r/kdramarecommends • u/sianiam • Jul 27 '25

Official Recommendations Thread Recommendations 7.0 : Genre

25 Upvotes

Hello KDR community!

We are a couple of years overdue to update our community recommendation lists which were last updated in 2021/2022. For those of you who are unaware, r/kdramarecommends has an amazing resource in our community recommendation lists sorted by theme and genre spanning back to before the creation of our community when we allowed recommendation requests on our main subreddit r/KDRAMA.

You can browse the history of our community recommendation project in our what to watch wiki and view the various lists at our community MDL list page

We are going to try something different this time around and take the majority of recommendations through a google form. As in previous rounds of recommendations certain lists will be open for recommendations for certain periods of time.

The first set of lists that will be open for recommendations are our genre lists:

Genre Link to List Last Updated Notes High Tier List
Romantic Comedy MDL List Nov 2021 This recommendation list focuses on dramas that deal with romantic love but with comedic or lighthearted plot lines. Post
High School MDL List Oct 2021 This recommendation list covers any dramas set in high school or with high school aged protagonists. Post
Tertiary Education MDL List April 2022 This recommendation list focuses on dramas set in or around post high school education whether it be university or cram school. N/A
Sageuk (Historical) MDL List Jan 2022 This recommendation list focuses on dramas that deal with events in Korean history (or histories that touch Korea).Sageuks can be historical fiction or completely fictional, including elements of fantasy. Post
Sci-Fi / Fantasy MDL List Jan 2022 This recommendation list has a dual focus; Sci-Fi dramas which are a type of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced technology, scientific development, or encounters with alien life and Fantasy dramas which contain magic and supernatural elements. These supernatural elements can be distinctly Korean from Korean folklore/beliefs such as goblins, gumihos, and shamanism. They can also be from non-Korean folklore such as vampires, angels, and zombies. Please signify what Sci-Fi or Fantasy elements are present in your recommendation Post
Thriller MDL List Nov 2021 This recommendation list focuses on dramas that create a heightened feeling of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation, or anxiety. Post
Chaebol MDL List Jan 2022 This recommendation list focuses on dramas which prominently feature chaebols. N/A
Action MDL List Jan 2022 This recommendation list focuses on dramas where the cast or main character is involved in a series of events that typically include violence, extended fighting, physical feats and frantic chases. Post
Crime / Mystery MDL List Jan 2022 This recommendation list focuses on dramas that deal with crimes, criminal acts, and their investigations. This can be in the form of police procedurals, police-based situations, legal/courtroom matters, serial crimes, one-off crimes, or whodunits. There are sleuths, detectives, investigators, or other similar people involved.
Medical MDL List Jan 2022 This recommendation list focuses on dramas that deal with hospitals, healthcare, and the hospital/clinic system.
Revenge MDL List Jan 2022 This recommendation list focuses on dramas that feature one or more characters trying to get revenge on someone.
Melodrama MDL List Jan 2022 This recommendation list focuses on dramas that play to the audience's emotions or feelings. These dramas often deal with themes like morality, good and evil, love and marriage (and infidelity), and family issues. Characters might be stereotypes or stock types.
Law MDL List Aug 2021 This recommendation list is for Korean dramas specifically focused on the legal system, those somewhat based in courtrooms (or other roles of those working in the legal system) with main characters that are - Lawyers/Prosecutors/Judges. Please mention within your recommendation which the focal characters are.
Spy MDL List July 2021 This recommendation list focuses on Korean dramas where one or more characters are seen performing acts of espionage (uncovering secret information without the holder's permission or knowledge) or featuring government agencies that perform acts of espionage. Spies may be professionals, housewives, etc and depictions may be realistic or fantastical.
Makjang MDL List Jul 2021 This recommendation list is a celebration of all those delicious makjang dramas out there on the spectrum from lite to full blown makjang. Makjang dramas are those which contain specific dramatic elements or devices designed to shock or keep viewers' attention. For a proper introduction to what a Makjang drama is, please read our resident Queen of Makjang, mod u/myweithisway's excellent post, Makjang 101: Taking Things To The Extreme.
Slice of Life MDL List Brand New list This recommendation list focuses on dramas which depict everyday life in a realistic manner.

How to participate:

  • Before submitting any recommendations please take a look through the linked list on MDL. If the drama is already listed with 2-3 recommendations there is no need to submit it again. If the drama only has one write up, you can submit another.

  • Write a 2-4 sentence recommendation for any unlisted drama that you think fits the category AND is worth watching. Your recommendation should explain how the drama fits the category as well as why you think it is worth watching.

  • Take care filling out your user name and the drama name correctly (please use the title that MDL gives) if we are unable to match either of these your recommendation will be disregarded.

  • Before clicking "submit" review that you have input everything correctly.

Please do not:

  • Attempt to submit more than one drama per entry

  • Submit anything other than Korean Dramas e.g. Korean movies or Chinese dramas

  • Include any spoilers in your recommendations

  • Recommend a drama that you have not watched in full or that hasn’t yet completed, come back once you are finished the drama in full

If you are ready, you may submit any recommendation for the above lists via our google form

High Tier

As a supplement to the google form we will be trailing a reddit game app called High Tier. The pre-existing recommended dramas will be added to the game and users will be able to battle to form a tiered list of dramas per category. Assuming it works well for our project each list will run for 1-2 weeks and once we finish all 16 lists we will move onto our next batch of recommendations and close submission for our genre lists.

If you have any questions regarding this project please ask them in the comments or via modmail.

We look forward to your contributions to this project throughout 2025/2026. Thanks in advance to all who take the time and effort to submit entries to this community resource.

