Through the years I’ve been a K-Addict I have really seen some beautiful and worth it K-Dramas to spend time and did enjoy the pleasure of watching them. Here are my own choices for the best K-Drama of All Time under its genre in my book, what’s yours?
1. Best Comedy
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Full House– Stars Rain Bi and Song Hye Kyo. It is a story of two people who got into marriage to each get what they want. They lived in the house built by the father of Han Ji Eun played by Song Hye Kyo and named it Full House. This is the only K-Drama that no matter how many times I watch it, it still makes me laugh. The comedy is not force and done in a situational manner.
2. Best Fantasy
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My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho– Stars Lee Seung‑Gi and Shin Min‑A. Shin Min-A plays a gumiho or a nine-tailed fox who wants to be a real human and strikes a deal with Cha Tae-Woong played by Lee Seung-Gi in exchange of giving him power so, he can get his dream which is to be an action star. I love this fantasy K-Drama because it was never boring from start to finish. I find Shin Min-A very endearing as a gumiho and even if I don’t find Lee Seung‑Gi my cup of tea as an actor that can woo me, it really didn’t matter because I enjoyed every bit of its episode.
3. Best Tearjerker Drama
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Stairway to Heaven– Stars Kwon Sang-Woo and Choi Ji-Woo. It is a story of childhood friends who have deep love for each other but due to circumstances got separated. They made a promise to be together but again, time was against them because Cha Song-Joo played by Kwon Sang-Woo thought that Han Jung-Seo played by Choi Ji-Woo died. And, though, they met again, another tragedy strike again that forced them to be apart. This is the very first K-Drama I’ve ever watched and where I fell in love with Kwon Sang-Woo, the only actor I ever became a true fan in real meaning of the word. I’ve watched Stairway to Heaven several times over and each time I find myself cry. And, anyone I recommend to watch this ends up crying as well. It is the ultimate tearjerker korean drama I’ve watched.
4. Best Political Drama
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Punch– Stars Kim Rae-Won and Kim A-Joong. It is the story of Park Jung-Hwan played by Kim Rae-Won, a prosecutor who became too ambitious and wanted power in the legal arena that he ended up losing his principles, family and now, probably his life. He was diagnosed with brain tumor and time is something he has very little off to fix the things he did while trying to reach what he wants. Generally, I don’t like watching political drama themes because most of the K-Dramas I’ve seen that has something to do with it, I find a bit ridiculous and done in a manner that bores me. But, Punch was truly a good surprise. Though not totally perfect, the way the story and the characters were written was so brilliantly done that it became one of my favorite K-Drama and will highly recommend.
5. Best Detective Drama
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Signal– Stars Lee Je-Hoon, Kim Hye-Soo and Cho Jin-Woong. This is a detective drama with a bit of sci-fi touch. It is solving a crime that rans to two different time line and they get to communicate through this radio. I consider this as a best detective korean drama, although, not fully in a realistic situation because this is a police procedural that I at least get to enjoy. Not much stupid stuff going on that makes me feel I am being treated by the director as a moron of an audience. Although, not perfect, but it was totally entertaining to watch.
6. Best Ghost Theme
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Master’s Sun– Stars So Ji-Sub and Kong Hyo-Jin. It is a story about Tae Kong-Sil played by Kong Hyo-Jin who has the ability to see ghosts. These ghosts she see have their own stories and would like her to assists them, so, they can settle their unfinished business on this earth and Joo Joong-Won played by So Ji-Sub is a rich man who has its own mystery to solve and together their path has cross to settle them. I believe this is one of the few K-Dramas that are truly done in total perfection. It has every bit of genre yet it didn’t get muddle up along the way. A brilliant K-Drama from the story, directing, action and OST. Every hour you spent watching it is truly worth it.
