Have you ever felt like you’ve watched everything Netflix has to offer? I always find myself feeling that way too and the feeling of having exhausted all the available options can be disheartening. Then just when you think all hope is lost and you feel the urge to find a more productive hobby, you find some sub-genre filled with shows you haven’t even thought to watch. This recently happened to me and my roommate, and we happened upon a Korean Drama or a K-drama that we loved so much it became our new favorite form of entertainment. K-dramas have begun to take the world by storm, captivating their audiences with these truly unforgettable plots. Netflix has become a huge supplier of these shows over the years and as such they have managed to garner a global audience.
So, if you love to lose yourself in a good story then get ready, because I have some of those for you. From fantasy romance stories to action-packed thrillers, this list has it all. Throughout this article, I will present five K-dramas with unforgettable characters on the go-to platform for fans seeking new shows.
1.“My Name”
Ranking number one on this list is the thrilling story of Yoon Jiwoo who witnesses the death of her father on her birthday and dedicates her entire life to exacting revenge on the person responsible for it. She puts her trust in a powerful crime lord, and under his directions enters the police force undercover.
This is a thrilling K-drama. It honestly starts with action and never slows down as it goes. Actress Han So-hee embodies this character so fluidly and gives a performance that rivals any on this list so far. I have watched this entire show more than once and I can truly say that it is a masterpiece that keeps you on your toes the entire time. The plot gets you interested and it’s the most bingeable show on the list. Extremely well-paced and has amazing writing.
2.“The Glory”
Number two on this list is called The Glory, it follows Moon Dong-eun. A young woman who gets so severely bullied at school that she drops out and dedicates her life to exacting revenge on her bullies who made her life a living hell. She then dedicates her life to exacting revenge on the people who made her contemplate taking her own life.
Song Hye-kyo the actress who plays Moon Dong-eun in this show does a good job of portraying the trauma associated with the character and embodying all the elements required of someone surviving all that she did. This K-drama is less action-packed and more psychologically thrilling at every turn. The directing choices also deserve props. The expert ability to tell two stories at once across time until the kind of meets in the middle is truly admirable and adds a more nuanced experience to empathize with the character.
3.“Black Knight”
Black Knight was first known to me as a Webtoon on the popular comic app, where it gained a good amount of popularity. It takes place in a dystopian version of the future where the world is ravaged by air pollution. The survival of humanity depends on these individuals called The Black Knights. They venture out into the world to make deliveries. However, they are far different from your typical UPS or FedEx Driver. In this story, we follow Knight 5-8, a legendary knight, as he traverses this world.
This is yet another K-drama brimming with action set in a dystopian futuristic world. If this sounds like something up your alley I would totally recommend you check this one out. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with it at all. The story, while different from the original, borrows a lot of the source material. As a result, it does something very unique and interesting.
4.“Alchemy of Souls”
Alchemy of Souls is a supernatural story, set in the fictional story of Daeho. A powerful mage becomes trapped in the body of a weak, blind woman. She encounters a man from a prestigious family and strikes a deal with him to teach him everything he knows, to make him a more powerful mage. He agrees to help her hide from those searching for her and to help her get her abilities back.
This was such an interesting watch. It’s a thriller, but then it’s funny. It's romantic but then action-packed. It’s honestly a very refreshing K-drama, and if you want a good slow-burn supernatural romance I would definitely recommend it.
5.“All of Us Are Dead”
Last but certainly not least is the Netflix show “All of Us Are Dead”. This is a story that features a zombie outbreak from the perspective of a high school. It’s exactly what you’d expect from such a show. It’s action-packed and thrilling. A very fast-paced K-drama as trapped students fight their way through ground zero of a zombie virus outbreak.
I have to be in a specific kind of mood for a show like this. However, when you are in the mood, it just does everything right. It’s like a cliché, that makes you understand their necessity. It does this troupe extremely well in my opinion. It does a good job of balancing the action out and never forfeiting the pacing.