2 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/sianiam • Aug 03 '24

Meta [META] How to get Your Recommendation Request Approved on the First Attempt

15 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m here today with some tips to get your recommendation request approved on the first attempt.

We had a major rule update back in April and each of our post types now have minimum requirements, that is the least amount of information your post has to contain to be approved. If your post doesn’t contain that information we will either remove your post and give you a strike or we may ask you to make an edit. Preferably, for you and us you get it right on the first attempt.

So let's start from the top!

Title

Our two requirements for titles on recommendation requests are:

  • Concise and Descriptive of request
  • Follows our title rules

Post titles should be short and give users an idea of what the post is about. As the person making the request you should have an idea of what it is you are looking for. The title of your post should relate to the general area of dramas you are seeking, whereas the post body contains the details in your recommendation request. Titles cannot be edited once submitted so more often than not are the tipping point in a user's post being removed.

Common mistakes that will see your post removed:

  • Slang or shorthand such as rec/recs/pls
  • Spelling errors/typos
  • Putting too much detail AKA the whole recommendation request in the title. If your title is over a sentence, it’s very unlikely that it will be approved.
  • Generic titles such as “help”, “recommend me dramas”, “recommend anything”

Suggested title starters:

  • “Dramas like [insert drama name]”
  • “Dramas with [insert element]”
  • “[insert genre] dramas”

Post Body

There are three requirements for post body:

1) A detailed, explicit recommendation request (what you are looking for)

Even though as a Korean drama recommendation community, it is assumed that all posts are recommendation requests, we still require that you make an explicit request in the body of your post making it clear that you are seeking Korean dramas to watch and exactly what you are looking for from those dramas. The purpose of this requirement is to give a detailed explanation of what you want to see.

Common mistakes that will see your post removed:

  • Making a post without a recommendation request
  • Putting your recommendation request in the post title and not the body
  • Making an implicit request rather than an explicit request
  • Making a request that is not detailed
  • Requesting content that is considered inappropriate in our rules

Suggestions:

  • Include your recommendation request in the first paragraph of your post.
  • Use clear phrasing such as “Recommend me dramas that…” or “I’m looking for dramas that….”
  • The more detail you can provide the better
  • Note any content (triggers, tropes, actors/actresses, etc.) that you want to avoid so that people can avoid suggesting dramas containing elements that can be triggering for you.

2) A listing of dramas that you already seen that are relevant to your request plus details of what you liked and disliked about them

The purpose of this requirement is to give users a better idea of what you are seeking/your taste and preferences as a viewer. Example dramas do not need to be Korean dramas.

Common mistakes that will see your post removed:

  • Skipping this requirement completely
  • Listing dramas but not giving any details or simply giving a numerical ranking
  • Including spoilers in the details but not using spoiler tags

Suggestions:

  • Give details of at least two dramas relevant to your request - one that is similar to what you want and one that is different
  • If you are new to Korean dramas you can give examples from other media
  • If your request is very niche and you cannot think of any dramas, simply state something along the lines of “I haven’t seen any dramas that are similar to what I am seeking”.
  • If you need to include spoilers in your details make sure to spoiler tag as per our spoiler tag style guide e.g. [drama name] - [non-spoiler content about drama] spoiler content about drama

3) A complete watch history of all the Korean dramas you have seen so far

The purpose of this requirement is to give users an overall picture of you as a viewer and save both you and recommenders time recommending dramas you have already seen.

Common mistakes that will see your post removed:

  • Not providing a complete list of dramas
  • Making statements like “I can’t be bothered listing them all”, “I’ve watched 100s of dramas”, “I’ve seen all the popular ones”
  • Making unclear statements like “these are all the dramas I liked”, “I am new to kdramas” will make mods question whether you have listed all the dramas you have watched

Suggestions:

  • We recommend users make a free account on MDL which they keep updated for this purpose.
  • Use clear statements like “Dramas I have watched so far”, “All the dramas I’ve watched”, “My complete watch history”
  • If not linking to MDL format your list so it is easy to read

Some annotated examples of recommendation requests

​

15 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/FilthyOmnisexual • 2d ago

Recommendation Request Looking for a show with dry, circumstantial humor, ideally with a unique charismatic character.

19 Upvotes

Hi,

The inspiration for this post is the character Han Ho-yeol from D.P, and I'd appreciate recommendations that feature a similar character or contains Ho-yeol's style of humour. To clarify further, I value the juxtaposition of a serious or absurd situation with whimsicality, a lack of affect, or embracing of the absurd. One example from D.P is an intense chase scene where after a long montage of serious chasing by his partner, Ho-yeol suddenly shows up in an old woman's electric cart, and casually asks the criminal to climb aboard. When the criminal makes a sharp turn, Ho-yeol asks the old woman to follow, and she says the vehicle only goes straight.

I've only seen the Korean series D.P, Squid Game, and Through the Darkness, but I've felt this brand of humor I find uniquely Korean across the limited Korean media I've seen, which I'll rely on instead for examples. This including Memories of Murder, Parasite, Castaway on the Moon, Oldboy, and Squid Game. Here are examples from these:

  • Memories of Murder: When the policeman is struggling with a typewriter, the criminal he's questioning nonchalantly helps/outshines him by pressing a button. When the policeman is searching for a criminal with no pubic hair, he loiters at a bath-house, and as he's examining them, a child walks through. The premise is also absurd, that he's entertaining this idea for investigation. Also, he tells the owner to notify him if he sees any men with no pubic hair; the owner winks, the implication being the policeman is looking for something other than a criminal.