7. Best Office Politics
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Misaeng– Stars Yim Si-Wan and Lee Sung-Min. Jang Geu-Rae played by Yim Si-Wan is a baduk player since he was a kid. He didn’t know any other life but to play and do competitions until life forces him to go to work and live like a normal person who has 9-5 job. His talent of solving problems became a valuable tool for him to be appreciated in an otherwise cut throat environment of the trading industry. He got appreciated by his immediate boss Oh Sang-Sik played by Lee Sung-Min and with his support, Jang Geu-Rae learns how to be a part of the real world. This is a true gem of all that is Korean Drama. It is not a romcom nor suspense thriller but what a drama!!! Once in awhile you get to watch a truly brilliant show whether Korean or not and this is one in my book.
8. Best Vampire Show
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Vampire Prosecutor 1– Stars as Yeon Jeong-Hun and Lee Young-Ah. Min Tae-Yeon became a vampire when he got transformed after being bitten by another vampire. Instead of living and eating like a vampire, he uses his power for good. He prosecuted those who feel above the law and solve the mystery that shrouds the only family he has, his sister. This K-Drama got a second season because the first season is truly one of the best vampire shown I’ve seen. It’s fast pace and very suspenseful. I ended up watching it all through out without sleeping and for me to do that, it must be one heck of a good show.
9. Best Teeny Bopper Show
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Boys Over Flowers– Stars Ku Hye-Sun, Lee Min-Ho, Kim Hyun-Joong, Kim Bum, Kim Joon, Kim So-eun. It is about a privilege young people who studies at Shinhwa High School. The F4, a group of good-looking and rich guys rule the school. They thought they are entitled to a lot of things until they met Geum Jan-Di, a normal and regular young lady who ended up studying in this prestigious school and out of her league. However, her kind heart but stubborn and optimistic attitude that stands up for what is right won the heart of Gu Jun-Pyo, who finally see the difference of being a good person and empathy to others. Though, it is about teenagers’ angsts, I was still entertained watching it.
10. Best Historical Drama
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Ruler: Master of the Mask – Stars Yoo Seung-Ho, Kim So-Hyun, and Kim Myung-Soo. It is a story during the Joseon era wherein one of the royal family member made a deal to become the King with Dae Mok, the head of Pyunsoo Hwe. In return to being the King, he became a puppet of the organization to follow their orders. When the King’s son, who will be a crown prince in the future was poisoned after he was born, the King against his better judgement went again to Dae Mok to save his child but in exchange Dae Mok wants his son be just like him whom they can control when he becomes the King. To protect his son and provide for him to have a better chance of becoming a better King in the future, he hid his identity by making him wear a mask as he grows up. This is one of the sageuk korean dramas that made me feel totally involved all the way. Yoo Seung-Ho is such an excellent and charismatic actor that he made this k-drama worth every minute I spent watching it.
11. Best Adult Love Story Theme
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Que Sera Sera– Stars Eric Moon and Jung Yu-Mi, Kang Tae-Joo , Han Eun-Soo. It is basically a story among four people, Kang Tae Joo, Han Eun Soo, Cha Hye Lin and Shin Joon Hyuk. Kang Tae Joo is a charming, free-spirited playboy who have a taste for rich women and living life as he pleases. Han Eun Soo, a naive and innocent who has been taking care of her sick step sister and step mother for a long time. Cha Hye Lin a heiress of a Mall chain and her first love was her adopted brother Shin Joon Hyuk. Shin Joon Hyuk is adopted by the parents of Cha Hye Lin when his father supposedly committed suicide when he was young and being groomed to be the head of Mall chain. It is the first k-drama I’ve seen that shows what is real as we go through the process of loving and losing someone. Eric Moon nailed his character and was totally engaging that I can’t help but be into the story and care about what happens to the characters.
12. Best Alien Theme
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My Love From the Star– Stars Jun Ji-Hyun and Kim Soo-Hyun. The story evolves on the 400 years journey of an alien, Do Min Joon, on earth. And, all those 400 years he stayed on earth, it was defined in a matter of 3 months before he goes back to his planet. He met Chun Song Yi, a popular, successful and beautiful actress, who everyone judge to be an airhead and a bitch but actually has worked her entire life as an actress to support her family and pretends to be uncaring to shield herself from getting hurt. Do Min Joon’s indifference to humanity because of his own experiences on earth is tested to its limits when he ends up falling in love with Chun Song Yi. Together they have to find a way to be with each other. Jun Ji-Hyun is a beautiful and talented actress who always choose great storylines in most of the projects she does, thus, it is not surprising that this k-drama turned out to be a winner. It was a beautiful romantic fantasy k-drama that will be forever etched in my memory.
