K-dramas have taken the world by storm with their captivating storylines, unique writing and direction and on-point aesthetics. Whether you are in the mood for romance, comedy or some light-hearted binge watching, there is a K-drama for every occasion. To make your rainy days cosier, we’ve curated the perfect list of K-dramas to enjoy while you are curled up under a blanket with a warm bowl of ramen. Let the dramas work their charm on you.
- Extraordinary Attorney Woo
A young, autistic lawyer, Woo Young-woo (played by Park Eun-bin), raised by her single father takes on the world, one case at a time. Her manner of communication makes her an easy target for bullies, but her intelligence helps her sail through. Along the way, she meets Lee Jun-ho (Kang Tae-oh) who quite instantly takes a liking towards her. Woo’s law school peer and her mentor at her law firm help her wade through daily challenges and all in all, the series is a tale of a strong, autistic woman making her place in the world unfair to people who don’t fit the societal norm, while forging genuine relationships.
- Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Who doesn’t love an innocent coming-of-age drama with innocent teenage love and romance? Twenty-Five Twenty-One beautifully tracks the lives of four characters from 1998 to 2021, set against the backdrop of the IMF crisis in Korea. Na Hee-do (Kim Tae-ri) transfers to a different school to pursue her passion for fencing, where she meets her inspiration Ko Yu-rim and a hardworking man Baek Yi-jin, whose family went bankrupt during the crisis. Fast forward to the present, Na Hee-do’s daughter Kim Min-chae runs away to her grandmother’s house and comes across her mother’s diary and the story is told in flashbacks. With themes of teenage friendship, love, confusion, and self-discovery, this K-drama resonates well with viewers. This tale of fighting for one’s dreams while navigating through new relationships makes for a perfect watch for cosy weather as it reminds us of the beauty of growing up.
- Hometown Cha Cha Cha
A remake of the 2004 South Korean film, Mr Handy, Mr. Hong, this series became one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean TV history. It revolves around a dentist who goes to the village of Gongjin on her late mother’s birthday and decides to open a dental clinic. There she meets Hong Du-sik and their relationship blossoms into love. This feel-good drama not only explores love as a theme but also talks about healing. Set against beautiful backdrops, it epitomizes the aesthetic of Korean dramas, filling binge-watchers with laughter and warmth.
- Crash Landing On You
Crash Landing On You is undeniably one of the most iconic K-dramas, and it’s easy to see why. The series features a cross-border love story set against political tension and family struggles. Yoon Se-ri, a South Korean businesswoman lands in North Korea after a paragliding accident and meets Ri Jeong-hyeok, a Captain in the North Korean People’s Army. He tries to hide her and help her return to South Korea and love inevitably blossoms. The drama also follows another pair of star-crossed lovers, Gu Seung-joon and Seo Dan. As fate intertwines these couples, we get to witness a blend of cultures and a series of twists and turns that make it an engaging watch. If you ask us, the combination of romance and suspense is no less than the pair of chai and samosa on a rainy day.
- Something in the Rain
The list remains incomplete without the mention of this iconic series. Also known as Pretty Sister Who Buys Me Food, it centres on a woman in her mid-30s who lives a rather empty life. As she tries to get over her boyfriend after being dumped by him – enters Seo Jun-hui (Jung Hae-in), her younger brother’s best friend.
The narrative revolves around them developing feelings for each other while tackling societal pressure because of their age difference. Another subplot that the drama follows is the challenges faced by a woman in a misogynist workplace. If you are drawn to forbidden love stories, this sentimental K-drama makes for a perfect watch on a cosy day indoors.
- Goblin
Imagine a drama where a goblin and a grim reaper live as roommates, under the same roof. Well, you don’t have to imagine because Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, popularly known as Goblin, brings that scenario to life. While this is essentially a love story, the fantasy K-drama is so much more. It is packed with sass, humour, great music, breath-taking cinematography, bromance, beautiful actors (looking at you, Gong Yoo) and some intense tear-jerker scenes. The plot follows a 939-year-old guardian of souls on a quest for a bride who can break his immortal curse. In this journey, he meets a grim reaper and a charming high-school student. With its magical world and flawless story writing, Goblin is an unforgettable watch.