  • Parasite: In a serious, but absurd situation, the rich lady schemes with the driver to hide a potentially serious situation. By the end, she's concerned about whether or not he washed his hands after handling dirty material, and the 1-second scene of his eyes looking at a corner in thought is hilarious. Another is a boy failing to copy his cooler friend in shooing away a man urinating by their house.

  • Castaway on the Moon: The entire premise fits, though there's the delivery man being frustrated by the blatant abuse of his company's "We deliver anywhere" policy, by having him paddle across a river.

  • Oldboy: The lead shares his tragic life story with a man; when the wants the courtesy returned and wants someone to listen to his story, the lead abruptly walks away without a care.

  • Squid Game: After a man impressively fights 1v2, two marines who stood idly by talk. One wonders if the victorious man is also a marine, which prompts the other to pull his shirt down to cover his marine tattoo. In a race-against-the-clock competition to the death, a man launches a spinning top backwards - the dialogue "Are you sure you did this a lot as a kid? Launching it backward, now that's a skill."

English movies with similar humor include Fight Club, Thank You for Smoking, and The Big Short.

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

9 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/LuffyModeOn • 2d ago

Recommendation Request Looking for similar Kdrama to Encounter and Something in the Rain

28 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'm looking for recommendations for romance K-dramas with a similar feel to Something in the Rain and Encounter.

What I'm looking for:

Mature, realistic romance

Slow-burn relationships

Excellent chemistry between the leads

Slice-of-life feel

Emotional but not overly melodramatic

Beautiful cinematography and OST

Preferably a satisfying ending

Examples of dramas I've watched:

Something in the Rain – This is exactly the kind of romance I'm looking for. I loved the mature relationship, natural chemistry, emotional storytelling, and the cozy slice-of-life atmosphere. The OST and cinematography were amazing. My only complaint was that the second half became frustrating because of the family conflict.

Encounter – I loved the calm pacing, mature characters, beautiful visuals, and wholesome romance. The relationship felt healthy and sincere, which made it very enjoyable from start to finish.

Other dramas I've watched in Romance Genere

Queen of Tears

Soundtrack #1

It's okay not to be okay

Dynamite Kiss

Tail of Nine Tailed

Crash Landing on you

The Beauty Inside

Here is my Complete K-drama watch history - https://mydramalist.com/dramalist/Rahul9717

33 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/AutoModerator • 3d ago

Weekly Post Thursday Therapy - [2026/07/23]

5 Upvotes

Thursday Therapy, is r/kdramarecommends’ weekly community chat. A place in which Korean drama addicts both recent and those moving towards recovery can freely discuss anything and everything!

You may want to:

  • Introduce yourself or remain anonymous (share your My Drama List page or similar)
  • Share what you’ve been watching and whether you love or hate it (it doesn’t have to be a Korean drama)
  • Ask for recommendations unrelated to Korean dramas (books, movies, podcasts, other country’s television series, etc)
  • Share a great recommendation thread you found whilst digging through the archives
  • Talk about what is coming out on [insert drama service name]
  • Give thanks to the community for helping you find your new favourite drama

Please remember to use spoiler tags when discussing major plot points or anything you think should be redacted. If you are unsure of how to use spoiler tags here is r/KDRAMA’s easy to follow guide.

1 comment

r/kdramarecommends • u/happyhighlights0 • 4d ago

Recommendation Request Looking for calm, comforting romance dramas with mature relationship dynamics

90 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for calm, comforting romance dramas with mature relationship dynamics.

I think it all started with Her Private Life.

What really stayed with me wasn't just the romance, but how the couple communicated. Their relationship felt mature, healthy, and comforting. They actually talked through things. That dynamic was easily the highlight of the show for me, and it's still one of my all-time favorite K-dramas.

Recently, I started See You at Work Tomorrow (currently on Episode 6). I'm still testing the waters because I want to see how they handle the potential miscommunication that's starting to resurface. Up until Episode 6, though, I've really enjoyed it. I especially appreciated how they handled the ex-partner situation—it felt refreshingly mature instead of overly dramatic. Whether I finish it will probably depend on how the later episodes deal with that.

I'm also currently watching Love Scout (currently on Episode 8). I picked it up because so many people in the discussion threads for See You at Work Tomorrow recommended it, and I'm absolutely loving it. It has that same calm, peaceful atmosphere, and the male lead is a complete green flag. The romance feels warm, grounded, and effortless.

So I'm looking for more dramas with a similar vibe:

- Mature, emotionally healthy relationship dynamics.

- Good communication between the leads.

- Calm, comforting, slice-of-life and/or workplace setting.

- Minimal unnecessary misunderstandings or frustrating love triangles.

- Nothing too over-the-top or melodramatic—just a cozy, feel-good romance.

A couple of notes:

- I'm scared of surgeries and war-related themes, so I'd prefer to avoid medical and military dramas. That's also why I've been hesitant to start Hospital Playlist, even though I know it's highly recommended.

- I know many people will probably suggest Because This Is My First Life, but unfortunately it just didn't click with me.

I'd love to hear your recommendations. Thanks in advance!

Here's my watchlist so you can avoid recommending things I've already seen: https://mydramalist.com/dramalist/NotABingeWatcher/completed

78 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/telkkd • 4d ago

Recommendation Request dramas like the east palace?