13. Best Game Show
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Liar Game– Stars Kim So-Eun, Lee Sang-Yoon, and Shin Sung-Rok, Nam Da-Jung, Ha Woo-Jin, Kang Do-Young.The characters of the story revolves around in a reality game called Liar Game playing with high stakes of money. The contestants need to use smart strategies which involves mainly one to lie, deceive, steal and get the better of another. The participants are interesting characters with the common thread of needing much money to save themselves from dire situations thus are desperate enough to do anything to win. It really shows human nature at its best and its worst. It is exciting to watch and deifinitely no dull moments.
14. Best Action
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Healer– Stars Ji Chang-Wook and Park Min-Young. Seo Jung-Hoo is a for hire secret courier with code name Healer. He gets handsomely paid by the elite society who wants something secretively done. He works alongside with Jo Min-Ja for technical assistance during his delivery. He has been trained well since he was young and done his service well earning him a very good reputation among his clientele. While Chae Young-Shin is a writer on a second-rate tabloid online magazine and dreams to be a top-notched investigative journalist someday. She met Seo Jung-Hoo during Seo Jung-Hoo’s mission that Yoo Ji-Tae, a well-known and respectable journalist, hired him for to find the woman that is entangled into his past. Together with Seo Jung-Hoo and Chae Young-Shin, they unravel the truth of what had happened in Yoo Ji-Tae’s past. Ji Chang-Wook is the epitome of a handsome action star that embibes the total definition of a man and his character here is what every woman dreams about to be their knight and shining armor. Notwithstanding, the action scenes he did here were totally amazing.
15. Best Love Story
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Descendants of the Sun– Stars Song Joong-Ki and Song Hye-Kyo. This K-Drama is really a love story, although, some keeps on putting it on the genre of action or military but it is really the romantic story between Yoo Shi-Jin, a special force soldier and Kang Mo-Yeon, a surgeon. It is a story on how they can make their relationship work without what they passionately do get in the way. A lot of those naysayers keeps on criticizing there’s no specific plot or concise story line, so, I think they are bit thick in understanding that DOTS it is really about love. The rest of the other things that keep their lives busy only plays a role to make their love story interesting and different from all love stories. I must admit I got the full blown DOTS bug, so, it is the first K-Drama I’ve watched while it is being shown and I can’t literally wait for the next episode. Every episode has its own charm and a true-blue best entertainment level. Song Joong-Ki and Song Hye Kyo had such a great chemistry here that no wonder that their relationship became real.
16. Best Cooking Show
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Coffee Prince – Stars Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun-Hye. Go Eun Chan is spunky woman who do odd jobs in order for her to get out of her financial troubles. Along the way, she met Choi Han Gyul, an independent, chaebol and a playboy, who tries to avoid the wishes of his grandmother to already marry. He has to manage a coffee shop as per instruction of his grandmother as well. To get out of being tied down to get married, when he accidentally met Go Eun Chan, who he thought to be a young guy. In dire straits, Go Eun Chan pretended to be a boy in order to be able to work at the coffee shop and pretended to be Choi Han Gyu’s lover. However, Choi Han Gyul ended up really getting attracted to Go Eun Chan. These created a lot of challenges between the two and journey to find each other. This is the first k-drama I’ve seen that shared what can be said a truly passionate kiss. It culminates every feelings between the Go Eun Chan and Cho Han Gyul and, all I can say Daebak!!!
