol-kyu, Kim Yi-young |
| Stars: | Park Gyu-young, Kang Min-hyuk, Lee Chung-ah, Lee Dong-gun, Jun Hyoseong |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.4/10 |
13. Pandora
“Pandora” is a gripping portrayal of a town on the brink of nuclear disaster. Jae-hyeok battles to avert catastrophe as an overheating reactor triggers chaos. This Korean movie captures the intensity of a nuclear meltdown and explores themes of sacrifice, making it a top pick among the best Korean movies on Netflix 2023 watch.
| Genre: | Drama, Thriller |
| Director: | Park Jung-woo |
| Stars: | Daekyum Ahn, Do-bin Baek, Seung-Hoon Choi |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.6/10 |
14. Tune In For Love
“Tune In For Love” crafts a heartwarming romance through years of chance encounters. Two characters find their lives intertwining repeatedly, creating a beautiful story marked by time jumps. This Korean film skillfully employs typical K-drama tropes to deliver a compelling narrative, making it a standout among Korean movies on Netflix.
| Genre: | Drama, Romance |
| Director: | Jung Ji-woo |
| Stars: | Kim Go-eun, Jung Hae-in, Park Hae-joon |
| IMDb Rating: | 7.1/10 |
15. Space Sweepers
“Space Sweepers” unfolds in a dystopian future where Earth is uninhabitable, and space offers the last refuge. The Spaceship Victory’s discovery of a child robot, Dorothy, prompts a moral reckoning. This heartfelt sci-fi epic delves into themes of morality and attachment, solidifying its status as one of the best Korean movies on Netflix’s streaming platform.
| Genre: | Sci-fi, Space opera |
| Director: | Jo Sung-hee |
| Stars: | Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu |
| IMDb Rating: | 6.5/10 |
Wrap Up!
The availability of Korean Movies and TV Shows on Netflix has brought forth a treasure trove of captivating storytelling. Along with diverse narratives for viewers around the world. With an increasing global interest in Korean entertainment, Netflix has become a prominent platform for accessing a wide range of Korean content. It caters to the growing demand for high-quality international productions.
The Korean Movies and TV Shows on Netflix showcase the richness and uniqueness of Korean storytelling. While highlighting the country’s vibrant film industry and television landscape. These offerings span various genres, including romance, comedy, drama, action, and suspense, providing something for every viewer’s preference. From critically acclaimed Korean Movies to binge-worthy TV shows on Netflix, the collection allows audiences to delve into the captivating Korean world.