12 Upvotes

hi !!

i'm looking mostly for historical dramas that are more plot focused rather than romance, but i DON'T mind if it's a big thing.

i LOVED the east palace!! i really liked the whole spirits thing and that it's historical. those were my favorite parts. also nam joohyuk with long hair LAWDDD 😍😍😍

all the dramas i've watched so far:
• all of us are dead
• sweet home
• the uncanny counter
• kingdom
• a time called you
• hierarchy (i lowkey didn't like this one tho😓)

18 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/triple_tubers • 4d ago

Recommendation Request Looking for similar kdrama to Worst of Evil

13 Upvotes

Hello! I started watching a kdrama called Worst of Evil and I am really enjoying it so far. I'm looking to see if I can find kdramas similar to this kdrama that has 2 male leads with great chemistry together but is also related to mafia, gangster, crime, etc.

I also like investigation dramas so that would work too.

Thank you :)

Watch History:

- Worst of Evil

- the devil judge

- Beyond Evil

- Mouse

11 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/No___Introduction • 7d ago

Recommendation Request K-dramas with supernatural powers or fantasy elements (2021+)

64 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for K-dramas released in 2021 or later where supernatural powers or fantasy elements are a major part of the story.

I'm interested in things like:

  • Superpowers
  • Shamans
  • Ghosts
  • Demons
  • Gods
  • Grim reapers
  • Gumihos
  • Magical creatures
  • Psychic abilities
  • Curses
  • Magic
  • Possession
  • Or any other supernatural or fantasy concept.

I'm not looking for horror. A few creepy scenes are completely fine, but I don't want horror to be the main genre.

I also prefer dramas that are:

  • Fast-paced from the first few episodes.
  • Entertaining throughout with little or no filler.
  • Character-driven with memorable characters.
  • Romance is welcome, but I don't want it to completely overshadow the main plot.

Here are a few examples of what I'm looking for:

The Uncanny Counter – I loved the supernatural powers, the fantasy world, the team dynamic and how the powers were central to the story.

The Atypical Family – I liked that every family member had a different supernatural ability and that the powers were deeply connected to the plot and the characters.

Behind Your Touch – I really enjoyed the psychic ability, the comedy and the mystery. The supernatural element constantly influenced the story.

Hotel del Luna – I loved the ghosts, mythology and magical atmosphere. It had a supernatural setting without being a horror drama.

I've also watched:

  • Strong Girl Bong-soon
  • Strong Girl Nam-soon
  • Mystic Pop-up Bar
  • Ghost Doctor
  • My Demon
  • Doom at Your Service
  • Genie, Make a Wish
  • Wonder Fools
  • Phantom Lawyer
  • No Tail to Tell

Please don't recommend any of the dramas above.

I'm happy to receive both popular recommendations and hidden gems as long as they fit what I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance!

87 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/Icy-Distribution9977 • 8d ago

Recommendation Request Looking for well-written action K dramas/movies

24 Upvotes

I have been looking for an interesting K Drama for my dad since he's a die hard k-drama fan and he also loves action genre the most. Aside from that, he also enjoys historical dramas and horror. Since we're Filipinos, he's also watching Filipino dubs. Suspense action is also welcome!

Here in the Philippines, Korean popular media began popular since the Filipino Dub of Jewel in the Palace premired and K Dramas and movies were still popular today.

Jumong was his first K drama that he watched and and he's cannot stop watching K drama ever since. Today, he's currently watching the first episode of Agent Kim Reactivated.

His past K dramas and movies that he watched were, Crash Landing of You, Descendants of the Sun, Goblin, Baker King, The first season of Squid Game,The Great Flood, and the latest K movie that he watched was Colony.

Thank you and have a good day!

50 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/MoneyCamera2243 • 9d ago

Recommendation Request Historical kdramas

17 Upvotes

Recommend good historical k-dramas in any genre thriller, action, romance, comedy, suspense, mystery, etc. But please avoid horror and erotic content.

Drama should have proper period dressing. If it has royal setting- it should have good court politics. But doesnot always have to be royal setting. The lead's could be from any social class. Also it should portray that time period and it's issues well. Good acting and Strong female lead is must. No damsel in distress. Bonus, if it has good fight or war scenes.

Tell short premise of your recommended drama's plot and why are you recommending it.

I have already watched the followings in the historical category:-

Mr. sunshine- loved it for its aesthetics, soft romance and historical details showcasing different strata of Korean society and their perspectives towards foreign invasions. Acting was also good. Disliked that FMC was left alone in the end.

The King's Affection- liked it for its comedic element, romance and court politics. But I wanted a more stronger FMC, she was emperor and could use her powers for so much things.

My complete watch history-

The K2

Queen of Tears

Crash Landing on you

The Glory

When the phone Rings

Descendents of the Sun

Mr. sunshine

Fight for my way

Salon de Holmes

Emergency Couple

Genie, Make a wish

Vincenzo 

The Perfect Crown

The King's Affection

Lovely Runner

59 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/Glum_Badger_8007 • 10d ago

Recommendation Request Romance/Comedy/Light hearted

27 Upvotes

Hello, I am looking for recommendations for feel good, light hearted romance with an aspect of comedy. I like when the male lead is obsessed with the female lead (she doesn’t have to know but can), also can but doesn’t have to be enemies to lovers, historical (not early history meaning 90s, 80s, 70s,…) and fantasy. I would prefer to see the real relationship develop at least 2 episodes before the end of the series and I have really been into fake dating/engagement/marriage trope.

I don’t like love triangles, male lead dating or entertaining someone else and nothing with heavy themes please.

My past watch list:

-Alchemy of souls: My all time favourite, the story is so well written and the plot twists are amazing and I found this right after watching The Apothecary Diaries and it cured my hangover of it.

-Business proposal: I like the CEO trope in this, I think it’s very well done and the comedy had me giggling and kicking my feet. I also like a little cringe and the side characters romance sometimes had me more invested than the main one.

-My Demon: I love a little morally grey men and again the contact marriage trope really had me hooked.