17. Best Crime Drama
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Cruel City– Stars Jung Kyung-Ho and Nam Gyu Ri. It is a story of the intricate and dangerous world of gangsters and the special unit of police detective that intends to bring down the drug cartel and in the midst of that is character of Jung Shi Hyun or much better known as Doctor’s Son. Jung Shi Hyun planned to have a coup to replace the head of the drug cartel, Chairman Jo, and in the process he was framed in killing of an undercover cop, Lee Kyung Mi. This brought down the force of wrath from both the underworld and the cops upon him. Jung Shi Hyun needs to survive until he is able to do his goal and in doing so reveals who he truly is. This k-drama is one of those that are quite darker in theme but gripping enough that held me to watched it for straight 20 hours non-stop.
18. Best OST
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Secret Garden– Stars Ha Ji-Won and Hyun Bin. This is a story about Gil Ra Im and Kim Joo Won. Gil Ra Im is a proud and independent. While Kim Joo Won is the CEO of a high end department store. He is smart and good looking guy who met Gil Ra Im in mistakenly assuming that Gil Ra Im is the woman that could cost his cousin,Oska, a popular singer, a scandal he wants to prevent. Through the course of their meeting and events, Kim Joo Won, developed strong feelings for Kim Joo Won. Gil Ra Im initially discourages the pursuit of Kim Joo Won until in a mystical scenario that they exchanged bodies. Together they have to fight for their feelings and love for each other. This is the k-drama that all has the flavor of making one enjoy watching it from start to finish. The main song, “That Woman” (male version) and “That Man” (female version” is one of the K-OST that I totally love to hear almost all day long. It helps I can dream about Hyun Bin while listening to it.
19. Best Romantic Comedy
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My Name Is Kim Sam Soon– Stars Kim Sun-A and Hyun Bin. It is a story about a little bit heavy but spunky woman named Kim Sam Soon. She is baker with great talent in making cakes and pastries. When she discovered his boyfriend, Min Hyun Woo, cheating on her, it was also at the same time incidentally met Jin Hun in a male restroom where she accidentally came in and cried her heart’s out in one of the stalls. From the moment they met a series of interesting situations happen that tackles what happens during the course of a relationship from getting to know to falling in love. This is the first k-drama that I watched after my long hiatus from the k-drama world. It made me go back again to continue my addiction to it as the world of amnesia, cancer and dying was finally over. A k-drama that doesn’t need to use those storylines to make it great and entertaining.
20. Best Medical Show
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Romantic Doctor,Teacher Kim – Stars Han Suk-Kyu, Yoo Yeon-Seok, and Seo Hyun-Jin. Kim Sa-Bu, commonly known as Teacher Kim, is a brilliant medical doctor with a past that he ended up changing his name and quietly practice medicine in a remote hospital. Yoon Seo-Jung, a pretty and feisty female doctor who also have a past that drives her to be better surgeon in order to be acknowledge by someone she loves. While Kang Dong-Joo is a young, smart and hard-working medical doctor who is driven to become the best of what he does in his field of expertise. Yoon Seo-Jung and Kang Dong-Joo both ended up practicing at the same remote Doldam Hospital as Teacher Kim and by twist of fate through Teacher Kim unconventional tactics, they both learned who they are not only as a doctor but as a person. With all the challenges that came their way at this god forsaken hospital, Kang Dong-Joo and Yoon Seo-Jung also found love with each other. Finally, a medical k-drama that made sense as well as entertaining.
21. Best Suspense
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Pied Piper– Stars Shin Ha-Kyun,Jo Yoon-Hee and Yoo Jun-Sang. Joo Sung-Chan is a very successful negotiator. He is well sought-after especially on critical situations may it be business or political. He is very logical and makes decisions irregardless of the sacrifice for others as he needs to do what needs to be done at that given time. He can’t let his emotions gets the best of him. Yeo Myung-Ha, on the other hand, is a young and highly competent trainee of the SWAT Team but prefers to work under the Negotiation Division of the Police Department instead. Her choice is related to the tragedy that happened in her life when she was still young. She wants to work under the Negotiation Team because she wants to give purpose in her life and to make sure that what happened to her will not happen again to others. This is a k-drama that I watched without being familiar with the actors but still made it worthwhile to watch. Great acting and tight storyline that one can enjoy its suspense.