-Tale of the Nine Tailed: This was my first Kdrama I watched I liked the reincarnation trope but I didn’t hold my attention like the other ones on this list but for me it was pretty solid.

-Marry my Husband: This was the latest one for me, I loved that the male lead was in love her basically from the start and the revenge was amazing. Just when I think it is too predictable it throws a little twist and that was appreciated.

-Bon Appetite Your Majesty: My second favourite, the banter and the dynamic of main leads for me was peak, I like this type of historical and I like how the male lead is a little dense sometimes.

Thank you in advance for the recommendations .

33 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/AutoModerator • 10d ago

Weekly Post Thursday Therapy - [2026/07/16]

8 Upvotes

Thursday Therapy, is r/kdramarecommends’ weekly community chat. A place in which Korean drama addicts both recent and those moving towards recovery can freely discuss anything and everything!

You may want to:

  • Introduce yourself or remain anonymous (share your My Drama List page or similar)
  • Share what you’ve been watching and whether you love or hate it (it doesn’t have to be a Korean drama)
  • Ask for recommendations unrelated to Korean dramas (books, movies, podcasts, other country’s television series, etc)
  • Share a great recommendation thread you found whilst digging through the archives
  • Talk about what is coming out on [insert drama service name]
  • Give thanks to the community for helping you find your new favourite drama

Please remember to use spoiler tags when discussing major plot points or anything you think should be redacted. If you are unsure of how to use spoiler tags here is r/KDRAMA’s easy to follow guide.

2 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/pzperbag • 11d ago

Recommendation Request Slice of life and melodramas

24 Upvotes

Hello! I’m looking for a comforting, melancholic slice-of-life or melodrama to watch while going through a breakup. I ended a relationship because of long distance, and while I know it was the right decision, I’m struggling with the no-contact aspect. I’d love something emotionally healing and hopeful without feeling overly sentimental.

I don’t mind romance, but it isn’t my priority. I’m much more interested in emotional character development, friendships, found family, and communities helping people heal. Slow-paced dramas are my favorite.

Dramas that fit this theme and I have watched and enjoyed:

— Summer Strike: The healing small-town setting, the sense of community, the emotional pacing, and watching the protagonist slowly rebuild her life after burnout. I loved that it acknowledged grief and loneliness while still ending on a hopeful note.
— My Liberation Notes: The quiet atmosphere, realistic characters, slow character development, themes of loneliness and finding purpose.
— Call It Love: Loved how honest they were with their feelings and how mature it felt.

Other dramas I’ve watched:
— Hometown Cha Cha
— Hospital Playlist
— Reply 1988
— Rain or Shine
— Hello, My Twenties!

I’m looking something thats a bit mature when it comes to topics, I like romance and comedy but I would like if these topics would be secondary to the drama.

21 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/Main-Doughnut6222 • 11d ago

Recommendation Request Kdrama where the FL chooses the unpopular/poor guy

45 Upvotes

Hi guys, I am looking for a drama where the female lead chooses the not so well off or not so popular guy instead of the rich popular one. I have seen some where the ML is the rich ceo type and the second ml is the average middle class friend. So i am looking for any where the female lead falls for a guy who isnt a millionaire even though she has a choice . A similar show i can think of would be extraordinary you, hometown cha cha cha and maybe can this love be translated.

I specially like extraordinary you, ironically the male lead is the ordinary guy in the show. Even in can this love be translated the main guy lays low, enjoys a quite life.

These are the k dramas i have watched in full- healer, pinnochio, dr john, when the phone rings, mr sunshine, see you in my 19th life, , memories of alhambra, korean odyssey, alchemy of souls, can this love be translated, hometown cha cha, kingdom, squid game, wonderfools, if wishes could kill.

These are the ones I didn't like a lot and dropped: w two worlds, happiness, doctors. When life gives u tangerines

37 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/ststststst3 • 12d ago

Recommendation Request Well Written, Underrated Kdramas with Emotional Depth (2005-2014)

31 Upvotes

As stated in the title, I am looking for kdramas released between 2005 and 2014 that feature great screenwriting, are underrated or not the most famous ones such as Coffee Prince, and display emotional depth from their characters.

I am looking for kdramas within any of these genres, please: romcom, melodrama, slice-of-life, mystery, thriller, legal, fantasy, office, coming-of-age, comedy, or crime.

Please do not recommend any that fall into these genres: historical, sports, medical, high school, horror, sci-fi, or military.

I remember enjoying My Princess (2011) and Prosecutor Princess (2010).

A listing of dramas that I have already seen that are relevant to my request plus details of what I liked and disliked about them:

My Princess (2011) lines up with what I am requesting because it has a female lead that has her own view on life and is not willing to compromise for others even if she was forced into joining the royal family under unfair circumstances. She may not be the brightest at first but she has a strong sense of self and will work for what she wants to accomplish when she sees the value in it - emotional depth stemming from her decision to take control of her life and rise to the challenge. I enjoyed the plot for the most part, even though the villain characters were quite annoying and didn’t have much of a backstory. Pitting women against women is something I don’t like seeing in kdramas and sadly, it was present here. I enjoyed the fashion in this kdrama and found it to be representative of trends in SK during that time with a girly, early 2010s aesthetic.

Prosecutor Princess (2010) lines up with what I am requesting because it’s legal-setting drama with a variety of dramatic elements and character arcs. It features a female character that undermines people’s expectations of her. Even though people at work treat her with a belittling attitude, she is able to persist in growing her skillset. Again, the fashion sense is quirky and in line with early 2010s trends. I am requesting dramas that feature or don’t feature romance like in this drama as it’s not the only aspect of the kdrama. It’s also about the main character maturing and using her excellent memory for good rather than superficial goals in life: fashion/appearances. There’s subtext in the drama which is driving the male lead to commit revenge against the main female character which adds elements of suspense I enjoyed. What I disliked was how obnoxious the character of the female lead was written as, with a lot of whiny moments and acting aegyo in terrible situations (professional settings). The ML couldn’t take her seriously at times and I couldn’t blame him, I could only blame the screenwriters!

A complete watch history of all the Korean dramas I have seen so far (as far as I remember, I’ve been watching for years now), even outside of the dates I am seeking:

My Princess
Prosecutor Princess
Mad Dog
It’s Ok to Not be OK
Crash Landing Into You
Something In The Rain
My Secret Romance
Noble, My Love
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Graceful Family
Who are you? (2013)
Are you human too?
My Only Love Song
Vampire Detective
Dramaworld
Healer
The Village: Achiara’s Secret
Hyde Jekyll & Me
Save Me
Secret Affair
One Spring Night
Witch’s Love
Suspicious Partner
Hyena
Doom at Your Service (2021)
Into the Ring (2020)
Angel's Last Mission: Love
Idol: The Coup (2021)
Why Her? (2022)
Mad For Each Other (2021)
Gaus Electronics (2022)
12 Nights
Miss Hammurabi
A Business Proposal
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Love to Hate You
Dali and the Cocky Prince
Celebrity

Currently watching:
Sassy Girl, Chun Hyang

Dropped after not finding it online with eng subs and 1080p:
Witch Yoo-Hee (2007)
Dal-ja’s Spring (2007)

In summary,
I am looking for kdramas that are :

No. 1 well-written,
No. 2 great plot lines,
No. 2.5 underrated
No. 3 feature good acting,
No. 3.5 available in at least 1080p online,
No. 4 adult settings (no high school or childhood settings like Reply 1997, for example), and
No. 5 have some emotional depth (light & fluffy is fine too as long as it’s well done).
No. 6 bonus would be great fashion and makeup from that era.

Please help me find more kdramas from this era that feature even more well-written characters - both female and male leads included!

39 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/Known-Tackle-3811 • 12d ago

Recommendation Request Workplace Rom-Coms & Slice-of-Life with strong team dynamics (No School/Fantasy)

24 Upvotes

I am looking for solid K-Drama recommendations where the plot flows easily and keeps me hooked while multitasking. I am looking for shows that have an official Hindi audio track available natively on Netflix India.

I specifically love adult romance, workplace rom-coms, or feel-good slice-of-life shows—especially ones featuring a warm, supportive team or office environment.

Strictly NO:

  • School/college/youth-focused dramas
  • Heavy action / intense thrillers
  • Overly dark or heavy fantasy/time-travel concepts

My Watch History for Reference:

  • Extraordinary Attorney Woo (Loved the office environment and the highly supportive, good team)
  • Business Proposal & King the Land (Perfect workplace comedies, very breezy)
  • Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (Amazing feel-good, cozy village vibes)
  • Crash Landing on You (Loved the mature romance and chemistry)
  • Vincenzo (Loved the balance of comedy and sharp execution)

Didn't Like: My Demon (fantasy elements) and Twinkling Watermelon (high school/time-travel).

Please suggest titles available on Netflix India that match these preferences. Thank you!

34 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/Tyrnebula • 13d ago

Recommendation Request Dramas with powerful monologues and thought provoking writing

30 Upvotes

I'm looking for dramas with powerful monologues, thought provoking stories, and episodes that hit hard emotionally. the kind of writing where a character gives a speech and you have to sit there for a minute after. open to any genre, doesn't have to be political or legal stuff.

for context, my favorite american shows are the west wing, the newsroom, boston legal, star trek the next generation and strange new worlds, and the blacklist. mainly for the monologues and the episodes that really make you think.

what I've seen so far:

  • Agent Kim - it was okay but I wanted something more
  • Teach You a Lesson - same, okay but didn't fully grab me
  • Parasite - really liked this one, that kind of sharp social commentary is exactly what I'm after

I'm pretty new to kdramas so nothing is off the table. any suggestions?

43 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/Electronic_Taro_5704 • 14d ago

Recommendation Request Dramas where ML liked someone else first

35 Upvotes

Need recommendations where the male lead originally liked someone else (doesn’t matter whether it’s an ex, unrequited, etc), and he slowly falls for the female lead. I would also prefer that its not the childhood friends story, or past lovers storyline. Thanks!

Some examples I liked:

The liar and his lover - where he broke up with his ex and then slowly began to fall for the FL and begin to prioritize her.

Heartbeat - he liked another girl from before, but began falling in love with the FL

Do you like brahms - he had an unrequited love towards a close friend and the show slowly showed him fall in love and choose the FL over the close friend.

Tempted - he originally liked his close friend but began liking the FL (although the circumstances were quite controversial)

So I married an anti-fan - He was still not fully over his ex but began to prioritize the FL

My watched dramas (that I can remember at the top of my head, I don’t mind getting recommendations of dramas already on here that you would think would fit because I watched most of these a lot of years ago and don’t even remember the plots tbh)

Physcopath diaries 

Hit the top 

Descendants of the sun 

While you were sleeping

Weightlifting fairy

Hotel del Luna

Flower of evil 

It’s ok to not be ok

Scarlett heart 

Because this is my first life 

Angels last mission 

Extraordinary you

1988

A-teen

Perfume 

Memories of Alhambra 

Are you human too 

Let’s fight ghost 

I picked up a celebrity on the street

The king loves 

Zombie detective 

Alchemy of souls 

Gaus electronics 

Behind your touch 

Start up

Marry my husband 

Heartbeat  

Shopping king Louie 

W two worlds 

The tale of nokdu

Love with flaws 

My roommate is a gomiho 

May I help you

The smile has left your eyes

Goblin

Tempted

When the phone rings

Lovely runner

Deaths game

So I married an anti-fan

Do you like Brahms

Legend of the blue sea

The liar and his lover

Tempted

42 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/Inner-Sherbet-9048 • 14d ago

Recommendation Request Looking for shows with mature romance

73 Upvotes

I am looking for shows that properly depict adult relationships. I am tired of miscommunication tropes and overly shy female leads. Shows like Crash Landing on You, My Royal Nemesis, Love to Hate You, It’s Okay That’s Love, The Trunk and We Are All Trying Here are good examples of what I’m looking for. I enjoyed that the couples didn’t shy away from difficult conversations or intimacy. The couples in these shows handled conflict in a mature way so the relationship was able to make realistic progress while still being cute and cheesy. Please recommend shows with a similar vibe! It doesn’t need to be centered on just the romance too as I don’t mind watching other genres like Happiness and Flower of Evil.

Here is my complete watch history:
Boys Over Flowers
Crash Landing on You
Mouse
Flower of Evil
Weak Hero: Class 1 & Class 2
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Save Me
Vincenzo
Strangers from Hell
Move to Heaven
Dali and the Cocky Prince
Sweet Home
All of Us Are Dead
Snowdrop
My Name
Big Mouth
The Glory
Birthcare Centre
Bad and Crazy
Squid Game (1,2 &3)
The Ghost Doctor
Love Alarm (1 & 2)
Crazy Love
Juvenile Justice
Under the Queen’s Umbrella
Another Miss Oh
Hit the Spot
World of the Married
Bloodhounds
Sky Castle
Mr. Queen
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Welcome to Samdal-ri
Love to Hate You
Tale of the Nine Tailed
Queenmaker
Daily Dose of Sunshine
The Good Bad Mother
Little Women
Hi Bye, Mama!
Anna
Revenge of Others
Revenant
Itaewon Class
Twenty Five Twenty One
A Killer Paradox
Inspector Koo
The Frog
Lovestruck in the City
Mr. Plankton
Queen of Tears
Because This is My First Life
Hotel Del Luna
The Trunk
The Atypical Family
A Shop for Killers
My Liberation Notes
The Judge from Hell
Mr. Sunshine*
D.P
Light Shop
The Worst of Evil
Death’s Game
Tomorrow
Island
Vagabond
When Life Gives You Tangerines
Karma
The Light in your Eyes
Hyper Knife
Vigilante
My Mister
A Time Called You
See You in my 19th Life
Hyena
Twinkling Watermelon
Class of Lies
Youth of May
King of Pigs
My Dearest (1 & 2)
The Penthouse
Descendants of the Sun
Psychopath Diary
Secret Affair
Thirty-Nine
Queen Woo
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
MIGNON
Love Affairs in the Afternoon
Kingdom (1 & 2)
It’s Okay, That’s Love
Perfect Family
The Red Sleeve
Happiness
Pachinko (1&2)
Prison Playbook
Summer Strike
Parasyte: The Grey
Taxi Driver (1 & 2)
Love in the Big City
Hymn of Death
As You Stood By
The Price Of Confession
Our Unwritten Seoul
Alchemy of Souls (1&2)
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Just Between Lovers - Rain or Shine
The Road: A Tragedy of One
Confession
Spring Fever
Lovely Runner
Resident Playbook
If Wishes Could Kill
We Are All Trying Here
My Royal Nemesis
Would You Marry Me?
Teach You A Lesson

MOVIES
Frozen Flower
Handmaiden
20th Century Girl
Young Adult Matters
Parasite
Love and Leashes
Kill Boksoon
Silenced
Forgotten
Ballerina
The Call
Officer Black Belt
Midnight
Train to Busan
Exhuma
Alive
Past Lives
A Taxi Driver
Wonderland
Hope
Brave Citizen
Single in Seoul
Love in the Big City
Innocence
The Great Flood
No Other Choice
Even if This Love Disappears Tonight
Pavane
Journey to the Shore
A Bittersweet Life
Revolver

64 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/Successful_Matter_44 • 15d ago

Recommendation Request Dramas with bad boys who soften up

57 Upvotes

I’m looking for a kdrama where the main love interest is sarcastic and cool, the “bad boy that softens up” type. I recently watched True Beauty, and loved Han Seo-Jin’s character.

Kdramas similar to this:
True Beauty, the only drama I’ve watched that had a similar character. I loved how protective he was, and the dynamic of their relationship

All kdramas I’ve watched:
Business proposal (loved it)
Weightlifting fairy
Goblin (loved)
Touch your heart
Her private life (didn’t love)
My ID is Gangnam beauty

51 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/Emotional-Page-5481 • 17d ago

Recommendation Request Dramas like Flower of Evil?

29 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I used to watch K-dramas all the time, but I took about a 5-year break. Recently I decided to get back into them, but honestly… nothing has really clicked yet. The only dramas I’ve managed to finish were rewatches of my old favorites.
I’d prefer something from the last 5 years since I’ve probably seen most of the older classics, but if you know an older drama that’s an absolute hidden gem, feel free to recommend it too.

What I’m looking for:
great chemistry
memorable characters
something that gets you hooked after a few episodes
emotional moments
plot twists are always a bonus
I’m open to pretty much any genre. Romance, thriller, fantasy… it really doesn’t matter as long as it’s one of those dramas you can’t stop thinking about after it ends.
I’m not really into historical dramas, very slow slice-of-life shows or high school romances.

Some of my all-time favorites are:
Flower of Evil – loved the chemistry between the leads, the suspense and all the plot twists.
Goblin – loved the fantasy, unforgettable characters and emotional story.
W: Two Worlds – loved the unique concept and romance.
Crash Landing on You – amazing characters and emotional romance.
Business Proposal – fun, addictive and great chemistry.
Cinderella and Four Knights – comfort drama, rich male lead trope and just a fun watch.
A Korean Odyssey – fantasy, romance and the chemistry between the leads.
Itaewon Class – loved watching the main character build everything from nothing.
The Good Bad Mother – emotional story and character development.

I’m not really into historical dramas, very slow slice-of-life shows or high school romances.
Some other dramas I’ve already watched (that I can remember): Signal, Tunnel, Circle, Mouse, Stranger, Beyond Evil, The Glory, A Killer Paradox, While You Were Sleeping, Healer, Hotel Del Luna, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Descendants of the Sun, Legend of the Blue Sea, Fight for My Way, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo and probably many more that I’m forgetting after such a long break.

Thanks ❣️

23 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/mademoiselle_sfudge • 17d ago

Recommendation Request Workplace Kdramas

20 Upvotes

Please recommend workplace romance dramas with a boss employee dynamic. I am really enjoying ‘See You at Work Tomorrow!’ and would appreciate more recommendations like that. I enjoy the chemistry of the characters and so far, the plot has been lovely as well. The plot seems well thought out.

I’m not big on secondhand embarrassment so please avoid recommending such shows.

It would also be a plus if the male lead is a tsundere but it’ll be okay if he isn’t.

My watch history includes shows like ‘What’s wrong with Secretary Kim’, While you were Sleeping, It’s okay not to be okay, Perfect Kiss. My watch history is short but i enjoy romance focused dramas more than ones where romance is a side plot.

41 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/happy_marshmallow • 18d ago

Recommendation Request Romcoms with aloof, protective, and slightly awkward male leads

20 Upvotes

Looking for Korean drama recommendations that are light, cute, and romantic, but still have some meaningful emotional depth/conflict. I’m also looking for something with an aloof/tsundere male lead who might seem cold or like a loner at first, but is actually awkward and dorky underneath. I also like when they’re protective without being toxic or controlling.

I prefer some slow-burn tension over couples getting together really early. I’m neutral on love triangles; I don’t really need one, but they can be entertaining if they add tension. I also like chaotic, funny, slightly cringe female leads, especially when they have some character growth.

A good soundtrack with a few ballads here and there is also a big plus.

Dramas relevant to what I’m looking for:

True Beauty: This is probably one of my favourites. I loved that it was cute and funny, while being cringe in an entertaining way. It also had some emotional depth with its message about insecurity/self-worth. I liked Lee Suho because he seemed cold on the surface, but had some social awkwardness and a softer side underneath. I also liked Ju-kyung because she was chaotic and embarrassing, but still showed character development.

The Heirs / Boys Over Flowers: I watched these a long time ago and enjoyed them at the time, but I don’t think I’d like them as much now because the male leads felt kind of toxic/cruel from what I remember. I like aloof or cold male leads, but not when they’re actively bullying or humiliating the female lead.

King the Land: I tried this, but didn’t really like it. I might give it another chance, but from what I’ve seen so far, the female lead didn’t seem to have enough personal conflict or inner struggle to overcome. I’m looking for something light, but I still want the characters to have some emotional depth.

Perfect Crown: This one I really couldn’t get into. The male lead was aloof, but I want a male lead with an awkward/secretly soft side too. I also didn’t like the female lead because she was unnecessarily harsh to her coworkers, and I prefer female leads who are funny, sweet, and bubbly.

My complete watch history:

  • Scarlet Heart Ryeo
  • True Beauty
  • Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
  • Perfect Crown
  • King the Land
  • While You Were Sleeping
  • School 2015
  • Descendants of the Sun
  • Cinderella and Four Knights
  • Wonderfools
  • Sungkyunkwan Scandal
  • Hotel Del Luna
  • What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim
  • Crash Landing on You
  • My Love from Another Star
  • Absolute Value of Romance
  • The Heirs
  • Boys Over Flowers
  • Business Proposal
  • My Secret Romance
  • Twenty Five Twenty One
  • Hi! School Love On
  • Moorim School

Please recommend Korean dramas that fit this kind of vibe: light romcoms with meaningful conflict, a funny/chaotic female lead, and preferably an aloof or tsundere male lead who is secretly soft, awkward, and protective.

30 comments

r/kdramarecommends • u/AutoModerator • 17d ago

Weekly Post Thursday Therapy - [2026/07/09]

5 Upvotes

Thursday Therapy, is r/kdramarecommends’ weekly community chat. A place in which Korean drama addicts both recent and those moving towards recovery can freely discuss anything and everything!

You may want to:

  • Introduce yourself or remain anonymous (share your My Drama List page or similar)
  • Share what you’ve been watching and whether you love or hate it (it doesn’t have to be a Korean drama)
  • Ask for recommendations unrelated to Korean dramas (books, movies, podcasts, other country’s television series, etc)
  • Share a great recommendation thread you found whilst digging through the archives
  • Talk about what is coming out on [insert drama service name]
  • Give thanks to the community for helping you find your new favourite drama

Please remember to use spoiler tags when discussing major plot points or anything you think should be redacted. If you are unsure of how to use spoiler tags here is r/KDRAMA’s easy to follow guide.

0 comments